Writing personal statements for graduate programs

[juliava 80]

Hello everybody!!!

I have just finished writing my personal statement for a Psychology graduate program. I gave it to my mother in law to review it and she says "it is too long". My husband says it is very good the way it is, as it includes various and relevant professional experiences.

I must say it is a 4 pages essay and neither my mother in law or my husband webt through a graduate program. I was also aware of following a structure in writing my essay.

What do you guys think....Is it really too long?Has anyone applied for a graduate program that requested a personal statement?Any other tips that I should be aware of?

Thank you!!!!!!!

[HappyRs 8]

Hello everybody!!!

I have just finished writing my personal statement for a Psychology graduate program. I gave it to my mother in law to review it and she says "it is too long". My husband says it is very good the way it is, as it includes various and relevant professional experiences.

I must say it is a 4 pages essay and neither my mother in law or my husband webt through a graduate program. I was also aware of following a structure in writing my essay.

What do you guys think....Is it really too long?Has anyone applied for a graduate program that requested a personal statement?Any other tips that I should be aware of?

Thank you!!!!!!!

My husband is professor at a private university and he helped me with my personal statement back in 2009. 4 pages is indeed a bit long; it is advisable to keep it all in 3 pages max. Is there a way you can contract the info?

Also, your Romanian heritage makes you exotic for Americans...Make sure you use that card in your sleeve ;-). More important than writing about your professional experience in detail is writing why the university/department you chose is the best choice for you. Good luck!!!

Edited March 9, 2011 by HappyRs

[Romancita 3]

Juliava, good luck with your program! You will rock their world, I know that!

HappyR, I love the way you said about how our Romanian genes make us exotic! It is so true! Plus, my husband agrees!

[juliava 80]

Thank you guys, sorry for the late response. Work keeps me busy!

HappyRs - I will try to make it 3 pages then. Hard to condense everything, but I will definitely do it, looks like I have no choice.

I know I will go through an interview as well so they will have to hear my accent, no matter what. But I guess they will care more about what I have to say...

Are you attending a grad school?What's your field of study?

Romancita - thank you. Good luck with your AOS!!!!

Anybody else who wants to share their experiences in writing personal statements?

[HappyRs 8]

Juliava, good luck with your program! You will rock their world, I know that!

HappyR, I love the way you said about how our Romanian genes make us exotic! It is so true! Plus, my husband agrees!

[HappyRs 8]

Thank you guys, sorry for the late response. Work keeps me busy!

HappyRs - I will try to make it 3 pages then. Hard to condense everything, but I will definitely do it, looks like I have no choice.

I know I will go through an interview as well so they will have to hear my accent, no matter what. But I guess they will care more about what I have to say...

Are you attending a grad school?What's your field of study?

Romancita - thank you. Good luck with your AOS!!!!

Anybody else who wants to share their experiences in writing personal statements?

I applied for PhD in Ancient Near Eastern Studies at Brandeis. It is a very expensive private University and I was thrilled to read that they accepted me and even offered a scholarship. Unfortunately, because one year's cost there (tuition, accomodation etc) is over $50,000, I really needed a full scholarship...There was no way I could get 25,000 just for the first year. Will try again next year probably. Anyway, best of luck and hope to get good news from you

[juliava 80]

I applied for PhD in Ancient Near Eastern Studies at Brandeis. It is a very expensive private University and I was thrilled to read that they accepted me and even offered a scholarship. Unfortunately, because one year's cost there (tuition, accomodation etc) is over $50,000, I really needed a full scholarship...There was no way I could get 25,000 just for the first year. Will try again next year probably. Anyway, best of luck and hope to get good news from you

That is very expensive, indeed.

Any assistanship opportunities?What about a loan that could be paid off after graduation?that's what my school offers.

Good luck to you!!!

[HappyRs 8]

That is very expensive, indeed.

Any assistanship opportunities?What about a loan that could be paid off after graduation?that's what my school offers.

Good luck to you!!!

In 2009 I applied as international student...and there were no opportunities for a loan then. Things will change though, as I am a resident now, and will be able to apply for a loan in the near future

[juliava 80]

In 2009 I applied as international student...and there were no opportunities for a loan then. Things will change though, as I am a resident now, and will be able to apply for a loan in the near future

Oh yes! Also, the price/year that was offered to you as an international student will signifficantly change as well, now that you are a permanent resident.

