question about personal statements

[mochimochi]

for this law school im looking to apply to, one of their questions asks why that specific school. i would love to join that schools newspaper and it is definitely a big factor on why that school is my top choice. but would it be unwise to include that, because it may look like im more interested in journalism in that school instead of actually studying law? 

[LMP]

I don't think looking like you're interested in journalism is an issue. 

The issue, in so far as there is one, is that this isn't a particularly compelling reason and it takes up valuable space. 

At the same time, it is your personal statement! If the newspaper is that important to you, write about it. Fundamentally the PS is often overhyped, it plays a smaller role in admissions (generally) than most candidates think. 

[scooter]

a newspaper affiliated with the law school, or just the university in general?

[chaboywb]

I don't think this will have a positive or a negative effect on your PS. 

Out of curiosity, why is this a big factor for a particular school? Don't most (all?) universities have newspapers? If you're talking about Ultra Vires or Obiter Dicta, I can see that being slightly more relevant, but still not particularly compelling.

If you're interested in writing and publishing, consider whether you'd want to be involved with the school's legal journal and perhaps write about that.