Part Time Admissions Forum

[Kali7871]

I was wondering if part time admissions is considered easier. Some programs offer part timers the chance to enter full time upon completion after the first year (Depending on grades). I guess my thinking is that I will be able to work while going to school and also get a feel for the course load. Thanks.

[twenty]

First, PT admissions are pretty close to identical to FT admissions in terms of competitiveness. Some, like GULC, are significantly more competitive at the PT level, and will absolutely not let you transfer over to FT unless you have some outstanding reason for the switch. And, of course, PT programs offer substantially fewer/lower scholarships.

In short, there is a reason nobody does this.

EDIT> That's not to say there isn't a place for PT programs, but "I can work while in law school" and "get a feel for the courseload" are not part of that.

[rinkrat19]

Typically, PT programs consist of one fewer classes at a time than FT. The schedule is not light enough that you can easily work or "get the feel" of anything.

Working also significantly messes with your ability to take a legal summer job, which has a big effect on whether you get a real lawyering job in the end. Which is sort of the point of law school.

[Splitter1415]

I contacted Fordham regarding the part time program and was told that they wouldn't recommend it unless you have a full time job that's related to your career goals. The admission process doesn't seem too different from their regular program. I guess it depends on each school. Why don't you contact some schools you're interested in attending?

[Danger Zone]

Working full time while going to school part time is FAR more work than just being a full time student. Being a student is a joke.

[n1o2c3a4c5h6e7t]

First, PT admissions are pretty close to identical to FT admissions in terms of competitiveness. Some, like GULC, are significantly more competitive at the PT level, and will absolutely not let you transfer over to FT unless you have some outstanding reason for the switch. And, of course, PT programs offer substantially fewer/lower scholarships.

In short, there is a reason nobody does this.

EDIT> That's not to say there isn't a place for PT programs, but "I can work while in law school" and "get a feel for the courseload" are not part of that.

Proof? Aren't numbers for PT matrics significantly lower than their FT counterparts?

[nygrrrl]

I contacted Fordham regarding the part time program and was told that they wouldn't recommend it unless you have a full time job that's related to your career goals. The admission process doesn't seem too different from their regular program. I guess it depends on each school. Why don't you contact some schools you're interested in attending?

I agree - contact the schools you are interested in, ask. Speaking for Fordham? What Splitter said is correct. The program is now 80 students per year, give or take, and the admissions numbers seem to track with the FT numbers (probably b/c USNWR now lumps them all in together.) There is a strong push to take FT working students who plan to continue working while getting their JD. While I believe it is still possible to switch to the day program after 1L year (pending additional course work to make up the credits), it is not something that is encouraged. While going to school while working FT worked out for me, it is not how I would ideally have "done lawl skool" and something I would only recommend for people in specific situations.

[twenty]

First, PT admissions are pretty close to identical to FT admissions in terms of competitiveness. Some, like GULC, are significantly more competitive at the PT level, and will absolutely not let you transfer over to FT unless you have some outstanding reason for the switch. And, of course, PT programs offer substantially fewer/lower scholarships.

In short, there is a reason nobody does this.

EDIT> That's not to say there isn't a place for PT programs, but "I can work while in law school" and "get a feel for the courseload" are not part of that.

Proof? Aren't numbers for PT matrics significantly lower than their FT counterparts?

While it's probably unfair to assume that ALL PT admissions are about on par with FT admissions, this is often because the vast majority of PT programs are tied to terrible law schools. Contrary to popular opinion, LSAT and GPA are not as prevalent figures for part time programs even though both numbers are calculated into the school's medians for ranking purposes.

For instance, GULC, GW, Fordham, George Mason, and Loyola all have very low acceptance rates in comparison to their full time programs. PT programs are ideally for people with 4+ years of work experience that have a job they'd like to keep, but need a JD to advance in their careers/roll into an of counsel position. A large number of GWU and GULC PTers (not sure about anyone else) don't even participate in the school's on campus interviewing because they wouldn't leave their jobs even if they did get biglaw.

[haus]

While it's probably unfair to assume that ALL PT admissions are about on par with FT admissions, this is often because the vast majority of PT programs are tied to terrible law schools. Contrary to popular opinion, LSAT and GPA are not as prevalent figures for part time programs even though both numbers are calculated into the school's medians for ranking purposes.

