Like any big decision, there are major drawbacks as well as advantages in choosing to go part-time to law school. Also like any decision, the right decision depends on the circumstance.

First, let's take a look at some of the advantages of going to part-time school, specifically in the evenings. Those who take this route most likely have full-time or close to full-time jobs. This helps in getting "cheap" student loans if need be as well as minimizing the stress that a normal law student has in managing a student budget. Another point to consider is that the curriculum of a part-time student is the same as a full-time, but your pool of professors may be of a different crowd. You will most likely have access to professors who are practicing most of the week, not to say you will not have some of this experience in a full-time program. The general make-up of your colleagues will also be much different in that many of them will be older, more mature, and familiar with building networking relationships.

Let's take a look at the significant drawbacks of doing a part-time program. Of course, the most obvious is that instead of three years to graduate, it may take you at four or more years to complete such a program. Then you have to worry about passing the bar compared to students who already have trouble remembering what they learned their first year only two years before, let alone three or four. At many ABA accredited school, you need around 88 units to graduate. Taking only two classes for all available semesters (fall, spring, summer) a student will graduate in about four years. Usually, for every hour you spend in the classroom you should be spending up to three hours in class reading and studying. For a typical law student, a full-time schedule is around 8 hours a day every day of the week. The hours spent in the week will add up quickly if you work and go to law school part time: e.g., a part-time law student taking two classes (6 units), spending 6 hours a week in class, 40 hours a week at work, and another 18 hours in studying if you follow that "1 for 3" rule of thumb--a total of 64 hours a week. Obviously, most don't end up studying that much, but it will definitely effect the student's performance. Not all law schools offer night courses, which will limit your choices in law school. Those that do offer these night courses, end up charging a little more for tuition per unit than if you were a full-time student. Also, part-time students who also work are less likely to gain some valuable experience in a law internship of which full-time student seem to save their entire summer for such an opportunity.

If you are considering going to law school part-time, first consider whether it is feasible for you to go full-time. Student loans cover more than just tuition, but schools budget accordingly so that you may receive private student loans in order to cover most of your living expenses. If you are well established in your career and you are using law school to take you to the next level, the right course may be a part-time program so that you can continue to advance from your current position instead of starting over.