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How to write a 'why this law school' essay with examples.

Reviewed by:

David Merson

Former Head of Pre-Law Office, Northeastern University, & Admissions Officer, Brown University

Reviewed: 2/6/24

Entering law school? Knowing how to approach the “why law” school essay is vital—it's your tool to articulate why their institution is the ideal match for your legal goals. Let's get straight to it.

Getting into law school involves more than just grades—it's about convincing the admissions team why their school is the perfect fit for you. 

In this guide, we'll walk you through the process of crafting a strong "Why This Law School" essay, using clear examples and practical advice to help your application stand out in the competitive pool of applicants. So, let's get down to the essentials that will make your essay a key asset in securing your spot at the law school of your choice.

Writing the "Why This Law School" Essay

When writing your "Why This Law School" essay, it's important to thoughtfully consider key elements to express your connection with clarity and purpose. So, let’s take a look at how to write a “why law” school essay.

Generating Ideas for Impactful Content

When you're getting ready to write your “why law” school essay, start by doing some research. Dig into the school's culture, mission, faculty, and special projects. Learn about their history and what campus life is like.

Next, think about what genuinely interests you about the school. It could be their commitment to diversity, a specific course they offer, or interesting internship opportunities . Write down these things that catch your attention.

Now, connect your own experiences, events, and skills with the things you found interesting about the school. If they're big on diversity, share your own experiences supporting inclusivity. 

If there's a specific course you like, talk about how your past courses and work experiences make you a great fit. Basically, show them why you're not just any applicant but someone who can really add to what makes the school unique.

Stating Academic and Career Goals

A concise statement sets the stage, pinpointing what draws you to the school. Perhaps it's the renowned faculty or the emphasis on practical skills. Illustrate with a personal example—maybe a transformative moment during an internship or a class—that aligns with the school's values. Showcase your connection.

Highlight how your future aspirations intertwine with the school's strengths. Whether it's honing specific legal skills or contributing to a particular aspect of the academic community, paint a vivid picture of what you aim to achieve. Keep it focused, emphasizing the tapestry of alignment between your goals and the school's offerings.

Exploring Unique Opportunities Related to Your Interests

When explaining why a specific law school captures your attention, it's crucial to move beyond generic features and explore the distinctive opportunities the institution offers. For instance, consider the case of the UC Berkeley School of Law .

Dive into specific clinics like the Environmental Law Clinic, renowned professors such as Professor Abhay Aneja , or cutting-edge research projects like the Berkeley Center for Law and Technology. By delving into these unique aspects, you showcase genuine interest in what sets Berkeley Law apart.

Establishing a personal connection to these opportunities is key. It's not just about what Berkeley Law provides; it's about how programs like these align with your personal and professional goals. 

This connection adds depth to your application, demonstrating how you'll not only benefit from these opportunities but also contribute positively to the overall Berkeley Law community. Effectively communicating this alignment enhances your case for being an ideal fit for the institution.

Adding Top Academic and Extracurricular/Social Reasons for Application

Crafting a compelling application involves presenting a balanced approach that seamlessly integrates both academic and extracurricular or social reasons for your choice. Showcase a comprehensive understanding of the law school's offerings, not only in terms of curriculum but also in the broader context of the overall student experience.

To demonstrate fit, articulate how your academic pursuits align harmoniously with the school's curriculum. Illustrate how the courses, faculty expertise, and academic environment resonate with your educational goals. Simultaneously, emphasize how your extracurricular interests contribute meaningfully to the broader community. 

Whether it's involvement in student organizations, community service, or social initiatives, conveying a holistic engagement paints a picture of a candidate who will not only excel academically but also enrich the social fabric of the law school.

Knowing the Right Essay Length

If there are no guidelines, aim for around one double-spaced page, roughly 250–350 words. Format your essay like your personal statement, using "Interest in School X" in the header unless the application specifies otherwise (e.g., "Supplemental Essay One"). This ensures a smooth and organized flow of your thoughts throughout your application.

Thinking about length isn't just a detail; it's a sign of respecting the application process and the committee's time. This consideration makes your response more impactful and shows you get the importance of being concise without losing depth.

Seeking Professional Assistance

Starting your law school journey involves complexities, from crafting a strong application to excelling in standardized tests like the LSAT , GRE, Bar Exam, or MPRE. At Juris Education, our experienced admissions counselors are here to guide you through every step.

Navigating the details of expressing your achievements and overcoming setbacks can be challenging. Our team offers personalized guidance to help you strategically present your unique strengths, ensuring they connect with admissions committees.

Our consulting services are more than just advice; they make a real difference. Specifically designed for applicants dealing with challenges like low GPAs or LSAT scores, we specialize in turning setbacks into strengths, significantly improving your chances of acceptance.

We work closely with you to identify and highlight your standout qualities, tailoring your application to showcase what makes you exceptional. This personal touch sets you apart and boosts your appeal to admissions committees.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Your “Why This Law School” Essay

Avoiding common pitfalls in your "Why This Law School" essay is crucial for clarity:

1. Vague Statements

When writing your essay, steer clear of vague language that could apply to any law school. Instead, focus on specific elements that make the institution unique, such as distinctive programs, esteemed faculty, or unparalleled opportunities. 

Get into the details when discussing academic offerings—highlight faculty members aligned with your interests and pinpoint programs resonating with your academic goals. This specificity not only reveals your research depth but also establishes a thoughtful connection to the school.

2. Overemphasis on Reputation

While acknowledging a law school's prestige is vital, avoid fixating solely on reputation without linking it to your personal and professional goals. Admission committees want to understand how the school's reputation aligns with your aspirations and why it's the ideal place for your legal education. 

Connect the school's reputation to your objectives to provide a nuanced perspective. For instance, if a law school is renowned for environmental law , emphasize this alignment if you're passionate about environmental advocacy.

3. Ignoring Extracurricular/Social Aspects

Don't overlook the significance of social and extracurricular factors in your decision-making process. Law school extends beyond academics; it's a comprehensive experience involving a community, networking opportunities, and extracurricular activities . Integrate both academic and extracurricular aspects into your essay. 

Discuss how the law school's social environment, student organizations, and community engagement contribute to a holistic educational experience. This showcases a well-rounded understanding of the institution and its role in your overall legal education.

Structuring Your "Why This Law School?" Essay Effectively

Let's dive into how to make your "Why This Law School?" essay stand out by structuring it effectively.

Outlining Key Points and Themes

Making your "Why This Law School?" essay easy to understand involves a strategic approach:

1. Identify School-Specific Elements

Begin by pinpointing specific aspects of the law school that catch your interest—unique programs, esteemed faculty, or notable achievements. This lays the groundwork for a focused and impactful essay.

For instance, if the law school is known for its environmental law program and you're passionate about sustainability, highlight this in your essay. Show a deep understanding of the school's offerings and how they align with your personal and professional goals.

2. Prioritize Impactful Points

Once you've figured out what matters to you, rank them based on how much they affect your decision. What stands out the most to you? What fits well with your career goals? Putting the most impactful points first helps keep your essay clear and persuasive.

For instance, if the law school has a special program where you can work directly with clients, and this lines up with your goal of getting hands-on legal experience, make sure to highlight this. The goal is to show a sincere and careful tie to the institution.

3. Create a Logical Flow

Plan your essay with a clear order, starting with the most important points. Transition smoothly between your academic, extracurricular, and personal experiences to create a cohesive story that highlights your deep understanding of the law school and why it suits you.

For example, if your interest in environmental law relates to your commitment to community service, make sure to emphasize this connection. A well-structured and logically flowing essay enhances readability and strengthens your overall argument for why the law school is an ideal match for you.

Combining Academic and Extracurricular/Social Reasons

Ensuring balance is key when shaping your "Why This Law School?" essay. It's not just about academics; it's about capturing the broader law school experience. Avoid going all-in on one side; try to reflect your appreciation for academic offerings and your potential impact on the law school community.

Discuss how your academic path blends seamlessly with the social dynamics of law school. Share how your classes and extracurricular interests harmonize, illustrating how your involvement in student organizations weaves effortlessly into your coursework.

For instance, if the law school's clinical programs align with your academic groove, delve into how it extends beyond conventional study methods. Emphasize the practical, real-world learning experiences it offers. 

By showcasing this interconnected approach, you demonstrate a well-thought-out perspective on your entire law school journey, adding an authentic and profound dimension to your essay.

Using Feedback and Editing Wisely

As you fine-tune your "Why This Law School" essay, let's talk about using feedback and editing in a smart and effective way.

1. Reach Out for Help

Before finishing your essay, get input from people you trust. Share your essay with mentors, peers, or advisors to get helpful feedback. Others can offer insights and spot areas for improvement that you might miss.

Choose people who know about the law school application process and can give constructive feedback on what you've written. Their input is essential for polishing both the content and presentation of your essay.

2. Revision Time

Revise your essay based on feedback, focusing on clarity, coherence, and strengthening your argument. Make sure to pay attention to suggestions that take your narrative to the next level. If feedback aligns with your goals, try to incorporate it. But, most importantly, trust your judgment and maintain the integrity of your narrative if a suggestion doesn't make sense with your vision.

3. Final Polishing

Before you submit your essay, focus on a last edit for grammar, style, and overall coherence. Make sure it fits the word or character limit and stays well-organized. Check how ideas flow, transitions between paragraphs, and the general readability.

A refined essay shows your dedication to a thoughtful application. Spend a moment on this final review to catch any remaining errors and guarantee your essay leaves the intended impression.

3 Examples of Successful “Why This Law School” Essays

Explore three successful examples of "Why This Law School" essays to gain practical insights into crafting compelling narratives and building strategic connections. Each “why law” school essay example has something to offer. Let’s get into them.

1. "Why Northwestern" Essay Example

Prompt : While other parts of your application give us a sense of who you are, we are also excited to hear more about how you see yourself engaging with the larger Northwestern community. In 300 words or less, help us understand how you might engage specific resources, opportunities, and/or communities here. We are curious about what these specifics are, as well as how they may enrich your time at Northwestern and beyond. (300 words max)

Essay Example

“I love Northwestern’s academic flexibility, including the freedom of the curriculum to explore a variety of fields and the emphasis on cross-department study. Also, the quarter system provides a faster pace of learning and the opportunity to take more classes than a semester school.

Specifically, I am excited by the Spanish and Portuguese departments and the classes on Hispanic and Lusophone culture, literature, and phonetics. 

For example, the accelerated Portuguese program is a perfect way to pick up the language at a faster pace using my prior knowledge of Spanish. I intend to supplement my language acquisition through the study abroad programs offered at the Fundação Getúlio Vargas in Rio de Janeiro or an affiliate program in Santiago, Chile. 

Additionally, the GESI program in Costa Rica is another intriguing opportunity through its intersectionality. It will allow me to combine a practical application of my language skills with studies in environmental conservation that I find a pressing and interesting issue. As an open-minded learner keen to forge links between academic fields of study, I believe I would be an excellent fit for the program.

I am also interested in Linguistics and pursuing undergraduate research or possibly undertaking the coterminal BA/MA program. The opportunity to link my research to a modern language of choice and investigate, for example, regional variation in Latin American Spanish or how Portuguese loanwords have infiltrated native Amazonian languages sounds fascinating and exciting.

