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I am applying this fall for law school. I am trying to think of a great topic to write about, unfortunately (well fortunately reallY) I Havent had any big tragedy to write about. I'm from an upper middle class white family, so diversity cant really be a topic. Here are some ideas.

1) something about traveling. I'm pretty well traveled for someone my age, so maybe pick a particular place and write about it
2) write about how being bullied in middle school made me switch schools which led me to finding my passion.
3) something about an internship experience
4) Something about mock trial which has been a big part of my life in college, but I feel like a lot of people do that who go to law school.
5)..... idk

1--If you can make it work, it could be a cool topic.
2--Don't do it. Middle school experiences (unless it was truly unique and life-changing, which unless you're from Rwanda, I doubt) would be just as bad as focusing on how the life experiences of someone else effected you.
3--It's a conservative choice, and won't sway adcomms either way (to whatever extent that PS' have this effect in the first place). It
won't help you, but it won't hurt you.
4--See #3.

A solid PS is always one where you experienced adversity, endured and overcame it and became a better person for having went through it. It is standard and will have the same effects as 3 and 4, but put into a unique context, it's a winner.

I havent really faced any unique obstacles in my life.

If i did travel I would probably write about my trip to the Galapagos for school. I could probably relate that to my goal of doing environmental law.

Another idea is to write about my grandpa who was a lawyer. He died recently and was an attorney. He loved his job and won a big case in the week he died. I could write about how he inspired me to go into law because of his passion for it. I don't know if that would be too much about him and not enough about me.

lawschoolboundfuture wrote:I could write about how he inspired me to go into law because of his passion for it. I don't know if that would be too much about him and not enough about me.

MrPapagiorgio wrote:2--Don't do it. Middle school experiences (unless it was truly unique and life-changing, which unless you're from Rwanda, I doubt) would be just as bad as focusing on how the life experiences of someone else effected you.

Being white and upper middle class doesn't mean you're not diverse. I know someone (white, upper-middle class) who goes to Harvard and his personal statement was about being Mormon. Diversity isn't about being poor or anything.

MrPapagiorgio wrote:1--If you can make it work, it could be a cool topic.
2--Don't do it. Middle school experiences (unless it was truly unique and life-changing, which unless you're from Rwanda, I doubt) would be just as bad as focusing on how the life experiences of someone else effected you.
3--It's a conservative choice, and won't sway adcomms either way (to whatever extent that PS' have this effect in the first place). It
won't help you, but it won't hurt you.
4--See #3.

A solid PS is always one where you experienced adversity, endured and overcame it and became a better person for having went through it. It is standard and will have the same effects as 3 and 4, but put into a unique context, it's a winner.

Basically agree with everything except the bolded since it suggests that adversity essays are the only, or default, way to go.

OP, the ps does not have to be about how you overcame something or helped society..write about whatever interests you, just make it genuine and non-generic somewhat

thederangedwang wrote:

MrPapagiorgio wrote:1--If you can make it work, it could be a cool topic.
2--Don't do it. Middle school experiences (unless it was truly unique and life-changing, which unless you're from Rwanda, I doubt) would be just as bad as focusing on how the life experiences of someone else effected you.
3--It's a conservative choice, and won't sway adcomms either way (to whatever extent that PS' have this effect in the first place). It
won't help you, but it won't hurt you.
4--See #3.

A solid PS is always one where you experienced adversity, endured and overcame it and became a better person for having went through it. It is standard and will have the same effects as 3 and 4, but put into a unique context, it's a winner.

Basically agree with everything except the bolded since it suggests that adversity essays are the only, or default, way to go.

OP, the ps does not have to be about how you overcame something or helped society..write about whatever interests you, just make it genuine and non-generic somewhat

Shit that was terrible syntax. I didn't mean to say that the only good PS' are ones about overcoming adversity. I just meant that usually that theme is a solid, albeit conservative, choice.

i'm in the same boat. i'm reallllly stuck for what to write about- the only thing i can think of is an extremely unique job experience, but it's not related to law in any way. just interesting and something that people are always fascinated about. no adversity to speak of on the job though...

The delivery is way more important than the theme.

With that said, I think options 3 and 4 are best.

Option 1 is a possibility, but IMO the "traveling" PS is a good way to get your PS ignored. That is probably the most common PS theme.

Clearly do not go with Option 2.

calidancer2 wrote:i'm in the same boat. i'm reallllly stuck for what to write about- the only thing i can think of is an extremely unique job experience, but it's not related to law in any way. just interesting and something that people are always fascinated about. no adversity to speak of on the job though...

Write about it. Frame the story to show that you have quality [x] and are capable of [y], which just happen to be useful in law school/legal careers. It's a personal statement. Most schools aren't specifically requesting an essay on 'Why I Want To Go To Law School.'

lawschoolboundfuture wrote:I am applying this fall for law school. I am trying to think of a great topic to write about, unfortunately (well fortunately reallY) I Havent had any big tragedy to write about. I'm from an upper middle class white family, so diversity cant really be a topic. Here are some ideas.

1) something about traveling. I'm pretty well traveled for someone my age, so maybe pick a particular place and write about it
2) write about how being bullied in middle school made me switch schools which led me to finding my passion.
3) something about an internship experience
4) Something about mock trial which has been a big part of my life in college, but I feel like a lot of people do that who go to law school.
5)..... idk

...what is your passion? I feel like that is usually the way to go. Write about something that you're genuinely excited about. If you can tie that in to why you'd like to go to law school or your plans and goals for the future, all the better. It's much easier to come across as sincere when you're writing about something that you actually are invested in.

I'm not as well off as you are, but I didn't want to write about my "adversity" because I felt like it was ridiculous to talk about what I've overcome when the adcomm has stacks of essays from people that dealt with homelessness or drug addict parents or a tragic accident.