GRAD SCHOOL APPLICATION ESSAY
GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL APPLICATION ESSAY GUIDE
By Suzanne Zilber, Ph.D. Former Coordinator of the Career Exploration Program, Student
Counseling Service, Iowa State University. Other helpful information is available on the Student
Counseling Service Web Site http://www.iastate.edu/~stdtcouns/
Introduction
Applications to graduate and professional school often require a personal or autobiographical statement. Although your grades and test scores are probably more important criteria for acceptance, your personal statement can influence whether you are considered a valuable candidate for the program.
A strong admissions essay can accomplish many goals. First, you can sell yourself by highlighting your unique qualifications for the academic program. Second, the essay may be used to supplement or expand on information included in the standard application forms for the program. For example, you may have one line to list "Philanthropy chair of sorority", and you may want to describe what that entailed further in the essay. Thirdly, you may want to use the essay to explain special circumstances in your academic history (e.g., an unusually poor performance one quarter) if you believe those experiences may negatively affect your chances for admission.
Furthermore, if you gain admission, your essay may be used to assign a faculty advisor with similar interests.
Writing an admissions essay can be anxiety provoking, especially for those lacking confidence in their writing skills. This booklet will provide you with guidelines for successfully approaching the challenge to produce a high quality, top notch essay.
The Purpose of an Admissions Essay
In evaluating your application, admissions faculty are primarily trying to determine three things:
1) Can you handle the work?
2) Will you have sufficient motivation to do the work and complete the degree?
3) Will you fit into the program?
The two steps towards achieving these three objectives in your
By Suzanne Zilber, Ph.D. Former Coordinator of the Career Exploration Program, Student
Counseling Service, Iowa State University. Other helpful information is available on the Student
Counseling Service Web Site http://www.iastate.edu/~stdtcouns/
Introduction
Applications to graduate and professional school often require a personal or autobiographical statement. Although your grades and test scores are probably more important criteria for acceptance, your personal statement can influence whether you are considered a valuable candidate for the program.
A strong admissions essay can accomplish many goals. First, you can sell yourself by highlighting your unique qualifications for the academic program. Second, the essay may be used to supplement or expand on information included in the standard application forms for the program. For example, you may have one line to list "Philanthropy chair of sorority", and you may want to describe what that entailed further in the essay. Thirdly, you may want to use the essay to explain special circumstances in your academic history (e.g., an unusually poor performance one quarter) if you believe those experiences may negatively affect your chances for admission.
Furthermore, if you gain admission, your essay may be used to assign a faculty advisor with similar interests.
Writing an admissions essay can be anxiety provoking, especially for those lacking confidence in their writing skills. This booklet will provide you with guidelines for successfully approaching the challenge to produce a high quality, top notch essay.
The Purpose of an Admissions Essay
In evaluating your application, admissions faculty are primarily trying to determine three things:
1) Can you handle the work?
2) Will you have sufficient motivation to do the work and complete the degree?
3) Will you fit into the program?
The two steps towards achieving these three objectives in your