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Six Law School Personal Statements That Got Into Harvard By David Busis Published Feb 10, 2021 Updated Feb 10, 2021

The essays below, which were all part of successful applications to Harvard Law, rely on humble reckonings followed by reflections. Some reckonings are political: an applicant grapples with the 2008 financial crisis; another grapples with her political party’s embrace of populism. Others are personal: a student struggles to sprint up a hill; another struggles to speak clearly. The writers have different ideologies, different ambitions, and different levels of engagement with the law. Yet all of them come across as thoughtful, open to change, and ready to serve.

Jump to a personal statement:

Essay 1: Sea Turtles

I stood over the dead loggerhead, blood crusting my surgical gloves and dark green streaks of bile from its punctured gallbladder drying on my khaki shorts. It was the fifth day of a five-week summer scholarship at the University of Chicago’s Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL), and as I shuffled downwind of the massive creature, the pungent scent of its decomposition wafted toward me in the hot summer breeze. Aggressive flies buzzed around my head, occasionally pausing to land on the wad of plastic we had extracted from the loggerhead’s stomach. The plastic had likely caused a blockage somewhere, and the sea turtle had died of malnutrition. When the necropsy was finished, we discarded the remains in a shallow hole under a thicket of trees, and with the last shovel of sand over its permanent resting place, its death became just another data point among myriad others. Would it make a difference in the long, arduous battle against environmental pollution? Probably not. But that dead loggerhead was something of a personal tipping point for me.

I have always loved the clean, carefully objective nature of scientific research, but when I returned to the US from my native XXXX to study biology, I began to understand that because of this objectivity, scientific data rarely produces an emotional effect. It is difficult to initiate change based on such a passive approach. My ecology professor used to lament that it was not science that would determine the fate of the environment, but politics. The deeper I delved into research, the more I agreed with her. Almost every day, I came across pieces of published research that were incorrectly cited as evidence for exaggerated conclusions and used, for example, as a rebuttal against climate change. Reality meant nothing when pitted against a provocative narrative. It was rather disillusioning at first, but I was never one to favor passivity. In an effort to better understand the issues, I began to look into the policy side of biological conservation. The opportunity at the MBL came at this juncture in my academic journey, and it was there that I received my final push to the path of law.

After weeks of sea turtle biology and policy debates at the MBL, we held a mock symposium on fishing and bycatch regulations. Participants were exclusively STEM majors, so before the debate even began, everyone in the room was already heavily in favor of reducing commercial fishing. I was assigned the role of the Chair of the New Bedford Division of Marine Fisheries, and my objective was clear: to represent the wishes of my constituents, and my constituents wanted more time out on the sea. However, that meant an increase in accidental bycatch, which could hurt endangered marine populations and fill up the bycatch quota for commercial fishermen before the season ended.

There were hundreds of pages of research data on novel technological innovations for bycatch reduction that I had to wade through, but with the help of my group, I was able to piece together a net replacement plan that just barely satisfied my constituents, the scientists, and the industry reps. Although the issue of widespread net replacement incentives for the commercial fishermen remained, there was no doubt that I enjoyed the mental stimulus of tackling this hypothetical challenge. I was able to use my science background to aid in brokering a compromise that would reduce the amount of damage done to the environment without endangering the livelihood of the people involved in the industry.

By the end of the symposium, I knew that I wanted to bridge the gap between presenting scientific data correctly and effecting change in the policy world. Although there are many ways for me to advocate for change, I believe that only legal and legislative enforcements will have a widespread and lasting effect on the heavy polluters of the world. I want to combine my legal education and a solid foundation in the biological sciences to tackle the ever-growing slew of environmental challenges facing us in the twenty-first century.

The night the symposium ended, we patrolled the beach for nesting females. As I walked beneath the stars, I thought of that sea turtle and of the repeating migration of my own life, from my birthplace in XXXX to my childhood in the US, back to XXXX and now the US again. With the guidance of the Earth’s magnetic fields, sea turtles are able to accurately return to their birthplace no matter how far they deviate, but I like to imagine that they, like me, do need to occasionally chart another course to get there. Standing on a beach in Woods Hole, thousands of miles from home, I knew that I was on the right path and ready to embark on a career in law.

Essay 2: Joining the Arsonists To Become a Fireman

On the morning of the 2004 presidential election, my sixth-grade teacher told me to watch out for John Kerry voters in the hallways because our school was a polling station. I nodded and went to the water fountain, thinking to myself that my parents were voting for John Kerry, and that as far as I could tell, they posed no risk to students. It was a familiar juxtaposition—the ideas at my dinner table in conflict with the dogmas I encountered elsewhere in my conservative Missourian community. This dissonance fostered my curiosity about issues of policy and politics. I wanted to figure out why the adults in my life couldn’t seem to agree.

Earlier in 2004, Barack Obama’s now famous DNC keynote had inspired me to turn my interests into actions. Even at age twelve, I was moved by his ideas and motivated to work in public service. When Obama ran for president four years later, I heeded his call to get involved. I gave money I had made mowing lawns to my parents to donate to his campaign and taped Obama-Biden yard signs to my old Corolla, which earned it an egging and a run-in with silly string in my high school parking lot.

While I knew in high school that I wanted to involve myself in public service, I wasn’t sure what shape that involvement would take until signs of the financial crisis—deserted strip malls and foreclosed homes—cropped up in my hometown. I was amazed by the disaster and shaken by the toll it took on my community. As I saw it, the crisis wasn’t about Wall Street, but about people losing their jobs, homes, and savings. I didn’t understand what Lehman Brothers had to do with the fact that my neighbor’s appliance store had to lay off most of its employees.

Intent on understanding what had happened, I started reading up, inhaling books about financial crises and articles on mortgage-backed securities and rating agencies. Along the way, I also developed an affinity for the policymakers fighting the crisis. I admired how time and again these unknown bureaucrats struggled to choose the best among bad options, served as Congressional piñatas on Capitol Hill, and went back across the street to face the next disaster. I decided that I too wanted to work in financial regulation. I thought then and believe today that if I can help protect consumers and mitigate the downturns that force people from their jobs and homes, I will have done something worthwhile.

Strange though it may seem, this decision led me to join Barclays as an investment banking analyst after college. While in a sense I was “joining the arsonists to become a fireman,” as one skeptical friend put it, banking gave me immediate experience working with the firms and people who had played key roles in the response to the financial crisis years before. I was initially worried that I would discover financial rules and regulations to be impotent platitudes, without the power to change the financial system, but my experience taught me the opposite. New regulations catalyzed many of the transactions on which I worked, from bank capital raises to divestitures aimed at de-risking. Ironically, becoming a banker made me even more of an idealist about the power of policy.

I envisioned spending years in the industry before moving to a government role, and I left banking for private equity investing with that track in mind. When I began making get-out-the-vote calls on behalf of the Clinton presidential campaign, however, I realized that I needed to change my plans. I cared more about contacting voters, about the result of the election, and about its policy implications than anything I did at work. Although I’m grateful for what I’ve learned in the private sector, I don’t want to spend more time on the sidelines of the policy debates and decisions that matter to me.

That’s why I am pursuing a J.D. I want to help shape the policies that will make the financial system more resilient and equitable, and to do so effectively, I need to understand the foundation upon which the financial system is built: the law. The post-crisis regulatory landscape is already in need of recalibration; large banks still pose systemic risks, and regulation lags even further behind in the non-bank world. Advances in financial technology, from online lending platforms to blockchain technology, are raising new questions about everything from capital and liquidity to smart contracts and financial privacy. Policymakers need to confront these issues proactively and pursue legal and regulatory frameworks that foster public trust while encouraging innovation. A J.D. will give me the training I need to be involved in this process. I don’t claim to have a revolutionary theory of financial crisis, but I do hope to be a part of preventing the next one.

Essay 3: Populism

Growing up, I felt that I existed in two different worlds. At home, I was influenced by my large, conservative Arizonan family, who shaped my values and understanding of the world. During middle school, my family moved, and I enrolled in a small, left-leaning school with an intense focus on globalism and diversity. I enjoyed being surrounded by people who challenged my beliefs, and I prided myself on my ability to dwell comfortably in both spaces.

In 2015, American political reality disrupted the happy balance between my two worlds. The Republican presidential primary, in a gust of populism, was proposing ideas that I didn’t recognize and wouldn’t condone, like a hardline immigration stance, opposition to free trade, and a tolerance for harassment. I resented this populist wave for hijacking the party, and the voters who created it. I didn’t understand them, and I didn’t think I could.

Despite my skepticism, I decided to make an attempt. As the founder of the Bowdoin College Political Union, a program that promotes substantive, inclusive conversations about policy and politics among students, I brought speakers with diverse ideologies to campus and hosted small group discussions with members of the College Democrats, the College Republicans, and students somewhere in between. In the winter of my senior year, I helped organize a summit that brought together students with a broad spectrum of views from dozens of universities throughout the eastern United States.

As a resident assistant during the 2016 presidential election, I held open-door discussions for individuals from across the political spectrum and around the globe. Facilitating these discussions felt like a natural extension of my role on campus, and I learned not only that having space for open dialogue can ease tensions, but also that the absence of that space does not erase political difference. Instead, it creates feelings of isolation and fosters ignorance.

But it was the death of a family member in early 2016 that helped me understand another perspective, namely the populist views beginning to overwhelm the Republican Party. After the death of my mother’s cousin from cancer, I called my second cousins, all three of whom are around my age, to offer my condolences. I was surprised to learn that none of them had finished high school. Instead, they had worked to help pay for their mother’s treatment. While I had been worrying about which summer internships to apply for, they were worried about maintaining their family home. In the past, I’d thought that their views on economic policy and immigration came from a place of ignorance or spite. I realized over the course of our conversation that I had no idea what it was like to not have a high school degree and compete for employment in a rural area where wages are low. For the first time, I was engaging with people in the demographic that was generating the populist wave that was sweeping the country. This conversation led me to expand my studies in politics and to think beyond the left-right spectrum to consider class and urban-rural divides within my own party. Ultimately, reconnecting with my extended family informed my decision to write my senior thesis on populist movements and why economics drives them. It also changed the way I thought about politics and its effect on people like my second cousins.

After my college graduation, I took a job with a political and opposition research firm called XYZ in Washington, because I felt that my understanding of 2016’s populism was still lacking. XYZ gave me the opportunity to work with people from different parts of the Republican Party: both establishment operatives and grassroots operations. This enabled me to work within the framework of Republican politics that resembles my own, while being exposed to the perspectives of people working to represent people like my second cousins. My time at XYZ helped me see the power of the populist movement, but also understand the limitations of its proposed solutions, like a resurgence of manufacturing. Now that I have interacted with populist groups, I see that ultimately, the valid frustrations of many working-class Americans need to be addressed by empathetic leadership and challenging but necessary evaluations of policy in the areas of economics, education, and culture.

I want to apply my passion for political discourse in law school and in my career as a lawyer. My passion for engaging with others will serve me well in the classroom and in a career at the intersection of law and politics. I hope to continue to make connections between people of diverse backgrounds and viewpoints and to engage in meaningful, bipartisan discourse.

Essay 4: Pop Warner

One summer, when I was eight years old, I signed up to play Pop Warner Football for my hometown. After the calisthenics, scrimmages, and the rest of practice concluded in the midst of the sweltering early August sun, I would sprint thirty yards up a hill steep enough to go sledding down. I had to lose nine pounds in order to make weight for my junior pee-wee football team. I wanted nothing more than to be on the team, so it didn’t faze me that I was the only one running up and down the hill. A dirt path marked the grassy knoll from my countless trips up and down. I usually managed to hold back the tears just long enough until I got home. As an eight-year-old, this was the most difficult challenge I had ever been tasked with. But the next day, I would get down in a three-point stance and sprint up the hill under the red sky of the setting sun.

When I finally made the team, I was elated; I had achieved a goal I often felt impossible in those moments of sweat and tears. The excitement was, nonetheless, short-lived. The other kids still called me “Corey the Cupcake,” a nickname I thought I’d left behind with the extra pounds. In every game of the season, my first playing football, I received my eight minimum plays and rode the bench the rest of the game. It was an unusually wet September, and I caught a cold a few times from standing there for two and a half hours in the nippy morning rain. I hated it, but I kept playing.

I continued to play every fall through high school. My freshman year, during a varsity practice, I broke both the radius and ulna bones in my left arm and simultaneously dislocated my wrist, which required a plate and four screws to repair. To this day, I can’t help but flash back to that frigid November afternoon when I look at the five-inch scar on my left arm or when the breaking point is hit precisely. Sophomore year, I was introduced to a coach who frequently criticized me for “not being black enough,” or sometimes, contradictorily, for acting “too black.” I was even benched for my entire junior year for being unable to attend football camp over the summer.

Why did I play football for eleven years? It might have been for the Friday nights in front of the school, as there was nothing more thrilling than making a crucial catch and hearing the whole town cheer. It might have been because I wanted to fit in with my athletic classmates. It might have been because I felt that I was improving after each catch, each hit, and each drill. But I believe, above all else, it was because I just don’t like to give up.

My first job as a project assistant at a large law firm was somewhat similar to my experiences as a young football player; both required grit and determination to push through difficult circumstances. Late one evening, two days before Thanksgiving, my supervisor asked me to complete and organize the service of eighteen subpoenas for the following day. The partners and associates were so busy with internal politics—one of the head partners was leaving the firm—that no one was available to walk me through the process. I felt ridiculous when I Googled “How to fill out and serve a subpoena,” but it was important to me that I complete the project properly.

I am appreciative of the challenges that I faced as a project assistant. If it weren’t for those experiences, it is unlikely that I would have been fortunate enough to be hired by the Delaware Office of the Attorney General, where I work today. My job here has confirmed that law is exactly what I want to do. I realized this through several opportunities to draft written discovery. I loved fashioning objections to each individual request in a given set. Developing legitimate grounds for disputing discovery on its merits and intent was inspiring to me. I can’t wait to do this more and on a larger scale as an attorney.

The steadfastness that I obtained as a young athlete defines who I am. I couldn’t see it at the time, but every day on which I gave something my best effort, whether it was on the practice field or in my tiny office on the twenty-seventh floor, I became a little bit stronger, a little bit wiser. I am confident that my perseverance and dedication will facilitate my future success, both in law school and afterwards.

Essay 5: Speech Therapy

When I was very young, I was diagnosed with a severe phonological disorder that hindered my ability to verbalize the most basic sounds that make up words. It didn’t take my parents long to notice that as other children my age began speaking and communicating with each other, I remained quiet. When I did speak, my words were mostly incomprehensible and seemed to lack any repetition. I was taken to numerous speech therapists, many of whom believed that I would never be able to communicate effectively with others.

From the age of three until I was in seventh grade, I went to speech therapy twice a week. I also regularly practiced my speech outside of therapy, eventually improving to such an extent that I thought I was done with therapy forever. This, however, was short-lived. By tenth grade, I realized my impediment was back and was once again severely limiting my ability to articulate words. That was also the year my family moved from Vancouver, Canada to Little Rock, Arkansas, which complicated matters for me.

I knew that my speech was preventing me from making new friends and participating in classroom discussions, but I resisted going back into therapy. I thought that a renewal of speech therapy would be like accepting defeat. It was a part of my life that had long passed. With college approaching, though, I was desperate not to continue stuttering words and slurring sentences. I knew that I would have to become more confident about my speech to make friends and to be the student I wanted to be. During the summer before my freshman year, I reluctantly decided to reenter speech therapy.

I see now that this decision was anything but an acceptance of defeat. In fact, refusing to reenter therapy would have been a defeat. With my new therapist, I made significant strides and the quality of my speech improved greatly. Using the confidence that I built in therapy that summer, I pushed myself to meet new people and join extracurricular organizations when I entered college. In particular, I applied to and was accepted into a competitive freshman service leadership organization called Forward.

The other members of Forward were incredibly outgoing, and many of them had been highly involved in their high school communities—two things I was not. I made a concerted effort to learn from those who were different from me. I was an active participant in discussions during meetings, utilizing my unique background to provide a different perspective. My peers not only understood me, but also cared about what I had to say. I even began taking on leadership roles in the program, such as directing a community service project to help the elderly. My time in Forward made it clear to me that my speech disorder wouldn’t be what held me back in college; as long as I made the effort, I could succeed. The confidence I gained led me to continue to push past the boundaries I had set for myself in high school, and has guided the bold approach I have taken to new challenges in college.

When I first finished therapy in seventh grade, I pretended that I had never had a speech disorder in the first place. Having recently finished therapy again, I can accept that my speech disorder has shaped the person I am today. In many ways, it has had a positive effect on me. My struggle to communicate, for example, has made me a better listener. My inability to ask questions has forced me to engage with problems on a deeper level, which has led me to develop a methodical approach to reasoning. I believe these skills will help me succeed in law school, and they are part of what motivates me to apply in the first place. Having struggled for so long to speak up for myself, I look forward to the day when I can speak up for others.

Essay 6: Ting Hua

“Ting hua!” I heard it when I scalded my fingers reaching above the kitchen counter to grab at a steaming slice of pork belly before it was served; I heard it when I hid little Twix bars underneath the bags of Chinese broccoli in the grocery store shopping cart; I heard it when I brought sticks back home to swing perilously close to the ceiling fan. Literally translated, “ting hua” means “hear my words.” Its true meaning, though, is closer to “listen to what I mean.” Although the phrase was nearly ubiquitous in my childhood, that distinction—between hearing and listening—did not become clear for me until much later in life.

That childhood began in Shanghai, where I was born, and continued in Southern California, where we moved shortly after I turned four. Some things stayed the same in the US. We still ate my mom’s chive dumplings at the dinner table. On New Year’s, I could still look forward to a red envelope with a few dollars’ worth of pocket money. But other things changed. I stopped learning Chinese, and my parents never became proficient in English. Slowly, so slowly I almost didn’t realize, it became harder and harder for me to communicate with them.

Because I didn’t feel like I could talk to them, I could never resist opening my mouth with others. I talked to good friends about Yu-Gi-Oh, to not-so-good friends about Pokemon, and to absolute strangers about PB&J, the Simpsons, and why golden retriever puppies were the best dogs ever. Even alone, I talked to my pet turtle Snorkel and tried out different war cries—you know, in case I woke up one morning as a mouse in Brian Jacques’s Redwall .

The way I communicated with my parents didn’t change until I came back for Thanksgiving my freshman year of college. I was writing for the school newspaper—a weekly column on politics. I had written an article in support of gay marriage. My parents had asked me about it, and in the way I was wont to do, I answered briefly before moving on to talk about my friends and my floor and my classes.

While I was brushing my teeth that night, my dad came into the restroom. He stood in the doorway and said, “Hey. I read the article you wrote about gay marriage… you should be careful saying things like that.”

His words—you should be careful saying things like that— sounded to me like homophobia. I knew that in China, same-sex relationships were illegal, stigmatized, banned, so I thought I understood where my dad was coming from, even though I also thought it was bigotry. I was about to brush him off, to accept that we had different views, but when I looked up, I didn’t see the judgment I was expecting. In the way he stood slightly hunched in the doorway, in the way he touched his chin, in the way his eyebrows drew together, I saw love. So I swallowed down “don’t worry about it” and asked what he meant. He told me about a cousin of his, someone I would have called Uncle, who was expelled from his school and sent to the countryside for his political comments. In that moment, I realized that my dad wasn’t concerned about my politics—he was concerned about me. Had I not stopped to listen , rather than just to hear, I would not have understood that. I would not have known why he told me to be careful.

Although I still enjoy talking to other people about PB&J sandwiches, I have learned to listen, to actively engage with my parents when we communicate. More importantly, whether I’m interviewing witnesses on the stand in mock trial, resolving disagreements between friends, or sitting in a chair while teachers and professors give me advice, I’ve made an effort to remember those words my mom has spoken since I was a toddler: “ting hua.”

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How to get into Harvard Law School, according to the chief admissions officer, students, and admissions consultants

• Kristi Jacobson, the chief admissions officer at Harvard Law School, Jeff Thomas, Kaplan Test Prep's executive director of admissions programs, and Anna Ivey, a professional admissions consultant, spoke with Business Insider about how to prepare and optimize your application to Harvard Law School.
• When you send in your application matters, so applying strategically is smart. 
• HLS takes the GRE — but the LSAT is still a better bet. 
• Fancy titles don't make for better letters of recommendation — and less is more when it comes to personal essays and addendums. 
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories .

