Researching about your target school can be fun and, at the same time, challenging. You might be glad to find out that you qualify with some of the standards, but feel threatened because of the immense competition going on. To get ahead, you need to secure every process of application. Aside from passing the entrance exam and meeting the GPA requirements, it is important for you to research about the criteria for admission, standards, and programs of the school you want to go to so you may tailor-fit them to the kind of essay you will have to write. A well-written admission essay can spell a big difference in the success of your application.
Benefits of doing a research on your dream school
One great benefit of doing research on your dream or target school is that you get to give your essay the right treatment, tailored to the standards and principles of the school you are aspiring to go to. The admissions officers will see you as a candidate who knows what he or she wants. That in itself will make your essay stand out. You can choose experiences and topics that will be most appealing to your readers and ones that can strengthen your qualification.
Discussing your dream school’s strengths in relation to your goals
When you write your personal statement, make it a point to relate the strengths of your dream school with your personal goals and ambitions. When you do this successfully, you are sure to connect with your admissions panel because you are talking about what they cherish most.
Discussing what you can offer to your dream school
Write about what you can contribute as a student who qualifies for the school program. Highlight your well-planned objectives and future career moves that will manifest your leadership qualities if ever admitted to your target school. Tackle how you would contribute as a member of their community and succeed in the industry.
Related links:
Essay writing no-nos – Tips on writing your grad school essay
Essay help – How grad school essay samples can help you in writing your own
Career goals – Discussing career goals in your essay
Business schools – Discussions about business schools
MBA admissions – All about the MBA school admission
One of the biggest mistakes when writing grad school admission essays is not thinking about your audience, or thinking about them in a wrong way. Since the admissions panel are composed of esteemed members of the academe, your essay may be fashioned toward writing for the experts or the intellectuals. But this can get you into more trouble than earn you more points.
Give the admissions panel some credit. They’ve skimmed thousands of applications by now and would know instantly if you’re faking it. So you can urge them to finish reading the whole thing, avoid trite expressions and know the things they’ve probably grown tired of seeing in every essay. Here are some of them:
Unrealistic expectations
Graduate studies offer a lot of benefits not only to your career but even to your personal well-being. Even so, you cannot tell the admissions panel that the degree will help you “change the world” and will be used for the “betterment of the society or even mankind.” Avoid stating vague reasons or those that sound nearly impossible. Instead, focus on your passion and the developments in your chosen career field.
Be honest. Some people go to graduate school to advance their career. But instead on focusing on this topic alone, you can mention skills you wish to improve so you’ll adapt to the changing times. That would sound more sincere than trying to sound like a missionary. For instance, you can say that with more advanced skills, you can initiate better policies in your department or improve the research system of your office.
Improbable goals
There’s nothing wrong with being optimistic or enthusiastic. However, it’s best to state goals that are achievable. When setting goals, make sure that they’re S-M-A-R-T (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, timely). Don’t be just another dreamer. Make an impression that you’re actually heading somewhere. For instance, you may say that IT skills can help you improve the company’s management system or compete in an Internet-based business world.
When presenting goals, go into details. Don’t just tell your readers what you want to do, but how they should be done.
Entering grad school for the wrong reasons
While graduate studies present numerous advantages, they’re not golden tickets to sure success. Not all people with graduate degrees get higher salaries instantly, as much as not all graduate students may qualify for promotion.
Grad school will create a big dent on your savings or monthly budget. You may even have to take out a loan just to pursue your studies. After you earn your degree, there’s no sure guarantee that the job market will be favorable to you. Your degree can only give you an advantage or the competitive edge.
Reading sample graduate school essays won’t just help you get started in crafting your own personal statement. Based on other people’s stories and accomplishments, you can see more clearly if you’re cut out for grad school. Only when you do believe it yourself can you convince the admissions panel about your qualifications.
After everything you’ve done to get here – from sample graduate school essays to all the documentations, paper works and interviews – is going to graduate school the right decision for your? Passing everything, from the admissions essays culled from sample graduate school essays to the admissions interview, is just a start. Once in graduate school, you need to survive and ideally, survive with honors. With the sample graduate school essays, the interviews and all the effort you’ve put in this, is it really what you want to do?
There are some factors that shouldn’t be considered when thinking about graduate school. Including these factors in your decision process can mislead you. It is always best to want to be in graduate school for what it can best offer you: advanced learning. Consider other alternatives if you are thinking of graduate school for the reasons listed below:
1. Dissatisfaction at work: Understand what about your job you don’t like. Graduate school may just be an escape for you. In the end, you may still acquire a job you dislike, albeit with a graduate degree this time.
2. Loving the student lifestyle: Who doesn’t love being a student? Of course, this does not mean you can survive the grueling demands of graduate school. And even if you do, you will eventually still have to go out there and work.
3. Unemployment: Getting a graduate degree is not always the answer to finding the job you want. Sometimes, all you have to do is gain some experience. Expand your search for suitable work first. A graduate school degree cannot do much help in a job market that also puts value on actual work experience.
4. Peer or parental pressure: A lot of parents take pride in their children’s academic achievements. And, yours might be wanting you to take further studies. Your friends might be asking the same of you too, so they still have you as constant companion as they strive for further education. Don’t let the decision for graduate school education lie in their hands. In the end, it’s up to you.
Photo Credit : ChicagosCaesar
Your sample graduate school essays can help you with your application essay. The sample graduate school essays may get you the coveted admissions interview. However, once you are in that position, you are left to your wits to impress your interviewer. In this situation – regardless of your test scores, transcript records, or any amount of sample graduate school essays – you are on your own. You need to come prepared and put your best foot forward. Here are some tips.
Before you interview:
1. Read up on how to best conduct yourself in formal interviews for a slot in graduate school. There are several online sources for this. Likewise, know the many expectations for your degree course. You need to make it know that you are capable to handle these expectations.
2. Know who’s who in the department that you are applying to get into. It is impressive to the interviewer if you seem to really know what you are getting into.
3. Reread your graduate admissions essay. What you present to your interviewer should reflect what you wrote in your essay.
4. Practice with friends. Have your friends interview you and practice your communication skills with them. Ask for their feedback and work on any flaws they’ve observed.
During the interview:
1. Look your best. Unless you’re an accomplished artist or the like, no one can get away with looking sloppy. A mess distracts. Neatness and hygiene is impressive.
2. Even when you’re tempted to take a swig at that bottle of tequila in your room for that extra confidence, don’t. This is a formal interview; where in your slot in graduate school is at stake. Don’t risk it by coming to the interview stinking of alcohol. At the same time, do not smoke prior to the interview. While some people use nicotine to calm the nerves, the smell of it stays on you and can turn off your interviewer.
3. Always maintain eye contact. At the same time, display a good degree of confidence. Do not go over-the-top with the confidence though. Also, have some humility. You are applying to graduate school to learn.
After the interview:
1. Immediately send a follow-up thank you note or email. Also promptly ask for a status on your application.
Photo credit : midiman
