One year off before law school: what to do? Forum

[hausoian878]

For those of you who are planning to take a year off before law school, what are you planning to do? Or, if you a current law student but could do it all over again, what would you do with one year off?

I am considering taking a year off after undergrad to get my senior year grades into my app (low GPA so far, need all the help i can get) and then taking the LSAT the August after I graduate. With my major, I don't know what else I could do for one year besides work at a crappy job and twiddle my thumbs. Any suggestions?

[gochrisgo]

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[cjf4]

I'm curious to hear what people think as well, because I'm planning on working for a year with a business degree.

[Who32]

Make and save as much money as you can. Doesn't matter what kind of job it is.

[Billy Blanks]

I am in the middle of my year off, so I can only offer advice from the perspective of someone who is working and planning to go to law school next year.

Find a job that in some way interests you and complements your personal narrative. For me, that meant finding something in education with a policy component. Even though my job is far from glamorous, I have been able to learn some things about a sector that interests me (both ground-level and from an administrative standpoint) and I have been able to demonstrate to schools that my comitment to public interest is not some fad.

Surely, you'll need to figure out what jobs would be at least mildly interesting to you and will provide some evidence to schools that you're an intresting candidate. This latter point isn't to suggest that you need to assume a CEO position to show how you'll master Contracts, but rather something where you can say, "I'm interested in IP and, after seeing a bit of the workings at Intel (even if only as a secretary), I can say that I will bring a perspective."

Whether or not you take a year off is up to you. I recommend it, since it's allowed me to decompress after school and explore something I always wanted to. That said, it's damn hard to get a job these days, any job, and you need to realize that if you do take a year off it will most likely be filled with work you hadn't really considered before leaving (necessity is the mother of invention, after all). Good luck.

[dynomite]

With my major, I don't know what else I could do for one year besides work at a crappy job and twiddle my thumbs. Any suggestions?

This is the perfect reason to take a year off. The world is a much bigger place than you give it credit for.

If you have outdoor experience, lead a trip to New Zealand or Alaska.

If you take a "crappy job" (?), volunteer 15-20 hours a week at a shelter/food bank/nonprofit/athletic center.

If you like to travel and have money, GO. EVERYWHERE. The world is an amazing place, and once law school starts you'll be shot through a pipeline of summer internships and job hunting that will prevent you from traveling much.

If you like to travel and don't have money, see if you can go abroad through a program or get a job in another country (Clinton Foundation, sure, but I even knew someone who got a job as a waiter in Greece -- it was tourism season, so he took home $1500/month).

You should use this time to learn more about yourself and the world. Going to law school is an enormous decision -- I think you'd be served well by taking some time out of school for the first time in your life (probably?) and seeing what else is out there before going $200,000 into debt.

[lakerfanimal]

Finishing a two year commitment to a mentor type program I'm doing, and in the process of applying to be an LSAT instructor starting in the summer, as well as doing non-paid work at a law firm. If I find myself with more time I might do some more volunteer stuff or work at a fast food place or something.

[nordicsair]

I'm also in the middle of my year off. I was really focused on my grades during my senior year and boosted my GPA with all my last year's classes. I got to use the summer to study for the LSAT. I'm currently using my time to explore the legal field and to make sure that I was ready to commit to law school. I got into my reach by applying early in the fall. Whatever you do, use your time wisely.

[Mattisgo]

Teach English in Asia.

[r6_philly]

looks like a good chance I will be teaching UG. I am so excited!

[hausoian878]

I have another question: Has anyone who has taken a year off or who is in the middle of their buffer year fear that they might have gotten too out of touch when it comes to staying in the proper rhythm of school? Do you find it harder to stay focused now that you've been out of the loop?