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How to write the columbia law personal statement.

Reviewed by:

David Merson

Former Head of Pre-Law Office, Northeastern University, & Admissions Officer, Brown University

Reviewed: 04/28/23

Are you in the process of writing your Columbia law personal statement? Do you feel a little in over your head? Overwhelmed? Downright confused? This guide should ease all of these feelings!

The four T’s, trauma, tragedies, triumphs, and talents, are common in law school personal statements , and often create the most compelling essays! 

As a student that has perhaps experienced many triumphs, or zero tragedies, picking the perfect topic for your personal statement, and knowing how to share it in an eloquent yet intriguing way, can be challenging.

Since Columbia Law is one of the T14 law schools , admissions committees have high expectations when it comes to students’ personal statements. They want to be wowed; they receive thousands of applications each year and have a low threshold for cliche, redundant, or unenthusiastic essays.

To ensure you submit a winning personal statement, this guide will provide you with easy to follow steps on writing your essay, what to avoid in it, and a sample statement to inspire you!

Columbia Law School Personal Statement Requirements

The Columbia Law School personal statement is open-ended to ensure students can share any information they believe is most meaningful. Students are encouraged to discuss more about their interests, goals, and aspirations in their personal statements. 

They should also mention how Columbia Law will help them achieve these goals, and share any other relevant details that are otherwise missing from their applications. The only formatting requirements are that it is double-spaced and approximately two pages. 

How To Write a Strong Personal Statement for Columbia Law School

Understanding the basic requirements of your Columbia Law personal statement is a great start. It’s important you understand these instructions so that you do not start on the wrong foot by submitting an incorrectly formatted essay or answering a different law school’s prompt—which happens more than you’d think!

Now, we’ll provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to craft the most compelling personal statement possible!

Step One: Brainstorm

Before you begin writing your first draft, you want to find a focal point for your personal statement. This is most commonly a significant experience that happened in your life that influenced or affirmed your decision to join the legal profession.

Be thorough in this preliminary process. Along with your focal point, you’ll want to jot down some key traits and experiences that relate to this main experience. Some questions to consider as you brainstorm ideas are:

• Who or what influenced you to become a lawyer?
• What was your eureka moment?
• How has this moment defined you?
• What challenges did you face that led you to your decision to become a lawyer?
• How would you describe yourself?
• What is most important to you?
• What are your key talents? How will these talents help you in the legal field?
• Which experiences have led to the most personal growth?
• What are you known for amongst your friends and family?
• What can you share that will impress the judges?
• What makes you a good candidate for law school aside from your grades and LSAT score ?
• What can you contribute to Columbia Law?
• What makes you stand out amongst the thousands of other applicants?

While you should not attempt to reflect on all of these prompts in your personal statement, answering them during the brainstorming process will help you pick which ideas can come together to create a unified narrative.

Step Two: Rough Draft—Introduction

As tedious as it may sound, your personal statement will require multiple drafts. Your first draft will be rough. It might seem unfocused, you may ramble, and it won’t fit the allotted page limit. Get out all of your ideas first and worry about cutting down and revising on your second draft. 

Begin with your introduction. Consider using the climax of your chosen anecdote as your hook. Your main goal is to grab the readers’ attention, so be creative and descriptive!

Many students prefer to begin mise-en-scene and spend the rest of the essay explaining the context of their story and the relevancy to their current and future aspirations.

As you write your personal statement, refrain from limiting yourself to the typical five-paragraph essay format. Using several shorter paragraphs tends to read better!

Step Three: Rough Draft—Body Paragraphs

Once you’ve created an intriguing introduction, you’ll want to write one or two paragraphs explaining the context behind your anecdote. Again, be descriptive. Show, don’t tell. 

Think about what you heard, saw, smelled, and felt during this experience. Immerse your readers so they can feel connected to your narrative. These descriptions are what will make your story distinct and memorable!

The context of your story should lead to your reason for joining the legal field, explain your specific legal interests, and/or prove how you confirmed law was the right path for you. After this, you’ll want to use a couple paragraphs to develop this interest. 

Share significant extracurriculars , work or volunteer opportunities, or courses you took that helped you gain perspective and insight on the legal field. 

Step Four: Rough Draft—Conclusion

Your final paragraphs should involve Columbia Law. Share your specific career plans for the future and how Columbia can help you achieve them. It’s important you do your research for this part of your essay to demonstrate your enthusiasm to join this law school.

Your final few sentences can summarize your focal experience, what you’ve learned or how you’ve grown, and where you hope to be in the near future. 

Step Five: Second Draft

Once you’ve completed your first rough draft, it’s time to fine-tune it. Go through it several times to cut out any redundant ideas and make your writing as concise, persuasive, and engaging as possible. Here’s where you’ll cut down on your word count to ensure it follows Columbia’s formatting requirements.

You should edit your statement several times during this stage. Give yourself breaks between each editing session so that you can come back to it with fresh eyes and catch mistakes you would otherwise overlook. We recommend revising your statement at least three times before moving on to the next step.

Step Six: Receive Feedback

Once you’ve revised your rough draft and are content with your Columbia Law personal statement, you should ask your friends or family for feedback on it. Instead of simply asking them to look it over, ask them if your personal statement meets this criteria:

• Does it encompass my most valuable traits?
• Is it compelling? Are you intrigued to read on after the first sentence?
• Is it personable?
• Is it descriptive?
• Is it focused throughout?
• Does it thoroughly explain my inspiration for joining the legal field?
• Do I demonstrate a clear passion for law through the experiences I share?
• Are my reasons for attending Columbia Law clear?
• Are my future aspirations clear and specific?
• Does my statement avoid vague statements?
• Does my statement avoid clichés?

While you should accept grammar, spelling, or language use suggestions, ensure your unique voice is still present in your writing!

Step Seven: Receive Expert Feedback

If you want to ensure your Columbia Law personal statement wows the admissions committee, you should consider submitting it for review by one of our expert admissions counselors . These counselors know exactly what a winning statement looks like and can offer you insight on how to perfect your statement!

If you want more comprehensive help, they can also guide you through the entire personal statement writing process to reduce your stress and increase your chances of getting into your top law school !

What To Avoid In Your Columbia Law Personal Statement

Many law schools use personal statements instead of interviews, so it’s essential you present your best self through them. To ensure you do so, avoid the following :

Reiterating Your Resume

The admissions team will already have access to your resume , so don’t waste their time or yours recapping your achievements. Use your statement to expand on some of these experiences and add more color to your application! Go beyond your academic achievements and share what is truly most meaningful to you.

Generic Sentiments

You may only be applying to Columbia Law School because of its prestige and the doors it can open for you. But, you’ll want to avoid sharing this sentiment in your personal statement. Simply stating you’re applying to Columbia to attend one of the best law schools in the nation is too vague, overused, and generic.

Go beyond the rankings! What programs, clinical opportunities, or courses are you most excited about? What makes Columbia the best option amongst other similarly-ranked law schools?

Mentioning Weaknesses

If you have a low LSAT score or GPA , your personal statement is not the right place to address it. You will be given the chance to submit an addendum to address these weaknesses! Your Columbia Law personal statement should highlight your positive attributes and paint you in the best light.

Focusing on Childhood Ambitions

Students erroneously believe telling the admissions committee they’ve wanted to become lawyers since they were young children will suffice as inspiration to join the field. 

The committee is less interested in you breaking up fights on the playground and more interested in what you did to confirm your passion for law when you were old enough to understand the rigors of it! Focus mainly on experiences you had in college. 

Do not exaggerate your experiences. Be genuine when you create your narrative and do not portray yourself as someone you aren’t. There is no need to make up fake stories just because you think it will impress the judges.

You don’t need to have experienced anything traumatic or life-changing to write an excellent personal statement. 

Overcomplicating It

Stick to language you understand and feel comfortable using. Avoid using overly academic or flowery language that will confuse the meaning of your words. The admissions committee is not assessing your range of vocabulary, and misusing words will indicate poor writing skills and a lack of confidence. 

Telling Someone Else’s Story

If you aren’t the main character in your personal statement, then you’re going against the very premise of this application material. The focus should be on you and your own experiences!

Using Quotes

Starting your personal statement off with a quote is risky, unless it’s a personal quote said by someone close to you. Don’t use quotes by historical figures, no matter how much they inspire you. These quotes are overused and ingenuine! The committee is interested in your words and the principles you live by, not someone else's.

Evoking Pity

Do not resort to trying to make the admissions committee admit you into their program because they feel bad for you. Not only will you be unsuccessful but it’ll make your statement less personable. You want the admissions committee to like you and look forward to admitting you after they’ve read your statement!

While you may consider yourself a comedian, and think your sense of humor is your most redeeming quality, you’ll want to leave the punch lines out of your personal statement. There’s no guarantee the members of the admissions committee will share your sense of humor, and you risk coming off as offensive or being misunderstood.

Confessions

You want to submit a personal statement that offers the committee insight into who you are and who you plan on becoming. However, you do not want to share information that is too personal. Do not reveal your deepest, darkest secrets to the committee or anything that could be incriminating. 

Careless Errors

Just like you wouldn’t show up for an important interview wearing sweatpants and a torn tee, you should be mindful of the way your personal statement is presented. You do not want it to have spelling or grammar errors. It should be polished and professional so that it gets the message across without any distractions.

Part of being careful is also ensuring you do not mix up your personal statements! You’d be surprised how many law school applicants submit personal statements with the wrong school’s name. Take time to review your application and ensure it’s the correct one before submission.

Columbia Law School Personal Statement Example

We’ve thrown a lot of do’s and don'ts at you in this guide, which may be hard to keep track of. To show you how all of these steps and suggestions come together, here is a Columbia Law School personal statement example, and an explanation of why it works!

​​We had a routine growing up. 

