Some Law Schools will interview candidates. Often times this will be optional (but really this is NOT optional because if a school is asking to interview you, you need to take them up on that offer!) If a school does ask for an interview it will likely be with an Alumni of the school and here are some basic tips for succeeding in the interview:
Dress conservatively. Wear a suit. For women, wear nylons if you are wearing a skirt. Wear shoes that are professional but that you can walk in case the interview is in a different location from where you are meeting.
Research the school. Hopefully you already know a good amount about the school if you spent the time and money to apply there but make sure to know about the law school in particular. Know what areas they specialize in, what types of clubs or clinics they have that you may be interested in – know what sets this school apart from others. Have questions for the interviewer about the school, their experience there, how the school prepared them for the legal profession, etc.
Research the interviewer. The person interviewing you is likely a practicing lawyer (and if they are not you should know that too) and you want to know what type of law they practice, where they work, etc. The best interviews involve a dialogue so you want to be able to know something about who is interviewing so you have questions to ask them as well.
Why you are applying to Law School. Have an answer and “I don’t want to get a real job” or “I didn’t know what else to do” are not acceptable answers. This does not mean that you have to know exactly what type of lawyer you want to be but you should have some reason for going to law school, even if it just is “I want to be a lawyer and I have to go to law school to be a lawyer.”
Be yourself. If you want to practice corporate law but the school you are interviewing with specializes in litigation, don’t pretend to be someone who wants to be a litigator. Or if you have no idea what type of law you want to do that is O.K. too. Schools like diversity and you shouldn’t try to fit in with what you think is their ideal, it will come off as insincere.
Any specific questions about interviews can be directed to prelaw@usc.edu
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