Get in touch: (800) 551-3410
.webp)
Mika attended Claremont McKenna College before graduating from the University of Chicago Law School. She has extensive experience in the legal field; she clerked for the (ret.) Honorable Christopher S. Sontchi in the Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware and worked as a corporate bankruptcy litigator for five and a half years in Delaware and New York before returning to consulting and teaching.
She was offered acceptance to several prestigious law schools, including Washington University in St. Louis, the University of Michigan, the University of Virginia, Vanderbilt, and the University of Chicago. Mika's experience as a brief-writing litigation associate meant learning to express topics in ways that judges could grasp: a skill she now imparts upon pre-law students. She is an adept writer, editor, and coach dedicated to helping pre-law students present their best selves in the admissions process.
Our topic is "How to Build a Unique Application Narrative." Mika is going to go over everything in a moment, but first, a couple of housekeeping items.
We’ll cover:
Hi, everyone. I'm Mika McDonald. I use she/her pronouns. I graduated from the University of Chicago Law School in 2015. I clerked for a bankruptcy judge in Wilmington, Delaware, and worked as a corporate bankruptcy litigator for about five and a half years. I left law practice during COVID because it wasn’t for me anymore and came back to teaching and admissions consulting. I also tutor for the LSAT, scoring a 179 on the LSAT. I love working with students, and I especially love tonight’s topic: narrative writing.
Resumes exist for a reason—they’re a place to list things with very tiny, small descriptions. They don’t tell anybody anything about who you are as a person on a day-to-day basis, personality-wise. They might tell you that you care about certain things, or you can demonstrate records of personal or public service, or academic excellence. All of you are at New Kent, so obviously that’s part of who you are as a person, but it is for every law school applicant.
Your story matters a lot. The way you tell your story matters a lot. Admissions officers want to see diversity in their classes, especially diversity of experience. They read thousands of these, so being readable is very important. Ultimately, you’re trying to convince them why you should be admitted to a very elite institution and become part of that very elite group of alumni. They need to be convinced of your sincerity in being there, who you’ll be, and whether you’ll be a good alum for their institution.
A narrative approach, especially for a personal statement or diversity statement, typically has a clear chronological story with specific themes that are highlighted by your own life experiences and achievements. You need to take your values, your achievements, and your personality and distill them into a two-page story about you. If you’re successful at that, if you successfully engage these admissions officers, there’s a ton of payoff.
As I said, they read thousands of these. They get thousands of applicants. Regardless of what your stats are—whether you have a 179, 4.0 or a 168, 3.7—there’s probably somebody else with the exact same stats as you. Personal statements, diversity statements, and "Why X" essays matter a lot, not just for getting in but also for tie-breaking and scholarship purposes. We have a goal here of showcasing your values and engaging the admissions officers.
Self-reflection is really baked into this process. You need to think about what sort of story you’re telling, and you need to think about what your resume and your background say about you. If the story you’re trying to tell doesn’t match the actions you’ve taken in the past, the admissions officer will see that because they have both documents. Your story genuinely needs to follow what you’ve done, achieved, and tried to do in your life.
You want to emphasize the big things you’ve accomplished—academic achievements, for example. Being at UPenn is one of them, but everything you’ve done there that you’re proud of should be highlighted. Professional and volunteer experiences typically reflect your values. If you say you care about domestic violence but have never volunteered or done anything related to that cause, it won’t look good. But if you have volunteered or worked on a hotline and mention that in your personal statement, people will understand what you want to achieve and how you want to help others.
Personal growth is also an essential part of this process. Genuinely private things engage people. There's a saying: you can't have a close connection with someone without opening up and being vulnerable. Sharing something personal and meaningful, whether it’s a deeply positive or deeply negative experience, helps admissions officers engage with your story. The more of yourself you show, and the more you tie these events to your overall narrative, the more the admissions officer will engage with you.
