Skype interview for Columbia. It was pretty short (~15-20 mins). Questions mostly pertained to information on my application, e.g. resume, personal statement, recommendations, transcript. Started by asking me to describe my current job and what I do there, and how I found out about it. Then about a specific phrase from my PS, and how that informs what type of law I want to practice. I explained that I felt that phrase said more about why I think I'd make a good lawyer. Then a question that stemmed from my recommendations, but was about how my friends would describe me (he wanted to get a fuller sense of who I am beyond the praise from a recommender). Then a question about upward GPA trajectory at UG. And the obligatory why law school and why Columbia. Pretty straightforward. He was very professional and extremely disciplined in every word he said. Nothing was superfluous. I could see that being intimidating to some folks.

1. My name is Lloyd, I’m African-American, and have five years of work experience in financial services (client service, data SaaS startup, and brand agency). Law school has always been a part of my career plan but with my professional experience now have a specific interest in fintech / privacy law. As an army brat, I don’t consider myself to have a hometown, although have familial connections to Chicago, which is why I went to UChicago for UG.

2. UG GPA (3.3) and LORs (no professors). LORs coming from the General Counsel of one of my past employers, the second one somewhat undecided.

3. First idea: Law school had always been a part of the plan, but I wasn’t read to make that commitment and wanted to explore other professional options. I developed a passion for financial services from my work experience. During that time, I became exposed to issues related to privacy protection, especially in the context of consumer financial services. At that point I realized how integral the law is to the industry, and how complex it is. (different markets, EU vs. US vs. Asia, etc.). I realized I want to pursue a legal education, and that I am the mature and thoughtful person I wasn’t when I was just starting out of UG.

Second idea: How my life has shaped my identity, and how my identity attracts me to the practice of law. I realize it’s very general, but I think it is deeply personal and unique. I would also want to add some of the themes from my first idea into this one, but they wouldn’t be as fleshed out.

4. I did not attend last time.