A career in the field of law can encompass many aspects of society such as business, government, human and civil rights, international relations, medicine, law enforcement, politics, entertainment, sports and the arts, as well as jurisprudence and academia. If you have a passion for legal thought, strong oral and written communication skills, and a propensity for drawing thoughtful conclusions by analyzing fine details and complex information, then a law career may be for you. When contemplating a law degree, ask yourself: Why do you want to become a lawyer? How will earning a J.D. satisfy your interests? How would membership in the legal profession serve your long-term goals?

Considering an advanced degree is an expensive proposition, especially when taking into account both tuition cost as well as lost income during the three years you are in law school. Plan to do some research in terms of what you can reasonably expect to get out of a law degree both academically and professionally.