Paralegal College
While some law firms do not require a paralegal that has undergone training at a paralegal college, it shall serve you well if you have had this training and have earned a professional certification.
Paralegal classes teach you with what works in the US Justice System, such as legal terminologies and technicalities, legal research and legal writing, case evaluations and the like. This training is essential if you want to pursue a career in the legal profession. In the paralegal field, skills that need to be developed and tasks that need to be done change dynamically, so make sure you can respond to the needs of the times.
GPA scores would also come in handy for those who want to take advantage of a scholarship. Some law firms offer this kind of assistance to interested students with the "assurance' of employment after completion of the legal courses. Review terms and conditions or agreements carefully, as most offers come with a catch, like bonds. Give extra attention to the salary expectations, too.
Online paralegal programs are also a viable opportunity for those who want to be trained without having to go to an actual paralegal college. After completing an online paralegal course, you would know if you are cut out for this career or not. You may then enroll again in paralegal school that would be able to provide you a completion certificate in the future.
Most important is the professional certification that you have completed your legal classes and passed the exam for legal assistants. So make sure that your paralegal college is legitimate and affiliated to legitimate institutions, too. However, the legitimacy of the paralegal college does not tantamount to a good reputation. This is the legal profession you intend to work for, and if the paralegal programs you enrolled in have a bad name attached to them, you may still encounter difficulties landing a job. Your job would call for very good research at all times, might as well use it in scouring the state (or the internet) for the best paralegal programs.
It is never too late if you want to catch up on your plans of being a paralegal. Since all the resources are more or less in your hands, you can be the paralegal you want to be, as long as you are prepared to take on the trials of getting educated and landing a job. Check out all the schools that offer courses for those who want to become paralegals, and do the best that you can to become one.