Cameron Clark started training for a future legal career when he was still a teenager. In high school in Houston, he sharpened his rhetorical and critical-thinking skills on the debate team. In college at The University of Texas at Austin, he cultivated relationships with professors, interned, and kept his nose in the books and his GPA high. That diligence ultimately earned him acceptance-letter gold: entry to Harvard Law School. 

Even in light of all his hard work, admission into the highly selective program was still an impressive feat. Clark graduated in 2018, the year that, according to data from the American Bar Association, the number of lawyers in the United States reached a 21st-century high. Only a small fraction are HLS grads: In 2018, the school — currently third in the rankings , behind just Stanford and Yale — received 7,419 applications and offered admission to just 12% of applicants. Kristi Jacobson, chief admissions officer at HLS, shared that there are currently a lean 561 students enrolled in the 1L class of 2022.  

But while Clark's story sounds like an archetypal path to the Ivy Leagues, it's also far from the only way to get there. Per law school admissions coaching consultant Anna Ivey, a former dean of the University of Chicago Law School herself, "HLS admissions officers are very conscientious about recruiting minorities of various kinds: They want a diversity of colleges people and geographic areas," including veterans and older applicants.

Which is all to say: There is no standard profile for an HLS student. And though the bar is incontrovertibly high, with the right preparation and knowledge, it could be more reachable than you imagine. Read on for expert insight about how to approach the LSAT, optimize your application materials, and avoid errors admissions officers see year after year. 

Be strategic about when you submit your application 

Some students, like Clark, begin laying the groundwork years before ever actually applying. Others decide they want to go to law school during college after working for a few years, or later in life. 

But when it comes to the application cycle for next year's enrollment: "All things being equal, earlier is better," explained Jacobson, HLS' chief admissions officer. 

Historically, the school has admitted students on a rolling basis. But in 2019, it made the shift to rounds of admission, posting the three dates applicants would be admitted on the detailed and informative Harvard Law School admissions blog : December 16, February 10, and March 16. The switch was designed to stagger the volume of submissions as well as give anxiety-ridden applicants more concrete insight into the process. The idea is that if you're cutting it close to one date, it's unlikely your materials will be reviewed during that round and thus it's more sensible to aim for the next window instead of rushing. 

That being said: Don't dawdle, urged Ivey. "With law school admissions, there [are] all kinds of stuff that happens after you submit," she explained. Interviews, always conducted via video, must be scheduled and completed for those moving onto the next round. 

Take the LSAT even though you can use the GRE 

Historically, the LSAT has been the go-to exam for would-be law students. But in recent years, a number of schools across the country — HLS among them — have allowed students to submit GRE scores instead. Still, most of the time, it's wise for students to stick with the LSAT, explained Jeff Thomas, Kaplan Test Prep's executive director of admissions programs. 

The reason being that if you're applying to schools that don't take the GRE, you're going to have to take the LSAT anyway. And if you take the LSAT, the ABA rules require that schools evaluate you using those scores. 

"The bottom line is: Unless the only schools you apply to take the GRE, don't bother to take it," said Thomas. Plus, there's a silver lining to all the LSAT work you'll put in. The test is designed to mimic the skills one uses in law school, so consider it pre-training for your future scholastic pursuits. 

Focus your study routine on areas of high impact 

People often ask Thomas if it's true that the LSAT is such a heavily weighted factor. "The answer, quite frankly, is yes," he said. The range for the LSAT score is 120 to 180, with 151 as the median 50th percentile score; spots at elite schools typically go to the top 1% to 2%, or those with a 170 or above. You have to be in the ballpark to be competitive — nor can you write or interview your way around poor scores. 

The good news is that practice makes … well, perhaps not perfect, but high potential for improvement. 

"I equate it to learning how to play a sport or a musical instrument: Just because you don't have the skills today doesn't mean you can't develop them tomorrow," said Thomas. The test is given nine times every year. Thomas encourages applicants to pick their date for a time when they can spend three months beforehand treating it as a top priority. 

While it's tempting to immediately sign up for a prep course, consider testing your skills solo, offered Mikaela Gilbert-Lurie, HLS class of 2021. "Before you sink a ton of money into a class or a tutor — or even the books, which are $50 each — think about where you are. Not everyone needs to learn in a classroom setting," she said. In her case, practice tests revealed that logic games were her weak point, so she doubled down on studying for that section.

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Clark added another element to his studying. "You have to take [practice exams] in as arduous of conditions as you can," he said. Prepare for the nerves you'll feel on the day and try to mimic those during practice exams, he advised. In his case, that meant taking practice tests in distracting circumstances, including chilly temperatures and a noisy Starbucks. 

It paid off: The day Clark sat for the LSAT, the room was freezing and the room was a chorus of sniffles, but he had no trouble staying focused. 

Pick recommenders who can champion your accomplishments

When it comes to asking people to write a letter on your behalf, you might assume that impressive titles are a priority. Not so, said Jacobson. "It's about substance over signature," she explained, adding that someone who has more to say about you is a better choice than someone who you encountered only briefly. "The letters are really important and they're much more meaningful if we have a strong sense of who you are from someone who knows you well," she added. 

When reaching out to these people, it can be helpful to share samples of your work or jog their memories with anecdotes about your background together. Just make sure you're giving them adequate lead time — Jacobson recommends three months at least. 

"I can't tell you the number of times I've read a letter of recommendation where the recommender says something like, 'I didn't have enough time to prepare this because so-and-so asked me only two weeks ago,'" she shared.

Keep your personal statement brief — and personal

In total, there are four essential components of the HLS application: the academic record starting with college, LSAT (or GRE) scores, the interview, and the personal statement. HLS doesn't require that the personal statement be about why you want to go to Harvard or even why you want to go to law school, necessarily.

"The emphasis on the personal statement is 'personal,'" said Ivey. "You're not writing it as if it were a term paper or a dissertation: The actual topic is you." 

The two-paged, double-spaced essay shouldn't be a rehash of your resume either, added Jacobson. Rather, it should complement everything else you've submitted without marching the reader through information they've already encountered. She also recommended having someone who doesn't know you well read it over and summarize it back to you: If their description doesn't capture what you're trying to convey, it's time to revise. 

Clark surmounted this challenge by leaning on the tools of narrative journalism. His personal statement opened with a description of a Black Lives Matter die-in protest he attended during undergrad that happened to occur during a major civil rights anniversary. Building on that structure, he was able to delve into his passions and goals and touch on Harvard's legacy of educating civil rights leaders throughout history. 

Clark also submitted an optional statement, something that applicants should only do if they really feel there is something that hasn't been covered in other areas of their application, according to every expert Business Insider spoke with. This one-paged, double spaced supplement has an analog in the "diversity statements" applicants write for other law schools. 

"You can take it in lots of directions. One of my favorites from last year was someone who wrote about being a unicyclist," said Jacobson. 

In Clark's case, he wrote about what people who are not white, male, or of means bring to the HLS community-at-large: "A lot of the time, you come into a space like that if you're black, queer, low-income, or an immigrant, and your experiences are the topics being debated," he said. "You need me to do the unpaid labor of teaching your students about black culture and queer culture and these issues."

But it's also worth remembering that just because you can submit more information doesn't mean you must — or should. Ivey argued that something that seems so important that it seems to merit an addendum may be better incorporated into your personal statement.

"Even if a school invites you to submit something, if it's not required, you should really have a good reason for sending it," said Ivey. Overdoing it can look self-important, and admissions staffers are already neck-deep in paperwork.

Do your research before going into the interview 

Clark recalled his interview as being really "anticlimactic" — a straightforward video session where people are asked to speak in depth about why they want to go to law school. When counseling current applicants, he reminded them to keep their online presence updated — particularly LinkedIn — and read up on the person who will be interviewing them.

"Basically, remember that people are researching you," he added. 

Ivey recommended being prepared to talk about why you want to pursue a law degree and what you hope to accomplish. "A lot of people apply to law school as a path of least resistance, and admissions officers are looking to weed out people who are there for prestige or rankings," she said. "The interview is less about a right or wrong answer and more about: Can you have a conversation? Can you sound like a thoughtful person?" 

Last but not least, Jacobson added that applicants should consider anything they included in their materials fair game, and to refamiliarize themselves with what they wrote. Once, a few years ago, an applicant listed "baking bread" as one of their personal interests — when Jacobson asked them about it, they blanked. If it's in your file, she said, "You need to be prepared to talk about it."

Watch: Leading behavioral psychologist reveals how to be a successful narcissist and why you should stop trying to be happy

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Writing Application Essays and Personal Statements

Some applications ask that you write an essay that draws on more personal reflections. These essays, sometimes called Personal Statements, are an opportunity to show the selection committee who you are as a person: your story, your values, your interests, and why you—and not your peer with a similar resume—are a perfect fit for this opportunity. These narrative essays allow you to really illustrate the person behind the resume, showcasing not only what you think but how you think.

Before you start writing, it’s helpful to really consider the goals of your personal statement:

• To learn more about you as a person: What would you like the selection committee to know about you that can't be covered by other application materials (e.g. resume, transcript, letters of recommendation)? What have been the important moments/influences throughout your journey that have led to where (and who!) you are?
• To learn how you think about the unsolved problems in your field of study/interest: What experiences demonstrate how you've been taught to think and how you tackle challenges?
• To assess whether you fit with the personal qualities sought by the selection committee:  How can you show that you are thoughtful and mature with a good sense of self; that you embody the character, qualities, and experience to be personally ready to thrive in this experience (graduate school and otherwise)? Whatever opportunity you are seeking—going to graduate school, spending the year abroad, conducting public service—is going to be challenging intellectually, emotionally, and financially. This is your opportunity to show that you have the energy and perseverance to succeed.

In general, your job through your personal statement is to show, don’t tell the committee about your journey. If you choose to retell specific anecdotes from your life, focus on one or two relavant, formative experiences—academic, professional, extracurricular—that are emblematic of your development. The essay is where you should showcase the depth of your maturity, not the breadth—that's the resume's job!

Determining the theme of an essay

The personal statement is usually framed with an overarching theme. But how do you come up with a theme that is unique to you? Here are some questions to get you started:

• Question your individuality:  What distinguishes you from your peers? What challenges have you overcome? What was one instance in your life where your values were called  into question?
• Question your field of study:  What first interested you about your field of study? How has your interest in the field changed and developed? How has this discipline shaped you? What are you most passionate about relative to your field?
• Question your non-academic experiences:  Why did you choose the internships, clubs, or activites you did? And what does that suggest about what you value?

Once you have done some reflection, you may notice a theme emerging (justice? innovation? creativity?)—great! Be careful to think beyond your first idea, too, though. Sometimes, the third or fourth theme to come to your mind is the one that will be most compelling to center your essay around.

Writing style

Certainly, your personal statement can have moments of humor or irony that reflect your personality, but the goal is not to show off your creative writing skills or present you as a sparkling conversationalist (that can be part of your interview!). Here, the aim is to present yourself as an interesting person, with a unique background and perspective, and a great future colleague. You should still use good academic writing—although this is not a research paper nor a cover letter—but the tone can be a bit less formal.

Communicating your values

Our work is often linked to our own values, identities, and personal experiences, both positive and negative. However, there can be a vulnerability to sharing these things with strangers. Know that you don't have to write about your most intimate thoughts or experiences, if you don't want to. If you do feel that it’s important that a selection committee knows this about you, reflect on why you would like for them to know that, and then be sure that it has an organic place in your statement. Your passion will come through in how you speak about these topics and their importance in forming you as an individual and budding scholar. 

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How to Write a Compelling Personal Statement for Harvard Law School

Learn how to craft a powerful personal statement that will impress the admissions committee at Harvard Law School.

Posted May 12, 2023

How to Get Into Law School Panel

Starting friday, july 26.

12:00 AM UTC · 60 minutes

Table of Contents

Applying to Harvard Law School can be a daunting task, but if you're intent on attending one of the most prestigious law schools in the world, it's essential that you come up with a personal statement that truly stands out from the competition. In this article, we'll explore everything you need to know about crafting a compelling personal statement for Harvard Law School.

Understanding the Importance of a Personal Statement for Harvard Law School

One of the most important components of your Harvard Law School application is your personal statement. This essay is your opportunity to showcase your unique qualities, experiences, and skills that make you an ideal candidate for the program. Your personal statement can give the admissions committee insight into who you are as a person, what drives you, and what you aspire to.

Researching and Understanding the Admissions Committee's Expectations

Before you start writing your personal statement, it's important to do some research and find out what the admissions committee is looking for. Take a look at the Harvard Law School admissions website, review their application requirements, and read up on their mission statement and values. This will give you a better understanding of what they're looking for in a candidate, and help you tailor your personal statement to their expectations.

Additionally, it may be helpful to reach out to current students or alumni of the program to gain insight into their experiences and what they believe the admissions committee values. You can also attend information sessions or virtual events hosted by the school to learn more about their program and what they're looking for in applicants. By doing your research and understanding the admissions committee's expectations, you can increase your chances of crafting a strong personal statement that resonates with them.

Choosing an Appropriate Topic for Your Personal Statement

The topic you choose for your personal statement is critical to its success. While it's tempting to write about an experience or topic that you think will impress the admissions committee, it's more important to choose a topic that reflects your personality, goals, and aspirations. Your personal statement should be a reflection of who you are, not just a list of accomplishments or qualifications.

One way to choose an appropriate topic for your personal statement is to brainstorm a list of experiences or moments that have shaped you as a person. Think about challenges you've faced, people who have influenced you, or moments of personal growth. From there, consider how these experiences relate to your goals and aspirations. By choosing a topic that is personal and meaningful to you, you'll be able to write a more authentic and compelling personal statement.

Crafting a Compelling Introduction That Grabs the Reader's Attention

The introduction to your personal statement is the first thing the admissions committee will read about you, so it's crucial that it's engaging and compelling. Start with a hook that grabs the reader's attention and makes them want to keep reading. You might start with an anecdote, a quote, or a statement that provokes thought or curiosity.

However, it's important to remember that your introduction should also be relevant to the rest of your personal statement. Don't just focus on making it attention-grabbing, but also ensure that it sets the tone for the rest of your essay and gives the reader a clear idea of what to expect. Your introduction should provide a brief overview of your background, experiences, and goals, and how they relate to the program you're applying to. By doing so, you'll not only capture the reader's attention but also establish a strong connection between your personal story and the program you're interested in.

Using Storytelling Techniques to Convey Your Message Effectively

One of the best ways to make your personal statement memorable is to use storytelling techniques. Stories are a powerful tool for conveying information and creating emotional connections. Use specific details, dialogues, and imagery to create vivid scenes that illustrate your point. A well-told story can make your personal statement more relatable and engaging.

Moreover, storytelling can also help you stand out from other applicants. Admissions officers read hundreds of personal statements, and a unique and well-crafted story can make yours more memorable. However, be careful not to overdo it. Your story should be relevant to your message and not distract from it.

Another benefit of using storytelling techniques is that it can help you showcase your personality and character. By sharing a personal experience, you can demonstrate your values, strengths, and resilience. This can give admissions officers a better sense of who you are beyond your academic achievements and qualifications.

Highlighting Your Unique Qualities and Experiences

Your personal statement should highlight your unique qualities, skills, experiences, and achievements. Focus on the aspects of your personality and background that make you stand out from other applicants. Use examples from your personal and professional life to demonstrate your strengths and talents, and show how they will contribute to the Harvard Law School community.

Additionally, it is important to showcase your passion for the field of law and your motivation for pursuing a legal education. Admissions committees want to see that you have a clear understanding of the challenges and rewards of a legal career, and that you are committed to making a positive impact in the field. Be sure to explain why you are specifically interested in attending Harvard Law School and how it aligns with your career goals.

Demonstrating Your Passion and Commitment to Law

Harvard Law School is looking for candidates who are passionate about the law and committed to using their legal education to make a difference in the world. Use your personal statement to demonstrate your interest in the law, and how you've already taken steps to pursue a career in the field. Share your thoughts on the role of law in society, and make a case for why you're the ideal candidate to study at Harvard Law School.

One way to demonstrate your passion and commitment to law is by highlighting any relevant experiences you've had in the field. This could include internships, volunteer work, or even personal projects that relate to the law. For example, if you've worked with a non-profit organization that provides legal aid to underserved communities, you could discuss how this experience has shaped your understanding of the law and your desire to pursue a legal education. By showcasing your practical experience and your dedication to making a difference, you can make a strong case for why you would be an asset to the Harvard Law School community.

Avoiding Common Mistakes in Personal Statement Writing

When writing your personal statement, it's important to avoid common mistakes that can undermine your application. Don't rely on cliches or generalizations, and avoid using buzzwords or jargon. Ensure that your writing is clear, concise, and easy to read. Proofread your personal statement thoroughly, and consider getting feedback from others to catch any mistakes or areas for improvement.

Another important aspect to consider when writing your personal statement is to tailor it to the specific program or institution you are applying to. Research the program and its values, and highlight how your experiences and goals align with them. This will show the admissions committee that you have a genuine interest in the program and have put effort into your application. Additionally, be honest and authentic in your writing, and avoid exaggerating or embellishing your experiences. Admissions committees can often spot insincere or inflated statements, which can harm your chances of being accepted.

Editing and Proofreading Your Personal Statement to Perfection

After writing your personal statement, it's essential that you edit and proofread it to perfection. Go through your essay multiple times, and look for ways to make your writing more effective and compelling. Ensure that your grammar, spelling, and punctuation are flawless. Edit your personal statement until you're confident that it's the best it can be.

Another important aspect to consider when editing your personal statement is the overall structure and flow of your essay. Make sure that your ideas are presented in a logical and coherent manner, and that each paragraph flows smoothly into the next. You may also want to consider the tone and style of your writing, and whether it effectively conveys your personality and voice. Taking the time to carefully edit and proofread your personal statement can make all the difference in presenting yourself as a strong and compelling candidate to admissions committees.

Getting Feedback from Professors, Peers, and Professionals in the Field

It's always a good idea to get feedback from others when writing your personal statement. Ask your professors, peers, or professionals in the legal field to read your personal statement and provide constructive criticism. Use their feedback to refine your writing, and make your personal statement even stronger.

When seeking feedback, it's important to choose individuals who are knowledgeable about the field you are applying to. For example, if you are applying to law school, seek feedback from individuals who have experience in the legal field. This will ensure that the feedback you receive is relevant and helpful.

Additionally, don't be afraid to ask for feedback multiple times. After making revisions based on initial feedback, seek additional feedback to ensure that your personal statement is as strong as possible. Remember, the goal is to make a positive impression on the admissions committee, so take the time to get feedback and make your personal statement the best it can be.

Tailoring Your Personal Statement to Harvard Law School Specifically

While you may have a general personal statement that you use for other law schools, it's important to tailor your personal statement to Harvard Law School specifically. Do some research on the school's mission, curriculum, faculty, and programs, and make sure that your personal statement reflects your understanding of what Harvard Law School has to offer.

Tips on Making Your Personal Statement Stand Out from Other Applicants

Stand out from the competition by making your personal statement unique and memorable. Use personalized examples and stories that reflect your personality and aspirations. Consider taking a risk with your topic or approach, but be sure that the risk is appropriate and relevant.

The Role of the Personal Statement in the Overall Application Process

While the personal statement is just one piece of the puzzle in the Harvard Law School application process, it's an essential component. Your personal statement is your chance to showcase your unique qualities, experiences, and skills, and make a case for why you're the ideal candidate for the program. Ensure that your personal statement is the best it can be, and you'll be one step closer to achieving your dreams.

Final Thoughts: Putting It All Together to Create a Winning Personal Statement

Writing a personal statement for Harvard Law School can be a challenging and rewarding experience. Use these tips and guidelines to craft a compelling personal statement that highlights your unique qualities and achievements, reflects your passion for the law, and demonstrates why you're the perfect candidate for Harvard Law School. With hard work, dedication, and a clear vision of your goals, you can create a winning personal statement that sets you apart from other applicants.

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How to write a law school personal statement + examples.

Reviewed by:

David Merson

Former Head of Pre-Law Office, Northeastern University, & Admissions Officer, Brown University

Reviewed: 3/18/24

Law school personal statements help show admissions committees why you’re an excellent candidate. Read on to learn how to write a personal statement for law school!

