personal statement- beginning

[kr862313]

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I see someone started a thread about ending a personal statement, but I'm having trouble starting mine. Does anyone have any suggestions? I'd really appreciate it. I think once I start writing it I'll be fine, but I just need to get a good opening down first. Thanks!

 

[yikes]

i'm having trouble starting too! any suggestions would be much appreciated

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

You should start with the meat first....since you don't know how to start nor end if you don't know what you are talking about. Start anywhere, and eventually you can mold it into something workable.

-t

 

[socialcog]

You should start with the meat first....since you don't know how to start nor end if you don't know what you are talking about. Start anywhere, and eventually you can mold it into something workable.

-t

I cannot believe you are just now starting to write your statement. This paper literally went through 16 revisions and 3 readers and about 5 months to complete. And it is still only--pretty good.

I started laying out the paragraphs first..laying out the format--touching on relevant UG stuff, research in UG, research in Grad school, future research hopes, relevant professional experience, a paragraph answering the "why now?", addressed like-minded faculty at that particular school and how our research goals match up--not necessarily in that order. I wrote the opening and closing paragraph at the end.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Uhm....okay?

-t

 

[kr862313]

I have to disagree...I have had a great mentor since my sophomore year who has been guiding me in this process, and we both agree that it isn't too late to start writing the statement.

 

[JockNerd]

Certainly not too late. 5 months of 16 revisions actually seems excessive to me. I think someone's not using effective revision strategies!

 

[psychplease]

.

 

[yikes]

I'm worried that my research/clinical experience section will just sound like a more detailed version of my resume. any tips on how to avoid this?

 

[spillsomepaint]

You might also want to check and see if your undergrad university has a Writing Center.
I was in the same situation last month, just really starting my statement, and I did some free writing and came up with what I thought I could 'work with'. I made an appointment and have been going every week for three weeks now to meet with a Ph.D student. I consider myself a very competent writer, but the advice and direction I've received through my writing center has completely transformed my statement.

 

[yikes]

also, is this a place where you name actual people you've worked with or does that not matter?

 

[psychplease]

.

 

[Quynh2007]

for fit, schools like it when you mention their mission and how it aligns with yours...