Is age a factor for T-14 law schools Forum

[NYlawhopeful]

I have a 3.4 LSAC gpa (messy transcript though - Ws, retakes) and a 178 LSAT score

Given my numbers I would say I can land a top 14 law acceptance (hopefully)

I decided to go to law school late in life. I am ready to apply this Fall, and I turn 32 in October.

Which means when I graduate from law school I will be around 35 years old (or 35.5)

I know you hear many people get accepted to law school in their early 30s all the time. However, that never seems to be the Top 14 law schools. So will they hold the fact that I am 32, when applying against me?

[071816]

I have a 3.4 LSAC gpa (messy transcript though - Ws, retakes) and a 178 LSAT score

Given my numbers I would say I can land a top 14 law acceptance (hopefully)

I decided to go to law school late in life. I am ready to apply this Fall, and I turn 32 in October.

Which means when I graduate from law school I will be around 35 years old (or 35.5)

I know you hear many people get accepted to law school in their early 30s all the time. However, that never seems to be the Top 14 law schools. So will they hold the fact that I am 32, when applying against me?

I have no useful information for you, but what are you basing this on?

[NYlawhopeful]

Thanks for the reply. I guess I was basing it on, viewing the Admission class profiles for some of the Top 14 schools. Most say average age is 27, and one or more said only 2 percent of applicants were 29 or older (most were 21-24 when they applied).

So, that made me wonder if age was an issue for T14?

[FloridaCoastalorbust]

Won't matter negatively an ounce and will probably be advantageous if you can spin the experiences you've obtained into a positive way.

[rpupkin]

Won't matter negatively an ounce and will probably be advantageous if you can spin the experiences you've obtained into a positive way.

[kcdc1]

I had a 2.8/179 and applied at age 30. I was accepted to multiple T14 schools and was able to negotiate a scholarship.

[ScottRiqui]

Won't matter negatively an ounce and will probably be advantageous if you can spin the experiences you've obtained into a positive way.

This. I was 44 when I started last year, and I was honestly surprised at how much of a complete non-issue it was with the other students, the professors, and when I was looking for a job.

[Hutz_and_Goodman]

No. I am old as shit and got into several t14s.

[kartelite]

However, that never seems to be the Top 14 law schools. So will they hold the fact that I am 32, when applying against me?

Of course not, that's ridiculous, if anything it's probably an asset. You'll have no problem getting to a top 14 with your numbers. I was early 30s when I applied and got into CCN w/ $$, one HYS admit and one waitlist.

[ldlamb]

Like others are saying, you should have no problem.

I was mid 30s with a 3.1/169 and got into lower T14s.

[lymenheimer]

Thanks for the reply. I guess I was basing it on, viewing the Admission class profiles for some of the Top 14 schools. Most say average age is 27, and one or more said only 2 percent of applicants were 29 or older (most were 21-24 when they applied).

So, that made me wonder if age was an issue for T14?

Since 27 is the "average", that means people fall both above and below that number. Since many individuals go K-JD, this is 21-24 range, there have to be people in the 30-33 range to counter those numbers to get that average. hth

[Chrstgtr]

Apply to NU. Oldest student in my class was 35 at the START of law school and I know several people in their 30s here and even more in their late 20s. NU will also probably be a good fit for you culturally since it is a bit older and splitter friendly.

[seashell.economy]

However, that never seems to be the Top 14 law schools. So will they hold the fact that I am 32, when applying against me?

Of course not, that's ridiculous, if anything it's probably an asset. You'll have no problem getting to a top 14 with your numbers. I was early 30s when I applied and got into CCN w/ $$, one HYS admit and one waitlist.

.

[A. Nony Mouse]

However, that never seems to be the Top 14 law schools. So will they hold the fact that I am 32, when applying against me?

Of course not, that's ridiculous, if anything it's probably an asset. You'll have no problem getting to a top 14 with your numbers. I was early 30s when I applied and got into CCN w/ $$, one HYS admit and one waitlist.

I think it's an asset if you've spent your 20's working in a stable and/or impressive career. If you're 30 and applying to law school after working as a barista/waitress/thai food delivery person/un-paid intern working only for concert tickets and free beer/ sub-par local photographer I bet that age doesn't equal an asset. (This is what I am personally afraid of come admissions time, and later, OCI)

Law schools aren't going to care about your age, just your numbers (except YS and maybe H, which are more holistic - and while solving world peace in your 20s looks great, I'm sure, you can spin any kinds of experiences). And I know people who spent years as ski bums who are now in biglaw, so I wouldn't worry that your experience has to be stable/impressive. If you've had a serious career pre-law school, you have to explain why on earth you left it to join one of the most hated professions on earth. I don't think it really matters how you spent your time as long as you can engage interviewers when discussing it.

(Unless you were in prison. That's going to be a problem.)

[Antrim]

(Unless you were in prison. That's going to be a problem.)

Not if you apply to Tulane.

[rpupkin]

(Unless you were in prison. That's going to be a problem.)

Not if you apply to Tulane.

Or UW. Prison Time + UW Law = D.C. Circuit Clerkship:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/27/us/ta ... .html?_r=0

(Seriously, this is a great story)

[A. Nony Mouse]

Ha, true. Although neither of them appear to have been admitted to a bar (yet)? (Though I bet Hopwood will. Doesn't look like the other guy is going to practice.)

[jphiggo]

Won't matter negatively an ounce and will probably be advantageous if you can spin the experiences you've obtained into a positive way.

Agreed. I don't see how it would hurt you for admissions. You will also likely find it advantageous not just for admissions, but also when interviewing for jobs.

[Blue Rock Law]

Absolutely not an issue. I know many 30+ aged students, and they all did very well at OCI. Most had significant WE, which employers valued. By showing a work history, I believe employers view them as less of a flight risk after a couple years--opposed to k-JD, although this is dependent on the firm as well.

[Hutz_and_Goodman]

I was accepted to several T14s around your age. When I visited Duke there was a 2L who was late 40s and a bunch of people in their 30s. Your age will not adversely affect T14 admissions.

[californiasushi]

For those of you who applied 7+ years after undergrad, did you have problems getting a LOR from a professor who remembered you? Or did you mostly use LORs from employers?

[ScottRiqui]

For those of you who applied 7+ years after undergrad, did you have problems getting a LOR from a professor who remembered you? Or did you mostly use LORs from employers?

I was almost 20 years out of undergrad when I applied, so I didn't even bother. I used one from my master's thesis advisor (only about four years had elapsed since getting my master's, and she and I had kept in touch), and one from my military supervisor.

[njkga]

I am starting in the fall (class of 2019) and I am 37. Age is a non-factor when it comes to applications.

[Mikey]

Your age really won't matter at all. Just embrace your great LSAT score and apply to schools!

[cbbinnyc]

For those of you who applied 7+ years after undergrad, did you have problems getting a LOR from a professor who remembered you? Or did you mostly use LORs from employers?

Like ScotRiqui, I did a masters program so I got a recommendation from a professor in that program and a professional recommendations. Schools are very unlikely to care that you use 2 professional LORs if you are 7+ years out of school and didn't already get an advanced degree.