Don’t go to law school…

for the money.

Having no consideration for the debt because you’re convinced being a lawyer automatically means 6 figures is a bad, bad idea. That kind of salary is not guaranteed. Even when considering those who make 6 figures immediately… look at these responses to open-ended survey questions about law school debt:

I am constantly anxious knowing the weight of the debt on my shoulders.

It is a constant burden, affecting all aspects of life.

It's unbearable and I cannot pay enough each month to cover my loans; my balance climbs even after a month's payment.

Massive depression.

I gave up on life.

Okay, not really. Obviously if this is your one true passion or something, you should go. However, you must understand what you’re getting yourself in to.

Karen Bauer, an attorney at the Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee, has heard the out-of-touch tales about new lawyer finances from outside and inside the profession. And it bothers her.

On the outside: cash gifts at her wedding a decade ago that were smaller than normal because of certain assumptions about lawyers. “What I heard from my parents is that since I was an attorney, people thought I didn’t need the money,” she says. “I made $36,000 that year—and I had $150,000 in debt at the time.”

Source

The average law school graduate owes $130,000 in student loan debt. 

  • 71% of law school students graduate in debt.

  • $119,292 is the average amount students borrow just to attend law school.

  • Only 47% of new law school graduates say their legal education was worth the financial cost.

    Source

if you really hate the LSAT / exercising the skills it tests

That being said, just because you don’t love the LSAT or didn’t do amazing on it doesn’t mean you can’t be a great attorney.

I just mean that if you’re really having a horrible time practicing reading comprehension and logical reasoning… be aware that law school and lawyering do utilize those skills.

if you have no law experience

This one requires a disclaimer. I don’t mean never go to law school unless you have experience right now. What I am saying is that lawyering isn’t as fun and badass as people think. Don’t randomly go to law school for no reason without knowing what you’re getting into. The overwhelming majority of 1L students took a year or two to work in a firm before law school.

or if you enjoy being happy