3 answers
Victoria
Student
Kingsville, Texas
1
Question
Asked
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What is some advice when going into law school from a 4-year university? What is the biggest change faced with, and how did you grow from it? #Spring25
I am a junior in university preparing for law school.
3 answers
Nancy Merrill
Attorney
2
Answers
Golden, Colorado
Updated
Nancy’s Answer
My best advice to you:
1. Read all of the assignments as far in advance as you can.
2. Meet as many of your fellow students as you can as early as you can. Find things in common and comraderie, but don't get pidgeonholed into any particular group or person. You want to spend the most time with people who will rise to the top but are still good humans.
3. Surround yourself with supportive fellow students (whom you have engaged with per #2). Be a giver and a receiver and avoid those with huge egos. Try to find those whom you believe will do extremely well in their classes because like minds will succeed. Avoid the partiers and those with huge egos. There is nothing wrong with participating in law school activities or clubs, but NEVER to sacrifice your grades or future success.
4. Read "One L" or similar books (pre-law school primer).
5. If you can, speak to students who have taken classes with your professors (or better potential professors when choosing your classes) to get the "skinny" as to how to succeed in class and what the professor expects (and what can be ignored).
6. Law school is your job! Avoid distractions to the extent that you can. Don't date and don't work if you possibly can your first year. If you are already in a relationship your partner needs to know that you will be unavailable most of the time. Don't start a relationship during at least the first year and a half and have succeeded in your classes. Once you have a good rhythm, only work in jobs that will further your legal career.
7. Further to #6, the best jobs are assistants to your favorite professors and law clerk positions with the best firms or companies you can find.
8. Legal internships vs. Law clerking: Internships give you credit but are unpaid. They are better in some ways because the firm or company must provide you with learning opportunities. However, if you can snag a law clerking position that is both paid and presents learning opportunities, don't shy away from it! BUT avoid law clerking positions where you are simply filing and doing no research or writing.
9. Keep your eye out for scholarship opportunities. They don't fall in your lap. Talk to the bursar who will have this information.
10. Check out dates for summer clerkships/internships well in advance so that you will have your name added to interview calendars.
11. If money and time allow, take a class during the summer to lessen the load the next year.
12. GRADES OPEN DOORS!! Getting good grades and staying in a high class rank will open doors to the best summer jobs and, eventually, the best opportunities post-law school. That is why #s 1-11 are all about setting you up for success, and success is measured by good grades in law school. If you don't do well the first semester, don't fret - there is lots of time to make things up but regardless of how well you do, DO analyze what went well and what didn't and make adjustments.
13. There is nothing wrong, by the way, to, whenever you get to choose your classes, choose classes and professors that give you the best chance of success, both in learning the subject and receiving good grades.
14. Speak up in class enough to get noticed and recognized as a leader but don't capitalize. Respect your fellow classmates, especially those who are achievers (which are those who you have befriended).
15. You can do this NOW: check out legal specialties where a.) you have INTEREST; b.) there is significant opportunity; AND c. the specialty presents the chance to earn a good living. If you can choose a specialty early, you can gear both your classes and future jobs/internships to that specialty. It will make you more valuable when you graduate. You might pivot during law school, but good preparation well in advance will make your later decisions easy. There are lots of places where you can research legal specialties, and if you have the nerve, interview some attorneys who work in those specialties. Lawyers like to talk about themselves and if you respect their time and come prepared with questions, they can be extremely helpful. Plus it doesn't hurt to make contacts early.
I wish I had this list before I started law school. Best of luck to you!
All next steps are included in the list above.
1. Read all of the assignments as far in advance as you can.
2. Meet as many of your fellow students as you can as early as you can. Find things in common and comraderie, but don't get pidgeonholed into any particular group or person. You want to spend the most time with people who will rise to the top but are still good humans.
3. Surround yourself with supportive fellow students (whom you have engaged with per #2). Be a giver and a receiver and avoid those with huge egos. Try to find those whom you believe will do extremely well in their classes because like minds will succeed. Avoid the partiers and those with huge egos. There is nothing wrong with participating in law school activities or clubs, but NEVER to sacrifice your grades or future success.
4. Read "One L" or similar books (pre-law school primer).
5. If you can, speak to students who have taken classes with your professors (or better potential professors when choosing your classes) to get the "skinny" as to how to succeed in class and what the professor expects (and what can be ignored).
