When should I apply to Law School? Forum

[quigleyest]

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[lebongenre]

Not sure about whether it would help your admissions chances directly, but based on my personal experiences, I highly recommend taking some time to work, especially if the job you're signing on for is one that interests you. I initially was really hesitant to take even a year off, but working for a few years ended up being the most valuable gift I could've given myself. I feel like I'm a thousand times more interesting/grounded, which comes into play with schools like HYS and for named fully schollys. Beyond that, I have a much better idea of what types of law I'm interested in possibly practicing and how businesses function/the legal issues they face. You may have all these insights already, but I'm very happy to have worked for several years and think it did have a decent impact on my application outcomes (even though LSAT/GPA still matter much much more).

[gsy987]

Not sure about whether it would help your admissions chances directly, but based on my personal experiences, I highly recommend taking some time to work, especially if the job you're signing on for is one that interests you. I initially was really hesitant to take even a year off, but working for a few years ended up being the most valuable gift I could've given myself. I feel like I'm a thousand times more interesting/grounded, which comes into play with schools like HYS and for named fully schollys. Beyond that, I have a much better idea of what types of law I'm interested in possibly practicing and how businesses function/the legal issues they face. You may have all these insights already, but I'm very happy to have worked for several years and think it did have a decent impact on my application outcomes (even though LSAT/GPA still matter much much more).

Totally agree. Think about it this way too: you could decide, after this job, that you enjoy it and don't want to pursue law school. Taking the job keeps your opinions open in a way that immediately going doesn't.

[quigleyest]

Not sure about whether it would help your admissions chances directly, but based on my personal experiences, I highly recommend taking some time to work, especially if the job you're signing on for is one that interests you. I initially was really hesitant to take even a year off, but working for a few years ended up being the most valuable gift I could've given myself. I feel like I'm a thousand times more interesting/grounded, which comes into play with schools like HYS and for named fully schollys. Beyond that, I have a much better idea of what types of law I'm interested in possibly practicing and how businesses function/the legal issues they face. You may have all these insights already, but I'm very happy to have worked for several years and think it did have a decent impact on my application outcomes (even though LSAT/GPA still matter much much more).

Totally agree. Think about it this way too: you could decide, after this job, that you enjoy it and don't want to pursue law school. Taking the job keeps your opinions open in a way that immediately going doesn't.

It's currently my 2nd year working, and I'm turning 24 soon. Getting a little nervous about my career path... working as a paralegal for a nonprofit in a large city. In general I feel like I agree with the creed "Haste makes waste" but I feel like I am just getting older ... but maybe working for 1-2 years will give me some time to think and learn more, possibly travel as well