Am I too Late to Start Law? Forum
-
- Posts: 12
- Joined: Wed Aug 16, 2017 8:35 pm
Am I too Late to Start Law?
I know this is a fairly common question, but it usually comes from people a little bit older than me.
I'm currently 25, and working in banking. After realizing this isn't the path for me, I started weighing my options, and decided to try and go back to original idea I had after high school - law.
The only problem is, I only have a two year degree, and I slacked off the whole time because, well, I was young and stupid, so my GPA was less than satisfactory. This means I would have to go back and start school from the very beginning, instead of just trying to get into UG. Based on my life the way it is right now, I would have to go to community college again, so I can still work, get a two year degree, go to UG for another two years, and then take the LSAT, then hopefully get into law school.
By my rough estimate, if everything goes well and is done on time, I should be around 33 when it is all said and done. Will I be too old? I'm not looking to work in any huge firms or get into big law or anything, I will be focusing on family law. I'm worried that I'll be at that age where I start to get discriminated against because of my age.
Is there anyone out there who graduated law school around the same time and had trouble finding a job?
Any advice / insight is appreciated
I'm currently 25, and working in banking. After realizing this isn't the path for me, I started weighing my options, and decided to try and go back to original idea I had after high school - law.
The only problem is, I only have a two year degree, and I slacked off the whole time because, well, I was young and stupid, so my GPA was less than satisfactory. This means I would have to go back and start school from the very beginning, instead of just trying to get into UG. Based on my life the way it is right now, I would have to go to community college again, so I can still work, get a two year degree, go to UG for another two years, and then take the LSAT, then hopefully get into law school.
By my rough estimate, if everything goes well and is done on time, I should be around 33 when it is all said and done. Will I be too old? I'm not looking to work in any huge firms or get into big law or anything, I will be focusing on family law. I'm worried that I'll be at that age where I start to get discriminated against because of my age.
Is there anyone out there who graduated law school around the same time and had trouble finding a job?
Any advice / insight is appreciated
- BlendedUnicorn
- Posts: 9318
- Joined: Sat Aug 27, 2016 2:40 pm
Re: Am I too Late to Start Law?
You're not too late but I'm also almost certain that getting into family law (or any law, really) isn't worth leaving the workforce for seven years.
-
- Posts: 12
- Joined: Wed Aug 16, 2017 8:35 pm
Re: Am I too Late to Start Law?
Admittedly, that was another one of my worries as well. I know it is pretty low on the totem pole as far as law goes, but due to personal experiences, as well as experiences from people close to me, it is something I'm quite passionate about.BlendedUnicorn wrote:You're not too late but I'm also almost certain that getting into family law (or any law, really) isn't worth leaving the workforce for seven years.
So (excluding my interest in family law), I won't be in too bad of a spot at 33? I won't be looked at as too old? (not that 33 is "old" but in regards to this field, having entry level qualifications at that age worries me)
- A. Nony Mouse
- Posts: 29293
- Joined: Tue Sep 25, 2012 11:51 am
Re: Am I too Late to Start Law?
Nope, not too old.
And frankly being a little older will probably give you more credibility/ability to work with clients in family law.
And frankly being a little older will probably give you more credibility/ability to work with clients in family law.
-
- Posts: 12
- Joined: Thu Mar 02, 2017 12:37 am
Re: Am I too Late to Start Law?
0L here, I'll be the same age when I get done. Definitely not too old. Real world experience probably gives us a leg up in school and in the workforce if anything.
Want to continue reading?
Register now to search topics and post comments!
Absolutely FREE!
Already a member? Login
-
- Posts: 73
- Joined: Thu Aug 11, 2016 7:52 am
Re: Am I too Late to Start Law?
What banking gigs require only a 2 year degree?
-
- Posts: 206
- Joined: Tue Feb 04, 2014 8:05 pm
Re: Am I too Late to Start Law?
