Writing About The Main Character: Becoming LawyHer Podcast- Episode 6 with the Dean of Admissions at University of Miami School of Law Discussing All Things Personal Statement

In our sixth episode of the Becoming LawyHer podcast, Hadiyah meets with Dean of Admissions at University of Miami School of Law, Dean Katrin Hussmann Schroll, to unpack the complexities and mysteries surrounding the law school personal statement. 

Whether you have a working draft of your personal statement or you’re still brainstorming ideas, this episode  has something for you. From the role the personal statement plays in your application,  common mistakes to avoid , and different essay structures to use, Dean Schroll breaks down each part of the process to write a compelling and authentic personal statement 

Like the sunny weather in Miami, Dean Schroll radiates with excitement to discuss the intricacies of crafting a law school personal statement that feels like ✨you✨. 

 As a first generation college student who came from Venezuela to the United States in high school, Dean Schroll offers a unique approach and perspective to law school admissions in that she understands what it is like to apply without having any examples to follow. Dean Schroll makes it clear that she wants to help applicants navigate this daunting process in any way that she can. 

In the beginning of the episode, Dean Schroll shares information that may come as a shock to you: admissions officers are actually rooting for you! Instead of approaching the personal statement with fear, Dean Schroll empowers applicants to feel confident about their experience and to look at admissions in a different light:  “When you are looking into the {law school application]  process, know that there is someone on the other side always looking to admit. You just have to provide us with the evidence why we should admit you.”  (3:33) Dean Schroll emphasizes admissions officers' excitement in shaping the legal profession, and that begins with them hearing your story and getting to learn more about you as the applicant.

So what makes for an outstanding and extraordinary personal statement? Well, we think it’s best if you tune in to the episode to learn how Hadiyah and Dean Schroll answer this question, but let’s look at what makes an awful personal statement. 

First Dean Schroll advises applicants to be mindful of a school’s policy when using AI in your applications. Heavy use of AI or other tools to enhance your writing may actually hurt your application rather than bolster it. Admissions officers want to hear YOUR voice and YOUR story, so AI doesn’t really help— and they can tell when you’re using AI.

Second, it is strongly advised that applicants DO NOT rehash their resume. Your personal statement is supposed to be a reflection of who you are and where you are in your journey to applying to law school; don't lose the opportunity to share different sides of yourself by repeating what’s already included in your application package. Now, this doesn’t mean you can’t talk about things that are on your resume, but there is an art to it.

Lastly— and this may surprise you— adding a "Why X law school” as the very last sentence of your personal statement may make schools feel like an afterthought, at least for the University of Miami School of Law. If you are going to include a “Why X Law school” statement, be very intentional about how you incorporate it into your personal statement, make it cohesive. 

Episode 6 emphasizes the reflective nature and purpose  of the personal statement. Dean Schroll poses a series of brainstorming questions for the audience to consider  such as: What are your unique experiences that inform what motivates you to go to law school? Are you mature enough to handle law school? Is this the right time for you? Have you exhibited enough growth and personal perseverance?  These are just a few of the many introspective questions that Dean Schroll encourages applicants to explore as they are crafting their personal statements. She even advises applicants to start a journal to help them reflect on their experiences (9:52). The TL:DR is: Dean Schroll wants applicants to  invest their time in brainstorming, reflecting, and writing a narrative that shows what you will bring to law school and the legal profession. 

As Hadiyah remarks in the beginning of the episode, get your pen and paper ready because you are definitely going to want to take all the notes for this week's episode. 

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