Ask me about being a Non-traditional law student

I'm 51 years old and started law school at age 50 after a career in Nashville, TN as a professional singer. I'm in my 2L year of law school and ready to answer your questions about going to law school as a full time (or parttime) non-traditional student.
Please ask your questions in the comments and I will reply and it will help me know what questions you all want answered in future videos.
My first answer to your unspoken question though is: YOU can do this!
#lawschool #nontraditional #lawstudent #LSAT #lawschoolquestions

[@kmbs8724]

Nice to see you back! I start law school in Jan. at 53😊. Not concerned about being older just focused on meeting my goal.

[@vanessamaxlaw]

that's a great place to be. The age thing is honestly irrelevant to your goals. Best wishes on your exciting journey!

[@sunii4264]

Which school starts in January?

[@vanessamaxlaw]

@@sunii4264 I'm not sure which one the commenter is planning to attend but many law schools have both fall and spring start options. Spring start classes are usually about 1/4-1/3 the number of students in most schools that offer it. You just have to check the schools you are interested in attending to see what their setup is. Baylor Law School actually has 3 or 4 semesters and they allow a start on any of their semesters!

[@vaeluagaomatagielisara6244]

👍🏼

[@andreaandersen9960]

I am applying to law school at almost 40. Your prespective is exactly what I want to hear. Not editing is perfectly understandable and I dont need a fancy edited video.

[@vanessamaxlaw]

You will be in good company. There are a fair amount of 40-something law students!

[@Brainjoy01]

my aunt went at 50 and she settled one of the largest medical malpractice suits in her state with her partners. its possible

[@vanessamaxlaw]

@@Brainjoy01 that's incredible!!

[@gemalopez6885]

Love your hair & the fit! Good luck, 2L😊

[@vanessamaxlaw]

Thank you!! 😊

[@finurra3905]

you are amazing!! Thank you so much for this video!! I will 100% be a nontraditional student..

[@larahporter8123]

Questions: How do you feel being an older student in comparison with the kids? Do they trait you right? And the professors? Are they fare? Is it hard to go to uni again? What is the best thing so far for you? What you hate the most? Do you prefer writing or typing? What is your preferred method of memorizing? What do you do in your spare time? Do you have a hobby? I think you are great! You are so brave! Please don’t stop making videos! I know you are going to be the best attorney!

[@vanessamaxlaw]

Thank you for the questions... writing them all down now!

[@louwil67]

Love to see your journey!

[@lupitahaussmann]

Hi Vanessa, thanks so much for your content. I found your channel whilst searching for non traditional law students - a topic I am soaking up every moment I get. I am also wanting to apply to law school at almost 40 years old, with three children. Although it has been a dream of mine since my undergrad years ago, I never thought I could actually become a lawyer. Each time the idea would arise, I gave myself the same excuse as to why not it's possible : it's too late. Now after so many years I have come to the conclusion, it's never too late. I thought one day, will I ever be happy if I never try... And so that is where I am at right. I am going to give it a try. I want the second half of my life to be working towards something meaningful, I want to show others that it is indeed never too late, and I want my future career to be impactful to my community and not a means for an empty paycheck. Thanks once again and I wish you the best of luck in law school. You are awesome and an inspiration. :)

[@vanessamaxlaw]

It's never too late!

[@thismorningbeforecoffee64]

🎉 I am more relieved than happy to find your channel. Subscribed. I am a n/t applicant, too. I look forward to sharing my journey but gratefully watching yours and alike in the meantime. I really want to be an attorney and doubling down on my lsat prep. ❤

[@vanessamaxlaw]

Thanks for subbing! If you have the time to do that LSAT prep... go for it!! Just remember that it's YOUR journey and goals, not anyone else's.

[@wendishaver9520]

Yay! I just found your channel and I was so sad to see you hadn't made any videos! Now here you are!

[@vanessamaxlaw]

I'm doing my best to post a bit more often these days.

[@journeyofanon-traditionall4687]

As a former Non-traditional law student (finished summer of 2023), I understand how hard it is to put those videos up! I saw that a lot of people started these channels but did not follow through. I did post my graduation, but I need to post an update too.

[@vanessamaxlaw]

ha! yes, it was ambitious to think I could keep up with posting them. Hopefully what I've done is at least encouraging to people, even if it doesn't answer every question.

[@jerricarter4909]

Hey! I’m so happy to find your channel. I’m a NT law student. I am in the application process.

[@vanessamaxlaw]

Welcome!! I'm excited for you.

[@elderlaw9148]

I'm 44 years old and currently studying to take the LSAT. I just came across your page and quickly subscribed. It is so refreshing seeing older men and women getting into law school. I will be honest I chose my LSAT remotely because I was afraid of being around so many young kids, but you have encouraged me greatly. I love your attitude and spirit! One of my question to you is, did you get any scholarships or financial aid to help cover school and living cost?

