Does taking a gap year affect law school admissions?

Asked by: London Ferry  |  Last update: December 16, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (50 votes)

The good news is, a gap year usually does more good than harm. Law school admissions boards love a well-rounded applicant, and any applicant who takes a year or two off to learn a little bit about life will stand out in most applicant pools.

Do law schools care if you take a gap year?

No, law school admissions don't care about a semester taken off before, during, or after college. The two main factors to get into law school are GPA and LSAT.

Is it harder to get accepted after a gap year?

Overall, taking a gap doesn't inherently make it harder for you to get into college. As long as you demonstrate your readiness to return to an academic environment, showcase your achievements during the time off, and follow the application process carefully, you should have a strong chance of being admitted.

When should I take the LSAT if I'm taking a gap year?

If You Want To Take a Gap Year

If you're planning on taking a gap year before attending law school, the best time to take the LSAT would be either in the summer after your senior year or in the fall.

What affects your chances of getting into law school?

There's really no way around it—your LSAT score, GPA, and the rigor of your undergraduate course work are basically the most important things law schools are looking for. Also keep in mind that your LSAT score and GPA can make a huge difference in the scholarships and grants you'll be eligible for.

UCLA Law School Admissions on Gap Years

42 related questions found

Can I get into law school with a 3.2 GPA?

So generally, if you're trying to get into the top schools, a GPA below 3.6 will be considered low. But to answer the question what GPA do you need to get into law school, any law school, then the answer is at least a 2.5. That is realistically the lowest GPA you can have to get into law school.

What major is most likely to get into law school?

Top 10 Most Popular Undergraduate Majors for Prospective Law Students
  1. Political Science. Percentage of Students Admitted: 74.0% ...
  2. Economics. Percentage of Students Admitted: 78.2% ...
  3. History. Percentage of Students Admitted: 79.1% ...
  4. Philosophy. Percentage of Students Admitted: 75.5% ...
  5. English. ...
  6. Finance. ...
  7. Arts & Humanities. ...
  8. Psychology.

What percent of law students take a gap year?

In fact, only approximately one-third of law students nationwide go straight from college to law school. That means two-thirds, a decisive majority, take some amount of time between college and law school.

Does taking the LSAT 3 times look bad?

Additionally, if you take the LSAT more than three times, or if you have a significant difference in scores (typically more than five points), an admissions committee will want to see an addendum explaining why you kept taking the exam, or explaining the reason for the higher score—essentially, to explain why the high ...

What month is the hardest LSAT?

You'll look at my LSAT PrepTest Raw Score Conversion Charts and calculations of what it takes to get an LSAT score of 160 or 170. Using that data, you'll find that the December exam consistently has the easiest "curve," and the June exam consistently has the hardest.

What are the disadvantages of taking a gap year?

Gap years also have drawbacks. Postponing school or work takes people off of a more traditional path, and it's sometimes challenging to get back on. If not well organized, a gap year might seem too unstructured, and people can become frustrated if they feel that they aren't putting their time to good use.

Do colleges care if I take a gap year?

Taking a gap year before college or university won't affect your admission chances if you use your time and experience wisely. There are two main ways to approach a gap year: deferring admission and delaying application.

What percentage of gap year students go back?

' But I had a goal: I'm gonna take the year off and then I'm gonna get serious.” While many people share the misconception that a gap year may deter one from returning to college entirely, more than 90% of gap year students re-enter higher education a year later.

Is it better to get a master's before law school?

However, even though graduate-level coursework can help your law school education, it is not a wise investment purely for the purpose of getting into law school.

What is the average GPA for law school?

Here, an average GPA in the range of 3.5 to 3.7 is more common. Less competitive law schools may admit students with lower GPAs, often around 3.0 to 3.4 or even lower. These schools may prioritize other factors like diversity and unique experiences over strict academic metrics.

How can I make the most of my gap year before law school?

Guide to a Gap Year Before Law School
  1. Gain Real-World Experience: Internships: Internships can provide hands-on experience in legal or related fields. ...
  2. Academic Enrichment: Graduate Programs: Consider pursuing a master's degree in a related field, such as business or public policy.

Is a 145 on the LSAT bad?

LSAT scores span from 120 to 180, with higher scores boosting your likelihood of getting into top law schools. A score of 172 or above is excellent, while a score around 145 is considered below average. The average LSAT score is about 150, but competitive law schools typically require scores above 160.

Does LSAT outweigh GPA?

Yes, many schools with holistic admissions prioritize LSAT scores and other qualities over strictly GPA. Check individual schools for their approach.

How many people get a 180 LSAT?

The LSAT is scored on a bell curve, ranging from 120 to 180. On recent tests, the hump of the curve has centered around 153. Percentiles vary slightly between tests, but generally around 25% of test-takers score 160 or higher, 5% score 170 or higher, and 1% score 175 or higher. Only one in 1,000 test-takers scores 180.

Do law schools look down on gap years?

The good news is, a gap year usually does more good than harm. Law school admissions boards love a well-rounded applicant, and any applicant who takes a year or two off to learn a little bit about life will stand out in most applicant pools.

What jobs look good on a law school application?

Here are five great jobs for a gap year to strengthen your candidacy before law school:
  • Paralegal or legal assistant.
  • Research or policy analyst.
  • Teaching.
  • Community work.
  • Working for a startup.

What is the dropout rate for law school?

How race and ethnicity play a role in law school attrition. The 2023 law school attrition rate was 3.8 percent, varying across demographics and institutions. This article delves into the types of attrition, the schools with the highest rates, and the impact of these rates on student choices and institutional policies.

What type of lawyer makes the most money?

Patent Attorney Salary

Patent attorneys are the highest-paid type of lawyers, with an average salary of $185,351, ranging from $119,88 to $285,530. Various factors contribute to a patent attorney's average salary, including experience, firm, location, and subject matter expertise.

What major has the highest acceptance rate to law school?

Classical studies is one of the best majors for law school preparation because of its high acceptance rate, which is over 83 percent.

How many times can you take the LSAT?

How many times may I take the LSAT? Five times within the current reportable score period (i.e., since June 2019). A total of seven times over a lifetime.