Visiting a law school before you ar accepted Forum

[grobbelski]

Has anyone done this. I have an interview with someone who works in the admissions office and I am sitting in on a class as well. I have some legitimate questions I want to ask in regards to step I would need to take should I be accepted.

I am a little nervous though. It seems there is a fine line to walk in terms of showing interest but also not being too assuming. Am I correct on this

Best behavior at all times obviously but should I schmooze?

What can I do to improve my chances of being accepted from this interview, if anything?

I am sitting in on a class (admittedly it is a 1L class and having taken 1L it may not be all that helpful, but I think it will be good to see how things are in the classroom setting). I am also also like I said meeting with some one from admissions. Suit is obviously the credited response here or is that me making this too serious?

Please TLS, rounds on me if I get in!

[bankruptedcasino]

For males: Navy blue suit, conservative shirt, conservative tie.

For females: Business suit, conservative dress shirt, conservative footwear and accessories.

Since you are interviewing to attend a law school, you should dress like you would if you were going to court before a judge. The extra mile there will show your professionalism.

Ask meaningful questions! Do your research on the school beforehand so you can ask good questions instead of the silly, standard ones: How big is the library? What kinds of firms interview at OCI? How does Career Services place its students?, etc.

Generally, if you can find the information online or through the school's website it is a standard question and won't impress anyone. Quite the contrary: It will look as if you haven't done any research on the school at all.

[cavebat2000]

Why navy blue? that seems a little too specific.

[bankruptedcasino]

Why navy blue? that seems a little too specific.

Black suits are extremely formal and are not appropriate for business settings such as this one. If it's the only one you have, then that's okay (especially if you're still in UG), but if you've been out of college for a while and in the workforce proper business acumen says conservative colors like navy blue, charcoal gray, etc.

[grobbelski]

For males: Navy blue suit, conservative shirt, conservative tie.

For females: Business suit, conservative dress shirt, conservative footwear and accessories.

Since you are interviewing to attend a law school, you should dress like you would if you were going to court before a judge. The extra mile there will show your professionalism.

Ask meaningful questions! Do your research on the school beforehand so you can ask good questions instead of the silly, standard ones: How big is the library? What kinds of firms interview at OCI? How does Career Services place its students?, etc.

Generally, if you can find the information online or through the school's website it is a standard question and won't impress anyone. Quite the contrary: It will look as if you haven't done any research on the school at all.

On second though I was thinking a suit might be too overdressed. What do you think about khakis, and oxford button down, and a sport coat? The person I am talking to probably will not be in a suit. I don't know, I am still up in the air about it.

[animalcrkrs]

Interview= suit unless the interviewer specifically says DO NOT wear a suit.
You wouldn't want to show up and your interviewer is in a suit and you are now underdressed.
Casino is right on here IMO.

[bankruptedcasino]

Ack! Beat me to it, animalcrkrs! Here we go anyway:

It just might be a tad overdressed, but it shows you are taking the process seriously and that you are a professional. Trust me.

Most people underestimate the ability to make a great first impression by looking sharp in professional attire (properly fitting clothes, well-groomed, clean-shaven, no outrageous hairdo's or piercings, shined shoes, etc.).

Having done interviews myself (not at law schools but for open positions at my firm), I am always impressed by someone who takes the process seriously and shows up looking as professional as they can for the interview. This admissions officer will, too.

[prosp23]

A black suit is fine. It's often the cut of the suit that will make it formal, not the color. Black will not stand out any more than blue or pinstripes. As long as your clothing is not flashy and your tie doesn't have Scooby Doo on it, you're fine. As to not wearing a suit: imagine, if you will, that you are not the only interviewee. If you show up casual, and everybody else has shown up in a suit, how will that reflect on you? Not quite such a good impression, I would assume.

You need to prepare questions ahead of time, but be careful not to ask a question that is designed to make it look as if you're one-upping the interviewer, i.e. an archaic question that they probably don't know the answer to just to show you know something they don't about the school. I think all interviewers expect certain cookie-cutter questions, so a few of them are fine. Be prepared to answer questions about yourself, what you can bring to the school, and how the school is a match for you.

Do not schmooze. Be yourself, and be confident. But you already know not to act self-entitled. I think just your awareness of the fine line, as you called it, will help you.

[nleefer]

I'm inclined to think that a suit is unnecessary. It's very unlikely that your interviewer will be wearing one, and I'm assuming that this isn't a formal part of the admissions process, but rather you showing up for some more information and to express your interest.

Slacks and a sports coat will almost certainly be fine. Also, keep in mind that what you wear is going to have practically nothing to do with your chances of acceptance. If anything does it will be what you say and how you interact during your interview. Show sincere interest, ask good questions, and sell yourself as much as you can.

[vanwinkle]

I honestly think a conservative button-up shirt and tie will work more than sufficiently here.

[Bankhead]

Whenever I see people come to visit my current school in a suit I always think it looks awkward. I'd just wear a button up.

[ScndCareertyme]

hey my .02.
-the earlier the better, looks like you are clear in direction/intention. schools always like it when you look like you know where you want to attend.

- Make sure you f/u all meetings with a ty card to the admissions staff, an email to your tour guide and a letter+email to the dean/asst. dean letting them know about/thanking them for your visit. the more visible you are as a candidate the more likely to accept all things being equal.
In my cycle... (still ongoing) i visited my first choice in september, and used that as an opportunity to communicate with the asst. dean. I was WL'd, sent three LOCI, and retook the LSAT to improve my chances. I kept getting flak from the front desk gate keeper about the letter i was sending about my updated score. B/c of the emails previous, i was able to write the asst. dean and ask her about the review of my file after the new LSAT. She quickly responded and told me she would be making sure my file was reviewed same day. : Lesson- make yourself known, it could pay off in the end

P.s. i wore polo, grey cotton pants and flip flops...but if prescheduled meeting/interview... id say at least business casual or sprt jkt and tie. the black prob is too formal.

[bwv812]

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[CMR]

I can't believe this is even up for debate. Tuxedo. Monocle. Profit.