Why I Left Law School | Story Time!!

Leaving USD Law was one of the toughest decisions I've ever had to make, but I know it was the right choice for me. If you guys have any questions at all, be sure to leave them below in the comments :)
TikTok: @johnpatrickhalloran
Instagram: @johnpatrickhalloran
P.s. sorry about the audio volume/my roommates doing dishes in the background hehe

[@nickiek4683]

I’m srsly thinking of leaving law school, so I really needed this kind of youtube clip. Thank you for sharing your experience. Knowing how tough decision this is, I really support your decision of quitting law school and becoming an actor. Wish you all the best. :)

[@tonitruzone153]

Do not quite, time passes by whether your sitting still or moving forward. This video you clicked on to justify leaving. If your there already ask yourself why , if you don't have a why what is your plan B?

[@tini96]

What did you do?

[@americancitizen7937]

I dropped out. I made a mistake by doing that. Two months later, a couple of weeks back, I took the first step toward renrollment.

[@Boc3phu5]

Good. Make a KZbin video telling kids this. Go and finish. Then you can fugg around.

[@ChrissyBeTalking]

Omg!! I’m not leaving law school, but I feel just like you. I’m glad I’m not the only one who sees it. Every lawyer (and professor) I speak to thinks the focus is money. I don’t tell people my goal for completing law school anymore because they can’t understand why a person would actually use a law degree to actually help people without the motivation being money. It shows me why the world is the way it is though. 🤷🏾‍♀️

[@aalegalfocus]

Glad you really want to help people!

[@criminallaw9573]

@@aalegalfocus I think it's a mix. I freely admit that I am motivated by money--like most people who work for a living---but I regularly do pro bono work and reduced fee work, aka "low bono" cases. At the same time, I know folks who are really are in intto help people, but they won't turn down a fat legal fee for representing someone (who can afford them) either. So to me, it all kind of balances out, at least for good, decent, ethical lawyers who care about helping members of their community.

[@emojidinosaur7300]

wait until you get a taste of the money, your views might change.

[@ChrissyBeTalking]

@@emojidinosaur7300 lol! I hope they don’t.

[@gaceri_irungu2944]

i left law school because it took a toll on my mental health .... ill be going to do criminology come september , what you described is exactly how i feel staying there just showed me this was not the place for me

[@sisterelizee2722]

I'm in my second semester in law school. I thought about quitting a lot ... nearly every weekend. However, I know that I would regret the decision 2.5 years from now. Also, everyone says that the first year is the hardest. The 1L year is like being hazed - that's how one professor described it. But, I'm sticking with it because I am reaching my full potential here.

[@criminallaw9573]

You made the right decision. People commonly borrow over 200k for law school, and spend 3Y of their lives there, only to be unable to secure a job practicing law post-graduation. That is because the job market for JD's is grossly over-saturated, and has been for at least the last 20Y. There are 8 law schools just in Massachusetts, for example. That region of the country might, potentially, have a legal job market sufficient to accommodate one law school's graduating class each year. Eight law schools? That means waiters with law degrees, folks working at 7-11 with JD's, etc. There really are wealthy, powerful, successful people associated with those law schools--they are called Professors, Deans, head of the Career Services Office. The actual graduates, yeah, those are called "debtors".

[@johnjackgraham4085]

I left grad school in December 2020 after one semester for really similar reasons. It was really hard, but I’m so sure that I made the right choice.

[@neko_stardust4127]

I literally wanted to quit lawschool that i typed on the search bar 'quitting lawschool' and then found this

[@bassstudent4life]

Too bad. I got to this vid by accident. I said too bad, because you seemed to be the exact kind of people the world would need as a lawyer. Caring for the least among us is very rare these days.

[@ECO473]

I was 34 years old when I graduated from law school. For me, law school was always an academic pursuit, and I knew that I didn't want to sell my soul to the partnership track. Instead, I got a job as a college professor shortly after graduation, and 25 years later to the present day, that's the best career decision I ever made. I enjoyed law school immensely, but I always knew that working sweatshop hours to bcome a partner...only to work even longer hours thereafter...was not for me.

