john marshall law school personal statement

Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School

The information on this page was provided by the law school.

Official Guide to ABA-Approved JD Programs

The jd program.

Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School (AJMLS) has been educating lawyers and leaders in Georgia since 1933 and attracts students from around the world to its full-time and part-time J.D. programs, as well as the Criminal Justice Certificate Program. AJMLS provides rigorous, high-quality programs that produce competent and ethical lawyers who are dedicated to helping people, especially in underserved communities. The Law School intentionally instills in its students a sense of obligation to the community and the legal profession—an obligation to pursue justice rather than mere personal gain, and to improve society rather than to solely advance personal ambition. Whether AJMLS graduates remain in law practice, become judges, enter politics, or succeed in business, these core values remain with them.

The Mission

Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School provides the opportunity for legal education to both traditional and nontraditional students who show promise of making positive contributions to the profession, legal system, or society. We are dedicated to preparing highly skilled, ethical, and professional lawyers who possess a strong social conscience.

The Juris Doctor (JD) Program

The rigorous program of legal study at Atlanta’s John Marshall is designed for the development of intellectual, analytical, and lawyering skills. From the first-year curriculum of core courses through the third-year courses that emphasize practical skill development, the JD program is designed to promote critical reasoning, precision in both oral and written communication, and problem-solving skills. Upper-level students can pursue their areas of interest through a broad variety of elective courses.

Full-Time and Part-Time Law Study

The Law School remains dedicated to providing access to legal education to both traditional and nontraditional students by offering both full-time and part-time law programs. Individuals who are unable to devote themselves to the study of law full-time may attend either the part-time day or part-time evening program.

Criminal Justice Certificate Program

The Criminal Justice Certificate Program prepares graduates to practice criminal law, whether as a prosecutor or a defender. Students of the Certificate Program graduate equipped with strategies to allow them to shape the criminal justice arena rather than simply being shaped by it. All students will take Criminal Procedure in the spring of their 2L year. Students may decide to pursue the Criminal Justice Certificate upon completion of their second year (after having the benefit of taking Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure).

Students working towards the Criminal Justice Certificate would take the remainder of the required coursework during their 3L year along with a mandatory Criminal Justice Workshop. Interested students could also begin fulfilling their 300 hours of approved field work requirement during the summer between their 2L and 3L year.

Commitment to Diversity

Because the Law School’s educational setting focuses on an interactive learning environment, a diverse student body is essential to providing a broad range of perspectives in the classroom and the law school community. The Fall 2021 entering students represent 23 states, 77 undergraduate institutions, and 35+ different majors. The class is 67 percent minority, 62 percent female, eight percent military, and has an average age of 28. The student body is not only diverse in gender and ethnicity, but also varied in life experience and professional background.

Student Life

Student organizations.

Black Law Students Association

The AJMLS chapter of the Black Law Students Association (BLSA) was founded in 1971. BLSA’s primary purpose is to deal with the special concerns of black law students and lawyers. The association acquaints students with the professional opportunities, problems, and responsibilities they will have as practicing members of the Bar. BLSA encourages full participation of all students in the activities of the law school. It also attempts to foster closer contact with present members of the legal profession. BLSA has involved itself in numerous activities in the past, including group sessions with visiting high school students, a school sponsored CLE honoring civil rights pioneers, and a pipeline project to increase the presence of minorities in law school and law practice.

Charlotte E. Ray Law Society

The purpose of the Charlotte E. Ray Law Society (CERLS) is to increase the graduation rate of black female law students, increase the bar passage rate of black female law students, cultivate and foster sisterhood among black female students, bridge the transitional gap between the legal profession and black female students, and service and support the Black community through community outreach projects. This organization is open to all students.

Christian Legal Society

The Christian Legal Society is a student organization on Atlanta’s John Marshall Campus. We are a faith-based organization which encourages its members, and the legal community, to love the Lord. We also encourage students to seek to employ practices throughout their legal careers consistent with their Christian values.

Corporate And Business Law Society

The AJMLS Corporate Law Society (CBLS) is a collaborative student union dedicated to providing its members with the opportunity to gain insight in the field of corporate law. We strive to add value towards our members’ future legal careers by coordinating programs and networking opportunities that will familiarize them with the daily legal issues encountered by transactional attorneys and expose them to different types of complex transactional work. By providing a forum for students to learn about business law issues and practical guidance from experienced professionals, we can facilitate the expansion of our network in the corporate law community.

Criminal Law Society

The mission of the Criminal Law Society (CLS) is to provide a forum in which to address the unique legal issues facing the criminal justice system, create opportunities for students interested in criminal law to interact with faculty, practitioners, judges, and community organizations that work in the field, and to empower law graduates to pursue their career goals in criminal law. CLS is also dedicated to providing a forum for its members and the law school at large to explore current discourse, issues, and interests in different areas of criminal law, including careers and internship opportunities.

Georgia Association of Women Lawyers

The Georgia Association of Women Lawyers (GAWL) is a statewide organization that works to enhance the welfare and development of women lawyers and support their interests. Formed in 2004, the AJMLS chapter works closely with the parent organization to enhance the experience of students and foster a networking relationship with practitioners in the area. While providing these links, the chapter also strives to provide the school’s community with programs and assistance that meets the needs and interests of our very diverse membership. Our events attempt to educate about the law, the practice of law, and the business of law before becoming practicing attorneys to ensure the continued support of women lawyers as they take their rightful place as leaders in the state of Georgia.

Law Journal

The Law Journal is managed entirely by a student board of editors, who solicit, edit, and publish articles and book reviews written by scholars, judges, and practicing attorneys. Almost half of the content of the Journal is written by students. Membership on the  Journal provides many opportunities and benefits. Students work together to achieve a high level of analytical and writing skill. The Journal also provides students with an opportunity to contribute to the professional literature and to influence the development of the law. Election to the Journal’s board of editors is one of the highest honors a law student can achieve.

Mothers in Legal Education

Mothers in Legal Education (MILES) was established at AJMLS in 2022. Supporting mothers in legal education is vital to ensuring the success of each and every one of us. The weight of the world is on our shoulders and coming together to support one another creates a space for us to thrive; not just survive. If you are looking for a place in law school where others can understand the struggles you face balancing motherhood and higher education, look no further. Whether it is advice on how to juggle a busy schedule, or tips for healthy, quick dinners which will actually be eaten, we’re here to help. Join us for discussions and support being a mom in legal education!

Moot Court is a selective, academic organization that fosters and promotes students’ oratory and legal writing skills through participation in local and national competitions. Moot court competitions allow law students the opportunity to write appellate briefs based upon mock problems and to present oral arguments to a panel of real-life attorneys and judges. Competitions also afford Moot Court members the ability to network with attorneys in the legal community and to gain practical experience in effective written and oral advocacy.

OUTLaws and Allies

OUTLaws and Allies is a law school chapter of the Stonewall Bar Association of Georgia. The organization strives to promote a more decent national community for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and allied persons. OUTLaws and Allies is also dedicated to harnessing the values of compassion and respect for all individuals in American society, and recognizing civil liberties and legal protections for all within our community.

Phi Alpha Delta

Paying homage to esteemed, Atlanta-based civil rights attorney, Donald Lee Hollowell, the Hollowell Chapter of Phi Alpha Delta is the AJMLS chapter of the largest professional law fraternity in the United States. Founded in 1902, Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International (P.A.D.) is composed of pre-law and law students, legal educators, attorneys, judges, and government officials. P.A.D. was the first law fraternity to admit both male and female members of all races, creeds, colors, religions, and national origins. Phi Alpha Delta is the world’s preeminent law fraternity because of our dedication to service: service to the student, the school, the profession, and the community. Continuing that legacy, the Hollowell Chapter of P.A.D. seeks to unite AJMLS students with members of the Bench and Bar in a fraternal fellowship promulgating the ideals of leadership and professionalism.

Public Interest Law Society

The Public Interest Law Society (PILS) is dedicated to maximizing the school’s ability to serve public interests. PILS aims to expose students to the wide breadth of public interest law by engaging in the following: a) working with fellow student organizations to help students explore public interest activities while in law school, b) educating on the ways students can serve the public interest by hosting numerous networking and informational events throughout the year, and c) connecting students to public interest career opportunities that they can utilize beyond graduation. As a student organization, PILS engages in some of the most impactful and enjoyable fundraising efforts on campus – most notably, the AJMLS PILS Auction. Every year, the proceeds raised by the auction go to the Renata Turner Scholarship which is given to a deserving student who has demonstrated a commitment to public service.

Sports and Entertainment Law Society

The AJMLS Sports and Entertainment Law Association is a student-run organization that sponsors various sports and entertainment law related events for educational and networking purposes. This organization brings in guest lecturers from major sports and entertainment firms to give lunch talks, collaborates with the Atlanta Association of Young Lawyers and the Atlanta Bar Association to organize workshops and outings, and brings in speakers from major sports law institutes. Its primary goal is to assist aspiring sports and entertainment attorneys in making the necessary connections to secure employment in sports and entertainment law. Its secondary goal is to educate law students about current trends in the sports and entertainment legal market.

Student Bar Association

All enrolled students at AJMLS are automatically members of the Student Bar Association, the School’s student government organization. Each year, an executive board is created by the student body. The primary objective of the SBA officers is to bring student viewpoints into the educational process at AJMLS. The SBA works to represent all student points of view to the administration and faculty. The SBA’s functions are many and varied, but can be divided into three general categories, academic, service, and social. The SBA sponsors speakers and forums to enhance the learning experience, community service projects to increase social consciousness and responsibility and social events to help students unwind from the pressures of law school.

Student Trial Lawyers Association

The Student Trial Lawyers Association (STLA) provides a forum for education, advocacy, and scholarship aimed at promoting the various aspects of trial advocacy. The student organization also provides information and resources for students interested in trial practice. The Student Trial Lawyers Association will host speakers, participate in Mock Trial competitions and plan events centered on pertinent issues related to trial practice.

