how to start a personal statement for law school

A law school personal statement is a multi-paragraph essay or narrative highlighting the reason you are pursuing a J.D. degree. This essay is an opportunity to share your identity with an ...

Part 6: Law school personal statement examples. Below are the law school personal statements produced by the students we've followed throughout this guide, all well another successful personal statement example, all based on the writing process we just walked through. Law school personal statement example 1

The simplest way to get the reader involved in your story is to start with a relevant anecdote that ties in with your narrative. Consider the opening paragraph from Harvard Law graduate Cameron Clark's law school personal statement : "At the intersection of 21st and Speedway, I lay on the open road.

Personal Statement Body Section. The body of your personal statement should focus on the details of your story. Each paragraph should expand on your points and begin with a topic sentence that expresses the main idea of the paragraph in which it occurs. Ending sentences for body paragraphs should wrap up your points and help transition the ...

4. Keep it interesting & professional. The last thing you want to do is bore the reader, so keep it interesting, personable, and engaging. A touch of humor is okay, but keep in mind that wit and sarcasm can be easily misinterpreted. Demonstrate maturity, good judgment and tact and you won't end up offending the reader.

Law School Personal Statement Example #1. When I was a child, my neighbors, who had arrived in America from Nepal, often seemed stressed. They argued a lot, struggled for money, and seemed to work all hours of the day. One day, I woke early in the morning to a commotion outside my apartment.

Be precise and concise. Legal writing is known for its clarity and brevity, so practice these skills in your personal statement. Aim to keep it between 500 and 700 words, as brevity is the soul of wit (and law school applications). 5. Revision: The Art of Legal Editing.

Overview: This essay was also written by a student with significant work experience prior to applying to law school. As in the other essay by a returning student (Example 1, above), it does an excellent job of explaining what the prior career entailed and how the experiences she gained in that career are what encouraged her desire to be a lawyer working in the field of family law.

1. A Cohesive Story. A mistake I see time and time again is a personal statement that has too many different themes going on, shows too many different interests, and makes me feel like the applicant can't commit to anything. This is not a quality you want law schools thinking about you.

There are usually some subtle differences in what each school asks for in a personal statement. 2. Good writing is writing that is easily understood. Good law students—and good lawyers—use clear, direct prose. Remove extraneous words and make sure that your points are clear. Don't make admissions officers struggle to figure out what you are ...

Write with energy and use the active voice. You do not have to explain how your experience relates to your desire to attend law school. Tell a story. Paint a vivid picture. The most interesting personal statements create visuals for the reader, which make your personal statement more memorable. Keep it simple and brief.

Think about something unique in your personal experience that would add color and specificity to your responses. Some options for framing the personal statement include: An event or circumstance that shaped you as a person. A cause that you are passionate about. Difficulties that you have overcome.

Example personal statement: Emily. Here's a real example of a personal statement my client Emily wrote (her name is changed to protect her privacy, everything else is true). Emily had a serious drawback when she applied to law school; her GPA was significantly below all T-14 law school medians. So her personal statement really had to shine.

Spend the time making your personal statement better. To get a competitive offer from whichever law school you may be applying to, it all starts with a good application package. The admissions committee is going to want to see a good LSAT score, a strong GPA, some recommendations, and a well-written personal statement. That much is clear.

Turn a draft into your personal law school statement. With a rough draft in hand, assess every word to ensure your story meets your objectives. Your goal is to recreate the moment and invite the reader into your account. Mold your rough draft into a final piece by focusing on a coherent structure. Flow.

Here are the key objectives and functions of a law school personal statement: 1) Showcase your personal narrative. You can provide admissions committees with insight into who you are beyond your academic achievements and test scores. This essay allows you to share your personal narrative, experiences, values, and aspirations.

Tip 3: Be genuine. You don't need to be a superhero to impress the law school admissions committee. You can show your passion, dedication, and law school readiness in lots of everyday anecdotes from your life. You can even write your personal statement about a mistake or a weakness—just make sure you turn it around to show how you ...

Law school personal statement examples Here are two law school personal statement examples: Example 1 Every day after high school, I had a ritual: I'd go to the local cafe, order a muffin and pass the afternoon quietly doing my homework. I enjoyed this daily practice, but most days were not particularly memorable.

2) Outline Your Law School Personal Statement. 3) Write a Compelling Introduction. 4) Showcase Your Achievements and Interests in Law. 5) Articulate Your Motivations for Pursuing Law. 6) Highlight Unique Qualities for the Legal Field. 7) Addressing Potential Weaknesses or Gaps. 8) Craft a Persuasive Conclusion.

The thing is: Choosing your law school personal statement topic is often one of the most difficult—yet most important—decisions you have to make in your law school application. A strong personal statement topic can help your law school application: Stand out and land you your dream law school. Support weaker GPA and LSAT scores.

In this video I interview the founder of Write Track Admissions, Hamada. Founded in 2008 by Hamada Zahawi, a graduate of Harvard (M.P.A.), Cambridge (M.Phil)...

They illustrate the reasons why a legal education is an essential next step in their careers. They display an understanding of the law school's values and sincere interest in attending. They tell an attention-grabbing yet relevant story. Check out the personal statement examples below to get inspired, and be sure to read our advice for ...

Don't give your essay a title. Use one-inch margins all around. Double-space your essay. Left-align or justify your essay. Add half-inch indentations to each paragraph. Don't add an extra return between paragraphs. Use one space after periods. I've implemented this formatting in the personal statement format sample.

Unlike other parts of your application, the personal statement allows you to articulate your journey, goals, and the reasons behind your decision to pursue a career in law. Despite its significance, many applicants underestimate the importance of adhering to the recommended law school personal statement length.