Personal Statement for Graduate School - 5 CRITICAL ELEMENTS

[@janswanton3631]

Really useful advice, Andy. Very helpful. You are absolutely right about overcoming modesty and deference. What would I add???? Well, as someone who used to read hundreds of application forms albeit for admin jobs, I'd turn it on its head. It's not about you. It's about them! What do they want? (Can you pay? Will you finish? Do you have the capacity to reach the standard they require? Are you really going to contribute substantially to the body of knowledge?) Absolutely agree about verbs and power words. Go through the guidance and underline the verbs they use and use them back. Use active verbs whenever possible, not passive 'I shall investigate' not 'I am interested in investigating'. I totally agree structure is important. People who have a lot of documents to read want to read what is important first. If you establish yourself in the first three sentences, you will have them on board. They will, no matter how well you write, form an opinion of you early and skim read the later part of the document to reinforce the view they have already formed. Why you? Why now? Why this institution? Really good advice. I found that really helpful when I applied. Really love your videos. They always make me think and boost my motivation. Thank you.

[@cardiyansane1414]

Thanks Jan ! What you wrote at the beginning about : why you? Will you finish? Can you pay ? What will you bring to the institution? … is what my advisor told me . They want to know are you reliable,or will you bail at the 1 st sight of difficulty, some institutions will even ask during interview about your finances and support system. So thanks for adding this

[@richardyudkiss]

After having gotten into my master's program for urban planning, I can say that professionalism and being genuine are the most important aspects to a great statement of purpose. Though, they tend to be styled as more of a cover letter than a personal statement would be.

[@missytyrrell1]

Having finished my Proposal yesterday, I'm tackling the Personal Statement today, so this came at the perfect time. Thanks, Andy!

[@jamalhashim7898]

Hope you're enjoying the 1st year of the program by now :)

[@PepeCris15]

Thanks a lot for taking the time to make this video! Have been writing, re-writing and re-ordering my statement and it's reassuring to hear that most of the critical elements are covered in it. We got this people!

[@jalilkianiani4876]

My God you're more than great, it's something about you that makes you special and that is your ability to make every complex topic so classified and well explained with common sense, keep up the good work Andy. Thank you for all the help.

[@_elenaio_]

Very useful and interesting video, thank you!

[@Capmusic10]

This is very enlightening. Thank you so much.

[@Shadow-911]

I love your content. I am starting my masters in summer but I think it is never to early to hype myself up for the next step. Thank you for taking the time to create these videos. By the way, I am having trouble accessing your verbalize website. It is giving a certificate error.

[@mitalinautiyal]

Great! It also applies to how we write an application for a scholarship. Could have given some examples for power verbs.

[@cardiyansane1414]

He did : around 8:26 -peering instead of looking

[@sajidakadar9759]

I wish this video had been uploaded 2 months ago. I have already applied now. However, most of the topics covered in this video were highlighted in my personal statement.

[@Pranjal-AI]

Man you are just awesome!

[@安平吴]

tks very useful

[@zahramohamadi5952]

It would be helpful if you could provide some examples while explaining each point, as it would give us a better understanding of the subject matter. I've seen so many videos and they don't try to provide an example and try to highlight the errors or bold important and well-written parts. this would be really handy. Thank you

[@msarhsh]

omg! i just sent my personal statement yesterday before watching this video. surely will be rejected! urghhhh 😩😩😩

[@clintonsaviour8311]

You're confusing SOP WITH PERSONAL STATEMENT

[@Ijis787]

How would you distinguish the two?

[@yaseminsucu416]

You can differentiate as personal statement is talking about your characteristics, your passion, diversity you can brig to the community whereas the statement of purpose is what you achieved so far, what was your inspiration, specific topic you want to study, why that institution, etc. @@Ijis787