Mom came home from work at five and soaked her blistered feet in a bucket of lukewarm water and Epsom salts as she peeled potatoes with shaky and scarred hands. Dad came home at five thirty and had his first drink, a swig of gin straight from the bottle. Mom pulled her aching body up from the table with a groan as she put the potatoes to boil.

I began the meatloaf: onion, nearly expired ground beef, one egg, breadcrumbs, ketchup, salt, pepper, and garlic powder, dad’s favourite. Dad had his second drink. Mom drained the potatoes, hunched over the sink. Dad had his third drink. Mom set the table, three plates, three glasses, fork to the right and knife to the left.

Dad has his fourth drink. Mom scanned the room for any stray dishes, inspected the food to ensure perfection, and made sure nothing was out of place. Dad had his fifth drink and clobbered his way to his chair with his bottle in his right hand. The house trembled at every clumsy step. 

Mom served him. Then she sat across from him, glued her eyes to her plate, and chewed slowly. 

I stared at her sunken eyes, the drops of sweat dripping down her temples in a house that was always blistering with rage, the tears begging to come out of eyes covered in cheap concealer that struggled to cover the black and blue hues beneath. 

After dinner my mother and I cleaned the dishes and tiptoed to our rooms. Dad finished his bottle and dozed off on the couch.

That was a good day, anyway. The days mom came home late from work, set the cutlery wrong, or left a dirty dish in the sink included the cacophony of silent sobs mixed with slurred screams, bangs, groans, and the deafening sound of my father’s hardened fists against my mother’s soft, tear-stained cheeks. 

It was a routine I mastered by seven.  I lived in a house that never knew peace. Its walls were cigarette-stained, full of holes, and exhausted from containing so much chaos. My father was an alcoholic. A prisoner to gin, as he self-proclaimed between swigs of Plymouth. But me and my mother were the real prisoners. 

That was until my father was diagnosed with end stage liver cancer a few weeks after my fifteenth birthday. He died much like he lived: recklessly, angrily, and with a bottle in his right hand. My life finally began at fifteen. Our house sighed with relief and my mother and I forged a new routine.

Our house filled with airy laughter and delicious smells of my mother’s favorite south-Asian dishes. But, as I relished in my mother’s newfound joy, I thought about all the other women still stuck in a rut, still imprisoned by husbands devoted to calamity.

I couldn’t save my mom, but I could save other women and children. So, I decided to pursue a career protecting and advocating for domestic violence victims and freeing them from their prisons. 

I started by volunteering at women’s shelters throughout high school and into college, where I met hundreds of victims of domestic violence with the same sunken eyes as my mother. Once I gained more perspective, I joined the organization Break the Silence Against Domestic Violence in my sophomore year of college.

I assisted with the organization’s blog, where domestic violence victims were able to share their stories and learn about useful, accessible resources I had spent hours researching about . I eventually joined the board of directors to play a larger role in the organization. 

I oversaw a dozen fundraisers and events to help these survivors receive the support they needed and worked tirelessly to help them break their silence. Through this, I recognized the importance of advocacy for these women whose voices were ripped from them.

I know I will have the greatest impact on domestic violence victims as an attorney; to give these survivors their voices back and help them regain control over their lives, as my mother and I so desperately needed. 

Columbia Law offers a robust JD program and several advocacy opportunities to provide legal help to domestic violence survivors through their Center for Institutional and Social Change.

With the education and experience Columbia Law can provide me, combined with my own story of survival, I believe I will become an excellent advocate and end the violent routines so many families are trapped in.

Why It Works

There are a number of reasons that this essay works, but the first is that it is memorable. This personal statement opens with a hook that reveals a traumatic event the writer’s family experienced. They use descriptive language throughout and immerse the reader by adding relevant details that can paint a vivid picture.

While they spend the majority of the statement developing their story, they still include important details that show their resilience and ability to overcome challenges. This student proves how they used their adversity to help others and clearly demonstrates how they developed their interest in domestic violence advocacy.

It focuses on the relevant extracurriculars they pursued to affirm their passion, and shows the impact they had through these activities. They end the statement making specific reference to one of Columbia Law’s centers, and show clear intent and direction as they share their specific legal goals to advocate for domestic violence victims.

FAQs: Columbia Law School Personal Statement

This guide has given you a comprehensive overview of how to write a winning Columbia law personal statement. If you have any unanswered inquiries, here are the answers to frequently asked questions about this law school requirement :

1. Does Columbia Law Require a Personal Statement?

Yes, Columbia Law requires students to submit a personal statement as part of their application. This statement is used to learn more about a student’s background, interests, reasons for pursuing law, and aspirations.

2. What Font Should I Use for My Columbia Law Personal Statement?

While Columbia does not give specific instructions on the font they prefer, Times New Roman or a similar professional font is generally accepted.

3. How Long Should My Personal Statement Be for Columbia Law School?

Your Columbia Law personal statement should be approximately two pages, double-spaced. This is about 600-650 words.

4. How Do I Write My Columbia Law School Personal Statement?

Here’s a summary of our in-depth, step-by-step process for writing your Columbia Law School personal statement:

• Step One : Brainstorm and make note of all of the key experiences, traits, and stories that come to mind as you reflect on your motivation to join the legal field
• Step Two : Write a rough draft without paying attention to your word count; begin with an intriguing hook from the anecdote that will be the focal point of your essay
• Step Three : Develop your anecdote and explain the extracurriculars you pursued to affirm your interest in law
• Step Four : Write a conclusion that shares your specific career aspirations and how Columbia Law will help you achieve them
• Step Five : Revise and fine-tune your first draft until it meets the formatting requirements and you’re content with it
• Step Six : Have your friends and family edit your work to ensure it is compelling, personable, authentic, and unique
• Step Seven : Consider having an expert admissions counselor review your application before you submit it

Following these steps will help you write a stellar personal statement with as little hassle as possible!

5. How Important Are the Columbia Law Personal Statements?

Columbia Law personal statements are crucial in the admissions process. These statements give the committee insight into the type of student they would be admitting to their community and what they can contribute to it. 

Well-written personal statements can even help the admissions committee overlook weak parts of your application, like an LSAT score below the school median !

Final Thoughts

There are an infinite amount of experiences you can discuss in your personal statement, so long as they are sincere and genuine. 

By following the steps shared in this guide, you should be able to craft a spectacular personal statement that will impress the admissions committee and convince them you’re an excellent, well-rounded law school candidate!

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LL.M. Essays & Theses

The LL.M. Essay and Theses Series provides access to the theses and essays completed by LL.M. candidates at Columbia Law School. The LL.M. Essay is a substantial and rigorous piece of legal writing based on research on a topic approved in advance by a faculty member who has agreed to act as Faculty Supervisor.

Each author has agreed to the following release statement: In presenting this LL.M. Essay in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a master’s degree at the Columbia Law School, I agree that the Library shall make it available for library use, reproduction, distribution and display in any regularly employed format, which may include electronic forms. I further agree that extensive photocopying and transcribing of this LL.M. Essay is permissible for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying of this essay for commercial purposes or financial gain, or any publication of the essay as such, shall require my written permission.

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How to Get into Columbia Law School: GPA, LSAT Requirements, and Acceptance Rate

April 3, 2023

Todd Carney

How to Get into Columbia Law School

1. Columbia Law School Program Overview 2. About Columbia Law School 3. What Does Columbia Law School Offer 4. Class of 2025 Acceptance Rate and Statistics 5. Columbia Law School Application Details 6. Columbia Law School FAQ

Columbia Law School Program Overview

Columbia Law School is one of the most prominent law schools in the nation, with Supreme Court justices, presidents, legal scholars, and big law partners among its alumni. The school has been featured in television shows such as Daredevil , How I Met Your Mother , and Suits , which has boosted its popularity. The school’s location in New York City and its beautiful campus also are attractive to aspiring JDs.

Although the competition to gain admission to Columbia Law may seem daunting, there is no reason to self-select out of the applicant pool if you have the grades and scores to be a competitive applicant. The school typically awards roughly 900 acceptances each year — you certainly have a shot at being one of them!

Columbia Law seeks competitive applicants with regard to LSAT/GRE score and undergraduate GPA. However, being knowledgeable about the stats and other factors that are important to the school can be a game changer. 

In this blog post, we at Stratus walk you through what you need to know to increase your chances of getting into Columbia Law.

About Columbia Law School

History and ranking.

Columbia Law School is one of Columbia University’s 21 schools. The university opened in 1754, while the law school came along a little over 100 years later, in 1858. Located in Manhattan’s Upper West Side, Columbia Law is one of the many law schools based in New York City. Columbia Law is currently ranked fourth (tied with Harvard Law School) in U.S. News & World Report’s 2023 Best Law Schools list. 

Acceptance rate and class size

With an acceptance rate typically around 12%, Columbia Law has about 1,200 students enrolled. Each class consists of roughly 400 students. The first-year class is divided into four sections with around 100 students in each section. Columbia Law’s larger class size provides a wide group of students and alumni for networking.

Post-graduate status

Columbia Law’s Class of 2021 had a bar passage rate of about 98%. Around 96% of its graduates accepted jobs that require JDs, and slightly more than 1% of its graduates reported that they are looking for a job and cannot get one. Several dozen students from Columbia Law receive judicial clerkships every year, and the school has placed more than 100 students in Supreme Court clerkships.

Columbia Law has more than 400 faculty members, including such distinguished professors as Lina Khan, chair of the Federal Trade Commission, and former Solicitor General Donald B. Verrilli, Jr. 

Columbia Law counts two former US presidents (Theodore Roosevelt and Franklin Delano Roosevelt ) among its alumni and is the only law school to boast having more than one Supreme Court chief justice as a graduate (Charles Evans Hughes, John Jay, and Harlan Fiske Stone). In total, ten Supreme Court justices have attended Columbia Law, along with several federal judges and members of Congress. 

What Does Columbia Law School Offer?

First-year curriculum.

