it seems there is even less of a shortage of wanna-be lawyers than there is of actual attorneys ...

I too am among those who wanted quite badly to go to law school, but got derailed by circumstance and ended up doiing something else ... I can't tell you how many times I've wondered what life might have been like had I been able to chase my dream ...

Lucky you that you are going to be able to do so .... congrats on that and best wishes as you go forward ...