Should one disclose personal information in a law school application personal statement?
I have not applied to law school, but I have applied to and been admitted to graduate programs (both MA and PhD level). I was always warned against this kind of thing. It’s best to give enough explanation to provide a bit of cover for past indiscretions without giving the impression that you have a history of instability (for lack of a better word) or might possibly lapse into old habits. Her record improves with time — admissions committees know how these things work and a sharp (but sustainted) uptick in performance can speak volumes about your motivation and intention to perform at the highest level. In a nutshell, I was taught that the personal statement should briefly explain any bad marks but should focus mainly on the future and why you are excited about the program, what you can bring to the table if you attend said program, and what you plan to do with your degree in the future. I say you even though this is not for you simply because it is easier.
I’m not sure she needs to get into it. There’s no way that the law schools would know about her high school/drug history, and there are a million reasons she might have started out at a community college (finances, close to home, etc). Especially considering she did so well at the community college, I don’t think it’s the black mark you imagine it to be. Maybe a brief explanation would be in order, but it seems inappropriate (at least to me) to share a lot of what you mention on a law school app, drug use and sexual orientation in particular (unlesss those experiences are relevent to her wanting to be a lawyer, I guess). As a side note, being the first person in her family and only person in her class to go on to higher education is noteworthy and speaks volumes about her commitment, motivation and intelligence. It’s something positive she could mention to “explain” the community college without getting into really personal territory.
It has been over 10 years since I applied to law schools, but from what I remember, most of this information would be helpful to an application. I agree with amber_dale, though; if there’s an honest way to explain the community college years more generally (family issues, financial difficulties, etc.) without getting into the specifics of past drug use, that would be a preferable approach. If she gets a 170+ LSAT score, the CC years will be a little less important in any event, since the score will be viewed as separate confirming evidence of her ability. I expect that most law schools would be very interested in a candidate with this sort of interesting and inspiring background.
No on drugs, yes on the first-in-her-family and lesbianism. Schools probably will look down on the community college grades, and English is a soft major and not uncommon among law school applicants. She needs to stress the bootstraps angle; that would explain the community college thing in a more sympathetic way than revealing past drug use. No making excuses; she should illustrate the scope of her achievement. Ditto on all counts. Craft the admissions essay to show how she has overcome adversity, with emphasis on the *overcoming* part. Don’t mention drugs at all. Do know that she will have to disclose any arrest history and criminal record when applying to take the bar exam, and drug problems are viewed somewhat more seriously than other petty crime. As to whether the community college history will be viewed as less-than a full degree from a 4-year school: probably. Those target schools (“top 10”) have their pick of Ivy league grads, and… they gotta choose somehow. But you apply wit
