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Lora Jonson is an active guest post writer and she works as a content manager. She believes that her articles help people to be more productive and achieve success in their life. Besides, she is interested in painting, traveling and self-improvement. Her life credo is “Be, do and have what you’re here for.”
So, you have found a graduate program that feels like the right next step to take, but now, you need to write a personal statement. It feels intimidating for many, and some people opt to copy paste the ideas of others, which isn’t a wise move.
Now, we all know that the quality of your essay is a make or break affair, even if it’s just ending a personal statement. It is what will either convince the admissions officers to give you a shot or throw your application to the rejection pile.
Since this is a chance to make your dreams a reality, I believe that you are willing to put your best foot forward. Here are some tips to help you perfect your dentistry personal statements, or any other that you could be writing:
1. Bring your account to life
The reviewer of the essay will be looking for responses to specific questions, even though they may not be asked, outright. Rather than share facts about how you came to decide to write this document, give a narrative that will demonstrate to the reader how you got here.
Where you can quantify your achievements, then, do it too. It gives the reviewer a deeper depth of understanding of your journey. It also adds to the authenticity of the narrative.
2. There’s beauty in moderation
While you still have to explain why you chose a particular program or institution, it is essential to give your praise, moderately. Otherwise giving too much praise will only push the reader away.
Connect the dots between the strengths of the program and your professional pursuits. Demonstrate how their attributes will be helpful to you.
3. Keep it Personal
It’s your time to make your personal values statement, known. It is what separates you from other prospective candidates. Honesty will draw the reader in, as they can tell when you are trying to be someone else.
Talk about your ambitions.
4. Be original
Don’t copy the work of another person. The institution has tools that can identify plagiarized content. Ensure that there’s consistency between your essay and application. In that, what you include in the personal statement should also be reflected in the other application materials.
5. Customize it
Yes, it’s good to have a basic template that guides you on how to craft different personal statements. However, you should try and tailor each essay according to the program, taking into account, its characteristics. That includes values, culture, strengths, and more.
Just changing the names and details in the template, isn’t good enough.
6. Follow instructions
The excitement of getting the chance to join the program could cause you to forget about the instructions given on what to include in the essay. Sometimes, you may even have more to say than what the available space allows.
Go through the given prompts and questions and respond accordingly. Doing so demonstrates that you pay attention to detail and can follow instructions.
7. Keep it Positive
A personal statement is the first impression that the reviewer gets about who you are. So, you need to leave a positive one. If you have to share a personal challenge in the essay, then ensure to show the reader how this experience resulted in positive change.
8. Avoid anything the distracts from the main message
We live in an age where many people are willingly taking risks that sometimes pay off. However, in crafting a stellar personal statement, stick to the conservative approach. Use a professional tone, and avoid humor as it’s subjective.
9. Proofread
The first draft is never perfect. Go through the copy again with a fresh set of eyes. Look out for any grammar or spelling errors and rectify them.
Remove clichés and colloquial terms. Ensure that the piece has a natural flow.
10. Ask for Advice
Your professor can help you with more than writing a persuasive letter of recommendation. Ask them for insights on what you can include, or you need to remove from the personal statement and take their advice.
11. Draft again if you need to
Institutions also pay attention to your writing skills. Don’t be afraid to create multiple copies until you have a final document that you are confident about.
Conclusion
Work on your essay as soon as possible. It will give you adequate time to revise, tweak, and improve it to your satisfaction and that of the reader.