Writing a law school personal statement requires time, effort, and a lot of revision. Law school statement prompts and purposes can vary slightly depending on the school. 

Their purpose could be to show your personality, describe your motivation for attending law school, explain why you want to go to a particular law school, or a mix of all three and more. This guide will help you perfect your writing with tips and examples.

The Best Law School Personal Statement Format

Unfortunately, there’s no universal format for a law school personal statement. Every law school has a preference (or lack thereof) on how your personal statement should be structured. We recommend always checking for personal statement directions for every school you want to apply to. 

However, many law schools ask for similar elements when it comes to personal statement formats. These are some standard formatting elements to keep in mind if your school doesn’t provide specific instructions: 

• Typically two pages or less in length 
• Double-spaced 
• Use a basic, readable font style and size (11-point is the smallest you should do, although some schools may request 12-point) 
• Margins shouldn’t be less than 1 inch unless otherwise specified 
• Left-aligned 
• Indent new paragraphs 
• Don’t return twice to begin a new paragraph 
• Law schools typically ask for a header, typically including your full name, page number, LSAC number, and the words “Personal Statement” (although there can be variations to this) 

How you format your header may be up to you; sometimes, law schools won't specify whether the header should be one line across the top or three lines. 

This is how your header may look if you decide to keep it as one line. If you want a three-line header, it should look like this on the top-right of the page: 

 Remember, the best law school personal statement format is the one in the application instructions. Ensure you follow all formatting requirements!

How to Title a Personal Statement (Law) 

You may be tempted to give your law school statement a punchy title, just like you would for an academic essay. However, the general rule is that you shouldn’t give your law school personal statement a title. 

The University of Washington states, “DON’T use quotes or give a title to your statement.” Many other schools echo this advice. The bottom line is that although you're writing your story, your law school statement doesn't require a title. Don't add one unless the school requests it.

How to Start a Personal Statement for Law School 

Acing the beginning of your personal statement is essential for your narrative’s success. The introduction is your chance to captivate the admissions committee and immerse them in your story. As such, you want your writing to be interesting enough to grab their attention without purposefully going for shock value.

So, how do you write a personal statement introduction that will garner the attention it deserves? The simplest way to get the reader involved in your story is to start with a relevant anecdote that ties in with your narrative. 

Consider the opening paragraph from Harvard Law graduate Cameron Clark’s law school personal statement : 

“At the intersection of 21st and Speedway, I lay on the open road. My leg grazed the shoulder of a young woman lying on the ground next to me. Next to her, a man on his stomach slowed his breathing to appear as still as possible. A wide circle of onlookers formed around the dozens of us on the street. We were silent and motionless, but the black-and-white signs affirmed our existence through their decree: BLACK LIVES MATTER.”

The beginning lines of this personal statement immediately draw the reader in. Why was the writer lying on the road? Why were other people there with him, and why was a man trying to slow his breathing? We're automatically inspired to keep reading to find out more information. 

That desire to keep reading is the hallmark of a masterful personal statement introduction. However, you don’t want to leave your reader hanging for too long. By the end of this introduction, we’re left with a partial understanding of what’s happening. 

There are other ways to start a personal statement that doesn't drop the reader in the middle of the action. Some writers may begin their law personal statement in other ways: 

• Referencing a distant memory, thought, feeling, or perspective
• Setting the scene for the opening anecdote before jumping in 
• Providing more context on the time, place, or background 

Many openings can blend some of these with detailed, vivid imagery. Here's a law school personal statement opening that worked at the UChicago Law : 

“I fell in love for the first time when I was four. That was the year my mother signed me up for piano lessons. I can still remember touching those bright, ivory keys with reverence, feeling happy and excited that soon I would be playing those tinkling, familiar melodies (which my mother played every day on our boombox) myself.”

This opening references a distant memory and feeling, mixed with vivid imagery that paints a picture in the reader's head. Keep in mind that different openers can work better than others, depending on the law school prompt. 

To recap, consider these elements as you write your law school personal statement’s introduction: 

• Aim for an attention-grabbing hook 
• Don’t purposefully aim for shock value: it can sometimes seem unauthentic 
• Use adjectives and imagery to paint a scene for your reader 
• Identify which opening method works best for the law school prompt and your story
• Don’t leave the reader hanging for too long to find out what your narrative is about
• Be concise 

Writing a law school personal statement introduction can be difficult, but these examples and tips can help you get the attention your writing deserves.

How to Write a Law School Personal Statement

Now that you’re equipped with great advice and tips to start your law school statement, it’s time to tackle the body of your essay. These tips will show you how to write a personal statement for law school to captivate the admissions committee. 

Understand the Prompt

While many law schools have similar personal statement prompts, you should carefully examine what's being asked of you before diving in. Consider these top law school personal statement prompts to see what we mean: 

• Yale Law School : “The personal statement should help us learn about the personal, professional, and/or academic qualities an applicant would bring to the Law School community. Applicants often submit the personal statement they have prepared for other law school applications.”
• University of Chicago Law : “Our application does not provide a specific topic or question for the personal statement because you are the best judge of what you should write. Write about something personal, relevant, and completely individual to you.”
• NYU Law : “Because people and their interests vary, we leave the content and length of your statement to your discretion. You may wish to complete or clarify your responses to items on the application form, bring to our attention additional information you feel should be considered, describe important or unusual aspects of yourself not otherwise apparent in your application, or tell us what led you to apply to NYU School of Law.”

Like all law personal statements, these three prompts are pretty open-ended. However, your Yale personal statement should focus on how you’d contribute to a law school community through professional and academic experience and qualities. 

For UChicago Law, you don’t even need to write about a law-related topic if you don’t want to. However, when it comes to a school like NYU Law , you probably want to mix your qualities, experiences, and what led you to apply. 

Differing prompts are the reason you’ll need to create multiple copies of your personal statement! 

Follow Formatting Directions 

Pay extra attention to each school's formatting directions. While we've discussed basic guidelines for law school personal statement formats, it's essential to check if there is anything different you need to do. 

While working on your rough drafts, copy and paste the prompt and directions at the top of the page so you don't forget. 

Brainstorm Narratives/Anecdotes Based on the Prompt

You may have more wiggle room with some prompts than others regarding content. However, asking yourself these questions can generally help you direct your personal statement for any law school:

• What major personal challenges or recent hardships have you faced? 
• What was one transformative event that impacted your life’s course or perspective? 
• What are your hobbies or special interests? 
• What achievements are you most proud of that aren’t stated in your application? 
• What experience or event changed your values or way of thinking? 
• What’s something you’re passionate about that you got involved in? What was the result of your passion? 
• How did your distinct upbringing, background, or culture put you on the path to law school? 
• What personal or professional experiences show who you are? 

Keep in mind that this isn't an exhaustive list. Consider your personal and professional experiences that have brought you to this point, and determine which answers would make the most compelling story. 

Pettit College of Law recommends you "go through your transcripts, application, and resume. Are there any gaps or missing details that your personal statement could cover?” If you've listed something on your resume that isn't further discussed, it could make a potential personal statement topic. 

Do More Than Recount: Reflect

Recounting an event in a summarized way is only one piece of your law school personal statement. Even if you’re telling an outlandish or objectively interesting story, stopping there doesn’t show admissions committees what they need to know to judge your candidacy. 

The University of Washington suggests that “describing the event should only be about 1/3 of your essay. The rest should be a reflection on how it changed you and how it shaped the person you are today.” Don’t get stuck in the tangible details of your anecdote; show what the experience meant to you. 

Beth O'Neil , Director of Admissions and Financial Aid at UC Berkeley School of Law , said, "Applicants also tend to state and not evaluate. They give a recitation of their experience but no evaluation of what effect that particular experience had on them, no assessment of what certain experiences or honors meant." 

Consider What Qualities You Want to Show

No matter what direction you want to take your law school personal statement, you should consider which qualities your narrative puts on display. Weaving your good character into your essay can be difficult. Outwardly claiming, "I'm a great leader!" doesn't add much value. 

However, telling a story about a time you rose to the occasion to lead a group successfully toward a common goal shows strong leadership. "Show, don't tell" may be an overused statement, but it's a popular sentiment for a reason. 

Of course, leadership ability isn't the only quality admissions committees seek. Consider the qualities you possess and those you'd expect to find in a great lawyer and check to see the overlap. Some qualities you could show include: 

• Intelligence 
• Persuasiveness 
• Compassion 
• Professionalism 

Evaluate the anecdotes you chose after your brainstorming session and see if any of these qualities or others align with your narrative. 

Keep Your Writing Concise

Learning how to write a personal statement for law school means understanding how to write for concision. Most prompts won't have a word limit but ask you to cap your story at two pages, double-spaced. Unfortunately, that's not a lot of space to work with. 

Although your writing should be compelling and vibrant, do your best to avoid flowery language and long, complicated sentences where they’re not needed. Writing for concision means eliminating unnecessary words, cutting down sentences, and getting the point quickly.  

Georgetown University’s take on law school personal statements is to “Keep it simple and brief. Big words do not denote big minds, just big egos.” A straightforward narrative means your reader is much less likely to be confused or get lost in your story (in the wrong way). 

Decide the Depth and Scope of Your Statement 

Since you only have two (or even three) pages to get your point across, you must consider the depth and scope of your narrative. While you don’t want to provide too little information, remember that you don’t have the room to summarize your entire life story (and you don’t have to do that anyway). 

UChicago Law’s advice is to “Use your discretion - we know you have to make a choice and have limited space. Attempting to cover too much material can result in an unfocused and scattered personal statement.” Keep the depth and scope of your narrative manageable. 

Ensure It’s Personal Enough 

UChicago Law states, "If someone else could write your personal statement, it probably is not personal enough." This doesn't mean that you must pick the most grandiose, shocking narrative to make an impact or that you can't write about something many others have probably experienced. 

Getting personal means only you can write that statement; other people may be able to relate to an experience, but your reflection, thoughts, feelings, and reactions are your own. UChicago Law sees applicants fall into this pitfall by writing about a social issue or area of law, so tread these topics carefully.

Mix the Past and Present, Present and Future, Or All Three 

Harvard Law School’s Associate Director Nefyn Meissner said your personal statement should “tell us something about who you are, where you’ve been, and where you want to go.” 

Echoing this, Jon Perdue , Yale Law School's Director of Recruiting and Diversity Initiatives, states that the three most common approaches to the Yale Law School personal statement are focusing on: 

• The past: discussing your identity and background 
• The present: focusing on your current work, activities, and interests 
• The future: the type of law you want to pursue and your ideal career path 

Perdue said that truly stellar personal statements have a sense of “movement” and touch on all or two of these topics. What does this mean for you? While writing your law school personal statement, don’t be afraid to touch on your past, present, and future. However, remember not to take on too much content! 

Keep the Focus On You 

This is a common pitfall that students fall into while writing a law school personal statement . UChicago Law cites that this is a common mistake applicants make when they write at length about: 

• A family member who inspired them or their family history 
• Stories about others 
• Social or legal issues 

Even if someone like your grandmother had a profound impact on your decision to pursue law, remember that you’re the star of the show. Meissner said , “Should you talk about your grandmother? Only if doing so helps make the case for us to admit you. Otherwise, we might end up wanting to admit your grandmother.” Don’t let historical figures, your family, or anyone else steal your spotlight. 

Decide If You Need to Answer: Why Law? 

Writing about why you want to attend law school in general or a school in particular depends on the prompt. Some schools welcome the insight, while others (like Harvard Law) don't. Meissner said, “Should you mention you want to come to HLS? We already assume that if you’re applying.”

However, Perdue said your law school personal statement for Yale should answer three questions: 

• Why law school?

Some schools may invite you to discuss your motivation to apply to law school or what particular elements of the school inspired you to apply. 

Don’t List Qualifications or Rehash Your Resume 

Your personal statement should flow like a story, with an identifiable beginning, middle, and end. Simply firing off your honors and awards, or summarizing the experiences on your resume, doesn’t tell the admissions committee anything new about you. 

Your personal statement is your opportunity to show how your unique experiences shaped you, your qualities, and the person you are behind your LSAT scores and GPA. Think about how you can show who you are at your core. 

Avoid Legalese, Jargon, And Sophisticated Terms 

The best law school personal statements are written in straightforward English and don't use overly academic, technical, or literary words. UChicago Law recommends avoiding legalese or 

Latin terms since the "risk you are incorrectly using them is just too high." 

Weaving together intricate sentence structures with words you pulled out of a thesaurus won’t make your personal statement a one-way ticket to acceptance. Be clear, straightforward, and to the point. 

Don’t Put Famous Quotes In Your Writing 

Beginning your law school personal statement with a quote is not only cliche but takes the focus off of you. It also eats up precious space you could fill with your voice. 

Revise, Revise, Revise 

Even the most talented writers never submit a perfect first draft. You'll need to do a lot of revisions before your personal statement is ready for submission. This is especially true because you'll write different versions for different law schools; these iterations must be edited to perfection. 

Ensure you have enough time to make all the edits and improvements you need before you plan to submit your application. Although most law schools have rolling admissions, submitting a perfected application as soon as possible is always in your best interest. 

Have an Admission Consultant Review Your Hard Work 

Reviewing so many personal statements by yourself is a lot of work, and most writing can always benefit from a fresh perspective. Consider seeking a law school admissions consultant’s help to edit your personal statements to perfection and maximize your chances of acceptance at your dream school!

How to End Your Personal Statement for Law School 

Law school personal statement conclusions are just as open-ended as your introductions. There are a few options for ending a personal statement depending on the prompt you’re writing for:

Some of these methods can overlap with each other. However, there are two more things you should always consider when you're ready to wrap up your story: the tone you're leaving on and how you can make your writing fit with your narrative's common thread. 

You should never want to leave your reader on a low note, even if you wrote about something that isn’t necessarily happy. You should strive to end your personal statement with a tone that’s hopeful, happy, confident, or some other positive feeling. 

Your last sentences should also give the impression of finality; your reader should understand that you’re wrapping up and not be left wondering where the rest of your statement is. 

So, what's the common thread? This just means that your narrative sticks to the overarching theme or event you portrayed at the beginning of your writing. Bringing your writing full circle makes a more satisfying conclusion.

Personal Statement for Law School Conclusion Examples

Evaluating law school personal statement conclusions can help you see what direction authors decided to take with their writing. Let’s circle back to the sample personal statement openings for law school and examine their respective conclusions. The first example explains the applicant’s motivation to attend Harvard Law. 

Sample Personal Statement for Law School Conclusion #1

“…Attorneys and legal scholars have paved the way for some of the greatest civil rights victories for women, people of color, LGBTQ individuals, and (people living with disabilities). At Harvard Law School, I will prepare to join their ranks by studying with the nation's leading legal scholars. 

For the past months, I have followed Harvard Law School student responses to the events in Ferguson and New York City. I am eager to join a law school community that shares my passion for using the law to achieve real progress for victims of discrimination. With an extensive history of advocacy for society's most marginalized groups, I believe Harvard Law School will thoroughly train me to support and empower communities in need. 

Our act of civil disobedience that December day ended when the Tower’s bells rang out in two bars, hearkening half-past noon. As we stood up and gathered our belongings, we broke our silence to remind everyone of a most basic truth: Black lives matter.” 

What Makes This Conclusion Effective 

Although Harvard Law School states there's no need to explain why you want to apply, this law school statement is from an HLS graduate, and we can assume this was written before the advice changed. 

In his conclusion, he relates and aligns his values with Harvard Law School and how joining the community will help him fulfill his mission to empower communities in need. The last paragraph circles back to the anecdote described in his introduction, neatly wrapping up the event and signaling a natural end to his story. 

This author used these strategies: the motivation to attend a specific law school, stating his mission, and subtly reiterating what his acceptance would bring to the school. The next example conclusion worked at UChicago Law: 

Sample Personal Statement for Law School Conclusion #2

“Songs can be rewritten and reinterpreted as situation permits, but missteps are obvious because the fundamental laws of music and harmony do not change.

Although my formal music education ended when I entered college, the lessons I have learned over the years have remained close and relevant to my life. I have acquired a lifestyle of discipline and internalized the drive for self-improvement. I have gained an appreciation for the complexities and the subtleties of interpretation. 

I understand the importance of having both a sound foundation and a dedication to constant study. I understand that to possess a passion and personal interest in something, to think for myself is just as important.”

What Made This Conclusion Effective

This law school personal statement was successful at UChicago Law. Although the writing has seemingly nothing to do with law or the author's capability to become a great lawyer, the author has effectively used the "show, don't tell" advice. 

The last paragraph implements the focus on qualities or skills strategy. Although related to music, the qualities they describe that a formal music education taught her mesh with the qualities of a successful lawyer: 

• A drive for self-improvement 
• The ability to interpret information 
• The ability to learn consistently 
• The ability to think for herself 

Overall, this essay does an excellent job of uncovering her personality and relating to the opening paragraph, where she describes how she fell in love with music.

2 Law School Personal Statement Examples From Admitted Students

These are two law school personal statement examples that worked. We'll review the excerpts below and describe what made them effective and if there's room for improvement. 

Law School Personal Statement Example #1

This is an excerpt of a law personal statement that worked at UChicago Law : 

“The turning point of my college football career came early in my third year. At the end of the second practice of the season, in ninety-five-degree heat, our head coach decided to condition the entire team. Sharp, excruciating pain shot down my legs as he summoned us repeatedly to the line to run wind sprints. 

I collapsed as I turned the corner on the final sprint. Muscle spasms spread throughout my body, and I briefly passed out. Severely dehydrated, I was rushed to the hospital and quickly given more than three liters of fluids intravenously. As I rested in a hospital recovery room, I realized my collapse on the field symbolized broader frustrations I felt playing college football.

I was mentally and physically defeated. In South Dakota, I was a dominant football player in high school, but at the Division I level, my talent was less conspicuous. In my first three years, I was convinced that obsessively training my body to run faster and be stronger would earn me a starting position. The conditioning drill that afternoon revealed the futility of my approach. I had thrust my energies into becoming a player I could never be. As a result, I lost confidence in my identity.

I considered other aspects of my life where my intellect, work ethic, and determination had produced positive results. I chose to study economics and English because processing abstract concepts and ideas in diverse disciplines were intuitively rewarding…Gathering data, reviewing previous literature, and ultimately offering my own contribution to economic knowledge was exhilarating. Indeed, undergraduate research affirmed my desire to attend law school, where I could more thoroughly satisfy my intellectual curiosity…My efforts generated high marks and praise from professors, but this success made my disappointment with football more pronounced.

The challenge of collegiate athletics felt insurmountable. However, I reminded myself that at the Division I level, I was able to compete with and against some of the best players in the country…After the hospital visit, my football position coach—sensing my mounting frustrations—offered some advice. Instead of devoting my energies almost exclusively to physical preparation, he said, I should approach college football with the same mental focus I brought to my academic studies. I began to devour scouting reports and to analyze the complex reasoning behind defensive philosophies and schemes. I studied film and discovered ways to anticipate plays from the offense and become a more effective player. Armed with renewed confidence, I finally earned a starting position in the beginning of my fourth year…

‍I had received the highest grade on the team. After three years of A’s in the classroom, I finally earned my first ‘A’ in football. I used mental preparation to maintain my competitive edge for the rest of the season. Through a combination of film study and will power, I led my team and conference in tackles…The most rewarding part of the season, though, was what I learned about myself in the process. When I finally stopped struggling to become the player I thought I needed to be, I developed self-awareness and confidence in the person I was.

The image of me writhing in pain on the practice field sometimes slips back into my thoughts as I decide where to apply to law school. College football taught me to recognize my weaknesses and look for ways to overcome them. I will enter law school a much stronger person and student because of my experiences on the football field and in the classroom. My decision where to attend law school mirrors my decision where to play college football. I want to study law at the University of Chicago Law School because it provides the best combination of professors, students, and resources in the country. In Division I college football, I succeeded when I took advantage of my opportunities. I hope the University of Chicago will give me an opportunity to succeed again.”

Why This Personal Statement Example Worked

The beginning of this personal statement includes vivid imagery and sets up a relevant anecdote for the reader: the writer’s injury while playing football. At the end of the introduction, he sets up a fantastic transition about his broader frustrations, compelling us to keep reading. 

The essay's body shows the writer's vulnerability, making it even more personal; it can be challenging to talk about feelings, like losing your confidence, but it can help us relate to him. 

