Personal details also help you follow the “show, don’t tell,” rule of writing.
For instance, let’s go back to Rachel from my last article. She shared a story about proudly identifying as Chinese-American, and she used some noteworthy personal details to tell that story.
In the beginning of her law school personal statement, she talks about people always assuming she was a math genius. Now, she could have just said she’s heard “a lot of stereotypes about Asians,” but by specifically describing one, she brings an experience to life.
Of course, this detail is very personal to Rachel. Hearing racial stereotypes was hurtful for her throughout childhood. So why does she choose to share them in her law school personal statement?
One reason is that it helps demonstrate growth. Stereotypes like that offended her, but now she’s learned to be proud of her Chinese-American heritage. By the end of the essay, she realizes why those stereotypes are being made: because the people that make them lack a deeper understanding of human individuality, which she now has.
This brings us to our “golden rule” for including personal details in your essay: Include your emotions and innermost thoughts, but only to support your main point.
In other words, don’t write a sob story.
Rachel didn’t just try to get sympathy from her reader by telling us that she felt like an outcast in school because of her peers' assumptions. Instead, she shows how she overcame those personal experiences to become a stronger individual.
What types of details could you include in your law school personal statement? You don’t have to include too many.
In fact, that’s one thing I see students struggle with: deciding just how much detail to include.
Here’s the thing: most law school personal statements are about two pages, double-spaced words. You won’t be able to tell a complete story in that amount of space if you’re including every little detail. This means it’s important to choose the ones that really matter.
These are the personal details that made you feel something.
Rachel, for example, felt something when she saw her father give a donation to a homeless man during their trip to China. She also saw the impact of the generosity on the man's face. These personal details changed the way Rachel viewed her identity as a Chinese-American woman, which is why she chose to share them with the reader.
So, how much personal detail do you really need? Not much. It’s all about quality – not quantity.
Another bit of advice: don’t be afraid to get too personal in your law school personal statement. The meaningful transformations students make throughout college and in their careers school do involve some personal details. There are very few “off-limits” topics.
If you’re nervous to share something about yourself, it’s probably because it made a life-changing impact on you. That’s the exact thing that law school admission officers want to read about.
Until next time,
Steve
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