Taking a year off after undergrad Forum

[josh9308]

Has anyone done this? I'm a second-semester Junior in undergrad right now and was planning on taking the LSAT this June and applying for law school later in the year. I don't think I can give it 100% to fully represent the best score I could get on the LSAT with the undergrad work and other activities I'm currently doing. I think once I graduate, I'll devote myself fully to the LSAT and hopefully get a better score than I would now.

*also going abroad next semester so I wouldn't really be studying for a later LSAT date (February).

Any thoughts? Anyone take a year off and do the same thing? Just curious, and appreciate any info.

[ManoftheHour]

lol

[ManoftheHour]

A LOT of people have done/are doing this. A lot of people SHOULD be doing this.

You've definitely got the right mindset. The LSAT is THE most important part of your application. You're young. Take two years off if you need.

Good luck!

[d cooper]

Get the best job you can and prepare for the LSAT until you can crush it.

Having full time work experience is an asset, and you will have an admissions advantage over K-JDs with similar stats. You'll also be a better interviewee.

[josh9308]

A LOT of people have done/are doing this. A lot of people SHOULD be doing this.

You've definitely got the right mindset. The LSAT is THE most important part of your application. You're young. Take two years off if you need.

Good luck!

Damn son, I thought you were about to rip me a new one with that first post



https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bh5yn45CcAAhZIa.jpg

[milkandcheerios]

This is exactly what I'm doing right now. Graduated last year, took Oct and Dec LSAT, studied full time from August-December and then was able to work on my apps without any distractions.

I took a part time retail job after the LSATs just so I wasn't doing nothing with my time. It was totally worth it IMO and I would do it again in a heartbeat. I don't think I would have scored as high as I did on my LSATs if I was working a "real job" or if I was still in school.

[josh9308]

This is exactly what I'm doing right now. Graduated last year, took Oct and Dec LSAT, studied full time from August-December and then was able to work on my apps without any distractions.

I took a part time retail job after the LSATs just so I wasn't doing nothing with my time. It was totally worth it IMO and I would do it again in a heartbeat. I don't think I would have scored as high as I did on my LSATs if I was working a "real job" or if I was still in school.

I'm assuming there is no trouble with college GPAs converting even after a break from graduation? This is probably just a silly question, but I'm just trying to make sure. I just didn't know if any law schools weigh anything on taking years off.

Appreciate the replies, fellas

[Mullens]

Taking time off between undergrad and law school is pretty common. As an example, 70% of NYU's last incoming class took at least one year off.

[Clyde Frog]

Pretty sure a guy on here that wrote a guide about achieving a 180 did the same thing. Sounds like a wise move IMO.

[jennmiller323]

I did it! Went to SE Asia...best decision ever. You'll never regret it...and will certainly regret not doing it :p

[Candy Wrappers]

currently on my second year out of college. found a job overseas and am working there (my job requires me to fly around quite often so its pretty cool)! also this 2 years really made me think hard on who i am and who i want to be. i am gonna take a few trips around places ive never been. i do miss school sometimes though, im sure i will regret saying that very soon (this fall).

DO IT.

[alecks]

has anyone done this??? lol. I'll be in my third year out of undergrad by the time I enter in Fall 2015.

[Dr. Dre]

I decided to take 2 years off, and I think it's the mfcr

[Mack.Hambleton]

for a lot of schools it's like 70%+ of the class 1 year or more out of undergrad

[jn7]

One of the best parts of taking time off is that it will reinforce whether or not you truly want to go to law school. I know quite a few people that believed they wanted to and realized they would be better off not going--it's just perspective you won't get in undergrad. In my case, I took two years off and the entire time I was excited for it. Basically, yes if you can take time off, you definitely should!

[TLSanders]

Yes, it's often advantageous. Take a look at the average age of some schools' entering classes--the straight from undergrad to law school norm is definitely shifting.

A couple of pieces of advice, though:

1 - DON'T "devote yourself completely to LSAT prep" (or whatever similar language you used). LSAT prep doesn't work that way, and it will likely be counterproductive.

2 - Do something else worthwhile during that time. A year off during which you travel or volunteer extensively or work a cool job or write a book is very different from a year off in which you live with mom and dad and study for the LSAT.

[GnosisExchange]

Post removed.

[xRON MEXiCOx]

I don't think anyone has tried this before. You should do it and write a book about your experiences.

[mindarmed]

It sounds like you can use multiple years off from UG.

[ManoftheHour]

Every post in this thread other than my "lol" one on the first reply is gold. All great advice.