sample law school personal statement

Using a Sample Law School Personal Statement as a Guide for Your Scholarship Essay

When applying for scholarships, you will most likely be required to submit a scholarship essay.  These essays are a standard requirement of every graduate school or any fellowship that gives out scholarships to qualified students.  Scholarship essays are basically personal statements that serve to demonstrate your qualifications, past experiences, interests, and your motivations in applying for the said scholarship.  One of the best guides in writing an effective essay for your scholarship is a sample law school personal statement.

The scholarship essay and the law school personal statement

A sample personal statement for law school basically covers your reasons for attending the said law school, your qualifications in pursuing law studies, and the relevant experiences you have had which makes you a more qualified candidate.  In other words, a law school personal essay should be a reflection of your qualities and qualifications.  Writing an essay for your scholarship application is no different.  This essay should serve as your introduction to the selection board.  While an excellent personal statement will not automatically win you a scholarship, submitting a poorly written one can deter your chances of being shortlisted.

What you should include in your personal scholarship essay

Your chances in getting a scholarship are dependent on a number of factors.  The selection committee will have to evaluate your transcripts, recommendations, annual family income, and, of course, your personal essay.

More than a simple recount of your qualifications and achievements, your scholarship essay should have a theme and a voice.  To make it unique from the rest, your essay must also contain stories and examples.  Different scholarship organizations provide different instructions, so make sure you follow the instructions clearly.  Proofreading your essay will also help you achieve a well-written and error-free piece.

Since these essays are basically personal, there is no specific format which you can follow. However, you can use sample personal statements as guides when writing your scholarship essay.

Finding helpful sample personal statements

A sample personal statement for law school can be found on the web.  Many colleges and educational institutions online provide sample personal essays for those who in search of valuable guides.  Nonetheless, a critical examination of these personal statements is very important.  You need to make sure that you are following an infallible guide, and not one that has loopholes in content or grammar.

Personal statements can be written using two approaches.  You may use the more conventional or mechanical approach, wherein you will focus on your motivations, qualifications, relevant experiences, and your reasons in applying at the school.  The second approach is being referred to as more anecdotal in style.  Here you will use a more creative way in highlighting your strengths, through the use of stories, examples, and anecdotes.

Writing your scholarship essay can be considered as one of the more difficult, but nevertheless highly important, aspects in your application.  With the help of a sample law school personal statement, however, you can pick up certain pointers in making your scholarship essay stand out from the rest.

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Skimming, Reading Critically, and Scanning a Sample Law School Personal Statement

One of the best things that you could do before you write your personal statement for law school is to read admissions essay samples.  Read on and find out why you should do it and how to do it right.

Why read a sample law school personal statement

Admissions officers, experts, and professors recommend that you read several samples of law school personal statement.  Doing this would give you idea on how to structure your own essay.  You can actually use these sample essays as models when you write your own.  But make sure that you only use excellent sample admissions essays as models.  Below are the ways on how you should read a sample law school personal statement so you can get ideas from it.

How to read critically, skim and scan the sample admissions essay

There are various strategies for reading.  One of them is skimming.  When you skim, you go through the whole pages, trying to get the essentials in the materials.  Another way is scanning.  Scanning is going quickly through the materials, but this time, you look for something specific.  Critical reading, on the other hand, requires time because it involves thorough reading and careful analysis of the materials.  When reading, you have to pay attention to the structure and style of the writer in order to get ideas on how you should write your own essay.

How to start your essay

Before you brainstorm for the topic or theme of your admissions essay, you should look for many excellent samples of admissions essays online.  You can also approach your friends or professors who have been into law school.  Ask them if they could let you read their personal statement samples.  First you should skim the essays to know what the topics of thesis statements of the essays are, then you should scan the sample essaye for specific information, and then you have to read them carefully and thoroughly.  When reading the sample personal statement, take note of the its structure.  Ask yourself what makes this specific essay attention grabbing.  You also have to study how the theme was used effectively and how the topic was developed.  Take note of how the writer used the connectives effectively to maintain the smooth flow of the sentences.

