News About the U.S. News Law School Rankings

Categories: Law School Rankings, Part Time Programs

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AbovetheLaw reported today that the U.S. News Law School Rankings will be issued late this year, and part of the reason is the additional evaluation of part time programs.

The Relationship between U.S. News Rankings and Part Time Law School

Categories: Law School Rankings, Part Time Programs

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The availability of spots in part time programs may be severely limited in the future, and applying to part time programs may no longer be the “back door” into a better law school. See this WSJ article.

The Benefits of Attending Law School Part Time

Categories: Part Time Programs

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My post on Wednesday was geared toward those who really want to be full time law students but were considering applying part time due to perceived lower numerical standards.
Today’s post is geared toward those that really will be working and/or taking care of families in addition to attending law school and for whom part time programs are their best option for applying to law school.
When I began law school in 1996, I was a part-time evening student. I was busy pursuing a full time career in advertising and while I wanted to go to law school, I wasn’t ready to give up my full time job. Here are some things I loved about being an evening student:
1. Nice people. My classmates were mostly older, had jobs and families, and had things in perspective. They were willing to work together and enjoy each other a little more than I think most of the younger, full-time day students were.
2. Faculty treated us more like adults and were (generally) more respectful toward the night students.
3. A little bit smaller of a section.

Here were some of the not so great things:
1. To take advantage of clubs and organizations (I was the Evening program Student Bar Association Representative, among my other involvements), you pretty much need to be available during the day.
2. Faculty and student services related offices are not usually available at night.
3. You’re on a different curve than the day students, and they perceive the program as being “easier” since you can get on law review with a 3.5 and they need a 3.7 (for example….. this is not always the case, but is one of the sticky wickets about being a night student).
4. You need to take summer school to graduate in 3 years (at most schools).

I’m happy to answer any questions, but remember that each school’s program is different and for individual policies and circumstances you need to talk to admissions officers at the school you’re considering attending.

4 Things To Consider Before Applying Part Time to Law School

Categories: Part Time Programs

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You may have noticed that at schools with part-time programs, the 25th-75th percentile LSAT numbers are a bit lower than that for the same school’s full time program. In some instances, applying part-time may increase your chances of being admitted if your numbers are more in line with those of the part-time admitted students.

Here are some things to think about in using this strategy for law school admission:

1. Is it a fully operating part time program? If it’s not a full section of students in the part time program (around 100-130) then then part-time option is probably intended for people who have significant work and/or family obligations. They may even attend part time during the day or in a similarly customized program for their situation. You may want to call the law school and find out more about the formality of the program.

2. How easy is it to transfer from part time to full time after the first year and still graduate in 3 years? If it’s pretty much just a formality to transfer to full time after taking 2 classes over the summer (whether on campus or as part of a study abroad program), then this might be an attractive option.

3. Are you planning on trying to transfer to another law school as a 2L? If so, you may be restricted to transferring only to schools that offer part time programs (and you’d probably remain a part time student throughout law school).

4. Consider your social and professional networking goals. Do you want to be surrounded by other people who may be older, married, with families, and with professional careers under their belts? Or, do you want to be meeting other single folk and having a good time after a long day of classes? Socially, there can be a big difference between the demographics in part time and full time programs and 1L year tends to be when people create lasting friendships.