The author sets up a transition to writing more about his academic ability, his eventual leadership role on the team, and developing the necessary qualities of a well-rounded lawyer: self-awareness and confidence. 

Finally, the author rounds out his statement by circling back to his opening anecdote and showing the progress he’s made from there. He also describes why UChicago Law is the right school for him. To summarize, the author expertly handled: 

• Opening with a descriptive anecdote that doesn’t leave the reader hanging for too long 
• Being vulnerable in such a way that no one else could have written this statement 
• Doing more than recounting an event but reflecting on it 
• Although he introduced his coach's advice, he kept himself the focal point of the story 
• He picked a focused event; the writer didn’t try to tackle too much content 
• His conclusion references his introduction, signalling the natural end of the story 
• The ending also reaffirms his passion for pursuing law, particularly at UChicago Law 

Law School Personal Statement Example #2 

This law school personal statement excerpt led to acceptance at Boston University Law. 

“She sat opposite me at my desk to fill out a few forms. Fumbling her hands and laughing uncomfortably, it was obvious that she was nervous. Sandra was eighteen, and her knowledge of English was limited to “yes” and “hello.” While translating the initial meeting between Sandra and her attorney, I learned of her reasons for leaving El Salvador. She had been in an abusive relationship, and though she wasn’t ready to go into detail just yet, it was clear from the conversation that her boyfriend had terrorized her and that the El Salvadoran police were of no help…Eventually, Sandra was given a credible fear interview. The interviewer believed that she had a real fear of returning to El Salvador, and Sandra was released from detention with an Immigration Court hearing notice in her hand. She had just retained our office to present her asylum case to the Immigration Judge.

I tried to imagine myself in Sandra’s shoes. She hadn’t finished high school, was in a completely new environment, and had almost no understanding of how things worked in the US. Even the harsh New England winter must have seemed unnatural to her. Having lived abroad for a couple of years, I could relate on some level; however, the circumstances of my stay overseas were completely different. I went to Spain after graduating from college to work in an elementary school, improve my Spanish skills, and see a bit of the world…I had to ask hundreds of questions and usually make a few attempts before actually accomplishing my goal. Frustrating though it was, I didn’t have so much riding on each of these endeavors. If I didn’t have all the necessary paperwork to open a bank account one day, I could just try again the next day. Sandra won’t be afforded the same flexibility in her immigration process, where so much depends on the ability to abide by inflexible deadlines and procedures. Without someone to guide her through the process, ensuring that all requirements are met, and presenting her case as persuasively as possible, Sandra will have little chance of achieving legal status in the United States…

Before starting at my current position at Joyce & Associates, an immigration law firm in Boston, I had long considered a career in law. Growing up, I was engaged by family and school debates about public policy and government. In college, I found my constitutional law courses challenging and exciting. Nonetheless, it wasn’t until I began working with clients like Sandra that I became convinced that a career in law is the right choice for me. Playing my part as a legal assistant in various immigration cases, I have been able to witness how a career in immigration advocacy is both intellectually stimulating and personally fulfilling. I have seen the importance of well-articulated arguments and even creativity in arguing a client’s eligibility for an immigration benefit. I have learned that I excel in critical thinking and in examining detail, as I continually consider the consistency and possible implications of any documents that clients provide in support of their application. But most importantly, I have realized how deserving many of these immigrants are. Many of the clients I work with are among the most hardworking and patriotic people I have encountered…

‍I am equally confident that I would thrive as a student at Boston University, where I would be sure to take full advantage of the many opportunities available. The school’s Asylum and Human Rights Clinic and Immigration Detention Clinic would offer me invaluable experiences in various immigration settings…Given my experiences in an immigration firm, I know that I would have much to offer while participating in these programs, but even more to learn. And while I find BU’s immigration programs to be especially appealing, I am equally drawn to the Boston University experience as a whole…I hope to have the opportunity to face those challenges and to contribute my own experiences and drive to the Boston University community.”

This statement makes excellent use of opening with an experience that sets the writer's motivation to attend law school in motion. We're introduced to another person in the story in the introduction before the author swivels and transitions to how she'd imagine herself in Sandra's shoes. 

This transition shows empathy, and although the author could relate to her client's struggles on a more superficial level, she understood the gravity of her situation and the hardships that awaited her. 

The author backpedals to show how she's cultivated an interest in law in college and explored this interest to know it's the right choice for her. The conclusion does an excellent job of referencing exactly how BU Law will help her achieve her mission. To recap, this personal statement was effective because: 

• She started her personal statement with a story 
• Although the writer focuses on an event with another person, she moves the focus back to her 
• The author’s statement shows qualities like empathy, compassion, and critical thinking without explicitly stating it 
• She connects her experiences to her motivation to attend law school 
• This statement has movement: it references the author’s past, present, and future 
• She ends her statement by explaining in detail why BU Law is the right school for her 

Although this personal statement worked, circling back to the opening anecdote in the conclusion, even with a brief sentence, would have made the conclusion more impactful and fortified the common thread of her narrative.

How to Write Personal Statement For Law School: FAQs

Do you still have questions about how to write a personal statement for law school? Read on to learn more. 

1. What Makes a Good Personal Statement for Law School? 

Generally, an excellent personal statement tells a relevant story, showcases your best qualities, is personal, and creatively answers the prompt. Depending on the prompt, a good personal statement may describe your motivation to attend law school or why a school, in particular, is perfect for you. 

2. Should I Write a Separate Personal Statement for Each School? 

Depending on the prompts, you may be able to submit the same or similar personal statements to different schools. However, you’ll likely need more than one version of your statement to apply to different schools. Generally, students will write a few versions of their statements to meet personal statement instructions. 

3. How Long Should My Personal Statement Be? 

Personal statement length requirements vary by school, but you can generally expect to write approximately two pages, double-spaced. 

4. What Should You Not Put In a Law School Personal Statement? 

Your personal statement shouldn’t include famous quotes, overly sophisticated language, statements that may offend others, and unhelpful or inappropriate information about yourself. 

5. What Do I Write My Law School Personal Statement About? 

The answer depends on the prompt you need to answer. Consider your experiences and decide which are impactful, uncover your personality, show your motivation to attend law school, or show your impressive character traits. 

6. Does the Personal Statement Really Matter for Law School? 

Top LSAT scores and high GPAs may not be enough, especially at the T-14 law schools. Due to the high level of competition, you should take advantage of your personal statement to show why you’re an excellent candidate. So yes, they do matter.

Writing A Law School Personal Statement is Easy With Juris

Writing a personal statement can be tricky, but it doesn’t have to be. Juris Education is committed to helping you learn how to write a law school personal statement with ease. We help future law school students develop their narratives, evaluate writing to ensure it’s in line with what law schools expect, and edit statements to perfection. 

A stellar personal statement helps you stand out and can help you take that last step to attending the law school of your dreams.

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18 Law School Personal Statement Examples That Got Accepted!

This blog contains law school personal statement examples written by applicants who were successfully accepted to multiple law schools after working with our admissions experts as part of our  application review programs . Your  law school personal statement  is one of the most important parts of your application and is your best opportunity to show admissions officers who you are behind your numbers and third-party assessments. Because of its importance, many students find the personal statement to be daunting and demanding of the full scope of their skills as writers. Today we're going to review these excellent law school personal statement examples from past successful applicants and provide some proven strategies from a former admissions officer that can help you prepare your own stellar essay. 

>> Want us to help you get accepted? Schedule a free strategy call here . <<

Article Contents 44 min read

Law school personal statement example #1.

When I was a child, my neighbors, who had arrived in America from Nepal, often seemed stressed. They argued a lot, struggled for money, and seemed to work all hours of the day. One day, I woke early in the morning to a commotion outside my apartment. Police officers were accompanying my neighbors out of the building. They were being deported. In my teens, I was shocked to see that our kind, friendly neighbors had exhausted their last chance to stay in America as they lost a court appeal. 

Since that time, I have worked closely with the many immigrant families in my neighborhood, and now university town. I began by volunteering at a local community center. Together with social workers, I served food and gave out clothes to new arrivals. My diligent work ethic led to more responsibility, and I received training in basic counseling techniques, first aid skills and community services. Soon, I was tasked with welcoming new community members and assessing their health and social needs. I heard the many difficult stories of those who had traveled thousands of miles, often through several countries, risking everything to reach a safe, welcoming country. I was proud to contribute in some small way to making America welcoming for these individuals.

The community center is where I had my first formal contact with legal aid lawyers, who were a constant source of knowledge and support for those who needed assistance. I was struck by the lawyers’ ability to explain complex legal processes to nervous and exhausted incomers: law, I realized, was about more than procedure. I decided that I, too, would strive to balance a wealth of technical knowledge with my caring, compassionate personality.

As soon as I enrolled in university, I knew I had the chance to do so. In my very first week, I signed up to volunteer at the university’s legal aid center, where I worked closely with law professors and students on a range of cases. Academically, I have focused on courses, such as a fourth-year Ethics seminar, that would help me develop rigorous critical reasoning skills. More importantly, I knew that, given my experience, I could be a leader on campus. I decided to found a refugee campaign group, Students4Refugees. Together with a group of volunteers, we campaigned to make our campus a refugee-friendly space. I organized a series of events: international student mixers, an art installation in our student commons, and concerts that raised over $5,000 for the charity Refugee Aid. I am proud to say that my contributions were recognized with a university medal for campus leadership.

I have seen time and again how immigrants to the United States struggle with bureaucracy, with complex legal procedures, and with the demands of living in a foreign and sometimes hostile climate. As I plan to enter law school, I look back to my neighbors’ experiences: they needed someone who knew the law, who could negotiate with the authorities on their behalf, who could inform them of their rights—but they also needed someone who would provide a caring and compassionate outlet for their stresses. I know that Townsville University’s combination of academic rigor, legal aid services, and history of graduates entering labor and non-profit sectors will allow me to develop these skills and continue making contributions to my community by advocating for those in need.

• Thematic consistency: It focuses on just one theme: justice for immigrants. Each paragraph is designed to show off how enthusiastic the student is about this area of law. Personal statements—including those for law school—often begin with a personal anecdote. This one is short, memorable, and relevant. It establishes the overall theme quickly. By constraining their essay’s focus to a single general theme, the writer can go into great depth and weave in emotional and psychological weight through careful and vivid description. The personal statement isn’t a standard 3-paragraph college essay with a spotlight thesis statement, but it conveys similar impact through presenting a central focus organically, without resorting to simply blurting out “the point” of the piece.   
• Shows, rather than tells: Connected to this, this statement focuses on showing rather than telling. Rather than simply telling the reader about their commitment to law, the applicant describes specific situations they were involved in that demonstrate their commitment to law. “Show don’t tell” means you want to paint a vivid picture of actions or experiences that demonstrate a given quality or skill, and not simply say "I can do X." Make it an experience for your reader, don't just give them a fact. 
• Confident, but not arrogant: Additionally, this personal statement is confident without being boastful—leadership qualities, grades, and an award are all mentioned in context, rather than appearing as a simple list of successes. 
• Specific to the school: It ends with a conclusion that alludes to why the applicant is suitable for the specific school to which they’re applying and points to their future career plans. Thoroughly researching the law school to which you’re applying is incredibly important so that you can tailor your remarks to the specific qualities and values they’re looking for. A law essay writing service is really something that can help you integrate this aspect effectively. 

What Should a Law School Personal Statement Do?

1.      be unique to the school you’re applying to.

Students are always asking how to write a personal statement for law school, particularly one that stands out from all the rest. After all, advice from most universities can often be quite vague. Take this zinger from the  University of Chicago : “Write about something personal, relevant, and completely individual to you… Just be yourself.” Every school will have different requirements or content they want to see in a personal statement. This is why it’s a good idea to review specific guidelines for the school to which you’re applying. For example, you can read Yale Law School personal statement examples , Stanford Law personal statement examples , and an NYU personal statement to get an idea of what these schools look for.

2.      Demonstrate your skills and capabilities

For motivated students with the world at their fingertips, it’s a tough ask to narrow your character down into a few hundred words! But this is exactly the point of such generic guidelines—to challenge aspiring law students to produce something unique and convincing with minimal direction by the university. Law is, after all, a profession that demands your language to be persuasive, and the personal statement is merely one of many exercises where you can demonstrate your language skills. 

3.      Meet basic requirements

While the law school personal statement is about far more than just following essay directions, you still need to keep basic formatting and length restrictions in mind. Most law schools ask for a 2-page personal statement, but lengths can range from 2-4 pages. Georgetown Law School , for instance, recommends a 2-page personal statement but explicitly states that there is no official minimum or maximum. In general, length does not make a personal statement better. Rambling, meandering sentences and tiresome descriptions will only hurt the impact of your ideas, especially considering how many thousands of pages admissions committees have to churn through each year.  

In short, keep to 2 double-spaced pages, and only go below or above this is if you absolutely have to, and if the school to which you're applying allows it. You want to keep things as widely applicable as possible while drafting your personal statement, meaning that you don't want to draft a 4 page letter for the one school that allows it, and then have to significantly rewrite this for your other schools. Stick to 2 pages. 

4.      Embody what the school is looking for

Lastly, many law schools won’t offer hyper-specific prompts, but will give you general law school admissions essay topics to follow. For instance, the University of Washington’s law school provides a number of topics to follow, including “Describe a personal challenge you faced” or “Describe your passions and involvement in a project or pursuit and the ways in which it has contributed to your personal growth and goals.” These topics may feel specific at first, but as you begin drafting, you’ll likely realize you have dozens of memories to choose from, and numerous ways of describing their impact. While drafting, try to explore as many of these options as possible, and select the best or most impactful to use in your final draft.  

Want to write the perfect law school personal statement? Watch this video:

Law School Personal Statement Example #2

In my home community, the belief is that the law is against us. The law oppresses and victimizes. I must admit that as a child and young person I had this opinion based on my environment and the conversations around me. I did not understand that the law could be a vehicle for social change, and I certainly did not imagine I had the ability and talents to be a voice for this change. I regularly attended my high school classes because I enjoyed the discussions and reading for English and history, and writing came easily to me, but I wasn’t committed to getting good grades because I felt I had no purpose. My mindset changed as I spent time with Mark Russell, a law student who agreed to mentor and tutor me as part of a “high school to law school” mentorship program. Every week, for three years, Mark and I would meet. At first, Mark tutored me, but I quickly became an “A” student, not only because of the tutoring, but because my ambitions were uncorked by what Mark shared with me about university, the law, and his life. I learned grades were the currency I needed to succeed. I attended mock trials, court hearings, and law lectures with Mark and developed a fresh understanding of the law that piqued an interest in law school. My outlook has changed because my mentor, my teachers, and my self-advocacy facilitated my growth. Still, injustices do occur. The difference is that I now believe the law can be an instrument for social change, but voices like mine must give direction to policy and resources in order to fight those injustices.

Early in my mentorship, I realized it was necessary to be “in the world” differently if I were to truly consider a law career. With Mark’s help and the support of my high school teachers, I learned to advocate for myself and explore opportunities that would expand my worldview as well as my academic skills. I joined a Model UN club at a neighboring high school, because my own school did not have enough student interest to have a club. By discussing global issues and writing decisions, I began to feel powerful and confident with my ability to gather evidence and make meaningful decisions about real global issues. As I built my leadership, writing, and public speaking skills, I noticed a rift developing with some of my friends. I wanted them to begin to think about larger systemic issues outside of our immediate experience, as I was learning to, and to build confidence in new ways. I petitioned my school to start a Model UN and recruited enough students to populate the club. My friends did not join the club as I’d hoped, but before I graduated, we had 2 successful years with the students who did join. I began to understand that I cannot force change based on my own mandate, but I must listen attentively to the needs and desires of others in order to support them as they require.

While I learned to advocate for myself throughout high school, I also learned to advocate for others. My neighbors, knowing my desire to be a lawyer, would often ask me to advocate on their behalf with small grievances. I would make phone calls, stand in line with them at government offices, and deal with difficult landlords. A woman, Elsa, asked me to review her rental agreement to help her understand why her landlord had rented it to someone else, rather than renewing her lease. I scoured the rental agreement, highlighted questionable sections, read the Residential Tenancies Act, and developed a strategy for approaching the landlord. Elsa and I sat down with the landlord and, upon seeing my binder complete with indices, he quickly conceded before I could even speak. That day, I understood evidence is the way to justice. My interest in justice grew, and while in university, I sought experiences to solidify my decision to pursue law.

Last summer, I had the good fortune to work as a summer intern in the Crown Attorney’s Office responsible for criminal trial prosecutions. As the only pre-law intern, I was given tasks such as reviewing court tapes, verifying documents, and creating a binder with indices. I often went to court with the prosecutors where I learned a great deal about legal proceedings, and was at times horrified by human behavior. This made the atmosphere in the Crown Attorney’s office even more surprising. I worked with happy and passionate lawyers whose motivations were pubic service, the safety and well-being of communities, and justice. The moment I realized justice was their true objective, not the number of convictions, was the moment I decided to become a lawyer.

I broke from the belief systems I was born into. I did this through education, mentorship, and self-advocacy. There is sadness because in this transition I left people behind, especially as I entered university. However, I am devoted to my home community. I understand the barriers that stand between youth and their success. As a law student, I will mentor as I was mentored, and as a lawyer, I will be a voice for change.

What’s Great about this Second Law School Personal Statement?

• It tells a complete and compelling story: Although the applicant expressed initial reservations about the law generally, the statement tells a compelling story of how the applicant's opinions began to shift and their interest in law began. They use real examples and show how that initial interest, once seeded, grew into dedication and passion. This introduction implies an answer to the " why do you want to study law? ” interview question.
• It shows adaptability: Receptiveness to new information and the ability to change both thought and behavior based on this new information. The writer describes realizing that they needed to be "in the world" differently! It's hard to convey such a grandiose idea without sounding cliché, but through their captivating and chronological narrative, the writer successfully convinces the reader that this is the case with copious examples, including law school extracurriculars . It’s a fantastic case of showing rather than telling, describing specific causes they were involved with which demonstrate that the applicant is genuinely committed to a career in the law. 
• Includes challenges the subject faced and overcame: This law school personal statement also discusses weighty, relatable challenges that they faced, such as the applicant's original feeling toward law, and the fact that they lost some friends along the way. However, the applicant shows determination to move past these hurdles without self-pity or other forms of navel-gazing.  Additionally, this personal statement ends with a conclusion that alludes to why the applicant is suitable for the specific school to which they’re applying and points to their future career plans. The writer manages to craft an extremely immersive and believable story about their path to the present, while also managing to curate the details of this narrative to fit the specific values and mission of the school to which they’re applying.

What’s Great About This Third Law School Personal Statement? 

• Description is concise and effective: This writer opens with rich, vivid description and seamlessly guides the reader into a compelling first-person narrative. Using punchy, attention-grabbing descriptions like these make events immersive, placing readers in the writer's shoes and creating a sense of immediacy. 
• Achievements are the focus: They also do a fantastic job of talking about their achievements, such as interview team lead, program design, etc., without simply bragging. Instead, they deliver this information within a cohesive narrative that includes details, anecdotes, and information that shows their perspective in a natural way. Lastly, they invoke their passion for law with humility, discussing their momentary setbacks and frustrations as ultimately positive experiences leading to further growth. 

Want more law school personal statement examples from top law schools?

• Harvard law school personal statement examples
• Columbia law school personal statement examples
• Cornell law school personal statement examples
• Yale law school personal statement examples
• UPenn law school personal statement examples
• Cambridge law school personal statement examples

Law School Personal Statement #4

What’s great about this fourth law school personal statement.

• Engaging description: Like the third example above, this fourth law school personal statement opens with engaging description and first-person narrative. However, the writer of this personal statement chooses to engage a traumatic aspect of their childhood and discuss how this adversity led them to develop their desire to pursue a career in law.  
• Strong theme of overcoming adversity: Overcoming adversity is a frequent theme in personal statements for all specialties, but with law school personal statements students are often able to utilize uniquely dramatic, difficult, and pivotal experiences that involved interacting with the law. It may be hard to discuss such emotionally weighty experiences in a short letter but, as this personal statement shows, with care and focus it's possible to sincerely demonstrate how your early struggles paved the way for you to become the person you are now. It's important to avoid sensationalism, but you shouldn't shy away from opening up to your readers about adverse experiences that have ultimately pointed you in a positive direction. 

