why do you want to go to law school answer

Prospective law students should make a decision based on accurate self-analysis, correct perceptions about the life of a lawyer and realistic expectations so they will find an exciting, challenging and rewarding career. Why do you want to practice law? If you've been considering law school, do any of these sound familiar? Positive impacts can be made on a daily basis by lawyers. You want an easy way to stay in school, you want to be guaranteed a good high-paying job — whatever reason (s) you think you want to go to law school, spell them out and make them explicit to yourself. Many applicants take a commercial law school preparation course (they’re pricey, but you can ask providers about discounts at law school information fairs). "By asking, the interviewer hopes to find out what makes you tick. But, you know, that simply was never worth three years of my life and a considerable amount of money. Students who have an undergraduate law degree have the opportunity both to pursue specialised areas of particular interest beyond the core and also to appreciate the bigger picture: how the law fits together and how the law relates to other subjects, such as politics, economics, history, criminology and philosophy. "If you don't know where you're going, when you get there you'll be lost.” Yogi Berra. You can also structure a successful self-study program using commercial test prep books, free online resources and sample tests offered by Law School Admission Council. The abilities and interests necessary to flourish as a tax lawyer for a large law firm are different from those of a juvenile rights lawyer for a legal aid office. 2. Why is law school a critical next step in your career plan and life path? The life of most lawyers is not full of the glamour, excitement and financial regards popularly portrayed. At the heart of the legal professional’s role is client service. I would encourage you to go. Your answer to this question can position you as the best person for the role and can provide the hiring partner with a glimpse of the knowledge and experience you can bring to the job. So the only real question is, "Will obtaining this instrument be of enough value in helping you achieve your goals to justify the time and expense involved in obtaining a legal education/law degree?". How often do we as pre-law advisors get the declarative question "I don't know whether I should go to law school or not?" I am not suggesting all prospective law students must have decided, before entering law school, the specific career path they intend to follow. Do you want to be a master chef? Lawyers might find themselves arresting a ship or zoning a playground, working independently in their home or with others in a high rise corporate office. This school is your favorite celebrity’s alma-mater and you’ve only heard good things about the school. Do you want to be a sportscaster?" Some have no idea what they want to do and find themselves going to law school by default. Those reading law typically cover 14 subjects in their degree, whereas students taking a law conversion course normally study only seven core subjects. My response to the student always is, "Given your interests and abilities, what are the possible career paths you could follow and would a legal education/law degree be worth three years of your life and a lot of money?" Instead, focus on why it was your only choice. If it isn't the range of acquirable skills that attracts you to a J.D., it may be the broad spectrum of career paths. People go to law school for all sorts of wonderful reasons: to enter politics, to protect the people’s vote, for the fascinating intellectual puzzles of arguments, because they love to be in courtrooms, to prevent the state from executing people, to protect the rights of bullied LGBT kids in school, because they love numbers and arguments, to work in or advise government, and so on. In reality, most who think they do know will change their mind many times before graduation. Hopefully a lawyer will answer your question for they will hopefully answer better. In this article, I'll explain why colleges want you to be able to explain why you are applying. I would like to build my speaking and advocacy skills -- … Many people in law school are there for the wrong reasons. Professional fulfillment. can take you. Lawyers must tolerate, and hopefully thrive on, the adversarial nature of law practice and the hard work, long hours, and stress of juggling numerous projects and the competing demands of clients. Answer Image I've always wanted to be a lawyer. I'll also discuss how to generate and brainstorm topics for this question and how to make yourself sound sincere and committed. It’s intended to prepare you to be a lawyer, and it’s expensive. Many of these people end up unhappy. Client Service. And when this is the case, they will likely wind up hating the legal profession—or dissatisfied, at the very least. Applying to law school is a huge step. What's the main reason you want to go to law school? One lawyer may negotiate the terms of an agreement for the sale of a business, another may draft the agreement, and yet another may defend the terms of the agreement in a court action. Some want to save or change the world. Not all legal jobs are high paying, but if you’re looking for a six … These are the prospective students we want to encourage to go to law school, the ones who will find practicing law an exciting, challenging and rewarding career. Over the years, we've found that our students' decision to pursue a law degree usually stems from one or more of the five factors listed below. These are the ones who, after several years of practicing law, will return to my office and ask what else they can do with their law degree. I have heard every single answer to this question there is. Before you decide to attend law school, find a genuine reason that justifies the financial cost and the sacrifices required. If you've dreamed of a legal career, then law school seems like the obvious answer. Skills generally required include analytical thinking, creative writing, research, communication, counseling, problem solving, negotiation and the ability to work independently. My main goal and objective, above all else, is to help others. Whether you're serving as a mentor for the Law Department's Summer Honors Interns (like Angela Cruz L'06), or are working to identify a responsible approach to water resource issues in the Colorado River basin (like Kristoffer Kiefer L'05), your career has the potential to be exceptionally gratifying. Finally, we'll go over some "why this school" essay do's and