Public interest law Forum

[cutecarmel]

I'm a junior in college and interested in pursuing a career in public interest law. I know this probably sounds like a silly question, but will someone in a public interest program at their law school still receive a JD like the rest of the school? Do you still take the rest of the normal classes, but concentrate in the area of public interest?

Also how do you demonstrate interest in public service? Like I have done a lot of community service, but what (more or less) are they looking for?

Thanks

[merichard87]

Yes you will still get a JD. Law school is not like college, you don't "major" in a specific subject. In law school you have opportunities to classes in certain subjects you are interested in. You can also participate in clinics, join a journal or law review, etc.. But public service is more a job type than an actual area of law. For example, you can be an immigration attorney but work for the government and be in public service.

And they look for the same things everybody else looks for, GPA, LSAT and softs.

[cutecarmel]

meri. thanks for your advice. And to clarify I meant how to demonstrate interest in public service for scholarships. Like many schools offer scholarships to those interested in pursuing a career in public service and they want candidates that demonstrate interest in public service

[merichard87]

Volunteering, get a job working with a non-profit, start a non-profit etc....