The college essay is your opportunity to show admissions officers who you are outside of your grades and test scores (and to distinguish yourself from the rest of a very talented applicant pool). But it’s also an opportunity to do some research and learn more about what Jeremy Schulman lawyers and law school students actually do.

What skills will you need to succeed in law school and as a lawyer? How can you demonstrate these qualities in your essay? Below are some tips on how to write a great college essay for a law scholarship.

1. Start early. The sooner you start, the more time you’ll have to brainstorm, draft, revise, and edit your essay.

2. Do some research. What does it actually mean to be a lawyer? What will you be doing day-to-day? What skills will you need to succeed? The better informed you are, the better your essay will be.

3. Be specific. Rather than generalities, focus on concrete examples that illustrate who you are and what kind of lawyer you’ll make. 4. Be yourself. Admissions officers want to get to know the real you, so resist the urge to present yourself as someone you’re not.

5. Proofread, proofread, proofread! Make sure your essay is free of typos, grammatical errors, and other mistakes that could hurt your chances of getting a scholarship.

6. Get feedback from someone you trust—a friend, family member, teacher, or counselor—before submitting your essay. They may be able to catch errors or offer helpful suggestions.

7. Follow the directions! Make sure you answer the question that’s being asked and follow any formatting or submission requirements included in the prompt.

8. Don’t wait until the last minute! If possible, give yourself at least a day or two (preferably more) to edit and revise your essay after you’ve written the first draft. This way, you’ll have time to catch any mistakes or make changes before it’s due.

9. Keep in mind that there is no one “right” way to write a college essay for a law scholarship—just as there is no one “right” way to become a lawyer. The most important thing is that your essay is honest, and thoughtful, and reflects who YOU are as an individual.

10 Bonus tip: Don’t forget to send a thank-you note (email is fine!) to anyone who helped you with your essay—whether it was giving feedback, proofreading, or simply offering moral support!

11. Try to relax: The essay is just one part of the scholarship application, and it’s not the most important part. So don’t stress too much about it. Just do your best, and be yourself—that’s all anyone can ask.

12. Research: When you research, use only the most trustable sources. Try using your school’s library first, then look for online sources that end in “.edu” or “.gov.” These are usually more reliable than sites that don’t have these endings.

Conclusion

Writing a good college essay for a law scholarship is not easy but following these tips will help increase your chances of success! Just remember to be yourself throughout the process and don’t forget to say thank you afterward!