I could use some advice regarding taking a year off... Forum

[suhdude]

I have a 3.87 and a 169 and got into some good schools this cycle, but I am having second thoughts about accepting any of the offers. My GPA has gone up every semester, including 4.0s the past 4 semesters, and I can probably get another one this semester. My final 3 PTs before my LSAT (I took it in September) were 171,172,171. I decided to not retake in December, but I'm having second thoughts now. The computer virus game killed me on the September LSAT because I interpreted the statement wrong (still think it was horrible wording btw) and I ended up getting 5 questions wrong on that game. I normally get 0-2 wrong on the entire LG section, and I know that I can hit 172+ if I take a year off and retake this June. That would give me a slight chance at HYSC, as well as more money at the other T14. Did any of you go through a similar predicament? I can probably find a job as a financial advisor in my town for the year, so I won't be languishing away.
oh btw I'm a senior graduating in May with a double major in economics/finance and a math minor

[Monday]

.

[Platopus]

I have a 3.87 and a 169 and got into some good schools this cycle, but I am having second thoughts about accepting any of the offers. My GPA has gone up every semester, including 4.0s the past 4 semesters, and I can probably get another one this semester. My final 3 PTs before my LSAT (I took it in September) were 171,172,171. I decided to not retake in December, but I'm having second thoughts now. The computer virus game killed me on the September LSAT because I interpreted the statement wrong (still think it was horrible wording btw) and I ended up getting 5 questions wrong on that game. I normally get 0-2 wrong on the entire LG section, and I know that I can hit 172+ if I take a year off and retake this June. That would give me a slight chance at HYSC, as well as more money at the other T14. Did any of you go through a similar predicament? I can probably find a job as a financial advisor in my town for the year, so I won't be languishing away.
oh btw I'm a senior graduating in May with a double major in economics/finance and a math minor

I think the GPA consideration should be marginal, at best, since realistically there isn't a ton of improvement you can make even with 4.0's. That said, a 3.87 is still really good, but I don't see getting a 3.9 making THE difference (cue posters referencing MYLSN info). IMHO I would recommend taking a year or two off for reasons that have nothing to do with law school. 1. It's good to get out of school after 15-17 years. 2. While working full-time presents its challenges, this is the best time to pick up new hobbies, read books for pleasure, travel, etc. Take advantage of it. 3. Law school will always be there, and there is almost no down-side to taking a couple of years off. In most cases, taking time off and getting WE will make you a more attractive candidate.

Considering that you have very viable alternatives, I would definitely take at least a year off. Work, make money, discover a little about yourself, and if at this point next year you feel like law school might still be your path, retake and see where it gets you. Just my $.02

[pyramidenergy888]

Sounds like you have everything to gain by waiting a year... why rush?

[suhdude]

My big worry is that that schools I was accepted to this time around won't accept me next cycle. Hell hath no fury like a law school scorned?

[LoganCouture]

My big worry is that that schools I was accepted to this time around won't accept me next cycle. Hell hath no fury like a law school scorned?

Shouldn't be an issue at all, especially because you can write a Why X when you reapply saying that you love the school but realized you wanted to get some full-time work experience before committing to law school.

[FEDRESRV]

I have a 3.87 and a 169 and got into some good schools this cycle, but I am having second thoughts about accepting any of the offers.

What schools? What are their scholarship offers? It's difficult to advise you without this information.

[Mr_Chukes]

My big worry is that that schools I was accepted to this time around won't accept me next cycle. Hell hath no fury like a law school scorned?

That happens they might waitlist you since you turned them down last year. It happened to someone I know.

[Dovaking]

My big worry is that that schools I was accepted to this time around won't accept me next cycle. Hell hath no fury like a law school scorned?

If they are throwing cash at you now, this may be a problem. But, although I came from different circumstances than you, I reapplied and got into both schools I was considering last year and one of them trippled their scholarship offer. All the schools I was waitlisted at accepted me. I have nothing but joy over waiting a year, the job I picked up helped really define my interests in a career.

I also shot my LSAT up a significant amount and redid all my apps.

[waldorf]

My big worry is that that schools I was accepted to this time around won't accept me next cycle. Hell hath no fury like a law school scorned?

Shouldn't be an issue at all, especially because you can write a Why X when you reapply saying that you love the school but realized you wanted to get some full-time work experience before committing to law school.

Yes, I'd write a why X explaining the situation and why you are reapplying.

OP, I was in a similar boat. At first, I couldn't have ever fathomed taking a year off. After a lot of thought (and some personal family issues that got in the way as well), I decided it was for the best to take a year off and retake. It was the best choice I could have made. I got an amazing job on a political campaign and am now a legal assistant at a law firm. I've gotten some great experienced and gained a lot of knowledge into the life of a lawyer, which reaffirmed that this is the career I want to pursue. I was able to raise my LSAT score, gain a large scholarship to my dream school, and save a lot of money by working 50 hours a week at a job I enjoy. Moreover, I was very burnt out on school by the time I graduated, and I can't imagine having entered the most stressful school year of my life just three months after leaving my undergrad institution. Now, I'm excited for law school and ready to get back to school.

I REALLY recommend taking a year off and retaking. I upped my LSAT, I gained valuable work experience, I saved money, and being in the "real world" for a year definitely helped me grow up quite a bit as well.

[poptart123]

Might try to reach out to schools and see if you can defer. They might need a compelling reason, though. I also think some schools don't defer scholarships.

[guynourmin]

Hell hath no fury like a law school scorned?

That's not a saying. If your application is appreciably better, they'll understand why you took a year off.