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Writing A Law School And LLM Personal Statement

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A great LLM (Master of Laws) personal statement should be persuasive, concise and easy to read:

Persuasive – you want the admissions board to choose you over the competition.

Concise – you need to compress information about your past, present and future into a limited word count.

Easy to read – you don’t want the admissions board to give up on it halfway through.

Why is your LLM personal statement so important?

Your LLM personal statement is a vital part of the process of applying to an LLM course, and together with your academic record and relevant work experience , it is a key element to the success of your LLM application.

It is crucial that you allow yourself enough time to craft the perfect LLM personal statement, one that showcases all your skills, qualifications, experience and personality.

1. An LLM personal statement explains gaps

If you've got a few spaces in your work history or a job that ended poorly, then the LLM personal statement is your chance to explain what happened and what you have learnt from the experience. An unhappy or bad experience can be a significant learning experience and might have provided you with additional skills or motivations that will make you able to contribute to the course in a unique or significant way. Many law schools encourage students to explain any career gaps.

2. Provides insight into motivation

It's important that your motivations for applying for and doing the LLM course match with the law school's ethics and ethos. Your LLM personal statement is your chance to show that you are a good match for the law school and the LLM course. Explain your reasons for wanting to do this course and why you are passionate about the law or the particular part of the law you are planning on studying. You can show what you will bring to the course and why you will be an asset to the law school.

3. Make yourself stand out

A popular LLM course at a prestigious global law school will receive many more applications than spaces on the course. Everyone applying to that course will have an excellent academic record and a wealth of relevant work experience. Your LLM personal statement might make the difference between being accepted onto the course and not. Make yourself stand out with the language you use, but don't overdo it. Explain the finer details of your experience and why you've chosen to attend this course at this particular law school.

4. Important part of the law school’s decision making

Almost 90% of universities use the LLM personal statement to make their decision about applicants. This means the time you spend on your personal statement is crucial. Try and get some other people to read through your statement and offer their advice/opinion, especially if you know someone who has completed the LLM course recently. Make sure that your personal statement is your own work and that any revisions you make on the recommendation of others don't change your personal statement beyond recognition and lose the essence of you.

5. Proves you can follow instructions

There will be guidelines and advice provided by the law school or university to help you write your LLM personal statement. Use these instructions to prove that you can follow directions. It's also an opportunity to show off your written English skills, this could be particularly relevant if English is not your first language, and your English test scores are not what you would like them to be.

6. The first chance for potential professors to ‘meet’ you

Your LLM personal statement is your introduction to your future law school professors and the people who you might connect and reconnect with throughout your legal career. View your personal statement as the first introduction to this new part of your future network.

What information should you include?

Key things to bear in mind to achieve success when crafting the perfect LLM personal statement are:

1. Conciseness:  whatever you do, you MUST remain within the institution’s word limit. Legal professionals are expected to be able to summarise masses of information without losing any essential facts, and your personal statement is an indicator of your ability to do this.

2. Language:  don’t use complicated words in an attempt to impress. As a legal professional, you will be working with clients who may not understand technical terms so your ability to communicate in a formal yet simple style will not go unnoticed.

3. Format:  keep your LLM personal statement uncluttered, with lots of spacing and white space, to make it easy to read. It's important for the document to look good as well as to read well.

4. Structure and flow:  your intro could summarise the reasons why granting you a place is the right decision for the admissions board to make. The main body should be broken up into your past (academic, professional and personal info; relevant experience, your interests and motivations and what led you to the point of applying), your present (all the details about the LLM; why you chose it at that particular institution, which modules you’re really keen on) and your future (what you plan to do after you complete the LLM). Your conclusion is a summary of your main points and should end on a memorable note. After you’ve written your first draft, print it out and review it to see if it makes sense, making notes in the margins along the way as if you were an editor editing another writer’s work.

LLM personal statement top tips

Here are some tips and strategies to creating the perfect LLM personal statement.

Academic history

Discuss what you studied as an undergrad and whether the LLM is a natural progression or would represent a change in career path. Do you have a first degree in law and are you working your way towards a PhD in Law and a future in legal academia? If your first degree was not in Law, how would the LLM complement it; do you have a first degree in Economics and want to do an LLM in International Business Law for example?

Make it personal

Mention what interests and motivates you, and what has happened in your life that put you on the path to applying for an LLM at that institution. If you’ve chosen a small college, explain why you prefer institutions with a small population. If you’ve opted for a large law school, let the admissions board know why you thrive in a busy environment. It’s important to explain your preferences so the admissions board gets a sense of who you are and why you fit in with their law school. Include relevant information – like volunteer experience or extra-curricular activities – that have inspired you with your choice. The admissions team want to understand the personal reasons why you want to study their LLM course.

Don’t make claims you can’t support

Since you are applying for a postgrad legal program you should be familiar with making persuasive arguments. As legal arguments are evidence-based, be prepared to apply the same approach in your statement by avoiding unsubstantiated claims. If you state that certain modules are ‘relevant to your career’, state specifically how. Don’t leave it to the admissions board to try to work it out for themselves. If you claim that you are a top student, highlight your grades even though you will submit transcripts as part of your application. Use clichés like ‘leadership skills’ only if you can give examples of instances when you demonstrated these traits. And don't forget that if you are subsequently called in for an LLM interview, this personal statement will probably be used as the basis for the interview, so always tell the truth!

Don’t just write it, craft it

When it comes to the actual writing of your LLM personal statement be prepared to write, edit and rewrite your personal statement several times. Remember all those essays you wrote in your undergrad days? Well, the same rules of presentation, structure and flow apply to your personal statement; the only difference being that this time, the essay is about you. And once you think you’ve written the perfect LLM personal statement get a trusted friend or colleague to read it through to offer you constructive criticism and to pick up any typos or grammatical errors.

Relevant referees

Pick a referee who can provide you with a good academic reference, so choose a tutor and lecturer who will remember you from your undergraduate studies. Including your employer as a referee is a good idea if your current job is relevant to the course, or include someone you did relevant work experience for. You will need to ask potential referees before you submit your application.

10 things to avoid in your LLM personal statement

Here are the top 10 things that you should avoid doing when writing your LLM personal statement.

Including a mini dissertation – you are meant to explain your interest in the area that you wish to specialise in, which doesn’t mean writing an essay on your proposed dissertation topic! That can wait till you start your LLM program and are asked to submit a thesis proposal.

Underselling yourself – rather than blaming yourself later on for missing out on listing achievements from your work experience or undergraduate study, make it a point to highlight all the relevant information; ranging from past work experience on specific projects, skills acquired and applied, publications, moot courts, etc.

Being ambiguous – all your efforts will be futile if you didn’t make your personal statement read clearly with details relevant to the LLM course that you are applying for and clearly stating your interest for that course.

Writing too much or too little – usually universities provide the word count/A4 page limit for the LLM personal statement. Some students will have a tendency to write less hoping that the CV will cover all their academic and career highlights, whilst others may be tempted to write too much describing everything they have done in all possible detail. The sensible approach would be to mention enough to match the word count/page limit and to highlight only what is important to put your case forward.

Obsessing with templates – it might be a common trend to scour the internet for templates on personal statements but be warned that some may have been copied off the others and may all end up looking very similar. Your LLM personal statement should be unique and well drafted to make logical sense to the reader.

Making stupid mistakes – sometimes we tend to overlook minor mistakes that can have significant bearing on the outcome of our application. Things such as addressing the statement to the wrong university (or with a wrong date/address) can give a very bad first (and almost certainly final) impression!

Doing it last minute – our general advice when it comes to university applications is to never leave anything to the last minute. Some students tend to work hard on their personal statement redrafting it a 100+ times, while others only pick up this part of the application on the last day of its submission. Time must be given to this vital part of your application so that any mistakes including ones listed here can be corrected in good time.

Repeating information – although you may feel that you are trying to make a point by explaining a situation in different ways, university admissions staff may see this as a repetition of information that they don’t need to know. Once you make a point about a particular skill/achievement, move on to the next piece of information to show varied experience, knowledge and interest.

Name dropping – in professional services we tend to mention names of high-profile clients or popular legal representatives to get ahead of competition through our application. This may work in a casual networking setting, however when it comes to application processes for admissions, the focus is usually around your contribution to legal matters, your ambition to progress your career further through further studies, rather than just throwing some names in!

Making grammatical errors – although legal eagles tend to be careful on this one, it is best to proofread your LLM personal statement several times before handing it in. Ideally, you should share it with friends or colleagues to spot any noticeable errors.

Writing a personal statement – real-life examples

With all this key information on writing the perfect LLM personal statement – explore our law expert’s analysis of real applications to help you craft the ideal introduction and give yourself the best chance of getting onto your dream LLM program.

Introduction to our law admissions expert

To help you achieve the success you deserve with your LLM applications we have taken four genuine (and successful) LLM personal statements from four genuine LLM students and asked LLM admissions expert Robynn Allveri to fine-tune them to make them as good as they possibly can be. To put it simply, our admissions expert cast her (very) critical eye over all four law school personal statements – that had already proved successful – and offers advice on how they can be improved. She highlights where the LLM personal statements let the candidates down, and of course also shows where and why they enable the candidate’s qualities to really shine through.

Our genuine LLM personal statements have been written by both international students and home students, applying to law schools in the UK, the USA and Canada. This unique selection of real law school personal statements will give you real insight into how to make you own law school personal statement a success. Armed with our knowledge of the dos and don’ts of LLM personal statement writing and unique admissions tips , you should be just a hop, skip and a jump away from LLM admissions success!

So here is our real-life guide on how to write a law school personal statement to guarantee success with your LLM application .

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Ll.m. admissions: how to write a personal statement.

Many law schools require a personal statement from applicants. What are they looking for exactly?

Update, July 2017: Read LLM GUIDE's new article: LL.M. Applications: The Personal Statement for more up-to-date information on LL.M. personal statements.

Many law schools require a brief “personal statement" or “statement of purpose” from applicants to LL.M. programs. But for some applicants, there can be confusion about exactly how to approach this statement.

This might be because not all schools give precise guidance about how to write them. While some schools give applicants specific questions to answer, many simply ask for a description of the applicant's professional background, areas of interest, and reasons for pursuing an LL.M.

If you are an LL.M. applicant, consider this your opportunity to describe yourself and your aspirations. Since an interview is typically not part of the LL.M. admissions process, this might be your only real chance to add some personal context to your academic transcripts and resume.

Hilary Lappin has read hundreds of LL.M. applications. As assistant director of admissions at American University's Washington College of Law, Lappin sees many applicants use the statement to simply summarize their past academic and professional accomplishments - almost like a job cover letter.

While a few law schools ask specifically for this “personal history,” Lappin argues that using the statement only to focus on the past doesn't add much value to an application.

"We see their transcripts and their resume. We know what they've done," says Lappin. "What we don't know is their motivation for coming."

In other words – don't just summarize your CV in sentences and paragraphs. Lappin says that students should share their short- and long-term career goals, and they should discuss why an LL.M. from the law school they are applying to will help them get there.

"We've been trying to get them to focus on their future in their personal statement," says Lappin.

Paul Burns, academic administrator for Oxford's Bachelor of Civil Law and Magister Juris programs, agrees with this approach.

“I don't think [a statement] needs to go into any great detail about academic accomplishments as these should be evident from the other application materials,” says Burns.

“Information about future goals may be useful, but we'd prefer applicants to be honest, and said they weren't quite sure rather than trying to anticipate the sort of answer they think we'll want to hear.”

Gail Hupper, the director of the LL.M. program at Boston College School of Law, says that effective statements sometimes bridge past accomplishments with future ambitions.

“It's much more interesting if they can talk about a unifying theme related to their activities,” says Hupper, “because that unifying theme will then provide a springboard for what they want to do next.”

The statement of purpose is also an opportunity to convince the school that you are a good fit. So, why not tell them about what - specifically - attracts you to the school?

This doesn't mean you have to pander to the admissions team, or shower the law school in praise. Don't do that. But if you have the space, it's probably a good idea to tell them what aspects of the school or program - a certain module, internship opportunity, or research focus, for example - you think would help further your career.

According to Lawrence McNamara of Reading Law School in the United Kingdom, this "indicates that this is a person who has actually looked at all of the information about the school, and somebody who really wants to come here."

When it comes to tone and language, there's no need to showoff your flowery English skills or wax poetic. Keep it formal, and when a specific question has been asked, be sure to answer it.

“You would be amazed by the number of statements we get that don't answer the question,” says Gail Hupper of Boston College.

“I realize that people are applying to more than one school, and that they want to save themselves some work by doing the same statement for every school, but you can't not answer the question, and expect the schools to take your application as seriously as they otherwise might,” adds Hupper.

LL.M. personal statement quick tips

Here are a few more key do's and don'ts to keep in mind when writing an application personal statement:

• Use spell-check: It might seem obvious, but spelling mistakes are so easy to avoid these days that when they're there, it's like a big, red, waving flag with the word "lazy" written on it.
• Follow directions: Beyond answering the question posed, if there is a page or word limit, respect it.
• Don't mix up university names: If you're applying to more than one school, and plan to reuse the same personal statement (or parts of it) for different applications, be sure to check, double-check, and triple-check that you're always using the right name of the university. In other words, don't write about you dream of pursuing an LL.M. at Cornell in your Yale statement of purpose. It's a common mistake in today's copy-and-paste world, but such an oversight can reflect a carelessness unbecoming of an ambitious lawyer.
• Don't use standard templates or have someone else write the statement for you. Remember that the faculty and admissions staff who will read your statement have usually read hundreds of them. They can easily spot fake and generic statements.
• Image: istockphoto

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Law personal statement

While not essential a Masters of Law (LLM) can help you stand out in the competitive legal field. Find out what to include in an LLM personal statement

When writing a personal statement for an LLM you'll need to:

• state why you wish to study this particular LLM subject. Its undertaking will require considerable time and expense so be clear in your motivation.
• outline how your experience to date, both academic and non-academic has prepared you for the LLM and how this indicates that you will be successful on the course.
• link your study of the subject to your future career goals and state how completion of the course will support your achievement of this.

This example should be used for guidance only. Copying any of this text could significantly harm your chances of securing a place on a course.

LLM personal statement

My primary motivation for applying for the LLM in Criminal Litigation is to enhance my existing subject knowledge and to gain a solid foundation from which to build a career as a criminal defence solicitor. I have a great love of the subject and of academic study, so intend to pursue this further before applying for a position as a trainee solicitor. Throughout the study of my undergraduate LLB I strove to maintain consistently high grades in each module and I believe my achievement of a first is testament to my commitment, which I intend to take forward when studying the LLM.

My interest in law is longstanding and was first piqued through a work experience placement with a local solicitor while still at school, where I had the opportunity to witness a criminal case first hand. Through attending court with an outdoor clerk I gained an insight into the workings of the court and into how cases were managed and argued. I was drawn towards this type of work due to its human aspect - the importance of trust between lawyer and client and the life implications for the client depending on the outcome of the case. I built on this experience by attending the public gallery of the Crown Court in my own time and developing a greater understanding of how the criminal justice system functions through observing proceedings and speaking to solicitors and barristers whenever possible. It was this experience that prompted me to study an LLB.

While my experience of the criminal sector provided my initial motivation, on the LLB I also felt it was important to take modules that would allow me to develop skills and experience across a range of legal sectors, to test the area I was most suited to in terms of interest and aptitude. I undertook Business Law and International Commercial Law, as well as modules in Employment Law, Family Law and Criminal Litigation and Evidence. I enjoyed the technical challenge of the commercial work and successfully applied to complete a work experience placement with a commercial law firm. There, I sharpened my legal skills by engaging in tasks such as researching relevant law, drafting a memo to a trainee solicitor and drafting a letter of advice to a mock client. I also gained an appreciation of the daily duties of a solicitor through shadowing them at meetings and reviewing contracts. I gained an insight into how corporate lawyers' relationships with professional clients have a far greater commercial focus than those of lawyers working with the individual.

I sought to build on these combined experiences by gaining as much practical experience as I could to gain real-world insight and skills with clients in my own right. I volunteered as a Gateway Assessor with Citizens Advice, which gave me excellent experience in how to manage an interview with a client using an appropriate professional manner and identify the pertinent legal issues and draft advice. It also gave me practical experience of building relationships with often vulnerable people, from all walks of life and the ability to speak to them in a way that they understood. 

Further to this, I have undertaken several pro-bono opportunities. These include working on projects such as Street Law, teaching young people about legal issues like online privacy and rights regarding stop and search, through practical and interactive methods. I have also taken part in the Schools Consent Project, leading workshops around the legal definitions of consent and assault in secondary schools and youth groups. Through these roles I further developed my ability to effectively communicate with audiences from a range of backgrounds and to adapt my approach according to their needs. I believe this ability, together with my deep interest in the subject, will stand me in good stead when working with clients involved in the criminal justice system.

In addition to academic work, I have a number of achievements in the field of music. I have obtained Grade 8 standard in both cello and violin and as part of my university's Symphony Orchestra I have played to audiences in Germany and the Czech Republic, as well as around the UK. I have achieved this while maintaining excellent grades in my undergraduate studies.

My goal is to work as a criminal defence solicitor in the future. I have chosen the route of solicitor, as opposed to barrister, as I place great value on the strong relationship built with a client and have the intention, once qualified, to undertake Higher Rights of Audience qualifications to allow me to advocate in court and see a case through to its conclusion. I see the achievement of the LLM in Criminal Litigation as a crucial step in gaining the enhanced knowledge to really excel in this role. My career aims beyond the course would be to secure a training contract with a Tier 1 ranked firm for crime, ideally in London or the South East, where I have strong personal roots.

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How to Write a Great LLM Personal Statement

It is a big decision to pursue an LLM or Master of Laws after completion of your LLB. However, the decision to apply is not the final hurdle you have to face. Part of applying is writing the perfect LLM personal statement to persuade admissions tutors at your chosen institution that you are a suitable candidate to undertake the programme. So, to help get started, the following tips will provide you with a helpful checklist to set up the foundation of your statement.

Be Specific

One of the purposes of taking a very specific masters programme such as one in finance law or criminal justice is to allow you to take your knowledge and understanding of the sector to a deeper level. Therefore, in your personal statement you have to be really clear and specific about why you want to spend a year, or two, delving so deeply into one particular area of the law. Fortunately, if you have chosen a very niche masters you probably already have a decent list of reasons for your interest. On the other hand, if you have chosen to apply to a more general LLM programme, you still need to demonstrate to tutors why you want to take your academic study of the law in general beyond your LLB and how the particular LLM programme you have applied to can help you do that.

Provide Evidence

This tip is inextricably linked to the first. You can argue that your passion for X area of the law is why you are the perfect LLM candidate all day long but it is unlikely to mean anything if you cannot provide evidence that this is true. It is vital to point to experiences in your undergraduate degree, in your wider life, relevant work experience or extracurriculars which have contributed to why you want to pursue this LLM. It is also crucial when providing evidence that you are honest about your reasons. This will be much more persuasive than vague or made up reasoning.

