Graduate School Sample Essays

Graduate School Sample EssaysA statement of purpose is a critical part of your doctoral application. It is also important for any professional pursuing advanced degrees, from those who have just completed their studies to those who are already practicing.Since most graduate schools' graduate programs don't charge for your application papers, a statement of purpose is often your only opportunity to get your information in front of the admissions committee. It is often the first thing they read and the first thing they ask you to write.A statement of purpose does not need to be long. You can draft it on one sheet of paper, one paragraph, or two, but there is no limit as to how much it can be. Just make sure that you don't exceed the word limit that the admissions committee gives you for your statement.Here are some tips on writing a statement of purpose. First, write it as though you are outlining an idea. An example would be: I want to explore the whole spectrum of the nature of the m ind, so I will give an overview of my research for this dissertation. You should not only discuss what you plan to do in your dissertation, but why you think it will be important to complete the dissertation.Explain in your statement why you want to pursue the program at your university, for a specific degree, and if there are special regulations that your university has regarding your dissertation topic. State clearly what questions you plan to ask in your research, the kinds of references you are looking for, and how you intend to use them. The statement of purpose should also state clearly why the scholarship and the prize money you received were important to you.Graduate schools usually supply sample essays for your statement of purpose. For example, the American Medical Association suggests havingfive sample essays with sample questions. Your advisor may also give you samples for this purpose from the university where you are applying.Because your statement of purpose must be y our last defense in getting into a graduate school, it is crucial that you have it completed well. It is unlikely that your school will offer students extra help in writing their statement of purpose. Since most universities don't want to waste time on a frivolous process, the best way to make sure your statement of purpose is polished is to give yourself plenty of time to prepare it.When you have finished writing your statement of purpose, it is important to turn it in to the admissions officer at your graduate school. Also, don't forget to turn in samples for your statement of purpose.