Virtual Insanity, or A Couple of Notes about E-mail Communication

Ah, this cyber-world in which we live! Twenty years ago, this topic would have been unheard of. How things have changed! So, let’s address a couple of issues regarding electronic mail and the application process.

The majority of our communication with applicants and admitted students will be through email. We send mass emails to applicants to alert them to a variety of things, including receipt of an application and applicant IDs for the online status check. Several times a week, applicants will contact us to ask whether we’ve received their application and it’s often the case that we have sent them an “Application Received” email, but the applicant’s spam blocker deleted it or re-directed it to the spam folder. This problem seems particularly pronounced with Hotmail. Since we do send a number of very important communications via email, we encourage you to modify your spam filters so that you may receive email from us or check your spam folder for emails from the UHLC before automatically sending your spam to the trash folder.

Ok, I’ve hemmed and hawed over how to properly and respectfully address this next topic. Here goes: A common pet peeve of the admissions staff is risqué or inappropriate email addresses. Again, we will send applicants several emails throughout the application process, and it feels a bit odd to send an email to SexyMama06@hotmail.com or hot_to_trot@yahoo.com. We’re definitely not trying to cramp your style, so if you’re known as PimpDaddy@msn.net to your friends, that’s fine. However, in your communications with the UHLC and other law schools, you may want to select a more appropriate and professional username.

In selecting your new username, a good rule of thumb is to ask yourself, “Is this an email address I’d feel comfortable giving to a prospective employer?” If so, roll with it. If not, you should think about creating a new email address that you’ll use strictly for communicating with law schools. It’s very easy (and free) to set up an email account that uses your firstname.lastname or some respectable variation. Not only will you be making a good impression, but all of your law school related emails will be in one place, spam-free.

Whatever username you ultimately choose to use is up to you; we just wanted to give you a little food for thought. You’re about to enter a professional school, so this is a suitable time to think about these seemingly trivial things. As always, if you have questions, please feel free to call or email us. Until next time, we remain

Yours Truly,
The UHLC Admissions Staff

The Personal Statement

One of the most important parts of your application is your personal statement. Since we do not grant interviews, the personal statement is your only opportunity to address directly the admissions committee and you’ll want to put your best foot forward. Some things to consider:

1. Proofread! You'd be surprised how many applicants hit the “Print” or “Submit” button without reading over their work. Don't let that applicant be you!

2. Spell-check! Spell-check can catch those major spelling errors, but it doesn’t catch everything, like the improper use of words (e.g., confusing “there” and “their”). So, you’ll need to…

3. Proofread again! Better yet, get someone else (preferably someone with a strong command of grammar and punctuation) to go over your personal statement with a fine-toothed comb.

4. Read and follow instructions. Your personal statement should be up to 3 pages, double-spaced (the closer you can get to 3 pages, the better). Remember, you’re applying to law school. Attention to detail is important. Please do not be the person who submits a single-spaced statement. Of course we’ll read it, but we won’t be happy.

5. Do not repeat your résumé . We require a résumé from all applicants, so there’s no need to summarize your list of accomplishments in your personal statement.

6. Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day... and rarely is a personal statement written in one. Please be sure to allow yourself ample time to write and revise your statement.

We give you a lot of flexibility with your personal statement and you may choose your topic. Past statements have included topics such as hardships in life that you’ve overcome, what you intend or hope you do professionally with a law degree, or personal strengths that you would bring to the Law Center and the practice of law.

Finally, there is no formula or secret to writing a good personal statement. Other than the aforementioned tips, each personal statement will be different because each applicant is different. Regardless of which topic you choose, make sure that your personal statement accurately reflects who you are and what motivates you. Good luck!