sample law school personal statement

Like other higher learning institutions, law schools also place prime importance on grades as a measure of student performance. Because grades serve as the main tool by which academic performance is evaluated, students continually strive and aim for high marks. So much so that there has been a constant increase in the number of students who get high GPAs. This phenomenon, called grade inflation, has led many colleges and universities to raise their grade percentiles. By doing so, they’re able to place limits on the number of students who make it to the top ranks. And because top law firms look at applicants’ grades and rankings, one glaring implication of raising grade percentiles is that the number of students who get into prestigious law firms are also limited.

Grade-based law schools

Grade-based law schools face much criticism from certain academic groups because the grading system fosters tough, and often unhealthy, competition. Students who attend grade-based law schools deal with stress on a regular basis because the harsh grading system allows only a specific percentage of students to reach the top ranks in the class. While the fierce competition serves as a motivating factor for students to excel, it can also work to the detriment of some who simply cannot keep up with the stress of competing for high grades.

The downside to grade-based law schools is that not all the excellent students who rightly deserve to be on top are granted the high-ranking prestige. This is because of the specific limits placed on the number of students who will be considered as belonging to the top percentile ranks. The emphasis on getting high grades can also be unhealthy in that students may not necessarily be gaining knowledge, but merely devising ways by which they can get the highest grades.

Non-grade based law schools

Instead of the traditional percentage-based grading system, non-grade based law schools such as the Boalt Hall of Berkeley Law grade and group students into ranking categories such as High Honors, Honors, Pass, Substandard Pass, and No Credit. Non-grade based law schools also usually rank their students based not just on academics, but also on other aspects of student performance. Non-grade based law schools place flexible limits on who, and how many, gets High Honors and Honors rankings. Because of this, more excellent students are given the chance to belong to the top ranks — something which they truly deserve.

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Contrary to what some people think, litigation is not the be-all and end-all of legal practice. Sure, bulk of the bar-passers go into litigation and client representation as a career. But there are also tons of other options for the practice of law. So if you’re not up for the courtroom drama, below are some alternative career options you can consider:

Politics and public service

Lawyers who wish to hold public office and venture into politics can kick off their political careers by getting elected as a district attorney. From there, lawyers can aim for the position of state attorney general, and move further up the political ladder by getting elected or appointed. Lawyers also have the option of joining the US Department of Justice, or get appointed by the US President to hold a position in the US Attorney’s Offices. Know though that pursuing a political career often requires a certain level of popularity not just in the community of legal practitioners, but also in the academe and law organizations.

Policy-making and legislation

Lawyers can also secure employment in legislative sectors by serving as consultants to senators and members of the Congress. See not all politicians have extensive knowledge on the history of laws and legal procedures, and this is where lawyers can help. Working in the field of legislature entails helping politician conceptualize and draft bills and policies.

Private legal consultancy

Every company and corporation needs someone with significant legal background and knowledge to take care of the legal aspects involved in their industry. Labor and industrial laws should be taken into consideration in the operation of companies and corporations. Lawyers can work as corporate consultants and become the point persons for drafting contracts and legal agreements, as well as ensuring that the company’s nature of work is in compliance with labor and industrial laws.

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The legal industry is a field that makes little or no room for poetry. Presentation of facts should always be concise and direct to the point. One document where concise writing should be practiced is the legal brief. Legal briefs are the documents that showcase the legal arguments presented in court, as well as case summaries. The ability to write concise legal briefs, without emitting pertinent information, is important in the realm of law. So much so that most law schools even require their students to take legal writing courses in their first year in law school.

Legal briefs are important documents because these show the progress and developments made in the legal processing of cases. Below are a few tips which can also serve as a guide for legal practitioners, law students, and paralegals in crafting clear and concise legal briefs.

Always maintain brevity and conciseness

If you’re tasked to write a legal brief and it’s your first time to do so, don’t fret. Most courts follow a template that dictates how legal briefs are formatted and structured. The US Supreme Court, for one, enacted a set of brief-writing rules in January 1990, which is being followed to this date. For federal appeal cases, however, a different format is followed in writing legal briefs. The FRAP, or Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure, is a handbook that details how legal briefs on federal appeal cases should be written. From page margins to document length, the FRAP outlines the rules that should be followed when writing briefs.

