Copyright©1991,2000,2008,2012byDonaldAsher.

Allrightsreserved.PublishedintheUnitedStatesbyTenSpeedPress,animprintoftheCrownPublishingGroup,adivisionofRandomHouse,Inc.,NewYork.www.crownpublishing.comwww.tenspeed.com

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LibraryofCongressCataloging-in-PublicationDataAsher,Donald.Graduateadmissionsessays:writeyourwayintothegraduateschoolofyourchoice/DonaldAsher.—4thed.p.cm.Includesindex.1.Collegeapplications—UnitedStates.2.Universitiesandcolleges—UnitedStates—Graduatework—Admission.3.Exposition(Rhetoric)4.Essay—Authorship.I.Title.LB2351.52.U6A742008808’.066378—dc222007049830

eISBN:978-1-60774-322-4

CoverdesignbyChloeRawlins

v3.1

Contents

Cover

TitlePage

Copyright

Acknowledgments

Introduction:HowtoUseThisBook

1ShouldYouGotoGradSchool,andHowAreYouGoingtoPayforThis?

2ChoosingaSchoolorProgram

3PlanningandManagingYourApplicationProcess

4WhatHappenstoYourApplication

5GettingReadytoWrite

6YourFirstDraft:FromYourHeartontothePage

7SubsequentDrafts:FromthePageintotheReader’sBrain

8Samples,Samples,Samples

9LettersofRecommendation

AbouttheAuthor

Index

OtherBooksbyThisAuthor

AgreatprofessorofhistorycanmaketheFrenchRevolutioncomealivesothatyoucanseethebarricadesinthestreetsofParisandheartheswishoftheguillotine’sbladeasitdescends.Likewise,aShakespeareanscholarcanhelpyou feel theanguishof theprotagonists in the tragediesandcanshow you the contemporary nature of the humor in theBard’s comedies.Buthowdoyouexciteandentertainanaudiencewhentalkingaboutgettingintograduateschool?Well,DonaldAsherdoesexactlythat…you’llfindyounotonlyenjoyyourself,butyou’llalsolearnagreatdealabouttacticsand strategies that will help you increase the odds of getting into thegraduate or professional program of your choice. Donald is uniquelyqualified to present this program. He’s met with admissions officers allacrossthecountryandspokenatdozensofcollegesanduniversities.…Hisbook,GraduateAdmissionsEssays,hasbeenahugeseller,andhe’swrittenavarietyofotherbooksandarticles.…I’mproudto introduce…DonaldAsher.

—Dr.RobertGreenberg,NACEfellowandhostoftheNationalTeleconferenceonGraduateAdmissions

Acknowledgments

Iowespecialthanksto:Dr. Orlando Taylor, President, Washington, DC Campus of The Chicago School of ProfessionalPsychology;Dr. JudithL.Kuipers, President, FieldingGraduateUniversity;Dr.DavidPayne,ExecutiveDirector, GRE; Charles Johnson, Director, Master’s & Executive Programs, Krannert School ofManagement,PurdueUniversity;RogerC.Stewart,Director,GraduateCareerServices,KrannertSchoolofManagement,PurdueUniversity;GeriWeilacher,Director,PennStateTRiOTrainingInstitute;Dr.ThomasRochon, President, Ithaca College; Mary L. Gonzalez, Assistant Vice President, Division of SpecialPrograms,TexasA&MUniversity–Kingsville;CherrylArnold,Director,EducationalOpportunity&TRiOPrograms,GeorgiaStateUniversity;MichaelL.Jeffries,AssociateDeanandDirectorofMinorityStudentAffairs,UniversityofIllinoisatUrbana-Champaign,andFounder,McNairScholarsNationalConference;Dr. Priscilla J. Fortier, Assistant Dean of Students, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; ColinDiver, President, Reed College; Dr. Ruby Ausbrooks, Educational Consultant, Gerlach, Nevada; Dr.CarolynHerman,Pre-MedAdvisorandDean,CollegeofArts&Sciences,WashingtonUniversity inSt.Louis;Dr.JenniferVegaLaSerna,DeanofArtsandLetters,Collegeof theSequoias;JulieKernSmith,Career Services–Experiential Learning, Reed College; Dr. George B. Robbins, Associate Director ofGraduateAcademic&EnrollmentServices,RensselaerPolytechnicInstitute;SamuelT.Lindquist,Directorof Admissions, The Amos Tuck School of Business Administration; Dr. Gerald Foster, Director ofAdmissions, Harvard Medical School; Richard Badger, Dean of Admissions, The Law School of theUniversity of Chicago; Kathleen Plessas, Director of Admissions, School of Medicine, University ofCalifornia, San Francisco; Louise Goldsmith, Graduate Assistant Admissions Coordinator, UCLA-Architecture; Judy Colwell, Assistant Director of Admissions, Stanford University School ofMedicine;Russ Coughenour, Director, Career Services, University of Tennessee, Knoxville; Dr. Cathi L. Eagan,Assistant Dean, Research and the University Graduate School, Director, McNair Scholars Program,AssociateDirector,MEDIC-BProgram,IndianaUniversity;Dr.BarbaraA.HermanCenter,UniversityofWisconsin–MadisonMedical School; Dr. Linda Arbuckle, Graduate Coordinator, University of Florida,Gainesville; Dr. Judy Jones, Executive Director, PondMountain Lodge & Retreat–Eureka Springs; Dr.ManuelFebres,ProgramaMcNair,UniversidaddePuertoRico–SanJuan;Dr.MichelleSparacino,Directorof Recruitment & Admissions, School of Public Health and Health Services, George WashingtonUniversity;Dr.KayReed,TheGraduateSchooloftheUniversityofTennessee,Knoxville;BerthaThomas,Director, McNair Scholars Program, Truman State University; Dr. Vicki M. Curby, Director, McNairScholars Program,University ofMissouri–Columbia;Dr. StevenM.Ehrlich,AssistantDean,College ofArts&Sciences,WashingtonUniversity;JeffreyJohnson,NAGAPMembershipDirectorandDirectorofAdmissions,TulaneSchoolofPublicHealthandTropicalMedicine;Dr.JanetGoebel,RhodesAdvisorandDirectoroftheRobertE.CookHonorsCollege,IndianaUniversityofPennsylvania;NickEwold,Director,McNair Scholars Program, Beloit College; DeVon Wilson, Assistant Dean, University of Wisconsin–Madison; Linda Vivian, Coordinator of Special Projects for the Graduate School of the University ofFlorida; Dr. LarryDuffy, Chair, PreMedical Advising Committee, TheUniversity of Alaska, Fairbanks;JohnGaric,Esq.,Pre-Law&GraduateSchoolAdvising,Franklin&MarshallCollege;Dr.MaryE.Kirtley,Office for Graduate and Professional Studies, Dickinson College; James A. Marino, Director, CareerCenter, Rutgers-Camden; Katherine K. Nobles, Director, Career Services, Oglethorpe University; Dr.ThomasQ.Reefe,Director,CareerDevelopmentCenter,UniversityofCalifornia,SantaCruz;TomFrancis,Director(Ret.)CareerServices,SwarthmoreCollege;Dr.RobertC.PebworthJr.,Director,CareerPlanning

&Placement,WabashCollege;SaulReyes,Director,CareerCenter, JacksonvilleUniversity;Dr.EdwardZovinka, Chemistry Department, St. Francis College–Loretto; John Adams, Director, Career Services,DavidsonCollege;TonyButchello,AssociateDirector,CareerServices,DavidsonCollege;GarCropser,AssociateDirector,CareerServices,UniversityofCalifornia,Irvine;TomR.Cath,Director,CareerCenter,DePauw University; Carla Mollins Rinde, Director, Career Center, Ursinus College; Lisa B. Dickter,AssociateDirector,CareerServices,CarnegieMellonUniversity;JudyL.Fisher,Director,CareerCenter,Harvey Mudd College; Pamela S. Backes, Associate Director, Career Services, Keene State College;PatriciaM.Campbell, Director, Career Services,Keene State College;Dr. RebeccaA. Emery,Director,Career Services, Salisbury StateUniversity; Stephanie Paramore,AssistantDirector, PriscillaA. ScotlanCareerServicesCenter,UniversityofSanFrancisco;AmyWilms,Director,CareerServices,UniversityofRedlands;Dr.TariqShakoor,Director,CareerCenter,EmoryUniversity;YolandaM.Manora,AssociateDirector,PreProfessionalAdvising,EmoryUniversity;KatherineHarper,Director,CareerCenter,WesternOregonUniversity;PatrickD.Mullane,Director,CareerDevelopmentServices,DickinsonCollege;RobFelton, Public Affairs Officer, George Fox University; Seth L. Smythe, Willamette University; NancyNorton, Director, Career Center, Willamette University; Anne Hardin Ballard, Director, CareerDevelopment Services, LinfieldCollege; Peter S.VanHouten andMaryBlakeslee, PreProfessional/Pre-GraduateAdvising,UniversityofCalifornia,Berkeley;Dr.DandréDesandies,AssociateDirector,CareerDevelopment,StanfordUniversity;ToinetteMenashe,Director,MasterofArtsinLiberalStudiesProgram,ReedCollege;Dr.WalterEnglert,Chair,ClassicsDepartment,ReedCollege;LisaGarb,DirectorofPublicRelations, Peterson’s Guides; Ricky L. Parham, Applicant Relations, American Association of MedicalColleges; Brian P. O’Driscoll, Director, Career Services, Pacific University; Dr. JasonMorris, Director,Master’sPrograminHigherEducation,AbileneChristianUniversity;JenniferTucker,AssociateDirector,FieldandCareerOffice,BeloitCollege;NancyB.Karpinski,Director,CareerDevelopmentServices,WellsCollege;MaureenDaly,KilianKerwin,MohamedYunusRafiq,Michelle Levy, Fang-YuanChang,RobSaldin,GerradJones,DamianMadan,BrianT.Powers,RachelElizabethAnderson,ErinE.Bonuso,Yung-HsiangHsu,JonathanDoti,MannyMora,JuanaGatson,SenettaBancroft,CatherineGlewHylands,ToddHobler,AdamN.Green,FlayRogers,MargieLariviere,AndreaJ.Morgan,BradWurtz,MeyerM.Speary,H.Glickman,BobMuldoon,VictorF.Simonyi,KevinKelleher,GennineZinner,RD,JenniferFerenstein,Lisa Kemmerer, Linda C. Saremi, Gretchen Craft, Wendy Richardson, Tod Cochran, Molly Stenzel,Deborah E. Gallant, Brian Boyl, Sabrina Gee, Dr. Anastasia Pinoris, David Lawrence Conlin, DavidColeman, Dr. Bruce Johnson, Kevan Shokat, Dr. John R. Vasquez, Debbie Redd, Shane Whittington,RebeccaWeller,Dr.MajidTavakkolijou,Dr.ArturoF.Muñoz,RobertFallon,PaulF.Laubscher,RanessaL. Cooper, Jeffrey P. Henkle, Jennifer Drayton Sohn, Jennifer Nagy, Charles Kosan, and of course,anonymous.

IowespecialthanksalsotoAaronWehnerandthelatePhilWoodofTenSpeedPressfortheircontinuedsupportofthisbook.Specialthanksalsotomyin-houseeditorsVeronicaRandallandKaitlinKetchum,andto designer Chloe Rawlins for their work on the fourth edition. And continuing debt toGeorgeYoung,MariahBear,andBeckyLemovfortheirguidanceonthefirstedition.Theerrorsareallmine,butmany,manypeoplehavecontributedtothesuccessofthisbook.Thankyouall.

Manyofthenames,dates,schools,firmnames,andotherspecificdetailsintheseessayswerechangedat the requestof the contributors, andotherswere changedat thediscretionof the editors.Noparticularindividualnamedintheseessaysshouldbepresumedtobeanyparticularactualindividual,andanysuchassumptionwouldbeunwarranted.

SomeofthecollegesanduniversitiessponsoringtalksbyDonaldAsher:

East:Brown,Columbia,UniversityofPennsylvania,PennState,NYU,Oberlin,Babson,CarnegieMellon,Swarthmore,CaseWesternReserve,Xavier,UniversityofMaryland,Middlebury,Haverford,BrynMawr,University of Pittsburgh, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, University of Massachusetts–Boston,Hillsdale,GroveCityCollege,Villanova,Ithaca,KeeneState,NewEnglandCollege,Wells,CedarCrest,Muhlenberg,Dickinson,Rutgers,Gettysburg,Franklin&Marshall,Washington&Jefferson,Westminster

(Pennsylvania), Villa Julie/Stevenson, SUNY Institute of Technology, SUNYGeneseo, SUNYFredonia,SUNY StonyBrook, SUNY Pottsdam, SUNY Purchase, Post, Providence College, Cayuga CC, BuffaloState,UniversityatBuffalo,UniversityofRochester,CUNY–HunterCollege,MercyCollege(NewYork),Daemen,Niagara,Ursinus,Skidmore,Lafayette,Moravian,Baldwin-Wallace,OhioUniversity,Universityof Dayton, St. John’s (Annapolis), Michigan State, University of Tennessee–Knoxville, University ofDayton, St. John’s (Annapolis), Michigan State, University of Tennessee–Chattanooga, Davidson,University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill, Mary Baldwin, Marywood, Piedmont Virginia CommunityCollege,UniversityofPuertoRico–SanJuan,andmore.

West:Stanford,Reed,Caltech,HarveyMudd,Scripps,UCBerkeley,UCLA,UCIrvine,UCSanDiego,UCSantaCruz,UCMerced,CalState–DominguezHills,CalState–SanBernardino,SanJoseState,Lewis&Clark,SantaClaraUniversity,ClaremontGraduateUniversity,FieldingGraduateUniversity,Academyof Art University (San Francisco), College of the Sequoias, Azusa Pacific, University of Arizona,University of NewMexico, Portland State, University of Portland, University of Redlands, Occidental,George Fox, University of Colorado, University of Denver, University of Northern Colorado, ColoradoSchool of Mines, Central Washington University, Westminster (Utah), University of Alaska–Fairbanks,UniversityofAlaska–Anchorage,UniversityofTexas–Austin,UniversityofTexas–Arlington,UniversityofTexas–Dallas, Texas A&M University–Kingsville, TAMIU, Texas Tech, Baylor, Abilene ChristianUniversity,TexasChristianUniversity,OurLadyof theLake,St.Edwards,UniversityofSanFrancisco,San Francisco State, Mills, University of Oregon, Oregon State University, Willamette, Whitman,UniversityofNevada,BrighamYoungUniversity–Hawaii,andmore.

Midwest/South:UniversityofChicago,Tulane,Purdue,IndianaUniversity,WashingtonUniversityinSt.Louis,VirginiaTech,Rose-HulmanInstituteofTechnology,Marquette,UniversityofWisconsin–Madison,Beloit,Creighton,IUPUI,Concordia(Minnesota),NorthDakotaState,UniversityofMissouri,Universityof South Carolina, Babcock, Rhodes, Hendrix, University of Arkansas–Fayetteville, University ofArkansas–Little Rock, Henderson State, Oglethorpe, Earlham, DePauw, DePaul,Wabash, Truman State,Kansas State, Principia, Knox, Albion, Hanover, University of Oklahoma, Fairmont, Concord State,Harding, Emory, SMU, Centre, Transylvania, Murray State, Berea, University of Indianapolis, NewCollege,Florida InternationalUniversity,UniversityofCentralFlorida,Rockford,Franklin,EastCentralUniversity (Oklahoma), Jacksonville University, University of Alabama, University of the South(Sewanee),andmore.

International:Canada:UniversityofVictoria(BritishColumbia);India:IndiaInstituteofForeignTrade,Birla InstituteofManagementTechnology (BIM-Tech),Rai Institute,Rayat-BahraTechnologyCentreofExcellence–Chandigarh, IESC, IIMT;Mexico: Universidad Tecnológica de Nuevo Laredo Tamaulipas,UniversidadAutonomadeTamaulipas,FacultaddeComercio,AdministraciónyCienciasSociales;China:Beijing Foreign Studies University, China Agricultural University, Global IELTS School, ShanghaiUniversity,ZhejiangUniversity;Germany:Christian-Albrechts-Universität zuKiel;SouthKorea:HallymUniversity,andmore.

To arrange speaking engagements on graduate admissions or career development issues, at graduate orundergraduate levels, contact Asher Associates, San Francisco, 415-543-7130; emaildon@donaldasher.com.

Introduction

HowtoUseThisBook

Thebestwaytousethisbook is toreadit initsentirety,eventhesectionsthatdonot apply toyoudirectly.Then startover, completingeachassignmentbefore you go on to the next. Plan on rewriting your essay several times.Whatever you do, do not write a word until you have done the personalassessmentsinchapter5,GettingReadytoWrite.Ifyouhaveprocrastinateduntilthelastminute,thefirstthingyouneedtodo

is relax. You can still finish a good essay by tomorrow morning. Just readchapters4,5,6,and7inorderandfollowtheassignmentsasyoucomeacrossthem.Donotreadahead.Ifanysectionsdon’tapplytoyourparticularcase,justskipthem.This book makes only one assumption about you, the reader. Readers in

generaltendtobemuchsmarterthantheaveragehuman;giventhisbook’stopic,itisprobablysafetoassumethatyouaremuchsmarterthantheaveragereader.Incidentally, after years of having college professors focus on your errors andshortcomings,youareprobablyalotsmarterthanyouthink.Itisaluxuryforanauthortobeabletowriteforsuchanaudience.Thisbookpresentsavarietyoftechniquesthatstudentsusetogainadmission

tohighly competitivegraduateprograms.Someare so competitive that only2percentofapplicantsareaccepted;foreveryfiftystudentswhoapply,onlyonewillbeenteringtheprogram.Evenifyourtargetedschoolsarerelativelyeasytoget into, these techniquesshouldbeof interest toyou inwinningscholarships,assistantships,andothervaluableconsiderations.Payparticularattentiontothestrategies for contacting professors and overcoming liabilities in yourbackground,andyou’llbeabletogainadmissiontomorecompetitiveprogramsthanyouotherwisemight.One of the unique features of this book is its inclusion of a full chapter on

lettersofrecommendation(chapter9).Lettersofrecommendationareacriticalcomponent of your application process, and they deserve full and separateconsideration. In addition to providing a plan for selecting and motivatingwriters of these letters, the chapter provides a handout you can give them—“BetterLettersofRecommendation”—toguidethemthroughtheprocess.Anotheruniquefeatureis theinclusionofscholarship,residency,fellowship,

postgraduate, and postdoctoral essays. This information was available in no

otherbookatthetimethiseditionwenttopress.Asoneproceedsuptheivorytower, essays become more precise, more specific, and less personal, in aseamlesscontinuum.Reading thesesampleswillhelpyouseeyourownin thelargercontextofacademicessayandproposalwriting.Thisbook’sgoalistotakeallofthemysteryandmostofthestressoutofthe

graduate applications process and guide you through drafting a compellinggraduateadmissionsessay.Thisisalsoaresourcebook,withrecommendationsfor supplementary reading,websites, andothermaterials throughout the text. Ihave included information on financial aid, graduate admissions testing, andotheraspectsofthegraduateadmissionsprocesstogiveyouaclearerpictureofthe graduate essay as an integral part of the entire application process. Youshould also seek the advice of other guides that focus exclusively on thesetopics.Thisbook isnot intended to replace theadviceofprofessors,collegecareer

counselors, and undergraduate advising officers.On the contrary, this guide ismeant to encourage you to visit them as early as possible, and with moreknowledgethanyouwouldotherwisehavepossessed,sothatyoucanbeamoreintelligent user of their services. Spend time learning themechanics from thisbook,andyoucandevotemoreofyourtimewithadvisorstotruecounseling.Overtheyearsstudentshavemadetwocomplaintsabouttheearlyeditionsof

thisbook:Toomanyoftheexamplesarefrompeoplewithunusualbackgrounds,and I advocate that the studentdo toomuchwork to apply tograduate school(surely, they plead, there must be an easier way). For example, one gradapplicantwrote:

Thepurposeofyourbookshouldbetohelpthegraduatestudentwhoisn’tfromRussiaandtakingtheoreticalphysics,hasn’tsetupaneducationalprogramatYale,hasn’tovercomeseverehardshipsbecausehe’sarefugee,etc.IfIhadsomethinglikethis,Iprobablywouldn’tneedyourbook.Pleasekeepinmind,foryournextedition,theessaysofthemoreordinarystudentslikeme.Wecan’tallrunawaywiththecarnival.

Inresponse,Ihaveincludedmoreessaysamplesfromregularstudents;thatis,studentsoftraditionalgraduateschoolage,withtraditionalacademicexperience.Nevertheless, you will note that these too are unusual students: they areunusually well prepared, unusually thoughtful, unusually well directed,unusuallywell read in their chosen fields. Further, it ismy contention that allstudentsareunusualinonewayoranother;theprewritingexercisesinchapter5will help youdiscover howyoudiffer from the backgroundnoise of commonapplicants.Astotheamountofworkinvolved,itisimportanttorememberthatthisisa

bookaboutgainingadmission tohighly competitivegraduateprograms. It hasbeenmygoaltofindoutwhatthestudentswhoareadmittedtotheseprogramsdodifferentlyfromthestudentswhoarenotadmitted.Thisbookistheanswer.Asyouread,rememberthatthisis,tosomeextent,astudyoftheidealwayto

apply. You needn’t do all this if you are not applying to highly competitiveprograms,oryouhavesomesafetyschoolsonyour list,oryouhaveabackupplan,oryou’rejust toodarnbusy.Takethetipsandpointers thatyoucan, thatmakesensetoyou,anddon’tworryabouttherest.Thisisaguide,notarecipethatyoumustslavishlyfollow.Adjustittosuityourparticularneeds,andletitimprovethejobyoudoinapplyingtograduateschool.Whileyoucannotchangewhoyouareandwhatyouhavedonewithyourlife

sofar,youcanmakeagoodgraduateapplication.Studentsarenotalwaysableto accurately estimate their academic value. The number of students fullyqualifiedforgraduatestudyfarexceedsthenumberwhoactuallyapply.Totheextentthatthisbookfacilitatesyourapplicationandcontributestotherealizationofyourpotential,soletitbejudged.

1

ShouldYouGotoGradSchool,andHowAreYouGoingtoPayforThis?

Before launching the application process, it seems prudent to considerwhetheryoushouldgotograduateschoolatall.

Goodreasonstogotogradschool1. You have a passionate interest in a narrow topic or an unusualcombinationoftopics.

2.Youhaveavocationalinterestthatcarriesagraduatedegreecredentialasanentrancerequirement.

3.Youwanttoearnmoremoneythanyouotherwisewouldhave.

4.Youwanttoensurecontinuedcareeradvancement.

5.Youseekaricherandmoresatisfyinglife.

6.Youliketodoresearch.

7.Schooliseasyforyouandyoulikeit.

Thesinglebestreasontogotograduateschoolisbecauseyouhaveapassionateinterest in a subject area.There is somemolecular process that just fascinatesyou,orsomenineteenth-centuryFrenchfeministpoetwhosewordswakeyouinthe night with a start. Graduate school offers a chance to advance yourunderstanding of those topics that have fascinated you as an undergraduate.Graduateschoolisoftenalsoaplacewhereyoucancombinedisciplinesthatarenot combinable in undergraduate studies, such as chemistry and art history, oracousticsandmarinebiology.Youcouldbetheonetodiscoverafailsafemethod

fordatingandauthenticatingoilpaintings,oryoucoulddiscoveronceandforallhowtocommunicatewithdolphins.Theseinterdisciplinaryinquiriesoffersomeofthemostexcitingopportunitiesforstudyatthegraduatelevel.Manystudentsaremotivatednotonlybythestudyitselfbutalsobythedesire

topursueaprofessionthatrequiresagraduatedegreeasacredential.Tobecomean attorney, doctor, dentist, scientist, veterinarian, architect, psychologist, orcollege professor, you must successfully complete one or several graduatedegree programs. There may be some rare exceptions, but certainly theoverwhelmingmajority of practitioners in these fieldswill possess the normalacademiccredentials.Ifyouareinterestedinbecomingacollegeprofessor,youneedtoknowthat

the competition is fierce at this time, with many more highly qualifiedcandidatescompletingtheirpreparationeachyearthanthereareavailableslots.For more on this, follow the ongoing debate in the Chronicle of HigherEducation and the newsletter for the Modern Language Association. Beingwillingtomoveanywhereincreasesyourchances,butaprudentpersonwillalsohaveabackupcareergoal.Perhaps you are interested in earning more money over the span of your

career.TheBureauofLaborStatisticshas studiedhigh-income individuals fordecades and found that high-income people have more education than lower-income people. As a matter of fact, there is a lockstep relationship betweeneducationandincome(seediagrambelow).

MedianLifetimeEarningsforWorkersRankedbyEducation

Professionaldegree* $3,648,000Doctorate $3,252,000Master’sdegree $2,671,000Bachelor’sdegree $2,268,000High-schoolgraduate $1,304,000*MD,DDS,DVM,JD

Source:GeorgetownUniversityCenteronEducationandtheWorkforce

Asyou can see, after completing your bachelor’s degree, you aremaking amillion-dollardecisionwhethertogetthedoctorate,andaboutamillion-and-a-

half-dollar decision when you pursue a professional degree. These are notdecisionstomakewithoutconsideringthelifetimeincomeimplications.Evenamaster’sdegreewillgiveyoua$400,000boostinlifetimeearnings,whichwillcertainlyallowyoutopaybackanyloansyoutakeoutalongtheway.Inthetopearningcategory,arecentstudyfoundthatprimary-caremedicaldoctorsaverage$191,000inannualincome.Inadditiontothestrongpositiveimpactonincome,highereducationhasastrongnegativeimpactonunemployment.Forexample,theunemploymentrateforPhDsrunsaround1percentor2percent.(Thereisamyth that PhDs are unemployed and underpaid; the exact opposite is true.)Further, those PhDswho don’t find academic jobs earn evenmore outside ofacademiclife.Graduate school isprobably the secondbest investmentyou’ll evermake in

yourlife,afteryourbachelor’sdegree.Andremember,thebeautifulthingaboutinvestingineducationisthatitcannotberepossessed.Also, if you’re interested in continued career advancement throughout your

workinglife,planongraduateschoolsoonerorlater.We’reinanerathattoutsand believes in continuous learning. It’s becoming hard to find a seniorexecutive without a graduate degree—whether in business, nonprofit, orgovernment. The trend toward higher education for all senior managers iscompoundedbythetrendtoworkformoreandmoreemployersoverthespanofacareer.Thelatestbusinessschooldatasuggestthatcurrentgraduateswillworkforsixtofifteenemployersbetweengraduateschoolandretirement.Thismeansthatevenifyouareanoutstandingperformer,youwillneedtoproveyourselftootherswhoarenotpersonallyacquaintedwithyou.Credentialsareessentialforsmoothandcontinuouscareeradvancement.Moneyandcareeradvancementaside,graduateeducationcontributestoarich

andfullqualityoflife.Ifyouareanengineerandyoudriveunderabridge,youseemorethanabridge;youseestressdynamics.Everythingyousee,do,touch,or think about will be influenced by your graduate education. At least onelongitudinal study of college-educated workers found a lockstep relationshipbetweeneducationandreportsofsatisfactionwithlife(notjustworklife,butallaspects of life: work, family, social, financial, and so on). Plato’s dialogue,Philebus, amounts to an elaborate argument in favor of the intellectual life.Don’ttrustme;trustSocratesasquotedbyPlato.If you like to do research, then graduate school is an opportunity to pursue

thatpassionwithoutregardtoanyimmediate industrialoreconomicbenefit. Ifyouenjoydesigningmethodologies thatwillproveordisprovehypothesesandyou can live with the results either way, then you’re truly a candidate forgraduate school.Even if you eventually pursue a career in industrial research,

youmayforeverthinkbackfondlytotheintellectualfreedomofyouracademicyears.Ifyoujustenjoygoingtoschoolandyou’renaturallygoodatit,goingtograd

schooliscertainlyabetteruseofyourtimethanwhilingawayafewyearsinanentry-level job.For thosewho find theacademic lifeeasier than, say, learninghow to sell insurance by phone, pursuing graduate education is a logicalendeavor.Finally,ithasbeenprovedthatwitheachyearofgraduatestudyyourIQwill

goup, and thatpeoplewithhigher IQshavemore sex thanpeoplewith lowerIQs. (There’s another study that says graduate students have a below-averagefrequencyofsex,sothismaybeadelayedbenefit.)Soifyouaregoingtohavemoresatisfaction,moremoney,andmoresex,why

wouldn’tyougotogradschool?

ReasonsnottogotogradschoolrightnowThreewarningsignsconcerningyourgraduateschoolplans:

1.You’regoingtogradschooltopleasesomeoneelse.

2.You’recluelessaboutasubjecttostudy.

3.You’resecretlytryingtoavoidthejobmarket.

If your primarymotivation for going to graduate school is to please someoneoutsideyourself,thenyouhadbetterrethinkthewholeendeavor.Ifyourfatherthinksyouhavetobeanattorneyoryourmotherthinksyouhavetobeadoctor,andthat’syourmainmotivationforpursuingthesegoals,thenyou’reintrouble.One study of unhappy attorneys showed that a significant proportion of themwenttolawschoolinthefirstplacetopleaseaclosefamilymember.Youneedstronginternalmotivationtothriveingraduateschool.Ifyouandyourmotheragreeonyouracademicplans,fine,butifyoudisagree,betterthinktwicebeforemakingamovenotinalignmentwithyourowninterests.Ifyou’renotatallsurewhatyouwanttopursueatthegraduatelevel,thatisa

milder warning sign. You may need to seek more academic and careercounseling; discuss your plans with mentors, parents, and other people youadmire;takesomecareeraptitudetests;takeafewmoreclassesinthesubjectsthat interestyou;andotherwiseexploreyouroptions.Someschoolswilladmityou as an unspecified-major graduate student and allow you to take graduate

courses in one or more disciplines for a year or twowhile you decide. Evensomeoutstandingstudentsfindthemselvesunsureoftheirnextacademicstep.Finally, some students seek to avoid a bad job market by hiding out in

graduateschool.Thisisokayasageneralrule,aslongashidingoutingraduateschooldoesnottaketheplaceofprudentcareerplanning.Inotherwords,ifyouchooseagraduatedegreeprogramthatwillenhanceyourcareergoalslater,thenfine,butifyou’rejustpassingtimeandrunninguploans—thatis,ifyou’rejustdelayingconfrontingyourcareerproblem—thenyou’dbealotbetterofffacingyour career issues now. Interestingly enough, the skills required to get into ahighlycompetitivegraduateprogramarethesameonesthatwouldallowyoutoseekandobtaindesirable,career-launchingemploymentrightnow.Ifyou’reunsureofyouracademicandcareerplans,answer thesequestions:

Whenwere you themost excited about your studies as an undergraduate, andwhatwereyoudoingthatcausedallthatexcitement?Whatwouldyoudoforalivingifmoneywerenoobject—or,takingthistothelogicallimit,whatcareerwould you be willing to pay someone else to let you do? What have youfantasizedaboutdoingforaliving?Thinkofseveralpeopleyoudeeplyadmire.Whatdotheydoforaliving?Many,ifnotmost,graduateapplicantsaresomewhatvagueabouttheircareer

plans,butyoucertainlyshouldhavesomeplanforutilizingyoureducationinacareer,nomatterhowtenuousthatplanmaybeandhowmanytimesyouchangethatplanlater.Oneoftheworstreasonsnottogotogradschoolisthatyoudon’tknowhow

you’regoingtopayforit.Ifyouwanttogo,youcanfindawaytopayforit.

GettingfinancingforgradschoolTheremaybenomoreconfusingandillogicalthingintheworldthangraduateschoolfinancing:

1.Youcannottellhowmuchitwillcostuntilyouapplyandareadmitted.

2.It’softencheapertogotoanexpensiveschool.

3.It’softencheapertopursuethePhDthanthemaster’s.

4. It’s often cheaper to borrow themoney and go full time than toworkyourwaythroughparttime.

5.Evenifyou’rewealthy,youshouldapplyforfinancialaid.

Supposeyouwantedtobuyacar,andyouwentdowntothecarlotandaskedthesalesperson,“Howmuchforthisbeautifulredconvertible?”Furthersupposethatthesalespersonthensaid,“Well,Idunno.Youneedtoapplyfor thecar,andifwedecidetosellittoyouatall,it’seithergoingtocostyou$50,000orwe’llpayyou to drive it home. First, you have to fill out all this paperwork, pay anonrefundabledeposit,giveusthreereferences,andwaitformonths.”That’s a nuttyway to do business, youmight think, but that’s exactly how

graduatefinancialaidworks.Yousimplycannottellhowmuchitwillcostuntilyouapplyandareadmitted.Thestickerpriceonthatcarandthestickerpriceongraduateeducationareoftenmeaningless.It’s often cheaper to go to an expensive school because those schools have

deeperresourcesforaid.Atsomeschools,insomedepartments,noonehaspaida dime to attend the program in decades. The tuition is offset by grants,foundation monies, and various endowed funding mechanisms; the schoolscontinue to publish tuition rates because other departments may be actuallycollecting tuition (for example, the chemistry department is well funded andnobodypays,whilethetheaterdepartmentcollectsfulltuition).

Sometimesstudentsareforcedtomakeadecisiononwhichgraduateschooltoattendbefore theyreceivea financialaward.AclosefriendofminereceivedaletterfromaHarvardgraduateprogramthatstartedoutlikethis:

We are happy to extend an offer of admission to you for the fall incoming class. It is absolutely

imperativethatyourespondbyApril15thoryourseatwillbeofferedtoanother…

The letter was dated April 17th. It didn’t say one word about a financialaward.Sohecraftedaquickandcleverresponse:“Iamhonoredtobeofferedapositioninthefallincomingclass.Iamslightly

confusedbythefactthatIhavenotreceivedafinancialaidpackage.However,sinceIknowasesteemedaninstitutionasHarvardwouldnotmakesuchanofferinjestand,asyouknowallmyfinancialparticularsinmyapplication,Iassumethe award, when it does eventually come, will be sufficient to allow me toparticipate in this wonderful opportunity. So, I am delighted to accept.”(Incidentally,thisweirdpracticeishardlyuniquetoHarvard.)It’softencheapertopursuethePhDbecausePhDcandidatesarebetterfunded

thanmaster’scandidates.Evenwhilethey’retakingthesameclassesandsittingside by side, PhD candidates may be paid to attend class, while master’scandidatespayfortheprivilege.Don’tletfinancialfearskeepyoufrompursuingthedegreeyouwant.Formoreontheseissues,visitthewebsitefortheCouncilof Graduate Schools, www.cgsnet.org, and the National Center for EducationStatistics,www.nces.ed.gov.By theway, never pursue the PhD unless youwant the terminal degree; in

otherwords,don’tapplyforaPhDwhenyoureallywantamaster’sjustbecausethe PhD funding is better. The “bailout master’s” is not counted the same inindustryoracademeasthemaster’syouintentionallyobtain;youwillbeseenassomeone who “dropped out of a PhD program.” If you’re unsure, pursue themaster’sdegreefirst.Manypeoplehaveamaster’sinonetopicandacareerinanotherfield,orhavetwomaster’sdegreesinunrelatedtopics,butgettingaPhDis likegettingmarried inaCatholicchurch inaLatinAmericancountry. It’sarealcommitment.Ingeneral,itischeapertogotoschoolfulltimeratherthanparttimefortwo

reasons.First,themoneyyouborrowtogofulltimeisrepaidafteryougraduate,when you should have a much higher rate of earnings. Even considering theaccrued interest on the loans, it will probably cost you less overall. Second,studentswhogo toschoolpart timefrequentlydonotget thecareerboost thatcomes from completing a full-time degree program. The big reward for thosestudentswhogotoschoolparttimeisfrequentlyacardofcongratulationsfromtheir employer. Sowhat? If you end up having to change jobs to achieve themarket rate for your education, what have you gained by working your waythrough?Many college graduates seek an employer who will pay for their graduate

education.Is thissmart?Sometimesnot.Employersplacemanyrestrictionson

theseprograms,includingaperiodoftimeaftercompletionduringwhich,ifyouleaveyouremployer,youmustrepaytheirinvestmentinyoureducation.Abasicunderstanding of economics indicates that they believe they are paying youbelowmarket rate for your salaryor theywouldn’t do it. If the employer youalreadyhaveandarehappywithiswillingtopayyoureducationexpenses,fine.However, you should not choose an employer based solely on this factor.Whether you’re choosing an employer who may fund your education orconsideringwhether to take advantage of your current employer’s funding, besuretorunthenumbersyourselfbeforeyouthinkyou’regettingsomethingfornothing.Usuallyyourgreatest boost in salarywill come fromgoing to schoolfull time,with thegoalofaggressivelyseekinga full-timecareerposition thatrequiresyourneweducation.Even if you have themeans to pay for your entire graduate education, it is

often advisable to apply for financial aid.Much financial aid at the graduatelevel ismeritbased,and failing topursue theseawardswill leaveyouwithoutthe necessary credentials to obtain postgraduate employment and otherappointments.Inparticular,ifyoueventuallywanttobeacollegeprofessororauniversity-basedresearchscientist,youalmosthavetobeateachingorresearchassistantwhile in graduate school.Although these assignments aremost oftenrunasaidprograms,youshouldconsidertheirotherbenefits.Herearethemosttypicalaidsources:

•Teachingassistantships

•Researchassistantships

•Fellowships

•Grants

•Tuitionwaivers

•Loans

Teachingassistantshipsrequireyoutoteachundergraduatecoursesorlabs.Youwill probably have your tuition waived, and usually receive a stipend (whichvaries widely from school to school). Having a teaching assistantship is veryprestigious;ifyouplantobecomeacollegeprofessor,it’sanimpressiveadditionto your credentials. However, the workload can be severe, with all yourpreparation and grading effort in addition to your class time each week.Whatever your estimate of the time commitment, you should expect it to be

almostdoubleduringyourfirstsemester.Consult IRS Publication 970 and Tax Topic 421 for tax rules governing

scholarships,fellowships,andassistantships.

WarningAssistantshipapplicationsoftenhaveveryearlydeadlines—sometimesmonthsbeforethedeadlinetoapply to the graduate program—and often require another essay and a different set of letters ofrecommendation.Visitingthedepartmentcangreatlyincreaseyourchancesofbeingselectedforanassistantship.

Yougetteachingassistantshipsbyapplyingtothedepartmentyouwillbeinasagraduatestudent.Youneedgradesgoodenoughtoimpresseveryoneinthedepartment.Italsohelpstohavedonesometeaching,tutoring,orproctoringasanundergraduate.Sometimesstudentsgetassistantshipsinotherdepartmentstooffset their educational expenses. For example, I interviewed one student, anative speaker of French, who got an assistantship teaching first-year Frencheven thoughhewas studying something else at graduate school.You can alsosupplement your income with less well-known, assistantship-like assignmentselsewhereintheuniversitysystem;forexample,youcouldserveasaresidencehall advisor or a career counselor, especially if you’re studying any kind ofpsychology,counseling,business,orhighereducationadministration.You get research assistantships by applying to a specific professor or

laboratoryatthegraduateschool.Thesearemucheasiertoget,inthatyoudon’thavetoimpressawholedepartmenttowinanassignment.Thebestwaytoearnanassignmentlikethisistolearnasmuchasyoucanabouttheresearchgoingoninthelab,thenletthelaboratorychiefknowofyourdesiretoparticipateinthat research. It’s a big plus if you have a great respect for the concept ofintegrity in original research, have conducted original research as anundergraduate,orhavealreadybeenpublished.Youdonotneedperfectgradestoearnthesejobs;IspokewithonedeanwhofundedaresearchassistantwhoseoverallGPAwas2.85(butitisimportanttonotethathisGPAinmath,physics,andfluiddynamicswas3.85,andthiswasafluiddynamicslab).To see how your stipend stacks up, go to

http://gradschool.binghamton.edu/stipendsurvey.If you are admitted to a programand then invited to visit, this is not really

optionaleveniftheysayitisoptional.Ifyoudecline,youmaybegivingawayyour assistantship. When you are invited to a tour or a meet-and-greet withdepartmental faculty, it is a very serious error in protocol not to appear.

Assistantshipsareoftenassigned,formallyorinformally,onthesetypesoftours.Ifyoucannotaffordtheticket,askthemtopayforit.Inmanycases,theywill.Becarefulwithyourterminology.Financialaidat thegraduatelevelusually

meansaloan.Youshouldinquireaboutfundingandsupport,whichincludesthemuchlargerworldofscholarships,fellowships,assistantships,andgrants.Ifyoucannot get a research or teaching assistantshipwith your department, look forother part-time jobswith thedepartment that couldgainyouboth exposure toprofessorsandsavvyinhowthedepartmentoperates.Thiscancutdownonyourtimetocompletethedegreeprogramandhelpsolveanyproblemsyoumayrunintoasagraduatestudent.Fellowshipsare largeawards thatcomewithnostringsattached; that is, the

studentdoesn’thavetoperformanyworktoearntheaward.Theyarereservedfor those students whose academic promise is so great that they shouldn’t bedistracted at all from their studies—or, more rarely, for underrepresentedstudents the program has a great desire to recruit. Fellowships come in twoflavors: internal and external. You learn about internal fellowships from thegraduate school or department to which you’re applying. You learn aboutexternal fellowships (the same as a scholarship, really) by researching themyourself. Two good websites are finaid.org and fastweb.com. Three samplebooksonthissubjectareTheBestScholarshipsfortheBestStudentsbyAsher,Morris,andFazio-Veigel;TheScholarshipBookbyDanCassidy;andtheolderbutstillusefulGrantsforGraduateandPostdoctoralStudybyPeterson’s.Youracademicorcareerdevelopmentadvisorcanpointyoutomore.Itisyourjobtodo the research. For example, the EPA offers a generous fellowship includingresearch-relatedexpensesforgraduatestudentsinenvironmentally-relatedfieldsofstudy.TheGertrudeFogelsonCulturalandCreativeArtsAwardwascreatedtoencourageandhonormotherswhodemonstrate talent invisualarts,creativewriting,orvocalmusic.ThePaulandDaisySorosFellowshipsprovidestipendsand tuition for “new Americans” who hold green cards or are naturalizedcitizens, or who are the children of two parents who are both naturalizedcitizens.Justtogiveyouanideaofhowobscuresomescholarshipscanbe,thereisascholarshipforfansofKlingon, the languagespokenbyawarriorclassofaliens in the Star Trek science fiction franchise, offered by something callingitselftheKlingonLanguageInstitute.Youdon’tactuallyhavetospeakKlingontoapply,but ithelps.Seeforyourselfatwww.kli.org/scholarship.Youcangetgraduatescholarshipsandfellowshipsforeverythingfromworldpeace(RotaryWorld Peace Fellowship) to world conservation (Doris Duke ConservationProgram), for going tomedical schoolwhile beingScottish (Dr. EdwardMayMagruderMedical ScholorshipClanGregor Society), and for being awoman

(Woodrow Wilson Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship). Interested in veterinaryscience?TheAmericanKennelClubgives$160,000ayeartovetstudents.Youdon’tactuallyhavetoownadog.Alljokingaside,ifyouareinthesciences,youareexpectedtoapplyforthree

or four third-party fellowshipswhen you apply to graduate school.You don’tactuallyhavetowinthescholarships,butyouaresupposedtohavebeensavvyenough to know youwere supposed to apply. (This is one of those unwrittenrulesthatoughttocomefromyouradvisor.)Nowyouknow.TheNSFandNIHoffer, literally, thousands of appropriate awards.A little research on your partshoulduncoverfundingthatmatchesyourbackgroundandinterests.Grants are just smaller fellowships, ranging from a few hundred to a few

thousand dollars, and theywork exactly the sameway; you can find them byusing your fellowship research resources. With a little effort andexperimentation, you may find extra money available to you because yougraduated from high school in Iowa, or your father works for a telephonecompany,oryou’releft-handed,orafelon.Nokidding.Themoney’soutthere.Youjusthavetogoseekit.Youshouldnotpay fora scholarshipssearchservice.Myreviewof them is

that noneprovides anythingyou cannot get for freeonlineor frombooks.Doyour own research and don’t believe anyone has unique access to “secret”money.

WarningSomeschoolshavebegunfront-endloadingtheiraidtowinstudentsinopencompetitionwithotherschools.Thismeansthatyoumayfindadecreasingawardovertime,ornosupportduringresearchphaseswhenyoucriticallyneedit.Askpointedquestions,suchas:“Howreliableisyourfinancialaidyeartoyear?Isthefirst-yearofferalwayssustained,givenattainmentofacademicgoals?”

