University of Michigan Law School

Personal Statement

Required

As you prepare to write your personal statement, please keep the following in mind. First, we do not have a fixed checklist of particular attributes we seek in our students, and you will have the best insights into what is most important for us to know. Second, there is no set convention for communicating the information you choose to share. A successful essay might involve writing directly about expansive themes such as your goals or philosophy or background or identity, or very differently, might be a vignette that reveals something significant about you. Your personal statement gives us an opportunity to get a sense of your voice, perspective, and experiences, as well as your writing ability, and there is no particular formula to follow. Applicants have in the past elaborated on their significant life experiences; meaningful intellectual interests and extracurricular activities; factors inspiring them to obtain a legal education or to pursue particular career goals; significant obstacles met and overcome; special talents or skills; issues of identity, such as gender, sex, race, or ethnicity; particular political, philosophical, or religious beliefs; socioeconomic challenges; atypical backgrounds, educational paths, employment histories, or prior careers; or experiences and perspectives relating to discrimination, disadvantage, or disability. Any of these subjects, and many more, could be an appropriate basis for communicating authentic and genuine information about yourself that will aid us in reaching a thoughtful decision. In other words: Think broadly about what you might wish to convey and how you might best convey it. While we do not impose a page or word limit for the personal statement, we value clear and concise writing; most personal statements are between two and four pages. For ease of reading, please use double-spacing and at least an 11-point font.

Source: University of Michigan Law School — JD application requirements

Supplemental Essays

Optional · 2 pages

Supplemental essays allow you an opportunity to provide us with relevant information that you were not able to include elsewhere in your application materials, as well as to further showcase your writing skills. 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). Each essay should be between one and two pages, and should include the number of the prompt you are addressing at the top of the essay. For all but one of these prompts, our rule against using generative AI pertains; one prompt, however, is specifically designed to be used with AI tools, and if you choose to answer it, you must use generative AI. 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: 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 Three: How has the world you came from positively shaped who you are today? Essay Four: Describe a quality, skill, or character trait you have and discuss how you expect it will help you in your legal career. Essay Five: What is a closely held belief you have changed your mind about over time? Why? Essay Six: If you had the ability to unilaterally legalize or criminalize something, what would it be and why? Essay Seven: 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 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? Essay Ten - TO BE ANSWERED USING GENERATIVE AI: Discuss how you have used AI to solve a real-world problem. How was AI helpful, and how was it lacking? Going forward, how will you approach the use of such tools?

Source: University of Michigan Law School — JD application requirements

Addendum

Optional

If there is any information in your application you wish to clarify (for example, particular grades; a history of standardized testing that under-predicts your academic performance; gaps in employment) you may submit that information in the Attachments section of the LSAC FlexApp under "Addendum." ... You may submit as many addenda as you need.

Source: University of Michigan Law School — JD application requirements

Application deadlines

We haven't re-verified this school's current-cycle deadlines yet, so none are published here. Check the school's own admissions page for dates.