What is a non-traditional applicant?

msk12345

When people say they are a non-traditional applicant, what do they mean? Is it just being older than 30?

LSATcantwin

Someone who didn't go straight through school into law school.

"traditional applicants" are also known as K-JD's which means kindergarten - juris doctors.

If you are not that - then you are non-traditional.

Leah M B

I don't think non-traditional is well-defined, but (obviously) it's anyone that doesn't fit a "traditional" profile of an incoming law student. Since the average age of incoming 1Ls is around 24-26 years old, it would typically be someone older than that. To me, being 30+ solidly makes someone non-traditional. Probably 28 is the youngest I would think of a non-trad. Also, any amount of military service prior to law school, and anyone who is a parent fits the criteria for me too. It's pretty vague, but I think most of the time when people use the term, it means someone who is older than the average 1L and often has already begun a career prior to law school.