Statement of Interest/ Research Proposal Audience, Context, Purpose

Purpose Why do you want to go to grad school? What field are you interested in? (hint: what paper, or course, or project did you enjoy most? That’s likely the field you want) You need to need to know this in order to write the proposal in the language of the field

Audience You will be writing for a committee that has to view hundreds of applications. Be sure yours uses clear, concise language, uses the language of your field and discipline, shows knowledge of the field and the department to which you are applying. Note professors you can work with in the program.

Context (how to tell them about you) DO Be objective, yet self-revelatory. Write directly and in a straightforward manner that tells about your experience and what it means to you. Form conclusions that explain the value and meaning of your experience, such as what you learned about yourself and your field and your future goals. Draw your conclusions from the evidence your life and academic experience provides (courses, research, presentations, awards) Be specific. Document your conclusions with specific instances. Get to the point early on and catch the attention of the reader. FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS! (Thanks to the Berkeley Career Centre for some of this info)

Don’t Use the "what I did with my life" approach. Use the "I've always wanted to study/research _____" approach. Use a catalog of achievements. This is only a list of what you have done, and tells nothing about you as a person. Lecture the reader. For example, you should not write a statement such as “communication/research skills are important in this field." Any graduate admissions committee member knows that.

Every time you use one of the words, you must provide explanation and evidence as support significant interesting challenging satisfying/satisfaction Appreciate Invaluable exciting/excited enjoyable/enjoy feel good appealing to me appealing aspect it's important I can contribute meant a lot to me stimulating incredible gratifying fascinating meaningful helping people I like it

ASK MANY PROFESSORS AND FRIENDS IN GRAD SCHOOL TO COMMENT ON YOUR STATEMENT. DO NOT USE ALL SUGGESTIONS; CHOOSE WISELY.

Reminder about References Ask profs to write on your behalf with whom you have taken more than one class (preferably) Ask well in advance of the application due date Send all info your referee might need plus instructions for submitting the letter

Feel free to contact me sarahumphreys@trentu.ca