Law School Woes

[Sonic_Death]

Just wanted to see if there were any other TB'ers going through Law School right now, or who have done it in the past.

I started my first year last week, and though it is early and I have not even begun to get my hands too dirty, I already see any semblance of free time I had slipping away fast.

It's going to be rough to find time to play bass now, let alone keep up with any of the bands I had. Hopefully I'll learn how to manage my time better and be able to stick with it a little.

This better be worth it in the end

[jp58]

I may end up applying for Law School at the end of the year. I killed the prectice LSATs.

Hows it been treating you so far?

[jmattbassplaya]

Originally Posted by jp58

I may end up applying for Law School at the end of the year. I killed the prectice LSATs.

Hows it been treating you so far?

Likewise. I'm curious what people have to say about actually doing law school.

[jrthebassguy]

I've not gone to law school, but I'm looking into the idea. Would love to see some input from people who've been there before, and what their work environment is really like.

[username n/a]

Watch Legally Blonde.

[MiniMoose234]

Originally Posted by username n/a

Watch Legally Blonde.

lol

Ive been interested in this too, im a junor in high school, just curious as to all my options

[Sonic_Death]

Damn you all, this thread is supposed to be about helping me

haha, but in all seriousness, I am not sure how much advice I can give at this point since I am only a week in.

I will say, that if you're thinking about doing it, I suggest trying to get an internship at a law office or something along those lines first. This is not only go gain experience for the future, but also to try to get a feel for it and to see if it's something you'd really be into.

Along with that, if you do find a strong interest in going to law school, be prepared to do a lot of intense reading and go through quite a rigorous educational process. I just got my BS in May and decided not to take any time off, and law school is definitely a lot more daunting than undergrad was for me.

From many alumni, as well as 2L and 3Ls, they'd prepared me for the worst essentially, and told me a lot of horror stories, but also given me good advice. It certainly is not easy, but I have heard it can be rewarding. Then again, you may realize it is not for you, so who knows. I am still in the phase of things where I'm unsure if I made the right decision in going or not, but I think that apprehension could just be because it's something new.

[Staccato]

There's lots of reading, then more reading, and still more to read during law school...

You've got to find a few hours a week to play, and or rehearse!

[codeinedreams]

if it makes you feel any better, I just finished the nursing program (very time consuming), and I still made time to fit in all of my bands. good luck

[tycobb73]

I was considering it. I got an A in my constituional law class and didn't find it that hard. What people have told me was that the law program will require lots of work. You don't have to be a genius as the work isn't mentaly tough. What is mentally tough is the amount of work. You will read and write all the time.

[mulchor]

I'm not in Law, but very familiar with graduate school programs.

Law and Med schools have a very different sort of approach to recruitment, selection, and retention.

In the sciences, schools invest a huge amount of resources (time, space, money) on each incoming student. Consequently the selection process is very careful and conservative, and the genuine hope is that each student who starts the program will finish it.

Law and Med schools expend very little on the students, and charge them lots of money. Even the application process makes money for the school. So they admit way more students than are needed, including students for whom there's not total confidence. And then they let the students fight it out amongst themselves in the classes which ones will pass muster.

In a sense it's a more fair process, to give twice as many students the chance to try, and then let them weed themselves out. On the other hand, the competition can be inhumane all the way through. The students who crap out leave with a sizable investment in the costs of a JD or MD (student loans, both gov't subsidized and unsub'ed).

I've been the trigger man to send people home from grad school. If I knew a student was in an active band, I'd be watching very closely. I remember a student who wanted to take a dance class and be in the chorus of a musical. I'm sorry, that kind of stuff is for undergrads. She went home before Christmas.

Perhaps Law schools would be more tolerant of extra curricular stuff, because they're not investing time and money into the student. But I'd urge anyone attempting that path to take it seriously. Sure, play music, jam with friends. But don't try to be in an active band.

I dunno what average law school costs, but seems like it just keeps going up. Let's say it's $20k/yr (my alma mater is anywhere from $16k to $36k, depending on residency). It can pay off big time, famously. But only if you get the JD, pass the bar and get the job. Your classmates who aren't staying up late for a gig aren't gonna cut you any slack when you're behind on your reading.

