First, some good news, if you plan to do a private sector (or a very very rare paying public interest) internship during your 1L or 2L summer, then you will make some money which can help pay tuition or living expenses. Unfortunately, some schools will reduce need-based financial aid if you make money over the summer (or during the school year) so be sure to check with schools if you are comparing them based on cost.
Next, a recommendation. Budgeting is the worst, and it is also super important. Tuition, rent, gas, Netflix, coffee, healthcare, school health fee (which seems like a scam since you also pay for insurance), books, supplies, food, coffee, fun with friends, coffee, parking, coffee. It all adds up. It’s manageable and you can (probably) get a loan to cover most of it, but loans are expensive and you have to pay them back, so the less you borrow the better.
Finally, a friendly warning. Law school is long (at least 3 years) and expensive, interest is the worst, and lawyers don’t automatically make a lot of money after they graduate. Schools rarely (I’ve yet to see it anywhere) report the cost of attendance for all three years in one place; probably because $90,000 is scary, but not as scary as $270,000, and they want you to attend and pay them money. Since these numbers are big, it is important to plan for the 10 years after law school, or at least take a few minutes to think about it. To learn more about law school loans you can check out our toolshereor one of our articles about choosing the right loans like this one.
I am the half of LSD that didn't take the LSAT, or go to law school (Sorry about that). But I did go to MIT business school while surrounded by law students and lawyers, so I am somewhat qualified to talk about the intricacies of law school apps and finances.
Windsor (the dog) didn't write this but he WAS a Resident Tutor and career advisor at Harvard College with me, so deserves some credit.