What to remember when using a sample personal statement

When you use a sample personal statement as model, you have to avoid plagiarizing the work of the writer.  You should keep in mind that you are only using the sample personal statements as models.  You only have to get ideas regarding the structure and style of the essay.  In the end, your personal statement is still about you.  This is why you have to write as uniquely as possible.

After you have made sure that the content of your essay is attention grabbing, you then have to ensure that the grammar and other technical aspects of your personal statement are impeccable.  It is also advisable that you let a law professor read your essay because, more than anyone else, a law professor can give you helpful suggestions and tips if your essay needs revision.

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Effectively Discussing Your Motivations in Your Essay with the Help of a Sample Law School Personal Statement

The members of admissions committees look for a certain factor that could make them decide if you make or break your chances of getting into law school.  You don’t have to write about a near-death experience or a tragic incident in your life in order to grab the attention of the admissions officers.  Showing your passion and motivations for the field that you are applying to, if done effectively, will make them notice your admissions essay.  According to some experts, among the most compelling essays are the ones that discuss about the applicants’ motivations.

Why talk about your motivations

One of the secrets of a successful person is a good dose of motivation.  Motivation is actually the driving force that can help one go on even when adversity arises.  If you are motivated, chances are, you won’t easily give up when obstacles come your way.  This is why, for some admissions officers, a person’s motivations are a plus.  So if you are a motivated person, use this virtue to get better chances of obtaining admissions into the law school that you dreamed of.  Below are some tips that you should keep in mind when writing about your motivations in your personal statement for law school.

Tip #1:  Be honest in writing your essay

There are applicants who think that in order to get their essays noticed, they have to make it grandiose to the point that they manufacture information about themselves and their experiences.  Always remember that the people in charged of reading your essay are experts in the field.  So for sure, they can see through your lies.  It is important, therefore, that you do not sacrifice sincerity for a melodramatic essay.  Even if the events or the instances in your life that motivate you to pursue a study law is not grandiose, moving, and life-changing, you can still use it to get better chances of getting admissions.  Just focus on how this little spark of motivation can eventually grow into a flame.  What is important is you don’t manufacture passion, desire, and motivation. Just write in your own voice and be very natural with it.

Tip #2:  Strive for uniqueness

Uniqueness should be one of your goals in writing a personal statement.  Many applicants would also talk about their motivations in entering law school.  But you can still have an edge over these applicants if you just make an effort to make your admissions essay unique.  One of the ways to do this is by presenting a four-dimensional picture of yourself.  This means you have to include not just your strengths but also your weaknesses.  Uniqueness can also be achieved if you take a risk sometimes.  This means that you could try something new and creative when writing your essay.

Tip #3:  Be clear and concise

Clarity is also very important.  Your personal statement is your chance to tell the committee about the things that you won’t be able to show on your resume and test scores.  So make sure that you state everything clearly.

You can read a good sample law school personal statement in order to give you an idea on how to write your own.  There are available essay samples online.

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Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law

If you’re planning to pursue a JD degree, the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law is a good choice. The college opened its doors to aspiring lawyers and legal educators in 1964 and received its current name on 2006 in recognition of US Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. As a major department of the Arizona State University, the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law offers not just JD degrees but also hybrids like JD-MD, JD-PhD in Law and Psychology, JD-PhD in Justice Studies, JD-MBA, and a two-year MLS (Masters of Legal Studies). To learn more about the legal educational institution, visit its official website.

Baylor Law School

The Baylor Law School is the oldest law school existing in the state of Texas. The school was founded in 1857 and has since been a provider of top-notch legal education with a strong underlying Christian commitment. The graduates of Baylor Law School are remarkable and well-known for their excellent services as part of the federal and local government. Many of the alumni of Baylor Law School, with their education and training, pursued careers in public service and became senators, congressmen, judges, justices, and ambassadors. For more information on Baylor Law School, just visit its official site.

Ave Maria School of Law

Just like Baylor Law School, the Ave Maria School of Law integrates a Roman Catholic perspective with legal instruction. Located in Ann Arbor and established in 1999, the Ave Maria School of Law was granted full accreditation by the American Bar Association in 2005. The school offers degrees with specialization in philosophy and ethics as well as courses on Dignity in the Workplace, Papal Teaching and the Law, and Alternative Dispute Resolution. To learn more about the Ave Maria School of Law and its admission process, visit the official website.