don'ts. 950 Irving Avenue Program for Foreign Law Graduates, General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Consumer Information (ABA Required Disclosures). Several years ago at a pre-law advisors' conference, after the sessions, of course, a couple of pre-law advisors and some law school admissions officers -a total of five -were seated together at a table at a bar. Focus on your reasons for this pursuit and be honest about your career prospects. Think of the things you want to do with your life - things you are passionate about! (919) 684-6217. You want a high-earning potential. After law school, you'll finally know how to dispute that pesky parking … It is crucial that aspiring lawyers be challenged to ask themselves why they want to go to law school and what they want to do with their law degree. No qualifiers on this statement, just stop. What book are you reading at the moment, and what do you think of it? 1. But why? How NOT to answer this question. Solving problems. If you enjoy doing these things and you enjoy knowing that your lawyer work is contributing to or directly helping people in law-related situations, then yes law school is for you. "Why do you want to go to law school?” Or, "what do you want to do with your law degree?” Ask a prospective law student either of these questions and you may learn more from what they don't say than from what they do. Top 9 reasons to go to law school: To become a lawyer (best reason) To become a specific type of lawyer (e.g. Explain why “where” is important Sometimes you might also want to bring in the school’s location and explain why it’s important to your education. It’s a contentious, adversarial process, and your … Durham, NC 27708 5. And although all lawyers may not necessarily agree on which features are positive and which are negative, aspiring lawyers must determine if they will enjoy a career where these features are, to a degree, inevitable. Syracuse, NY 13244-6070, ED/AD of Career Development Open Position, Experiential Courses, Clinics, & Externships, Two-Year J.D. ... Answer Image That the debate was focused on … From reviewing patents in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, to advocating for statutory and policy changes for the Center for Immigration Studies, to serving as a consultant for a major healthcare corporation, a J.D. Do you want to be a forest ranger? Seriously. Knowledge of the law gives you a powerful instrument in today's society. Go only under these circumstances and law school is a lot likelier to have a positive payout. Because they have a passionate interest in studying law, or some aspect of it — pretty good reason, but they may consider a non-vocational legal studies program. While you don’t need to spell out your ten-point plan for becoming a lawyer, your underlying reasons for going to law school should be the foundation of your personal statement. You can’t eliminate risk here or in any other profession, but you can do a lot to minimize it. I go on to say, "Let's sweep out the underbrush. Professional communication skills. Lawyers are problem solvers and a J.D. Very expensive. Each one taps into a slightly different type of knowledge, so try them all! Tip 5: Remember your “why” You want to go to law school to work in the legal field. If these are your career choices, then a legal education/law degree is not really needed. In the conversation it turned out at all five of us had PhDs in history and none of us had a legal education/law degree. Welcome to... The ones who go to law school with unrealistic expectations, the ones who want to save, run, or buy the world, or who believe that their decision to go to law school is the only career choice they need to make, are the ones most likely to be unhappy and dissatisfied. I would probably starve because of the number of pro bono cases I would take. We all sort of wished we had the legal education/law degree, but I think I captured the basic feelings of all of us when I said, "I wish I had a legal education/law degree not because I have any desire to practice law, but because I would be a better American historian. can open up doors you may have never imagined. (Apologies to my former pre-law advisee, Jay Bilas!) But if you can’t, just find reasons that are as specific as possible and connect them back to you (as in the “Why Michigan” and “Why UPenn” essays). If you don’t want to be a lawyer, you should have a damn good reason for going to law school because a law degree is not a general degree. ", Return to Prelaw Handbook for Underclassmen/women, 4 East Campus Union Drive The reading material is dry, professors ask you to parse language until your eyes cross, and tests are graded brutally. learn to strategize, to use the facts to make an argument, to act with conviction, and to consider all outcomes. The decision to go to law school is, in itself, not a career choice. a judge, professor, litigator. Syracuse University College of Law Do you want to be a sportscaster?" Lawyers can practice law by helping clients plan to avoid problems, by solving problems once they develop, by representing and counseling businesses in a particular industry, by representing individuals sharing a common status or problem and by appearing (or not appearing) in court. Your friend is going to this school and you want to go with them. Instead, students must use the same critical and analytical thinking skills they demonstrated to get into law school, the same skills that will be necessary to succeed in school and as a lawyer, in making their career choices. Lead with that and then explain the additional benefits you’ve gained during your time there. Wanting to be a lawyer. Campus Box 90697 When you apply for an entry-level position, a typical job interview question is, "Why did you choose your college? Download our eBook[PDF] to learn more about where a J.D. Dineen Hall In my experience as a law school career services professional, the students who enter law school understanding the realities of law practice and then explore the career options available to them enjoy their legal career after school. Ethan’s note: If you go with this approach, ideally you would find offerings unique to the school (as in the “Why Cornell” essay). And at Syracuse Law, you'll be backed by a network of alumni who know what it takes to succeed, and know that the value of a law degree can exceed even your highest expectations. If it isn't the range of acquirable skills that attracts you to a J.D., it may … You may even have one of … The law is a fascinating field of study. Law students learn to act and write with purpose. The practice of law is hard. Prospective JD, if, after