Personal Statement too long? Put a disclaimer at the top? Forum

[paratactical]

I'm not looking for HYS. I'm looking for advice and that's guys comment didn't give any. Also, if it asks for a optional statement. Can I not just use my personal statement, making it longer, to answer both?

When they ask for an optional statement, they're asking you for something about something else. Adding more pages to your PS is not what they are asking you for. The law school application is not a test to see how "uniquely" you can interpret the rules and guidelines for your benefit.

[Sammi]

I'm not looking for HYS. I'm looking for advice and that's guys comment didn't give any. Also, if it asks for a optional statement. Can I not just use my personal statement, making it longer, to answer both?

When they ask for an optional statement, they're asking you for something about something else. Adding more pages to your PS is not what they are asking you for. The law school application is not a test to see how "uniquely" you can interpret the rules and guidelines for your benefit.

You should apply to Boalt with that statement. I think their cut off is 4 pages.

Good Luck!

[edubs003]

Well I do have a diversity statement that's two pages. But then my addendum will be 3 pages. So what's the difference of putting the extra 1 1/2 pages on an addendum or a personal statement? It's the same amount of reading. I know they say don't go over two pages but I've also heard that they won't stop reading at 2 pages. And lets be honest, I'm probably not getting into many schools either way with my criminal history. So who cares if it's a little long?

Your addendum is most likely far too lengthy as well. Concise writing is very important, both in law school and in the admissions process. I guarantee you can cut a lot of unnecessary details out of every one of those essays. Just trying to give you some advice. If you don't want to talk the advice of people in here then just submit your apps and report in about how it goes when you get your decisions.

I'm taking advice. I'll probably try to cut down a personal statement that I spent about 100 hours on, but it doesn't feel right. My addendum is a 1 1/2 pages. So I'm trying explain things in my past (which is a complete shitpile) and then I come on here and you tell me to shorten it up. I can't! I have had my statements revised by English professors, high school teachers, and screenwriters. I guess I could have them cut it up.

[birdlaw117]

I'm not looking for HYS. I'm looking for advice and that's guys comment didn't give any. Also, if it asks for a optional statement. Can I not just use my personal statement, making it longer, to answer both?

I suppose you CAN do whatever you damn please. However, I, and most of the people on TLS, would not suggest you do this. Follow directions, they are there for a reason. Honestly, if I were an adcomm and I saw a PS that went on to the 4th page when I required 2... I would probably pull out the "Deny" stamp right there and not even read it. Sorry, but that's the truth.

[chup]

Well I do have a diversity statement that's two pages. But then my addendum will be 3 pages. So what's the difference of putting the extra 1 1/2 pages on an addendum or a personal statement? It's the same amount of reading. I know they say don't go over two pages but I've also heard that they won't stop reading at 2 pages. And lets be honest, I'm probably not getting into many schools either way with my criminal history. So who cares if it's a little long?

Your addendum is most likely far too lengthy as well. Concise writing is very important, both in law school and in the admissions process. I guarantee you can cut a lot of unnecessary details out of every one of those essays. Just trying to give you some advice. If you don't want to talk the advice of people in here then just submit your apps and report in about how it goes when you get your decisions.

I'm taking advice. I'll probably try to cut down a personal statement that I spent about 100 hours on, but it doesn't feel right. My addendum is a 1 1/2 pages. So I'm trying explain things in my past (which is a complete shitpile) and then I come on here and you tell me to shorten it up. I can't! I have had my statements revised by English professors, high school teachers, and screenwriters. I guess I could have them cut it up I will continue to be obstinate and argue against hard-and-fast rules.

There, you see how easy that was?

[Sammi]

I think you should follow your heart and do what feels right. I mean, that's what getting into law school is all about. And furthermore, I think you should also attach some stickers of unicorns and rainbows to your 3.5 page long personal statement. Maybe if you quadruple space it out, you can reach it up to 10 pages and in between each line, you can draw little smiley faces.

[JazzOne]

Hey everyone! I'm special, and rules don't apply to me! Now commence the kissing of my arse!

FYP

[chup]

I think you should follow your heart and do what feels right. I mean, that's what getting into law school is all about. And furthermore, I think you should also attach some stickers of unicorns and rainbows to your 3.5 page long personal statement. Maybe if you quadruple space it out, you can reach it up to 10 pages and in between each line, you can draw little smiley faces.

IB Corsair bans you because stupid people with stupid questions who can't understand sarcasm deserve kid gloves.

[paratactical]

and then I come on here and you tell me to shorten it up. I can't!

This argument totally works with professors on papers with maximum lengths and also on judges who set maximum page lengths for motions. Just make sure to attach you arrest record to every document you file so that they know that you're special and get extra pages because you've had it so rough and the rules don't apply to you.

[shanshan333]

OP, keep in mind that the admissions boards are aware that they only give you 2pgs to get your point across. They know that that is a limited space with which to work with. Your challenge is to make every sentence the most awesome sentence ever. Everyone is attempting to put their life story into 2pgs. The poster that said that no one could possibly have a personal narrative that would warrant 2pgs is seriously mistaken. Of course everyone could fill up 3-4pgs with their personal narrative, the challenge is getting all of that into 2pgs. Also, I have a friend in law school taking legal writing and they literally had to write something that was EXACTLY 2 pgs. The last word had to be at the bottom of the pg, a perfect 2 pgs. It's about discipline, and like the others said, respect for rules. You want to go into the law profession. I'm not trying to be condescending as I am going almost out of my mind trying to do the exact same thing. It will make you a better person/writer. Do it.