Columbia Law offers a standard first-year curriculum, which students take with their assigned class sections. Students are required to take courses in tort law, contract law, constitutional law, civil procedure, property law, and criminal law. Students also take courses in legal practice and legal methods during both semesters of their first year. These courses incorporate the content that most first-year law school writing classes offer, along with information that allows students to apply this content in real-life legal settings. Columbia Law students are also required to take a legal professions course, which is typical of other law schools. They also get to choose an elective in the second semester. Columbia Law offers an array of courses with varying class sizes. Some have more than 100 students, while others have fewer than 20. The school’s courses cover conventional legal areas, such as tax law, labor law, and environmental law, as well as more specialized areas including anti – money laundering law and privacy law. Some Columbia Law courses culminate in a typical end-of-semester exam that determines the student’s entire grade. However, the law school also offers seminars whose grades are determined by an assigned paper. 

Writing, experiential, and pro bono requirements

Columbia Law requires students to complete two writing credits and six experiential credits in addition to 40 hours of pro bono service.

Columbia Law has ten clinics, and participating in one clinic meets the school’s experiential credit requirement. These clinics cover a wide array of areas such as criminal law and family law as well as more niche areas including science law and transition law. 

Student clubs

The more than 80 student organizations at Columbia Law address a large number of legal topics and social issues. Notable clubs on campus include the Columbia International Arbitration Association and the Columbia Law and Entrepreneurship Society. 

Columbia Law’s 14 journals cover engaging topics such as European law, environmental law, and law and arts. Given the large number of journals published by the school, many students have an opportunity to participate. These journals offer law students the opportunity to publish their writing, review academic papers, and participate in conferences and symposiums. 

Columbia Law offers more than 30 academic centers covering different areas of the law, such as constitutional law and gender equality. These centers conduct research on their topics of focus and also organize related events. Students can participate in these centers by assisting with research and events.

Class of 2025 Acceptance Rate and Statistics

Columbia Law received 8,026 applications for its Class of 2025 and offered admission to 950. 

Of the 402 students in the Class of 2025, 

• 50% are women.
• 1% identify as non-binary, gender non-conforming, or bi-gender. 
• 52% are people of color. 
• 18% identify as LGBTQIA+. 
• 58% are between ages 21 and 24. 
• 34% are between ages 25 and 28. 
• 8% are age 29 or older. 
• 9% were STEM majors. 
• 13% have at least one graduate degree. 
• 20% are international students. 
• 73% are at least one year out of college.

Among US students,

• 31% are from the Mid-Atlantic.
• 16% are from the South.
• 16% are from the West. 
• 10% are from the Midwest.
• 7% are from New England.

Students in the Class of 2025 came from 163 colleges in 38 different states, DC, and Puerto Rico; represent 37 different countries; and collectively speak about 70 different languages.

In terms of statistics,

• For the LSAT, the 25th percentile was 171, and the 75th percentile was 175. 
• For undergraduate GPA, the 25th percentile was 3.78, and the 75th percentile was 3.95. 

Class of 2021 Post-Graduation Statistics

According to Columbia Law’s employment report for the Class of 2021, of the 460 graduates, 

• 441 accepted jobs that require a JD.
• Two were working in jobs where having a JD is helpful.
• Two were in “professional” positions. 
• Six accepted positions funded by the school. 
• Three were unemployed but not seeking a job. 
• Five were unemployed and seeking a job. 
• One was attending another graduate program. 

Graduates took jobs in the following industries/roles:

• Law firms: 361 
• Business: 4
• Government: 21 
• Public interest organizations: 35 
• Judicial clerkships: 30 

Application Requirements

• Application and application fee
• LSAT or GRE
• GPA and undergraduate transcript

Personal statement

Optional essay, letters of recommendation.

• No work experience requirement

Columbia Law School Application Details

Application.

Columbia Law’s application period typically opens in early September. The school follows a rolling admissions process, so students are allowed to apply until mid-February. Columbia Law offers early decision, with a deadline of November 15. 

As noted above, Columbia Law accepts both the LSAT and the GRE. The October LSAT is the last LSAT that can count toward early decision. For the GRE, students must take the exam by November 1 for it to count toward early decision.

Columbia Law requires applicants to submit two letters of recommendation, preferably from faculty “who can provide insight about their candidacy,” according to the school’s website. If you are not a recent graduate, submitting one professional letter and one academic letter is encouraged. Provide your recommenders with clear instructions and early deadlines, and share some bullet points to help them remember your accomplishments.

Make sure you customize your resume for your Columbia Law application. Use professional and consistent fonts, avoid small page margins, and do not exceed one page. As far as content, avoid jargon so the admissions committee can easily understand your accomplishments, and be sure to balance your work experience with law school – related skills. Your resume should include sections on your education, experience, and personal information.

The personal statement does not have an official limit in terms of length, but Columbia Law recommends that students submit two double-spaced pages with text that is both readable and printable. Although the school does not share the statement prompt until you apply, it is generally ideal to discuss why you are applying to law school, why you want to practice law, and your aspirations for your legal career. It is also a good idea to address why you are interested in Columbia Law in particular. Make sure to research the school to find out which of its offerings specifically connect to your legal goals so you can mention them in your essay.

Columbia Law’s optional essay gives applicants an opportunity to explain areas that are not fully represented in their application, such as issues with undergraduate GPA or test scores. Other topics for the optional essay could be a diversity statement or a statement of interest.

Columbia Law School FAQ

What if i attended a low-ranked undergraduate institution.

As long as your college is accredited, its undergraduate ranking does not matter; you just need to make sure you have a strong GPA and test scores.

If I take time off between college and law school to work, do I need to do legal work?

No. As long as you do something productive with your time off, such as working or completing an internship, your employment history will not hurt you and could still be beneficial.

Is Columbia Law looking for applicants with a particular undergraduate major?

No. The school accepts students from a variety of academic backgrounds.

I have a low GPA but a difficult major. Will Columbia Law overlook that?

Generally, no. Law schools usually are just interested in your overall undergraduate GPA. They will allow some flexibility for applicants who had particularly difficult majors, but this will not excuse a low GPA.

Does it matter when I apply if I don’t apply for early decision?

If you are not applying for early decision and your application is ready to go at the beginning of the cycle, it is probably a good idea to apply then, as doing so will provide a bit of an advantage. However, it is best not to rush your application. If you think you can improve your LSAT/GRE score by taking the test one or two more times in the fall, remember that substantially increasing your score will improve your chances of acceptance a lot more than applying a few weeks earlier.

Do I need to take time off between college and law school to work in order to gain a competitive edge?

Although work experience can certainly help an application, a lot of students are admitted to Columbia Law each year without work experience. Even applicants who have work experience might not get in, as several variables are involved in the admissions decision.

Are you considering applying to Columbia Law? Whether you are looking for comprehensive law admissions consulting, hourly help, or perhaps interview prep, we at Stratus Admissions Counseling can help you!  Sign up for a free consultation  today!

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Columbia Law School Personal Statement Examples

Featured Expert: Phoebe Gilmore, JD

If you’re applying to Columbia Law School , you must first take a look at some Columbia Law School personal statement examples that can help you understand what you’re up against and what you will be expected to showcase in your own law school personal statement. Columbia is the home to one of the best law schools in the US and has a reputation for excellence and a rigorous admissions process. In this article, we will go over three Columbia Law School personal statement examples and provide you with tips that will help you write your own outstanding submission!

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Article Contents 10 min read

Columbia law school personal statement example #1.

English is not my first language, but I have always felt like I was born to speak it. While my high school classmates sighed with frustration every time we were asked to read Shakespeare or Chaucer, I looked forward to the challenge. It gave me great satisfaction to decipher the Bard’s winding phrases and encrypted aphorisms. I feel great joy in reading English writers in their original form, without resorting to reading them in my native tongue. While I love my first language, I am glad I can transition between my native language and English with ease. 

This did not go unnoticed by my professor, Dr. Linda Hamel, who taught me in a second-year course in Medieval literature. In addition to being an instructor at X University, Dr. Hamel also taught an ESL course at a local language center. We often spoke after class and seminars, and when she learned that I was an immigrant, she asked if I would be interested in helping her students practice their English after class.

I decided to pursue this opportunity because I remember how hard it was to talk with native-English speakers as a newcomer to the United States. I remembered the discomfort I felt due to my accent, the fear of mispronouncing words, the unease at the thought my interlocutor would not understand me. It was always much easier to speak with another immigrant, even if they were not from the same background as me! Dr. Hamel also noticed that her students did not feel too comfortable chatting with her after class about their day-to-day lives, hobbies, and interests. They were afraid of making mistakes and making a bad impression on their teacher.

I started coming to visit her classes every Thursday night. Dr. Hamel allowed me to take the last 30 minutes of her classroom time to set up practice opportunities with her students. I restructured the practice time to allow everyone to have the opportunity to use what they learned in the latest class and previous weeks. I also invited my brother and sister to visit from time to time to help with the students’ practice. Dr. Hamel noted that within a few weeks her students showed improvement in using newly learned words and phrases and showed more initiative in speaking with her after class.

This experience also opened up another interest that led me to apply to law school: many of my new acquaintances in the ESL class were unfamiliar with the local legal culture and found it difficult to navigate the challenging landscape of immigration law. This discovery led me to join the Immigration Law Society at my college in my third year of undergrad. Not only was I able to learn more about US immigration policies, but I was also exposed to working in the legal field with immigration agencies, non-profits, and government institutions. We disseminated legal information in immigrant communities by sharing fliers, organizing free workshops, and helping local law firms with pro-bono work in these communities.

During this time, I met another mentor, Mr. Jack Turner, a local immigration lawyer, who invited me to work in his law firm to help with paperwork. As an Immigration Law Clerk, I helped prepare and file LMIA-based work permit applications and a wide range of LMIA-exempt work permit applications. I also helped organize and file permanent residence matters, including Express Entry-based PR applications, PNP applications and Family Sponsorship applications. Not only was I able to gain firsthand experience with the paperwork, but I also got to learn how to work with immigrants and their families and provide them with knowledge on these matters so they could learn more about their immigration journey.

