Personal Statements & Job Application Essays
Advice and Perspective
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Show – don’t tell!
- This is by far the most important thing we can do!
- This means not just saying who you are and what you have done, but demonstrating.
Be specific.
- General phrases are vague, and could have been written by anyone.
- Describing specifically what you’ve done and what you’ve learned breathes life into your writing – now it will speak with your unique voice.
Keep it recent.
- Avoid mentioning (or if you must mention, avoid dwelling on) events and experiences that occurred earlier than the last 4 years.
- Although it may seem like you were meant to be a doctor since you were five years old, the reviewing committee doesn’t want 5-year-olds in med school. Focus on the person you are now, and the recent experiences that have made you that person.
Give yourself room to breathe in early drafts.
- Always write more to begin with: it is easier to trim a rich, expansive piece of writing than beef up a lean, skimpy one.
- Write as if you’re writing in a journal that only you will see, not to a scary review committee. Again, you can always to edit your tone to be more formal later, but it will be harder to inject enthusiasm into a dry piece of writing.
Addressing Common Issues
A. If this sounds like you…
- “This is totally different from what I’ve done before.”
- “My experiences have been really varied–how do I make them organized and
coherent?”
Try this in your writing…
- Selection: describe how exploring these other options and ultimately choosing not
to continue with each has made you sure of what you are about to do now. - Synthesis: pick one part (e.g., skill) from each experience and describe how they
come together to suit the new goal you’re aspiring to.
B. If this sounds like you…
- “When I read through, it feels like a list and not a story.”
- “I’m afraid of leaving out something important if I don’t talk about everything.”
Try this in your writing…
- Highlighting: which of the things you list gets you the most excited? Focus on this one alone as the best example.
- Reorganization: consider moving certain experiences from your statement to your resume or other materials you’re submitting.
C. If this sounds like you…
- “I feel like I have to explain why I’m not doing something else.”
- “I do care about this position, but one of my main motivations is money/the trip to
Europe/another line on my resume/not knowing what else to do.”
Try this in your writing…
- Tone Change: don’t defend your choices–motivate them. When you find a sentence that’s defensive or explanatory, edit the wording so you’re focusing on the positive, exciting side.
- Motivation: it’s not unusual to be driven by many motives, some of which you wouldn’t want to say to a reviewer’s face. Step away from your draft and revisit the experiences that have excited you about this topic either privately on paper or in conversation with a friend, family member, or Writing Studio consultant can help you rediscover your finest motivations.
Last revised: November 2022 | Adapted for web delivery: November 2022
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