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I am a little confused by what Berkeley is looking for in a personal statement.

"Because we do not interview applicants, the personal statement is your only opportunity to introduce yourself. Take advantage of this opportunity to describe your life journey, what brings you to our door, and perhaps why you wish to attend Berkeley Law School in particular."

On this site http://www.law.berkeley.edu/5188.htm an admissions officer gives some advice about what not to do. Don't summarize your resume. Don't be too dramatic and don't use a grabby opener. Don't express too much interest in Berkeley Law. What is left?! Should I think of this as more of a structured and straightforward essay than many of the other T14 schools?

ntwg14 wrote:I am a little confused by what Berkeley is looking for in a personal statement.

"Because we do not interview applicants, the personal statement is your only opportunity to introduce yourself. Take advantage of this opportunity to describe your life journey, what brings you to our door, and perhaps why you wish to attend Berkeley Law School in particular."

On this site http://www.law.berkeley.edu/5188.htm an admissions officer gives some advice about what not to do. Don't summarize your resume. Don't be too dramatic and don't use a grabby opener. Don't express too much interest in Berkeley Law. What is left?! Should I think of this as more of a structured and straightforward essay than many of the other T14 schools?

Well. You shouldn't summarize your resume for any school, so that one's a wash.

Don't be too dramatic etc. - this is a given as well.

As for the "too much interest in Berkeley Law", thats not what the link said at all - it more referred to the applicants' insincerity in expressing their interest, for example, by referring to a professor who was barely related to a centre or who wasn't faculty at all. If you have genuine reason to want to attend, I don't think their statement precludes mentioning it.

Basically, it seems the same as all other T-14, except its 4 pages lol.

edit: for spelling.

Lol yeah I guess you are right - it is pretty standard. I think trying to extend my 2 page essay to 4 pages is just irrationally causing me to be anxious/overthink this.

FWIW, last cycle I submitted the same 2-page PS that I'd sent elsewhere and it worked out. Good luck.