Senior Seminar Statement of Purpose October 16, 2007

Where are you on this list?  GRE (Taken, registered, prep)  Letters of Recommendation  Statement of Purpose  Transcripts  Additional Items: -Current CV or Resume

Statement of Purpose Formulating Ideas Think about a story that encapsulates why you want to go to graduate school and eventually make a career out of academic study. Think about a story that encapsulates why you want to go to graduate school and eventually make a career out of academic study. It can be a hardship you’ve overcome, a commitment to social change, or a particular course/project that instilled a passion for your field. It can be a hardship you’ve overcome, a commitment to social change, or a particular course/project that instilled a passion for your field.

Application Questions Here are some questions that have been asked of applicants to graduate programs: 1. Why do you want to go into your intended field? 2. What do you plan on doing with your degree? 3. What changes do you hope to make in the world (or your field) by getting an advanced degree? 4. What got you excited about your field? 5. What, personally, do you get out of the work that you do?

…more questions 1. What makes you think you’d be a good graduate student? 2. What makes you think you’d be a good addition to the institution you are applying to? 3. What specifically about this program would further your educational and career goals? 4. Do you have the emotional and academic determination it takes to succeed in graduate school? 5. Discuss your experiences, feelings and ideas about working with populations settings different than your own.

…and a few more 1. Discuss you undergraduate academic experience and include a description of your academic strengths and weaknesses. Please explain and grade discrepancies and what you have done to improve them. 1. What skills (ie., leadership, communicative, analytical) do you posses? 2. If work experiences have consumed significant periods of time during your college years, what have you learned, and how has your work contributed to your personal growth? 3. Have you overcome any unusual obstacles? How did overcoming them contribute to your determination to be a graduate student?

Read and Reread Make sure you have thoroughly read all the requirements for the personal statement- they might all appear to be the same! Make sure you have thoroughly read all the requirements for the personal statement- they might all appear to be the same! Some schools have very specific questions that must be addressed. Some schools have very specific questions that must be addressed. Create a checklist of all the questions. Create a checklist of all the questions.

Structure Think of how you’re presenting your information Think of how you’re presenting your information How are topics flowing through the paragraphs? How are topics flowing through the paragraphs?

Major Themes to Include Introduction: capture your audience. Introduction: capture your audience. Where are you applying Where are you applying Background: Background: –Academic –Research –Co-curricular –Personal …and all this has led you to here…. …and all this has led you to here….

Major Themes to Include (incl.) Alignment of research interests with program and faculty Alignment of research interests with program and faculty How you fit with the program How you fit with the program What do you want to do with this degree, beyond this program (list future career/academic goals) What do you want to do with this degree, beyond this program (list future career/academic goals)

Choose a FOCUS The main point of your statement (theme) The main point of your statement (theme) Aside from the broadest sense of focus (“Why I should be accepted to….”) Aside from the broadest sense of focus (“Why I should be accepted to….”) Think of something more personal and subtle to make a positive impression Think of something more personal and subtle to make a positive impression Should include a value or an observation that has shaped you as a person. Should include a value or an observation that has shaped you as a person.

Create a Frame for your Focus The structure that holds your focus The structure that holds your focus Thinking the frame as an anecdote that introduces your statement at the beginnning Thinking the frame as an anecdote that introduces your statement at the beginnning -introduce the occasion of the focus -introduces you -creative enough to spark interest in the rest of your statement

Create Strong Transitions Moving from one idea to the next. Moving from one idea to the next. Don’t assume that the audience always follows you. Don’t assume that the audience always follows you. Does the first sentence of every paragraph somehow relate to the last sentence in the previous paragraph? Does the first sentence of every paragraph somehow relate to the last sentence in the previous paragraph? Make sure that your topics flow in a logical order. Make sure that your topics flow in a logical order. –Many choose to order things chronologically –Categorize/order ideas (academics, volunteer, work)

Follow Through and Flesh Out If you raised issues, be prepared to follow through on them and offer exp. and background. If you raised issues, be prepared to follow through on them and offer exp. and background. Be explicit, make sure you round out the issues you raise with supporting details. Be explicit, make sure you round out the issues you raise with supporting details. Be clear. Be clear.

Show, Don’t Tell I am intelligent I am intelligent I am hardworking I am hardworking I want to change the world I want to change the world I want to help people I want to help people Avoid listing courses, and work experiences….always flush out! Avoid listing courses, and work experiences….always flush out!

What to Avoid 1. Spelling errors, poor English. 2. Anything that starts out with “I’ve always wanted to be a ______” 3. Not answering the questions 4. Saying exactly what they want to hear 5. Long statements 6. Describe the program back to the program.

Not a chore, a personal Manifesto! Who you are as a person lead you to the decision to pursue graduate study Who you are as a person lead you to the decision to pursue graduate study Your work is important and exciting for you- it gives your life and meaning Your work is important and exciting for you- it gives your life and meaning You are prepared for the level of engagement needed for graduate study You are prepared for the level of engagement needed for graduate study Your work will have a broader impact Your work will have a broader impact This program needs you as much as you need it This program needs you as much as you need it You are qualified for and deserve to be in the program You are qualified for and deserve to be in the program