I'm 48. Took a leave of absence from college (long story). Planning to take LSAT first, then finishing up undergrad. I hope there will still be earth left when I'm done with law school. Planning on applying to law school when I'm 51.
Hoping to get in to T14, but I don't know if my age will be a factor. I'm almost done with undergrad (UCLA for those fellow Bruins) and currently have LSAC GPA of 3.989. I guess it'll come down to my LSAT. I SUCK at standardized tests, as I get WAAYYY TOO NERVOUS. FYI Started going to college when there was no Google. Everything is so much easier now.
As my body falls apart, I figured I better use my brain quick before the empty nest syndrome. 49 yrs old - twin daughters currently working on common app essays for undergrad college admissions this Fall. Hope all 3 of us get scholarships or my husband is going to have a heart attack. Thank everyone for this great site for all of the info, dedication and support to achieve your dreams. As soon as I learn what Skype is, I will be in on BR sessions, lol.
41 here. I'm surprised to read I'm not the oldest! That's great. I'm an active duty Marine. I'll be retiring with 20 years of service in a little less than three years. Taking the LSAT this October so I have it out of the way. Then plan on retiring, using my GI Bill to fund school and just treating school as my job since I'll have my retirement check. That's the plan anyway :) Good luck to all!
I too will be 37 in November. Man, with a full time job and a life full of sh*t going on it's tough to put the 4+ hours a day I need to study... Anyhow, just venting.
I am turning 37 this August. Finished undergraduate school at 35. It has been taking me almost two years to prepare for the LSAT. I didn't like my score from last June, so I am trying again this October 3th.
Looks like one person has me beat. I'm 45. I'm finishing up my last year getting my undergraduate degree in peace and conflict studies. I'll be 46 when I graduate, and hopefully starting law school. I feel old some days.... but really, I'm so excited for my new beginning, that keeps me going. I really wanna dig into The Constitution, and shake up a few lawmakers... work on human rights, and be that voice for those who are unheard. But first... I got to get through this damn LSAT!!!!! UGH!
@2543.hopkins (Shakes fist) Why I oughta!!! Back in my day, we respected our elders and walked to school in the snow barefoot...uphill!!! AND WE LIKED IT!!!!!
Bumping this! 33 year old, 13 years out of college, looking for PS pals and LoR sympathizing. I am also researching schools more intensely to prep for the LSAC forum and realizing that I am above the age range given in some schools, which is definitely giving me pause given that I'm only 33. Let's do this together!
I'm 36, and preparing for june or october. It's so great to see others here! It is difficult to make the time while being a mother to a small child, but every little bit counts. I just finished BR for the first PT (2007).
I'll be 29 in December. I actually met a 16 year old prepping hard and stressing for the LSAT. He'll be entering grade 12 in fall. Although it shows dedication on his part, it did make me wonder if there a minimum age for taking the LSAT? Lol
OK oldsters, I just went to the LSAC Fair in NYC and did a lot of asking. Here are some things I learned that generalize:
1) if it's been more than 10 years, your academic letter is important but not as essential. What is essential is good proof you can do well in school. Reading, writing, analysis. I don't think I'll have a great letter from a professor and the answers I got were all over with regards to how much of a problem that would be, especially with an employer letter that can talk about those things. This helped me calm down a little bit. Schools vary! Check twice!
2) if you are in your 30s you will be among the oldest in your class most places. Asking the % over 30 got me much more useful info than that "# of years out of school" # most schools have. People would say "oh a huge percent of our student body is nontraditional" and they mean returning after 5 or 6 years, not 10+.
3) the personal statement! This one from all accounts does need to answer what you've been doing since undergrad or at least why law school now. Everyone I talked to said some variation of "oh we love returning students, they bring so much wisdom and experience and that is what we want to understand" so there you have it. You already knew that though. I think I am going to try to call the prelaw advisor at my undergrad school which is evidently something one can do as an alumna that I wouldn't have thought about doing (I was at a big state school.)
I will say getting in front of actual schools was incredibly useful, both for my sense of what they were like and what it was to be in a teeming room of mostly much younger people. The admissions people were not thaaaaat useful to be honest (every school has exceptional faculty, clinic opportunities to all that are interested, a tight-knit student body, etc, etc...) but some people were much more interested in talking about being an older student than others which was edifying. Also, the students who were there were very useful and open to being grilled and THAT ruled. It also really hammered home that for me I am going to need to visit schools in order to get a real sense of what is going on and what the differences are between schools and how I might fit in.
87 comments
I am sorry but you guys aren't OLD. I am OLD - 67 years but looking toward Oct. 3, 2015 and on to Fall 2016.
I feel weird being 20 in this thread now lol.
I'm 48. Took a leave of absence from college (long story). Planning to take LSAT first, then finishing up undergrad. I hope there will still be earth left when I'm done with law school. Planning on applying to law school when I'm 51.
Hoping to get in to T14, but I don't know if my age will be a factor. I'm almost done with undergrad (UCLA for those fellow Bruins) and currently have LSAC GPA of 3.989. I guess it'll come down to my LSAT. I SUCK at standardized tests, as I get WAAYYY TOO NERVOUS. FYI Started going to college when there was no Google. Everything is so much easier now.