Immigration is a huge part of US history, but it is not always recognized as such. As a lawyer, my goal is to continue working in immigration law and help people from all over the world find home here, in America, and I cannot think of anywhere better to pursue this goal than Columbia Law School. One of my goals as a Columbia law student is to join the Immigrants’ Right Clinic – this experiential and inspirational learning opportunity is one of the biggest draws for me. In most recent history, immigration has become the ground for some of the most prominent political and human rights issues in our history and I will be proud to contribute to the legal discourse on immigration law as a Columbia Law student and alumnus.

From the moment I stepped into my high school's mock trial team meeting, I felt an undeniable surge of excitement. I am what some would call a typical “prelaw” student. As a teenager fascinated by courtroom dramas and legal intricacies, I knew that law was more than just a passing interest for me. The dynamic exchange of ideas, the art of persuasive argumentation, and the pursuit of justice ignited a fire within me that has burned brightly ever since. I knew, going into my undergrad, that I would major in political science and law courses because I realized at an early age that it was not merely a profession but a means to effect profound societal change. 

I continued to nurture my passion during my college years, as I sought opportunities to immerse myself in the field and gain practical experience. During my sophomore year of college, I joined the International Law Society, a decision that would profoundly shape my understanding of the legal world. As a member of this society, I was exposed to a diverse range of legal issues transcending national boundaries. Through panel discussions, guest lectures, and case studies, I explored the complexities of international law, witnessing firsthand how legal principles could foster cooperation, resolve conflicts, and promote justice on a global scale. This exposure solidified my belief that law was a powerful instrument for change and propelled me to take a more active role in the society. By my fourth year, I became the Vice President of the society and continue with this role today.

Inspired by my involvement in the international law society, I sought opportunities to contribute my time and skills in a meaningful way. I eagerly volunteered to organize an international law conference hosted by our society. Coordinating with renowned legal scholars, practitioners, and students from around the world, I assumed responsibility for logistical arrangements, speaker coordination, and publicity efforts. This experience allowed me to witness the immense power of collaboration and the profound impact of legal dialogue. As I observed legal professionals engaging in thought-provoking discussions and striving for innovative solutions to complex global challenges, I realized the transformative potential of international law.

Driven by the impactful experiences I had in organizing the conference, I sought to expand my legal knowledge and practical skills further. Seeking to enhance my understanding of legal systems and their impact on society, I pursued an internship at ABC law firm. This experience provided me with invaluable insights into the practical aspects of law, offering glimpses into the real-world implications of legal decisions and the intricate workings of the justice system. Whether drafting legal briefs, conducting legal research, or advocating for marginalized individuals, each encounter reinforced my commitment to pursuing a legal career focused on promoting justice and advocating for those who lack a voice.

Building on my experiences, I am now ready to embark on the next phase of my journey as a law student at Columbia Law School. Moreover, I am excited about the opportunities for experiential learning, such as participating in moot court competitions and pro bono initiatives, for which Columbia Law School is famous. With my unwavering dedication, diverse experiences, and strong passion for justice, I am confident that I will thrive as a law student at Columbia and, in due course, as a legal professional committed to making a lasting impact on our world.

Becoming a paralegal was never my first career choice, but it became the most lifechanging experience for me. I got the position after completing my political science degree, unsure of what I want to do next. In the meantime, I wanted to work in a meaningful environment and contribute to my community by using my analytical and research skills. After completing my training as a paralegal, I joined a local firm that specialized in criminal law. Working as a paralegal after graduating college provided me with a profound glimpse into the world of law. A world I never really understood before I was plunged into this environment. This relatively accidental turn in my journey determined the course of my life and led to me writing this law school application. 

As I assisted criminal attorneys in conducting legal research, preparing briefs, and interacting with clients, I realized the immense power and responsibility entrusted to legal professionals. Witnessing the impact of their work firsthand, I became captivated by the intricacies of the legal system and its potential to effect meaningful change not only in a person’s life, but also in the legal system. My research has helped my superiors with dozens of cases, and they continued to delegate more tasks and responsibilities to me as I grew in my role. 

As I continued to thrive as a paralegal at the firm, I sought out opportunities to attend conferences, seminars, and lectures, where I could expand my understanding of legal theory and witness the dynamic nature of legal discourse. In June of 20XX, I attended the XYZ Law Conference in Los Angeles where I was able to participate in a panel on legal education among refugees. Through this experience, I recognized that attending law school would not only enhance my analytical and critical thinking abilities but also provide me with a platform to effect change on a broader scale. Encouraged by my growing fascination with the law, I decided to seek deeper understanding of the law among professionals around me.

I actively reached out to mentors at the law firm where I worked who generously shared their insights and guided me along my path. Mrs. Lauren Call, a senior partner at the firm, provided me with invaluable advice and inspired me with her dedication to justice and service. Her guidance deepened my appreciation for the multifaceted nature of the legal profession, and it became clear to me that attending law school was the logical next step in my journey. Armed with a newfound clarity of purpose, I eagerly embraced the challenge of applying to law schools.

Columbia Law School is famous for interdisciplinary studies, which aligns perfectly with my belief that the law must be contextualized within a broader societal framework. The opportunity to engage with accomplished scholars from various disciplines would provide me with a well-rounded legal education, equipping me with the skills necessary to tackle complex legal issues and effect meaningful change. My journey from working as a paralegal to the decision to attend Columbia Law School has been fueled by a deep desire to effect positive change within the legal system. I am eager to embark on this new chapter of my life and further cultivate my passion for justice, advocacy, and intellectual growth.

Learn more in our video!

1. A story.

A law school personal statement is a story of your journey to applying to law school. Forget about statistics like your GPA or LSAT; forget about listing your accomplishments and experiences as you would in a law school resume . This is a narrative, and you must approach it as a writing assignment. Essentially, you are writing an essay to answer the question “ why do you want to study law ?”

It may sound simple, but it’s truly a great challenge to compose a narrative that tells the story of what prompted you to pursue law. Keep in mind that Columbia Law School asks for a statement that’s no more than 2 pages long, double spaced. This is not very much space at all, so you need to be mindful with what aspects of your story you tell and how you link them together into a captivating narrative.

It should be formatted as an academic essay, with introduction, body paragraphs and conclusion. But do keep in mind that it should be vibrant and engaging. Simple narration of facts and events will not do. You must have a captivating introduction, strong transitional sentences, and conclusion that tell us what you want to achieve as a law student or a lawyer, and what you look forward to as a legal professional. Be creative – this is the best place for creativity in your entire law school application. And frankly, this is where your creativity can really make you stand out. 

2. Examples.

The core of your story should be examples of events and experiences that led you to pursue law. It might be best to keep it to 1 or 2 experiences. As we already mentioned, you do not want to list too many events in the statement. Your story should revolve around 1 or 2 experiences that really motivated you to pursue law. They do not need to be law-related necessarily, but they should give us an idea that you understand the kind of career you are pursing and that you have a general knowledge of what a career in law entails. The story can cover your work experience, academic experiences, personal experiences, as well as law school extracurriculars you participated in.

Most importantly, your story needs to tell what kind of skills and lessons you learned that prepared you to become a law student. Do you possess curiosity, attention to detail, analytical and research skills, patience, intrinsic motivation, and so on? Give us examples of events and experiences in your life that showcase this!

Never underestimate the amount of time you will need to write your law school personal statement. Give yourself at least 8 weeks to write your submission. We cannot stress this enough. This is a challenging and time-consuming task.

Consider reaching out to a law school admissions consulting professional to get feedback. You do not want to leave your statement to chance. An outstanding law school personal statement can really mean the difference between a rejection and an interview invite.

It should be no longer than 2 pages, double spaced. However, keep in mind that a shorter essay can sometimes be a better choice. As long as it’s a strong essay and tells a captivating story of why you want to be a lawyer, your essay can be and should be shorter than 2 pages. Admissions committees review thousands of documents, so if you can showcase your strong communication skills in a shorter submission, do not hesitate.

Your personal statement should answer the question of why you want to become a lawyer. Choose 1 or 2 events that led you to apply to law school and create a captivating narrative.

No, there is no law school essay prompt . But your essay should answer the question of why you want to become a lawyer.

You can tailor your personal statement for different schools but try to not be too school specific in your personal statement if you plan on using it for different schools.

Columbia Law School is one of the most competitive law schools in the country. The law school acceptance rates for Columbia are around 11.8%.

Other law school requirements include your transcripts, GRE or LSAT scores, two law school letters of recommendation , a resume, a Dean’s appraisal, and a video statement.

You may be contacted for an in-person or a video interview. Start you prep early by going through common law school interview questions . 

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2023 Law School Application Changes Compiled

In the wake of the recent Supreme Court decision on race-conscious admissions , we have seen more law schools making changes to their application components and instructions this cycle than in any other we can recall.

For easy reference, we will be compiling these changes below, adding new schools as their applications and instructions are posted.

Please note that, even though all of the below have been announced officially by the law schools, these questions are subject to change prior to the actual application opening date. You can find a list of all law schools' application opening dates here .

Updated October 2, 2023

Fall 2023 Law School Application Essay Changes

Yale law school.

Prior to this 2023-2024 cycle, Yale Law School's application required a Personal Statement and a 250-word essay on a subject of the applicant's choice. Applicants were also offered the option to write a Diversity Statement. This year, the application still requires a Personal Statement and 250-word essay, but in lieu of the Diversity Statement, there are now four different options for Optional Essays to write. Full instructions below.

New Yale Law Optional Essay Instructions: Source

Applicants may choose to submit an essay in response to one of the four questions below, each related to a value that is central to the Law School community. This is an opportunity to provide readers with relevant information that may not be found elsewhere in your application. If you choose to answer one of these questions, your essay should focus on your relevant personal, professional, and/or academic experiences and not on specific reasons why you wish to attend Yale Law School.

