Okay – we won’t actually break any rules per se, but you can at least forget them for a little while. Think of it as a “mini” rule-breaking exercise to get your creative juices flowing.
Because truthfully, raw creativity can’t be confined by rules. So, sometimes, the best way to tap into it is to forget what you’re “supposed” to be doing and just do what works for you. To begin a thoughtful, well-written law school personal statement, all you need to do is just sit down and write.
Yes, we’ve discovered lots of ways you can improve your writing. Some are more important than others – “show, don’t tell” is one you should always keep in mind. Another top strategy is telling a story that shows how you’ve become the person you are today – and how it will shape your future.
But if you’re struggling just to get started on the law school personal statement, I encourage you to rethink the rules. Many of the ones you may be obsessing over can probably be forgotten – at least for now – especially if it means getting started on your law school personal statement.
Here are a few rules you can put aside in order to begin writing:
1. The Prompt
Here’s a little secret most law school admission officers won’t tell you: the majority of law school personal statement topics are so broad that you can tell virtually any story about yourself – as long as it’s truly meaningful. So, if you’re struggling with writer’s block, one trick you may wish to try is just skipping over the prompt entirely.
Skipping the prompt may seem counterintuitive. But, most topics offer a lot of freedom. Typically they’ll ask you some variation of these law school admissions questions, which are very broad and can apply to almost any important experience you’ve had. So, once you’ve begun and are actually getting words out to form a first draft, then you can go back and look at the prompt. Chances are, your law school personal statement will be right on topic.
2. The Word Count
Stressing over the word count is something I see students do way too much. It’s a shame, because some very skilled writers limit themselves knowing they have to meet a certain word count. That’s why I recommend ignoring the word count at first. By doing this, you’ll probably wind up writing more than you have to. However, it’s always better to go back and condense than it is to add more “filler.”
3. Your Major
Another thing students worry about is figuring out how to tie their chosen major into their specific story. So, why not alleviate that stress and put it aside for now? Focus instead on a larger theme – such as how your experience has made you realize how you want to help people, or how you want to make a difference in the world. Then go back and try to tie in future plans for your education accordingly.
Of course, it’s not a good idea to ignore essay-writing rules altogether.
But hopefully, by putting some stressors aside for the time being, you’ll be able to focus your attention fully on writing a creative, though-provoking law school personal statement.
And if you’re still feeling stuck, just reach out, and I’ll be in touch.
Until next time,
Steve
P.S. Are you worried you’re falling behind in the law school application process? It’s ok. You could still be right on time. In my next admissions article, I’ll share some thoughts about the best time to write your law school personal statement.
P.P.S. I also work with many students in the final weeks before they submit their applications. Although my schedule does tend to fill up as the cycle progresses, I’ll still do whatever I can do help. Just reach out and ask. If I can’t help you, I’ll refer you to someone who can.
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