Finally, the unique sense of community at Northwestern captivated me when I visited campus. The residential college system, the school spirit at Wildcat games, and the friendliness of the students I met, one of whom described the school as “the most welcoming place ever”, were all emblematic of this atmosphere for me. I think I will thrive in such a dynamic and inquisitive place.”

Why This Essay Works

This essay does a great job answering the prompt. It's clear and to the point. The applicant talks about why they're excited about Northwestern, like the flexibility of the curriculum and the quarter system. 

They also get specific about their interests, like the Portuguese program and study abroad opportunities. Plus, they mention their enthusiasm for the community at Northwestern, which is a nice touch.

2. "Why Tufts?" Essay Example

Prompt : Which aspects of the Tufts undergraduate experience prompt your application? In short, "Why Tufts?" (150 words max)

“The cross-curricular focus and freedom of study at Tufts would allow me to pursue an interdisciplinary major and draw together my love for Spanish, Portuguese, Linguistics, and the natural sciences. This unique ability to design my own major by combining elements from a variety of academic fields definitely excites me. To support this, I intend to participate in the study abroad program in Chile or a civic semester in Urubamba, Peru that will allow me to practice my language skills while also benefitting the local community and gaining an invaluable cultural understanding through intimate homestay experience. Other than the academics, the vibrant community at Tufts also attracts me, with the warm and compassionate students acting as flattering adverts for the school. One student I spoke with described the average Jumbo as “goofy and loving” which I feel accurately matches my own character and outlook.

(144/150 words)”

This essay works because it clearly shows how Tufts University's cross-curricular approach aligns with the applicant's academic interests in Spanish, Portuguese, Linguistics, and the natural sciences. 

It also conveys the applicant's intention to craft a unique major and engage in enriching experiences like studying abroad and contributing to local communities. Additionally, it portrays Tufts as a welcoming and compassionate community through the description provided by a current student, making a strong case for why the applicant is interested in the university.

3. "Why Tulane?" Essay Example

Prompt : Please describe why you are interested in attending Tulane University (optional). (50-800 words)

“Tulane University has a unique history, deeply established in the city it calls home, New Orleans. After transitioning from a medical school to a full college in in 1847, then undergoing a name change from the University of Louisiana to Tulane in 1884, as the city changed, Tulane changed with it. Tulane is the crossroad of two distinctly different ideals: being rooted in tradition and adapting to the needs of modern society.

When the city was devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Tulanians answered the call to serve. Scott S. Cowen, then-President of Tulane, refused to let the hurricane ruin Tulane and the CIty. Tulanians were part of rescue and clean-up teams, devoting time and resources to rebuilding their school and the city it calls home. What was most impressive, however, was their resilience.

It would’ve been easy for the student body and staff to not come back. Being as smart and service-oriented as they are, the students and faculty could’ve found another place to live and learn easily. Yet, they returned. Tulanians have a certain sense of pride and commitment to the school that I admire. 

They could’ve stayed home and not gone back, but they wanted to pick up the pieces of the school they love. It’s clear that Tulanians take ownership in their education. I want to go to a school that my peers want to go to; I want to be immersed in a community as excited about being in it as I am. That’s Tulane.

I could go on and on about Tulane’s teacher education program. I could write about how Tulane-educated teachers are leaders in their fields because they have both a degree in their area of study as well as certification to teach. Maybe I could mention the service learning requirements necessary to graduate and enter the teacher certification program, ensuring that the teachers are prepared to instill morals in the students that walk through their classroom door.

Truthfully, I could go almost anywhere to become a teacher, but only schools like Tulane that synthesize in- and out-of-classroom learning produce great ones. Tulane, like I said before, houses a resilient and altruistic student body. They served New Orleans specifically in 2005, but Tulanians serve their community every single day. Newsweek ranked Tulane 19th for service-minded schools. Likewise, the U.S. News & World Report placed Tulane in the top 25 schools for service learning. It is one of the top schools for producing Peace Corps volunteers, a program that interested me for post-graduate work.

Whether it is through Outreach Tulane, CACTUS, Wave of Green, or another similar program, I will be immersed in service work throughout my four years. Tulane stands alone in its commitment to community. Classroom education is married with service learning, producing empathetic, worldly leaders ready to set the world on fire. In my case, that will be through educating the next generation.

I need a meaningful education to be a meaningful educator. Tulane is unparalleled in its dedication to development of the students, on a personal and intellectual level. From when I touch the Victory Bell after Convocation all the way to when I say farewell at the Wave Goodbye Party at Commencement, I’ll have changed and grown, both in my mind and in my heart.

The Tulane study body is diverse and well-rounded; finding people and groups with shared interests is inevitable. I could see myself writing for the Hullabaloo or being a tutor in the After-School Newcomb Tutoring (which will bridge my learning and my intended career and give practical application to my education classes). But more so, I can just envision myself at Tulane, as a Tulanian. The willowing oak, myrtle, and cypress trees, the world-renowned research facilities, the dedicated faculty, the motivated and inspired student body, and the timeless school spirit all lend itself to a picture I can see myself in.”

This essay does a great job of showing why the applicant wants to attend Tulane University. It talks about the university's history, how it responded to Hurricane Katrina, and why the applicant is interested in their teacher education program. 

It also mentions the strong commitment to service and personal growth at Tulane. Overall, it makes a strong case for why the applicant is excited about being a part of the Tulane community.

To sum it up, writing your “why law” school essay is all about storytelling. From understanding the unique aspects of law school to combining academic and extracurricular reasons, your essay is a chance to show why you're a perfect fit. 

Explore the unique opportunities the school provides, creating a personal connection that enhances your application. Keep it simple: Steer clear of common mistakes, and make sure your essay is well-structured. And don't forget, the right essay length is more than a detail—it shows respect for the application process.

If you find it helpful, consider getting expert advice for a well-guided path to law school. Take inspiration from successful examples as you start your writing journey, creating a narrative that sets you apart in the competitive realm of law school applications.

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“Why This Law School?” Essay Example

Plus, an expert “why this law school” interview answer.

“Why this law school?” is a common law school optional essay prompt and law school interview question you must prepare for. This question is particularly intimidating because you need to do a bit of homework before you can compose a strong response to this question. How do you do this? In our article, we go over sample answers to this question, as well as explain the rationale behind it and provide you with the most comprehensive guide on how to compose your answer. Let’s dive in!

>> Want us to help you get accepted? Schedule a free initial consultation here <<

Article Contents 10 min read

Important note on the “why this law school” prompt.

Firstly, you should know that this law school essay prompt can be worded in many, many ways. It is not guaranteed that your chosen law schools in Canada and the US will present you with the exact prompt “Why are you choosing our school?”. But you must read between the lines. Some schools will ask you questions like:

“How do your goals and values match Penn Carey Law’s core strengths?” (University of Pennsylvania)

“what do you want to experience at stanford” (stanford university).

What are these prompts really asking you? They are asking why you are pursuing UPenn and Stanford specifically – in other words, “why this law school?”.

After you read this blog, you will have a strong strategy for writing this type of essay or answering this law school interview question and therefore will be able to compose a great narrative for any school you pursue. The key is not to miss identifying this common prompt among the prompts you encounter during the application or interview. So, it’s important to be on the lookout for this question even if it is not worded exactly the same way in every school.

Since we already mentioned a prompt from Stanford Law School , let’s review a sample essay for their prompt. And before we jump in, this is what Stanford Law School has to say about its culture:

“At SLS, we are driven by a passion for new ideas and a commitment to transformative solutions. True to our roots in Silicon Valley and our Stanford heritage, we focus on the future — not the past. Experimentation, exploration, the translation of new knowledge into entrepreneurial solutions: All are in our DNA.”

So, how can this inspire your essay? Here’s an example:

Prompt: “What do you want to experience at Stanford?" (100- to 250-word max)

Stanford Law School is always at the frontlines of innovation, and I want to experience and, more importantly, contribute to the transformations that will be taking place in our country's legal and social systems with the help of Stanford Law School, its faculty, and alumni. My background and achievements clearly demonstrate my dedication to innovation and progress. As the president of my college’s Law and Business Society, I have had the privilege of organizing and hosting our annual conference “Innovations in Digital Law” for three consecutive years. These colloquiums were a great chance to collaborate with and learn from my peers all over the United States and Canada. With over 2000 people in attendance, we were able to team up with many other college law societies to publish a small student journal “Law Innovations Today” that included 10 of the brightest works presented at the conference. The success of our conference led to an invitation to the Global Legal Innovations Summit in 20xx, which I attended as a speaker. Not only was I able to showcase my research and findings on global laws regarding terrorism, but I was able to meet with Stanford Law School faculty member Dr. ABC, whose course on Biomedical Innovation Law and Policy I look forward to taking at Stanford. (213 words)

By the way, try not to repeat yourself too much in your application. So if you already shared an experience with the admissions committee via your law school personal statement , then you should avoid telling the same story in your “why this law school?” essay. However, you can try to highlight different aspects of the same story in different application components. For example, your Stanford Law School personal statement can emphasize your leadership and logistical skills demonstrated in the Law and Business Society, but your “why this law school?” essay can emphasize your public speaking skills and dedication to innovation (as per the prompt). But keep in mind that we strongly encourage you to showcase different strengths and experiences in different parts of your application – so using different stories is best.

“Why This Law School?” Interview Answer

The last hurdle before the admissions committee makes its decision is the interview, which has a great effect on law school acceptance rates . This means that every one of your answers will impact your admissions chances.

You should also be expecting the "why our law school?" question in an interview. Along with “tell me about yourself” and “ why do you want to study law ?”, this is one of the most common questions in law school admissions. A verbal answer is a little more difficult to deliver, but a strong strategy and practice in mock law school interviews will lead to strong results. And remember that if you are asked the question “why this law school” both via application and interview, you should not provide the same answer. Use this as an opportunity to express other aspects of your candidacy to showcase further what a perfect candidate you are. To find more inspiration, check out the law school’s mission statement, research projects, faculty, and other academic and social goals. For example, here's a part of Stanford’s mission statement:

“[to] Bring legal services to those groups that would otherwise lack access to adequate legal representation.”

If we stick with Stanford Law School, here's a verbal interview answer you could provide for the question “What do you want to experience at Stanford?”:

Growing up, I did not know what it means to have a right to legal representation. I did not know that every citizen has the right to a lawyer. I might have heard of this in movies or TV shows, but I thought this never applied to me or anyone like me. Attorneys and the rule of law were something from a different life, not the one I was living.

But as our country went through social changes and upheavals like the Ferguson uprising, I became obsessed with learning about our legal system and the rule of law. It was disturbing to realize that while the law was used against certain groups of citizens, these groups could not use the law to defend themselves. I was about to start high school when the Ferguson uprisings began, and when I began grade 9, I formed a small legal club in my high school. There were just 3 of us at first, the other two being my best friends and neighbors since we were 6. But our spirits were not diminished due to our small size – we organized an assembly on racial disparities in criminal justice before a basketball game. While most students were bored and couldn’t wait for the game to start, we did get 2 new members after the assembly. This is how our club grew, and eventually, we started having assemblies before every sports game to educate our peers on their legal rights and opportunities. At Stanford, I want to be a part of the change that promotes awareness and knowledge of every citizen’s legal rights. As an institution that is dedicated to diversity, I hope that it will help me become an educational and helpful voice in my community.

