Re: Need Serious Help. Thinking about dropping out of law school.

What school do you go to? It sounds more like you hate the school and the other students and professors than law school itself. Maybe you can transfer?

I'm an attorney and I can tell you there is so much you can do with a law degree...the possibilities are endless. You don't have to work at a 'top' firm with crazy hours. Most people do it just for the money or for the prestige it adds to their resume. If you don't care about that, there are so many different things you can do - many of them very different than what you seem to expect.

Feel free to ask if you have any questions.

Re: Need Serious Help. Thinking about dropping out of law school.

to you. i see everyone has already offered you wonderufl advice. i say follow your heart - maybe take a semester off or even a yr off to figure it out. don't do anything just ofr others, you have to be happy for yourself! good luck!!

Re: Need Serious Help. Thinking about dropping out of law school.

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Posted by tp329

Trust me, they will all get over it. It's not like you are going to be a bum instead, you are going to still do something meaningful with your life. Making the decision to stay in law school might change the rest of your life. If you plan on getting married, and having kids a few years after that...I don't think that job will permit that type of lifestyle. And the student loans...there is so much. I don't want to discourage lawyers, because we sure do need them, but it is a major career choice, unlike many others. I changed my major in college a gazillion times. Which is why at age 26, I am finally finishing this summer. When I used to work as a legal secretary at a law firm, there were nights I worked until 4 am! I never ever ever want to do that again! Not to say other careers are not demanding as well...but the field of law can be a very stressful and overwhelming one. Good luck making a decision! Whatever the decision is, you have to do it for yourself. You are the one who will be going to work every day, not your mom, not your dad...can't please everyone, might as well please yourself! I used to want someone to sit me down and say, 'This is what you should do' because I was so indecisive. I fell into a position as a financial analyst, and it works for me, I dont mind going to work every day, and that is what is important to me.

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You know...that's really funny because right now I keep asking everyone 'What do you think I should do' and everyone just tells me that only I can decide. I wish there was a simple answer out there. You put it well. It's not my mom, father, family and friends who would have to go to work each day- IT'S ME! I can't stand suffering like this. Everyone says to me that they can picture me being a lawyer, but you know what....I can't. When I close my eyes I don't see me as a lawyer or doing anything law related. I'm begining to see that just maybe I have been living the dreams of others. I feel like life is just passing me by. I'm only 24 yrs old, but feel like I'm 80.

Re: Need Serious Help. Thinking about dropping out of law school.

I have been an attorney for 3 years now. I hated law school. Really hated it, almost quit my second year - that's when a lot of people quit.
I work at an insurance co. instead of at a firm. I worked in firms and couldn't stand it. WOrking in house is a little better because there are no billables and normal hours.

If I knew then what I know now, I would not have gone to law school. It's tough to say it but it's true. I have so much debt right now, and I don't like my job, but I feel like I have to continue doing it because I need to pay off my loans (for the next 20 years!!!)

Seriously, it's a lot of work and what others have said is true. All my friends who are attorneys regret going to law school and are miserable!!

Re: Need Serious Help. Thinking about dropping out of law school.

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Posted by Bride626

I'm a lawyer and also hated law school. I went to an extemely competitive ivy league law school and the stress was often overwhelming.

But, I toughed it out, took the bar and now have been practicing law for 7 years at a large firm. While it is true that the first year is the hardest and it gets easier, the law field is a tough career choice. And although I am doing well, I can honestly say that I wouldn't necessarily have gone into it if I knew then what I know now.

Follow your heart. It it is not for you, it is not for you. And, that is only a decision that you can make.

Another point to make is that not every lawyer makes a lot of money as a lot of your relatives might think. There are a lot of lawyers out there. My cousin graduated from a strong LI law school and had trouble finding a job. Now, she doesn't make all that much either and is straddled with a lot of law school debt.

Good luck with your decision....and, do what you think is best!!

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You know ever since I started, I find myself saying that if I could go back in time, I would choose a different path and I have yet to graduate. You should call my family & friends and let them know that every lawyer is not a millionaire like they think. I don't know what they think a lawyer is. That's also another thing I consider, why should I go through law school, rack up debt beyond debt and then be miserable and unhappy while I could have had a career that involved little debt, but much happiness and the same salary.

I was actually thinking about giving myself this week, but I don't think I may go through with it. I just don't want to be a lawyer.

Re: Need Serious Help. Thinking about dropping out of law school.

I used to be interested in every field I learned about. I changed careers (not physically, just in my mind) soooo many times. I was never satisfied. But if there is something you can say you dislike...I'd say that is not the job for you.

You have SO much time to make a decision! I wouldn't stress about it. It sounds like you don't just dislike the school, but the idea of being an attorney altogether.

Aside from pleasing your family and friends...if you are concerned about the money, there is A LOT of money to be made in other fields. One guy at my job, who has a bachelor's degree...is making $125,000 on Long Island, as a financial analyst. I am a few years behind experience wise...but that is the track I am on. And our firm is very much into family and do not believe in long hours and never any weekends. We all generally work 9-5. I value people's businesses and licenses (usually people getting divorced) and I see what they all make and most of them make really good money...and are not lawyers. Some don't have any schooling. I hope I was helpful. Just don't stress out.

Re: Need Serious Help. Thinking about dropping out of law school.

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Posted by starhead

I have been an attorney for 3 years now. I hated law school. Really hated it, almost quit my second year - that's when a lot of people quit.
I work at an insurance co. instead of at a firm. I worked in firms and couldn't stand it. WOrking in house is a little better because there are no billables and normal hours.

