Cover Letter as Personal Statement Forum

[Fetyukovich]

Has anyone tried this? I don't see why a cover letter structure wouldn't be a sufficient personal statement for law school.

The structure would be something like this: 1. Why I want the opening (as a law student), 2. how my skills and background make me qualified for the opening, 3. How the culture/faculty/curriculum of the school dovetail with my broader career goals

A lot of the personal statements I read don't go into #s 2 and 3 in detail. Is there a reason why submitting a personal statement like this would be a negative? Assume GPA/LSAT numbers by themselves give a fair-very good chance of admission to begin with, based on last cycle.

[lymenheimer]

It seems to me like this idea would fall flat pretty easily. If your numbers are competitive, just stick with traditional PS.
1) This is a good start to thinking about your statement.
2) This should be reflected in your numbers and resume. It can be addressed in your PS if not mentioned in any of the others.
3) You don't know the culture of the school and the curricula are generally the same at each school. the faculty may have awards, but while you're attending they may be on leave, visiting professors at another school, or something else.

Basically, without seeing how it is in a drafted form, I'd put money on it being boring, as opposed to a PS that discusses aspects of you not already outlined in your resume, numbers, transcript, rest of application.

[TheRealSantaClaus]

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[GMasters5]

IMO, there is really no upside and a pretty big downside, so I say don't do this.

[Fetyukovich]

OK, thanks for the feedback.

I am currently writing my PS now and have taken this advice into account. Would anyone be willing to read a draft of it later today?

[TheRealSantaClaus]

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