Thirty-five outstanding application essays selected by admissions officers from top law schools around the nation are presented along with advice on writing the essay and on the admission process. It is intended to inspire people applying to law school and relieve their anxiety over the essays, acting as a catalyst for the applicant's creativity. Too frequently, applicants think they should write like a lawyer and make their essays boring and stuffy. The essays included here prove that an honest, personal, and creative essay can be superior to one that says nothing at all in order to be safe. According to the admissions officers submitting the essays, they worked because they revealed a part of the applicant's personality that was not shown in grades and aptitude scores. The essays are divided into the following eight categories: essays about character; essays about student-school fit; essays that explain an aberration; essays about important changes; essays about entering the legal profession; contemplative essays; essays about crimes of all sorts; and essays about applicants with colorful backgrounds. Topics include running a day care center and driving a cab in New York City. Comments by admissions officers are included. (SM)