Essays That Worked for Law Schools: 35 Essays from Successful Applications to the Nation's Top Law Schools
by Boykin Curry (Editor

Editorial Reviews
While almost anything goes in a college-application essay, law-school applicants are expected to be a little more sophisticated. No navel-gazing allowed. But please, no pontificating, either. Like admissions officers everywhere, those at law schools are looking for something fresh. That means, says Boykin Curry, that unless you are quite certain that you've got a spectacular new approach, you should avoid such topics as "Why I want to be a public defender," "I have always wanted to be a lawyer since I was ten," and "What I think about justice" ("lecturing on the law--before you have studied it--" Curry warns, "is likely to bore and irritate the reader"). Instead, be honest, and be creative. Use these essays for inspiration. One essayist here demonstrates his bargaining skills by relating his Peace Corps experiences haggling over goat meat in Niger. Another writes touchingly of his stated goal: to practice law with the same integrity that his grandfather brought to his carpentry business.
A chart at the beginning of the book illustrates just how much importance various schools place on the essay (the University of Washington gives it little consideration; Harvard and Yale say it's a vital part of the application). --Jane Steinberg

Book Description
"Law school applicants should consider this a guide to producing a competitive, superior essay...These successful examples speak louder than any written how-to instructions could."
THE BOOK WATCH
Each law school applicant gets only one chance to distinguish himself or herself from the pack: the law school application essay. In the essay, you can spotlight the qualities you possess that transcripts and LSAT scores don't reveal. This inspiring book demonstrates that winning essays come in a variety..