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.