considering all of these items, you’re not really sure about law school, consider circling back to the beginning and asking yourself why you want to practice law. If any of the 6 above reasons describe why you want to go to law school, stop now. 3. And, as a result, that they must accept responsibility for a proactive, not reactive, role in their own career planning. Prospective students should understand that in making decisions about what type of practice to pursue they will need to take the time to identify their own skills and interests and match them to the demands of a particular career. (Apologies to my former pre-law advisee, sweep out the underbrush. Since I don't want you to end up being an unhappy lawyer, here are a few different techniques I've found useful in making important, far-reaching decisions. Do not go. Understanding why and how you made a major life decision provides a certain level of insight into your priorities and decision-making process. I will admit that there ARE good reasons to go to law school. Some want to save or change the world. In weighing the value of a J.D., you may have already realized that polished communication skills, such as effective writing, speaking, negotiating, and researching are sought after by employers across all platforms. Some have no idea what they want to do and find themselves going to law school by default. 1. gives you the skills to act quickly, accurately, effectively, and with a purpose. While the main focus of study for a law degree involves case law, those who earn a J.D. 4. Stress stresses you out. But I am suggesting that prospective law students need to recognize that a wide variety of career options are available. Why Do I want to go to Law School? Show how your choice of school connects with your choice of career. "I want to be a lawyer" is the answer we hear most often from our students, and our team of faculty, administrators, and alumni is here to assist in making that goal a reality. Law school is an intellectual challenge. Do. Since our founding in 1895, we've provided more than 9,000 students with an outstanding legal education that paves the way for success in the legal field and beyond. Good Reasons to Study Law “Prestige, financial reward, intellectual stimulation, and the ability to make a positive change in society—all are typical and logical reasons for wanting to practice law.” — The Law School Admission Service Given the investment of time and money, the decision to pursue a career in law deserves careful consideration. Look at the website, read their catalog, look at what college books say about it, talk to someone from your high school who went there, and visit if you can. If you want to explore opportunities for medical publishing, then you’ll want to mention Stanford’s interdisciplinary studies and highlight your interest in their other faculties. Different legal practices also share in varying degrees some common skills and characteristics. This question allows you to talk about what attracted you to the legal field. Students must avoid making career decisions based on the same reasons underlying their decision to enter law school--for money or prestige or by default. Broad range of opportunities. Contest a Ticket Like a Boss. Whether you are a lawyer … Maybe it offered a comprehensive scholarship program, the campus was close to your hometown or going there was a family tradition. research the school. Law students are often inspired by the thought of bringing real change and impact to their communities, their fields of study, or their future clients. You … Some want the power, prestige and money they believe comes with a law degree. It is important to show that you know a lot about the school. Different types of legal careers require different skills and satisfy different interests. Broad range of opportunities. This "new breed" of prospective students have an increased awareness of the realities of law practice and an increasing desire to know as much as possible about what life as a lawyer will be like and what their options will be upon graduation. Fortunately, more prospective students appear to be making informed choices. If you aren't currently reading … And as stated by Sheila, law is ever changing and therefore, you must be ready to learn on a lifelong basis. Don’t put the cart before the horse. Here are some ways to NOT answer the question: You haven’t thought it through and you’re applying just because. Hint: This state has seen a 72.8 percent decline in law school enrollment. Instead, law is a field of study that offers the recipient a wide range of career options, each requiring different skills but also possessing common characteristics. Some want the power, prestige and money they believe comes with a law degree. This is especially true when it comes to … And some, the fortunate ones, decide to go to law school after careful analysis of the time, effort and money involved, with a realistic expectation of what life as a lawyer will be like and the career options a law degree will … And some, the fortunate ones, decide to go to law school after careful analysis of the time, effort and money involved, with a realistic expectation of what life as a lawyer will be like and the career options a law degree will offer them. These are the 6 wrong reasons I hear most often (see if your answer is in this list): You will regret it because you are doing it for the wrong reasons. See the answer on the next page. (Not to mention, Syracuse Law's joint degree option allows you to earn your law degree in conjunction with a master's.). Law Schools. I feel that a law school degree will be a good foundation for a variety of potential careers that I'm interested in (law practice, business, politics, government, foreign relations, international law fields at the UN, negotiations). If you emerge with no debt, law school is still a pretty great idea from any school in the T100 (provided you want to be a lawyer). The options are endless in terms of practice areas and work environments. Simply put, the right legal education can equip you with the intellectual and professional skills you need to excel in the legal field and in many other professional arenas. Lots of people do it without fully understanding what they're getting into. Do you want to be a forest ranger? Do you want to be a master chef? Law school career services directors report they have talked to more prospective law students in the last several years than in the previous ten years. It's also essential, Hill says, for applicants to articulate a clear reason for why they want a law degree.

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