20 Questions

Questions to Ask Law School Admissions Officers

Strategic questions that demonstrate genuine interest and help you make informed decisions about your legal education journey.

1

What makes your law school's curriculum unique compared to other programs?

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Why this works

Shows you've done research and reveals the school's distinctive academic approach and specializations.

2

How does your school support students who want to pursue public interest law?

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Why this works

Demonstrates commitment to social justice and reveals available resources, clinics, and funding opportunities.

3

What percentage of graduates secure employment within 6 months of graduation?

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Why this works

Gets concrete data on job placement success and helps evaluate the school's career support effectiveness.

4

How does your school help students find internships and clerkships?

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Why this works

Reveals the career services approach and networking opportunities available to students.

5

What is the average class size for first-year courses?

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Why this works

Helps understand the learning environment and accessibility of professors for individual attention.

6

How does your school support students with families or other commitments?

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Why this works

Shows consideration for work-life balance and reveals flexible scheduling or support services available.

7

What opportunities exist for students to work with faculty on research projects?

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Why this works

Demonstrates interest in academic engagement and reveals mentorship opportunities beyond the classroom.

8

How does your school prepare students for the bar exam?

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Why this works

Gets specific information about bar prep support, pass rates, and additional resources provided.

9

What diversity and inclusion initiatives does your school have?

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Why this works

Shows commitment to understanding the school's culture and support for underrepresented students.

10

How does your school help students manage the financial burden of law school?

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Why this works

Reveals available scholarships, financial aid, loan forgiveness programs, and debt management resources.

11

What clinical programs or experiential learning opportunities are available?

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Why this works

Demonstrates interest in practical legal training and reveals hands-on learning opportunities.

12

How does your school support students interested in specific practice areas?

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Why this works

Shows you're thinking about career specialization and reveals available concentrations or special programs.

13

What is the school's approach to mental health and wellness support?

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Why this works

Demonstrates awareness of law school stress and reveals available counseling and wellness resources.

14

How does your school help students build professional networks?

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Why this works

Shows understanding of networking importance and reveals alumni connections and professional development opportunities.

15

What study abroad or international law opportunities exist?

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Why this works

Demonstrates interest in global legal perspectives and reveals international programs or partnerships.

16

How does your school support students who want to practice in different geographic regions?

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Why this works

Shows consideration of where you want to practice and reveals the school's geographic reach and alumni network.

17

What technology and research resources are available to students?

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Why this works

Demonstrates interest in modern legal practice and reveals library resources, databases, and tech support.

18

How does your school handle academic support for students who struggle initially?

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Why this works

Shows realistic understanding of law school challenges and reveals tutoring, mentoring, and support systems.

19

What opportunities exist for students to publish legal writing or participate in law review?

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Why this works

Demonstrates interest in academic achievement and reveals opportunities for scholarly engagement and resume building.

20

How does your school prepare students for the transition from law school to legal practice?

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Why this works

Shows forward-thinking about career readiness and reveals practical preparation for entering the legal profession.

Best Practices for Law School Admissions Conversations

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

Best Practices

Research Before You Ask

Demonstrate genuine interest by researching the school's programs, faculty, and recent news. This shows you're serious about attending and helps you ask more targeted questions.

Show Your Career Vision

Connect your questions to your career goals. Admissions officers want to see that you've thought about how their school fits into your professional trajectory.

Ask About Fit, Not Just Stats

While rankings and employment statistics matter, focus on questions that reveal whether the school's culture and approach align with your learning style and values.

Question Sequences

The Academic Fit Sequence

1
What makes your curriculum unique?
2
How do you support students in my area of interest?
3
What research opportunities exist with faculty?
4
How do you prepare students for the bar exam?

The Career Preparation Sequence

1
What career services do you offer?
2
How do you help students find internships?
3
What networking opportunities exist?
4
How do you prepare students for practice?

Common Pitfalls

Don't Ask Questions You Can Find Online

Avoid basic questions about application requirements, deadlines, or general information that's readily available on the school's website. This wastes their time and shows lack of preparation.

Don't Focus Only on Rankings

While rankings matter, focusing solely on them suggests you're not considering fit. Ask about specific programs, culture, and opportunities that align with your goals.

Don't Be Overly Aggressive

While it's good to be engaged, don't dominate the conversation or ask confrontational questions. Show respect for their time and expertise.

Conversation Templates

The Interest-Based Approach

1
Step 1: Start with: "I'm particularly interested in [specific area of law]..."
2
Step 2: Follow with: "How does your school support students in this area?"
3
Step 3: Deepen with: "What opportunities exist for hands-on experience?"
4
Step 4: Connect with: "How do graduates typically transition into this field?"

The Support-Focused Approach

1
Step 1: Begin with: "I'm concerned about [specific challenge like finances, work-life balance, etc.]..."
2
Step 2: Ask: "How does your school address this challenge?"
3
Step 3: Explore: "What resources are available to help students succeed?"
4
Step 4: Follow up: "Can you share examples of how students have overcome this?"

Further Reading

"The Law School Admission Game" by Ann Levine
"Law School Confidential" by Robert H. Miller
"Getting to Maybe" by Richard Michael Fischl and Jeremy Paul
LSAC's Official Guide to ABA-Approved Law Schools

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