Strategy LSAT Blog

Every law school has a different requirement. Some schools don't limit your length, while others cap it at a certain number of pages or words.

Most schools limit the length to 2 pages, double spaced, or about 500 words.

One strategy: Look at all the schools you're applying to, and pick the school with the shortest limit. Write your essay within that limit.

Granted, the more you can customize your statement for each school, the greater impact it will have on each admissions committee. But writing your statement within the shortest limit will allow you to use it for any school you apply to.

Here are some sample limits:

Georgetown

There is no minimum or maximum length. We do not feel that an applicant's personal statement should be limited. Please send in your personal statement with your application.

George Washington

Please try to keep your personal statement to 500 words – two pages, double spaced.

American

The average length is 2-3 pages. Reviewers appreciate it if you could keep the font size legible (at least 11 point) and double spaced.

George Mason

The application requires submission of a personal statement not to exceed 500 words, double-spaced.

Harvard

We ask that you limit your statement to two pages, double spaced, using a font size that is comfortable to read (not less than 11 point).

Stanford

Enclose a statement of about two pages describing important or unusual aspects of yourself not otherwise apparent in your application.

NYU

Because people and their interests vary, we leave the content and length of your statement to your discretion. You may wish to complete or clarify your responses to items on the application form, bring to our attention additional information you feel should be considered, describe important or unusual aspects of yourself not otherwise apparent in your application, or tell us what led you to apply to NYU School of Law.