Fordham law (at sticker) vs. Pace (full ride) Forum

[bc760]

Hey guys, first time posting here, I'm having difficulty deciding between attending Fordham (part time evening program) at sticker vs. Pace (part time program) with a $34k a yr scholarship (which is very close, if not a full ride). I have to attend part time as I'm currently employed as a Police Officer, so going full time is not an option. Pace's scholarship is good for all four years and is contingent on me staying in the top 50%. For those who are unaware, Pace is a T3 school located just outside of nyc. I work for a fairly large Police dept. and am currently making between $90 -120k a yr, with few other expenses, so I wouldn't be relying totally on loans with uncertain employment prospects to pay the bill if I decided to go the Fordham route. I'll have just turned 27 entering 0L and I'll have completed 7 years as a Police Officer by the time I finish, leaving roughly 13 left to be eligible for a pension, so I doubt I would move for a career change at that point, unless I received some ridiculously sweet offer from a big law firm or something, which I realize is a longshot to say the least. I'm looking at law school mainly because it's something I've thought about since college and I do enjoy criminal law. I think a law degree could help me in my current career (promotions, special assignments, etc..) and could possibly give me something to do as a second career (I'll be eligible for retirement when I'm 43) or a side business. My LSAT score was a 161 and my UGPA was a 3.61 from Pace University. Fordham has said I could be eligible for some awards money since I am a police Officer but they haven't given me any figures and it's not guaranteed and my salary prohibits me from receiving any needs based aid. I don't have any undergrad debt and I do have some savings that I can dip into to fund the bill. My parents have also offered to help pay some of the tuition as well if I attended Fordham. Given my circumstances, I'm having a hard time justifying Fordham's $160k price tag but I'm also wondering if it's worth it to attend a T3, even if it's for free. I also realize that law school is a big time commitment and am slightly worried that if I attend Fordham and can't devote as much time to my studies as some of my peers I may fall behind and end up wasting my money. The same thing could happen at Pace, but at least I would've invested considerably less money. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[Jchance]

Can u still work full-time making $90-120k/year and finance/attend Fordham part-time to graduate without debt? If yes, this seem to be the best option for ur career. If not, don't go to law school when you are already making $90-120k/year.

[Elston Gunn]

I really don't see why you're going to law school. Law school, especially the class room experience (which is most of what you'll get as a PTer), is not fun for many people. Working full time AND doing it is probably brutal. Is 4 brutal years plus somewhere between a ton and merely a lot of money (even Pace it sounds like would cost you thousands of dollars) worth whatever nebulous benefit you're imagining in your current career?

[bc760]

I believe that by attending Fordham I'd accumulate some debt, but I'm pretty confident I'd be able to pay it off pretty quickly. It's more a matter of whether it's worth it to spend the money to attend Fordham for me. I don't really have an option to not work full time and I do realize this could significantly impact my performance in law school, but unfortunately I won't know for sure until I'm there.

[IggyLoyola]

At PACE.. you have little opportunity cost. Just stay in the Top 50%, and you won't have to pay pretty much anything.. You'll be staying in your current career role (Police) anyway.. Sounds like there's little downside there.

[bc760]

I've been thinking about whether it's worth the time and effort to get the degree as well, but I'd hate to shy away from something just because it's going to be difficult. While I'm sure it will be brutal, schools continue to offer p/t programs so someone is enrolling in them, and while I wouldn't exactly call it common, it's not uncommon for Police Officers to attend law school. Also, god forbid something were to happen to me that prevented me from physically being able to do my job anymore and I was forced out on a disability pension, I don't think having a law degree would hurt for a potential second career, seeing as the skills and experience associated with law enforcement don't typically extend beyond that field.

[Hutz_and_Goodman]

Anything before Fordham @ sticker