The optional essay should be approximately one page double-spaced. The prompts for the optional essay are as follows:

• Option 1: The Law School has a strong tradition of public service and encourages its students to contribute to the community in a wide variety of ways. Describe a community that has been particularly meaningful to you. Discuss what you have gained from being a part of this community and what you have contributed to this community.
• Option 2: The Law School encourages its students and alumni to be leaders, innovators, and changemakers across many different sectors. Describe one of your most important accomplishments and explain why it is important to you. Discuss how you demonstrated leadership, helped innovate, and/or drove change as part of that accomplishment.
• Option 3: The Law School values determination and resilience and recognizes that these traits are critical to success at the Law School and in the legal profession. Describe a significant challenge, disappointment, or setback that you have faced. Discuss how you approached this experience and what you learned from it.
• Option 4: In order to succeed at the Law School and in the legal profession, you must be able to have discussions across difference and be open to changing your mind. Describe a time when you changed your mind on an important topic after discussing it with a person with whom you disagreed or learning additional information. Discuss what you learned from this experience.

Harvard Law School

Prior to this year, Harvard Law required one two-page Personal Statement and gave applicants the option to submit an additional Diversity Statement. This year, HLS has replaced both with two required essays: a Statement of Purpose and a Statement of Perspective. Instructions below.

New Harvard Law Essay Instructions: Source

Every applicant must submit both a Statement of Purpose and a Statement of Perspective, responding to the prompts below. Each Statement must be one to two pages in length, using double-spacing, one-inch margins, and a font size that is comfortable to read (no smaller than 11 point). We expect every applicant to use at least one full page for each Statement.

Statement of Purpose: What motivates you to pursue law? How does attending law school align with your ambitions, goals, and vision for your future?

Statement of Perspective: The Admissions Committee makes every effort to understand who you are as an individual and potential Harvard Law School student and graduate. Please share how your experiences, background, and/or interests have shaped you and will shape your engagement in the HLS community and the legal profession.

University of Chicago Law School

Prior to this cycle, UChicago Law gave applicants the option to write a Diversity Statement. This year, they have removed that statement and now include the below prompt as an optional Addendum.

New UChicago Law Addendum Prompt Source: UChicago Law Fall 2024 JD Application (LSAC)

UChicago Law aims to train well-rounded, critical, and socially conscious thinkers and doers. Describe how your background or experiences will contribute to the UChicago Law community. Example topics include: lessons you have learned; skillsets you have developed; obstacles you have overcome based on your background or upbringing; or topics you have become passionate about studying in law school based on your lived or educational experiences.

Columbia Law School

Prior to this 2023-2024 cycle, Columbia Law School asked for a traditional Personal Statement and gave applicants the option to write a Diversity Statement. This year, applicants will have the option to submit one Supplementary Statement from five options, which are included below.

New Columbia Law Supplementary Statement Options: Source: Columbia Law Fall 2024 JD Application (LSAC)

Optional Supplementary Statements. Please note that these questions are completely optional and if an applicant chooses not to submit a response to any of these questions, it will not have an impact on their admissions decision. Applicants should choose no more than one supplemental statement, which should be no longer than 500 words double spaced. Kindly note that supplemental statement may be shorter than 500 words.

• A hallmark of the Columbia experience is being able to learn and thrive in an equitable and inclusive community with a wide range of perspectives. Tell us about an aspect of your own perspective, viewpoint or lived experience that is important to you, and describe how it has shaped the way you would learn from and contribute to Columbia’s diverse and collaborative community.
• We recognize that many applicants have faced adversity in myriad ways and to varying extents throughout their lives. Tell us about an example of adversity or a challenging circumstance in your own life and describe how you overcame it and how that experience has shaped your life and your own perspective.
• Columbia Law School aims to prepare its students to be advocates as well as effective leaders. Tell us about an example of leadership in your own life whether in an educational, professional, or personal setting and how those leadership skills and qualities would contribute to your legal education and the profession.
• Columbia Law School’s mandatory pro bono program requires that every student devote at least 40 hours to public interest law service during their time in law school. Tell us about your own commitment to public service and describe how volunteer work, advocacy, community service, pro bono work, and/or extra-curricular activities have shaped who you are today and how you want to continue serving the public good during law school.
• Tell us why you are applying to Columbia Law School and how the Law School's programs, faculty, curricular and extra-curricular offerings, location, and/or community would be a good fit for your legal education given your own academic, professional, or personal goals.

NYU School of Law

Prior to this year, NYU Law offered applicants the option to submit an Underrepresented Group statement. This year, that statement has been replaced by an Optional Additional Information attachment with the below prompt.

New NYU Law Optional Additional Information Prompt: Source: NYU Law Fall 2024 JD Application (LSAC)

New York University School of Law seeks to enroll a student body from a broad spectrum of society. The Committee on Admissions encourages you to provide any information that may be helpful to us in reaching a thoughtful decision on your application. While the choice as to whether and what information to submit to the Committee is entirely yours, any information you provide will be used to give the Committee a more complete understanding of your academic, professional, and personal background; to help the Committee reach an informed decision on your application; and to aid the Committee in selecting a student body with a range of experiences.

This is an opportunity to share with the Committee information about how your background will enable you to contribute to the NYU Law community. Information that has been helpful in the past includes but is not limited to meaningful leadership experience; significant community involvement; personal/family history of educational or socioeconomic disadvantage or unusual circumstances which may have affected academic performance and how you exceled despite those circumstances; and skills you have developed to overcome adversity. This list is not all-inclusive, but we offer it for you to think about as you consider whether such information might be relevant in your case, and to assure you that it is quite appropriate.

University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School

Prior to this year, Penn Law gave applicants four choices for optional essays—one on diversity (wording changed this year, see below); one on core strengths, goals, and values (same this year); one asking, "What do you find valuable (or challenging) about a collaborative environment?" (removed this year); and one on reasons that the applicant's academic record or test scores do not accurately reflect their aptitude (i.e., a GPA/LSAT addendum) (same this year). This year's new prompts are below.

New Penn Law Optional Essay Prompts: Source

• Penn Carey Law is committed to achieving an expansive and inclusive law school community that brings a diverse range of ideas, experiences, and perspectives to our classrooms. Tell us how your lived experience informs who you are today.
• Describe a significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge.
• What strength or quality do you have that most people might not see or recognize?
• What don't we see in your application file that you would like to share with the Admissions Committee?

University of Virginia School of Law

UVA Law added an optional "Why UVA Law" statement to their application this year (prompt below).

New "Why UVA Law" Statement Instructions: Source: UVA Law Fall 2024 JD Application (LSAC)

Why UVA Law (optional) (suggested page limit: two pages double-spaced in 12pt font)

We recognize that some applicants have personal reasons for applying to UVA Law. Such reasons might include, but are not limited to, being a child of someone who graduated from or works for UVA Law, being a descendant of ancestors who labored at UVA, prior participation in other UVA programs, specific interest in our academic offerings, and/or a personal connection to the Charlottesville area. If these reasons are not already addressed elsewhere in your application, you are welcome to include that information here. Please note this question is optional.

Duke University School of Law

Prior to this year, Duke Law required a Personal Statement and gave applicants the option of submitting either or both of two additional essays, a diversity statement and/or a statement of interest in Duke. This year, in addition to the Personal Statement and optional statement of interest in Duke, they are requiring applicants to write 1-2 short essays from a group of six prompts/options, all of which are listed below.

New Duke Law Short Answer Essay Instructions: Source

Short Answer Essay(s) (required): Our admissions process is guided by the view that a law school class that includes actively engaged students who possess a variety of skills, personal qualities, and life experiences helps to advance the Law School's mission, improves the learning process, and enriches the educational experience for all. Please write one or two short essays from the list below. Be sure to label the essay(s) you are answering and use only one attachment even if you submit two short answers. Please limit your answer(s) to approximately 250-500 words per essay.

• What does the rule of law mean to you, and what special background or experience do you have that may help you contribute to its advancement or that underscores its importance to you personally?
• The promise of equal justice is fundamental to our legal system. Why is equal justice important to you personally, and what personal experiences or knowledge do you have that may help you become an effective advocate for equal justice under law?
• Exposure to a diversity of perspectives and experiences can enhance one's ability to deliver effective professional services. Please describe any opportunities you have had to serve clients or your community, either through work or on a volunteer basis, and how your own exposure to different perspectives and experiences helped you.
• Lawyers are members of a learned profession, and are often called to serve the public in a variety of ways. Please describe your interest in public service and any experience that you have had to prepare you for a life of service in the public interest.
• Please describe your interest in learning the law in an open, rigorous, and collaborative environment. Why is a commitment to the free expression of ideas so important in the learning process?
• What does ethical leadership mean to you? Please provide examples of how you have prepared yourself to become an ethical leader.

University of Michigan Law School

Prior to this year, in addition to a Personal Statement, Michigan Law gave applicants the option to write 1-2 additional essays from a selection of prompts. Some of those prompts have been updated this year; full list below.

New Michigan Law Supplemental Essay Instructions: Source

Supplemental essays allow you an opportunity to provide us with relevant information that you were not able to include elsewhere in your application materials. If you think writing on any of the topics suggested would help us get a better sense of who you are, we encourage you to consider submitting your responses to one or two (but no more) of the following topics. Each essay should be between one and two pages. For ease of reading, please use double-spacing and at least an 11-point font. Please be sure to include the number of the prompt you are addressing at the top of your essay.

