I said I'd be crying...

loves2shop4shoes

Got back my grades today. I didn't do bad, considering what a horrific semester I just had. But I definitely didn't do well enough to keep my scholarship. I'm going to make an appointment for next week with financial aid to see if, under the circumstances, they'd be willing to grant me a semester of probation. If they say no, looks like me and law school are dunzo. I'm not paying 80k to finish a degree in a field I'm no longer positive I want to work in. So yeah...that was my morning.

jorhys

Sorry to hear that Shoes! I went through a similar situation in college. Believe me, everything works out in the end. You'll find something you KNOW you want to do & it will be totally worth it. You'll be saying thank goodness I didn't go down that path.

Good luck!

csousa1

That's rough I hope that the right thing happens for you, whatever that is. Sending hugs and vibes!

Hazel_B

Aww, Shoes, I'm so sorry!
 
I know that you are torn about all of this and you've got some big decisions ahead of you. Just take one day at a time, things will work out!

peekaboo2011

Awww Shoes, I'm sorry.  That sucks big gigantic balls.

I'm sending you lots of love and hugs though.  Everything will work out.  *hugs*

lmwilber

Shoes, 

I'm sorry. I hope that you can work something out. Take things one day at a time, try not to feel upset, you did something many people don't even have the balls to try. 

::hugs::

:::YGPM:::

Swazzle

Aww I'm sorry Shoes.  

But as PP said, maybe it's a sign that you're really not meant to do that? Like the 1st step towards figuring out what you really want to do. 

ravenray

Shoes I am so sorry! *hugs* 
Maybe this is a push in the direction that says maybe you don't want to do this.  Everything happens for a reason.  Hang in there girl!

Sparrow87

I'm sorry Shoes, I've been there before it'll all work out for the best. 

IrishDreamer

*hugs*
I'm sorry, Shoes. That sucks big monkey balls. I know what's its like to go to school for something simply because "you have a scholarship/etc".... It sucks But maybe now you can find something you truly LOVE thoughts and prayers coming your way, love

jaycee7389

I'm sorry shoes, that sucks so badly. How much longer did you have left in school?

And I agree with PPs who said maybe this is for the best/lead you to what you really want to do.

AudgiePodge

If your heart's not in it, why try for the probation?  Go for something you're passionate about.

loves2shop4shoes

Well I spoke on the phone to the people in Financial Aid.  They said I lost my scholarship.  They offered to give me a 75% grant for up to one year, and if I got my cumulative GPA up to where it needs to be, they'd reinstate my scholarship.  So that would be 5K a semester unless/until they reinstate my scholarship.

Idk what to do...

Ollie08

If your heart isn't in it, then you need to look at other options. I'd hate to see you throw that money away on something you're going to be miserable doing. :-( Good luck Shoes

alanna91

Why is it exactly that you're not sure if you want to stay in the field? If it's because you had a tough time with grades the past semester and it gave you a lot of stress, and you just don't think you want to go through law school anymore that's totally understandable. I don't know from personal experience but I've heard so many things of how extraordinarily stressful law school can be. But if that's the reason, maybe you should stick with it. Even after all the stress I'm sure it will be an incredible, proud, cathartic moment to hold that degree knowing that you made it through law school and can do with that degree what you want.

But, if it's because you just don't think you want to practice law anymore...this losing your scholarship (or 75% of it) could be the best thing to happen to you. I know too many people who hate the career field they're in, and if you end up with four years of law school under your belt it would be hard to justify not using that education for what it's meant. If this is the case, you really should leave law school. If you were smart enough to make it in the first place (and from what I gather, you're probably at a really great law school like Suffolk or BU) you're going to be able to find a great job and career that you really like. You obviously have brains and drive, and any employer would love that.

Well, that's my thoughts on it at least. I always seem to be a career orientated person so I hope I don't offend you trying to push you to think only about careers and all. I'm not saying this to be sarcastic now, but you really should "follow your heart", because that way in the end you'll truly be happy.

Elle1036

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_said-id-crying?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:e481eb2e-5e78-4d05-a072-a1a52676c6e9Post:04bbabb2-5716-488c-99cc-1dbea4b4334d">Re: I said I'd be crying...</a>:
[QUOTE]Well I spoke on the phone to the people in Financial Aid.  They said I lost my scholarship.  They offered to give me a 75% grant for up to one year, and if I got my cumulative GPA up to where it needs to be, they'd reinstate my scholarship.  So that would be 5K a semester unless/until they reinstate my scholarship. Idk what to do...
Posted by loves2shop4shoes[/QUOTE]

I don't know what I would do if I were in your situation, but my objective advice is to give it another semester before you take any irreversible action.  I feel like, if you don't, you'll always wonder if you should have stuck it out, the way I still wonder if I should have just gone to med school back when I was supposed to.

