| So, you want to go to graduate school? Pursuing a | | | | personal goals. Keep in mind that all these should be a |
| graduate degree right after college or after having | | | | good match with the type of program you would like |
| worked for a couple of years is a major step toward | | | | to get into. A good essay should also be able to tell |
| personal and career development. While admission | | | | the university's admission board about your |
| requirements may vary from one university to | | | | philosophy in life and how you believe obtaining a |
| another-as well as from one graduate program to | | | | master's degree or a PhD can help you make a more |
| another-what would be common to all is the graduate | | | | significant contribution to your community. |
| admission essay. If you are not so much into writing, | | | | What are some dos and don'ts in writing the essay? |
| you may have a tough time coming up with your | | | | Aside from academic excellence, earning a graduate |
| admission essay. The essay part is the be-all and | | | | degree requires hard work, patience, and resilience. |
| end-all of the application process. Not to discourage | | | | Your academic records can easily show how well you |
| you or anything, but it can make or break your | | | | did in college, and your former professors' |
| chances at graduate school. | | | | recommendation letters will attest to that. What can't |
| What is a graduate admission essay, anyway? | | | | be seen right away are your personal values and |
| Since you took the time to read this article, it would | | | | goals. For this reason, do include past experience |
| be safe to assume that you have completed-or | | | | where you had faced a major disappointment and |
| about to complete-your bachelor's degree, so you | | | | explain how you bounced back from the setback. |
| already have an idea of what an admission essay is. | | | | Don't spin stories, though, because inconsistencies are |
| This is not too different from the one that you | | | | bound to show. Do write about activities and work |
| submitted when you first applied for college | | | | experience which display how determined and |
| admission. The only difference is that in grad school, | | | | passionate you are about your field. Don't say that |
| the competition is tougher, and the admissions | | | | you just feel pressured to get into grad school, |
| examiner more discriminating. The essay is also | | | | because you're hoping for a promotion or a raise or |
| referred to as a "statement of purpose," which | | | | your fiancé has a PhD in molecular biology. Do |
| should explain your motivation and intent for getting | | | | have someone you trust and respect read your |
| into the program. | | | | draft. Reading and re-reading your work will |
| How do you come up with an outstanding graduate | | | | sometimes cause you to miss lapses in grammar and |
| admission essay? | | | | typography. If that person had been or is a graduate |
| First of all, your essay should present you as both a | | | | student, you may even ask him or her for tips or |
| candidate and a person. Make sure that you highlight | | | | topics which you might have missed but would |
| your best qualities by focusing on your biggest | | | | otherwise make your essay stand out. |
| achievements, major influences, and your career and | | | | |