Law School Personal Statements that Worked!

Comments

• LAWYERED Alum Member

  November 2018 edited November 2018 335 karma

  Hi @"David.Busis"! Are there any examples of a "statement of purpose" personal statement? Some of the schools I am applying to want me to state why I am interested in applying to law school, how law school X will help me reach my professional goals, and ask me to "Feel free to include information about your special interests, life experiences, accomplishments, goals, or other information you believe would be helpful to the Admission Committee". Do I still write a narrative personal statement or do I write a concise, cut-to-the-chase "I want to be a DA" essay??
  (Thanks in advance!)
  Most of the essays you included seem to be narratives with a brief paragraph about how law school will help them take their passion or interest to the next level.
• David Busis Member Moderator

  November 2018 7404 karma

  Can you paste a statement-of-purpose prompt here? Let's take a look at the actual language of the application.
• Leah M B Alum Member ⭐

  November 2018 8392 karma

  Very cool - I love reading new ones, and it's especially helpful to know the results!
• annewr253 Alum Member

  November 2018 439 karma

  Yes this is awesome! Thank you for the post!
• LAWYERED Alum Member

  November 2018 edited November 2018 335 karma

  @"David.Busis" said:
  Can you paste a statement-of-purpose prompt here? Let's take a look at the actual language of the application.

  Here are two examples of prompts that seem more purpose-focused:

  "Please include a brief personal statement indicating your reasons for wanting to study law, why you chose to apply to Pepperdine Law, significant extracurricular activities, and any further information which you feel should be considered by the Admissions Committee."

  "Please tell us specifically why you wish to attend law school, and in particular Santa Clara Law School. Feel free to include information about your special interests, life experiences, accomplishments, goals, or other information you believe would be helpful to the Admission Committee. Please limit your statement to no more than 3 pages, double-spaced."

  "Please upload a brief statement indicating your reasons for wanting to study law, why you chose Chapman University School of Law, and any further information that you feel should be considered by the Admissions Committee. The personal statement must be no longer than three pages in length, typewritten, 12 point font, and double-spaced."

  Thanks!
• 1 Like

  _oshun1_ Alum Member

  November 2018 edited November 2018 3652 karma

  @LAWYERED said:

  @"David.Busis" said:
  Can you paste a statement-of-purpose prompt here? Let's take a look at the actual language of the application.

  Here are two examples of prompts that seem more purpose-focused:

  "Please include a brief personal statement indicating your reasons for wanting to study law, why you chose to apply to Pepperdine Law, significant extracurricular activities, and any further information which you feel should be considered by the Admissions Committee."

  "Please tell us specifically why you wish to attend law school, and in particular Santa Clara Law School. Feel free to include information about your special interests, life experiences, accomplishments, goals, or other information you believe would be helpful to the Admission Committee. Please limit your statement to no more than 3 pages, double-spaced."

  "Please upload a brief statement indicating your reasons for wanting to study law, why you chose Chapman University School of Law, and any further information that you feel should be considered by the Admissions Committee. The personal statement must be no longer than three pages in length, typewritten, 12 point font, and double-spaced."

  Thanks!

  FWIW I applied to 2 of those schools last year and made no changes to my generic for all schools personal statement and I was accepted. I wrote about sports and it briefly touched on character traits that will make me a good attorney/why law toward the end.
• LAWYERED Alum Member

  November 2018 335 karma

  @oshun1 said:

  @LAWYERED said:

  @"David.Busis" said:
  Can you paste a statement-of-purpose prompt here? Let's take a look at the actual language of the application.

  Here are two examples of prompts that seem more purpose-focused:

  "Please include a brief personal statement indicating your reasons for wanting to study law, why you chose to apply to Pepperdine Law, significant extracurricular activities, and any further information which you feel should be considered by the Admissions Committee."

  "Please tell us specifically why you wish to attend law school, and in particular Santa Clara Law School. Feel free to include information about your special interests, life experiences, accomplishments, goals, or other information you believe would be helpful to the Admission Committee. Please limit your statement to no more than 3 pages, double-spaced."

  "Please upload a brief statement indicating your reasons for wanting to study law, why you chose Chapman University School of Law, and any further information that you feel should be considered by the Admissions Committee. The personal statement must be no longer than three pages in length, typewritten, 12 point font, and double-spaced."

  Thanks!

  FWIW I applied to 2 of those schools last year and made no changes to my generic for all schools personal statement and I was accepted. I wrote about sports and it briefly touched on character traits that will make me a good attorney/why law toward the end.

  Awesome! Did you write a narrative/ story-based personal statement?
• 1 Like

  _oshun1_ Alum Member

  November 2018 edited November 2018 3652 karma

  @LAWYERED said:

  @oshun1 said:

  @LAWYERED said:

  @"David.Busis" said:
  Can you paste a statement-of-purpose prompt here? Let's take a look at the actual language of the application.

  Here are two examples of prompts that seem more purpose-focused:

  "Please include a brief personal statement indicating your reasons for wanting to study law, why you chose to apply to Pepperdine Law, significant extracurricular activities, and any further information which you feel should be considered by the Admissions Committee."

  "Please tell us specifically why you wish to attend law school, and in particular Santa Clara Law School. Feel free to include information about your special interests, life experiences, accomplishments, goals, or other information you believe would be helpful to the Admission Committee. Please limit your statement to no more than 3 pages, double-spaced."

  "Please upload a brief statement indicating your reasons for wanting to study law, why you chose Chapman University School of Law, and any further information that you feel should be considered by the Admissions Committee. The personal statement must be no longer than three pages in length, typewritten, 12 point font, and double-spaced."

  Thanks!

  FWIW I applied to 2 of those schools last year and made no changes to my generic for all schools personal statement and I was accepted. I wrote about sports and it briefly touched on character traits that will make me a good attorney/why law toward the end.

  Awesome! Did you write a narrative/ story-based personal statement?

  I guess it would be considered in that category yeah. Depending on your stats and if those are your top choices you may want to consider answering the prompt more directly and incorporating Why X components into it.
• kleinstd Alum Member

  November 2018 68 karma

  do you have to include how your personal statement coincides with wanting to go to law school or why you would be a good lawyer?