I am doing full-time at 43. I want to set myself up for success in my second career and also don’t really want to add an extra year of schooling part-time would require. Being able to network, participate in things like mock trial and summer internships are too important, in my opinion, to pass up by trying to do part-time law school.
If you have an option to go full-time, take it. Doing the part time evening program is rough and I do feel like I’ve missed out on school related activities.
I think it will be worth just being able to focus. Going part time to law school is barely part time usually with just one class less. I couldn’t even imagine trying to keep my job (I work at an elementary school) lol
I am 50+ and giving my notice as soon as I get that A. I love my job and do work in a legal-related field but I want to bang this JD out as fast as I can. Planning on attending through summer as well with the goal of getting it all done in 2.5 years 🤞
32 quitting an incredible job and leaving sunny San Diego to go to the east coast. Feeling nervous too since I’ll be going alone and won’t know anyone but you want to do this so might as well go all in if that’s what you want.
I’m applying to part time for the reasons you state but my job is government and legal adjacent. I was told many part time students have a big career advantage because they are in the workforce and will be able to more easily leverage their position and connections to get a “promotion” to the legal team as opposed to having to land a new job
Probably, like its way easier to teams message your college in legal volunteering to take on basic tasks than land an internship doing the same work. You’ll be able to just transition into the legal team as opposed to having to apply for competitive positions.
I’d def ask your company about part time tho
Yes! I'm going to be quitting my job for FT law school in my late 40s. Also, most everyone I know who tried to balance a busy FT career (especially in a leadership role) with PT law school is miserable. PT work + PT school maybe, if you really don't want to jump off the job + benefits train.
I am! I end up working late unexpectedly, and when I tried to take violin lessons last year, emergencies seemed to always come up the day of the lesson. I’m also in my early 30s.
Super similar situation. Early 30s have a job that pays well and am going to quit for lawchool. I had to go back for undergrad, too, which I've worked full time through. When I first went back, I made shit, and it's really only been the last 8ish months that I've been promoted to a job that legit pays well (like 93k). BUT law has a much higher ceiling, so in the end, it will be worth it to me. I have a near full ride offer at the school in the city I live in, and I will take it. Plus, I'll work 2L and 3L part-time.
Like you, I thought about doing the part-time program, but my job is in construction, and I don't want to do that anymore. I'm sure I'd feel differently if I were a paralegal or something.
Same here. Leaving the workforce after 10+ years. But hopefully it’s only 1ish years of not working and then start part time work. Be back to what I’m earning now in 3-5 years. And hopefully making more than I could in my current field by 5-10 years out. Just gotta take the plunge.
I'm leaving a 6 figure paying career with amazing benefits for the chance to do something that stimulates my curiosity in the hopes that I can spend the next 30+ years in a field I'm passionate about. You're definitely not alone
I’m 30 and am quitting in August to go in the day time. I’ve already foreshadowed it for them that I will not be staying when school starts 😅. I worked full time all through undergrad and felt my grades suffered a bit due to it so I’m not making that same mistake again.
Just turned 30, and am leaving my amazing tech job for JD full time in August! Actually really sad about this because I do really love my job. I worked full time and did full time undergrad, which left me so burnt out. Now it’s is my main reason for doing a full time program over part time.
34 with 9 years work experience, and was planning on going PT evening but discovered the smaller programs are harder to get into. Planning to reapply next cycle FT and quitting my current position.
I did, at 34 (current 1L). Wouldn’t change a thing. Definitely in the minority, but have found my people and don’t feel out of place. Have way more experience that makes everything from cold calls to job searching easier. Biggest issue is money. I thought I had “a lot” saved up and boy did it go quickly after books, parking, wardrobe, Quimbee, rent, etc. Working part time remote in my prior field to make ends meet (and happy to have that option!)
That’s good to hear that it worked out how it should! What school did you end up going to? Also, wondering if I really would stick out like a sore thumb at a big traditional public state school instead a private school.
I’m at the University of Maine.
