What are my chances? At 32 years old, Should I try to go to law-school. Please give me your honest feedback. Forum

[Indecision16]

Hello,

I finished undergrad back in Late 2010 with a 3.23 GPA. (Major GPA 3.6 in History) I was considering this during my last year and after I finished but I never made the next step. My original intent was to take a couple years off, think about it, then make a decision. Well, life happened and that decision never came. Embarrassing? Yes, very..

I haven’t even taken the LSAT (although i am preparing for it), but I would assume that I will need to take course at some point as it’s been several years since I attended college. I can’t really gauge how well I will do. I took logic in college but again this was almost 10 years ago.

I currently work for in operations/service at an bank but I find my self often questioning what I am doing with my life. Non Stop existential questions and I really dislike the culture.

I always think about lawschool, and it often comes up in conversations with people. I actually find the idea somewhat daunting, especially considering I would likely have to take student loans to pay for it(and to SURVIVE). I still have about 30k from undergrad. The debt issue is a big reason why I have never taken the next step. In addition, I haven’t been entirely sold that this is what I want to do. With that being said, it often resurfaces. I have no idea if I would get any assistance. My assumption would be very little to none. I am a white heterosexual male. I was born in the lower working class (although now I make just north of 50k, However I don't see my job lasting for another 3 years, Layoffs could be impending.) I have had several health issues, For Example:Cancer in 08/09. Major Depression, GAD, Thyroid issues. I am not sure where that would put me. I've had a number of jobs, all relatively entry level and all with very zero meaning to me.

I highly doubt I will receive a scholarship or some sort off offer. It just seems unlikely based off my GPA. Maybe I am wrong?

Another issue: I am 32 and will by 33 next spring. It seems like the time for this decision has past and I would be in a disadvantage. My GPA was not as good as it SHOULD have been, as I had one bad semester at the beginning of college. I had a couple extracurricular activities: Study abroad, Volunteering. However, again this was 9+ years ago, I am not sure how all of this would look. This really should have happened within at least 3 years from graduating.


Thoughts?

[dvlthndr]

I haven’t been entirely sold that this is what I want to do.

Why do you want to be a lawyer?

I get that you are in a bad situation, but I don't see how law school would fix anything. Lawyers are notoriously unhappy, and many of them make less money that you might think. Your age won't hold you back if you really want to do this, but there are probably better options out there if you are just angling for a career change.

If you actually serious about law school, you should start by taking an LSAT practice test under simulated testing conditions (i.e., buy a book of practice tests, wake up at 9:00 on a Saturday, sharpen a number 2 pencil, and set a timer for each section). If you know how you might perform on the test, it will give a much more realistic sense of your admissions/scholarship options. With your GPA, you would probably need an LSAT score in the 170+ range to have "good" options available (e.g., admission to a decently ranked school, or a generous scholarship at a lower ranked school).

[Indecision16]

I haven’t been entirely sold that this is what I want to do.

Why do you want to be a lawyer?

I get that you are in a bad situation, but I don't see how law school would fix anything. Lawyers are notoriously unhappy, and many of them make less money that you might think. Your age won't hold you back if you really want to do this, but there are probably better options out there if you are just angling for a career change.

If you actually serious about law school, you should start by taking an LSAT practice test under simulated testing conditions (i.e., buy a book of practice tests, wake up at 9:00 on a Saturday, sharpen a number 2 pencil, and set a timer for each section). If you know how you might perform on the test, it will give a much more realistic sense of your admissions/scholarship options. With your GPA, you would probably need an LSAT score in the 170+ range to have "good" options available (e.g., admission to a decently ranked school, or a generous scholarship at a lower ranked school).

I’ve always been interested. I always enjoyed learning about how cases started, procedural methods and where it ended up. I find certain law to be fascinating, labor law, immigration...

[ignorantfoot96]

Hello,

I finished undergrad back in Late 2010 with a 3.23 GPA. (Major GPA 3.6 in History) I was considering this during my last year and after I finished but I never made the next step. My original intent was to take a couple years off, think about it, then make a decision. Well, life happened and that decision never came. Embarrassing? Yes, very..

I haven’t even taken the LSAT (although i am preparing for it), but I would assume that I will need to take course at some point as it’s been several years since I attended college. I can’t really gauge how well I will do. I took logic in college but again this was almost 10 years ago.

I currently work for in operations/service at an bank but I find my self often questioning what I am doing with my life. Non Stop existential questions and I really dislike the culture.

