The Personal Statement compliments of Karen Severn Office of Professional School Advising

Always refer students applying to professional schools to the Office of Professional School Advising: http://honors.tamu.edu/opsa/default.aspx Remind them that we can make suggestions on content but that this office has the experts on staff.

Always refer students applying to professional schools to the Office of Professional School Advising:

http://honors.tamu.edu/opsa/default.aspx

Remind them that we can make suggestions on content but that this office has the experts on staff.

The personal statement is not A resume in sentence format. An opportunity to bash the profession you are trying to enter. An opinion on anything unless you have first-hand experience in that area. A five paragraph essay that sounds like everyone else’s. Fiction. A dissertation.

A resume in sentence format.

An opportunity to bash the profession you are trying to enter.

An opinion on anything unless you have first-hand experience in that area.

A five paragraph essay that sounds like everyone else’s.

Fiction.

A dissertation.

Consider Your Audience They read a lot. They are well-educated. They decide which students will sit in their classrooms and help generate a lively debate. They turn down applicants who “can do the work” but show little personality.

They read a lot.

They are well-educated.

They decide which students will sit in their classrooms and help generate a lively debate.

They turn down applicants who “can do the work” but show little personality.

To begin Decide what you want someone to know about you. You, as a unique person, are giving information that only you can provide. Think of a way to hook yourself into the reader’s memory.

Decide what you want someone to know about you.

You, as a unique person, are giving

information that only you can provide.

Think of a way to hook yourself into the reader’s memory.

Select the delivery method Anecdotal—give anecdotes to illustrate a concept or idea. Story—tell a story and weave facts about yourself into the story.

Anecdotal—give anecdotes to illustrate a concept or idea.

Story—tell a story and weave facts about yourself into the story.

Consider the format Be careful to follow directions for the format. Don’t use special paper, binders, or folders because they committees have copies of your information.

Be careful to follow directions for the format.

Don’t use special paper, binders, or folders because they committees have copies of your information.

Activities You should not talk about your activities in various organizations and leadership positions. Most people applying to professional school will have undertaken the same kinds of activities. If there is a specific organization or activity or experience which has sincerely shaped you or been particularly important to you, you should certainly discuss it. Do not regurgitate your transcript or your activities. That information will be on your resume.

You should not talk about your activities in various organizations and leadership positions.

Most people applying to professional school will have undertaken the same kinds of activities.

If there is a specific organization or activity or experience which has sincerely shaped you or been particularly important to you, you should certainly discuss it.

Do not regurgitate your transcript or your activities. That information will be on your resume.

Understanding An understanding of the profession: If some experience has given you insight into the profession you have chosen, be sure the admissions committee knows that. An understanding of the connection between your goals and the particular professional school: Discuss why you choose to apply to a particular school. Avoid cliches like “I aways wanted to be a doctor.”

An understanding of the profession:

If some experience has given you insight into the profession you have chosen, be sure the admissions committee knows that.

An understanding of the connection between your goals and the particular professional school:

Discuss why you choose to apply to a particular school. Avoid cliches like “I aways wanted to be a doctor.”

Qualities to stress Conscientiousness Honesty Sincerity Seriousness Focus Specificity Brevity

Conscientiousness

Honesty

Sincerity

Seriousness

Focus

Specificity

Brevity

Communication Skills Be sure that your statement is clear, well-written, and concise. Be absolutely sure that it has no misspelled words or grammatical errors.

Be sure that your statement is clear, well-written, and concise.

Be absolutely sure that it has no misspelled words or grammatical errors.