Is it good to take a gap year before law school?
Asked by: Josiah Funk | Last update: November 19, 2025Score: 4.5/5 (6 votes)
While you might think law is the perfect path for you, taking a gap year can help you confirm this passion. Whether you choose to explore a different career or try gaining some legal experience, taking a gap year can help you decide if you're making the correct decision by going to law school.
Does taking a gap year affect law school admissions?
Some schools now expressly state a preference for applicants who've spent time in the real world between college and law school. Taking a year or two off before law school will always be a personal decision, but it is worth considering from a strategic perspective as well.
What percentage of people take a gap year before law school?
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.
Should I take a gap year to study for the LSAT?
Extra time to study can make sense, but we strongly discourage you from taking a year off only to prepare for the LSAT and write your law school applications. Admissions officers frown on this since many applicants manage to be full-time students or full-time employees while studying for the LSAT.
Can you take a break before going to law school?
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.
Should You Take A Gap Year Before Law School?
Is 30 too late to start law school?
It's never too late in life to apply to law school. Although most applicants are under 25, about 1 in 5 are 30 or older and a much smaller proportion are over 40.
How do you go to law school when you're broke?
Financial aid is available. The primary funding options are Scholarships and grants—the “free” money this is either funded by your law school or funded by private organizations, civic groups, etc.; Loans which can be federal loans or private/alternative/institutional loans.
Is 2 months enough for LSAT?
If you can dedicate eight hours a day, for a total of 40 hours per week, to your study prep, two months may be enough time to study for the LSAT. However, the minimum recommendation is three months.
Is it better to work before law school?
For prospective law school students, it is often better to do some work, even on a part-time or unpaid basis, than to have long gaps in your resume.
Do law schools care if you take the LSAT more than once?
Fortunately, there is no longer a penalty for taking the LSAT more than once. Law schools typically take an applicant's highest score. Still, there are downsides to retaking the test, like lost time and the risk of a lower score that could make your highest score look like a fluke.
What is the hardest year in law school?
Law school is an academic challenge; most students agree the first year (“1L” year) is the most difficult. In part, this is because law school is taught using methods entirely different than the lecture method used in most college classrooms.
Does going to a top 14 law school matter?
Graduates of T14 law schools have excellent employment prospects, often securing positions at top law firms, corporations, and government agencies. The strong job placement rates at T14 schools are a significant factor in their rankings and reputation.
What age do most finish law school?
What Is The Average Age Of Law Students? The average age of law students is 25 or younger. Only 20% of law students are 30 or older. While only a small percentage of law students are above the age of 40, there have been several successful older graduates.
Is it harder to get accepted after a gap year?
Conclusion: Navigating the Gap Year Journey
If used unproductively, it can hurt chances of admission. Studies show that high school students who delay enrolling in college by a year tend to earn credentials at lower rates than those who enroll right away.
How long should I wait before going to law school?
In an ideal world, you would start your law school admissions process about two years before you intend to enroll, giving yourself ample time to research and apply to schools. So if you wanted to enter law school the fall after you graduate from college, you'd start planning around the fall of your junior year.
How hard is the LSAT?
This process is not only time-consuming but can be very expensive as well. So yes, the LSAT is hard, and it is designed that way. It's not so much a test that requires a student to remember random facts, but instead, it is a test that showcases a student's thought process.
Do law schools care about 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 degree is best before law school?
“You may choose to major in subjects that are considered to be traditional preparation for law school, such as history, English, philosophy, political science, economics or business,” their website says, “or you may focus your undergraduate studies in areas as diverse as art, music, science and mathematics, computer ...
How smart do you have to be to go to law school?
According to the Law School Admission Council (LSAC), students need a GPA of at least 3.59 and an LSAT of 162 or more to get into any top 10 law schools. However, that is the bare minimum, and you should aim higher if you want to increase your chances of getting into the top 3.
Which LSAT month is the hardest?
There isn't one specific month that is the easiest or hardest to write the LSAT, and if there was, it would change each year since the students writing the LSAT change each year! The hardest test will be the one you haven't fully prepared for, regardless of the month!
Is it worth taking the LSAT twice?
Many test takers increase their score on the second test. However, some test takers' scores do not change, and some even experience a score decrease. Analyses indicate that, on average, test takers taking their second test in the same testing year increase their scores 2 to 3 points.
Is 1 year enough to study for LSAT?
Three to Four months
Many students find a three to four-month study period sufficient for LSAT prep. This timeframe allows for a balanced approach, giving you enough time to cover all the material without feeling rushed.
Is law school a lot of money?
Average Law School Debt and Costs
The average tuition at private law school was $55,993 in 2023, compared to an average of $30,554 at a public school. 3 This cost does not include rent, food, transportation, and other living expenses.
What LSAT score do I need for a full scholarship?
What LSAT Score Do I Need for a Full Scholarship? It depends on what type of scholarship you're hoping to be granted. Needs-based scholarships don't require a high LSAT score. However, to be considered for a merit-based scholarship, it's wise to have a score close to 170.
How expensive is the LSAT?
What fees are associated with the LSAT? It costs $222 to take the LSAT and receive one free score report. In addition, subscription to the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) is required for application for most law schools. This subscription costs $200 and includes on score report for $45.