Peer Mentor Program

The overall objective of the Peer Mentoring Program is to improve the quality of life for new students by providing social and personal support. By making mentors available to all first-year students, we hope to increase student retention, improve overall academic performance, provide an on-going orientation to all aspects of law school and foster academic and social integration. Through sustained, supportive and nurturing mentor-mentee relationships, the program strives to enhance the learning and holistic development of our students.

Atlanta Living

Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School (AJMLS) opened its new and upgraded campus in Downtown Atlanta’s Peachtree Center in the Marquis One Tower, August 2021. The facility is located at 245 Peachtree Center Avenue NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30303. AJMLS occupies the 18th, 19th, and 20th floors, with the mailing address defined as Suite 1900. The Peachtree Center Hub boasts 50 restaurant and retail options including a pharmacy. Students may access the Peachtree Center amenities by an indoor aerial walkway from the Law School elevator lobby. Also interconnected to the Hub and AJMLS are three world-class hotels and a dedicated MARTA (rail) station. From the seasonal Green Market and on‑site concerts to holiday happenings, the new AJMLS home at Peachtree Center offers students an array of opportunity, amenities, and entertainment. In addition to its own campus, as residents of the Peachtree Center community, AJMLS has access to additional meeting and event space throughout the 2.3 million square feet of office space in six buildings. Students may request use of the facilities to host events such as the annual Law Journal Symposium. 

The new campus is located in the heart of Atlanta—the social, cultural, and economic hub of the South. It is in close proximity to Atlanta’s largest law firms, government offices, state and federal courts, and nonprofit legal organizations. Atlanta also offers an extensive array of arts, music, sports, and recreational events, making it an exciting place to live.

Career Placement and Bar Passage

The Office of Career Services and Professional Development

The Office of Career Services and Professional Development at AJMLS has a number of services and programs available to assist students with Career Advising and Professional Development. Our robust internship, externship, and career development programs allow students to experience diverse professional options available upon graduation. Not only do these programs provide an excellent opportunity to help students develop their skills, they also provide important networking opportunities. Many alumni use these programs as a mentoring opportunity, or as a way to give back to their law school.

Externships

The Externship Program is a bridge between law school and the practice of law. Externships or field placements provide students with the opportunity to integrate the theoretical knowledge learned in the classroom with the practical experience of on-the-job training. Please note that, students must earn six (6) credit hours in one or more experiential courses. Experiential courses include simulation courses, law clinics, and externships. Students can further their individual educational goals by selecting a field placement that offers the skills and knowledge they need to enhance their educational and professional development. Unlike an internship, an externship allows a student to receive academic credit for the enhanced education he or she receives outside the classroom. The Law School website lists over 350 approved local, state, and national placements, and The Office of Experiential Learning will work with you to find and/or approve placements that meet your individual needs and interests.

Pro Bono Program

The AJMLS Pro Bono Program furthers the Law School’s commitment to developing lawyers with a strong social conscience. Students benefit from the practical experience gained through volunteering while experiencing the rewards and joys of giving back to the community. The Pro Bono Program is structured as a Formal Voluntary Program. Students are able to select from a robust list of pro bono organizations an activity that fits their interests. Students who participate in pro bono work are recognized and rewarded through special activities and graduation honors.

Career Services

We believe early career assessment and skills training are essential to a successful job search and satisfying career. The Law School’s Career Services Office (CSO) offers extensive programming and a wide range of resources and opportunities to help our students identify and secure desired positions. With everything from individual career advising and job-specific seminars to mock interviews and exit interviews, our graduates are thoroughly prepared for their job search. Job fairs, advanced internet programs, On Campus Interviews and job postings are just a few of the readily accessible resources we provide for a successful job search. Strong alumni relationships support our students through a mentoring program.

Academic Support

The Office of Academic Achievement and Bar Success (AABS) focuses on enhancing and strengthening the academic skills that ensure law school and bar exam success. AABS offers multiple opportunities for students to identify, strengthen, and leverage their academic skills through individual assistance, group workshops, and formal course offerings. Equipped with a team of academic support professionals, AABS assists students in developing academic action plans and helping students and alumni meet their academic goals. In addition to individualized academic counseling, AABS offers specific courses while at AJMLS. Additionally, in an effort to increase success on the bar exam, specialized course offerings have been implemented to assist in preparing students to sit for the bar exam.

Tuition and Aid

Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School (AJMLS) seeks to make legal education attainable to both traditional and non-traditional students. At the time of an admissions decision, each successful applicant will automatically be reviewed for generous merit based scholarships. After a successful decision is received, incoming students may also apply for non-merit based scholarships. We welcome you to explore the available scholarships, funds, and tuition credits below to help finance your legal education. A list of outside scholarships that are unaffiliated with the Law School are also located on this page.

Admission Decisions: Beyond the Numbers

All applications are available for fall admission. The only applications available each spring and summer are for transfer and visiting students. The Admissions Committee is dedicated to creating a well-rounded and diverse student body. In addition to the candidate’s academic record and standardized test results, the Admissions Committee will examine with particular care other factors that indicate a high probability for success in the study of law. These factors include extracurricular activities, work experience, level of quality and difficulty of undergraduate courses, performance in graduate school, the self-discipline demanded by the profession, and a commitment of service to the profession and society as a whole.

Admitted Applicant Profile

25-75% ugpa range at atlanta's john marshall:.

2.79 to 3.53

25-75% LSAT Score Range at Atlanta's John Marshall:

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Welcome to the New Campus Expansion!

Ajmls welcomed the department of justice to campus, announcing chairman adam malone, homeless veterans legal clinic, 90 years of excellence in legal education, congratulations to the class of 2023, state-of-the-art new facilities, now open, macarthur foundation genius fellow, attend a virtual open house, ajmls welcomes the department of justice's access to justice national law school tour, teaching the law, schedule a video conference, john marshall law journal, emphasis on experiential learning, proudly educating attorneys for 90 years, featured news.

Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School (AJMLS) Announces New Chairman, Adam Malone, Class of 2000

Featured event.

Virtual Open House

Faculty News

Criminal Law and RICO Expert, Professor Michael Mears, Interviewed by New York Times, CNN, Australian Radio, Canadian Radio, Russian Television International and Others

State Bar of Georgia President Reappoints Professor Van Detta to Serve on the Formal Advisory Opinion Board For Tenth Consecutive Two-Year Term

AJMLS Dean Erika Walker-Cash Engages Google Employees in Fireside Chat

AJMLS Announces the Retirement of Professor Anthony Baker

In the community.

AJMLS Honors Jennifer Gore-Cuthbert, Antonio Lee, and Vincent Phillips as 2024 Distinguished Alumni

Congratulations Brooke Gordon, 2024 Name Image & Likeness (NIL) Competition Winner

Thank You For Your Contributions to the 2024 Public Interest Law Auction

Judge Renata Turner Returns to AJMLS for Fireside Chat with Dean Erika Walker-Cash

Upcoming events, final exam period.

Commencement

First day of summer 2024 classes, last day to add/drop classes, memorial day holiday – school closed.

Juneteenth Holiday – School Closed

View All Events

What Others Say About Atlanta's John Marshall

Maurice “Reece” Riden II, Class of 2018

Kayla Kudratt, Class of 2018

Lisanne Edelman, Class of 2017

The Ultimate Guide to Writing an Outstanding Law School Personal Statement

Dazzle admissions with your legally awesome personal story, introduction.

Let's face it: you've spent countless hours studying and acing the LSAT, and now it's time for the pièce de résistance – the law school personal statement. This is your golden opportunity to showcase your personality, and put your best legal foot forward. But don't worry, this guide has got you covered. In no time, you'll be writing a personal statement that could put John Grisham's early drafts to shame.

If you're ready to convince law school admissions committees that you're the next Ruth Bader Ginsburg or Thurgood Marshall, then buckle up and get ready for a wild ride through the world of crafting the ultimate law school personal statement.

1. Know Your Audience: The Admissions Committee

First and foremost, remember that you're writing for the admissions committee. These are the gatekeepers of your future legal career, and they've read more personal statements than there are citations in a Supreme Court decision. To avoid becoming a legal footnote in their memory, keep the following in mind:

• Be professional, but also relatable. You don't want to sound like a robot that's been programmed to spout legalese.
• Avoid clichés like "I want to make a difference" or "I've always wanted to be a lawyer." Unless, of course, you've been dreaming of billable hours since you were in diapers.
• Consider what makes you unique. Remember, this is your chance to stand out among a sea of applicants with equally impressive academic records and LSAT scores.

2. Choosing Your Topic: Make It Personal and Memorable

When it comes to choosing a topic for your personal statement, think of it as an episode of Law & Order: Your Life Edition. It's your moment to shine, so pick a story that showcases your passion, resilience, or commitment to justice. Consider these tips:

• Use an anecdote. Admissions committees love a good story, especially one that shows your problem-solving skills or ability to navigate tricky situations. Just be sure not to end up on the wrong side of the law!
• Reflect on a transformative experience. If you've had a life-changing event that led you to pursue law, share it! Just remember to keep it PG-rated.
• Discuss a personal challenge you've overcome. Nothing says "I'm ready for law school" like demonstrating your resilience in the face of adversity.

3. Structure and Organization: Your Legal Blueprint

Now that you've chosen your topic, it's time to draft your personal statement. Like a well-organized legal brief, your statement should have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Consider the following tips for structuring your masterpiece:

• Begin with a strong opening. Start with a hook that will capture the reader's attention and make them want to keep reading. Think of it as your own personal Miranda warning: "You have the right to remain captivated."
• Develop your story in the body. This is where you'll expand on your anecdote or experience, and explain how it has shaped your desire to pursue a legal career. Remember to be concise and avoid meandering – this isn't a filibuster.
• End with a powerful conclusion. Tie everything together and reiterate why you're the ideal candidate for law school. Just like a closing argument, leave the admissions committee convinced that you're the right choice.

