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I'm contemplating dropping out of law school and I am looking for some friendly advice. I am a part-time student at a Top 100 LS in a mid-sized metro area (which was my only option because of my home and day job), and I am just completing my first year of part-time (so I will have completed only 15 credits at the end of the semester). I am going to law school part-time because I have a good career during the day as an engineer. So far my grades have not been great (~3.0), but I thought I would find the classes more interesting than I have. Lately I have just not found the coursework to be very interesting. Is this common in the first year? Does it get better further on in classes? To complicate things more, my wife is expecting our first child this summer and the amount of debt is becoming a greater concern for me with an expanding family. I knew law school would be expensive, but now I am really nervous about graduating from school in 4-5 more years (part-time schedule) with a crushing debt of $140k and the possibility of not much of an increase in salary from what I currently make. Also, I like what I do in the engineering world, but I was envisioning a top salary somewhere in the IP or environmental law areas. Does anyone have any friendly advice on whether on not to continue in LS, especially if I am not feeling especially interested in the classes anymore like I thought I would?

swf-civeng720 wrote:I'm contemplating dropping out of law school and I am looking for some friendly advice. I am a part-time student at a Top 100 LS in a mid-sized metro area (which was my only option because of my home and day job), and I am just completing my first year of part-time (so I will have completed only 15 credits at the end of the semester). I am going to law school part-time because I have a good career during the day as an engineer. So far my grades have not been great (~3.0), but I thought I would find the classes more interesting than I have. Lately I have just not found the coursework to be very interesting. Is this common in the first year? Does it get better further on in classes? To complicate things more, my wife is expecting our first child this summer and the amount of debt is becoming a greater concern for me with an expanding family. I knew law school would be expensive, but now I am really nervous about graduating from school in 4-5 more years (part-time schedule) with a crushing debt of $140k and the possibility of not much of an increase in salary from what I currently make. Also, I like what I do in the engineering world, but I was envisioning a top salary somewhere in the IP or environmental law areas. Does anyone have any friendly advice on whether on not to continue in LS, especially if I am not feeling especially interested in the classes anymore like I thought I would?

You will only complete 15 credits after 2 semesters? And you hate LS? And you have a better job already in your possession?

If the answer to all three is yes, I might drop out in your position.

1. You're part time
2. You have a good career as an engineer, that you actually like
3. Your grades are not good
4. You're taking on WAY too much debt from a TTT school, where the job prospects are not very good.
5. Your family is about to get bigger -- kids are expensive, making that debt even more of a bad decision.

Conclusion: drop out. I see no reason to stay.

Agree with what the other poasters said bro, drop out man

I would agree (this would be different if you had a big scholly). How much are you currently making? Have you talked to career services to see how part timers do in the IP field? Your background definitely helps you but your grades and school are hurting you pretty bad.

AssumptionRequired wrote:I would agree (this would be different if you had a big scholly). How much are you currently making? Have you talked to career services to see how part timers do in the IP field? Your background definitely helps you but your grades and school are hurting you pretty bad.

I do suppose we should ask OP what median is at his/her school though.

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It's impossible to give good advice without knowing your rank estimate, or at least the median GPA at your school.

Although a lot of these threads are panic-induced, where dropping out isn't far-and-away the answer. I think you have a relatively straightforward case where it would be better for you to drop out. You already have a good career, a lot of law students would bend over backwards to be in your shoes. Assuming you aren't worried about any stigmas associated with being labelled a "dropout," (and you shouldn't be) I think it would be a very reasonable decision to drop out.

Best of luck either way you decide op

You're not very far in financially. If you're thinking about doing it, this is the time to drop.

Source: I dropped out after my first semester at a T1 and have no regrets.

noleknight16 wrote:You're not very far in financially. If you're thinking about doing it, this is the time to drop.

Source: I dropped out after my first semester at a T1 and have no regrets.

So why in the hell do you still come to this site?

UndecidedMN wrote:

noleknight16 wrote:You're not very far in financially. If you're thinking about doing it, this is the time to drop.

Source: I dropped out after my first semester at a T1 and have no regrets.

So why in the hell do you still come to this site?

Don't be a jerk. I did the same thing.

pinkcamellia wrote:

UndecidedMN wrote:

noleknight16 wrote:You're not very far in financially. If you're thinking about doing it, this is the time to drop.

Source: I dropped out after my first semester at a T1 and have no regrets.

So why in the hell do you still come to this site?

Don't be a jerk. I did the same thing.

And you are awesomer for it.

pinkcamellia wrote:

UndecidedMN wrote:

noleknight16 wrote:You're not very far in financially. If you're thinking about doing it, this is the time to drop.

Source: I dropped out after my first semester at a T1 and have no regrets.

So why in the hell do you still come to this site?

Don't be a jerk. I did the same thing.

So let me get this straight. He drops out, still comes on this site and has no regrets. But he still comes on a law student website to post? Gotcha, no regrets.

UndecidedMN wrote:

pinkcamellia wrote:

UndecidedMN wrote:

noleknight16 wrote:You're not very far in financially. If you're thinking about doing it, this is the time to drop.

Source: I dropped out after my first semester at a T1 and have no regrets.

So why in the hell do you still come to this site?

Don't be a jerk. I did the same thing.

So let me get this straight. He drops out, still comes on this site and has no regrets. But he still comes on a law student website to post? Gotcha, no regrets.

He's still a law student.

Are you stupid, or a douche?

I think he is referring to NoleKnight not the OP, for whatever that's worth.

ColoBoul wrote:I think he is referring to NoleKnight not the OP, for whatever that's worth.

In that case, I still don't see a problem. You don't need to be a law student to come on here and give advice or just hang out in the lounge. As someone who did drop out, NoleKnight undoubtedly has great advice to give to law students, more of whom should drop out.

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You actually ask a good question that is not easy to answer... I have been through similar issues but decided to stay the course and will finish at the end of Spring semester. It is very difficult to stay the course when your stress (really pain) levels are through the roof at times. But, it is doable. I have never spoken to anyone who wished they had quit after they graduated and or sat for the bar. The debt load does make things alittle more tricky, but there is an immediate benefit, payoff, increase in status, and personal satisfaction that comes when you finish.

One way I was able to keep going was to utilize alot of stress protection and reduction measures. For example improving your diet, sleep, exersize, mental relaxation, recreation, and even problem solving can go along way to reduce the effects of what you are up against.

The course work can be boring at times. But, that's where study groups and even tutoring can come in handy. One of the payoffs for me was seeing real world situations where legal issues were in play behind a gray area of confused players. Then, knowing I had the ability to navigate or make a difference if called upon was inspiring at times.

Often overlooked there is simply a certain amount of respect that you will command later. That can really cut through some red tape in future work related situations. This part has at times been important for me in my own life and business dealings. I have been in some sketchy situations where less than normal conscientious people have been involved.