[@vanessamaxlaw]

I definitely use financial aid for school and cost of living so that I can do this full time. I do, however have a parttime contract job that helps me with income. The ABA does not allow full time students to work more than 20hrs a week. Also, you don't have time to work more than that, particularly in your first year.

[@elderlaw9148]

@@vanessamaxlaw Thank you this was so helpful.

[@krissy3980]

I just found your channel! I love your content. Do you mind sharing your other social media so we can follow you there?

[@vanessamaxlaw]

instagram.com/vanessamaddoux/

[@DearNadia]

Yay!

[@jimmie-satx]

Loved the video. I am looking to enter law school here in San Antonio, TX and I am non-traditional as well at 46.

[@vanessamaxlaw]

congrats!!

[@frankthayer3410]

I still need a 4 year degree I’m 39 and this is my dream I just don’t know how to get there

[@vanessamaxlaw]

start with your first step to finish your undergrad. I recommend that someone starting at zero, do your basic undergrad classes through straighterline.com. Those credits transfer to most universities/colleges. Complete your courses for your major somewhere that works for you. You will save move this way. Don't worry about studying for the LSAT until you have 60 credits undergrad behind you. Then decide what the best route is for law school for you; ie. close to home or somewhere specific to your goals. It's never too late to get started... you're still breathing so you can do it.

[@sunii4264]

What were your stats (GPA & LSAT score range)? How did you determine which schools suited you? As a non-trad student, how'd you tackle addenda, resume, LOR's? Thanks

[@vanessamaxlaw]

Thanks for your questions. I answer some of these questions in other videos posted. I plan to make a video eventually about finding the information you need on the LSAC site. Most of the answers you seek are actually found there once you sign-up for an account. The stats for each law school are posted there so that you can see a graph that shows GPA/LSAT score percentages of acceptance for all law schools. (can you explain what you mean by addenda? do you mean resume?).

[@Green-nw1og]

Woke up two weeks ago decided I wanted to go to law school I am 36. Got a few books to help with lsat prep. I started looking at schools that would best suit me I plan on taking the lsat in April 2024. My question is am I required to start my law school applications before taking the lsat or can I take the lsat first decide if I want to retake and then decide if I want to apply for fall or spring semester ? I graduated undergrad in 08 so feeling a little lost thank you for posting you are helping many of us.

[@louwil67]

Hi I’m also N/T and you can take it and then apply or can apply while in process of studying or waiting for results. I’m finding many applicants study to get their goal score, take it and then apply to the schools they want. Do some research here and on google you’ll finds lots of forums and prep programs that discuss this. Good luck!

[@sisterpatroach320]

Do you have any accommodations, and if so was the school helpful in directing you to the steps for accommodations? Warm regards, Ms. Pat

[@vanessamaxlaw]

I do not have accommodations but I would guess that anywhere from 30-40% of the student body has them. I don't know all the details but as long as you have the official testing done and can show the certificates of your need, schools have set standards they work by (guided by the ABA) that allow for additional time for testing and different testing environments for those with accommodations.

[@talarmond]

Any financial tips? Can you describe the workload & time management? How do you balance?

[@vanessamaxlaw]

Everyone's situation is different. I chose to take the cost of living loans along with the school loans. it was the only way I could go full-time. However, as a non-traditional student, my house is paid for and I didn't have a lot of debt. When I graduate I will basically have a mortgage worth of student loan payments. I'm okay with that.

[@donnawilliams-holmes9135]

How much did the LSAT affect your chances for admission? We,re around the same age. Thx

[@vanessamaxlaw]

Every school has a different standard for acceptance based on several factors: LSAT, undergrad GPA, resume, application personal statement and sometimes an in person interview. When you log in to the LSAC website you can search each law school and see a chart listed for that school's historical acceptance stats. I was able to looked at my school, find my LSAT score and GPA and see that everyone who applied with those stats were accepted so I felt pretty confident on my acceptance. (Which worked out!)

[@kelliegreen857]

How did you use one note to organize the class material?

[@vanessamaxlaw]

Thanks for asking. I will put that question on the list for a video to do in the future. 👍

[@SaturnsDaughter_]

What did you base your personal statements on? Can you read it to us?

[@vanessamaxlaw]

I wrote a personal statement that summarized the experiences of my life that influenced me in the direction of law school. As a non-traditional student, that life-experience made the personal statement relatively easy to write. The basic concept is that your personal statement gives the school an inside view into who you are and what has brought you to the point of seeking to enter law school. If you have some kind of specific life-changing event or a challenge you have overcome, this would be the place to tell that story and explain how that influenced or shaped who you have become.

[@SaturnsDaughter_]

@@vanessamaxlaw thank you!

[@user-zc3zd9zb4w]

Having trouble finding you on IG

[@vanessamaxlaw]

my name is Vanessa Maddoux. I should be searchable on IG

[@veronicamonique5235]

What is your social media?

[@vanessamaxlaw]

@vanessamaddoux on IG and FB and LinkedIn