4. Style and Tone: Finding Your Inner Legal Wordsmith

When it comes to your personal statement, you want to strike the perfect balance between professional and engaging. After all, no one wants to read a 500-word legal treatise on why you should be admitted to law school. To achieve this delicate balance, follow these style and tone guidelines:

• Write in the first person. This is your personal statement, so own it! Using "I" allows you to convey your unique perspective and voice.
• Keep it conversational, yet polished. Write as if you were speaking to a respected mentor or professor. Avoid slang, but don't be afraid to inject a bit of your personality into your writing.
• Employ dry humor sparingly. A little wit can make your statement more enjoyable to read, but remember that humor is subjective. It's best to err on the side of caution, lest you inadvertently offend the admissions committee.
• Be precise and concise. Legal writing is known for its clarity and brevity, so practice these skills in your personal statement. Aim to keep it between 500 and 700 words, as brevity is the soul of wit (and law school applications).

5. Revision: The Art of Legal Editing

It's been said that writing is rewriting, and this is particularly true for your personal statement. Once you've drafted your masterpiece, it's time to don your editor's hat and polish it to perfection. Follow these tips for a meticulous revision:

• Take a break before revising. Give yourself some distance from your statement before diving into revisions. This will help you approach it with fresh eyes and a clear mind.
• Read your statement out loud. This technique can help you catch awkward phrasing, run-on sentences, and other errors that might not be apparent when reading silently.
• Seek feedback from others. Share your statement with trusted friends, family members, or mentors who can provide constructive criticism. Just remember, opinions are like law school casebooks – everyone's got one, but you don't have to take them all to heart.
• Edit ruthlessly. Don't be afraid to cut, rewrite, or reorganize your statement. Your goal is to make your writing as strong and effective as possible, even if it means sacrificing a clever turn of phrase or an endearing anecdote.

6. Proofread: The Final Verdict

Before submitting your personal statement, it's crucial to proofread it thoroughly. Even the most compelling story can be marred by typos, grammatical errors, or other mistakes. Follow these proofreading tips to ensure your statement is error-free:

• Use spell check, but don't rely on it entirely. Some errors, like homophones or subject-verb agreement issues, may slip past your computer's watchful eye.
• Print your statement and read it on paper. This can help you spot errors that you might have missed on-screen.
• Enlist a second pair of eyes. Sometimes, a fresh perspective can catch mistakes that you've become blind to after multiple revisions.

Crafting an outstanding law school personal statement may seem daunting, but with the right approach and a healthy dose of perseverance, you can create a compelling and memorable statement that will impress even the most discerning admissions committee. So go forth and conquer, future legal eagles! And remember, as you embark on your law school journey, may the precedent be ever in your favor.

Tech-focused creator of LSD.Law. I built LSD while applying to law school. I saw unequal access to knowledge and built LSD to level the playing field and help applicants make thoughtful, well-informed decisions in the application process.

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18 Law School Personal Statement Examples That Got Accepted!

This blog contains law school personal statement examples written by applicants who were successfully accepted to multiple law schools after working with our admissions experts as part of our  application review programs . Your  law school personal statement  is one of the most important parts of your application and is your best opportunity to show admissions officers who you are behind your numbers and third-party assessments. Because of its importance, many students find the personal statement to be daunting and demanding of the full scope of their skills as writers. Today we're going to review these excellent law school personal statement examples from past successful applicants and provide some proven strategies from a former admissions officer that can help you prepare your own stellar essay. 

>> Want us to help you get accepted? Schedule a free strategy call here . <<

Article Contents 44 min read

Law school personal statement example #1.

When I was a child, my neighbors, who had arrived in America from Nepal, often seemed stressed. They argued a lot, struggled for money, and seemed to work all hours of the day. One day, I woke early in the morning to a commotion outside my apartment. Police officers were accompanying my neighbors out of the building. They were being deported. In my teens, I was shocked to see that our kind, friendly neighbors had exhausted their last chance to stay in America as they lost a court appeal. 

Since that time, I have worked closely with the many immigrant families in my neighborhood, and now university town. I began by volunteering at a local community center. Together with social workers, I served food and gave out clothes to new arrivals. My diligent work ethic led to more responsibility, and I received training in basic counseling techniques, first aid skills and community services. Soon, I was tasked with welcoming new community members and assessing their health and social needs. I heard the many difficult stories of those who had traveled thousands of miles, often through several countries, risking everything to reach a safe, welcoming country. I was proud to contribute in some small way to making America welcoming for these individuals.

The community center is where I had my first formal contact with legal aid lawyers, who were a constant source of knowledge and support for those who needed assistance. I was struck by the lawyers’ ability to explain complex legal processes to nervous and exhausted incomers: law, I realized, was about more than procedure. I decided that I, too, would strive to balance a wealth of technical knowledge with my caring, compassionate personality.

As soon as I enrolled in university, I knew I had the chance to do so. In my very first week, I signed up to volunteer at the university’s legal aid center, where I worked closely with law professors and students on a range of cases. Academically, I have focused on courses, such as a fourth-year Ethics seminar, that would help me develop rigorous critical reasoning skills. More importantly, I knew that, given my experience, I could be a leader on campus. I decided to found a refugee campaign group, Students4Refugees. Together with a group of volunteers, we campaigned to make our campus a refugee-friendly space. I organized a series of events: international student mixers, an art installation in our student commons, and concerts that raised over $5,000 for the charity Refugee Aid. I am proud to say that my contributions were recognized with a university medal for campus leadership.

I have seen time and again how immigrants to the United States struggle with bureaucracy, with complex legal procedures, and with the demands of living in a foreign and sometimes hostile climate. As I plan to enter law school, I look back to my neighbors’ experiences: they needed someone who knew the law, who could negotiate with the authorities on their behalf, who could inform them of their rights—but they also needed someone who would provide a caring and compassionate outlet for their stresses. I know that Townsville University’s combination of academic rigor, legal aid services, and history of graduates entering labor and non-profit sectors will allow me to develop these skills and continue making contributions to my community by advocating for those in need.

• Thematic consistency: It focuses on just one theme: justice for immigrants. Each paragraph is designed to show off how enthusiastic the student is about this area of law. Personal statements—including those for law school—often begin with a personal anecdote. This one is short, memorable, and relevant. It establishes the overall theme quickly. By constraining their essay’s focus to a single general theme, the writer can go into great depth and weave in emotional and psychological weight through careful and vivid description. The personal statement isn’t a standard 3-paragraph college essay with a spotlight thesis statement, but it conveys similar impact through presenting a central focus organically, without resorting to simply blurting out “the point” of the piece.   
• Shows, rather than tells: Connected to this, this statement focuses on showing rather than telling. Rather than simply telling the reader about their commitment to law, the applicant describes specific situations they were involved in that demonstrate their commitment to law. “Show don’t tell” means you want to paint a vivid picture of actions or experiences that demonstrate a given quality or skill, and not simply say "I can do X." Make it an experience for your reader, don't just give them a fact. 
• Confident, but not arrogant: Additionally, this personal statement is confident without being boastful—leadership qualities, grades, and an award are all mentioned in context, rather than appearing as a simple list of successes. 
• Specific to the school: It ends with a conclusion that alludes to why the applicant is suitable for the specific school to which they’re applying and points to their future career plans. Thoroughly researching the law school to which you’re applying is incredibly important so that you can tailor your remarks to the specific qualities and values they’re looking for. A law essay writing service is really something that can help you integrate this aspect effectively. 

What Should a Law School Personal Statement Do?

1.      be unique to the school you’re applying to.

Students are always asking how to write a personal statement for law school, particularly one that stands out from all the rest. After all, advice from most universities can often be quite vague. Take this zinger from the  University of Chicago : “Write about something personal, relevant, and completely individual to you… Just be yourself.” Every school will have different requirements or content they want to see in a personal statement. This is why it’s a good idea to review specific guidelines for the school to which you’re applying. For example, you can read Yale Law School personal statement examples , Stanford Law personal statement examples , and an NYU personal statement to get an idea of what these schools look for.

2.      Demonstrate your skills and capabilities

For motivated students with the world at their fingertips, it’s a tough ask to narrow your character down into a few hundred words! But this is exactly the point of such generic guidelines—to challenge aspiring law students to produce something unique and convincing with minimal direction by the university. Law is, after all, a profession that demands your language to be persuasive, and the personal statement is merely one of many exercises where you can demonstrate your language skills. 

3.      Meet basic requirements

While the law school personal statement is about far more than just following essay directions, you still need to keep basic formatting and length restrictions in mind. Most law schools ask for a 2-page personal statement, but lengths can range from 2-4 pages. Georgetown Law School , for instance, recommends a 2-page personal statement but explicitly states that there is no official minimum or maximum. In general, length does not make a personal statement better. Rambling, meandering sentences and tiresome descriptions will only hurt the impact of your ideas, especially considering how many thousands of pages admissions committees have to churn through each year.  

In short, keep to 2 double-spaced pages, and only go below or above this is if you absolutely have to, and if the school to which you're applying allows it. You want to keep things as widely applicable as possible while drafting your personal statement, meaning that you don't want to draft a 4 page letter for the one school that allows it, and then have to significantly rewrite this for your other schools. Stick to 2 pages. 

4.      Embody what the school is looking for

Lastly, many law schools won’t offer hyper-specific prompts, but will give you general law school admissions essay topics to follow. For instance, the University of Washington’s law school provides a number of topics to follow, including “Describe a personal challenge you faced” or “Describe your passions and involvement in a project or pursuit and the ways in which it has contributed to your personal growth and goals.” These topics may feel specific at first, but as you begin drafting, you’ll likely realize you have dozens of memories to choose from, and numerous ways of describing their impact. While drafting, try to explore as many of these options as possible, and select the best or most impactful to use in your final draft.  

