If you believe everything social media, television shows and classic movies have had to say about law school, you likely think that law school is a cut-throat, hostile, tense environment filled with classmates constantly trying to one-up each other. To be honest, that’s not exactly a wholly inaccurate assumption. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: while everyone’s law school experience is unique, there is a certain bedrock culture in law school that affects us all — and sometimes, not for the better. In this column, we’ll cover two essential components of law school culture, along with some helpful tips to avoid getting too ensnared by these elements.
1. Competition. Let’s cut to the chase: law school is incredibly competitive. I know it; you know it; the frat guy who once watched Legally Blonde with his girlfriend knows it. Law school and competition go hand in hand, even though their relationship can be a little toxic. Back when I was touring law schools, once Chicago-based tour guide informed us that the school’s library carried a variety of textbook supplements and case materials, but that there was a lengthy check in and checkout process to use them — as students have been known to rip out key pages from the materials to prevent their classmates from finding key information and completing their assignments. Another school stopped posting class rankings on the bulletin board after a physical altercation occurred between two students. My own law school posted rankings, but only using student ID numbers.
Competition can be a helpful tool to inspire students to work harder, study longer, etc., but focusing too much on your fellow classmates can detract from the ultimate goal: surviving law school AND passing the bar. Avoid falling into the competition cesspool by reminding yourself that law school is a marathon, not a sprint — you may not have gotten the top grade on your Torts mid-term, but you still passed the class. Competition thrives on insecurity, and the idea that we need to demonstrate our value to other people, but at the end of the day, who cares? Not to sound like a poster on the wall of a fourth-grade teacher, but ten years from now no one is going to remember how well you did — but they will remember if you were rude and brutish about it.
2. Elitism. Elitism in law school seems to be a hot topic these days, and for good reason: it’s insidious, nefarious and highly prevalent. While the formal definition of the term is “the attitude or behavior of a person or group who regard themselves as belonging to an elite,” within the law school context it can also be defined as: classmates or professors who see themselves as superior due to their (1) alma mater, (2) family ties within the legal community, (3) current or former job, (4) financial status or (5) class ranking. Examples include: a man whose father owns a prominent local law firm, a woman who clerked for a state Supreme Court Justice, the granddaughter of a well-respected judge, the niece of a large donor to the school, and a man in the top 10% of the class. Whether or not it is acknowledged, these students are selected more in class, receive more attention from professors, and are more likely to be chosen by public/student affairs to be in marketing or other publications.
At first read I may come across as jaded, but in reality I am just trying to be honest. In any competitive profession there will always be the “us v. them” mentality; but in this case, the favoritism doesn’t even pretend to be subtle. Unfortunately, the bias doesn’t end after graduation: the legal field is known for being highly selective, highly prejudicial, and highly elitist. Shows like Suits highlight these beliefs — following the lives of Harvard and Yale “alumni,” throughout their tumultuous yet successful careers. In contrast, the fact that Jimmy from Better Call Saul went to a lesser-known, poorer-quality law school is a constant punchline in the show.
How do you avoid getting caught in the elitism Venus fly trap? Or better yet, how can you make elitism work for you—especially you’re a lower-income, first generation, or a minority law student? Find a way to market and distinguish yourself from other students. Learn to highlight non-traditional skill sets and experiences, and tighten up that cover letter — focus less on the “where you came from” and more on the “where you’re going.” Volunteer more in class, stand out by excelling—but also by being a kind and considerate classmate. Contribute to a healthier culture in the classroom and carry that framework on into your career — slowly, we can all make the shift to focus less on pedigree and more on personality.
Some things — like long nights, heavy textbooks and impossible final exams — are mandatory in law school. Others, like competition and elitism, are elements that have slowly steeped into the experience. In an environment where you are truly working on improving and expanding your mind (and arguments) it can be easy to get in your head about things, what’s important is to focus on your long-term goals and to find ways to distinguish yourself amongst your equally cerebral colleagues. Plus if you work hard enough you can always come back and brag at the 10-year reunion.