I always think about lawschool, and it often comes up in conversations with people. I actually find the idea somewhat daunting, especially considering I would likely have to take student loans to pay for it(and to SURVIVE). I still have about 30k from undergrad. The debt issue is a big reason why I have never taken the next step. In addition, I haven’t been entirely sold that this is what I want to do. With that being said, it often resurfaces. I have no idea if I would get any assistance. My assumption would be very little to none. I am a white heterosexual male. I was born in the lower working class (although now I make just north of 50k, However I don't see my job lasting for another 3 years, Layoffs could be impending.) I have had several health issues, For Example:Cancer in 08/09. Major Depression, GAD, Thyroid issues. I am not sure where that would put me. I've had a number of jobs, all relatively entry level and all with very zero meaning to me.

I highly doubt I will receive a scholarship or some sort off offer. It just seems unlikely based off my GPA. Maybe I am wrong?

Another issue: I am 32 and will by 33 next spring. It seems like the time for this decision has past and I would be in a disadvantage. My GPA was not as good as it SHOULD have been, as I had one bad semester at the beginning of college. I had a couple extracurricular activities: Study abroad, Volunteering. However, again this was 9+ years ago, I am not sure how all of this would look. This really should have happened within at least 3 years from graduating.


Thoughts?

I think you should go for it if you are truly serious about law. I am currently a 1L at a law school that is not ranked particularly high but there are a lot of older people in my classes who are doing well and on scholarship. There is a lot of financial aid available to people at lower ranked schools and because you have work experience, you might do better at OCI. I would also be careful on this forum site because a lot of people (or at least what I have read) only find value in T-20 law schools with a pipeline to Big Law or federal clerkships. You can find a rewarding legal career at a slightly lower ranked school with your GPA (assuming an average LSAT) and will probably even get a scholarship if you receive a high LSAT. Especially if you are comfortable in your current city and there is a law school in your vicinity. There are several people in my section that are easily in their 40's/50's so I really do not think that 32/33 should be a barrier for admission at all. I am always of the mindset that more education is never a bad thing and if you do not find a lot of security in your current job or find satisfaction in it, a law degree will only open more doors for you. Granted take all of this with a grain of salt as I went straight from undergrad to law school, I just wanted to give you some perspective as to things I have seen at my current school.

[objctnyrhnr]

Hello,

I finished undergrad back in Late 2010 with a 3.23 GPA. (Major GPA 3.6 in History) I was considering this during my last year and after I finished but I never made the next step. My original intent was to take a couple years off, think about it, then make a decision. Well, life happened and that decision never came. Embarrassing? Yes, very..

I haven’t even taken the LSAT (although i am preparing for it), but I would assume that I will need to take course at some point as it’s been several years since I attended college. I can’t really gauge how well I will do. I took logic in college but again this was almost 10 years ago.

I currently work for in operations/service at an bank but I find my self often questioning what I am doing with my life. Non Stop existential questions and I really dislike the culture.

I always think about lawschool, and it often comes up in conversations with people. I actually find the idea somewhat daunting, especially considering I would likely have to take student loans to pay for it(and to SURVIVE). I still have about 30k from undergrad. The debt issue is a big reason why I have never taken the next step. In addition, I haven’t been entirely sold that this is what I want to do. With that being said, it often resurfaces. I have no idea if I would get any assistance. My assumption would be very little to none. I am a white heterosexual male. I was born in the lower working class (although now I make just north of 50k, However I don't see my job lasting for another 3 years, Layoffs could be impending.) I have had several health issues, For Example:Cancer in 08/09. Major Depression, GAD, Thyroid issues. I am not sure where that would put me. I've had a number of jobs, all relatively entry level and all with very zero meaning to me.

I highly doubt I will receive a scholarship or some sort off offer. It just seems unlikely based off my GPA. Maybe I am wrong?

Another issue: I am 32 and will by 33 next spring. It seems like the time for this decision has past and I would be in a disadvantage. My GPA was not as good as it SHOULD have been, as I had one bad semester at the beginning of college. I had a couple extracurricular activities: Study abroad, Volunteering. However, again this was 9+ years ago, I am not sure how all of this would look. This really should have happened within at least 3 years from graduating.


Thoughts?

I think you should go for it

I am currently a 1L

at a law school that is not ranked particularly high

I am always of the mindset that more education is never a bad thing

.

