Take a 2 yr break after undergrad? Forum

[surf]

What would your recommendation be given my situation:

Not scoring where I need to be, which is around 165.. Did the Trainer, but this stuff is still kicking my ass. I'm in my last semester of undergrad and was planning on September LSAT, but I'm just not where I want to be in terms of my score. Wondering if I should sit for June of 15, apply FA 15, then attend FA 16.

In the meantime I will have the opportunity to make use of my business degree and get a job, make some money for about 2 years, and really hammer down on my studying for the test in the last year. I have my personal statement almost finished (which may change if I do in fact take an extra year off), and I have both my LORs in LSAC.

Any advice? Anybody else in the same boat? I'll be 23 in June, so I don't feel too rushed into trying to jump into law school right away. I was set on applying this fall, but 1 more year won't kill me, I suppose.

Appreciate any info!

[mu13ski]

Sounds like taking the time off will be the best decision for you.
Focus on bumping up that LSAT obviously. If you're still stuck in the 150s, law school might not be the best option for you.

Having the work experience will be a nice boost on the resume too.

[Clyde Frog]

What would your recommendation be given my situation:

Not scoring where I need to be, which is around 165.. Did the Trainer, but this stuff is still kicking my ass. I'm in my last semester of undergrad and was planning on September LSAT, but I'm just not where I want to be in terms of my score. Wondering if I should sit for June of 15, apply FA 15, then attend FA 16.

In the meantime I will have the opportunity to make use of my business degree and get a job, make some money for about 2 years, and really hammer down on my studying for the test in the last year. I have my personal statement almost finished (which may change if I do in fact take an extra year off), and I have both my LORs in LSAC.

Any advice? Anybody else in the same boat? I'll be 23 in June, so I don't feel too rushed into trying to jump into law school right away. I was set on applying this fall, but 1 more year won't kill me, I suppose.

Appreciate any info!

No need to rush yourself if you're not ready. I'm taking a year off because of family reasons. A lot of law students are not straight from college. BTW you from Hawaii? I used to there, so I was just wondering.

[guano]

Not scoring where I need to be, which is around s]165[/s]170..

fixed

[surf]

Not scoring where I need to be, which is around s]165[/s]170..

fixed

Haha thanks for the adjustment.

No need to rush yourself if you're not ready. I'm taking a year off because of family reasons. A lot of law students are not straight from college. BTW you from Hawaii? I used to there, so I was just wondering.

Yeah here in Hawaii. Will apply here for law school at UH, but just as a backup. The pay ain't great, but can't beat the lifestyle! Too damn good! I think two years off (one to apply & study, the other to work) will help me get my stuff in order.

[Clyde Frog]

Not scoring where I need to be, which is around s]165[/s]170..

fixed

Haha thanks for the adjustment.

No need to rush yourself if you're not ready. I'm taking a year off because of family reasons. A lot of law students are not straight from college. BTW you from Hawaii? I used to there, so I was just wondering.

Yeah here in Hawaii. Will apply here for law school at UH, but just as a backup. The pay ain't great, but can't beat the lifestyle! Too damn good! I think two years off (one to apply & study, the other to work) will help me get my stuff in order.

That's cool. Lived on Big Island for a while and then Waikiki. I wish I still lived there.

[daryldixon]

I think you should take the time off.

[martymoose]

Nothing wrong with taking time off and working. In fact, it could benefit you a lot when looking for a job during law school (depending somewhat on the work you do). Lots of people in law school have good LSAT scores or high GPAs, but too many have zero work experience, and in today's job market, experience separates you from the crowd.

[surf]

Another thought --

If T14 schools are not an option, does it really matter where I go? Is there really a huge difference if I attend a school ranked in the 50-80 range, as opposed to a school ranked somewhere in the 20s or 30s? Loans will not be an issue, for the most part. I figure that's a deciding factor for many.

I ask this because if I am completely honest with myself, I am almost sure I cannot get a 170+. I'm just not that sharp. Haha

[HRomanus]

Yes, there is a huge difference depending on your career goals. If BigLaw is your goal, you need to go to the highest ranked school possible. Even then, however, you'll need to have a solid backup plan. If not, you should choose by balancing your COA and the state where you want to practice. In many cases, your state flagship is the best option. For example, South Carolina Law is ranked in the 90s, but it's tuition is low and it's employment numbers are good - if you want to practice in a smaller firm in South Carolina.

TLS is all about maximizing your LSAT, and to a large degree you can increase your score by a lot regardless your "intelligence." That being said, at some point you need to decide whether law school is worth the time and money. For many - even many who go to law school - it isn't.

[NotHermione]

I decided to take two years off before law school and, while I won't be applying until the fall and can't speak to actual outcomes, I think it was the best decision I could have made. Aside from obvious monetary benefits, being able to talk about actual real world work experiences when interviewing for jobs after law school WILL be beneficial. Plus, working in another field may help you develop a stronger sense of why you want to go to law school - something ad coms will definitely appreciate.

Take the time off - law school will still be there in two years.