Writing Your Personal Writing Your Personal Statement for Statement for

Admission to Graduate SchoolAdmission to Graduate School

Western Oregon UniversityWestern Oregon University

Recognize Your TaskRecognize Your Task

factfact opinionopinion

observationobservation response response

summarysummary analysisanalysis

recognize the balancerecognize the balance

Example PromptExample Prompt

Ph. D. Clinical Psychology Ph. D. Clinical Psychology University of OregonUniversity of Oregon

STATEMENT OF PURPOSESTATEMENT OF PURPOSE A 2-4 page statement of purpose which addresses theA 2-4 page statement of purpose which addresses thefollowing: following:

(a) your main research interests, ideas, and (a) your main research interests, ideas, and questionsquestions

(b) how your research experience and (b) how your research experience and professional professional work thus far informs your interest work thus far informs your interest and future goalsand future goals

(c) why you believe the University of Oregon is a (c) why you believe the University of Oregon is a good place for you to continue your research good place for you to continue your research

(and, if (and, if applicable, clinical) training applicable, clinical) training

Getting StartedGetting StartedTwo Mildly Contradictory but Equally Valid Bits of AdviceTwo Mildly Contradictory but Equally Valid Bits of Advice

Think about what you might say about yourself Think about what you might say about yourself beforebefore you start writing: start by you start writing: start by

brainstormingbrainstorming.. Scribble down a list of your experiences and accomplishments but do not limit Scribble down a list of your experiences and accomplishments but do not limit

yourself to resume items (e.g., what stories do you share with family and yourself to resume items (e.g., what stories do you share with family and friends? what events from the past still linger in your thoughts today? what has friends? what events from the past still linger in your thoughts today? what has changed you recently?). changed you recently?).

Talk to other people: what would they include in your biography?Talk to other people: what would they include in your biography? Simply reflect: what is important to you? what gets you excited or moves you to Simply reflect: what is important to you? what gets you excited or moves you to

act? what threads form patterns in your life? what do you hope to accomplish act? what threads form patterns in your life? what do you hope to accomplish tomorrow, next year, or over the course of your lifetime?tomorrow, next year, or over the course of your lifetime?

Use the writing process as a vehicle for discovery.Use the writing process as a vehicle for discovery. Consider writing several different drafts (i.e., experiment).Consider writing several different drafts (i.e., experiment). Once you have spent a good deal of time brainstorming, select one route and try Once you have spent a good deal of time brainstorming, select one route and try

mapping out the main points that would need to be included in a draft.mapping out the main points that would need to be included in a draft. Try writing a draft within a set time limit (like 30 minutes), and read it later to look Try writing a draft within a set time limit (like 30 minutes), and read it later to look

for gems (or diamonds in the rough). for gems (or diamonds in the rough). Remember that writing is recursive: you might discover that the last paragraph in Remember that writing is recursive: you might discover that the last paragraph in

your third timed writing is the perfect first paragraph for your actual essay. your third timed writing is the perfect first paragraph for your actual essay.

Content: Some Helpful TipsContent: Some Helpful Tips

What belongs in a good personal statement is unique to each individual. Nevertheless,What belongs in a good personal statement is unique to each individual. Nevertheless,here are some safe bets to make as you write your draft: here are some safe bets to make as you write your draft:

Choose a few key points to develop (three or four at most).Choose a few key points to develop (three or four at most).

Include concrete examples to illustrate your points (i.e., include anecdotes that Include concrete examples to illustrate your points (i.e., include anecdotes that illustrate you taking action in your world).illustrate you taking action in your world).

Avoid braggy generalizations; instead, describe specific incidents to show your Avoid braggy generalizations; instead, describe specific incidents to show your strengths.strengths.

Think about including something that readers would remember, long after they’ve Think about including something that readers would remember, long after they’ve stopped readingstopped reading..

Have any books, classes, or philanthropic encounters profoundly shaped and/or Have any books, classes, or philanthropic encounters profoundly shaped and/or shaken your outlook?shaken your outlook?

Write from a positive perspective.Write from a positive perspective.

Always consider how your essay might fit with everything else you will be submitting. Always consider how your essay might fit with everything else you will be submitting.

After Drafting . . . Comes More After Drafting . . . Comes More WritingWriting

The best essays go through a series of revisions (10+ drafts). Get input The best essays go through a series of revisions (10+ drafts). Get input from a number of sources: mentors, writing tutors, and friends. from a number of sources: mentors, writing tutors, and friends. 

Stay objective: don’t fall madly in love with your first draft (remember your Stay objective: don’t fall madly in love with your first draft (remember your goal: your writing sample may also serve as the ticket for receiving a goal: your writing sample may also serve as the ticket for receiving a scholarship).scholarship).

People say that a People say that a picture equals a thousand wordspicture equals a thousand words (yes, it’s cliché); (yes, it’s cliché); however, reverse the idea as you read your essay: does your thousand however, reverse the idea as you read your essay: does your thousand words add up to one fabulous picture of you?words add up to one fabulous picture of you?

Package Carefully—Style TipsPackage Carefully—Style Tips

Top swimmers and runners often win by a narrow Top swimmers and runners often win by a narrow margin—perhaps by only one tenth of one margin—perhaps by only one tenth of one second. With this in mind, remember that second. With this in mind, remember that execution of detail can also make or break your execution of detail can also make or break your personal statement when the field is very personal statement when the field is very competitive. competitive.

