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Statement 0809 Background

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Statement of Purpose Guidelines

The Statement of Purpose is possibly the most Mention extra-curricular achievements to


important component of your graduate school illustrate additional dimensions of your
application packet. This is your opportunity to personality.
inform and convince the admissions committee
that you are the right candidate for the program Demonstrate curiosity, creativity, enthusiasm for
and you have what it takes to succeed. learning, a capacity for teamwork, ability to think
independently, and pride in your work. Using
Before You Begin: brief anecdotes is a good way to make your
points.
Visit the graduate program Web site for
information about faculty and their research, Explain (briefly) any incongruity in your
courses offered, graduate student profiles, and application material; GRE scores or a low
student support and professional development semester grade.
activities. This will help you get a sense of the
culture and priorities of the program, what they Stay within the page limit specified by the
may be looking for in a potential student, and if it graduate program. If there are no specifications,
is a good fit for you. For example, your research limit yourself to two pages.
interests, professional development needs and
career goals. You can then address these topics Be succinct and clear.
in your Statement of Purpose.
Before You Submit:
Items to Consider:
Let at least two people read your statement,
Be specific about your interest and knowledge preferably a faculty member and an academic
particular to this program: Have you read an advisor, and ask them to provide feedback.
article by one or more faculty member? Has your
advisor specifically directed you to this program? Revise accordingly; you want to submit a well
Do you have other ties to this program and /or balanced statement that helps you make a
school? strong case for your candidacy.

Pick out the pertinent facts about your academic Proofread, proofread, proofread to ensure there
and professional interests that make you a good are no grammatical or spelling errors. Do not
fit with the program and institution to which you depend on your word processor to do this for
are applying. (A statement of purpose is not a you.
place to list everything you have done.)

Developed by M. Holtzman
UW-Madison Graduate School

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