Law school is one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences a student can have. The popularity and demand for law schools has grown at a dizzying rate. If you’ve ever seen “Devil’s Advocate,” Al Pacino (during his dramatic closing monologue) says that there are more people in law school than there are actual attorneys. I’ve done some research and haven’t been able to verify if this is true or not, but it wouldn’t be a total surprise if it were valid. Television shows such as “Law & Order,” “Boston Legal,” and “Shark” have made the practice of law more attractive to young adults. Plus, the great potential salary that can be earned through a law career makes it even more attractive. In fact, the average starting salary for an associate at a mid-size law firm is $ 93,000. But keep in mind that a career in law generally does not focus on high-drama, high-paying court cases. It actually requires discipline, a lot of research, and strong written / oral skills. Let me explain …

This may surprise you, but most attorneys never set foot in a courtroom. This is due to the fact that less than 10% of all motions and cases go to trial. So if you dream of being the new Denny Crane (Boston Legal) or Samantha Cabbot (Law & Order), you need to specifically focus on trial law during your hanging in law school. On the subject of salary, yes, a lawyer can make a lot of money. But keep in mind that high-paying jobs are predominantly in the private sector that works with corporate clients. In addition, associates and partners of law firms work, on average, 60 hours a week. So, you will earn that great salary as a lawyer.

Here are some basic facts and guidelines that you will need to know if you really want to attend law school:

(1.) To be accepted into a quality law school, you must have a high GPA and a high score on the LSAT. Most law schools have a formula for determining who they accept. Yes, your essay and letters of recommendation are important, but the combination of a high GPA and an LSAT score is essential if you want requesting reviewers to consider you. To get into one of the top 25 law schools, you will need at least a 3.0 GPA (at least a 3.5 for the top 10 schools) and an LSAT score of at least 152 out of 180, but much higher for the top 10. at least 165 out of 180.

(two.) Law school is expensive. Most law schools charge more than $ 20,000 a year in tuition and fees alone. Private law schools charge even more. For example, Harvard Law School charges $ 53,000 a year for tutoring … tuition only! That doesn’t include books, a laptop, lodging, and miscellaneous expenses. So, if you’re serious about law school, you probably need to get a good student loan. Or do whatever you can to win a scholarship or grant. Here’s a helpful resource for loans, scholarships, and grants …

(3.) The Law School lasts for 3 years and you will work non-stop during that period. Law School is a difficult and time-consuming task, especially during the first year. Some law school graduates and professors have even said that the first year is specifically designed to be extremely challenging, so those who are not really committed will be eliminated. So understand that if you go to law school, it won’t be child’s play. You’ll have to read hundreds of cases, write lengthy articles, do a great deal of legal research, and argue in front of a judge in a mock trial. So if you don’t like writing or speaking in public, law school is not for you.

(4.) Even after graduating from law school, you still won’t be a lawyer! That’s right, even after 3 years of hard work, you are technically still not a lawyer. You must pass the bar exam and obtain your license in order to be a lawyer legally (good pun hey).

Sum: I don’t want this article to sound pessimistic about the law school experience. It can be one of the most satisfying companies of your life. You will learn and master something that is involved in all aspects of our life: the law. Once you graduate, people will turn to you for advice and advice on important matters. And the ability to handle a high-profile case and / or make large amounts of cash is certainly possible. But remember, you must have a genuine interest in the law or have the inherent skills to handle the workload in order to be successful in law school.