20 Questions

Questions to Ask in Law School Interview

Strategic questions that demonstrate your understanding of legal education, reveal important information about the law school experience, and help you make an informed decision about your legal career path.

1

What do you enjoy most about working at this law school?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Reveals the interviewer's personal connection to the institution and highlights positive aspects of the academic environment.

2

How would you describe the academic culture and what makes it unique?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Provides insights into the learning environment and helps you understand what sets this law school apart from others.

3

What opportunities exist for hands-on learning through clinics or externships?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Shows you're thinking about practical experience and reveals how the law school supports real-world legal training.

4

How does the law school support students who are undecided about their practice area?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Reveals the school's approach to academic exploration and shows you're thinking about your legal career development.

5

What resources are available for academic support and bar exam preparation?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Shows you're thinking about your academic success and reveals how the law school supports student learning and achievement.

6

How does the law school foster diversity and inclusion in the legal profession?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Reveals the school's commitment to creating an inclusive environment and shows you value diversity in legal education.

7

What opportunities exist for networking with legal professionals and alumni?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Shows you're thinking about career development and reveals how the law school supports professional networking.

8

How does the law school prepare students for the realities of legal practice?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Reveals the school's approach to practical preparation and shows you're thinking about your transition to legal practice.

9

What support services are available for student mental health and well-being?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Shows you're thinking about your overall well-being and reveals how the law school supports student health and wellness.

10

How does the law school handle academic advising and career counseling?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Reveals the school's approach to academic guidance and shows you're thinking about your educational and career planning.

11

What opportunities exist for leadership development and student involvement?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Shows you're interested in personal growth and reveals how the law school supports student leadership and engagement.

12

How does the law school support students with different learning styles and needs?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Reveals the school's approach to inclusive education and shows you're thinking about your individual learning needs.

13

What are the law school's goals and priorities for the next few years?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Shows you're thinking long-term and reveals the school's vision and strategic direction.

14

How does the law school handle the transition from undergraduate to law school?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Reveals the school's approach to supporting new students and shows you're thinking about the adjustment to law school life.

15

What opportunities exist for international law or global legal studies?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Shows you're thinking about global legal education and reveals how the law school supports international learning experiences.

16

How does the law school support students who are the first in their family to attend law school?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Reveals the school's approach to supporting first-generation students and shows you're thinking about your unique needs.

17

What role does technology play in the legal education experience?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Shows you're thinking about modern legal education and reveals how the law school integrates technology into learning.

18

How does the law school handle academic challenges and student struggles?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Reveals the school's approach to supporting students during difficult times and shows you're thinking about your academic journey.

19

What opportunities exist for joint degree programs or interdisciplinary studies?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Shows you're thinking about advanced education and reveals how the law school supports interdisciplinary learning.

20

What would success look like for a law student at this school after three years?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Reveals the school's expectations and helps you understand what the law school values in student achievement and growth.

Best Practices for Law School Interview Questions

Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.

Best Practices

Show Understanding of Legal Education

Ask questions that demonstrate you understand the law school experience, the legal profession, and the challenges and opportunities in legal education.

Balance Academic and Professional

Mix questions about academic programs with those about career development and practical training to show you're thinking holistically about your legal education.

Listen for Red Flags

Pay attention to how they answer questions about challenges, student support, and academic culture to identify potential issues.

Question Sequences

The Academic Culture Sequence

1
Start with: "How would you describe the academic culture and what makes it unique?"
2
Follow with: "What opportunities exist for hands-on learning through clinics or externships?"
3
Deepen with: "How does the law school support students with different learning styles and needs?"

The Career Development Sequence

1
Start with: "What opportunities exist for networking with legal professionals and alumni?"
2
Follow with: "How does the law school prepare students for the realities of legal practice?"
3
Deepen with: "What opportunities exist for leadership development and student involvement?"

Common Pitfalls

Don't Ask Obvious Questions

Avoid questions you could easily find answers to on the law school's website or in basic research. Show you've done your homework.

Avoid Negative Framing

Don't ask questions that assume problems or focus on what's wrong. Frame questions positively to show optimism and solution-focused thinking.

Don't Make It All About You

Balance questions about the law school with those about how you can contribute. Show you're thinking about mutual benefit.

Conversation Templates

The Law School Vision Explorer

1
Step 1: Start with: "What are the law school's goals and priorities for the next few years?"
2
Step 2: Follow with: "How does the law school prepare students for the realities of legal practice?"
3
Step 3: Deepen with: "What would success look like for a law student at this school after three years?"

The Academic Experience Assessor

1
Step 1: Start with: "What opportunities exist for hands-on learning through clinics or externships?"
2
Step 2: Follow with: "How does the law school handle academic advising and career counseling?"
3
Step 3: Deepen with: "What opportunities exist for international law or global legal studies?"

Further Reading

"The Law School Admission Game" by Ann Levine
"Getting Into Law School" by Ann Levine
"The Law School Decision Game" by Ann Levine
"Law School Confidential" by Robert H. Miller

Find Your Perfect Questions

Search our collection of thoughtful questions for any conversation or situation