asu law personal statement

How to Write a Compelling Personal Statement for Arizona State University Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law

Learn how to write a compelling personal statement for Arizona State University Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law and increase your chances of getting accepted.

Posted May 12, 2023

Featuring Cian S.

Law School: Crafting a Compelling Personal Statement

Friday, april 19.

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Table of Contents

If you are considering applying to law school, chances are you have heard of the personal statement. This essay is an important part of the application process and requires quite a bit of thought and effort. However, crafting a compelling personal statement for Arizona State University Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law (ASU Law) doesn't have to be an intimidating task. In this article, we will provide you with practical tips and advice on how to create a winning personal statement that showcases your uniqueness and makes you stand out from the crowd.

Understanding the Importance of a Personal Statement for Law School Admissions

Before delving into the specifics of crafting your personal statement for ASU Law, it's important to understand why this essay matters in the first place. In short, your personal statement serves as an opportunity to introduce yourself to the law school admissions committee and provide them with a window into your personality, strengths, and motivations for pursuing a legal education. Not only does your personal statement help admissions officers get to know you as a person, but it also demonstrates your ability to write effectively and think critically – two crucial skills for success in law school and the legal profession as a whole.

One important aspect to keep in mind when writing your personal statement is to make sure it is tailored specifically to the law school you are applying to. Admissions committees want to see that you have done your research and have a genuine interest in attending their institution. This can be achieved by highlighting specific programs, clinics, or professors that align with your interests and career goals.

Another key factor to consider is the tone and style of your personal statement. While it should be professional and well-written, it should also showcase your unique voice and personality. Avoid using clichés or generic language, and instead focus on telling a compelling story that highlights your strengths and experiences. Remember, your personal statement is your chance to stand out from the thousands of other applicants – make it count!

Crafting an Attention-Grabbing Introduction to Your Personal Statement

Your personal statement should begin with a strong introduction that captures the reader's attention and sets the tone for the rest of your essay. Start with a memorable anecdote, quote, or statement that highlights your passion for the law or your unique perspective on a legal issue. Be careful not to use cliched or overused phrases such as "ever since I was a child, I knew I wanted to be a lawyer." Instead, focus on showcasing your personality and individuality in a way that makes you stand out from the other applicants.

One effective way to make your introduction stand out is to use vivid imagery that paints a picture in the reader's mind. For example, if you are writing about your experience working in a legal clinic, you could describe the scene in detail, including the sound of the phones ringing, the smell of the coffee brewing, and the sight of clients waiting anxiously for their appointments. By using sensory details, you can create a more engaging and memorable introduction that will leave a lasting impression on the reader.

Highlighting Your Relevant Skills and Experiences in Your Personal Statement

Once you have hooked the reader with your introduction, it's time to dive into the heart of your personal statement – your skills and experiences. Your personal statement should provide concrete examples of how your background, interests, and experiences have prepared you for a legal education and a career in law. This could include internships, volunteer work, leadership positions, academic achievements, or personal challenges that have shaped your character and values. Remember to connect your experiences back to your motivation for pursuing law school and tie everything together with a cohesive narrative.

One effective way to highlight your relevant skills and experiences is to use specific examples that demonstrate your abilities. For instance, if you have experience working in a law firm, you could describe how you assisted with legal research, drafted legal documents, or interacted with clients. If you have leadership experience, you could discuss how you organized and led a team to achieve a common goal. By providing concrete examples, you can show the admissions committee that you have the skills and experiences necessary to succeed in law school and beyond.

Another important aspect of your personal statement is to demonstrate your passion for the law. This could include discussing a particular area of law that interests you, or describing how you have been inspired by a legal figure or case. By showing your enthusiasm for the law, you can demonstrate to the admissions committee that you are committed to pursuing a career in this field and that you have a clear sense of purpose and direction.

Avoiding Common Mistakes in Writing a Law School Personal Statement

While it's important to showcase your unique strengths and experiences in your personal statement, it's also crucial to avoid common pitfalls and mistakes that could cost you an acceptance letter. Some of the most common mistakes include writing a generic, formulaic essay that doesn't showcase your individuality; focusing too much on your flaws or weaknesses rather than your strengths; or submitting a personal statement that is poorly written, full of typos, or doesn't follow basic formatting guidelines.

Showcasing Your Passion for Law in Your Personal Statement

A passion for the law is a must for anyone considering law school, and your personal statement is the perfect opportunity to showcase your enthusiasm and commitment to the legal profession. Be sure to highlight specific areas of law that interest you, whether it's environmental law, criminal justice, or intellectual property. You might even consider incorporating a persuasive argument or thought-provoking question related to your area of interest to demonstrate your critical thinking skills and intellectual curiosity.

Tailoring Your Personal Statement to ASU Law's Values and Mission

When writing your personal statement, it's important to keep in mind ASU Law's values and mission. Take some time to research the school's core values and priorities, and consider how your own experiences and values align with these. This could include emphasizing your commitment to social justice or diversity and inclusion, or highlighting how your skills and experiences will enable you to contribute to the ASU Law community.

Providing Specific Examples to Support Your Claims in Your Personal Statement

Whenever possible, use specific examples and evidence to support your claims in your personal statement. Don't just state that you have strong communication skills – provide an example of a project or challenge where you demonstrated these skills in action. Similarly, don't just claim that you have a passion for public interest law – describe a specific experience or initiative where you worked to promote social justice or address a community need.

Structuring and Formatting Your Personal Statement for Maximum Impact

In addition to the content of your personal statement, it's important to pay attention to the structure and formatting. Your essay should have a clear beginning, middle, and end, with each paragraph contributing to the overall theme and coherence of the piece. Use clear, concise language and avoid jargon or technical terminology that may be unfamiliar to the reader. Finally, proofread your essay carefully for errors, typos, or inconsistencies, and make sure to follow any formatting guidelines provided by ASU Law.

Tips for Editing and Proofreading Your Personal Statement before Submission

Before you submit your personal statement, it's important to take some time to edit and proofread your essay carefully. This not only ensures that your essay is free from errors and typos, but also allows you to refine the content and structure of your essay to make it as impactful and persuasive as possible. Consider asking a trusted friend, family member, or mentor to review your essay and provide feedback and suggestions for improvement.

Seeking Feedback and Guidance from Law School Admissions Experts

If you're struggling to craft a compelling personal statement, or if you simply want an objective and expert opinion on your essay, consider seeking feedback and guidance from law school admissions experts. ASU Law's admissions office may be able to provide resources or recommend professional coaching or editing services that can help you strengthen your application materials.

Leveraging Online Resources to Enhance Your Personal Statement Writing Skills

Finally, there are many online resources available that can help you hone your personal statement writing skills and improve the quality of your essay. These might include writing guides, sample essays, or online courses or workshops. Just be sure to use reputable and trustworthy sources, and don't rely solely on online resources to craft your personal statement

Understanding the Role of a Personal Statement in the Law School Admissions Process

Ultimately, your personal statement is just one part of your law school application, albeit an important one. Admissions officers will also consider your academic record, LSAT scores, letters of recommendation, and any supplemental materials you provide. That said, a well-crafted personal statement can make all the difference in a competitive application pool, so take the time and effort necessary to create a truly compelling essay.

Common Questions and Answers about Writing a Compelling Personal Statement for Arizona State University Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law

Before wrapping up this article, let's address some commonly asked questions about writing a personal statement for ASU Law:

• Q: How long should my personal statement be? A: ASU Law requires a personal statement of no more than two pages double-spaced.
• Q: Do I need to address my weaknesses or setbacks in my personal statement? A: It's up to you. While you don't want to focus solely on your challenges or struggles, it can be appropriate to briefly discuss how you have overcome adversity and grown from these experiences.
• Q: Can I use humor or personal anecdotes in my personal statement? A: As long as they are relevant and appropriate, yes!
• Q: Should I talk about my career goals in my personal statement? A: Yes, but be specific and realistic in your goals. Admissions officers want to see that you have a clear understanding of your professional aspirations and how a legal education will help you achieve them.

The Benefits of Hiring a Professional Writer to Help with Your Law School Application Materials

While it's certainly possible to craft a winning personal statement on your own, some applicants may benefit from hiring a professional writer or editor to help them with their application materials. A professional writer can provide objective feedback and guidance on your essay, ensuring that it's strong and persuasive. Additionally, a writer can help you highlight your individual strengths and experiences in a way that is most likely to resonate with the admissions committee. Just be sure to choose a writer or editor with a strong track record of success and experience working specifically with law school applicants.

In conclusion, crafting a compelling personal statement for Arizona State University Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law requires careful thought, effort, and attention to detail. By following the tips and advice outlined in this article, you can create an essay that showcases your unique strengths and experiences, demonstrates your passion for law, and makes you stand out in the competitive law school admissions process.

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Asu law school: acceptance rate & how to get in.

Reviewed by:

David Merson

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

Reviewed: 3/19/24

If you’re considering attending ASU Law School, this guide is for you! In it, we’ll cover the ASU Law School acceptance rate, admission stats and requirements, important deadlines, and more!

ASU’s College of Law , also known as the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, consistently ranks as a top law school in the nation. Named after the first female Supreme Court Justice, ASU Law encourages its students to participate in public service and engage with the wider legal community. 

If you share Sandra Day O’Connor’s passion for civil education and engagement work, then ASU Law could be the perfect place for you to begin your own trailblazing legal career!

ASU Law School Acceptance Rate

ASU Law School is a competitive school that ranks #45 in the nation and only accepts 34.2% of its applicants.

For more admissions information, take a look at this table detailing ASU Law’s acceptance rates from the past few years: 

Source: ABA Required Disclosures

How Hard Is It to Get Into ASU Law? 

With an acceptance rate of 34.2%, ASU Law is competitive to get into. To increase your chances of admission, you’ll need to put together a stellar application and achieve a high GPA and LSAT score. 

ASU Law School Programs Offered and Ranking

Arizona State University Law School offers a variety of degrees for students to pursue. With over 250 courses offered every year, your options are endless! Take a look at the details below: 

Source: ASU Law School

You can also pursue a JD degree as a foreign applicant through ASU Law’s JDAS, JD Transfer, and JD Visiting Applicant programs. 

ASU Law Ranking

ASU Law is ranked as the #1 Best Law School in Arizona . It has held this title for over a decade, since 2010. Take a look at their various other rankings :

• 32nd Best Law School in the Nation
• 4th in Legal Writing
• 14th in Health Care Law
• 14th in Dispute Resolution
• 19th in Environmental Law

ASU Law School's rankings, dedication to producing practice-ready graduates, and emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches make it a respected legal education institution!

Arizona State University Law School Admission Statistics

So, what does it take to join this selective group of students who are accepted into ASU Law? Well, good scores are one important part of the equation!

ASU Law School Average LSAT Score: 167

According to ASU Law’s most recent class profile, the median LSAT score of admitted students was 167. The 25th to 75th percentile range for a recent admissions cycle was 158-168. 

Law schools rely heavily on LSAT scores to evaluate applicants' aptitude for legal studies and their potential for success in the rigorous academic environment. ASU considers high LSAT performance as a crucial component of a compelling application.

The ASU average LSAT score falls around the 94th percentile, meaning it will not be easy to achieve. To set yourself up for success, dedicate an appropriate amount of time to your LSAT studies , depending on your diagnostic score . 

Create a comprehensive study schedule that you can commit to, and use reliable prep materials to learn key strategies that will help you boost your score.

ASU Law School Average GPA: 3.90

According to the class profile, the average ASU Law GPA is 3.90, which is the standard GPA of successful applicants. The 25th to 75th percentile range tends to be around 3.42-3.94. 

Your undergraduate GPA will also give the admissions committee more insight into your potential to succeed in law school. Make sure to study hard and achieve a high GPA to increase your chances of getting into ASU Law. If you have a low GPA , you’ll need to put lots of effort into the rest of your application!

Arizona State University Law School Requirements

ASU Law’s admissions committee makes decisions based on various factors that extend beyond an applicant’s academics. Here is the complete application checklist for ASU Law School . 

Required materials include the following: 

• Personal statement
• Official transcripts

To make your application stand out, you can also include the following optional materials: 

• Letters of recommendation
• Inclusive excellence statement
• Arizona residency form
• “Elevator pitch” video submission

ASU Law Letters of Recommendation

Students have the option of submitting up to two letters of recommendation as part of their application. These letters should be written by professors who can attest to your potential to succeed in law school and the legal field. 

ASU Law Personal Statement

To learn who you are beyond your academics, ASU Law School requires a two-page personal statement sharing any details you think will give the committee a more comprehensive picture of you and what you can contribute to their community. 

Your statement should be compelling, show off your writing skills, highlight your specific interests in attending ASU Law, and share your reasons for pursuing law. 

Here are some things you might consider to get you started:

• Challenges or obstacles that you’ve overcome
• Meaningful hobbies or passions
• Significant people in your life who have had an impact on you
• Transformative events

ASU’s instructions are fairly open-ended, which gives you a lot of freedom in writing your statement. Spend some time reflecting on the experiences that have brought you to this point in your life and what your motivations are.

For inspiration, take a look at this law school statement example written for the University of Chicago: 

“The turning point of my college football career came early in my third year. At the end of the second practice of the season, in ninety-five-degree heat, our head coach decided to condition the entire team. Sharp, excruciating pain shot down my legs as he summoned up repeatedly to the line to run wind sprints. I collapsed as I turned the corner on the final sprint. Muscle spasms spread throughout my body, and I briefly passed out. Severely dehydrated, I was rushed to the hospital and quickly given more than three liters of fluids intravenously. As I rested in a hospital recovery room, I realized my collapse on the field symbolized broader frustrations I felt playing college football.

I was mentally and physically defeated. In South Dakota, I was a dominant football player in high school, but at the Division I level, my talent was less conspicuous. In my first three years, I was convinced that obsessively training my body to run faster and be stronger would earn me a starting position. The conditioning drill that afternoon revealed the futility of my approach. I had thrust my energies into becoming a player I could never be. As a result, I lost confidence in my identity.

I considered other aspects of my life where my intellect, work ethic, and determination had produced positive results. I chose to study economics and English because processing abstract concepts and ideas in diverse disciplines were intuitively rewarding…Gathering data, reviewing previous literature, and ultimately offering my own contribution to economic knowledge was exhilarating. Indeed, undergraduate research affirmed my desire to attend law school, where I could more thoroughly satisfy my intellectual curiosity…My efforts generated high marks and praise from professors, but this success made my disappointment with football more pronounced.

The challenge of collegiate athletics felt insurmountable. However, I reminded myself that at the Division I level, I was able to compete with and against some of the best players in the country…After the hospital visit, my football position coach—sensing my mounting frustrations—offered some advice. Instead of devoting my energies almost exclusively to physical preparation, he said, I should approach college football with the same mental focus I brought to my academic studies. I began to devour scouting reports and to analyze the complex reasoning behind defensive philosophies and schemes. I studied film and discovered ways to anticipate plays from the offense and become a more effective player. Armed with renewed confidence, I finally earned a starting position in the beginning of my fourth year…

‍ I had received the highest grade on the team. After three years of A’s in the classroom, I finally earned my first ‘A’ in football. I used mental preparation to maintain my competitive edge for the rest of the season. Through a combination of film study and willpower, I led my team and conference in tackles…The most rewarding part of the season, though, was what I learned about myself in the process. When I finally stopped struggling to become the player I thought I needed to be, I developed self-awareness and confidence in the person I was.

