Write Essays - Githubissues

Personal Statement Tips
Statement of Purpose Tips
Essay Formulae
General Essay Tips
Regional Differences
Essay Writing Process

Personal Statement

(1 P) Why you're interested in grad school (Calarco, p. 38)
- What brought you to grad school?
- Was it a research question, passion, goal?
- What do you hope to achieve?
(2-3 P) Why you're going to be successful in grad school (Calarco, p. 39)
- They want to invest in students they perceive will have a high return
- How past experiences have prepared you for success (TA, papers, projects)
- What did you learn from those experiences?
- How did they point you to the work you're hoping to do in grad school?
- How will they help you succeed?
- Address red flags or gaps
(1-2 P) Why this program is the best fit for you (Calarco, p. 41)
- How the department's strengths (methods, courses, faculty) align with your interests
- Which professors do you want to work with
- Mention the location

Statement of Purpose

(1 P) Hook
- Interesting first line or paragraph is a gift to the reader
- Can be a bold position, epiphany, scene
(3-4 P) Body
- Catalogue technical skills and abilities
- Prove you have the background and skills to excel
- Where did you go to school? Back up the degree if it's not well known
- Choose a few key accomplishments, labs, work, etc.
- Show personality, substantiate academic preparation, knowledge of subject, etc.
(1-2 P) Why the School
- Show that you've reached the program, read the catalogue, and considered reasons for applying
- Name specific programs
- Find a common thread with their philosophy and yours
- (1 P) Future Plan
- What do you want to do? Which career?
- How do you plan to use this grad school education
- What's your place in the "big picture" (if you know)

Essay Formulae

From A to B (Personal History)

# Hook (1 paragraph)
- Capture reader attention in the first 1-2 lines
- Set the scene related to area A

# Interest (1 paragraph)
- Trace origin of interest in area A
- What do you enjoy about it? What drew you to it? 
- Which skills allowed you to pursue it?

# Rationale (2 paragraphs)
- Provide a rationale for transition from area A to B
- 1 paragraph is the personal shift in interest from A to B
- 1 paragraph on how skills from area A can help area B

# Well-Rounded (1-2 paragraphs)
- A student capable of studying many fields can also support this transition (and usually is strong for research)
- Point out other skills, topics of exploration, work experience
- Address strengths of a nontraditional background for area B

# Conclusion (1 paragraph)
- Reiterate that background makes you stronger and unique
- Remind them of why area A supports area B
- Emphasize desire to do B

In the Field (Statement of Purpose)

# Hook (1 paragraph)
- Capture reader attention in the first 1-2 lines
- Set the scene for where you were and what you were doing
- What do you want to study (1 line)
- Close paragraph which what your purpose is for grad school

# Context (1 paragraph)
- Introduce the research topic 
- What brought you to this research topic?
- Why should we care about this area?

# Propose Research (1 paragraph)
- What do you want to explore more specifically?
- What is the current gap in research?
- Clearly state in 1-2 sentences what you intend to do

# Preparation (1-2 paragraphs)
- What makes you capable of taking on this research?
- What skills do you have that lend themselves to this area?
- Use your 3 strongest examples of preparation (1 line each max)

# Why X school? (1-2 paragraphs)
- How school X parallels your own philosophy or interests 
- Name drop the labs and professors

# Conclusion (1 paragraph)
- Summary of (1) research goals, (2) degree, and (3) school
- Have a killer closing line
# Asher, p. 95

Diversity (Supplemental)

# Hook (1 paragraph)

General Tips

Less is more; focus on making a few points (Asher, p. 86)
Avoid self-promotions (e.g., "I'm intelligent, motivated..."), instead show this through scenes and events
Do not use the word "always"; you probably have not "always" wanted to do X
Never use 'I' as the first word in the essay
Watch out for negative connotations
Name drop an advisor whenever you can

Regional Differences

For US schools, own your work: "I conducted ..."
For UK schools, be humble and grateful: "I was fortunate enough ..."
For Oxford, be hella specific about your area, no exploring options, and defend an idea

Process

Write the first draft for your top-choice school first (Asher, p. 66)
However! Submit that one last. Finish essays for the other schools first so you have the opportunity to learn and revise for the most important one
First draft should be brutally honest. Get into the writing mode and not editing mode
Avoid footnotes and minimize narrative exposition
An interesting first line or paragraph is a gift to the reader
RTFQ: Read the Freakin' Question (again and again and again)
Use vivid details to make a point
Do not be overly redundant
Have them learn something from your essay if you can
The first draft is all you; latter revisions should be read from the perspective of an admissions officer
You should have at least 3 drafts

References

Asher, D. (2012). Graduate Admissions Essays: Write your Way into the Graduate School of your Choice. Ten Speed Press.
Cassuto, L. (2015). The Graduate School Mess: What Caused it and How We Can Fix it. Harvard University Press.
Calarco, J. M. (2020). A Field Guide to Grad School: Uncovering the Hidden Curriculum. Princeton University Press.
Lunsford., A. A. & J. J. Ruszkiewicz. (2013). Everything's an Argument. Bedford/St. Martin's.
Wang Gang <3

ntrappe / you-are-here

Write Essays #13

Table of Contents

Personal Statement

Statement of Purpose

Essay Formulae

From A to B (Personal History)

In the Field (Statement of Purpose)

Diversity (Supplemental)

General Tips

Regional Differences

Process

References

Thoughts on Essays

Berkeley + Statement of Purpose

Oxford + Statement of Purpose

Stanford + Statement of Purpose