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How To Write A Top-Notch Personal Statement When You’re Looking to Transfer Law Schools

December 29, 2017 By Mihal Ansik 6 Comments

Be Positive: Talk About What You’ve Gained From Your Current School

Addressing a transfer in an admissions statement will look different depending on why you’re transferring. Sometimes the reason for a transfer can be as straightforward as life events requiring a geographical change. Other times, the motivation can be a bit more complicated to explain; for example, if the first year law school just isn’t a good fit. Often students only start to contemplate transferring once they’ve received some pretty good grades and realize that such a thing would be possible. While every situation may call for a different tack, there is a universal approach that can benefit you under any circumstances: identify what you’re enjoying about your current law school experience, and then talk about how you can build on that experience in the new school.

My mom always used to tell me that “gratitude breeds abundance.” This can be a useful mantra when reflecting on your first year of law school in your personal statement. Yes, it can be difficult to positively spin what many consider to be the most challenging year. But if you’re looking to transfer, it means you’re sticking with law school for the time being and, therefore, you can write about what it is that’s keeping you going. So, instead of writing “I want to go to School B because School A sucks,” you want to strike more of an “I loved X about School A and want even more of X by doing this, this, and this at School B” kind of tone. Even if X is the only thing you loved about School A, that’s what you want to write about.

Particularly if you’re transferring in order to move up a few spots on Newsweek’s law school greatest hits list, the school you’re applying to may get the wrong impression of you as an applicant if you’re spending half of your page limit focusing on law school tiers. The school you hope to transfer to wants to know what kind of law student you are. And, unlike your first round of applications, they’re not going to have to guess based on abstract and arbitrary metrics like the LSAT . All they have to do is look at what kind of student you’ve been for the past year.

Be Proud of Yourself: Talk About How You’ve Engaged Positively With Your Current School (And How That’ll Carry Into Your Next School)

Remember, when you’re writing your transfer admissions statement, think about what has made you a valuable student at your current law school and what your current law school has offered to make that possible. If 1L’s are allowed to engage in clinics and you’ve been working with one, then talk about how great that opportunity was, and how you want to build on the experience at the clinics at the new school. If you built a relationship with a great professor at your current school based on shared interests, then you can write about the value of that relationship and your excitement about expanding your mentorship network by identifying professors at the new school who have also worked in your area of focus. If you took a leadership role in a campus student group, then you can highlight the work of the other school’s chapter or, if they don’t have one, propose starting one yourself.

Structuring the Essay

So where should this paragraph about your current law school be? While there’s no one way to structure a law school essay, for the sake of offering some guidance, let’s assume a general admissions essay structure that looks like this:

Personal narrative → Reasons for going to law school/pre-law school experiences and achievements → How this law school will help you reach those goals and how you will contribute to the law school community.

Adopting this same structure for your transfer essay, it will look something like this:

Personal narrative → Reasons for going to law school/pre-law school experiences and achievements → How your current law school has laid a foundation for you to reach these goals and how you contributed to your current law school community → How the next law school will help you reach those goals and how you will contribute to the law school community.

See? You’ve already got most of your transfer essay written. The only bit that’s left is an opportunity reflect on the year you’ve had, celebrate what went well, and look forward to what awaits you.

To learn more about transferring, and hear more details about my personal transfer experience, you can tune into the Law School Toolbox podcast or email me at [email protected].

Looking for some help to do your best in law school? Find out about our law school tutoring options.

About Mihal Ansik

Mihal is a tutor for the Law School Toolbox and Bar Exam Toolbox. Teaching has been integral to Mihal’s work for over a decade. Prior to law school, she led creative workshops and academic classes in prisons, tutored elementary school students struggling with reading comprehension, and spent five years working as a Court Advocate in Brooklyn, NY, where she developed trainings and advocacy tools for incarcerated and system-involved youth.

While at Harvard Law School, Mihal continued incorporating education and mentorship into her law school experience. She was a mentor and team leader with Harvard Defenders, chaired the Community Building Committee for the Prison Legal Assistance Project, and joined a research paper team exploring the context and impact of legal education. Mihal graduated with a Harvard Public Service Venture Fund Fellowship and Berkeley Law Foundation Fellowship, went on to receive an Equal Justice Works Fellowship sponsored by Morrison and Foerster, and currently provides legal services and educational tools to women working to reunify with their children and families after incarceration.

Reader Interactions

Mihal, I found your article truly insightful. I will put your recommendations into action.

Best, David

Thank you for your lovely feedback, David – best of luck to you!

I built great relationships with staff and faculty at my law school, but that’s about it. I literally was focused on grades and staying sane. I was apart of the Business Law Society but only went to 2 meetings. Does that put me at a disadvantage?

Hi Holly – It’s great that you’ve developed such meaningful relationships with faculty and staff at your school, and I encourage you to focus on positives like that. It sounds like you’re on the right track!

I have scoured the internet trying to find sample transfer personal statements without any luck. Do you have any suggestions?

We don’t have a specific idea for transfer personal statements, but we do have a podcast all about transferring, and we discuss the application. It might be helpful! https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-122-transfer-law-schools-mihal-ansik/

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How to write a law school transfer personal statement + tips.

Reviewed by:

David Merson

Former Head of Pre-Law Office, Northeastern University, & Admissions Officer, Brown University

Reviewed: 09/19/23

If you’re considering switching law schools and have begun your application, you may be wondering how to write a law school transfer personal statement. Read on to learn more about this essential application component. 

Whether you were unable to get into your dream school on the first try, realized your current school wasn’t the right fit for you, or you simply want more opportunities for growth, you may want to transfer law schools . 

Regardless of the reason, a strong transfer application can ensure you join the perfect learning environment to pursue your personal and professional goals. Part of creating a stellar application is writing a compelling law school transfer personal statement.

Like the personal statement you wrote for your initial applications, this essay will give the admissions committee more insight into your personality and character to help them make an informed decision on your candidacy. 

This guide will give you tips and tricks on how to write a successful transfer statement!

What Matters Most to Admissions Officers in Transfer Applications

The admissions committee places significant weight on your academic performance and your rationale for transferring. 

They seek evidence of your excellence at your current law school and your potential to contribute meaningfully to their institution. They’ll also want to know your personal motivations for making the switch, which is where your transfer statement for law school comes into play! 

How to Write a Law School Transfer Personal Statement

An effective law school transfer personal statement may seem complicated but it can be broken down into three main components: reflection, evaluation, and motivation. Here’s how these components should be incorporated into your personal statement:

Step One: Reflection

You want to start your transfer statement with a memorable opening. The majority of students begin by introducing an experience that influenced them to either join law school or pursue a particular program.

This reflection should then move into your thought process behind choosing your current school. Even though you ultimately were unsatisfied, there were certainly some redeeming qualities that drew you to your law school.

Some questions to consider as you brainstorm ideas for this component are:

• What drew you to the legal field to begin with?
• What influenced your decision to join your current law school?
• What did you enjoy about your current law school? 
• Do you have any hesitations about leaving your current law school?

Focus on these positives and ensure you do not bad mouth your law school. Telling the admissions committee you joined your current law school because it was your only option will make you appear less attractive. 

Step Two: Evaluation

Once you’ve explained your interests in law and reasons for joining your current school, you’ll want to share your reasons for leaving. Provide constructive evaluation of your school. Prove that, while it is an excellent law school, it is not the perfect law school for you.

Again, choose your reasons wisely. If you simply didn’t get along with your roommate, had professors that bored you to death in lectures, or you missed being at home with your childhood cat Mr. Whiskers, think of more legitimate reasons for your decision. 

Here are some guiding questions to consider:

• What aspects, if added to your current school, would make you stay?
• What aspects of your desired school appeal to you?
• How have your career plans changed? 
• What resources do you need to reach your goals?
• How significant are these setbacks? How do they impact your goals?

As you explain the negative aspects of your current school, it’s important you discuss how you attempted to overcome these setbacks. Law schools want to know you gave your current school a fair shot and didn’t just throw in the towel. As a lawyer, you have to be adaptable and an excellent problem-solver. 

Step Three: Motivation

The final step is to share your motivation to join your desired law school. Explain the faculty, courses, experiences, or other aspects that draw you to your transfer school. 

Simply claiming your transfer school has the resources for you to succeed won’t impress the admissions committee. These committees take transfer applications seriously! After already joining another law school, they want to know you’re dedicated to theirs and won’t want to switch again. 

Keep your conclusion brief. Try to circle back to the ideas you presented in your introduction so your essay has good flow and circularity. Leave no questions unanswered and reiterate your strong desire to join your transfer law school.

Law School Transfer Personal Statement Sample

Still feeling stumped? Take a look at this law school transfer personal statement that worked well.

If someone hits you, you get up and hit them right back—is what my mother would always tell me when I came home with teary defeated eyes and scraped knees. The combination of being the smallest kid in class and my large aviator glasses made me an easy target for the kids who made it their mission to find and ridicule any differences. 

My mother’s words always stuck with me. With each scrape and bruise my cautious mother reminded me that no else would fight for me; I had to be my strongest advocate. Those words rang through my mind as I sat in my civil rights lecture at New England Law and thumbed over my scarred knees. As I listened to my professor share more about his proudest cases as a civil rights lawyer the realization struck me. 

As someone who was always the outcasted underdog, I was now taking the steps to fight for the little guys. The ones that are overlooked, discriminated against, and denied equality. I knew civil rights law was the perfect specialty for me but New England Law offered a limited range of courses in the subject. 

After speaking to my academic counselor, I was advised the closest I would get to concentrating in civil rights was pursuing a public interest concentration, in which I would gain some experience in civil rights, but it would not be the focus. 

With my mother’s words etched into my brain, I knew I couldn’t settle for adequate or almost good enough. While New England Law has an excellent public interest program, it cannot equip me with the skills and experience I need to become an excellent civil rights lawyer.

In an attempt to advocate for myself and receive the very best education possible, I’m applying to transfer to The University of California Davis to join its renowned human rights and social justice law concentration.

By joining this program, I hope to continue its mission of using the power of law to achieve a more just society and can guarantee I will keep fighting until I succeed.

How Can I Enhance My Chances of Transferring to a Different Institution During My 1L Year?

Follow these tips to enhance your chances of transferring to a different institution:

Aim for the Best Grades in Your First Year

Your 1L year will be challenging, but you’ll have to do your best to maintain a high GPA straight off the bat to be considered a competitive applicant at other law schools since they tend to hold transfer students to stricter standards!

Write a Remarkable Personal Statement for Your Transfer

Provide a comprehensive explanation of your motivations for changing law schools and the reasons your preferred institution should accept you. Emphasize your notable attributes, memorable experiences, and your compatibility with the new school environment in your transfer statement for law school .

Explore Law-Related Extracurriculars

Although your grades should be your utmost priority, try to get involved in at least one extracurricular that can give your application an extra boost. You may want to join an internship , school club, or advocacy activity.

Investigate Potential Transfer Law Schools

While you may be set on transferring to only one school, have some backup options that you’d be happy with. Law schools are notoriously challenging to transfer into, so don’t put all of your eggs in one basket! Choose schools that best align with your goals and applicant profile, as this will be your last chance to get into the perfect school!

Make Connections

Don’t burn any bridges just because you know you won’t be at your current law school for long. You’ll need at least one academic letter of recommendation for your application, so form close connections with your professors. Act enthusiastic to be there—even if you aren’t! 

Prove Your Commitment: 

Do thorough research on your school and apply early to prove you’ve carefully considered your options and are committed to your transfer school.

Ensure you also tailor your application materials to each school to present the most compelling case for why you should be admitted!

Ask the Experts

In case you’re still unsure of how to maximize your chances of acceptance as a transfer student, our admissions counselors have got you covered! They'll ensure every part of your application is polished and ready for evaluation.

FAQs: Law School Transfer Personal Statement

In this guide we’ve broken down how to write an effective law school personal statement . For any remaining questions on this application material, read on to find your answers.

1. Do Transfer Applications Have to Write a Personal Statement?

Yes, transfer applicants have to write personal statements as part of the admissions process. This part of the application is intended to give the committee insight into their reason for transferring.

2. How Long Should a Personal Statement Be for Transfer Students?

The length of these statements depends entirely on the schools you’re applying to. However, they typically have a 2-page limit. 

3. How Do You Write a Good Personal Statement for a Transfer?

A good law school transfer personal statement will reflect on your choices to join the legal field and your current school, provide an evaluation of your school to determine the reasons for your transfer and describe your motivations to join the transfer school.

You should also take care to revise your personal statement multiple times to ensure there are no spelling, grammar, or structural errors that could reduce the efficacy of your writing. Your personal statement is also used to assess your writing skills, which are crucial to thrive in any law school.

4. What Should You Not Write in Your Personal Statement

Avoid the following in your personal statement:

• Sharing highly personal information 
• Non-academic or career-related reasons for your transfer
• Badmouthing your current school
• Trying to evoke pity from the committee to convince them to accept you
• Making promises to the committee about the extraordinary and unrealistic contributions you’ll make to their school if you’re granted admission
• Vague reasons for joining your transfer school

Don’t forget to also include explanations of how you tried to make your current school work despite your disappointments!

5. Can I Reuse my Common App Essay for Transfer?

No, your common app essay will not be sufficient to use for your transfer essay. Your college personal statement will have a broader purpose and will likely make no mention of your specific reasons for pursuing law. Your transfer statement must clearly explain why you want to transfer schools and what your future legal goals are. 

6. How Important Are Transfer Personal Statements?

While the committee will weigh your first-year GPA the heaviest in the selection process, your personal statement is the only application material that offers reasoning for your decision to switch schools. Determining whether or not your explanations are legitimate will help the committee come to a decision quicker.

Final Thoughts

Fortunately, law schools understand what a difficult task it is to choose the perfect law school! While they understand not everyone gets it right on their first try, they want to assure the second time's the charm! 

To do this, they will take your law school transfer personal statement into consideration and use it to learn more about you! Follow the suggestions in this guide to ensure your personal statement works in your favor and maximizes your chances of getting into your dream law school!

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Sample law school personal statement essays, get accepted speak with an admissions expert today.

• Sample Essays

You are a thoughtful, intelligent, and unique individual. You already know that—now you just need to convince top law school adcoms that you're a cut above the rest. To do so you need to write a powerful personal statement for law school. Let's first discuss what that personal statement should be and then examine examples and what made them powerful.

A law school personal statement tells the part of your story that reveals your motivation for attending law school and the reasons you will make a great lawyer (or whatever career you want to pursue after law school). 

By reading the sample law school essays provided below, you should get a clear idea of how to translate your qualifications, passions, and individual experiences into words. You will see that the samples here employ a creative voice, use detailed examples, and draw the reader in with a clear writing style. Most importantly, these personal statements are compelling—each one does a fine job of convincing you that the author of the essay is a human being worth getting to know, or better yet, worth having in your next top law school class.

These sample law school personal statement essays are here to stimulate your writing juices, not to shut them down or persuade you to think that these essays represent templates that you must follow. The writers of these essays, who were all once law school applicants just like you, sat down, thought about their stories, and crafted these essays. However, their first step, significant self-reflection and thought, you can’t see. They didn’t use a template or try to shoehorn their story into someone else’s story. You shouldn’t either. But you should take the same first step that they took: Think about your life, the influences upon it, and why you want to obtain a legal education. 

Your story will be different from these author’s stories, but as you review all four of the sample essays you will see commonalities among them, which are highlighted below. You will also see that they are very different essays written by individuals reflecting their different life experiences and dreams. The authors of each of these essays were all accepted to law school, in some cases to elite U.S. law schools. 

Now let’s explore what you can learn from each of these outstanding sample law school essays.

Lessons from Law School Sample Essay #1: The Archaeologist Enthusiast  

• Attention-grabbing opening - The author of the essay immediately grabs the readers’ attention by placing them in the midst of the scene and vividly conveying what the author felt and saw as well as the excitement she felt. 
• Vivid, visual opening and consistent use of opening imagery - You can practically feel the dripping sweat and the heat at the opening of this essay because the applicant used vivid, sensory language that we can all relate to. She also quickly develops a metaphor comparing archaeological excavation with research in general and legal research specifically. She uses the imagery of archaeology (“finding the shard of glass,” “reconstructing the pot”) consistently throughout the personal statement to convey not only the unusual experiences she’s had in the past, but to show her love of research and analysis. 
• A clear theme that ties the essay together-  Her essay has a clear theme, which she states at the end of the first paragraph and in her conclusion. (You may not need to state it twice; that depends on your essay.) The applicant also relates every experience in the essay to her theme of research, analysis, and discovery. 
• Solid structure - Because her theme is so strong, the essay is easy to follow even though she has diverse experiences that aren’t obviously related to each other – archaeology in Spain, research on Colombian environmental policy, working for an online real estate company considering entry into the art market, and her travels.
• Good use of transitions - Transitions help your reader move from one topic to the next as you connect the topic in the preceding paragraph to the topic in the next. They can consist of a few words or a phrase or simply repetition of the topic by name as opposed to using a pronoun. The first paragraph in this sample essay ends with “research and analysis” and the next paragraph begins with “The challenge of researching and analyzing an unknown subject” as she turns from her introduction to her enjoyment of academic life and the research she had done in college. 

