Combating Imposter Syndrome When Considering Law School

“I have written eleven books, but each time I think, ‘uh oh, they’re going to find out now. I’ve run a game on everybody, and they’re going to find me out.” – Maya Angelou

First, let me say imposter syndrome is not only normal; it is a valuable asset in law school. Perhaps more germane to law school than any other graduate program, the skill of questioning, second-guessing, and proceeding with caution can be leveraged to your advantage. Let’s talk about how.

Almost every one of your law school classmates will have imposter syndrome. Why wouldn’t you? The application and admission processes have been so hyped up for the past year; the law schools throw big, scary numbers at you; and, for many of you, this is your first exposure to the law. The first thing you need to do is look around and see that many of your classmates are in the same boat. The ones who aren’t are likely overestimating their abilities or are projecting an aura of confidence that they lack within.

Tip #1

Ignore the noise. You are not expected to know anything when you arrive for your first day of 1L, and your ability to learn has already been vetted by your school. For students who have similar feelings during their application cycle, I advise staying off of Reddit and other anonymous posting sites – getting a warped view of other people’s lives can hinder your confidence. The same goes for 1L year; focus on taking good notes, finding study partners (and good outlines!), and gearing up for finals. 1L is a marathon, not a sprint. The top scorers are not those who crush their cold calls in September, but those who write the best finals in December. Remember the greater goal; win the war, not the battle; and ignore the noise.

Tip #2

Use your imposter syndrome to your advantage. This may sound strange, as many 1Ls (my former self included) viewed imposter syndrome as a hindrance to my success. But law school is different: the top scorers in the class are most effective at examining the nuances in arguments and fact patterns, identifying assumptions that may be faulty or concerning, and formulating a conclusion that is based on detailed analysis. The student who thinks he has nothing to worry about in law school may be more likely to also think he can ignore certain assumptions on an exam. So, use your doubting to your advantage. You are right to doubt yourself because law school is a daunting obstacle, but you have the tools to overcome it. Question assumptions or statements that seem concerning when you’re reading cases, and you’ll be all the better 1L (and lawyer) for it.