Law school interviews are becoming more and more common in the UK. Universities place a considerable emphasis on how applicants perform during the interviews, and that helps them to make the final decision. One thing is sure, if you receive an invitation for an interview, it does not mean that you have been accepted to the programme. You still have to do well in the interview.
Why Law Schools Interview Their Applicants
There are several reasons why law schools choose to interview their applicants. An interview allows admissions officers to assess analytical reasoning and thinking skills that are essential to study law and being a lawyer. Also, an interview allows law schools to get to know you better and to assess whether you are the type of student that is suitable to study law at their university.
Law School Interview Questions
There is a vast range of questions that interviewers can ask you during a law school interview. It is very difficult to pinpoint exactly what questions they would ask you, but interview questions can be categorised in three sections.
1. Personalised questions based on your application, that is your CV, personal statement, and transcripts.
2. Generic questions that law schools ask everyone to assess your thinking process and your reasoning skills and to compare your answers to those of other applicants.
3. Questions that naturally flow from the interview. Some interviewers like to maintain an organic conversation during an interview, and asking questions that fit in during that conversation is often the case.
Although there is a range of questions that interviewers can ask you during a law school interview, some pop up more than others. Below is a list of often asked questions:
- Why do you want to be a lawyer?
- Why did you apply to this law school/university?
- Why are you interested in studying law?
- Which accomplishments are you most proud of?
- How would your friends describe you?
- Tell me about yourself.
Prepare for a Law School Interview
Interviews can be an enjoyable and successful experience if you are well prepared. You can take several steps to prepare yourself for a law school interview.
1. Learn about the law school and the city that it is located in.
2. Think about questions that interviewers may ask you based on your application. Was there something unique in your personal statement? Did you receive a bad grade in one of your classes?
3. Research common questions that interviewers usually ask during interviews.
4. Make a list of questions and answer them. You don’t have to write out every answer entirely, point-form outline answers are fine.
5. Practice, practice, practice!
- Practice your answers. Rehearse as much as possible. Be aware of your voice and body language.
- If it is a video interview, then record yourself practicing. How can you improve?
- Do some mock interviews with your parents, siblings, or friends.
6. Come up with a list of questions that you can ask the interviewer at the end of the meeting.
