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Personal Statements for Undergraduate Programs

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How to Ace Your University of Wisconsin Personal Statements

Learn Strategies for Making your UW Application Shine

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The University of Wisconsin System has a holistic admissions process that includes at least one personal statement. The flagship campus in Madison requires two essays. Applicants can apply using either the Common Application or the University of Wisconsin Application. This article addresses strategies for responding to the essay prompts. 

The Personal Statement for all University of Wisconsin Campuses

The main campus of the University of Wisconsin in Madison as well as the campuses in Milwaukee, Stevens, and Stout accept either the Common Application or the UW application. For these four schools, applicants can choose to apply using the Common Application and reply to one of its seven essay prompts . This gives you the freedom to write about anything you choose, for not only do the prompts cover a wide range of topics, but option #7 allows you to write on a topic of your choice .

Every campus of the UW system, however, accepts the University of Wisconsin application. The main prompt on this application asks the following:

This part is all about you. Tell us about something you’ve done—academically or personally—and what you’ve learned from it. Was it a success or a challenge? Did it represent a turning point in your life? How did this particular moment in your life influence you, and how will it continue to influence you as you pursue your college education?

You have so many options here that you might find the essay prompt daunting. As you figure out what the "something you've done" is that you should write about, keep in mind the reason why the University of Wisconsin is asking this question. The admissions process is holistic, so the university wants to get to know you as a whole person, not just as a set of empirical data such as grades, class rank, and standardized test scores. Your extracurricular activities and employment history are part of the holistic portrait, but they don't tell the whole story. 

Use this prompt to explore something that isn't obvious from the rest of your application. If one of your jobs or extracurricular activities is particularly important to you, you could use this essay to explain why that is so (much like a typical  short answer essay ). Or you could use this essay to present a side of your personality that doesn't appear on your application at all. Perhaps you like rebuilding motorcycles, fishing with your younger sister, or writing poetry.

Almost anything that's important to you is fair game here, just make sure you follow through and explain  why  it's important to you. If you fail to explain what you learned and how you've changed, you've failed to present the admissions folks a full window into your passions and interests. Also make sure your essay is forward looking since the prompt asks you to project ahead into your college years.

The Additional Essay for UW-Madison

The University of Wisconsin flagship campus in Madison requires a second essay. The prompt is the same whether you use the Common Application or the UW Application. It asks the following:

Tell us why you would like to attend the University of Wisconsin–Madison. In addition, please include why you are interested in studying the major(s) you have selected. If you selected undecided, please describe your areas of possible academic interest.

UW-Madison has packed a lot into this essay prompt, and it might be best to view it as two essay prompts, not one. The first—why UW-Madison?—is typical of the supplemental essays for many other colleges, and you'll want to avoid common supplemental essay mistakes . The key here is to be specific. If your answer could be applied to schools other than UW-Madison, then you're being too vague and generic. What  specifically  about UW-Madison appeals to you? What unique features of the university distinguish it from other places you're considering?

Similarly, with the question about your academic interests, be sure to do your research. Make sure you know what the university offers so that you know what opportunities you can take advantage of should you be admitted. UW-Madison is trying to make sure applicants are familiar with the university's academic offerings and have clear interests that map well to the school's curriculum.

For both pieces of this essay, keep the "why" at the forefront. Don't just describe your academic interests or the features of UW that you like. Explain why you like these things. Why do you get excited about a certain subject area? Why does UW appeal to you? In addressing "why," your essay becomes about you. The admissions folks get a glimpse into what you value and what it is that interests and excites you.

The Additional Essay for UW-La Crosse

Of all the campuses in the University of Wisconsin system, the only other school to require a second essay is UW-La Crosse . The essay prompt reads:

Please respond to the following: How will your life experiences, commitments, and/or characteristics enrich the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse campus community? Tell us why you are interested in attending UW–La Crosse and what aspects of the campus are especially important to you?

Here, as with the UW-Madison prompt, you're getting the "Why our school?" question. Be sure to be specific. Any response that could be applied to universities other than UW-La Crosse are too generic. Show that you are familiar with UW-La Crosse and that the university has unique features that align well with your interests, personality, academic goals, and professional aspirations.

