Dumbest problem Forum

[sfamor]

Ok I am seriously driving myself insane. I have the "how to get into the top law school' book and I read over the sections recently that pertain to the personal statement in prep for starting my own ps. One of the sample essays in the book the author highly lauds has pretty much the same story as I do. The author and I have the same job, same career aspirations, similar paths, similar life experiences, etc. Anyways, every time I try to sit down and write my own ps now I end up basically regurgitating from this other persons essay. I can not seem to get my head clear of it. It doesn't help that it was a really fantastic ps. Does anyone have any suggestions to help me clear my mind and get started on something unique?

[Kabuo]

Ok I am seriously driving myself insane. I have the "how to get into the top law school' book and I read over the sections recently that pertain to the personal statement in prep for starting my own ps. One of the applicators whose sample essays in the book the author highly lauds has pretty much the same story as I do. We have the same job, same career aspirations, similar paths, similar life experiences, etc. Anyways, every time I try to sit down and write my own ps now I end up basically regurgitating from this other persons essay. I can not seem to get my head clear of it. It doesn't help that it was a really fantastic ps. Does anyone have any suggestions to help me clear my mind and get started on something unique?

Haha, applicators. Just narrow your focus.

[kaiser]

Well, the best way to get some new output is to change the prompt in the first place (since it sounds like you are going the "why law school route"). Change the question, and the answer will change accordingly. You don't have to write an essay about why you want to go to law school.

Think of the PS as your chance to walk into the room with the admissions committee and speak for 2 minutes. What would you talk about? Why not tell a cool story about some unique experience you had? Maybe you saw something amazing during a travel experience that changed your perspective on something? Maybe you have a hobby that really defines who you are. I know a guy who wrote his essay about his love of chess, and it was actually really good.

Remember that, if your story sounds similar to the one in the book, it is very likely that many others feel the same way (which is just another way of saying that you are likely writing generically). Perhaps others don't have the same details, but the general scope and scale of the essay likely has parallels with a number of statements. So try and cut against this grain.

[sfamor]

Ok I am seriously driving myself insane. I have the "how to get into the top law school' book and I read over the sections recently that pertain to the personal statement in prep for starting my own ps. One of the applicators whose sample essays in the book the author highly lauds has pretty much the same story as I do. We have the same job, same career aspirations, similar paths, similar life experiences, etc. Anyways, every time I try to sit down and write my own ps now I end up basically regurgitating from this other persons essay. I can not seem to get my head clear of it. It doesn't help that it was a really fantastic ps. Does anyone have any suggestions to help me clear my mind and get started on something unique?

Haha, applicators. Just narrow your focus.

Ha oops- just caught that!