Top Law Schools

I am in my mid 40s and finishing up a great run as a homemaker. Now that the kids are old enough to not need me 24/7, I would like to go to law school. I have a B.A. in History and a B.S. in Sports Management as well as 40+ hours of graduate credit. GPAs range from a 3.2 to a 4.0 at the various schools I attended but that is out of date because I haven't attend college in almost 20 years. Based on my practice exams, I think I'll get between 165-175 on the LSAT (had a perfect 800 on the logic section of the GRE back when I applied for grad school).

I want to practice family law, education law and disability law.

Which Illinois law school would I be most likely to be accepted, have decent scholarship chances, and a good base for my future areas of concentration?

Get above a 168ish and enjoy NU

how debt-averse are you?

I'd like to minimize my debt as I still have 2 kids to get through college (currently in jr high) and a disabled child who will need lifelong support. Of course, I'm hoping to be able to make enough as an attorney to help in those areas.

I've ordered transcripts as I cannot remember exactly what my GPAs were except for 1 grad school where I had a 4.0. I haven't taken the LSAT yet but 168 is within the realm of possibility based on my practice tests.

grad school gpa will not matter... start an LSAC account and register for the credential assembly service.. have the institutions have all transcripts sent there.. theyll calculate your gpa.. then take the LSAT

Grad school GPA will not affect your chances unless low since law school adcomms assume high grades in graduate programs. Contrary to what many post here, graduate degrees can be a significant admissions' factor, however.

Well you said the kids don't need you 24/7 but you'll have to move across the state for some schools. Are you planning to bring your family with? Is that a concern?

I'd say Northwestern is the best school in Illinois for most things, but they like work experience and while I don't know anything about you, from what you've posted it seems like you've been a homemaker and dabbled in various schools. I suppose if the numbers are there you'd get in regardless.

UIUC is another (less) good school, however, Champaign isn't much of a place for a family if you are indeed moving the whole group. Really though, this sounds kind of like you're bored more than wanting to be a lawyer. I don't mean to presume, but maybe finding a part time program close to home would be a better option if you still have young(ish) kids around.