Law Personal Statement

Personal statements are so incredibly tricky to write. They never ever get easier, I find them just as hard now as they were when I was applying for UCAS all those years ago. 

The breaking news is that I've decided to apply to do the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL), which simply put is a conversion degree and the first step towards becoming a qualified solicitor. It's a long road. Including vacation schemes, GDL, LPC (law practice course), training contracts for two years then you are qualified. It's a huge decision to make and it's by no means set in stone, but I'm interested, so I'm going for it on the basis that later on I will still be able to change my mind if I'd like to but if I do nothing I won't have a choice in the matter, it'll be too late.

Here's my attempt at a personal statement, to give him due credit my Dad helped. 

"As an undergraduate, I have worked hard consistently and thrown myself into taking on all that a psychology degree has to offer. As a result I am accustomed to carrying out extensive research, and articulating complex ideas and findings in both scientific written reports and in conversation. In addition to this, I am comfortable with a wide range of statistical concepts, and familiar with ethical guidelines in relation to psychological theory and practice. However whilst I thoroughly enjoy studying psychology and I am certain it will always be an interest of mine, the deeper into the course I have progressed it has become clear that furthering my career in a specific area of psychology is not my ambition.

I am a highly organised and driven individual who takes the initiative, learns fast and who works well both independently and as part of a team.  Recently I have put these skills to use as founder and project manager of Express LD, a volunteer-run charity project committed to helping young people with learning difficulties reach their potential. This innovative project has fast become one of the most invaluable experiences of my career so far. I have enhanced existing skills such as public speaking, making persuasive presentations to gain funding, leading group meetings and sustaining complicated ideas and visions in front of an audience of varied learning capabilities. I have also welcomed new challenges including writing a mission statement, recruiting a team of workshop volunteers, drafting volunteer guidelines, writing meeting agendas and managing weekly objectives whilst simultaneously ensuring that our sponsors are kept informed of the projects’ progress in a timely, organised format. My enthusiasm for and development within my role as Express LD Project Manager is a large factor in leading me to pursue the Graduate Diploma in Law. I strongly believe that the skills I have acquired combined with my personality and interests make me an ideal candidate for a successful career in legal services.

Whilst my role in Express LD, and my commitment to my studies is understandably time consuming, I have also had the pleasure of maintaining a part time job whilst at university. For the best part of 3 years, I worked for Inventive Leisure at Vodka Revolution in the restaurant and behind the bar, which involves working hard for long periods whilst maintaining a positive, enthusiastic and customer service focused attitude throughout.  For 9 months of my time at Revolution I acted as Supervisor, which I really enjoyed, unfortunately I was unable to continue this role as demands from my studies rose.  I currently work at The Meadows Hotel as a server, bar tender and receptionist, which, in order to better accommodate the demands of my final year of university, is slightly less time consuming but involves much of the same responsibilities as I had at Revolution. The social aspect of working in cocktail bars has undoubtedly had a large impact on making my years at university as enjoyable as they have been, I have immersed myself in a diverse range of people and I am proud to have been a part of such lively, hard-working and friendly teams, most of whom happily have remained close friends.

I always strive to manage my time so that there is space for exercise on a regular basis; my hobby of running is an example of my ability to self-motivate, set myself goals and reach them. However, perhaps more importantly I thoroughly enjoy going for a run and get a great deal of satisfaction from it. Whilst I am by no means an athlete I think it is important to have a healthy balance between professional interests, socialising and keeping fit.

On a personal level, I consider myself a warm, approachable, and charismatic person. I enjoy being part of a similarly motivated team and find it easy to get along well with colleagues. I have always maintained that an aspect of my career has to be working closely with and for people, therefore aiming for a positive resolution on the behalf of a client is a notion I find inspiring and I am confident I could be successful in a position of advocacy. I envisage a potential career path to be practising as a divorce lawyer or in family law. This particular interest stems, in part, from a personal experience; as a teenager throughout my parents’ divorce I was able to observe the legal system and some of the negotiation of my parents’ respective lawyers from the child’s point of view, it also ties in with my passion for child protection. My other career interests, broadly speaking, are litigation and dispute resolution. I am eager, if accepted, to learn more about the broad variety of law areas and will be keeping myself open to all options and career paths within the legal services.

Through my own research, attending court sessions and various presentation evenings hosted by representatives of extremely successful firms, for example Shearman and Sterling, MacFarlanes and Hogan Lovells International, my initial interest in law is now a deep commitment to a career in the legal profession. The GDL is the ideal course as I would like to cover the foundation areas in a succinct and effective manner. Furthermore, I am eager to begin practical training after the year of study; I believe the GDL course specifically will equip me with a solid foundation from which to start my practical development as a lawyer and is essential to my career interests.

Being able to study law at one of the establishments I have chosen to apply for will mean moving home to Yorkshire. Whilst this is not entirely easy, as anyone who has spent time in Edinburgh would probably understand, moving back will enable me to begin this new career path from the stability of my home, practice law in England, and to focus on the things I value highest; namely my family and my future. "

Not too shabby eh?  


Follow Up - I just got accepted to College of Law in York and the BPP law school in Leeds. Yay!