Why Law School and Why Now?
Introduction
Most people cringe at the idea of spending more years in school and accumulating more debt to get a piece of paper at the end. When we look at education this way, we set ourselves up to fail. That is, not failing academically, but failing in recognizing that this piece of paper isn’t just any piece of paper. It’s not the one that is the dance partner to the wind or the crumpled-up gum-covered accessory on the subway. This paper is different. It doesn’t just get handed out to go in the garbage. If you think it does, why else do you pose with it and upload the pictures to your Facebook and Instagram? Truthfully, I see this paper as a universal key that can open numerous doors. When you think of it in this way, you’re able to see that all the struggles were not for nothing and that your education was a building block for your life before you.
Why law
This mindset has led me to believe that another piece of paper albeit one granting me a chance at the Bar Exam would be the key to me being able to meet my goals. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with my life when I began undergrad. To some extent, I still don’t. I think we shouldn’t have to plan out every single part of our life, but knowing the direction we want to head is a great starting point. I knew from a young age that I wanted to make some positive impact on the world but didn’t know how to go about it. I heard about people being discriminated against in a society where they should be treated equally. I witnessed people I cared about being targeted for being different. I felt guilty that I was part of a world where, based on my demographics alone, I would be considered as deserving of privileges that others weren’t. I did not agree with what transpired but didn’t know how to make a difference. Little did I know, part of this answer would come from my undergraduate education.
The power of undergrad
Through exploring different social issues in my undergraduate education and, more specifically, through an interdisciplinary approach I wondered if the law could be addressed in the same way. People always ask me about interdisciplinary studies and what it is. Interdisciplinary studies is a method of inquiry that looks at complex problems by integrating the insights of different perspectives to gain a more comprehensive understanding. At its most basic level, it is a way of looking at complex problems that take into account different factors that are actively shaping the issue. For instance, it looks at the topic of climate change and, through the inquiry, sheds light on perspectives from economics, political science, or law that can illuminate our understanding of climate change further. The ability to look at problems in this way is a tool that I believe undergrad gave to me, but now I have the opportunity to share it with a larger community to make a difference.
Why now
Law school is at least another three years of school and maybe longer if I decide to further my education more after that. However, I think that coming out of undergrad with the ambition I have to make a difference and the skills I have acquired is why I think I am ready for law school (even if my LSAT begs to differ). Truth is, there is no right or wrong time to go to law school because the best time is when it’s best for you. I just happen to see law school as my next stepping stone across the big ocean that is my life. Is it my end goal? No. However, it’s the next place to go to get to where I want to be. If someday I want to be a litigation lawyer or stand before the Supreme Court to discuss the issues I am passionate about, I have to go to law school. Even if I am undecided (which I am) about the path I want to pursue in law school, I still have to go there first to figure it out. The point is that law school is just the logical next step for me on my journey as I believe it will pave the way for me to discover just how I am going to leave a positive mark on the legal system.
Conclusion
You may be unsure about your next steps following graduation, and that’s okay! Deciding to continue your education can be a daunting task especially when there’s societal pressure to join the ‘real world’ and find a job. However, if you think that you need more time to decide your next move, or know what that next move is, consider how education can factor into your goal. Maybe your undergraduate degree has provided you with all that you need to begin your path, or maybe you’re like me and need a little more to get to where you want to go. Whether you plan on trying to earn another piece of paper or admire it on your wall as this symbol of your dedication and hard work, I wish you the best of luck.
Image obtained from Squarespace
