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CAREER CONNECTION Personal Statement Writing CAREER CONNECTION 2nd Floor, Younkin Success Center 1640 Neil Avenue 614-688-3898 www.careerconnection.osu.edu Career Connection Services Individual Career Counseling (appointments and walk-ins) Career Assessments Career Planning & Decision-Making Resumes, Cover Letters & Interviewing Skills Applying to Graduate School What Faculty Look For A story! A mental picture of who you are as a person as it relates to grad school and your future profession Maturity, self-knowledge, purpose Evidence you’ve done your homework Writing skills Two Categories of Personal Statements 1) General, Comprehensive Statements Allows the applicant latitude in terms of what he/she writes. 2) Response to a specific question Less latitude in terms of content of your essay, but is still prudent to compose a well-considered and persuasive response. Broad Sample Questions When did you originally become interested in this field and what have you learned about it - and about yourself- that has further stimulated your interest and reinforced your conviction that you are well suited to this field? What are the most compelling reasons you can give for the admissions committee to be interested in you? What are your career goals? ****If you are not given a question….write on these topics!!! Specific Sample Questions “The unexamined life is not worth living.” -Plato. In light of the above quotation, please discuss a decision you have made which, in retrospect, has had a profound influence on your present circumstances. In hindsight, would you have made a different decision? Please explain. (Haas School/Berkeley) How would you characterize the effects of your contributions to the groups or organizations in which you have participated? (Yale) Categories of Personal Statements 1) 2) Clearinghouse 1) LSAC 2) AMCAS 3) Interfolio- $ Supplemental Questions The DO’s for Your Statement Give it a theme, a thesis: ARCH-Link it together Choose what you want to discuss before you start writing Use concrete examples of your life experiences to distinguish yourself from others Write about what interests you, excites you Statement General Format A. B. C. D. E. F. Hook the reader Discuss the development of your interest & you and your unique strengths Future career goals *Fit with school* Obstacles Conclusion Outline Paragraph 1 Hook/Outline an argument… A, B, and C will make me successful in Grad School Paragraph 2Experience/Skill A Paragraph 3Experience/Skill B Paragraph 4Experience/Skill C Paragraph 5 Link to school Paragraph 6 Conclusion, tie back to lead 1) Attention-Grabbing Leads “Several years ago I was accepted into an MBA program in my native New Zealand. However, I decided to postpone my graduate education to a later date.” “For the first 20 years of my life, my activities—and selfconfidence—were circumscribed by the fact that I was a chronic, allergic, asthmatic.” (Med school applicant) “Being nicknamed after sheep isn't something to be proud of, but the fact that most people in my neighborhood know me as "Dolly" reveals my passion for genetic engineering.” Attention-Grabbing Leads 1.)Why…of all the topics in the world….does this one fascinate you so much? Experience Quote Role Model Exhibiting your strengths 2) Discuss why you will be successful in the program How & when your interest developed How you’ve pursued this interest so far? Significant role models and influences Exhibiting your strengths 2)Development of your interest (tips) Describe SPECIFIC experiences that helped you explore and identify your career interest Show your work Special research, academic work, employment, volunteer experience, etc. What insight did you gain about yourself and the way you relate to the profession? Exhibiting your strengths 2+) Talk about YOU as a person! Personal background; what distinguishes you as a person? What strengths would you bring? What do your experiences and choices say about your value system, interests, and motivators? Unique skills that demonstrate the depth of your experience in the field? (May not be directly connected-Eagle Scout, Travel, etc.) Exhibiting your strengths 2) What is unique about you? What are three reasons (Experiences, personal traits (backed by experiences) that show that you will succeed…What makes you a better candidate than me? Tips on Writing a Personal Statement 3) Address future career goals Future goals within the profession Area of specialization? Future work setting? Narrow and Wide Research the program & explain its appeal. Tips on Writing a Personal Statement 4) Discuss fit with school Refer to specific aspects that match your interests (philosophy, curriculum, faculty interests, etc.)*Will help you choose experiences as well* Specific people you want to research with Don’t limit yourself Development of your interest 3/4.) Why Grad School and Why this program Why…of all the topics in the world….does this one fascinate you so much….that you want to go to grad school for it? Why is XXXX school the PERFECT school to prepare you for this field? Tips on Writing a Personal Statement 5.) Any special conditions that are not revealed elsewhere in the application Be open about obstacles you may have encountered and overcome at this point (illness, family tragedy, 35 hour/week workload outside of school, etc.) Inconsistencies in grades or admission test scores? Explain them in brief, factual, non-apologetic, non-defensive manner 6.) Conclusion Summarize Unite key elements of your statement Refer back to the lead, restate your thesis The DO’s for Your Statement Form conclusions that explain the value and meaning of your experience, such as what you learned about yourself and your field, your future goals, and your future plans No Conjunction’s Use Professional Style- no slang The DO’s for Your Statement Revise at least THREE times Ask someone else to critique your statement Proofread your statement by reading it out loud Limit your statement’s length to about two pages What Not to Include Subjects that are potentially controversial (Religion, Politics, etc.) Any views that might be interpreted as strange or highly unconventional Information pulled “out of left field” - something that doesn’t fit into the story you are telling or the case you’re trying to build An autobiography or resume What Not to Include Vocabulary words that you don’t know Generic statements about the field or yourself: “Communication skills are important in this field.” Made up things, false experiences “I’ve always wanted to be a _____” approach-Cliche Tips on Writing a Personal Statement Make sure you can answer these questions. 1. 1. What is unique about me? 2. 2. How does this field fit me? Long term and short term goals. 3. 3. How does this program fit me? What can I offer it and what is unique about it to get me to where I want to go. Personal Statement Websites http://www.top-law-schools.com/personal-statementexamples.html http://www.eduers.com/personalstatement/sample.htm http://www.studential.com/personalstatements/ Self-Assessment Websites http://careerconnection.osu.edu/undergraduates/exploreyourself/learning-about-yourself/ http://www.listofvalues.com/ http://www.strengthsquest.com/content/143324/themes-fulldescription.aspx http://www.best-job-interview.com/what-are-yourstrengths.html GRAD EXPO FACEBOOK Questions?