Dear Prospective Student,

Hello from the Middle Eastern and North African Law Students’ Association (MENALSA) at Yale Law School! As current students, we urge you to apply and are here to support you throughout the application process.

In addition, the sample application materials include examples provided by current and recent MENALSA members. Please remember that these are only samples and that successful essays come in all forms. Ultimately, the best essays are the ones that most let your authentic self shine. To help with that, we have some tips from our members regarding personal statements, optional statements, resumes, recommendation letters, and the Yale 250 below!

A little bit more about MENALSA: we support our membership in numerous ways through regular social events (like our annual retreat and banquet), professional development opportunities, and academic training.

MENALSA members trace their heritage to many MENA countries, including Algeria, Syria, Turkey, Iran, Morocco, Palestine, Lebanon, Somalia, Iraq, Egypt, and Tunisia. We practice (or don't!) a variety of spiritual and religious beliefs. Some of us started law school immediately after undergrad; others worked in government, nonprofits, teaching, consulting, engineering, financial services, and human rights advocacy. Many of us graduated from large public research universities, while others attended small private colleges. Some of us even graduated from universities outside the United States.

There is no one profile for a MENALSA student, and we know that you would make a great addition to our community wherever you are and whatever fantastic work you are doing.

We know the law school application process can be challenging. We have all been where you are and were unsure of our odds. But we are happy that we chose to apply. Please don’t hesitate to ask us any questions about MENALSA, Yale Law School, or the application process.

Good luck with your application! We are rooting for you,

The MENALSA Board

  • Personal Statements & the Yale 250

    The personal statement and the Yale 250-word essay can be challenging. Every person has a compelling narrative worth sharing, and the samples the Admissions Office sent highlight the diversity of successful approaches to these components.

    • Both pieces of writing are open-ended! Some of us addressed why we wanted to study the law, while others did not address this question at all.
    • Many of us found it helpful to think about the narrative we wanted to provide, the events that shaped us, and the values we wanted to shine through our statements. Every person has a compelling narrative worth sharing.
    • Your written pieces should address different topics, but ultimately, they should paint a coherent picture of who you are as an applicant. Make sure that each part of your application contributes to the story of you.
    • We suggest you ask multiple people to read and provide feedback on your written materials.

  • Resumes

    We know decisions about resume length and format can be confusing. If it is helpful, we polled MENALSA members, and their resumes varied significantly. The takeaway is that there is no correct resume format, much like no single successful application type. We encourage you to submit a resume that you believe best showcases your experiences. Still, ensure you follow the formatting guidelines provided by the Admissions Team.

  • Optional Statements

    • Please feel free to engage with the prompts however you see fit. This is a chance for you to provide something new as part of your application, and we encourage you not to be afraid to do so!
    • While you certainly do not need to write about being from the MENA region, please feel free to do so! If being from the MENA community has meaningfully shaped your life and interests, share that information.

  • Recommendation Letters

    • Recommendation letters are a very important part of the application. Applicants may submit two to three letters, but more than two letters should be submitted only if they are non-duplicative.
    • Some of the best recommendation letters address your academic ability and potential, discuss you personally, and convey what contributions you will make to the classroom and the community.
    • We suggest you meet with your recommenders to discuss your letter. If a recommender knows you well but has not seen you in a while, such a conversation will refresh their memory.

E: menalsa@yale.edu
P:

Middle Eastern and North African Law Students' Association


New Haven, CT, 06520
United States