There are some distinct disadvantages to being an evening law student. The first is obvious; I have to work a full-time job and then go to school at night, which pretty much ensures that I have no personal time whatsoever. I can live with that. If my circumstances were different, I would probably enjoy school full-time, it’s just not an option.
The second disadvantage didn’t really occur to me until recently, which is everything here is geared towards full-time students. There are some student groups I’m interested in, specifically the Intellectual Property Law Society. They are having an informational meeting. At noon. The Intellectual Property program here has round-table discussions. In the mid-afternoon. The Student Bar Association had a “technology feedback” session for students to provide their perspective on technology at the school. Yes, noon. So pretty much anything outside of my classes that I might want to participate in, which would make me feel more a part of the school, or more complete in my law school experience is geared towards everyone who is available during the day, which pretty much excludes the second-class citizens of the evening program.
I don’t blame the school, I do understand that the day program is where it’s at, and if I could, I would probably consider transferring. However, I’m not (as are some of my classmates!) in the evening program because I couldn’t get in the day program. I’m not here biding my time until I transfer to the day division. I’m here because I have family obligations and a job that provides security (and which I enjoy) and I am still serious about the study of the law. I do sometimes wish the school did a little more to acknowledge that.