Want to write the perfect law school personal statement? Watch this video:

Law School Personal Statement Example #2

In my home community, the belief is that the law is against us. The law oppresses and victimizes. I must admit that as a child and young person I had this opinion based on my environment and the conversations around me. I did not understand that the law could be a vehicle for social change, and I certainly did not imagine I had the ability and talents to be a voice for this change. I regularly attended my high school classes because I enjoyed the discussions and reading for English and history, and writing came easily to me, but I wasn’t committed to getting good grades because I felt I had no purpose. My mindset changed as I spent time with Mark Russell, a law student who agreed to mentor and tutor me as part of a “high school to law school” mentorship program. Every week, for three years, Mark and I would meet. At first, Mark tutored me, but I quickly became an “A” student, not only because of the tutoring, but because my ambitions were uncorked by what Mark shared with me about university, the law, and his life. I learned grades were the currency I needed to succeed. I attended mock trials, court hearings, and law lectures with Mark and developed a fresh understanding of the law that piqued an interest in law school. My outlook has changed because my mentor, my teachers, and my self-advocacy facilitated my growth. Still, injustices do occur. The difference is that I now believe the law can be an instrument for social change, but voices like mine must give direction to policy and resources in order to fight those injustices.

Early in my mentorship, I realized it was necessary to be “in the world” differently if I were to truly consider a law career. With Mark’s help and the support of my high school teachers, I learned to advocate for myself and explore opportunities that would expand my worldview as well as my academic skills. I joined a Model UN club at a neighboring high school, because my own school did not have enough student interest to have a club. By discussing global issues and writing decisions, I began to feel powerful and confident with my ability to gather evidence and make meaningful decisions about real global issues. As I built my leadership, writing, and public speaking skills, I noticed a rift developing with some of my friends. I wanted them to begin to think about larger systemic issues outside of our immediate experience, as I was learning to, and to build confidence in new ways. I petitioned my school to start a Model UN and recruited enough students to populate the club. My friends did not join the club as I’d hoped, but before I graduated, we had 2 successful years with the students who did join. I began to understand that I cannot force change based on my own mandate, but I must listen attentively to the needs and desires of others in order to support them as they require.

While I learned to advocate for myself throughout high school, I also learned to advocate for others. My neighbors, knowing my desire to be a lawyer, would often ask me to advocate on their behalf with small grievances. I would make phone calls, stand in line with them at government offices, and deal with difficult landlords. A woman, Elsa, asked me to review her rental agreement to help her understand why her landlord had rented it to someone else, rather than renewing her lease. I scoured the rental agreement, highlighted questionable sections, read the Residential Tenancies Act, and developed a strategy for approaching the landlord. Elsa and I sat down with the landlord and, upon seeing my binder complete with indices, he quickly conceded before I could even speak. That day, I understood evidence is the way to justice. My interest in justice grew, and while in university, I sought experiences to solidify my decision to pursue law.

Last summer, I had the good fortune to work as a summer intern in the Crown Attorney’s Office responsible for criminal trial prosecutions. As the only pre-law intern, I was given tasks such as reviewing court tapes, verifying documents, and creating a binder with indices. I often went to court with the prosecutors where I learned a great deal about legal proceedings, and was at times horrified by human behavior. This made the atmosphere in the Crown Attorney’s office even more surprising. I worked with happy and passionate lawyers whose motivations were pubic service, the safety and well-being of communities, and justice. The moment I realized justice was their true objective, not the number of convictions, was the moment I decided to become a lawyer.

I broke from the belief systems I was born into. I did this through education, mentorship, and self-advocacy. There is sadness because in this transition I left people behind, especially as I entered university. However, I am devoted to my home community. I understand the barriers that stand between youth and their success. As a law student, I will mentor as I was mentored, and as a lawyer, I will be a voice for change.

What’s Great about this Second Law School Personal Statement?

• It tells a complete and compelling story: Although the applicant expressed initial reservations about the law generally, the statement tells a compelling story of how the applicant's opinions began to shift and their interest in law began. They use real examples and show how that initial interest, once seeded, grew into dedication and passion. This introduction implies an answer to the " why do you want to study law? ” interview question.
• It shows adaptability: Receptiveness to new information and the ability to change both thought and behavior based on this new information. The writer describes realizing that they needed to be "in the world" differently! It's hard to convey such a grandiose idea without sounding cliché, but through their captivating and chronological narrative, the writer successfully convinces the reader that this is the case with copious examples, including law school extracurriculars . It’s a fantastic case of showing rather than telling, describing specific causes they were involved with which demonstrate that the applicant is genuinely committed to a career in the law. 
• Includes challenges the subject faced and overcame: This law school personal statement also discusses weighty, relatable challenges that they faced, such as the applicant's original feeling toward law, and the fact that they lost some friends along the way. However, the applicant shows determination to move past these hurdles without self-pity or other forms of navel-gazing.  Additionally, this personal statement ends with a conclusion that alludes to why the applicant is suitable for the specific school to which they’re applying and points to their future career plans. The writer manages to craft an extremely immersive and believable story about their path to the present, while also managing to curate the details of this narrative to fit the specific values and mission of the school to which they’re applying.

What’s Great About This Third Law School Personal Statement? 

• Description is concise and effective: This writer opens with rich, vivid description and seamlessly guides the reader into a compelling first-person narrative. Using punchy, attention-grabbing descriptions like these make events immersive, placing readers in the writer's shoes and creating a sense of immediacy. 
• Achievements are the focus: They also do a fantastic job of talking about their achievements, such as interview team lead, program design, etc., without simply bragging. Instead, they deliver this information within a cohesive narrative that includes details, anecdotes, and information that shows their perspective in a natural way. Lastly, they invoke their passion for law with humility, discussing their momentary setbacks and frustrations as ultimately positive experiences leading to further growth. 

Want more law school personal statement examples from top law schools?

• Harvard law school personal statement examples
• Columbia law school personal statement examples
• Cornell law school personal statement examples
• Yale law school personal statement examples
• UPenn law school personal statement examples
• Cambridge law school personal statement examples

Law School Personal Statement #4

What’s great about this fourth law school personal statement.

• Engaging description: Like the third example above, this fourth law school personal statement opens with engaging description and first-person narrative. However, the writer of this personal statement chooses to engage a traumatic aspect of their childhood and discuss how this adversity led them to develop their desire to pursue a career in law.  
• Strong theme of overcoming adversity: Overcoming adversity is a frequent theme in personal statements for all specialties, but with law school personal statements students are often able to utilize uniquely dramatic, difficult, and pivotal experiences that involved interacting with the law. It may be hard to discuss such emotionally weighty experiences in a short letter but, as this personal statement shows, with care and focus it's possible to sincerely demonstrate how your early struggles paved the way for you to become the person you are now. It's important to avoid sensationalism, but you shouldn't shy away from opening up to your readers about adverse experiences that have ultimately pointed you in a positive direction. 

Why "show, don't tell" is the #1 rule for personal statements:

Law School Personal Statement Example #5

What’s great about this fifth law school personal statement  .

• Highlights achievements effectively: This writer does a fantastic job of incorporating their accomplishments and impact they had on their community without any sense of bragging or conceit. Rather, these accomplishments are related in terms of deep personal investment and a general drive to have a positive impact on those around them—without resorting to the cliches of simply stating "I want to help people." They show themselves helping others, and how these early experiences of doing so are a fundamental part of their drive to succeed with a career in law.   
• Shows originality: Additionally, they do a great job of explaining the uniqueness of their identity. The writer doesn't simply list their personal/cultural characteristics, but contextualizes them to show how they've shaped their path to law school. Being the child of a Buddhist mother and a Hindu father doesn’t imply anything about a person’s ability to study/practice law on its own, but explaining how this unique aspect of their childhood encouraged a passion for “discussion, active debate, and compromise” is profoundly meaningful to an admissions panel. Being able to express how fundamental aspects of law practice are an integral part of yourself is a hugely helpful tactic in a law school personal statement. 

If you\u2019re heading North of the border, check out list of  law schools in Canada  that includes requirements and stats on acceptance. ","label":"Tip","title":"Tip"}]" code="tab2" template="BlogArticle">

Law School Personal Statement Example #6

What’s great about this sixth law school personal statement .

• Weaves in cultural background: Similar to the writer of personal statement #5, this student utilizes the cultural uniqueness of their childhood to show how their path to law school was both deeply personal and rooted in ideas pervasive in their early years. Unlike the writer of statement #5, this student doesn't shy away from explaining how this distinctiveness was often a source of alienation and difficulty. Yet this adversity is, as they note, ultimately what helped them be an adaptable and driven student, with a clear desire to make a positive impact on the kinds of situations that they witnessed affect their parents.  
• Describes setbacks while remaining positive: This writer also doesn't shy away from describing their temporary setbacks as both learning experiences and, crucially, springboards for positively informing their plans for the future. 

What’s Great About This Seventh Law School Personal Statement? 

• The writer takes accountability: One of the hardest things to accomplish in a personal statement is describing not just early setbacks that are out of your control but early mistakes for which you must take responsibility. The writer of this personal statement opens with descriptions of characteristics that most law schools would find problematic at best. But at the end of this introduction, they successfully utilize an epiphany, a game-changing moment in which they saw something beyond their early pathological aimlessness, to clearly mark the point at which they became focused on law.  
• The narrative structure is clear: They clearly describe the path forward from this moment on, showing how they remained focused on earning a law degree, and how they were able to work through successive experiences of confusion to persist in finishing their undergraduate education at a prestigious university. Of course, you shouldn't brag about such things for their own sake, but this writer makes the point of opening up about the unique feelings of inadequacy that come along with being the first person in their family to attend such a school, and how these feelings were—like their initial aimlessness—mobilized in service of their goal and the well-being of others. Their statement balances discussion of achievement with humility, which is a difficult but impactful tactic when done well. 

