anyone in their 40's going to law school? Forum

[cbq]

would like to ask a few questions / chat.. thanks.

[KMaine]

You may want to contact my friend, MBW. If you send her a pm, she would probably be happy to answer questions.

[cbq]

thanks. i appreciate that..

[taylort]

yes... what's the question(s)?

[Iconoclast]

<-- old guy.

Feel free to PM any questions.

[thrillerjesus]

Mid 30s here, if that's close enough.

[cbq]

thanks folks...

are you going full time?
what did you find the toughest part of law school as an "older" student?
where are you going?
did you have any law experience prior?
was it tough getting in?

lots on this forum think the 4T schools are not worth the investment. however, i have found a significant number of lawyers in my town that came from T4 schools out of the area...

i'm not interested in making a career of a big law firm. just would like a small practice of my own.

[thrillerjesus]

thanks folks...

are you going full time?
what did you find the toughest part of law school as an "older" student?
where are you going?
did you have any law experience prior?
was it tough getting in?

lots on this forum think the 4T schools are not worth the investment. however, i have found a significant number of lawyers in my town that came from T4 schools out of the area...

i'm not interested in making a career of a big law firm. just would like a small practice of my own.

I'm full time. I wouldn't describe any part of school as tough specifically because I'm older. Socially, there are differences. I'm not getting trashed several nights a week. Been there, done that. Provided you're not a social retard, this is not a loss though. The maturity and self-confidence you should have, compared to most of your classmates, will be palpable both to them and to your profs. This is a good thing.

I'm at an east coast TTT, prefer not to get more specific than that. I had experience in law enforcement and electoral law, but no para-legal type stuff. It was not tough getting in, but I may have been atypical in that respect. My LSAT was 96th percentile and my school is, well, a TTT.

I'm only 2 months in, so take this with a grain of salt, but I tend to agree with the general consensus on this forum. I'm at this school because my undergraduate experience was extremely unusual, resulting in a really horrible GPA. As a result, I'm outperforming my classmates without having to try particularly hard (top midterm exam in all courses with minimal studying.) I'm reasonably confident that I can transfer up. If I'm wrong, this will have been a very bad investment.

In general, I think the advice not to go to a TTT or TTTT unless it's free or you otherwise don't have to care about money is good advice. I'm taking a gamble on being able to transfer, although I think perhaps less of one than most people who are trying it.

[taylort]

thanks folks...

are you going full time?
what did you find the toughest part of law school as an "older" student?
where are you going?
did you have any law experience prior?
was it tough getting in?

lots on this forum think the 4T schools are not worth the investment. however, i have found a significant number of lawyers in my town that came from T4 schools out of the area...

i'm not interested in making a career of a big law firm. just would like a small practice of my own.

Going part time 1L.
Toughest part for me is relearning how to learn and absorb a lot of new material across a breadth of topics. With work, new material typically built on your previous expertise.

T2 school in large metro area. No prior law experience although i took a paralegal course to gauge my interest before making the big jump. I did do grad biz school in the previous century though.

Can't comment much on the value of 4T schools, etc. For me, I had one school that fit my needs, I applied pretty late and was admitted so it worked out well. Going to school with people that are younger than my friend's children is an interesting experience although the night section isn't quite as baby-faced as the day. Pretty much treated as a professor by undergrads walking around on campus.

Over 30 and especially over 40 1L's have a different perspective and goals that aren't always reflected here at TLS. But you still have to write the freaking RWA memo(s).

[WWAD]

thanks folks...

are you going full time?
what did you find the toughest part of law school as an "older" student?
where are you going?
did you have any law experience prior?
was it tough getting in?

lots on this forum think the 4T schools are not worth the investment. however, i have found a significant number of lawyers in my town that came from T4 schools out of the area...

i'm not interested in making a career of a big law firm. just would like a small practice of my own.

Mid 40's, full time.

For me the toughest part is starting a new career. I am not getting the degree to add to a career I already have, so it is strange to be on equal footing with students the same age as my kids. I do not find my experience helps as much as people said it would, but I have not gotten any grades yet, so we will see. I am at a 2T in Cali. Most of the students are pretty smart and dedicated.
However, it has been fun and it makes no difference to any one that I am twice there age. It is funny to listen to some of them talk about how lucky one is that they will graduate at 24 while they will be over the hill at 27. I do feel a little awkward when social mixers start to turn into parties, because I don't want to be the old guy that hangs around too long, but that has only happened once.
I love the feel of joining a profession, and in that way it is not hard being old at all. When we have to start doing Moot I think I will have a huge advantage.

I had no prior law-at all

It was hard getting in where I wanted to, I got in a couple of weeks before school. Study as hard as your life can take for the LSAT. Practice tests are king. Money is huge at an older age, and that is how you get it. I went to the best school I got into because the 4T I got into offered me no more money that the 2T. I was leaning towards the 4T though if I had gotten more. You really have to weigh your own situation at an older age. None of the trash talk on here about non YHS schools should bother you. This site is mainly about 21 year olds trying to get into Yale, but not completely and I learned a lot here.

Don't forget, if you want, and can afford, starting your own practice- all you need is the degree and passing the bar. So go to school as cheaply as possible and save up- you will need every penny. Sorry for the long post, this is the first weekend I have had a rest since school started.