Graduate School Application Essay

The graduate school application essay (aka “statement of purpose,” “personal statement,” or “letter of intent”) along with the law school, medical school, and MBA essays, humanize the applicant by showing aspects of their personality that cannot be gleaned from LSAT, MCAT, and GRE scores. These essays are the ideal opportunity for applicants to present another facet of themselves to the graduate admissions committee, convey their strengths and explain in concrete ways why they are an ideal fit for the graduate program to which they are applying.

Our Process:

• With a journalist’s ear, we ask probing questions – looking for details and insights – to discover the applicant’s academic and professional interests. The answers to these questions helps the applicant form a structure for the essay.
• When we receive that first draft we have another consultation to discuss the essay’s progress. Together we figure out what is working, what is not, and what can be done to elevate the essay.
• The applicant then sends us this next draft where we discuss any final changes they can be made to the essay.

Done correctly, graduate school essays present a candidate’s strengths and show the admissions committee members how much the applicant has to offer. Do not underestimate the power of this essay and the overall impact it can have on the graduate school admissions process.