Recovery? Forum

[Clearly]

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Thanks!

[Tom Joad]

Not saying your idea is bad, but one thing to consider is that Fordham might have told you to write that PS just because they do want to know so they can make a more informed decision.

[suits00]

Write it...write it...write it!! And be proud of the person you've become.

Don't be so sure you will be judged so harshly. There are specific programs that many practicing attorneys are enrolled in as we speak who have relapsed after getting admitted to the BAR. Your situation is certainly not new to the profession and it's well understood. Also, people with WAY "worse" problems have been admitted to law school; everything from DUI to murder. If you can establish that you have truly learned and grown from your experience, I think it's a huge plus. Also, they like transparency. Do you think they believe half the bullshit with these people's picture perfect applications? At least they know what they are getting with you. Look at the Craigslist Killer. Looked perfect on paper...

[Pleasye]

I definitely think it would be worth it to use this as your topic. As with all personal statements though - write it and see how it turns out. Nobody can really answer whether this would be a good personal statement until it's actually written.

Also going to second the "be proud of the person you've become" sentiment.

[nsbane]

1) Write it.
2) If it is shitty, then take the 3 or 4 sentences that are pure gold, and focus on a different topic. Refer back to step 1.

[masked kavana]

First off congrats on the 5 years! I know how hard it is to get off heroin as many of my friends growing up struggled with this for a long, long time.

I didn't write my whole PS and DS on the subject but I spoke truthfully about going through drug treatment at the age of 15 and how it affected my life...

I don't think it has been a negative this cycle at all. Good luck!!

[spleenworship]

Not saying.. Just saying: Tulane let in a convicted murderer last year. Your story will be fine to tell.

[rinkrat19]

I definitely think it would be worth it to use this as your topic. As with all personal statements though - write it and see how it turns out. Nobody can really answer whether this would be a good personal statement until it's actually written.

+1

IMO, there's no such thing as a bad topic, only a badly-written one. Some topics are trickier than others to pull off effectively, but a good enough writer could make a PS about dismembering a baby sound acceptable, and one about sharpening a pencil sound interesting.

Writing about recovering from a heroin addiction could certainly be done badly, like if you come off as trying to pass off responsibility for your poor choices, or somehow manage to imply an inherent weakness of character that makes the adcoms think you'll relapse. But there are danger zones in any topic. If you can avoid them, it could be very compelling.

[CanadianWolf]

If handled properly, addiction recovery is an acceptable PS topic; your bigger concern, however, should be on earning an actual LSAT score.

[Balzate]

I got clean at 17 and in 39 days i'll have 4 years clean (but who's counting).. Im in my junior year, i've been looking at every single law school, joined the pre-law society, doing an internship and most of my questions have been answered. But I've wondered about writting about my addiction and being in reocvery. I think it's pretty bad ass that you submitted this and it reminds me that im not the only kid to get clean young. by reading this post i think i'm def going to write about it.. When I got my job at this internship she saw that I volunteered at a prison and drug treatment center and when she asked why i told her "i'm a recoverying addict" and she said "well most people that go through stuff like that chose to leave it behind so why do you feel the need to keep being involved with it and i told her "well whats the point of going through something if you can't help some one else go through it".. GOT THE JOB! So when i think about it, why wouldn't i write about it. aslo im not just some one that just stopped one day, i still go to meetings, im very involved in service, work steps, work traditions, i go harder in my recovery than i do in my academics and i think that says alot .. Glad i came across this and kudos to the guy who mentioned dismebering a baby LOL LOL

[theadvancededit]

If handled properly, addiction recovery is an acceptable PS topic; your bigger concern, however, should be on earning an actual LSAT score.

+1

"I've actually called my school of choice and asked there opinion (without naming myself of course), and was told to write it, that it's been long enough, and they would certainly like to read of the positive things to come from such an experience."

You should have faith in this kind of advice. Any topic, if treated properly, can be a successful one-- follow their advice on highlighting the positive aspects that came from your recovery.

That being said, you should still wait a cycle. Your lack of an LSAT score is a more serious consideration here.

[sunynp]

Please write about something else. I really disagree that this is a good topic for a personal statement. There must be other aspects of your struggle you can write about. I don't think this PS will make a positive difference if you are a borderline candidate. But who knows how much PS really matters.

I would never do it, but I am very conservative regarding what what to put in an application. I think most law school admissions are conservative as well.

Also, I am not counting on the admission office being the best advice about this. Do you really think they would tell you NOT to write about something? You need to choose your topic, not them.

[chem]

Please write about something else. I really disagree that this is a good topic for a personal statement. There must be other aspects of your struggle you can write about. I don't think this PS will make a positive difference if you are a borderline candidate. But who knows how much PS really matters.

I would never do it, but I am very conservative regarding what what to put in an application. I think most law school admissions are conservative as well.

Also, I am not counting on the admission office being the best advice about this. Do you really think they would tell you NOT to write about something? You need to choose your topic, not them.

I agree. You should make this a poll.

[Clearly]

Added Poll.