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Hello TLS!

I'm applying in the next cycle and was wondering if I could get some input. I'm a 175+ student with a 3.9+ GPA targetting HYSCC. Initially I was going to focus my application on my technical background (biomedical engineering) as why I want to enter law (Patents are bullcrap.) However, I've recently heard advice that it might be beneficial to somehow incorporate my backstory into my application:

So here's the deal, I'm Iraqi born from a father that was in the government in the late 80's to mid 90's (a good guy, he was involved in a state-owned manufacturing company which classified him as a 'government official', nothing political or related to military/abusing people). When due to health reasons I needed medical care unavailable, we found ourselves in the unfortunate position of not being able to go to any country in the west, being denied any form of visa for obvious reasons. Upon repeated positioning among other things, we were finally able to come to America, and thus I learned to love this country.

I've been advised by a friend in HYS right now who is familiar with the story that it might be helpful in the application, I'm not so sure. Now I've never used that as a sob story before or looked for sympathy, but I'd love any edge I can get for HYS! Any thoughts on if/how I should incorporate that into a PS/Diversity statement?

PS: We all hate Saddam so please no trollage.

Thanks!

I think you might want to check this board out: http://top-law-schools.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=18

While I'm here though, my personal opinion is that your life story would probably be much more fascinating to read than yet another patent law statement from a science major.

CodyRuegger wrote:I think you might want to check this board out: http://top-law-schools.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=18

While I'm here though, my personal opinion is that your life story would probably be much more fascinating to read than yet another patent law statement from a science major.

Seriously, that would make an awesome PS.

CodyRuegger wrote:I think you might want to check this board out: http://top-law-schools.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=18

While I'm here though, my personal opinion is that your life story would probably be much more fascinating to read than yet another patent law statement from a science major.

Thanks, I was considering posting it there but since I wasn't sure if this would better be told in a diversity statement /addendum I thought it be more appropriate here. So put it in PS and not in a diversity statement seems to be the response?

I would personally like to hear more about how patents are bullcrap. Also, if possible, make it clear why that's motivating you to go to law school.

hopelesslyconfused2 wrote:(Patents are bullcrap.)

wut? I would still have focused on this even if you told us Saddam was awesome.

Alright, not ALL patents. Just software patents and ones on DNA sequences, and medical treatment protocol patents (ones that go something along the lines of 'checking for blood sugar levels to determine if diabetic is a novel technique' not patenting a technique for determining blood sugar levels, rather the idea of using the blood sugar levels in a formula to see if you're diabetic.)

If you developed something cool and awesome and is physical I can appreciate that and respect it. As well as drugs, thats cool too because it takes something like 8 years to get FDA approval.

hopelesslyconfused2 wrote:Alright, not ALL patents. Just software patents and ones on DNA sequences, and medical treatment protocol patents (ones that go something along the lines of 'checking for blood sugar levels to determine if diabetic is a novel technique' not patenting a technique for determining blood sugar levels, rather the idea of using the blood sugar levels in a formula to see if you're diabetic.)

If you developed something cool and awesome and is physical I can appreciate that and respect it. As well as drugs, thats cool too because it takes something like 8 years to get FDA approval.

Well I hate to tell you, but your time in law school and career in law will have no impact on whether patents for those things exist. Reconsider law school when you have a reason for going that isn't bright-eyed optimism about your ability to change the world.

Bildungsroman wrote:

hopelesslyconfused2 wrote:Alright, not ALL patents. Just software patents and ones on DNA sequences, and medical treatment protocol patents (ones that go something along the lines of 'checking for blood sugar levels to determine if diabetic is a novel technique' not patenting a technique for determining blood sugar levels, rather the idea of using the blood sugar levels in a formula to see if you're diabetic.)

If you developed something cool and awesome and is physical I can appreciate that and respect it. As well as drugs, thats cool too because it takes something like 8 years to get FDA approval.

Well I hate to tell you, but your time in law school and career in law will have no impact on whether patents for those things exist. Reconsider law school when you have a reason for going that isn't bright-eyed optimism about your ability to change the world.

Oh god no I hope to make money out of this bullshit system not change it, it's just I personally think they shouldn't exist. Does that stop me from representing someone such as Apple with 'swipe to unlock' patents for 160k a year? Hell no.

I was merely planning to write about how my experience in my major has let me to patent law and I found that interesting yada yada. I wasn't going to mention 'patents are bullshit', sorry if that wasn't clear.

hopelesslyconfused2 wrote:

Bildungsroman wrote:

hopelesslyconfused2 wrote:Alright, not ALL patents. Just software patents and ones on DNA sequences, and medical treatment protocol patents (ones that go something along the lines of 'checking for blood sugar levels to determine if diabetic is a novel technique' not patenting a technique for determining blood sugar levels, rather the idea of using the blood sugar levels in a formula to see if you're diabetic.)

If you developed something cool and awesome and is physical I can appreciate that and respect it. As well as drugs, thats cool too because it takes something like 8 years to get FDA approval.

Well I hate to tell you, but your time in law school and career in law will have no impact on whether patents for those things exist. Reconsider law school when you have a reason for going that isn't bright-eyed optimism about your ability to change the world.

Oh god no I hope to make money out of this bullshit system not change it, it's just I personally think they shouldn't exist. Does that stop me from representing someone such as Apple with 'swipe to unlock' patents for 160k a year? Hell no.

I was merely planning to write about how my experience in my major has let me to patent law and I found that interesting yada yada. I wasn't going to mention 'patents are bullshit', sorry if that wasn't clear.

Willing to ignore your own feelings for the sake of getting a well-paying job? Carry on, good sir.

Bildungsroman wrote:

hopelesslyconfused2 wrote:

Bildungsroman wrote:

hopelesslyconfused2 wrote:Alright, not ALL patents. Just software patents and ones on DNA sequences, and medical treatment protocol patents (ones that go something along the lines of 'checking for blood sugar levels to determine if diabetic is a novel technique' not patenting a technique for determining blood sugar levels, rather the idea of using the blood sugar levels in a formula to see if you're diabetic.)

If you developed something cool and awesome and is physical I can appreciate that and respect it. As well as drugs, thats cool too because it takes something like 8 years to get FDA approval.

Well I hate to tell you, but your time in law school and career in law will have no impact on whether patents for those things exist. Reconsider law school when you have a reason for going that isn't bright-eyed optimism about your ability to change the world.

Oh god no I hope to make money out of this bullshit system not change it, it's just I personally think they shouldn't exist. Does that stop me from representing someone such as Apple with 'swipe to unlock' patents for 160k a year? Hell no.

I was merely planning to write about how my experience in my major has let me to patent law and I found that interesting yada yada. I wasn't going to mention 'patents are bullshit', sorry if that wasn't clear.

Willing to ignore your own feelings for the sake of getting a well-paying job? Carry on, good sir.

What can I say, warm feelings don't buy Zegna suits.

hopelesslyconfused2 wrote: I was merely planning to write about how my experience in my major has let me to patent law and I found that interesting yada yada. I wasn't going to mention 'patents are bullshit', sorry if that wasn't clear.

Boring.

Yale especially cares more about your backstory
(their marketing material regularly includes lists of how diverse their student body is)
Your background (with or without the sob story part) is a major asset and you'd be wise to leverage all it's worth.

Your technical background will be apparent from other parts of your resume, the personal statement lets you add whatever you wish, so you should wow them