There is no magic formula that guarantees anyone admission to law school. Admissions committees look at many factors when deciding to extend offers to applicants.
LSAT scores and undergraduate GPAs matter, but law schools are increasingly looking beyond numbers to assess candidacy. For military veterans who aspire to become lawyers, their service distinguishes them from the majority of law school applicants and has armed them with critical skills that are predictive of success in law school and a legal career.
Veterans can use their personal or diversity statement to highlight how their background and skills equip them to contribute to the incoming class. Here are four ways prospective law students with military experience can distinguish themselves from other military and civilian applicants.
[Learn how to polish the personal statement for a law school application.]
1. Don’t shy away from your military background: Serving in the military is no easy feat. In all likelihood, your strength and commitment have been repeatedly tested.
Civilians may not have a clear understanding of military service, but they likely have at least a general concept of the tremendous dedication the U.S. armed forces require.
Embrace these accomplishments. Law school can be a challenge, but you know firsthand about challenge and you understand what it means to commit to a greater purpose, having already made a major life commitment by serving your country.
Without self-aggrandizing, emphasize the commitment and dedication your military service exemplifies. Use the writing opportunities in your law school applications to convince admissions committees that you have the strength to withstand the rigors of a legal education.
For example, you could write a personal statement about your perseverance during basic training and how this experience reflects your determination to stay the course in the face of daily challenges.
[Explore law school options for nontraditional applicants.]
Law schools actively seek to create diverse student bodies, and your experience alone makes you distinct. Indeed many law schools provide financial benefits to applicants who are veterans.
Institutions like Georgetown University, the University of Chicago and the University of California–Berkeley, for example, offer fee waivers for military service members and veterans, while many law schools participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program, which provides scholarship funding for veterans that the Department of Veterans Affairs matches dollar for dollar.
If you are concerned that your military service reflects your political views and that you should avoid politics at all costs, particularly in today’s charged climate, consider that the majority of American citizens view military service members with respect, regardless of their political stance.
That said, take pride in your military background without making a political stump speech. Focus instead on how your service positions you for success in law.
2. Point out and reflect on concrete experiences: In your admissions or diversity essay, tell stories about your life in the military.
Many law school applicants have purely academic experiences to write about. Some have professional experiences and related reflections they can share as well.
However, most applicants have not had the experiences you and fellow veterans have had. And even your peer service member applicants may be apprehensive about writing about their military experience.
Differentiate yourself by sharing what you’ve done in service of your country and, more importantly, your thoughts about these experiences. What did your experiences teach you about yourself or your goals? How did serving in the military shape you as a person? In what ways did your military service influence your decision to pursue a career in law?
Your specific experiences and reflections on those events will make compelling essays that are likely to captivate admissions committees.
[Learn how military service gives students an edge paying for grad school.]
3. Avoid potential pitfalls: One pitfall to avoid in your essays is using military jargon. Don’t assume admissions committee members will understand military-specific language or acronyms. Such jargon may be off-putting or distracting.
Another pitfall to be wary of is the potential to dramatize events and experiences. Remember that law school personal and diversity statements are essays — not screenplays. Even if the stories you are telling involve dramatic events, focus more on what you learned and what you think about the experience, rather than putting the reader in the middle of the action.
4. Connect your military experience to the law: Be sure to tie your military experience to law. One way to do this is to talk about specific skills you perfected during your service that will position you for success in law school.
For example, you could draw a connection between your military service commitment and the commitment you plan to display in your legal education. You could draw similar connections for other attributes, such as discipline.
Another approach is to explain how your military service solidified your interest in law as a career path. Perhaps your experiences have honed your interest in foreign or military policy, and a J.D. will maximize your career opportunities in these fields. Perhaps you wish to continue your military involvement by becoming a judge advocate lawyer.
Whatever strategy you choose, leave no doubt that a legal education is a natural next step for you. Your military background sets you apart from the majority of other law school applicants, so use it to your advantage and write proudly and compellingly about your experiences.
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Draw on Military Experience in Law School Essays originally appeared on usnews.com
