Commentaries

As you have no doubt read or heard elsewhere, the personal statement is essential in conveying the qualities you embody that make you an ideal candidate for law school.  This is especially true since, with the volume of applications we receive, it is not logistically possible to provide interviews.

We recognize that different programs may look for different qualities in such a statement, but at Columbia the content is entirely up to you; anything that you believe will express a sense of your background and aptitude for a legal career is fair game.

There is really no formula, and what works for one candidate may not work for another.  Some candidates write about an event that shaped the way they look at life, career, scholarship, etc.  Some discuss what they have learned from major projects undertaken or their enthusiasm for music, science, history, and so on.  Others may have very specific ideas of what they want out of law school and write about those goals.  Based on the variety of statements we receive, it is probable that you will have an entirely different approach from any of these, and if so, we welcome and encourage it.

A good way for some people to start the process is to write down everything that comes to mind as though you were writing for nobody but yourself.  Jot down ideas about moments of great impact to you, accomplishments that fill you with pride, and broad ideas about what drives you to progress in whatever lies ahead.  Once that is done, take a break—for a few minutes, an hour, or even a day.  Then look back over your notes, zero in on the items that still grab you, and use those to organize your piece.

What you can rely on is the fact that how you express yourself will be noticed.  Keep in mind that “personal” does not mean “informal”.  Misspellings, grammatical errors, slang, and lack of discernable structure will make our jobs more difficult—especially in cases of otherwise exceptional applications (remember that good lawyers are detail-oriented).  Do not simply rely on spell-check; proofread, re-read, and edit your work.

While the notion that admissions is a very human process should not surprise you, the fact that real people are carefully reading your statements can easily be forgotten by applicants in the midst of stress and feelings of being overwhelmed.  The individuals on the Selection Committee can relate to your personal statement if you share information honestly and in your own voice.  Try not to agonize over “what the Selection Committee wants to read”; there is no secret checklist of topics.  Write what feels significant to you and your character will come through.