When is it too late to start law school? Forum

[lmarie81]

I only ask because I am thinking I am going to have to try again next year with a better LSAT. If I do that, I wouldn't start law school till I am 30 (scary) and then start as the newbie attorney at 33. How much of a disadvantage do you think that puts me for professional life? At what age do law schools start to consider you a "non traditional" student?

I know this may sound silly, but I can't help but wonder if this is going to be an issue.

[taw856]

I'd rather be a 33 year-old grad from a better school than a 32 year-old grad from TTT. Just sayin'.

[kommatas]

29.9 years old is the cut off

But seriously, it depends on your situation and goals. If you wait a year and get better score you may get into better schools and more importantly scholarship money. If you get a full ride to a school you want, it will definately be worth it. With the year in between you could also hord up all your money and that would be really useful. In my opinion waiting will not hurt you, it's only a year.

[vanwinkle]

I'd rather be a 33 year-old grad from a better school than a 32 year-old grad from TTT. Just sayin'.

Credited.

I started law school at 29. It's working out fine for me so far. I have older classmates and they're just as accepted as everyone else here. Nobody cares here at the law school. We're all here for the same reason. It's still a great experience, and I don't think it would've been that different if I'd waited another year, or two, or five.

From what I can tell employers generally prefer people who've been out of law school several years, because they've got real-world experience and they tend to be more mature than someone who's gone straight from UG to law school or only done a year of work in between. As long as you didn't spend your in-between years being homeless/unemployed/incarcerated, it's more of a plus with employment than it is a minus.

What matters most to employers is what school you're at and what your grades are. If waiting a year means you go to a far better school, that's a huge plus. Top school + years of work experience = more job offers than your fresh-from-UG peers with similar grades.

[kalvano]

I'll be 30 when school starts.

I don't think it matters much at all. In fact, as Winky said, if you did something even mildly productive during the years between UG and law school, it will probably help you.

[vanwinkle]

as Winky said

[kalvano]

as Winky said

I apologize for my cruel and hurtful comments and hope that I've caused you no lasting emotional distress.

[joeshmo39]

September 1st probably. But to be safe, I'd be there mid-August.

[JordynAsh]

September 1st probably. But to be safe, I'd be there mid-August.

LOL

[lmarie81]

September 1st probably. But to be safe, I'd be there mid-August.

Touche. Definitely a thought to take into consideration.

[Stringer Bell]

I will be an older law student as well, and what I have gotten from the folks that I have talked to is that you will not be too old to really damage your career opportunities. Apparently, five years or so ago the trend in biglaw was to hire younger faces, but that has given way to placing more value on worthwhile work experience. At some point there is certainly such a thing as too old. I don't think anyone wants to hire a 50 year old associate. A mid 30's graduate should still be fine though.

[sumus romani]

I will be an older law student as well, and what I have gotten from the folks that I have talked to is that you will not be too old to really damage your career opportunities. Apparently, five years or so ago the trend in biglaw was to hire younger faces, but that has given way to placing more value on worthwhile work experience. At some point there is certainly such a thing as too old. I don't think anyone wants to hire a 50 year old associate. A mid 30's graduate should still be fine though.

I sure hope so!

[flounder]

I am planning to Apply in 2011, starting in 2012.
I will be 40.

[nealric]

It's too late when you are so old that you won't live long enough to pass the bar.

[tartugas]

I'm 35 now, taking the June LSAT and planning enroll Fall 2011. I'll be almost 40 when I graduate.

I already have established myself in one career and know that, worse comes to worse, I can always go back to that if there's no jobs out there for geezer's like me.

Seriously though, landing a big job at a big firm isn't my major concern. I know that regardless of what happens at the end of this road, the opportunities I'll have will be greater and more fulfilling that what I'm looking at now. That's all that matters to me.

Don't use scare tactics on yourself. It's not worth it.

[Bosque]

When you are dead. You could try and Weekend at Bernie's it, but it just is not the same thing.

[shepdawg]

I am 31, and despite low LSAT and TTTT acceptances, I decided to go to law school. I don't want to spend another year in working as a teacher.

[lmarie81]

I'm 35 now, taking the June LSAT and planning enroll Fall 2011. I'll be almost 40 when I graduate.

I already have established myself in one career and know that, worse comes to worse, I can always go back to that if there's no jobs out there for geezer's like me.

Seriously though, landing a big job at a big firm isn't my major concern. I know that regardless of what happens at the end of this road, the opportunities I'll have will be greater and more fulfilling that what I'm looking at now. That's all that matters to me.

Don't use scare tactics on yourself. It's not worth it.

Thanks so much for this thought and for the rest in this thread. It is helpful to put my mind at ease a bit. All valid and reassuring.

[PDaddy]

I only ask because I am thinking I am going to have to try again next year with a better LSAT. If I do that, I wouldn't start law school till I am 30 (scary) and then start as the newbie attorney at 33. How much of a disadvantage do you think that puts me for professional life? At what age do law schools start to consider you a "non traditional" student?

I know this may sound silly, but I can't help but wonder if this is going to be an issue.

Generally, those people over 30 are non-trads, and (btw) you are far from too old. There are people in their 40's doing this, and some of them go to the top schools. Some schools, and some of the firms that recruit from them, will consider your age an advantage. Your pre-law W.E. will play a more important role in your profile and how you are evaluated.

[r6_philly]

I am 33 right now, and I am willing to put off 2 more years if my plans don't go well. That's 3 cycles I am willing to go through (including the current one). At this point, I don't really see the difference between a 36 YO grad and a 38 YO grad. In the mean time I can have 2 masters degree if it indeed takes me 2 years (I am interested in both fields and will be going for both masters regardless). You will be fine. You won't be young, but everyone who is not fresh out of UG is not young, and is not so different from one another.

[newyorker88]

damn what's with all these old people in law school

[hiromoto45]

September 1st probably. But to be safe, I'd be there mid-August.

Not if you are going to UChicago

[r6_philly]

damn what's with all these old people in law school

Define old.

[Cosmo Kramer]

damn what's with all these old people in law school

Seriously, you geriatrics need to stick to your country kitchen buffets and bingo halls.

Kidding aside, I wouldn't worry about it at all. I think there's a definite post-LS-graduation advantage for older students that may even outweigh the benefits of going straight out of UG (depending on how you look at it).

[newyorker88]

damn what's with all these old people in law school

Define old.

30 or older