Non-traditional students are those who do not follow the typical educational path. They could be recent immigrants who desire to become lawyers, people who have earned an undergraduate degree and had always wanted to attend law school but went into the workforce because of financial obligations, people who have seen their children grow up and leave the nest, allowing them to pursue their dream of becoming a lawyer, and many others.
For non-traditional students who have a family that depends on them, attending law school may present difficult issues. Balancing family responsibilities with the time requirements of law school could bring conflicts; and if the student also works full- or part-time the balance can be even more difficult. Age concerns also could become a hurdle, especially for non-traditional students who are much older than students who began law school immediately after receiving an undergraduate degree. Finances also must be considered, because law school tuition can cost $40,000 per year or more.
Students need to realize that only a small number of lawyers become wealthy in the profession. A great number of lawyers working at small firms, in government or with public-interest organizations may earn $50,000 a year or less, depending on the location. A law education will require, in most cases, a minimum of at least three years of full-time schooling. If you will only be able to attend law school on a part-time basis, it will take longer than three years. This time frame, and the financial implications of a lengthy education, need to be considered by most candidates for law school.
Nearly every law school will accept non-traditional students, and a few may even be willing to relax the admission requirements slightly for non-traditional students who would bring a valuable perspective or unique life experiences to the educational institution. The admissions basics, however, remain the same: taking the Law School Admissions Test, undergraduate courses that are acceptable to the admissions office, and a commendable undergraduate grade-point average and course load, along with possible admissions essays and/or personal statements.