Albany Law School

The Albany Law School is one of the most prestigious legal educational institutions in the United States. Founded in 1851 and located at the Capital Region of New York, the Albany Law School is considered as one of the oldest independent institutions. It prides of having not just the first student-edited law review, the Albany Law School Journal, but also distinguished and well-known alumni. Among them are former President William McKinley and US Supreme Court Justices Robert H. Jackson and David Brewer. To know more about course offerings and the admission process in Albany Law School, visit its official website.

Appalachian School of Law (ASL)

Established in 1994 in Virginia, the Appalachian School of Law was built as a tool to improve the region’s economic development. Among the factors that make the ASL one of the top-ranking law schools in the United States are its three-year Juris Doctor degree program as well as the school’s emphasis on alternative dispute resolution and professional responsibility. In addition, because the curriculum of ASL focuses on leadership and community service, students are required to complete 25 hours of community service every semester before graduation. Learn more about ASL, its degree offerings, and admission procedure through the school’s official site.

The American University Washington College of Law (WCL)

The American University Washington College of Law is located at Washington D.C. and was established in 1896. For decades, WCL has developed efficient, brilliant, and respectable graduates who are able to make remarkable contributions in the legal industry. What distinguish WCL from other law schools are its human rights law programs and public interest work programs. WCL is also recognized for its two student publications, The American Jurist and The Business Law Brief, as well as for providing grants through the Equal Justice Foundation to students involved in the public sector. To know more about WCL, visit its official website.

Boston College Law School (BC Law)

The Boston College Law School, one of the graduate schools of Boston College in Newton, Massachusetts, was founded in 1929. What makes BC Law one of the most prestigious schools in the United States are its programs in public interest law, human rights, and social justice. The college also has very high standards in selecting students, assuring that only the most talented will receive quality legal education in BC Law. Among the notable alumni of BC Law are former American Bar Association President Michael S. Greco, US senator John Kerry, and others who became senators, judges, justices, congressmen, and ambassadors.

Brooklyn Law School (BLS)

Norman P. Heffley and William Payson Richardson established Brooklyn Law School in 1901 with a goal of enabling women, immigrants, and less privileged members of society receive legal education. BLS today has a diverse student body, as well as a multi-faceted academic community. In addition, the school offers joint degrees in partnership with other academic institutions. Examples of joint degrees are the JD-MBA with Baruch College, JD-Masters in Urban Planning with Hunter College, and JD-MA in Political Science with Brooklyn College. Learn more about BLS and its course offerings through its official website.

Boston University Law School (BU Law)

As a branch of Boston University, the Boston University Law School was founded by a group of law teachers, jurists, and lawyers in 1872 with the aim of enabling anyone with merit to access quality legal education. What distinguishes BU Law from other law universities is the fact that it uses the Socratic method of teaching. Through this method, students are encouraged and are able to engage in interactive and intellectual discussions with lecturers and and fellow students. Those interested in pursuing degrees at BU Law School may want to consider having joint degrees, considering the school offers them in association with other Boston University colleges and graduate schools. To learn more about BU Law and its curriculum, visit the school’s official website.

Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law (Campbell Law)

The Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law was founded in 1976 and is located in Buies Creek, North Carolina. The school is a graduate department of Campbell University, that is why it has Campbell Law as its shorter name. The aim of the school is to produce graduates who are professional and competent in the legal industry while showing strong moral conviction and social compassion. Among the programs offered in Campbell Law are the JD-MBA program and the JD-MTIM (Masters in Trust and Investment Management) program. The JD-MTIM is offered to interested students in partnership with the Lundy-Fetterman School of Business of the Campbell University. Learn more about Campbell Law, its program offerings, and the admissions process through the official website.

Chapman University School of Law (Chapman Law)

Located in Orange, California, the Chapman University School of Law was established in 1995 as a private, non-profit law school. It is also a member of the Association of American Law Schools and the American Bar Association. Students who would like to pursue a combination of degrees can look into the program offerings of this school and choose programs such as the JD-MBA, JD/MFA in Film and Television Production, and the LL.M. Degrees in Prosecutorial Science and Taxation. Graduates of Chapman Law are proud to have undergone training and instruction with an emphasis on good citizenship and ethics, making them truly competent lawyers. Visit the official website of Chapman Law to learn more about the school and the admission procedure.

