Personal Statement

What is it?• Supplement to the factual, statistical portion of

your application

• First, learn why applicant is interested in the field (passion)

• Second, how well do the interests of the applicant match the current faculty/program

• Third, assess your writing ability

• Fourth, used to differentiate those students in the middle range

What’s in it?

• Answer specific questions (if asked)

• Address all aspects of the question

• Be thorough, but not verbose

• Organized

If vague, personal statement

• organized • well-written• integrate your academic, research,

practical, and life experiences that demonstrates your commitment to pursue your goals

• Test your hypothesis: I want to pursue a career in X

10 Do’s• Unite your essay with a theme or thesis

• Before you start, order what you want to say

• Use concrete examples from life experience to support your thesis

• Write about what interests and excites you

• Start your essay with something that grabs: anecdote, quote, question, or description of an engaging scene

• End your essay with a statement that refers back to your lead and to restate your thesis

• Revise at least 3 times• After you finish editing, ask some one else

to critique it• Proof read it by reading it out loud or taping

it and listening to the tape• Write clearly and succinctly

10 Don’ts

• Don’t include information that doesn’t support your thesis

• Don’t start out “I was born….” or “my parents are from…”

• Don’t write an autobiography, itinerary, resume in prose

• Don’t try to be too funny (a little humor can be appropriate)

• Don’t be afraid to throw out what you’ve done and start over

• Don’t try to impress your reader with your vocabulary (thesaurus)

• Don’t rely on your computer for spell check• Don’t write generic statements and platitudes• Don’t give weak excuses for your GPA• Don’t make things up

– Adapted from Accepted.com

Cover/Application Letters

• Who needs one?

• What makes a good one?

Who needs one?

• Anyone who sends a resume or application

• Tailor to company or program

• Another chance to emphasize why you are the right person for the job, program, etc.

What makes a good one?

• No spelling or typos• Address is to the person to hire you or

make the admissions decisions• Write it in your own words• Demonstrate knowledge of

company/program• Use terms meaningful to

employer/program

Format

• Introduction

• Summarize qualifications

• End with action

Introduction

• Respond to advertisement

• Company/program that is a good fit based on your research

• Read about company/program in a recent publication

• Referred by Jane Smith at XYZ company/school

Summarize

• Relate your strengths/skills to the company/program

• Amplify or augment your resume/CV

• Make sure put in keywords (especially if automated tracking system and/or online submission)

Action

• Follow up in a few days/weeks

• Looking forward to the opportunity to talk with person about company position/program