Chicago State University

Questions To Ask Law school Representatives

(Compiled with the assistance of Chicago State University prelaw students)

Notes on law forum decorum:

Dress professionally or at least neatly. Be polite. Be friendly. Act like the kind of person you would want in your law school.
Don't limit yourself only to the schools you KNOW you're interested in. Keep an open mind. You never know who might be interested in your credentials. Frequently, you can get a better "deal" from an out-of-state school.
Just ask the representatives the questions that are most important to you--you can look up some of this information later if necessary.

FINANCING

What is the annual tuition? About how much do students usually spend on books? On living expenses?
How much debt do law students from your school usually incur?
Are there any scholarships available? Are they based on merit or need? What are the qualifications? Are applicants automatically considered for all scholarships or is a separate application required?
What percentage of your students receive scholarship assistance?

ADMISSION

Do you waive application fees for low income and/or minority applicants?
How soon should I apply?
What is the average GPA/LSAT of students you admit?
What other factors do you consider important in the admissions process?
How does your school make admission decisions? How do you weight the LSAT, GPA and personal statement?
What do you look for in a prospective law student?
If a student takes the LSAT more than once, do you average them or take the highest (or lowest). What do you look for in a personal statementa?
What should applicants avoid when writing their personal statements?
Should I enclose a resume?
Who should I ask for letters of recommendation? How many letters do you require.
Will it help/hurt my application if I use the new LSAC Recommendation Referral System?
When will you be having an open house? Can I make arrangements to sit in on a class?

CURRICULUM/LAW SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT

Do you have part-time or evening programs?
Are students allowed to work while attending law school?
Do many of your students obtain law-related jobs in the summers?
How does your externship program work?
Do you accept transfer students? Approximately how many per year?
What types of special programs does your school have? Do you have dual degree programs?
What kinds of honor societies you have? How do students get on the law review?
Do you have an accelerated program so students can graduate in less than three years?
Do you have any programs abroad or exchange programs with other law schools?
How large are your classes?
How strong is your writing curriculum?
What kind of orientation do you have for first year students?
Do you have tutors who work with students to improve their legal writing skills?
What is your bar passage rate? Do you sponsor programs to help study for the bar exam?
Are there any students I can contact about the social/intellectual climate at your school?
How "cut-throat" or competitive is your student body? How accessible are the professors?
What kind of computer facilities do you have? Are there hook-ups in the classrooms for laptops?

PLACEMENT

What is your placement rate? About how long does it take your students to get a job?
What percentage of your students have full time legal jobs within a year of graduation?
What is their average income the first year after graduation?
Where do most of them work? (e.g., what states? public or private sector?) What kinds of jobs do they get?

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION

What percentage of your students are African Americans (and/or Latinos, Asians, Native American)
Do you have any special programs to support minority students?
What percentage of full-time minority faculty members work at your institution?
What is the attrition rate for minority students at your school?
What minority student organizations are active at your school?
What kinds of activities do they support?
Do you have any mentoring programs for incoming students?

PRELAW PREPARATION