While one could argue that perhaps she has too many subtopics in this essay, because of the strong theme and excellent use of transitions, the essay holds together and highlights her diversity of experience, curiosity, and sense of adventure. 

Most importantly this law school personal statement earned its author a seat at an elite T10 law school.

Click here to read the essay >>  

Lessons from Law School Sample Essay #2: Returning to School 

This sample law school personal statement is about half the length of Essay 1 and concentrates on the author’s post-college work experience. In its brevity and focus it’s the mirror image of Law School Essay 1. The contrast between the two highlights the diversity that can work in law school essays.

This applicant writes about the impact of his work experience on his law school goals – with no discussion of extracurricular activities, hobbies, or travels. He had a tight word limit on his personal statement and simply had to be concise. Regardless of the narrower focus and shorter length, this essay also shares certain elements with Essay 1 and in both cases it leads to an engaging personal statement and acceptance. Let’s review them:

• Engaging, vivid opening that grabs attention - The applicant plops the reader right into his story and challenge: how to persuade the tired, grouchy doctors that the product he’s selling is better than the one they have been prescribing.
• A detailed story of his developing interest in law and relevant experience - Using just enough details, he tells his story starting with research that led to evidence-based persuasion. He also highlights his success, which led him to be named Rookie of the Year. He then goes on to explain that he now seeks new, more-lasting intellectual challenge than he currently has as a pharmaceutical sales rep because the industry, or at least his segment of it, changes slowly.
• Direction within law - Based on his background in science and his work in Big Pharma, he has direction in law. He clearly states that he wants to go into medical law. Given his background and work experience, that goal builds logically on his past, and is distinctive. 
• Ties the essay back to the opening - At the end of his essay, he references “his grumpy physicians” and “staring at his professor…” Sometimes applicants will start an essay with a catchy opening that grabs attention, but has little or nothing to do with the rest of the essay. When reading that kind of essay, the opening feels like a tease or a gimmick. In this essay, the applicant paints a picture of what he faces on a typical workday at the beginning, refers back to the opening scene in his conclusion, and contrasts that experience with what he hopes to face when in law school. It’s not a gimmick. It unifies the story.

This applicant was accepted at several T14 law schools.

Click here to read the essay >>

Law School Sample Essay #3: The Twilight Zone

There is a story behind this law school personal statement. This applicant, a very early Accepted client, during her first meeting said that she wanted to write about a trip to Country X. When asked about the trip, she said, “Oh, I’ve never been to Country X, but I know many people who have visited, and I haven’t done anything interesting.” 

Surprised at this unexpected approach, her consultant asked if she had any creative writing experience. The client said she didn’t. The consultant said that she too lacked creative writing experience and suggested they discuss what the client had done as opposed to what she hadn’t. This essay is the result of that (and other) conversations. It is an oldie but goodie.

Let’s take a look at the lessons in this sample law school essay:

• Don’t ever feel you don’t have a story to tell. Every single one of us has a story, and you don’t have to make one up or borrow someone else’s. Tell yours proudly and authentically.
• Launch with a vivid, engaging opening.  While her opening is a more frightening than the other openings, it definitely grips the reader’s attention and starts her story.
• Always have a clear theme.  Everything in this essay relates to the impact of the earthquake on her and specifically her decision to become a public interest lawyer. 
• Tell a story.  This personal statement tells the story of the earthquake’s impact on the applicant. In telling her story, she highlights her community service, her internship, and the evolution of her goals. 
• Use effective transitions.  As she moves from topic to topic, the author effectively carries the reader along. Look at the end of one paragraph and the beginning of the next one throughout the essay. You’ll see that in every case, there is either a word, phrase, or concept that ties one to the other. 
• Write a conclusion that really brings the essay to a close and contributes to the sense of unity while still looking forward. The applicant repeats her thesis that her career direction was shaped by the earthquake and its aftermath. She touches on key experiences (and achievements) that she wants the reader to remember, looks briefly forward, and ties back to the Twilight Zone opening.

This client was accepted to her top choice law school.

Lessons from Law School Sample Essay #4: Change 

This essay takes a different approach than the other three essays. The theme opens the essay followed by images and sounds that make the change she is experienced something the reader can also experience or at least imagine because the applicant uses sensory language. The writer also takes a chronological approach to tell her story of change and how it shaped her. 

The author in this essay chooses not to directly address her reasons for wanting to attend law school. However, the essay still works. The essay highlights her communications skills, research, international exposure, bilingual language skills, and initiative.

However here, too, there are lessons to be learned and some may sound familiar.

• Clear theme - Yes, this takeaway is in this essay as well as the preceding three. In fact, for any effective essay, you need a clear theme.
• Effective use of specifics and anecdote - Whether referencing the “bleak Wisconsin winter,” the fact her mother added “barbecued brisket” to her menu in Texas, or the cultural challenges she faced in Bolivia, she effectively illustrates her ability to deal with change and adapt throughout her life. 
• A conclusion that shows her evolution and growth - She subtly, but clearly reveals an evolution in her adaptability from complete adoption of the mores of her surroundings in New Jersey to more nuanced adaptability where she chooses what she wants to adopt and reject as she deals with change as an adult. Finally, while change is something she has to deal with throughout most of the essay by the conclusion she views it as an opportunity for growth.

Takeaways from These Law School Statement Samples

• There are an infinite number of ways to write a law school personal statement that will help you get accepted. 
• Begin your essay with an opening that grabs your reader’s attention. In today’s age of short attention spans and very busy people, there should be no long, slow warm ups. Put your reader in the scene as soon as they start reading.
• Use sensory language to engage your reader and help them imagine experiencing what you were going through. Reference scenes, sounds, smells, textures, and tastes as appropriate.
• Have a clear theme. Unless you are James Joyce, a stream of consciousness will not work. Know the core idea you want your essay to convey and ruthlessly ensure that every subtopic supports that idea. If it doesn’t, either make the connection clear or delete.
• Use transitions to take your reader with you through your story.
• Use specifics and anecdotes to support your theme in a distinctive way while highlighting your achievements.
• Write a conclusion that contributes to the unity of your essay. Highlight key points in your conclusion. While you can take your theme into the future in your conclusion, it still must relate to your core idea and build on what preceded it. If you can tie your ending back to your opening, your essay will have a stronger sense of coherence. 

How would I like to see these essays improved? I would like to see them, with the exception of Essay 2, address why they are applying to a given school. Essay 2 didn’t have room for that. 

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Making a first impression twice: a guide to transferring law schools

Maybe you underperformed on the LSAT. Maybe you feel you did not push yourself enough. Or maybe your resume and personal statement were not as impressive as they needed to be. For whatever reason, you did not get accepted to your dream law school. You did, however, do well enough to earn acceptance to a different law school. Rather than waiting another year to apply again, you decide to attend your back-up, accepting the fact that your dream school isn’t going to happen. You begin law school hopeful that you’ll soon realize this is where you were meant to be all along, but that feeling never comes and now you’re stuck in a school you don’t love, still longing for the one that got away. 

If the above scenario is similar to yours, don’t give up hope! This was my story. I didn’t get accepted to my dream school, but had secured a position with Fordham University School of Law and was very excited to attend such a great school! I was married with one kid on the way and did not have the time to wait for the next cycle of applications to go around. So, I accepted my spot at Fordham Law. While I valued all I had learned at Fordham and will always keep with me the friends that I made, Fordham just never felt like home. At the close of my first year, I was in an excellent position to transfer. I took advantage of the opportunity and was accepted to Columbia Law School, where I remain. The process was arduous and complicated. While this is by no means a comprehensive guide, I have outlined the 6 things that every prospective transfer student should know before you apply:

1. Grades matter

While I personally believe that grades alone are an inaccurate assessment of one’s intelligence, grades are imperative to success in the law school system. GPA is the sole basis for many law firms’ employment decision-making, and law school honors and maintaining merit-based scholarships are almost exclusively based on grades. The transfer process is no different. Law schools always publish the average GPA of their transfer class: the higher the number, the more prestigious the school looks. For this reason, grades are the single most important factor when considering transferring. From day one of 1L, you need to be super focused on getting those As so that you can be in a favorable bracket for transferring. 

2. Letters of recommendation

Like all law school admissions, you’ll need at least two letters of recommendation to complete your application. However, the difference between entering 1Ls and transferring 2Ls is that a law school professor must write the letters. When considering if a transfer student will thrive at their new school, schools look to how the student has performed so far in law school. Prior experience becomes more-or-less obsolete. For this reason, it is important to foster relationships with professors early on. Consider going to office hours every now and then, staying after class to chat with them, and emailing them asking for one-on-one meetings to discuss a topic in more depth than you were able to in normal office hours. Be sure you’re not constantly bothering them or meeting just for the sake of meeting, but if you have questions or topics that you feel would lead to insightful conversations, take advantage of the opportunity to get to know your professors. Regardless of whether you consider transferring, law school professors are a wealth of knowledge from whom you can learn more than just your subject material. These relationships will prove invaluable when you begin the transfer process. If you are nervous that your professor will not be supportive of your transfer, fear not! Most law school professors are graduates from top universities, possibly even transfers themselves, and they understand that different schools are right for different students. 

3. Personal statement

Your law school personal statement is your chance to show the admissions board who you are apart from your GPA on a more personal level. If your grades are lower than a school’s median, this statement is your chance for redemption. Remember that your statement should tell the admissions team why you want to be a lawyer and why they should choose you over another applicant. In your transfer personal statement, you should consider focusing on (1) your current law school experience and why you want to transfer, (2) what you hope to accomplish at the school to which you are applying, (3) where you hope to take your career, and (4) how attending this school will help you get there. Be sure you’re placing an emphasis on the substance of your paper, particularly highlighting your interest in that school. 

4. Forget the past

I personally do not believe that the LSAT is a good indicator of intelligence or potential law school success. However, the system is the way it is. Law schools publish their incoming class’ LSAT scores and that average is used as one of the ranking qualifiers to determine the school’s prestige. Obviously then, schools will go out of their way to ensure they’re getting the highest LSAT scores possible from their candidates. For that reason, many law schools will offer merit scholarships to candidates with a high LSAT score, despite the remainder of their application appearing no different than anyone else’s. With transfer students, LSAT scores are not factored into this average. This means that whether you received a 178 or a 149, your LSAT score will not affect the law school’s ranking. Finally, your LSAT score can stop haunting your dreams at night, just be sure you keep your 1L grades up. 

5. The application process

Unlike the initial application, the transfer process is less structured. You should find out when transfer applications open and begin the process as soon as possible. You should be working on your letters of recommendation and your personal statement even before applications formally open, that way when they do you’re already halfway done. You will need to have an official transcript and a letter of good standing sent from each college you attended. In addition, there are several forms that you will need your current law school to submit so be sure to speak with a representative from your current law school right away. Never leave things to the last minute, especially not in law school!   

6. Know if transferring is right for you

Sure ranking and law school prestige have their benefits, but there’s more to attending a school than those factors alone and each candidate should consider whether transferring is actually the right move for themselves. Don’t just transfer so that you can attend a school that is higher on a law school ranking list. Consider what it is that you will be leaving behind: friends and connections you’ve made, your stellar GPA (which does not transfer with you), your class rank, your school-specific scholarship, and an extracurricular groups including journals or competition teams you’ve joined at your current school. You should also consider which school aligns best with your career goals and can place you where you hope to end up post-grad. For example, if you want to go into Big Law in New York City, you maybe better off attending a school like Fordham Law, which is known for placing its students into top Big Law firms, as opposed to transferring to a higher ranked out-of-state law school that lacks the same networking ability and may not place as well in the city and job of your choosing. If you want to get a federal clerkship after school or are more public-interest minded, you may want to consider a school like Georgetown, which is known for placing well in those positions. Either way, talk it over with your loved ones and an admissions counselor to make an informed decision. 

Just remember that this journey is a personal one and while I consider my experience a success, everyone is different. Depending on who you ask, you may receive different answers or advice. That does not mean that one or any of them is wrong, but be sure that at the end of the day, you’re doing what is best for you and for the right reasons. If you are considering transferring and want more guidance, reach out to me through Cambridge Coaching, and I will be more than happy to help you along your transfer journey.

Related Content

18 Law School Personal Statement Examples That Got Accepted!

This blog contains law school personal statement examples written by applicants who were successfully accepted to multiple law schools after working with our admissions experts as part of our  application review programs . Your  law school personal statement  is one of the most important parts of your application and is your best opportunity to show admissions officers who you are behind your numbers and third-party assessments. Because of its importance, many students find the personal statement to be daunting and demanding of the full scope of their skills as writers. Today we're going to review these excellent law school personal statement examples from past successful applicants and provide some proven strategies from a former admissions officer that can help you prepare your own stellar essay. 

>> Want us to help you get accepted? Schedule a free strategy call here . <<

Article Contents 44 min read

Law school personal statement example #1.

When I was a child, my neighbors, who had arrived in America from Nepal, often seemed stressed. They argued a lot, struggled for money, and seemed to work all hours of the day. One day, I woke early in the morning to a commotion outside my apartment. Police officers were accompanying my neighbors out of the building. They were being deported. In my teens, I was shocked to see that our kind, friendly neighbors had exhausted their last chance to stay in America as they lost a court appeal. 

Since that time, I have worked closely with the many immigrant families in my neighborhood, and now university town. I began by volunteering at a local community center. Together with social workers, I served food and gave out clothes to new arrivals. My diligent work ethic led to more responsibility, and I received training in basic counseling techniques, first aid skills and community services. Soon, I was tasked with welcoming new community members and assessing their health and social needs. I heard the many difficult stories of those who had traveled thousands of miles, often through several countries, risking everything to reach a safe, welcoming country. I was proud to contribute in some small way to making America welcoming for these individuals.

The community center is where I had my first formal contact with legal aid lawyers, who were a constant source of knowledge and support for those who needed assistance. I was struck by the lawyers’ ability to explain complex legal processes to nervous and exhausted incomers: law, I realized, was about more than procedure. I decided that I, too, would strive to balance a wealth of technical knowledge with my caring, compassionate personality.

As soon as I enrolled in university, I knew I had the chance to do so. In my very first week, I signed up to volunteer at the university’s legal aid center, where I worked closely with law professors and students on a range of cases. Academically, I have focused on courses, such as a fourth-year Ethics seminar, that would help me develop rigorous critical reasoning skills. More importantly, I knew that, given my experience, I could be a leader on campus. I decided to found a refugee campaign group, Students4Refugees. Together with a group of volunteers, we campaigned to make our campus a refugee-friendly space. I organized a series of events: international student mixers, an art installation in our student commons, and concerts that raised over $5,000 for the charity Refugee Aid. I am proud to say that my contributions were recognized with a university medal for campus leadership.

I have seen time and again how immigrants to the United States struggle with bureaucracy, with complex legal procedures, and with the demands of living in a foreign and sometimes hostile climate. As I plan to enter law school, I look back to my neighbors’ experiences: they needed someone who knew the law, who could negotiate with the authorities on their behalf, who could inform them of their rights—but they also needed someone who would provide a caring and compassionate outlet for their stresses. I know that Townsville University’s combination of academic rigor, legal aid services, and history of graduates entering labor and non-profit sectors will allow me to develop these skills and continue making contributions to my community by advocating for those in need.

• Thematic consistency: It focuses on just one theme: justice for immigrants. Each paragraph is designed to show off how enthusiastic the student is about this area of law. Personal statements—including those for law school—often begin with a personal anecdote. This one is short, memorable, and relevant. It establishes the overall theme quickly. By constraining their essay’s focus to a single general theme, the writer can go into great depth and weave in emotional and psychological weight through careful and vivid description. The personal statement isn’t a standard 3-paragraph college essay with a spotlight thesis statement, but it conveys similar impact through presenting a central focus organically, without resorting to simply blurting out “the point” of the piece.   
• Shows, rather than tells: Connected to this, this statement focuses on showing rather than telling. Rather than simply telling the reader about their commitment to law, the applicant describes specific situations they were involved in that demonstrate their commitment to law. “Show don’t tell” means you want to paint a vivid picture of actions or experiences that demonstrate a given quality or skill, and not simply say "I can do X." Make it an experience for your reader, don't just give them a fact. 
• Confident, but not arrogant: Additionally, this personal statement is confident without being boastful—leadership qualities, grades, and an award are all mentioned in context, rather than appearing as a simple list of successes. 
• Specific to the school: It ends with a conclusion that alludes to why the applicant is suitable for the specific school to which they’re applying and points to their future career plans. Thoroughly researching the law school to which you’re applying is incredibly important so that you can tailor your remarks to the specific qualities and values they’re looking for. A law essay writing service is really something that can help you integrate this aspect effectively. 

