Graduate School Personal Statement Vs Statement Of Purpose

"One major mistake I see all the time is students who try to tell too much in the personal statement," says Radunich."Tell one or two specific stories or scenarios really well instead of having a broad focus and attempting to tell your life story.Students should be cautious about turning their personal statements into risky or edgy creative writing projects and instead maintain a strong narrative structure using anecdotes for support when necessary.

"One major mistake I see all the time is students who try to tell too much in the personal statement," says Radunich."Tell one or two specific stories or scenarios really well instead of having a broad focus and attempting to tell your life story.Students should be cautious about turning their personal statements into risky or edgy creative writing projects and instead maintain a strong narrative structure using anecdotes for support when necessary.

"Metrics only show one small part of the entire picture," says career coach and former university admissions representative Meg Radunich.

"Graduate programs care about the person behind the standardized test score and grade point average.

This narrative essay combines specific, self-reflective anecdotes with details about past experiences (internships, volunteer experiences, etc.) and a clear delineation of a student's goals and interest in the prospective graduate program to provide a fuller picture of the applicant.

This combination, often unaccompanied by an explicit writing prompt or set of instructions, can make even the most practiced essay writers freeze up.

A personal statement is a short essay that introduces a grad school candidate and his or her personal reasons for applying to a particular program.

While metrics such as GPA and test scores can give an admissions committee an idea of a student's qualifications, they are impersonal and don't indicate whether a candidate would be a good fit for a given program.Radunich notes that strong personal statements show that candidates understand the "big picture" of the profession and the true meaning and impact they will have in their communities.Applicants often feel as if they have to show how highly accomplished and impressive they are in their personal statements, but Radunich stresses the significance of being honest and vulnerable. Admissions deans read enough essays from 23-year-old applicants who brag about their accomplishments and think they have life figured out." Acknowledging faults or weaknesses shows the committee that an applicant is self-aware, teachable and eager to grow.However, there are a few key elements of strong personal statements that prospective graduate students should keep in mind as they write.When writing personal statements, students may feel pressured to tell admissions committees everything about themselves.Applying to graduate school can be a significant step toward reaching academic and career goals, which can make the admissions process even more intimidating.Along with gathering letters of recommendation, taking exams and submitting transcripts, prospective graduate students typically have to write personal statements to include with their applications."Remember that the faculty have a vested interest in admitting students who will be fun for them to work with and watch grow." Applicants should determine which key points about themselves are most important to make and then choose situations or experiences that demonstrate those points.This serves as the main content of the personal statement.Depending on the program and writing prompt, a personal statement and a statement of purpose may fill the same need in the eyes of the admissions committee.In cases where both are required, however, things can get a little tricky.