really considering a year off before applying. 3.85 165 Forum

[justiceleague]

3.85 that will be 3.87 after this fall semester and 3.88 after next spring (really good state school)
Expected LSAT 165 (Come back with a real score I know...)
Good softs and letters, committed to one specific cause/theme throughout college with leadership, initiative blah blah
Non-URM, don't really care about scholarships (I know, it's nice)

I PT'd in 167,168,169 before the test but don't feel like I hit those numbers. I suck at games even though I got a tutor and studied that exclusively, only looked at PT's for the other sections. Averaged about -6 or -7 on games.

If I give myself a until June I can probably hit 170 with test day jitters and all.

Couple questions about getting some work experience before applying and retaking February or June next year:

1. Can I just apply this time around (ED at a high reach like Duke) see if I get in anywhere top 14 and make a decision from there, and if I don't get in ED or to another school just apply next cycle with new GPA and LSAT?
-Is there a negative to applying two years in a row I guess is the question.

2. How do I let the employer know of my plans without him or her being like "why would I hire you if I know you are just leaving in a year?" I can get an interesting, low paying job in policy in DC probably (or likely unpaid). I feel like I should let them know my plans. I guess a predetermined 1 year internship would solve this question.

tl;dr : Take a year off to make me more competitive, and if so apply this year first (consequences?) and how to tell employer I want to go to law school in a year?

Thank you TLS

[bk1]

tl;dr : Take a year off to make me more competitive, and if so apply this year first (consequences?)

I mean it will cost you money and time to apply this year. You'll also have to redo admissions essays to avoid coming off lazy if you're reapplying. On the other hand you really don't have much to lose and a decent bit to gain on the off chance you get into a reach (this is assuming you'd take sticker at a T14 or whatever). Also have to consider whether you might not actually have to pay T14 sticker if you hit your higher score and applied next year, especially considering that T14 sticker is still risky.

how to tell employer I want to go to law school in a year?

Don't? If it's at will employment in some shitty job (whether that's KFC, Starbucks, paper pusher, receptionist, etc), who gives a fuck if you don't tell them anything until 2 weeks before you quit?

[romothesavior]

Take the year off, I wish I did.

[justiceleague]

Thanks for the prompt advice

I'm not sure what you mean by this, can you phrase it in a different way? I just have two interpretations floating around in my head for what you said. You mean hit my higher score (like 169) this year, and not apply this year but apply next year?

Also have to consider whether you might not actually have to pay T14 sticker if you hit your higher score and applied next year, especially considering that T14 sticker is still risky

Thanks

[bk1]

What I mean is that you're not a 3.0/169. The best case scenario for a 3.0/169 is sticker at the T14 whether they get in with the 169 or whether they retake to a 175 or 180. No matter what happens the best they can do is pay sticker at the T14.

Your situation is different. While you do have a very small possibility of getting into the T14 at sticker with a 3.85/165, if you can score 170 or higher you have a definite shot at some scholarship money. So where a 3.0 who got into the T14 with a 169 wouldn't gain any scholarship money by waiting a year even if they retook to a 180, since you have a 3.85, were you to get into the T14 with a 165 I'm still not sure I would recommend that you go this cycle since your retake could net yourself some scholarship money (this is assuming a 170 or higher is feasible for you).

EDIT: I personally took a year off and it was well worth it (mainly because I went from a 166 to a 173). Even if I hadn't improved I still felt it was worth it for the chance at improving (don't forget you have 2 chances to improve your LSAT, not just one). The question you have to ask yourself is whether the headache of going through this cycle is worth it when, assuming you score a 170+, your best offer next cycle (T14 probably with some scholly money) would likely be better than your best possible offer this cycle (T14 at sticker and it isn't very likely on top of that).

[American_in_China]

On my year off, in China, becoming all fluent and stuff, also making some cash.

Take the year off.

[ahduth]

Take at least a year off. Why is everyone in such a rush to work 80 hours a week?

[YourCaptain]

RETAKE RETAKE RETAKE RETAKE RETAKE RETAKE RETAKE RETAKE RETAKE RETAKE RETAKE RETAKE

[bluesplitter]

I took a year off, and all i did was go beggin for jobs that were no real meaning or purpose.


Unless u have a sweet gig lined up, just go and get it over with.


If u want to sit out, just make sure u travel, because it will years before u can again.


so ...hope it helps.

[Renzo]

Providing you don't just sit home and play Xbox, taking time off is always and for everyone an unmitigated good. It can only help and never hurt, with regards to admissions, employment, and even for your general development as person.

[thestillpoint]

I would say definitely take a year off--that's what I am doing now. It's good to have F/T work experience to talk about during interviews for 1L summer (even if it's not in the legal field). And it's just nice to have time to recharge and do something different than school. Plus, you'll have plenty of time to study for and re-take the LSAT and also to work on your apps and get them out at the very start of the next cycle, always to your advantage.

[blazinswordofjustice]

Take at least a year off. Why is everyone in such a rush to work 80 hours a week?

This. Why not take a year to relax/work a real job/not be in school/travel/etc...? oh and study for the LSAT too I guess...

[071816]

Take the year off, I wish I did and it was great.

Fixed that for me.

[sach1282]

I took a year off and I'm working overseas as an English teacher.

[nealric]

My rule of thumb:

Keep taking the LSAT until you hit 170 or have taken it three times.