Taking semester off in 3L, logistics for jobs/clerkships, worth it? Forum

[Anonymous User]

I'm a 3L and I'm currently dealing with a disastrous personal situation. At the end of 2L year I had an insane number of crises. These include a serious medical issue and a completely separate personal tragedy. Don't want to out myself, but something that would be about as bad would be a car accident that leaves you requiring ongoing physical therapy & multiple surgeries combined with the death of a sibling. Add to that, at the beginning of summer I got to experience the sudden breakup of a long-term relationship that was heading towards marriage, and the loss of most of my friends as a result.

I sucked it up and got through my SA, and got an offer. I like the firm and group okay, but I do not want to be in NYC. I didn't make a huge positive impression on anyone and didn't network that effectively. I took a handful of sick days. I was kinda weird. My work was very good according to my supervisors, but I was such a personal disaster that I'm surprised I even got the offer. In other words, no one is going to pull strings or make it a point to help me out.

So now it's 3L. I expected it to be easier than my SA, and it is, but I'm just completely, completely done. I am beyond exhausted. I do not know if I can complete this semester, or if it's reasonably healthy for me to even try. I'm not depressed, miraculously, but I am mentally and emotionally exhausted.

QUESTIONS: What are the chances of my firm revoking my offer if I delay? Is it worse for clerkships to take a semester off, or to get notably shitty grades with a good excuse? What if I want to move firms, would taking time off fuck me completely when applying? What would I do in summer 2018---does an internship make sense or could I just take that time off?

Anything I'm missing?

[A. Nony Mouse]

I'm sorry you're dealing with all this. I can't comment on any of the firm stuff, but I think for clerkships a semester off would be way better than a semester with shitty grades. Also generally I think prioritizing your mental/physical health makes the most sense here. Good luck.

[Anonymous User]

I'm sorry you're dealing with all this. I can't comment on any of the firm stuff, but I think for clerkships a semester off would be way better than a semester with shitty grades. Also generally I think prioritizing your mental/physical health makes the most sense here. Good luck.

Thanks / bump

[mjb447]

I'm sorry you're dealing with all this. I can't comment on any of the firm stuff, but I think for clerkships a semester off would be way better than a semester with shitty grades. Also generally I think prioritizing your mental/physical health makes the most sense here. Good luck.

Thanks / bump

Agree with this (and also don't know anything about firm stuff). Enough judges use some kind of school/grade combo as a screening mechanism that a big hit to your grades might leave you without the opportunity to ever tell anyone your "good excuse."