Why I'm not going to law school
11 Comments Published by Nisha Chittal on Wednesday, November 19, 2008 at 1:00 AM.
I've officially hit the point in life where when I meet someone new, or even for that matter, someone I know fairly well, the conversation heads into "future plans" territory. I'm a political science student. And I'm graduating in six months. Most people's automatic response to those two pieces of information is: "Oh, law school?" I got told by some random stranger in Berkeley last weekend that I even look like a future lawyer (to which I say: what does that even look like?) When I say no, I get persistence. "Grad school? MBA?"
Nope. I was pre-law once, when I started my freshman year of college. I thought law school was definitely the track for someone like me. Then I promptly dropped the pre-law within a few months of arriving here. Why?
Law school is expensive. The average law student is graduating with student loan debt in the six-figure range. And law students almost immediately need to find a job that pays enough to start paying back those loans right away.
Lawyers have some of the longest work hours and lowest job satisfaction rates. No joke. They're the most depressed of all professionals.
Law schools get so many political science applicants they don't even WANT us anymore, they'd rather have the unique chemistry major instead of the sea of PS majors!
And it's always assumed that once you have a law degree, people will respect you more, and it will open all kinds of doors and make it easier for you to find a job. That's not really true anymore...law school grads are having even more trouble finding decent jobs, and many of them are caught up in mundane procedural bullshit instead of courtroom trials or constitutional law.
What I have learned from the questioning I've been getting from people is that people inherently want to understand you, but that means they first have to make you easier to understand. That means they will put you in a box, and political science and law school sound like they fit nicely together in a box. People can't imagine what political science majors do in the real world; so the first image that pops into their head is lawyer. Why would someone study political science unless they're doing it as their ticket into law school, they say.
Why? Because I love it. I really do. I knew I was going to major in political science when I was 15, and I've never wanted to change my major. Sure, that means I have to go through the uncertainty of a big, long, jobhunt over the next few months, while some of my friends are sitting comfortably on their law school and b-school acceptances. But I'm ok with a little uncertainty; I feel like the uncertainty makes other people more uncomfortable than me. I'd rather take that time to figure out what I really want to do, than rush into grad school unsure of how much I want it, just out of fear that I have no other options. I wouldn't say I have ruled out all forms of graduate school completely for the future, but I definitely don't want more schooling right now.
It's surprising to me how many people still think that the only option for liberal arts majors is heading straight to graduate school. We can get jobs you know...
Nope. I was pre-law once, when I started my freshman year of college. I thought law school was definitely the track for someone like me. Then I promptly dropped the pre-law within a few months of arriving here. Why?
Law school is expensive. The average law student is graduating with student loan debt in the six-figure range. And law students almost immediately need to find a job that pays enough to start paying back those loans right away.
Lawyers have some of the longest work hours and lowest job satisfaction rates. No joke. They're the most depressed of all professionals.
Law schools get so many political science applicants they don't even WANT us anymore, they'd rather have the unique chemistry major instead of the sea of PS majors!
And it's always assumed that once you have a law degree, people will respect you more, and it will open all kinds of doors and make it easier for you to find a job. That's not really true anymore...law school grads are having even more trouble finding decent jobs, and many of them are caught up in mundane procedural bullshit instead of courtroom trials or constitutional law.
What I have learned from the questioning I've been getting from people is that people inherently want to understand you, but that means they first have to make you easier to understand. That means they will put you in a box, and political science and law school sound like they fit nicely together in a box. People can't imagine what political science majors do in the real world; so the first image that pops into their head is lawyer. Why would someone study political science unless they're doing it as their ticket into law school, they say.
Why? Because I love it. I really do. I knew I was going to major in political science when I was 15, and I've never wanted to change my major. Sure, that means I have to go through the uncertainty of a big, long, jobhunt over the next few months, while some of my friends are sitting comfortably on their law school and b-school acceptances. But I'm ok with a little uncertainty; I feel like the uncertainty makes other people more uncomfortable than me. I'd rather take that time to figure out what I really want to do, than rush into grad school unsure of how much I want it, just out of fear that I have no other options. I wouldn't say I have ruled out all forms of graduate school completely for the future, but I definitely don't want more schooling right now.
