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If law school were only 2 years...

Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2013 4:04 pm
by Spritzpiggy
http://www.abajournal.com/mobile/articl ... _idea_now/

So, being an optimist, let's say the ABA really did allow law school to be reduced to a two year program. For speculations sake - What would be the first class eligible for this? It would suck to spend an extra $50k plus COL and interest for 3L if that would be unnecessary for the following class. Since they're submitting the proposal (whatever it is) in February 2014 anyone crazy enough to consider deferring a year for possible savings?

Also, any cons to taking out 3L? I love the idea, but that's because I'm a debt-averse 0L. Anyone actually think the ABA will be brave enough to trim the 3L fat from law school?

Re: If law school were only 2 years...

Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2013 4:10 pm
by Br3v
Spritzpiggy wrote:http://www.abajournal.com/mobile/articl ... _idea_now/

So, being an optimist, let's say the ABA really did allow law school to be reduced to a two year program. For speculations sake - What would be the first class eligible for this? It would suck to spend an extra $50k plus COL and interest for 3L if that would be unnecessary for the following class. Since they're submitting the proposal (whatever it is) in February 2014 anyone crazy enough to consider deferring a year for possible savings?

Also, any cons to taking out 3L? I love the idea, but that's because I'm a debt-averse 0L. Anyone actually think the ABA will be brave enough to trim the 3L fat from law school?
I imagine law school will be 3 years for a long time to come.

Re: If law school were only 2 years...

Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2013 4:11 pm
by cinephile
Likely won't happen. If it did, we'd lost nothing.

Re: If law school were only 2 years...

Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2013 4:14 pm
by northwood
it probably would take a year or two to get everything in order. But you also have remember this, while it might be sweet for the first class to only have to suffer for 2 years, that class has to compete with its class AND the 3L class.

Re: If law school were only 2 years...

Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2013 5:31 pm
by martymoose
Also, any cons to taking out 3L? I love the idea, but that's because I'm a debt-averse 0L.
Oh no. You're not getting off that easy. I would expect tuitions to to go up to compensate. So instead of paying $40K a year for three years, you'd pay $60K for two.

Re: If law school were only 2 years...

Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2013 6:11 pm
by Spritzpiggy
Yeah I'm sure they'd increase tuition, but at least you save COL for a year...

IF they allowed a two year option I feel like it would be just that, an option. If you dint have a 2L job well...hang out a little more!

But I probably am being too optimistic in this. I'm sure their reforms will be insignificant and mostly empty

Re: If law school were only 2 years...

Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2013 6:27 pm
by 09042014
northwood wrote:it probably would take a year or two to get everything in order. But you also have remember this, while it might be sweet for the first class to only have to suffer for 2 years, that class has to compete with its class AND the 3L class.
Great point, it would suck to be those classes.

Re: If law school were only 2 years...

Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2013 6:29 pm
by stillwater
Imagine if it went to FOUR years and you were the last 3 year class? Dope

Re: If law school were only 2 years...

Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2013 6:33 pm
by cinephile
stillwater wrote:Imagine if it went to FOUR years and you were the last 3 year class? Dope
One of my 1L professors, who's super nice and I really respect, suggested this last year to our class. And the weird thing was, lots of heads started nodding. And I was just like, how clueless can you be old man?

Re: If law school were only 2 years...

Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2013 6:35 pm
by stillwater
cinephile wrote:
stillwater wrote:Imagine if it went to FOUR years and you were the last 3 year class? Dope
One of my 1L professors, who's super nice and I really respect, suggested this last year to our class. And the weird thing was, lots of heads started nodding. And I was just like, how clueless can you be old man?
b/c he sees those dolla bills

Re: If law school were only 2 years...

Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2013 6:36 pm
by Drake014
Spritzpiggy wrote:http://www.abajournal.com/mobile/articl ... _idea_now/

So, being an optimist, let's say the ABA really did allow law school to be reduced to a two year program. For speculations sake - What would be the first class eligible for this? It would suck to spend an extra $50k plus COL and interest for 3L if that would be unnecessary for the following class. Since they're submitting the proposal (whatever it is) in February 2014 anyone crazy enough to consider deferring a year for possible savings?

Also, any cons to taking out 3L? I love the idea, but that's because I'm a debt-averse 0L. Anyone actually think the ABA will be brave enough to trim the 3L fat from law school?
The ABA already allows a 2 year program and Northwestern has had it for some time now. http://www.law.northwestern.edu/academics/ajd/

Re: If law school were only 2 years...

Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2013 6:38 pm
by Spritzpiggy
Yeah but you don't have summers free and you're still fulfilling the same credit hour requirement.

Re: If law school were only 2 years...

Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2013 6:39 pm
by cinephile
stillwater wrote:
cinephile wrote:
stillwater wrote:Imagine if it went to FOUR years and you were the last 3 year class? Dope
One of my 1L professors, who's super nice and I really respect, suggested this last year to our class. And the weird thing was, lots of heads started nodding. And I was just like, how clueless can you be old man?
b/c he sees those dolla bills
He said the fourth year should be a practical year, like a residency. And I do believe he had good intentions because he's also encouraged people to drop out if below median. So he knows half of us won't get jobs, but wants to extend school anyway?

Re: If law school were only 2 years...

Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2013 6:44 pm
by Spritzpiggy
Yeah except in residency doctors get paid! (Albeit very low wages for a doctor) This I would be all for.

Re: If law school were only 2 years...

Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2013 6:47 pm
by JamesDean1955
Some schools (e.g. Pepperdine) already offer an "accelerated 2 year JD" option. I don't think it would be crazy to see more schools follow suit in the near future.

Re: If law school were only 2 years...

Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2013 6:48 pm
by Drake014
cinephile wrote:
stillwater wrote:
cinephile wrote:
stillwater wrote:Imagine if it went to FOUR years and you were the last 3 year class? Dope
One of my 1L professors, who's super nice and I really respect, suggested this last year to our class. And the weird thing was, lots of heads started nodding. And I was just like, how clueless can you be old man?
b/c he sees those dolla bills
He said the fourth year should be a practical year, like a residency. And I do believe he had good intentions because he's also encouraged people to drop out if below median. So he knows half of us won't get jobs, but wants to extend school anyway?
They should shorten it to 1.5 years in class and 1.5 year residency with the option to leave the residency at anytime that you find an actual job.

Re: If law school were only 2 years...

Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2013 6:59 pm
by 09042014
JamesDean1955 wrote:Some schools (e.g. Pepperdine) already offer an "accelerated 2 year JD" option. I don't think it would be crazy to see more schools follow suit in the near future.
Northwestern does it too. Start in May 0, end in May +2.

Re: If law school were only 2 years...

Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2013 7:03 pm
by Spritzpiggy
I love Drakes idea.

Re: If law school were only 2 years...

Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2013 7:22 pm
by Goblin Tacos
martymoose wrote:
Also, any cons to taking out 3L? I love the idea, but that's because I'm a debt-averse 0L.
Oh no. You're not getting off that easy. I would expect tuitions to to go up to compensate. So instead of paying $40K a year for three years, you'd pay $60K for two.

Oh don't worry. We'll pay that soon enough per semester.

Re: If law school were only 2 years...

Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2013 7:41 pm
by cinephile
Spritzpiggy wrote:I love Drakes idea.
+1