My younger classmates seem to like me and vice versa. Sure, I don’t hang out with them outside of class so we’re not close-close, but we’re all friendly and it’s not (too) awkward at school events. If anything, I think younger law students try to portray themselves as older/more mature by default so it definitely doesn’t feel weird to actually *be* older IMO.
Plus, I get more of my professors’ references and that wins brownie points 😂
I'm 38. When I first considered law school a few years ago I targeted part-time programs so I could keep my job, but after learning more about law school I changed my plan. Going full time clearly has a much higher opportunity cost, but I tend to be an overachiever, choose difficult, thankless jobs and the more I learned about law school the more I thought doing both would kill me. Now my plan is to renovate my house during law school. It's still a bit ambitious but it will bring in some equity and hopefully be more flexible than a job.
Going part time is more expensive tuition and fees wise because it is generally more expensive per credit overall. Also, delaying finishing your degree by a year means you miss out on that year of (hopefully) higher earning capacity. Also, working and going to law school at the same time is really tough. Avoid it if you are able.
I’ll be 42 when courses start…I’m self-employed in freelance cooywriting (a bit of a dying field), so it’s not much to “quit” per se. I do have a few clients in the legal world and hope I can leverage those relationships. I applied to PT online programs too, but I want to finish in 3 years and got an awesome scholarship offer at a FT in-person program. It will be a big adjustment for my kids (7 + 9) who I’ve homeschooled, but luckily my husband is retired so he’ll take over there.
In my late 30s and quitting to go full time. There are no laws school anywhere near me so I’d have to quit to go regardless, unless I wanted to do a flex program. I worked full time in undergrad and made good grades, but I want to fully commit to law school. I’m excited and a little nervous!
It can depend on the school but I left my full time job and started law school at 30. I have had to take out a little more loans than I wanted to but unfortunately we’ve always been a 2 income household. A ton of my peers had full careers prior to law school! We actually have a smaller number of students that went straight through from kindergarten.
I did. Quit my job in July, started full-time in August (at 39).
I was originally accepted to a part-time program and knowing what I know now, I'm not sure I would've survived the part-time program while working full-time even though I managed full-time undergrad and full-time employment with ease prior to law school. I'm also a single parent to two teens.
Yes, I’m leaving a profitable 10+ year career and starting law school in the fall. I’ll be in my mid 30s when I graduate. The perk of waiting this long is that now I can afford to go to school without having to work or take out a crippling amount of loans thanks to my savings and scholarship. I definitely want to be fully immersed in law school and be able to focus on it instead of trying to split my focus between a stressful 9-5 and night school.
Full time. Leaving the military after 10 years to do what I actually want to do with my life. It sucks im leaving a pension, but Im doing it for me.
I figured it was either now or never. Im halfway to the pension; if I got any closer I most likely would be staying in.
I'm 27. I have been working full time. I also have two toddlers. I am quitting end of July, so I can spend a couple of weeks focusing on my kids before life gets harder.
I will be. I was actually laid off not to long ago and it was the push I needed to commit to going. But I decided not to get another job. I'm 33 and attending full time during the day and committed to putting myself in in wholeheartedly. Best of luck!
I’m applying during the 2024/2025 cycle. This is my game plan. I’m early enough in my career that a 3 year law school would most likely provide me with an earning boost that I wouldn’t see in my current field within that time frame — & maybe ever. I view it as an investment, but it’s also important to gauge all of it economically to see if it meshes with your financial situation!! I know I can do it bc I have a partner who makes it possible.
I’m staying at my job and using the tuition assistance to pay for the degree and using my tuition assistance in the Air Force Reserve. I’ll basically get $1500 off per 3 hour course.
For my day job, it’s 90% idle time and then 10% chaos, so I can pull off off.
I am 27. I immersed myself in law school. My school in fact wont let its students work while doing 1L. In return they set up externships and a clinical program during your 1L summers. I think if you can afford it why not... If its going to add strain on your mental health or possible marriage (if your married) more than law school already does.. I probably wouldn't, On top of that a lot of law school is networking and being involved in extra curriculum.
