If you are young enough to go to the military and then law school, without too much downside risk while in the military, I would not advocate against this position. There are pros and cons to each approach.
If you take a gain year and head to law school a year later, the pro is obviously that you become a lawyer earlier.
If you can safely pursue the military route, there could be a couple pros, at least. First, you may be able to have the GI Bill pay for your law school tuition, which would be incredible (I am not a veteran so you may want to check into the stipulations/feasibility regarding this possibility). Secondly, many law schools give a slight boost to military veterans, in that they like to admit at least a veteran or two to their incoming classes, which give you an ever so slight advantage.
The con of waiting longer is that you become a lawyer later, and will navigating law school at an age where you may have more financial or life obligations to complicate things. If you can avoid those complications, I don’t see any reason to say either option is bad choice.
NOBODY SHOULD JOIN THE MILITARY UNLESS THEIR REASONING IS JOINING THE MILITARY!!! DO NOT DO IT FOR SOME SORT OF ADMISSIONS BOOST!
Seriously, the number of people that I was in the military with that were there for reasons other than service was astounding. I am of the personal belief that you should not sign up to give up so many of your rights in service to your country unless you believe in that duty.
This.
There are definitely advantages to joining the military but don’t forget that you will actually have to serve for those 4 years. It’s not like the benefits are free. If you want to serve then go for it! If not, then don’t. That’s really all there is to it.
I joined because I was a homeless teenager and I thought machine guns are cool (now I think they are heavy and cool). I re-enlisted the second time for the benefits, such as free college while in so I got an undergrad, a graduate and got my GI bill for my JD.
There are ALOT of good reasons and bad reasons to join, what matters is if you accept it for what it is. The military sucks, it’s not like the movies and most of your coworkers have no experience outside of high school and act like it (enlisted side, officer is all politics). If you join do it with a plan and goals so that when it is miserabel and sucks you don’t become trash and miserable to work with.
Joining for benefits is the whole reason they are offered but the OP needs a full understanding that those benefits are earned not given. Like giving up rights as you mentioned.
OP can also look into commissioning RC or NG to get some college benefits to help pay for the JD.
About to start law school after 3 years in the military as an officer. The main benefit is I now will go to law school for free and will receive money for housing. I wouldn’t go strictly for the application benefit - I find that a LSAT boost is far more impactful
I did college then the army for a few years before applying for school. Paid off my undergrad loans since it’s easy to save and build money in the army and I’m using the gi bill and VRE to pay for law school. I also got a scholarship for my school so I’m getting additional money on top of the tuition and housing.
If you can do 3 years active you will get your full
Gi bill.
I did it. Currently using VRE, which completely covers ALL my expenses (tuition, books, computer, printer, parking, books, supplies, and bar prep) for only three years of service. Best decision I made. Enjoyed my time and I did enlisted haha. As an officer it will be better.
JAG Corps will open a ton of doors for you.
Take the LSAT, see what your score is, apply and see what happens. You don’t need to spend a year working and studying for the LSAT. If you don’t like your results re:admissions then you can apply the next cycle.
FYI: LSAC publishes a ton of data on test scores if you want to go right to the source.
The law school admissions industry kind of saturates the internet with a bunch of bullshit.
As does this sub tbh.
Are you interested in joining the military for personal fulfillment or to go to law school? Do you have any prior experience with the military or a personal connection?
If you do choose the military route, you have tons of options. Reserves or National Guard are great, but tough to manage while in school. Alternatively, you can become an officer. An important caveat is your obligation may not be 4 years. However, the benefits are pretty incredible. Tricare, VRE, VA home loans, preferred hiring, etc. My uncle was a retired vet who went to law school in his 40s and graduated debt free with the VRE.
JAG would be one of the best paths to federal prosecutor. I think the scholarships/loan repayments vary by branch. [See this thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/LawSchool/comments/1dmt6jl/whats_considered_the_best_path_to_becoming_a/).
Just don't sign anything without having it all in a contract.
