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What qualifies? I know that in regards to undergraduate studies, if you're over 25 you're considered non-traditional. What circumstances determine whether a law student is non-traditional? Is there any advantage/disadvantage for non-traditional students when applying to law school, in their perception as a law student, or in finding a job?

Lack of ability to type might be the biggest disadvantage for olds

GruffGadfly wrote:What qualifies? I know that in regards to undergraduate studies, if you're over 25 you're considered non-traditional. What circumstances determine whether a law student is non-traditional? Is there any advantage/disadvantage for non-traditional students when applying to law school, in their perception as a law student, or in finding a job?

Technically I think anyone who takes time off between UG and LS is non-traditional, but it's more like a spectrum - the longer you're out, the more non-traditional you are.

Being non-trad isn't an issue in itself with getting in/going to school/getting a job. It depends more on what you did instead of going to straight through, and for how long. Sometimes previous experience is a boon, sometimes it doesn't make any difference. I think there's a perception that once you get into your 40s-50s it can be tough to get biglaw, but that also kind of depends on the candidate.

fwiw 74% of the incoming class at my school didn't go straight through

McAvoy wrote:Lack of ability to type might be the biggest disadvantage for olds

I think in this context "non-traditional" generally means 30s, possibly 40s, not someone who wrote their honors thesis on a typewriter. I could routinely hit 100 wpm when many of my classmates were in preschool.

kartelite wrote:

McAvoy wrote:Lack of ability to type might be the biggest disadvantage for olds

I think in this context "non-traditional" generally means 30s, possibly 40s, not someone who wrote their honors thesis on a typewriter. I could routinely hit 100 wpm when many of my classmates were in preschool.

This is closer to the mark, yeah. I'll be 28/29 when I start applying; I type well enough, lol.

I think that as far as classes and such go, being a bit older may help (as far as expectations, time management, etc.). I just wanted to get some clarification on whether or not being older might impact my cycle at all. I'm still relatively young, but a bit older than most ls applicants. I know the TLS consensus is that if the numbers are there the rest is of only marginal importance, I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing some little caveat that doesn't come up often.

Anyway, yeah, I worry too much. Thanks for the responses, folks.

kartelite wrote:

McAvoy wrote:Lack of ability to type might be the biggest disadvantage for olds

I think in this context "non-traditional" generally means 30s, possibly 40s, not someone who wrote their honors thesis on a typewriter. I could routinely hit 100 wpm when many of my classmates were in preschool.

was ribbing OP for the typo in thread name

Bahaha, didn't even notice until you said that. I is smart, I is good at skool.

McAvoy wrote:

kartelite wrote:

McAvoy wrote:Lack of ability to type might be the biggest disadvantage for olds

I think in this context "non-traditional" generally means 30s, possibly 40s, not someone who wrote their honors thesis on a typewriter. I could routinely hit 100 wpm when many of my classmates were in preschool.

was ribbing OP for the typo in thread name

Lol touché