Law School Personal Statement Example #8

What’s great about this eighth law school personal statement .

• Shows commitment to the community: Commitment to one’s community is a prized value in both law students and law professionals. This writer successfully describes not only how they navigated the challenges in their group environments, such as their internship, the debate team, etc., but how these challenges strengthened their commitment to being a positive part of their communities. They don’t simply describe the skills and lessons they learned from these challenging environments, but also how these challenges ultimately made them even more committed to and appreciative of these kinds of dynamic, evolutionary settings.  
• Avoids negative description: They also avoid placing blame or negatively describing the people in these situations, instead choosing to characterize inherent difficulties in terms neutral to the people around them. In this way, you can describe extremely challenging environments without coming off as resentful, and identify difficulties without being accusatory or, worse yet, accidentally or indirectly seeming like part of the problem. This writer manages to convey the difficulty and complexity of these experiences while continually returning to their positive long-term impact, and though you shouldn’t seek to “bright-side” the troubles in your life you should absolutely point out how these experiences have made you a more capable and mature student. 

Watch this for more law school personal statement examples!

Law School Personal Statement Example #9

What’s great about this ninth law school personal statement  .

• The writer effectively describes how their background shaped their decision to pursue law: Expressing privilege as adversity is something that very few students should even attempt, and fewer still can actually pull it off. But the writer of this personal statement does just that in their second paragraph, describing how the ease and comfort of their upbringing could have been a source of laziness or detachment, and often is for particularly well-off students, but instead served as a basis for their ongoing commitment to addressing the inequalities and difficulties of those less comfortable. Describing how you’ve developed into an empathic and engaged person, worked selflessly in any volunteer experiences, and generally aimed your academic life at a career in law for the aid of others—all this is incredibly moving for an admissions board, and can help you discuss your determination and understanding of exactly why you desire a career in law.  
• The student shows adaptability, flexibility, and commitment: Additionally, this writer is able to show adaptability while describing their more prestigious appointments in a way that’s neither self-aggrandizing nor unappreciative. One of the big takeaways from this statement is the student’s commitment and flexibility, and these are both vitally important qualities to convey in your law school personal statement.  

Law School Personal Statement Example #10

What’s great about this tenth law school personal statement .

Shows passion: If you’re one of the rare students for whom service to others has always been a core belief, by all means find a novel and engaging way of making this the guiding principle of your personal statement. Don’t overdo it—don’t veer into poetry or lofty philosophizing—but by all means let your passion guide your pen (well…keyboard). Every step of the way, this student relates their highs and lows, their challenges and successes, to an extremely earnest and sincere set of altruistic values invoked at the very beginning of their statement. Law school admissions boards don’t exactly prize monomania, but they do value intense and sustained commitment.  

Shows maturity: This student also successfully elaborates this passion in relation to mature understanding. That is, they make repeated points about their developing understanding of law that sustains their hopefulness and emotional intensity while also incorporating knowledge of the sometimes troubling day-to-day challenges of the profession. Law schools aren’t looking for starry-eyed naivete, but they do value optimism and the ability to stay positive in a profession often defined by its difficulties and unpredictability. 

Every pre-law student blames their lack of success on the large number of applicants, the heartless admissions committee members, or the high GPA and LSAT score cut offs. Check out our blog on  law school acceptance rates  to find out more about the law school admission statistics for law schools in the US . Having taught more than a thousand students every year, I can tell you the REAL truth about why most students get rejected: 

Need tips on your law school resume?

8 Additional Law School Personal Statement Examples

Now that you have a better idea of what your law school personal statement should include, and how you can make it stand out, here are five additional law school personal statements for you to review and get some inspiration:

Law school personal statement example #11

According to the business wire, 51 percent of students are not confident in their career path when they enroll in college. I was one of those students for a long time. My parents had always stressed the importance of education and going to college, so I knew that I wanted to get a tertiary education, I just didn’t know in what field. So, like many other students, I matriculated undecided and started taking introductory courses in the subjects that interest me. I took classes from the department of literature, philosophy, science, statistics, business, and so many others but nothing really called out to me.

I figured that maybe if I got some practical experience, I might get more excited about different fields. I remembered that my high school counselor had told me that medicine would be a good fit for me, and I liked the idea of a career that involved constant learning. So, I applied for an observership at my local hospital. I had to cross “doctor” off my list of post-graduate career options when I fainted in the middle of a consultation in the ER.

I had to go back to the drawing board and reflect on my choices. I decided to stop trying to make an emotional decision and focus on the data. So, I looked at my transcript thus far, and it quickly became clear to me that I had both an interest and an aptitude for business and technology. I had taken more courses in those two fields than in any others, and I was doing very well in them. My decision was reaffirmed when I spent the summer interning at a digital marketing firm during my senior year in college and absolutely loved my experience. 

Since graduating, I have been working at that same firm and I am glad that I decided to major in business. I first started as a digital advertising assistant, and I quickly learned that the world of digital marketing is an incredibly fast-paced sink-or-swim environment. I didn’t mind it at all. I wanted to swim with the best of them and succeed. So far, my career in advertising has been challenging and rewarding in ways that I never could have imagined. 

I remember the first potential client that I handled on my own. Everything had been going great until they changed their mind about an important detail a day before we were supposed to present our pitch. . I had a day to research and re-do a presentation that I’d been preparing for weeks. I was sure that I’d be next on the chopping block, but once again all I had to was take a step back and look at the information that I had. Focusing on the big picture helped me come up with a new pitch, and after a long night, lots of coffee, and laser-like focus, I delivered a presentation that I was not only proud of, but that landed us the client. 

Three years and numerous client emergencies later, I have learned how to work under pressure, how to push myself, and how to think critically. I also have a much better understanding of who I am and what skills I possess. One of the many things that I have learned about myself over the course of my career is that I am a fan of the law. Over the past three years, I have worked with many lawyers to navigate the muddy waters of user privacy and digital media. I often find myself looking forward to working with our legal team, whereas my coworkers actively avoid them. I have even become friends with my colleagues on the legal team who also enjoy comparing things like data protection laws in the US and the EU and speculating about the future of digital technology regulation. 

These experiences and conversations have led me to a point where I am interested in various aspects of the law. I now know that I have the skills required to pursue a legal education and that this time around, I am very sure about what I wish to study. Digital technology has evolved rapidly over the last decade, and it is just now starting to become regulated. I believe that this shift is going to open up a more prominent role for those who understand both digital technology and its laws, especially in the corporate world. My goal is to build a career at the intersection of these worlds.

Law school personal statement example #12

The first weekend I spent on my undergrad college campus was simultaneously one of the best and worst of my life. I was so excited to be away from home, on my own, making new friends and trying new things. One of those things was a party at a sorority house with my friend and roommate, where I thought we both had a great time. Both of us came from small towns, and we had decided to look out for one another. So, when it was time to go home, and I couldn't find her, I started to worry. I spent nearly an hour looking for her before I got her message saying she was already back in our dorm. 

It took her three months to tell me that she had been raped that night. Her rapist didn't hold a knife to her throat, jump out of a dark alleyway, or slip her a roofie. Her rapist was her long-term boyfriend, with whom she'd been in a long-distance relationship for just over a year. He assaulted her in a stranger's bedroom while her peers, myself included, danced the night away just a few feet away. 

I remember feeling overwhelmed when she first told me. I was sad for my friend, angry on her behalf, and disgusted by her rapist's actions. I also felt incredibly guilty because I had been there when it happened. I told myself that I should have stayed with her all night and that I should have seen the abuse - verbal and physical harassment- that he was inflicting on her before it turned sexual. But eventually, I realized that thinking about what could, should, or would've happened doesn't help anyone. 

I watched my friend go through counseling, attend support groups, and still, she seemed to be hanging on by a thread. I couldn't begin to imagine what she was going through, and unfortunately, there was very little I could do to help her. So, I decided to get involved with the Sexual Assault Responders Group on campus, where I would actually be able to help another survivor. 

My experience with the Sexual Assault Responders Group on campus was eye-opening. I mostly worked on the peer-to-peer hotline, where I spoke to survivors from all walks of life. I was confronted by the fact that rape is not a surreal unfortunate thing that happens to a certain type of person. I learned that it happens daily to mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, and friends. I also learned that most survivors try to manage this burden on their own, afraid of judgment and repercussions and fearful of a he-said-she-said court battle.

I am proud to say that I used my time in college to not only earn an education, but also to advocate for survivors of sexual assault. I protested the university's cover-up of a gang rape that took place in one of the fraternity houses on campus. I spearheaded a 'no means no' campaign to raise awareness about consent on campus. I also led several fundraising campaigns for the Sexual Assault Responders Group that allowed us to pay for legal and mental health counselors for the survivors who came to us for support. 

One of the things that this experience helped me realize is that sexual assault survivors often do not know where to turn when the system tries to tell them that it'd be best to just keep quiet and suffer in silence. My goal is to become one of those people that they can turn to for counsel and support. I believe that a law degree would give me the knowledge and tools that I need to advocate for survivors on a more significant scale. 

Need tips for your law school optional essays? Check out this infographic:

Law school personal statement example #13

I grew up in two different worlds. My world at home was full of people of various skin tones and accents. It was small, loud, and often chaotic in the best ways. I remember walking home and getting to experience music from across the world before I got to my apartment building. Loud reggaeton and afrobeat were always playing somewhere in the distance. Aunties and uncles usually stopped by unannounced and slipped money in your palm when they hugged you goodbye. And the smell of fried plantains was almost always present. 

