Hi Everyone,

I’m considering going to law school and have heard nightmarish stories from recent grads who are struggling to find work. Let me break down my situation and perspective. Please tell me if I’m being foolish.

I work as a journalist, and enjoy researching, writing, and analyzing complex topics. I feel under-paid for the quality of work I create. I think an investment in three more years of school would double my salary, and keep me working with words. I would be perfectly happy making $80,000/year at a small law firm. And I believe I would find it fulfilling to explain the law to people and defend them from it.

From what I've read, I need to get into at least a top 14 school to have good job prospects. Unfortunately, my GPA is low (3.31), because I did not give a damn for my GPA in college. However, I did double major, graduated with honors, and have had consistent employment as a writer throughout this drab economy. (Haven't taken LSAT yet, and am studying for Sept.)

I guess my question is: if I don't get into a top 14 school, will I be able to find a job? What about schools like Wake Forest, George Mason, and Emory? Are they worth it? Or is law school really a bust if you're not in the top schools? I’ve been told--pretty aggressively at another site--that I’d be an idiot to attend one of these schools, or almost any school.

Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks.

Hi! I'am currently in college so I don't have hands-on experience but my family have a tradition in going to law school so here we go: If you want to work at a large firm like Baker & Mckenzie, DLA Piper or Jones Day a top 15 school is usually a must if you want to get into the headquarter office(unless you have unbelievble connections. But regional offices seems to be what interests you and they're a lot easier to get into, for example. University of Texas, Austin has an excellent reputation in Texas and will get you far there and in nearby places like New Orleans,Atlanta etc. but they're not all that much to show in New York. What I'am trying to tell you's that if you're perfectly happy with working in a small regional office in say New Orleans the most important thing's to get into a lawschool with prestige in the region. New York's a lot thougher though.

Hey, thanks a lot. That helped.