(Updated October 21,2019) Congratulations!  You’ve been admitted to a few different law schools!  Now – you just need to figure out how to pay for it!  You thought the hard part was over – but, now, it seems like it is just beginning.  Let me help you get a realistic vision of what to expect/what not to expect with regards to paying for law school.

The Weekend JD program is now about half-way through its second successful year, and with two classes having gone through the admissions process, with a third in the works, I thought it would be a good time to reflect back at the questions I’ve received during this time. Here is a list of the most frequently asked questions I’ve received in the last 2 years.

AN INTERVIEW WITH PROFESSOR THOMAS HEALY

Many students know from the first day of college they want to attend law school as soon as they graduate. But for others, the decision comes later. They might not decide on law school until they’ve tried another career. They might want to save money and gain work experience before returning to school. Or they might simply need a break from the rigors of studying. Whatever the case, older students often have a different perspective on going to law school and a different experience once they arrive. In this Q&A, Seton Hall Professor Thomas Healy talks about his own unconventional path to law school and the pros and cons of being an older student.

I am often asked if it is worthwhile for prospective law students to invest in Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) Prep. In the past, my answer has often been a ‘soft yes’ because the answer is dependent upon the individual’s study habits, time constraints and most notably their financial situation. I’ve been reluctant to be 'all in' on a test prep recommendation, knowing that for many aspiring law students the financial constraints of commercial prep services are prohibitive.

But I also know that the LSAT is a high stakes standardized test – and applicants should do anything and everything they can to position themselves to have as many law school choices as possible. I am so pleased to finally be able to give a ‘hard yes’ to the question, now that there is free, flexible, fully online LSAT prep. 

(Updated October 2, 2019) Now that your admissions decisions are rolling in, it is time to get down to the business of selecting your law school.  One of the most important things that you can do to make this important choice is to spend time and visit law schools you are seriously considering.  At most law schools, the opportunities for visitation come in a variety of formats. 

If you are a veteran who is thinking of submitting a law school application, you may be eligible to use your veterans education benefits to help pay for your tuition and other qualified expenses.  In some cases, veteran’s benefits will cover the entire amount of tuition and fees.  Below, I address the answers to the most commonly asked questions.

Students of all ages and experience levels often wonder how to appropriately express their professional credentials on their law school application. Whether you have college jobs, an internship, or twenty years of professional experience under your belt, there are a few overall guidelines you can follow to get the biggest application bang from your experience buck.

Post updated October 22, 2019
Most admissions professionals spend a considerable amount of time helping law school applicants understand the various ranking mechanisms that are out there and trying to guide prospective law students to a rational, thoughtful use of these tools.

Before we dig into this – I want to caution you that the use of any of these tools should only be one part of your analysis. It is important for you to do your homework by visiting schools you are interested in, seeking out data and information from websites and professionals at the schools, and talking to alumni. No single rank or publication should dictate your choices. Available information is best used in an all-inclusive approach.

Increasing numbers of students are gaining access to quality higher education through online learning. College and graduate education has been available for decades through both online divisions of traditional “brick and mortar” universities and through specialized online-only institutions where students can pursue everything from certificates to PhDs either partly or wholly online.

Updated September 9, 2020.

Many prospective students enter law school hoping to work in a particular geographic area. For example, some may ask – if I go to school in New Jersey, do I have chance to practice law in New York City? At Seton Hall, the answer is an unquestionable yes. Seton Hall students will actually see that they have more than just a chance to practice law in New York; they will have options.