Look to the Future

It is really important to include why exactly, in your envisioned career path, an LLM is the vital next step for you. An LLM is not a required qualification for many legal careers, therefore admissions tutors will be interested to know why pursuing their LLM programme is right for you at this stage in your career over and above another route. Also, highlighting your key interests and how they link in with your future goals is really helpful to portray how an LLM can help you achieve them.

Check, Check and Check Again

Like your undergraduate personal statement and any assignment, work experience or job application you have ever written in the past, you need to make sure you go through your LLM personal statement with a fine-toothed comb before submission. You need to go through a checklist of important factors to make sure the content of your statement is not let down by minor errors.

Have other people check it for you. This is vital to prevent repetition, ensure clarity and to stamp out any glaringly obvious spelling, punctuation and grammar errors. Not only this but if, after reading, a layperson is convinced and could explain why you are a perfect candidate for this LLM, then you are well on your way to convincing an admissions tutor of the same fact.

As above – spelling, punctuation and grammar are really important. So triple check you have not missed any errors. This means more than using the spellcheck function on Word. Grammarly is a great tool for this.

Stick to the Word Count

Make sure you do not exceed the word limit. If you have, your statement will not flow as well and it is unlikely that the admissions tutor will read the additional words, that’s if the application portal even lets you submit if you are over. It is always better to remain simple and concise than to overdo it with unnecessary explanations or flowery language.

Words: Alicia Gibson

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The Personal Statement – A Key part of any Law School Application

A good personal statement for an LLM application should be well-written, clear, and concise. It should explain your reasons for pursuing an LLM, your career goals, and how the program will help you achieve them. Here are some tips to help you write a strong personal statement:

Explain your motivation: Your personal statement should begin by explaining why you want to pursue an LLM and how it fits into your overall career goals. Provide specific examples and explain how the program will help you achieve your goals.

Highlight your qualifications : Use your personal statement to highlight your qualifications and experiences that make you a strong candidate for the program. Mention any relevant work experience, internships, research, or volunteer work that you have done.

Show your passion : An LLM is a postgraduate degree, so the admissions committee will be looking for candidates who are genuinely interested in the field and have a clear understanding of what they are applying for. Show your passion and enthusiasm for the subject matter and the field of law.

Be specific: Mention any specific areas of law that you are interested in, and explain how the LLM program will help you gain expertise in those areas.

Be honest: Be honest and authentic in your personal statement. Don’t exaggerate your achievements or qualifications, and don’t make false claims. The admissions committee will be able to tell if you’re not being truthful.

Show your personality: This is an opportunity for you to showcase your personality and stand out from other applicants. Use a unique writing style and express yourself in an engaging and compelling way.

Proofread: Make sure to proofread your personal statement multiple times before submitting it. Check for spelling and grammar errors, and make sure that your statement is well-organized and easy to read.

Follow guidelines: Make sure to follow the guidelines provided by the university, such as the word count, and format.

In conclusion, a good personal statement for an LLM application should explain your motivation, highlight your qualifications, show your passion, be specific, honest, show your personality, proofread and follow guidelines. Remember that the personal statement is an important part of your application, and it’s your chance to make a good impression. Take the time to craft a well-written, thoughtful, and compelling statement that will set you apart from other applicants.

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NORTHWESTERN CAREER ADVANCEMENT

• Grad / Law School
• Applying to Law School
• Law School Application Documents

Law School Personal Statement

Your personal statement is an opportunity to present yourself as more than an LSAT score and GPA. The personal statement sets you apart from other candidates. It is also a sample of your ability to express thoughts clearly and cogently.

The Process

• Brainstorm any topics or themes you might want to consider for your statement
• Select 1-2 topics/themes you believe will be the strongest
• Write a rough draft. Don’t worry about length, style, or grammar
• Put it away for a while. Time adds an interesting perspective on your writing.
• Redraft and edit as needed
• Have several people read it including NCA’S prelaw advisor, a professor or the Writing Place
• Consider the feedback you have been given and craft your final draft
• Proofread, proofread, and proofread

Possible topics

If the school does not specify a topic (and many don’t, but always check) here are a few ideas to help you brainstorm:

• Hobbies/work/other experiences that have shaped you
• How you became interested in the law
• Life events that have changed or motivated you
• Challenges & hurdles you have overcome
• An issue or subject that you feel strongly about and why (just make sure not to “preach”)
• The growth you’ve experienced in college
• A unique experience that you have had inside or outside the classroom
• Your goals and the events that have shaped those goals

Things to Watch for when Writing and Editing

• Ensure that you answered the essay questions they provided
• Remember to put the “personal” in the personal statement – use a personal stories/anecdotes
• DO NOT approach this as a “Statement of Purpose” ( which would be an essay about why you want to pursue a law degree) unless the law school essay prompt indicates to do so
• Try to “Show” the reader/Do not “Tell” in your writing
• Avoid just restating your resume or transcript: law schools are looking to get to know who you are outside of your achievements
• Most schools do not place restrictions on the personal statement but a general guideline is 2-3 pages double spaced (although check with each school for specific guidelines)

Formatting your Personal Statement

• Make it distinctive by telling a story
• State your topic

Detailed Body Paragraphs

• Focused, each with its own topic sentence

Relevant, each contributing/supporting to your main idea Conclusion

• Summarization of your points
• Brings essay full circle to the beginning

Top Mistakes Made in Personal Statements

• Spelling and grammatical errors
• Staying too detached in your writing style and not letting your personality come through in your “personal” statement
• Using too many big words, “legalese,” or research jargon
• Spending just a few hours on your personal statement and submitting your first draft
• Not following directions: exceeding the specified page limitations, not answering the questions
• Using gimmicks such as writing in crayon, modeling your personal statement as a legal brief, or writing it as a poem

2 Law School Personal Statements That Succeeded

These examples of law school essays were critical components of successful law school applications.

Getty Images

Sincerity is an essential ingredient of a compelling law school admissions essay, one J.D. admissions expert says.

Deciding what to say in the law school personal statement is the most challenging part of the admissions process for some applicants.

"Even people who are good writers often have a hard time writing about themselves," says Jessica Pishko, a former admissions consultant and writing tutor at Accepted, a Los Angeles-based admissions consulting firm. "That is perfectly normal."

Pishko, who coached law school applicants on how to overcome writer's block, says, "If you can find the thing that you really care about, that is who you are, and talking about that is a great way to write about yourself."

Why Law Schools Ask for Personal Statements

Personal statements can offer J.D. admissions committees "a narrative" about the applicant, which is important because it is rare for law schools to conduct admissions interviews, says Christine Carr, a law school admissions consultant with Accepted who previously was an associate director of admissions at Boston University School of Law .

The statement can help explain an applicant's reasons for wanting to attend law school , Carr adds.

"It can then add 'color' to a one-dimensional process," Carr wrote in an email. "The personal statement also allows the applicant to showcase writing ability. Law school and the legal profession require a clear and concise writing style that can be displayed by the applicant in the personal statement."

Personal statements often help admissions committees make difficult decisions, Carr says. "Given a relatively robust applicant pool, institutions often have more 'numerically' qualified applicants – LSAT and GPA – than they can admit," she explains.

Qualitative admissions factors, including not only personal statements but also resumes and recommendation letters , help to humanize applicants and "allow committees to build a community of law students not solely based on the quantifiable measures of test scores and transcripts," Carr says.

"Law schools are looking to fill classrooms with engaging and qualified students. The personal statement can provide insight into an applicant's personality and potential as a member of the school's community," she says.

What a Great Personal Statement Accomplishes

Excellent law school personal statements convey the essence of who an applicant is, experts say.

"The personal statement is the quickest way to get an overview, not only of the applicant's professional life and background, but in terms of what they emphasize, a clear indication of what the applicant themself, values," Jillian Ivy, CEO and founder of IvyCollegeEssay.com, a company that provides guidance on admissions essays, wrote in an email.

The statement "also gives admissions a snapshot of how well each applicant writes, if they understand how to brand or market their best traits, and thereby demonstrate that they know where their own strengths lie," Ivy adds.

A strong personal statement will articulate an applicant's vision for his or her future, including an explanation of short-term and long-term goals, and it will delineate how a J.D. degree will help an applicant get to where he or she wants to go, Ivy says.

"The more competitive the law school, the more admissions wants to see a level of understanding, drive and ambition within the personal statement," she explains, adding that applicants should clarify why they want to attend a particular law school and how that school can assist them on their career journey. "The schools want to see that the applicant has taken the time to understand what their particular program offers, and what makes it different."

How to Structure a Law School Personal Statement

The beginning of a solid law school personal statement ought to be intriguing, experts say.

"The statement should begin with a strong intro sentence, that summarizes the applicant's goal or tone," Ivy says. "For example, 'I have always been interested in international finance.' From there, the applicant would go on to describe 'why' they are interested in this area of financial law, and what in their unique background and experience has led them to pursue this path."

A personal statement provides context for the experiences that have prepared the applicant for law school and led him or her to pursue a legal career, experts say. It's also ideal to have a thoughtful ending "that ties the statement up," Ivy says.

An important point to address in a law school personal statement is what "sparked" the applicant's interest in law, Ivy says. She adds that law school admissions readers are aware that J.D. hopefuls' career goals may change between the time they apply to law school and the day they graduate.

Nevertheless, it can still be useful for an applicant to provide an explanation of what particular area of law he or she wants to learn more about and what type of lawyer he or she would like to become, if that is something the applicant is clear about, Ivy says.

An effective personal statement will also explain an applicant's background and how it has shaped him or her, Ivy adds. "It's connecting the dots back to anything at all that can be relevant ... to your new interest and what you want to pursue professionally."

Applicants should tailor their personal statement to each law school where they submit an application, Ivy adds. " Harvard Law School is very different than Columbia Law School even though both of them are excellent schools," she explains. "So each has their own approach to learning and to learning about law in particular."

Law school admissions committees appreciate when applicants make it clear that they have done thorough research on the school and its J.D. program . This reassures admissions officers that an applicant will be a good fit and make a valuable contribution to his or her law school class, Ivy explains.

Experts advise that a law school personal statement should align with the content in the rest of the law school application . Ideally, the essay will emphasize a selling point that is conveyed elsewhere in the application, but not simply repeat information.

In order for a personal statement to be effective and stand out, experts say, it needs to be both representative of who the applicant is and distinctive from personal essays that others have written.

How to Start Writing a Law School Personal Statement

Carr notes that writing a law school personal statement can be intimidating because it isn't easy to convey the essence of decades of events "into two pages double-spaced." She says law school hopefuls are often unsure about which portions of their life would be most meaningful and interesting to an admissions committee.

"Some applicants have a tendency to throw the 'kitchen sink' at committees and write about everything," Carr explains. But that's a mistake, Carr says, adding that J.D. personal statements should be "clear and concise."

Carr suggests that J.D. applicants concentrate on answering the central question of a law school personal statement, "Why law school?" Once they have brainstormed answers to that question, they should focus on a specific aspect or theme that explains their rationale for pursuing a career as an attorney, Carr says.

Ivy suggests that law school hopefuls who are struggling to decide what to write about in their law school personal statement should make a bullet-point list of the various topics they could focus on alongside brief one-sentence descriptions of each topic. The process of recording ideas on a piece of paper can clarify which ideas are most promising, she says.

"The strong ones will rise to the surface," she says, adding that once an applicant has narrowed down his or her list of essay ideas to only a few, it can be valuable to solicit feedback from trusted individuals about which of the remaining essay concepts is the very best.

Law school admissions experts suggest that applicants recall the various pivotal moments in their lives that shaped their identity, and then consider whether there is any idea or thesis that ties these events together.

Focusing on a central concept can help ensure that a law school personal statement does not simply list accomplishments in the way that a resume or cover letter might, experts say. Plus, an idea-driven essay can give law school admissions officers insight into the way a J.D. applicant's mind works.

A personal statement should illustrate the positive attributes the applicant has that would make him or her successful as a law student and lawyer. Sometimes the best way for an applicant to show his or her character strengths is to recount a moment when he or she was challenged and overcame adversity, experts say.

Experts advise law school hopefuls to write multiple drafts of their personal statement to ensure that the final product is top-notch.

They also recommend that applicants solicit feedback from people who understand the law school admissions process well, such as law school admissions consultants, and from people who know them well, such as close friends or family members. Getting input from friends and family can help ensure that an applicant's essay authentically conveys their personality, experts say.

Once the statement is finalized, Carr advises, the applicant should thoroughly proofread it more than once.

Mistakes to Avoid in Law School Personal Statements

A scatterbrained or disorganized approach in a law school personal statement is a major no-no, experts warn.

Ivy suggests that J.D. hopefuls avoid "rambling," adding that top law schools want to identify individuals who demonstrate that they are highly focused, ambitious, driven and persistent. "If you can hit those four things in your essay, then that's going to stand out, because most people don't know how to do that," she says.

Because it's important for a law school personal statement to be coherent and streamlined – like the law school resume – it's prudent to use an outline to plan the essay, Ivy says. The most common mistake she sees in J.D. personal statements is the lack of logical flow.

"Instead of a linear line, they're cycling around, and they'll touch on something, and then they'll come back to it again three paragraphs later," she says, adding that an unstructured essay is "just messy" and will not make a positive impression during the law school admissions process.

Experts warn that law school personal statements should not be vague, melodramatic and repetitive. The essay should not merely describe a person that the applicant met or recount an event – it needs to convey the applicant's personality.

Plus, language should be specific and clear. Absolutes like "never" or "always" are typically not the best words to use, experts warn, and it's important to not overshare personal information.

In addition, J.D. hopefuls should understand that they have a lot to learn about the law since they have not gone to law school. They should recognize that the individuals reading their essays probably know a great deal about the law, so they should not write essays that lecture readers about legal issues, experts warn.

Grammatical and spelling errors can tarnish an otherwise good personal statement, so it's important to avoid those, according to experts. It's also essential to follow any formatting rules that a law school outlines for personal statements.

Additionally, though many law school hopefuls are tempted to begin their personal statement with a dramatic anecdote, they should resist because doing so will most likely make a negative impression, experts warn. An aspiring attorney does not need to have suffered a tragedy in order to write a compelling law school personal statement, and describing something bad that has happened does not automatically lead to an effective essay.

Furthermore, when a J.D. applicant submits a generic law school personal statement that could go to any school, he or she is missing an opportunity to explain why a particular school is a great fit, experts suggest. Another common mistake, they say, is when applicants use a positive adjective to describe themselves rather than sharing an anecdote that demonstrates that they have this good quality.

Additionally, when a law school hopeful includes storytelling in his or her essay, it's best to focus on a single specific anecdote, because speaking in generalities is neither interesting nor convincing, experts say.

An applicant who writes a contrived essay based purely on what he or she believes a law school wants may come across as phony, experts say. It's essential, they say, for a personal statement to articulate what special perspective a prospective student could bring to a law school class.

Law School Personal Statement Examples

Below are two law school admissions essays whose authors were accepted to their top-choice law schools. The first is written by Waukeshia Jackson, an intellectual property attorney who earned her J.D. from the Paul M. Herbert Law Center at Louisiana State University—Baton Rouge . The second essay is written by Cameron Dare Clark, a Harvard Law School graduate.

Pishko says these two personal statements demonstrate the necessity of sincerity in an admissions essay. "It has to be sincere, and it has to be you and what you want to write about and why you want to go to law school.”

Both essays are annotated with comments from the authors about how the essays were written as well as comments from Pishko about passages that resonated best and how the essays could be improved.

Searching for a law school? Get our complete rankings of Best Law Schools.

Getting Into Law School

• 2 Law School Admissions Essays That Succeeded
• How to Write a Law School Resume
• A Law School Resume That Made the Cut
• Work Experience and Law School Admission
• What Is a Good LSAT Score?

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Georgetown Law

Ll.m. & certificate application requirements.

The Office of Graduate Admissions is here to help at every step of the application process.

Below you will find details about the materials and requirements necessary to apply for any of our LL.M. degree programs, M.S.L. program, M.L.T. program, and Certificates.

If you have any questions about the application process or understanding what materials are required to apply please do not hesitate to reach out to us via email at [email protected] or by phone at 202-662-9010.

The application for Fall 2024 will open on October 10th.

Application Form

Georgetown Law strongly prefers that applicants apply online via the LSAC electronic application. Please be aware that LSAC needs time to process materials once received at their offices, so applicants should send their materials to LSAC well in advance of application deadlines.

For those applicants that still want to apply with a traditional paper application or are unable to apply via LSAC, you may do so.

Please note that there are unique applications for those applicants who received their first degree in law in the United States (i.e. Juris Doctor) and those that received their first degree in law from another country.

Application Forms

• Apply through LSAC (Strongly Recommended)
• Registrar's Certification Form
• US Educated Paper Application
• Foreign Educated Paper Application
• Non-Lawyer Paper Application

Application Fee

There is an application fee of $90 for all graduate degree and certificate programs. Late applications will be assessed a fee of $100.

If you plan to submit a paper application, the payment must be submitted online.

We do not grant application fee waivers for graduate programs. The only exception is if you have spent one semester of your first degree in law studying at the Center for Transnational Legal Studies (CTLS) in London. Complete the form CTLS Waiver Form and apply via paper application (not LSAC).

• Submit Payment
• CTLS Waiver Form

Submit an up-to-date resume that includes information such as education and work experience (including dates of degrees received and employment, employer names and locations, position titles, and description of work responsibilities for each position held).

There is no specific formatting requirement.

Personal Statement

All applicants must submit a detailed "personal statement" (a.k.a. motivation letter) describing your background, goals, and reasons for applying to Georgetown and your chosen program. You should include any information that you feel will assist the Graduate Admissions Committee in its decision. This information should provide the admissions committee with more depth than is available in your transcripts and resume alone regarding your fit for the program and school.

While there are no specific formatting requirements the personal statement should only be 1-2 pages (single spaced) or 2-3 pages (double spaced).

Transcripts

Applicants must submit all transcripts as part of their application. This includes undergraduate, graduate (if applicable) and law transcripts.

If you apply through LSAC, submit your transcripts through LSAC's Credential Assembly Service (no additional charge). The benefit to using this service is that you may upload your documents (including transcripts, letters of recommendation, and TOEFL score) and LSAC will submit to all schools to whom you are applying.

If you are an internationally-educated student, we strongly encourage you to register for LSAC's International Transcript Authentication and Evaluation Service (additional charge). LSAC will authenticate and evaluate your transcripts through this service. You do not need to complete the Registrar’s Certification Form if you use this service.

If you plan to submit a paper application, you must have official transcripts sent from your universities directly to Georgetown. If your transcripts are in a different language, you must provide English translations submitted by the translator directly through mail.

Registrar’s Certification Form

You are required to submit a Registrar's Certification Form, unless you are using the International Transcript Authentication and Evaluation Service (available only for internationally-trained students).