The image of me writhing in pain on the practice field sometimes slips back into my thoughts as I decide where to apply to law school. College football taught me to recognize my weaknesses and look for ways to overcome them. I will enter law school a much stronger person and student because of my experiences on the football field and in the classroom. My decision where to attend law school mirrors my decision where to play college football. I want to study law at the University of Chicago Law School because it provides the best combination of professors, students, and resources in the country. In Division I college football, I succeeded when I took advantage of my opportunities. I hope the University of Chicago will give me an opportunity to succeed again.”

This personal statement is great because it tells a tight, cohesive story. The writer opens with a vivid description that transitions smoothly into some vulnerable reflections about his frustrations and difficulties regarding his self-image. 

He describes how he overcame his obstacles and subtly points out some important strengths—determination, ambition, and willpower— that the admissions committee may not have known about elsewhere in his application. He also ends with a callback to the beginning of his statement while still pointing toward his future at UChicago. 

ASU Law Diversity Statement

Arizona State University is committed to inclusive excellence and diversity in its community. As such, you may submit an optional diversity statement discussing the unique perspectives and experiences you would contribute to ASU. Consider your culture, background, and upbringing when answering this prompt. 

Arizona State University Law School Tuition & Scholarships

The ASU Law cost of tuition is $28,839 for Arizona residents and $50,317 for non-residents. This makes the cost of attending ASU Law among the lowest of all accredited law schools in the nation. 

Here’s a breakdown of the estimated expenses entering JD students can expect to pay:

ASU Law Scholarships

ASU Law makes tuition even more affordable by offering various financial aid options . They consider all incoming students for extensive merit-based scholarships and give them the opportunity to apply for other scholarships once enrolled.

Arizona State University Law School Application Deadlines

The final deadline to apply to ASU Law School is July 31. However, since ASU Law accepts students on a rolling basis, you are highly encouraged to submit your application as soon as possible.  Students hoping to submit binding applications are required to do so before the priority deadline.

As you gather your application materials and get ready to send your application to ASU, keep these important application dates in mind:

Source : ASU Law

In regard to the decision period, the admissions committee aims to provide a decision within 15 business days of receiving your complete application. However, this time period will increase the closer it gets to the priority deadline and does not apply to applications received past this deadline.

Like most law schools, students must apply to ASU through LSAC. This system streamlines the application process to make it easier for you to apply to multiple schools! Once you’ve made your account and are ready to begin the application process, simply select ASU Law School as one of the schools you’d like to apply to.

Be sure to pay attention to important application dates so that you can arrange to take the LSAT at the proper time to apply punctually. 

Arizona State University Law School Bar Passage Rate: 86.6%

ASU Law’s first-time bar passage rate is 84.5% , indicating they prepare their students well for the legal field! This passage rate is over 10% higher than the national average rate of 71.66%. 

How to Get Into Arizona State University Law School: Tips to Improve Your Admission Chances

If you’re intimidated by the process of applying to law school, don’t stress. Here are some tips to help you create a stellar application for ASU Law!

• Take Your Time : Your law school application cannot and should not be done the night before the deadline. To get into ASU Law, you’ll need to start early and create a solid plan for applying and studying. Don’t procrastinate, don’t cram for the LSAT, and don’t rush the process!
• Always Proofread : Professionalism is a must. Any grammar, spelling, or formatting errors will taint your application. Make sure you proofread to catch these errors and to make sure your tone is professional as well. 
• Use Your Resources : You have plenty of resources at your disposal! Career centers, writing tutors, law school admissions consulting, etc., are all great resources to help you make your application stand out. Their insider info can help you tailor your application to ASU Law to be exactly what they’re looking for. 

What Does ASU Law School Look For In Applicants?

ASU Law seeks applicants with strong academic records, LSAT or JD-Next scores, and a demonstrated commitment to public service. The admissions committee considers factors such as work and leadership experience, extracurricular activities, overcoming disadvantages, diversity of background, communication skills, and honors and awards. 

ASU Law requires applicants to apply online through LSAC and is committed to enrolling a dynamic group of individuals to provide an engaging learning environment.

FAQs: Arizona State University Law School

 Below, you’ll find the answers to any remaining questions about ASU Law School.

1. Does ASU Have a Good Law School?

Yes, ASU has an excellent law school. According to U.S. News & World Report, the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law at Arizona State University is ranked as the 32nd best law school in the United States .

2. What LSAT Score Do I Need for ASU?

To be a competitive applicant for ASU Law, you should aim for an LSAT score of 167 or higher. For the class of 2025, the median LSAT score was 167, with the 25th percentile at 158 and the 75th percentile at 168.

3. How Hard Is It to Get Into ASU Law?

Getting into ASU Law is challenging due to its competitive admissions process. Successful applicants typically have a strong academic record, impressive LSAT scores, and well-rounded experiences.

Final Thoughts

ASU Law School offers a supportive and collaborative community where students can thrive academically and professionally.

If you’re considering it as one of your top contenders, ensure you achieve competitive scores, demonstrate your commitment to the law, and show your dedication to making an impact on the world—just like O’Connor!

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This is the suggested timeline for students planning to attend law school directly after graduation. More than 75% of incoming law students do not take this path. Students should adjust this to fit their own situations.

Freshman and sophomore years

During the freshman and sophomore years, students should be focused on ensuring they are in the right academic major and begin committing to interests outside the classroom. This period is for building an academic foundation. Schools want to see a commitment to activities and growth over time.

This is when students should:

• Select a major that fits their interests, skills, and abilities and begin to excel academically.
• Attend a prelaw event or workshop.
• Visit the American Bar Association page for prelaw students and review the information and skills.
• Start meeting faculty, teaching assistants, or advisors. (Law schools request, and often require, letters of recommendation from those who can attest to the applicant's academic work.)
• Focus on academics rather than other activities, because the academic record will be reviewed thoroughly by law schools.
• Consider joining a campus club or organization. Arizona State University OrgSync is a database of the more than 600 registered student organizations and is a good place to start.

Begin thinking about opportunities to build their resume: study abroad, internships, research, service projects, and more.

Junior year

During the junior year, students will want to start prepping for law school applications and begin learning about and studying for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). The LSAT is offered multiple times per year and the testing year starts in June, making winter break an optimal time to take a practice exam and begin outlining a study schedule.

• Attend the Law School Fair, featuring more than 100 law school representatives, during fall semester.
• Take challenging courses; focus on upper-division coursework.
• Learn about the structure and strategy for the exam.
• Develop an LSAT study strategy which may include self-study, online coursework, an in-person course, or even tutoring.
• Determine when they will sit for the LSAT (summer or fall of senior year are most common).
• Attend a workshop about applying to law school.
• Begin requesting letters of recommendation from professors, employers, or other people who can attest to their academic work.

Make an appointment with prelaw advising to discuss their interest in law school and to answer questions about the application process.

The summer before senior year is a great time to gather credentials and begin preparing the application materials .

• Register and sit for the LSAT.
• Subscribe to LSAC’s Credential Assembly Service, which is required and has a fee.
• Order an official transcript from the Registrar’s Office and send it to LSAC.
• Begin writing a personal statement (prelaw advising can review a draft).
• Consider creating an excel file with information pertaining to each school to keep track of each schools’ information, requirements, and deadlines.

Senior year

Fall of senior year.

Students should plan to submit the application in late August or early September, when the application period typically opens.

• Check their LSAC account to ensure transcripts and letters of recommendation were received and follow up on any that are outstanding.
• Take or retake the LSAT.
• Most schools review applications on a rolling basis, so students should apply as soon as their application is ready.
• Aim to submit applications between Halloween and Thanksgiving.
• All law school application materials are accessed and submitted through the student's LSAC account.
• Make an appointment with a prelaw advisor to discuss law schools and application strategy, have the personal statement reviewed, and have questions answered.
• Attend the Law School Fair to talk to admission representatives about schools of interest (and make a good impression).
• Obtain a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), available in October, and complete it as soon as possible.

Spring of senior year

Schools vary on when they notify applicants of acceptance decisions; some schools contact students within days and others provide decisions months later. Students still waiting on decisions in January should update their transcripts by sending them to LSAC through their MyASU account.

Spring of the student's senior year is when students should review offers, visit schools and submit a deposit to the law school they plan to attend in the fall.

• Plan to attend dedicated Admitted Students Day, offered by many schools, to get a feel for the school and see if it will be a good fit and to meet fellow admitted students.
• Some schools will reconsider aid offers; students may check with each individual school to determine their process.
• Pay attention to deposit deadlines, and if a nonrefundable deposit deadline is approaching for one school yet a response is still forthcoming from another, ask about the possibility of extending the deadline.
• Provide a letter expressing continued interest in remaining on a school's waitlist (if the school accepts these).
• Send a final, official transcript to the law school selected or to any school for which the student is still waitlisted.

Report the decision and acceptance to the prelaw advisor.

Select Section

Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law policies

Academic integrity, academic integrity code.

The legal profession, a self-regulating association, depends on the integrity, honor and personal morality of each member. Similarly, the integrity and value of a Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law degree depend on a reputation for fair competition. The ASU Law Academic Integrity Code (PDF) is intended as a measure to preserve the integrity of the school's diploma and to create an arena in which students can compete fairly and confidently.

Notice of nondiscrimination

ASU prohibits all forms of discrimination, harassment and retaliation. Students should review ASU’s policy ACD 401: Prohibition Against Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation .

Title IX protects individuals from discrimination based on sex in any educational program or activity operated by recipients of federal financial assistance. As required by Title IX, ASU does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education programs or activities that we operate, including in admission and employment. Inquiries concerning the application of Title IX may be referred to the ASU Title IX coordinator or to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights or to both. For more information, students should email [email protected] , call 480-965-0696, or visit the office located at 1120 S. Cady Mall, INTDSB 284. For information on making a report, students should reference the Report It website.

Graduate policies

Academic standing, retention standards - jd students.

If a student's 1L GPA is above 2.00 but below 2.33 after the first year, that student is disqualified from ASU Law but may be reconsidered for readmission, if the student applies. If a student's 1L cumulative GPA is below 2.00, that student is permanently disqualified in accordance with ASU Law policies. If an upper-class student's cumulative GPA is below 2.33 (2.00 for students who started law school before fall 2020), that student is disqualified from ASU Law but may apply for readmission.

Retention standards - all students

The ASU Law JD Statement of Student Policies (PDF) contains additional retention and academic policies.

Academic advising for currently enrolled law students is available through the Office of Academic Services, with designated points of contact for different degree programs.

Degree requirements

Concurrent degrees.

ASU Law students must be in academic good standing to be eligible to pursue a concurrent degree.

Shared credit

Per the Graduate College policy for concurrent master's degrees, a maximum of 20% of the minimum total credit hours for the completion of both degrees may be common hours shared between the degree programs. The total number of credit hours common to both degree programs may vary from this maximum value only when the Graduate College office has formally approved coordinated degree programs.

The Graduate College policy also states that for a concurrent master's or doctoral degree, a maximum of 12 credit hours may be common hours shared between the degrees and may only include coursework completed after admission to both degree programs. The total number of hours common to both degree programs may vary from this maximum value only when the Graduate College has formally approved coordinated degree programs.

The Graduate College policy for concurrent doctoral degrees states that a maximum of 12 credit hours may be common hours shared between the degrees. The total number of hours common to both degree programs may vary from this maximum value only when the Graduate College has formally approved coordinated degree programs.

Current ASU Law Juris Doctor students who are interested in pursuing a concurrent degree should contact ASU Law's assistant dean for academic affairs or the assistant registrar prior to applying to ASU Law or the department or school offering the desired concurrent degree.

Students in one of ASU Law's master's degree programs who are interested in pursuing a concurrent degree should contact ASU Law's associate dean for new education initiatives prior to applying to the college or department or school offering the concurrent degree.

Current ASU students who are not enrolled in ASU Law and who wish to pursue a concurrent degree with ASU Law should contact the admission office .

Admission process

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law.

JD admission

For the JD program, the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law enrolls only one first-year Juris Doctor class per year, beginning in the fall semester. This is a three-year program, and almost all students study on a full-time basis. The college offers a flexible scheduling option for students with circumstances that make full-time enrollment impossible. To be considered for admission to the Juris Doctor program, applicants must have taken the LSAT (excluding applicants applying to the ASU Achievement Program) and have earned, by the time of enrollment in law school, a bachelor's degree awarded by an institution that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education.

ASU Law is committed to a more sustainable and resilient future and requires applicants to apply electronically through the Law School Admission Council website: https://www.lsac.org/ .

An application for admission must include:

• electronic application
• personal statement (no more than two pages, double-spaced, with 11-point or larger font size)
• resume (no more than two pages, with 11-point or larger font size)
• character and fitness statements; if applicable, explaining affirmative answers to questions 1-8 in the character and fitness section of the application
• binding admission contract, if applicable
• valid LSAT score (except applicants applying to the ASU Achievement Program)
• transcripts from each undergraduate and graduate institution attended (must be sent to LSAC)
• proof of English proficiency for applicants whose native language is not English, regardless of current residency

The application may also include:

• letters of recommendation — no more than two*
• inclusive excellence statement
• Arizona residency form
• optional addenda
• "elevator pitch" video

*Because letters are not required, the admission office does not wait for them to complete an applicant's file for review.

Application deadlines:

• Priority deadline: February 28, 2024
• Final deadline: July 31, 2024

Students should visit the college website for detailed information about the JD application process.

18 Law School Personal Statement Examples That Got Accepted!

This blog contains law school personal statement examples written by applicants who were successfully accepted to multiple law schools after working with our admissions experts as part of our  application review programs . Your  law school personal statement  is one of the most important parts of your application and is your best opportunity to show admissions officers who you are behind your numbers and third-party assessments. Because of its importance, many students find the personal statement to be daunting and demanding of the full scope of their skills as writers. Today we're going to review these excellent law school personal statement examples from past successful applicants and provide some proven strategies from a former admissions officer that can help you prepare your own stellar essay. 

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

Article Contents 44 min read

Law school personal statement example #1.

When I was a child, my neighbors, who had arrived in America from Nepal, often seemed stressed. They argued a lot, struggled for money, and seemed to work all hours of the day. One day, I woke early in the morning to a commotion outside my apartment. Police officers were accompanying my neighbors out of the building. They were being deported. In my teens, I was shocked to see that our kind, friendly neighbors had exhausted their last chance to stay in America as they lost a court appeal. 

