Law School Personal Statements Online Advising

 

Lauren Hammond is our law school application essay expert and has been helping people write their law school personal statements for several years. Whether you just want some feedback on a draft, or you're staring at a blank Word doc and don't know where to begin, she is happy to help!

Contact Lauren directly at 951-395-4646 (phone or text), or send us an email.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

1. Law school personal statement tips

2. Law school personal statement examples

3. Learn more about Lauren, our law school personal statement expert.

 

 

3 TIPS FOR COMPELLING LAW SCHOOL PERSONAL STATEMENTS

 

1. Demonstrate Your Interest in Law Through a Personal Story

  • Share a defining experience: Highlight a moment that sparked your desire to pursue law, such as an event that exposed you to injustice, a personal legal challenge, or an experience in debate, advocacy, or policy work.
  • Show how this experience shaped your perspective: Explain how it motivated you to think critically about law and its role in shaping society.
  • Avoid clichés: Rather than saying you’ve wanted to be a lawyer since childhood, focus on specific experiences that solidified your commitment.

Example:
"Growing up in a bilingual household, I often found myself translating legal documents and doctor’s instructions for my parents. I saw firsthand how a lack of legal knowledge could put families like mine at a disadvantage, from navigating immigration paperwork to signing employment contracts. This experience fueled my determination to pursue a career where I could empower others through legal advocacy."

2. Highlight Relevant Skills and Experiences

  • Showcase academic and professional preparation: Discuss relevant coursework, internships, research, or leadership roles that have prepared you for law school.
  • Demonstrate key legal skills: Highlight critical thinking, analytical reasoning, persuasive writing, and problem-solving, using real examples to show how you've applied them.
  • Connect past experiences to legal study: Explain how skills developed in roles such as policy research, writing-intensive work, or advocacy positions will translate into success in law school.

Example:
"During my internship at a nonprofit advocating for workers’ rights, I researched case law, drafted policy briefs, and helped organize legal workshops for employees facing wage theft. I learned how the law can be both a tool for justice and a barrier to access, reinforcing my desire to pursue legal education to address systemic inequities."

 

3. Align Your Goals with the Program’s Strengths

  • Research the law school: Identify specific faculty members, clinics, legal concentrations, or experiential learning opportunities that align with your interests.
  • Demonstrate a clear career vision: Explain whether you aim to work in public interest law, corporate law, criminal defense, or another area, and how the program will help you get there.
  • Tailor your statement to the school: Show that you’ve thought about why this particular law school is the right place for you.

Example:
"I am particularly drawn to [Law School Name]’s strong emphasis on public interest law and its [specific clinic or program], which aligns with my goal of advocating for marginalized communities. The opportunity to gain hands-on experience representing clients under faculty supervision will prepare me to enter the legal field equipped to make a meaningful impact."

 

Law School Personal Statement Examples

Here's an example of a compelling law school personal statement, followed by a brief analysis of what makes it work.

 

The first time I realized the power of the law, I wasn’t in a courtroom—I was sitting in the back of a community center, watching my mother struggle to understand a contract. As an immigrant with limited English proficiency, she relied on me, a high school student at the time, to translate legal and financial documents. That day, she was unknowingly about to sign away critical employment rights. I explained the terms to her, and we walked away. But the moment stayed with me. How many other people, without someone to guide them, had signed away something they didn’t understand?

That question led me to study political science in college, where I first explored the intersections of law, policy, and social justice. My coursework introduced me to legal history and theory, but my internship at a nonprofit workers' rights organization transformed my understanding of what the law could do. There, I helped draft policy briefs on wage theft, attended hearings where lawyers advocated for low-income employees, and assisted with community legal workshops. I saw the real-world impact of legal knowledge—how a well-crafted argument could change lives, how an overlooked regulation could become a shield or a sword in the hands of an attorney.

Beyond academics and internships, my work in legal advocacy has reinforced the core skills I will bring to law school: research, analytical thinking, and the ability to craft persuasive arguments. As an editor for my university’s debate team, I coached students in structuring logical arguments under pressure, refining my ability to distill complex information into clear, compelling narratives. In my role as a legislative research assistant, I analyzed statutes and policies, deepening my appreciation for the intricate details that shape legal frameworks.

