One of the most common questions we get from applicants is how to write a strong personal statement. What is it that UVic Law Admissions is looking for? Applicants want to know if we even read what they write. Does it matter? How do I look good on paper?
First of all, it matters a lot! We read every personal statement before an applicant receives an offer, so it is important that you put your best foot forward. For some, the quality of the personal statement makes the difference as to whether they get an offer of admission or not. The bottom line of what we are looking for is a way to get to know you and understand whether you are a good fit for UVic Law. I realize that’s a very nebulous statement. It is, however, accurate. We want to know who is applying, what life experiences have led them here, and why they feel they will be successful in law school.
UVic Law Admissions requires a specific format for a personal statement, divided into two parts: Part A and Part B. Part A should be a narrative – written in prose – that addresses a few things. Under this part, we are interested in YOU. This involves being courageous, not in the amount you share but in digging deep to procure authentic storytelling that comes from a sincere place.
In Part A, you should be able to talk about why you want to study law. What specifically in your life experiences has led you to want to study law? Why do you want to study at UVic specifically? This is important because we want our applicants to WANT to be here. You should be prepared to discuss why you are a good fit for UVic Law and, conversely, why UVic Law is a good fit for you. When discussing fit, think about what specifically you have learned in your journey up to this point that will add value to UVic Law.
The answers to these questions should tell a story that logically flows from one response to the next, reading like one cohesive story, rather than a series of disjointed answers to questions.
In Part B, you are expected to use bullet point format to list other activities or achievements that you want the Admissions Committee to know about. Breaking these into categories – education, work experience, volunteer experience, extracurricular activities, etc. – can help tell a story with your bullet points. It’s important to always use dates so that we know what part of your story each point comes from. It’s likewise important to tell us how what you are listing relates to law. At the end of each section, write a sentence or two that outlines how these activities or achievements tie in with your Part A narrative.
While what we want is YOUR authentic story, here are some basic tips on how to craft a strong personal statement:
1. Read Everything
I say this often about many things. A breadth of knowledge is generally an asset. Before you sit down to write an outline of your personal statement, before you write your first word, stop. Breathe. Read our website. Read the webpage for the stream you are applying under. Understand the requirements and the purpose of that stream. Know when the application is due and how you turn it in. Having read everything will really help when you sit down to do the actual work of writing.
2. Do Your Research
We don’t need you to know what each professor’s favourite lunch is or what the dean did last September. However, familiarizing yourself with UVic Law, programs we offer, and some of the professors who teach here will be helpful. Research professors whose work aligns with your interests and plan to use the information to tie your writing together, rather than just regurgitating information from professor bios. We have faculty doing innovative and ground-breaking research. Take note that we have one-of-a-kind programs and a strong emphasis on experiential learning. This is all helpful background when you think about writing about why you want to study at UVic Law.
3. Start Early
This is another thing I am fond of saying. Waiting until the last minute is rarely helpful, especially with something so difficult as letting us know who you are. It’s not an easy task! I understand that some people thrive on the urgency created by waiting until the last minute. However, this gives you less time to really think through what you want to say. It also gives you time to edit and to ask questions. It definitely gives you less time to deal with technical or formatting issues.
4. Proofread
The expectation is that applicants write at a graduate level. This includes a good grasp of language and grammar rules. Sloppy mistakes can turn a well-written personal statement into a mediocre work quickly. Proofread, proofread, and proofread some more. Have someone else proofread. Put it down for 24 hours and come back to it. A well-proofread personal statement is an easy way to add competence to your application. The converse of that is also true.
5. Don’t experiment
Everyone wants to stand out. With that in mind, some applicants take risks with their application, using novel approaches. That could make an applicant stand out in an amazing way. However, it’s more likely to make an applicant stand out in a negative way. Writing your personal statement in poetic stanzas or including pictures or brightly coloured fonts is more likely to distract from the message in your statement than pack a positive punch.
6. Don’t inflate
It’s no secret that lawyers tend to like big words. However, they also love to read things written in plain English. There isn’t any need to pop in a $5 word where a $2 word will do. What we want is a logical story told from your perspective that is well-written and sincere. Inflating your word usage beyond what you are comfortable with will not help accomplish that.
Likewise, it’s important not to inflate your accomplishments or repeatedly name drop. Generally speaking, these two things tend to erase any tone of authenticity.
7. Set a sincere tone
Recruitment and Admissions Officer Lori Klear is fond of telling applicants to write “authentically, vulnerably, and strategically.” This is perhaps the most difficult thing to accomplish for many. It’s tough to pivot from writing what you think the Admissions Committee wants to hear to writing from the heart. However, it’s also the most important part of writing your personal statement. It gets quite obvious when an applicant is not writing from a place of sincerity.
8. Do not assume that we know what you are talking about
Many applications use initialisms or acronyms in their writing. Applicants talk about jobs they have had with employers that they assume we should know. It’s best in a personal statement not to ask your readers to have any prior knowledge when they read your narrative. That is, you should spell things out or explain them, especially acronyms. Asking us to complete a series of Internet searches in order to complete a reading of your personal statement is not only an ineffective use of our time, it distracts us from understanding the message in your narrative. Additionally, we do not assume how your experiences are going to relate to your pursuit of law. With your experiences, as well, please spell out this relation.
9. Include some fun facts when you talk about yourself.
This is an easy thing to add to Part B of your personal statement. This accomplishes a few things. Firstly, it lightens the mood. Secondly, it gives us greater insight into who you are as a person. Lastly, it can provide some context for other parts of your personal statement. Bonus points* if you can tie these back to your Part A narrative!
*Please note that these are metaphorical bonus points and not literal bonus points. We do not give actual bonus points in the admissions process.
10. Brevity rules
The Admissions Committee reviews over 1,000 applications each year. We do want to get to know who you really are. However, we would prefer not to spend hours doing it. Some people have complex stories to tell. That said, brevity is a highly valued art at UVic Law. Having well-organized writing that concisely tells a logical story will go a long way.
11. Show your potential for success
One of the things we are looking for in all personal statements is potential likelihood of success in a rigorous program and beyond. Ultimately, we need to know you are ready to be here. Law school is difficult. It’s important to understand that you have supports built in to succeed, whatever the source. They can be through community or routine, for example. However, even if you have the most amazing life experiences and the best reasons for studying at UVic Law, if it appears that you are not at a place in life to be ready to take on this program, your likelihood of acceptance is low. It’s important to project your potential and readiness for success in your personal statement.