Temple Full-Time vs .Part-Time Forum

[JDHopeful]

What do you guys think?

I'm currently on the fence and have the choice..

[beach_terror]

What do you guys think?

I'm currently on the fence and have the choice..

Do you have a job? If you don't, just go full time.

[scammedhard]

We need more info. Have a job? How much do you make? Is it law related? Are the extra years of experience something that will be valuable after you graduate? How demanding is the job? Is it flexible?

[JDHopeful]

Sorry... should have included that.

I am currently a paralegal at biglaw firm in Philadelphia where I currently make ~$50k. I'm 2 years our of UG. Worked at a small firm until about 3 months ago (the plan here was just to go FT), been at bigfirm for 3 months.

Thoughts?

I want FT but PT and the money I'd save look so attractive. Plus, foot in door at large firm.

[beach_terror]

Sorry... should have included that.

I am currently a paralegal at biglaw firm in Philadelphia where I currently make ~$50k. I'm 2 years our of UG. Worked at a small firm until about 3 months ago (the plan here was just to go FT), been at bigfirm for 3 months.

Thoughts?

I want FT but PT and the money I'd save look so attractive. Plus, foot in door at large firm.

Keep your job and go PT if you think you'd be able to juggle both. Assuming you're in-state for Temple, you'll make a nice profit by the time you graduate.

[cpajd]

The notion doesn't always get a lot of play on sites like this, but part-time is an excellent option for one who's willing to go an alternate route than the masses. It's somewhat like taking community college for a couple years in undergrad--it may not be cool and your friends may not be doing it, but it can mean graduating potentially debt free (or at least minimal debt). Plus you're talking about getting your JD from a decent school and starting your career with some connections in place. I'd go for it.

[JDHopeful]

But do you think PT hurts you when interviewing, etc?

Also, how about loss of summer associate positions? And law review?

I am leaning toward PT though... just fyi.

[Justathought]

But do you think PT hurts you when interviewing, etc?

Also, how about loss of summer associate positions? And law review?

I am leaning toward PT though... just fyi.

Hey future classmate. I was considering a few schools PT too, but decided to go to Temple FT. For me, since I didn't have a job lined up in the cities where the schools were located, I felt it would raise a red flag on interviews, unless I could snag something worthwhile early on in the first year.

For you, part time seems like the way to go. The caveat being that you work in the legal field and go to school at the same time. That's a big positive. It speaks to maturity and the ability to balance a complex schedule. If however, you're not working during the first and second year, employers will want to know why you needed to go part time.

To the question of SA positions: If you get a good one, great! You can quit your job or ask for a leave of absence. By then it won't matter, since the dream is to attain the SA position in the first place, and have that lead to a full time position after graduation.

Edit: Oh and law review - I'm sure you can do that as well. Make no mistake, to do part time the "right" way, your schedule will need to be hellish during law school. Much more so than for the average student. That's saying something, considering how hard law students are known to work. Still, the benefits will likely outweigh the drawbacks. At least from a fiscal perspective. It's a choice you'll have to make for yourself.