At this time of year, many students are trying to write their personal statements. It can be incredibly tough, so don’t give up! Over the years I’ve read thousands of personal statement drafts, and I want to share one of the most important tips: When you think your draft is final, it’s not. That may seem overly harsh, so let me explain.The Goal is Perfection, and Perfection Takes Time I get it: writing about yourself is no fun and feels uncomfortable. Everybody feels that way. Once you recognize that it’s difficult for everyone, you have an advantage though. The typical applicant wants … [Read more...]
Writing Your Personal Statement, Part 10, Don’t Be Afraid
Although all components of a law school application are important, the most important one is the personal statement. To that end, this series explains some of the pivotal points you should keep in mind as you prepare to write your law school application personal statement. This is a 10-part series that will help get you from starting to finishing your personal statement. Don't Be Afraid Well, we're at the conclusion of this 10-part series on the Writing Your Law School Personal Statement. Now it's time to address the last piece of submitting your application. Fear. Whether or not you like to … [Read more...]
Writing Your Personal Statement, Part 9: Proof
Although all components of a law school application are important, the most important one is the personal statement. To that end, this series explains some of the pivotal points you should keep in mind as you prepare to write your law school application personal statement. This is a 10-part series that will help get you from starting to finishing your personal statement. Proof Once you self-edit and have others read and give feedback on your essay, you're pretty much on the home stretch. If your essay has made it this far, then you're approximately 95% done and only one thing remains before … [Read more...]
Writing Your Personal Statement, Part 8: Involve Others
Although all components of a law school application are important, the most important one is the personal statement. To that end, this series explains some of the pivotal points you should keep in mind as you prepare to write your law school application personal statement. This is a 10-part series that will help get you from starting to finishing your personal statement. Involve Others We get it, it can be really hard to show your writing (be it an essay, short story, novel, etc.) to someone else and have them critique it. You've put a little bit of yourself into this piece of writing and … [Read more...]
Writing Your Personal Statement, Part 7: Edit
Although all components of a law school application are important, the most important one is the personal statement. To that end, this series explains some of the pivotal points you should keep in mind as you prepare to write your law school application personal statement. This is a 10-part series that will help get you from starting to finishing your personal statement. Edit Once you have your first draft and a break under your belt, it's time to edit. Typically, you'll follow this write, step away, edit process a few times through a few drafts until you're fully content with your essay. … [Read more...]
Writing Your Personal Statement, Part 6: Step Away
Although all components of a law school application are important, the most important one is the personal statement. To that end, this series explains some of the pivotal points you should keep in mind as you prepare to write your law school application personal statement. This is a 10-part series that will help get you from starting to finishing your personal statement. Step Away The most important part of writing a personal statement is, funnily enough, sitting down and actually writing it. However, the second most important part is not writing. Yup, you heard right: As important as … [Read more...]
Writing Your Personal Statement, Part 5: Embrace Variety
Although all components of a law school application are important, the most important one is the personal statement. To that end, this series explains some of the pivotal points you should keep in mind as you prepare to write your law school application personal statement. This is a 10-part series that will help get you from starting to finishing your personal statement. Embrace Variety Variety is the spice of life. As it turns out, it's also the spice of personal statements. Variety in how you write and approach your personal statement is just as important as the topic you write about. In … [Read more...]
Writing Your Personal Statement, Part 4: Get Specific
Although all components of a law school application are important, the most important one is the personal statement. To that end, this series explains some of the pivotal points you should keep in mind as you prepare to write your law school application personal statement. This is a 10-part series that will help get you from starting to finishing your personal statement. Get Specific A personal statement is only as powerful as the story it tells, and the story is only as powerful as the details that comprise it. In this installment of "Writing Your Personal Statement," we go over … [Read more...]
Secrets of the Law School Admissions Process Webinar with Dave Killoran
On November 17th, 2020 Dave Killoran hosted a special law school admissions webinar aimed to dispel common misconceptions about the application process and how those misconceptions often lead to students submitting subpar applications. Dave covered the major elements – including personal statements, GPA, recommendations, and more – and gave clarity on how to make each aspect shine as bright as possible. Discussions also took place on how to handle negatives in your application and when to submit an addendum. Don’t stay in the dark on the admissions process any longer and watch the Secrets of … [Read more...]
Writing Your Personal Statement, Part 3: Get Personal
Although all components of a law school application are important, the most important one is the personal statement. To that end, this series explains some of the pivotal points you should keep in mind as you prepare to write your law school application personal statement. This is a 10-part series that will help get you from starting to finishing your personal statement. Get Personal In this third installment of our Writing Your Personal Statement series, we are going to talk about putting the person in personal statement. Scheduling the time to write and carefully planning your personal … [Read more...]
Writing Your Personal Statement, Part 2: Plan It Out
Although all components of a law school application are important, the most important one is the personal statement. To that end, this series explains some of the pivotal points you should keep in mind as you prepare to write your law school application personal statement. This is a 10-part series that will help get you from starting to finishing your personal statement. Plan It Out In this second installment of our Writing Your Personal Statement series, we are going to talk about planning out your writing. Don't underestimate the importance of brainstorming and outlining. Particularly, … [Read more...]
Writing Your Personal Statement Part 1: Take Your Time
Although all components of a law school application are important, the most important one is the personal statement. To that end, this series explains some of the pivotal points you should keep in mind as you prepare to write your law school application personal statement. This is a 10-part series that will help get you from starting to finishing your personal statement. Personal Statement Timeline Let's start off with something most law school applicants don't even think about: the personal statement timeline.While students consider the personal statement one of the hardest parts of … [Read more...]
Quick Tips: Crafting a Top-Notch Personal Statement
Apart from your LSAT and undergraduate GPA, the personal statement is certainly the most important aspect of your law school application. It's the one part of your file that is solely you. It's your voice, your experiences, your story, told in your words. Every day, as we help students put together exceptional applications as part of our law school admissions consulting programs. Here are some tidbits of personal statement wisdom that we hope will help you create a top-notch, unforgettable, impactful essay.What to DoWhen you write your personal statement, one of your guiding … [Read more...]
Creating an Exceptional Personal Statement for Your Law School Application
Apart from your LSAT and undergraduate GPA, the most important aspect of your law school application is the personal statement. It is the one part of your file that is solely you. In your own words, you express your voice, experiences, and story. Every day we help students put together exceptional applications with our law school admissions consulting packages. We dispense tidbits of wisdom that help students craft a top-notch and unforgettable essay. Stick around for a preview of some of the advice we give to our students. The Goal of Your Personal Statement In a space as short as a law … [Read more...]