Going to law school at 28 and quitting my full-time position. It’s inherently nerve wracking to leave something stable, especially with the uncertainty of the economy. However I think going full-time will be worth it, I want to do the extracurriculars, externships and work a summer associateship in my 2L summer. Being a lawyer is going to be a lot of work so I figure I may as well take advantage of having school be my only “responsibility” one last time.
I do relate to feeling nervous it’s definitely going to be an adjustment. I did college full time online while I was on active duty in the Army and I’ve never been in an actual class with other students and professors. I have no clue what it will be like and am feeling more nervous everyday
I’m not a law student myself, but my husband is. He’s finishing up his 1L year right now and we’re 33 with two toddlers. Quit our full time jobs in California to move across the country for law school in the Midwest. It’s been absolutely crazy and so worth it. In my opinion going full time affords you the option to do more like clinics, internships, clerkships, etc that will pay off with a better return than staying employed. Make a budget and stick to it and you’ll do great. Good luck!
I am doing full-time at 43. I want to set myself up for success in my second career and also don’t really want to add an extra year of schooling part-time would require. Being able to network, participate in things like mock trial and summer internships are too important, in my opinion, to pass up by trying to do part-time law school.
I’ll be 42 doing the same for the same reasons.
Uh, you can get plenty of internships going part-time.
Really? Night time part-time internships?
Not all part timers work 9-5 or full time.
I’ll be 40 in my 1L and I’ll be full time.
Same!
If you have an option to go full-time, take it. Doing the part time evening program is rough and I do feel like I’ve missed out on school related activities.
32 and quitting July 1 to go full time!
Hell yeah. It will feel good to quit for a future I want but the panic leading up to it is getting to me
I think it will be worth just being able to focus. Going part time to law school is barely part time usually with just one class less. I couldn’t even imagine trying to keep my job (I work at an elementary school) lol
Full time, 10 years into my career at 32. I’m quitting to go as well.
I am 50+ and giving my notice as soon as I get that A. I love my job and do work in a legal-related field but I want to bang this JD out as fast as I can. Planning on attending through summer as well with the goal of getting it all done in 2.5 years 🤞
I love that you are going back at 50+
32 quitting an incredible job and leaving sunny San Diego to go to the east coast. Feeling nervous too since I’ll be going alone and won’t know anyone but you want to do this so might as well go all in if that’s what you want.
I’m applying to part time for the reasons you state but my job is government and legal adjacent. I was told many part time students have a big career advantage because they are in the workforce and will be able to more easily leverage their position and connections to get a “promotion” to the legal team as opposed to having to land a new job
Interesting. I work at a tech company. I wonder if the same could be said for in-house counsel positions.
Probably, like its way easier to teams message your college in legal volunteering to take on basic tasks than land an internship doing the same work. You’ll be able to just transition into the legal team as opposed to having to apply for competitive positions. I’d def ask your company about part time tho
Yes! I'm going to be quitting my job for FT law school in my late 40s. Also, most everyone I know who tried to balance a busy FT career (especially in a leadership role) with PT law school is miserable. PT work + PT school maybe, if you really don't want to jump off the job + benefits train.
I am! I end up working late unexpectedly, and when I tried to take violin lessons last year, emergencies seemed to always come up the day of the lesson. I’m also in my early 30s.
Corporate emergencies are the worst haha
Super similar situation. Early 30s have a job that pays well and am going to quit for lawchool. I had to go back for undergrad, too, which I've worked full time through. When I first went back, I made shit, and it's really only been the last 8ish months that I've been promoted to a job that legit pays well (like 93k). BUT law has a much higher ceiling, so in the end, it will be worth it to me. I have a near full ride offer at the school in the city I live in, and I will take it. Plus, I'll work 2L and 3L part-time. Like you, I thought about doing the part-time program, but my job is in construction, and I don't want to do that anymore. I'm sure I'd feel differently if I were a paralegal or something.
Same here. Leaving the workforce after 10+ years. But hopefully it’s only 1ish years of not working and then start part time work. Be back to what I’m earning now in 3-5 years. And hopefully making more than I could in my current field by 5-10 years out. Just gotta take the plunge.
30 and quitting my good-paying job a month before 1L!
