University of Chicago Law School J.D. · 2026-27 J.D. applicants (entering fall 2027)

Your UChicago Law interview

If UChicago Law invites you to interview, you'll have a roughly 20-minute Zoom conversation with a member of its Admissions Committee. The school calls it a conversation with no trick questions and no legal questions, though applicants describe everything from warm and chatty to rapid-fire and hard to read.

Sources (7)

UChicago Law: FAQs: Interviewing Program · UChicago Law: Admissions Interviews · YouTube: Ann Killian Perry, Associate Dean for Admissions and Financial Aid, on how UChicago Law's J.D. interv · YouTube: Meg Bingle, Associate Director of Admissions, on UChicago Law interview invitations, questions and ad · Reddit: UChicago interview tips or example questions? (2018) · 7Sage: University of Chicago Law School Interview Questions - Format, Tips, and Accepta (2026) · Reddit: UChicago Interview Recap (2020)

Over 1,200applicants are interviewed each cycle, after an initial review, according to UChicago Law's associate dean for admissions. YouTube

About 42%of interviewees were admitted in the 2025-2026 cycle, per 7Sage applicant data, which also put the interview rate at about 16% of applicants. 7Sage

Congratulations again: an invitation means your file passed a thorough first review, and many strong applicants are never asked. UChicago says the interview has no pre-determined weight and is judged alongside your whole application. Applicant data put admission after an interview at roughly 42% to 50%, so it is a real chance, not an offer.

Sources (3)

UChicago Law: FAQs: Interviewing Program · Reddit: Chance me (2026) · 7Sage: University of Chicago Law School Interview Questions - Format, Tips, and Accepta (2026)

WhoOne member of the Admissions Committee; you learn their name on the day UChicago Law · UChicago Law · YouTube · Accepted

How longAbout 20 minutes, with a few minutes at the end for your questions; applicants report 13 to 51 UChicago Law · YouTube · Reddit · Reddit · Reddit

WhereZoom only, no on-campus interviews; the link is emailed on the day UChicago Law · UChicago Law · YouTube

WhenAfter your file's initial review, roughly in the order files are completed UChicago Law · UChicago Law

4 more: what they know about you, does it count, odds, after

What they know about youBe ready to discuss anything in your file; applicants report some interviewers read it closely and some had not UChicago Law · Reddit · Reddit · Reddit

Does it countNo pre-determined weight; it is weighed with the rest of your file. Accepting is highly recommended UChicago Law · YouTube

Odds7Sage data: about 16% of applicants interviewed, about 42% of interviewees admitted (2025-2026) 7Sage · Reddit

AfterThe interviewer writes an evaluation and your file goes back to the committee UChicago Law

How you get an interview

You can't request one. The Admissions Committee does a thorough first review of your file, then invites some applicants by email. There are no numerical cut-offs, and the school says files not chosen still get a full evaluation. Your file must show as under review on the status checker before you can be considered.

Timing. Invitations follow the order files are completed and reviewed. Applicants report early Early Decision files getting invites in mid-November, and one Regular Decision applicant about three weeks after completing (2025).
Check spam. The school tells you to look in promotions and spam folders.
Schedule fast. Slots are first-come, first-served, the email sets a sign-up deadline, and scheduler times are in Central Time. Miss it and your file is reviewed without an interview.
Your file pauses. Once you choose to interview, the committee won't evaluate your file further until it's done.
Scheduler error. If you interviewed before or did a Sidebar, the system may block you; cancel the old confirmation or email interview@law.uchicago.edu.
Later invites. Some waitlisted J.D. candidates are invited to interview later in the cycle.

What they're looking for

UChicago says its small class size is why it interviews: it wants a class that will thrive there. The school names what it assesses:

Communication skills, motivation and maturity.
What you'd contribute as a student and later as an alumnus.
Your background and story, beyond the paper file.
Readiness for the academic work. The associate dean lists "are you ready for this academic endeavor?" as a standard question.
Professionalism under pressure. An associate director says they watch how you handle unexpected or hard questions, plus genuine interest in the school and confidence.