My other world was in school. It was a much quieter, more organized world with white hallways, navy blazers, and plaid skirts. It was full of people who did not look or sound like me and teachers who thought my hair was "interesting." It was also full of great books and engaging debates about everything from foreign policy to the influence of Jazz on hip hop. 

I lived in these two worlds because I was born and raised in Xtown, but I went to a private school in a much richer neighborhood. I loved both of my worlds, but I hated that I had to act differently in both of them. When in school, I had to "code switch" to sound like I belonged there. When I was at home, all the people who shared the interests I was developing in school were either working or in college, so I had no one to talk to about them. 

My words never felt more divided until I started considering a career in law. I remember telling one of my uncles that I wanted to become a lawyer and his response was, "So you want to become the man, huh?" 

I wasn't surprised by his response, or at least I shouldn't have been. One of the things that I know for sure about the first world I lived in is that many of its inhabitants do not trust the law. I had believed this for so long simply because of the conversations that I would hear around me. However, in my second world, I was learning about all of these great freedoms and rights that the law was designed to give all Americans, and I wanted to bring those to my community. 

I started working on this during the summer before my final year of high school. I got an internship with the legal aid office in my neighborhood and spent three months learning from people who, like me, had grown up in Xtown and wanted to help people. During my time in the legal aid office, I understood that the people in my community did not trust the law for two main reasons: 1. They did not understand a lot of it, and 2. It had been used against people like us many times. 

I remember one particular case that Ms. Sharma - the lawyer I was learning from then and who still mentors me today - handled that summer. It was the case of a young mother who had received a notice of eviction from her landlord two days after refusing his advances. The man claimed that she violated her contract because she made homemade shea butter that she sold on Etsy. Ms. Sharma had me look through her rental agreement. After she confirmed that I was right in determining that the young mother had not violated her contract, she contacted the landlord to advise him that what he was doing was intimidation and sexual harassment. 

My experiences in the legal aid office with Ms. Sharma opened my eyes to the disgusting behavior of human beings, but it also gave me the opportunity to see that the law was my opportunity to use what I learned in my second world to help the community that I was raised in. I returned to school with a new motivation that followed me to college. In addition to completing my bachelor's degree in sociology and African American studies, I spent most of my college years participating in legal internships and community outreach programs. 

I believe that these experiences have given me the foundation I need to be a successful law student and, eventually, a lawyer who can truly be an advocate for members of his community. 

Law school personal statement example #14

One day, my parents noticed that the other children in my age group had been speaking and communicating, but I had not. At first, they thought that my lack of speech was just me being shy, but eventually, they realized that on the rare occasions that I did speak, my words were practically incomprehensible. It wasn't long before they took me to a specialist who diagnosed me with a severe phonological disorder that hindered my ability to verbalize the basic sounds that make up words.

I started going to speech therapy when I was three years old. I saw numerous speech therapists, many of whom believed that I would never be able to communicate effectively with others. Lucky for me, my parents did not give up on me. I went to speech therapy thrice a week until the 8th grade, and I gave every single session my all. I also spent a lot of time in my room practicing my speech by myself. My efforts paid off, and even though I didn't become a chatterbox overnight, I could at least communicate effectively. 

This was a short-lived victory, though. A year later, my speech impediment was back, and my ability to articulate words was once again severely limited. This complicated matters because it was my freshman year of high school, and I was in a brand-new school where I did not know anyone. Having been bullied in middle school, I knew first-hand how vicious kids can be, and I didn't want to be the butt of any more jokes, so I didn't try to speak at school. I knew that this was preventing me from making new friends or participating in class and that it was probably not helping my impediment, but I was not ready to face the fact that I needed to go back to speech therapy. 

Eventually, I stopped resisting and went back to speech therapy. At the time, I saw it as accepting defeat, and even though my speech improved significantly, my self-confidence was lower than it had ever been. If you ask any of my high school classmates about me, they will likely tell you that I am very quiet or timid – both of which are not true, but they have no way of knowing otherwise. I barely spoke or interacted with my peers for most of high school. Instead, I focused on my studies and extracurricular activities that didn't involve much collaboration, like yearbook club and photography. 

It was only when I was getting ready for college that I realized that I was only hurting myself with my behavior. I knew I needed to become more confident about my speech to make friends and be the student I wanted to be in college. So, I used the summer after my high school graduation to get some help. I started seeing a new speech therapist who was also trained as a counselor, and she helped me understand my impediment better. For example, I now know that I tend to stutter when stressed, but I also know that taking a few deep breaths helps me get back on track. 

Using the confidence that I built in therapy that summer, I went to college with a new pep in my step. I pushed myself to meet new people, try new things, and join extracurricular organizations when I entered college. I applied to and was accepted into a competitive freshman leadership program called XYZ. Most of XYZ's other members were outgoing and highly involved in their high school communities. In other words, they were the complete opposite of me. I didn't let that intimidate me. Instead, I made a concerted effort to learn from them. If you ask any of my teammates or other classmates in college, they will tell you that I was an active participant in discussions during meetings and that I utilized my unique background to share a different perspective.

My experience with XYZ made it clear to me that my speech disorder wouldn't hold me back as long as I did not stand in my own way. Once I understood this, I kept pushing past the boundaries I had set for myself. I began taking on leadership roles in the program and looking for ways to contribute to my campus community outside of XYZ. For example, I started a community outreach initiative that connected school alumni willing to provide pro bono services to different members of the community who were in need. 

Now, when I look back at my decision to go back to speech therapy, I see it as a victory. I understand that my speech impediment has shaped me in many ways, many of which are positive. My struggles have made me more compassionate. My inability to speak has made me a better listener. Not being able to ask questions or ask for help has made me a more independent critical thinker. I believe these skills will help me succeed in law school, and they are part of what motivates me to apply in the first place. Having struggled for so long to speak up for myself, I am ready and eager for the day when I can speak up for others who are temporarily unable to. 

“ You talk too much; you should be a lawyer.” 

I heard that sentence often while growing up because Congolese people always tell children who talk a lot that they should be lawyers. Sometimes I wonder if those comments did not subconsciously trigger my interest in politics and then the law. If they did, I am grateful for it. I am thankful for all the experiences that have brought me to this point where I am seeking an education that will allow me to speak for those who don’t always know how to, and, more importantly, those who are unable to. 

For context, I am the child of Congolese immigrants, and my parents have a fascinating story that I will summarize for you: 

A 14-year-old girl watches in confusion as a swarm of parents rush through the classroom, grabbing their children, and other students start running from the class. Soon she realizes that she and one other student are the only ones left, but when they both hear the first round of gunshots, no one has to tell them that it is time to run home. On the way home, she hears more gunshots and bombs. She fears for her survival and that of her family, and she starts to wonder what this war means for her and her family. Within a few months, her mother and father are selling everything they own so that they can board a plane to the US.

On the other side of the town, a 17-year-old boy is being forced to board a plane to the US because his mother, a member of parliament and the person who taught him about the importance of integrity, has been executed by the same group of soldiers who are taking over the region. 

They met a year later, outside the principal’s office at a high school in XXY. They bonded over the many things they have in common and laughed at the fact that their paths probably never would have crossed in Bukavu. Fast forward to today, they have been married for almost two decades and have raised three children, including me. 

Growing up in a Congolese household in the US presented was very interesting. On the one hand, I am very proud of the fact that I get to share my heritage with others. I speak French, Lingala, and Swahili – the main languages of Congo – fluently. I often dress in traditional clothing; I performed a traditional Congolese dance at my high school’s heritage night and even joined the Congolese Student Union at Almamatter University. 

On the other hand, being Congolese presented its challenges growing up. At a young age, I looked, dressed, and sounded different from my classmates. Even though I was born in the US, I had picked up a lot of my parents’ accents, and kids loved to tease me about it. Ignorant comments and questions were not uncommon. “Do you speak African?” “You’re not American! How did you get here?” “You don’t look African” “My mom says I can’t play with you because your parents came here to steal our jobs”. These are some of the polite comments that I heard often, and they made me incredibly sad, especially when classmates I considered my friends made them. 

My parents did not make assimilating any easier. My mother especially always feared I would lose my Congolese identity if they did not make it a point to remind me of it. She often said, “Just because you were born in America doesn’t mean that you are not Congolese anymore.” On one occasion, I argued that she always let me experience my Congolese side, but not my American side. That was the first time she told me I should be a lawyer. 

Having few friends and getting teased in school helped me learn to be comfortable on my own. I Often found refuge and excitement in books. I even started blogging about the books I read and interacting with other readers online. As my following grew, I started to use my platform to raise awareness about issues that I am passionate about, like climate change, the war in Congo, and the homeless crisis here in XXY. I was able to start a fundraising campaign through my blog that raised just under $5000 for the United Way – a local charity that helps the homeless in my city. 

This experience helped me understand that I could use my skills and the few tools at my disposal to help people, both here in America and one day, maybe even in Congo. I realized that I am lucky enough to have the option of expanding that skillset through education in order to do more for the community that welcomed my grandparents, uncles, aunties, and parents when they had nowhere else to go. 

The journey was not easy because while I received immense support and love from my family for continuing my education, I had to teach myself how to prepare and apply to college. Once there I had to learn on my own what my professors expected of me, how to study, how to network, and so much more. I am grateful for those experiences too, because they taught me how to be resourceful, research thoroughly, listen carefully, and seek help when I need it. 

All of these experiences have crafted me into who I am today, and I believe that with the right training, they will help me become a great attorney.

Law School Personal Statement Example #16

During my undergraduate studies, in the first two years, I wasn’t entirely sure what I wanted to do with my career. I enjoyed doing research, but I found that I became more interested in presenting the research than the process of contributing to it. I spoke to most of my science professors to ask if I could participate in their research. I worked in biology labs, chemistry labs, and in psychology classrooms working on a variety of projects that seemed meaningful and interesting. I gained new perspectives on study habits and mental health; the influence of music on the human mind; and applications of surface tension. I noticed that I was always taking the lead when we were presenting our findings to peers and research groups. I enjoyed yielding questions and addressing the captivating the audience with engaging gestures and speech. This was what led me to consider a career in law.

