Law School Admission Essays: Why You Should Avoid Focusing on Your Trauma

Law school admission essays give you the freedom and obligation to convey more about yourself candidly. Thus, it would be best to take advantage of the opportunity to write extensively about your life, the diversity of concerns, and the option to create your own.

Most students, however, misunderstand the personal and diversity statement prompts and feel bound to express their traumatic experiences alongside a statement of victory to render them fit for admission. Of course, you can share your hardships and struggles, but for some applicants, it’s best to avoid focusing on your trauma. Not every bruise heals, and some harm is irreversible. Be sure to embrace how your experience has molded you into a better person.

This article will discuss law school admission essays, covering what you should know as a law school applicant and why you should avoid focusing on your trauma in your admission essays.

The Difference Between a Personal Statement and a Diversity Statement

A personal statement lets you connect with the admissions committee by highlighting your key strengths, motivations for attending law school, and goals. This essay allows you to cover various issues, including your academic qualifications, job history, and future professional ambitions. In other words, you can use a personal statement to more effectively define yourself and explain why you are qualified for law school.

On the other hand, a diversity statement facilitates a more in-depth discussion of your life background. This is because diversity statements generally emphasize your distinctiveness in terms of your experiences and perspectives on inclusion, equality, and diversity.

The statement enables the admission committee to vividly understand how your diverse background will influence the law school community and the legal field. Unlike personal statements, essays on diversity are typically 1 to 1.25 pages long, with varying prompts between schools. Some schools prefer to cover all kinds of diversity in applicants, while others focus on diversity based on race, ethnicity, gender, or sexual identity.

A diversity statement works best if you wish to explain your unique experience comprehensively or come from an underrepresented group.

Before applying to law school, understanding the distinction between a personal and diversity statement is critical. Not everyone should write a diversity statement, and if you choose to draft one, then focus on how your unique encounters can impact the college campus's student body and community. Conversely, a personal statement should emphasize your professional and academic ambitions.

Why You Shouldn't Center Your Trauma in Law School Admissions Essays

In most circumstances, people regard trauma as an asset and an intrinsic identification marker. While this is true, we shouldn't view trauma as merely a source of strength. Students shouldn't feel obligated to divulge their trauma, particularly amid an impersonal law school application.

One of the adverse effects of focusing your law school application on trauma is blame shifting. Your application essays should be about you rather than what you experienced. They should show their strengths rather than seek sympathy. You may have a unique life story to share, which is fine to add in your essays, but remember that you are the center of attention. Tell the admissions committee how you have recovered from your traumatic event and how it has strengthened you.

When writing your personal statement, you should include at least three anecdotes to help the admissions committee understand your passion for law school. You can use one of the anecdotes to relate your background to the change you wish to see in the lives of others.

The legal profession is all about bringing change or finding means to bring about change in society. Thus, admission essays are ideal for students who have had horrific life situations to demonstrate how they survived these events, the impact they had on their lives, or the steps they are taking to transform their lives positively.

Writing about your trauma in law school applications could result in re-traumatization. This usually happens when somebody is exposed to anything that triggers a mental and emotional reaction, as if they were facing a horrific incident for the first time.

Reliving the trauma story is triggering, implying that you don't have to concentrate on your pain to demonstrate that you endured a challenge and are a good fit for law school. It will just create an entirely new vulnerability to previous horrible experiences. Plus, when you are constantly reflecting on your experiences, you are subject to greater anxiety and stress.

If this is the case for you, rehashing your trauma in your admissions essay may not be worth the mental toll. Stick to other adversities and motivations in your life, instead.

Final Thoughts

Knowing the key elements that significantly impact the admissions committee is the first step toward a successful law school application. Law admission essays are more about creating a picture of yourself than sharing your hardships. You have complete control over what appears in your essays, which is essential, and you are under no obligation to disclose anything that makes you uncomfortable.

If you're having difficulty composing a stellar essay, S. Montgomery Admissions Consulting is here to help.. Our experienced team will assist you with developing the structure of your essay and writing an intriguing story that will increase your chances of acceptance. Learn more about essay support and our sliding scale pricing here!