Want to learn the study strategies needed to compete for TOP law school grades? 👉 SNAG THE "BEAT THE CURVE" QUICK START GUIDE HERE: launch.angelavorpahl.com/beat-the-curve-visit Anybody on the fence about whether to pursue law school? Let me know! 👇
I am VERY on the fence about law school for the financial reasons alone. I think I could be a total rockstar transactional lawyer, but I am also so. close. to. paying. off. my Master's degree, that I'm not sure I want to risk "starting over"with more student debt. This was helpful.
@@brandipierce6081 I'm so glad the video helped give you some more insight into your decision! One of the things that's coming up for me based on what you said is, first: could you do what you want to do without a law degree? Meaning, what about being a lawyer appeals to you? If for example you are interested in working in public interest, you could follow a path of social worker, journalist, activist, nonprofit administration, etc. and help achieve the same result. Alternatively, if being a lawyer specifically is what you want to do based on your experiences and understanding of what a lawyer does day to day, then I law school may be the only path to get there. If you're pretty clear that law school is something you want to do, and the finances is what's holding you back, the first thing I always recommend is to start taking steps toward the goal and don't stop until you get the information you need. So specifically, step one would be taking a diagnostic LSAT to see where your score falls. Add 10-12 points to that score and see where you would be competitive to get into law school based on the law schools' median LSAT and GPA scores. From there you can see if you may be eligible for scholarship money (i.e. 25th percentile or higher with respect to the median LSAT/GPA score of the law school). From there you can decide if it's worth it to invest in an LSAT prep course and/or go through the LSAT study process on your own to shoot for your target LSAT score. Once you have that, you can go ahead and apply and see where you get in and where you get scholarship money and decide from there if you want to actually go. So it's just small step by small step until you have what you need in order to make the next decision. Doing informational interviews with lawyers who are doing what you think you might want to do in the geographic area where you might want to do it is also a good next step that you can take in the meantime :) I hope this was helpful and responsive to what you were expressing!
@@AngelaVorpahl the things that interest me about lawyering (at least that I'd want to do) are similiar-ish to my responsibilities now (contract review, client management, writing policies, etc), and I'd want to get into M &A, but I have busted my tail to pay off this second degree, I am literally terrified of the tuition costs I've seen. I'm going to take the LSAT in January and let that play a huge part. In conclusion, I've given this ted talk to say that yes, your video and response was very helpful.
At my age, I worry if it is worth it. It’s something I really want to do. I’ve always wanted to be a lawyer. I’m 29 and have a stable salaried career in Chicago. No kids yet, not married. But I definitely worry if I waited too late or it’s worth the cost.
Hi Ashley! I hear from a lot of non-traditional law students that have had wonderful experiences in law school and in their legal careers, and some of them started law school in their 40's or 50's. Previous work experience can be a definite plus for law school admissions, and can also be a benefit during legal employer interviews, especially if you've worked in an area directly related to the type of law you're looking to practice. With respect to the financial investment that's definitely a big consideration, but if you're on the fence one of the things I always recommend is to start taking steps toward the goal and don't stop until you get the information you need. So specifically, step one would be taking a diagnostic LSAT to see where your score falls. Add 10-12 points to that score and see where you would be competitive to get into law school based on the law schools' median LSAT and GPA scores. From there you can see if you may be eligible for scholarship money (i.e. 25th percentile or higher with respect to the median LSAT/GPA score of the law school). From there you can decide if it's worth it to invest in an LSAT prep course and/or go through the LSAT study process on your own to shoot for your target LSAT score. Once you have that, you can go ahead and apply and see where you get in and where you get scholarship money and decide from there if you want to actually go. So it's just small step by small step until you have what you need in order to make the next decision. Doing informational interviews with lawyers who are doing what you think you might want to do in the geographic area where you might want to do it is also a good next step that you can take in the meantime :)
@@SLM41 I hear you, and I'll be making a video soon about the experiences of other nontraditional law students so that you can get a sense for how it was for them and reach out to them to see how they handled their situations and maybe gain some additional insight from there :)
My biggest concern is that with the pandemic and many law schools being online, the learning environment that many of us have traditionally known of being able to share space with others will be regulated to a lesser role in the aspect of teaching. I am currently in college and the fatigue that comes with trying to keep up with the constant stress of changes while also maintaining motivation for persisting through the semester is challenging in a way that is unique to this moment in history. The domino effect it will have in lawyer culture to be so inundated with technology and the need to be productive for every second of the day could be the reality we are heading towards.
