Writing A Stand Out Graduate Admission Essay
A graduate admission essay is one of the most important personal statements students have to make in a competitive environment. Writing a compelling essay would make the difference between them getting admission to a college of their choice or being forced to compromise studying at another college. Seats are limited, and thousands apply with similar hopes and aspirations. Students have their own way of preparing for competitive tests. Gathering knowledge and reproducing it in a test is important, but writing an admission essay is certainly not that easy. It does take time and effort to prepare for such an important assignment. Students have several options with them. They can find a tutor who would guide them and help them gain confidence and competence. The internet has vast resources that could provide information on any subject. Other sources include school, college, and public libraries. Students must, however, pay enough attention to preparatory methods that can make a big difference in their approach to writing the essay.
1. Focus on strengths. Graduate admission essays would be an exercise where students try to convince assessors about their credentials for getting admission to a college. The word count allowed in the essay would be limited. Students should therefore try and present their strengths more prominently. For example, a bulleted list of achievements, year-wise, would be a good way to present credentials.
2. A brief note on why students chose a particular course in context to their strengths and weaknesses would suffice. The logic should be sound. The approach should be to connect their strengths with their desire to choose a particular study program. Students must make this their personal statement and talk about their strengths in detail. It would make a considerable difference, if the statements they make could be connected to the curriculum of the program.
3. Assessors would like to know how a college would be able to help students achieve their goals. Would they be able to achieve them on completing the study program? Students need to sit down and recollect earlier preparations done towards their goals. These could be highlighted. The study program could be the logical conclusion towards achieving their goals. Assessors are looking for students who would fit ideally into a slot and come out in flying colors on completing the program on offer.
4. The graduate admission essay has to be about students themselves. Individuality is important. Outstanding students would be able to contribute towards any program they get into. Assessors would like to know about such qualities. They would welcome students who exude confidence and individual flair in their essays. Writing is an art, and students must use it to express themselves in a unique style that would help them make a statement.
5. Colleges have their own priorities and give importance to their motto. Some would consider applications of students who demonstrate willingness to work and study at the same time. Others may want students who could fulfill specific payment regulations. Though these may not be directly related to essay writing, knowing such preconditions would help students prepare better in their approach towards graduate admission essays.
