geebensis
(225 posts)
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Wed Feb-04-04 06:47 PM
Original message |
Should I Go To Law School? |
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I hate posts like this, but what the hell.
Here's the deal. I'm a semi-unemployed IT pro. I'm making some money these days, but nothing like where I was a year ago. And my gut tells me that the opportunities to restart my tech career are fading fast.
Cut to the chase:
1. I'm almost 40 years old 2. I have a family 3. I'm certain I could score a 165 or better (I'm shooting for 170+) on the LSAT 4. My gpa as an undergrad sucked. Really sucked. I mean, this was in the days before "grade inflation". Also, I worked 50 hours/week to pay for a grueling computer science degree, while my parents took turns dying on me... 5. I've got the money to pay for law school and three years without working, although I'd have to sell the grossly inflated house I'm in right now and maybe tap a little of my 401k money. 6. My wife would almost certainly divorce me (why? I don't know. I think she would prefer I take a job as a greeter at Walmart. Her most recent comment was "I'm not going to pay your way through law school...") 7. In five or ten years I'd be making the money I made a year ago. And I'd be AARP material...
That's it. What would you do if you were in my shoes?
Mike
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Kamika
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Wed Feb-04-04 06:51 PM
Response to Original message |
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if you like to study and you're sure youd be able to do it .. do it..
But also you'll be pretty old once you're finished..
maybe a wal mart greeter aint so bad?
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geebensis
(225 posts)
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Wed Feb-04-04 06:56 PM
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Zip it before I start telling you ALL about my angina
Mike
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theivoryqueen
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Wed Feb-04-04 06:51 PM
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If you want to go to law school, and you like the intricacies of the law... go! Any other reasons are moot. Do what you want with your time here on earth - make sure you are doing exactly what you want to do.
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BlueEyedSon
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Wed Feb-04-04 06:51 PM
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3. I'm EXACTLY in your shoes, and I have NO IDEA what to do. |
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Glad to see you are feeling inspired.
I was thinking about an MBA, but only half-heartedly so far.....
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nothingshocksmeanymore
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Wed Feb-04-04 06:54 PM
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4. No don't go for the money or the job |
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It's a recipe for failure and a guarantee you will end up as a greeter at Wal Mart with a JD.
If there is some passion for the law or some area, then do it..but starting salaries for first year lawyers probably aren't any better than what you are making now (around 40K) unless you are tops in your class in one of the top 10 schools and that is for 1800 billable hours (twice as much work)
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curse10
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Wed Feb-04-04 06:54 PM
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but that's just me.
And you aren't too old :-) We have several people that are 40+ in my 1L class :-)
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geebensis
(225 posts)
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Wed Feb-04-04 07:05 PM
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7. Does everyone laugh at them behind their backs? |
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...not that that would make a damn bit of difference with me. One of the joys of very, VERY early middle age is complete apathy about the judgement of others.
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curse10
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Wed Feb-04-04 07:08 PM
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I consider two of the "owls" (Older, wiser, law, students) my friends and I'm 25 :-)
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maveric
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Wed Feb-04-04 07:09 PM
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9. If I say Yes will you give me free legal advice in the future? |
geebensis
(225 posts)
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Wed Feb-04-04 07:12 PM
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11. I'll give you free legal advice NOW... |
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...why wait for that silly old degree and admission to the bar?
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trof
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Wed Feb-04-04 07:11 PM
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10. 6. My wife would almost certainly divorce me |
geebensis
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Wed Feb-04-04 07:14 PM
Response to Reply #10 |
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I care, but to be honest, if it's what I decide for myself I won't let anyone or anything stop me.
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MikeG
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Wed Feb-04-04 07:12 PM
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12. It is really hard to outsource attorney jobs. They have to |
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be licensed locally. Lawyers, doctors and security guards have safe jobs.
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SlavesandBulldozers
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Wed Feb-04-04 07:14 PM
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ditch the wife pierce your ear get a red corvette cruise it around
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geebensis
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Wed Feb-04-04 07:21 PM
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I've been thinking about this for a few months now, and I'll be able to tie myself up in knots over it for months to come.
I'm signing up for the June (?) lsat, and just for yuks I'm going to apply to a few schools.
If I get accepted, well, then the real decision making fun starts.
Mike
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Thu May 02nd 2024, 04:52 PM
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