This form must be completed by the Registrar’s Office from your law degree granting institution. You will complete the top portion of the form; your Registrar’s Office will fill out the bottom half and submit directly to the Office of Admissions. We are happy to accept the form via email (send to [email protected]).

TOEFL or IELTS Score (or waiver request)

If English is not your native language, you must submit a TOEFL score report. Your score should exceed 100 points on the internet-based TOEFL exam (with minimum scores of 25 in each of the four sections) or 600 on the paper-based TOEFL exam (with minimum scores of 60 in each of the three sections). Please note that Georgetown Law does not accept TOEFL's MyBest super-score when considering these minimum requirements. You can find more information about the TOEFL, as well as the TOEFL Bulletin of Information and registration form on the ETS TOEFL webpage.

Although the TOEFL test is preferred, you may submit IELTS test scores in place of TOEFL. A minimum overall score of 7.5 on the IELTS is required, with at least 7.0 in each section of the test.

You also have the option to submit a TOEFL waiver request by submitting a statement explaining the basis for your waiver request. Please note that having completed a 1-year LL.M. degree program in an English-speaking country is not usually sufficient for a TOEFL waiver.

Georgetown Law will accept TOEFL and IELTS scores which were taken within two years before the date of your LL.M. application submission.

Letters of Recommendation

Your application must be supported by two letters of recommendation.

Please tell your recommenders that they may submit their letter in any of the following ways:

•Upload to LSAC

•Mail original letter to the Office of Admissions in a sealed/ signed envelope (must come directly from recommender)

Graduate Admissions Georgetown University Law Center 600 New Jersey Avenue NW, Room 589 Washington, DC 20001

•Email a copy of the letter to [email protected]. If submitted via email, the letter must be sent by the recommender’s professional/educational email address and be on official letterhead.

Conduct Explanation (if applicable)

If you responded “yes” to any of the disciplinary questions on the application, you must submit an explanation.

Optional Statement

You are welcome to submit any additional information that you would like the Graduate Admissions Committee to consider when reviewing your application.

Tips for Applying

Apply early! Georgetown Law has a rolling admissions process, which means it is to your advantage to apply as early as possible.

If you apply Regular Action, you will receive a decision 6-10 weeks after your application is completed.

Use our Online Status Check to see whether or not your application is complete.

Law School Personal Statements

Your personal statement is an opportunity to highlight your writing ability, distinct personality, and diversity of experience. Think of it as a written interview during which you get to choose the question. Your answer should be a story that demonstrates (perhaps implicitly) why you will succeed in law school. The story could describe a single experience, or a series of related experiences transpiring over the course of many years. What’s crucial is that your personal statement provides insight into who you are.

Write Well Law schools are looking for strong writers, and admissions committees view your personal statement as a writing sample. Show them that you can be articulate, persuasive, and engaging. This will likely require you to draft multiple versions and proofread each one carefully. Grammatical or mechanical errors are inexcusable.

Follow Directions Read the law school application carefully. Most law schools allow you to choose a topic, but some may require you to address a specific question. Follow whatever instructions the law school provides.

Tell a Personal Story Focus on a concrete experience (or related series of experiences) from your life, and the impact it has had upon you. Do not write someone else’s story, as compelling as it may be. This is one of those rare situations in life when it’s all about you. Similarly, do not write a detached opinion piece on a topic that is important to you, but not you. If analysis is your strong suit, analyze yourself!

Be Yourself Above all, be who you are, and not an imaginary person you think law schools want. As Nkonye Iwerebon, the Dean of Admissions at Columbia Law School says: “It is fairly obvious to us when an applicant tries to be someone or something s/he is not, which is not only off-putting, but can also cast a shadow of doubt on other parts of your application.”

You Must Not:

Do Not Address Low Grades/Scores in a Personal Statement Your personal statement is not an apology; rather, it is an opportunity to highlight strengths. If you struggled with a debilitating illness during college, or worked twice as hard as your classmates because English is not your first language, you might tell those stories in your personal statement to demonstrate resilience. If those experiences negatively affected your GPA, save that explanation for an addendum. Emphasize the positives in your personal statement.

Do Not Write about What You Hope to Study Instead of Yourself The most common mistake that applicants make on the personal statement is to write about a topic instead of themselves. Don’t write about the field of law you want to study. Don’t write about the school. Write about you.

Do Not Write Your Entire Life Story Resist the urge to tie together all of your life experiences, or mention every accomplishment on your resume. Essays that try to say too much end up saying nothing at all.

LL.M. Admissions FAQ

Apply to the Graduate Program

Please find below the answers to many frequently asked questions about the LL.M. admissions process.  In addition to referring to the FAQ, please review the full LL.M. Application Instructions (available on our online application site) carefully.

Please find below the answers to many frequently asked questions about the LL.M. admissions process.  In addition to referring to the FAQ, please review the full LL.M. Application Instructions (available on our online application site) carefully.

You must have either a J.D. from an ABA-approved U.S. law school or a first law degree (e.g. LL.B., abogado, maîtrise, or the equivalent) from a foreign law school.

If you are in your final year of law studies, you must complete the degree no later than June of the year in which you intend to enroll.

Please note that while we do not require work experience or further study beyond law school, we do find that people with two or more years of such experience tend to submit stronger applications and get more out of the LL.M. program.

• Online application form
• Personal statements, part (A) and (B)
• Recommendations (at least two)
• Transcript(s) (including diplomas for any degrees that have been received)
• Official TOEFL report (if applicable)
• LSAC report (if using the LSAC LL.M. Credential Assembly Service)
• Financial aid application (if applicable)
• Application fee of US$85

The official deadline is December 1, at 11:59 p.m., U.S. Eastern time. While we do not have an early review/early admission option, we strongly encourage applicants to submit their application materials by November 15 to ensure that all documents reach our office by the December 1 deadline.

LL.M. Class Profile

Application Process

In addition to submitting the  Harvard Law School Online LL.M. Application  by the deadline, applicants must make sure that any required documents (e.g., transcripts, TOEFL results) are received by our office on or before the deadline.

Please contact the Graduate Program Admissions Office at  [email protected] .

Yes, your application will be reviewed even if some of your materials (e.g., transcripts, LSAC reports, TOEFL score reports, etc.) are not received by December 1. However, you will be at a disadvantage compared to other applicants who have submitted all of their application materials by the deadline.

Given the number of applications we receive and the limited time we have available to process, authenticate, and review each of them, it is not possible for us to reply to individual inquiries asking us to verify receipt of application materials or confirm the status of your application.

Instead, you should use the Status Page feature available in the online application to check the status of your application as it is processed by our office.  Your Status Page will only be visible to you after you submit your application .  It will indicate whether your application and various supporting documents have been received.

Please note that you will NOT receive a separate electronic notification confirming that your application is complete.

For the application phase, recommendations must be submitted electronically through the online application and academic records must be submitted through LSAC or by email to [email protected] .

Note that admitted and waitlisted applicants will be required to submit fully satisfactory official hard copies of their academic records immediately after receiving their admissions decision.

We will release all admissions decisions at the same time through our online application system at or around the end of March.

All applicants from non-English speaking countries who did not receive their full-time legal education entirely in the English language must take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) examination  within two years  prior to submitting their applications.

We will accept scores from the TOEFL iBT® Home Edition, but reserve the right to condition admission on an in-person test.

No. We do not accept  MyBest ™ TOEFL® score reports or the TOEFL® Essentials™ test.

No. We do not accept IELTS scores in place of TOEFL scores.

For the internet-based test (iBT), we require a total score of at least 100, with at least 25 in each of the four subsections.

Yes, your application will still be reviewed. However, you will be at a significant disadvantage compared to the other applicants whose TOEFL scores do meet Harvard Law School’s required minimum. Please note that you may retake the TOEFL and send updated scores after the application deadline has passed.

To ensure that your TOEFL score reaches the Harvard Law School Graduate Program Admissions Office, please use the following reporting code: Institution code: 3457.

We consider all valid TOEFL results (tests taken within two years prior to your application), but we pay closer attention to your most recent scores. We do not accept  MyBest ™ TOEFL® score reports.

Probably not.  Waivers are  very rarely  granted, and are subject to the sole discretion of the Harvard Law School Graduate Program, whose decision is final.

If you would like to request a waiver of the TOEFL requirement, you can do so in the online application.   We cannot consider TOEFL waiver requests prior to submission of the application.

NOTE: You may not even request a TOEFL waiver unless you have had at least two consecutive years of full-time university education conducted entirely in English. If you have not completed at least two consecutive years of full-time university education conducted entirely in English, your request for a TOEFL waiver will be automatically denied.

You may submit your application without your TOEFL score, but you must state in your application when you took the exam (or when you will be taking it) so that we know when to expect your TOEFL score report. Note that you may be at a disadvantage compared to other applicants who have had their TOEFL reports sent to us on time.

Yes.  We will accept new TOEFL scores throughout the admissions process. You may retake the TOEFL and arrange for ETS to have your new score report sent to us as soon as it is available.

Transcripts

During the application phase, we require applicants to submit academic records either by a) using LSAC’s Credential Assembly Service, or b) sending your academic records via email to  [email protected] .

Admitted and waitlisted applicants will be required to submit fully satisfactory official hard copies of their academic records immediately after receiving their admissions decision.  Please do not send any documents in the mail to the Graduate Program during the application phase.

Yes, anyone who is admitted or waitlisted will be required to submit official hard copies of their academic records to the Graduate Program (regardless of whether they submitted their academic records by email or by LSAC).

Yes – anyone who is admitted or waitlisted will be required to submit official hard copies of their academic records to the Graduate Program (regardless of whether they submitted their academic records by email or by LSAC).

We recommend that while preparing your application materials you obtain two official copies of each material from your registrar or school official: (a) one copy that you can submit via LSAC or (unofficially) to  [email protected] ; and (b) one copy in a sealed envelope, unopened, that you can have ready to submit without delay if you are admitted or waitlisted later in the process.

No.  The LL.M. Credential Assembly Service is recommended but is not required. If you use this service, you do not need to submit your transcripts and diplomas or TOEFL scores directly to the Harvard Law School Graduate Program. You are still required to submit the rest of the online application to us by the application deadline.

You should send transcripts and diplomas that fit within the Harvard LL.M. application’s guidelines to LSAC. This includes an official transcript and diploma for every university or law degree you have received, as well as current transcripts and/or enrollment letters for all current degree programs. You can also send TOEFL scores to LSAC, or you may choose to have your scores sent directly from ETS to Harvard.

LSAC may require additional transcripts that we do not, e.g., for summer programs, certificate programs shorter than 6 months, or non-law exchange programs. In that case,  LSAC will not send us your report until they have received all of the transcripts that they require, even if they have received all of the materials that are required for your Harvard Law School LL.M. application.   Accordingly, please make sure to send LSAC all of the materials they require before the December 1 Harvard LL.M. application deadline (even if they are not required for your Harvard LL.M. application).

We strongly recommend that you have your transcripts/diplomas and TOEFL score to LSAC no later than the beginning of October to ensure we receive your LSAC report by the December 1 deadline.

Please note that we do not accept letters of recommendation submitted through LSAC.

If you choose to email your academic records to the Graduate Program at  [email protected] , you must follow the instructions below carefully to put your academic records in a format that will be accepted by the Graduate Program:

• Send all of your academic records in a single email. Do not send multiple emails with multiple transcripts attached.
• Send the academic records from the email address you provided in your online application.
• For example: Pablo Luis Manuel Torres Santiago should use the following subject for his email:   Torres Santiago, Pablo Luis-Transcripts
• Diploma (required for degrees that have been granted)
• GPA and/or Class Rank Statement (only if available)
• Transcript (including grade key)
• Letter of enrollment ( only for PhD programs or programs in progress for which no transcript is available
• Torres Santiago, Pablo Luis-Auckland-BA
• Torres Santiago, Pablo Luis-Auckland-LLB
• Torres Santiago, Pablo Luis-Cambridge-LLM
• Torres Santiago, Pablo Luis-U of Chile-Exchange
• Torres Santiago, Pablo Luis-Nigerian Law School-BL

IMPORTANT :  If you do not follow these instructions, we will not be able to accept your transcripts via email!

**As a reminder,  [email protected]   is for sending transcripts and other academic materials only.  If you have any questions, please write to  [email protected] .

Applicants who are admitted or offered a place on the waiting list will be required to submit official hard copies of their academic records immediately upon receiving their admissions decision.

An official transcript is a transcript printed on special (typically watermarked, stamped, and or sealed) paper and issued by the official academic records officer of a school or university in a sealed envelope (with a signature/stamp across the flap to confirm that it has not been opened) to the Graduate Program Admissions Office. As long as an official transcript in a sealed envelope has not been opened, then it may be released to the applicant to send (still unopened) to the Graduate Program, LSAC, or a qualified translator. An official transcript opened and viewed exclusively by a qualified translator and/or LSAC remains official provided that the translator or LSAC certifies that the transcript they received was an official transcript. Once an envelope containing the transcript has been opened by an unauthorized party, the transcript is no longer official. A scan of a transcript sent by email is not official.

You should take the original transcript in the sealed envelope to a qualified translator. For more information, please read Certified Translations of the LL.M. Application Instructions (on our online application site).

Please submit the most up-to-date official transcript available. You should send your final transcript sent to us as soon as it is available. If no transcript is available, you must submit a letter of enrollment from the university.

No.  Please send all of your materials together in a single email from the email address you used in your online application.

No. You must choose only one method.

No.  Please do not send official hard copies to the Graduate Program until and unless we ask you to do so.

Personal Statement

a. Briefly describe either an important issue in your field of interest or a current legal problem facing a particular country, region, or the world, and then propose a theoretical framework or a legal analysis or strategy to address this issue.

b. Please tell us something about yourself—in particular, why you wish to pursue an LL.M. degree at Harvard and how doing so connects with what you have done in the past and what you plan to do in the future.

Your statement must be no more than 1,500 words – anything exceeding this limit will be disallowed. Part (A), the legal essay, should constitute at least half of the total length.

Footnotes do not count towards the overall word limit as long as they are limited to providing sources and citations.

No, we do not accept revisions to personal statements once you have submitted your online application.

Recommendations

Two letters of recommendation are required (most applicants provide three, and there generally is no benefit to providing more than three). We will not accept more than five. Applicants who hold J.D. degrees from U.S. law schools are strongly encouraged to submit three recommendations, at least two of which should be from law school faculty members.

Please be sure to tell us the names and professional positions of every recommender on the Registering your Recommenders page of the online Application Form.

Recommendations that are the most helpful are written by law school faculty members who know you well or by persons for whom you have worked in a professional capacity. The content of each recommendation is much more important than submitting a large number of recommendations.

Recommendations from personal or family friends, no matter how eminent, are generally not helpful.

We do not accept recommendations submitted on paper or via email.  Your recommender (or qualified translator, if applicable) must submit their recommendation via our online application system.

Please note that we do not accept letters of recommendation submitted through the LSAC service.

Application Fee

You may pay by credit card (Visa or Mastercard) via the online application.

Please email the Harvard Law School Graduate Program at  [email protected]  for instructions on how to submit the online application if your application fee will be paid by a sponsoring organization.

Application fee waivers are granted on the basis of  extreme  financial hardship only.  To request a waiver of the application fee, you must submit a Fee Waiver Request available in the online application. Please note that you must provide information on personal and family financial resources (including parents and spouse, if applicable) by completing and submitting the Financial Aid Application before your request for a fee waiver will be considered.

If you do not submit a financial aid application, your fee waiver request will be automatically denied.

Financial Aid

Yes. Admitted students who cannot afford the cost of attending the LL.M. Program are eligible for financial aid from Harvard Law School. Our financial aid awards are based on the individual applicant’s demonstrated financial need, as determined from financial information provided by the applicant and their parents (and spouse, where applicable). Financial aid may take the form of grants (scholarships), loans, or a combination of the two. Every student in the LL.M. class of 2023-2024 who demonstrated financial need received some form of aid, whether as grant, grant and loan, or loan only.

Please complete and submit the Financial Aid Application via the online application home page. You may work on the Application for Admission and the Financial Aid Application simultaneously, but you should not submit a Financial Aid Application before submitting your Application for Admission.

To be considered for financial aid from Harvard Law School, you must complete and submit the online Financial Aid Application (including the Parental Form(s) and, if applicable, the Spouse’s Form) by December 1.

Your application for financial aid will have no impact on your application for admission, since the two decision processes are completely separate. Financial aid applications are not reviewed by the Committee until after admission decisions have been made.

Yes, but it is extremely unlikely that you would receive a grant award, even if you have financial need.

Each financial aid application requires a significant amount of time to process, analyze, and verify – all this must be done by the staff before the Committee actually reviews the applications to make their financial aid determinations. Because our goal is to make financial aid decisions available as soon as possible after admission offers have been communicated, we cannot wait to receive financial aid applications from admitted students. If you do not submit your financial aid application until after you receive an admission offer, there will most likely be no scholarship funds left at that point, and only loans will be available.

Miscellaneous

No, we do not accept updated CVs/résumés once you have submitted your online application.

If your most recent application was submitted after August 2016, you do not need to re-submit copies of transcripts already provided with your original application unless you are admitted or offered a place on the waiting list. However, you must complete and submit another online application, indicating on the Application Form that you have previously applied to the LL.M. Program, as well as the academic year(s) for which you originally applied. You must also provide at least two new letters of recommendation, and transcripts for additional academic credentials you have received since your earlier application. You must also provide a new Personal Statement and a new application fee of US$85. If you wish to apply for financial aid, you must submit a new Financial Aid Application. The deadline for reapplications is December 1.

View a  sample 2024 LL.M. application .

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[2024] 4 Law School Personal Statement Examples from Top Programs

by Talha Omer, MBA, M.Eng., Harvard & Cornell Grad

In personal statement samples by field.

In this article, I will discuss 4 law school personal statement samples. These statements have been written by successful applicants who gained admission to prestigious US Law schools like Yale, Harvard, and Stanford. The purpose of these examples is to demonstrate how prospective applicants like yourself can artfully integrate their passion, skills, and pertinent experiences into a captivating narrative.

* To further guide you on your law school application journey, I will not only present these personal statement samples but will also provide my expert review after each one. This includes an analytical feedback, a graded evaluation, and a detailed discussion of any identified weaknesses and strengths within the personal statement. Through this comprehensive analysis, I aim to provide a clearer understanding of what makes a compelling law school personal statement.

In the process of composing these personal statements, the applicants have drawn upon valuable insights from several of my previous writings on the subject. Furthermore, you are encouraged to utilize my prior works as a resource to aid you in crafting your own personal statement.

In those posts I’ve discussed the  art of constructing a captivating personal statement , and I’ve highlighted the  pitfalls to avoid  to ensure your law school essay leaves a positive impression.

I’ve also shared valuable tips on  structuring your personal statement for clarity and readability, not to mention  how to create a powerful opening  that grabs attention from the start. And let’s not forget about maintaining brevity while effectively telling your story, as well as offering a vast range of  personal statement examples  from different fields for reference.

