HTML Preview Business Graduate School Personal Statement page number 1.
Personal Statements for Graduate School
Writing a personal statement can be one of the most important, and challenging, papers you’ve
ever written. It can be awkward and unusual for you to talk about yourself in a way that
persuades someone to offer you a spot in graduate school. But this is also a chance for you to
separate yourself from every other applicant and talk about why you are one of the best
candidates. Take advantage of it and spend some time thinking about what you what to say and
how to say it. Remember, a personal statement will usually only be read once by the committee
who makes the decisions, so make it count.
Be sure to also note if the application is a general and comprehensive personal statement, which
gives you freedom in what you write, or if it asks specific questions. If it does ask for specific
responses, be sure to respond directly to these questions in your writing.
Brainstorming:
To begin your essay, brainstorm using the following questions:
What might help the evaluating committee better understand you? What sets you apart
from the other applicants? Who will be applying for the same program?
Why are you interested in this field? What things have stimulated and reinforced your
interest?
How did you learn about this field (classes, seminars, work-experience)?
What are your career aspirations?
Are there any gaps or discrepancies in your academic record that need to be explained?
What skills or personal characteristics do you possess that would enhance your chances
for success in this field?
Why should an admissions committee be interested in you?
Developing a Structure:
One idea about how to begin answering these questions in a structured response, is to think about
your personal statement like the following equation:
+ =
GOALS
DESIRE
SKILLS