Think about what you're comfortable telling. Don't go beyond what you're willing to share, but do try to share something meaningful and relatively private. That kind of openness tends to engage people.
Uniqueness is a great thing. I often hear from people that they don’t think they have an interesting story, or they think their story is boring. But what I've found in my initial interviews with students is that most people’s stories are a lot more interesting than they expect. There's often more uniqueness to your life than you realize.
Things that especially stand out are leadership roles and self-created projects—things you did from scratch. That could be entrepreneurship, founding a new club, or leading a specific public service initiative on campus. Those kinds of achievements show uniqueness and drive, and they give a sense of your values.
Overcoming challenges is another key factor. I always advise against making your personal statement a "sob story," but demonstrating that you've faced adversity and figured out a way through it is invaluable. At least one of the life experiences you mention in your personal statement should demonstrate that when things got tough, you kept going. You did what you needed to do to succeed, or you stepped up in a tough situation. Those are great indicators of someone with the drive to succeed, especially in law school, which is not an easy thing, and being a lawyer is not an easy job.
You definitely want to focus on why law is important to you. Don't just say you want to go to law school; show why through your stories. Show, don’t tell. The stories you tell should make it clear why you're motivated to pursue law school.
We’ve already talked about values, which tie into your motivation for law school. Admissions officers want to see a defined drive for attending law school, not just that you're unsure what else to do or that you think you'd be good at it. Every year, many people apply to law school because they aren’t sure what else to do. Elite institutions don’t want that—they want to see someone with clear values and a drive to succeed because those people tend to be more successful.
When you're structuring your personal statement, most schools give a two-page limit, usually with specific formatting guidelines (like Times New Roman, double-spaced). In general, though, the space is limited—you have two pages, maybe six paragraphs to work with. So, outlining your story and thinking about the chronology of your narrative is essential.
You might have a paragraph that focuses on a defining experience. Then, you need to transition to how that experience leads to where you are now—whether that’s in college, achieving things, or volunteering for organizations. The goal is to create a cohesive story, not a series of disconnected episodes. Make sure every word counts and don’t be generic or unoriginal. Be descriptive without overindulging in descriptions. You want to move your narrative forward with each sentence.
The advice I give to students and even junior attorneys is to make sure every word is moving the ball forward. Don’t waste space. Your personal statement is a two-page document, but it’ll likely take as much time to write as a 25-page paper because of the precision needed.
It’s important to tie your background to the law in a specific way. For example, I had a student who was Nigerian-American, and during a family trip to Nigeria, she had a defining experience where her father was held up for a bribe, and the whole family was threatened by police officers. That experience sparked her interest in international and criminal justice, which was reflected in her resume through volunteer work and club activities.
Talking about your own or your family’s experiences with the justice system is a great way to engage people. People listen when others share these kinds of personal stories.
When you're tying your experiences to the law, be honest about your motivations. For example, if you want to be a corporate lawyer, say that. Not everything has to be deep. If you're applying to a regional school and want to stay in that region because of family or community ties, be upfront about that. Schools appreciate knowing you're likely to be successful and stay connected to their alumni network.
It’s not just about having deep personal motivations; it’s about being authentic. Elite law schools don’t expect every applicant to have profound reasons for attending. Sometimes the best "Why X" essays are the simplest. For example, telling a regional school that you grew up in the area, want to work there, and your support network is there can be a great sell. It shows you're committed to the region, which is valuable for them.
Your personal statement should sound like you. It shouldn’t read as if I wrote it or one of your professors wrote it, and it certainly shouldn’t sound like a parent or friend wrote it. It should sound like you.
Avoid using cliches or exaggerating. Exaggerations can come back to haunt you later on. When you apply to the bar, you’ll go through a character and fitness interview. If they find out that you exaggerated something on your application, they may ask your law school to revoke your degree. Though law schools rarely do that, it has happened. You don’t want to be one of those rare cases.
