personal statement for cambridge law

Cambridge Law School Personal Statement Examples

Your Cambridge law personal statement is a short essay which highlights why you are interested in studying law and how equipped you are for the task. Cambridge uses the UCAS system for all applicants wanting to study law at the undergraduate level, so there are no unique requirements for your law school personal statement here. In this blog, we’ll cover what Cambridge expects from your law school personal statement, important requirements you need to know, and some law personal statement examples .

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Article Contents 6 min read

How to write a law school personal statement for cambridge law.

Cambridge law doesn’t have any specific law school admissions essays topics . The purpose of your Cambridge law personal statement is simply to share with the admissions committee why you want to study law at Cambridge and how you have prepared yourself to do so.

Your law personal statement will often be the basis of discussion during your interview, so it’s a good idea to include your most significant accomplishments or experiences in your personal statement, as well as your future career goals and interest in a specific area of the law.

Since there are no specific prompts and the personal statement can be quite open-ended, start with brainstorming. Identify 2-4 experiences or important ideas you want to convey in your personal statement. Focus on how you can demonstrate your passion and enthusiasm for legal study, and how you have prepared yourself for a career in law. While you can include early life experiences, try to focus on important experiences in the last few years at most.

Here’s some questions you can ask yourself and answer in your Cambridge law personal statement:

• What first drew you to the law?
• How did you develop your enthusiasm for the law?
• What legal questions interest you most?
• What particular areas of legal study fascinate you?
• What personal or professional experience do you have with legal matters?
• How have you prepared yourself for the rigors or law school or the practice of law?
• What are your intellectual or academic interests? How do they relate to your interest in law?
• Which aptitudes do you possess that are suited to the study of law?
• Why have you chosen Cambridge law?

Once you’ve identified a few notable experiences or accomplishments, organize them into an outline and write a draft without concerning yourself with word count. Give yourself plenty of time to rework your essay and revise it. Remember to double check for spelling and grammatical errors, and to remain under the word limit.

If you want expert help crafting or reviewing your law school personal statement, a law school admissions consulting service or law essay writing service can help you get organized and polish your drafts.

The Cambridge undergraduate law program uses the UCAS application system, so the format and length requirements for your Cambridge law personal statement will follow the UCAS requirements. UCAS allows you up to 4,000 characters, or 500 words, to complete your personal statement, or 47 lines—whichever comes first. The minimum character count for your personal statement is 1,000 characters, or around 250 words.

Cambridge law uses your UCAS personal statement as the basis for your interview, and to evaluate your academic interests and commitment to the study of law. In short, while Cambridge does not provide law school essay prompts , they are essentially asking: why do you want to study law ? Your personal statement for Cambridge should:

• Explain your reasons for wanting to study law at university
• Demonstrate enthusiasm for and commitment to the study of law
• Express any particular interests within the field of law
• Outline how you’ve pursued your subject interest in your own time

For a better idea of the format and structure of UCAS personal statement, read examples of Cambridge personal statements or Oxford personal statements as a guide. ","label":"TIP","title":"TIP"}]" code="tab1" template="BlogArticle">

Cambridge Law Personal Statement Example #1

My passion for the law was first sparked by an interest in people and their behaviours. As a child, I had a peculiar hobby, introduced to me by my father. I loved observing poker. My father taught me how to play, the two of us, and whenever he would host a friendly game with his friends, I watched and learned. I studied their behaviour, learning their tells and reading their body language. It appealed to me to puzzle out their intentions and their attempts at bluffing. Soon enough, I had a very good knack for reading other people.

As I grew older, I enjoyed watching true crime documentaries and found any crime fiction novels I could get my hands on. Each one was a puzzle that I could take apart, dissect and put back together to find the truth, the reveal. Whenever there was a real criminal court case covered on the local news, I watched with rapt attention. I pursue intellectual interests in sociology, criminology and psychology, through both fiction and scientific articles. I wanted to understand better how people thought, why they behaved the way they did.

I also pursued a side interest in theatre as a teen, as it allowed me to become more comfortable performing in front of others, and allowed me to gain self-confidence. By now, I was curious about a legal career, as it would allow me to marry my love of figuring people out with my interests in true crime and criminal law. I knew to be an effective solicitor I would need a greater presence and confidence in myself. Theatre proved to be a very effective way for me to rehearse and develop myself for the courtroom.

I was able to put my performance skills as well as my knowledge to the test when I participated in the Bar Mock Trial. I was able to banish any nerves when it came to performing in front of an audience, and theatre helped me immerse myself in the mock scenario and truly take on the role of a lawyer. Thanks to my experience with the mock trial, I began sitting in on cases in a public courtroom, once again to observe how the game was played. And just like poker, it was fascinating to me to see how real lawyers analyzed the individuals around them. This was a far more hands-on and realistic examination of people than I could find in all my books and articles. This was no longer theory but a live study of individuals in a court of criminal law. I was fascinated by the entire process.

The law is a complex and intriguing puzzle, and criminal law especially is an area that demands keen observation, sharp analysis and the ability to see beyond the surface. I look forward to the prospect of applying the knowledge I have gained so far, developing new skills and deepening my understanding of a captivating subject.

Want more tips for writing a law school personal statement? Watch this video!

Cambridge Law Personal Statement Example #2

Education, and ensuring everyone has the right to education, has been my crusade for many years. For me, the law has become a vehicle that will help me effect real change in education around the world.

I was fortunate to attend a private school in my formative years, and so I saw firsthand how exclusionary it can be to some students. There is a distinct lack of equal access to quality education for all students, and typically money and privilege are the biggest obstacles. However, around the world I know there are far larger barriers for some young students who crave access to education, and are denied it. In my private school, the few students who could attend on merit scholarships were considered lucky, but they should be able to access quality education without winning some type of lottery.

In my passion for the right to education, my initial plan was to become a teacher and bring education directly to students. But I also realized as a teacher I would not have the level of influence needed to effect real and lasting change. I decided to switch my focus, and I started volunteering with Oxfam. I took my summer off, and volunteered my time as a girls’ teacher in remote villages in Malawi. Oxfam has long been dedicated to providing access to education, and it was fulfilling to be able to help provide educational resources to students even more underprivileged than the peers I’d met in private school. To be able to witness the difference I was making every day as a teacher to young girls. Still, I had lofty goals, and I wanted to continue my humanitarian aid and continue to work towards the right to education for all students.

I delved into researching the global issues and obstacles surrounding education. It soon became clear to me that it was not always a lack of access blocking students from going to school, but a lack of educational rights. I knew I would need to pursue a career in international law, if I wanted to see through my goal of breaking down barriers to education on a global level.

For me, the law is a tool, a resource I can use to help effect change in the lives of young students eager to learn and grow. So I know I must be eager to learn and to develop my legal knowledge as well. I am committed to the studying of the law, so it might serve as my foundation in bringing education to students around the world.

