Megan Cistulli: JD/MBA at The University of Chicago '26

Megan Cistulli is a 2L at The University of Chicago Law School and in her second year at the The University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Megan graduated summa cum laude from the University of California, Berkeley and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. She earned a B.A. in political science with specializations in international relations and American politics while minoring in human rights. Thereafter, she worked as a postgraduate research fellow at Berkeley Law's Center on Comparative Equality & Anti-Discrimination Law. Megan co-authored a chapter in "Sexual Harassment and the Law in Africa: Country and Regional Perspectives," published by Routledge, and is a research consultant for the Africa End Sexual Harassment Initiative. Next summer, Megan will be in Silicon Valley working on start-up and tech law at Fenwick & West.

After graduation, Megan Cistulli plans to work in start-up and tech law, focusing on legal issues related to technology and entrepreneurship. With her dual JD/MBA degree, she aims to bridge the gap between law and business, fostering innovation while ensuring ethical practices in technology. Megan is passionate about education and advocacy, which is evident in her co-founding of Technology & Entrepreneurship Ladder, Inc. in Kenya. She plans to continue using her expertise to support innovative ventures and contribute to the development of responsible technology policies. Megan's long-term goal is to become a leader in the tech law field, advocating for equitable access to resources and inspiring future leaders, especially young women and marginalized communities.

Political Science honed my analytical skills, my ability to dissect complex issues, and my understanding of the interplay between law, politics, and society—skills that are incredibly useful in law school.

I wanted to study something that could combine the subjects of policy and math and this led me to study political science. I ended up choosing it because it offered a comprehensive understanding of the systems and structures that govern society. I have a passion for exploring the past and understanding the education space. 

My specializations in international relations and American politics, along with my minor in human rights, really provided a strong foundation for understanding legal frameworks and their implications on the global world. Studying political science also honed my analytical skills, allowing me to dissect complex issues. It provided a lot of information and a foundation to understand the interplay between law and politics and society. All of those skills were incredibly useful in law school

Were there any activities other than that that were in your undergrad that really helped you in law school or in deciding you wanted to pursue law?

In my experience founding and leading the moot court team at UC Berkeley, I was taught important skills such as how to think critically under pressure, articulate complex arguments, and also collaborate effectively with the team. I also did work at Berkeley Law's Center on Comparative Equality and Anti-Discrimination Law with Professor David Oppenheimer. This definitely exposed me to rigorous legal research and writing early on and definitely solidified my passion for equality law.

I also did a few other activities such as pre-law review, and served as a civil rights research fellow, which helped me explore different facets of this branch of the legal field. Through these experiences, I developed a keen interest in human rights and discrimination law and policy making.

At Berkeley, you were the editor of the Pre-Law Review. Would you recommend pre-law students pursue legal journals and newspapers, and how was this experience for you?

Absolutely. Working on the Pre-Law Review honed my writing, editing, and critical thinking skills—all essential for law school. It also provided a platform to engage deeply with current legal issues and collaborate with like-minded peers.

If you know what career path you're interested in, find a school that offers opportunities that align with what you're passionate about. My mom is a scientist and my dad's an entrepreneur and growing up they both really inspired me to innovate and to ask tough questions, to think critically and to engage with multiple points of view. University of Chicago Law School asked the same of its students, so I really felt that that was the perfect fit for me.

As a JD/MBA candidate, how are you able to balance your classes with work experience?

The balance really comes from the school and the support that they give you. For example, at the University of Chicago, they do a fantastic job of setting up a program where you get an equal part law experience and an equal part business experience.

Why did you decide to do both law and business school?

My co-founder and I also just started a for-profit company called InspirED Africa, which is an educational venture offering immersive trips to Africa for high school students so that they can have this kind of cultural immersion experience. Right now, we're focusing on Eastern African countries like Kenya, but we definitely plan to expand.

How was the application process for you?

In all honesty, it was extremely difficult, stressful, and strenuous to navigate. There is a lot to consolidate from essays to letters of recommendation, and at the same time, you have to make sure you do well on the LSAT. You want to do the best you possibly can on these applications so there's always this internal question of if you're really doing "enough" and it's hard to break away from that and be confident in your application. One benefit however, was that because this process was so long it gave me time to further understand why I wanted to go to law school and business school, and I was able to understand my passions and my motives more in this process.

What did you do to prepare for the LSAT/GMAT? If you could redo this experience, what would you do?

For the LSAT, I used a combination of online resources and workbooks (LSAT Demon, I was a Kaplan Brand ambassador at one point as well, so I received free resources). I focused heavily on practice exams to get a feel for the timing and types of questions. If I could redo this experience, I would start studying earlier and possibly invest in a private tutor to refine my strategy and address specific areas of weakness more effectively. Booth did't require a minimum GMAT so the majority of my studying was focused on the LSAT. 

It's definitely nerve-wracking because some interviewers are more interactive than others, so you have to avoid internal thoughts that that you're not doing well, just because the interviewer isn't reacting like you would expect them to.

What advice do you have for students that want to build their interview skills?

Your interview is all about the narrative you have. How do you want to "sell" your story and your passion to someone you have never met before? Take the interviewer on a journey through your life to articulate your passions and what you want to do.

If you could do anything differently during your first year of law school, what would it be? And for Business School?

During my first year of law school, I would focus more on building relationships with professors and peers, as these connections are invaluable for support and mentorship. For business school, I will get back to you because my first year at Booth started at the end of September, but I am headed to Norway with a handful of classmates tomorrow, so I look forward to creating new bonds and friendships.

1L is tough so give yourself a break and pat on the back every now and then. Prioritize your health and well-being.

You recently became a summer associate at Benesch Law. What can you tell us about this position? How was the OCI process? What resources or research did you do to prepare?

In law school, you are a research assistant. What can you tell us about this position?

As a research assistant for Professor Emily Buss at the University of Chicago Law School, I've been involved in conducting research for the Restatement of the Law, Children and the Law. This role has allowed me to delve deeply into legal issues surrounding children's rights and the legal standards that affect them. It's a unique opportunity to contribute to a project that will influence future case law and policy, which resonates deeply with my passion for education and advocacy. This work directly connects to my commitment to equity in education through my nonprofit, Technology & Entrepreneurship Ladder (T&E Ladder), where we strive to empower students with knowledge and opportunities. Both experiences underscore my dedication to ensuring that all children, regardless of background, have access to supportive environments that foster growth and learning, whether in the legal field or through innovative educational initiatives.

What advice do you have for students interested in applying to a T14 Law School and/or an M7 Business School?

When it comes to like a T14 law school, I would definitely say focus on crafting a compelling personal statement. Everyone who is applying to these schools is brilliant, has great GPAs, and stellar LSAT scores. What will set you apart is your personal statement because that's your big opportunity to showcase what makes you unique. Your experiences, passions, and perspective give you your edge

For an M7 Business School, it's good to have relevant experience. Before law school, I founded a company, worked in the startup space, and gained full-time work experience—all of which demonstrated to Booth my commitment to mastering business fundamentals and my desire to learn even more.

If you're considering a JD/MBA path, it can significantly strengthen your appeal to employers. In addition, MBA programs highly value law students, as the combination of legal and business expertise positions you well for roles like Chief Legal Officer or in-house counsel within corporations. Pursuing both degrees also compensates for traditional work experience, as the rigorous coursework and extracurriculars provide relevant skills and practical insights that employers find valuable.