For Graduate Schools
For Post-Grad Service

For graduate schools

From Don Asher's Graduate Admissions Essays available in the MU Career Services Center and gleaned from his lecture at MU in March 2010. {DVD available in the MUCSC}.

Exercises for building a first draft:

1. Intellectual Influences: Answer with at least a full sentence but no more than a half page
1. What writer and which particular articles in your field of study have had the greatest influence on the development of your thought?
2. Who were your favorite professors in college, and why? How has each influenced you?
3. What is the best paper or exam you ever wrote in your major, and what makes it good?
4. What do you consider the more important book, play, article, or film you have ever read/seen, and how has it influenced you?
5. What is the single most important concept you have learned in college?
2. What are some encouraging words others have said to or about you over the years?
3. Where were you and what were you doing when you first thought of pursuing this particular direction of graduate study or volunteer position?
4. What were you doing when you decided to pursue this particular area of graduate study or volunteer position?
1. How has your interest evolved and what specific turning points can you identify?
2. What work experiences have led you to believe you would like to pursue graduate education?
3. What experiences as a volunteer or traveler have influenced your career direction?
4. What experiences from your family life have contributed to this choice?
5. Academic Background (for grad/prof school)
1. How have you prepared yourself to succeed in graduate school?
2. What body of relevant knowledge will you take with you?
3. What study or lab skills have you honed to date?
4. What personal attributes or physical characteristics make you particularly likely to succeed in your new career?
5. What is your biggest accomplishment to date? Make a list of many things you are proud of to get you thinking.

 

For Post-Grad Service

The overall application package will represent who "you" are to people whom you will most likely not know personally. The written expression of your qualities as an applicant will often be a very important way for decision makers to get to know why you are an acceptable candidate for their program. Thus, it is essential to take great care in preparing this part of your application.

Do:

1. Prepare an outline and create a draft
2. Answer all the questions being asked
3. Make sure your essay has a theme or a thesis
4. Provide evidence to support your claims
5. Make your introduction unique
6. Write clearly and make sure it is easy to read
7. Be honest, confident, and be yourself
8. Be interesting and positive
9. Make sure your essay is organized, coherent, and concise
10. Write about yourself and use examples from your own life experiences
11. Use a mixture of long and short sentences
12. Discuss your future goals
13. Mention any hobbies, past jobs, community service, or research experience
14. Speak in the first person (I.)
15. Mention weaknesses without making excuses
16. Discuss why you're interested in the school and/or program
17. Show, don't tell (Use examples to demonstrate your abilities)
18. Ask for help
19. Proofread and revise your statement at least 3 times
20. Have others proofread your essay

Don't:

1. Have any grammar or spelling errors
2. Be wordy or use jargon (don't try to impress the readers by using big words)
3. Swear or use slang
4. Digress or be repetitive
5. Be boring
6. Generalize
7. Include clichés
8. Use gimmicks
9. Be comical (a little humor is okay but remember it can be misconstrued)
10. Be defensive or arrogant
11. Complain
12. Preach
13. Have your essay focus too much on other individuals
14. Discuss politics or religion
15. Give excuses for a low GPA
16. Make lists of accomplishments, awards, skills, or personal qualities (Show, don't tell)
17. Write a term paper or an autobiography
18. Summarize your resume
19. Forget to proofread