If you’re considering a gap year before law school, you’re not alone. The majority of students at top law schools in the US enroll at least one year after college. In fact, admissions officers encourage this, as they have seen the immense benefits these students receive from the experiences they choose during their gap year(s). 86% of the Class of 2029 at Harvard Law School spent at least one year out of college before enrolling, and 73% spent two or more years out of college. Only 11% of Yale Law School’s Class of 2028 enrolled directly from college, and the average age of students entering the Class of 2029 at UC Berkeley Law was 25.
During their sabbatical before law school, students typically work, volunteer, travel, conduct research…the opportunities are endless!
Expose Yourself to New Experiences
At an IECA Fall Virtual Conference a few years ago, Mary Ann Clifford, former Assistant Dean of Admissions and Lecturer in Law at Washington University School of Law, said, “Law school will be here when you’re ready to come. Take those years, if you’d like, to experience something else.”
Students can explore a variety of interests by working or volunteering in areas unrelated to law. Some join a nonprofit organization like Teach for America, Americorps, or the Peace Corps, while others choose to work in finance or sales. Others take a year or two to work in an industry related to the field in which they are interested in practicing law. For example, someone who plans to specialize in health law might take a job in a medically related environment, or someone considering entertainment law might want to work for a year or two in the media industry. Additionally, many students use this time before law school to travel abroad and immerse themselves in a new culture or language. No matter the route, taking a gap year to gain experience can be enriching and may even help you discover or narrow down the potential fields of law that interest you!
Confirm Your Interest in a Career in Law
Ms. Clifford shared another significant benefit of taking a gap year: the opportunity to confirm a student’s interest in a career in law. She recommended talking to lawyers, shadowing lawyers, and doing everything possible to learn about the field. Many students work in law firms as paralegals, legal assistants, or interns doing research to gain experience before law school. The more you can learn before embarking on this career path, the more likely you are to find a specialty that you love. It also helps bolster your resume and display a sincere interest in this career path on your application.
Reframe the “Gap”
Stephen Brown, Assistant Dean of Enrollment at Fordham School of Law, believes that students shouldn’t even call them gap years “because gap implies something is missing.” Instead, think of – and refer to – these years as personal and professional development. He also discussed the benefits of work experience, whether law-related or not: “Just as any major works for law school, so does any job where you are gaining experience and building professional skills.” Work experience makes applicants more attractive to admissions offices, and eventually to employers. They appreciate that the student has successfully applied for a job before, is versed in professional etiquette, and has hopefully gathered some valuable mentors and references.
Develop Financial Literacy
Law school can be a stressful time in and of itself, and according to Mathiew Le, Assistant Dean for Admissions & Financial Aid at The University of Texas School of Law, the biggest stressor outside of law school is usually related to finances: “Anything a student can understand in terms of financial literacy and developing sound financial habits early on will prepare them for success when they apply to law school.” A gap year is a great opportunity to learn about personal finances by collecting a paycheck, abiding by a budget, paying rent, and accumulating a savings account–skills that will set a student up for success in law school and after.
If you’re interested in taking a gap year before law school, think about the options that will offer you the most personal and professional growth. It will not only help strengthen your applications, but it will teach you valuable life lessons to carry into your career. Whatever your question about law school, Collegiate Gateway is happy to help you decipher your options and understand the changing admissions landscape.