<p>If I wanted to be a lawyer, I would take the risk. But if I were just looking at opportunities to make money, I would not. The same with med school and other grueling, expensive courses of study. There are many other ways to have a greater chance of increasing income with less outlay of cash and time than to go to med school or law school. </p>
<p>But if that’s what you want to do, be a lawyer, you might as well give it a try. If your focus is so narrow that all you want to be is a big corporation attorney, that is a whole different story. Unless you have certain factors going your way, the chances are very small. Even then, getting that elusive partnership can be a stressful pipedream. Not that it is impossible, and if you are truly determined and that is absolutely what you want, I guess I would not be the one to say, it’s impossible. But someone who does not have the grades, LSAT scores, chances to get into a top law firm (though I truly believe limiting it to the top10-20 is narrow–I know too many friend who are there from name schools not in that number who are partners in mightly fine national firms) are small. If you are a certain workaholic type, the chances are small too. My neighbor is a type A workaholic, smart as a whip, law review, name law school, name undergrad, and he did not get his partnership after busting his chops for years. He now has made partner after a second try, but he works like a beast. Often a 90 hours + week, and at this point, he is not doing it because he likes his job–he hates it. He is doing it because he has kids, house, other stuff that he can’t bear to give up now that he has it. Not a good life in my book.<br>
My college roommate, on the other hand, loves her life. A senior partner in a very top firm (and she did not graduate from the top 14), it was definitely the right move for her. She loves her work, this is her thing. And good for her! But she did not go into this for the money; it fits her very personality. </p>
<p>My friend’s daughter (again not top 14 school, but a top student) is starting a job with a major firm. Whether the job will suit her, we’ll see. She went into this wanting to be an attorney but no plans to be in a major firm. She was surprised that it turned out to be an choice for her. But she did get straight A’s in law school AND as an undergrad. If the lifestyle does not work out for her she is willing to switch to something else. And could if she does not spend her salary and make her lifestyle dependent on the big pay. It will pay for her loans anyways. </p>
<p>But a B student who wants the prestige of the job as folks want the prestige of a college like HPY rather than fit—wrong decision, bad investment in that the odds are against you.</p>