Law School?

So before I answer your questions, there are a couple of things to consider. First is that in order to get a masters (or PhD for that matter), you do not need to have an undergraduate degree in that field. I don't think many people realize this. Second is that you didn't mention an MBA, which may (or may not) help you get to where you want to be.

Anyway, to your questions:
1) Can I afford it?
This should really be a minor concern, for two reasons:

A) There are TONS of ways to get loans for your education, including government loans. The FAFSA equivalent for graduate school maxes out at ~$18k/year, and there are loaning agencies such as (Fanny? Sally? Nelly?) Mae that provide (very)large loans to students. This is how my sister's boyfriend funded his JD.

B) While it may be a lot of money, it is an investment in yourself, which is always a good thing. It is worth the money if it will get you the job you really want.

2) Can I work and go part time? Do I want to work and go part time and be on the other side fo 30 by the time I'm done?

There are some businesses that will pay you to go to law school while you work for them. This is prevelant in my field of study, but I would guess that it is more difficult to do for Constitutional Law. Regardless, I would try to do school full time if at all possible (see first question about acquiring loans), and in your summers/free-time volunteer or find paid positions in your desired area of interest. In D.C., I imagine there are any number of great positions that would love a volunteer law student.

3) Could I get in? More specifically, could I get in where I want to?

A lot of times, for these types of degrees real world experience is valued. Especially if you want an MBA. There are also a number of great universities in DC that you could probably get into (e.g. George Washington U, American U (they have a law school, right?)). I got into GWU and American for undergrad, so I'm sure you could get in now.

That being said, if you want to go to law school you should probably take an LSAT class. Again, this is based on my sister's boyfriend's advice. He said that so many people take a class before taking the LSAT that you almost need to take a class to keep up.

Also, from talking with him and other people who went to law school, schools put a HUGE amount of weight in your LSAT score. If you do really well on that, you can go anywhere. It is more important than the SAT was for undergraduate universities.

4) Do I want to commit myself to it?

If lacking an advanced degree is preventing you from doing what you want to do, then I think you should go get educated. Now, there is also something to be said about working in the real world and establishing a network. So if you feel like in your current job you are developing a good network (that will allow you to potentially get a new/better job in the future), then you may be able to get the job you want by flexing your network in the future.

5) Why the hell don't I know?

Dude, this happens to everyone. I mean, I'm in a PhD program and I still question every week whether I'm making the right choice. So I believe it is completely natural to feel doubt, as this is a significant life choice.

Has anyone looked into Law school? Any advice? Suggestions (outside of really prepping for the LSAT) Things friends who have gone to law school have said?

To reiterate what I've already said, I can't stress the importance of the LSAT enough. Study study study, and take a class on it too. The class will likely be expensive (~$2-5k), but if you are serious about law school, and want to go to a good school, then it is a must.

Good luck with your decision. I know how tough things like this can be.

I decided to get a Ph.D in biology/neurology the summer after high school, and I spent most of my time in undergrad in that mindset, even when I realized I was unhappy working in a lab full-time. I felt really trapped, because I had totally committed to the idea. It was a big realization for me when I realized that I had created the box which trapped me, and I could just change my mind and leave. For me, that was deciding to go to pharmacy school, and I don't regret my decision ever.

If going to law school feels right to you and makes sense logically, I totally agree with Adam that you can make it work, and I recommend going full time. I currently do an independent outside loan without a cosigner, because my school's $30k a year, and I can afford to live in Boston without working. I'm not saying you won't be in debt, but I don't think there's a better thing you could invest in than your future.

In addition to thinking about law school, though, I recommend analyzing options outside your "box." There are many degrees you could get that would be helpful for the advancement of your career interests. Don't just think about politics or economics, because there are many masters/Ph.D programs that might interest you and give you an edge. Law is definitely a good choice, but it's not the only one.

For instance, my friend wants to work on changing policies surrounding toxic chemicals, so she plans on getting a Ph.D in toxicology to give her more backing. I don't think science is your thing (if I remember correctly), but if there is a field that interests you, it might add more dimension to your qualifications and make you stand out.