Power Hour: How to Write a Personal Statement School of Health Professions Career Services106 Lewis HallBy: Michelle Craighead

MY CREDENTIALS

PURPOSE Admission committees want to get to know

you, not just your accomplishments Discuss your motives, goals, strengths,

professional interests, and background Demonstrate effective writing skills Why are you a good match for the field?

GOAL OF PERSONAL STATEMENT Highlight your relevant experiences and

characteristics that assist admissions to understand your aspirations in a concise manner

Put yourself in their shoes, what would you want to see in an applicant’s personal statement?

DO YOUR HOMEWORK Read over every question Know how it should be formatted and any

other special requests Look into the program. What are their goals,

values, or vision?

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF BEFORE YOU BEGIN What's special, unique, distinctive, and/or

impressive about you or your life story? What details of your life might help the

committee better understand you or help set you apart from other applicants?

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF BEFORE YOU BEGIN When did you become interested in this field

and what have you learned about it? What insights have you gained?

How have you learned about this field—through classes, readings, seminars, work or other experiences, or conversations with people already in the field?

THE WRITING PROCESS Brainstorm and self-reflect Free-Write. Create outline. Generate first draft Refine message and approach Revise…revise…revise Share work. Get feedback Self-Reflect Revise…revise…revise Proofread

GENERAL ADVICEAnswer the questions that are asked

If you are applying to several schools, you may find questions in each application that are somewhat similar

Don't be tempted to use the same statement for all applications

Tell A Story Think in terms of showing or demonstrating

through concrete experience Make statement fresh, lively, and different to

put yourself ahead of the pack Distinguish yourself. You will make yourself

memorable

Be Specific Don't state that you would make an excellent

_____ unless you can back it up with specific reasons

Your application should emerge as the logical conclusion to your story

Find An Angle Interesting life story = BIG CHALLENGE Finding an angle or a "hook" is vital

Concentrate On Your Opening Paragraph The lead or opening paragraph is generally the

most important Grab the reader's attention here or lose it This paragraph becomes the framework for

the rest of the statement

Tell What You Know The middle section of your essay might detail

your interest and experience in your particular field, as well as some of your knowledge of the field

Refer to experiences (work, research, etc.), classes, conversations with people in the field, books you've read, seminars you've attended and why you're suited to it

DON'T Include Some SubjectsExamples: References to experiences or

accomplishments in high school Potentially controversial subjects (i.e.

controversial religious or political issues)

Do Research, If Needed Research to find out what sets your choice

apart from other universities or programs If the school setting would provide an

important geographical or cultural change for you, this might be a factor to mention

Write Well And Correctly Be meticulous Type and proofread your essay very carefully Express yourself clearly and concisely Adhere to stated word limits

Avoid Clichés An applicant who writes that he is good at

science and “wants to help other people” is not expressing an original thought

Stay away from often-repeated or tired statements

Avoid using quotes from others: the personal statement is personal

Give Yourself Some…Distance During revision process, put the personal

statement away for a day or two and then come back to look at it with fresh eyes

Don’t Be Afraid To Delete It’s okay to let an idea go Evolve Get rid of that which no longer fits

Explain The Unusual Don’t leave the admissions committee with

any questions Explain gaps in academic record or other

unusual circumstances

GOAL: BEGIN!The creative flow will initiate after you start putting words onto paper

RESOURCES:• The Purdue Owl Online Writing Lab https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/642/1/

• Columbia University http://www.studentaffairs.columbia.edu/preprofessiona/health/application/workshop.php

• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaignhttp://www.cws.illinois.edu/workshop/writers/tips/personalstatement/

• University of Missourihttp://career.missouri.edu/career-center-services

• University of Nebraska-Kearneyhttp://www.unk.edu/academics/health_sciences/_files/Writing%20Personal%20Statements...School%20Essays.pdf

Utilize SHP Career Services staff while its FREE. Available to alumni

Make appointments through MU Connect Like SHP Facebook pages Check emails, Blackboard, lobby TV, bulletin

boards for announcements Visit HireMizzouTigers.com frequently

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