1	Preparing for Graduate School: Writing the Personal Statement Indiana University- Purdue University Indianapolis Gwendolyn L. Johnson, MBA, Ph.D. Assistant Dean SROP Coordinator (SROP, IUCC SRP, T35, Bridges to the Doctorate) IUPUI Graduate Office 620 Union Drive, UN 518 Indianapolis, IN 46202-5167 www.iupui.edu/~gradoff/ 317.274.1577 317.278.2380 Fax
2	IUPUI IUPUI confers both Indiana University and Purdue University graduate degrees. Many of the degrees can be obtained by taking classes in Indianapolis only. It may be necessary for some students to take classes in Bloomington or West Lafayette; check with your advisor or department chair about the degree requirements of your program of interest.
3	Applying to Graduate School The Graduate and/or Professional School application process includes these areas: Formal Application (online or paper) Academic Record (GPA) Admissions Test Scores (GRE, MCAT, LSAT, DAT, etc.) Strong Letters of Recommendation *Statement of Purpose Resume/CV (optional) Writing Sample (optional)
4	The Statement of Purpose may also be called: The Letter of Intent The Personal Statement Autobiographical Statement Personal Narrative NOTE: Statement of Purpose may also serve as a writing sample.
5	The Statement of Purpose is the ONLY part of your application that you have absolute control over.
6	THE PERSONAL STATEMENT Personal Statements are personal, so there is no right or wrong approach that works for everyone. There are, however, commonalities that committees look for in the personal statement. The statement should be specific, short, succinct, yet concise. Statements usually range from 250-1000 words. Always check requirements for each program. Get the reader’s attention RIGHT AWAY. Maintain your focus so that the statement flows, is interesting, and does not lose the reader in minutia.
7	Two types of Statements Formal School/department gives a set of questions for your to answer Informal You write your reflections Who am I rather than what I do? Your purpose in graduate study Your intended future use of this degree Your background, preparation Problems, inconsistencies in your records or scores, such as a bad semester Why do you want to attend this school, this program?
8	So, just what IS the Statement of Purpose? …your [formal or informal] opportunity to “sell” yourself in the application process …the single most important parts of your application that tells the admissions committee who you are, what you have done that has influenced your decision to further your academic career, defines your interests and passion, and gives an idea of your future goals and plans.
9	The Statement of Purpose Performs a self-inventory of your unique experiences, influences, and abilities Describes your short and long-term goals Why THIS school? Faculty that you desire to work with? What specifically do you hope to gain from this Program? What are your career aspirations? What is your dream job? What would you dream of doing in five, 10, 20 years?
10	The Statement of Purpose Describes your Skills and Characteristics What are your personal characteristics and abilities (integrity, compassion, persistence, for example) do you possess that would make you the most competitive candidate? How can you describe personal experiences that “show” rather than “tell” the committee the skills you possess? Why might you be a stronger candidate for graduate school--and more successful and effective in the profession or field--than other applicants? What do you have to offer the school-to your fellow students, to the faculty, to the broader community? Why do you think you will succeed in this academic program? What are the most compelling reasons you can give for the admissions committee to be interested in you? Why do you think you will be successful in your chosen career?
11	What the Admissions Committee might want to see in your personal statement? Seriousness of Purpose in pursuing graduate school Intellectual ability to “handle” graduate Intellectual Curiosity about the field you wish to enter Creativity Open-Mindedness (to ideas, people, and circumstances different from your own) Maturity (as demonstrated by being responsible and trustworthy) Concern for Others Initiative Enthusiasm Confidence (handing situation) Multi-tasking Diligence/Persistence Communication Ability Leadership Analytical Ability Risk Taking Insight Optimism Compromise Overcoming Adversity
12	The Statement of Purpose Should: Be unique/distinguishable from others NOT be an extension or restatement of your resume Avoid the “what I did with my life” approach Avoid a list of achievements Avoid “teaching” about the field of study Discuss “what turns you on” in the field
13	How to get started writing the Statement of Purpose? Understand that writing the Statement of Purpose WILL take time and rewriting. Be honest with yourself. Find out and write the following questions: What do I love? What/who inspired me (when)? That is, What did it for me? What is my story? Why do I want this degree? What makes me a competitive applicant? Why do I want to study at this University, this department, with this faculty member? Why is this a good fit? What do I plan to do with this degree after I leave XYZ University?
14	How to get started writing the Statement of Purpose? Make sure that the first paragraph provides the “sound bite” that grabs the reader’s attention so they will want to read further. The middle sections of your Statement introduces your knowledge of the field and your background that makes you a good fit for the program. Do your research on the program, faculty, research agendas, and students. Stay away from trite statements or clichés (I want to help people). ALWAYS ask someone you trust to proof your statement, and if appropriate, make corrections or recommendations for improvement.
15	For More Information For more information: Definition of a Personal Statement by Mary Tovar, best advice for prestigious fellowships (PDF) Writing Personal Statements and Scholarship Application Essays, a handbook by Joe Schall (check the library, career center, writing center or bookstore) Getting Personal, by Joe Schall, in Graduating Engineer and Computer Careers Online Writing a Personal Statement, Purdue Writing Center Rhodes and Marshall Advice, Reed Sample Marshall Essay, WPI Advice on Essays, Harvard, includes sample essays Sample Successful Fellowship Essays, Boston University Writing Scholarship Essays, Kansas State Graduate School Statement, Berkeley Personal Statement Writing Guide, from GetIntoUni.com, a UK website Statementofpurpose.com, essay tips Grad School Application Essays, Accepted.com Tips for Writing a Personal Statement, Carnegie Mellon, esp. for medical school Proposal Writing: the Art of Persuasion, Holy Cross, esp. good for Fulbright Dissertations, Research Proposals, and Foundation Grants (which differ from personal statements): Dissertation Proposal Workshop, Berkeley (with examples for Fulbright and NSF) Writing a Fellowship Proposal or Statement of Purpose, Harvard, esp. for graduate dissertations The Art of Writing Proposals, SSRC, standard advice in the social sciences, relevant for all fields Proposal Writing: The Business of Science by Wendy Sanders, esp. for research proposals to the NIH A Guide for Proposal Writing, NSF Division of Undergraduate Education Proposal Writing Short Course, Foundation Center Guide to Proposal Planning and Writing, by Miner and Miner, from GrantsSelect
16	Visit the IUPUI Graduate Office Website… http://www.iupui.edu/~gradoff/ Student Resources Grants Financial Aid Fellowships Health Insurance Thesis/Dissertation Preparation