Who should read my law school personal statement?

Asked by: Prof. Charles Collins Sr.  |  Last update: August 20, 2023
Score: 4.5/5 (19 votes)

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.

Who should I let read my personal statement?

With that being said, you should have 2-4 trusted people to read your personal statement. Medical students, doctors, professors, or friends who are excellent writers are excellent editor options.

Should I tailor my personal statement to each law school?

The majority of law schools have relatively broad writing requirements, but they often differ. Even though the prompts may seem similar, 99% of the time they are different in a way. It's best to change your statement just a little and tailor it to the school, even if you do encounter two identical prompts.

Where do I send my personal statement for law school?

The personal statement: This is an essay required by almost all law schools. It is written by the applicant and then uploaded onto the LSAC website.

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.

LAW SCHOOL ADMISSIONS | my personal statement

31 related questions found

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.

How much do law school personal statements matter?

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.

Can I use the same personal statement for different law schools?

As you can see, while one draft reflecting on a particular interest or story could respond to most of these law school personal statement prompts, you cannot - and should not - submit the same essay for all law schools. Make sure your essay is geared toward answering the question each institution asks.

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.

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.

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.

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”

Should I thank the reader at the end of a personal statement?

No, a statement of thanks in the form you have described has no place in a statement of purpose. The statement of purpose should be a concise, focused document. Everything in there should be there for a specific purpose: to convince the readers that you would be a strong addition to their department.

Should I thank the reader in my personal statement?

Therefore, while it may seem polite and courteous to end by saying “I hope that I will be admitted to your university”, or “thank you for your consideration”, these sentences are too general and would not do justice to all the impressive aspects of your application you've mentioned in your personal statement.

Do program directors read personal statements?

It should give insight into what motivates the applicant. A good personal statement will compel the program director to want to meet the applicant and it will be starting point for a conversation.

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.

How many pages should a 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.

How many words is the average law school personal statement?

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).

How many pages does an average law student read?

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

How much exactly will depend on the class, of course, but 50–100 pages of reading a night is not uncommon. However, you will also take special legal writing and academic support classes early on that teach you how to read cases and analyze information quickly.

Should I title my personal statement?

Should a personal statement have a title? No title is necessary for a statement of purpose. Graduate school applications expect an applicant to submit one and the document itself should speak itself for its contents.

How long did it take to write law school personal statement?

Generally, applicants who are working on their applications part time – in addition to work, school or other time commitments – will need three to five weeks to complete a personal statement. Because the personal statement is open-ended, it can take several drafts to come up with the right subject and structure.

How do I write a personal statement for Canadian law school?

Be sincere and authentic. Make your statement interesting from the very first paragraph. Consider it your “interview on paper.” Provide specific examples to illustrate your statements.

How many law schools should I apply to?

How Many Law Schools Should I Apply To? Your best bet is to apply to a minimum of two reach schools, two match schools, and three safeties.

What do law schools look for in letters of recommendation?

Letters that reflect real knowledge of an applicant's performance and character are the most useful to the admissions committee and, therefore, to the candidate. One or two paragraph letters full of generalities, however complementary, are not particularly helpful.