10 Law School Personal Statement Tips

By: Mia Faulkner

Break Studios Contributing Writer

These 10 law school personal statement tips will give you the edge you need to write a successful admissions essay. Since law school admissions are competitive, simply having a high GPA and a good LSAT score isn’t always enough to earn you a spot in the school of your choice. Your law school personal statement can show that you’ve put thought into your decision to attend law school, in addition to showcasing your writing skills.

Start your personal statement well in advance of the deadline. Your personal statement is an important component to your application packet. As soon as you receive your essay prompt, begin brainstorming about what you want to write so that you aren’t rushing to write your statement at the last minute.
Stick to the questions the admissions committee asks. Avoid listing irrelevant information that doesn’t apply to the question
Be thorough. Read each law school’s personal statement prompt carefully and make sure you address each part of the question.
Write a separate personal statement for each school to which you apply. Law school personal statements aren’t one-size-fits-all. Customize each essay to reflect your interest in each individual law program.
Use specific examples. A strong law school personal statement draws on specific academic and personal experiences that have led you to choose the legal field.
Employ professional language and style. Even if you are writing personal anecdotes in your statement, use formal language and avoid colloquialisms.
Don’t be a suck up. Avoid trying to suck up to the admissions committee in your personal statement. Making disingenuous statements or overstating your admiration for the school won’t win you any extra points.
Be honest. While it may be tempting to embellish your experiences, this can come back to haunt you if the admissions committee revisits your personal statement later on.
Get others’ input. Once you have a draft of your law school personal statement completed, ask your former professors, professional colleagues, and friends to read over your essay and give you suggestions on how to improve.
Proofread and edit carefully. Before you submit your final law school personal statement, check it over for typos and errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation.