Working during 1L Forum

[Anonymous User]

I will be attending a top NYC law school in the fall (read: CLS or NYU).

I wasn't planning on working at all during 1L, but my employer wants me to stay and work at least a few hours a week, for which they would pay me my normal rate (around $45 an hour) and as a bonus they will pitch in to pay some tuition (how much depends on how many hours a week I work).

Although I may work for them 1L summer (for the $$), there is no commitment to come back to work for them after graduation.

The tuition payment, salary and 1L summer employment would certainly alleviate the debt.

If I can make my own work schedule, how much is a reasonable amount of hours to work during 1L? 10 hours?

For 10 hours/week, I can reasonably expect them to pay around 15% of the tuition ($7,500 per year).

[Anonymous User]

I will be attending a top NYC law school in the fall (read: CLS or NYU).

I wasn't planning on working at all during 1L, but my employer wants me to stay and work at least a few hours a week, for which they would pay me my normal rate (around $45 an hour) and as a bonus they will pitch in to pay some tuition (how much depends on how many hours a week I work).

Although I may work for them 1L summer (for the $$), there is no commitment to come back to work for them after graduation.

The tuition payment, salary and 1L summer employment would certainly alleviate the debt.

If I can make my own work schedule, how much is a reasonable amount of hours to work during 1L? 10 hours?

For 10 hours/week, I can reasonably expect them to pay around 15% of the tuition ($7,500 per year).

Although 15% of tuition is tempting, I recommend not working during 1L, especially first semester. My brother just graduated from law school, and worked during 1L and said that his grades suffered because of it and told me to soley focus 100% of my time on getting good grades. Good grades will open you many doors, especially in CLS or NYU and you will be able to pay the extra 15% of tuition in a heartbeat.

[Ronaldo]

hm, I did not mean to be anonymous by the way haha

[Anonymous User]

I will be attending a top NYC law school in the fall (read: CLS or NYU).

I wasn't planning on working at all during 1L, but my employer wants me to stay and work at least a few hours a week, for which they would pay me my normal rate (around $45 an hour) and as a bonus they will pitch in to pay some tuition (how much depends on how many hours a week I work).

Although I may work for them 1L summer (for the $$), there is no commitment to come back to work for them after graduation.

The tuition payment, salary and 1L summer employment would certainly alleviate the debt.

If I can make my own work schedule, how much is a reasonable amount of hours to work during 1L? 10 hours?

For 10 hours/week, I can reasonably expect them to pay around 15% of the tuition ($7,500 per year).

Although 15% of tuition is tempting, I recommend not working during 1L, especially first semester. My brother just graduated from law school, and worked during 1L and said that his grades suffered because of it and told me to soley focus 100% of my time on getting good grades. Good grades will open you many doors, especially in CLS or NYU and you will be able to pay the extra 15% of tuition in a heartbeat.

How much did he work during 1L? I assumed 10 hours would be okay because it's as much as some people spend on extracurriculars, like playing sports or going to the gym.

And I could probably schedule it as 3 hours a day Mondays and Wednesdays, 4 on Fridays.

[Anonymous User]

I just finished 1L. I think 10 hours/week is not unrealistic, although you may have to take time off during exams.

Just understand that those are 10 hours/week when you are not doing whatever you need to do to keep your sanity, and/or doing volunteer work or other extracurricular activities that can boost your resume.

[06072010]

Yeah, I agree. So long as you understand that the 10 hours comes out of your "you" time, it should be okay. Sounds like a pretty good deal.

[Ronaldo]

I will be attending a top NYC law school in the fall (read: CLS or NYU).

I wasn't planning on working at all during 1L, but my employer wants me to stay and work at least a few hours a week, for which they would pay me my normal rate (around $45 an hour) and as a bonus they will pitch in to pay some tuition (how much depends on how many hours a week I work).

Although I may work for them 1L summer (for the $$), there is no commitment to come back to work for them after graduation.

The tuition payment, salary and 1L summer employment would certainly alleviate the debt.

If I can make my own work schedule, how much is a reasonable amount of hours to work during 1L? 10 hours?

For 10 hours/week, I can reasonably expect them to pay around 15% of the tuition ($7,500 per year).

Although 15% of tuition is tempting, I recommend not working during 1L, especially first semester. My brother just graduated from law school, and worked during 1L and said that his grades suffered because of it and told me to soley focus 100% of my time on getting good grades. Good grades will open you many doors, especially in CLS or NYU and you will be able to pay the extra 15% of tuition in a heartbeat.

How much did he work during 1L? I assumed 10 hours would be okay because it's as much as some people spend on extracurriculars, like playing sports or going to the gym.

And I could probably schedule it as 3 hours a day Mondays and Wednesdays, 4 on Fridays.

I believe he worked around 20 hrs a week, but I am not sure. I just sent him a text message and I will get back to you.

You should have time to workout though, and have small amount of time for something you like to do, to keep you sane.

[Ronaldo]

My brother just texted me back.

He said around 10-20 hrs/week.

[06072010]

I think 20 is pushing it first year. ABA caps at 20 per week, FYI.

[Anonymous User]

I think I'm going to say I can work about 10 hours a week on average and not at all during reading week/finals, but that I'd like to do some of the work remotely. They shouldn't have a problem if I can prove my remote hours are billable.

Thanks, everyone!

[Anonymous User]

I think I really benefited from working my second semester of 1L. I worked 10-20 hours a week and took a month off for exam prep and exams. It was nice to be able to spend some time doing concrete legal work and it was great to offset the cost of 1L.

[thesealocust]

nm

[wiseowl]

I think 20 is pushing it first year. ABA caps at 20 per week, FYI.

ABA caps at 0 1L year. no work allowed.

not to say people don't find ways...

[RW65]

Standard 304. COURSE OF STUDY AND ACADEMIC CALENDAR

(f) A student may not be employed more than 20 hours per week in any week in which the
student is enrolled in more than twelve class hours.

http://www.abanet.org/legaled/standards ... apter3.pdf

[wiseowl]

must have been a school rule then, but they pointed to the ABA as justification

[mountaineerlaw]

I have a similar offer in a smaller market...it's very tempting.