Applying to graduate school can be a daunting task for many, but with the right admissions essay, the road to success is a little shorter.
Getting into graduate school is not an easy task. Applying to most graduate schools includes obtaining a certain grade on the GRE, GMAT, MCAT or Praxis, and filling out an application to the school of your choice, which will include an admissions essay, also called a personal statement. Along with picking a topic, you will need to write a clear and concise essay, communicating to the admissions committee your goals, strengths and unique insights.
Instructions
Writing your essay
1. Pick a topic. According to Essay Edge, you should spend about one to two weeks brainstorming ideas for your graduate school entrance essay. Think about your accomplishments, any obstacles you've overcome, unique skills you possess, classroom activities, activities outside the classroom, dreams for the future and special personality traits. If you are still stumped, ask parents, friends and colleagues if they can offer words of wisdom or insight on you that you may not have thought of.
2. Read sample admission essays. These can be from sites such as Essay Edge or Quint Careers. Often, your college admissions office may even have sample essays for you to read. Reading essays will give you an idea of format the essay, as well as what colleges look for in the essays.
3. Answer the question. Writing your graduate school admissions essay is pointless if you don't answer the question the school asked. Your essay can be the best essay ever written, but if it does not answer the question on the application, you won't be considered for admission.
4. Write the draft and leave it. Quint Careers recommends writing your draft and spending a week or two away from your essay. Leave it alone. Then you can go back and read it again and decide if you still consider the topic appropriate.
Revising your essay
5. Hugh Fisher, M.A., director of the Livingstone College Writing Center in Salisbury, N.C., recommends reading "The Elements of Style" by E.B. White and William Strunk to get a clear idea of proper English grammar, punctuation and presentation.
6. Read and revise your essay. Keep in mind your audience, the graduate school admissions team. Make sure it is professional and shows you are motivated to succeed in school and your career. If you use information to show off your skills, keep in mind the admissions team will not care what you did in high school as much as what you have done in college and your professional career ambitions.
7. Be sure you have followed the guidelines set by the graduate admissions team. Follow the length and font guidelines, as well as the style. Pay attention to directions.
8. Pay the $50 or so to have your essay professionally edited. Editing houses, both online and local, can improve style, voice, grammar, transitions and tone, says Quint Careers, beyond what you have already done.
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