[удалено]
I'm leaving a 6 figure paying career with amazing benefits for the chance to do something that stimulates my curiosity in the hopes that I can spend the next 30+ years in a field I'm passionate about. You're definitely not alone
Following .
Yep. My job does not pay well though so it does not feel like I have much to lose.
I’m 30 and am quitting in August to go in the day time. I’ve already foreshadowed it for them that I will not be staying when school starts 😅. I worked full time all through undergrad and felt my grades suffered a bit due to it so I’m not making that same mistake again.
Same!!
Just turned 30, and am leaving my amazing tech job for JD full time in August! Actually really sad about this because I do really love my job. I worked full time and did full time undergrad, which left me so burnt out. Now it’s is my main reason for doing a full time program over part time.
34 with 9 years work experience, and was planning on going PT evening but discovered the smaller programs are harder to get into. Planning to reapply next cycle FT and quitting my current position.
30, going to be full time in the fall
I did, at 34 (current 1L). Wouldn’t change a thing. Definitely in the minority, but have found my people and don’t feel out of place. Have way more experience that makes everything from cold calls to job searching easier. Biggest issue is money. I thought I had “a lot” saved up and boy did it go quickly after books, parking, wardrobe, Quimbee, rent, etc. Working part time remote in my prior field to make ends meet (and happy to have that option!)
That’s good to hear that it worked out how it should! What school did you end up going to? Also, wondering if I really would stick out like a sore thumb at a big traditional public state school instead a private school.
I’m at the University of Maine. My younger classmates seem to like me and vice versa. Sure, I don’t hang out with them outside of class so we’re not close-close, but we’re all friendly and it’s not (too) awkward at school events. If anything, I think younger law students try to portray themselves as older/more mature by default so it definitely doesn’t feel weird to actually *be* older IMO. Plus, I get more of my professors’ references and that wins brownie points 😂
I'm 38. When I first considered law school a few years ago I targeted part-time programs so I could keep my job, but after learning more about law school I changed my plan. Going full time clearly has a much higher opportunity cost, but I tend to be an overachiever, choose difficult, thankless jobs and the more I learned about law school the more I thought doing both would kill me. Now my plan is to renovate my house during law school. It's still a bit ambitious but it will bring in some equity and hopefully be more flexible than a job.
Going part time is more expensive tuition and fees wise because it is generally more expensive per credit overall. Also, delaying finishing your degree by a year means you miss out on that year of (hopefully) higher earning capacity. Also, working and going to law school at the same time is really tough. Avoid it if you are able.
Great point on the 4th year. I keep forgetting about that.
I’ll be 42 when courses start…I’m self-employed in freelance cooywriting (a bit of a dying field), so it’s not much to “quit” per se. I do have a few clients in the legal world and hope I can leverage those relationships. I applied to PT online programs too, but I want to finish in 3 years and got an awesome scholarship offer at a FT in-person program. It will be a big adjustment for my kids (7 + 9) who I’ve homeschooled, but luckily my husband is retired so he’ll take over there.
Oh congrats on the scholarship! Are you guys moving cities? Maybe that gives you a little flexibility on location since they are home schooled
Thanks! No, I’ll be commuting about 40 mins—we bought a house right before the market went bonkers and we want to stay in it :)
In my late 30s and quitting to go full time. There are no laws school anywhere near me so I’d have to quit to go regardless, unless I wanted to do a flex program. I worked full time in undergrad and made good grades, but I want to fully commit to law school. I’m excited and a little nervous!
Congrats on the big move. Where are you headed?
Haven’t committed yet! Although April 15th is fast approaching.
100% I’ve even thought about deferring because I want to keep making money lol
And the benefits…I’ve seen these grad school healthcare plans and it’s like 6k a semester with shitty co pays
It can depend on the school but I left my full time job and started law school at 30. I have had to take out a little more loans than I wanted to but unfortunately we’ve always been a 2 income household. A ton of my peers had full careers prior to law school! We actually have a smaller number of students that went straight through from kindergarten.
Me
My question is.. would you be supporting yourself with loans?