This is borderline troll territory (to the responder).

Assuming you are not a troll, why is it that you, in your life experience to date, personally feel qualified to advise somebody on such a major life decision?

Because it’s the decision that you made? Because you sat through some torts and contracts and found them interesting?

Look, OP: law school is a means to an end. It’s about outcomes. This isn’t kim kardiashian land where it’s nice to learn for the sake of telling people you learned.

Viewed in the aggregate, most law school outcomes really really suck.

If you go to law school, you need to do it because it makes sense for you from an outcomes-based perspective. And DEFINITELY not because some 1L thinks you might do better at OCI.

You can’t know whether it makes sense from an outcomes based perspective until you know how you’ll do on the lsat because that’ll determine where you can go (or alternatively where you can get paid a bunch to go, depending on your goals and your appetite for risk).

So yeah I’d take a practice test and see where you land. If it’s below maybe 155, it’ll probably only be worth it for you to proceed down this path if you’re willing to put some hard months into studying...maybe even a year if you aren’t able to treat it as a second part time job.

My two cents.

[dabigchina]

Please don't. You have a job. In this economy this is more than many law school grads will be able to say in the coming years.

[plurilingue]

For obvious reasons, I also don’t encourage someone with a history of serious mental health issues during times of stress to go to law school.

[crazywafflez]

Law school is stressful. We had family issues and stuff during my 1L and it was insane- almost dropped out on multiple occasions. Law school is a slog, there are fun parts too, but it is a slog. Also, it is very outcome based- look it may seem like folks on here are elitists (99% are not), but honestly we want to help people- there would be no point for this forum if we didn't. It is a tool to help folks realize the actual life of law students and their grads.
As far as elitism goes, I wouldn't tell someone to not go to Ole Miss law if they were interested in working and living in MS. I would say keep your debt below 40k. Now, sometimes there's no reason to say that and maybe you come from a different situation, but that is my generic advice. Go to the school that is cheapest, in the area you want to live, with reasonable expectations. A lot of attorneys only make 40-60k. Those 190k salaries y'all see are for NYC white shoe attorneys- which happens but it is rare- and of course there are other markets that still pay well but those jobs are few and far between. So if you are from Ohio and you plan on going to Ole Miss law so that you can work in Los Angeles or NYC it just ain't gonna happen.
I'd tell this person to go to Fordham and try to keep their debt as low as possible (preferably below 60-80k), or go to a T14 (maybe some of the T20 but you get it)- don't pick Case Western or pay full boat at Brooklyn because your outcome will not be rosy.
You need to have realistic goals and career options. Just to add to this, I'm at a T1 school on a scholarship, and not everyone on this forum had the LSAT or GPA needed to go to T14- I only got a few snags at T20 schools and no real money- so rather than pay full load at a school like USC I took the scholarship to a UCI or UCD type school. Do I sometimes wish I had taken the Vandy option at sticker, or the paltry scholarship for 5k at Emory? Sure. Do I regret taking the option I have, not really. My debt load will be light and I've got a job lined up.
There are plenty of good regional and state law schools. I just can't recommend folks go to Western or Thomas Jefferson, or even paying close to full price at a decent regional like Case Western.
I'd look at LST and type in the school you're looking at. Some schools, like Ole Miss, only 50-60% of the grads end up practicing law. If you take on hardly any debt it was just a waste of three years but you are at least financially free.
Law school is stressful, long, and expensive. It can also be the right choice for some folks. I'm sorry about your situation, and I don't think your age will really harm you (we had a few older folks in my class as well); but seriously consider it. If you are passionate about this career path go ahead, but go to the best, cheapest option available.
Sorry for the long post and best of luck.

[Indecision16]

