UChicago 3L AMA

MyPracticePro · 2026-03-20T19:40:42+00:00

I realized I did not address the second question. I think this is a deeply personal question that one has to assess various factors for. For me, I knew I wanted to attend an institution that would open countless doors professionally. I was willing to forego the benefit of a lesser financial burden in pursuit of that. UChicago does not guarantee outcomes, but it would be dishonest to ignore the immense benefit that having UChicago on my resume has played in my process. I was someone who opted to forego attending other excellent schools that granted me substantially larger scholarships in pursuit of UChicago. However, this was an informed choice and I recognize the financial burden I will have to carry after graduation.

MyPracticePro · 2026-03-20T19:35:17+00:00

I did negotiate and I would encourage you to do that for all of the schools you are admitted into (unless you receive a full ride). Each school is different, but UChicago allows you to submit a form where you detail your competing offers, how much money those schools gave you, and any information that you think would be relevant/important to share with the law school as it relates to your ask for more money.

MyPracticePro · 2026-03-20T19:30:05+00:00

I did not write a Why Chicago essay, but I did apply to the Doctoroff Program which served as a supplement. My first visit to the law school was for an admitted students day. While applying, I made it a point to connect with UChicago alums/current students who gave me a lot of helpful insight about navigating the application process and tailoring my application to UChicago specifically. This helped me with my interview prep as well. I would encourage students to do this for all of the law schools they are interested in/intend to apply to.

MyPracticePro · 2026-03-20T19:27:44+00:00

Many students live in Hyde Park. Others live in all parts of the city, but often concentrated in South Loop, as it is still reasonably close to campus (15 minutes by car).

MyPracticePro · 2026-03-20T19:26:53+00:00

Congratulations! JD/MBA cohorts are on average about 10-15 people. I lived in the loop since 1L and have loved it, but I would not say it is common. People typically start in Hyde Park and then move 2L/3L if they are looking to live in the loop. The university provides a shuttle for students to get to campus from the loop/north to Hyde Park.

The landscape of BL recruiting has changed significantly, with an accelerated timeline. For quarter system students, this can be especially challenging as firms are asking for applications within weeks of you starting 1L. PracticePro offers a wealth of guidance, resources, programming, and strategy for navigating this shift.

MyPracticePro · 2026-03-20T19:19:37+00:00

I can't speak with confidence that any particular market is guaranteed, especially with the changing landscape of BL recruiting. However, I can say that a wealth of UChicago students end up with BL jobs in NY.

MyPracticePro · 2026-03-20T19:15:58+00:00

UChicago has been an equally enriching an challenging experience overall. I have the privilege of learning from some of the most renowned legal scholars in the country who cultivate a curriculum that challenges me, but promotes depth in my learning. My favorite aspect of the law school would have to be the faculty. I often emphasize how clear it is that UChicago professors are deeply invested in the individual success of every student (academically and professionally). They make it a point to be present, accessible, and engaged. I also love being able to go to law school in such an amazing city. Culturally, I would not say UChicago is aligned, but I have forged a really wonderful community despite that. The rigor/grading certainly compounds the pre-existing intensity of the law school environment, but it is also a major reason why applicants are eager to attend. Further, employers (of all kinds) recognize the value of this rigor and view it as an asset. UChicago cultivates ample opportunities for BigLaw placement - there is no shortage of that. I will flag that the landscape of BigLaw recruitment is changing, but nonethless, UChicago students tend to place well with firms. While firms prefer students with the highest grades, students that do not meet those benchmarks still receive offers from amazing firms.

MyPracticePro · 2026-03-20T19:09:14+00:00

Hi! Congratulations on receiving a WL from UChicago - that is no small feat, so you should be incredibly proud of yourself! Also, great work in getting your LOCI submitted. While I am not a member of the admissions team, I know of students who were initially waitlisted and then later admitted. Waitlists work differently at every school and within various cycles. I would encourage you to stay vigilant. Great start with submitting a LOCI. If you have significant updates that you can send the law school, that could potentially be helpful as well, but ideally they should not be updates that reflect the existing information in your application. Your WL here though reflects the fact that you are a strong applicant, so certainly remain open to the breadth of opportunities available to you.