If I knew then what I know now, I would not have gone to law school. It's tough to say it but it's true. I have so much debt right now, and I don't like my job, but I feel like I have to continue doing it because I need to pay off my loans (for the next 20 years!!!)

Seriously, it's a lot of work and what others have said is true. All my friends who are attorneys regret going to law school and are miserable!!

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Thanks for letting me know your experience. My heart goes out to you because I know what it must feel like. After hearing your story, I think tommorow I may go and take a leave of absence for a year and start looking for a job in psychology or in a field I feel better suited for me. Would you say that as an attorney you are in a sense forced to accept a stressful lifestyle? The only thing I can picture is that if I were to go and finish law school, graduate, and take the BAR ...the end result would be misery for me. I can't see myself being happy as an attorney. I cried more last semester than I have my entire life.

Re: Need Serious Help. Thinking about dropping out of law school.

It sounds like you already made up your mind. There are other options with a law degree--I went to Cornell undergrad and a friend of mine who went there for law school is now teaching law at Hofstra. Very nice hours, not stressful...But no big bucks either, and after 3 expensive years there is a great deal of money in loans to be paid back.

It may not be as easy as you think, though, to find a job that is psychology-related on Long Island. Good luck in whatever you choose. I have to say after seeing my brother as miserable as he was after his first internship I had no regrets about the road not taken.

Did you intern this past summer? How did that go? Were you with a firm or a corporation? That would give you more of an idea of day-to-day life as a lawyer. My friends works in a firm that has a sign up that says, 'If you are not in on Sunday don't bother coming in on Monday.' I think you made up your mind when you decided a job is just a job.

Re: Need Serious Help. Thinking about dropping out of law school.

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Posted by tp329

I used to be interested in every field I learned about. I changed careers (not physically, just in my mind) soooo many times. I was never satisfied. But if there is something you can say you dislike...I'd say that is not the job for you.

You have SO much time to make a decision! I wouldn't stress about it. It sounds like you don't just dislike the school, but the idea of being an attorney altogether.

Aside from pleasing your family and friends...if you are concerned about the money, there is A LOT of money to be made in other fields. One guy at my job, who has a bachelor's degree...is making $125,000 on Long Island, as a financial analyst. I am a few years behind experience wise...but that is the track I am on. And our firm is very much into family and do not believe in long hours and never any weekends. We all generally work 9-5. I value people's businesses and licenses (usually people getting divorced) and I see what they all make and most of them make really good money...and are not lawyers. Some don't have any schooling. I hope I was helpful. Just don't stress out.

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Thanks tp. You sound so much like me. I'm going to tell my mother tonight and slowly ease the news to all. I hope all goes well. Wish me luck...I'm gonna need it. Your right, there are so many opportunities out there that I have yet to explore.

Re: Need Serious Help. Thinking about dropping out of law school.

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Posted by nov04LIbride

It sounds like you already made up your mind. There are other options with a law degree--I went to Cornell undergrad and a friend of mine who went there for law school is now teaching law at Hofstra. Very nice hours, not stressful...But no big bucks either, and after 3 expensive years there is a great deal of money in loans to be paid back.

It may not be as easy as you think, though, to find a job that is psychology-related on Long Island. Good luck in whatever you choose. I have to say after seeing my brother as miserable as he was after his first internship I had no regrets about the road not taken.

Did you intern this past summer? How did that go? Were you with a firm or a corporation? That would give you more of an idea of day-to-day life as a lawyer. My friends works in a firm that has a sign up that says, 'If you are not in on Sunday don't bother coming in on Monday.' I think you made up your mind when you decided a job is just a job.

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No, this past summer I didn't intern anywhere because most firms were looking to hire those who already have completed there first year. I only did one semester of law school so far and I already have had enough. All I did this summer was just work at my old job in a state of denial. I can't go through with law school anymore. I feel like I've been beaten up by a gang and they just won't stop.

My sister's friend actually works in a hospital in the New York City that's hiring right now and I heard that they have a Psychology Dept.. So I'm going to look into that and see the opportunities available to me.

Re: Need Serious Help. Thinking about dropping out of law school.

Ahhh I didn't realize you just did a semester. Do they start a class in the spring or did you go in the fall and take off the spring semester? As for the psych. jobs, I just meant many jobs in the field require a PhD in psychology. Good luck to you! I hope your family is supportive of your decision.

Re: Need Serious Help. Thinking about dropping out of law school.

Sure, anytime. Just don't lose sleep over it. From what you have said thus far, you definitely should explore other options. 24 is the age to explore all of those options. Let us know how it goes. I am SUCH an indecisive person. It is so hard for me to make a decision and I've always seeked approval on my decisions from other people, but I realized their advice might be good, but I am the one who has to make my own decisions and deal with the consequences in the end. Good luck!

Re: Need Serious Help. Thinking about dropping out of law school.

It really sounds like you want out of law school. If that's the case, it's so much better for you to recognize now with only 1 semester under your belt than 3 years from now and way, way in debt. Just to echo what someone else said, not every lawyer is a millionaire--in case you need to convince your family. I was very, very fortunate that I went to a top 5 law school and did well enough to get offers at many firms. However, anywhere outside the top 10 schools, it's often difficult to get offers at firms (where the big $$ is) unless you're in the top 10 of your class. This is the case both because 1) firms base a lot on what school you go to (wrong or right) and 2) many firms only do on-campus interviewing at certain schools so it's hard even to get your foot in the door if you're not at those schools. Good luck!