how much does personal statement matter law school

Law School Personal Statement Dos and Don’ts

The personal statement, one of the most important parts of your law school application, is an opportunity to highlight your writing ability, your personality, and your experience. Think of it as a written interview during which you get to choose the question. What one thing do you wish the admissions evaluators knew about you?

To help you write a law school personal statement that best reflects your abilities as a potential law student, we have some recommendations below.

• Discuss possible personal statement topics with your pre-law advisor (or someone else) before you invest a lot of time writing.
• Choose a narrow topic. Offer details about a small topic rather than generalities about a broad topic. Focus on a concrete experience and the impact it has had upon you.
• Be yourself. Do not tell law schools what you think they want to hear — tell them the truth.
• Pay special attention to your first paragraph. It should immediately grab a reader’s attention. Reviewers are pressed for time and may not read beyond an uninteresting opener.
• Keep it interesting. Write with energy and use the active voice. You do not have to explain how your experience relates to your desire to attend law school. Tell a story. Paint a vivid picture. The most interesting personal statements create visuals for the reader, which make your personal statement more memorable.
• Keep it simple and brief. Big words do not denote big minds, just big egos. Choose your words with economy and clarity in mind, and remember that your reader has a huge stack of applications to read. A personal statement generally should be two to three double-spaced pages.
• Proofread. Ask several people to proofread your essay. Grammatical or mechanical errors are inexcusable.
• Include information from your background that sets you apart. If your ethnicity, family, religion, socioeconomic background, or similar factors are motivating you to succeed in law school, be sure to highlight them. You can do this in the personal statement itself or in a separate diversity statement. If you are writing a personal statement and a diversity statement, make sure the two essays address different topics.
• Consider your audience. Most admissions evaluators are professors, third-year law students, or admissions professionals not long out of law school. Therefore, you want to come across as an attentive student, interesting classmate, and accomplished person. Again, consider what you most want them to know, beyond the information provided in the rest of your application.
• Read the application carefully. Most law schools allow you to choose a topic, but some will require you to address a specific question. Follow whatever instructions are provided.
• Do not play a role, especially that of a lawyer or judge. And stay away from legal concepts and jargon. You run the risk of misusing them, and even if you use them properly, legal language may make you appear pompous.
• Do not tell your life story in chronological order or merely re-state your resume. Furthermore, resist the urge to tie together all of your life experiences. The essays that try to say too much end up saying nothing at all.
• Do not become a cliché. You may genuinely want to save the world. Maybe your study abroad experience transformed the way you look at the world. But these topics are overused. Before writing your essay, consider how your story is unique and highlight your individuality.
• Do not use a personal statement to explain discrepancies in your application. If your academic record is weak in comparison to your LSAT scores, or vice versa, address that issue in an addendum. Emphasize the positive in the personal statement.
• Do not offend your reader. Lawyers rarely shy away from controversial topics, but you should think twice before advocating a controversial view. You do not want to appear to be close-minded.
• If you are in the bottom of an applicant pool, do not play it safe. You have nothing to lose by making a novel statement.

The Ultimate Guide To Crushing Your Law School Personal Statement

By: Stephanie Ripley

So you’ve been rocking your GPA and doing your best in your coursework. You’ve also prepped as much as possible and knocked the LSAT out of the park (awesome!).

As we know from my previous blog post , the LSAT and GPA are the two most crucial components of your application.

Want to know the third? Yep, you guessed it: the personal statement. Let’s dive into why the personal statement is so important in the law school application process.

The Ultimate Guide To Crushing Your Law School Personal Statement  

Why does the law school personal statement matter.

Your GPA and LSAT score are just numbers. Important numbers, but numbers just the same. However, the personal statement is a different story. This is your opportunity to express yourself to the admissions committee about who you are and why you want to go to law school.  

The personal statement could make or break your application because it is your chance to tell your own personal journey to applying to law school. It’s also your ability to showcase your writing skills.  

Having strong communication skills will not only help you succeed in law school, but as a lawyer as well. Think of your personal statement as a case for yourself and the admissions committee as your judge.  

What Should a Law School Personal Statement Convey?

Law schools, unlike medical schools, typically do not conduct interviews, so that’s why there is such a strong weight put on your personal statement. It’s an opportunity for the admissions committee to get to know you personally outside of your numbers, determine whether you’d be a great fit for their incoming class, and understand the experiences that have led you to apply to law school.  

It’s also an opportunity to convey how obtaining a law degree is the next logical step in your career path. It should reflect on your past, present, and future while also highlighting your strengths and the qualities that you have to be a successful lawyer.

Law School Personal Statement Brainstorming

The hardest step is the first step, where you actually begin to write your personal statement. Yes, it can be completely overwhelming (I get it!). I don’t suggest sitting down with a goal of completing a draft on your first go-around. Your initial goal should be to brainstorm topics or ideas to possibly incorporate into your statement.  

How do you do that? Good question. I’ve listed some questions below that may help you in your brainstorming process.

Take a half hour to reflect on these questions and write about whatever comes to your mind (don’t worry about grammar, complete sentences, or punctuation):  

• Have you volunteered anywhere? What did you do, and why did you choose that organization to volunteer at?  
• Have you taken any coursework or had any experiences that inspired you to go to law school or study a particular area of law?  
• When did you first think about becoming a lawyer?
• Have you ever had to overcome any physical, emotional, or financial difficulties? Have you experienced any tragedies or illnesses? How has it made you more mature, and how have you grown from it?  
• What personal accomplishment are you most proud of?
• Is there a specific area of law that you want to go into? Why? What personal experiences made you want to pursue this field?
• Have you ever had a professor, mentor, or supervisor change your life in a significant way?  
• Have you ever “created” anything – a business, a class, or a volunteer organization? How has that challenged you?

Law School Personal Statement Outline

Once you’ve taken the time to brainstorm, you should start thinking about your outline and which anecdotes create the best storyline.

Remember, your personal statement is typically only two pages, double spaced, so you don’t have a lot of space to convey your journey (always check the requirements for each school you’re applying to). That’s why it’s helpful to take this process slow and produce numerous drafts.  

Introductory Paragraph: Lead with a Story

Remember, law school admissions committees review thousands of applications every cycle. Your first thought should be how are you going to draw the reader in without starting with a quote from your favorite poet (I don’t recommend that).

The story that you choose should just be a small component of the statement. The rest should reflect on how that story changed you, how it shaped you into the person you are today, and eventually, how that story has led you to applying to law school.  

Body Paragraphs (Most Likely Two Paragraphs):

Your body paragraphs should be focused and lead the reader into the bulk of your essay from your intro paragraph. Each paragraph should be relevant and contribute/support your main idea on what you want to convey to the reader.  

Remember the brainstorming exercises I mentioned above? Those will help you determine your angle for your statement and what makes you memorable. The committee wants to find out something about you beyond your resume, so the body paragraphs should identify something genuine and unique about your personality.  

As you write, remember to show, don't tell throughout your story. As you’re writing examples, focus on describing the situation and illustrating what you want the reader to learn about you in the end.  

Conclusion: Tie It All Together

Your reader is most likely reading thousands of essays throughout the application cycle and probably reading them fairly quickly. Your intro should draw the reader in, and your concluding paragraph should leave the reader with a clear sense on why you’re applying to law school. It should also bring the statement full circle.  

You want to leave the reader with a definitive understanding of your character and aspirations in law. It’s often difficult not to leave the reader with a cliche like “and that’s why I want to be a lawyer.” Let the writing come to you, and don’t try to force a concluding paragraph because that’s where most writers get tripped up.  

What Should You Do After You’ve Written Your First Draft?

Tip 1: read your statement out loud.

Are you able to find the flow within your writing? Do you get a clear sense of your personality? Do you sound genuine?  

You will also notice wording issues or small typos while reading it out loud. You want to avoid as many grammatical and spelling errors as possible.

Tip 2: Ask for Feedback

Have other people read through your statement in order to give you feedback on what is good and what needs to be improved. These people should be advisors, friends, or family members. You don’t want to have 20 people review it, as that may get confusing, but select 3 or 4 people you trust to give you constructive feedback.  

The two questions you should ask them while they’re reviewing the statement are:

1. Do you gain a good sense of who I am throughout the statement?

2. Do you understand why I want to go to law school after reading the statement?  

Tip 3: Rewrite Multiple Drafts

Once you’ve received feedback, you may have to do a major rehaul of the statement.  Remember to keep all of your drafts, since you may change something in one draft but ultimately return to that wording later on.  

Tip 4: Take a Step Back from the Writing

Writing your personal statement for law school is going to take time. Don’t expect to finish it over a weekend and be ready to press submit. This is going to be a long process, so start early!  

Once you receive the feedback and complete your rewrites, take a step back from the statement for a couple of days. You will have a fresh perspective on the statement once you revisit it.  

Frequently Asked Questions

Do i need to mention the school that i am applying to in the statement.

No. I’ve been to plenty of conferences as a pre-law advisor, and that is the number one mistake applicants make. “And this is why I am applying to Boston University School of Law…” when in actuality you just submitted your application to NYU.

Once you realize your mistake after you already submitted, there is nothing you can do about it. Omit the risk of making a mistake like this and don’t mention school names in your personal statement. It only adds to the stress of submitting your applications in a timely manner.  

How Long Should Your Personal Statement Be?

Typically, law school statements are around two pages, double spaced. However, be sure to read the directions carefully for each school that you are applying to. Some schools allow the statement to be longer or require a word count.

Also, each school’s prompt for the personal statement differs from school to school.  Make sure that you’re answering the prompt correctly. This does not mean that you will need to write eight different statements, but you may need to tweak your writing a bit for each school.  

Should I Mention What Type of Law I Want to Practice?

This is ultimately up to you (and you may wish to receive advice from an advisor). If you know full well that you’re going to law school because you strictly want to be an environmental lawyer, then it might be a good idea to focus your personal statement (or at least a small part of it) around your career goals.

However, if you’re unsure about your career goals after law school, that’s okay too.  You will focus your three years in law school on trying to figure this out through summer internships, externships, law clinics, and coursework.  

Another tip is that some schools may ask for an optional essay in order for you to address specific program interests. This would save you room in your personal statement to discuss other things about your experiences and your personality.  

Should I Discuss Blemishes on My Transcript or Disciplinary Actions?  

The personal statement is not the place to address any weaknesses within your application. You don’t want to draw extra attention to any weaknesses in your personal statement, only strengths.  

Most schools offer an optional addendum for you to address any academic weaknesses, disciplinary sanctions, or a low LSAT score. This is another question to bring to an advisor if you’re unsure.  

Have questions about how to write your law school personal statement in your admissions essays?

Feel free to email me at [email protected], and I’ll respond to you personally as soon as I can. If you want to discuss pre-law further, feel free to schedule your FREE introductory appointment with me, Stephanie .

The Ultimate Guide to Writing an Outstanding Law School Personal Statement

Dazzle admissions with your legally awesome personal story, introduction.

Let's face it: you've spent countless hours studying and acing the LSAT, and now it's time for the pièce de résistance – the law school personal statement. This is your golden opportunity to showcase your personality, and put your best legal foot forward. But don't worry, this guide has got you covered. In no time, you'll be writing a personal statement that could put John Grisham's early drafts to shame.

If you're ready to convince law school admissions committees that you're the next Ruth Bader Ginsburg or Thurgood Marshall, then buckle up and get ready for a wild ride through the world of crafting the ultimate law school personal statement.

1. Know Your Audience: The Admissions Committee

First and foremost, remember that you're writing for the admissions committee. These are the gatekeepers of your future legal career, and they've read more personal statements than there are citations in a Supreme Court decision. To avoid becoming a legal footnote in their memory, keep the following in mind:

• Be professional, but also relatable. You don't want to sound like a robot that's been programmed to spout legalese.
• Avoid clichés like "I want to make a difference" or "I've always wanted to be a lawyer." Unless, of course, you've been dreaming of billable hours since you were in diapers.
• Consider what makes you unique. Remember, this is your chance to stand out among a sea of applicants with equally impressive academic records and LSAT scores.

2. Choosing Your Topic: Make It Personal and Memorable

When it comes to choosing a topic for your personal statement, think of it as an episode of Law & Order: Your Life Edition. It's your moment to shine, so pick a story that showcases your passion, resilience, or commitment to justice. Consider these tips:

• Use an anecdote. Admissions committees love a good story, especially one that shows your problem-solving skills or ability to navigate tricky situations. Just be sure not to end up on the wrong side of the law!
• Reflect on a transformative experience. If you've had a life-changing event that led you to pursue law, share it! Just remember to keep it PG-rated.
• Discuss a personal challenge you've overcome. Nothing says "I'm ready for law school" like demonstrating your resilience in the face of adversity.