Tuition waivers are extremely common for PhD candidates and for allcandidatesinthelaboratorysciences.Theyarelesscommonformaster’sdegreecandidatesinthehumanitiesandformoststudentsinpreprofessionalprogramssuch asbusiness, law,medicine, architecture, and soon.Asmentioned above,manyprograms list tuition in theirbulletinsand literature,even thoughnoonehaspaidthattuitioninyears.Whenall else fails, youcan fund thegapbetweenwhatyouneedandwhat

youcangetgrantedorwaivedwitheducationloans.Ifyouhaveapulse,areaUnited States citizen, and have not ruined your credit rating entirely, you canborrow $20,500 each and every year you are in graduate school. Federally

guaranteedstudentloanshavebeensimplified,andagreatplacetostartisontheDOE’s own website:http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/studentloans.jsp.PlanonpreparingaFAFSA(FreeApplication forFederalStudentAid) and/orforms from the Graduate and Professional School Financial Aid Service(GAPSFAS),availablefromanygraduateorundergraduatefinancialaidoffice,orbyprintoutfromfinaid.org.Normally,yourundergraduatestudent loanswillbedeferredwhileyou’re in

graduateschool.Onsomeloans,theinterestaccrualisarrestedduringgraduateschool.Inquireatthefinancialaidofficeofyourundergraduateinstitution,andat the graduate school to which you’re applying, for more details on yourparticularloanportfolio.Bytheway,borrowingisgenerallytheprimarywaytofinancegraduatestudy

inprofessionalschools(business, law,medicine,especially),eventhoughthereis a hidden assistantship at business and law schools: working for the careerplacementoffice.Inquireabouthowtoapplyforthesecovetedslotsbeforeyouattend. Otherwise, plan on borrowing a lot. You will get the payback if youcomplete the program in a timely manner and launch a career with averagesuccess.A student did askme once if she should borrow$30,000 to study dance in

Manhattan.Iaskedhertoexplaintomeherplanforeverbeingabletorepaythismoney.Shedecidednottoborrowthemoney.Thoughtheprogramverystronglyencouragedher to takeon this largedebt, even they couldn’t tell her how shewouldbeabletoearnenoughasadancertopayitback.Be careful about interpreting average income for professionals as a formof

guaranteeasitmaytakeyearstohitthetopoftheearningcurve.Startingwagesfor college professors and lawyers and so onmay be rathermodest. Also, becarefulaboutprojectingyourincomefromtablesliketheexampleonthispage.Inthehighestearningcategory—doctors,lawyers,dentists,andveterinarians—thebigmoneygoestothedoctorsandthetoplawyers.Manyveterinariansandlawyershavetroublerepayinglargeeducationloans.Studentdebtisnottobetakenlightly.Eventhoughitisalmostalwaysagood

investment,youneedtowatchyourtotalindebtedness.There’sanoldsayinginlawschool:“Livelikeanattorneywhileyou’reinlawschoolandyou’lllivelikealawstudentwhenyou’reanattorney.”Remember,your first source for financial aid informationof all types is the

programtowhichyouareapplying,butyoumaynotfindouthowmuchitwillcostuntilyou’veappliedandbeenaccepted.Evenafteryou’vegottenafinancialoffer, however, there may be room to play. Some schools are responsive to

appealsbasedonneed(marriedwithchildren,longdistancetorelocate,medicalneeds,andsoon);othershaverespondedtoappealsbasedoncompetingoffers.IknowonestudentwhowasofferedadmissiontoHarvardandStanford,butonlygot a support offer fromHarvard. He tookHarvard’s written support offer toStanford and said, “I have this offer from Harvard. I think your program isbetter,butofcourseI’dbecrazyto turndownthisstipend.”Stanfordcameupwithaslightlyhigheraward.Somedeanshavetoldmethattheytrynevertodothis—adjust an offer on request ormatch another school’s offer—but studentstellmeithappensfrequently.Especiallywhenthedifferenceissmall,say$5,000orless,goingbacktoaprogramtoaskagainmayresultinamatchingoffer.Itcan’thurttoask,especiallyifyouexplainthatyou’reonlyaskingbecauseyouthinktheirprogramwouldbeabettermatchforyou.Finally, on the whole topic of paying for your grad school education by

assistantshipsandfellowships,youneedtoknowaboutGettingWhatYouCameFor by Robert L. Peters. This outstanding book goes into greater depth ondifferent funding sources, the benefits of assistantships, selecting an advisor,departmentalpolitics,andother importantmatters. Icouldnot recommend thisbookmorestronglyforanyonepursuinganacademicmaster’sorPhD.Anotherbook that explicates academic culture is What They Didn’t Teach You inGraduateSchoolbyPaulGray,DavidDrew,MatthewHenryHall, and LaurieRichlin.Thisisanexcellentguidetounderstandingthesometimesbizarreworldofgraduateacademicprograms,andamust-readfornewgraduatescholars.

Inadditiontothebooksmentionedinthetext,alsocheckout:AnnualRegisterofGrantSupport,R.R.BowkerFoundationGrantstoIndividuals,FoundationCenterTheUltimateScholarshipBook,GenTanabeandKellyTanabeScholarships,Fellowships&Loans,GaleResearchScholarships,Grants&Prizes,Peterson’sFinancialAidforHispanicAmericans,SchlachterandWeberFinancialAidforVeterans,MilitaryPersonnel,andTheirDependents,SchlachterandWeberDirectoryofFinancialAidforWomen,SchlachterandWeberFinancialAidforStudyandTrainingAbroad,SchlachterandWeberFundingforUnitedStatesStudy:AGuideforInternationalStudentsand

Professionals,InstituteofInternationalEducationFundingforUnitedStatesStudy,O’SullivanandSteenFundingforUnitedStatesStudy:AScholarshipGuideforEuropeans,DanielObstWorldwideGraduateScholarshipDirectory,DanCassidy

Inadditiontothewebsitesmentionedinthetext,alsocheckout:www.fastaid.comwww.nafadvisors.org/scholarships.phpwww.cos.comwww.plato.orgwww.aspiringdocs.orgwww.hsf.nethttp://umsi.uncf.orgwww.phdproject.orghttp://mati.eas.asu.edu/p1000www.cic.net/Home/Students/FreeApp/Introduction.aspxhttp://smart.asee.orgwww.nationalacademies.orgwww.nih.govwww.nsf.gov

The following pages list some of the most prestigious scholarships in theworld. To win these, undergraduates typically work with the scholarshipcommittee on their undergraduate campus, and early planning is absolutelycritical. The application processes typically require essays, recommendations,and personal interviews. Some applications are regional, which may give anadvantagetothoseapplyingfromlesscompetitiveregions.

WarningBesuretoapplytoregulargraduateprogramsatthesametime.Nooneshouldbesoconfidentastoassumeshewillwinoneoftheseelitescholarships.Inanycase,anygraduateprogramwillgrantyou

adeferralifyouareselectedforoneofthesescholarships.Askyouracademicadvisororscholarshipcommitteechairformoreinformation.

—TOPSCHOLARSHIPS—

Rhodes Two-or three-yeargraduate scholarships,withgenerous livingallowance, toattend theUniversity of Oxford, England. Funded by Cecil Rhodes, an Oxford alumnus and South Africancolonialist;hewasthefirsttoconsolidatetheDeBeersmines(atonetimeincontrolof90percentoftheworld’sknowndiamondreserves),andeventuallyhadacountrynamedafterhim:Rhodesia,nowZimbabwe.TheapplicantmustbeanunmarriedUnitedStatescitizenbetweeneighteenandtwenty-four, and have a commitment to public service and athletics (physical vigor is an explicitrequirement, even though Rhodes was a sickly child). This is arguably the most prestigiousscholarship in theworld.Youwill forever be aRhodesScholar.Most successful candidatesworkcloselywithadvisorstowardthisgoalfromthesophomoreyear.FulbrightOne-yeargrantsforpostgraduatestudyabroad,withextensionspossible.Hostcountrylanguageskillsarerequired.Emphasisonpromotingbetterunderstandingamongdifferingcultures.Highlyprestigious.MostFulbrightscholarsreturntocompletetheirgraduateprogramsattop-rankedUSuniversities.MarshallSimilartotheRhodes.Applicantsmustbeundertwenty-sixatthetimetheyapply,butthere is no athletics requirement. According to the scholarship’s own material, “In short, theprogrammelooksfortomorrow’sleader:forhighintelligenceandacademicachievement;forsocialcommitmentandresponsibility;forleadershippotential;andfororiginalityandflair.”Goforit.RotaryThisprogramissimilartotheFulbright:afull-rideyearabroadtoadvancecrossculturalhumanunderstanding;infact,RotarianswillcallyouaRotaryAmbassador.TheoddthingabouttheRotaryInternationalFellowshipforGraduateStudyAbroadisthatifyouhaveanycloserelationshiptoaRotarian,you’reineligible.ContactyourlocalRotaryClubtolearnhowtoapply.OnecandidateI interviewedread thirtyyearsof theRotarianMagazine. “Imaynothavebeen thebestcandidatethatyear,butIknewmoreabouttheRotaryClubthananybody,includingtheselectioncommittee,”hetoldme.Hewasselected.Watson The Watson favors travelers and adventurers, with “an initial postgraduate year ofindependentstudyandtravelabroad.”Thefoundation“hopestoprovideFellowsanopportunityforafocused and disciplinedWanderjahr of their own devising.”A good independent study plan isderigueur,butpriorexperienceabroadisnotrequired.Mellon For seniors or recent graduates interested in pursuing thePhD in the humanities at aninstitutionintheUnitedStatesorCanada,whohavenotyetappliednorbeenadmittedtoaprogramofgraduatestudy.ApplydirectlytoTheWoodrowWilsonNationalFellowshipFoundation,MellonFellowships,Humanities,Princeton,NewJersey.

Alsoconsider:TheWinstonChurchillFoundationScholarshiptoChurchillCollege,CambridgeUniversityKeasbeyFellowshipstoUnitedKingdomuniversitiesSt.AndrewsSocietyofNewYorkScholarshipforGraduateStudyinScotlandOASFellowshipforGraduateStudyinLatinAmericaLuceScholarsProgram(Asia)AbrahamLincolnScholarshipforGraduateStudyinMexicoAllianceFrançaisedeNewYorkScholarshipforGraduateStudyinFrance

TheAmericanScandinavianFoundationAwardforStudyinScandinaviaWallenbergScholarshipforHebrewUniversity,JerusalemNationalScienceFoundationGraduateFellowshipsNationalScienceFoundationMinorityGraduateFellowshipsTheWhitakerGraduateFellowshipProgramforBiomedicalEngineeringTheRoothbertFundforPersonsMotivatedbySpiritualValuesTheCarnegieEndowmentforInternationalPeaceJuniorFellowsProgramTheAfrican-AmericanGraduateFellowshipforDoctoralStudyTheFordFoundationFellowshipforMinorityStudentsTheJacobK.JavitsFellowshipforDoctoralStudiesNationalDefenseScienceandEngineeringGraduateFellowshipProgramHowardHughesPredoctoralFellowshipinBiologicalSciences

There is a Rhodes essay on this page, and a Fulbright on this page; your college or universityscholarshipcommitteecanprovideyouwithmoreexamples.

WarningDonoteventhinkaboutmodelingyouressaytoocloselyonsomeoneelse’sexample;essaysinthisbook are provided so that you may learn how to write the best statement for your own uniquebackground.

2

ChoosingaSchoolorProgram

Thebiggestmistakeyou canmake in selecting a graduate program is toblindly choose “the best program I can get into.” Annual magazine rankingsnotwithstanding,thereisnoonecriterion,nosinglehierarchyofgood-better-bestonwhichtobasesuchadecision.Youmustconsiderseveralcriteriaanddevelopyourownstandardsforevaluation.Ifyourchoiceisgood,therewillbeagoodfitbetweenyouandtheprogram;

you will enjoy your studies, you will find friends among faculty and fellowstudents, and your education will further your career goals both directly andindirectly.Ifyourchoiceispoor,theoppositewillbetrue.Thischapterwillguideyou through theprocessofcompilingand rankinga

listofthegood-better-bestprogramsforyou,andthefollowingchapterswilltellyouhowtogetin.

BuildalistofpossibleschoolsFirst,youneedtobuildalistofpossibleschools.Irecommendthatyoufindaminimum of twenty (don’t worry—you won’t have to apply to all twentyschools).Be sure to search nationally, for two good reasons. First, the market for

students inhighereducation isnational,so ifyoudon’t looknationally,you’reputtingyourself at a competitive disadvantage.Second, graduate programs areconcerned with a concept called “reach,” as evidenced by statements in theirviewbooks, such as this one: “Our program draws students from twenty-onestates and threeCanadian provinces.” If your application represents a twenty-second state, and you are genuinely interested in the program, you have anadvantage.Most students err in looking for a graduate program onlywithin afour-hourdriveoftheircurrenthome.Whatifaschoolontheothersideofthecountry would pay you or pay you more to pursue graduate study? Considerexpandingyourhorizons.

Taptheseresourcestofindoutaboutgraduateprograms:

•Professors

•Alumni

•www.petersons.com

•Peterson’sguides(thebooks)

•Specialtyguides, such asGraduateStudy inPsychology,MSAR, orAIPDirectoryofPhysicsandAstronomyGraduatePrograms

•Yourparents,yourfriends’parents,yourparents’friends

•Practicingprofessionals

•Academicjournals,includingcitations

•ADataBasedAssessmentofResearch-DoctorateProgramsintheUnitedStates

•EducationalRankingsAnnual

•Annualbusinessmagazinesrankings

•www.gradschools.com

•www.phds.org

•www.gradview.com

•www.library.illinois.edu/edx/rankings/rankgrad.html

•http://gradschools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools

•www.donaldasher.comformorelinks

Your first stop for all your grad school planning should be a visit to youracademicadvisor’soffice.Sheknowsgraduateschoolsfromcoasttocoastinherownareaofexpertise,althoughshemaybealittleweakoutsidethatspecialty.Next, identify faculty in other departmentswhomayknow about your chosenfield. It doesn’tmatterwhether you’ve ever taken classes from them; just callthem up, introduce yourself, and ask for advice. Even if you graduated fromcollege tenyears ago,or even twenty,professors at your almamaterwill helpyoulearnaboutgraduateprograms.

Next, identify alumni of your alma mater who are currently enrolled ingraduateprogramsinyoursubjectarea.Yourcareerplanningcenterandalumniofficecanguideyoutograduatescurrentlyingraduateschoolinanygiventopic,or you can useLinkedIn or alumni databases to find themyourself.Currentlyenrolledgraduatestudentscanoftengiveyoulongdiscoursesonthedifferencesbetweengraduateprograms:who’shot,who’soverrated,whohasthisemphasisorthatapproach,whichonelostitssuperstarfaculty,andsoon.Don’t be shy. Poll all your personal contacts for recommendations of good

graduateprogramsinyourareaofinterest.Alltheresourcesjustdescribedwillgiveyouthebulkofthetwenty-pluslist

of schools that are appropriate for you, with heavy emphasis on the types ofprograms inwhich prior alumni,with backgrounds similar to yours, have hadsuccess.Next, turn toPeterson’sguides,available inbookformoronline.Thebook versions have exponentiallymore information, so I strongly recommendthem,oryoucanjustusewww.petersons.com.

Peterson’sGuidetoGraduate&ProfessionalPrograms:AnOverviewPeterson’s Guide to Graduate Programs in Business, Education, Health,InformationStudies,Law,&SocialWorkPeterson’sGuidetoGraduateProgramsintheHumanities,Arts,&SocialSciencesPeterson’s Guide to Graduate Programs in the Physical Sciences,Mathematics,&AgriculturalSciencesPeterson’sGuidetoGraduateProgramsintheBiologicalSciencesPeterson’s Guide to Graduate Programs in Engineering and AppliedSciences

Peterson’strackseveryaccreditedgraduateprogramintheUnitedStates,andforthatreasontheyareinvaluable,especiallyforfillingyourmandatetolookforgraduateprogramsnationallyandfordiscoveringprograms thatmatchobscureinterests.I used to love Peterson’s search engine more than I do now. They are the

unchallenged best source for learning about all available accredited graduateprograms, but they also have begun to include online and brick-and-mortarprograms mixed into the same search results. Also, they do not present thesearch results in alphabetical, geographical, or any other discernable order,leadingonetobelievethatthesearchresultsaremanipulatedbycriteriathatare

notrevealed.Adataownerisentitledtomanipulatesearchresultsiftheychoosetodoso,butthoseprocessesshouldbetransparentormarked“sponsoredlinks”or otherwise identified. Peterson’s is most students’ first stop when searchingonlineforgraduateprograms,butitshouldneverbeyouronlysource.There are hundreds of other specialized guides for programs in fine arts,

geography, marine sciences, neurosciences, film, environmental engineering,dance, teaching English as a second language, art therapy, religion, business,women’sstudies,andsoon,adinfinitum.Nofieldistooobscuretohaveitsownguide; here’s a typical example: The American College of Sports Medicine’sDirectory of Graduate Programs in Sports Medicine and Exercise Science.There are also affinity guides, such asNational Science Foundation Alliance:GraduateSchoolOpportunities,toassistyouindiscoveringeliteprograms.Therearemanywaystofindoutabouttheseguides.Youracademicadvisors

canmake sure you don’tmiss anymajor ones; for example, you’d be nuts toeven think about applying tomedical schoolwithout using theAssociation ofAmericanMedicalColleges’MSAR (full realname:MedicalSchoolAdmissionRequirements Annual: The Most Authoritative Guide to U. S. and CanadianMedical Schools—Medical SchoolAdmissionRequirements,United States andCanada.NowondertheyjustcallittheMSAR).Similarly,nooneshouldapplyto psychology programs without consulting the APA’s Graduate Study inPsychology, a truly useful book, especially for those interested in focusing onclinicalpsychology.ItiseasiertogetintoHarvardMedicalSchool,statistically,thantogetintomanyoftheclinicalpsychprograms,sonostudentshouldheadinthisdirectionwithoutthisspecializedguidebook.There are some really useful websites specializing in certain topical areas.

Students interested in law school should try Boston College’s Law SchoolLocator, available athttp://www.bc.edu/offices/careers/gradschool/law/lawlocator.html. It helpsmatch students to law schools to which they have a good chance of gainingadmission. A completely different law school locator has been compiled byEqualJusticeworks;itcanbefoundatwww.ejwguide.org.StudentsinterestedinphilosophyprogramscancheckoutthePhilosophicalGourmet,asitededicatedtorankingthetopphilosophyprograms“intheEnglish-speakingworld.”That’savailableatwww.philosophicalgourmet.com.Besuretoreadthewarningonlineabouttheutilityofthese,andall,“rankings.”If you’re long out of college, or your undergraduate advising center is

nonexistent or parochial, then, unfortunately, the full burden of research fallsuponyou.Onlineresourcesareavailable24/7,ofcourse.Peterson’sguidescanbe found in almost allmajor libraries, but theother, lesser-knownguidesmay

notbe.TrythesubjectsearchenginesatAmazon.comorotheronlinebookstoresandontheBooksinPrintdatabaseatyournearestbookstore.TheEncyclopediaofAssociations isagreatresource;forexample,youmaydiscoverthatthereisanAmericanSpeech-LanguageHearingAssociation,callthem(theirnumberisprovidedrightthereintheencyclopedia),andfindthattheypublishaGuide toGraduateEducationinSpeech-LanguagePathology&Audiology.Inadditiontoseekingoutguides,remembertopursueword-of-mouthadvice.

Poll your parents, your parents’ friends, and your friends’ parents forrecommendations.Surveyyourentirenetworkofacquaintances.Visitthealumniofficetoidentifypracticingprofessionalsinyourchosenfield.Callthemupandask them for general adviceongetting into the field, aswell as gradprogramrecommendations.Herearesomesuggestedquestions:

1.Howdidyougetintothisfield?

2.Whateducationorcredentialsarerequiredforcontinuedadvancementinthisfield?

3.What was different than what you expected? Anymyths you want toshatterforme?

4.Whatadvicewouldyouhaveforayoungpersoninterestedinthisfield?

5.ShouldIgotogradschoolrightawayorworkforayearortwofirst?Ifwork,whatkindofexperienceswouldbebest?

6.Whichgradschoolsdoyouthinkarebestinthisfield?Why?

7.DoyouknowanyprofessorsthatIshouldcontact?

Ifyouareshy,useemailtoaskthesamequestions.Savvy students, with the drive and preparation to get into the most highly

competitive graduate programs, get their grad school leads straight from theacademicjournalsfortheirfields.Thisisdoublysmartbecausenotonlyaretheprogramsgeneratingthemostrecentarticlesonthecuttingedgeintheirfields,butthearticlesalsogivethestudentagoodideaofthetypeofworkcomingoutofthoseprograms.Seekoutarticlesinpopularandspecialtyacademicjournals,findoutwheretheauthorsteachanddoresearch,andyou’llhavean“A”listofgraduateprograms inyour field.Read thecitations, too—theycan leadyou tobrilliant professorswhomight notwrite a lot, but arehighly respected. If youwanthelpwithidentifyingappropriatejournalsandlearninghowtotrackdown

professorsbasedonarticlesabouttheirresearch,seeyouracademicadvisor.Thebusinessandnewsmagazineshavegottenintothehabitofwritingannual

graduate school guides. They are a decent source for learning about graduateprograms,butyoushouldnotgivemuchcredencetotheirrankingsystems.Theyare most useful when focusing on a narrow, unusual topic, such as “BestBusinessSchoolsforEntrepreneurs,”andnotsousefulwhenrankingprogramsinwhichtheyhavenoeditorialexpertise.One of the fastest ways to find graduate programs is do to an advanced

Google search on obscure terminology that will be unique to your area ofinterest. Restrict the search to .edu domains, and then search for “Egyptianmathematics,” or “pollenmorphologies,” or “Bas van Fraassen,” or whatever,andyouwillfindfacultymemberswiththesameinterestsasyou.Thistechniqueisquickandeasy,andproducesveryhigh-qualitycontacts.As you build lists of schools, be careful not to put too much weight on

rankings alone, and never confuse “rankings” with “fit.” Fit is much moreimportantthanrankings.Rankings are always a blunt instrument, at best. They lump large areas

together;forexample,psychrankingsaregoingtolumpprogramsthatarestronginclinicalpsychologywithprogramsemphasizingsocialpsych,developmentalpsych, ed psych, and even neurosciences. So, knowing that one program isrankedhigherthananotherinpsychologyisnotgoingtobethatusefuladatumtoaprospectivestudentwhoisgoingtospendthebulkofhistimeinaspecificconcentration.To really drive this home, one ranking system named as the top school of

architectureaprogramthatdidn’tevenofferstructuralarchitectureinanyform—itwasinfacta landscapearchitectureprogram.Asaspoofonrankings,onefacultymemberaskedfacultyatotherprogramstoranklawschoolsfromalistofuniversities.Oneoftheuniversitiesonthelistdidn’tevenhavealawschool.Itrankedaboutinthemiddle.Similarly,aforeignstudentwrotetomeforhelptoget intoaspecificIvyLeagueuniversity inengineering.HehadheardthatIvyLeague universities were the best in America. The specific university he hadchosen, a fine place in general, did not have an engineering department thatwouldappearonanytop10listexcept,possibly,“closesttotheocean.”Besmartaboutrankingsandusethemasjustonepieceofinformationabouta

school,andpossiblyaverysuspectpieceatthat.We’llhavemoretosayaboutthat in the next section, but for now, just use rankings as one point ofintroductiontoinformationaboutschoolsthatyoumightfindinteresting.Buildarobustinitiallist,withavarietyofprogramsonit.With all these resources available to you, you should have no problem

identifying twentyprograms thathavewhatyouwant.Basically, ifyouhaveaheartbeatandabachelor’sdegree,there’sagradschooloutthereforyou.Therearemoreoptionsforgraduateeducationthanyoucanimagine.Youcangofulltime, part time, nights, Saturdays only, or one weekend a month to studyanything from engineering to nuclearmedicine to recreation to general liberalstudies.Atthelowendofthescaleintermsoftimecommitment,therearemoreone-yearmaster’s programs than ever before.At the high end, there aremorepart-time doctoral programs andmore postdoctorate research fellowships thaneverbefore,extendingyoureducationaloptionsintothemultipledecades.Ifyouwant to go to school, whatever your motivations and whatever your goals,there’sagradschooloutthereforyou.Gofindit.

HowtoexploreyouroptionsThe process of selecting a graduate program involves balancing at least fivemaincomponents:

•Theacademics

•Thepeople(faculty,students,administration)

•Thelocale

•Thecost

•Admissibility

TheacademicsTheacademicscanbethoughtofastheintellectualfeast.Whatareyougoingtolearn?Itshouldcertainlybesomethingyouwanttolearn.Readthejournalsinyour field. Read the writings of the faculty at targeted programs. Ask yourprofessorstoevaluatetheschoolsonyourshortlist,andbesuretoaskthemtosuggest particular professors, writers, and researchers who could further youracademic interests. Professors are your number-one source of really usefulinformationaboutgraduateprograms—talktothemoften.As mentioned in the handout on the next two pages, you should write to

prospective programs formore specific information onwhat they teach, whatthey research, and how they operate their programs. Here is another email to

considerasamodel:

DearDr.Russell:IamaseniorbiologymajoratTrumanStateUniversity.BecauseIhave

taken almost every biology course offered at Truman, I will graduate inMaywith an unusual double degree: a bachelor of arts in biology and abachelorofscienceinbiology.IalsohaveaFrenchminor,andhavetaughtmyselftoreadtheexcellentresearchpublishedinFrenchfrominstitutionsinFrance,Quebec,andAfrica.Since the beginning of my sophomore year, I have been conducting

research under the guidance of Dr. JeffreyM. Osborn. For the past twoyears, I have been studying pollen and anther morphology in theCallitrichaceae,afamilyofaquaticfloweringplants.Duringthecourseofthis project, I have learned a variety of laboratory techniques, writtenresearchproposals,anddeliveredoralpresentationsofmyfindings.Ihaveattached a copy ofmy curriculum vitae to give you an indication ofmyresearchexperienceandeducationalbackgroundtodate.Forthepasttwosummers,Ihavebeenfundedtodofull-timeresearch.I

verymuchenjoyedtheopportunitytoparticipateintheseprogramswithouttheaddedresponsibilitiesofcoursework.Iamlookingforwardtofocusingmoreonresearchatthegraduatelevel.Due to my interest in pursuing the doctoral degree in

structural/developmentalbotany,Ihavediscoveredyourlaboratoryandreadsomeofyourmorerecentarticles.Iwouldappreciateit ifyoucouldsendmeinformationaboutyourcurrentresearchprojects,orletmeknowhowtofindoutmoreaboutthemonmyown.Canyoualsoletmeknowifyouwillbe accepting a graduate student next fall for your laboratory? I have alsocommunicatedwithDr.ParnellJohnson,thegraduatestudieschairofyourdepartment, for relevantmaterials andgeneral informationaboutgraduatestudy at the University of Oklahoma, so you don’t need to cover basicinformation for me. If you could please just share with me informationaboutyourownprojectsandyourlaboratory,Iwouldbemostappreciative.Thankyouforyourassistance,and I lookforward tohearing fromyou

viaemailatyourearliestconvenience.Sincerely,VanessaRayeAdkins

Warning

At the graduate level, schools as a whole do not have reputations—only programs do. There areoutstandingprogramsnestledinotherwiseundistinguishedinstitutions,andthereareparalyzed-from-the-neck-up, we-don’t-care-we-got-tenure-twenty-years-ago graduate departments ensconced insome of the most elite universities on the continent. You want information on the reputation ofspecificdepartments,notinstitutionsasawhole.

If you are evaluating preprofessional schools—business, law, medicine,architecture,andsoon—itissomewhatmoredifficulttodiscernthedifferencesbetween programs. Nevertheless, these schools are each quite distinct, andunderstanding thisnotonly increasesyourchancesof finding therightoneforyou, italso increasesyourchancesofdevelopingacompellingapplicationandgainingadmissiontoyourfirst-choiceschools.Forexample,somemedicalschoolshaveanemphasisonpublichealthbuilt

into the regular medical school curriculum, others offer a special combinedMD/MPH program, and some have both. Some teaching medical centers arelocated in the heart of decayed urban centers, taking pride in servingdisadvantagedpatientpopulations,whileothersarefamousfortheircardiologyunits or their pediatric hospitals. Some architecture schools are knownworldwide for their concernwith handicapped access and social issues,whileothersremaindevoteesoftheInternationalStyleofMiesvanderRohe.Failingtoresearchsuchdifferencesbetweenprogramsisakintogoingto the lakeanddivingheadfirst into unknownwaters.Obviously, if you are applying to thirtymedicalschoolsyoucannottakeayearoffandresearcheveryoneofthem,butyoushouldhaveaverywell-definedimpressionofyourtopthreetofivechoices.Be careful of confusing reputationwith academics.A school’s reputation is

certainlyaconsideration,butwhatyouaregoingtolearnisfarmoreimportant.If reputation is highly important to you, you need to evaluate this factorcarefully.Sincereputationslagbehindcurrentconditionsbythreetofiveyears,aschool’s current reputation may reflect circumstances that have passed. Aschool’sreputationinfivetotenyearswillbemoreimportanttoyourcareerthanitsreputationatthemomentyoumatriculate.Soyoushouldanalyzeandprojectlong-term trends and not fixate on any one year’s rankings. Is the schoolinvesting in infrastructure, faculty salaries, and new programs that wouldindicateithasacommitmenttocontinuedexcellence?Orhasitnotimplementedanewideaintenyears?Oneofthebetterrankingsystemsinvented,theFacultyScholarlyProductivity

Index,hasdecidedtogosecretwiththeirfindings,whichmakesthemuselessforprospective graduate students.USNews&World Report publishes one of themost common rankings, but theirmethodology has been debunked repeatedly.

Forthelatestsalvo,seeMalcolmGladwell’sNewYorkerarticle,“TheOrderofThings:WhatCollegeRankingsReallyTellUs.”TheNationalResearchCouncilcollectedagreatdealofdataaboutresearchdoctoralprogramsinpreparationforreleasingsomekindofrankingproduct,butthentheydecidedtheydidn’tcollectthedatacorrectly.Althoughtheydisavowedtheirownresearch,othersrushedintouseit,anditcanbefoundatwww.phds.organdinADataBasedAssessmentofResearch-DoctorateProgramsintheUnitedStates.Gossipmayactuallybethebest way to rank graduate programs. Faculty and currently enrolled graduatestudentshavethelatestandbestinformationaboutwhetherprogramAisbetterthanprogramB,orwhetherprogramXisimprovingorwaning.Soaskaround.A student can design her own ranking system, by looking at the per-capitanumberofpeer-reviewedarticlesproducedbyfacultyatanygivenschool,andbyseeingifauthorsfromschoolAarecitingauthorsfromschoolB,orarecitedby authors fromschoolB.This isnot easy,but thenagain,neither isgraduateschool.Checkoutthe“dataandrankings”sidebarathttp://sciencewatch.com/dr.Graduatestudentsthemselveshaveoccasionallyrankedtheirownprograms;seethewebsitefortheNationalAssociationofGraduateandProfessionalStudents,www.NAGPS.org.Therearewell-establishedrankingsystemsforbusiness,law,andmedicine,andyouradvisorcanguideyoutothem.Also,formorelinksandbooksonrankingsandreputation,seewww.donaldasher.com/gradschool.Mypersonalrecommendationistoignorereputationandconcentrateonwhat

theprogramcanofferyou.LearningnothingofusetoyouandbeingmiserableattheNumber-OneSchoolofBusinessisprobablynotasgoodforyourcareerasbeing really excited about the entrepreneurial program at the Number-ThirtySchoolofBusiness.Thinkaboutit.Accreditation, on the other hand, does matter. Peterson’s does not list

unaccreditedprogramsonitssearchengine,butmanyof theothersourcesyoumight use may sneak in unaccredited graduate programs. Your investment inyourgraduateeducation—yourmoney,sweat,andtears—couldbewastedifyouinadvertently attend a program that is not accredited.Many governments andemployers will not honor a degree from an unaccredited program. There aremanydiplomamillsoutthere,someappearingverylegitimate.Assomeareshutdown, more are constantly being created by domestic and internationalcriminals.Youdon’twanttogetinvolvedwiththem.The Council for Higher Education Accreditation publishes a searchable

databaseof accredited institutions. If the institution isnotonCHEA’s site, it’snot accredited. It’s that simple. Agree to abide by CHEA’s terms of usage athttp://www.chea.org/search/default.asp,andtheserviceisfree.

WarningThe reputationof your graduate program is important for one reason. If youwant to be a collegeprofessor, you need to know about The Law of Descending Prestige. According to this law, ingeneral, youwill teach at an institutionwith less prestige than the one that granted your highestdegree. There will be exceptions, but an investigation of any random group of higher educationhiringdecisionswillprovethatthelawisineffectfortheoverwhelmingmajorityofcases.Also,beawareofthestrongcompetitionforacademicpositionsingeneral.Forexample,asthisbookgoestopress, the number of PhDs being granted in the humanities is roughly twice the number of allannounced teachingpositions.At leasthalfof thosedegree recipientswill need someother careeroption,likeitornot.

—HOWTOAPPROACHAGRADUATESCHOOL—(ideally)

UsingtheInternet,gofrom

TheUniversityHomePage↓

TheDepartmentHomePage↓

SpecificLabsorSubdepartmentalSpecialtyAreas↓

IndividualFacultyHomePages↓

Advisees,i.e.,CurrentlyEnrolledGradStudents

Identifyonetofourfacultymemberswhohavethepotential tobefuturementorstoyou.Lookforfacultywhopublish,whohaveongoingresearchprojectsdirectlyrelatedtoyourinterests,andwhowin grants, honors, and awards. You can often read writings by that faculty member by linkingdirectlyfromfacultyhomepagestoresearchsummaries,abstracts,oracademicjournals.

Writetofacultybyemailand/orsnailmail

1.Ask for some clarification of the program. Keep your query as specific aspossible:“Inoticedonthedepartmentalhomepagethatyouaretheexpertinmicrodynamics.Doesyour lab have any plans to pursue projects in nanomachinery?” Or, “I am interested in culturalanthropologyofNativeAmericansinurbansettingspost-1945.Whowouldbethemostappropriatefacultymembertocontactaboutthisinterest?”Readsomeofaprofessor’spublicationsandconsiderofferingsome thoughtfulcomments.Don’tbeafraid tostateyourownviews,butexercisecautionwhen itcomes tooutrightdisagreement. Ifyoupointout,“On thispageofyourproof in themostrecenteditionofMathmatica,Inoticedafatalerrorinlogic…”,you’dbetterbesureyouareright.

2. Propose a study topic, if it is directly related to their researchspecialty.BesuretofollowAsher’sLaw.Hereisanexampleofsuchanemail:

DearDr.Herrick:I am interested in continuing my graduate work in history at SUNY Binghamton. I recently

completedmymaster’sprojectatNYUunder thedirectionofDr.T.L.I.Fitzsimons(seeattachedCV), and Iwillbe receivingmydegree thisFebruary.After abriefhiatus, Ihope to return tomystudiesnextfallwiththeintentofpursingaprogramofstudyculminatinginthedoctoraldegree.

My area of interest within the Binghamton History Department is US social history. I amparticularlyintriguedbythehistoryoftheNewLeftintheUnitedStatesanddidmyresearchprojectonstudentmovementsofthelate1960sandearly1970s.Inthecourseofmyresearch,Icameacrossyournameoften. Iwouldappreciate theopportunity to furtherexploreandanalyze this topic,as IbelievethatweallhavemuchmoretolearnabouttheAmericanNewLeftanditsshiftingplaceinhistory.

Mycurrentinterestisananalysisoftheschismbetween…

Ifaprofessordoesn’twriteback,donotbediscouraged.Professorsgettonsofunsolicitedmail.Theyareusedtoskimminganddelayingresponsetoalotofit.Inworkshops,itseemsstudentsgetabouta20-percentresponseratetoemailslikethis.Ifyoureallywanttoreachthem,emailthemandwaitadayortwoatmost;ifthere’snoresponse,emailthemagain,withthisaddedtothetop,“I’mnot sureyou receivedmyrecentemail.Here’swhat Iemailedbefore.” If there’s stillno response,print itoutandsnail-mail it to them,with thisaddedat the top:“PerhapsIdon’thaveanaccurateemailaddressforyou.Here’smyqueryprintedout.Ihopetohearfromyoubyemailorregularmailatyourconvenience.Thankyousomuch.” If theystilldon’t respond, it’sprobably justaswell toleave them alone. Even if they never respond, it doesn’t mean they’re not with a good graduateprogram.Theymaybeoutofthecountryorhaveanotherperfectlygoodrationalefornotbeingabletogetbacktoyou.

Writetootherswhocanhelpyoudecideifthisprogramisagoodmatch

Do not hesitate to make contact with a school at multiple levels: the graduate school office, thedepartmental office, key faculty members, student associations you would like to join afteradmission,andperhapsevenfriendsofyourfamilywhoareprominentalumni.

If you’re really interested in a program, be sure to email currently enrolled graduate students.Ask:Is thisagoodprogram?Whichprofessorswouldyourecommend?Howlongdoyouthink itwilltakeyoutocompletethedegreeprogram?Anyhottipsforaprospectivestudent?Thenbesuretoaskthemabouttheirstudiesandresearchprojects.

Also, be aware that some disciplines, such as nursing, psychology, andbusiness, may have further accreditation issues. In addition to institutionalaccreditation, these programs are recognized fordepartmental credentials. Formore on this, see the recent article “Discipline by Discipline, AccreditorsMultiply,”intheChronicleofHigherEducation.

WarningBe wary of choosing a graduate program because of just one professor. Professors move, go onsabbatical,failtowintenure,serveasguestlecturersandscholarsinresidenceatotherinstitutions,die, lose favor in theirdepartments,andchange theirbeliefs. Ineachprogramyouconsider, try toidentifytwoorthreeprofessorswhohavesomethingtoofferyou.

ThepeopleAllotherthingsbeingequal,peoplearethemostimportantcomponentofyourgraduateeducation.Thismeansthefacultyandfellowstudentswithwhomyouwillliveandworkcloselyforthenexttwotosixyears,ormore.Youwanttobe

sure thatyoucanworkwith themand that theycanworkwithyou. Ifyou’veattendeda largeuniversity,youmaynothavespentmore than twentyhours inyourentireundergraduatecareerinthepresenceofafullprofessor;nowyouwillworkhandinglovewiththemonresearchtheywillmonitorclosely.Ifthebestplace in the world to study fractals is a program dominated by tyrannicalgargoyles,youmightwanttotakealookattheotherschoolsonyourlist.Similarly,ifyouhavejustspentfouryearsfightingeverydayforthecreation

ofamajor in feministpolitical theory,doyourselfa favorand findagraduateprogram with that established focus. Graduate school is not a good place topioneeranewtopicortostudywithoutguidance.Althoughforginganewpathisnot impossible, studying in a program that aligns with your interests willprobablybemoregratifyingandproductive.Whenyouchooseaschoolwhoseprogramcloselymatchesyourinterests,andyourapplicationessayexplainsthisclearly,your essaycanvaultyou further thanyourgradesand test scoresevercould.

ThelocaleThe school’s physical locale will be important to some applicants and totallyirrelevant to others. If you are committed to your studies, youwill not be tooconcernedwiththeweatherortheproximityofoceanbeaches.However,ifyoutrulybelievethatyouwillbemiserableinNewYorkCity,orIowaCityforthatmatter, then that has to be a factor in your decision. Wherever you attendgraduateschool,youarelikelytomakemanyfriendsandcontactsyouwillwishtokeep for a lifetime—thiswillprolongyour relationshipwith the location ofyourschool.Youshouldalsoconsider thebenefitsof studying inacitywhereyouwouldliketobeemployedaftergraduation.Bemindful,too,ofthe“spousefactor.”Ifyoufailtoconsidertheneedsofyourspouse,youmayfindyourselfinneedofanewone.

ThecostThecostoflivingintheareaaroundtheschoolwillhaveadirectbearingonthecost of your graduate education, but students are usually quite creative atcontrollingoverhead.Evenifyouhavebeenlivingthegoodlifebetweencollegeand graduate school, you can return to a frugal lifestylemore easily than youmight think.Remember, all your colleagueswill be in the same boat.Cost of

living isconsidered inall financialaidarrangements. Ingeneral,costof livingbyitselfshouldnotbeadeterminingfactorinyourselection.Ontheotherhand,thecostoftheprogramsthemselvescanbequitedaunting.

As related in the prior chapter, that cost is often difficult or impossible toestimatebeforeyouapplyandareaccepted.

AformulaforselectingschoolstoapplytoFirst, rank all the graduate programs you have been investigating in order ofinteresttoyou,frommostattractiveoveralltoleastattractiveoverall.Then,inacompletelyseparatelist,divideyourschoolsintothreecategories:

1.Thoseschoolstowhichyouareprettysureyoucangetadmitted,namely,safetyschools.

2.Thoseschoolstowhichyouprobably,maybecangetadmitted.

3. Those schools to which it would be a reach for you to be admitted,perhapsevenamiracle.

Youcanassignthesecategoriesbasedonwhatyouhavelearnedoftheschoolstodate, combinedwith hard data, such as the percentage of applicants admitted,available from the Peterson’s guides, or the schools’ own websites. Mostprofessorscanhandicapyourchanceswithparticularschoolsintheirownfield.Next, going back to your ranking of schools from most desirable to least

desirable,choose the first two “reach” schools, the first two “probably/maybe”schools, and the first two “safety” schools. This leaves you with a list of sixschools—a reasonable number of graduate programs to apply to—and with astatisticallyhighprobabilityofgettingadmittedoverall.Ifyouareaborderlinestudent or need maximum funding, you’ll need to apply to more schools.However, and this is a very important point: You must customize everyapplication.Ifyoudonotcustomizeyourapplications,your“safe”schoolsareno longer safe. Failure to customize is the biggest mistake that graduateapplicantsmake,andthisistrueacrosstheboard,frommedicinetoexobiology.The best students often overestimate their admissibility and omit safety

schools,whilestudentswith less-than-perfectportfoliosoftenself-selectoutofgraduate programs that would have been happy to have them. Don’t fearrejection.Ifyoudothiscorrectly,you’llberejectedbyabouthalftheplacesyouapply.Youmaychooseanothermethodologyforselectingschoolsifyouwish,

butthisformulaisprudentforallapplicants.

ApplyingtoaEuropeanGraduateSchool?Ifyou’reapplyingoverseas,youmightwanttoreconsiderthetoneofyourdocuments.UnitedStates’citizens are notorious for bragging, whereas in Europe the norm would be to be a little morecircumspect.Thus,intheUSwemightsay,“Iconductedanexperiment…”;inEurope,onewouldmore likely say, “Iwas fortunate enough to be selected the juniormember of a teamdoing someratherexcitingwork…”

Second,IknowfrominterviewsandinformationfrommycorrespondentsthatEuropeanschoolsalmostalwaysreadallofeveryportfolio,eventhestudentstheysummarilyreject.Thischangesthedynamic.YoucantrustthereadersabitmorethanintheUS,whereyousometimeshavetospeakup—shoutifyouwill—inordertobesurethatreadersnoticeyourbestparts.

Third, European educators in particular find vague, generic letters of recommendation to beinsulting,bothtothemselvesandtothestudentbeingrecommended.Althoughtheyareanacceptedpart of the process in the US, be sure your recommenders write individualized letters for eachprogramoutsidetheUS.

Finally, European faculty and admissions officers tend to respond to inquiries promptly andpersonally,whereas in theUS it is common for even very good schools to ignore student queriesunlessanduntiltheapplicantisactuallyadmitted.

RankingsforGradSchoolsAbroadOneproblemwhenyouleavetheUnitedStatesandCanadatostudyisfindinggoodschools.Whilea“study-abroad experience” can be pursued prettymuch anywhere, an advanced degree is amuchbigger investment. You don’t want to get one from a poorly ranked, unranked, or unknowninstitution.

Toprotectyourinvestmentoftimeandtuitionfromanundistinguishedinstitution,you’llwantareliable ranking system.Theproblem is that there isn’t one. International rankings areplaguedbycrossculturallimitations,poormethodology,anddisputeddatareporting.So,myadviceistofindafacultymemberfromthecountryinquestion,andaskthemtotellyouthetopschoolsandprogramsin their country.This typeof faculty “gossip” is thebestway to learnwhich schools inThailand,Singapore,Russia,orwherever,areexcellent,andwhicharenotaswellregarded.

But,despitetheirunevenreputation,herearecommonlyusedrankings:

USNews&WorldReport—UnitedStates

Macleans—Canada

TimesHigherEducationWorldUniversityRankings—Global(that’stheLondonTimes)

QSIU (Quacquarelli Symonds Ltd, Intelligence Unit)—QS World University Rankings—Global,available at www.topuniversities.com or in book form asGuide to the World’s Top Universities(Blackwell)

AmericanUniversitiesinaGlobalMarket—(NationalBureauofEconomicsResearch)

For more on this, see “What Global Rankings Ignore,” by Indira Samarasekera, inwww.insidehighered.com.

I once interviewed a studentwho applied to thirty-fourmedical schools. Alittlestrategyonhispartcouldhavesavedhimconsiderablyonapplicationfees.I have interviewed hundreds of studentswho applied only to top schools andwere rejected by all of them. One student provided the most interestingprobability analysis I have ever heard: “I applied toHarvard, Princeton,Yale,and Stanford. I figured I had a 25 percent chance, since that’s four schools.”Deconstruct that logic ifyoucan.Iknowofonestudentwhograduatedwitha4.0 and won a $24,000 fellowship applicable at any accredited graduateprogram,yetshewasrejectedbyeveryoneofthetoptenprogramsinherfield.Unfortunately,thoseweretheonlytenprogramssheappliedto.The dean of enrollment at a graduate school of business told me about

rejectingastudentwithaperfectGMATscore.“Hewasarrogant,”thedeansaid.“Wedidn’tthinkhe’dbeawelcomeadditiontoourstudentbody.”Ontheotherhand, I’ve interviewed numerous students in medical school with anundergraduateGPArightaround3.0.Iinterviewedadeanwhogavefullfundingto a student with a 2.85 when the school’s target minimum GPA was 3.5.Anotherstudenttoldmethatwhenshefirstcontactedhergraduateprogramtheyactuallytoldhershe’dnevergetin,yetshedid.For perspective, you should know that students applying to competitive

programs typically apply to between four and fifteen schools. The nationalaveragenumberofapplicationspermedicalschoolaspirantisfourteen.Formostnonmedical school students, a strategically chosen six is prudent. If you havequestionsaboutthisstrategy,besuretodiscussitwithyourfacultyandadvisors.Whywouldyouneed twosafetyschools ifa safetyschool is,bydefinition,

safe?Therearetwogoodreasons.First,thingsgowrong;second,onemightgiveyou generous fundingwhile the other offers none.Applicantswant to believethat thegraduateadmissionsprocess is fairandscientific,but inpractice it’samixture of science, art, and accident.Graduate admissions professionalsworkveryhard to choose an incoming class and, believeme, they agonizeover theborderlineapplicants.Nevertheless, theoutcome isnot alwaysas it shouldbe.Herearesomeactualcases:

•A student had awonderful exchange of letterswith a department chair,some ofwhich included such statements as “We’re so delighted that youwillbejoiningusnextyear.”Nevertheless,shewasrejectedbythegraduateschooloffice,whichhadmoreauthoritythanthedepartment.