This is such a fantastic insight, and definitely one that I'm hearing from a lot of my students. The lack of human contact and face-to-face interaction with classes has people really worn down and it's tough to find the energy to keep ploughing away day after day. Just remember that staying on the train and taking baby steps forward each day is half the battle in itself. Technology is something we will definitely continue to use and it can be a huge energy drain but it can be a good thing too - opening up remote working opportunities and more flexible schedules for people. So I think the main goal is to keep experimenting to able to find a balance that works for you :)
Yay!! I'm so happy to hear it! It's definitely true that hearing what a legal career is actually like from people actually doing it can give you amazing insight into whether it would be something you'd enjoy! And then if you decide that it is, the bonus is that you've already started building your professional network! :)
That's an awesome idea and definitely a video that I've been wanting to make for a long time! Thanks so much for reminding me, and I'll see how quickly I can get that out to you guys! :)
This confirmed my decision to go to a law school in my area and commute there. Living expenses (particularly for out of state law schools) are no joke.
@@AngelaVorpahl I applied for the fall and spring cycle because I wasn’t sure when I would go. I decided to go to a law school here in Houston that offers spring enrollment. They offered a scholarship and I’ll be in classes with other incoming 1L students as well. So I won’t have to worry about coming into my 1L year being behind because I’ll only be in classes with other incoming spring 1L students.
@@AngelaVorpahl I took a year off after finishing undergrad to work for a bit and consider law school. Was a big decision but yeah I’ve decided to go ahead and go in the spring.
@@futurekillerful That's awesome! And so exciting that you're about to dive in!! I run a free Facebook group for law students, prospective law students, and new lawyers where I'm inside all the time answering questions! Would you like the link to join?
@@futurekillerful That's fantastic! Good for you! It's going to be an amazing adventure! Is there anything in particular you'd like to know before you get started? :)
Right now I’m a bachelor of science student with a biology major and a chemistry minor. I do very well in my program but have realized that I don’t wanna go into health care. I’ve also looked at the prospects of teaching and then getting my masters in education and my doctorate in education, both of which I can get while working full time as a teacher, which is very enticing; however, I’ve also looked at law school and it seems like something I’d also love to do too. I’m young, 21, and I’ll be done my bachelor of science in another year and a half so I have a little bit of time to decide, but another thing that worries me is the work load for being a lawyer, and the location I live in (I live in a smaller city so I’m not sure if lawyer make that much here). I really like the fact that with teaching it’s great hours and you have lots of vacation time so I can explore the world while I’m young and before I have kids, plus I love working with kids and creating my own curriculum (I’d wanna teach high school senior sciences and then eventually go into administration). I feel like when I’m older though, I’d enjoy being a lawyer more, but I probably wouldn’t wanna go back to school for it, especially if I spend all that money and time on a masters and EdD. I’m just a very undecided person and I wish I could look into the future to see what I’d enjoy more :(
It sounds like you've put a lot of thought into your future path which is incredibly admirable! My advice to you would be to take steps to sample the "endgame" for both before you decide which path you want to go down. So in the video I talk about (i) experience and (ii) information. I would love to see you get an internship or volunteership working as an assistant or TA for a teaching position you might enjoy, as well as getting an internship or volunteership working around lawyers (nonprofits and public interest are the most accessible places to start for undegrads). The next step would be to start talking to people who currently do what you are thinking long-term you might want to do -- i.e. high school science teacher, high school administration, lawyers (and preferably in the city where you think you may want to live and work). Asking them what their typical day looks like and the path they took to get where they are will give you additional insight into whether it's something that feels like a good fit for you. The good news is that you have time before you need to decide, and taking steps to give yourself the gift of information is a great way to use that time. It's difficult to make a choice based in hypothetical scenarios, so being able to see those two professions up close will give you so much more to go off in determining what to prioritize first :)
@@AngelaVorpahl yeah I was supposed to TA for a senior high school biology class but when COVID hit I wasn’t allowed to anymore :( and then I also won’t be able to shadow a lawyer right now either because of COVID which sucks. I have 2 uncles who were teachers and then went into administration and they both love what they do and wouldn’t wanna be doing anything else, but I don’t have any relatives who are lawyers. Hopefully, this will all end soon, so I can make a clear decision! Thanks for responding. I love your Law videos!
