Because there is no formula for a strong personal statement, it is difficult to give advice on what you should do when drafting your statement. However, here are some things to try and avoid:

1. Avoid writing your complete autobiography.

Personal statements are typically two to three pages long, so if you try to discuss everything that happened to you since you were born, every life event will get only a sentence or two. When writing your personal statement, think of depth, not breadth. You want to be able to share enough detail that the admission professional reviewing your application will feel like they know you and can envision you as a part of their student body.

That is not to say that writing down all your significant life events is not an important part of the personal statement writing process. In the brainstorming stage, you should write down everything you think may be a possible topic, then set your list aside for a day or two. When you come back with fresh eyes, try to identify one or two related topics that you can use to write a compelling narrative.

2. Don’t write a biography of someone else.

When writing about someone who has inspired you to go to law school, whether it is a family member or a mentor, applicants often write compelling stories about that person and never turn the lens on themselves. Remember: You, not your mentor or your family member, are applying to law school.

If you write about a person who has inspired you, keep it brief and make sure to shift the lens back to you. Share the ways in which that person impacted your life. How did they inspire you? What do you want to change on their behalf? How did they impact the way in which you view the world?

3. Don’t narrate your résumé or transcripts.

Law schools will look at both these documents very closely, so you do not want to duplicate a story they will already be able to piece together themselves. If you are going to share a story about a class or a particular work experience, make sure you go deeper than what can be found elsewhere in your application. Remember, depth, not breadth!

4. Don’t submit an unpolished personal statement.

In addition to telling the admission committee what matters to you in your own voice, the personal statement is a writing sample. Make sure to edit it closely and ensure you have a compelling narrative, as well as correct spelling and grammar.