Should I Go to Law School? 50 Questions to Ask Yourself

Should I Go to Law School? 50 Questions to Ask Yourself

As you think about your next steps, one big question may be on your mind: should I go to law school? Deciding whether to pursue a JD is not just about the next three years of your life, but the future of your career. Law school is a major commitment, and you need to reflect on whether it is a good fit for your skills, interests, and goals.

There are many factors to weigh. Are you prepared academically? Do you have a compelling personal story for your application? Are you motivated by interest in the law or mainly by the idea of prestige? To guide your decision, we have outlined 50 questions to help you think through whether law school is the right path. [1]

50 Questions to Ask Before Law School

The questions below are grouped into six areas: academics, experience and skills, career goals, essays, motivation, and activities. Answer each one honestly, and write down your answers so you can revisit them later. No single answer settles the decision for you, but patterns will emerge. If most of your answers point toward genuine interest in legal work and a clear plan, you are likely ready to start preparing.

Academic Preparation for Law School

• Is your GPA competitive for the schools on your list?

• If not, do you have full-time work experience to balance it out?

• Have you taken the LSAT, and do you have a competitive score?

• Are you prepared for intensive reading and writing assignments?

• Are you ready to go back to school, or are you feeling burnt out?

• Have you developed close reading and critical analysis skills through challenging coursework?
• Have you completed a research project that required analyzing large amounts of information?
• Do you know that law schools welcome applicants from any undergraduate major?

Your Experience and Skills

• Have you worked in a legal office, and did you enjoy it?

• Do you have skills like analysis, judgment, research, and perseverance?

• Have you compared full-time and part-time JD programs to see which fits your life?

• Are you drawn to the daily work of a lawyer, beyond the title itself?

• Have you held leadership positions or worked in teams that built collaboration skills?

• Have you written long analytical papers and learned from feedback on them?
• Can you manage a heavy workload and meet firm deadlines?
• Have you worked in a professional setting where accuracy mattered?

Career Considerations

• Have you carefully considered becoming a lawyer, or is it an impulsive choice?

• Is this a childhood idea, or a well-thought-out career plan?

• Is law school necessary for the career you want to pursue?

• Do you know what area of law you would like to specialize in?

• Is there another career path that might make you happier?

• Do you want to spend your career solving problems, advocating, or shaping policy?

• Where do you see yourself in ten years?

• Have you researched the differences between litigation, transactional work, and public interest law?
• Are you open to careers that use a JD outside of traditional practice, such as policy or compliance?
• Are you ready for the licensing process, including the bar exam, after graduation?

Your Law School Essays

• Do you have a solid reason for pursuing a JD that can carry your personal statement?

• Would your essays get noticed among other applicants?

• Can you highlight how your background or experiences shaped your interest in law?

• Do you have activities or experiences that show maturity and impact?

• Can you describe a specific moment that sparked your interest in law?
• Do you have recommenders who know your academic or professional work well?
• Are you prepared to revise your essays several times?

Reasons Behind Applying

• Is going to law school your goal, or your parents’?

• Are you inspired by TV portrayals of lawyers, or do you understand the reality of the profession?

• Are you interested in helping people or changing systems?

• Have you spoken to practicing lawyers to understand their day-to-day work?

• Are you pursuing law for prestige, or because it aligns with your values?

• Would you still choose law if the daily work looked quieter than it does on screen?
• Do you enjoy building arguments and considering opposing views?
• Are you comfortable with detailed, precise work over long stretches?
• Have you thought about what you want to gain from the degree beyond the title?

Extracurriculars and Interests

• Have you joined law-related activities such as mock trial or a pre-law society?

• Have you gone beyond common clubs like debate and Model UN to explore unique legal initiatives?

• Have you conducted legal research, volunteered, or made an impact in your community?

• Do you have unusual hobbies or interests that could improve your application narrative?

• Have you shadowed an attorney or attended a court hearing?
• Have you volunteered with a legal aid organization or court program?
• Have you written for a campus publication or research journal?
• Have you taken on leadership roles in organizations that matter to you?

The Law School Application Timeline

If you decide “yes” to should I go to law school, knowing the application process is critical. Many law schools open applications in the fall, and because many use rolling admissions, applying earlier can help. Our law school application timeline breaks down each step. Target having your materials ready by October or November.

Key steps include:

• Take the LSAT and build a balanced school list of 10–12 programs.

• Begin your personal statement and other essays in the summer.

• Ask your recommenders early to give them time for solid letters.

• Revise your essays and submit applications as early as possible.

If you are not ready to apply yet, consider a gap year before law school to gain work experience and build your profile.

Preparing for Law School Applications

High grades and LSAT scores are critical, but so are compelling essays and meaningful experiences. [2] Law schools want diverse cohorts where each student brings unique perspectives. Your personal statement is the best place to explain why law school is right for you and how you will contribute.

As you think about should I go to law school, take time to reflect on your academic abilities, your reasons for pursuing the degree, and your long-term career goals. Law school is a serious investment of time and effort, and it requires interest, resilience, and clarity of purpose.

Build Core Skills Early

The American Bar Association does not recommend any particular undergraduate major for law school. [1] Instead, it points to skills you can build in any field: analytic and problem-solving ability, close reading of complex texts, clear writing, and experience with research projects. Philosophy, history, economics, and writing-intensive seminars are common choices, but a science or engineering background can serve you just as well if you have practiced careful reasoning and clear writing along the way. If you are still choosing a field of study, our guide to majors for law school can help you think it through.

Test Your Interest Before You Commit

The ABA encourages prospective students to explore the profession before enrolling so they gain a realistic view of the actual practice of law. [1] Spend time with attorneys in different settings, such as a law firm, a public defender or prosecutor’s office, a legal aid clinic, or a corporate legal department. Ask what a typical week looks like, what they find rewarding, and what they wish they had known before law school. You can also sit in on a court hearing, take an undergraduate course in constitutional law or legal writing, or join a pre-law advising program on campus. Each conversation gives you a clearer answer to your own questions, and the insights you gather often become material for your personal statement.

Understand the Application Components

Most applicants to ABA-approved law schools submit an LSAT or other accepted test score, transcripts, letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and sometimes additional essays. The Law School Admission Council’s Credential Assembly Service collects your transcripts and letters and sends them to schools with your score report. [3] Knowing these pieces in advance helps you plan your timeline and ask for law school recommendations well before your deadlines.

Choosing Whether You Should Go to Law School

Deciding whether to go to law school is not just about filling out applications; it is about committing to a path that will shape your career and future. [3] If you are asking yourself “should I go to law school,” speaking with an admissions expert can give you clarity. Our team works with students to evaluate their academic preparation, career goals, and personal motivations, then builds a strategy that highlights their abilities.

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