•Astudentfailedtosendoriginaltranscriptsfromacommunitycollegeshehadattendedwhileinhighschool.Thetransfergradesfromthecommunity

college appeared on her regular college transcript but, through a bizarrechainofevents,anoverzealousstudentemployeeanda50-centlibraryfinefromsixyearspriorconspiredtokeepheroutofgraduateschool.

• Another professor was not granted tenure, and stopped performing allduties whatsoever that were not contractually required. This includedwritinglettersofrecommendation thathehadalreadyagreedtowrite.Atleastoneofhisadviseeswasnotadmittedtoagraduateprogrambecauseofthis.Thestudentneverknewwhathappened.

•Oneprofessorforgottomailawonderfulletterofrecommendationhehadwrittenforhisfavoriteadvisee,andshewasrejected.

•Onestudentwasrejectedbecauseherportfoliowas“accidentallyplacedonthewrongpile.”Thegraduateschooldiscovereditsmistakelaterintheseason,buthadalreadysentthestudentarejectionletter.Ratherthanadmitwhathadhappened,theyletthedecisionstand.

•AstudentapplyingforaPhDinphilosophyreceivedaletterfromamajoruniversityrejectinghisapplicationforaPhDinGermaniclanguages.

• A student was rejected by an internationally acclaimed architectureprogram after his portfolio was reviewed by Prof. X.When he called toinquireaboutthestatusofhisapplication,Prof.Ypickeduphisportfolio,glancedthroughitwhilethestudentwasonhold,andreversedthedecisionofProfX.Thuswasheadmitted.

As you narrow down your choices, resist the temptation to apply for twodifferent programs at the same institution. Applying to multiple programs (atdifferent schools) is expected; applying to multiple different programs is awarningflag tofacultyabout thedepthofyourcommitment. Ifyou trulyhavedivergent interests and decide to apply for graduate programs in history andmathematics, forexample, apply tomathematicsprogramsat some institutionsandhistoryprogramsatothers.Ontheotherhand,applyingtocombineddegreeprograms, such as the MD/PhD or MBA/JD, has no negative implications.Processesvaryfrominstitutiontoinstitution,soinquireatthetargetedprogramsformoreinformation.Finally,asastrategichedge,somePhD-boundstudentswillapplytoamixof

PhDandmaster’sdegreeprograms(ofcourse,notatthesameinstitution).Thisway,iftheydon’tgetintoaPhDprogramoftheirchoice,theycancontinuetheirstudies uninterruptedly and apply againwhen they are near to completing the

intermediatedegree.Bytheway,youdonotneedamaster’sdegreetogoforthePhDinmostfields.Themaster’sdegreeisjustastepdesignedintothedoctoraldegree process. There are some exceptions: in business, public policy, publicadministration,publichealth,nursing,education,andsocialworkthetraditionistoget themaster’sbeforeenteringaPhDprogram,butpolicieswillvaryevenamongtheseprograms.

First-choiceschool?It isperhapshumannature tohaveafirst-choiceschoolonyour list,butsmartstudentsavoidlockinginonanyoneschoolorprogram.Selectawiderangeofschools,makeyourbestapplicationtoeachof theschoolsonyourlist,andlettheprocesstakeitscourse.Besides,youlearnconstantlyaboutprogramsbythevery act of preparing to apply, applying, talking to faculty and friends, andwatching how the schools treat you as the process unfolds.Youmaydiscoverthatyourfirst-choiceschoolhasgargoylesforfaculty,haszerofundingforyou,isfamousfortheworkofseveralkeyprofessorswhoareabouttoretire,andsoon,while a schoolyou thoughtwasnot really amatch turnsup tohave “hot”professors doing cutting-edge research, or is about to launch a new lab orresearch initiativefocusingonyourfavorite topic.Ormaybethey’re justsuperniceandconvinceyouyou’d thrive there.Oryoucanalwaysuse theselectioncriterion of a student I interviewed atOxford: “It’s really quite easy to selectprograms.Iapplyforalotoffundingandawards,andIconsistentlyfindthattheopportunities that come throughwith themostmoney attached are in fact themostinteresting.”(ItsoundsverylogicalinaBritishaccent.)

ApplyingtoOxford?Oxfordoffersone-andtwo-yearmaster’sdegrees,whereonestudiesafieldindepth(MStormasterof studies,MSc ormaster of science,MPhil ormaster of philosophy). Then one can attempt thedoctorate,whichtheycallaDPhil.

Oxford requires a level of specialization that is somewhat out of sync with the Americaneducationalprocess.Evenundergraduatesfocusonnarrowfields,andgraduatestudentsareexpectedtocomeinthedoorwithbothbroadunderstandingoftheirfieldandadvancedunderstandingofandinterest in a particular topic. It’s as if to get into graduate school you had to be halfway throughalready.

Oxford may be one of the last meritocracies on Earth. You have to have stellar marks. Noexceptionsandnobendingtherulesfortherichorfamous.Youhavetohaveclarityofpurpose.Noexploringthefieldofoptionsforacoupleofyearsbeforesettlingontoaresearchidea.

Finally,Oxfordvalues something thatother schoolshaveabandonedasan ideal:dialectic.Youhave tobeable tostate,explicate,anddefendyour ideas inscholarlydiscourse.Supposesomeone

handedyou amodel of a novel complexmolecule and inquired, “What’smissinghere?”Supposesomeonehandedyouabitofwritingandinquired,“Whenwasthiswritten?”AtOxfordthattypeofthinghappenseveryday.

Ontheotherhand,everyoneI’veevermetatOxfordhasbeenextraordinarilynice.

•••

Insubsequentchapters,Iassumethatyouhaveselectedandrankedagroupofviablegraduateprograms;fromthispointon,thefocusofthematerialisentirelyon how to get in. There is no one formula that all successful applicants havefollowed,butapplicantswhoareconsistentlysuccessful,whowinscholarshipsandgrantsandadmissiontoseveraloftheirtop-rankedschools,tendtousemostof the strategies and follow most of the guidelines presented to you in thefollowingchapters.Again, thisbook’smain focus is topresent the idealway toapply tohighly

competitive programs. If you’ve already selected a program that you’re prettysureyoucanget intoandjustwanthelpwritingagoodessay,feelfreetoskipaheadtochapter5,GettingReadytoWrite.

3

PlanningandManagingYourApplicationProcess

Applyingtoagraduateprogramrequiresmorethanwritinganinterestingessay.Youmust successfullyorchestrateanumberof independentassignmentsin order to complete them all ahead of the application deadline. Some of themajorstepsofyourapplicationprocessare

1.openingandmanagingonlineapplicationaccountswitheachschool;

2. drafting, rewriting, and polishing a compelling essay, statement ofpurpose,and/orautobiography;

3.takingtheappropriatestandardizedgraduateadmissionstest(s);

4.gettingthetestscoresforwardedtoyourschoolsofinterest;

5.obtainingmultiplelettersofrecommendationfromfacultymembersandotherbusypeople;

6.obtainingoriginaltranscriptsfromallyourschoolsofrecord;

7.sendinganypaper-basedmaterialstoyourtargetschoolsviaaguaranteedcarrier;

8.enteringdataonforms,finalizingyouressays,hitting“submit”;and

9.verifyingthatyourapplicationiscomplete.

Throughout the process, you must be sure to double-check every step thatdependsonotherpeople’sactions.

deadline 1: a clearlymarked line around prisoner-of-war camps at which an escaping prisonerwouldbeshottodeath,orig.USCivilWar

2a:adateortimeafterwhichastorycannotbeacceptedforpublicationorbroadcastb: theworstpossibletimetoturninyourapplicationtograduateschool

Notonlydoyouneedtoworryaboutthefinaldeadlinetoapply,youneedtoworry about awhole series of deadlines.You’ll have deadlines to register forexams,deadlinesforfilingforfinancialaid,anddeadlinestoapply,attheveryleast.You’llneedtoprogramthemallintowhatevercalendarsystemyouuse.Oddlyenough,ifstudentsaregivenfouryearstoapplytograduateschool,50

percentofthemwillapplyinthelasttendaysanyway.Whateveryoudo,striveto apply at least 30 days early! (If you are a premedical student, you need toknow that most premed advisors are now trying to get all their students tocomplete their applicationsat thebeginningof the summerbetween the juniorandsenioryear.)Therearetwogoodreasonstoturninyourmaterialsearly.First,itgivesyou

moretimetomakeamistake.Youcansendanotherrequestfordocumentslostin the mail, motivate any slow-moving recommendation writers, and fix anydisasters. It is always the student’s responsibility to make sure that everydocument requested by the admissions committee is in her file before thedeadline.This is reasonenough toplanonsubmittingyourapplicationmonthsaheadofschedule.The second reason to apply early has to do with the other end of the

admissions process and what happens to your application when it arrives.Almostalladmissionsofficersusesomeformofthree-tieredrankingsystemforapplicants:(1)thosestudentstheydefinitelywanttoadmit,(2)thosetheyarenotsureabout,and(3)thosetheywillreject.Iftheschoolusesarollingadmissionsprocess, admissions staff read and evaluate applications as they arrive. Thecloseryougettothedeadline,thegreaterthenumberofoutstandingcandidatesalreadyadmittedandthelongerthewaitlistwillbe.Iftheschoolusesafixed-datesysteminsteadofrollingadmissions,theessays

mayormaynotbereadallatonetime.Inanycase,theearlieryourapplicationarrives, the greater its chances of being favorably reviewed by an alert,intelligent, compassionate admissions representative. The later it arrives, themorelikelyitistoreceiveacursoryexaminationbyanoverworkedadmissionsrepresentative who has already reviewed a large number of outstandingcandidates.I once asked the dean of an elite graduate school what she did with the

applications that came in late. “Confidentially?” she asked. “Strictlybackground,”Iassuredher.“Wecashthechecks,”shereplied.

Allof thisshouldbe takenwithagrainofsalt,however. Ihave interviewedstudentswhoappliedlate,whoseapplicationswereincomplete,andsoon,whowereadmittedtograduateprograms.Ifyouareapplyingtoanobscureprogramthat is not swamped with applicants, if you are an outstanding or unusualcandidate,or ifyouhavemadeseveralcontactswith theprogramand theyareexpectingyourapplication,thenyouneednotworryovermuchaboutturninginyourapplication severalweeksaheadof thedeadline. Ifyouareapplying toahighlycompetitiveprogram,however,timingissimplytooimportantafactortoignore.Forthemostcompetitiveprogramsinthenation,myrecommendationistoapplytwoormoremonthsearly.Ifyouareunsureofthebesttimetoapplyforthetypeofprogramsyouhavetargeted,besuretodiscussitwithyouradvisor.

•••

Taketimetoreallyreadonlineprograminformation,facultyhomepages,andthe application forms. Then prepare your activity log and timeline. Start withyour first-choice school. Reread thematerials with amagnifying glass in onehandandfine-toothcombintheother.Breakdowntheapplicationprocessintoaseriesofsmallerassignments,likethelistthatstartsthischapter.Then,arrangetheseassignmentsintheorderinwhichyouplantocompletethem.Putatargetdatenexttoeachassignment,andcheckoffeachonewhenitisfinished.Moststudentsusecalendarappsorspreadsheetstomanagethisprocess.Seethispageforanexampleofhowonestudentmanagedherdeadline.After you have prepared a detailed activity log and timeline for your first-

choiceschool,makeactivitylogsandtimelinesforalltheotherschoolsyouplanto apply to, but keep your first-choice schools first in mind. If you miss aninterimdeadlineforyourfirst-choiceschoolbecauseyouwerechasingdownanobscure community college transcript for your last-choice school, you are notprioritizingyourtaskswisely.Most schools do not start an applicant file on you until you actually push

“submit” on your application and pay your application fee. So anything thatcomesintotheprogramearlierhasagreaterchanceofbeinglostormisdirected.Besurethattranscripts,forexample,don’tarriveatthegradschooladmissionsoffice before you’re an official applicant. By theway, I checkedwith severalgraduateofficesandtheycan lookatyourapplications inprogress,beforeyoufinalize them. They’re probably too busy to do this very often, but don’t putanythingembarrassingordamaginganywhereontheseforms,evenasanotetoyourself,beforeyousettleonyourfinalwording.It is your responsibility to discover each graduate school’s preferred

procedures and to comply. It is also your job tomake sure the application is,eventually, complete, that is, that all transcripts, letters of recommendation, oranything sent in themail areproperly logged in.Most schools’ onlineprocesshas excellent “check-off” features so you can seewhen supporting documentsarriveandareprocessed.Schoolswillsometimeswaitforastragglingletterorlate-arriving test scores but, unfortunately,mostwill not begin to review yourapplicationuntilitiscomplete.Ifanythingislate,thewholeapplicationislate.Ihatetoaddtoyourstresslevel,butImustwarnyouthatIhaveinterviewed

several students who were assured by the online process software that theirapplicationhadbeencompleted,thattherewerenomissingitems,andthentheywere later rejected because something was in fact missing. The only way toguardagainstthisistocheckwitheachrecommender,forexample,tobesureheorshesubmittedthelettersuccessfully,andtoapplytoareasonablenumberofschools.

WarningApproachyourletter-of-recommendationwritersattheearliestpossiblemoment.Besuretoreadtheinstructionsonthispageandinchapter9.

Awordaboutfees:Applicationfeesusuallyrunfrom$45to$150perschool,whichcangetexpensiveforyourtypicalpoverty-strickenundergraduate.Donot

scrimponapplicationfees.Remember,whetheryougetinandwhetheryougetfundingaredeterminedbyapplyingtoareasonable,strategicallychosennumberof schools. This is a very large financial decision you aremaking, ultimatelyworthhundredsofthousandsofdollars.Donotmakethisdecisionbasedonanapplication fee of a few tens of dollars. Some schools will waive fees if youapplyearlyandsubmitaletterfromyourundergraduatefinancialaidofficer(orinsomecases,youradvisor)explainingyourfinancialneed.Yourfinancialaidofficer is accustomed to writing these letters and knows exactly what to say.Letters from students, no matter the circumstances described, are usuallyineffective. Some schools will not waive application fees under anycircumstances.Finally,justtoconfusethemattertotally,someschoolsthatclaimthey never waive fees have been known to do so when the student is anoutstanding applicant and has made a personal and direct appeal to the rightadministrator.Most schools still accept checks by mail, but using a credit ordebitcardreducesthechancesoferror.Whenyougetawaiver,theschoolwillgiveyouacodetouseinplaceofacreditcardonyourapplicationform,ortheywill provide other instructions for submitting your application. Be aware thataskingforawaivercanaddconsiderabletimetotheprocess,soplanahead.

TargetListforMadisonAllbrecht

Program→:MegaU.sizeofdepartment:23#offacultywithmyinterest:3ranking,ifknown:topsPhDormaster’s:PhDdeadlinetoapply:Jan1deadlineforsupport:Nov15dateapplicationverifiedascomplete:waiverofapp.fees:yesappfee:75fellowshiporassistantship:alladmittedstudentsgetfirst-yearfellowshipGRErequirements:yes,plussubjecttestaretheynicetome?:notreallyminimumortargetGPA:nofacultyconnections:Dr.S.SmithersDr.L.JossDr.R.Massey

admissionscontacts,the“official”contact:MelissaMartel(202)555-1894mmadmin@mega.eduNotes:19%admitratesubmittingaresearchsampleis“recommended”Accepted?Rejected?Waitlisted?Deadlinetorespond?

Program→:NorthernU.sizeofdepartment:4#offacultywithmyinterest:1ranking,ifknown:verygoodPhDormaster’s:PhDdeadlinetoapply:Feb10deadlineforsupport:Feb10dateapplicationverifiedascomplete:waiverofapp.fees:neverappfee:80fellowship or assistantship: minority fellowship teaching and researchassistantshipsGRErequirements:yes,but“notveryimportant”aretheynicetome?:yes,veryminimumortargetGPA:3.0minimumfaculty connections: Dr. J. Watkins have very encouraging letter from Dr.Watkinsadmissionscontacts,the“official”contact:admis@noru.edunoothercontactprovidedNotes:separateapplicationsforresearchandteachingassistantships!Accepted?Rejected?Waitlisted?Deadlinetorespond?

Program→:WassamattaU.sizeofdepartment:16#offacultywithmyinterest:?

ranking,ifknown:sosoPhDormaster’s:PhDdeadlinetoapply:Feb1deadlineforsupport:Jan15dateapplicationverifiedascomplete:waiverofapp.fees:yesappfee:earlyonly45fellowshiporassistantship:“Weselectstudentsforfellowshipandassistantshipfunding in March or April. Not all admitted students receive these types offunding.”GRErequirements:optionalforstudentswith3.5+subjecttestisalsooptionalaretheynicetome?:sofarminimum or target GPA: website says “students with less than 3.5 are notusually successful, but are not discouraged from applying” whatever thatmeans…facultyconnections:needtofindadmissions contacts, the “official” contact: dir@adm.wassa.edu also: “eachdepartmentdirectly”Notes:need todo further research re:mentorsDr.Wilsonknowssomebodyatthisschool;emailhersoonre:thisAccepted?Rejected?Waitlisted?Deadlinetorespond?

Program→:OutbackU.sizeofdepartment:8#offacultywithmyinterest:2ranking,ifknown:verygood,butmostlyforbioinformaticsPhDormaster’s:PhDdeadlinetoapply:Feb15deadlineforsupport:Feb1dateapplicationverifiedascomplete:waiverofapp.fees:yesappfee:45fellowshiporassistantship:alladmittedarefundedonewayoranotherGRErequirements:yes,plussubjecttestsubjecttest“recommended”aretheynicetome?:yes

minimumortargetGPA:3.0facultyconnections:Dr.W.MossDr.V.MartinAlso,spokewiththechairofthedept.atnationalmeetinginChicagolastyear,Dr.Stossenadmissionscontacts,the“official”contact:LyndaGranger(412)555-5928apply@obu.eduNotes:needtoreadsomeabstractsofDr.MartintobesureoffitAccepted?Rejected?Waitlisted?Deadlinetorespond?

Program→:ClosetoU.sizeofdepartment:6#offacultywithmyinterest:15ranking,ifknown:sosoPhDormaster’s:startw/master’sdeadlinetoapply:Mar15deadlineforsupport:Mar1dateapplicationverifiedascomplete:waiverofapp.fees:yesappfee:90fellowshiporassistantship:noGRE requirements: yes, but “there is no minimum score, we look at eachcandidateasawhole”aretheynicetome?:yesminimumortargetGPA:nofacultyconnections:Dr.Wilsonadmissionscontacts,the“official”contact:Gradoffice:LawrenceMillhouseA&S@closeto.eduDepartment:MariaMenendezmm@bio.closeto.edu(513)555-3959(she’sverynice)Notes:admitisonlytothemaster’sprogram,cangodirectlyontotheirPhDiftheylikeyouNOFUNDINGfirsttwoyears

Accepted?Rejected?Waitlisted?Deadlinetorespond?

Program→:SafeU.sizeofdepartment:5#offacultywithmyinterest:0ranking,ifknown:okayPhDormaster’s:terminalmaster’sdeadlinetoapply:Apr1deadlineforsupport:Apr1dateapplicationverifiedascomplete:waiverofapp.fees:yesappfee:45foronlinefellowshiporassistantship:“maybe”GRErequirements:noaretheynicetome?:yesminimumortargetGPA:nofacultyconnections:Dr.P.Lingadmissions contacts, the “official” contact: It’s all on the website portalwww.admissions.safeu.eduDr.LingsaidcallheraboutanythingNotes:terminalmaster’sbutclaimshightransferratetoPhDprograms,needtofindoutwhat“high”means…Accepted?Rejected?Waitlisted?Deadlinetorespond?

TestingProper preparation for the graduate admissions exams requires extensive leadtime.Thesummerbeforeyoursenioryearisagoodtimetotaketheexams,asisfall break. Students often pick one of the worst times—the end of the fallsemester.Studentsdon’tmeantotaketheexamsthen;theyjustfailtotakethemsooner,andthenthat’swhattimeitis.

Onthefollowingpagesaresomeof themorecommonexamsandresourcesforlearningmoreaboutthem.

WarningThereisarumorfloatingarounduniversitycampusesthatyoucantaketheGREandseeifyoulikethescorebeforeacceptingthetestasofficial.Thisisabsolutelyfalse.Onceyoupushthebuttontocomputethefinalscore,yourrecordisautomaticallyandimmediatelyofficial.Thatscoreistiedtoyoursocialsecuritynumberandstaysonrecordforfiveyears.Nevertakeanofficialtestforpractice.

ApplyingtoMedicalSchool?WashingtonUniversityinSt.Louisdidafive-yearstudyofmedicalschoolapplicantsandfoundthat,allotherfactorsbeingequal,applyingearlyhadasignificantinfluenceonwhetheranapplicantwasadmitted.

GraduateRecordExamination(GRE)www.ets.org/greResources:GREInformationBulletinPracticingtoTaketheGREGeneralTestPracticingtoTakethe{subjectnamehere}TestTheOfficialGuidetotheGRERevisedGeneralTestGuidetoInterpretingtheScoresPowerPrepIISoftware:PreparationfortheComputer-basedGRERevisedGeneralTest(freedownload)GraduateManagementAdmissionTest(GMAT)*www.gmac.com/gmac/thegmatwww.mba.comResources:GMATInformationBulletin(free)TheOfficialGuideforGMATReviewTheOfficialSoftwareforGMATReview*ManyMBAprogramsaccepttheGRE.LawSchoolAdmissionTest(LSAT)www.lsac.orgResources:

A whole store of prep materials at http://www.lsac.org/jd/lsat/lsat-prep-materials.aspOfficialGuidetoABA-ApprovedLawSchoolsOfficialGuidetoCanadianLawSchoolsGLBTLawSchoolClimateSurveyInterpretiveGuidetoUndergraduateGradingSystemsMedicalCollegeAdmissionTest(MCAT)https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/mcat/aboutResources:Medical School Admissions Requirements (MSAR) United States andCanadaEightPracticeTestsPharmacyCollegeAdmissionTest(PCAT)www.pearsonassessments.com/haiweb/Cultures/en-US/site/Community/PostSecondary/Products/pcat/pcathome.htmResources:CandidateInformationBookletOfficialPCATPracticeTestDentalAdmissionTest(DAT)www.ada.org/dat.aspxResources:DATProgramGuideDATNewslettersOptometryAdmissionTest(OAT)www.opted.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3444Resources:OATGuideTutorialSampleTestVeterinaryCollegeAdmissionTest(VCAT)*www.aavmc.orgwww.avma.orgResources:VeterinaryMedicalSchoolAdmissionsRequirements(VMSAR)*MostveterinaryschoolswillaccepttheGRE,andsomeaccepttheMCAT.MillerAnalogiesTest(MAT)http://psychcorp.pearsonassessments.com/haiweb/Cultures/en-

US/site/Community/PostSecondary/Products/MAT/mathome.htmResources:CandidateInformationBookletTestofEnglishasaForeignLanguage(TOEFL)http://www.ets.org/toeflResources:TOEFLPracticeOnline(software)FreeTOEFLiBTTestSampleQuestionsIdiomsinEnglishWritinginEnglishTheEngagingEnglishService

OtherTest-RelatedWebsiteswww.ets.orgwww.kaplan.comwww.princetonreview.comwww.testprepfaq.comwww.gradview.com/articles/tests/graduate-admissions-tests.htmlwww.clearfocusprep.com

NotethatmanybusinessprogramsaccepttheGRE,somedentalprogramswillacceptanMCATscore,andsomegraduateschoolswillaccepttheMATinplaceof the GRE, even if they don’t reveal this in their applicationmaterials. Callthemandask.Mostacademicgraduateprogramsexpectyou to take theGRE,orGraduate

Record Exam. This test has three sections: verbal, analytical writing, andquantitative.Thistestisnotunlikethetestsyoutooktogetintocollege,buthowlonghasitbeen,really,sinceyousawaquestionlikethis:“Sixyoungpeoplearestandingontheedgeofariver.Theyhavetwolargeseakayaks,oneofwhichisfreshlypaintedabrightblue.Theyhavenolifevests,andtwocan’tswim.Itisfour o’clock in the afternoon, and the sun is 15 degrees above the horizon,obscuredbyclouds.Wherearethesepeople,whataretheydoing,andwhichoneispregnant?”Thinkyouneedsomepractice?Yes,youdo.Topstudentssometimesmakethemistakeofgoingintotakethesetestscold,

withoutanypreparationatall.Lettherebenodoubt:Youshouldstudyforanygraduate admissions test; studying will result in a better score. Take a testpreparationclassorbuytestpreparationbooklets.Studyinthoseareasinwhichyou have forgotten basicmaterial. Brush up on yourmath. Play logic games.

Specificquestionswillvary,butthetypesofquestionsandthematerialcoveredstaythesameyeartoyear.Remember,thesetestscoverasetofbasicknowledgeandconcepts,soyouneednotworryabouttrulyin-depthorobscureknowledge(theexceptiontothisistheGREsubjecttests,whichcanberatherexhaustive).Besuretotakeasmanypracticetestsasyoucangetyourhandson.Moststudybookletsandprepappshaveatleastonesampletest.By theway, ifyouare interested in taking theGREonpaper, itcanstillbe

done—inSub-SaharanAfrica.Goodluck.

WarningSomepoetswanttobelievethattheirmathscoresdon’tmatter(andsomeEnglishdepartmentsmightagreewiththem),butinspiteoftheextractsonthispagefromGRE:GuidetotheUseofScores,thegraduate schools often haveminimum scores that studentsmust exceed before their folios can beforwardedtothedepartmentforfinalconsideration.NoonecanaffordtototallybombanypartoftheGRE.Ifyouwanttoavoidmathematicaltesting,seeifyourgraduateschoolwillaccepttheMATinplaceoftheGRE.Somewill.

For descriptions of the other tests, see their studyguides. In addition to theorientationguidesavailablefromthevarioustestadministratorslistedabove,orfromyournearestuniversitycareerplanningoffice,therearemany,manystudyguides available. Your college bookstore probably carries hundreds of titles,almostallof themverygood, so just takeyourpick. It’sagood idea togetatleast three different guides and run through them all. Look particularly for atleastonewithapracticetestsothatyoucangettheactualfeeloftheexamoncomputer.Studyingacoupleofhoursadayforthirtydaysbeforethetest ismorethan

sufficient. The study preparation courses are expensive, but they are (usually)effective. Some regional test preparation companies are significantly lessexpensive.HerearesomeinterestingobservationsfromarecenteditionofGRE:Guideto

the Use of Scores, a publication available from the Graduate RecordExaminations Board of the Educational Testing Service (published atwww.ets.org/gre):

GREscoresshouldnotbeusedinisolation.Useofmultiplecriteria isparticularlyimportantwhenusing GRE scores to assess the abilities of educationally disadvantaged students, students whoseprimary language is not English, and students who are returning to school after an extendedabsence…

GREscores,likethoseonsimilarstandardizedtests,cannotcompletelyrepresentthepotentialofanyperson,norcantheyalonereflectanindividual’schancesoflong-termsuccessinanacademic

environment…Special care is required in interpreting the GRE scores of students who may have had an

educationalandculturalexperiencesomewhatdifferentfromthatofthetraditionalmajority…Acutoffscorebelowwhicheveryapplicantiscategoricallyrejectedwithoutconsiderationofany

otherinformationshouldnotbeused…Alowscoremaybetheresultofalackofexposuretoanarearatherthanalackofmastery.

Youmaywishtoreviewthisbookletyourself,andperhapsevenquotesomeoftheseobservationsinyouressay.Again,youmustreadtheapplicationrequirementscarefully,andreadthetest

manualscarefullyaswell.Donotrelyontheadviceofothers.Talentedfaculty,deans,andeventhetestpreparationcompanieshave,occasionally,gottenbasicfactswrongaboutthetests.Itisyourjobtoreadtheofficialbulletins!

Long-termpreparationtobeanoutstandingcandidateAsyoumayhaverealizedbynow,timeisoneofthemostimportantfactorsinyour application process. Some of the best techniques require extensive leadtime.Forexample,itismucheasiertogetintoasummerprogramatatop-tierschoolthanitistogetadmittedtoaregulardegreeprogramatthesameschool.Some medical and dental schools even offer auxiliary summer premedicalclassesopentoundergraduates.Youmustplantoattendsuchaprogramasmuchas a full year before you intend to apply to a graduate program, but theadvantagesareimmense.Ifyoustudyhardandmakehighgrades,youwillhavedemonstratedthatyoucanperformattheleveltheschooldemands.Besides,theexperiencelooksgreatonyourtranscriptwhereveryougo.Ifyougetintoanysummerprogramatahighlyselectiveinstitution,youcan

walkovertothedepartmentyouareinterestedinforgraduatestudiesandmakefriends.This should not be difficult. Justwalk over and say, “Hi, I’mAndreaTiptonand I’m interested ingraduatestudies inculturalanthropology.What isyourprogramemphasishere?”Be friendly.This edge, and thenamesyoucanweave into your essay later, can cinch your admittance. I met one Americanstudentwho got admitted toOxford by taking a summer enrichment programandimpressingtheprofessor.Finally,I’llletyouinonalittle-knownsecret:Atsome of the most elite universities on the continent, there are no admissionsrequirementsforsummerschool.Ifyourcheckisgood,you’rein.Similarly, you can take internships or gain employment in your field of

interest. This demonstrates commitment to your career goal and reassuresadmissionscounselorsthatyourinterestisnotapassingfancy.Ifyouintendtostudylawormedicine,itisarealplustoprovethatyouknowwhatthedailylifeofanattorneyoraphysicianisreallylike.Applicationsforsummerinternshipsare typically accepted thewinterbefore, andbyMarchmostprogramswill befull.You can obtain a summer job later, but it is a good idea to startmakingcontactsonetothreemonthsbeforesummerbreak.Herearesomespecifictipstoupyourchanceswithlaw,medical,orbusiness

schools.Anyone planning to attend law school should readDouble Billing: AYoungLawyer’sTaleofGreed,Sex,Lies,andthePursuitofaSwivelChairbyCameron Stracher; Full Disclosure: Do You Really Want to Be a Lawyer?compiledbySusan J.Bell forTheYoungLawyersDivision of theABA; andRunning from the Law: Why Good Lawyers Are Getting Out of the LegalProfessionbyDeborahL.Arron.Whatlawschoolslovetosee:exposuretoreallawyers doing real lawyering in placeof idealistic fantasies about the law (or,evenworse,anythingyoumighthavepickedupfromwatchingglamorousandpowerful lawyers on television and in themovies). For example, litigators areonlyincourtabout5percentofthetime.Didyouknowthat?Well,everysingleattorney in North America does know that. Attorneys spend very little timedoingwhatmostpeopleimaginetheydo.

—GETTINGFANTASTICLETTERSOFRECOMMENDATION—

Youshouldn’tjustsuddenlyappearinaprofessor’sdoorwayandaskforaletterofrecommendation.Instead,visityourprofessorsoftenduringyourundergraduateyears.Showthemyourlistoftargetedschools,anddiscussyourmotivations.Usually,theprofessorswillbringupthequestionoflettersofrecommendationthemselves.

1.Takethesematerialstothemeeting:

•yourprinted transcript (which is availableonline)or a list ofyourmost important classeswithgradesforeachclass

•apaperoralabshowingsomeofyourbestwork

• a resume or a CV, especially if the professor doesn’t know about some of yourwork orinternshipexperiences

•alistofyouractivities

•copiesofallcorrespondenceyouhavehadwithtargetedgraduateprograms

•acopyofthelatestdraftofyourstatementofpurpose

•alistoftheotherprofessorsyouplantoaskforletters

•suggested“talkingpoints,”especiallyifthisprofessorisnotinyourprimarydiscipline.Forexample, ask your theater professor to comment on whether your acting ability would beusefultoyouinteachinganintroductorybiologyclassforundergraduates,oraskyouradvisorto comment on your independent study project, or your tutoring of other students, or yourservice as a test proctor for a classor lab.Helpprofessors thinkofbeneficial things to sayaboutyou,but remember:Theprofessorwillwriteaboutwhatevershewants.Youcanonlyoffersuggestions.

2.Askthisquestion:“Dr.Johnson,wouldyoubecomfortablemakingastrongrecommendationforme for graduate study in ________?” If the answer is less than enthusiastic, consider your otheroptions.

3.Askthisquestion:“Dr.Johnson,whatwillyoubeabletosayaboutme?”Thisisatoughquestiontoask,butwhendoyouwanttofindout?Beforeorafteryourfirst-choicegraduateschooldoes?

4.Alwaysstressthedatewhenyou’regoingtoapply,asin“Dr.Lee,I’llbeapplyingbyNovember5.Willyoubeabletohavetheletterreadybythen?”Nevertalkaboutthedeadline.Avoidneedingaletterjustbeforeoraftertheendoftheterm.Allowaprofessortwotosixweekstowriteyourletter.Otherwise,itmaystartoutlikethis:“Paul,fromwhatIcanremember,wasusuallyprompt,andhadgoodhandwriting…”ThisisevenworseifyournameisnotPaul.

5.CheckinwithyourprofessoreveryThursdaytoseeiftheletterisdone.Beniceaboutit,butdon’tfallofftheradarscreen.

6. Be sure to give each professor a warm and sincere thank-you card once the letter has beensubmittedonyourbehalf.

Formuchmoreonlettersofrecommendation,seechapter9,LettersofRecommendation.

Anyone planning to attend medical school should read Medical SchoolAdmissions:TheInsider’sGuide by J.Zebala,D. Jones, andS. Jones; and theAssociation of American Medical College’s Medical School AdmissionRequirements. What medical schools love to see: exposure to medicalprocedures, especially those involving bodily fluids, rather than the morecommon “feel-good” internships in nonclinical medical settings. A solid 3.5studentwithextensiveexposuretomedicalproceduresismoredesirablethana4.0studentwhohasneverbeenoutsidetheconfinesofachemistrylab.(Again,work closely with your institution’s premedical advisors; they know how thisworksandcanoffersoundadvice.)What business schools love to see: two to four years of experience with a

largeorganizationwithrapidadvancementandahighsalaryforyourage.Moreexperience than that is not really necessary. If you have several significantinternships,highgrades,provendriveandambition,andaclearvisionofwhatyouwant todoafteryougraduate,youshouldn’thesitate toapply rightoutofcollege.Besure to read theseMBAguides:Case inPoint,TheWhartonMBACaseInterviewStudyGuidevols. I and II,AceYourCase!, and15Questions:MorePracticetoHelpAceYourConsultingCase.Volunteer to gain related experience. Volunteering in public service areas

demonstratessocialcommitment,inadditiontowhateverskillsandmaturityyoumaygainfromtheexperienceitself.Volunteeringisalsoawayofcreatingyourownbusinessinternships.Studentshavevolunteeredatsuchvenuesastelevisionstationsandarchitecturalstudiostogainexperienceandexploretheirinterestinaparticularfieldofgraduatestudy.If you are applying to competitiveprograms, your activities andhonors can

sometimes be a deciding factor between admission and rejection. However,studentstendtooverestimatethevalueofactivities.Asaroughguess,activitiesareworthonequarterofagradepoint;maybeahalfpointintrulyextraordinarycases. It isbetter todevoteyourself toyour studies than toexplainyourweakgrade-point averagewith a fistful of activities. In general, quality counts overquantity. It ispreferable tobeanofficerofoneorganization thanamemberoffiveorsix.Graduate admissions professionals consistently mention the following three

activitiesaspersuasivetothem:

• serving as a research assistant onoriginal researchwhile you’re still anundergraduate,especiallyworkinginalaboratorywhereoriginalresearchisunderway;

• serving as an instructional assistant to a professor, which can meanservingasatestproctor,grader,teachinglabassistant,tutor,orsimilar;and

•servingasaresidencehalladvisor.

The most impressive academic activity, according to graduate admissionsprofessionals, is anykindofextended, independent researchproject.However,eventherelativelymundanetaskofverifyingcitationsinstudentbibliographiesqualifies as a highly regarded activity. Professors pick students for these jobswho are reliable, extremely thorough, and mature; these are qualities thatgraduate programs value highly. Deans usually pick residence hall advisors;these students go through formal training, and their behavior goes under amicroscopeforatleastayear,sotheyarealsoregardedasmatureandreliable.Iknow of one department chair who admitted a student to graduate schoolbecausehehadbeenahousesitterforhisundergraduateadvisor,andtheadvisorhadmentioneditinhisletterofrecommendation.“That’strust,”saidthechair.

WarningDo not ever make up even the smallest item on your application. It is patently immoral, andultimatelyitmayruinyourlife.Schoolsroutinelyrequestsupportingmaterialwhenevertheygetanapplication that seemsunlikely, and theyall subscribe to the sameListserv toalertoneanother tofraudulentapplicants.Newsitem:

A federal judge inHartford,Conn., threwout thedefamation lawsuit againstPrincetonUniversityfiledbydisgruntled,would-bemedicalstudentRommelNobay,whoclaimedthatPrinceton’shavingbad-mouthedhimforlyingonhisapplicationdiscouragedotherschoolsfromacceptinghim.Nobayadmitted to fudging his class standing, SAT score, and other things that applicants sometimesexaggerate;however,attractingmoreattentionwerehispersonalstatements,inwhichNobaywrotethatafamilyoflepersinKenyahadsomuchfaithinhimthattheyhaddonated“halftheirbeggings”tohelphimwithhiseducation.(NewsoftheWeird)

Student government is also highly regarded. I know of onemedical schoolapplicantwhogotinayearearly,beforecompletinghispremedprogram—andbeforeheevenapplied—becauseofanoddconfluenceofevents.Tobeginwith,hehadbeenamanagementconsultantbeforereturningtoschooltocompletehisundergraduate degree in a premed program. He got elected to studentgovernment,andatthesametimestartedvolunteeringeighthoursaweekatthelocal hospital emergency room. The university had just launched a strategicplanning phase involving considerable financial planning and, because theapplicantwastheonlymemberofstudentgovernmentwithheavy-dutyfinancial

skills,hewasappointedtoserveasthestudentmemberoftheboardoftrustees.Hedidagreatjob,whichalsoinvolvedoccasionallyworkingwithtopofficersoftheuniversity’smedicalschool.Hethenheardaboutsomethingcalleda“dean’sadmit,”whereby,inveryrarecases,thedeanofthemedicalschoolcouldadmitstudentsdirectly.Sinceheknewthedeanfromhisworkasatrustee,itwaseasytoaskhimforadean’sadmit.Thedeanreviewedhisbackgroundandadmittedhim, subject to a good MCAT. The applicant aced the MCAT and went tomedical school a year early without ever having applied and with noundergraduatedegree.Thisis,admittedly,anunusualandverytalentedstudent—but the point is that instead of trudging through his premed curriculum, hechosetogetinvolved.Itpaidoffhandsomely.Completelyoff-campus,nonacademicendeavorsalsocount,sometimesmore

thantheroutinecollege-sponsoredactivities.Forexample,ifyouareanationallyranked horseback rider in dressage, your commitment to excellence in thisoutside arena will be highly regarded by admissions readers. Any enduringoutsidepassionisusuallyseenaspositive,unlessyourevealthatyouareunsurewhether tobecomeaprofessional soccerplayerorgoon tomedical school. Ifyou are confused about your true priorities, your avocation or pastime couldthreatenyourfuturevocation.True commitment over a length of time to any charitable organization will

make a favorable impression on reviewers. Do not overlook opportunities tomake unusual contributions; students have helped launch soup kitchens,performed as puppeteers and clowns at daycare centers, and volunteered forwhole summers at wildlife rehabilitation facilities located in the middle ofnowhere.Having your own work published is a recognized sign of intellectual and

academicpromise,andissomewhateasierthanmostundergraduatesthink.(It’simpossible,ofcourse,ifyouneverprepareandsubmitanarticleforpublication.)If you are working closely with a professor on research work that will besubmittedforpublication,youshouldbrazenlyasktobeincludedasacoauthor.Theworstthatcanhappenisthattheanswerwillbeno.Ontheotherhand,ifit’syes,theresultcouldbeevenworse:amassive increase inyour responsibilitiesontheproject.Thisisoftenthepriceofone’searlypublications.Most major universities and many smaller institutions have some sort of

undergraduate research journal, in which student research is published in thestandardized style for that field. Themain purpose of these journals is not somuchtodisseminatethefascinatingresearchofundergraduatesasitistoteachstudents thepublication formatsandpractices thatwillbe required for successlater in their academic careers. If there is no journal appropriate for your

submission, start your own.Do a good job of it, because it is very likely theadmissionscommitteewillasktoseeit.Don’t neglect the many undergraduate research meetings throughout the

country, such as the McNair program for undergraduate research. These areoutstandingopportunities foryou topresentyour researchas table topicsor inbriefpresentationstoausuallyfriendlyaudience.Theseexperiencesgoinyourapplication, too. An example of a table presentation submitted as part of anapplicationtograduateschoolbeginsonthispage.Stress your memberships in academic societies, but don’t oversell social

sororitiesandfraternities.Ifyouareanofficeroracommitteechair,thenstressthese leadership roles. (Ifyouarechairof thesocialcommitteeofa fraternity,don’tevenmentionit.That’stantamounttobraggingthatyouareanexpert—andanevangelisttoothers—inthefineartofdrinkingbeer.)Many students start their own activities, demonstrating initiative as well as

organizationalandinterpersonalskills. It’snever too late tofoundStudentsfortheEliminationofXeronisus.Therearedozensoforganizationswaitingforyourparticipation,sohelpthemoutwhilestrengtheningyourowncandidacy.Althoughtheexampleshownonthispageisextreme,thereareroutinenotices

ontheListservaboutfalsifiedcredentialsandinflatedclaims,suchasthisone:

Alert:Wehave receivedanapplication froma student from________by thenameof________.The certified translation of his transcript does not match the original transcripts provided by________.TheEnglish-speakingreferenceforhisclassrankinghasbeendiscoveredtobehiswife.Theletterofrecommendationfromhisprofessorhasbeenverifiedbythatprofessorasforged.Ifyouneedadditionalinformation,pleasecall________at________.

ThismessagerecentlywentouttoeverygraduateadmissionsprofessionalinNorthAmerica.Don’tbethesubjectofanoticelikethis!

ThethreemostimmediatewaystostandoutIt’s nice to develop yourself as a candidate from the time you are a junior incollege,butsupposeyouareaseniororagraduate,andyou’vegottoapplynow.Whatarethebestwaystostandoutintheapplicationprocess?

•Writetotheprofessors.

•Visitthegraduateprogram.

•Submitanoutstandingworksample.

You can write to the professors and currently enrolled students using thetechniquesrecommendedonthispage.Thisapproachisrecommendedmoreforacademic and research programs than for business, law, or medical schools,althoughwith tact you should feel comfortable using it anywhere.Remember,the first goal is to establish whether this program is a good match for yourinterests, levelofacademicpreparation,andworkethic. It isonlya secondarybenefit that this makes you stand out from the overwhelming majority ofapplicantswhowillnothaveestablisheddirectbondswiththeprogram.(Averyfew schools actually request that you name a faculty sponsor as part of yourapplicationprocess.)You should visit your top-choice schools if you can. Although compulsory

interviews have all but disappeared, almost all schools welcome visits fromprospectivestudents.Apersonal interviewmakesadeepimpressiononfacultyand admissions counselors, much deeper than an essay and a file full ofelectronicdata.However,apersonalvisitisariskyendeavor,asyoumayrevealmore about yourself than you intend.A successful visit requires planning anddueconsiderationofprotocol.First of all, it helps to look the part—that is, to look like somebody who

belongs at the graduate school you’re visiting. In some departments, studentsandprofessorswillbewearingshortsandBirkenstocks,whileatothers,they’lllook like theyunderstand thephrase “sophisticated casual.” (Onegrad studenttoldmeheworeaHawaiianshirttoeveryinterview,tostandoutininterviewers’mindsandtoletthemknowhehadasenseofhumor.Itmusthaveworked;hegotaverygoodassignmentinaworld-classlab.)Myrecommendationistolookclean,healthy,sane,andcomfortable,withoutpretendingtobesomeoneyou’renot. Jewelry should be kept to aminimum; avoid scents entirely; new clotheslook better than old clothes. Try not to look fabulously wealthy or magazineglamorous.