I just tried to find actual retention/graduation rates from a couple of the schools where I've been. They make it very hard to find. So I'm going more from "talk on the street" than actual data. The best I can do is see that one of the schools admits over 1000 per year, enrolls 250ish, and awards 100ish JDs. The reputation is that the top schools are exceedingly easy to graduate from IF you get in, but the others are harder to finish.

To the OP and others embarking on this sort of adventure, I wish good luck!

[king_biscuit]

Originally Posted by mulchor

Law and Med schools expend very little on the students, and charge them lots of money. Even the application process makes money for the school. So they admit way more students than are needed, including students for whom there's not total confidence. And then they let the students fight it out amongst themselves in the classes which ones will pass muster.

That is the traditional law school model, but is becoming less common every year. Most of the top tier law schools are quite picky in the recruiting process now in order to keep their top tier ranking -- they only take students with high undergrad GPAs and top LSAT scores.

As far as the op's question, forget about playing in bands the first year of lawschool and concentrate on your books and classes; don't blow the opportunity you have been given! The first year is pretty miserable, but it is downhill after that, if you are willing to work very hard.

[JT Bass]

My company is hiring for a corporate paralegal position right now and there are FULL ON JDs coming in to interview..... the number of lawyers laid off over the past two years is astounding.*

*Talking about corporate law, finance, etc., NYC

[mrpackerguy]

I found first year is best to have a set routine. I chose my school because they offered a "morning only" set of classes for 1L which went 8-12:30. I had two kids under the age of 5 at the time. I had class 8-12:30, went to work at the hospital 3-11, then up at 5 to get my reading for the days classes done. I wasn't gigging or playing really at all during that time for obvious reasons. I made it through.

[king_biscuit]

Originally Posted by mrpackerguy

I found first year is best to have a set routine. I chose my school because they offered a "morning only" set of classes for 1L which went 8-12:30. I had two kids under the age of 5 at the time. I had class 8-12:30, went to work at the hospital 3-11, then up at 5 to get my reading for the days classes done. I wasn't gigging or playing really at all during that time for obvious reasons. I made it through.

You have my total admiration mrpackerguy! I clerked in the summer while taking summer classes, but I did not work during the regular semesters, and neither did most of my classmates. I know it would be especially difficult to work during the first year.

[mulchor]

Originally Posted by king_biscuit

That is the traditional law school model, but is becoming less common every year. Most of the top tier law schools are quite picky in the recruiting process now in order to keep their top tier ranking -- they only take students with high undergrad GPAs and top LSAT scores.

Yep -- the Yales & Harvards, once you're in, just don't screw up and you'll make it. I feel like that approach is more humane, even though it gives fewer people the chance to try.

And, regarding the post above, YES - there's way too many lawyers (and teachers and construction workers and ...) right now. Hopefully that'll change by the time the OP passes the bar.

[king_biscuit]

Originally Posted by JT Bass

My company is hiring for a corporate paralegal position right now and there are FULL ON JDs coming in to interview..... the number of lawyers laid off over the past two years is astounding.*

*Talking about corporate law, finance, etc., NYC

There is plenty of work for lawyers, but it's like anything else, you have to find the opportunities and tale advantage of them.

[mrpackerguy]

Not veryone with a JD works as a lawyer. Many of my law school friends work in areas such as HR, college profs, risk managers, business.

[king_biscuit]

Originally Posted by mulchor

Yep -- the Yales & Harvards, once you're in, just don't screw up and you'll make it.

It's most of the 50 schools in the the tier, though. I agree it's more humane to be more selective up front with the idea that all selected students will graduate. No more of this look to the left, look to the right stuff...

[king_biscuit]

Originally Posted by mrpackerguy

Not veryone with a JD works as a lawyer. Many of my law school friends work in areas such as HR, college profs, risk managers, business.

Right. Lot's of opportunities to use a JD besides traditional law practice.