AboutBrian Greenberg Expertise I can answer questions about preparing for law school (including appropriate undergraduate coursework), what to expect in law school, doing well in law school, employment during and after law school, etc.
Experience I attended the George Washington Universtity Law School and graduated in the top half of my class in 1998. I now practice entertainment law in New York City.
Organizations State Bar of New York
State Bar of California
Education/Credentials George Washington University Law School; Juris Doctor - 1998
George Washington University; Bachelor of Arts - 1994
Awards and Honors George Washington University Honors Program;
George Washington University Presidential (half tuition) scholarship
Expert: Brian Greenberg Date: 7/14/2008 Subject: Starting Over
Question I'm currently in a fourth tier ABA approved school. I hate the administration, location, and most of the professors, but love the law itself.
I just finished my 1L year and am still in good standing and have applied to other schools for transfer. However, I'm well aware that my chances of transferring out are slim (especially with my present school doing everything in its power to foil my attempts-- some of the schools I've applied to still have no received my transcripts, and the school refuses to calculate ranks).
My question is whether or not I should go back? The school I am at does not offer any classes in the area I want to practice in-- or, for that matter, any classes I'm interested in taking. I'm considering the option of just taking a few years off and then trying again-- perhaps building up my resume so that I might be able to get into a better law school.
As far as the cost, I had a full scholarship for the first year (have since lost that), so I only am in debt for living expenses for that year.
How long would I have to wait before I could return to lawschool and what are the chances of me getting into one? How would I explain for the next couple years why I only completed one year? I'm quite confused about what I should do. Thank you!
Answer Hi Melinda:
Although I don't know anyone who has tried to start law school over after completing their first year, I suspect that most law schools would look not look favorably on your decision to try to do so.
My instinct on this is that schools will view your reasons for not wanting to continue at your original school as unsound. For example, not liking the professors, administration and/or location of one's school is not that uncommon, but most law students don't try to transfer out or quit because of these things. I'm not passing any judgment whatsoever, but I do believe other law schools may look upon these reasons as out of the ordinary and, for lack of a better term, a bit primadonna-ish. Keep in mind that, throughout your career as a lawyer, you will no doubt encounter plenty of people and things that you won't like, but that you'll have to deal with just the same.
As for your school not having the classes you want, I don't believe this will prevent you from practicing in the area you're interested in when you graduate. First of all, as a 2L, there are plenty standard curriculum classes you should still be busying yourself with in order to shore up the foundation of your legal education (Evidence, Corporations, Administrative Law, etc.). Secondly, no matter what area of law you're interested in, if you focus on it, you'll surely be able to gain exposure that can make you attractive to employers in that practice area after graduation. For example, you can seek a summer internship in that area (even if you have to go to a different location to do so), write an article or two in that area and try to get them published and/or lobby your school to create a class or seminar in that area, even if it's just you and a professor in a discussion session once a week with a term paper at the end of the semester as your grade. You should be able to find the time for something like this during your third year.
In short, if you like the law and want to be a lawyer, my advice to you is to keep moving forward in the school you're in, try to tolerate the dislikes you can't control, and try to minimize those you can by creating opportunities for yourself wherever possible. I truly believe that if you can take this advice to heart in the present context, it will continue to serve you well throughout your career and your life.
I wish you the best of luck in all of your pursuits.