3. Structure and Organization: Your Legal Blueprint

Now that you've chosen your topic, it's time to draft your personal statement. Like a well-organized legal brief, your statement should have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Consider the following tips for structuring your masterpiece:

• Begin with a strong opening. Start with a hook that will capture the reader's attention and make them want to keep reading. Think of it as your own personal Miranda warning: "You have the right to remain captivated."
• Develop your story in the body. This is where you'll expand on your anecdote or experience, and explain how it has shaped your desire to pursue a legal career. Remember to be concise and avoid meandering – this isn't a filibuster.
• End with a powerful conclusion. Tie everything together and reiterate why you're the ideal candidate for law school. Just like a closing argument, leave the admissions committee convinced that you're the right choice.

4. Style and Tone: Finding Your Inner Legal Wordsmith

When it comes to your personal statement, you want to strike the perfect balance between professional and engaging. After all, no one wants to read a 500-word legal treatise on why you should be admitted to law school. To achieve this delicate balance, follow these style and tone guidelines:

• Write in the first person. This is your personal statement, so own it! Using "I" allows you to convey your unique perspective and voice.
• Keep it conversational, yet polished. Write as if you were speaking to a respected mentor or professor. Avoid slang, but don't be afraid to inject a bit of your personality into your writing.
• Employ dry humor sparingly. A little wit can make your statement more enjoyable to read, but remember that humor is subjective. It's best to err on the side of caution, lest you inadvertently offend the admissions committee.
• Be precise and concise. Legal writing is known for its clarity and brevity, so practice these skills in your personal statement. Aim to keep it between 500 and 700 words, as brevity is the soul of wit (and law school applications).

5. Revision: The Art of Legal Editing

It's been said that writing is rewriting, and this is particularly true for your personal statement. Once you've drafted your masterpiece, it's time to don your editor's hat and polish it to perfection. Follow these tips for a meticulous revision:

• Take a break before revising. Give yourself some distance from your statement before diving into revisions. This will help you approach it with fresh eyes and a clear mind.
• Read your statement out loud. This technique can help you catch awkward phrasing, run-on sentences, and other errors that might not be apparent when reading silently.
• Seek feedback from others. Share your statement with trusted friends, family members, or mentors who can provide constructive criticism. Just remember, opinions are like law school casebooks – everyone's got one, but you don't have to take them all to heart.
• Edit ruthlessly. Don't be afraid to cut, rewrite, or reorganize your statement. Your goal is to make your writing as strong and effective as possible, even if it means sacrificing a clever turn of phrase or an endearing anecdote.

6. Proofread: The Final Verdict

Before submitting your personal statement, it's crucial to proofread it thoroughly. Even the most compelling story can be marred by typos, grammatical errors, or other mistakes. Follow these proofreading tips to ensure your statement is error-free:

• Use spell check, but don't rely on it entirely. Some errors, like homophones or subject-verb agreement issues, may slip past your computer's watchful eye.
• Print your statement and read it on paper. This can help you spot errors that you might have missed on-screen.
• Enlist a second pair of eyes. Sometimes, a fresh perspective can catch mistakes that you've become blind to after multiple revisions.

Crafting an outstanding law school personal statement may seem daunting, but with the right approach and a healthy dose of perseverance, you can create a compelling and memorable statement that will impress even the most discerning admissions committee. So go forth and conquer, future legal eagles! And remember, as you embark on your law school journey, may the precedent be ever in your favor.

Tech-focused creator of LSD.Law. I built LSD while applying to law school. I saw unequal access to knowledge and built LSD to level the playing field and help applicants make thoughtful, well-informed decisions in the application process.

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Ll.m. applications: the personal statement.

The personal statement can be a daunting part of the LL.M. application process—what to write, and how to write it? Here are some tips from admissions officials to help guide you through the process.

While it’s only one of many elements going into an LL.M. application, the personal statement can be a tricky one to master. 

Many law schools are not very specific about the requirements for the personal statement, aside from word count. Georgetown University Law Center, for instance, asks applicants to describe their background, goals, and reasons for applying to the program; Stanford is looking for information about the applicant’s experience in legal practice, interest in graduate study, and professional goals.

“To be honest we are purposefully broad in our description because we want applicants to have the freedom to express themselves in whatever way they see fit,” says Justin Swinsick, director of graduate admissions at Georgetown. 

“However, applicants should think about what they would say to the admissions committee if they were sat in front of them and had the chance to highlight the very best things about themselves and how the program and school will take them where they want to go.”  

Other law schools are more explicit; Northwestern asks applicants to answer two essay questions, while Harvard requires a two-part statement—one addressing a theoretical framework or analysis to a current legal problem, and another that says something about the applicant’s motivations for the LL.M. and how it relates to his/her future plans.

This year, University of Pennsylvania also updated its personal statement requirement to include a bit more guidance, calling for a statement of no more than two pages, and specifically recommending that the applicant avoid repeating his/her CV. 

For some schools, like Trinity College Dublin, the personal statement is optional; around 10 to 15 percent of each year’s pool of applicants sends one as part of their applications, according to Kelley McCabe, senior executive officer of the School of Law at Trinity.

“We’re looking for further insight into the applicant's current research interests and their career plans and goals for the future,” she says. “But we focus mostly on academic transcripts, the two academic references and the applicant's CV.”

“These documents give us a holistic picture of the applicant.” 

Tackling the LL.M. personal statement

One of the cornerstone pieces of advice is: be specific. Admissions officers read many personal statements, and you want yours to stand out in their memories. 

“Spend some time really thinking about why you want to get an LL.M.” and why that specific program fits this reason, says Elise Kraemer, director of graduate programs at UPenn.

Be honest and open about yourself; you could be moved to write about an inspirational figure in your life, an important event, or even about the school itself—which is fine, as long as you direct the statement back to you, Georgetown’s Swinsick recommends. 

Kraemer agrees: “Although a personal and/or family stories can be moving, if you use one, be sure that it directly supports your application.”

Sometimes, a well-justified directness can pay off. Swinsick says one applicant start her statement by writing that she wanted to pursue an LL.M. in order to make as much money as possible. “This was certainly an unusual way to start and played into negative stereotypes of why one pursues legal education,” Swinsick recalls. But she went on to tie this into how she planned to leverage her legal studies, career and financial success into bringing help and visibility to problems plaguing her community in a developing country.  

“It was very well written, highlighted her best qualities, and tied together why she wanted to pursue the program and why Georgetown’s program in particular would help her achieve her goals.” 

Mistakes to avoid in your personal statement

While it’s a good thing to be personal, don’t overdo it either. “Some of the more colorful statements I have read entail very personal details that usually would only be shared with clergy, partners or close personal friends,” Swinsick says.

And polish is key: proofread, check your word limit, and make sure it looks as professional as possible. For Kraemer, a minor typographical or grammatical error—especially from non-native speakers—is not a deal-breaker, but a statement that is “poorly written or contains unprofessional content” can be. 

“Take some time to work on it,” Kraemer says. “Don’t leave it to the last minute.”

And the resounding consensus from every law school is: always, always check the name of the school at the top of the page. Every year, every admission committee receives personal statements addressed to the wrong school. “I tend to be relatively forgiving on this one, but it never looks good,” Kraemer says. 

How much does your personal statement matter?

The value of the personal statement can vary from school to school, but in general, a strong one can significantly bolster the merit of an application. 

“It’s the only communication that we receive in the applicant’s own voice and is one of the best ways for the committee to ‘get to know’ the person applying,” says Kraemer. “It is not uncommon for a personal statement to have a significant impact on how we evaluate a candidate—a particularly strong or weak statement can be determinative.”

It can also afford an opportunity for the applicant to explain or put in context to the admissions committee a negative element of their application—a poor grade or language score, for instance. And this effort will show; an applicant that puts time and thought into their personal statement shows that they are serious about pursuing graduate legal education, Swinsick says.

“A personal statement is just that—personal,” says McCabe. “It gives the admissions committee a sense of who the applicant is so, when writing it, they should be true to themselves.”

LL.M. personal statement quick tips

• Be specific. Address why you want to get an LL.M. and your career goals.
• Be honest, about your background and the reasons for applying for an LL.M.
• Address any negative elements of your application, such as a low TOEFL or ITELTS score.
• Make sure to proofread your personal statement and check your word count.
• Make sure that you've addressed the statement to the right law school.

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How to Format Your Law School Personal Statement

How do you write your law school personal statement? Well first of all, let’s make sure that we’re on the same page about what your personal statement is. Your personal statement is the one part of your law school application package and law school requirements that you have complete control over, so you’ll want to put your best foot forward. A personal statement will often focus on why you want to go to law school (or transfer law schools ), but it can also focus on a personal story or aspect of your life.

It shows what makes you unique and why a school should admit you. The personal statement should focus on you, your background, and your goals more broadly. Make sure that it adds something new to your application materials – the school already has your transcript, resume, etc. Think about what you really want the application committee to know about you.

Before anything else, a quick clarification: the law school personal statement is different from an optional essay , which can take on a variety of forms. This could include diversity statements, addendums, or other essays. Here are some examples of law school personal statements that may help you understand the task at hand better.

How do you format a law school personal statement?

In brief, here’s what your law school personal statement will need in terms of format:

• Overall : No title, 11- or 12-point Times New Roman font, one-inch margins.
• Header : Your name, your LSAC number, and “Personal Statement” with a page number, formatted as either one or three lines. Check with your school’s requirements.
• Body : Double-spaced, left-aligned (or justified), paragraphs indented 0.5 inches and not separated with an extra line, single space after periods.
• Ending : End as you would a normal essay. This isn’t a letter; no signature is needed.

Personal Statement Header

The header of the personal statement deserves a closer look. There are two ways of formatting this: either on one line, or on three. One line gives you more space on the page, but can look busy. Three lines have the opposite effect. Weigh the pros and cons based on the length of your statement, then format accordingly.

If you choose the one-line format, be sure to space your information out equally or separate it with punctuation (commas, dashes, and slashes work well) so that it reads clearly.

If you use a three-line format, separate information by line like this:

Name, Page Number LSAC # Personal Statement

Law School Personal Statement Format: FAQs

What should be included in a law school personal statement.

• Who you are. Show readers that you’re an interesting person who brings experiences and skills that will benefit not only the campus community, but the larger legal community.You’re applying in a pool of thousands of candidates, so be sure to highlight what makes you stand out from your peers.  
• Your true voice. There’s a reason why the personal statement isn’t just called a statement or an essay. Sometimes applicants feel that they should write pieces about public policy or social issues, but these too often fall short of showing an applicant’s true voice. Have someone you know well review your personal statement objectively. If they can’t tell you were the one who wrote it, it’s probably time for a rewrite .  
• Specific information about that school. It’s not sufficient to say that you want to attend Santa Clara Law School for its good curriculum, strong faculty, and numerous clinic opportunities. Notice how you could replace “Santa Clara Law School” with any other law school’s name, and the sentence could still make sense? That tells Santa Clara admissions officers that you don’t know very much about their school. Which leads us to our next point…  
• Research on the school itself. Figure out what makes the schools you’re applying to different from others. This is a great opportunity to reach out to alumni, and talk to the admissions staff! You can also use the Internet, visit your local bookstore and check out some guide books, or search around on online forums. Some schools are known for their strength in a certain area of law (think international law or intellectual property law ). Some schools are known for their commitment to pro bono work . Some schools’ faculty are renowned for their research in a specific discipline. Others offer distinctive programs or fellowships to their students. Identify what really interests you about the school, and tie that back to the academic and career interests you discuss in your personal statement.  
• Reflections on the school’s environment. Perhaps you’re looking for a collegial law school environment that mirrors your own undergraduate experience at a small liberal arts school. Or perhaps you’re looking for a large law school so you can take advantage of the network and breadth of resources and alumni that a law school of that size can offer. And don’t forget about the environment outside the school building! Is it important that you have access to hiking trials? Or a ski slope to enjoy over winter break? Environment is often a key factor students consider when deciding on a particular law school, so don’t forget to mention it as a way to express your interest!  
• Concise writing. Check your school’s website to determine how long your personal statement can be, and take it seriously. Law schools are not only looking at whether you can write concisely and effectively, but also whether you can follow posted instructions. Most schools only allow 2-5 pages for personal statement submissions. As a lawyer, you’ll need to write briefs and be able to clearly present client cases. Now’s the time to show that you are capable of honing your communication skills.  
• Authenticity. Law schools aren’t asking you to establish your own NGO or be an Olympic athlete. Rather, they’re looking for candidates who help round out a class and contribute positively to their school. Plenty of people get admitted to law school each year who aren’t superhuman, so don’t feel a need to pretend you’re more accomplished than you are (or stretch the truth). Be yourself – and view this as part of helping the reader understand who you are.  
• Correct writing. Maybe for class assignments, you’ve been able to submit the first draft you write as final. Or maybe one edit is typically sufficient for you to call an essay complete. For the law school personal statement, you want to commit at least two rounds of edits to perfecting your writing. Not only should you review your work, you should also ask both a friend and a fully objective reviewer (like a career center counselor or a campus writing tutor) to give feedback. Once you have at least two rounds of edits, read it out loud to yourself. This will help you identify any awkward phrases and typos. The more time you spend editing your writing, the more confident you’ll be in the strength of your personal statement.