[@ECO473]

@@renitamcdaniel7592 What route is that?

[@1983erickjz]

John, thank you for this. I, too had a similar experience this past year with law school during the pandemic and wanted to go into immigration law, etc. but one semester in I realized that this was not for me. I’ve yet to post my own video on this same subject but your video is inspiring ! Go forward with your true passions and what truly makes you happy :-)

[@tini96]

How is immigration law? And did you not like it

[@aalegalfocus]

Thank you for sharing your story. Good luck pursuing your other interests!

[@isaacgrijalva4839]

You have no idea how long I've been waiting for more content 😭😭😭

[@johnpatrickhalloran2972]

IK IM SORRY more coming soon

[@katerynaantonyuk7084]

I withdrew from law school earlier this year as well :) and you just perfectly summed up my experience as well ! here's to enjoying this process ! best wishes !!

[@erciliamota8125]

Thank you so much for sharing. I just started law school a few weeks ago and I am learning that this really is not for me. I love what im learning, the classes and topics are interesting, but im starting to see that unless you are able to land (or even want to land) a high paying corporate job after you graduate, the debt you incur is simply not worth it. I know of a 3L at my law school who will be 180k in debt after she graduates and her desired job position practicing law after she graduates is averaged at $60k a year. It is sad to say that you can land a job making more than that without a JD and that just blew my mind, honestly. Not that money is most important with a job, but I don't want to be in debt for the rest of my life, potentially paying off student loans when im retired. She may never be able to fully pay that off with interest capitalizing. If law school isn't for you, whatever you're passionate about, there are other ways you can be impactful if practicing isnt for you. Some law schools also offer a Master's degree in Legal Studies, which is for learning the law for non-lawyering jobs. The degree is a fraction of the price of a JD and can be completed in 16 months. You incur less debt, learn the law, and can apply it to any job that you want. Just a suggestion for anyone who is considering leaving a JD program but is conflicted because they want to learn the law. A lot of people want to get a JD and don't plan on practicing after, but the advice I got the most was that unless you plan on practicing, its probably better that you don't get a JD. I know that leaving law school is a difficult choice, and you may be worried about what others will think, but dont be afraid to follow your gut and let go of what isnt for you. At the end of the day you're the one who has to go through that program and work that job everyday, its much more worth it to be doing what makes you happy.

[@aalegalfocus]

Definitely-- for many people, the debt makes going to law school not worth it. I went to Georgetown law & was shocked at how terrible the pay was when I moved to North Carolina. Also, in my opinion, a masters of law degree is not worth it. It's yet another way for law schools to bring in the revenue. Good luck with your studies!

[@poet82n]

I agree with this. I am working on going to law school and currently studying for the LSAT, which is stressing me out. A traditional law school, if I don't get any scholarships, will put me in debt and I've managed to get my Master's without any debt so I don't want to start now. But my other option is to attend a California State Bar accredited law school, which I live in California, and get my JD. The program is strictly online, and I currently work in a superior court which has allowed me to gain legal experience and will still allow me to work full-time. Upon completion of the program, I will be able to take the California Bar Exam and practice. And, they don't require the LSAT. This can also give me more leverage if I want to move higher up in the court. My desire is not so much to practice law in a courtroom unless I have to. So, I have options here. I know some people are against a Non-ABA accredited law school, but as long as it will allow me to take the California bar. And I'll be debt free. We'll see once I take the LSAT in June on which direction I go for.

[@erciliamota8125]

@@poet82n if you’re talking about a school like NWCU Law, I think it’s worth it. No debt and the ability to sit for the Bar after. In my opinion, unless you’re going to a top law school and planning to land a big law job, the debt is not worth it. Best advice I ever got was “Go to the best school that you can afford”

[@nj_anom]

I felt not knowing exactly what you wanna do in life on a spiritual level 😌

[@estebancasanova]

Ok but can you drop the skin care routine?

