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Successful Personal Statement For Law At Oxford

Author: Chloe Hewitt

Successful Personal Statement For Law…

Table of Contents

Welcome to our popular Personal Statement series where we present a successful Personal Statement, and our Oxbridge Tutors provide their feedback on it.

Today, we are looking through a Law applicant’s Personal Statement that helped secure a place at Oxford University. The Law Course at Oxford offers a world-class opportunity to develop a diverse set of skills which you will be able to apply in many different situations.

Read on to see how this candidate managed to secure an offer from a world-class department.

Here’s a breakdown of the Personal Statement (the applicant uses most of the 4,000 characters available):

The universities this candidate applied to were the following:

Enrolling on our Oxford Law comprehensive Programme will give you access to Personal Statement redrafts.

When you enrol in our Oxbridge Law Premium Programme , you’re getting the best possible support for all aspects of your application. Your tutor will give you actionable feedback on your Personal Statement drafts, with insider tips on how to improve and make your Personal Statement Oxbridge quality for the best chances of success.

Speak with our expert Admissions Consultants now to find the best Personal Statement support for you.

Law Personal Statement

Law is a set of rules and guidelines imposed upon a society which reflect its moral consciousness, guided and guarded by the judiciary. I believe everyone has the right to be judged objectively by their own laws. I am fascinated by the process of examining legal arguments, by how the outcome of a case hinges on presentation of the evidence and by the law’s status as the ultimate arbiter of ‘justice.’ It is this desire to study the analytical process and underlying principles of jurisprudence that motivates me to study law academically.

Preparing for my extended project, I studied Plato’s Republic and how his analyses of different societies are relevant to modern Britain. Examining the common flaws between our own society and those depicted in Republic made me appreciate the subtlety of the law in its present-day form: many of Plato’s proposed solutions to these flaws undermined what are viewed today as personal rights. This led me to reflect on how laws protect us, and also how their intricacies create a doctrine to which people adhere, both complying and incorporating it in their own morality.

Investigating Plato’s ideal political system, I considered the contrast between how his laws were devised and their status in our own society. Plato’s ‘Guardians’ (not unlike our own judiciary) were relied on both to codify and interpret the law. While their decisions were considered to be benevolent, society was expected to conform to laws dictated by a separate class. The situation in the UK is quite different: statute law, as well as case law, often reflects current popular opinion. Sarah’s law (the parents’ right to check the criminal record of any carer for their child) was the direct result of a popular campaign. Whether it is better to have a system of laws that evolve with society or one that is dictated by a separate body is just one example of the ethical questions behind the law that intrigue me.

Seeking experience in the area of law that first attracted me, I assisted a criminal barrister in a Bristol chambers, including client interviews for petty offences and note taking in Crown Court, where we were prosecuting an alleged serial attempted rapist. The defendant’s decision to dismiss his lawyers to defend himself brought home the need for a professional intermediary to ensure fair interaction of the individual with the protocol of the law. Examining case files while shadowing a Queen’s Counsel specialising in public and taxation law, I was struck by how even the most powerful individual or company is still bound to observe the law. I sought exposure to corporate and commercial law with a local solicitor, where I worked through a practical example of employment law to determine whether a client had a case. This close reading of legal documents was a rewarding and stimulating experience, confirming my commitment to study law.

Captaining rugby teams at school (now 1st XV), club and county level, I have learned how to listen and how to lead; understanding and incorporating others’ opinions or feelings in my interaction was key to encouraging progress for the individual or group, to motivate them and help them achieve their own potential. I developed these skills further mentoring in French and as a Sports Ambassador for local primary schools.

Rugby is like society: there are fixed laws that define the game and how it is played, but they are constantly tested by the flair of the players. As a result, the referee must both interpret and enforce the application of those laws; in Plato’s terms, he is both guardian and auxiliary. The application of the law to dynamic situations and how different outcomes might be achieved depending upon points of interpretation has fascinated me for years.

I am strongly motivated to study the law’s mechanics and with this passion, combined with the necessary determination and underlying skills, I will relish the task of appreciating and mastering law as an intellectual discipline in its own right.