What Should a Law School Personal Statement Do?

1.      be unique to the school you’re applying to.

Students are always asking how to write a personal statement for law school, particularly one that stands out from all the rest. After all, advice from most universities can often be quite vague. Take this zinger from the  University of Chicago : “Write about something personal, relevant, and completely individual to you… Just be yourself.” Every school will have different requirements or content they want to see in a personal statement. This is why it’s a good idea to review specific guidelines for the school to which you’re applying. For example, you can read Yale Law School personal statement examples , Stanford Law personal statement examples , and an NYU personal statement to get an idea of what these schools look for.

2.      Demonstrate your skills and capabilities

For motivated students with the world at their fingertips, it’s a tough ask to narrow your character down into a few hundred words! But this is exactly the point of such generic guidelines—to challenge aspiring law students to produce something unique and convincing with minimal direction by the university. Law is, after all, a profession that demands your language to be persuasive, and the personal statement is merely one of many exercises where you can demonstrate your language skills. 

3.      Meet basic requirements

While the law school personal statement is about far more than just following essay directions, you still need to keep basic formatting and length restrictions in mind. Most law schools ask for a 2-page personal statement, but lengths can range from 2-4 pages. Georgetown Law School , for instance, recommends a 2-page personal statement but explicitly states that there is no official minimum or maximum. In general, length does not make a personal statement better. Rambling, meandering sentences and tiresome descriptions will only hurt the impact of your ideas, especially considering how many thousands of pages admissions committees have to churn through each year.  

In short, keep to 2 double-spaced pages, and only go below or above this is if you absolutely have to, and if the school to which you're applying allows it. You want to keep things as widely applicable as possible while drafting your personal statement, meaning that you don't want to draft a 4 page letter for the one school that allows it, and then have to significantly rewrite this for your other schools. Stick to 2 pages. 

4.      Embody what the school is looking for

Lastly, many law schools won’t offer hyper-specific prompts, but will give you general law school admissions essay topics to follow. For instance, the University of Washington’s law school provides a number of topics to follow, including “Describe a personal challenge you faced” or “Describe your passions and involvement in a project or pursuit and the ways in which it has contributed to your personal growth and goals.” These topics may feel specific at first, but as you begin drafting, you’ll likely realize you have dozens of memories to choose from, and numerous ways of describing their impact. While drafting, try to explore as many of these options as possible, and select the best or most impactful to use in your final draft.  

Want to write the perfect law school personal statement? Watch this video:

Law School Personal Statement Example #2

In my home community, the belief is that the law is against us. The law oppresses and victimizes. I must admit that as a child and young person I had this opinion based on my environment and the conversations around me. I did not understand that the law could be a vehicle for social change, and I certainly did not imagine I had the ability and talents to be a voice for this change. I regularly attended my high school classes because I enjoyed the discussions and reading for English and history, and writing came easily to me, but I wasn’t committed to getting good grades because I felt I had no purpose. My mindset changed as I spent time with Mark Russell, a law student who agreed to mentor and tutor me as part of a “high school to law school” mentorship program. Every week, for three years, Mark and I would meet. At first, Mark tutored me, but I quickly became an “A” student, not only because of the tutoring, but because my ambitions were uncorked by what Mark shared with me about university, the law, and his life. I learned grades were the currency I needed to succeed. I attended mock trials, court hearings, and law lectures with Mark and developed a fresh understanding of the law that piqued an interest in law school. My outlook has changed because my mentor, my teachers, and my self-advocacy facilitated my growth. Still, injustices do occur. The difference is that I now believe the law can be an instrument for social change, but voices like mine must give direction to policy and resources in order to fight those injustices.

Early in my mentorship, I realized it was necessary to be “in the world” differently if I were to truly consider a law career. With Mark’s help and the support of my high school teachers, I learned to advocate for myself and explore opportunities that would expand my worldview as well as my academic skills. I joined a Model UN club at a neighboring high school, because my own school did not have enough student interest to have a club. By discussing global issues and writing decisions, I began to feel powerful and confident with my ability to gather evidence and make meaningful decisions about real global issues. As I built my leadership, writing, and public speaking skills, I noticed a rift developing with some of my friends. I wanted them to begin to think about larger systemic issues outside of our immediate experience, as I was learning to, and to build confidence in new ways. I petitioned my school to start a Model UN and recruited enough students to populate the club. My friends did not join the club as I’d hoped, but before I graduated, we had 2 successful years with the students who did join. I began to understand that I cannot force change based on my own mandate, but I must listen attentively to the needs and desires of others in order to support them as they require.

While I learned to advocate for myself throughout high school, I also learned to advocate for others. My neighbors, knowing my desire to be a lawyer, would often ask me to advocate on their behalf with small grievances. I would make phone calls, stand in line with them at government offices, and deal with difficult landlords. A woman, Elsa, asked me to review her rental agreement to help her understand why her landlord had rented it to someone else, rather than renewing her lease. I scoured the rental agreement, highlighted questionable sections, read the Residential Tenancies Act, and developed a strategy for approaching the landlord. Elsa and I sat down with the landlord and, upon seeing my binder complete with indices, he quickly conceded before I could even speak. That day, I understood evidence is the way to justice. My interest in justice grew, and while in university, I sought experiences to solidify my decision to pursue law.

Last summer, I had the good fortune to work as a summer intern in the Crown Attorney’s Office responsible for criminal trial prosecutions. As the only pre-law intern, I was given tasks such as reviewing court tapes, verifying documents, and creating a binder with indices. I often went to court with the prosecutors where I learned a great deal about legal proceedings, and was at times horrified by human behavior. This made the atmosphere in the Crown Attorney’s office even more surprising. I worked with happy and passionate lawyers whose motivations were pubic service, the safety and well-being of communities, and justice. The moment I realized justice was their true objective, not the number of convictions, was the moment I decided to become a lawyer.

I broke from the belief systems I was born into. I did this through education, mentorship, and self-advocacy. There is sadness because in this transition I left people behind, especially as I entered university. However, I am devoted to my home community. I understand the barriers that stand between youth and their success. As a law student, I will mentor as I was mentored, and as a lawyer, I will be a voice for change.

What’s Great about this Second Law School Personal Statement?

• It tells a complete and compelling story: Although the applicant expressed initial reservations about the law generally, the statement tells a compelling story of how the applicant's opinions began to shift and their interest in law began. They use real examples and show how that initial interest, once seeded, grew into dedication and passion. This introduction implies an answer to the " why do you want to study law? ” interview question.
• It shows adaptability: Receptiveness to new information and the ability to change both thought and behavior based on this new information. The writer describes realizing that they needed to be "in the world" differently! It's hard to convey such a grandiose idea without sounding cliché, but through their captivating and chronological narrative, the writer successfully convinces the reader that this is the case with copious examples, including law school extracurriculars . It’s a fantastic case of showing rather than telling, describing specific causes they were involved with which demonstrate that the applicant is genuinely committed to a career in the law. 
• Includes challenges the subject faced and overcame: This law school personal statement also discusses weighty, relatable challenges that they faced, such as the applicant's original feeling toward law, and the fact that they lost some friends along the way. However, the applicant shows determination to move past these hurdles without self-pity or other forms of navel-gazing.  Additionally, this personal statement ends with a conclusion that alludes to why the applicant is suitable for the specific school to which they’re applying and points to their future career plans. The writer manages to craft an extremely immersive and believable story about their path to the present, while also managing to curate the details of this narrative to fit the specific values and mission of the school to which they’re applying.

What’s Great About This Third Law School Personal Statement? 

• Description is concise and effective: This writer opens with rich, vivid description and seamlessly guides the reader into a compelling first-person narrative. Using punchy, attention-grabbing descriptions like these make events immersive, placing readers in the writer's shoes and creating a sense of immediacy. 
• Achievements are the focus: They also do a fantastic job of talking about their achievements, such as interview team lead, program design, etc., without simply bragging. Instead, they deliver this information within a cohesive narrative that includes details, anecdotes, and information that shows their perspective in a natural way. Lastly, they invoke their passion for law with humility, discussing their momentary setbacks and frustrations as ultimately positive experiences leading to further growth. 

Want more law school personal statement examples from top law schools?

• Harvard law school personal statement examples
• Columbia law school personal statement examples
• Cornell law school personal statement examples
• Yale law school personal statement examples
• UPenn law school personal statement examples
• Cambridge law school personal statement examples

Law School Personal Statement #4

What’s great about this fourth law school personal statement.

• Engaging description: Like the third example above, this fourth law school personal statement opens with engaging description and first-person narrative. However, the writer of this personal statement chooses to engage a traumatic aspect of their childhood and discuss how this adversity led them to develop their desire to pursue a career in law.  
• Strong theme of overcoming adversity: Overcoming adversity is a frequent theme in personal statements for all specialties, but with law school personal statements students are often able to utilize uniquely dramatic, difficult, and pivotal experiences that involved interacting with the law. It may be hard to discuss such emotionally weighty experiences in a short letter but, as this personal statement shows, with care and focus it's possible to sincerely demonstrate how your early struggles paved the way for you to become the person you are now. It's important to avoid sensationalism, but you shouldn't shy away from opening up to your readers about adverse experiences that have ultimately pointed you in a positive direction. 

Why "show, don't tell" is the #1 rule for personal statements:

Law School Personal Statement Example #5

What’s great about this fifth law school personal statement  .

• Highlights achievements effectively: This writer does a fantastic job of incorporating their accomplishments and impact they had on their community without any sense of bragging or conceit. Rather, these accomplishments are related in terms of deep personal investment and a general drive to have a positive impact on those around them—without resorting to the cliches of simply stating "I want to help people." They show themselves helping others, and how these early experiences of doing so are a fundamental part of their drive to succeed with a career in law.   
• Shows originality: Additionally, they do a great job of explaining the uniqueness of their identity. The writer doesn't simply list their personal/cultural characteristics, but contextualizes them to show how they've shaped their path to law school. Being the child of a Buddhist mother and a Hindu father doesn’t imply anything about a person’s ability to study/practice law on its own, but explaining how this unique aspect of their childhood encouraged a passion for “discussion, active debate, and compromise” is profoundly meaningful to an admissions panel. Being able to express how fundamental aspects of law practice are an integral part of yourself is a hugely helpful tactic in a law school personal statement. 

If you\u2019re heading North of the border, check out list of  law schools in Canada  that includes requirements and stats on acceptance. ","label":"Tip","title":"Tip"}]" code="tab2" template="BlogArticle">

Law School Personal Statement Example #6

What’s great about this sixth law school personal statement .

• Weaves in cultural background: Similar to the writer of personal statement #5, this student utilizes the cultural uniqueness of their childhood to show how their path to law school was both deeply personal and rooted in ideas pervasive in their early years. Unlike the writer of statement #5, this student doesn't shy away from explaining how this distinctiveness was often a source of alienation and difficulty. Yet this adversity is, as they note, ultimately what helped them be an adaptable and driven student, with a clear desire to make a positive impact on the kinds of situations that they witnessed affect their parents.  
• Describes setbacks while remaining positive: This writer also doesn't shy away from describing their temporary setbacks as both learning experiences and, crucially, springboards for positively informing their plans for the future. 

What’s Great About This Seventh Law School Personal Statement? 

• The writer takes accountability: One of the hardest things to accomplish in a personal statement is describing not just early setbacks that are out of your control but early mistakes for which you must take responsibility. The writer of this personal statement opens with descriptions of characteristics that most law schools would find problematic at best. But at the end of this introduction, they successfully utilize an epiphany, a game-changing moment in which they saw something beyond their early pathological aimlessness, to clearly mark the point at which they became focused on law.  
• The narrative structure is clear: They clearly describe the path forward from this moment on, showing how they remained focused on earning a law degree, and how they were able to work through successive experiences of confusion to persist in finishing their undergraduate education at a prestigious university. Of course, you shouldn't brag about such things for their own sake, but this writer makes the point of opening up about the unique feelings of inadequacy that come along with being the first person in their family to attend such a school, and how these feelings were—like their initial aimlessness—mobilized in service of their goal and the well-being of others. Their statement balances discussion of achievement with humility, which is a difficult but impactful tactic when done well. 

Law School Personal Statement Example #8

What’s great about this eighth law school personal statement .

• Shows commitment to the community: Commitment to one’s community is a prized value in both law students and law professionals. This writer successfully describes not only how they navigated the challenges in their group environments, such as their internship, the debate team, etc., but how these challenges strengthened their commitment to being a positive part of their communities. They don’t simply describe the skills and lessons they learned from these challenging environments, but also how these challenges ultimately made them even more committed to and appreciative of these kinds of dynamic, evolutionary settings.  
• Avoids negative description: They also avoid placing blame or negatively describing the people in these situations, instead choosing to characterize inherent difficulties in terms neutral to the people around them. In this way, you can describe extremely challenging environments without coming off as resentful, and identify difficulties without being accusatory or, worse yet, accidentally or indirectly seeming like part of the problem. This writer manages to convey the difficulty and complexity of these experiences while continually returning to their positive long-term impact, and though you shouldn’t seek to “bright-side” the troubles in your life you should absolutely point out how these experiences have made you a more capable and mature student. 

Watch this for more law school personal statement examples!

Law School Personal Statement Example #9

What’s great about this ninth law school personal statement  .

• The writer effectively describes how their background shaped their decision to pursue law: Expressing privilege as adversity is something that very few students should even attempt, and fewer still can actually pull it off. But the writer of this personal statement does just that in their second paragraph, describing how the ease and comfort of their upbringing could have been a source of laziness or detachment, and often is for particularly well-off students, but instead served as a basis for their ongoing commitment to addressing the inequalities and difficulties of those less comfortable. Describing how you’ve developed into an empathic and engaged person, worked selflessly in any volunteer experiences, and generally aimed your academic life at a career in law for the aid of others—all this is incredibly moving for an admissions board, and can help you discuss your determination and understanding of exactly why you desire a career in law.  
• The student shows adaptability, flexibility, and commitment: Additionally, this writer is able to show adaptability while describing their more prestigious appointments in a way that’s neither self-aggrandizing nor unappreciative. One of the big takeaways from this statement is the student’s commitment and flexibility, and these are both vitally important qualities to convey in your law school personal statement.  

Law School Personal Statement Example #10

What’s great about this tenth law school personal statement .

Shows passion: If you’re one of the rare students for whom service to others has always been a core belief, by all means find a novel and engaging way of making this the guiding principle of your personal statement. Don’t overdo it—don’t veer into poetry or lofty philosophizing—but by all means let your passion guide your pen (well…keyboard). Every step of the way, this student relates their highs and lows, their challenges and successes, to an extremely earnest and sincere set of altruistic values invoked at the very beginning of their statement. Law school admissions boards don’t exactly prize monomania, but they do value intense and sustained commitment.  

Shows maturity: This student also successfully elaborates this passion in relation to mature understanding. That is, they make repeated points about their developing understanding of law that sustains their hopefulness and emotional intensity while also incorporating knowledge of the sometimes troubling day-to-day challenges of the profession. Law schools aren’t looking for starry-eyed naivete, but they do value optimism and the ability to stay positive in a profession often defined by its difficulties and unpredictability. 

Every pre-law student blames their lack of success on the large number of applicants, the heartless admissions committee members, or the high GPA and LSAT score cut offs. Check out our blog on  law school acceptance rates  to find out more about the law school admission statistics for law schools in the US . Having taught more than a thousand students every year, I can tell you the REAL truth about why most students get rejected: 

Need tips on your law school resume?

8 Additional Law School Personal Statement Examples

Now that you have a better idea of what your law school personal statement should include, and how you can make it stand out, here are five additional law school personal statements for you to review and get some inspiration:

Law school personal statement example #11

According to the business wire, 51 percent of students are not confident in their career path when they enroll in college. I was one of those students for a long time. My parents had always stressed the importance of education and going to college, so I knew that I wanted to get a tertiary education, I just didn’t know in what field. So, like many other students, I matriculated undecided and started taking introductory courses in the subjects that interest me. I took classes from the department of literature, philosophy, science, statistics, business, and so many others but nothing really called out to me.

I figured that maybe if I got some practical experience, I might get more excited about different fields. I remembered that my high school counselor had told me that medicine would be a good fit for me, and I liked the idea of a career that involved constant learning. So, I applied for an observership at my local hospital. I had to cross “doctor” off my list of post-graduate career options when I fainted in the middle of a consultation in the ER.

