Personal Statement

2. Personal Statement

3. What is it? • Supplement to the factual, statistical portion of your application • First, learn why applicant is interested in the field (passion) • Second, how well do the interests of the applicant match the current faculty/program • Third, assess your writing ability • Fourth, used to differentiate those students in the middle range

4. What’s in it? • Answer specific questions (if asked) • Address all aspects of the question • Be thorough, but not verbose • Organized

5. If vague, personal statement • organized • well-written • integrate your academic, research, practical, and life experiences that demonstrates your commitment to pursue your goals • Test your hypothesis: I want to pursue a career in X

6. 10 Do’s • Unite your essay with a theme or thesis • Before you start, order what you want to say • Use concrete examples from life experience to support your thesis • Write about what interests and excites you • Start your essay with something that grabs: anecdote, quote, question, or description of an engaging scene

7. End your essay with a statement that refers back to your lead and to restate your thesis • Revise at least 3 times • After you finish editing, ask some one else to critique it • Proof read it by reading it out loud or taping it and listening to the tape • Write clearly and succinctly

8. 10 Don’ts • Don’t include information that doesn’t support your thesis • Don’t start out “I was born….” or “my parents are from…” • Don’t write an autobiography, itinerary, resume in prose • Don’t try to be too funny (a little humor can be appropriate)

9. Don’t be afraid to throw out what you’ve done and start over • Don’t try to impress your reader with your vocabulary (thesaurus) • Don’t rely on your computer for spell check • Don’t write generic statements and platitudes • Don’t give weak excuses for your GPA • Don’t make things up • Adapted from Accepted.com

10. Cover/Application Letters • Who needs one? • What makes a good one?

11. Who needs one? • Anyone who sends a resume or application • Tailor to company or program • Another chance to emphasize why you are the right person for the job, program, etc.

12. What makes a good one? • No spelling or typos • Address is to the person to hire you or make the admissions decisions • Write it in your own words • Demonstrate knowledge of company/program • Use terms meaningful to employer/program

13. Format • Introduction • Summarize qualifications • End with action

14. Introduction • Respond to advertisement • Company/program that is a good fit based on your research • Read about company/program in a recent publication • Referred by Jane Smith at XYZ company/school

15. Summarize • Relate your strengths/skills to the company/program • Amplify or augment your resume/CV • Make sure put in keywords (especially if automated tracking system and/or online submission)

16. Action • Follow up in a few days/weeks • Looking forward to the opportunity to talk with person about company position/program