WRITING TIPS FOR GRAD SCHOOL APPLICANTS

BEFORE YOU WRITE,

ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS:

AFTER YOU WRITE,

ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS:

1. Who are your readers?

1. Is it appropriate?

2. What are they looking for?

2. Is it authentic?

3. What will engage their attention?

3. Is it specific?

4. How much effort will they make?

4. Is it logical?

5. How much time can they take?

5. Is it concise?

possible approaches:

1. DESCRIBE A TRANSFORMATIVE EXPERIENCE

Relate an adventure, a brush with disaster, an ethical dilemma, or an unexpected change in your life that inspired or obliged you to take a new path.  

2. PORTRAY A ROLE MODEL

Describe a relative, friend, teacher, public figure, artist, writer, or political leader (living or dead) who personifies your ideals.  

3. HIGHLIGHT YOUR PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS

Provide an exact description of your work and explain how you accomplished a particularly daunting task or found a better way to complete a significant project. 

4. TAKE A POSITION ON A SOCIAL OR POLITICAL ISSUE

Cite an historical development, a social trend, or a political problem and explain both why and how it ought to be addressed. 

 5. FOCUS ON YOUR ACADEMIC BACKGROUND AND GOALS

Describe an intellectual preoccupation, a course of study, or a particular topic of research that has inspired you to pursue graduate education.  

6. DEFINE WHAT MADE YOU WHO YOU ARE

Highlight a formative dimension of your life such as your family, your education, or the community in which you were raised. 

TEMPLATE FOR PERSONAL STATEMENTS:

1. Personal Experience       2. Professional Achievement         3. Academic Goal 

FIRST PARAGRAPH: ANNOUNCE THEME

1.     "I can trace my ambition to study [name field] back to..."

2.     "My decision to earn a degree in [name field] springs from my achievements as..."

3.     "By dedicating myself to the study of [name field], I hope to..." 

SECOND, THIRD, AND FOURTH PARAGRAPHS: PROVIDE EVIDENCE

1.     "I can still see [or hear or feel] the [provide specific details]..."

2.     "As [provide job title], my responsibilities include..."

3.     "Having gained some insight into [name field] through my course work at [name school]..." 

FIFTH AND SIXTH PARAGRAPHS: LINK TO FIELD

1.     "The lesson I learned from [name experience] has provided me with the [list positive characteristics] required to succeed in..."

2.     "My success in [name profession] serves as a logical starting point for a career in..."

3.             "While taking full advantage of the broad range of courses offered at [name school], I plan to focus on [name specialty]..." 

SEVENTH PARAGRAPH: SUMMARIZE

1.     "In light of the progress I have made since..."

2.     "At this point in my professional life, I am fully prepared to undertake..."

3.     "Given my profound commitment to [name field], I am convinced that I can..."

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