How personal should a law school personal statement be?

Asked by: Prof. Mohammad Rau  |  Last update: October 25, 2023
Score: 4.1/5 (19 votes)

Unlike your undergrad application essay, you may need to be more straightforward with your personal statement for law school. But that doesn't mean it has to be boring. You still want to tell a story that allows the admissions committee to get to know the real you and remember you in a sea of applicants.

How should a law school personal statement look?

Tell an interesting, informative story and personal story about yourself in 700-1400 words (double- spaced). Check the school's requirements for the exact word count or page limit. Share aspects of your life that are not apparent from your transcript(s), resume, or letters of recommendation.

How personal should your personal statement be?

Speak like you.

Write your personal statement in a genuine tone that reflects who you are. There's no right or wrong tone – just make sure your tone represents YOU. This means, in particular, not using big words just to show off. Often, this just seems like you're trying to hard.

Should I write a different personal statement for each 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.

How long should my law school 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.

LAW SCHOOL ADMISSIONS | my personal statement

37 related questions found

How long is the Yale law school personal statement?

Mandatory: a 250-word essay on “an idea or issue from your academic, extracurricular, or professional work that is of particular interest to you” Optional: various addenda, such as a diversity statement or an explanation of unusual items that appear elsewhere in your application.

What should not be included in a personal statement?

What Not To Put In A Personal Statement
  • 1 Claims With No Evidence.
  • 2 Skills Or Extracurricular Activities Irrelevant For Your Course.
  • 3 Poor Grammar And Spelling.
  • 4 Failures And Regrets.
  • 5 Sentences That Lead Nowhere.
  • 6 Quotes That Don't Fit.
  • 7 Facts With No Context.
  • 8 Made Up Stories.

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.

Is it bad to not write a diversity statement?

Diversity statements are truly optional statements; there will not be a negative mark on your application if you don't have one. That said, it can offer a richer perspective on you as an applicant. Here are a few factors that may help you decide if writing a diversity statement would work for you.

Is it OK to reuse a personal statement?

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.

Should you talk about yourself in a personal statement?

Your personal statement should include a brief overview of who you are, your strengths and any work experience and/or education you've got.

Should I brag in my personal statement?

If you've done your research – brag about it!

This sounds obvious but when writing a personal statement, it's important to show your passion for the subject. If you've read any related books, talk briefly about what you learnt from them, and why they have developed your interest in the subject.

What should the first line of a personal statement be?

Start with a short sentence that captures the reason why you're interested in studying the area you're applying for and that communicates your enthusiasm for it. Don't waffle or say you want to study something just because it's interesting. Explain what you find interesting about it.

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.

How do you brainstorm a personal statement for law school?

(2) Do you have any hobbies or unique talents? (3) What are some work experiences you've had? (4) What are some volunteer experiences you've had? Page 2 (5) What are your favorite books, movies, and/or authors? (6) Which relationships in your life are most important to you? (7) Name an individual(s) who inspires you.

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.

Do law schools care about diversity statement?

In contrast, a diversity statement is always an optional essay. Nearly every law school allows applicants to write a diversity statement, and no law school would regret receiving a short and insightful diversity statement. But it is never required, and most applicants do not write one.

Can a white person write a diversity statement?

Some white colleagues ask: “Can white candidates write something that would be acceptable?” This is a valid question. We say: “Of course they can. And some people of colour will write poor statements.” A good statement could come in countless forms.

What is the difference between a personal statement and a diversity statement law school?

The personal statement gives you a chance to share your story and demonstrate your fit for law school. Another slight difference between a diversity statement and a personal statement is that the former is shorter than the latter, with roughly 1-1.25 pages double-spaced in 11pt standard font.

Who should read my law school personal statement?

You should have a peer, professor, or admissions advisor read your essay. The core question to ask them to evaluate is, “Do you have a good sense of who I am and why I want to attend law school after reading this?” If the answer is no, revisions are necessary. For big changes, rewrite instead of editing.

Should I put a header on my law school personal statement?

Include a header, that contains: Your name. Your LSAC number. The words “Personal Statement”

What makes a personal statement bad?

Choosing a bland topic that admissions committees see over and over again. Overstating the obvious and using clichés. It's very likely that the applicants you are competing with also like science and want to help people. Lying or making up a personal story for your essay.

What makes a personal statement stand out?

Conventional wisdom leads to conventional personal statements. To stand out, an admissions tutor needs to be able to see you, your interests and experiences, your thoughts expressed in your own words. Keep it simple. Explain what attracts you to your chosen course and how the course may help shape your future.

Should a personal statement be sad?

As someone who has been on the receiving end of many sad essays, rest assured that this is not a strategy I would recommend to any student. No college admissions reader wants to spend an entire day reading sad or depressing stories from their students.

What is the lowest LSAT score accepted at Yale?

There is no minimum GPA or LSAT score for applicants, but the recent statistics show that the lowest GPA and LSAT scores received by a member of Yale Law School's most recently admitted class were 3.32 and 155 respectively.