Since that time, I have worked closely with the many immigrant families in my neighborhood, and now university town. I began by volunteering at a local community center. Together with social workers, I served food and gave out clothes to new arrivals. My diligent work ethic led to more responsibility, and I received training in basic counseling techniques, first aid skills and community services. Soon, I was tasked with welcoming new community members and assessing their health and social needs. I heard the many difficult stories of those who had traveled thousands of miles, often through several countries, risking everything to reach a safe, welcoming country. I was proud to contribute in some small way to making America welcoming for these individuals.

The community center is where I had my first formal contact with legal aid lawyers, who were a constant source of knowledge and support for those who needed assistance. I was struck by the lawyers’ ability to explain complex legal processes to nervous and exhausted incomers: law, I realized, was about more than procedure. I decided that I, too, would strive to balance a wealth of technical knowledge with my caring, compassionate personality.

As soon as I enrolled in university, I knew I had the chance to do so. In my very first week, I signed up to volunteer at the university’s legal aid center, where I worked closely with law professors and students on a range of cases. Academically, I have focused on courses, such as a fourth-year Ethics seminar, that would help me develop rigorous critical reasoning skills. More importantly, I knew that, given my experience, I could be a leader on campus. I decided to found a refugee campaign group, Students4Refugees. Together with a group of volunteers, we campaigned to make our campus a refugee-friendly space. I organized a series of events: international student mixers, an art installation in our student commons, and concerts that raised over $5,000 for the charity Refugee Aid. I am proud to say that my contributions were recognized with a university medal for campus leadership.

I have seen time and again how immigrants to the United States struggle with bureaucracy, with complex legal procedures, and with the demands of living in a foreign and sometimes hostile climate. As I plan to enter law school, I look back to my neighbors’ experiences: they needed someone who knew the law, who could negotiate with the authorities on their behalf, who could inform them of their rights—but they also needed someone who would provide a caring and compassionate outlet for their stresses. I know that Townsville University’s combination of academic rigor, legal aid services, and history of graduates entering labor and non-profit sectors will allow me to develop these skills and continue making contributions to my community by advocating for those in need.

• Thematic consistency: It focuses on just one theme: justice for immigrants. Each paragraph is designed to show off how enthusiastic the student is about this area of law. Personal statements—including those for law school—often begin with a personal anecdote. This one is short, memorable, and relevant. It establishes the overall theme quickly. By constraining their essay’s focus to a single general theme, the writer can go into great depth and weave in emotional and psychological weight through careful and vivid description. The personal statement isn’t a standard 3-paragraph college essay with a spotlight thesis statement, but it conveys similar impact through presenting a central focus organically, without resorting to simply blurting out “the point” of the piece.   
• Shows, rather than tells: Connected to this, this statement focuses on showing rather than telling. Rather than simply telling the reader about their commitment to law, the applicant describes specific situations they were involved in that demonstrate their commitment to law. “Show don’t tell” means you want to paint a vivid picture of actions or experiences that demonstrate a given quality or skill, and not simply say "I can do X." Make it an experience for your reader, don't just give them a fact. 
• Confident, but not arrogant: Additionally, this personal statement is confident without being boastful—leadership qualities, grades, and an award are all mentioned in context, rather than appearing as a simple list of successes. 
• Specific to the school: It ends with a conclusion that alludes to why the applicant is suitable for the specific school to which they’re applying and points to their future career plans. Thoroughly researching the law school to which you’re applying is incredibly important so that you can tailor your remarks to the specific qualities and values they’re looking for. A law essay writing service is really something that can help you integrate this aspect effectively. 

What Should a Law School Personal Statement Do?

1.      be unique to the school you’re applying to.

Students are always asking how to write a personal statement for law school, particularly one that stands out from all the rest. After all, advice from most universities can often be quite vague. Take this zinger from the  University of Chicago : “Write about something personal, relevant, and completely individual to you… Just be yourself.” Every school will have different requirements or content they want to see in a personal statement. This is why it’s a good idea to review specific guidelines for the school to which you’re applying. For example, you can read Yale Law School personal statement examples , Stanford Law personal statement examples , and an NYU personal statement to get an idea of what these schools look for.

2.      Demonstrate your skills and capabilities

For motivated students with the world at their fingertips, it’s a tough ask to narrow your character down into a few hundred words! But this is exactly the point of such generic guidelines—to challenge aspiring law students to produce something unique and convincing with minimal direction by the university. Law is, after all, a profession that demands your language to be persuasive, and the personal statement is merely one of many exercises where you can demonstrate your language skills. 

3.      Meet basic requirements

While the law school personal statement is about far more than just following essay directions, you still need to keep basic formatting and length restrictions in mind. Most law schools ask for a 2-page personal statement, but lengths can range from 2-4 pages. Georgetown Law School , for instance, recommends a 2-page personal statement but explicitly states that there is no official minimum or maximum. In general, length does not make a personal statement better. Rambling, meandering sentences and tiresome descriptions will only hurt the impact of your ideas, especially considering how many thousands of pages admissions committees have to churn through each year.  

In short, keep to 2 double-spaced pages, and only go below or above this is if you absolutely have to, and if the school to which you're applying allows it. You want to keep things as widely applicable as possible while drafting your personal statement, meaning that you don't want to draft a 4 page letter for the one school that allows it, and then have to significantly rewrite this for your other schools. Stick to 2 pages. 

4.      Embody what the school is looking for

Lastly, many law schools won’t offer hyper-specific prompts, but will give you general law school admissions essay topics to follow. For instance, the University of Washington’s law school provides a number of topics to follow, including “Describe a personal challenge you faced” or “Describe your passions and involvement in a project or pursuit and the ways in which it has contributed to your personal growth and goals.” These topics may feel specific at first, but as you begin drafting, you’ll likely realize you have dozens of memories to choose from, and numerous ways of describing their impact. While drafting, try to explore as many of these options as possible, and select the best or most impactful to use in your final draft.  

Want to write the perfect law school personal statement? Watch this video:

Law School Personal Statement Example #2

In my home community, the belief is that the law is against us. The law oppresses and victimizes. I must admit that as a child and young person I had this opinion based on my environment and the conversations around me. I did not understand that the law could be a vehicle for social change, and I certainly did not imagine I had the ability and talents to be a voice for this change. I regularly attended my high school classes because I enjoyed the discussions and reading for English and history, and writing came easily to me, but I wasn’t committed to getting good grades because I felt I had no purpose. My mindset changed as I spent time with Mark Russell, a law student who agreed to mentor and tutor me as part of a “high school to law school” mentorship program. Every week, for three years, Mark and I would meet. At first, Mark tutored me, but I quickly became an “A” student, not only because of the tutoring, but because my ambitions were uncorked by what Mark shared with me about university, the law, and his life. I learned grades were the currency I needed to succeed. I attended mock trials, court hearings, and law lectures with Mark and developed a fresh understanding of the law that piqued an interest in law school. My outlook has changed because my mentor, my teachers, and my self-advocacy facilitated my growth. Still, injustices do occur. The difference is that I now believe the law can be an instrument for social change, but voices like mine must give direction to policy and resources in order to fight those injustices.

Early in my mentorship, I realized it was necessary to be “in the world” differently if I were to truly consider a law career. With Mark’s help and the support of my high school teachers, I learned to advocate for myself and explore opportunities that would expand my worldview as well as my academic skills. I joined a Model UN club at a neighboring high school, because my own school did not have enough student interest to have a club. By discussing global issues and writing decisions, I began to feel powerful and confident with my ability to gather evidence and make meaningful decisions about real global issues. As I built my leadership, writing, and public speaking skills, I noticed a rift developing with some of my friends. I wanted them to begin to think about larger systemic issues outside of our immediate experience, as I was learning to, and to build confidence in new ways. I petitioned my school to start a Model UN and recruited enough students to populate the club. My friends did not join the club as I’d hoped, but before I graduated, we had 2 successful years with the students who did join. I began to understand that I cannot force change based on my own mandate, but I must listen attentively to the needs and desires of others in order to support them as they require.

While I learned to advocate for myself throughout high school, I also learned to advocate for others. My neighbors, knowing my desire to be a lawyer, would often ask me to advocate on their behalf with small grievances. I would make phone calls, stand in line with them at government offices, and deal with difficult landlords. A woman, Elsa, asked me to review her rental agreement to help her understand why her landlord had rented it to someone else, rather than renewing her lease. I scoured the rental agreement, highlighted questionable sections, read the Residential Tenancies Act, and developed a strategy for approaching the landlord. Elsa and I sat down with the landlord and, upon seeing my binder complete with indices, he quickly conceded before I could even speak. That day, I understood evidence is the way to justice. My interest in justice grew, and while in university, I sought experiences to solidify my decision to pursue law.

Last summer, I had the good fortune to work as a summer intern in the Crown Attorney’s Office responsible for criminal trial prosecutions. As the only pre-law intern, I was given tasks such as reviewing court tapes, verifying documents, and creating a binder with indices. I often went to court with the prosecutors where I learned a great deal about legal proceedings, and was at times horrified by human behavior. This made the atmosphere in the Crown Attorney’s office even more surprising. I worked with happy and passionate lawyers whose motivations were pubic service, the safety and well-being of communities, and justice. The moment I realized justice was their true objective, not the number of convictions, was the moment I decided to become a lawyer.

I broke from the belief systems I was born into. I did this through education, mentorship, and self-advocacy. There is sadness because in this transition I left people behind, especially as I entered university. However, I am devoted to my home community. I understand the barriers that stand between youth and their success. As a law student, I will mentor as I was mentored, and as a lawyer, I will be a voice for change.

What’s Great about this Second Law School Personal Statement?

• It tells a complete and compelling story: Although the applicant expressed initial reservations about the law generally, the statement tells a compelling story of how the applicant's opinions began to shift and their interest in law began. They use real examples and show how that initial interest, once seeded, grew into dedication and passion. This introduction implies an answer to the " why do you want to study law? ” interview question.
• It shows adaptability: Receptiveness to new information and the ability to change both thought and behavior based on this new information. The writer describes realizing that they needed to be "in the world" differently! It's hard to convey such a grandiose idea without sounding cliché, but through their captivating and chronological narrative, the writer successfully convinces the reader that this is the case with copious examples, including law school extracurriculars . It’s a fantastic case of showing rather than telling, describing specific causes they were involved with which demonstrate that the applicant is genuinely committed to a career in the law. 
• Includes challenges the subject faced and overcame: This law school personal statement also discusses weighty, relatable challenges that they faced, such as the applicant's original feeling toward law, and the fact that they lost some friends along the way. However, the applicant shows determination to move past these hurdles without self-pity or other forms of navel-gazing.  Additionally, this personal statement ends with a conclusion that alludes to why the applicant is suitable for the specific school to which they’re applying and points to their future career plans. The writer manages to craft an extremely immersive and believable story about their path to the present, while also managing to curate the details of this narrative to fit the specific values and mission of the school to which they’re applying.

What’s Great About This Third Law School Personal Statement? 

• Description is concise and effective: This writer opens with rich, vivid description and seamlessly guides the reader into a compelling first-person narrative. Using punchy, attention-grabbing descriptions like these make events immersive, placing readers in the writer's shoes and creating a sense of immediacy. 
• Achievements are the focus: They also do a fantastic job of talking about their achievements, such as interview team lead, program design, etc., without simply bragging. Instead, they deliver this information within a cohesive narrative that includes details, anecdotes, and information that shows their perspective in a natural way. Lastly, they invoke their passion for law with humility, discussing their momentary setbacks and frustrations as ultimately positive experiences leading to further growth. 

Want more law school personal statement examples from top law schools?

• Harvard law school personal statement examples
• Columbia law school personal statement examples
• Cornell law school personal statement examples
• Yale law school personal statement examples
• UPenn law school personal statement examples
• Cambridge law school personal statement examples

Law School Personal Statement #4

What’s great about this fourth law school personal statement.

• Engaging description: Like the third example above, this fourth law school personal statement opens with engaging description and first-person narrative. However, the writer of this personal statement chooses to engage a traumatic aspect of their childhood and discuss how this adversity led them to develop their desire to pursue a career in law.  
• Strong theme of overcoming adversity: Overcoming adversity is a frequent theme in personal statements for all specialties, but with law school personal statements students are often able to utilize uniquely dramatic, difficult, and pivotal experiences that involved interacting with the law. It may be hard to discuss such emotionally weighty experiences in a short letter but, as this personal statement shows, with care and focus it's possible to sincerely demonstrate how your early struggles paved the way for you to become the person you are now. It's important to avoid sensationalism, but you shouldn't shy away from opening up to your readers about adverse experiences that have ultimately pointed you in a positive direction. 

Why "show, don't tell" is the #1 rule for personal statements:

Law School Personal Statement Example #5

What’s great about this fifth law school personal statement  .

• Highlights achievements effectively: This writer does a fantastic job of incorporating their accomplishments and impact they had on their community without any sense of bragging or conceit. Rather, these accomplishments are related in terms of deep personal investment and a general drive to have a positive impact on those around them—without resorting to the cliches of simply stating "I want to help people." They show themselves helping others, and how these early experiences of doing so are a fundamental part of their drive to succeed with a career in law.   
• Shows originality: Additionally, they do a great job of explaining the uniqueness of their identity. The writer doesn't simply list their personal/cultural characteristics, but contextualizes them to show how they've shaped their path to law school. Being the child of a Buddhist mother and a Hindu father doesn’t imply anything about a person’s ability to study/practice law on its own, but explaining how this unique aspect of their childhood encouraged a passion for “discussion, active debate, and compromise” is profoundly meaningful to an admissions panel. Being able to express how fundamental aspects of law practice are an integral part of yourself is a hugely helpful tactic in a law school personal statement. 

If you\u2019re heading North of the border, check out list of  law schools in Canada  that includes requirements and stats on acceptance. ","label":"Tip","title":"Tip"}]" code="tab2" template="BlogArticle">

Law School Personal Statement Example #6

What’s great about this sixth law school personal statement .

• Weaves in cultural background: Similar to the writer of personal statement #5, this student utilizes the cultural uniqueness of their childhood to show how their path to law school was both deeply personal and rooted in ideas pervasive in their early years. Unlike the writer of statement #5, this student doesn't shy away from explaining how this distinctiveness was often a source of alienation and difficulty. Yet this adversity is, as they note, ultimately what helped them be an adaptable and driven student, with a clear desire to make a positive impact on the kinds of situations that they witnessed affect their parents.  
• Describes setbacks while remaining positive: This writer also doesn't shy away from describing their temporary setbacks as both learning experiences and, crucially, springboards for positively informing their plans for the future. 

What’s Great About This Seventh Law School Personal Statement? 

• The writer takes accountability: One of the hardest things to accomplish in a personal statement is describing not just early setbacks that are out of your control but early mistakes for which you must take responsibility. The writer of this personal statement opens with descriptions of characteristics that most law schools would find problematic at best. But at the end of this introduction, they successfully utilize an epiphany, a game-changing moment in which they saw something beyond their early pathological aimlessness, to clearly mark the point at which they became focused on law.  
• The narrative structure is clear: They clearly describe the path forward from this moment on, showing how they remained focused on earning a law degree, and how they were able to work through successive experiences of confusion to persist in finishing their undergraduate education at a prestigious university. Of course, you shouldn't brag about such things for their own sake, but this writer makes the point of opening up about the unique feelings of inadequacy that come along with being the first person in their family to attend such a school, and how these feelings were—like their initial aimlessness—mobilized in service of their goal and the well-being of others. Their statement balances discussion of achievement with humility, which is a difficult but impactful tactic when done well. 

