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Avoid These Law School Application Cliches

Law school admission is based on a variety of factors and admissions officers typically look at applications holistically. Thus, experts say, it’s critical to ensure that your application is unique and highlights your own personal strengths and perspectives.

US News recently discussed how applicants can make their application stand out by avoiding common law school application cliches.

AVOID LENGTHY ESSAYS

Law school application essays should tell a cohesive and coherent narrative of who you are. But too often, experts say, applicants write essays that highlight the wrong things.

“Law school application essays need to be concise,” Gabriel Kuris, founder of Top Law Coach and contributor at US News, says. “Personal statements are typically limited to two or three double-spaced pages, and other essays like diversity statements may be just one page. The more you write about who you are not, the less room you have to talk about who you are.”

STEER CLEAR OF LOFTY STATEMENTS ABOUT THE LAW

Admissions officers like to see applicants who are passionate about the law. What they don’t like to see, however, is an applicant who comes off pretentiously preaching the law.

“Too many applicants think it sounds intelligent to write about what the law is, what it means or how the legal system really works,” Kuris says. “It’s fine to write about what law means to you or about your own experience of the legal system. It’s fine to critique the legal system or write about your interest in exposing and challenging its shortfalls. But making lofty or categorical pronouncements about the law can sound pompous or high-minded. Admissions officers seek eager learners, not know-it-alls.”

DON’T BOAST ABOUT YOUR LOVE OF ARGUING

Debates and arguments are central aspects of legal work—but they aren’t everything. Kuris says applicants often make the mistake of focusing solely on their love of arguing and ignoring other important aspects of legal work.

“Law school classes often involve contentious debates, and many legal jobs are adversarial in nature,” Kuris says. “But law schools don’t just want a class of budding trial lawyers. Legal work involves other skills like active listening, mediation, collaboration and conciliation. In argumentation, winning isn’t everything. If you choose to write about your debate prowess, highlight skills like research, analytical thinking and perspective-taking.”

Sources: US News, US News

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