Good or Bad PS topic? Forum

[Anonymous User]

A year ago, I was pulled over by the police and commanded to exit my car at gun point. I had no idea what was going on until after the officer had patted me down and told me that there had been a report I had been waving a gun around while driving. Turns out someone had spotted me playing in a non-threatening way with an airsoft gun and called 911. The cops let me go with a warning. If I were to write about this experience for my PS, I would focus on how this experience made me want to be an attorney and how it gave me a different perspective on police use of force.

My concern with this topic is that there is obviously an element of me kinda being an idiot (playing with an airsoft while driving). Thoughts?

[4LTsPointingNorth]

Bad topic. Good judgment is foundational, and the entire incident screams "bad judgment." Although this incident may be one of the reasons you actually want to be a lawyer (because it changed your perspective), a personal statement should generally convey "why I want to be a lawyer" through anecdotes or reflections that ALSO convey "why I would likely be a good lawyer." Even though your topic may be convincing as to the former, it seems to have the opposite effect as to the latter.

[34iplaw]

I agree with the poster above. I think it would be different if you or someone you cared about was subjected to a gross miscarriage of justice, police abuse, or some other flaw - i.e. drug courts or whatever. Your incident indicates an example of really poor judgement on your part. Your concern is definitely correct.

[mathaddict]

Agree with the opinions above. Consensus quickly forming.

[Barack O'Drama]

I agree with the poster above. I think it would be different if you or someone you cared about was subjected to a gross miscarriage of justice, police abuse, or some other flaw - i.e. drug courts or whatever. Your incident indicates an example of really poor judgement on your part. Your concern is definitely correct.

iplaw is the PS guru, so I'm seconding his vote +1

[Sawtooth]

Any chance I could humorously spin it or downplay the youthful idiocy of the airsoft gun?

I supposed I only started thinking about using this experience for my PS after a law school admissions director and my school’s pre-law advisor thought it might be a good choice. Admittedly, the admissions officer wasn’t from a very highly ranked school and my advisor is somewhat clueless.

Not sure how relevant this is, but while I may apply to some T14 schools, the two schools I am most interested in are ranked by USNWR in the 30s.

Thanks for the input.

[kellyfrost]

I wouldn't write a PS on this topic.

[trmckenz]

Are you required to disclose this incident as an Character and Fitness issue? If you are required to disclose it, I could see an argument for addressing it head on and describing how you came out of this somewhat scary incident on the other side with respect for law enforcement and a passion for the law, but honestly it's a stretch at best. If not, I would definitely not bring it to the attention of any Admissions Office.

A PS is not a chance to "humorously spin or downplay youthful idiocy." Put your best foot forward.

[FayRays]

I don't think the police officer at fault here, so what you were going to say beside he did his job and someone falsly accused you of carrying a gun which turned out to be not a gun at all?
I mean.
This story would be different if the cop was violent with you and you being from another race felt he profiled you and was racist with you just because you weren't like him. ( be careful though, this story is overused right now on the media and everywhere, so you have to make it look as personal as possible if you gonna use that route)
That would then would probably qualify for injustice, but right now it's just a story of a cop and an unlucky person "You"