On being a former escort...

[Escort]

I'm applying to law schools for the 2011/12 academic year. My grades and LSAT score combined with my internships and life experience make me a competitive candidate for some of the top 20 law schools in the USA.

During and after my undergraduate degree, I have made money as an independent male escort. I live in a place where such practices are totally legal, for both parties involved in the transaction.

I wanted to know if it is at all possible to discuss, even briefly, this fact in my personal statement or CV. I initially engaged in this line of work because of financial hardship, but went on to greatly appreciate the experience and the amazing people I have met thanks to escorting. It is a profession that demands a particular sort of personality; one that is socially intuitive, not to mention conversational and able to engage with people from all walks of life. I am proud of this aspect of my life story and feel strongly that, all prejudices aside, it demonstrates some of my strengths both as a person and as an aspiring lawyer.

I would like to know from anyone that has any inside knowledge of the admissions process if it is ever possible to bring this up without sending your application directly to the junk heap.

Thanks.

[ElFieryHabanero]

I wouldn't talk about it in your PS. I wrote a risky PS and wasn't thrilled with the results. Law School Admissions are generally a numbers game, all that really matters is LSAT/GPA/URM status and MAYBE some truly extraordinary soft factors. Admission Committee's are generally going to be looking at your writing style and content that makes you a unique candidate, the best strategy is usually writing about a topic that won't give them a reason to ding you, especially at your target and safety schools. However, you might want to take a risk at some schools that are known for accepting unique students (Yale and Stanford) and a few other reach schools.

[Thane Messinger]

I'm applying to law schools for the 2011/12 academic year. My grades and LSAT score combined with my internships and life experience make me a competitive candidate for some of the top 20 law schools in the USA.

During and after my undergraduate degree, I have made money as an independent male escort. I live in a place where such practices are totally legal, for both parties involved in the transaction.

I wanted to know if it is at all possible to discuss, even briefly, this fact in my personal statement or CV. I initially engaged in this line of work because of financial hardship, but went on to greatly appreciate the experience and the amazing people I have met thanks to escorting. It is a profession that demands a particular sort of personality; one that is socially intuitive, not to mention conversational and able to engage with people from all walks of life. I am proud of this aspect of my life story and feel strongly that, all prejudices aside, it demonstrates some of my strengths both as a person and as an aspiring lawyer.

I would like to know from anyone that has any inside knowledge of the admissions process if it is ever possible to bring this up without sending your application directly to the junk heap.

Dear Escort -

First, congratulations.  This is quite a skill indeed.

Second, no, you should not mention it, even obliquely, in your personal statement.  Even if some see past the conventional perceptions, all you need to kill an application is one who doesn't.  Instead, think about how these skills might have played out in a different context, or how some other event helped you to see an area where you needed more skill, etc.

Finally, once you're in, your skills will re-emerge.  Once you've graduated, they'll perhaps be more important, depending upon your choice of position, than the actual law.

Thane.

PS:  What's an escort?  = :  )

[llsatt1]

The ladies at the law school you end up at will be lucky to have an experienced gentleman such as you. 

[actus_reus]

i really hope you are kidding about including the time period of your life working as an escort. regardless of whether the act/transaction is legally permissible within the respective jurisdiction in question, it should not be mentioned unless you were arrested. in such a case, then you will surely need to submit an addendum, perhaps police report, and disposition papers from the judiciary. you were in dire need of money and resorted to a controversial and illegal [in most states i am assuming] profession. law school debt can accrue to six digits -- it may be a possiblity for the admission committee to question whether you will come out of retirement. subsqeuent concerns may relfect negatively upon the institution's reputation and name in the event you are arrested and the local media have a frenzy.