Your personal statement for Cambridge law will be submitted through UCAS, so it should follow UCAS personal statement guidelines. Your personal statement for Cambridge college of law will highlight why you want to study law and what you have done to prepare yourself to become a lawyer.

Your Cambridge law personal statement should cover your motivations for studying law, your specific interests within the field, how you are suited to the study of law and independent learning you’ve done to further your passion for the law.

To write a strong personal statement, ensure it is error-free, flows naturally and is well structured. It should also demonstrate a strong enthusiasm for the study of law, an intellectual aptitude for the field and some experience with law.

Your UCAS personal statement should be no longer than 4,000 characters or around 500 words or less. At minimum, your personal statement should be 1,000 characters or 250 words.

Your law school personal statement should share why you want to study the law, what first sparked your interest in the law or a particular field of law, and what actions or pursuits you’ve taken to deepen your understanding of the law.

A law school personal statement uses a short essay format.

Yes. Your Cambridge law personal statement will be the basis of discussion at your interview, so it is important to present a well-written personal statement. While Cambridge focuses heavily on academic qualifications in applicants, your personal statement provides context and further information about you as a candidate.

Avoid using irrelevant anecdotes or personal stories, unless they provide important context to your motivation to study law. Also avoid using any cliches or often repeated phrases, informal language and merely providing a list of your accomplishments. Remember to use your word count wisely and get straight to the point!

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Successful Personal Statement For Law At Cambridge

Last Updated: 15th April 2020

Author: Adi Sen

Table of Contents

Welcome to our popular Personal Statement series where we present a successful Personal Statement, and our Oxbridge Tutors provide their feedback on it. 

Today, we are looking through a Law applicant’s Personal Statement that helped secure a place at Cambridge University. The Law Course at Cambridge allows you to understand law in its historical and social contexts, and to examine its general principles and techniques.

Read on to see how this candidate wrote a Personal Statement that demonstrates an appreciation of the principles and challenges of law. 

Here’s a breakdown of the Personal Statement:

SUCCESSFUL?

The universities this candidate applied to were the following:

Enrolling on our Oxbridge Law comprehensive Programme will give you access to Personal Statement redrafts. 

Your tutor will give you actionable feedback with insider tips on how to improve and make your Personal Statement Oxbridge quality for the best chances of success.  

Law Personal Statement

Law is the epitome of human reason; it is the force that holds society together and the cornerstone on which great civilizations were built upon. By dictating a code of conduct which everyone had to abide by, it has created a system of accountability and allowed society to flourish. However, Law is never static. It changes with time – internalising new concepts and discarding anachronistic ones to reflect societal norms. It is this dynamic nature of the Law that I find so enthralling – that there exists a gamut of good answers but never a right one. Such idealism aside, I believe excellence in legal study and work does not come easy. It requires much passion, intellect and hard work.

At College, I offered 12 academic units (as compared to the standard 10 academic units) at the Singapore-Cambridge GCE ‘A’ Level Examinations. Concurrently, I represented Singapore in Swimming and was an active member of my College’s Swimming and Cross-Country team, training up to six times each week and achieving numerous medals and accolades in Inter-College Competitions. Such excellence in both sports and academics demonstrates my strong self-discipline, time management skills as well as my capacity for sustained hard work.

As a student, I heId numerous leadership positions such as Swimming Captain, School Prefect as well as being part of the Executive Committee of my College Freshman Orientation Camp. In addition, I undertook various community-based service projects aimed at spreading awareness on and massaging the plight of the less-privileged in society. These experiences in positions of influence and leadership have strengthened my organisational and problem-solving skills, teamwork as well as allowed me to develop effective communication skills.

For my ability to balance studies, sports and leadership roles, I was among the ten students (out of nine hundred) on my College’s prestigious Principal’s Honour Roll in 2011 that acknowledged distinguished academic achievement and outstanding contributions to the College. Though challenging as it might have been, I have benefited greatly from my overall College experience and would certainly look forward to continue to represent, contribute and excel in University.

During my National Service stint, I served as a Military Officer entrusted with the responsibility of leading and nurturing the next generation of soldiers. Besides leading soldiers out in the field, I had to handle soldiers from a myriad of backgrounds as well as run the general day to day administration of the battalion. I have had multiple opportunities to serve as a Defending Officer to servicemen (who were accused of various wrongdoings) in military courts as well as conduct investigations into various malpractices in my battalion. These unique and far-reaching dealings in the Army has reaffirmed my decision to pursue law, refined my ability to think critically and to work under significant constraints and duress.

I am a firm believer in the importance of reading and see it as an avenue for the pursuit of knowledge. I read on a wide range of topics including legal conundrums, science, philosophy and even military tactics as I believe sufficient breath of thought is needed to develop one’s mental prowess. Through such extensive reading, I have honed my rigour of thought and widened my perspectives to a myriad of issues.

A career in law is diverse and dynamic, yet fraught with many challenges. Legal theory, evidence, clientele management and not to mention regularly navigating the bureaucratic quagmire; no other field is as challenging or multi-faceted as the field of law. Though arduous, I relish the intellectual challenges of legal study and aspire to ensure human rationale and justice continues to prevail in society. Thus, I believe I possess the necessary attributes needed for legal study and excellence in the field of law.

For more inspiration, take a look through our other successful Personal Statement a nalysis articles:

Successful Personal Statement For Natural Science (Physical) At Cambridge

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Download our Free Personal Statement Starter Guide 

Good Points Of The Personal Statement

The personal statement is well-written with no obvious errors. The student opens with quite a conceptual statement of what law means to them and this helps to make the subject seem like a well thought through choice. Additionally, the student recognises that law is a difficult and challenging course but seems unafraid of the need to put the necessary effort into it. The conclusion is similar in this respect, tying back to the introductory thoughts and ending on a strong statement of why the student feels like they would be a strong candidate to study law at university. Moreover, the student gives a very capable impression by mentioning their place on the College’s Honour Roll, as it suggests they can balance their extra-curricular activities with (and not to the detriment of) their academic studies well.

Bad Points Of The Personal Statement

Structurally, this statement needs to be reorganised. The student’s legal interests are given attention and evidence far too late with extra-curricular activities of limited relevance being introduced closer to the beginning. In a personal statement as part of a law application, Law needs to be the primary focus throughout. The student’s positions of responsibility also come above their academic, legal interests, when they should be given less focus and come later on in the statement. When talking about the skills they developed in relation to these activities, the student makes these developed attributes sound beneficial but does not explicitly tie them to law or why they are useful to the study of law. It takes until the penultimate paragraph for the student to talk openly about their academic interests, and even then, they do not illustrate this with any specific legal examples.

