A Guide to Preparing for a Law School Interview

(VORNews) – Law schools interview prospective students to determine whether they are a good fit for the institution. By identifying their strengths from previous academic and social experiences, understanding their future goals and career aspirations, and how their presence could benefit the campus climate, schools can create a more positive learning environment.

Applicants to law school can prepare for these critical conversations by following these tips from experts.

Law School Interview: Determine if the interview will take place in person or virtually

“You should check with the law school before to learn if the interview is asynchronous or if it is a live interview,” says Michelle Martinez, a third-year law student at the University of Texas at Austin.

It has been five years since that school conducted its interviews asynchronously, or virtually. “I prepared by recording myself answering these questions,” Martinez says, “and it was helpful because it didn’t require me to be in front of someone and answer those questions.”

UT Austin’s law school requires students to submit a 90-second video recording of themselves answering a few questions. The school’s assistant dean of admissions and financial aid, Mathiew Le, explains that each category encompasses a particular attribute.

Their motivations for attending law school, their communication skills, and areas of interest are among these attributes.” All students are invited to attend interviews at some law schools, while some are only invited by invitation. Some schools do not include interviews in the admissions process at all.

Prepare for interviews by reviewing your resume and practicing

Prospective students should prepare for their interview as if it were a job interview, reviewing their resume beforehand and practicing with friends or family members. During the process of researching the school, you should take the opportunity to see all of the things the school has to offer,” he advises.

“I would also encourage students who are preparing for their interview to look back at their resume and review their various experiences to help remind them of the things they’ve accomplished that will be helpful in their responses.”

For remote interviewees, Le urges them to make sure the environment they’re in is free of distractions, such as family and friends talking in the background. Getting the most from an interview also means being prepared to present yourself as a prospective law student and to discover more about the school.

“You’re treating it like a professional job interview, so things like having your resume handy and being prepared to answer questions about it, and preparing questions for your interviewer about the school or the legal profession, says Todd Morton, assistant dean and dean of admissions at Vanderbilt Law School in Tennessee.

The most important thing is to help your interviewer understand who you are and why you want to become a lawyer in the end..” When it comes to interview attire, Morton says business casual is most common, but what matters most is how applicants present themselves.

According to him, Vanderbilt takes a holistic approach to the admissions process, which considers a student’s academics, involvement in the community, and work experience. An applicant’s resources and opportunities and how they utilize them to advance themselves and make a positive impact on others are also considered.

Ask Good Questions

“Applicants sometimes don’t think about the questions they should bring,” Morton notes. An interview is a great way for potential law students to learn more about the different programs and aspects that the school offers, as well as how one school stands out from another based on an applicant’s interests and long-term goals.

According to Morton, Vanderbilt is also interested in understanding why a student wishes to attend law school and what resources they plan to take advantage of at Vanderbilt to launch their careers in law.

Types of Interviews You May Face

Interviews are not just a chance to impress law school admissions officers, but also an opportunity to explore the legal profession and areas of practice, Morton says.

A prospective attorney should consider the types of clients who motivate and interest him, something most applicants don’t realize until they begin law school and complete their first year.

Interviews with alumni

Morton says Vanderbilt uses an alumni interview program, which is rare nationally. In a given year, the school has between 700 and 900 alumni interviewers across the U.S., and prospective students indicate whether they would like an interview during the application process.

In response to a request, an alumni interviewer will reach out to the prospective student and arrange a 30-minute interview online or in person. Morton says these optional interviews were created in 2007, and with an average pool of 5,000 applicants, typically 800 to 1,000 choose to participate.

An alumni interview allows you to speak with someone who attended the school you are interested in and who may even be practicing law in the location where you are interested,” Morton says.

“It’s a good opportunity to not only introduce yourself to prospective law students but also to ask questions of and to connect with a lawyer, possibly in an industry you are considering after graduation.”

Alumnae interviews don’t guarantee admission to Vanderbilt, but they will submit a formal report detailing the meeting to the admissions office.