• Essay One: Say more about your interest in the University of Michigan Law School. Why might Michigan be a good fit for you culturally, academically, or professionally?
• Essay Two: Describe a challenge, failure, or setback you have faced and overcome, whether long-term and systemic (e.g., socioeconomic, health, or complex family circumstances) or short-term and discrete (e.g., a workplace scenario or a particularly demanding course). How did you confront it? What, if anything, might you do differently?  
• Essay Three: How has the world you came from positively shaped who you are today?
• Essay Four: Describe a quality or skill you have and discuss how you expect it will help you in your legal career.
• Essay Five: Tell us about a time in the recent past when you changed your mind about something significant.
• Essay Six: We seek students who are encouraging, kind, and collaborative, even when it is not convenient or easy. Describe a recent experience where you exhibited these characteristics.
• Essay Seven: One of the goals of our admissions process is to enroll students who will enrich the quality and breadth of the intellectual life of our law school community, as well as to expand and diversify the identities of people in the legal profession. How might your experiences and perspectives contribute to our admissions goals?
• Essay Eight: Think of someone who knows you, but doesn't know you well (i.e., not a family member or a close friend). How would they describe you? Would their description be accurate? Why or why not?
• Essay Nine: If you could have dinner with any prominent person, living or dead, who would it be and why? What would you discuss?

UC Berkeley School of Law

This year, UC Berkeley Law added some additional language to their diversity-focused essay prompt and added a new optional statement on applicants' interest in the legal profession. The latter prompt also gives applicants the option to record a video submission in lieu of a written statement.

New UC Berkeley Law Optional Statement Prompts (including Kira video submission) Source

Perspective and Experiences:

How will you (your perspective, experience, Voice) contribute to diversity in our classrooms and community? Feel free to address any factors or attributes you consider important and relevant. In the past, applicants have included information about characteristics such as: race/ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, socioeconomic background, first generation college or professional school student, student parent, re-entry student, geographic diversity, ideological diversity, and others. (500 word maximum)

Interest in the Legal Profession (Video Submission Option):

Please share more about why you are applying to law school by answering one or more of the following questions:

• What about you (your experiences, your values, your perspective, etc.) calls you to law school?
• How will you use your law degree with integrity, vision, creativity, and/or to innovate?
• What makes you hopeful, optimistic, or excited about entering the legal profession?
• How do you see yourself contributing to or advancing the public good as a lawyer, scholar, or advocate?

(4 minutes or 500 words maximum)

For the optional statement, “Interest in the Legal Profession,” applicants are invited to complete this statement in an alternative modality: video submission. This is not an interview. It is another opportunity to share insight into your potential for study at Berkeley Law, and it gives you an additional tool (video recording) for the communication and presentation of that information. You may also choose to complete this statement in written format.

Optional video statements, as with all statements, are unscored and intended only to augment your application. While we will consider the information shared and will use it within our holistic review of your application, no value will be assigned to whether you choose the written or video format.

Candidates will submit this statement via a free, third-party platform called Kira. Kira will allow you to respond to the prompt either via video recording or in writing and provides comprehensive support and trouble-shooting. Please only submit your response through Kira; written or video “Interest in the Legal Profession” statements sent separately will not be considered.

Northwestern Pritzker School of Law

Prior to this year, Northwestern Law offered one Optional Essay prompt asking about diversity. This year, they are offering applicants four different Optional Essay prompts, allowing applicants to respond to any or all of them.

New Northwestern Law Optional Supplemental Essay Instructions: Source: Northwestern Law Fall 2024 JD Application (LSAC)

Responding to the following questions is entirely optional and should not be viewed as required.  You may include responses to as many of the four optional essays as you wish or none at all.  These are intended to give you an opportunity to provide additional information that you were unable to include in other portions of the application.  Please limit your response to each essay that you complete to 1-2 pages, double-spaced, and at least an 11-point font.

• Describe your interest in attending Northwestern Pritzker School of Law.
• Describe any experiences in your life or unique qualities you think would benefit Northwestern Pritzker School of Law and/or your classmates.  (Relevant information may include but is not limited to financial hardship, educational adversity, special talents, work or community service experience, first generation or immigrant experience, an unusual rural or urban upbringing, foreign residence, military background, or unique family and/or personal circumstance.)
• What does public service mean to you and how do you see yourself engaging in public service or pro-bono work to meet the needs of the underserved?
• Did you face any particular challenges we should know about when considering your academic history or test scores?

Cornell Law School

Prior to this year, Cornell Law School offered an optional Diversity Statement. They have removed that prompt this year and added additional instructions to their personal statement (below). They also used to have a question in their application about reasons for applying to Cornell with a 600-character limit and the option to attach a longer essay. This year, they have made a one-page "Why Cornell" essay required.

New Cornell Law Personal Statement Prompt Source: Cornell Law Fall 2024 JD Application (LSAC)

RESPOND TO AT LEAST ONE OF THE FOLLOWING PROMPTS (required). YOU MAY RESPOND TO AS MANY AS YOU WISH, BUT DO NOT EXCEED A TOTAL OF FIVE (5) PAGES.

• We aim to train excellent lawyers. GPAs and test scores have some predictive power, but they don't tell the whole story. Please describe any significant challenges you have overcome, including but not limited to economic hardship, discrimination, trauma, or disability, and/or significant accomplishments of which you are proud.
• In the aftermath of the U.S. Civil War, Ezra Cornell wrote, "I would found an institution where any person can find instruction in any study." For over 150 years, Cornell University has remained deeply committed to Ezra's vision. Explain how your life experiences will help inform your contributions to a law school learning community devoted to "...any person...any study." We encourage you to think broadly about what you will contribute to a law school class and eventually to the legal profession, including bu not necessarily to expertise you have, experiences you can share, and how communities of which you have been part have shaped your perspective.
• From its founding, Cornell Law School has not only focused on producing excellent lawyers, but "lawyers in the best sense." A law school education teaches you a craft, and prepares you for a great career, but law is also a calling, and a lawyer in the best sense is one who will, in some way, serve justice. If your career goals include representing under-served populations or otherwise vulnerable individuals or groups, please tell us about those goals and how you hope to pursue them.
• Is there anything else you wish the Admissions Committee to know about you beyond what you have revealed in other parts of your application? You can describe a formative experience, or your motivation to go to law school, or a story that reveals your character, personality, or strengths, or whatever else you think is relevant.

Georgetown University Law Center

Georgetown Law updated their "Diversity Statement" to an "Optional Statement" this year. Additionally, they updated their (separate) Optional Response prompts, as they have many times in the past. All of the new prompts are below.

New Georgetown Law Optional Statement & Optional Responses Prompts: Source: Georgetown Law Fall 2024 JD Application (LSAC)

Optional Statement:

If you would like to share any additional personal perspectives, reflections, or experiences – whether positive, challenging, a combination of both, or something else entirely – that have contributed to who you are as a person and as a future legal scholar and lawyer, we invite you to do so in an additional statement.

Optional Responses:

• What’s the best (or worst) piece of advice you ever received?
• If you could “uninvent” one thing, what would it be?
• Tell us about a moment in your life that you regret.
• Describe your perfect day.
• Share a top ten list with us.
• Prepare a one-minute video.

University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Law

UCLA Law slightly altered the wording of their optional "Challenges Addendum" this year. The updated prompt is below.

New UCLA Law Challenges Addendum Prompt: Source: UCLA Law Fall 2024 JD Application (LSAC)

Please share any information about adversity or challenge that you would like us to consider about your personal life experiences. This may include socio-economic challenges; educational challenges; health issues; disability; immigration status; surviving abuse; or complex family circumstances like an incarcerated parent, homelessness, living in foster care, or others. This is not an inclusive list, but simply an opportunity, if you wish, to share any additional aspects of your background that may give us a deeper sense of your strengths and who you are.

The University of Texas at Austin School of Law

Prior to this year, UT Law required a Personal Statement and gave applicants the option to submit a Statement of Economic, Social, or Personal Background. This year, they are giving applicants the option to write responses to one or both of two prompts, below.

New UT Law Optional Statement Instructions: Source

Applicants may submit one or more of the following optional statements to provide to the Admissions Committee additional insight when reviewing their application. Each optional statement may not exceed one (1) double-spaced page with a minimum 11-point font size and 1-inch margins.

• Please address any information that you believe your application would be incomplete without and that sheds more light on your unique potential to succeed in the J.D. program and contribute to the University community and the field or profession.
• Civil dialogue and reasoned debate over contested ideas are core values both for the practice of law and in legal education. In light of this, Texas Law is interested in learning about experiences you may have had engaging with ideas with which you disagreed, and how such experiences have impacted you.

Boston University School of Law

BU Law modified the language in their diversity-focused optional essay prompt this year. New language below.

New BU Law Optional Essay Prompt Source: BU Law Fall 2024 JD Application (LSAC)

Consistent with the American Bar Association, Boston University School of Law believes that knowledge about bias, cross-cultural competency (ability to understand people from different backgrounds and engage with them effectively), and racism are central to the legal profession. Please tell us how your education, training, or lived experience has deepened your knowledge about bias, cross-cultural competency, and racism and/or prepared you to explore these topics at BU Law.

Vanderbilt Law School

Prior to this cycle, Vanderbilt Law allowed applicants to submit an optional diversity statement. This cycle, a Lived Experience Statement (full prompt below) is required from all applicants.

New Vanderbilt Law Lived Experience Statement Prompt: Source: Vanderbilt Law Fall 2024 JD Application (LSAC)

The quality and vibrance of the educational environment at Vanderbilt Law arise from enrolling a student body with a broad mix of individual backgrounds, experiences, skills, knowledge, and interests. Please tell us about any aspects of your background and experience that you believe would contribute to the educational environment.

University of Florida Levin College of Law

Prior to this year, UF Law included a Diversity Statement prompt that they have removed this year. Source: UF Law Fall 2024 JD Application (LSAC)

George Washington University Law School

GW Law altered their optional Identity Statement prompt this year—new prompt below.

New GW Law Identity Statement Prompt: Source: GW Law Fall 2024 JD Application (LSAC)

We are proud of the perspectives brought to the GW Law community by individuals from around the United States and the world. To that end, how has your identity contributed to the person that you are today? Examples might include, but are not limited to, lived experiences, obstacles overcome, areas of intellectual or professional interest, background/upbringing, and service.

