An international internship is a popular option for students interested in sabbatical year law programs. It achieves multiple goals at once – not only do you get travel and experiential education bundled into one package, so do you: you`ve been in school for 15 years or more. You deserve a break! In addition, it is helpful to have full-time work experience to make connections and familiarize yourself with the work in law. Of course, school could be everything you remember and know how to do it so far. It`s a routine in which some find comfort – going to class, doing homework, writing papers, getting grades. However, it is beneficial to try the world of work first and get an idea of what it is. There is no right or wrong path you can take when it comes to working during your gap year before law school. You can choose a position that strengthens your candidacy – such as a research associate – or opt for a non-legal position that broadens your range of experience and teaches you important global skills such as leadership skills. You can also opt for something completely off the beaten path simply because you find it interesting or achieve one of your personal goals! Travel all over Italy during your year abroad! During this month-long summer program, you can learn while exploring Italy with other students from around the world! If you go directly from undergraduate studies to law school and can`t take time off in advance, you have other options.

A gap year doesn`t have to be a whole year, and most gap year programs are flexible enough to work with your schedule. If a program lasts a month or less, you can easily complete an internship or volunteer project during the short spring and winter breaks or longer summer vacations. It is ideal for students who want to do a gap year while studying law. However, keep in mind that a gap year job in the legal field is not an automatic ticket to law school. The real value you`ll get from a job like this is understanding what life is like as a lawyer, in addition to established, well-connected professionals whose credentials could be a boon to your application. Legal assistant and paralegal positions can also give you insight into the legal profession. If you really want to spend your year abroad preparing for law school, look for experiences that will give you a deeper insight into the legal profession. It is important to note that Northwestern Law generally prefers that applicants take time between college and law school to gain work experience before applying. In keeping with the school`s focus on enrolling students with work experience, a high percentage of most incoming classes have at least one year of postgraduate experience. If you`re trying to choose between law and another career, consider working in the other professional field for a year or two to help you make that decision. Non-legal jobs can also be useful for people who are sure the law is right for them. For example, if you are interested in corporate law, you should consider working in a business-related position.

If you are interested in environmental law, consider an environmental non-profit organization. This experience will help you better understand the problems of your future customers. “Finding yourself” is a stereotypical but perfectly acceptable way to spend your year abroad. Law schools know that you may not have the chance to focus on a single hobby or travel before your legal career is over! During law school, it is difficult to concentrate much outside of school. So if traveling or running a marathon or just about anything else is important to you, schools will understand. Be sure to mention this in your personal statement and explain why it has helped you grow as a person. If you have a low cumulative grade point average for the bachelor`s degree, work experience during your year abroad before law school can help you overcome this problem. Speaking of the world of work, admissions committees usually prefer a year or two of work experience to a three-month internship and such. But a full resume won`t be the only thing you`ll get a solid gap year job.

You`ll also be able to network like crazy and meet industry leaders who could potentially serve as benchmarks for your applications in the future. Also money: If you consider that the average government education in a public law school is about $30,000, you`ll need a lot of that to become a lawyer. If you think the experience would benefit you, then our answer is clearly yes! Not all aspiring lawyers go directly from their bachelor`s degree to law school, and a gap year is common and can be a very positive addition to your application. Take a break to develop, achieve your personal goals, and decide if you`re up for the law school challenge. With all the pros and cons in mind, I highly recommend candidates take a year or more off as much as possible to take a break, freshen up, and explore the world. A gap year before law school won`t hurt you, but it`s ultimately your calling! It can be a difficult decision, but there is no wrong or right answer.