Focus on details that make your story memorable. Use “I” statements and reflect on your experiences. Think of your personal statement as commentary on your own life, where you're providing a narrative and reflecting on how those experiences shaped you.
One of the most common mistakes I see in personal statements is when they read like an extended version of a resume. Don’t just list your accomplishments. The admissions officers already have your resume. Your personal statement should focus on the story behind your experiences, not everything you’ve ever achieved. Focus on the accomplishments that contribute to the overall narrative, not every single one.
When building your personal statement, focus on why law is important to you. Show, don’t tell, your motivation for law school through the stories you share. You typically have two pages and about six paragraphs to work with, so make sure each paragraph transitions smoothly. You want your statement to feel cohesive, not like a series of disconnected episodes.
Every word counts, so avoid being generic. Be descriptive without indulging in unnecessary detail. So don't be George R.R. Martin. That's not going to sell on a personal statement. Make sure everything you're writing is moving the ball forward.
Your personal statement shouldn’t just list your accomplishments—that’s what your resume is for. Instead, tell a story that demonstrates why you care about law and how your experiences have shaped your goals. Don’t try to mention everything from your resume; instead, focus on the key experiences that contribute to your overall narrative.
It’s okay if you’re unsure about what type of law you want to practice, but if you have specific goals, mention them at the end of your statement. Explain how law school will help you achieve those goals.
it's good to tie your background in a very specific way. I can give a lot of examples. For instance, I had one student and client who was Nigerian American. And when she returned to visit her family, she was maybe 10 or 11, she had that critical experience, that defining experience, which was her father kind of being held up for a bribe and the whole family being threatened by actual police officers. So international justice and criminal justice are both topics near and dear to her heart.
And if you looked at her resume, you would see a lot of volunteer and club work during college that reflected that. Talking about your own experiences or familial experiences with the justice system is a very good way to engage people. All of these things really help define a reason that you want to be in law school. Tie your experiences back to the law in some way.
Your personal statement should sound like you. Avoid exaggerations, as they can cause issues later on. Be specific and focus on details that make your story memorable. Use “I” statements to reflect on your experiences and emotions. The admissions officers want to get a sense of who you are, so be personal and show them how your experiences have shaped you.
It’s fine if you don’t know exactly what kind of law you want to practice when you apply. Many students don’t know, and that’s okay. However, if you do have specific goals, the end of your personal statement is a good place to mention them. Tie your experiences into how law school will help you reach those goals. For example, if you’ve always wanted to do family law or work with victims of domestic violence, talk about how your life experiences have shaped that desire and how law school will help you get there.
If you want to be a leader in the business world or go into corporate law, be upfront about that, too. It doesn’t always have to be deep or emotional. For example, I worked in corporate bankruptcy law—people don’t often talk about that, but it’s a very real legal field where you can make a lot of money. So, don’t shy away from mentioning your career aspirations. Law school is a launching pad for you to achieve your goals.
Let’s talk about the diversity statement. This is your chance to address your uniqueness. Uniqueness doesn’t mean just one type of diversity—there are many ways to be unique.
For instance, I had a student who grew up in a cult. You wouldn’t guess that by looking at her, but that’s a very unique story. I had another student who was a D1 baseball player and also played for the Italian national team. Being a dual citizen and balancing that with school is a unique experience.
Being unique isn’t just about traditional forms of diversity. It’s about the experiences and perspectives you bring. In your diversity statement, focus on how your uniqueness will help you contribute on campus. Law school discussions can get very heated and political, so schools value having a variety of perspectives.
Think about the overall arc of your life and what makes you unique. Ask your friends or colleagues what they think is interesting or different about you. That can help if you’re struggling to find a unique angle for your diversity statement.
Reflecting on your personal growth is key. Your personal statement should show how certain experiences shaped you as a person. Use "I" statements and feeling statements to demonstrate your growth.
Maintain a clear and cohesive structure. Start by outlining your narrative and thinking about how each sentence moves the story forward. You want your personal statement to feel like a continuous story, not a disconnected series of events.
