Are you debating whether to go to law school? Before deciding, make sure you understand what you are getting into and what are the benefits.

There are a couple factors to consider in deciding to go to law school: (1) know why you will go to law school and (2) know what to expect before, during, and after law school.

Why do you want to go?
At the least, you should be able to answer this question. It may not be the best answer, but lucky for you, you do not need the best answer. To generalize, there are a few reasons why some people go to law school which are not exactly "the best answer":

• "I'm a good at debating or arguing"
  
• "Law School will be a fast-track to becoming rich"
  
• "I have nothing else to do after my undergraduate"
  

Believe it or not, many individuals go into law school with these reasons, but in a lot of cases they quickly learn that being good at oral argument is a very small part of being a lawyer, most attorneys do not make six-figures but work overtime every week, and that three-year degree is not worth the time and debt if you end up disinterested in the field of law.

So, why should you go to law school? Well, here are some suggestions for a "better answer":

Job Security: Having a Juris Doctorate degree as well as being a member of the bar will be a secure future for your career. Law school truly trains you for many situations and a J.D. is also a great degree to fall back on.

Interest in law: Many have a sense of empowerment in becoming a lawyer. Others just have an excitement of learning about the law and are looking forward to preparing for a trial or negotiating business deals.

Versatility: Not every lawyer is in the court room. In fact, most are not. Many law school graduates do not even practice law but go on to participate in politics, public organizations, or other business ventures. Many attorneys do not have a traditional practice but rather set their own tracks to success.