For more inspiration, take a look through our other successful Personal Statement a nalysis articles:

Successful Personal Statement For Computer Science At Oxford

Good Points Of The Personal Statement

This is an impressive personal statement in many regards and was clearly well received. The student opens with a definition of law, but then goes on to interpret what they understand it to mean, and by doing so has given some insight into their personality and understanding. It is clear from the outset that the student’s interest is an academic one, and this will gain them favour from top academic institutions if sustained. The discussion of the student’s extended project is given a clear legal dimension, and the student competently makes cross-links, which display their strong grasp of sources of UK law- having a current example to underline this point. In this instance, the discussion of work experience complements the academic interests well because of the way the statement is structured – by saving work experience till later, the student made clear that their primary focus is academic and intellectual, but they do have a commitment to engaging with the subject at a practical level.

Bad Points Of The Personal Statement

Having two paragraphs about rugby probably gives the sport more attention than is necessary. Moreover, while the student has endeavoured to present all their skills as relevant to law, the links can read as somewhat tenuous, particularly in the sporting examples. Replacing one of these paragraphs with one about some wider reading in a purely legal area of interest (as opposed to reading as part of the extended project) would have been a more beneficial addition.

UniAdmissions Overall Score:

This is an extremely strong personal statement. The student clearly gets across their interest in studying law, but more than this it is unquestionable that their interest is in studying law as an academic discipline rather than practicing law as a career once they have graduated. Structurally the statement flows well, and covers sufficient facets of the student’s activities and interests to explain why they want to study law and why they would be successful in doing so. The only real improvement to be made would be to add discussion of a time the student engaged in academic reading or research into a legal topic beyond what is required of them in their studies.

This Personal Statement for Law is a good example of demonstrating motivation and development which is vital to Admissions Tutors.

Remember, at Oxford, these Admissions Tutors are often the people who will be teaching you for the next few years, so you need to appeal directly to them.

There are plenty more successful personal statements and expert guides on our Free Personal Statement Resources page.

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My Personal Statement: University of Oxford | Law - Rupert B.

Rupert got into the University of Oxford to study Law with his personal essay about how his early interest in legal studies inspired him to conduct independent research, visit courthouses, and start his own legal blog to broaden his knowledge on the subject and illustrate his long-term dedication to it.

This essay is part of a collection of personal statements written by Crimson students who were accepted to their top-choice universities in the US and UK. By bringing together nearly 25 of our best students’ essays, we want to provide inspiration for future students with the same aspirations and goals. This series will showcase the wonderful variety in our student’s essay creations — powered by their personal voice and supported by their dedicated Crimson essay mentors. Ready to be inspired? Let’s go…

It is interesting to consider what life would be like without laws. Would we be freer and happier or more self-destructive? Laws can be a mechanism for restricting autonomy; to follow Mill’s Harm Principle, this would be aberrant. He argues individuals should be at liberty unless others are harmed by their actions. I lend myself to this view since laws can act as fetters and individuals, by nature, disobey strict limits. Paternalism goes further by sacrificing autonomy to protect people from their imperfections. Laws are a necessity, but the line between these principles is a difficult one to draw. Thinking about such underlying legal issues has encouraged me to broaden my knowledge of the mechanics of judicial systems.

The rule of law forms the basis of such systems and suggests that no one is above the law. Thus, my intuition leads me to feel exasperated when executive lawlessness appears. For example, in Bennett V Horseferry Road Magistrates’ Court (1993) where an appellant was unlawfully extradited for trial. To uphold the conviction proposes a fallacy: it effectively condones an ultra vires action, thus deviating from the rule of law. I concur with Lord Bridge’s view that to dismiss the appeal would be ‘insular and unacceptable’ and was captivated by this check on abuse of power. Consequently, I followed the Australian Lawyer X case whereby a criminal defence lawyer has concurrently served as a police informant. This breach of the Law Council of Australia’s client confidentiality rules is insupportable as it permits punishment without proof of guilt through proper channels. I am keen to explore these key systems in greater depth to determine the extent to which such systems should be flexible.