The main part of the essay prompt is refreshing in its directness, for, in truth, it is asking what every college admissions essay asks—How will you "enrich our community?" Colleges want more than students with good grades and high test scores; they also want students who will contribute to campus life in a positive way. Before you write your essay or take part in a college interview, you'd be wise to figure out your own answer to the question. What is it that you will contribute? Why will the college be a better place because of your presence? Think about your hobbies, your sense of humor, your quirks, your academic passions... all of the features that make you you .

Nearly all application essays are really getting at this very issue. Whether you are writing about a challenge you've faced, a problem you've solved, an important accomplishment in your life, or an important dimension of your life experiences, a good essay shows that you bring to campus the type of passion and personality that will enrich the university community.

Make Your University of Wisconsin Essay Shine

You have lots of breadth in choosing what to write about, but you'd be wise to steer clear of bad essay topics that often go astray. Also, don't just focus on what to write, but also how you write it. Pay attention to the style of your essay so that your narrative is tight, engaging, and powerful. Also be sure to follow the tips on the UW website .

• UC Personal Statement Prompt #1
• 7 Law School Personal Statement Topic Ideas
• 2020-21 Common Application Essay Option 4—Solving a Problem
• Common Supplemental Essay Mistakes
• The 2021-22 Common Application Essay Prompts
• Common Application Essay Option 2 Tips: Learning from Failure
• Common Application Essay on a Meaningful Place
• Common Application Essay, Option 1: Share Your Story
• The Length Requirements for the Common Application Essay in 2020-21
• Sample Weak Supplemental Essay for Duke University
• Tips for Writing an Essay on an Event That Led to Personal Growth
• Ideal College Application Essay Length
• Addressing Diversity in a College Application Essay
• Common Application Essay Option 3 Tips: Challenging a Belief
• Tips for an Admissions Essay on an Influential Person
• Tips for Writing a Winning College Transfer Essay

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Personal Statement

Main content.

Every law school application requires a personal statement and it is an important part of the application. Since the majority of law schools don’t have interviews, committees rely on this statement as an interview-in-an-essay. It is also a sample of your writing ability. With many applicants with similar qualifications (high GPA and LSAT scores, strong professional or extracurricular experiences, etc), the personal statement is the chance for you to help the admissions committee distinguish you from all the rest. Your personal statement can be what tips you from the waitlist or decline list to the admit list, so make sure to take it seriously!

Steps to Writing a Strong Personal Statement:

• Brainstorm:  The goal of this stage is to find a core idea or theme around which your statement will center. Most schools are interested in learning what unique qualities and experiences you will contribute to their incoming class. Take time to brainstorm about what experiences have shaped you, what skills or traits are unique to you, or what personal accomplishments set you apart. 
• Free Write: Pick three of the topics, themes, or ideas from  your brainstorming session.  This is the stage where you sit down and just start to write. If you have several different themes or topics in mind, start one draft for each. Spend 10-15 minutes on each free writing draft. Don’t edit yourself, try to stay within a word limit, or attempt to edit while you write. The goal is to get as much down on paper as  you can.
• Review: Review your “free write” drafts. Does one stand out or particularly resonate with you? If none of the topics feel right, go back, pick three more ideas from your brainstorming session, and repeat the free write exercise until you find something that you want to move to the next stage with;
• Draft:  Start drafting your personal statement. Some people find drafting an outline first assists them in thinking through the structure and flow of the statement, while other prefer to just start writing and organize as they go.
• Edit:  Have at least one objective person, ideally someone familiar with the law school application process, review your personal statement. Be prepared for feedback. A good reviewer will send your personal statement back to you with comments and suggestions. If you get your statement back with a simple “looks great!”, find a new reviewer! Remember that many law school applicants go through several rounds of revision before submitting their application! Legal Pathways offers personal statement review, but please make sure to allow enough time to go through the editing process -- if you email asking for feedback by the next day, we won’t be able to help! 
• Finalize: Once you are done making any substantive edits, proofread carefully. Additionally, make sure you have followed the directions provided (which may vary from school to school) about word count or page limit and any formatting requirements. Ensure you have used the right law school name for each statement.  

Personal Statement Tips:

• “Show, Don’t Tell” :  Show, don’t tell: conclusions should be self-evident. Well written statements use stories that illustrate your good qualities. You should not have to explicitly state them.
• Be the Main Character and Grow :  Tell a story where you are the main character and you changed, grew, or shifted your perspective.
• Write a concise narrative with one or two points . Personal statements are relatively short and you can’t fit it all in -- tell one story very well not ten stories poorly!  over quantity.
• Keep the focus on yourself , not your family members, friends, or other people in your life (even if they are very interesting or important to you!)
• Be authentic and honest . This is your chance for the law school admissions committee to get to know you. Use it! 