UniAdmissions Overall Score:

The personal statement is good but could be easily improved. The student would benefit from reordering the structure of the content to open with legal or academic interests, and then saving less relevant extra-curricular activities till the end. Any activity or skill should be tied back to law wherever possible – giving specific examples of how they relate would also be helpful in getting across why the student is prepared to study law at university.

And there we have it – a Cambridge Law Personal Statement with feedback from our expert tutors. 

Remember, at Cambridge, the Admissions Tutors are often the people who will be teaching you for the next few years, so you need to appeal directly to them.

Our Free Personal Statement Resources page is filled with even more successful personal statements and expert guides.

Our expert tutors are on hand to help you craft the perfect Personal Statement for your Cambridge Law application.

With our  Oxbridge Law Premium Programme we help you craft the perfect  Personal   Statement , achieve a highly competitive LNAT score and teach you how to  Interview effectively.

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ELENA HANDTRACK

• Aug 17, 2018

The Essay that Got Me into Cambridge

Many of you guys have messaged me to ask which other universities I applied to and what my application to these places looked like. I will share a full list of all the universities I applied to very soon. I decided to share the personal statement that I submitted to St. John's College at the University of Cambridge today. I was accepted to Cambridge as a law student.

The UK personal statement is much more academic than the US Essay but I also enjoyed writing it because it really makes you reflect on why you want to study a specific subject. Here is the written version of my personal statement:

Growing up in Germany, I realised the importance of law when learning about the Third Reich: The law was abused to strip Jews of their fundamental rights through the Nuremberg laws. This event has shown me how law could be used to authorise the oppression of a group in a given social context. Law affects everyones' lives - no matter whether they practice law or not.

Law's ability to decide about the living conditions of entire peoples gives it great power. I want to study law because having the knowledge of law would enable me to prevent the abuse of the power of law.

Studying History as a higher level subject has equipped me with great research and analytical skills. My work in History has made me more sensitive to the credibility of sources. My English Language and Literature course (higher level) has exposed me to different text sorts and prepared me to analyse anything from a shampoo commercial to one of Shakespeare's plays. Writing my Extended Essay on the Allies' motivations for initiating the Nuremberg trials gave

me the opportunity to analyse the relationship between national politics and the support for international law. The Nuremberg trials set an important precedent in international law and analysing their roots meant analysing the origins of specific principles in international law. My higher level Global Politics course prepared me with a foundational understanding of international power structures and decision-making. I was able to apply this knowledge in the course "Genocide and Humanitarian Intervention" at Stanford University where I analysed the impact of the Genocide Convention on international actors in numerous case studies. I deepened my understanding of the application of and compliance with international law by also studying international relations as part of Stanford's Human Rights Intensive Studies. My studies have exposed me to several case studies where law had been used to legitimise injustice which further encouraged me to learn more about the application of law in different contexts.

Working at the NGO Crossroads put me in touch with asylum seekers in Hong Kong. Working with them gave me an insight into Hong Kong's poor support for asylum seekers and its non-compliance with the Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol. I explored this issue further in my Global Politics Engagement Activity on refugees' dependency on NGOs in Hong Kong. My research made me aware of the importance of local jurisdiction and national law and their potential limitations on international law. Having debated for my school from seventh to

tenth grade, I developed the ability to see different viewpoints to situations. I joined Model United Nations in eleventh grade and was chosen to lead it one year later. Leading my school's MUN team equipped me with the ability to prioritise tasks and effectively plan all steps in a work process. A demanding course such as law requires the ability to schedule all your tasks in order to succeed. MUN taught me to defend the interests of the country I am representing and to negotiate diplomatically while not losing sight of national interests. National interests often clash in MUN and this taught me how to make compromises without giving up too much of my country's national goals. Being able to convince others of your opinion and to effectively negotiate a contract are skills required for practicing law.

Studying law at the undergraduate level will equip me with foundational knowledge in legal proceedings and the skills required for systematically analysing legal cases which I could apply in my graduate studies on international law. The UK is one of the UN Security Council's veto powers which makes her an influential country in the creation and enforcement of international law. Her international significance makes her the perfect country to pursue my legal studies.

I hope this helps you guys with writing your personal statements! Please feel free to message me if you have any questions!

Lots of Love,

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Personal Statement

The personal statement should answer some key questions: Why is it that you want to spend three years of your life working in legal study? How can you evidence an enthusiasm for the subject, a deep interest in it and an aptitude for it? Professor Pippa Rogerson

Your UCAS personal statement is your opportunity to demonstrate your interest in Law as an academic subject and to offer specific evidence that you would be well suited to a Law degree at Cambridge.

You might consider including specific information about any independent academic exploration you have pursued. We are looking for evidence of your intellectual curiosity and independent motivation. You should also keep in mind that your personal statement is sometimes used to start a conversation in your interview, so you should be prepared to discuss any of the topics you include.

For further information regarding personal statements, please see the University’s website on UCAS applications and UCAS guidance .

Supplementary Application Questionnaire (SAQ)

One week after submitting your UCAS online application, you will be sent an email prompting you to complete the SAQ . This Cambridge-specific aspect of your application requests some further information that is not included elsewhere on your UCAS application.

One aspect of the SAQ is the optional additional personal statement. This statement gives you the opportunity to add any further information that is specific either to Cambridge or to Law that you were not able to include elsewhere in your application. You will not be penalised for leaving this section blank. If you do choose to complete it, remember your SAQ will be reviewed alongside your UCAS application, so avoid simply repeating your UCAS personal statement.

My Cambridge Application

My Cambridge Application is an additional form that you need to complete if you're applying to study an undergraduate degree at Cambridge. Once you submit your UCAS application, you'll get an email from us within 48 hours with instructions and a link to your My Cambridge Application.

The form is personalised, so we'll only ask you the relevant questions for your application.

For most applicants, the deadline will be 23 October 2023 (6pm UK time).

The My Cambridge form also allows you to submit an additional Cambridge-specific personal statement. This is optional and should not be the same as your UCAS personal statement.

Please visit the undergraduate admissions site for more information about how to complete your My Cambridge application.

A written reference, usually provided by a teacher or tutor in your school or college, is a useful way for us to learn more about your academic ability and potential. If your chosen referee is unsure of what to include, you can direct them to the University’s guidance . For more information on choosing a referee, please see the UCAS guidance , or contact the college that you plan to apply to with further questions.

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Law Personal Statement Example for Cambridge

Sample statement.

As a child I was always curious about what made something right or wrong and would often challenge my parents with ethical or moral questions about human behaviour. As I grew older I was able to explore these questions myself and with the help of school subjects such as Ethics, Sociology, and Critical Thinking.

Law is the cornerstone of our society and without it our civilisation would crumble. During my time at college I was able to study Classical Civilisations which gave me an insight into how our modern legal system began in the Greek, and later Roman, courts.

