how are these ideas for PS topics? Forum

[swtlilsoni]

1) I could write about how I went to a large state school and didn't like the big school env, I wanted a smaller school env so I went to study abroad. I went to a really small college abroad and it was a totally diff experience.
2) I could write about how when I studied abroad, for the first time I was completely surrounded by arts majors who were really into literature, music, etc. Most of the people I knew before that were not into that stuff, and that cultured. And I really admired them all and it inspired me and thats when I became interested in that type of stuff.
3) I could tie the first two together. Wanted a small school env, went to study abroad, met artsy people, inspired.
4) I could talk about how when I was on the debate team, I chose a really controversial topic for my debate (making abortion 100% illegal in all scenarios). My teammates, and everyone else strongly discouraged me. One of the top debaters came and told me that he chose the topic of making abortion illegal in CERTAIN scenarios and he still lost. But I did it anyway and ended up not only winning, but getting best speaker.

[DamnLSAT]

Number 4, number 4, number 4.

I am not a big fan of study abroad PS. It's overused, and it rarely works IMO. The fourth topic shows something applicable to law school. Go with it.

[skirschner1]

Looks alright to me. It seems like you would need to apply only to smaller schools (or smaller UG as the case may be) if you wrote about enjoying the small school environment. If so, this works I think.

[Bildungsroman]

4) I could talk about how when I was on the debate team, I chose a really controversial topic for my debate (making abortion 100% illegal in all scenarios). My teammates, and everyone else strongly discouraged me. One of the top debaters came and told me that he chose the topic of making abortion illegal in CERTAIN scenarios and he still lost. But I did it anyway and ended up not only winning, but getting best speaker.

This risks being both a "good at arguing" PS and a "controversial issue" PS, both of which being qualities that I would personally avoid.

[swtlilsoni]

Hm okay well I did a very basic rough draft/outline structuring the topics. I was wondering if anyone would like to look any of them over to see how it is.. I could PM it to you if you have the time? (I just did a basic sketch on each topic : philosophy affecting the way I see things, study abroad and meeting artsy people, the debate thing) So I guess you could tell me which one you want to look at.

[daesonesb]

1) I could write about how I went to a large state school and didn't like the big school env, I wanted a smaller school env so I went to study abroad. I went to a really small college abroad and it was a totally diff experience.
Seems OK. If you are going to do this, you need to focus on the diversity angle, and how your perspective changed. Make sure there is a lot of YOU in the essay, as opposed to lengthy descriptions of places and other people.
2) I could write about how when I studied abroad, for the first time I was completely surrounded by arts majors who were really into literature, music, etc. Most of the people I knew before that were not into that stuff, and that cultured. And I really admired them all and it inspired me and thats when I became interested in that type of stuff.
What does this have to do with law school? Law school has nothing to do with art, except for copyrighting it so you can make money off it.
3) I could tie the first two together. Wanted a small school env, went to study abroad, met artsy people, inspired.
Since I think #2 is odd, I'm gonna say no here too.
4) I could talk about how when I was on the debate team, I chose a really controversial topic for my debate (making abortion 100% illegal in all scenarios). My teammates, and everyone else strongly discouraged me. One of the top debaters came and told me that he chose the topic of making abortion illegal in CERTAIN scenarios and he still lost. But I did it anyway and ended up not only winning, but getting best speaker.
My political views make me unable to view this one objectively.

[bk1]

4) I could talk about how when I was on the debate team, I chose a really controversial topic for my debate (making abortion 100% illegal in all scenarios). My teammates, and everyone else strongly discouraged me. One of the top debaters came and told me that he chose the topic of making abortion illegal in CERTAIN scenarios and he still lost. But I did it anyway and ended up not only winning, but getting best speaker.

This risks being both a "good at arguing" PS and a "controversial issue" PS, both of which being qualities that I would personally avoid.

Agreed.

All these topics sound poor.

[daesonesb]

4) I could talk about how when I was on the debate team, I chose a really controversial topic for my debate (making abortion 100% illegal in all scenarios). My teammates, and everyone else strongly discouraged me. One of the top debaters came and told me that he chose the topic of making abortion illegal in CERTAIN scenarios and he still lost. But I did it anyway and ended up not only winning, but getting best speaker.

This risks being both a "good at arguing" PS and a "controversial issue" PS, both of which being qualities that I would personally avoid.

Agreed.

All these topics sound poor.

I don't think there is anything wrong with the first one. My PS was about attending boys state in highschool, and how my interest in working in the government/policy making realm developed. Generic PS wont hurt you for most schools...

That said, all the topics ARE generic, except the kind of dicky abortion one. Like I said, it wont hurt if you have good writing mechanics... but its not going to help your cause either. Kind of like a resume with no WE but a few good volunteering softs.

[CanadianWolf]

Use idea number 4 if applying to Pepperdine or Baylor.

[bk1]

I don't think there is anything wrong with the first one. My PS was about attending boys state in highschool, and how my interest in working in the government/policy making realm developed. Generic PS wont hurt you for most schools...

That said, all the topics ARE generic, except the kind of dicky abortion one. Like I said, it wont hurt if you have good writing mechanics... but its not going to help your cause either. Kind of like a resume with no WE but a few good volunteering softs.

I didn't read the "abroad" part and thought it just said small college. In that light I agree with you and think that the first one is okay and usable, but nothing spectacular.