<p>My DD was accepted to law school (a pretty good one) and then discovered she is expecting a baby in January. Has anyone gone through the same experience (or know someone) and how did it turn out? She just started classes this week and is feeling very stressed and overwhelmed.</p>
<p>Boy, I would never recommend that. Being 8 months pregnant during your first finals? Yikes.</p>
<p>That’s a tough one. If she has any discomfort or illness during her pregnancy, it can make law school quite difficult. First year grades are incredibly important, and, in many cases, determinative of the job opportunities one may have after law school (interviewing for summer after 2L jobs takes place at the very beginning of 2L year and many job decisions are significantly based on the only grades available at that time, 1L grades – typically these summer after 2L jobs turn into permanent job offers). </p>
<p>I did know students who were pregnant during their third year of law school, but in both cases, they already had permanent job offers lined up, and in both cases, they gave birth during the summer after graduation (which meant that they didn’t take the bar exam until February, instead of July, which is typical).</p>
<p>I think that it really depends on your daughter’s desire to be pregnant and a first year law student, with all of the pressures that being a first year law student involves. </p>
<p>In my opinion, if your daughter would want to take some time off to spend time with the new baby once it is born, which would mean skipping second semester of her 1L year anyway, then perhaps it makes sense to put law school off until next year. If your daughter is dedicated to coming back to law school immediately after having her baby, then perhaps staying in law school this year might work for her. If she decides to begin her first year next year, then I would suggest speaking with her law school as soon as possible. Typically, tuition refunds are prorated depending upon how far into the semester you are. In addition, she would want to make arrangements to restart law school with next year’s entering class.</p>
<p>Almost all top tier law schools will let you defer admission for 1 year if she wants to do that.</p>
<p>This summer I worked at a large law firm (Vault-ranked in the top 50). Two of the nine summer associates were women with young children. One gave birth a week after her spring 1L finals and one in November of her first semester. A classmate of mine had a baby the summer after 1L year–her husband was a rising 3L at the same school at the time! It’s very hard, but they all succeeded with the support of spouses, siblings, parents, etc. Will your daughter be going to school close to you or other family members? </p>
<p>Both women I worked with reported that the first couple months were actually easier for them (because the babies slept most of the time) than when their kids were more awake and mobile. </p>
<p>I agree with sally though that deferring for a year is certainly not a bad option if it’s something your daughter would prefer. One advantage of deferring is that your grandchild would be older when your daughter graduates and starts working–childcare is often cheaper and easier with older kids.</p>
<p>This is not fully law-related (though there are references to the legal profession in there), but it is motherhood-related and thus, perhaps, appropriate for this thread.</p>
<p>[MBA</a> Moms Most Likely to Opt Out](<a href=“Businessweek - Bloomberg”>Businessweek - Bloomberg)</p>
<p>Thanks, everyone, for the insights. I also recommended that she talk to the dean and at least inquire about deferring for a year. I don’t know if they will go for that or not. I think (if she can survive and succeed in this first semester) she is going to take the spring semester off, and then try to take at least one class during summer school. </p>
<p>It is encouraging to hear that it CAN be done, as tough as it is. I am trying to get her to look at the big picture, rather than get so overwhelmed by this first semester that she just gives it up all together. It’s a great opportunity and she does have alot of support. Her in-laws are close by and her husband has some flexibility in his work schedule. Unfortunately, I live 2,000 miles away!</p>
<p>There were a couple of women who gave birth in my law school class. I say, go for it.</p>