Note that this essay would have also been a wonderful submission for the law school diversity statement , but it works really well here too because the speaker addresses the school’s prompt, as well as its values and goals. This just goes to show that you can speak to a variety of experiences and qualities in your application – use these opportunities to demonstrate your strengths and suitability for your chosen schools!

Best Step-by-Step Strategy for “Why This Law School?” Question

Here's why the "why this law school?" question is tricky: while the question is asking you why a certain school attracted you over others, it’s also asking you why you would be a good fit for it. So, you cannot and should not leave your answer one-sided. In other words, you cannot focus only on what the school can give you – you must also showcase what the school will gain by admitting you. And this is the balance you must keep in your essay or interview answer.

Note the two responses we include above. Why were they strong? Here’s why:

They use the tactic of \u201cshow, don\u2019t tell\u201d and express their suitability with strong and vivid stories of accomplishments that showcase why Stanford should want them to be a part of their upcoming cohort. "}]">

So, your number one strategy for the "why our law school?” question should be to identify which experiences and qualities make you a suitable applicant for the school you’re applying to and to demonstrate this suitability via an example of an experience that reveals that you share values and goals with your school.

Easier said than done, right? Here’re the steps you can take to accomplish just that:

• Thoroughly research the school you’re applying to/interviewing with. Find out everything you can about its culture, mission, goals, faculty, projects, course curriculum, diversity efforts, history, campus life, and so on.
• Write down the aspects of the school that most interest you and the ones you resonate with the most. For example, if you are a strong advocate for diversity, you may be drawn by the diversity programs of the school; or maybe there is a course that you are particularly interested in, or maybe there is an internship opportunity only this school provides.
• Brainstorm which of your experiences, events, and skills align with the most attractive part of the school for you. Essentially, you need to showcase what you can add to this already existing aspect of the school and improve it further. So, if it’s diversity, maybe you are an immigrant with experience advocating diversity in the legal profession. If it’s curriculum, you can demonstrate how you prepared for it via undergrad courses, work experiences, law school extracurriculars , and so on, and how your classmates will benefit from you being there.

Take your time to reflect on this. Your answer may change and morph over time. This is why it is so important to browse and brainstorm law school essay topics and learn how to prepare for a law school interview in advance. Once you narrow down what you want to say, follow this structure to formulate your answer:

• Give a brief statement about which aspect of the school attracts you most. It can be a couple of things, but stick to 1 or 2 at most.
• Use an event or experience from your life that demonstrates why you are interested in this aspect of the school and what would make you a valuable member of the law school community.  
• Finish with what you hope to accomplish at your law school with regard to its most attractive quality.

Follow this structure, and you will be sure to ace any “why this law school?” question variations.

If it’s an essay, make sure to keep it within the required length. Do not go over the word/character limit. However, you can keep it under the maximum length. If you can create a strong narrative under the word limit, that’s wonderful. Strong, succinct answers are always best.

If it’s an interview, try to keep your answer no longer than 2 minutes. Brief, but complete answers will be valued more than long and rambling ones.

Address the prompt

Remember what we said at the beginning: this question can be posed in many different ways. The intent of this prompt stays the same no matter how it is worded, but its wording may affect what qualities and experiences you highlight. For example, we referred to a prompt from the UPenn Law School earlier in the article and here it is again:

“How do your goals and values match Penn Carey Law’s core strengths?”

The prompt is very clear that you have to refer to a specific aspect of Penn Carey Law’s values and mission, so do not dismiss this and write about something else.

Keep it structured

There may be dozens of reasons you want to go to a specific law school, but for the best and most effective answer, you should choose no more than 1 or 2. This will help you keep your answer to the point and make sure you stick to answering the question. If it’s an interview, you do not want to ramble on; if it’s an essay, you do not want to submit an unstructured, confusing answer. Follow the structure we outline above and keep it sweet and short.

Show, don’t tell

We encourage our students to follow this rule for all essays and interview questions. It just makes for a better answer if you paint a picture by sharing an experience or a story that highlights your suitability. No number of claims that you possess a quality will replace a story that truly showcases that you possess it.

Get professional help

If you are struggling with your applications and interview prep, get some professional help. Many law school applicants find it difficult to talk about their accomplishments, their unique qualities, and their suitability. In fact, one of the most challenging aspects of the law school application is the supplemental essays. Most students struggle with the law school diversity statement thinking that they have nothing to write about, or they really want to avoid speaking about their setbacks in prompts that ask for any gaps in their academic background. But all you need is a good strategy and even the setbacks will be seen as strengths! Professionals can help you get into law school with a low GPA , low LSAT, and other common setbacks. If you are not sure about your application or interview strategy, we strongly recommend getting the help of law school admissions consulting experts. 

The law schools want to see whether you are a good candidate for their schools and whether you are being selective or applying to any school. Demonstrating knowledge of the school’s mission and values will showcase that you have done your homework and selected a specific school where you will excel. 

In some way or another, most law schools will ask you this question in the supplemental application or the interview.

Yes, they are different. Whether explicit or not, your law school personal statement should answer a more general question “why do you want to be a lawyer?”. 

Some schools make supplemental applications a requirement that you must complete. Others make them optional. In the latter case, we advise you to submit optional essays because they are a great way for you to further demonstrate your suitability. 

Start by providing a brief explanation about why this school interested you so much. Then talk about an experience that would contribute to this aspect of the law school you’re pursuing.   

Make sure to follow the word/character limits provided. If they are not indicated in the instructions, try reaching out to the admissions office.

Keep your answer to 1 or 2 minutes long.

Law school supplemental essay prompts can include questions that ask you to discuss gaps and setbacks in your journey to law school, what you can contribute to the incoming class and campus, and what steps prepared you for the study of law. While these are the most common, you should be prepared for quirky and unexpected questions as well.

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How to make your law school application stand out, (and avoid the top 5 mistakes that get most rejected).

Explaining Why You’re Applying to Their Law School (The "Why X" Essay)

Among the many optional essays law schools may ask you to write, one of the most common is the "Why X" essay—essentially, an essay in which you describe to the law school why you are interested in attending that school in particular.

On a cursory level, it may seem very easy to write this type of essay. You write one template, drop in the proper nouns related to the specific institutions, and you’re ready to submit. This method can produce a very generic essay, though, and one that likely won't help your chances of admission. If it feels like fluff, it most likely is a bit superficial, and admissions committees will quickly make the same determination—they have seen this all before.

What’s the best approach, then, to craft a “Why X” essay that truly makes a positive impact on your application and is distinct for each school?

The University of Pennsylvania Law School, for example, asks the “Why Penn” question in a unique manner that is designed to get you to a deeper level. Essentially, Penn asks you to identify how your interests, goals, and values connect to Penn Law’s core values. This concept is a great direction for any Why X Law School essay. Figure out what motivates you, find those opportunities at each law school that requires a “Why X” essay, and then highlight those activities in your essay. Don’t just list them—instead, connect them to what motivates you.

“I’m an EMT and a Health Science major, and I’ve seen America’s health crisis from both the academic and practical level on the ground. I want to get involved in Princeton Law School’s Rural Health Clinic because too many people do not know how to navigate the system.”

“I’m an engineer, and Dartmouth Law’s Journal of Science and Technology would be an ideal way for me to take a leadership role in researching and recommending federal and state regulations that are necessary for the safe and orderly institution of artificial intelligence technology.”

Both of these statements specifically connect the applicant's background and experience to one of the school’s opportunities, rather than just saying "I'm very interested in X clinic" or "Y Journal really appeals to me." By personalizing why the school’s opportunities have motivated you to apply, you will help the school better understand how you fit with their institution, and it may also convince them that you are more likely to enroll than the next applicant (the core goal of submitting a Why X).

"Why X" Essay Dos and Don'ts

• DO check to see if the school has any specific formatting or length requirements or guidelines in their instructions, before you start drafting. If not, we generally advise applicants keep their "Why X" essay to about one page, at 1’’ margins and 11- or 12-point font.
• DON'T write a "Why X" essay for every school you apply to. Some schools don’t want them. Some schools ask for them specifically, which is a clear indication that you should write one. Alternatively, at other schools, a “Why” essay is not requested but has still been shown to be strategically advantageous to submit. So, read the application instructions and do your research to figure out for which schools you should be writing this type of essay, and which schools do not welcome them.
• DO lead with the personal . Start with a personal connection if you can. Have you ever visited the school? Do you know someone who attends and have you heard good things from that perspective? What was your introduction to the school? These are often the strongest and most differentiating components of a “Why X” essay, if they apply to you.
• DON'T rely on templates. Some templating is natural for "Why X" essays, but spend time personalizing the essay to the school beyond just dropping in relevant info. And be incredibly careful to avoid leaving in references that do not apply to a specific school (e.g. “I like the feel of a college town” when the school is in a big city).
• DO research. The ideal "Why X" essay doesn't start and end with information that can be found on the law school's website, but you should still spend some time there. In addition to learning about the school's areas of strength, clinics, professors, journals, etc., check out the news/updates sections of the website or watch a student video; perhaps there will be something that resonates and relates to your interests and goals, and you can comment on it in your statement. Outside of the law school's substantive offerings, you can also mention things like class size, location, and atmosphere (but make sure that you give a reason “why” that also tells the reader about yourself).
• DON'T make it all about them. The "Why X" essay should tell the school more about you than it does about themselves. They already know about their programs and the information provided on their website, so it's not about listing the programs or courses and saying that you would be interested in them—it's more about why you are interested in them and how that relates to your goals, interests, learning styles, and preferences.
• DO incorporate the law school's "brand" into your essay, if applicable. Reviewing the law school's website, if it is well-executed, will teach you how the law school likes to talk about itself. Do they focus on “breadth and depth” or “an intimate seminar-style environment” or “close attention from faculty”? These can be useful concepts to use in a "Why X" essay, especially if you can connect them to your personal background, values, and goals.
• DON'T write anything that conflicts with your other application components. Your "Why X" essay, like every other component of your application, will not be read or evaluated in a vacuum. If you write your whole personal statement about your background working in public service and how you want to be a public interest lawyer, your "Why X" essay shouldn't center on the school's corporate law offerings. The more cohesive your "Why X" essay is with the rest of your application, the more authentic it will read. For example, talking about your focus on health law and how you are interested in a school’s Health Law Clinic is more powerful if you can back it up with extracurriculars, jobs, and/or other experiences in the healthcare system that show up in other components of your application.
• DO visit the law school, attend a recruiting event, or otherwise personally engage with the admissions office if you can. A well-written "Why X" essay can pack even more of a punch if it's backed up by records of real engagement with that law school, whether through a visit to campus, stopping by their table at an LSAC forum, or even attending a webinar from the admissions office. Then talk about your experience and what you learned in your "Why X" essay! Be sure to give specifics.

These are just a few suggestions that can help you write a strong "Why X" essay, but we also recommend having someone else read your essay before you submit. It is essential to make sure that the essay comes across as well-written and sincere (and the more personal connections you can make to the school, the more genuine you will seem).

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Why  this  law school?

