How to Write a Personal Statement for Grad School | Applying to PhD & Masters Programs

[@daniellefrank8903]

This is such an important video for anyone applying to grad school!

[@KaelynGraceApple]

Thank you friend ♥️

[@alexiapt4939]

Dr. Lawson is right. It’s important.

[@jandabarazi]

Thank you for sharing these videos! You have no idea how helpful they are, especially for people like myself who have little access to resources. I am currently in the process of applying to grad schools (PhD), and your videos have been incredibly helpful.

[@KaelynGraceApple]

I am so glad you find the videos helpful! 🥺 It's why I create them

[@location-cognizantmissile9743]

Thank you for the work that you put in for your subs, it's really appreciated! I hope your PhD Studies are going well!

[@KaelynGraceApple]

Thank you! You too!

[@location-cognizantmissile9743]

@@KaelynGraceApple Got an interview at one of my top choices. Always referred back to your videos when I needed. Greatly appreciate you putting these out for free! :)

[@KaelynGraceApple]

✨ Check Out NOTION for all your Note-Taking, Project Management, and Organizational Needs: ntn.so/kaelyn

[@cjram]

Hi 😀 I'm a new subscriber and avid watcher of your videos. I've only watched a handful thus far, but I will continue to do so! I am currently in the process of applying for graduate school, and these videos are amazing!! Please keep doing what you do, it is truly a gift for everyone. I hope your semester before heading to the archives is going well! Have a great day.

[@caitlinjarrett]

Thank you so much for these types of videos!! I'm in the process of applying for MSc programs in Criminology and they are SO helpful! Especially as someone else who started out in community college, you are definitely an inspiration! :)

[@chulascruz]

Thank you! It is pointing me in the right direction for my personal statement.

[@itsjadanicole7127]

Very helpful, have a better understanding of how to get into grad school 😊

[@reginayfavors]

I'm so proud of you.

[@skhy77]

Amazingly helpful video. Thank you so much.

[@PevarAvel]

Really interesting Kaelyn, thank you so much!! I keep it on the side for my next scholarship application, shame I just sent out a motivation letter 3 days ago and I see where I could have been more specific in the « background » section. Oh well, next time, hope it will still be ok🤷🏻‍♀️ thanks a lot again!

[@KayanKollyn]

Kayan Kollyn: the spiral of the ellmott & messenger of the secret 😊😊 The great fantasy adventure book series ❤❤ Waiting for your review on this book😊❤❤😊😊

[@itstugaboy]

Perfect timing as I'm looking to apply this year for a master's degree. Now all I need is to finish my undergrad with a decent grade if I want to be accepted anywhere 😅

[@KaelynGraceApple]

You’ve got this!

[@alexiapt4939]

Thank you for this video.

[@darinapetrovsky8450]

Fantastic video, thanks for sharing!

[@KaelynGraceApple]

Glad you enjoyed it ♥️

[@aliiigxrl1587]

so helpful - you are an inspiration! :)

[@janalewis3030]

Thank you! This is very helpful!

[@kelleyreardon]

super helpful, thank you for this!!

[@KaelynGraceApple]

♥️

[@marijn5581]

Thank you so much! I came across this just as I was taking a break from working on my graduate application. Would you recommend explaining any semester with relatively low grades? I scored relatively low during the first semester of my first year, heavily weighing down my average. Every semester since then, I've had significant academic growth and I was wondering what your opinion is on elaborating on this in my PS? I'd love to hear your opinion as I'm very unsure on including this and you seem extremely knowledgable!

[@KaelynGraceApple]

It depends on the reason for the low grades but if they have since improved, then I recommend letting the rest of the application speak for itself. If, however, the low grades were due to significant hardship, use it to discuss how that limited the scope of your work/capabilities or ask you recommenders to address it. Only shed light on it, if you can clearly articulate that you are not apologizing for it and are not ashamed but that adversity did impact your performance for a temporary stint.

[@marijn5581]

@@KaelynGraceApple Thank you so much! That's super helpful advice. Good luck with your PhD!

[@xfallenmoon]

For Masters, how are you even supposed to know the gaps in research or know what you want to research if all you’ve done is your undergrad? 🤷‍♀️

[@TheSerafinaRose]

You can ask your professors if they think your idea is feasible and fundable. Other than that it’s just kind of looking for gaps in the literature in my experience!

[@xfallenmoon]

Thanks for your answers. I just don’t understand how you are supposed to know how to read papers or even where to find them for your field, or even know enough to be able to identify gaps right after your undergrad to apply for masters. At the phd level, sure, but not masters. Or how do you even know what interests you? Theoretical or experimental, galaxies or planets or cosmology…

[@xfallenmoon]

@Katherine Elisabeth ok so for example, an interest in theoretical cosmology, more specifically Galaxy formation or early universe cosmology. Would that be sufficient? I know I’m not interested in experimental/observational astronomy, or any specific type of celestial bodies. Is that too high level or do I need to read lots of paper to know exactly what’s been done and what’s missing? It’s so technical, I assumed that’s what the masters was for…

[@unavulev]

queen i LOVE your sweater where's it from

[@MelissaAlbuquerque]

I'm changing areas (I was in Marketing and now I'm studying Data Science) does it count as a pivot moment?

[@deepap1307]

Hi Kaelyn, does the candidate need to write tools or techniques for research in SOP ?

[@meem3538]

Thank you for the video! I'm applying to English PhDs with a focus on religion. My personal statement talks about my relationship with faith and how it evolved to lead me to Grad School. I know talking about faith can be awkward, but my essay is about how I felt alienated from my community. That considered-- should I scrap that essay and write about something less controversial, or is it okay to proceed? Thanks!

[@KaelynGraceApple]

So long as it is unique and speaks to the questions you ask which no one else will, I say keep it! Include “pov” details though rather than an overview of your experiences. Pinpoint a specific moment of realization or isolation.

[@meem3538]

@@KaelynGraceApple Thank you for your response! I really appreciate it ♥

[@sincerelycharlotte2151]

hi thanks for information can you please help giving tips for yale's law school graduate program essay? they ask for a research related question its confusing

[@KaelynGraceApple]

I recommend my statement of purpose video for this

[@sincerelycharlotte2151]

@@KaelynGraceApple hi I have watched your other videos thanks for info. Couldn't get clarified on the question that when Yale asks to write personal statement and they require you to discuss research question. Then are they referring to research we will be conducting in masters or the one we previously did in undergraduate school?

[@KristyStrange]

I can't seem to access the link for the notion template you mentioned? Do I need to search for it on Notion templates itself? Thanks for sunh an informative video!

[@KaelynGraceApple]

It’s in the description :)

[@ivantamayoromero1668]

Is a personal statement the same as a Statement of Purpose?

[@KaelynGraceApple]

No it is not :) See my How to Write a Statement of Purpose video for further detail!

[@ivantamayoromero1668]

@@KaelynGraceApple wow that was fast! thank you!

[@MelissaAlbuquerque]

Which is better: GRE or GMAT?

[@KaelynGraceApple]

Depends on your field!

[@teodorad6610]

Of course, a very helpful video from Kaelyn, again 🤍. Keep shining and thank you for sharing such important tips!!!