Top 5 Mistakes That Will Ruin Your LL.M. Statement of Purpose and How to Avoid Them

Introduction

Personal statement, or a statement of purpose, is one of the most critical components of an LL.M. application. This essay is your opportunity to talk about your past, present, and plans for the future. It’s one of the most important documents in your LL.M. application because it’s the one you have the most control over. More importantly, it’s often the only place where your unique voice can truly shine.

While other documents — such as your LL.M. CV, letters of recommendation, and transcripts — provide a broader picture of your qualifications, the LL.M. personal statement gives the admissions committee an insight into who you are, what you stand for, your personal values and philosophy and, most importantly, why you want to pursue an LL.M. degree.

For LL.M. many applicants, writing a personal statement is also one of the most challenging parts of the process. It certainly was for me. Before applying for my LL.M. degree, I had extensive experience writing motivation letters for summer schools, internships, and exchange programs. However, those letters were more straightforward, focusing on summarizing my professional development and reasons for applying. Writing a personal statement for a master of laws program is a different beast altogether.

It requires articulating your long-term career goals, connecting them to your professional background and the program you’ve chosen, and demonstrating a high degree of self-awareness. When I first started working on my LL.M. applications, I was overwhelmed.

I scoured the internet for examples of personal statements, regardless of whether they were for college, MBA, or Ph.D. programs (see my recommendations here). I didn’t just read them — I analyzed them, saved the phrases I liked, and made notes on effective storytelling techniques. I did multiple brainstorming sessions to surface memories from my past, insights about my present, and plans for the future.

It took me a while to write a decent personal statement but in the end I succeeded and the hard work paid off. By the end of the application cycle, I had offers from the University of Cambridge, MIDS Geneva, NYU LL.M. in Dispute Resolution, and Harvard.

Since then, I’ve reviewed countless LL.M. personal statements for friends, colleagues, and clients. Along the way, I’ve noticed recurring mistakes that can hold applicants back. I’ve already written about the importance of crafting a strong LL.M. personal statement, as well as its hidden benefits for building your confidence and clarity.

In this post, I share the top pitfalls to avoid when developing your personal statement.

Let's dive in.

LL.M. Personal Statement Mistake #1: Restating Your CV

Your LL.M. personal statement is a place to talk about things that the admissions committee will not be able to learn from other parts of your application. It's not a place to regurgitate your CV. Instead, it’s an opportunity to provide information that isn’t covered elsewhere in your LL.M. application. This could include the motivations behind your chosen program, the formative moments in your professional or personal journey, your long-term goals, and how the degree aligns with your aspirations.

Restating what’s already in your CV not only wastes valuable space but can also come across as lazy. Admissions committees may interpret it as a lack of effort or genuine interest in the program. Use the personal statement to demonstrate self-awareness and articulate your vision for the future.

LL.M. Personal Statement Mistake #2: focusing on Your Field, Trauma, or Someone Else

An LL.M. personal statement should center on you and your journey. While it’s common to reference your field of study, personal challenges, or influential people in your life, these should never overshadow your narrative.

For example, early in the process of developing my LL.M. personal statements, I mistakenly wrote an essay that was predominantly about the importance of law in society than about myself. Unsurprisingly, it was unsuccessful. Similarly, dwelling excessively on personal trauma can make your essay one-dimensional. Instead, focus on how you overcame challenges, what you learned, and how those experiences shaped your aspirations.

If you write about someone who inspired you, ensure the focus remains on how their influence connects to your personal growth and ambitions. The admissions committee wants to learn about you, not someone else.

LL.M. Personal Statement Mistake #3: Using clichés

Avoid using clichés.

According to Oxford Dictionary, a cliché is "a phrase or opinion that is overused and betrays a lack of original thought."

Examples of clichés in personal statements are:

• "I am the culmination of my experiences"
• "I have always wanted to become a lawyer/doctor/XYZ"
• "From a young age I have felt passionate about/have been fascinated by..."
• "My life has been a journey..."
• "As long as I can remember..."
• "My love of astronomy began when I did X/Y/Z..."
• "Ever since I was young"

These statements are way too general. They apply virtually to everybody, and as a consequence don't really mean anything. They are so overused that they don't really say anything about you to the admissions committee.

I understand that sometimes it's not that easy to recognize a cliché as a cliché, especially if you are not a native English speaker. In that case, as a rule of thumb, try to avoid generalized statements that don't move your argument forward and don't communicate valuable information about you to the admissions committee. Aim for specificity. Discuss details and insights that highlight your individuality and connect directly to your goals.

LL.M. Personal Statement Mistake #4: Lacking Specificity and Evidence

The old adage "show, don’t tell" applies here. Instead of making abstract claims about your qualities, provide concrete examples in your LL.M. personal statement.

For instance, rather than saying, "I’m a hard worker," describe a specific challenge you overcame or an achievement that demonstrates your work ethic, eg winning a regional or national competition. By giving the admissions committee evidence, you allow them to draw conclusions about your strengths on their own.

Similarly, instead of just saying that you are a team player, tell about the time you were in charge of a group of 10 people and led them to success. Give specific details.

Generally, for each attribute that you claim to have in your LL.M. personal statement, give your readers a reason to believe you, an evidence, a specific detail, and the readers will make the conclusions for themselves.

LL.M. Personal Statement Mistake #5: Trying to Be Someone you're not

One common misconception is that you need to fit a specific mold to be admitted. The truth is, admissions committees value authenticity. They aren’t looking for a particular “type” of LL.M. applicant. They’re looking for individuals who are self-aware, reflective, and passionate about their goals.

Instead of trying to conform to an imagined ideal, focus on presenting your true self. Reflect deeply on your experiences, values, and aspirations, and communicate them honestly.

An LL.M. personal statement is an exercise in self-analysis, and this is what you need to show. It does not matter what profile you have; what matters is how well you know yourself and how you present it to the admissions committee.

LL.M. Personal Statement bonus mistake #6: Failing to Proofread

When you are done with your draft LL.M. personal statement, proofread it thoroughly. Proofread multiple times. Print it out and proofread. As an author, you are bound to miss your own mistakes, so ask a friend to read it. Ask a colleague to read it and tell you their impression. Take proofreading very seriously.

"Proofread as if your life depended on it because in admissions it does." (c) A.V. Gordon

The admissions committee has zero tolerance to mistakes and errors. If you submit a LL.M. personal statement with typos, they will assume that if you could not be bothered to proofread your essay properly, maybe you just don't want it to be admitted that much.

Final Thoughts

If you'd like more guidance, I've created a comprehensive course, Harvard State of Mind on Demand, to guide LL.M. applicants through developing all major components of an LL.M. application, including personal statements, CVs, and recommendations.

If you'd like me to review your personal statement or help you get started, please read about my approach and fill out a short application form.

Hope this helps and good luck! ☺️