What should you not write in a personal statement for law school?

• Repetition . If your resume shows that you were vice president of your college’s botany club, general secretary of Basket-Weavers Anonymous, and founder of a campus-wide Pizza Appreciation Day, your personal statement need not repeat these things. Now, if founding Pizza Appreciation Day was such a transformative experience for you that you need to highlight it in your personal statement, be sure you’re telling admissions officers something new that your resume doesn’t already tell.  
• Your autobiography . Admissions officers don’t need a play-by-play of your entire life’s events from day one. Autobiographies become long and rambling – two things your personal statement shouldn’t be. Focus on aspects of your life that truly differentiate you from others in a meaningful way.  
• Academic issues . Law schools offer you space in a separate essay to explain academic discrepancies. Your personal statement is your chance to focus on the positive and show admissions officers you’d be an asset to their school. Don’t use your personal statement to go into detail about how your dog’s unexpected chronic migraines prevented you from getting a good GPA during your first year of college.  
• Legal jargon . No, you’re not a lawyer yet – and law school admissions officers are not going to be impressed by legal jargon that’s used incorrectly or used as a way to show off. Keep your tone and language simple. Remember that your personal statement is meant to show your own voice.  
• Cliches . Don’t be the student who bores admissions officers with another essay about how you want to be a lawyer because you like to argue. Avoid clichés – by definition, they’re overused and don’t add value. They make your personal statement generic, and you’ll fall flat when compared with other candidates.  
• Other people . Your personal statement should keep the focus on you. It’s great if you want to write about how your famous lawyer uncle inspired you to join the legal profession, but make sure the essay remains true to your story – not your uncle’s.  
• Slang . Admissions officers view the personal statement as a showcase of your best writing – so slang and casual English are best left behind. While you want your tone to be friendly, you don’t want to sound like you’re chatting with a best friend on a Friday night. Keep things professional.

How do I write a statement for law school?

There are three main steps to the writing process, and they’re no different here! Namely: brainstorm, write, and edit. In this case, though, we’ll add a fourth step: format and proofread.

• Brainstorming is one of the most crucial things you can do for your personal statement. You want to make sure your ideas are strong, following the guidelines above. It can be helpful to spend a little quiet time alone or in a cozy coffee shop to start brainstorming. Check out some of our law school personal statement examples to spark ideas!  
• Once you’ve brainstormed and organized your ideas, the writing itself will go pretty quickly. After you’ve written the first draft, leave the personal statement aside for a day or two (a week or more is better!). Then, come back. What parts don’t flow well? What ideas need more (or less) elaboration? Cut—and add—brutally! Editing is not the same as proofreading; this is the point at which you ensure the ideas themselves are sound.  
• Now, it’s time for the final line edit-format-proofread. In a line edit, you’ll work to make sure you’re using the best possible words correctly, rephrasing and rewriting as needed. Then, use the law school personal statement format discussed above to organize the writing. Finally, read through for errors in spelling, grammar, and formatting.

Voila! Your law school personal statement is now ready. If you’re planning to send it off to a T14 law school, check out our post on the top law schools for more tips and information. And no matter what, check out our post on how to get into law school !

Need more help?

Improve your LSAT scores with Magoosh LSAT , you can choose between a live cohorted class with an instructor (which includes all our lessons and practice questions) or access to the self-study option by itself.

Rachel is one of Magoosh’s Content Creators. She writes and updates content on our High School and GRE Blogs to ensure students are equipped with the best information during their test prep journey. As a test-prep instructor for more than five years in there different countries, Rachel has helped students around the world prepare for various standardized tests, including the SAT, ACT, TOEFL, GRE, and GMAT, and she is one of the authors of our Magoosh ACT Prep Book . Rachel has a Bachelor of Arts in Comparative Literature from Brown University, an MA in Cinematography from the Université de Paris VII, and a Ph.D. in Film Studies from University College London. For over a decade, Rachel has honed her craft as a fiction and memoir writer and public speaker. Her novel, THE BALLERINAS , is forthcoming in December 2021 from St. Martin’s Press , while her memoir, GRADUATES IN WONDERLAND , co-written with Jessica Pan, was published in 2014 by Penguin Random House. Her work has appeared in over a dozen online and print publications, including Vanity Fair Hollywood. When she isn’t strategically stringing words together at Magoosh, you can find Rachel riding horses or with her nose in a book. Join her on Twitter , Instagram , or Facebook !

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22 Law School Personal Statement Tips

How to write an outstanding law school personal statement.

Learn how to write an outstanding law school personal statement, one of the common law school requirements , using our top tips! Moreover, you will learn the differences and similarities between law school personal statement and law school statement of intent. Continue reading to learn more!

>> Want us to help you get accepted? Schedule a free strategy call here . <<

Article Contents 8 min read

Before we begin discussing some law school personal statement tips, we need to clarify the differences, and highlight the similarities, between a “Personal Statement” and a “Statement of Intent” for law school , as there are common misunderstandings about what is expected from each. At times, some schools may use these terms interchangeably.

The overall purpose of asking for either a law school Personal Statement or for a Statement of Intent is to provide the admissions committee with information about:

• Who you are;
• Why you want to be admitted to the particular program, and;
• Other unique, interesting, and relevant information that cannot be found in your transcripts or from your references.

Essentially, writing a law school Personal Statement or a Statement of Intent presents an opportunity for you to stand out from the rest of the applicants by making your story heard.

The law school Personal Statement has a wider scope than a Statement of Intent. Here, you want to highlight the following:

• Individual, personal experiences that have influenced your decision to apply to the particular program
• How your personal experiences, along with your future education, will shape your short-term and long-term career goals
• When you became interested in the field and developed your career goals, and what have you done to reinforce your conviction that you are well-suited for the field.

Personal experiences can stem from events that have occurred in your personal life including you and your family/extended family; history; education; employment; work experience; volunteer experience; travels; special athletic abilities; or other facet of life that is relevant. Perusing  law school personal statement examples can be useful in understanding how to organize and draw on these different kinds of experiences.

Statement of Intents are tailored toward your specific field of study and career goals. In this case, you want to address questions such as:

• What field of law you would like to specialize in and why?
• What have you learned about the field (through formal and informal education, and work experience, for example), and how that experience has contributed to your growth in the field?
• What courses would you like to take to meet your career goals?
• After you complete the program, what do you plan on doing with the knowledge and skills you developed?
• What soft skills (e.g., compassion, persistence) do you hold that will help you be successful in the profession?

22 Tips for Making Your Law School Personal Statement or Statement of Intent Stand Out

Check out our law school personal statement tips video below!

Law School Personal Statement Tips: #1 

If the school you are applying to does not clearly specify whether they are looking for either a Personal Statement or a Statement of Intent, email or phone the admissions office to clarify their expectations.

Law School Personal Statement Tips: #2 

Research the law school inside and out. Understand their mission and values, as well as the key qualities they seek in prospective students. This understanding will help tailor your Personal Statement of Statement of Intent to the specific school and program.

Law School Personal Statement Tips: #3

Ask yourself, and write down your response to, the following question: “Why do I want to go to law school?” You should have a clear and precise reason for your choice in profession. Addressing this will take time and patience so this is one reason why you need to start thinking about your application early. After you have thought about this response, you should be able to write the following: “I want to pursue this profession because of reasons X, Y, and Z”.

Law School Personal Statement Tips: #4

Ask yourself, and write down your response to, the following question: “What are my short- and long-term career goals?” You should have a clear idea about what you would like to do. Although this may change as you progress through your education and gain more personal experiences, you need to understand what you want at that point of time. After you have thought about this response, you should be able to write the following: “My short- and long-term career goals include X, Y, and Z”.

Law School Personal Statement Tips: #5

Before writing your law school Personal Statement or Statement of Intent, reflect on your past experiences and key aspects of your experiences and personality that will make you stand out.

If you are re-applying, do not use the same Personal Statement or Statement of Intent as you did from the previous year's law school application. A lot changes in a year in terms of your writing ability and in terms of the aspects of your experiences and personality that you would like to highlight. Also, note that you were not accepted based on your previous application, so re-writing your Personal Statement or Statement of Intent will be beneficial as it will more than likely be improved. Using a law school Personal Statement or Statement of Intent from an unsuccessful application just doesn't make sense (though plenty of re-applicants do precisely this!).

Law School Personal Statement Tips: #7

Start early. I cannot put enough emphasis on the need to begin writing your application early. No matter how strong a writer you are, it will take you several revisions before your law school Personal Statement or Statement of Intent is ready for submission. It does not matter how talented you are with regard to writing, you need to edit, edit, edit; revise, revise, revise. Also, when people rush to finish this application, they can forget important details that could have gotten them an acceptance. You do not want to be one of those people!

Law School Personal Statement Tips: #8 

Write your law school Personal Statement or a Statement of Intent so that it reads like a story book filled with evidence that you are an excellent candidate for the program. It should be easy to read, clear, engaging, and memorable, with a good sense of flow and direction. Avoid making clichés, jokes, or references to popular media. You may want to consider writing your story in chronological order to showcase your growth and development.

Law School Personal Statement Tips: #9

Write specific details and use action words to allow the reader to visualize your story.

Law School Personal Statement Tips: #10

Skills and characteristics you want to highlight in your law school Personal Statement or Statement of Intent:

• Leadership skills (can you delegate tasks and work with a team?)
• Organization and time management skills
• Communication (additional languages, verbal, written) skills
• Research and scientific inquiry
• Interpersonal and teamwork skills
• Self-motivated and goal oriented
• Perseverance
• Easily adapt to new situations
• Hardworking, trustworthy, and dependable
• Confident and enthusiastic
• Ability to deal with people, problems, and situations tactfully and professionally
• Enjoy new challenging and willingness to learn
• Community involvement

Law School Personal Statement Tips: #11 

Do not regurgitate facts or quotes that are already known. The admissions committee does not want to read an academic paper or essay - they want to learn about you!

Law School Personal Statement Tips: #12

Show your enthusiasm for entering the profession via your writing. Don't simply tell them that you're enthusiastic. Show that energy through narrative and prose, selecting anecdotes and experiences that put your excitement and dedication on display.

Law School Personal Statement Tips: #13

Do not speak negatively about other candidates to make yourself look good. Doing this makes you look like a bad team player. For example, do not say statements such as: “Unlike other candidates, I have X, Y, and Z education and work experience”. True professionals will demonstrate their strengths through their actions, not through putting others down. 

Do not be shy to humbly highlight your attributes and accomplishments that make you unique and a strong candidate. 

Law School Personal Statement Tips: #15

Do not summarize your resume, CV, or transcripts. This is an opportunity to discuss what makes you unique, and why you should be accepted. They already have your resume/CV and transcripts, so they don't need a dry recitation of this information in your Personal Statement or Statement of Intent.

Law School Personal Statement Tips: #16

Write in first-person ("I").

Law School Personal Statement Tips: #17

Adhere strictly to the word, page, or character limit. If not, this may cause you to be rejected because you didn’t follow the instructions. No one wants to read a 2-page Personal Statement of Statement of Intent if it is supposed to be a maximum of 1 page.

Law School Personal Statement Tips: #18 

Do not try to write like a lawyer. Be genuine, optimistic, enthusiastic, and honest, and show the admissions committee who you are and why you should be accepted.

Law School Personal Statement Tips: #19

Focus on your strengths, not your weaknesses.

Law School Personal Statement Tips: #20

Have a strong introduction and strong conclusion. Sometimes, the introduction and the conclusion will be the only aspects of your work that the reader will remember. If your introduction or conclusion is weak, it may set a negative tone for the rest of your paper, regardless of how great it is. A strong introduction will draw your reader in, and a strong conclusion will leave them wanting more (and them wanting more means you getting an interview!).