@@MrMoose-mf1oy Oh man you were all over it, that's awesome!! Another thing to think about too is that a TON of lawyers are active on LinkedIn since the pandemic started in March of this year, so if you're looking to take steps while we're still under quarantine, informational interviews with lawyers are an awesome way to not only get an inside look into what a typical day in the lawyering world looks like but also to begin to grow your law-related network should you ultimately decide that law school is the path for you!
@@MrMoose-mf1oy Yay!! I would start with lawyers who are alumni of your same college -- people tend to be more open to chatting if there is a natural link between the two of you. You can search LinkedIn by the name of your college, on the left hand side choose alumni, and then you can search further by "lawyer" or "attorney". To narrow it down even further, you can focus on the people who are currently working in the city or state where you would like to live and practice :)
I want to study law because it comes off as studious and the law in general fascinates me. I am a voracious reader. I love history, politics, philosophy, and the classics. I'm actually a double major in philosophy and classics with a minor in political science. I do not want to argue cases and would like to avoid court at all costs lol. I would much prefer to be at my desk reading texts or writing. Hopefully that's possible? How is the law interesting: I love reading about the history of cases and how they affected society. I am fascinated by the way attorney's (or the Court) have won cases through loopholes or technicalities. Whether ethical or not is another story, but fascinating nonetheless. I'll be 31-32 when I graduate with my BA and 35 with my JD. It sucks, but I'm not getting any younger. My undergraduate is free thanks to the GI Bill. So the only debt I'm looking at is from law school.
Your story is so interesting!! It sounds like a best fit for you might by an academic path to ultimately become a professor :) I know 35 sounds old, but I have spoken to a lot of nontraditional law students who have started law school in their 30's, 40's, and 50's and they had a great experience. I have no doubt the background and skill set you have developed to date will be a great advantage to you in your legal career!
@@AngelaVorpahl Angela, I think that going to law school because you can't find a job with a liberal arts degree is a bad idea. People in that situation would be better served if they supplemented certifications or maybe additional coursework in vocationally relevant areas like coding, accounting, financial fundamentals, and so on. Law is a great field, but not for someone who has a useless degree simply seeking employment. Also, the effects of not finding a job in law school is much worse than with degrees like CS or Accounting.
I am graduating undergrad in December of this year, and I plan to apply for law school for fall of 22'! (hopefully SMU if I crush LSAT). I am pretty confident I would be a great attorney. I keep doing my research, and the same thing keeps popping up and that is the lawyer market is over-saturated currently. SMU reviews boast that it is a great resource for having a career in DFW, where I plan to live and work after college. I am just worried that I might make a huge financial decision and then not have job opportunities :(
Hi Ben! Law school is definitely a big decision and a big investment. That being said, it's much tougher to make that decision without all the data. I would 100% focus on going all in and getting your LSAT score as high as you can to open up scholarship opportunities and then once you have your admission options, scholarship options, and employment stats for those law schools you can make a much more informed choice about whether and where you may want to go! I actually run a free FB for law students and prelaw students looking to get clarity and support in their law school journey. Would you like the link to join? :) Angela
@@isabellab1844 Fantastic! I host a FB group for law students, prospective law students, and new lawyers where I'm always answering questions - would you like the link to join to get ahead of the game?
Yes, definitely! I'm happy to give an overview of how paralegals and attorneys usually work together. Send me a DM with your question on Instagram (@angelavorpahl) and I can send you an audio :)
Ooh that's interesting. I definitely don't think you would need to. Have you talked to any civil investigators? If not, I would definitely recommend searching on LinkedIn for people who work in that industry in your geographic area and conducting an informational interview as to how they got to where they are. You'll learn SO much that way. Here's a video on how to go about starting that process for the first time: ua-cam.com/video/MMldkngNHB0/v-deo.html
Hi! I’m a sophomore in high school planning on being a lawyer. I was wondering how would I schedule taking the LSAT? And how long should I study for? Also if I don’t get into a top law school is it true that I wouldn’t be able to be a lawyer?
