Personal statement for applying the Postgraduate Certificate in Laws (PCLL) programme in the City University of Hong Kong

Hi,

I need to write a personal statement for applying the Postgraduate Certificate in Laws (PCLL) programme in the City University of Hong Kong.  The personal statement should be 2 pages long.

The PCLL Programme:

The PCLL was established to provide the necessary professional qualification for LLB graduates. PCLL graduates can enter the legal profession as trainee solicitors or pupil barristers.  The aim of the PCLL is to prepare students to enter the legal profession and to learn from experience and instruction so that they may fulfil the professional and social responsibilities they will be required to undertake

What is required in the application form:

In the application form, the admission committee wants me to tell them why I’m interested in the programme (i.e. why I want to be a lawyer).  The admission committee also wants me to tell them about my relevant legal experience (e.g. as a legal assistant) and law-related studies (e.g. a degree in Criminology) to show that I’m really interested in the legal field.  The committee also suggests that I should tell them something about my non-academic achievements (such as involvement in extra-curricular activities, prizes I’ve won, leadership abilities…etc). Something like why I’m qualified for them.

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

 

Education

2003 – Aug 2006          University of London                (External) H.K.

Bachelor of  Laws (incomplete)

1999 – 2002                  University of Toronto                          Canada

Bachelor of Arts – Major in  Criminology

(Graduated with B average)

Criminology courses covered: Criminal Law, Prosecution Process, Youth Justice, Young Offenders, Crime and Delinquency, Deviance and Control, Representing Crime, Criminology.

1998 – 1999        Great Lakes College of Toronto                Canada

OAC Grade 13  (Equivalent to HKALE)

(completed with A in all 6 subjects)

Subjects included: English, Cantonese, Economics, World Issues, Family Studies and Drama.

1991 – 1998                St. Rose of Lima’s School                         H.K.

Form 1 to 7

Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination, Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination.

English Proficiency

 

HKCEE English -                           B

HKCEE English Literature -          B

OAC English -                                A (93%)

IELTS score (2006) -                     Band 7.5 

 

Awards

94 – 95    Champion and Best Speaker- Inter-School Debate

 

95 – 96      1st Prize – 47th Hong Kong Schools Music & Speech Festival

                                 (Solo-Verse Speaking competition)

 

96 – 97  Champion – Inter-House Debate

 

              1st Prize – 48th Hong Kong Schools Music & Speech Festival

                                 (Bible Reading competition)      

 

              3rd Prize – 48th Hong Kong Schools Music & Speech Festival

                                 (Solo-Verse Speaking competition)

 

               1st Prize – English Role-play/ Skit Competition

 

               2nd Prize – Poetry Writing Competition

 

97- 98     2nd Prize – 49th Hong Kong Schools Music & Speech Festival

                                  (Bible Reading Competition)

Musical Qualification

Passed ABRSM Grade 7 Piano in 1995

 

Working Experience

2002 – Present          Jimmie K S Wong & Partners                    H.K.

Legal Assistant (IVA Marketing Department Head)

IVA = Individual Voluntary Arrangements. 

IVA is a voluntary debt restructuring arrangement for an individual with his / her unsecured creditors aiming at mutual benefits for both parties.  The scheme requires the adjudication of court and its implementation is closely monitored and executed by an appointed Nominee.

The job is meaningful because it helps debtors to restructure their debt without resolving to bankruptcy.

General duties:

-Interview and advise clients and assess their case

-Explain the legal procedures of such an arrangement

-Coordinate with creditors especially bankers

 

Other duties as a Department Head:

-General administration and management work such as resource management, records management, presentation, project planning, collection and analysis of statistical information, compilation of reports and complaints handling etc.

Volunteer Work Experience

 

1994 – 1998               St. Teresa’s Church                                H.K.

Church Choir Pianist

Duties include:

Singing and playing the piano for the church.

 

1999                           Jane & Bloor Physiotherapy               Canada

Part-time Assistant

Duties include:

Customer services work such as dealing with clients’ enquiry and filing.

Responsibilities

1994 – 1998                St. Rose of Lima’s School                         H.K.

 

Year                Extra-Curricular Activities   Position

 

1997 – 1998       School Functions                       Mistress of Ceremonies

1996 – 1997      English Club                              President

                        Music Club                               President

                        School Functions                       Mistress of Ceremonies

                                    Representative

 

Year                Responsibilities                                   

1997 – 1998      Class Monitress

1996 – 1997      Class Monitress

1995 – 1996      Class Monitress

1994 – 1995      Class Monitress

 

Award

1995 – 1996      Service Award

1996 -1997    Sr. Lucylia Award (the school’s most honoured award presented to students in recognition of their dedicated and devoted service to the school).

 

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