I can't imagine why this would be true.Davidpuddy wrote:Real world experience probably gives us a leg up in school
- A. Nony Mouse
- Posts: 29293
- Joined: Tue Sep 25, 2012 11:51 am
Re: Am I too Late to Start Law?
Real world perspective can be helpful. I had a couple of profs tell me that that nontrads tend to handle the whole stress around grades/the curve better than KJDs.WheatThins wrote:I can't imagine why this would be true.Davidpuddy wrote:Real world experience probably gives us a leg up in school
Don't know that it goes *directly* to academic success though. There was no disproportionate representation of nontrads, say, making Coif at my school (though no disproportionate underrepresentation either).
- Future Ex-Engineer
- Posts: 1430
- Joined: Tue Nov 22, 2016 3:20 pm
Re: Am I too Late to Start Law?
I would expect heavily that banking doesn't imply IB in this instance - more than likely it's local bank teller-esque work or something along those linesdevilblue wrote:What banking gigs require only a 2 year degree?
-
- Posts: 34
- Joined: Sat Jul 08, 2017 12:28 pm
Re: Am I too Late to Start Law?
.
Last edited by popgoestheweasel on Thu Aug 17, 2017 2:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.
-
- Posts: 12
- Joined: Wed Aug 16, 2017 8:35 pm
Re: Am I too Late to Start Law?
You start out at the very bottom and work your way up. You don't start out making anything (I started as a teller, worked up to personal banker, then relationship manager). Some companies like to promote within, although it is most certainty not easy to move up. Still, it's just not something I'd care to pursue any longer. Too much demand, not enough rewarding work. I basically feel like I'm helping no one except a mega bank make more money, and I see very little from it.devilblue wrote:What banking gigs require only a 2 year degree?
-
- Posts: 12
- Joined: Wed Aug 16, 2017 8:35 pm
Re: Am I too Late to Start Law?
That would be convienent considering I'm starting so late, but would they provide me with the right credentials to have enough respect when trying to find work? If I'm going to commit, I have to do it rightpopgoestheweasel wrote:You don't need a BA at some law schools. They only require an associates.
- Future Ex-Engineer
- Posts: 1430
- Joined: Tue Nov 22, 2016 3:20 pm
Re: Am I too Late to Start Law?
Your job credentials after LS would be primarily based off your grades and the school you attend for LS. So, you'd need to look into what schools would allow you with just an associates.tjf1 wrote:That would be convienent considering I'm starting so late, but would they provide me with the right credentials to have enough respect when trying to find work? If I'm going to commit, I have to do it rightpopgoestheweasel wrote:You don't need a BA at some law schools. They only require an associates.
Register now!
Resources to assist law school applicants, students & graduates.
It's still FREE!
Already a member? Login
-
- Posts: 12
- Joined: Thu Mar 02, 2017 12:37 am
Re: Am I too Late to Start Law?
I know personally my experience working in a demanding job has taught me a lot about time management, working with others, and discipline. I know I'll be a better student next year than I would have been as a KJD.WheatThins wrote:I can't imagine why this would be true.Davidpuddy wrote:Real world experience probably gives us a leg up in school
-
- Posts: 34
- Joined: Sat Jul 08, 2017 12:28 pm
Re: Am I too Late to Start Law?
.
Last edited by popgoestheweasel on Fri Aug 18, 2017 1:54 pm, edited 1 time in total.
-
- Posts: 529
- Joined: Mon May 16, 2016 8:14 pm
Re: Am I too Late to Start Law?
Do not go to Cooley
-
- Posts: 34
- Joined: Sat Jul 08, 2017 12:28 pm
Re: Am I too Late to Start Law?
.
Last edited by popgoestheweasel on Fri Aug 18, 2017 2:58 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Get unlimited access to all forums and topics
Register now!
I'm pretty sure I told you it's FREE...
Already a member? Login
- A. Nony Mouse
- Posts: 29293
- Joined: Tue Sep 25, 2012 11:51 am
Re: Am I too Late to Start Law?
