personalstmt082006

Writing a Personal Statement: 

Writing a Personal Statement Dr. Gail P. Taylor University of Texas at San Antonio

Applying to Graduate School:: 

Applying to Graduate School: Research the schools’ characteristics Check out potential mentors/res. interests. Obtain application and catalogue Pay very close attention to deadlines! Request letters of recommendation early Create a very good essay Submit everything far before deadlines

Graduate School or Summer Program Essays:: 

Graduate School or Summer Program Essays: Represent you! Are part of a “Package” with your LoRs. Questions may vary Think them out carefully-look at program goals Very commonly are asked for as a: Personal statement Statement of purpose Personal essay Statement of background and goals Expression of your qualities as an applicant

How Deep Do You Go?: 

How Deep Do You Go? For Ph.D., balance academic and personal information but accentuate research experience! Convey that you’ve taken a thorough, analytical and self-reflective look at yourself and your goals Create an interesting, non-generic essay that sets you apart… Should be relevant to your field of study Not an autobiography (avoid self-indulgence) Balance what you’ve done and what you want to do Sound realistic (avoid Nobel references)

Rough Outline: 

Rough Outline General Personal Statement: Usually lasts 2 pages (then can tailor) Introductory paragraph 1 paragraph “good story” Set up rest of essay Personal attributes/schooling/motivations Usually 1 to 2 paragraphs Put your story and motivations…. Research experiences 1 or 2 paragraphs NOT TECHNIQUES! Describe your research and your findings Why their school? 1 paragraph Mention several faculty beware, you’ll probably interview with them…read Aspirations/Closing 1 to 2 paragraphs Tie together essay Long term goals

What A Graduate Program Looks For:: 

What A Graduate Program Looks For: Will successfully complete the program Has background required for success Has motivation required for success Will assist in school’s research efforts Will impact “energy” of school May make great breakthroughs for them Will be a good representative for their program, forever Increase the program’s diversity Ultimately: Will be a good financial investment Will be a good time investment

Who Completes Grad School?: 

Who Completes Grad School? Has idea about what they are getting into Motivated to get advanced degree History Drive (programs, summers) Goals Established strong foundational knowledge/background Can successfully complete coursework Can balance research and coursework Necessary experience Knows what they are getting into Has reasonable long term goals Can communicate professionally Has compatible research interests with faculty Can reason critically/analytically (understands and extends research). Has potential to eventually run own lab

How to Meet this Writing Challenge:: 

How to Meet this Writing Challenge: Think! Decide what you want to put in it! Investigate the school and mentors Write and re-write

Thinking - How Deep Do You Go?: 

Thinking - How Deep Do You Go? For Ph.D., balance academic and personal information but accentuate research experience! Convey that you’ve taken a thorough, analytical and self-reflective look at yourself and your goals Create an interesting, non-generic essay that sets you apart… Should be relevant to your field of study Not an autobiography (avoid self-indulgence) Balance what you’ve done and what you want to do Sound realistic (avoid Nobel references)

Thinking….: 

Thinking…. “Your” story What do you want to do? Career objectives and final goals Research fields Particular topics Why do you want to do it? (anecdotes good!) Motivation for Ph.D.? Motivation for research in general? Motivation for your particular research goals? Motivation for their school in particular?

Thinking more….: 

Thinking more…. Why are YOU particularly suited to do it? What are your strengths? What has made you resolved/strong? What have you done to reach goal? Undergrad experiences Research projects Sound like scientist, not a pair of hands What is the significance of your research? Scientific Conferences/presentations Obtained own funding Why do you want to go to their school?

Investigate- Why THIS school?: 

Investigate- Why THIS school? Don’t gush or Butter Up… They know the attributes of school What are their specific strengths or groups Identify several faculty whom you may want to work with

How to Start?: 

How to Start? Free write Review your life Ask those who know you best Use thought questions above as a guide Focus on questions Write without bothering with corrections Allow time for feedback and re-writing! Outline Take your thoughts, refine, place into paragraphs!

Rough Outline: 

Rough Outline General Personal Statement: Usually lasts 2 pages (then can tailor) Introductory paragraph 1 paragraph “good story” Set up rest of essay Personal attributes/schooling/motivations Usually 1 to 2 paragraphs Put your story and motivations…. Research experiences 1 or 2 paragraphs NOT TECHNIQUES! Describe your research and your findings Why their school? 1 paragraph Mention several faculty beware, you’ll probably interview with them…read Aspirations/Closing 1 to 2 paragraphs Tie together essay Long term goals

The Opening Paragraph : 

The Opening Paragraph Try to “hook” your audience with interesting set up Lays a framework for rest (where are you going to go) “As a child, I watched my uncle Tio slowly lose a battle with diabetes. On the day of his funeral, I made a vow to myself, that I would grow up to help”

Personal Information: 

Personal Information Why do you want to be a scientist Is there a good story? What have you overcome/unusual circumstances? Explain inconsistencies (grades below B in pertinent courses and how you’ve overcome; put near end)

Please keep in mind…: 

Please keep in mind… Make goals sound reasonable and attainable Continuously ask, “Is it relevant, interesting, different, memorable?” Convey your excitement Document strengths with facts- specific information/examples If you’ve faced adversity, mention but don’t dwell Avoid gimmicks (fake magazine article, etc) Don’t be boring Follow rules on length Academic Problems? slight mention, or leave for LoR

What Not to Mention:: 

What Not to Mention: Don’t dwell on High School experiences Avoid controversial topics Religion or politics mention is sometimes okay, but don’t dwell Things that are unusual or unconventional Mundane aspects of your research (buffers or descriptive methods)

The Research Paragraph: 

The Research Paragraph ~Up to 1 page Mention all experience, focus on deepest Show you understood… What you did Goals Your role in larger project What you learned Your research project results Various techniques About research in general What it meant Significance to field/humanity Publications and acknowledgements What you learned about-

At the End…: 

At the End… Tie everything together..conclusion of a 5 paragraph essay! Make a solid ending reaffirming your desire to attend their school

Refining…: 

Refining… Make it will organized, relevant, concise Takes very long to write- multiple drafts, read aloud Grammatically correct Good spelling, punctuation Answer all questions Follow all length requirements Tailor for individual school Reviewed by mentor and others before sent in! Reread before interviews – Will be based upon

Overall…: 

Overall… It may take you a good while to complete, but a good statement can be considered artwork. Make sure to take the time to refine, so that you represent yourself well!