I Failed Law School Because Of My Writing So Now I Write On Medium
Undocumented immigrant. English as a second language learner. Minority. Low-Socio Economic Background. The list goes on. There were many statistics and factors that were hinting that I wasn’t supposed to be in law school. Yet, I made it to the front steps of an institution where I was an anomaly. A short but life-changing experience lay ahead, leading to my very first article on Medium.
I didn’t always want to go to law school.
I didn’t always want to go to law school. Law school wasn’t a childhood dream of mine or anything like that. My curiosity sparked when I was in undergrad. I began working and volunteering for non-profits in Austin, Texas.
One in particular, the Equal Justice Center, even hired me. My official title was Paralegal and Community Advocate. It felt so official. In this role, I was to support a team of lawyers with their immigration cases and community organizing.
I loved it! I was ecstatic to have this opportunity, and the seed was planted. The idea of law school went from, “never in my life” to, “hey, maybe I could go to law school.”
During my time at the Equal Justice Center, I grew and learned so much. I looked up to the immigration lawyers on my team. They were fighting for immigrant justice and helping immigrants across Texas.
They worked tirelessly, whether it was in the office, at the courts, and even on the streets, organizing events, and leading marches. They were kinda badass! I began to envision myself being a lawyer like them: an immigrant lawyer fighting for immigrant rights.
I began to envision myself being a lawyer like them: an immigrant lawyer fighting for immigrant rights.
Fast-forward four years and three different LSAT scores, I was on the front steps of St. Mary’s University School of Law in San Antonio, Texas. I wasn’t sure how I was to pay for this as an undocumented student, but I was there. I made it.
This was the next chapter in my book. The only thing left between me and becoming an immigration lawyer was three years of law school. I was in for a surprise.
Endless readings. Case briefs. Cold calls. And a lot of coffee. Law school is a beast. It truly is! If you thought undergrad was tough, wait until you get to law school. The first couple of weeks made me rethink my life choices. “Am I ready for another two years of this?”
That’s why I highly recommend getting some experience in the legal field before deciding to go to law school. Work with a law firm or a non-profit. Talk to lawyers and law students. Think carefully about law school because it’s a huge investment.
Work with a law firm or a non-profit. Talk to lawyers and law students. Think carefully about law school because it’s a huge investment.
But if you know me, I’m always up for a challenge. When it’s time to work I get on the grind and push through. And that’s what I was doing through the first semester of law school, except I was spiraling down into a disaster. Law school was getting the better of me and the worst part was yet to come. Finals.
Most law school courses have a final that counts for the majority of your course grade. Majority as in 70% to 90% of your course grade. That’s right, the pressure was on from the beginning and there was no room to fall behind. But I was behind before I had even started.
If I’m completely transparent with you, my pitfall in law school was my writing. I was never a good writer. I was more of a math and science person. So in undergrad, I chose to go down that route and graduated with a science degree. In a science major, the most writing I did were lab reports, which don’t technically translate to writing in law school.
As a science major the most writing I did were lab reports, which don’t technically translate to writing in law school.
Law school is a whole different ball game.
I’m sure you’ve heard that there’s nothing that compares to law school or that there’s nothing that can prepare you for law school.
Law school makes you think critically in a way that you haven’t before. The J.D. demands writing like nothing you’ve ever done. There’s no particular degree or course in undergrad that can prepare you for the law school experience.
So going into your first year of law school with a good writing foundation is key.
But for me, even with the experience in the legal profession, I was starting from behind. My writing skills were below average. According to several assessments taken in my legal research and writing class, I needed a lot of work. My professors noticed my weaknesses and tried to help. Some even recommended I bring them writing samples so they could give feedback.
I tried. I really did, but I was facing another challenge. I’m thankful for their efforts to help but I was having difficulty managing my time. Between the cases to read, and the cold calls to prepare for, I was having a tough time keeping up.
I recall spending so much of my time just trying to understand the concepts in class. So I spent most of my time reading and briefing cases. But my time was running out. By the time finals season was approaching I had practiced very little writing. I was doomed.
I was doomed.
As the story goes, I failed law school because of my time management and writing. I can’t do anything about it now but learn from the experience and move forward.
So I’m writing on Medium to share some of my experiences on topics like immigration, law school, education, and everything in-between.
I hope this will be beneficial for both you, and me. Maybe you’ll learn something new or interesting, and I will slowly but surely improve my writing. And who knows, maybe even give law school a second chance.
