General Personal Statement Writing Exercise

Consider the below questions to ask yourself before you begin writing your personal statement.

Past experiences
 What (or who) have been the most important influences in my life?
 What is my greatest accomplishment to date? Biggest mistake or failure to date?
 What is the best decision I’ve ever made? The worst decision?
 What is the most important lesson I’ve learned in life?
 What is the most unusual thing I’ve ever done?

Present Motivations
 Why do I want to go to law school?
 What do I hope to gain from pursuing a legal education?
 How do I plan to use my law degree?

Future Goals
 Is there a particular type of law I would like to practice?
 Is there a particular population with whom I’d like to work?
 What are my future goals (personal and professional)?
 Where do I see myself in 5 years? 10 years? 20 years?

Enduring Qualities
 What motivates me?
 What is the most unique thing about me?
 If my best friend had to describe me in three words, what would he/she say?
 What personal qualities am I most proud to possess?
 If I only had 10 minutes with the admissions committee, what 3 things would I want
them to know about me?