Law School Personal Statement Tips: #21

A common mistake is to repeat exactly what you said in the introduction for the conclusion. Do not do this - your conclusion should be memorable. It should pull together the main ideas by creatively selling yourself to the reviewer to be admitted.

Law School Personal Statement Tips: #22

An excellent Personal Statement and Statement of Intent will include how you have had a tangible impact on an organization, community, body of literature, or institution, for example, and how that impact provides background and context as to why you are pursuing the profession. Past actions often indicate future potential, so compose impact statements with this in mind. 

Want to see some law school personal statement examples from top law schools?

• Harvard law school personal statement examples
• Columbia law school personal statement examples
• Cornell law school personal statement examples
• Yale law school personal statement examples
• UPenn law school personal statement examples
• Cambridge law school personal statement examples

To conclude our tips about how to make your law school application stand out, you need to ensure that your Personal Statement or Statement of Intent is believable and convincing as to why you should be admitted. We suggest having multiple friends, family members, colleagues, professors, and BeMo consultants review your statements prior to submission. Check out our blog on law school acceptance rates to find out the admission stats at schools you may be interested in applying to. 

Dr. Sarah Lynn Kleeb is an admissions expert at BeMo. Dr. Kleeb holds a doctorate degree (Ph.D.) from the University of Toronto where she examined the connections between Critical Theory and Liberation Theology. She brings 10 years of experience teaching, advising, and mentoring undergraduate students to her role as an admissions expert, having taught extensively at UofT.

To your success,

Your friends at BeMo

BeMo Academic Consulting Inc.

Like our blog write for us >>, have a question ask our admissions experts below and we'll answer your questions.

Ian Musinguzi

How much of a narration should a personal statement be?

BeMo Academic Consulting

Hello Ian! Thank you very much for your question. Each law school has its own length requirements for personal statements, but in general, you should aim for about 2 pages. Please check with the programs of your choice to make sure if they list their individual length requirements.

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The University of Chicago The Law School

Program info, faqs: personal statement, what is the admissions committee looking for in the personal statement.

The Admissions Committee is primarily looking for two things in the personal statement:

• Who are you: Will this applicant be a likeable and interesting addition to our community? Are you thoughtful and reflective? Will our professors and your classmates enjoy working with you and learning from your perspective?
• Writing and communication ability: Can you communicate your thoughts effectively? Are you able to present information in a clear, organized, and concise manner (much like you will be required to do in law school and as an attorney)?

What should I write about in my personal statement?

Our application does not provide a specific topic or question for the personal statement because you are the best judge of what you should write. Write about something personal, relevant, and completely individual to you. This may include writing about a significant aspect of your background, a quality or trait you believe defines you, a transformative experience, or the things that interest and motivate you. Don’t worry so much about selecting a unique or novel topic. Just be yourself. Your personal statement will be unique if you are honest and authentic. See these examples of personal statements .

How does the personal statement fit into the rest of my application?

Think about the personal statement as the fun and interesting part of your application. This is where we get to learn more about who are you as a person and go beyond the transcripts, test scores, and resume. Let each part of your application speak for itself and do what it is intended to do - you don't need to worry about selling us on your credentials in the personal statement.  

Do I need to tell the Admissions Committee why I want to go to law school?

Not necessarily. We request a personal statement; it is not a statement of purpose. You are welcome to discuss your reasons for applying to law school, but please make sure we will still get to know you as an individual. Law schools have different views on this topic, so please consult each school to which you are applying. 

What are some tips for a successful personal statement?

There are few rules that apply to every applicant because of the individual nature of the personal statement, but here are some tips based on our experiences that all applicants should follow:

• Be straightforward. Do not make it more complex than it is. We simply want a candid, well-written essay that helps us learn about you, your story, and your background.
• Proofread, proofread, proofread. Your personal statement should not have errors - this is a sample of your writing and it should be a strong reflection of your written communication skills. Edit extensively and make sure to remove tracked changes.
• Be concise and organize your thoughts. Remember basic writing skills and essay structure. You want to present your ideas in a logical, clear manner.
• Make sure your personal statement is about you . Keep the focus on you with any topic you choose. Focusing too much on a family member or family history, a social or legal issue, or stories about others is a very common mistake. Even if you tell a moving and interesting story, it will not be a successful personal statement if it does not allow us to get to know you.
• Be yourself. We are confident every one of our applicants is unique. Be honest. Do not write about something you think you are supposed to write about or rely too heavily on sample topics or model statements. A topic will not be effective unless it is appropriate for your specific application and background. Don’t try to fit your personal statement into a defined category or box.
• Write in your own voice. This makes your personal statement believable and authentic. Don’t use phrases and vocabulary that you wouldn’t normally use in writing and conversation. It is usually not a good idea to lead with a quote. We are looking for clarity and honesty.
• Make it personal. If someone else could write your personal statement, it probably is not personal enough. We often see this happen when applicants discuss a social issue or area of the law. Remember you are not trying to educate the Admissions Committee about the law or any particular issue.  Your goal should be to educate the Admissions Committee about you.

What are some of the common mistakes I should avoid?

While what works for one individual will not work for another because the personal statement is so individualized, here are some common mistakes we see from applicants: 

• Restating your resume. Resume restatements are one of the most common errors. We will read your resume in detail. We want the personal statement to tell us something new about you.
• Listing your qualifications.  Don't try to overtly sell yourself to the Admissions Committee. This isn't the place to convince us how qualified you are. Your qualifications will shine through in other parts of your application. Remember, this is the part where we get to know you as an individual.
• Typos and “tracked changes”. Make sure to upload the correct version of your personal statement into CAS. If you plan to reference law schools by name, please reference the correct school for each application. 
• Legalese or Latin phrases.   Avoid using legal terms or Latin phrases if you can. The risk you are incorrectly using them is just too high.
• Extensive discussions of the law and attorneys. It is not necessary to discuss the law, tell us what type of law you want to practice, or convey the extent of your legal experience. Legal experience is not a factor in admission.  It is not the place to demonstrate your knowledge of the law or the role of attorneys. These personal statements do not tell us much about the applicant as an individual.
• Telling us you'll be a good lawyer because you like to argue.
• Name-dropping. It is not necessary to cite the names of our faculty and programs from our website in your personal statement unless you are placing the reference in a meaningful context. It detracts from your authenticity. However, if one of our faculty members or something about our community has genuinely inspired you, you are more than welcome to tell us about it.
• Covering too much information. You don't have to cover your entire life story. Use your discretion - we know you have to make a choice and have limited space. Attempting to cover too much material can result in an unfocused and scattered personal statement. 

Is there a page limit on my personal statement? 

There is no page limit, but we generally find 2-4 pages to be sufficient. If it is longer, make sure it is absolutely necessary and really interesting. We do not have any formatting rules with respect to spacing, font type, font size, or margins. 

May I submit additional essays?

You may submit additional essays to highlight particular topics you wish to bring to our attention. Please remember you want to be concise and genuine.

Examples of types of additional essays include Diversity Statements and explanations of undergraduate and/or standardized test performance. 

• UChicago aims to train well-rounded, critical, and socially conscious thinkers and doers. Describe how your background or experiences will contribute to the UChicago Law and Chicago Booth communities. Example topics include: lessons you have learned; skillsets you have developed; obstacles you have overcome based on your background or upbringing; or topics you have become passionate about studying in law school based on your lived or educational experiences.
• Undergraduate and/or Standardized Test Performance: If you do not think that your academic record or standardized test scores accurately reflect your ability to succeed in law school, please tell us why.

The Admissions Committee typically finds one page or less is a sufficient length for most additional essays. 

How to Write a Great Law School Personal Statement

Are you ready to tackle your law school personal statement? Clear and concise writing is a vital skill for law students, but writing about yourself can be daunting. It's hard to winnow your life experiences down to a couple of pages or find one topic to focus on. 

Yet, your personal statement is a critical part of the application process . When combined with your resume, application, and LSAT score, it forms a complete picture of who you are and why you're a perfect fit. 

With these steps, you'll overcome obstacles while developing prose that supports a favorable application decision. 

Does a personal statement matter for law school?

Yes, your personal statement for law school is vital. It provides insights that aren't apparent on your transcripts. Engaging prose helps you stand out in a competitive space resulting in acceptance at your most-desired schools. 

For the 2020-2021 academic year, the number of applicants to law schools rose by 1.6%, with 63,206 applicants submitting 381,698 applications, according to the Law School Admission Council . You're competing with students who may have similar LSAT scores , grade point averages, and professional experience. When facing identical transcripts from hardworking students, often the only differentiator is the personal statement. 

After all, admissions officers want to know the person behind the hard data. That's where your law school personal statement comes into play. With a standout essay, you capture admissions officers' attention and an amazing narrative sticks in their heads. Your story should emphasize valuable traits, such as: 

• Intelligence
• Professionalism
• Persuasiveness
• Thoughtfulness
• Seriousness

How do you write a good law school personal statement?

Writing a great law school personal statement doesn't come without hard work. Although you've written plenty of essays during your college experience, a strong narrative requires genuine reflection. You need to dig deep to uncover an aspect of your life that led to a significant change or put you on your current path.

Of course, intelligent prose doesn't always come out in the first draft. So prepare to spend a good chunk of time building your narrative and adjusting your statement for flow. Starting is often the hardest part of writing. Fortunately, you can follow these steps to nail your law school personal statement. 

Review law school personal statement requirements

Begin by scouring the application packet materials and college websites. Look for key information about the length and page format of your personal statement. The guidelines should answer important questions like:

• How long should your personal statement be for law school? 
• What is the maximum word count for a personal statement?
• How do you format a personal statement?

Next, write down any required prompts to answer in your essay. For instance, some schools may ask why you're applying or why you want a JD degree. Organize program details using a spreadsheet or project management software like Trello. Create a card or row for each program, then list important facts about its mission, goals, and community. 

Also, check to see if any programs offer law school personal statement examples. Read through samples to get an idea of what admissions officers expect. Lastly, some colleges accept other types of statements as well, such as a diversity statement or an addendum. For best results, complete all options.

Diversity statement for law school 

A diversity statement defines what makes you different. It sounds or looks similar to your law school personal statement. But, it differs because you don't need to tie up your narrative into a neat package that ends with an epiphany. Instead, it may cover an experience that explains your values or desire to work towards inclusivity.

Law school application addendum

An addendum is a way to overcome lower scores, a gap in education, or other concerns where you fall short in your official papers and transcripts. Addendums are short, concise, and honest. Explain your reason and demonstrate that you've met and overcome your challenge. 

Brainstorm potential personal statement topics 

Some people prefer to jump right into writing. However, your life story is pretty lengthy, so it's essential to narrow down your subject matter. Focus your attention by reflecting on your life and coming up with some topics to write about. Consider ideas like: 

• Personal challenges, hardships, or completed goals
• A turning point in your life
• Unique hobbies or personal interests
• Special achievements or awards, not listed in-depth on your initial application
• A situation or environment that changed you or your values
• A project that got results and you're passionate about
• Your upbringing, culture, education, or a personal or professional experience

While brainstorming, go through your transcripts, application, and resume. Are there any gaps or missing details that your personal statement could cover? Perhaps you listed volunteer work with a local animal shelter on your application. Could you delve into this topic further? Aim to share a unique story where your personal growth is the main focus. 

Explore your subject for clarity and insights

Sure, your chosen topic may be fresh on your mind. However, your personal statement for law school is more than describing an event. You need to show admission officers how this experience shaped you. It's vital to dig into how it impacted your values, traits, and feelings. 

Many students report spending hours or days considering their topic, digging through memories, and compiling their subject matter. If you have access to photos, documents, or other things that'll jog your mind, then now is the time to pull them out. Sometimes even listening to your favorite songs can help you remember the moment. 

Uncover a unique angle

Mark Twain once said that no story ideas are original. That holds true for personal statements as well. Plenty of law school applicants face difficult decisions, adversity, or enlightening experiences. Your essay isn't a retelling of an event. It focuses on your feelings and growth. And the story of you is unique, as no one shares your exact emotions or reactions. 

Your goal is to explore an angle that sets your story apart from others. Overcome obstacles by taking a break during brainstorming. Come back to your topic with fresh eyes and hammer out your main idea. 

Sum up your idea and start writing

Now you're looking at your topic, an angle, and you've pulled up those old memories. Do your best to sum it up and conclude it with a few sentences. This is your main point, and what every paragraph should lead the reader back to. Use these sentences as a reference point while writing. 

