Should I write an optional essay for law school?

Asked by: Jolie Von  |  Last update: August 21, 2023
Score: 4.4/5 (55 votes)

The first decision is whether you should attempt to respond. Law School Expert generally recommends that applicants complete optional essays if the question applies to them. If a school provides an opportunity to explain your interest in that school, you would be remiss to ignore it.

What do you write in an optional essay for law school?

Many applications invite submission of optional essays. Typically, optional essays might ask you to articulate why you are applying to that school (“Why School X”), or they might invite you to discuss parts of your background that would contribute to the diversity of the incoming class (a “Diversity Statement”).

Are optional essays really optional?

When should you not answer an optional essay prompt? If you do not have anything substantial to say about the topic, or if the question does not apply to you at all, these are good reasons to skip an optional prompt. No reader wants to spend time on an essay that essentially tells them nothing.

Do essays matter for law school?

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.

Should I write my essay to one specific law school?

We advise tailoring your personal statement to each individual school to avoid violating any formatting requirements. If a law school asks you to answer a specific prompt or write multiple essays, make sure to follow those instructions as well.

Optional Essays on Law School Applications | LSAT Demon Daily, Ep. 90

32 related questions found

Do law schools care about writing sample?

LSAT Writing is included in the LSAT ® to give law school candidates the opportunity to demonstrate their persuasive writing skills. Although LSAT Writing samples don't receive a score, they are considered by law school admission committees when reviewing individuals' applications.

Do lawyers write a lot of essays?

In law school, you will be reading and writing a ton.

So you can crush all the course work to come. Rather than essays, you'll be primarily writing case briefs/summaries, which break down and analyze a particular legal case.

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.

What does a good law school essay look like?

The personal statement is your chance to REFLECT upon your life and show the law school admissions committee who you are as an INDIVIDUAL. Tell the Admissions staff something about yourself, your experiences and your life. Use vivid, descriptive prose with the intent to draw readers in and keep them interested.

How much do essays matter for law school?

That is, a perfect, beautiful moving, law school personal statement will not get you into a school if you are not at least within a couple points of the median LSAT and GPA. On the other hand, a terribly written law school essay can hurt your application even if your LSAT and GPA are excellent.

Can you get into Harvard without optional essay?

The Harvard supplement essay, as it's known, is completely optional—you may, but do not need to, write this essay and submit it with your application.

Should I submit my common app essay if it's optional?

Even if a college does NOT require the Personal Essay, you may opt to submit it to that college. You are allowed unlimited edits to the essay after your first application submission.

Should I do optional secondary essays?

Although these essays are optional, filling them out shows schools you are willing to go the extra mile. Think of the optional essays as an optional cover letter to go with your resume. Although optional, writing a cover letter to go with your resume shows employers you are serious about the job.

Should I do optional law school interview?

Should I even do the interview if it's optional? Yes! While many schools make the interview an optional part of the admissions process, it is an “option” you want to take advantage of. The goal is to stand out against candidates with similar LSAT scores and/or GPAs.

How long should a supplemental essay be for law school?

Two pages is the most common length requirement for law school personal statements but we suggest you start by writing the three-page version, finalizing it, and then pare it down to a two-page version if necessary.

Is LSAT writing optional?

LSAT Writing ® is a required part of the LSAT, but you don't need to take LSAT Writing on the same day that you take the multiple-choice portion of the test. LSAT Writing will become available through your LSAC online account eight (8) days before testing begins for your LSAT administration.

How can I impress law school?

What Do Law Schools Look for in Your Application?
  1. Strong Academic Record and LSAT Score. ...
  2. Extracurricular Involvement. ...
  3. Excellent Writing and Reading Abilities. ...
  4. Personal Growth. ...
  5. Strong Recommendations from People Who Actually Know You. ...
  6. Something Special… ...
  7. Demonstrated Interest in the Law School Itself.

Should I title my personal statement for law school?

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.

How long should my personal statement be for law school?

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.

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.

What should you absolutely never do when writing your personal statement?

The ten biggest mistakes when writing your personal statement
  • Telling a story. ...
  • Repeating information already contained in your application. ...
  • Spending too long discussing personal issues. ...
  • Making simple grammatical errors. ...
  • Failing to demonstrate capability of university-level study. ...
  • Using clichés.

What should be the opening sentence of a law school personal statement?

The beginning of a solid law school personal statement ought to be intriguing, experts say. "The statement should begin with a strong intro sentence, that summarizes the applicant's goal or tone," Ivy says. "For example, 'I have always been interested in international finance.

Can I be a lawyer if I hate writing?

Legal writing is a learned skill and uses its own special language and terminology. If you have a genuine eagerness to become a lawyer, you will need to master it. You shouldn't be considering a legal career if you don't like writing. Legal writing is a bit like “blood and guts” and becoming a doctor.

Can I be a lawyer with bad handwriting?

In reality, you have a fairly equal chance of becoming a licensed attorney regardless of whether you are a handwriting or laptop candidate. Determining which option will work better for you depends on a number of factors.

How much harder is law school than undergrad?

The law is extensive, and you need a comprehensive, practical understanding of the materials. It's going to take more than memorizing notes (which is often the approach for undergrad). For many students, this makes studying in law school harder.