My desire to become a lawyer has been bugging me lately. It might be because of Jodi Arias' case. I have been paying attention to this pretty girl's criminal case in Arizona, and my lawyer blood just kept me glued on my Mac computer screen everyday, even when I am in the classroom with my students.
Should I go to law school or not? I was in law school in Davao. I quit because of Sabbath problems, but I loved the experience. I loved to study, I loved going to the library at 7am, I loved reading cases, I loved the adrenaline rush...everything! Here, in the US, there are no Sabbath problems. I can do whatever I want. So I have been researching on how to go to law school. After days and days of research, I am now torn. Top law schools (American Bar Association accredited schools) have at least 120k in tuition fees. I can borrow that, but do I really want to accumulate that much student loans after law school? That is torture and stress. However, the big advantage is that, I am more likely to pass the bar and succeed in the field because the school has a name. That means, job opportunities are better.
On the other hand, there are non-ABA schools here. Distance-learning and correspondence schools are way cheaper. Tuition ranges from 10k to 40k. Amazing! I can afford that with my current salary. However, employers don't necessarily respect non-ABA schools. Graduates have a hard time finding jobs because ABA schools have produced enough lawyers to fill in positions. Bar passage is also below 50%. Don't get me wrong, there are successful lawyers from non-ABA schools as well. They have their own law firms though.
I am torn. I have not decided yet. I am already exhausted reading forums, reading blogs, and listening to debates about ABA vs non-ABA schools. I think my next step would be talking to practicing lawyers so I can truly get a glimpse of the reality of the legal field.
I also have to consider that I have a daughter and a husband and a stable fulfilling job. These also factor in my decision. Another thing is, will I really practice law in the future? What if I get bored with teaching? What if, in the future, I regret not going to law school? When Cinzia goes to college, what will I do? I do not want to be bored.
I don't know. I need to pray about this. There, I just poured my heart out.
