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jax1023
LIF Adult
Member since 3/07 1165 total posts
Name:
Jackie
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Law school question
For all you lawyers-
Do you think there are disadvantages to going to a part time evening law school program- so 4 years instead of 3.
I am thinking of doing this becuase if I stay at my current job they will pay for the majority of it.
Just some background- I am not a typical law school applicant. I am a currently a dietitian working in a hospital and I have a masters degree in health care policy. I would like to get into law and healthcare.
Thank You!
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Posted 1/22/08 6:58 PM  |
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codybear
Our Family is Complete!
Member since 11/06 2064 total posts
Name:
Christine
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Re: Law school question
Posted by jax1023
For all you lawyers-
Do you think there are disadvantages to going to a part time evening law school program- so 4 years instead of 3.
I am thinking of doing this becuase if I stay at my current job they will pay for the majority of it.
Just some background- I am not a typical law school applicant. I am a currently a dietitian working in a hospital and I have a masters degree in health care policy. I would like to get into law and healthcare.
Thank You!
I think that there is a disadvantage when you are applying for jobs. However, given your situation, I think an explanation of reasoning would do the trick. So I wouldn't worry too much about it at all.
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| Posted 1/22/08 7:08 PM |
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Shelly
She's 7!!!
Member since 8/05 14624 total posts
Name:
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Re: Law school question
I don't think its a disdvantage at all. If you take classes during the summer, you can just explain that you worked through law school. To some, it will make you look more ambitious, hard working and responsible.
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| Posted 1/22/08 7:11 PM |
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4ForMe
:)
Member since 11/05 5666 total posts
Name:
Barbara
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Re: Law school question
I say do it in 4 years and let your company pay for it. That is huge!
My husband is an attorney (in the health care field also) and his student loans are ridiculous.
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| Posted 1/22/08 7:25 PM |
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MrsS2005
Mom of 3
Member since 11/05 13118 total posts
Name:
B
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Re: Law school question
I don't think it's a disadvantage. In fact, I think it's an advantage if you do well. Law school is challenging enough when you're a full-time student. It shows that you're hard working and disciplined if you can work a full-time job while taking clases at night. I know several people who were in the evening division who ended up at top firms in my area.
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| Posted 1/22/08 7:27 PM |
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csorisi
My 2 LOVES
Member since 11/05 1984 total posts
Name:
Corinne
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Re: Law school question
I agree with all the other posters. If they will pay for it that is HUGE...I wish someone would have paid for mine :). My only concern would be that it might be alot because typically the night program I think (at least at Hofstra) was only 1 less class a semester then the full time program so it still is ALOT of work especially first year but if your job will be flexible with you when finals and stuff come up I say GO FOR IT.
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| Posted 1/22/08 7:42 PM |
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BRod-Cheng
I'm going to be a big brother!
Member since 6/07 1860 total posts
Name:
Betty
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Re: Law school question
I think that there is a disadvantage when you are applying for jobs. However, given your situation, I think an explanation of reasoning would do the trick. So I wouldn't worry too much about it at all.
I disagree. I went to law school at night and found no disadvantage at all. On the contrary, prospective employers were impressed by the fact that I managed to work and go to school, write on the journal and have a good GPA.
I got the job that I wanted right out of law school and did not have any trouble competing with tradtional law school students who were applying for the same position. I never needed to "explain" myself.
ETA: if your job is going to pay the tuition then there is really no reason to go during the day. You will have a real advantage when you graduate without any loans. It will give you the chance to take the job that you want instead of the one that you need in order to pay off your debts.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
Message edited 1/22/2008 8:03:59 PM.
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| Posted 1/22/08 8:01 PM |
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Kara
Now Zagat Rated!
Member since 3/07 13217 total posts
Name:
They call me "Tater Salad"
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Re: Law school question
I don't think there is any disadvantage. just be prepared for a SUPER busy 4 years!!
Having your company pay for the majority of it is HUGE. My student loans are a major expense.
I don't necessarily think you are at a huge disadvantage in the hiring process. I'm at a Vault top 20 firm, and I work with plenty of people who went to school part time.
I happened to go to school full time, but I worked year-round part time for myself and went to school during the summer to graduate in 2.5 years instead of 3. I was unable to put in an entire, full-time summer and I still got a big law job. (Heck, the firm even let me work part time during the summer while I was in classes... others who worked full time couldn't summer and still got job offers.)
I think the advantage of having fewer or no student loans far outweighs any disadvantages in hiring (which I think are very few).
Good luck to you! 
ETA -- Are you starting this fall ('08)? If so, you may be graduating into a better market for lawyers in 4 years as opposed to 3... whatever your area of expertise. (just a guess, of course!!)
Message edited 1/22/2008 8:12:26 PM.
