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.
Expert: Sally A. Kane Date: 5/24/2008 Subject: previous question
Question I noticed a guy ask about being out of school in the engineering field for some time with interest in going to law school. How exactly does one do it financially? I realize many people go to law school on student loans, but do those cover mortgage payments and the additional costs of living? I don't have lavish spending habits by any means, but I'm struggling to see how people do it. I've looked into part time programs but all of them seem to require at least a major time committment (10 credits the fall and spring semester each) during the first year that would preclude any work beyond part time for those first 2 semester or 9 months. What is the best way to tackle the issue for someone 2 or 3 years removed from college with real life expenses in addition to law school tuition?
Answer Hi Dan,
I was in your position when I decided to go to law school. I was several years out of college and needed to support myself and pay my mortgage payments.
I went to law school part-time and kept my full-time job. Yes, "part-time" is a major time commitment and nearly as many credits as full time (I think it was one less class a semester at my school). However, that is one way to go to law school and still earn a decent income. Student loans cover the costs of tuition, books and school-related expenses but may not cover all your current living expenses. Moreoever, you probably don't want to add to the substantial debt you will have from law school loans.
My first year was not easy. I worked all day, went to school for 3 hours every night and spent every spare minute on school work and studying. But the majority of my classmates were in the same situation and most of us did fine - both in law school and in our jobs.