Why "show, don't tell" is the #1 rule for personal statements:

Law School Personal Statement Example #5

What’s great about this fifth law school personal statement  .

• Highlights achievements effectively: This writer does a fantastic job of incorporating their accomplishments and impact they had on their community without any sense of bragging or conceit. Rather, these accomplishments are related in terms of deep personal investment and a general drive to have a positive impact on those around them—without resorting to the cliches of simply stating "I want to help people." They show themselves helping others, and how these early experiences of doing so are a fundamental part of their drive to succeed with a career in law.   
• Shows originality: Additionally, they do a great job of explaining the uniqueness of their identity. The writer doesn't simply list their personal/cultural characteristics, but contextualizes them to show how they've shaped their path to law school. Being the child of a Buddhist mother and a Hindu father doesn’t imply anything about a person’s ability to study/practice law on its own, but explaining how this unique aspect of their childhood encouraged a passion for “discussion, active debate, and compromise” is profoundly meaningful to an admissions panel. Being able to express how fundamental aspects of law practice are an integral part of yourself is a hugely helpful tactic in a law school personal statement. 

If you\u2019re heading North of the border, check out list of  law schools in Canada  that includes requirements and stats on acceptance. ","label":"Tip","title":"Tip"}]" code="tab2" template="BlogArticle">

Law School Personal Statement Example #6

What’s great about this sixth law school personal statement .

• Weaves in cultural background: Similar to the writer of personal statement #5, this student utilizes the cultural uniqueness of their childhood to show how their path to law school was both deeply personal and rooted in ideas pervasive in their early years. Unlike the writer of statement #5, this student doesn't shy away from explaining how this distinctiveness was often a source of alienation and difficulty. Yet this adversity is, as they note, ultimately what helped them be an adaptable and driven student, with a clear desire to make a positive impact on the kinds of situations that they witnessed affect their parents.  
• Describes setbacks while remaining positive: This writer also doesn't shy away from describing their temporary setbacks as both learning experiences and, crucially, springboards for positively informing their plans for the future. 

What’s Great About This Seventh Law School Personal Statement? 

• The writer takes accountability: One of the hardest things to accomplish in a personal statement is describing not just early setbacks that are out of your control but early mistakes for which you must take responsibility. The writer of this personal statement opens with descriptions of characteristics that most law schools would find problematic at best. But at the end of this introduction, they successfully utilize an epiphany, a game-changing moment in which they saw something beyond their early pathological aimlessness, to clearly mark the point at which they became focused on law.  
• The narrative structure is clear: They clearly describe the path forward from this moment on, showing how they remained focused on earning a law degree, and how they were able to work through successive experiences of confusion to persist in finishing their undergraduate education at a prestigious university. Of course, you shouldn't brag about such things for their own sake, but this writer makes the point of opening up about the unique feelings of inadequacy that come along with being the first person in their family to attend such a school, and how these feelings were—like their initial aimlessness—mobilized in service of their goal and the well-being of others. Their statement balances discussion of achievement with humility, which is a difficult but impactful tactic when done well. 

Law School Personal Statement Example #8

What’s great about this eighth law school personal statement .

• Shows commitment to the community: Commitment to one’s community is a prized value in both law students and law professionals. This writer successfully describes not only how they navigated the challenges in their group environments, such as their internship, the debate team, etc., but how these challenges strengthened their commitment to being a positive part of their communities. They don’t simply describe the skills and lessons they learned from these challenging environments, but also how these challenges ultimately made them even more committed to and appreciative of these kinds of dynamic, evolutionary settings.  
• Avoids negative description: They also avoid placing blame or negatively describing the people in these situations, instead choosing to characterize inherent difficulties in terms neutral to the people around them. In this way, you can describe extremely challenging environments without coming off as resentful, and identify difficulties without being accusatory or, worse yet, accidentally or indirectly seeming like part of the problem. This writer manages to convey the difficulty and complexity of these experiences while continually returning to their positive long-term impact, and though you shouldn’t seek to “bright-side” the troubles in your life you should absolutely point out how these experiences have made you a more capable and mature student. 

Watch this for more law school personal statement examples!

Law School Personal Statement Example #9

What’s great about this ninth law school personal statement  .

• The writer effectively describes how their background shaped their decision to pursue law: Expressing privilege as adversity is something that very few students should even attempt, and fewer still can actually pull it off. But the writer of this personal statement does just that in their second paragraph, describing how the ease and comfort of their upbringing could have been a source of laziness or detachment, and often is for particularly well-off students, but instead served as a basis for their ongoing commitment to addressing the inequalities and difficulties of those less comfortable. Describing how you’ve developed into an empathic and engaged person, worked selflessly in any volunteer experiences, and generally aimed your academic life at a career in law for the aid of others—all this is incredibly moving for an admissions board, and can help you discuss your determination and understanding of exactly why you desire a career in law.  
• The student shows adaptability, flexibility, and commitment: Additionally, this writer is able to show adaptability while describing their more prestigious appointments in a way that’s neither self-aggrandizing nor unappreciative. One of the big takeaways from this statement is the student’s commitment and flexibility, and these are both vitally important qualities to convey in your law school personal statement.  

Law School Personal Statement Example #10

What’s great about this tenth law school personal statement .

Shows passion: If you’re one of the rare students for whom service to others has always been a core belief, by all means find a novel and engaging way of making this the guiding principle of your personal statement. Don’t overdo it—don’t veer into poetry or lofty philosophizing—but by all means let your passion guide your pen (well…keyboard). Every step of the way, this student relates their highs and lows, their challenges and successes, to an extremely earnest and sincere set of altruistic values invoked at the very beginning of their statement. Law school admissions boards don’t exactly prize monomania, but they do value intense and sustained commitment.  

Shows maturity: This student also successfully elaborates this passion in relation to mature understanding. That is, they make repeated points about their developing understanding of law that sustains their hopefulness and emotional intensity while also incorporating knowledge of the sometimes troubling day-to-day challenges of the profession. Law schools aren’t looking for starry-eyed naivete, but they do value optimism and the ability to stay positive in a profession often defined by its difficulties and unpredictability. 

Every pre-law student blames their lack of success on the large number of applicants, the heartless admissions committee members, or the high GPA and LSAT score cut offs. Check out our blog on  law school acceptance rates  to find out more about the law school admission statistics for law schools in the US . Having taught more than a thousand students every year, I can tell you the REAL truth about why most students get rejected: 

Need tips on your law school resume?

8 Additional Law School Personal Statement Examples

Now that you have a better idea of what your law school personal statement should include, and how you can make it stand out, here are five additional law school personal statements for you to review and get some inspiration:

Law school personal statement example #11

According to the business wire, 51 percent of students are not confident in their career path when they enroll in college. I was one of those students for a long time. My parents had always stressed the importance of education and going to college, so I knew that I wanted to get a tertiary education, I just didn’t know in what field. So, like many other students, I matriculated undecided and started taking introductory courses in the subjects that interest me. I took classes from the department of literature, philosophy, science, statistics, business, and so many others but nothing really called out to me.

I figured that maybe if I got some practical experience, I might get more excited about different fields. I remembered that my high school counselor had told me that medicine would be a good fit for me, and I liked the idea of a career that involved constant learning. So, I applied for an observership at my local hospital. I had to cross “doctor” off my list of post-graduate career options when I fainted in the middle of a consultation in the ER.

I had to go back to the drawing board and reflect on my choices. I decided to stop trying to make an emotional decision and focus on the data. So, I looked at my transcript thus far, and it quickly became clear to me that I had both an interest and an aptitude for business and technology. I had taken more courses in those two fields than in any others, and I was doing very well in them. My decision was reaffirmed when I spent the summer interning at a digital marketing firm during my senior year in college and absolutely loved my experience. 

Since graduating, I have been working at that same firm and I am glad that I decided to major in business. I first started as a digital advertising assistant, and I quickly learned that the world of digital marketing is an incredibly fast-paced sink-or-swim environment. I didn’t mind it at all. I wanted to swim with the best of them and succeed. So far, my career in advertising has been challenging and rewarding in ways that I never could have imagined. 

I remember the first potential client that I handled on my own. Everything had been going great until they changed their mind about an important detail a day before we were supposed to present our pitch. . I had a day to research and re-do a presentation that I’d been preparing for weeks. I was sure that I’d be next on the chopping block, but once again all I had to was take a step back and look at the information that I had. Focusing on the big picture helped me come up with a new pitch, and after a long night, lots of coffee, and laser-like focus, I delivered a presentation that I was not only proud of, but that landed us the client. 

Three years and numerous client emergencies later, I have learned how to work under pressure, how to push myself, and how to think critically. I also have a much better understanding of who I am and what skills I possess. One of the many things that I have learned about myself over the course of my career is that I am a fan of the law. Over the past three years, I have worked with many lawyers to navigate the muddy waters of user privacy and digital media. I often find myself looking forward to working with our legal team, whereas my coworkers actively avoid them. I have even become friends with my colleagues on the legal team who also enjoy comparing things like data protection laws in the US and the EU and speculating about the future of digital technology regulation. 

These experiences and conversations have led me to a point where I am interested in various aspects of the law. I now know that I have the skills required to pursue a legal education and that this time around, I am very sure about what I wish to study. Digital technology has evolved rapidly over the last decade, and it is just now starting to become regulated. I believe that this shift is going to open up a more prominent role for those who understand both digital technology and its laws, especially in the corporate world. My goal is to build a career at the intersection of these worlds.

Law school personal statement example #12

The first weekend I spent on my undergrad college campus was simultaneously one of the best and worst of my life. I was so excited to be away from home, on my own, making new friends and trying new things. One of those things was a party at a sorority house with my friend and roommate, where I thought we both had a great time. Both of us came from small towns, and we had decided to look out for one another. So, when it was time to go home, and I couldn't find her, I started to worry. I spent nearly an hour looking for her before I got her message saying she was already back in our dorm. 

It took her three months to tell me that she had been raped that night. Her rapist didn't hold a knife to her throat, jump out of a dark alleyway, or slip her a roofie. Her rapist was her long-term boyfriend, with whom she'd been in a long-distance relationship for just over a year. He assaulted her in a stranger's bedroom while her peers, myself included, danced the night away just a few feet away. 

I remember feeling overwhelmed when she first told me. I was sad for my friend, angry on her behalf, and disgusted by her rapist's actions. I also felt incredibly guilty because I had been there when it happened. I told myself that I should have stayed with her all night and that I should have seen the abuse - verbal and physical harassment- that he was inflicting on her before it turned sexual. But eventually, I realized that thinking about what could, should, or would've happened doesn't help anyone. 

I watched my friend go through counseling, attend support groups, and still, she seemed to be hanging on by a thread. I couldn't begin to imagine what she was going through, and unfortunately, there was very little I could do to help her. So, I decided to get involved with the Sexual Assault Responders Group on campus, where I would actually be able to help another survivor. 

My experience with the Sexual Assault Responders Group on campus was eye-opening. I mostly worked on the peer-to-peer hotline, where I spoke to survivors from all walks of life. I was confronted by the fact that rape is not a surreal unfortunate thing that happens to a certain type of person. I learned that it happens daily to mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, and friends. I also learned that most survivors try to manage this burden on their own, afraid of judgment and repercussions and fearful of a he-said-she-said court battle.

I am proud to say that I used my time in college to not only earn an education, but also to advocate for survivors of sexual assault. I protested the university's cover-up of a gang rape that took place in one of the fraternity houses on campus. I spearheaded a 'no means no' campaign to raise awareness about consent on campus. I also led several fundraising campaigns for the Sexual Assault Responders Group that allowed us to pay for legal and mental health counselors for the survivors who came to us for support. 

One of the things that this experience helped me realize is that sexual assault survivors often do not know where to turn when the system tries to tell them that it'd be best to just keep quiet and suffer in silence. My goal is to become one of those people that they can turn to for counsel and support. I believe that a law degree would give me the knowledge and tools that I need to advocate for survivors on a more significant scale. 

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Law school personal statement example #13

I grew up in two different worlds. My world at home was full of people of various skin tones and accents. It was small, loud, and often chaotic in the best ways. I remember walking home and getting to experience music from across the world before I got to my apartment building. Loud reggaeton and afrobeat were always playing somewhere in the distance. Aunties and uncles usually stopped by unannounced and slipped money in your palm when they hugged you goodbye. And the smell of fried plantains was almost always present. 

My other world was in school. It was a much quieter, more organized world with white hallways, navy blazers, and plaid skirts. It was full of people who did not look or sound like me and teachers who thought my hair was "interesting." It was also full of great books and engaging debates about everything from foreign policy to the influence of Jazz on hip hop. 

I lived in these two worlds because I was born and raised in Xtown, but I went to a private school in a much richer neighborhood. I loved both of my worlds, but I hated that I had to act differently in both of them. When in school, I had to "code switch" to sound like I belonged there. When I was at home, all the people who shared the interests I was developing in school were either working or in college, so I had no one to talk to about them. 

My words never felt more divided until I started considering a career in law. I remember telling one of my uncles that I wanted to become a lawyer and his response was, "So you want to become the man, huh?" 

I wasn't surprised by his response, or at least I shouldn't have been. One of the things that I know for sure about the first world I lived in is that many of its inhabitants do not trust the law. I had believed this for so long simply because of the conversations that I would hear around me. However, in my second world, I was learning about all of these great freedoms and rights that the law was designed to give all Americans, and I wanted to bring those to my community. 

I started working on this during the summer before my final year of high school. I got an internship with the legal aid office in my neighborhood and spent three months learning from people who, like me, had grown up in Xtown and wanted to help people. During my time in the legal aid office, I understood that the people in my community did not trust the law for two main reasons: 1. They did not understand a lot of it, and 2. It had been used against people like us many times. 

I remember one particular case that Ms. Sharma - the lawyer I was learning from then and who still mentors me today - handled that summer. It was the case of a young mother who had received a notice of eviction from her landlord two days after refusing his advances. The man claimed that she violated her contract because she made homemade shea butter that she sold on Etsy. Ms. Sharma had me look through her rental agreement. After she confirmed that I was right in determining that the young mother had not violated her contract, she contacted the landlord to advise him that what he was doing was intimidation and sexual harassment. 

My experiences in the legal aid office with Ms. Sharma opened my eyes to the disgusting behavior of human beings, but it also gave me the opportunity to see that the law was my opportunity to use what I learned in my second world to help the community that I was raised in. I returned to school with a new motivation that followed me to college. In addition to completing my bachelor's degree in sociology and African American studies, I spent most of my college years participating in legal internships and community outreach programs. 

I believe that these experiences have given me the foundation I need to be a successful law student and, eventually, a lawyer who can truly be an advocate for members of his community. 

Law school personal statement example #14

One day, my parents noticed that the other children in my age group had been speaking and communicating, but I had not. At first, they thought that my lack of speech was just me being shy, but eventually, they realized that on the rare occasions that I did speak, my words were practically incomprehensible. It wasn't long before they took me to a specialist who diagnosed me with a severe phonological disorder that hindered my ability to verbalize the basic sounds that make up words.

I started going to speech therapy when I was three years old. I saw numerous speech therapists, many of whom believed that I would never be able to communicate effectively with others. Lucky for me, my parents did not give up on me. I went to speech therapy thrice a week until the 8th grade, and I gave every single session my all. I also spent a lot of time in my room practicing my speech by myself. My efforts paid off, and even though I didn't become a chatterbox overnight, I could at least communicate effectively. 

This was a short-lived victory, though. A year later, my speech impediment was back, and my ability to articulate words was once again severely limited. This complicated matters because it was my freshman year of high school, and I was in a brand-new school where I did not know anyone. Having been bullied in middle school, I knew first-hand how vicious kids can be, and I didn't want to be the butt of any more jokes, so I didn't try to speak at school. I knew that this was preventing me from making new friends or participating in class and that it was probably not helping my impediment, but I was not ready to face the fact that I needed to go back to speech therapy. 

Eventually, I stopped resisting and went back to speech therapy. At the time, I saw it as accepting defeat, and even though my speech improved significantly, my self-confidence was lower than it had ever been. If you ask any of my high school classmates about me, they will likely tell you that I am very quiet or timid – both of which are not true, but they have no way of knowing otherwise. I barely spoke or interacted with my peers for most of high school. Instead, I focused on my studies and extracurricular activities that didn't involve much collaboration, like yearbook club and photography. 

It was only when I was getting ready for college that I realized that I was only hurting myself with my behavior. I knew I needed to become more confident about my speech to make friends and be the student I wanted to be in college. So, I used the summer after my high school graduation to get some help. I started seeing a new speech therapist who was also trained as a counselor, and she helped me understand my impediment better. For example, I now know that I tend to stutter when stressed, but I also know that taking a few deep breaths helps me get back on track. 

Using the confidence that I built in therapy that summer, I went to college with a new pep in my step. I pushed myself to meet new people, try new things, and join extracurricular organizations when I entered college. I applied to and was accepted into a competitive freshman leadership program called XYZ. Most of XYZ's other members were outgoing and highly involved in their high school communities. In other words, they were the complete opposite of me. I didn't let that intimidate me. Instead, I made a concerted effort to learn from them. If you ask any of my teammates or other classmates in college, they will tell you that I was an active participant in discussions during meetings and that I utilized my unique background to share a different perspective.

My experience with XYZ made it clear to me that my speech disorder wouldn't hold me back as long as I did not stand in my own way. Once I understood this, I kept pushing past the boundaries I had set for myself. I began taking on leadership roles in the program and looking for ways to contribute to my campus community outside of XYZ. For example, I started a community outreach initiative that connected school alumni willing to provide pro bono services to different members of the community who were in need. 

Now, when I look back at my decision to go back to speech therapy, I see it as a victory. I understand that my speech impediment has shaped me in many ways, many of which are positive. My struggles have made me more compassionate. My inability to speak has made me a better listener. Not being able to ask questions or ask for help has made me a more independent critical thinker. I believe these skills will help me succeed in law school, and they are part of what motivates me to apply in the first place. Having struggled for so long to speak up for myself, I am ready and eager for the day when I can speak up for others who are temporarily unable to. 

“ You talk too much; you should be a lawyer.” 

I heard that sentence often while growing up because Congolese people always tell children who talk a lot that they should be lawyers. Sometimes I wonder if those comments did not subconsciously trigger my interest in politics and then the law. If they did, I am grateful for it. I am thankful for all the experiences that have brought me to this point where I am seeking an education that will allow me to speak for those who don’t always know how to, and, more importantly, those who are unable to. 

For context, I am the child of Congolese immigrants, and my parents have a fascinating story that I will summarize for you: 

A 14-year-old girl watches in confusion as a swarm of parents rush through the classroom, grabbing their children, and other students start running from the class. Soon she realizes that she and one other student are the only ones left, but when they both hear the first round of gunshots, no one has to tell them that it is time to run home. On the way home, she hears more gunshots and bombs. She fears for her survival and that of her family, and she starts to wonder what this war means for her and her family. Within a few months, her mother and father are selling everything they own so that they can board a plane to the US.

On the other side of the town, a 17-year-old boy is being forced to board a plane to the US because his mother, a member of parliament and the person who taught him about the importance of integrity, has been executed by the same group of soldiers who are taking over the region. 

They met a year later, outside the principal’s office at a high school in XXY. They bonded over the many things they have in common and laughed at the fact that their paths probably never would have crossed in Bukavu. Fast forward to today, they have been married for almost two decades and have raised three children, including me. 

Growing up in a Congolese household in the US presented was very interesting. On the one hand, I am very proud of the fact that I get to share my heritage with others. I speak French, Lingala, and Swahili – the main languages of Congo – fluently. I often dress in traditional clothing; I performed a traditional Congolese dance at my high school’s heritage night and even joined the Congolese Student Union at Almamatter University. 

On the other hand, being Congolese presented its challenges growing up. At a young age, I looked, dressed, and sounded different from my classmates. Even though I was born in the US, I had picked up a lot of my parents’ accents, and kids loved to tease me about it. Ignorant comments and questions were not uncommon. “Do you speak African?” “You’re not American! How did you get here?” “You don’t look African” “My mom says I can’t play with you because your parents came here to steal our jobs”. These are some of the polite comments that I heard often, and they made me incredibly sad, especially when classmates I considered my friends made them. 

