Is Going to Law School Still Worth the Cost?
Attending law school is generally believed to be a very wise investment. While the experience itself can be extremely costly, students are generally able to pay off their loans because of the lucrativeness of their career. Furthermore, it is argued that the lessons one learns in law school are invaluable, because they change the way one thinks and sees the world. However, several articles have been published in major media outlets since the onset of the recent economic depression that depict a different story. Lawyers are not immune to the high unemployment rate, and many are finding that they are unable to earn enough money to pay off their loans.
Two recently published articles depict the effects of the unemployment rate on those who have chosen law school as a career route. Both articles come to the conclusion that law school may no longer be the investment it once was, and applying to law school might not be the wisest choice. An article on Slate.com titled "A Case of Supply v. Demand" depicts the gloomy situation for recent law school graduates, who face too much competition for too few jobs. The article cites Richard Matasar, the dean of New York Law School, who claims that students "cannot earn enough income after graduation to support the debt they incur." The article concludes that the situation will only be resolved if fewer students attend law school, which ultimately will help supply to meet demand.
Similarly, The New York Times' "Is Law School a Losing Game?" addresses the contradiction that, while many reports show the bleak job market for new lawyers, law schools continue to claim that their graduates have no problem finding work. The article describes that this contradiction occurs because law schools are not only including jobs that are specifically law-oriented in their statistics, but rather, they are including any type of employment. According to the article, this could include "waiting tables at Applebees" or "stocking aisles at Home Depot." Clearly, these jobs make it nearly impossible for students to pay back the hefty loans they have incurred after attending law school.
These and other similar articles beg the question: if law school is an unreliable investment for recent college graduates, then what is left to do? Is medical school the only other equally prestigious option? Or is the world changing and our studies should change to meet the new economic setting? What are other ways to wisely invest one's time after graduating college? What do you think?
Questions and Answers
I always knew that after I finished my bachelor's degree I would pursue a graduate program, but I wasn't sure which one I wanted. Medical? Business? Law? All seemed like great options: each led to fantastic careers that provided great earning potential. In the end, the only program that could offer me the skills I needed for my future, hold my interest for life, and open the doors I wanted was Law.
There are more people entering college now, than there ever has been in the past since colleges were first formed in America. With tuition and book charges rising drastically over the past 2 years however, fewer people are willing to take the plunge into debt. If more people looked at the college and career outlooks for their proposed career, they may be more apt to enroll.
Law school FAQ - Which Law School? Which Law School? I have the option to attend Albany Law (no scholarship costs $35k a year, but is a Tier 3 law school), Western New England Law (Scholarship money will make my out of pocket cost $15k a year but it is a Tier 4 law school located in Springfield Mass) or New England Law.
Is there a site that has a practice Bar Examination test? Condsidering to be a lawer. Not that I know of. But there are bar exam review courses, sort of like SAT review courses. But you will have to go to law school first, of course. I would investigate a careers site to see what they say about law..
How do i get into a good law school? I am a grad student with a bachelors and masters in english, my lsat is 150 and i am going to take it again. What else is there, can i do something to really make me stand out. Please HELP!! - You should really concentrate on your LSAT score -.
The competition among students with their marks is becoming tougher and tougher to get admission in the best colleges of Delhi. Delhi university cut off marks seems to be unrealistic as it has touched the pinnacle in last few years.
For the first time, SOL will offer the facility of online admission for undergraduate courses. Students can download and submit application forms on the SOL website - Sol.du.ac.in
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