Law School Personal Statement Example #8

What’s great about this eighth law school personal statement .

• Shows commitment to the community: Commitment to one’s community is a prized value in both law students and law professionals. This writer successfully describes not only how they navigated the challenges in their group environments, such as their internship, the debate team, etc., but how these challenges strengthened their commitment to being a positive part of their communities. They don’t simply describe the skills and lessons they learned from these challenging environments, but also how these challenges ultimately made them even more committed to and appreciative of these kinds of dynamic, evolutionary settings.  
• Avoids negative description: They also avoid placing blame or negatively describing the people in these situations, instead choosing to characterize inherent difficulties in terms neutral to the people around them. In this way, you can describe extremely challenging environments without coming off as resentful, and identify difficulties without being accusatory or, worse yet, accidentally or indirectly seeming like part of the problem. This writer manages to convey the difficulty and complexity of these experiences while continually returning to their positive long-term impact, and though you shouldn’t seek to “bright-side” the troubles in your life you should absolutely point out how these experiences have made you a more capable and mature student. 

Watch this for more law school personal statement examples!

Law School Personal Statement Example #9

What’s great about this ninth law school personal statement  .

• The writer effectively describes how their background shaped their decision to pursue law: Expressing privilege as adversity is something that very few students should even attempt, and fewer still can actually pull it off. But the writer of this personal statement does just that in their second paragraph, describing how the ease and comfort of their upbringing could have been a source of laziness or detachment, and often is for particularly well-off students, but instead served as a basis for their ongoing commitment to addressing the inequalities and difficulties of those less comfortable. Describing how you’ve developed into an empathic and engaged person, worked selflessly in any volunteer experiences, and generally aimed your academic life at a career in law for the aid of others—all this is incredibly moving for an admissions board, and can help you discuss your determination and understanding of exactly why you desire a career in law.  
• The student shows adaptability, flexibility, and commitment: Additionally, this writer is able to show adaptability while describing their more prestigious appointments in a way that’s neither self-aggrandizing nor unappreciative. One of the big takeaways from this statement is the student’s commitment and flexibility, and these are both vitally important qualities to convey in your law school personal statement.  

Law School Personal Statement Example #10

What’s great about this tenth law school personal statement .

Shows passion: If you’re one of the rare students for whom service to others has always been a core belief, by all means find a novel and engaging way of making this the guiding principle of your personal statement. Don’t overdo it—don’t veer into poetry or lofty philosophizing—but by all means let your passion guide your pen (well…keyboard). Every step of the way, this student relates their highs and lows, their challenges and successes, to an extremely earnest and sincere set of altruistic values invoked at the very beginning of their statement. Law school admissions boards don’t exactly prize monomania, but they do value intense and sustained commitment.  

Shows maturity: This student also successfully elaborates this passion in relation to mature understanding. That is, they make repeated points about their developing understanding of law that sustains their hopefulness and emotional intensity while also incorporating knowledge of the sometimes troubling day-to-day challenges of the profession. Law schools aren’t looking for starry-eyed naivete, but they do value optimism and the ability to stay positive in a profession often defined by its difficulties and unpredictability. 

Every pre-law student blames their lack of success on the large number of applicants, the heartless admissions committee members, or the high GPA and LSAT score cut offs. Check out our blog on  law school acceptance rates  to find out more about the law school admission statistics for law schools in the US . Having taught more than a thousand students every year, I can tell you the REAL truth about why most students get rejected: 

Need tips on your law school resume?

8 Additional Law School Personal Statement Examples

Now that you have a better idea of what your law school personal statement should include, and how you can make it stand out, here are five additional law school personal statements for you to review and get some inspiration:

Law school personal statement example #11

According to the business wire, 51 percent of students are not confident in their career path when they enroll in college. I was one of those students for a long time. My parents had always stressed the importance of education and going to college, so I knew that I wanted to get a tertiary education, I just didn’t know in what field. So, like many other students, I matriculated undecided and started taking introductory courses in the subjects that interest me. I took classes from the department of literature, philosophy, science, statistics, business, and so many others but nothing really called out to me.

I figured that maybe if I got some practical experience, I might get more excited about different fields. I remembered that my high school counselor had told me that medicine would be a good fit for me, and I liked the idea of a career that involved constant learning. So, I applied for an observership at my local hospital. I had to cross “doctor” off my list of post-graduate career options when I fainted in the middle of a consultation in the ER.

I had to go back to the drawing board and reflect on my choices. I decided to stop trying to make an emotional decision and focus on the data. So, I looked at my transcript thus far, and it quickly became clear to me that I had both an interest and an aptitude for business and technology. I had taken more courses in those two fields than in any others, and I was doing very well in them. My decision was reaffirmed when I spent the summer interning at a digital marketing firm during my senior year in college and absolutely loved my experience. 

Since graduating, I have been working at that same firm and I am glad that I decided to major in business. I first started as a digital advertising assistant, and I quickly learned that the world of digital marketing is an incredibly fast-paced sink-or-swim environment. I didn’t mind it at all. I wanted to swim with the best of them and succeed. So far, my career in advertising has been challenging and rewarding in ways that I never could have imagined. 

I remember the first potential client that I handled on my own. Everything had been going great until they changed their mind about an important detail a day before we were supposed to present our pitch. . I had a day to research and re-do a presentation that I’d been preparing for weeks. I was sure that I’d be next on the chopping block, but once again all I had to was take a step back and look at the information that I had. Focusing on the big picture helped me come up with a new pitch, and after a long night, lots of coffee, and laser-like focus, I delivered a presentation that I was not only proud of, but that landed us the client. 

Three years and numerous client emergencies later, I have learned how to work under pressure, how to push myself, and how to think critically. I also have a much better understanding of who I am and what skills I possess. One of the many things that I have learned about myself over the course of my career is that I am a fan of the law. Over the past three years, I have worked with many lawyers to navigate the muddy waters of user privacy and digital media. I often find myself looking forward to working with our legal team, whereas my coworkers actively avoid them. I have even become friends with my colleagues on the legal team who also enjoy comparing things like data protection laws in the US and the EU and speculating about the future of digital technology regulation. 

These experiences and conversations have led me to a point where I am interested in various aspects of the law. I now know that I have the skills required to pursue a legal education and that this time around, I am very sure about what I wish to study. Digital technology has evolved rapidly over the last decade, and it is just now starting to become regulated. I believe that this shift is going to open up a more prominent role for those who understand both digital technology and its laws, especially in the corporate world. My goal is to build a career at the intersection of these worlds.

Law school personal statement example #12

The first weekend I spent on my undergrad college campus was simultaneously one of the best and worst of my life. I was so excited to be away from home, on my own, making new friends and trying new things. One of those things was a party at a sorority house with my friend and roommate, where I thought we both had a great time. Both of us came from small towns, and we had decided to look out for one another. So, when it was time to go home, and I couldn't find her, I started to worry. I spent nearly an hour looking for her before I got her message saying she was already back in our dorm. 

It took her three months to tell me that she had been raped that night. Her rapist didn't hold a knife to her throat, jump out of a dark alleyway, or slip her a roofie. Her rapist was her long-term boyfriend, with whom she'd been in a long-distance relationship for just over a year. He assaulted her in a stranger's bedroom while her peers, myself included, danced the night away just a few feet away. 

I remember feeling overwhelmed when she first told me. I was sad for my friend, angry on her behalf, and disgusted by her rapist's actions. I also felt incredibly guilty because I had been there when it happened. I told myself that I should have stayed with her all night and that I should have seen the abuse - verbal and physical harassment- that he was inflicting on her before it turned sexual. But eventually, I realized that thinking about what could, should, or would've happened doesn't help anyone. 

I watched my friend go through counseling, attend support groups, and still, she seemed to be hanging on by a thread. I couldn't begin to imagine what she was going through, and unfortunately, there was very little I could do to help her. So, I decided to get involved with the Sexual Assault Responders Group on campus, where I would actually be able to help another survivor. 

My experience with the Sexual Assault Responders Group on campus was eye-opening. I mostly worked on the peer-to-peer hotline, where I spoke to survivors from all walks of life. I was confronted by the fact that rape is not a surreal unfortunate thing that happens to a certain type of person. I learned that it happens daily to mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, and friends. I also learned that most survivors try to manage this burden on their own, afraid of judgment and repercussions and fearful of a he-said-she-said court battle.

I am proud to say that I used my time in college to not only earn an education, but also to advocate for survivors of sexual assault. I protested the university's cover-up of a gang rape that took place in one of the fraternity houses on campus. I spearheaded a 'no means no' campaign to raise awareness about consent on campus. I also led several fundraising campaigns for the Sexual Assault Responders Group that allowed us to pay for legal and mental health counselors for the survivors who came to us for support. 

One of the things that this experience helped me realize is that sexual assault survivors often do not know where to turn when the system tries to tell them that it'd be best to just keep quiet and suffer in silence. My goal is to become one of those people that they can turn to for counsel and support. I believe that a law degree would give me the knowledge and tools that I need to advocate for survivors on a more significant scale. 

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Law school personal statement example #13

I grew up in two different worlds. My world at home was full of people of various skin tones and accents. It was small, loud, and often chaotic in the best ways. I remember walking home and getting to experience music from across the world before I got to my apartment building. Loud reggaeton and afrobeat were always playing somewhere in the distance. Aunties and uncles usually stopped by unannounced and slipped money in your palm when they hugged you goodbye. And the smell of fried plantains was almost always present. 

My other world was in school. It was a much quieter, more organized world with white hallways, navy blazers, and plaid skirts. It was full of people who did not look or sound like me and teachers who thought my hair was "interesting." It was also full of great books and engaging debates about everything from foreign policy to the influence of Jazz on hip hop. 

I lived in these two worlds because I was born and raised in Xtown, but I went to a private school in a much richer neighborhood. I loved both of my worlds, but I hated that I had to act differently in both of them. When in school, I had to "code switch" to sound like I belonged there. When I was at home, all the people who shared the interests I was developing in school were either working or in college, so I had no one to talk to about them. 

My words never felt more divided until I started considering a career in law. I remember telling one of my uncles that I wanted to become a lawyer and his response was, "So you want to become the man, huh?" 

I wasn't surprised by his response, or at least I shouldn't have been. One of the things that I know for sure about the first world I lived in is that many of its inhabitants do not trust the law. I had believed this for so long simply because of the conversations that I would hear around me. However, in my second world, I was learning about all of these great freedoms and rights that the law was designed to give all Americans, and I wanted to bring those to my community. 

I started working on this during the summer before my final year of high school. I got an internship with the legal aid office in my neighborhood and spent three months learning from people who, like me, had grown up in Xtown and wanted to help people. During my time in the legal aid office, I understood that the people in my community did not trust the law for two main reasons: 1. They did not understand a lot of it, and 2. It had been used against people like us many times. 

I remember one particular case that Ms. Sharma - the lawyer I was learning from then and who still mentors me today - handled that summer. It was the case of a young mother who had received a notice of eviction from her landlord two days after refusing his advances. The man claimed that she violated her contract because she made homemade shea butter that she sold on Etsy. Ms. Sharma had me look through her rental agreement. After she confirmed that I was right in determining that the young mother had not violated her contract, she contacted the landlord to advise him that what he was doing was intimidation and sexual harassment. 

My experiences in the legal aid office with Ms. Sharma opened my eyes to the disgusting behavior of human beings, but it also gave me the opportunity to see that the law was my opportunity to use what I learned in my second world to help the community that I was raised in. I returned to school with a new motivation that followed me to college. In addition to completing my bachelor's degree in sociology and African American studies, I spent most of my college years participating in legal internships and community outreach programs. 

I believe that these experiences have given me the foundation I need to be a successful law student and, eventually, a lawyer who can truly be an advocate for members of his community. 

Law school personal statement example #14

One day, my parents noticed that the other children in my age group had been speaking and communicating, but I had not. At first, they thought that my lack of speech was just me being shy, but eventually, they realized that on the rare occasions that I did speak, my words were practically incomprehensible. It wasn't long before they took me to a specialist who diagnosed me with a severe phonological disorder that hindered my ability to verbalize the basic sounds that make up words.

I started going to speech therapy when I was three years old. I saw numerous speech therapists, many of whom believed that I would never be able to communicate effectively with others. Lucky for me, my parents did not give up on me. I went to speech therapy thrice a week until the 8th grade, and I gave every single session my all. I also spent a lot of time in my room practicing my speech by myself. My efforts paid off, and even though I didn't become a chatterbox overnight, I could at least communicate effectively. 

This was a short-lived victory, though. A year later, my speech impediment was back, and my ability to articulate words was once again severely limited. This complicated matters because it was my freshman year of high school, and I was in a brand-new school where I did not know anyone. Having been bullied in middle school, I knew first-hand how vicious kids can be, and I didn't want to be the butt of any more jokes, so I didn't try to speak at school. I knew that this was preventing me from making new friends or participating in class and that it was probably not helping my impediment, but I was not ready to face the fact that I needed to go back to speech therapy. 

Eventually, I stopped resisting and went back to speech therapy. At the time, I saw it as accepting defeat, and even though my speech improved significantly, my self-confidence was lower than it had ever been. If you ask any of my high school classmates about me, they will likely tell you that I am very quiet or timid – both of which are not true, but they have no way of knowing otherwise. I barely spoke or interacted with my peers for most of high school. Instead, I focused on my studies and extracurricular activities that didn't involve much collaboration, like yearbook club and photography. 

It was only when I was getting ready for college that I realized that I was only hurting myself with my behavior. I knew I needed to become more confident about my speech to make friends and be the student I wanted to be in college. So, I used the summer after my high school graduation to get some help. I started seeing a new speech therapist who was also trained as a counselor, and she helped me understand my impediment better. For example, I now know that I tend to stutter when stressed, but I also know that taking a few deep breaths helps me get back on track. 

Using the confidence that I built in therapy that summer, I went to college with a new pep in my step. I pushed myself to meet new people, try new things, and join extracurricular organizations when I entered college. I applied to and was accepted into a competitive freshman leadership program called XYZ. Most of XYZ's other members were outgoing and highly involved in their high school communities. In other words, they were the complete opposite of me. I didn't let that intimidate me. Instead, I made a concerted effort to learn from them. If you ask any of my teammates or other classmates in college, they will tell you that I was an active participant in discussions during meetings and that I utilized my unique background to share a different perspective.

My experience with XYZ made it clear to me that my speech disorder wouldn't hold me back as long as I did not stand in my own way. Once I understood this, I kept pushing past the boundaries I had set for myself. I began taking on leadership roles in the program and looking for ways to contribute to my campus community outside of XYZ. For example, I started a community outreach initiative that connected school alumni willing to provide pro bono services to different members of the community who were in need. 

