Impact of Taking a Semester Off to Work

EastOfEden · 07-23-2012, 02:24 AM

I finished my freshman year at the University of Florida this spring, and planned to go back this fall but I have been offered a staffing position on the Obama campaign. What will be the impact to law schools if I take a leave of absence this fall and then return to classes in the spring? Or will it have no impact at all? I would really appreciate some thoughts on this as I don't have much time to make a decision. Thank you!

(Also, if it makes a difference, I know I will be shooting for top 20 schools when I apply)

sybbie719 · 07-23-2012, 06:00 AM

Quote:

What will be the impact to law schools if I take a leave of absence this fall and then return to classes in the spring? Or will it have no impact at all?

None at all as far as law school admissions. It definitely will not make up for deficiencies in in GPA/LSAT.

Greybeard · 07-24-2012, 04:14 PM

It's unlikely to help or hurt your application, but it could be a great experience.

One caveat - if you took out loans your freshman year, you may have to start repaying them if you take time off. My loans had a a grace period of nine months; I had to make several payments the year I took off between college and law school, and resume paying my undergraduate loans immediately upon graduating from law school.