Writing a Personal Statement

1. Writing a Personal Statement Dr. Diana Betz October 30, 2013

2. What is a personal statement? • A misnomer? • Statement of purpose • Statement of research interests and experience

3. To see if you are… They’re looking for… • Your research ideas and/or professional goals • A good match

4. Your statement should describe your goals in a way that: • Shows you’ve done your homework on • the field • the program • the faculty • Explains why you’re a good fit for all 3!

5. How to write about your Research or Professional Goals • Do your homework! • Take notes on program and faculty websites • Individualize paragraph or 2 to highlight: • Program focus and/or main research topics, and how your goals align with them • Faculty you’d want to work with, and what you’d want to study with them

6. How NOT to write about your Research or Professional Goals • Don’t overshare • Goal shouldn’t be to understand own or loved ones’ mental health • Case-by-case basis – ask an advisor! • Avoid cliches • “I want to help…” • “Everyone tells me I’d make a great therapist!”

7. To see if you are… They’re looking for… • Your research ideas and/or professional goals • Skills that prepare you for this program • A good match • Likely to succeed

8. Your statement should describe your skills in a way that: • Selectively highlights achievements like: • Classes (beyond requirements) • Research assistant positions, internships, or jobs • Clinical experience (if applicable) • Independent research!!

9. Your statement should describe your skills in a way that: • …and relates those achievements to necessary skills, like: • Research design and statistics • Knowledge of your research area of interest • Independent, creative thought • Sticktoitiveness • Dedication to the long slog of research

10. How to write about your Skills: • Tell the story of how you became a person capable of conducting rigorous, independent research • Highlight what you learned from each achievement • Explain how each step built on what came before it

11. How NOT to write about your Skills: • Don’t repeat your c.v. word for word • Don’t focus on basic requirements: show how you went above and beyond

12. To see if you are… They’re looking for… • Your research ideas and/or professional goals • Skills that prepare you for this program • Strong writing skills • A good match • Likely to succeed • Likely to publish and secure grants • Conscientious

13. The way your statement is written should: • Demonstrate that you can write like a scientist: • Organized • Well-supported • Concise • Clear • Show your attention to detail • Pay attention to application requirements • Check spelling, grammar, formatting

14. How to write well: • Revise, revise, revise • Follow application requirements • 2 statements? Particular theme? • Maintain formal tone • Proofread

15. How NOT to write well: • Do NOT exceed page limit • Don’t joke around or try to be cute • Don’t keep your statement to yourself: you need other eyes on it!

16. Using Campus Resources • Faculty mentor(s) or advisor(s) • Best resource! • Writing Center • For mechanics, not content

17. Questions? • Roger Bacon 219 • dbetz@siena.edu