Writing Your Personal Statement

Sometimes the hardest thing to do is write about ourselves. The biography you turned into me was to help you start thinking about who you are. Now, you will begin to formulate your personal statement. 

Use the guidelines in the "Graduate School and You" guidebook and the guidelines below. Once you have a rough draft completed, you should have it checked by Career Services, you faculty mentor, the McNair office, and someone who has excellent English skills like the Writing Lab. 

• Suggested Guidelines
• Having Trouble Getting Started?

Suggested Guidelines for Personal Statements 

• If there is a question, answer it!

• Remember: motivation, experience, goals -

The majority of graduate programs do not interview their applicants. The personal statement might be the only part of your application that comes to the committee in your own voice. Make sure it tells the committee things that cannot already be found in your transcript. The three key issues are your motivation of pursuing this particular degree, the experience you have had that has prepared you the rigors of graduate work, and your long and short term goals. Do not get more personal that you feel comfortable with. Think about the culture of the field for which you are applying, and write accordingly.
 
• Make every word count in your favor -

Do not exceed the page or word limit (if there is one - typically it is one or two, single spaced pages). Do not use smaller than 11 pt. font and do not shrink the margins. However, you do have much to say so you need to be concise and as specific as possible. Do not be repetitious or make a list of work or class experience. Do not reiterate your transcript.
 
• Be specific, use examples, avoid theorizing & generalities -

When discussing your motivation and preparedness for graduate study, speak specifically and knowledgeable about your research, your family, and the direct instances of your life. Avoid statements like "I have always know I wanted to be ..."  As statement like that does not tell the reader anything about you. However, the way in which you recount a particular incident that gave you insight can tell volumes about who you are, which is the ultimata purpose of the statement.
 
• Use the language of the discipline to which you are applying -

When discussing your research and the areas which interests you in the graduate program to which you are applying, use the correct terminology and vocabulary. Doing so will illustrate to your reader that indeed, you know whereof you speak. Do not be afraid to raise important issues you want to tackle in graduate school. 
 
• Particularly in the science fields, speak in depth about your research experiences -

Scientists are interested in finding colleagues from among the many applicants to their programs. Imagine reading 500 statements to accept 10 or 15 students. What would you want to know about the people you are selecting? If you have experience as an undergraduate working with ultra-fast laser spectrometry, and are interested in pursuing this in your graduate program, let the committee know that! If they have such a research group, you might be a great fit. If they don't have that kind of research, why are you applying there?
 
• Research the programs to which you are applying and let the reader know how you will fit into the work that is going on there -

Remember that in addition to answering the question of why you would be the best student for the committee to accept, you must explain why this program is the best one for you.  The fit issue works both ways! Do your homework - go online and find out exactly what kind of research is going on in your prospective dept. 
 
• Be grammatically correct; use spell check (or even a dictionary) and have at least three people proofread it (preferably faculty or editor types) -

Particular bugaboos for some faculty: its and it's; there, their, they're; Some (many?) committees have been known to deep-six an application with one typo so be aware! It is always a good idea to have at least three people proof your final draft (be sure one of them, if not all, are excellent editors).
 
• Above all: be yourself and do not apologize

While you should explain any gaps or inconsistencies in your transcript, do so in a positive manner rather than an apologetic one. Remember that these inconsistencies might best be addressed in a separate letter. It may be a good idea to have one of the faculty briefly address this issue in their letter of recommendation if they are comfortable with it.

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Having Trouble Getting Started?
Start out by writing down the answers to the following questions:

• What is your first recollection about the field you plan to enter? What was your reaction to it?
• When did you first think of graduate school?
• Who do you know who is a professional, scholar, or professor in your intended field? What do you like, respect, admire about that person or persons?
• Why do you want to enter this particular field instead of another?
• Picture yourself in 15 years. Where will you be and what will you be doing, personally and professionally? Be specific.
• What are two things about you that make you different from anyone else you know?
• Describe every job and every volunteer experience you have ever had. What did you learn about yourself and/or the world through those experiences?
• I am the dean of the program to which you are applying. Why should I admit you, with full funding?
• What life events have had significant impact on who you are today?
• How do you know that graduate school is right for you?
• Explain any aspects of your academic record that might raise questions.
• What skills do you possess that will be useful to a graduate program?
• What obstacles have you overcome? How did you do it and what have you learned?

Talk to others about what you have written and discuss ways to clarify or embellish each answer. Then begin to organize it in a clear and logical manner. Remember, it takes 2 or 3 tries to really create a good statement. We are not trained to write about ourselves, so this is a new concept. Do not get frustrated - if you need help, set up an apt. at the McNair office and we can work on it together.. There are examples of statements in the office too.

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