A statement for graduate school can be a complex document. However, by breaking it down into simple sections and making sure you provide supporting documentation in the margins, your statement can be made more effective and succinct. Your statement for graduate school will tell your story, as well as why you are applying to the graduate program of your choice. Here are tips for writing your statement for graduate school.
Begin by researching the specific examples of statements for graduate schools that you have read, using the information that you gather to formulate your own statement. The most thorough research would be to conduct online research on statements for graduate schools. Using this information, you should be able to tell what specific examples other applicants used to describe their unique situation and accomplishments. Review these statements for graduate schools and note the similarities and differences between them. This will give you ideas to build upon.
Once you have conducted research on statements for graduate school, you should know whether or not you need to revise your personal statement for each program. For example, if you have been accepted to apply to study abroad, the statement will likely have been written with this specific example in mind. If you have been accepted to apply to a program with no major in foreign language, however, your personal statement would most likely be different. By knowing the difference between your personal statement and the generic application, you can tailor your application to be completely tailored to the program of your choice.
When writing your statement for graduate school, remember that your words will be read by a variety of people. Therefore, when writing your statement, be sure to use correct grammar and perfect spelling. Grammar and spelling are not important, however, if your essay is filled with relevant information and a strong conclusion. Your essay must convince your reader that you have the type of personality that will fit well within the academic environment of any given program. Double-spaced pages, bolding, and underlining will help achieve this goal.
Your statement for graduate school essay should include your major and the specific programs that you would most like to attend. You may have an objective in mind as to where you want to work after graduation, and this should be included as well. Perhaps you have always wanted to be a teacher, an actress, a writer, an engineer, or even a doctor. Include any goals that you have for yourself in terms of career satisfaction and your overall happiness with your life.
Do not hesitate to include anecdotes or examples of things that make you happy. Most writers will choose to begin their personal statements with an anecdote or something related to the applicant. However, if you do not like to share specific details about yourself, you may wish to provide some instead. A few interesting personal stories about pets, childhood friends, or similar subjects will make your statement more powerful.
Once you have all of your necessary personal statements in place, you can begin writing the remainder of your graduate school application. Applications for grad schools require a statement of purpose. This statement should be no more than one page, single-spaced, and written in your standard format. Applications for grad schools require more detail for their statement. The statement should be between three to five sentences long and should be related to the applicant’s major area of study.
Graduate schools are extremely busy and you will find that they receive hundreds of applications. Therefore, it is important that you send in your application on time. In addition to sending in your personal statement, you will also need to send in the rest of the information required by your admissions committees, such as your transcripts, your GRE scores, and an unofficial copy of your faculty resume.
