Intermediate Assignment Due Sunday 1/30/11

For today's project we will be writing a short personal statement. Personal statements are very important, especially when you are trying to get into a college or graduate program. First, let's look at an example of a personal statement:

Short Personal Statement by a Student Applying to the Teach for America Program

Why do you seek to join Teach For America?

       One of the principles of my religion, The Bahá’í Faith, is service. Therefore, after high school and before I started college, I traveled to Ecuador to do a year of service through the Bahá’í Faith. Through this experience, when I entered college I felt a few years older than the average freshman because I had gained a great deal of the knowledge, life experience, ability to deal with difficult situations, and the ability to live alone in another country. I owe much of my success in college to that year of my life.

       Now that my undergraduate education is coming to a close, I explored the idea of going to another country again. Then I realized how much service was also needed in the United States. I realized that I could use my skills of a second language, Spanish, my teaching experience, my love for math and science, and my drive to serve and make a difference right here in my own country. Skills are only of benefit if you put them to use to help all of humanity. I would love to join Teach For America to put into practice my skills and help to motivate and inspire the same thirst for knowledge that was instilled in me through my parents from the time I was born.

What would make you an effective corps member?

       I strongly believe that one of the most important elements for the academic success of any child comes directly from the involvement and enthusiasm of the parents. In San Joaquin, Ecuador, I taught Virtues Classes at a school of all boys from grades kindergarten through 7th grade for 9 months. During this time I not only had to learn a completely new language, but I also had to use it to teach coherently in a short period of time.

       As part of my work, my teaching partner and I developed a program for the parents of the children in our classes. We invited all the parents to learn about the principles we were teaching their children such as honesty, generosity, justice, and kindness. I gained a great deal of experience dealing with uninvolved or upset parents. Based on these experiences, I believe I would be most useful in an area with a high Latino population because of my ability to communicate directly with the parents in either English or Spanish.

       I am a very outgoing and self-motivated person and have no trouble stepping into difficult situations to help mediate them. I believe that we need to give children of every race, cultural, and socioeconomic background the opportunity to grow up with an education. I promote the need to value education and put energy into making it fun. I welcome the opportunity to facilitate a positive learning environment and communicate with students and parents in two languages. As I graduate college, the best way for me to put into practice the principles that I uphold is to serve as a teacher in the Teach for America program.

As you can see, this person is discussing his or her skills, qualifications, and abilities and WHY this person is a good candidate for the Teach for America program. Every person should have a personal statement that describes them to the best possible manner. Now, let's read some tips on how to write a personal statement:
Writing the Personal Statement: Top 10 Rules

1. Strive for depth rather than breadth. Narrow focus to one or two key themes, ideas or experiences
2. Try to tell the reader something that no other applicant will be able to say
3. Provide the reader with insight into what drives you
4. Be yourself, not the 'ideal' applicant
5. Get creative and imaginative in the opening remarks, but make sure it's something that no one else could write
6. Address the school's unique features that interest you
7. Focus on the affirmative in the personal statement; consider an addendum to explain deficiencies or blemishes
8. Evaluate experiences, rather than describe them
9. Proofread carefully for grammar, syntax, punctuation, word usage, and style
10. Use readable fonts, typeface, and conventional spacing and margins

Writing the Personal Statement: Top 10 Pitfalls

1. Do not submit an expository resume; avoid repeating information found elsewhere on the application
2. Do not complain or whine about the "system" or circumstances in your life
3. Do not preach to your reader. You can express opinions, but do not come across as fanatical or extreme
4. Do not talk about money as a motivator
5. Do not discuss your minority status or disadvantaged background unless you have a compelling and unique story that relates to it
6. Do not remind the school of its rankings or tell them how good they are
7. Do not use boring clichéd intros or conclusions
   • "Allow me to introduce myself. My name is..."
   • "This question asks me to discuss..."
   • "I would like to thank the admissions committee for considering my application."
   • "It is my sincere hope that you will grant me the opportunity to attend your fine school."
   • "In sum, there are three reasons why you should admit me..."
8. Do not use unconventional and gimmicky formats and packages
9. Do not submit supplemental materials unless they are requested
10. Do not get the name of the school wrong
11. Do not incorporate technical language or very uncommon words

So for today's project, you will write a short personal statement. What is your career path? What do you want to study? What makes you a good candidate for a career in that field? If you are not sure what career you want to study, then make one up. The point of this exercise is to write about your qualifications, skills, and abilities.