Rushing. (No, not about a sorority!)

Graduate School Law School
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<p>Hi everyone, I spent all last night reading all the threads here, thanks for all your input and insight. :) I must say that I feel a little defeated and overwhelmed already before even stepping foot into law school, but that's just my regular anxiety-ridden self!</p>

<p>Here's my question.... I came into my school (University of MD, College Park) with 18 AP credits, so I am a semester ahead. I'm currently a sophomore and have planned my future semesters so that I will graduate in three years. Hopefully, anyway. Mostly to save my parents money. Anyway, if I apply to law school, it will be in the summer of next year. The adcoms will see that I did only two years of school work plus my AP credits. Are they going to look down on this, that I was rushing or something and they can't see me progress or that I took different types of courses? Do they even care? Haha.</p>

<p>Thanks in advance for any opinions or advice! )</p>

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<p>Opinionated answer... </p>

<p>Not sure what an admissions officer would think, but some might think that you don't have the requisite maturity to start professional school. Law school is a lot of work, a lot of stress, and requires (in a vague sense) a knowledge of the world around you, as a lot of law is shaped by public policy. </p>

<p>I could be wrong, but there are definitely some schools which are moving towards an emphasis on work experience and maturity in admissions. For some schools, as always, these things won't matter; for other schools, there is a definite focus on people with real-life experience. </p>

<p>While, IMO, it can be fine to go through your undergrad in three years, I would really question starting law school at age 20. Saving money is good. Rushing through your life, for so many reasons, is not good. Once you get out of law school, you're going to enter one of the most stressful and competitive careers around. You might not leave it until you retire. Why do that before you have to - and at the expense of your youth? Why not give yourself an extra year or two of being a young adult - because the mid-twenties thing is fun? Heck, in some ways, I'm jealous of one of my best friends who is teaching English in Spain - she'll go to professional school or grad school, some day, but now, she's enjoying being young. </p>

<p>Graduate early, get a job (who cares what it is - just something to pay the bills), grow up a bit, share an apartment with your friends, have your weekends to yourself (which, when you are done with college, will be a distant memory), realize the value of a professional degree by having a crappy boss and a mediocre job - and then go to law school. </p>

<p>So... in short, the New England girl in me asks... "Why rush?" ;)</p>

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<p>Ariesathenia- I am going to thank you again. I just had a similar conversation with my sophomore daughter (who also has a lot of AP credits). Our response to her was to slow down. So to my own d and to you Pinklotus. Don't rush your college experience. Enjoy- take full advantage of college. Become familiar with the admission process but slow down and try to enjoy today. Now that I gave you that advise- what I did do yesterday (in preparation for Law school admissions)- I downloaded an application from Columbia Law. I figured they were going to be as selective as any Law school in the country. I figured the application would give us some insight on what my d had to do for the admission process. (like getting recommendations- when application deadlines are etc). So even though we may not do anything for a year or two, my d will know what the law schools expectation is. She also will go to the law school advisor at her school. I am sure they will also give some insight into the admission process- the timing of LSAT's etc. But please Pinklotus, take full advantage of your time in college.</p>

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<p>Thank you both for your responses, I truly appreciate it. I have some thinking to do about my pace. I was never told to zip through my undergrad years, it was pretty much my decision. I think a concern of mine is that my parents are both nearing retirement age and, being their only child, I just want to go ahead and start my career as soon as possible.</p>

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<p>Hi Pinklotus- that is very considerate to think of your parents needs, but as a parent (also not too far from retirement age) you may actually be making your parents feel older than they care to admit. They are probably just getting used to the idea that their "baby" is in college. You'll understand in about 35 years.</p>

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<p>Pinklotus,</p>

<p>I have a friend at Boalt Hall (Berkeley) and at UCLA law. They're 24 and 22 respectively, and both complain about how young they are and how underexposed to life they are. </p>

<p>There is a trend of 1Ls (1st year law students) getting older. Maybe work a couple of years and see other options that will make you happy.</p>

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<p>Thanks, what a helpful forum! All signs are pointing to me taking more time before applying . . . although I kind of feel as though it will be hanging over my head until I start! lol I'll definitely think it through and discuss it when I go home this weekend.</p>

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<p>Life works in mysterious ways. Anyway- I was checking out "learning communities" for another thread. I came across one for University of Maryland for their upper level students (I think that meant juniors and seniors). Anyway, they seem to have a learning community for those kids interested in public service and who want to do an Internship in DC. When I read about it, I thought what a marvelous opportunity. I just went back to this thread and I realized you go to the U. of Maryland. If you are interersted in Law school and you could do an internship in DC, I think you will help your chances immensely. If you have trouble finding the link, let me know, I'll try to find it again. I am jealous.</p>

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<p>Hi again--I found the program. Beyond the Classroom Living and Learning Program. Take full advantage of your college years. They go by way too quickly.</p>

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<p>Thank you so much, marny1! I Googled it and found the link. :) I'll be sure to look into it, it's really nice to have options like these.</p>