And yes, do not forget to explore my  8-point framework  that anyone can use to self-evaluate their law school personal statement. Complementing this, I’ve also created a  7-point guide  to help you steer clear of potential traps and missteps in your personal statement.

I encourage you to explore these topics in depth, as they will be useful while we explore the sample personal statement for law schools.

In this Article

1) Research the Law School

2) outline your law school personal statement, 3) write a compelling introduction, 4) showcase your achievements and interests in law, 5) articulate your motivations for pursuing law, 6) highlight unique qualities for the legal field, 7) addressing potential weaknesses or gaps, 8) craft a persuasive conclusion, my in-depth feedback on sample 1, my in-depth feedback on sample 2, my in-depth feedback on sample 3, my in-depth feedback on sample 4, why do law schools require a personal statement, does every law school require a personal statement, what should you avoid in a law school personal statement, can i use the same personal statement for all law schools, should i put my name on my law school personal statement, should you brainstorm your law school personal statement, how to write a personal statement for law school.

Writing a personal statement for law school requires thorough research, a well-structured outline, and a captivating introduction. The following steps will guide you in crafting a coherent and compelling narrative that effectively showcases your journey and aspirations in the field of law. For a more detailed post, follow this ultimate guide on how to write a personal statement .

Begin by immersing yourself in extensive research about the law school you are applying to. Explore the institution’s website, paying close attention to its mission, curriculum, faculty expertise, and any unique offerings such as clinical programs or specialized courses. Familiarize yourself with the admission requirements and tailor your personal statement to highlight relevant qualifications.

Immerse yourself in the law school’s culture and gain insights from faculty members, current students, or alumni. Attend informational sessions or open houses to gather additional details. Reflect on how the law school aligns with your career goals in the legal field and incorporate this understanding into your personal statement, showcasing your dedication and suitability.

Before delving into writing your personal statement, create a comprehensive outline of its content. Begin with a captivating introduction , which could include a compelling anecdote, an impactful quote, or a statement that highlights your passion for the law.

For example: “Ever since I witnessed the transformative power of the law in securing justice for the vulnerable, I have been driven to pursue a legal career that upholds the principles of equity and fairness.”

Next, outline your academic achievements and relevant experiences, such as internships, research projects, or extracurricular activities that demonstrate your commitment to the field of law. Emphasize the skills you have developed and the honors you have received.

Articulate your motivations for pursuing a legal education, sharing your aspirations and long-term goals. Highlight unique strengths, such as critical thinking, analytical abilities, or effective communication skills. If necessary, address any potential concerns or gaps in your application, explaining the situation and showcasing your ability to overcome challenges.

Conclude by reiterating your passion and qualifications for the legal profession and express your enthusiasm for joining the law school. This structured approach will ensure a coherent and persuasive personal statement.

Begin your personal statement with a captivating introduction that immediately grabs the reader’s attention. Consider starting with an engaging anecdote, a thought-provoking quote, or a personal experience that sparked your interest in the law.

For instance: “In a world where justice often hangs in the balance, I recall the moment I witnessed a courtroom’s transformative power. The eloquence of the attorneys, the weight of their arguments, and the profound impact on the lives of those involved compelled me to pursue a legal career.”

Briefly introduce the central theme of your personal statement, whether it’s your passion for advocating for others, your commitment to upholding justice, or your desire to make a positive impact through the law. A compelling introduction sets the tone for the rest of your personal statement.

In your personal statement, focus on highlighting your academic and professional accomplishments that showcase your preparedness for law school. Discuss relevant internships, research projects, or academic achievements that demonstrate your commitment to the field.

For example: “During my internship at XYZ Law Firm, I had the privilege of working alongside experienced attorneys, analyzing complex legal cases and conducting in-depth legal research. This experience solidified my passion for legal advocacy and honed my ability to navigate intricate legal frameworks.”

Illustrate key achievements, such as publications, successful legal cases, or leadership roles within legal organizations. Explain how these experiences have shaped your interest in law and contributed to your growth and expertise in the field.

Clearly articulate your motivations for pursuing a legal education. Share personal experiences, challenges, or encounters that have fueled your desire to make a difference through the law.

For example: “Growing up in a community where access to justice was limited, I witnessed firsthand the disparities in legal representation. These experiences instilled in me a deep sense of responsibility to advocate for those who have been marginalized by the legal system.”

Outline your career goals and aspirations, illustrating how obtaining a legal education aligns with your vision. Discuss how the law school’s program, faculty, and resources will contribute to your growth and help you achieve your professional objectives.

Highlight personal qualities and attributes that make you well-suited for a legal career. Emphasize traits such as critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, research skills, or effective communication.

For instance: “My ability to analyze complex legal issues, combined with my unwavering commitment to pursuing justice, has enabled me to approach legal challenges with both empathy and determination.

Provide concrete examples that demonstrate how these qualities have positively impacted your academic or professional experiences. Showcase how these qualities align with the values and expectations of the law school, presenting a strong case for your fit within the legal community.

Address any weaknesses or gaps in your application candidly. If you encountered obstacles or faced academic challenges, briefly mention them, focusing on what you have learned and how you have grown as a result.

Demonstrate resilience and determination by highlighting subsequent achievements or steps you have taken to overcome difficulties. Showcase how these experiences have strengthened your commitment and prepared you for the rigors of law school.

Your conclusion should effectively summarize the key points of your personal statement. Recap your passion for the law, the skills you have acquired, and your future ambitions within the legal field.

For example: “Driven by an unwavering commitment to justice and armed with a solid foundation in legal research and advocacy, I am ready to embark on this transformative journey in law school.”

Express your enthusiasm for contributing to the legal profession, emphasizing how your unique perspective and experiences will enrich the law school community. Conclude with a confident and concise statement that demonstrates your readiness to excel in their program and make a meaningful impact in the field of law.

Sample 1: NYU, UCLA, and Duke

Variations of this personal statement got accepted at nyu, ucla, and duke..

One day, I decided to quit home, leave my parents behind and move to a small rural town called Leiah after being inconsiderately and incessantly forced to marry a cousin. It was a bold step, but I did not want to be like other women in my country who do not fight for their rights. While living in solicitude in Leiah, I stumbled upon a poor old man sitting beside a piece of furniture that would define his existence. Lying limply on a street corner, the old man had only one helping hand – the crippled furniture.

Coming from a privileged background, I saw for the first time the disparity between the haves and have-nots. Nothing, however, seemed more unlikely when I first arrived. Constrained by their poverty, these rural people took what jobs they could find, working for long hours in the field and finally retrieving their broken houses and furniture for respite. They were outrageously overworked and underpaid but never brought any bitterness home. At that time, I realized how blessed I was, and they were not.

Inspired by these experiences, I decided to use my education and connections to bring change to the lives of these people of Leiah. By collaborating with an NGO for money and resources, I started giving out basic amenities and finances to set up cheap livable houses for these people. I didn’t stop there – I joined a maternity home in Leiah as a public liaison officer and helped the clinic with legal and administrative issues. By understanding the numerous Federal and State laws regarding Health Care, I better equipped myself at work. After tireless efforts, I handled several cases of women and children who suffered abuse, violence, and neglect.

I wanted to discuss these experiences because I believe that, as an ever-present factor during many of these four formative years, these incidents played a significant role in shaping the adult I have become. Ten years ago, I would never have foreseen that I could become a powerful vehicle for others’ growth by living in a village. The experience has helped me develop a heightened sensitivity for those who have struggled to fit into our society. As a result, I decided to move back to the city after several years and pursue further education in law and political science. During these academic years, I was actively involved with various community service projects and as an investigator in law firms, allowing me to interact with troubled and disadvantaged youth and the mentally disabled.

I have long been interested in law as an academic discipline, and working in rural areas has confirmed that my academic interests would extend to the real-world application of legal principles. To this end, I purposefully chose jobs that provided very distinct perspectives on law practice. As a legal assistant, I became acquainted with both the advantages and disadvantages of private practice. As a member of the human rights commission, I investigated how non-profits worked at a larger scale to improve the lives of the underprivileged. Moreover, helping in DIL (development in literacy) has offered me a glimpse of how the law may be used constructively in the public sector. I am currently working as a member of the Michigan chapter on fundraising that will take place next year in LA. All these positions have equally impressed upon me the unique potential of the law to make a direct, positive impact on people’s lives.

Working as a legal consultant, I was initially turned off by the formal language, which permeated all writing and discourse (“Aforementioned • legalese had heretofore proven incomprehensible”). As one unfamiliar with the jargon, I found the law to be pretentious and distant. Gradually, however, I began to sort out the shades of difference between a “motion in limine” and a “56(f) motion.” Finally, I understood the law as a vast set of rules which could, with intelligence and creativity, genuinely be used on behalf of values such as fairness and justice.

In addition to my primary assignment on an antitrust case, some exposure to pro bono work further convinced me that law has a vital role in our society. I am also avidly involved in extra-curricular activities. For example, I went to India to attend my father’s book launch (a writer) organized by Ghalib Council, Delhi. By collaborating and bonding with the people of India, I could impart brotherhood and literacy since I found Indian people more educated than us. My society needs education and health, and I want to work in these areas when I return.

As with my experience at a law firm, I soon realized the practical application of the laws written here. Unlike most of the public, who see only the final version of a bill, being part of the health legislative process has forced me to examine all sides of any given issue. Although politics can make this process agonizingly slow and inefficient, my work here has given me a greater appreciation for how laws affect our constituents back home.

Given my skills, I am convinced that health law presents the single greatest chance for me to make a difference, both in the lives of individuals and in terms of influencing the broader fabric of society. Moreover, I am confident that my insistence on looking beyond those first impressions has provided me with an exciting opportunity to apply and study at UCLA Law.

The woman in my society is an artisan and a tradesperson. She’s an economist and a doctor. She is also a fisherwoman and a craftsperson. She’s a mentor, nurturer, parliamentarian, and cultivator. She’s brimming with life and capability, but she waits for what justly belongs to her: the right to a superior life.

Here is a brief review and rating of this personal statement based on different aspects:

• Hook and Introduction (4.5/5): Your introduction is powerful and immediately hooks the reader. It shows strength, courage, and determination.
• Background and Motivation (4.5/5): You’ve done a great job of illustrating your background and motivation, which stem from your experiences in Leiah. You could add more about how these experiences triggered your interest in law.
• Relevance and Competency (4/5): You have demonstrated a clear path from your experiences to your interest in law, but a more explicit discussion about the legal skills you have developed and how you applied them would make this section stronger.
• Passion and Personal Drive (5/5): Your passion for law, social justice, and helping others is palpable and will make a strong impression on the admission committee.
• Program Fit and Future Goals (3/5): Your statement is currently lacking in specific references to the law school you’re applying to, making it difficult to assess fit. Discussing how the program aligns with your career goals and what aspects of the program particularly attract you would strengthen your application.
• Conclusion (4/5): Your conclusion is effective in tying together your experiences and your desire to study law. However, a clearer expression of your readiness for law school and how you plan to contribute to the law school community would enhance this section.

Now, let’s delve deeper into each part of your statement:

• Introduction: Your introduction is powerful and impactful. The raw honesty about your decision to leave home and confront societal norms hooks the reader immediately. It tells us you are strong, independent, and willing to make hard choices. One suggestion would be to more directly link this bold decision to your interest in law—did it spark a desire for justice, or a passion for advocating for others who are oppressed?
• Background and Challenges: You effectively depict the stark contrast between your privileged upbringing and the poverty-stricken lives of the people in Leiah. Your empathy is palpable, and it showcases your character and capacity for understanding others’ situations. To provide more context, you could elaborate on the societal and cultural norms that were challenged by your experiences in Leiah and how these experiences shaped your view of law and justice.
• Transferable Skills: You talk about your role as a public liaison officer and how it familiarized you with Federal and State healthcare laws. This shows you’ve already been using legal skills in a practical environment, a strong point in your favor. Perhaps expand on the specific skills or competencies you gained during this period, such as negotiation, critical thinking, or public speaking, and how they will be beneficial in a law school environment.
• Passion and Goals: Your experiences, such as working with NGOs and maternity homes, indicate a strong passion for social justice. The goal of using law to improve the lives of the underprivileged is noble and will resonate with law schools. It might be beneficial to discuss specific areas of law you are interested in (e.g., human rights, public interest law) and how you see yourself contributing in these areas in the future.
• Relevant Experiences: Your varied experiences, from community service to law firm investigation work, provide you with a wealth of practical experiences, all very relevant to your law school journey. Perhaps you could add more detail about how these experiences solidified your desire to study law and how they shaped your perspective on legal practice.
• Specific Interest in the School: The personal statement does not mention a specific law school or its program. Including a paragraph detailing why you are interested in the specific school you are applying to, and how its program aligns with your career goals, could strengthen your application. Discuss the school’s specific courses, faculty, or values that attract you.
• Conclusion: While your conclusion effectively ties together your experiences and future law goals, it could be more direct in expressing your readiness to face the challenges of law school and contribute to the school community.

Your personal statement is already compelling, but adding more context to your experiences and making clear links between your past, present, and future in the context of law could further enhance it. Remember, specificity is key—whether it’s about the skills you’ve gained, the experiences that shaped your interest in law, or the specific school you’re applying to.

Sample 2: Northwestern, Vanderbilt, and UC Berkeley

Variations of this personal statement got accepted at northwestern, vanderbilt, and uc berkeley..

Unlike many, my passion for acquiring a law degree is neither a childhood fantasy of fighting a case in a courtroom nor a preconceived notion of myself as a lawyer. Instead, I recognize that a law degree would enable me to advance my career as a taxation lawyer.

I had to skip schooling during 4th and 5th grade and instead studied at home. This was due to the financial difficulties stemming from my mother’s cancer treatment, which put a significant financial burden on us. Additionally, as a female from an agricultural and rural family, I faced family pressure to attend a public school instead of a private one. But I did not succumb to these pressures. Instead, I persevered in studying and investing in getting myself private education through partial financial support from my older brother and by working part-time as a writer and content curator. Six months before my high-school graduation, my mother succumbed to her illness and passed away. She spent the last eight years of her life bedridden. The loss was immeasurable, but life had to move on.

I first set my sights on becoming a lawyer when I interned at a law firm during the summer break following my high school graduation. Throughout this internship, I annoyed my supervisors by writing long-winded legal documents even when they asked for a few sentences – this was because of the writing habits I had developed as a content writer. With time, I started to write better legal reports, but my attention was increasingly turned toward tax law. With the guidance and counseling of my supervisors, I applied to an undergrad law program. I spent the next several years understanding the Federal Reserve’s proposed Income Tax Ordinance, including exemptions from income tax and withholding tax.

Throughout this time, I continued to work part-time with various firms, hospitals, and non-profits as a volunteer, legal advisor, and editor. Upon graduation, I applied for the position of legal advisor at the Monthly Atlantic. My current job entails researching and reporting for the newspaper on appropriations bills and export legislation. I also write daily summaries of major contracts awarded by the Federal Government. I am also primarily responsible for supporting discrete legal issues by advising the organization, drafting undertakings, and structuring remedies for the relevant issues.

I am excited but also apprehensive as I try to explain legal jargon to an informed general audience, some of whom may know more about these policies than I do. For example, recently, I had a significant challenge in understanding and decoding the budget proposals of the Federal Reserve, by section 42 of the MOPA Act, 1956 (the Act), in which the entire income of the Federal Reserve and its subsidiaries is remitted to the federal government. After thoroughly going through the provisions, I learned there are still some provisions in the Income Tax Ordinance 2001, Sales Tax Act 1990, and Federal Excise Act 2005, attracting the application of taxes and duties.

Too often, I need more legal knowledge to fully grasp bills that control how companies do business overseas, the limits to which government agencies can go to collect covert intelligence, or the amount of funding an agency can receive in a given time. On the one hand, these limitations have yet to do much to impair me in my current position. I am called to turn out several short stories daily on various topics without going into significant detail. However, I would like to advance to more complex and challenging assignments one day. I fear I will be able to do so if I acquire more expertise than I can within the confines of my deadline-driven job. It is a belief shared by several of my colleagues and many of the senior legal consultants at the newspaper that those who hold advanced degrees in law, business, and related disciplines are at an edge. A law degree would put me in a better position to join their ranks, mainly if I could attend school while continuing to work as a legal advisor in taxation-related instances.

Given my circumstances and interests, a graduate degree in taxation law from UC Berkeley is my ideal choice. In addition, I have an acquaintance that is currently enrolled at Berkeley Law school. His generous feedback has convinced me that this program would also fit my needs considering its flexible schedule and emphasis on tax law.

• Hook and Introduction (5/5): The hook and introduction effectively capture the reader’s attention and provide a clear understanding of your unique motivation for pursuing a law degree. The personal anecdote about your internship and your writing habits adds interest to the narrative and sets the stage for the rest of the personal statement.
• Background and Motivation (4.5/5): The background section effectively outlines the challenges you faced during your education and personal life, showcasing your resilience and determination. It helps the reader understand the context in which your passion for law developed. The motivation behind your interest in taxation law is well-explained, highlighting how your experiences and skills have guided you towards this specific field.
• Relevance and Competency (4/5): You effectively demonstrate your competence by discussing your experiences as a legal advisor, writer, and content curator. The mention of your work with firms, hospitals, and non-profits further strengthens your case. However, it would be beneficial to provide more specific examples or achievements that highlight your skills and expertise in taxation law.
• Passion and Personal Drive (4.5/5): Your passion for taxation law shines through in your personal statement. The enthusiasm you express for writing legal reports and your desire to tackle more complex assignments demonstrate your genuine interest in the field. The mention of your colleagues and senior legal consultants’ belief in the value of advanced degrees in law further emphasizes your commitment to continuous learning and professional growth.
• Program Fit and Future Goals (3/5): While you express your interest in pursuing a graduate degree in taxation law from UC Berkeley, the personal statement lacks specific details about why this program is a perfect fit for your goals. Providing more information about the program’s strengths and how they align with your aspirations would strengthen this section.
• Conclusion (4/5): The conclusion effectively wraps up your personal statement and reinforces your commitment to pursuing a law degree. It restates your interest in UC Berkeley and highlights the feedback you received from an acquaintance at the institution. However, it could be enhanced by briefly summarizing your key strengths and accomplishments and how they will contribute to your success in the program.
• Introduction: The introduction of the personal statement effectively hooks the reader by highlighting your unique motivation for pursuing a law degree with a focus on taxation law. The mention of it not being a childhood fantasy and instead recognizing the degree as a means to advance your career sets the tone for the rest of the statement.
• Background and Challenges: The section detailing your background and the challenges you faced is compelling. The explanation of having to skip schooling due to financial difficulties resulting from your mother’s cancer treatment adds depth to your personal story. It showcases your resilience in overcoming obstacles and your determination to pursue education despite the circumstances. The mention of facing family pressure to attend a public school instead of a private one further emphasizes your determination and ability to make your own choices.
• Transferable Skills: While you mention working part-time as a writer and content curator, the transferable skills gained from this experience could be further elaborated upon. Explaining how your writing skills, attention to detail, and ability to analyze information have prepared you for the demands of the legal field would strengthen this section.
• Passion and Goals: Your passion for law and taxation law is effectively conveyed throughout the personal statement. The explanation of your interest developing during your internship at a law firm, where you consistently wrote legal documents, showcases your dedication and enthusiasm. The mention of your desire to tackle more complex assignments and the belief shared by colleagues and senior legal consultants that advanced degrees are advantageous demonstrate your long-term goals and commitment to professional growth.
• Relevant Experiences: The inclusion of your various volunteer and advisory roles, as well as your current position as a legal advisor at the Monthly Atlantic, highlights your practical experience in the field. However, providing more specific examples or accomplishments from these experiences would enhance this section and further illustrate your competence and expertise.
• Specific Interest in the School: While you express an interest in pursuing a graduate degree in taxation law from UC Berkeley, the personal statement lacks specific details about why this program is a perfect fit for your goals. Adding more information about the program’s strengths, faculty, or specific courses that align with your interests would strengthen this section.
• Conclusion: The conclusion effectively wraps up the personal statement by restating your commitment to pursuing a law degree and emphasizing your interest in UC Berkeley. However, it could be strengthened by summarizing your key strengths, experiences, and goals and how they align with the school’s offerings.

