Using parentheses in a Personal Statement?

[johnwandering]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I have a line in my personal statement that contains a lot of information

I delved into X--studied history wateversomething--and y--performed and the top of a mountain cloud--because I felt...

I was told that the use of double dashes may make the sentence confusing~
I was wondering if perhaps it was more acceptable for

I delved into X (studied history wateversomething) and y (performed and the top of a mountain cloud) because I felt...

I could make it one continuous sentence but it seems long and overbearing

I delved into X through studying history wateversomething, and y by performed and the top of a mountain cloud, because I felt...

Basically, what do adcoms think upon reading a set of parentheses in a Personal Statement?

 

[LeoGer]

Adcoms are people, and they are usually well educated. There is no perfect answer. Personally, I'd go with option 3 or make it two sentences.

 

[aSagacious]

Try commas instead of parentheses. Parenthetical asides tend to come off as informal.

 

[Jarudy]

Try commas instead of parentheses. Parenthetical asides tend to come off as informal.

This is how I would do it.

 

[IHOPness]

I have a line in my personal statement that contains a lot of information



I was told that the use of double dashes may make the sentence confusing~
I was wondering if perhaps it was more acceptable for



I could make it one continuous sentence but it seems long and overbearing



Basically, what do adcoms think upon reading a set of parentheses in a Personal Statement?

Why would you have two dashes? Like an em dash? Just one is sufficient. Dashes and parentheses both can be used.

 

[chaser0]

whooopsss wrong topic~

 

[eli20]

It's hard for me to decide with the fake sentences, but I'd almost lean towards saying you need to rephrase the sentence. Let other people read it and help you make your decision.

I have a reputation for being a very dash-heavy writer (sometimes overly so). With these sorts of style issues, there usually isn't a right answer and you'll never please everyone. As long as a few good people have read through your statement and don't believe the tone to be wildly informal or find other errors I believe you're fine. I'd caution not to get too wrapped up in formality, I hate reading personal statements that sound like state correspondence from the Queen of England - although, again, others may disagree.

 

[aSagacious]

I'd caution not to get too wrapped up in formality, I hate reading personal statements that sound like state correspondence from the Queen of England

 

[IHOPness]

It's hard for me to decide with the fake sentences, but I'd almost lean towards saying you need to rephrase the sentence. Let other people read it and help you make your decision.

I have a reputation for being a very dash-heavy writer (sometimes overly so). With these sorts of style issues, there usually isn't a right answer and you'll never please everyone. As long as a few good people have read through your statement and don't believe the tone to be wildly informal or find other errors I believe you're fine. I'd caution not to get too wrapped up in formality, I hate reading personal statements that sound like state correspondence from the Queen of England - although, again, others may disagree.

👍 You don't want too confusing of a sentence. It might be best to reword.

 

[johnwandering]

are double dashes generally uncommon?

I need your love--the kind you make, break, shake--so that I can

I need your love-the kind you make, break, shake-so that I can

I just always thought that it looked much cleaner~~

 

[mauberley]

are double dashes generally uncommon?





I just always thought that it looked much cleaner~~

Double dashes would be the more correct punctuation, as you want an em dash and not a hyphen.