A2Z S3 E07: Difficult Essay Topics Post-SFFA

Dean Z shares her thoughts on writing about difficult topics in your law school admissions essays in a post-SFFA world.
Links to things Dean Z references:
"A Big Problem With College Admissions Could Be About to Get Worse" by Aya Waller-Bey: www.theatlantic.com/ideas/arc...
A2Z S1 E18: Difficult Topics in Law School App Essays • A2Z 18: Difficult Topi...
You can leave questions in the comments below or email at Dean Z at [e-mail] and put A2Z Vlog in the subject.
You can find the new A2Z podcast on all of your favorite podcast platforms or you can go here: a2z-podcast.simplecast.com/
Other helpful links:
A2Z Blog: experience.law.umich.edu/a2z/
Michigan Law Admissions: experience.law.umich.edu/
Follow Michigan Law on Instagram: / umichlaw
Follow Michigan Law on Twitter: / umichlaw
Follow on Facebook: / umichlaw
Intro music by Jacob Sigman.

[@AhavatYisraeI]

My experience with the "adversity" essay/statement concerning trauma was a mix of feeling reluctant and uneasy about sharing my story, while also feeling like it was necessary for an admissions officer to understand who I am and why I want to do certain work. It was very tricky trying to write about my story while also not going into details, AND emphasizing the impact it had on me. In my case, there is no answer to the question "Why do you want to go to law school?" that couldn't involve telling that aspect of my story. I just hope that my essay isn't dime-a-dozen.

[@tanishascottham]

Love the way that Dean Zearfoss uses the example of having a difficult conversation when you first meet someone (face-to-face). Also like the "what do you love about yourself most?". Really gets my self-reflective, emotive brain churning out ideas of personal essays that could set me apart from other applicants. The genius of me is being able to communicate in a way that people understand. I think that race has transcended to more complex societal issues, so hopefully for applicants they can find them ripe for the picking. Thankfully, I can spend THIS Saturday afternoon watching Michigan play State in football. The Leaders and The Best. 〽

[@user-ym7hs6yt2y]

This episode made feel so great about my response to the optional prompts!

[@lolitskewl]

This was so great. Love dean z

[@user-bj5vm6kh7w]

Hi Dean Z! Long time listener, first time caller. I have a question about résumés (so I'm happy to wait until you next talk about résumés!).