Now, when I look back at my decision to go back to speech therapy, I see it as a victory. I understand that my speech impediment has shaped me in many ways, many of which are positive. My struggles have made me more compassionate. My inability to speak has made me a better listener. Not being able to ask questions or ask for help has made me a more independent critical thinker. I believe these skills will help me succeed in law school, and they are part of what motivates me to apply in the first place. Having struggled for so long to speak up for myself, I am ready and eager for the day when I can speak up for others who are temporarily unable to. 

“ You talk too much; you should be a lawyer.” 

I heard that sentence often while growing up because Congolese people always tell children who talk a lot that they should be lawyers. Sometimes I wonder if those comments did not subconsciously trigger my interest in politics and then the law. If they did, I am grateful for it. I am thankful for all the experiences that have brought me to this point where I am seeking an education that will allow me to speak for those who don’t always know how to, and, more importantly, those who are unable to. 

For context, I am the child of Congolese immigrants, and my parents have a fascinating story that I will summarize for you: 

A 14-year-old girl watches in confusion as a swarm of parents rush through the classroom, grabbing their children, and other students start running from the class. Soon she realizes that she and one other student are the only ones left, but when they both hear the first round of gunshots, no one has to tell them that it is time to run home. On the way home, she hears more gunshots and bombs. She fears for her survival and that of her family, and she starts to wonder what this war means for her and her family. Within a few months, her mother and father are selling everything they own so that they can board a plane to the US.

On the other side of the town, a 17-year-old boy is being forced to board a plane to the US because his mother, a member of parliament and the person who taught him about the importance of integrity, has been executed by the same group of soldiers who are taking over the region. 

They met a year later, outside the principal’s office at a high school in XXY. They bonded over the many things they have in common and laughed at the fact that their paths probably never would have crossed in Bukavu. Fast forward to today, they have been married for almost two decades and have raised three children, including me. 

Growing up in a Congolese household in the US presented was very interesting. On the one hand, I am very proud of the fact that I get to share my heritage with others. I speak French, Lingala, and Swahili – the main languages of Congo – fluently. I often dress in traditional clothing; I performed a traditional Congolese dance at my high school’s heritage night and even joined the Congolese Student Union at Almamatter University. 

On the other hand, being Congolese presented its challenges growing up. At a young age, I looked, dressed, and sounded different from my classmates. Even though I was born in the US, I had picked up a lot of my parents’ accents, and kids loved to tease me about it. Ignorant comments and questions were not uncommon. “Do you speak African?” “You’re not American! How did you get here?” “You don’t look African” “My mom says I can’t play with you because your parents came here to steal our jobs”. These are some of the polite comments that I heard often, and they made me incredibly sad, especially when classmates I considered my friends made them. 

My parents did not make assimilating any easier. My mother especially always feared I would lose my Congolese identity if they did not make it a point to remind me of it. She often said, “Just because you were born in America doesn’t mean that you are not Congolese anymore.” On one occasion, I argued that she always let me experience my Congolese side, but not my American side. That was the first time she told me I should be a lawyer. 

Having few friends and getting teased in school helped me learn to be comfortable on my own. I Often found refuge and excitement in books. I even started blogging about the books I read and interacting with other readers online. As my following grew, I started to use my platform to raise awareness about issues that I am passionate about, like climate change, the war in Congo, and the homeless crisis here in XXY. I was able to start a fundraising campaign through my blog that raised just under $5000 for the United Way – a local charity that helps the homeless in my city. 

This experience helped me understand that I could use my skills and the few tools at my disposal to help people, both here in America and one day, maybe even in Congo. I realized that I am lucky enough to have the option of expanding that skillset through education in order to do more for the community that welcomed my grandparents, uncles, aunties, and parents when they had nowhere else to go. 

The journey was not easy because while I received immense support and love from my family for continuing my education, I had to teach myself how to prepare and apply to college. Once there I had to learn on my own what my professors expected of me, how to study, how to network, and so much more. I am grateful for those experiences too, because they taught me how to be resourceful, research thoroughly, listen carefully, and seek help when I need it. 

All of these experiences have crafted me into who I am today, and I believe that with the right training, they will help me become a great attorney.

Law School Personal Statement Example #16

During my undergraduate studies, in the first two years, I wasn’t entirely sure what I wanted to do with my career. I enjoyed doing research, but I found that I became more interested in presenting the research than the process of contributing to it. I spoke to most of my science professors to ask if I could participate in their research. I worked in biology labs, chemistry labs, and in psychology classrooms working on a variety of projects that seemed meaningful and interesting. I gained new perspectives on study habits and mental health; the influence of music on the human mind; and applications of surface tension. I noticed that I was always taking the lead when we were presenting our findings to peers and research groups. I enjoyed yielding questions and addressing the captivating the audience with engaging gestures and speech. This was what led me to consider a career in law.

I always thought that I would become a scientist, so when I discovered that there were aspects of law that could be considered “scientific”, I was all ears. Still during my second year of undergraduate studies, I wanted to join an environmental awareness group, but noticed there weren’t any active. So, I took it upon myself to create my own. I wanted to do cleanup projects across the city, so I mapped out parks and areas that we could walk or drive to. I advertised my project to other students and eventually gained approximately fifteen students eager to help out. I was struck by the pollution in the water, the negligence of park maintenance. I drafted a letter to the municipal government and petitioned for a stricter environmental compliance approach. I wanted to advertise fines to hold polluters accountable, as there were hardly any to enforce the rules. A letter was returned to me stating that the government would consider my request. I felt a sense of gratification, of purpose; I discovered that I had the ability to enact change through policy. This drew me closer to the prospect of building a future in law, so I looked at other avenues to learn more.

I still wanted to find a way to bring together my love of science and discourse/communication. As a science student, I had the privilege of learning from professors who emphasized critical thinking; and they gave me a chance to learn that on my own. I took an internship as an environmental planner. There, I helped present project ideas to various groups, updating demographic/development information, and managing planning processes. I engaged in analytical thinking by looking at maps and demographic information to develop potential plans for land use. It was also the experience I was looking for in terms of a balance between science and oral communication. Using data analysis, I spoke to other planners and review boards to bring ideas together and execute a plan.

Through science, I learned how to channel my curiosity and logical thinking; as an advocate, I learned how to be creative and resourceful. Presenting research findings and being questioned in front of a group of qualified researchers, having to be sharp and ready for anything, taught me how to be more concise in speech. Developing an advocacy group dedicated to improving my community showed me what it lacked; it opened my eyes to the impact of initiative and focused collaboration. I was eager to begin another science project, this time with the environment in mind. It was titled “determining and defining the role of sociodemographic factors in air pollution health disparities”. I compiled and summarized relevant research and sent it over to a representative of the municipal government. In a couple of weeks, my request to increase advertising of fines in public areas was agreed to.

This Juris Doctor/Master in Environmental Studies program will allow me to continue deepening my knowledge of environmental law. With my goal of developing a career in environmental affairs, overseeing policies that influence land protection/use, I know that this program will give me the tools I need to succeed. With my experience working with large groups, I also believe I will fit into the larger class sizes at your institution. I understand the value of working together and how to engage in healthy discourse. With your Global Sustainability Certification, I will equip myself the expertise I need to produce meaningful change in environmental policy.

Here's how a law school advisor can help you with your application:

Law School Personal Statement #17

Growing up in a poor neighborhood, what my friends used to call “the ghetto”, I was always looking for my way out. I tried running away, but I always ended up back home in that tiny complex, barely enough room to fit all my brothers and sisters with my parents. My dad was disabled and couldn’t work, and my mother was doing her best working full-time as a personal-support worker. There was nothing we could do to get out of our situation, or so it seemed. It wasn’t until years later when I started my undergraduate degree that ironically, after I found my way out, that I began looking for a way to come back. I wanted to be a voice for people living in those bleak conditions; hungry, without work. Helpless.

Getting my degree in social work was one of the best decisions of my life. It gave me the tools to lobby for solutions to problems in poor communities. I knew my neighborhood better than anyone because I grew up there. I had the lived experience. I started working with the local government to develop programs for my clients; the people living in those same neighborhoods. We worked to provide financial assistance, legal aid, housing, and medical treatment—all things sorely lacking. My proudest moment was securing the funds and arranging surgery for my father’s bad hip and knees. I’m currently working on a large project with one of the community legislators to lobby for a harm reduction model addressing addiction in our communities.

With five years of experience as a social worker, I knew it was time for a career change when I learned that I could have more influence on public opinion and legislative decisions as a social-security disability lawyer. I knew firsthand that people victimized from racism, poverty, and injury needed more help than they were currently allotted. I knew that, from becoming and advocate and communicating with influential members of the local government, that I could do more with a law degree helping people attain basic needs like disability benefits, which are often denied outright.

This desire to help people get the help they need from local programs and government resources brought me to Scarborough, a small town outside of Toronto. I was aware of some of the issues afflicting this community, since I’d handled a few clients from there as a children’s disability social worker. Addiction and homelessness were the two main ones. I worked with children with ADHD or other physical/mental disabilities impairing their ability to attend school and function normally. I helped many of them get an IEP with the details of the special services they require, long overdue. I made sure each child got the care they needed, including special attention in school. Also noticing that so many of these families lacked proper nutrition, I organized a report detailing this finding. In it, I argued that the community needed more funds targeting lowest income families. I spoke directly with a legislator, which eventually got the city on board with developing a program more specifically for the lowest income families with residents under 18.

My goal has always been to be a voice for the inaudible, the ignored, who’ve been victimized by inadequate oversight from the ground up. Many of these groups, as I’ve witnessed firsthand, don’t have the luxury of being their own advocates. They are too busy trying to support their families, to put food on the table for their children. I’ve realized that it isn’t quite enough to work directly with these families to connect them with resources and ensure they get the support they need. Sometimes the support simply doesn’t exist, or it isn’t good enough. This is why I’m motivated to add a law degree to my credentials so I can better serve these people and communities. As a future social-security disability lawyer, I want to work with local governments to assist clients in navigating an assistance system and improving it as much as possible. This program will give me the access to a learning environment in which I can thrive and develop as an advocate.

Law School Personal Statement #18

“You’re worthy and loved”, I said to a twelve-year-old boy, Connor, whom I was supervising and spending time with during the Big Brother program at which we met. A few tears touched my shoulder as I pulled him into me, comforting him. He was a foster child. He didn’t know his parents and never stayed in one place longer than a few months; a year if he was lucky. I joined the program not expecting much. I was doing it for extra credit, because I wanted to give back to the community somehow and I thought it would be interesting to meet people. He confided in me; he told me that his foster parents often yelled at each other, and him. He told me he needed to escape. I called Child Protective Services and after a thorough investigation, they determined that Connor’s foster parents weren’t fit for fostering. He was moved, yet again, to a different home.

I wrote an op-ed detailing my experience as a Big Brother. I kept names anonymous. I wanted people to know how hard it was for children in the welfare system. Many of them, like Connor, were trapped in a perpetual cycle of re-homing, neglect, and even abuse. He and other children deserve stability and unconditional love. That should go without saying. I sent the op-ed to a local magazine and had it published. In it, I described not only the experience of one unfortunate kid, but many others as well who saw their own stories being told through Connor. I joined a non-profit organization dedicated to improving access to quality education for young people. I started learning about disparities in access; students excluded by racial or financial barriers. I was learning, one step at a time, how powerful words can be.

With the non-profit organization, I reached out to a few public schools in the area to represent some of our main concerns with quality of education disparities. Our goal was to bring resources together and promote the rights of children in education. We emphasized that collaboration between welfare agencies and schools was critical for education stability. Together, we created a report of recommendations to facilitate this collaboration. We outlined a variety of provisions, including more mechanisms for child participation, better recruitment of social service workers in schools, risk management and identification strategies, and better support for students with child protection concerns.

The highlight of that experience was talking to an assembly of parents and school faculty to present our findings and recommendations. The title of the presentation was “The Power of Words”. I opened with the story I wrote about in the op-ed. I wanted to emphasize that children are individuals; those trapped in the welfare system are not a monolith. They each have unique experiences, needs, and desires they want to fulfill in life. But our tools to help them can be improved, more individualized. I spoke about improving the quality of residential care for children and the need to promote their long-term development into further education and employment. Finally, I presented a list of tools we created to help support a more financially sustainable and effective child welfare system. The talk was received with applause and a tenuous commitment from a few influential members of the crowd. It was a start.

Although I lost contact with Connor, I think about him almost every day. I can only hope that the programs we worked on to improve were helping him, wherever he was. I want to continue to work on the ground level of child welfare amelioration, but I realize I will need an education in law to become a more effective advocate for this cause. There are still many problems in the child welfare system that will need to be addressed: limited privacy/anonymity for children, service frameworks that don’t address racism adequately, limited transportation in remote communities, and many more. I’ve gained valuable experience working with the community and learning about what the welfare system lacks and does well. I’m ready to take the next step for myself, my community, and those beyond it.

Assuredly, but this length varies from school to school. As with all important details of your law school application, thoroughly research your specific schools’ requirements and guidelines before both writing and editing your personal statement to ensure it fits their specifics. The average length is about 2 pages, but don’t bother drafting your statement until you have specific numbers from your schools of choice. It’s also a good idea to avoid hitting the maximum length unless absolutely necessary. Be concise, keep economy of language in mind, and remain direct, without rambling or exhaustive over-explanation of your ideas or experiences.

You should keep any words that aren’t your own to a minimum. Admissions committees don’t want to read a citation-heavy academic paper, nor do they respond well to overused famous quotes as themes in personal statements. If you absolutely must include a quote from elsewhere, be sure to clearly indicate your quote’s source. But in general, it’s best to keep the personal statement restricted to your own words and thoughts. They’re evaluating you, not Plato! It’s a personal statement. Give them an engaging narrative in your own voice. 

Admissions committees will already have a strong sense of your academic performance through your transcripts and test scores, so discussing these in your personal statement is generally best avoided. You can contextualize these things, though—if you have an illuminating or meaningful story about how you came to receive an award, or how you enjoyed or learned from the work that won you the award, then consider discussing it. Overall though, it’s best to let admissions committees evaluate your academic qualifications and accomplishments from your transcripts and official documents, and give them something new in the personal statement. 

When you first sit down to begin, cast a wide net. Consider all the many influences and experiences that have led you to where you are. You’ll eventually (through editing and rewriting) explain how these shape your relationship to a career in law, but one of the best things you can give yourself during the initial drafting phase is a vast collection of observations and potential points for development. As the New England School of Law points out in their, “just write!” Let the initial draft be as messy as it needs to be, and refine it from there. It’s a lot easier to condense and sharpen a big draft than it is to try to tensely craft a perfect personal statement from nothing.  