It’s a good question, and you should already be answering it, at least in part, in your personal statement by tailoring that essay to each school you apply to (or at least your top choices). That tailoring consists mostly of doing research on schools and finding coursework and extracurricular activities that match your talents, interests, and experience. In your personal statement, you should say which you plan to participate in and how your experience shows that you’ll be a valuable and successful participant.

Nonetheless, some schools invite applicants to submit, along with a personal statement, an essay explaining why the applicant decided to apply to that particular school.

What Not To Do

A lot of people treat these essays as an opportunity to regurgitate the school’s Wikipedia entry and gush about all of the amazing things the school and its alumni have done. While it can be appropriate to name-check impressive alumni as inspiration, you should do so only if you can connect it with your goals in law school and as a lawyer.

So, for instance, if there’s an alum that’s a free speech attorney that you really admire, it would make sense to name that alum as an inspiration if you plan on focusing on First Amendment Law as a law student and lawyer. But if you’re really into Environmental Law, then talking about that alum would be a mistake because it doesn’t really matter to your choice of school.

How To Write A Good One

• Tell them your application strategy (if it’s smart).

I happen to think that these essays operate on two levels. The first is explicit: They want to gauge the actual compatibility between the applicant and the school. The second is to see if you made your application choices strategically.

For instance, if you were to tell them in your essay that your strategy was to apply to the top ten law schools in the US News & World Report rankings and that you chose this school because it was #8, that would show you didn’t have a real strategy when it comes to applying. And lawyers are strategists, especially those who go to court. This would cast doubt on your suitability for law school. 

On the other hand, if you told them that you had always had a sense of environmental justice and that you interviewed an environmental attorney in your city who talked you through her knowledge of the various environmental law programs at a number of law schools, that she mentioned the school specifically, and then you went and did more research to really understand what environmental law offerings the school has, that looks strategic. It makes you look like a lawyer already because you’ve identified some goals and created a rational, long-term strategy to achieve them. 

• Add any applicable experience that’s not elsewhere in your application

It’s helpful to have an interesting fact or story about yourself to anchor one of these which doesn’t appear elsewhere in your application package. If you left anything on the cutting room floor of your personal statement, it might be useful to consider if it can be used here. 

If you don’t have any relevant experience beyond what was in your personal statement, you can refer quickly to experience that’s described more fully in your personal statement if it makes sense, but you shouldn’t repeat large tracts of material that’s in your personal statement or other essays, even if you reword it.

In short, these essays want to know  what experience you will bring that matches the interests and culture of the law school . 

• Talk about specific programs, how your experience matters, and what you plan to do.

It’s helpful to have a career vision so you can talk about what programs at the school prepare lawyers for the career you envision. For example, if you are interested in being a Family & Divorce Law attorney, it would be good to find out if there are child custody litigation clinics or a Family Law journal at the school. You may not have experience with child custody law, but if you’ve done a mock trial, that would be quite relevant to the clinic.

Here’s one that works:

Admissions Committee:

I have had my sights set on attending [LAW SCHOOL] ever since I joined [UNDERGRADUATE SCHOOL]’s Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and began to learn about how the law does and does not protect animals.

We had an attorney from the national ASPCA speak to our group, and he told us about how the lawyers in the organization work not only to stop perpetrators of animal abuse in our country but also to work with government agencies to draft legislation and regulations to protect animals from mistreatment.

I was eager to learn more, and when I researched the practice of animal law, I found a treasure trove of recent news articles about Kathy Raines, a New York-based animal law attorney who graduated from [LAW SCHOOL] fifteen years ago and had successes ranging from shutting down a chain of puppy mills in North Carolina to stopping the smuggling of exotic animals into Florida.

Knowing that Ms. Raines was trained at [LAW SCHOOL], I did my own research and met with my career counselor to learn more about the school and animal law programs around the nation. I quickly came to understand that [LAW SCHOOL] was the leading light in the nation in this area of law and that it was no accident that someone like Ms. Raines was trained there.

Once I learned of [LAW SCHOOL]’s animal law-related offerings, like a regional chapter of the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund and a ten-year record of placing in the National Animal Law Competition, I knew that I had found the right place to bring my enthusiasm for animal rights as well as my growing experience in standing up for those rights.

As a dedicated participant with the SPCA over the past three years, first as a member and then as an executive, I’ve organized adoption drives for abandoned pets, assembled a peaceful protest at city hall encouraging officials to decline donations from corporations that sponsor animal abuse, and worked to raise funds for the national SPCA.

I did not do those things on my own, of course, and my ability to collaborate with others and help resolve conflict at the moment makes me certain that I can find success – and help others find success – as a student at [LAW SCHOOL] starting this fall.

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Pen and Chisel Q&A: How to Tackle the “Why X School?” Essay

If you missed any of her other admissions Q&As, check them out here .

Q: One of my target law schools requires a supplemental essay that discusses why it’s the best school for me. What should I include in this essay?

The “Why X School?” essay is a short piece law schools occasionally ask applicants to submit. Because it isn’t as common as the personal statement, diversity statement, or addendum, many applicants don’t have a solid plan on how to tackle it. So let’s look at the basic elements of a successful “Why X School?” essay.

In this essay, you should argue that a particular law school and its programs are right for you.

And how do you know if it’s right for you? There are as many different reasons as there are applicants.

Your career ambitions

Before you start writing this essay, think about what you hope to achieve with a career in law:

• What are your goals?
• What field or branch of law do you see yourself working in?

Narrow down your plans as much as you can.

Instead of just determining what general role you’d like to play, think about who you would like to be working with and the overall effect you’d like to have.

Maybe you want to work in patent law to help scientists preserve their rights to their discoveries. Maybe you want to become a public defender to ensure that those who can’t afford their own representation get fair trials. Whatever your ambition, define it for yourself as clearly as possible.

The law school’s resources

Next, it’s time to think about your target law school’s characteristics and resources.

What about their program could help you achieve these career goals?

Read through the school’s website and any additional information you may have to begin building a picture of the different resources they offer. List out all the resources you find that might help you achieve your career goal. Individual professors you’d love to study under, specialized academic tracks, particular workshops or clinics, part-time programs, or even geographical location — any or all of these could be part of your list.

Again, it’s a good idea to be as specific as possible.

Law schools are looking for students who have done their homework and have a strong understanding of the school’s specialties.

Citing specifics will show the admissions committee that you’ve taken the time to do your research and really get to know the school while also emphasizing the reasons that their program is the right choice for you.

Link them together

To create a successful “Why X School?” essay, you’ll want to show the connection between your career goals and the law school’s resources:

• What about this school makes it the place for you?
• How will it help you achieve your goals?
• Essentially, what are your reasons for targeting this school?

Reasons for picking a particular program can vary quite a bit from person to person. Just as everyone has their own particular ambition and career goal, everyone has their own particular reasons for wanting to attend a given law school.

Maybe you’re targeting a career in environmental law, so you’d love to attend Vermont Law. Maybe you’re interested in intellectual property and its applications in technology, so Santa Clara and Stanford are at the top of your list.

Whatever your situation, use this essay to show how your target school’s programs, specialties, and other resources will help you achieve that career goal.

By showing a clear connection between your ambitions and your chosen law school’s resources, you’ll be able to make a strong argument that this is the right program for you.

— – —

Thanks, Eileen!

More about Eileen: Eileen Conner is the founder of Pen and Chisel LLC, where she specializes in helping law school candidates perfect their application essays. A graduate of the University of Michigan’s prestigious creative writing MFA program, Eileen is the former Senior Editor for Law at Revision Editing.

As you embark on your law school application journey, you might want to bookmark Applying to Law School 101: What You Need to Know to Succeed .

Then check out some of the rest of the Pen and Chisel Q&A:

• Pen and Chisel Q&A: Is Your Law School Personal Statement Too Vague?
• Pen and Chisel Q&A: Can I Tell Multiple Stories in My Law School Personal Statement?
• Pen and Chisel Q&A: How to Pep Up a Boring Law School Admissions Essay
• Pen and Chisel Q&A: Tackling Subjective Grammar Issues in the Personal Statement
• Pen and Chisel Q&A: How Can I Shape My Non-Traditional Experience into a Compelling Law School Application?

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How to Approach the “Why Our Law School?” Application Essay Prompt

December 2, 2022

Todd Carney

Law school application essays frequently cause writer’s block. It can be difficult to respond to a school’s prompts within the specified parameters. One prompt that often challenges applicants is “Why (insert law school)?” This is where you need to explain why you want to attend that specific law school. A lot of applicants think, “Well, it is a good school, and I clearly would not be spending the time and money to apply if I did not want to go there.” Although this is a reasonable reaction, you ultimately must articulate clearly and in a professional manner why you want to attend the school.

In this blog post, we at Stratus walk you through how to best respond to this prompt.

Research the Law School

A lot of applicants have issues with this essay question because they do not investigate the particulars of the school. Many apply to schools where they have a reasonable chance of gaining admission based on their GPA and test scores. Others apply to all the schools in a particular state if they want to or must live in that state.

Although these are reasonable starting points, it is always a good idea to do more research about the school. Most law schools will have some interesting alumni and offer an abundance of resources, but you should look deeper than that:

• Research school offerings and organizations in areas of interest. If you have an idea of what kind of law you want to practice, investigate what the school offers in that area. For example, if you want to work in health law, maybe the school has some courses, a clinic, or a center related to that field. There might also be professors who are experts in the area. But rather than simply listing all these things, you should explain how your legal career would benefit from these resources.Similarly, there might be a cultural reason that you want to attend a particular school. You might be interested in being a civil rights attorney, and the school might be known for its activism on campus or have many active student organizations. To demonstrate your interest in the school, you could discuss the student organizations and other activities in which you might participate and discuss how they will help you fulfill your legal aspirations after graduation.
• Find ways to connect famous alumni with your career goals. The law school might boast some impressive alumni. When discussing famous alumni, it is a good idea to tie them to something of interest to you. For example, if a former US president attended the school, it is best not to say you are interested just because that president was a student. Instead, focus on the fact that the president worked in an area of law of interest to you before they were elected. It can be helpful to mention any famous attorneys, activists, or specialists who attended the school if they are of interest to you and you can tie them into your career goals.
• Seek informational interviews with alumni. You might have friends or colleagues who are alumni or are currently attending the school, but it’s not a big deal if you do not know anyone. You also can reach out to alumni via LinkedIn to request an informational interview, or sometimes they might post their contact information elsewhere, such as a law firm website. Although alumni will not put in a special word to get you into their alma mater, an informational interview might provide more content for your essay. In addition, being able to mention specific alumni who are related to your legal aspirations can help show that you have done your homework. Doing all this research can help you determine your areas of interest in the law, and thinking about this before you apply can help you later if you must decide between schools.
• Investigate school resources and events. Finally, you should see if the school has published any blog posts or podcasts that provide advice on application essays or if the school offers information sessions on this topic. Schools will never tell you exactly what to write, but they might share how to best structure the essays, what types of details are of interest, and what not to do in their essays, among other helpful advice. Tips like this can be the difference between writing a good essay and writing a great one.

Share Insight About You

Law school essays want to know about you—who you are beyond your test scores, grades, and resume. Consequently, you do not need to jump straight into explaining why you want to attend the school. You could start by sharing what made you interested in becoming a lawyer. This introduction could cover the areas of law that appeal to you and why, and it is a good opportunity to showcase your accomplishments and life experiences. You could also touch on your career ambitions in this section and then provide more in-depth details later in the essay about how the law school will help you realize those ambitions.

