ABA Law Schools and distance degrees

I am in the admission process at three different ABA law schools. During a telephone conversation with an admissions officer at the school I want most to attend, I was asked where my undergraduate degree was from and what my LSAT score was (the school did not yet have my academic report from LSAC)? She then asked if all my undergraduate hours were earned via correspondence. This took me back, as being asked this didn't strike me as being a positive comment, although she said it wasn't an issue when I questioned her about it being a potential negative.

Here's the question: Does anyone have any experience with distance education (i.e., having a undergraduate degree earned non-traditionally) and getting into an ABA approved school. Specifically, is it a BIG negative? My LSAT score and GPA are within the admitt percentiles and I have 20 years work experience, a graduate degree, and strong letters of recommendation.

If I am wasting my time I would just like to know so I can move on to other things. Any comments, or insights would be appreciated.

Ray

BLS Excelsior College 01
MA Human Services C/J, Concordia, St. Paul 04

 

It probably depends on the school. Where are you applying?

 

Law Schools

All three are tier 4 schools. Oklahoma City University, South Texas College of Law, and Texas Wesleyan.

 

The Excelsior alum who led me to get my degree there was accepted by at least two ABA law schools (and I believe more, but I only know of the two for sure), graduated from Western New England, and is now a member of the bars of two states.

 

Also, if you're absolutely driven to be a lawyer, there's someplace like Cooley Law in Michigan. Admission there is guaranteed to anyone whose GPA (times 15 or somesuch) plus highest LSAT score exceeds their standard.

If you want a law degree, you can make it happen.

 

Maybe you are worrying unnecessarily. Perhaps this woman was interested in DL, recognized the Excelsior name, and was curious.

When I was doing my masters, one of the local librarians I talked to about using her library sounded like she was giving thought to trying DL herself.

 

I should add that my friend's mother (the Excelsior alum turned lawyer) earned a large portion of her bachelor's degree through exam credit.

 

thanks

I appreciate the comments from everyone. I may have reacted to something that wasn't intended the way I took it. It just struck me as a little unusual at the time. I hope you are correct and she was just curious.

 

These days, PAYING for the J.D. is harder than getting into some law schools. Your list is limited to private schools. I suggest that you not write off UT Austin, Houston and Texas Tech. These state schools are much less expensive than private schools and are dedicated to a diverse, including economically diverse, student body. And Austin is a nationally recognized school.