Franklin Thomas Backus School of Law (Case Western Reserve Law)

The Franklin Thomas Backus School of Law is the law school department of the Case Western Reserve University, giving it the nickname, Case Western Reserve Law. It opened its doors to students in 1982 and has since been producing competitive, recommendable, and brilliant graduates. Many of them serve in the local and federal government as lawyers or politicians. Among the joint-degrees offered in Case Western Reserve Law are the JD-MSSA (Social Work), JD-MBA, JD-MD, JD-MA in Bioethics, and JD-MPH (Public Health). Check out the school’s official website to submit an online application.

Charleston School of Law (CSOL)

The Charleston School of Law is one of two law education institutions in South Carolina. CSOL was founded in 2003 with the aim of producing competent lawyers with strong moral fiber. To promote a healthy intellectual discussion among its students, CSOL hosts three student publications—the Charleston Law Review, the Federal Courts Law Review, and the Maritime Law Bulletin or MALABU. Topics covered in the said student publications include issues on human rights, current events, and legal studies. Learn more about CSOL, its program offerings, and the admissions by visiting the school’s official website.

Cleveland-Marshall College of Law

Cleveland Law School was the original name of Cleveland-Marshall College of Law when it was established in 1897. It is the law school department of Cleveland State University that is located in Cleveland, Ohio. In 1946, the law school merged with the John Marshal School of Law and received its current name. Students who wish to enroll at Cleveland-Marshall can look into various degrees offered including JD degrees, LL.M. programs, and five dual-degree programs. As the first evening law school in Ohio and one of the country’s first schools to open doors to women and minorities, Cleveland-Marshall promotes quality education that is accessible to anyone. Visit the official website of the school to learn more on offered programs and admissions.

The City University of New York Law School (CUNY Law)

The City University of New York Law School was established in 1983 and is well-known for its specialization in public interest law. “Law in the Service of Human Needs” is the motto of the school and its curriculum is geared toward serving the disadvantaged and disempowered members of society. In accordance to and as proof of the aim of the CUNY Law curriculum, specializations and clinics revolve on issues in Community and Economic Development, Economic Justice Project, Immigrant and Refugee Rights, and International Women’s Human Rights. More information on CUNY Law and its programs can be found at the school’s official website.

Marshall-Wythe School of Law (W&M Law School)

Thomas Jefferson founded the Marshall-Wythe School of Law in 1779. It is the law department of the College of William & Mary, the second oldest college in the United States after Harvard University. W&M Law School, located in Williamsburg, Virginia, is the oldest law school that exists in the country and it is often ranked among the top 30 US law schools. A few of the most notable programs offered at W&M Law School are the Election Law Program, Human Rights and National Security Law Program, and the Institution of Bill of Rights Law. To know more about the programs, the school, and the admissions process, visit the school’s official site.

Cornell Law School

As one of the graduate schools of Cornell University, Cornell Law School was established in 1887 in Ithaca, New York. Cornell Law is also one of the five renowned Ivy League law schools. It offers JD-MBA, JD-Masters in Global Business Law, JSD, and LL.M., among others. In addition, programs such as Public Interest, International Human Rights Clinic, International and Comparative Law, Clarke Program in East Asian Law and Culture, and extensive externships are offered by Cornell Law. Apply to this school by completing an online application form at the official website.

Columbia Law School

Otherwise known as Columbia Law, Columbia Law School is one of the most prestigious legal institutions in the United States. This school is one of the graduate departments of the Ivy League-member institution, Columbia University, and it has a highly selective admissions process. Graduates of Columbia Law have become successful lawyers, congressmen, senators, businessmen, ambassadors, and diplomats. Among them are the famous Theodore and Franklin Roosevelt. Students eager to specialize in intellectual property, and corporate and international law will do better to proceed to Columbia Law because the said programs are the school’s forte. Learn more about this law school by visiting its website.

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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