I have also been fortunate to see how judicial frameworks operate comparatively by visiting courthouses and examining processes such as jury selection. Subsequently, by reading excerpts about juries in Understanding Law (Adams, Brownsword), I can appreciate the theoretical benefits of community values being reflected in the verdict. However, in practice, there are perplexed juries who, despite understanding the law, place preference on innate judgements. Thus, a verdict may be presented that is not in accordance with basic legal principles. During a recent Monash University moot, I was able to experience a judicial determination and discovered the depth of information that needs to be considered by a judge to find in your favour. Our case involved defending a man charged with theft and our team relied upon the physical impossibility of the crime occurring. Proving this to the judge required attention to detail and diligence as we explored floor plans and developed timelines.

My perspective on the law has been broadened by my online legal blog. On this, I interview luminaries from the legal profession (recently, a retired Court of Appeal QC) and analyse contemporary legal cases by taking out the most important information to promote clarity for readers. I have distributed some newsletters to a student Facebook page with over 61,000 members I run alongside my schoolwork. It has already been described by one user as reinforcing and expanding their passion for the law. Such responses make the time- commitment and independent creation worthwhile. In 2020, I hope to expand the scope of my blog to incorporate some learnings from my undergraduate studies.

I believe I am well suited to law as I have always been dedicated and consistent in producing high-quality work. For example, in 2018, I achieved a perfect score of 50 (top 0.01% of the state) in VCE Psychology and was Dux (top pupil) of Legal Studies and 3rd Dux of Year 11. I am the 2019 Vice-Captain of Snowsports, a School Officer and have received school colours for tennis and snowsports. These roles indubitably aid my time-management and organisation.

NEXT WEEK: Read the essay that got Shreya T. into USC, NYU, and UC Berkeley!

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Oxford University Personal Statements

We hope our collection of oxford university personal statements provides inspiration for writing your own. please do not plagiarise them in any way, or ucas will penalise your application. our personal statement editing & review services are availble if you feel you need a little extra help..

History Personal Statement Example 3 Recently, I found out that my grandma was gambled into slavery for seven years. She escaped her prison and made her way back to Hong Kong, 300 miles south. I was amazed at how courageous she was. This personal discovery led me to read Jung Chang's 'Wild Swans' which made me both proud and ashamed of my heritage...

Computer Science Personal Statement Example 4 I find it amazing to watch as the digital revolution sculpts society at a rate that has never before been seen; there is so much to still be discovered. Quantum computing is a topic that particularly interests me, stemming from my studies and keen interest in physics...

Economics and PPE Personal Statement Example My aspiration to study economics at both advanced and degree level has stemmed from my lasting interest in current affairs and world development. These issues require an application of economics in real-life situations and can be related to many diverse subjects such as politics, philosophy and psychology...

English Literature Personal Statement Example 1 When I saw Gatz, John Collin's eight hour interpretation of The Great Gatsby, I noticed that Fitzgerald changes the colour of Daisy's hair every time he describes it. It is "like a dash of blue paint", "yellowy" like her daughters and then "dark, shining"...

Geography Personal Statement Example 2 In a dynamic world, the study of geography is increasingly important. The diversity of the subject and the interaction between the physical environment and human population is becoming even more evident with climate change and globalisation influencing our everyday lives...

Psychology Personal Statement Example 11 “If she’s smart she will study Medicine.” This is an unwritten rule in my culture - all Nigerian parents want their children to become doctors. What becomes of the aspiring psychologist in the family? I met a junior doctor, at an educational conference, who wanted to specialise in psychiatry...

History Personal Statement Example 13 Until I began my A-levels last September, I had never been to school or followed a formal syllabus. My parents homeschooled me. They guided, encouraged, and fed my interests with books, documentaries and discussions...

Natural and Biological Sciences Personal Statement Example Experiencing first-hand life as a human in the natural world, I have the authority to confirm that regardless of previous knowledge, unexplained phenomena still exist. As a scientist, I adore observing the unknown, analysing the known and making decisions accordingly...

English Personal Statement Example 22 What I enjoy above all else in a piece of literature is the feeling that it has brought about change, either in me or in some wider context. Literature which offers the opportunity for an adapted way of living or thinking, however slight, is I think a thing to be kept and treasured in our intellects...

