2 Year JD or the Traditional 3 Year JD?

Graduating from law school in two years would have been impossible until 2004, when the almighty American Bar Association lifted the requirement that law students receive six semesters of training. In 2005, the University of Dayton became the first law school to develop a two year program. Since that time Northwestern University and Washburn University have developed their own two year programs.

By starting law school at the beginning of the summer and by taking one additional class to each semester, law students graduate in five semesters instead of six, shaving off a full year to graduation. This modified schedule still allows the a law student one full summer off. On a two year track you take 18 credits each semester for five semesters for a total of 90 credit hours. On the traditional three year track a student will take 15 credits each semester for six semesters for a total of 90 credit hours. I am on the two year track so I know first hand the good and bad of hurrying through so fast.

What are the advantages to the two year program?

• Obviously you graduate one year faster! Many attorneys that I have spoken to said the third year was largely a waste of time and if the third year really is a waste of time then why not remove it altogether?
• You save a full year's cost of living expenses. Depending on what city you live in and if you have a family or not the extra year of living expenses can easily be $24,000.
• You will enter the work force one year earlier and (in theory at least, but who knows with today's economy) earn an additional years income.

What are the disadvantages of the two year program?

• Your class rank is compiled with the school as a whole and not just the other students on the accelerated class schedule. This can be a disadvantage when you're taking the same courses in two years that other law students are taking in three.
• It's difficult to find the time to join in outside activities such as the 'student law societies'. During your first year of law school you're struggling so hard just to keep your head above the water and then during your second year you're busy working, preparing bar applications, studying/taking the MPRE, and trying to secure a job after law school that its easy to not join in any extra activities. 
• With only one summer off it makes it more difficult to find permanent work.
• When you graduate from law school you don't have the work experience that other students have.
• Unfortunately you still pay for three year's worth of tuition. For instance the University of Dayton charges by the credit hour for it's courses not by the semester and so whether you complete your 90 credit hours in two years or three the cost is still the same. 

Final verdict?

Two year programs aren't for everyone, I'll admit to that but if you are considering a two year program ask yourself this; where will I be in three years if I start on a two year program versus the traditional three year track? In 36 months from starting law school, a student on the two year program will complete their 90 credit hours, study for the bar exam, take the bar exam, wait several months to receive their bar results, (upon successfully passing the bar) be admitted to a state bar, have been actively working as an attorney for approximately six months, and received a year's worth of income. While a law student on the traditional three year program will have completed their 90 credit hours and accumulated approximately $24,000 more in living expenses. For me the decision wasn't easy but I am happy with the choice I made.