Working During Law School Forum

[minneapolisite]

Do any of you intend to hold a job during law school? If, so what kind of job? How many hours a week? Why?

[orangeswarm]

I planned on it. Got into school and realized it was impossible..........I quit.

[waytofailself]

If I end up going part time, I will be taking a job that would require to work 40 hours a week but is located near the law school itself. It would be a job where I would have time to study since I would just be on call (technically, on email).

40 hour workweek plus night school is a lot. However, paid for legal education, income during law school (living off campus with SO), and a job lined up for me when I get out? I think the payoff would be worth it if it happens...

...or if something else better comes along.

[LabRat]

I will not work during my first year. Doing well during 1L is too damn important to risk screwing it up in any way. During my second year I'd like to be on Law Review, but if that isn't possible I'll probably try to work 10-15 hrs/wk at a local firm (prosecuting patents).

[overtheoxer]

I plan on applying to a local school's PT program. I plan on contiunuing with my 40 hour/week job.
I talked to several students. Both those that worked and those that didn't said 1L sucked. One person I talked to worked the entire 4 years in the PT program. He says it's hard work, but doable.

[escobarsonlam]

if i get that schola to nova, i'll try to work at the acura/vw dealer i used to parttime at. just mindless fun picking up cars from the holding lot and delivering them to the dealer...as fast as i can.

[MarkTwain]

I have a 1L friend that teaches about 15 hours a week for Kaplan, and he made top 25% last semester.

[ddorner04]

You know those dueling piano bars where you write your request on a napkin and pay $10-$50 to have it played? I want to actually be one of the performers my 2L and 3L year. Amazing money in that - I've known people to spend over $200 just to have their song played right away.

[Trez]

Negative. If i did that I wouldn't have time to party!

[LSAT_Cat]

I have the ultimate job for a student: walk in tech support, with hardly any walk ins. Most of the time I just sit at a desk and study. In fact, my boss even gave me a flash drive so I could save my work and take it home with me.

That is why I must attend a school close to home.

[minneapolisite]

I love my current job and want to reduce it to 20 hours a week so I can work and do school at the same time. It's heartening to know some people can handle it. I'm not much of a partier, since I'm 3 years out of undergrad.

I do actually plan to wear my collegiate ring on my left ring finger as a reminder to stay out of the dating scene. I have no intention of dating anyone throughout law school--I think that's more time consuming than a part time job!

[Asakusa]

The ABA, as well as some schools, have regulations on if you can work and how many hours you can work. Some do not allow you to work at all as a 1L. If I get a job at all, it will be work study and hopefully at the library since I have 3+ years library experience.

[rabbit9198]

I worked about 35 hours during UG, plus I was an RA and in two very time-consuming ECs...I imagine that I'll end up working during LS, just to keep busy.

[orangeswarm]

The ABA, as well as some schools, have regulations on if you can work and how many hours you can work. Some do not allow you to work at all as a 1L. If I get a job at all, it will be work study and hopefully at the library since I have 3+ years library experience.

Yea, you can't work over 20 hours at any ABA accredited law school. In addition, a lot of schools do not allow you to work during you 1L year.

I worked about 35 hours during UG, plus I was an RA and in two very time-consuming ECs...I imagine that I'll end up working during LS, just to keep busy.
I worked about 35 hours during UG, plus I was an RA and in two very time-consuming ECs...I imagine that I'll end up working during LS, just to keep busy.

I was in the same boat as you. Worked full-time during undergrad.........but I realized quickly that the number of hours I worked and my class ranking was sure to have an inverse relationship. I was really surprised that I went from 40 hours and a full course load to nothing.

[minneapolisite]

I looked up my preferred school's policy--apparently 1Ls are "advised not to work" and 2Ls and 3Ls are advised not to work more than 20 hours per week.

[fatnbald]

I don't know if I will be able to work during law school. The ABA does have a 20 hour max on law students who work. Several of the schools that I applied at require students to prove they are not working more than 20 hours per week. Those that do, and lie about it, can be booted for violation of the Honor Code. I'm thankful that my wife will be working and my parents can afford to kick in a little cash to help out. I could strip for cash but I don't think there is a lot of need for a fat and bald stripper a hell of a lot closer to 40 than 30 years of age.