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I am a Junior at UT, 3.75 GPA, Linguistics Honors major, 162 LSAT (taking again in June aiming for a 170+) and on course to graduate May 2011...

my dilemma is as follows:
I have an opportunity to Intern with the European Union through a school program BUT BUT BUT that would delay my graduation one semester.

So my question is, does this opportunity's benefits outweigh the possible costs of delaying my graduation? I have a strong interest in international/comparative law and I feel this fact supported by an Internship overseas would compensate for any deficiencies in grades or LSAT... what do you guys think about this? worth it? Is there a significant drawback to applying to top law schools for the spring? Or should I work a semester and then apply for the fall of 2012? Any commentary on this would be GREATLY appreciated! My top choices are: UT Austin, UC Berkley, Columbia/NYU, Georgetown, Chicago, and a few others.

I am not an URM but I am going to try to justify being hispanic since I have bloodlines to spain lol... just assume I'm not an URM >:-(

I say if you have the opportunity to get some experience outside the classroom, you should take it. I took a year before going to undergrad, and the perspective something like a little time away from the classroom can give is immense. Right now I am taking a year with AmeriCorps before applying to law school. It will make you hungry for more school if nothing else.

If you can afford to live off your parents or savings, do something worthwhile after you come back. A semester away from school will do you good.

Campagnolo wrote:I say if you have the opportunity to get some experience outside the classroom, you should take it. I took a year before going to undergrad, and the perspective something like a little time away from the classroom can give is immense. Right now I am taking a year with AmeriCorps before applying to law school. It will make you hungry for more school if nothing else.

If you can afford to live off your parents or savings, do something worthwhile after you come back. A semester away from school will do you good.

This is very true.