Personal Statement about deferring law school? Forum

[Dr.Degrees_Cr.Cash]

Hey all,

So a little background, I took the LSAT sept. 2014, and scored 173. I basically blanketed the T14 and was WL to all but Cornell. It was pretty disheartening, but also I wasn't sure if I wanted to go into Law School or if I was just being pressured into it. Furthermore I wasn't sure if I would be ready to make it in a T14 law school (I went to a big state school and got a 3.77 but really didn't have to put in the effort I assume would be required of me.) So I withdrew all my applications and went into the job force (I'm an accountant right now, my degree). My time has convinced me that Law School is what my passion is and am looking to apply again this fall.

I'm having real trouble with my personal statement and think that was one of my big negatives last time around. I am considering writing about my decision to defer school, but I want to know how everyone feels about that as a theme. I didn't travel the world, and I don't really know how I would turn that into how I would be a good lawyer.

Can anyone give me some advice or let me know if they think I should use these last two years as my personal statement?

Thanks

[ticklemesilly]

I dunno. In one respect, it seems good because you are showing that you don't admit defeat but rather gather your bearings and persevere. You have to be careful not to sound like you are begrudging the adcoms, esp if you are applying to the same schools you have been rejected from. Keep it positive, say that you are happy to have expanded your horizons through your work year, and that the experience just affirmed your desire to be a lawyer.

The only risk you incur is making it sound like one long addendum. So try to refrain from making it sound like an explanation, and more like a learning/growing experience and a time you overcame a disappointment and made the most out of it.

[Tls2016]

Law school is your passion?

I dunno. If I were you I would probably just build my career in accounting. But if you don't, you should figure out why you got wait listed and no admits.

Don't write a PS reminding people that they didn't like you or were unsure about you before. That's a terrible idea.

[rinkrat19]

You're a 3.77/173 and only got into one T14? That is WAY underperforming for those numbers. Did you apply in April? Do you have a serious criminal record? Was your old personal statement written in crayon?

Re-writing your PS is only gonna be part of this process. You gotta address whatever it was that caused you to underperform so horrendously.