I had to go back to the drawing board and reflect on my choices. I decided to stop trying to make an emotional decision and focus on the data. So, I looked at my transcript thus far, and it quickly became clear to me that I had both an interest and an aptitude for business and technology. I had taken more courses in those two fields than in any others, and I was doing very well in them. My decision was reaffirmed when I spent the summer interning at a digital marketing firm during my senior year in college and absolutely loved my experience. 

Since graduating, I have been working at that same firm and I am glad that I decided to major in business. I first started as a digital advertising assistant, and I quickly learned that the world of digital marketing is an incredibly fast-paced sink-or-swim environment. I didn’t mind it at all. I wanted to swim with the best of them and succeed. So far, my career in advertising has been challenging and rewarding in ways that I never could have imagined. 

I remember the first potential client that I handled on my own. Everything had been going great until they changed their mind about an important detail a day before we were supposed to present our pitch. . I had a day to research and re-do a presentation that I’d been preparing for weeks. I was sure that I’d be next on the chopping block, but once again all I had to was take a step back and look at the information that I had. Focusing on the big picture helped me come up with a new pitch, and after a long night, lots of coffee, and laser-like focus, I delivered a presentation that I was not only proud of, but that landed us the client. 

Three years and numerous client emergencies later, I have learned how to work under pressure, how to push myself, and how to think critically. I also have a much better understanding of who I am and what skills I possess. One of the many things that I have learned about myself over the course of my career is that I am a fan of the law. Over the past three years, I have worked with many lawyers to navigate the muddy waters of user privacy and digital media. I often find myself looking forward to working with our legal team, whereas my coworkers actively avoid them. I have even become friends with my colleagues on the legal team who also enjoy comparing things like data protection laws in the US and the EU and speculating about the future of digital technology regulation. 

These experiences and conversations have led me to a point where I am interested in various aspects of the law. I now know that I have the skills required to pursue a legal education and that this time around, I am very sure about what I wish to study. Digital technology has evolved rapidly over the last decade, and it is just now starting to become regulated. I believe that this shift is going to open up a more prominent role for those who understand both digital technology and its laws, especially in the corporate world. My goal is to build a career at the intersection of these worlds.

Law school personal statement example #12

The first weekend I spent on my undergrad college campus was simultaneously one of the best and worst of my life. I was so excited to be away from home, on my own, making new friends and trying new things. One of those things was a party at a sorority house with my friend and roommate, where I thought we both had a great time. Both of us came from small towns, and we had decided to look out for one another. So, when it was time to go home, and I couldn't find her, I started to worry. I spent nearly an hour looking for her before I got her message saying she was already back in our dorm. 

It took her three months to tell me that she had been raped that night. Her rapist didn't hold a knife to her throat, jump out of a dark alleyway, or slip her a roofie. Her rapist was her long-term boyfriend, with whom she'd been in a long-distance relationship for just over a year. He assaulted her in a stranger's bedroom while her peers, myself included, danced the night away just a few feet away. 

I remember feeling overwhelmed when she first told me. I was sad for my friend, angry on her behalf, and disgusted by her rapist's actions. I also felt incredibly guilty because I had been there when it happened. I told myself that I should have stayed with her all night and that I should have seen the abuse - verbal and physical harassment- that he was inflicting on her before it turned sexual. But eventually, I realized that thinking about what could, should, or would've happened doesn't help anyone. 

I watched my friend go through counseling, attend support groups, and still, she seemed to be hanging on by a thread. I couldn't begin to imagine what she was going through, and unfortunately, there was very little I could do to help her. So, I decided to get involved with the Sexual Assault Responders Group on campus, where I would actually be able to help another survivor. 

My experience with the Sexual Assault Responders Group on campus was eye-opening. I mostly worked on the peer-to-peer hotline, where I spoke to survivors from all walks of life. I was confronted by the fact that rape is not a surreal unfortunate thing that happens to a certain type of person. I learned that it happens daily to mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, and friends. I also learned that most survivors try to manage this burden on their own, afraid of judgment and repercussions and fearful of a he-said-she-said court battle.

I am proud to say that I used my time in college to not only earn an education, but also to advocate for survivors of sexual assault. I protested the university's cover-up of a gang rape that took place in one of the fraternity houses on campus. I spearheaded a 'no means no' campaign to raise awareness about consent on campus. I also led several fundraising campaigns for the Sexual Assault Responders Group that allowed us to pay for legal and mental health counselors for the survivors who came to us for support. 

One of the things that this experience helped me realize is that sexual assault survivors often do not know where to turn when the system tries to tell them that it'd be best to just keep quiet and suffer in silence. My goal is to become one of those people that they can turn to for counsel and support. I believe that a law degree would give me the knowledge and tools that I need to advocate for survivors on a more significant scale. 

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Law school personal statement example #13

I grew up in two different worlds. My world at home was full of people of various skin tones and accents. It was small, loud, and often chaotic in the best ways. I remember walking home and getting to experience music from across the world before I got to my apartment building. Loud reggaeton and afrobeat were always playing somewhere in the distance. Aunties and uncles usually stopped by unannounced and slipped money in your palm when they hugged you goodbye. And the smell of fried plantains was almost always present. 

My other world was in school. It was a much quieter, more organized world with white hallways, navy blazers, and plaid skirts. It was full of people who did not look or sound like me and teachers who thought my hair was "interesting." It was also full of great books and engaging debates about everything from foreign policy to the influence of Jazz on hip hop. 

I lived in these two worlds because I was born and raised in Xtown, but I went to a private school in a much richer neighborhood. I loved both of my worlds, but I hated that I had to act differently in both of them. When in school, I had to "code switch" to sound like I belonged there. When I was at home, all the people who shared the interests I was developing in school were either working or in college, so I had no one to talk to about them. 

My words never felt more divided until I started considering a career in law. I remember telling one of my uncles that I wanted to become a lawyer and his response was, "So you want to become the man, huh?" 

I wasn't surprised by his response, or at least I shouldn't have been. One of the things that I know for sure about the first world I lived in is that many of its inhabitants do not trust the law. I had believed this for so long simply because of the conversations that I would hear around me. However, in my second world, I was learning about all of these great freedoms and rights that the law was designed to give all Americans, and I wanted to bring those to my community. 

I started working on this during the summer before my final year of high school. I got an internship with the legal aid office in my neighborhood and spent three months learning from people who, like me, had grown up in Xtown and wanted to help people. During my time in the legal aid office, I understood that the people in my community did not trust the law for two main reasons: 1. They did not understand a lot of it, and 2. It had been used against people like us many times. 

I remember one particular case that Ms. Sharma - the lawyer I was learning from then and who still mentors me today - handled that summer. It was the case of a young mother who had received a notice of eviction from her landlord two days after refusing his advances. The man claimed that she violated her contract because she made homemade shea butter that she sold on Etsy. Ms. Sharma had me look through her rental agreement. After she confirmed that I was right in determining that the young mother had not violated her contract, she contacted the landlord to advise him that what he was doing was intimidation and sexual harassment. 

My experiences in the legal aid office with Ms. Sharma opened my eyes to the disgusting behavior of human beings, but it also gave me the opportunity to see that the law was my opportunity to use what I learned in my second world to help the community that I was raised in. I returned to school with a new motivation that followed me to college. In addition to completing my bachelor's degree in sociology and African American studies, I spent most of my college years participating in legal internships and community outreach programs. 

I believe that these experiences have given me the foundation I need to be a successful law student and, eventually, a lawyer who can truly be an advocate for members of his community. 

Law school personal statement example #14

One day, my parents noticed that the other children in my age group had been speaking and communicating, but I had not. At first, they thought that my lack of speech was just me being shy, but eventually, they realized that on the rare occasions that I did speak, my words were practically incomprehensible. It wasn't long before they took me to a specialist who diagnosed me with a severe phonological disorder that hindered my ability to verbalize the basic sounds that make up words.

I started going to speech therapy when I was three years old. I saw numerous speech therapists, many of whom believed that I would never be able to communicate effectively with others. Lucky for me, my parents did not give up on me. I went to speech therapy thrice a week until the 8th grade, and I gave every single session my all. I also spent a lot of time in my room practicing my speech by myself. My efforts paid off, and even though I didn't become a chatterbox overnight, I could at least communicate effectively. 

This was a short-lived victory, though. A year later, my speech impediment was back, and my ability to articulate words was once again severely limited. This complicated matters because it was my freshman year of high school, and I was in a brand-new school where I did not know anyone. Having been bullied in middle school, I knew first-hand how vicious kids can be, and I didn't want to be the butt of any more jokes, so I didn't try to speak at school. I knew that this was preventing me from making new friends or participating in class and that it was probably not helping my impediment, but I was not ready to face the fact that I needed to go back to speech therapy. 

Eventually, I stopped resisting and went back to speech therapy. At the time, I saw it as accepting defeat, and even though my speech improved significantly, my self-confidence was lower than it had ever been. If you ask any of my high school classmates about me, they will likely tell you that I am very quiet or timid – both of which are not true, but they have no way of knowing otherwise. I barely spoke or interacted with my peers for most of high school. Instead, I focused on my studies and extracurricular activities that didn't involve much collaboration, like yearbook club and photography. 

It was only when I was getting ready for college that I realized that I was only hurting myself with my behavior. I knew I needed to become more confident about my speech to make friends and be the student I wanted to be in college. So, I used the summer after my high school graduation to get some help. I started seeing a new speech therapist who was also trained as a counselor, and she helped me understand my impediment better. For example, I now know that I tend to stutter when stressed, but I also know that taking a few deep breaths helps me get back on track. 

Using the confidence that I built in therapy that summer, I went to college with a new pep in my step. I pushed myself to meet new people, try new things, and join extracurricular organizations when I entered college. I applied to and was accepted into a competitive freshman leadership program called XYZ. Most of XYZ's other members were outgoing and highly involved in their high school communities. In other words, they were the complete opposite of me. I didn't let that intimidate me. Instead, I made a concerted effort to learn from them. If you ask any of my teammates or other classmates in college, they will tell you that I was an active participant in discussions during meetings and that I utilized my unique background to share a different perspective.

My experience with XYZ made it clear to me that my speech disorder wouldn't hold me back as long as I did not stand in my own way. Once I understood this, I kept pushing past the boundaries I had set for myself. I began taking on leadership roles in the program and looking for ways to contribute to my campus community outside of XYZ. For example, I started a community outreach initiative that connected school alumni willing to provide pro bono services to different members of the community who were in need. 

Now, when I look back at my decision to go back to speech therapy, I see it as a victory. I understand that my speech impediment has shaped me in many ways, many of which are positive. My struggles have made me more compassionate. My inability to speak has made me a better listener. Not being able to ask questions or ask for help has made me a more independent critical thinker. I believe these skills will help me succeed in law school, and they are part of what motivates me to apply in the first place. Having struggled for so long to speak up for myself, I am ready and eager for the day when I can speak up for others who are temporarily unable to. 

“ You talk too much; you should be a lawyer.” 

I heard that sentence often while growing up because Congolese people always tell children who talk a lot that they should be lawyers. Sometimes I wonder if those comments did not subconsciously trigger my interest in politics and then the law. If they did, I am grateful for it. I am thankful for all the experiences that have brought me to this point where I am seeking an education that will allow me to speak for those who don’t always know how to, and, more importantly, those who are unable to. 

For context, I am the child of Congolese immigrants, and my parents have a fascinating story that I will summarize for you: 

A 14-year-old girl watches in confusion as a swarm of parents rush through the classroom, grabbing their children, and other students start running from the class. Soon she realizes that she and one other student are the only ones left, but when they both hear the first round of gunshots, no one has to tell them that it is time to run home. On the way home, she hears more gunshots and bombs. She fears for her survival and that of her family, and she starts to wonder what this war means for her and her family. Within a few months, her mother and father are selling everything they own so that they can board a plane to the US.

On the other side of the town, a 17-year-old boy is being forced to board a plane to the US because his mother, a member of parliament and the person who taught him about the importance of integrity, has been executed by the same group of soldiers who are taking over the region. 

They met a year later, outside the principal’s office at a high school in XXY. They bonded over the many things they have in common and laughed at the fact that their paths probably never would have crossed in Bukavu. Fast forward to today, they have been married for almost two decades and have raised three children, including me. 

Growing up in a Congolese household in the US presented was very interesting. On the one hand, I am very proud of the fact that I get to share my heritage with others. I speak French, Lingala, and Swahili – the main languages of Congo – fluently. I often dress in traditional clothing; I performed a traditional Congolese dance at my high school’s heritage night and even joined the Congolese Student Union at Almamatter University. 

On the other hand, being Congolese presented its challenges growing up. At a young age, I looked, dressed, and sounded different from my classmates. Even though I was born in the US, I had picked up a lot of my parents’ accents, and kids loved to tease me about it. Ignorant comments and questions were not uncommon. “Do you speak African?” “You’re not American! How did you get here?” “You don’t look African” “My mom says I can’t play with you because your parents came here to steal our jobs”. These are some of the polite comments that I heard often, and they made me incredibly sad, especially when classmates I considered my friends made them. 

My parents did not make assimilating any easier. My mother especially always feared I would lose my Congolese identity if they did not make it a point to remind me of it. She often said, “Just because you were born in America doesn’t mean that you are not Congolese anymore.” On one occasion, I argued that she always let me experience my Congolese side, but not my American side. That was the first time she told me I should be a lawyer. 

Having few friends and getting teased in school helped me learn to be comfortable on my own. I Often found refuge and excitement in books. I even started blogging about the books I read and interacting with other readers online. As my following grew, I started to use my platform to raise awareness about issues that I am passionate about, like climate change, the war in Congo, and the homeless crisis here in XXY. I was able to start a fundraising campaign through my blog that raised just under $5000 for the United Way – a local charity that helps the homeless in my city. 

This experience helped me understand that I could use my skills and the few tools at my disposal to help people, both here in America and one day, maybe even in Congo. I realized that I am lucky enough to have the option of expanding that skillset through education in order to do more for the community that welcomed my grandparents, uncles, aunties, and parents when they had nowhere else to go. 

The journey was not easy because while I received immense support and love from my family for continuing my education, I had to teach myself how to prepare and apply to college. Once there I had to learn on my own what my professors expected of me, how to study, how to network, and so much more. I am grateful for those experiences too, because they taught me how to be resourceful, research thoroughly, listen carefully, and seek help when I need it. 

All of these experiences have crafted me into who I am today, and I believe that with the right training, they will help me become a great attorney.

Law School Personal Statement Example #16

During my undergraduate studies, in the first two years, I wasn’t entirely sure what I wanted to do with my career. I enjoyed doing research, but I found that I became more interested in presenting the research than the process of contributing to it. I spoke to most of my science professors to ask if I could participate in their research. I worked in biology labs, chemistry labs, and in psychology classrooms working on a variety of projects that seemed meaningful and interesting. I gained new perspectives on study habits and mental health; the influence of music on the human mind; and applications of surface tension. I noticed that I was always taking the lead when we were presenting our findings to peers and research groups. I enjoyed yielding questions and addressing the captivating the audience with engaging gestures and speech. This was what led me to consider a career in law.

I always thought that I would become a scientist, so when I discovered that there were aspects of law that could be considered “scientific”, I was all ears. Still during my second year of undergraduate studies, I wanted to join an environmental awareness group, but noticed there weren’t any active. So, I took it upon myself to create my own. I wanted to do cleanup projects across the city, so I mapped out parks and areas that we could walk or drive to. I advertised my project to other students and eventually gained approximately fifteen students eager to help out. I was struck by the pollution in the water, the negligence of park maintenance. I drafted a letter to the municipal government and petitioned for a stricter environmental compliance approach. I wanted to advertise fines to hold polluters accountable, as there were hardly any to enforce the rules. A letter was returned to me stating that the government would consider my request. I felt a sense of gratification, of purpose; I discovered that I had the ability to enact change through policy. This drew me closer to the prospect of building a future in law, so I looked at other avenues to learn more.

I still wanted to find a way to bring together my love of science and discourse/communication. As a science student, I had the privilege of learning from professors who emphasized critical thinking; and they gave me a chance to learn that on my own. I took an internship as an environmental planner. There, I helped present project ideas to various groups, updating demographic/development information, and managing planning processes. I engaged in analytical thinking by looking at maps and demographic information to develop potential plans for land use. It was also the experience I was looking for in terms of a balance between science and oral communication. Using data analysis, I spoke to other planners and review boards to bring ideas together and execute a plan.

