PSA to 1Ls: take the credits, not the money Forum

[IAFG]

If you are sitting between getting paid some shit $10 an hour or getting 4 credits for the summer, take the credits. The money isn't worth more than being able to take a lighter load later.

Obviously if you are looking at real money at a firm or other legit employer that's different.

[071816]

In all seriousness, thanks for the insight.

[Ludo!]

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[Anonymous User]

I got the best of both worlds. Split my summer with a judge (3 credits) and in-house ($20/hour).

[IAFG]

I got the best of both worlds. Split my summer with a judge (3 credits) and in-house ($20/hour).

I took a part-time for-credit "job" and then more classes and am graduating a semester early now. Those credits were all auto-As too so my GPA got a good bump on top of it.

[leobowski]

Some people would rather take the money and live frugally instead of taking out additional/unnecessary loans. Not really a valid point across the board.

[seatown12]

At Wash U summer credits can't be applied to fall so you have to pay for them by the credit, and then still pay full tuition each semester

[IAFG]

At Wash U summer credits can't be applied to fall so you have to pay for them by the credit, and then still pay full tuition each semester

You have to pay your school to work for free?! Wow that sucks

[RMstratosphere]

At Wash U summer credits can't be applied to fall so you have to pay for them by the credit, and then still pay full tuition each semester

You have to pay your school to work for free?! Wow that sucks

At IU-B too.

[IAFG]

Some people would rather take the money and live frugally instead of taking out additional/unnecessary loans. Not really a valid point across the board.

I know of two people who got s.h. over the summer, graduated early then started working early, and at the very least I will save a semester of COL, so this still sounds pennywise and pound foolish to me, if your goal is to maximize financial gain.

[leobowski]

Oh well if you're talking about graduating early, then that's a different story.

[Nom Sawyer]

Wait what IAFG, u can graduate early from law school if u have enough credits?!?

Thats huge savings, why dont more people know about this... ( Altho I don't think I have it in me to take more than 3 classes a semester now haha)

[IAFG]

Wait what IAFG, u can graduate early from law school if u have enough credits?!?

Thats huge savings, why dont more people know about this... ( Altho I don't think I have it in me to take more than 3 classes a semester now haha)

I still have to pay tuition, though I think this varies from school to school. In my case I will still be better off bc I won't have to pay rent in Chicago for a semester, and some people can either get employment in the gap or start at their firm early, so that can also be a financial game-changer.

That said, I think the flexibility is worth more than the piddling +/- $4,000 of either loans or wages, whether you use that flexibility to be in a better place financially or for something else.

[NinerFan]

If you have weak ties to your target market, it might be important to secure a job in that market for your first summer, though. Also, if you have a definite interest in some part of law, like energy or tax or bankruptcy, it would be helpful to get a job in that area. Likewise for getting a job with a DA's office or a public defender's office or etc if your'e interested in prosecution/crim.

[IAFG]

If you have weak ties to your target market, it might be important to secure a job in that market for your first summer, though. Also, if you have a definite interest in some part of law, like energy or tax or bankruptcy, it would be helpful to get a job in that area. Likewise for getting a job with a DA's office or a public defender's office or etc if your'e interested in prosecution/crim.

I know I didn't have any practice area relevant options on the table but the geography thing is a good point. Also the public defender thing.

[Nom Sawyer]

Wait what IAFG, u can graduate early from law school if u have enough credits?!?

Thats huge savings, why dont more people know about this... ( Altho I don't think I have it in me to take more than 3 classes a semester now haha)

I still have to pay tuition, though I think this varies from school to school. In my case I will still be better off bc I won't have to pay rent in Chicago for a semester, and some people can either get employment in the gap or start at their firm early, so that can also be a financial game-changer.

That said, I think the flexibility is worth more than the piddling +/- $4,000 of either loans or wages, whether you use that flexibility to be in a better place financially or for something else.

Ahhh I see, that makes sense then. Yeah but having an entire semester off is still a definite plus.

[shepdawg]

THis only makes sense if the student has a full ride. Otherwise they're paying $1-2k/unit. I have decided just to take the max fall/spring course loads so I don't have to pay extra for summer school.

[IAFG]

THis only makes sense if the student has a full ride. Otherwise they're paying $1-2k/unit. I have decided just to take the max fall/spring course loads so I don't have to pay extra for summer school.

At some schools, summer is free "included." I thought it was every school, but I have already been schooled.

[Borhas]

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