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- Realize that the people who work
in admissions offices must read
many, many essays. You want yours
to stand out and get their attention,
not bore them!
- Understand the purpose of the
essay–basically, it is your
chance to communicate who you are
and what you are all about to the
admissions committee. This is one
way they can get to know you as
a person. Think about what makes
you unique, different from other
candidates.
- This is also your chance to sell
why you would be a good match for
their program. You will want to
customize essays to fit each school
to which you apply.
- Make sure you answer the question
you are being asked.
- Most essays follow a formula:
an introduction, a body, and then
a conclusion. Create an introduction
that grabs their attention, and
a conclusion that sums it all up
and ends on a positive note.
- Pay attention to how long the
application form says that the essay
should be, and don’t go over
that limit.
- Use examples and details from
your life–has there been a
research project or some other relevant
activity in your life that you’ve
particularly enjoyed? What was it,
what did you contribute, and what
was the result? What have teachers or others
said about you as a student or a
human being? What are you most proud
of? What is motivating you to pursue
this degree? What do you consider
your greatest accomplishment? Failures
are also something you could write
about if there was an important
lesson you learned from the experience.
These are all examples of things
that could possibly be woven into
your essay to make it come alive.
- What do you hope to accomplish
by earning this degree? What are
your career and life goals? How
will you use the degree?
- Have you named the school in
your essay? Be sure that the right
essay goes to the right school–honest!
Some people actually make this mistake!
Also, talk about why the particular
school interests you and makes you
think it is the right place for
you.
- Make sure you refine your draft–write,
edit, write some more, edit again.
Read it aloud to someone. Is it
organized, interesting, coherent,
and concise? If you read it to someone
and they don’t understand
what you mean, then chances are
the admissions committee won’t
understand it either! Ask for other
opinions if you aren’t sure
of your writing skills. Be sure
that the grammar, spelling, and
punctuation are correct.
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