At this time of year, in the fall, it’s not only peak season for foliage, but for personal statements.
As I read the myriad of personal statements my advisees send to me, there often very similar themes. Yet, some statements I remember for years after the applicant went to law school.
What makes them memorable?
They have one theme: Rather than trying to fit a bunch of topics into a relatively short amount of space, the most effective essays I’ve read over the years focus on just on topic. Remember that you have a chance to submit a resume, an addendum, and optional essays to cover other topics that you do not write about in your main personal statement.
They are on a topic the author truly cares about: Rather than trying to write an essay based on reading sample statements that others have written, listening to advice from too many people, or trying to cater to the admissions committee, the best essays, in my opinion, are from the heart. They are about an experience that the applicant truly cares about and it comes through in their writing style.
They are about the applicant: I have read some great essays about an applicant’s parents, or siblings, or grandparents, and their experiences. However, the essay often does not really focus on the actual applicant’s life. You need to be the central focus of your essay.
They show some growth: I often find it effective when applicants write essays that circle back to the beginning of the essay towards the end. They are able to show growth, show us how far they have come since the beginning, whether it was the first day at an internship they later mastered, or an obstacle early in life that they later overcame.
They show why it makes sense for them to apply to law school: Although many very effective essays are not specifically about why the applicant is interested in law school, it’s nice when they tie the topic into a desire to become a lawyer in some way, even if in the last sentence or paragraph of the essay. For example, one applicant I worked with wrote about studying Italian throughout her life. She ended the essay by discussing how she hoped to practice international law, and use her language skills in combination with her law degree.
They tell a story: The admissions committee might be reading twenty, thirty or more applications a day. Especially at this time of year. They really look forward to reading your essays. In fact, I just heard an admissions director advise applicants to write the supplemental optional essays, commenting that even though it’s more work for admissions to read optional essays, it really makes the application feel more complete. It’s the part of the application that is arguably most interesting. And the part where you become more than just a number. Just as I have been really moved by some essays I have read over the years, so are the admissions committees. Most important, unlike other parts of your application where you may not have control at this point, such as your GPA or test scores, you have total agency over your personal statement.
Hillary Mantis advises pre-law students, law students and lawyers She is Assistant Dean of the Pre-law Program at Fordham University, and author of The Essential Guide to Law School Admissions https://www.amazon.com/Essential-Guide-Law-School-Admissions-ebook/dp/B0BTDVYZ8C. Admissions questions? You can write to Hillary at altcareer@aol.com.