Law school is stressful. We had family issues and stuff during my 1L and it was insane- almost dropped out on multiple occasions. Law school is a slog, there are fun parts too, but it is a slog. Also, it is very outcome based- look it may seem like folks on here are elitists (99% are not), but honestly we want to help people- there would be no point for this forum if we didn't. It is a tool to help folks realize the actual life of law students and their grads.
As far as elitism goes, I wouldn't tell someone to not go to Ole Miss law if they were interested in working and living in MS. I would say keep your debt below 40k. Now, sometimes there's no reason to say that and maybe you come from a different situation, but that is my generic advice. Go to the school that is cheapest, in the area you want to live, with reasonable expectations. A lot of attorneys only make 40-60k. Those 190k salaries y'all see are for NYC white shoe attorneys- which happens but it is rare- and of course there are other markets that still pay well but those jobs are few and far between. So if you are from Ohio and you plan on going to Ole Miss law so that you can work in Los Angeles or NYC it just ain't gonna happen.
I'd tell this person to go to Fordham and try to keep their debt as low as possible (preferably below 60-80k), or go to a T14 (maybe some of the T20 but you get it)- don't pick Case Western or pay full boat at Brooklyn because your outcome will not be rosy.
You need to have realistic goals and career options. Just to add to this, I'm at a T1 school on a scholarship, and not everyone on this forum had the LSAT or GPA needed to go to T14- I only got a few snags at T20 schools and no real money- so rather than pay full load at a school like USC I took the scholarship to a UCI or UCD type school. Do I sometimes wish I had taken the Vandy option at sticker, or the paltry scholarship for 5k at Emory? Sure. Do I regret taking the option I have, not really. My debt load will be light and I've got a job lined up.
There are plenty of good regional and state law schools. I just can't recommend folks go to Western or Thomas Jefferson, or even paying close to full price at a decent regional like Case Western.
I'd look at LST and type in the school you're looking at. Some schools, like Ole Miss, only 50-60% of the grads end up practicing law. If you take on hardly any debt it was just a waste of three years but you are at least financially free.
Law school is stressful, long, and expensive. It can also be the right choice for some folks. I'm sorry about your situation, and I don't think your age will really harm you (we had a few older folks in my class as well); but seriously consider it. If you are passionate about this career path go ahead, but go to the best, cheapest option available.
Sorry for the long post and best of luck.

I live in Buffalo NY, so Buffalo would be an option although I believe it’s ranked low.

I wouldn’t want to go to a school that is located In the middle of no where or in a state I wouldn’t want to live in.

[Indecision16]

For obvious reasons, I also don’t encourage someone with a history of serious mental health issues during times of stress to go to law school.

Thank you.

Honestly a lot of the mental illness is partly existential and linked to not having a clear direction.

[Indecision16]

Please don't. You have a job. In this economy this is more than many law school grads will be able to say in the coming years.

It’s like that with everything. I have a job now but what about a year from now.

[Void]

I was in my early 30s in law school. It was a little weird to be older than my classmates, but really not a big deal. When it came to looking for jobs, I don’t think employers really noticed or cared. Been practicing 7 years now and I never really think about it. So I guess what I’m saying is that your age difference would barely matter.

[LSATWiz.com]

You’ll likely find law less interesting once you learn to do it. The question is whether you find the job to be an acceptable use of your time. The areas you’re interested in are less competitive but also less lucrative. You can get full scholarships with a good LSAT score which should be your primary focus. You must decide if you’re serious and if so, treat a high 160s LSAT as an absolute necessity. A lot of 30 plus people go to law school on a whim and don’t take the LSAT seriously. Don’t go just because you get laid off or are having a midlife reckoning you want more out of life. You need to go about this choice completely unemotionally. Treat it like a stock you are investing in and remove your feelings from the analysis to the greatest extent possible.

[sarahmargie]

I had just turned 32 when I began law school. I had a ton of debt from undergrad already and five young children. I went to Univ. of Texas and graduated in the top 20% of my class just before turning 34. Even though UT had given me a small scholarship, I was still about $180,000 in debt the day I graduated (my debt is much higher now). I was 35 when I was admitted to the bar.

I clerked for a year and then took a job as a legislative attorney in Austin, TX at the state capitol. My work is challenging and engaging. I earn a little over $70,000 a year. I have excellent benefits, including a pension and copious vacation (several weeks off each year because I earn comp time by working long hours during the sesssion). My student loan payment is negligible because of IBR, and in 5 more years will be forgiven with PSLF.

My point here is that maybe it will work out. I think overall it worked out fine for me, though I know that $70k would be a deal breaker for a lot of people. I had no particular idea of what kind of law I was interested in, and I ignored a lot of TLS wisdom.

You should think carefully about what other options you have and weigh them against law school. Also, remember that some people consider school a safe place to wait out a recession.

[LSATWiz.com]

Law is a service based profession. Nobody should go into it expecting some kind of existential fulfillment. You’re there to make your legal training benefit clients. If you feel lost, law won’t help you be found. Only do it if you can tolerate the work and have good odds of earning a nice income. You need to master the LSAT to go into law school with the latter.