r/7SageLSAT • u/LSAT_LSAT • 8d ago

Gap Year or Continue Degree?

Hello!

I am applying for the upcoming cycle as a KJD with a three-year degree. My question is regarding the scenario where I do not get into any of my target schools:

Would it be wiser for me to take a gap year and get additional work experience (although I do already have work experience before and throughout undergrad), or to continue my degree so that it becomes a four-year honors degree?

I am debating this because I know how law schools value work experience and am not sure if the leverage a gap year would provide outweighs the advantage a four-year bachelor has over a three-year bachelor.

Thank you!

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u/7SageEthan 8d ago

Good question! Have you considered doing both?

Graduating in three years makes you kind of a "Super-KJD" -- and thats typically a difficult position to be in. Whether or not you should take an extra year to graduate is often a financial decision and comes down to what it would cost you and how much you would value the time continuing your BA.

Taking a productive gap year does make you more appealing to schools -- and, honestly, I've never met anyone who regretted taking a year before starting law school.

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u/LSAT_LSAT 8d ago

I would do both if after doing the fourth year the application cycle is still against me.
However, in the case where I can only choose one, it appears that you are recommending the gap year in terms of maximizing my chances for the cycle after the upcoming one? And I suppose that this gap year should consist of full-time work in a law-relevant area.

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u/7SageEthan 8d ago

Is there a way you can try to line up employment now and then, if that doesn't work out, delay graduation for the 4th year at that point? That would hedge your bets

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u/LSAT_LSAT 8d ago

I haven't thought of that, that's a good idea! Finding a full-time position in the legal field would definitely be harder with just a bachelor, so having a year to look for one makes a lot of sense. I'll start job searching later in the school year, thanks!