Hi Lauren! It's so exciting that you're already thinking of pursuing a law degree! In answer to your questions: the most commonly recommended time period to study for the LSAT is 5-6 months before you take the test, and ideally leaving time for you to take it a second time before applying to law school. So a very common approach for people who want to go to law school directly after college is to begin studying for the LSAT in the spring semester of their junior year of college (January to June), take the LSAT for the first time in June/July, plan on taking the LSAT a second time in September/October (just in case they don't get the score they want the first time around), and apply for early admission to their law schools of choice by November (to seek admission for the following Fall). In answer to your second question, it's definitely not true at all that you have to go to a "top" law school in order to become a lawyer. And actually, given the fact that there are over 200 ABA-approved law schools in the U.S., the vast majority of practicing attorneys did not go to a "top" law school, myself included! If you're interested in learning more about law school, I actually run a free FB group for law students and prelaw students. Would you like the link to join? :)
@@josuecaro3517 Cool! Let me know how you like it! I'm gathering feedback on how people like the version of lsat prep they've used since there are so many approaches and no single overriding favorite :)
Hello, I am a foreigner immigrating to the USA within the next year. I am considering going to UT in Austin, but before that, I am thinking about doing some paralegal job. If you have information on the performance of non-native lawyers in the USA(any statistic on that) or is there a demand on the job market for them? Thank you :)
Hi Salome! That's so exciting!! I don't know of any employment stats specific to non-U.S. lawyers, but anecdotally it's tougher to find a full-time legal job after graduating if you would require a legal employer to sponsor you for a work visa. That being said, it's definitely a goal of mine to get you guys better information and resources so that you can make more informed decisions about your career path!
Haha that's totally fair! If you're interested in getting more insight from other law students and new lawyers going through the same process, I have a free FB to help you guys connect, share war stories, and build your network! Would you like the link?
I’m from Brasil and I wanna do the law course at Brasil, after that i was thinking in to do LLM, what do you thing about the job market for foreign people that only did the LLM ?
Hi Kayque! To be honest, everything I've heard about international lawyers and law students finding a long-term legal job in the U.S. after graduating with an LLM is that it's extremely difficult. From what I've heard, it's possible to find a 9-month position with a legal employer because of the terms of the visa given to LLM students, but finding full-time work after that 9-month period is much more difficult. I hope to do a more indepth dive into the employment statistics for international LLM students as soon as possible!
@@dex9390 I believe that puts you on the same playing field as the U.S. JD students in terms of jobs (except for jobs with the federal government which I understand to not be available to non-U.S. citizens), but I definitely want to do a deeper dive to be sure I'm giving you guys the right information!
Hi Angela , I am from India 1st year law student integrated 5 year programme. So I was deciding to apply for JD programme in Ivy League but don’t know the procedure to do so . Could it be possible for you to give some sort of advice for the same . I know about Lsat but what else is needed .
Hi Shubham! Yes, taking the LSAT is the first big step, and then the application process itself generally requires a resume, transcript of grades, 3 letters of recommendation, and a personal statement. Each law school may have other additional requirements like a diversity statement or other essay, but those are the most common elements!
No worries! You just need to get a little more information in order to help push you towards one end of the line or the other. If you're able to get an internship or volunteership at a place where lawyers work that would be super helpful to start seeing the day-in-the-life of a lawyer (nonprofits working in criminal law and immigration law always ned help!). Also doing informational interviews with lawyers who are practicing the type of law you think sounds interesting in the geographic location you would like to be will also help you start creating a picture of what the career would look like. Is there any particular question that you're wondering about that would help move you one way or the other? Angela
I'm so glad to hear it! Yeah it's definitely not the right choice for everyone and the best thing you can do for yourself is try to do the heavy lifting of figuring that out on the front end rather than realizing it after the investment has been made.
Want to learn the study strategies needed to compete for TOP law school grades?
👉 SNAG THE "BEAT THE CURVE" QUICK START GUIDE HERE: launch.angelavorpahl.com/beat-the-curve-visit
Anybody on the fence about whether to pursue law school? Let me know! 👇
I am VERY on the fence about law school for the financial reasons alone. I think I could be a total rockstar transactional lawyer, but I am also so. close. to. paying. off. my Master's degree, that I'm not sure I want to risk "starting over"with more student debt. This was helpful.
@@brandipierce6081 I'm so glad the video helped give you some more insight into your decision! One of the things that's coming up for me based on what you said is, first: could you do what you want to do without a law degree? Meaning, what about being a lawyer appeals to you? If for example you are interested in working in public interest, you could follow a path of social worker, journalist, activist, nonprofit administration, etc. and help achieve the same result. Alternatively, if being a lawyer specifically is what you want to do based on your experiences and understanding of what a lawyer does day to day, then I law school may be the only path to get there. If you're pretty clear that law school is something you want to do, and the finances is what's holding you back, the first thing I always recommend is to start taking steps toward the goal and don't stop until you get the information you need. So specifically, step one would be taking a diagnostic LSAT to see where your score falls. Add 10-12 points to that score and see where you would be competitive to get into law school based on the law schools' median LSAT and GPA scores. From there you can see if you may be eligible for scholarship money (i.e. 25th percentile or higher with respect to the median LSAT/GPA score of the law school). From there you can decide if it's worth it to invest in an LSAT prep course and/or go through the LSAT study process on your own to shoot for your target LSAT score. Once you have that, you can go ahead and apply and see where you get in and where you get scholarship money and decide from there if you want to actually go.
