<p>I'm new to this forum. I'm considering law school and I'd appreciate your advice.</p>
<p>I'm 26 years old and I have a B.S. in Engineering Physics ('02) and a M.S. in Mechanical Engineering ('04) from Northwestern. I've been married almost 5 years now, ,and right after graduation, I had my first baby (last October) and have been a stay-at-home-mom since. I would like to take the LSAT and apply to law school, preferably to start in the Fall of 2007, but I'm concerned my 3-year period as a sahm is not going to look very well in my application. What do you think? What can I do in the meantime to improve my chances of getting in (except for getting a job, I know...)? Should I try for admission in 2006?... I'm determined to be here for my son for the first years of his life, at least when he's 3 and can take advantage of preschool, but am I throwing away my chances for admission into law school?</p>
<p>80% of law school admissions is about gpa and LSAT. Being a SAHM is NOTHING to be ashamed of. </p>
<p>My best friend was a SAHM until her youngest child was about 8. She'd never held a job. Had her first baby when she was a senior in college. (To be truthful, that was a long time ago, and she got pregnant so her law student-husband wouldn't get drafted. ) She aced the LSAT, applied to law school--but only to those in our immediate area-- and went to the one that gave her the most $. It's a lot of years later, and she's still happily employed as an attorney. </p>
<p>Don't worry about it...really. You'll be fine. Truth is a lot of law firms will jump up and down with glee and hire you. Why? They'll know that you're less likely to quit to be a SAHM.</p>
<p>Dear12qar: Do well on the LSAT and you will be able to progress from being an SAHM to being an SAHFTLS (stay-at-home-full-time law student). Law schools have nothing, I repeat, nothing, against moms with graduate degrees looking to return to the workforce in a new profession. Just do well enough on the LSAT to get into a good local or regional law school and you will have career opportunities without having to move.</p>
<p>I'll chime in: a few of my friends at law school are moms. They are very successful students. There are quite a few dads as well. All of them moved here - small town which is a really good place to raise kids. </p>
<p>The one piece of advice I can offer is that, when you submit a resume, to not have a big blank spot on it. A line which says 2004-200?, sahm, is fine. </p>
<p>Don't try for admissions in 2006 unless you feel confident that you could prepare for the LSAT, take it in October, and fill out applications by then. As law school is rolling admissions, you should get in your applications by October/early November at the latest. On the other hand, you could try to plan law school around your son's education - it might be easier to move (after law school) when he starts first grade than when he starts second grade.</p>
<p>Best of luck. Jonri & DadofSam gave great advice and encouragement. :)</p>
<p>You guys just made my day! Ah, to have motherhood possibly count FOR something professionally will be a nice change of pace. :)</p>
<p>We're in very similar boats, 12qar. We're about the same age, but my short person is a few cheeseburgers ahead of yours (she'll be seven in August). I know undergrad work can't hold a candle to law school work, but I'll mention that fitting study time into motherhood gets easy as they get older. It was hardest for me when mine was between two and four. Once she was in school, things ran much more smoothly.</p>
<p>No, it doesn't. Most of the students live in apartments or houses off campus - housing is very inexpensive, so you could have a place to yourself for about $600/month.</p>