If you are truly sure that you want to be a lawyer, take the plunge like the rest of us and just do it.  This is your dream and you shouldn’t let it go because of cost.  We’re all in debt together, and there are ways to lessen the pain a little.  Thanks to the Income Based Repayment Plan and some other federal programs, paying back student loans is becoming a bit easier to handle.  

If you are interested in public interest, you can work in the field for a number of years and qualify for loan forgiveness at a certain percentage or even have it entirely gone if you practice long enough.  Another option is to attend an in-state school that will still provide you with a quality education at half the price.

As far as the workload goes, the truth is that as much as we like to complain about our busy lives, we truly do love what we’re studying.  Handling the workload gets easier to deal with, especially when you heed others’ advice (like starting on your outlines way early).  

If you are not entirely sure you want to deal with law school, try taking some pre-law course or attend a pre-law program over the summer.  Such courses will give you a taste of what to expect at law school.  

Good luck and please feel free to ask for more advice!