There are some things you should avoid when writing your personal statement. First, don’t exaggerate or fabricate anything. This will only hurt you in the long run, especially when you have to go through the character and fitness assessment for the bar.
For example, I once had to explain to my law school why I listed an activity on one resume but didn’t list it on another application. It was a simple mistake, but it created unnecessary stress. So, make sure you’re consistent and honest in your personal statement.
Another important point: don’t neglect to explain why law is the right path for you. If your personal statement could easily be used for medical school or business school, you’ve lost the thread somewhere. The admissions officer should understand why law is your chosen career.
Don’t be generic or cliché. Admissions officers read thousands of these, and it’s easy to be forgettable if you’re not careful. Make sure every word counts and contributes to your narrative.
When writing your personal statement, focus on staying organized and on-topic. Start by brainstorming a list of experiences and topics you want to include. You’ll likely end up with more material than you need, so think about how to combine those experiences into a cohesive story.
You have about six paragraphs to work with—the first being an introduction and the last being a conclusion. That leaves four substantive paragraphs to tell your story, so you need to be selective about what you include.
Your personal statement doesn’t need to be an academic document. You don’t need to be formal or stiff. It’s okay to use contractions and write in a conversational tone. Good legal writing is about being clear and persuasive, not about sounding academic.
Be direct, clear, and concise. Don’t waste space trying to sound fancy or using words you wouldn’t normally use in conversation. You want your personal statement to feel authentic and engaging.
Writing is rewriting. First drafts are never good, and that’s okay. You should go through at least three rounds of editing. After each round, ask yourself: does this feel focused and clear? Does every word move the ball forward?
Ask someone else to read your personal statement and provide feedback. They’ll be able to tell you if you’re repeating yourself or if something feels unclear. Then, go back and revise until your personal statement feels polished and engaging.
Grammar goes without saying—this is a personal statement for law school, so any grammar mistakes or typos can reflect poorly on you. The admissions officer may question how seriously you’re taking the application process.
Also, think about the presentation of your personal statement. Make sure the formatting is clean and professional. Don’t use Times New Roman unless it’s specifically required—choose a font that’s easy to read.
The cleanliness of the page matters. When I was clerking, my judge hated poorly formatted documents. While he still had to read them, he wasn’t well-disposed to the lawyer who submitted them.
This point is important but nuanced. You don’t want to write what you think the law school wants to hear, but you should make sure your statement aligns with what the school values. For example, if you’re applying to Harvard and say you’re committed to public service, you might not be convincing them fully, because Harvard is known for producing corporate attorneys.
Subtle adjustments to match your goals with the school’s mission can help, but always be honest. Don’t lie or stretch the truth to fit the school’s profile.
Ask for feedback on your personal statement. You’re a college student, and I can confidently say you’re not a fully developed writer yet. I don’t know you personally, but that’s a general truth. There’s a high chance you know people who are better at writing, like your parents, professors, or friends. Ask them for feedback.
At the same time, be careful not to let too many edits from other people destroy your personal voice. It’s important that your personal statement still sounds like you at the end of the process.
Your personal statement should reflect your voice and personality. Too many edits can sometimes remove your unique voice from the essay. You should be the one making the final edits. Take others’ feedback into account, but ultimately, you need to decide how your personal statement reads.
Before submitting it, take one last look and ask yourself, “Does this sound like me?” If it doesn’t, make the necessary adjustments so it does. This is your story, and it should feel personal and authentic.
A strong logical flow is essential in your personal statement. While it can be fun to play around with creative techniques like flashbacks or nonlinear storytelling, if you’re not a talented or experienced writer, it’s safer to follow a direct, chronological approach.
Start by explaining who you were growing up, then move on to your experiences in college, and finally, explain why you want to go to law school. This simple, chronological approach is a safe and effective way to tell your story. If you want to experiment with a more creative structure, be careful because it can easily feel stilted or disjointed if not executed properly.
