Top Law Schools

I'm a rising senior from an undergrad institution that notoriously deflates its grades (see the multitude of recent NYT/WSJ articles about top universities/colleges getting rid of their "caps on As given in classes" etc.,), and I am going into my final year with a cumulative GPA of 3.25, with practice scores on the LSAT that range around 165-168 (taking the test in Sept.). I've also got a number of professional and academic research experiences at an ivy league university's business school (not my school, but in my area) and spent this summer working at a domestic/foreign policy non-profit org.

My question is: is it worth taking 2 years off and paralegaling in biglaw to aim for higher (top 20) law schools? My motivation for this is to somewhat distance myself from my UG GPA, but I'm not sure if I need to be worrying as much as I am. I also want to make sure that law is for me, before making a huge financial commitment like law school- I've been meeting with alums from my school who have done the same, and they've indicated that this is a nice way to become sure of this commitment. Any serious insight would be appreciated, and I'm happy to provide other details!

Taking two years off to work as a paralegal to get WE and see if you like law is an excellent idea. It won't have any effect on how adcoms look at your GPA and will do very little for your admissions chances. It is still an excellent idea.

The best thing you can do is get really good grades as a senior to improve your GPA. If your school is truly notorious for deflating grades (as opposed to just not inflating them like the schools in these NYT/WSJ articles you reference) then you might see a small boost, but for the most part a GPA is a GPA.

The LSAT is your best chance to even the score. If you can't break 168 on the LSAT you should retake it. You get three shots, and with your GPA you need every point you can get.

Working as a paralegal at a big law firm is a good way to learn whether you wish to practice law eventually at a big firm. Many people work as a paralegals and see that this is not a path they want to take. It is not, however, a resume burnisher. If you aren't sure about law school, find work in an area that is meaningful to you, and see if you still wish to attend law school. The best thing you can do on your numbers is do your best this year, ace the LSAT AND be an interesting person. Remember that admissions committees are familiar with your school and the GPAs coming out of your school and course of study.

i was in almost exactly the same position as you and I had the same plan.

The twist is, entry-level biglaw paralegal positions are pretty much impossible to get these days so don't count on it unless you get it set up early. I applied for 15-20 different positions, got 2 interviews and no offers. All in NYC or Boston.

Now I'm considering pushing law school up one year (starting fall 2015 instead of 2016)