Debt: The Silent Killer written by Elie Mystal at Above the Law should be required reading for anyone considering law school:
I graduated law school in 2003, owing Harvard University just under $150,000....Seven years, two careers, numerous deferments and defaults, and one global economic meltdown later, I still owe a ton of money. Now, however, I pay it to various debt collection agencies and lawyers. When prospective landlords run a pro forma credit check on my application, they come back looking at me like I've been convicted of multiple war crimes. Every raise I'll ever get will be eaten up by the collection agencies until sweet death allows me one everlasting and satisfying default. And, oh yeah, I don't even want to practice law anymore -- I quit my Biglaw job because, despite the debt, I really wanted to have a job that I enjoyed. So I essentially purchased a $150,000 disposable good. My time working in Biglaw was kind of like a very expensive vacation that I debt financed.
In the current job market, considering how much debt you're incurring in law school is more important than ever; this is the hard truth about law school debt not just for Elie, but for many law graduates. Be sure to weigh all your options, and do choose your future (and/or your future school) wisely.
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