Interview with a law student: Delinda - 1st year law student

1. How long have you been interested in law school? How long have you known that law is something you want to pursue as a career?
I became interested in attending law school during my sophomore year in college. My father works for the San Diego Police Department, so I grew up in an environment where the legal field was always given the utmost respect.

2. Why did you choose to focus on law?
I took ethics-based Philosophy of Law course and as I sat there in class and argued about the legal duty to care I realized how law affects, at times inadvertently, our everyday activities. At that point, I was intrigued and started to consider law school.

3. How long did you spend studying for the LSAT? What was it like?
I spent about nine months preparing to take the LSAT. I went out and bought almost every workbook printed in the U.S. and went through them from cover-to-cover. I also took an LSAT prep course offered by my undergraduate college. Doing the practice problems and taking the course were extremely helpful because the LSAT does not test any of the knowledge you learn in your undergraduate courses. It is largely based on analytical thinking, which although these skills are learned through your college career, the types of questions which are asked on the exam are not questions you would encounter in any undergraduate course.

4. What are the most useful skills/techniques that you are learning from your classes?
Probably to "think like a lawyer." Those analytical skills tested on the LSAT are honed in law school. Many of the cases are densely written and require a close and thorough reading. Even a single word can make a huge impact on a court's decision.

5. To what extent do you think that attending school will help you to develop your skills? What skills will you need as a lawyer?
As an attorney, it is pertinent to be an excellent writer and thorough at both reading and researching. Almost every law school has a mandatory legal research and writing course for its students, and it is within this course that law students learn to communicate effectively with both the court and her clients.

6. What should potential law students look for in a school or program?
First, you should decide what your priorities are and then balance them with each school. For me, the location, the cost, and the programs offered were the most important. When I received my acceptance letters, I made a chart with the school and my three priorities. Unless you are lucky and receive free tuition in an ideal location, and the school has your top-rated program, you will most likely have to decide which of your priorities will have be sacrificed. For myself, the location and high ranking triumphed over cost.

7. What advice would you give to people considering enrolling in law school?
Apply to a range of schools, including several "back-up" schools. Take as many tours as possible because you will be surprised at how much a tour will influence your decision. There are several high ranked schools in the country that might be on your list as options purely because of their rank, however, once you visit, this could change. The atmosphere at a school is extremely important. You should feel comfortable because as a student you will be practically living there.

8. Do you have any recommendations for sources (i.e. websites, books, textbooks) that would be beneficial to students?
Check out the www.lsac.org website. There is all the information you need about applying to law school, the LSAT, and there is a hyperlink to the ABA-Approved Law School site that allows you to see all the important information that a potential student needs to see before applying/accepting.

9. What kinds of jobs and career opportunities are available in law (either other than being a lawyer or specific types of law)?
The legal field is far-reaching. You could become a law professor, work in public policy or government, edit legal news magazines, conduct research for legal organizations, run for mayor, the list is endless.

10. Do you know what specific area of law you will pursue upon graduation? If so, what is it and why?
I entered law school with the intention of going into children's advocacy, however, now that I've been introduced to a plethora of areas, I'm not sure. Hopefully, my internships will give me guidance as to what area I want to pursue upon graduation.

11. What do you enjoy the most about studying law?
I like seeing it applied to everyday life. It's amazing to me how much our daily lives are entwined with legal rules created by our courts and legislature. In addition, the law school experience is one like no other.

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