How Long Should My Personal Statement be for Law School?

Jan 10, 2023

Written By Tom Hale

Applying to law school can be a confusing and daunting experience. A million questions circulate as you try to put pen to paper and create your own perfect personal statement. Where do I start? What does the school want to see? What should I write about? And, of course, how long should my personal statement be?

What is a personal statement?

The personal statement is an opportunity away from the usual application criteria (predicted grades) to show who you truly are and what you offer as a candidate. Embrace this, treat it with excitement and enthusiasm, but, of course, stay within the word limit!

So then, you’re still wondering what the answer is. How long should your personal statement be when applying to law school?

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The Answer

UCAS states that your personal statement can be a maximum of 4,000 characters, which is about two sides of A4. However, some schools will give you their own word limit.

In sticking to these guidelines, the statement should be between 500-1,000 words. Thus, it is detailed enough to get across to the reader what you would like to say, but it is also succinct and to the point, a skill that will pay dividends down the line in your law career.

Keep them hooked

A 500-1,000 length is perfect for what you want to achieve in your statement. It is a time to reflect upon yourself and allow your individuality to shine through to the admissions committee at the school.

Tell them in direct but vivid prose who you are as a person, what you believe, what has shaped you, and what you bring to the table. Use it as an opportunity to grasp their attention and hold it till the last word.

Some of the best applications won’t just focus on the applicant’s interest in law, it will take the reader outside of this realm. Show them that you have a complete and interesting life (extracurriculars, volunteering, part-time job) and in harnessing this you bring something unique to the table.

The personal statement is a time to show off your personality to the law school. They do not want to invest in a law robot, they want to invest in a real person, and that could be you.

The Verdict

So now you know, your personal statement should be 4,000 characters, or between 500-1,000 words. Here are some other things to consider:

- Check the specific programme you are applying to. Do they have specific guidelines for your personal statement? Do they have an additional word count they are looking for?

- If they do, stick to it. If they don’t, remember to stay under 4,000 characters. If there is no stated word count then it is always good to stick to a statement between 500-1,000 words long.

- Most importantly, let the personal statement be a time that the real you can shine through.

Daunting as your application to law school can be, it is still an exciting time for applicants. A time when a new chapter is beginning. The personal statement is the most creative and interesting part in this process.

Embrace this creativity. But remember, don’t waffle!

Law Personal Statement