Law School Personal Statement Samples Page 6
ADVERTISEMENT
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10o Review all the pivotal or remarkable experiences that you have had throughout your
life. Examine how these experiences have directed your life or your decision to apply
to law school.
o Have you ever volunteered or served a cause of great importance to you? Write
about that experience.
o How has a mentor, experience, a particular book, or quote changed the direction of
your life? Write about that life-changing event.
o Have you assumed a leadership role in any arena, such as a club, sports team, or
work? Write about what goals or ideals led you to seek these leadership roles, or
what you learned and accomplished as a leader.
o Write several adjectives that characterize you, and then write a short paragraph
explaining how these words describe you.
6. Things to Remember Once You Begin:
Write about aspects of yourself readers can’t get from the other parts of your
application.
Personalize as much as possible with specific, meaningful stories and experiences.
Talk about yourself but also discuss how you influence others.
Be creative. Use metaphors and analogies. These make extra neurons fire as the mind
plays with the levels of resonance.
If you are fluent in another language, mention it. This is a strong card. Play it.
Discuss topics that build your credibility. Your reason for applying should not be
that you have wanted to be a lawyer since you were five. What kind of credibility
does a five-year-old have?
Try to show you have as many of the following qualities as possible: Intellectual
ability, analytic ability, imagination, motivation, maturity, organization, teamwork,
leadership, self-confidence, oral communication skills, written communication skills,
and career potential.
Don’t depress your audience. Everyone loves a happy ending.
7. Inside Secrets You Should Know:
The law school professors will be reading your personal statement closely and will
immediately be able to spot good writers with polished ideas, elegant structure, and
no errors.
Admissions committees have read hundreds of personal statements. They can spot a
good one in about two seconds.
Use recent stories before older, personal experiences over academic, strongest
arguments before weaker. End strong!
A strong introduction and conclusion are essential.
People can think faster than they can read, so they are able to think about other
things when they read your personal statement. Ideally, your essay will grab their
attention so that they focus solely on you.
Lawyers write professionally. You must demonstrate exceptional writing skills.
ADVERTISEMENT
0 votes
Related Articles
Related forms
Related Categories
Parent category: Legal