Do PS need to include... Forum

[homie1515]

Reasons that you want to go to law school... Meaning is a compelling story that paints a picture of who I am enough, or do I need to include reasons why I want to go to law school - I seem to be getting mixed messages from reading threads on the subject.

[rinkrat19]

A List of Things Your PS Should Tell Adcomms

1. This is who I am as a person.
2. This is why I want to go to law school. (optional, unless the essay prompt specifically asks for it)
3. This is why I'd be good at law school. (not as optional, but can be implicit)
4. I write really well.
5. I am capable of following instructions.

People worry too much about explicitly explaining "Why I want to go to law school" in their PS. My theory is that, barring an essay prompt that specifically asks for it, you don't really need to address it. Just don't leave the reader wondering "Why on EARTH is this person going to law school instead of [X]??"

Don't worry about having your essay totally mapped out before you write it. Just bang something out so you're not staring at a blank page. See if there's anything good in it. Keep those bits. Don't delete the other bits, just move them to the bottom of the file out of sight. Write more words attached to the good bits. See if any sort of coherent theme is forming. If not, bang out some more words and see if they connect to the good bits you already had. Are there more good bits that you want to keep? Any theme yet? Maybe if you wrote about [this event], it would connect [this bit] with [that bit], and you could describe [this thing] in your intro to draw the reader in.

[North]

You might also consider picking up Anna Ivey's book on Amazon for ~$1.00. I found it really helpful when writing my PS. Her take is a little different than Rink's, but either will serve you fine.

[Rory19]

IMHO Only include your reasons for attending law school if it is compelling within your narrative. Don't just feel like you have to sandwich together who you are with why you want to attend law school.