Law is more than a set of rules—it is a language that determines rights, responsibilities, and opportunities. I want to become fluent in that language to help others, just as I once helped my mother. I am particularly drawn to [Law School Name] for its commitment to public interest law and its [specific clinic, professor, or legal program], where I can develop the hands-on experience necessary to advocate effectively for underrepresented communities. The opportunity to work with faculty and peers who share my dedication to using the law as a tool for change excites me, and I am eager to contribute to this community.

From translating legal documents at a kitchen table to drafting policy briefs in a nonprofit office, my journey has reinforced my belief that access to legal knowledge should not be a privilege. I am ready to take the next step in my legal education, and I am confident that [Law School Name] will provide the foundation I need to become a thoughtful, effective advocate.

 

Why This Statement Works

✅ Compelling Opening – The personal anecdote immediately engages the reader and sets up the theme of access to legal knowledge.
✅ Strong Narrative Arc – The statement connects the past (personal experience), the present (academic and professional preparation), and the future (career goals).
✅ Demonstration of Relevant Skills – Shows research, analysis, advocacy, and writing skills without simply listing them.
✅ Tailored to the Program – Mentions specific law school strengths and aligns them with the applicant’s goals.
✅ Memorable Conclusion – Reiterates the central theme while reinforcing motivation and readiness for law school.

 

Lauren Hammond

Lauren Hammond Lauren Hammond Lauren Hammond

Lauren: I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Literature and Writing, with a concentration in Writing, at California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) and my Master’s Degree in English and Comparative Literature at San Diego State University (SDSU). I recently completed my PhD in English at the University of California Riverside (UCR) in September 2023. Upon graduating, I began my current position as UCR's Graduate Writing Center Specialist and Fulbright Program Advisor last summer. 

I have been a writing consultant for nearly 10 years now, and I've helped people with research writing, thesis/dissertation projects, rhetorical and literary analyses, writing in the humanities, grammar/sentence mechanics, and more. My focus for VKTP centers on graduate school application materials– including personal statements, diversity statements, and research statements– as well as job market materials for academic and alt-academic positions– resumes, CVs, cover letters, etc. 

During my downtime, I love hanging out with my husband, 2-year-old daughter, and our two dogs, Link and Leia! My favorite activities are going on the boat, cruising on the golf cart, and making our way through all of the local eateries. When we aren’t out and about, I typically enjoy reading and watching movies.

Working with Lauren is $225 per hour or $995 for a package purchase of 5 hours. You can reach her at 951-395-4646 (phone or text), or by sending us an email.

 

Love For Lauren

 

"As someone who was unsure what exactly grad schools (specifically law schools) look for in personal statements, I could not recommend Lauren enough to guide you through, what can be, an overwhelming journey in constructing/organizing a personal statement. Lauren is professional, yet sincere and understanding. I had the pleasure of having her help me with my grad school personal statement, in which I never felt she was writing it for me, but rather using her vast experience in writing to consolidate lengthy sentences to be more fluid and concise. The result was a paper that I felt proud to submit, and was true to myself and my writing style. Lauren never hesitated to ask me if her edits still fit what I wanted to express, resulting in someone very easy to work with. Furthermore, she helped put the ideas and information I had into more clear language. It was a pleasure to have Lauren work with me on this process and I’m glad for others that work with Lauren in the future!" - Hunter Austin (read this review on Google Maps)

 

"I had about 6 sessions with Lauren Hammond to go over my personal statements for PhD/PsyD Clinical Psychology applications. I had different goals for each of my statements (e.g., trim, content development, brainstorm ideas), and she tailored each session to meet my needs. An hour might seem short, but she was very productive and sometimes went over two short statements in one session. She was also available via text for any brief questions or concerns. I am very happy with her service and recommend it to anyone who wants to craft a stand-out personal statement. I thought my writing skills were already good, but the final product, including her revisions, turned out even better than I expected."

- Fiona Wang (see review on Google Maps)

 

Lily Annino

Lauren helped me out SO much with my MFT graduate school essays. I've already gotten an interview from two schools, and I was incredibly happy with the essay results. 110% would recommend her! Thank you so much Lauren.

