Back again! Threw a few jokes in this time... Forum
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Back again! Threw a few jokes in this time...
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Last edited by kcdc on Thu Jan 06, 2011 2:43 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- verklempt
- Posts: 115
- Joined: Sat Dec 11, 2010 6:59 pm
Re: Back again! Threw a few jokes in this time...
This has a much better flow and is more readable. However, the connection between your experiences with your sister -- which you explained in a note on the other thread -- still don't tie in as effectively as they might. You refer to family court battles -- perhaps you could amplify that so that we can understand how your intro fits with the rest.
A few other thoughts:
"Liaising between" -- I kind of tripped on that one. Maybe it's because the usual preposition is "with" and not "between." Might just be me.
Sentence that begins "If serving as daughter, sister, mother, counselor..." comes across as defensive. I don't see how it adds. I would delete it.
This clause -- "Georgetown, of course, is one of the most prestigious law schools in the country" -- strikes me as unnecessary and pandering. I'd get rid of it and fold the rest of that sentence into the first sentence.
You may want to expand on:
-- "Throughout college I developed strengths and skills previously unknown to me" -- I can sort of infer what those are, but why not be clear, with more specific examples?
-- "two of which I drastically reshaped" == sounds as though you demonstrated some major interpersonal skill sets here, but you're not really letting us know what they are.
With both the above, a sentence or maybe two would suffice. You don't need a lot of detail, but you're a little too vague. And when you're talking about areas where you show strength, you want to add emphasis.
A few other thoughts:
"Liaising between" -- I kind of tripped on that one. Maybe it's because the usual preposition is "with" and not "between." Might just be me.
Sentence that begins "If serving as daughter, sister, mother, counselor..." comes across as defensive. I don't see how it adds. I would delete it.
This clause -- "Georgetown, of course, is one of the most prestigious law schools in the country" -- strikes me as unnecessary and pandering. I'd get rid of it and fold the rest of that sentence into the first sentence.
You may want to expand on:
-- "Throughout college I developed strengths and skills previously unknown to me" -- I can sort of infer what those are, but why not be clear, with more specific examples?
-- "two of which I drastically reshaped" == sounds as though you demonstrated some major interpersonal skill sets here, but you're not really letting us know what they are.
With both the above, a sentence or maybe two would suffice. You don't need a lot of detail, but you're a little too vague. And when you're talking about areas where you show strength, you want to add emphasis.
- iamcutdacheck
- Posts: 92
- Joined: Sat Jun 05, 2010 5:23 am
Re: Back again! Threw a few jokes in this time...
I liked it but a few things.
I would not use the word 'resultant' unless it's apart of your everyday speech
The part about working or volunteering for Barry Obama's campaign dosen't add anything to your personal statement.
I would not use the word 'resultant' unless it's apart of your everyday speech
The part about working or volunteering for Barry Obama's campaign dosen't add anything to your personal statement.
- AreJay711
- Posts: 3406
- Joined: Tue Jul 20, 2010 8:51 pm
Re: Back again! Threw a few jokes in this time...
Didn't read the other one but I like this PS but I am not a big fan of this sentence:
I think you might want to tie in why it would make you a good law student as well. I know it is implied but I was waiting for the hook the whole time. Being a good legislative aide is not bad but I'd want to know what would make you a good lawyer / law student / whatever you want to do with a law degree. I also don't like the "affect social change" just because my eyes automatically roll even if you have experiences to back it upHowever, carrying these experiences with me has made me a more effective legislative aide because I have witnessed so many social domestic issues first-hand, and my combination of experiences has given me the personal investment and professional skill set that will help me to affect social change.
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Re: Back again! Threw a few jokes in this time...
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Last edited by kcdc on Thu Jan 06, 2011 2:43 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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- Posts: 63
- Joined: Tue Dec 28, 2010 1:28 pm
Re: Back again! Threw a few jokes in this time...
iamcutdacheck wrote:I liked it but a few things.
I would not use the word 'resultant' unless it's apart of your everyday speech
The part about working or volunteering for Barry Obama's campaign dosen't add anything to your personal statement.
