Many pre-law undergraduates face a tough choice as they near the end of their college education – should they attend law school immediately or try to get a few years of experience in the working world first? There is no right or wrong answer, but there are a few things to consider when weighing these two options.

Applying to law school right away

This is the quickest way to become a lawyer, as you’ll immediately be thrust into the rigors of law school once accepted into an institution. For older undergraduates who wish to complete schooling without delay, this is the best option.

However, candidates need to apply to law school a full year before their selected college commences studies and, and they’re expected to take numerous standardized tests, as well as obtain recommendations and other required documents.

A few years experience

Delaying law school to work for a few years has a number of benefits. First, law institutions favor candidates with real-world experience under their belts. It doesn’t matter if you work in finance, engineering or journalism – corporate jobs give you a fresh and better perspective on situations you may have overlooked otherwise.

You can also save money during this time. Even if you put away only a few thousand dollars, that still functions as funds you do not have to pay back later. Also, many companies offer matching programs to help pay for law school, which is a very attractive option for lower-income students.

Finding a job in the legal industry is the best way to form the connections you’ll need after law school, so focus on postings for paralegals and law firm assistants. If you don’t know where to start looking, the legal recruitment staff at Kinney recruiting can help you get your feet wet.