I've heard several times that the first year is the worst and it gets a lot better in 2L. You'll never know for sure if you don't at least try it.

sparkles88

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_said-id-crying?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:e481eb2e-5e78-4d05-a072-a1a52676c6e9Post:a2253cbd-845f-4555-b376-996ce94ae6b9">Re: I said I'd be crying...</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: I said I'd be crying... : I don't know what I would do if I were in your situation, but my objective advice is to give it another semester before you take any irreversible action.  I feel like, if you don't, you'll always wonder if you should have stuck it out, the way I still wonder if I should have just gone to med school back when I was supposed to. I've heard several times that the first year is the worst and it gets a lot better in 2L. You'll never know for sure if you don't at least try it.
Posted by Elle1036[/QUOTE]

I think this is reasonable advice. Give it one more semester, and see how it goes. Maybe you'll change your mind, especially if a lot of your discontent was coming from an incredibly stressful semester. If you're still not happy after that semester then maybe law school just is not a good fit for you. There's no sense in doing something you're not happy with. I'm sorry you lost your scholarship, Shoes :(

kellylove22

Shoes, I'm really sorry. I recently read an article about how lots of law schools give out scholarships that they don't expect their students to be able to keep.

You can always look into transferring to a less expensive school (or go to UMass' new law school part time-I hear they have night classes, but I also hear that they're way up in Andover). If you went to my law school, I'd have some suggestions, but as it didn't really have "grades" I'm going to guess you don't.

If you're semi-interested in continuing in the legal field, though maybe not as a lawyer (I'm having a hell of a time finding a job after my fellowship here in the , you're in the perfect position to start looking for work as a paralegal. Firms prefer post-1Ls who have no desire to finish school because you have just enough practical experience/knowledge, but you won't leave a year when you find a really lawyer-y job. As a JD I usually won't even get looked at for paralegal jobs because I'm overqualified and will apparently bolt for an attorney job (as if there are any, sadface).

Either way, good luck, and if you're interested in chatting, I'm currently pursuing some quasi-legal fields that don't really require a J.D. because going the traditional route isn't working out for me. I can clue you in to what I've been applying/interviewing for -slash- what my friends are going for as well, if you're interested.

calindi

Aw shucks, Shoes, that sucks!  I'd say $5k per semester of loans is worth it - your first year is always your worst in law school, I'm told.  FI had around a 2.5 his first year, and now he has a 3.2 after his second year.  That's a BIGGGGG difference!  Talk to 3Ls to see how their GPAs broke down per year - if you see a big jump, then it might be worth it.  If you're afraid you won't get your GPA back up to get your scholarship back, then that's a different story because your 3L year would be very expensive.  Apparently a lot of schools negatively deflate grades for their 1L year to prevent students from transferring (good GPA = good transfer application to a higher ranked school).

Even if you choose not to pursue law, you can expect to make at least $10k more per year than you probably would without a law degree.  Even if you only make $5k per year more starting out, then in 2 years your loans would be paid off if you make the effort to pay more than required minimum.  That's not so bad, right?  Is there someone you trust who is a financial advisor, or manages their own money very well?  I'd ask them for advice, if you do.  My Dad always will break things down into payment structures and cost/benefit investment analysis so I can see what my return on investment will be.  My guess is that for $10k, you'll see that the 2 years and that comparatively small amount of loans will be worth it.

lmwilber

First, take a few days to just sit with this info for a bit. I would then look though the Alumni rooster and see what people are doing. Not all people with JD's are big frim laywers. Do some research, take some people out for coffee, see what there is to see. Don't just throw in the towel because you didn't do as well as you have in the past and say its b/c you don't know how you feel. Thats just quitting and you are not a quitter. 

1L year sucks, the classes suck, the studying sucks, the profs suck, the subjects suck, and the people mega mega suck. But after 1L year, the people calm the f down, the profs get nicer, and you can pick your own classes, which means that studying is less of a chore.  I promise you, there will come a moment in your 2L year (I'm guessing about 1 month in) that you will hear a table of 1L's debating in very authoritative tones the meaning of proximate cause. You will roll your eyes and laugh and think silly 1L's....

Don't let the fact that this was hard stop you. You are a tough a$$ b!tch, and I know that you can do what ever you put your mind to. 

MPayne14

Shoes that's rank!

I have a grant that lost it's funding and a scholarship renewal that "got awarded to someone else" - still trying to figure that one out - to total $5000 of lost tuition too... But I have faith that things will bounce back (if not I have to move home and I'm too darn happy living with my BF to do that!).

Good luck to you and hopefully other oportunities to get what you're wanting will come forth.

*HugZ*

Peaseblossom55

Shoes,

Im sorry to hear.  As others have said I think this now gives you sometime to figure out what you want to do and a possible new career path.  Things happen for a reason.  This does suck but hopefully this will lead you to bigger and better things.  

*hugs*

becunning2

I'm sorry about this shoes.

It's time to sit back, eat ice cream, and really reflect on what it is you want.  Now, the idea of giving it another semester with the 75% grant could be a really good one. It'd give you one more opportunity with some tuition covered (always awesome).  But at the same time, if the idea of working in the legal profession, or if the idea of having to go through ONE more semester is overwhelming, listen to yourself.  And trust yourself.

As for getting the degree just to get the degree, I think that's not a good idea.  There are a ton of people in law school, and not all of them will end up as lawyers. It's not worth law school if you don't want to work in the law.  My two cents anyway.