Is it bad to go to law school part-time?
Asked by: Dr. Rylan Mante | Last update: January 25, 2026Score: 4.2/5 (57 votes)
If you are trying to obtain a law degree because you want to be hired by a very competitive, prestigious legal employer, a part-time law program may not be the best option for you, though extensive experience and a well-packed resume and job application can occasionally smooth over the fact that your degree was ...
What are the cons of part-time law school?
- Reduced Access to Scholarships. While part-time programs offer financial flexibility, they may come with a downside. ...
- Fewer Opportunities. You may take different classes than full-time law students or find yourself on campus on a wholly different schedule. ...
- Potential Burnout.
Is it better to go to law school full-time or part-time?
If you think you would benefit from social activities and studying with peers, a full-time program may be more useful to you. If you don't mind going it alone or have a robust social life outside of school, then part-time law school shouldn't be a problem for you.
Is it possible to work part-time and go to law school?
Moreover, working during law school – even part time – can help offset educational expenses. For these reasons, part-time law school can be one way to reduce educational debt. On the other hand, part-time students may not be eligible for academic scholarships that can help lower costs.
How many hours should you study for law school?
First-year law students should expect to commit an average of 30-40+ hours of studying per week (some advocating for more), with around 30-60 pages of reading per class each week. At the very least, some say that you should study for twice the amount of class time you have per semester.
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What is the hardest year of law school?
Law school is an academic challenge; most students agree the first year (“1L” year) is the most difficult. In part, this is because law school is taught using methods entirely different than the lecture method used in most college classrooms.
Is law school harder than med school?
Each path demands extensive education and a commitment to rigorous training before becoming a qualified professional. Although both law and medical schools present their unique challenges, it's generally accepted that medical school demands a higher level of intense coursework and thorough training.
Is part-time law school manageable?
Attending law school is not easy, and being enrolled in a part-time program can be even more difficult in some ways. Juggling daily life obligations, a career, and law school classes can be overwhelming to even the most dedicated and hardworking students out there.
Is law school hard or just a lot of work?
Being prepared to work hard – Law school classes are part of a demanding program, and you need to be prepared to be a good student and put in the time and effort to succeed. That work includes doing all of the assigned reading, avoiding low grades, and preparing well for final exams.
How many days a week is law school?
Most students take an average of four classes each semester. Just like in undergrad, law school courses are not scheduled every day. Some classes are scheduled for Mondays and Wednesdays, others for Tuesdays and Thursdays, and some follow other combinations.
What age do most finish law school?
What Is The Average Age Of Law Students? The average age of law students is 25 or younger. Only 20% of law students are 30 or older. While only a small percentage of law students are above the age of 40, there have been several successful older graduates.
Is it rare to get a full ride to law school?
Some law schools offer a “full-ride,” although this can mean a lot of different things. In law school, full-ride programs usually cover the full cost of tuition — not living expenses, books, etc. These full-ride scholarships are highly competitive.
Can I switch from part-time to full-time in law school?
Part-time students will be allowed to transfer into the full-time program after the completion of their first year with the approval of the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs. If a student enrolls in the part-time program and remains in that program, they can complete law school in four years.
What is the most difficult class in law school?
Civil Procedure. Civil Procedure is notoriously the most difficult class you'll take in law school. I concur. The rules are complex, the procedural formalities are maddening, and keeping track of cases is nearly impossible.
Should I have a job while in law school?
Overall, my advice would be to hold off on finding employment until at least your second semester of law school. In your second or third year, your schedule will have more flexibility, and you'll have a better sense of how to manage your time and responsibilities in law school.
Is law school really stressful?
The combination of long hours, competing with peers, and pressure to perform at a high level can lead to law student burnout. Stress is also a key contributor. Unmanaged stress leads to burnout in any industry, and most law students report significant stress—even when compared to other graduate students.
Is it hard to get hired after law school?
Many law students and graduated law students struggle to find a job after law school. It is no secret that the legal job market is at an all-time low. Law students and new lawyers compete for the few jobs that have openings.
How hard is the bar exam?
The bar exam is hard. In fact, it may be one of the most difficult challenges you ever embark on. You must memorize numerous laws and consume a lot of knowledge to answer questions correctly. For many, it feels like trying to hold sand in your hands, knowing that you'll inevitably lose much of it.
How hard is the LSAT?
This process is not only time-consuming but can be very expensive as well. So yes, the LSAT is hard, and it is designed that way. It's not so much a test that requires a student to remember random facts, but instead, it is a test that showcases a student's thought process.
What is the shortest time to complete law school?
A legal certificate program is the shortest law degree and usually takes between three months to three semesters to complete. Most legal certificate programs require applicants to have a bachelor's degree as a prerequisite.
What is the range of LSAT scores?
To make it easier to compare scores earned across different LSAT administrations, your “raw score” is converted to an LSAT scale. This is the score you receive in your score report. The LSAT scale ranges from 120 to 180, with 120 being the lowest possible score and 180 being the highest possible score.
Is doctor or lawyer easier?
In short, medical school is hands-on and requires a lot of memorization. Law school requires analytical work and critical thinking. Law school requires heavy reading and writing while medical school requires learning about problems through clinical studies and hands-on training.
What is the hardest subject in a law degree?
First-year law school classes tend to be the most difficult of any that you will experience in your three years of law school, as you are getting used to new subject matter and heavier readings. Some of the hardest classes in law school, according to current and former students, are: Constitutional Law. Civil Procedure.
Is law school a lot of math?
Law School
Some classes, such as tax law, require mathematical calculations. Secondly, law schools teach students a step-by-step method of logical analysis of legal problems called "legal reasoning," which students with math backgrounds may find easier to understand than humanities majors.