Never,never,neverjust“showup”oncampusandexpecttobeshownaround.Call the departmental office or the admissions officewell in advance of yourvisit,tellthemyouareveryinterestedintheirprogramandthatyouwouldliketovisit,andrespectfullyaskifsomeonecouldmeetwithyouwhileyouareoncampus.Alwaysbroadenyourobjectivesbeyondthemainoffice.Forexample,makeyourappealtoaspecificprofessor,orasktomeetwithacurrentlyenrolledgraduate studentwhosework you’ve admired, or inquire about a tour of theirfamous electron microscopy laboratory, or some other special feature of thecampus or program. In general, expect to book your own appointments withprofessors.RememberAsher’sLaw:Thoushaltnotcall,norwrite,norvisitanyprofessorwithouthavingreadsomeofhisorherworksfirst.Afewdaysbeforeyourvisit,calloremailtoconfirmeveryappointment.This

little act of courtesy is one of themost overlooked, andmost appreciated, ofpolitegestures.Itdemonstratesconsiderationandmaturity,andalsohelpsensurethatyoudonotwaitoutsidesomebody’sofficeforhourstonoavail.Before you visit, you should prepare yourself to be articulate about your

choiceofgraduate studies and aboutyour interest in theparticular schoolyouare visiting. You should also be ready to ask intelligent questions about theirprogram,facilities,faculty,research,andsoon.(Seethequestionshereandon

thispage.) Ifyoucannotdo this,youshouldforgo thevisitentirely. Ifyouactlikeyouareinterestedinagoodfitbetweenyourneedsandinterestsandwhattheprogramoffers,youwillmakeamorefavorableimpressionthanifyouseemlike a supplicant begging for any spot on next year’s roster. Some applicantseven ask admissions counselors or currently enrolled students to rank anddiscusstheotherprogramstheapplicantisconsidering,butIamnotconvincedthat this is such a great idea. No one is going to enjoy saying, “Yes, theirprogramisbetterthanours.”Thesearethetypesofquestionsyoucanexpect:

•So,haveyoureadanygoodbookslately?

•Whichtheoristsorthoughtleadersdoyouadmireinourfield?

•Whatcanyoutellmethat’snotinyourformalapplicationmaterials?

•So,whydoyouwanttobea____________?

•Whatdoyouknowaboutourresearchtopicandmethodologies?

•Canyoutellmeaboutyourundergraduateadvisor?

•Whatdoyoudowithyourleisuretime?

•Couldyoudescribehowyoustudy?Whatisyourroutine?

•Couldyou tellmeabout amajor failure inyour life andhowyoudealtwithit?

•What are your career plans and how does our particular program fit inwiththem?

•Whatotherprogramsareyouapplyingtonow?

•Whatwillyoudoifyoudon’tgetin?

•Whyshouldweadmityouoverthemanyotherfineandhighlyqualifiedcandidateswehavethisyear?

•Whatmakesyoudifferent?

Thebestadviceistobewellprepared,andthenjustbeyourself.Rememberyourinterviewer’sname, situp straightand lean slightly forward inyourchair, andpayattention.Donotbeafraidtosaythosethreemagicwords,“Idon’tknow.”

Ideally, you should show up a day or at least several hours early andwalkthrough the campus to find the office and get a feel for the atmosphere. (Ofcourseyouwillresistthetemptationto“justpopinforamoment”priortoyourscheduled appointment.) Show up for all scheduled meetings exactly fiveminutesearly.Alwayshaveapenandtabletwithyouincaseyouneedtotakenotes,butdon’tletyournote-takinginterferewithnaturalconversation.Ifyouarealittledifferent,inanyway,interviewingcangiveyoutheedgeyou

need. Iknowofanoutstandingcandidatewhocamefromasmallcollege inaruralarea.Heappliedtotopprogramsalloverthecountry.Hetooknoteofthefact that he was admitted at every program he visited and rejected by everyprogramwherehedidnot. Iknowofanothercandidatewhowantedacovetedslotinamuseumstudiesprogram,buthadaspottybackground.Shecalledthedepartmental office but was told that she did not “meet the profile” of asuccessful candidate. She was interested in a particular curator who was aprofessorintheprogramandcalledhimathismuseum.Heagreedtomeetwithher“briefly”asacourtesy,sosheburiedherselfinthelibrarytoreaduponhisspecialty before the visit. They had a three-hour meeting, leading to an offerfromhimtoserveashermentor.“Imaynotbeabletogetin,”shesaid.“Oh,Ican get you in,” he said, and he certainly did. If you admire a particularprofessor,gomeetwithher.

—QUESTIONSTOASKANYGRADUATEPROGRAM—

1.Whatdoyouteachhere?Whataretheprogram’sstrengths?

2.Whatisthelargestandthemosttypicalclasssizeforagraduateclass?Areclassesrestrictedtograduatestudents?Tomajors?

3. Whatwould be the advantages and disadvantages to going to grad school immediately aftercompletinganundergraduatedegree?Theadvantagesanddisadvantagesofwaitingafewyears?Thebestuseoftheinterimtime?

4.WhatarethecriteriaandprocessforselectingTAs,RAs,andfellows?

5. Will Iget todevelopmyown topics,orwill Ibeexpected toworkonaprofessor’songoingresearch?

6.Whatfacilitiesareavailableforgraduatestudents?Arethereanyrestrictionsonaccess?

7.Whatisthemeantimetocomplete(a)classwork,(b)research,(c)thesisordissertation?(Thatis,what is themean time to complete themaster’s orPhD?)Ask about the programas awhole, butperhapsmoreimportantly,byprofessor.

8.Whatisyourattritionrate?Ofthosewhodon’tfinish,whataretheirreasons?

9.Whatkindofstudentthrivesinyourprogram?

10.Howreliableisyourfinancialsupportyeartoyear?Isthefirst-yearofferalwayssustained,givenattainmentofacademicgoals?

11. What are the age range, gender balance, ratio ofmarried/single, and geographical origins ofgraduatestudentsintheprogram?

12.Canyoutellmewhoislaunchingnewprojects?Whichprofessorshavewonawardsandgrantslately?(Thesepresumablyneedgraduateassistants.)

13. Can you tellme about your placement rates and types of jobs obtained by recent graduates?(Avoidrelyingontestimonialsandanecdotalevidence.)

14.MayImeetsomecurrentlyenrolledstudents?(Inperson,orlaterviaphoneoremail,besuretoaskabouttheirresearchtopicsandbesuretotakenotesonspecificprofessorsmentioned.)

15.HowcanIbeastrongcandidateforaprogramlikethis?

Anotherwaytostandoutattheapplicationphaseistosubmitaworksample.Someprogramsaskforthem,butmostdon’t.Therearetworulesforsubmittingaworksample:

1.Itshouldbeverydirectlyrelatedtothegraduatetopic.

2.Itmustbevery,verygood.

The bestwork sample to submit is a graded thesis, paper, or lab on the samesubject you want to work on in graduate school, on which a professor haswritten,“A+.Julie,you’reagenius.IneverfullyrealizedituntilIreadthis.Ifyou don’t become a research scientist, it will be a loss for all humankind.”Obviously,submittingyouraward-winningpoetrywouldbethekissofdeathinapplyingtoaLitCritprogram,butsomeacademicfauxpasaresosubtlethatanundergraduatemaymiss them. In general, avoid submitting anywork samplewithoutrunningitpastafacultyadvisor.Some students take the time to further improve a class project before

submittingitaspartoftheirgraduateapplication.Askanadvisor,“Isthispapergood enough to submit as a work sample, or can you make some specificrecommendations for improvement?” It’s certainly within the bounds ofpropriety to submit published articles that relate directly to the program ofinterest.Again,letqualitytakeprecedenceoverquantity.Admissionscounselorshave

onlysomuch time todevote toeachapplication,soasmartapplicantwill, forinstance,sendinherbestarticleandlisttheothersonabibliography.IknowofoneapplicantforatheaterMFAprogramwhoenclosedacopyofaplayhehadwritten. The head of the department picked up the play for a quick look andendedupreadingitstraightthroughinonesitting.Hewassoexcitedaboutthisapplicantthathecalledthecandidateandbasicallyadmittedhimoverthephone.Nowthat’sagoodworksample.In this same vein, an applicant to architectural school might submit a

rendering,applicantstofilmschoolmightsubmitashort,andsoon.Allstudentsshouldconsidersubmittingsomesortofprojectssummaryorresearchsummary,such as the one described on this page, Sample Undergraduate ResearchProjects.Notealsothetabletopicworksamplebeginningonthispage.Also, do not substitute any unusual item for something officially requested.

Follow thedirections. If theadmissionspacketcalls fora2½-inchby2½-inchcolorphoto, thenprovideone; a self-portrait inpastelswouldbe an egregiouserror.Someadmissionspeopleareamusedbysuchshenanigans,butfarmoreareannoyedbythem.

WarningIf you choose to submit a videoor film, it hadbetter beverygood right away.Anyvisualmediashouldbesubmitted inuniversalandaccessible formats:standardDVDorembeddedonlinevideo(posted toYouTubeoryourownwebsite—checkwith schools for acceptable formats) formovingpicturesorphotographs.(Someartandarchitectureprogramsrequiresubmissionofaportfolio;readtheapplicationcarefullyandsubmityourworkintheformatspecified.)

4

WhatHappenstoYourApplication

Onlineapplicationsystemshave vastly improved lately.Onmostof thesesystems, you start by opening an account, for free. All you need is an emailaddress. Then you have as much time as you want to draft and redraft youressays,uploadinformationontotheforms,andperusetheworkingsofthesite.Once you hit “submit” however, you can’t change another thing. It’s game

over,andthewaitingbegins.Beforeweget towhathappenson theother sideof thisprocess, let’s really

understand what you are supposed to be submitting, and how. First of all,whenever you are offered the option of submitting any item online versussubmittingitviasnailmail,myrecommendationistooptfortheonlineroute.Essaysaresubmittedonlineeitherasanattachmentorbyfillinginawindow,

andsomeprogramsalloweithermethod.Formsarefilledinonline,fromnametoactivitiesandhonorsandawards.ResumesandCVsandwritingsamplescanbesubmittedeitherasanattachmentorbycopyingthemintoawindow.Besuretofollowtheinstructionsforeachprogram,asthereissofarnostandardizationoftheseprocesses.Letters of recommendation are submitted online, which has had the ironic

consequence of increasing the workload for letter writers. Once upon a timefacultycouldjustscribble“seeattachedletterofrecommendation”onforms,andusea“Towhomitmayconcern”salutationandBam!alittleworkatthecopier,an original signature on each, and the process was done. The online systemsactually create more work per letter on the part of faculty, and a higherexpectationofcustomization.Theonlypartoftheprocessthatissofarresistanttoelectronicsubmissionis

transcripts.There is nonational norm for transcript design, layout, or content.There is not even an agreement regarding the size or color of paper that atranscriptwillbeprintedon.Sotranscriptsarethelastpaperlinkinthisprocess.I am sure thatAmericanAssociation ofCollegiateRegistrars andAdmissionsOfficerswillsoonresolvethisissue,althoughstudentswitholdtranscriptsmay

havetroubleformanyyearstocome.Online applications are a boon because they reduce snail mail, with all its

famouslyfrustratingdeliveryfailures,andbecausetheycreateonlinecheck-offsystems thataremuchmore reliableandresistant tohumanerror.Also,onlinesystemsreducephonecallsaboutmissingmaterial,whichwas(andis)themosthatedcommunicationinanyadmissionsoffice.Finally,theyvirtuallyeliminatedataentry,whichexponentiallyincreaseserrorintoanysystem.Here are some things to watch out for: If you are submitting an essay by

filling inawindow,myadvice is todraft it inanotherprogramand thencopyand paste only your final draft onto the forms.Although it is unlikely that anadmissionspersonwouldhave the timeor inclination toobserveyourdrafts, Ihavediscoveredthatinmostoftheseprograms,theyeasilycaniftheydecidetodoso.Thinkaboutthat.Second,someoftheseprogramshavecharacter-orword-countfeatures.Ifyou

writeoverlong,thebottompartofyouressaymaysimplydisappear.Verifythattheentireessayisreadableinthesubmissionwindow.Also, not all of these programs are fully compatible with even the most

common word processing programs. So watch for apostrophes, quote marks,dashes,orscientificnotationsthatbecomesomethingverydifferentwhenpastedinto application windows. If you cannot get the appearance you want, inparticularwithscientificortechnicalmaterials,youmayhavetosenditinasanattachment—orevensendinapaperessay—withanexplanationoftheproblem.Whatifyouwanttosubmitwritingsamplesorresearchpapersorevencopies

ofpublications?Thisgetsreallysticky.Ifthereareinstructionsonhowtosubmitthismaterial,thenfollowthem,butoftenthereissimplynoclearwaytosubmitextramaterial, requestedornot.Asmentionedelsewhere,yourawesomeworksample can be a clincher for admission, so this really matters. You can scananythingthat’snottoohuge,andsenditinasanattachment.Iamabigfanofsendingit inbothelectronicandpaperformats.Thisincreasesthechancesthatsomeone will actually see this material. And if you have identified orcorrespondedwithaparticularprofessor,youcansendhimacopyaswell.Finally, if you really cannot identify another submissionmethod, send it to

anyone identifiedas the“admissionscoordinator”andaskher toput it inyourfile.Do not assume that the admissions coordinatorwill actually log this intoyourapplicationfile,however.Incidentally,ifyouareseekingawaiverofanapplicationfee,youwillneedto

know how thatworks online,which varies from school to school, and almostalways adds some layers of communication and delays in time. Some offer acodetouseinplaceofacreditcard,andothershaveobtuseinstructionsthatmay

ormaynotwork.Whenindoubt,callthemandask.

WarningJust because a school says your materials are complete doesn’t mean that they really are. Iinterviewedastudentwhowastoldbytwodifferentschoolsthathermaterialswerecomplete,butaprofessorhadfailedtosubmitaletterofrecommendation.Inbothcases,shewasdeniedadmission.

Thenwhathappens?Onceyousubmityourapplication,whathappenstoit?Maybenothingatall.Ifyour application is not complete, most programs will not distribute it toreviewers.Ifyouaremissingaletterofrecommendationoratranscript,oryouleft a required field blank or, heaven forbid, your credit cardwas denied, youwill fall into limbo. It iscritical thatyoucheck theonlinecheck-off system tosee if all your expected materials have been received and logged. Manyprogramswillnotifyyouviaemail,onceyourfileiscomplete.Most programs are going totally paperless on the admissions side. Any

physical items you send them (such as transcripts) will be scanned. A feworganizations still print out everything you submit and create paper applicantfiles,justlikeintheolddays.However,thetrendistowardgoingtotallyvirtual.Paperless is definitely superior, because reviewers can access your documentsfromanywhere,anytime.Thiscreatesbothaproblemandanopportunity:Ifyoudosubmitadditionalmaterialsofanykind,suchasapaper,anarticle,alabwriteup,oraresearchproject,theymaybeinvisibletoremoteviewers.Theymaynotrealizetheseitemsareinyourfile.My recommendation is to submit anything unusual in both formats,

electronicallyandonpaperviasnailmail,andtosendpaperversionsdirectlytoanyoneyouthinkmaybeservingontheadmissionscommittee,orinterestedinthedecisionwhethertoadmityou.Youcanattachanote,“Ididnotseeafailsafemethodforsubmittingthisonline,andIwantedyoutohaveitifitmightbeofinteresttoyouinreviewingmycandidacy.”Somethinglikethat.

WherethedecisionismadeAgraduate programmay expect you tomeet several different sets of criteria.

The regents of a major university may set general guidelines for graduateadmissions. The specific graduate school—as a hypothetical example, theGraduateSchooloftheCollegeofArtsandSciences—maydevelopanothersetofcriteria.Finally,adepartmentmaysetitsownstandards.Whenyouapply,youarereallyapplyingtodifferentconstituencies,atleasttothegraduateschoolandthedepartment.Thesearedistinctlyseparateentities.There are two models for making admissions decisions: a strong graduate

school with a weak department, or a weak graduate school with a strongdepartment.Under theweakgraduateschoolmodel, thegraduateschoolofficeservesmoreasanadministrativeoffice:processingapplicationfiles,makingsureeverything is inorder,and forwardingapplicant folios to thedepartments.Thedepartmentsareincharge;thedecisionismadeinthedepartments.Harvardisaclassicinstitutionwithstrongdepartments.Under theothermodel, thegraduateschool isstrong,andmaysetstandards

that are higher than, or just different from,what somedepartmentsmaywant.Whenconflictarises,thegraduateschoolhasthefinalsay.Dukeis,moreorless,anexampleofaninstitutionwithastronggraduateschool.In professional schools such as those for business, law, and medicine, the

authority isusuallyheldentirelyby theadmissions staff,whichalmost alwaysincludes a good percentage of faculty. Faculty, and even currently enrolledstudents,willrotatethroughadmissionsassignmentslastingaseasonortwo.Tofurthercomplicatethematter,mostprogramsreserveasmallpercentageof

theiradmissionsforpeoplewithspecialcircumstances,whomeetsomebutnotalloftheiradmissionsrequirements.Ifyouaretryingtoimaginewhat’sgoingonwithyourapplication,keepthese

structuresinmind.

WarningAvoidsendinganythinggratuitousorweird.ManyyearsagoanapplicantgaveashipinabottletotheStanfordGraduateSchoolofBusiness.Itwasaverygoodship,butitwasnotdirectlyrelatedtograduate business education. More recently a student applying to law school included with herapplicationasix-foot-longcookiethatshehadbakedinapizzaoven.Hernotesaid,“Pleasetakeabreak to enjoy this cookie when you reviewmy application.” Another student used his AMCASessaytowritesomekindofcountry-and-westernsongabouthisdesiretobeadoctor.Alawschoolonce received an extra letter of recommendation for one applicant: a crayon drawing from theapplicant’sbabysister,stating“Pleaseadmitmybigsister.”Alloftheseapplicantswererejected.

AdmitdancesandwaitlistsWhenallyourmaterialsareready,hitthesubmitbuttonandmailinanypaper-basedmaterialsviaregisteredmail,returnreceiptrequested,orbycourier,suchas FedEx, UPS, or DHL. This way you know for sure when those materialsarrive. If it is anywhere near the deadline, even remotely near it, use anovernight courier.You should not trust any time-sensitive or vitally importantdocuments toregularfirst-classmail.Onceyourapplicationisofficialandyouhave paid your application fee, your letter of recommendation writers will(usually)receiveaverificationletteralertingthemtotheprocessandthecodesfor loggingontothewebsiteanduploadingtheir letter.Youwillneedtoverifywitheachrecommenderthatthishappens,however.Remember also that any paper materials that arrive before you pay your

applicationfeeandhitthatsubmitbuttonmaybemisplacedorlost,andtherearetimes this is unavoidable. If you are applying near the deadline, you cannotaffordanydelays,soyoumayoptforlettingeverythinghappenatonce.Schoolsdo make an effort to match up materials with applicants but, in general,everythingworksbetterifyouhit“submit”beforematerialsstartarrivingtobeloggedintoyourapplicationportfolio.Mostprogramsnowhavesometypeofonlinecheck-offsystem,allowingyou

tomonitorwheneachrequested itemgoes intoyourportfolio.Youcanseeforyourselfwhathasarrivedandwhatisstillmissing.Someprogramswillsendyouan email or a postcard alerting you to missing materials, or confirming yourcomplete application. If you do not receive confirmation, you must call theprogramandverifywhetheryourapplicationiscomplete.Remember,themailroommaybeallthewayontheothersideofcampus,and

theon-campusmaildeliverypersonmaybeaclosetmarijuanasmoker.Youneedtoverifywiththeofficeitself.Beverynicetothepersonwhoanswersthephone.Gettoknowthisperson,as

youmaybe calling her again. Say, “May I have your name, please?”Write itdownonyouractivitylogforthatprogram.Whileyouhavethispersonontheline, ask when you should expect to hear about the admission decision. Bepreparedtobeinterruptedandtobeputonholdforlongstretchesoftime.(Seethestoryonthispageofastudentwhowasadmittedwhilehewaitedpatientlyon hold.) Be considerate, be compassionate, and be sure not to alienate thiscommunicationsresource.Manyapplicantsunderestimatethepowerwieldedbyacademicreceptionistsandofficemanagers.Theyareusuallyhighlyintelligentindividualswho couldmake a lotmoremoneyworking somewhere else.Youmay never actually succeed in speaking with the department head or the

admissionsdirector,but thesepeopledoeveryday.Theycanbeyouralliesoryour enemies in the admissions process; the choice is yours. (Incidentally, insmallerprogramsadepartmentaladministratoroftendoestheinitialscreeningofgraduateapplications.)Largerprogramshateitwhenstudentscallrepeatedlywithoutwaitingforthe

process to work itself out. Call only when something seems amiss. Smallerprogramsaregenerallymorereceptivetocalls,butanytimeyoubecomeapestitwill sinkyour candidacy.Someprogramswith rolling admissionwill notifyyouwithinafewweeks.Someprogramsannouncealladmissionsandrejectionsfortheyearonasingleday,leavingyoutobiteyournailsandwaitalongwitheverybody else. Most try to complete the process well before the officialdecisiondateofApril15.

•••

According to a resolution of the Council of Graduate Schools, some fourhundredgraduateschoolshaveagreednot tomakeyoudeclareyour intentionsbeforeApril15.Itisimportanttonotethatthesearegraduateschools,andthisruledefinitelydoesnotapplytomedicalschools,andmaynotapplytotheotherprofessional schools, institutes, or special programs. To see the resolution foryourself, go tohttp://www.cgsnet.org/ckfinder/userfiles/files/CGS_Resolution.pdf.Unfortunately,moreandmoreprogramsareignoringthisrule.Admissionsseemto be running earlier every year, and in some cases students are receivingadmission, and pressure to decide, before the deadline to apply has arrived.Science and engineering tend to run early, and social science and humanitiestend to run a bit later. Nevertheless, you should be prepared for a littleadmissionsdance, and that dancehas everything todowithyield and fundingallocations.Yieldisthepercentageofcandidateswhoareofferedadmissionwhoactuallyaccept.Theidealyieldis100percent.Everyprogramwantsmaximumyield:it’smoreefficient,makestheprogramlookmoreexclusive,andallowsformore precise planning of aid allocation. So, youmay have department chairscalling you up and asking questions like this: “We’re intrigued by yourcandidacy. Ifwewere toofferadmission toyou,doyouthinkyou’lldecide toattendourprogram?”Towhichyousay,“I’mintriguedbyyourprogrambut,ofcourse, it would depend on the specific aid package youmight offer, and theones that I anticipate from other programs. I think you have a wonderfulprogram,orIwouldn’thaveapplied,butIdoneedtomakeadecisionbasedonall thedata.Whataidofferdidyouhaveinmind?”Andsoon.(Schoolstryto

getfirst-roundaidoffersformalizedbyApril1,at thelatest,butsomewillrunlate.)Get faculty counsel on how to deal with these queries. These calls are

designedtoidentifytheapplicantsmostlikelytoacceptifadmitted.Youneedtobehonest, butprotectyouroptionsuntil youknowwhatyouroptions actuallyare.Again,itcannotbeoverstressed:Getfacultyadviceonhowtohandlethesecalls.Nonewsisnotnecessarily theworstnews; itmaymeanthatyouhavebeen

“waitlisted.”Thereareatleasttwocommonkindsofwaitlists.First,thereisthe“maybe” list thateveryprogramcollectsat the first sort.Thismaybe list turnsintoaninformalwait list,anditcanlastformonths,as theclearlyoutstandingareadmittedandtheclearlyunpreparedarerejected.ThisinformalwaitlistcanevengowellpastApril15,whichisexactlywhythefriendImentionedearliergot that letter on April 17 that began, “We are happy to extend an offer ofadmissiontoyouforthefallincomingclass.ItisabsolutelyimperativethatyourespondbyApril 15thor your seatwill beoffered to another.”He, obviously,wasoneofthe“anothers.”Ifyouhaveconfirmedthatyouappliedproperly,andyoudon’thearbyApril15,youareinalllikelihoodonthistypeofwaitlist.The other type of wait list is a formal wait list. You will receive a letter

informing you that you are on the wait list—due, no doubt, to the unusuallystrong candidate pool this year, yada, yada, yada. Thesewait lists are bad, asthey sometimes require you to wait around until the first week of classes todiscover your status. Interestingly enough, you will probably have to provideanotherschoolwithconfirmationandadeposit.If you are called up from the wait list, you face a dilemma. You have

confirmedatoneschool,yetanotherisaskingyoutorenege.Relax.Noschoolwantsagraduatestudentwhoisunhappyfromdayone.Thefirstschoolalsohasawaitlist,andthey’llcallsomeoneupfromitifyoudecidetojump.(Althoughtheymaynottellyouthis,andyourdepositisagoner.)Yourbiggerproblemisyouhavetwooffers,possiblyfromschoolswithverydifferentreputations,andusuallythebetterschooliscomingupwiththeworseaidoffer.Ontopofthat,everybody wants you to decide right now. You simply have to weigh youroptionsandmakeyourbestchoice.Callyouradvisor,talktoyourpeers,discussitwithrepresentativesofbothschools,andmakeadecision.Beverydiplomaticandprofessional indecliningoffers.Youmay laterdoa

postdoc,orneedafacultyjob,orbeonaresearchprojectinvolvingpeoplefromtheinstitution.Academiaisasmallworld,withaverylongmemory.If you have any reason to believe that you have been wait-listed, do

something!Send another letter of recommendation, sendyourmidyeargrades,

get a professor to call and rave about your potential, get a familymember tocontactoneofherfriendsat the targetschool.Aboveall, remindthemofyourinterestintheirprogram.OnestudentI interviewedfor thisbookwastoldthathewaswait-listedatatopbusinessschool.Theytoldhimtherewasnothinghecould do about it, and that he should not call, but just wait and see how theyear’s applicant pool shaped up. “When they said not to call, I thought thatmeant‘don’tcallmorethanonceaweek,’”hetoldme.Henotonlycalledfairlyoftentorestatehisinterestintheprogram,healsodraftedthefollowinglettertoupdatetheadmissionscommitteeonhisactivities:

DearLadiesandGentlemenoftheCommittee:IamwritingtosupplementmyapplicationtoStanford’sGraduateSchool

ofBusiness.Currently,Iamonthewaitinglistforentranceforthefallincomingclass.

Because thescopeofmyconsultingdutiesatHalperin-SmytheAssociateshas expanded considerably in recent months, I would like to make theadmissions committee aware of some of my new responsibilities. Also,pleasefindincludedfourrecommendationsfrommysuperiorsatHalperin-Smythe.ThemostimportantnewprojectIworkedonatHalperin-Smythewasan

analysisoftheunrealizedvalueinpatentholdingsoftechnologycompanies(slightly redacted copy attached,with company approval).We found thatmany older technology companieswere undervalued because their patentportfolioswereundervalued.Weidentifiedandmodeledfourcompaniesasparticularly ripe for takeover, based on our analysis. They had stalledproductlinesandlacklusterstockperformance,butrobustanddeeppatentportfolios. As a result of the study, we received an enormous amount ofmediaexposure,includingawriteupasthesubjectofaHeardontheStreetcolumnintheWallStreetJournal,a first forHalperin-SmytheAssociates.Ourfindingshavebeenusedbyarangeofinvestorstoreevaluateequities.Our study has generated substantial interest in business and academiccircles. My supervisor, Richard Vines, and I designed the study. I thenperformed the analysis, produced the study’s tables, graphs, andconclusions,andwrotetheMethodologyandExamplesectionsofthestudy.Thisaccountofmyactivitiesoverthepastfewmonthssupplementsthe

description,whichyoualreadyhave,ofmydutiesatHalperin-Smythe(seeoriginal application). If you want further elaboration of any item, pleasewriteorcall.Thankyouforyourinterest.

Note how specific this candidate’s update is. He is giving specific newevidence to influence the admissiondecision in his favor.Needless to say, hisextra effort was rewarded by admission. If you are wait-listed, think of yourapplication as suspended on evenly balanced scales, equally weighted on the“admit”and“reject”sides.Throwsomething,anything,ontotheadmitside.

•••

If,afterallofthis,youactuallydonotgetin,donotdespair.Almosteveryoneof the successful students I interviewed for this book had been rejected fromotherprograms,andmanyhadbeenrejectedbyalltheschoolstheyappliedtoinanearlieryear.Thefirstthingtodoiscalltheadmissionsrepresentativeaskingwhyyouwererejected,andwhatyoucandotocorrectanydeficienciesinordertosubmitasuccessfulapplicationtothem,orsomeoneelse,inthefuture.Don’tbeangryorupsetoraccusatoryoverthephone;saysomethinglikethis:“Iknowyou probably made the right decision, and I’m not calling at all to complainaboutthatdecision.Iamjustverycommittedtomygoals,andIwonderifyouwouldtakeamomentandtellmehowtoimprovemychancesinafutureyear,eitherwith your school or another.Can you helpme seewhich deficiencies Ishouldconcentrateon?”Youmayhavetocallafewtimes,butaskingpolitelyinthismannerwillalmostalwaysgetahelpfulresponse.

It is officialNAGAPpolicynot to hide thedecision rationale from rejectedcandidates,andtheCGSalsoendorsesthisapproach.Ifyouhaveto,quotethis:“Whenastudentisdeniedadmission,itisimportantthatthespecificreasonsarestatedinthestudent’sfile.Astudentwhorequeststheinformationshouldalsobeinformed of the reasons for the rejection” (An Essential Guide to GraduateAdmissions, Council of Graduate Schools, p. 34). You do, however, need toknowthatsometimestheanswerreallyis,“Wehadsomanyapplicantsthatwe

aresometimesforcedtoacceptsomeandrejectothersthatareoverwhelminglysimilarinpreparationandacademicperformancetodate.”C’estlavie.If you are still committed to your educational goals, then pursue them.

Perhaps you did not apply early enough or to enough schools, and simplyreapplying in a timely manner to a larger number of programs will result insuccess.Perhapsyouneed to apply to a lower rungof schools. If youappliedonlytotopschools,youmayverywellhavepassedonanopportunitytostudyataperfectlygoodschoolwithoutsuchcompetitiveadmissions.Takinganinterimdegree was the source of success for many of the students I interviewed; forexample, if they wanted a PhD in clinical psychology and were rejected fordoctoralprogramsontheirfirstroundofapplications,theywouldgetamaster’sdegreeinpsychologyandapplyagain.Otherstudentsfoundsuccessbytakingafew additional prerequisites and related classes and concentrating on gettingoutstandinggrades.Youcansignupforclassesasanonmatriculatedstudentatmostuniversities,onaclass-by-classbasis,with instructorapproval. I actuallyknowofonePhDwho,byusingthismethod,neverhadtotaketheGRE;shehadtaken several graduate courses—always earning anA—and justwrote a lettersayingshe’dliketoconverttofull-timeattendance.Itwasapproved.Stillotherstudentsgainedworkplaceexperiencerelatedtotheirfuturecareer.

Workplace experience can prove especially valuable for applicants to law andmedicalschools.(Manyapplicantsaredrawntotheseprofessionswithoutaclueas to the real challenges practitioners face on a daily basis, and admissionscommittees are more comfortable with applicants who know what they aregetting into.) One student I spoke with discovered that one of his letters ofrecommendationwaslessthanlaudatory;whenhereplacedit,hefoundsuccesson his next round of applications. Finally, I spoke with a few students whothought they were considered “too young.” They did nothing whatsoever toimprove their preparedness for graduate studies except to live for a fewmoreyears before applying again; nevertheless, they were successful in these laterapplications.Iknowofonestudentwhowasrejectedbyalltheschoolsheappliedtoonhis

firstroundofapplications.Thenheboughtthisbook.UsingthetechniquesI’vesharedwithyou,hewasadmittedtotenoutoffourteenprogramsandwasfullyfunded topursue thePhD.Hecouldhavegivenup,decided thathisacademiccredentialswerenotasworthyashethought,andbecomeawageslavefortherestofhislife,buthedidnot.Heknewwhathewantedandhetriedagain.Therearetoomanyvariablesinthegraduateadmissionsprocesstowarrantgivinguponyourgoals ifyouarenotsuccessful inyour first roundofapplications.Tryagain,startearlier,andapplytomoreschools.

—WHATTODOIFYOUDON’TGETIN—

1.Applytomoreschools.

2.Applytomoresafeschools.

3.Applyearlier.

4.Getanintermediatedegree.

5.Takeoneclassatatimeasanonmatriculatedstudent.

6.Gotosummerschoolatoneofyourtargetedschools.

7.Getaninternshipinthetargetedfield.

8.Geta“realjob”inthetargetedfield.

9.Visitinpersonandwowthem.

10.Getolderandtryagain.

5

GettingReadytoWrite

Thischapter isa seriesofexercises designed to prepare you towrite thefirst draft of your graduate admissions essay. Do not worry if much of theinformation generated by these exercises seems, at first, tangential to youreducationalgoalsorunlikewhatyouhadplannedtoincludeinyourapplication.Thegoalistobuildapoolofpossibletopicsandpoints,mostofwhichwillnotbe included inyouressay.Youcandrawboth inspirationanddetails from thispoolofdata,and itwillmakeyour firstdraft flowmoreeasilywhenyoustartwriting.Noonestudentisexpectedtowritedetailedanswersforeverysingleexercise

inthischapter,butyouareexpectedtoanswereverysinglequestion,atleastinyourmind.Readandthinkandwriteasmanynotesasyoucan.Youmayevenfind yourself in the library or going through old labs and papers to findinspiration,butkeepmovingalongso thatyoufinish thissectionandgoon toyourfirstdraftinatimelymanner.

•••

One of the complaintsmost admissions readersmake is that “somany of theessays seem almost the same.” Take a moment and imagine that admissionsreader sittingdownwith twentyor thirtyor ahundredessays fromapplicants.Canyouseehereyesbeginningtoglazeoverafterseveralessaysthatallseemvaguelysimilar?Canyouimagineherreliefwhenshereadsafirstlinelikethis?

Iwas taking out the garbage onemorning on the Serengeti Plainwhen I realizedwhat had beenbotheringme…

Whatmakesyouunique?Different?Unusual? I once interviewedamedicalschooladmissionscommitteewholetawomanintotheirschoolbecauseshehadbeen inaplanewreck. Is that aqualification formedical school?Perhapsnot,but it is a qualification for getting noticed if you are otherwise qualified for

medicalschool.Sometimes the thing that makes a person really different is a personal or

familymatter:

Attheageofforty-eight,I leftmytwoadultchildren,myhusband,andthedishesinthesink,andmoved into a college dorm to become a freshman. And because I was a first-generation collegestudent,Ihadnoonetotellmethatacollegedormisnottheserene,academicrefugeIhadalwaysimagined!

With this opening, she immediately sets herself apart from the bulk ofapplicants. Many students turn something unusual about themselves into aninteresting way to launch their essays. However, note the tones of suchintroductions—thereshouldbenothingfrivolousaboutthesewriters.Theyareasseriousas canbe, justdifferent.Theywillnot seem“just the same”as all theotherapplicants.Take amoment right now, pull out a fresh notebook or piece of paper, and

write down the most unusual things about you as a person—not you as anapplicantoryouasastudent,butyouasauniqueandunusualperson.Consideryour whole life, andmaybe even your ancestors’ lives. Remember to includepersonalmaterial,evenifyouknowyouwouldneverincludeitinyouressay.Somestudentsattemptingthisexercisehavesaidthatthereisnothingunusual

about them.Oneeven toldme, “I’mas typical as theycome. I’mawhitegirlfrom the ’burbs. I know about minivans, big dogs, soccer, and going to themall.” “Try really hard,” I said, “It doesn’t have to be something unique, justsomething that you’ve experienced or done or are that will not seem thatcommon to the people who will read your essay.” The workshop was inCalifornia.Shecamerunninguptomelater:“I’vegotmyfirstline!Hereitis:‘Whentheearthquakestruck,Iwastheonlyoneinchargeofmydorm.Igotalltwenty-twoofmydormiesoutalive…’”Whydidn’tshethinkofthisrightaway?Becauseallofherfriendshadgone

throughthesameearthquake.Itwasn’teventhatbiganearthquake.Earthquakesare common inCalifornia, but on theEastCoast they’re pretty exotic.What’scommoninyourtownthatmightbeinterestingsomewhereelse?I’vereadgreatessaysthatmentionedpeachfarminginsouthernMissouri,goingtotherodeoincentralWashington,andbeingmeticulouslyhonestinNewYorkCity.Trytolista few things that are unusual about you, your family, your upbringing, yourtravels,yourcollege,andyourpartofthecountry.Youdon’thavetouseanyofthis,butwouldn’titbeaninterestingchallengetolistouttenthingsrightnow?

•••

Asyoubegin theprocessofapplying tograduate schools, it is agood time torememberwhoandwhatyourintellectualinfluenceshavebeen.Thenextsetofexercises will assist you in tracing these influences. Answer each of thefollowingquestionswithatleastafullsentencebutlessthanhalfapage:

•Whatwritersandwhichparticulararticlesinyourfieldofstudyhavehadthegreatestinfluenceonthedevelopmentofyourthought?

•Whowere your favorite professors in college, andwhy?Howhas eachinfluencedyou?

•What is thebestpaperorexamyoueverwrote inyourmajor,andwhatmakesitgood?

•Whatdoyouconsiderthemostimportantbook,play,article,orfilmyouhaveeverread/seen,andhowhasitinfluencedyou?

•Whatisthesinglemostimportantconceptyouhavelearnedincollege?

Ifyoucanthinkofothereducationalmilestonesorguideposts,writeabouttheminthesamefashion—atleastasentence,butnomorethanhalfapage.Yourgoalistogenerateideas,someofwhichmaybeexpandeduponlater.

•••

Whataresomeoftheencouragingwordsothershavesaidtooraboutyouoverthe years?Did a particular teacher or professor encourage you to pursue yourstudies, gobeyondyour abilities, or pursue a goal or dream?Write theactualwordsoftheprofessororteacher,andgivethetimeandplaceyouheardthem.Forexample:

“Julie,you’regoodatmath.Whydon’tyouconsidertutoringforthedepartment?”—Dr.Lee,sophomoreyear,infrontofthemathbuilding

“Paul,you’rereallyontosomethinghere.Doyourealizethatifthisworks,intergalactictravelwillbepossibleonahumantimescale?!”

—Prof.Wilson,inthetheoreticalphysicslaboratory,lastyear

•••

Wherewereyouandwhatwereyoudoingwhenyou first thoughtofpursuingthis particular direction of graduate study? One student told me that she was

talkingwithherprofessorinanEnglishclass,andshesuddenlyrealizedthatthewholeclasshadbecomeadialoguebetweenherandtheprof.Theotherstudentswerejuststaringather,open-mouthed,as theyscribbledfuriouslytogetdownwhatshewassaying.Inthatmoment,shedecidedtobecomeacollegeprofessor.Ionceinterviewedastudentwhotoldalongstorythatstartedoutlikethis:

Therearealotofdoctorsinmyfamily,andIcouldneverdecidewhethertobeadoctororgointozoology.IgotthischancetobeavolunteerforanethologystudyinthehighlandforestsofTanzania,studying thebehaviorofanewlydiscoveredprimatespecies, thehighlandmangabey (Lophocebuskipunji).Ispentsixweeksstaringupintothecanopyandmakingmarksonthiswaterproofclipboardwithagreasepencil.ThenIgotaweekendpass,andwenttotown.Istillcouldn’tdecide—medicalschoolorzoology.Ithoughtaboutiteveryday.IntownIsawthissignonaconcretebuilding,HOSPITAL.Nodoors,nowindows,tinroof.Typical.ThesunisreallybrightinAfrica.Icouldn’tseeinsideatall.SoIstuckmyheadinthedoor.Mybodywasoutsideinthesunlight,andjustmyheadwasintheshadows.Iwantedtosee,butIdidn’twanttodisturbanybody.Thereweretworowsofmetalcots,allemptyexceptthelastone.Therewerenomedicines,nosuppliesofanykindinsight,justanunandthisboy,maybenineorten,it’shardtotell,andhewassurroundedbyhisentirefamily,andtheywere justmoaningand rockingbackand forth.That’swhen Idecided Ididn’t careaboutmonkeybehavior.Rightthen,inthatdoorway,Idecidedtobecomeadoctor.

What were you doing when you decided to pursue this particular area ofgraduatestudy?

•••

Now,answer thesequestions tobuildanhistoricaloverviewof theetiologyofyourcareerchoice:

•Howhasyourinterestevolved,andwhatspecificturningpointscanyouidentify?

•Whatworkexperienceshaveledyoutobelieveyouwouldliketopursuegraduateeducation?

•Whatexperiencesasavolunteeror travelerhave influencedyourcareerdirection?

•Whatexperiencesfromyourfamilylifehavecontributedtothischoice?

Throughoutallthis,rememberthatyouarebuildingapoolofinformationfromwhich to draw the first draft of your essay. Can you think of any other lifeexperiencesthatyoumightwanttoinclude?Makeafewnotesonthemandgoontothenextexercise.

•••

Not all applicants to graduate school have a specific career direction inmindwhen they apply. Although it is fine to be open to different possibilities, youmight think twice before pursuing two to six years of specialized educationwithoutanyplantoutilizeitatall.(Incidentally,donottrytobecomeacollegeprofessorjustbecauseyouaresmartandcannotdecidewhatelsetodowithyourlife.)Your next exercise is to define your career goal, as nearly as you can.

Considerwhyyouhave chosen the particular path you are nowpursuing, andmakea listofyour real reasonsfordoingso.Whatattractsyou to thiscareer?Whatdoyouhopetogain?Writetheseitemsdowntheleft-handsideofapieceofpaper.Behonest!Remember,nobodyisgoingtoseethislistbutyou.

•••

When this listofyour truemotivations is complete,use the right-hand sideofyourpapertowritedownotherwaysyoucouldachieveorobtaineachitem.Thisisawayofgettingyoutoconsideryourothercareeroptions,whattheyare,andexactlywhyyoureject them,andperhaps toreconsider ifyoureject them.Forexample, if your goal is to be a college professor of English, you may havewritten, “opportunity to work with language around articulate and talentedpeople”on the left-handsideofyourpaper;on the right-handside,youmightwrite,“onlinecontentproviderorzine,advertisingagency,publishingcompany,magazine, public relations,” as other options that could satisfy that desire. Isyourcareerchoicereallythebestoneforyou?

•••

Next,consideryouracademicbackground:

•Howhaveyoupreparedyourselftosucceedingraduateschool?

•Whatbodyofrelevantknowledgewillyoutakewithyou?

•Whatstudyorlaboratoryskillshaveyouhonedtodate?

•Whatpersonalattributesorphysicalcharacteristicsmakeyouparticularlylikelytosucceedinyournewcareer?

•••

Whatisyourbiggestaccomplishmenttodate?Takealittletimewiththisone,asitmaynot be obvious.While you are thinking about it,make a list of “manythingsIamproudof.”

•••

What research have you completed to date? Make a list of major researchprojects and your role in them. If the research is published, look up the exactcitation.Ifitisnotpublished,deviseaworkingtitlebasedonwhatitwouldhavebeen named had you published it. This is good practice for when you startpublishingarticlesregularly.(Becarefulnottomisrepresentaworkingtitleasapublishedwork.) If you think thework is good enough to be published, get aprofessor to advise you, prepare it in the correct format, and submit it forpublication.Youhavenothingtolose,andthepracticewillbeeducational.Be ready to describe your level of participation in the research. On one

project, you may wish to point out that you “designed experimentalmethodologies, scheduled and conducted experiments, analyzed the data, anddraftedpreliminaryconclusions.”Inanother,youmayhavedoneless,inwhichcase you can still say that you assisted “Dr. B. Schottersly on a study of theeffectsofliposuctiononporcinefatcellpopulations.”Don’toversellsomethingcasual, however. Be ready to describe the hypothesis, methodology, findings,andsoon,oryoushouldnotbetalkingabouttheresearchinyouressay!Itisalsoagoodideatospellouttheramificationsoftheresearch.Toooften,

students list researchwithout indicating that theyhaveany ideaof itspurpose.Link your inquiry into the light sensitivity of a certain barnacle to a possibletreatmentforaclassofallergiesandthereaderwillbemoreimpressed.Finally, list what you really learned from the research. Perhaps you gained

specificknowledgeofaconcept,atechnique,howtoworkwithothers,orevenanemotion.Forinstance,youcouldhavelearnedcompassion,empathy,orevenhumility.

•••

Youhavealreadynotedthemajorwritersandthinkersinyourfieldandhowtheyhave influenced your development. Can you add any professors currentlyassociated with your targeted school? One of the best opening lines is someversionofthis:

InmyfrequentcorrespondencewithDrs.Wilson,Lee,andWu, Ihavecome todiscover thatyourprogramandmyacademicinterestsperfectlyalign.