Cracking me up - I started this journey at 48 and finally took the dang thing at 50 while still preparing for a retake:)
All the best to the late bloomers!
And to quote Garth Brooks, "I am much to young to feel this damn Old"
@tutordavidlevine115 hope you find someone like me to share my notes with in 1L to keep you young, heehee:)
36 here. My son will be starting college the year I start law school, if all goes as planned.
As my body falls apart, I figured I better use my brain quick before the empty nest syndrome. 49 yrs old - twin daughters currently working on common app essays for undergrad college admissions this Fall. Hope all 3 of us get scholarships or my husband is going to have a heart attack. Thank everyone for this great site for all of the info, dedication and support to achieve your dreams. As soon as I learn what Skype is, I will be in on BR sessions, lol.
Lol. Get out of here kiddo;)
41 here. I'm surprised to read I'm not the oldest! That's great. I'm an active duty Marine. I'll be retiring with 20 years of service in a little less than three years. Taking the LSAT this October so I have it out of the way. Then plan on retiring, using my GI Bill to fund school and just treating school as my job since I'll have my retirement check. That's the plan anyway :) Good luck to all!
I too will be 37 in November. Man, with a full time job and a life full of sh*t going on it's tough to put the 4+ hours a day I need to study... Anyhow, just venting.
You should.
GET OFF OUR LAWN. We're up here tryna play some baccarat ...
Actually I might get chased off too. I yield, I yield!
I am turning 37 this August. Finished undergraduate school at 35. It has been taking me almost two years to prepare for the LSAT. I didn't like my score from last June, so I am trying again this October 3th.
Looks like one person has me beat. I'm 45. I'm finishing up my last year getting my undergraduate degree in peace and conflict studies. I'll be 46 when I graduate, and hopefully starting law school. I feel old some days.... but really, I'm so excited for my new beginning, that keeps me going. I really wanna dig into The Constitution, and shake up a few lawmakers... work on human rights, and be that voice for those who are unheard. But first... I got to get through this damn LSAT!!!!! UGH!
I'm 31 this year. But I've been told I age like a vampire. So...
I'm 22, I feel pretty old!
@2543.hopkins (Shakes fist) Why I oughta!!! Back in my day, we respected our elders and walked to school in the snow barefoot...uphill!!! AND WE LIKED IT!!!!!
If 44 yrs old counts, then Yes
Bumping this! 33 year old, 13 years out of college, looking for PS pals and LoR sympathizing. I am also researching schools more intensely to prep for the LSAC forum and realizing that I am above the age range given in some schools, which is definitely giving me pause given that I'm only 33. Let's do this together!
Vent away! That's what we're here for :D
I'm 36, and preparing for june or october. It's so great to see others here! It is difficult to make the time while being a mother to a small child, but every little bit counts. I just finished BR for the first PT (2007).
I am 43. My kid is in college now. Seems harder than it used to be.
I'll be 29 in December. I actually met a 16 year old prepping hard and stressing for the LSAT. He'll be entering grade 12 in fall. Although it shows dedication on his part, it did make me wonder if there a minimum age for taking the LSAT? Lol
24, but I am an old soul :p
OK oldsters, I just went to the LSAC Fair in NYC and did a lot of asking. Here are some things I learned that generalize:
1) if it's been more than 10 years, your academic letter is important but not as essential. What is essential is good proof you can do well in school. Reading, writing, analysis. I don't think I'll have a great letter from a professor and the answers I got were all over with regards to how much of a problem that would be, especially with an employer letter that can talk about those things. This helped me calm down a little bit. Schools vary! Check twice!
2) if you are in your 30s you will be among the oldest in your class most places. Asking the % over 30 got me much more useful info than that "# of years out of school" # most schools have. People would say "oh a huge percent of our student body is nontraditional" and they mean returning after 5 or 6 years, not 10+.
3) the personal statement! This one from all accounts does need to answer what you've been doing since undergrad or at least why law school now. Everyone I talked to said some variation of "oh we love returning students, they bring so much wisdom and experience and that is what we want to understand" so there you have it. You already knew that though. I think I am going to try to call the prelaw advisor at my undergrad school which is evidently something one can do as an alumna that I wouldn't have thought about doing (I was at a big state school.)
I will say getting in front of actual schools was incredibly useful, both for my sense of what they were like and what it was to be in a teeming room of mostly much younger people. The admissions people were not thaaaaat useful to be honest (every school has exceptional faculty, clinic opportunities to all that are interested, a tight-knit student body, etc, etc...) but some people were much more interested in talking about being an older student than others which was edifying. Also, the students who were there were very useful and open to being grilled and THAT ruled. It also really hammered home that for me I am going to need to visit schools in order to get a real sense of what is going on and what the differences are between schools and how I might fit in.
Hope this helps!
26 but 28 when I start. never again will I complain about being a late bloomer. good luck to you all!! dope inspiration.
@manymeez36 Do you go to Berkeley? I've never heard of PACS anywhere else but at Cal.
Also, I'm 25 but people say I have an old soul. Been looking for bridge/canasta/scrabble buddies...