Law School Interviews Guide: Everything You Need to Know
As the opening dates for law school applications start coming closer, it’s likely that you’ve been wondering how to prepare for your law school interviews. Even if you’re currently focused on getting your LSAT scores and recommendations submitted on time, it’s never too early to familiarize yourself with the interview process, and whether or not the schools on your list conduct them.
No matter what stage your application is in right now, it’s helpful to know ahead of time which law schools do offer interviews and what it means for you to get one. To guide you through navigating law school interviews, I have outlined the top 20 ranked law schools in the country which consider interviews, some common questions you should prepare for, and the importance of law school interviews in your admissions decision.
Law School Interviews Offered by the Top 20 Institutions
First things first, not all institutions offer law school interviews. In fact, minus a few exceptions, it’s rare for a school beyond the top 20 to offer interviews. Some of the most well-regarded schools around the country invite all students to interview, some send invitations depending on the limited number of interview slots, and some invite only the top candidates. Interviews may be conducted in-person, online (via video calling tools such as Skype, Zoom, and Kira) or over the phone with an alumni or admissions committee member. Let’s take a look at the policies for institutions within the top 20 which invite students to partake in law school interviews.
Table Key
- Everyone encouraged, by applicant request – Interviews are considered in the admissions process and unless there is an unavoidable conflict, students must contact the school to schedule an interview.
- Strongest students, by invite – The school considers interviews in the admissions process and no candidate is admitted without an interview.
- Many students, by invite – Applicants are chosen to interview for a variety of reasons. Usually a lack of slots prevents the school from interviewing everyone. Candidates who are not invited to interview are still considered for admission.
- Some students – The school usually does not consider interviews in the admissions process, but might contact an applicant on a case-by-case basis e.g., for a scholarship or to clarify information in the application.
- N/A – The law school does not invite applicants for interviews.
| Rank | School Name | Frequency | How Selected Candidates are Informed | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yale | N/A | ||
| 2 | Stanford | N/A | ||
| 3 | Harvard | Strongest students | Invite | In-person or Zoom |
| 4 | UChicago | Many students | Invite | Skype |
| 5 | Columbia | Many students | Invite | Skype |
| 6 | NYU | Some students | Invite, especially named scholarship candidates | In-person, Skype for those with “truly extenuating circumstances” |
| 7 | UPenn | Some students | Lottery | In-person or Skype |
| 8 | UVA | Stronger students | Invite | Skype or phone |
| 9 | UMichigan | Some students | Interviews only for Darrow full scholarship applicants | In-person |
| 10 | Duke | Some students | Invite | In-person, Skype for scholarship candidates |
| 10 | Northwestern | Everyone encouraged to interview | Applicant request | In-person or online via Kira |
| 10 | UC Berkeley | N/A | ||
| 13 | Cornell | Many students | Invite | Kira |
| 14 | Georgetown | Strongest students | Invite | In-person (alumni interview or group interview with the Dean) |
| 15 | UCLA | Some students | Invite | In-person or Skype |
| 16 | UT Austin | Some students | Invite | Kira |
| 17 | USC | N/A | ||
| 18 | Vanderbilt | Everyone encouraged to interview | Invite | In-person |
| 18 | Wash U St. Louis | Some students | Invite or request during campus tours | Skype |
| 20 | University of Minnesota | N/A |
As you can tell from the table, the degree to which your law school interviews matter depends on the institution. Schools that require everyone to interview want to make sure they’ve given all candidates the chance to elaborate on their application components. But if you haven’t received an invitation from Cornell or UChicago, for example, don’t worry. You’re still in the running.
Importance of Law School Interviews in Your Admissions Decision
Law school interviews are an added component to provide the admissions committee with more context on who you are, how you’ve pursued your commitments, and how you’d fit into the school. In your interview, try to answer the questions authentically and specifically, and expand on your goals and interests. Mention how the school’s unique resources help as you pursue your legal career.
You can’t get admitted to schools like Harvard or UVA without receiving an interview. Once you’ve been invited, you have the opportunity to make a strong impression on the school and you’re one step closer to affirming their initial interest in you. If you don’t receive an interview for these schools, unfortunately you’re out of the running. To ensure that you don’t fall into that pile, work hard on the preliminary components of your application such as your grades, LSAT score, resume, and personal statement.
