Writing a Statement of Purpose Dr. Beth Brunk-ChavezGraduate School Expo DayMarch 26, 2009

What it isAn overview of what you plan to study and what you have already doneEducation, work, publications, etc.Self-promotion Probably the most important piece of your application package. If all things are equal, this will be the deciding piece.

An overview of what you plan to study and what you have already done

Education, work, publications, etc.

Self-promotion

Probably the most important piece of your application package. If all things are equal, this will be the deciding piece.

Why is it so important?Sell yourself as a good student, hard worker, reliable, someone who will finish the degreeDistinguish yourself from other applicants

Sell yourself as a good student, hard worker, reliable, someone who will finish the degree

Distinguish yourself from other applicants

What it tells committeesHow good a fit you are How committed you are to a graduate educationHow good of a writer you areWhat you have accomplishedWhat you hope to do/study/become

How good a fit you are

How committed you are to a graduate education

How good of a writer you are

What you have accomplished

What you hope to do/study/become

What not to doDON’TBe too personalWrite about inappropriate topicsForget to change the name of the schoolBe too modestOr, be too braggyUse clichés Dwell on weaknesses

Be too personal

Write about inappropriate topics

Forget to change the name of the school

Be too modest

Or, be too braggy

Use clichés

Dwell on weaknesses

What to doUse detailAddress weaknessesFocus on the opening paragraphBe interesting and personableTell a storyWrite concisely and correctlyFollow guidelines. If it asks for 2 pages, don’t send 3.

Use detail

Address weaknesses

Focus on the opening paragraph

Be interesting and personable

Tell a story

Write concisely and correctly

Follow guidelines.

If it asks for 2 pages, don’t send 3.

Getting startedRead instructions carefully—schools may ask for different things:Personal statementStatement of interestResearch agendaTeaching philosophy

Read instructions carefully—schools may ask for different things:

Personal statement

Statement of interest

Research agenda

Teaching philosophy

Getting startedDo researchOn the disciplineOn the programOn the facultyOn the current studentsOn the graduated students

Do research

On the discipline

On the program

On the faculty

On the current students

On the graduated students

Use a writing processBrainstorm, invent, draw maps, free write, draw picturesDraft quicklyReviseHave someone read itRevise moreRevise againEditHave someone read it

Brainstorm, invent, draw maps, free write, draw pictures

Draft quickly

Revise

Have someone read it

Revise more

Revise again

Edit

Have someone read it

Language ChoicesUse “I”—but don’t overuse itUse active voice/present tenseNot too casual, not too formal

Use “I”—but don’t overuse it

Use active voice/present tense

Not too casual, not too formal

Nice touchesMention several faculty by nameMention something about what current students are working on or publications of former students

Mention several faculty by name

Mention something about what current students are working on or publications of former students

Online Resource The Purdue OWLhttp://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/642/01/