| Law students would tell you that law school is a | | | | grasp of the essay structure and organization that |
| “jealous mistress,” which the faint of heart | | | | the Admission Board prefers. The more samples you |
| should best live without. It is for this same reason | | | | read, the better it is for you. Try to determine what |
| that the selection process is more rigorous and the | | | | elements they all have in common. Effective personal |
| application to law school more competitive, especially | | | | statements often explain the applicant’s personal |
| if you are aiming for the top law schools in the | | | | goals clearly and show consistency of purpose by |
| country. If law is your passion, then there is one | | | | stating his or her motivation for pursuing law school, |
| more thing that you need to work hard on aside | | | | which is then supported by activities that match |
| from having an outstanding GPA and getting an | | | | these reasons. |
| excellent LSAT score: turning in a top-notch personal | | | | Do your research on the background of the law |
| statement. | | | | school. Find out which values and principles they |
| A personal statement is also known as an admission | | | | consider most important, and make sure that you |
| or application essay. Typically, it is a two-page essay | | | | present yourself as a good match to these. |
| which sums up the reasons why you want to go to | | | | What to avoid |
| law school. Some law schools, however, may set a | | | | Although you should make it a point to tell the |
| minimum or maximum word and page count. The | | | | Admission Board why you are a suitable student, |
| rules of writing a personal statement typically vary | | | | never lie in your application. Although an interview |
| from one university to another, so it is best to stick | | | | may not be part of the selection process of some |
| to the format required by the law school of your | | | | law schools, most universities do conduct interviews. |
| choice. A law school may also assign a specific theme | | | | If you have padded or lied in your essay, the |
| or question that you should work on, while others | | | | interviewer is bound to find out, and this will just |
| usually allow applicants freedom to choose what topic | | | | jeopardize your chance of getting into law school. |
| to discuss. Whatever is required by the Admission | | | | Similarly, keep yourself from copying sample personal |
| Board of the law school that you are eyeing, your | | | | statements and substituting the items with your own |
| main objective should be to make your personal | | | | information. It is dishonest and will make you less |
| statement stand out from thousands of essays. | | | | confident during the interview. In addition, your essay |
| How to write a top-notch personal statement | | | | will lose its personal touch and uniqueness, which are |
| Even if you have superb writing skills, it would be a | | | | important factors when catching and holding the |
| good idea to check out sample personal statements | | | | reader’s attention. Do not go overboard with the |
| for law students. Try to search for sample personal | | | | creativity. Keep in mind that it is law school you are |
| statements of those who have made it to the law | | | | applying to, where conciseness and sensibility are |
| school of your choice, so you will have a better | | | | highly valued. |