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Are you applying to graduate school?. Personal Statements. What do you need for your application. Completed application GRE scores Transcript Personal statement Curriculum Vita Recommendation letters (3) Writing samples / essays (depends on school). What you need for your application.
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Are you applying to graduate school? Personal Statements
What do you need for your application • Completed application • GRE scores • Transcript • Personal statement • Curriculum Vita • Recommendation letters (3) • Writing samples / essays (depends on school)
What you need for your application • This differs by school • Keep a well organized list of schools with deadlines and application requirements
Personal Statement • Opportunity to sell yourself • Falls into one of two categories • General / comprehensive • Response to specific question • Make sure to answer every part of the question!!!
Why is it sooo important? • Makes a first impression • Provides information about you • Distinguishes you from other applicants
Tell your story • Where you’ve been • Past experiences that have shaped you • Past research • Where you are • Research you are doing • What are you doing now • Where you’re going • Career / educational goals – what do you want to do? • How you fit with that program / how can program help you achieve goals
What to include • Demonstrate fit • Discuss professional experiences • Do NOT overemphasize deep personal experiences • Explain anomalies in application (not always recommended)
General advice • Answer questions being asked • Tell a story – don’t be boring! • But…don’t be a clown • Not autobiographical • Be specific and use details • Find an angle – a theme / hook • Use throughout • Focus on opening paragraph
General advice • Tell what you know • Don’t include some subjects • Controversial subjects • High school • Do your research on program • Write well • Proofread • Revise, revise, revise • Avoid clichés • “Wanting to help people”
More advice • Pretend you have to have to answer the question • “What is the most important thing for us to know about you?” • Be selective about the material you include • Maintain positive and upbeat tone • Don’t just repeat information found elsewhere on application
Technical details • Follow every single direction! • Word limits, supplements, et. • Usually one single-spaced page • 12 pt font • No fancy fonts, colors, borders, etc.
Where do I start??? • Spend time – don’t rush the process • List your goals • Area of interest • Reasons for pursuing degree in this area? • Influential past experiences • Successes / failures • What is it you most want to do? • Why are you valuable? • DePaul handout
Additional questions to ask yourself • What makes you special, unique, impressive • Details of your life that may set you apart / help committee understand you • When did you become interested in field and what have you learned? Insights? • Career goals? • Have you overcome any obstacles? • What personal characteristics / skills do you possess? • That are relevant to grad school
Do’s and don'ts • DePaul handout • Article on ‘Kisses of Death’
Did you…. • Proofread?? • Get others to read statement? • Revise?? • Handout
Future seminar • CV, rec letters, misc. - Th 11/14 from 12-1
Any questions? • Come talk to me!! • Smarkuna@depaul.edu • 773-325-4623 • Byrne Hall 518