Writing the law school personal statement

Students often ask me, “What makes a perfect law school personal statement?” The answer is hard to put into words, because it’s different for each applicant. There’s no “magic formula” for a powerful law school personal statement. However, there are five qualities that every PS should have. And, chances are, if you have these five qualities in yours, it’s going to be an excellent law school personal statement.

Let me share the five-must have elements: 1. A Compelling Opening Simply put, your opening shouldn’t be boring. It should make the reader feel like they’ll miss out on something great if they don’t keep reading! To do this, set the scene for them. Make them feel like they’re not just reading your PS, but they’re actually a part of it. 2. Descriptive Details The way to ace the “show, don’t tell” approach to essay-writing is to include details. Here’s an example: instead of saying that your science labs were fun but challenging, use details to show how they were fun but challenging. State that students rarely scored higher than a B, but you learned how certain compounds interacted with one another and used the scientific method to prove your theories. 3. An Example of Grit One of the must-have qualities of any law school personal statement is a demonstration of drive and determination. Which circumstances have you had to overcome to succeed? Show your reader how you’ve excelled despite facing challenges.  4. Proof You’re a Good Candidate Which unique qualities would make you a desirable student at the law school of your choice? Don’t simply provide a laundry list of your qualities or extracurriculars. Instead, showcase what makes you truly unique by tying it into the overall message you’re delivering in your law school personal statement.  5. A Powerful Closing The closing of your law school personal statement is just as important (if not more so) than your opening. You should leave your reader with a strong lasting impression of you. If you feel like your law school personal statement falls flat at the end, take another look. How can you find a powerful way to tie it all together at the end of your essay? Keep in mind that this is not simply a “checklist.” Weaving each of these elements into your law school personal statement can be challenging! If you’re having difficulties, don’t worry – you’re not alone. Take a look at my law school admissions articles. And remember, it’s always okay to walk away and come back to it again with fresh eyes! Talk soon, Steve P.S. Even though I share a lot of facts with you about the law school personal statement, I also still hear mistruths from time to time. There’s one particular lie that’s very dangerous to believe, and some of the students I’ve worked with in the past have almost gotten caught up in it. I’ll share it in my next article, so be sure to take a look!

Recommended Resources: 1. Law School Admissions Coaching Get personalized 1-1 help on every aspect of the law school admission process -- or just 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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