Admissions Question: November 4

Q: What should my personal statement say?

At Lewis & Clark, our “question” is very general. We ask you to write about your background, experiences, interest in law, aspirations, special abilities, or any topic that you feel will help readers of your application get a sense of you as a person and prospective law student. Past statements have covered topics such as a memory of an influential person, an important discussion with a parent, a significant life experience, a special accomplishment, a unique talent, a strong interest in something – you get the idea. At the same time, it should be relevant to your interest in applying to law school. Think about why you chose that topic and make sure the committee knows the importance of it to your interest in law.

First and foremost, admissions committees are going to be evaluating your writing ability. Your statement should be polished; that is to say it should be well written, be without grammatical or spelling errors, flow well, be clear, and show correct word usage. You will want to proofread it multiple times, with and without spell check. You may also want someone you know who writes well take a look at your essay and give you feedback on (not rewrite) your essay.

Secondly, it is nice if your statement is interesting. What often makes for an interesting personal statement is that it is personal and genuine. We want to know how you think, feel, and/or live, and you should be true to yourself. This is your opportunity to tell us who you are in your own words.

Lastly, have fun with it, because it can be an enjoyable exercise and you can even learn some things about yourself by doing it!