“Finding yourself” is a stereotypical but perfectly acceptable way to spend your year abroad. Law schools know that you may not have the chance to focus on a single hobby or travel before your legal career is over! During law school, it is difficult to concentrate much outside of school. So if traveling or running a marathon or just about anything else is important to you, schools will understand. Be sure to mention this in your personal statement and explain why it has helped you grow as a person. ✓ It`s time to decide if law school is right for you There are many reasons why you can`t jump straight from undergraduate college to law school. Maybe you need time to get your finances in order, or maybe you want to spend a year studying for LSAT or improving your resume. Some common jobs that potential law school applicants take on during gap years work for the Peace Corps, Americorps, or Teach For America. You can also go to the service year to search for local organizations and grassroots movements in your area. If you`re considering gap year jobs before law school, you`ll find a job that will improve your skills in a topic of interest, even if it`s not directly related to law. For example, if you want to work in real estate law, you can look for a job in a real estate company. Such an experience would allow you to learn what`s going on in the industry, which in turn can boost your credibility as someone interested in continuing to work with real estate. If you are looking for a non-legal job that will help you develop some of the skills that are valuable in law school, consider the following types of jobs: In addition, most law schools value volunteer training and these experiences often provide excellent material for personal statements. Alternatively, local volunteering is also a valuable asset to your time.
Volunteer positions often allow you to develop relevant skills in law school, and substantial volunteer experience demonstrates a commitment to service. For those who only want to take a year or two, look for internships rather than jobs. Indeed, employers may consider you a flight risk if you tell them that you plan to return to school within the year and that, therefore, your chances of getting the job will be affected. On the other hand, internships are inherently short-term, so your future plans don`t necessarily affect your chances of getting one. Depending on the type of internship you`re applying for, your law school goals can really help. No. It is very common for students to assume that they should go straight to law school after graduating from university. In fact, only about one-third of law students nationwide go directly from university to law school. This means that two-thirds, a crucial majority, need some time between university and law school. An increasingly globalized world requires literate citizens in more than one culture. Law schools understand how this worldliness often leads to sharpened intellect and heightened cultural sensitivity, both inside and outside the courtroom, so any type of overseas job would surely stand out on your resume. Not necessarily – law school admissions committees understand how personal growth can happen in one or two short years, and a great way to cultivate maturity and broaden your skills is to get a gap year job.
Interestingly, applying to law school right after college with a low GPA can hurt you more than taking a few years off to gain life and work experience. If you`re worried that your less-than-stellar grade point average could seriously hurt your chances of entering law school, take a break for a year or two and dip your feet into the workforce. If you`re trying to choose between law and another career, consider working in the other professional field for a year or two to help you make that decision. Non-legal jobs can also be useful for people who are sure the law is right for them. For example, if you are interested in corporate law, you should consider working in a business-related position. If you are interested in environmental law, consider an environmental non-profit organization. This experience will help you better understand the problems of your future customers. Spring is a time of transition, with a new generation of college graduates poised to enter the workforce, while others complete their programs and scholarships. Whether you`re taking a gap year before attending law school or you`re already on staff, it`s worth thinking about how best to position yourself to apply to law school.
It may sound like New Age, but no matter what you do with your year abroad, make sure reflection is part of it. Law school is expensive and will dominate your life for three years. The legal profession is difficult and there is no guarantee of wealth and success. So make sure law school is something you really want to pursue. While this isn`t necessarily a common way, it`s the way to go for some people who have the resources to do it and it won`t hurt you in the application process. If you`ve invested in the idea of traveling abroad during your year before law school, but you`re struggling to raise money, we highly recommend raising the funds. You can work for part of the year and travel for the rest of the year using what you`ve collected so far. You may be wondering: New: We are excited to offer a FREE on-demand law school preparation course designed by a #1 law student. Please register here for our free Law School Preparation Course! Let`s talk about a few things to keep in mind when deciding on a gap year job, as this could be one of the most crucial steps you take in your educational and professional life. Such jobs are usually exhausting and poorly paid, which is why they are great for entry-level work! And since these organizations tend to be understaffed, there is often plenty of room for personal growth and initiative.
Whether you`re on your own or part of a team, grassroots efforts make it possible to make engaging personal statements. Legal assistant and paralegal positions can also give you insight into the legal profession. If you really want to spend your year abroad preparing for law school, look for experiences that will give you a deeper insight into the legal profession. These are just a few examples of the kind of work that works well for a year or two between college and law. It doesn`t hurt to use this time to follow a less traveled path, such as teaching English abroad, playing a sport for young people, or leading exam preparation classes. It is better to work, even part-time or voluntarily, than to have long gaps on your resume. ✓ It`s time to recharge before the intense law school experience It makes sense that a gap year job in the legal sector would be one of the most sensible options. Not only will you get a taste of what the field is all about, but you`ll also be able to decide if that`s still the direction you want to go when you apply to law school.
In fact, it is estimated that 3 in 10 law students choose not to go directly from college to law school. Gap years are increasingly becoming the norm, especially in a post-COVID world. However, the type of gap year job you should choose depends on how well law school fits into your five-year plan. If you go directly from undergraduate studies to law school and can`t take time off in advance, you have other options.
