I've been selected as a finalist for the Berkeley Law Opportunity Scholarship, which is a full-tuition scholarship offered to outstanding first-generation students who may attend Berkeley Law School. I have to sit for an in-person interview to be selected, so Berkeley is going to pay for me to fly out there for a couple days to interview and visit. I feel so special!

What do I do?! What do I say?! What do I wear?! Has anyone here had to sit for these sorts of high stakes interviews yet? I'm really excited but also nervous since I've never had to do anything quite like this.

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16 comments

  • Thursday, Feb 22 2018

    That's awesome! You've earned it. You should wear one of those tuxedo T-shirts with a pair of khaki cargo shorts.

    1
  • Wednesday, Feb 21 2018

    @ohnoeshalpme804 said:

    This is a really good opportunity. Have you talked to any alums? I'd try to network a little beforehand if you have time. Be super-friendly and engaging and have some good stories ready. Maybe ask for course recommendations and ask people about their career journeys.

    Haven't spoken with any alums, yet. I may reach out to the person assigned to me by Berkeley as a consultant for this scholarship, though. I'm curious what they have to say! :]

    0
  • Wednesday, Feb 21 2018

    This is a really good opportunity. Have you talked to any alums? I'd try to network a little beforehand if you have time. Be super-friendly and engaging and have some good stories ready. Maybe ask for course recommendations and ask people about their career journeys.

    1
  • Wednesday, Feb 21 2018

    @ilikephilosophy993 said:

    Congratulations @ohnoeshalpme804 !!!! If you win the scholarship will you choose Berkeley over Yale?

    Probably not! Haha. Still, I've heard through the grapevine that you can leverage money from other schools against Yale if you're real clever/nice about it, so I have to at least try. :]

    1
  • Wednesday, Feb 21 2018

    Congratulations @ohnoeshalpme804 !!!! If you win the scholarship will you choose Berkeley over Yale?

    1
  • Wednesday, Feb 21 2018

    @ohnoeshalpme804 said:

    @rochishatogare811 said:

    @ohnoeshalpme804 said:

    @rochishatogare811 said:

    WOW congratulations! I dont personally have experience with law school interviews. But I can give you my two cents. It seems like the school really wants you and I think you should keep things cordial yet amiable. I would say prepare to have answers to questions like Why Law, and have concrete, compelling anecdotes about your work experience as well as your experience as a first generation student. If its not too personal, might I ask what ethnicity you are?

    I'm a white bread American male. :p

    Thanks for the insight! I'll definitely keep this stuff in mind.

    Nice! Congrats once again and I hope you get into Berkeley :)

    Thank you but I'm already in!! Just need to win this scholarship now. :)

    Haha great job!!! Go get that money!

    1
  • Wednesday, Feb 21 2018

    @rochishatogare811 said:

    @ohnoeshalpme804 said:

    @rochishatogare811 said:

    WOW congratulations! I dont personally have experience with law school interviews. But I can give you my two cents. It seems like the school really wants you and I think you should keep things cordial yet amiable. I would say prepare to have answers to questions like Why Law, and have concrete, compelling anecdotes about your work experience as well as your experience as a first generation student. If its not too personal, might I ask what ethnicity you are?

    I'm a white bread American male. :p

    Thanks for the insight! I'll definitely keep this stuff in mind.

    Nice! Congrats once again and I hope you get into Berkeley :)

    Thank you but I'm already in!! Just need to win this scholarship now. :)

    1
  • Wednesday, Feb 21 2018

    @ohnoeshalpme804 said:

    @rochishatogare811 said:

    WOW congratulations! I dont personally have experience with law school interviews. But I can give you my two cents. It seems like the school really wants you and I think you should keep things cordial yet amiable. I would say prepare to have answers to questions like Why Law, and have concrete, compelling anecdotes about your work experience as well as your experience as a first generation student. If its not too personal, might I ask what ethnicity you are?

    I'm a white bread American male. :p

    Thanks for the insight! I'll definitely keep this stuff in mind.

    Nice! Congrats once again and I hope you get into Berkeley :)

    1
  • Wednesday, Feb 21 2018

    That sounds like a great opportunity. Good luck!

    1
  • Wednesday, Feb 21 2018

    Thanks for the advice and congratulations so far, everyone! This is all really encouraging.

    0
  • Wednesday, Feb 21 2018

    @rochishatogare811 said:

    WOW congratulations! I dont personally have experience with law school interviews. But I can give you my two cents. It seems like the school really wants you and I think you should keep things cordial yet amiable. I would say prepare to have answers to questions like Why Law, and have concrete, compelling anecdotes about your work experience as well as your experience as a first generation student. If its not too personal, might I ask what ethnicity you are?

    I'm a white bread American male. :p

    Thanks for the insight! I'll definitely keep this stuff in mind.

    0
  • Wednesday, Feb 21 2018

    First off, that's awesome, congrats!

    For interviews, I would go with business or business formal. I don't believe you can really overdress. That said, we can be a bit more relaxed out here on the west coast. Interviews in university for me were often a nice blouse with a dressy cardigan or blazer (depending on the industry and seriousness of the event), paired with slacks/formal skirt.

    Can't help much with the what to do, what to say part, though.

    Good luck! Hope you get selected!! :smile:

    1
  • Wednesday, Feb 21 2018

    Congratulations!!! I recall reading in some article that you should wear a wool suit if you're a girl (skirt and blazer). GOOD LUCK!!! =)

    1
  • Tuesday, Feb 20 2018

    WOW congratulations! I dont personally have experience with law school interviews. But I can give you my two cents. It seems like the school really wants you and I think you should keep things cordial yet amiable. I would say prepare to have answers to questions like Why Law, and have concrete, compelling anecdotes about your work experience as well as your experience as a first generation student. If its not too personal, might I ask what ethnicity you are?

    1
  • Tuesday, Feb 20 2018

    I'd expect that if they are flying you out, they're probably going to sell you the Berkeley program, not the other way around.

    3
  • Tuesday, Feb 20 2018

    Nothing really to add but, congratulations!!! I wanted to apply for that but missed the deadline. That's so awesome! Good luck!

    1

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