sample law school personal statements

Getting a law degree is never cheap. That’s why law schools may offer scholarships to students or establish their own financial assistance programs. For law students who need additional funding in pursuing law education, here are some good options:

Financial assistance based on need

Law schools could offer support to students who urgently needs financial help to keep on studying. There are some need-based assistance with set amounts to give away. Other financial aid providers, however, may use special calculations. The amount of financial assistance may be based on the student’s income, among other requirements.

Financial assistance based on merit

To seek financial assistance based on merit, the student has to maintain a certain grade or GPA as part of the requirement. Law students can seek financial aid by applying for scholarship or study grants.
They may look for these programs through private organizations, foundations, business companies, and certain individuals who may willingly offer sponsorship. Aside from these, law schools may also have their own programs. Take for instance the scholarship program of Duke University.

Loans

Student loans can also be a good option in financing law school education. These are usually provided by federal agencies, private organizations, banks, and other financial institutions. There are numerous plans and packages to choose from when applying for student loans.

Other payment option

There are other ways to pay a loan such as committing to public service after graduating with a law degree. The same principle is used by Harvard Law School. The school will offer free tuition to third year students if they spend five years of their legal career  to public service after graduation. Other law schools also have their own payment terms, so might as well read the terms and conditions before applying for any kind of loan.

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Some may claim that once you become a law student, you may say good bye to life. But with effective time management, you can surely squeeze in some time for your friends, family, and other fun activities. You just need to know which comes first and how to maximize the use of time. How? Here are some time management tips for law students:

Set your priorities

Think of how important a particular chore is and put up a calendar of things to do- be it on your cellphone or on a traditional organizer. Avoid the overlapping of activities and make sure that your schedule is organized.  If you have a final exam next week, take time to study as early as now or whenever you have free time. This way, you’ll have a more orderly time flow instead of cluttering all things at one time.

Know your “zone” time

If you happen to be a night person, then might as well do more important tasks during the late hours. Try to maximize the use of time when you’re most productive. This way, you’ll get to accomplish more  in less time. Know when you’re at your peak and base your schedule on this.

Rest is crucial

Even if you are more active at night, it does not mean you should not sleep. Take time to relax and rest fully. Having enough sleep will help sustain the energy you need for everyday. Include a good diet and, if you could manage it, do exercise routines regularly to keep you strong and fit.

Social life should be scheduled

The spur-of-the-moment party may no longer be an option, if you have your law degree to think about. Lunch out with friends or even your boyfriend or girlfriend should be scheduled so it won’t affect other more important activities. You should also know when to say “no,” especially when you have an upcoming crucial exam. Spend time with family and friends, but never take your other responsibilities for granted.

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Most ABA-accredited law schools have similar curriculum to offer during the freshman year. But when law school students get to their second year, more choices would be given, all depending on the focus of interest and the field of specialization the student is eying for.

To get you closer to your choice of specialization, go for electives that would cater to your career goals. Still, bear in mind that course electives differ from one law institution to the next. So before enrolling in one, be sure that the school has the right program for you. Look for curriculum guides. Use these to compare different law school curricula. Here is a shortlist of the available courses in known US law schools.

New York Law school

New York Law School has gained recognition for its course offerings, especially when geared toward legal practice in transnational setting. Human Rights, Litigation and Dispute Resolution, and Business Law are only some of the advanced courses offered in this school. The New York Law School international and comparative law curriculum actually covers various subjects and legal procedures.

Yale Law School

Despite having a smaller community of law school students, Yale Law School has made a good name through its course offerings, seminars, and lectures for business law and other legal studies. About 200 students who are admitted every year may get the best training from Yale Law School.

Georgetown University

This US law school is also known for keeping its students abreast with the latest on legal matters and updates on jurisprudence. These issues include the application of law in the field of bioethics and the cyberspace. Georgetown University offers an excellent set of seminars, courses and electives to cover different specializations.

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A kick-ass personal statement may get you a slot in the law schools of your choice no matter what your grades are. But for your personal statement to be effective, you may need to read some sample law school personal statements and use them as guides. You must also cite a few realistic, genuine and agreeable reasons for wanting to enter law school. For your reference, below are the top five acceptable reasons for deciding to study law:

1. “I loved the type of work I had to do when I worked as an intern at a legal organization.”

This first reason is, perhaps, one of the most effective and acceptable reasons an applicant may cite in his or her personal statement. The admissions committee looks favorably upon applicants who, out of their interest in the field, worked to get some experience in a legal organization. Getting an early work experience and observing lawyers do their jobs help prepare a person for law school and the career itself.

2. “Researching about careers both legal and non-legal made me realize that a legal career is ideal
for me.”

Researching about different careers and the one you prefer most shows the admissions committee
that you’ve done your homework. By researching, you become knowledgeable about the hard work
the careers entail and the benefits you will enjoy. You will also show the admissions committee that
you are like a lawyer–that is, someone who makes logical conclusions based on valid reasons and evidences.

3. “I read many materials about law and have a desire to help solve people’s legal problems.”

This reason shows that you are very interested in the field to the point that you often read what you can about law. But more than your interest in the field, the reason shows that your are focused on implementing solutions and putting what you have learned into action.

4. “I learned about the legal career by interviewing lawyers and I want to do what they do.”

By interviewing real lawyers, you get three benefits. One is that you get your information about the legal career from a credible source. Another is that you get as much answers as the questions you ask. You get to know the ins and outs in the field and the good and bad experiences of a lawyer. Finally, by interviewing lawyers, you get to show the admissions committee that your research skills are adequate.

5. “The law school classes I have attended made me more inclined to have a legal career.”

Law school classes are, in fact, one of the avenues for you to see if a legal career is right for you. Experience in law classes allows you to directly see how well you perform and how the subject becomes fulfilling to you.

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