Suggestions Needed from Pre-Law / Law Students

[Yenisei]

I'm confused. Because you said she wants to do paralegal studies, then you turn around and wanna help her get into law school. Law School and Paralegal Studies are COMPLETELY different. It's MUCH easier to become a paralegal. Of course, doing the work itself won't be easy. Some would argue paralegals work harder than most lawyers.

Anyways, if she digs around for options she could be quite close to paralegal certification, but miles away from being a lawyer (financially and chronologically)

No, it looks like the OP's friend wanted to go to law school anyway but for some strange reason thought Paralegal Studies should be her undergrad.

Relatively few lawyers make a lot of money, BTW. I don't think someone graduating from law school at age 53 or older is going to get a position at a law firm, so good luck trying to service 90-100K or so in debt while hanging out your shingle for the first time.

[pixaloop]

Paralegal Studies could be an excellent strategy to fall back on, just in case.
I would continue on this course.

[Yenisei]

It should be the strategy, not the fallback. You aren't going to be able to service 90-100K in debt on a paralegal's salary or even what many lawyers make.

[OE800_85]

yeah, it wouldn't be a good decision, financially.

From what I understand, Paralegal Education is a type of Associate's Degree.
National Paralegal College - Online Paralegal School - Degree and Certificate Programs
Paralegal Certification

Perhaps a lot of pre-requisites can be completed through testing, but this program might be too specific to fulfill the requirements of these programs. I've never seen any legal assistant credit-by-exam programs. It doesn't seem so bad though...15 months to graduation according to the above website.

[GLMRGIRL717]

Charter Oak offers a bachelors degree in Paralegal Studies.

[Yenisei]

Given the tough economy, it may pay to check and see what the market wants for entry level paralegals. It could be, for example, that it prefers an AS in Paralegal Studies and a BA in English since good writing skills are probably crucial for a paralegal.

[ambogirl24]

Thanks for looking out for me, as always you are the BEST friend!!

Anyone who has an idea about Paramedic to Law/Paralegal let me know. I am FINALLY listening to Marianne (should have done it last year) but was lied to at the school I attended. I have been in EMS for over 27 years, teaching EMT/Paramedic classes and would like to work towards Law/Paralegal or similar. I am always open to suggestion, so please send your input.

I have taken a list of classes at the Community College and at WIU.
BEH-304 Ethics & Values
HUM-201 World Culture and the Arts
MAT-110 Algebra I
IT-330 Emerging Technologies
MGT-352 Polit./Legal/Eth.Iss. in Bus.
INS-321 Cul. & Soc. Env.: Eur/Russia
ECO-301 Economic Theory
ETH-123 Cultural Diversity
MGT-340 Organization Theory & Behav.
CRT-201 Critical Thinking
SSC-105 Student Success Course
COM-159 Basic Presentation Skills
ENG-102 English Composition II
ENG-101 English Composition I
MAT-105 Basic Mathematics
SOC-101 Introduction to Sociology
BEH-221 Intro. to Behavioral Science
INS-331 Cul. & Soc Env.: Sub-Saharan Culture
BIO-205 Microbology
EDU-250 Teaching & Learning in the Community College
BIO-100 Biology Concepts
EMT-104 Emergency Medical Technician
PSY-101 Psychology
other classes I can't remember the numbers, getting my transcripts....
Paramedic
Emergency Medical Dispatch
Chemistry
Nutrition
Humanities
Instructional Strategies for BLS/ALS Instructor
Instructional Strategies National Registry Skills Evaluator
Anatomy & Physiology
Basic EMT Refresher
CPR Instructor
and there maybe more....

Let me know your thoughts or ideas.

Renie

I have a friend who has been going to Western International University for well over a year who was supposed to graduate from their paralegal program next Oct. They informed her yesterday that after another review of her transcripts with over 150 credits, she won't graduate until late 2014! She is furious. Now I tried to talk her out of going there last year, but she didn't listen! She had plans to start applying to law schools next year when she was close to graduation. She will turn 50 next year and is a single parent, so waiting until 2014 to graduate is out of the question. I don't know much about law schools or which of the big 3 or comprable schools would be her best option for transfer at this point. Her current class ends in a few weeks and she has no intention of going back. She is receiving financial aid and her classes are starting to be very redundant, so she feels they are just trying to get her finanical aid money. Surprise Surprise!!!

Any suggested degree paths with the big 3 that will help get her closer to an undergrad degree suitable for law school?

Her previous credits were mostly in healthcare, EMT, paramedic & nursing prior to all these from WIU. I would like to find a program that will maximize these for her and get her close to finished so she can start applying to law schools.

Any suggestions on good law schools? She lives in AZ. She wants face to face classes, preferably.

Any suggestions for her LSAT? I believe that is the exam she has to take before she can apply to law school, correct?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions and help! This is just so outside my area of expertise, but I know we have some legal eagles here.