Some students prefer to create a general outline before writing. Others produce a few key sentences and start typing. All personal statements for law school use a narrative arc with a clear beginning, middle, and end. Include:

• A captivating introduction that draws the reader into your life
• Body paragraphs that naturally flow towards a conclusion
• A decisive conclusion that delivers a lasting impression

During the rough draft, forget about length, grammar, or other specifics. Instead, just write. Get everything out on the pages. You'll have plenty of time later to refine, clarify, and structure your personal law school statement. Once you're done, read it over, make a few edits, and walk away. 

Turn a draft into your personal law school statement 

With a rough draft in hand, assess every word to ensure your story meets your objectives. Your goal is to recreate the moment and invite the reader into your account. Mold your rough draft into a final piece by focusing on a coherent structure. 

Flow. A logical progression of ideas, with a clear arc, is essential. Your reader should glide through your personal statement naturally. 

Length. Eliminate wordy phrases, overly difficult words, and descriptions that don't support your conclusion. 

Personalization. Pay attention to subtle differences in law schools, from their communities to purpose. If you can genuinely work this into your personal statement, then do so.

Character decisions. It's okay to include other characters in your personal statement, but ultimately you want to return the focus to yourself. 

Revise and edit several times

Few applicants write a stellar personal statement the first time. Get the best results by putting your draft through a comprehensive editing and revision process. This goes beyond using your word processing spell checker. Invest in human and technical tools to ensure the best results. Take steps such as: 

• Double-check that your essay meets formatting and length requirements. 
• Make sure you've answered any writing prompts.
• Personalize your statement to the specific school and program. 
• Use a tool like Grammarly or ProWritingAid to correct grammar and style issues. 
• Run your document through the Hemingway App to catch hard-to-read sentences and more.

Lastly, it’s essential to get help editing your personal statement. Fresh eyes and unbiased opinions allow you to refine your narrative. Obtain assistance from law school forums, writing centers, and social media communities. Or, ask fellow students or mentors to review your essay.

Create an impressive law school personal statement

Make your application packet stand out with a genuine and captivating personal statement for law school. Although writing your essay may seem like a challenging task, once you break it down into steps, it'll be easier to develop a cohesive statement that's sure to win admission officers’ attention.

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Law School Personal Statement

By Mehran Ebadolahi Mehran Ebadolahi -->

While an LSAT score is important, there are other aspects of your application that are fundamental for your admission to law school. Taking a moment to look a bit beyond LSAT prep, it's time to discuss your upcoming personal statement?without it, you'll struggle to get into your first choice no matter how well you do on the test.

Right now, most of your focus is probably on your admissions test, and your applications may seem miles away to you right now. Especially if you're in the studying process, your personal statement is probably the last thing on your mind. But your statement is part of a large matrix of what a school takes into account when admitting students, and your applications will creep up on you much sooner than you think.

Many of the top law schools have said that right after your LSAT score and your GPA, they look at your personal statement. Chances are there will be many students that apply to your target law schools with similar GPAs and LSAT scores. Because of this, one of the only ways you can make yourself stand out is through your personal statement.

The Importance of Personal Statements

So, your GPA is impressive and your LSAT scores make you eligible to apply for some of the top law schools in the country. Congratulations, the hardest part is over!

Now, it's time to pay attention to the only other thing you can use to truly differentiate yourself from all the other top academic applicants at these universities.

The truth is that no matter how smart you are and how high your test scores are, you're diving into a peer group that's just like you. If you're applying to top law schools, there's a good chance many of the other applicants have a similar level of academic excellence as you. They've done extracurriculars, they have great grades, and they've done well on their LSAT.

All you have to differentiate yourself is your personal statement. It's the one piece of your application that no one else can mimic or copy. When you're on even playing ground with others academically, it's time to stand out from the pack with a fantastic personal statement. That's why it's not just important to write a solid, convincing statement, but to use your statement to stand out from the crowd.

There's no checklist or instructions for a personal statement. You can't treat it like a regular academic assignment. No amount of knowledge will help you excel above the other applicants. Your impact will come from writing something that's compelling and persuasive.

Think of it like making a case for yourself. With your personal statement, you're answering the question:

Why should we choose you?

It's a deep and difficult question with no simple answer. But, it's also your best chance to dig deep and convince the admissions officers that you have what it takes to be successful at their law school.

How to Write an Impactful Personal

Writing the perfect personal statement is a delicate balance. You must show what makes you uniquely suited to the challenges of law school, as well as showing how you fit the specific school's culture and atmosphere. There are as many ways to succeed in this effort as there are to fail, so it's important to consider your approach thoughtfully.

Consider your Target

One student recently took a leap of faith, and wrote about his status as an extinct mammal because of his natural red hair. If you aren't aware, red hair is a recessive trait that is slowly being weeded out by natural selection. People with red hair are actually becoming less and less numerous with each passing generation. This student wrote about how he should be considered a minority (though he is a Caucasian male) because redheads will soon be obsolete.

Many of the law schools didn't seem to find his statement amusing. However, his top-pick school sent him his admissions packet along with a copy of his personal statement with a sticky note attached to it.

The sticky note stated how much they enjoyed his statement because it was well written and thoroughly showed them his personality and wit. It goes to show that your statement doesn't have to please everyone, just your top picks.

Be Creative

Another example of the importance of personal statements comes directly from the mouth of an admissions officer from Columbia University. When asked about personal statements, the admissions officer in question stated that each year the admissions counselors at Columbia compete with each other to find the best personal statement.

This year, the statement belonged to a man who wrote about his workplace. Apparently, every Friday at this applicant's office, there was an obstacle course race that each office worker participated in. It consisted of each participant sitting on an office chair and pulling themselves through the office.

This person was the all-time reigning champion of the obstacle course race, and when this fact was brought to his attention, he realized he had stagnated and needed to make a change in his life. Therefore, he decided to veer his life path towards law school.

The admissions counselors all loved the statement and chose it as the best of that year. Consequently, that person was admitted to Columbia, and all because of how well written his personal statement was. Can you imagine getting into your dream school based on a story about rolling your office chair around obstacles?

Focus on the Long Term

Anecdotes aside, you need to remember that there is still a path ahead of you after the LSAT. Even after you finish, there are really important things you need to focus on.

So, it's prudent that once in a while, in your LSAT prep off-time, you should begin to ruminate on topics that might work for your personal statement. Thinking about it early will allow your brain to start subconsciously reflecting on your topic.

Keep in mind that your LSAT isn't your final goal. The true goal of this painful process is to get into law school, then to graduate and find work in the field of law. As much as the LSATs are a vital part of that, you can't lose sight of the overall vision.

LSATs are a major part of your law school application. However, once you're into law school, your LSAT score won't make much of an impact on your future career. The same is true of your personal statement, although it can help to reveal more about you as a person. In the end, your personal characteristics and driving motivation will impact your future far more than LSAT scores.

Take time to do well on your LSATs. But, don't neglect the other parts of your applications, like the personal statement, that might have an equally meaningful impact on your admission.

Now, it's time to learn more about personal statements and how to write one for yourself.

Introduction to Personal Statements

No law school application is complete without a personal statement. The application is typically two pages in length, and your personal statement is likely the most important qualitative (non-number-based) element to your application.

It shouldn't be treated as a second thought by any means. Frequently, it's pointed out that the personal statement is an admissions counselors' entry point into your application, and you know what they say about first impressions!

Be Yourself or Sell Yourself

There are two schools of thought with the personal statement. One school believes that the personal statement is where the true you should shine; step away from the numbers you've acquired and your academic pedigree and really let the admissions officers know what makes you tick, what makes you, you.

The other school of thought believes that the personal statement is not a place for flowery stories about moments that have changed your life, and rather it is another opportunity for you to highlight your academic achievements.

What you should do, if you have the opportunity, is do some research on the admissions department of your target school. A great way to do that is to set up a meeting with them. That way, you can talk to them in person, and maybe even get a chance to tour the campus and the library (a place you will be spending most of your time if you go to that school).

When you are in the meeting you can get the info you want straight from the horse's mouth. Then, you can write your statement appropriately. Online research and forums can also help you get specific information on a particular law school.

What to Talk About in Your Statement

As for the subject matter, we've established that your personal statement should be about you, of course, but what about you exactly? The answer is to write about something personal, relevant, and as unique to you as possible. This could be a quality you possess, an experience that helped define you, or motivation that drives you.

Whatever you choose, the key is–you guessed it–to make it personal. It doesn't have to be an event that has likely never happened to anyone else, a feeling no other person has ever felt, or a trait no other person has possessed; but keeping authenticity and honesty in your essay will drive home the personal element.

Consider your personal statement to be the creative part of your application. This is the element that goes beyond quantitative credentials and lets you win over the admissions officials on a personal level.

Brainstorming Your Personal Statement

There's no perfect answer to the subject matter you should write about. If you need some help coming up with a topic, follow a process like this:

• Write as many topic ideas as you can think of, ignoring whether they're good or bad. Make sure this initial list is extensive and thorough. It should include ideas in a broad range of topics, from a personal experience that influenced your life to how you've overcome challenges or circumstances that contributed to your character. Don't be shy in this phase, and start it early: taking your time will help your brain come up with more ideas.
• Read through your list of ideas and cross out any that don't fit in well with the initial criteria. Focus on getting rid of ideas that aren't about you directly, aren't very impactful, don't reveal part of your character, or are circumstances you're not very comfortable talking about in-depth.
• Once you've narrowed down your list, look at any remaining options and create pros and cons lists for the remaining options. If the first cut didn't narrow it down enough, do another cut before making and pros and cons. Make your decision based on the pros and cons of each idea, choosing the one that makes the strongest case for your admission.

If you don't feel confident in your topic choice, pick another topic. It's okay if it feels a little out of your comfort zone, but you don't want to pick a topic that makes you feel so uncomfortable that you can't write about it well. You need to be able to write a thorough, clear, and compelling statement about whatever topic you choose, so choose something you'll be able to expand on.

The Elements of a Great Personal Statement

No matter what style you're going for or what you're writing about, each law school personal statement has a few common elements. These are fairly consistent throughout all statements. Getting the structure correct and submitting the right elements will improve your chances of gaining entrance into a top law school.

Here are some things to consider when creating the perfect personal statement for your law school application:

Introduce Yourself

It's essential to begin your statement with a great opening. The University of Chicago Law School recommends against beginning with a quote, as many choose to do. Starting with a quote, mantra, or vague idea doesn't immediately present you.

This is, after all, a personal statement: lead with yourself. Come back to fundamentals; your personal statement is about you .

The admissions officials are examining your personal application, not a general application to judge for adequacy (that's the job of the LSAT). Begin honestly, and remember that the audience you're writing for has read innumerable personal statements (even just this year) and they'll smell lies from a mile away. Don't waste your own time or their time trying too hard to be clever.

Try to start on your best foot. Our advice is to write the introduction last. Write the meat of your personal statement first, then loop back and write your introduction. That way, you'll be able to come up with a better opening statement that ties in well with what you're talking about in general.

Tell Your Story

The bulk of your focus should be on the real substance of your personal statement. Make sure that you're following a logical narrative structure. Personal statements should be more of a story than a persuasive essay. If you're sharing an interesting personal experience or life event, you'll be best served if you think about:

If any of these elements aren't clear in your personal statement, you'll have a bit of difficulty formulating a compelling narrative to convince an admissions officer of your merit. Review your statement and make sure you're touching on everything, and how each part relates to you.

Taking a closer look at the earlier example from the chair-racing gentleman, we see all 5 of these elements come into play: The time is given, the location of the office is mentioned, the chair racer identifies himself in the story, the action of the chair races and being declared the all-time champion is discussed, and the outcome of the decision to pursue law school is revealed.

This is just a guideline for structuring the body of your personal statement. Because it's generally a story about you, it's in your best interest to make sure you're doing your story justice.

Make Your Point

The conclusion of your statement should be where you reiterate the message of your personal statement and answer the question of what you're a good candidate for admission. It's all about wrapping up the whole statement into a neat and tidy ending that creates a sense of closure and calls the reader into action.

In this case, the action you want is acceptance into the school. Don't be too outright?after all, you're applying to law school, but look to touch on points of empathy and connection. Make it hard for the admissions counselor to reject you, make it easy for them to say yes.

Often, your conclusion will look a bit like your introduction, because you'll likely talk about similar themes in both. However, the goal of the conclusion is to leave the reader with a satisfying sense of closure and to lead them to appreciate the qualities you've emphasized in the statement.