 

"Very happy to have worked with Vince on my GRE prep and Lauren on my personal essay writing. Both were integral to my success in getting accepted to my ideal grad school. Vince had a very straightforward and understandable approach toward taking the test which helped remove the test anxiety I definitely would have otherwise felt. I knew exactly what was coming weeks before I sat down to take it and managed to score about 10-15 points higher than I would have without his help. Lauren was equally helpful in editing my essay - both on the finer details as well as big picture ideas and concepts. I wholeheartedly believe their assistance throughout the GRE and grad school application process is what pushed me over the edge and got me accepted into my ideal program at my ideal school. 5 stars, no question."

- Clifford Grant (see review on Google Maps)

 

"I worked with Lauren Hammond on my personal statement and she was amazing!! I spent a couple months working with her and it was one of the best decisions that I feel elevated my grad school applications. I came into the first meeting with a draft essay that was basically my resume and was all over the place. Lauren helped me nail down my story and what I am passionate about. I ended up writing an amazing personal statement with great feedback from Lauren that I felt really showed readers who I am. She was super flexible with the times we met and I ended up getting into my TOP choice schools (Johns Hopkins, Brown, etc). I would definitely work with her again!"

- Aster M. (see review on Google Maps)

 

"Lauren Hammond was so incredibly helpful with my personal statements for grad school. I really needed help with organization, staying focused on a coherent narrative and content-building, which she was phenomenal with. She's also a really sweet person and a pleasure to work with! Can't recommend her enough."

- Mira Park (see review on Google Maps)

 

"As I was applying to PhD programs, I was struggling to write my personal statements. I searched online for hours to try and find something or someone that looked worth spending the money on and I came across Lauren Hammond at Vince Kotchian Test Prep. I was only planning on doing maybe one session to help get me started but Lauren was SO good that I continued working with her for weeks. She gave such valuable feedback and felt like she truly cared about making my work the best it can be. I even recommended her to my other colleagues who were applying to grad school and they felt the same way. I currently have 3 interviews for grad school and I couldn't have gotten those without her help!"

- Mikayla Haas (see review on Google Maps)

 

"Lauren Hammond was amazing. She provided me with thoughtful feedback that structured and strengthened my graduate school application essays. She was great at asking questions to push me to be a better writer. You can tell she genuinely cares about her students and wants to see you succeed. Additionally she is flexible in scheduling and will make deadlines work with your timeline. I was accepted into my top school choice and appreciate Lauren for her help in the process. If you or someone you know is looking for an essay tutor for graduate applications, Lauren is definitely the best!"

- Renee Begin (see review on Google Maps)

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

How long should I spend writing my law school personal statement?

We generally recommend about 4-8 weeks - 6 weeks is a good sweet spot. It takes time to come up with ideas and get those ideas onto paper in a compelling form.

 

Where can I find some good examples of personal statements?

Other than Google, I really like the sample admissions essays in Graduate Admissions Essays by Donald Asher. If you're a DIY kind of person, Asher's advice for the entire graduate admissions process is very good.

Note: The above links are Amazon affiliate links and I earn a commission if you purchase things through them. However, any commission I earn comes at no additional cost to you, and you pay nothing extra. My recommendation is based on extensive experience using this book's advice with dozens of people over the years, and I recommend it because it's helpful and useful, not because of the small commission I receive if you choose to buy it.

 

How can I make my personal statement stand out?

MOST personal statements are BORING! Not because the person writing them is boring, but perhaps because:

  1. Their focus is too broad. They try to cover everything they've done, and nothing ends up standing out.
  2. They're impersonal. It's a personal statement - the reader needs to get a sense of who you are and what you're actually like - not some sanitized "professional" version of you.
  3. They're too safe. Ironically, a statement that takes no risks can be the riskiest thing you can do. We're not applying to a program with the intent of blending in with all the other applicants!

Granted, the above things can be overdone, or done wrong. But most statements make no impact, so it's worth thinking about how yours actually can.