My parents did not make assimilating any easier. My mother especially always feared I would lose my Congolese identity if they did not make it a point to remind me of it. She often said, “Just because you were born in America doesn’t mean that you are not Congolese anymore.” On one occasion, I argued that she always let me experience my Congolese side, but not my American side. That was the first time she told me I should be a lawyer. 

Having few friends and getting teased in school helped me learn to be comfortable on my own. I Often found refuge and excitement in books. I even started blogging about the books I read and interacting with other readers online. As my following grew, I started to use my platform to raise awareness about issues that I am passionate about, like climate change, the war in Congo, and the homeless crisis here in XXY. I was able to start a fundraising campaign through my blog that raised just under $5000 for the United Way – a local charity that helps the homeless in my city. 

This experience helped me understand that I could use my skills and the few tools at my disposal to help people, both here in America and one day, maybe even in Congo. I realized that I am lucky enough to have the option of expanding that skillset through education in order to do more for the community that welcomed my grandparents, uncles, aunties, and parents when they had nowhere else to go. 

The journey was not easy because while I received immense support and love from my family for continuing my education, I had to teach myself how to prepare and apply to college. Once there I had to learn on my own what my professors expected of me, how to study, how to network, and so much more. I am grateful for those experiences too, because they taught me how to be resourceful, research thoroughly, listen carefully, and seek help when I need it. 

All of these experiences have crafted me into who I am today, and I believe that with the right training, they will help me become a great attorney.

Law School Personal Statement Example #16

During my undergraduate studies, in the first two years, I wasn’t entirely sure what I wanted to do with my career. I enjoyed doing research, but I found that I became more interested in presenting the research than the process of contributing to it. I spoke to most of my science professors to ask if I could participate in their research. I worked in biology labs, chemistry labs, and in psychology classrooms working on a variety of projects that seemed meaningful and interesting. I gained new perspectives on study habits and mental health; the influence of music on the human mind; and applications of surface tension. I noticed that I was always taking the lead when we were presenting our findings to peers and research groups. I enjoyed yielding questions and addressing the captivating the audience with engaging gestures and speech. This was what led me to consider a career in law.

I always thought that I would become a scientist, so when I discovered that there were aspects of law that could be considered “scientific”, I was all ears. Still during my second year of undergraduate studies, I wanted to join an environmental awareness group, but noticed there weren’t any active. So, I took it upon myself to create my own. I wanted to do cleanup projects across the city, so I mapped out parks and areas that we could walk or drive to. I advertised my project to other students and eventually gained approximately fifteen students eager to help out. I was struck by the pollution in the water, the negligence of park maintenance. I drafted a letter to the municipal government and petitioned for a stricter environmental compliance approach. I wanted to advertise fines to hold polluters accountable, as there were hardly any to enforce the rules. A letter was returned to me stating that the government would consider my request. I felt a sense of gratification, of purpose; I discovered that I had the ability to enact change through policy. This drew me closer to the prospect of building a future in law, so I looked at other avenues to learn more.

I still wanted to find a way to bring together my love of science and discourse/communication. As a science student, I had the privilege of learning from professors who emphasized critical thinking; and they gave me a chance to learn that on my own. I took an internship as an environmental planner. There, I helped present project ideas to various groups, updating demographic/development information, and managing planning processes. I engaged in analytical thinking by looking at maps and demographic information to develop potential plans for land use. It was also the experience I was looking for in terms of a balance between science and oral communication. Using data analysis, I spoke to other planners and review boards to bring ideas together and execute a plan.

Through science, I learned how to channel my curiosity and logical thinking; as an advocate, I learned how to be creative and resourceful. Presenting research findings and being questioned in front of a group of qualified researchers, having to be sharp and ready for anything, taught me how to be more concise in speech. Developing an advocacy group dedicated to improving my community showed me what it lacked; it opened my eyes to the impact of initiative and focused collaboration. I was eager to begin another science project, this time with the environment in mind. It was titled “determining and defining the role of sociodemographic factors in air pollution health disparities”. I compiled and summarized relevant research and sent it over to a representative of the municipal government. In a couple of weeks, my request to increase advertising of fines in public areas was agreed to.

This Juris Doctor/Master in Environmental Studies program will allow me to continue deepening my knowledge of environmental law. With my goal of developing a career in environmental affairs, overseeing policies that influence land protection/use, I know that this program will give me the tools I need to succeed. With my experience working with large groups, I also believe I will fit into the larger class sizes at your institution. I understand the value of working together and how to engage in healthy discourse. With your Global Sustainability Certification, I will equip myself the expertise I need to produce meaningful change in environmental policy.

Here's how a law school advisor can help you with your application:

Law School Personal Statement #17

Growing up in a poor neighborhood, what my friends used to call “the ghetto”, I was always looking for my way out. I tried running away, but I always ended up back home in that tiny complex, barely enough room to fit all my brothers and sisters with my parents. My dad was disabled and couldn’t work, and my mother was doing her best working full-time as a personal-support worker. There was nothing we could do to get out of our situation, or so it seemed. It wasn’t until years later when I started my undergraduate degree that ironically, after I found my way out, that I began looking for a way to come back. I wanted to be a voice for people living in those bleak conditions; hungry, without work. Helpless.

Getting my degree in social work was one of the best decisions of my life. It gave me the tools to lobby for solutions to problems in poor communities. I knew my neighborhood better than anyone because I grew up there. I had the lived experience. I started working with the local government to develop programs for my clients; the people living in those same neighborhoods. We worked to provide financial assistance, legal aid, housing, and medical treatment—all things sorely lacking. My proudest moment was securing the funds and arranging surgery for my father’s bad hip and knees. I’m currently working on a large project with one of the community legislators to lobby for a harm reduction model addressing addiction in our communities.

With five years of experience as a social worker, I knew it was time for a career change when I learned that I could have more influence on public opinion and legislative decisions as a social-security disability lawyer. I knew firsthand that people victimized from racism, poverty, and injury needed more help than they were currently allotted. I knew that, from becoming and advocate and communicating with influential members of the local government, that I could do more with a law degree helping people attain basic needs like disability benefits, which are often denied outright.

This desire to help people get the help they need from local programs and government resources brought me to Scarborough, a small town outside of Toronto. I was aware of some of the issues afflicting this community, since I’d handled a few clients from there as a children’s disability social worker. Addiction and homelessness were the two main ones. I worked with children with ADHD or other physical/mental disabilities impairing their ability to attend school and function normally. I helped many of them get an IEP with the details of the special services they require, long overdue. I made sure each child got the care they needed, including special attention in school. Also noticing that so many of these families lacked proper nutrition, I organized a report detailing this finding. In it, I argued that the community needed more funds targeting lowest income families. I spoke directly with a legislator, which eventually got the city on board with developing a program more specifically for the lowest income families with residents under 18.

My goal has always been to be a voice for the inaudible, the ignored, who’ve been victimized by inadequate oversight from the ground up. Many of these groups, as I’ve witnessed firsthand, don’t have the luxury of being their own advocates. They are too busy trying to support their families, to put food on the table for their children. I’ve realized that it isn’t quite enough to work directly with these families to connect them with resources and ensure they get the support they need. Sometimes the support simply doesn’t exist, or it isn’t good enough. This is why I’m motivated to add a law degree to my credentials so I can better serve these people and communities. As a future social-security disability lawyer, I want to work with local governments to assist clients in navigating an assistance system and improving it as much as possible. This program will give me the access to a learning environment in which I can thrive and develop as an advocate.

Law School Personal Statement #18

“You’re worthy and loved”, I said to a twelve-year-old boy, Connor, whom I was supervising and spending time with during the Big Brother program at which we met. A few tears touched my shoulder as I pulled him into me, comforting him. He was a foster child. He didn’t know his parents and never stayed in one place longer than a few months; a year if he was lucky. I joined the program not expecting much. I was doing it for extra credit, because I wanted to give back to the community somehow and I thought it would be interesting to meet people. He confided in me; he told me that his foster parents often yelled at each other, and him. He told me he needed to escape. I called Child Protective Services and after a thorough investigation, they determined that Connor’s foster parents weren’t fit for fostering. He was moved, yet again, to a different home.

I wrote an op-ed detailing my experience as a Big Brother. I kept names anonymous. I wanted people to know how hard it was for children in the welfare system. Many of them, like Connor, were trapped in a perpetual cycle of re-homing, neglect, and even abuse. He and other children deserve stability and unconditional love. That should go without saying. I sent the op-ed to a local magazine and had it published. In it, I described not only the experience of one unfortunate kid, but many others as well who saw their own stories being told through Connor. I joined a non-profit organization dedicated to improving access to quality education for young people. I started learning about disparities in access; students excluded by racial or financial barriers. I was learning, one step at a time, how powerful words can be.

With the non-profit organization, I reached out to a few public schools in the area to represent some of our main concerns with quality of education disparities. Our goal was to bring resources together and promote the rights of children in education. We emphasized that collaboration between welfare agencies and schools was critical for education stability. Together, we created a report of recommendations to facilitate this collaboration. We outlined a variety of provisions, including more mechanisms for child participation, better recruitment of social service workers in schools, risk management and identification strategies, and better support for students with child protection concerns.

The highlight of that experience was talking to an assembly of parents and school faculty to present our findings and recommendations. The title of the presentation was “The Power of Words”. I opened with the story I wrote about in the op-ed. I wanted to emphasize that children are individuals; those trapped in the welfare system are not a monolith. They each have unique experiences, needs, and desires they want to fulfill in life. But our tools to help them can be improved, more individualized. I spoke about improving the quality of residential care for children and the need to promote their long-term development into further education and employment. Finally, I presented a list of tools we created to help support a more financially sustainable and effective child welfare system. The talk was received with applause and a tenuous commitment from a few influential members of the crowd. It was a start.

Although I lost contact with Connor, I think about him almost every day. I can only hope that the programs we worked on to improve were helping him, wherever he was. I want to continue to work on the ground level of child welfare amelioration, but I realize I will need an education in law to become a more effective advocate for this cause. There are still many problems in the child welfare system that will need to be addressed: limited privacy/anonymity for children, service frameworks that don’t address racism adequately, limited transportation in remote communities, and many more. I’ve gained valuable experience working with the community and learning about what the welfare system lacks and does well. I’m ready to take the next step for myself, my community, and those beyond it.

Assuredly, but this length varies from school to school. As with all important details of your law school application, thoroughly research your specific schools’ requirements and guidelines before both writing and editing your personal statement to ensure it fits their specifics. The average length is about 2 pages, but don’t bother drafting your statement until you have specific numbers from your schools of choice. It’s also a good idea to avoid hitting the maximum length unless absolutely necessary. Be concise, keep economy of language in mind, and remain direct, without rambling or exhaustive over-explanation of your ideas or experiences.

You should keep any words that aren’t your own to a minimum. Admissions committees don’t want to read a citation-heavy academic paper, nor do they respond well to overused famous quotes as themes in personal statements. If you absolutely must include a quote from elsewhere, be sure to clearly indicate your quote’s source. But in general, it’s best to keep the personal statement restricted to your own words and thoughts. They’re evaluating you, not Plato! It’s a personal statement. Give them an engaging narrative in your own voice. 

Admissions committees will already have a strong sense of your academic performance through your transcripts and test scores, so discussing these in your personal statement is generally best avoided. You can contextualize these things, though—if you have an illuminating or meaningful story about how you came to receive an award, or how you enjoyed or learned from the work that won you the award, then consider discussing it. Overall though, it’s best to let admissions committees evaluate your academic qualifications and accomplishments from your transcripts and official documents, and give them something new in the personal statement. 

When you first sit down to begin, cast a wide net. Consider all the many influences and experiences that have led you to where you are. You’ll eventually (through editing and rewriting) explain how these shape your relationship to a career in law, but one of the best things you can give yourself during the initial drafting phase is a vast collection of observations and potential points for development. As the New England School of Law points out in their, “just write!” Let the initial draft be as messy as it needs to be, and refine it from there. It’s a lot easier to condense and sharpen a big draft than it is to try to tensely craft a perfect personal statement from nothing.  

Incredibly important, as should be clear by now! Unlike other specialties, law schools don’t usually conduct interviews with applicants, so your personal statement is in effect your one opportunity to speak with the admissions committee directly. Don’t let that gravity overwhelm you when you write, but keep it in mind as you edit and dedicate time to improving your initial drafts. Be mindful of your audience as you speak with them, and treat writing your personal statement as a kind of initial address in what, hopefully, will eventually turn into an ongoing dialogue.  

There are a variety of factors that can make or break a law school personal statement. You should aim to achieve at least a few of the following: a strong opening hook; a compelling personal narrative; your skills and competencies related to law; meaningful experiences; why you’re the right fit for the school and program.

Often, they do. It’s best for you to go to the schools you’re interesting in applying to so you can find out if they have any specific formatting or content requirements. For example, if you wanted to look at NYU law or Osgoode Hall Law School , you would find their admissions requirements pages and look for information on the personal statement.

There are lots of reasons why a personal statement might not work. Usually, applicants who don’t get accepted didn’t come up with a good strategy for this essay. Remember, you need to target the specific school and program. Other reasons are that the applicant doesn’t plan or proofread their essay. Both are essential for submitting materials that convince the admissions committee that you’re a strong candidate. You can always use law school admissions consulting application review to help you develop your strategy and make your essay stand out.

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How long should a Personal Statement be? Is there any rule on that?

BeMo Academic Consulting

Hello V! Thanks for your question. Some schools will gave very specific word limits, while some will not. If you do not have a limit indicated, try to stick to no more than a page, 600-800 words. 

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A core part of the Harvard Griffin GSAS mission is to identify and attract the most promising students to form a dynamic and diverse community. We are committed to educating individuals who reflect the growing diversity of perspectives and life experiences represented in society today and who will contribute to our commitment to sustain a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive environment. Please share how your experiences or activities will advance our mission and commitment. Your statement should be no longer than 500 words.

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Accepted Admissions Blog

Everything you need to know to get Accepted

October 14, 2018

How I Wrote a Personal Statement That Got Me into Harvard Law School

When I was applying to law school , the advisor at my college told me to intern for a lawyer. Sound advice, and one I might give, but unfortunately my experience was miserable. I was even told by my employer that I was “not law school material.”

So, how did I even get into law school, never mind Harvard Law? There are the general requirements: grades, LSAT scores, recommendation letters, and the elusive element of luck. But, I also managed to write a personal statement that said something about who I was and why I wanted to go to law school, a statement that had nothing to do with my terrible intern experience.

People think that law schools want to hear how much you know about the law or how you’re going to hang your own shingle, go into politics, or become General Counsel at a large corporation. But, law schools actually want to know how your mind works. They are looking for deep thinkers who look at the world around them and are able to establish some critical distance to evaluate both their own experience and the experiences of others. This is the heart of what legal thinking is.

Luckily, I was able to convey the moment when I decided I wanted to go to law school and why I came to that decision in a way that both told a story and gave the admissions committee a good idea of the thinking process that went with it. It’s not enough to give someone a great story – although that’s vital, too. It’s equally important to explain why that story meant something to you. Schools look for the way you process an experience and what unique insight you can write about it. That kind of writing, an articulate explanation of thought, is the same kind of skill that law schools want in their classrooms studying civil procedure.

Need another set of eyes to review your personal statement? In the early stages and want to brainstorm ideas? Accepted consultants would be delighted to help. Learn more about our comprehensive services here , and let us help you get accepted!”

Related Resources:

• The Law School Admissions Guide: 8 Tips for Success • 5 Qualities that Law Schools Want to See • Sample Law School Personal Statements

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How to Get Into Harvard Law School: The Definitive Guide (2024)

Want to learn how to get into Harvard Law School? 

You’re in the right place. Today, you’ll get the exact steps to apply to Harvard Law – and stand out from other applicants.

Want to learn more? Read on. 

How hard is it to get into Harvard Law? 

Harvard Law is the  fifth highest-ranking law school  in the country. And that’s why it’s also one of the hardest to get into.

In fact, the acceptance rate is 10.1%. For  the class of 2025 , 8,225 people applied and 822 were admitted. 

However, while the application process is competitive, many applicants make the mistake of thinking that their LSAT and GPA scores are all that matters.

But this couldn’t be further from the truth. Getting admitted to Harvard Law – especially if your scores aren’t  that  good – is a very strategic process. We’ll look at each step below.

But first, let’s start with law programs offered by Harvard Law.

What programs does Harvard Law School offer? 

Harvard Law School offers different law programs.

These are: 

• Juris Doctor (JD) 
• Master of Laws (LLM)
• Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD)

Harvard also offers different joint degree programs (like law and business or law and government). 

We’ll focus on JD admissions here. 

So what qualifications do you need to get into Harvard Law? That’s what we’ll look at next. 

What qualifications do you need to get into Harvard Law? 

Harvard Law is notoriously difficult to get into. But who gets accepted? Here’s what you need to know. 

Who gets into Harvard Law School?

Of those who were admitted to the class of 2025: 

• 78% were at least one year out of college (so for most applicants, post-college experience is key)
• 65% were two or more years out of college 
• 21% were four or more years out of college
• 54% are women
• 54% are students of color
• 17% are first-generation and/or low-income students
• 17% are LGBTQ+
• 9% are international students
• 13% are STEM majors

Admitted students come from all types of colleges, such as: 

• Berklee College of Music
• Beis Medrash Heichal Dovid Rabbinical College
• University of Hawaii, Manoa
• SUNY Buffalo

You can see the full list  here . 

You can also see the stats of those admitted here: 

We’ll talk more about them below, but as  the Harvard admissions pages state : 

“As a general guideline, most admitted applicants demonstrate potential for success in law school through an exceptional undergraduate academic record, standardized test scores in the top percentiles, and substantial accomplishments in work or extracurricular activities; however, no one of these aspects of an applicant’s file is dispositive in the admissions decision.

Our assessment includes many factors such as work experience and demonstrated leadership, and also intangible qualities such as energy, ambition, sound judgment, ability to overcome adversity, high ideals, and concern for the welfare of others. Our admissions committee seeks not only to identify and recognize characteristics that are important to academic success in law school, but also qualities that will contribute diversity of perspective and experience, general excellence, and vitality to the student body.”

Which means that you  can  get in without perfect stats. 

It’s extremely important for law schools to have candidates who will thrive after their studies and who bring something to the legal field. Whether that’s unique expertise, representation, and/or something else. 

In fact, students admitted to the class of 2025 come from 18 countries, 49 states, and together, they speak 58 languages. 

They play 30 instruments and many of them have interesting backgrounds. Like one student who is a professional cheese connoisseur, 10 students who are scuba divers, or 18 students who are teachers. 

This is to show that any “requirements” aren’t set in stone. What you can bring to Harvard and why you want to become a lawyer are important, too. 

So, now, let’s take a look at how you’ll get into Harvard Law. First up: Your GPA.

What GPA do you need for Harvard Law School? 

The latest GPA scores for Harvard Law were: 

• 25th percentile: 3.82
• 50th percentile: 3.92
• 75th percentile: 3.99

So here, a low GPA is 3.82 or under. A high GPA is 3.99 and the median is 3.92. 

There’s no lowest GPA but you probably won’t get into Harvard with a 2.5 GPA. Your GPA still needs to be somewhat competitive with the median GPA.

That said, you can get into Harvard Law School even if your GPA is 3.82 or lower. 

Let me show you what I mean: 

My client (I’m using their initials to protect their anonymity) E.D. applied to the University of Michigan Law School during one of the most competitive admissions cycles in recent history. Their GPA was 3.2 – but the University of Michigan’s median GPA was 3.84. This applicant got accepted despite their low GPA.

Or take my client A.S., who got into Harvard with a 3.75 GPA and a LSAT score of 172. This just goes to show that you  can  get in even if you don’t have the perfect scores. 

And these students aren’t the only ones. Several of my clients have gotten accepted into one of their top 10 law schools despite lower GPA scores than the school’s median.

They didn’t do something extraordinary like cure cancer. Many of them weren’t underrepresented minorities (the most aggravating assumption). 

Instead, they demonstrated to admissions officers how their GPA didn’t represent their capabilities. Despite their lower GPA, they had what it took to become successful law students at their chosen law school. 

The same applies to your Harvard Law application. 

Say your GPA is 3.4 or 3.5. You can still get into Harvard Law School. Ultimately, it all depends on your application.

What LSAT score do you need for Harvard Law School? 

Similarly, your application doesn’t hinge on your LSAT score. 