General Do's and Don'ts

If you have to narrow it down to one solid list of things you definitely should be doing and things you definitely shouldn't be doing, here's what you would end up with:

• Be concise, organized, and candid
• Proofread, proofread, and then proofread again
• Be yourself
• Keep your personal statement about you
• Be honest and authentic
• Connect your story to the profession of law
• Outline before you write
• Regurgitate your resume and qualifications
• Overlook typos or submit anything but the final version
• Name drop (it's okay to touch on an important figure in your life, though)
• Attempt to use legal terms or phrases you may be using incorrectly
• Cover your entire life story

If you need something more in-depth, Nova.edu put together a guide to creating personal statements , and BU Law has some great examples of statements that cut through the noise.

Personal Statement Tips

Besides the structure and tone of the statement, what else can you keep in mind to make yours better? There are as many opinions as there are law school admissions officers, unfortunately. But, you can still glean some useful tips from the chaos of opinions:

No Gimmicks

Skip the gimmicks. Gimmicky personal statements scream ?I don't have anything original to say' more than they amuse. If you can think of it in under a minute, they've likely read it.

What they haven't read is a concise, creative, and thorough presentation of why you're unique, interesting, and valuable for their law school.

Take Feedback and Proofread the Statement

Don't rely only on your own judgment for your personal statement, have a trusted friend, colleague, or individual read your essay and give constructive, blunt feedback.

Your judgment is the ultimate decider, as it's your application and your statement was written about you, but you should always seek feedback from people you trust. Look for trusted academic advisors, mentors, or even friends and family who could offer a fresh perspective. Ask how compelling it is, how well written it is, and ask if they would make changes. Accept and apply the feedback that you think makes sense with your vision.

Beyond simple feedback, have a fresh set of eyes proofread your essay. It can't be said enough: proofread, proofread, proofread! Your personal statement is your introductory argument as to why you should be admitted to your chosen law school. If your essay contains errors, it's less likely an admissions officer will be inclined to believe you have the skills and attention to detail required for your legal studies.

Avoid Templates

Personal statements should be just that: personal. If you look up a template and essentially fill in the blanks, you're not giving the admissions officer a true look into your personality, your best qualities, and the unique contributions you can make.

Templates bring up a lot of problems. A little food for thought:

• Did that example statement help the writer gain entry to law school?
• Will a school admissions officer recognize the template format and stiff writing style?
• Why would you trust your chance of admission to someone or some organization with no skin in the game?
• Is using a template considered plagiarism?
• How do you know if a template is even any good?

Just like writing your resume or CV, templates can only get you so far. You can look at the basic structure of a template for reference, but that's about all you should use them for. In fact, we recommend looking at successful personal statements, but be original!

Take the time to do this right, even if it means going around to different academic influences and people you trust to help you write, re-write, edit, proofread and polish your final personal statement. It will be worth it once you get that acceptance letter!

Wrapping Up

The perfect personal statement is the one that perfectly and truly states you. If you bring your personality, your voice, and your story with honesty and authenticity, you'll have the start of a winning essay.

There's the reason they call it a personal statement: it should be personal. Since admissions counselors can't get to know all of their applicants, they must use this to evaluate you. While it's difficult, if you can show off your personality and uniqueness, you've got a great chance for success.

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Law school admissions: drafting the personal statement

1. It’s not the college essay.

With law school admissions, the LSAT and your undergraduate GPA are the most important elements of the admissions process. Your primary time and financial investment should be in these two pieces. That is not to say that the personal statement is not important, or that it can’t set you apart. It is saying, though, that it is not as important as the LSAT and GPA components.

I like to think of law school and college admissions as sort of flipped. On the ACT or SAT, a small score boost isn’t really what pushes people over the finish line at the top colleges. How different is a 33 and a 34, really? Or a 1450 and 1490. It’s the other stuff that gets you in – the essay, the extracurriculars, the letters. This is where someone can really shine. Alternatively, with law school admissions, small numbers differences matter. A 171 really is better than a 170. The personal statement and extra-curriculars are more of a threshold, save truly exceptional ones.

Additionally, we are taught to write college essays using very flowery language. Tell the admissions committee who you really are (in 500 words or less). Show them the inside of your soul . The law school essay tone is different – it needs to be about why you are pursuing a very specific, expensive professional education putting you on a clear career path. If it gives them a peek into your soul, that’s just a bonus.

2. The three questions

The personal statement needs to answer three questions. It is less important how they are answered than the fact that each is fully and completely addressed.

• Why is law school the missing puzzle piece of your life? How does it complete you?
• What makes you stand out from all of the other applicants?
• Why is this law school the place for me?

As an example of what I mean, I get a lot of students who say things like, “I want to end the Syrian refugee crisis,” or “I want to start a business,” so I’m going to law school. These goals beg a set of questions – okay, why law? Why not public policy? Why not the civil service? Why not business school? A better answer is, “I want to end the Syrian refugee crisis. I believe international law, given its institutionalization, global reach, and customary flexibility, is the best route for doing so. I hope to either be an international prosecutor with the ICC, or work as a State Department human rights attorney on the Middle East desk.” And, then the essay explores these themes. The business narrative should read something more like, “Business school may teach leadership skills, but law school is fundamental to understanding the regulatory frameworks underlying successful businesses. To be an actual leader – a creator – of a new organization, one has to be expert in the numerous legal areas that both enable and constrict business development. That is why I am pursuing legal study.”

This essay format can really set you apart – you want the admissions committee to walk away from your essay and think: this kid has to go to law school, this law school in fact, and I have a clear vision of the type of lawyer she will be, the contribution she will make to the world, and what she will bring to our campus community.

Furthermore, law schools love to see academic prowess. The more you can frame your interests in the form of puzzling legal quandaries, or academic research questions, the better. I always like the “I’m coming to law school to wrestle with XX big question” format. While law schools are professional schools, they also do important research, and want their students to contribute to that. More academic essays suggest analytic skill, which is precisely what law schools are after.

3. Edit, edit, edit. Then, put it to bed.

Edit it until it feels done. Show it to a maximum of three people you trust, including your CC coach (too many cooks in the kitchen just causes stress). When you feel it can’t get any better, hit the send key. Don’t ever submit an essay you believe you can make better, even if it means pushing back your submission date.

Related Content

How much does your personal statement matter for law school?

It doesn't matter much . Those two things--your LSAT and GPA- will matter much much more than writing the world's best essay. As I mentioned before, your law school essay is worth very little in the grander scheme of your application.

How important is your personal statement for law school?

Do law schools care about personal statements.

Most law schools require a personal statement . Others may allow a diversity statement and/or an addendum. Submit ALL statements that apply to you. Tell an interesting, informative story and personal story about yourself in 700-1400 words (double- spaced).

Do you need a different personal statement for each law school?

1. Be specific to each law school. You'll probably need to write only one basic personal statement, but you should tweak it for each law school to which you apply . There are usually some subtle differences in what each school asks for in a personal statement.

Do personal statements matter that much?

You may think that your personal statement won't matter as much to unis as your grades and experience but a great personal statement could make all the difference between you and a candidate with the same grades . Sure, your application might not reach that deal breaker stage.

Law School Personal Statement: Do's and Don't's

Is it OK to lie in your personal statement?

Firstly, and most crucially: never, ever lie in your personal statement . If you do, it will almost certainly come back to haunt you. Don't make up qualifications or pretend you've read books when you haven't (even if you've read little bits of them).

Do universities actually read your personal statement?

There are some reports of unis not reading personal statements but by and large they will read it if they are considering your application ”. “Every personal statement will be read by someone to check that the applicant is applying for the right course” explains PQ.

How can I make my law school application stand out?

• Prepare a strong application. ...
• Choose your college major carefully. ...
• Aim for a high college GPA. ...
• Be strategic about your extracurricular and work experiences. ...
• Study hard for the LSAT or GRE. ...
• Submit a solid resume. ...
• Demonstrate strong writing skills.

What makes a good law personal statement?

Aim to use short, polished sentences in your statement, rather than overly wordy ones . Keep the language simple. You only have a short space to make your point, so it is vital to be clear, while communicating your enthusiasm for law. Superfluous text will detract from the impact of your piece.

What do top law schools look for?

The best law schools around the world require top grades from their applicants. Top grades doesn't mean good grades. It means outstanding grades! Data from the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) shows that you should have a GPA of 3.59 and an LSAT of 162 or more to get into one of the top 10 law schools.

Can I use the same personal statement twice?

Yeah you can if you are reapplying the year after if you were unsuccessful the first time round, they don't say it is plagiarism if the same person sent the same statement twice, seeing as you wrote it the first time round. Obviously if you changed your statement they will still check.

How long should a law school application personal statement be?

Depending on the law school, your personal statement will range in length from 300 to 1000 words . Most law schools require personal statements that are two to two-and-a-half pages, double-spaced, with one-inch margins and 12 point font.

What GPA do law schools look at?

Dear Grade Point Analysis: Initial evaluation of your application will be based on your cumulative GPA and LSAT score. Thus, your 3.3 GPA – or 3.5 if you improve it – will be what admissions committees consider.

How many letters of recommendation do you need for law school?

Writing a Good Recommendation Letter. Letters of recommendation are a required component of nearly every law school's application, and most law schools require 2 or 3 .

How do you show interest in law?

• What to avoid. ...
• Figure out what you're missing. ...
• Sporting activities. ...
• Volunteering. ...
• Visiting law seminars. ...
• Writing a blog. ...
• Member a club or society.

How do you end a personal statement for law school?

Conclude your personal statement for law school with a passionate vision for your career . Ultimately, the admissions officers are looking for an answer to the question, 'Why do you want to become a lawyer? ' Every paragraph of the essay should imply this, but we recommend stating this directly in the conclusion.

What attracts you to the idea of studying a law based course at university?

Studying law offers the opportunity to develop a range of skills and explore many aspects of human life . It gives you the chance to sharpen your mind, strengthen your understanding and deepen your experience across the full range of humanities and social sciences.

Can a 3.0 GPA get into law school?

So generally, if you're trying to get into the top schools, a GPA below 3.6 will be considered low. But to answer the question what GPA do you need to get into law school, any law school, then the answer is at least a 2.5 . That is realistically the lowest GPA you can have to get into law school.

What matters most in law school admissions?

Your GPA and LSAT score are really important Your undergraduate GPA and Law School Admission Test (LSAT) score will be two of the most important components of your law school application. The LSAT is offered six times a year (beginning in 2018), and it is administered by the Law School Admission Council.

Is LSAT more important than GPA?

While LSAT is the most important factor, GPA is still significant. When you get down into schools lower in the rankings (outside the top 10 schools), numbers alone become an even better predictor of how likely you are to get into a specific school. LSAT is still the more important number than GPA.

What should you avoid in a personal statement?

• Whining. Don't whine in your essay! ...
• Someone else is the hero. ...
• Reads like a resume. ...
• Lack of focus. ...
• Leaves out personal growth. ...
• Overcomplicated language. ...
• Incorrect grammar or spelling.

How much do universities care about personal statement?

For Some courses personal statements are looked at relatively closely generally because the course is one where predicted grades don't tell the full story ... the other time a personal statement might be key is if you end up in the fight for the last few offers /places or are teetering on the 'yes ' vs ' maybe' or ' ...

Can you plagiarize a personal statement?

2.3 If a personal statement shows 60% or more of plagiarised matter, the application will be considered by Admissions but the applicant will be informed of the detected plagiarism and the seriousness of this offence.

Should I put my name on my personal statement?

THE HEADING FOR YOUR STATEMENT In the absence of any guidelines provided by the graduate school, your heading should include the name of the document you are submitting (e.g., “Personal Statement”), the school and department for whom you are writing it (e.g., “Ohio University College of Education”), and your name.

Can I copy someone else's personal statement?

IMPORTANT: When writing your personal statement, it's vital you remember not to copy from anyone else's personal statement (not even just a sentence!). Not only is wrong and unfair, but any plagiarism will be detected by the UCAS Similarity Detection Service.

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Law school personal statements take time to edit and finesse. It’s essential to devote time and energy toward writing a compelling narrative that makes you stand out. You may feel at a loss with where to begin. How do you condense your entire academic and life journey into one simple story or theme? What is superfluous information and what is crucial? 

Luckily, you don’t need to tell your life story in a personal statement . Instead, the best personal statements zoom in on a few major life events and themes that are relevant to law school. The way to make sure those events and themes stick with your reader is to weave together vignettes from your life, relatable stories that reveal who you are as a person and that show a trajectory to and through law school. Below you’ll find four excellent examples:

Example #1: A Clear Path to Law School

Undergrad: Woodbury University

Being a compassionate and sensitive soul, I have always been bothered by the injustices I witness around me. Even as a child, hearing news of violence or inequality made me uncomfortable. Although part of me wanted to turn away from what I saw, I made a point of studying injustice as an undergraduate at Woodbury University. As a member of the university’s Political Science Research Department, I interviewed teens and parents in the local community, and I soon lost count of how many cited gun violence as the most pressing issue in the community. I listened to their stories of terror and loss, and resolved to be a part of the solution. 

