Can you send the same personal statement to more than one law school?

Asked by: Jovani Jones  |  Last update: November 26, 2023
Score: 4.3/5 (38 votes)

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. In this case, you might have to write a new personal statement from scratch: the most important task is to respond to what you have been asked.

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.

Should I use the same personal statement for all law schools?

First, if multiple schools are asking nearly identical questions, it's logical to use some or perhaps even most of your essay response. However, the essay lengths might be different, and the wording will vary to some extent. Read each question out loud, so you can actually hear exactly what the schools are asking.

Are you allowed to use the same personal statement twice?

You should contact your choices for further advice about your personal statement and provide any further information directly to them. I applied last year and I want to use my old statement – is this OK? It's OK to reuse your previous statement if you have applied before.

Can I reapply to law school with the same personal statement?

Even though law schools may see your old materials, don't just submit the exact same essays. They will want to see a new personal statement and supplemental essays to show that you really are taking reapplication seriously. Some schools (like Penn Law) will ask you specifically why you didn't enroll in school.

Same law school personal statement for multiple schools?

32 related questions found

Do law schools fact check your personal statement?

Finally, this may go without saying, but don't stretch the truth or out-and-out lie in your personal statement. Law school admissions committees will be able to tell. And yes, they will check. Once you have a personal statement topic in mind, set aside some time to write—and just let yourself go.

Can you change your personal statement after submitting to one school?

Once submissions have begun, students can only revise their personal statement three times. It should also be noted that once an application has been submitted to a school it can no longer be revised. Any subsequent changes will only be reflected in the applications you submit moving forward.

Is it okay to use the same personal statement?

You shouldn't submit the same personal statement to multiple different schools, just changing the school and program names. Even though the application committee won't know this for sure, they'll get a sense that the whole statement is just a little too generic.

Do you have to change your personal statement when reapplying?

Your personal statement is the primary means by which you communicate your story in narrative form. It is also the one piece of your application that absolutely must be changed—and significantly so—if you are to be successful as a reapplicant.

Should I reuse my personal statement?

It is best not to reuse any previous personal statements and focus on new experiences which could help you get into the course. The best tip for writing an Oxbridge personal statement is to start writing as early as possible. This is because it requires an immense amount of preparation.

How long should you spend on law school personal statement?

Law school applicants should plan to spend time brainstorming their topic, developing outlines, writing, proofreading, and revising their personal statements before submitting them. It can take law school applicants 2-4 weeks to write a good personal statement.

Do law schools not like reapplicants?

It will not count against you to you reapply to a law school that previously rejected or deferred you, as long as your application shows positive changes, additions, and growth. This can be in the form of additional course work and improved grades or continuous employment or internship experience.

What happens if you copy a personal statement?

Applicants will be advised to ensure that they understand what plagiarism is and how to consult sources of information when they become students. 2.4 In cases where the statement contains over 80% of plagiarised matter, it may lead to a rejection decision.

What to do if you get rejected from law school?

How To Handle Law School Admission Rejection
  1. Take a break.
  2. Exercise.
  3. Reassess your options.
  4. Consider waiting another year.
  5. Option to transfer.

Can you plagiarise your own personal statement?

So long as the ideas are yours and you haven't copied someone else, you'll be fine. However if your personal statement's opening line is something like: “Ever since I was little I've wanted to be a…” then you should consider using something more original.

What should you not start your personal statement with?

Avoid overused opening sentences, quotes and clichés like 'when I was young…' They want to know about you now, not your childhood or Shakespeare!

How many times can you change your personal statement?

You are allowed unlimited edits to the essay after your first application submission. To edit your personal essay, go back into the Common App tab and click on the Writing section. Simply click within the text box and make any changes that are needed.

Can I use the same personal statement for different programs?

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. In this case, you might have to write a new personal statement from scratch: the most important task is to respond to what you have been asked.

Should you avoid using I in a personal statement?

Consider The "I" Problem: This is a personal statement; using the first person pronoun "I" is acceptable. Writers often feel rather self-conscious about using first person excessively, either because they are modest or because they have learned to avoid first and second person ("you") in any type of formal writing.

Can I edit my personal statement after assigning it?

Reviewing/Editing the Personal Statement

Personal statements can be edited at any point during the application season — even when assigned to programs that have been applied to.

Can you edit personal statement after submitting eras?

Once you have submitted your MyERAS application, you will not be able to make any changes or updates outside of the information provided under the Personal Information section. There are no exceptions.

Can you submit the same essay to different schools?

If you've already written an essay that happens to fit with another college's similar prompt, then it should take you no time at all to spruce it up and submit it. Reusing the same essay is just fine.

What not to say in law school personal statement?

Lofty, pretty words that come off as vague should not be included in your law school personal statement. Be specific and look for overly abstract phrasings. If you notice one, try to determine if it's necessary and if so work on clarifying the point you are trying to get across.

Do law schools look at your Instagram?

A study conducted by Kaplan Test Prep revealed that 43% of law school admissions officers have Googled or looked up applicants on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and other social media platforms. Furthermore, 37% said that they have found something online that negatively impacted an applicant's chances of admission.

How do you write a killer personal statement for law school?

9 Important Personal Statement Tips for Law School Applicants
  1. Tip 1: Focus on you. ...
  2. Tip 2: Brainstorm broadly. ...
  3. Tip 3: Be genuine. ...
  4. Tip 4: Just write. ...
  5. Tip 5: Remember your “why” ...
  6. Tip 6: Be specific. ...
  7. Tip 7: Grab our attention. ...
  8. Tip 8: Know what makes the school tick.