It's surprising to me how many people still think that the only option for liberal arts majors is heading straight to graduate school. We can get jobs you know...
Labels: careers, grad school, graduation, jobs, law school, my fabulous life
I love that you're willing to go against the grain. Too many people rush into getting advanced degrees without really thinking. There's a lifetime to live and learn, things don't have to have a definite sequence! Great post :)
Thanks dude! I'm glad you agree; most people seem to think I'm shooting myself in the foot by not applying to grad school.
By the way...any plans to be in Champaign anytime soon?
one of the great things about having a completely unheard of major is people literally are dumbfounded when they hear it and dont ask these kinds of questions. the reaction is even more profound in spanish :)
and i totally salute you for doing what you do. i cant even THINK of grad school for the next 5 years. theres so much you just dont learn from being in the classroom for 16 years straight that i feel you need to make up for during the few years after college in order to really concentrate on what you want to do in grad school and make it worth your benjamins.
and ps i really like your blog :)
Thanks Sydney!
I didn't know you were a Spanish major. I'm sure you can empathize, then :) Hope you're rockin out in Colooombia!
I was once where you sit. Congratulations, you are making a very wise decision.
I was a Philosophy major, so not only did I have to fight off people asking me about my future plans, I also had to EXPLAIN WHAT PHILOSOPHY WAS. *sigh*
I worked for 4 years learned a bit about what I did/didn't like about work, then decided to try the JD/MA/MBA/MPA thing again. I applied to 10 schools 16 programs, law, public admin, public policy and dual degrees, and ultimately decided on MPA school.
I'm glad I did. I am more focused on what I want to do,even if my career goals are still very amorphous. Lol.
I know I would be unhappy in law school (even law students are depressed, and you can cut the tension in the law library with a butter knife)
My advice: Do what feels best for you. If more school isn't it, then more power to you.
Best wishes to your success! :-)
@Monica -- Props on being a philosophy major and doing what you love! I actually considered being an Anthropology major once...but even my parents had no idea what it was...explaining it was not fun! I'm glad to hear the MPA plan worked out for you.
great point of view...and really well said.
It's great to see that you're sticking to your guns and following what you love AND more important, not selling your soul. I know that if you do what you love you will be great. I know it sounds like a cliche, but it doesn't have to be original to be true. It's been my experience that managing the short-term lul is a matter of focusing on the long-term gains of my decisions. After all what makes a good decision is that it's able to stand the test of time. Going to grad school might be a quick fix - and in your case, it sounds that it would because it's fear driven. In other words, from what you say you'd be going because you're afraid not to. Kuddos for picking up on that - it's taken me years to stop reacting to my fears and go with what really feels right. Look forward to your future posts.
oooh. I just spent four hours in a car yesterday with a law school applicant. coinkidink! we didnt talk about this too much though. but, I was wondering about law schools that offer the joint degree (like JD + MBA. aforementioned friend said she knew someone getting a JD/MD/MBA combo. ridic!) I wonder how this ties into the supply side of what you're saying - are law schools doing this to be more dynamic and attract those other majors outside of the sea of PS majors? I have no idea. really.
another thing I have no idea about: why are people, esp as PS majors, continuing to consider law school - is it because those that do score the job score big?
anyway, I def love liberal arts, during the day and at the end of the day. It also makes me feel more allowed to freak out about the future.
Silvana: Thanks! I'm trying to follow the old do what you love idea, but in the current economy I'm getting a lot of suggestions from people that I should do what's most profitable instead...
Anj: koinikidink? Really? ;)
and anyone getting a JD/MD/MBA combo is a little bit TOO much of an overachiever. Isn't it weird that someone thinks they need 3 advanced degrees to compete? A little unnecessary if you ask me...
Hey Nisha,
Just came across your blog randomly and see that you are a great writer. Whatever it is that you do in the end, im sure you are going to be happy and successful in it. You show a lot of zeal for life and in the end, thats what its all about. Goodluck :)
Thanks!