To help me understand how our legal system works today I took part in a school trip to Winchester Crown Court and was able to gain first-hand experience of how a criminal case works and what is involved in building a case against a defendant.

I also undertook a three week work experience placement at our County Court and this gave me a better understand of how Family, Civil, and Criminal Law works. I spent time shadowing both defending and prosecuting barristers which gave me an amazing insight into how my career could be after completing a Law degree with your university.

Outside of my educational commitments I am a keen traveller and have spent much of my time travelling around Europe and learning new languages. I hope that my linguistic skills and travel experience will help to me gain a work placement with a firm dedicated to International Law.

I am also a passionate cook and enjoy trying new foods from the countries I visit when I return home. I aim to further develop my culinary skills throughout my time at university and look forward to the challenge of cooking on a tight budget.

During my time at university I hope to gain as much experience in the different areas of law as I can to help narrow down my career choices. I especially look forward to the different modules of the course giving me a better understanding of what the different areas of law involve. 

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Law Personal Statements

Submitted by anonymous

Law Personal Statement

My attraction to law originates from my interest in justice and rewar...

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Life is a constantly changing maze, where the question of right or wr...

Law is the predominant overarching factor in defining the stability o...

Law LLB Personal Statement

I once read that the idea of law started in Egypt with the phrase ‘an...

I am interested in studying a law degree after attending the local co...

Human experience reveals that everything is governed by systems. We o...

‘At his best, man is the noblest of all animals; separated from law a...

Law and Criminology Personal Statement

A recent trip to the Royal Courts of Justice reaffirmed my interest i...

When I feel someone has been wronged, I have an overwhelming urge to ...

Law is significant to everyday life past, present and future. I’ve al...

Submitted by Holly

Laws are fundamentally essential for humanity to function, they are t...

Submitted by Priya

Law with International Relations Personal Statement

Recent court cases, including Charlie Gard's battle for experimental ...

Submitted by Irene

LLB Law and International Relations Personal Statement

The society we live in relies on the enactment of intricate laws and ...

Submitted by Daniella

Law is a timeless subject, using a wide range of acts made thousands ...

Submitted by Zehra

International Law Personal Statement

When discussing my future aspirations my family and friends ask me, w...

Submitted by Beth

Law has been an interest of mine ever since I was a child. Children o...

Submitted by Nikita

The case of R v Dudley and Stephens [1884] first ignited my fascinati...

Submitted by Matthew

Growing up in an area of relative deprivation, with its consequent cr...

Submitted by Hasith

My drive to read law is exemplified by my constant need to challenge ...

Submitted by Olivia

I believe that all humans should have; the right to life, freedom fro...

Submitted by Aine

Communication, debates, opinions and current issues, what immediately...

Submitted by Dara

Law & Politics has interested me due to the current landscape (politi...

Submitted by Emriece

Speaking to people who have studied Law and Business at University th...

Submitted by Krishangy

Law and Business Studies Personal Statement

I come from a country that boasts of a great and ancient civilisation...

Submitted by Amelia

Law is the foundation of our society and is found in every aspect of ...

Submitted by Davina

I want to study law at university because it is a subject full of sig...

Submitted by Declan

I strive to be a changemaker in life - working to bring about real im...

Submitted by Oscar

My interest in the Law stems from media coverage and personal researc...

Submitted by Farzeen

As a working-class woman and an ethnic minority, I want to prosper de...

Submitted by Esther

My desire to study law stems from my interest in its ability to creat...

Submitted by Kerry

My interest in law stemmed from my enthusiasm to understand how the l...

Submitted by Ella

Since choosing to do Law at A level I have known my goal is go to uni...

Submitted by Zuzana

My interest in law began when I read 'I am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorce...

Submitted by Sophie

Law with Spanish Personal Statement

Coming from a Hispanic background, alongside an inclination to questi...

Submitted by Lujain

Law is a fundamental part of our society in that it ultimately shapes...

Submitted by Sofia

What attracts me to Law and Politics the most is the potential they h...

Submitted by Alice

Unafraid to question the legal implications of current affairs, my de...

Submitted by Tasnim

Law is a complex and ever-changing subject with the ability to transf...

Submitted by Leah

I remember sitting on my living room floor, eyes barely blinking taki...

Submitted by Minwenhle

My decision to study Law was never difficult to decide. Having always...

Submitted by Bella

LLB (Law) Personal Statement

The legal system, in the UK and throughout the world, is the key reas...

Submitted by Jack

Considering law as a closely woven network preserving society's safet...

Submitted by Kofo

"Black Lives Matter" has played a major role in my pursuit of the stu...

Submitted by Sindi

My aspiration to study Law at degree level originated at a Law Taster...

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Learning about the intricacies of the legal system intrigues me, as i...

Submitted by Megan

Law is a subject that has, in recent years, become of particular inte...

Submitted by Rhian

Society would be a jungle without the law; our civilisation would be ...

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Despite the growing opportunity of choice for the modern undergraduat...

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Without law, society descends into chaos. As a significant societal f...

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Law Personal Statement Advice

Your personal statement is the final step in your UCAS application and is arguably the most important. This gives a university the chance to see who you are and for you to show your passion for the subject. The trick to any personal statement is passion for the subject. While it is not a guarantee of getting you a place at university, it is definitely something that all universities want to see in anyone’s personal statement. Before you start work on your Law personal statement, we recommend looking at some previous Law personal statement examples before. These examples will allow you to see what kind of structure your own Law personal statement should have, what tone to use and what to include in your statement. Your Law personal statement doesn’t need to be War and Peace, but it does need to give a clear and concise insight into what makes you who you are and to speak about the passion you have for Law. If you’re still struggling, trying and include these three elements in your Law personal statement as a jumping off point: Talk about your love and passion for Law. Any relevant work experience in the world of Law. Any achievements, academic or otherwise. Try and relate everything in your Law personal statement back to Law where possible. Its not necessarily a requirement, but it does add a bit more synergy and cohesiveness to your personal statement overall.

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Law school admissions: drafting the personal statement

1. It’s not the college essay.

With law school admissions, the LSAT and your undergraduate GPA are the most important elements of the admissions process. Your primary time and financial investment should be in these two pieces. That is not to say that the personal statement is not important, or that it can’t set you apart. It is saying, though, that it is not as important as the LSAT and GPA components.

I like to think of law school and college admissions as sort of flipped. On the ACT or SAT, a small score boost isn’t really what pushes people over the finish line at the top colleges. How different is a 33 and a 34, really? Or a 1450 and 1490. It’s the other stuff that gets you in – the essay, the extracurriculars, the letters. This is where someone can really shine. Alternatively, with law school admissions, small numbers differences matter. A 171 really is better than a 170. The personal statement and extra-curriculars are more of a threshold, save truly exceptional ones.