So it's just small step by small step until you have what you need in order to make the next decision. Doing informational interviews with lawyers who are doing what you think you might want to do in the geographic area where you might want to do it is also a good next step that you can take in the meantime :)
I hope this was helpful and responsive to what you were expressing!
@@AngelaVorpahl the things that interest me about lawyering (at least that I'd want to do) are similiar-ish to my responsibilities now (contract review, client management, writing policies, etc), and I'd want to get into M &A, but I have busted my tail to pay off this second degree, I am literally terrified of the tuition costs I've seen. I'm going to take the LSAT in January and let that play a huge part. In conclusion, I've given this ted talk to say that yes, your video and response was very helpful.
@@brandipierce6081 Haha I'm happy to hear it! And definitely keep me posted as you make your way through the process! :)
At my age, I worry if it is worth it. It’s something I really want to do. I’ve always wanted to be a lawyer. I’m 29 and have a stable salaried career in Chicago. No kids yet, not married. But I definitely worry if I waited too late or it’s worth the cost.
Hi Ashley! I hear from a lot of non-traditional law students that have had wonderful experiences in law school and in their legal careers, and some of them started law school in their 40's or 50's. Previous work experience can be a definite plus for law school admissions, and can also be a benefit during legal employer interviews, especially if you've worked in an area directly related to the type of law you're looking to practice.
With respect to the financial investment that's definitely a big consideration, but if you're on the fence one of the things I always recommend is to start taking steps toward the goal and don't stop until you get the information you need. So specifically, step one would be taking a diagnostic LSAT to see where your score falls. Add 10-12 points to that score and see where you would be competitive to get into law school based on the law schools' median LSAT and GPA scores. From there you can see if you may be eligible for scholarship money (i.e. 25th percentile or higher with respect to the median LSAT/GPA score of the law school). From there you can decide if it's worth it to invest in an LSAT prep course and/or go through the LSAT study process on your own to shoot for your target LSAT score. Once you have that, you can go ahead and apply and see where you get in and where you get scholarship money and decide from there if you want to actually go.
So it's just small step by small step until you have what you need in order to make the next decision. Doing informational interviews with lawyers who are doing what you think you might want to do in the geographic area where you might want to do it is also a good next step that you can take in the meantime :)
Girl I'm 38 and thinking about going. Thats my biggest fear that I'm too old or too tired. I would have crushed it at your age. Lol
@@SLM41 I hear you, and I'll be making a video soon about the experiences of other nontraditional law students so that you can get a sense for how it was for them and reach out to them to see how they handled their situations and maybe gain some additional insight from there :)
You are beautiful!
@@OH-vh6vi 😍😍😍
My biggest concern is that with the pandemic and many law schools being online, the learning environment that many of us have traditionally known of being able to share space with others will be regulated to a lesser role in the aspect of teaching. I am currently in college and the fatigue that comes with trying to keep up with the constant stress of changes while also maintaining motivation for persisting through the semester is challenging in a way that is unique to this moment in history. The domino effect it will have in lawyer culture to be so inundated with technology and the need to be productive for every second of the day could be the reality we are heading towards.
This is such a fantastic insight, and definitely one that I'm hearing from a lot of my students. The lack of human contact and face-to-face interaction with classes has people really worn down and it's tough to find the energy to keep ploughing away day after day. Just remember that staying on the train and taking baby steps forward each day is half the battle in itself.
Technology is something we will definitely continue to use and it can be a huge energy drain but it can be a good thing too - opening up remote working opportunities and more flexible schedules for people. So I think the main goal is to keep experimenting to able to find a balance that works for you :)
The cold call/LinkedIn advice was exactly what I needed right now! Thanks for the awesome videos :)
Yay!! I'm so happy to hear it! It's definitely true that hearing what a legal career is actually like from people actually doing it can give you amazing insight into whether it would be something you'd enjoy! And then if you decide that it is, the bonus is that you've already started building your professional network! :)
Hey Angela! You should do a video on how to choose what type of law you want to specialize in, and why you yourself decided to go the litigator route.