And no employment opportunities.popgoestheweasel wrote:Why? They give tons of moneyDamage Over Time wrote:Do not go to Cooley
- cavalier1138
- Posts: 8007
- Joined: Fri Mar 25, 2016 8:01 pm
Re: Am I too Late to Start Law?
Are we still humoring the troll?A. Nony Mouse wrote:And no employment opportunities.popgoestheweasel wrote:Why? They give tons of moneyDamage Over Time wrote:Do not go to Cooley
The guy pretended to be a TJ student and then pretended to be a prospective student deciding between TJ and Cooley. I'm not quite sure what the schtick is now, unless it's just mentioning Cooley over and over again.
- A. Nony Mouse
- Posts: 29293
- Joined: Tue Sep 25, 2012 11:51 am
Re: Am I too Late to Start Law?
Pretty sure they only commented in the deciding thread, to recommend TJ, and weren't deciding between the two. So bad advice, but not clearly troll.cavalier1138 wrote:Are we still humoring the troll?A. Nony Mouse wrote:And no employment opportunities.popgoestheweasel wrote:Why? They give tons of moneyDamage Over Time wrote:Do not go to Cooley
The guy pretended to be a TJ student and then pretended to be a prospective student deciding between TJ and Cooley. I'm not quite sure what the schtick is now, unless it's just mentioning Cooley over and over again.
(Doesn't mean they're long for this world, but 13 posts isn't a dire threat to TLS yet.)
-
- Posts: 12
- Joined: Wed Aug 16, 2017 8:35 pm
Re: Am I too Late to Start Law?
how about experience wise? I'm basically going to be entry level at 33. I'm assuming that will hinder me later on? only 7 years in the field and I'll already be 40. that kind of worries me a bit
Communicate now with those who not only know what a legal education is, but can offer you worthy advice and commentary as you complete the three most educational, yet challenging years of your law related post graduate life.
Register now, it's still FREE!
Already a member? Login
- cavalier1138
- Posts: 8007
- Joined: Fri Mar 25, 2016 8:01 pm
Re: Am I too Late to Start Law?
You'll be fine. Work experience is only a positive factor when you're interviewing for jobs. I don't understand why you'd think it's a hindrance down the line.tjf1 wrote:how about experience wise? I'm basically going to be entry level at 33. I'm assuming that will hinder me later on? only 7 years in the field and I'll already be 40. that kind of worries me a bit
-
- Posts: 34
- Joined: Sat Jul 08, 2017 12:28 pm
Re: Am I too Late to Start Law?
tjf1 wrote:how about experience wise? I'm basically going to be entry level at 33. I'm assuming that will hinder me later on? only 7 years in the field and I'll already be 40. that kind of worries me a bit
What's your lsat?
-
- Posts: 12
- Joined: Wed Aug 16, 2017 8:35 pm
Re: Am I too Late to Start Law?
my worry is, down the line when I do get experience, I may be passed / looked over because of my agecavalier1138 wrote:You'll be fine. Work experience is only a positive factor when you're interviewing for jobs. I don't understand why you'd think it's a hindrance down the line.tjf1 wrote:how about experience wise? I'm basically going to be entry level at 33. I'm assuming that will hinder me later on? only 7 years in the field and I'll already be 40. that kind of worries me a bit
- cavalier1138
- Posts: 8007
- Joined: Fri Mar 25, 2016 8:01 pm
Re: Am I too Late to Start Law?
I highly doubt it. Aside from that being illegal, you're not even in an age bracket where that would be a concern.tjf1 wrote:my worry is, down the line when I do get experience, I may be passed / looked over because of my agecavalier1138 wrote:You'll be fine. Work experience is only a positive factor when you're interviewing for jobs. I don't understand why you'd think it's a hindrance down the line.tjf1 wrote:how about experience wise? I'm basically going to be entry level at 33. I'm assuming that will hinder me later on? only 7 years in the field and I'll already be 40. that kind of worries me a bit
Seriously? What are you waiting for?
Now there's a charge.
Just kidding ... it's still FREE!
Already a member? Login