this article will help you get into law school

If your law school personal statement sucks or you haven't even written it yet (and I'll assume you haven't), this is probably one of your issues: Let's pretend you're starting your personal statement...and you're trying to write it in 500 words (about 2 pages). Or you sit down to answer a question like this one: "Why do you want to go to Harvard?" (or some other law school) (For any school you can include an addendum about why you want to go, even if they don't ask.) After thinking about it for a while, you probably start listing the most impressive things you've done, or all the reasons their school is so great. Maybe... .....something.... .....like.... .....this:

The reasons that I have for wishing to go to Harvard are several. I feel that Harvard can give me a better background and a better liberal education than any other university. I have always wanted to go there, as I have felt that it is not just another college, but is a university with something definite to offer. Then too, I would like to go to the same college as my father. To be a "Harvard man" is an enviable distinction, and one that I sincerely hope I shall attain.  April 23, 1935 John F. Kennedy By now, Mr. President, you've already bored the admission officer to death with all your talk about ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME. (Yes, that's JFK's real college essay. Not making this up.) *** Actually, what you need to do is focus on one specific accomplishment or "story" in order to WOW them. They're reading something like a gazillion essays a day. Do you think they really care about why YOU want to go to THEIR school? Seriously, what you need to show them is why you're a good fit for THEM. What will you bring them that someone else won't? Have you actually bothered to research the law school at all? At the very least, if you can show you've read up on some specifics about them, you'll be more likely to convince them you're a good fit. EXAMPLE (borrowed from the Supreme LSAT Course): One of the many reasons I wish to attend Harvard is the opportunity to study under Professor Billingsworth, an experience that would surely inspire me. Not only does his/her research in the field of political favor-granting and connections intrigue me on an intellectual level but also on a personal level. I have been fascinated by the connections between one's family name and being handed opportunities on a silver platter ever since my parents saved me from expulsion in high school. Attending Harvard would allow me to pursue a research opportunity with him/her in nepotism or another area of study. He/she is just one of the many professors at Harvard who would help me begin to answer the many questions I have about my future political career. Naturally, I am also excited to analyze and debate politics. This will allow me the opportunity to further define myself as an individual and would also cultivate my intellect as well. And I can only begin to imagine the connections I could make when simultaneously studying the Cold War, the opportunities for the Soviet Union to place missiles in Cuba, and whether I will end up serving a second term in the White House. While ______ will comprise a significant percentage of my course load, I would still pursue interests outside my requirements. I would take electives in ______, _____, and _______. Outside the classroom, I would take advantage of ________to learn more about issues in ________ and ______. Whether it is volunteering with _______, cultivating my passion for _____with _____or ______, I know ________has a niche for me. A lively student body, high-quality education, and a passionate student body are only a few of the reasons I hope to call ______my home. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- At this point, JFK didn't bother filling in the rest because he couldn't easily look up the details on Harvard's website (they didn't have Internet back then) but YOU do! :) :) :) Feel free to steal some inspiration from the above for your own "Why OUR School?" essay. Just MAKE SURE you don't copy it word for word, or they'll know you got it from me :) The bottom line: After we look at things from the admissions' officer's perspective, THEN we'll know the best approach to take. **** Very soon, I'll be sharing with you... * How to write an effective essay that will wow admissions * The secrets of picking the right topic * What law schools are looking for * How to set yourself apart from thousands of other applicants * AND how to get into your reach schools Until next time, Steve Schwartz Recommended Resources: 1. A Comprehensive Guide to the Law School Personal Statement This guide provides tips on conceptualizing, planning, writing, and editing the law school personal statement. 2. Law School Admissions Guide I've written a concise guide to the law school admission process with tips on completing every aspect of your applications from start to finish. It's a small price to pay for a whole lot of guidance, and it's short enough that you'll actually read the whole thing. 3. Law School Admissions Cheat Sheet Quick-reference guide for the law school personal statement, the "Why X?" essay, and the law school résumé. (You can also get it with the LSAT Cheat Sheets.)

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