The latest LSAT scores for Harvard Law were: 

• 25th percentile: 170
• 50th percentile: 174
• 75th percentile: 176

I’ve had clients who have gotten into law schools with LSAT scores that were seven, nine, or even thirteen points lower than that law school’s median LSAT score. 

For example, my client “A.K.” got into George Washington with an LSAT that was 154 – 13 points below the median LSAT. 

“E.O.” got into Berkeley Law with an LSAT score that was 6 points below the median LSAT for that school. 

So, again, you can get into Harvard Law with a lower LSAT score.

How do you get into Harvard Law with a lower GPA or LSAT scores? 

While you can get in with lower GPA/LSAT scores, how do you do that? 

Here are a few ways…But you need to identify what works best for your specific situation. We’ll talk about the specifics later on in this article (how to get letters of recommendation, write personal statements, and so on).

Work between undergrad and law school

The more time there is between your undergrad and your law school application, the less your GPA will matter. 

With your work experience, you can show the admissions officers that you’ve matured and have what it takes. However, to really stand out, your work experience should be substantive and demanding. 

Have a strong LSAT or GPA

If your LSAT score is high, it can help if your GPA is low and vice versa. But you don’t have to have a ridiculously high LSAT or GPA for this to work – even a median or lower than median LSAT/GPA will help you. 

Robust letters of recommendation 

Letters of recommendation are often overlooked in law school applications. Preferably they should come from a professor to show that you have what it takes academically. Even if you didn’t get an A in a course, you could still get a great letter of recommendation – for example, if you showed grit and passion despite outside circumstances or took a particularly difficult class, a B can be an achievement.  

Addendum 

There are instances when you can use an addendum to explain your low scores. However, you need a real reason for writing an addendum – for example, if you had to work to support yourself during college or had a death in the family. 

Personal statement 

Your personal statement can be the thing that gets you accepted to law school despite your low scores. Showing your way of thinking is key. 

Retake the LSAT

If you have a low LSAT score, a “no brainer” is to retake your LSAT. That said, I don’t recommend that you take it more than three times. 

Take the GRE 

Consider taking the GRE if LSAT isn’t your thing. But first, take a few practice tests to understand  if  this test is worth taking for you.  

Read more in my guides on  what GPA you need for law school  and  whether you can get into law school with a low LSAT score . 

What are the Harvard Law School requirements for international students? 

Harvard Law School admits applicants from various countries and the chances of admission of internationally educated students are the same as for students educated in the US. 

For instance, the class of 2025 has students from 18 different countries. 

The requirements are the same as for US students. You don’t need a TOEFL to prove your English proficiency. But you will need to show that your undergraduate degree is equivalent to a US bachelor’s degree. 

You can read more about the  requirements for international applicants here. 

How do you apply to Harvard Law? 

Next, let’s look at what you need for your Harvard Law School application.

You need: 

• LSAT/GRE scores
• A law school resume
• Two or three letters of recommendation 
• Character and fitness questions (you’ll use these for the bar application so being truthful is of the utmost importance) 
• Proof of an undergraduate degree
• Law school personal statement
• Law school diversity statement (optional)
• Additional information, such as your addendum (optional) 

Harvard Law admissions open in September and are rolling so send your application as soon as possible. While the application technically doesn’t close until February, your chances of admissions go down significantly if you submit after the New Year. 

You can read more about the application requirements  here . 

If you’re accepted as a competitive applicant, you get an interview. Those who are selected for an interview are notified by email.

Now, let’s look at the four things that can have a big impact on your application: Your personal statement, diversity statement, letters of recommendation, and resume. 

Write a personal statement 

How do you write a personal statement that stands out?

First of all, you need to use the right format.  Harvard Law School accepts personal statements  that are no longer than two pages with a minimum of 11-point font, one-inch margins, and double spacing.

In terms of topic, a common mistake is to cram in as much as possible. But a personal statement should tell a coherent story that supports your overall application. 

Here’s how Harvard defines a good personal statement: 

“The personal statement is intended as an opportunity to give the Admissions Committee a better sense of who you are as a person and as a potential student and graduate of Harvard Law School. In many instances, applicants have used the personal statement to provide more context on how their experiences and strengths could make them valuable contributors to the Harvard and legal communities, to illuminate their intellectual background and interests, or to clarify or elaborate on other information in their application. Because applicants and their experiences differ, you are the best person to determine the content of your statement.”

And here below is my client “PS’s” personal statement from their Harvard Law application: 

“I grew up in a home plagued by alcoholism. My siblings and I lived perpetually at one end of the spectrum or another—some days showered with almost every gift we could think of, and on others coming home to find the electricity or water shut off due to unpaid bills.

While my home life was akin to a swinging pendulum, unclear of where things would land on any given day, I had a steadiness within myself, rooted in my own proprietary blend of boldness and confidence in my ability to seek out knowledge and use it to create opportunity.

In middle school, after learning about the Magna Carta, I researched legal templates to draft a contract limiting the powers of a club’s micromanaging teacher-advisor—and convinced her to sign. In high school, I sent over 200 cold emails until I was offered a research internship to pursue my interest in biomedical research. And after designing a free curriculum to teach creative writing in schools whose art programs had been cut, I chased down state legislators to disseminate policy proposals I had written to institute low-budget creative writing programs—and got my proposal in front of the School Board.

At the beginning of my undergraduate career at Stanford, my initial plan to build on my biomedical research interests to be a physician quickly felt lacking. I knew I was missing something when I envisioned myself as a doctor or researcher, but I felt unwilling to let go of my connection with medicine.

As it happened, medicine wouldn’t let go of me, either.

In my sophomore year, my now-sober dad was diagnosed with end-stage cirrhosis of the liver.

The fallout was immediate, both emotionally and strikingly, monetarily. The aftermath of his diagnosis took me outside of my own sphere and opened my eyes to the failings of the complex dynamics that govern our healthcare system. My family was fully insured, yet we faced considerable difficulties paying for his unexpected hospitalizations. My search to better understand my family’s situation led me, still in school, to enroll in coursework focusing on the inner workings of the U.S. healthcare system. Quickly, I became attuned to the plight of patients just like my dad without the financial resources to support their care, and their quest for even a fighting chance against diseases just like his.

The patient journey and the systems that govern it soon became an academic passion of mine, and I amended my undergraduate education to make this my new focus. As a global health major, I put my own frustrations with what I saw as an inhumane system of profit over people to work and explored designing solutions to increase patient access to care: I created a low-budget proposal for malaria border checkpoints to improve surveillance between Indian states, lead-authored a study on representation of low-income countries in global health academia, and advised cash-strapped Medicaid hospitals looking for ways to finance more effective service for their millions of homeless and low-income patients.

Through my experiences with the titanic issue of inequity and inaccessibility in for-profit health systems across the globe, I discovered something even larger than my personal desire to better my and my family’s lives: purpose. I felt an immense sense of fulfillment by dedicating my time and energy to creating solutions for others rather than myself and knew I wanted to serve through legal reform.

While I solidified where I wanted to make an impact long term, my family continued to grapple with my dad’s deteriorating condition, as it became clear he would not survive without a transplant. Over months of searching for possible donors in vain, I saw my dad nearly lose his life on “the list” waiting for a new liver. It is not lost on me that his successful eleventh-hour transplant was a stroke of pure luck.

Many others are not so lucky, though no less deserving of care than my own family.

This has only deepened my resolve to find better answers for patients less fortunate than my dad.

Now, I aim to go up against the broken systems that create these realities. From my time consulting for Medicaid hospital affiliates to my current role advising for-profit healthcare litigants, I’ve learned that this will require an effective management of the transition from fee-for-service healthcare models towards value-based payment solutions. Success in this pursuit requires a balance—creating stable non-monetary incentives for high-quality treatment and prevention of illness without sacrificing immediate access to care for all patients regardless of background. I seek a legal education that provides me with an intellectual and practical experience to hone my approach to reform and further define this balance.

I intend to begin my career as a healthcare attorney, working directly with institutions to develop a deep understanding of the delicate nuances of the healthcare system. My years in practice will equip me to bring this knowledge to an academic or legislative role later in my career, where I intend to author policy that creates a system motivated by the value of human life and health, not just financial gain.”

The statement shows this applicant’s passion and sense of purpose for getting into law school. It gives a clear narrative for  why  this applicant would be the ideal candidate for Harvard Law. 

I share more tips in  my guide on how to write a personal statement . 

Want to find YOUR perfect personal statement topic? 

Get my free PDF to brainstorm your topics: 

Write a diversity statement 

Next, we have your diversity statement.

Optional statements, like this one, should be up to one page, double spaced, using a font size that is comfortable to read (not less than 11 point). 

So  should  you write a diversity statement? 

Law schools want a diverse student body, so if you have a diverse background, you should write one.

Now, a “diverse background” is broader than you might think. 

A few examples are: 

• Difficult upbringing
• Military/law enforcement service 
• First generation status
• Ethnic, racial, or national identity
• Sexual orientation or gender identity 
• Socioeconomic status 
• Change of careers 

Here’s an example of a diversity statement my client “AI” used for her Harvard Law application: 

“I grew up in a vibrant cultural world, thanks largely to my mom raising me and my siblings with a close connection to the traditions she grew up with in Chennai, India. My first language was Tamil, gleaned from my parents, grandparents, and ‘80s children’s songs played on car rides. I went to Balavihar, Hindu Sunday school, and donned dazzling pattu pavadais for every religious festival. I reveled in the values and experiences my upbringing gave me and celebrated the culture at its heart.

While I felt like I had built an understanding of what it meant to me to be Indian, to be Tamil, it was not until I left home that I learned what it might mean to others. What I’d only ever read about came to life when I took my first solo trip to the UK as a nineteen-year-old to intern at The Lancet, a premier biomedical journal. At Heathrow Airport, I was stopped and asked a bevy of “additional screening” questions, eventually detained for eight harrowing hours. In the cold, barren cell I was confined to, I noticed a startling level of similarity in the Black and brown faces of my fellow detainees.

Since then, I’ve become deeply attuned to the outward attributes that make me, me, and my intersection of identities. I am not just Indian—I’m an Indian woman. To add to that—a visibly dark Indian woman. The list goes on. And out of all the spaces I’ve inhabited since, the ones that have been the most threatened by my identity are those in which I am a leader. As the only dark-skinned BIPOC woman on my leadership board as the president of the Stanford Inter-Sorority Council, I deliberately inhabited an uncomfortable space in the hopes of creating reform in the traditionally racist, classist Greek system. I was largely ignored for sharing my experiences with discrimination, criticized for demanding change.

When I instituted the Council’s first-ever Women of Color Collective to curate resources for BIPOC women, it too went unnoticed. I found myself relentless to get a seat at the table.

Leadership is integral to who I am and my ambition is as much a part of me as my background, so I refuse to become discouraged from taking on these positions. Crucially, my leadership is informed by empathy, a deep and personal understanding of being othered and how important it is to hold on to our beliefs in the face of the pressure to conform. An understanding of these dynamics is crucial to working effectively and meaningfully with a diverse group of people in an increasingly diverse world, a trait I hope to highlight at the center of my pursuit and practice of the law.”

Read more about diversity statements here. 

Get letters of recommendation

You also need letters of recommendation.

Harvard Law requires two but accepts three letters. (I recommend that you send all three!) 

At least one letter should come from a professor, advisor, or other educational contact who can address your academic abilities. But if you’ve been out of school for a long time (more than five years), you can submit letters from employers or others who have worked closely with you. 

Many people struggle with finding people to ask for recommendations, especially if they weren’t the best in class. But you probably  have  people to ask.

If you had a class you were particularly interested in, your professors probably took note. Even if you didn’t get an A, the class might have been difficult enough to warrant a recommendation. 

If you want to learn more about who, when, and how to ask for your letters of recommendation,  take a look at my guide here. 

Write a law school resume

Finally, you need a resume. 

Now, your law school resume isn’t a normal resume you’d use when applying for a job.

Instead, your resume – which offers an excellent opportunity to stand out – should support your overall application.

The main headers tend to be:

• Professional Experience and/or Employment
• Community Engagement
• Publications
• Accomplishments
• Skills/Interests

You then highlight the qualifications, traits, and experiences you need for law school, such as: 

• Analytical and writing abilities 
• Community engagement
• Self-financing your education
• Athletic talents
• Cultural or volunteer activities
• Language proficiencies
• Juggling multiple responsibilities
• Creativity & innovation 

Want to learn the step-by-step of writing your own resume? 

Read my resume guide here!

Next steps 

There you have it! Now you know how to get into Harvard Law School.

As you now know, not everything comes down to your academic achievements. 

Regardless of your GPA or LSAT score, you need to create an application that speaks to why  you  are the right candidate to get accepted into Harvard Law.

Apply to my law school admissions consulting to get into Harvard.

Learn more: 

How to Get Into Top Law Schools

Is Law School Worth It?

Hope you enjoy this blog post! Want to know how to use the power of your personal statement to get into your dream law school, even if you aren’t the “perfect” applicant?

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How Long Should My Law School Personal Statement Be?

Although much of the law school application process has been standardized, there are still some aspects of it that change from school to school. One such aspect is the length of the law school personal statement.

• Typical Recommended Length of a Law School Personal Statement

How Many Pages Should a Law School Personal Statement Be?

How to find the word count of your law school personal statement, formatting law school personal statements, how long does it take to write a personal statement for law school, what makes a good law school personal statement, personal statement example for law school, what is the typical recommended length of a law school personal statement.

These examples show that there is great variety in both length requirements and in specificity in describing those requirements.

• Harvard has strict requirements for the length and formatting of personal statements: 2 pages maximum, 11pt minimum font size, 1-inch margins, double spaced
• Columbia asks for two double-spaced pages “using readable fonts and margins”
• UC Berkeley asks for a personal statement that is “ideally four, double-spaced pages”
• Georgetown states: “There is no minimum or maximum length. We do not feel that an applicant’s personal statement should be limited.”

As you can see, depending on the law school you are applying to, you can expect to write 500 -1,000 words for your law school personal statement.

Most applicants apply to ten or more schools, and it is unfeasible to write a different version of one’s personal statement for each school one applies to. Instead, we recommend that you write two versions of your personal statement: a 2-page version and a 3+ page version. These two versions, with some minor modifications, will satisfy all length requirements.

Two pages is the most common length requirement for law school personal statements but we suggest you start by writing the three-page version, finalizing it, and then pare it down to a two-page version if necessary. The process of paring down the essay may be painful and may take several hours over a couple of sittings, but it is much easier than writing two different essays.

General guidance suggests that 250 words equal 1-page double-spaced. If you need to meet a word count requirement in your law school personal statement, use the instructions below to find the word count. 

Google Docs

To find the word count of your law school personal statement using Google Docs, navigate to the Tools Tab and select Word Count .  A pop message will appear showing you how many pages, words, and characters your personal statement contains. 

Microsoft Word

To find the word count of your law school personal statement using Microsoft Word, navigate to the Review Tab and select Word Count .  A pop message will appear showing you how many pages, words, characters, paragraphs, and lines your personal statement contains.

Formatting for law school personal statements can be overlooked but are critically important. Your ability to follow formatting rules is one of the first indicators to admission officers that you have the ability to follow the rules.

Remember that there is an actual human being at the other end of this process, and he or she will not appreciate reading an essay that is cramped or significantly different in format from the other components of your law school application.

[ RELATED: How to Format Law School Personal Statement ]

Law school applicants should plan to spend time brainstorming their topic, developing outlines, writing, proofreading, and revising their personal statements before submitting them. It can take law school applicants 2-4 weeks to write a good personal statement.

[ RELATED: What Not To Do With Your Law School Personal Statement ]

• Follow each school’s instructions to the letter. We mentioned Harvard’s requirements above: 2 pages, 11pt minimum font size, one-inch margins, double-spaced. If they spent the time putting together those requirements, they don’t want you to deviate from them.
• Don’t play games with margins, font size, etc. First of all, it’s obvious to the reader that you have changed the document properties to fit more words into less space. Second, it’s just less pleasant to read. 
• Keep it brief. When no length is specified, only consider writing something longer than three pages if you have something truly compelling to say.
• Use a header. Create a header that includes your full name and LSAC number, and indicates that the document is your personal statement. Do this for every written component of your application, not just your personal statement, and make sure it’s on every page of the document.

[ RELATED: How To Write a Great Law School Personal Statement ]

Note: To maintain the integrity and authenticity of this project, we have not edited the personal statements, though any identifying names and details have been changed or removed. Any grammatical errors that appear in the essays belong to the candidates and illustrate the importance of having someone (or multiple someones) proofread your work.

On December 19, 1996, at the age of five, I lost five close family members in a house fire. The oldest victim was my 10-year-old aunt, Donna Scott. She and I grew up together, living in my grandmother’s apartment in the [housing projects] in South Central Los Angeles. After losing Donna and my other family members in the fire, I became depressed. Suddenly, being the only child in my grandmother’s home, without any other children to talk to or play with, I developed imaginary friends. Because I talked to these “friends,” my grandmother advised my mother to find a psychiatrist for me. My mother, however, ignored my grandmother’s advice because she understood my behavior as a coping mechanism for the trauma I had experienced. After Donna’s death, I felt a profound sense of emptiness; yet, over time, I filled that void by helping others.

I believe the best way I can help people is through the legal system. I chose this route when I began noticing the injustices occurring in my community. When my friends and family interacted with authorities, they were often treated unfairly. Unfortunately, many people in my South Central Los Angeles community did not understand their rights and did not know how to represent or stand up for themselves. My uncle Edward, Donna’s younger brother, was falsely convicted on the basis of planted evidence. If only my uncle had known his rights and how to seek effective legal representation, he would probably not have a felony on his record today. My uncle’s situation showed me that ignorance of one’s rights can lead to prejudicial treatment in the American legal system, and I realized that educating the members of my community would make them less vulnerable. I will work to expose such injustices and focus on corrective measures for all Americans because no one deserves unfair treatment.

Disenfranchised Americans receive unequal treatment in the legal system when they are accused of crimes and when they are victims of crimes. During my internship at the Department of Justice Community Relations Service (CRS) in Washington D.C., I discovered the case of Jason Smith, a fourteen-year-old African American boy who was brutally murdered by the Ku Klux Klan in Louisiana in June of 2011. This case was not processed in a timely manner because one of the alleged murderers was the son of a former FBI agent. Once I knew that this case coincided with the CRS’ goal to resolve community tensions and conflicts, I submitted a written report to the Acting National Director of the division, [… who] reviewed the report and informed me that no one in the CRS Headquarters or regional offices had been aware of this incident. She forwarded my report to the regional director in Louisiana to further research the case because the hate crime had occurred within that jurisdiction. I later learned that the Civil Rights Division was investigating the murder.

The Jason Smith case particularly interested me because my younger brother, Kevin, was the same age as Jason when Jason died. When I look at Kevin and see his bright future, it saddens me to know that a child’s murder can go unnoticed. I feel relieved and gratified that I could make a difference by highlighting the injustice of Jason’s murder. Jason and my uncle’s situation reinforced my commitment to the practice of law. As an attorney, I will expose and speak out against injustices. By providing closure for families experiencing injustices and making the legal process comprehensible to those who are unfamiliar with it, I will help bridge the justice gap between socially marginalized individuals and the larger American society. I want to help the disenfranchised feel less excluded from the mainstream world. I can contribute to this by helping ensure that everyone receives effective legal representation.

My involvement with the Jason Smith case at CRS helped me realize that my work in the legal system can effect real change in the lives of people from underprivileged communities. The [target law school’s legal clinic] will provide me with the foundation that I need to become an outstanding advocate. Participating in this clinic will improve my knowledge of civil procedures and enable me to provide legal services to underrepresented communities. My cultural sensitivity and open-mindedness will make it easier for clients from these communities to open up and enable me to effectively communicate with them. My leadership ability, organizational skills, and tenacity make me a resource to the [law school’s] community. Additionally, my discipline and dedication, along with my desire to make my Aunt Donna proud, will motivate me to persevere through the rigors of law school. I will contribute my commitment to success, my ability to work with diverse groups, my inner-city urban perspective, and most importantly, my optimism to the [law school].

