Which is the best option to fill 1yr gap? Forum

[roranoa]

I'm not sure if this thread belongs in this forum but I'll go ahead anyway.

So I'm planning to retake the LSAT this June and I'll be graduating around that time as well.

That means I will have 1 year left before I start law school next year. (if I get admitted to one that is)

I have three options to fill that one year gap.

1.Work for a large corporation (fortune 500...however there's no guarantee I'll get an offer)
2.Do a 6 month internship at a government agency and spend the rest of the time chilling out.
3.Go to graduate school with an international studies program. I will have to drop out after one year though...I just think I might get some valuable networking opportunities and might actually learn something. (I want to specialize in international commerce in the future)

I worry that I might actually waste my time not doing anything substantive and I also fear I might lack things to talk about for 1L summer jobs. (I'm not sure if that even matters though...)

Can anyone share some insights on this matter?

Thanks

[rman1201]

Does the internship pay?
#3 sounds like an awful idea. No offence, but don't do it.

Work (or get an internship), get some real world experience under your belt. Save some money and use it to take a month or two off before law school to relax or travel.

[roranoa]

Does the internship pay?
#3 sounds like an awful idea. No offence, but don't do it.

Work (or get an internship), get some real world experience under your belt. Save some money and use it to take a month or two off before law school to relax or travel.

The internship is a non-paid internship. But money is not an issue at the moment. Or is there some other reason why a non-paid internship would be a problem?

The 3rd option does sound like a waste of money....but I just thought it would help cuz at least I would be doing something I can talk about for that period.
(Also getting in the graduate program would be the easiest of the three options in my situation)

[JazzOne]

Create a poll. Traveling the world is for the wealthy or the immature. Option #1 sounds best.

[rman1201]

Does the internship pay?
#3 sounds like an awful idea. No offence, but don't do it.

Work (or get an internship), get some real world experience under your belt. Save some money and use it to take a month or two off before law school to relax or travel.

The internship is a non-paid internship. But money is not an issue at the moment. Or is there some other reason why a non-paid internship would be a problem?

The 3rd option does sound like a waste of money....but I just thought it would help cuz at least I would be doing something I can talk about for that period.
(Also getting in the graduate program would be the easiest of the three options in my situation)

Dropping out of an academic program wouldn't be something to 'talk about'. If you really want to network/learn then just take some continuing ed courses at the local comm college or university.

If the internship is in a field you want to pursue later and money really isn't an issue then go for it, otherwise work and relax.

[txadv11]

I voted for option one. I'd say do either the corporation gig or the government internship but I think going to some grad program and then never finishing is a waste of time and money.

[roranoa]

Bump.

Still can't decide between corporation work or internship

Trying to get an actual job would take away some of my time from studying the LSAT while the internship gig requires a really simple interview.

So....I still can't decide.

[TommyK]

I voted for option 1, but after reading that money isn't an option, I'd go for traveling. And JazzOne may be right about it for the rich or the immature, but doesn't mean it won't be fun and it sounds like you really want to do this. If you're sitting on a pile of cash, enjoy life. I doubt it will make that big of difference in admission decisions.

[roranoa]

I voted for option 1, but after reading that money isn't an option, I'd go for traveling. And JazzOne may be right about it for the rich or the immature, but doesn't mean it won't be fun and it sounds like you really want to do this. If you're sitting on a pile of cash, enjoy life. I doubt it will make that big of difference in admission decisions.

I'm not rich or anything but worked during undergrad an have some money to travel.

I agree that it won't make a difference for admission decisions but I worry that it would matter for summer 1L job interviews...

[Perch]

I voted for option 1, but after reading that money isn't an option, I'd go for traveling. And JazzOne may be right about it for the rich or the immature, but doesn't mean it won't be fun and it sounds like you really want to do this. If you're sitting on a pile of cash, enjoy life. I doubt it will make that big of difference in admission decisions.

I'm not rich or anything but worked during undergrad an have some money to travel.

I agree that it won't make a difference for admission decisions but I worry that it would matter for summer 1L job interviews...

law school ain't cheap...

[BrownBears09]

Create a poll. Traveling the world is for the wealthy or the immature. Option #1 sounds best.

+1.

