How do I write a personal statement for law school?

How do I write a personal statement for law school?

• What should I include in it? How Long Should it be? What do they look for? Somewhere out there, there has to be someone that works in admissions at a university that can help me on this! If you can, thank you SO MUCH!

• Answer:

  I had a professor in law school that repeatedly told the students that it shouldn't be called law school, it should be called "Fact School." While he was joking, he was trying to stress the importance of the 'facts' in a story or case. The personal statement, of course is about the school learning something about the applicant. However it also can be used to detrmine how well the applicant can organize thoughts and string them together to form a cohesive story.... much like you will have to do when you brief cases and later in practicing law. Usually the request for a personal statement allows a lot of flexibility and creative license in the topic. It's common to describe story from your life that highlights one of your passions or thriving in a difficult station. Whatever you choose, just make sure you tell the "facts" of the story well. Have an opening introduction telling the 'theme' or preview of the story. Have a middle that develops the and tells that story in a logical sense. Finally wrap it up with closure, noting why it was of importance and briefly recapping what it was. As for the length, usually there is not one standard. However think of the volume of applications the school is going through. You want it to be long enough to display the skills of what I mentioned above, yet not too long that the review can not complete reviewing because he or she needs go get through the stack of others. My best guess would be about 2 to 4 double spaced pages, but this will vary according to the story you want to tell and also any indication from the school. Best of luck to you and I hope that helps... Finally... Just make sure you really want to go... I'm glad that I did, but know two many lawyers a few years out of school that wish they had not gone.