This document provides guidance on writing an effective Statement of Purpose for graduate school applications. It should introduce yourself, highlight your relevant education, experience, and accomplishments, and demonstrate your fit and commitment to the specific program. The Statement of Purpose is often the deciding factor when applications are otherwise equal. It is important to sell yourself as a strong candidate while distinguishing yourself from others. Do thorough research on the program before drafting your Statement to ensure you address the specific areas of interest or focus being requested. Take time to brainstorm, draft multiple versions, and have others review your writing before finalizing your Statement of Purpose.

1. Writing a Statement of Purpose Dr. Beth Brunk-Chavez Graduate School Expo Day March 26, 2009

3. Education, work, publications, etc.

4. Self-promotion

7. How committed you are to a graduate education

8. How good of a writer you are

9. What you have accomplished

11. Write about inappropriate topics

12. Forget to change the name of the school

13. Be too modest

14. Or, be too braggy

15. Use clichés

17. Address weaknesses

18. Focus on the opening paragraph

19. Be interesting and personable

20. Tell a story

21. Write concisely and correctly

22. Follow guidelines.

24. Personal statement

25. Statement of interest

26. Research agenda

28. On the discipline

29. On the program

30. On the faculty

31. On the current students

33. Draft quickly

34. Revise

35. Have someone read it

36. Revise more

37. Revise again

38. Edit

40. Use active voice/present tense