[psychasthenia 9]

Hello everybody!!!

I have just finished writing my personal statement for a Psychology graduate program. I gave it to my mother in law to review it and she says "it is too long". My husband says it is very good the way it is, as it includes various and relevant professional experiences.

I must say it is a 4 pages essay and neither my mother in law or my husband webt through a graduate program. I was also aware of following a structure in writing my essay.

What do you guys think....Is it really too long?Has anyone applied for a graduate program that requested a personal statement?Any other tips that I should be aware of?

Thank you!!!!!!!

Juliava, I'm glad to read that you are applying to a Psych grad program. I am currently completing my pre-doctoral internship in Clinical Psychology (the last year before my PhD degree). In terms of your questions, a four-page essay is indeed a bit long . Committee members receive hundreds of applications; they don't have the time or interest to read long essays. In addition to length, content is very important. Are you applying to a Master's or a PhD program? Depending on the program and its focus, it is recommended that you talk about your research/clinical experiences in your personal statement. If you have other questions, I would be happy to help. Good luck!

[juliava 80]

Juliava, I'm glad to read that you are applying to a Psych grad program. I am currently completing my pre-doctoral internship in Clinical Psychology (the last year before my PhD degree). In terms of your questions, a four-page essay is indeed a bit long . Committee members receive hundreds of applications; they don't have the time or interest to read long essays. In addition to length, content is very important. Are you applying to a Master's or a PhD program? Depending on the program and its focus, it is recommended that you talk about your research/clinical experiences in your personal statement. If you have other questions, I would be happy to help. Good luck!

Thank you for your input. I am applying for a MA in Counseling Psychology and the speacialization will be in School Counseling. Yes, I have talked mostly about my professional experience with children and about my graduation thesis that was an intervention project implementated in kindergarten. I believe I gave too many details about that graduation project and I am not sure if they need to know about methods of research, how many subjects did I administer questionairres to, etc. What to you think?

[psychasthenia 9]

Thank you for your input. I am applying for a MA in Counseling Psychology and the speacialization will be in School Counseling. Yes, I have talked mostly about my professional experience with children and about my graduation thesis that was an intervention project implementated in kindergarten. I believe I gave too many details about that graduation project and I am not sure if they need to know about methods of research, how many subjects did I administer questionairres to, etc. What to you think?

I agree. I don't think they need/want to know too many details about research methods. It's sufficient to list what analyses you used (ANOVAs, regression, factor analysis, etc), the population, and the results. If you want, PM me your email and I can forward you a couple of personal statements that I have. They are written for Clinical Psychology Ph.D. programs, but they can give you an idea about what others have written.

[웃 910]

Hello everybody!!!

I have just finished writing my personal statement for a Psychology graduate program. I gave it to my mother in law to review it and she says "it is too long". My husband says it is very good the way it is, as it includes various and relevant professional experiences.

I must say it is a 4 pages essay and neither my mother in law or my husband webt through a graduate program. I was also aware of following a structure in writing my essay.

What do you guys think....Is it really too long?Has anyone applied for a graduate program that requested a personal statement?Any other tips that I should be aware of?

Thank you!!!!!!!

Depends on what kind of university it is. If you are going to Harvard or some elite school where only 2 out of 100 people get into the program then I'd say 4 pages is about right. And I would worry about how it is written.

If it is a regular school then you will get in no problem.

In my case I put together maybe 2/3rds of a page and kinda BSed my way through it. It sounded ok and I got in. I am pretty sure they let anyone in to most programs as long as you meet the GPA requirements. They just want the money.

[juliava 80]

Depends on what kind of university it is. If you are going to Harvard or some elite school where only 2 out of 100 people get into the program then I'd say 4 pages is about right. And I would worry about how it is written.

If it is a regular school then you will get in no problem.

In my case I put together maybe 2/3rds of a page and kinda BSed my way through it. It sounded ok and I got in. I am pretty sure they let anyone in to most programs as long as you meet the GPA requirements. They just want the money.

I appreciate your input. I thought about this too, but the thing is - I am relatively new in the area and I don't really know how demanding this private college is. But I know that it has a good reputation and is one of the few that provides what I am interested in.Also, their grad program is authorized by NJ Department of Education. I guess the only way to find out is to just jump in pool, right?