need advice on writing my statements of purpose / personal statements...?

Question

i'm in the process of applying to sociology of education masters programs. i'm discovering that i'm not very good as self-promotion, and am having difficulty choosing the most important information to include in my personal statements. i believe i'm an excellent candidate for the programs to which i'm applying, but have no experience with the application process and don't know how to increase my chances of being accepted by writing strong statements.

Answer 1

I know how much personal statements suck. I just finished writing mine yesterday. Do you have any previous experience in the field? For example, in my profession, they look very highly on volunteerism, so I made sure to mention how much I have volunteered. Do you have any leadership positions or belong to any on campus organizations? If you were active, make sure to express that as well. Do you belong to any professional organizations, or have attended any conferences? Have you done any undergraduate research? Do you have any special interests in the field?

Basically, you just need to find something that will set you apart from the other candidates. If you just write that you have always been interested in sociology and would like to continue your education in the field - guess what? That is the same exact goal of everyone else.

No matter what you do, make sure your statement isn't cheesy. You have to make it real and honest. They can tell when you are being insincere. And don't try to play yourself up too much. They can't stand when you write how perfect you are and how you would be such a good match for the school, etc. Just state the reasons why you want to apply, your goals, and how your previous experiences have prepared you for grad school.

Good luck!!

Answer 2

A successful personal statement is a literate, elegantly written essay in which the student highlights her strong preparation for her intended area of study, articulates her planned area of study and her goals after completing this study, and demonstrates her facility with current theory and practice in this area. In other words, why do you want to go to grad school? How have you prepared for graduate study thus far? What will you study when you are there? What theories and methods do you find most congenial in terms of your area of study? With whom do you want to study, and why? (Name the scholars you've found most inspirational or influential. You've chosen the schools to which you're applying on that basis, anyway, haven't you? You must state your reasons for wanting to attend THAT particular graduate program.) And finally, what do you plan to do with this degree once you earn it? Therefore, you MUST tailor each essay to each program. A general essay simply will not do. Best wishes to you!

Answer 3

great question and great thing to ask the people around you - i am not sure that that includes us on Yahoo but why not!!


i would dialogue with a friend in person and ask each other questions like?

what gives you goosebumps on your body in your life?
what is it that you want to bring to this world?
who do you want to be in the world today that if you were being that person right now it would touch move and inspire you and the people in your life?

if you can see that thing that makes you want to play and lights you right up like a christmas tree and then you simply answer your own question from that place of what lights you

coz babycakes - what lights you up ....lights me up about you.











If you want to dialogue about it e-mail me. I have some facility with this stuff.









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Answer 4

why don't you start by asking yourself why do you believe you are "an excellent candidate for the program?" and list qualities, characteristics, etc...