Are you holding a 9-5 job but thinking of upping your value by pursuing a law degree? Or you simply want to add more challenge to change your home-office routine? You have finally decided to pursue law and today is the perfect time to pick the law school that will make that possible.
Choosing a law school can be a bit daunting if you don't know where to start and this is all the more true if you want to find one that will compliment your work life and schedule. Previously, law schools in the Philippines require incoming students to take an entrance exam, then an interview.
The PhiLSAT or the Philippine Law School Admission Test was conceived to make law entrance exams mandatory for incoming law students before they can enrol in any Philippine law schools. It was later declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 2019.
2. A school with good track record
If you have what it takes, try to get in a law school that consistently churns out a decent number of bar passers. Some choose law schools with good bar passing rates and it is understandable for better future job prospect purposes.
Nevertheless, passing the bar exams depends largely on the person and not on the school. However, the schools that have better resources and a decent faculty will help your journey in studying as well as passing the bar easier.
3. The tuition fees are within your budget
Pursuing a law education is not cheap. It would be easier to find one within your financial means. Law school expense can range from tuition fees, books (which is a huge chunk), daily expenses and other expense until you get that law diploma. If you qualify for a scholarship in a law school or find one that falls within your budget. If you will be self-supporting, choosing a school within your means would make life easier for you to finish your law school degree.
Take note that law school education is not limited to fees or books but factor in your daily expenses (photocopying, etc) These plus other miscellaneous could add up without you realizing it and could drain your resources fast. Think of it as an investment for the future but choose a law school within the range of your budget.
Please note that most law schools allow different payment options so not having the means should not stop you from pursuing a law degree. Try to research on that if this is a consideration for you.
4. Faculty
Use your research skills and check the lineup of law professors in the law school you are eyeing on. A brilliant teacher does not make a brilliant student but a good one can motivate you to study more and learn more about a subject.
A school with a great lineup of professors and stellar record in providing legal education will work provide you the best preparation. If you know someone studying in a particular law school that you are eyeing on, try to get some feedback on their faculty or better yet, do your research online via law school/students online forums to obtain more information to help you in deciding which one to choose.
5. Work-friendly class schedules
Choose a law school that would accommodate your specific work schedule. Studying law is never easy even for full time students and most law school classes are hardly worker-friendly. But since you aim to get that law degree with least pain while maintaining your job, it would be a great help to choose a work-friendly school. Choose a school that have evening or weekend classes to cater to working students like you.
I hope you are able to get something from this post. If you have tips I missed out, leave a comment and if you like this post, do share to anyone you know who might find value in it. Don't forget to subscribe to this blog for more valuable content like this in the future. Good luck on your law school journey!
To aid you in your law school hunting journey, here are 5 crucial factors you need to consider if you plan to work and study at the same time.
1. Accessibility to both work and home
In choosing a law school, location is crucial. A few law schools have established a presence in business areas such as Makati City and BGC. Choose one near your place of work. Not only will this save you commute time but also spare you from the stress of daily commute. A law school near your work place would make your daily hustle and law school struggle easier.
I changed law schools for this reason alone. It used to take me 1-2 hours to commute from my office to my old law school and this finally took its toll on me. I eventually transfer to one near my office. Make sure to find one near your place of work or better yet, find one closer to home. If there's one halfway between your office and home, the better.
1. Accessibility to both work and home
In choosing a law school, location is crucial. A few law schools have established a presence in business areas such as Makati City and BGC. Choose one near your place of work. Not only will this save you commute time but also spare you from the stress of daily commute. A law school near your work place would make your daily hustle and law school struggle easier.
I changed law schools for this reason alone. It used to take me 1-2 hours to commute from my office to my old law school and this finally took its toll on me. I eventually transfer to one near my office. Make sure to find one near your place of work or better yet, find one closer to home. If there's one halfway between your office and home, the better.
2. A school with good track record
If you have what it takes, try to get in a law school that consistently churns out a decent number of bar passers. Some choose law schools with good bar passing rates and it is understandable for better future job prospect purposes.
Nevertheless, passing the bar exams depends largely on the person and not on the school. However, the schools that have better resources and a decent faculty will help your journey in studying as well as passing the bar easier.
3. The tuition fees are within your budget
Pursuing a law education is not cheap. It would be easier to find one within your financial means. Law school expense can range from tuition fees, books (which is a huge chunk), daily expenses and other expense until you get that law diploma. If you qualify for a scholarship in a law school or find one that falls within your budget. If you will be self-supporting, choosing a school within your means would make life easier for you to finish your law school degree.
Take note that law school education is not limited to fees or books but factor in your daily expenses (photocopying, etc) These plus other miscellaneous could add up without you realizing it and could drain your resources fast. Think of it as an investment for the future but choose a law school within the range of your budget.
Please note that most law schools allow different payment options so not having the means should not stop you from pursuing a law degree. Try to research on that if this is a consideration for you.
4. Faculty
Use your research skills and check the lineup of law professors in the law school you are eyeing on. A brilliant teacher does not make a brilliant student but a good one can motivate you to study more and learn more about a subject.
A school with a great lineup of professors and stellar record in providing legal education will work provide you the best preparation. If you know someone studying in a particular law school that you are eyeing on, try to get some feedback on their faculty or better yet, do your research online via law school/students online forums to obtain more information to help you in deciding which one to choose.
5. Work-friendly class schedules
Choose a law school that would accommodate your specific work schedule. Studying law is never easy even for full time students and most law school classes are hardly worker-friendly. But since you aim to get that law degree with least pain while maintaining your job, it would be a great help to choose a work-friendly school. Choose a school that have evening or weekend classes to cater to working students like you.
I hope you are able to get something from this post. If you have tips I missed out, leave a comment and if you like this post, do share to anyone you know who might find value in it. Don't forget to subscribe to this blog for more valuable content like this in the future. Good luck on your law school journey!
