Mock Interview: Practice Before the Real Thing

Keatrice R.

Northwestern JDMBA | Federal Clerkship| Non-Traditional Student | HBCU Grad

My path to law school was not traditional, and honestly, it took me some time to figure it out. Before law school, I worked in real estate and business management. I was self-employed, building my career and figuring things out as I went. When I decided I wanted to go to law school, I was not coming straight from undergrad with recent professors to call on, a perfect GPA to lean on, or a clear roadmap for how the process worked. I had to learn how to take my work experience, my goals, and my personal background and turn it into a story that made sense to law schools. I applied to law school twice. The first time, my application was not where it needed to be. My LSAT score was not where I wanted it, my materials did not fully tell my story, and I was still figuring out what kind of schools I should be targeting. I also learned that while getting help can be valuable, the right help matters. You need someone who understands the kind of opportunities you are aiming for and can help you see how to position yourself for them. The second time around, I approached the process differently. I successfully appealed for an LSAC fee waiver, which allowed me to apply again (mostly free) with more room to be strategic about my school list. I worked with a coach who had attended a school similar to the ones I hoped to attend, and that made a real difference. That support helped me think more clearly about my story, my goals, and how to present myself beyond just my numbers. As I moved through the process, my school list changed because I became clearer and more confident about what I wanted. I ultimately went on to attend Northwestern Pritzker School of Law and Kellogg School of Management as a JD/MBA student. I started law school as a JD student and later transferred into the JD/MBA program, which reminded me that your path does not have to be perfectly planned from the beginning. Sometimes it unfolds as you grow. Looking back, I know what it feels like to apply without feeling like the “typical” applicant. I know what it feels like to have to explain your background, find recommenders in non-traditional ways, and wonder whether your numbers or your story are enough. But I also know that being non-traditional, first-generation, self-employed, or still figuring things out does not make your application weaker. It just means your story has to be told with clarity, honesty, and strategy.