Your resume and LSAT score provide admissions committees with insight into your background, while in-depth interviews allow them to uncover more of your passions and aspirations.
Your answer to “why law school” must be grounded in experience rather than aspirations alone. A story which shows your growing understanding of an issue will convey self-awareness and growth – something law schools highly value.
1. I Want to Help People
At interview sessions, applicants often struggle with answering the “Why law school?” question in an effective and coherent manner. Instead of getting stuck into answering this way, applicants should focus on how their answer ties in with their overall career goals and plans – such as in this example where an applicant discussed his interest in law having developed into a passion for social justice – an approach which showcases thoughtful long-term clarity – something elite schools look for when selecting candidates.
As part of their personal mission and career goals, pro bono work is at the core of this applicant’s focus. Additionally, his goal of combining litigation and policy reform work has impressed the interviewer as evidence that this candidate has an inclusive view for his legal future.
Interviewers value that candidates intend to continue working on civil rights issues postgraduately, which shows their dedication and shows they would make an assetful addition to campus communities.
2. I Want to Make a Difference
After an intensive semester of reading, taking notes, briefing, outlining, and classroom discussion, most law school professors administer final exams that typically span multiple pages and require extensive writing. These “issue spotter” questions aim to test students’ ability to identify, state and apply the law logically and reach reasonable conclusions.
Math majors and engineers and other non-language majors may often outscore English majors in law school exams due to their ability to identify issues quickly, state rules clearly, apply them quickly to facts quickly, and reach sound conclusions more efficiently.
This applicant’s response demonstrates both an exceptional knowledge of law and a desire to help people. Her answer transcends vague aspirations or moral ambition and highlights one of the traits valued most highly by elite law schools.
3. I Want to Be a Leader
As your opening interview question, this question offers you an opportunity to show that you aspire to lead. Perhaps share how your background in business has prepared you for legal practice or how you have held leadership roles before.
Showing your passion for law by advocating for social justice can demonstrate both your ability to work under pressure and your commitment to lifelong learning.
Once again, this opportunity provides you with an excellent chance to demonstrate how a school’s culture complements your personal preferences. Some schools have more of a competitive atmosphere while others may favor collaboration over competition; this will enable the admissions committee to determine if you would fit well into their community and student culture.
4. I Want to Change the World
An expensive pursuit, law school requires three years of intensive study. You could incur thousands in debt while giving up all your free time; so before embarking on such an extended journey it is essential that you are sure why it is worthwhile!
If you want to make an impactful difference in people’s lives and bring about social reform that you care deeply about, law school may be your ticket. Students enrolled can participate in classes, clinics and internships related to human rights or any other issue they find personally engaging.
Law schools are offering experiential learning programs to give their students more hands-on experience in law. By participating in these opportunities, law students can discover if it truly is their calling to go into this profession while testing out your strength and commitment to it even if you aren’t quite ready for a legal career.
