(Also known as: Statement of Purpose, Student Statement, Admissions Essay)
"Word for word, the graduate admissions essay is perhaps the single most important prose anyone will ever write. In ways that students rarely understand, it can be the ticket to the future of your choice, or not."
The major goal of the personal statement is to communicate to the admissions committee what it is about you which make you stand out from the other applicants. The more competitive the program, the larger the pool of applicants with strong GPAs, the more important the personal statement becomes in the selection process. Therefore it is important to devote ample time to writing your statement.
» General Outline of the Statement of Purpose
Remember your statement should catch the attention of the reader from the first paragraph, from the first line - this is extremely important.
There are two general approaches for writing your personal statement.
The first one is chronological approach, which is the most common one (which does not necessarily mean the best!). The big mistake one can make here is to describe everything beginning with your childhood very thoroughly. We advise you to use
no more than one paragraph to write about your childhood and school years (two is ok if something really extraordinary has happened to you - Olympiads, teachers and books are
not to be considered extraordinary). Do not use generalities, be as exact as possible. Try to write mostly about your research interests, research projects you have worked on, scientific seminars, conferences or summer schools you have attended so the general is be to the point and the point of the statement is outstanding you, your interests and your research. Also don't spend valuable time telling the admission committee about our wonderful alma mater, they either already know about it (most likely) or it won't help.
The second one is thematic approach. In this case the statement is organized around one or two key ideas, usually it is the field of your research or your major interest in science. The statement might be either chronological or not, you might site your childhood experiences in the middle of your statement to prove some point, and write about your current research in the very beginning. The point is that your key idea should shine through the structure of the statement.
Definitely there are many more ways to organize your statement since it is very unique and personal writing. There is no best way to write your statement, keep working and you will succeed!
Important Notes:
- All documents are subject to verification by University of Idaho.
- All documents received by University of Idaho become the property of University of Idaho and will not be released to the applicant.
- University of Idaho evaluates credentials earned through formal academic training only. Applicants should NOT submit documentation of short-term professional development courses or other non-formal, non-academic training with their application; as such documents will not be evaluated or reflected in the University of Idaho evaluation report.
- If applicable, applicants must submit proof of name change. (Clear, legible photocopy of marriage certificate, for example.)
- Some academic institutions can take several weeks to provide transcripts so applicants may want to request their transcript at the earliest possible
- An Application and Application Fee is valid for a specific degree, major, and semester. Any change in degree, major or semester before enrollment requires a new application.
- Graduate Admissions will not disclose to an applicant reasons for denial. Graduate Admissions will encourage the student to contact the department directly and inquire how they might improve their application for future admissions. (The Department can choose to disclose or not.)
Graduate Admissions Office