One of the biggest and most challenging aspects of completing your applications to grad school is the *dun dun dun* essay portion of the package. Sometimes the essay is called a personal statement, sometimes it is called a statement of purpose, and sometimes the instructions are as simple as write an essay. No matter what term is thrown out there, make no mistake, writing one of these bad boys can be confusing, especially knowing WHAT to write about, and then HOW to write about it.
Why Your Essay is So Important
A lot of applicants spazz out about their GPA or test scores, but these standardized measures are far from the only determinants of whether you will receive an acceptance or rejection letter in a few shorts months. Consider this: An admissions committee does not know a lot about YOU, person who may be walking their hallowed halls, by simply looking at test scores or transcripts. And the only way they will get to know you is if you introduce yourself.
Your first introduction to your future professors and mentors is your admissions essay. Just like a first date (and I realize this may sound like a creepy metaphor), you want to show up “dressed to impress.” What do you want the admissions committee to know about you that they can’t determine from the rest of your materials?
Now is your time to SHINE. Step in a be a strong advocate for yourself. Why do you belong in graduate school? Why now? What have you been doing to prepare yourself for taking the next step in your education? Why this particular program? Why this university?
Meh Won’t Get You Into Grad School
If you don’t have answers right this very moment, it is time to start doing some soul-searching to come up compelling answers NOW. Waiting until the Eleventh Hour when apps are due usually means a product that falls somewhere between poorly crafted, doesn’t *quite* say everything it needs to, or even meh.
If the admissions committee’s response is meh, it certainly won’t get you into grad school, but scrambling instead to figure out Plan B. Figuring out what to write in a personal statement (or statement of purpose or admissions essay) doesn’t exactly take rocket science but it does take forethought. And usually a few drafts to get to submission-ready perfection.