Overall, your personal statement effectively conveys your passion for taxation law, your determination to overcome challenges, and your commitment to professional growth. Strengthening the sections on transferable skills, providing more specific examples of relevant experiences, and including more specific details about the school’s fit would enhance the overall impact of the statement.

Sample 3: Georgetown

Variations of this personal statement got accepted at georgetown..

My desire to apply to law school is not rooted in a childhood fantasy of arguing a case before a packed courtroom. I have never seen myself as a trial attorney, ala Perry Mason or Nora Lewin on Law & Order. However, a legal education would enable me to advance my career as a writer and analyst specializing in national security and global trade issues.

I first set my sights on becoming a writer when I learned my letters. But, of course, mastering the ABCs may have been a long way from winning the Pulitzer. Nevertheless, this minor detail did not prevent me from completing three “novels” and my version of Genesis before the age of seven. Throughout elementary and junior high school, I annoyed my teachers by writing 10-page themes whenever they asked for a few sentences. Later, as a high school and college student, I continued writing, though my attention was increasingly turned toward other subjects. Ultimately, one of my professors directed me on a path that would combine my background in writing with government and policymaking. With her help, I secured an internship with a government contractor. As a result, I spent the spring and summer writing copy for websites that the company managed for the government while taking additional classes at university.

In February, I accepted a full-time job as a researcher at Washington Post, where I am now an assistant editor. My current job entails researching and reporting on defense appropriations bills and export legislation, as well as writing daily summaries of major contracts awarded by the Department of Defense and other defense ministries worldwide. With enthusiasm but some trepidation, I attempt to decode pages of legal jargon for an educated lay readership, many of whom I suspect know more than I about such policies. But, too often, I lack the legal knowledge to fully grasp bills that control how companies do business overseas, the limits to which government agencies can go to collect covert intelligence, or the amount of funding an agency can receive in a given length of time.

On the one hand, these limitations have yet to do much to impair me in my current position. I am called to turn out several short stories daily on various topics without going into significant detail. However, I would like to advance to more difficult reporting assignments one day. I fear I will be able to do so if I acquire more expertise than I can within the confines of my deadline-driven job. I also would like to It is a belief shared by several of my colleagues, as well as many of the senior writers and editors at my company who hold advanced degrees in law, business, and related disciplines. A law degree would put me in a better position to join their ranks, mainly if I could attend school while continuing to work as a journalist.

Given my circumstances and interests, Georgetown University Law Center, with its top-ranked intellectual property and international law programs, is my ideal choice. In addition, I have a colleague that is currently enrolled in the Georgetown evening law program. His generous feedback has convinced me that this program would also fit my needs considering its flexible schedule and emphasis on legal writing.

Your personal statement presents a compelling narrative that effectively communicates your passion for writing, your current profession, and your interest in furthering your education in law to augment your skills and understanding. Here are a few suggestions to improve it further:

• Specifics: While you mention you would like to join the ranks of your colleagues who hold advanced degrees in law and related disciplines, it would be beneficial to include specific examples of how having a law degree could have or will benefit you in your current role.
• Motivation: You’ve done a great job discussing your professional path and how you hope a legal education will benefit your career. Still, it would help if you were to discuss any personal reasons or experiences that have led you to want to study law. Personal narratives often make an applicant more relatable and can help the reader understand your motivation better.
• Intention: You may want to further discuss how you plan to apply your law degree to your current career or future aspirations.
• Completion: Towards the end, it seems there is a sentence that is not completed: “I also would like to It is a belief shared by several of my colleagues…”. You might want to revise this sentence to make your statement clearer.
• Why Georgetown: While you have discussed that Georgetown University Law Center is your top choice, consider elaborating on why Georgetown, in particular, is the perfect fit for your career goals, apart from its flexible schedule and the fact that your colleague is enrolled there. You could mention specific courses, professors, or the university’s ethos, for example.

Your personal statement is already quite strong, and these suggestions are only meant to fine-tune your narrative further.

Sample 4: Harvard Law

Variations of this llm personal statement got accepted at university of pennsylvania, oxford university, and harvard law school..

I grew up in a middle-class family in Malaysia, where discipline and responsible behavior were the only doctrines taught. At school, I maintained 100% attendance without exception – a feat that my parents and I take pride in. My parents’ utmost involvement throughout my growing years always made me outshine my peers. Though my school grades were average, I represented my school in many activities ranging from debates and dramatics to being a soccer team captain for the entire house.

I have always had complete freedom from my parents until I had to choose a career. A STEM career was my parents’ priority, but for the first time, I differed from my family and chose Social Sciences. I was told that career prospects were bleak and that I was making the wrong decision, but I persisted. While majoring in social sciences, I met a mentor, Dr. Anonymous, a top economist. He challenged me intellectually, which helped me become a better thinker.

Subsequently, I secured the second position in college. My life turned around as people started to value my opinions, and at that time, I discovered my passion, “to speak.” I was chosen as the Coordinator for a Student Leadership Program, where I was mainly responsible for teaching empathy to hundreds of students from elite schools.

At the same time, at age 17, I met the chief editor of the New York Times, who invited me to host the “Youth Forum,” a program to highlight young people’s perspectives on existing social issues. With 55 episodes spanning over 2.5 years, I questioned youth’s role in our turbulent political, social, and economic system. The show gained popularity and performed exceptionally on TRP scores, with viewership growing to over 500,000.

At college, I met another mentor, Justice Anonymous of the Federal Court of Malaysia, who allowed me to attend court sessions as an observer of cross-questioning sessions. In addition, I socialized with lawyers at many forums, including the Court’s Cafeteria, where all appreciated my love for the field. In my 5th semester, I took a course on U.K. Constitutional Law, where I learned about the history of the U.K. Constitution. In the session on “Parliamentary Sovereignty” and “Britain’s relationship with the European Union,” the professor gave me new energy to research further about the steps in forming its Constitution. The more I read, the more I appreciated the perseverance of the founding fathers and the strong foundation England and Wales is built on.

A few years back, I attended the Oxford University Experience-Summer Course for Teens, Summerfuel. The program helped me with experiential learning about what college life is like. During my stay, I had plenty of opportunities to experience English life outside the classroom. Here, in a session, I narrated the first paragraph of the declaration of independence and asked, “whether all men are equal?”. To this, the professor appreciated my enthusiasm for constitutional law.

On my return to Malaysia, I had new energy to question the existing constitutional norms of Malaysia and kept comparing the constitutions of both countries and analyzing the factors that led to present-day turbulence in Malaysia. It is evident through the literature and historical precedence that the Constitution of Malaysia has been used maliciously to favor the powermongers. This indicates the lack of sincerity and dedication of the leaders who have formed this country.

Sadly, very few competent constitutional lawyers exist in the country that also happened to have played in the hands of powerful politicians who manipulated the Constitution to favor their vested interests. Therefore, I decided to take a career in this area as I aspire to be one of the few upright constitutional lawyers. I want to be amongst those who have shaped law and politics in Malaysia. Not amongst those who played in the hands of the powerful.

I want to choose Oxford Law for several reasons. Its tradition for excellence, the unique constitutional law curriculum, the summer program, and the excellent opportunity to meet and network with individuals from different parts of the world. I believe that Oxford law school’s vibrant and diverse community actively affirms my personality of maintaining lifelong relations. These different connections serve as a general resource for the campus community and a source of empowerment for students like me. The diverse setting at Oxford will enable me to investigate and engage in current issues and more profound societal questions. As a result, I will be able to discover how I can positively impact the world around me.

I am looking for an environment that promotes lively debates to complement my active speaking and reasoning traits. I can access well-known professors and discuss legal issues with exceptional young lawyers from more than 35 countries. Oxford offers a culture of collegiality and collaboration, where international students feel comfortable. At Oxford, professors like Dr. Anonymous, who specialize in constitutional law, and courses such as Democracy, Judicial Law-Making, & Constitutional Law can help nurture my skills and move forward in my career.

Professor Dr. Anonymous, a former Lord Justice in Wales, will teach me the value of strategy in litigation. Next, professor Dr. Anonymous and Dr. Anonymous will introduce me to the fabulous world of copyright. Finally, professor Dr. Anonymous will show me the foundations of the England and Wales litigation system. My long-term goal is to teach and practice constitutional law and eventually join politics on the path to becoming a leading politician. I have been inspired by high-achieving lawyers in Malaysia, such as Justice Anonymous, who have shaped Malaysia’s media, politics, and legal practice. I aspire to be the next in line.

Oxford offers a vast clinical & pro bono program via externships ranging from civil practice clinic to Wales Human Relations Commission. These externships indicate that Oxford wants to help all, a notion uncommon in Malaysia. Oxford is a lab for innovation and opportunities, as seen from the example of hundreds of Alumni that Oxford Law has catered to. I firmly believe that Oxford will genuinely appreciate my leadership at every scale and will polish my raw qualities and channel them so that I can apply them in Malaysia. Actual change on the grass root comes through education, and Oxford Law School is the ideal medium to achieve the highest standards.

Overall, your personal statement is impressive and well-articulated, illustrating a journey of personal and academic growth that highlights your passion, determination, and ambition. You make a compelling case for why you are interested in studying law, and specifically constitutional law, at Oxford. The narrative is well structured, and your argument about the need for constitutional reform in Malaysia is compelling and novel. Your professional experiences and extracurricular activities are quite impressive, providing evidence of your initiative and leadership abilities.

However, there are a few areas where your personal statement could be improved.

• Language & Tone: There are some areas where the tone may come off as overly self-congratulatory, which could potentially turn off some admissions officers. For instance, you could soften the phrase “My parents’ utmost involvement throughout my growing years always made me outshine my peers.”
• Coherence: The transitions between paragraphs are sometimes abrupt. For example, the transition from your second to third paragraph, where you switch from discussing your choice of Social Sciences to your achievement of securing second position in college, lacks a clear connecting link.
• Specificity: You could provide more specifics to demonstrate the impact of your work. For example, instead of mentioning that you taught empathy to hundreds of students, it would be helpful to illustrate what this entailed and what results it achieved.
• Mention of Oxford: The reasons for choosing Oxford Law seem generic and could apply to any top law school. To make your statement more compelling, research more about what is specific to Oxford Law – perhaps a unique program or course, or a faculty member’s work you admire, and express why that appeals to you.
• Criticizing Home Country: The criticism of Malaysia and its leaders seems a bit harsh, which may not resonate well with some readers. While it’s important to be honest about the issues you see, try to express these thoughts in a more constructive manner, focusing more on potential solutions rather than just pointing out problems.
• Ending: The statement ends abruptly. It would be great if you could end on a strong note, summarising your aspirations, and how Oxford fits into that journey.

Here is how I would grade your personal statement:

Content: B+ (The content is strong, but it could benefit from more specific examples and better transitions)

Structure: B (The narrative is coherent but could benefit from smoother transitions and a stronger conclusion)

Language & Tone: B (The tone sometimes comes off as self-congratulatory, and the language could be more nuanced in places)

Alignment with Purpose: B+ (Your statement makes a compelling case for why you want to study law at Oxford, but reasons specific to Oxford could be made more clear)

Overall Grade: B+ 

Your personal statement has a lot of strengths, and with a few tweaks, it could be even stronger. I hope this feedback helps you in refining it further!

Law schools typically require a personal statement for several reasons:

• Understanding You Better: The personal statement provides insights into who you are beyond your academic credentials and achievements. It helps the admissions committee understand your values, personal growth, and unique experiences that might not be evident from your GPA or LSAT scores.
• Assessing Your Communication Skills: Law is a field that requires excellent written communication skills. A well-written personal statement allows the admissions committee to gauge your ability to articulate complex thoughts, express ideas clearly, and construct logical arguments.
• Determining Your Commitment: A thoughtful personal statement can demonstrate your dedication to pursuing a legal career. It’s a way for you to express why you want to study law and how you perceive your future in the field.
• Identifying Diverse Perspectives: Law schools aim to create a diverse and dynamic learning environment. Your personal statement allows you to highlight unique experiences or perspectives that you can bring to the school, thereby contributing to this diversity.
• Evaluating Your Potential Fit: The personal statement gives the law school an opportunity to determine whether you’ll be a good fit for their institution. This isn’t just about you meeting their requirements, but also about whether the school can meet your academic and career aspirations.
• Demonstrating Resilience: Personal statements often include narratives that reveal challenges and obstacles you’ve overcome. These stories can demonstrate your resilience and problem-solving skills, traits that are highly valued in the legal profession.

In summary, a personal statement is a tool that allows law schools to evaluate you holistically. It goes beyond objective measurements of academic potential and provides a more comprehensive view of you as an individual.

Almost all law schools in the United States require a personal statement as part of the application process. The personal statement serves as a critical component of your law school application, allowing admissions committees to understand your motivations, experiences, and skills beyond what is reflected in your academic records and LSAT scores.

However, the specific requirements for law school applications can vary from one institution to another. Some schools may have specific prompts or topics they want you to address in your personal statement, while others may offer more freedom in choosing what to discuss. Certain schools might even ask for additional essays or statements to supplement your application.

If you are applying to law schools outside of the U.S., it’s always a good idea to check the specific admissions guidelines for each law school you’re interested in. Remember that meeting all of the application requirements can demonstrate your commitment and attention to detail, which are valuable traits in the legal field.

What is a Good Length for a Law School Personal Statement?

The length of a personal statement for law school can vary depending on the specific instructions provided by each law school.

A common guideline is typically around two to three double-spaced pages, or approximately 500-750 words.

This length is usually sufficient to provide a detailed narrative without overwhelming the reader with too much information. Remember, admissions committees review many applications, so they appreciate concise and compelling personal statements.

It’s very important to adhere to the instructions provided by each law school you apply to. If a specific word or page count is given, make sure you comply with that limit. Failure to do so could give the impression that you either cannot follow instructions or that you lack the ability to express yourself concisely, neither of which will help your application.

Above all, make sure that every word you write is meaningful and contributes to your overall narrative or argument. A well-crafted, succinct personal statement can often be more powerful than a longer one that lacks focus.

Writing a personal statement for law school can be a challenging task. It’s equally important to know what to avoid as it is to know what to include . Here are some common pitfalls to avoid:

• Vague and Cliché Statements: Avoid clichés and general statements that could apply to anyone. Be specific, personal, and honest in your writing. For example, instead of saying “I want to be a lawyer to fight for justice,” show through your experiences and reflections why and how you’re committed to justice.
• Repeating Your Resume: Your personal statement should not be a recitation of your resume or transcript. It’s an opportunity to share your personal journey, perspectives, and insights that aren’t reflected in other parts of your application.
• Being Overly Emotional or Dramatic: While it’s important to show passion, avoid being excessively emotional or dramatic. Aim to strike a balance between personal storytelling and professional tone.
• Off-topic Content: Stay focused on what the prompt is asking, and tie everything back to your interest in law school and your future career. Avoid irrelevant details or anecdotes.
• Poor Structure and Flow: A disjointed or confusing statement can be difficult to read and may give a negative impression. Plan your statement carefully to ensure it has a clear structure and logical flow.
• Typos and Grammar Errors: These can give the impression of carelessness. Proofread your statement carefully, and consider having others review it as well.
• Negativity or Excuses: If discussing challenges or setbacks, focus on what you learned and how you grew from the experience rather than blaming others or making excuses.
• Making Unsupported Claims: If you claim a particular trait, back it up with concrete examples. For example, instead of just stating that you’re empathetic, share an experience that demonstrates this quality.
• Controversial Topics: Be cautious when discussing potentially divisive subjects, as you don’t want to alienate the reader. If you do choose to address a controversial issue, be sure to do so respectfully and thoughtfully.

Remember, your personal statement is a chance to present an authentic and engaging narrative about your journey towards law school. It should showcase your unique qualities, motivations, and experiences, demonstrating why you would be an excellent addition to the law school’s incoming class.

While it’s possible to use the same base personal statement for all law schools, it is not generally recommended. This is because each law school may have different prompts or expectations for what they want to see in a personal statement. If you don’t tailor your statement to each school, you might miss an opportunity to show how well you align with that specific program or fail to answer the prompt properly.

Additionally, tailoring your personal statement to each school can demonstrate your genuine interest in that particular institution. For example, you might discuss how a specific program, course, or faculty member at that school aligns with your career goals or academic interests. Showing that you’ve done your research and understand what makes each law school unique can make your application more compelling.

That said, it’s also important to maintain consistency and honesty across your applications. You might have a central narrative or theme in your personal statement that remains the same across all versions, while adjusting specific details or sections to better fit each school.

Remember to carefully review the application guidelines for each law school you apply to, paying special attention to any specific prompts or instructions for the personal statement. It’s crucial to ensure that each statement you submit not only meets all requirements, but also clearly conveys why you are a strong fit for each particular law school. 

In general, it’s good practice to include your name and sometimes your LSAC (Law School Admission Council) number on every page of your personal statement, usually in the header or footer. This ensures that if the pages get separated for any reason, the admissions committee can easily match them back up.

However, each law school might have specific guidelines regarding formatting and what information to include. Always follow the specific directions provided by the school to which you’re applying. If the application instructions don’t specify whether or not to include your name, it’s generally safe to include it to ensure your personal statement is easily identifiable.

Also, it’s always a good idea to include a title for your personal statement, even if it’s just “Personal Statement,” so it’s immediately clear what the document is. If you are sending more than one essay or document (like a diversity statement or addendum), this will ensure that each one is clearly identified.

Prior to initiating the writing process, it is vital to set aside some time to formulate your thoughts. Given that the prompts for law school personal statements are usually quite generic—such as, “Why are you interested in studying law?”—candidates often face uncertainty about the best way to approach their response.

