For my grad school application the instructions for the personal statement are:

Quote :

"Describe your career goals and research interests, as well as your publications, work experience, and academic honors and organizations. You may also include an optional statement of your achievements, talents, background, experiences, and traits that will contribute to the enrichment or diversity of the University or community, beyond your academic credentials."

As for the optional statement, do they want that as a separate essay or integrated into the main one?

Thanks

11/21/2009 2:44:08 PM

We will think what we will think. Don't you think it is best if you ask your grad school?

11/21/2009 4:10:47 PM

shhh... you're short-circuiting the weed out process, trap.

11/21/2009 5:02:03 PM

^^ I mean I really doubt it matters either way, it is what is written that matters in the end, I was just trying to get some input from someone who might have done this before

11/21/2009 5:38:22 PM

Optional statement should be separate given the context. It also means you better have something interesting on that optional statement that would be of interest for them to read. Not saying its a bad idea, but, don't try to overstate which really has little / no substance to it.

11/21/2009 8:53:36 PM

^ that makes a lot of sense, thanks for the help

11/21/2009 10:13:01 PM