University of Georgia School of Law

UGA Law has kept their optional Diversity Statement this year. The slightly altered prompt is below.

New UGA Law Diversity Statement Prompt: Source: UGA Law Fall 2024 JD Application (LSAC)

The School of Law believes the overall educational environment of the law school may be enhanced by life experiences that significantly add to the academic, cultural, geographic, or socioeconomic diversity of the student population. You are invited to explain how your own life experiences would significantly add to the diversity of the student population and enhance the educational climate of the law school. This may also include discussion of your status as a first-generation college graduate or veteran.

Notre Dame Law School

Notre Dame Law has updated the wording of their Different Kind of Lawyer Statement prompt this year—full text below.

New Notre Dame Law Different Kind of Lawyer Statement Prompt: Source: Notre Dame Law Fall 2024 JD Application (LSAC)

The mission of Notre Dame Law School is to educate a "Different Kind of Lawyer" - one who sees the law as more than just a profession, but as a service to others. Students are encouraged to explore not only the moral and ethical dimensions of the law but also their unique roles in furthering the cause of justice.

Following the murder of George Floyd, Dean G. Marcus Cole wrote an open letter to the Notre Dame Law Community in June 2020 in which he stated the following:

One thing that each and every one of us can do is to end the cycle of hate by ending the separation that leads to it.... Each of us needs to get to know people who differ from us. We must all make a conscious decision and effort to expand our circles.

Considering the mission of Notre Dame Law School, Dean Cole's open letter, and his call to action, please provide a response to one or both of the following:

• What experiences, hardships, or adversity have you faced that have shaped your perspective on law and justice?
• How has your own circle, culture, and community inspired you, your morals and ethics?

The "Different Kind of Lawyer" statement must be the applicant's own work in their own words. It should be no more than two double-spaced pages. If an applicant plans on providing this statement, it must be included with their application at the time of submission. The statement's header must include the applicant's name, LSAC account number, and be titled "DKL Statement."

University of Minnesota Law School

Prior to this year, Minnesota Law offered applicants the option to write a one-page Diversity Statement. This year, applicants will have the option to submit a one-page Supplemental Statement answering the below (similar) prompt.

New Minnesota Law Supplemental Statement Prompt: Source: Minnesota Law Fall 2024 JD Application (LSAC)

Applicants may attach additional statements to highlight or discuss any of the following: Unique backgrounds and lived experiences; demonstrated commitment to racial justice/equity; obstacles or adversity overcome; absences or breaks in academic history; or other matters that may be of importance to the Admissions Committee. Each additional statement should be no more that one-page, double spaced.

USC Gould School of Law

USC has updated their Diversity Statement this year to be a "Diversity of Background and/or Experience Statement"—prompt below. They also removed the prompt for a "Why USC" statement that had previously been an optional essay.

New USC Law Diversity of Background and/or Experience Statement Instructions: Source

USC Gould's admissions process is guided by the view that an individual student that reflects the broad and rich diversity of our society provides a superior educational environment for all law students. The primary goal of our admissions process is to enroll students who demonstrate outstanding academic and professional promise and whose background and experience will enrich USC Gould's educational environment or enhance the diversity of our student body or the legal profession.

• Based on the above, we invite you to discuss any ways in which your lived experiences offer a unique ability that you may contribute to the Gould School of Law. Examples include (but are not limited to) students who:
• Have overcome racial discrimination if that is tied to the student's courage and determination.
• Have been motivated by your heritage or culture to assume a leadership role or attain a particular goal.
• Have struggled against prejudice, economic disadvantage, family or personal adversity, or other social hardships (perhaps as a result of disability, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation or religious affiliation)
• Have lived in a foreign country or spoke a language other than English at home
• Have unusual career goals, employment history (perhaps military or law enforcement experience) or educational background (including graduate study)
• Demonstrate unusual extracurricular achievement (including school or community service)

Arizona State University Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law

ASU Law added a new "elevator pitch video" to their application this year.

New ASU Law Elevator Pitch Video Instructions: Source: ASU Law Fall 2024 JD Application (LSAC)

You may submit an optional elevator pitch video as part of your ASU Law application in addition to your written materials. The elevator pitch is a concise and compelling summary of yourself that shows your oral advocacy skills. The video should be no longer than 30 seconds. You may only submit one video.

University of Illinois College of Law

Illinois Law added seven Supplemental Essay prompts to their application this year.

New Illinois Law Supplemental Essay Options: Source: Illinois Law Fall 2024 JD Application (LSAC)

Supplemental essays allow you an opportunity to provide us with relevant information that you were not able to include elsewhere in your application materials or that did not fit thematically with your personal statement.  If you think writing on any of the topics below would help us get a better understanding of what you individually bring to the law school class, we encourage you to consider submitting your responses to one or two (but no more) of the following topics.  Your response to each essay should be less than 500 words. Please use a minimum of 11 point font and double space your responses.  Please be sure to include the number of the prompt you are addressing at the top of your essay.

Essay Prompt #1

Describe a challenge, failure, or setback you have faced and overcome, whether long-term and systemic ( e.g., socioeconomic, health, or complex family circumstances) or short-term and discrete ( e.g., a workplace scenario or a particularly demanding course).  How did you confront it?  What, if anything, might you do differently?

Essay Prompt #2

Describe a quality or skill you have and discuss how you expect it will help you in your legal career.

Essay Prompt #3

Tell us about a time in the recent past when you changed your mind about something significant.

Essay Prompt #4

Our law school culture is one of encouragement, cooperation, and collaboration. We actively seek out students who exhibit those characteristics, even when it is not convenient or easy.  Describe a recent experience when you exhibited any or all of these characteristics.

Essay Prompt #5

One of the goals of our admissions process is to enroll students who will enrich the quality and breadth of the intellectual life of our law school community and the legal profession.  How have your lived experiences and perspectives positively shaped who you are today in a way that contributes to our admissions goals?

Essay Prompt #6

Think of someone who knows you in an academic or professional setting, but doesn't know you well ( i.e., not a family member or a close friend).  How would they describe your work ethic, written or oral communication skills, and/or professionalism?  Would their description be accurate?  Why or why not?

Essay Prompt #7

Provide insight into your potential to contribute to a community of inclusion, belonging, and respect in which scholars with varied perspectives, abilities, and experiences can learn and [sic].

University of North Carolina School of Law

Prior to this cycle, UNC Law required two written statements—one essentially asking "Why law?" and the other "Why UNC?"—and gave applicants the option to submit two additional statements—one on diversity and one functioning as a place for an LSAT/GPA addendum.

This year, the optional diversity-related prompt has been removed, but the required "Why UNC?"-type prompt (Statement Topic 2 in the application) has been updated to include new language asking about how applicants will "contribute to the breadth of perspectives" at the law school. Full prompt below.

New UNC Law Statement Topic 2 Instructions: Source: UNC Law Fall 2024 JD Application (LSAC)

What is your reason for choosing the University of North Carolina School of Law? How does the institution meet your educational and/or your professional goals? Please include how your academic background, personal qualities, and life experiences inform your pursuit of legal education at Carolina Law and how you will contribute to the breadth of perspectives in the law classroom and broader law school community.

Florida State University College of Law

Prior to this year, FSU Law gave applicants the option to submit a Diversity Statement. That statement has been removed this year, and an optional Seminole Statement has been added—prompt below.

New FSU Law Seminole Statement Instructions: Source: FSU Law Fall 2024 JD Application (LSAC)

Located within the heart of Tallahassee, the capital city of Florida, Florida State University College of Law is surrounded by a vibrant legal community.  As Florida has the third largest economy of any state in the United States, there are ample opportunities to practice law in a rich variety of settings – law firms, state government, local and municipal government, courts, associations, non-profit organizations, business settings, and more – which work to serve the legal needs of a diverse clientele made up of a variety of cultures, traditions, histories, languages, and backgrounds.  Florida State University College of Law is a values-based and purpose-driven law school that embraces all perspectives, backgrounds, and students.  FSU College of Law is consistently ranked one of the top schools in terms of student satisfaction – and that is due to the emphasis on creating a culture of belonging, where every person feels valued and has an opportunity to contribute.

In no more than two typed pages (double-spaced, using a 12 point font), please feel free to submit a Seminole Statement to provide the Admissions Committee with insights and examples from your life to share a quality of your character, and/or a unique ability that you possess to describe how you would uniquely contribute to the academic and student communities at the Florida State University College of Law.

Wake Forest University School of Law

This year, Wake Forest Law added a required Imagining Your Future statement and updated the language of their Optional Statement. Both prompts are below.

Source: Wake Forest Law Fall 2024 JD Application (LSAC)

New Wake Forest Law Imagining Your Future Statement Prompt:

Upload a brief descriptive statement of a job, in terms of the job title and responsibilities, you envision holding (or hope to hold), a decade after graduating from law school and being admitted to the bar.

New Wake Forest Law Optional Statement Prompt:

You may upload an optional statement describing any other information about yourself that you wish to share that is not included in your personal statement.

Examples of optional statement topics include, but are not limited to:

• interest or preference in attending Wake Forest Law compared to other law schools;
• describe how the ethos of Wake Forest University’s motto, Pro Humanitate (“for humanity”), applies to your past experiences and your plans for the future as a law student and attorney.

Uploading an optional statement is not required. There is a separate optional upload for an addendum related to test scores and academic performance.

William & Mary Law School

W&M Law has modified their Optional Essay prompt and removed the description "Diversity & Inclusion Statement." The full updated prompt is below.

