Scribd
Upload
706 views2 pages

Personal Statements and Essays

Personal statements for fellowships and graduate programs require candidates to describe their academic interests in 1,000 words or less, highlighting the most important points through self-reflection and multiple drafts. The statement introduces applicants to selection committees and should provide a compelling snapshot of who the applicant is and the contributions they want to make through clear, well-organized thinking and effective communication. Other application materials can present additional details while the personal statement allows applicants to say what only they can say about what is most important to them.

Uploaded by

nisaralamjan8616
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
706 views2 pages

Personal Statements and Essays

Personal statements for fellowships and graduate programs require candidates to describe their academic interests in 1,000 words or less, highlighting the most important points through self-reflection and multiple drafts. The statement introduces applicants to selection committees and should provide a compelling snapshot of who the applicant is and the contributions they want to make through clear, well-organized thinking and effective communication. Other application materials can present additional details while the personal statement allows applicants to say what only they can say about what is most important to them.

Uploaded by

nisaralamjan8616
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

Personal Statements and Essays

Every fellowship or graduate school application requires a statement that asks, in one way or another, for the candidate to describe their academic or other interests. This personal statement is your introduction to the selection committee. An outstanding personal statement will not win you a scholarship, but a poorly prepared one can deny you the chance to be considered as a finalist. Because personal statements are personal, there is not one format or approach that will work well for everyone. They are also short -- 1,000 words or less -- so you should identify the three or four most important points that you want to develop. Other parts of your application (including letters of recommendation) can present other important information. Use your personal statement to say what only you can say because it is what is most important to you. The essay is an exercise in self-reflection. To do this well requires many drafts, revisions, and false starts. Think about the questions posed in making connections. Make an inventory of everything you have done as an undergraduate. Selected parts of this inventory will be featured in the essay eventually, but try to be inclusive at first. Read the advice on starting the writing process, and start to write before you are ready. Try to schedule short appointments with yourself just to generate ideas and to write. Be honest with yourself. Do not try to guess what the committee wants to read. Consider your audience to be intelligent non-specialists for fellowship competitions, or to be professors in your field for graduate school essays. Remember that your essay is a writing sample. The essay will be read for indications of clear, well-organized thinking and effective communication. Personal statements are often read quickly and in bulk, so make yours a pleasure to read. Grab the readers' attention right away by taking them into the heart of your discussion. Maintain focus with a consistent story line. Consider using one or two anecdotes that can help you focus and give a human face to your discussion. Provide a compelling snapshot of who you are and what contributions you want to make. Indicate what your priorities are and the kind of passion you bring to your work. The academic proposal required by some competitions and by graduate schools has a similar purpose but a more defined focus. Common elements include a description of your course of study or project, and why you have chosen this particular institution, country, or setting. You should provide evidence that you are qualified to undertake the program you propose, and that it is consistent with your long-range plans. For study abroad project proposals, if possible provide evidence of cooperation of the host

institution or individuals with whom you propose to work. For graduate schools admissions essays, discern what is being asked for in each essay and keep the focus on that: speak mainly about your research interests if that is what they are asking you to address. For a plan of research essay, devote considerable effort to your "methods" as you need to demonstrate you have a plan, not just a good idea. For more information:

Writing Personal Statements Online, by Joe Schall, includes sample essays Definition of a Personal Statement by Mary Tolar, best advice for nationally competitive fellowships Writing a Personal Statement, Purdue Writing Center Tips for Writing a Personal Statement, Carnegie Mellon Health Professions Graduate School Statement, Berkeley Career Center Rhodes and Marshall Advice, Reed Sample Marshall Essay, WPI

Dissertations, Research Proposals, and Foundation Grants (which differ from personal statements):

Scholarly Pursuits: A Guide to Professional Development During the Graduate Years by Cynthia Verba The Art of Writing Proposals, SSRC, standard advice in the social sciences, relevant for all fields Proposal Writing: The Business of Science, by Wendy Sanders, esp. for research proposals to the NIH A Guide for Proposal Writing, NSF Division of Undergraduate Education Proposal Writing Short Course, Foundation Center

You might also like