The Personal Statement compliments of Karen Severn Office of Professional School Advising

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The Personal Statementcompliments of Karen
Severn Office of Professional School Advising
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• Always refer students applying to professional
  schools to the Office of Professional School
  Advising
• http//honors.tamu.edu/opsa/default.aspx
• Remind them that we can make suggestions on
  content but that this office has the experts on
  staff.

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The personal statement is not

• A resume in sentence format.
• An opportunity to bash the profession you are
  trying to enter.
• An opinion on anything unless you have first-hand
  experience in that area.
• A five paragraph essay that sounds like everyone
  elses.
• Fiction.
• A dissertation.

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Consider Your Audience

• They read a lot.
• They are well-educated.
• They decide which students will sit in their
  classrooms and help generate a lively debate.
• They turn down applicants who can do the work
  but show little personality.

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To begin

• Decide what you want someone to know about you.
• You, as a unique person, are giving
• information that only you can provide.
• Think of a way to hook yourself into the readers
  memory.

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Select the delivery method

• Anecdotalgive anecdotes to illustrate a concept
  or idea.
• Storytell a story and weave facts about yourself
  into the story.

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Consider the format

• Be careful to follow directions for the format.
• Dont use special paper, binders, or folders
  because they committees have copies of your
  information.

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Activities

• You should not talk about your activities in
  various organizations and leadership positions.
• Most people applying to professional school will
  have undertaken the same kinds of activities.
• If there is a specific organization or activity
  or experience which has sincerely shaped you or
  been particularly important to you, you should
  certainly discuss it.
• Do not regurgitate your transcript or your
  activities. That information will be on your
  resume.

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Understanding

• An understanding of the profession
• If some experience has given you insight into
  the profession you have chosen, be sure the
  admissions committee knows that.
• An understanding of the connection between your
  goals and the particular professional school
• Discuss why you choose to apply to a particular
  school. Avoid cliches like I aways wanted to be
  a doctor.

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Qualities to stress

• Conscientiousness
• Honesty
• Sincerity
• Seriousness
• Focus
• Specificity
• Brevity

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Communication Skills

• Be sure that your statement is clear,
  well-written, and concise.
• Be absolutely sure that it has no misspelled
  words or grammatical errors.