It was during this phase of reflection that I met Robert Perry – a criminal defense attorney. I was assigned to assist him with a case in which our client got into an automobile accident with a police cruiser. Even though the officer was clearly at fault, our client had been speeding – driving recklessly, according to the prosecutor – and the officer was injured. So, our client was charged with assault with a deadly weapon, carrying up to three years in jail and a felony strike under California’s Three Strikes Law. I helped Mr. Perry investigate the crash, and with evidence of the officer’s fault in the accident, Mr. Perry was able to secure a plea deal for our client of 120 days, and no felony strike. 

Through this experience as well as observing trials at the courthouse, I decided to pursue a career as a lawyer. I learnt how critical persuasiveness is to becoming a successful and competent lawyer, and I resolved to study the practical techniques and characteristics that great lawyers needs to possess in order to win cases. At Woodbury, I concentrated on taking courses that would prepare me for law school and was honored to be selected as a valuable part of Phi Delta Phi – the legal Honors Society. 

But I knew that another part of being a successful lawyer is maintaining a strong work ethic. I was only 16 when I first started working and successfully managed a team of 16 employees. Currently, at 21 years of age, I am a medical spa manager. Though I belong to an affluent family, I chose to work at a young age and consider it the best decision of my life. The experience of working with diverse populations has made me adaptive, sympathetic, and a positive influence. My dedication to work serves another important purpose: I am an introvert. Knowing that the law requires one to be communicative and outgoing, I have pushed myself out of my comfort zone, becoming friendlier and more open in the process. And although it may not be direct preparation for a career in the law, I have worked to deepen my piano playing, a talent I have cultivated all my life, and one which I have pursued professionally. Playing the piano requires commitment, willingness to practice, attention to detail, enthusiasm to learn, and staunchness; and so does being a lawyer. 

I have worked hard to prepare myself for this moment, and I know that I am ready for the next chapter which starts in August at UCLA School of Law. As a participant in the Trial Advocacy Program, I seek to share what I’ve learned about the law thus far while learning more from my professors and classmates. My passion for helping the vulnerable can be a valuable addition to the Youth Offender Parole Clinic. And I look forward to hearing more about opportunities to give back through UCLA Law. 

I am a strong believer in human rights, equal opportunity, and unbiased treatment under the law, and so, in the near future, I intend to use my legal education and experience to provide resources, legal and otherwise, to children in underserved communities. It is my dream to grow as a person and become the consummate lawyer during my time at UCLA, a renowned and respected Los Angeles institution, and I look forward to hearing from the admissions committee soon. 

Example #2: The Nontraditional Law Student

Undergrad: University of Georgia

My parents were surprised when I announced my decision to join the military. They expected me to go to college, but I had other plans. So, while my former classmates were busy deciding which college to attend, I was enlisting in the Army. While they agonized over which major to pursue, my mind was set on becoming an infantryman. While some questioned my decision, I believed in myself and walked across the stage with a big smile on my face. That day, I remember thinking to myself, “This is the best decision I ever made.”

Two months after graduation, I shaved my head and set off for boot camp at Fort Benning, Georgia. I remember the exhilaration I felt getting off the plane, but a soon as I was enveloped by southern summer humidity, I thought, “Oh darn”. Worse than the weather were the drill sergeants, “welcoming” us with looks that were equal parts nonchalant and menacing. Within the first hour, we were exhausted and drenched in sweat. A week into our training, each soldier was assigned a position in the platoon; I was named squad leader. A month in, the platoon was ambushed during a night mission. It was chaos. While our platoon leader was preoccupied micro-managing soldiers, I led my squad into the epicenter of battle executing our delegated tasks. In an instant, other squads showed collaborative effort to follow our lead and gained control of the situation. The following morning, I was named platoon leader. 

On graduation day, our senior drill sergeant gave a speech in our barrack and gave us a final order. As he spoke, he looked each soldier directly in the eye, one after the other, saying, “One of the hardest decision you will ever face in life is choosing whether to walk away or try harder. If you choose to walk away, then start walking without hesitation and never look back, especially with regret. If you choose to try harder, keep your chin up, eyes forward, and never look back, especially with doubt.” His previously menacing look was replaced with one of pride and might that day. After hearing those words, I felt like I had the world in my hand. I took his words to heart and recalled them often to guide me through difficult times.  

I was reminded of those words a few years later when I was a junior at UCLA, and my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. I agonized over whether to drop out to be with her. After days of contemplation and talking with her, I decided to continue my education. It was painful and difficult, but we agreed that my education was something I had to complete, both for myself and for her. True to my drill sergeant’s advice, I moved forward with renewed determination. On the day of graduation, the look of pride and joy I saw in my mother’s eye was well worth the sacrifice my family had to endure.

My time as a soldier taught me the importance of being circumspect in the decisions I made. I learned that I must prepare for foreseeable circumstances while facing the unforeseeable head on when necessary. When I made mistakes, I learned from constructive criticism which made me a better leader. With experience came success, and with success came greater responsibility. The most important responsibility I had was ensuring the safety and wellbeing of my troops. Before missions, I made sure we all had warm meals and proper equipment. When a soldier was wounded during a mission, it was my responsibility to request a medical evacuation, and most importantly, when soldiers lost their morale and wanted to quit, it was my duty to encourage and motivate them. These experiences helped me to shed the selfishness of youth and replace it with observance, empathy, and situational awareness-habits that I know will serve me well as a law student and lawyer. 

I am forever grateful to the military for instilling these principles in me. Now, it is time for me to build upon those principles in law school and beyond. In law school, I would like to focus towards criminal law and become a member of Loyola’s Criminal Justice Concentration Program and experience a comprehensive and unique understanding of criminal justice. Also, during my summers, I will integrate my legal knowledge and strive to work in the District Attorney’s office and get real life experience. I am proud to say that I have been serving our country since I graduated high school and want to continue serve, not as a soldier, but as a lawyer. As my drill sergeant once advised me, I will keep my chin up, eyes forward, and never look back, especially with doubt, on my decision to become a lawyer.

Example #3: An Environmental Focus

Undergrad: San Jose State University 

Grad school: UC Santa Cruz, PhD

My first love has been and always will be the ocean. Even when I was little, I would tell people I wanted to be a marine biologist so I could swim with the dolphins. I have pursued that dream my entire life. Every choice has brought me closer to the ocean. 

Studying zoology at San Jose State University, I was introduced to the idea of not just studying the ocean, but preserving it. The amounts of trash and pollution I witnessed dumped into the streets without care, were all eventually washed out to sea. While continuing to run after a degree in the marine sciences, I decided to take action. Joining a group called the Trash Punx, we spent our weekends cleaning up the city. We fought to keep our home from causing even more pollution. 

In 2012, I joined the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute for a 10-week internship under senior scientist Ken Johnson. Surrounded by a community of scientists so passionate about their jobs struck something inside me. They loved the ocean, wanted to know everything about it but were heartbroken at the active destruction they witnessed every day. They needed someone who would stand up against the onslaught while they continued to learn each secret the deep blue had to offer. 

When I started my graduate school studies in Ocean Sciences at UC Santa Cruz, I was encouraged to consider a global interdisciplinary approach. All of the world’s oceans are connected, one affects the other. The same is true for each different marine science discipline- they all affect one another. What they need is a few people willing to represent them all. People who are willing to listen to all the disciplines and step up to plate to combat the issues that scientists can’t. Issues that environmental lawyers are specifically trained to confront. 

I may love studying the ocean, but I want to preserve it even more. In order to do that, I first need to attend law school and then further my education in environmental law. I believe that Unity College is the perfect place to nurture my passion for protecting what I love. Science is a logic discipline that also requires a little creative thinking. These are invaluable skills that I have learned to apply to every aspect of my life and I believe will help me excel as an Environmental Lawyer. 

I have been truly fortunate to attend institutions that not only taught me how to problem solve, but also to stand for what I believe in. I look forward to taking the next step toward protecting our oceans with the law under the direction of Unity’s dedicated professors. 

Example #4: Righting Wrongs

Undergrad: University of South Dakota

Grad school: Wake Forest University M.A.

My story begins with a little girl we are going to call Jean. She lived next door to me for five years, none of which were very happy. Her parents fought daily and she was always caught in the middle. Eventually, the fractured family broke entirely with a divorce. The fallout was ugly, they couldn’t agree on anything, and they used Jean as a weapon against each other. She was just a kid, but no one-not even the divorce lawyers-tried to consider what was best for her. The injustice of it burned in my soul for years after. Was there anyone out there willing to protect children in these situations? I was just a kid myself; what could I do?

Fresh out of high school, I got a job at a daycare, where I saw the same scenario play out over and over again. Each instance reminded me of Jean and the injustice I felt on her behalf. I began to volunteer at the local Boys & Girls Club. It was a chance to give hurting kids a moment to feel loved with no strings attached. Very shortly after, I began studying for a bachelor’s degree in counseling, specifically to help children. 

All the way through my master’s program, I was sure counseling was where I could do the most good. A calm, safe presence where kids could feel safe, if just for a little while. The more situations I came across though, the more I was brought back to Jean and the pain I felt for her. I realized that in order to protect children in such deeply broken situations, I needed to start looking into family law. 

My counseling background has taught me mediation and de-escalation skills that will be invaluable working with families in and out of court. I have also studied child psychology extensively, allowing me to better help children in these situations. 

I know that Loyola Marymount University will be a place where I can not just learn but thrive. The law programs will allow me to learn the basics, as well as the specifics of family law. The supportive community is a refreshing bonus. As is the strong emphasis on volunteering and giving back to the community. I look forward to the prospect of learning and serving alongside students and faculty alike. 

As you can see from our law school personal statement examples, PSU will take the time to help you perfect your statement. Law schools are not looking for the next literary genius within your personal statement. You don’t have to be Shakespeare to get into law school. It is simply necessary to convince them that you are worth their time. 

PSU has streamlined a process that shapes an applicant’s background into a unique and eye-catching narrative. We help our students stand out from the crowd and get seen. Ask questions about our course or speak to our writing staff about your draft by contacting us today. 

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Branden is a 2011 graduate of UCLA School of Law. He’s practiced patent law and business litigation, as well as helping thousands of students crush the LSAT and the California Bar Exam.

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First Published: Feb 9, 2022

Updated: Mar 3, 2023

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How to write a law school transfer personal statement + tips.

Reviewed by:

David Merson

Former Head of Pre-Law Office, Northeastern University, & Admissions Officer, Brown University

Reviewed: 09/19/23

If you’re considering switching law schools and have begun your application, you may be wondering how to write a law school transfer personal statement. Read on to learn more about this essential application component. 

Whether you were unable to get into your dream school on the first try, realized your current school wasn’t the right fit for you, or you simply want more opportunities for growth, you may want to transfer law schools . 

Regardless of the reason, a strong transfer application can ensure you join the perfect learning environment to pursue your personal and professional goals. Part of creating a stellar application is writing a compelling law school transfer personal statement.

Like the personal statement you wrote for your initial applications, this essay will give the admissions committee more insight into your personality and character to help them make an informed decision on your candidacy. 

This guide will give you tips and tricks on how to write a successful transfer statement!

What Matters Most to Admissions Officers in Transfer Applications

The admissions committee places significant weight on your academic performance and your rationale for transferring. 

They seek evidence of your excellence at your current law school and your potential to contribute meaningfully to their institution. They’ll also want to know your personal motivations for making the switch, which is where your transfer statement for law school comes into play! 

How to Write a Law School Transfer Personal Statement

An effective law school transfer personal statement may seem complicated but it can be broken down into three main components: reflection, evaluation, and motivation. Here’s how these components should be incorporated into your personal statement:

Step One: Reflection

You want to start your transfer statement with a memorable opening. The majority of students begin by introducing an experience that influenced them to either join law school or pursue a particular program.

This reflection should then move into your thought process behind choosing your current school. Even though you ultimately were unsatisfied, there were certainly some redeeming qualities that drew you to your law school.

Some questions to consider as you brainstorm ideas for this component are:

• What drew you to the legal field to begin with?
• What influenced your decision to join your current law school?
• What did you enjoy about your current law school? 
• Do you have any hesitations about leaving your current law school?

