Photo by Mikael Kristenson on Unsplash
9 Tips for Visiting Law Schools Like You Mean It
You’ve heard it before. Visiting law schools lets you:
- Get a feel for the campus environment
- Learn what kind of activities are available on and around campus
- Meet with people who can give inside info or influence admission
- Experience the school offline - you may be surprised by how much you love/hate a particular school once you’re there!
Pretty much every law student resource ever will tell you to visit your prospective schools. While visiting isn’t strictly necessary for acceptance, it can definitely help you make your final choice, and maybe even give you a little boost for admission.
So, here’s how to make these visits worth your while.
Published February 1, 2018 This content is archived.
1. Attire
Generally, it’s recommended to go business casual. It’s not an incredibly formal event, but don’t go in your pajamas. (Although, if you have interviews scheduled, you may want to err on the side of “business.”)
2. Talk to current students
Faculty and staff are a given, but you’ll DEFINITELY want to ask current students about the school! They’ll be able to give an honest, authentic opinion on things that will impact you day to day that faculty simply won’t know or be aware of.
Ask about:
- Best (and worst!) classes & professors
- Resources for students - academic, financial, health
- How accommodating the school & student body tend to be - dietary, disability, etc.
- Food - is there a dining hall, school cafe, restaurants?
You’ll be spending 3 years there, after all.
3. Manage your time wisely
If you’re just touring, plan at least 2-3 hours per visit. If you’re scheduling interviews, sitting in on classes, or speaking with professors, block out more time on your calendar!
Try to make your visits while you’re already in the area, or stack your visit with another event for maximum efficiency!
4. See what’s pinned on the walls and bulletin boards
Bulletin boards are a goldmine of information! Generally, flyers can be posted by school organizations, clubs, students, faculty and staff, and community members. See if there are any events or meetings that interest you!
5. Schedule an appointment
You can meet with staff from admissions, financial aid, and other departments as long as you schedule an appointment ahead of time. This can help answer specific questions, but it also helps you build rapport with faculty.
6. Collect business cards
Business cards are a type of professional currency. Asking for someone’s card shows interest, makes the other person feel valued, and displays professionalism - something many L1s still need to brush up on.
If you have your own cards to trade, even better!
7. Take the free stuff
Pamphlets, forms, stickers, souvenirs - take whatever free stuff you can get your hands on. It shows you’re engaged with what the school has to offer (plus, it’s free!).
8. When to go?
You can schedule a visit anytime, whether you are considering applying or already have applied. At UB School of Law, we have an Visit Us page that helps us accommodate our desires for your visit. If you have been accepted, try visiting to help make your final decision. At that point, your list of schools should be narrowed down so you only have to make a few visits.
P.S. You can get the most out of visiting a school by attending an Open House as well as coming in for an individual visit.
9. Grab a fee waiver while you’re there
Self-explanatory. Just do it.
That said, many students are unable to visit their top law schools, whether due to time, distance, funds, or all of the above.
Guest blogger Ashley Wilson-Rew is Content Strategist & SEM at protocol 80, Inc.