Many graduate and professional schools require applicants submit an autobiographical essay. Also known as Statements of Purpose (SoPs) and Personal Statements, these essays are the "meat" of the applicant's materials. Unfortunately the majority of these essays are lackluster, and "[o]ne of the complaints most admissions readers make is that 'so many of the essays seem almost the same.' " ¹

How can you write an SoP that catches the interest of admissions officials? Here are five tips to help you develop your essay:

1. Find your uniqueness. What sets you apart from all the (potentially hundreds of) applicants?
2. Don't wait until the last minute to write your essay. You need time to for brainstorming and developing ideas. You also need to allow time for revising, editing, and proofreading.
3. Know your audience. What do the admissions officials want to know about you? Research the program and the school. Know the characteristics they're seeking in candidates.
4. Remember the lessons from your writing classes: no clichéd phrases; good organization; varied sentence structure; perfect grammar and spelling; clear and concise writing; active voice; and all other instructions for good writing.
5. Check the following resources for more details.

Writing the Personal Statement by Purdue OWL

Details on writing the personal statement, examples of successful statements, advice from Admissions Representatives, and "Personal Statement: Top 10 Rules and Pitfalls."

All About the Graduate Admissions Essay

Links to information to include and not include, structuring the Personal Statement, finding a topic, common questions, and other tips.

Statementofpurpose.com

A site completely dedicated to the Statement of Purpose, including writing tips and sample essays.

¹Asher, Donald. Graduate Admissions Essays: Write Your Way into the Graduate School of Your Choice (Berkeley, 2000), 68.