My Personal Statement - I am desperate...

[RecordProducer]

I desperately need help from those on this board who know me well. I need to write a personal statement for my application to law schools. I need to write one page of something that presents me as a smart, experienced, introspective, interesting, determined person and it's preferable if I do it through a story. Cultural diversity, international background, obstacles overcome, goals achieved, life experiences, and maturity are highly regarded by the adcoms. The problem is: I don't know what to write about. The statement is supposed to impress them and make them feel compelled to accept me. My husband will help me with the writing style, but I desperately need ideas. I need to pick a theme.

 

So what I am asking from you is: if you had to pick one or more events or stories about me that would show me in the best light, what would you pick? What is it about me that would make you think that I would be suitable for the law occupation? Of course, you might have nothing to say, but just in case there is something, please spill it out for me. It has to be backed up by examples of what I did in a concrete situation. "You're bright and I can see that by the way you express your opinions in your posts" is not good enough. If you could describe me with one word and explain WHY in just one sentence, what would it be?

 

I know this is a tough question and I am prepared to get zero answers. The reason why I am asking YOU guys is because you're outsiders and can point out something that I might not necessarily value too much about myself, but would be interesting to the adcoms.

 

Just a reminder: I grew up in two south-eastern European countries, I lived in France and Russia shortly, and moved to the US last year. I am 32, have 9-year old twin boys, and am currently in my second marriage. I went through my countrie's economic crisis, bombing, divorces (my parents', my mom's, and mine). I used to be in the music biz, mostly as a live performer (singer) and that's how I made a living for a few years. I also compose, write lyrics, and produce songs. I met my current husband on a dating site and he brought me to America.

 

They want to know HOW a particular experience shaped me and influenced my life; they don't just want to hear about what happened to me. Thanks.

[Tony T]

I would write...without being vain...about the incredible obstacles you had to overcome in your home country, the risks you took in coming to America, the trials, both in adjusting to marriage and a new culture, you experienced once you arrived on US soil and the uncertainties you now face with an imminent divorce and having to raise children alone in a strange land with only a promise of hope this country offers.

 

It's a theme that has been repeated many times but seldom do we hear it in the first person, from the man or woman who faced adversity and won in the end. Don't toot your horn too much but cut loose with your feelings and be very specific that you are intent on winning this battle with life and that you always emerge a better person and you will do so in this case as well.

 

You were meant to be a Philadelphia lawyer and everything that has happened to you in your life has led up to this moment. Not only will you become a lawyer...but you will be the BEST there ever was!

[RecordProducer]

I would write...without being vain...about the incredible obstacles you had to overcome in your home country, the risks you took in coming to America, the trials, both in adjusting to marriage and a new culture, you experienced once you arrived on US soil and the uncertainties you now face with an imminent divorce and having to raise children alone in a strange land with only a promise of hope this country offers.

 

It's a theme that has been repeated many times but seldom do we hear it in the first person, from the man or woman who faced adversity and won in the end. Don't toot your horn too much but cut loose with your feelings and be very specific that you are intent on winning this battle with life and that you always emerge a better person and you will do so in this case as well.

 

You were meant to be a Philadelphia lawyer and everything that has happened to you in your life has led up to this moment. Not only will you become a lawyer...but you will be the BEST there ever was!

Tony, thank you very much for your insightful advice. I am not sure I should right about my upcoming divorce, since that's a problem that hasn't been solved yet. They want to hear about obstacles overcome. As far as they are concerned, I would be a poor little dumped woman with nothing and no one to support her, with a big-lawyer dream that she will god-knows-how achieve, so help her God.

 

But I loved how you described my life. Anyhoo, I could write about the obstacles in my former countries and how and why I came to the US. I've noticed that generaly people who immigrate to the US are more ambitious than the ones that they left behind and many of them are very successful here. So the myth/pattern is in my favor.

 

OK, this was one idea and I liked it. I think I am going to write about the American dream, how and why I came here. But I need to make a good story that will capture as many personal qualities as possible.

 

How does the fact that I met my husband on a dating site sound? The truth is I always wanted to live in America and I decided to meet my soul mate. I wasn't just a green-card chaser, but I am afraid that I might come across to them as one if I don't present the case in the right way.

[Tony T]

I would simply play down the marriage part. You can mention that you left your country to be with the man you loved and to help your family realize dreams impossible in your native land. You felt it necessary to find a better and more promising land for your children and, to do so, you needed to find suitable career objectives that would help you in doing so.

 

Make it a good story, make it so powerful and compelling you can sell it to a Hollywood Movie studio and they will make a classic film out of your story...and your story will live on forever. You can do it.

 

Don't bother mentioning what you like or don't like about the ideas. That serves no purpose here. Just get on your word processor and write the best paper you've ever written and include only what you feel good about.

