What percentage of law students take a gap year?

Asked by: Harvey Flatley  |  Last update: September 6, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (43 votes)

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 a gap year help with law school?

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.

What percentage of students take a gap year?

Still Only 2-3% of US Students Take Gap Year. Despite rising awareness of Gap Years and a COVID-induced surge in Gap Years, the number of high school students taking a Gap Year has returned to pre-pandemic levels.

What percentage of law students drop out?

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.

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.

Should You Take A Gap Year Before Law School?

44 related questions found

How many law school 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.

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.

Is being a lawyer worth it financially?

Lawyers have the opportunity to earn a lucrative income. The average annual income for an attorney in the United States is $127,990 per year as of 2021 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor.

Is law school declining?

When first-year enrollment rises or falls in sequential years, those effects multiply. Today, overall JD enrollment has roughly stabilized at a level not seen in over 40 years. Compared to the peak in JD enrollment in 2010 (147,525 students), overall JD enrollment was down 20.8% in 2023.

What subject has the highest dropout rate?

Their insights reveal that computer sciences are the subjects which suffer from the highest dropout rate at 9.8%, with medicine, dentistry and veterinary science being the subjects which see the lowest, at just 1.5%. There could be many reasons for a student to drop out of education.

Are students who take gap years more successful?

The Gap Year Association reports that 88% of students who took time off report higher than average career satisfaction. There's also no correlation between taking a gap year and unemployment. In fact, gap year experiences help build a young person's resume and can even give them a leg up over peers.

What famous person took a gap year?

Some of the most notable celebrities who have reportedly taken a gap year (or two) include entrepreneur Elon Musk, the Duke of Cambridge Prince William, former president Barack Obama's eldest daughter Malia Obama, actor Mathew McConaughey, Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, and Apple founder Steve Jobs.

Where do most gap year students go?

Asia. Asia itself is a vast continent, but most gap year travellers tend to gravitate to South East Asia. This doesn't mean you should discount other parts of this vast continent, but SE Asia is popular with gap year backpackers due to it being: Relatively cheap.

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.

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.

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.

Is the LSAT going away in 2025?

The ABA's House of Delegates will vote on the Council's proposed change in February 2023. If the House votes to nix Standard 503, the standardized-test requirement won't go away until 2025. So, the LSAT isn't definitely going away, and it's definitely not going away until 2025.

Is law school even worth it anymore?

The Bottom Line. Becoming a successful lawyer is one of the most lucrative career paths, if you graduate from a top-tier university. However, it's not a cheap path, and Ivy League law grads often graduate with six digits of loans.

What percent of people quit law school?

The decision to attend law school shouldn't just be financially driven. You'll also want to consider the high dropout rates of law school, particularly among minorities. Overall, dropout rates are over 6% for first-year students. For American Indian, Hawaiian native, and Black students, the dropout rate is 11% to 13%.

How rich is the average lawyer?

In general, the five highest-paying states for lawyers are as follows: California ($201,530) Massachusetts ($196,230) New York ($188,900)

Is law an oversaturated field?

Law School Myth 5:

The job market for lawyers is oversaturated. While it is true that there are more law school graduates than there are jobs available in some markets, the job market for lawyers is actually quite strong overall.

How hard is the bar exam?

The bar exam is hard. In fact, it may be one of the most difficult challenges you ever embark on. You must memorize numerous laws and consume a lot of knowledge to answer questions correctly. For many, it feels like trying to hold sand in your hands, knowing that you'll inevitably lose much of it.

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 ...

Can I get a 170 on the LSAT in 2 months?

A 170 will be difficult to obtain. It will require quality resources and substantial preparation. You should dedicate at least four months to reach this target. For the best LSAT support, consider teaming up with a 99th percentile tutor who can help you increase your score by 12 points!

Which LSAT section is hardest?

Analytical Reasoning

You'll need various skills to do well here. You'll have to figure out relationships between complex concepts and apply logic even when things seem unclear. The situations presented can be ambiguous and complex, making this section notorious among LSAT takers.