DS or PS? Forum

[AnariaJP]

I am having trouble determining what I should to in regards to a DS. I originally started writing my PS about my experiences as a young single mother and how it taught me to be the student and woman that I am today. But now I am wondering if it would be better for this story to be submitted as a DS instead? However, I feel that motherhood is integral to who I am and will greatly influence the kind of law student I will be. It has taught me so much about time management, hard work, dedication, and that I ought to spend my life doing something that is really meaningful to me (being an attorney).

Any suggestions?

[theadvancededit]

For all the reasons you listed, you can definitely write your PS about this. If you can write effectively about how your experiences as a mother have made you an ideal candidate, it can go quite far. Also, it can turn many of the negative connotations associated with young, single motherhood on its head and prove quite the opposite.

[cutecarmel]

I would make the statement you write that centers around you being a single mother part of your diversity statment. I'm pretty sure you can add why this will make you a good law student in you DS. At least for the schools that I have seen, the diversity statement is pretty much the same as the personal statement, except you highlight diversity. Since you have already done that, just make your former PS your new DS and use your PS to highlight more of your talents.

I hope that made sense

[nygrrrl]

I did my PS on an event in my life that showed how I dealt with contentious situations/people/
legal issues; wrapped it into why I wanted to go to law school/how these traits would make me a good law student.
I used my DS to discuss my unusual background - for a law student - including my experience as a mom.
(feel free to PM me if you want more info - I kept the DS very short and sweet, used the PS to press the "I'm going to be such an asset to your program" point.)

[AnariaJP]

Thanks guys! I appreciate the feed back. I am trying to separate the two a little. I still feel like I need to mention briefly in my PS that I am a mom, because it is what pushed me to become a dedicated student and learn how to be self disciplined and all that stuff. But it is just the starting point for my PS, not the subject of it. Then I think I will have a short and sweet DS like you suggested, nygrrrl. I hope it doesn't seem redundant though.

Thanks again!