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Tips for starting the personal statement Writing the personal statement (or statement of purpose) is not an easy task. For many students, it is the hardest component of the graduate school application. This document is meant to help you get started by providing you with templates and ideas for each section. However, keep in mind that each graduate program will have specific requirements that you should follow. Paragraph 1: Introduction The first paragraph is the first chance you have to impress the admissions committee. It should tell the reader who you are and what your goals are. The introduction will set the mood for the rest of your essay. Tips on how to begin: You can tell an anecdote or story about how you got interested in the subject, or your background that led up to choosing this field (Example 1). You can also approach the introduction as a statement of interest in the program (Example 2).Which approach is better may depend on your field of study—ask a professional in your field (e.g. current graduate student, professor, graduate advisor, or working professional) for advice. For example: A student applying to physical therapy programs (PT) could write an anecdote something like this (rough draft): “When I first started volunteering at X hospital, my assignment was to assist the lead therapist with Y. My first patient, call her Maria, came in with a leg that had been badly injured in a car accident. Over the next several months, I helped the therapist walk Maria through various exercises… When I finally saw her walk up the stairs unassisted I felt so inspired by what PT can do for people. This is when I knew for sure that PT was the right career for me.” “I am applying to the master’s program at X university because I am interested in counseling students in a higher education setting…”Paragraph 2: EducationIn this paragraph, you want to describe your educational experiences and how they prepared you to succeed in graduate school. For example, perhaps you decided to pursue graduate education because of your involvement in a research project with a professor in your field and this shaped your interest in pursuing graduate study. Focus on the most impactful and relevant experiences—the admissions committee is only interested in those experiences that make you a qualified candidate that is likely to succeed in their graduate program. Remember to show, not tell. Anyone can say, “I have always been passionate about biology” (and there is no way to prove this statement, on its own, true or false). But only you can describe how you took additional courses in the major, worked as a research assistant in the department, and completed a project that you presented at a school conference. These details show that you are serious about becoming a professional in your field. Tips on how to begin: Think of your experiences at the colleges you have attended and how they have prepared you for graduate school. Which courses were interesting? Which projects have you worked on and what did you learn from those experiences? Which theories or concepts would you like to continue exploring in graduate school?For example: “To prepare myself for graduate study in W field, I have taken courses in X, Y, and Z…”“X Professor OR Y course motivated my interest in Z because…”“I am interested in exploring X question…”“I learned about X technique or theory…”Paragraphs 3-4 (1 or 2 paragraphs): Practical Experience In this section, you want to describe any professional experience, clinical experience, shadowing, or volunteering relevant to your field of study/graduate program. Talk about the experiences in more detail than your resume allows—focus on achievements, positive feedback, anecdotes/stories that illustrate your professionalism, excellence, etc. This will show the admissions committee that you have used your time efficiently outside of the classroom. Tips on how to begin: What work or volunteer experiences have you had that are relevant to your graduate program/field of study? Any extracurricular activity? Campus involvement? Internship? Research? Think of any experience you have gained outside of the classroom and what you learned from it.For example:“To gain practical experience, I interned at X place under the supervision of Dr. Y. I performed Z duties…”“At my job at X, I learned to apply Y theories in a real-life setting…” Paragraph 4 or 5: Why you Chose that Graduate ProgramIn this section, you want to let the admissions committee know that you have thoroughly researched the graduate program. You can discuss professors and/or programs/opportunities that the particular university offers that match your own research/professional interests or specialties. If, for example, the program focuses on outreach to underprivileged urban communities, and that’s exactly the community that you want to study, or serve, in your future career, talk about that. Tips on how to begin: Think about what attracted you to that specific program. Research the opportunities that the program provides to students and write about the ones you are most interested in. Are there any professors you would like to work closely with? Does the program have a unique focus that other programs don’t? Does it offer opportunities for work or/and research, like teaching assistantships? For example: “The program at X university suits me perfectly because…”“This program aligns perfectly with my interests because…”“What attracts me the most to this program is…” Paragraph 5 or 6: GoalsIn this section, you want to describe what your short-term and long-term goals are, and how this graduate program will help you accomplish them. Think of short-term goals as goals you want to accomplish in the program and right after—for example, completing an internship in a social work program, presenting a research project at a conference, or obtaining a job in higher education. When thinking about long-term goals, discuss where you see yourself in 5, 10, or 20 years and how this graduate program will help you get there. Tips on how to begin: Think of what you want to do right after completing the program. Do you want to teach at a community college? Do you want to practice law at a firm? Do you want to continue your graduate education? For example: “My ultimate goal is to work in X area as a Y.”“Upon completing this program, I wish to obtain a job in X industry…”Final Paragraph: Conclusion + Statement of Confidence (may be combined with previous paragraph or could be a separate short paragraph). Reiterate your purpose and your interest in the program. Don’t be afraid to tell the admissions committee that you are qualified for the program and that you have the necessary skills to succeed. In fact, doing so achieves two positive outcomes: (1) it helps overcome any unnecessary or “false” modesty that might appear elsewhere in the statement, and (2) it goes beyond stating what the graduate program will do for you. Instead, it states what you will do for the program (namely, be a good student, graduate on time, and become a successful professional, thus making the program look good!). For example:“I am passionate about X, and I look forward to my career as a Y” OR “in Z field. I am confident that my preparation, experiences, and academic achievements have prepared me to succeed in graduate school, and I hope that W university is the place where I will complete my education.” OR “…and W university is the perfect place to prepare me for the next steps in my education.”“My education and experiences have prepared me to succeed in graduate study and in my future career as a(n) X. I look forward to the possibility of Y university preparing me for the future.” ................
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