Legal Studies or Paralegal ... on the way to law school ... Need info about working while attending school

Hi there,

This forum looks like a good place to get my question answered.

I currently attend APU for a B.S. in Legal Studies. I plan to apply as soon as I can to law school, which is possible once I complete 60 units and sometimes they admit students before [60 units] as "Special Student" designation.

Anyway, I am wondering since I plan on going to law school before getting the B.S., if I should just be in APU's Paralegal Studies degree program and kill 2 birds w/ 1 stone. I'd get my paralegal edu/qualifications and also obtain enough credits to get into law school.

I've already spoke with the dean of the law school and she said that it would be fine to apply with 60 or less units. Of course I need to take the LSAT as part of the early admittance.

OR should I just bite the bullet and finish the B.S. and then go to law school? I figured by going the Paralegal route, I'd at least be able to apply for work after 2 yrs. Or can I find work easily in a firm while in school for Legal Studies (B.S.)?

Ugh. Feedback would be appreciated.

It is accredited by the Committee of Bar Examiners of the State Bar of California, but that isn't the issue. Over 65% of the lawyers in the area received their JD there.

So, anyway.......

I never said that it was ABA. Law school students that attend/earn a JD from a school that is accredited by the Committee of Bar Examiners in Cali ARE ABLE TO SIT FOR THE CALIFORNIA BAR. This school has an 82% bar pass rate. You can take my word the 65% local or not, it's a fact. Seems like you're trying to school me on the ins-and-outs of ABA v. other law schools. That's ok, I know all about it ... but thanks.

Do you have some feedback relate to the question that I posted?

P.S. The paralegal program has nothing to do with the NON-ABA law school that I plan on going to.

Let me be clear.

I want to know if I should STAY IN MY LEGAL STUDIES BACHELORS PROGRAM

or

GET A PARALEGAL CERT OR ASSOC DEGREE AND WORK IN THE FIELD while going to law school.

For some reason, I didn't think that this was a complicated question, but am beginning to regret asking, lol. Don't worry about where the paralegal cert comes from or anything about the law school, I just need some feedback about that specific question.

Thanks again.

I'd finish the B.S. and work as a legal assistant or secretary, then go on to law school. Don't bother with paralegal. If you are referring to the Monterey College of Law, it has a great reputation and high bar pass rates. APU is a good choice for undergrad as well. Good luck!

Thank you. :)