Incredibly important, as should be clear by now! Unlike other specialties, law schools don’t usually conduct interviews with applicants, so your personal statement is in effect your one opportunity to speak with the admissions committee directly. Don’t let that gravity overwhelm you when you write, but keep it in mind as you edit and dedicate time to improving your initial drafts. Be mindful of your audience as you speak with them, and treat writing your personal statement as a kind of initial address in what, hopefully, will eventually turn into an ongoing dialogue.  

There are a variety of factors that can make or break a law school personal statement. You should aim to achieve at least a few of the following: a strong opening hook; a compelling personal narrative; your skills and competencies related to law; meaningful experiences; why you’re the right fit for the school and program.

Often, they do. It’s best for you to go to the schools you’re interesting in applying to so you can find out if they have any specific formatting or content requirements. For example, if you wanted to look at NYU law or Osgoode Hall Law School , you would find their admissions requirements pages and look for information on the personal statement.

There are lots of reasons why a personal statement might not work. Usually, applicants who don’t get accepted didn’t come up with a good strategy for this essay. Remember, you need to target the specific school and program. Other reasons are that the applicant doesn’t plan or proofread their essay. Both are essential for submitting materials that convince the admissions committee that you’re a strong candidate. You can always use law school admissions consulting application review to help you develop your strategy and make your essay stand out.

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How long should a Personal Statement be? Is there any rule on that?

BeMo Academic Consulting

Hello V! Thanks for your question. Some schools will gave very specific word limits, while some will not. If you do not have a limit indicated, try to stick to no more than a page, 600-800 words. 

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• Undergraduate Transcripts.  This is specifically from the institution that awarded / will award your undergraduate degree and any other institutions from which you took relevant coursework. Note that we particularly focus on the last two years / 60 credits of your undergraduate coursework as well as courses that are specifically relevant to psychology.
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• Personal Statement.  This is a 2-3 page statement outlining your motivation and preparation for doctoral study. In your statement, be sure to indicate which  faculty members  you are interested in working with.
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2023 Law School Application Changes Compiled

In the wake of the recent Supreme Court decision on race-conscious admissions , we have seen more law schools making changes to their application components and instructions this cycle than in any other we can recall.

For easy reference, we will be compiling these changes below, adding new schools as their applications and instructions are posted.

Please note that, even though all of the below have been announced officially by the law schools, these questions are subject to change prior to the actual application opening date. You can find a list of all law schools' application opening dates here .

Updated October 2, 2023

Fall 2023 Law School Application Essay Changes

Yale law school.

Prior to this 2023-2024 cycle, Yale Law School's application required a Personal Statement and a 250-word essay on a subject of the applicant's choice. Applicants were also offered the option to write a Diversity Statement. This year, the application still requires a Personal Statement and 250-word essay, but in lieu of the Diversity Statement, there are now four different options for Optional Essays to write. Full instructions below.

New Yale Law Optional Essay Instructions: Source

Applicants may choose to submit an essay in response to one of the four questions below, each related to a value that is central to the Law School community. This is an opportunity to provide readers with relevant information that may not be found elsewhere in your application. If you choose to answer one of these questions, your essay should focus on your relevant personal, professional, and/or academic experiences and not on specific reasons why you wish to attend Yale Law School.

The optional essay should be approximately one page double-spaced. The prompts for the optional essay are as follows:

• Option 1: The Law School has a strong tradition of public service and encourages its students to contribute to the community in a wide variety of ways. Describe a community that has been particularly meaningful to you. Discuss what you have gained from being a part of this community and what you have contributed to this community.
• Option 2: The Law School encourages its students and alumni to be leaders, innovators, and changemakers across many different sectors. Describe one of your most important accomplishments and explain why it is important to you. Discuss how you demonstrated leadership, helped innovate, and/or drove change as part of that accomplishment.
• Option 3: The Law School values determination and resilience and recognizes that these traits are critical to success at the Law School and in the legal profession. Describe a significant challenge, disappointment, or setback that you have faced. Discuss how you approached this experience and what you learned from it.
• Option 4: In order to succeed at the Law School and in the legal profession, you must be able to have discussions across difference and be open to changing your mind. Describe a time when you changed your mind on an important topic after discussing it with a person with whom you disagreed or learning additional information. Discuss what you learned from this experience.

Harvard Law School

Prior to this year, Harvard Law required one two-page Personal Statement and gave applicants the option to submit an additional Diversity Statement. This year, HLS has replaced both with two required essays: a Statement of Purpose and a Statement of Perspective. Instructions below.

New Harvard Law Essay Instructions: Source

Every applicant must submit both a Statement of Purpose and a Statement of Perspective, responding to the prompts below. Each Statement must be one to two pages in length, using double-spacing, one-inch margins, and a font size that is comfortable to read (no smaller than 11 point). We expect every applicant to use at least one full page for each Statement.

Statement of Purpose: What motivates you to pursue law? How does attending law school align with your ambitions, goals, and vision for your future?

Statement of Perspective: The Admissions Committee makes every effort to understand who you are as an individual and potential Harvard Law School student and graduate. Please share how your experiences, background, and/or interests have shaped you and will shape your engagement in the HLS community and the legal profession.

University of Chicago Law School

Prior to this cycle, UChicago Law gave applicants the option to write a Diversity Statement. This year, they have removed that statement and now include the below prompt as an optional Addendum.

New UChicago Law Addendum Prompt Source: UChicago Law Fall 2024 JD Application (LSAC)

UChicago Law aims to train well-rounded, critical, and socially conscious thinkers and doers. Describe how your background or experiences will contribute to the UChicago Law community. Example topics include: lessons you have learned; skillsets you have developed; obstacles you have overcome based on your background or upbringing; or topics you have become passionate about studying in law school based on your lived or educational experiences.

Columbia Law School

Prior to this 2023-2024 cycle, Columbia Law School asked for a traditional Personal Statement and gave applicants the option to write a Diversity Statement. This year, applicants will have the option to submit one Supplementary Statement from five options, which are included below.

New Columbia Law Supplementary Statement Options: Source: Columbia Law Fall 2024 JD Application (LSAC)

Optional Supplementary Statements. Please note that these questions are completely optional and if an applicant chooses not to submit a response to any of these questions, it will not have an impact on their admissions decision. Applicants should choose no more than one supplemental statement, which should be no longer than 500 words double spaced. Kindly note that supplemental statement may be shorter than 500 words.

• A hallmark of the Columbia experience is being able to learn and thrive in an equitable and inclusive community with a wide range of perspectives. Tell us about an aspect of your own perspective, viewpoint or lived experience that is important to you, and describe how it has shaped the way you would learn from and contribute to Columbia’s diverse and collaborative community.
• We recognize that many applicants have faced adversity in myriad ways and to varying extents throughout their lives. Tell us about an example of adversity or a challenging circumstance in your own life and describe how you overcame it and how that experience has shaped your life and your own perspective.
• Columbia Law School aims to prepare its students to be advocates as well as effective leaders. Tell us about an example of leadership in your own life whether in an educational, professional, or personal setting and how those leadership skills and qualities would contribute to your legal education and the profession.
• Columbia Law School’s mandatory pro bono program requires that every student devote at least 40 hours to public interest law service during their time in law school. Tell us about your own commitment to public service and describe how volunteer work, advocacy, community service, pro bono work, and/or extra-curricular activities have shaped who you are today and how you want to continue serving the public good during law school.
• Tell us why you are applying to Columbia Law School and how the Law School's programs, faculty, curricular and extra-curricular offerings, location, and/or community would be a good fit for your legal education given your own academic, professional, or personal goals.

NYU School of Law

Prior to this year, NYU Law offered applicants the option to submit an Underrepresented Group statement. This year, that statement has been replaced by an Optional Additional Information attachment with the below prompt.

New NYU Law Optional Additional Information Prompt: Source: NYU Law Fall 2024 JD Application (LSAC)

New York University School of Law seeks to enroll a student body from a broad spectrum of society. The Committee on Admissions encourages you to provide any information that may be helpful to us in reaching a thoughtful decision on your application. While the choice as to whether and what information to submit to the Committee is entirely yours, any information you provide will be used to give the Committee a more complete understanding of your academic, professional, and personal background; to help the Committee reach an informed decision on your application; and to aid the Committee in selecting a student body with a range of experiences.

This is an opportunity to share with the Committee information about how your background will enable you to contribute to the NYU Law community. Information that has been helpful in the past includes but is not limited to meaningful leadership experience; significant community involvement; personal/family history of educational or socioeconomic disadvantage or unusual circumstances which may have affected academic performance and how you exceled despite those circumstances; and skills you have developed to overcome adversity. This list is not all-inclusive, but we offer it for you to think about as you consider whether such information might be relevant in your case, and to assure you that it is quite appropriate.

University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School

Prior to this year, Penn Law gave applicants four choices for optional essays—one on diversity (wording changed this year, see below); one on core strengths, goals, and values (same this year); one asking, "What do you find valuable (or challenging) about a collaborative environment?" (removed this year); and one on reasons that the applicant's academic record or test scores do not accurately reflect their aptitude (i.e., a GPA/LSAT addendum) (same this year). This year's new prompts are below.

New Penn Law Optional Essay Prompts: Source

• Penn Carey Law is committed to achieving an expansive and inclusive law school community that brings a diverse range of ideas, experiences, and perspectives to our classrooms. Tell us how your lived experience informs who you are today.
• Describe a significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge.
• What strength or quality do you have that most people might not see or recognize?
• What don't we see in your application file that you would like to share with the Admissions Committee?

University of Virginia School of Law

UVA Law added an optional "Why UVA Law" statement to their application this year (prompt below).

New "Why UVA Law" Statement Instructions: Source: UVA Law Fall 2024 JD Application (LSAC)

Why UVA Law (optional) (suggested page limit: two pages double-spaced in 12pt font)

We recognize that some applicants have personal reasons for applying to UVA Law. Such reasons might include, but are not limited to, being a child of someone who graduated from or works for UVA Law, being a descendant of ancestors who labored at UVA, prior participation in other UVA programs, specific interest in our academic offerings, and/or a personal connection to the Charlottesville area. If these reasons are not already addressed elsewhere in your application, you are welcome to include that information here. Please note this question is optional.

Duke University School of Law

Prior to this year, Duke Law required a Personal Statement and gave applicants the option of submitting either or both of two additional essays, a diversity statement and/or a statement of interest in Duke. This year, in addition to the Personal Statement and optional statement of interest in Duke, they are requiring applicants to write 1-2 short essays from a group of six prompts/options, all of which are listed below.

New Duke Law Short Answer Essay Instructions: Source

Short Answer Essay(s) (required): Our admissions process is guided by the view that a law school class that includes actively engaged students who possess a variety of skills, personal qualities, and life experiences helps to advance the Law School's mission, improves the learning process, and enriches the educational experience for all. Please write one or two short essays from the list below. Be sure to label the essay(s) you are answering and use only one attachment even if you submit two short answers. Please limit your answer(s) to approximately 250-500 words per essay.

• What does the rule of law mean to you, and what special background or experience do you have that may help you contribute to its advancement or that underscores its importance to you personally?
• The promise of equal justice is fundamental to our legal system. Why is equal justice important to you personally, and what personal experiences or knowledge do you have that may help you become an effective advocate for equal justice under law?
• Exposure to a diversity of perspectives and experiences can enhance one's ability to deliver effective professional services. Please describe any opportunities you have had to serve clients or your community, either through work or on a volunteer basis, and how your own exposure to different perspectives and experiences helped you.
• Lawyers are members of a learned profession, and are often called to serve the public in a variety of ways. Please describe your interest in public service and any experience that you have had to prepare you for a life of service in the public interest.
• Please describe your interest in learning the law in an open, rigorous, and collaborative environment. Why is a commitment to the free expression of ideas so important in the learning process?
• What does ethical leadership mean to you? Please provide examples of how you have prepared yourself to become an ethical leader.

University of Michigan Law School

Prior to this year, in addition to a Personal Statement, Michigan Law gave applicants the option to write 1-2 additional essays from a selection of prompts. Some of those prompts have been updated this year; full list below.

New Michigan Law Supplemental Essay Instructions: Source

Supplemental essays allow you an opportunity to provide us with relevant information that you were not able to include elsewhere in your application materials. If you think writing on any of the topics suggested would help us get a better sense of who you are, we encourage you to consider submitting your responses to one or two (but no more) of the following topics. Each essay should be between one and two pages. For ease of reading, please use double-spacing and at least an 11-point font. Please be sure to include the number of the prompt you are addressing at the top of your essay.

• Essay One: Say more about your interest in the University of Michigan Law School. Why might Michigan be a good fit for you culturally, academically, or professionally?
• Essay Two: Describe a challenge, failure, or setback you have faced and overcome, whether long-term and systemic (e.g., socioeconomic, health, or complex family circumstances) or short-term and discrete (e.g., a workplace scenario or a particularly demanding course). How did you confront it? What, if anything, might you do differently?  
• Essay Three: How has the world you came from positively shaped who you are today?
• Essay Four: Describe a quality or skill you have and discuss how you expect it will help you in your legal career.
• Essay Five: Tell us about a time in the recent past when you changed your mind about something significant.
• Essay Six: We seek students who are encouraging, kind, and collaborative, even when it is not convenient or easy. Describe a recent experience where you exhibited these characteristics.
• Essay Seven: One of the goals of our admissions process is to enroll students who will enrich the quality and breadth of the intellectual life of our law school community, as well as to expand and diversify the identities of people in the legal profession. How might your experiences and perspectives contribute to our admissions goals?
• Essay Eight: Think of someone who knows you, but doesn't know you well (i.e., not a family member or a close friend). How would they describe you? Would their description be accurate? Why or why not?
• Essay Nine: If you could have dinner with any prominent person, living or dead, who would it be and why? What would you discuss?

UC Berkeley School of Law

This year, UC Berkeley Law added some additional language to their diversity-focused essay prompt and added a new optional statement on applicants' interest in the legal profession. The latter prompt also gives applicants the option to record a video submission in lieu of a written statement.

New UC Berkeley Law Optional Statement Prompts (including Kira video submission) Source

Perspective and Experiences:

How will you (your perspective, experience, Voice) contribute to diversity in our classrooms and community? Feel free to address any factors or attributes you consider important and relevant. In the past, applicants have included information about characteristics such as: race/ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, socioeconomic background, first generation college or professional school student, student parent, re-entry student, geographic diversity, ideological diversity, and others. (500 word maximum)

Interest in the Legal Profession (Video Submission Option):

Please share more about why you are applying to law school by answering one or more of the following questions:

• What about you (your experiences, your values, your perspective, etc.) calls you to law school?
• How will you use your law degree with integrity, vision, creativity, and/or to innovate?
• What makes you hopeful, optimistic, or excited about entering the legal profession?
• How do you see yourself contributing to or advancing the public good as a lawyer, scholar, or advocate?

(4 minutes or 500 words maximum)

For the optional statement, “Interest in the Legal Profession,” applicants are invited to complete this statement in an alternative modality: video submission. This is not an interview. It is another opportunity to share insight into your potential for study at Berkeley Law, and it gives you an additional tool (video recording) for the communication and presentation of that information. You may also choose to complete this statement in written format.