Anadministratoronceadvisedmethatthebestopeninglineofalltimeisthis:“Myuncle,forwhomyourlibraryisnamed…”Now,that’sanopeningline!The following excerpt is from a successful application for a scholarship

offered by theUrban Land Institute (ULI). The gentleman namedwas, at thetime,ontheULIboardofdirectors:

Ihad thegood fortune tohear JonQ.Reynoldsspeak ina lecture this semester.At theendofhispresentation, a student asked, “Do you see land development as a right or as a privilege?” Mr.Reynoldsrepliedthatitisaresponsibility.Isharethisopinion;becauseofthelongevityoflanduseanddevelopmentdecisions,theymustbeundertakenwithasenseofresponsibilitytothepublicandtothefutureaswellastotheinvestor.Thesedecisionsalso…

Animportantnoteabout this typeofcitation:Youmustbetotallysincereorthereadercansmell it. Ifyoucannotbehonest inyouruseofanother’sname,thendonotmention itatall.Avoid featuring themost reviledprofessor in theprogramorthegreatleaderwholeftlastyear;youneedtoknowpoliticsaswellasnames.Ofcourse,youwillwanttomentionyourmajoradvisorstodate,aswell.Itis

standardacademicprotocolatthegraduateleveltodoso,soshowalittlesavvyandnameyourkeyundergraduateadvisors.Ingraduateschool,youareneveralone wolf; you are part of an academic department or a laboratory, and youoperateunder the supervisionof anadvisoror chief.Furthermore,youusuallygive her full title in any formal communiqué, including any honoraryappointments.Forexample,youdon’twork for theThinFilmLaboratory,youworkfortheThinFilmLaboratoryundertheguidanceofDr.DianaCentornella,LaboratoryChiefandtheHarlanJ.DansworthMaterialsScienceScholar.Another typeof“namedropping” involvesminority-relatedorganizations. If

youareamemberofaminoritygroupandyouwanttomentionitinyouressay,youneednotsayanythingoutright.Somewhereinyouressayyoucanmentionyour participation in the African American Student Conference or yourmembership in theAsian PoliticalCaucus. Such affiliation does not explicitlystate that you are amember of saidminority, but in the unofficial admissionscodeitamountstothesamething.(IfyouareCaucasianandyouhavethedesiretogooutandraisefundsfortheCollegeFundjustsoyoucanmentionitinyouressay,thengoforit;raiseatleastathousanddollars,maybetenthousand.)Namesofmajorthinkersandtheoristsareapowerfuladditiontoanyessay.In

manyoftheessaysamplesinthisbook,youwillseefrequentcitationsofthosewritersandthinkerswhohavemostinfluencedthestudent.Makealistofnamesyoumightwanttoworkintoyouressay,butdonotmake

any firmplansyetas towhomyouwant to include.Your listmay include the

following:

•Influentialundergraduateprofessors

•Specificprofessorsatthetargetedinstitutionwhointerestyou

•Majorwritersandthinkersinthefieldwhohaveinfluencedyou

•Professorswithwhomyouhavevisitedorcorrespondedorspoken

•Anyotherpeopleyoumayhaveincommonwiththetargetedinstitution

•••

—STATEMENTOFPURPOSEPREWRITINGEXERCISE—

Buildatableofundergraduateresearchprojects

Suggestions:

•Listprojectsinorderofinteresttoyourtargetedreader.

•Useworkingtitlestodescribeyourresearchprojects.

•Nameyourprofessor/advisor/supervisor.

EXAMPLE

SampleUndergraduateResearchProjects

•Designed original research into the ultrafiltration of proteins, including developing a theoreticalmodel for design, design and actual prototyping of cross-flow ultrafiltration unit, andexperimentation to determine optimal settings for maximal permeate flux. A BiochemicalEngineeringLaboratoryseniorprojectunderthedirectionofProf.L.Hintzer.

•Designedastreamremediationprojectinvolvingliquid-liquidextractiontoremovem-zylenefromcontaminatedwater;alsousedEPAQUAL2EtomodeltheeffectsofDO,BOD,andNitrogencycle,undertheguidanceofProf.L.Hintzer.

•Conductedresearchintomathematicalmodelsofpotentialuseforcodifyingchaoticsystemssuchaswatersheds,an independentstudyunderNSFgrantsupervisedbyProf.P.Cenczynksy.Abstractanddraftfindingsavailableathttp://www.HarveyMudd.edu/~czynsky/models2.html.

•Designedandconductedoriginalresearchintoquantitativeandqualitativepropertiesofameteoritesampleusingatomicabsorptionspectrophotometry,emissionspectrophotometry, inductioncoupledplasma,andlaserspectrophotometryunderthedirectionofProf.R.Hull-Wallace.Resultspresentedat the Argonne National Laboratory during annual meeting of the International Association ofAmateurAstronomers.

Thisisnotjustforsciencestudents!Here’saliberalartsexample:

•Designedandconductedanin-depthanalysisoftheuseoflightnessanddarknesstoconveymoralauthority in theElizabethanpoetryofHallbeck,Smythe, andColbin, resulting in a28-pagepaperpresentedinsummarytotheAndersonCollegeEnglishDepartmentColloquium.

Can you describe an experience that demonstrates remarkable drive orperseverance?Are you involved in sports?What do you dowith your leisuretime? Do you have any hobbies or pastimes to soften the stress of graduatestudy?Whatcanyoutellsomeonethatwouldleadthemtobelievethey’denjoy

yourcompany?

•••

Students routinely “hide” information that members of the admissionscommitteewouldcertainlyconsiderpertinent.Thisisalmostalwaysamisguidedapproach. For example, one applicant to law school developed anundistinguished essay that failed to mention the fact that her father was asuperiorcourtjudge.Hercounselorstoldhertorewritetheessayandincludeherfather.Shecraftedanincrediblypowerfulnewessaycenteringonhowherfatherusedtodrivehertotearsindinner-tabledebates,andhowshegrewtochallengeherfatherandwin,usinghisownrulesoflogicandargument.Shewrote,“IfeelasthoughIhavetenyearsoflitigationexperiencealready.”Thisnewessaywonheradmissiontoallthetoplawschools.Do not leave out the obvious. One of the authors of your recommendation

letters may mention it anyway. Make a list of all those things you hope theadmissionscommitteedoesn’tfindoutaboutyou.

•••

Whatdoyouknowaboutthecity,geographicregion,orstatewhereyouwillbeapplying?Haveyouevervisited?Didyoulike it?Is theweather there like theweatherwhereyouhavelivedinthepast?Doyouhaveclosefriendsorrelativeslivingneartherenow?Didyourfamilylivethereinpriorgenerations?Howcanyou establish any kind of geographical connection with the location of thegraduate schools you have targeted? Write down your responses to thesequestions.Youdon’tneed togushabouthowmuchyouwould love to live in______,

andyoucertainlydon’twanttosayyouwantlivetherebecauseyou’dliketoskiorhangoutonthebeach.However,failuretomentionthelocaleoftheschool,especially if it is far away, canbeadealkiller.Youhave to show thatyou’vethought about themove, and consideredwhetheryouwill behappy there.Forexample,Iwasinanadmissionsdean’sofficeinNewYorkCity,andhesaid,“Ifcandidatesdon’tmentionNewYorkCity,wedon’tletthemin.”“That’s ridiculous,” I said. “Suppose a 4.0 student applies to your program

anddoesn’tsay‘NewYork.’Youreallywouldn’tlethimin?”“Absolutelynot.I’velearnedovertheyearsthatstudentswhodon’tmention

NewYorkhaven’t fullyconsideredwhat itmeans to livehere.Andwhen theyshowup,theyfindittobeexpensive,dangerous,anddistracting.Theyhaveto

sayatleastthattheyarelookingforwardtolivinghere.”“WhataboutpeoplefromNewJersey?”Iasked.“Ordoesthisonlyapplyto

peoplefromfaraway,likeFloridaorNewMexico?”He looked atme as if Iwere not very smart, then said, “Especially people

fromNewJersey.”

ThreeMaximsofGraduateAdmissions•Fitandmatchtrumpgradesandscores.

•Specificityplusflexibilityleadstoadmission.

•Capacitypluspassionleadstoadmission.

•••

Finally,considerthefutureaswellasthepast.Consideryourimmediatefuture—thatis,thetimebetweenwhenyouapplyandwhengraduateclassesstart:

•Whatclassesareyougoingtotakebetweennowandyourarrivalatyourtargetedgraduateschool?Whatlaboratoryorresearchskillswillyoulearn?

•What research projects will you complete between now and when youbegingraduateschool?Willyoucompleteathesisorcapstoneproject?

•Willyoupresentyourfindingsatanytypeofconferenceormeeting?

•Willyoubegoingtosummerschoolbeforegraduateschoolstarts?Whatclassesmightyoutake?

• If you are working, what will you try to get accomplished before youdepartforgraduateschool?

Studentsoftenfailtocommunicateimportantpartsoftheirpreparationthatfallbetweenapplicationandmatriculationatagraduateprogram.Besure tocoverthis.Also,consideryourlong-termfuture:

•Whatareyourspecificpostgraduatecareerplans?

•Howwillthisgraduateeducationfacilitatethoseplans?

•Whatisyourfive-yeargoal?Yourten-yeargoal?

•Willyoubepursuingadditionaleducationorprofessionaltrainingbeyondtheprogramyouareapplyingtonow?

Envisionasspecificafutureasyoucan,thenwriteafewlinesaboutwhereyouseeyourselfgoing.Ifyoucannotdothisexercisecomfortably,there’snoneedtoforce it. Many, many top students cannot see a specific career future forthemselves.

WarningAgain,theprewritingexercisesinthischapteraredesignedtogeneratelistsandacollectionofroughdraftparagraphs.This isnotan invitation to includeanyof thismaterial inyourapplicationessaywithoutintelligentreflection.Inthecourseofinterviewinganapplicanttotopbusinessprograms,Idiscoveredhewasabellydancer.Infact,heletmeknow,hewasan instructorofbellydancing. Itoldhimtobesurenottomentionthisinhisessay.Anotherstudentconfidedtomethatshewasanexoticdancerandhadpaidherwaythroughcollegewiththisunusualoccupation.Iadvisedherthatthiswasaclassicexampleofsomethingacandidateshouldnotsharewithtoplawschools.There’smoreonthisinchapter7,SubsequentDrafts:FromthePageintotheReader’sBrain.

•••

Asyouhaveprobablyguessedbynow,themiscellaneousnotesyouhavebeencollectingthroughoutthischapterare,infact,thebasisforyouressay.Youmayhavepainlesslydraftedmostofyouressaywithoutrealizingit,andneedonlytostring your notes together, or youmay choose one single note and build yourentireessayaroundit.Or, inafewrarecases,youmayendupthrowingallofthese itemsawayandwritingsomethingentirelynew.Inanycase, ifyouhavebeenthinkingasyoureadthischapter,theself-assessmentprocesshaspreparedyoutowritethefirstdraftofyouressay.

6

YourFirstDraft:FromYourHeartontothePage

The topics for graduate admissions essays are usually specified by theschooltowhichyouareapplying.Thewordingmayvary,butthetopicisusuallysome version of “Where are you coming from? Why are you coming here?Whereareyougoingafterthis?”Althoughmostschoolsaskessentiallythesamequestions,theyeachaskthem

inaslightlydifferentway.Becauseofthis,plantowritetheessayforyourfirst-choiceschoolfirst,thenmodifyitasneededforyourothertargetedschools.Asageneralrule,donotsubmityourfirst-choiceschool’sapplicationuntilyouhavefinishedthreecompleteapplications.Someoftheideasyouuseinotheressayscanhelpyoufine-tunetheapplicationtoyourfirst-choiceschool.ThefirstthingtodoisRTGDQ.Oneofmyteachersinhighschoolhadabig

rubber stamp, “RTGDQ,”which he claimed stood for “ReadTheGoshDarnQuestion.” No matter how eloquent your exam answer was, if you failed toaddressthequestiondirectly,youcouldexpectthedreadedRTGDQtoappearinyourbluebook.Soopentheapplicationorcatalogto theexactwordingof theessayquestion,andRTGDQ.Thenanswerit.Truthfully.Yourfirstdraftshouldbetotally,brutallyhonest.Donottrytosecond-guess

your readeratall.Everysentenceshouldcomestraight fromyourheart.Writelike you talk, using straightforward language.Voice record your first draft, orpretend you are writing a letter to a friend, if it will help you jump-start theprocess.Keeptheemphasisoncontent,notstyle;avoidpseudo-academese;anddon’tthinktoomuch.Writewhenyouwrite,editwhenyouedit.Inthischapteryouwillwrite,and

inthenextchapteryouwilledit.Donotletanybodytellyouwhattowrite,anddo not let anybody see your first draft; read the next chapter and complete asecond draft before you show your work to anyone. The first rule ofbrainstormingistofilltheblackboardwithideasbeforeevaluatinganyofthem;asyoudraftyouressay,donotcritiqueit.Justkeepwritingandmovingforward.

•••

As general rules of style, avoid footnotes and minimize narrative exposition.Narrativeexpositionisthatstyleofwritingyoulearnedinhighschool:“Shouldthe student feel compelled to build labyrinthine semantical structures, andthereby disguise the relationship between modalities of meaning and the trueself…”Beconfidentinyourwriting.Assumethatyouwillbeadmitted.

•••

Aninterestingfirstlineorparagraphisagifttoyourreader.Ifyouareapplyingtoahighlycompetitivepreprofessionalprogram,youwillwanttopayparticularattention to your opening line or paragraph. You have already seen someinteresting opening paragraphs in the last chapter. If you are an unusual

candidate,oranyonewhohashadanunusualexperience,launchingyouressayonthatnotecanbeagoodidea.Onecandidatetoldmehergoalwastotellwhoshewasinonesentence.She

wrote,“Iamthesixthofsevenchildrenfroma largeblue-collarIrish-CatholicfamilyintheMidwest.”Anothercandidatewrote,“AsamemberofthePokagonBandofPotawatomiIndians,thesevengrandmotherteachingsplayalargeroleinmylife.Honesty,bravery,love,truth,humility,respect,andwisdomtakeonanewmeaninginmyeverydaylife.ThemostimportantlessonthatIhavelearnedistostriveeachdaytogainwisdom.”Thisiscertainlyanarrestingopeningline:

Ifthisinformationweretofallintothewronghands,myfathercouldgotojail.Ifyoucannothonormyneedforconfidentiality,pleasedonotreadfurther.

Canyouimaginecomingontothatlinewhilesiftingthroughastackofbarelydifferentiableapplications?Oneof thebest typesofopeningparagraphrelatesanepiphany.Thiscanbe

the moment you decided to pursue your current goals or the moment youdiscoveredjustwhatmightbeentailedtopursuethosegoals.Lookagainatthe“zoologyormedicine”storyonthispage. It’saclassicepiphany tale.Herearetwomoreepiphanyopenings:

Imadean“A”inlaborrelations,butIlearnedmoreaboutlabor-managementissuesinonesummerworkingonaunionconstructioncrewthanIlearnedintheclass…

Whentheoldmanurinatedonmyleg,itrandownmypantsandintomyshoe.Icouldnotletgoofhim,asIwasholdinghimup,tryingtomovehimfromawheelchairontothebed.That’swhenIfirstrealized thatmedicinewasnotgoing tobe just starchedwhite labcoatsandgolfat four. I lookedagain atmedicine, the actual practice ofmedicine on real people, and saw that it often involvedmessyfluids,imprecision,andanelementofsurprise…

Don’tbeafraidtousevividdetailtomakepoints.MostAMCAS(AmericanMedicalCollegeApplicationService) essays start outwith someversionof “IalwayswantedtobeadoctorbecauseIlikescienceandIwanttohelppeople.”Ifyouareamedicalcollegeadmissionsreader,youcometohatethissentence.Itisunbelievablycommon,inoneversionoranother.Also,sincethestudenthasnotalwaysexisted,hecan’talwayshavewantedtobeadoctor,sohe’sproposedanontologicalimpossibilityrightintheopeningphrase.Justfortherecord,thecandidateinthelastexampleabovegoesontoconveyexactlythat—thathelikesscienceandwantstohelppeople—butheconveysthismessagethroughaseriesofvignettesemployingvividdetail.Avoid using words like these in your essay: meaningful, challenging,

beautiful,wonderful,invaluable,rewarding.Saywhatyoumean;eitherdescribetheeventinquestion,orreportyouremotionsandthoughtsinmorebasicdetail.Replacethesevaguewordswithapersonalstatement,somethingfromyourownuniquepointofview.Ifyouhavedifficultywiththis,startsentenceswith“I”:“Ifelt…”“Irealized…”“Isawthat…”

•••

Somecandidatestakeaboldpositionintheirfirstfewlines,implicitlypromisingtheirreadersthattherewillbemoretofollow.Herearetwoexamples:

“Why in the world do you want to go to law school? Heaven knows we don’t need any morelawyers.”Havingworked for the large, prestigious law firm ofBells&Motley sincemid-July, itcontinuestosurprisemehowfrequentlyIhavebeenaskedthatparticularquestion.

Learningoutsideina9,000-acreforestwasmoreengagingandexcitingthansittinginalabwaitingforsomebacteriatogrow.

Youdonotneedafancyopening,butifonecomesnaturallytoyou,useit.Donotspendalldaywritingfirstlines;keepmovingalong.Ifcomposingafirstlineisaproblem,justskipitfornow.Youcancomebacktoitlater.

•••

Asyouressayprogresses,besuretoRTGDQoverandoveragain,andaddressthe questions as asked, in the order asked. Be specific and provide details,details,details.Youwilldiscoverthatthisapproachtowritingfavorsqualitativeanalysisoverquantitative listings. Inotherwords, it is farbetter togivea richdescription of one incident than to cram your essay full of activities andaccomplishments without any hint of what you learned from them and whatemotionstheyevokedinyouduringtheprocess.Donotbeoverlyredundantwithotherpartsofyourapplication.Forexample,

yourcompleteworkhistorymaybelistedsomewhereelseontheapplication,somentionaparticularjob,aparticularaccomplishment,oraparticularsupervisoronlytogiveanewperspectiveortoletthecommitteeknowwhatoneofthesehasmeanttoyoupersonally.However,youshouldreferthereadertootherpartsofyourapplicationwhentheyareimportant.Hint that thereisfarmoretoyouthanyouhaveroomtodiscussin thisshortessay.Tieyouressaytotherestofyour application with notes like these: “See letter of recommendation,” “Seeresume,” “See bibliography for additional articles,” “See awards.” You will

noticethistechniqueinmanyoftheessaysselectedforthisbook.

•••

Demonstrate that you have read the catalog carefully, researched the program,and considered your reasons for applying to this particular school. Find acommon thread, a point at which your philosophy and theirs meet in happyconfluence,asintheseexamples:

IwasespeciallyimpressedbyDeanJaedicke’sstatementinyourbrochurethattheschool“strivestoimbuestudentswithasenseof‘incompleteness.’”AtReed,wecalledit“learninghowtolearn,”andfindingouthowmuchIdon’tknowwasthemostvaluablelessonIleftReedwith.

Iwanttoenrollintheprogramat[majoruniversity]becauseofitsexcellentreputationinrealestateandurbanlandeconomics;IhavenotfoundsuchstrengthatotherMBAprograms.IamalsofamiliarwiththeadmirableworkoftheCenterforRealEstateandUrbanEconomics,andIparticularlylookforwardtoworkingwithProfs.Edelstein,Rosen,andWallace.

TheGovernmentandForeignAffairsgraduateprogramatVirginiaisattractivetomebecauseofthefacultymembers’areasofspecializationandmycorrespondingacademicandresearchinterests.Iamparticularly excited about the prospect of working with Profs. Ceaser, Milkis, and Sabato. Dr.Ceaser’sLiberalDemocracyandPoliticalScienceandReconstructingAmericahavehadanimpactonmyviewofpolitical scienceas a field.Specifically, I am intriguedwithhisview thatpoliticalscienceshouldbeadefenderofliberaldemocracyandtheimplicationsofthis.Thesebooksarealsoengaging because Ceaser uses the field of political theory to complement the field of Americangovernment,whichIwouldeventuallyliketodo.IamalsointerestedinDr.Milkis’suseofhistoricalexamplestoshowthatexecutivepowerhasweakenedthepartysysteminhisbookThePresidentandtheParties.Finally,IbecamefamiliarwithDr.Sabato’sworkasanundergraduateandwouldenjoytheopportunitytostudythemediaandelectionsunderhim.

•••

If the readerdoesnotknowof thequalityofyourundergraduatecollege,orthespecificnatureofanhonor,award,orprogramforwhichyouwereselected,youmayneed to inform them,gently, about its awesomeness.Becarefulwithyour language.Youcan’t refer to somethingas“elite,”because self-referentialclaimsofeliteness fall flat,butwords like“rigorous”arequite effective.Herearetwoexamples:

I had the good fortune to be selected by faculty appointment for the Ronald E. McNairPostbaccaluareate Achievement Program, a program designed to prepare students for graduateresearch opportunities. While with the McNair Scholars Program, I received intense training inresearchmethodology and thenhad the chance to design and conduct an original research projectunderthesupervisionofProf.L.Dodd.Myprojectresultedintwopresentationsandonepublication

iscurrentlypending(seeCVformoredetails).

I alsohad thehonorof being selected for theRobertE.CookHonorsCollege.TheCookHonorsCollegeisarigorousundergraduateprogramthathashistoricallyproducedstudentswhosucceedingraduateenvironments.Indeed,everyCHCstudentisexpectedtopursuegraduatestudy.TheCookHonorsCollegefeaturesauniquedeonticcurriculum,aseriesofcoreunitsorganizedaroundtopicalareasofinquirydesignedtoinstillcriticalthinkingandtoaddressthequestionofwhatitmeanstobean ethical world citizen. Through these core courses, which replace liberal studies requirements,students are challenged to address “BigQuestions” through reading a range of primary texts.Welearntosynthesizeideasfromseveralareasofstudy,andwepresentfindingsinamajorunitpaperandoralpresentation.Theprogramalsoallowsustodeveloprapportwithtopfacultyinverysmallclasses.Theseclassesare,asIunderstandthem,verymuchlikeyourgraduateseminars.

Doyouseehowmuchmoreimpressivethesereportsarethantosimplysay“Iwas involved in undergraduate research,” or “I was a member of the honorscollege”?Youdon’thavetoexplainwhatHarvardorPrincetonis,oraFulbrightaward,but ifyouraudiencemaynotknowthenatureofyourexperiences,youcanhelpbyexplainingabitaboutthem.

•••

I like reductionism: (1) it is efficient, (2) it shows clarity of thought, (3) it isaccessible to the reader, and (4) itmakes for an easy transition from notes toparagraphs. The previous sentence is an example of reductionism, as is thefollowingparagraph:

I of course knowof the reputation ofTufts,which ledme to investigate the school. The primaryfactors drawingme to apply are: (1) opportunity for clinical contact from the very first year, (2)opportunity for small group learning, (3) the “selectives” (pre-electives, as I understand them)availabletofirst-andsecond-yearstudents,(4)possibilityoftakingMPH-relatedelectivesorjoiningthe MD/MPH program, (5) opportunity for overseas assignment from the International AffairsOffice.

Awholeessayfullofsuchparagraphswouldfeeldisjointedandbe tiring toread,sousethistechniquesparingly.

•••

After you have addressed the specific questions asked by the admissionscommittee,youarefreetoweaveinanyspecificadditionalpointsyoumaywishto impart. Check over all of your notes from the last chapter.Once you havegiventhemwhattheywant,youcangivethemwhatyouwant.Thinkofthisasphasetwoofyourfirstdraft.Whethertheyaskyoutoornot,substantiatingyourdedicationtoyourcareer

goal oftenmakes for a strong essay.Sayingyouhave “alwayswanted to be a__________”isnotasconvincingasreportingspecificactionsthatdemonstratethe truthof that statement.Similarly, it is agood idea todemonstrate thatyouunderstandtherealchallengesanddrawbackstoboththecourseofstudyandtheeventualcareeryouhavechosen.Admissionscommitteesarereluctanttoadmitcandidates to rigorous programs leading to demanding careers if the applicantseems not to have a clear idea of what lies ahead. Dropout, burnout, chronicfatigue,divorce,alcoholism,drugabuse,andsuicideplaguecertainprofessionsinstaggeringproportions,andtheseproblemsareexacerbatedwhenpeoplejointheseprofessionsforthewrongreasons.Ifyouhavearealunderstandingofwhatyour life will be like (1) as a graduate student, (2) as a trainee in this newprofession,and(3)asaskilledpractitioner, thenconvey this to theadmissionscommittee.

•••

Someof themost thoughtfuladmissionsreaders toldmethat theylike to learn

somethingwhile readingapplicants’essays. Ifyouknowa tremendousamountaboutsomething,whetheritisamoleculeoraminstrelsinger,youmightwanttoletthereaderinonwhat’sinterestingaboutthattopic.Don’tmakeself-importantand grandiose statements about the nature of chemistry, or folklore—instead,give the kinds of specifics that can only come from in-depth knowledge of aparticular topic—ideally, one closely related to the professor’s own area ofspecialization.

—HOWTOSHAVEAYEAROFFAPHD—

1. FollowyourProgramofStudy.YourProgramofStudyisthesequenceofclasses,milestones,andeventsthatleadstocompletion.YoucreateyourProgramofStudywithyouradvisor.Ingraduateschool, themilestonesandeventsaremore important than theclasses.Forexample, ifyoumissadeadlinetofileaform,itcancostyouawholeyear.UpdateyourProgramofStudyoften,andpostitoveryourdesk.Lookatiteveryday.

2.Comeinthedoorwithatleastavaguedissertationidea,butdonotrigidlyhangontoit.Gradschoolisatransformativeprocess,soyourinitialideaisajumpstart,notaprintedroadmap.Writeall your papers for every class, as many as you can, on some aspect related to your dissertationinterest.

3.Chooseamentorwithahighcompletionrate.Thisisaprofessionalrelationship.Itisirrelevantwhetheryouare “buddies”with thisperson.Askyourmentor to suggest otherpeople to serveonyour committee. Start shopping, casually, for committeemembers right from the first dayof gradschool.Watchoutforyoungprofessorsouttomakeanameforthemselves;theycanbehardasses.Watchoutforoldprofsthatmightnotsurviveyourdissertation.Keepaneyeoutforyourexternalreviewer;theyarehardtofindandhardtorecruit,andbesuretochecktoseewhethertheydislikeyourmentor, school, topic,methodology, epistemology, or politics. In fact, check allmembers ofyourcommitteeforreservationslikethis.

4. Anappropriatedissertation topic isverynarrow.Thinkof aquestion that canbedefinitivelyanswered using yourmethodology, within your budget, in your lifetime.Most research has thesethreecomponents:population,problem,theory(ortopic,problem,theory).Remember,adissertationisatrainingprocess.Thisisnotsupposedtobethemostimportantworkyouwilleverdo.What’sbetter—aperfectdissertationoradonedissertation?Duh.Dosmart,goodwork,butmostofall,getitdone.It’sniceiftherearecleverimplicationstoyourresearch,buttheresearchitselfcanbesimpleandelegant.

5.Writeapaperthatisadryrunofyourdissertationideainthefirsttwoyears.Askaprofessorfor(a)permissiontodothis,and(b)feedbackonyouridea,researchquestion,methodology,andsoon.

6. Studentswho finish theseshavehighercompletion rates forcompletingdissertations. Ifyourprogramoffersathesisasamaster’soption,takeit.Itmayslowyoudownabitatthetime,butwhenyou get to the dissertation you’ll go faster. A master’s thesis like this should be a one-semesterproject.Onequestion,onemethod,oneanswer.Don’tgooverboard.

7. Doyourownresearchbeforeyouget to theproposalstage.Thissoundsobvious,buta lotofstudents don’t do this. They work on other people’s projects, and don’t get their feet wet as thedirectorofaproject.Design,conduct,report,includingIRBifneeded(seenext).

8. Go through the IRB (Institutional Review Board for the Protection of Human & AnimalSubjects)processbeforeyouget toyourdissertationproject.Same reasons. IRB is like learninganewlanguage,andyouwanttoget throughunscathedandwithminimumdelays.(AsmartstudentexpectsIRBdelays,bytheway.)

9.Takeanindependentstudyanduseittodotheentireliteraturereviewforyourproposalbeforeyousubmityourproposal.(Someproposalsrequirelitreviewandmethodologychaptersanyway,butyou’llhavethewholelitreviewdoneratherthanaprelimversion.)You’llprobablyhavetorewriteyour proposal (this is normal), but if you’re smart you’ll be able to salvage almost all of your litreviewevenifyouhavetorefineyourquestionormethods.

10. Writeyourproposalbeforeyoutakeyourcomps.Mostplacesyoucannotsubmittheproposalbeforepassingcomps,butthisallowsyoutodroptheproposalthedayyoureceivenoticeofpassingcomprehensiveexams.This,alone,savesasmuchassixmonths.

11. Stayoncampus! Ifyoustayoncampus throughyour researchandwritingstages,youhaveamuch higher chance of finishing in a timely manner, and you’ll have access to your committee,campusresources,andsoon.Itmaybetemptingtogoget“arealjob”anddoyourdissertationwhileyouwork,butthere’samuchhigherriskfactoragainstcompleting.

12.Keepyoureyesontheprize!HavealifeplanthatrequiresthePhDtobebehindyou.Ifyoulustforthatfuture,youwillfinishthePhD.Ifgradschoolismoreattractivetoyouthanthatvision,orifyoudon’thavethatvision,you’reatgreatriskofnotfinishing.

Thesetipscouldshaveayear,ormore,offyourprocess.

•••

Although many essay questions do not require you to delineate your futurecareer plans, a student with logical, clearly defined career plans often comesacross as mature and directed. Your image of your future career goals andanticipated contributions to your field and to society in general may be ofinterest to admissions readers, especially when you seem to have a mission.Thinkofthisasthe“purpose”partofa“statementofpurpose.”If you intend to use skills or talents in unusual combinations, be sure to let

yourreaderknow.Forexample,anapplicanttomedicalschoolmadenosecretofhis real ambition: to combine his knowledge of physics and electricalengineering with an education in medicine so that he could design a newgenerationofmedicaltechnology.Ifyoucannotimaginewhatkindofattorneyorphysicianoreducatoryouwill

eventuallybecome,donot fake it.Youruncertaintywill show through inyourlanguage or, even worse, your ignorance of realistic career options in yourchosen fieldmay offend an admissions reader. If you have awell-thought-outmissioninlifeandinyourcareer,stateit;ifyoudonot,youneednotmentionitatall.

•••

Occasionallystudentswilldecidenot torespondtotheessayquestionsexactlyastheyareasked.Ifyoudeviatefromtherequestedformat,addresstheissueandlettheadmissionsreaderknowyourrationalefordoingso:

Please note that I have combined questionsA andB into a single essay, rather than submitting a

separateautobiography.Ihavechosentofocusindetailonmyparticularexperiencesduringthepasttwoyears inAfrica—whatI learnedfromthem,howtheyaffectedme,andwhytheseexperienceshaveledmetopursueanMBA.IbelievesuchadetaileddescriptionwillgiveyouabetterpictureofwhoIamthancouldageneralautobiographicalessayofthesamelength.

•••

Adifficultessaytechnique,whichisdefinitelynotrecommendedforeverybody,is to build your essay around a theme. All essays have topics, but few havethemes.Atopiciswhatyouaregoingtowrite.Thetopicofyouressayisyou:your intellectual preparation, your future goals, your rationale for picking aparticular program. A theme is why you are going to write, the message orconceptorpoint thatstringsallyourparagraphstogether intoacomprehensivewhole. Themes can include the high cost of medical services in a moderntechnologicalworld,white-collarcrime, theroleof theteacher,howdanceandphysicsareonediscipline,andsoon.Inchapter8,essays15and22dealwiththe theme of overcoming adversity as a means of strengthing character andmotivation.Essay34developstheoppositetheme,thatnothavingtoovercomeadversity can also be an advantage. A theme can make a good essay a greatessay. If this approachmakes sense to you, youmaywish to try it.However,somepeoplehavetakengood,cleanpresentationsandruinedthembytryingtobemorecleverthantheirwritingskillsallowed.

•••

If you have faced a particular challenge in the course of your life or youreducation,itmaybetoyourbenefittolettheadmissionscommitteeknowaboutit.AfewyearsagoattheUniversityofCalifornia,Berkeley,astudentfellasleepduringapreprofessional advisingmeeting.Her advisor,whohadmetwithherbefore,wasquiteperturbed.Afterthegroupwasdismissed,hewokeherupanddemanded to know why she had even bothered to come to the meeting. Sheapologized,explainingthatshehadworkedallnight.“Doyouworkallnightveryoften?”heasked.Shetoldhimthatshedid,eight

totenhourspernight,fivetosixnightsaweek.“Why?”heasked,nowconcernedforherhealth.Itturnedoutherfatherhaddied,hermotherwasaninvalid,therewasn’tany

insurance,shewasalreadyasenior,andshedecidedtojusttoughitoutandworktosupportherselfandhermother.“Whyisn’tanyofthisinyourpersonalstatement?”heasked.“Well,”shereplied,“Ididn’tthinktheywerereallyinterestedinthepersonal

affairsofmylife.”“Well,theyare,”hetoldher.“Bytheway,whatkindofworkdoyoudo?”“Oh,”shesaid,“I’maprivatedetective.”Hmm.Iwonderifalawschoolwouldbeinterestedinthat…Hereishowonestudentintroducesveryimportantpersonalinformationatthe

endofhisapplicationfordentalschool:

Onthepersonalside,IhavebeenlivingonmyownsinceIwasthirteen,whenmyfathersentmetoEnglandtoboardingschooltoavoidthewarinIraq.Ididnotseemyfamilyagainforfouryears.Imademy own decisions, including relocating to the United States to pursue the superior scienceeducationavailablehere.Ibelievethisearlyindependencehasgivenmeastrongsenseofpurpose,especiallyforsomeonemyage.Thisexperiencehasinstilledinmeaconfidenceinmyownabilities,adeepappreciationforothers,andnaturalandsincereabilitytoempathizewiththem.Ibelievethesequalitiestobecrucialforthesuccessfulpracticeofdentistry.

•••

Ifyouhavegradesor test scores thatdonot representyour truepotential,youcanexplaintheminyouressay.Asageneralrule,itisbettertokeepyourmainstatement of purpose as positive as possible. Do not make long, involvedexcuses;keepitsimpleanddevoidofdrama;nowhiningandnofeelingsorryforyourself.Also,sometimesitishelpfultocomputeyourGPAaccordingtoamore

beneficialformula.Yourproblemmustmeetthesecriteria:

•Ithastobeinthepast.

•Ithastoberesolved.

•Ithastobesympathetic.

•Itshouldbeunlikelytorecuringraduateschool.

First of all, you need to get your transcripts and analyze your grades in thefollowing categories: overall, in yourmajor, inmath and science, inmath, inscience,exceptingEnglishandcomp,yearbyyear,semesterbysemester,overthelastfoursemesters,notcountingyourfreshmanyear,sinceyoudeclaredyourcurrentmajor, in classes thatmeet after noon, and so on, ad infinitum. Then,lookforpatterns.Thebestpatternofall isaperfect4.0,ofcourse,andsecondbestisforyourgradestoupeachyear.Thenyoucansay,“Mygradeshavegoneupeveryyear.IfeelasthoughIhavenotyethitmystrideasascholar.”Identifyyourworstsemesterandyourworstgrade,andaskyourselfwhatwasgoingoninthatclassorsemester.Isthisaproblemyouhavepermanentlyresolved?Canyouassuretheadmissionsreaderthatthiswasananomalousproblem?

GPACalculationsWanttocalculateyourgrades?It’scredithourstimesGPAforeachclass,thendividethatsumbythetotal number of credit hours. That’s your GPA. Or, go to this grade calculator app:http://www.registrar.iastate.edu/gpa-calc/gpaCalculator.html.

OnestudentIinterviewedcamefromanethnicbackgroundthatdidnotallowonetodefyone’sfather.Hewasthefirstinhisfamilytogotocollege,andhisfather didn’t really understand how college worked. The family owned arestaurant, though,andhisfathercertainlyunderstoodhowrestaurantsworked:Whenthehelpno-shows,youcallyourson.Sohisfatherkeptcallinghimintowork when he had finals, when he had papers due, and so on. To solve thisproblem,thesontransferredtoauniversityatthefarendofthestate.Hisgradeswentupandstayedup.Hisproblemwasinthepast,itwasresolved,and,aslongas he applied to graduate schools far from this restaurant, itwas not likely torecur.Another youngwoman toldme she had towork full timewhen in college.

“Gosh,”Isaid,“thatmusthaveimpactedyourabilitytostudy.”

“Oh,yes,”shesaid,“Ihardlyhadtimetostudyatall.”“Whydidyouhavetoworksomuch?”Iasked.“Iliketobuyalotofclothes,andIranmycreditcardsup.Ididn’thaveany

choice!”shecried.Ithinkyougetit:Thisproblemisnotresolved,notsympathetic,andlikelyto

recur.Becarefulofshiningalightonasmallproblemandmakingitlooklikeabig

one.Studentsarealwaysaskingmesomethinglikethis:“ImadeaConorganicchem.ThenIretookitandmadeaB.ShouldItalkaboutthat?”Theseareverycommongradepatterns, andunless somethingawfulhappened toyou the firsttimeyoutookthecourse,you’reprobablybetteroffnot toaddresstheissueatall.

WarningKeepallexcusesandexplanationssuchasthosementionedinthissectiontotheabsoluteminimum—asentence ifpossible,aparagraphatmost.Donotmake long, involvedexcuses;keep it simpleand devoid of drama; again, no whining and no feeling sorry for yourself. Also, sometimes it ishelpfultocomputeyourGPAaccordingtomorefavorableformulae,asinsomeoftheexamplesonthispageandthenext.

By the way, if your grades are more than ten years old, most admissionsreaders won’t give them much weight, whether they were outstanding orabysmal.It’sagoodideatogetafewrecentgradesbeforeapplyingtograduateschool, so you can say, “My recent GPA is 4.0, including both graduate andundergraduate classes I’ve been taking in geography. As a mature adult, I’mlookingforwardtoreturningtoschoolandfocusingonmystudiesinawayIdidnotthefirsttimearound.”Here’s how some other students have addressed problems with their

backgrounds:

Iwithdrewfromthreeclassesinthefallofmyjunioryearduetothedeathofmymother.

I went to a very strictmilitary boarding school when I was in high school, andwhen I came tocollegeIamafraidIletthefreedomerodemyfirstyear’sstudies.PleasenotethatmyGPAforthelasttwo-and-a-halfyearsis3.68inmymajor.IfeelthatmytestscoresandmyGPAinthelasttwo-and-a-halfyearsareindicativeoftheperformanceyoucanexpectofme.

Finally,Iwouldliketoaddresstheissueofmyacademiccareer.Asyouhavemytranscripts,youcanclearlyseethatIwasnotespeciallyseriousinmyfirstfewyearsasanundergraduate,andyoucan

also see that I have improved dramatically. I have a 3.9GPA in graduate school, and I expect tocontinuetodoaswellinthedoctoralprogram.

IamwritingtorequestthatyoudisregardthefirstGREscoreonmyrecordsinsteadofaveragingitinwithmy second score.Onmyway to take the first test, Iwas involved in amajor accident (seeattached police report) and Iwas very emotionally agitated during the exam. I realize now that Ishouldhavejustskippedthetest,butIwasinastateofshockfromtheaccidentandwasnotthinkingclearly. As you can see, there is a big difference between the two scores. Thank you for yourconsideration.

Myfatherexperiencedsomeunexpectedbusinessreversalsinthespringofmyfreshmanyear,andItookafull-timejobinordertocompletetheacademicterm.Bythespringofmysophomoreyear,Iqualifiedforfinancialaid,andwasabletodropdowntoapart-timejob.IfyoudonotcounttheyearwhenIwasworkingfulltimeandgoingtoschoolfulltime,myGPAwouldbe3.35overalland3.53inmymajor.

Thoughmyundergraduategradesarelessthanaverageforgraduateschoolapplicants,Ifeelthatthegraduateclimateisbettersuitedtomytypeofacademicpersonality.Ihaveneverbeenagoodtesttaker in engineering courses, and exams always lowermy grades for a course. However, my labmarks and other scores are always well above average, and I particularly excel at unconstrainedprojects,bothwithincoursesandinindependentresearch.

AlthoughIhavealwaysbeenapremedstudent,Iwouldliketopointout thatIdidnotfollowthatpremedstrategyof takingonly“safe”classesIknewIcouldmakeanAin. I tookanoverloadforthreeoutof eight semesters,mostly so I could takeclasses like “Historyof theUSbefore1865,”“Greco-RomanReligion,”“NativeAmericanCultures,”“ClassicalGreekPhilosophy,”andtwoyearsofLatin.MyGPA inallmathandscienceclasses is3.78, and I think that is representativeofmyabilitytocompletethemedicalschoolcurriculum.

TomakesenseofmytranscriptsyouwillneedtoknowthatIchangedmymajorfourtimesbeforeIfinishedmysophomoreyear,whichisalsowhyIextendedmyundergraduatecareertoafifthyear.IalwaysmadestraightA’sinmathandscience,butIjustdidn’tconnectthattoengineeringuntil…

Again, be careful not to losemore than you gain by bringing up negatives,especiallyifyourrationaleisnotascompellingasthosepresentedhere.Unlessyou have a really good reason formentionedweak grades or irregularities inyourbackground,donotmentionthematall.Twoof theworstpleasforspecialconsiderationIhaveever readwere(1)a

studentwhoclaimedthathewasuniquelydisadvantagedbecausehewasmiddleclass,andhisstill-marriedparentswereneitherrichnorpoor.Iassureyouthisargument fell upon deaf ears. And (2) a student who claimed she wasdiscriminatedagainstbecauseshewastoobeautiful,andpeopledidn’ttakeher

seriouslyasascientist.Thiswasforanessayondiversity!Thereadersof thisessay,mostlyminorityfacultymembers,wereincensedbythisclaim.Theyweretheoppositeofamused,andcouldn’twaittorejecther.Althoughyoushouldneverjustfollowaformula,youcandrawfromasetof

keyingredientsthatmanysuccessfulessaysshare.Theyhavegreatopeninglinesor paragraphs. They convey at least a glimpse of the applicant’s personality,substantiatespecificacademicpreparationandknowledgeofsubjectmatter,anddemonstrate an understanding of the challenges as well as the rewards of achosencareer.Theyoftengiveasenseofthecandidate’smaturity,compassion,stamina, teamwork skills, leadership potential, and general likability, usuallywithout addressing these issues directly. They clearly catalog the student’stechnicalskillsandabilities;theyprovethatthestudenthasthebackgroundandskillsneededtoexcelatthegraduatelevel.Theynamespecificprofessorsatthetargetedprogramwithwhomthecandidateisinterestedinworking,andspecificdirectionstheyexpect totakewiththeirstudies.Thentheygoontoshowhowthe applicant plans to use the graduate education in her planned career, andestablishthatthestudenthasanunderstandingofherplaceinthe“bigpicture.”Theessayisanopportunitytotieallthedisparatepiecesofyourapplication

togetherintoacomprehensive,coherentwhole.Someadmissionsdirectorshavetoldmethattheyarenotalwayslookingfornewinformationintheessay;rather,they are interested in having the essay “make sense” of the rest of theapplication.Itisoftenbettertodescribeoneortwoeventsindetailthantoreproduceyour

entireresumeinyouressay.Remember, there is no one right way to craft these essays. Students

continuallydevisenewwaystowowandamazeadmissionscounselors.Someofthe most interesting essays will not follow the above formula or any other.However, the best essayswill haveone thing in common: theywill be honestandforthcoming.In your first draft, answer each question with complete and total sincerity.

Thereissomethingaboutthereverberatingringoftruththatcannotbefakedandneverseemsoverwrought.Youwillworryabout thewisdomofyourresponsesin the next chapter. For now,RTGDQ, let your heart do the talking, and justwritedownwhatitsays.Herearesomerandomsampleparagraphstogetyourjuicesflowing:

IknownowthatIwanttobeabig-city,big-time,internationallawyer.Thisismygoal,andIamnotembarrassed by it. Washington is an amazing place to live, and the developing internationalenvironmentistomethemostdynamicgameintown.Ilovelonghoursandhighstress.Givemeanimpossiblejob,alaptop,twoAdvilandanenergydrink,andIamwhereIdomybestwork.Thisis

whoIam.

From the aforementioned programs, I have gained experience with such biological techniques aselectrophoresis, Southern blots, transformations, recombinant DNA techniques, PCR,chromatography,andsequenceanalysis.

Amachine gun tomy father’s head very quickly shattered the crystal bubble of complacency inwhich I lived.Timestopped forme in this scene.Adustycheckpointmarkedwithahand-paintedsigninalanguagenoneofuscouldread,ourcaridlingunderthescorchingsun,andthesilhouettedgunmuzzleprotrudingthroughthedriver’swindow—theseareimagesthatrockedmystableworld.Yet,theseimagesalsoprovidemewithanunshakableconcernforinternationalaffairs.

GraspingJeff’swrist,Icouldseehisanguishedgaze.Hisfeetdangledfroma200-footFrenchcitadelwall.Ifmygripfailed,hewouldplungeintotheevaporatedremainsofarockymoat.TherewasnosingularwayIcouldpullJefffromtheedge.Justasmystrengthwasfading,thethirdmemberofourtrio,Kevin,grabbedmyotherarmandduginhisheels.ThethreeofusmanagedtoretrieveJefffromthe moss-covered ledge. The importance of this life experience was that individually each of uswouldhavefailedtopullJefffromtheedge.However,workingtogetherwewereabletohelpJeffhelphimself,andweachievedourgroupgoal.

ThehistoricalperiodsinwhichIamconsideringworkingareca.1160–1400(emphasizingMachaut),ca. 1575–1650 (concentrating on the Florentine Camerata), and the 19th and 20th centuries(especially Schumann, Berlioz, Berg, Varèse, Bartók, Messiaen, and Birtwistle). Within theseperiods,Iamparticularlyinterestedinstudyingprogrammusic,opera,andsacredmusic—allgenreswithextramusicalmeaning.Whiletherangeofmyinterestsiscurrentlyratherbroad,Iexpectit tonarrowwithfurtherstudy.

Length?How long shouldyour essaybe? If theygiveyounoguidance, thenmakeyour essay somewherebetween 500 to 1000words,maybe longer if youwritewell and are interesting. If they give youguidance,followitprettyclosely.Forexample,iftheyspecify“5300charactersincludingspacesandpunctuation,”or“nomorethanfourpages,”or1000words,thenthat’stheupperlimit.Don’twriteonebitlongerthanthat.However,itisconsidereddisrespectfultowriteshort,too!Sogetclosetothelimit,withoutsurpassingit.