You may find yourself overwhelmed with numerous ideas, or conversely, completely devoid of inspiration. To start off, let’s consider a practical approach you can adopt if you’re grappling with where to begin.

Take a writing pad and respond to the subsequent questions:

• Why do I want to go to law school? This question helps to clarify your motivation and passion for pursuing law as a career. It can be grounded in an event, an experience, or a specific interest you’ve cultivated over time .
• What experiences have prepared me for a career in law? These could be academic, work, or extracurricular experiences, where you’ve developed skills that are relevant to a legal career, such as critical thinking, negotiation, or public speaking.
• How have my past experiences influenced my world view? This can provide context about how you approach problems, deal with adversity, or interact with diverse groups, which are all relevant to a legal career.
• How does a law degree fit into my long-term career goals? Here, you’re demonstrating an understanding of how a law degree can contribute to your aspirations, showing a commitment to the field.
• Can I discuss a specific area of law I’m interested in? It’s a bonus if you’re able to tie your experiences and interests to a particular field of law. This shows a depth of understanding and dedication to the subject.
• Is there a unique perspective or diverse background that I can bring to the law school? Schools value diversity in their student body, as it contributes to the richness of classroom discussions and the overall community.
• Have I overcome any significant obstacles or challenges in my life that have shaped who I am? This might provide insight into your resilience, determination, and adaptability, which are valuable traits in a lawyer.
• How have I demonstrated leadership or initiative in the past? Law schools are looking for leaders and self-starters, so any evidence of this will be useful in your personal statement.
• Can I articulate the values and qualities that will make me a good lawyer? You might think about empathy, integrity, diligence, advocacy, or the desire to serve others and uphold justice.
• Why am I a good fit for the specific law school I’m applying to? Consider the school’s mission statement, values, programs, faculty, etc. This can show that you’ve done your research and are committed to attending that particular school.

Formulating a compelling law school personal statement requires thoughtful introspection and strategic planning. By answering these guiding questions, you can navigate the broad prompts and articulate your experiences, motivations, and unique attributes effectively.

Remember, the goal is not to present a list of accomplishments but to paint a vivid picture of your journey towards the legal profession. So, use these questions as your starting point, and craft a narrative that stands out in the sea of applicants and resonates with the admissions committee. The journey towards a career in law starts with this crucial step, and you have the power to shape it.

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Cornell law personal statement: how to write + examples.

Reviewed by:

David Merson

Former Head of Pre-Law Office, Northeastern University, & Admissions Officer, Brown University

Reviewed: 03/03/23

Getting ready to write your Cornell Law personal statement? Unsure of where to begin or what to share? This guide has got you covered!

Cornell is a T14 , Ivy League law school that aspiring lawyers dream of attending. With such high rankings and prestige, it takes a lot to impress Cornell ’s admissions committee.

Aside from a stellar LSAT score and GPA, you’ll have to showcase your impeccable writing skills by writing a personal statement that shares a compelling narrative that showcases your potential as a future legal leader. 

This personal statement will give you a chance to demonstrate your individuality and commitment to law, so it’s essential you craft it with care! Read on to learn how to write a winning Cornell Law School personal statement and to see a few examples to draw inspiration from!

Cornell Law School Personal Statement Requirements

There aren’t any strict requirements when it comes to the Cornell Law personal statement . In an attempt to give students the opportunity to express themselves as they see fit, Cornell urges students to write about any topic they believe will present the most valuable personal information.

Your personal statement may address your intellectual interests, significant accomplishments, obstacles overcome, personal or professional goals, educational achievements, or any way in which your perspective, viewpoint, or experiences will add to the richness of the educational environment of Cornell. 

The length of the statement is also left to your discretion; however, you’re reminded that the admissions committee reviews thousands of applications! So, it’s best if you keep it short and sweet! It’s suggested your personal statement does not exceed two pages.

How to Write Your Cornell Law Personal Statement

Now that you’re familiar with the basic Cornell Law personal statement requirements, let’s delve deeper into how to write a statement that resonates with the judges and maximizes your chances of acceptance!

Step One: Research

You want to clearly prove your dedication to Cornell in your personal statement. To do this, your statement cannot be generic. Familiarize yourself with Cornell Law School’s missions, values, programs, and history.

Step Two: Reflect on Your Experiences

Before you write your first sentence, take time to reflect on your personal, academic, and professional experiences that have shaped your interest in law. Consider significant challenges, achievements, or moments of inspiration that have influenced your decision to pursue a legal education at Cornell. 

Step Three: Define Your Narrative

Once you’ve brainstormed all of the key experiences that define your identity, develop a central theme or narrative that connects these experiences and motivations. This could be a personal story, a passion for a specific area of law, or a desire to make a difference in the legal field. 

This narrative will give your personal statement coherence and help the admissions committee understand your unique perspective. You should use this narrative as your hook as well! Consider setting the scene for the readers with vivid descriptions or starting mise-en-scene at the climax of your story. 

Step Four: Brag a Little

You’ve accomplished a lot to get to where you are right now, and you should tell the admissions committee about it! While you don’t want to rehash your resume , you should highlight your key strengths, skills, experiences, and attributes that make you a strong candidate. 

Some traits Cornell values in its applicants are problem-solving, leadership, and a commitment to social justice and service. Provide concrete examples to support these strengths and share how they will contribute to your success as a law student and lawyer.

That said, make sure to provide examples of your prowess in context, don’t simply list your accomplishments and avoid arrogance. You’ve learned a lot- but not everything! You should be proud and honest while also highlighting your eagerness to learn and grow moving forward.

Step Five: Focus on Flow

Ensure your essay flows as you move through different experiences. Make use of transition words and phrases, maintain your tone, provide logical connections, and engage your reader throughout. 

Step Six: Include Your Research

Remember that research you conducted about Cornell? Now’s the time to show you did your homework. Students typically include their specific reasons for applying to Cornell near the end of their personal statement. 

Mention any relevant courses, clinics, or professors that align with your academic and career goals. Prove that you have carefully considered why Cornell is the right fit for you!

Step Seven: End With a Bang

Don’t neglect your conclusion! You want to leave a lasting impression on the admissions committee, so pay attention to your final sentences. 

You can either summarize your reasons for attending law school, and your hopes for the future, or refer back to the story shared in your introduction and provide deeper reflections on it. However you choose to end your Cornell Law personal statement, ensure it leaves your readers satisfied!

Step Eight: Be Authentic and Concise

Write in your own voice and be true to yourself. Admissions committees appreciate authenticity and want to understand who you are as an individual. Avoid clichés, unnecessary jargon, and only use language you feel comfortable with.

Step Nine: Edit and Revise

After finishing your first draft, edit and revise it until it is free of grammar and spelling errors. Ensure it flows, is clear, and impactful. Seek feedback from others to gain different perspectives on your statement and do not submit it until you’re completely satisfied with it!

Cornell Law School Personal Statement Examples

Here are two Cornell Law School personal statement examples that allow you to see these steps in action!

Growing up in a small town, my perspective on the world was limited. Opportunities to witness the challenges faced by marginalized communities were rare, and my understanding of human rights was confined to textbooks and news headlines. It wasn't until a life-changing experience during my college years that my passion for human rights was ignited.

It all started when I stumbled upon a documentary about a grassroots organization working tirelessly to combat child labor in Southeast Asia. The film featured brave individuals who risked their lives to fight for the rights of children subjected to exploitation and abuse. I was struck by their unwavering determination and the impact they were making in their communities.

Intrigued and inspired, I immersed myself in the subject, delving into academic research, volunteering at local NGOs, and engaging in eye-opening conversations with activists. Each encounter further deepened my understanding of the intricate web of social, political, and economic factors that perpetuate human rights violations.

During a summer internship at an international human rights organization, I witnessed firsthand the harsh realities faced by refugees fleeing persecution. I listened to their stories of despair, resilience, and hope. It was in those moments of empathy that I realized the power of the law in safeguarding human dignity and fostering social change.

Motivated by this newfound purpose, I dedicated myself to the study of human rights law, pursuing coursework and research projects that explored the intersection of legal frameworks and social justice. I eagerly engaged with professors, attending guest lectures and seminars to deepen my knowledge and broaden my perspective.

My passion for human rights also compelled me to take action beyond the classroom. I co-founded a student organization focused on raising awareness and advocating for human rights issues on campus. We organized events, hosted panel discussions, and collaborated with local organizations, striving to ignite a sense of responsibility and action within our community.

Through these experiences, I have come to appreciate the immense challenges inherent in protecting and promoting human rights. Yet, I firmly believe that change is possible, and it starts with each individual who refuses to be silent in the face of injustice.

It is my profound desire to further my education at Cornell Law School, renowned for its commitment to social justice and its distinguished faculty in human rights law. I am inspired by the opportunity to learn from leading scholars, collaborate with passionate peers, and immerse myself in an environment that nurtures both academic excellence and practical application.

Ultimately, my aspiration is to become an advocate for those whose voices have been stifled and rights have been trampled upon. I strive to dedicate my legal career to the pursuit of justice, working tirelessly to ensure that human rights are upheld and protected for all.

Cornell Law School represents the ideal platform to nurture my passion, provide me with the tools and knowledge necessary to effect change, and equip me with the skills to make a meaningful impact in the field of human rights. I am ready to embark on this transformative journey, committed to the pursuit of justice and the relentless pursuit of a world where human rights are not just lofty ideals or headlines, but tangible realities for all.

Why It Works

This statement is successful because it effectively captures the reader's attention with a personal narrative and engages them in the journey of the writer's discovery and passion for human rights. 

The writer demonstrates a clear understanding of the complexities surrounding human rights issues and their commitment to making a difference. They showcase their academic pursuits, practical experiences, and leadership initiatives, all while highlighting their desire to contribute to real-world human rights initiatives. 

The statement also effectively connects the writer's experiences and aspirations to Cornell Law School's reputation and resources, demonstrating a genuine interest in the institution. Their essay flows well, it is easy to follow, and it leaves the reader with a deeper understanding of who this student is and what they value. 

Jane Mendez, aged 13 years, a devoted daughter, loving sister, and cherished friend, passed away Saturday, March 17, 2018. 

As I sat, re-reading my sister’s obituary, I couldn’t help but wonder how she could be reduced to a one-page statement. A statement that seemed so matter-of-fact, that left out all her little quirks that I took for granted, like the way she still slept with her broken blue night light that buzzed when it was plugged in, or how she only ate her pancakes with whipped cream and strawberries because she hated the taste of maple syrup. 

This obituary wasn’t my sister, but it was all she was remembered as. The poor 13-year old with so much life yet to live, tragically killed by a drunk driver. The pain and grief from her loss were indescribable. I found myself grappling with questions of justice and accountability. 

Driven by a desire to transform my personal tragedy into a force for change, I embarked on a journey that intertwined my grief with a passion to do more. Through tireless research, I educated myself about the legal intricacies surrounding drunk driving and the devastating consequences it inflicts upon society.

Empowered by my knowledge, I actively engaged with local organizations dedicated to combating drunk driving. Collaborating with legal advocates, I participated in awareness campaigns, organized fundraisers, and lobbied for stricter legislation. Witnessing the impact of my efforts, I realized that the law possessed the potential to save lives and provide solace to those affected by tragedy.

This awakening fueled my academic pursuits as I immersed myself in legal studies, devouring courses on criminal law, torts, and public policy. In classrooms and debates, I sought to unravel the complexities of our justice system, exploring the nuances of accountability, rehabilitation, and victim advocacy.

In my journey, I discovered the powerful intersection between law and advocacy. Through internships at law firms and victim support organizations, I worked diligently to provide compassionate legal assistance to those navigating the aftermath of traumatic events. Assisting survivors in court hearings, I witnessed firsthand the pivotal role attorneys play in giving voice to the voiceless and restoring faith in a broken system.

I found solace in channeling my grief into compassionate action. I became determined to contribute to a legal system that prioritizes the rights of victims and ensures that justice prevails, even in the face of unspeakable tragedy.

Cornell Law School, with its unwavering commitment to social justice and academic excellence, stands as the beacon of hope for realizing my aspirations. The opportunity to learn from distinguished faculty members renowned for their expertise in criminal law and victim advocacy is a privilege I deeply covet.

My sweet sister’s untimely death forever altered the trajectory of my life. Her memory propels me to pursue justice, inspire change, and ensure that no other family experiences the pain I endured. Guided by my sister’s legacy and with her broken blue night light in hand, I emerge through the darkest period of my life with resilience, empathy, and an unwavering commitment to the pursuit of justice. I stand ready to make a lasting impact at Cornell Law School and in the broader realm of law.

This is an emotionally charged personal statement that does an excellent job of engaging the reader. They add personal touches, like the blue night light, that further immerse the readers into the narrative. Readers can sympathize with the reader, feel their sense of loss, and feel inspired by their resilience. 

They demonstrate they have clear ambitions and goals for the future, showcase their research, advocacy, and legal involvement in combating drunk driving, and determination to do more as a lawyer. They also tie their ambitions back to Cornell, showing their genuine interest in this school!

FAQs: Personal Statement for Cornell Law School

For any remaining questions about how to write your Cornell Law personal statement, read on!

1. How Long Is the Cornell Law School Personal Statement?

While there is no formal word count for the Cornell Law personal statement, it’s suggested your statement does not exceed two pages.

2. What Should Be Included In the Cornell Law School Personal Statement?

Students are encouraged to share whatever they feel is most important for the admissions committee to know and what is otherwise missing from their application. 

Most successful personal statements will include meaningful experiences that motivated students to join the legal field, experiences that shaped their values, and their future aspirations. You should also highlight the strengths and qualities that make you a strong Cornell candidate.

3. How Important Is the Cornell Law School Personal Statement In the Admissions Process?

While it is just one component among several that are considered, the personal statement offers applicants a valuable opportunity to showcase their unique qualities, experiences, and aspirations to the admissions committee.

Admissions committees carefully review personal statements to gain a deeper understanding of applicants' personal narratives, their passion for law, and their alignment with the values and mission of Cornell Law School.

4. Are There Any Formatting Guidelines for the Cornell Law School Personal Statement?

Cornell Law School does not provide specific formatting guidelines for the personal statement. However, it’s generally advised students use a standard format, such as Arial, Times New Roman, or Calibri, and size 11 or 12 point font.

Final Thoughts

As you begin your own Cornell Law personal statement, ensure you strive for authenticity, reflect on your personal and academic journey, and use your own voice! Craft a statement you’re proud of and feel connected to and embrace this opportunity to stand out and make a memorable impression on the admissions committee!

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Harvard Law School Personal Statement Samples

Reading Harvard Law School personal statement samples is a great way to learn how to write your own for your application to law school. As arguably the best law school in the world, Harvard has extremely competitive law school acceptance rates . Your personal statement for law school is a tricky challenge and writing one for Harvard requires superb writing skills and following specific directions. In this blog, our law school admissions consulting experts provide 6 samples to guide you on how to write a personal statement that will impress the admission committee at Harvard Law School.

>> Want us to help you get accepted? Schedule a free strategy call here . <<

Article Contents 14 min read

Writing a law school personal statement.

Writing a personal statement for law school is always a challenging task. Writing a statement for your Harvard Law School application might seem even more intimidating, but reading sample law school personal statements can help you understand what is needed to write your own.

In this blog, we’ve included several Harvard Law School personal statement samples to help students like you prepare to write your own. Reading these samples is useful even if you are preparing an application to other law schools, or if you’re applying for other elite programs like Stanford Business School . Harvard Law School, as one of the best law schools in the world, is selective about its applicants, and has specific instructions in writing a personal statement. So whatever program or school you’re applying to, using guidance from Harvard personal statement samples can help you craft a stellar statement for your application.

Want to learn about the top Harvard law school personal statement examples? Check out this video:

Personal Statement Requirements for Harvard Law School

Most importantly, Harvard is looking for authenticity. The school believes that applicants themselves are the best persons to determine the content of their statement. So, after reading the prompts provided for your application\u2014or if you\u2019ve chosen to write on a topic of your choosing\u2014be sure to start brainstorming and use the strongest idea or details to include in your personal statement. In other words, write about what stands out most to YOU in your interests or background. Think hard about your reason for pursuing a career in law, or why a degree from Harvard is so important for you and your future. "}]">

You can read our Harvard Law School personal statement samples below, but you can also read some Harvard personal statement examples for medical school too, to get more ideas of how to write a fantastic statement.

Harvard Law School Personal Statement #1

There’s more than one way to lose your home. Tragedy is sudden and its traumatic effects linger long after the original incident. But when you feel a slow, steady disconnect between yourself and the place you grew up, it’s another kind of loss.

In recent years, I’ve noticed this loss more than ever before. As we grow up, there’s bound to be some disillusionment. But my hometown is just the same, only some of its uglier sides have been brought into the light.

This pandemic has taken a huge toll, but I’ve never imagined it would stir up hatred and resentment in a place I always considered friendly and open-hearted. When I walked past the first anti-mask protest outside my local legislature, I was surprised by the vehement emotions from the crowd. I didn’t understand their anger over very light restrictions from officials.

We all have a childhood memory about our favorite treat. Maybe it’s getting ice cream from the roving neighborhood ice cream truck or stopping at a corner store for an ice-cold popsicle. For me, the sweetest treat was running by a local mom-and-pop bakery after school.

The place was practically an institution. Cupcakes of every flavor, with the fanciest icing and the biggest choice of sprinkles and toppings to go with. It had been in the neighbourhood for 20 years, at least, catering every child’s birthday and local celebration. I went there once a week with my friends.

When I was in high school, I still visited once in a while. Around this time, a bakery in another city became overnight famous for refusing to bake a cake for a gay wedding. The internet backlash was incredible. Many establishments, in support of the bakery, began putting up signs in their windows advertising themselves as Christian-owned businesses that wouldn’t cater to the LGBT crowd. A few places in our town did the same.

A year later, I moved away to attend university, and the issue dropped out of the news for a while. Over summers, when visiting home, I would stop in for a delicious cupcake and say hi the owners to make small talk. On one such occasion, I was visiting when a family friend stopped in to make an order for her daughter’s birthday. The owners’ faces dropped the moment they saw my friend, and they busied themselves with other customers.

As I chatted to my friend about her daughter’s birthday and how she wanted to get cupcakes from the local bakery as was tradition, I couldn’t help but notice the cold treatment from the owners. My friend confided to me that they’d refused her service last time because she’d come into the shop with her wife in tow and asked for cupcakes for a birthday celebration. This time, she wanted to try again and ask for generic cupcakes for an event, without her partner there. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. That my friend had to outright lie to be served, and served with subpar service at that, was appalling. After attempting to order cupcakes for the second time that day, my friend was actually told by the owners they would call 911 if she entered their shop again and refused her service. I have not been back to their bakery since.

As the kind of kid who always liked standing up to bullies, I’d thought about being a lawyer before, but experiencing this exchange confirmed my decision for me. My friend should be able to enter a business and be served like any other customer. She was not disrupting their business in any way or infringing on their rights as business owners. She just wanted some personalized birthday cupcakes for her child.