Presentation of Questions

The key to succeeding in this part of the legal brief is to avoid writing loaded or leading questions. Learn to practice neutrality in presenting facts, while still writing your questions in a way that reflects the side you are arguing for.

Drop the pretty words

As mentioned, there’s no room for poetry in law. Drop the “fluffy” words and present cold, hard facts in a clear manner.

Accuracy in stating facts

Brief writers should be careful about presenting “facts.” If the information is contained in the case records, you can rest assured that is considered factual. But if you’re merely stating claims and declare them as factual information, you’ll affect the consistency and credibility of the legal brief.

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Though you’ll learn significant amount of law jargon throughout your stay in law school, there are some terms associated with law firms that could still sound foreign to you. To avoid giving off the impression that you’re an “outsider” to the realm of law, here are a few terms used in law firms along with their definitions:

Pro Bono

This term literally translates to “for the good of the public,” but is used in law firms and offices to refer to the provision of free legal service to clients. To do something pro bono means to do it for free. Contrary to what many people think, pro bono service and hours do not just come from the goodness of lawyers. The American Bar Association actually requires all lawyers to render 50 pro bono hours each. Although the ABA has a set requirement for ABA hours, the state bars have the authority of lowering this number according to their discretion.

Summer Associate

Summer associates are law students employed by law firms as interns. The duration of service for summer associates is three months. If they perform well as interns, the firm may invite these students to stay as associates or guarantee their employment with the firm after they graduate.

Partner

Law firms are rarely owned by just one individual. Ownership is usually shared with one or two other persons called partner or partners. Equity partners own part of the law firm and is entitled to a cut from the total profits raked in.

Associate

This is the title lawyers get once they’re hired by a law firm. Entry-level positions for lawyers come with the title as associate, and can be further categorized into junior associate and senior associate.

Billable hours

Billable hours are what sustains lawyers’ subsistence. Because lawyers get paid by the hour, the more hours of service rendered means more income for the lawyer. Billable hours refer to the time periods wherein legal service is rendered to the client in exchange for a certain fee. Associates are sometimes ranked, albeit informally, according to their billable hours.

Paralegal

Paralegals are those equipped with the knowledge and expertise to work in the law industry even though they don’t have law degrees. Paralegals are usually hired to help lawyers conduct research, prepare documents, and provide legal advice to clients under the supervision of a licensed attorney. In the US, the National Association of Legal Assistants and the National Federation of Paralegal Associations can certify and register paralegals to increase their chances for employment.

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While transcripts, grades, and recommendation letters are given significant weight and importance by admissions committees and law schools, your personal statement essay can help increase your chances of getting admitted. The importance of that single document can be seen in the number of sample law school personal statement essays you can find on the Internet, as tons of student look for guidance to come up with a well-crafted essay.

While the grades will show your academic skills and intellectual prowess, some admissions committees of law schools look for applicants’ ability to relate with, and contribute to, the academic community they belong to. The extracurricular activities you engaged in during college shows the areas or fields you’re interested in, thus giving the committee a glimpse of who and how you are as a student and as a member of the academic community.

School publication

Excellent communication skills is required AND valued in law school. This is why having held a position in your school’s publication can give you an edge over the other students applying for law school. Membership in your college or university’s publication also shows that you’re interested in discussing the views and opinions of other people, as well as interest in the pressing issues that your academic community faces.

Joining the staff of your school publication, or having your articles published therein, also shows that you can eloquently express your thoughts and principles in writing — an ability that will prove to be useful in law school and in your post-graduate legal career as well. You can check sample law school personal statement essays to see how contributing to your school’s publication can increase your chances of getting admitted into law school.

Non-profit and community organizations

Membership and participation in non-profit and community organizations dedicated to specific causes can also help increase your chances of getting into law school. Especially for those planning to specialize in environmental law, gender equality, human rights, and the like, your involvement in related organizations speak of commitment and passion. If you read through sample law school personal statement essays, you’ll also see how applicants dedicate a part of their essay to discussing their extracurricular activities and involvements.

