The process of applying to graduate school is very competitive. In order to ensure your success during the admissions process, you have to submit the requirements on time. One of these requirements is your personal statement. You can find helpful ideas regarding this on The Writing Center. Read on and get useful ideas for graduate school essays that could help you when you write your personal statement.
Start early
If you have begun your application process early, take the time to investigate thoroughly each institution to which you are applying.
- Go to the library and locate/browse-through/read texts or abstracts by the school’s faculty members who work in your field or area of interest.
- Study and re-study the application materials sent to you very carefully; in particular, read through the school catalog and required course offerings.
- Find out if the school and program have web sites where you can learn more about them.
You have to know some information about the school. In this way, you will have something interesting to say on your essay.
Read sample graduate school essays
Aside from doing research, you also have to read a lot of sample graduate school essays. These samples can guide you. They can help you get ideas regarding the things to include and exclude in your personal statement. Here are some things that you can include in your essay:
- Demonstrate your ability to think and express ideas clearly and effectively.
- Show motivation and capacity to succeed in graduate education.
- Write concisely and try to keep your readers interested. Remember that they are reading many application essays and therefore, you need to be considerate of their needs.
Discussing your skills, abilities, and motivation is one great way to differentiate your essay from thousands of other personal statements. It can help you make your essay more memorable among the readers.
Additional tips
The Stanford MBA Program has additional tips that could help you.
Feel free to ask your friends or family members to provide constructive feedback. When you ask for feedback, ask if the essays’ tone sounds like your voice.
You have to edit your essay several times. You can also employ the help of your peers and family.
It is important that you tell your own story through your own voice in your essay. And also keep in mind the following:
You best serve your own interests when your personal thoughts, individual voice, and unique style remain intact at the end of your editing process
Your individual voice is very important when writing your essay. After all, how will the admissions panel know the real you if you don’t use your own voice?
In order to write an excellent personal statement for graduate school, you have to start early so you will still have time to research for info and proofread your work, read sample essays, and edit your work several times.
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.