These may seem like small incidents, but together they add up to a disturbing pattern. And unfortunately, there are too many in the LGBT and other marginalized communities that don’t get to have their voices heard on issues like this. I think the world needs more people who are willing to stand with them and speak up about what’s right.

Coming from a family of immigrants, I’m not a stranger to discrimination, injustice, and hate. I understand the silent inner struggle. My parents left Lebanon in the years after civil war broke out, taking my infant brother with them. I was born once they landed safely in Canada.

My mother was always tight-lipped about home, preferring not to talk about it. My father believed we should know about our culture and history at home. Hearing about the atrocities my parents witnessed and the things they experienced has given me a divided view of my ancestral home. My mother often says how much she wishes to go home again, but she never will.

Growing up, with the weight of my parents’ experiences and memories, I used to think that those ghosts would not follow my family to our new home. For the most part, we were content and peaceful. Yet there have been incidents. I vividly remember the man who shouted at my mother in the supermarket for speaking in her native language, asking me to hand her a can of beans from the shelf. My mother never took us back to that store.

My mother especially has been sensitive to the plights of others like her. She knows that often, no one will speak up or speak out. Some are too afraid. But the one thing we can all do is volunteer our help and our kindness. The past several years, my brother and I have gone with her to our local mosque to help refugee families from Syria acclimate to their new home. Speaking with them, I often see my mother’s face in my mind’s eye. I try to offer my help and compassion, but I know there is only so much I can do. I cannot undo what they have gone through. I cannot fix the injustices that were done.

My father likes to say that we are not alone in our fight. That there are many of us, but we can always use one more soldier of faith and love. This is how I view my dream of being a human rights lawyer. As being a soldier in this enormous fight for peace. I view it as my duty and my privilege to take on some of the work that is so needed. When I think of those, like my mother, who need someone in their corner, who don’t have anyone to defend them, I realize how important this work is. And it is monumental, but we are not alone. I feel that it is my calling to do my part and stand up and speak up.

Want to revisit those Harvard Law School personal statement requirements before reading the rest? This infographic is for you:

Harvard Law School Personal Statement #4

I’ve always been a drama fan. Whether it’s my mother’s latest soap opera, a medical show, a forensics thriller, I always found them entertaining and stimulating to my investigative mind. I was that annoying person who tried to figure out who the killer was before the episode ended. It was secretly on my bucket list to witness a real live courtroom drama.

In reality, being in court is not as dramatic as it’s portrayed on TV. And it’s nowhere near as exciting or fun. When my mother was diagnosed with a rare disorder, we explored all our options. We finally landed on a drug trial that looked promising. We did our research, everything checked out. We were told the initial studies were promising. It was our last option.

Everything started well enough. My mother’s condition improved, and our hopes were rising for the first time in a while. Then came the night we had to rush her to ER after she suffered unforeseen side effects from the trial, and she was left partially paralyzed. The response we got from the drug trial company was disappointing to say the least. They hadn’t disclosed the side effect, and many of the other patients we’d met experienced similar side effects, fortunately none as drastic as my mother’s.

As the case became a lawsuit and we wound up sitting on those hard benches, it was harder to watch the procedure unfolding at the front of the room. I wished I could be the one up there, arguing on behalf of the other patients, telling the jury about their experiences and how these undisclosed side effects had changed my mother’s life forever. There were a lot of emotions I couldn’t process in the courtroom. And the settlement we won wasn’t enough to cover my mother’s medical bills and the care she now needs for the rest of her life at 57.

Watching those old shows, I used to think being a lawyer was a dramatic and exciting job. And I’m sure it can be. But from experience, I now realize how crucial it is, and how serious. You’re not just arguing about the law or questioning witnesses. You’re advocating for people’s lives. It’s definitely not a soap opera. It’s real life.

My mother’s story is something no one else should have to go through. And if they do, hopefully there’s someone there like our lawyer, like me, to care enough to do something about it. I wanted to become a lawyer, so I could stand up and take on what looked like an exciting role. Now, I want to become a lawyer, so I can stand up for others who are suffering and right the legal wrongs they’ve experienced. And nothing could be more exciting than that.

Harvard Law School Personal Statement #5

On cool springtime mornings, when the sun is barely crawling over the horizon and the water is still grey with a streak of fire, you can spot them. It’s easy to mistake them for shadows or ripples on the water, just a trick of the eye. But they’re there. Sometimes you can hear them, crying out to each other with shrill, echoing bursts.

It used to be common to see orcas in the waters around Vancouver Island. Five minutes from where I grew up, I used to be able to walk along the shore and see them every morning. Their fins are so black, they look like the shadows of birds swooping. But then you catch a peeking patch of white when they come out of the water, and you can see them in all their majesty. It’s hard not to be entranced by something that awesome. And, like every other kid in my neighbourhood, I thought about being a marine biologist. Learned everything I could about orcas and humpbacks and all the other fantastic creatures of the island.

As their numbers dwindled over the years, my mind turned to conservation efforts. There’s no shortage of volunteer opportunities for a high school and undergrad wanting to do their part to clean up the oceans. I started volunteering with local groups before finding the Surfrider Foundation, which cleans up shoreline on the island to prevent plastic waste from entering our waters. This experience, while rewarding, hasn’t been without reminders of how important it is.

Having to see an orca slowly dying on a beach instead of slicing through the waves is a harsh reminder of the impact of human pollution on our planet. You can hear the difference in their cries in those moments. And you can see the change in their eyes. Somehow, morning walks on the beach aren’t the same after that.

My desire to protect these beautiful creatures evolved the more I educated myself on current events and kept up to date on what was happening in the news. Last year, there wasn’t much I could do as a conservationist except continue to advocate and perform solo beach cleanups in my backyard since we couldn’t gather together. But after 12 months of this same routine, I went out one chilly April morning and saw a surprise.

I looked out to the bay that had been empty for so long. Sightings were rare now, and I was growing more used to the quiet. But that morning, there was an entire pod of orcas swimming there, their voices loud and echoing. It was no shock that I had to take a minute on the beach before I continued my cleanup.

Without human interference, even with smaller cleanup efforts, they had rebounded just fine on their own. And they weren’t the only ones to return, as humpback whales are becoming more frequently sighted again, too. It reaffirmed for me that conservation was only one goal. Protection for these creatures was still needed. And if this pandemic had taught us anything, it was that we can’t go back to the way things were.

We need to change the patterns and policies we have in place. We need to implement policies of protection. We need to be the voices of these animals. At its heart, I believe this is what environmental law should be. The protection and conservation of our world and all that inhabit it.

Harvard Law School Personal Statement #6

When you grow up in a low-income neighbourhood, you expect to have your stuff stolen sometimes. I have more than one missing backpack. A bicycle my parents saved up 6 months to buy me for Christmas, I never saw again. They’re things, and things get stolen sometimes when you have something others want. I learned to expect this, but I also learned to stand up to thieves when I saw them.

My dislike of thieves is still strong, but it wasn’t until a few years ago that I realized they could steal more than stuff. As a high school student, we were told not to cheat, not to plagiarize. I think probably most of us didn’t understand that. And we certainly didn’t know what copyright law was. When I went to college, the anti-plagiarism slogan was drilled into me again, and I had a passing understanding of intellectual property laws. A case study on stolen intellectual property and corporate spying piqued my interest—it was like one of my favorite heist movies told in the form of a less dramatic, real-life story.

The example went from marginally interesting right back to dramatic when my own work was stolen from me. In my spare time, I’d written a short story for another class submission. I’d, perhaps foolishly, posted it on a student forum to get some feedback. A few weeks later, a friend tipped me off that it had been published in an outside short story contest and even won a prize. Unfortunately for me, I was never able to do much about it. I reported it to the school, and the student who stole my work did face consequences. But my work was never returned, as they had changed just enough from my original story that it still passed the contest’s anti-plagiarism check.

I still write short stories, but I rarely share them with others now. To me, my intellectual work is not just a backpack or a bicycle that can be replaced if you have the money. Writing and other creative works aren’t so easily replicated. And having them stolen is a feeling I’d never experienced before. I wasn’t sure what the proper procedure was for getting my writing protected and what to do if copyright was violated.

I ended up going back to that professor who’d taught the case study, and we discussed copyright laws and intellectual property rights. As he pointed out, there are some gaps there. There are complex situations and arguments to be made. Protecting intellectual property from thieves is a little different than busting someone cutting locks at the bike rack.

The experience made me realize my desire to protect things could have a lot of benefits if I become a lawyer. And it could prevent people from experiencing what I did with my stolen short story. And the truth is, I kind of always wanted to be the cop chasing down the bad guys in those old heist movies.

To write a superb personal statement for your Harvard Law School application, it’s most important to follow the provided directions, answer the prompt if you’re provided with one, and create a well-written essay full of pertinent details.

Harvard Law School asks students to submit a double-spaced, 11-point, two-page personal statement. This equals about 500 words.

Yes; Harvard may provide applicants with a prompt for writing their personal statement. Although these prompts can be vague and open to interpretation, students should focus on answering the question in their own way.

Harvard’s admissions committee stresses authenticity. They are seeking students who can write clearly about themselves and demonstrate deep thinking. They expect students to provide strong evidence of why they will be a good addition to their school.

Harvard is one of the most competitive law schools in the world, with a notoriously low admissions rate. The school admitted 12.9% of applicants in recent years. But submitting a well-written personal statement can help improve your application considerably.

Law schools are extremely competitive. Writing a good personal statement for law school requires being able to write well, follow instructions, provide solid evidence, and tell a compelling story. And above all, be genuine in presenting yourself and your background.

Harvard Law School does provide a prompt asking students why they chose to apply. However, if you do write on this prompt, it’s important to give a unique, personal reason why you chose Harvard other than “it’s the best law school in the world”! The admissions committee has heard this many times before, and they are looking for more compelling reasons.

Yes; the personal statement is a required component of your application to Harvard Law School.

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LLM Commercial and Corporate Law - Sample Personal Statement

• Sample personal statement

19 April, 2018

Llm commercial and corporate law - sample personal statement share.

• 12 May, 2013

My name is T Ahmed. My nationality is Bangladeshi and I am 25 years old. I am intending to pursue the LLM Comparative Commercial Law at BPP University to to achieve a deeper understanding of the field of Comparative Commercial Law. I look forward to having the opportunity to study it to a higher level. Following my SSC & HSC, I have completed my Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from ASA University of Bangladesh in 2019. Then I admitted myself at Jagannath University for my Master of Laws (Professional) and right now I am expecting for my result. I am a hard-working individual and tend to work patiently until I reach my goal. I love to watch documentaries during my leisure time. My command of the English Language has been developed through my bachelor's course, as the medium of instruction for this course have been in English. However, I believe that this course will enable me to show the best of my intellectual capacity and prosper in a competitive work environment.

I choose the UK as my study destination because British universities are renowned for their well-balanced academic programmes which offer opportunities for professional development through teamwork and participation in research projects. Moreover, Bangladesh government and private organizational structures and governance are UK system oriented. So I think to learn from the UK because the degrees meet the job requirements more than in other countries. Well, I looked at many Universities but choose BPP University becauseit is one of the UK’s leading Law Schools, with over 25 years’ experience delivering professional legal qualifications. Also The University is trusted by many of the most influential law firms and 60 leading firms educate their trainees exclusively with them. Tutors are expert and every single student is given personal attention and individual care with maximum contact hours with academics. The University has been exclusively education 4 out of the 5 magic circle law firms. This put BPP’s position at top in teaching law and demands of BPP graduates after they complete they qualify. Students have the chances to gain practical legal work experience by working with real clients through our award-winning Pro Bono Centre. Studying here would give me the chance to differentiate myself with distinct accomplishments and success. I have keep an eye on the course specification of my chosen programme and found that some of its modules are align with my study, research focus which will play a vital role on my future progression. The modules includes Comparative Commercial Law, Law Relating to Fraud and Financial Crime, Transnational Criminal Justice, Commercial Law and the Law of Investigations and Practice, Dissertation. All the practice ready modules of the course are highly demanding and suitable according to today's legal sector and these modules are designed to introduce students to the nature of commercial and financial activity from a comparative perspective. The assessment methods in my chosen programme which will also contribute to my development. Furthermore, I will be be able to gain deep understanding of law practice in a real world context. Basically I work hardly on my daily routine to improve my skills and ability and I am confident that my personal attributes and academic achievements make me a suitable candidate for the course.

Upon on completion of my course, I will be able to grow my career in different legal sectors of my home country. My goal is to be a Senior Commercial Lawyer in a well reputed firms of my home country. I am ready to increase my knowledge in this sector by studying my chosen course so that I can able to face the intellectual challenge this will bring. In this fast rising world, legal problems are becoming universal. So, I want to study the LLM Comparative Commercial Law at BPP to earn a professional level platform in my future career path. I believe that further study in the UK is the best decision to step on the path to my career goals as the UK is the ideal setting for refining my expertise in law while also acquiring a broader, international viewpoint. In my country, education system is theory based and learning materials are not adjusted with latest developments. Degrees in my country do not maintain international standards. Due to this, degrees are not recognized and valued. Tuition fees are commercialized heavily day by day. Degrees do not develop transferable skills like the UK. I am determined to study this course in the UK as the study environment in my country is quite different and we get to study with only the national students. Furthermore, the UK has a great multicultural and diversified student community which is an opportunity for me to learn with lot of students from different nationalities. UK education brand is highly respected by employers in our country as UK degree prepares graduates with academic competencies, developed personal and professional skills that are imperative for organizational success. The transferrable skills graduates carry forward from UK are pivotal for transforming organizational growth and gain competitive advantages. In a recent Survey of International Graduate Outcomes 2019 by Universities UK International produced by iGraduate shows that 82% international graduates say that their UK degree are worth the financial investment and same percentage say they are satisfied or very satisfied with their careers. Nearly 83% feel that UK degree has helped them to get jobs. These aspects have driven my ambition to gain the degree from a UK institution. These reasons have letting me to decide to pursue this course in the UK.

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Class of 2024 celebrates their graduation from Duke Law School

Distinguished speaker Christopher Schroeder, longtime faculty member and former head of the Office of Legal Counsel, advised graduates to stay focused on their integrity and responsibilities at Saturday's Convocation ceremony.

Convocation speaker Christopher H. Schroeder , a longtime faculty member who served in high-level positions at the Department of Justice, including leading the Office of Legal Counsel and its Office of Legal Policy, told the Class of 2024 on Saturday that his opportunities came from both luck and remaining focused on personal integrity and professional responsibilities.

“I absorbed that lesson from so many colleagues in government, including three outstanding attorneys general, but it is a lesson that is entirely transportable wherever your work takes you,” Schroeder said.

“Also transportable are the words of Louis Pasteur, ‘Fortune rewards the prepared mind.’ I have been blessed to work with people who also maintained the highest levels of competence.”

Schroeder, the Charles S. Murphy Professor Emeritus of Law and professor emeritus of public policy, was distinguished speaker at the May 11 ceremony in Cameron Indoor Stadium honoring the members of the Class of 2024.

Of the 279 JD graduates, 20 also earned a Master of Laws, or LLM, in international and comparative law, and 10 also received an LLM in law and entrepreneurship. Six JD graduates also earned a graduate degree from another department or school at Duke University. Thirty-one JD graduates received the Public Interest and Public Service Law certificate.

Eighty-four graduates of law schools in other countries received their LLM degree. One graduating student, Juliana Bortolini Bolzani, received the Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD), the highest degree in law.

The Convocation ceremony was livestreamed and can be replayed on Duke Law’s YouTube channel .

“As Duke Law alumni, you will all have the opportunity to join the many graduates of this institution who use their power as lawyers to effect critical change in the world,” James B. Duke and Benjamin N. Duke Dean and Professor of Law Kerry Abrams told the class in her opening remarks.

“Whether this is your first law degree or your second (or even third), you will have an obligation, wherever your career takes you, to serve your community and help those who are less fortunate, as so many of our alumni do. And you will have a responsibility to uphold the tenets and traditions of the legal profession and the rule of law for all people, even when doing so does not serve your personal interests.

“This is what it means to be a lawyer, and it makes me so proud that you have all chosen to be members of this profession.”

Schroeder says opportunities find the prepared mind

Schroeder, who is married to A. Kenneth Pye Professor Emerita of Law and former dean Kate Bartlett , joined the Duke Law faculty in 1979 and taught Property, as well as courses on Congress, federal policymaking, environmental law, and cybersecurity, among others. In 1998, he founded the Program in Public Law, now the Richard A. Horvitz Program in Constitutional & Public Law, to promote an understanding of public institutions, the Constitutional framework in which they function, and the principles and laws that apply to the work of public officials. He retired from teaching in 2020.

Schroeder’s academic career was punctuated by several high-level terms in government service. Early on, he was called to advise the Senate Judiciary Committee, and then-Senator Joe Biden, on judicial nominees and served as chief counsel to the judiciary committee from July 1992 to February 1993. In spring 1993 he joined the Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) and led the office as deputy assistant attorney general from April 1995 until January 1997.

Schroeder returned to Washington in 2010 as assistant attorney general in the Office of Legal Policy (OLP), where he advised the attorney general and the White House for nearly three years on a variety of law enforcement and national security issues and supervised the evaluation of then-President Barack Obama’s nominees to the federal judiciary.

He returned to the Duke Law faculty from late 2012 until the 2020 presidential election, when he was tapped to lead the DOJ agency review team for the Biden-Harris transition and retired from teaching. In October 2021 he was appointed by President Joe Biden as assistant attorney general for the OLC. On his retirement from that position in July 2023, Schroeder was presented with the Edmund J. Randolph Award, the DOJ’s highest honor, by Attorney General Merrick Garland in recognition of outstanding contributions over his career.

Addressing the graduates, Schroeder spoke about how he balanced his academic career at Duke with public service, and how those opportunities carried the weighty responsibility of advising the highest levels of government, including the executive branch, on legal matters.

He said his first call to Washington, in 1987, came "out of the blue" from a friend of a friend, and happened to coincide with a sabbatical opportunity from Duke Law. Schroeder was charged with helping to evaluate the nomination of Judge Robert Bork, who had been tapped by then-president Ronald Reagan to succeed retiring justice Lewis F. Powell, Jr.

“These hearings would become the most contentious in decades, maybe ever, and they completely swallowed up my sabbatical, but they also opened up an entirely new set of opportunities — something I did not fully realize at the time,” Schroeder recalled. “After the Bork hearings, extended confirmations, and contested confirmations, became the norm — for better or worse.”

In the ensuing years, he said, he would be asked to serve during the nominations and hearings to replace several retiring justices. It was grueling work, he said, in the pressure cooker of Senate confirmation hearings.

“It is very hard to overemphasize the role of luck in opening up further opportunities for me, most of which were also equally unexpected,” he said. “In this particular case, I knew someone who knew someone who just happened to be looking for part-time assistance from someone who had some amount of expertise in reading and evaluating law review articles at just the moment I happened to have a sabbatical coming up, and just happened to work for an employer — Duke University — who took seriously its stated commitment that the knowledge it helped to generate should be put to public service.”

