How would you spend a year off? Forum
- Momentum
- Posts: 31
- Joined: Fri Oct 29, 2010 2:04 am
How would you spend a year off?
I just decided that I'm going to take a year off after undergrad to study hardcore for the LSAT. Unfortunately, that won't take up all my time. What would you do with yourself? Work? Travel? Write a novel? Volunteer? The end goal is, of course, making my LS Application sexier, but I would prefer if I found it fulfilling. What would you do?
- Sentry
- Posts: 1234
- Joined: Tue Mar 02, 2010 6:38 pm
Re: How would you spend a year off?
If I had no strings holding me down I would take two years off and join the Peace Corps.
- 2014
- Posts: 6028
- Joined: Sat Jun 05, 2010 3:53 pm
Re: How would you spend a year off?
I'm struggling with the same question myself. I want to do something that I enjoy, but don't want to weaken my resume by making it look like I just like to travel and am afraid of commitment.
- BaiAilian2013
- Posts: 958
- Joined: Sun May 03, 2009 4:05 pm
Re: How would you spend a year off?
The only way I would take a year off is if I had a job. Some of the things you've listed are unlikely to make your application sexier: a novel probably won't get published, much less within a year, travel is not a soft, etc... WE, on the other hand, will help you in admissions and beyond.
- Momentum
- Posts: 31
- Joined: Fri Oct 29, 2010 2:04 am
Re: How would you spend a year off?
That would be great... Unfortunately it sounds like we both have just enough strings to keep us from being so flippant.Sentry wrote:If I had no strings holding me down I would take two years off and join the Peace Corps.
Exactly. And it would cost a good chunk of money that could be spend on Ramen noodles during LS. Would it be most impressive to just try to work as a runner for a law firm or something?2014 wrote:I'm struggling with the same question myself. I want to do something that I enjoy, but don't want to weaken my resume by making it look like I just like to travel and am afraid of commitment.
I was being a bit facetious with the novel suggestion. Concerning WE, what kind of job would you get? Are law-related jobs what they want to see? What do you think?BaiAilian2013 wrote:The only way I would take a year off is if I had a job. Some of the things you've listed are unlikely to make your application sexier: a novel probably won't get published, much less within a year, travel is not a soft, etc... WE, on the other hand, will help you in admissions and beyond.
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- cinephile
- Posts: 3461
- Joined: Sun Jul 18, 2010 3:50 pm
Re: How would you spend a year off?
I've said this before, but I'd really recommend working abroad (whether its teaching English abroad or something else). This way you are making money, have the opportunity to travel, get a fresh prespective on life and your future, force yourself out of your comfort zone, and meet people you would've never met otherwise. I am absolutely loving my gap year.
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- Posts: 4
- Joined: Wed Oct 20, 2010 3:38 pm
Re: How would you spend a year off?
On the same boat as you--I'm going to be working (continue with same job) and getting a financial analysis certificate, and maybe taking an art class or something.
- paratactical
- Posts: 5885
- Joined: Wed Feb 04, 2009 1:06 pm
Re: How would you spend a year off?
If you can only take a year off and you don't need to worry terribly about income, I would recommend trying to find an internship in a field that interests you (don't worry about how it connects to the law) and some volunteer experience that will speak to your strengths (ie don't scoop food at a soup kitchen unless you can also do some organizational stuff that shows your skills or look for something that will let you tutor younger disadvantaged kids).
I think these are valuable because:
1) You will learn a lot about yourself, the people you help and the group you intern with.
2) You will give yourself fodder to use in future interviews to talk about your skills and personality in a real-world environment without the hassle of trying to find a real job that will keep you for only a year.
3) You get to do non-money driven things that will be difficult for you to take the time to do in the future.
I think these are valuable because:
1) You will learn a lot about yourself, the people you help and the group you intern with.
2) You will give yourself fodder to use in future interviews to talk about your skills and personality in a real-world environment without the hassle of trying to find a real job that will keep you for only a year.
3) You get to do non-money driven things that will be difficult for you to take the time to do in the future.
- Deuce
- Posts: 1047
- Joined: Fri Jun 25, 2010 11:12 am
Re: How would you spend a year off?
I was considering taking 1 year off too, but really would prefer to just take 1 instead of 2+ off. I'm applying to City Year at the moment because of that and would love to hear other good 1 year ideas. All I would need is something that keeps the bills paid and a little bit of food on the table.
- paratactical
- Posts: 5885
- Joined: Wed Feb 04, 2009 1:06 pm
Re: How would you spend a year off?
Deuce wrote:I was considering taking 1 year off too, but really would prefer to just take 1 instead of 2+ off. I'm applying to City Year at the moment because of that and would love to hear other good 1 year ideas. All I would need is something that keeps the bills paid and a little bit of food on the table.