Focus on these positives and ensure you do not bad mouth your law school. Telling the admissions committee you joined your current law school because it was your only option will make you appear less attractive. 

Step Two: Evaluation

Once you’ve explained your interests in law and reasons for joining your current school, you’ll want to share your reasons for leaving. Provide constructive evaluation of your school. Prove that, while it is an excellent law school, it is not the perfect law school for you.

Again, choose your reasons wisely. If you simply didn’t get along with your roommate, had professors that bored you to death in lectures, or you missed being at home with your childhood cat Mr. Whiskers, think of more legitimate reasons for your decision. 

Here are some guiding questions to consider:

• What aspects, if added to your current school, would make you stay?
• What aspects of your desired school appeal to you?
• How have your career plans changed? 
• What resources do you need to reach your goals?
• How significant are these setbacks? How do they impact your goals?

As you explain the negative aspects of your current school, it’s important you discuss how you attempted to overcome these setbacks. Law schools want to know you gave your current school a fair shot and didn’t just throw in the towel. As a lawyer, you have to be adaptable and an excellent problem-solver. 

Step Three: Motivation

The final step is to share your motivation to join your desired law school. Explain the faculty, courses, experiences, or other aspects that draw you to your transfer school. 

Simply claiming your transfer school has the resources for you to succeed won’t impress the admissions committee. These committees take transfer applications seriously! After already joining another law school, they want to know you’re dedicated to theirs and won’t want to switch again. 

Keep your conclusion brief. Try to circle back to the ideas you presented in your introduction so your essay has good flow and circularity. Leave no questions unanswered and reiterate your strong desire to join your transfer law school.

Law School Transfer Personal Statement Sample

Still feeling stumped? Take a look at this law school transfer personal statement that worked well.

If someone hits you, you get up and hit them right back—is what my mother would always tell me when I came home with teary defeated eyes and scraped knees. The combination of being the smallest kid in class and my large aviator glasses made me an easy target for the kids who made it their mission to find and ridicule any differences. 

My mother’s words always stuck with me. With each scrape and bruise my cautious mother reminded me that no else would fight for me; I had to be my strongest advocate. Those words rang through my mind as I sat in my civil rights lecture at New England Law and thumbed over my scarred knees. As I listened to my professor share more about his proudest cases as a civil rights lawyer the realization struck me. 

As someone who was always the outcasted underdog, I was now taking the steps to fight for the little guys. The ones that are overlooked, discriminated against, and denied equality. I knew civil rights law was the perfect specialty for me but New England Law offered a limited range of courses in the subject. 

After speaking to my academic counselor, I was advised the closest I would get to concentrating in civil rights was pursuing a public interest concentration, in which I would gain some experience in civil rights, but it would not be the focus. 

With my mother’s words etched into my brain, I knew I couldn’t settle for adequate or almost good enough. While New England Law has an excellent public interest program, it cannot equip me with the skills and experience I need to become an excellent civil rights lawyer.

In an attempt to advocate for myself and receive the very best education possible, I’m applying to transfer to The University of California Davis to join its renowned human rights and social justice law concentration.

By joining this program, I hope to continue its mission of using the power of law to achieve a more just society and can guarantee I will keep fighting until I succeed.

How Can I Enhance My Chances of Transferring to a Different Institution During My 1L Year?

Follow these tips to enhance your chances of transferring to a different institution:

Aim for the Best Grades in Your First Year

Your 1L year will be challenging, but you’ll have to do your best to maintain a high GPA straight off the bat to be considered a competitive applicant at other law schools since they tend to hold transfer students to stricter standards!

Write a Remarkable Personal Statement for Your Transfer

Provide a comprehensive explanation of your motivations for changing law schools and the reasons your preferred institution should accept you. Emphasize your notable attributes, memorable experiences, and your compatibility with the new school environment in your transfer statement for law school .

Explore Law-Related Extracurriculars

Although your grades should be your utmost priority, try to get involved in at least one extracurricular that can give your application an extra boost. You may want to join an internship , school club, or advocacy activity.

Investigate Potential Transfer Law Schools

While you may be set on transferring to only one school, have some backup options that you’d be happy with. Law schools are notoriously challenging to transfer into, so don’t put all of your eggs in one basket! Choose schools that best align with your goals and applicant profile, as this will be your last chance to get into the perfect school!

Make Connections

Don’t burn any bridges just because you know you won’t be at your current law school for long. You’ll need at least one academic letter of recommendation for your application, so form close connections with your professors. Act enthusiastic to be there—even if you aren’t! 

Prove Your Commitment: 

Do thorough research on your school and apply early to prove you’ve carefully considered your options and are committed to your transfer school.

Ensure you also tailor your application materials to each school to present the most compelling case for why you should be admitted!

Ask the Experts

In case you’re still unsure of how to maximize your chances of acceptance as a transfer student, our admissions counselors have got you covered! They'll ensure every part of your application is polished and ready for evaluation.

FAQs: Law School Transfer Personal Statement

In this guide we’ve broken down how to write an effective law school personal statement . For any remaining questions on this application material, read on to find your answers.

1. Do Transfer Applications Have to Write a Personal Statement?

Yes, transfer applicants have to write personal statements as part of the admissions process. This part of the application is intended to give the committee insight into their reason for transferring.

2. How Long Should a Personal Statement Be for Transfer Students?

The length of these statements depends entirely on the schools you’re applying to. However, they typically have a 2-page limit. 

3. How Do You Write a Good Personal Statement for a Transfer?

A good law school transfer personal statement will reflect on your choices to join the legal field and your current school, provide an evaluation of your school to determine the reasons for your transfer and describe your motivations to join the transfer school.

You should also take care to revise your personal statement multiple times to ensure there are no spelling, grammar, or structural errors that could reduce the efficacy of your writing. Your personal statement is also used to assess your writing skills, which are crucial to thrive in any law school.

4. What Should You Not Write in Your Personal Statement

Avoid the following in your personal statement:

• Sharing highly personal information 
• Non-academic or career-related reasons for your transfer
• Badmouthing your current school
• Trying to evoke pity from the committee to convince them to accept you
• Making promises to the committee about the extraordinary and unrealistic contributions you’ll make to their school if you’re granted admission
• Vague reasons for joining your transfer school

Don’t forget to also include explanations of how you tried to make your current school work despite your disappointments!

5. Can I Reuse my Common App Essay for Transfer?

No, your common app essay will not be sufficient to use for your transfer essay. Your college personal statement will have a broader purpose and will likely make no mention of your specific reasons for pursuing law. Your transfer statement must clearly explain why you want to transfer schools and what your future legal goals are. 

6. How Important Are Transfer Personal Statements?

While the committee will weigh your first-year GPA the heaviest in the selection process, your personal statement is the only application material that offers reasoning for your decision to switch schools. Determining whether or not your explanations are legitimate will help the committee come to a decision quicker.

Final Thoughts

Fortunately, law schools understand what a difficult task it is to choose the perfect law school! While they understand not everyone gets it right on their first try, they want to assure the second time's the charm! 

To do this, they will take your law school transfer personal statement into consideration and use it to learn more about you! Follow the suggestions in this guide to ensure your personal statement works in your favor and maximizes your chances of getting into your dream law school!

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Personal and Diversity Statements Differ for Law School

While personal statement prompts are fairly consistent, diversity statements vary widely.

2 Different Law School Essays

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Diversity statements have grown more diverse themselves, ranging widely from school to school.

The diversity statement was already one of the most misunderstood elements of the law school application. Then, in June 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a pair of decisions that overturned race-conscious admissions policies, forcing law schools to overhaul how they ask about diversity in their applications.

As a result of these changes, diversity statements have grown more diverse themselves, ranging widely from school to school. And they are likely to continue to diverge in the future, as law schools take different approaches to building diverse classes without running afoul of the law.

Since schools are no longer allowed to ask about candidates’ race or ethnicity, law school essays no longer mention these factors. But many ask about a candidate’s background or life experience. Some ask about a candidate’s experience with promoting inclusivity, working together with people coming from different perspectives or fighting racism or bias.

Importantly, the Supreme Court’s decisions specifically allow applicants to mention or discuss their own race or ethnicity, particularly as a factor in their own life experience. So, for example, it’s okay to talk about your ethnic identity, family background and experience with bias. You may do so in your personal statement or any other essays or materials.

It is also important to understand that law schools absolutely still value diversity, both in the sense that they want to build diverse classes and in the sense that they take into account hardships that applicants have faced because of their experience.

So, how can admissions offices account for an applicant’s full life experience without intentionally considering an applicant’s race or ethnicity? Answering that question is a burden that the Supreme Court placed on admissions offices, not you.

As an applicant, your focus should be on how to navigate these new variants of diversity statements. Exploring the major differences between the personal statement and diversity statement can help answer many of the questions that applicants have about the diversity statement, including what it is, who should write one and how to approach it. 

Diversity Statements Are Usually Optional

Every law school requires applicants to write a personal statement, the primary written essay for the law school application. In contrast, a diversity statement is almost always an optional essay .

Some law schools now require a statement of perspective or experience in addition to their personal statement, but these statements have a very broad prompt that could encompass a range of life experiences or influences beyond race or ethnicity .

Putting aside those few cases, nearly every other law school allows applicants to write some form of optional diversity statement, and no law school would regret receiving a short and insightful diversity statement.

But applicants should read prompts carefully before deciding whether to write one. For example, being a veteran  or in active military service may fit some schools’ diversity statement prompts but not others. In the latter cases, it may be best to highlight this aspect of your background elsewhere in the application, like your personal statement or resume . 

Diversity Statement Prompts Vary Widely Between Schools

Few law school applications now have an essay called a “diversity statement.”

In its place, some law schools have introduced a perspective statement, an identity statement, a statement of challenge or adversity , or another variation on the theme. Others provide an array of optional prompts, one or more of which touch on issues of diversity or simply provide space for applicants to write an open-ended essay about a topic of their choice.

Applicants should read these prompts carefully. There is often overlap between a statement about your perspective and a statement about your identity, but they may be framed differently in ways that will require at least some rewriting.

In contrast, law schools tend to have similar personal statement prompts about the reasons an applicant is applying to law school. Some personal statement prompts include extra questions, perhaps about an applicant’s interest in a specific school.

Applicants may also tailor their personal statement to meet differing length requirements. But otherwise, the same personal statement can generally be used for all schools. 

Not Everyone Should Write a Diversity Statement

Many applicants have the mistaken belief that writing a diversity statement is always a good idea, because law schools are looking for diversity. Or they may have the misimpression that law schools want applicants to write as much as allowed .

But a misconceived diversity statement can backfire and seem insensitive or trivializing. Everyone is different in some ways, and law applicants are not as monolithic as they once were. Many applicants come from minority backgrounds, and most applicants identify as women.

A diversity statement is not simply a place to talk about what distinguishes you from other people. It is not a place to detail your genetic or family history. Its contents should be guided by the wording of the prompt, but generally it is intended more to discuss the perspectives you developed, the lessons you gained or the challenges you have faced because of your background or life experiences. 

Diversity Statements Should Be Approached Differently

Just because you can write a diversity statement doesn’t mean you should. The diversity statement should complement your personal statement with extra context, not reiterate it.

For example, if you come from an Indigenous background and plan to devote your legal career to advocating for Native rights, that may be a great topic for your personal statement. In that case, there’s no reason to repeat the same information in your diversity statement. The reader already knows about your background. You could instead write an optional essay about a different topic or forgo it altogether.

However, if you come from an Indigenous background but are most interested in energy law for unrelated reasons, a diversity statement will save you from making an unfair choice between discussing your career goals and your heritage. Law schools want to give you space to discuss both.

Your diversity and personal statements may differ in tone as well as subject. A personal statement is about your achievements and dreams, and it may sound a bit self-aggrandizing . A diversity statement should be more reflective and self-aware, showing that you have the maturity to engage with others with different points of view.

It can be hard to strike the right tone in your diversity statement, and it may take a few drafts. Avoid self-pity, self-justification and persistent negativity. Focus on your experience, how it shaped you and what you bring to the table because of it.

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Tags: law school , diversity , graduate schools , education , students

About Law Admissions Lowdown

Law Admissions Lowdown provides advice to prospective students about the law school application process, LSAT prep and potential career paths. Previously authored by contributors from Stratus Admissions Counseling, the blog is currently authored by Gabriel Kuris, founder of Top Law Coach , an admissions consultancy. Kuris is a graduate of Harvard Law School and has helped hundreds of applicants navigate the law school application process since 2003. Got a question? Email [email protected] .

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