This paper is a detailed essay of you want in life, and if you are not convinced of what you want, or what your worth is, it will show up in the lines of this paper.
To be sure that those that read it will be interested in inviting you into their department of academia, you must convince them of the reasons why they should let you, above other candidates, in.
Although this may be the most important paper you may write in your life, it will also give you a chance to focus on the man in the mirror. We rarely look at ourselves, and this paper will give you the opportunity to focus on yourself and what you plan for your future in perspective. Here are a few tips to help you get you started.
- Create a thesis- As with any paper, you need a thesis statement. Your opening paragraph for your statement of purpose must be in the form of an introduction and include a thesis about your life and what it is that you want the school to know about you.
This opening paragraph which includes your thesis should be the strongest part of the essay. Draw you readers in so that they are prompted to read the entire statement. Make it count.
- I knew that I liked to write when I was young, but I just didn’t know that becoming a writer was a thing until I won my first award in second grade.
- When other kids were outside playing, my mother would come hunt me down in the house where she would find me snuggled up with a book, or writing poetry.
- I’ve since realized that English is not as easy to some as it comes to me. For that reason, I want to teach in a way that gets students excited about the written word.
These three sentences are from the statement of an English Major that wants to pursue a MFA. Notice how, while reading these statements, you can see she is focusing on herself and what it was that she dreamed of as a kid. Mentioning the award in second grade makes the reader curious about what she wrote to win.
- Create a chronological outline- You have been doing many things throughout your life as a student. Go back as far as you can and develop an outline that includes the things you were most interested in. What paths did you take that had you working on something towards your Masters or PhD? Were you in school plays? Did you intern at child care centers? Did you work for charity?
As you write the outline, include awards that you received that were in line with the curriculum that you are not pursuing.
This would be a good time to spend with your parents. They probably have lots of stuff of yours from way back to help you develop your outline.
- Begin the body of your paper- With what you have gathered, begin the meat of the paper. Those that read these papers are looking for the human side of you along with the academic accomplishments. Make sure that your sentences are structured to flow from one to another, all the while interjecting funny things about yourself, and some of the funny outcomes of situations in your life.
Include any struggles you have overcome and family support, or non-support. Your story is what the panel is interested in. Get to the meat of your life and pour it into the paper. This is no time to be shameful, bashful, or modest. Everyone has their ups and downs in life and this statement is going to show them how you handled these life experiences.
- Focus and Flow- As you write you statement of purpose, keep your thesis in mind. Ask yourself, “Am I answering my thesis? Supporting it?” Stop every few paragraphs and re-read your paper. Does the paper sound confused to you? Then it will sound confusing to your readers. All of your sentences should be connecting the thoughts from one to another. Do not lose your readers.
- What does not matter- You do not have to overload them with your GPA scores. If you have come this far and are at the point where they want this statement, they are well aware of your academic scores. Taking on a graduate program is serious.
The panel needs to hear your excitement for your program of study. Give them reasons that reflect what you plan on doing while there and why you ae going this far into the field.
Do not tell them you are there because you haven’t decided what you want to do with your life, that is not a good excuse for taking on a graduate program or PhD.
- Include research about the school- Do some research about the school you are applying to. Let them know what it is about their program that excites and interests you. Name drop some of the more distinguished professors work that you have read. (and only if you have read them) If you haven’t read any, get started now. The world of academics is one of great pride, and rubbing it on thick gets doors opened.
- Sometimes you need help- If you are not a writer and need help this is a good time to hire a professional (I recommend you http://getacademichelp.com/). When you do, make sure that they know all of the requirements of writing the paper; page length, font size, margins etc. Professional writing services cannot just come up with a fantasy statement for you, so make sure they are prepared to write your paper with enough information. You do the outline and let them do the writing.
Remember, this paper is a reflection of who you are and what you can bring to the program that you are applying for. Will you be an asset to them? Make sure you start your paper in time for at least 3-4 of your closest friends or family members to read it, and tell them to be brutally honest about what they read; tell them how much this paper means to moving forward in your academic career. Good luck!
|