Essay/Application Questions

[cls]

Hi,

I have three questions pertaining to personal statements.

My first question is a bit general. How important is it to personalize the essay for each school? I am submitting one essay for most schools and wandered if it is important to include why I am interested in X school in the actual PS. The format of my essay may allow me to smoothly interject my interests in a school, but is it necessary?

In line with that, my PS speaks to diversity in terms of accessibility and education. Many schools give the option of submitting a diversity statement. Is it too mundane to also write an essay further elaborating my thoughts on diversity or my personal experiences if some thoughts are mentioned rather compellingly in my PS?

My third question is a bit more personal. I stopped working last June and have been traveling, studying for the LSAT, and sort of just exhaling before the madness that will be law school. Do you think this hiatus will come across as questionable in my application? Most reps I have spoken to seem supportive of my experience, but is it something I need to specifically address? I don't want to have unnecessary red flags in my application, but my time off hasn't included any internships or much volunteering- it's been much more a of a personal experience and I am not sure whether that's worth bringing to attention? Any advice?

Thank you.

[BethRibet]

Hi cls,

Thanks for the thoughtful queries.

On your first question, if the school asks you to personalize your essay in the way you mention (and a few do), then of course be responsive. Otherwise, I would only make the effort if it is in fact true that you have a very specific interest in the school in question. If you are trying to come up with a reason which you don't actually feel fairly strongly, that may come across in your essay unintentionally, and turn off your readers.

On your second question, I would take care not to make the two statements repetitious, but it is no problem at all if your personal statement also contains information about diversity and identity for instance. Just make certain that your additional statement says something new, rather than rehashing the same points.

On your third question, it sounds like you're asking whether a 6 month gap in your present resume will raise a red flag. If it were much longer, it might, but it's not a huge lag. You can also structure your resume so that you don't specify months, only years, if you're really worried about it. That way your last work or employment will just say 2013, and the fact that you don't add what you're doing since December isn't likely to appear that significant at all.

Good luck!!
Beth