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Welcome to EssayEdge’s Graduate School Statements 101! Our experts have assembled the most comprehensive course on the Internet to help you compose successful graduate school essays. A graduate school personal statement or autobiographical essay represents a graduate school’s first qualitative introduction to the way you think and to the way you express yourself. The personal statement must serve as a reflection of your personality and intellect. You must sell yourself through this statement, just as you would through a successful job interview. Preparation and personal reflection are essential.
If you find it difficult to write about yourself, don’t be discouraged. Having assisted tens of thousands of applicants, we can assure you that everyone has problems composing these statements. If you have a friend who finishes one in two hours flat and doesn’t agonize over what he or she is writing, chances are it’s not a statement that will do much to enhance his or her prospects for admission. Good essays take time. Bad ones can hurt your chances for admission.
The essays required of graduate school applicants fall into two major categories. First, there is the general, comprehensive personal statement, which allows the applicant more latitude in what he or she writes. The second category encompasses essays that are responses to specific questions. Here the applicant might have less latitude in terms of your topic, but it is still possible and prudent to compose a thoughtful and compelling response that holds the reader’s interest.
No matter what type of application form you are dealing with, it is extremely important that you read each question carefully and respond to it fully. Some applications are more vague or general in their instructions than others; for these, it is often possible to compose almost any sort of essay you wish. You have virtually total control, and you also have a remarkable opportunity that you can either maximize or squander—the choice is yours. How to write a personal statement for grad school? Our professional team of editors prepared some tips:
Do’s:
- Focus on personal growth: Write about moments that changed you, made you learn something, or simply shaped who you are now.
- Give specifics: Provide examples and vivid details from your life, use real stories to make the reader believe who you really are.
- Show self-awareness: One of the most important tips for writing grad school personal statement is that admissions committees look for applicants who can reflect on their experiences and see their strengths and weaknesses.
- Look forward to the future: Connect past experiences to future goals, show how your experiences have prepared you for graduate school.
Don’ts:
- Don’t overuse clichés: You have to avoid phrases like “I’ve always wanted to be…” or “Ever since I was young…” Focus on fresh, authentic narratives.
- Don’t repeat your resume: Successful grad school applications should be different: it reveals aspects of your personality and life that aren’t covered in your resume.
- Don’t neglect structure: A big block of essay text with no clear structure loses the reader’s interest. Make sure your statement has a clear beginning, middle, and end.
The tone and style of your graduate program statement of intent can make or break how it’s received. You want to be both personal and professional while ensuring your voice shines through.
- Be authentic, but polished: Write in a natural way, but avoid being too casual. A professional tone doesn’t mean you can’t show your personality.
- Adapt your writing to institutional requirements: Look them up on official resources and make sure to adjust the structure and format. Our professional writers can help you stay confident with your writing.
- Stay positive: Even when discussing challenges or setbacks, focus on what you learned and how you overcame them.
The purpose of this guide is not to teach formulas, but rather to give the necessary direction for you to create an original and effective essay. We will teach you how to choose appropriate topics and themes, how to structure your essay as a coherent and flowing piece, and how to convey your ideas through engaging and active language.
Nothing is easier than writing about yourself, isn’t it? Well, that’s clearly not the case. Even a grad school statement of purpose requires substantial preparation, planning, and effort to be made by a student. If you feel it is difficult to achieve coherency, a good flow, and style, consider hiring a professional college essay editor.
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