[ READ ANOTHER: Law School Personal Statement Example ]

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Harvard Law School Removes The Personal Statement Requirement

• September 20, 2023
• / Reviewed by: Matt Riley

When the Supreme Court handed down its decision on affirmative action earlier this summer, the higher ed community knew the ripple effects would be swift. Likely the biggest one thus far in the law school admissions world comes from Harvard Law School–it’s dumped the traditional personal statement requirement for law school applicants and replaced it with two new essays: the Statement of Purpose and the Statement of Perspective. 

But what does this mean for all you aspiring Elle Woods and Harvey Specters out there? Grab your metaphorical legal briefcases, and let’s analyze this change.

Statement of Purpose: Motivation, Goals, and Dreams

So, you want to be a lawyer, huh? The Statement of Purpose is where you get to channel your inner Atticus Finch. In one to two pages, you need to [elegantly] spill the beans on what’s motivating you to dive headfirst into the legal field. 

Are you in it for the thrill of the courtroom drama, the chance to argue like a boss, or because you’ve secretly binge-watched every legal drama on Netflix? We recommend you find a stronger motivation than that last one. 

Basically, Harvard wants to know what is driving you and how attending their law school aligns with your ambitions, goals, and vision for your future. 

Statement of Perspective: Who Are You, Really?

It might seem hard to believe, but law schools are not just interested in your LSAT score and GPA . No, they want to understand the deepest, quirkiest corners of your soul. Enter the Statement of Perspective. 

In another one to two pages, you’ll need to unveil how your life experiences, background, and interests (i.e. all those aforementioned Netflix shows) have shaped you. Think of it as reflection therapy but with the potential for a J.D. degree at the end.

Sign up to get expert tips and exclusive invites to free LSAT classes and law school admissions workshops! hbspt.forms.create({ region: "na1", portalId: "7934320", formId: "915e9d03-4baa-4f88-8f1f-19841c67de1d" });

Tips for completing the new harvard law school essays.

If you got this far and are thinking these just sound like a deconstructed personal statement, you wouldn’t be entirely wrong.  Although these essays are not exactly the same as a traditional law school personal statement , there are a number of overlaps. You still shouldn’t write a laundry list of achievements or a “Why you need to accept me” essay. You should also go through various rounds of drafts and edits. 

Ultimately, the same goals apply. Try to demonstrate that you are the kind of candidate that would benefit Harvard Law School and vice versa. It’s your chance to showcase your unique experiences, your aspirations, and everything that makes you, well, you.

Why Did Harvard Law School Remove The Personal Statement?

In response to the SCOTUS affirmative action decision, Harvard Law School is aiming to have a broader approach to its admissions questions. The goal is to inform admissions officers both of the students’ justification for law school as well as to provide insight into the perspectives of their potential student body. 

If you need help with the new essays, Blueprint’s Law School Admissions Consultants are here to help! And if you want to make sure your application stands out before admissions committees even read your essays, enroll in the Blueprint LSAT 170+ Course to get a guaranteed 170 LSAT score.

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• January 15, 2020

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• December 6, 2019

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• November 12, 2019

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New Harvard Law School Essay Prompts

Hey everyone! Just a head’s up that Harvard Law School has updated their essay prompts for the 2023–2024 admissions cycle. All applicants will now be required to submit a Statement of Purpose and a Statement of Perspective. Here are the new prompts:

Statement of Purpose : What motivates you to pursue law? How does attending law school align with your ambitions, goals, and vision for your future?

Statement of Perspective : The Admissions Committee makes every effort to understand who you are as an individual and potential Harvard Law School student and graduate. Please share how your experiences, background, and/or interests have shaped you and will shape your engagement in the HLS community and the legal profession.

This change is probably in likely in response to the recent SCOTUS decision about affirmative action.

What does this mean for your essays? We think you should approach the Statement of Purpose the same way you would approach your Personal Statement for any law school. All law school personal statements should be centered around the question of “why law.” Of course, you can still build your essay around an anecdote—but that anecdote should lead to your interest in a legal career.

The Statement of Perspective, now required, should be approached similarly to a diversity statement—an opportunity to share more info and context about you with an admissions committee.

You can find Harvard’s full requirements here: https://hls.harvard.edu/jdadmissions/apply-to-harvard-law-school/jdapplicants/jd-application-components/

Matthew from 7Sage

Admissions FAQs: Regular J.D. Applicants

The following questions and answers primarily apply to regular J.D. applicants. Please see our  blog  for additional application advice.

• Junior Deferral Program (JDP) Applicant FAQs
• Transfer Applicant FAQs
• International J.D. Applicant FAQs

The Application Process

The application for regular J.D. applicants typically opens in September of each year. The application typically closes in mid-February.

You can find precise dates and deadlines for the current cycle  here .

If you are applying to HLS with an LSAT score and if payment of the application fee would pose a financial hardship, we recommend (but do not require) that you first apply for a fee waiver through the Law School Admissions Council. Fee waivers from LSAC cover multiple application fees and some LSAC services, and an LSAC fee waiver may be the best way for you to reduce application related expenses. If LSAC has granted you a LSAT/LSAC Credential Assembly Service Fee waiver and you apply to HLS, your application fee will be waived.

If you are applying to HLS with a GRE score or are interested in requesting an application fee waiver directly from HLS, you may complete the HLS Fee Waiver Request Form. The process typically opens in early September and closes in February. To view the form, and relevant dates, please visit this  webpage .

HLS application fees are waived by HLS on the basis of financial need as demonstrated by information on the HLS form. No application for admission will be considered before the application fee has been paid or a fee waiver has been granted.

Yes. All applicants to the regular J.D. program, whether taking the LSAT or GRE, must also register for  LSAC’s Credential Assembly Service  and have all undergraduate and graduate transcripts sent to LSAC. When we receive and process your application, HLS will request your CAS report, and Law Services will send it directly to HLS. The CAS report includes any LSAT scores as well as copies of your academic transcripts, LSAT writing sample, and a summary of your undergraduate grades.

No. There are no “cut-off” GPAs or standardized test scores below which an application will not be considered in its entirety. We have no computational methods for making admission decisions, no mechanical shortcuts, no substitutes for careful assessment and good judgment.

We are  not  able to hold a decision on your application for any additional test scores. Applications will be considered complete once we have received  at least one score  from the exam(s) indicated in your HLS application, and we have processed your complete CAS report along with all requisite materials.

If your completed application has been submitted and remains under consideration, you are welcome to send additional materials (including test scores). They will be added to your file and included in the review process. However, additional test scores cannot be considered once a final decision has been rendered on an application.

Given the number of applications we receive and the limited time we have available to process, authenticate, and review each of them, it is not possible for us to reply to individual inquiries asking us to verify receipt of application materials or confirm the status of your application.

You will receive individual emails when your application is received and when it is complete.

No. When you complete your application and hit “submit”, the information contained in your application may not be altered or deleted in any way by you as an applicant or by us as an admissions team.

We do understand mistakes happen. You are more than welcome to add and submit additional files to support your application through your status checker.

For example, if you uploaded the wrong written statement, you can add the file you intended to send in your application via your status checker.

No. When decisions are rendered, applicants are notified through their status checker and by an email notification. If you are a current applicant, please refer to the “Application Received” or “Application Complete” emails for details.

Yes. The deadline applies only to the submission of the application form itself. It does not apply to letters of recommendation, transcripts, standardized scores, or other addenda. While your application has been submitted and is still under consideration, you may submit additional materials. We highly encourage applicants to submit all relevant materials in a timely manner.

No. All required application materials must be electronically submitted through LSAC.

Applicants who receive new grades after CAS reports have been sent to us should submit updated transcripts to LSAC. Information such as updated resumes, promotions at work, a change in an expected degree date, new employment status, or other amendments to the information in your file are welcome via your online status checker.

Please use your best judgment in uploading any additional materials, taking into account the frequency and nature of your past updates.

Two letters of recommendation are required of all applicants to the J.D. Program. In the event that you would like to submit an additional letter, LSAC does provide space for a third recommendation.

All recommendation letters must be submitted electronically through LSAC. We strongly recommend that at least one letter come from a professor, advisor, or other educational contact who can address your academic and scholarly abilities. However, applicants who have been out of school for several years and struggle to find an academic recommender may submit letters from employers or others who have worked closely with them.

Yes, front to back. Each application is guaranteed a thorough review by multiple members of the Admissions Committee.

Please rest assured that the Admissions Committee does not view multiple applications negatively.  Decisions are made on a case-by-case basis for all applications. In the past, we have admitted a number of applicants who have applied more than once.

Applicants may apply for admission to Harvard Law School through the regular J.D. application no more than three times. Applications submitted via the Junior Deferral Program (JDP) and the Transfer pathways do not count towards this cap. Ineligible candidates who submit an application will not be considered for admission and will not receive an application fee reimbursement.

Applicants may apply for admission to Harvard Law School through the regular J.D. application no more than three times. Applications submitted via the Junior Deferral Program (JDP) and the J.D. Transfer pathways do not count towards this cap. Ineligible candidates who submit an application will not be considered for admission and will not receive an application fee reimbursement.

We do not re-read previous applications submitted by reapplicants. Please note that responses to Character and Fitness questions from your previous application(s) to Harvard Law School may be reviewed before a final decision is reached on your candidacy.

It is always best to answer questions concerning your disciplinary record fully and openly, and to provide the requisite accompanying explanation. Withholding information that, in the future, may be reported by your schools, places of employment, or other establishments can adversely affect evaluation if not included in your application. Please be advised that disciplinary records are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and are not necessarily viewed as inherently negative.

Yes. Evaluative interviews are available by invitation only. All interviews are conducted via an online platform. If you are selected to interview, you will be notified by email with more information.

At Harvard Law School, we expect that all applicants fully intend to enroll in the J.D. program in the fall of the year in which they apply. We also understand that individual circumstances related to enrollment can change after submitting an application.

Admitted applicants will receive more detailed information about the procedures for applying for a deferral. Deferral requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

College juniors interested in applying to HLS with the intention of deferring an offer for admission for two years after completing an undergraduate degree may apply to the  Junior Deferral Program .

Standardized Tests

Harvard Law School accepts  either  the Law School Admission Test (LSAT)  or  the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). We do not have a preference for either exam. Similarly, a candidate is not considered more committed by taking both exams or disadvantaged by taking the same exam multiple times. Individuals considering either test should explore several factors, including whether they intend to apply to other law schools that may only accept the LSAT, timing and geographic location, and any other plans they may have for graduate study.

The Law School Admission Council (LSAC) reports all LSAT scores from the past five years. Similarly, applicants who choose to submit a GRE General Test score (instead of, or in addition to, the LSAT) are required to report all valid test scores from the previous five-year period. Applicants who apply with an active LSAT test score may elect to submit valid GRE General Test scores as well, but are not required to do so.

If you have concerns about sharing every test result from the last five years, then please consider attaching an addendum to your application elaborating on your circumstances. We will still require all test scores from the last five years, but the Admissions Committee will review those scores along with your addendum.

No. Per ABA Standard 503 , an accredited law school must utilize a “valid and reliable test” in the admissions process. Therefore, a standardized test score (either the LSAT or the GRE) is a required component of the application and we cannot waive this requirement for any applicant.

The Law School Admission Council automatically reports all LSAT test scores from the last five years. To provide consistent levels of information across both the LSAT and GRE, HLS requires all test results from the past five years from applicants who elect to submit the GRE.

The Law School Admission Council reports all LSAT scores from the past five years. GRE scores are valid for up to five years from the test date.

Yes. You are welcome to submit test scores from the LSAT-Flex and/or the GRE General Test at Home . We will accept either of these at-home, online administrations and will give them the same holistic consideration we do to the in-person LSAT or GRE. Your application will  not  be considered less competitive if you apply with the LSAT-Flex or the GRE General Test at Home.

Yes. We will continue to accept the GRE General Test to meet the standardized testing requirement of our application starting in September 2023. Your application will not be considered less competitive should you submit a test score from the shorter GRE test .   

Candidates must apply to the regular J.D. program via the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) and must participate in the  Credential Assembly Service  (CAS). When we receive and process your application, HLS will request your CAS report, which includes your LSAT score(s), academic transcripts, LSAT writing sample(s), and letters of recommendation.

Applicants who elect to take the GRE (instead of or in addition to the LSAT) must instruct the Educational Testing Service (ETS) to send HLS all GRE test scores from the preceding five-year period. Applicants who have taken the GRE can log into their ETS account and select Harvard Law School as a recipient of GRE results using the school code: 2135.

Accepting the GRE is part of a wider strategy at Harvard Law School to expand access to legal education for students in the United States and internationally. According to the policies established in the American Bar Association (ABA) Interpretation 503-1, acceptance of the GRE is consistent with the rules that govern the data that accredited law schools must collect from students seeking admission. The GRE is offered frequently throughout the year and in numerous locations around the world, which may make it more easily accessible than the LSAT for some applicants.

While applicants need only take  either  the LSAT  or  the GRE, HLS does require all those test results from the past five years.

Admission decisions are based on the Admissions Committee’s experienced judgment applied to individual cases, and many aspects are considered. Quantitative factors, while informative, are not dispositive in our selection process.

The LSAT and GRE are both designed to measure some of the acquired skills that are important to successful graduate school study.  Within broad limits, both exams provide a reasonable assessment of these skills.  Standing alone, however, the LSAT and/or GRE provide only a partial measure of an individual’s promise for legal study. In the context of the broader range of information contained in a complete application for admission, the LSAT and/or GRE is helpful in assessing individual promise and in making meaningful comparisons among those who apply for admission.

Please note, we have no computational methods for making admission decisions, no mechanical shortcuts, and no substitutes for careful assessment and good judgment applied to individual cases.  We try to assess intangible qualities— concern for the welfare of others, energy, ambition, sound judgment, and high ideals.  We have also found merit in allowing several strong factors to offset another factor on which an applicant may perform only modestly in comparison with other applicants. As a result, we emphasize that there are no “cut-off” GPAs or standardized test scores below which an application will not be considered in its entirety.

We strongly recommend that you sit for your standardized test well in advance of the application deadline. To be considered for fall enrollment, you must take either the LSAT or GRE no later than the February administrations of these tests.

The LSAT is administered multiple times per year.  Please visit the  Law School Admission Council website  for more information.

The GRE is administered year-round. Please visit the  Educational Testing Service website  for more information.

Please note, we are  not  able to hold a decision on your application for any additional test scores. Applications will be considered complete once we have received  at least one score  from the exam(s) indicated in your HLS application, and we have processed your complete CAS report with all requisite materials. Your application will only be eligible for review once it is deemed complete.

You need only take the LSAT or GRE once, however, if you take multiple tests, the Admissions Committee will consider all LSAT and/or GRE scores presented as part of your application.

Please note, while the GRE is composed of multiple sections, no one section will be weighted more heavily than the others. Similarly, each test score is reviewed individually; we do not “super-score”, average, or consider the highest composite score exclusively.

We consider any information an applicant provides about their scores. If you feel that one or more of your scores is not representative of your capabilities, you may address your concerns in an addendum attached to your application. If you have already submitted your application, you may submit an addendum via your status checker with your name and LSAC number. This will be automatically added to your file – therefore, there is no need to email the office.

There are no “cut-off” standardized test scores below which an application will not be considered in its entirety.

You can find information on the LSAT scores represented in this year’s first-year class on our  1L Class Profile .

You can find additional information on this year’s first-year class in our most recent Standard 509 Information Report .

LSAC offers fee waivers for the LSAT and Credential Assembly Service (CAS). Please find more information  here .

ETS offers a limited number of GRE Fee Reduction Certificates. Please find more information  here .

Yes. If you take the LSAT, then we will report the LSAT score to the ABA.

General Questions

To apply to Harvard Law School through the regular J.D. process, you must first create an account with the  Law School Admission Council (LSAC) . In addition to creating an account with LSAC, we encourage you to review the  J.D. Application Components .

Find the first-year profile for the most recent entering class.

The application deadline for fall enrollment is typically in mid-February.

You can find precise information on the regular J.D. application timeline here .

The J.D. Admissions Office typically begins releasing decisions in January. We aim to notify all applicants of their admission decision by early April.

All applicants must hold or expect to hold a bachelor’s degree (or international equivalent) prior to August of the year for which they apply to enter (except in cases where all requirements are met prior to September and degree conferral occurs after September).

Applicants may apply for admission to Harvard Law School through the regular J.D. application no more than three times. Applications submitted via the Junior Deferral Program (JDP) and the J.D. Transfer pathways do not count towards this cap.

Ineligible candidates who submit an application will not be considered for admission and will not receive an application fee reimbursement.

No. HLS does not offer a J.D. degree through part-time, evening, online, or summer programs. All students in the J.D. program must complete three years of full-time study beginning in the fall semester of each year exclusively.

Please refer to the  Standard Student Budget  to review an estimate of total cost, including living expenses, and tuition for the current academic year.

Financial aid at Harvard Law School is exclusively need-based; there are no merit scholarships available. All students, including domestic and international students, who demonstrate financial need according to a combination of federal and institutional guidelines receive adequate financial assistance to complete their course of study. For more information about financial aid, visit the HLS  Student Financial Services  Office website.

The  Low Income Protection Plan (LIPP)  is one of the most generous loan forgiveness programs in the nation. This program helps relieve the burden of repayment of educational loans for J.D. graduates in lower income employment options. Qualifying jobs include all full-time jobs in non-profits, government, or academia, as well as law-related jobs in the private sector.

You cannot begin to apply for financial aid at HLS until you receive an offer of admission. For a broad overview of the entire financial aid application process, please review the  Apply for Aid  section of the Student Financial Services website.

Harvard Law School considers applications from all undergraduate majors. There are no fixed requirements with respect to the content of pre-legal education. The nature of a candidate’s college work, as well as the quality of academic performance, are reviewed in the selection process. However, in preparing for law school, a broad college education is usually preferable to one that is narrowly specialized. The Admissions Committee looks for a showing of thorough learning in a field of your choice, such as history, economics, government, philosophy, mathematics, science, literature or the classics (and many others), rather than a concentration in courses given primarily as vocational training.

Harvard Law School encourages applications from every academic discipline. Lawyers with experience in the sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields are currently involved in some of the most important legal and regulatory questions of our time and will continue to be similarly engaged. If you have a STEM background, you may wish to work in the field for a few years to garner practical experience in the sciences before studying the legal aspects that regulate such work.

Harvard Law School offers  joint degree programs with:

• Harvard Business School (J.D./M.B.A.)
• Harvard School of Public Health (J.D./M.P.H)
• Harvard Kennedy School of Government (J.D./ M.P.P. or M.P.A./I.D.)
• Harvard Graduate School of Design (J.D./M.U.P.)
• Cambridge University Faculty of Law (J.D./LL.M)

The Law School also offers coordinated programs with the Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (J.D./Ph.D. and J.D./M.A.) in many fields.

For questions regarding joint degree programs, please contact April Pettit, Assistant Director of Academic Affairs . For those interested in combining a legal education with advanced training in a field in which a joint degree is not offered, we offer a number of  concurrent degree  opportunities with other graduate schools.

COVID-19 Updates

On-campus information session attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a guided HLS campus tour after a brief presentation and question and answer session. To see upcoming events and to register, please visit our Admissions Events page.

Those who visit outside these events are welcomed to tour the campus grounds , but note that HLS buildings are accessible only to Harvard ID Card holders.

We understand most applicants won’t be able to visit campus before submitting an application. You can view a virtual tour on our website .

Yes. On-campus information session attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a guided HLS campus tour after a brief presentation and question and answer session. To see upcoming events and to register, please visit our Admissions Events page.

We understand that many institutions across the globe had to make difficult decisions while adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Harvard Law School J.D. Admissions Committee wholeheartedly respects the decisions of institutions and students as we all navigate this situation. We remain committed to taking a holistic, flexible approach to evaluating each application. This is applied to all applicants and to those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

You do not need to explain any changes to your coursework or grades due to the pandemic. If you would feel more at ease by submitting a brief addendum explaining any changes, you are more than welcome to do so.

Many people had to put their academic, professional, and personal plans on hold due to the COVID-91 pandemic. We understand this and realize that it might impact professional and academic opportunities, and other circumstances relevant to your application.

If your professional or academic plans have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, it will not impact your chance for admission. If you would feel more at ease by explaining your situation to us, you can upload a brief addendum to your application.

Pauses, changes, and gaps in internships, research, service fellowships, and employment related to the COVID-19 pandemic will not impact your chance for admission to Harvard Law School.

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