law school decision time myths

Myth #1: It's only money. This is naïve. Freedom from debt means the ability to take off a few years to travel the world, to work for a non-profit, to write a novel, or to have kids. In my case, it meant the ability to return to law school, something that I could not have done if I had a large debt from my prior education. Consider debt acquisition carefully, because that debt may govern your choices for years.

Myth #2: They only teach black-letter law there. I consider this statement asinine, but people do believe it. I usually hear it from people at a school with rank X, speaking about a school with rank Y, where X>Y. I've heard it both about my school and from people here regarding other schools.

What you learn depends on you, not your school. If you're inspired, you'll learn a lot besides black letter law. You'll learn history, grand sweeping policy arguments, minute details of statutory interpretation, and more. If you're uninterested, it won't matter where you go. You'll learn the black-letter minimum you need to get through. Pretending that school will make you magically interested in law is silly, as is broadly classifying all educational experiences at a school by its rank.

Myth #3: You'll get a well-paying job, so it's worth it. Look at the bar passage rates of your school. Look at the location. Look at firms that hire there. And look at the nature of those well-paying jobs. Don't assume you'll get a high-roller job, or that you'll want one.

Myth #4: Apply to the top schools, and go to the best one that sends an admittance. I had no interest in uprooting my husband and myself to follow the Holy Grail of Rank. People attend law schools for different reasons. Focusing blindly on rank betrays a lack of creativity, as if there is no imaginable reason why one might choose against it. Have the courage, if it's best for you, to go against the rank mythology.

Myth #5: Rank is bad. This may seem contradictory to #4, but rank isn't inherently bad. Just think carefully about it, as in this cogent argument for a higher-ranked school. Decide what rank means for you, not what you're told it means.

Just think about who is telling you what, this post included. The ivory tower is not immune to capitalism; look at what you're being sold. Walk away if it's not right. And, if it is right, enjoy it.