Do You Really Need That Law Degree

Too many people are going to law school with no commitment to becoming a lawyer or much of a clue about how the law degree will help them.   Everywhere I go these days, I hear about how this person or that person is going to apply to law school.  They go on and on about how the a law school graduates earns over $100,000 a year starting, and how prestigious the position is.  The reality of their lives after graduation seems to counter this assumption.

• Law school programs now cost over $100,000 for the degree.
• There is very little financial aid available, or grants.
• The students are incredibly competitive and insecure people. 
• Law school is very difficult, even if you were a straight A student, you are going to have trouble getting high marks.  Exam grades are curved, someone has to do poorly.
• People with law degrees have serious trouble getting a job.
• Many jobs, especially at the entry level, in the legal profession tend to be boring.
• Lawyers work very long hours.

I can't help but wonder why anyone would want to become a lawyer.  My idea seems to contradict the thousands of law school applications that universities receive annually.  When did being a lawyer become so glamorous?  Perhaps it's the life style that applicants are seeking.  The high rise apartments, vacation homes, and wardrobes full of brand name clothes.  I wonder if you can really own all that when you have a $100,000 student loan to repay, or perhaps its that loan that keeps them in the legal field.

I might be old fashioned, but I would still like to think that people choose their professionals because they have a passion for it.  That law school students want to become lawyers because they want to fight for justice, or because they truly believe in.  If you are considering a career in politics, law school will definitely help you.  I promise you, the Merchant of Venice is only a story.

If you want to make money, consider another profession.  You will make far far more money in investment banking, financial services, and various other business ventures.  In addition, none of them require a graduate degree.