Through science, I learned how to channel my curiosity and logical thinking; as an advocate, I learned how to be creative and resourceful. Presenting research findings and being questioned in front of a group of qualified researchers, having to be sharp and ready for anything, taught me how to be more concise in speech. Developing an advocacy group dedicated to improving my community showed me what it lacked; it opened my eyes to the impact of initiative and focused collaboration. I was eager to begin another science project, this time with the environment in mind. It was titled “determining and defining the role of sociodemographic factors in air pollution health disparities”. I compiled and summarized relevant research and sent it over to a representative of the municipal government. In a couple of weeks, my request to increase advertising of fines in public areas was agreed to.

This Juris Doctor/Master in Environmental Studies program will allow me to continue deepening my knowledge of environmental law. With my goal of developing a career in environmental affairs, overseeing policies that influence land protection/use, I know that this program will give me the tools I need to succeed. With my experience working with large groups, I also believe I will fit into the larger class sizes at your institution. I understand the value of working together and how to engage in healthy discourse. With your Global Sustainability Certification, I will equip myself the expertise I need to produce meaningful change in environmental policy.

Here's how a law school advisor can help you with your application:

Law School Personal Statement #17

Growing up in a poor neighborhood, what my friends used to call “the ghetto”, I was always looking for my way out. I tried running away, but I always ended up back home in that tiny complex, barely enough room to fit all my brothers and sisters with my parents. My dad was disabled and couldn’t work, and my mother was doing her best working full-time as a personal-support worker. There was nothing we could do to get out of our situation, or so it seemed. It wasn’t until years later when I started my undergraduate degree that ironically, after I found my way out, that I began looking for a way to come back. I wanted to be a voice for people living in those bleak conditions; hungry, without work. Helpless.

Getting my degree in social work was one of the best decisions of my life. It gave me the tools to lobby for solutions to problems in poor communities. I knew my neighborhood better than anyone because I grew up there. I had the lived experience. I started working with the local government to develop programs for my clients; the people living in those same neighborhoods. We worked to provide financial assistance, legal aid, housing, and medical treatment—all things sorely lacking. My proudest moment was securing the funds and arranging surgery for my father’s bad hip and knees. I’m currently working on a large project with one of the community legislators to lobby for a harm reduction model addressing addiction in our communities.

With five years of experience as a social worker, I knew it was time for a career change when I learned that I could have more influence on public opinion and legislative decisions as a social-security disability lawyer. I knew firsthand that people victimized from racism, poverty, and injury needed more help than they were currently allotted. I knew that, from becoming and advocate and communicating with influential members of the local government, that I could do more with a law degree helping people attain basic needs like disability benefits, which are often denied outright.

This desire to help people get the help they need from local programs and government resources brought me to Scarborough, a small town outside of Toronto. I was aware of some of the issues afflicting this community, since I’d handled a few clients from there as a children’s disability social worker. Addiction and homelessness were the two main ones. I worked with children with ADHD or other physical/mental disabilities impairing their ability to attend school and function normally. I helped many of them get an IEP with the details of the special services they require, long overdue. I made sure each child got the care they needed, including special attention in school. Also noticing that so many of these families lacked proper nutrition, I organized a report detailing this finding. In it, I argued that the community needed more funds targeting lowest income families. I spoke directly with a legislator, which eventually got the city on board with developing a program more specifically for the lowest income families with residents under 18.

My goal has always been to be a voice for the inaudible, the ignored, who’ve been victimized by inadequate oversight from the ground up. Many of these groups, as I’ve witnessed firsthand, don’t have the luxury of being their own advocates. They are too busy trying to support their families, to put food on the table for their children. I’ve realized that it isn’t quite enough to work directly with these families to connect them with resources and ensure they get the support they need. Sometimes the support simply doesn’t exist, or it isn’t good enough. This is why I’m motivated to add a law degree to my credentials so I can better serve these people and communities. As a future social-security disability lawyer, I want to work with local governments to assist clients in navigating an assistance system and improving it as much as possible. This program will give me the access to a learning environment in which I can thrive and develop as an advocate.

Law School Personal Statement #18

“You’re worthy and loved”, I said to a twelve-year-old boy, Connor, whom I was supervising and spending time with during the Big Brother program at which we met. A few tears touched my shoulder as I pulled him into me, comforting him. He was a foster child. He didn’t know his parents and never stayed in one place longer than a few months; a year if he was lucky. I joined the program not expecting much. I was doing it for extra credit, because I wanted to give back to the community somehow and I thought it would be interesting to meet people. He confided in me; he told me that his foster parents often yelled at each other, and him. He told me he needed to escape. I called Child Protective Services and after a thorough investigation, they determined that Connor’s foster parents weren’t fit for fostering. He was moved, yet again, to a different home.

I wrote an op-ed detailing my experience as a Big Brother. I kept names anonymous. I wanted people to know how hard it was for children in the welfare system. Many of them, like Connor, were trapped in a perpetual cycle of re-homing, neglect, and even abuse. He and other children deserve stability and unconditional love. That should go without saying. I sent the op-ed to a local magazine and had it published. In it, I described not only the experience of one unfortunate kid, but many others as well who saw their own stories being told through Connor. I joined a non-profit organization dedicated to improving access to quality education for young people. I started learning about disparities in access; students excluded by racial or financial barriers. I was learning, one step at a time, how powerful words can be.

With the non-profit organization, I reached out to a few public schools in the area to represent some of our main concerns with quality of education disparities. Our goal was to bring resources together and promote the rights of children in education. We emphasized that collaboration between welfare agencies and schools was critical for education stability. Together, we created a report of recommendations to facilitate this collaboration. We outlined a variety of provisions, including more mechanisms for child participation, better recruitment of social service workers in schools, risk management and identification strategies, and better support for students with child protection concerns.

The highlight of that experience was talking to an assembly of parents and school faculty to present our findings and recommendations. The title of the presentation was “The Power of Words”. I opened with the story I wrote about in the op-ed. I wanted to emphasize that children are individuals; those trapped in the welfare system are not a monolith. They each have unique experiences, needs, and desires they want to fulfill in life. But our tools to help them can be improved, more individualized. I spoke about improving the quality of residential care for children and the need to promote their long-term development into further education and employment. Finally, I presented a list of tools we created to help support a more financially sustainable and effective child welfare system. The talk was received with applause and a tenuous commitment from a few influential members of the crowd. It was a start.

Although I lost contact with Connor, I think about him almost every day. I can only hope that the programs we worked on to improve were helping him, wherever he was. I want to continue to work on the ground level of child welfare amelioration, but I realize I will need an education in law to become a more effective advocate for this cause. There are still many problems in the child welfare system that will need to be addressed: limited privacy/anonymity for children, service frameworks that don’t address racism adequately, limited transportation in remote communities, and many more. I’ve gained valuable experience working with the community and learning about what the welfare system lacks and does well. I’m ready to take the next step for myself, my community, and those beyond it.

Assuredly, but this length varies from school to school. As with all important details of your law school application, thoroughly research your specific schools’ requirements and guidelines before both writing and editing your personal statement to ensure it fits their specifics. The average length is about 2 pages, but don’t bother drafting your statement until you have specific numbers from your schools of choice. It’s also a good idea to avoid hitting the maximum length unless absolutely necessary. Be concise, keep economy of language in mind, and remain direct, without rambling or exhaustive over-explanation of your ideas or experiences.

You should keep any words that aren’t your own to a minimum. Admissions committees don’t want to read a citation-heavy academic paper, nor do they respond well to overused famous quotes as themes in personal statements. If you absolutely must include a quote from elsewhere, be sure to clearly indicate your quote’s source. But in general, it’s best to keep the personal statement restricted to your own words and thoughts. They’re evaluating you, not Plato! It’s a personal statement. Give them an engaging narrative in your own voice. 

Admissions committees will already have a strong sense of your academic performance through your transcripts and test scores, so discussing these in your personal statement is generally best avoided. You can contextualize these things, though—if you have an illuminating or meaningful story about how you came to receive an award, or how you enjoyed or learned from the work that won you the award, then consider discussing it. Overall though, it’s best to let admissions committees evaluate your academic qualifications and accomplishments from your transcripts and official documents, and give them something new in the personal statement. 

When you first sit down to begin, cast a wide net. Consider all the many influences and experiences that have led you to where you are. You’ll eventually (through editing and rewriting) explain how these shape your relationship to a career in law, but one of the best things you can give yourself during the initial drafting phase is a vast collection of observations and potential points for development. As the New England School of Law points out in their, “just write!” Let the initial draft be as messy as it needs to be, and refine it from there. It’s a lot easier to condense and sharpen a big draft than it is to try to tensely craft a perfect personal statement from nothing.  

Incredibly important, as should be clear by now! Unlike other specialties, law schools don’t usually conduct interviews with applicants, so your personal statement is in effect your one opportunity to speak with the admissions committee directly. Don’t let that gravity overwhelm you when you write, but keep it in mind as you edit and dedicate time to improving your initial drafts. Be mindful of your audience as you speak with them, and treat writing your personal statement as a kind of initial address in what, hopefully, will eventually turn into an ongoing dialogue.  

There are a variety of factors that can make or break a law school personal statement. You should aim to achieve at least a few of the following: a strong opening hook; a compelling personal narrative; your skills and competencies related to law; meaningful experiences; why you’re the right fit for the school and program.

Often, they do. It’s best for you to go to the schools you’re interesting in applying to so you can find out if they have any specific formatting or content requirements. For example, if you wanted to look at NYU law or Osgoode Hall Law School , you would find their admissions requirements pages and look for information on the personal statement.

There are lots of reasons why a personal statement might not work. Usually, applicants who don’t get accepted didn’t come up with a good strategy for this essay. Remember, you need to target the specific school and program. Other reasons are that the applicant doesn’t plan or proofread their essay. Both are essential for submitting materials that convince the admissions committee that you’re a strong candidate. You can always use law school admissions consulting application review to help you develop your strategy and make your essay stand out.

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How long should a Personal Statement be? Is there any rule on that?

BeMo Academic Consulting

Hello V! Thanks for your question. Some schools will gave very specific word limits, while some will not. If you do not have a limit indicated, try to stick to no more than a page, 600-800 words. 

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Transfer Personal Statement

Here is a personal statement from last year’s transfer cycle we think worked very well. The results were equally strong, 1 (top 6) school applied to, 1 (top 6) admit.

The dissolution of Dewey & LeBoeuf in 2012 led to my realization that the law is like classical music.

Dewey’s implosion occurred the spring before I had planned to begin law school; it was the same year that I first applied to Princeton Law. As I began to learn more about the details surrounding Dewey’s dissolution and the challenges facing many law firms, I decided to take a year to work and to learn more about the legal profession: how it is financed, how it is modeled, how it is practiced, and the direction it is headed in the aftermath of the Great Recession. I thus came to the conclusion that if I were to practice law and expose myself to the risks associated with the changing environment, it would be because I loved practicing and learning the law. I felt that attending a school that offered me the largest scholarship was the best way for me to find out if I loved and enjoyed the law while minimizing my financial risk. MIT Law gave me that opportunity, for which I will be forever grateful.

As a first-year I quickly learned that many of my preconceived notions about the law were incorrect. I found out that the law is not the realm of bravado and power. It is the realm of finesse, focus, and art. As a classical cellist I have always had a passion for performing classical music. The same composition can be performed in countless ways. A single law can be interpreted and utilized differently. The dynamic and expression of a quartet reflects the individual musicians who form it. How the Supreme Court interprets the Commerce Clause morphs with the nine justices who compose the bench. Music is about so much more than playing the notes on the page. The law is much more than the application of formal rules to facts. The beauty of both music and law is found in the human element that shapes and defines them. As young cellist I would spend — much to the dismay of my fingers — hours practicing the same piece over and over again. It didn’t feel like work. I just loved hearing the music. I have yet to feel like learning the law is work (except for the one week we spent learning the rule against perpetuities). I simply enjoy learning it. This past spring I was often asked by my interviewers how and why I enjoyed so much success as a first-year. My answer was always the same: “Because it’s fun.”

I am applying as a transfer candidate to Princeton Law School because I have confirmed that the law is truly something that I can enjoy and love for its own sake, not because it is a stepping stone to annual bonuses or headline-grabbing deals in the Wall Street Journal. While I have always hoped to practice law and settle in New Jersey, my passion for Princeton transcends my geographical preferences. I have always regarded Princeton Law to be an institution filled with like-minded people: individuals who love what they learn for the sake of learning.

Many schools can offer me career opportunities that I could have only dreamed about as a young cellist who was struggling to memorize Haydn’s Concerto in C-major. But only the Princeton Law School can offer me something more: a rigorous course of study alongside peers who are there because it’s fun and because they love it.

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Transferring Law Schools: How I Jumped Ship

Welcome back, Ashely!

“It is going to be nearly impossible to transfer from here to that law school! That is one of the best schools in the city!” I heard this more than once. But I internalized: “It is rare for people to transfer from here to that law school, so you need to strategize.”

Keys to a Successful Law School Transfer Application

Here’s how I transferred in a nutshell: I received exceptional first year (“1L”) grades, applied strategically, connected with the schools I applied to, and assembled a well thought-out application.

You need good 1L grades to transfer to a highly ranked law school.

Grades are the most important factor in determining whether or not you will be accepted as a transfer student.

The higher your 1L grades are, the more options you will have as a transfer student.

Further, some schools use grades to determine the amount of scholarship money a transfer student will receive.

Some schools give transfer students scholarships, some do not.

Everyone says your 1L year is hard, but employers and law schools still expect stellar academic performance. After making the grades, the rest is easy.

I came to law school with a goal. I sought to receive all A’s, and that’s what I earned. I believed that I would get all A’s. That is vital because law students get really down on themselves and can be, well, negative. That doesn’t work for me.

My first year of law school, I wrote my name at the top of a sheet of paper. On that same sheet of paper, I wrote all of my 1L courses and put an A next to each and every one. Why? I needed to literally see myself getting great grades. I did this whenever I felt discouraged. For me, it helped. However, I wasn’t just doodling my name and grades — I studied a lot too.

Stellar grades alone won’t cut it. To increase your chances you need to make yourself the complete package and apply strategically.

Applying Strategically

I had a list of schools that I planned to apply to as a transfer law student.

I chose where I would apply based on a school’s employment numbers and national ranking.

I applied to two schools that I considered safety schools. I classified these schools as safety schools because, when I called their respective admission’s offices they told me that, based on my class rank and GPA, I would receive admittance and scholarships.

I also applied to four reach schools. I classified these schools as reach schools because they were all tier one schools. The rankings of the schools ranged from fourth to fortieth in the nation. Out of the four reach schools, I was denied from two and accepted at two. The schools that denied me were the highest and lowest ranked reach schools that I applied to.

Two of the reach schools interviewed me. Both schools accepted me. In the interviews, I connected with the school representatives and conveyed my dedication to both their institutions and the legal profession.

Overall, four out of the six schools that I applied to as a transfer law student accepted me.

In addition to applying strategically, for my first choice, the school that I now attend, I did a little extra. I made sure the school understood how much I wanted to attend.

Speaking With Admissions

I did not apply anywhere before speaking with the school’s admissions office.

Every school that I applied to knew my application was coming.

I set up appointments with admissions counselors and asked detailed questions, which allowed me to weave in selling points for myself. For example, “ My aunt and uncle both graduated from here and they speak highly of the alumni network. Does the law school have an alumni mentoring program that I, as a transfer student, could take part in ?” I genuinely wanted to know the answer to the question but I also wanted the admissions counselor to know that I have family members who attended the school.

I went to the admissions office often. I called or visited every time that I received new grades or won an award. This showed real interest. Also, speaking with the admissions office allowed me to meet people who would inevitably read my personal statement.

Personal Statement

All of the schools that I applied to requested transfer applicants to include a personal statement. Each personal statement prompt requested that I, as an applicant, address why I decided to transfer. Obviously , I wanted to transfer because attending a higher ranked school would expand my job prospects. Outside of that, I had a few other reasons. But I needed to prove it. So I did some research .

I frequently visited my first choice before being accepted as a transfer student.

While visiting, I got a feel for the school and the students. This helped tremendously. I even went to the school’s law library to study sometimes. Being at the school frequently allowed me to make my personal statement, well, personal .

For instance, if I wanted, I could write that, “ I have visited the school on numerous occasions during my first year of law school and have gotten lost. Each time, students gave me directions and spoke about their magnificent experiences at the law school. Speaking with current students, I realized the supportive environment of the school and I desire to study in an environment like that .”

Outside of just getting personal statement material, visiting the law school allowed me to visualize myself attending the school. Sounds cheesy, but if I can see it I can believe it .

In addition, my personal statement detailed my journey to law school. I wrote about my past academic struggles.

I was transparent because candor matters — especially in the legal profession.

I did not hide my imperfections. I told my story and explained my past decisions by taking responsibility and showing the changes that I made.

I also highlighted my academic accomplishments. I wrote about my law school grades.

