Late in the game to still be brainstorming personal statement ideas, but here I am nonetheless. What are everybody's thoughts on whether the personal statement should directly address why you want to go to law school?
Anna Ivey's book makes the case that it should only really directly address law school if the question explicitly asks you to do that (which, for T6 schools, it doesn't) and that you're better off writing an essay that reveals something about yourself/your interests/your background not otherwise evident in your application. Other people make the case, though, that the personal statement should make clear why law school makes sense as a next step, implicitly if not explicitly.
I know this is a pretty general question, but I'm interested in what people's thoughts are on this.
personal statement vs. statement of interest Forum
-
cinephile
- Posts: 3461
- Joined: Sun Jul 18, 2010 3:50 pm
Re: personal statement vs. statement of interest
Many schools allow you to submit two pages. You could do both, in a cohesive way, of course. Just get it in soon.
-
rinkrat19
- Posts: 13922
- Joined: Sat Sep 25, 2010 5:35 am
Re: personal statement vs. statement of interest
Your PS does not necessarily have to explicitly adress "Why I Want To Go To Law School." It should not, however, leave the reader actively wondering why.
Some examples
Bad: You write about your passionate love for music and then just leave the reader hanging there, wondering why you're not teaching high school band or playing for an orchestra.
Good: You write about your love for music, composing, the recording industry and an interest in intellectual property law.
Good: You write about your love for music, the dedication that years of performing has required, and how you'll apply the same dedication to your passion for law.
Good: You write about a hardship overcome--doesn't explicitely mention future goals of any kind, just gives the reader a good impression of you and the various qualities that would serve you well in law school.
Some examples
Bad: You write about your passionate love for music and then just leave the reader hanging there, wondering why you're not teaching high school band or playing for an orchestra.
Good: You write about your love for music, composing, the recording industry and an interest in intellectual property law.
Good: You write about your love for music, the dedication that years of performing has required, and how you'll apply the same dedication to your passion for law.
Good: You write about a hardship overcome--doesn't explicitely mention future goals of any kind, just gives the reader a good impression of you and the various qualities that would serve you well in law school.
