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benwyatt wrote: They saw your application this year
Next year they'll know you're a reapplicant
Adcomms are known for checking to at least see if you wrote a new PS

Really?

What if I wait for one extra year, will they remember a PS written two years ago?

Or can I write a "PS addendum" saying this is my most noteworthy experience or this talks about my most amazing characteristics, which is not significantly changed during last year?

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I think if the topic is that unique and changing it up would dim your shine, you'd be fine sending the merely tweaked PS.

What else is different about your application? Do you have new stats?

I've not yet seen the phrase "extremely personal" related to an excellent personal statement for law school- there are exceptions, but that sounds like a potential overshare.

debdeb2 wrote:I've not yet seen the phrase "extremely personal" related to an excellent personal statement for law school- there are exceptions, but that sounds like a potential overshare.

It's called a personal statement for a reason.

TBH I think that if it is really really good, tweaking it is the worst of both worlds: it's not likely to make it any better, and it won't look like you put effort into it. "Here's a slightly less good version of my last PS" isn't a good look.

I would write something new, and assume they will read both. That gives you two opportunities to impress them, which is a good thing.

well, yes and no - that's the common nomenclature, carried over from undergrad. Applying to undergrad, it's common to write something heartrending. For law school, or any graduate school, it's more sensible to write something more professional, or analytical, or lyrical. That word "personal" sometimes triggers applicants to overshare something super sensitive, but it can get a bit therapy-sessiony sometimes, and that doesn't help the applicant in the greater applicant pool. When you're applying against people who've founded non-profits and saved orphans, you don't want to be the big weeper in the pile.

That's not to say that a sensitive topic can't be re-worked into a thoughtful, reflective essay. But it takes some doing to step back from emotional upheaval and write something sober.

debdeb2 wrote: That's not to say that a sensitive topic can't be re-worked into a thoughtful, reflective essay. But it takes some doing to step back from emotional upheaval and write something sober.

Okay. This is what I meant. Obviously adcoms don't want an immature rant or diary entry, but I do think the PS is the one chance for adcoms to get to know you. Everything else is just a number or a line on a resume. The vast majority of PS's are impersonal and cliche.

Mainly I'm speaking to differentiating yourself at black box, soft-centric (in addition to great stats) schools. Most schools don't care about much more than GPA and LSAT, so if you can't approach a personal statement tactfully, it's better to play it safe and boring. However, the PS can tip the scales in your favor at HYS, for example.

I reapplied using the exact same PS. Performed exactly as my numbers said I would

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benwyatt wrote:

Clearly wrote:I reapplied using the exact same PS. Performed exactly as my numbers said I would

I think that can also have something to do with how strong/weak your numbers are.

Likewise, OP's numbers will dictate performance.

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Idk if this reply is going to help but I just wanted to say that I'm literally in this exact same position.

I waited a year, retook the LSAT, and now I have what I think are two excellent statements (PS + DS) and don't (didn't) know what to do.

Well, I submitted the exact same statements for the following reasons: 1. My statements are so unique that I really feel I wouldn't be able to craft anything close to it. I spent several months on the both of them and they've gone through numerous revisions. I didn't think the alternative would be better (a newer PS and/or likely lesser version of my current one).

2. I did better on the LSAT. I thought this would (at the least) offset the fact that I used the same statements. I don't think using the same statements would be as significant since my score did improve (and considering the fact that they were unique statements to begin with).

3. I added a pretty solid soft in the offseason.

I thought all things considered, it was the best decision. They will see that my score improved, I'm sure understand the specificity of my statements and see I added things of significance to my resume. It's really a personal decision but in my opinion, if you feel a newer statement would be far off in terms of quality (I know I did) then I say go with the original.

You could also maybe write a new one and take a really good look at both statements, see what you think and then go from there.

People, it really doesn't matter if you use the same one...like at all.

Anecdotal but i got into H this year with the exact same application which resulted in a WL last cycle. Everything (PS, LoC, LSAT) was the same along with a slightly tweaked resume to account for one year.