“In my class, ladies and gentlemen,” she announced, eyes narrowing, “you will learn to thinkcritically.Youdonotneedtotakethisclass.Rightdownthehallisanothersection,whichismucheasier.Iwillpauseforyoutomakeadecision.”ThiswasDr.MaryFulweiler’ssignatureintroductiontoHistory101.Ms.Fulweilerwasaninstructorwholookeddisturbinglylikethesubjectshetaught:oldandhard.SheworeaGeorgeWashington–stylehairdo,andshewieldedamercilessredpentoslashthroughweeklythree-tofive-pagepapers.Myfirstonewasreturnedtomewrappedinawebof

redarrowsandcirclesandquestionmarks.ShegavemeaC+.IhadneverreceivedaC+inmylife.“Youdon’tevendefineanyofthequestionsyourpaperraises,”shewroteonthebottomofthetitlepage.“Youmustlearntothinkandwritecritically.”AC+.Thehaironthebackofmyneckbristled.This critical thinking businesswas the first real academic challenge that Iwould have towork tomeet.

Ilearnedthatquestions,notanswers,burnatthecoreofthecriticalthinker.“Anytextbookcanlistwho,what,where,andwhen,”Dr.Fulweilercriticized.“Askyourselfthequestionsthatcannotbeanswered on a multiple-choice test.” I can trace the questions I’m currently asking back to Dr.Fulweiler’schallenge.

Finally,youshouldknow thatmyuncle liveswithinashortbicycle ride fromcampus,and Ihavearrangedtoliverent-freeforthefirstyearofmygraduateeducation.IgrewupspendingsummersinIthacaandalreadyknoweveryinchoftownandcampus.

Ihavearatherunusualconnectiontoyourschool:Iamnamedafterit.

I finally got hands-on experience in biochemical engineering research when I was selected as asophomoretoserveasalaboratoryassistanttoProf.DouglasC.Cameron.Ifoundactualresearchtobedifferent frommyprior education. I hadexpectedneat experimentswith instant results, almostlikea50-minutetelevisionprogramwithalltheproblemssolveduntilnextweek.Instead,ittookagreatdealof timetodooneexperiment,oftenwithanunsatisfactoryresult in theend.Thereweremanyfalsestarts,manyfailures,wronghypotheses,andsomeverylonghoursasexperimentstookanunforeseen turn.There isnogreater satisfaction,however, thancompletinganexperimentwithgoodresults.Itisbetterthanthefeelingwhenyougetthehighestscoreonanexam.

Dr. Cameron is very demanding, an absolute zealot for precision in methodology and datacapture. I amveryproud to say thathehas retainedmeeachyear, and thisyearnamedmeashislaboratorymanager. I am the first undergraduate in thehistoryof thedepartment to be sonamed.(Seeletterofrecommendation.)

You should note that between now andmy arrival at graduate school I will complete courses instatisticsandresearchmethodologies,andconductanindependentresearchprojectculminatinginacapstone paper.My topic proposal is currently under faculty review, but I’ve been told itwill beacceptedassubmitted.Myintentistoinvestigate…

Forthesereasons,IparticularlylookforwardtotheopportunitytostudywithProfs.RonaldWaltersandJoAnneBrownfortheirworkintwentieth-centurytopicsofpoliticalandpopularculturalhistory,respectively, andwith Prof. TobyDitz, who discussedwithme herwork inwomen’s and familyhistoryandculturalhistory.

ItismygoaltobecomethesuperintendentofeducationforthestateofCalifornia,ortobecomeaneducationaltheoristwithsimilarpotentialtoimpactthelivesofourfuturecitizens.

Sevenyearsold,needleinshakyhand,sweatdrippingdownmyforehead,Istoodinfrontofagapingtear on the chest of a two-thousand-pound animal.One of our horses had been chased through afencebywilddogsandhadrippedmostoftheskinoffofitschest.Myfatherwasawayonbusinessandmoneywastootightforavet.IhadtodecidewhethertotryandsutureupthisbeastwithasmallsewingkitmeanttoreplacebuttonsonmySundayshirt—ortopulloutmypistolandusethe45-centsolution.Afterthirty-sevenstitchesandalotofadrenalin,Iknewwhatmynewlifegoalwas.

NoveltyEssaysNoveltyessayshavebeenaroundfordecades.TheUniversityofChicagohasmadeasportofthis,atthe undergraduate and the graduate level, with questions such as “How do you feel aboutWednesday?” These types of queries attempt to cut through obvious, overwrought, cookie cutterresponsesthat,afterawhile,seemallthesame.

Thelatestnoveltyessayisthetweet.Atthetimethisbookwenttopress,severaluniversitiesandscholarshiporganizationssoughtanswerstoseriousquestionsin140charactersorfewer.Let’shopethisfaddoesnotbecomeatrend.Athoughtful,seriouspersoncanplaywith140characters,sure,butshe cannot convey important, complex, nuanced information about her preparation for graduatestudy, the specific focus of her intended studies, and her understanding of the ecology of heracademicfieldatthistimeinridiculouslyshortessays.

Unfortunately,thetrendistowardshorteressaysandtowardspecificwordlimits.“Omitneedlesswords”onlygoessofar,andthenyou’recuttingintotheboneofyourmessage.

7

SubsequentDrafts:FromthePageintotheReader’sBrain

Increatingthefirstdraftofyouressay,theemphasisofthewritingwasallonyou.Thiswastoensuretheauthenticityofyourwork—thatitoriginateinyou.Nowitistimetointroducesomeadmissionsreadersandhearwhattheyhavetosay.Thefollowingpointsareallculledfrominterviewswithadmissionsreadersat the top programs in the nation. You should pay close attention to thesecomments,butneverforgetthateveryadmissionsreaderisdifferent.

Theessayhallofshame• “Errors and sloppiness, misspellings, inconsistent style. You have towonderhowtheymadethegradesontheirtranscripts.”

•“Spellingerrors,poorEnglish.”

•“Anythingthatstartsout,‘I’vealwayswantedtobea__________.’”

•“Sometimestheydon’treallyanswerthequestion.Weaskeachquestionforareason.”

•“Whentheyjustseemtobesayingwhattheythinkwewanttohear.Wecanpickuponthatrightaway.”

•“Ourapplicationisalittledifferent.Wewantoriginalwork.IhateitwhenIcantellthatthey’rerecyclingmaterialtheywroteforotherschools.”

•“TheessaysoundsliketheywanttobethenextMotherTeresa,butthere’snothingintherestoftheapplicationtobackupanyclaimsofaltruism.”

•“Weaskfordatesonactivities.It’saredflagifalltheactivitiesarebrand

new.”

• “A whole essay on deep personal problems or excuses for pastperformance. It’s amazing how common that is. The essay should beupbeat,convincing,persuasive.”

•“Toolong.Itshowsnodiscipline.”

•“Everyyearthereisalwaysatleastoneessayfromsomeonewhotellsushowproudhewouldbe tobe admitted to__________,but this isn’t thatschool.”

•“Studentsaresoafraidtotakeariskthattheydon’treallytellusanything.Thatthrowsusrightbackonthenumbers.”

•“Don’t tellmewhat__________ is. Iknowwhatmyowndiscipline is!What can they be thinking? Tell me what __________ means to you orwhatyouwanttodoin__________.”

•“Somestudentsthinktheycanusetheessaytomanufactureapersonwhodoesn’texist.Itdoesn’twork.”

Reviewyouressayinlightofthesecomments.WoulditearnaplaceintheEssayHallofShame?Howwouldyouliketoreadawholelotofthis:

Ihavebeenfondlylookingforwardtoabrightentryatyourfaculty.Inmakingthisassertion,IhopeIamnotjustfacileenoughtomakeaclaim,for,thefactsaboutmyacademicantecedentsvouchformysuperioracademiccredentials—ifIshouldborrowaphraseoutofthevernacularparlance.Inthisregard, let me crave your indulgence in what I furnish below, concerning my prospective careerrelatedtoGraduateStudies.

Thisisfromanactualapplication,anditwentonlikethisforpages.Admissions readers are actually quite forgiving—every year they admit

people inspiteofseriouserrors. I reviewedonelawschoolessaythathadtwogrammaticalerrorsinthefirstsentence,yetthestudentwasadmittedtoHarvard,Michigan,Chicago,NYU,Columbia,University ofCaliforniaBoaltHall, andStanfordlawschools.Thisisbecausethosetwoerrorsinthefirstsentencewerefollowedbyan inspiring essay. (On theotherhand, I sat inwith a law schooladmissions committee while they sorted the maybe pile one last time. Theydidn’t read beyond the first mistake. The first error in spelling, punctuation,syntax,semantics,wordusage,orconsistencyofstyle,andtheytossedthewholefolio on the reject pile. If the error was in the first line, they didn’t read thesecondline.Lateintheseasonthedecision-makingprocesscangetbrutal.)

•••

IknowItoldyoutowritelikeyoutalkinyourfirstdraft.Now,however,youhave to make a very important editing pass to turn all casual language intoacademic language. Readers of these essays are looking for graduate-levellanguage, thesame languageascholarwouldusewhenwriting toacolleague.So, your first draftmayhave stated, “I had a part-time,work-study job in thebiologydepartment.”That’sokay for a firstdraft,but that’snotgraduate-levellanguage.Deconstructionofcasuallanguage:

I Oh,Iguessit’sallaboutyou,eh?had Thewholething’sinthepast,Isee,a anditonlyhappenedonce.part-time “Parttime”?Well,that’snotveryserious.work-study Oh,awork-studystudent.Wehavealotofpoor

studentsalready.job So,theyhadtopayyoutogetyoutodoit,eh?inthebiologydepartment

Puh-lease!Wearebio-chemistshere.

Itwouldbemuchbetter toconvertyour firstdraft into the typeof languagethatonescholarwouldusewithanother:“IassistedDr.R.Simmonsonastudyof possible medicinal derivatives of the venom of the southern copperhead,Agkistrodoncontortrix.”That’sgradlevel.Bytheway,althoughitistruethatMFA,law,andmedicalessayscanbeabit

more conversational than some of the examples here, it is also true thatMFAessaysareoftenimprovedbysophisticatedconversationofartisticconceptsandartists, law essays are often improved by fairly technical citations of legalconcepts and issues, and medical essays are often improved by mention ofmedicaltermsinthesamewayonedoctorwouldmentionthemtoanother.Review your entire essay and see where you can ramp up the language

effectively. I like to think of this editing pass as a black box called the“Academizer.” You take your first draft and ram it through the Academizer,whichhasadialonit turnedupto11.Youwillprobablyneedtoreviewsometextbooks, look up some citations, double-check your terminology to be sureyou’reusing itwithprecision.But this isoften thedifferencebetweenagoodessayandareallygoodessay.

Ifyourfirstdraftwastrulywrittenfromyourheart,thematerialwillrepresenttherealyou.Now,however,itistimetomakesurethereisnottoomuchoftherealyouinyouressay.Oneofthethingsanadmissionscommitteeisevaluatingisyourjudgment.If

theyaskyoutoexplainhowyourpresenceoncampuswillimprovediversity,beprudentenoughnottosayyouhavebeendiscriminatedagainstbecauseyouaretoobeautiful.Iftheyaskyouaboutyourbiggestchallengesasanundergraduate,have the good judgment not to explicate your ongoing litigation against youradvisorandhisdean.Gotit?Writeyour seconddraft as thoughyouwere sitting in the reader’s brain. In

otherwords,reallyreadeachsectionofyouressayandaskyourself,“Howwillthe reader respond to this?” The problem with this editing approach is thatstudents tend to overanalyze and overanticipate their reader. In your first-passedit, just look for the obvious. For example, one student applying to businessschools drafted an essay about how her greatest accomplishmentwasmovingaway from her family. She had a very close family, and this was her honestresponse to the essay question, “What is your greatest accomplishment?” Inediting her draft, she decided to replace that first response with another oneciting her proposal of contract terms that saved her company a considerableamount of money. This was not what she considered her greatestaccomplishment, but to a business-oriented admissions reader it was certainlymoreencouraging.

WarningReadyouressayasthoughyouweresittinginthereader’sbrain,andcorrectonlytheobviousgaffes.Donotoveranalyze!

Incidentally,oneofthebest“greatestaccomplishment”essaysIeverreadwasnotaboutsuccess,butaboutdealingwithfailure.Thisisariskyapproach,butinthisparticularcase,itworked.Asyouretreatfromtheguthonestyofyourfirstdraft,donotreverttoentirelysafeandboringresponses.Asmentioned,youmaywishtothinktwiceaboutresponsesthatcriticizepast

professors, denigrate other programs, espouse intolerant religious beliefs, orfeature trendy political concerns that have nothing to dowith the rest of yourapplication. It is usually not a good idea to reveal that you are singularlymotivated by money (although if you are eloquent enough about it, it mightwork).Writingaboutyour triumphoverpastpersonalproblemscan result ina

powerfulessay,butdoavoidwritingaboutongoingmentalanguish.Finally,youmightbearinmindwhatoneadmissionsreadertoldme:“Iamsimplynotmovedby theclaim that someone’sstatusasaChristian isaqualification formedicalschool.”Watch for displays of arrogance and omniscience, as exemplified in such

statementsas“XmustY.”Chooselessinflammatorylanguage,suchas“Xwouldgreatlybenefit fromY.”Sometimes just a fewwordchanges can fix anoverlycertaintone.“IknowIwouldbeanoutstandingadditiontoyourstudentbody”might be better rendered as “I would love to become a tireless and valuablecontributortoyourprogram.”Itisfinetodisagreewiththeentireprofessionyouare about to join, but do not insult your reader with high-handed narrativeexposition.“Buildingswillnevermakesenseuntilarchitectslearnto…”shouldbe rewritten intoa first-personpersonalstatementsuchas“asanarchitect,mypassionateinterestwillbetoimprovethe.…”Therearemanyrevolutionsgoingonrightnowinmedicine,anthropology,business,andotherfields,andyoucanbepartofthoserevolutions,butnotbyalienatingthefirstadmissionsreaderyoucomeacross.Giveherachancetobeonyourside.Avoidwritinganythinglike“MylongtimefrienddiedandafterIsawhowhe

wastreatedinthehospital,IwantedtobecomeadoctorsoIwouldneverletthathappen again.” Such sentiments reveal a lack of sophistication, a certainsolipsism,alackofunderstandingoftheharshrealitiesandtoughdecisionsthatgowithacareer inmedicine.Readyouressayfromanadmissionscounselor’spointofview,andseeifyouwanttochangeorremoveanyunintentionalself-revelations.Be especially wary of revealing character weaknesses such as sloth,

dishonesty,oregocentricity.Unfortunately,somesecondaryessaysactuallyaskquestionslike“Whatareyourweaknesses?”Trytodescribeweaknessesthatareactuallystrengthsturnedinsideout,suchas“Istudytoomuchandforgettohavefun,”or“Itrytodotoomuch,”or“SometimesIspendalotoftimeinthelibraryjust looking up interesting articles and forget to apply myself to the task athand.”Unfortunately,admissionsdirectors report that theyhaveheard itallonthisfrontandarealittletiredofthisapproach.However,anybodywhosays“Idrinktoomuch,”or“IamnotasmotivatedasIcouldbe,”or“Igetdepressedalot”issimplybeggingforarejection.Finally, it isvery important thatyouaudityouressay for sexist languageor

pointsofview.Thisistaughtinhighschool,sothere’snoexcuseforgettingitwrong.

•••

Ifsittinginthebrainofyourreadercausesyoutothrowoutthemajorityofyour firstdraft,youareprobablybeing toocritical.This isonlyaneditingexerciseandshouldnotcauseyoutostartover.Youwill lose the integrityandauthenticity of your essay if youwrite onlywhat you think the readerwants.Thisisspecificallywhatadmissionsdirectorsdonotwant.Onceyouhavetakenapassatthedraftusingtheabovemethodology,thebulk

of thematerialbeforeyouisprobablygoingtomakeit intoyourfinaldraft. Itwill become better written as you go through more drafts, but the pointspresentedwillprobablyremainthesame.Onlynowmightyoushowyourdrafttoanotherhumanbeing,butmyrecommendationistowaituntilyouthinkyouhaveafinaldraft.

•••

The next editing exercises aremore fun than sitting around in someone else’sbrainpretendingtobeanadmissionsreader.First,readyourdraftforlinesthatyou can “spice up.” Try to infuse your essay with another dose of life. Forexample, “I worked as a teacher’s aide at a daycare school” sounds rathermundane and onerous. Using both detail and accomplishment, and by puttingyour experience through theAcademzier, here is anotherway to represent thesamefact:

Last spring and summer I was a teacher’s aide at a daycare school espousing the principles ofRheikofkian development theory, using only positive interaction. I was commended by the headteacherfordevisingnewgamesthatexemplifiedRheikofkiantheoryinpracticeandforreachingaparticularstudentwhohadbeendiagnosedasborderlineemotionallydisturbed.Afteronesemesterundermy tutelage, this studentwas able to bemainstreamedwhen she entered the public schoolsystem.(Seeletterofrecommendation.)

Lessismoreinastatementofpurpose.Ifapointisworthmentioningatall,it is worth illustrating for your reader. If your essay is too long, resist thetemptationtokeepallthepoints,sayinglessabouteach.Itisbettertothrowoutsomepointsandtopics,andperhapsevenenrichyourpresentationofthosethatareleft,thantoturnyouressayintoabrutishlistofactivities.Trustyourreadertolookovertherestofyourapplicationandseesupportingmaterial,especiallyifyou refer to it with citations like “See resume for additional volunteerexperience.”Avoidself-promotionssuchas“Iamanintelligent,compassionate,andcaring

individual” in favor of describing scenes and events where you act in anintelligent, compassionate, and caring manner. If you feel compelled to self-describe,softenthestatementswithqualifyingclausessuchas“Ithinkofmyself

as…”or “peoplehaveoften said that I am…”or“Ihaveoftenbeen toldbyothersthatIam…”If you still have the phrase “I have alwayswanted to be a __________” in

your essay, remove it.Youhavenot alwaysanything. If youwant to take thisapproach, try telling a story about the moment at which you first becameinterestedinyourfuturecareer.Doyourememberthatmoment?If “I” is the firstwordofyour essay, restructure the sentence.For example,

turn“Ihavealwaysbeen fascinatedbyhighlysuccessfulpeople” into“Highlysuccessful people have always been fascinating to me.” Also, get the targetschool right. Every year I talk to students who apply to “John Hopkins” and“Colombia.”Somehow,theynevergetin.Watchoutforpossiblenegativeconnotationsthatcansneakinwiththewords

youselect!Wearebecomingasocietyseeminglyblindtoconnotations,asIseeadvertisement after advertisement with as much negative emotive impact aspositive.Youshouldnotfallfor thissloppywayofcommunicating.Wordsarerichsignifiers,bringingawholebaggageofextrameaningwiththemwhereverthey go. If your essay is full of words like “work,” “study,” “laborious,” and“exhaustive,”yourreadermaybetiredandexhaustedbytheendoftheessay.Ifyouwrite,“Ipracticepianoforthreehourseverydaynomatterwhat,”youarecertainlygettingamessageacross,butabettermessagemightbe“Ienjoymusicagreatdeal,andIplaythepianoforthreehoursormoreeveryday.Myfavoritecomposersare…”Soreadyouressayagain,andseeiftherearewordselectionsandphraseswith negative connotations that you could turn intomore positiveconstructions.

•••

Forexample,don’trevealthatyoufailedatpremedbeforedecidingtosettleonmedical administration. Say, instead, that you took several years of premedbefore deciding that you could make a more meaningful impact as anadministratorthanaclinician.Itismuchbettertosayyourinterestsevolvedthanto say your low grades pointed you in another direction. Do this, however,without making up falsehoods. Tell the positive side of the story. This iseffectivewriting.Finally,withveryfewexceptions,avoid tellingstoriesaboutyourchildhood

oraboutthedeathofagrandparent.Manyapplicantstograduateprogramsareinthe age cohort where grandparents are passing away, and, unfortunately, astraumatic and impactful as your grandparent’s deathmay be to you, it’s not aremarkableeventforthosereadingtheseessays.Asoneprofessorcommentedon

ablog,“Ireadalotofpersonalstatementsformedicalschool.Pleasenotanotherdyinggrandmastory!”You should avoid writing about childhood for a slightly different reason.

Readersmaybequiteabitolderthanyouandalreadythinkanyoneintheirearlytwentiesisnotyetanadult.YouknowthetypeImean,thoseadministratorsandfacultywhocallcollegestudents“kids.”Ifyouintroduceyourselfintheessayatanearlyage,relayinganexperiencefromeightortwelveorfifteen,thatimagemaystickintheircreakyminds.Youmightbeconsidered,unfairly,asimmature.Therearesomeexceptions,someexampleswhenatrulyformativeeventdid

impact your development, but be forewarned. One faculty member actuallywroteanarticleaboutthisfortheChronicleofHigherEducationcalled“LeaveDr.SeussOutofIt,”inwhichshewrites,

Attheriskofsoundinglikeacrankyoldscienceprofessor,IwillstateemphaticallythatwhenIreadanapplicationtoourgraduateprogram,Idonotwanttohearaboutyoursecond-gradeteacher(withall due respect to excellent second-grade teachers).Neither do Iwant to read about a star-gazingexperienceatageeight(evenonacold,windswepthill),achildhoodchemistryset(nomatterhowbeloved)…It’sfineifanapplicantmentionsanearlyinspiration.Icandealwiththat,butitshouldnotbethecenterpieceofthestatement.

Youressayshouldfavorcontentoverstyle.Yourgoalisnottoimpressthemwithyourwriting,butwithyourpreparationand theclarityofyour intentions.Oddly, in spite of the above, I interviewed one student who slayed in hisinterview for aPhDprogram inbiologywhenhe talkedaboutgettinghis firstmicroscope at nine. His faculty interviewer exclaimed, “I got my firstmicroscope at nine, too!”And theybecame instant buddies.So, unfortunately,therearefewrulesthatapplytoalladmissionsreaders—whatonefindsodiousanothermayfindcharming,andviceversa.There is a range of essay styles, and an autobiography for a social work

program is going to be very different from a statement of purpose for aneconomicsprogram,andanessayformedicalschoolisgoingtobemuchmorepersonalandintrospectivethanthatsamestudent’sessayforadoctoralprograminchemistry.RTGDQ,andcraftanappropriateresponse.Edit to make sure that you get your message across. Do not worry about

composing a work of art. Rough transitions and a few belabored sentencestructuresarefineaslongasyouconveythemessageyouwant.Donotletyourlanguagedrawattentiontoitself;itshouldbeamediumforyourmessage,notamessageinitself.Your spelling and grammar should be perfect, however.Absolutely perfect.

Youshouldhaveafinaldraftofyouressayproofreadbysomebodyyouconsider

tobeanexpertingrammarandspelling,butdonotseeksuchexpertiseuntilyouhaveafinaldraft.Becarefulnot toedit the lifeoutofyouressay.Agrammariananda stylist

wouldhavea tumultuousmarriage. It ishardforsomegrammarians toaccept,but the English language is like a snake, and it is always getting away fromthem.Theerosionofthedistinctionbetween“that”and“which,”theacceptanceof“like”for“suchas,”danglingparticiplessneakingin,and,horrorofhorrors,thebegrudgingacknowledgmentthatsplittinganinfinitiveissometimesthewaytobestwringtheexactmeaningoutofasentence—allofthesecausedilettantegrammarians to have sphincter-tightening paroxysms. If you are applying to agraduate program in English, you may wish to be hyperconservative, butotherwise,taketheadviceofanoverlypickygrammarianwithagrainofsalt.Aprimer on this subject is Miss Thistlebottom’s Hobgoblins by Theodore M.Bernstein. Other good books on style and editing areEdit Yourself by BruceRoss-Larson,Nitty-GrittyGrammarbyEdithFineandJudithJosephson,WriteRight! by JanVenolia,OnWritingWell byWilliamZinsser, andof course theclassicTheElementsofStylebyStrunkandWhite.TheultimateusagereferenceisFowler’sTheNewFowler’sModernEnglishUsage,butit’sprettydense.Yourmost importantdeskreference, inanycase, isagooddictionary. Ifyoudonotown one, buy one before tomorrow noon. If you accidentally get into gradschool, you’re going to need it. The one that came with your computer isinadequate;trustmeonthis.

Althoughthisbookdoesnotpretendtobeastylebook,Iwouldliketowarnagainst two very common errors I ran into in reading thousands of graduateadmissions essays. First, unless a noun is a proper noun, you do not need tocapitalize it. Fields of study, such as chemistry, history, mathematics, are notpropernounseventhoughtheyarecommonlycapitalizedinacademicsettings.Second,intheUnitedStatesandCanada,thequotationmarkalwaysgoesontheoutsideofthecommaorperiod,sothisis“therightway,”andthisisalways“thewrongway”, unless you are in theUnitedKingdom,where they always do it“the wrong way”. If you have doubts about punctuation, capitalization, andsimilar technicalmatters, learn to use suchwriters’ desktop references asTheChicago Manual of Style and The Associated Press Stylebook. Finally, allcitationsneedtobeinthestylethatisstandardforyourfield.Chemistryhasoneset of citation conventions, psychology another. See your advisor for a stylesheet. For the humanities as awhole, use theModernLanguageAssociation’sMLAHandbook forWriters ofResearchPapers.Formost social sciences, usetheAPAPublicationMaual.Write your essay first, as it is far more important that your creative and

intellectual energy be expended on content than on worrying about stylisticdetails.Onceyouhaveyouressay, though,besure thatyoudoattend to thosestylistic details—every last one of them. In my research for this book, basicerrors in spelling andusagewere citedby admissions readersmoreoften thananyotherspecificcomplaintaboutapplicationsessays.However,ifyoufindanerror after theapplication is submitted, it isprobablybetter just to livewith itthantosendina“corrected”version;doingsoonlyaddsinsulttoinjury.

•••

Thereisnocorrectoridealnumberofdrafts,butfewerthanthreeisprobablytoofew.Onceyouhavewhatyouconsidertobeafinaldraft,youcanbegintoroadtestitonafewpeopleyourespect.Donotbealarmedifyoushowyouressaytosixpeopleandgettenstrongopinions.Listentoyourreaders,butdonotletthemmake decisions for you. In the end, this is your essay. If you delete or softeneverypresentationinyouressayinresponsetocriticismfromreaders,youwillendupwitha tasteless, texturelessmush.Toomanycooksspoil thebroth,andtoomanyengineersmakeanuglybridge.Whenyouthinkyouressayisperfect,submitit.Putatleastyourfullnameatthetopofeachpage.Hereisoneexampleofa

pageheading:

ChristopherXavierHylands(applicantforthedoctoralprogramineducationaladministration,UniversityofMassachusetts,Amherst,fall2009incomingclass)

Identifyinginformationsuchasthisshouldbeonallsubmitteddocuments.Tryto use your complete name on everything; avoid initials and shortened formssuchasChrisorJonorNan.Ifyousubmitanythingonpaper,neverprintonbothsidesofthepaperunless

youreallydonotcareifnobodyreadsthebackside.Ifyouressayislongerthanthespecifiedlength,youshouldknowthatsomeadmissionsreaderswillnotreadbeyond that length (mostwill,but a fewwillnot). Ifyouressay isverygood,however,donotworrytoomuchaboutitslength.Thatsaid,watchoutforwordorcharactercountersthatmaylopoffatoo-longessay.Somestudentssigntheiressays,whichIfindtobeanicetouch;itvouchesforthesincerityandtruthoftheessay’scontent.It’seasytoscaninasignature.More and more graduate schools are accepting standardized applications,

whereyouapplytoa“clearinghouse,”andthatserviceforwardsyourcollectedmaterials to the individual schools. These include Project 1000, AmericanMedical College Application Service (AMCAS), Law School Data AssemblyService (LSDAS),AmericanAssociation ofColleges ofOsteopathicMedicineApplication Service (AACOMAS), American Association of Colleges ofPodiatric Medicine Application Service (AACPMAS), and the AmericanAssociation ofDental SchoolsApplication Service (AADSAS). Eachworks alittledifferentlyfromtheothers.Everyfewyearssomeorganizationthreatenstolaunchoneoftheseinthehumanitiesorthegeneralsciences,aswell.Thesestandardizedmethodswillsaveyoutime,butfurtherhomogenizeyour

application just as you areworking your dead level best to individualize yourmaterials! Think about it. Be sure you don’t let ease of application keep youfrommakingyourbestapplication.Irecommendthatyouapplydirectly to theschools whenever you can, answering their unique questions, and submittingsupportingdocumentationandworksamplesandmaterialstosuityourself.

—ADISCLAIMEREVERYAPPLICANTSHOULDREAD!—

Beforewelaunchintothechapterofsamples,youneedtoknowoffourmajorcautions.First,thisbookisnotdesignedtotaketheplaceoffacultyadviceandcounsel.Itisdesigned to complement faculty advice and tomake you savvy on themechanics of the graduateapplicationprocesssothatyoucangetthemostoutofyourcontactswithfaculty.Thesoonerintheprocessyoucaninvolvefaculty,thebetter.Seekoutfacultyguidance,anddonotdisregardit.Ifyouradvisor disagreeswith advice in this book, he or she is probably right. This book is designed toaddresstheessay-writingneedsofaverywiderangeofapplicants,andyourfacultyadvisorknowsmoreaboutyourparticularcase.

Second,itremainsforyou,thereader,toadjustthesuggestionsandinformationcontainedhereintoyourparticulargoal.Atoneendofthespectrumaredoctoralandpostdoctoralcandidatesinhighlytechnical areas.Candidates for such programs needmore focus on substantiating their intellectualpreparation and specifying their researchgoals, and less on thepersonal details of their lives.Forsomeoftheseapplicants,anappropriateapplicationmaybevirtuallydevoidofpersonalinformation.

Attheotherendofthespectrumarecandidatesforfineartsprograms,candidatesfornon-subject-specific scholarships, and occasionally a candidate for a preprofessional program such as law ormedicalschool.Forsomeof thesecandidates,a fullyappropriateessaymaycontainonly personalinformation,oritmayconsistofjustasceneorvignette,providingvirtuallynoinformationabouttheapplicant’s academic preparation and career plans. You should be sensitive both to the range ofpossibilities and to what would be considered an appropriate mix of information for your ownparticular type of application. One correspondent wrote: “My sense is that graduate programs insomeareasarenotconcernedmuchaboutanindividual’slifestory.Rather,theyneedtoknowthattheapplicantismatureanddevotedtohisorherfieldofstudy;theapplicantneedseveryopportunitytoprovehisorherwriting tobe in theacademicstyle.Thedifferencemightbe thatsomeneed towrite statements of purpose, while others need to write personal statements.” The samples thatfollow run the gamut from autobiographical sketches (personal) to summaries of research (asimpersonalasyoucanget).

A third caution: although this book is in places irreverent, nothing presented here should beconstruedasaninvitationtobeflippant,flighty,glib,or“cute.”Suchatonewouldbeahugemistakein a statement of purpose.Although I have tried to reveal a greater range of approaches to theseessaysthanstudentsnormallyconsider,Imostcertainlydonotencourageyoutowriteanythingthatdoesnotrevealaproperrespectfortheadmissionsprocess.Althoughtheotherbooksinthisgenreoftensaysomethinglike“andalittlehumorneverhurts,”intheessaysIreadIfindthathumorfallsflatratheroften.Oneadmissionsdirectorcalledhumora“high-wireact,”andsaidthatheappreciateditwhenapplicantscouldpull itoff,but that theydidnotseemtobeable topredictwhenitwouldwork. You should take risks in your writing, but take them in the areas of revealing personality,revealingwhateveraboutyouisunusualorunique,ortakingawell-presentedcontroversialstand.Ifyouchoosetomakeajoke,makeitasubtleone,indeed.Humorshouldbeagarnish,neveranentrée.Humorthatfailsisofteninterpretedasimmaturity,andimmaturityisalmostuniversallybelievedtobedetrimentaltosuccessingraduateschool.Bedifferent,takearisk,butingeneralbeseriousandpurposeful.

Finally,donotmeasureyourselfagainst thesamplesandexamples in thisbook.Statistically, itwouldbemucheasiertobeadmittedtooneofthemostcompetitiveprogramsinthenationthantobeselected for a book such as this. I have selected these particular essays according to two criteria:eitherIfoundthemtobealmostperfectstylisticallyorIfoundthecandidatetohaveaparticularlystrongapplication,orboth.

Manyofthecandidatesselectedforthisbookarealittledifferent.Oneoftheprioritiesofmostgraduateadmissionsprofessionalsistocreateand/orpreservediversityineachyear’sincomingclass.

Thismeans racial and socioeconomic diversity, certainly, but it alsomeans recruiting peoplewhohavehaddifferentlifeexperiencesandpeoplewhohaveunusualcareerplans.However,youdonothavetogotoAfricaorjointhecarnivaltohaveasuccessfulgraduateapplication.Ifthemostunusualthingaboutyouishowutterlynormalyouare,thenmaybeyoushouldbuildyouressayaroundthat.Nomatterwhoyouare,youcanfollowtheprinciplesoutlined in thisbook, takea risk,andmakeyourbestapplication.

Assoonasyouaredonewithyouressay,feelfreetoemailittomeforconsiderationforthenextedition of this book at don@donaldasher.com. Be sure to include both an email address and apermanentaddressandtelephonenumber.Allsuchcorrespondenceshallbeconsideredsubmittedforpublicationandsubjecttoeditingandrevision.Recompenseislimitedtoacopyofthenewedition.Ilookforwardtohearingfromyou,andbestofluck!

8

Samples,Samples,Samples

Read several essays to discover what style may be best for the uniquecombinationofyourobjectiveandyourbackground.All fiftyessaysare listedbyanumberanda“nickname.”Youshouldcheck the indexbeginningon thispageformentionofspecificacademicsubjectsthatmayappearelsewhereinthebook.Having said this, I urge you to begin by browsing the entire collection of

sampleswithoutregardtoaspecificsubjectmatter,stoppingtoreadessaysthatinterest you. Do not just flip to the ones in your field, or in fields most likeyours, toseewhatothershavedone.Take timetoexploreanumberofessays.Someofthestoriesrepresentedtherearesofascinatingthatanotherwholebookcouldbewrittenonthem.Whateveryoudo, remember this:Donoteventhinkaboutmodelingyour

essay closely on one of the examples in this book; essays in this book areprovided so that youmay learn how towrite the best statement for your ownunique background. Admissions people have also seen this book, and if youcopymaterial,theywillnoticeitrightaway.

Havingtroublefindinganessay?Checktheindexonthispage.

Essay#1“FromWorkingPoortoEliteScholar”

StatementofPurpose,DepartmentofHistory

Oneof the proudest accomplishments ofmy lifewas earningmy collegedegree, despite the fact that my early adulthood pointed in the oppositedirection,beginningwithmymarriageattheageofninteen.Ilivedasoneofthe“workingpoor,”someonewhoslippedthroughthethecracksofthesupposedlyhistoricprosperityof those times.By theageof twenty-five Iwas divorced and frustrated with menial, low-paying jobs: clerk,receptionist,housecleaner.There isnothing like scrubbing someoneelse’stoilet to inspire one with determination toward obtaining an education.Because of my absolute commitment toward earning my degree, I got aflexible shift at a retailwarehouse that enabledme to acquiremy degreewhilesupportingmyselffinancially.Enrolledatthelocalcommunitycollege,Iexperiencedadifferentworld

openingup tome; excitedby anewencouraging environment, I excelledacademically. I learned that if I tried hard, I could succeed; if I wantedsomethingbadlyenough,Ipossessedtheabilitytotakeadvantageoftheseopportunities. I worked a minimum thrity-five-hour workweek for fiveyearstoputmyselfthroughschoolwithoutsuccumbingtothetemptationofastudent loan. Ipaid tuitionupfrontwith themoneyIearned. Itwas theexample of my mother, a Puerto Rican immigrant working diligently toprovideforherfamily,whoinstilledaworkethicintomethathasstoodmeingoodstead.With a lifelong passion for history, I have developed an interest in the

cultural history of early modern and modern Europeans, especiallywomen’s history. The experiences of ordinary women fascinateme: howtheyconstitutetheirworldthroughpopularfolktalesandliterature;howtheseemingly irrationalparadoxesof thepast tomodern eyes are completelyrational when taken within the historical context; and finally, how thesehistorical changes and transformations in culture constitute the present. Ienjoy studying the earlymodern period of English history, especially the

Tudor-Stuartperiod,becauseofthetensionsthatexistedbetweenmedievalphilosophies and the rising Enlightenment intellectualism.My influenceshavebeendiverse. I read the popular historianBarbaraTuchman, not forher technicalaccuracy,butforherbeautifulprose.NatalieZemonDavis’sresearchinspiresmein thewaythatshecleverlypicksoutfreshlifefromtiredsources.Andfinally,MichelFoucault’sphilosophieshaveprofoundlyinfluenced thewayIwrite, fornowIhaveaphilosophicalgrounding thatmakes me highly sensitive to my own biases. In fact, Foucault’spoststructuralistmatrixhasbeeninstrumentalinshapingmycurrentprojectfocusing on the seventeenth-century midwife Elizabeth Cellier. In thisproject,IamreexaminingthecurrenthistoriesofEnglishmidwiferyusingCellierasacasestudy,detectingadecidedbiasembeddedwithinthem.Theunderlying assumption of these histories is that preindustrial professionalwomen—and Cellier in particular—struggled against patriarchy andoppression from the male medical community, when in fact Cellier’sliterature shows that she utilized the accepted discourses of patriarchyavailabletoherinherwritingandturnedthemintousefultoolsofpoliticalandreligiouspower.

(Thisessayusesanoutstandingcombinationofpersonalinformationandacademicexposition.Thepersonalinformationmakesthereaderinterestedinthisyoungwomanasaperson,andtheacademicinformation proves that such interest is warranted. Notice that the woman ismatter-of-fact aboutsomeratherlargechallengesshehasfacedinherlife;shedoesn’taskforspecialconsideration,rathershe explains certaindecision-makingprocesses and turningpoints inher development as a personandascholar.Thisisanoutstandingessayoverall.)

Asastudent,IfeelthatmysuccessliesinthefactthatIapproachedmystudiesasifIwereaprofessional(historian,notstudent,thatis).IalwaysenrolledinthemostchallengingcoursesandworkedwithprofessorsIfeltwerethemostqualifiedinmyareasofinterest.NeverdidIsettleforanA–orB+.IfIgotone,IwouldaskwhatIcoulddotoimprove—andultimately,I utilized the advice to strengthen my work. My personal academicmilestoneoccurredwhileIwascompletingaresearchseminaronhistoricalmethods. This required course was taught by an Americanist—Dr. JulieWorth, director of the [school withheld] history department—so ourresearchtopicswerelimitedtoAmericansources.Iwasabletoworkwithinmymain interest,which ismarginalizedwomen,while using theprimarysourcesoftheNewYorkTimes.Theresultingpaper,“BiologicallyUnsound:Women,Murder, and the InsanityPlea in theProgressiveEra,” examinedthepreponderantuseoftheinsanitypleaforwomenwhowentoutsidetheir“innate nature” andmurdered, regardless of the circumstances that drove

themtokill.Althoughthetopicwasoutsidemyfocus,whichisEuropeanhistory, this paper was selected for publication in the Phi Alpha Thetajournal,TheHistorian.

(Hereisaniceexpositionofaspecificacademicproject,leadingtopublication.Doyouhaveapaperthatyoucouldsubmitforpublicationbeforeyouapplytograduateschool?Yourprofessorscanguideyouinthisprocess.)

My focus as an undergraduate has always been with an eye towardgraduateschoolandacareerasaprofessionalhistorian.Awareoftherigorsof graduate study, I have not only completed an undergraduate languagerequirement inSpanish,but Iamalsocurrentlyenrolled inanacceleratedFrench course. In addition, I have become active in the historical honorsociety,PhiAlphaTheta,includingservingaschapterpresident.Duringmytenure, our chapter hosted the PhiAlphaThetaRegionalConference, thelargest regionalconference in thenation.With thehelpof facultyadvisorDr. Judith Gaillard, I created the conference sessions, chose appropriatestudent commentators for those sessions, andgaveakeynote speech.Theexperience taught me that I have a flair for organization as well asmediation.Undermyleadership,ourchapteralsopublisheditsfirstjournal,andhostedavarietyofcampusactivities.ThisyearIamworkingwiththeComputerSocietyinordertoestablishawebsiteforstudentswhoneedhelpsucceedinginhistorycourses;wearegoingtocall it theCliohomepage.Mypositionasanauthorityfigurebothinclassroomworkandwithinthesevarious organizations has awakened a desire to embrace teaching, for Ienjoysharingtheexcitementofeducationwithmypeers,aswellashelpingthemachievetheirownacademicsuccess.

(Alwaysnameyouradvisorsandmentors.)

I feel thatmy life experiences aswell asmycommitment to educationwould be an asset toCornell’s doctoral program in history.Cornell has aexciting interdisciplinary program that is exceptionally impressive. Inparticular,Dr.RaynaWilhelm’sspecialtyinTudor-Stuartsocialandculturalhistory complements my own interest in studying the experiences ofEnglish preindustrial women. This combination will provide the strongbackground I desire in order to shapemy future research interests. I feelthatCornell isapremier institution foranaspiringPhDcandidateand,assuch, a very competitive program. But I know I have the tools and thedeterminationtoexcelinsuchastimulatingandchallengingenvironment.(When you have identified specific professors at the targeted graduate program who could be

mentorstoyou,mentionthembyname.)

ESSAY#2:“TheSoundofKittywakes”

While my coworkers stared at the amazing sight of thousands of black-legged kittywakes exploding off the cliff face, I closed my eyes andlistened.IhadbeenworkinginPrinceWilliamSound,Alaska,foranumberof months and had noticed that when a colony of these sea birds wasflushed by a predator, they made a particular descending warblevocalization. In fact, in the hectic life of a kittywake colony with up tosixteenthousandbirdscomingandgoing,thisdistinctcallseemedtobethetrigger for the only coordinated activity in which I ever saw themparticipate. Later that afternoon, I practicedmaking the “flush call” untiltheresearcherswithmeweresickof it, thenclimbedontothecolonyanddidmybestimitation.Thethunderoftheentirecolonyliftingoff,asotherbirdspickedupthecall,cementedmylong-heldintention:Iwanttoworkwith sound. My purpose for undertaking doctoral work in acoustics andanimalbehavior is twofold.First,myprofessionalgoal is tocontribute tothe existing research on biological systems that use sound. Second, mypersonalgoalistoconveyin-depthunderstandingandloveofthesesystemstothestudentsIteach.

(Scienceessayscanbesomewhatpersonal,suchasthisone,orhighlyimpersonal,suchasthenextone.One style isnot “right” and theother “wrong”;youneed topick the style thatmatchesyourbackground,your interests, the assigned topic, and the institution towhichyouare applying.Thisstudent has done considerable work to identify alignment between his academic preparation andinterests,andthefocusofthisparticulargraduateprogram.Evenifyouapplytofifteenprograms,trytomakeeachapplicationasfocusedandspecificasthisone.)

With regard to advancing current research, the concept of coevolutionhasalwaysheldspecialfascinationforme.Itsimportancetothetheoryofevolution,socentraltothestudyofbiology,ismademorerelevantbyvividexamplesintheareaofecholocation.Certainbatsandmothshaveevolvedforsolongintheirpredator-preyrelationshipthatthemothshaveactuallydeveloped acoustic countermeasures to help them evade the bat’secholocation.The highly specialized nature of these countermeasures,which include

Doppler shifts, and both broad and narrow band interference, reveal howstronganevolutionarypressurethepredationof thebatsmustbe.Though

myreadingofarticleshasturnedupextensiveresearchwithregardtobats,I have not found any work dealing with any similar predator-preyrelationshipsamongmarineorganisms.Iplantoexplorewhethercetaceanpredationoverthousandsofyearshascausedpreyspeciessuchassquidorfish (which are heavily preyed upon by sperm whales and dolphinsrespectively)toevolveacousticevasivetechniquessimilartothoseutilizedbymothson land.Thisworkmayshowusnotonlyhowcoevolutionhasinfluencedmarine echolocation, but how convergent evolutionmay haveledbothmarineandterrestrialpreytosimilardefensemechanisms.

(Graduate school is an excellent place to combine two disciplines that might not be so easilycombinedasanundergraduate.)

I have strong preparation to help me realize both my personal andprofessional goals. Since completing my undergraduate degree, I haveparticipatedinNSF–fundedresearchinAlaskaandNationalParksresearchon endangered species inHawaii. I have successfully brought this activeparticipation in research to the students I have taught. Classes I havedesignedand taughthavevaried frompubliceducationprograms tohigh-school-level courses in biology, evolution, chemistry, and physics. TheseteachingexperienceshaveconfirmedthatIhavethedesireandaptitudetoconvey my knowledge of the sciences to others. Though my positionrunning the science department for a private high school providedsignificantteachingsatisfactionandlatitude,Iwanttoteachupper-divisioncollege courses to advanced students. My willingness to sacrifice thisrewardingpositionshouldbeseenasareflectionofmydesiretopursueacareerinhighereducation.ThedepartmentalphilosophyatUCSCparallelsmyown.Iwaspleased

toreadofthebiologicalsciencesdepartment’srequirementthatallgraduatestudents teach for a number of quarters. This stems frommy firmly heldbelief that you may possess information, but that it has not yet becomeknowledge,andthustrulyyours,unlessyoucanteachittoothers.DoctoralstudyatUCSCwouldbeanopportunityformetoworkdirectlywithDrs.Costa, Oritz, and Williams in developing my research interests, and theteachingrequirementwillprovideaperfectopportunityformetohonemyinstructional skills. It is this kind of departmental commitment todevelopingmultidimensionalgraduatestudentsthatIamlookingfor.In conclusion, the combination of my two goals—to contribute to the

existing researchonbiological systems that use sound, and to convey in-depthunderstandingandloveofthesesystemstothestudentsIteach—has

led me to pursue an advanced degree in biology. In return for UCSC’scommitment to provide an environment conducive to higher learning, Iwouldliketoofferayoungmanconfidentinhisabilitytotakeadvantageofallyouhavetooffer.Iwouldliketoofferyouanexperiencedteacherandresearcher who would like to contribute to the body of work you areproducing.Iwouldliketooffermyself.