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Law reviews are journals or papers edited and distributed by the students of a specific law school. Although mainly staffed by law school students, law reviews usually consist of articles and features authored by students, judges, law professors, and legal practitioners. As you will  Students, however, are also free to publish their own articles in the form of notes or comments. Law reviews are an effective venue for students and those in the legal community to discuss issues related to law and the judiciary system.

What are the different types of law reviews?

Law reviews are differentiated by the content they include. As mentioned, most law reviews tackle topics related to policies, politics, and the judiciary system, but there are also law reviews that only tackle specific topics and issues as decided by the specific law school they belong to. Considered as specialty law journals, these specialized publications are popular because they provide more focus on issues and topics pertaining to specific branches of law.

Who can hold a position in law reviews and journals?

Holding membership to a law school publication such as reviews and journals scores major points when included in law graduates’ resumes. Many law firms prefer their employees and lawyers to have experience working in or writing for their specific law schools’ publications. This is why many students sign up for membership in law school publications, and aim to have their articles published therein. To screen applicants, most law reviews conduct writing competitions. And as with most organizations, the upper classmen students are the ones who usually hold the editorial positions, while the younger ones are usually given staff positions.

What is the importance of joining a law review?

Law journals and reviews are effective platforms for legal discourse in the academe. These are venues where information and opinions can be shared among students, legal practiitioners, and members of the academe. And the fact that students are given the chance to publish their own articles also means that law reviews can also serve as a venue for students’ opinions to be expressed.

Holding a position in your law school’s journal or review lends you an edge over other law graduates — something that you will greatly benefit from once you’re in the rat race to secure employment and pursue a professional career in law.

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Most law students go into law school with the aim of going into legal practice and pursuing a career in the judiciary. For most students, the acme of a legal career is securing the position of Supreme Court justice. This is why US Supreme Court justices are a source of inspiration and motivation for many law students. Below we discuss three famous US Supreme Court justices who have made an impact on the country’s judicial system and process:

Antonin Gregory Scalia

Antonin Gregory Scalia is known for his vigorous support for textualism in statutory interpretation. Scalia is considered as a core member of the Supreme Court’s conservative wing, and he is opposed to the idea of a living constitution. Furthermore, he believes that the Constitution should be regarded as a legal document that prescribes how court rulings should be made. His formalist approach is against the idea of viewing the Constitution as a living organism that should be interpreted in accordance to the changing times.

Scalia is a product of Harvard Law, and even held the position of Notes Editor of the Harvard Law Review. While pursuing a political career as a public servant, he also taught at Georgetown, Stanford, and the University of Chicago. He is the US Supreme Court’s second most senior Associate Justice, and has written a book called Making Your Case: The Art of Persuading Judges, which is  endorsed by The Federalist Society.

Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.

Chief Justice Holmes is known for having authored The Common Law, and for clearly setting the scope and limitations of the freedom of speech. Holmes got an undergraduate degree from Harvard before participating in the American Civil War. Holmes then returned to Harvard to study law after being wounded in battle.

President Roosevelt nominated Holmes for position of US Supreme Court Justice, which he assumed on December 8, 1902. Holmes also spent a year teaching at Harvard Law, before he became the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Massachusetts. Holmes served as Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court from December 8, 1902 up to January 12, 1932.

Benjamin Cardozo

Chief Justice Benjamin Cardozo was nominated by President Hoover in 1932 after the death of Chief Justice Holmes. Cardozo got his law degree from Columbia School, after which he practiced law and eventually snagged one of the seats in the Supreme Court of New York in 1914. Cardozo has written valuable texts used in the study of law, including The Nature of the Judicial Process, The Paradoxes of Legal Science, and The Growth of the Law.

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If you read through sample law school personal statement essays, you’ll see that passion for a certain field or profession is among the top reasons why people go to graduate school. Just by reading sample law school personal statement essays, you’ll also see that many people also go to graduate school because of the promise of higher income once they have that MBA degree slapped onto their CVs and resumes. But what if you’re passionate about law and business administration and equally want to pursue them both? The solution is to pursue a joint degree, which in this case is caled JD-MBA degree.

What are JD-MBA programs and how does one apply?

