Listen to them.
I know you won't, but listen anyway. I had some folks telling me flat-out: "Don't go." I didn't listen. I still stand by not listening. I felt like going to law school was the right decision for me, and I still feel like it was. I know that sounds messed up given my most recent decision regarding law school. But I gained a lot. A lot of knowledge, friends, and general life experience. An adventure, really sucky at times, well worth it.
So, listen to your critics, make a rational decision, or do neither. Go with your gut. Do whatever you feel is right. My point: it's your decision. I certainly don't mean by "Listen to them," that you have to do what they say. I think you should at the very least factor it in. I just hope you'll remember that if you get through the first semester or two and hate it, that you don't have to be stuck there. Responsibly and seriously consider pulling out and exploring your other options. Don't wait too long to reassess.
If law school is all you've ever wanted, I don't know what to tell you folks exactly. I did not have the legal ambition until after I was already halfway done with undergrad. So, I don't really know how to relate with you, but I suppose if you are reading this, just know that it's not the end of the world if you hate it. Don't be afraid to give it a year, and then reassess and determine if law school and the law is really what you thought it was. Perhaps my advice means follow your dreams, until they're not your dreams anymore?
Legal education in this country could use a lot of improvements. It's a hoop-jumping system that charges increasingly exorbitant amounts of money each year to teach you mostly things that will never come in handy after the bar is over. But if you're taking your decision seriously, you already know that. You're ready to jump. I was, too. I knew the checkmarks I'd have to get before I completed the somewhat arbitrary legal checklist. As it turned out, my life didn't make it easy, and I realized that the hoop-jumping didn't feel like it was going to be worth it. I felt in prison, and you just might, too. Just be prepared for it not to be exactly like you may have always hoped it would be.
To George Mason's credit, they very clearly let us 1Ls know that the legal market and law school itself would not be a delightful diversion. Many of my classmates commented that they were freaked out by how bluntly we were told that it was going to be rough. I cannot say I was not fairly warned.
Just because I quit law school, does not mean that I hate everything about it, or that I think everyone should get out. I still love some aspects of the law, and the great societal utility it can provide. I had first-class, accomplished classmates who are headed for great things. I learned that the law can be used in some very admirable and noble ways. I had some great professors that taught me some things that will be useful for the rest of my life. I worked with judges and lawyers that afforded me some unforgettable experiences and lessons.
I tried to fit the law into my life, but it wasn't working. That's an oversimplification of everything that lead to me quitting, but I just want readers to know that I still condone some people going into the law. It can be a great thing. It wasn't for me. Know that it just might not be for you, either.
Next time on How To Quit Law School: How to deal with critics of your decision to quit law school.
Showing posts with label law school. Show all posts
Showing posts with label law school. Show all posts
How to Talk Yourself Out of Law School
As promised, the following are the notes I took during one of my courtroom observing sessions while being a judicial intern this summer. Obviously I was VERY distracted. Yeah, people were being arraigned, getting cuffed, or being sentenced to prison while I was just jotting this stuff down on my legal sheets. I was initially just goofing around, but it became a fully formed legal-style memo. For some reason I thought it should be in the third person?
Judge Allphin's Criminal Calendar
"An"
Stable v. Fun
Issue: Whether under the weight of law school debt, Jeff should pursue a job that he enjoys or one that pays but he can handle?
Facts: Jeff is $100k in debt from a year and a half's worth of law school student loans. To this point, Jeff has only completed 35 credits, and has at least two years of prison remaining. Jeff could work in public service and get debt forgiveness after 25 years. Jeff could also have income contingent payments. Jeff hates law school. He doesn't really enjoy working in the law either. He has some desire to be a writer. He also wants to weigh these matters with some reality.
Statute: Debt collectors can be sicked on Jeff if he doesn't meet his obligations.
