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LSAT.. i am thinking about going back and geting a law degree
- Thread starter dan330
- Start date
Good for you, Dan! 
It's never too late to further your education.
Being over 40 gives you experience and knowledge the young whippersnappers don't have.
I think going to law school after 40 is a fine idea. There are some professions, like medicine, where the education plus post-graduate requirements take so many years, it's not practical to pursue them after a certain age. But law? Why not?!
It's never too late to further your education.Being over 40 gives you experience and knowledge the young whippersnappers don't have.
I think going to law school after 40 is a fine idea. There are some professions, like medicine, where the education plus post-graduate requirements take so many years, it's not practical to pursue them after a certain age. But law? Why not?!
saptech
Android Expert
When I went to school and got an AAS degree in Data Processing, it's more like MIS now days, in the end, I thought about taking up Law or either Engineering. I was around late 30s then, but never followed up on either. I am thinking about trying to get a BS degree anyway, probably in MIS. I like the business side instead of the science part (CS).
Question is not really wether you can pass it or not. I believe anyone with enough will can do that. Are you sure you want to be a lawyer? Working and studying is not exactly the same thing. If you have worked in a field and you like it, then you can go for it.
Another issue is money. Do you have enough to cover the bills? Law books are $200 the cheapest, not to mention tuition. It might not make sense financialy to get student loans and finish paying it off at your retirement age. Remember, you are not getting $200k right the way. Also I've worked with people who's family members are lawyers and job situation is still not great, many are sitting without jobs.
I'm saying go for it if you have enough money for bills and guaranteed employment. Other than that I don't think its worth it at your age.
Another issue is money. Do you have enough to cover the bills? Law books are $200 the cheapest, not to mention tuition. It might not make sense financialy to get student loans and finish paying it off at your retirement age. Remember, you are not getting $200k right the way. Also I've worked with people who's family members are lawyers and job situation is still not great, many are sitting without jobs.
I'm saying go for it if you have enough money for bills and guaranteed employment. Other than that I don't think its worth it at your age.
yes...yes I do...
I took the LSAT..did very well.
it's all reading comprehension....
PS
GOOD FOR YOU!!!
PPS
Id be happy to help you any way I can
yeah.. it is the feeling I am getting too..
I have pretty good memory. reading comprehension is good too.
it is the timed part that might get me.
I guess I need to practice the reading... speed.
did you go get your law degree? or paralegal cert?
i say go for it Dan :thumbup:
huh
Android Expert
I'm sort of a flip floppy kind of person...Also true to form in choosing a path in college
so I kind of tailored my classes around what I thought I would like to pursue etc...anyway my degree is in Social Sciences...sociology major biology minor..yeah I knowanywho... My degree in Sociology is actually also the pre-law curriculum....I tinkered with the idea of going to Law school or pursuing Masters in Curriculum Instruction Leadership with minor in Child development and/or possibly Counseling ..then again I loved my bio and anatomy classes and labs so I thought about possibly..some sort of integration...but anywho..I thought I might as well take the LSAT in case I decide to go that route (If I did...I was going to be a lawyer for the Humane Society)anywho...I ended up going the other route...I went into Education and Child development...
but I did take the LSAT my senior year of college...and I nailed it BTW
then again...that was 20odd years ago
..It may have changed a little but I doubt it...all my profs said reading comp is key and they were right...
hmmm...brings back some good memories!!
ok here is my
tip of the day
don't worry about the timed part and ALWAYS GO WITH YOUR FIRST INSTINCT!!!!! and move on to the next question... if you over think it...or start doubting yourself...it can mess you up
PS...like I said...anything I can do to help
PPS TAKE THE TEST!!!! WHAT IS THE WORST THING THAT CAN HAPPEN????
really ...take the test and then go from there...ek se?
I'd like to add to huh's excellent test-taking tips:
DON'T waste time pondering a question you're not sure about or, gasp!, have no clue about. Move on. Rip through the section's easy questions that you can knock out straight away. THEN go back and tackle any you need to really think about.
PS I'm referring to tests in general, not the LSAT specifically, as I've never taken that.
DON'T waste time pondering a question you're not sure about or, gasp!, have no clue about. Move on. Rip through the section's easy questions that you can knock out straight away. THEN go back and tackle any you need to really think about.
PS I'm referring to tests in general, not the LSAT specifically, as I've never taken that.
sound advice...
which i use all the time...
if you can rush through the easy ones.. get a good feeling.. and comfortable.
sometimes there are only a few left to tackle that are difficult. makes it seem more manageable... sometimes easy questions/answers might help you solve the harder questions (this may not be true for the LSAT)
Most graduate professprs are jerks, and there is nothing you can do, if you open your mouth you are off the program instantly. Challenge helps in future job. Knowledge is not everything. Social skills, finding loopholes, being sophisticated is very important too. If you are a good friend with your continence, I wouldn't recommend to become a lawyer. Also emotions need to stay aside most of the time.
huh
Android Expert
Last night I remembered that there were logic questions!
more specifically, Aristotle's Organon type questions..
OK I found this...hope it helps
The test consists of five 35-minute sections of multiple-choice questions. Four of the five sections contribute to the test taker's score. The unscored section, commonly referred to as the variable section, typically is used to pretest new test questions or to preequate new test forms. The placement of this section will vary. A 35-minute writing sample is administered at the end of the test. LSAC does not score the writing sample, but copies of the writing sample are sent to all law schools to which you apply.
What the Test Measures
The LSAT is designed to measure skills that are considered essential for success in law school: the reading and comprehension of complex texts with accuracy and insight; the organization and management of information and the ability to draw reasonable inferences from it; the ability to think critically; and the analysis and evaluation of the reasoning and arguments of others.