[chup]

and then I come on here and you tell me to shorten it up. I can't!

This argument totally works with professors on papers with maximum lengths and also on judges who set maximum page lengths for motions. Just make sure to attach you arrest record to every document you file so that they know that you're special and get extra pages because you've had it so rough and the rules don't apply to you.

IB Corsair bans you because stupid people with stupid questions who can't understand sarcasm deserve kid gloves.

[Deuce]

I don't think you understand. I'm talking about jail time and alcohol abuse. If I cut down my personal statement, my addendum will just be longer. Doesn't make much sense. I'm thinking about just sending it and letting them figure out why it's longer than 2 pages.

I don't think you understand. Hundreds of people have similar stories, but they will be able to follow directions and cut the PS down to 2 pages.

[Sammi]

Reasonable replies were given first. I waited until I became sarcastic.

[edubs003]

I'm not looking for HYS. I'm looking for advice and that's guys comment didn't give any. Also, if it asks for a optional statement. Can I not just use my personal statement, making it longer, to answer both?

I suppose you CAN do whatever you damn please. However, I, and most of the people on TLS, would not suggest you do this. Follow directions, they are there for a reason. Honestly, if I were an adcomm and I saw a PS that went on to the 4th page when I required 2... I would probably pull out the "Deny" stamp right there and not even read it. Sorry, but that's the truth.

I'll try to cut it down. I really don't need anything else working against me at this point. I'm looking at Princeton Reviews book on personal statements. There's no way most of these would be 2 pages double spaced. Why do they seem so long?

[birdlaw117]

I'll try to cut it down. I really don't need anything else working against me at this point. I'm looking at Princeton Reviews book on personal statements. There's no way most of these would be 2 pages double spaced. Why do they seem so long?

Magic.

[edubs003]

I don't think you understand. I'm talking about jail time and alcohol abuse. If I cut down my personal statement, my addendum will just be longer. Doesn't make much sense. I'm thinking about just sending it and letting them figure out why it's longer than 2 pages.

I don't think you understand. Hundreds of people have similar stories, but they will be able to follow directions and cut the PS down to 2 pages.

True. I'll just have a hard time cutting up my PS, when I know it's damn good right now. Just too long.

[Sammi]

Ok. Maybe we are being harsh.

Post it, and we can help you?

[birdlaw117]

I don't think you understand. I'm talking about jail time and alcohol abuse. If I cut down my personal statement, my addendum will just be longer. Doesn't make much sense. I'm thinking about just sending it and letting them figure out why it's longer than 2 pages.

I don't think you understand. Hundreds of people have similar stories, but they will be able to follow directions and cut the PS down to 2 pages.

True. I'll just have a hard time cutting up my PS, when I know it's damn good right now. Just too long.

To give some more encouraging advice:

You CAN cut it down. Just take a good hard look and put on your "Adcomm hat." What do they not care about? Get rid of unnecessary descriptions. Get rid of the frills and fluff. It is possible. I understand your PS is your baby, but you HAVE to cut it down.

[birdlaw117]

Ok. Maybe we are being harsh.

Post it, and we can help you?

+1

[edubs003]

Ok. Maybe we are being harsh.

Post it, and we can help you?

I would, but it's far too serious. I'm talking about charged with F1, F2. There's just no way I'm willing to share that info and post it online.

[Sammi]

Ok. Maybe we are being harsh.

Post it, and we can help you?

I would, but it's far too serious. I'm talking about charged with F1, F2. There's just no way I'm willing to share that info and post it online.

You can PM it to us... but, I understand.

Good luck.

[JazzOne]

Ok. Maybe we are being harsh.

Post it, and we can help you?

Additionally, don't come on to TLS asking for advice and then spit in the face of those who are giving you legitimate advice.

Why don't you go fuck yourself? I came here for advice, not ridicule.

I think OP brought this on himself.

[incompetentia]

Ok. Maybe we are being harsh.

Post it, and we can help you?

I would, but it's far too serious. I'm talking about charged with F1, F2. There's just no way I'm willing to share that info and post it online.

We don't know who you are, and frankly none of these people care enough for you to be worried. It's not like they're asking for your SSN. Block out personal details if you want.

[edubs003]

Ok. Maybe we are being harsh.

Post it, and we can help you?

Additionally, don't come on to TLS asking for advice and then spit in the face of those who are giving you legitimate advice.

Why don't you go fuck yourself? I came here for advice, not ridicule.

I think OP brought this on himself.

Well if anyone can sit here and tell my that facing up to life in prison doesn't warrant 3 1/2 pages. Well then......I don't know what to say. I'll just try to cut it down. Thanks for the help.

[incompetentia]

Ok. Maybe we are being harsh.

Post it, and we can help you?

Additionally, don't come on to TLS asking for advice and then spit in the face of those who are giving you legitimate advice.

Why don't you go fuck yourself? I came here for advice, not ridicule.

I think OP brought this on himself.

Well if anyone can sit here and tell my that facing up to life in prison doesn't warrant 3 1/2 pages. Well then......I don't know what to say. I'll just try to cut it down. Thanks for the help.

You're not the only one with extraordinary circumstances surrounding your background. I had about five pages of material that I cut down to 1.9 pages.