Why an Essay? The essay is the part of the application to graduate school in which you demonstrate who you are and why you should be admitted to the graduate program, and what your future goals are. The admissions committee will look for evidence that you are prepared for graduate school and why you are interested in a particular field. They are interested in how you think and how you write.
As you begin the process of applying to graduate school, it is a good time to remember who and what your intellectual influences have been. Consider what writers influenced you, favorite professors and why, the best paper you wrote, a concept that changed your life, work experiences, volunteer or traveler experiences, or family life that contributed to this choice. Questions to Consider · How has your interest evolved and what were the turning points? · How have you prepared yourself to succeed in graduate school? · What personal attributes or physical characteristics make you likely to succeed in your new career? · What is your biggest accomplishment to date? · What research have you completed to date? · What experience demonstrates remarkable drive or perseverance? · What are your specific post-graduate career plans? · What is your five year goal – your ten-year goal? · What classes are you going to take between now and your arrival at your targeted graduate school? What laboratory or research skills will you learn? · How will your graduate education facilitate those plans? · Will you be pursuing additional education or professional training beyond the program you are applying to now? |
