Why Law School Interview Question: How to Answer It Right

Why It’s Asked in Almost Every Law School Interview

Every law school applicant gets the "why law school" interview question. It’s one of the few things you can count on going in. The reason? It’s open-ended, personal, and surprisingly revealing. Your resume, LSAT score, and transcript show what you’ve done. This question shows why you’re doing it.

Interviewers don’t want to hear something you think they want to hear. They want something real. If your answer sounds too polished or vague, they’ll assume you haven’t thought deeply about this path—or worse, that you’re saying what you think will get you in.

What They’re Really Trying to Learn About You

Here’s what’s actually behind this question:

Your decision-making: Are you applying to law school because you genuinely want to become a lawyer—or because it seems like the next step? They want proof that you’ve explored this career path and made a conscious choice.

Your maturity: Can you reflect on past experiences and pull out what matters? Are you capable of taking feedback, learning independently, and handling uncertainty? Thoughtful answers signal maturity.

Your understanding of the field: Do you know what being a lawyer looks like? If your reasons are based on courtroom dramas, that’s a red flag. They want to hear that you’ve talked to lawyers, read real cases, or done work that gave you insight into the profession.

Your goals: You don’t need a five-year plan, but you should be able to explain how law school fits into your life. What do you hope to do with the degree? Even if you’re unsure of your exact path, show that you’ve considered your options.

Check out some more law school interview questions to prep for!

What Makes a Good Answer to “Why Law School?”

Key Elements Law Schools Want to Hear

Your answer should combine three things:

1. A clear motivation rooted in experience → What made you consider law in the first place? A personal experience? A class? A job? An injustice you witnessed?
2. A connection to law school itself → Why law school specifically—not policy school, not a master's in philosophy, not a business degree?
3. An understanding of what comes after → What do you want to do with your degree? It doesn’t have to be a dream job title. Just something concrete enough to show this wasn’t a random decision.

Good answers are rooted in lived experience. They sound like something you’d say in real life—not something copy-pasted from an online forum.

What to Avoid in Your Answer to "Why Law School?"

Let’s break down the usual suspects:

Generic goals: “I want to make a difference.” Everyone does. Give a real-life context.

Overly academic reasons: “I love to read and analyze.” Cool—but why law school instead of grad school in literature?

Prestige or parental pressure: If you’re saying “My parents are lawyers,” you need to go further. Why is this your path, not just theirs?

Unrealistic expectations: If you say you want to “argue in court every day,” you’re describing less than 5% of legal jobs. Show you’ve done your research.

How to Prepare a Strong, Honest Answer to "Why Law School?"

1. Reflect on Your Real Reasons

This isn’t something you do the night before. Start by writing down:

• When you first thought about law school
• Any major turning points or confirmations
• What values or issues keep coming up in your life

Ask yourself:

• What bothers me in the world—and what do I want to do about it?
• When have I seen the law at work, and how did it make me feel?
• Who do I want to help or what problem do I want to work on?

You’re looking for patterns. Moments that show not just that you could go to law school, but that you should.

2. Connect the Dots with Law School

Now bring it together. What will law school help you do that you can’t do without it?

Maybe you’ve worked in advocacy and want to have more impact through litigation. Or you’ve done research in criminal justice and want to reform sentencing policy. Maybe you’ve seen housing laws fail real families and want to fight for change.

Be specific. Law school isn’t a blank check—it’s a training ground. Show you know what you’re signing up for with law school's challenges.

3. Practice—But Don’t Memorize

Here’s a strategy that works: Write down your answer like a short essay. Then condense it into 3–4 key points. Practice saying it out loud, slightly differently each time

This keeps it fresh and natural. If you memorize a script, you risk sounding robotic—or forgetting a line and freezing. You should know the story so well that you could tell it casually over coffee.

Sample Answer to the “Why Law School?” Interview Question

Here’s a longer, more nuanced version of a strong sample answer:

“When I was in my second year of undergrad, I interned at a local nonprofit that helped low-income tenants fight eviction. I expected to be doing basic admin tasks, but I ended up shadowing client meetings and reviewing case files. What struck me most wasn’t just the legal issues—it was how powerless people felt. Some of them had no idea they had rights. I watched attorneys not only protect their housing but give them a sense of agency. That experience pushed me to start learning more about housing law, and I ended up writing my senior thesis on gentrification and tenant protections in our city. Since then, I’ve worked with a tenants’ union and taken policy courses on urban law. I realized that the kind of impact I want to make—on a systems level—requires more than advocacy. It requires legal training. Law school is where I can learn how to use the law as a tool to fight for housing justice. And it’s not a passing interest—I’ve been building toward this for four years.”

This answer works because it’s:

• Grounded in real experience
• Reflective and intentional
• Tied to a clear long-term goal
• It also shows growth and evolving understanding. That’s something every interviewer will value.

Final Thoughts

Relevant Data: How Much Does Your Interview Answer Matter?

Let’s look at the numbers:

• 30–50% of your admissions decision may rest on the interview, depending on the school
• 89% of law admissions staff say vague answers to “Why law school?” are a red flag
• 78% value personal motivation over resume stats
• 63% say interviews often change their mind—positively or negatively

This question isn’t just small talk. It’s a deciding factor.

Final Tips for Acing the Question

Keep it focused on you. If your answer could apply to anyone, it’s not good enough. Avoid reciting facts about law school or the legal system. Make it personal.

It's okay to be honest-within reason. Practical motivations like stability and career flexibility are fine to mention—but don’t lead with them. Keep your answer mission-driven.

Use your own voice. Talk like a real person. If it wouldn’t sound natural when talking to a friend, it won’t land in an interview either.

Quick Checklist: Preparing Your “Why Law School?” Answer

• Have I reflected on real experiences, not just abstract values?
• Did I explain why law—not another degree—is the right path?
• Do I sound like myself—not a podcast host or press release?
• Can I say my answer out loud without reading it?
• Did I show how this choice fits into my long-term goals?

FAQs

To your success,

Your friends at BeMo

BeMo Academic Consulting