GRADUATE/PROFESSIONAL SCHOOLPERSONAL STATEMENTSA personal statement is a chance to sum up all the things that make you an ideal candidate for a particular graduate program.THE WRITING PROCESSBefore you begin writing, ask yourself the following personal inventory questions:What makes you different from every other candidate?Why do you want to attend this school and/or program?How did your interest in this career develop?What 2-3 academic accomplishments have most prepared you?What research have you conducted?What non-academic experiences contributed to your choice of school or career?Are there any problems in your records that need explaining?What is the most important thing the admissions committee should know about you?PERSONAL STATEMENT STRUCTUREA personal statement should have an introduction, a body that covers points mentioned in the introduction, and a conclusion that tieseverything together.In the introduction, clearly spell out why you want to be admitted into the graduate program and why you would make an ideal student.Make the first sentence grab the attention of the reader.Use the supporting paragraphs, with only one major point per paragraph, to establish why you would make a unique addition to theirgraduate program. Include relevant information about job experiences, internships, and volunteer positions. Focus on the concreterather than the intangible.In the concluding paragraph, provide a brief overview of what was presented up to that point and then emphasize how participation inthe program would enable you to achieve your career objectives.DO...DON’T...Answer all the questions askedUse empty, vague, or overused wordsBe honest & confident in your statementsEmphasize the negativeWrite a coherent & interesting essayTry to be a comedianPick 2-4 main topics for your essayInclude footnotes, clichés, or long-winded paragraphsUse the personal statement as a form of introductionUse statements like “I’ve always wanted to be a...”Make sure your essay has perfect spelling & mechanicsUse the “what I did with my life” approachBe objective, yet self-revelatoryAllow any typos or misspellings to occurEvaluate experiencesUse a catalog of achievementsBe specificLecture the readerTell a storyAdhere to stated word limitsWrite what you think the admissions committee wantsto hearDevelop a theme about yourself early in the essay &support it throughoutGet too personal about religion, politics, or your lack ofeducationWHERE TO GO FOR HELPMidwestern State UniversityCareer Management Centermsutexas.edu/careercmc@msutexas.edu56Midwestern State UniversityMcAda Graduate Schoolmsutexas.edu/academics/graduate-schoolgraduateschool@msutexas.edu
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