Consider the Essay Structure

In terms of structure, many applicants organize their essays chronologically, but you do not necessarily need to start at the beginning of your life. The important thing is to share some experiences from your life and tie them together in terms of why you are interested in the law. Given that the essay is asking why you are interested in the law school, such details should be the focus, but you can find ways to expand on your experiences along the way. For example, if you are interested in international human rights, you could share details on this topic when you discuss how one of the law school’s offerings would complement your goals.

Although this essay prompt can seem daunting and open ended, like the other prompts, it is an opportunity for the law school to get to know you better. Therefore, do your best to demonstrate how the school is the best fit to help you achieve your career ambitions!

As always, if you would like our expert help on your law school applications, sign up for a free consultation !

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Law School Applications: How To Approach the “Why” Essay

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The “why” essay question is commonly found in nearly all law school applications. Law schools include the question to understand why applicants want to pursue law and why they want to attend said law school. Schools such as Harvard Law and Yale Law typically include some variation of the “why” question in the essay component of the application and ask applicants to articulate on how they would contribute to the law school community.

Gabriel Kuris, founder of Top Law Coach and contributor at US News , recently discussed how applicants can best align their traits and values to a law school’s in the “why” essay.

RESEARCH EACH LAW SCHOOL

While each “why” essay should be personalized to a specific law school, experts say the “why” essay should be more about you than the law school where you’re applying.

“They already know about their programs and the information provided on their website, so it’s not about listing the programs or courses and saying that you would be interested in them—it’s more about why you are interested in them and how that relates to your goals, interests, learning styles, and preferences,” according to Mikey Spivey, of Spivey Consulting .

That being said, it’s still critical to research a law school thoroughly and be sure that each essay is personalized to a specific law school.

“Compare multiple law school websites and notice the differences between them in style and content,” Kuris writes. “Often, the words and images they use are meticulously crafted to present and promote a distinct identity. Without copying their phrasing word for word, reuse some of these terms in your essays to reflect an understanding of a school’s unique character while avoiding cliches and generalities.”

LESS IS OFTEN MORE

Most law schools ask applicants to keep their “why” essay under 350 words, or one page. Thus, it’s important to focus on a few strong points rather than a variety.

“If someone asks what you like about him or her and you answer ‘everything,’ you better be able to back that up with a few specifics,” Kuris writes. “Otherwise, your broad compliment may sound insincere. Likewise, in a ‘why’ essay or interview response, center your answer on a few concrete reasons.”

Spivey says applicants can highlight aspects of a law school such as size, location, or atmosphere as long as they have a strong reason behind the “why” that ties back to their own traits or goals. Leading with the personal, Spivey says, can make for a strong “why” essay.

“Start with a personal connection if you can—have you ever visited the school? Do you know someone who attends and have you heard good things from that perspective? What was your introduction to the school? These are often the strongest and most differentiating components of a ‘Why X’ essay, if they apply to you,” Spivey writes.

Sources: US News , Spivey Consulting

Questions about this article? Email us or leave a comment below.

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The University of Chicago The Law School

In their own words: admissions essays that worked.

Throughout this issue, countless examples show why we are so proud of the students at the law school. One might think that we get lucky that the students the admissions office chose for their academic accomplishments also turn out to be incredible members of our community, but it’s really all by design. Our students show us a great deal more in their applications than just academics—and we care about a lot more than their numbers. In these pages, meet five of our students in the way we first met them: through the personal statements they wrote for their law school applications. And through their photos, meet a sixth: Andreas Baum, ’12, the talented student photographer who took these pictures for us.

Tammy Wang, ’12

EDUCATION: Johns Hopkins University, BA in International Relations, concentration East Asian Studies, with honors (2007) WORK EXPERIENCE: AsianFanatics.net LAW SCHOOL ACTIVITIES: University of Chicago Law Review, Immigrant Child Advocacy Project Clinic, APALSA, Admissions Committee, Law School Film Festival I fell in love for the first time when I was four. That was the year my mother signed me up for piano lessons. I can still remember touching those bright, ivory keys with reverence, feeling happy and excited that soon I would be playing those tinkling, familiar melodies (which my mother played every day on our boombox) myself. To my rather naïve surprise, however, instead of setting the score for Für Elise on the piano stand before me, my piano teacher handed me a set of Beginner’s Books. I was to read through the Book of Theory, learn to read the basic notes of the treble and bass clefs, and practice, my palm arched as though an imaginary apple were cupped between my fingers, playing one note at a time. After I had mastered the note of “C,” she promised, I could move on to “D.” It took a few years of theory and repetition before I was presented with my very first full-length classical piece: a sonatina by Muzio Clementi. I practiced the new piece daily, diligently following the written directives of the composer. I hit each staccato note crisply and played each crescendo and every decrescendo dutifully. I performed the piece triumphantly for my teacher and lifted my hands with a flourish as I finished. Instead of clapping, however, my teacher gave me a serious look and took both my hands in hers. “Music,” she said sincerely, “is not just technique. It’s not just fingers or memorization. It comes from the heart.” That was how I discovered passion. Beethoven, Mozart, Mendelssohn: the arcs and passages of intricate notes are lines of genius printed on paper, but ultimately, it is the musician who coaxes them to life. They are open to artistic and emotional interpretation, and even eight simple bars can inspire well over a dozen different variations. I poured my happiness and my angst into the keys, loving every minute of it. I pictured things, events, and people (some real, some entirely imagined— but all intensely personal) in my mind as I played, and the feelings and melodies flowed easily: frustration into Beethoven’s Sonata Pathétique, wistfulness into Chopin’s nocturnes and waltzes, and sheer joy into Schubert. Practice was no longer a chore; it was a privilege and a delight. In high school, I began playing the piano for church services. The music director gave me a binder full of 1-2-3 sheet music, in which melodies are written as numbers instead of as notes on a music staff. To make things a bit more interesting for myself—and for the congregation—I took to experimenting, pairing the written melodies with chords and harmonies of my own creation. I rarely played a song the same way twice; the beauty of improvisation, of songwriting, is that it is as much “feeling” as it is logic and theory. Different occasions and different moods yielded different results: sometimes, “Listen Quietly” was clean and beautiful in its simplicity; other times, it became elaborate and nearly classical in its passages. The basic melody and musical key, however, remained the same, even as the embellishments changed. The foundation of good improvisation and songwriting is simple: understanding the musical key in which a song is played—knowing the scale, the chords, the harmonies, and how well (or unwell) they work together—is essential. Songs can be rewritten and reinterpreted as situation permits, but missteps are obvious because the fundamental laws of music and harmony do not change. Although my formal music education ended when I entered college, the lessons I have learned over the years have remained close and relevant to my life. I have acquired a lifestyle of discipline and internalized the drive for self-improvement. I have gained an appreciation for the complexities and the subtleties of interpretation. I understand the importance of having both a sound foundation and a dedication to constant study. I understand that to possess a passion and personal interest in something, to think for myself, is just as important.

Josh Mahoney, ’13

EDUCATION: University of Northern Iowa, BA in Economics and English, magna cum laude (2009) LAW SCHOOL ACTIVITIES: Student Admissions Committee, flag football, Tony Patiño Fellow The turning point of my college football career came early in my third year. At the end of the second practice of the season, in ninety-five-degree heat, our head coach decided to condition the entire team. Sharp, excruciating pain shot down my legs as he summoned us repeatedly to the line to run wind sprints. I collapsed as I turned the corner on the final sprint. Muscle spasms spread throughout my body, and I briefly passed out. Severely dehydrated, I was rushed to the hospital and quickly given more than three liters of fluids intravenously. As I rested in a hospital recovery room, I realized my collapse on the field symbolized broader frustrations I felt playing college football. I was mentally and physically defeated. In South Dakota I was a dominant football player in high school, but at the Division I level my talent was less conspicuous. In my first three years, I was convinced that obsessively training my body to run faster and be stronger would earn me a starting position. The conditioning drill that afternoon revealed the futility of my approach. I had thrust my energies into becoming a player I could never be. As a result, I lost confidence in my identity. I considered other aspects of my life where my intellect, work ethic, and determination had produced positive results. I chose to study economics and English because processing abstract concepts and ideas in diverse disciplines was intuitively rewarding. Despite the exhaustion of studying late into the night after grueling football practices, I developed an affinity for academia that culminated in two undergraduate research projects in economics. Gathering data, reviewing previous literature, and ultimately offering my own contribution to economic knowledge was exhilarating. Indeed, undergraduate research affirmed my desire to attend law school, where I could more thoroughly satisfy my intellectual curiosity. In English classes, I enjoyed writing critically about literary works while adding my own voice to academic discussions. My efforts generated high marks and praise from professors, but this success made my disappointment with football more pronounced. The challenge of collegiate athletics felt insurmountable. However, I reminded myself that at the Division I level I was able to compete with and against some of the best players in the country.While I might never start a game, the opportunity to discover and test my abilities had initially compelled me to choose a Division I football program. After the hospital visit, my football position coach—sensing my mounting frustrations—offered some advice. Instead of devoting my energies almost exclusively to physical preparation, he said, I should approach college football with the same mental focus I brought to my academic studies. I began to devour scouting reports and to analyze the complex reasoning behind defensive philosophies and schemes. I studied film and discovered ways to anticipate plays from the offense and become a more effective player. Armed with renewed confidence, I finally earned a starting position in the beginning of my fourth year. My team opened the season against Brigham Young University (BYU). I performed well despite the pressures of starting my first game in front of a hostile crowd of 65,000 people. The next day, my head coach announced the grade of every starting player’s efforts in the BYU game at a team meeting: “Mahoney—94 percent.” I had received the highest grade on the team. After three years of A’s in the classroom, I finally earned my first ‘A’ in football. I used mental preparation to maintain my competitive edge for the rest of the season. Through a combination of film study and will power, I led my team and conference in tackles. I became one of the best players in the conference and a leader on a team that reached the semi-finals of the Division I football playoffs. The most rewarding part of the season, though, was what I learned about myself in the process. When I finally stopped struggling to become the player I thought I needed to be, I developed self-awareness and confidence in the person I was. The image of me writhing in pain on the practice field sometimes slips back into my thoughts as I decide where to apply to law school. College football taught me to recognize my weaknesses and look for ways to overcome them. I will enter law school a much stronger person and student because of my experiences on the football field and in the classroom. My decision where to attend law school mirrors my decision where to play college football. I want to study law at the University of Chicago Law School because it provides the best combination of professors, students, and resources in the country. In Division I college football, I succeeded when I took advantage of my opportunities. I hope the University of Chicago will give me an opportunity to succeed again.

