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So I'm thinking of writing a few more Why _______ essays, mainly because I realize they seem to be more important than I thought.
I wrote one already, and it was about 2/3rds of a page (whereas my other optional essays have been longer). Does this sound normal? As much as I like a certain school, I feel that there is only so much I can write before I begin to sound phony...

Tips? Comments? Any would be appreciated, THANKS!

Why X essays aren't about length, they are about conveying specific reasons why X would give you the best opportunity to pursue your goals (more than other law schools). If you really want to impress, GET SPECIFIC. If you visited the school, talk about any meetings with faculty, students, etc. Or talk about a school's strong placement in PI, if that's your thing. They don't want to hear beautiful generalities that sound like you used the same Why X essay and just changed the name. They want to see that you really did your research and are picking them for more than their reputation/prestige.

If you cannot be specific, don't waste their time with another thing to read.

MrPapagiorgio wrote:Why X essays aren't about length, they are about conveying specific reasons why X would give you the best opportunity to pursue your goals (more than other law schools). If you really want to impress, GET SPECIFIC. If you visited the school, talk about any meetings with faculty, students, etc. Or talk about a school's strong placement in PI, if that's your thing. They don't want to hear beautiful generalities that sound like you used the same Why X essay and just changed the name. They want to see that you really did your research and are picking them for more than their reputation/prestige.

If you cannot be specific, don't waste their time with another thing to read.

Ok, thanks! That was the general impression I got, and how I approached the one Why X I wrote... I just felt uneasy about turning in an essay under one page. Paranoia, what can I say...

I think a really good story is more important than mentioning the school. Unless, of course, if the directions specifically require a why x law school PS.

Is it a good idea to mention a low tuition cost as a reason to attend a specific school? I'd like to get into public service so I'm looking into the lowest tuition schools; Southern University asks for the personal statement to mention why I would like to attend Southern University specifically.

ceereeus420 wrote:Is it a good idea to mention a low tuition cost as a reason to attend a specific school? I'd like to get into public service so I'm looking into the lowest tuition schools; Southern University asks for the personal statement to mention why I would like to attend Southern University specifically.

I don't have any basis for saying this (just pure conjecturing), but I'm gonna guess no. Schools are probably looking for specific reasons unique to their school. Lots of schools have cheap tuition, so why Law School XYZ in particular? I suppose it's ok to mention the appeal of the low cost, just make it sort of like an afterthought in the essay.

ceereeus420 wrote:Is it a good idea to mention a low tuition cost as a reason to attend a specific school? I'd like to get into public service so I'm looking into the lowest tuition schools; Southern University asks for the personal statement to mention why I would like to attend Southern University specifically.

Unfortunately, you'll just have to appease the adcomms and come up with some BS. Maybe mention a specific program of study or a local clinic.

Should I send a why (insert school) essay to a school where I'm not wait listed and my application already received? Particularly to my reach schools?

What about reason for attending school X being because you want to practice in that region of the country? Obviously we all get that it's important to go where we want to practice, but what about mentioning your love for a specific city that the school happens to reside in?

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Those are some of the most sensical reasons for going to a school. I'd daresay that the prompt for a "Why X?" essay for SMU even noted that proximity to practice area was something you could write about. But common sense just illustrates that it would be a good thing to note - It shows dedication to the local area and perhaps, by extension to the school at large.

Though this isn't a universal assessment; claiming that you're going to stay in Louisiana in a "Why Tulane?" essay wouldn't have the sort of importance as saying it in a "Why LSU?" essay. But we're overthinking it. Yes, it's fine. MrPap did a great job in summing this up rather easily. If you've got a specific reason for why you're going to a school, I think you should note it. I'd shy away from mentioning tuition, but I don' tthink it would be a negative; these places know their tuition level, it's not going to be news to them that you're going due to the low cost if that's the case.

nshapkar wrote:Should I send a why (insert school) essay to a school where I'm not wait listed and my application already received? Particularly to my reach schools?

Note that if you do, there isn't going to be much you can say in a LOCI. Since a "Why X?" basically asserts your reasons for why you want to go to a school, I think your LOCI would be rather empty as a result...beyond saying that you really, really are interested without giving them any more information. Which they would already know a tthat point.

Is it appropriate to mention that your fiancée is an incoming student at a particular law school? Maybe it sounds desperate, but it seems like it would signal a virtual guarantee of accepting an offer.