Analysis: Jeff's main goal is to be financially stable and not unhealthily unhappy with his job. The second part of that almost definitely precludes a legal job, as it is these jobs that have landed Jeff in this predicament. The weight of reality also seems to preclude Jeff dedicating too much time to writing, as that is a proven unlucrative field for millions of aspiring writers. Jeff could be crazy if he tries to continue law school, and likely would fail out or do very poorly. Jeff has multiple other options that he has entertained. He considers HR a field he would probably be good at, and that wouldn't make him very unhappy. He has always felt that he would be a teacher as well. This might not only satisfy his need to not be unhealthily unhappy, but it would have other benefits. Some feel that they have a few things in life that they're meant to do. This would fall in that category for Jeff. However, following this path has gotten Jeff into trouble before, as Jeff felt meant to go to law school. He did, however, feel before he made that decision that he was going to be humbled and fail. He feels that came to fruition, and that a "meant to do"-path may still be for him. Teaching would also carry financial benefits, whether Jeff pursues a PhD, or a teaching certificate that would permit him to teach college courses or high school courses, respectively. Either way, Jeff wouldn't have an extremely lucrative job, but if he teaches at a public institution he may qualify for public service debt forgiveness. Jeff may have other options, but none seems to be as good a solution as teaching. As far as his choice between the teaching certificate and pursuing a PhD, Jeff is concerned with his: (a) ability to gain acceptance to these programs and (b) ability to pay his debt in the interim between the present and starting the further schooling necessary. Jeff hasn't considered how quickly he could get going on the teaching certificate, but knows that he would have to wait a year before he could start a masters, preceding a PhD. This interim could be filled with a simple retail job, but that might not satisfy debt payments and other financial obligations. Jeff might pursue humanitarian causes during this interim, but also is concerned with the financial burden created by the opportunity costs.
Conclusion and recommendation: Given the seriousness of unhealthy unhappiness Jeff has experienced, it seems only proper that he quit law school entirely. Although this frightens him and may lead to difficulties, it seems to be for the best. It is recommended that Jeff seriously reconsider high school instruction, or that he do what is necessary to pursue a masters and a PhD. The interim is a matter he's capable of dealing with. He is capable of finding a decent-paying job. He can do it.
Next time on How to Quit Law School: pros and cons lists.
Judge Allphin's Criminal Calendar
Stable v. Fun
Issue: Whether under the weight of law school debt, Jeff should pursue a job that he enjoys or one that pays but he can handle?
Facts: Jeff is $100k in debt from a year and a half's worth of law school student loans. To this point, Jeff has only completed 35 credits, and has at least two years of prison remaining. Jeff could work in public service and get debt forgiveness after 25 years. Jeff could also have income contingent payments. Jeff hates law school. He doesn't really enjoy working in the law either. He has some desire to be a writer. He also wants to weigh these matters with some reality.
Statute: Debt collectors can be sicked on Jeff if he doesn't meet his obligations.
Analysis: Jeff's main goal is to be financially stable and not unhealthily unhappy with his job. The second part of that almost definitely precludes a legal job, as it is these jobs that have landed Jeff in this predicament. The weight of reality also seems to preclude Jeff dedicating too much time to writing, as that is a proven unlucrative field for millions of aspiring writers. Jeff could be crazy if he tries to continue law school, and likely would fail out or do very poorly. Jeff has multiple other options that he has entertained. He considers HR a field he would probably be good at, and that wouldn't make him very unhappy. He has always felt that he would be a teacher as well. This might not only satisfy his need to not be unhealthily unhappy, but it would have other benefits. Some feel that they have a few things in life that they're meant to do. This would fall in that category for Jeff. However, following this path has gotten Jeff into trouble before, as Jeff felt meant to go to law school. He did, however, feel before he made that decision that he was going to be humbled and fail. He feels that came to fruition, and that a "meant to do"-path may still be for him. Teaching would also carry financial benefits, whether Jeff pursues a PhD, or a teaching certificate that would permit him to teach college courses or high school courses, respectively. Either way, Jeff wouldn't have an extremely lucrative job, but if he teaches at a public institution he may qualify for public service debt forgiveness. Jeff may have other options, but none seems to be as good a solution as teaching. As far as his choice between the teaching certificate and pursuing a PhD, Jeff is concerned with his: (a) ability to gain acceptance to these programs and (b) ability to pay his debt in the interim between the present and starting the further schooling necessary. Jeff hasn't considered how quickly he could get going on the teaching certificate, but knows that he would have to wait a year before he could start a masters, preceding a PhD. This interim could be filled with a simple retail job, but that might not satisfy debt payments and other financial obligations. Jeff might pursue humanitarian causes during this interim, but also is concerned with the financial burden created by the opportunity costs.
Conclusion and recommendation: Given the seriousness of unhealthy unhappiness Jeff has experienced, it seems only proper that he quit law school entirely. Although this frightens him and may lead to difficulties, it seems to be for the best. It is recommended that Jeff seriously reconsider high school instruction, or that he do what is necessary to pursue a masters and a PhD. The interim is a matter he's capable of dealing with. He is capable of finding a decent-paying job. He can do it.
Next time on How to Quit Law School: pros and cons lists.
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