I thought about doing City Year until I met some people in City Year.
- Deuce
- Posts: 1047
- Joined: Fri Jun 25, 2010 11:12 am
Re: How would you spend a year off?
Haha yea yea I've heard it's not the best... I'm applying at the moment since, well, I don't have any other plans at the moment. I'm about 90% sure I'll be going to lawl school right out of UG anyway... just want the options on the table yaknow?paratactical wrote:Deuce wrote:I was considering taking 1 year off too, but really would prefer to just take 1 instead of 2+ off. I'm applying to City Year at the moment because of that and would love to hear other good 1 year ideas. All I would need is something that keeps the bills paid and a little bit of food on the table.
I thought about doing City Year until I met some people in City Year.
- paratactical
- Posts: 5885
- Joined: Wed Feb 04, 2009 1:06 pm
Re: How would you spend a year off?
I totally I understand! Your comment just made me remember how strange they all were and, coming from me, that's pretty bad!Deuce wrote:Haha yea yea I've heard it's not the best... I'm applying at the moment since, well, I don't have any other plans at the moment. I'm about 90% sure I'll be going to lawl school right out of UG anyway... just want the options on the table yaknow?paratactical wrote:Deuce wrote:I was considering taking 1 year off too, but really would prefer to just take 1 instead of 2+ off. I'm applying to City Year at the moment because of that and would love to hear other good 1 year ideas. All I would need is something that keeps the bills paid and a little bit of food on the table.
I thought about doing City Year until I met some people in City Year.
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- Posts: 18203
- Joined: Wed Oct 14, 2009 10:47 pm
Re: How would you spend a year off?
I hear construction is pretty good with all the stimulus money floating around.
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- Posts: 461
- Joined: Wed Jan 06, 2010 6:28 pm
Re: How would you spend a year off?
Actually doing this. Couldn't be more excited to leave!Sentry wrote:If I had no strings holding me down I would take two years off and join the Peace Corps.
- AreJay711
- Posts: 3406
- Joined: Tue Jul 20, 2010 8:51 pm
Re: How would you spend a year off?
Im getting teach for America lined up in case I strike out with my apps. Find something that you would like doing but won't get a chance to do once you start law school.
- ResolutePear
- Posts: 8599
- Joined: Fri Jul 02, 2010 10:07 pm
Re: How would you spend a year off?
Are you a Poli. Sci. major? Start a grassroots campaign to get something(anything) legislated. Even if it only makes it to a ballot, I think that'd be a great way to justify taking a year off and would perhaps be a soft or interesting thing to talk about in whatever interviews you get.
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- Posts: 31
- Joined: Tue Apr 13, 2010 1:31 am
Re: How would you spend a year off?
This. You're not going to make a massive difference in you apps just a year out of school, for the better or worse. Find something you'll enjoy and do it.AreJay711 wrote:Im getting teach for America lined up in case I strike out with my apps. Find something that you would like doing but won't get a chance to do once you start law school.
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- Posts: 3
- Joined: Mon Jun 08, 2009 10:12 pm
Re: How would you spend a year off?
I applied to schools during my senior year and am now deferring to take classes that will help me specialize during law school. I think that a year off could best be utilized to equip yourself with skills that will set you apart from your classmates and make you indispensable to employers six years down the line.
- ResolutePear
- Posts: 8599
- Joined: Fri Jul 02, 2010 10:07 pm
Re: How would you spend a year off?
Specialize?DrOctagon wrote:I applied to schools during my senior year and am now deferring to take classes that will help me specialize during law school. I think that a year off could best be utilized to equip yourself with skills that will set you apart from your classmates and make you indispensable to employers six years down the line.
CPA or Engineering?
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- Posts: 3
- Joined: Mon Jun 08, 2009 10:12 pm
Re: How would you spend a year off?
In my case, software engineering but it really depends on what you want to do and what the strengths are at the school(s) you plan on attending.
Obviously some types of litigation don't require any kind of specialized expertise. These are the ones that scare me because if anyone can do it, they become the most competitive, and at the top levels (or at a firm) your prospects for advancement may depend on criteria other than pure merit.
Obviously some types of litigation don't require any kind of specialized expertise. These are the ones that scare me because if anyone can do it, they become the most competitive, and at the top levels (or at a firm) your prospects for advancement may depend on criteria other than pure merit.
- fugitivejammer
- Posts: 150
- Joined: Fri Oct 09, 2009 2:34 am
Re: How would you spend a year off?
Well...I know i'll be overseas during my year off. Only problem is, i'll b in Afghanistan >.<
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