the young ones, they just won't listen.

[justin gosling]

The upcoming June LSAT is just around the corner and I've noticed a lot of test takers plugging away at prep tests at my local tea shop.   I remember the days of struggling through a dozen or so course books and enjoying the challenge of a logic game.

Here's the problem: those kids taking LSAT have no idea what is in store for them.

One of my good friends is currently prepping the the LSAT and gave me a call last week because he was suffering from LSAT fatigue. He is like many test takers in that he wants to attend law school because it seems like the next logical career step (and he has nothing better going on). Attending law school is not for the faint of heart, but sometimes people latch onto it as a prospect because they don't see another viable career option, even though a legal education may not be the best decision for their future.

My theory is that there is a logical progression to our educational lives up until a certain point such as college graduation, a first 'good' job, or whatever else. Once we hit the last leg and can't see the next step, we panic. And then go to law school.

The funny thing is that I distinctly remember receiving the exact same advice from a 1L friend while I was prepping for the LSAT. And just like my buddy ignored my advice, I completely brushed of the advice given to me.

I knew that practicing law was a legitimate option for my future, and it seemed like the best decision at the time. Once I made the decision to attend I stuck with it because I'm stubborn, and if I set my mind on something I'm going to follow through no matter what. That, and I didn't want anyone to question my decision. Even if they may have already gone down the law school path and are willing to share any misgivings about their own choices.

So when I let my friend know that he shouldn't take the LSAT unless he really sees himself practicing law, I don't think he appreciated what I was offering. Apparently it isn't cool to tell someone that sinking $1450 into prep materials will only lead to unhappiness because they are making a decision based on panic. I thought it was good advice.

In the end I guess I'm trying to relate to those who were in the same position as I was during the application process. The only difference is that now I realize they probably won't listen to my advice. Still, I'm going to keep giving it because there is a small chance it will affect them, and I've stubbornly set my mind on sharing my experience in law school.

Comments

[Patrick]

Seriously? It's that bad?

I mean, seriously?

[Justin Gosling]

I think students with nothing better going on can run into trouble because they underestimate the commitment law school requires. I've blogged before about how law school is difficult, but not impossible, and that applies here as well. The difficulty is even more pronounced if you don't have some sort of law school related passion driving you forward. So for this class of students, those attending because there wasn't a better option at the time, then yes, law school can be that bad.

If it's not commitment they struggle with, then it might be the loan money, or the three year time commitment, or the general apathy toward the material in the required courses, etc..... My point is that law school is difficult and if you are only attending because there isn't anything better going on in your life then you should seriously reevaluate your priorities because that is a foolish reason to attend.