Law School Application: Personal Statements

Writing an Effective Law School Personal Statement

Admission to law school is competitive. Many applicants have similar GPAs and LSAT scores, so your personal statement is your best chance to stand out. It is your opportunity to make a memorable impression, highlight your unique experiences, and explain why you are an exceptional candidate. 

General Approach

• Start early. Give yourself time to reflect, draft, and revise. 
• Establish a theme. Identify a central idea or common thread that ties your experiences together, even if they seem unrelated at first. 
• Make it personal. Share experiences, perspectives, and characteristics that set you apart. Let your personality shine. 
• Do not recapitulate your resume. Use anecdotes and specific stories -- not a repeat of your resume -- to reveal aspects of yourself not evident elsewhere in your application. 
• Highlight your passion. Explain what excites you about law school, how you will contribute, and what you hope to achieve. 

Addressing Challenges 

• Acknowledge weaknesses briefly. Your personal statement should highlight your strengths. If needed, mention weaknesses only to show resilience and growth. More detailed explanations belong in an addendum. 

Writing Style

• Stay focused. Avoid rambling or trying to cover too many topics. 
• Keep it clear and concise. Brevity is a hallmark of strong legal writing
• Avoid clichés, jargon, and excessive vocabulary. Avoid humor as well, as it can be taken differently by different people and you will not know who will be reading your personal statement. 

Following Instructions

• Answer the prompt. Some schools ask for a general statement; others pose specific questions, and many schools will ask "why law." 
• Tailor thoughtfully. You do not need to customize your personal statement for each school, but if you do, double-check that you've sent the correct version. 
• Adhere to the directions. Unless otherwise noted, use 12-point font Times New Roman and stay within 1.5-2 pages (about 750 words). Quinnipiac Law's limit is 750 words. 

Final Checks

• Put yourself in the reader's shoes. Is your statement engaging, authentic, and reflective of who you are? 
• Proofread relentlessly 

Seek Multiple Perspectives

• Someone who knows you well (for authenticity).
• Someone who can review grammar and clarity.
• Someone who doesn't know you (to see what impression you get).

Be genuine. Admission committees recognize inflated portrayals. If the school doesn't interview, this may be your only introduction -- make it real and memorable. 

AI Usage. Adhere to the school's AI policy. Most schools allow the use for grammar checks, etc. However, most schools will be able to tell if it was used and to what extent.