That's an awesome idea and definitely a video that I've been wanting to make for a long time! Thanks so much for reminding me, and I'll see how quickly I can get that out to you guys! :)
This confirmed my decision to go to a law school in my area and commute there. Living expenses (particularly for out of state law schools) are no joke.
Mike, that's amazing!! I'm so excited for you!! Are you looking to apply for the Fall 2021 cycle?
@@AngelaVorpahl I applied for the fall and spring cycle because I wasn’t sure when I would go. I decided to go to a law school here in Houston that offers spring enrollment. They offered a scholarship and I’ll be in classes with other incoming 1L students as well. So I won’t have to worry about coming into my 1L year being behind because I’ll only be in classes with other incoming spring 1L students.
@@AngelaVorpahl I took a year off after finishing undergrad to work for a bit and consider law school. Was a big decision but yeah I’ve decided to go ahead and go in the spring.
@@futurekillerful That's awesome! And so exciting that you're about to dive in!! I run a free Facebook group for law students, prospective law students, and new lawyers where I'm inside all the time answering questions! Would you like the link to join?
@@futurekillerful That's fantastic! Good for you! It's going to be an amazing adventure! Is there anything in particular you'd like to know before you get started? :)
Right now I’m a bachelor of science student with a biology major and a chemistry minor. I do very well in my program but have realized that I don’t wanna go into health care. I’ve also looked at the prospects of teaching and then getting my masters in education and my doctorate in education, both of which I can get while working full time as a teacher, which is very enticing; however, I’ve also looked at law school and it seems like something I’d also love to do too. I’m young, 21, and I’ll be done my bachelor of science in another year and a half so I have a little bit of time to decide, but another thing that worries me is the work load for being a lawyer, and the location I live in (I live in a smaller city so I’m not sure if lawyer make that much here). I really like the fact that with teaching it’s great hours and you have lots of vacation time so I can explore the world while I’m young and before I have kids, plus I love working with kids and creating my own curriculum (I’d wanna teach high school senior sciences and then eventually go into administration). I feel like when I’m older though, I’d enjoy being a lawyer more, but I probably wouldn’t wanna go back to school for it, especially if I spend all that money and time on a masters and EdD. I’m just a very undecided person and I wish I could look into the future to see what I’d enjoy more :(
It sounds like you've put a lot of thought into your future path which is incredibly admirable! My advice to you would be to take steps to sample the "endgame" for both before you decide which path you want to go down. So in the video I talk about (i) experience and (ii) information. I would love to see you get an internship or volunteership working as an assistant or TA for a teaching position you might enjoy, as well as getting an internship or volunteership working around lawyers (nonprofits and public interest are the most accessible places to start for undegrads).
The next step would be to start talking to people who currently do what you are thinking long-term you might want to do -- i.e. high school science teacher, high school administration, lawyers (and preferably in the city where you think you may want to live and work). Asking them what their typical day looks like and the path they took to get where they are will give you additional insight into whether it's something that feels like a good fit for you.
The good news is that you have time before you need to decide, and taking steps to give yourself the gift of information is a great way to use that time. It's difficult to make a choice based in hypothetical scenarios, so being able to see those two professions up close will give you so much more to go off in determining what to prioritize first :)
@@AngelaVorpahl yeah I was supposed to TA for a senior high school biology class but when COVID hit I wasn’t allowed to anymore :( and then I also won’t be able to shadow a lawyer right now either because of COVID which sucks. I have 2 uncles who were teachers and then went into administration and they both love what they do and wouldn’t wanna be doing anything else, but I don’t have any relatives who are lawyers. Hopefully, this will all end soon, so I can make a clear decision! Thanks for responding. I love your Law videos!
@@MrMoose-mf1oy Oh man you were all over it, that's awesome!! Another thing to think about too is that a TON of lawyers are active on LinkedIn since the pandemic started in March of this year, so if you're looking to take steps while we're still under quarantine, informational interviews with lawyers are an awesome way to not only get an inside look into what a typical day in the lawyering world looks like but also to begin to grow your law-related network should you ultimately decide that law school is the path for you!
@@AngelaVorpahl awesome that’s great advice! I’ll give it a shot, thanks!
@@MrMoose-mf1oy Yay!! I would start with lawyers who are alumni of your same college -- people tend to be more open to chatting if there is a natural link between the two of you. You can search LinkedIn by the name of your college, on the left hand side choose alumni, and then you can search further by "lawyer" or "attorney". To narrow it down even further, you can focus on the people who are currently working in the city or state where you would like to live and practice :)
I want to study law because it comes off as studious and the law in general fascinates me.
