What do they mean by writing samples and personal statements?
The former should be the best paper you ever wrote. And don’t be afraid to make it better. Take it back to your professor and re-write it. If you are declaring an interest in a particular area common sense suggests that the paper be in that area. As you write your personal statement, put yourself in the position of your audience, a member of the admissions committee. You want to show the reader that you are smart and serious and ambitious but not conceited. This is not a time for false modesty, but neither do you want to sound over-confident. The personal statement is the only way the admissions people get to know you as a person. Don’t go out of your way to be different merely for the sake of being different, but don’t feel you have to be very traditional in your approach. Let your readers get to know you. Have at least one professor look over your statement. This checklist might help you to draft your personal statement.
The former should be the best paper you ever wrote. And don’t be afraid to make it better. Take it back to your professor and re-write it. If you are declaring an interest in a particular area (e.g., American or Medieval), common sense suggests that the paper be in that area. As you write your personal statement, put yourself in the position of your audience, a member of the admissions committee. You want to show the reader that you are smart and serious and ambitious but not conceited. This is not a time for false modesty, but neither do you want to sound over-confident. The personal statement is the only way the admissions people get to know you as a person. Don’t go out of your way to be different merely for the sake of being different, but don’t feel you have to be very traditional in your approach. Let your readers get to know you. Have at least one professor look over your statement. This checklist might help you to draft your personal statement. • There is no way around it. Writ
