In a sense, the first case you ever will argue in your legal career will be why you should be admitted to a particular law school. In making your case, you should use your strong writing skills, but avoid being too clever. Resist the temptation to submit an essay in the form of a legal brief or other artistic pretense. Instead, use the facts of your life to create a vivid image of yourself in the mind of the reader that is consistent with the intellectual rigors of law school. Use detail and vary your sentence structure so the writing is interesting. Read the essay, "Silicon Valley Start-Up" at top-law-schools.com (a link to which is part of the Resources section) for an example of a compelling personal narrative. But note in the commentary that the author failed to state explicitly why he or she was a strong choice for admission.
Every effective essay is held together by a thesis. It is the main idea that all the other elements of the essay should support. You are not limited to a strict five-paragraph essay structure in your personal statement, but it might be helpful to think in terms of your thesis and how each successive paragraph contributes to it. Read the essay titled "Returning to School," which is available at accepted.com (a link to which is part of the Resources section), Law School Sample Essays. Though the essay is brief and concise, the author effectively argues in the thesis that he is a strong candidate for law school because he thrives on intellectual challenges. The personal narrative about his experience selling pharmaceuticals supports this claim in a compelling, human way. In the process, he is able to further support his thesis by showing both his understanding of law school as an intellectual challenge and how his experience relates to his ambitions.
When writing your personal statement it's always a good idea to use personal narrative and facts that present you as an interesting person. But, never forget that the admissions committee is looking, above all, for a strong J.D. candidate. As they read your essay (which they will likely read only do once and do so quickly) they are looking for evidence of your likely success in law school and as a lawyer. Is this person self-motivated? Does this person have specific goals? Is he or she organized? Has he or she proven himself or herself in the real world? Why does this person want to be a lawyer? These are questions the committee will be asking. Read the essay, "The Archeology Enthusiast" at accepted.com (a link to which is in the Resources section), Law School Sample Essays. Notice how the author uses the trope of personal narrative to create as much committee appeal as possible by demonstrating the skills and strengths a successful law school student will need.