You have your rough draft and you’re revising. What should you watch out for?
Mistake #1: You repeated your resume.
Your personal statement shouldn’t be a resume-in-prose. It shouldn’t list awards or various types of praise you’ve received. That information is already in your resume and letters and doesn’t need to be repeated. Use your personal statement as an opportunity to present new and different information about yourself.
Mistake #2: You complained about the legal profession.
People tell lawyer jokes, but the admissions committee isn’t interested in what you think is wrong with the legal profession. Remember, you want to join them.
Mistake #3: You tried too hard to be cute.
A touch of light-heartedness can work, but don’t put yourself down, be sarcastic, or write a fake legal memo in lieu of an essay. It just doesn’t work in personal statements.
Mistake #4: You were too vague.
Make sure you “show don’t tell.” Don’t make vague statements that sound like they would be found in an advertisement for law school. Show the admissions committee exactly what you mean through the use of interesting stories, colorful details, and vivid examples.
Mistake #5: You didn’t edit your essay.
Your essay should be error-free and easy to read. Avoid too-long sentences and make sure you have someone else proofread it. Law is a writing profession and mistakes are generally inexcusable.
Jessica Pishko graduated with a J.D. from Harvard Law School and received an M.F.A. from Columbia University. She spent two years guiding students through the medical school application process at Columbia’s PostBac Program and teaches writing at all levels. Want Jessica to help you get accepted? Click here to get in touch!
Related Resources:
• 5 Tips for Your Law School Personal Statement
• Personal Statement Tip: Less is More
• Recipe for Disaster: Mistakes to Avoid When Applying to Law School
