Charles Roboski Director of Admissions & Financial Aid Notre Dame Law School The Personal Statement: Its Role and Suggestions for Crafting It

2 Preview Roles of the Personal Statement Roles of the Personal Statement Application-review process Application-review process Review of Personal Statements Review of Personal Statements Suggestions for crafting the P.S. Suggestions for crafting the P.S. A few words about the resume A few words about the resume

3 Roles of the P.S. An opportunity for the reviewer to gain a fuller understanding of the applicant (in lieu of an interview) An opportunity for the reviewer to gain a fuller understanding of the applicant (in lieu of an interview) The basis for assessing how the applicant might contribute to the law school classroom, the student body, and/or the profession The basis for assessing how the applicant might contribute to the law school classroom, the student body, and/or the profession As an indicator of applicant’s writing ability and judgment As an indicator of applicant’s writing ability and judgment As an indicator of applicant’s motivation for becoming a lawyer As an indicator of applicant’s motivation for becoming a lawyer As an indicator of applicant’s interest level in this law school As an indicator of applicant’s interest level in this law school Admission and scholarship assistance consideration Admission and scholarship assistance consideration

4 Application Review…from the Committee’s Perspective Does this candidate have the ability to succeed academically at our law school? Does this candidate possess those qualities that our law school considers to be important for the study/practice of law? How does this candidate compare to others?

5 Review of Personal Statements

6 Suggestions as you prepare to write your Personal Statement Consider how it will complement your resume and how the reader might view it in light of your resume Consider how it will complement your resume and how the reader might view it in light of your resume Ask yourself what abilities and traits you possess that will serve you well as a law student and as an aspiring lawyer Ask yourself what abilities and traits you possess that will serve you well as a law student and as an aspiring lawyer Reflect on your personal and professional goals, as well as your strengths and values Reflect on your personal and professional goals, as well as your strengths and values Ask yourself why you are applying (and potentially enrolling) at particular law schools Ask yourself why you are applying (and potentially enrolling) at particular law schools

7 Suggestions for Writing the Personal Statement Craft a Personal Statement that allows the reader to develop a fuller sense of who you are Craft a Personal Statement that allows the reader to develop a fuller sense of who you are Ask what 2, 3 or 4 “points” you would like to communicate to the reviewer Ask what 2, 3 or 4 “points” you would like to communicate to the reviewer Plan to write multiple drafts; share with others Plan to write multiple drafts; share with others Support statements with examples Support statements with examples Strike a positive tone; be sincere and succinct Strike a positive tone; be sincere and succinct Use active verbs…researched, managed, etc. Use active verbs…researched, managed, etc.

8 Pause or halt before … Offering a value judgment that the reviewer may not share or that may offend the reviewer Offering a value judgment that the reviewer may not share or that may offend the reviewer Expounding on theories of law, society, etc. Expounding on theories of law, society, etc. Writing a personal statement that focuses exclusively or nearly exclusively on one topic Writing a personal statement that focuses exclusively or nearly exclusively on one topic Taking a very “creative” approach Taking a very “creative” approach Writing a “one-size-fits-all” personal statement Writing a “one-size-fits-all” personal statement Using less than 12-point type Using less than 12-point type Exceeding the stated page maximum Exceeding the stated page maximum

9 Your Resume A resume provides a factual description of how you have spent your time, your accomplishments, and skills you’ve developed: Does not need to be limited to one page Does not need to be limited to one page Should include minimal academic information; exclude that which can be readily found elsewhere in the application Should include minimal academic information; exclude that which can be readily found elsewhere in the application Should give appropriate space and placement to relevant accomplishments, employment, ECs, etc. (e.g., hours worked, titles, accomplishments, responsibilities) Should give appropriate space and placement to relevant accomplishments, employment, ECs, etc. (e.g., hours worked, titles, accomplishments, responsibilities) Should be formatted in such a way that draws the reader’s attention to especially significant information Should be formatted in such a way that draws the reader’s attention to especially significant information