Topic: Personal Statement

Order Description Introduction Instructions (Read before you submit your statement.) The personal statement is your opportunity to introduce yourself to the people reading your application. Think of it as your interview with the admissions office. Be open, be honest and remember to talk about yourself. This will give us a better understanding of the information you present in other parts of your application. Your personal statement is made up of three sections: Two required prompts and one optional prompt. Respond to both required questions, using a maximum of 1,000 words total. You may allocate the word count as you wish, but we suggest each of your answers be no less than 250 words. A few tips: • Read each prompt carefully and respond to all parts. • Present your information and ideas in a focused, thoughtful manner. Making a list of accomplishments, activities, awards or work will lessen the impact of your words. • Use specific, concrete examples to support the points you want to make. Focus your examples on the present and near past. • Tell us about yourself. Your personal statement should be about you - your personal triumphs or challenges, leadership opportunities and experiences outside the classroom. • Use your own voice. The personal statement should reflect your ideas and be written by you alone. Use "I" and "my" statements in your response. • Relax. This is one of many pieces of information we consider in reviewing your application; an admission decision will not be based on your personal statement alone. Because of the 30-minute time limit in place on each page of this application, we recommend that you compose and save your answers using a text editing program such as MS Word, Google Docs, Notepad or Textedit, then copy and paste them into the form fields. Do not compose your answers in the application itself. Formatting Your Personal Statement 1. Use only standard American English alphanumeric characters (numbers 0 through 9 and letters a through z) and the other characters found on a standard English keyboard: ! @ # $ % ^ & * ( ) _ + - = [ ] \ { } | ~ ; : ' " , < . > / ? . Do not use smart quotes, accented characters or foreign language characters as they will be replaced with ASCII character substitutions. 2. If you are using MS Word or Google Docs, copy and paste your plain text into the window provided in the application. 3. Save it, and reread the personal statement for accuracy and completeness. Correct character replacements (smart quotes, accented characters or foreign language characters, dashes) within the application to improve readability. Personal Statement 1 : What is your intended major? Discuss how your interest in the subject developed and describe any experience you have had in the field — such as volunteer work, internships and employment, participation in student organizations and activities — and what you have gained from your involvement. Personal Statement 2 Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution or experience that is important to you. What about this quality or accomplishment makes you proud, and how does it relate to the person you are?