Interviewers typically ask about career goals, why UChicago, and what you'd add to the community. You can also use the time to explain a gap or highlight work experience. A former admissions director describes it as both a fit check and a check on whether you could interview for legal jobs.

Sources: UChicago Law: FAQs: Interviewing Program · UChicago Law: Admissions Interviews · YouTube: Ann Killian Perry, Associate Dean for Admissions and Financial Aid, on how UChicago Law's J.D. interv · YouTube: Meg Bingle, Associate Director of Admissions, on UChicago Law interview invitations, questions and ad · Spivey Consulting: Interview Prep for Law School Admissions, with Meg Krishnan (2026)

The day itself

Setup. A private, quiet room, no strong light behind you, a computer plugged in or with 30 minutes of battery, other noisy programs closed. The school recommends Google Chrome and needs a webcam, microphone and speakers.
The link. It arrives by email on the day; a former director says 10 to 15 minutes before. Log in early to test audio and video, then wait in the virtual waiting room.
The conversation. Applicants report it starts quickly with little small talk, and the interviewer takes notes as you talk.
Two kinds of interviewer. Many find it friendly and conversational; others describe an interviewer who gave almost no reaction and moved straight on (2018, 2022). Both are normal.
Tech trouble. You can ask for phone or email support; one applicant finished by phone (2022).
Dress. The associate director advises dressing professionally with a professional background.

Sources: UChicago Law: FAQs: Interviewing Program · UChicago Law: Admissions Interviews · YouTube: Meg Bingle, Associate Director of Admissions, on UChicago Law interview invitations, questions and ad · Reddit: What to expect for UChicago interview? (2024) · Reddit: UChicago interview tips or example questions? (2018) · 7Sage: UChicago Law Interview - What to Expect (2018) · Reddit: UChicago As: how did your interviews go? (2022) · Spivey Consulting: Interview Prep for Law School Admissions, with Meg Krishnan (2026)

What applicants get asked

Nearly everyone gets why law and why UChicago. Applicants also report:

Why Chicago the city, sometimes several questions about it, especially without obvious ties.
Behavioral questions: a time you disagreed with someone, changed your mind, failed, or showed grit.
How friends or colleagues describe you, and how you define success.
Your job and resume: what you're doing now and what you'd bring to law.
Odd ones: a book or novel that shaped you, a historical figure to talk with, a lifehack.

The school says no legal or curveball questions will be asked.

Sources: Reddit: What to expect for UChicago interview? (2024) · Reddit: UChicago Interview Advice? (2024) · Reddit: Uchicago interview questions (2023) · Reddit: UChicago & HLS Interview Questions (2026) · 7Sage: University of Chicago Law School Interview Questions - Format, Tips, and Accepta (2026) · Reddit: UChicago Interview Recap (2020) · Reddit: UChicago interview tips or example questions? (2018) · YouTube: Meg Bingle, Associate Director of Admissions, on UChicago Law interview invitations, questions and ad · UChicago Law: FAQs: Interviewing Program

After the interview

The interviewer writes an evaluation, and your whole file goes back to the committee for further review.

Decision timing. Applicants report being told 4 to 5 weeks (2026) or by the end of the month (2025). One was told December offers go mainly to Early Decision, with Regular Decision after the new year (2025).
Early Decision. Applicant data suggest ED interviewees were either admitted or waitlisted, and nearly all ED rejections had no interview (2025).
Keep perspective. One applicant warns that a great-feeling interview doesn't guarantee an offer (2026).

Sources: UChicago Law: FAQs: Interviewing Program · Reddit: uchicago ED timeline between submission/completion/interview/offer? (2025) · Reddit: Chance me (2026) · Reddit: UChicago timeline update (2025) · Reddit: UChicago Interview to Admit Rate? (2026) · Reddit: UChicago interview recap (2025)

How to prepare

The school says no formal preparation is required, but treat it as a professional meeting. Applicants and a former admissions director suggest:

Build your why law. Use a past, present and future structure, and go past what your personal statement already says.
Make why UChicago specific. Name clinics, professors, courses, the quarter system, and why the city.
Know your file cold, especially your resume.
Keep a story bank. Three or four stories about successes, failures and disagreements cover most questions.
Practice from bullet points, not scripts.
Work through 7Sage's question list, which applicants call accurate.
Prepare your own questions. The school frames it as two-way.
It's fine to pause. You can ask for a moment to think.

