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Applied this cycle and I'm waiting to hear back from a few more schools. I have one crucial piece of criteria that I'm having a hard time deciphering on admissions websites. I would much prefer an entering class comprised largely of recent college grads. What median/average age is representative of this? I know, for instance, W&L is a 'younger' LS. Rutgers Newark is NOT. This is very important to me, any input is greatly appreciated. I am 22, and currently a senior in undergrad (for clarification purposes).

Cant say this hasn't crossed my mind

northwestern

folkitup123 wrote:I have one crucial piece of criteria that I'm having a hard time deciphering on admissions websites. I would much prefer an entering class comprised largely of recent college grads. What median/average age is representative of this?

You're having a hard time deciphering what median means? Is that really your question?

Bumi wrote:

folkitup123 wrote:I have one crucial piece of criteria that I'm having a hard time deciphering on admissions websites. I would much prefer an entering class comprised largely of recent college grads. What median/average age is representative of this?

You're having a hard time deciphering what median means? Is that really your question?

or are you confused by what the median/average age of recent college grads is?

22? Man, I hope I don't end up at law school with a bunch of old people like you.

Just kidding. Check schools' websites for their entering class profile and it will usually give a median or average age, which isn't too useful but what can you do?

most schools will give an average age, as well as a range of ages in their class.

hipstermafia wrote:

Bumi wrote:

folkitup123 wrote:I have one crucial piece of criteria that I'm having a hard time deciphering on admissions websites. I would much prefer an entering class comprised largely of recent college grads. What median/average age is representative of this?

You're having a hard time deciphering what median means? Is that really your question?

or are you confused by what the median/average age of recent college grads is?

Precisely, should I be looking for 22-23, 23-24? Also any firsthand knowledge is top-shelf.

You know most law schools are located on undergraduate campuses, right?

folkitup123 wrote:Precisely, should I be looking for 22-23, 23-24? Also any firsthand knowledge is top-shelf.

My advice is that this shouldn't be your primary criterion. Once you have a diverse (in terms of acceptance difficulty) list of schools that will help you accomplish your career goals, and you have applied to them, and you have gotten into a few, then it makes sense to reject ones where you don't think you'll be comfortable.

Out of curiosity, why is the average age of the student body so important to you? I mean, I'm 31, will be 32 shortly after starting 1L, but the fact that the average age of my classmates is 24 doesn't really bother me at all. I am admittedly a little concerned about what potential employers will think about my being older (whether they'll find my maturity and experience to be an asset or liability) but as far as classmates go, what's the difference? Are you worried about making friends or what?

Honestly, I would think it would be better for someone your age to be around some people who are a little older... may help your maturity... keep you out of trouble and focused on the books...

How is this a "crucial piece of criteria"? At most that should a tiebreaker

When you're older you'll realize this isn't that important.

Also, what the people above said about class profiles.

Leira7905 wrote:Honestly, I would think it would be better for someone your age to be around some people who are a little older... may help your maturity... keep you out of trouble and focused on the books...

I have a strong suspicion that that's exactly why he wants young classmates.

Bumi wrote:

folkitup123 wrote:Precisely, should I be looking for 22-23, 23-24? Also any firsthand knowledge is top-shelf.

My advice is that this shouldn't be your primary criterion. Once you have a diverse (in terms of acceptance difficulty) list of schools that will help you accomplish your career goals, and you have applied to them, and you have gotten into a few, then it makes sense to reject ones where you don't think you'll be comfortable.

This is good advice, I'm going to try to attend as many ASWs as possible and get a feel for the student body/atmosphere. I was more curious about whether y'all had any insight as to particularly or notoriously younger schools.

In addition, for those who seem slightly taken aback, I have no age bias. I guess my concern is that my undergrad classes typically filled up with a few older folks, primarily adults returning to state university - which happens to not be a characteristic I'm looking for in LS.

folkitup123 wrote:

Bumi wrote:

folkitup123 wrote:Precisely, should I be looking for 22-23, 23-24? Also any firsthand knowledge is top-shelf.

My advice is that this shouldn't be your primary criterion. Once you have a diverse (in terms of acceptance difficulty) list of schools that will help you accomplish your career goals, and you have applied to them, and you have gotten into a few, then it makes sense to reject ones where you don't think you'll be comfortable.

This is good advice, I'm going to try to attend as many ASWs as possible and get a feel for the student body/atmosphere. I was more curious about whether y'all had any insight as to particularly or notoriously younger schools.

In addition, for those who seem slightly taken aback, I have no age bias. I guess my concern is that my undergrad classes typically filled up with a few older folks, primarily adults returning to state university - which happens to not be a characteristic I'm looking for in LS.

there will be plenty of young adults returning to the university to make the career switch into law. be ready to see, and accept this fact

hipstermafia wrote:northwestern

teehee

Bumi wrote:

Leira7905 wrote:Honestly, I would think it would be better for someone your age to be around some people who are a little older... may help your maturity... keep you out of trouble and focused on the books...

I have a strong suspicion that that's exactly why he wants young classmates.

Probably so... I'll say this, and move on:

Young OP, you're primary concerns right now should be finding the best school that you can reasonably afford in an area where you would like to live for the next three years. Not the school with the best partying options... That's what undergrad is for.

hipstermafia wrote:northwestern

+1

folkitup123 wrote:In addition, for those who seem slightly taken aback, I have no age bias. I guess my concern is that my undergrad classes typically filled up with a few older folks, primarily adults returning to state university - which happens to not be a characteristic I'm looking for in LS.

Read these two sentences again, slowly.

folkitup123 wrote:In addition, for those who seem slightly taken aback, I have no age bias. I guess my concern is that my undergrad classes typically filled up with a few older folks, primarily adults returning to state university - which happens to not be a characteristic I'm looking for in LS.

Which one of the following is most supported by the second sentence quoted above:

• OP has no age bias.
• OP is afraid that older students will use their wisdom to destroy him in curved classes.
• OP thinks older students are idiots and he values intelligent conversation over crushing the curve.
• OP likes to party and old people are boring.

If you are 22 now, that means you are going to be at least 25 when you graduate. So you should probably not go to any school that lets an old like you go there.

Bumi wrote:

folkitup123 wrote:In addition, for those who seem slightly taken aback, I have no age bias. I guess my concern is that my undergrad classes typically filled up with a few older folks, primarily adults returning to state university - which happens to not be a characteristic I'm looking for in LS.

Which one of the following is most supported by the second sentence quoted above:

• OP has no age bias.
  
• OP is afraid that older students will use their wisdom to destroy him in curved classes.
• OP thinks older students are idiots and he values intelligent conversation over crushing the curve.
• OP likes to party and old people are boring.

...but I'm biased =)

D-hops wrote:If you are 22 now, that means you are going to be at least 25 when you graduate. So you should probably not go to any school that lets an old like you go there.

i lol'd at this phrase. an old. so simple, so brief...

Honestly I think the guy's concern is simple. He's coming right out of underage and is used to having friends that are his age. Someone that age will probably feel more comfortable studying and hanging out with people in their age group as opposed to someone who is 28+. I mean in undergrad (which I am in now and will be graduating), I think I had one good friend who was like 28, but he was engaged and just got married, etc. There wasn't much we talked about outside of the course material and we definitely didn't hang out in the same spots. It's just about where you are in your life, and when you're out of that law school environment and just want to hang out...you tend to hang out with people who you have more in common with. I have a friend at UMich law right now who went straight from undergrad....most of the people she hangs out with are her age and then she hangs out with people still around her area that were in her senior class (undergrad) to escape the law school "bubble". Cut the guy some slack. It'll be a deal breaker for more people than you think.

P.S. As someone going directly from undergrad....I always am slightly bothered by older law school students who always feel the need to talk up their "maturity" and assume age = maturity. Or that still liking to have fun, and being younger = immaturity. This isn't directed at anyone in particular. OP, what range of schools are you applying to? A lot of them specifically break down age demographics on their site. I.E. Harvard, Columbia (both impossible to get into...I'm just saying).