6. Law school is your job! Avoid distractions to the extent that you can. Don't date and don't work if you possibly can your first year. If you are already in a relationship your partner needs to know that you will be unavailable most of the time. Don't start a relationship during at least the first year and a half and have succeeded in your classes. Once you have a good rhythm, only work in jobs that will further your legal career.
7. Further to #6, the best jobs are assistants to your favorite professors and law clerk positions with the best firms or companies you can find.
8. Legal internships vs. Law clerking: Internships give you credit but are unpaid. They are better in some ways because the firm or company must provide you with learning opportunities. However, if you can snag a law clerking position that is both paid and presents learning opportunities, don't shy away from it! BUT avoid law clerking positions where you are simply filing and doing no research or writing.
9. Keep your eye out for scholarship opportunities. They don't fall in your lap. Talk to the bursar who will have this information.
10. Check out dates for summer clerkships/internships well in advance so that you will have your name added to interview calendars.
11. If money and time allow, take a class during the summer to lessen the load the next year.
12. GRADES OPEN DOORS!! Getting good grades and staying in a high class rank will open doors to the best summer jobs and, eventually, the best opportunities post-law school. That is why #s 1-11 are all about setting you up for success, and success is measured by good grades in law school. If you don't do well the first semester, don't fret - there is lots of time to make things up but regardless of how well you do, DO analyze what went well and what didn't and make adjustments.
13. There is nothing wrong, by the way, to, whenever you get to choose your classes, choose classes and professors that give you the best chance of success, both in learning the subject and receiving good grades.
14. Speak up in class enough to get noticed and recognized as a leader but don't capitalize. Respect your fellow classmates, especially those who are achievers (which are those who you have befriended).
15. You can do this NOW: check out legal specialties where a.) you have INTEREST; b.) there is significant opportunity; AND c. the specialty presents the chance to earn a good living. If you can choose a specialty early, you can gear both your classes and future jobs/internships to that specialty. It will make you more valuable when you graduate. You might pivot during law school, but good preparation well in advance will make your later decisions easy. There are lots of places where you can research legal specialties, and if you have the nerve, interview some attorneys who work in those specialties. Lawyers like to talk about themselves and if you respect their time and come prepared with questions, they can be extremely helpful. Plus it doesn't hurt to make contacts early.
I wish I had this list before I started law school. Best of luck to you!
Nancy recommends the following next steps:
Thank you so much, Nancy! This was super helpful!!
Rachel
DENNIS BREEN
Lawyer
171
Answers
Cary, North Carolina
Updated
DENNIS’s Answer
Victoria:
Nancy's answer says it all. Read read and read.
However, always remember the old law school adage - 1st year they scare you; 2nd year they work you to death and the 3rd year they bore you to death. This is very true.
Always remember - it's school. Don't get yourself crazy. Make it fun. It is hard but it is also fun. You will work your tusch off but it does train you to think differently! Really, it does. Get a good group of friends to form a study group. They can be your lifeline throught your years at school and after!
One thing I'd say that is different from Nancy - I went into law school with an idea what I wanted to do. I took (it was required) trial practice. I fell in love with it. So while you want to pursue your interest - keep an open mind. Law school changes you! Have fun. You will love it! Good luck!
Nancy's answer says it all. Read read and read.
However, always remember the old law school adage - 1st year they scare you; 2nd year they work you to death and the 3rd year they bore you to death. This is very true.
Always remember - it's school. Don't get yourself crazy. Make it fun. It is hard but it is also fun. You will work your tusch off but it does train you to think differently! Really, it does. Get a good group of friends to form a study group. They can be your lifeline throught your years at school and after!
One thing I'd say that is different from Nancy - I went into law school with an idea what I wanted to do. I took (it was required) trial practice. I fell in love with it. So while you want to pursue your interest - keep an open mind. Law school changes you! Have fun. You will love it! Good luck!
Keshur Barai
Advocate
6
Answers
Bhanvad, Gujarat, India
Updated
Keshur’s Answer
આ તમારી પોતાની વ્યક્તિગત બાબતો બીજા સાથે શેર ન કરો સારું પણ તમે કાયદા શાળામાં અભ્યાસ પર ધ્યાન કેન્દ્રિત કરવું
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