How to Write a Winning Personal Statement for Graduate (2023)

Along with a focused narrative, graduate applicants must demonstrate to the admissions committee why they want to participate in this program and how it relates to their place academically, locally and globally. Radunich notes that strong personal statements show candidates understand the "big picture" of the profession and the true meaning and impact it will have in their communities.

Applicants should take the time to ensure that their personal statements are accurate and free of errors. Radunich emphasizes the importance of the review. "Don't even bother submitting an application with a poorly written or grammatical personal statement. That personal statement is a reflection of the quality of work you will submit to the program."

1. Read the instructions.Some apps provide little guidance, asking potential students to explain why they want to apply to the program or provide information about their background and interests. Others, however, provide specific guidance on content, format, word count, and submission method. It is crucial that candidates read and understand what is expected of their personal statements. It doesn't matter how well crafted the statement is if it doesn't meet the message or doesn't take into account the stated length requirements.
2. self reflectionBefore sitting down to write, students should spend time thinking about their strengths and what they want to convey to admissions committees. Radunich says it's essential that students really think about what makes them special. "Take some time to reflect on your personal brand. What qualities do you bring to a group of graduate students that this program doesn't know they need?" When students are confident in their positive qualities, it can be easier to convince admissions officers of the value they add to any graduate program.
3. Talk to friends and family.Sometimes figuring out how to write about yourself or what items to highlight can be difficult. Radunich says this is where friends and family can be a big help. She recommends talking to those who know you best. "Ask the people who have been with you throughout your journey to give you feedback on who you are and what they have observed. Use them to provide feedback on what a graduate program has to offer. How do you do it?" would describe? in five words This is your 'essential self,' what makes you stand out from the rest."
4. Be authentic."We hear this all the time, but it's the best advice," Radunich says. "Admissions people can smell a scam. They know when you're using words outside of your vocabulary or exaggerating what an experience was like to you. They read thousands of personal statements a year, and they also see which applicants sound like the people who said than they were when they were admitted. Don't sell yourself to an admissions panel — present a polished but real account of who you are and what matters to you. That way the right school will recognize what you bring to the table."
5. Keep it relevant.The focus should remain on why the student is qualified and wants to apply to that particular program. Admissions staff want to get to know their candidates, but primarily they want to make sure they choose students who value the program and have specific reasons for applying. For example, a student may be drawn to a program because one or two faculty members conduct research that aligns with that student's interests. This is something worth mentioning in a statement. Anecdotes and stories add a personal element, but it's also important to include practical, academic, and career-focused details.
6. Get feedback from external sources.It is helpful for students to ask others to read their personal statements. As Radunich points out, this can help students see how their statements may be perceived by others, and another set of eyes can help a student determine if the essay is interesting and well-organized. Friends, family, teachers, and writing center staff can be great resources.
7. Use specific examples.Graduate applicants should do their best to avoid using blanket statements or listing their experience and qualifications. "Use specific examples and a strong narrative to draw the reader into your life and care about you in the end," suggests Radunich. "For example, if you're applying to medical school, tell us a specific personal story about something that happened while you were volunteering at the hospital that changed your worldview, challenged you, and confirmed your goal of being a doctor."
8. Correct possible deficiencies.The personal statement is an excellent opportunity for a candidate whose metrics aren't top-notch to step up and make their case. "If the student had less than excellent grades at graduation," Radunich notes, "(the student) can provide some context in the personal statement." Students may feel that this is not necessary or comfortable with it, but it is an option. Candidates must be cautious about how they address weaknesses; explanations should not sound like excuses, but rather be framed in a way that demonstrates perseverance, improvement, or the learning that followed these challenges.
9. Use space efficiently.Personal statements are usually quite short, typically between 500 and 1,000 words. This means that filler words and phrases like "the truth is" or "it is my personal belief that" take up valuable space that could be used to compel admissions to request an interview. It's important to convey a clear picture in just a few paragraphs, so keep it concise and to the point. In statements that allow for a larger number of words, remember that more is not always better. Admissions committees read thousands of personal essays each year, and longer ones may be at greater risk of being skimmed rather than read in full.
10. Write, edit, repeat.Depending on the program, a student's personal statement can carry considerable weight. It should not be put together at the last minute. Allowing adequate time to write multiple drafts, edit, and thoroughly proofread is a must. Have others proofread and grammar check before you apply; they can catch errors that were missed in earlier drafts.

As I approached the convention hall, I wondered if I had the wrong room number. I couldn't hear any signs of life and was losing the nerve to open the door and risk embarrassing myself. As I imagined a security guard walking up and berating me for being in a place I shouldn't be, a hand reached out and opened the door, pulling me back to the real world. Check it out. More hands. Hundreds of them. Hands flew, waved, articulated,baile. At the same time, admiration and fear invaded me.

You can do that.

I never planned to take American Sign Language and I certainly didn't plan for it to take my heart. In the first term of the university I enrolled in German, a language that I loved to listen to since I was a child. However, a week before classes started, the course section was removed. In my frustration, I decided that I would take the first available language class on the course registration. In hindsight, this probably wasn't the smartest approach, but it was a decision that completely upended my supposedly immutable plan to become a linguist. The intricacies of nonverbal language baffled me, and I found myself thinking about hand signs while writing essays on Saussure's linguistic signs. I rearranged my schedule so I could take improv classes to help me with my facial and body expressions. Theater! This was completely out of the question, but I was suddenly forced to do anything that would help me immerse myself in ASL and deaf culture.

Except really get involved in the community.

I knew going to my first deaf convention would be intimidating. My hands shake when I'm anxious, and nothing makes me more nervous than throwing you into a situation where you're a total stranger. Between my limited vocabulary, trembling fingers, and face frozen in fear, would anyone be able to understand me? What was he doing here? He had been studying American Sign Language for almost three years and had somehow managed to avoid spontaneous conversations with the deaf community, and he was terrified. Workbook exercises and informal conversations with classmates, who had roughly the same ASL vocabulary and relied on the same language crutches as I, became increasingly comfortable, but immersing myself in the deaf culture and community was something completely different. I was afraid. However, American Sign Language and Deaf Studies won my heart, and I knew this fear was a huge barrier I needed to overcome in order to continue working toward my goal of becoming a Deaf Studies advocate and educator. .

It must have been quite obvious that I was listening and petrified, because I was immediately greeted by someone who very formally and slowly asked me if I was a student and offered to come with me. This small gesture is representative of how I became so fond of deaf culture in such a short time. The hearing community tends toward posturing, indirect communication, and sometimes an isolated emphasis on individualism, and my limited experiences within the Deaf community have been quite the opposite. Direct communication that exists in insightful, beautifully nuanced language and welcoming enthusiasm for growing the community is something I look forward to being a part of. I am an outsider and I have a lot to learn, but I want to do everything I can to foster understanding and sharing between the deaf and hearing communities and make listening spaces more inclusive, especially for those who are more experienced as an outsider than Yeah.

My devotion to the language and learning culture through communication has not changed, but the path I want to follow with this passion has changed. My foray into deaf studies and American Sign Language may have started as an accident, but no matter how nervous I still get when my fingers wobble or I have to spell something, I am honored and grateful that this accident helped me. has led to a vocation. that could have remained unheard of throughout my life.