Sources: UChicago Law: FAQs: Interviewing Program · Reddit: What to expect for UChicago interview? (2024) · Reddit: UChicago Interview Advice? (2024) · Reddit: UChicago interview tips or example questions? (2018) · Reddit: Uchicago interview questions (2023) · Reddit: UChicago & HLS Interview Questions (2026) · Apple Podcasts: Status Check with Spivey (2026) · Reddit: UChicago interview recap (2025) · Spivey Consulting: Interview Prep for Law School Admissions, with Meg Krishnan (2026) · YouTube: Ann Killian Perry, Associate Dean for Admissions and Financial Aid, on how UChicago Law's J.D. interv · YouTube: Meg Bingle, Associate Director of Admissions, on UChicago Law interview invitations, questions and ad

Your interviewer

Miriam Feldhaus Fictional interviewer

Get a briefing on your own interviewer

Know who's interviewing you? Their LinkedIn profile is the best source.

Use a computer if you can. Open their LinkedIn profile in a web browser, click More (or ⋯) under their name, then Save to PDF.
On a phone: the LinkedIn app can't save a profile. Open linkedin.com in your phone's browser instead, switch to the desktop site, and use More → Save to PDF.
Upload the PDF here, or paste what you know about them (a bio, a profile page).

See the sample briefing

Associate Director of Admissions at UChicago Law; former Chicago commercial litigator and college pre-law adviser who says she wants concrete detail, curiosity, candor and to hear how you think out loud.

Feldhaus has worked in UChicago Law admissions since August 2019 (about 7 years), as Associate Director since July 2022. She interviews applicants, reviews files and presents them to the Admissions Committee, so her written evaluation likely carries real weight in how your file is discussed. Before that she was a pre-law adviser at a small Wisconsin liberal arts college for three years, where she ran mock interviews, and a commercial litigation associate at a Chicago firm for about five years. Her profile says exactly what she listens for: curiosity, candor, how you reason out loud, and, for applicants with work experience, specific detail about what you actually did on an ordinary day. She also leads Midwest recruitment and outreach to non-traditional applicants. Expect someone who has seen many prepared answers and can likely tell a rehearsed one from a real one. Answer plainly, give specifics, and don't be afraid to think for a moment before you answer.

Their path

B.A., English and Political Science, University of Iowa, 2008
J.D., Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, 2011; moot court board
Litigation Associate, Haskell Drummond LLP, Chicago, Sep 2011 - Jul 2016 (commercial contract disputes, briefs, depositions; pro bono small-business lease cases)
Pre-Law Adviser, Ridgewell College (Wisconsin), Aug 2016 - Jul 2019 (about 120 advisees a year; ran mock interviews)
Assistant Director of Admissions, UChicago Law, Aug 2019 - Jun 2022
Associate Director of Admissions, UChicago Law, Jul 2022 - present (interviews, file review and committee presentations, Midwest recruitment, admitted-student weekend)
Volunteer mock trial judge for Chicago high schools since 2017; adult literacy reading tutor in Hyde Park since 2020

What it means for your conversation

She asks for 'exactly what they did on a Tuesday.' Describe your job or activities through concrete tasks: who you worked with, what you produced, a decision you made. Avoid titles and buzzwords.
She ran mock interviews for years and has interviewed for UChicago since 2019, so polished, memorized answers will probably stand out in a bad way. Prepare bullet points and stories, not scripts.
'How someone thinks out loud' suggests she may ask a follow-up that pushes past your first answer. It's fine to say 'let me think about that' and reason through it in front of her.
'Candor' means a straight answer about a weakness, a gap or a low grade will likely go over better than spin.
Because she presents files to the committee, she has likely read yours. Know your resume and personal statement cold, and add something new rather than repeating them.
She practiced law for five years, so she knows what lawyering involves day to day. A vague or idealized 'why law' may get probed. Be realistic about what you think lawyers actually do.
She leads Midwest and non-traditional outreach. If either fits you, it's relevant background, but don't stretch to claim it.
'Why Chicago the city' may come up. She clearly knows the city well, so generic praise won't help. Give a real reason or be honest that it's the school first.

