Do I Even Want to Go to Law School? How to Know if Law School is Right for You
TLDR: Ask yourself the right questions–starting with why. Gather information from others who have done it or not done it.
(Read: Don’t go to law school if you’re not certain of it.)
It may be easier at this point to consider why you don’t want to go to law school. If your reason is financial, skip down below where I tell you that you can go to law school for free. If you can think of a few reasons other than that, no need to read further.
Law school is a huge commitment—three years of rigorous study; a significant financial investment; and a career path that most likely demands billable hours, in-person work as opposed to work from home, and research and writing. Law school also isn’t akin to undergrad, and everyone in law school is smart, driven, and capable, just like you. So, how do you know if it’s the right move for you?
I created this guide from my experience to help you reflect on your motivations, goals, and expectations before you take the leap. Most of the following advice is advice I have taken in from law school students, mentors in the field, professors, and career politicians who I’ve sat down with over the past few years as I asked myself the same questions.
Questions to Ask Yourself
Whether you’re on the fence or not, it’s a good practice to ask yourself the following questions. This can either reassure your commitment to becoming a lawyer or tell you if you need to dive deeper into an explanation and really figure it out.
Here are some questions to guide your reflection:
Why do I want to go to law school?
Are you passionate about the law, or are you feeling external pressure to apply?
What motivates you: advocacy, financial stability, prestige, or something else?
Do I enjoy the type of work lawyers do?
Have you spoken to lawyers or shadowed someone in the field?
Do tasks like research, writing, and problem-solving excite you?
What are my long-term goals?
Do you see yourself practicing law, or are you considering a legal degree for another purpose?
How does a law degree fit into your broader career vision?
Am I prepared for the financial and time commitments?
Have you researched the cost of law school and weighed it against potential earnings?
Are you ready to dedicate three years to rigorous academic work?
What other options have I considered?
Would another degree or career path better align with your goals?
Are there ways to explore law-related roles without committing to law school?
Why These Questions Matters
You have, essentially, two options with a J.D.: to practice law or use the degree and knowledge as tools for another career type. Law school teaches you how to read and reason in a different way. (Or so I’ve heard.) Studying for the LSAT does the same. (I know that to be true!) I took note of congressmen, lobbyists, policymakers, researchers, and academics who use their J.D. for the wealth of knowledge and the extra “badge,” per say, to get their foot in the door—any door.
Though, the decision is about more than filling out applications and acing the LSAT. It’s a significant investment of your time, money, and energy. Here are a few reasons why these questions are so important:
Find Your Why.
Your why is what will carry you through the long nights, near impossible assignments, and the inevitable moments of doubt.
It’s the reason, at your core, that keeps you going when the excitement fades and it’s no longer glamorous, when the imposter syndrome creeps in, or when you’re buried in readings and case law wondering why you signed up for it. It can look like a myriad of things, and it is certainly going to be specific to you.
Start to consider what impact you want to make with your degree. Is it for the public good? Do you want to help marginalized communities navigate the legal system? Or, are you fascinated by corporate mergers or the legality of a contract? Maybe you want financial stability for your family in the long run. It doesn’t have to be groundbreaking. If you think to yourself “I don’t know what else to do,” you’re in the wrong place. I will convince you that this isn’t the right move if you’re winging it. At that point, you may discover that your goals align better with public policy, business, or another field. Asking yourself these questions early can save you time, and potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars, before committing to law school.
When you’re passionate about the work you do–not just the idea of it–the hours go by a little easier. If your why is the money or the title, it’s going to be a long road ahead.
Avoid Regret and Burnout
I’ll say it again: law school is intense, with long hours of studying, fierce competition, and high expectations. If your heart isn’t fully in it, and you don’t have your why, you risk feeling overwhelmed or burned out before you even reach your second year. Worse, you could graduate with a degree you’re not excited to use. Find purpose, and find resilience.
If you are burnt out in a desk job and thinking of making this career change, these questions might be even more important for you. Being a lawyer might be much of the same thing.
Set Realistic Expectations
Lawyers have been romanticized for decades. I’m sure you’ve seen Law & Order, Suits, or Lincoln Lawyer. (If you haven’t, where have you been?) I hate to break it to you, but the reality is often far less glamorous. I was a paralegal with an attorney’s job duties for three years. Get ready for hours of research, drafting, and problem-solving.
