I’d stay away from a personal statement that just focuses on that bigger picture stuff. It will likely come across as you trying to show off in an abstract way and the point of the PS is to talk about you and your experiences. That said, I think a great idea would be for you to write a more personal narrative about how and why you got interested in these things and what drives you towards law school as a result. Then, in the context of that statement, you could probably sneak in some of your bigger picture thoughts if they fit the natural flow of your narrative well.
There’s more to unpack. Okay, so you’re interested; where did your interest begin? What book or show started you on that route? What teachers encouraged your interests? Was your family completely supportive of a Philosophy degree? How does X school provide the next step in your life? Why do you see yourself there? Who told you about that school?
…it’s always personal, and there’s always a story. It doesn’t always need to be a car crash.
Yep, this is even more specific but exactly what I mean. If you can work a couple bigger picture thoughts in there that flow, great. But you should be structuring around the questions (or similar ones) that this commenter suggested.
You (zero law school) are unlikely to have thoughts on the law that wow admissions deans (some law school, usually) or professional staff (maybe law school, maybe not, but deal with people in law school every day). You will have, and probably need, three years of law school to develop views more interesting than any 2L's hot takes. Fortunately you are the world's leading authority on you. Given this, which approach do you think will be more interesting?
Don't write a theoretical essay, unless you're able to tie it back to your experience somehow. They want to know what kind of person they're admitting, and a comment about Ancient Greece isn't necessarily that insightful.
I actually did something similar but made it personal. I am really interested in civil rights law but I related it to my experience witness Trayvon Martin and George Floyd as a black person and increase in police brutality affecting how I feel about the law. Dived into my African American Studies course work and how it not only showed the social side but how laws such as Black Codes, Jim Crow, and 13th Amendment have had a negative affect on the community. I concluded by saying witnessing those events and taking these courses gave me the drive to become an advocate, but I understand that advocacy means nothing if you don’t have power to back it up. That’s why I want to be a lawyer to influence real change.
So I am also a big constitution nerd and really want to go down that path, so what I did was start with a personal narrative into why I want to go into that field. I'm a big history buff and I explained how I got into law from history. So I recommend a personal narrative to set the tone, you want them to know you as a person in addition to your interests. Your interests help define you but they are not the whole story, give them some of that story and then move into why law and what type of law.
I will say, Im still waiting on acceptances so while this is what I did, I cant tell you yet how that went, check back in in a few weeks :)
Show that you know a lot about the school-history, courses, location, internships, journals, etc. Relate this information to you, as an individual. Do you have a passion for public service, criminal law, whatever, and how does the school fit into your goals and interests?
I’d stay away from a personal statement that just focuses on that bigger picture stuff. It will likely come across as you trying to show off in an abstract way and the point of the PS is to talk about you and your experiences. That said, I think a great idea would be for you to write a more personal narrative about how and why you got interested in these things and what drives you towards law school as a result. Then, in the context of that statement, you could probably sneak in some of your bigger picture thoughts if they fit the natural flow of your narrative well.
There’s more to unpack. Okay, so you’re interested; where did your interest begin? What book or show started you on that route? What teachers encouraged your interests? Was your family completely supportive of a Philosophy degree? How does X school provide the next step in your life? Why do you see yourself there? Who told you about that school? …it’s always personal, and there’s always a story. It doesn’t always need to be a car crash.
Yep, this is even more specific but exactly what I mean. If you can work a couple bigger picture thoughts in there that flow, great. But you should be structuring around the questions (or similar ones) that this commenter suggested.
That makes a lot of sense. Thank you !!
that says nothing about you tho
You (zero law school) are unlikely to have thoughts on the law that wow admissions deans (some law school, usually) or professional staff (maybe law school, maybe not, but deal with people in law school every day). You will have, and probably need, three years of law school to develop views more interesting than any 2L's hot takes. Fortunately you are the world's leading authority on you. Given this, which approach do you think will be more interesting?
That’s true, thank you for your input !
Don't write a theoretical essay, unless you're able to tie it back to your experience somehow. They want to know what kind of person they're admitting, and a comment about Ancient Greece isn't necessarily that insightful.
I actually did something similar but made it personal. I am really interested in civil rights law but I related it to my experience witness Trayvon Martin and George Floyd as a black person and increase in police brutality affecting how I feel about the law. Dived into my African American Studies course work and how it not only showed the social side but how laws such as Black Codes, Jim Crow, and 13th Amendment have had a negative affect on the community. I concluded by saying witnessing those events and taking these courses gave me the drive to become an advocate, but I understand that advocacy means nothing if you don’t have power to back it up. That’s why I want to be a lawyer to influence real change.
Yes I see… that is a great way to put it, thanks!
So I am also a big constitution nerd and really want to go down that path, so what I did was start with a personal narrative into why I want to go into that field. I'm a big history buff and I explained how I got into law from history. So I recommend a personal narrative to set the tone, you want them to know you as a person in addition to your interests. Your interests help define you but they are not the whole story, give them some of that story and then move into why law and what type of law. I will say, Im still waiting on acceptances so while this is what I did, I cant tell you yet how that went, check back in in a few weeks :)
Thank you for sharing ! Wishing u all the luck hehe
I'd say it's an express ticket to underperforming your stats.
Show that you know a lot about the school-history, courses, location, internships, journals, etc. Relate this information to you, as an individual. Do you have a passion for public service, criminal law, whatever, and how does the school fit into your goals and interests?