Personal Statement

The Personal Statement

What is the maximum length of the personal statement for Western Law?
5000 characters, plus an additional 2000 characters if you choose to submit the optional essay.

Is the optional essay truly optional? What should it include?
Yes. It can include whatever you wish us to know that you have not covered elsewhere in your personal statement.

Where can I learn more about Western’s personal statement?
See the Western University section of the OLSAS Application Guide, as well as the relevant Help box in the application itself.

Do you have any tips for the writing of the personal statement?
Yes. We offer the following suggestions. Your university’s Student Success Center (or equivalent) may also offer some guidance.

DO:

  1. Be sincere and authentic.
  2. Tell us about you.
  3. Make your statement interesting from the very first paragraph.
  4. Consider it your interview on paper.
  5. Provide specific examples to illustrate your statements.
  6. Highlight the positives.
  7. Explain anomalies in your academic work if applicable.
  8. Create visuals for your reader.
  9. Tie the introduction and conclusion together.
  10. Be concise.
  11. Be meticulous about spelling, grammar, phrasing, and word choice.
  12. Ask someone to proofread your work.
  13. Find the right balance between humility and self-confidence.

DO NOT:

  1. Use artificial intelligence technology. It offers generic content such that your personal statement is unlikely to be personal or stand out.
  2. Repeat what is in your autobiographical sketch. Instead highlight key items and skills that you wish to focus on.
  3. Use cliché phrases.
  4. Make blanket statements that anyone could say, with no further detail.
  5. Tell us what you think we want to hear when it’s not sincere.
  6. Use other personal statements as templates. They are distracting, could lead to plagiarism and are usually low quality or sound generic.
  7. Use fancy language or "legalese".
  8. Permit rewriting or excessive editing by others. It is yourpersonal statement.
  9. Be ingratiating or overbearing.
  10. Write it at the last minute. Instead revise, revise, and revise until it’s solid!