PAGE LIMITS Forum

[swoonster]

Good morning everyone!

If a school requires a 2 page maximum for a personal statement, is it generally bad to have an extra line or two on a third page? Is change the font size to less than 12 discourage if it doesn't explicitly ask for 12 in the application instructions?

Thanks in advance and best of luck to everyone!

[Dcc617]

Good morning everyone!

If a school requires a 2 page maximum for a personal statement, is it generally bad to have an extra line or two on a third page? Is change the font size to less than 12 discourage if it doesn't explicitly ask for 12 in the application instructions?

Thanks in advance and best of luck to everyone!

I would be absolutely shocked if your prose were so tight and your thoughts all so important that you couldn't cut a couple lines.

[Pneumonia]

Yes, it is bad. You should not do this.

[swoonster]

Yes, it is bad. You should not do this.

what about font size if it isn't explicitly mentioned

[cavalier1138]

Brevity is the soul of wit.

Seriously, just cut some things out. If you plan on going to law school and eventually practicing, this is a skill you need to master.

[calpolisci2016]

Besides UCLA, most top schools have a minimum of 11 point font. I also recommend using "Garamond" font, as it is generally smaller and allows for more text while still very readable.

Have you also tried making your margins 1" on all sides?

[UnicornHunter]

Don't mess with the margins and, really, don't mess with the fonts. Just write less. Admissions gets thousands of these things, they're going to see any shenanigans you try. They probably won't care but you never know.

It's important to internalize just how unimportant these things are. Follow instructions and don't get cute.

[ArtistOfManliness]

Good morning everyone!

If a school requires a 2 page maximum for a personal statement, is it generally bad to have an extra line or two on a third page? Is change the font size to less than 12 discourage if it doesn't explicitly ask for 12 in the application instructions?

Thanks in advance and best of luck to everyone!

JFC. Yes it has to be two pages. No you cannot change it below font size 12.

[mjb447]

That last line or two isn't going to get you in, but it might keep you out if you can only avoid deleting it by breaking or bending rules that everyone else is following.

[studyingeveryday]

I'm actually using size 11 font. The only schools that have specified font size noted that it should be at least size 11.

[rinkrat19]

Academic standard: Times New Roman or Garamond, 12 or 11 pt., double-space, 1" margins. Page limits are absolute; thou shalt not exceed. Using fiddled margins or spacing will stand out like a giant zit in a pile of identically-formated essays.

Deviating from the standards in any way tells the adcomms:

1. I don't respect your instructions, and by extension your school, enough to follow your page limit, or
2. I didn't read your instructions, or
3. I am not a good enough writer to cut my shit down.

No matter how awesome you think your PS is, it can be cut in length and will probably be better for it.

[studyingeveryday]

fyi, just saw that ucla wants minimum 12 point font. that's the first 12+ font requirement i've seen but just be aware.

[snowycc]

Times New Roman 11 pt., double-space, 1" margins. In my computer, it is about 680 words, which means I have to cut down 200 words from my current edition. Is there anyway to fit more words in?

[rinkrat19]

Times New Roman 11 pt., double-space, 1" margins. In my computer, it is about 680 words, which means I have to cut down 200 words from my current edition. Is there anyway to fit more words in?

No.
Consider this your first law school writing lesson: However perfect you think it is, it will probably improve from being cut down.

[snowycc]

Times New Roman 11 pt., double-space, 1" margins. In my computer, it is about 680 words, which means I have to cut down 200 words from my current edition. Is there anyway to fit more words in?

No.
Consider this your first law school writing lesson: However perfect you think it is, it will probably improve from being cut down.

Thank you so much. I did rework on my PS and fit the requirement well.