SHOULD I take time off ? Forum

[cgiuffre]

Wanted to post this to seek some advice from those that may have taken time off before and either appreciated or regretted that time off, along with advice from those that didn't take time off and may have wished they did.

It has always been my plan throughout my undergraduate years to go to law school, and it wasn't until this last month or so that I have thought about taking time off after I graduate in June. The problem is that I have nothing lined up (or even applied to) after I graduate, and I have some awesome opportunities to attend some great law schools (USC, Notre Dame, Davis) with generous merit aid. I would still be left with at least 100k in debt wherever I attended, and for that reason I felt maybe slowing down my life a bit wouldn't be a bad decision.

I'm coming down to the wire on whether or not I'm gonna accept admission or take time off, and I just feel like I'm running out of time. I don't want to regret rushing into law school if I'm not 100% ready to rock, but I also don't want to regret passing up on the opportunities in front of me that I have invested a lot of time and money in. I know law school is an intense challenge that is the gateway to what can be an incredibly intense career, and I’m up for it that challenge. But I do see the potential value in taking a year off if I had something worthwhile, along with using that time to reaffirm my passion for the legal field. It seems awesome to be young and not choked down by a large amount of debt, and maybe live a little, whether that be traveling or whatever. Any advice on what I should do would be appreciate

[Clearly]

What are your stats? Yes it's relevant.

[emkay625]

Even if you have nothing lined up, if you could financially make it, I highly recommend taking some time off. Work as a waiter/substitute teacher/whatever for a couple months to pay the rent until you find something you want to do, or move back in with your folks for a few months while you figure stuff out. If you're feeling eh about starting law school in the fall, don't do it. You're young. Live a little. I took four years off in between undergrad and law school and it was 100% the right call for me. Some people go straight through and rock it, but if you're already in a "maybe I should take some time off" place, you should probably take some time off.

[emkay625]

If you're into politics at all, try to get a low-level position with one of the campaigns for the fall. Hard work but could be exciting, and both Hillary and Trump are just now starting to beef up their staff in swing states in preparation for the general.

[cgiuffre]

What are your stats? Yes it's relevant.

3.5 and 165 (on my 3rd take). I did well for my numbers this cycle and so it wouldn't be taking time off to reapply or do better, but rather to enjoy life a bit before jumping into law school.

[cgiuffre]

Even if you have nothing lined up, if you could financially make it, I highly recommend taking some time off. Work as a waiter/substitute teacher/whatever for a couple months to pay the rent until you find something you want to do, or move back in with your folks for a few months while you figure stuff out. If you're feeling eh about starting law school in the fall, don't do it. You're young. Live a little. I took four years off in between undergrad and law school and it was 100% the right call for me. Some people go straight through and rock it, but if you're already in a "maybe I should take some time off" place, you should probably take some time off.

Yeah it's tough, I think everyone around me thinks I'm going a little insane for having second thoughts about attending next year. But id be lying to myself if I were to say I wasn't having doubts, and because of that, maybe a step back is the right choice. Thanks for the advice, and glad to hear your time off was appreciated

[Rigo]

I took time off with nothing really lined up and I haven't regretted it. Law school isn't going anywhere and when you do tackle it, you'll be more mature and ready to go.

[Clearly]

Fwiw work experience helps tremendously at oci

[foxes]

I didn't have a job lined up after ug either and ended up finding a great job a few months later. Worked at it for a few years before law school and I couldn't imagine how much worse off I'd be if I'd gone straight through. Work experience helps with OCI and also gives you a little perspective. Even if all you did was something like sub I'd still take time off to chill and travel before school.

[monsterman]

Fwiw work experience helps tremendously at oci

Yes, absolutely. I talked about my work experience in every interview, often for most of the time. You don't want to be in the situation where your experience consists of college clubs.

[Clearly]

Fwiw work experience helps tremendously at oci

Yes, absolutely. I talked about my work experience in every interview, often for most of the time. You don't want to be in the situation where your experience consists of college clubs.

I hear that, it was the bulk of every screener and it worked well. Would not want to have to go through that with nothing to say.

[Effingham]

Fwiw work experience helps tremendously at oci

Yes, absolutely. I talked about my work experience in every interview, often for most of the time. You don't want to be in the situation where your experience consists of college clubs.

I hear that, it was the bulk of every screener and it worked well. Would not want to have to go through that with nothing to say.

I'll bump this too, helped me quite a bit where I otherwise would've likely been just over the wrong side of the line.

[cgiuffre]

Thanks to all you for the input. Biggest problem I'm having is trying to find something to do following undergrad if I do decide to take time off. I'm not in a financial or family situation where I can just go home with nothing and hope to land a job. I would ideally travel, maybe teach in Latin or South America, but that's unfortunately a long application process. Does anyone have any advice on things to do in a gap year (or two)