If you’re applying to law school this cycle, you will need to write a personal statement as part of the application. Your personal statement should discuss your experiences and why you want to go to law school—all in two double-spaced pages, max. So where do you start?
Pay Attention to Instructions
Follow application instructions! Things to look for:
- Word count or page limits. If no page limit is given, plan on writing two pages.
- Some schools may want you to address certain questions, such as “why __ law school.” Some will state explicitly not to write about “why __ law school.”
- Most law schools will ask for optional supplemental diversity, character and fitness, and other statements. These are opportunities for you to add to your application. Learn more about these statements here.
Accomplish Two Tasks
First, the personal statement needs to tell us something about you. Not everything; just something. Steer clear of trying to write a short history of yourself–you don’t have the room! Craft a narrative around something important to you.
Second, it should answer the question: “Why do I want to go to law school?” Spend some time reflecting on this question. There are no “right” answers. A personal statement should be personal.
Ultimately, what you want to write about is an experience that helps you to answer the question of why you want to go to law school in a compelling way.
How do I write about myself? This is hard. We are often afraid of sounding too boastful. Strive for genuine writing. Give yourself credit for things that you have done, but be aware of the people or resources that helped you along the way. In other words, show your accomplishments and experiences and don’t tell or list them.
What if I don’t have any legal experience? You don’t have to complete a pre-law internship or a relevant major to apply to law school. If you find yourself struggling to connect your experiences to law school, you may want to think again about what brought you to apply to law school. For more unique cases, you can schedule an appointment with a career coach to help you brainstorm possible topics.
Proofread, Edit, Revise
Writing a personal statement takes time! You will need to revise and edit your statement throughout the writing process. Make sure to have friends, family members, or a career coach read your writing. A fresh point of view can help you see the impression your writing is having on others.
Remember: we’re here to help! You can set up a Personal Statement Review appointment with a career coach. Please note, students are only allowed TWO personal statement reviews in the fall semester. We also recommend dropping into a virtual mini-session for a quick, 15-minute review (no appointment necessary). Check out the pre-law website for info about virtual mini-sessions.
Boston College Career Center Blog 
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