Additionally, we are taught to write college essays using very flowery language. Tell the admissions committee who you really are (in 500 words or less). Show them the inside of your soul . The law school essay tone is different – it needs to be about why you are pursuing a very specific, expensive professional education putting you on a clear career path. If it gives them a peek into your soul, that’s just a bonus.

2. The three questions

The personal statement needs to answer three questions. It is less important how they are answered than the fact that each is fully and completely addressed.

• Why is law school the missing puzzle piece of your life? How does it complete you?
• What makes you stand out from all of the other applicants?
• Why is this law school the place for me?

As an example of what I mean, I get a lot of students who say things like, “I want to end the Syrian refugee crisis,” or “I want to start a business,” so I’m going to law school. These goals beg a set of questions – okay, why law? Why not public policy? Why not the civil service? Why not business school? A better answer is, “I want to end the Syrian refugee crisis. I believe international law, given its institutionalization, global reach, and customary flexibility, is the best route for doing so. I hope to either be an international prosecutor with the ICC, or work as a State Department human rights attorney on the Middle East desk.” And, then the essay explores these themes. The business narrative should read something more like, “Business school may teach leadership skills, but law school is fundamental to understanding the regulatory frameworks underlying successful businesses. To be an actual leader – a creator – of a new organization, one has to be expert in the numerous legal areas that both enable and constrict business development. That is why I am pursuing legal study.”

This essay format can really set you apart – you want the admissions committee to walk away from your essay and think: this kid has to go to law school, this law school in fact, and I have a clear vision of the type of lawyer she will be, the contribution she will make to the world, and what she will bring to our campus community.

Furthermore, law schools love to see academic prowess. The more you can frame your interests in the form of puzzling legal quandaries, or academic research questions, the better. I always like the “I’m coming to law school to wrestle with XX big question” format. While law schools are professional schools, they also do important research, and want their students to contribute to that. More academic essays suggest analytic skill, which is precisely what law schools are after.

3. Edit, edit, edit. Then, put it to bed.

Edit it until it feels done. Show it to a maximum of three people you trust, including your CC coach (too many cooks in the kitchen just causes stress). When you feel it can’t get any better, hit the send key. Don’t ever submit an essay you believe you can make better, even if it means pushing back your submission date.

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Law Personal Statement

Writing a personal statement can be a daunting process. However, it’s important not to rush your drafting, and have time to consider it in full. So start the process as early as you can and don’t be afraid. By following a few key tips, writing your statement can be relatively stress-free! 

1. Be honest

Never tell a lie on your personal statement. What may seem like a “stretch” when you first write it can come back to haunt you when you are sitting in an interview and it turns out you haven’t really read that book! Remember, if you are applying to study law, most universities will not expect you to have studied the subject before, so it is unlikely that you will have to meet too many specific criteria. All candidates will have different strengths – it is important to highlight yours and to set yourself apart from others, but only in a way that is truthful.

2. Be relevant

Look at any criteria for the courses you are applying for and set out clearly how you meet those criteria. If you are applying to Oxbridge, look at the criteria for that university. For a law course, consider how your A-levels are relevant for your degree – instead of just saying what you have learnt in class, talk about the skills your subjects have helped you develop and why they are relevant for studying law. If you participate in a number of different extra-curricular activities, focus on those that show skills and interests relevant for your degree, or which show characteristics you wish to demonstrate (for example leadership skills developed as a sports team captain, debating skills developed in your school debating team, or teamwork demonstrated through your Duke of Edinburgh). 

When putting together your first draft, include everything that you think may be useful: even if this makes your statement too long. Once you have everything down in writing, it will be easier to reassess and decide what should stay in your personal statement and what should go.

3. Show passion and desire

Tutors will want to see that you are committed to your chosen subject, so be clear why you want to study it. There is no “right” answer for this, but it is important to show a genuine interest. For law, it will always help if you can discuss any legal work experience. When referencing work experience, don’t focus too much on what you did – an example of the most interesting piece of work you participated in is good, but also explain why it confirmed your plan to apply to study law.

It is also possible to show passion and desire for your subject in other ways; by outlining why the subject interests you, experiences from your life that are relevant (for example, if you have experience of living overseas and a different legal system that contrasts with the UK, or have helped in a relevant community or school projects or have experienced the law through attending protests), further reading or relevant extra-curricular activities (for example, debating clubs, mooting or Model United Nations). If, for example, you have a specific interest in human rights, jurisprudence or land law, explain what it is about this subject that interests you. Life experiences will help to bring your statement to life.

4. Tell a story

Remember that tutors are going to read a lot of different law personal statements, and they are likely to remember those that they enjoy. It will help if you ensure your statement has a strong structure and direction, almost as if you were telling a story. If possible, link your different paragraphs together. For example, If you start by explaining why you are interested in studying law, you can develop this by then discussing how your school subjects, work or life experience have strengthened this interest, and then why you think you have the skills to do well in the subject. By approaching your draft with a planned structure, your statement will read well and you should ensure you include everything relevant. 

5. Have a plan to stand out

Many sample personal statements that you see will begin with a punchy start, possibly an interesting quote, to grab the reader’s attention. This can be good, although always ensure it is relevant, appropriate and supported by the rest of your statement. However, such an introduction isn’t a necessity. You should also consider highlighting those things that will help you stand out; language abilities, schools awards, positions of responsibility, community work. There are many things that make you who you are: try and give the reader a sense of who you are while highlighting your key academic and non-academic achievements. Remember, even if you are applying to Oxbridge, your statement will be read by others who will have a greater interest in your non-academic abilities and interests.

6. Proof-read (and double proof-read) your Personal Statement (and then get somebody else to proof-read it)

Your personal statement is a chance to show your writing ability, and so make sure that you produce the best piece of written work you can. It isn’t just what you say, but how you say it. Poor punctuation, grammar or spelling can undermine what is otherwise an excellent personal statement. Remember that once you have read a document a number of times, it can be hard to spot the mistakes – so ask a family member, good friend or teacher to check it too.

7. Applying to Oxbridge

An application to Oxbridge requires a greater focus on your academic achievements than other universities. This can be done following the same advice above, but choose more of your academic-based achievements than others to highlight in your law personal statement for Oxford or Cambridge.

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Example Personal Statement: Law

We analyse a student's personal statement.

This student applied to study Law at the University of Cambridge, Durham University, University College London, the London School of Economics, and King’s College London. They received conditional offers from all their chosen universities except King’s College London.

Here we break their personal statement down into parts, analysing each section so you can learn from their experience.