[@johnpatrickhalloran2972]

Coming soon

[@emallace447]

You should definitely look into master's degrees in public policy or public administration! I think that would suit your interests because some offer a focus on immigrant affairs. Even a PhD, actually. I know someone who has a PhD in urban migration and he studied immigrant communities within urban contexts (specially in terms of housing policy) and now works for an NGO in D.C. that supports immigrants in the United States and abroad. I believe his undergrad degree was in history. Another avenue could be urban planning. Some planners specialize in policy and that can be tailored to immigrant communities. There are so many possibilities for you outside of law!

[@juanvargas9114]

I was also at USD law school with plans of focusing on immigration law. I left after a few weeks during my first semester. Glad I came across your video. Would of been nice to cross paths during school because I had a lot of the same concerns you had but since I started during the pandemic it was hard to meet other students. Are you still in the San Diego area?

[@Judas19840]

Omg! I love everything about this. Im so proud of you, following your passions.

[@christophernguyen827]

how are you getting into acting? like are you taking classes? I literally have the same dream but also think of being a lawyer

[@michaelfaucett6089]

Out here glowing!

[@yowhattupitzbigchungus4971]

Going through this but in med school. Really hard exams next two weeks will make or break me. But I don't even know if I want to do this or if I'm doing this for the likes of others....and it's expensive. I appreciate your video and authenticity

[@poet82n]

Hoping it's easier for you now 🙏🙏!

[@yowhattupitzbigchungus4971]

@@poet82n it's even harder now so I am trying even harder. Thank you for your support

[@SavageSnake135]

Are you passing med school so far

[@philos_theos]

I really appreciate the video. Gave me insight oh whether or not I should apply to law school. What is the name of the song in the background?

[@johnchoe3349]

Genuinely hope that you make or that you already made it into acting; it takes backbone to against the flow

[@Bleyluige]

The debt you have to incurred make me think twice about going to law school

[@larissak6963]

Those squares look like a hallucination... did anyone else see them ?

[@lotusgrl444]

🤣🤣yes

[@miguelchavez2253]

So are you moving to Mexico now?

[@yoyoyo111able]

Can I just ask, where did you get your sweater ?

[@frankisawesomee]

What about personal injury law ?

[@aalegalfocus]

If you work for a plaintiff's firm, the starting pay is usually not good, possibly as low as $50k/year, although some firms will also give you a cut of revenue.

[@caringlovetv6998]

Hi

[@paulinanunez3131]

Weee brinqué de emoción !! Te quiero un chingooo

[@johnpatrickhalloran2972]

YO MAS

[@diegoperfeckt]

What did you score on the lsat? And how did you study for it!? Great vid! Subscribed.

[@johnpatrickhalloran2972]

I took an online course with Powerscore! I got a 157

[@Boc3phu5]

No no. Everyone wants to be an actor. Lads and lass, do not follow this. DO NOT QUIT YOUR DAY JOB.

[@karimbennett5651]

In your case, good move.

[@auroramothergoddess]

How’s the acting going

[@introvertdude99]

Maybe you should be an interpreter and or translator.

[@aarondavies8887]

love the vid!

[@johnpatrickhalloran2972]

Thank you :)

[@OiVinn-eq1ml]

There's plenty of money to be made in immigration law :)

[@tomr6866]

Pennies lol

[@aalegalfocus]

Maybe if you work for the larger firms that handle employment-based immigration matters for big corporations.

[@mixedandplural4859]

Whatup, Brother. I graduate from law school, and I refuse to take the bar, because the US Constitution is classist, racist, and genocidal. Since, I learn about the Law of Earth and Heaven. Amidst this, amidst the interest of World Affairs and community-building... Confucius teaches us-- Songs, Stories, Rituals, Ethics, are the foundation of Society, Civilisation, and Relationship. Indeed, how law, justice, and harmony are substantiated generation after generation. Thus, I invite you to consider being a storyteller. A teller of old stories, with new vision, and multicultural expression. 1 Love And Peace, जिצורי Peter, With अΣÖאن冬宮.