Application Essays/Personal Statement
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Not all graduate programs require the submission of a personal statement, but when they do, considerable weight is given to this writing sample. An essay or personal statement should be a declaration of your ideas and goals. Your aim should be a clear statement showing that you have a definite sense of what you want to do and enthusiasm for the field of study you have chosen. Your essay should reflect your writing abilities and, more importantly, it should reveal the focus and depth of your thinking.
Tips on Writing Essays
- Allow yourself ample time to write, revise, edit and proofread.
- Be willing to write as many drafts as necessary to produce a unified, coherent essay.
- Attend to the instructions carefully to discern what the program is most interested in knowing about you.
- Follow instructions to the letter; adhere to length limitations, and answer everything that is asked.
- Don't repeat data that are already in your application, such as standardized test scores or GPAs.
- Use the essay as an opportunity to highlight your uniqueness and your strengths.
- Describe yourself honestly and realistically; acknowledge your weak points (if requested) and stress your good points without exaggerating.
- Emphasize material that makes you appropriately different from other candidates or that gives you a special perspective.
- Demonstrate that you have taken the time to familiarize yourself with the program. Emphasize the match between your goals and those of the program.
- Use formal English and strike a serious tone; avoid slang, clichés, and jocularity. Pay attention to grammar and spelling. Mistakes in these areas can significantly detract from your essay's message.
- Don't feel you must dress up your essay with big words and with jargon. It's the "right" word, not the complex word, that counts.
- Watch out for superlative language, such as "every," "always," and "never," unless it's unequivocally true.
- Read your essay out loud to identify trouble spots.
- Have someone else help edit and proofread your work. A person with good writing skills could help you with style, grammar, and spelling.
- Avoid the temptation to get so much "help" that it reflects someone else's thoughts, phrases and writing skills; it's intended to represent your abilities.