New W&M Law Optional Essay Instructions: Source: W&M Law Fall 2024 JD Application (LSAC)

You are invited to submit an essay that describes your life experiences with an emphasis on how the perspectives that you have acquired would contribute to the William & Mary Law School’s intellectual community and enhance the diversity of the student body. Examples of topics include (but are not limited to): an experience of prejudice, bias, economic disadvantage, personal adversity, or other social hardship (perhaps stemming from one’s religious affiliation, disability, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity); experience as a first-generation college student; significant employment history (such as in business, military or law enforcement, or public service); experience as an immigrant or refugee; graduate study; or impressive leadership achievement (including college or community service).  Please be as concise as possible.

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• Kontinental Hockey League

Gagarin Cup Preview: Atlant vs. Salavat Yulaev

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Gagarin cup (khl) finals:  atlant moscow oblast vs. salavat yulaev ufa.

Much like the Elitserien Finals, we have a bit of an offense vs. defense match-up in this league Final.  While Ufa let their star top line of Alexander Radulov, Patrick Thoresen and Igor Grigorenko loose on the KHL's Western Conference, Mytischi played a more conservative style, relying on veterans such as former NHLers Jan Bulis, Oleg Petrov, and Jaroslav Obsut.  Just reaching the Finals is a testament to Atlant's disciplined style of play, as they had to knock off much more high profile teams from Yaroslavl and St. Petersburg to do so.  But while they did finish 8th in the league in points, they haven't seen the likes of Ufa, who finished 2nd. 

This series will be a challenge for the underdog, because unlike some of the other KHL teams, Ufa's top players are generally younger and in their prime.  Only Proshkin amongst regular blueliners is over 30, with the work being shared by Kirill Koltsov (28), Andrei Kuteikin (26), Miroslav Blatak (28), Maxim Kondratiev (28) and Dmitri Kalinin (30).  Oleg Tverdovsky hasn't played a lot in the playoffs to date.  Up front, while led by a fairly young top line (24-27), Ufa does have a lot of veterans in support roles:  Vyacheslav Kozlov , Viktor Kozlov , Vladimir Antipov, Sergei Zinovyev and Petr Schastlivy are all over 30.  In fact, the names of all their forwards are familiar to international and NHL fans:  Robert Nilsson , Alexander Svitov, Oleg Saprykin and Jakub Klepis round out the group, all former NHL players.

For Atlant, their veteran roster, with only one of their top six D under the age of 30 (and no top forwards under 30, either), this might be their one shot at a championship.  The team has never won either a Russian Superleague title or the Gagarin Cup, and for players like former NHLer Oleg Petrov, this is probably the last shot at the KHL's top prize.  The team got three extra days rest by winning their Conference Final in six games, and they probably needed to use it.  Atlant does have younger regulars on their roster, but they generally only play a few shifts per game, if that. 

The low event style of game for Atlant probably suits them well, but I don't know how they can manage to keep up against Ufa's speed, skill, and depth.  There is no advantage to be seen in goal, with Erik Ersberg and Konstantin Barulin posting almost identical numbers, and even in terms of recent playoff experience Ufa has them beat.  Luckily for Atlant, Ufa isn't that far away from the Moscow region, so travel shouldn't play a major role. 

I'm predicting that Ufa, winners of the last Superleague title back in 2008, will become the second team to win the Gagarin Cup, and will prevail in five games.  They have a seriously well built team that would honestly compete in the NHL.  They represent the potential of the league, while Atlant represents closer to the reality, as a team full of players who played themselves out of the NHL. 

• Atlant @ Ufa, Friday Apr 8 (3:00 PM CET/10:00 PM EST)
• Atlant @ Ufa, Sunday Apr 10 (1:00 PM CET/8:00 AM EST)
• Ufa @ Atlant, Tuesday Apr 12 (5:30 PM CET/12:30 PM EST)
• Ufa @ Atlant, Thursday Apr 14 (5:30 PM CET/12:30 PM EST)

Games 5-7 are as yet unscheduled, but every second day is the KHL standard, so expect Game 5 to be on Saturday, like an early start. 

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Rusmania • Deep into Russia

Out of the Centre

Savvino-storozhevsky monastery and museum.

Zvenigorod's most famous sight is the Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery, which was founded in 1398 by the monk Savva from the Troitse-Sergieva Lavra, at the invitation and with the support of Prince Yury Dmitrievich of Zvenigorod. Savva was later canonised as St Sabbas (Savva) of Storozhev. The monastery late flourished under the reign of Tsar Alexis, who chose the monastery as his family church and often went on pilgrimage there and made lots of donations to it. Most of the monastery’s buildings date from this time. The monastery is heavily fortified with thick walls and six towers, the most impressive of which is the Krasny Tower which also serves as the eastern entrance. The monastery was closed in 1918 and only reopened in 1995. In 1998 Patriarch Alexius II took part in a service to return the relics of St Sabbas to the monastery. Today the monastery has the status of a stauropegic monastery, which is second in status to a lavra. In addition to being a working monastery, it also holds the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum.

Belfry and Neighbouring Churches

Located near the main entrance is the monastery's belfry which is perhaps the calling card of the monastery due to its uniqueness. It was built in the 1650s and the St Sergius of Radonezh’s Church was opened on the middle tier in the mid-17th century, although it was originally dedicated to the Trinity. The belfry's 35-tonne Great Bladgovestny Bell fell in 1941 and was only restored and returned in 2003. Attached to the belfry is a large refectory and the Transfiguration Church, both of which were built on the orders of Tsar Alexis in the 1650s.  

To the left of the belfry is another, smaller, refectory which is attached to the Trinity Gate-Church, which was also constructed in the 1650s on the orders of Tsar Alexis who made it his own family church. The church is elaborately decorated with colourful trims and underneath the archway is a beautiful 19th century fresco.

Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is the oldest building in the monastery and among the oldest buildings in the Moscow Region. It was built between 1404 and 1405 during the lifetime of St Sabbas and using the funds of Prince Yury of Zvenigorod. The white-stone cathedral is a standard four-pillar design with a single golden dome. After the death of St Sabbas he was interred in the cathedral and a new altar dedicated to him was added.

Under the reign of Tsar Alexis the cathedral was decorated with frescoes by Stepan Ryazanets, some of which remain today. Tsar Alexis also presented the cathedral with a five-tier iconostasis, the top row of icons have been preserved.

Tsaritsa's Chambers

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is located between the Tsaritsa's Chambers of the left and the Palace of Tsar Alexis on the right. The Tsaritsa's Chambers were built in the mid-17th century for the wife of Tsar Alexey - Tsaritsa Maria Ilinichna Miloskavskaya. The design of the building is influenced by the ancient Russian architectural style. Is prettier than the Tsar's chambers opposite, being red in colour with elaborately decorated window frames and entrance.

At present the Tsaritsa's Chambers houses the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum. Among its displays is an accurate recreation of the interior of a noble lady's chambers including furniture, decorations and a decorated tiled oven, and an exhibition on the history of Zvenigorod and the monastery.

Palace of Tsar Alexis

The Palace of Tsar Alexis was built in the 1650s and is now one of the best surviving examples of non-religious architecture of that era. It was built especially for Tsar Alexis who often visited the monastery on religious pilgrimages. Its most striking feature is its pretty row of nine chimney spouts which resemble towers.

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The Unique Burial of a Child of Early Scythian Time at the Cemetery of Saryg-Bulun (Tuva)

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Pages:  379-406

In 1988, the Tuvan Archaeological Expedition (led by M. E. Kilunovskaya and V. A. Semenov) discovered a unique burial of the early Iron Age at Saryg-Bulun in Central Tuva. There are two burial mounds of the Aldy-Bel culture dated by 7th century BC. Within the barrows, which adjoined one another, forming a figure-of-eight, there were discovered 7 burials, from which a representative collection of artifacts was recovered. Burial 5 was the most unique, it was found in a coffin made of a larch trunk, with a tightly closed lid. Due to the preservative properties of larch and lack of air access, the coffin contained a well-preserved mummy of a child with an accompanying set of grave goods. The interred individual retained the skin on his face and had a leather headdress painted with red pigment and a coat, sewn from jerboa fur. The coat was belted with a leather belt with bronze ornaments and buckles. Besides that, a leather quiver with arrows with the shafts decorated with painted ornaments, fully preserved battle pick and a bow were buried in the coffin. Unexpectedly, the full-genomic analysis, showed that the individual was female. This fact opens a new aspect in the study of the social history of the Scythian society and perhaps brings us back to the myth of the Amazons, discussed by Herodotus. Of course, this discovery is unique in its preservation for the Scythian culture of Tuva and requires careful study and conservation.

Keywords: Tuva, Early Iron Age, early Scythian period, Aldy-Bel culture, barrow, burial in the coffin, mummy, full genome sequencing, aDNA

Information about authors: Marina Kilunovskaya (Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation). Candidate of Historical Sciences. Institute for the History of Material Culture of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Dvortsovaya Emb., 18, Saint Petersburg, 191186, Russian Federation E-mail: [email protected] Vladimir Semenov (Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation). Candidate of Historical Sciences. Institute for the History of Material Culture of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Dvortsovaya Emb., 18, Saint Petersburg, 191186, Russian Federation E-mail: [email protected] Varvara Busova  (Moscow, Russian Federation).  (Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation). Institute for the History of Material Culture of the Russian Academy of Sciences.  Dvortsovaya Emb., 18, Saint Petersburg, 191186, Russian Federation E-mail:  [email protected] Kharis Mustafin  (Moscow, Russian Federation). Candidate of Technical Sciences. Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology.  Institutsky Lane, 9, Dolgoprudny, 141701, Moscow Oblast, Russian Federation E-mail:  [email protected] Irina Alborova  (Moscow, Russian Federation). Candidate of Biological Sciences. Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology.  Institutsky Lane, 9, Dolgoprudny, 141701, Moscow Oblast, Russian Federation E-mail:  [email protected] Alina Matzvai  (Moscow, Russian Federation). Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology.  Institutsky Lane, 9, Dolgoprudny, 141701, Moscow Oblast, Russian Federation E-mail:  [email protected]

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