Osama Hamdy, '13

EDUCATION: University of California, Berkeley, BA in Legal Studies, AB in Media Studies (2010) LAW SCHOOL ACTIVITES: BLSA, Intramural Basketball I was a shy thirteen-year-old who had already lived in six locations and attended five schools. Having recently moved, I was relieved when I finally began to develop a new group of friends. However, the days following September 11, 2001, were marked with change. People began to stare at me. Many conversations came to a nervous stop when I walked by. However, it wasn’t until one of my peers asked if I was a terrorist that it really hit me. Osama, my name is Osama. I went from having a unique name that served as a conversation starter to having the same name as the most wanted man in America. The stares and the comments were just the beginning. Eventually I received a death threat at school. I remember crying alone in my room, afraid to tell my parents in fear that they might not let me go to school anymore. My experience opened my eyes up to racial and religious dynamics in the United States. I started to see how these dynamics drove people’s actions, even if some were not aware of the reasons. The more I looked at my surroundings with a critical eye, the more I realized that my classmates had not threatened me because of hate, but because of fear and ignorance. This realization was extremely empowering. I knew that mirroring their hostility would only reinforce the fear and prejudice they held. Instead, I reached out to my peers with an open mind and respect. My acceptance of others served as a powerful counter example to many negative stereotypes I had to face.With this approach, I was often able to transform fear into acceptance, and acceptance into appreciation. I chose not to hide my heritage or myself, despite the fear of judgment or violence. As a result, I developed a new sense of self-reliance and self-confidence. However, I wasn’t satisfied with the change that I had brought about in my own life. I wanted to empower others as well. My passion for equality and social justice grew because I was determined to use my skills and viewpoint to unite multiple marginalized communities and help foster understanding and appreciation for our differences and similarities alike. The years following September 11th were a true test of character for me. I learned how to feel comfortable in uncomfortable situations. This allowed me to become a dynamic and outgoing individual. This newfound confidence fueled a passion to become a leader and help uplift multiple minority communities. During the last two summers I made this passion a reality when I took the opportunity to work with underprivileged minority students. All of the students I worked with came from difficult backgrounds and many didn’t feel as though college was an option for them. I learned these students’ goals and aspirations, as well as their obstacles and hardships. I believed in them, and I constantly told them that they would make it. I worked relentlessly to make sure my actions matched my words of encouragement. I went well above the expectations of my job and took the initiative to plan several additional workshops on topics such as public speaking, time management, and confidence building. My extra efforts helped give these students the tools they needed to succeed. One hundred percent of the twenty-one high school juniors I worked with my first summer are now freshmen at four-year universities. I feel great pride in having helped these students achieve this important goal. I know that they will be able to use these tools to continue to succeed. Inspired by my summer experience, I jumped at the opportunity to take on the position of Diversity Outreach Ambassador for the San Francisco Bar Association Diversity Pipeline Program. In this position, I was responsible for helping organize a campus event that brought educational material and a panel of lawyers to UC Berkeley in order to empower and inform minority students about their opportunities in law school. In this position I was able to unite a diverse group of organizations, including the Black Pre-Law Association, the Latino Pre-Law Society, and the Haas Undergraduate Black Business Association. Working in this position was instrumental in solidifying my desire to attend law school. The lawyers who volunteered their time had a significant impact on me. I learned that they used their legal education to assist causes and organizations they felt passionate about. One of the lawyers told me that she volunteered her legal services to a Latino advocacy association. Another lawyer explained to me how he donated his legal expertise to advise minority youth on how to overcome legal difficulties. Collaborating with these lawyers gave me a better understanding of how my passion for law could interact with my interest in social justice issues. My experiences leading minority groups taught me that I need to stand out to lead others and myself to success. I need to be proud of my culture and myself. My experiences after September 11th have taught me to defeat the difficulties in life instead of allowing them to defeat me. Now, whether I am hit with a racial slur or I encounter any obstacles in life, I no longer retreat, but I confront it fearlessly and directly. I expect law school will help give me the tools to continue to unite and work with a diverse group of people. I hope to continue to empower and lead minority communities as we strive towards legal and social equality.

Eliza Riffe, '13

EDUCATION: University of Chicago, AB in Anthropology, with honors (2006) WORK EXPERIENCE: Sarbanes-Oxley coordinator and financial analyst, ABM Industries Harper Library, situated at the center of the main quadrangle at the University of Chicago, resembles a converted abbey, with its vaulted ceilings and arched windows. The library was completed in 1912, before Enrico Fermi built the world’s first nuclear reactor, before Milton Friedman devised the permanent income hypothesis, and well before Barack Obama taught Constitutional Law. Generations of scholars have pored over Adam Smith and Karl Marx in the main reading room, penned world-class treatises at the long wooden tables, and worn their coats indoors against the drafts in the spacious Gothic hall. Abiding over all of these scholars, and over me when I was among them, is an inscription under the library’s west window that has served as my guiding intellectual principle: “Read not to believe or contradict, but to weigh and consider.” Per this inscription, which is an abridgement of a passage by Sir Francis Bacon, we readers ought to approach knowledge as a means of enhancing our judgment and not as fodder for proclamations or discord. The generations of scholars poring over Marx, for example, should seek to observe his theories of economic determinism in the world, not immediately begin to foment a riot in the drafty reading room at Harper. The reader may contend, though, that too much weighing and considering could lead to inertia, or worse, to a total lack of conviction. The Harper inscription, however, does not tell its readers to believe in nothing, nor does it instruct them never to contradict a false claim. Instead it prescribes a way to read. The inscription warns us to use knowledge not as a rhetorical weapon, but as a tool for making balanced and informed decisions. On the cruelest days in February during my undergraduate years, when I asked myself why I had not chosen to pursue my studies someplace warmer, I would head to Harper, find a seat from which I would have a clear view of the inscription, and say to myself: “That is why.” On such a day in February, seated at a long Harper table with my coat still buttoned all the way up, I discovered how much I appreciated Carl Schmitt’s clarity and argumentation. I marveled at the way his Concept of the Political progressed incrementally, beginning at the most fundamental, linguistic level. As an anthropology student, I wrongfully assumed that, because Schmitt was often positioned in a neo-conservative tradition, I could not acknowledge him. That day in February, I took the Bacon inscription to heart, modeled its discipline, and was able to transcend that academic tribalism. I added the kernel of The Concept of the Political , Schmitt’s “friend-enemy” dichotomy, to an ever-growing array of images and ideas that I had accumulated, among them Marx’s alienation, C. S. Peirce’s indexicality, and Pierre Bourdieu’s graphical depiction of social space. This patchwork of theories and descriptive models, when weighed and considered, informs my understanding of new ideas I encounter. The academic dons who decided to place the Bacon quote under the western window intended that the idea would transcend the scholastic realm of its readers. Indeed, in my work as a financial analyst for a publicly traded company, it is often a professional touchstone. Though each day in the world of corporate finance is punctuated with deadlines and requests for instantaneous information, I am at my best as an analyst when I consider all of the data thoroughly and weigh the competing agendas. Like emulsified oil and vinegar that separate over time when left undisturbed, the right answer will emerge from among all of the wrong answers when I take the time to consider all of the possibilities. An extra hour spent analyzing an income statement can reveal even more trends than could a cursory glance. Moreover, the more I weigh and consider when I have the opportunity, the more I enhance the judgment I will need to make quick decisions and pronouncements when I do not have time.With inner vision sharpened by years of consideration, I am able to “see into the life of things,” as Wordsworth described in writing of “Tintern Abbey.” Wordsworth’s memory of the abbey provided him much-needed transcendence in moments of loneliness or boredom. The memory of the inscription under the west window at Harper—“Read not to believe or contradict, but to weigh and consider”—has a similar function. For Wordsworth, Tintern alleviated emotional anguish; for me, the Bacon inscription reaffirms a sense of intellectual purpose. The words under the window, their meaning, and the very curvature of the letters in the stone are fixed in my mind and will continue to be as I enter the life of the law. What intrigues me most about legal education is the opportunity to engage simultaneously in the two complementary processes the Harper inscription inspires in me—building a foundation of theories and descriptive models while enhancing my judgment with practice and patience.

Evan Rose, '13

EDUCATION: University of Otago (New Zealand), BA in Philosophy (1999) WORK EXPERIENCE: Ski and Snowboard Schools of Aspen/Snowmass, Eurospecs Limited (NZ) LAW SCHOOL ACTIVITIES: LSA 1L Representative, BLSA, Student Admissions Committee As I tumble through the air, time seems to slow. I have fallen hard many times before, but even before I hit the ground I can tell this fall is different. I complete one and a half back flips and slam shoulders-first into the slope. As I lie on the hill, the snow jammed into the hood of my jacket begins to melt, and icy water runs down my back. I do not yet know that the impact has broken my neck. I grew up only a short drive from some of New Zealand’s best ski resorts, but my family could never afford ski vacations. My first opportunity to try snowboarding came on a trip with my university flatmate.With expectations shaped purely by the media, I left for the trip assuming snowboarding was a sport for adrenaline junkies, troublemakers, and delinquents. Much to my surprise, I instead found that it provided me with a sense of peace that defied these preconceptions. Anxiety had been a constant companion throughout much of my childhood. I had not always been this way, but years of physical and psychological abuse at the hands of my stepfather had taken their toll. My once carefree demeanor had changed, leaving me fearful, panicky, and timid. On a snowboard these feelings faded into the background for the first time in years, and the difference was profound. I never truly realized the pain I had endured until riding gave me the opportunity to escape it. I sought out every possible opportunity to go riding, and through the sport I pushed the limits of both my physical and mental courage. Snowboarding became a vehicle for regaining the confidence and self-worth that had been taken from me through the injustice of abuse. Even as I began to ride competitively in boardercross racing and halfpipe, launching myself into the air over sixty-foot jumps, the sense of peace I gained during my first day on a snowboard stayed with me. It did, at least, until that April afternoon. As I lay in a hospital bed a few hours after my accident, an overwhelming sense of fear replaced any confidence that snowboarding had instilled in me. I faced the prospect of a lengthy and complicated surgery, with no certainty about the outcome. I knew my shattered vertebrae could easily leave me paralyzed. I was lucky to be alive, but any sense of luck eluded me as pain sent me in and out of consciousness. Two days later, surgeons worked for seven hours to rebuild my neck. I awoke to learn that I had escaped any serious nerve damage. However, I would need to be immobilized by a brace twenty-four hours a day, and for over three months, before I could even contemplate rehabilitation. Those months passed slowly. When I was finally able to start the process of rehabilitation, I made recovery my full-time job. I quickly learned that pain was to become the central reality of that year. The first day I could walk to my mailbox marked a significant achievement. Determined to return to full health, and even hoping to eventually return to riding, I gritted my teeth through the daily therapy sessions. At each subsequent visit, my doctor expressed his surprise at the progress of my recovery. Only twelve months after my injury, he cleared me to make a few careful runs on an easy, groomed slope. While I made it through those first few runs safely, they left me shaking with fear. Since then, I have again found joy in riding, but no amount of determination will allow me to ride the way I had before. I won’t be attempting double back flips again any time soon. Rather than focusing on my own riding, I now direct my energy into coaching. My experiences showed me the transformative power of courage and self-confidence, and taught me to build these qualities in others. At the Aspen Skiing Company, I develop and implement teaching curricula for more than two hundred snowboard instructors. My goal is for my fellow coaches to recognize that snowboarding can offer much more than just a diversion. It has the potential to have a profound and inspiring impact on their students’ lives. In the ample time my recovery allowed for reflection, I found solace in the fact that the abuse in my childhood fostered in me not bitterness, but an enduring dedication to fairness and justice. As a college student, this dedication led me to seek out classes in ethics and morality. As a manager and leader, I strive to display both courage and enduring fairness. My interest in the legal profession stems from my belief that laws represent the concrete expressions of justice and fairness in our society. After discovering the salvation it held for me, I believed that I was reliant on snowboarding. Yet, being forced to face the grueling process of rehabilitation without it allowed me to take the final step to recovery from the trauma of my childhood. I realized I am much stronger and more resilient than I had previously believed. I realized that courage is not something that snowboarding gave me but something that has always been within me. These realizations have prepared me to broaden the scope of my dedication to justice. Secure in the knowledge that the courage and determination I have shown will help shape my future success, I am now ready to take on this new challenge: the study and practice of law.  

