Graduate school is an educational endeavor that requires hard work, dedication, and standing out from the crowd. In addition to submitting undergraduate transcripts, GRE test results, and letters of recommendation, graduate school applicants must write a statement of purpose.
A statement of purpose, also known as a personal statement, allows applicants to explain what they want to get out of graduate school and why they’re a good fit.
“Your statement of purpose is your one opportunity to showcase your unique experiences, future goals, and how the graduate program will help you achieve those goals. Your statement should be authentic, relevant, concise, and professional,” said Precious Jordan-Talley, SDSU Global Campus Admissions Supervisor.
Writing your first statement of purpose may feel daunting, but these tips and tricks will help you get the ball rolling.
Understand the Prompt
While the outline is similar, each grad school has its own prompt. Regardless of the specific prompt, your statement should answer:
- What do you want to study and why
- What experiences do you have in your field
- What do you plan to do with your graduate degree
Admissions committees seek out applicants who provide clear responses to these questions and demonstrate their plans and interests based on their expertise. Overall, Your statement of purpose should answer why you chose your field of study and why you have the background to excel in it.
Show Your Best Self
Including additional skills on your statement of purpose can help strengthen your application, but be selective about which skills you choose to add.
Instead of adding all the skills in your pocket, hone in on the ones you can apply to your degree. Weave in personal anecdotes that showcase your skills to upgrade your statement of purpose from an application to a story.
For example, many graduate students get to teach undergraduate classes. Therefore, including skills like teaching, public speaking, or communication would be beneficial skills to add.
Stand Out From Others
As of fall 2020, graduate school applications rose 7.3%, making it more crucial than ever to stand out from the crowd of applicants.
Making your statement of purpose a story is a great way to set yourself apart from others. Simply put, describe how your skills, experiences, and backgrounds shaped you into who you are today.
Let’s say you’re applying for our master’s in meeting and event management. Instead of listing your experience in this industry, provide a story of how you developed an interest in this field through exploring and honing different skills.
Listen to Feedback
Receiving feedback from a trusted mentor, preferably a professor writing your letter of recommendation, is crucial before submitting your statement of purpose. Having another expert edit your paper can help with content, spelling, grammar, and word choice.
Editors can also give you a new perspective. Since they have a fresh set of eyes, they can see your topics from another angle and offer suggestions to improve the quality of your statement. They can help you develop new perspectives to incorporate into your writing.
“You’ll want to strive for depth by highlighting key experiences that can attest to your qualifications, problem-solving skills, and achievements,” said Precious Jordan-Talley. “Make sure there is a smooth and logical flow throughout your essay and solicit feedback from professors or colleagues to gain different perspectives and make improvements. I recommend exploring courses with Ed2Go to brush up on your writing skills.”
