Nailing It Down: What To Include in a Grad School Personal Statement
Sometimes it can be hard to know what to include in a graduate school personal statement. How do you know that what you think is important is important to the school? What types of details should you put in and which should you leave out? Let's go over the basics of what needs to go into your personal statement.
1. Specific Details Specific details are essential if you want to create an interesting, relevant personal statement. The most boring essays are those that contain only generic information instead of specific details about an event, person, or place. My high school English teacher used to write B.S. (Be Specific) all over our papers if we didn't use enough specific details in our writing. 2. Relevant Details Remember to read the question before you decide what to write about. Sometimes this doesn't happen; students just write about whatever comes to mind with no regard for the question they were asked. Consider the question throughout your writing, and once you finish your essay make sure that you read the question again to make sure you fully answered it without going off on any tangents. 3. Your Voice When you are writing your personal statement, remember to include your voice and personality. If you try to write like Shakespeare, you may come across as boring and stuffy. No one wants to let a boring, stuffy person into their department. Share your enthusiasm for the program and your plans in life by letting your voice shine through. 4. Correct Spelling Your personal statement should include correct spelling and grammar. If you are applying to graduate school, you want to sound professional and educated. You may still be able to use a little slang and bend the rules of grammar a bit to make your essay interesting, but by all means, at least make sure you get the spelling correct. 5. Why Their School and Program If applicable to the question, make sure that you include why you want to go to this specific school and program. You can't assume that they know they are your top choice unless you tell them. Explain why it's important for you to be part of their department and convey your passion for the area of study that interests you. Success Include these five things and your personal statement is sure to be a success. Be sure to let objective outsiders read your essay as well before you submit it. They may be able to pick up on confusing parts or information that isn't pertinent better than you. Give it your best shot, get some feedback, revise, proofread, and send it in to wait for your letter of acceptance. |
