Undergraduates
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So you want to be a lawyer?
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So you’re a college student who’s considering, applying to, or choosing among law schools. No matter where you are in this process, the information below should help with your decision.
Summary: Going to law school is a big decision. Below we have content on what to think about if you’re considering applying to law school. Take our assessment to get a gauge of whether law school is right for you right now and learn what you can do to make sure the decision to apply to law school is the right one for you.
If you’re a freshman in college: What are you doing here? No, seriously, we love your passion but, for now, focus on your grades, have fun, and enjoy your first year of college. Do NOT worry about law school. Feel free, though, to take our assessment to get a sense of what you can do to make the most well-informed decision when the time is right.
If you’re a sophomore, you’re probably choosing a major soon. Don’t stress too much about this decision as law schools admit students with a variety of majors. Your GPA is one of the primary factors that law schools consider, though, so you want to pick a major that you can do well in academically. That said, don’t spend years in college taking classes that don’t interest you solely because you think you can get better grades.
If you are considering law school, you may want to enter your school’s pre-law track if offered or take classes that will expose you to legal topics.
Now let’s turn to some data. Some of this data may have you thinking again as to whether law school is right for you. That’s okay. Law school is a big commitment, and you should carefully consider the benefits and costs of law school.
After reviewing this data, take our assessment about whether law school is right for you right now.
Opportunities
Most law firms have GPA cutoffs and will not interview a candidate unless they meet the minimum GPA requirement.
60% of associates at large firms reported that their grades were more important than their law school’s prestige in achieving their first position.
Lawyers who leave law school with the lowest grades intuitively feel the least secure about their jobs.
Compensation
Private practice salaries for new law school graduates vary greatly, ranging from a low of $50,000 to a high of $200,000—a difference of $150,000.
Among new graduates, fewer than 1-in-4 say their legal education was worth the financial cost.
Debt
The average cumulative debt among law school graduates approaches $160,000.
More than 28% of conditional scholarship recipients failed to maintain the requisite GPA and had their scholarship award reduced or eliminated entirely.