Should I take a year off before Law School? Forum

[dirtrida2]

BLAMPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP

[dirtrida2]

Would it be best to undergo volunteer/charity work other than a paying job?

Any other resume boosters, not only for law school - but life in general?

=)

[dirtrida2]

Shameless Bump

[cinephile]

Take the year off. Not only will it give you time to study and retake, but time out of the structured school environment provides opportunity for personal growth.

[Jessep]

Absolutely. Consider taking 2 years off. I don't understand why people go straight to law school.

[dirtrida2]

I have been slowly convincing myself the same. Definitely seems like a viable choice, especially in the long run.

Thanks for the input - Very much appreciated.

[zeth006]

Take a year off and work at a paid job. Just work at some place that you can talk about in your personal statement if you're without a topic.


Also, you may get more responses here:

http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=2


HTH and good luck.

[dirtrida2]

Now that I have been thinking about it I am kind of looking forward to some time away from the books, though I will most definitely return to some form of graduate school, most likely law.

But today it seems as if everyone is rushing to school and no one has any actual hands on experience. With the percentage of people with graduate degrees increasing, im sure employers will definitely want to see more w/e.

[FunkyJD]

Now that I have been thinking about it I am kind of looking forward to some time away from the books, though I will most definitely return to some form of graduate school, most likely law.

But today it seems as if everyone is rushing to school and no one has any actual hands on experience. With the percentage of people with graduate degrees increasing, im sure employers will definitely want to see more w/e.

I was accepted to law school last spring, and deferred my entry by a year. I could have finished my master's this summer by rushing, and then gone straight to law school, but I had no desire to do that. Plus, I wanted/needed to pad my finances. It was the right decision for me. I'll go into law school next fall refreshed and ready to focus.

Having said that, I'm sensing some doubt in your commitment to law school. Please don't go if you're not 100 percent sold on doing it. It's not the right place to have regrets about practicing law. Expensive regrets.

[beach_terror]

I'm not sure, but you should post in right section of the forums.

[FunkyJD]

I'm not sure, but you should post in right section of the forums.

Come now, cut the OP some slack. S/he's only got 16 posts.

But yeah, Admissions Forum is probably a better place for this convo. Maybe one of the moderators can move it, as appropriate.

[dirtrida2]

I totally appreciate your comments and i apologize for improperly posting.

I am definitely going to use this time to get my feet wet in the field of law and make sure it is something I enjoy before making the investment. I also thing a year off to reset oneself before graduate studies is the proper path.

Thanks, again - Doug.

[jdubb990]

I would take a year off and teach english abroad if I could go back in time. You can make a decent amount of money and see the world all while becoming proficient in a foreign language.

The money-Had I taught I abroad, I would have saved as much as I could and invested the money. Law school loans are extremely expensive and will put you in the hole. If you have money in the bank accruing interest on the side though, then you can pay off some of the unsubsidized loans that keep on growing.

Seeing the world-I personally am extremely jealous of my friends who are doing this. It also looks really good on a resume/application. It shows that you are cultured and have a broader sense of the globe.

Language Proficiency-Extra skills that you have on top of your JD pay off big time. Being that the world is becoming more globalized, the more languages you know, and the more proficient you are at them the better. Also, it is generally more difficult to learn languages the older you get.

So, I would teach abroad, or do something else that will send you overseas to a non-english speaking country for a year. You can even apply to law school and get in this year and defer for a year if that would make you feel better.

[minnie112]

Absolutely take 1-2 years off. Its seems like you have already convinced yourself as well. It will only make you a stronger candidate for law school, and give you time to figure out if law is really the career you want to pursue.

[dirtrida2]

Your points are all valid and I appreciate them to the fullest, I am thoroughly convinced now. Already am setting up internships and experiences, taking at least a year off!

Thanks!

[waitingharvard]

Take a year off.

[uwb09]

YES

once you start law school, you're law career effectively begins, last month or so i've been regretting not doing more things before law school (teach for america, getting a random job volunteering in some random part of the country, etc...)

I can't do any of that shit now without massively effing up my future career

[Kiersten1985]

Absolutely. Consider taking 2 years off. I don't understand why people go straight to law school.

+1,000,000

-Current 1L who took 2 years off

[chicagolaw2013]

Absolutely. Consider taking 2 years off. I don't understand why people go straight to law school.

Gain perspective on life. Take at least a year off.

[Cupidity]

Would it be best to undergo volunteer/charity work other than a paying job?

Any other resume boosters, not only for law school - but life in general?

=)

Get $$$, be a bartender, study for the LSAT, live it up.

[mikeytwoshoes]

Lack of forum etiquette damns your application more than your LSAT.

[northwood]

i took 4 years off from undergrad to now. It will be 5 years once i start.

I dont regret any of it. I had the opportunity to live, travel, and mature. Plus, if you take a year off from school and work, you can full step back and evaluate your options and goals- and make sure your 100% positive that you want this career.

[vanwinkle]

Moved to a more appropriate venue.

[runningzigzag]

This all really depends too on what your original LSAT score was. I personally advise you not to do it from personal experience...I didn't go right after undergrad and now I'm in my 30's going back for a law degree. I got side tracked with work and life and I couldn't go back till now. My biggest regret was not going right after college to law school. Don't be me--do it now.

[cpsuttle]

I am taking a year off and I am so relieved I did so. I have a lot of time to focus on my apps and get some experience. The Dec. LSAT kinda makes it hurt to get your apps in early. From what I understand schools will put your app on "hold" if they know your taking the dec. LSAT, so you will be kind of late when your applications are reviewed. You have a great GPA and can probably get in somewhere really good if you just retake the LSAT and really study for it. You could also work full-time at a law firm or a policy organization during the down-time! A nice soft That's what I'm doing! I'm 21 and I graduated in Aug.