Avoid Common Pitfalls:

• Don’t rush the process . Many students need to write 3-6 drafts to craft a strong, concise and memorable personal statement.
• Don’t skip the review process . Have at least one person familiar with the law school application process review your personal statement and provide feedback. At the University of Washington Tacoma, both the Writing Center and Legal Pathways provide this service! 
• Don’t use your personal statement to repeat what is already in your resume . You only get to submit a handful of things in your law school application, so make each one count and don’t duplicate information! If they will read about it somewhere else, don’t repeat it.
• Don’t try to write like a legal scholar or explain the law . No Latin phrases. No teaching. This is an essay about you (and don’t worry, you will have lots of opportunities to use that Latin once you are in law school!)
• Personal Statement Do’s and Don’ts
• Writing Personal Statements for Law School
• Personal Statement Packet (Pre-Law Guru)
• Sample Personal Statements (The University of Chicago Law School)
• Personal Statement Brainstorming Exercises (University of Wisconsin-Madison)
• Nine Important Personal Statement Tips for Law School Applicants (New England Law)
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UW-Madison law school professor gashes State Bar, law school DEI efforts in scathing email

By: Steve Schuster, [email protected] // January 22, 2024 //

State Bar of Wisconsin Diversity Clerkship 2023. Submitted photo

Allegations of State Bar of Wisconsin and University of Wisconsin White Privilege

What does dei include  should it also include religions.

• Dean Dietrich – president State Bar of Wisconsin
• Jane Ellen Bucher – president-elect
• Margaret Wrenn Hickey – past-president
• Frances Coyer Munoz – secretary
• Deanne M. Koll – treasurer
• Joseph Cardamone III – chairperson of the Bar Board of Governors
• Larry Martin –  executive director.

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University of Wisconsin Law School

The information on this page was provided by the law school.

Official Guide to ABA-Approved JD Programs

The University of Wisconsin Law School is located on historic Bascom Hill in the heart of the beautiful UW–Madison campus. It boasts a renowned faculty, an extensive curriculum and a dynamic student body. As part of an amazing university located in the state’s capital, the Law School also offers an unparalleled wealth of experiences beyond its walls.

An extensive curriculum places emphasis on the dynamics of the law—how the law relates to social change and to society as a whole—while at the same time stressing skill development. In addition to nationally recognized programs in several substantive areas, the Law School also has one of the largest clinical programs in the country. UW Law School offers many dual degree programs, concentrations and certificate programs.

With a focus on skills-based learning, our students graduate practice-ready and prepared for success. Most UW Law School students are pursuing a J.D. (Juris Doctor) degree, while many others are earning an LL.M. (Master of Laws) or the S.J.D. (Doctor of Juridical Science).

The UW Law School's nationally recognized faculty and staff work together to provide an outstanding learning environment for our students. Our faculty and staff come from a wide range of backgrounds and bring varying experiences, views and approaches to the Law School. They are inspired by the UW’s distinctive law-in-action approach, and they are committed to helping students develop into confident, successful lawyers.

The JD Program

At UW Law School, we want our students to design their education in a way that caters to their passions and fulfills their professional goals. 

Our students have many opportunities to experience our long-standing law-in-action tradition, which empowers them to navigate as successful lawyers in an increasingly complex, competitive and challenging world.

Incorporated throughout our extensive curriculum, this law-in-action philosophy places an emphasis on the  dynamics  of the law, meaning:

• how the law both reflects and causes social change, and
• how the law as it is practiced can differ from the law described in the statutes.

Dual Degree Programs

The opportunities for graduate study beyond a law degree are particularly rich at the University of Wisconsin. The UW Law School offers dual degree opportunities in conjunction with master's and doctoral programs on the campus. The Law School has established programs with:

• La Follette School of Public Affairs
• Wisconsin School of Business
• Latin American, Caribbean and Iberian Studies Program
• Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies
• Department of Philosophy
• Department of Political Science
• Department of Sociology and Rural Sociology
• School of Library and Information Studies
• Master of Public Health Program
• Neuroscience and Public Policy Program

A strong tradition of research at the UW and an environment that encourages interdisciplinary work support the dual degree programs. In addition, the Law School offers  certificate programs  that provide an opportunity for concentrated study, but do not involve an additional degree. Certificates are available in two subject areas: Health Advocacy and Russian Area Studies.