(Teaching, tutoring,andproctoringexperiencesare important forwinningassistantshipsandare ingeneralhighlyregardedbygraduateprograms.Besuretomentionthem.Thiscandidatenotonlyhasteachingexperience,buthealsohasateachingphilosophy,asmentionedhere.)

ESSAY#3:“Nitrogen”

SummaryofCurrentResearch

My current work with Dr. Raganasik is on the activation of nitrogen-regulated promoters. Earlier work in this laboratory has shown thattranscription of the glnALG operon of E. coli, coding for glutaminesynthetase and two nitrogen regulatory proteins, is initiated atglnAp2 byσ54-RNA polymerase. Under nitrogen-limiting conditions, the regulatoryproteinNRIisphosphorylatedbyNRII.NRI-phosphate(NRI-P)bindstotwosites,located100and130bpupstreamfromthetranscriptionstartsite,andcatalyzes the isomerization of the closed σ54-RNA polymerase-glnAp2complex to the open complex. We have now shown that NRI-P cannotactivateaσ70promoter,likethelacpromoter,containingNIRI-bindingsitesbutcanactivateotherσ54promoterslikenifHp.TheseresultssuggestedthattheactivationbyNRI-PisnotsolelydependentonthepresenceoftheNRI-binding sites but also on the nucleotide sequence of the downstreampromoter region. In collaboration with Dr. Vona White, we studied theeffectofphosphorylationofNRIonitsDNAbindingproperties.Ourresultsshowed that phosphorylation greatly increases cooperative binding of theactivatortotwoadjacentbindingsites,andthattheinteractionbetweentwoNRI-Pdimersisrequiredforactivation.

(Graduateapplicationsmayrequireastatementofpurpose,anautobiography,anessayortwoorsixon assigned topics, a summary of research, or all of the above.All thesewriting assignments areslightlydifferent,andyoushouldbesensitivetotheinstructions.Remember,RTGDQ.Thistwo-partessayisinresponsetotheassignment:“Describeyourresearchexperiencetodate.”)

Furthermore, I am studying the activation of glnHp2, also a nitrogen-regulated promoter, of the glutamine permease operon ofE. coli. I haveshown thatopencomplex formationatglnHp2 is activatedbyNRI-P,andthat the activation is stimulated by integration host factor (IHF), aDNA-bendingprotein.IHFbindstoasitebetweentheNRI-bindingsitesandthe

promoter.AsinglenucleotidemutationinglnHp2 (TtoGatposition-14)increasestheaffinityofσ54-RNApolymeraseforthepromoter.Usinganinvitro transcriptionassay, Ishowed that thestimulationbyIHFtakesplaceonlyinpromotersthatformweakclosedcomplexeswithRNApolymerase.Activationof themutantpromoter isnot stimulatedby IHF.On theotherhand,when thebinding sites forNRI or IHFwereplacedon theoppositeside of the DNA helix, IHF inhibited the open complex formation. WeconcludefromtheseresultsthatthestiffeningproducedbytheIHF-inducedbendcanfacilitateorpreventinteractionsbetweentheupstreamboundNRI-P and the closed RNA polymerase-promoter complex, depending on therelative location of the binding sites for these proteins. In thismanner, aregulatoryprotein, IHF, can stimulateorblock transcriptionwithout itselfcontactingeithertheRNApolymeraseortheactivator.

(Researchsummariesareacommonpartoflaboratoryscienceapplications.Thefocusshouldbeonthe science, not the scientist. Presenting your research in a clean, impersonal format—as thiscandidatedid—isthebestapproach.)

Recently, we have found that σ54 binds specifically to the glnHp2promoter in the absence of the core RNA polymerase subunits. Incollaboration with Weslia Carson and Malcolm Blick (AFRC NitrogenFixationLaboratory,UniversityofSussex,England),wehavedemonstrateda new role for core RNA polymerase in transcription: that it assists thebinding of σ54 to promoter DNA. An altered form of σ54 with a deletionwithin the N terminus showed increased DNA binding properties. Ourresultssuggestσ54hasalatentDNAbindingactivitythatisrevealedbycoreRNApolymerase.

SummaryofPreviousResearch

As a postdoctoral associate in the laboratory of Dr. Kirschner, I wasinvolvedintworesearchprojects.Oneprojectwastocharacterizetheamsgene,whichis involvedindecayofEscherichiacolimRNA.Icloned theams gene by complementation, mapped the transcription start site, anddetermined the size and theN terminus sequence of theams protein.WeusedaT7RNApolymerase-promotersystemtooverexpresstheamslocus.We determined the nucleotide sequence of the ams gene, and these datashowedthattheCterminusoftheproteinhashomologytoamitochondrialribosomalproteinofNeurosporacrassa.Morerecently,ithasbeenshownthatamsencodesRNaseE,anendoribonucleasethatplaysageneralrolein

the chemical decay of E. coli mRNA. The other project was thecharacterizationandsecretionofproteaseIII(ptr)ofE.coli.Imappedandsequenced the ptr promoter and determined the N terminus sequence ofproteaseIII.ThisNterminuscontainsasignalsequencethatisneededforsecretion of protease III to the periplasm.Using the clonedptr gene andproteaseIII-alkalinephosphatasefusions,wefoundevidencethatproteaseIIIisalsosecretedtothegrowthmedium.

(Be sure to name your advisors, as it is bad form to imply that you did high-level work all byyourself,withoutanyadviceorcounselfromaseniorscientist.)

InmyPhDwork,IstudiedthechemistryandultrastructureofthesporewallofAspergillusnidulansconidia,andtheeffectofcellwallcomponentsin the uptake of chemicals. I used electron microscopy to study theultrastructureoftheconidialwallandfoundthatitiscomposedofseverallayers. The outer layer is covered by regularly arranged fibers (rodlets)whichcanberemovedbysonication.Chemicalanalysisofpurifiedconidialwalls from a wild-type strain showed the presence of neutral sugars(glucose, galactose, and mannose), protein, chitin, melanin, and smallamountsoflipid.Chemicalfractionationexperimentsshowedthepresenceof alpha-1,3-glucan in the electron-dense outer layer. Conidialwalls of awhitemutantstrainlackedmelaninandalpha-1,3-glucan.Ialsopurifiedtherodlets, which contain protein and melanin in equal amounts and somecarbohydrate.Histidine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, glycine, and alaninearethemostprominentaminoacidsof therodletprotein.Thepresenceofmelanin and possible cross-linkages between it and amino acids likeaspartic acid, glutamic acid and glycine makes the rodlets resistant toproteases. I also studied the effect of conidial wall components on theuptake of sugar analogs and amino acids by conidia. Conidia were firsttreatedwithsonicationtoremovetherodletlayer,andthenwithproteasesorglucanases.The removalofglucanandprotein from theouter layeroftheconidialwallallowedanincreaseduptakeof2-deoxy-D-glucose,3-O-methyl-glucose and L-alanine. These results indicate that certaincomponentsoftheconidialwallactasabarriertopenetrationofchemicals.

ESSAY#4:“LawSchoolEssayofB.T.Powers”

LawSchoolPersonalStatement

B.T.Powers,ApplicantCode325917“Sothisispolicework,”Ithought,sittingatashakytableinadowntownpancake house one freezing afternoon three years ago. Beside me sat adeputyDAwithlittleexperienceinthecourtroom.Acrossfrombothofussat our case’s starwitness, ScottieWasserman, a transient in tattered andwornclothing.Thebulkoftherestaurantpatronshadmigratedtotheotherhalf of the establishment upon our entrance. Whether this was due toScottie’sappearanceormypoliceuniform,Ididn’tknow.

(Vividdepictionofascenariooreventcanbeapowerfulessayforprofessionalschools.)

Weeks earlier, Scottie had been the only person around to witness ahomelesswomanbeing thrown against a fence and strangled.As theDAsawScottiewalkingintothecourthousethatday,Icouldseethehorrifyingvisionsinherheadofanintoxicatedtransienttakingthestand,slurringhisspeech,andrepellingthejurorsoutofaguiltyverdict.Astheinitiatorofthislunch,Isatwonderinghowitwouldfeeltobethe

DA inchargeof suchacase,being responsible forawitness likeScottie,andhelpinginthedefenseofanindigentwoman.Yourtaxdollarsatwork,some might think in a cynical tone, but I could still recite those wordswithoutcynicism.All of my college peers were still working through their senior year,

whileIhaddecidedtoracetoearnmydegreeinthreeyearsinordertojointhepoliceacademysooner.MyhighGPAshouldbeviewedinlightofmyclassloadatthetime.Inawayitwasasacrifice,butbyjoiningthepolicedepartmentearly,IwasabletoseethedifferenceIcouldmake—differenceslikethatdayinthepancakehousewithMr.Wasserman.ThetablecontinuedtotrembleunderScottie’sarmsandlegsashetried

tobalancehisforkandignorehiscondition.Seeinghimandhiscompatriots

onadailybasisonmybeathadgivenmeaninsightintoalcoholismandthedependence on addiction that the homeless are often burdened with. Ithought about how the elements ofmy education andmy life experiencecouldhelpthesituation.Asacommunitypatrolofficer,Iwassupposedtobe quick onmy feet, a problem solver, aswell as a humanitarian.Beingraised in a police family meant knowing the limitations and realities ofsocialservices.Havinggainedtheoutlinesof thecriminal lawandjusticesystem in college, I thought I had forged a bit of a unique vision of thecrucible.IthoughtIunderstoodwheretheorymetpractice.I had already tried out my most idealistic side. I tutored freshmen

undergraduates in college; I helped build a criminal justice forum to aidthosewhowantedtohelp.AndIvolunteeredatapoliceassistanceprogramonweekends.

(Theunderlyingthemetothisessayis“wheretheorymeetspractice.”)

Noneof those things seemed tomatter, though, toMr.Wasserman.Heflattenedthehaironhishead,tryingforpresentablewithwhateverwillhecouldmuster.Scottie’sbloodalcohol contentwasalwaysmore than threetimesthelegallimitfordrivers.TheDAtriedtosmile.Icouldtellshewascallingonallherlawschooltraining,allherknowledge.Thiswastobeherfirstcase.Fromherrecentstudies,sheknewthelawshewouldbetrying,she knew how to handle a jury. But she didn’t know how to presentsomeone likeScottie.Sitting there, I enviedherchallengeandconsideredwhat I could bring to the table in such a situation. I thought about thetransitionfromenforcinglawstostudyinglawtousingthelaw.Iwatchedas the DA grew more and more nervous. “Why do you shake like that,Scottie?”sheasked,fakingacalmdemeanor.She didn’t appear to know why we were sitting in a pancake house,

feeding Scottie a heavy dose of sugars before he testified. Scottie knew.“It’swithdrawal,ma’am.OfficerPowersknew Iwouldn’tbeanygoodatthe trial if Iwas drinking. I don’t think it’s right, hitting awoman, and Iwant to be sober for this. I haven’t had a drink since last night, and Iwouldn’thavebeenable tohold itpast lunch ifgiven thechance.OfficerPowershasbeenwithmealldaynowsoIdon’tdrink.”I knew that my upbringing andmy experience on the department had

providedmewithaknowledgebasethatfewlawyerswouldhavetheluxuryto attain—the ability to understand the people who go through our legalsystem, the ability to reason as they would reason in times of crisis.Whethercivilorcriminal,almosteveryUScitizenwhoisinvolvedinour

legalsystemisexperiencingwhatforthemisacrisis.Iwantedtobeabletounderstandwhattheyweregoingthrough.ScottiestayedsoberandgavethetestimonythatearnedtheDAherwin,a

unanimousguilty,andthetwoofthemtogethertookadangerouscriminaloffthestreets.IdroveScottietothewestsidethateveningandlethimout,andwatchedhimwalkintothecornerstoretobuywhatheneededtostophis shaking. I don’t have a bleeding heart. But I understand a bit aboutnuanceandcomplexity,aboutwhatitmeanstobeahuman.It’snotenoughtosimplybelieveinpeople,orhopeforthebest,orthrow

around platitudes that are at their root condescending. I think driving ablack andwhite all day has givenme a perspective of the gray area thatmostpeopledon’tgettosee.I amhoping thatmypolice careergivesmeagreaterunderstandingof

thelawsthatIwillsomedayenforceandthestatutesthathavebeenfoughtfor inour judicial system. I’meager to takewhat I’ve learnedso far,andadd it toa rigorouseducation in the law. Iknow this combinationcanbeusedforagreatergood.Itismygoaltobeofservice.

ESSAY#5:“LibraryFloorsandLiterature”

PersonalStatement

IthappenedtwoyearsagoasIlaysprawledoutonthefloorofthelibraryloungeattheUniversitédeGrenobleinGrenoble,France.Iwasworkingonanexplicationdu texteofGuillaumeApollinaire’spoem“LaLoreley”formyPoèmesetProsesduXXeSiècleclasswhenIsuddenlyputittogether:thiswasmyapproachtoliterature.Closereading,formalism.Stayingclose,veryclose,tothetext.Iwascertain.

(Thisisagreatexperientialopening.Thereadercan“see”thestudent“sprawledout,”andtheessayoffers anexotic setting.This candidatedisplays amazingbreadthwhile leading the reader throughdistinctphasesinherintellectualdevelopment.Themasterfulwaythecandidateweavesintheorists,theories,authors,andnamesofworkslightenswhatcouldotherwisebeheavyexposition.Theessayas a whole amounts to an intellectual argument, the point of which is this: this candidate’sbackground points to the inevitable conclusion that this student is ready to excel at the targetedgraduateprogram.)

Certainty,however,provedratherunstable. Iknewitwas importantnottoclosemyselfofffromotherapproachestoliterature,sowhenIreturnedto Swarthmore fromGrenoble, I took two courses that I knewwould behighly theoretical—Women Writers 1790–1830 and Feminist LiteraryCriticism.Thesecoursesbroughtmearoundtoakindofhybridapproachtoliterature that I find rich, effective, and enjoyable. In this approach, Imaintain a close connection to the text at the same time that I applytheoreticalwork.Iamusingthisapproachtoliteratureintwomajorprojectsthisyear.First, I received a $2,400 National Endowment for the Humanities

YoungerScholarsSummerResearchGrant.Iproposedtoexpandonapriorresearchproject,lookingattheuseofsilenceinthenovelsofElieWiesel,and at the waysWiesel both demonstrates and gets around the fact thatconventionallanguagesimplybreaksdownwhenitisusedtotalkabouttheHolocaust. I plan to expand on the same project for my senior Englishthesis. For this thesis, I am studying thewaysWiesel uses silence in the

literalcontentofhisnovelsand inhiswriting technique,andamworkingtowardexplanationsastohowhegivesthesesilencesmeaning.MyfluencyinFrenchfrommysemesterofstudyinGrenoblehasbeeninvaluablesincemost of Wiesel’s works were written originally in French. My thesisinvolves close, formalist readings ofWiesel’s novels, and is enriched bytheoreticalwork. (This thesisappearsas“SeniorEssay”onmytranscript;thatdesignationwillchangenextsemesterto“Thesis.”)Mysecondmajorprojectthisyearisaself-designedresearchprojectthat

has just replaced comprehensive exams in the Swarthmore EnglishDepartment.IamworkingwithBritishpoetryjustfollowingWorldWarI,looking at how these poets write about a kind of war that truly had noprecedentsinceitwasthefirstwarinwhichdeathcouldbesoeffectivelyand impersonallymass-produced. I am focusingonmyobservation that asurprising number of these poems rely heavily on biblical or mythicalimages, as thoughmorecontemporary images simplywerenot applicableanymore.IhaveknownforseveralyearsthatIwantmygraduateworktobeinthe

field of English, butmy approach to literature has been enriched bymydoublemajorinEnglishandsociology-anthropology.Twicemyinterestinanthropologyhasledmetostudyliteratureofnon-Europeancultures,bothtimes with great personal satisfaction. My papers for the Black AfricanWriter combine theoretical researchwith a good deal of formalist textualanalysis and close reading. I had several long conversations about thesepapers with Prof. Wallace Mann, the R. Talbot Sondheim Professor ofAfricanStudiesatSwarthmore.Mysecondexcursionintoless-traveledterritorywasapaperIwrotefor

Introduction to Hebrew Scriptures. I chose to do an exegesis of Isaiah65:17–25. I worked from the original Hebrew text since I had taken acourse in biblical Hebrew (Religion 93) and have a moderate level ofreadingcomprehensionofthelanguage.Ihadamarveloustimediggingsodeeplyintoeachword,andsometimesevenindividualletters,asisrequiredinanexegesisofaHebrewpassage.Mytwomajorprojectsthisyear—mythesisandmyseniorproject—are

relatedbythethemeofwarliterature,andmyworkononeprojectgivesmenewideasfortheother.Ifeelfortunatethatthishasworkedout,andattheUniversity of Colorado–Boulder I want to continue studying twentieth-century literature. However, I am also ready to start widening my base,castingoutinsomenewdirections.IhavefoundoverandoverthatifIhavea long-standing gut-level enjoyment of some kind of literature, I almost

invariablyhaveawonderfultimeanddoaparticularlygoodjobtakinganacademic approach to that literature. Old English literature is in thiscategoryforme.IhaveneverdoneacademicworkinOldEnglishliterature,butforyears

Ihave treasuredacassette tapeonwhichare recorded inOldEnglish thestoriesofSirGawainandtheGreenKnight,Caedmon,andTheWeddingofSirGawainandDameRagnell.AndwhenIamfeelingparticularlyharried,I often go to the Swarthmore library and treatmyself to an old, scratchyrecordingofareadingofBeowulf,followingalongintheOldEnglishtextand in a modern English translation. By imitating the voice I hear andfollowing in translation, I have taught myself a tiny amount of thislanguage.Iwanttofollowuponthisinterest.MyinterestinstudyingattheUniversityofColorado–Boulderhasgrown

out of conversations I have had with numerous people, including Prof.Laurie Langbauerwho had a lot of specific information since she taughtthere one summer. When I spoke about my interests with Abbe Blum,another professor ofEnglish atSwarthmore, she recommended that I callProf.MargaretFerguson. I did so, andhad awonderful conversation thathelped me to confirm that I would feel very much at home in thedepartment. I am especially excited about the department’s strength intwentieth-century,Renaissance,andOldEnglishliterature.I am also genuinely pleased about the distribution requirements, since

theywillhelpmetoexploreareasthatIdidnotorcouldnotatSwarthmore.Onlybydoing thatwill I continue to learnnew things aboutmyself as astudent of literature. I do not want my experience in the Université deGrenoblelibrarytobeauniqueblipinmydevelopment.Iwanttocontinuechanging, refining, playing around with the ways in which I approachliterature.Thisever-changing,ever-learningapproachwillhelpmetobealifelongscholarandloverofliterature.

(These paragraphs show the depth of specific interest this student has in this specific graduateprogram.Besure tocustomizeyouressays to this levelofdetail.Alsonote theuseofprofessors’names,bothattheundergraduatealmamaterandthetargetedgraduateprogram.)

ESSAY#6:“64,000MilestoLawSchool”

IhaveknownsincejuniorhighschoolthatIwouldbealawyer.ButIdidnottakethetraditionalroadtolawschool.IfinishedmyundergraduatecourseworkatUCDavisandwasawardeda

BAwithamajorinpoliticalscience/publicserviceandaminorinSpanish.Ididnotconsiderapplyingtolawschoolimmediately,forIfeltthatIhadlived a sheltered life in awhite,middle-class suburb of Sacramento, andthat I knew little of the real world. So I packedmy bags, and with twothousand dollars in traveler’s checks in my pocket, I took the train toGuadalajara, Mexico, determined to make a new life and face whateverrigorsithadtooffer.IknewnooneinMexicoandhadnoconnections,butIgotahotelroomandbegantolookforworkthenextday.IwastoremaininMexicoforthreeyears.Oneofmyfirstjobswasasan

English teacher at the Tourism School of the state-run University ofGuadalajara.Ostensibly set up to give free educational opportunities in acareerintourismtodisadvantagedMexicans,theschoolwasasmuch“realworld” as I could have asked for. The directors would delay our payrollchecks and then offer personal loans, at high interest rates, so that theteachers could cover expenses until the checks “arrived.” Student unionstrongmen packed pistols on campus and hijacked city buses when theygrewtiredofwaitingatbusstops.Leadersofthestudentunionpassedmyclassesregardlessoftheirfailinggradesorlackofattendance.Myoutrage,frustration,andhelplessnessleftadeepimpressiononme;forthefirsttimeinmylife,Iwasaforeignerwithnocivilrights.

(This student involves the reader in a fascinating life story—in this case, an adventure that thestudent voluntarily pursued. Note that he conveys his rationale for pursuing each stage of theadventure,anddoesn’tjustdragthereaderalongforatravelogue.Thisessayexemplifiesthewritingedict, “don’t tell, show”; for example, rather than telling us that he has compassion, intellectualcuriosity,uncommondrive,andthathisjourneyresultedinthematurityhewasseeking,heshowsusall these points without ever mentioning them directly. This is an impressive presentation for anuncommoncandidate.)

Despite a low salary (US $450 dollars per month) and poor workingconditions,IstayedoninMexico,resolvedtoperfectmySpanish,forIfeltcertain that it would be important in a legal-related career in California

uponmyreturn. Ieventually foundworkat the InstitutoAnglo-Mexicanode Cultura, a private English institute under the auspices of the BritishCouncil. I studied there in a one-year program and received a teachingcertificate.Mywork consistedofwriting the curriculum for and teachingsixEnglishclassesperdaytogroupsofthirtyteenagersandadults.Inmyfreetime,IstudiedSpanish,Portuguese,French,andLatininaprogramIdevelopedformyself.Onholidays,ItraveledaroundthecountrybybustofamiliarizemyselfwithdifferentdialectsandtoseethewondersofMexico.When I returned to California, I immediately began studies for the

California Court Interpreters examination in Spanish. I did not yet feelreadyforlawschool,anddecidedthatcourtinterpretingwouldbethebestwaytobeincontactwiththelawandatthesametimeusemySpanishtowork with the Mexican people, for whom I had developed a deepappreciation.

(Notehowthisstudenttookacircuitousroutetohisgoal,butwithouteveroncelosingsightoftheobjectofhisintentions.)

I passed the exam on my first sitting, the first candidate to pass inSacramento in twoyears, andbeganworking freelance in theSacramentomunicipal and superior courts. From the first day, I was thrust intointerviewsbetweenattorneyandclientandontothewitnessstandincasesrangingfromfamilylawdisputestoforciblerapeanddrunkdrivingtofirst-degreemurder.Intheinterpreter’sposition,literallybetweenthelawyerandhisSpanish-speakingclient,Isawthecriminal lawyer’s jobasitreallyis:the frustrations, the heartache, the human element, the tacticalconsiderations, thenegotiationswithopposingcounsel, thegrindingworkandlong,longhours,thehard-wonvictoriesandthesaddeningdefeats.Inmyfirstyearasacourt interpreter, Iworkedinconjunctionwith the

UC Davis Extension college to develop a training course for courtinterpretercandidatesinSpanish.IwrotethecurriculumandtheCaliforniaCourt InterpretersAssociation provided someof thematerials. I gave thecoursesoloforthefirstspringandfallsemesters,andthenteam-taughtthecourse with federal interpreters and colleagues Yolanda Portal and CarolMeredith.Iamproudtosaythatsixofthestudentsfromthosecourseswenton to pass the state interpreter exam; they now make up an importantsegmentofthecourtinterpreterpoolinthenorthernSacramentoValley.

(Providecontext foraccomplishments,as this studentdidbyciting thepass rates for theseexams.Isn’t thismore impressive thansimplywriting that he passed?The context lets us know this is animpressiveaccomplishment.)

I then passed the Spanish interpreter examination for the US federalcourts. This exam has an overall pass rate of 3.9 percent; of the 11,457candidates who have taken the exam since its first offering, 442 havepassed.(OfficialstatisticsprovidedbyRamonCastaneda,StaffInterpreter,US District Court, Sacramento.) I began working as a freelancer in theSacramentofederalcourt.Theworkwashigh-pressureandfast-paced,andIlearned much about the changing state of sentencing under the recentlyapproved federal guidelines. I stood beside young men accused oftrafficking hundreds of kilos of cocaine and interpreted their tear-chokedpleasformercyasjudgeshandeddownsentencesoftwentyandtwenty-fiveyearsinthefederalpenitentiary.For three years, I divided my work between the Sacramento federal

courts and the California state courts in a tencity area stretching fromStockton to Shasta Lake and the Nevada border at Lake Tahoe. In myextensive travels, I saw how the law was applied differently around thestate, and I became especially aware of the tremendous shortage ofbilingual, bicultural attorneys to serve the needs of California’s growingHispanicpopulation.Inlegalinterviews,despitemybesteffortstoconveythemeaningofthe

words,Isensedalackofunderstandingatadeeperlevel.Iwantedtobreakin and explain to the attorney the realities of Mexico’s legal system; Iwanted to explain to thedefendant howour judicial systemwasdifferentfromhisorhers.ButIcouldnot.IsawmorethanafewSpanish-speakingdefendantswalk through the systemas if in adaze. Igrew frustratedandmore convinced than ever that if I wanted to make a real difference, itwouldhavetobeasanadvocate.Buttherewasonemoresteptobetakenonthelongroadtolawschool

before I would feel ready. After three years of saving and extensiveplanning, I set off in a 1971 Volkswagen bus with the goal of drivingoverland to the tip of South America and back up to the Arctic Sea inAlaska.Twentycountries,thirtymonths,fortybordercrossings,andsixty-fourthousandmileslater,Iachievedthatgoal.Along the way, I gave interviews on Brazilian television in Belo

Horizonte,Goiania,andSantaRosa.ImadepresentationstoschoolgroupsoftwentytotwohundredstudentsinBrazilandCanada.I interpretedatajudicial conference between Justice Edward Panelli of the CaliforniaSupreme Court andmembers of the Supreme Court of Bolivia in Sucre,Bolivia. Throughout Latin America, I negotiated prices with mechanics,immigration officers, customs officials, policemen, soldiers, and on one

occasion,witharmedmenwearingmasks.IhadtomakemywaythroughredtapeandbureaucracyinSpanish,Portuguese,andFrench.Imanagedatwenty-five-thousand-dollar budget through countless ups and downs andreturned the Volkswagen safely to California last September. In sum, Igathered the real-world experience I feltwasnecessary tobe aneffectivelawyer.Atpresent,Iamwritingabookaboutmyexperiences,APassagetoPatagonia:64,000MilesofDrivingtheAmericas.

(Note how the candidatemakes thismore than an adventure, by pointing out how this adventurerelatestolaw.)

I lookforward toworkingasa lawyer inareaswhereIcanemploymylanguage skills and my court experience together with my law schooleducation. I am particularly interested in the Jerome N. Frank LegalServices Organization’s immigration project and the immigration levelservices course atYale.My interest has a personal facet aswell, formywifeisanimmigrantfromUruguay.Iamalsoveryinterestedinyourcourse“US-MexicoRelationsandthePressuresofGlobalization.”ThiswillbeanimportantfieldoflawintheyearsaheadasUS-Mexicotiesexpand,andtheboundariesofthelawinmanyspecialtieswillbestretchedandredefined.Iintendtobeapartofthatdynamicprocess.I thinkotherswould say that I amahardworker, agoodorganizer, an

enthusiastic speaker, and an avid student. I believe I canmake a positivecontribution to thestudentbodyof theYaleLawSchool,andwithaYaleLaw School degree, I can make a positive contribution to the legalprofessionandtothewelfareofimmigrantsintheyearsofchangethatlieahead.

(Predict success for yourself as a graduate student, and later as a professional practicing in yourchosenfield.Thisisahighlyeffectiveclosetoastatementofpurpose.)

ESSAY#7:“LabSciencesandChinese”

FromchildhoodchemistrykitstoPCRandcloning,IalwaysknewIhadapassionforscience,butitwasanexperiencewhileconductingresearchinalaboratory this last summer that finalizedmy decision to attend graduateschool. It was 4 A.M. in my Princeton internship laboratory where IexperiencedmybiggestEureka!moment.Ihadbeenbuildingonaseriesofexperimentsthatledtothatdefiningmomentatthefluorescentmicroscope.I was extremely meticulous while preparing the slides. This was it! Ithought. Several weeks of experiments were about to yield a conclusiveanswer.Theexperimentsweredesigned todetermine if therewasadirectinteraction between a RAS protein and the MAPK pathway, and thefluorescentintensitieswouldtellall.Thatmorning,notonlydidIknowthattheRASproteindidnothavedirectcontactwiththeMAPKpathwayastheconventional pathway portrayed, but I knew that I had discovered thismyself.Yes,Dr.RobertoNunezhadsetup this labandsupervised it,andyes three postdocs had helped me hone my skills but, in the end, I haddiscoveredthefinding—Ididtheexperiments,Iinterpretedtheresults,andI realized I could advance knowledge in the field of biology. Laboratoryresearchhas always appeared tomatchmy intellectual interests perfectly;the end result of gaining knowledge is captivating. Research epitomizeswhat I find most enjoyable and what I would most like to pursue as aprofession.

(Thisstudentmentionsalonghistoryofinterestinscience,goingbackto“childhoodchemistrykits,”but notice that she does not dwell on this genesis, butmoves right along into a significant adultexperience. This ismuch stronger than building an essay around a childhood experience.As onesciencerecruitersaid,“Let’sleaveDr.Seussoutofit.”)

Ihavebeenfortunatetohavetheopportunitytotakepartinanumberofdifferent research projects over the last few years. Iwas first exposed toresearchmyfreshmanyearofcollegebytakingonanindependentprojectconcerningtheextractionofmetalsfromacidminedrainagewatersamplesbyanAmaranthusplantspeciesunderthesupervisionofDr.AnneKondo.Thefollowingyear,Iconductedresearchusingtheplantpathogenicfungus,Rhizoctonia solani, examining viral-like particles (dsRNA) that were

unique to disparate isolates of the fungus with the goal of creating abiosensor to detect bioagents with Dr. Narayanaswamy Bharathan. Thesummer aftermy junior year, I participated in the PrincetonUniversity’sSummerUndergraduateResearchPrograminMolecularandQuantitative&ComputationalBiology,workingwithDr.JamesBroach,whereIrequestedtoworkon two separateprojects sinceoneprojectdidnot suffice for theamountoftimeIwantedtospendinthelaboratory.Foroneoftheprojects,I focused on examining nuclear localization of the transcription factorsMSN2 and MSN4 in response to sources of stress, such as nutrientdeprivationandosmoticirregularitiesinSaccharomycescerevisiae.Fortheother project, I tested the conventional method of RAS protein’s directinteractionwiththeMAPKpathwaytodetermineitsaccuracy.Aftertheseresearchexperiences,Ifoundthatmyinterestslayinthefieldofmolecularbiology,soIbeganmyseniorbiochemistryresearchprojectinalaboratoryinvolved in studying circadian and ultradian rhythms in ParameciumtetraureliawithDr.RobertHinrichsen.MyprojectfocusesonusingRNAinterferencetodeterminethefunctionofgenesinvolvedintheregulationofcalciumfluxinthecalciumstorageunit.I am particularly interested in graduate studies in the molecular

mechanisms involved in embryogenesis and morphogenesis, thedevelopment and function of stem cells and chromosomal and proteinbehavior in regard to these biological processes. I find that the types ofresearchinterestsIhaveareincorrespondencewithseveralresearchfacultymembers atYaleUniversity, includingDrs.ValerieHorsley,DavidWells,andWeimin Zhong. All of these facultymembers have research projectsthat involve themolecularmechanisms of developmental processes. I amgreatly intrigued by Dr. Horsley’s research in epithelial stem cellproliferationanditsapplicationstoregeneration,Dr.Well’sresearchinthebiochemistryinvolvedindendritesynapticplasticity,andDr.Zhong’sworkin studying molecular mechanisms of stem cells that go throughasymmetrical divisions. Yale University would provide me with a greatopportunity since its faculty researchmatches sowellwithmy academicinterests.

(Eachessayshouldread,fromfirstlinetolast,asifyouonlywrotetheessayforthisoneapplication.That establishes fit and match. This student does a worthy job of matching her background andintereststothespecificprogram,specificlabs,andspecificfacultymembers.)

Afuture careergoalofmine is towork inpartnershipwithdevelopingcountriesinthebiosciencestoenhanceknowledgeinthescientificfield.As

anundergraduate,IhaveconsistentlystudiedChineselanguageandculture,and have traveled abroad for a language intensive program in Chengdu,China,anunusualexperienceforalabsciencesmajor.Theseclasseshavemade it possible for me to graduate with both an Asian studies andbiochemistry bachelor’s degree.Also, for next semester, I have set up anindependentstudycoursetolearnscientificterminologyinChinese.Chinaisamajordevelopingcountrycontributingtothesciences,asseenbytheirdevelopment of theBeijingGenomics Institute alongwith their advancedtwenty-year bioscience plan for the stem cell and genetic engineeringindustry. Science is a collaborative subject that requires knowledge andresources fromwhat should be an international level. I considermyself auseful student not only for the scientific background I can bring to YaleUniversity,butalsoformyproficiency in theChinese language that Icanusetoenhanceinternationalcollaborationsinscience.Uponcompletingthegraduateprogram,Ilookforwardtocontinuingmy

educationthroughapostdoctoralfellowship,afterwhichIplantoconductresearch at an institute of advanced studies involved in medical andtherapeutictreatmentsofdevelopmentalabnormalities.Eventually,Iwouldliketoobtainapositioninacademiatofocusonadvancingapplicationstostop abnormal differentiation of embryonic stem cells. Along the way, Iwouldalsoworktoencourageinternationalcollaborativeeffortstoworkonscientific issues in today’sglobal society.TheprogramatYaleUniversitywouldserveasavitalfoundationforobtainingknowledgeinmyintendedfield.Throughoutmyexperiencesasanundergraduateresearcherandresearch

assistant,Ihavelearnedthatresearchisarewardingprocess.Thisdirectionmatchesbestwithmyinterests,skills,andgoals.Irealizethatasagraduatestudent, I will be expected to spend countless hours in the laboratoryperforming research; however, I also realize that this is my passion. Ibelievemydetermination and tenacity in thepursuit ofknowledge, alongwithmyotherqualifications,canleadtosuccessasastudentinthegraduateprogramatYaleUniversity.Itismygoaltobecomehighlyskilled,andtocontributerealvaluetotheprojectsofthefacultyatYaleUniversity.

ESSAY#8:“HowWillYouAddDiversitytoOurProgram?”

Afteranhourofconstantrubbing,myhandswerecoveredinblistersandIstillcouldnotproduceasparkfromthestick.ButIhadintentionallyhikedto the bottom of this canyon equippedwith only a sleeping bag andmywilderness skills, determined to either catch my dinner and cook it withonlytheresourcesavailabletomeorspendthenighthungry.Thefirsttaskhadbeenachallengeinandofitself,wadinginthecoolcreekuntilmylegswerenumbwhileItickledthebelliesoffishhidinginthebanks,waitingfortherightmomenttosnatchonewithmyhands.Withthefishcaught,Inowneeded fire.Atmycurrent rate the task seemed impossible,butwhen thestakes are high, themotivation to succeed is strong. I painstakinglywentback to work until finally, a wisp of smoke and a spark combined toproduce the best tasting and most satisfying meal of my life. Thisexperienceandotherssimilartoithavegivenmeadeepunderstandingofthe natural world and a unique perspective on the relationship betweenhumansandtheenvironment.

(Thisstudentwrotethatitwashardfor“anaveragewhitegirl”tocomeupwitharesponsetohowshewouldadddiversitytothecampus,butshesucceeded.)

SincegraduatingfromtheUniversityofMinnesota,Ihavesoughtoutanintimaterelationshipwiththenaturalworld.Throughthisapproach,Ihavecome to appreciate natural resources in an uncommonway that I believebrings a nuanced perspective to the field of conservation biology. I havespent months in the deserts of the Southwest living out of a tent andteachingmyself survival skills in the barren canyons. I have lived in thewoodsoftheMidwestinarusticcabinwithnorunningwater,washingupeither in the creek down the hill or the wood-burning sauna across theadjacent field. Living this type of life requires constantly overcomingobstaclesjusttoobtainbasicnecessities:food,shelter,water.Thesesolitaryexperiences,indeedstruggles,havedeepenedmyappreciationforthevalueof“land”inawaythatIwouldliketosharewithmyclassmatesifacceptedtotheUniversityofMinnesota.

(She goes on to write: “Thanks so much for writing such a great book! It really helped me get

throughtheapplicationprocesswitheaseandIgotacceptedtoeveryschoolIappliedto.TheessaywritingadvicewasgreatandIthinkitreallyenabledmetowritesomewinningessays—peopleontheadmissionscommitteeswerequotingthembacktomeinmyinterviews!”)

IhavestudiedwithvariousMidwesternherbalistsandtheLakotahealer,PaulRedElk, learningaboutdiverseNativeAmericanbelief systemsandhow they relate to theMidwest’s natural resources. Learning the ancienttraditionsoftheLakotapeoplegavemeamoreintuitivewayoflookingatplantcommunities,aviewthathastheknowledgeofcenturiesbehindit.Iwas taught thedifferencebetweenknowingtheLatinnameofaplantandreally knowing the plant—where it was found historically, the folkloresurrounding it, which animals depend on it for survival, what medicinalusesithas,andhowitcanbeusedforfoodorothermaterial;inessence,thespirit of the plant and its historical relationship to humans. This uniqueperspective towardecology,whichhas strengthened the foundationofmyundergraduate degree, is one that I am eager to offer the University ofMinnesota’sconservationbiologyprogram.IfacceptedtotheUniversityofMinnesota,Iwillbringauniquewayof

understanding Midwestern ecology through the Native American andsurvivalist lens. Iwould like touse thesamedrive it took tosparkfire inthat Southwest canyon to motivate myself and others in the program tosucceed.IwouldliketousemyunderstandingofLakotatraditionstoviewthenaturalelementintermsofitshistory,culturalvalue,roleincommunityecology, and function in supportinghumansurvival. Ioffer theuniversitymy blend of the typical conservationist perspective and a deep, intimateunderstandingofthenaturalworld.(Noticethatashortessaycanalsobehighlyeffective.)

ESSAY#9:“ChemistryintoLaw”

PersonalStatementforLawSchool

IwaitedpatientlybythebenchinwhatallHarveyMuddchemistrymajorscall the“SuperLab,”staringforwhatseemedtobehoursatasmallflaskbubblingwithsomethingthatlookedlikeacrossbetweenPepto-Bismolandwhippedcream. Iwaswaiting for thecolor to turn just the rightshadeofbluebeforeIcouldgohomefora latedinner,but itwasobviousthat thissolutionwasasfarfromblueasbaseballisfromrugby.IrealizedthenthatSuperLabwasnotsoSuper,andneitherwasacareerasachemist.

(Thisisanoutstandingandhumorousopeningparagraph,bringingthereaderrightintothestory.Anopeninglikethismakesapromise:“Ipromisenottobeboring,nomatterhowmanyessaysyou’vereadtodayandhowtiredyoumaybeofbrilliant,accomplishedcandidates.”)

Every summer since high school, I worked at Lawrence LivermoreLaboratory as a research assistant. One of my major projects involvedworking on a team to develop probes for the detection of radioactivesubstances. When I turned in my final report, a computer program thatwouldgivethesameresultsinfiveminutesasfourpeoplewouldinaweek,myprideturnedintodisappointmentwhenmysupervisortookcreditforallof my hard work. Unbeknownst to me, somewhere in tiny print in thecontractIsignedasanemployee,itsaidsomethingtotheeffectthatasanemployee I would relinquish all rights to everything that I developed atLawrence Livermore National Laboratory. I felt that it was unfair for acompanytoclaimsuchrights to itsemployees’ innovationsandwishedtolearnmoreabouttheissuesthatsurroundintellectualproperty.

(Thesecondparagraphtracestheoriginofthecandidate’sinterestinlaw.Thisisalwaysagoodtopictocoverinanessay.)

I was introduced to the field of intellectual property law in industrialchemistry, taught by Prof. Gerald Van Hecke. For my final report, Iresearched the development of theGore-Tex fiber by procuring its patent

fromanonlinepatentservice.Atthattime,IwasconsideringacareerinthemanagementsectorofthechemicalindustrybecauseIwantedtobeabletousemyknowledgeofappliedchemistrywhileatthesametimeworkwithpeople. However, once I was introduced to industrial chemistry law, Irealizedthatacareerinlawwouldnotonlyincorporateallofmyskillsbutwould give me more breadth than management in a chemical company.Whereasmanagementwouldlimitmetoaparticularindustry,IPlawwouldexposemetoanumberofindustries.IPlawwouldalsonotconfinemetoaparticular strategy in dealing with problems but force me to developdifferentstrategiesbasedontheindustryandtheproblemthatIamdealingwith. Law school suddenly became a very attractive career path to me,especiallybecauseitwouldallowmetousemyeducationcreativelytohelpprotecttheproductofpeoples’ideas.

(Alwaysnameyouradvisors.)

Although I am an applied chemistry major, what I have learned as aundergraduatecanbeappliedinmanywaystolaw.BecauseIhaveastrongtechnicalbackground,Ihavebeentrainedextensivelyinsolvingproblemsboth alone and in teams. Although the problems themselves have beentechnical,theanalyticalskillsthatIhaveacquiredinsolvingsuchproblemscan be applied to the world of law. Harvey Mudd’s unique engineeringclinicprogramallowedmetoworkonateamoffivestudentstodevelopaprojectplanforGeneralElectricNuclearEnergytobringtheconcentrationoftoxicorganiccompoundsintheirwastesystemdowntoenvironmentallysafe levels. I have also worked on student teams to solve problems forHabitatforHumanity,andduringmysummerinternshipstosolveproblemsfor the government. Because I am an applicant from a nontraditionalbackground,Icanprovideadifferentperspectivetoproblemsencounteredin law, and can even introduce vastly different but equally effectiveapproachestosolvingtheseproblems.My technicalbackground isnot theonly factor that setsmeapart from

the traditional law school applicant. Because Harvey Mudd balances itstechnicalprogramwithanequallystrongemphasisinthehumanities,Iamnotonly leavingMuddwithagreateducation inchemistry,but IamalsoleavingMudd as a technically educated studentwho is skilled inwritingandcommunication.Inadditiontopossessingaliberalartsbackgroundthatis unequaled bymost technical applicants to law school, I also possess abackground that isuniqueevenforaHarveyMudder.The typicalHarveyMuddstudentstudiesatMuddforfouryears,thenpursuesgraduateschool

in a science or engineering field, and then works in either industry oracademia. Unlike the typicalMudd student, I havemanaged not only toperform well academically, but to take advantage of nonacademicopportunities in order to better balance my life. My experience as theresident assistant ofmy dorm has givenme tools that are necessary to alawyer such as time management, interpersonal and conflict resolutionskills,aswellastheabilitytoeffectivelydealwithcrisissituations.Havingtojugglemyresponsibilitiesasaresidentassistant,astudent,andanathletehave increased my organizational skills by orders of magnitude. Asfreshmanandsophomoreclasspresident,andteamleaderofanengineeringproject,Ilearnedhowtobemoreassertiveandgainedvaluableleadershipskillsintheprocess.Inaddition,mymembershipintheNationalForensicsLeague and participation in Lincoln-Douglas debates have provided mewith the skills of impromptu speech, oral communication, and the art ofpersuasionusingsoundfactsasthebasisforarguments.

(Thisstudentprovidesarationaleforhertransitionfromstudyingchemistryasanundergraduatetostudyinglawasagraduatestudent.Shefollowstwotrackstoexplainthetransition:first,explicatingherpersonaltransformationfrombeinginterestedinchemistrytobeinginterestedinlaw,andsecond,exploring how her chemistry education could be useful in a legal career. Finally, note how sherevealsherself as an interestingand independentlywilledpersonby recountingher experiences indebateandforeignstudy.Toreallygraspthisessay,ithelpstoknowthatHarveyMuddisoneofthemosteliteanddifficultengineeringcollegesintheUnitedStates.Thisstudentcanaffordtopokealittlefunatherselfbecauseshehassucceededinaprogramrenownedforitsintellectualrigor.)

I finallymanaged to completely break themold of the typical HarveyMuddstudentbyattemptingtostudyabroadforonesemester.Thiswasthegreatest challenge ofmy undergraduate career because notmany scienceandengineeringmajors,letaloneHarveyMuddstudents,leavetostudyatforeign institutions. Many attribute this to the specificity of the sciencecurriculum and the resulting difficulty in finding compatible curricula atforeign institutions. After making use of all the resources possible, Irealized that although it is indeed an arduous task to find a universityabroad thatmatchesourcurriculumtoa tee, it isnot impossible todoso.AfteroneyearofpersuadingsomereluctantadministratorstomakeiteasierforaHarveyMuddstudenttoleaveforonesemester,IfoundmyselfattheUniversityofNewSouthWalesinAustraliawhereIhadsomeofthemostvaluable experiences in my life. I returnedmuchmore independent, andespeciallyawareoftheworldaroundme.Uponmyreturn,anddueinpartto my own example, I discovered that the school had proposed manychangestoallowmoreflexibilityinthestudents’educationsothatstudying

abroadwouldbepossibleforotherswhofollowme.