I am a voracious reader. I love history, politics, philosophy, and the classics. I'm actually a double major in philosophy and classics with a minor in political science.
I do not want to argue cases and would like to avoid court at all costs lol. I would much prefer to be at my desk reading texts or writing. Hopefully that's possible?
How is the law interesting: I love reading about the history of cases and how they affected society. I am fascinated by the way attorney's (or the Court) have won cases through loopholes or technicalities. Whether ethical or not is another story, but fascinating nonetheless.
I'll be 31-32 when I graduate with my BA and 35 with my JD. It sucks, but I'm not getting any younger.
My undergraduate is free thanks to the GI Bill. So the only debt I'm looking at is from law school.
Your story is so interesting!! It sounds like a best fit for you might by an academic path to ultimately become a professor :) I know 35 sounds old, but I have spoken to a lot of nontraditional law students who have started law school in their 30's, 40's, and 50's and they had a great experience. I have no doubt the background and skill set you have developed to date will be a great advantage to you in your legal career!
@@AngelaVorpahl Angela, I think that going to law school because you can't find a job with a liberal arts degree is a bad idea. People in that situation would be better served if they supplemented certifications or maybe additional coursework in vocationally relevant areas like coding, accounting, financial fundamentals, and so on. Law is a great field, but not for someone who has a useless degree simply seeking employment. Also, the effects of not finding a job in law school is much worse than with degrees like CS or Accounting.
Hi friend! How are you doing? Terrific Tuesday, wow very nice video, we just finished CrossFit
Hi!! Wow good for you!! I'm so impressed! And I'm so glad you enjoyed the video!! Have an awesome rest of your day! :)
@@AngelaVorpahl Likewise, please stop by our community tabs :~)
What do you think about the impact of artificial intelligence and natural language processing on the work of paralegals in the future?
Ooh interesting question! The short answer is I have zero idea, but I assume it could definitely help with translations and document review!
I am graduating undergrad in December of this year, and I plan to apply for law school for fall of 22'! (hopefully SMU if I crush LSAT). I am pretty confident I would be a great attorney. I keep doing my research, and the same thing keeps popping up and that is the lawyer market is over-saturated currently. SMU reviews boast that it is a great resource for having a career in DFW, where I plan to live and work after college. I am just worried that I might make a huge financial decision and then not have job opportunities :(
Hi Ben! Law school is definitely a big decision and a big investment. That being said, it's much tougher to make that decision without all the data. I would 100% focus on going all in and getting your LSAT score as high as you can to open up scholarship opportunities and then once you have your admission options, scholarship options, and employment stats for those law schools you can make a much more informed choice about whether and where you may want to go!
I actually run a free FB for law students and prelaw students looking to get clarity and support in their law school journey. Would you like the link to join? :)
Angela
This video was helpful, thanks for recommending fishbowl, I just joined!
Yay!! My pleasure! Fishbowl is great way to get an inside look into what the industry is really like!
Eeeek early! Love this video
Yay!! I'm so glad the video resonated!! Are you thinking of making law school your next big thing? :)
@@AngelaVorpahl Yes definitely! I really like to prepare early sooo here I am!
@@isabellab1844 Fantastic! I host a FB group for law students, prospective law students, and new lawyers where I'm always answering questions - would you like the link to join to get ahead of the game?
Have you ever worked with paralegals and if so what is the relationship like between a lawyer and a paralegal? Great vids btw!
Yes, definitely! I'm happy to give an overview of how paralegals and attorneys usually work together. Send me a DM with your question on Instagram (@angelavorpahl) and I can send you an audio :)
I’ve been thinking about being a civil investigator but I’m not sure if I should go into law school for it?
Ooh that's interesting. I definitely don't think you would need to. Have you talked to any civil investigators? If not, I would definitely recommend searching on LinkedIn for people who work in that industry in your geographic area and conducting an informational interview as to how they got to where they are. You'll learn SO much that way. Here's a video on how to go about starting that process for the first time: ua-cam.com/video/MMldkngNHB0/v-deo.html
Do any law schools give some sort of scholarships?
Hi! I’m a sophomore in high school planning on being a lawyer. I was wondering how would I schedule taking the LSAT? And how long should I study for? Also if I don’t get into a top law school is it true that I wouldn’t be able to be a lawyer?
