Being a lawyer is surely an awesome and exciting profession, but there are a lot of misconceptions about it. Many people who are considering law school picture themselves as rich, hotshot lawyers who deliver stunning speeches before a jury, and triumphantly win their cases. All those TV shows present this profession as glamorous, but there’s the other side of the coin, and that’s something that you should know before you decide to pursue this career.

The law is not for everybody, and if you don’t want to waste $100,000 and later be disappointed with your choice, ask yourself these simple questions before submitting your law school application.

What is your main motivation?

Many young people are attracted to a career in law because they are convinced that lawyers get big, fat paychecks and enjoy numerous benefits, including job security. It’s true that some lawyers have a high standard of living, but if that’s the first thing that comes to mind when you ask yourself why you want to become a lawyer, then you should definitely choose another career.  This profession requires only fully dedicated people who will put their clients’ interests first.

Of course, there’s a chance that you can be one of those lawyers who earn big bucks, but if you’re not doing it because you genuinely want to help others and because you actually like this job then you might end up frustrated and miserable.

Do you have what it takes?

It’s hard to be honest with yourself and admit that you don’t possess certain traits and qualities necessary for this profession. Being a lawyer is tough and it’s not for everybody. Intelligence is a must, as lawyers need to be able to grasp new concepts quickly, process them, and make important decisions. Apart from that, lawyers need to have an excellent work ethic, which means that you’re ok with working long hours and that you’re willing to put a lot of effort into everything you do. In other words, you can forget about a 40-hour workweek and the privilege of having enough time for other interests.

This is also important during law school, as law students have to read at least 3 hours a day, and that’s something that you’ll be assigned to do on a regular basis. Students who want to be successful have to do every assignment, attend every class, and be very diligent. If you think that you can get by with somebody else’s notes, you’re wrong. So don’t count on cutting yourself some slack (or classes).

Do you have good grades?

If your grades aren’t good enough to secure you a place at a respectable law school, then you should consider other options. For example, Ivy League law schools are among the best and most prestigious in the whole world, and their alumni usually have prosperous law careers. In order to even start thinking about Yale Law School, Columbia University Law School, or Harvard Law School, you need to be an A-plus student, among other requirements.

Even if you’re a valedictorian, don’t take any risks and get yourself a mentor who is an expert for university admissions in order to increase your chances of getting into an elite institution. Good grades show that you’re one of a kind and that you are a serious, dedicated, persistent, and hard-working person, and that’s of vital importance for being a good lawyer.    

Are you a tough nut?

As you know, lawyers are usually portrayed as sharks, but this doesn’t mean that they’re bad or ruthless people. This simply means that they have to be tough and prepared to face some very unpleasant situations, both throughout law school and later at work. Bear in mind that law students are competitive, so classes can be a real battlefield as you’ll have to defend your perspective in front of the whole class, while your teachers and other students challenge your statements and sometimes even correct you.  

Needless to say, you have to be perfectly calm. All this feels like being thrown in at the deep end, and you have to come to terms with that, as it’s going to be even more difficult in real life situations. If you aren’t competitive and if you easily lose your composure and hit the ceiling, law school is definitely not the best choice.

Think about these 4 questions, be true to yourself, and find out whether you’re lawyer material, but make sure to do that before starting law school and save yourself a lot of time and money.