English Literature and Creative Writing Personal Statement Example 1 I once aspired to be a visual artist, a photographer or painter. However, I later discovered the unique ability of poetry and the written word to maintain its power and resonance in a world saturated with images and messages...

Computer Science Personal Statement Example 45 Advances in computer and information technology over the past few decades have brought about revolution in science, medicine, education, business, and entertainment. I wish to be part of the future revolution and that is why I want to study computer science...

English Literature Personal Statement Example 16 I believe that to read English is to read the human being itself: after all, we are all writers. Even in the very act of choosing our words - thinking them, speaking them, physically writing them down - we create something meaningful...

Human Sciences Personal Statement Example Perhaps what makes me different from other University applicants is that I have ambition to understand multidimensional human life. It is not the appeal of a top qualification or the zesty student lifestyle that attracts me to this course; but it is the long-term knowledge and answers to interdisciplinary human problems, and the enigmas that I will commit a lifetime investigating with perhaps no solution, that inspires me to apply...

Engineering Personal Statement Example 19 Physics is that branch of science without which science is just like a beautiful lamp with no light. For centuries, mathematicians and physicists have made plenty of scientific contributions thus helping the world make a better place to live...

History (Ancient and Modern) Personal Statement Example 1 It is those things we don’t yet know or understand that make history a fascinating, intellectual puzzle. We know a remarkable amount about history and the development of society but new archaeological discoveries, the dedicated efforts of historians, translators and other academics and advancements in areas such as archaeometry mean that the body of historical information is still expanding...

Archaeology and Anthropology Personal Statement Example 2 As an immigrant living in Spain, I am constantly reminded of the importance social and cultural factors have on my daily life, the language I speak, and the difference between the relationships I maintain with people from my own country and those I encounter here on a daily basis...

Computer Science Personal Statement Example 49 My views about computing changed considerably when I heard about Linux. In the late nineties it was a newer operating system and tasks like installing and configuring were considered to be quite challenging in India...

Law Personal Statement Example 70 Law is ever changing, whether parliament is passing new legislation, existing legislation is being rewritten or the courts are interpreting laws in different ways. In the case of Anthony Bland the distinguishing of earlier precedents was vital...

History and English Personal Statement Example Studying history and English concurrently has appealed to me ever since I recognised the inseparability of the two disciplines closest to my heart. Personally, I believe that the literary style of a piece of writing is as important as scholarly research and I try to make my essays as lively as possible whilst still grounded in solid historical or literary method, dulce et utile, following the example of writers such as Richard J Evans...

Economics and Management Personal Statement Example 2 My interest in Economics goes beyond an appreciation of statistics and profit margins. In my mind, economics represents the relationship between people and their money – a relationship that dates back to the history of mankind...

German Personal Statement Example 7 The study of language has always been appealing and is the focus of much of my time and energy, but the study of the German language is what mesmerises me most. Before understanding German I was first intrigued by its sound, and as I began to learn it, I became fascinated by its complexity...

Economics Personal Statement Example 30 The ever-changing nature of the human science intrigues me. Newton’s laws of motion will never change, from wherever ‘the ball is dropped’. However, different strategies and policies have to be framed and implemented for each economic problem...

Mathematics & Computer Science Personal Statement Example I have found mathematics a fascinating subject since my early years. I enjoy it as it is challenging and logical. I am particularly interested in decision mathematics as it is a field that is directly related to real-life applications of mathematics and can be used to solve problems, such as finding the optimal solution for transporting materials from one place to another while minimising the cost...

Physics Personal Statement Example 15 I have always been intrigued by the world of physics. From everyday experiences to the most extreme boundaries of today's knowledge, I have always voraciously searched for answers to my questions. As I grew up, the elegance of mathematical demonstrations and of physical theorems fascinated me, and I have often dreamt of making contributions to the unification theory and of improving and simplifying the Navier-Stokes equations...

