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Personal Statements

The document provides guidance on writing personal statements and application letters, including their purpose, intended readers, and suggested writing process. The writing process involves preparing materials, writing a first draft, and revising. The personal statement format should include an introduction, supporting paragraphs, and conclusion.

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宏一封
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30 views

Personal Statements

The document provides guidance on writing personal statements and application letters, including their purpose, intended readers, and suggested writing process. The writing process involves preparing materials, writing a first draft, and revising. The personal statement format should include an introduction, supporting paragraphs, and conclusion.

Uploaded by

宏一封
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Personal Statements

&
Application Letters
Purposes of these writings:
• State your goals
• Outline your qualifications and
experiences confidently and clearly
• Demonstrate your writing ability
Readers of your writings:
• Your potential employer
• Your future graduate studies’ program
director
Suggested writing process:
• Prepare your materials
• Write a first draft
• Personal Statement Format
• Revise the personal statement
Prepare your materials
• Obtain copies of documents:
transcripts, resumes, application form
• Make a list of important information:
names and exact titles of former employers
titles of jobs you have held
dates of appropriate work or volunteer
experiences
duties involved in the previous jobs and
experiences
Writing the first draft
• Answer the questions asked:
Job
the “reason” why you’re applying for the
job
School
Please tell us what excites you about being a
member of the GW community. (500 word limit)
Please tell us something about yourself. Your
experience or activities that you believe would
reflect positively on your ability to succeed at Penn
State.
• Consider the “I” problem:
Is using the first person pronoun
acceptable?
• Avoid unnecessary duplication:
Don’t repeat information already included
in other parts of the application packet.
“I was on the Dean’s List.”
“I have taken numerous courses in the
field of Translation and Interpretation.”
• Make your statement distinctive &
memorable:
e.g. include a detailed example or
anecdote that is specific to your
own experience and yet related to
the job/institution you are applying
for
• Keep it brief:
not exceeding 250-500 words (one typed
page
Personal Statement Format
• Introduction
a catchy opening (e.g. a personal story)
a bridge—connecting the example to the
actual program/position you’re
applying
the specific name of the program or
company
the exact title of the position or degree
you’re seeking
• Detailed Supporting Paragraphs
 address specific questions from the
application:
1) the strengths of the program/company
2) your own qualifications (academic,
professional, personal characteristics)
3) your compatibility with the
program/position
4) your long-term goal
 Each paragraph should have a topic
sentence.
 Examples from your experience must be
relevant and support your argument
about your qualifications.
Conclusion
• Tie together the various issues you have
raised in the essay.
• Reiterate your interest in this
program/position.
• May mention how this job/degree is a step
towards a long-term goal.
• Ask for an interview (for job application
letters).
Revision
• Allow yourself enough time to revise.
• Revision should be done:
1) on the content level (Did I address the
question? Is there enough detail?)
2) on the language level (Is the writing
clear? Are the mechanics and
punctuation correct?)
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Anne.docx

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OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 2.doc

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