A dual degree is not a joint degree or a double degree. A dual degree is two separate degrees, one of which is granted by a graduate or professional department, school or program and one of which is granted by the Law School. In most instances, completing the requirements for a master's degree and a J.D. will add about a year of study to the three years that it usually takes to complete law school and saves approximately one year of study compared to attaining both degrees separately. A combination of a J.D. and a Ph.D. will take considerably longer. The mechanism for reducing the time for each degree is the permission to "double count" some courses taken for the J.D. degree toward the master's or Ph.D. degree and vice versa.

In addition, the Law School is committed to helping students create individual programs that combine law and related fields of study. Students wanting to combine a J.D. with a master's not already approved in the Law School Rules (listed above) must receive permission for their programs from the Law School Petitions Committee. Students do not need permission from the Petitions Committee to pursue a J.D. with a Ph.D. not already approved in the Law School. Lastly, the Law School has adopted a general regulation to facilitate dual J.D./Ph.D. programs in fields where no established dual degree program currently exists. That rule allows the Law School to grant a semester of advanced standing to students in such programs if certain standards are met.

Clinical Programs

As one of the first law schools to initiate a clinical program, UW Law School is committed to practical experience as a part of legal education. The Frank J. Remington Center and the Economic Justice Institute were among the school's first clinical programs. Over the years, UW Law has strengthened and increased the number of clinical opportunities it provides. UW Law now hosts 18 in-house clinical opportunities for students.

Clinics provide students with hands-on lawyering experiences with real people—clients, victims, witnesses, family members, lawyers, and judges—enhancing student understanding of the roles and responsibilities of practicing attorneys.

Under the supervision of clinical professors or supervising attorneys, students interview clients, perform factual investigations, conduct legal research, prepare client letters, draft legal documents, and write briefs.

Externships

Our experiential learning and skills training programs include a large number of externship opportunities: field placements outside the Law School, where students receive academic credit, but not compensation, for their work.

Many of these externships are clinical course offerings, supervised by clinical or adjunct faculty members. Others are student-initiated externships in the legal departments of government or nonprofit agencies or in-house legal departments at corporations.

Popular externship opportunities include: 

• Midwest Environmental Advocates
• Public Health Madison Dane County
• Disability Rights Wisconsin
• UW Hospital & Clinics Office of General Counsel
• WI Department of Revenue
• Internal Revenue Service, Office of Chief Counsel, Milwaukee Office
• Department of Homeland Security Office of the General Counsel
• Center for Disease Control
• US Department of Commercial, Office of the General Counsel
• US Securities and Exchange Commission
• US Department of Justice

Judicial Internship Program

The Judicial Intern Program gives students an opportunity to work with trial and appellate judges and view the judicial process from the perspective of the decision maker. Placements include the Wisconsin Supreme Court; Wisconsin Court of Appeals; Dane County Circuit Courts; and the United States District Court in both Milwaukee and Madison. Students are able to observe the court system from the inside; learn about the work of judges and their law clerks; and evaluate the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of lawyers appearing before the courts. The actual work performed may vary from judge to judge but the emphasis is on research and writing.

The Judicial Intern Program takes approximately 25 students during each semester of the academic year and during the summer. It is open to all students who have achieved second year status; thus students are eligible to participate in the summer following their first year. Second- and third-year students have priority and are generally placed.

Lawyering Skills Course

The Lawyering Skills Course is a unique opportunity for students to learn "real world" legal skills from practicing lawyers in a simulated legal environment.

Over the course of a semester, students get hands-on experience practicing a wide range of lawyering skills. Students also learn how lawyers manage their practices, address difficult ethical and professional problems, and balance their professional and personal lives.

Pro Bono Program

The Pro Bono Program provides students with opportunities to deliver law-related services to community members of limited financial means.

Students are assisted and supported by Pro Bono Program staff with placements in private and nonprofit law firms, legal aid groups, in-house programs and other organizations. Pro bono work is performed under appropriate supervision.

Students can engage in meaningful client service as early as the first semester of law school.

