Personal statements for people without legal experience?

deebaizad

Hi everyone! I am hoping someone can give me some advice on how to approach a personal statement when I don’t have any legal experiences. Since graduating I have worked as an audience development assistant (briefly) and Client Relationship Specialist (2 years in October) at a credit union consulting firm, working directly with clients. I’m not sure if I should even mention my current role or if I should focus on my passion and why I want to go to law school (specifically American in DC). Any insight or tips will be super helpful! Thank you!

Juan Natey

In most roles out there there are elements and necessary skills that would pertain to working as a lawyer, albeit not directly. Focusing on your passion for law is for sure a play, but you can still highlight certain specific aspects of say your Client Relationship Specialist position and how you feel those skills would pertain to being a lawyer (e.g. Developing relationships etc.)
I belive Law Schools care less about a legal background and more about making sure you have the right mindset and necessary tools to thrive once in a legal environment (Law Firm etc.)

bananabo

My advice would be to write about what genuinely matters to you instead of trying to write about what you think admissions officers would want to hear/read.

This video was a really helpful starting point for me!

Hope this helps!

MissChanandler

My topic has absolutely nothing to do with my work experience! It's about my favorite/lifelong activity and how it has shaped who I am and how that translates to law. It's totally okay if you're not talking about law related experience.

ExcludedMiddle

In my understanding the personal statement needn't address your reason for pursuing law school. It could just help give adcoms more insight into you as a person/your background.

Ozzy Sheikh

hello @deebaizad , David had a ton of good advice in that video. I would really hone in on the idea that you should start with your life events... as big or as small as they were. List them out and write significant things about them. Then more ideas and connections will come to your mind as you are thinking about these things. It's good that you mentioned your job. Now think about moments in that job...? Or possibly about any compelling reason why you want to go to law school? Keep going and keep brain storming. It doesn't have to be about those two topics. Just tell an interesting story. Your story will shape and your themes will develop after you brainstorm and start connecting the dots. Good luck! You got this!

deebaizad

Thank you everyone for taking the time to leave a response! I feel like I have a solid understanding of how to go about my personal statement now! Thanks again!