"I kind of came to law school because I thought about things I could do to work in the community," he said. His career choice is rooted in a love of the work. "It's going to be a whole lot less money than if I tried to get a job with one of the big firms. . . . To me, it just doesn't make sense to have a job that's not what I want in order to make a whole lot of money."

Dickson would agree. Her plans are to use a loan forgiveness fellowship, which will probably commit her to 10 years of public-interest law, possibly helping children or low-income clients. If she fulfills that commitment, it could mean up to $30,000 to help her pay off student loans.

Dickson's lifestyle will be one of "voluntary simplicity," living off limited means and working toward social justice.

"I wouldn't find happiness the other way," she said. "I think there's certain expectations that come with being a law student and being a lawyer, that you're expected to make a lot of money . . . I think the old stereotype doesn't fit."

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E-mail: sspeckman@desnews.com