For instance, GULC, GW, Fordham, George Mason, and Loyola all have very low acceptance rates in comparison to their full time programs. PT programs are ideally for people with 4+ years of work experience that have a job they'd like to keep, but need a JD to advance in their careers/roll into an of counsel position. A large number of GWU and GULC PTers (not sure about anyone else) don't even participate in the school's on campus interviewing because they wouldn't leave their jobs even if they did get biglaw.

As someone who is applying to PT programs in the DC area, I do not plan on leaving my job while I pursue my degree. I also do not think that that I would participate in OCI, as even if I did get a big law offer, the pay would likely not be any better than what I would be making anyway, and I hope that my future career will be an extension of what I am doing with a bit of a twist (admittedly this would not make sense in most fields, but I have reason to think it will be useful for me).

[rinkrat19]

While it's probably unfair to assume that ALL PT admissions are about on par with FT admissions, this is often because the vast majority of PT programs are tied to terrible law schools. Contrary to popular opinion, LSAT and GPA are not as prevalent figures for part time programs even though both numbers are calculated into the school's medians for ranking purposes.

For instance, GULC, GW, Fordham, George Mason, and Loyola all have very low acceptance rates in comparison to their full time programs. PT programs are ideally for people with 4+ years of work experience that have a job they'd like to keep, but need a JD to advance in their careers/roll into an of counsel position. A large number of GWU and GULC PTers (not sure about anyone else) don't even participate in the school's on campus interviewing because they wouldn't leave their jobs even if they did get biglaw.

As someone who is applying to PT programs in the DC area, I do not plan on leaving my job while I pursue my degree. I also do not think that that I would participate in OCI, as even if I did get a big law offer, the pay would likely not be any better than what I would be making anyway, and I hope that my future career will be an extension of what I am doing with a bit of a twist (admittedly this would not make sense in most fields, but I have reason to think it will be useful for me).

Spending hundreds of thousands on tuition and not even trying for a better job because you "think" and "hope" it might be useful in your current career even if it's not actually going to make you any more money is really quite dumb. Only go to law school if you KNOW it will help you advance in your current career or you WANT TO BE A LAWYER.

[haus]

Spending hundreds of thousands on tuition and not even trying for a better job because you "think" and "hope" it might be useful in your current career even if it's not actually going to make you any more money is really quite dumb. Only go to law school if you KNOW it will help you advance in your current career or you WANT TO BE A LAWYER.

Don't worry about me, I am a big boy.

[GULCsect7]

I contacted Fordham regarding the part time program and was told that they wouldn't recommend it unless you have a full time job that's related to your career goals. The admission process doesn't seem too different from their regular program. I guess it depends on each school. Why don't you contact some schools you're interested in attending?

I am really glad that they gave you the advice that you should only do PT if you have a full time job that is related to your career goals. That isn't universally true, but most of the time I think it is.

[GULCsect7]

First, PT admissions are pretty close to identical to FT admissions in terms of competitiveness. Some, like GULC, are significantly more competitive at the PT level, and will absolutely not let you transfer over to FT unless you have some outstanding reason for the switch. And, of course, PT programs offer substantially fewer/lower scholarships.

In short, there is a reason nobody does this.

EDIT> That's not to say there isn't a place for PT programs, but "I can work while in law school" and "get a feel for the courseload" are not part of that.

Proof? Aren't numbers for PT matrics significantly lower than their FT counterparts?

While it's probably unfair to assume that ALL PT admissions are about on par with FT admissions, this is often because the vast majority of PT programs are tied to terrible law schools. Contrary to popular opinion, LSAT and GPA are not as prevalent figures for part time programs even though both numbers are calculated into the school's medians for ranking purposes.

For instance, GULC, GW, Fordham, George Mason, and Loyola all have very low acceptance rates in comparison to their full time programs. PT programs are ideally for people with 4+ years of work experience that have a job they'd like to keep, but need a JD to advance in their careers/roll into an of counsel position. A large number of GWU and GULC PTers (not sure about anyone else) don't even participate in the school's on campus interviewing because they wouldn't leave their jobs even if they did get biglaw.

Loudly echo this. I applied to both the PT and FT programs at GULC. I got into the FT and not the PT. A few weeks later I got offered my current job which I couldn't (in good conscience) turn down. I went back to GULC admissions and made my case and only then did they admit me to the PT program.

[whut]

I'd say yes, but with the qualifier that is due to most part time programs being in schools that already have lower standards.