La Verne College of Law: "In Brief"

Welcome to "In Brief," a University of La Verne College of Law electronic newsletter that helps prospective law students and pre-law advisors navigate the world of legal education in Inland Southern California.

Who Are You Really?
How to Write a Strong Personal Statement

At the University of La Verne College of Law, the personal statement is a key element of your law school application. It is your one chance to highlight the individual qualities that would make you a great law student. Admissions committees use the personal statement as evidence of both your writing skills and your ability to meet the high demands of a legal education. They also like to see that you have done your research and understand the strengths of their school’s program.

“I enjoy reading personal statements because they are just that – personal,” says Andrew Woolsey, Director of Admissions at La Verne Law. “They give me a chance to understand who an applicant really is and why they want to come to law school in a way that isn’t always evident from the rest of their application.”

What Should You Share?

In your two- to three-page personal statement, you need to demonstrate to the admissions committee that you have the motivation and drive to succeed in law school. Before beginning to write, think about why you want to go to law school and what you bring to the table. Brainstorm by asking yourself these questions:

• What are your greatest strengths? Remember that law schools are looking for a number of different qualities in a candidate: intellectual ability, diversity, self-reflection, commitment, and ethics are just a few examples of qualities that make a successful law student. Use concrete examples of accomplishments or experiences that highlight your strengths. Be creative! Tell a story that shows how you have developed and will continue to develop your positive qualities.
• Have I faced a significant challenge in my life? How did I overcome it? Is there anything in my background that is different than the average law school applicant? How might that affect my perspective on life and the law? Keep in mind that the tone of your personal statement should always be positive. If you talk about difficulties you have faced in your life, it is essential that you show what you have done to work around or overcome those challenges.

“I look for evidence that a student has thought about why they want to go to law school and the path that led them to that decision,” says Woolsey. “If they feel like their academic performance doesn’t reflect their true abilities, that’s something they should address as well.”

Get Out the Red Pen

After you draft your personal statement, it’s time to edit. Your personal statement should be one of the best pieces of writing you have ever created. Now is not the time to dash off a few paragraphs and call it a day, so give yourself at least a couple of weeks to work on it.

A few basic pointers can help you in this process:

• Look for problems with style and clarity.
• Be sure that your grammar, spelling, and punctuation are perfect.
• Use clear, plain language.
• Use the active rather than passive voice.

After you have edited your personal statement several times, give it to someone you trust to read and edit again. And then read and edit it again – and again until you are absolutely satisfied with the final product.

The Brief

Your personal statement is your chance to let your personality shine through. While you should always remember your audience – a group of professionals who are determining whether or not you would be a good fit at their law school – and write accordingly, you should also use this opportunity to show them who you are and what you can bring to both the classroom and legal profession.

Dos, Don'ts and Tips

•  Be deliberate in the highlights you share to demonstrate your strengths.
• Be creative!
• Don’t rush through the writing process – make it perfect!
• Remember your audience, and convince them that you have what it takes to make a successful law student.

About the University of La Verne College of Law

Located in Ontario, Calif., the University of La Verne College of Law serves over four million people as the only ABA-approved law school in Inland Southern California and an additional 2.2 million people in the San Gabriel Valley and Eastern Los Angeles County. For more information about the College of Law, please call (909) 460-2001 or visit the Web at http://law.laverne.edu.

The University of La Verne College of Law has been provisionally approved by the Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar of the American Bar Association since February 13, 2006. The Section of Legal Education may be contacted at 321 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60610 or by phone at (312) 988-6738.

About the Admissions Office at La Verne
College of Law

The admissions staff at the University of La Verne College of Law in Ontario, California, is dedicated to helping prospective law students navigate the complex process of law school admissions. We know every individual has a unique scenario, and it is our goal to counsel prospective law students earnestly so they fully understand the social and economic implications of legal education. If you have questions or would like to speak to an admissions officer at La Verne College of Law, please contact us at (909) 460-2001 or (877) 858-4529. We’re here to assist you, and we look forward to hearing from you.

 

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