Law school question...

I know there are a lot of people in law school, just finished or lawyers so I was just wondering if I could get your opinion?

FI is thinking about applying to law school for admission in January. Two of the schools hes interested in have this. If he got in and went he would start January and go through the summer to make up the missed semester. The question is...do you think this may be too hectic with us getting married next May 1st? I know the first year is crazy...so we dont know if it is just better for him to start the following year.

What do you think?

Re: Law school question...

In my opinion, it may be too hectic for him. The first year of law school is pretty difficult. It's like learning a new language. There are a lot of first year intro courses that he's going to have to take, so he's going to have a lot of writing assignments, oral arguments, etc.
I finished college in Dec 2000, took the next semester off and worked at a law firm and started law school in August 2001. I'm really glad that I had those few months off before I went into law school.
Did he just graduate from College?

Also, do you both know that he will not be able to work more than 20 hrs per week while in law school?

Re: Law school question...

He graduated college in 1998 and has been a trader on wall street ever since. Since the downward spiral of the market he now feels its the right time to go back to school.

As far as working he plans to quit his job this summer and work in a law firm. He is not going to work while in school. Lucky him ... no so lucky for me!!!

I just like the idea of him graduating a year sooner...but if it is not the best thing for him then he might as well wait.

Re: Law school question...

Maybe he could speak to a counselor at one of the schools he wants to apply to. They could give him a better idea of what his work load is going to be.

The working thing s ucks! But I really can't see how someone can work full time and go to law school anyway. I'm sure it can be done, but it's extremely difficult.
I live at home with my mom, so I didn't have to work or take out a lot of loans. But I have a few friends from school that live on their own and I know it was tough for them.
I didn't work in my first year of law school, but I worked all summer and one day a week during the semesters at a law firm. Also my last semester, I got work study, so I worked about 10 hrs a week in school. I didn't make a lot of $$, but at least it was some spending money.

Re: Law school question...

I personally think it's too hectic. My first year of law school was the absolute most difficult! THey honestly try to 'break you' and do some serious weeding out!

My second and third year were an absolute breeze compared to year 1.

Re: Law school question...

I graduated Law School one year ago. Here is my two cents :
It all depends on what your fh wants to do. If he wants a job at one of the 'top' NYC firms starting at $130,000++ then I don't think he should start in January. Your first year grades in law school are VERY IMPORTANT. At the end of the first year is when you apply and interview for a summer associate position for the following year which is hopefully the job you will have upon graduating. Also, your first year grades determine whether you will make Law Review, also EXTREMELY important. You really need to do well your first year, after that it doesn't matter so much. My FH was in the same position and was going to start school this sept. but since we are getting married in Oct., he put it off for next year.

Law school is not like college, no matter how smart you are you still have to study alot to do well...especially the first semester.

Hope this helps

Re: Law school question...

If I remember correctly, law schools in the NY area are beginning finals around the time of your wedding, so I am not sure that your FH would be able to start next January and get married on May 1st.

Having said that, I agree with everything that Marcela and Annie said.

Re: Law school question...

Definitely not. First year s*cks big time. To try to cram it in like that would not be good and everyone is right, first year grades are super important.
Don't risk it.

Re: Law school question...

This is the first thread I actually showed to FI. We realy appreciate all your input. It is definitley swaying him towards waiting until fall 2004.

Thanks again!

Re: Law school question...

I just found this thread...but just like everyone else, I agree that he should wait for the fall. A bunch of my friends did the jan entry at St. John's and they all had a very tough time. Most of them even believe it was not worth the rush because the stress is overwhelming. And it is true, NY law schools do have finals end of April into the first two weeks of April, so the May 1st day would be insane for your FI. Hope this helps. Whatever you both decide, good luck!

Re: Law school question...

I think he should wait, its tough enough at the regular august start!

Re: Law school question...

You FH will be VERY stressed for the wedding - since finals are generally around the first week of May and can go for 2 weeks (my finals started this year May 5 (unofficial) and May 8th official - ending on the 20th

I would hold off

Re: Law school question...

I agree....first year is a b*tch!! This year my finals began April 30 and went till May 6th....and I was totally cramming the entire time! (couldn't imagine getting married in between!) I literally fell off the earth around 1st year finals time so I say hold off as well...

Re: Law school question...

I agree with what everyone has said -- I would wait. My school didn't allow people to start in January & go through the summer, so I don't know from first-hand experience, but I would imagine that would be very stressful. By the end of first year I definitely needed a three month break! Then again, we also decided to postpone our wedding because we had originally scheduled it for only three weeks after the bar exam & it was just too much for me...so maybe I'm just a wuss!
In the long run it probably won't matter that he graduated one year later -- but it will matter that you didn't have time to take a honeymoon or that he was totally stressed out around the time of the wedding.