[redgolum]

I am mystified why people think that law is a good field to pursue. The problems you describe all exist in law as well, and the hours are worse.

Interesting. Didn't really think about the hours (50-60 for me, what is a lawyers workload?) Why is the market for lawyer's jobs depressed? To many applicants?

[1rudeboy]

I can only speak from anecdotal evidence, but take Chicago, for example. Four schools downtown, De Paul, Kent, Loyola, and Marshall. Two schools nearby, Northwestern, and U. of C. Two others qualify as "super-regionals" (my term) Northern, and U. of I. Nearby, Valparaiso and Notre Dame.

U of C., Northwestern, U. of I., and Notre Dame are first-tier. Two or three of the downtown schools are second-tier.

Let's simply say that if you wish to work for a prestigious downtown firm, and live that "lifestyle" (nice car, nice condo, etc.) then you'd better go to one of the top tier schools. If you have the misfortune of attending one of the second-tier schools, then you'd best be a member of Law Review or go to work for Daddy. Otherwise, you are destined to become a worker-bee, taking the train to and from your dismal place in the suburbs, and drinking heavily before you see the wife who does nothing but complain that she cannot understand why her friend's friend at Kirkland & Ellis or Baker & MacKenzie just bought a summer home in Michigan and you can't. (ok, so I'm exaggerating)