Electrical Engineering Personal Statement Example 2 The defining wonder of today’s age is electricity. In just two centuries, we have come from Faraday’s crude but prophetic experiments to devices just a square inch that can calculate in seconds what the most gifted of human minds might take days...

Medicine Personal Statement Example 70 The challenge of spending my working life immersed in the fascinating, ever-evolving world of the medical sciences, and the opportunity to use this knowledge to benefit others, has drawn me to seek a career in medicine...

Politics, Philosophy & Economics (PPE) Personal Statement Example 3 In this day and age virtually every aspect of our lives may be considered political. My passion to study Politics stems from this tenet and a belief that a comprehension of Politics is integral to understanding the current state of humanity...

Chemistry Personal Statement Example 18 Chemistry explores the properties of all matter and energy in our universe, which eventually leads to breakthroughs that benefit mankind, ranging from how to prevent food from decomposing to understanding what chemicals can help or harm you...

Philosophy Personal Statement Example (Mature Student) Since leaving education in 2006 I have always wanted to return; a great love of learning, desire for knowledge and natural curiosity throughout my life resulted in an ambition to teach. It was with this ambition in my heart that I took the plunge and returned to education, beginning my Access course last year with the intention of applying to study for a primary education degree...

Civil Engineering Personal Statement Example 17 My decision to study engineering stems from a desire to contribute to the evolution of society through a process that does not just define our environment but our era. My personal inspiration is the Segovia aqueduct, an 800m long, 30 metre high Roman marvel which still stands today...

Ancient and Modern History Personal Statement Example 1 What makes history engaging and interesting to me is its interdisciplinary nature and its ability to take you on a journey to the discovery of humanity's past. History has been a constant source of captivation for me, from studying the mythology of Ancient Greece in primary school through to the study of the Russian Revolution at A Level...

Law Personal Statement – A Strong Introduction

This is the initial section of your personal statement, so create a good first impression! It’s all about balance in introductions…

“Law is my life’s ambition; I’ve wanted to be a lawyer since I was a child.” I would be glad for the chance to study law at your amazing university, and I want to express my specific qualifications for a spot in law school in this statement.”

This statement introduction is clichéd and lacks the appropriate tone. It’s crucial to seem enthusiastic, but you don’t want to come across as arrogant, so use a more reasonable tone. It’s also vital not to come across as arrogant or arrogant; portray oneself in a positive manner while being humble (remember, you haven’t begun studying law properly yet!)

law personal statement oxford

“Law strikes a compromise between the requirement for clarity, which necessitates sharp lines, and the necessity for flexibility to the variety and complexity of social life. This conflict fascinates me, and I wish to explore it further through the study of law, evaluating its current condition and considering the prospect of future reform.”

This foreword provides a personal perspective and thought. This is effective since it is unlikely to be similar to any of the other statements the instructor has read that morning. It also displays this person’s interest in the law without mentioning it explicitly, as well as their curious and inquiring nature. Furthermore, it establishes a trend that we hope will be continued throughout the statement.

TOP INTRODUCTION TIP → Striking the right balance between being passionately enthusiastic and cliche with quotes and conversations

Your personal statement for law school is your chance to demonstrate why you want to be a lawyer. It is critical that you show enthusiasm for the topic; your instructor wants to know that studying law excites and intrigues you; this will help you become a motivated law student who is eager to learn. Some candidates, however, exaggerate in their attempts to convey their zeal. This may come out as trite, but tutors will be able to spot fake excitement. So, stay true to yourself!

Consider the following points:

Things to stay away from

Summary of the Law personal Statement – The introduction to your personal statement!

It’s critical to nail the start of your legal personal statement. It’s all about attracting the attention of the reader, showing passion, establishing the tone for the remainder of the personal statement, and avoiding clichés. Before submitting, you should revise and rewrite the opening several times, especially after finishing the rest of your personal statement to ensure consistency and flow.

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How to Write a Great Law Personal Statement for Oxford

Applying to study law at Oxford University can be nerve-wracking. Writing a law personal statement for Oxford is one of several things to submit as part of your UCAS application , this guide will give you some tips on writing a standout piece.

