Time off before grad school?

[aTriangle]

My profs. tell me that the best thing one can do is take some time off before starting graduate school. What are your opinions?

[jjasond]

The best thing you could do is work before grad school. It will give you some real world experience and let you make a more informed decision about continuing your education. These days, if you have half decent marks, grad school is the path of least resistance but it is not always the right choice. Get a job and gain some perspective. Grad school is not a once in a lifetime opportunity, you can still go in two years or ten or whatever.

[xlc_88]

^ That is if you can FIND a job. Grad school is getting competitive as well. Grad school is like the new undergrad.

To OP: I took the summer off (4 months) and that was enough time for me. My brain was already dying of boredom just before the start of my grad degree.

[thunderchunky]

aTriangle, what did you study in your undergrad? What grad program will you do? What are your career aspirations? Do you have any work experience?

[aTriangle]

aTriangle, what did you study in your undergrad? What grad program will you do? What are your career aspirations? Do you have any work experience?

My majors have no direct 'real world' application. I'm thinking of going into law or academia or both. My most recent work experience was cleaning toilets and sweeping floors. My cGPA is 3.8, but I am certain it will go up at least a little bit (I was a heavy narcotics user during my first 3 years, since then I have quit).

[thunderchunky]

If you're going to end up in academia anyway then I don't really see much point in waiting before grad school, especially if it's to do janitorial work.

[xlc_88]

My majors have no direct 'real world' application. I'm thinking of going into law or academia or both. My most recent work experience was cleaning toilets and sweeping floors. My cGPA is 3.8, but I am certain it will go up at least a little bit (I was a heavy narcotics user during my first 3 years, since then I have quit).

Have you applied to law school? Your cGPA is good enough to apply.

[aTriangle]

If you're going to end up in academia anyway then I don't really see much point in waiting before grad school, especially if it's to do janitorial work.

I'm wondering if that is actually a good idea. My profs. told me that it is a big mistake not taking at least some time off before graduate school because graduate school is harder, longer, and requires more sustained focus. There is no opportunity to take a 'break' in the middle of your graduate studies like there is during undergraduate or before graduate. :/

[aTriangle]

Have you applied to law school? Your cGPA is good enough to apply.

I'm studying for the LSAT, but no definite plans to go to law school. Academia seems more appealing, but not as financially rewarding.

[thunderchunky]

So what do you want to do on this break? Go on vacation? If you can afford it, then sure, why not? It sounds like you already know the answer to your own question.

[aTriangle]

So what do you want to do on this break? Go on vacation? If you can afford it, then sure, why not? It sounds like you already know the answer to your own question.

I'm open to other people's opinions on their graduate school experiences.

[forthewinwin]

Take a short one. Not too long or your brain will get soft

[samm]

OP, I assume that you are applying for 2013 September entrance. If so, you have time to travel and work!

[webdoctors]

go straight to grad school if its in a great place (ie. California, NYC), but if its in a rural location, take a year off to do something fun like teach English in Japan or be a deckhand in Alaska or join the greenpeace

[acetace]

I started working right after my Bachelor's Degree. It was not till 2 years after I graduated I decided to get back to graduate education.

I'd say taking some time off the study will not only help you grow (mentally, and as an independent adult) it will also make graduate education more relevant.

The only trick is, you need to devise a strategy for references. Ask your professor for sealed letter of recommendations or come up with ways to remind your professors who you are. Otherwise it will be kind of difficult should you decide to apply 1-2 years after. Remember that in undergrad there are thousands of students every year but only one professor. You may remember the professor but he/she might not remember you.

Other than this from my personal experience, I find everything else will be ok. Hope this will help you.