AboutSally A. Kane Expertise As a recent law school graduate who excelled in law school, I can answer questions regarding the law school experience including preparing for and applying to law school, excelling in law school, law review, legal writing tips, the law school curriculum, exam success, financing law school, balancing work and school, clerkships and externships, job interviewing and more. I do not answer homework questions.
Experience I have thirteen years’ experience in the legal field, ten as a litigation paralegal and three as a corporate attorney. During law school, I juggled many priorities including a full time job, law school and a newborn baby. In law school I served as a law review editor, wrote for student publications and completed two externships, one with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and one with the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
Publications I have published law and career related articles in a variety of publications including Legal Assistant Today, The Legal Intelligencer, Juris and The Journal of Legal Nurse Consulting.
Education/Credentials I possess a B.A. in Writing from Edinboro University, a Paralegal Certificate from Duquesne University and a J.D. from Duquesne University School of Law.
Question I am 29 years old and only recently realized I was meant to be a lawyer. I am torn between whether or not to pursue the degree from a full-time or part-time status. I have a steady job with great health benefits, a wife and child, a mortgage (ie. real financial obligations). I know that there are loans to specifically pay for law school, but do those loans also help me maintain my obligations? It's one thing to be able to pay for law school, but how about my mortgage or health insurance? All the advice I seem to be finding involves paying for school itself. What about everything else that my current salary affords me?
Thanks in advance for all your help.
Answer Dear Matt,
Law school loans typically pay for tuition, books, housing and related law school costs. To pay your mortgage and other financial obligations, you would need to secure a conventional bank loan. These loans generally carry a higher interest rate than school loans and would put a heavy repayment burden on your family when coupled with a law school loan which can top $100,000 over the course of three years.
Many older students who have a family, a mortgage and other financial obligations attend law school part-time at night while working a day job. This is the best of both worlds – you can keep your job, income and health benefits while pursuing a legal career. Keep in mind, however, that part-time programs are usually four years (instead of three) in length.
I was in your situation when I started law school at 29 and did not regret the decision to attend part-time. The work experience you gain (especially if it is law related) may give you an edge over younger, inexperienced job seekers once you graduate.
