Common Law School Admissions Essay Topics

Common Law School Admissions Essay Topics:

Why Law? | How Am I Qualified? | How Am I Unique? | Issue-Based Essays

Note: The below passages were not edited by EssayEdge Editors. They appear as they were initially reviewed by admissions officers.

Why Law?

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When you don't have interesting, fresh ideas to offer about the legal profession or the study of law, you are better off emphasizing your unique strengths rather than stating platitudes about your future career. In the tired eyes of an admissions officer, nothing is more tedious than an essay that starts off, "I have always wanted to be a lawyer," and then cites a list of trite reasons. One obvious mistake is to focus on your parents' experiences as lawyers without demonstrating any independent, mature thinking about your own goals.

A less obvious, more common mistake is to write about how you want to help people. The fact is that most law school graduates, especially from the top schools, go on to work in the private sector. Law school admissions officers are not out to judge the moral value of your career intentions, particularly because they know that people often change their minds. They're well aware that most of their graduates will go on to seek financially rewarding careers. Therefore, applicants who mention cliches about wanting to "improve society" usually sound disingenuous.

Focusing on Specific Legal Areas

If you have a specific goal, such as working for a particular disadvantaged group that lacks advocates, then the situation is different: It's always good to showcase a unique, focused commitment. It would be even better if you had a track record of community service to back up your objectives. For example, perhaps you worked with handicapped people for several years, and this exposed you to certain injustices that you want to correct. The same approach would work for topics that are not about public service.

Personal Interests

Discussing specific areas of law is a surefire way to demonstrate a mature commitment to the study of law. However, admissions officers certainly do not expect this level of decisiveness. You might also show your reasons for pursuing law by tying your interest to personal qualities or skills.

Brushes With the Law

Some people will discover their interest in law through an unplanned encounter. Perhaps you've been involved in an Equal Employment Opportunity suit, or maybe you've had friends in trouble with the law. In any event, unique stories like these serve to set you apart from the crowd, as well as to demonstrate the origin of your aspiration to a career in law.