Top-Law-Schools.com Guide to Personal Statements

by Ken DeLeon, J.D
Founder of Top-Law-Schools.com

© Copyright by Ken DeLeon 2009
All Rights Reserved

with Joann Kleinneiur, Ph.D.
Editor-in-Chief at Revision Editing

Foreword - This book is designed to teach you how to write a great personal statement. The introduction focuses on theory. The rest of this book gives this theory flesh by... (continue)

See the following articles for more information:

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART ONE: INTRODUCTION TO THE PERSONAL STATEMENT

Chapter 1: Preparing to Write Your Statement

The Importance of the Personal Statement

Avoid Avoidance Behavior

Chapter 2: Understanding the Admissions Committee and Its Expectations for the Personal Statement

About Your Audience

Seven Questions the Admissions Committee Will Ask

Have you demonstrated intellectual excellence?
Have you had a tangible impact on individuals or groups?
Have you demonstrated good leadership skills?
Have you had real-world experience?
Can you look at an issue from multiple perspectives?
What will you bring to our school?
What brings you to our school?

Chapter 3: The Rhetorical Approach to the Personal Statement

Convincing Your Audience to Admit You to Law School

Logical Appeals

Emotional Appeals

Ethical Appeals

Cultural Appeals

Chapter 4: Choosing Structure and Topic

Structuring Your Statement

Tell a personal narrative or story.
Begin with a personally meaningful quote.
Sketch a character.
Use a metaphor or analogy.
Pose rhetorical questions.
Present a problem and how you solved it or would solve it.

Topics for Law School Personal Statements

Describe how you endured adversity.
Describe what makes you a diversity candidate.
Show how you have matured.
Describe what you have learned from a mentor.
Write about an event or issue of particular importance to you.
Write about coursework or research.
Write about your passions, ideals, or favorite hobbies.
Write about leadership experience that you have had.

Chapter 5: Writing Powerful Sentences

Hook your reader immediately.
Write strong sentences.
Use the active voice.
Vary your words and sentences.
Write in a professional and formal tone.
Do not make elementary writing mistakes.
Do not mismatch the number of a noun and its verb.
Avoid clichés.
Avoid sentences with empty subjects.
Conclude powerfully.

Chapter 6: The Personal Statement Checklist

Have a clear idea of what you want to convey before writing.
Write about aspects of yourself that reader cannot get from other parts of your application.
Do not use gimmicks.
Be personal in the law school personal statement.
Offer specific, meaningful stories and experiences.
Tailor your personal statement for the law schools to which you are applying.
Focus on your strengths and not your weaknesses.
Adhere to the page or word limitations.
Edit your law school personal statement.
Make your personal statement do extra work for you.

PART TWO: SAMPLE PERSONAL STATEMENTS AND COMMENTARY

Chapter 7: Making the Most of the Sample Personal Statements and Commentary

Chapater 8: The Personal Narrative (Structure)