Hah, well it is a big math term so it yeah, it was at one point... probably not now though.
That's what made me switch from engineering to policy. It's not a normal career shift, and the number one thing interviewers ask me is "what made you go from engineering to politics?" It's actually the most major turning point in my life...
Thanks!!
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- Posts: 63
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Re: Back again! Threw a few jokes in this time...
Yeah, I'll change that. Thanks!AreJay711 wrote:Didn't read the other one but I like this PS but I am not a big fan of this sentence:I think you might want to tie in why it would make you a good law student as well. I know it is implied but I was waiting for the hook the whole time. Being a good legislative aide is not bad but I'd want to know what would make you a good lawyer / law student / whatever you want to do with a law degree. I also don't like the "affect social change" just because my eyes automatically roll even if you have experiences to back it upHowever, carrying these experiences with me has made me a more effective legislative aide because I have witnessed so many social domestic issues first-hand, and my combination of experiences has given me the personal investment and professional skill set that will help me to affect social change.
- Richie Tenenbaum
- Posts: 2118
- Joined: Wed Dec 31, 2008 6:17 am
Re: Back again! Threw a few jokes in this time...
Just in terms of content, I thought this was quite good. It does a really good job of painting a picture of who you are and what drives you. Good luck in your application cycle.
- lawandi
- Posts: 125
- Joined: Wed Feb 24, 2010 9:32 pm
Re: Back again! Threw a few jokes in this time...
I would suggest saying anything rather than anyone.My family is intertwined with every aspect of my person, and they have ultimately influenced my desire to become a lawyer more than anyone else.
If serving as daughter, sister, mother, counselor, and mediator during my formative years did not allow me to see the depth and diversity of my character, I would have discovered it in college. Surprisingly, "Mechanical Engineer" and "Social Chair" is a rare combination.
These both sound really braggy, especially the first. I would re-word them.I volunteered for the Obama campaign, and was remarkably talented at digesting political issues and registering voters.
The rest of the essay is REALLY GOOD. I can't imagine them not admitting you (assuming your stats are decent).
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Re: Back again! Threw a few jokes in this time...
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Last edited by kcdc on Thu Jan 06, 2011 2:44 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- SullaFelix
- Posts: 113
- Joined: Wed Jul 21, 2010 8:18 pm
Re: Back again! Threw a few jokes in this time...
You might want to be careful with how you refer to your sister — it might rub a reader the wrong way. The substance of the story can be adequate, but avoid loaded descriptions such as "crazy."
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Re: Back again! Threw a few jokes in this time...
I'm having trouble writing my ps too, I think it's difficult to write something that is personal.
I picked slap you in the poll given the options (I'll explain why, you seem nice).
It sounds like you have a lot of experiences in your life, which in my opinion make you a better more well rounded person than someone with no worries. However, your ps really is annoying because it comes off as whiney. You've been through a lot because of other people being selfish and irresponsible. I get that. You needed to get it off you chest. Now you have. Now go back and write the same essay but from a positive perspective. In my opinion that will get a better emotional response from readers (ie admissions people)
I'll pm you mine when I'm done, you'll prob be able able to see it more in someone else's
I picked slap you in the poll given the options (I'll explain why, you seem nice).
It sounds like you have a lot of experiences in your life, which in my opinion make you a better more well rounded person than someone with no worries. However, your ps really is annoying because it comes off as whiney. You've been through a lot because of other people being selfish and irresponsible. I get that. You needed to get it off you chest. Now you have. Now go back and write the same essay but from a positive perspective. In my opinion that will get a better emotional response from readers (ie admissions people)
I'll pm you mine when I'm done, you'll prob be able able to see it more in someone else's
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Re: Back again! Threw a few jokes in this time...
just had an idea, maybe start at the end (more positive) and work your way back? might come off better
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Re: Back again! Threw a few jokes in this time...
This. Anyone with experience either working in the mental health field or caring for a loved one with mental illness tends to balk from using the term "crazy" to describe a person.You might want to be careful with how you refer to your sister — it might rub a reader the wrong way. The substance of the story can be adequate, but avoid loaded descriptions such as "crazy."
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