I am finishing my undergrad in special education with one year left. I will graduate in 2008. Now I have had a change of heart with what I want to do for the future. I still want to teach, however I am thinking about going straight into law school after I graduate. Now things that I have to think about are the fact that I am a single mother of a six year old, I have very little money to live off of. These are only some things that come up, for anyone who can understand, to you think that it would be feasible for me to try to get into law school right after I gruaduate, would I still be able to be a sufficient mother? Will I be able to pick up a job on the side while I am in school. Are their loans available for me to take out to pay for going to law school. What tests would I have to take before getting in. My GPA is 3.26 now, is that too low? How long are typical programs in years? I just have a lot of questions-=--any ideas or suggestions?
2007-07-14 09:45:25 · 6 answers · asked by heynow 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Higher Education (University +)
First I must say congratulations for getting your degree finished! Law school is no easy task and I would say a bit more demanding than undergrad work. Most law programs last 3 years when you engage in the schooling full time...to go part time can work as well...but of course will take much longer.
I am sure you could find a job during law school, but again the time and work is so demanding that you may not be very successful at school and parenting. There are tons of loans and scholarships out there and I am sure there may even be some for single parents exploring advanced degrees.
In terms of testing you'll want to see what the schools are asking for. Some schools require that you take the LSAT in addition to the GRE or some other graduate school entrance exam. Note below that I listed a link that I think will be a great resource for you to start with.
2007-07-14 09:58:09 · answer #1 · answered by BiBoi 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, it will certainly not be easy, no matter which route you take! Full time law school generally takes 3 years, part-time takes 4 years. With the full-time program, a job would be difficult to do on the side; it might be easier if you went part-time. I would recommend trying to get a job in a law firm, since they are often a little more flexible with your schedule around things like finals and the Bar exam, because they understand that you need to focus (I taught full-time while in law school, and just as I should have been studying, I had to worry about grading exams and papers for my own students!). A fair number of my classmates were parents, but most either had spouses or some other family members available to help out. I know that some of the professors were particularly accommodating of the mothers in the class, having gone through this themselves. Loans are definitely available; scholarships less so. Your GPA isn't really high for law school admissions, and you still need to take the LSAT. My only warning is that while lawyers CAN make a fair amount of money, unless you at least think that you might enjoy the law, it is an extremely high price to pay. I applaud your wish to do well for your child, but being miserable won't help with that either.
2007-07-14 10:01:53 · answer #2 · answered by neniaf 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I am starting law school in Cleveland in less than a month. If you plan to go full-time, many schools will not allow you to work during your first year. First yearr (1L) is a killer, and you may not have much time for your child. Do you have family nearby who can help with him/her?
there are lots of loans and lots of scholarships. Before you apply you must take the LSAT. With a 3.26 gpa you should be able to get in to some schools, but not the top schools, as long as you get a good LSAT score.
Pick up a copy of Law School Confidential or Law School for Dummies. These books are very informative, and I recommend them to anyone who is interested in entering law school.
2007-07-14 10:30:44 · answer #3 · answered by browneyedgirl623 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do it! If you wait you are unlikely to to pursue a law degree in the future because there will always be pressing distractions, chiefly money. I'm not an attorney so I can't give you information on law school, except to say that you have the potential to earn considerably more as an attorney than a teacher. I'm not knocking teachers, because I think its a tragedy that they are underpaid. But its better for you to pay a mortgage and have a comfortable lifestyle than to struggle financially.
2007-07-14 09:55:13 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
find what kind of law interests you and find a state or city where there is a high demand for that sort of law. discuss with school admissions and see if you can work anything out. you can make it happen
2016-05-17 21:32:16 · answer #5 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course you can do it! You go girl. What law school do you want to get accepted at? I heard, John Marshall and Kent College Law are the best . You can do anything you put your mind to.
2007-07-18 03:39:12 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