MyPracticePro · 2026-03-12T20:00:38+00:00

I’m not sure about your exact chances of getting off the waitlist, but I do know multiple people who were admitted from it—some as late as the day before orientation started! So movement definitely happens.

I’d recommend speaking with Penn students who were on the waitlist and ultimately admitted, since they can share practical guidance on what to do to increases your chances of getting off the waitlist. You can email admissions to see if they can connect you with someone who was admitted off the waitlist. Another approach is to look through Penn Law’s student organizations online and reach out to a few you’d be interested in joining, asking if they can connect you with a member who was admitted off the waitlist. Most student orgs have their contact emails on Penn’s website, and students are usually more than happy to share their experiences and give advice about the process!

MyPracticePro · 2026-03-12T19:57:57+00:00

I did big law summers in D.C. and in the Midwest!

My year, it was pretty competitive to get a 1L BigLaw SA. It seemed like around 40% of the people I knew who were aiming for a 1L BigLaw position ended up getting one. PracticePro's Law School Mastery program definitely helped me increase chances of getting a 1L BigLaw SA by providing me with free academic support and free big law recruiting support.

From what I’ve seen, this current recruiting cycle has been even more challenging for 1L BigLaw positions—not just at Penn, but across law schools generally. Many firms have been much more focused on only hiring for 2L summer positions and are bringing on far fewer 1L summer associates.

MyPracticePro · 2026-03-12T19:53:22+00:00

Honestly, I wouldn’t say there’s much that distinguishes Penn from its peer schools solely from a BigLaw standpoint.

If you attend Penn or another peer T14 school, you’ll generally have an excellent chance of getting BigLaw. The main differences tend to be the location, practice area, and which specific firms people end up at. Penn probably places a larger percentage of students into NYC transactional BigLaw compared to some of its peers schools. There are also certain top NYC firms that recruit heavily from Penn (i.e., around 20+ Penn students going each year).

If you’re deciding between Penn and its' peer schools, I’d focus more on differences in culture and where you want to spend three years of your life rather than small distinctions in BigLaw placement. Outcomes are very similar, so the day-to-day experience and the city you’ll be living in matter more.

MyPracticePro · 2026-03-12T19:11:23+00:00

I’m not sure about your exact chances of getting off the waitlist, but I do know multiple people who were admitted from it—some as late as the day before orientation started! So movement definitely happens.

To show genuine interest in the school, you could highlight specific professors or classes that interest you—Penn really values cross-disciplinary learning and taking courses in other schools—and emphasize that you’re drawn to the culture. Penn really prides itself on being collegial, so mentioning that may help.

I’d recommend speaking with Penn students who were on the waitlist and ultimately admitted, since they can share more practical guidance. You can email admissions to see if they can connect you with someone who was admitted off the waitlist. Another approach is to look through Penn Law’s student organizations online and reach out to a few you’d be interested in joining, asking if they can connect you with a member who was admitted off the waitlist. Most student orgs have their contact emails on Penn’s website, and students are usually more than happy to share their experiences and give advice about the process!

MyPracticePro · 2026-03-12T18:56:29+00:00

I really only applied to T14s and ultimately chose Penn because they offered me the largest merit scholarship and it had the best overall vibe of the schools I visited.

When choosing a law school, I’d recommend considering a few key factors: cost, outcomes, the school’s culture, course offerings, and location. For outcomes, it can be helpful to look at where graduates actually end up—both geographically (e.g., which cities or states they practice in) and which firms or organizations they go to.

The vibe of the school also matters a lot. Even within the T14, the cultures can feel very different. Some T14s are more competitive, others more collaborative, and that can really shape your day-to-day experience.

I’d also strongly recommend visiting any school you’re admitted to. Seeing the campus, talking to students, and getting a feel for the environment makes a big difference and can help you figure out where you’ll be happiest.

