As law schools put more emphasis on career outcomes, they value applicants who are highly motivated to put in the work it takes to do well in a competitive job market. They don’t want students who see law school as a fallback option, a feather in their cap or a way to put off life choices.
Committed law students tend to perform well in law school and contribute actively to the campus community. And they are more likely to graduate into engaged, successful and generous alumni.
But how can a law school distinguish a dedicated but modest applicant from one who is masking their hesitations?
Here are four tips for communicating commitment to a legal career in law school application essays:
— Adopt a professional tone.
— Avoid cliches.
— Explain your path.
— Don’t dwell on your insecurities.
Adopt a Professional Tone
As an applicant, it is crucial to strike the right tone in your essays and communications with admissions officers.
[Read: 5 Personal Qualities That Law School Applicants Should Have]
You want to sound upbeat and excited about law school and to convey your specific interest in a target school. But leaning too heavily into your enthusiasm can sound immature or anxious.
Instead, aim for a professional tone. Write concisely and substantively to show your conviction and confidence in your chosen career path.
Avoid Cliches
Perhaps you’ve always known you wanted to be a lawyer. Even as a kid you argued over everything and binge-watched legal dramas. While these childhood memories may be meaningful to you, they say little to admissions officers.
Not only are these common cliches, but they may make your expectations of legal practice seem cartoonish. Will you feel lost or disappointed if your law school classes don’t involve dramatic courtroom arguments?
Rather than detail your early inclinations in your law school application, focus on the trajectory of your interest in law in your adult life and where you see it taking you.
[Read: Questions to Ask Before Heading to Law School]
Explain Your Path
Your personal statement should do more than communicate why you are applying to law school. Rather than elaborate on how much you want to be a lawyer, demonstrate how your past experiences set you up for success in law school.
When you talk about the jobs, classes, extracurricular activities or other impactful experiences, your passion should come through naturally.
Connect the dots between your background, law school and career goals. This will send a clear signal to law school admissions officers that you have thought through your future and how law school will prepare you for it. That way, even when the going gets tough, you have a reason to stay committed.
[Read: 7 Things I Wish I Knew When I Applied to Law School]
Don’t Dwell on Your Insecurities
It’s common for applicants to compare themselves to some imagined ideal of a typical applicant. Few applicants take a straight path to law school, so there’s no need to overexplain your own meanders.
Even if you’re an older applicant or career-switcher, avoid sounding defensive or apologetic about your missteps. Focus instead on how your past experiences will complement your legal degree.
Law schools don’t expect you to have your whole life mapped out. They just expect you to know what you’re getting into. A law school that looks for committed students is one that is motivated to invest in your future.
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How to Show You’re Committed to Law School originally appeared on usnews.com