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Why Write a “Why X” Essay?

Hang on—what is this thing?

A “why school X” essay explains why you want to go to a particular school.

Why is it important?

U.S. News & World Report uses acceptance rates as one of its metrics in ranking law schools. (They give acceptance rates a weight of 2.5%, if you’re curious.) To calculate a school’s acceptance rate, you divide the number of students it admits by the number of students who apply. If it admits 50 out of 500 applicants, its acceptance rate is 10%.

Ideally, every student a school admits would matriculate, and the school would only have to admit the number of spots in the class. But some admits will go elsewhere, so the school has to admit more people.

For example, if a school admits Ghost (👻) and Cowboy (🤠) out of 6 applicants, their rate is about 33% (2/6). But if Ghost ghosts them, they’ve got to admit someone else off the waitlist, and their rate shoots up to 50% (3/6). That’s bad.

Schools use “why school X” essays to gauge your interest. Ostensibly, you’re supposed to explain why the school is special, or why they alone can provide what you seek (e.g., a professor you want to work with). But admissions officers aren’t naive; they know that the reasons you cite are probably bogus, and they’ll judge your essay by the effort it demonstrates.

What’s the bottom line?

Write a “why school X” essay if it’s an option. Find a way to tell your top-choice school that you love them—maybe by adding a tailored “why you” paragraph to the end of your personal statement, and maybe by sending them a letter of continuing interest (covered later).

Learn about our admissions consulting and editing services .

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How to Answer the "Why Law School?" Essay Question

Are you struggling with the "Why Law School?" essay question? This article provides expert tips and strategies to help you craft a compelling answer that showcases your passion for the law and your unique qualifications.

Posted May 12, 2023

Featuring Machmud M.

AMA: Law School Application Process

Starting sunday, august 11.

11:00 PM UTC · 45 minutes

Table of Contents

If you are considering applying to law school, you will need to write a "Why Law School?" essay. This essay is an opportunity for you to explain why you want to pursue a legal education and why you are a strong candidate for admission to a particular law school. The essay is an important part of the application process and can ultimately make or break your chances of being accepted. In this article, we will provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to answer the "Why Law School?" essay question.

The Importance of Addressing the "Why Law School?" Essay Question

The "Why Law School?" essay question is an opportunity for you to showcase your motivation, passion, and qualifications for pursuing a legal education. The essay allows admissions officers to understand your goals and aspirations, as well as your fit with a particular law school. It is important to address the essay question explicitly and thoughtfully as it can significantly impact your application's success.

One way to approach the "Why Law School?" essay question is to research the law school and its programs thoroughly. This will allow you to tailor your essay to the specific school and demonstrate your knowledge and interest in the institution. Additionally, you can use the essay to highlight any unique experiences or skills that make you a strong candidate for law school. Remember, the essay is not just about explaining why you want to go to law school, but also about showcasing why you are a good fit for the school and the legal profession.

Understanding the Purpose of the "Why Law School?" Essay Question

The "Why Law School?" essay question is designed to help admissions officers understand your motivations, goals, and fit with a particular law school. The question is intended to be open-ended, allowing you to provide a unique and personal response. Your essay should demonstrate your understanding of the legal field and showcase your qualifications and interests.

It is important to note that the "Why Law School?" essay question is not just about explaining why you want to attend law school, but also why you want to attend that specific law school. Admissions officers want to see that you have done your research and have a genuine interest in their institution. This can include discussing specific programs, clinics, or professors that align with your career goals. Additionally, your essay should highlight how you can contribute to the law school community and what unique perspectives or experiences you can bring to the table.

Researching Law Schools Before Writing the Essay

Before writing the "Why Law School?" essay, you should research the law schools you are interested in attending. This research will help you understand the school's academic programs, faculty, resources, and culture. It is important to identify how the school aligns with your personal and professional goals, and emphasize this connection in your essay.

One important aspect to consider when researching law schools is their location. Some law schools are located in urban areas, while others are in more rural settings. This can impact your overall experience as a student, as well as your opportunities for internships and networking. Additionally, you should research the school's alumni network and job placement rates to get a sense of the career opportunities available to graduates.

Another factor to consider is the school's approach to teaching and learning. Some law schools emphasize a more theoretical approach, while others focus on practical skills and experiential learning. Understanding the school's teaching philosophy can help you determine if it is a good fit for your learning style and career goals.

Highlighting Your Personal Motivations for Attending Law School

Your "Why Law School?" essay should highlight your personal motivations for attending law school. This can include your interests in law, social justice, advocacy, or any other relevant experiences. Your essay should showcase your passion and enthusiasm for the legal field.

Additionally, it is important to explain how attending law school aligns with your long-term career goals. This can include specific legal fields you are interested in pursuing, such as environmental law or intellectual property law. You can also discuss how a law degree will help you achieve your career aspirations, whether it be working in a law firm, government agency, or non-profit organization. By demonstrating a clear understanding of your career goals and how law school fits into them, you can further emphasize your commitment to pursuing a legal education.

Demonstrating Your Knowledge of the Legal Field

Your "Why Law School?" essay should demonstrate your knowledge of the legal field. This knowledge can come from previous experiences, such as internships or work experience, or through academic coursework. A deep understanding of the legal field will show admissions officers that you are prepared for the rigors of law school and committed to pursuing a legal education.

Additionally, you can also demonstrate your knowledge of the legal field by discussing current events and issues within the industry. This shows that you are not only knowledgeable about the past and present of the legal field, but also aware of its future direction and potential challenges. Including examples of how you have stayed up-to-date with legal news and developments can further strengthen your essay and showcase your passion for the field.

Showcasing Your Career Goals and Aspirations

Your "Why Law School?" essay should showcase your career goals and aspirations. This can include identifying the type of law you want to practice or explaining how a legal education will contribute to your long-term career aspirations. It is important to be specific in your goals and demonstrate how attending law school aligns with your overall career plan.

Additionally, you may want to consider discussing any relevant experiences or skills that have prepared you for a career in law. This could include internships, volunteer work, or previous jobs that have given you exposure to the legal field. By highlighting these experiences, you can demonstrate your commitment to pursuing a career in law and show admissions committees that you have a strong foundation to build upon in law school.

Incorporating Your Background and Life Experiences into the Essay

Your "Why Law School?" essay should incorporate your background and life experiences into your response. This can include explaining how your personal or professional experiences have led you to pursue a legal education. It is important to showcase how your unique perspective and experiences will enrich the law school community.

For example, if you have worked in a non-profit organization, you can discuss how this experience has given you a deeper understanding of the legal system and how it affects marginalized communities. Alternatively, if you have a background in science or engineering, you can explain how this has given you a unique perspective on the intersection of technology and the law.

Avoiding Common Mistakes in Writing the "Why Law School?" Essay

When writing the "Why Law School?" essay, it is important to avoid common mistakes. These can include being too generic in your response, not demonstrating your fit with a particular school, or not being specific enough in your career goals or motivations. It is important to carefully read and follow the essay prompt and align your response with the law school's mission and values.

Another common mistake to avoid when writing the "Why Law School?" essay is focusing too much on your academic achievements and not enough on your personal experiences and qualities. Admissions committees want to see that you have a genuine passion for the law and a clear understanding of how pursuing a legal education will help you achieve your goals. Therefore, it is important to showcase your unique perspective and experiences, and how they have shaped your desire to attend law school.

Emphasizing Your Fit with the Law School's Culture and Curriculum

Your "Why Law School?" essay should emphasize your fit with the law school's culture and curriculum. This can include highlighting the school's unique academic programs, extracurricular activities, or faculty. Your essay should showcase why the law school is the best fit for you and how you will contribute to the school's community.

Additionally, it is important to research the law school's mission statement and values to ensure that your essay aligns with their goals. You can also mention any relevant experiences or skills that make you a strong candidate for the school. Remember to be specific and provide examples to support your claims. By demonstrating your fit with the law school's culture and curriculum, you increase your chances of being accepted and thriving in the program.

Using Specific Examples to Support Your Arguments

Your "Why Law School?" essay should use specific examples to support your arguments. This can include citing specific academic programs or faculty at the law school or discussing particular experiences or achievements that demonstrate your fit with the school. It is important to provide evidence to support your claims and demonstrate your unique qualifications.

Crafting a Convincing and Cohesive Narrative in Your Essay

Your "Why Law School?" essay should tell a convincing and cohesive narrative. This means that you should create a clear and logical structure for your essay, with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. Your essay should have a strong, central theme that ties together your arguments and demonstrates your overall fit with a particular law school.

Polishing and Editing Your "Why Law School?" Essay to Perfection

Before submitting your "Why Law School?" essay, it is important to polish and edit your writing to perfection. This means carefully proofreading your essay for errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation. It also means ensuring that your essay follows the correct word count and formatting guidelines. A polished and well-written essay will make a strong impression on admissions officers.

Tips from Admissions Officers on Writing an Effective "Why Law School?" Essay

Admissions officers recommend that you take the time to carefully read and follow the essay prompt, research the law school thoroughly, and write a unique and personal response. It is important to showcase your passion for the legal field and align your response with the law school's values and mission. A strong and effective essay will make a memorable and positive impression on admissions officers.

Conclusion: Key Takeaways for Writing a Compelling "Why Law School?" Essay

The "Why Law School?" essay question is an important part of the law school application process. To write a compelling essay, it is important to research the law school, demonstrate your knowledge and passion for the legal field, identify your personal motivations and career goals, and showcase your fit with a particular law school. By following these key steps and tips, you can write a successful "Why Law School?" essay that will help you stand out from other applicants and secure your place in your dream law school.

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Writing an Effective “Why X” Addendum

Published June 2010

There are "necessary" parts of the law school application that are obviously the most important. The actual application form, the personal statement, and any required addendums should always take first priority as they need to be polished and flawless. However, sometimes people have put in the work, prepared their applications, and are looking for any other way they can possibly get a little more edge on the competition. This is especially important for "reach" schools where you'll need all the help you can get in order to get admitted. Written effectively, a solid “Why X” addendum can potentially set you apart and help you get into the schools you're most interested in.

When to Write a “Why X” Addendum

For some schools, the answer to this is simple. Penn actually asks you to write at least one addendum to demonstrate writing and persuasive abilities, and offers a "Why Penn" option as one of the available choices. Cornell asks on their app why you want to attend their school in particular. While I haven't read through the applications of all 200 law schools nationwide, I wouldn't be surprised if there are several others that also bluntly ask you why you want to go there in particular.

