Personal Statement: Do I Need To Include Why Law School?

Cayenne43

Does my personal statement need to tell admissions why I want to attend law school? I have written a personal statement on a topic where it might feel contrived to suddenly end with why I want to attend law school. But is that what admission officers expect? I will add that I have been out of school for 3.5 years.

I am writing a diversity statement. Should I just include why I want to attend law school in my diversity statement?

danielznelson

No, but you may if you want and if it fits in naturally. Neither of your statements really have to address the reasons why you want to attend law school. Your personal statement should reveal characteristics, circumstances, et cetera, that help clarify and illuminate who you are. Your diversity statement should focus on something unique about you. Topics could range from your minority status to your first-gen college experience.

Alex

@danielznelson said:
No, but you may if you want and if it fits in naturally.

Yeah, if you can make it fit without it just being a ...." and that's why I want to attend X Law school" then you certainly could.

David Busis

As the others said, you don't have to pivot to law school unless the school asks about your motivation for applying—but it's a tidy way to end many essays.

About 4/5s of the essays I edit wind up gesturing at the applicant's professional ambitions.