So You Want To Go To Law School

King Stannis said:

Most are on loans to pay for everything.

Unless you are independently wealthy, or saved a lot of money in a career before hand, the costs are so much that it is difficult to put one's self through a law school.

However, some schools are more designed for part-timers than others.



Yes, but you'd likely be part time as taking a full-credit load while having a career is exceptionally difficult.

Part-time is a good avenue if you have a good job already. Many do it.

It takes longer but if you're already making good money it is fine.

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You're spot on with both of these answers. I make a pretty good living but still need some loans to help afford the cost of tuition. It's approximately $25k/yr on a part time track. I don't think it would be possible to work full time and be a full time student. I know that most law schools make you sign something in your first year if you're full time, limiting the number of hours you can work. And then it's an honor code violation if you're caught lying.

@MGMT A part time track takes about 4 years. If you hustle and enroll during the summers, you can get out in pretty close to 3 years, which is what I'm doing. Going year round is a bit of a downer, but it'll be worth it once I've graduated.

The Human Q-Tip said:

I'm curious - what's your field? Tax? M&A?

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I'm a generalist. We only have 5 attorneys in our office so it's hard to specialize. I do a lot of real estate and generic contract work, though. But on the other hand, I run the customer care team for our retail company. It really varies.

King Stannis said:

Most are on loans to pay for everything.

Unless you are independently wealthy, or saved a lot of money in a career before hand, the costs are so much that it is difficult to put one's self through a law school.

However, some schools are more designed for part-timers than others.



Yes, but you'd likely be part time as taking a full-credit load while having a career is exceptionally difficult.

Part-time is a good avenue if you have a good job already. Many do it.

It takes longer but if you're already making good money it is fine.

Click to expand...

I know this question is difficult as there are variables when defining but what would you consider good money? When I say variables I mean salary relative-to-age-range, area, field etc.

MGMT said:

I know this question is difficult as there are variables when defining but what would you consider good money? When I say variables I mean salary relative-to-age-range, area, field etc.

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I guess if you are able to afford decent housing and have a good deal of disposable income.

If your job is worthwhile that you would rather keep it than go to school full time.

Moreover, and most importantly, if the job is good enough to comfortably support you while going to school part-time, I highly recommend it to avoid a heavy, or any, student loan debt load.

King Stannis said:

I guess if you are able to afford decent housing and have a good deal of disposable income.

If your job is worthwhile that you would rather keep it than go to school full time.

Moreover, and most importantly, if the job is good enough to comfortably support you while going to school part-time, I highly recommend it to avoid a heavy, or any, student loan debt load.

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I really and I mean really want to do it. It’s been a goal of mine since I was in my early teens and it hasn’t waned. I wanted to do the MBA first as it might have a more practical application to a more diverse array of industries.

I thought about a dual program but the time isn’t there with a little one and supporting a mother who became a widow far earlier than she anticipated.

MGMT said:

I really and I mean really want to do it. It’s been a goal of mine since I was in my early teens and it hasn’t waned. I wanted to do the MBA first as it might have a more practical application to a more diverse array of industries.

I thought about a dual program but the time isn’t there with a little one and supporting a mother who became a widow far earlier than she anticipated.

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I almost did the joint JD/MBA program too.

Having both gives you an advantage in the finance based legal sphere.

Given your circumstances, I recommend part time. As @Scrote Squad notes, if you do summer terms you can graduate in under four years.

As you know, full-time Law School is three years and four isn't bad at all for part-time.

I think you can cover all your bases in this fashion.