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i just feel like constantly saying I am vs I'm and cannot vs. can't sounds weird...

should we not have any contractions?

They are nothing to worry about, but when your contractions are consistently 5 minutes apart, get to a doctor, your about to give birth

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I'm using them in mine...here's why:

The general rule of thumb is not to use contractions in formal writing, and a personal statement isn't truly formal writing. It's not a grant; it's not a document being submitted to a court; it's not an academic article. It's a free-write essay. Additionally, in the dozens of interviews with adcomms I've read, I've never seen an adcomm complain about contractions. Instead, as far as grammatical errors go, they usually make note of typos, forgetting to change the name of the school when it's included in the essay, and punctuation. The overwhelming majority describe the PS as a way for them to get to know you; they want to learn about who you are, why law school, etc.--basically a dialogue about you. I don't know about you, but I use contractions when I carry a conversation with somebody.

Don't use them.

Don't use them. This a document that is being submitted for a professional graduate degree program.

I think this is the same question as, "Should I wear flip-flops to an interview with a firm that has a casual dress code?"

No, you should wear a suit unless the firm tells you not to wear one.

I think a certain level of formality is expected because you're very clearly presenting yourself for review, just as you would in a job interview. You might get away with using contractions, but at least some people are likely to consider it bad form.

I understand the debate over "is this a formal writing exercise or not", but I say try to do it without. Why risk it? It removes the ability for the academic reader on the other end to address it. You really do not know their opinion, and that will be the one that counts.

Risk/reward test for me.

I have read a few now, and the contractions come across as very casual and thin, almost lazy. I know that that is not what the people writing these are. So, I recommend fixing them and presenting yourself in the best way you can. Better to error on the formal side. You can be formal, and still be approachable, personal, and powerful.

And yes, that goes for topic too. We had some fun earlier with a "risky" topic. Again, risk/reward test, and overall presentation of PS in its totality is the goal.