Questions they may lean toward

Walk me through a typical day or week in your current job or most substantial activity. What exactly did you do? Her About section says almost exactly this. Have two or three concrete examples of tasks and decisions ready.
Why law, given what you know about what lawyers actually do? As a former litigator and pre-law adviser, she will likely test whether your reasons are grounded in real exposure, not TV or general ideals.
Follow-ups that push you to reason on the spot, such as 'Why do you think that?' or 'What would you do differently?' She says she listens for how you think out loud. What matters is a clear, honest line of reasoning, not a perfect answer.
A failure, a disagreement, or a time you changed your mind. These are standard UChicago behavioral questions, and her stress on candor suggests she wants real self-assessment, not a disguised strength.
Why UChicago specifically, and why Chicago the city? Nearly everyone gets these. Tie them to concrete features such as the Elements of the Law course, the quarter system, a specific clinic, or Socratic classes, and connect each to your actual goals.
Questions about a gap year, career change, or non-traditional path, if your file has one. She leads non-traditional outreach and values work experience, so she will likely be interested, not skeptical. Explain it plainly.

Honest common ground

If you've worked for a few years, she has said explicitly that she values that experience. Talk about it in detail.
If you're from the Midwest or went to college there, it's relevant to her recruiting role. Mention it only if it's true and comes up naturally.
If you did mock trial or moot court, that's genuinely shared ground: she was on a moot court board and judges high-school mock trial. Mention it only if it's actually on your resume.
If you've done tutoring or literacy work, there's an overlap with her volunteering. Don't bring it up unless it's genuinely part of your story.

Questions to ask them

For students who come in with a few years of work experience, what do you see helping them adjust to the pace of the quarter system in 1L year? This matches a population she clearly cares about and gets a practical answer about the academic demands.
Having practiced before admissions, what do you think UChicago 1Ls tend to underestimate about the gap between law school and actual practice? It draws on her real experience without flattering her, and shows you're thinking realistically about the career.
What do the strongest students tend to do with the clinics, starting from 2L year? It shows concrete interest in a specific program and tells you something useful about how students plan.
What do you hope admitted students come away with from the admitted-student weekend? She runs that program, so she can answer with real detail. Ask only if you're genuinely curious.

Avoid

Don't recite her resume or open with 'I saw you were a litigator.' At most, reference it lightly if it's relevant to a question.
Don't claim an interest in commercial litigation, mock trial or the Midwest that you don't actually have.
Don't bring up her hobbies (biking, architecture, deep-dish). That will feel like you studied her LinkedIn.
Don't give vague job descriptions like 'I managed stakeholders.' Say what you actually did, for whom, and what came of it.
Don't deliver memorized speeches. She has run mock interviews and can likely tell.
Don't spin weaknesses into strengths. She says she values candor.
Don't dwell on law and economics unless it's genuinely yours; the school says an economics background gives no admissions advantage.

A sample, to show what the briefing looks like: Miriam Feldhaus and their employers are invented.

Based on: The sample interviewer's profile (fictional) · UChicago Law: FAQs: Interviewing Program · UChicago Law: Admissions Interviews · YouTube: Ann Killian Perry, Associate Dean for Admissions and Financial Aid, on how UChicago Law's J.D. interv · YouTube: Meg Bingle, Associate Director of Admissions, on UChicago Law interview invitations, questions and ad · Reddit: UChicago interview tips or example questions? (2018) · 7Sage: University of Chicago Law School Interview Questions - Format, Tips, and Accepta (2026) · Reddit: UChicago Interview Recap (2020)

All sources · 31 plus 12 applicant threads

Applicant threads are linked under each question.