I always thought that I would become a scientist, so when I discovered that there were aspects of law that could be considered “scientific”, I was all ears. Still during my second year of undergraduate studies, I wanted to join an environmental awareness group, but noticed there weren’t any active. So, I took it upon myself to create my own. I wanted to do cleanup projects across the city, so I mapped out parks and areas that we could walk or drive to. I advertised my project to other students and eventually gained approximately fifteen students eager to help out. I was struck by the pollution in the water, the negligence of park maintenance. I drafted a letter to the municipal government and petitioned for a stricter environmental compliance approach. I wanted to advertise fines to hold polluters accountable, as there were hardly any to enforce the rules. A letter was returned to me stating that the government would consider my request. I felt a sense of gratification, of purpose; I discovered that I had the ability to enact change through policy. This drew me closer to the prospect of building a future in law, so I looked at other avenues to learn more.

I still wanted to find a way to bring together my love of science and discourse/communication. As a science student, I had the privilege of learning from professors who emphasized critical thinking; and they gave me a chance to learn that on my own. I took an internship as an environmental planner. There, I helped present project ideas to various groups, updating demographic/development information, and managing planning processes. I engaged in analytical thinking by looking at maps and demographic information to develop potential plans for land use. It was also the experience I was looking for in terms of a balance between science and oral communication. Using data analysis, I spoke to other planners and review boards to bring ideas together and execute a plan.

Through science, I learned how to channel my curiosity and logical thinking; as an advocate, I learned how to be creative and resourceful. Presenting research findings and being questioned in front of a group of qualified researchers, having to be sharp and ready for anything, taught me how to be more concise in speech. Developing an advocacy group dedicated to improving my community showed me what it lacked; it opened my eyes to the impact of initiative and focused collaboration. I was eager to begin another science project, this time with the environment in mind. It was titled “determining and defining the role of sociodemographic factors in air pollution health disparities”. I compiled and summarized relevant research and sent it over to a representative of the municipal government. In a couple of weeks, my request to increase advertising of fines in public areas was agreed to.

This Juris Doctor/Master in Environmental Studies program will allow me to continue deepening my knowledge of environmental law. With my goal of developing a career in environmental affairs, overseeing policies that influence land protection/use, I know that this program will give me the tools I need to succeed. With my experience working with large groups, I also believe I will fit into the larger class sizes at your institution. I understand the value of working together and how to engage in healthy discourse. With your Global Sustainability Certification, I will equip myself the expertise I need to produce meaningful change in environmental policy.

Here's how a law school advisor can help you with your application:

Law School Personal Statement #17

Growing up in a poor neighborhood, what my friends used to call “the ghetto”, I was always looking for my way out. I tried running away, but I always ended up back home in that tiny complex, barely enough room to fit all my brothers and sisters with my parents. My dad was disabled and couldn’t work, and my mother was doing her best working full-time as a personal-support worker. There was nothing we could do to get out of our situation, or so it seemed. It wasn’t until years later when I started my undergraduate degree that ironically, after I found my way out, that I began looking for a way to come back. I wanted to be a voice for people living in those bleak conditions; hungry, without work. Helpless.

Getting my degree in social work was one of the best decisions of my life. It gave me the tools to lobby for solutions to problems in poor communities. I knew my neighborhood better than anyone because I grew up there. I had the lived experience. I started working with the local government to develop programs for my clients; the people living in those same neighborhoods. We worked to provide financial assistance, legal aid, housing, and medical treatment—all things sorely lacking. My proudest moment was securing the funds and arranging surgery for my father’s bad hip and knees. I’m currently working on a large project with one of the community legislators to lobby for a harm reduction model addressing addiction in our communities.

With five years of experience as a social worker, I knew it was time for a career change when I learned that I could have more influence on public opinion and legislative decisions as a social-security disability lawyer. I knew firsthand that people victimized from racism, poverty, and injury needed more help than they were currently allotted. I knew that, from becoming and advocate and communicating with influential members of the local government, that I could do more with a law degree helping people attain basic needs like disability benefits, which are often denied outright.

This desire to help people get the help they need from local programs and government resources brought me to Scarborough, a small town outside of Toronto. I was aware of some of the issues afflicting this community, since I’d handled a few clients from there as a children’s disability social worker. Addiction and homelessness were the two main ones. I worked with children with ADHD or other physical/mental disabilities impairing their ability to attend school and function normally. I helped many of them get an IEP with the details of the special services they require, long overdue. I made sure each child got the care they needed, including special attention in school. Also noticing that so many of these families lacked proper nutrition, I organized a report detailing this finding. In it, I argued that the community needed more funds targeting lowest income families. I spoke directly with a legislator, which eventually got the city on board with developing a program more specifically for the lowest income families with residents under 18.

My goal has always been to be a voice for the inaudible, the ignored, who’ve been victimized by inadequate oversight from the ground up. Many of these groups, as I’ve witnessed firsthand, don’t have the luxury of being their own advocates. They are too busy trying to support their families, to put food on the table for their children. I’ve realized that it isn’t quite enough to work directly with these families to connect them with resources and ensure they get the support they need. Sometimes the support simply doesn’t exist, or it isn’t good enough. This is why I’m motivated to add a law degree to my credentials so I can better serve these people and communities. As a future social-security disability lawyer, I want to work with local governments to assist clients in navigating an assistance system and improving it as much as possible. This program will give me the access to a learning environment in which I can thrive and develop as an advocate.

Law School Personal Statement #18

“You’re worthy and loved”, I said to a twelve-year-old boy, Connor, whom I was supervising and spending time with during the Big Brother program at which we met. A few tears touched my shoulder as I pulled him into me, comforting him. He was a foster child. He didn’t know his parents and never stayed in one place longer than a few months; a year if he was lucky. I joined the program not expecting much. I was doing it for extra credit, because I wanted to give back to the community somehow and I thought it would be interesting to meet people. He confided in me; he told me that his foster parents often yelled at each other, and him. He told me he needed to escape. I called Child Protective Services and after a thorough investigation, they determined that Connor’s foster parents weren’t fit for fostering. He was moved, yet again, to a different home.

I wrote an op-ed detailing my experience as a Big Brother. I kept names anonymous. I wanted people to know how hard it was for children in the welfare system. Many of them, like Connor, were trapped in a perpetual cycle of re-homing, neglect, and even abuse. He and other children deserve stability and unconditional love. That should go without saying. I sent the op-ed to a local magazine and had it published. In it, I described not only the experience of one unfortunate kid, but many others as well who saw their own stories being told through Connor. I joined a non-profit organization dedicated to improving access to quality education for young people. I started learning about disparities in access; students excluded by racial or financial barriers. I was learning, one step at a time, how powerful words can be.

With the non-profit organization, I reached out to a few public schools in the area to represent some of our main concerns with quality of education disparities. Our goal was to bring resources together and promote the rights of children in education. We emphasized that collaboration between welfare agencies and schools was critical for education stability. Together, we created a report of recommendations to facilitate this collaboration. We outlined a variety of provisions, including more mechanisms for child participation, better recruitment of social service workers in schools, risk management and identification strategies, and better support for students with child protection concerns.

The highlight of that experience was talking to an assembly of parents and school faculty to present our findings and recommendations. The title of the presentation was “The Power of Words”. I opened with the story I wrote about in the op-ed. I wanted to emphasize that children are individuals; those trapped in the welfare system are not a monolith. They each have unique experiences, needs, and desires they want to fulfill in life. But our tools to help them can be improved, more individualized. I spoke about improving the quality of residential care for children and the need to promote their long-term development into further education and employment. Finally, I presented a list of tools we created to help support a more financially sustainable and effective child welfare system. The talk was received with applause and a tenuous commitment from a few influential members of the crowd. It was a start.

Although I lost contact with Connor, I think about him almost every day. I can only hope that the programs we worked on to improve were helping him, wherever he was. I want to continue to work on the ground level of child welfare amelioration, but I realize I will need an education in law to become a more effective advocate for this cause. There are still many problems in the child welfare system that will need to be addressed: limited privacy/anonymity for children, service frameworks that don’t address racism adequately, limited transportation in remote communities, and many more. I’ve gained valuable experience working with the community and learning about what the welfare system lacks and does well. I’m ready to take the next step for myself, my community, and those beyond it.

Assuredly, but this length varies from school to school. As with all important details of your law school application, thoroughly research your specific schools’ requirements and guidelines before both writing and editing your personal statement to ensure it fits their specifics. The average length is about 2 pages, but don’t bother drafting your statement until you have specific numbers from your schools of choice. It’s also a good idea to avoid hitting the maximum length unless absolutely necessary. Be concise, keep economy of language in mind, and remain direct, without rambling or exhaustive over-explanation of your ideas or experiences.

You should keep any words that aren’t your own to a minimum. Admissions committees don’t want to read a citation-heavy academic paper, nor do they respond well to overused famous quotes as themes in personal statements. If you absolutely must include a quote from elsewhere, be sure to clearly indicate your quote’s source. But in general, it’s best to keep the personal statement restricted to your own words and thoughts. They’re evaluating you, not Plato! It’s a personal statement. Give them an engaging narrative in your own voice. 

Admissions committees will already have a strong sense of your academic performance through your transcripts and test scores, so discussing these in your personal statement is generally best avoided. You can contextualize these things, though—if you have an illuminating or meaningful story about how you came to receive an award, or how you enjoyed or learned from the work that won you the award, then consider discussing it. Overall though, it’s best to let admissions committees evaluate your academic qualifications and accomplishments from your transcripts and official documents, and give them something new in the personal statement. 

