Graduate School Statement Template Page 13
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Some advice from admissions representatives:
Lee Cunningham
Director of Admissions and Aid
The University of Chicago Graduate School of Business
The mistake people make most often is not to look at what the questions are asking.
Some people prepare generic statements because they're applying to more than one
school and it's a lot of work to do a personal essay for each school. On the other hand,
generic statements detract from the applicant when we realize that we're one of six
schools and the applicant is saying the same thing to each and every school despite the
fact that there are critical differences between the kinds of schools they may be applying
to. They don't take the time. They underestimate the kind of attentions that is paid to
these essays. Take a look at what the essay asks and deal with those issues
articulately and honestly.
At least 2, and sometimes 3, people read each essay. I read them to make the final
decision. Our process works so that each person who reads the application does a
written evaluation of what he or she has read and the written evaluations are not seen
by the other reader.
(adapted from Stelzer, p. 49)
Steven DeKrey
Director of Admissions and Financial Aid
J. L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management (Northwestern University)
We're looking for a well-written, detailed essay that responds directly to the question.
The questions are about extracurricular activities, motivation, challenges, commitment
to the school that kind of thing. We see a variety and that's fine. Our approach is very
individualized. The way the applicant devises the answer, determines the length,
develops the response, is all part of the answer. The level of effort applicants put into
essays varies considerably, which sends messages to the admissions committee as
well. Over-involved, elaborate essays send one message, while very brief and
superficial essays send another message.
Trying to second-guess what we are looking for is a common mistake--which we can
sense.
We can tell when applicants use answers to other schools' questions for our essays;
we're sensitive to this. Poorly written essays are a bad reflection on the applicant.
Don't over-elaborate; we're reading a lot of these kinds of essays. Also, don't be too
brief or superficial. We like to have major ideas presented well.
( adapted from Stelzer, p. 55)
The Writing Center: Writing a Grad School Personal Statement
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