I have always wanted to be an attorney, but ended up getting married and having twins right out of college after completing my Bachelor's Degree... Now, twice divorced, 12-year-old twins and working at a job that although it pays my bills (barely), I have no future in it and no retirement, etc.. I have had kids my whole adult life and I now feel ready to work on my career, establish something for my future...

I have a wonderful man in my life now and he says that he wants to help me fulfill my dreams of being an attorney.. BUT.. I'm scared.. I don't even know what to expect of law school or if I could even get accepted. I am going to get the LSAT Study Guide book from the library today to see what the test consists of.. I am basically just looking to see if anyone here has any experience with this, it is doable working a part-time job and raising kids?? Any advice or information is greatly appreciated!!!

It's doable - I did it. It cost me a little over 100K in student loans, and it took years! Your family suffers, I can't tell you how many times I missed my kids functions because I had to be in class or study.

Law school is no joke. It takes a lot of hard work. It is traumatic, I've been brought to tears by professors. It is highly competitive, and cut-throat. I have seen peoples laptops and notes stolen before finals... It is a huge time committment. I am very bright, and didn't have to put in 1/2 of the time other students did, and I still spent at least 4 hours out of class for every hour in class studying.

Getting in was no problem for me, I did very well on the LSAT. Be sure the school you go to is ABA - and not just state accredited. You need to be sure that you want it more then life, in retrospect, if given the choice again, I can honestly say that I am not sure that I would do it again.

Don't get me wrong, being on the other side is good so far, but the money isn't ALL THAT, and if you thought you were a work horse in school - wait till you're an associate.

I went in loving the law - the constitution, believeing in the system. I came out knowing that the system is flawed at best, and what I learned in school is nothing like what really happens out here. I went in with hopes to change the world, and now I know that I will never be able to do that. The best I can do is "mitigate the damage".

I hope this helps.

Thank you for the info!!! Did you have a big lapse in time between graduating with your undergraduate degree and going to law school?? I got my BA in 1991, and didn't apply myself all that well in college so only had a 2.5 gpa. Do you think that would be an issue for me getting accepted??

I took 1 semester at a J.C. out of high school - then went back and got my AA, then my Bachelors at University of Phoenix. I was accepted to law school while still enrolled in undergrad with a class to go. I did well in school and came in with a 3.2 gpa, but it was from a "less respected" school. I got a 156 on the LSAT, good, but not USC good. I was accepted to all three ABA accredited law schools that were close to my house, and overall I think I chose the right one.

So - to answer your question, your 2.5 will be a bit of a challenge, but not insurmountable. I guess it all depends on what school you want to go to. I was lucky - there are lots of law schools around me. But if the only school close to you is a tier 2 or better, you will have problems.

I am in chat all the time, if you want to stop by and pick my brain some more. I love sharing my experience, for good or bad - it made an impression.

I am not in law school, but I am studying in the legal field. I am getting my paralegal degree, and Marc and I have talked about me going to law school one day. I eventually want to do that, but right now is just not the time, because law school really takes 100% of your focus.....
So maybe after he comes home, starts his business, and we get financially settled, I will go...but not any time soon!!
~Katie

Katie, I would say if you want to do it to do it before you have kids (don't think you have kids yet)... My boyfriend and I discussed this again last night.. I want to do it but I am scared to start and then be too overwhelmed.. plus, I feel too old.. I will be 37 next month... I wish I would have just gone right after college...

Don't let age deter you! I STARTED college classes at 54!

I am going to get the LSAT Study Guide book from the library today to see what the test consists of.. I am basically just looking to see if anyone here has any experience with this, it is doable working a part-time job and raising kids?? Any advice or information is greatly appreciated!!!

I prepped for the LSAT with a couple of books from Borders and a sample test from the LSAC website; did a few practice tests at the dining room table using the stove timer :)... Scored 163 (90th percentile) my first try, after routinely scoring in the low 150s on the practice tests.

Did law school at an ABA-approved evening program while working full time; one girl in my class was pregnant and gave birth *twice* during our 4 year evening program, and graduated with us...

I'm currently working at a 300 lawyer national "white shoe" firm. So it's definitely possible!

Katie, I would say if you want to do it to do it before you have kids (don't think you have kids yet)... My boyfriend and I discussed this again last night.. I want to do it but I am scared to start and then be too overwhelmed.. plus, I feel too old.. I will be 37 next month... I wish I would have just gone right after college...


Thanks Lisa...actually, I want to wait until later in life...Marc will be home in a few years and we have so much we want to do....and law school is SO tough, I don't want to have to spend all my time on it, and none on him! :D So, I think later in life, if at all, will be the best time for me!
Knowing me, I will put it off until my 50s! :D
~Katie

I'm contemplating law school. It was nice to see others thoughts. I only have a few days to do the late registration for the February LSAT. I need to pick up a study guide quickly and see if it's realistic to be prepared in a few weeks.