When you first sit down to begin, cast a wide net. Consider all the many influences and experiences that have led you to where you are. You’ll eventually (through editing and rewriting) explain how these shape your relationship to a career in law, but one of the best things you can give yourself during the initial drafting phase is a vast collection of observations and potential points for development. As the New England School of Law points out in their, “just write!” Let the initial draft be as messy as it needs to be, and refine it from there. It’s a lot easier to condense and sharpen a big draft than it is to try to tensely craft a perfect personal statement from nothing.  

Incredibly important, as should be clear by now! Unlike other specialties, law schools don’t usually conduct interviews with applicants, so your personal statement is in effect your one opportunity to speak with the admissions committee directly. Don’t let that gravity overwhelm you when you write, but keep it in mind as you edit and dedicate time to improving your initial drafts. Be mindful of your audience as you speak with them, and treat writing your personal statement as a kind of initial address in what, hopefully, will eventually turn into an ongoing dialogue.  

There are a variety of factors that can make or break a law school personal statement. You should aim to achieve at least a few of the following: a strong opening hook; a compelling personal narrative; your skills and competencies related to law; meaningful experiences; why you’re the right fit for the school and program.

Often, they do. It’s best for you to go to the schools you’re interesting in applying to so you can find out if they have any specific formatting or content requirements. For example, if you wanted to look at NYU law or Osgoode Hall Law School , you would find their admissions requirements pages and look for information on the personal statement.

There are lots of reasons why a personal statement might not work. Usually, applicants who don’t get accepted didn’t come up with a good strategy for this essay. Remember, you need to target the specific school and program. Other reasons are that the applicant doesn’t plan or proofread their essay. Both are essential for submitting materials that convince the admissions committee that you’re a strong candidate. You can always use law school admissions consulting application review to help you develop your strategy and make your essay stand out.

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How long should a Personal Statement be? Is there any rule on that?

BeMo Academic Consulting

Hello V! Thanks for your question. Some schools will gave very specific word limits, while some will not. If you do not have a limit indicated, try to stick to no more than a page, 600-800 words. 

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Please complete the appropriate application:

J.D. Applicants  - who have never attended any law school, complete application titled, (J.D.1) .

J.D.2 - Applicants who have previously attended a law school (academically ineligible to continue, students applying to transfer and Visiting Students), complete application titled, (J.D.2 ). To be considered for admission, a student who has been previously disqualified from any law school must have been separated from that law school for a period of one year from the date they were advised of their disqualification to the start date of the fall semester for which they are applying (one academic year).

LL.M Program - Applicants who hold a JD from a US ABA accredited Law school or from a foreign law school, complete the application titled, LLM Application.

International Applicants JD & LLM

All international applicants must take either the TOEFL or IELTS English proficiency test if their first language is not English or their instruction (undergraduate or law) was not in English.

All international applicants must register for LSAC’s International Authentication and Evaluation Service  and submit all transcripts for evaluation by that Service.

Critical Dates for Application

Applications become available on September 1 and may be submitted up to August 1 .  We suggest, because we make decisions on a “rolling basis”, that you apply as early in the process as possible.  You may submit your application prior to taking the LSAT, however it will not be considered complete, and ready for review until the CAS report is on file with transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, LSAT score, writing sample and letters of recommendation.  Please see the application process for prior law school applicants, transfer and visiting, and LLM applicants for a list of required documents. First-time J.D. candidates who apply by April 1st will receive priority consideration for scholarship awards.

Application Process

1. Application for Admission

You should complete the application online at  https://os.lsac.org/Logon/Access.aspx  and submit the required documents for the required LSAC CAS Report (ALL transcripts for any college/university you’ve attended, resume, letters of recommendation and any addenda you wish to include).  Applications may be submitted prior to receiving your LSAT score, however no application will be reviewed or decision rendered until complete with CAS report. 

2. Personal Statement

A personal statement must accompany the application for admission.  The personal statement is your opportunity to address the Admissions Committee and provide information that may not appear elsewhere in your application.  This statement should be considered to be your “sales tool”.

You may attach short addenda to your application addressing such things as your GPA, circumstances which may have affected your academic performance, or other things you may wish to bring to the attention of the Admissions Committee not addressed elsewhere in your application.

If you have taken the LSAT multiple times and have scores that are disparate – 5 points plus or minus, it is helpful to provide an addendum of explanation of that disparity

Each applicant must submit a current résumé.

4. Letters of Recommendation

Letters of recommendation are important in the selection process. You must submit at least two letters of recommendation. Each letter that you submit should be written by someone who knows your academic ability or is in a position to assess your potential for success in law school. We strongly discourage obtaining letters of recommendation from friends, acquaintances, and/or family members. We realize that some applicants, especially those who have been out of school for a number of years, may have difficulty finding an academic recommender. If that is the case, letters from employers or others who have worked closely with you will be helpful. We recommend that your letters be submitted through the LSAC letter of recommendation service that serves all member law schools. This service is included in your LSDAS subscription. To use this service, follow the directions for submitting letters outlined in the LSAT/LSDAS Registration and Information Book. LSAC letter of recommendation forms may also be downloaded from the LSAC web site. Be sure to fill out and give each recommender an LSAC letter of recommendation form.

5 . Application Fee

A non-refundable $55 application fee must be paid online through LSAC when applying.

6. Law School Admission Test

All applicants for admission as a J.D. candidate must take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and have their scores reported to TSU Thurgood Marshall School of Law, within the three-year period immediately preceding the date of their application to the Law School. TMSL considers an LSAT score valid for a period of 3 years.  Additional information on the test, test preparation and applying to law schools may be obtained by visiting https://www.LSAC.org .

7. Character & Fitness

All applicants who intend to practice law should be aware that admission to the bar in all states involves character, fitness and other qualifications.  Applicants are encouraged to determine what those requirements are in the state(s) in which they intend to practice by consulting the website of the National Conference of Bar Examiners at http:www.ncbex.org/ .

8. Deposits

To accept a seat offered to an admitted applicant, two non-refundable deposits totaling $500 are required, the dates of which will be included in the applicant’s letter of admission. Seat deposits must be made online through the University Portal indicated in the applicant’s letter of admission.

9. Admission Decisions

Admission decisions are announced in writing only. Information about applicants is not released to third parties. Completed applications are reviewed beginning in December, and decisions are made continuously until all completed applications have been read. The Admissions Committee does not review applications that are incomplete. Decisions on completed applications may be made in as short a period as two weeks or as long a period as several months. The period of time varies according to the total number of applications received, when in the admissions cycle the file is completed, and the time required to review an applicant’s qualifications and evaluate them on their own merit in comparison to the rest of the applicant pool.

10. Deferral of Admission

Applicants who have been admitted but whose circumstances have changed may ask to defer their admission for one year. A limited number of one-year deferrals are granted each year based on the circumstance. Deferrals are not automatic and, if granted, a non-refundable deposit is required to hold a place in the following year’s entering class.

Students requesting a deferral should write explaining the reasons for the deferral request and submit it to:  [email protected]

While matriculation may be deferred, scholarships awards are not deferred.  A deferred applicant will be considered for a scholarship award together with the entering class with which the applicant will matriculate.  A subsequent award, if any, may be larger or smaller than the previous award due to year to year changes and considerations.

Accreditation

Thurgood Marshall School of Law  is a public law school founded in June 1947.  The school is fully accredited by the American Bar Association.

For more information regarding accreditation, please contact: American Bar Association Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar 321 N. Clark Street Chicago, IL 60654-6738 Phone:  312.988.6738

School Address

Thurgood Marshall School of Law 3100 Cleburne Street Houston, TX 77004 Phone:  713.313.4455 Fax:  713.313.1049

Thurgood Marshall School of Law, Texas Southern University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, age or disability in the administration of its academic or employment policies, or other school-administered rights, privileges, programs or activities. 

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John Marshall Law School

John Marshall is a Private law school located in Chicago, IL. It is currently ranked #140 in the country, according to the 2021 US News & World Report rankings of the best law schools in the US.

In 2020, 1679 students applied for admission to join the class of 2023. Of those 1679 applicants, 956 (56.94%) recieved offers of admission, ultimately yeilding a 1L class with 337 students. With an acceptance rate of 56.94%, UIC John Marshall Law School is easy to get into.

The class of 2023 had a median LSAT score of 151 and a median undergraduate GPA of 3.27. Fully 75% of the class had an LSAT score at or above 148, and a GPA at or above 2.98, so your chances of admission are certainly much better if your numbers are within that range.

Below, you'll find a range of data and statistics about this law school. My aim is to provide you with a quick, easy way to get the most important info relevant to you as you begin to research law schools and prepare your applications.

312-987-1406

312-427-5136312-427-5136

[email protected]

Getting into John Marshall

John marshall application basics, applications open:, application deadline:, financial aid deadline:, john marshall acceptance rate, applicants:, acceptance rate:, john marshall class size, lsat requirements, what lsat score do you need to get into john marshall.

The median LSAT score at UIC John Marshall Law School is 151 .

GPA Requirements

What gpa do you need to get into john marshall.

The median undergraduate GPA at UIC John Marshall Law School is 3.27 .

Additional Application Requirements

• Total Students: 1007
• # Students w/ Scholarship: 618 ( 61.37 %)
• Less than Half Tuition: 178 ( 17.68 %)
• Half to Full: 264 ( 26.22 %)
• Full: 160 ( 15.89 %)
• Full + Expenses: 16 (1.59 %)
• 75th Percentile Grant: $34800
• Median Grant: $25000
• 25th Percentile Grant: $15225

US News Ranking History

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Alumni profile: vincent t. lombardo ’81 and barbara j. stanford ’80, monday morning message 4.29.24 special edition: student focus, monday morning message 4.22.24 take your own measurements, monday morning message 4.15.24 lift someone up.

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