When it comes to LSAT scores, letters of recommendation, and personal statements, there are a multitude of elements to keep in mind when considering law school. If you’re like me, the world of law can feel beyond intimidating and complex.
As the first member of my family to consider going into law, the endless array of post-grad options are extremely overwhelming. Approaching my junior year of college, something that has been at the top of my mind recently is whether or not it’s recommended to pursue law school directly out of college. Being a so-called “Kindergarten-JD” (K-JD) once seemed like something I would be pursuing; however, that may be changing. The term K-JD refers to individuals whose educational career has remained unbroken from Kindergarten to receiving their Juris Doctor degree after graduating from law school. Think: the academic equivalent of running a marathon without stopping for water.
Growing up, I have always been under the assumption that everyone goes straight to law school after undergrad. Raised on Legally Blonde, the vision in my head of my post-secondary plans had been to graduate, buy a pink laptop, and stroll into law school ready to make an impact in the legal field. Turns out, that’s certainly not the most common path. Of course, being a “baby lawyer” may appeal to ambitious individuals who want to jumpstart their career. Are there benefits to taking time off before entering your three years of law school, though? Short answer: yes, absolutely.
Law school, and really any post-secondary plans, are not going to be a one-size-fits-all approach. There are many factors that go into making the decision about when to apply to law school. As mentioned by US News, “law schools have increasingly emphasized qualitative factors like maturity and employability, applicants with a year or more of work experience have gained an advantage. Some schools now expressly state a preference for applicants who’ve spent time in the real world between college and law school.” The field of law is notorious for lacking a good work-life balance, which many have argued against, but it’s certainly an ill-famed characteristic of the field. Taking time off between undergrad and law school may allow you to take a step back from academic burnout. To catch up on some much-needed sleep and detox from the flow of Canvas notifications. In addition to all that, you can gain some useful experience.
Common advice I have heard from individuals in the legal profession has been the value of taking a gap year, or even a few. Trust me, when I heard this, after previously being under the belief that everyone is on the K-JD trajectory, I started spiraling. After digging into their argument, though, it began to make sense. Once you attend law school, it’s a straight path from there to a long career. This change of pace could give you the chance to do all the things future lawyer-you will not have time for: spontaneous trips, random hobbies, jobs that serve absolutely no purpose in the legal field but make for good stories.
In contrast, starting your career as a young attorney provides you with certain advantages and early accreditations. Diving headfirst into the legal field shows ambition and determination, traits often found in anyone going into law, regardless of age, but especially prevalent in younger generations. Starting your career early in life also allows you to explore the field of law and its many facets, build your network, work your way up, and make true connections with colleagues.
Either way, there are pros and cons to both paths. Whether you decide to take a break, or go straight to law school, there is no right or wrong answer. It’s important to evaluate these arguments before deciding which cycle to apply for, which is why researching the K-JD pathway and whether you want to sign up for that academic endurance test is so important.