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Seth Engdahl is an Indiana native who works in state government and is a 2L in IU McKinney’s part-time program.

Where are you from? What year are you in law school?

I am originally from Columbia City, Indiana. I am in my second year of law school.

Any lawyers in your family?

There are no other lawyers in my family—at least that I know of!

What made you decide you wanted to go to law school?

Law school has been on my mind for a while. I worked for the government in various capacities over the past decade and I have worked with a lot of attorneys whom I admired very much. I used to live in the Washington, D.C./Maryland area and considered going to law school then, but I was working on Capitol Hill and raising my daughter—two activities inconducive to studying law. When I moved back to Indiana to be closer to family, I started working for the state at the Indiana Government Center. I had quite a few friends who attended IU McKinney and given its proximity to my work, I decided to have a chat with the admissions folks. The rest is history…

And what brought you to IU McKinney in particular?

McKinney really was the only school I considered given that it is the only school in Indiana with a part-time program and it’s just down the block from my work.

What has your experience been like as a student at IU McKinney?

It’s been great! Great professors, great friends—it’s a lot of hard work, but overall, I give it five stars—would recommend.  

What’s been the biggest adjustment you’ve had to make in your life since you started law school?

The biggest adjustment has been not being home for dinner with my kiddos each night—and not being able to do their bedtime stories and songs. That’s probably the biggest adjustment my wife has had to make as well! Also, I don’t have time to read for fun anymore—people tell me about awesome books they’ve read and I’m like, “the last book I read was Federal Administrative Law, 4^th Edition.”

What student groups have you been involved in?

I have been active with the Indiana Law Review and Moot Court. I also have also participated in a few Environmental Law Society events. 

What externship or clinic courses have you taken part in? Have you worked as a summer associate anywhere?

I have done none of these things, but I hope to change that in the future. 

What are your plans for after law school?

My plan for after law school is to practice law! In what capacity, I have no idea yet—I’m trying to keep my options open.