Writing a graduate school application can be stressful, but with these tips, you will be well on your way to writing a winning essay.
Writing a successful personal statement is all about conveying your interests, goals, and why the program you are applying to is the perfect fit to meet both. Moreover, in this process, you’re not alone if you find yourself looking for help with university assignments. Many students turn to online resources for assistance from companies such as Tutor Hunt.
These resources can be particularly useful when trying to create an essay that stands out to someone who reads 70-100 of these daily without being cliche or over the top.
You are ready to write after you have researched the schools and programs and brainstormed ideas about your experiences, goals, and possible essay topics.
Tips for Writing a Graduate Essay
Start writing early
The earlier you start writing, the more time you will have to revise and perfect your essay. Starting early allows you to gather your thoughts, research properly, and avoid the stress of last-minute cramming. It also gives you ample time to seek feedback from professors, peers, or writing centers. A good time to write a first draft is three to four months before your applications are due.
Express yourself clearly
Use precise language to convey your message. Throwing around the newest GRE word you learned while studying is not going to impress people if it does not fit with the rest of the essay. The more precise the writing, the better. This essay is as much about you as it is about your ability to convey ideas persuasively.
Don’t say too much or too little
This is a tough balance to find, but you want to go for a distinctive and not necessarily comprehensive essay. You are not writing an autobiography, just a tight essay that conveys the essence of you.
Personal history
Include personal experiences that have led you to continue your education. If you are going out of undergrad, write about why you want to continue attending school. If you have been working, write about why you want to return to school.
Why do you want to go to grad school?
After going through the brainstorming process, you should have plenty of justification. You need to clearly explain why this is the next logical step based on your experience and goals.
Why is this program in particular?
This part of your essay should differ for each school you apply to. Use the information you found while researching for this essay to explain why this program perfectly fits your goals and interests. You may need to slightly modify some of the other parts of your paper to ensure this section works well.
Tone
You want to be confident in your ability to fit into a higher education environment, but you do not want to come off as pompous or arrogant. It is your opportunity to present an authentic picture of who you are, your aspirations, and what you bring to the table. Hence, your tone should reflect sincerity, passion, and commitment. Here are some guidelines from Robert S Hicks, a literature professor and creative writer:
- Professional: The essay is a formal piece of writing, so maintain professionalism. Use clear, concise, and grammatically correct language. Avoid slang or overly casual expressions.
- Personal: While maintaining professionalism, remember to let your personality shine through. This is your story, so include personal anecdotes or experiences that have shaped your desire to pursue graduate studies.
- Passionate: Show enthusiasm for your chosen field of study. Your excitement about the subject matter and the opportunities that graduate studies will provide should come in your writing.
- Reflective: Demonstrate your ability to introspect and learn from your experiences. Highlight how these experiences have guided your decision to apply for graduate school.
- Humble: While it’s important to highlight your achievements and strengths, do so with humility. Avoid boasting or appearing arrogant.
- Respectful: Be respectful towards the institution you’re applying to. Show that you’ve researched the program and express why you believe it fits your academic and career goals.
- Optimistic: Maintain a positive tone throughout. Even when discussing challenges or setbacks, focus on what you learned from those experiences and how they have prepared you for graduate studies.
Gimmicks
It is possible to write a more creative essay. This high-risk, high-return maneuver could pay off nicely if done correctly. It could also fall flat on its face. Different readers will be impressed by other things, and you can never predict what people will like.
Stay neutral
Avoid any topic that could be seen as controversial. You may get a right-wing nut or a bleeding-heart hippie reading your essay, but you cannot predict it.
Because personal statements balance the line between confidence and arrogance, explanatory and unique, long and short, etc., it is essential to have this document edited repeatedly.
Remember: Take your time and keep breathing.
Summing Up
• Starting early will give you plenty of time to brainstorm, research, and revise your essay.
• Use precise language to convey ideas without sounding cliche or over-the-top.
• Include personal experiences that have led you to pursue graduate studies and explain why this program fits your goals and interests.
• Maintain a professional yet passionate tone throughout the essay that reflects humility and respect for the institution.
• High-risk, high-reward gimmicks can be used, but avoid controversial topics.
• Have your essay edited multiple times to ensure it balances confidence with humility.