I’m a senior, and graduation’s coming up. I’m still not sure about law school though. I always thought I wanted to go, but now I find I’m not sure I’m ready. Given the expense of law school, I don’t know what to do. My parents want me to start next year — they are afraid if I don’t go now, I never will. What should I do?
— J.
Dear J.:
That’s a great question, and one that I’ve heard often. Your parents might not be happy I’m saying this, but I would advise you to not go to law school yet. Yet, being the operative word. More and more grads seem to be taking at least a year off to work, make money, travel, or just make absolutely sure they want to go to law school.
Judging by the increasing number of alumni I’ve seen for pre-law advising lately, taking time off definitely does not prevent them from later applying to law school. The opposite seems true — when I meet with them, chances are working in a legal setting, or having that extra year to study for the LSAT and work on their personal statement, seems to really help.
Some people decide to go right after college anyway, though, just because they can’t face the anxiety of figuring out what else to do. Let me assure you — the career services department at your college, and your pre-law advisor, will work with you to brainstorm ideas for what to do with your time off. They can refer you to web sites, give you examples of what others have done, and even give you career tests if you are not sure you want to be a lawyer.
You don’t need a paralegal degree to work as a paralegal between college and law school, so that’s an obvious choice. Grads who have done that tell me the experience of working in a law firm as a paralegal was invaluable. Working in a government agency, a legal services office, or a prosecutor’s office is also a popular choice. There are paralegal positions, investigator positions, and other quasi legal jobs throughout government. (check out usajobs.gov, idealist.org, and indeed.com for ideas and job listings).
But you don’t have to work in a legal setting during your time off — I’ve had students do Teach for America, work at a hedge fund, teach English in Japan, work at a nonprofit, or even travel during their time off. Law schools won’t judge you adversely if you do something non legal. Hey, a great travel experience might make for a great topic for your personal statement. In fact, anywhere you choose to work, volunteer or travel to, might help the admissions office view you as a more interesting, diverse, and mature applicant, who is now ready for law school.
Hillary Mantis works with pre-law students, law students, and lawyers. She is a Director of the Pre-Law Program at Fordham University, and the author of Alternative Careers for Lawyers. You can write to Hillary at altcareer@aol.com
Hillary Mantis Esq.
Hillary Mantis consults with pre-law students, law students and lawyers. She is the Assistant Dean of the Pre-law Program at Fordham University and author of career books for lawyers. Admissions questions? You can reach her at altcareer@aol.com.
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Still not sure whether you want to go to law school?
Still not sure whether you want to go to law school?
By Hillary Mantis
Dear Hillary:
I’m a senior, and graduation’s coming up. I’m still not sure about law school though. I always thought I wanted to go, but now I find I’m not sure I’m ready. Given the expense of law school, I don’t know what to do. My parents want me to start next year — they are afraid if I don’t go now, I never will. What should I do?
— J.
Dear J.:
That’s a great question, and one that I’ve heard often. Your parents might not be happy I’m saying this, but I would advise you to not go to law school yet. Yet, being the operative word. More and more grads seem to be taking at least a year off to work, make money, travel, or just make absolutely sure they want to go to law school.
Judging by the increasing number of alumni I’ve seen for pre-law advising lately, taking time off definitely does not prevent them from later applying to law school. The opposite seems true — when I meet with them, chances are working in a legal setting, or having that extra year to study for the LSAT and work on their personal statement, seems to really help.
Some people decide to go right after college anyway, though, just because they can’t face the anxiety of figuring out what else to do. Let me assure you — the career services department at your college, and your pre-law advisor, will work with you to brainstorm ideas for what to do with your time off. They can refer you to web sites, give you examples of what others have done, and even give you career tests if you are not sure you want to be a lawyer.
You don’t need a paralegal degree to work as a paralegal between college and law school, so that’s an obvious choice. Grads who have done that tell me the experience of working in a law firm as a paralegal was invaluable. Working in a government agency, a legal services office, or a prosecutor’s office is also a popular choice. There are paralegal positions, investigator positions, and other quasi legal jobs throughout government. (check out usajobs.gov, idealist.org, and indeed.com for ideas and job listings).
But you don’t have to work in a legal setting during your time off — I’ve had students do Teach for America, work at a hedge fund, teach English in Japan, work at a nonprofit, or even travel during their time off. Law schools won’t judge you adversely if you do something non legal. Hey, a great travel experience might make for a great topic for your personal statement. In fact, anywhere you choose to work, volunteer or travel to, might help the admissions office view you as a more interesting, diverse, and mature applicant, who is now ready for law school.
Hillary Mantis works with pre-law students, law students, and lawyers. She is a Director of the Pre-Law Program at Fordham University, and the author of Alternative Careers for Lawyers. You can write to Hillary at altcareer@aol.com
Hillary Mantis Esq.