Making my LS application a cohesive package Forum

[MyNameIsYou]

After beginning my apps and seeing how little opportunity there is to write about accomplishments and activities outside of the PS, I'm finally buying the idea that most soft factors have little value. Perhaps I'm a little slow to come to the realization, but it really is scary to me how I'm going to need to summarize my life experiences in a 1-2 page resume and 2 page essay.

It's not an issue of having too many amazing soft factors (almost the opposite), but rather because I'm finding it a struggle to try to form many admittedly disparate experiences into a cohesive and palatable package for the adcoms. Like many of you, I can see myself writing about a number of topics that I think would be worthwhile. But with each attempt to write on a certain topic, I scrap the idea because I feel like it's making me leave out other qualities/experiences that I also want to convey to the adcoms. I'm worried that no matter what I try to write about, it's going to leave big questions about at least some of my experiences on my resume (i.e. "He's showing how he has a thirst for knowledge through his independent study of XX, but how does this tie into his work experience in finance?")

I'm fully on board with the notion that I need to give the adcoms a clear picture of who I am, but I'm struggling with how to accomplish this. Has anyone worked through this problem successfully?

[JJDancer]

This is just my $.02 but I think it is good to realize that adcoms don't know anything about you, but it is also not necessary to tell them everything about yourself. You are made up of a lot of experiences, interests and accomplishments, I don't think your app has to be one big "this is how everything in my life fits in one clear progression." Of course, that would be ideal but I don't think it is necessary. Some things are enough as a few lines on your resume that show your passion or interest in something. You also don't want to just list all your accomplishments in a PS - it's not entirely coherent and can seem like regurgitating your resume. Pick a few characteristics about yourself that you want to highlight - (demonstrating academic curiousity and excellence if your GPA doesn't make it obvious), showing your ability to work through problems, learning from your mistakes etc etc.

HTH

[Cupidity]

DO NOT SEND A 2 PAGE RESUME! DO NOT SEND A 2 PAGE RESUME! DO NOT SEND A 2 PAGE RESUME! DO NOT SEND A 2 PAGE RESUME! DO NOT SEND A 2 PAGE RESUME! DO NOT SEND A 2 PAGE RESUME! DO NOT SEND A 2 PAGE RESUME! DO NOT SEND A 2 PAGE RESUME!

There are people in life who have earned a 2 page resume, they are not (for the most part) law school applicants. If you have a PH.D, did Peace Corps and have 5 years work experience, go for it! But someone who is finding "it a struggle" certainly has not earned that second page it. Don't do it.

[Cupidity]

Also, don't sweat the cohesive package concept. While I understand your concern that you may look fragmented, it will probably just make you seem interesting. The more likely scenario is that in trying to make it cohesive you pigeon hole yourself into a stereotype. Use Resume, PS and Diversity statements as opportunities to showcase your various strengths and weaknesses.

If your resume shows you have a commitment to a particular field, leave it out of your PS, and visa versa.

[CGI Fridays]

DO NOT SEND A 2 PAGE RESUME! DO NOT SEND A 2 PAGE RESUME! DO NOT SEND A 2 PAGE RESUME! DO NOT SEND A 2 PAGE RESUME! DO NOT SEND A 2 PAGE RESUME! DO NOT SEND A 2 PAGE RESUME! DO NOT SEND A 2 PAGE RESUME! DO NOT SEND A 2 PAGE RESUME!

There are people in life who have earned a 2 page resume, they are not (for the most part) law school applicants. If you have a PH.D, did Peace Corps and have 5 years work experience, go for it! But someone who is finding "it a struggle" certainly has not earned that second page it. Don't do it.

Meh, the Law School Admissions resume is NOT the Law Job resume.
I just was advised by a Cornell 3L who worked in admissions to take whatever space you need. Hers is 1.5 pages single-spaced with crazy wide margins. They're not skimming it, they're trying to learn. They're CERTAINLY not rolling their eyes if you go over one page without 5 years work experience.

[mr_toad]

CGI Friday: TITCR.

[JJDancer]

Your resume can be longer than one page. Law school resume is not equal to job resume.
Mine is 1 page though.

[AP-375]

O NOT SEND A 2 PAGE RESUME! DO NOT SEND A 2 PAGE RESUME! DO NOT SEND A 2 PAGE RESUME! DO NOT SEND A 2 PAGE RESUME! DO NOT SEND A 2 PAGE RESUME! DO NOT SEND A 2 PAGE RESUME! DO NOT SEND A 2 PAGE RESUME! DO NOT SEND A 2 PAGE RESUME!

Can you please clarify how you feel about this topic?

[kwais]

DO NOT SEND A 2 PAGE RESUME! DO NOT SEND A 2 PAGE RESUME! DO NOT SEND A 2 PAGE RESUME! DO NOT SEND A 2 PAGE RESUME! DO NOT SEND A 2 PAGE RESUME! DO NOT SEND A 2 PAGE RESUME! DO NOT SEND A 2 PAGE RESUME! DO NOT SEND A 2 PAGE RESUME!

There are people in life who have earned a 2 page resume, they are not (for the most part) law school applicants. If you have a PH.D, did Peace Corps and have 5 years work experience, go for it! But someone who is finding "it a struggle" certainly has not earned that second page it. Don't do it.

Meh, the Law School Admissions resume is NOT the Law Job resume.
I just was advised by a Cornell 3L who worked in admissions to take whatever space you need. Hers is 1.5 pages single-spaced with crazy wide margins. They're not skimming it, they're trying to learn. They're CERTAINLY not rolling their eyes if you go over one page without 5 years work experience.

Indeed. harvard lady told me the same thing. She said explicitly "it's not a job resume". Don't worry about a second page.

[JOThompson]

DO NOT SEND A 2 PAGE RESUME! DO NOT SEND A 2 PAGE RESUME! DO NOT SEND A 2 PAGE RESUME! DO NOT SEND A 2 PAGE RESUME! DO NOT SEND A 2 PAGE RESUME! DO NOT SEND A 2 PAGE RESUME! DO NOT SEND A 2 PAGE RESUME! DO NOT SEND A 2 PAGE RESUME!

There are people in life who have earned a 2 page resume, they are not (for the most part) law school applicants. If you have a PH.D, did Peace Corps and have 5 years work experience, go for it! But someone who is finding "it a struggle" certainly has not earned that second page it. Don't do it.

Most the law school admissions guides I've read also endorse the one page resume.

[CGI Fridays]

The battle rages on...