Do you think the fuss over starting salaries among law students is somewhat unnecessary?
This is kinda long but please read all and then answer…..thanks
I’m going to be a junior in a good university and I plan on going to law school afterward. I am an Econ and Poli Sci double major with a 3.6 GPA. (I still have to take my LSATs) I plan on doing something in corporate or financial law, particularly specializing in contracts.
And I know its true that if you go to a top law school and do relatively well your starting salary can be over $100k. But most of these huge firms tend to be located in VERY expensive areas (NY, LA, Chicago).
I was wondering—just in case I don’t get into those "top schools" (I’ll still try though), you can still get a great job right?
I was thinking about it and which starting salary is better
$150k in a HUGE NYC firm where it takes forever to get promoted (b/c there are so many top notch associates)
OR
maybe $80k in a MEDIUM sized law firm in Dallas where you will probably get promoted faster…….
Texas= Very low cost of living
NYC= Insanely high cost of living
You see where Im going with this? Is it sometimes better to make a little less if the cost of living is soooo much cheaper? (Dallas is something like 15 times cheaper than NYC I think)
What do you REALLY think is a better option……..this is why I wonder why law school students always talk about the HIGHEST SALARY…….when that usually isnt much when adjusted for the cost of living?
Just wanted some thoughts/advice…….Im being reasonable here right? Feel free to correct me if I made some incorrect assumptions.
Don’t go to law school. There are far too many lawyers already and everyone in law school is a prick. Go get your PhD in Psychology and work in a school. You get your summers off.