2. Career Center Creating Your Personal Statement Norman S. Stahl, Ph.D. Registered Professional Career Counselor Director, UH Hilo Career Center Grad Skool 3 Press Left Mouse Button to Advance Slides

3. Career Center Thoughts for the Day Your Personal Statement Will Not Make Up for a Non-Competitive Record. But a Poorly Constructed Statement Can Negate Even the Most Competitive Record! And a Well Written Statement Can Help You Stand Out in the Crowd.

4. Career Center Personal Statements Keyword is “Personal” Start Early!!! Grab the Readers Attention! Explain When, Why, How You Became Interested in This Field/Career Tell How You Have Prepared Why This Program/School? What Unique Quality Will You Bring to Their Program? How Do You Expect to Contribute to The Field?

5. Career Center Start Early!!! A Well Crafted Personal Statement Can Be a Tie Breaker. Your Statement Needs to be Tailored to Each Program. Have it Critiqued by Several Different Readers. All of These Take Time & Deserve Your Best Effort!

6. Career Center Grab the Readers Attention In Competitive Programs, the Admissions Committee will See Thousands of Statements. Make them Want to Read Your Statement: –Lead with a Question –Or Tell a Story Have an Obvious Thesis or Theme and Build on it.

7. Career Center Explain When, Why, How Explain When, Why, How You Became Interested in This Field/Career This Can Often be Done with a Story –Intriguing –Short –Lead Quickly & Logically to the Relevant Issues

8. Career Center Tell How You Have Prepared Build on Your Story Academic Preparation & Performance –Grades & Special Recognition May Explain “Deficiencies” Here or Refer to Addendum –Directed Studies –Undergraduate Research Published Articles What Extra-Curricular Activities –Internships/Volunteer Positions –Related Clubs & Organizations

9. Career Center Why This Program? Why are You Applying to This Program Rather than Some Similar Program? Program Emphasis/Theoretical Orientation Particular Faculty Members Expertise or Research Interest Specific Research Laboratories, Internship Clinics, Special Resources Available

10. Career Center What Do You Bring? Culture/Language/Background Previous Experience Writing Ability ???????????????

11. Career Center How Will You Contribute to Field? Post-Degree Goals: –Intended Future Research –Communities or Populations You Intend to Serve –Your Plan to Save the World

12. Career Center Formatting Usually 2 to 4 Pages – Double Spaced. Keep it Easy to Read – Use 12 Point Font. May Take Form of Answering Specific Questions. Grammar Check (Formal) & Spell Check

13. Career Center Final Cautions Have It Proofread by an English Expert. Have it Proofread by a Person Who Naturally Pays Attention to Detail. Have it Proofread by a “Big Picture” Person. Pay Attention to Politics.

14. Career Center ? QUESTIONS ? Attend One of Our “Live” Grad School Workshops OR Visit Your Career Center in Campus Center 202A