For more personal statement tips, check out Vince's video: 7 Ways to Write a Crappy Graduate School Personal Statement.

 

 

How to Apply to a Competitive Law School Program

 

Applying to a top law school is a rigorous, competitive process that requires careful preparation and strategic decision-making. Law schools seek candidates who demonstrate strong academic ability, compelling personal narratives, and a clear vision for their legal career. Below is a step-by-step guide to maximizing your chances of admission to a highly competitive law program.

 

1. Achieve a Strong LSAT or GRE Score

Most competitive law schools prioritize LSAT scores, though some now accept the GRE. The LSAT is a skills-based exam that assesses logical reasoning, analytical reasoning, and reading comprehension.

  • Aim for the 75th percentile or higher of your target schools. For T14 (Top 14) law schools, this typically means a 168+ LSAT score.
  • Study strategically using official LSAT prep materials, adaptive learning platforms, and, if necessary, professional tutoring.
  • Take practice tests under timed conditions to simulate real test-day pressure and refine endurance.

If you opt for the GRE, focus on high verbal and analytical writing scores, as these are most relevant to law school admissions.

2. Maintain a Competitive Undergraduate GPA

Your undergraduate GPA plays a critical role in admissions. Top law schools often expect a GPA of 3.7+, but a lower GPA can sometimes be offset by a high LSAT score, strong essays, and meaningful experiences.

  • Choose rigorous coursework that develops critical thinking and writing skills (e.g., political science, philosophy, economics).
  • Address any academic weaknesses in an addendum if needed (e.g., personal hardships or an upward grade trend).

3. Craft a Standout Personal Statement

A compelling personal statement should tell a unique, engaging story about why you want to pursue law and how your experiences have prepared you.

  • Avoid generic clichés like “I’ve wanted to be a lawyer since childhood.” Instead, share a specific experience that shaped your perspective.
  • Show, don’t tell. Use vivid storytelling to illustrate your motivation for studying law.
  • Demonstrate key legal skills like critical thinking, research ability, and advocacy.
  • Tailor your statement to show how your goals align with the law school’s strengths.

 

4. Secure Strong Letters of Recommendation

Most law schools require two to three letters of recommendation, typically from professors or employers.

  • Academic letters hold the most weight. Choose professors who can attest to your analytical and writing skills.
  • Workplace letters are valuable if they demonstrate leadership, problem-solving, or legal-related experience.
  • Provide recommenders with details about your achievements, law school goals, and relevant work to ensure a strong, specific letter.

5. Write a Compelling Diversity Statement (If Applicable)

If you have a background, experience, or perspective that contributes to diversity in the legal field, consider submitting a diversity statement.

  • Highlight unique challenges or perspectives (e.g., socioeconomic background, cultural identity, disabilities, military service).
  • Explain how your perspective will enrich legal discussions and contribute to the school’s community.

6. Build a Strong Resume

Unlike job resumes, law school resumes emphasize academic, leadership, and service experience rather than just professional work.

  • Include research, leadership roles, volunteer work, and legal-related experience.
  • Emphasize skills like analytical reasoning, communication, and policy work.
  • Avoid fluff—law schools value substance over overly designed or wordy resumes.

7. Apply Strategically and Early

Top law schools have rolling admissions, meaning applying earlier increases your chances.

  • Aim to submit by October or November for the highest odds.
  • Apply to a balanced mix of reach, target, and safety schools.
  • Consider Early Decision (ED) if you have a clear top-choice school, but be aware of binding commitments.

8. Prepare for Interviews (If Required)

Some competitive law schools, such as Harvard, Columbia, and Northwestern, conduct interviews as part of the admissions process.

  • Research common interview questions (e.g., “Why law?” or “Why this school?”).
  • Practice articulating your experiences and career goals confidently and concisely.
  • Demonstrate professionalism and enthusiasm.

Final Thoughts

Competitive law school admissions require a combination of strong academics, compelling storytelling, and strategic application timing. By excelling in these areas and tailoring your applications to each school, you can maximize your chances of securing admission to a top-tier law program. Start early, stay organized, and put in the work to present yourself as a strong future legal professional.

 

BTW, Lauren can also help with: