Job vs 2nd tier law school Forum

(Rankings, Profiles, Tuition, Student Life, . . . )

Job or law school

Job
105
95%
Law school
6
5%
 
Total votes: 111

User avatar
danquayle

Silver
Posts: 1110
Joined: Tue Dec 09, 2008 2:12 am

Re: Job vs 2nd tier law school

Post by danquayle » Thu Feb 24, 2011 7:12 pm

We really need more info from the OP. Is the part time option not viable or not? If it is, I think this is a no brainer. Especially if he's in a market like New York or DC. Cherry on top is that most part time programs are a bit easier to get admission in to. The only downside is that it potentially cuts you out of OCI for Big Law jobs. But if he's pulling down 90k a year, I'm sure his best options would be to use his existing contacts to get a legal job.

Just more info needed all around. If you're got like Harvard numbers, then you wouldn't be stupid for walking away from a 90k job...

User avatar
romothesavior

Diamond
Posts: 14692
Joined: Fri Jun 26, 2009 4:29 pm

Re: Job vs 2nd tier law school

Post by romothesavior » Thu Feb 24, 2011 8:06 pm

danquayle wrote:We really need more info from the OP.
No we don't.
romothesavior wrote:If you want to spend three years and a bunch of money to wind up in a job you hate even more that pays you 1/2 of your current salary, then definitely go to law school.

User avatar
romothesavior

Diamond
Posts: 14692
Joined: Fri Jun 26, 2009 4:29 pm

Re: Job vs 2nd tier law school

Post by romothesavior » Thu Feb 24, 2011 8:06 pm

MTal wrote:I think the results of the poll say more about TLS than it does about the OP.
WTF does this even mean? I feel like this is a terrible attempt at taking a swipe at TLS, but I'm confused why the results of this poll say anything negative about TLS.

User avatar
dr123

Gold
Posts: 3497
Joined: Tue Jan 04, 2011 2:38 am

Re: Job vs 2nd tier law school

Post by dr123 » Thu Feb 24, 2011 8:10 pm

IF you really really want to go to law school, find a part-time evening program that you can do without quitting your current job

User avatar
MTal

Silver
Posts: 852
Joined: Tue Dec 11, 2007 6:47 pm

Re: Job vs 2nd tier law school

Post by MTal » Thu Feb 24, 2011 10:25 pm

romothesavior wrote:
MTal wrote:I think the results of the poll say more about TLS than it does about the OP.
WTF does this even mean? I feel like this is a terrible attempt at taking a swipe at TLS, but I'm confused why the results of this poll say anything negative about TLS.
It suggests that TLS'ers are attending law school primarily for the money...which is probably among the WORST reasons to attend law school or become a lawyer.

Want to continue reading?

Register now to search topics and post comments!

Absolutely FREE!


User avatar
romothesavior

Diamond
Posts: 14692
Joined: Fri Jun 26, 2009 4:29 pm

Re: Job vs 2nd tier law school

Post by romothesavior » Thu Feb 24, 2011 10:31 pm

MTal wrote:
romothesavior wrote:
MTal wrote:I think the results of the poll say more about TLS than it does about the OP.
WTF does this even mean? I feel like this is a terrible attempt at taking a swipe at TLS, but I'm confused why the results of this poll say anything negative about TLS.
It suggests that TLS'ers are attending law school primarily for the money...which is probably among the WORST reasons to attend law school or become a lawyer.
It doesn't suggest that at all. All things being equal, I'd guess almost everyone on TLS actually wants to practice law.

But would I give up 100s of thousands of dollars (including tuition, interest, and lost wages) to practice law on a low salary? Probably not.

User avatar
danquayle

Silver
Posts: 1110
Joined: Tue Dec 09, 2008 2:12 am

Re: Job vs 2nd tier law school

Post by danquayle » Thu Feb 24, 2011 10:31 pm

romothesavior wrote:
danquayle wrote:We really need more info from the OP.
No we don't.
romothesavior wrote:If you want to spend three years and a bunch of money to wind up in a job you hate even more that pays you 1/2 of your current salary, then definitely go to law school.
What kind of douchebag quotes himself?

