Strong Applicant
Street
City, State, Zip
LSAC#: L1111111

April 1, 2016

The University of Chicago School of Law
1111 E. 60th St.
Chicago, IL 60637

Dear Dean Perry:

I am writing to express my continued interest in attending Chicago Law. On February 22, while I was on my semester break from teaching Spanish and French at Ipek University in Ankara, Turkey, I visited Chicago’s campus, and the experience made it clear to me that Chicago is my top choice.

I am interested in international human rights law, so I took the opportunity to attend Professor Abebe’s Public International Law course. The discussion was focused on the International Criminal Court and its role in conflicts and wars around the world. It so happens that I researched the ICC’s role in the conflict in Syria when I interned at the Middle East Institute, so I was able to follow along. The level of classroom engagement and the thoughtful perspectives of the students impressed me. I would be honored to join a community that is both highly intellectual and socially conscious.

I also joined my friend John Doe’s Bigelow section of Criminal Law with Professor Rappaport. After the class, Allison gave me a tour of the law school and some firsthand insight on life as a 1L. Hearing about the ways Chicago fosters interdisciplinary learning through lectures, symposia, workshops, and student organizations reinforced my belief that Chicago is a place where I would excel.

While Chicago has a lot to offer me as a student, I believe that I also have something to offer Chicago. My academic background in international relations and my experience abroad would be an asset in classroom discussion. Living in various countries over the years has given me a concrete understanding of legal issues that might have otherwise seemed remote. Last year, in Turkey, I stopped to try and help a family from Afghanistan that had fled the Taliban when I saw the father begging for money in front of a local grocery store. The family had been waiting for their refugee status determination for two years. Turkey’s asylum laws meant that they did not have access to basic healthcare. Moreover, the three children had not attended school and the father was not eligible to work, resulting in homelessness.

Even though I have already been admitted to excellent law schools with generous scholarship offers, Chicago is my top choice. If admitted, I am committed to attending Chicago Law. Thank you for your time and continued consideration.

Sincerely,

Strong Applicant