Things you should almost never or never mention in your PS.

[gbpackerbacker]

For starters,

- your lsat prep (they know everybody has done it)

- your one month study abroad

- your screenplay

Sheesh.

[2011Law]

What if you did two 14 second chugs of vodka in one setting? Would they find that impressive?

[gbpackerbacker]

What if you did two 14 second chugs of vodka in one setting? Would they find that impressive?

the consensus on TLS is that adcomms are more interested in keg stands. i'd save that for your resume.

another for the list

- onomatopoeia (whoosh whoosh whoosh went the cruise ship as i stared from my suite at the indigenous people of the caribbean)

[The Gentleman]

"I'm applying to law school because it is the only legitimate career option for someone with a degree in 19th Century Philosophy"

NOTE: My major was not 19th Century Philosophy.

[Flips88]

Your big novel you've been working on for 3 years? Huh? Gotta, gotta compelling protaganist? Yeah? Gotta obstacle for him to overcome? Huh? Gotta story brewing there? Working on, working on that for quite some time? Huh? (voice getting higher pitched) Yea, talking about that 3 years ago. Been working on that the whole time? Nice little narrative? Beginning, middle, and end? Some friends become enemies, some enemies become friends? At the end your main character is richer from the experience? Yeah? Yeah?

[3|ink]

For starters,

- your lsat prep (they know everybody has done it)

- your one month study abroad

- your screenplay

Sheesh.

LOL. I've only seen one guy try to do this and he wouldn't take my advice and remove it.

[vanwinkle]

"I'm interested in the law because I want to save the world."

[ksimon2007]

"I'm interested in the law because I want to save the world."

Well this comment is disappointing. How will I ever get into law school!

[well-hello-there]

To help all those people out there less fortunate than myself.
I am now prepared to excel in my legal training because of the decisions I have made in my life.
I refined multiple personal skills that continue to help me be successful.
My desire for continual learning and self improvement increased.
I experienced disappointments, mistakes, and sorrows, and learned to move forward.
This job also taught me that being able to help people solve their problems is an enjoyable skill to use.
I am looking forward to being able to help people from all walks of life solve their legal problems.
My self-motivation and desire to succeed, combined with being able to set and accomplish goals, will allow me to serve my clients effectively.
These decisions have helped to shape who I am today and provided me with a very unique toolset to succeed in law school and in a legal career.
The great opportunities in my life have prepared me for a successful career as a lawyer.
I am confident that what I learn at (Acme Law) will allow me the assist those less fortunate than myself.

[catsparka]

- onomatopoeia (whoosh whoosh whoosh went the cruise ship as i stared from my suite at the indigenous people of the caribbean)

This is golden. Gotta find a way to sneak this into my PS somehow.

[3|ink]

"I'm interested in the law because I want to save destroy the world."

Auto admit.

[PDaddy]

Never mention STD's or sex. The one exception is if you are living with HIV/AIDS and it figures into your desire to advocate for better health care or gay rights, or fight discrimination, etc.

[WayBryson]

"I'm applying to law school because it is the only legitimate career option for someone with a degree in 19th Century Philosophy"

NOTE: My major was not 19th Century Philosophy.

I DID major in 19th Century Philosophy, and my Yale 250 is on Nietzsche

[catsparka]

"I'm applying to law school because it is the only legitimate career option for someone with a degree in 19th Century Philosophy"

NOTE: My major was not 19th Century Philosophy.

I DID major in 19th Century Philosophy and my Yale 250 is on Nietzsche

Dammit, I was going to do that. Oh well, Schopenhauer it is, then.

[WayBryson]

"I'm applying to law school because it is the only legitimate career option for someone with a degree in 19th Century Philosophy"

NOTE: My major was not 19th Century Philosophy.

I DID major in 19th Century Philosophy and my Yale 250 is on Nietzsche

Dammit, I was going to do that. Oh well, Schopenhauer it is, then.

Lol, Schopenhauer is in it too

[czelede]

"I'm interested in the law because I want to save the world."

I wrote one of these

Well, not in those exact words I guess.

[plenipotentiary]

Your boyfriend or girlfriend. Every time I see it, it makes me cringe.

[Cupidity]

Farting.

I read a PS on this site that started, "I let one rip as I walked into a crowded elevator." Author REFUSED to change it.

[glitter178]

how about.... quoting walt whitman?

[Barbie]

how about.... quoting walt whitman?

I got kicked out of a literature course for giving a presentation that compared Walt Whitman's The Great Poet to Chuck Norris. I was 17 at the time, but I still stand that I made a damn good argument for it.

[ResolutePear]

"I want to go to law school for bottles and models your wife."

If applying at Yale:

"I want to go to law school to take your job."

[glitched]

For starters,

- your lsat prep (they know everybody has done it)

- your one month study abroad

- your screenplay

Sheesh.

LOL. I've only seen one guy try to do this and he wouldn't take my advice and remove it.

Hey that's me! and yeah... I'm still keeping it. I have my reasons.

[Mike12188]

For starters,

- your lsat prep (they know everybody has done it)

- your one month study abroad

- your screenplay

Sheesh.

LOL. I've only seen one guy try to do this and he wouldn't take my advice and remove it.

Hey that's me! and yeah... I'm still keeping it. I have my reasons.

lol

[masochist]

Anything that begins in media res unless the entire PS is going to be written as a Greek tragedy complete with parts for the chorus.

Example:

Applicant: It was 3AM when I encountered the orphan begging on the streets of Cairo. I then realized my dream was to use my law degree to save children in Africa.

Chorus (singing): She is naïve … but attractive. Her application is viewed auspiciously by the Gods.

[CanadianWolf]

Anything that involves use of the words "unique", "countless" or "visceral".