THE PERSONAL STATEMENT

Your essay will be read by an Admissions Committee composed of members of your future profession or academic discipline. They will be seeking depth and substance, along with a true passion and commitment to your field of study. In general, the admissions committee hopes to learn about your personal characteristics, such as creativity, intellectual curiosity and achievement, ability to overcome hardships, recognition for exceptional performance, unique talents, initiative and motivation, leadership, persistence, service to others, and multicultural experiences. You should not attempt to address all of these factors. A better approach is to describe WHAT is important to you, WHY it is important, and HOW you have demonstrated that importance in your life. Different colleges and universities have different essay requirements and look for different kinds of information. A generic essay will not serve you well if you are applying to several different private and public programs.

The essay is an opportunity for you to: 

• Convey your long term and short term career goals. 
• Present yourself as an individual with desirable personal abilities, background, interests, and plans. 
• Describe the nature and significance of your relevant experiences, and give concrete evidence of your competence and motivation in the field of your choice.
• Explain your special interest in this particular graduate program. 
• Account for any conspicuous weaknesses in your record. 
• Demonstrate your writing ability and communication skills.

Conduct a thorough self assessment of your interests, motivations and career goals before you set pen to paper.

Things to consider before you start writing:

• Why do I want to pursue a graduate school degree?
• Can I trace my interest and motivation to a specific experience or influence? 
• What are the special features, approaches, or values of this particular program?
• How do my interests, values, strengths, experiences, ambitions and plans relate to what this program offers? 
• Why do I want to be a part of this program? Why would this program want Me? 
• What are my strengths related to this field — personal, academic, and professional? What experiences demonstrate my competence in this field?
• Do my relevant experiences fall into any pattern? Broad exploration? Increasing focus? Tackling greater challenges?
• Which experiences have taught me the most?