Having lived in Singapore for nine years, my interest in studying law was originally sparked by the notorious legal system in the country. I read into their laws and policies on crime, safety, and racial quotas, and began exploring criminal law in different countries, comparing their laws and crime rates to see the impact of the legal system in different countries. Studying law will help me develop my research and analysis skills, and improve my ability to construct meaningful, well thought out arguments to support my ideas.

You should write about your initial interest in law, but make sure your only reason for studying the subject isn’t a ‘lightbulb moment’ - it needs to be a long term reason and you need to demonstrate how you have nurtured this interest both in class and in your own time.

Avoid starting your Personal Statement with a definition or explanation of law - you don’t need to prove you know what the subject is; you need to demonstrate your passion for and interest in it.

If you choose to explain why you want to study law, mention the skills or knowledge you’ll build as opposed to the career you hope to have afterwards. After all, you’re applying to be a student, not a barrister!

I used my interest in law to develop my understanding of key literature texts in my English studies, where I chose to write my coursework on Dickens' satirisation of the judiciary system in Bleak House . My studies in English highlighted a correlation between negative perception of the judicial system and increasing crime rates - a trend that can be epitomised by the Victorian era. I researched other Victorian novels to see how authors had used their everyday experiences with people to enable them to write a realistic depiction of the negative perception of law at the time. I was able to think critically about the role of the law in society, researching the Court of Chancery in order to find historical information to support and inform my extensive literary analysis. I also read Learning the Law by Glanville Williams which strengthened my historical understanding of the judicial system's dilapidation at the time.

You don’t have to bring your other subjects in if it isn’t relevant. This student, however, took their interest in one subject and extended it to another which demonstrates their natural curiosity in law, and shows the admissions team that they understand law has a wider place in the world beyond the courtroom. 

Many law departments list analytical and debate skills as qualities they look for in applicants so make sure you demonstrate where you have built or developed these skills. You can do as this candidate has and write about an essay or project, remembering to use details of the research you completed, and the opinions or conclusions you formed. If you are invited for an interview, you might be asked about your opinions on the books or articles you referenced so make sure you’ve actually read them!

Through my engagement in current affairs, I discovered an interest in the more human aspects of the law - for example, human rights violations and youth offending. Youth offending is a particular interest of mine and I have examined cases in the news through the lens of experts like Adam Foss in my EPQ on the value of juvenile prison in reducing crime. For this project I also used the University of Oxford’s ‘Tackling Adolescent to Parent Violence’, considering how the law differs in the US and UK and how interventions other than prisons are being experimented with to prevent future crime. This opened up new areas of law for me, enabling me to use my research skills to explore a key legal debate that I would like to study further in a law degree.

You should always mention your EPQ even if it’s not directly related to your chosen subject. An EPQ gives you valuable skills and an opportunity to research any topic of your choice which is very similar to the way you’ll write essays at university. 

This student highlights a necessary interest for a law student - current affairs - and uses this as a springboard to discuss their EPQ. They also mention how they’ve used their wider reading and pointed out a key topic they’d like to study in more detail.

I recently took a two week law course at Oxford summer school where I learnt the importance of constructing legal arguments based on precedents and definitions, and was dissuaded from building my arguments too intuitively. We examined the effectiveness of intuition over evidence-based reasoning in ‘hard cases’, considering the value of professional experience in making decisions in a courtroom. What I understood from this experience was that legal reasoning can be based on intuition but only when that intuition is formed through long term experience of legal theory and precedents; I used this to develop my arguments in my law essays. I started listening to BBC Radio 4’s ‘Law in Action’ and building a bank of notes to use in future essays, and began watching court sittings online to learn more about the way legal arguments are built for the courtroom - something that has helped me develop my debate and communication skills. 

If you have completed any extracurricular activities that are directly related to law, include them in the body of the Personal Statement rather than at the end with the rest of your activities. As in this example, write about what you learnt, and how it has influenced your studies as a result. If you were inspired to read more widely or start a new activity as a result, avoid listing the names of the films, books, or podcasts you engaged with - instead, write about what you have done with your research either in your work or how it has improved your understanding of the subject. 

Remember that you could be asked about any part of your Personal Statement in an interview, so make sure you’d be confident expanding on the points you’ve made.

I have always been a highly active member of my school community and last year my efforts were rewarded when my peers elected me Student President. Campaigning for this position gave me the opportunity to develop my skills in forming persuasive and engaging arguments, and allowed me to recognise the importance of basing justifications in concrete fact. I was also able to identify key areas for development in the school to make informed and realistic promises for improvement without overpromising.

You should save your extracurricular activities for the end of your Personal Statement, focusing on your skills and achievements. Avoid mentioning any career goals you have, and avoid writing a conclusion - your characters are limited so you're better off expanding on points in other paragraphs than writing an unnecessary round up!

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Cambridge University Personal Statements

We hope our collection of cambridge university personal statements provides inspiration for writing your own. please do not plagiarise them in any way, or ucas will penalise your application. our  personal statement editing & review services  are availble if you feel you need a little extra help..

History Personal Statement Example 2 I am captivated by the diversity and depth offered by a History degree; attracted by the way it encourages us to be analytical of the values and patterns of past societies. It was in my final year of secondary school that I was awarded the History Attainment Award, although my desire to study History dates back to an earlier age when I visited the site of the allied landings in Normandy at just eleven years old...

Linguistics Personal Statement Example 1 My most memorable Christmas came with a parcel of Harry Potter audio books and this was where my quest to understanding language began. The moment Stephen Fry started to narrate chapter one, I fell in love with words and all they could achieve...

Psychology Personal Statement Example 2 Psychology surrounds us. I often observe my class mates and ask myself why they are so different, struggling with attention or eating disorders. While looking for reasons, I also want to find ways to help them and I am confident that psychology will give me the means to do so...

Politics and International Relations Personal Statement Example 4 The era in which we live goes through constant turmoil and shifting powers. Not a day goes by without a change somewhere on our planet, which in turn has an effect on yet another change to come elsewhere...

Education and Drama Personal Statement Example (Oxbridge) "I shall have poetry in my life. And adventure. Unbiddable, ungovernable, like a riot in the heart, come ruin or rapture." Perhaps one should not begin with the words of another when presenting oneself, but as an actress, utilising the words of others is something that has become second nature...

Psychology Personal Statement Example 6 It was the odd behavioural traits displayed by my uncle, who has Asperger’s syndrome that first generated from a young age my questioning about why he acted so ‘differently’ to the rest of us. This was part of what led to my interest of studying psychology, as it made me question how and why humans are so disparate from one another, and what part the brain plays in running our everyday lives...

Politics & International Relations Personal Statement Example 2 It was November 1989. My parents were rattling their keys in the main square of Bratislava with other Czechoslovak youngsters asking for the democracy that was denied by the Communist regime. They raised me in an environment, where appreciation of freedom, expressing my thoughts and being an active citizen have been essential...

