Write a draft of a personal statement for a graduate studies program, fellowship, internship, or job. These personal statements answer the question: why are you interested in this program/position and why should you be selected? The purpose of a personal statement is to persuade the reader (a hiring manager or admissions counselor) to invite you to the next step of the hiring/admissions process.The purpose of this assignment
- Identify and research areas of interest
- Identify personal strengths and examples (anecdotes) of how you’ve demonstrated those strengths
- Organize ideas to formulate a first draft
Requirements:
- Choose a graduate program, fellowship, internship, or job to which you’re interested in applying
- Note: since this is a class assignment, you may choose a program/job that you do not actually plan on pursuing
- Write an original response to the question: why are you interested in this program/position?
- Provide supporting details from your past experience to demonstrate why you should be selected
- 1-2 pages long, double-spaced, plus a title page
- Follow APA format
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Possible Resources:
- Job postings may be found on LinkedIn, https://mcphs-csm.symplicity.com/students/ , or other job boards. Remember, you do not need to apply to these jobs/programs. This assignment is for this course only.
Check out these guides from How-to Guides – Career Services (blackboard.com)
- Letter of Intent – Personal Statement
- Tips for Writing an Effective Personal Statement
- Writing a Personal Statement for Medical or Graduate School
Paragraph 1: Introduction
Program/job
and why you are applying
State your
strengths/skills
Paragraph 2: Skill 1
Prove it
— share your example of how you’ve demonstrated the skill
Paragraph 3: Skill 2
Prove it
— share your example of how you’ve demonstrated the skill
Paragraph 4: Skill 3
Prove it
— share your example of how you’ve demonstrated the skill
Paragraph 5: Conclusion
Expand on why
you are applying
Thank the
reader for their time