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| Posted 1/22/08 8:07 PM |
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Bxgell2
Perfection
Member since 5/05 16438 total posts
Name:
Beth
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Re: Law school question
I went to a school where MANY of the students were evening/part-time (Temple University in Philly). I know quite a few of them who graduated and got amazing jobs, so I don't necessarly think it's a disadvantage. In fact, I took MANY of my classes as evening classes because I found that the caliber of professors and students was MUCH higher. Many of the evening professor's are PRACTICING attorneys - it makes such a difference for the class experience.
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| Posted 1/22/08 8:15 PM |
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Re: Law school question
Posted by csorisi
I agree with all the other posters. If they will pay for it that is HUGE...I wish someone would have paid for mine :). My only concern would be that it might be alot because typically the night program I think (at least at Hofstra) was only 1 less class a semester then the full time program so it still is ALOT of work especially first year but if your job will be flexible with you when finals and stuff come up I say GO FOR IT.
This is what I was going to say, too. The main disadvantage is that it is only 1 less class per semester, so not much easier than a full time schedule.
I don't think that you will necessarily be an atypical student. Even in a full time day program, a lot of my classmates had accomplished quite a bit in other professions. There was a nice variety of people in my class. Let us know what you decide.
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| Posted 1/22/08 8:19 PM |
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Kara
Now Zagat Rated!
Member since 3/07 13217 total posts
Name:
They call me "Tater Salad"
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Re: Law school question
Posted by Kerie-is-so-very
Posted by csorisi
I agree with all the other posters. If they will pay for it that is HUGE...I wish someone would have paid for mine :). My only concern would be that it might be alot because typically the night program I think (at least at Hofstra) was only 1 less class a semester then the full time program so it still is ALOT of work especially first year but if your job will be flexible with you when finals and stuff come up I say GO FOR IT.
This is what I was going to say, too. The main disadvantage is that it is only 1 less class per semester, so not much easier than a full time schedule.
I don't think that you will necessarily be an atypical student. Even in a full time day program, a lot of my classmates had accomplished quite a bit in other professions. There was a nice variety of people in my class. Let us know what you decide.
This is a really excellent and important point. Just be prepared that it will be an extremely busy 4 years. You are only taking 1 class less than full time students per semester. (You can hopefully take summer classes to lighten your semester courseload during the last 3 years if possible)
Just b/c it's difficult (and it's difficult whehter you do it in 3 or 4 years) doesn't mean it's impossible. Plenty of people do it! Just be prepared.
Good luck whichever you decide!
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| Posted 1/22/08 8:30 PM |
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2girlsforme
LIF Adult
Member since 8/06 3071 total posts
Name:
XXXXXXXXX
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Re: Law school question
Posted by Shelly
I don't think its a disdvantage at all. If you take classes during the summer, you can just explain that you worked through law school. To some, it will make you look more ambitious, hard working and responsible.
I couldn't agree more. I went part time and worked part time. The experience I received working part time, both in a bank and in a private practice (my dad's), made me very marketable. In addition, the people I met at night were older, very focused and largely had established careers in other fields.
It is true that its a hard four years, but I found that the people I met a night were a little less obsessive and were able to put the whole law school experience in perspective. I went part time because I was only 20, and had a great job, that was willing to let me work part time as opposed to losing me. Also, most people at night were not necessarily looking to be law review, but were attending law school as a way to expand current opportunities (there were a lot of CPA's, pharmacists, teachers, and RN's). As I stated before, I can't see a down side, especially if your employer is picking up the cost.
Good Luck!!
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| Posted 1/23/08 10:08 AM |
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Lillykat
going along for the ride...
Member since 5/05 16253 total posts
Name:
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Re: Law school question
I don't think there is any disadvantage to doing it at all - I had a lot of people in my year who were part time - b.c they had a family and worked full time at another job so that they could support their family.
I would say that it was probably harder on them - b.c they were taking on a lot versus those who for say the first year might have done not much more than their classes but I don't think you are too much of a disadvantage. When you graduate though you might find that not having any experience will be harder but not a big deal - since you can usually do an externship so you can at least get a little experience if you can't do a summer law job.
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| Posted 1/23/08 11:21 AM |
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starhead
LIF Zygote
Member since 5/05 48 total posts
Name:
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Re: Law school question
You are very lucky and I don't think there is any disadvantage at all. It's my DREAM to not have any more debt from law school - and i've been out almost 8 years now!!!
I went full-time but worked pt/ft to get benefits. It's tough, but totally doable and yes, I think employers are impressed when you work and go to school at the same time!
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| Posted 1/23/08 2:01 PM |
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JenBenMen
party of five
Member since 9/06 11343 total posts
Name:
Jen
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Re: Law school question
I went at night for 4 years and although it didnt seem so at first, it was definitely an advantage
#1- My job paid for part of school
#2- The students are a lot less catty since they all worked alll day and couldnt be bothered with drama
#3- It is helpful to bring your real world experience to the table
That being said, the days are long. I would be at work as a paralegal at 8 and not get out of school some nights until 10 pm....but---worth it
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| Posted 1/23/08 8:25 PM |
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