Mathematics and Physics Personal Statement Example 1 Mathematics is a fundamental tool for understanding our world: it can be used to define the symmetry of flowers or to manage global companies. What is so appealing about mathematics is the opportunity of applying it in the physical world...

Aerospace Engineering Personal Statement Example 1 Fire, the wheel, boats, book printing, electricity, engines, automobiles, planes, spaceships, wireless information transfer: engineering is determining this progress. Leading engineers are the creators of our future...

Maths and Spanish Personal Statement Example For as long as I have recognised words and numbers, I have seen a connection between the two. As I progressed in the AS Mathematics course I realised how drawn I was to the subject, motivating me to spend 2 weeks at school over the summer holidays learning 2 entire AS Further Maths modules, in order to take the full A-level course in one year...

Languages Personal Statement Example 10 At the age of eight, a friend introduced me to Guy Hamilton's 1969 film 'Battle of Britain'. This instilled in me two things: my doomed childhood ambition to be a Spitfire pilot, long since grudgingly abandoned, but also, perhaps ironically, a love for the sound and feel of the German language that has stayed with me all through the intervening decade...

English Personal Statement Example (Mature Student) Having worked on a secure psychiatric unit for two years, caring for many people unable to or precluded from following their dreams due to mental illness, as well as over a decade employed in positions just to pay the bills, I am finally pursuing my dream of becoming a published novelist...

History Personal Statement Example 7 It isn't an exaggeration to say my devotion to History has moulded me into the diligent and ambitious person I am today. History continues to shape our contemporary world and my opinions have been formed from an intellectual curiosity about the resonances between the past and the present...

Chemistry Personal Statement Example 2 Science is not just a subject taken in school, or a body of knowledge; it is a state of mind as well – always inquisitive and wondering. As a child, the world around me constantly captivated me and inspired questions, and I found delight in having my questions answered, always wanting to learn more, from fundamental particles, to atoms and molecules, to organisms, planets, and the universe...

Anthropology Personal Statement Example 2 My fascination with human behaviour and the motivations behind human actions has existed for most of my adult life, to determine a cause however I would accredit this to the voluntary work I participated in with Crisis Single Persons Homeless charity...

Mathematics and Economics Personal Statement Example 2 Every day we make decisions and interact with others; the laws of economics help us make rational choices and consider the irrationality of others, as well as understand the world better. Maths and statistics are the necessary tools for me to understand the modern economics...

Mechanical Engineering Personal Statement Example 2 The ability to apply what I have learnt in the classroom to the outside world is an aspect of physics and maths that I particularly enjoy. An example of this was being able to calculate the coefficient of friction between a book and a table, by knowing the weight and measuring the angle at which it started to move...

Pure Mathematics Personal Statement Example Mathematics is beautiful to me because of the deep and meaningful ideas touched upon by it, the vastness of these ideas, the clearness and elegance of their representation. Mathematics gives me the ability to apply knowledge by approaching things logically, and thinking clearly...

Civil Engineering Personal Statement Example 9 Civil engineering is a discipline which is essential in the modern world: roads, bridges, airports, railways, sewage works and power stations all provide the fabric of today's society, and without them the world would be a very different place...

Mathematics and Engineering Personal Statement Example Questions regarding the reason for my liking of mathematics have only one answer: mathematical logic and concepts contribute to a practical approach in every aspect of life. It is the diversity and universal applicability of this subject that encourages me to delve further and study it in depth...

Maths and Science Personal Statement Example Maths and science, in particular physics, have always been my favourite subjects in school. I have an inquisitive mind and am always asking "how?" and "why?" to find out how things work. I chose maths, physics and biology for my A levels, yet only realised I wanted to do engineering when I started studying topics such as mechanics...

Medicine Personal Statement Example 48 Given that over ninety nine percent of the body consists of just six elements, it is hard to imagine the human body as an intricately synchronised and immensely complex machine. Yet, it has done well to puzzle even the brightest minds in history-but I am drawn to a challenge; I cannot think of anything else more fascinating to work with...

Geography Personal Statement Example (Human/Environmental) The possibility of the human race’s days being numbered by our destructive lifestyles, as planted in my mind by Al Gore’s sensationalised and controversial ‘The Inconvenient Truth’, has fuelled my interest in the global warming phenomenon, forcing me to question society’s reluctance to tackle it and realise the worldwide impact of each of our daily lives...

Psychology Personal Statement Example 51 There is a reason behind everything we do, a purpose to our actions. The cognition behind any decision that we make is one of the many aspects of psychology that I am fascinated by. The following five words, as said by the Prophet Muhammad, I believe explain such a suggestion: "Actions are but by intentions"...

Mathematics Personal Statement Example 12 Mathematics is at the root of many academic subjects, such as mechanics in Physics, organic Chemistry and even Music and this is why I find it so fascinating. The process of starting from a simple set of formulae and deriving nearly all mathematical truth from these is what makes Mathematics a leading academic subject...

Engineering Personal Statement Example 20 Overcoming economic hurdles tempered by ecological limits requires innovative solutions. For centuries mathematical and analytical skills have fused to solve practical problems. The diverse nature of engineering has made advancements possible in an array of fields from the wheel to The International Space Station...

Architecture Personal Statement Example 16 I vividly remember the moment when I knew I wanted to be an architect. I had been taken to Barcelona to see ‘the wavy buildings’, at the time I didn’t know anything about Gaudí or his work so I was relatively unenthusiastic...

History Personal Statement Example 37 My interest in history lies in the simple fact that I have always been fascinated by the past. At eleven I won a full academic bursary to attend my current school. This was a way into a community in which my intellectual curiosity would be valued and where I could further my enthusiasm for history...

Medicine Personal Statement Example 61 While the idea to care for others is appealing to me, the applications of medicine for finding remedies to the complexities of the human body fascinates me even more. Studying medicine opens several career options from general practice to clinical research! Having the interest and aptitude for scientific knowledge and the awareness to promote health safety, it encourages me to choose this highly rewarding and satisfying course...

Aerospace Engineering Personal Statement Example 17 While other children fell asleep to the sound of their parents reading them bedtime fairytales, I was busy re-reading Ladybirds Explorer’s, “Flight” for probably the fourth time that day. I’ve been enthralled by the concept of flight and aerodynamics ever since I was young...

Chemistry Personal Statement Example 17 The realisation I wanted to study Chemistry at degree level came with my growing appreciation of its contribution and significance in shaping modern society, coupled with an increasing interest in the subject as my knowledge and understanding have developed...

History Personal Statement Example 40 History has always fascinated me because of what it can tell us about humanity; the decisions taken, the actions chosen and the mistakes made can all make us reflect on what it means to be human. I firmly believe history is not simply a case of learning facts and dates but rather a chance to analyse the past, enhancing our understanding of how we interact with each other today...

