Hi!
That's a really good question, and this section can definitely be a bit confusing because it overlaps with other parts of the application form.
For this question, they're giving you space to show more of your personality and achievements beyond academics and formal work experience. It's less about where you've put things before, and more about how you use this space to highlight what makes you interesting, motivated, and well-rounded as a candidate.
A few tips that could assist with this question:
- Try not to repeat things you have already gone into detail about elsewhere - but you can briefly reference them if you're adding a new angle (e.g. lessons learned or skills developed that you didn't discuss earlier).
- Include meaningful experiences - these can be things such as volunteering, committee roles, sports, creative pursuits, languages, etc. (things that show commitment, leadership, teamwork or initiative).
- Reflect, don't just list - it's important to explain what these experiences taught you or how they shaped your perspective, as that's what helps you stand out. Make sure to discuss skills that it's given you that will make you a strong trainee at Mayer Brown.
- Show variety - it might be worth discussing a mix of personal interests and achievements. For example, you might discuss volunteering that developed your empathy and teamwork, and then mention your interest in debating, running, or music to show balance and discipline.
An example structure for these kinds of questions is:
- Brief Intro: what you enjoy outside of academics
- One or two specific examples of achievements or roles (with a focus on skills gained)
- End with how these interests contribute to your personal growth or the qualities you'd bring to Mayer Brown.
So yes, you can reuse volunteering or committee roles here if they add something new or weren't covered in depth before - just make sure you're not repeating content word-for-word.
I hope that helps, and best of luck with your application!
