Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They CHOSE their schools, I don't imagine anyone held them at gunpoint to apply and attend.

but many of these schools lie about their employment statistics. and even if they didn't, the economy and job prospects for law grads were completely different when they applied. Not sure too many people foresaw the sea change that has taken place.

Some of this is true, but when is taking on $200K in student loans ever a good idea? Seriously? Very few people are going to make the kind of money to pay this back quickly. Why would you want to be in debt for the rest of your life?

Anonymous wrote:They CHOSE their schools, I don't imagine anyone held them at gunpoint to apply and attend.

but many of these schools lie about their employment statistics. and even if they didn't, the economy and job prospects for law grads were completely different when they applied. Not sure too many people foresaw the sea change that has taken place.

They CHOSE their schools, I don't imagine anyone held them at gunpoint to apply and attend.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get several credit cards.

Use the credit card checks to pay off as much student loan as possible.

Declare bankruptcy.

I'm pretty sure that the credit card companies would start noticeing what you are doing way before you got to the $300K amount.

Not if you do it slowly over several months.

Anonymous wrote:Forgive the stupid question - what happens if you stop paying your student loans?
they cannot get blood from a turnip, and you probably don't have much in the way of assets for them to take? Just guessing....

It is morally wrong to not pay debts, but in your case something has to give. even if you found a great job it would still take YEARS before you pay off that SL debt. what a scam sallie mae shame on you!

Why is Sallie Mae to blame for their poor choice? I feel bad for the OP, but they are not imbeciles and they willing took on the debt. I don't think Sallie Mae held them down and made them get a law degree.

Forgive the stupid question - what happens if you stop paying your student loans?
they cannot get blood from a turnip, and you probably don't have much in the way of assets for them to take? Just guessing....

It is morally wrong to not pay debts, but in your case something has to give. even if you found a great job it would still take YEARS before you pay off that SL debt. what a scam sallie mae shame on you!

go and work in Ireland, England or Australia or new zealand.
and forget about the loans.
no-one can get money out of you there.
You'll be off the hook

Another vote for bankruptcy, without hesitation!
Do not turn off your cell phone, you need it for too many important things.

you ought to be able to live on $65K with the way you're currently living - no TV/cable etc. I have not read all the posts so forgive me if you already answered the question - do you rent or own?
hopefully you're renting.

I still cannot believe the $370K in student loan debt. what the hell?

OP, maybe I missed it somewhere in this thread, but why aren't you looking at legal temp agencies or contract work? Also, check out legal assistant job listings - I have a JD and worked as a part-time legal assistant for a while - I found the job on craigslist.

Good luck & keep us posted!

OP, I think you should seriously consider trying to find a middle or high school teaching job (history or social studies). I used to be a teacher and I actually knew quite a few former attorneys who taught history or social studies because the hours were so much more child-friendly. You do not need teaching certification if you try to find a job at a private school, and you are going to be WAY more qualified than some kid right out of college. Here are some current openings:

Commonwealth Academy: http://independenteducation.org/career-center/job-listings/ms-history

Connelly School of the Holy Child (PT):
http://independenteducation.org/career-center/job-listings/part-time-u-s--history-teacher

Burgundy Farm Country Day:
http://independenteducation.org/career-center/job-listings/middle-school-social-studies-teacher

Green Acres School:
http://independenteducation.org/career-center/job-listings/middle-school-social-studies--drama-teacher

Potomac School:
http://independenteducation.org/career-center/job-listings/upper-school--history-teacher

Westminster School:
http://independenteducation.org/career-center/job-listings/history---classical-studies-teacher-grades-5--6

Public school but only requires ELIGIBILITY for certification which you prob. have b/c of your content area coursework:
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/edu/2485368887.html

Oakcrest School:
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/edu/2444813516.html

Please please please apply to all of these TODAY because summer hiring goes so quickly in schools. You should also start thinking about LSAT tutoring depending on how high your LSAT score was. Here is an ad, but you could call up any test prep company (and you should) to see if they have openings: http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/edu/2478862779.html

-Sign up to be a tutor at wyzant.com - you can read about how it works but this would be a good fit for you.

-Make a profile on sittercity.com for babysitting.

-If you get really desperate, what about being a retail banker? The hours are not ideal and same with the pay (mid 30s maybe) but it could hold you over? Look for "personal banker" positions at all the major banks. I know they will pretty much hire anyone for this job.

Finally, contact the company Carney Sandoe and fill out an application with them. They are an educational placement firm and work WELL. I am sure they would be able to help you find something. I believe that if they work with you, it costs $100 or so to be a candidate, but it is well worth it. I found a fantastic job this way and so have friends.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Um, cardiac surgeons are very much oversupplied and having trouble finding work.

then wouldn't they also be qualified to just be a surgeon-surgeon, as well?

Not really, most of them have not removed a gall bladder in years. They can do vascular, but that is a different specialty.
Things are getting better since word is out and few people are training in cardiac or thoracic surgery. But we docs have our woes too.

OP- What happened to the job in Maine? I have to admit (having gone to law school up there myself) that jobs like that there are few and far between. If he pulled it off, your DH is good!

Also, have you tried looking at usajobs.gov for paralegal positions?

Anonymous wrote:Get several credit cards.

Use the credit card checks to pay off as much student loan as possible.

Declare bankruptcy.

I'm pretty sure that the credit card companies would start noticeing what you are doing way before you got to the $300K amount.

Anonymous wrote:

Um, cardiac surgeons are very much oversupplied and having trouble finding work.

then wouldn't they also be qualified to just be a surgeon-surgeon, as well?

Get several credit cards.

Use the credit card checks to pay off as much student loan as possible.

Declare bankruptcy.