2026 Interview Questions

Below you will find the interview question bank for the 2026-2027 admissions cycle. All applicants invited to participate in an interview will be asked five questions from this provided question bank at the time of their interview.

For any questions, contact the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid (admissions@law.wisc.edu).

1. Why are you interested in obtaining a JD at Wisconsin Law?
2. How does the University of Wisconsin Law School align with your long-term goals?
3. What aspects of the Law in Action philosophy appeal to your learning style?
4. Please list 1-2 characteristics of Wisconsin Law that appealed to you when researching law schools.
5. What areas of legal practice are you most excited to explore during your time at Wisconsin Law?
6. What specific skills do you hope to gain while attending Wisconsin Law?
7. What draws you to Madison and attending law school in the state of Wisconsin?
8. How did you hear about Wisconsin Law?
9. What clinics, student organizations, or co-curricular opportunities are you most excited to participate in, and why?
10. What factors are most important to you when deciding where to attend law school?
11. Looking ahead, what do you hope your law school experience will look like, and how do you see Wisconsin Law helping you achieve that?
12. How would you describe the Wisconsin Idea and how does pursuing your JD at the Law School reflect that?
13. What experiences have you had that make you feel ready for law school at this point?
14. Please share 2-3 skills that you have developed through your academic or work experiences that have prepared you for law school.
15. Reflecting on your path to law school, what motiviated you to decide that now is the right time to pursue a JD?
16. What do you expect to be your hardest challenge entering law school?
17. What have you done to prepare for law school?
18. What is one skill you have that you believe will be fundamental to your success in law school?
19. How do you plan to balance coursework, clinics or externships, and student in involvement in law school?
20. How do you approach conversations with people with whom you disagree?
21. Tell me about a time when you received constructive feedback. How did you respond?
22. What qualities do you think make someone successful in law school beyond academic rigor?
23. Tell me about a time when you encountered failure.
24. Can you share an experience you've had that helped you develop transferrable skills, and what are those specific skills?
25. If you could launch a new research initiative, student organization, or pro bono project at Wisconsin Law, what would it be?
26. Describe a passion or hobby outside of academics that shapes your perspective.
27. Are there any courses you are particularly excited to take as a law student?
28. What are you most looking forward to in law school?
29. How do you see yourself contributing to the legal profession?
30. Can you please share with me a time when you were proud of yourself?
31. What could your law school classmates learn from you?
32. Tell me about a time when you advocated for something or someone.
33. If you could have dinner with any lawyer, judge, or historical figure, who would it be and why?
34. If you could instantly become an expert in one subject, what would it be?
35. If you could spend a day in any legal setting - a courtroom, legislative office, nonprofit, corporate counsel's office, Supreme Court chambers, etc. - which would you choose and why?
36. How would your friends describe you?
37. Describe a time when your opinion on something changed.
38. If you were to pursue a different career outside of being a lawyer, what would it be?
39. Is there anything else you would like to share with the Admissions Committee that is not in your application?
40. What questions do you have for us?