school are typically students who were liberal arts majors and who are now seeking a profession. They are roughly the same age, many majored in political science or English, enjoy writing and analyzing issues, are public policy oriented and like school. However, those that rushed through undergraduate school, and are 21 or 22 years old when they arrive at law school, are particularly young and a bit nervous about networking and the job search.
What advice would you give to students considering whether to take a year or two off before going to law school?
Work for 2-3 years prior to going to law school and talk many lawyers and law school administrators before deciding on law school. Do not come to law school so
you can call yourself a lawyer. There are many professions that need smart people – if you work hard and are patient, in many professions, you will make a comfortable living. You do not need to be a lawyer to earn a high income. Some straight out of undergraduate school students do not realize that law school is a professional school and its purpose is to prepare students for a highly stressful and somewhat unpredictable profession. Students who work before coming to law school, often view law school as a means to an end; the end being a job/career and not an extension of undergraduate school or a way to delay adulthood. These students with work experience better understand the opportunity cost involved in choosing law school over work and therefore, are more serious and pro-active about their progress in school and at work while in law school. There are many exceptions to this rule. I’ve met with numerous straight out of undergraduate students who understand what they are getting into. For these students as they start school, or anyone thinking about law school, think long and hard before leaping into law school.
What advice would you give to an undergrad student who has decided to go straight to law school?
Talk to a lot of lawyers and law school administrators. Schedule a meeting with several career services administrators and ask them to share and explain their employment data with you. Once you understand the job market for lawyers and the cost to attend law school, decide which law school makes the most sense for you geographically. In other words, attend a law school in a city you see yourself practicing in. You will build a network while you are in law school. This will help you with your job search following law school, it is best to develop that network in the city you hope to work in. Once you decide on the law schools you are interested in, ask each law school for as much scholarship money as possible. Once you are in law school, live as cheaply as you possible can. Get a roommate or two to share costs. Live at home, if your parents live in the area. Apply to scholarships while you are in law school. Take your job searches and networking seriously. Build legal skills while you are in law school by working after your first year and for the remainder of law school and meet as many lawyers as possible.
What can undergrads who want to go straight to law school do to make their applications as appealing to a law school as a person who has more working experience?
They should study hard for the LSAT and do well on it. They should also try to graduate from undergraduate school with a good GPA. They should also take on leadership roles at their colleges and universities and volunteer projects in their communities. They should work, part or full-time preferably in a legal setting during the summers and to a lesser extent during the school year. Also, their applications should be well-written and typo-free.
Once a “straight out of undergrad” student is in law school, what can they do to make themselves as appealing to employers as a person who has more working experience?
They should take law school very seriously, as a means to an end. They should treat law school like a job and put in the work and the hours it will take to perform very well. Employers often overlook lack of work experience if a student has performed particularly well in law school. In addition, students should immerse themselves in the legal community as much as possible by working, reading, and networking. Really getting to know the legal community in which they want to work is tremendously important and helpful. Students can do themselves a huge favor by visiting their career counselor often, especially in the first two years of law school to understand better the legal community. Understanding which employers are doing what in the community is critical. Getting out and meeting those employers is essential.
In addition, career counselors have at their fingertips, information and resources that students may not otherwise know exists. Further, obtaining “real-world” legal skills and getting those on their resumes will help students market themselves to employers. Through work and networking, students will develop relationships with lawyers in the community. This will help students remain aware of opportunities when they become available. Lastly, students should perform to the best of their ability no matter how mundane the task and treat everyone they meet with utmost respect and gratitude. If they work hard and leave a positive impression among classmates, administrators, professors and employers, they will be remembered that way.
TIP #4: Do NOT be afraid to get help. If someone offers to help you study, do it! If an older student offers to give you examples of outlines, take advantage of their experience!
Stay Positive, Be Confident
Feeling the need to “catch up” is certainly daunting but the reality is that it is time to “catch on” to the accomplishments you have achieved as a “straight out of undergrad” law student. Take pride in the fact that you are passionate and ambitious. Understand that what you think are your shortcomings in the legal profession are simply clear indicators of areas that you need to develop. We are not different from any other law students in this way. Development is part of the law school process. Take assurance in your drive and motivation for success and know that your “impatience” to start your future is perhaps an admirable characteristic.
1 Hillary Mantis, Should you take time off before law school?, PRELAW MAGAZINE (Jan. 2009), http://www.nationaljurist.com/content/should-you-take-time-law-school.
2 O’Connor, Shawn P. Consider Benefits, Consequences of Gap Years Between College and Law School, U.S. NEWS, http://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/law-admissions-lowdown/2012/12/17/consider-benefits-consequences-of-gap-years-between-college-and-law-school.
3 See also Steven M. Davidoff, Debating, Yet Again, the Worth of Law School, N.Y. TIMES (July 18, 2013), http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2013/07/18/debating-yet-again-the-worth-of-law-school/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0.
4 Shawn P. O’Connor, Ask 4 Questions to Determine if Law School is the Right Move, U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT (Jun. 23, 2013), http://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/law-admissions-lowdown/2013/06/23/ask-4-questions-to-determine-if-law-school-is-the-right-move (explaining that prospective law students should ask themselves the four following questions: (1) Is money your main motivator?, (2) Do you have any legal experience?, (3) What hours are you willing to work?, and (4) Are you interested in a particular field that lends itself to law?).
5 Claudia Hinrichsen, GREENBERG, DRESEVIC, HINRICHSEN, IWREY, KALMOWITZ, LEBOW & PENDLETON LAW GROUP-A DIVISION OF THE HEALTH LAW PARTNERS, P.C., http://www.thehealthlawpartners.com/lawyer-attorney-1874078.html.
6 Lauren L. Waninski, INMAN & FITZGIBBONS, LTD., http://www.inmanfitzgibbons.com/attorneys/lauren-waninski.
7 Marianne Deagle, LOYALA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO SCHOOL OF LAW, http://www.luc.edu/law/career/deagle.html.
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