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Before you write, it would be useful to look up the selection criteria page for Law on the university website. This page tells you exactly the qualities the admissions team looks for in a candidate. These qualities include your motivation to study law; reasoning ability; and communication. Also, it would be helpful to note that knowledge of the law is not necessary for admissions.

It is vital that you understand what the course you are applying for entails. For example, the Law (Jurisprudence) programme at Oxford, which is a BA equivalent to an LLB, is slightly different from an LLB at another university. While it prepares you for legal practice, the emphasis is on the theoretical aspect of any law subject, e.g. contract law and tort law. It is important that you show a genuine interest to study law in-depth at the university level.

Bearing in mind the qualities they are looking for, a large portion of your law personal statement for oxford should focus on your academic interests and any relevant achievements. There is no use in listing all sorts of achievements, only list an achievement that helps to demonstrate a quality relevant to studying law at Oxford. This can be winning a debate competition or participation in a political society at college, which helps to demonstrate your interest in the law and transferable skills such as analytical and reasoning ability.

If you have not studied law at A-Levels , do some research on the areas of the law that fascinate you. The admissions team is mostly interested in whether or not you have the potential to succeed in the course. Make sure you write about things that can demonstrate the qualities they are looking for in a candidate. These can be anything that you have done in high school, college or life experiences that show your motivation to study law. Writing about work experience is only recommended if it is relevant to legal study.

It is common to write about your ideal next step following a law degree to let them know how you will make use of the course. Most candidates write about their career aspirations, such as becoming lawyers, politicians and parole officers. Don’t worry if you haven’t figured out a defined career goal yet. As mentioned above, the most important thing is to show what interests you academically and what motivates you to study law.

Writing Style

The right tone is as important as the content you put in your personal statement. The best thing to do is to write straightforwardly, and not to sound overly complicated or pretentious. Also, make sure your use of sentence structure and punctuation is appropriate. It is better to write one idea per sentence and one major idea to any given paragraph. How careful you are in your writing shows how much you care about your application.

What Not to Do

When you get invited to an interview at Oxford, the tutor might ask you to expand on a few things from your personal statement. It is important that everything you write is genuine so you can discuss the topics in more detail at the interview.

Also, it is not recommended to list anything that is already covered in another section on your application (e.g. grades), you will only be wasting word count when you can talk about something else.

Finally, don’t try to sound like someone you are not, the best thing to do is to be yourself!

After completion

Once you have written the first draft of your law personal statement for oxford, put it aside and take a break. When you read it again with fresh eyes, it will be easier to spot any grammatical errors and think of ways to improve your work. Don’t forget to let someone else read over your personal statement. The best person to proofread your work would be your college tutor or parents.

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Law Personal Statement

Writing a personal statement can be a daunting process. However, it’s important not to rush your drafting, and have time to consider it in full. So start the process as early as you can and don’t be afraid. By following a few key tips, writing your statement can be relatively stress-free!

1. Be honest

Never tell a lie on your personal statement. What may seem like a “stretch” when you first write it can come back to haunt you when you are sitting in an interview and it turns out you haven’t really read that book! Remember, if you are applying to study law, most universities will not expect you to have studied the subject before, so it is unlikely that you will have to meet too many specific criteria. All candidates will have different strengths – it is important to highlight yours and to set yourself apart from others, but only in a way that is truthful.

Vintage Bicycle Outside a College in Oxford, UK

2. Be relevant

Look at any criteria for the courses you are applying for and set out clearly how you meet those criteria. If you are applying to Oxbridge, look at the criteria for that university. For a law course, consider how your A-levels are relevant for your degree – instead of just saying what you have learnt in class, talk about the skills your subjects have helped you develop and why they are relevant for studying law. If you participate in a number of different extra-curricular activities, focus on those that show skills and interests relevant for your degree, or which show characteristics you wish to demonstrate (for example leadership skills developed as a sports team captain, debating skills developed in your school debating team, or teamwork demonstrated through your Duke of Edinburgh).

When putting together your first draft, include everything that you think may be useful: even if this makes your statement too long. Once you have everything down in writing, it will be easier to reassess and decide what should stay in your personal statement and what should go.

