Know your Flesh Scores when writing your PS

[OwlPower22]

I came across an article in BiteSize Bio (great blog for those of you who work in biology labs!) about the Flesch scores. The scores estimate the readability and the grade level of your paper. Read more about it here: http://bitesizebio.com/articles/science-writing-selling-your-research/

and download the Flesh program here: http://sourceforge.net/projects/flesh/

I ran the Flesh program on my PS and I got scores of 13.17 for the Flesch-Kincaid grade level and 41.88 for the Flesch Reading Ease level. As I read from the article, scores of 30 or above are recommended for readability. That being said, take the scores with a grain of salt. As always, be concise. I think the scores will give you an idea of how easy it is to read your PS. Adcoms are stressed and pressed for time, so it's advisable to make it as easy as possible for them to get through your essay. Try the program on your PS and let us know what your scores are!

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[Ismet]

Damn, I was really interested in what a flesh score was

 

[ccrone]

Cool program. I just ran my personal statement.

Readability: 64.42
Grade Level: 8.38

 

[Nebby]

Damn, I was really interested in what a flesh score was

You have to write your PS in blood to get that score.

 

[hiyaman]

Damn, I was really interested in what a flesh score was

Lol I was hoping for something a lil diff as well.

 

[DAPI]

Microsoft Word has this same feature. On a Mac its, click word -> preferences -> spelling & grammar -> then check "Show readability statistics". By doing that it will show up after you run a spell check.

Mine got a 53.1 and a grade level of 11.4

Edit: Of note, Word (at least on a Mac) will not grade you above a 12 for grade level.

 

[vayntraubinator]

Cool program. I just ran my personal statement.

Readability: 64.42
Grade Level: 8.38

Nice! This is what I got for my final PS submission,
Grade level: 8.15
Readability: 61.86
Easy to read 🙂 is what I was going for 👍

 

[EnergyDrink]

There is a feature in Microsoft Word that does this already

2010:
File Tab
>Options->Proofing-> Check "Show readability statistics" Click Ok

Now go to the Review Tab
Spelling & Grammar
Readability Statistics should pop up after you check spelling and grammar


My Essay:
Reading Ease: 45
Grade Level: 11.7

 

[dsoz]

According to Word, my PS has a 65.4 and an 8.3 reading level. Not my most academic work, but I am happy with it.

dsoz

 

[TheWeeIceMan]

My PS:

Grade Level: 11
Reading Ease: 56.2

I hope I don't get any adcoms who are below 11th grade.

 

[dgsilvervid]

Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level 13.30
Flesh Reading Ease Level 38.81

 

[PreMedOrDead]

Almost my final draft.

 

[OwlPower22]

Oh cool, I didn't know Word has that feature. I agree that it's only a novelty feature. Nothing beats full editing by a fresh pair of eyes and a thorough read-over.

 

[jesse120]

interesting. mine is: 65.8, 7.6

haha I write like a kid 😀

 

[jesse120]

Damn, I was really interested in what a flesh score was

I only clicked on this thread because I have a dirty mind


...this thread did NOT deliver

 

[thelaw986]

it's nothing but a Flesch wound!

 

[FattySlug]

Getting feedback from actual readers is better than trusting the score from some programs.

 

[syoung]

Word starter doesn't have that..