study abroad

Wealth Today

Again, as the other poster noted, the high debt severely limits your choices. I cannot emphasize this enough, especially in light of the fact that many of the attorneys I know have taken “alternative” career paths, such as judicial law clerk or staff attorney, as well as non-partnership tracks at law firms. Other people I know do not have this choice due to the high amount of debt that they incurred to get that private-school degree.

Know, too, that the first semester of law school is hellatious if for no other reason than you have virtually no grades-most law school classes have no grades other a final exam. I found this fact alone to be extremely stressful, especially when everyone kept telling me that grades and class ranking were so important to future employability, and I had no idea how I was doing.

One more last point: there is a chance that he might be able to work somewhat. I held summer clerkships with big firms in the summers between my first-second and second-third years of law school, and they paid quite well. I also was able to work as a clerk in the in-house legal dept of a large corporation during my third year.

Good luck to both of you. FWIW, I graduated in ’98, and I am glad that I did it. My then-boyfriend, now-husband was fantastic throught the ordeal, and I could not have done it w/out his moral support. Given that I make the larger income, he’s now glad that I did it, too.

Best wishes!!!

I think you are wise to keep the expenses separate, and maybe even consider that going into the marriage (or at the very least discuss a prenup to cover yourself in the event things go bad and there is still a huge amount of grad school debt).

Getting into law school will be tough for both of you, but the first year will be even more trying. Keep your head up and remember what the end goal is – for your SO to better his career ultimately bettering both of your lives.

It’s all going to be about communication and comprise as you both venture down the grad/law school road!

I finished law school (and a joint degree of MPA) 1 year ago. I used my loan money to purchase a small condo in a growing area. I had about a 30 minute drive to school each morning (which I sometimes used to listen to class tapes), but after 3 years I sold it at a 25% profit. I was able to put that toward my school debt which is a chunk. Perhaps your boyfriend might consider that option. There are no guidelines on how you chose to spend the funds given to you for housing.

Good luck,
neotamara

2. Life is about sacrifice. Respecting and supporting the one you love will be rewarding if you look at is as not “losing” something, but gaining a wonderful relationship. Be smart, but you can’t always think from a pure economic standpoint. There are also a lot of “rights” you have to future income as a spouse (not girlfriend) if you so support him through school. Talk to a divorce attorney so you are clear about the laws in your state.

2. I solely supported my husband through Grad school, we took on only about 30,000 in debt and completely paid it off within one year. My hubby now has a succesfull career. I am able to stay home with my kids(my personal choice), play tennis, volunteer in the community, and have a wonderful, fulfilling life. I have countless friends in the same situation, all former professionals, married through Grad school. The best investment I ever made was beleiving in my husband AND our relationship.

There are a lot of happy endings too. Hope yours is one of them!!