Law Students

J.D., finally

June 2008: Parents and in-laws (who insisted on the ceremony in the first place) descend on Cambridge with cameras. I put on my cap and gown and walk across the stage to receive my empty diploma folder. People who don't know me well say "Congratulations" and I smile and nod. Back at work the next day, people ask where I was and I tell them I was at my pretend graduation.

September 2008: Back to school.

December 2008: Done with school! Big milestone for me. Having been through the cap-and-gown graduation, nobody in my family cares.

February 2009: Start work at The Firm. I tell people that I recently "finished" law school. When pressed for graduation details by a few people, I have to admit that "finished" doesn't actually mean "graduated."

March 2009: Finally, I get the piece of paper.

The same day, I start my bar exam application. Believe it or not, I am eager to take the bar exam. When people ask what I do, I want to be able to say "attorney" with no asterisk.

Full post as published by Magic Cookie on March 25, 2009 (boomark / email).