A couple personal statement questions

[irish80122]

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First of all, several of the prompts ask for me to state my strengths and weaknesses. Unfortunately, my writing is something I view as a significant weakness. Should I put this down, or would it be best for me to find other weaknesses which may not affect my life as a graduate student as much if you know what I mean. I just am a bit nervous about that question for obvious reasons.

Secondly, how important are the word limits? I have several 500 word limits and I am finding it impossible to pull off. I am about at 600 words, so not horribly over, but I just am not sure how to get down to 500 without significantly weakening my essay.

Thanks!

 

[psychwhy]

Irish,

Idenitfying writing as a weakness
This is a statement of personal opinion but I do not think mentioning this is necessarily a bad idea IF it is done quickly and does not become a focus of your essay.

For example: "In closing, I'd also have to say that my writing is not as strong as I would like it to be."

But I think it would boost your essay (and perceptions of your character) if you followed that statement with some indication of how you are working to improve.

After all, as you pointed out, writing is a major component of graduate programs.

Word count
I don't think there will be any ambiguity here. Do NOT exceed the word limits. After reading the sentiments of many admission decisionmakers (and having been that decision maker myself on a few occasions), the word count is often viewed in the context of a candidate's ability to follow directions. And, in reality, 600 words is significantly over 500.

In general . . .
Take care with any essay that asks you to be "creative". Your personal voice should be conveyed from the simple fact you are putting words to paper. You do not need to add style. I view this as a trick question as graduate school is a pretty conventional setting. They aren't looking for the "off-the-beaten path artist." In my experience, the creative essays are the ones that get lampooned by the admissions staff over lunch. Yes, they are remembered, but not in the good way.

Best of luck.

 

[irish80122]

Very helpful advice. Is there any difference between a prompt that prefers you not to go over 500 and one that strictly says 500 or should I just not do it in either case?

 

[Miles1201]

Is it best to mention the faculty you are interested in working with in the personal statement? Or should I keep it a touch more generalized, instead stating the areas I hope to study/work in?
I guess I am afraid of alienating by being too specific in my goals...

 

[ktwallis]

my problem is that i have a lot of research experience... 2 RA jobs as an undergrad, one thesis, two jobs since graduating, and some clinical experience as well. so i'm already at 800 words and i've only summarized my research experience and how it's guided me to my current research goals (i haven't even explicitly stated those goals yet).

no schools have limited me yet - but one said that most students do 500-800 words. is it terrible that i'm way way over that? how can i describe my experience in detail and not be?
🙁

 

[phd2006]

I have participated in admissions reviews, interviews, and selection (B&M, APA accredited school) -- and I'll just answer from my perspective and observations.

Good advice has already been posted. I second, do NOT exceed the word limit no matter how the prompt is stated. It's not only about ability to follow direction, but to assess ability to formulate a coherent, well-thought out response that focuses only on the issue without bringing in superfluous/extraneous information. Reviewers get many apps and statements to read -- do not waste their time. We all know approximately how many words fit on a page of typed text -- I know of some reviewers who stop reading after they figure they have reached the limit plus 10%.

If the statement requires you to indicate strengths and weaknesses -- make sure you address both. I cannot tell you how many applicants only provide a response to half this statement (typically their strengths). Points off if you do not provide a complete response. Again, not only assessing ability to follow direction, but also understanding of the requirements and a willingness to tell us what you think you need to continue to work on -- remember, why apply to grad school if you present yourself as already knowing it all. In addition to research interests, we want to know what you want to learn/improve while at grad school.

You indicated writing, in your opinion, is one of your weaknesses. If this is true, this will be evident in your statement -- in my opinion you really have no choice but to acknowledge it. In difference to psychwhy, my opinion would not be to dismiss it so casually (as a side note, do NOT use contractions (as in "I'd") this is a formal statement and should be written as such). But, do NOT over-emphasis poor writing skills either -- most applicants have extremely poor writing skills (hint: if your letter is well written, you will stand out -- have MANY people review, comment, edit). Acknowledge writing skills continue to be an area you want to work on further developing and refining. Indicate something along the lines of what you are presently doing to address this issue, and state in your application how grad school will help you address this weakness (i.e., you believe the consultation/edit/review process will substantially improve your skills).

 

[phd2006]

Is it best to mention the faculty you are interested in working with in the personal statement? Or should I keep it a touch more generalized, instead stating the areas I hope to study/work in?
I guess I am afraid of alienating by being too specific in my goals...

The answer to this might be on a school by school basis -- what did the personal statement requests ask you to indicate?

 

[phd2006]

my problem is that i have a lot of research experience... 2 RA jobs as an undergrad, one thesis, two jobs since graduating, and some clinical experience as well. so i'm already at 800 words and i've only summarized my research experience and how it's guided me to my current research goals (i haven't even explicitly stated those goals yet).

no schools have limited me yet - but one said that most students do 500-800 words. is it terrible that i'm way way over that? how can i describe my experience in detail and not be?
🙁

In my opinion, yes, it is a problem that you are over a 'word limit' - although you indicate none of the schools you're applying to have one (I find this unusual -- I would re-check and ensure there is no word limit restriction). Indicate your research background in the areas of x, y, and z -- we do NOT want to know the details of the research, the hypotheses, the findings (well, a general statement on the findings), etc. We want to know what you did - lab/RA responsibilities, poster presentations, publications, seminars, etc. Clinical experience -- what population, treatment modalities, etc. Are your research and clinical interests linked? How have these experiences brought you to where you are today?