Optional video statements, as with all statements, are unscored and intended only to augment your application. While we will consider the information shared and will use it within our holistic review of your application, no value will be assigned to whether you choose the written or video format.

Candidates will submit this statement via a free, third-party platform called Kira. Kira will allow you to respond to the prompt either via video recording or in writing and provides comprehensive support and trouble-shooting. Please only submit your response through Kira; written or video “Interest in the Legal Profession” statements sent separately will not be considered.

Northwestern Pritzker School of Law

Prior to this year, Northwestern Law offered one Optional Essay prompt asking about diversity. This year, they are offering applicants four different Optional Essay prompts, allowing applicants to respond to any or all of them.

New Northwestern Law Optional Supplemental Essay Instructions: Source: Northwestern Law Fall 2024 JD Application (LSAC)

Responding to the following questions is entirely optional and should not be viewed as required.  You may include responses to as many of the four optional essays as you wish or none at all.  These are intended to give you an opportunity to provide additional information that you were unable to include in other portions of the application.  Please limit your response to each essay that you complete to 1-2 pages, double-spaced, and at least an 11-point font.

• Describe your interest in attending Northwestern Pritzker School of Law.
• Describe any experiences in your life or unique qualities you think would benefit Northwestern Pritzker School of Law and/or your classmates.  (Relevant information may include but is not limited to financial hardship, educational adversity, special talents, work or community service experience, first generation or immigrant experience, an unusual rural or urban upbringing, foreign residence, military background, or unique family and/or personal circumstance.)
• What does public service mean to you and how do you see yourself engaging in public service or pro-bono work to meet the needs of the underserved?
• Did you face any particular challenges we should know about when considering your academic history or test scores?

Cornell Law School

Prior to this year, Cornell Law School offered an optional Diversity Statement. They have removed that prompt this year and added additional instructions to their personal statement (below). They also used to have a question in their application about reasons for applying to Cornell with a 600-character limit and the option to attach a longer essay. This year, they have made a one-page "Why Cornell" essay required.

New Cornell Law Personal Statement Prompt Source: Cornell Law Fall 2024 JD Application (LSAC)

RESPOND TO AT LEAST ONE OF THE FOLLOWING PROMPTS (required). YOU MAY RESPOND TO AS MANY AS YOU WISH, BUT DO NOT EXCEED A TOTAL OF FIVE (5) PAGES.

• We aim to train excellent lawyers. GPAs and test scores have some predictive power, but they don't tell the whole story. Please describe any significant challenges you have overcome, including but not limited to economic hardship, discrimination, trauma, or disability, and/or significant accomplishments of which you are proud.
• In the aftermath of the U.S. Civil War, Ezra Cornell wrote, "I would found an institution where any person can find instruction in any study." For over 150 years, Cornell University has remained deeply committed to Ezra's vision. Explain how your life experiences will help inform your contributions to a law school learning community devoted to "...any person...any study." We encourage you to think broadly about what you will contribute to a law school class and eventually to the legal profession, including bu not necessarily to expertise you have, experiences you can share, and how communities of which you have been part have shaped your perspective.
• From its founding, Cornell Law School has not only focused on producing excellent lawyers, but "lawyers in the best sense." A law school education teaches you a craft, and prepares you for a great career, but law is also a calling, and a lawyer in the best sense is one who will, in some way, serve justice. If your career goals include representing under-served populations or otherwise vulnerable individuals or groups, please tell us about those goals and how you hope to pursue them.
• Is there anything else you wish the Admissions Committee to know about you beyond what you have revealed in other parts of your application? You can describe a formative experience, or your motivation to go to law school, or a story that reveals your character, personality, or strengths, or whatever else you think is relevant.

Georgetown University Law Center

Georgetown Law updated their "Diversity Statement" to an "Optional Statement" this year. Additionally, they updated their (separate) Optional Response prompts, as they have many times in the past. All of the new prompts are below.

New Georgetown Law Optional Statement & Optional Responses Prompts: Source: Georgetown Law Fall 2024 JD Application (LSAC)

Optional Statement:

If you would like to share any additional personal perspectives, reflections, or experiences – whether positive, challenging, a combination of both, or something else entirely – that have contributed to who you are as a person and as a future legal scholar and lawyer, we invite you to do so in an additional statement.

Optional Responses:

• What’s the best (or worst) piece of advice you ever received?
• If you could “uninvent” one thing, what would it be?
• Tell us about a moment in your life that you regret.
• Describe your perfect day.
• Share a top ten list with us.
• Prepare a one-minute video.

University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Law

UCLA Law slightly altered the wording of their optional "Challenges Addendum" this year. The updated prompt is below.

New UCLA Law Challenges Addendum Prompt: Source: UCLA Law Fall 2024 JD Application (LSAC)

Please share any information about adversity or challenge that you would like us to consider about your personal life experiences. This may include socio-economic challenges; educational challenges; health issues; disability; immigration status; surviving abuse; or complex family circumstances like an incarcerated parent, homelessness, living in foster care, or others. This is not an inclusive list, but simply an opportunity, if you wish, to share any additional aspects of your background that may give us a deeper sense of your strengths and who you are.

The University of Texas at Austin School of Law

Prior to this year, UT Law required a Personal Statement and gave applicants the option to submit a Statement of Economic, Social, or Personal Background. This year, they are giving applicants the option to write responses to one or both of two prompts, below.

New UT Law Optional Statement Instructions: Source

Applicants may submit one or more of the following optional statements to provide to the Admissions Committee additional insight when reviewing their application. Each optional statement may not exceed one (1) double-spaced page with a minimum 11-point font size and 1-inch margins.

• Please address any information that you believe your application would be incomplete without and that sheds more light on your unique potential to succeed in the J.D. program and contribute to the University community and the field or profession.
• Civil dialogue and reasoned debate over contested ideas are core values both for the practice of law and in legal education. In light of this, Texas Law is interested in learning about experiences you may have had engaging with ideas with which you disagreed, and how such experiences have impacted you.

Boston University School of Law

BU Law modified the language in their diversity-focused optional essay prompt this year. New language below.

New BU Law Optional Essay Prompt Source: BU Law Fall 2024 JD Application (LSAC)

Consistent with the American Bar Association, Boston University School of Law believes that knowledge about bias, cross-cultural competency (ability to understand people from different backgrounds and engage with them effectively), and racism are central to the legal profession. Please tell us how your education, training, or lived experience has deepened your knowledge about bias, cross-cultural competency, and racism and/or prepared you to explore these topics at BU Law.

Vanderbilt Law School

Prior to this cycle, Vanderbilt Law allowed applicants to submit an optional diversity statement. This cycle, a Lived Experience Statement (full prompt below) is required from all applicants.

New Vanderbilt Law Lived Experience Statement Prompt: Source: Vanderbilt Law Fall 2024 JD Application (LSAC)

The quality and vibrance of the educational environment at Vanderbilt Law arise from enrolling a student body with a broad mix of individual backgrounds, experiences, skills, knowledge, and interests. Please tell us about any aspects of your background and experience that you believe would contribute to the educational environment.

University of Florida Levin College of Law

Prior to this year, UF Law included a Diversity Statement prompt that they have removed this year. Source: UF Law Fall 2024 JD Application (LSAC)

George Washington University Law School

GW Law altered their optional Identity Statement prompt this year—new prompt below.

New GW Law Identity Statement Prompt: Source: GW Law Fall 2024 JD Application (LSAC)

We are proud of the perspectives brought to the GW Law community by individuals from around the United States and the world. To that end, how has your identity contributed to the person that you are today? Examples might include, but are not limited to, lived experiences, obstacles overcome, areas of intellectual or professional interest, background/upbringing, and service.

University of Georgia School of Law

UGA Law has kept their optional Diversity Statement this year. The slightly altered prompt is below.

New UGA Law Diversity Statement Prompt: Source: UGA Law Fall 2024 JD Application (LSAC)

The School of Law believes the overall educational environment of the law school may be enhanced by life experiences that significantly add to the academic, cultural, geographic, or socioeconomic diversity of the student population. You are invited to explain how your own life experiences would significantly add to the diversity of the student population and enhance the educational climate of the law school. This may also include discussion of your status as a first-generation college graduate or veteran.

Notre Dame Law School

Notre Dame Law has updated the wording of their Different Kind of Lawyer Statement prompt this year—full text below.

New Notre Dame Law Different Kind of Lawyer Statement Prompt: Source: Notre Dame Law Fall 2024 JD Application (LSAC)

The mission of Notre Dame Law School is to educate a "Different Kind of Lawyer" - one who sees the law as more than just a profession, but as a service to others. Students are encouraged to explore not only the moral and ethical dimensions of the law but also their unique roles in furthering the cause of justice.

Following the murder of George Floyd, Dean G. Marcus Cole wrote an open letter to the Notre Dame Law Community in June 2020 in which he stated the following:

One thing that each and every one of us can do is to end the cycle of hate by ending the separation that leads to it.... Each of us needs to get to know people who differ from us. We must all make a conscious decision and effort to expand our circles.

Considering the mission of Notre Dame Law School, Dean Cole's open letter, and his call to action, please provide a response to one or both of the following:

• What experiences, hardships, or adversity have you faced that have shaped your perspective on law and justice?
• How has your own circle, culture, and community inspired you, your morals and ethics?

The "Different Kind of Lawyer" statement must be the applicant's own work in their own words. It should be no more than two double-spaced pages. If an applicant plans on providing this statement, it must be included with their application at the time of submission. The statement's header must include the applicant's name, LSAC account number, and be titled "DKL Statement."

University of Minnesota Law School

Prior to this year, Minnesota Law offered applicants the option to write a one-page Diversity Statement. This year, applicants will have the option to submit a one-page Supplemental Statement answering the below (similar) prompt.

New Minnesota Law Supplemental Statement Prompt: Source: Minnesota Law Fall 2024 JD Application (LSAC)

Applicants may attach additional statements to highlight or discuss any of the following: Unique backgrounds and lived experiences; demonstrated commitment to racial justice/equity; obstacles or adversity overcome; absences or breaks in academic history; or other matters that may be of importance to the Admissions Committee. Each additional statement should be no more that one-page, double spaced.

USC Gould School of Law

USC has updated their Diversity Statement this year to be a "Diversity of Background and/or Experience Statement"—prompt below. They also removed the prompt for a "Why USC" statement that had previously been an optional essay.

New USC Law Diversity of Background and/or Experience Statement Instructions: Source

USC Gould's admissions process is guided by the view that an individual student that reflects the broad and rich diversity of our society provides a superior educational environment for all law students. The primary goal of our admissions process is to enroll students who demonstrate outstanding academic and professional promise and whose background and experience will enrich USC Gould's educational environment or enhance the diversity of our student body or the legal profession.

• Based on the above, we invite you to discuss any ways in which your lived experiences offer a unique ability that you may contribute to the Gould School of Law. Examples include (but are not limited to) students who:
• Have overcome racial discrimination if that is tied to the student's courage and determination.
• Have been motivated by your heritage or culture to assume a leadership role or attain a particular goal.
• Have struggled against prejudice, economic disadvantage, family or personal adversity, or other social hardships (perhaps as a result of disability, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation or religious affiliation)
• Have lived in a foreign country or spoke a language other than English at home
• Have unusual career goals, employment history (perhaps military or law enforcement experience) or educational background (including graduate study)
• Demonstrate unusual extracurricular achievement (including school or community service)

Arizona State University Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law

ASU Law added a new "elevator pitch video" to their application this year.

New ASU Law Elevator Pitch Video Instructions: Source: ASU Law Fall 2024 JD Application (LSAC)

You may submit an optional elevator pitch video as part of your ASU Law application in addition to your written materials. The elevator pitch is a concise and compelling summary of yourself that shows your oral advocacy skills. The video should be no longer than 30 seconds. You may only submit one video.

University of Illinois College of Law

Illinois Law added seven Supplemental Essay prompts to their application this year.

New Illinois Law Supplemental Essay Options: Source: Illinois Law Fall 2024 JD Application (LSAC)

Supplemental essays allow you an opportunity to provide us with relevant information that you were not able to include elsewhere in your application materials or that did not fit thematically with your personal statement.  If you think writing on any of the topics below would help us get a better understanding of what you individually bring to the law school class, we encourage you to consider submitting your responses to one or two (but no more) of the following topics.  Your response to each essay should be less than 500 words. Please use a minimum of 11 point font and double space your responses.  Please be sure to include the number of the prompt you are addressing at the top of your essay.

Essay Prompt #1

Describe a challenge, failure, or setback you have faced and overcome, whether long-term and systemic ( e.g., socioeconomic, health, or complex family circumstances) or short-term and discrete ( e.g., a workplace scenario or a particularly demanding course).  How did you confront it?  What, if anything, might you do differently?

Essay Prompt #2

Describe a quality or skill you have and discuss how you expect it will help you in your legal career.

Essay Prompt #3

Tell us about a time in the recent past when you changed your mind about something significant.

Essay Prompt #4

Our law school culture is one of encouragement, cooperation, and collaboration. We actively seek out students who exhibit those characteristics, even when it is not convenient or easy.  Describe a recent experience when you exhibited any or all of these characteristics.

Essay Prompt #5

One of the goals of our admissions process is to enroll students who will enrich the quality and breadth of the intellectual life of our law school community and the legal profession.  How have your lived experiences and perspectives positively shaped who you are today in a way that contributes to our admissions goals?

Essay Prompt #6

Think of someone who knows you in an academic or professional setting, but doesn't know you well ( i.e., not a family member or a close friend).  How would they describe your work ethic, written or oral communication skills, and/or professionalism?  Would their description be accurate?  Why or why not?

Essay Prompt #7

Provide insight into your potential to contribute to a community of inclusion, belonging, and respect in which scholars with varied perspectives, abilities, and experiences can learn and [sic].

University of North Carolina School of Law

Prior to this cycle, UNC Law required two written statements—one essentially asking "Why law?" and the other "Why UNC?"—and gave applicants the option to submit two additional statements—one on diversity and one functioning as a place for an LSAT/GPA addendum.

This year, the optional diversity-related prompt has been removed, but the required "Why UNC?"-type prompt (Statement Topic 2 in the application) has been updated to include new language asking about how applicants will "contribute to the breadth of perspectives" at the law school. Full prompt below.

New UNC Law Statement Topic 2 Instructions: Source: UNC Law Fall 2024 JD Application (LSAC)

What is your reason for choosing the University of North Carolina School of Law? How does the institution meet your educational and/or your professional goals? Please include how your academic background, personal qualities, and life experiences inform your pursuit of legal education at Carolina Law and how you will contribute to the breadth of perspectives in the law classroom and broader law school community.

Florida State University College of Law

Prior to this year, FSU Law gave applicants the option to submit a Diversity Statement. That statement has been removed this year, and an optional Seminole Statement has been added—prompt below.

