Can you reuse personal statements for law school?
Asked by: Fern Trantow DVM | Last update: January 24, 2026Score: 4.6/5 (51 votes)
You don't need to write an entirely new personal statement if you are reapplying to law school. However, at the very least, the last few paragraphs of your previous statement should be updated to address why you didn't attend law school the first year you applied.
Can I use the same personal statement for every law school?
For many/most applicants, the prompts are similar enough that the same personal statement template can be used with minor adjustments for each school (see Tip #2 on personalization). For some applicants, however, the prompts are different enough that you should write multiple personal statements.
Is it okay to reuse a personal statement?
You can, but ideally you'd want to rewrite the PS and any 2nds to incorporate new experiences, etc...
Can you reuse letters of recommendation for law school?
If you intend to reuse a letter of recommendation for an admission year other than the one for which it was written, or for a different law degree program, it is a good idea to contact the recommender as a courtesy to make sure that the person does not mind this reuse.
Can you use the same personal statement for multiple applications?
If you're applying to multiple graduate school programs, you should tailor your personal statement to each application. Some applications provide a prompt or question.
Reusing Law School Personal Statement
Can you reuse a personal statement for law school?
You don't need to write an entirely new personal statement if you are reapplying to law school. However, at the very least, the last few paragraphs of your previous statement should be updated to address why you didn't attend law school the first year you applied.
Can I use the same personal statement for different courses?
Yes, it is easier to tailor your personal statement to just the one subject or course – but that doesn't mean doing it for more than one is entirely impossible...
Is 4 letters of recommendation too much for law school?
Schools vary on the number of letters of recommendation they require, so make sure to check each school's requirements in LSAC. Typically, two-four letters are required, meaning schools most commonly require two letters but will accept up to four.
Can you submit the same letter of recommendation to multiple law schools?
It is not necessary for the recommender to address each letter to a specific school. If you are applying to five schools and the content is identical for each letter, the recommender need submit only one letter addressed to “Dear Admission Committee.” Do not have the recommender submit five separate letters.
Can I use the same reference letter twice?
Answer: An applicant may want to use the same reference provider across multiple opportunities as the reference letter provided may be specific to the applicant, rather than specific to the opportunity.
Do colleges know if you reuse essays?
While colleges don't have a system in place to check if you've reused an essay across multiple applications, it's important to ensure that each essay you submit is tailored to the specific college and question being asked.
Is it OK to use I in a personal statement?
Like many rules, there are exceptions to avoiding first-person usage. For instance, personal statements, reflections, opinion pieces, or any assignment directions that explicitly state using first person can and should freely use “I” statements.
What happens if you use someone else's personal statement?
The UCAS Similarity Detection Service
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.
Can I reuse my personal statement?
Yes! As long as your response is honest to you, there is nothing unethical about reusing your own essays. Furthermore, they are more concerned with the authenticity of your application than the possibility of you repurposing your own words.
What to avoid in a law school personal statement?
- Overused Quotes. Your first sentence has to hook your reader enough to urge them to continue reading. ...
- Focusing On Someone Else's Success. ...
- Vague Descriptions. ...
- Focusing Too Much On Your Anecdote. ...
- Humor.
Do law schools fact check personal statements?
Finally, this may go without saying, but don't stretch the truth (ahem) in your personal statement. We can tell. And we will check.
Can you submit the same personal statement to multiple law schools?
Conclusion. Writing a compelling personal statement, diversity statement, and addenda is critical for a successful law school application. While reusing these documents can save time, tailoring them to each school shows genuine interest and can significantly enhance your chances of acceptance.
Can I submit the same letter of recommendation for multiple colleges?
You may need the person sending the letter of recommendation to submit it separately each time. The easiest way to reuse letters of recommendation is usually on an application platform, where the letters are automatically used as often as you apply to colleges.
Do any law schools require 3 letters of recommendation?
Most law programs require two or three reference letters for admission, although they may accept more than just three. While references from faculty members are ideal, law schools may seriously consider nonacademic references as well, especially if applicants have been out of school for several years.
How many law schools is too many to apply to?
Generally, 15 schools is the maximum number of schools you should apply to. If you apply to different types of schools, as we have suggested here, you'll have good odds of getting into at least one of these 15.
What is the best letter of recommendation for law school?
The best LOR is a (strong) academic letter. A detailed letter from a professor outlining the rigor of the class(es) you took, how you excelled in them, describing your abilities as a student, is the best tool for law schools who are trying to ascertain whether you will make it through a rigorous law school curriculum.
How many letters of rec for Harvard law?
Two letters of recommendation are required, but you may submit up to three. We strongly recommend that at least one letter of recommendation come from an academic source.
Can I edit my personal statement after submitting?
First, the bad news. Once you've submitted your personal statement to a given school, there is no going back. This is why it is absolutely critical that you make sure your essay is exactly what you want it to be before you press submit.
How to condense a personal statement?
- Remember it's a personal statement, and leave out anything unnecessary.
- Don't repeat yourself.
- Cut out the waffle – be concise!
- Get rid of pointless words, such as very specific details or unecessary adjectives.
- Ask your referee to mention some stuff that you cannot.
What happens if your personal statement is over 47 lines?
The UCAS character count might be slightly different from the one on your word processor, so be careful when you submit it, because any submission which exceeds the character or line limit will be cut off.