How to Write a Personal Statement for Law School

What is the personal statement?

• While your undergraduate GPA and LSAT score are often the most significant components of your law school application, they only tell part of your story. The personal statement is a vital opportunity to go beyond these numbers. It allows you to showcase your character, personality, and values, giving you a chance to highlight what sets you apart from other competitive candidates and demonstrate why you’re a great fit for the law school. Furthermore, the personal statement is your opportunity to tell your story, reflecting on your academic journey, personal experiences, or career goals that have motivated you to pursue law school, while also showcasing your personality and writing skills.

Format: While there is no universal format for the personal statement as each school might have a different preference on formatting, there are some standard formatting elements that tend to be required by every school for the personal statement.

• Two pages or less
• A readable font and style (Typically Times New Roman 12-point font. 11-point should be the smallest you go.)
• Double-spaced
• Indent new paragraphs
• DO NOT include a title
• Some law schools might ask for a header with your full name, the page number, your LSAC number, and the words “personal statement.”

• Keep in mind that there might be some variations in formatting requirements depending on the school you are applying to. It is best to follow the personal statement format that is in each individual application.
• Furthermore, there might be different personal statement prompts for the different schools you are applying to, which will require you to make multiple copies of your personal statement.

Important tips for writing a law school personal statement:

1. Write about you
   • Although this seems basic, many law applicants fail to focus on themselves in their personal statements. Instead, they focus too much attention on the people or work that influenced them, a social or legal issue, or stories about others. 
   • Law schools want to learn more about you beyond just your GPA and LSAT score. 
   • According to Harvard Law School, the personal statement “should give the Admissions Committee a better sense of who you are as a person.”
     • “Who are you?” “What motivates you?” “What are some of your strengths, defining characteristics, and values?”
   • They will also be looking to understand your writing and communication ability. 
2. Be genuine and specific
   • You do not need a crazy, superhero-like story to impress law school admissions officials. It is possible to showcase your character, motivation, and personality through discussion of everyday anecdotes from your life.
     • However, no matter what specific topic you choose, it is important to tell a story about you that captures the readers’ attention.
   • Since you are limited in space, it is important not to try to fit your entire life story into your personal statement. It can be helpful to focus on a particular theme, topic, or moment in time for your personal statement. Law schools value the ability to persuasively convey information while being concise.
3. You don’t necessarily have to write about why you want to go to law school
   • This is very dependent on the specific school you are applying to; however, contrary to popular belief, you do not always have to discuss the reasons why you are applying to law school. Each specific school you are applying to might have a different perspective on this point, so make sure to take this point lightly.
4. Do your research on the specific schools you are applying to
   • Before you begin drafting your personal statement, it’s crucial to research the schools you’re interested in applying to. You should have a clear understanding of each institution’s values, mission, key characteristics, and what they prioritize in applicants.
     • Try to incorporate those values into your personal statement.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

1. Restating your resume or other parts of your application
   • It is important to make sure the personal statement tells admissions officials something new about you that they would not be able to gather from any other part of your application.
   • Your personal statement should provide a deeper understanding of who you are, going beyond the details listed on your resume.
2. Too much discussion on the law or attorneys
   • Legal experience is not a requirement for law school admission, so there’s no need to focus on the role of attorneys or your knowledge of the law. Instead, it’s more important to showcase who you are as an individual to the admissions committee.
3. Focusing too much on others 
   • As mentioned above, the admissions committee wants to understand your unique journey and motivations. The use of any external influences should be framed in the context of you. 
4. Writing what you think the admissions committee “wants” to hear
   • It’s crucial to be genuine and authentic in your personal statement. Trying to “game” the system by writing only what you think the admissions committee wants to hear will be obvious and won’t strengthen your application.
5. Writing in the wrong tone
   • It’s important to strike a balance between professionalism and personal expression. An overly formal tone can make you seem impersonal, while a too-casual tone may come across as disrespectful or unprofessional. To sound both authentic and professional, use the active voice rather than the passive voice, be genuine in your writing, and ensure your language is clear and concise.
6. Telling rather than showing
   • Rather than merely stating your passion for law or your determination, use real-life examples to demonstrate these qualities. Share stories that showcase your leadership, resilience, problem-solving skills, or other attributes that make you a strong candidate.

Overall, use the personal statement as an opportunity to demonstrate to the admissions committee why you’re a great fit for their school, showcase your motivation, and share your unique story. This is your chance to reveal who you are beyond the other elements of your application. A compelling personal statement could be the key factor that helps you stand out in a competitive applicant pool.