New FSU Law Seminole Statement Instructions: Source: FSU Law Fall 2024 JD Application (LSAC)

Located within the heart of Tallahassee, the capital city of Florida, Florida State University College of Law is surrounded by a vibrant legal community.  As Florida has the third largest economy of any state in the United States, there are ample opportunities to practice law in a rich variety of settings – law firms, state government, local and municipal government, courts, associations, non-profit organizations, business settings, and more – which work to serve the legal needs of a diverse clientele made up of a variety of cultures, traditions, histories, languages, and backgrounds.  Florida State University College of Law is a values-based and purpose-driven law school that embraces all perspectives, backgrounds, and students.  FSU College of Law is consistently ranked one of the top schools in terms of student satisfaction – and that is due to the emphasis on creating a culture of belonging, where every person feels valued and has an opportunity to contribute.

In no more than two typed pages (double-spaced, using a 12 point font), please feel free to submit a Seminole Statement to provide the Admissions Committee with insights and examples from your life to share a quality of your character, and/or a unique ability that you possess to describe how you would uniquely contribute to the academic and student communities at the Florida State University College of Law.

Wake Forest University School of Law

This year, Wake Forest Law added a required Imagining Your Future statement and updated the language of their Optional Statement. Both prompts are below.

Source: Wake Forest Law Fall 2024 JD Application (LSAC)

New Wake Forest Law Imagining Your Future Statement Prompt:

Upload a brief descriptive statement of a job, in terms of the job title and responsibilities, you envision holding (or hope to hold), a decade after graduating from law school and being admitted to the bar.

New Wake Forest Law Optional Statement Prompt:

You may upload an optional statement describing any other information about yourself that you wish to share that is not included in your personal statement.

Examples of optional statement topics include, but are not limited to:

• interest or preference in attending Wake Forest Law compared to other law schools;
• describe how the ethos of Wake Forest University’s motto, Pro Humanitate (“for humanity”), applies to your past experiences and your plans for the future as a law student and attorney.

Uploading an optional statement is not required. There is a separate optional upload for an addendum related to test scores and academic performance.

William & Mary Law School

W&M Law has modified their Optional Essay prompt and removed the description "Diversity & Inclusion Statement." The full updated prompt is below.

New W&M Law Optional Essay Instructions: Source: W&M Law Fall 2024 JD Application (LSAC)

You are invited to submit an essay that describes your life experiences with an emphasis on how the perspectives that you have acquired would contribute to the William & Mary Law School’s intellectual community and enhance the diversity of the student body. Examples of topics include (but are not limited to): an experience of prejudice, bias, economic disadvantage, personal adversity, or other social hardship (perhaps stemming from one’s religious affiliation, disability, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity); experience as a first-generation college student; significant employment history (such as in business, military or law enforcement, or public service); experience as an immigrant or refugee; graduate study; or impressive leadership achievement (including college or community service).  Please be as concise as possible.

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29 September 2023

8 minutes read

Crafting Your ASU Personal Statement: A Guide for Graduate School Admission

Are you aspiring to join the ranks of Arizona State University’s (ASU) diverse and accomplished graduate student community? The ASU personal statement is your ticket to this prestigious institution.

Crafting a compelling personal statement is crucial to securing your place in the graduate program of your dreams at ASU. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the entire process, providing insights from ASU students and valuable tips to help you ace your application.

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• Getting Started: Understanding the ASU Personal Statement

What is an ASU Personal Statement?

The ASU personal statement is a written document that provides insight into your background, experiences, and goals. It’s an integral part of your graduate school application, giving you the opportunity to convey your suitability for the program you’re applying to.

Why the ASU Personal Statement Matters

Your ASU personal statement is more than just a document; it’s your opportunity to introduce yourself to the admissions committee. It allows you to showcase your unique qualities, experiences, and aspirations. ASU places great importance on personal statements, using them to assess your potential as a graduate student.

Why It’s Essential for Your Application

ASU values diversity and seeks students who can contribute meaningfully to its academic community. Your personal statement is a platform to demonstrate how your unique experiences and perspectives align with ASU’s values and mission.

The Key Role It Plays in the Admission Process

ASU receives a large number of applications for its graduate programs. The personal statement serves as a distinguishing factor among applicants with similar academic backgrounds and test scores. A well-crafted statement can make your application memorable and set you apart from the competition.

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• Preparing to Write: Research and Reflection

Investigating Program-Specific Requirements

Before you start writing, thoroughly research the graduate program you’re interested in. Each program at ASU may have specific requirements or prompts for the personal statement. Understanding these guidelines is crucial to crafting a tailored statement.

Reflecting on Your Academic and Personal Journey

Your personal statement should reflect your academic journey, personal growth, and the experiences that have led you to pursue graduate education. Take the time to introspect and identify key moments and influences that have shaped your path.

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• Structuring Your ASU Personal Statement

In the journey of crafting your ASU personal statement, the structure plays a pivotal role. It’s not just about the content you include but also about how you present it. In this chapter, we will delve into the essential elements of structuring your ASU personal statement to make it engaging and memorable.

Introduction: Grabbing the Reader’s Attention

Start your ASU personal statement with a compelling hook that captures the reader’s attention. This could be a personal anecdote, a thought-provoking question, or a powerful quote related to your field of study. Remember, the first few lines are your chance to make a lasting impression.

Thesis Statement

Following the hook, introduce your thesis statement. This should be a concise, clear statement of your academic and career goals. It serves as a roadmap for the reader, outlining what to expect in the rest of your personal statement.

Body: Building a Cohesive Narrative

Paragraph structure.

Divide the body of your personal statement into well-structured paragraphs. Each paragraph should have a specific focus and flow smoothly into the next. Here’s a breakdown of what each paragraph can address:

1. Academic Background

Discuss your academic achievements and experiences that have led you to pursue graduate studies at ASU. Highlight relevant coursework, research projects, or academic honors.

2. Research and Field of Interest

Share your passion for your chosen field of study. Describe any research you’ve conducted or specific areas within the field that intrigue you. Explain why you’re enthusiastic about further exploration.

3. Experiences and Contributions

Discuss your extracurricular activities, volunteer work, internships, or relevant work experience. Emphasize how these experiences have shaped your character and prepared you for graduate studies.

Dedicate a section to explaining why you are drawn to ASU specifically. Mention the unique features of ASU, such as faculty expertise, research opportunities, or campus resources, that align with your academic and career goals.

Transition Sentences

Use transition sentences to smoothly guide the reader from one paragraph to the next. These sentences help maintain the flow of your narrative and make your personal statement easy to follow.

Conclusion: Leave a Lasting Impression

Summarize key points.

In your conclusion, summarize the key points of your personal statement. Reiterate your academic and career goals and how ASU is the ideal place to pursue them.

The Final Impression

End your ASU personal statement with a strong closing statement. This could be a reflection on your journey, a call to action, or an expression of your enthusiasm for becoming part of the ASU community.

Length and Tone

ASU often provides guidelines regarding the length of personal statements. Ensure you adhere to these guidelines. Regarding tone, maintain a professional and positive tone throughout your statement. Avoid negativity or overly casual language.

Proofreading and Revisions

Once you’ve structured your personal statement, don’t forget the importance of proofreading and revisions. Carefully review your statement for grammar and spelling errors. Seek feedback from professors, advisors, or peers to ensure clarity and coherence.

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• Showcasing Your Qualifications and Goals

One of the primary purposes of your ASU personal statement is to highlight your qualifications and articulate your goals. This chapter delves into the specifics of how to present your academic background and career aspirations effectively.

• Crafting a Convincing Narrative

In the art of writing a persuasive ASU personal statement, storytelling is a powerful tool. Crafting a convincing narrative that weaves together your academic journey, experiences, and aspirations can make your application stand out.

In this chapter, we’ll explore how to construct a compelling narrative that captivates the admissions committee and leaves a lasting impression.

The Power of Storytelling

Humans are inherently drawn to stories. A well-told narrative engages the reader emotionally and allows them to connect with your experiences on a personal level. When writing your ASU personal statement, consider these storytelling principles:

1. Start with a Hook

Much like the introduction of your personal statement, your narrative should begin with a captivating hook. This could be an anecdote, a moment of realization, or an event that sparked your interest in your chosen field. A strong hook piques the reader’s curiosity and encourages them to continue reading.

2. Show, Don’t Just Tell

Instead of simply stating your accomplishments and qualities, illustrate them through anecdotes and examples. For instance, if you want to convey your problem-solving skills, narrate a specific situation where you successfully addressed a challenge.

3. Character Development

In your narrative, you are the protagonist. Take the time to develop your character by sharing your growth, setbacks, and triumphs. Let the reader see how your experiences have shaped you and led you to pursue graduate studies at ASU.

4. Conflict and Resolution

Every good story has conflict and resolution. Highlight the challenges you’ve faced and how you’ve overcome them. This not only showcases your resilience but also demonstrates your ability to handle adversity.

5. Your ASU Journey

As you craft your narrative, consider how ASU fits into your story. Explain why ASU is the natural next step in your academic journey and how it aligns with your goals.

Avoiding Common Pitfalls

While storytelling can be a powerful tool, there are common pitfalls to be aware of:

1. Overly Personal Details

While personal anecdotes are valuable, avoid sharing overly personal or irrelevant details that may distract from your academic and career goals.

2. Avoiding Clichés

Steer clear of clichés and generic statements. Your narrative should be unique to you and genuinely reflect your experiences and aspirations.

3. Maintaining Focus

Ensure that your narrative remains focused on your academic journey and why ASU is the ideal place for your continued growth. Avoid going off on tangents.

Review and Revise

Crafting a convincing narrative is a process that involves multiple drafts and revisions. After writing your initial narrative, review it critically. Seek feedback from mentors, advisors, or peers to ensure that your story is engaging, clear, and effectively conveys your motivations.

In the next chapter, we’ll explore the valuable insights and tips from current ASU graduate students who have successfully navigated the application process. Their experiences and advice can provide further guidance as you work on your ASU personal statement.

ASU Students’ Tips: Insights from Those Who Made It

The asu advantage: perspectives from current students.

To gain a deeper understanding of what sets ASU apart and why these students chose it for their graduate studies, let’s explore their perspectives:

Diverse Academic Opportunities

ASU is renowned for its diverse range of academic programs and opportunities. Sarah, a current ASU graduate student pursuing a Master’s in Sustainability, emphasizes, “ASU offers a plethora of academic options. It’s not just about what you study but how you can apply it to the real world.”

Engaging Faculty and Research

“The faculty here are not just teachers; they’re mentors,” says John, a Ph.D. student in Biology. “Their commitment to cutting-edge research and their willingness to involve students in meaningful projects is exceptional.”

Supportive Community

ASU prides itself on fostering a supportive and inclusive community. Emily, an MFA student in Creative Writing, notes, “The sense of belonging and support here is incredible. It’s like one big academic family.”

Crafting an Impressive ASU Personal Statement: Insider Tips

Our ASU graduate students understand the importance of a well-crafted personal statement. Here are some of their top tips:

Authenticity Matters

“Be genuine in your personal statement,” advises Mark, a graduate student in Public Policy. “Admissions committees appreciate authenticity. Share your true motivations and aspirations.”

Connect with Faculty

Reaching out to potential faculty mentors can make a difference. Jessica, pursuing a Ph.D. in Psychology, suggests, “Identify faculty members whose research aligns with your interests and mention them in your statement. It shows you’ve done your homework.”

Highlight Unique Experiences

ASU values diversity, so don’t shy away from highlighting unique experiences. Maria, an MBA student, says, “If you have a unique background or perspective, make sure to showcase it. It can set you apart.”

Show Your Commitment

“Admissions committees want to see that you’re committed to your field,” notes Daniel, a graduate student in Engineering. “Share how you’ve already taken steps to pursue your interests, like internships or relevant coursework.”

Revise and Seek Feedback

All our ASU graduate students emphasized the importance of revising your personal statement rigorously. “Don’t rush the writing process,” warns Sarah. “Edit, revise, and seek feedback from mentors and peers.”

The ASU Experience: Fulfilling and Rewarding

To give you a glimpse into what it’s like to be a part of ASU’s academic community, let’s explore some of the experiences and achievements of these current students:

Research Opportunities

Many ASU students actively engage in research. John, the Biology Ph.D. student, is currently conducting research on environmental conservation. “ASU provides fantastic opportunities to work on projects that have a real impact,” he shares.

Community Involvement

ASU encourages community involvement. Emily, an MFA student in Creative Writing, is involved in a local literacy program. “ASU’s commitment to community engagement aligns with my values,” she says.

Career Advancement

For Maria, the MBA program has already opened doors. “I’ve had internship offers from top companies, thanks to the connections I’ve made at ASU.”

Global Perspectives

ASU’s commitment to global engagement is reflected in Daniel’s experience. “I had the chance to collaborate with students from all over the world. It broadened my perspective and enhanced my education.”

Parting Words of Wisdom

Before concluding this chapter, let’s leave you with some parting words of wisdom from our ASU graduate students:

“Believe in yourself and your abilities. ASU is a place where you can thrive academically and personally.” – Jessica

“Stay true to your passions and aspirations. ASU is a place where your dreams can become a reality.” – Daniel

What is an ASU personal statement, and why is it important?

An ASU personal statement is a crucial part of your graduate school application to Arizona State University. It allows you to showcase your qualifications, goals, and why you’re a great fit for your chosen program.

How do I start writing my ASU personal statement?

Begin by researching the specific program requirements and guidelines. Reflect on your academic and personal experiences that make you a strong candidate.

What should I include in my ASU personal statement?

Address your academic background, relevant experiences, career goals, and why you want to pursue a graduate degree at ASU. Be concise and clear in your writing.

Are there any specific tips for writing an effective ASU personal statement?

Yes, consider the tips provided by ASU students in our guide. These insights can help you structure your statement and make it stand out.

Is there a word or page limit for the ASU personal statement?

ASU may have specific guidelines regarding length. Check the program’s requirements for word count or page limit information.

Do I need to mention my GPA or test scores in the personal statement?

You can mention your GPA or test scores briefly if they are particularly strong and relevant to your application, but focus on showcasing your experiences and motivations.

Can I get feedback on my ASU personal statement before submitting it?

Yes, it’s a great idea to seek feedback from professors, advisors, or peers. They can provide valuable insights and help you improve your statement.

What should I do if English is not my native language?

ASU may require proof of English proficiency. Address this in your personal statement and consider taking an English proficiency test if necessary.

How can I make my ASU personal statement unique and compelling?

Highlight your unique experiences, skills, and contributions. Showcase your passion for your field of study and your commitment to success.

When is the deadline for submitting the ASU personal statement?

Deadlines can vary by program and admission cycle. Check ASU’s official website for specific application deadlines.

• ASU Students' Tips: Insights from Those Who Made It

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Table of Contents

• • Getting Started: Understanding the ASU Personal Statement
• • Preparing to Write: Research and Reflection
• • Structuring Your ASU Personal Statement
• • Showcasing Your Qualifications and Goals
• • Crafting a Convincing Narrative
• • ASU Students' Tips: Insights from Those Who Made It

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