8-Month Gap Before Law School Forum

[gastronomy]

I ended up finishing undergrad early, and I have an 8-month gap before starting law school in the Fall.

Does anyone have any suggestions about how I can make the most of the gap time?

I've completed legal internships during undergrad, but would getting more experience prior to law school provide any advantage employment-wise?

Thanks in advance!

[forlornhope]

Aside from professional skills, the biggest advantage I could think of would be to simply reduce your debt burden before you even start. I would imagine that any real work experience would put you ahead of other K-JDs.

[gastronomy]

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[JWalker]

I was in the same boat as you, OP. I did an internship for 2 months to add something to my resume, and also wrote/self-published an e-book for self-satisfaction.

[gastronomy]

I was in the same boat as you, OP. I did an internship for 2 months to add something to my resume, and also wrote/self-published an e-book for self-satisfaction.

That's awesome! Did you feel that the internship helped you down the road during law school?

[Aeon]

Do what you would enjoy the most, so long as you actually do something (so sitting around watching the television isn't a good option). There aren't many more times in life when you'll have 8 months without any major commitments. The most prudent thing would be to get a job and earn some extra money, but if you want to travel during a part of this time, you should feel free to take advantage of that. Internships, volunteering, cultivating an interesting hobby, writing the next great American novel, and so forth are great options too.

[gastronomy]

Do what you would enjoy the most, so long as you actually do something (so sitting around watching the television isn't a good option). There aren't many more times in life when you'll have 8 months without any major commitments. The most prudent thing would be to get a job and earn some extra money, but if you want to travel during a part of this time, you should feel free to take advantage of that. Internships, volunteering, cultivating an interesting hobby, writing the next great American novel, and so forth are great options too.

That's great advice. Thank you! I'll definitely keep all of your points in mind.

[bnssweeney]

I'm in the same boat as you. I'm working at the firm I interned at over the past two summers, but I only work Mon-Thurs. It's nice to have some income and have it balanced out by a three day weekend. Gives me some time to visit friends back at school/travel/etc. I know someone else who doing the same thing as me too before she heads off to school this fall.

[gastronomy]

I'm in the same boat as you. I'm working at the firm I interned at over the past two summers, but I only work Mon-Thurs. It's nice to have some income and have it balanced out by a three day weekend. Gives me some time to visit friends back at school/travel/etc. I know someone else who doing the same thing as me too before she heads off to school this fall.

Mon-Thurs definitely sounds nice! I'm planning on trying to make the most of my gap time just so that I don't waste it away, so I may end up doing something similar.

[Bluex12]

In the same boat, OP. Working full-time at my factory job until school starts. Thankfully I'm doing summer start at Michigan because I am bored to tears and ready to get going. Three months and counting....

[arose928]

Do what you would enjoy the most, so long as you actually do something (so sitting around watching the television isn't a good option). There aren't many more times in life when you'll have 8 months without any major commitments. The most prudent thing would be to get a job and earn some extra money, but if you want to travel during a part of this time, you should feel free to take advantage of that. Internships, volunteering, cultivating an interesting hobby, writing the next great American novel, and so forth are great options too.

Yeah I think this is the best advice. 8 months is not really enough time to get any significant work experience or save up enough to make much of a dent in law school, but it is an amazing opportunity to travel, work on a hobby, learn a language, read books... basically all the stuff you won't have time for for the next 3 years, and really the rest of your life - after graduation is The Bar, and then The Job, so this may be your last opportunity to take this much time off until you retire. Enjoy!

[gastronomy]

In the same boat, OP. Working full-time at my factory job until school starts. Thankfully I'm doing summer start at Michigan because I am bored to tears and ready to get going. Three months and counting....

Summer start sounds like a great plan! Part of me wishes I could just dive in a bit early and get a head start, haha.

Do what you would enjoy the most, so long as you actually do something (so sitting around watching the television isn't a good option). There aren't many more times in life when you'll have 8 months without any major commitments. The most prudent thing would be to get a job and earn some extra money, but if you want to travel during a part of this time, you should feel free to take advantage of that. Internships, volunteering, cultivating an interesting hobby, writing the next great American novel, and so forth are great options too.

Yeah I think this is the best advice. 8 months is not really enough time to get any significant work experience or save up enough to make much of a dent in law school, but it is an amazing opportunity to travel, work on a hobby, learn a language, read books... basically all the stuff you won't have time for for the next 3 years, and really the rest of your life - after graduation is The Bar, and then The Job, so this may be your last opportunity to take this much time off until you retire. Enjoy!

I'm definitely taking the time to learn a language (I studied one back in HS, but just never got around to it during college). Thanks for the awesome advice!

[teamlam]

Yeah I think this is the best advice. 8 months is not really enough time to get any significant work experience or save up enough to make much of a dent in law school, but it is an amazing opportunity to travel, work on a hobby, learn a language, read books... basically all the stuff you won't have time for for the next 3 years, and really the rest of your life - after graduation is The Bar, and then The Job, so this may be your last opportunity to take this much time off until you retire. Enjoy!

This. Unless you already have prior connections, finding a professional job in hopes that it will help reduce your debt is slim to none, and will not add much to your resume.

[shineoncrazydiamond]

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[fsuacc1]

Try a 19 year gap! Haha! But really, have been working in law firms since I graduated from Florida State and am hoping that my seriously horrible GPA isn't going to be a thorn in my application.