The three multiple-choice question types in the LSAT are:
Reading Comprehension Questions—These questions measure the ability to read, with understanding and insight, examples of lengthy and complex materials similar to those commonly encountered in law school. The Reading Comprehension section contains four sets of reading questions, each consisting of a selection of reading material, followed by five to eight questions that test reading and reasoning abilities.
Analytical Reasoning Questions—These questions measure the ability to understand a structure of relationships and to draw logical conclusions about that structure. You are asked to reason deductively from a set of statements and rules or principles that describe relationships among persons, things, or events. Analytical Reasoning questions reflect the kinds of complex analyses that a law student performs in the course of legal problem solving.
Logical Reasoning Questions—These questions assess the ability to analyze, critically evaluate, and complete arguments as they occur in ordinary language. Each Logical Reasoning question requires the test taker to read and comprehend a short passage, then answer a question about it. The questions are designed to assess a wide range of skills involved in thinking critically, with an emphasis on skills that are central to legal reasoning. These skills include drawing well-supported conclusions, reasoning by analogy, determining how additional evidence affects an argument, applying principles or rules, and identifying argument flaws.
ps you can find some practice tests online....I remember I DID take a timed practice test...
I recommend that you practice taking the test several times...and time yourself....!!
k carry on!
more specifically, Aristotle's Organon type questions..
OK I found this...hope it helps
The test consists of five 35-minute sections of multiple-choice questions. Four of the five sections contribute to the test taker's score. The unscored section, commonly referred to as the variable section, typically is used to pretest new test questions or to preequate new test forms. The placement of this section will vary. A 35-minute writing sample is administered at the end of the test. LSAC does not score the writing sample, but copies of the writing sample are sent to all law schools to which you apply.
What the Test Measures
The LSAT is designed to measure skills that are considered essential for success in law school: the reading and comprehension of complex texts with accuracy and insight; the organization and management of information and the ability to draw reasonable inferences from it; the ability to think critically; and the analysis and evaluation of the reasoning and arguments of others.
The three multiple-choice question types in the LSAT are:
Reading Comprehension Questions—These questions measure the ability to read, with understanding and insight, examples of lengthy and complex materials similar to those commonly encountered in law school. The Reading Comprehension section contains four sets of reading questions, each consisting of a selection of reading material, followed by five to eight questions that test reading and reasoning abilities.
Analytical Reasoning Questions—These questions measure the ability to understand a structure of relationships and to draw logical conclusions about that structure. You are asked to reason deductively from a set of statements and rules or principles that describe relationships among persons, things, or events. Analytical Reasoning questions reflect the kinds of complex analyses that a law student performs in the course of legal problem solving.
Logical Reasoning Questions—These questions assess the ability to analyze, critically evaluate, and complete arguments as they occur in ordinary language. Each Logical Reasoning question requires the test taker to read and comprehend a short passage, then answer a question about it. The questions are designed to assess a wide range of skills involved in thinking critically, with an emphasis on skills that are central to legal reasoning. These skills include drawing well-supported conclusions, reasoning by analogy, determining how additional evidence affects an argument, applying principles or rules, and identifying argument flaws.
ps you can find some practice tests online....I remember I DID take a timed practice test...
I recommend that you practice taking the test several times...and time yourself....!!
k carry on!
yeah.. reading the LSAT for Dummies now..
6 test sections.. 35mins first 5.. last is an essay that is 30mins.
essay does not count toward score.
one of the 5 sections don't get scored at all (testing out new questions)
that is good.. not one big long test.
I feel better that it is broken down into workable test times. I can let my head take a little break in between.
6 test sections.. 35mins first 5.. last is an essay that is 30mins.
essay does not count toward score.
one of the 5 sections don't get scored at all (testing out new questions)
that is good.. not one big long test.
I feel better that it is broken down into workable test times. I can let my head take a little break in between.
Well, I'll be the naysayer of the group. Given your existing degree, unless you want to go into software law (which, in the US, likely involves moving to California or New York*, if you're not already there), don't do it. There are so many licensed attorneys out there who are settling for non-practicing jobs like document review which pay maybe $30/hr if you're lucky. The actual attorney jobs just aren't there. Going 100-200k in debt for a law degree just doesn't make sense unless you've got a practicing family member or a good friend that will give you a soft place to land. The only other exception I can think of is going to a big name law school and being a superstar student; I'm talking law review (maybe even editor of the law review) and top 10 in the class (not 10%, 10 people). That may get you the exposure you need.
My best friend has been licensed for 5 years and has only been able to get a public defender gig despite numerous interviews. Working directly for the state (either as a PD or a prosecutor) doesn't pay all that well. It took him 6-8 months after passing the bar to even find that one. He's starting his own practice next month, though.
Oh, and if you land the software law gig, prepare yourself for 60-80 hours a week to earn your 6 figure salary.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/jmauree...is-the-worst-career-decision-youll-ever-make/
*Texas, South Dakota and Delaware would also be big places, I think. Delaware and South Dakota are frequently states that companies incorporate in due to the legal environments there.
My best friend has been licensed for 5 years and has only been able to get a public defender gig despite numerous interviews. Working directly for the state (either as a PD or a prosecutor) doesn't pay all that well. It took him 6-8 months after passing the bar to even find that one. He's starting his own practice next month, though.
Oh, and if you land the software law gig, prepare yourself for 60-80 hours a week to earn your 6 figure salary.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/jmauree...is-the-worst-career-decision-youll-ever-make/
*Texas, South Dakota and Delaware would also be big places, I think. Delaware and South Dakota are frequently states that companies incorporate in due to the legal environments there.
