Is help getting into law school a good thing?

This post at The Volokh Conspiracy deals with current discussions within the American Bar Association about actions law schools should or should not be taking to assist minority applicants in obtaining admission.  Of course, I understand that the idea is that a law degree and, ultimately a license (another issue, as that article notes) can (but do not necessarily) open doors to highly remunerative jobs.  But, although entering law students look much like other college graduates, by the end of the first year, about 30% are depressed.  By the end of law school, it's 40%.  For practicing attorneys, depression rates seem to stay at 2-4 times the general norm.  Further, during the law school, the top students, especially, tend to go from intrinsic motivations ("I want to do good") to extrinsic reasons for practicing ("I want to get the goods.")  This is not a good thing for their future happiness.

Larry Krieger of Florida State School of Law and Ken Sheldon, Psychology, Missouri, are carrying forward a research program in this area.  This article by Larry Krieger gives some suggestions for law students based on their work.

Comments

[Ellen Weber]

Dave, the case for "mushing" brains can be made in most careers from the start of college. For instance. lectures clearly work against the human brain and that's just the start of how we might consider LEARNIN 'EM in vastly different way! Great post and thanks.