As mentioned, JD-MBA is a joint degree in the fields of law and business.  Those who successfully complete the program’s requirements and graduate are awarded with a Juris Doctor degree in law and a Master’s degree in Business Administration. The pursuit of a JD-MBA degree is ideal for those who are interested in practicing law within the context of business and the corporate world.

Graduate schools started offering JD-MBA programs because of the growing number of people who wish to pursue both fields after undergraduate school. Considered by many as two of the most lucrative fields and industries, the existence of a graduate program that combines law and business administration is advantageous not only to business and law schools, but also to students. Harvard, Stanford, and University of Memphis are just three of the schools that currently offer JD-MBA programs to their students.

Common requirements in applying for JD-MBA programs include scores to applicable tests, college transcript, recommendation letters, and a personal statement essay. For the latter requirement, you may have to structure it differently because you’re pursuing a joint degree and not just any Master’s degree. It’s advisable you browse through sample law school personal statement essays and look for those tailored towards joint degrees.

What are the benefits of studying law and business at the same time?

One obvious benefit of pursuing a JD-MBA degree is the time and money you’ll save. By enrolling under a JD-MBA program, you basically halve the time you’ll spend in graduate school if you pursue both fields separately. A JD-MBA degree is also beneficial in that it provides a kind of safety net for individuals should they fail to succeed in any one of the fields. If you feel that practicing law isn’t your forte, you can pursue a career in business and finance because of your MBA.

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The career and placement departments in many law schools have linkages and connections with various law firms to help their students find careers when they graduate. Especially for top law firms, the competition for internship and employment can get quite fierce. And though these law firms are the ones doing the chasing to get knowledgeable lawyers, they too are well aware that many are clamoring to secure employment with them. This is why many law firms stand firm in their standards and requirements for hiring lawyers.

Notable academic performance

Grades and academic achievements are among the prime criteria that law firms have for selecting and hiring applicants. Because grades deal with figures and numbers, these are the easiest ways to gauge an applicant’s abilities and intellectual prowess. Some law firms explicitly state that they will only entertain applicants who are in the top percentile of their class, while some state minimum required GPA figures that applicants must meet.

If you don’t belong to the top percentile of your class and your grades aren’t that impressive, don’t worry. The selection process of most law firms look beyond grades and figures and into the skills necessary for lawyers to succeed.

Communication and negotiation skills

Lawyers are notorious for their impeccable elocution and persuasive arguments. Needless to say, lawyers are expected to have excellent communication and negotiation skills because bulk of their work often revolve around litigation and negotiation. Written communication skills are also essential because lawyers are also often tasked with preparing memos, briefs, contracts, and other legal documents.

Strength of character and staying power

The dog-eat-dog world of law and legal procedures require someone who has strength of character to stay in the firm. While a sense of humanity and client sensitivity are admirable traits, lawyers have to constantly keep their personal emotions at bay to be able to deal with cases objectively and logically.

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Passing the bar exam is a requirement for all law students to be given a license for legal practice in an given state or jurisdiction. The bar exam consists of a series of multiple-choice tests and essay questions that test the student’s knowledge on statutes and laws. The bar exam follows no template, it differs depending on the specific state’s regulatory board. If you’re planning on practicing law in a specific state, that’s also where you should take the bar exam.

To help you get an idea of how state bar exams are formulated and structured, you can check out the websites of your desired state’s bar association. Another option would be to consult your law school’s career and placement office. That said, here are more tips to help you prepare for the bar exam.

Check if you need to take other qualifying exams

The MPRE or Multi-state Professional Responsibility Examination is a set of standardized tests that should be taken by law students in all US states and is recognized as a qualifying exam except in Wisconsin, Washington, Maryland, and Puerto Rico. You should also check if your state requires law degree-holders to undergo character evaluation to become licensed attorneys.

Sign up for bar exam review schools if you need to

While some students are confident that self-studying is enough to help them pass the bar exam, some attend bar exam review schools to help them prepare. It’s recommended that law students enlist the help of review schools to provide them with a guided study on the various subjects covered and discussed throughout your whole law school education. Some people even say that preparing for the law exam can be likened to having a full-time job, because it requires intensive review and studying. Another benefit of going to a review school is that it can provide you with sample questions that appeared on the previous years’ bar exams.

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