 

Since you are addressing this letter to a law school, you might bring up your longstanding admiration for American law, the court system and your passion for learning more about the roots of our legal system and the rules by which it operates. Let them know you will work hard to help those who are in need to legal help but cannot afford it. You are in this for the long haul, to help others, to help yourself and to make the system better for everybody.

[norajane]

I think I am going to write about the American dream, how and why I came here.

Yes, that is a good approach - it's a successful approach, school entrance comittees love to believe in the American dream. Do not go into personal details about your husband and how you met. You stop the story at reaching America, and start talking about what you are hoping to achieve here - a new life for yourself.

 

I would also focus on the connection to why you want to practice law, and, I would shamelessly focus on how 'witnessing all the injustices in your home country created a passion within you to master the law and help people and make sure they are well represented' or something like that. Focus on your goals, your story - not your husband.

[RecordProducer]

Actually it is true that I want to help and make a difference in many people's lives. But, the adcoms find it cheesy unless you back it up with achievements from the past. They know that most people will end up in the private sector and they actually don't mind it, because it raises their own reputation. They brag about the six-figured salaries of their graduates and are not really interested in people who want to help handicapped kids for $30k a year. They basically want two things in their student body: high intellect and diversity.

 

Do you think I should include a whole paragraph about my music career? Does it sound impressive that after the divorce, I was jobless with two kids and a jobless mother and I setup a studio, started to produce and sell my own songs and sing professionally to support us? I will state in my resume that I worked in this field and the producer from Hollywood with whom I cooperated sent a letter of recommendation talking about my great talent and passion for music. So it's not like they are not going to know about it if I don't mention it in my PS. But they are not going to know all the circumstances. Or do you think I should just mention it in the fly as in how I struggled in my country?

 

Norajane and Tony, thank you for your replies. Any ideas about why go to law, other than to save the world? The truth about why I chose law (other than the big opportunities this occupation inherently brings) was that I needed intellectual stimulation. After the music, which is mostly a sensual thing, I needed to employ my brain. And I like writing, counseling, and researching. I also think it's a major fun to represent people and I like to deal with people's problems, as you can see from my contribution to this board. I am totally into humanities and people. I also think I can see things from many different perspectives and analyze them well. But this is all just my opinion of my abilities and I have nothing to back it up with.

 

On another note, when I managed to negotiate the postnup from $0 to $125,000, I felt like I could be a good lawyer, because I used all kinds of arguments and bluffing to achieve what I wanted to achieve. Of course, my husband - the opposite party - felt outsmarted, just like my clients' husbands will feel some day. But I don't think this is worth mentioning and it may present me in a bad light. Plus, they wouldn't know how big an achievement that is since they don't know how stubborn my husband is.

[norajane]

Entertainment law. If you want to use your music background, you can say that you're interested in contract and entertainment law so you can represent either musicians or studios, whichever side you want to be on.

[jerbear]

I would suggest emphasizing more on what your dreams are and what is your plan.

 

Including your music background is actually good, most schools want a diverse and more complete person. The personal statement is supposed to be what you feel and about you. what are your dreams, your aspirations, your family, how they changed your life, etc... How would you use your knowledge your law degree.

 

I would suggest writing 2 to 3 rought drafts and look at them after 1 hour. I had to write mine and it took a few days to write 1000 words!

 

I do agree with noting the american dream and reducing the emhasis on marriage issues.

 

Also on a side note, have you selected your recommendations?

[RecordProducer]

Entertainment law. If you want to use your music background, you can say that you're interested in contract and entertainment law so you can represent either musicians or studios, whichever side you want to be on.

I thought about that, but there's a bummer there: for entertainment law you go to LA or NYC to get internships and real-life perspective. How about international law due to my international background and/or family law due to my personal experience? I could state child advocacy due to the abuse I went through as a child, but I don't feel like mentioning that part as if I want them to pity me. I really want to do a lot of pro bono work for kids though.

[norajane]

I thought about that, but there's a bummer there: for entertainment law you go to LA or NYC to get internships and real-life perspective. How about international law due to my international background and/or family law due to my personal experience? I could state child advocacy due to the abuse I went through as a child, but I don't feel like mentioning that part as if I want them to pity me. I really want to do a lot of pro bono work for kids though.

 

What you say on your application, and what you actually end up studying aren't required to be the same thing. By the time you would need to look for internships, you would have already been admitted to their school...just sayin'...you will start with the basics, and then later specialize...you are entitled to change your mind at any time...

[Ocean-Blue]

RP, I am not too familiar with your story, so I'm not going to provide you with any meaningful feedback.

 

Just wanted to say good luck with your LS apps! Have you written your LSAT yet? If not, good luck with them too!

