Help with mapping out my path to a BA

[Lj'slaw]

Hi y’all, I’m LJ. Just a little backstory: I was an honor student in high school but ended up getting pregnant and had to take on the world, so I didn't get to go to college. I started a candle and skincare product line where I make enough money to take care of myself and my little one, but I know I need more. I’ve always wanted to be a lawyer, specifically in business law.
I was looking into taking classes on CLEP and Sophia with hopes of transferring 75% of the 120 credits to Texas A&M Commerce into the Competency-Based Organizational Leadership (BAAS) program.
I’ve looked into TESU programs, but it’s so much information that it’s a bit overwhelming.
I’ve studied and read the LSAT like the Bible, daydreaming of the time when I can get the opportunity to move forward. I guess my goal is to find the path of least resistance to getting my bachelor’s. I hope my goals don’t seem too out there, but I’m here to get some real-life advice, as I don’t really have anyone to talk to about these goals other than my 9-year-old, lol.
I appreciate any help, insight, and direction that you all can offer me.

Your Location: Georgia ,USA 

Your Age: 28

Im open to any bachelors that I can get into law school with

Current Regional Accredited Credits: None
Current ACE, CLEP, or NCCRS Credits: I would like to know where to start.
Any certifications or military experience? NO 

Budget: $18K saved up.  I'd like to go the cheapest route possible, but will consider spending more for easy and fast.  

Commitments: I have a 9 year old and I  currently have a small business .

Dedicated time to study: I can can dedicate 5 hours per day to studies maybe a little more.

Timeline: Finishing the courses required for the degree as fast as possible would be ideal.  I would like to finish within 1-1.5 years (12-18 months)

Tuition assistance/reimbursement: No tuition assistance but would apply for financial aid if it’s an option. 

[karehiro]

Law schools will take any Bachelors major, however since you have the interest in both business law and are yourself a small-business owner, then I think a business degree from University of Maine Presque Isle would serve your purposes the best (BBA- Bachelor of Business Administration) and potentially be the cheapest. Also for law school applications in particular, the most important aspects are GPA+LSAT, so I'd recommend taking at least 60 graded credits, otherwise LSAC would not calculate a GPA for you. While schools can and do accept students without a GPA, you'd only be hurting your application for the schools who limit those students and you wouldn't be viable for many different scholarships as well. You'd also want a place which can give letters of recommendation as well, but that's tertiary to the importance of both LSAT+GPA.

[ss20ts]

Law schools will take any Bachelors major, however since you have the interest in both business law and are yourself a small-business owner, then I think a business degree from University of Maine Presque Isle would serve your purposes the best (BBA- Bachelor of Business Administration) and potentially be the cheapest. Also for law school applications in particular, the most important aspects are GPA+LSAT, so I'd recommend taking at least 60 graded credits, otherwise LSAC would not calculate a GPA for you. While schools can and do accept students without a GPA, you'd only be hurting your application for the schools who limit those students and you wouldn't be viable for many different scholarships as well. You'd also want a place which can give letters of recommendation as well, but that's tertiary to the importance of both LSAT+GPA.

Solid advice. That 60 graded credits is key. ACE credits don't have a grade. Also UMPI has A+ as a grade which all colleges do not. The A+ is worth more points in the LSAC GPA than an A. So this is something to also consider. Taking more classes at UMPI would also create more opportunities to practice college writing and research. Some classes require PowerPoint presentations with voiceovers. Many people get tripped up by this, but lawyers need to be able to speak publicly without any problems so this could be great practice.

[Lj'slaw]

Law schools will take any Bachelors major, however since you have the interest in both business law and are yourself a small-business owner, then I think a business degree from University of Maine Presque Isle would serve your purposes the best (BBA- Bachelor of Business Administration) and potentially be the cheapest. Also for law school applications in particular, the most important aspects are GPA+LSAT, so I'd recommend taking at least 60 graded credits, otherwise LSAC would not calculate a GPA for you. While schools can and do accept students without a GPA, you'd only be hurting your application for the schools who limit those students and you wouldn't be viable for many different scholarships as well. You'd also want a place which can give letters of recommendation as well, but that's tertiary to the importance of both LSAT+GPA.

Solid advice. That 60 graded credits is key. ACE credits don't have a grade. Also UMPI has A+ as a grade which all colleges do not. The A+ is worth more points in the LSAC GPA than an A. So this is something to also consider. Taking more classes at UMPI would also create more opportunities to practice college writing and research. Some classes require PowerPoint presentations with voiceovers. Many people get tripped up by this, but lawyers need to be able to speak publicly without any problems so this could be great practice.

Thank you for your responses. When you say ACE credits do you mean Sophia, CLEP, ETC.... .

[ss20ts]

Thank you for your responses.   When you say ACE credits do you mean Sophia, CLEP, ETC.... .

Sophia and Study are ACE. CLEP credits are not considered ACE credits by many colleges. They're CLEP credits like AP high school credits.

[davewill]

Thank you for your responses.   When you say ACE credits do you mean Sophia, CLEP, ETC.... .

Sophia and Study are ACE. CLEP credits are not considered ACE credits by many colleges. They're CLEP credits like AP high school credits.

However, they do share the same attributes as ACE credit, no grades, not universally accepted, etc...

[Lj'slaw]

This information is invaluable! I was considering maximizing my credits through those channels, and your responses have given me a lot to think about. I really appreciate your insights and will need to rethink my strategy now.

[bjcheung77]

@Lj'slaw, Welcome to the board. An easy solution to this would be to do a double major, get all the ACE credits for transfer, complete 30 credits for 1 major, and another 30 credits for the other major. You'll have 60 graded credits for what the Law schools look at... Tada!