A Notion is An Ocean

Solution: Combine sixteen of the across entries to form eight new sound-alike words or phrases- Combine 1A with 5A to get BEFRIEND, 18A & 19A= SOB STORY, 25A & 27A= DYNAMITE, 36A & 37A= SOCCER, 47A & 49A= PAY STUB, 57A & 59A= BE STRONG, 68A & 70A= WHY NOT, 77A & 78A= DEPRESSED. If you look at the beginning letters of the clues for the first word in these combinations, they spell LOSS COOL, which sounds like the meta answer, LAW SCHOOL.

"Sounds like" metas are always tricky with accent differences. But this one worked well!

Nigh swan! ;)