In keeping with the law school's law-in-action tradition, students develop legal and professional skills, gain practical, hands-on experience in real work environments and explore their ethical responsibility to provide pro bono service.

Student Journals

The University of Wisconsin Law School publishes three scholarly journals:

• Wisconsin Law Review:  The  Wisconsin Law Review  is a student-run journal of legal analysis and commentary that is used by professors, judges, practitioners, and others researching contemporary legal topics. It includes professional and student articles, with content spanning local, state, national, and international topics. In addition to publishing the journal, the  Wisconsin   Law Review  sponsors an annual symposium at which leading scholars debate a significant issue in contemporary law. Students earn membership through a writing competition at the end of their first year.
• The Wisconsin International Law Journal:  Established in 1982, the  Wisconsin International Law Journal  is written by both professionals in the field and by law students. The journal offers articles of scholarly and practical interest in various areas of international law. Student members of the journal edit articles of interest in various areas of international law and draft articles for submission and possible publication. Each spring, the student members coordinate a conference on recent topics of interest in international law.
• Wisconsin Journal of Law, Gender & Society:  The  Wisconsin Journal of Law, Gender & Society  is a student-edited journal with a national scope. The  Journal , which was established in 1985, publishes contributions from faculty, students, and practitioners on a wide-range of legal topics. Its focus is on scholarship that examines the intersection of law and gender with issues of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and sexual orientation. The  Wisconsin Journal of Law, Gender & Society  is open to all students.

Mock Trial team members at UW Law School enroll in a trial advocacy class in the fall, and participate in national competitions in the spring. For students interested in litigation, Mock Trial is an invaluable experience to develop skills that other courses cannot provide.

Each year, Mock Trial members either compete or participate as alternates in one of several competitions. Competitions encompass a variety of legal topics; however, expertise in specialized fields is not required. Recently, our team competed in several competitions across the country, including competitions in Buffalo, San Francisco, Chicago and Lincoln.

Moot Court is a mock appellate advocacy experience that helps law students develop the following skills to practice law:

• Strong writing and oral advocacy skills
• Intellectual flexibility
• Ability to function well under pressure
• Self-confidence necessary to be successful advocates

Moot Court gives law students an opportunity to focus on a single issue, prepare an in-depth written product and improve their writing. Similar to Law Review, employers recruit directly from our Moot Court Board.

Moot Court sends 16-17 teams to compete in competitions across the country in a variety of subjects. Competitors, also known as “mooters,” work on teams to write briefs and prepare oral arguments as if they were appearing before an appellate court.

Study Abroad

The UW Law School believes that learning about law and legal institutions from a foreign perspective helps not only the students who end up practicing law in the country where they study, but also the many students who enter areas of practice that demand knowledge of foreign and international law and legal institutions. More importantly, foreign study promotes a critical understanding our own legal system. The Law School's policy of encouraging foreign study coincides with large-scale University goals and initiatives. Students at the University of Wisconsin Law School may earn up to 30 credits toward a University of Wisconsin Law School J.D. by studying law abroad. Students may:

• participate in one of our international exchange programs;
• attend other law school programs; or
• create their own independent foreign study programs.

Student Life

Student organizations.

The range of extracurricular activities and student organizations within the University of Wisconsin Law School reflects the diverse and varying interests across the student body. UW Law students are active in many organizations, from professional groups to intramural sports and more. If there isn't an organization that suits your particular needs and interests, we encourage you to start one! 

Student Organizations at Wisconsin Law

Student Bar Association (SBA)

Advocates for Immigrants' Rights (AIR)

Advocate's Society

American Constitution Society (ACS)

American Inns of Court

Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF)

Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Law Students Association (APIDALSA)

Black Law Students Association (BLSA)

Business & Tax Law Association (BATLAW)

Children's Justice Project (CJP)

Christian Legal Society (CLS)

Environmental Law Society (ELS)

First Generation Lawyers

Federalist Society

Health Law Student Association (HLSA)

Indigenous Law Students Association (ILSA)

Intellectual Property Students Organization (IPSO)

Jewish Law Students Association (JLSA)

JD Student Veterans Club (SVC)

Labor & Employment Student Association (LESA)

Law School Wellness Coalition

Law Students with Disabilities Coalition

Legal Assistance for Disaster Relief (LADR)

Maritime Law Society (MLS)

