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Ivy Eyes Editing - Writing a Personal Statement

Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 8:32 am
by IvyEyesEditing
Hello everyone,

In addition to answering all your specific writing questions in this forum, we also aim to periodically provide this community with valuable writing tips. Because admissions season is here, we would like to give considerable attention to admissions essays and personal statements.

Many schools at the undergraduate and graduate level (including law, MBA and medical school) request a personal statement. What is the purpose of a personal statement? A great, effective personal statement achieves many things: it shows a focused career and academic trajectory, it develops deeper connections and themes in your experience, and it conveys a deeper sense of who you are.

Some of the most common mistakes made with personal statements include:

-A lack of concrete detail, and an overabundance of unsubstantiated generalities that do not reveal a clear, committed path

-A lack of connectivity between your academic, professional and personal experience, and a lack of reflection on the experiences you have had

-A lack of humanity and personality

-"Over-selling" yourself to a specific program, e.g. "Yale is the ideal place for me because....I have always wanted to attend Princeton because...."

Writing personal statements can be quite challenging. You must position your experience to show you are a great fit for a given program, but also convey a deeper sense of what motivates you.

Try to pinpoint a common thread among all of your academic and professional choices. Think about the forces that really drive and inspire you. Determine exactly why a specific program is the best fit for you--do the research!!! In the end, a great personal statement communicates a wealth of concrete detail while also conveying a real sense of who you are.

If you have any questions, let us know!

All the best,

Paul
Ivy Eyes Editing
http://www.ivyeyesediting.com

Re: Ivy Eyes Editing - Writing a Personal Statement

Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 12:58 pm
by Vega
IvyEyesEditing wrote:Many schools at the undergraduate and graduate level (including law, MBA and medical school) request a personal statement.
Hello Paul.

Thank you for the informations you provide for us. I saved all the pages on my HDD. :-)

Do you have anything related to postgraduate study abroad. I am going to attend in some years after I have finish a master degree here.

Re: Ivy Eyes Editing - Writing a Personal Statement

Posted: Sat Aug 01, 2009 4:55 am
by IvyEyesEditing
Hi Xcalibur,

I am very happy you have found our input useful! As far as post-graduate applications are concerned, many of the same basic writing caveats we have mentioned in these forums apply. Of course, for more intensive study at that level, you must convey your specific interests/focus. So, it becomes even more critical to map out your future, and think about how XXX program and faculty will get you there.

Depending on what academic route you are taking, these programs can be small and highly selective. Therefore, you must also show real fit/compatibility with the program to which you are applying.

If you have specific questions, or would like us to help you with an application question, please let us know.

All best,
Paul
Ivy Eyes Editing
www.ivyeyesediting.com
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