The graduate school personal statement is your chance to demonstrate your unique qualifications for and commitment to graduate study by discussing those experiences, people, and events that influenced your decision to pursue your field of interest. That's a lot to accomplish--especially in the typical two pages allowed for your personal statement. You can find the key to success by focusing on a few illustrative incidents as opposed to giving a superficial overview. Remember: Detail, specificity, and concrete examples will make your essay distinctive and interesting. Generalities and platitudes that could apply to every other graduate school applicant will bore. If you use them, you'll just blur into one of the crowd.
Following "Ten Do's and Don'ts for Your Personal Statement" will help you write a compelling, focused essay, one that will transform you from a collection of numbers and classes into an interesting human being.
Ten Do's and Don'ts for Your Personal Statement
The Do's
Unite your essay and give it direction with a theme or thesis. The thesis is the main point you want to communicate.
