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It clarifies how the statement functions as a primary writing sample, a substitute for interviews at schools that do not offer them, and evidence of critical thinking through reflection on meaningful life experiences. It also covers motivation, tie-breaker value, and preparing readers for the rest of the application workload. The guide then outlines how to start by finding a core idea and provides brainstorming methods, plus guidance on personalizing the statement for fit.",{"@graph":63,"@context":111},[64,80,102],{"@type":65,"itemListElement":66},"BreadcrumbList",[67,71,74,77],{"item":68,"name":69,"@type":70,"position":9},"https://docshare.wps.com","Home","ListItem",{"item":72,"name":10,"@type":70,"position":73},"https://docshare.wps.com/template/",2,{"item":75,"name":41,"@type":70,"position":76},"https://docshare.wps.com/template/letters/",3,{"item":78,"name":59,"@type":70,"position":79},"https://docshare.wps.com/template/writing-your-law-school-personal-statements-guide-number-1-of-9/350325/",4,{"url":78,"name":59,"@type":81,"image":82,"author":87,"headline":59,"publisher":90,"fileFormat":93,"inLanguage":57,"description":61,"dateModified":94,"datePublished":95,"encodingFormat":93,"isAccessibleForFree":96,"interactionStatistic":97},"DigitalDocument",{"url":83,"@type":84,"width":85,"height":86},"https://docshare.wps.com/thumbnails/writing-your-law-school-personal-statements-guide-number-1-of-9/350325.png","ImageObject",442,249,{"name":88,"@type":89},"Patrick","Person",{"url":68,"name":91,"@type":92},"DocShare","Organization","application/pdf","2026-10-17","2026-09-22",true,{"@type":98,"interactionType":99,"userInteractionCount":101},"InteractionCounter",{"@type":100},"ViewAction",6,{"@type":103,"mainEntity":104},"FAQPage",[105],{"name":106,"@type":107,"acceptedAnswer":108},"How do you find a core idea when getting started?","Question",{"text":109,"@type":110},"Brainstorm around a core idea that reveals key characteristics, skills, growth, passions, or impacts of specific experiences. 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Infact, it may be one of only two writings that the admissions committees will receive from you—the other being the LSAT writing sample that you composed in a mere 35 minutes. Admissions committees want to know whether you are a strong writer, and they will evaluate your personal statement through this lens. Well-written personal statements should not only demonstrate that you are proficient in your use of the English language but should also demonstrate that you can be logical, persuasive, engaging, and concise.\u003Cbr>• Second, at most law schools, the personal statement is a proxy for an interview. Only a handful of law schools offer interviews to applicants. For all other law schools, the personal statement is typically the only opportunity that the admissions committee has to get to know something more personal about you than is reflected elsewhere in your application. It is called a personal statement for a reason. It should make admissions committee members feel as though they have met you, and ideally, they will like who they have met.\u003Cbr>• Third, the personal statement gives the admissions committee greater insight into your critical thinking abilities. Are you able to reflect on your life experiences and identify how one or more of those experiences has impacted you in some meaningful way? Critical thinking is an essential quality for law students and lawyers, and admissions committees, want to see you demonstrate that ability in your personal statement. | • Fourth, the personal statement may give admissions committees a sense of your motivations for attending law school. Was your decision to apply well reasoned or was ita result of not knowing what else to do after college? Admissions committees prefer to admit applicants who have come to the reasoned conclusion that law is the best career path for them.\u003Cbr>• Fifth, the personal statement can be a form of tie-breaker for applicants with similar numbers and experiences. An applicant who has demonstrated critical thinking, persuasiveness, and writing ability may have the upper hand.\u003Cbr>Your personal statement can be oneof the most important components of your law school applications in addition to your LSAT score and GPA.\u003Cbr>• Finally, the personal statement is potential and needed relief for admissions committees that review thousands of applications over the course of the admissions cycle. The other components of the application, while useful, can be dry and fatiguing to review in bulk. The personal statement is the one document that can bring life to an application file. Take advantage of that opportunity and give the admissions committees an engaging statement. It doesn’t need to be the great American novel, but it should at least give admissions committees a pleasant break from the rest of the application review process. They will thank you. |\n| Center for Pre-Law Advising Guide Number 1 of 9 |  |\n\n\n| \u003Cbr>Personal Statements writing continued\u003Cbr>|  |\n| --- | --- |\n| Getting started\u003Cbr>Your goal in brainstorming a personal statement is to find a core idea around which the statement will be centered. What will be the take away for admissions committees reading the statement? The take away should not be a list of your experiences or accomplishments. Go deeper. The takeaway should concern something more: key characteristics, skills, or abilities; lessons learned; personal growth; passions pursued; the impact of certain experiences; or qualities about you that indicate readiness for law school.\u003Cbr>If you are having difficulty developing the core idea for your personal statement, consider these brainstorming ideas:","cbCaimKESrFJ9six","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaimKESrFJ9six","pdf",788543,"English","# What is the goal of a personal Statement?\n## Getting started\n## Personalize your statement","[{\"question\":\"How do you find a core idea when getting started?\",\"answer\":\"Brainstorm around a core idea that reveals key characteristics, skills, growth, passions, or impacts of specific experiences. Use methods such as recalling memorable episodes, mapping anecdotes to desired characteristics, describing yourself in six words, or reviewing your resume for personal growth impacts.\"}]","Writing Your Law School Personal Statements - Guide Number 1 of 9 | PDF",1790088461]