StatementWritingHelp.com
by Dr. Robert Edinger
Helping Applicants Since 1995 
drrobertedinger@gmail.com

The personal statement is a crucial component of your application to law school. It offers you a chance to showcase your personality, your unique experiences, and your motivations to the admissions committee. Crafting an effective personal statement can be challenging, especially when the guidelines are often vague. In this article, we'll explore strategies for choosing a personal statement topic that captures your essence and resonates with the admissions committee.

Understanding the Admissions Committee's Perspective:

To create a powerful personal statement, it's essential to think from the admissions committee's perspective. They want to know what you will bring to the classroom, the law school community, and the legal profession. Your personal statement should demonstrate the value, perspective, and voice you'll contribute to enriching the academic environment.

Your Experiences:

Start by conducting a "life inventory." Reflect on your childhood, college years, and post-college experiences. Identify moments that had a profound impact on you, triggered emotional responses, or altered your path. These moments often hold the key to compelling personal statement topics. Consider experiences related to your background, upbringing, cultural influences, and personal identity.

Narrowing Down Your Topic:

As you brainstorm potential topics, keep in mind the other components of your law school application, such as letters of recommendation and your resume. Ensure your personal statement complements these elements by providing new and valuable insights about you. Avoid redundancy in your application.

Furthermore, focus on experiences that not only reflect your internal growth but also demonstrate your outward and forward-looking perspectives. Highlight how you've applied your lessons, inspired others, or taken on challenges that extend beyond your immediate world. Connect your past experiences to your present application to create a coherent narrative.

Personal Statement Don'ts:

1. Don't Rehash Your Resume: Your personal statement should delve deeper into specific experiences, not provide a general overview of your resume.

2. Don't Focus Solely on Others: While it's acceptable to discuss influential people in your life, ensure that the essay remains centered on you. The committee wants to admit you, not someone else.

3. Don't Explain Low Grades or Test Scores: Save this for an addendum if necessary. The personal statement should focus on your strengths and contributions.

Conclusion:

Selecting a personal statement topic for your law school application can be a daunting task, but it's also an opportunity to stand out. Trust your instincts and choose experiences that authentically represent who you are. Craft a narrative that not only showcases your journey but also emphasizes the unique perspective and voice you bring to the academic community and the legal profession. Your personal statement is your chance to answer the question, "Tell me about yourself," in a compelling and memorable way.