Hi Lauren! It's so exciting that you're already thinking of pursuing a law degree! In answer to your questions: the most commonly recommended time period to study for the LSAT is 5-6 months before you take the test, and ideally leaving time for you to take it a second time before applying to law school. So a very common approach for people who want to go to law school directly after college is to begin studying for the LSAT in the spring semester of their junior year of college (January to June), take the LSAT for the first time in June/July, plan on taking the LSAT a second time in September/October (just in case they don't get the score they want the first time around), and apply for early admission to their law schools of choice by November (to seek admission for the following Fall).
In answer to your second question, it's definitely not true at all that you have to go to a "top" law school in order to become a lawyer. And actually, given the fact that there are over 200 ABA-approved law schools in the U.S., the vast majority of practicing attorneys did not go to a "top" law school, myself included!
If you're interested in learning more about law school, I actually run a free FB group for law students and prelaw students. Would you like the link to join? :)
I'm leaving my lsat score to make the choice for me.
Nice!! So are you in the process of studying for the LSAT right now?
@@AngelaVorpahl I'm easing into it slowly as I finish my BA. I've been using The LSAT Trainer by Mike Kim.
@@josuecaro3517 Cool! Let me know how you like it! I'm gathering feedback on how people like the version of lsat prep they've used since there are so many approaches and no single overriding favorite :)
Hello, I am a foreigner immigrating to the USA within the next year. I am considering going to UT in Austin, but before that, I am thinking about doing some paralegal job. If you have information on the performance of non-native lawyers in the USA(any statistic on that) or is there a demand on the job market for them? Thank you :)
Hi Salome! That's so exciting!! I don't know of any employment stats specific to non-U.S. lawyers, but anecdotally it's tougher to find a full-time legal job after graduating if you would require a legal employer to sponsor you for a work visa. That being said, it's definitely a goal of mine to get you guys better information and resources so that you can make more informed decisions about your career path!
I'm halfway through law school and watching because I still don't know 😅
Haha that's totally fair! If you're interested in getting more insight from other law students and new lawyers going through the same process, I have a free FB to help you guys connect, share war stories, and build your network! Would you like the link?
I’m from Brasil and I wanna do the law course at Brasil, after that i was thinking in to do LLM, what do you thing about the job market for foreign people that only did the LLM ?
Hi Kayque! To be honest, everything I've heard about international lawyers and law students finding a long-term legal job in the U.S. after graduating with an LLM is that it's extremely difficult. From what I've heard, it's possible to find a 9-month position with a legal employer because of the terms of the visa given to LLM students, but finding full-time work after that 9-month period is much more difficult. I hope to do a more indepth dive into the employment statistics for international LLM students as soon as possible!
@@AngelaVorpahl And what if I do my JD in the us as an international student?
@@dex9390 I believe that puts you on the same playing field as the U.S. JD students in terms of jobs (except for jobs with the federal government which I understand to not be available to non-U.S. citizens), but I definitely want to do a deeper dive to be sure I'm giving you guys the right information!
@@AngelaVorpahl That would be really helpful :)
@@dex9390 🙌🙌🙌
Hi Angela ,
I am from India 1st year law student integrated 5 year programme. So I was deciding to apply for JD programme in Ivy League but don’t know the procedure to do so .
Could it be possible for you to give some sort of advice for the same .
I know about Lsat but what else is needed .
Hi Shubham! Yes, taking the LSAT is the first big step, and then the application process itself generally requires a resume, transcript of grades, 3 letters of recommendation, and a personal statement. Each law school may have other additional requirements like a diversity statement or other essay, but those are the most common elements!
@@AngelaVorpahl thank you so much.
You explained it in such simple steps .
Thank you very much ma’am .
Love from India 🇮🇳
@@shubhampaul8431 Yay! I'm so glad!!
To be honest, I'm a five right now!
No worries! You just need to get a little more information in order to help push you towards one end of the line or the other. If you're able to get an internship or volunteership at a place where lawyers work that would be super helpful to start seeing the day-in-the-life of a lawyer (nonprofits working in criminal law and immigration law always ned help!). Also doing informational interviews with lawyers who are practicing the type of law you think sounds interesting in the geographic location you would like to be will also help you start creating a picture of what the career would look like.
Is there any particular question that you're wondering about that would help move you one way or the other?
Angela
Best advice I’ve ever gotten about law school, was not to go to law school.
I'm so glad to hear it! Yeah it's definitely not the right choice for everyone and the best thing you can do for yourself is try to do the heavy lifting of figuring that out on the front end rather than realizing it after the investment has been made.