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I read in one of the critiques in Ken's "TLS Guide to Personal Statements" that writers should include educational or professional background information to emphasize certain desirable traits (e.g. intellectual curiosity, ability to work in a team). While I understand why one would underline particular accomplishments, such as thesis projects, but saying "I received XYZ award" seems like petty detail that wastes valuable PS real estate.

For example, one criticism in the book basically said, "He doesn't even mention his major!"

My problem is, from many of the PS's I read in Ken's book and on the forum, I didn't really see why the writer needed to include something as obvious as his major in the PS, unless it directly related to his story. After all, isn't the major already listed in his resume and the rest of the application? Isn't the PS supposed to emphasize things not mentioned in the resume, such as personal qualities and values, that can only be outlined in prose, rather than bullet points?

Hope that made sense... It is late.

jjlaw wrote:I read in one of the critiques in Ken's "TLS Guide to Personal Statements" that writers should include educational or professional background information to emphasize certain desirable traits (e.g. intellectual curiosity, ability to work in a team). While I understand why one would underline particular accomplishments, such as thesis projects, but saying "I received XYZ award" seems like petty detail that wastes valuable PS real estate.

For example, one criticism in the book basically said, "He doesn't even mention his major!"

My problem is, from many of the PS's I read in Ken's book and on the forum, I didn't really see why the writer needed to include something as obvious as his major in the PS, unless it directly related to his story. After all, isn't the major already listed in his resume and the rest of the application? Isn't the PS supposed to emphasize things not mentioned in the resume, such as personal qualities and values, that can only be outlined in prose, rather than bullet points?

Hope that made sense... It is late.

You are absolutely correct. Don't wast PS space on things that are mentioned elsewhere (unless it's applicable or unavoidable). Both Ivey and Montauk, as well as much of the advice given on law school admission pages agree with this sentiment.

CastleRock wrote:

jjlaw wrote:I read in one of the critiques in Ken's "TLS Guide to Personal Statements" that writers should include educational or professional background information to emphasize certain desirable traits (e.g. intellectual curiosity, ability to work in a team). While I understand why one would underline particular accomplishments, such as thesis projects, but saying "I received XYZ award" seems like petty detail that wastes valuable PS real estate.

For example, one criticism in the book basically said, "He doesn't even mention his major!"

My problem is, from many of the PS's I read in Ken's book and on the forum, I didn't really see why the writer needed to include something as obvious as his major in the PS, unless it directly related to his story. After all, isn't the major already listed in his resume and the rest of the application? Isn't the PS supposed to emphasize things not mentioned in the resume, such as personal qualities and values, that can only be outlined in prose, rather than bullet points?

Hope that made sense... It is late.

You are absolutely correct. Don't wast PS space on things that are mentioned elsewhere (unless it's applicable or unavoidable). Both Ivey and Montauk, as well as much of the advice given on law school admission pages agree with this sentiment.

Sorry, who are Ivey and Montauk?

jjlaw wrote:

CastleRock wrote:

jjlaw wrote:I read in one of the critiques in Ken's "TLS Guide to Personal Statements" that writers should include educational or professional background information to emphasize certain desirable traits (e.g. intellectual curiosity, ability to work in a team). While I understand why one would underline particular accomplishments, such as thesis projects, but saying "I received XYZ award" seems like petty detail that wastes valuable PS real estate.

For example, one criticism in the book basically said, "He doesn't even mention his major!"

My problem is, from many of the PS's I read in Ken's book and on the forum, I didn't really see why the writer needed to include something as obvious as his major in the PS, unless it directly related to his story. After all, isn't the major already listed in his resume and the rest of the application? Isn't the PS supposed to emphasize things not mentioned in the resume, such as personal qualities and values, that can only be outlined in prose, rather than bullet points?

Hope that made sense... It is late.

You are absolutely correct. Don't wast PS space on things that are mentioned elsewhere (unless it's applicable or unavoidable). Both Ivey and Montauk, as well as much of the advice given on law school admission pages agree with this sentiment.

Sorry, who are Ivey and Montauk?

Anna Ivey was the admissions dean at UChicago, and is now generally considered the source for law school application advice and counselling. Richard Montauk is also a well respected admissions counsellor. Both have written books that are considered the unofficial guides to law school admissions.

As previously stated, waste of space.