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Step 1
Decide how long you are willing to go to school. While lawyers must attend school for three years beyond college, a paralegal certificate takes only two years after high school. Before deciding on law school versus a paralegal certificate program, consider sitting in on courses in both programs to see how comfortable you feel in each environment.
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Step 2
Look at your financial needs. Although law school is significantly more costly than a paralegal certificate program, attorneys earn more than double the salary of a paralegal. As you think about your career goals, consider whether law school would be worth the financial strain in order to earn a higher income once you're finished with school.
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Step 3
Consider your grades and talents. Law school admissions are competitive and the juris doctorate program itself requires extensive studying and complex work. This is appealing to some students, but others find it overwhelming. If you have above-average grades and work well under pressure, law school may be a good match for you. However, if you thrive on hands-on work and do not feel comfortable in a classroom setting, a paralegal program may be a better choice.
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Step 4
Evaluate what interests you most about the legal profession. If you are interested in the clerical side of law --- preparing documents for trial, corresponding with clients and briefing cases --- you may be well-suited for a career as a paralegal. If you are more interested in attending court and working closely with clients, your personality may be better-suited to a career as an attorney.
