Having trouble with PS. Forum

[Anonymous User]

I have ready many personal statements and seen that one thing rings true among many..... some type of horrific event growing up or tough situation which directly attributed to the person's life and somehow tying it in with law school.

I was raised in an upper class home with quite the easy childhood and teenage years. Besides my mom being a raging alcoholic, I had no difficulties or traumatizing events in my life. Sure I worked hard, but my college was paid for.

I feel like many people charm the adcomms with these troublesome life events which somehow made them a better person. I think that's great........ but I don't have any.

Is this going to be an issue?

[ellayo]

No, that should not be a problem. Sure, many write of harrowing stories from their youth and overcoming adversity. That is not the only successful narrative. Write about you. What are your interests? What are you passionate about? Find something that you care about, and tell us a story about it. If you are currently in school, you can talk about what motivates you there. Did a particular class pique your interest? Or did a professor inspire you? If you are currently working, what lessons have you learned?

I can't tell you what will make a good personal statement for you. It has to be personal. It has to be engaging. It has to show you in a good light.

[Anonymous User]

No, that should not be a problem. Sure, many write of harrowing stories from their youth and overcoming adversity. That is not the only successful narrative. Write about you. What are your interests? What are you passionate about? Find something that you care about, and tell us a story about it. If you are currently in school, you can talk about what motivates you there. Did a particular class pique your interest? Or did a professor inspire you? If you are currently working, what lessons have you learned?

I can't tell you what will make a good personal statement for you. It has to be personal. It has to be engaging. It has to show you in a good light.

Thank you. Just wanted to make sure I had a chance here. I have plenty I can talk about, just no "sad" stories you know? Appreciate the reply.

[papercut]

I know people on here aren't fans of buying books, "When you can get all the same advice on TLS!" but I really think the Anna Ivey book is worth getting. She's a former dean of admissions at Chicago Law. She's got you covered on this for sure.

There's an excellent PS example in her book about some guy who wrote about his landscaping job. There was no great calamity, no saving children in Africa, no word about law or law school. It was just very well written and unpretentious. You got to know the writer, and that's exactly what a PS is supposed to do.

[Anonymous User]

I know people on here aren't fans of buying books, "When you can get all the same advice on TLS!" but I really think the Anna Ivey book is worth getting. She's a former dean of admissions at Chicago Law. She's got you covered on this for sure.

There's an excellent PS example in her book about some guy who wrote about his landscaping job. There was no great calamity, no saving children in Africa, no word about law or law school. It was just very well written and unpretentious. You got to know the writer, and that's exactly what a PS is supposed to do.

Just ordered off Amazon lol. Thx

[2807]

Write about your awareness of how others are not as fortunate as you.

You are lucky to win the birth lottery.

[jselson]

Write about your awareness of how others are not as fortunate as you.

You are lucky to win the birth lottery.

Whatever you do, please don't do this, it'll come off as patronizing, I guarantee it.

[Anonymous User]

Write about your awareness of how others are not as fortunate as you.

You are lucky to win the birth lottery.

Whatever you do, please don't do this, it'll come off as patronizing, I guarantee it.

I would never -___-