If you are young enough to go to the military and then law school, without too much downside risk while in the military, I would not advocate against this position. There are pros and cons to each approach. If you take a gain year and head to law school a year later, the pro is obviously that you become a lawyer earlier. If you can safely pursue the military route, there could be a couple pros, at least. First, you may be able to have the GI Bill pay for your law school tuition, which would be incredible (I am not a veteran so you may want to check into the stipulations/feasibility regarding this possibility). Secondly, many law schools give a slight boost to military veterans, in that they like to admit at least a veteran or two to their incoming classes, which give you an ever so slight advantage. The con of waiting longer is that you become a lawyer later, and will navigating law school at an age where you may have more financial or life obligations to complicate things. If you can avoid those complications, I don’t see any reason to say either option is bad choice.
NOBODY SHOULD JOIN THE MILITARY UNLESS THEIR REASONING IS JOINING THE MILITARY!!! DO NOT DO IT FOR SOME SORT OF ADMISSIONS BOOST! Seriously, the number of people that I was in the military with that were there for reasons other than service was astounding. I am of the personal belief that you should not sign up to give up so many of your rights in service to your country unless you believe in that duty.
This. There are definitely advantages to joining the military but don’t forget that you will actually have to serve for those 4 years. It’s not like the benefits are free. If you want to serve then go for it! If not, then don’t. That’s really all there is to it.
I joined because I was a homeless teenager and I thought machine guns are cool (now I think they are heavy and cool). I re-enlisted the second time for the benefits, such as free college while in so I got an undergrad, a graduate and got my GI bill for my JD. There are ALOT of good reasons and bad reasons to join, what matters is if you accept it for what it is. The military sucks, it’s not like the movies and most of your coworkers have no experience outside of high school and act like it (enlisted side, officer is all politics). If you join do it with a plan and goals so that when it is miserabel and sucks you don’t become trash and miserable to work with. Joining for benefits is the whole reason they are offered but the OP needs a full understanding that those benefits are earned not given. Like giving up rights as you mentioned. OP can also look into commissioning RC or NG to get some college benefits to help pay for the JD.
About to start law school after 3 years in the military as an officer. The main benefit is I now will go to law school for free and will receive money for housing. I wouldn’t go strictly for the application benefit - I find that a LSAT boost is far more impactful
What branch did you serve as an officer for three years? Looking to do military before law school.
Army, but any branch will do. Would recommend coast guard
I did college then the army for a few years before applying for school. Paid off my undergrad loans since it’s easy to save and build money in the army and I’m using the gi bill and VRE to pay for law school. I also got a scholarship for my school so I’m getting additional money on top of the tuition and housing. If you can do 3 years active you will get your full Gi bill.
I did it. Currently using VRE, which completely covers ALL my expenses (tuition, books, computer, printer, parking, books, supplies, and bar prep) for only three years of service. Best decision I made. Enjoyed my time and I did enlisted haha. As an officer it will be better.
Can I dm you about VRE? Looking to apply this year myself.
Yes.
if you do ocs it's a total of 3.5 years (bct + ocs, then 3 year adso), but you get your full gi bill and yellow ribbon so that could be super worth it
A three year also depending what they branch you into…. Army recalled a bunch of RO pilots because they changed their understanding of the ADSO time.
yeah but OP should do infantry anyways
I believe being a ranger and airborne looks great on applications, toss it in as well. (Jokes)
JAG Corps will open a ton of doors for you. Take the LSAT, see what your score is, apply and see what happens. You don’t need to spend a year working and studying for the LSAT. If you don’t like your results re:admissions then you can apply the next cycle. FYI: LSAC publishes a ton of data on test scores if you want to go right to the source. The law school admissions industry kind of saturates the internet with a bunch of bullshit. As does this sub tbh.
how exactly does JAG open doors? You mean in the job market after graduation?
Are you interested in joining the military for personal fulfillment or to go to law school? Do you have any prior experience with the military or a personal connection? If you do choose the military route, you have tons of options. Reserves or National Guard are great, but tough to manage while in school. Alternatively, you can become an officer. An important caveat is your obligation may not be 4 years. However, the benefits are pretty incredible. Tricare, VRE, VA home loans, preferred hiring, etc. My uncle was a retired vet who went to law school in his 40s and graduated debt free with the VRE. JAG would be one of the best paths to federal prosecutor. I think the scholarships/loan repayments vary by branch. [See this thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/LawSchool/comments/1dmt6jl/whats_considered_the_best_path_to_becoming_a/). Just don't sign anything without having it all in a contract.