Questions for Dean of Admissions Forum

[Dahlyn]

I have a meeting with a couple of Deans of Admissions(Pitt and Duquesne) to find out more about the schools. I want to prepare some good questions. Any advice on what I should ask.

Thanks.

[txadv11]

I'd go with a few questions that you already know the "answers" to and compare what you are told: Bar pass rate, job placement, internships. I'd also throw out some questions directed at how student life is, community surrounding the school(s), specialized programs, certificates, moot court etc.

Ultimately, my own interests would be financial based with an emphasis on finding out just how good (or bad) students are doing 1,2,5,10 years out.

[AreJay711]

I'd go with a few questions that you already know the "answers" to and compare what you are told: Bar pass rate, job placement, internships. I'd also throw out some questions directed at how student life is, community surrounding the school(s), specialized programs, certificates, moot court etc.

IMO you shouldn't ask these questions since they are readily available online. Ask very generl questions like "how will XXX help me find a job" or "How does XXX program work". Also, find some interesting things about the schools and ask about them. I did this for Michigan (with the Assistant Director, not the Dean) and she seemed impressed with some of the questions I was asking like "I know as a Michigan Law student you can take classes in other disciplines, but what are the logistics of that? Is it hard to actually get a seat in the other departments?". This kind of questions shows 1. that you did your research and 2. you are obviously very interested in that school if you are asking that type of question.

Of course if you are already admitted, ask whatever kind of questions you want to know.

[txadv11]

I'd go with a few questions that you already know the "answers" to and compare what you are told: Bar pass rate, job placement, internships. I'd also throw out some questions directed at how student life is, community surrounding the school(s), specialized programs, certificates, moot court etc.

IMO you shouldn't ask these questions since they are readily available online. Ask very generl questions like "how will XXX help me find a job" or "How does XXX program work". Also, find some interesting things about the schools and ask about them. I did this for Michigan (with the Assistant Director, not the Dean) and she seemed impressed with some of the questions I was asking like "I know as a Michigan Law student you can take classes in other disciplines, but what are the logistics of that? Is it hard to actually get a seat in the other departments?". This kind of questions shows 1. that you did your research and 2. you are obviously very interested in that school if you are asking that type of question.

Of course if you are already admitted, ask whatever kind of questions you want to know.

I still think asking a very few, important "testing" questions is helpful. For example if a school's site shows a 84% bar pass rate, a 90% job placement rate, and say, 2 million in scholarships...and the dean claims 99% pass rate, 98% job placement rate, and 5 million in scholarships (on an extreme example here) then I'd turn on my skeptical meter. I have noticed VERY large discrepancies from what I'm told at a pre-law fair or the LSAC forum, versus what I find online, TLS, school's site, personal experience, etc