Questions about son's plans for gap year between college and law school

[Anonymous]

DS is a college junior at a top SLAC, has a high GPA in both majors, has completed meaningful interships, and scored really high on the first LSAT that he just took. He has plans to go to law school after a gap year.

He has a long history of setting long term goals and working towards them (Eagle Scout, 12 years at the same summer camp rising to CIT then counselor then manager of counselrs).

So I believe him when he says that he plans to go on to law school after that gap year of "freedom." He just wants a break in the many years of expectations and late nights of study. His definition of that is being a ski patrol (he's a nationally certified EMT and great skier) living in a bunk house in Colorado for a gap year. And fill in other season jobs in the off season. He wants to clock in and out and enjoy his young life. We said we approved of his idea in theory. Life is long, youth is short.

But can he afford to support himself in that scenario?

Will a law school offer him admission during his senior year and then let him take a gap year -- to do something like this, and not, say work on the Hill?

He did say recently that "well, maybe I'd come home for the summer and do another internship" before heading west. I think he's saying that because he has suddenly realized how very poor he is going to be.

[Anonymous]

I don't know about the finances but absolutely he should take a gap year. He can either apply senior year or apply during the gap year.

[Anonymous]

If the school he wants is not fine with it, he doesn't have to do it.

Working and having little income is an education in itself. It's good for him.

Ski areas sometimes offer very cheap housing for their seasonal staff, like basically dorm style. It'll be fine. And he can save money for it the summer after graduation.

[Anonymous]

Absolutely he should do this. There is no rush to go to law school.

I took three years between college and law school -- one year to do something fun and two years to work and learn that I did, in fact, want to be a lawyer. This time made me a better law student.

[Anonymous]

Do you still wipe his nose and his a$$, Ma?

[Anonymous]

I have a friend who did this. His family is wealthy and could support him. I think he lived in Aspen and Breckenridge for 2 years before law school.

[Anonymous]

I took two years between undergrad and law school, and I wouldn't change that. The first two years of law school can be really intense, and I feel like getting the break and some life experience in between were a factor in my law school success. I got a Masters in between, but the purpose would have been served just as well if I had traveled or worked at a job that wasn't on a career path.

[Anonymous]

My cousin's a ski patrol. During the summer he's a hiking/kayaking guide.

As someone who went straight through to law school, I think this is a good idea. Once you get on the law path you're pretty locked in (because of the debt you stay on top of your work plan). Then you have responsibilities (I have kids and a mortgage now) and doing something like that isn't feasible. I've been talking to my husband about maybe taking a week off and doing a major hike, but it requires a lot of planning when you have kids.

[Anonymous]

Yes he should take time off between college and LS (I say this as some who didn't, and really wish I had).

Law schools really vary in whether they let you defer and yes they often ask what you're doing in the interim year. So the apply and defer aspect may not pan out.

[Anonymous]

It's a good idea. When I went to law school I had taken two years off (worked on the Hill the whole time). The people who went straight through seemed really, really young and just like, inexperienced, especially when it came to job search and summer job stuff.

[Anonymous]

Thank goodness my parents didn’t have their nose in my business like this anymore at this phase of my life.

[Anonymous]

I’d tell him no or he needs to figure out finances.

[Anonymous]

My DH did this. He got into Harvard Law School but then won a Fulbright to study in Europe. He accepted Harvard and deferred a year. If I remember correctly, he would have been able to do this at the other law schools he got into. Its easier to apply during your senior year when you are on campus and you have the support of the college/career services.

[Anonymous]

Honestly a young person with no family or responsibilities can afford to be poor. I was poor in my early 20s. I don't think my parents thought about that for even a second. You just need a bed and some food. He'll be fine.

[Anonymous]

I don’t totally see how this is your business, OP. Let him figure it out.