NO IDEA what to write PS about Forum

[mm89]

I genuinely have no idea. I really want it to be great and I honestly can't think of something good to write about. I was thinking of writing one about my cultural identity/background and the different environments I have lived in and how they have impacted my ideas/perspectives and how I think. But I think that might be a better diversity statement, no?

Any insight/brainstorming would be great. I don't know why I'm so stuck.

[WatchClosely]

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[totesTheGoat]

Think about something that really sucked at the time, but you appreciate having done it when you look back. Everything in that category makes for a "perseverance" PS. For example: community service for high school graduation, volunteering at a soup kitchen, working on your uncle's farm.

Think about something that you did that made you think about things differently. Everything in that category makes for a "personal growth" PS. For example: a mission trip, a job that exposes you to people outside your socioeconomic class, mentoring underprivileged youth.

Think about something awful that happened that made you really want to change things. Everything in that category makes for a "drive/initiative" PS. For example: you were mugged, you were a victim of injustice, your grandma died because of crappy airbags.

[mm89]

You can easily find information online about crafting a strong personal statement. Have you searched for this information? Why did you find it unhelpful?

I just feel like all of the examples I have read contain extreme circumstances or dramatic life stories that I have not encountered or experienced.

[lymenheimer]

You can easily find information online about crafting a strong personal statement. Have you searched for this information? Why did you find it unhelpful?

I just feel like all of the examples I have read contain extreme circumstances or dramatic life stories that I have not encountered or experienced.

I thought the same thing. Then I took something that I love (a hobby) and my job and connected them to how I believe I will succeed in law school.

[WatchClosely]

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[GreatBraffsby]

You can easily find information online about crafting a strong personal statement. Have you searched for this information? Why did you find it unhelpful?

I just feel like all of the examples I have read contain extreme circumstances or dramatic life stories that I have not encountered or experienced.

FYI the online examples of a personal statement starting in medias res with a catchy hook, followed by an explanation of that scenario, and ending with a tie between that experience and the dream of attending law school is overplayed. Schools know that it's a generic formula and I think they're getting tried of essays consisting of sob stories/dramatic events/"enriching" jobs or programs that applicants use to come across as impressive, socially conscious, or whatever.

When brainstorming, think about what makes you tick, what makes you happy, etc. I wrote a bunch of essays that I threw away because they didn't feel honest and didn't pass the test of "does this genuinely explain who I am, where I've been and where I'm going". Not that I was lying, but I went through many, many subjects that I thought would "sound" good rather than reflect the actual me. Hope that makes sense.

[jfiaff]

If you're really struggling to come up with ideas, I'd recommend brainstorming with family and/or friends. People who are close to you and actually know you irl will be much more helpful than strangers online who don't know anything about you.

[cbbinnyc]

The best idea is to just start writing. Stream of consciousness, if you have to. Write every day, and eventually you will discover something that you want to focus on. It really works, if you do it religiously. In the beginning, you will probably write a bunch of crap, but you need to put pen to paper (or, i guess, finger to keyboard). I wrote 5 different drafts of personal statements - ironically, I ended up using the very first statement I drafted (heavily edited, of course), but it was important for me to get everything down on paper before I could discover what I really wanted to focus on.

You won't figure out what you want to write about by thinking about it. Talking to other people is definitely helpful, as well, but ultimately you have to decide what you want to write about.