[RecordProducer]

What you say on your application, and what you actually end up studying aren't required to be the same thing. By the time you would need to look for internships, you would have already been admitted to their school...just sayin'

Right, but schools from Philly or NJ might not be sure that they are the right school for me, which means I am not the right student for them, if I want to do entertainment law, which I probably won't be interested in. I think it's boring, though profitable in LA. I think immigrations law is the winner when it comes to boredom. I might say "I came to America and now I want to become an immigrations lawyer and help many more people come to the US, too." JK

 

Thanks, Ocean-Blue. Yes, I am done with the LSAT.

[norajane]

I might say "I came to America and now I want to become an immigrations lawyer and help many more people come to the US, too." JK

 

Actually, that sounds perfect!

[RecordProducer]

Actually, that sounds perfect!

"I want to have a say in who stays and who gets kicked. I want to make America a better country by putting the terrorists and scums to prison and helping the good, hard-working Chinese and Hindu people get their visas, even if that means that I'd have to sponsor them personally!"

[allina]

I would suggest against writing about coming to the US and the "American Dream" I feel like it's too cliche, they must get thousands of those.

[RecordProducer]

I would suggest against writing about coming to the US and the "American Dream" I feel like it's too cliche, they must get thousands of those.

Actually they don't, statistically speaking. Very few people have immigrated to the US and have good enough English skills and the time to apply to law school. I am an immediate immigrant, not immigrants' child who was born here - those they have a lot!

 

I don't see anything else about my life that is more impressive or that can integrate the diversity idea. Allina, do you have any ideas? I have a 154 LSAT score (60th percentile) and I need to show diversity, although my GPA is 3.72.

 

I am really struggling with this and the husband doesn't seem much of help. When he divorces me, I really need to do something with my life and I love the law field. I have absolutely nothing and no one here so I am starting from scratch with two children on my back. I gotta make this right, at least for once in my life.

[lindya]

Do you think I should include a whole paragraph about my music career? Does it sound impressive that after the divorce, I was jobless with two kids and a jobless mother and I setup a studio, started to produce and sell my own songs and sing professionally to support us? I will state in my resume that I worked in this field and the producer from Hollywood with whom I cooperated sent a letter of recommendation talking about my great talent and passion for music. So it's not like they are not going to know about it if I don't mention it in my PS. But they are not going to know all the circumstances. Or do you think I should just mention it in the fly as in how I struggled in my country?

 

Norajane and Tony, thank you for your replies. Any ideas about why go to law, other than to save the world?

 

Yes. I think your knowledge of the music industry is definitely something to play up. Some firms out there specialising in copyright law have a large number of clients in the music/publishing industry, and with your particular strengths and talents, that would seem the natural area for you to specialise in.

 

You know the industry, you have the confidence and poise that comes with professional experience and a cosmopolitan background; you're used to dealing with people in the arts. That, and your direct experience of, and proven ability to cope with, life in a conflict-stricken area would give you something extra special to bring to the profession in terms of client relations and relevant professional knowledge. You're tough, determined, calm in highly pressured situations and you've got a sense of humour. All vital elements to getting on in the legal profession.

[marlena]

I want to make America a better country by putting the terrorists and scums to prison

 

This should get you in 100%!!! Good luck, RP!

[allina]

Actually they don't, statistically speaking. Very few people have immigrated to the US and have good enough English skills and the time to apply to law school. I am an immediate immigrant, not immigrants' child who was born here - those they have a lot!

 

I don't see anything else about my life that is more impressive or that can integrate the diversity idea. Allina, do you have any ideas? I have a 154 LSAT score (60th percentile) and I need to show diversity, although my GPA is 3.72.

 

I am really struggling with this and the husband doesn't seem much of help. When he divorces me, I really need to do something with my life and I love the law field. I have absolutely nothing and no one here so I am starting from scratch with two children on my back. I gotta make this right, at least for once in my life.

 

I have to disagree with the first paragraph, at least when it comes to where I am from. I am one of many students who are immigrants in the US, not children of immigrants born here, who speak flawless english. UC Berkeley is one of the top law schools and many many many applicants trying to get in are immigrants, the same goes for all the schools around here that I am familiar with.

 

I feel like by giving them the run of the mill "I came to America to make a better life for myself" speech you will hurt your chances because it will not stand out. I'm not suggesting omitting the fact that you are an immigrant out completely but maybe try focusing on a specific aspect of it most related to you. Maybe you can write something about the political struggles in your home country and how the law and knowledge of the law could help people in times of repression and war. You could write something about being a single young mom and how this impacts your views on family law. I'm not sure but I feel like you need to make it more unique, more directly about you than just the general topic of immigration.

