New York Style of Writing Forum

[QwertyPoiuy]

Does anyone here have experience with submitting to law schools a personal statement written in the New York Times Style of Writing? If so, do you have insight as to how that personal statement was received by the law schools to which you applied? Have you spoken to admissions related staff as to how that style of writing would be or has been received?
If so, will you kindly share that insight with me, either as a reply to this post or through pm?

Thank you.



Sincerely,
QwertyPoiuy

[Hand]

I once took a New York Style dump after eating too many bagels

[TheKisSquared]

I can't speak to this question specifically, but every admissions thing I've been to and admissions person I've talked to has said they want the PS to be in 'your voice.' I feel like following a specific style guide might hamper that, unless that's very similar to your voice anyway. They're trying to get to know you more, the PS isn't really a place to show off 'technical' writing (understanding that NYT style might not fall strictly under that definition).

[kellyfrost]

What is New York Times style of writing?

[CPAlawHopefu]

What is New York Times style of writing?

You must be from New York, cuz most people not from New York know exactly what New York style of writing is.

[WinterComing]

I briefly worked at the New York Times, and I got into a bunch of law schools, so you'd think I would be qualified to answer. And yet, I have no idea what you're asking here.

[cavalier1138]

Since the main way that anyone can tell you're writing in a specific style is through your citations... what on earth are you planning on citing in your two-page personal story?

[Nagster5]

Since the main way that anyone can tell you're writing in a specific style is through your citations... what on earth are you planning on citing in your two-page personal story?

I used footnotes with a bibliography to cite posts my facebook page. You thin they're just going to believe whatever you have to say without evidence?

[jrass]

You're all wrong. If you want your personal statement to read like the New York Times, you need to have an opening paragraph that sounds like every other personal statement, but then has a huge text box taking up the rest of the page that says, "Continue reading for $29.95 a month." This is what most prestigious schools are expecting, and it could also prove lucrative depending on how long it takes the schools to cancel their subscription.

[TossUp]

Lol it's raining trolls.

[blsingindisguise]

New York
Congrete jungle's where dreams are made of
There's nothing you can't do
In New York
You'll get in everywhere you apply you
the Times will inspire you

[A. Nony Mouse]

Lol it's raining trolls.

don't sockpuppet, OP.

[asdfdfdfadfas]

New York
Congrete jungle's where dreams are made of
There's nothing you can't do
In New York
You'll get in everywhere you apply you
the Times will inspire you

[20160810]

The trick to mastering the New York Style of Writing is to ask yourself before writing each sentence "Would Billy Joel write this way?" After you finish the sentence, re-read it and ask yourself, "Can I see this in a Billy Joel song?" For instance, consider the following personal statement excerpt which is perfectly emblematic of the style and which, I am informed and believe, caused one lucky student to gain admission to the prestigious Yale Law School:

It's nine o'clock on a Saturday, and I'm preparing for the LSAT while the regular crowd shuffles in. There's an old man sitting next to me making love to his tonic and gin, but I do not harbor any animus toward him as a result of either (i.) his advanced age, or (ii.) his sexual predilection for beverages.

He says, "Son can you play me a memory, I'm not really sure how it goes." And I was like, shit, this fucker's got dementia, but I went over to the piano and got ready to play him a bomb-ass memory, because I'm really into community service, which is another reason why I would be a fine candidate for this law school. I sang him a song, because I'm the piano man, and we were all in the mood for a melody.

Now, John at the bar, is a friend of mine. His soft factors aren't as good as mine, but he gets me my drinks for free. He's quick with a joke (but I only laugh at the ones that do not come at the expense of any underprivileged group, and I also don't let him light up my smoke, because I am a big supporter of the class action lawsuits against Big Tobacco, which I hope to learn more about during 1L civil procedure.) But there's some place that he'd rather be. That place is Yale Law School. I agree with him.

[TheKisSquared]

The trick to mastering the New York Style of Writing is to ask yourself before writing each sentence "Would Billy Joel write this way?" After you finish the sentence, re-read it and ask yourself, "Can I see this in a Billy Joel song?" For instance, consider the following personal statement excerpt which is perfectly emblematic of the style and which, I am informed and believe, caused one lucky student to gain admission to the prestigious Yale Law School:

It's nine o'clock on a Saturday, and I'm preparing for the LSAT while the regular crowd shuffles in. There's an old man sitting next to me making love to his tonic and gin, but I do not harbor any animus toward him as a result of either (i.) his advanced age, or (ii.) his sexual predilection for beverages.

He says, "Son can you play me a memory, I'm not really sure how it goes." And I was like, shit, this fucker's got dementia, but I went over to the piano and got ready to play him a bomb-ass memory, because I'm really into community service, which is another reason why I would be a fine candidate for this law school. I sang him a song, because I'm the piano man, and we were all in the mood for a melody.

Now, John at the bar, is a friend of mine. His soft factors aren't as good as mine, but he gets me my drinks for free. He's quick with a joke (but I only laugh at the ones that do not come at the expense of any underprivileged group, and I also don't let him light up my smoke, because I am a big supporter of the class action lawsuits against Big Tobacco, which I hope to learn more about during 1L civil procedure.) But there's some place that he'd rather be. That place is Yale Law School. I agree with him.

*slow clap*

[kenedy]

Spam.

[pancakes3]

is "x may be y" passive voice?

is there a way to write it in active? "x is potentially y" ? is there a better way?