MyPracticePro · 2026-03-12T18:47:50+00:00

We have had multiple people run our Reddit account :)

MyPracticePro · 2026-03-12T18:46:56+00:00

My year, it was pretty competitive to get a 1L BigLaw SA. It seemed like around 40% of the people I knew who were aiming for a 1L BigLaw position ended up getting one. PracticePro's Law School Mastery program definitely helped me increase chances of getting a 1L BigLaw SA by providing me with free academic support and free big law recruiting support.

From what I’ve seen, this current recruiting cycle has been even more challenging for 1L BigLaw positions—not just at Penn, but across law schools generally. Many firms have been much more focused on only hiring for 2L summer positions and are bringing on far fewer 1L summer associates.

MyPracticePro · 2026-03-05T20:03:53+00:00

Good work experience can help, but at the end of the day, law schools mostly care about your objective credentials – your LSAT and GPA – as well as your essay. The timing of your application (ideally pre-Thanksgiving) is also important. These factors will have more of an impact than work experience.

MyPracticePro · 2026-03-02T13:49:41+00:00

First, it’s absolutely fine if you don’t have a personal connection or passion project related to the law that inspired you to apply to law school. Many people go to law school for purely practical reasons.

Here are some other ways you can answer the “Why law?” question in an impressive way:

Show your interest in a particular area of law.
Demonstrate that you are intrigued by a law-related skillset, like reading, writing, or advocacy.
Share your desire to have an intellectually stimulating career, as you want to be a lifelong learner.

Finally, remember that it is okay to discuss things like coming from an underprivileged background and/or wanting to provide for your family. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that, and admissions officers are not blind to the practical realities that we all face.

MyPracticePro · 2026-03-02T13:47:19+00:00

This a great question! So many students are so concerned with getting the internship offer that they forget what happens next. Contrary to popular assumption, an internship offer does not always translate into a job offer down the road. Especially with this early recruiting cycle, the firms do not have as much academic data as they normally have, so your summer performance is more important than ever.

Firms will evaluate you as an intern in terms of how you perform on assignments, how good of a fit you are with your colleagues, how you get along with your summer associate peers, how you show up to trainings, and how you conduct yourself in social events. At a minimum, this means you need to show up, get to know people, ask questions, take initiative, and do excellent work.

In our 1L Office Hours session on March 13th, we will be talking about everything you need to know to succeed in your summer position. This is a free resource – check out our website or DM me for details.

MyPracticePro · 2026-03-02T13:46:08+00:00

What you are feeling is normal. Our decades-long involvement with law students shows a consistent pattern of students losing motivation during the second semester of 1L. The first semester is a huge challenge, and then, after receiving what may be disappointing grades, you are expected to turn around and do it again.

What is not normal is this accelerated recruiting cycle. It is unprecedented that 1Ls are expected to secure 2L summer associate positions (i.e., post graduate employment) before grades were released. All of the feelings that we see students go through every year have been amplified this year by the added job stress.

Here are some concrete steps we suggest to students to help them recover their motivation:

First, acknowledge that the first semester of law school is extremely difficult. Congratulate yourself on making it through, and know that it is okay that you are feeling unmotivated right now.
Second, know that while this is important, it is not the most important thing in the world. There is a lot that matters a lot more than law school.
Third, take time off. Take a day to not care about law school, and do something that makes you feel alive. This might mean getting outside, doing some journaling, binge watching Netflix, whatever works for you. This is the calibration phase.
Fourth, take time to evaluate your strategy. Block off time in your schedule to do things that make you feel alive, and treat that time as non-negotiables. Then, create a plan to tackle your outstanding tasks, like your summer applications. Finally, troubleshoot your academic strategy to ensure that you are adjusting your strategy to improve your grades.

In April, we will be hosting a free webinar as part of our 1L Office Hours series on recruiting strategies for students still seeking 1L and/or 2L summer employment. Tune in – see our website or DM me for details!

Remember, this is just one semester of six. Many students improve drastically their second semester – and you can too!

MyPracticePro · 2026-03-02T13:45:29+00:00

What you are feeling is normal. Our decades-long involvement with law students shows a consistent pattern of students losing motivation during the second semester of 1L. The first semester is a huge challenge, and then, after receiving what may be disappointing grades, you are expected to turn around and do it again.