Middle Eastern Law Students Association (MELSA)

National Lawyers Guild (NLG-UW)

Public Interest Law Foundation (PILF)

QLaw (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Law Students)

Run Club at Wisconsin Law

Socialist Law Students of Wisconsin (SocLaw)

Society for Education Law and Policy (SELP)

Sports & Entertainment Law Society (SELS)

State & Local Government Law Society (SLOG Law)

Teaching Assistants' Association (TAA)

Technology Law Student Association (TLSA)

Transportation Law Society (TLS)

Unemployment Compensation Appeals

Wisconsin Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (WACDL)

Wisconsin International Law Society (WILS)

Women's Law Student Association (WLSA)

Career Placement and Bar Passage

Office of Career and Professional Development

Leading law firms, government agencies, business, and public interest organizations hire UW Law School graduates. A broad range of employers participate in the on-campus interview program. The Law School also participates in off-campus job fairs each year in New York, Chicago, Texas, and Washington, D.C., and our students receive support, mentorship, and guidance from our alumni around the world. 

From your first semester of law school to graduation and beyond, the Office of Career and Professional Development provides expert resources to help you achieve your professional goals.

• Receive individual career counseling, from self-assessments to salary negotiations
• Learn effective resume and cover letter writing, interviewing techniques, and social media etiquette
• Participate in on-campus and remote interview programs
• Network with potential employers and learn from practicing attorneys

2021 Graduate Employment by Job Sector

• Law Firm - 46%
• Public Interest - 18%
• Government - 16%
• Business & Industry - 11%
• Clerkships - 9%

Diploma Privilege

One of the great benefits of being a UW Law School student is Diploma Privilege. Diploma Privilege allows our graduates to secure a license to practice law in Wisconsin without taking a bar exam. Wisconsin is one of the only states in the country that offers diploma privilege.

If you intend to practice in Wisconsin when you graduate, or think you  may  return to Wisconsin in the future, there is a clear benefit to satisfying the Wisconsin Diploma Privilege.

Even if you're not planning to practice in Wisconsin, there are still reasons you should consider satisfying the diploma privilege:

• It allows you to practice in most federal agencies (such as the IRS, FTC, SEC, etc.) without taking a bar exam.
• You would be a licensed attorney while you are studying for the bar in another state, meaning you may be able to handle legal matters for your employer that graduates from other states cannot.
• You will be licensed in more than one state, which is appealing to many employers.

Tuition and Aid

The University of Wisconsin Law School Admissions and Financial Aid Office awards scholarships based on a variety of criteria, such as merit, need, academic background, personal qualifications, or some combination depending on the individual scholarship.

Admitted Applicant Profile

25-75% ugpa range at wisconsin:.

3.49 to 3.90

25-75% LSAT Score Range at Wisconsin:

Contact Information

Good Advice from Law School Admissions Deans

“You could approach the personal statement as your opportunity to have ‘an interview’ with an admissions officer. If you had fifteen minutes, what question do you hope would be asked? What story would you tell? What do you hope the interviewer would remember about you? The best statements are heartfelt, sincere, straightforward and above all, beautifully written.” Ken Kleinrock, Associate Dean for Admissions, NYU Law

“We…look favorably upon applicants who can be a bit reflective in the personal statement—they not only describe their life experiences, but how those experiences shaped them and why they are important. How have those experiences influenced the applicant and, perhaps, helped define his or her goals and aspirations. You either have this insight or you don’t. If you are able to draft this type of essay, it can be extremely powerful because it shows that you might have a more sophisticated view of the world and your role in it.” Bill Hoye, Associate Dean of Admissions, Duke University School of Law

“I think that the biggest error in judgment that an applicant might make is to talk too much in their personal statement. It is so much more effective for an applicant to be concise, say what they have to say, make their point, and then stop talking.” Andrew Cornblatt, Dean of Admissions, Georgetown Law

“It is fairly obvious to us when an applicant tries to be someone or something s/he is not, which is not only off-putting, but can also cast a shadow of doubt on other parts of your application. Be sure that when you talk about future goals, e.g., saving Alaskan whales, it is because you have a demonstrated interest in doing so and not simply because you might have gone on an Alaskan whale watching cruise. We really want to know you—who you are and what motivates you, albeit in two pages or less.” Nkonye Iwerebon, Dean of Admissions, Columbia Law School