Standing out is crucial. Your personal statement can be a major tiebreaker, especially if you’re applying to a competitive school. If you’re above median in terms of LSAT and GPA, this statement could make the difference between being accepted and receiving a merit scholarship.
While admissions decisions are primarily driven by LSAT and GPA (about 70% of the decision), the other 30% is based on your essays and personal statements. So take this part seriously. You want to stand out by emphasizing your unique experiences and demonstrating a passion for law.
Another way to stand out is by aligning your personal statement with the school’s mission, but don’t force it. I wouldn’t recommend mentioning specific programs unless there’s a clear connection between what you care about and what the school offers. One way to do this is by researching the clinics the school offers. Clinics provide practical, hands-on experience, and many schools have clinics that align with certain areas of law like homelessness, domestic violence, or advocacy.
Look into the clinics offered by the schools you’re applying to and see if any align with your values and goals. Calling out a specific clinic that resonates with your interests can be a powerful way to connect your personal statement to the school.
Let’s talk about how to conclude your personal statement. Conclusions can be tough. I always tell students to write the body of the essay first, then write the conclusion, and finally go back and rewrite the introduction and the conclusion. You’ll likely end up rewriting the conclusion multiple times.
One effective way to end your personal statement is by making small callbacks to earlier paragraphs. For example, if you mentioned a defining experience early on, briefly refer to it again at the end. This creates a sense of cohesiveness and helps bring your narrative full circle.
Your conclusion should sum up your goals and how your experiences have led you to law school. Reaffirm your commitment to pursuing law and your aspirations in the field.
Reaffirming your commitment to law in the conclusion is key, but you should avoid presuming too much about what law school or being a lawyer is like. You won’t know what law school is really like until you’re in it, and the same goes for practicing law. Instead of making assumptions, focus on how your values align with a career in law and how law school will help you live out those values.
For example, you might reference a deep commitment to public service and explain how the school’s clinics will help you practice those skills early on. Do a bit of research and tie your goals to the school’s programs where possible.
Organize your ideas and brainstorm before you start writing. Outline your narrative and ensure that every word moves your story forward. Keep your voice authentic, and make sure your personal statement ties into your goals for law school and beyond.
Yes and no. I would avoid being overtly political, such as speaking negatively about one political party or person. This is meant to be a story about you, not a political commentary. If politics are relevant to your story, keep the focus on what you want to change or achieve, rather than focusing on specific political figures or ideologies. You want to show what drives you, not who you dislike.
Other topics to avoid include inappropriate discussions like sex, unless it's in passing or relevant in a very subtle, appropriate way. Do a general appropriateness check—ask yourself if it feels like a topic that belongs in a personal statement.
Public interest law is absolutely appealing to top law schools. They want to see diversity among their alumni, including in career paths. Having a range of career trajectories—whether public interest or corporate law—helps the school’s reputation and future placement. The key is to show that your resume supports your interest in public interest law. If you have that basis, top law schools will appreciate it.
Most graduates from top law schools do go into corporate law, but that doesn't mean public interest law isn't valued. Just make sure your resume, experiences, and history demonstrate your passion for public interest, and law schools will love it.
If you really want to attend a particular school and you get waitlisted, don’t stop writing. Keep writing letters of continued interest. I personally got off the waitlist at UChicago by writing one letter a month for four months. Being tenacious can pay off.
I would also advise everyone to think carefully about debt. Law school is a significant financial commitment, and having $200,000 in debt can lock you into situations you might not want to be in. Even though schools offer loan repayment assistance and there are forgiveness programs for those in public interest, that debt can influence your career choices. Try to get as much financial aid as possible and consider the long-term implications.
Take the LSAT seriously—it’s worth a lot in terms of scholarship money. Every LSAT point can be worth about $10,000 in scholarship aid, and the higher you score, the more that value increases.