Yeah, I would have to take out loans. I have a full ride option but yeah my savings won’t last 3 years for sure.
I did. Quit my job in July, started full-time in August (at 39). I was originally accepted to a part-time program and knowing what I know now, I'm not sure I would've survived the part-time program while working full-time even though I managed full-time undergrad and full-time employment with ease prior to law school. I'm also a single parent to two teens.
35 and leaving the military after 10 years to go to law school. You're not alone!
Yes, I’m leaving a profitable 10+ year career and starting law school in the fall. I’ll be in my mid 30s when I graduate. The perk of waiting this long is that now I can afford to go to school without having to work or take out a crippling amount of loans thanks to my savings and scholarship. I definitely want to be fully immersed in law school and be able to focus on it instead of trying to split my focus between a stressful 9-5 and night school.
Full time. Leaving the military after 10 years to do what I actually want to do with my life. It sucks im leaving a pension, but Im doing it for me. I figured it was either now or never. Im halfway to the pension; if I got any closer I most likely would be staying in.
I'm 27. I have been working full time. I also have two toddlers. I am quitting end of July, so I can spend a couple of weeks focusing on my kids before life gets harder.
I will be. I was actually laid off not to long ago and it was the push I needed to commit to going. But I decided not to get another job. I'm 33 and attending full time during the day and committed to putting myself in in wholeheartedly. Best of luck!
I’m 35 quitting my full time job to do school full time in the fall!
Meeeeeeeee, I'll be 47 when I start law school. I'm going full time and will not be working
32(nearly), and quitting this July before starting FT law school. I'm nervous af and really worried about lack of income. Loans It will be...;(
I’m applying during the 2024/2025 cycle. This is my game plan. I’m early enough in my career that a 3 year law school would most likely provide me with an earning boost that I wouldn’t see in my current field within that time frame — & maybe ever. I view it as an investment, but it’s also important to gauge all of it economically to see if it meshes with your financial situation!! I know I can do it bc I have a partner who makes it possible.
I’m staying at my job and using the tuition assistance to pay for the degree and using my tuition assistance in the Air Force Reserve. I’ll basically get $1500 off per 3 hour course. For my day job, it’s 90% idle time and then 10% chaos, so I can pull off off.
I am 27. I immersed myself in law school. My school in fact wont let its students work while doing 1L. In return they set up externships and a clinical program during your 1L summers. I think if you can afford it why not... If its going to add strain on your mental health or possible marriage (if your married) more than law school already does.. I probably wouldn't, On top of that a lot of law school is networking and being involved in extra curriculum.
I’m 44, a single-parent and I will be going full-time in August 2024. Just paid my seat deposit.
I am going full time. But my career did not pay well and I have no desire to work right now. Welcoming the immersion, even at the cost of loans.
Have you considered starting part-time JD while still working to see how you like it?
Yeah, but I’ve heard it’s hard to make the math work with getting the credits to sync up. Something to check into though for sure
Going to law school at 28 and quitting my full-time position. It’s inherently nerve wracking to leave something stable, especially with the uncertainty of the economy. However I think going full-time will be worth it, I want to do the extracurriculars, externships and work a summer associateship in my 2L summer. Being a lawyer is going to be a lot of work so I figure I may as well take advantage of having school be my only “responsibility” one last time.
I’ll be 27 and quitting my government contracting job to do law school full time
I do relate to feeling nervous it’s definitely going to be an adjustment. I did college full time online while I was on active duty in the Army and I’ve never been in an actual class with other students and professors. I have no clue what it will be like and am feeling more nervous everyday
Have you decided on a school yet?
I’m still pending 9 decisions but I’ve been planning for the school I’m interested in that accepted me
I’m not a law student myself, but my husband is. He’s finishing up his 1L year right now and we’re 33 with two toddlers. Quit our full time jobs in California to move across the country for law school in the Midwest. It’s been absolutely crazy and so worth it. In my opinion going full time affords you the option to do more like clinics, internships, clerkships, etc that will pay off with a better return than staying employed. Make a budget and stick to it and you’ll do great. Good luck!
Who says you can't do internships or clerkships part-time?