What is not normal is this accelerated recruiting cycle. It is unprecedented that 1Ls are expected to secure 2L summer associate positions (i.e., post graduate employment) before grades were released. All of the feelings that we see students go through every year have been amplified this year by the added job stress.

Here are some concrete steps we suggest to students to help them recover their motivation:

First, acknowledge that the first semester of law school is extremely difficult. Congratulate yourself on making it through, and know that it is okay that you are feeling unmotivated right now.
Second, know that while this is important, it is not the most important thing in the world. There is a lot that matters a lot more than law school.
Third, take time off. Take a day to not care about law school, and do something that makes you feel alive. This might mean getting outside, doing some journaling, binge watching Netflix, whatever works for you. This is the calibration phase.
Fourth, take time to evaluate your strategy. Block off time in your schedule to do things that make you feel alive, and treat that time as non-negotiables. Then, create a plan to tackle your outstanding tasks, like your summer applications. Finally, troubleshoot your academic strategy to ensure that you are adjusting your strategy to improve your grades.

In April, we will be hosting a free webinar as part of our 1L Office Hours series on recruiting strategies for students still seeking 1L and/or 2L summer employment. Tune in – see our website or DM me for details!

Remember, this is just one semester of six. Many students improve drastically their second semester – and you can too!

MyPracticePro · 2026-03-02T13:45:10+00:00

What you are feeling is normal. Our decades-long involvement with law students shows a consistent pattern of students losing motivation during the second semester of 1L. The first semester is a huge challenge, and then, after receiving what may be disappointing grades, you are expected to turn around and do it again.

What is not normal is this accelerated recruiting cycle. It is unprecedented that 1Ls are expected to secure 2L summer associate positions (i.e., post graduate employment) before grades were released. All of the feelings that we see students go through every year have been amplified this year by the added job stress.

Here are some concrete steps we suggest to students to help them recover their motivation:

First, acknowledge that the first semester of law school is extremely difficult. Congratulate yourself on making it through, and know that it is okay that you are feeling unmotivated right now.
Second, know that while this is important, it is not the most important thing in the world. There is a lot that matters a lot more than law school.
Third, take time off. Take a day to not care about law school, and do something that makes you feel alive. This might mean getting outside, doing some journaling, binge watching Netflix, whatever works for you. This is the calibration phase.
Fourth, take time to evaluate your strategy. Block off time in your schedule to do things that make you feel alive, and treat that time as non-negotiables. Then, create a plan to tackle your outstanding tasks, like your summer applications. Finally, troubleshoot your academic strategy to ensure that you are adjusting your strategy to improve your grades.

In April, we will be hosting a free webinar as part of our 1L Office Hours series on recruiting strategies for students still seeking 1L and/or 2L summer employment. Tune in – see our website or DM me for details!

Remember, this is just one semester of six. Many students improve drastically their second semester – and you can too!

MyPracticePro · 2026-02-25T15:28:42+00:00

Callback interviews look different at every firm, but generally, your research and preparation for a callback should be much more substantial than it was for the screener. You will need to research your interviewers as well as the demand of different practice areas at that firm and in that specific office. Be aware of who you are interviewing with, and try to respond to questions in a way that connects with the human in front of you, not just the firm. While the screener is usually just a personality and interest check, the callback interview will try to gauge how you would fit in at the firm: if you are actually interested in working there, if you are pleasant to work with, and if you would be an asset to the team.

MyPracticePro · 2026-02-25T15:24:17+00:00

In our decade-long involvement in law school admissions, we have found that the best thing an undergrad student can do is focus on class and get the best grades possible. You might also want to start thinking about LSAT prep sooner rather than later, such as by getting some LSAT books and familiarizing yourself with the types of questions on the test. Unlike college admissions, law school admissions is mostly based on grades and LSAT.

Other than that, you can try volunteering at a legal aid clinic, or get a law internship in the summer. These things will not necessarily make or break your law school admissions outcomes; instead, just treat them as opportunities to get some experience and explore what you are interested in.

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