I consider myself a writer. Reading and writing have always been among my great passions in life. I was one of those kids who took great delight at a trip to the library because this is where I felt at home. So many books and so many interests, I wandered up and down the aisles in search of my next great adventure.
In time, I wanted to write, and I did. I wrote and wrote and wrote and wrote as a middle schooler and high schooler. When faced with the decision of what to major in in college, I was torn between English and Psychology. Psychology won out and I designated English as my minor.
As an undergrad and Ph.D. student, one of the most consistent praises I’ve earned is for my writing style. Late last year, I contributed a chapter to the Legacy Letters anthology. The Legacy Letters project creator and editor told me (and I take as an extremely high compliment):
“You write with an authenticity and transparency that is interesting and inspiring.” – Lisa Nicole Bell
And it is my intention to bring the same authenticity, transparency, inspiration, along with a heavy dose of usable advice and guidance here to grad school admission seekers.
I’m a writer. A pretty damn good one.
I’ve only been doing this for over half my life. I love it. I enjoy it. Writing with honesty and deep reflection is what I pride myself on. You see, everyone is not a writer. Teaming up with a damn good writer who has been through the grad school admissions process could very well mean the difference between an essay that stands head and shoulders above out the competition and, well, one that gets stuck on the bottom of the pile.
Just recently, I completed a coaching session with a brand new client. She’s one of those Student Government president science-y type gals who is interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in microbiology. Science is her thing. And even though she’s a good writer, there was something nagging her that was missing from her statement of purpose essay.
What she was missing was a STORY. Everyone has one. You know, your story of why you’re so passionate about this field that you would volunteer for even more years of schooling!
And boy, did she have a story!
She was so intertwined in living it that she didn’t see it before. Together, we weaved her story into her admissions essay, and the final product was even better than I had ever imagined. Her essay spoke with such clarity about why she was so passionate about science, why more women were needed in science, and how she was duly prepared and committed to uncovering new knowledge in the field of microbiology.
Graduate admissions committees are interested in hearing your story. Armed with a well-crafted essay, now you’re not just a grade point average, standardized test score, or a list of activities. You are a living, breathing person with aptitude and promise. Your passion speaks for itself. You are the type of applicant they want to admit.
