Naming Names in PS Forum

[bruiserwoods12]

I've written my PS and need some advice from fellow TLS posters out there. My PS is about work experiences that led me to decide to go to law school. Currently I've named the companies by their actual names for the sake of clarity. I'm debating if I should keep it as is, or if I should use descriptors/nicknames.

Thoughts on naming the companies outrightly versus simply describing or even nick-naming them??

[arroznueve]

Don't nickname them.

Try describing them and see how it reads. If it still flows (that is, if your descriptions are a word or two and not some long-winded thing), it's probably safest. Moreover, unless every employer for whom you have worked is internationally recognizable by name, you probably have to describe what they do, anyway, to make the point you want to make.

At the same time, make sure you reflect on your draft: if you're saying something that has caused you to hesitate whether to name the employer it is about, is what you're saying really appropriate? Can it be written in a way that accurately communicates what you learned without "implicating" the employer?

[Mr. Peanutbutter]

Drag them

[mistakepluskeleven]

My personal statement was a very negative look on a past internship (extremely unethical and hostile work environment) and how I learned to fight for myself. I took out the name of the firm as well as taking it off of my resume. The lead partner of the firm is an alum of one of the schools I'm applying to so I didn't want to take any chance of it getting traced back to my boss.

If you're being negative in any way, I would suggest leaving out names. Who knows who is reading your statement and what their connections are.
That being said, if it is a big chunk of your resume that you can't take out, they could probably figure it out from looking at the two.

[cavalier1138]

My personal statement was a very negative look on a past internship (extremely unethical and hostile work environment) and how I learned to fight for myself.

If you didn't already submit this statement, I strongly recommend changing the topic. Bitching about past employment (no matter how you spin it) isn't a good look.

[KENYADIGG1T]

Drag them

+180

[mistakepluskeleven]

My personal statement was a very negative look on a past internship (extremely unethical and hostile work environment) and how I learned to fight for myself.

If you didn't already submit this statement, I strongly recommend changing the topic. Bitching about past employment (no matter how you spin it) isn't a good look.

I didn't phrase that correctly. I had it checked by my pre-law advisor and toned it down a ton so it was about what I learned/personal growth instead of simply complaining about the horrible experience, but I totally agree that nobody wants to read a bitch fest lol

[cavalier1138]

My personal statement was a very negative look on a past internship (extremely unethical and hostile work environment) and how I learned to fight for myself.

If you didn't already submit this statement, I strongly recommend changing the topic. Bitching about past employment (no matter how you spin it) isn't a good look.

I didn't phrase that correctly. I had it checked by my pre-law advisor and toned it down a ton so it was about what I learned/personal growth instead of simply complaining about the horrible experience, but I totally agree that nobody wants to read a bitch fest lol

I would also have someone else check it. Pre-law advisors are notoriously incompetent at every aspect of the admissions process.

[mistakepluskeleven]

My personal statement was a very negative look on a past internship (extremely unethical and hostile work environment) and how I learned to fight for myself.

If you didn't already submit this statement, I strongly recommend changing the topic. Bitching about past employment (no matter how you spin it) isn't a good look.

I didn't phrase that correctly. I had it checked by my pre-law advisor and toned it down a ton so it was about what I learned/personal growth instead of simply complaining about the horrible experience, but I totally agree that nobody wants to read a bitch fest lol

I would also have someone else check it. Pre-law advisors are notoriously incompetent at every aspect of the admissions process.

Lol good call. Thanks!