[RecordProducer]

Urgh... I lost my response somehow. Anyway, Lyndia, I was saying thanks a lot for your reply. I see my music career from a different perspective now. i am going to include it in another essay definitely. I was going to skip it, but you gave me a new thought.

 

Allina, thanks for your reply. I will talk to some insiders (admission officers or pre-law advisers to see about this). The difference is that I immigrated by myself, I didn't come with my parents. I made my way through and it just happened last year.

[Touche]

Are you really, really sure you want to get into this racket? You won't believe the type of people you have to deal with. But what do I know, right? I can't stand most people anyway.

[quankanne]

RP, you've got a couple of different avenues to explore with your music background and with your background as an immigrant:

 

• music law: Though New York Broadway musicals and theatre are a far cry from the type of recording you did, your experience as a musician would give you-as-a-lawyer extra depth. And New York wouldn't be outside your immediate vicinity ...

 

• immigrant law: I liked Tony's suggestion of using your experience as an immigrant to outline what appeals to you about immigration law and how it could benefit others in similar situations. And you can contrast what you recall about the legal system in the countries you lived in prior to coming to the States. I've got a friend who is a citizen of Mexico, who grew up with a wide variety of interests but criminal justice caught her attention and that's what she studied in college years ago. Then she got involved working with the Mexican Consulate in El Paso, helping immigrant victims of domestic violence to leave their abusers … she's able to draw from her own experience as an immigrant and from her love of criminal justice to serve others. And I imagine that you be fantastic at doing something similar in the legal profession (working with immigrant artists, perhaps?) …the possibilities are wide open, and the best thing about you is that you are very much capable of seeing things from many different perspectives and executing decisions when you make them. You've got a strong sense of stick-to-it-ness!

[RecordProducer]

Are you really, really sure you want to get into this racket? You won't believe the type of people you have to deal with. But what do I know, right? I can't stand most people anyway.

Huh? Are you talking about the law occupation? You know, people are in all fields of work and many people suck. Whatever I do, I will have to deal with them. The funny thing is: I love people and I want to deal with them. One of the reasons why I am not satisfied with music is because it doesn't involve people. It only involves people in the stage of promoting your work and that's the worst part that has nothing to do with my musical talent. But working on compositions is only between me, my equipment, and the notes. I like to work with human matters.

RP, you've got a couple of different avenues to explore with your music background and with your background as an immigrant:

 

• music law: Though New York Broadway musicals and theatre are a far cry from the type of recording you did, your experience as a musician would give you-as-a-lawyer extra depth. And New York wouldn't be outside your immediate vicinity ...

 

• immigrant law: I liked Tony's suggestion of using your experience as an immigrant to outline what appeals to you about immigration law and how it could benefit others in similar situations. And you can contrast what you recall about the legal system in the countries you lived in prior to coming to the States. I've got a friend who is a citizen of Mexico, who grew up with a wide variety of interests but criminal justice caught her attention and that's what she studied in college years ago. Then she got involved working with the Mexican Consulate in El Paso, helping immigrant victims of domestic violence to leave their abusers … she's able to draw from her own experience as an immigrant and from her love of criminal justice to serve others. And I imagine that you be fantastic at doing something similar in the legal profession (working with immigrant artists, perhaps?) …the possibilities are wide open, and the best thing about you is that you are very much capable of seeing things from many different perspectives and executing decisions when you make them. You've got a strong sense of stick-to-it-ness!

Quankanne, I was hoping you'd show up in this thread and give me good advice, as usual. I like your ideas and I will definitely explore them. Thank you.

 

I finally realized that my husband is not going to help me with the applications. For two weeks, he "couldn't find time" for me. He barely found time to read my essays and say they are not good enough. He was too busy posting on his aviation forum and flying. Yesterday he flew to SC to a BBQ and didn't take me although I told him I wanted to go. He said it was a pilots' thing. I read the thread and saw that everyone announced that they would come with their wives. I saw pictures from the BBQ and saw women there. It was a gathering of pilots, but for fun and food. He knows I am alone here and have no one and always goes everywhere by himself, unless he needs an escort. So now I am not talking to him and I can't even ask him for help. But, I have a feeling that he doesn't want to help me. And asking for help someone who doesn't want to help you is asking for trouble. Maybe he doesn't even want me to get into law school.

[RecordProducer]

OK, I am confused about something. What is double-spaced? They say the PS should be two pages double-spaced, but I don't understand if that's normal two pages or normal one page.

 

Blablabblablabla

 

blablablablablab

 

Is this double-spaced?

[tinktronik]

RP, that is in fact double-spaced. If you have M-Word you can open it and use the double spaced option located at the top right of the page. Two pages double spaced means 2 pages /double space them . If will boil down to one page because of the spaces .