Is law school hard or time consuming?

Asked by: Prof. Daija Wilkinson DVM  |  Last update: September 21, 2025
Score: 4.6/5 (57 votes)

Law school is challenging for many reasons, from the teaching methods, long, complex readings, and the time commitment.

Is law school time consuming?

On average, most full-time law students pursuing a JD devote at least 30-40 hours per week to studying. The following factors also contribute to what makes law school challenging. Intensive workload: Law school requires a substantial amount of reading, research, and preparation.

What is the hardest year in law school?

Law school is an academic challenge; most students agree the first year (“1L” year) is the most difficult. In part, this is because law school is taught using methods entirely different than the lecture method used in most college classrooms.

Is law school hard or just a lot of work?

Yes, law school is often described as grueling for several reasons: Intense Workload: Law students typically face a heavy reading load, with many cases, statutes, and legal articles to review each week. This can require significant time management skills.

How exhausting is law school?

The combination of long hours, competing with peers, and pressure to perform at a high level can lead to law student burnout. Stress is also a key contributor. Unmanaged stress leads to burnout in any industry, and most law students report significant stress—even when compared to other graduate students.

10 Signs You Should Become A Lawyer

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How hard is law school realistically?

Law school is very hard—harder than college or university. This is due to a heavy course load, a high-stress environment, and difficult course material. But completing law school is not impossible; over 40,000 law students make it to graduation each year.

What is the failure rate for law school?

In 2023, the collective attrition rate across all law schools was 3.8 percent, underscoring a significant yet frequently underestimated factor in the assessment of legal education.

Is law school harder than med school?

Although both law and medical schools present their unique challenges, it's generally accepted that medical school demands a higher level of intense coursework and thorough training.

Is it common to fail in law school?

Most law schools only kick out around 3% of the first class. So out of a class of 100 students, only three might go home, and usually, those three are really not great students.

What is the hardest course in law school?

Some of the hardest classes in law school, according to current and former students, are:
  • Constitutional Law.
  • Civil Procedure.
  • Contracts.
  • Federal Courts.
  • Federal Income Tax.
  • Administrative Law.
  • Partnership Tax.

What age do most finish law school?

Very few receive their law degree before the age of 23. That is because most people graduate from high school at 17 or 18. Those who go directly to college typically graduate around age 21 or 22. Law school usually takes two years, so the earliest age of getting a law degree would be 23.

What type of lawyer makes the most money?

Patent Attorney Salary

Patent attorneys are the highest-paid type of lawyers, with an average salary of $185,351, ranging from $119,88 to $285,530. Various factors contribute to a patent attorney's average salary, including experience, firm, location, and subject matter expertise.

How hard is the bar exam?

The bar exam is hard. In fact, it may be one of the most difficult challenges you ever embark on. You must memorize numerous laws and consume a lot of knowledge to answer questions correctly. For many, it feels like trying to hold sand in your hands, knowing that you'll inevitably lose much of it.

Is law school harder than master's?

Yes, grad school requires learning new approaches, new theories, new ways of thinking. Some of this even makes your head spin. But it simply doesn't require the same radical realignment that law school does. What you learned as an undergraduate applies to grad school — but not so much to law school.

What GPA is required for law school?

Obtain High GPA & LSAT Scores

According to the Law School Admission Council (LSAC), students need a GPA of at least 3.59 and an LSAT of 162 or more to get into any top 10 law schools.

Is being a lawyer worth it?

Lucrative career

They make a national average salary of $50,979 per year . Though you may not earn this income as a new lawyer, you can work your way toward this salary with enough hard work and experience. However, finding satisfaction in your specific field may be worth more than your annual salary.

What is the dropout rate for law school?

The decision to attend law school shouldn't just be financially driven. You'll also want to consider the high dropout rates of law school, particularly among minorities. Overall, dropout rates are over 6% for first-year students. For American Indian, Hawaiian native, and Black students, the dropout rate is 11% to 13%.

Why do people quit law school?

Poor grades are a major driving factor behind many students dropping out. Some students may come into law school overconfident and very sure that they will succeed on top of their class, so when this doesn't happen, they may feel dejected to the point of dropping out.

Do law schools reject quickly?

In rare cases, some applicants may receive an answer within a few weeks, but the process typically takes 2–4 months. If your application is placed on hold or if you are placed on a wait list then it may take several additional months to receive a final decision.

Which branch of law is hardest?

By far, criminal law is considered the hardest law to practice on an emotional and daily level. Being a criminal defense lawyer brings with it several challenges, including long hours, navigating complex legal codes and dealing with emotionally charged situations.

Is law school a lot of math?

Law School

Some classes, such as tax law, require mathematical calculations. Secondly, law schools teach students a step-by-step method of logical analysis of legal problems called "legal reasoning," which students with math backgrounds may find easier to understand than humanities majors.

Is law school the hardest degree?

The law school coursework is diverse and vast, which means you can't afford to slack off. You need to put in the necessary work throughout the program if you want to succeed. In summary, law school is hard. Harder than regular college or universities, in terms of stress, workload, and required commitment.

What are the cons of law school?

Here are some of the negative aspects of attending law school.
  • High Costs: Undoubtedly, one of the largest cons of attending law school is the financial cost. ...
  • Intense Stress: For many people, law school is stressful. ...
  • Mental Health Risks: ...
  • Boredom: ...
  • The Vast Amount of Reading:

Do most people pass law school?

In July 2022, a total of 7,164 applicants sat for the bar exam, with approximately 66 percent having earned a JD from a California law school.

Is it normal to struggle in law school?

The law is an ever-changing field, and many law school students are expected to master a wide range of legal concepts. Third, the competition in law school is hard and fierce. Law school is a highly competitive environment for most people, and students are constantly vying for grades and job opportunities.