Sounds to me like the OP doesn't really want to be a lawyer, and is just trying to delay getting an actual job.

[Sentry]

Wait two years and join the Peace Corps.

[FiveSermon]

Chill

[2014]

If you WANT to stay in school there are 1 year masters programs that would be better than doing a 2-3 year one and dropping out.

Working would be more ideal, but if you strike out on 1 and 2, I would look for a grad program you can finish in a year.

[roranoa]

Sounds to me like the OP doesn't really want to be a lawyer

Where did this come from??

[3ThrowAway99]

lol at option 3

[mst]

Option 3 is the stupidest idea ever. Non-technical/medical/professional grad school is a joke. Not finishing grad school is a bigger joke. Option 2 sounds fine, but let me tell you that 6 months of doing nothing is not healthy. Currently involved with that. Stupid idea. Option 1 is credited. Option 2 is solid backup. Option 3 is the worst idea ever, aside from doing nothing for a year.

[robotclubmember]

what makes you so sure option 1 is an option? you can't just waltz into a big company and tell them you want to work there for a year and then leave never to return again. why would they hire you? the poll makes it sound like you have something lined up but reading your other posts it sounds like that is not so.

do the gov't internship. because option 1 sounds pretty unrealistic unless you have an offer in hand or you're connected.

[roranoa]

Option 3 is the stupidest idea ever. Non-technical/medical/professional grad school is a joke. Not finishing grad school is a bigger joke. Option 2 sounds fine, but let me tell you that 6 months of doing nothing is not healthy. Currently involved with that. Stupid idea. Option 1 is credited. Option 2 is solid backup. Option 3 is the worst idea ever, aside from doing nothing for a year.

Then, would it make a difference if I did a 1 year program that I could finish before law school? Would getting work experience be a better option still?

[fatduck]

how much are they paying you to watch spartacus? it would have to be a lot.

[roranoa]

what makes you so sure option 1 is an option? you can't just waltz into a big company and tell them you want to work there for a year and then leave never to return again. why would they hire you? the poll makes it sound like you have something lined up but reading your other posts it sounds like that is not so.

do the gov't internship. because option 1 sounds pretty unrealistic unless you have an offer in hand or you're connected.

I actually stated that there is no guarantee for option 1.
But I do believe I have a decent chance at some firms for particular reasons.(internship at that firm for example)

[mst]

Option 3 is the stupidest idea ever. Non-technical/medical/professional grad school is a joke. Not finishing grad school is a bigger joke. Option 2 sounds fine, but let me tell you that 6 months of doing nothing is not healthy. Currently involved with that. Stupid idea. Option 1 is credited. Option 2 is solid backup. Option 3 is the worst idea ever, aside from doing nothing for a year.

Then, would it make a difference if I did a 1 year program that I could finish before law school? Would getting work experience be a better option still?

Depends on the program. Gut instinct is no because I cant think of any 1 year programs off the top of my head that are worth it from a value standpoint. However, there's always the benefit of having to do little work while looking productive busy. So if you feel like being lazy while wasting a year of your life, go for it. Job will help with recruiting a tiny bit if you decide you want to go professional/big law (idk what kinda school youre looking at), not to mention you can save up money. which is double the productivity of spending said money on a 1 year grad program. a 1 year grad program in whatever area of law might help depending on where you plan on going to school/what EXACTLY youre applying for... but don't overrate its value.

also when making a choice, put yourself in a position to do well on the lsat and get your apps in early. if you're going to be working 50 hours a week all summer and fall, you might want to rethink the job if you can't handle the stress of preparing properly at the same time... which is difficult after coming home exhausted after a long day.

[DreamsInDigital]

I'd go with the six month internship and six months of relaxing. It gives you something to put on your resume, yet won't burn you out and gives you some time to relax before the workload hell that is law school.

[rebexness]

[mst]

I'd do the 6 mo govt internship, but I'd find something more to do in the other 6 months than just relax.

I'd hazard an 0L guess that it would be easier to go from "working" to 1L than "relaxing" to 1L.

Depends on the person I'm sure. For example, a lot of people who were in the work force, etc. for a while complain on the net frequently about being at a disadvantage compared to those coming directly out of UG who are already in the study mindset. But definitely an underrated thing to consider.