<p>heres my situation: my parents want me to try to finish undergrad early (to save money), and because my intended major does not have too many requirements, i can probably shed the final quarter off my 4th year. i plan to go straight to law school (assuming i get in). however, what would i be doing during that buffer quarter, or what should i be doing? </p>
<p>if the answer is getting a job, then how can i state in my law school app that i will be working after i graduate, even though i havent graduated yet when i actually apply. </p>
<p>any input welcome. thanks!</p>
<p>also, how much of a factor does studying abroad play in law school admissions? is it the same as an extracurricular or what?</p>
<p>Re: some time off. A quarter would give you what, March to July off? Most law schools start in early to mid August, so it's not as much time as you may think. Add that in to moving, setting up an apartment (most law schools don't have on-campus options; if they do, they are often unfurnished), perhaps changing a residency to another state, whatever - honestly, don't expect to have THAT much time off. </p>
<p>Personally, in that situation, I would choose to get a part-time job of some sort. You won't want to work too hard coming into law school, especially after undergrad - give yourself time to unwind. Add that into preparing for law school (see above, and doing things like talking to attorneys or reading up on the experience, saying good-bye to friends, whatever) - you're really not going to have much time. Make some money (always helpful), do something that is relatively fun or interesting. Realize that planning to be a paralegal for four months will NOT help you get into law school. Just mention, if it is applicable, that you plan on working for the summer. Your plans, unless you have something a) spectacular and b) certain, job offer in hand, won't matter at all in admissions. They don't care what you do with your summer, and many will be happy to have their students relaxing and refreshed for a long, grueling semester.</p>
<p>Studying abroad is like an extracurricular, recommendation, major, or school in law school admissions - i.e. usually only a tip factor, not something that will really change admissions. Most years, a good pre-law advisor can tell students, based on LSAT and GPA, exactly where they will get in and where they won't. Don't think of law school admissions as being anything like undergrad, because it's not - very numerical, very cut-and-dry, and very focused on getting good students who will be good lawyers.</p>