3. Show passion and desire

Tutors will want to see that you are committed to your chosen subject, so be clear why you want to study it. There is no “right” answer for this, but it is important to show a genuine interest. For law, it will always help if you can discuss any legal work experience. When referencing work experience, don’t focus too much on what you did – an example of the most interesting piece of work you participated in is good, but also explain why it confirmed your plan to apply to study law.

It is also possible to show passion and desire for your subject in other ways; by outlining why the subject interests you, experiences from your life that are relevant (for example, if you have experience of living overseas and a different legal system that contrasts with the UK, or have helped in a relevant community or school projects or have experienced the law through attending protests), further reading or relevant extra-curricular activities (for example, debating clubs, mooting or Model United Nations). If, for example, you have a specific interest in human rights, jurisprudence or land law, explain what it is about this subject that interests you. Life experiences will help to bring your statement to life.

4. Tell a story

Remember that tutors are going to read a lot of different law personal statements, and they are likely to remember those that they enjoy. It will help if you ensure your statement has a strong structure and direction, almost as if you were telling a story. If possible, link your different paragraphs together. For example, If you start by explaining why you are interested in studying law, you can develop this by then discussing how your school subjects, work or life experience have strengthened this interest, and then why you think you have the skills to do well in the subject. By approaching your draft with a planned structure, your statement will read well and you should ensure you include everything relevant.

Peterhouse, a college of Cambridge University

5. Have a plan to stand out

Many sample personal statements that you see will begin with a punchy start, possibly an interesting quote, to grab the reader’s attention. This can be good, although always ensure it is relevant, appropriate and supported by the rest of your statement. However, such an introduction isn’t a necessity. You should also consider highlighting those things that will help you stand out; language abilities, schools awards, positions of responsibility, community work. There are many things that make you who you are: try and give the reader a sense of who you are while highlighting your key academic and non-academic achievements. Remember, even if you are applying to Oxbridge, your statement will be read by others who will have a greater interest in your non-academic abilities and interests.

6. Proof-read (and double proof-read) your Personal Statement (and then get somebody else to proof-read it)

Your personal statement is a chance to show your writing ability, and so make sure that you produce the best piece of written work you can. It isn’t just what you say, but how you say it. Poor punctuation, grammar or spelling can undermine what is otherwise an excellent personal statement. Remember that once you have read a document a number of times, it can be hard to spot the mistakes – so ask a family member, good friend or teacher to check it too.

7. Applying to Oxbridge

An application to Oxbridge requires a greater focus on your academic achievements than other universities. This can be done following the same advice above, but choose more of your academic-based achievements than others to highlight in your law personal statement for Oxford or Cambridge.

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Law Personal Statement Example For Oxford

Sample statement.

The subject of law and justice has always interested me, even as a small child I was fascinated by what made something right or wrong. I also have a strong interest in history and enjoy learning about how the legal system has changed and developed over the years to fit our ever changing society.

At school I was put in the responsible position of Senior Prefect and was also a member of our Student Council. This gave me an eye opening view into how a school is run and why there are specific rules in place for students and staff.

During my GCSE years I was able to pick up Critical Thinking as a subject which allowed me to further develop my debate and analytical skills. As part of this course we visited Winchester Crown Court which gave us the chance to get first-hand experience of a court room situation and see the legal system in action.

I was deeply affected by my experiences during the court case we witnessed and this further confirmed my belief that studying Law was the right choice for me.

I gained further experience of being involved in the legal system but undertaking a two week work experience placement at a local solicitor’s firm during the summer between school and college. This gave me an insight into the daily workings of a solicitor’s office and I was so able to attend more court sessions and take notes on proceedings.

Outside of school I am an avid reader, in particular of class fiction such as Charles Dickens’ “Great Expectations” and Elizabeth Gaskell’s “North and South”. I also enjoy cooking, travelling, and try to lead a healthy and active lifestyle.

I hope that my time at university will give me the skills and qualifications I need to have a successful career in Law. I also hope to be allowed to extend my experience in the court room.

I am confident that my personal skills, knowledge, attributes, and work ethic make me an ideal candidate for a place to study Law at your university.

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