The admissions committee had my transcript, but I explained how I got straight A’s.

I wrote about the office hours that I attended. I wrote about the sample exams that I created for myself from past exams. I recounted how my study partner — who also transferred — and I would time ourselves taking practice exams to prepare for finals. If you don’t tell the admissions committee they won’t know .

Think of your personal statement as a math problem. You have to show your work .

Don’t just state conclusions about yourself that you can’t prove.

For example, saying you like a particular program at a school is great, but how would the admissions committee know that you are telling the truth? They won’t . However, you can email a professor who helped create that program. If that professor is still at the school, set up a phone conversation. Learn interesting aspects of the program that are not on the school’s website. Then, write about what you learned from your research.

Taking those extra steps makes you much more credible. That type of initiative proves that you have a real interest in the program. Make your personal statement personal .

Letters of Recommendation

I received letters of recommendation from past employers and professors. I asked my 1L summer associate supervisor for a letter of recommendation and he obliged. If you have a prestigious 1L summer position, it may help to get a letter from your supervisor because they can speak to your ability to work in a legal environment. If not, you can have a former employer write a letter of recommendation — if you left on good terms.

Whether or not you receive a letter of recommendation from a previous employer should depend on what your potential law school values . My current law school values past work experience, which is why I sought letters from past employers. All schools will value grades. Thus, you will definitely need letters from past professors.

Some students are nervous about asking professors for letters of recommendation.

I was not self-conscious about asking professors for letters of recommendation. I knew my professors and worked hard in their classes. When I asked for letters of recommendation, I was direct. I told my professors that I wanted to transfer law schools. After which, I asked for a letter in support of my application.

None of my professors shunned me. If they could write me a letter of recommendation they did. If they couldn’t they didn’t. All of my professors were great. They did not make it awkward. I still talk to many of them to this day. It helped that I was a diligent student and genuinely enjoyed getting to know all of them. Get to know your professors. You may develop lifelong mentors. Further, you never know when you will need them to recommend you.

For transfer admittance, some schools require interviews. I enjoy interviewing so the interview helped me.

I prepared as though it was a job interview.

I showed up early, brought an updated resume — which included my 1L summer associate position — and came with a positive attitude. I addressed all questions in the interview, especially the questions that were not asked.

I am realistic with my abilities and know my strengths and my weaknesses.

When I say weaknesses, I do not mean the weaknesses that you reference in a job interview. I know my real weaknesses, the ones that an admissions committee looking at my complete file would see but may not feel comfortable asking about.

For me, it was my undergraduate GPA. Well, undergrad in general. If you do an admissions interview, and you have anything in your background that you know makes you a weaker candidate, you have to address it in the interview, whether or not it is asked. You cannot hide. They will find out. Be honest. Explain briefly and move on. Your past is just that, your past , but you need to address it. So address it.

You will undoubtedly receive questions about why you decided to transfer. Be gracious in your response. I spoke highly of my previous law school.

When asked why I wanted to leave, I framed it in terms of facts.

For instance, when asked, I would say something like, “ My previous law school focuses heavily on public sector careers, though that is a wonderful career path, I plan to work at a large law firm upon graduation. In fact, the firm that I plan to work for recruits heavily from this law school. ” I kept it factual. I enjoyed my first year of law school but I had to make a career decision. Simple.

The interview process will vary depending on the school. I did two admissions interviews. Both asked about my past. I used the interview as a way to highlight additional accomplishments and explain any inconsistencies within my admissions file. It went well. Both schools that interviewed me accepted me . Both schools are ranked as one of the top twenty-five law schools in the nation.

Different Strokes

People transfer for different reasons. My close friend got into one of the top five law schools in the nation and opted not to attend. She inevitably transferred after deciding that she wanted to work for a large firm upon graduation. Her process was easier. Mainly because she had a different situation than me. She transferred to a school that accepted her straight out of undergrad. Now, not only is she attending a tier one school, but she received a full-tuition scholarship to attend. That being said, there are many roads to the same goal. I am simply writing about my personal experience.

The process is long. Transferring is a challenge because there are many moving pieces. Also, you never know how stiff the competition will be to gain transfer admittance.

Additionally, you have to do all of this while getting exceptional grades during your 1L year. Plan early. Write a good personal statement. Request letters of recommendation in advance. Order transcripts in advance. Plan to complete this process well before finals examinations. Have everything ready to go so that when the school you are applying to begins accepting applications, you are ready.

I used a Vince Lombardi quote in my personal statement so I will leave you with some of his wise words:

“The price of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand, and the determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand.”

Do your best and it will all work out.

— – —

Thanks, Ashley! Extremely helpful advice all around. If you missed part one, check it out here .

More about Ashley Ashley Kirkwood graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (“UIUC”) with a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration. While attending UIUC, she majored in international business. Currently, Ashley attends Northwestern University School of Law. She writes for a law journal at Northwestern and recently accepted a summer associate position with a large Chicago law firm. To contact Ashley, email her at [email protected] . View her LinkedIn profile here .

A few more first-person accounts you might enjoy:

• Will You Be a Happy Lawyer?
• Want to Start Marketing Yourself in Law School? Some Great Tips!
• Nervous About Exams? Get Advice From a Rockstar Tutor

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Thinking about transferring to a new law school? Leave any questions in the comments!

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Check out our law school tutoring options at the Law School Toolbox .

Get started, and ensure you’re spending your time wisely!

Got a question? Drop us a line . We’re here to help!

This article was a breath of fresh air, compared to the other article I’ve read regarding transfers.

I enjoyed the author’s honesty, and the practical strategy she laid out.

I plan to implement some of her strategies during my process.

Ashley, this is an awesome, incredibly helpful article. Thank you! It’s difficult to find good, informative articles about transferring law schools. Yours is one that I will bookmark and use as a resource for years to come. Thank you so much for all your detailed advice and for being so honest with your tips. Congratulations on transferring to Northwestern Law and I wish you much continued success!

[…] Please welcome back Ashley Kirkwood, with more on the logistics of the law school transfer process. As she explained in her first post, she recently transferred to Northwestern Law — after being rejected from every law school she initially applied to. Welcome back, Ashely! “It is going to be nearly impossible to transfer from here { Continue Reading } […]

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Law school transfers: everything you need to know By Aaron Thier Published Mar 19, 2024 Updated Mar 20, 2024

Should you transfer law schools.

Transferring after your 1L year is a big, complex, nerve-wracking decision. It can also be a great move. So the first questions you should ask yourself are: What do you hope to get out of it, and will transferring really help you get it?

For some students, this is straightforward. They have an urgent personal reason for pursuing a transfer—maybe a parent is ill and they need to be close to home. If that’s you, you probably already know where you hope to end up, and you can skip to the section of this post about how to build a transfer application . Most students, however, are motivated by more nebulous professional considerations. They want access to better jobs, or a certain kind of job, or a job in a certain place.

Under what circumstances might transferring be the right strategic move? In an extreme case, transferring from a T-50 school to a T-6 school (and doing well at that T-6 school!) is going to open lots and lots of doors. (Read more about building a transfer school list).  But sometimes rank isn’t the primary consideration, and students may decide to transfer in order to maximize their employment opportunities in certain practice areas or legal markets. In those cases, it might make sense to transfer to a peer school or even a slightly lower-ranked school.

Getting a job depends on much more than the name of the law school on your résumé, however. Let’s consider the biggest issue: if you transfer after your 1L year, you’ll be an outsider in a community of students who have already formed, dissolved, and then reformed study groups, shared outlines, celebrated after exams, been shredded by their moot court experience, and endured the trial of their first year together. You’ll have to establish new connections and prove yourself to professors and program directors.

This isn’t just a social problem. Your peers will become the foundation of your professional network, and faculty and administrators can be indispensable resources when it comes to networking, securing interviews, getting a coveted placement in a clinic, or making an introduction that leads to a job opportunity.

There are other challenges. Some schools may offer limited funding to transfer students, while others may even expect you to pay sticker price. You might also be sacrificing a merit scholarship and assuming a much larger debt burden. You may also be coming from a school where you were one of the strongest, most active law students and transferring to a more competitive school where it will be harder to succeed and stand out. If you transfer to a higher-ranked school and your GPA collapses, those professional opportunities aren’t going to materialize.

How to Build a Transfer School List

A degree from a T-14 school is not a prerequisite for a good job and a happy life. Changing your environment doesn't necessarily mean you'll like your new one better. Still, if you’ve carefully considered the challenges ahead and you’re certain that a transfer is the right move, let’s talk about how to build a transfer list.

While schools do have different priorities for their regular JD pool from year to year, there is more variance in the transfer process. A given law school may take no transfer students one year because the most recent incoming class was unusually large, but the same law school may see a number of 1L students withdraw or drop out the next year, which means they’ll need to fill those vacated seats with transfer students. Another law school may decide to admit transfer students as a revenue source because it’s gone over budget on scholarships. You can’t predict what factors may affect your application in a given year, so you should avoid putting all your eggs in one basket.

As you consider which schools to target, it’s best to start with your desired career outcomes and work backwards. What do you want to do, and where do you want to do it? Which schools provide a clear path to those opportunities? For students who want to maximize their chances at a selective position like a federal clerkship, an academic job, or a job in Big Law at a top firm, attending a highly ranked law school makes sense. For students who know where they want to be long-term, local schools that feed into that particular market might be a great choice.

But you don’t need to guess which schools might help you get where you want to go. The American Bar Association (ABA) requires schools to disclose a great deal of information each year, and you can find those disclosures here. What’s especially helpful is that every school’s reports are formatted in the same way. Instead of hunting for certain stats on each school’s website, you can pull up the forms and immediately find the stats you’re looking for.

The 509 reports contain admissions and enrollment information for any ABA school going back to the 2011 academic year, and schools have to report data for transfers. If they enroll 12+ transfer students, they have to give GPA quartiles, and if they enroll between 6 and 11 transfers, they have to give a GPA median. (They don’t have to report anything if they enroll 5 or fewer transfers, but in that case your chances of admissions are low no matter what your GPA is.) Schools that enroll 6 or more transfer students also have to report the law schools the transfers came from.

Often, law schools will post their ABA 509 reports to their websites on the same page that features relevant employment data reported to the National Association of Legal Professionals (NALP). NALP reports give detailed breakdowns of where a school’s graduates end up 10 months out from graduation. You can see whether they’re employed or not, what industries employed graduates work in, the categories of jobs they’ve taken on, the types of salaries they earn, the regions they’re located in, etc.

Spend some time with these reports! You can use them to answer some important questions:

• How many transfers does a school typically enroll?
• Is your GPA realistic for that school?
• Does that school typically enroll students from schools like the one you’re transferring out of?
• Does that school offer the job opportunity or path that you’re looking for?

Let’s consider some big differences between three top schools:

• Georgetown enrolled 120 transfers in the 2022 academic year. The median GPA was a 3.69 and a plurality of the incoming students came from DC-area schools (American, Baltimore, Catholic, George Mason, George Washington, Howard, and Maryland).
• Harvard enrolled 50 transfers. The median GPA was a 3.95 and a majority came from T-30 law schools. Only nine came from other Boston law schools.
• Per their ABA reports, UVA hasn’t enrolled any transfer students in several years.

Based on this data, it looks like a lot of DC-area law students target Georgetown. You can also tell that even though UVA places lots of graduates in the DC market, Georgetown is a far better bet for a transfer—UVA probably isn’t worth applying to at all. Harvard, by contrast, is more focused on the ranking of the 1L school and GPA.

The ABA disclosures and NALP reports also enable you to see clear distinctions in employment outcomes. You can see how many graduates end up in Big Law, how many in public interest, how many in government service, and so on. True to its reputation, for example, Columbia places a larger number of graduates in Big Law than NYU does, while NYU places more students in public interest positions than Columbia does.

Once you have a sense of which schools to target, check out the websites and look for information about the transfer process. You may want to look for answers to questions like these:

• Do they allow incoming transfers to participate in On-Campus Interviews (OCI) during their 2L year?
• Can incoming transfers be part of the journal write-on competition?
• How are transfers integrated into the 2L class? Is there a transfer liaison as part of the Student Bar Association or Student Government?
• Are transfer students eligible for scholarships?
• Are transfer students included within class rankings once enrolled?

No doubt you’ll have questions that relate to your own individual interests. If you can’t find the information you’re looking for online, reach out to the admissions office and ask. An earnest, polite, credible inquiry might be an opportunity to make a connection with someone in the office.

And finally, be especially mindful of preferred dates and deadlines. Some schools open their transfer apps in February, while others wait until April or even May. This will vary more than the incoming 1L process. And remember that schools will need your complete 1L grades before they can consider your application.

How to Build a Transfer Application

If you’re applying as a transfer applicant, then you’ve already been through the law school application process once. What fun: you get to do it again. Transfer applications are different from regular JD applications in a few key ways, though.

Your grades

During the regular admissions process, undergraduate GPAs and LSAT scores are useful (in principle, at least) because they are reasonably accurate predictors of a student’s ability to succeed in law school. 1L grades, however, are actual evidence of academic success. Since the LSAT scores and undergraduate GPAs of transfer students don’t factor into a school’s rankings, your 1L GPA is the single most important metric, and a strong GPA is essential if your application is going to receive serious consideration. The best thing you can do now to improve your odds of transferring is work as hard as you can in your 1L classes.

Letters of Recommendation

Academic LORs matter more in transfer applications as well. Your 1L professors can speak directly to your engagement with your law school community, your performance in class, and the likelihood that you’ll pass the bar and get a job. They can also speak to your sense of humor, your integrity, your kindness, your flexibility, your leadership, and how you collaborate with your peers—they can reassure admissions officers that you’ll be able to transition easily and smoothly when you arrive at your transfer school. You should do everything you can to cultivate good relationships with them. Visit them during their office hours, impress them with your wit and charm, do your work on time and do it well, and be a good community member. Make sure you speak with your recommender about why you want to transfer and what you hope to find at your transfer school.

Important note: Some law schools have policies restricting faculty members from writing LORs for students intending to transfer out. If you attend a school with such a policy, it is imperative that you reach out to the law schools on your transfer list to ask whether they will allow LOR exceptions. You may need to have your dean of students write a letter confirming such a policy exists.

Your résumé

While the thought may be chilling, given how busy you are with coursework, you should pursue some law-related activity during your 1L year so you can add something to your résumé. Maybe that’s a club, a school-based legal advocacy group, or a student bar association. You could also shoot for a legal internship/externship during your winter break. Admissions officers want to see that you have been actively engaged in your professional growth, not just trying to get through all the readings and survive the cold calls in class. This may also provide another opportunity to secure another letter of recommendation.

How you spend your 1L summer

By the same token, one of the best ways to distinguish yourself in a competitive transfer pool is to secure strong employment for your 1L summer—for example, a 1L summer associate position with a Big Law firm. These types of jobs are hard to get, and because Big Law will interview candidates on the basis of first-semester grades and you need to begin applying for them as early as November of your 1L year, securing one of these jobs demonstrates planning, initiative, and strong academic performance. Strong paid internships, externships clerking for judges, and jobs with high-profile legal non-profits or government agencies may also be regarded favorably. A summer clerk position at a small firm or a volunteer position won’t be considered as high-value from an admissions perspective.

The personal statement

Your transfer school wants to know that you have well-considered reasons for transferring and a full understanding of what transferring means. You should write a new personal statement that articulates your ambitions in clear-headed, unambiguous terms. If a school doesn’t give you a more specific prompt, consider addressing the following:

• Your first-year experiences.
• The factors that made you pick your original law school that you now see were not right for you.
• Your motivations for seeking a different environment for your legal education.
• Why you think the target school would be better for you personally and professionally. (Like those Why essays during the regular admissions process, these need to be sharp and specific! Do your research!)
• What you would have to offer your new law school community.
• Your short- and long-term professional goals.

In sum, you need to explain to admissions officers how you came to the decision to apply for transfer to their school, and anything that’s irrelevant to that story should be left out. Many topics that might have been appropriate during the regular JD admissions process will not be appropriate for a transfer application. Maybe you worked as a journalist and covered Formula 1 racing. Great! That’s a fascinating subject for a personal essay. But if it’s not immediately and obviously relevant to your legal ambitions, leave it out.

Thinking about transferring but feeling stuck? Our team of law school admissions experts have helped people transfer law schools for all kinds of reasons—from wanting to go to a higher-ranked school to needing to move closer to family. Set up a free consult to learn more about our transfer consulting services.

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Transferring Law Schools? Here’s How to Stand Out

December 7, 2022

James Suzano

With the first round of law school admissions decisions just around the corner, there are inevitably going to be more dissatisfied applicants than successful ones. Only so many spots are available at the top law schools, and even students with strong LSAT scores and high GPAs might find themselves disappointed with their admissions results (Harvard Law School, for example, has an admit rate of only 10%). Nevertheless, some still choose to attend law school. Such JD aspirants might find themselves considering the transfer process , wherein students enter their 1L year at a lower-ranked school and hope to transfer to a higher-ranked school to complete their studies. If you count yourself as one of those applicants, you’re in the right place.

