Am I crazy to consider law school in my mid-50s?
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Anonymous
| I've always wanted to go to law school. Got derailed after college into another career, then had kids and SAH for a lot of years. Kids in high school now, soon college. I can afford in-state tuition at local, not very prestigious law school, but would it be worth it to start now? I'd be almost 60 when finished -- what then? I took the practice LSAT and did very well on it, FWIW. I've always been interested in law and politics. I am healthy and hope to work into my 70s. Is this just a crazy idea? Will it be a waste of time/money? BTW, no one wants to hire me in my old field. I'm too old, skills too rusty. Age discrimination is alive and very well. |
Anonymous
| Yes |
Anonymous
| Yes. |
Anonymous
| Please elaborate. "Yes" means nothing to me. |
Anonymous
| Also, I have no other career option right now. I have to go back to school to update my skills, and I'm not interested in my old career. |
Anonymous
|
If you are independently wealthy and literally have a pile of money to burn and are bored all day long, sure.
If not, you would absolutely be crazy to do so. |
Anonymous
| Yeah |
Anonymous
| I'm also considering it in my mid-40's. My cousin finished law school in her early 40's and now has an amazing career. But I think with law school (any school) at our age, you have to have a very clear idea of what you want to do afterwards. Why do you want a law degree? |
Anonymous
Your question: Am I crazy? The answer: Yes. What kind of elaboration are you looking for? |
Anonymous
What makes you think going to law school will change that? |
Anonymous
| What would you want to do, after? Would it tie into work you've done before I'm a lawyer and sadly, I wouldn't advise anyone of any age to go to a nonprestigious school because it can be so hard to get a job afterwards but maybe you can leverage your previous experience with a law degree? DEFINITELY don't take loans out for this. |
Anonymous
| If you are looking for this to be a good financial decision, it's probably not going to pan out. You will have a hard time finding a job as a new grad from a mediocre school and the age discrimination issue is not going to be any better than you are facing now. If you are looking at it as an expensive bucket list experience, that's a bit different. |
Anonymous
This. And I will add that if it’s always been your passion to do pro bono work or work in social services, etc. then sure. Follow your dream. If this a career move, then absolutely no. If you think age discrimination is alive and well, I’m not sure why you think any other profession would be different |
Anonymous
| What is your end goal here? Are you looking to make money? Or is this more for personal fulfillment? If it’s the latter then go for it. |
Anonymous
| Totally insane. Better to take a pile of money and set it on fire. |