FormattingFormatting

The goal of formatting is to make the format disappear. Thus, follow the The goal of formatting is to make the format disappear. Thus, follow the instructions for format, as directed by the instructions. instructions for format, as directed by the instructions. When no instructions When no instructions are provided, ease of reading should instruct your choicesare provided, ease of reading should instruct your choices::

Font: no larger than 12 and no smaller than 10.Font: no larger than 12 and no smaller than 10. Margins: one inch.Margins: one inch. Justification: align left.Justification: align left. Font: Font: Times New RomanTimes New Roman or or ArialArial (absolutely avoid  (absolutely avoid funkyfunky fonts). fonts). Always type (or word process), even if the directions give you the option to Always type (or word process), even if the directions give you the option to

““Print Neatly.” Print Neatly.” All top awards prefer ordinary white paper (seriously).All top awards prefer ordinary white paper (seriously).

Punctuation & GrammarPunctuation & Grammar

Like road signs serve drivers who travel, punctuation serves readers who are Like road signs serve drivers who travel, punctuation serves readers who are navigating a text. Incorrect punctuation will lose your reader, and this is one navigating a text. Incorrect punctuation will lose your reader, and this is one situation where you don’t want your reader to get lost. situation where you don’t want your reader to get lost.

Allow for one space at the end of each sentence. Allow for one space at the end of each sentence.  Allow for one space after a comma, colon, or semicolon.Allow for one space after a comma, colon, or semicolon. Only use colons and semi-colons when you know you are using them Only use colons and semi-colons when you know you are using them

correctly and effectively—get help if you’d like to use them. correctly and effectively—get help if you’d like to use them. Always write in complete sentences.Always write in complete sentences. It is the passive voice that should be revised by you. You should revise the It is the passive voice that should be revised by you. You should revise the

passive voice by placing the subject at the front.passive voice by placing the subject at the front. Subject-verb disagreement ruin Subject-verb disagreement ruin ruinsruins a sentence. a sentence. Contractions are often considered too informal for scholarship essays Contractions are often considered too informal for scholarship essays

(eliminate can’t, don’t, didn’t, wouldn’t, shouldn’t, etc.). (eliminate can’t, don’t, didn’t, wouldn’t, shouldn’t, etc.). If you must artfully break the rules, do so no more than once or twice per If you must artfully break the rules, do so no more than once or twice per

essay.essay.

TechniqueTechnique Graduate schools value strong writing, which serves as evidence of your ability toGraduate schools value strong writing, which serves as evidence of your ability tocommunicate well and think clearlycommunicate well and think clearly..

Seek to eliminate, so to speak, empty and meaningless phrases; however, transitional Seek to eliminate, so to speak, empty and meaningless phrases; however, transitional words and phrases are priceless because they show the reader how sentences and words and phrases are priceless because they show the reader how sentences and paragraphs relate to one another. paragraphs relate to one another.

Use the first-person singular: the teacher who told you never to use "I" was incorrect.Use the first-person singular: the teacher who told you never to use "I" was incorrect. Avoid repetitive sentence structure, and vary the length of your sentences. The variations Avoid repetitive sentence structure, and vary the length of your sentences. The variations

make prose sing. make prose sing. Scrutinize every word as you near the final draft. Edit as if each mistake costs twenty Scrutinize every word as you near the final draft. Edit as if each mistake costs twenty

dollars a piece.dollars a piece. Be strategic with the use of technical, discipline-specific jargon. Your readers are insiders Be strategic with the use of technical, discipline-specific jargon. Your readers are insiders

in the field, however, they are also assessing your potential as a colleague (i.e., humility is in the field, however, they are also assessing your potential as a colleague (i.e., humility is always a plus).always a plus).

Avoid “table talk” (this would include second person point of view—“you,” slang, and Avoid “table talk” (this would include second person point of view—“you,” slang, and informal words like “guy” instead of “individual”).informal words like “guy” instead of “individual”).

Avoid narrative writing (i.e., telling a story).Avoid narrative writing (i.e., telling a story). Including quotations from others is typically cliché (i.e., looked down upon).Including quotations from others is typically cliché (i.e., looked down upon). Your essay should read quickly and easily. Creating an ornate garden of fancy phrases Your essay should read quickly and easily. Creating an ornate garden of fancy phrases

and showy words is not your goal. and showy words is not your goal.

13 Drafts13 DraftsDoctor of Jurisprudence ProgramDoctor of Jurisprudence ProgramWillamette University College of LawWillamette University College of Law

PERSONAL STATEMENTPERSONAL STATEMENT The personal statement is a very important part of your application. Your statement willThe personal statement is a very important part of your application. Your statement willhelp us learn more about you. Please provide information you would like the admissionhelp us learn more about you. Please provide information you would like the admissioncommittee to consider in reviewing your application. We encourage you to discuss experiences committee to consider in reviewing your application. We encourage you to discuss experiences

youyouhave had living, working or studying within another culture. Possible topics could also includehave had living, working or studying within another culture. Possible topics could also includeresponses to the following questions:responses to the following questions:

What are your career goals?What are your career goals? What experiences and influences significantly shaped who you are today?What experiences and influences significantly shaped who you are today? How will Willamette’s program contribute to your professional development?How will Willamette’s program contribute to your professional development? Why do you seek a JD at Willamette? We are especially interested in learning of any Why do you seek a JD at Willamette? We are especially interested in learning of any

connection you may have to the Pacific Northwest.connection you may have to the Pacific Northwest.

Please limit the length of your personal statement to no more than three pages. If applyingPlease limit the length of your personal statement to no more than three pages. If applyingelectronically, use an electronic attachment.electronically, use an electronic attachment. If you believe there were factors that may have adversely affected your LSAT score or yourIf you believe there were factors that may have adversely affected your LSAT score or yourundergraduate grades, you may, at your option, submit an explanation in a separate undergraduate grades, you may, at your option, submit an explanation in a separate

addendum. addendum.

DRAFT 1DRAFT 1 DRAFT 13DRAFT 13

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