Law is a prestigious industry. Television often features shows involving wealthy litigators driving powerful sports cars and dazzling juries with their impressive feats of logic. This can give viewers a distorted view of the legal industry and make individuals pursue a law degree when it may not be optimal.
Enrolment is no easy task. Individuals seeking out a legal career should bear in mind that enrolment to top schools is highly competitive, and even law schools without prestigious reputations will screen out what some may consider to be average students. Individuals looking to apply will benefit greatly from having work experience relevant to a particular field of law, a strong personal statement, and strong references. A high grade point average is all but mandatory.
The curriculum is more difficult. Working towards a juris doctor involves three years of mental boot camp. Law schools utilize the Socratic Method, in which a single student is called out by the professor to discuss his or her brief of a particular case in front of the class. This is a highly stressful activity and not for the faint of heart, as the professor will challenge the student at every opportunity. Between the plethora of case briefs that students must prepare on a daily basis, demanding professors, and a highly intelligent peer group, law students will work harder than they ever have in their academic lives simply to stay afloat.
Students who survive law school and the Bar will find that the job market is competitive. Law firms frequently seek out employees with high class ranks, dazzling references, and substantial experience who come from top tier schools. Among the higher echelon firms, competition is fierce, and many students who came from lower tier schools or didn't quite crush their peers during the midterms or finals will find landing a high-paying position with Big Law to be difficult. One plausible scenario involves the student working for the local Public Defender or District Attorney's office at a substantially lower salary. Many students will have hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt after graduation, and a moderate salary will not deliver the lifestyle that they expect.
Prospective law students must view law as a calling, rather than a source of income. The work is intense, the competition is vigorous, and the results are stressful. A law school education is only worth it for the truly dedicated. All others, beware.
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This article was brought to you by Bond University, Australia's highest rating university for students aspiring to be a Juris Doctor. For more information visit us at http://www.bond.edu.au/degrees-and-courses/postgraduate-degrees/list/juris-doctor/index.htm .
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