The best advice we at Stratus can give to such an applicant can really be summed up in two words:  start now .

Start Early—Earlier Than You Think

The key to a successful transfer application is, above all else, preparation. An aspiring transfer student essentially consents to putting their  entire 1L year on trial  before the best law schools. It is therefore imperative that such students make the most of their first year of law school. If you’re going into your first year knowing that you intend to transfer, start preparing now. If you’re already in your 1L year and have just now made the decision to transfer, start preparing yesterday.

A successful transfer application consists of four main components: 1L school, 1L grades, recommendations, and personal statement. The rest, such as undergraduate GPA and LSAT score, are ultimately significantly less important than the first four. Of these four components, an aspiring transfer student can begin working on three before their 1L year even starts. The fourth will need to wait until sometime in the second semester—for good reason, which we’ll explain shortly.  

1L Law School

The transfer process ideally begins before an applicant has even committed to their first law school—that is, the law school out of which they want to transfer. It’s not a joke to say that the transfer process begins before the first day of law school. In fact, it begins around April of the year before they want to transfer. It’s around that time that applicants begin receiving rejection letters from their dream law schools and start getting acceptance letters from their “safety schools.” At this point, an eventual transfer applicant faces their first choice: where to begin.

When trying to get into a great law school, it’s best to already be at a good school. It’s easier to get to the top if you’ve already completed 90% of the climb; logically, it follows that it’s easier to get into Yale from Cornell than from Irvine, into Cornell from Irvine than from Emory, and so on. Then, too, for whatever reason, some schools are more likely to accept applicants from the local region—only 25% of law students who transferred to UCLA for the 2021–2022 academic year came from schools outside of California. Some schools might even have other preferences, such as aspirations toward public service or other types of programs.

The price of failure must also be considered. Ultimately, the transfer process is far from a sure bet, and many students who enroll in a lower-ranking law school with the intent to transfer do not succeed in doing so. When considering which law school to attend for their 1L year, a student should always acknowledge that they might end up staying there for good. For instance, if you hate cold weather, don’t go to the University of Wisconsin–Madison—you could be there for longer than the single year that you anticipate.

With the school component out of the way, the next step is to get good grades. Although your 1L GPA isn’t going to single-handedly make a transfer application, it is the component that can most easily break it. Simply put, first-year law students in the top 30% of their class can usually transfer to better schools, and students outside of that subsection generally can’t. The students in the bottom 70% can make a lateral transfer—perhaps they’re unsatisfied with their current school, or a pressing situation is calling them to another part of the country—but will very rarely succeed in transferring to a higher-ranking law school.

Even for the top 30%, though, placement is difficult, and students in the top 10% will obviously have an easier time transferring than students in the 11%–30% range. Transferring law schools is competitive; the top schools are usually just trying to fill any open spots left by 1L students who dropped or failed out. Sometimes that number can be relatively high ( UCLA took on 24 transfers last year) and sometimes it can be low ( Cornell accepted just 4 ,  Yale 12 ). However, the median GPA for transfers to all three of those schools was high: for UCLA, a 3.81; Cornell, also 3.81; and Yale, a whopping 3.96!

All of this is to say that the GPA is an extremely important component of a successful transfer law school application. It is the baseline—the price of admission. Students aspiring to transfer law schools should therefore do everything they can to maximize their GPA. Contrary to what might be students’ first instinct, however, execution of a proper transfer GPA does not begin on the first day of classes, but rather on the first day of summer. Several optional summer preparatory classes  are available to help aspiring transfer students boost their GPA to the right level. Students who take these classes are much less likely to experience 1L shell shock—the look that 1Ls get around halfway through their first semester, when they realize how much studying law school requires. Even more significantly, students who complete prep classes are much more likely to be adequately prepared for their exams.

That said, while the 1L GPA is important, it’s not everything, and it won’t win you a transfer all by itself. Think of your GPA as the absolute minimum required for your application—sort of a ticket to ride. Students with high GPAs are invited to play but then must compete against all the other students with high GPAs. Only the applicants with the best overall applications will be able to successfully transfer law schools. That’s where the next two aspects of your application come into the picture.

Recommendations

Transfer applicants are already familiar with letters of recommendation. They undoubtedly had to provide several when they applied to law school the first time around. They’ve probably also sought a handful of others to apply for jobs or internships. The transfer letter of recommendation is, however, more important.

I often tell clients that the single most important question to answer when writing their applications is “Can I be successful at law school?” Most often, the way to answer that question is to show how you can succeed as an attorney. In the case of a transfer application, though, there is a faster and easier path to the answer the law school admissions committee seeks: ask competent evaluators. There can be no more competent evaluator than a law school professor who has taught an applicant, seen them fail, and seen them succeed. However, there is a significant difference here: the letters that an applicant submitted for their original application were speculative; the recommendations coming from law professors are concrete and dispositive.

The obvious approach to this issue is to begin tackling it when the law school opens its doors for the first day of classes. But the obvious approach is wrong —or at least not as effective. Although classes might be on break over the summer, professors certainly are not. More often than not, a law professor can be found in their office, working on the next piece they intend to publish. An eager incoming 1L student can take this opportunity to schedule meetings with the professors who will be teaching their classes. Doing so will allow the student to get one up on the competition and, more importantly, to establish relationships with the professors who will write those letters of recommendation.  

Although these relationships should begin forming in the summer, recommendation letters should not be written until well into the spring semester. Again, the point of these letters is to evaluate your performance and your ability to succeed as a law student. If you have not yet performed, there is nothing to evaluate yet. Asking professors for their recommendations in January gives them enough time both to evaluate you and to write the letter in anticipation of applications opening in May.

Law School Personal Statement

Spring is not only the right time for an applicant’s professors to evaluate them, but also the time for an applicant to begin self-evaluation. That brings us to the personal statement, for which there is really only one prompt: “How I succeeded in law school.” There could be several permutations—for instance, “What I changed in order to succeed in law school,” “How I reacted to problems in law school,” or “What I did not anticipate about law school and how I resolved the resulting problems”—but the underlying theme will always be the same.

Remember, the goal of an application is to answer the question “Can this applicant succeed in law school?” Much like with letters of recommendation, an applicant’s original law school personal essay is speculative. It attempts to divine the response to a question that can really only be answered in the future. On the other hand, a transfer applicant’s essay is proven by history. A transfer applicant does not need to draw parallels between their previous life and what they imagine law school will be like because they have already experienced law school and know how they performed there.

Although the prompt might seem easy, writing the essay is often tricky, and there are numerous pitfalls that can sink what would be an otherwise successful statement. Demonstrating success while admitting to failures, being frank about the law school experience but not so frank as to turn off admissions committees, and knowing how to discuss your achievements without bragging all represent so many plates of a balancing act. The actual penning of the personal statement should ideally begin sometime in March and end in April. Applications open in May—sometimes right after the last day of school—and it pays to be the first to submit one. At the same time, writing a personal essay while cramming for law school finals is inadvisable. If a lull exists in the 1L year, that lull should be used to write your personal statement.

The Bells and Whistles

Everything else—the LSAT score, the undergraduate GPA, a TOEFL score (if necessary)—should all already be recorded on the LSAC website. They matter significantly less this time around, however. The LSAT is a tool for predicting an applicant’s future performance in law school, but a law school GPA is a measurement of a student’s actual performance. LSAT scores are speculative, while 1L GPAs are conclusive.

Because law school transfer windows open in May—Harvard’s typically opens in early May, while other schools’ open closer to the middle of the month—everything necessary for the application, with the notable exception of second-semester grades, should be completed by May 1st. At that point, an applicant can send in their application incomplete and follow up later, once grades are released.

Transferring Law Schools: In Summary

Of the four big factors in deciding a successful law school transfer application—school choice, 1L GPA, recommendations, and personal statement—you can and should start working on the first three before your 1L year even starts. Therefore, you should select a target law school as soon as possible, start studying for the 1L year during the summer, and begin developing relationships with professors who can write recommendations before school starts. And even though you ideally should write your personal statement in March and/or April, you should start thinking about what should go into it much sooner.

I really can’t stress this enough: the most competitive law school transfer students often turn to outside help, such as law school admissions consulting firms like Stratus. I don’t say this to brag about our services or to advertise—you’re already on our website, and you’ve already read a lengthy article—but just to highlight a truth. Transferring to a top law school is harder than gaining admission in the first round, and the best of the competition all have professional help. It’s certainly not impossible to go it alone, but it is quite a bit harder.

Time is of the essence. Get to it! And if you think you’re going to need assistance, set up an appointment for a  free chat with a Stratus admissions expert. We’re here to help.

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Read 2 Transfer Student Essays That Worked

Strong transfer essays can help pave the way to admissions offers.

Read 2 Transfer Essays That Worked

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Though it isn't a golden ticket, a strong transfer essay may boost an applicant's odds of admission.

There are as many reasons to transfer colleges as there are transfer students. But regardless of why someone wants to move to a new institution, the process for doing so usually requires an admissions essay.

Colleges With the Most Transfer Students

Josh Moody Jan. 28, 2020

In a 2018 National Association for College Admission Counseling survey , 41.5% of colleges polled said a transfer applicant's essay or writing sample is of either considerable or moderate importance in the admission decision.

A compelling, well-written transfer essay doesn't guarantee acceptance – many other factors are at play, such as an applicant's GPA. However, a strong essay can be a factor that helps move the odds in the applicant's favor, says Kathy Phillips, associate dean of undergraduate admissions at Duke University in North Carolina.

Know What Colleges Are Looking For In a Transfer Essay

Some schools have prospective transfer students use the Common App or the Coalition Application to apply. In addition to the main essay, students may be required to submit a second writing sample or respond to short-answer questions, though this isn't always the case. Prospective students can check a college's website for specific guidance regarding how to apply.

Whatever application method they use, prospective students should be aware that writing a transfer essay is not the same as writing a first-year college application essay, experts advise. First-year essays are more open-ended, says Niki Barron, associate dean of admission at Hamilton College in New York. When applying as first-years, prospective students can generally write about any experience, relationship or goal that has shaped who they are as people, she says.

This contrasts with transfer essays, where the focus is typically narrower. Barron says she thinks of transfer essays as more of a statement of purpose. "We're really looking to see students' reasons for wanting to transfer," she says.

Katie Fretwell, the recently retired dean of admission and financial aid at Amherst College in Massachusetts, says prospective transfer students are in a position to be a bit more reflective about their educational goals because of their additional year or years of experience post-high school. The essay helps admissions officers get a sense of whether an applicant has done "an appropriate level of soul-searching about the match," she says.

Transfer Essay Examples

Below are two transfer essays that helped students get into Duke and Amherst, respectively. Both institutions are very selective in transfer admissions. For fall 2018, Duke had a transfer acceptance rate of 8% and Amherst accepted 4% of its transfer applicants, according to U.S. News data.

Hover over the circles to read what made these essays stand out to admissions experts.

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Law School Personal Statement Examples

The personal statement is a critical part of a law school application. Although it may not be as important as your LSAT score and GPA, remember that law school admissions committees are trying to build a diverse and interesting community of students. Your personal statement is the primary way you can show law schools who you are beyond your numbers and resume, and is also an opportunity to show the quality of your writing. If you’re not sure where to start, read on for law school personal statement examples and what makes each one successful.

Best Law School Personal Statement Examples

Below, you’ll find examples of successful personal statements that have been published by law schools themselves, followed by some tips and takeaways on what makes these law school personal statements work well. We also encourage you to check out this guide to formatting your personal statement .

Law School Personal Statement Example 1

First, take a look at the last sample personal statement about recovering from an injury: In Their Own Words: Admissions Essays That Worked | University of Chicago Law School . This was published by UChicago as an exemplary essay that worked well for admissions. Keep reading to get our analysis of what makes this a great personal statement!

• Law school personal statements don’t always need to be about why the applicant wants to go to law school. You can see how this statement touches on an interest in law only very briefly and lightly; the focus of the statement is instead on revealing personal qualities of the applicant.

Law School Personal Statement Example 2

Next, take a look at the last sample law school personal statement about an applicant’s experience in Teach for America: BU Law Student Personal Statements | School of Law . This was published by Boston University. Now, here’s why we think this is a winning personal statement.

• Clear and direct writing. The statement uses plain language and contractions – don’t think you have to use an overly “professional” tone.

Law School Personal Statement Tips

• Have you experienced any major changes in your career, intellectual interests, or life motivations? What caused the change?

How long should your personal statement be for law school?

Each law school may have its own rules regarding page length and font size for a personal statement. So make sure to check the personal statement format requirements for each school you’re applying to (among other specific law school requirements ). However, for the vast majority of schools, a statement should be about 2 pages long, double-spaced, in a readable font size (12 pt or 11 pt).

Even if a law school doesn’t specify any page limits for the personal statement, remember that admissions committees will be reading thousands of applications and will appreciate brevity. So you don’t necessarily want to write 4 pages or more simply because you can. For those schools that allow you to write more than 2 pages, having a 3-page version of your statement can make sense, but only if the extra page makes it better.

Final Advice

The personal statement is one of your only chances to let law schools know who you are beyond your numbers and resume. So, make the most of it. If you follow the tips above, you’ll have a compelling statement that will make law schools eager to have you join their entering classes. Meanwhile, if you’re writing a transfer statement, check out our advice on law school transfer personal statements!

Kevin Lin earned a B.A. from UC Berkeley and a J.D. from Columbia Law School. After working as a lawyer for several years, both at the U.S. Attorney’s Office and at a large New York law firm, he succumbed to his love of the LSAT and teaching and has been a full-time LSAT instructor since 2015. Beginning first at a major test prep company and rising to become one of its most experienced and highly rated instructors, he began tutoring independently in 2019. Kevin has worked with LSAT students at all stages of their preparation, from complete beginners to LSAT veterans shooting for the 99th percentile. Connect and learn more about Kevin on YouTube , LinkedIn , and his website .

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How to Write a College Transfer Essay (With Examples)

Lisa Freedland is a Scholarships360 writer with personal experience in psychological research and content writing. She has written content for an online fact-checking organization and has conducted research at the University of Southern California as well as the University of California, Irvine. Lisa graduated from the University of Southern California in Fall 2021 with a degree in Psychology.

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Bill Jack has over a decade of experience in college admissions and financial aid. Since 2008, he has worked at Colby College, Wesleyan University, University of Maine at Farmington, and Bates College.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, over 1.2 million students are enrolled in college as a transfer student. Students may transfer for a variety of reasons ranging from academics to athletics to geography.

If you are in the process of transferring colleges it’s likely that you will have to write a personal essay as part of your transfer admissions process. Ultimately, there’s no one way to write a college transfer essay. Everyone is unique, and this individuality should shine through in your essays.

However, there are some recommended things to include, and even a real example essay that was used to successfully transfer college! In this post, we’ll help you write a powerful transfer essay so you can tell your story to the admissions committee.

Jump ahead to…

• Do’s and don’ts
• Why did you choose your current school?

What are your main reasons for transferring out of your current school?

Why do you want to attend the transfer school.

• Example essay

Additional resources

• Key takeaways
• Frequently asked questions

College transfer essays: The do’s and don’ts

Before we start, we want to cover a few basics do’s and don’ts about what your transfer essays should be about.

• Elaborate on how your current school has helped you progress towards your goals. Positivity is always a good thing!
• Research your prospective school (e.g. specific classes, organizations, opportunities) for why you want to go there.
• Make sure to follow the standard/correct essay format! Transfer essay prompts may vary from college to college so you should make sure that you’re answering the exact question.
• Use up your limited word count by listing negative aspects about your current school. Instead, focus on how it has helped you grow, but how another school could further help you develop your interests/passions 
• List a group of random classes or opportunities available at your new school. Mention opportunities you’re (genuinely) interested in that relate to your goals and passions – make sure you’re telling a story through your essay.
• Copy your initial admissions essay (the one that you used when applying to colleges in high school) – you’ve changed a lot during your time in college so you will want to write a brand new essay.

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What is the goal of the transfer essay.

Potential transfer students should know that not all colleges and universities require transfer essays, so when in doubt definitely check-in with the college in question for clarification. For the purposes of this article and the sample transfer essay, we’ll be using this prompt:

Please provide a statement that addresses your reasons for transferring and the objectives you hope to achieve. 

Most colleges will be interested in learning why you want to transfer and how transferring will help you achieve your goals. However, specific prompts will vary from college to college, so you should definitely pay attention to the specific prompt you are asked to respond to.

