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suvenR
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Lawyers: May I have your *personal* opinion
What are your thoughts on the EJD (Executive Juris Doctorate)?
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Posted 11/1/07 3:32 PM  |
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Kara
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Re: Lawyers: May I have your *personal* opinion
My understanding is that only a couple of schools even offer it and NO states will consider it satisfactory to sit for the bar. This means, you can't be admitted to practice after you earn it. Honestly, I'd go for a traditional JD, part time if necessary. (Note that part time JDs are stressful, especially during the first year, but MANY people successfully complete the program.) I went full time, but work with plenty of people who went PT.
ETA - Law school will be tough enough whether you do an "executive" program or a traditional program (full or part time). I don't see having THAT much to gain from an executive program to make me choose it over a traditional JD. This is just MY opinion. I would rather spend that time, money, and energy on a traditional juris doctor.
Message edited 11/1/2007 3:49:58 PM.
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| Posted 11/1/07 3:36 PM |
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suvenR
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Re: Lawyers: May I have your *personal* opinion
I've been thinking about your last point A LOT. From what I've read, the beginning schedules for both JD and EJDs are the same...so, why not just do the 'real' thing.
My situation is that I can't (won't) give up my job. It's a good one- not only salary wise, but career wise. But, I know that in the future, they'll be hiring JDs to do my job. And, earning a JD has always been on my to-do list. I really SHOULD have done it already...
But, I don't want to kill myself by working FT and going to school PT (laziness at its purist)!
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| Posted 11/1/07 3:41 PM |
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Kara
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Re: Lawyers: May I have your *personal* opinion
Posted by suvenR
But, I don't want to kill myself by working FT and going to school PT (laziness at its purist)!
Then you won't enjoy an EJD program either. 
Seriously, law school is a lot of work and can be stressful. Only commit to it if you really want it. FM if you have any more questions about it. It CAN be done, but whether you're in a PT program or an executive program, it'll be a lot of work and almost the same thing will be expected of you. I think it's worth pursuing the traditional degree if you want a law degree. It will make you more marketable and I think carries more credibility. Others may disagree - but I'd go traditional PT instead of executive *if* you can swing that. 
Message edited 11/1/2007 3:46:49 PM.
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| Posted 11/1/07 3:44 PM |
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suvenR
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Re: Lawyers: May I have your *personal* opinion
Posted by Kara
Then you won't enjoy an EJD program either.
Yeah, I guess not 
When I went to grad school, FT status was 12 credits per semester. But, the way the billing went, you could do up to 15 credits without paying anything additional. They recently closed that loop hole. Anyway, I took the 3 "free" credits my first 2 semesters and just about killed myself.
When I did cut back on credit hours, I started working FT and then went to school PT at night. That was SO HARD. But, I was also traveling LONG distances to work in the morning and then home from school at night. Each of my grad school classes were 190 minutes long. So, that was just miserable.
I should probably try to forget all that. If I go to school like a normal person, maybe it won't be as bad...?
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| Posted 11/1/07 3:49 PM |
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Kara
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Re: Lawyers: May I have your *personal* opinion
I must correct myself. I believe that an executive JD will not satisfy the requirements to sit for the bar in ANY state. That means, you can't take the bar and cannot practice law. If that's the case, NO WAY I'd waste the time and energy on an executive JD. Even if you don't want to "practice" law in the traditional sense, bar admission lends credibility to your degree and could be a deal breaker with employers. Not to mention, if your company will be looking for JDs, they'll likely be looking for actual JDs who are admitted (or at least qualify for admission) to the bar.
Message edited 11/1/2007 3:51:42 PM.
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| Posted 11/1/07 3:49 PM |
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KrisT
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Kristin
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Re: Lawyers: May I have your *personal* opinion
Posted by Kara
Posted by suvenR
But, I don't want to kill myself by working FT and going to school PT (laziness at its purist)!
Then you won't enjoy an EJD program either.
Seriously, law school is a lot of work and can be stressful. Only commit to it if you really want it. FM if you have any more questions about it. It CAN be done, but whether you're in a PT program or an executive program, it'll be a lot of work and almost the same thing will be expected of you. I think it's worth pursuing the traditional degree if you want a law degree. It will make you more marketable and I think carries more credibility. Others may disagree - but I'd go traditional PT instead of executive *if* you can swing that.
I completely agree! I also want to add that law school is a HUGE financial committment if you are not getting any scholarships (probably about $100,000) total so I would not go for a J.D. unless it is 100% something you want to do.
ETA: You may also want to weigh the cost of the J.D. vs. the increased marketability to see if it is really worth it.
Message edited 11/1/2007 4:25:05 PM.
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| Posted 11/1/07 4:24 PM |
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steph4777
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Stephanie
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Re: Lawyers: May I have your *personal* opinion
Posted by suvenR
But, I don't want to kill myself by working FT and going to school PT (laziness at its purist)!
If you are unsure about it, then really think hard about it. Your potential decision to go to law school affects not only you but also your DH. It's going to take a real commitment, understanding and patience on both of your parts.
My DH went to law school part time, while working FT. It took him 4 years to complete. It was tough for him and stressful at times. What made it easier was I was getting my MBA at the same time, so I was kinda in the same mindset as him. But when I finished, It was tough on our relationship bc he spent most of his free time studying. It also doesn't end when they graduate, studying for the bar was really a test of our relationship. He stopped working and I pretty much became a single mom.
Good luck with your decision.... I just wanted to give you the spouse's perspective.
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| Posted 11/1/07 6:19 PM |
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suvenR
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Re: Lawyers: May I have your *personal* opinion
Posted by steph4777
Good luck with your decision.... I just wanted to give you the spouse's perspective.
Thank you for that!
I'm in a tough spot- not in the traditional sense. I've always felt like going to law school was something I wanted to do. And, I DO feel like it's something I'll always regret not doing.
But, I am doing very well professionally, especially when you take my age into consideration.
I dunno. I keep going back to this issue every couple years, feeling like something is missing, but then reminding myself that I have a LOT to lose right now by leaving my job/career right now.
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| Posted 11/1/07 7:32 PM |
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MrsT
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Katrina
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Re: Lawyers: May I have your *personal* opinion
Posted by steph4777
Posted by suvenR
But, I don't want to kill myself by working FT and going t
o school PT (laziness at its purist)!
If you are unsure about it, then really think hard about it. Your potential decision to go to law school affects not only you but also your DH. It's going to take a real commitment, understanding and patience on both of your parts.
My DH went to law school part time, while working FT. It took him 4 years to complete. It was tough for him and stressful at times. What made it easier was I was getting my MBA at the same time, so I was kinda in the same mindset as him. But when I finished, It was tough on our relationship bc he spent most of his free time studying. It also doesn't end when they graduate, studying for the bar was really a test of our relationship. He stopped working and I pretty much became a single mom.
Good luck with your decision.... I just wanted to give you the spouse's perspective.
I think you have enough opinions but I want to add that I know many couples who divorced during law school....men & women. It was a huge commitment and one couple even had 2 kids but her husband could not deal with her being away so much and then studying when she was at home.
On the flip side, a mentor and good friend (over 60) went to law school when her prior career was ending (Commissioner for Dept of Corrections under Koch) and she has had her own practice for over 10 years. She has been married for over 50 years and they are solid (with several adult kids). I wrote that so you do know that it will never be too late to go to law school should you want to make the financial commitment (and time commitment) later in life. 
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| Posted 11/1/07 9:39 PM |
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