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Hi guys,

For the PS does it help or hurt to specifically state your legal desires?

For example:

I really want to practice (very specific part of law) because blah blah blah.

Any help on this would be appreciated. I don't want schools to think I'm not open minded, but I really do have a very narrow minded career choice in mind and want to express that.

As long as you have substantial reasons to show why you want to practice a specialized study of law, it may help. It would certainly help if you could tie that desire to a particularly strong program that the school offers.

If you can't offer substantial reasons, then don't do it. It may seem forced and inauthentic.

For your personal statement, it really doesn't matter. Having said that, it is always better to be decisive/have a goal and not some generalized "imma help people, reform the judicial system and save the world" theme in a PS.

MrPapagiorgio wrote:For your personal statement, it really doesn't matter. Having said that, it is always better to be decisive/have a goal and not some generalized "imma help people, reform the judicial system and save the world" theme in a PS.

I agree with this other than to caveat you need not express why you want LS at all.

blowhard wrote:

MrPapagiorgio wrote:For your personal statement, it really doesn't matter. Having said that, it is always better to be decisive/have a goal and not some generalized "imma help people, reform the judicial system and save the world" theme in a PS.

I agree with this other than to caveat you need not express why you want LS at all.

True. But many of my apps last year had a specific requirement to tailor the PS to your desire to pursue a legal education. A general PS would not suffice.