Questions to Ask at a Law School Fair

The following are ideas for questions to ask law school admissions representatives. If view books or digital materials are provided, there may be no need to ask representatives for standard information (LSAT, GPA, tuition and fees, etc.).

 

THE ADMISSIONS PROCESS

  • How does your law school review applications?
  • What percentage of applicants was admitted in recent years?
  • Is there an advantage to applying early? Does your school have “early action” or “early decision”?
  • When do you typically let applicants know about admissions decisions?
  • How do you evaluate multiple LSAT scores in the admission process?
  • How important is it for students to have a law-related internship or job before law school?
  • What do you look for in a personal statement?
  • What kinds of recommendations are most helpful?
  • Does your school make use of optional essays in the admissions process? What do you look for?
  • How many transfer students have been accepted in recent years? What criteria are used?
  • What percentage of matriculating students have taken time off after college graduation?

 

CURRICULUM/FACULTY

  • How is the first-year program organized?
  • What clinical opportunities are offered at your school?
  • Do you offer a part-time option? Can first year students start other than in the fall?
  • Does your school offer a pre-entry or conditional summer program for applicants whose GPA/LSAT credentials are below the norm? If so, what admission criteria are used?
  • Do you offer law school study abroad programs?
  • Describe areas of specialization in course offerings. What joint degree programs are offered?
  • How are students selected for law journals or law review? How many participate?
  • What is your faculty-student ratio? How would you describe faculty-student relationships?

 

EMPLOYMENT OF GRADUATES

  • What career services are offered to students and graduates?
  • What percentage of graduating students find jobs? How many find jobs through on-campus recruiting?
  • What percentage of graduates practice in the region around your school?
  • How do you help students and graduates find jobs outside the region around your school?
  • What kinds of jobs do your graduates take after law school?
  • How many students find summer or part-time employment through the law school?
  • How much does class rank determine the job search success of your graduates?
  • What are the bar passage rates in the state(s) in which most of your graduates take the bar exam?

 

DIVERSITY

  • What does diversity mean at your law school?
  • What part should my diverse background play in my personal statement? And, if your law school has an optional diversity statement, how do I highlight my diversity?
  • What is the law school experience like for diverse students?
  • What should I know about writing a diversity statement versus a personal statement?
  • Does your law school have active student organizations that support diverse students?
  • What is the diversity of your law school’s faculty members?
  • Does your law school offer any courses primarily focused on LGBTQ+ legal issues?
  • Does diversity include life experience, special talents, skills, and other factors?
  • How does diversity translate into your classrooms?
  • I’m an older student—am I a “diverse” or “nontraditional” student? What is the average age of first-year law students? How does your law school offer support, or community, for “nontraditional” students?
  • If I need accommodations, how should I approach your law school for assistance and support?

 

CHARACTER/AMBIANCE

  • What is special about the character and ambiance of your school?
  • Describe the physical location of the school.
  • Describe the on and off campus housing opportunities for students.
  • What do students like most about your school? Least?

 

COSTS/FINANCIAL AID

  • Do you offer merit or need-based scholarships or grants? If so, what criteria do you use?
  • Is continuation of a merit scholarship contingent upon academic performance in law school?
  • How do most of your students pay for law school?
  • What is the cost of attendance at your school? Do you anticipate a tuition increase?
  • Do you have a loan repayment assistance program for graduates who go into public interest law?
  • What are the criteria and procedures for obtaining state residency status while in law school (state supported schools)?