Work or law school

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So I've been minimally employed for years now, so I applied to law school in hopes of finding a way to change things. I was just offered a full-ride to a b-tier school (ranked in the top 60, and at a very big university). In the meantime I might be able to finally work full-time as a home school tutor (which is like a dream come true... at least an old dream) but it still might not pay enough. Also in the meantime I might be able to become a member of three different board, one of them being the local Autism Society chapter (seems like a sure thing), another working for a local disability nonprofit (less of a sure thing but a current member wants me to join), and another working for the governor's office. All 3 I am sure are purely prestige (aka nonpaying) positions... but could lead to so much more, especially with I law degree... but wrong state.

If it was purely for happiness I would probably stay here... but I want to be independent and had to give that up recently... I want to have a decent permanent job (home school tutor counts... but... not sure if it pays enough and the job is 45 minutes away which is a pain to drive every day)... I want a more prestigious job (probably foolish pride but yea... with my master's in special education I feel like I shouldn't have to try this hard to barely scrape by)... etc. Meanwhile I'm worried that the anxiety of law school will destroy me, grad school nearly did (lost 50 pounds without meaning to in about 6 months) so I'm not sure. I would love to turn this into a good disability advocacy job, or even a job in politics but not sure I can, also not sure if this is the best way. I am thinking I will talk to my client's mom (the one who might give me a more full-time homeschool tutoring job next year, his current curriculum sucks but that's what they choose before they had me, and they didn't need me full time this year for that) but wanted to vent and ask for advice on here.

Edit: also complicating things was the fact that I think I nearly got into a top-20 school close to my family that has a history of giving out generous scholarships, and if I was a member of a governor's board it might be enough to put me over the top... but would have to wait until next year

Last edited by endersdragon34 on 14 May 2018, 7:56 pm, edited 1 time in total.

I would pick law school.

Maybe go part time--if you could.

Do you have a means of support---like a "significant other" or your parent/parents?

No real support mechanisms for the entire cost of living (probably can expect $100 here and there) and can't go part time, at least not the first year (and scholarship might be lost if I try it after that). Also should note that it's possible I could get a one year deferment to see what happens... it's delaying a year which could be bad in the future, but I probably will be mentally better off in a year (planning finally work on seeing a psychologist soon, it's hard when you just have medicaid) and the year might see a lot happen as I have a few local people working for me (could even possibly become a part-time prof).

Why would it be bad for the future if you can get a deferment?

Finishing at, say, 30, is not significantly different than finishing at 29.

Does the scholarship include some sort of "stipend?"

I'm already 32 though... So waiting a year would make me 36 instead of 35 when graduating... That just seems like a huge difference to me. Not sure about stipend yet to get the official letter probably tonight or tomorrow.

One year still doesn't make that much of a difference.

I'm talking from the vantage point of being a 57-year-old man.

If you have a passion for the law and you have an offer of a full scholarship, GO FOR IT!

I had a cousin who went to UCLA law. He lucked out and got a law internship as a paid position and made enough that he was able to afford a 1 bedroom condo with a living room view of the Golden Gate bridge in San Francisco. He made more as a law intern than I was making as a teacher with 5 years of teaching experience.

The opportunity to attend law school without incurring massive debt is a wonderful opportunity.

Why are you having to think about this?

Go to law school! It's a permanent benefit. Age doesn't matter. Even practice doesn't matter - although I'd hope you give that a really good try as well. For the rest of your life, you can say this: "I went to law school." Talk about a boost in almost any situation. And then, what if you like it, and become a lawyer? Oh, yes, please give it a try!

If you're passionate about law subjects (like it's your special interest) and you're good at writing you should absolutely go! I've understood that law school requires very good writing and research skills.

My cleaning lady has a degree from a US law school. Just sayin' ...

Is she still in US? Because she would need another degree to practice in Canada. The lady who washes my hair is a fully qualified nurse in Alberta, but she can't practice nursing in Quebec because she doesn't speak French. There's no guarantees, I know.