Subject: “Should I Drop Out?”
Counsel’s Counsel is the world’s preeminent advice column for law students. Written by recent UVA Law graduate, Jane Doe, J.D.
Question:
Hi, I’m a 2L. I am genuinely unhappy in law school, and I am on the fence about dropping out.
Since coming here, it feels like so much of my brain has become so full of legal nonsense that all of the interesting and funny parts are gone. Don’t get me wrong, I can make a passable Palsgraf joke, but it almost feels dirty when I do it.
I feel like the professional and social incentive structure of law school has made me extremely risk-averse. I have lost my adventurous, daring edge, which used to be a staple of my identity.
I don’t feel like I belong here. It used to feel like typical imposter syndrome, but recently it has felt deeper than that. I’m not only a first-generation law student—I’m the first person in my family to get a high school diploma. I know not everyone is a “multi-generation” law student, but I have never felt class differences as deeply as I have here. Bottom line, should I drop out?
Sincerely,
Wah Wah Wahoo
Answer:
I appreciate your vulnerability and candor. I’m sorry to hear that you’re going through a tough time. That being said, as a fellow Wahoo, I am invested in your success, so this response has a bit more tough love in it.
First of all, you are verifiably a badass. Admissions has an infallible system that only allows the coolest of cucumbers to grace the halls of UVA Law with their presence. I’m sure you know this based on your experiences with your colleagues. Cultured scholars and fine specimens, every last one. You, my friend and fellow Wahoo, are one cool cucumber.
And guess what: you’re a first-generation high school graduate, so you are an imposter! You don’t really belong here, but feed into that disconnect. I have found that a mindset of petty revenge justified by abstract ideals can be quite entertaining. In this situation, the abstract ideal would be class struggle, and the petty revenge would be a toxically-competitive mentality.
Look around at the rich kids. Dominate them. Spite their class with your successes. What is impressive for someone with your background is expected for them. Spite their class for the generations of your ancestors who were spited for their class.
Lastly, a lawyer’s most valuable asset is her ability to defer gratification. Some do it until death. That’s my plan, at least. Lawyers are creatures of unwavering commitment, so you can’t just quit now! Powering through this unhappiness will make you a much stronger and more competent lawyer.
As an aside, you would probably be an excellent writer for the Libel Show because you have a bone to pick. Let that be your outlet, but stick to the course.