The law school personal statement required by most U.S. law schools is your one chance to sell yourself and your unique qualities to the law school of your choice. Most law schools require one general personal statement that can be written on a topic of your choosing. Many schools now also require an additional personal statement on a pre-determined topic, or they will provide the student with the option of submitting an additional personal statement to highlight their qualifications further. If a school offers the opportunity to submit an optional personal statement, and you really want to go to that school, it is probably in your best interest to submit the additional statement. If you have something meaningful to write about, submitting an additional personal statement shows the admissions people at the law school that you are willing to perform extra effort in hopes of acceptance.
Who am I to be writing about a successful law school personal statement? I am a law student at a top ten law school. Throughout the application process, I was accepted into many of the elusive T-14 (top fourteen) law schools. There are, of course, other factors to admittance at these top schools, among them your LSAT score and GPA. I did well in both of those areas as well; however, my scores in those two categories are low for many of the top schools into which I was accepted. My personal statement came through in a big way.
So, I will now outline some strategies for writing a successful and attention getting personal statement.
Differentiate Yourself. Remember that the admissions deans are reading thousands of personal statements. There are literally thousands of people applying to law school nowadays. Ask, “What makes me different?” “What have I done in my life that most people haven’t?” You may have grown up in a unique place. You may have had a challenging childhood. It is a myth that you need to talk about law in your personal statement. Many of the most successful personal statements don’t talk about law at all. Tell them what you bring to their law school that no other applicant will bring. Give them something to remember about you when they are going through the thousands of files.
Show that you are a Leader. Most law school applicants are very well qualified. They have good grades and high LSAT scores. Those competing for spots in the top schools have very high scores in both areas. If you still have time before admission, ensure that you are developing some leadership experience. Start a business. Raise money for a charity. Organize a campaign. Do something to show that you weren’t simply in the library all day studying. If there are two candidates with similar scores, admission is likely to go to the candidate who has the more significant leadership experience. Law schools want students who will represent their school well after they finish school and enter the workforce. If you don’t have time left to develop leadership experience, show how your current experience has required you to develop leadership skills.
What have you overcome? Do you live with a disability? Did you grow up in an orphanage? If so, let the admissions people know about it. Overcoming challenge is an important life skill that will help you use the law to serve others. Don’t be afraid to mention personal challenges that you have had to overcome to get to where you are. Did you have to work 50 hours a week to get through school? Let them know. Especially if your GPA is low for the schools to which you are applying, don’t be afraid to explain the types of challenges you were facing.
Concise is Key. Write concisely. Most law schools prefer a two-page double-spaced personal statement. Some will say that up to three pages are acceptable. But, get your point across as quickly as possible. It makes your personal statement more powerful. Additionally, those reading the thousands of personal statements that come in each year are bound to appreciate someone who writes to the point.
Grammar and Punctuation. Don’t let these things slip. Have everyone you respect read it and make suggestions. Make sure that you haven’t misspelled any words or misplaced any commas. Your grammar has to be perfect.
Where you will go. Most importantly, help the admissions people know that you will take the law degree they give you and make more of it than the next person on the applicants list. Tell them your intentions. Don’t just say that you want to make a lot of money. Explain how you will better the community in which you live by having a law degree.
Law school personal statements can be drudgery, but they should be seen as an opportunity to shine. An outstanding personal statement can be the difference between you getting into the school of your dreams or not. Use the tips in this article and personalize them to your life circumstances, and you are bound to impress.