If OP wants to pursue a legal education and part time is a viable option for OP, I see no reason why he shouldn't do that. Similarly, turning down 90k a year for St. Johns is very different than turning down 90k a year for Harvard. And if the 90k is of the sort that there is a "ceiling" on future earnings, then also perhaps there's an argument for going law. I've known pharmacists who have done this very thing and do not regret it at all.

We (and OP0) need to know what kind of options the OP has, what his motivation is for going to law school is and what his expectations for a career are. All are very relevant. Your law student "wisdom" is not.

User avatar
romothesavior

Diamond
Posts: 14692
Joined: Fri Jun 26, 2009 4:29 pm

Re: Job vs 2nd tier law school

Post by romothesavior » Fri Feb 25, 2011 2:14 pm

danquayle wrote:What kind of douchebag quotes himself?
This best kind.

User avatar
romothesavior

Diamond
Posts: 14692
Joined: Fri Jun 26, 2009 4:29 pm

Re: Job vs 2nd tier law school

Post by romothesavior » Fri Feb 25, 2011 2:14 pm

romothesavior wrote:
danquayle wrote:What kind of douchebag quotes himself?
This best kind.
+1

Want to continue reading?

Register for access!

Did I mention it was FREE ?


User avatar
Conan

New
Posts: 36
Joined: Sat Dec 13, 2008 7:10 pm

Re: Job vs 2nd tier law school

Post by Conan » Fri Feb 25, 2011 2:36 pm

I was in a similar situation (for me, the job salary was $135K+) and eventually chose to attend a PT program at a school near my work.

I had to cut down my work schedule (since my shifts are usually from 8am - 8pm) to accommodate my school schedule but still making enough money to get by.

If you can work PT at your job, take that route since it's an excellent back up plan if the law school plan doesn't go well.

Only downside about working/studying PT is that your personal life will be next to none but it's a small price to pay imo.

Anyway, I wish you the best.

User avatar
Alex-Trof

Silver
Posts: 525
Joined: Fri Jan 07, 2011 1:42 am

Re: Job vs 2nd tier law school

Post by Alex-Trof » Fri Feb 25, 2011 3:14 pm

MTal wrote:
romothesavior wrote:
MTal wrote:I think the results of the poll say more about TLS than it does about the OP.
WTF does this even mean? I feel like this is a terrible attempt at taking a swipe at TLS, but I'm confused why the results of this poll say anything negative about TLS.
It suggests that TLS'ers are attending law school primarily for the money...which is probably among the WORST reasons to attend law school or become a lawyer.
Really? Do you think majority of Big Law associates would do their job if it didn't pay 6 figure salary? In the U.S. same can even be said about doctors. It could probably be said about 90% of jobs out there, law is no exception.

User avatar
lolschool2011

Bronze
Posts: 269
Joined: Wed Dec 29, 2010 1:14 pm

Re: Job vs 2nd tier law school

Post by lolschool2011 » Fri Feb 25, 2011 3:16 pm

easylv wrote:I have a job that pays me about $90,000/year. A lot of times i hate the job though there are times i feel better about it. I've been interested in getting a law degree as i thought it'd give me more opportunities, so i applied to a bunch of schools and got accepted to temple with a scholarship covering about half the tuition last year. I had to choose between the job and school at that time, and i couldn't decide so i deferred the admission for a year. And now i have to make a decision again. Part of me wants to go to school while i can but i'm also worried i might be worse off coming out of law school than now. What would you do?
Take job - go to LS part time evening in whatever city you're in, if possible/school exists.

Register now!

Resources to assist law school applicants, students & graduates.

It's still FREE!


Post Reply

Return to “Choosing a Law School”