That helped lead to the next opportunity, as position of deputy in the OLC under Walter E. Dellinger III , the Douglas B. Maggs Professor Emeritus of Law, who died in 2022. There Schroeder would advise then-president Bill Clinton, along with Professor of Law H. Jefferson Powell .

Nearly a decade later, he said, “lightning struck again” when he was tapped to head the OLP during the Obama-Biden administration, and then once again in 2021, when president-elect Biden nominated him to run the OLC.

“Following in Walter’s footsteps was a thrill for me, although the seriousness of advising the president and the attorney general was pretty daunting. Hard work was still the watchword. The range of issues I’ve been privileged to work on while at the Department of Justice have been somewhat head-spinning,” Schroeder said.

They included advising the executive branch on issues including whether a proposed counter-terrorism operation overseas was legal, what actions the president could lawfully take if Congress failed to raise the statutory debt ceiling, and what could be done legally about mysterious balloons floating over Montana that might have been sent by China. They also included advising on questions of immunity for former close aides of former presidents, as well as questions on executive privilege applied to former presidents.

“Our stated responsibility was to advise the president and other members of the executive branch on what the law allowed them to do, rather than to rubber-stamp what they had already decided to do,” Schroeder said. “I took that responsibility seriously and just as importantly, was surrounded by other lawyers, both career and politically appointed, who were equally serious about it.”

Whether or not graduates pursue public service also, Schroeder said, he had two pieces of advice to offer.

“Number one: expect the unexpectable. A big part of life is luck," he said.

"Number two: Maintain your high standards, your integrity, and your professionalism. Then when the first thing happens, the second thing will mean that you are ready for the opportunity. Wherever the next chapter of your life takes you, best of luck and congratulations.”

Class speakers reflect on personal growth and friendships

International LLM class speaker Cathrine Rohde Kjaergaard, an attorney from Denmark who earned her first law degree from Aarhus University, recalled that she spent her first days in Durham watching raging thunderstorms from a hotel window and wondering if coming to Duke was a good decision.

She then recounted how she and her classmates, who hail from 37 different countries, built the foundation for lifelong friendships over the past year, celebrating birthdays, marriages, parenthood, travel, outings, meals and, of course, long days in the library together.

“Through it all, we also shared our challenges. We leaned on each other and we supported each other when our days were filled with thunderstorms. We shared encouragement, trust, compassion, and hugs when we needed them,” Kjaergaard said.

“As we graduate here today, and we go on to pursue our individual goals, I hope that we will remember that our friendships do not depend on how often we meet or how often we talk. They are rooted in the bonds we have built.

“Earning the Duke Law LLM Degree is not only about the diploma and the extraordinary academic achievements. It is also about the journey we shared. Let our shared journey continue to inspire and unite us wherever we go from here. This was a good decision.”

Kjaergaard earned the Certificate in Business Law with her LLM degree and plans to sit for the Texas bar.

JD class speaker Esosa Gloria Asemota said her three years of law school had been “full of discovery and surprise.” A graduate of the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, Asemota said she hadn’t originally planned on law school, but came to it after “a derailment” that forced her to rethink her path.

“Here, in the context of this law school community, I’ve learned that integrity is about more than just morality. It is also about making the active, courageous decision to be yourself,” Asemota said. “It’s about being who you actually are, instead of trying to be someone else that looks good, or maybe even is good, but that ultimately isn’t you.

“The path to integrity comes not from picking and choosing the aspects of yourself that you like and denying the rest but rather, it’s about engaging honestly with every single part of you, so you can exist in the world as a whole person.

“It is in this place of honesty that you will develop – you will find yourself. And you’ll see that the person you are is indeed better than whatever ‘you’ you were trying to manufacture.”

Asemota closed with a quote from Adam Young: ‘The most creative endeavor one can undertake is the endeavor to become oneself. The greatest gift you can give to God and to others … is the gift of becoming you.’ So do that, please.”

At Duke Law, Asemota served as the internal vice president of the Black Law Students Association and the social chair of the Duke Law Music Association. She was also a member of the Tricky Dick comedy sketch club and the Dean’s Advisory Council. Asemota plans to work in the New York office of Freshfields.

Justin Miller Awards announced

Abrams also presented the 2024 Justin Miller Awards, given to JD graduates in the categories of leadership, integrity, citizenship, and intellectual curiosity, and to one outstanding LLM student.

• Leadership: Josh Britt and Caira Watson 
• Integrity: Morgan Kelleher, Margaret Kruzner, and Luke Mears
• Citizenship: Esosa Asemota, George Khoury, and Lucy Walton
• Intellectual Curiosity: Miranda Campbell Kerrigan and George Werner
• LLM Award for Leadership and Community Participation: Nick Opoku

Following speeches, the graduates were received by Abrams, Clinical Professor of Law Jeff Ward, Associate Professor of Law Emilie Aguirre, Associate Dean for International Studies Oleg Kobelev, and Assistant Dean for Student Affairs Lewis Hutchison.

Abrams closed the program by wishing the class a fulfilling career in the law and urging them to return often and maintain a strong connection with their professors, classmates, and the next generations of Duke Law students.

See more photos from Convocation 2024 .

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• [ May 13, 2024 ] Japan Gets An LLM Compliments Of Fujitsu And RIKEN AI
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Japan Gets An LLM Compliments Of Fujitsu And RIKEN

Very few organizations have enough iron to train a large language model in a reasonably short amount of time, and that is why most will be grabbing pre-trained models and then retraining the parameters in the models with much smaller datasets that are important to them. After that, they need to figure out an AI inference strategy, but that is really an entirely different problem.

Curating the datasets to train LLMs, particularly given the increasing sensitivity of copyright holders to the unauthorized use of their material to feed the models, is an issue, and it is one that supercomputer maker Fujitsu and its largest and most famous HPC customer, RIKEN Lab, has been sensitive to as they have worked with researchers in Japan to train an open source variant of the GPT strain of LLMs on the “Fugaku” supercomputer, currently ranked as the fourth most powerful machine on the June 2024 Top500 supercomputer rankings.

For those of you who may want to train your own LLM, what Fujitsu and RIKEN have done is illustrative and also demonstrates how mature some of the technologies are that enable organizations to use open source tools to train an LLM more efficiently than they otherwise might.

The team that created the Fugaku-LLM, as the model is called, was led by professor Rio Yokota of Tokyo Institute of Technology, associate professor Keisuke Sakaguchi of Tohoku University, Koichi Shirahata of Fujitsu, team leader Mohamed Wahib of RIKEN, associate professor Koji Nishiguchi of Nagoya University, Shota Sasaki of CyberAgent, and Noriyuki Kojima of Kotoba Technologies.

Every part of the team had its own task.

CyberAgent curated the Fugaku-LLM dataset using Japanese text as well as some English text, mathematics, and programming code, according to Fujitsu. The resulting dataset had a total of 380 billion tokens – a pretty small scale compared to some of the English language models we see these days that have trillions of tokens. About 60 percent of the model’s data is in Japanese. The idea is to train the Fugaku-LLM from scratch and not retrain an existing model with Japanese data so “the entire learning process can be understood,” as Fujitsu put it in the statement announcing the model. Most of the models trained in Japan, according to the company, were trained using a continual learning process where they are trained in another language outside of Japan – and almost certainly in English, but Fujitsu did not say – and then continually updated with more and more Japanese text.

The Fugaku-LLM is unique in another way in that it is pushing up the parameter count, which raises the IQ of the model – to use what is perhaps a bad metaphor. Most of the existing Japanese models, according to Fujitsu, have less than 7 billion parameters, but the Fugaku-LLM is being open sourced with 13 billion parameters.

For comparison, the composite GPT-4 model from OpenAI is rumored to have around 1.76 trillion parameters for across eight individual models. (This is known as a Mixture of Experts approach.) Google has not given parameter counts for its top-end Gemini Pro and Gemini Ultra LLMs, but the Nano-1 variant of Gemini has 1.8 trillion parameters and the Nano-2 version has 3.25 trillion parameters.

As we explained last July when talking about the Inflection-1 model from Inflection AI, and anthropomorphizing just a bit for effect: Tokens tell you how much you know and parameters tell you how well you can think about what you know. Smaller parameter counts against a larger set of tokens gives you quicker, but simpler, answers. Larger parameter counts against a smaller set of tokens gives you very good answers about a limited number of things. The key is to come up with a balance between the tokens and the parameters, and that is what the Fugaku-LLM team has done given the size of the Fugaku supercomputer, which was not designed to run LLMs but can do it thanks to its mixed precision support for FP64, FP32, and FP16 data types and processing, and the size of the dataset that can be curated in Japanese.

Tohoku University participated in the collection of the training data with CyberAgent and also selected the model to be used. In this case, the model chosen was a version of the open source OpenAI GPT-2 LLM called Megatron-LM, which itself was trained by Nvidia several years ago for its own GPU accelerators and which was open sourced. Nvidia pushed Megatron all the way up to 1 trillion parameters, making it one of the most powerful of the so-called “transformer” models a few years back when it was trained on 3,072 of Nvidia’s “Ampere” A100 GPU accelerators in the “Selene” supercomputer.

The Megatron LLM chosen by the Tohoku team had its compute and networking performance goosed by the DeepSpeed library for the PyTorch framework created and open sourced by Microsoft, which used it to accelerate its own GPT implementations for the past several years. Three years ago, the Microsoft team that created DeepSpeed said that the tool increased the throughput for both AI training and inference . There are a lot of tricks for inference. (The Megatron-DeepSpeed code was open sourced by Microsoft here .)

Fujitsu and RIKEN tweaked the Megatron model so it could run well on the 6D mesh/torus interconnect, called Tofu D , employed in the Fugaku supercomputer , which uses 48-core A64FX Arm processors from Fujitsu and which has 7.3 million cores running at 2.2 GHz to deliver 513.85 peak theoretical petaflops at FP64 precision. (Multiply by two to get FP32 throughput and by two again to get FP16 throughput.) Presumably the DeepSpeed tool was used to quantize the training runs, pushing as much of the Megatron model down to FP16 precision as possible to boost throughput on training. Tokyo Institute of Technology worked on the several layers of parallelism to train the Fugaku-LLM as well as boosting the performance of the Tofu D collective communications running Megatron. Kotoba ported the PyTorch framework that supports Megatron to Fugaku, and Nagoya did a study on how to create applications from the Fugaku-LLM.

The source code for Fugaku-LLM is available on GitHub here , and the model is available on Hugging Face there . Quick to seize any opportunity, SambaNova Systems immediately added the Fugaku-LLM model to its Samba-1 collection of models for its eponymous AI systems.

Here is the fun bit for us HPC and AI enthusiasts. The Fugaku-LLM was trained on 13,824 nodes in the Fugaku system. This may sound like a lot, but it doesn’t when you realize that the Fugaku system has 158,976 single-socket A64FX nodes. That is only 8.7 percent of the machine. Which suggests to use that the Fujitsu-RIKEN team could train a model with maybe 150 billion parameters and chew on perhaps 4.37 trillion tokens – if the latter could be found, of course.

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Way to go! Training LLMs directly in different written languages (rather than via translation), including alphabetic, phonetic, ideogrammed, and even hieroglyphic ones, seems to me like the best way to enable the eventual identification of their linguistic sub-components, and their “distinct” cognitive components (if any), by inter-comparison of the trained results. And, like many, I definitely wonder what Fugaku-LLM would respond to the prompt: “わさびはいかがですか”? (eh-eh-eh!)

There is a typo in the last paragraph: ‘13,824 modes’. The author may have meant ‘nodes’.

Correct! Thanks.

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Home » Article » Unleashing Productivity: Master Prompt Templates with Flow Tools

• Unleashing Productivity: Master Prompt Templates with Flow Tools

Prompt Builder became generally available on February 29, just over two months ago. Since then, we’ve seen a lot of Salesforce Admins start to experiment and come up with a wide variety of use cases to leverage it. From summarizing records to generating points of view and even creating business-context rich emails, there are a tremendous amount of use cases that Prompt Builder can help solve for.

In my previous write-up of Prompt Builder , I focused on the importance of grounding prompts and prompt templates with your rich CRM data. This can be easily achieved using standard tools such as merge fields (from objects), flows, and Apex classes. Incorporating these prompt templates into a variety of template types such as emails, Field Generation, and even Flex templates is also easy.

The current challenge

While the out-of-the-box user experience for Prompt Builder is great, it often takes too many clicks to get a generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) response, specifically for Field Generation template types. Admins and users looking to quickly share the value that GenAI could have at their organizations might foresee this as a challenge, leading to negatively impacting adoption and usage of Prompt Builder.

Below is a brief video that outlines what the current user experience is like for using Prompt Builder when attempting to update a field.

To help address this challenge, and also inspire admins to learn how to reduce the number of clicks needed to get a GenAI response back from a large language model (LLM), this write-up focuses on a few techniques of seamlessly integrating Prompt Builder to enhance business processes, thereby creating efficiencies within existing workflows.

The opportunity

A hidden gem of Prompt Builder is the fact that prompt templates can now be called as actions throughout the Salesforce Platform. This means admins can now easily invoke them using standard flows! Through screen flows or even autolaunched flows, admins can invoke prompt templates without needing users to manually obtain a GenAI response. Other options for invoking prompt templates include using the Metadata API, Connect API, or even Apex classes. Find more details in this documentation .

Let’s dive into a few examples of how you can invoke prompt templates using flows.

Dynamic Action

Your key account has many opportunities associated to it; most of them are closed and some of them are open. You need a quick and easy way to get a list of these opportunities along with the pertinent details associated to them for an upcoming account review with them. Users should be able to get this information without having to click into the various tabs on the Lightning page.

Because Dynamic Actions are easily available on a record’s Highlight’s panel, they are almost always “pinned” to the Lightning page layout. This means that they are almost always available on a record page no matter where a user navigates while on it. Because of this modularized behavior, the Highlights panel offers an opportunity for admins to place a button allowing users to call on a prompt template quite easily.

Here are the detailed steps for this solution.

• Create a prompt template in Prompt Builder.
• The Record ID will be provided by the context of where the screen flow is run.
• The Record ID obtained will be passed as an input into the prompt template (being referenced as an Invocable Action in the flow).
• The response from the LLM will be displayed to the user through a Screen element. Best practice recommendation: Because these responses are generated through an LLM, it’s best to place a message within the Screen element informing users that they should review the responses for accuracy.
• The response will be saved to the record using a standard Update Records operation. Best practice recommendation: Since GenAI will provide responses based on your data quality in conjunction with the instructions provided in your prompt templates, it’s recommended to insert a timestamp of when the summary was generated by the LLM. This will ensure that users are fully aware of how “fresh” the summary is.
• Create an Action on the object which will call on the screen flow (created in the previous step).
• Place the Dynamic Action on the object’s Lightning page.

Menu of prompt templates

While the above example was a great starting point for integrating prompt templates with flows, it still poses a risk to adoption. In the videos above, you may have noticed that we had six individual fields in total on the Account object page, each providing summaries for an account’s:

• Opportunities
• Holistic summary (that combined all of the above)

Would this mean that we would need to create six separate Dynamic Actions and place them on the Lightning layout? This would present a few different challenges for admins. First, you would need to spend an inordinate amount of time creating separate Dynamic Actions for every field where you’d like a GenAI response. And second, from a maintenance standpoint, it would be less than ideal to update the Dynamic Actions when business processes evolve.

Luckily, we have the flexibility and creativity of using flows to address this use case! Let’s learn more about how to make this a better user experience. The details of this solution are very similar to the previous solution, with a few minor differences outlined below.

• A screen is presented to the user asking them which prompt template they’d like to invoke, preferably through a radio button selection.
• Based on the user’s selected choice, a Decision element will be used to branch out separate outcomes. Each branch will associate a separate Invocable Action (of a prompt template) that will correspond to the choice made by the user.
• Just as with the previous solution, the GenAI response will be saved to the record using a standard Update Records operation. Best practice recommendation: Since GenAI will provide responses based on your data quality in conjunction with the instructions provided in your prompt templates, it’s recommended to insert a timestamp of when the summary was generated by the LLM. This will ensure that users are fully aware of how “fresh” the summary is.

Autolaunched screen flow

Some users may wish to be presented with a GenAI response immediately upon loading a record page without clicking anywhere on the page. This can be especially helpful for cases where speed of delivered information is paramount to a user’s productivity; clicking a button wouldn’t be an option for such scenarios.

Once again, use the power of flows to solve for this requirement. The details of this solution are similar to the previous two.

• The response from the LLM will be displayed to the user through a Screen element. Best practice recommendations: Because these responses are generated through an LLM, it’s best to place a message within the Screen element informing users that they should review the responses for accuracy. Also, since GenAI will provide responses based on your data quality in conjunction with the instructions provided in your prompt templates, it’s recommended to insert a timestamp of when the summary was generated by the LLM. This will ensure that users are fully aware of how “fresh” the summary is.
• In Lightning App Builder (on the record page), drop a Flow component onto the canvas and associate your screen flow to the component. Ensure that the Pass all field values from the record into this flow variable checkbox is selected.

Pro tip: As a starting point, admins can add a component visibility filter on the Flow component to render for certain types of records, such as Tier 1 Accounts or Escalated Cases.

While this technique is great for providing immediate value and benefit to users, admins must exercise caution when implementing it. Because this solution would automatically launch a prompt template on page load, it would also automatically consume your quota of Einstein Requests in accordance with your org’s allocation. More details on that here .

Integrate Prompt Builder into your workflows today

My personal favorite solution is option 2: menu of prompt templates. It gives admins the flexibility of adding, removing, or updating the choices of which prompt templates they’d like to offer their users based on the needs of their organization, all without sacrificing on how users can perform their day-to-day functions in Salesforce.

As you can imagine, the possibilities of solving for your users’ needs are endless with the flexibility of embedding GenAI responses within an existing workflow. As an admin, it’s strongly recommended that you review and evaluate existing business processes to understand where in a process you could possibly embed GenAI without cutting back on your users’ productivity or experience. You may end up using one, multiple, or all of the above solutions!

• Salesforce Admins Blog: The Ultimate Guide to Prompt Builder | Spring ’24
• Trailhead: Quick Start: Prompt Builder
• Salesforce Admins Blog: Get Started with Einstein Copilot Custom Actions

Raveesh Raina

Raveesh Raina is a Principal Solutions Engineer at Salesforce, aligned to a leading Enterprise bank in Canada. He holds 18 Salesforce Certifications and is among the top 10 ranked Trailhead Rangers (badges and points) worldwide at Salesforce. In addition to being a former Salesforce Admin himself, Raveesh also previously worked as a Salesforce Consultant leading teams to design and deliver Salesforce solutions for clients spanning a variety of industries.

The Ultimate Guide to Prompt Builder | Spring ’24

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