Do you have a sense of what a lawyer does on the day to day, hour by hour? It may be important to note: There are two main categories of law–transactional and litigation. Transactional law attorneys enjoy a more predictable schedule, focusing on contracts, negotiations, and deals. They draft agreements, advise clients, and work behind the scenes to prevent legal issues before they arise. Litigation attorneys, on the other hand, spend their time preparing cases, drafting motions, arguing in court, and managing the unpredictable nature of disputes. It’s okay to not know which one you want to go into even when you are in law school, but knowing there are two different paths may be something to think about when deciding whether you want to continue.
Manage the Financial Commitment
Bottom line: Law school is expensive. Tuition, books, and living expenses can leave you paying back student loans debt for the next twenty years.
PRO TIP: Don’t pay for law school. I had 3 full-ride offers and other significant scholarship offers from top law schools in the country because I took the time–maybe too much time–focusing on the LSAT.
My LSAT tutors told me I could go to law school for free, and I shook my head and laughed, thinking it wasn’t possible or that I didn’t care. I wanted to get into a T-14 for the name recognition, the prestige. What I didn’t know was that applying to schools just slightly outside that range, depending on your LSAT score and undergraduate GPA, could open the same doors with financial freedom.
What are your career goals? Have you always dreamt of Big Law? Or, do you want to work in the public sector? Maybe you aren’t sure yet. If your goal is to not work 80-hour work weeks to make the big bucks, then consider schools that have a median LSAT at or slightly below your score (or your goal score). That’s where the money is!
However, there is an argument for spending the money up front and making back the returns on your investment. Another pro tip: schools have to report almost anything to the American Bar Association. On each school’s 509 report, you can find how much scholarship money the school gives out and other reports show you the average salary of the recent graduating class. Check it out!
Empower Your Decision
When you’re clear about why you’re pursuing law school, it’s easier to stay motivated through challenges. The “why” becomes your anchor when classes get tough or when you’re tempted to compare yourself to peers. Knowing this is your choice—aligned with your goals and passions—gives you confidence and direction.
Actionable Steps to Find Your Answer
Here are a few actionable steps to gain clarity:
Speak with a Lawyer: Research lawyers in your area and reach out to them. Spend a day observing their work to get a firsthand look at the profession or ask them to coffee. Most people are happy to talk about themselves, and many seem to appreciate that you took the time to ask. The worst that can happen is they say no.
Speak with Current Students: Reach out to law students to learn about their experiences and challenges. Many times you can do this through the Admissions office of a school near you or one you are interested in. Ask them to connect you. Or, go to their Instagram site and DM a few people mentioned on their page.
Create a Pros and Cons List: Whether it’s a formal list or just your thoughts on the topic, write down the potential benefits and drawbacks of attending law school from your personal perspective. Go a step further and jot down your answers to the above questions.
Work in a Related Field: Gain experience in a law-adjacent role to see if you enjoy the environment. This can be an internship or a full-time job. It can only help you and your resume to step into 1L with more knowledge–or save the time and money not to step into 1L at all if you decide it’s not right for you.
In the end, there is no wrong answer.
Whatever you do, you can be great at it. If you decide to go to law school after your reflection, great! If not, awesome! And know that it is never too late to go. For me, taking a few gap years was the best decision of my life because I had time to answer these questions. I know I’m in a better spot because I thought it out.
And this decision is deeply personal. There’s no right or wrong answer—just the one that aligns with your goals, values, and aspirations. Remember, this isn’t a race. Take your time, do your research, and trust that the right path will reveal itself. Whether you choose law school or another direction, you’ll be building a future that reflects you. I thought I had to go to law school because I told my friends and family, and I didn’t want to seem like a failure. Throw that thought in the trash if you’re thinking “me too.” This is your life, and if you’re reading into it, then you’re big enough to make your own decisions.
This section of Law and Wellness is “The Brief,” where I share actionable tips and strategy. Want to hear a true story? Navigate to “The Journal.”
Have more questions about law school or career paths? Let’s connect!