You are very fortunate, you bring a lot of experience to the table others would like to have. Your statement will stand out because of this -- applied, real world experience.

 

[irish80122]

To be honest I don't know how weak I am in writing, I just know I could do better (for example I got a 5 on the GRE Writing section). I don't think it is awful, and I am hoping it won't show up in my letter (I have already had over 10 people read the letter) but we will see. Now I am nervious 🙁.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

I've worked with the admissions and review people, and pretty much everything phD2006 said is on the money. People often do not put enough time into their PSs. A very well done one will stick out. Grammar is crucial.

A PS is meant to add another layer to your application, not be a regurgitation of your CV. The reviewers can read your CV just fine; give them additional information so they have a better idea of what you bring to the table.

Have AT LEAST 3 people review your PS. I think this is the easiest thing to make sure you do right, but it is the thing most people do wrong (or not as well as they could)

Best of luck.

-t

 

[irish80122]

Alright, I have finally gotten below 500 words, so that step is done. With my concerns about my writing (again, for comparison sake, think 5.0 on the GRE) would you recommend using one of those editing services to make sure the grammar on all of my statements is correct. It sounds like it may be worth it!

 

[Sorg1123]

Hmm, I scored a 4.5 on the GRE writing, but my writing is usually strong, given enough time of course. I wonder how much stock the admissions committee puts in the Writing score given that it is a recent addition to the GRE.

On one of my applications it asks me to write a 500 word ps (for the graduate school), but also include my two-page ps for the psysh department. ehh...

Thanks phd2006 for the tip on writing about areas of improvement. This is something that I have not considered.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

When did they change over the rating scale for the writing portion (I think it use to be 1-4 instead of 1-10)?

-t

 

[Sorg1123]

When did they change over the rating scale for the writing portion (I think it use to be 1-4 instead of 1-10)?

-t

the rating scale goes up to 6.

 

[irish80122]

This should give you an idea, though I think the percentage rankings they give are a little low. http://www.powerscore.com/gre/scoringscale.htm For example, my 5.0 was 71st percentile.

 

[phd2006]

From my experience, writing scores are typically looked at last -- quant typically first (on the general gre). That is, a high quant score will out trump a low writing score. Besides, your statements, etc., let us evaluate your writing. As some reviewers look at it -- writing is a skill which can be taught/learned in grad school, whereas quant and verbal are skills which should have been picked up in high school (not that they can't be picked up later, but these are viewed as basic skills). Personally, I'd worry about a low quant score before I'd worry about a low writing score.

Also, please keep in mind that gre scores are only 1 part of your application. Yes, some schools weigh them very heavily. Others do not. Ensure your whole application is sound and well rounded -- address any perceived weaknesses.

 

[irish80122]

I know it is just one part of an application, but I also know with how selective these clinical programs are one part could be what keeps you out, you know? What would you consider a low writing score? My GRE worries me a bit because I consider the writing and verbal to be a bit low (5.0 and 550 respectively) but my quant is quite good (790). I just am not sure how programs will look at me given the imbalance in my scores.

 

[Sorg1123]

I know it is just one part of an application, but I also know with how selective these clinical programs are one part could be what keeps you out, you know? What would you consider a low writing score? My GRE worries me a bit because I consider the writing and verbal to be a bit low (5.0 and 550 respectively) but my quant is quite good (790). I just am not sure how programs will look at me given the imbalance in my scores.

In the quant sect I scored 740 in the 78th %ile. Just out of curiosity, what is the rank for your 790?

 

[Sorg1123]

From my experience, writing scores are typically looked at last -- quant typically first (on the general gre). That is, a high quant score will out trump a low writing score. Besides, your statements, etc., let us evaluate your writing. As some reviewers look at it -- writing is a skill which can be taught/learned in grad school, whereas quant and verbal are skills which should have been picked up in high school (not that they can't be picked up later, but these are viewed as basic skills). Personally, I'd worry about a low quant score before I'd worry about a low writing score.

Also, please keep in mind that gre scores are only 1 part of your application. Yes, some schools weigh them very heavily. Others do not. Ensure your whole application is sound and well rounded -- address any perceived weaknesses.

Thanks! My quant is 740 and verbal 690 so it sounds like I'm in the clear. That one low score (4.5) sticks out to me, but my PS should make up for it.

 

[irish80122]

Yeah, I would trade you scores in an instant. Anyways, it isn't even that impressive unfortunately, 91st. UGH, why did I miss the one question?

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Out of the 3 sections, I'd think the vast majority (if not all) of the programs will look at Q and V above the writing. Of course, when I did mine I scored perfect on the writing, and less on the Q & V.

-t