Maths Personal Statement Example 12 Mathematics dictates our understanding of the universe; the sciences that the world depends on today are founded and dependant on maths. Scientists and mathematicians spend their lives making remarkable discoveries contributing to the development of humanity, the findings we have been making in fields like quantum mechanics would be completely impossible without maths...

English Personal Statement Example 30 English is not simply the study of humanity, or society, or history or the written word; it is all of those together and it is this versatility that makes it so appealing to me. The link between literary criticism and psychoanalysis is a great interest of mine...

Psychology Personal Statement Example 67 I first became interested in psychology whilst discussing the underlying causes of criminal behaviour and non-conformity with my father. The nature-nurture debate gave me a huge desire to increase my knowledge and understanding of the human condition...

Economics Personal Statement Example 31 Since my parents were busy with the financial income throughout my childhood, I have been raised up by my grandmother. She was the oldest of 8 siblings in a family who were living in impoverished conditions...

Natural Sciences Personal Statement Example 4 Why and How? I believe these are the two most important question words as they express mankind’s unquenchable thirst for knowledge, and they have lain the foundation of sciences and have helped us find answers and solutions to problems throughout history from the domestication of fire to Darwin’s theory of evolution, to landing on the moon and so on...

Archaeology Personal Statement Example 6 I have always enjoyed learning about different cultures and civilisations, reflected in my enduring love of history, and more recently, archaeology. Compared to modern history, archaeology carries a sense of enigma which makes it much more stimulating for an imaginative and inquisitive mind...

Mechanical Engineering Personal Statement Example 19 These days, we are surrounded by engineering marvels. From radios to space shuttles, everything involves a vital feat of engineering. That is what I find most attractive about this field as its application is everywhere...

Land Economy Personal Statement Example (Cambridge University) Having been born and lived all my life in Hungary, with an English father and Hungarian mother, I have always wanted to go to university in England and spend most of my summers working in England. Being bilingual gives me an ability to see both sides of the question, and examine things from different perspectives which I feel will be useful for my studies...

Engineering Personal Statement Example 23 As I triggered the release mechanism and watched two pounds of rock hurtle skywards I thought to myself, "trebuchets are awesome!". Years passed before I realised that this was my first engineering project...

Engineering Personal Statement Example 24 When I was a child, most of the sentences I spoke out finished with a question mark, asking how everyday things work. Receiving answers to these questions and learning more about Mathematics and Physics has enlarged my desire to make human life easier and become an Engineer...

Linguistics Personal Statement Example 3 Have you ever heard the Tuvan throat singing technique? Beautiful and intriguing at the same time. The question that's bound to accompany a throat singing performance is how the human voice could possibly produce such a sound...

Computer Science Personal Statement Example 56 Computer Science - the most exciting insight into humanity's mission to conquer the future. It has been my favourite and most fascinating preoccupation since childhood, though back then I did not even know it...

History Personal Statement Example (Oxbridge) 2 Whether considering the real world applications of Bentham's utilitarianism in Religious Studies, analysing the context of a changing Victorian society in English Literature, or debating the evolving ideology of the Labour Party in Politics, there is one common thread connecting what I enjoy most about my studies: history...

Sociology Personal Statement Example 14 The need for the study of Sociology in society is, arguably, universally fundamental. The study of society is of paramount importance in solving social problems of great magnitude such as poverty and family disorganisation...

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AT&T says a data breach leaked millions of customers’ information online. Were you affected?

FILE - The sign in front of an AT&T retail store is seen in Miami, July 18, 2019. The theft of sensitive information belonging to millions of AT&T’s current and former customers has been recently discovered online, the telecommunications giant said Saturday, March 30, 2024. In an announcement addressing the data breach, AT&T said that a dataset found on the dark web contains information including some Social Security numbers and passcodes for about 7.6 million current account holders and 65.4 million former account holders. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)

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NEW YORK (AP) — The theft of sensitive information belonging to millions of AT&T’s current and former customers has been recently discovered online, the telecommunications giant said this weekend.

In a Saturday announcement addressing the data breach, AT&T said that a dataset found on the “dark web” contains information including some Social Security numbers and passcodes for about 7.6 million current account holders and 65.4 million former account holders.

Whether the data “originated from AT&T or one of its vendors” is still unknown, the Dallas-based company noted — adding that it had launched an investigation into the incident. AT&T has also begun notifying customers whose personal information was compromised.

Here’s what you need to know.

WHAT INFORMATION WAS COMPROMISED IN THIS BREACH?

Although varying by each customer and account, AT&T says that information involved in this breach included Social Security numbers and passcodes — which, unlike passwords, are numerical PINS that are typically four digits long.

Full names, email addresses, mailing address, phone numbers, dates of birth and AT&T account numbers may have also been compromised. The impacted data is from 2019 or earlier and does not appear to include financial information or call history, the company said.

HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?

Consumers impacted by this breach should be receiving an email or letter directly from AT&T about the incident. The email notices began going out on Saturday, an AT&T spokesperson confirmed to The Associated Press.

WHAT ACTION HAS AT&T TAKEN?

Beyond these notifications, AT&T said that it had already reset the passcodes of current users. The company added that it would pay for credit monitoring services where applicable.

AT&T also said that it “launched a robust investigation” with internal and external cybersecurity experts to investigate the situation further.

HAS AT&T SEEN DATA BREACHES LIKE THIS BEFORE?

AT&T has seen several data breaches that range in size and impact over the years .

While the company says the data in this latest breach surfaced on a hacking forum nearly two weeks ago, it closely resembles a similar breach that surfaced in 2021 but which AT&T never acknowledged, cybersecurity researcher Troy Hunt told the AP Saturday.

“If they assess this and they made the wrong call on it, and we’ve had a course of years pass without them being able to notify impacted customers,” then it’s likely the company will soon face class action lawsuits, said Hunt, founder of an Australia-based website that warns people when their personal information has been exposed.

A spokesperson for AT&T declined to comment further when asked about these similarities Sunday.

HOW CAN I PROTECT MYSELF GOING FORWARD?

Avoiding data breaches entirely can be tricky in our ever-digitized world, but consumers can take some steps to help protect themselves going forward.

The basics include creating hard-to-guess passwords and using multifactor authentication when possible. If you receive a notice about a breach, it’s good idea to change your password and monitor account activity for any suspicious transactions. You’ll also want to visit a company’s official website for reliable contact information — as scammers sometimes try to take advantage of news like data breaches to gain your trust through look-alike phishing emails or phone calls.

In addition, the Federal Trade Commission notes that nationwide credit bureaus — such as Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — offer free credit freezes and fraud alerts that consumers can set up to help protect themselves from identity theft and other malicious activity.

AP Reporter Matt O’Brien contributed to this report from Providence, Rhode Island.