Some of the common questions you’ll come across include:

• How will your transfer school help you accomplish your goals?

Below I’ll break down how to respond to each of these questions and include an example from a successful transfer essay.

Also see: Can you transfer into an ivy league school?

Why did you choose your current school? 

To answer this question, you’ll have to go back in time when you were in 12th grade and selecting your college. Did you choose the college because it had a program you liked? Maybe you really wanted to take classes with a specific professor? Maybe you thought you wanted to attend college in a specific part of the world? Whatever the reason you should lay it out in the most factual way possible.

Here’s how I responded to this question:

Just like Jeopardy, Criminal Minds is also a show that I have watched from a very young age, and one that I continue to watch quite regularly. Being exposed to this interesting world of FBI profilers for so long inspired me to want to dive into the world of psychology myself. Due to this, I originally chose the University of Wisconsin, Madison for its amazing psychology program, and because I wanted to try something new. Being from California, this “something new” came in the form of watching snow fall from the sky, seeing cheese curds being sold in all the grocery stores, and simply living somewhere far away from home.

Also see: How to write a 250 word essay

This is always an important question for transfer admissions officers: why did your current college not work out? We recommend that students be as honest as possible and stick to the facts (as opposed to simply complaining about your current school).

Students have very different reasons for changing schools, which often depend on what type of school you’re transferring from (a 2-year or 4-year). While many community college students transfer because their plans did work out and they’ve accomplished what they wanted to at their school, those transferring from four-year universities often do so for less positive reasons (which was my experience).

If the situation at your college didn’t exactly pan out as you thought it would, you should also try to talk about some of the ways you are making the most of the situation. This shows the admissions officers that despite the less-than-ideal circumstances, you have continued to learn, grow, and contribute to your community.

Here’s how I accomplished this:

Arriving in Wisconsin, I got exactly what I wanted: an amazing psychology program and the experience of being somewhere quite different from the place I called home. My classes were interesting, my professors were helpful and caring, and experiencing the first snow was quite exciting. However, as winter progressed, walking back from class everyday under the progressively gloomier sky seemed to be a cruel reminder that I was no longer in sunny Southern California. While eating dinner in our many dining halls, I always viewed the wide array of food available: quesadillas, Chinese food, burgers, even pecan pie. The food was all delicious, but going day after day without even seeing Korean food once made me miss those fun dinners with my family. Back at my dorm, my “home away from home”, it started to feel like anything but being at home. To feel more comfortable where I was, I decided to pursue things I liked, and that I was familiar with. My passion for psychology led me to join the university’s Psychology Club, where I was able to learn about recent revelations within the field of psychology, furthering my interest in the subject. 

Going through the admissions process as a transfer student is interesting, because you have learned a lot about yourself and your preferences at your first college. This should provide you with a great perspective on what you are looking for next.

The two major things you’ll want to accomplish when answering this question are why the transfer college in question is a good fit for you and how it can help you accomplish your goals as a student.

Specificity is always more ideal here so you can show that you have spent some time thinking about what you want and also how the new college fits.

Here’s how I did this:

I plan on using the knowledge I gain in psychology, either from organizations or classes, to help people. I want to one day apply this knowledge to research, to discover possible methods to help the people suffering from the psychological problems I study. Alternatively, I hope to use this knowledge as a criminal profiler, using my understanding of psychology to narrow down pools of suspects.  To be able to accomplish either of these, I need to develop a much deeper understanding of both people’s motivations for the things they do as well as of the many psychological issues people face. For these reasons, I am very excited at the prospect of exploring and enrolling in the classes offered by USC’s Department of Psychology. In particular, Psych 360: Abnormal Psychology would be an amazing introduction to psychological disorders and their causes. Psych 314L: Research Methods would then help me put this knowledge about disorders to good use by teaching me how to properly conduct research and find possible solutions for people’s problems.

College transfer essays: an example

Here we go! Throughout this article, I’ve shown you my college essay divided into sections, and now’s time for the full thing. I can honestly say that this essay had a 100% success rate! Without further ado, here is my full college transfer essay (and prompt):

Prompt: Please provide a statement that addresses your reasons for transferring and the objectives you hope to achieve. 

I wake up from my daily after-school nap to realize that it is already dinner time. As I walk downstairs, I smell the delicious fragrance coming from my mom’s samgyetang (Korean ginseng chicken soup), one of my favorite meals. Soon enough, everyone sits down to watch the newest episode of Jeopardy , a tradition we’ve had going on for as long as I can remember. As I take that first sip of samgyetang, and miss yet another geography question on Jeopardy – and wait for my family to inevitably tease me about it – I feel at home, like I am somewhere that I belong. Wherever I go, I hope I can encounter that same warm feeling. Just like Jeopardy , Criminal Minds is also a show that I have watched from a very young age, and one that I continue to watch quite regularly. Being exposed to this interesting world of FBI profilers for so long inspired me to want to dive into the world of psychology myself. Due to this, I originally chose the University of Wisconsin, Madison for its amazing psychology program, and because I wanted to try something new. Being from California, this “something new” came in the form of watching snow fall from the sky, seeing cheese curds being sold in all the grocery stores, and simply living somewhere far away from home. Arriving in Wisconsin, I got exactly what I wanted: an amazing psychology program and the experience of being somewhere quite different from the place I called home. My classes were interesting, my professors were helpful and caring, and experiencing the first snow was quite exciting. However, as winter progressed, walking back from class everyday under the progressively gloomier sky seemed to be a cruel reminder that I was no longer in sunny Southern California. While eating dinner in our many dining halls, I always viewed the wide array of food available: quesadillas, Chinese food, burgers, even pecan pie. The food was all delicious, but going day after day without even seeing Korean food once, it made me miss those fun dinners with my family. Back at my dorm, my “home away from home,” it started to feel like anything but being at home. To feel more comfortable where I was, I decided to pursue things I liked, and that I was familiar with. My passion for psychology led me to join the university’s Psychology Club, where I was able to learn about recent revelations within the field of psychology, furthering my interest in the subject. I plan on using the knowledge I gain in psychology, either from organizations or classes, to help people. I want to one day apply this knowledge to research, to discover possible methods to help the people suffering from the psychological problems I study. Alternatively, I hope to use this knowledge as a criminal profiler, using my understanding of psychology to narrow down pools of suspects.  To be able to accomplish either of these, I need to develop a much deeper understanding of both people’s motivations for the things they do as well as of the many psychological issues people face. For these reasons, I am very excited at the prospect of exploring and enrolling in the classes offered by USC’s Department of Psychology. In particular, Psych 360: Abnormal Psychology would be an amazing introduction to psychological disorders and their causes. Psych 314L: Research Methods would then help me put this knowledge about disorders to good use by teaching me how to properly conduct research and find possible solutions for people’s problems. With so many opportunities available at USC, I hope to not only help others feel more comfortable, but to find a second home for myself after all.

And that’s it! This essay touches on all of the tips listed above, and should serve as helpful inspiration as you begin your writing. Hopefully, it gives you an idea of how to integrate everything you should mention in a cohesive essay. With that, I wish you good luck with your college transfer essays (and applications)!

Don’t miss: What looks good on a college application?

If you finish your essay and still have questions about the transfer process, consider checking out these Scholarships360 resources:

• How to transfer colleges
• How to transfer from a community college
• Top scholarships for transfer students
• How to choose a college
• What’s the difference between a private and public university?

Key Takeaways

• Explain why you want to transfer, what you need that you are not getting at your current school, and why you chose your current school to begin with
• Always present things in a positive light
• Share how the transfer school will help you achieve your goals and why you are a good fit for the school

Frequently asked questions about writing college transfer essays 

How are college transfer essays different from regular application essays, do all schools require transfer essays, can i reuse my old college essays for a transfer, what should you not say in a transfer essay, scholarships360 recommended.

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Sample College Transfer Essay

A Sample Essay by a Student Transferring From Amherst to Penn

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The following sample essay was written by a student named David. He wrote the transfer essay below for the Common Transfer Application in response to the prompt, "Please provide a statement that addresses your reasons for transferring and the objectives you hope to achieve" (250 to 650 words). David is attempting to transfer from Amherst College to the University of Pennsylvania . As far as admissions standards go, this is a lateral move—both schools are extremely selective. His letter will need to be extremely strong for his transfer application to be successful.

Key Takeaways: A Winning Transfer Essay

• Have a clear academic reason for your transfer. Personal reasons are fine, but academics need to come first.
• Stay positive. Don't speak badly of your current school. Emphasize what you like about your target school, not what you dislike about your current school.
• Be meticulous. Grammar, punctuation, and style matter. Show that you put time and care into your writing.

David's Transfer Application Essay

During the summer after my first year of college, I spent six weeks volunteering at an archaeological excavation in Hazor, site of the largest tel (mound) in Israel. My time in Hazor was not easy—wake-up came at 4:00 a.m., and by noontime temperatures were often in the 90s. The dig was sweaty, dusty, back-breaking work. I wore out two pairs of gloves and the knees in several pairs of khakis. Nevertheless, I loved every minute of my time in Israel. I met interesting people from around the world, worked with amazing students and faculty from Hebrew University, and became fascinated with the current efforts to create a portrait of life in the Canaanite period.

Upon my return to Amherst College for my sophomore year, I soon came to realize that the school does not offer the exact major I now hope to pursue. I'm majoring in anthropology, but the program at Amherst is almost entirely contemporary and sociological in its focus. More and more my interests are becoming archaeological and historical. When I visited Penn this fall, I was impressed by the breadth of offerings in anthropology and archaeology, and I absolutely loved your Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. Your broad approach to the field with emphases on understanding both the past and present has great appeal to me. By attending Penn, I hope to broaden and deepen my knowledge in anthropology, participate in more summer field work, volunteer at the museum, and eventually, go on to graduate school in archaeology.

My reasons for transferring are almost entirely academic. I have made many good friends at Amherst, and I have studied with some wonderful professors. However, I do have one non-academic reason for being interested in Penn. I originally applied to Amherst because it was comfortable—I come from a small town in Wisconsin, and Amherst felt like home. I'm now looking forward to pushing myself to experience places that aren't quite so familiar. The kibbutz at Kfar HaNassi was one such environment, and the urban environment of Philadelphia would be another.

As my transcript shows, I have done well at Amherst and I am convinced I can meet the academic challenges of Penn. I know I would grow at Penn, and your program in anthropology perfectly matches my academic interests and professional goals.

Before we even get to the critique of David's essay, it's important to put his transfer into context. David is attempting to transfer into an  Ivy League  school. Penn is not the most selective of the country's top universities, but the transfer acceptance rate is still around 6% (at Harvard and Stanford, that number is closer to 1%). David needs to approach this effort at transfer realistically — even with excellent grades and a stellar essay, his chances of success are far from guaranteed.

That said, he has many things going for him — he is coming from an equally demanding college where he has earned good grades, and he seems like the type of student who will certainly succeed at Penn. He will need strong  letters of recommendation  to round out his application.

Analysis of David's Transfer Essay

Now on to the essay... Let's break down the discussion of David's transfer essay into several categories.

The Reasons for Transfer

The strongest feature of David's essay is the focus. David is pleasingly specific in presenting his reasons for transferring. He knows exactly what he wants to study, and he has a clear understanding of what both Penn and Amherst have to offer him. David's description of his experience in Israel defines the focus of his essay, and he then connects that experience to his reasons for wanting to transfer. There are lots of bad reasons to transfer, but David's clear interest in studying anthropology and archaeology makes his motives seem both well thought-out and reasonable.

Many transfer applicants are trying to move to a new college because they are running away from some kind of bad experience, sometimes something academic, sometimes something more personal. David, however, clearly likes Amherst and is running towards something—an opportunity at Penn that better matches his newly discovered professional goals. This is a big positive factor for his application.

The Common Transfer Application instructions state that the essay needs to be at least 250 words. The maximum length is 650 words. David's essay comes in at around 380 words. It is tight and concise. He doesn't waste time talking about his disappointments with Amherst, nor does he put much effort into explaining the things that other parts of his application will cover such as grades and extracurricular involvement. He does have a lot more space left to elaborate, but in this case the letter gets the job done well with few words.

David gets the tone perfect, something that is difficult to do in a transfer essay. Let's face it—if you are transferring it is because there is something about your current school that you don't like. It's easy to be negative and critical of your classes, your professors, your college environment, and so on. It's also easy to come across as a whiner or an ungenerous and angry person who doesn't have the inner resources to make the most of one's circumstances. David avoids these pitfalls. His representation of Amherst is extremely positive. He praises the school while noting that the curricular offerings do not match his professional goals.

The Personality

Partly because of the tone discussed above, David comes across as a pleasant person, someone who the admissions folks are likely to want to have as part of their campus community. Moreover, David presents himself as someone who likes to push himself to grow. He is honest in his reasons for going to Amherst—the school seemed like a good "fit" given his small-town upbringing. It is, therefore, impressive to see him so actively working to expand his experiences beyond his provincial roots. David has clearly grown at Amherst, and he is looking forward to growing more at Penn.

The Writing

When applying to a place like Penn, the technical aspects of the writing need to be flawless. David's prose is clear, engaging and free of errors. If you struggle on this front, be sure to check out these  tips for improving your essay's style . And if grammar isn't your greatest strength, be sure to work through your essay with someone who does have strong grammar skills.

A Final Word on David's Transfer Essay

David's college transfer essay does exactly what an essay needs to do, and he includes the features of a strong transfer essay . He clearly articulates his reasons for transferring, and he does so in a positive and specific way. David presents himself as a serious student with clear academic and professional goals. We have little doubt that he has the skills and intellectual curiosity to succeed at Penn, and he has made a strong argument about why this particular transfer makes a lot of sense.

Odds are still against David's success given the competitive nature of Ivy League transfers, but he has strengthened his application with his essay.

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Sample College Transfer Essay For Law School

• Views 10142
• Author Sandra W.

Reasons For Transferring And Objectives I Hope To Achieve

Neither my parents nor my friends were surprised when they learnt about my childhood ambition of becoming a lawyer. Back in elementary school, my communication skills and the ability to express myself were not only admired by my teachers but also my fellow students. When I joined high school, I started taking my ambition, of becoming a renowned lawyer, with much seriousness. I started an independent study with an aim of advancing my cause much further. In a sense, I was poised to recognize this personal objective and how I was armed with talent and personal drive. Once I enrolled to Howard community College in Colombia, my interest in the field of law "peaked” my curiosity. I modified my dream during my first year in college to become the next Debra Yang. And upon graduation, I set my mind on achieving my goals and becoming an expert in International Law. I made up my mind not to double major in Law and any other course, just pure law.

My father is a doctor while my mother is a businesswoman. Together, they have molded me into what I am today. They have encouraged me to pursue my dreams and supported me both socially, financially and academically. The advices they have giving me, for many years, are part of the pieces that define me. I am very grateful to have them, share their love and warmth and above all be their son. During my first grade, I drew a picture showing a smiling stature wearing a black and white robe. The caption read, ‘I will become a LAYWER when I grow up’- with an inverted W. A number of things have changed since then while others have not. I no longer write an inverted W, but still I am determined not only to contribute to the field of law but also face the judge and the Jury and with still and sheer determination defend my client. So far I have realized that these goals of life cannot be accomplished with hopefulness, sanguinity and good intentions. Achievement will require complete preparation, extreme experience, strong communication, well-built listening skills, well-cultivated contacts, and authenticated ethical courage. I therefore hope to improve, develop and achieve these abilities at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). On 21st May 2013, I will be graduating from Howard University College with a diploma in………………………. But my dreams of becoming a lawyer do not end there. My graduation is just but a sunrise to my dreams and goals in life. After graduating, it is my dream to join University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). UMBC is the fountain source of my law career. Since my childhood, UMBC has been close to my Lips. Though the university offers a number of career courses, for instance, medicine, engineering and art; Law has always been in a different league. The university also engages in a number or extra-curriculum activities such as drama club and athletic. Generally, these factors together with my childhood ambition will offer me a date with dream career. My interest is public International Law. Dealing with matters such as War, human rights and peace making process: to be specific. My aspiration is to be a lawyer committed to peace making and have the ability and willingness to accomplish mutual solutions in global forums. Therefore, I look forward to prepare myself for a profession in diplomacy and policymaking and in the long run assist in educating the next age group of leaders through research and teaching. Law in University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) offers this great opportunity, with a deep rooted acknowledgment and chief authorities in the field of law.

Finally, I will donate my service to the Howard Law Community. Their passion, intellectual curiosity and humanistic scholarly background have massively improved my research skills. Achieving a renowned lawyer stature is a great challenge, but I have been raised by my parents to believe that challenges are obstacles that can be overcome and goals are only achieved through passion, determination, hard work and positive thinking.

Thank you for considering my admission essay.

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