Law School Options For Nontraditional Applicants
“Will they like me? Am I going to eat my lunch alone?”
You probably felt those fears when you started at a new school. As a child, you wanted to fit in with the group. You saw what had happened to those who were shunned or bullied. Their grades fell and they were always out sick. It was hard enough to balance equations or read Harriet Tubman; without a support system, a school year can be a mighty long time.
You’re really no different as adults heading back to class. Among nontraditional students, those feelings are amplified. It is hard enough to swallow your pride and stuff yourself into a cramped seat again. If you have kids or a career, do you really want to be around a bunch of pampered twentysomethings?
When it comes to law school, some programs work better for certain populations, according to a recent column in U.S. News and World Report.
Take career changers, for example. According to Sean Scott, associate dean of Loyola Law, a big city school could be the best option for those looking for a fresh start. “The range of opportunities is just larger in the city,” she tells U.S. News, citing opportunities in law firms, government, and non-profits. Here, career changes can explore various practice types to identify the best fits. Moreover, a large metro offers better prospects for internships, externships, and pro bono work. Dawud Amin, a 39-year-old student at Quinnipiac Law, also encourages career changers to evaluate a school’s extracurricular organizations and learn if they are available during evening or weekend hours.
Military veterans are another nontraditional group with unique needs. For example, Thomas Taggart, associate dean at the Florida Coastal Law School, advises veterans to choose a school near a local VA health center. Since active personnel are eligible for deployment at a moment’s notice, Taggart also emphasizes that veterans should choose a school that provides the flexibility for them to return to class. Plus, many veterans crave a community. To satisfy that need, veterans should look for schools with student organizations or support groups specific to veterans that could provide additional support.
To learn how law schools can better serve the disabled, click on the U.S. News link below.
Source: U.S. News and World Report
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