Even if schools don't ask, that doesn't mean they don't accept them. Dean Trujillo of UVA Law had the following to say about such addendums in his TLS interview:

“We do have many applicants who draft very generic personal statements, and that can be fine. But we do have people stating they want to be at Virginia Law for a particular reason, and that can be persuasive. It need not be in the personal statement though, and can instead be part of an addendum…Applicants can and do submit “why UVA” essays all the time. We just do not specifically ask for them. I also get a number of “why X Law School” essays all the time, where X is (accidentally) not Virginia Law. That is a sure way to get yourself wait-listed or rejected.”

Besides making the obvious point that you shouldn't submit a "Why Michigan" essay to UVA Law, what this makes clear is that schools accept--and consider--such addendums even if they don't ask for them. It also raises an additional point, which is that many applicants want or are encouraged to mention their desire to go to a particular law school in their PS. If they do this, though, it takes away from the limited amount of space they have to talk about themselves. Moving these arguments to an addendum gives an applicant the full length of their PS to what is most important, showing their uniqueness and strengths.

The national norm seems to be that you are free to submit an addendum with your application for any matter you consider important or that you feel needs explained, and a Why X addendum qualifies. Unless the school specifically tells you otherwise--and so far I have never personally seen this--you can write an addendum explaining why you want to attend their particular law school if you desire to do so.

Why to Write a “Why X” Addendum

There is no guarantee that an addendum will get read even if you take the time write it. The admissions committee may not get past your PS, or they may not even get past your GPA/LSAT score, before deciding to place your application in the reject pile. Such is life, and life is sad sometimes, but there's nothing you can do to change that outcome. You could have the greatest reason for attending X Law School in the world, and your addendum may never get read.

However, most people applying for a particular school are doing so because they have at least some chance of being admitted there. If you have numbers even within a certain range of what it takes to enroll at X Law, they will start digging deeper into your application and trying to get a greater picture of how to weigh it as a whole. Every positive aspect gives you more help in eventually getting in, and every negative aspect holds you back a little more; obviously you want to have as many positives as possible.

If you plan on submitting your application to X Law, and you believe (or at least hope) that they will get all the way to the end, wouldn't you want to have something that could give you even a little extra help once they get that far? Of course you would. If your application is good enough to be admitted once they're done reading it, but they have a lot of other good applicants similar to you, then you want whatever tiebreaker they use to go in your favor. That tiebreaker could be your Why X addendum because it could show that unlike those other guys and gals, you really do want to go to their particular school.

This is true for more than just people whose numbers are low or just at the median and are looking for an edge to claw their way in. It also applies to people with really absurdly high numbers too, because of what's called yield protection . YP is a system where schools reject applicants because their application is so good that the applicant can obviously go to a better school. Why should X Law waste an acceptance on this person when they are obviously going to get into Harvard and go there?

(This also is done because it affects USNWR rankings. Schools want a high number of applicants and a low number of acceptances, because a low acceptance ratio makes them look good. This and the policy reasons behind it are beyond why I'm writing today, so I'm not going to go any further on it, I'm just making you aware that it exists.)

A Why X addendum can help here too. If someone can articulate specific reasons why they want to go to X Law instead of Harvard, X Law then has reason to believe they'll actually attend, and more incentive to admit them instead of yield protecting them to protect their admissions numbers. Thus if your numbers are really high for a school, it may make sense to let them know why you want to go there to reduce your odds of becoming a victim of the larger admissions numbers game.

Why Not to Write a “Why X” Addeundum

There are valid arguments for why you shouldn't write a Why X addendum for a school. First of all, if you're just applying to a school because it's a safety or you got a fee waiver, and you cannot bring yourself to research specific things to write about in a Why X addendum, do not write one. A bad essay is going to be worse than no essay, because it will probably make clear how much you don't care whether or not you get accepted there. You are better off not saying anything in that case.

Second, if you're applying Early Decision, a Why X addendum is redundant. Applying ED tells them you are certain to go there if accepted, and with that already true, they probably do not care about your reason. In a sense, applying ED is the ultimate Why X essay, with an action that says more than a 500 word addendum ever could. If it's early enough, you're sure it's the school of your dreams, and your numbers aren't good enough to get scholarship money (early decision applicants rarely receive scholarships on admittance because they are bound to that specific school and don’t need extra incentives), you're better off applying ED than trying to write a Why X addendum.

Lastly, there are a few schools that are so prestigious that they already know why you want to attend. Harvard Law is not a good place to send an addendum like this. Everyone and their dog wants to go to HLS; it doesn't need explanation. The reasons for wanting to go are so obvious to everyone, there is no point in writing an addendum about it. Practically everyone who applies would actually go there if accepted, so there's no advantage to spending an extra sheet of paper trying to tell them you would too. The "Top 6" schools are so prestigious they are in a class by themselves, and they know it.

Really, the Why X addendum is mainly worth it when you want to avoid YP or for schools you consider "reach" schools that you do have a chance to get into but need what help you can get. Every applicant should have at least a couple realistic "reach" schools, the ones they are most hoping and praying to get into, and the ones they are likely to feel the most eager to attend. That feeling is what you want to convey in your Why X addendum. If they like your numbers enough to read that far, you want them to see your enthusiasm in the hopes it will make them like you that much more.

The more they like you, the more likely they are to accept you. But what can you say to make them like you more as an applicant?

What to Say in a “Why X” Addendum

The first thing you need to do is show them that you have a specific interest in their law school. There is one really strong way to do this, and that is to actually visit X Law, do a self-guided tour (or a guided one if the school offers them), and meet and talk with students or professors (if allowed). You will then have some pretty clear things you can write about, and saying something positive about the school, while including something that shows you took time to give them a real look, tells them your interest is probably genuine.

For example:

I visited the X Law campus on October 13, 2009, and was impressed by what I saw. Having an interest in public interest law, I stopped in the Hoover Public Interest Center to ask a couple questions, and ended up having a 20-minute conversation with Director Skinner. He was very helpful and encouraging, and we spoke in particular about volunteer opportunities with local organizations such as the X Domestic Violence Project. I am excited about the opportunities the Hoover Center will offer me as a student.

Obviously, the more you get out of your visit, the more you can write about, but if you had a good experience visiting, it only takes a few short lines to show just how much you really want to go there. Naming specific people you spoke with and things you learned helps cement in the minds of the admissions committee that you took time out of your own life to learn something about the school.

But what if you cannot visit? X Law may be across the country, and if you're a poor loan-burdened undergrad you might not be able to afford that trip. That's where the power of the internet comes in. While you don't want to write something cheap and ripped off their website's welcome page, hopefully you have done some research into the school before applying and you have some idea what kind of strengths it has. You can go dig more into those strengths and then write about them.

I am especially eager to attend X Law because of its accomplishment in placing graduates in federal clerkships. I see that X Law placed 18% of its graduates last year into clerkships, far higher than numbers at peer schools, and that they recently appointed a separate Clerkships Director to assist students who want a clerking experience when they graduate. I know a few lawyers and they have all strongly recommended I seek a clerkship when I graduate for the experience it will bring me and its value on my resume. I would love attending X Law not only for the great education it will provide, but for the special assistance it will be able to provide in finding a clerkship when I graduate.

This is very specific and talks about why the school fits the student's specific goal, and all it took to write was some research. Specifically, the writer would have to know 1) that they are interested in a specific thing like clerkships, 2) X Law's clerkship placement numbers, 3) clerkship placement numbers at peer schools, and 4) that X Law recently created a Clerkships Director position. Number 1 comes from the writer's own interest, 2 and 3 come from readily available online statistics, and number 4 is the kind of news or fact that would be advertised on the law school's own website.

All it takes is some interest in a specific area of law and a little time to dig into what that school offers. This doesn't even have to be about post-graduation numbers; most people who go to law school end up going in wanting to do one thing and graduate with a job doing something else entirely. However, people still have interests going in that they'll want to explore, and ways the law school offers to explore it are good things to show interest in.

If you find yourself interested in criminal law, you can talk about how you want to try out the school's Prosecution Clinic or Indigent Defense Clinic. If you might have interest in business law, you can talk about how you hope to take a class with the esteemed business law expert Professor Y who happens to teach at X Law. If this school is a reach school for you, and you are really eager to go there, hopefully there are some reasons you want to go there so badly. Dig into it, get more details on the stuff you're interested in, and write about that.

Put as much as you have to say (in a single page) about the things in the school that interest you, and about how eager you are to go there. Be careful, though, not to say something as strong as "I will attend if accepted" if you're not sure you mean it. Eagerness is one thing, but making a commitment on paper could bite you. If you make a commitment to a school and then withdraw after they offer you a seat, that represents a bad ethical choice and something that could look very bad to another school or the bar if they found out. Besides, if you are that committed to attending, apply ED instead. Otherwise, you want to convey your eagerness as much as possible without making promises you are not sure you can keep.

Putting it all Together: A Sample “Why X” Addendum

The ideal addendum should spend up to a full page connecting your own interests with specific programs or opportunities available at the school you're attending. While it should not be copied or relied on too strongly, the following is an example of what a full-length Why X addendum may look like:

Addendum: Why I Want To Attend X School of Law

Since my childhood in an impoverished neighborhood and witnessing the struggles of families that can't afford legal representation, it has long been my desire to become a Public Interest lawyer so I can have the opportunity to bring legal aid to those who need it most and afford it least. It is this strong desire that makes me want to attend X School of Law.

I am impressed by the strength of the clinics that X Law offers and the way those clinics allow students to help the community even before graduating. I am particularly interested in the school's Juvenile Justice and Outreach Clinic, which provides legal education to area high school students and pro bono legal services to arrested juveniles. Having personally witnessed friends caught up in the criminal justice system with no one to show them a way out, I am eager to participate in this clinic and try to make a positive difference in helping troubled teens become productive and law-abiding adults.

I am also impressed by the strength of X Law's student organizations. The presence of organizations such as Law Students for Racial Equality convinces me that I will be surrounded by peers sharing my commitment to improving society through the law. I am especially impressed by the range of guest speakers such as Governor Marla Singer and US Supreme Court Justice Tyler Durden that LSRE has brought to the X Law campus in recent years.

Lastly, I am impressed by X Law's commitment to helping students find Public Interest careers when they graduate. With 38% of X Law graduates going into PI work and a dedicated Public Interest Career Center available to students, it is clear that X Law has a commitment to helping students like me find rewarding public interest work upon graduation.

In closing, I believe that not only is X Law a good fit for me, but that I am also a good fit for X School of Law. If accepted, I would be eager to join the ranks of X Law students and graduates who have given back to the surrounding community through pro bono and public interest work.

There are times you shouldn't worry about a Why X addendum. If the school is "just a safety" to you, if you're sure you'll get in with your numbers anyway, do not waste your time writing a Why X addendum.

The Why X addendum is a way to set yourself apart at schools you are really eager to attend. It could be the tiebreaker between you and someone who did not say anything about why they want to attend the school. Showing that you have taken an actual interest in the school and what it offers could help you win an admissions committee over which is important in a world where 6,000 applicants may be competing for 300 seats at your dream school, and you may need every advantage you can get.

There are many steps the admissions committee will take before getting to your Why X addendum. Your grades, LSAT score, and PS are all going to be looked at first, and if they are not solid, it won't matter what an addendum says. However, if those are solid, a really well-written and enthusiastic Why X addendum might just be the thing that makes you stand out when they make the final cut between you or some other applicant.

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Expanding knowledge and critical thinking skills, enhancing career opportunities, earning potential, personal growth and development.

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