Welcome to the latest installment of Law Admissions Q&A, a monthly feature of Law Admissions Lowdown that provides admissions advice to readers who send in questions and admissions profiles.
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[Get more tips on applying to law school.]
Good morning: Lately, I have been reading several articles on personal statements and law school admissions. I will graduate from [college] in May 2017 and hopefully move on to law school the following August. My dilemma is this: I chose to go back to school and pursue law school due to the result of a prior engagement in (minor) criminal activity. My attorney and I discussed my high school dreams and he questioned why I chose to go down the path I was on. After a long conversation on the bench outside [the courthouse], he told me I was too smart to continue down that path. I then chose to go back to school.
I’m not sure if I should include this in my personal statement, and if I should, how exactly I should introduce the topic. Would you be able to provide some insight as to how I should articulate this in my opening statement, or should I not include this at all? -Back on Track
Dear Back on Track: Congratulations on choosing to pursue a law career. I have actually worked with a handful of applicants who ha ve had a criminal offense on their records.
You will certainly need to address in your application materials your engagement in criminal activity . In fact, many programs explicitly ask that you disclose such information. It’s important to explain the situation to the admissions committees in a way that shows you are accountable for your actions as well as assures them you won’t break the law in the future.
Your personal statement may be an appropriate place to address this topic. However, I caution against letting this incident alone represent you.
In other words, don’t let your past mistakes overshadow your valuable accomplishments and future aspirations. Find a way to use this incident as a springboard to delve into your accomplishments and activities that make you a competitive candidate for law school admission.
[Take these five steps to craft a great law school personal statement.]
A desire to practice law itself isn’t enough to persuade an admissions committee to let you into their law school. Do you have any professional, academic or extracurricular experiences that demonstrate your potential? Be sure to highlight these.
You might also think about including an addendum to address your record. Use this space to explain — as objectively as possible — the facts of the situation and the lessons you have learned from the experience. This way you can preserve space in your personal statement to present your qualifications.
Hello: As a rising senior, I am starting to think about gap year opportunities and am wondering which would make me a competitive applicant. There are several options I am considering at the moment: doing a Fulbright, obtaining a [university] fellowship … possibly working in an embassy, being a staffer in Congress possibly or working overseas with refugees (I am interested in refugee policy and will be working in Jordan this summer with Syrian refugees). I think these are all great opportunities, but if I am specifically focused on international law, which would make me a competitive applicant? -Minding the Gap
Dear Minding the Gap: I applaud your foresight in thinking about how to make the most of your gap year. In recent years, I have seen law school admissions committees become increasingly predisposed to applicants with postgraduate experience. Any of the experiences you described would be worthwhile.
[Consider the benefits and consequences of taking a gap year before law school.]
There are two considerations to weigh as you evaluate your gap year options. First, what experience will enhance the picture of yourself that you want to present to admissions committees?
Since you will already be working with Syrian refugees this summer in Jordan, an option like working overseas with refugees in your gap year will overlap. But that isn’t necessarily a negative — you will demonstrate your commitment to this important work and deepen your expertise.
Alternatively, working in an embassy or as a Congressional staffer may give you a foundation in policy that complements your work in direct client services. Developing a diverse skill set can also be beneficial, so long as you don’t end up dabbling in a lot of different areas without deriving meaningful takeaways.
The second consideration has nothing to do with admissions committees. Rather, it is important to pursue an experience in your gap year that matters to you.
Don’t forego or take an opportunity because you’re worried about what an admissions committee member will think of you. This is a year of your life — not an extended part of the law school application process. Which opportunity most excites you?
More from U.S. News
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Weave Specific Law School Details Into a Winning Personal Statement
Law School Q&A: Criminal Record, Gap Year Considerations originally appeared on usnews.com
