Law School Personal Statement, Personal Statement Example

I grew up in poverty but my family always had a big heart and believed in service to the community. They taught me that the society progresses when it takes care of its least fortunate members. Later when I decided to attend college, many of my friends tried to change my mind since I was barely surviving economically and had four children to take care of but I decided to take on the challenge. I even had personal reservations in the beginning regarding my ability to successfully manage studies, work, and family at the same time but the end result even came as a surprise to me. I didn’t only successfully manage family and work but also excelled at college, winning several awards including U.S. Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) Scholarship, Dean’s List, and Paralegal Honor Student of the Year. I majored in Rehabilitation Counseling because I didn’t want a job just for income but also for making difference in the society.

After graduating, I worked at a wide variety of organizations including but not limited to Maranatha Christian Academy, Scott’s Run Settlement House, Atlantic Rehabilitation Services, Inc., and West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services. My work experiences allowed me to develop several skills such as human relations, leadership, time management, and resource management. I am still amazed by the sheer number of strong people I have met over the years who only strengthened my faith in the goodness within us whether it was a seventy-eight years old grandmother with arthritis who volunteered to place stamps on newsletters or a guy named Sam who would walk one mile from home every day to shovel snow.

During my work, my peers and subordinates have often praised me for my extraordinary ability to understand others. This may be due to the fact that I try to place myself in others’ shoes and try not to be judgmental. Moreover, I believe that every person has potential and sometimes just a little help can enable the person to realize his/her true potential. I also believe that every person deserves respect and people amaze you when they feel appreciated. I made it a rule to always send hand written appreciation notes to hundreds of volunteers who helped me achieve my goals while other agencies would send typed thank you notes. I majored in Rehabilitation Services because I wanted to be a positive force of change in the society and it is the same spirit that has persuaded me to pursue my Law degree.

I am particularly interested in specializing in disability laws because my work experiences have helped me better understand the issues and challenges of people with disabilities though I will also seek expertise in other legal areas. I have no doubt I will be a successful lawyer because I already posses the qualities and skills demanded by the legal profession such as love for research, human relations, networking in both the public and the private sector, and the ability to work long hours without sacrificing performance. Even though U.S. has come a long way in protecting the rights of vulnerable members of our communities including the people with disabilities, there is still much work to do including changing employers’ perceptions and increasing awareness among people with disabilities regarding their rights as well as the resources available to them.

I am particularly interested in West Virginia University (WVU) College of Law because I am impressed by the school’s commitment to diversity as well as continuous efforts to update the curriculum to reflect modern realities of which one example is the School’s focus on Energy Technology Law. Being an alumnus of WVU, I am already familiar with the university’s culture and the quality of faculty and students which is why WVU is my first choice. I hope I will be an exemplary ambassador of the school in the real world and use the knowledge and skills learnt at law school to improve the lives of some of the most vulnerable members of our society.