(Onceyouproveyoucandothework,thenyoucanaddresstheissueofwhetheryouareaniceorinterestingperson.)

Ioncehadthemisperceptionthat thosewhoareeducatedindisciplinessuch as political science, public policy, or prelaw are more likely to beprepared foragraduateeducation in law thanmostother students.NowIbelieve thata studentcoming fromamorenontraditionalbackgroundcancontribute in many ways to society as a lawyer. In a world wheretechnology is thedominantmeansofprogress and is advancingat suchabreakneck pace, it can be a great advantage to society to haveknowledgeablepeopleworkingwithlawsconcerningtechnology.InotonlybelievethatIamqualifiedtoperformthisservicetosocietyasalawyer,butI am convinced that [schoolwithheld] possesses the quality of educationanddiversityinstudentbodythatcanbesthelpmefulfillthesegoals.

(Thisisanicesummationofherentireargument.)

ESSAY#10:“Good-bye,CFO”

PersonalStatement

Asthefirm’sattorneysescortedtheformerchieffinancialofficerfromthebuilding, his files confiscated and his office sealed and locked by alocksmith, I realized more than ever that teamwork and cooperation areessentialmanagementskills.TheCFOhadavisionandanactionplanforthefutureofthecompany,buthismethodologiesledtohisowndownfall,damage to the shareholders, and disruption in every aspect of theorganization.Ashewalkedoutthedoor,IresolvedtogotograduateschoolattheUniversityofTexas–Austin(UT)andpursuetheMBA.

(Can’tyoujustseetheCFObeingledoffinhandcuffs?Thisopeningisagrabber!)

Mytwenty-onemonthsatCascadeCapitalCompanies(CCC)havebeenatrueeducationinreal-worldbusinessissues.Duetomyabilitiesandmydesire to excel on behalf ofmy employer, Iwas promoted three times innineteenmonthsatthesametimeasthecompanywasdownsizingrapidly.I was originally hired as an analyst for a subsidiary broker/dealer,

conducting due diligence reviews on investment products ranging fromREITs to capital leasing, real estate, and mortgage-related limitedpartnerships. I also managed the firm’s database operations, preparedbudgetingandvariancereports,andmonitoredthesecuritiesandinsurancelicensesfortwenty-threerepresentativesinthreebranches.

(Businessschoolsliketoseesolidquantitativeskills,aseriesofrapidpromotions,andahighincomeforyourage.Thisbusinessschoolcandidatedoesanoutstandingjobofintroducingyoutohis“ten-yearcareercompressedintolessthantwoyears.”Thisessaystronglysuggeststhattheauthorisanunusuallycompetentmanager,abletogenerateahighperformanceforhimselfandabletoengenderthatperformanceinothers.Heexplainstheintentbehindhisactionsandisgoodattellingabusinessstory.Anybusinessschoolwouldbehappytorecruitthiswunderkind.)

Then,aspartofareorganization,twenty-fourpeoplewerelaidoffandIwaspromotedintomanagementoftheparentcompany.Iwastoldtheygaveme the position because I could “talk the lingo, crunch the numbers, and

workthehours.”Icertainlydidworklonghours,butitwasmostlybecauseIreallylikedmyjobandtheworkneededtobedone.Inmynewposition,Iwas in charge of three professionals, all of whom were older and moreexperienced than I, but I had developed a closer understanding of themission of the department and the priorities of senior management. Imanaged relations with approximately four hundred broker/dealers and atotalofapproximately five thousandsales representativesavailable tosellourproducts.I tracked sales and commissions and managed marketing projects

throughacomputerdatabaseI reorganizedandmanagedmyself. Icreatedsales incentives for the representatives, designed and desktop-publishedpromotional materials, and prepared the quarterly reports on the sevenREITswewereoffering. I createdauseful subsetof the totaluniverseofrepsbycallingallfourhundredbroker/dealersandgettingthemtoidentifytheir top players. This allowed us to build closer relationswith themostactiveandpromisingreps.

(Theseparagraphsshowbothsmartworkandhardwork.)

My performance in this position gained the attention of seniormanagement,andtheSVPtappedmetoassisthimandtheproductmanagerindevelopingtwonewproducts.Astherestofthecompanywassufferinganother layoff and plummeting asset values and gross revenues, wedesigned a corporate sale-leaseback fund that generated$13million fromretail investorsbytakingadvantageoftheLBOclimate.Thenwedecidedto develop the company’s first product targeting institutional investors, asecondaryofferingofCascadeCapital’sTrust6, in theprocessofwhichIprepared all the analysis upon which we structured the offering andparticipatedintheproxysolicitationprocess.Then,Icalleduppensionfundconsultants and sold themon theproduct, creating relationshipswith150reps and consultants. (This was a particularly strong accomplishment inlightof theperformanceof realestate–backed investmentsat this time.) Ialso wrote all the presentations for the pension plans. With this newproduct, we raised $12 million in commitments in six weeks of intenseactivity.Then, ina reorganizationof themarketingdepartmentanda refocusof

the company’s strategic direction, I avoided another layoff and waspromotedtothepositionofassociateofaCCCsubsidiary,CascadeCapitalInstitutional Advisers (CCIA), working directly with Donald Kugel,presidentofbothCCIAandCCC.Imonitorourtotalportfolio,preparein-

depthanalysisofourproducts,designquarterlyupdates,prepareproposals,andcorrespondwithrealestateconsultantsandwithinstitutionalinvestorsdirectly.As I was climbing this corporate ladder, a ten-year career compressed

intolessthantwoyears(Iambyfartheyoungestpersoninmycompany),at every step of the way I was promoted because I identified withmanagement’sobjectivesandbecauseIkeptdeliveryandperformancewellinexcessoftheirdesires.Thishasbeenattimesdifficult,asthecompanyisrunbyfivehighly talented individuals(fournow)whodonotoftenagreeon much. Teamwork and cooperation were words used only in themarketingliterature.

(Youhavetoshowinitiative.It’snotenoughjusttobegoodatyourjob.)

In fact, there was a time when senior management seemed to be in alogjam,andeverypartnerseemeddeterminedtoadvanceaseparateagenda.We in middle management were actually being choked off from vitalinformation to do our jobs. To help facilitate communication betweendepartments,Ifoundedatwice-monthly,informalgatheringofdepartmentalrepresentativestodiscussissuesandproblems.Thisquicklybecameknownasthe“BreakfastClub,”andithasbeeninstrumentalincreatingafriendlyandcooperativeworkingenvironment inwhichinformationcanbesharedopenlyandconstructively.Icannowpickupmyphoneandcallanymiddlemanager in the company directly to learn what I need to know. Middlemanagementinthecompanyisactuallymuchmoreeffectiveasabusinessthanthetopbrass.Inspiteofhispersonalbrilliance,theCFOwentoutthedoorforfailing

toseeanycommonpurposewiththerestofmanagement.WhenIsawDeanWitt’s message in the UT catalog, “We strive to create an academiccommunity of students and facultyworking toward the achievement of acommongoal—theattainmentofexcellence,” IknewIwasheaded in theright direction. The combination of advanced technical instruction and arealteamworkphilosophyhasbecomeacentralcriterioninmyevaluationofMBAprograms.

(This is an example of reductionism.Remember, (1) it’s efficient, (2) it’s easy to read, and (3) itmakesforaneasytransitionfromoutlinetoessay.)

I am drawn to UT for several reasons: (1) I am a Texan, and theopportunity to pursuemy graduate education in Texas is preferred, (2) Iintend to start a real estate–related company in Texas, and the personal

connectionsavailabletomeasaUTgraduatewouldbeinvaluable,(3)my“bottomline”natureisdrawntothecombinationoflowcostandhighvalueavailable at the University of Texas at Austin’s Graduate School ofBusiness, and the faculty is oneof themost respected in the nation (I’vedonemy homework), (4)myweakness is one of your greatest strengths:accounting, and (5) I believe the economy of Texas is headed for thestratosphere,andIwanttobethereforit.EversinceIwasthirteenyearsoldandworkingonaconstructionsitefor

myfather’scommercial/residentialdevelopmentcompany,Ihavewantedtolaunch a real estate–related company.My first jobwas “debris remover.”Thenextsummer,theforemangavememyfirstpromotion:hegavemehisoldtoolbeltcompletewithahammerandameasuringtape!EversincethattimeIhavepursuedexcellenceinrealestate–relatedareas(seeresume).Myexperience in mortgage brokerage, real estate brokerage, real estate law,developmentandsyndicationhasprovidedmewithabroadbackground.Iam eager for the University of Texas at Austin’s Graduate School ofBusiness to round out my business education so that I can continue topursuemygoals.IhopetobethekindofgraduatewhowillbeacredittoUTthroughouthiscareer.Thank you for your attention, and I look forward to meeting you

personally.

ESSAY#11:“Sports,Presidents,andPublicRelations”

TheQuestion:“Whatarethereasonsyouwishtopursuethegraduateprogramandhowdoesitrelatetoyourcareergoals?”

RogerBelton,ApplicantTrackingNo.163129MasterofArtsinStrategicPublicRelationsUniversityofSouthernCalifornia

TheCatalyst A burst blood vessel in the brain of my former universitypresident provided the tragic high and low point in my young publicrelationscareer.

(Here’sanotherarrestingopeningline,grabbingthereaderrightfromtheopeningclause.)

ItbeganwithajarringcallatsixA.M.onaSundaymorning.Thepresidentof George Fox University—where I serve as assistant director of publicinformation—had suffered a life-threatening stroke caused by a braintumor. I was called in to deal with the news media. I served as theuniversityspokesperson,doingallmediainterviews,writingpressreleases,andrecordingadailyvoicemaillinewithhealthupdates.Thesituationwasmade even more hectic by the fact that two of my university relationscolleagueswereoutoftheoffice.Ifoundmyselfhurtingforourpresidentandhisfamilybutcaughtupin

the action. Even when the director of public information returned, Iremainedasthemediaspokesperson.Ayearlater,cancerclaimedthelifeofour president, and I was asked to summarize the personality of thisremarkablemaninouralumninewspaper.(Seewritingsample.)That was one experience which has led me to apply to University of

SouthernCaliforniaforfurthertraininginpublicrelations.

(Thisessayisalittlechatty,butitdoesanoutstandingjobofconveyingtheenthusiasmanddecencyofthisremarkableman.Onegetstheimpressionthatiflifeservedhimapileoflemons,hewouldn’tstartalemonadestand,he’dstartafranchiseoperation.Also,hehasdoneagoodjobofadoptingthewritingtipsespousedbythisbook,suchasreferringtosupportingdocumentation(asin“Seewritingsample”).His essay traces thehistoryof his decision topursuegraduate education anddetails his

preparationstosucceed.Thisisanaturalthemeonwhichtoorganizeanyessay.)

Beyond Age 30 Although I am assistant director of public information,muchofmy time isconsumedbymyworkassports informationdirectorforGeorgeFox’sathleticprogram.Not long ago, a coworker asked me, “Are you going to be a sports

informationdirectorwhenyou’resixty-five?”Myinstinctivereplysurprisedevenmyself:“Idon’tplantobeonewhen

I’mthirty.”Since I’m twenty-eight today, I’ve got two years to engineer a career

change.IfeelI’vegoneaboutasfarasIcaninsmall-collegesportsinformation.

Since graduation—when I moved from a twenty-hour-a-week studentposition to full-timeemployee—I’veelevated thecoverageofnonrevenuesportsbyimprovingtheirpublicationsandpressreleases.When I began,media guideswereproducedonly formen’s basketball.

Now all thirteen varsity sports have a media guide. Many guides havereceived national honors. My women’s basketball guide is perhaps myfavorite.Createdfromscratch,ithasbeenhonoredasthesecondbestinthenation among colleges at our level of athletic competition. (I’ve enclosedthemostrecentcopy.)Withtheassistanceofstudentassistants,Iproduceweeklynewsreleases

for each sport.They often are used verbatimby local newspapers.Whilespeaking about athletic media relations at a recent conference, a sportsreporter from aPortland radio station declaredGeorgeFox, the “King ofNewsReleases.”

(Feel free to spice up your essay with direct quotes that support your points or advance yournarrative.)

AtGeorgeFox,westrivetostandabovethecrowd.Whilemostschoolsatourlevelphotocopytheirbasketballprograms,myofficeputstogetheratwelve-pageprogramthatgeneratesabout$7,000inadvertisingrevenue.Thisyear,Isuperviseastaffofuptosevenstudentswhoassistmeinstat

keeping,ticketselling,adselling,newsreleasewriting,andofficework.Ialso recruit and manage about a dozen volunteers to staff games duringbasketballseason.Ienjoymyjob.Ilikeworkingwithmystudentassistantsandseeingthem

matureaswritersandpersons.It’sfuntobepartofthe“team”withcoaches

and student-athletes. I still findmypalms sweaty in theninth inningof atightbaseballgame,buttheamountofcoverageavailabletosmallcollegesisfrustratinglysmall.Somuchworkforsolittlereturn.

Stepping Outside the Sports Arena Although I often find myselfconsumedwiththepromotionofmyathleticdepartment,Idon’twanttobepigeonholedasasportsfanatic.Afterearninganumberofstateawardsasahighschooltrumpetplayer,I

receivedamusicscholarshipatGeorgeFox.Icontinuetoplayoccasionallyatweddingsandchurchservicesandteachlessons.Thedeathofacollegeroommatefromleukemialedmetovolunteerata

campforkidswithcancerrunbytheAmericanCancerSociety.Forthepastsixsummers,I’vebeenknownasthebugle-blowingcounselor“Mr.Toad.”

MyDestination I still tellpeople Idon’tknowwhat Iwant tobewhenIgrowup,butI’dlikeittobeinthepublicrelationsfield.IbelieveIhavethetalentforit.I was recently honored with the “Rising Star” award in the field of

communicationsbytheCouncilforAdvancementandSupportofEducation(CASE)DistrictVIII.It’sanawardgiventoprofessionalsintheirfirstfiveyears in the field. The district is made up of development, alumni, andpublic relations professionals at educational institutions in five states andsix Canadian provinces. George Fox University—with twenty-threehundredstudents—isoneofthesmallestcollegesinCASE.ItakeanactiveroleinGeorgeFox’sweeklyuniversityrelationsmeetings

wherewediscuss potential news stories and awidevariety ofPR issues.Topicshaverangedfrom“Howcanweimproveinternalcommunicationonourcampusintranetsystem?”to“Whatdoweputinouralumninewspaperwhenoneofournewlyadmitted freshmenhasbeenarrested foradoublehomicide?”Igetathrilloutoftryingtocapturetheinterestofthenewsmediawitha

storytipandhaveachievedlocalandnationalsuccess.U.S.News&WorldReportmagazineusedoneofmysubmissionsaboutauniqueGeorgeFoxcampustraditioninitsannualcollegerankingguide.AlthoughIdon’tbelieveIwanttobeafull-timewriter,Iconsiderwriting

one ofmy strengths.My story about a record-setting female pole vaulterthis summer was used by the National Association of Intercollegiate

Athletics (NAIA) in the inaugural edition of its Internet magazineNAIANews. (Seewriting sample.)Another feature about awomen’s basketballsenior citizen fanclub receivedanational award from theCollegeSportsInformationDirectorsAssociation.

An Itch toExplore After eleven years as a student and administrator atGeorge Fox, I feel very comfortable here, but I want to broaden myhorizons.It’sanitch.PerhapsIpickeditupfrommyfather,whopackedmyfamilyupwhenIwastwelveandtookustoliveinBrazilforayear.Twentycountries later,I’mstillhungrytoexplore.In the last threesummers,I’vehad coffee at the home of a Bosnianwarwidow; seen Belfast, NorthernIreland,duringacommemorativemarch;andcrossedfromHongKongtoChinawithareliefworkertoseeherworkonanislandinhabitedbylepers.Travelhasopenedmyeyestoaworldlargerthanabasketballgame.I enjoy the academic environment. Going back to school excites me.

Educationalwayshasbeenapartofmylife.Myparentsarebothteachers.SinceIhaveaninterestinpossiblyfollowingintheirfootstepslaterinlife,I would appreciate being considered for a teaching assistantship. (Seeseparate application packet.) I believe I would be an excellent candidatesince I have spent the last seven years editing sports and general newsreleaseswrittenbycollegestudents.

(Afteryou’veestablishedintellectualcapacity,it’sokaytothrowinahuman-interestsection.)

WhyUSC?IbelieveUSCwouldprovidemewithexcellenttraininginmyprofession.AfterfindingitshighrankingintheGourmanReport,Ivisitedtheschool’swebsiteformoreinformation.Theideaofreceivinghands-ontraining from LA’s PR professionals is extremely attractive. I contactedAlanMacDonald,who earned hismaster’s degree in PR fromUSC, andcurrent journalism graduate student Jennifer Prosser to ask about theirexperiences.Bothgavetheschoolandtheprofessorshighmarks.Although I could seemyself returning to a public relations position at

GeorgeFox,I’mintriguedbythevarietyofoptionsthatwouldbeavailableto me after graduation. Alan MacDonald told me that USC stood forUniversityofSocialConnections. Inaddition tomycurrent experience, adegreefromUSCwouldgivemeadditionalcredibility.DuringmyJanuaryvisit to USC, I met with Tim Burgess and was impressed that theAnnenbergSchoolofCommunicationshaditsowncareeradvisingoffice.

I have done quite a bit of research on master’s degrees incommunications,butUSC’spublicrelationsprogramwasthefirstandonlyonetoexciteme.Iamapplyingtonootherprogram.

(Themorepersuasiveyouranswerto“Whyhere?”themorelikelyyou’llbeadmitted.Studentswhodonotcustomizetheiressayswasteanopportunitytoimpressadmissionsdecisionmakers.)

Idonotgointothisapplicationprocesshalfheartedly.Thishasbeenmypassionateintentionforoverayear.Inpreparationforthecostoffull-timegraduateschool,Ibecamefrugal.Idecidedtocontinuedrivingmytwelve-year-oldcar,andImovedoutofahousewhereIrentedalonetosavecostsinasharedduplexwithfourroommates.IfeelthatIamreadytoperforminyourprogram—mentally,financially,

academically—andthatIhavehonedtheskillsnecessarytoexcel.IwouldliketheopportunitytofulfillmycapacityatUSC.Thankyouforconsideringmyapplication.

(Preparing yourself fiscally for graduate school is just as important as preparing yourselfintellectually.Whenyou’vemadeprudentfinancialpreparations,letreadersknow.)

ESSAY#12:“PersonallyRelatedtoGod”

StatementofPurposeforArchitecturalSchool

Leon Battista Alberti is my great, great, great … great-uncle on mymother’sside.Hisnameisneatlyinscribedinagenealogycontainedinoneofour familyBibles. Itwasonlyafter Ibecame interested inarchitecturethat Idiscoveredwhomyrelativewas,although it iscommonknowledgethateveryoneonthissideofmyfamilycandraworpaint,asifbygeneticdecree.

(Thisopeningparagraphispowerfulandauspicious,sinceLeonBattistaAlbertiistheLeonardodaVinciofarchitecture.)

Igrewupinalower-middle-classneighborhoodinDetroit,oneofthreegirls.Myfatherwasablue-collarworkerwhoinstilledinmeastrongworkethicandarespectforallcreationsofmanuallabor.Hetaughtmehowtotakethingsapart,fixthem,andputthembacktogetheragain.Hetaughtmetobeproudofanyjobwelldone,nomatterhowtrivialorhowcomplex.Hetaughtmetobehonest.Mysisterisdevelopmentallydelayed.Thisfactsensitizedmeatanearly

ageaboutlearningtolivewithdisabilities.Mymotherwentbacktoschoolin her thirties to become a deaf-education teacher. So I grew upwith anunusually strong feeling of social responsibility, of obligation to helpothers.Insteadofbeingangryaboutmysister,werespondedby“goingtowork.”I took my interest in drawing, painting, and sculpting and decided to

pursuea career inoccupational therapy.Occupational therapyhelps teachbasic livingskills to thementally ill,developmentallydisabled,and thosewhohavesufferedastroke,trauma,orotherseriouscentralnervoussystemdebilitation.Myspecialtywasoccupationaltherapyusingartasatreatmentmodality.Iespeciallypreferredthree-dimensionalmedia,suchasceramics,woodworking,handicrafts,andhorticulture.Iwasalsotaughttouseskilledobservation techniques in order to develop an activity analysis, or a

breakdownoftheminute,specificstepsneededtosuccessfullycompleteabasictask.As an occupational therapist, I also designed and fabricated adaptive

equipmentforusebypatients.Ilearnedhowtomanipulateandstructureapatient’s immediate environment in order to promote his or her highestlevel of independence and functioning. I designed treatment aids,detachable wheelchair fixtures, and for one client I designed kitchenmodificationstoallowhertoreturntoherroleasahomemakerinspiteofherdisabilityfrommusculardystrophy(Iobtainedfundingforthework,aswell).Ihaveoftenbeenthestaffmembercalledupontorepairthefurniture,fixtheping-pongtable,fine-tunetheequipment,wirethenewstereo.…Allofthisexperience,Ifeel,willbedirectlyappliedinmyfuturecareer

asanarchitectwithaspecialtyinuniversaldesign.Inmyexperiencesasanoccupationaltherapist,Iwasoftenstruckathow

poorlydesignedclinicandtreatmentareaswereforthepatientstheyweresupposed to serve. InMichigan, I was a consultant to Easter Seals on agroup project to evaluate buildings for barrier-free design. For the sameorganization,Icontributedtoaprojecttomapallthewheelchair-accessiblebuildingsinKalamazoo,Michigan.

(This essay is wonderfully honest and forthcoming, and for several reasons it is a nearly perfectapplication essay. The applicant puts a “spin” on her essay, featuring her intent to pursue aspecialized career and demonstrating how her rather unusual background is uniquely suited toachieving excellence in that career. Finally, her essay ties together the rest of her application in acompellingmanner.Thecandidatehasclearlythoughtabouthergoalsandplottedaseriouspath.)

At one program where I served, the physical surroundings were soaustere that I launched a project to paint children’s hospital corridors,wards, and gymnasium in colorful wall graphics. At another program, apsychiatricfacility,a“decorator”withgoodintentionshadpaintedthewardinelectricorangecompletewithvinyl floors tomatch.Thecolorsprovedoverly stimulating and disorienting for the sicker patients, and the nursesandIsucceededinlobbyingthedirectorforamoreappropriateandcalmingcolorscheme.Ihaveseennursesscrambletofilldozensofmedicationtrayswith100percentaccuracy,whilespinningandturningandreachingaroundinadispensingroomthatisonly4by6indimension.Ihaveseenshowerroomstoosmalltoaccommodatethepatientandthenurse.Ihaveseengrabbarsinstalledatuselessanglesandlevels,doorknobsthatanarthritichandcannotturn,chairsforpatientsthattipovereasilyorarehardtogetoutof,countersandcorridorsthatareinvisibletothevisuallyimpaired(theylackasimpleborder line; howeasy itwouldhavebeen to do it correctly).So I

have observed the pleasures that simple, inexpensive design can bring topatientpopulations and staff, and theheavy-handederrors that are all toocommonly committed by designers who have no real awareness of thehospitalenvironment.Ihavecometobelievethathumanitywillbebetterservedifhealthcare

facilitiesarerenovatedorbuiltbyindividualswhohavesomesensitivitytothe people actually working in them and some knowledge of patients’specializedneeds. Iamvery interested inuniversaldesignofmedicalandtreatmentfacilities,designofhospiceenvironments,andresidentialdesignforthedifferentlyabledandfortherapidlyincreasinggeriatricpopulation.Iviewtheseasexcitingareasforchangeandgrowthinmodernarchitecture.The design training that I would receive at Berkeley, combinedwithmyknowledge of the needs of these population groups, would allow me tobringauniqueperspectivetomycareerasapracticingarchitect.To facilitate a smooth entry to your program, I have been taking the

prerequisite math classes (which will be completed by July). I have astraight“A”averageintheseclasses,andIfindmyselfveryeagertoreturnto full-time studies. I have selected Berkeley as my program of choicebecauseofitsreputationforcommitmenttohandicappedaccess,universaldesign,andrelatedareasofmodernarchitectureanddesign.Iamapplyingtonootherprogram.

(Thisapplicant,likethelastone,isapplyingtoonlyoneschool.Althoughthisisalwaysrisky,anytimeyourreasoningfordoingsoisduetoacompleteconfluenceofyourinterestsandtheofferingsofthatparticularprogram,mentioningthatfactcanonlystrengthenyourcandidacy.)

ESSAY#13:“ArabismandIslam”

StatementofPurpose

In 1933, the Syrian-Egyptian scholar Muhammad Rashid Rida,emphasizingtheimportanceofMuslimArabs’loyaltytothegreaterIslamiccommunity,wrotethat“eachmanmustbeamemberofabodygreaterthanhisownnation.”Eightyyearslater,inaverydifferentcontext,thesewordsare relevant to my own life. They capture the essence of my principalacademic interest, the hierarchy of allegiance to nation and religion intoday’s Egypt. In addition, Rashid Rida’s words convey the basis of myattraction to a career centering upon theMiddleEast:my desire to reachbeyondmyownsocietytohelpbuildclosertiesbetweentheUnitedStatesandtheArabworld.

(Thispost-Fulbrightessay isfromanaccomplishedscholarwell intoherspecialty.Noticehowtheimpact isatoncebothpersonal, inthesenseofbeingstraightforwardlyegocentric,andabstract, inthe sense of focusing on the realm of ideas. Thewriter passeswhat business school students call“TheAirportTest,”asin“IsthissomeoneI’dwanttospendeighthoursstuckinanairportwith?”IfyouareinterestedinArabismandIslam,you’dfindhercompanymostinterestingindeed.)

IamapplyingtoUCLA’sIslamicstudiesprogramtoprepareforacareerin US–Mideast relations, focusing on Egypt. UCLA’s interdisciplinarytraining,withitsemphasisonforeignlanguage,isidealpreparationforsuchacareer.AlthoughIintendtoseekaPhDinmodernMiddleEasternhistory,Ifirstwouldliketocompleteamaster’sinIslamicstudies.IviewtheMAprogram as an opportunity to fill in gaps in my knowledge of MiddleEastern history (economic history, for example), to strengthenmyArabicandFrenchskills,andtofocusmyresearchinterestbeforepursuingaPhD.Becauseofmyinterestinearlytwentieth-centuryEgypt,theopportunitytoworkwithProf.MarsotisaprimaryfactordrawingmetoUCLA.Living in rural Turkey as an AFS student during high school first

exposedme to theMiddle East and Islam. I entered college planning toconcentrate in Middle East history, but, as my transcript suggests, Yale

offeredfewcoursesinthisarea.Thusincoursesthatonthesurfaceseemedto have little to do with the region, I found every possible Middle Eastangle.Forexample,foraseminaronBritishhistory,IcontrastedtheBritishcolonialadministrationsinEgyptandtheSudan;foracourseonmedievalEurope, I wrote about the characterizations of Arabs in twelfth-centuryGermanliterature.Readinginmysparetimealsohelpedmedevelopasolidbackground.Once, tomy friends’ bewilderment, I tookYvonneHaddad’sContemporaryIslamandtheChallengeofHistoryonavacationinFlorida.AsummerinternshipintheMiddleEastStudiesDivisionoftheBrookingsInstitution strengthened my knowledge of contemporary Middle Eastpolitics.AtBrookings,Iresearchedtheroleofnonviolentresistanceintheearlymonthsofthe intifadaandpreparedabibliographyonthehistoryoftheSudanese civilwar. Finally,my undergraduate training included threeyears of modern standard Arabic at Yale and a summer at the ArabicLanguageUnitoftheAmericanUniversityinCairo.

(Note how the candidate points out her early focus on Middle Eastern history even though hercollegedidn’thavemanycoursesinthistopic.)

My interest in the early twentieth-century Islamic reformmovement inEgyptbeganwithmysenior thesisonMuhammadRashidRida.LivinginTurkeyandEgyptinterestedmeinrelationsbetweenArabsandTurks,andthe larger issue of the role of nationalism in Islam. For my thesis, ItranslatedRashidRida’sarticlesonArabsandTurksfrom1898to1916toexaminehisviewson the connectionbetweenArabpolitical strength andIslamic reformbefore the collapse of theOttomanEmpire. In contrast tomosthistoricalinterpretationsofRashidRida,whichcategorizehimeitheras a pan-Islamist or the first Arab nationalist, I found that Rashid RidaadvocatedbothMuslimunityandArabsupremacyamongMuslimsaskeystoreformingIslam.Heemphasizedoneor theotheraccording toexternalpolitical factors. I concluded that Rashid Rida’s significance lay in hisattempttoresolvewhatmanyofhiscontemporaries,aswellassubsequentEgyptian intellectuals, held to be a theoretical conflict between ArabismandIslam.MyexperienceasaFulbrightscholarinCairolastacademicyearwasa

turningpointinmystudyoftheMiddleEast.First,IimprovedmyArabicskills dramatically in an intensive program. I am now quite comfortableconductingresearchinArabicandamproficientintheEgyptiandialect.

(Always mention your language skills when they are pertinent to your graduate subject. Don’toverstate them; rate themon thescaleofnativespeaker, fluent,proficient,orbasic;oruse theUS

StateDepartmentscale(I,II,III,IV,V).)

Furthermore, I continuedmy research onRashidRida at theWomen’sCollegeofal-AzharUniversity.Myprojectentailed translatingaseriesofRashidRida’s articles onArabs andTurkswritten just before and duringWorldWar I to determine how the imminent dissolution of the OttomanEmpireinfluencedhisviewofthepoliticalroleofArabsintheummaandledtohiscallsforanArabcaliph.As I witnessed the growing influence of the Muslim Brotherhood in

Egypt,however,IshiftedthefocusonmyprojecttoinvestigatehowRashidRida’s ideas about Islamic reform have influenced the contemporaryEgyptian Brotherhood’s ideology. My affiliation with al-Azhar wasessential to this research.As theonlyWesternwomanat theuniversity, Ihad an unusual opportunity to become well acquainted with a group offemalestudentswhobelongedtotheBrotherhoodandthe“IslamicGroup.”In discussions about my research, these young women echoed many ofRashidRida’sarticleswhen they spokeof trying to resolve the“conflict”between their Muslim and Egyptian identities. They brought to mindRashid Rida’s calls for the caliphate when they emphasized the Muslimworld’s need for a Muslim-Arab leader to foster greater political andspiritual unity. These conversations, along with research on Hassan al-BannaandtheBrotherhoodinEgypttoday,demonstratedtomethatRashidRida’sideasarenot,assomehavecharged,obsolete.Rather,Ibelievethatthe early twentieth-century Islamic reform movement offers an excellentbasis from which to analyze Egypt’s current Islamic movement.Researching the connections between Muhammad Rashid Rida and thismovementwillbethecoreofmygraduatestudy.Finally, the Fulbright helped to focusmy professional goals. Living in

Egypt convincedme that amore accurateAmerican interpretation of theIslamicrevivalmovementiscentraltothelong-termsuccessofAmerican-Egyptian relations and spurred my interest in a career in diplomacy ordevelopmentworkfocusingonEgypt.ThoughsomeWesternanalystsarguethat the rise of “militant” Islam in the region, and the anti-Westernsentimentthatsometimesaccompaniesit,diminishesthepossibilityofgoodrelations with the countries of the Middle East, I believe that thegeopoliticalimportanceoftheregion(especiallyEgypt)precludesseveringany ties.Rather,Americansmustexploreways tostrengthenour relationswiththeArabs,especiallyifIslamicgovernmentscometopower.WhetherIpursueacareerindevelopmentordiplomacy,IhopethatArabicwillbean

integral component ofmyday-to-daywork. (SeeFLAS fellowship essay,enclosed.)I recognize the challenges of a career in US–Mideast relations.

Discussionswithmy former professors and other experts, as well asmyown experiences, have elucidated the potential limitations for women inthis field. I have also weighed the personal implications of devotingmyprofessional life to another part of theworld,while there are compellingproblemsinthiscountry.However,mybeliefintheneedforbettermutualunderstanding between theUnited States and the countries of theMiddleEastassuresmethatI’vemadeaworthwhilechoice.I lookforwardtograduatestudyatUCLAasanexciting,andessential,

stage inmyscholarlycareer. I’meager toapplymyacademicpreparationand enthusiasm in UCLA’s program, and I’m certain that Rashid Rida’swords about the importance of reaching beyond my own society willcontinuetoguideme.

ESSAY#14:“IteratedMappings”

StatementofPurpose—PhD,Mathematics

Over the past few years, I have become interested in the dynamics ofiterated mappings. As an independent research project, I have beeninvestigating thedynamicsof thequadraticmap,Zn+1 =Zn

2 +C,when it isappliedtoalgebraicstructuresother thanthecomplexfield,whichisusedtogeneratetheclassicMandelbrotandJuliasets.Ibeganbyexploringthethree-dimensionalsetsthataregeneratedwhenreal-valued2×2symmetricmatricesareusedforZandC.Later,Iextendedmyinvestigationtoincludethe four-dimensional setsproducedbygeneral real-valued2×2matrices,usingabasisthat iscompatiblewiththematrixrepresentationofcomplexnumbers.Togainintuitionintothedynamicsofthequadraticmaponthesestructures, I wrote several computer programs to generate slices of thesesets and to calculate orbits for given values of Z and C. My original“Mandelbrotset”programstartsZ0at0andletsCrangeover2×2matrixspace, which is the same type of algorithm that is commonly used togeneratetheclassicMandelbrotset.ThefirstprogramsdefinedaniteratetohaveescapedwhenitsEuclideandistancefromtheoriginwasgreaterthanorequal toanescapevalue(usually2).This is thesameescapeconditionthatisusedwithclassicMandelbrotandJuliasets.

(Like many essays that focus on science and laboratory research summaries, this essay is aboutmathematicsandnothingelse.Itcouldbewrittenbyawealthyurbansocialiteoratattooedurchinwithamohawk.Iteithersucceedsorfailsbasedonthemathwithinit.)

My research has already yielded several interesting results. It is wellknownthatthecomplexplaneisisometrictoatwo-dimensionalsliceof2×2matrixspace. I foundthat lines in thisslice thatpass throughtheoriginserveaslinesofrotationalsymmetryinthematrixMandelbrotset,andthematrixJuliasetsareallsymmetricabouttheorigin.TheimagesthatIhavegeneratedhave shownan incrediblevarietyof structuredependingon thesliceviewed,and, inthecaseof thematrixJuliasets, thevalueofC.The

boundary of the matrix Mandelbrot set is chaotic in some places andperfectlysmoothinothers.Ihavebeenabletocalculatethepreciseshapeoftheboundary forsomeof thesliceswithsmoothboundaries.Someof theslicesofthematrixMandelbrotsetareperfectsquares,circles,orsectionsofhyperbolicsolids.Othersarenarrowbandsthatstretchasfarastheedgesof the circle defined by the escape value will allow. The presence of“arbitrarily bounded” slices such as the hyperbolic solids and the narrowbandsreflectsthefactthatthematrixMandelbrotsethasfixedpointswhoseEuclideandistancefromtheoriginexceedsanyescapevalue.ManyofthematrixJuliasetsalsohavearbitrarilyboundedcomponents.Thepresenceofarbitrarilyboundedslicesraisesthequestionofhowto

determine whether a particular escape criterion is reasonable for aMandelbrotor Julia set.Thepurposeof theescapecriterion is to classifyorbits as either boundedor unbounded. In the case of the classic sets, allescapeconditionsthatcontainthediskofradius2centeredattheoriginwillclassify all orbits in the sameway. This is true because all cycles of thequadraticmapon thecomplex fieldarecontained inside thisdisk,andallorbits that leave this region tend toward infinity in such away that eachiterate has a greater Euclideanmodulus than its predecessor. But for thequadraticmapping onmatrix space, any escape condition that relies on aEuclidean metric will exclude some cycles. Based on the images I haveseen and an analysis of the quadratic mapping on 2 × 2 matrices, IconjecturethatanescapecriterionbasedonametricthatishalfhyperbolicandhalfEuclideanwillprovideabettertestofboundednessforthematrixJuliaandMandelbrotsets.Althoughcomputerimagesseemtoindicatethatmy candidate for an escape criterion will be effective, a proof of thisdemandsthatIhaveabetterunderstandingofthedynamicsofmatrixJuliaset orbits. I will also need to consider the mathematical implications ofusinganescapecriterionbasedonanon-Euclideanmetric.Forananalyticmappingonthecomplexfield,allattractingcyclesmust

attract a critical point of themap. Since the quadraticmap has only onecriticalpoint,0+0i,aquadraticmapwithafixedvalueforC(correspondingto a specific Julia set) can have at most one attracting cycle, and if oneexists itmust attract 0. If there is no attracting cycle, then the orbit of 0escapestoinfinity.TheMandelbrotsetthereforeshowswhichvaluesofCinduceanattractingcycleandwhichonesdonot.ClassicJuliasetscanbedefinedequivalentlyastheclosureofthesetofrepellingperiodicpoints.Iwould like toestablishwhethereachof these featuresof thecomplex

quadraticmapcanbegeneralizedtothematrixquadraticmap.Ifthereisat

most one attracting orbit in a matrix Julia set, and if the orbit of 0 isnecessarilyinitsbasinofattraction,thenanescapeconditionthatrespectsthe dynamics of the Julia sets will also respect the dynamics of theMandelbrotset.Inordertoprovethattheorbitof0behavesinthisway,ameans of identifying critical points and determining whether a cycle isattracting,repelling,orneutralisneeded.Followingtheapproachusedforthecomplexquadraticmap,Ihavebeen

abletoprovetheappropriateattractingandrepellingcycletheoremsusingthemodulusoftheFréchetderivative.BasedontheorbitcalculationsthatIhavedone,itseemsthatattractingcyclessodefineddoattracttheorbitof0.It also seems to be true that there is at most one attracting cycle. Forfunctionsoftherealnumbers,aproofthatacriticalpointofthemapmustbe in the basin of attraction of each attracting cycle can be obtained byusingvariouscharacteristicsofSchwarzianderivatives.Thisproofcannotbe adapted to functions of complex numbers because of the presence ofimaginarynumbers.Theproof in thecomplexcase isa“deepresult” thatdependsonMontel’stheoremandtheanalyticityofthemap.OnewaythatImightbeabletoprovethisresultforthequadraticmappingonmatrixspaceis to examinematrices that have an imaginary component separately, anduseaSchwarzianderivativeapproachwiththesymmetricmatrices.Anotherpossible approach would involve using the specific dynamics of thequadratic mapping on matrix space to show that there is at most oneattractingcycleandthatitattracts0.Itisalsopossiblethatthisconjecturemayneedtobemodifiedbeforeitistrue.Itispossibletorecastthequadraticmapon2×2matricesasaClifford

algebra.Thinkingaboutthedynamicsofthemapinrelationtothealgebraicstructure of the systemwill allowme to generalizemy results to higher-dimensional spaces that result from largermatricesor frommatriceswithcomplexentries. Iamalso interested inexploring theconnectionbetweenthedynamicsofthematrixquadraticmapandthequadraticmapactingonthe quaternions, which form the more famous four-dimensional Cliffordalgebra.Oneoftheprincipaldifferencesbetweenthesetwoalgebrasisthepresenceofzerodivisorsinthematrixcase.Iaminterestedininvestigatingthe implicationsof thisaspectof thealgebraon thedynamicsofmapsonmatrixspace.Oneof thebest aspectsofdoing research isbeingable to sharewhat I

havelearnedwithothers.Ialsoenjoyhearingaboutotherpeople’sresearchatseminarsandresearchconferences. It isespeciallygratifying to readorhearaboutworkthatgivesmenewinsight intomyownprojects,or tobe

abletosharemyresultswithotherswhoareinterestedintheimplicationsfor their research. I plan to obtain a PhD in mathematics and become aprofessor. My best professors use what they have learned through theirresearch to make their classes more exciting and to communicate therelevance of important concepts to their students. They also use theirknowledge of current research in their field to give students a sense ofmathematicalhistory anda samplingof interestingopenproblems. I lookforward to learning more about a wide range of mathematical ideas ingraduateschool.IampleasedthatIhavebeenabletoincorporateconceptsfrommanydifferentmathematical fields intomycurrent researchproject,andIplantouseasimilarapproachinthefuture.

(Only once the technical material is well established does this candidate turn to more personaltopics.)

ESSAY#15:“HighWater”

Whenyougrowupinaplacewhereisolationisawayoflife,justgettingtotowncanbeachallenge.Throughoutmyschoolyears,myfamilylivedonagravelroadwithonlythreeoutletsto“civilization.”Onewaywasacrossadrycreekbed,anotherwasoverasmallbrook,andthelastwasalow-waterbridgeontheMeramecRiver.Whenwehadahardrain,eachonefloodedandwehadnowaytogettotownatall.Asaresult,Imissedmanydaysofschool over the years. In a rural area like ours, twenty miles from thenearest grocery store, blocked by three swollen waterways and nearlyimpassableroads,travelingtoanothercountryseemslikeanimpossibility.Yet despite the odds facing a first-generation student with working-classparents, I have been able to surpass my small town boundaries in mystruggletobuildmyownbridgetoabetterfuture,plankbyplank.

(This is the type of candidate that admissions professionals are looking for: someone who cantranscendherenvironmentandreachforagoal;someonewhoisprimarily, ifnotoverwhelmingly,motivated from within; and someone who will appreciate and capitalize on opportunity. Thiscandidate is vastly preferable to one who may appear statistically similar (vis-à-vis grades andscores)buthasbeencoachedandproddedandsupportedandtutoredherwholelife.)

In researching the works of Annie Ernaux, a French working-classwomanwhoforgedherownbridgetoacademia,Icameacrossaphrasethatsumsupmyexperiencesineducation.Shesaidthatatthebeginningofheracademic career, she had believed that education was a land of equality,fraternityandliberty,butshesoonfoundoutthatsomegirlswerefreerthanothers.Thoseofuswhostartouton thebottom justhave toworka littleharder to find thatonewayout.Asa freshman inhighschool, I took theoneforeignlanguageofferedbymyhighschool,whichjusthappenedtobethe language my mother had learned in high school and the one I mostwantedtolearn.ImadethemostofwhatIwasoffered,takingallfouryearsofFrenchandreadingFrenchnovelslenttomebymyteacherontheside.At the same time, I chose the most challenging courses offered in allsubjectsandbecameasinvolvedaspossibleinthefewactivitiesavailableatour school. I earneda full scholarship toTrumanStateUniversity as aresult. That was my ticket out and I have never regretted my difficult

departure.Notonlydidmyscholarshipofferabridge toTrumanState,but italso

providedthemeanstocrosstheAtlantic,intheformofastipendforstudyabroad.Ihadnodifficultydecidingwheretogo.Francehadalwaysbeenamagicalplaceinmyimagination.Throughoutmystudiesinhighschool,Ipicturedmyself in the lavender fields of Provence, on the beaches of the“Méditerranée,” and under the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, without everbelievingIwouldonedayvisittheseplaces.NowIhadthechancetomakemyfantasya reality.The fiveweeks I spent inProvenceandmyweek inParis were real eye-openers for me. The culture was so different fromanythingIhadexperiencedinMissourithatattimesIwantedtocatchthenextplaneback to theStates.ButwhenI translatedforagroupof fellowAmerican students and our new French friends complimentedme onmylanguage skills, I felt like a vital link between people of two differentcultures. I realized I could adapt to a foreign environment because thisconnectionwithpeoplewhowerenotasforeigntomyexperienceasIhadassumederadicatedmyperceptionof“us”versus“them.”

(Byquotinghistoricalfigures,youcansaythingsyoumightnotdaretosaydirectlyyourself.)

BackatTruman, Iwas able to connect the assortedplanks that aremyintellectual interests (linguistics, literature, international studies, andwomen’s studies) in a cohesive pattern in the study of French andfrancophone culture. I consider myself lucky to have studied under Dr.Betty McLane-Iles in courses such as Francophone WomenWriters andFrancophone Literature of Quebec. Besides encouraging my interest infrancophonieandfeminism,Dr.McLane-IleshasalwayschallengedmetodraweverythingIcanfromeachliteraryworkIreadoreachexperienceIhavewith the language.Herassistancehasbeen invaluable inbroadeningmy perspective so greatly that I decided to strive for the PhD in FrenchliteraturewithafocusonfrancophonewomeninsteadofmyoriginalgoalofateachingcertificateforhighschoolFrench.WiththePhD,Iwillbeableto integrate my diverse educational background in research as well asteaching. An entire school year of direct interaction with francophoneculturewillgivemethefirsthandknowledgethatIwillneedasaprofessortohelpstudentstraversetheculturalchasmbetweentheUnitedStatesandtherestoftheworld.

(Nameyourkeyadvisors.)

ESSAY#16:“NurseBoundforMedicalSchool”

AMCASEssayforMedicalSchool

When I was an undergraduate at the University of California, Davis, Iwantedtobeaphysician.AlthoughIalwaysexcelledinthelifesciences,Ihadtoworktwentytothirty-twohoursperweekthroughoutmyfirstyearsof college, and I graduated without honors status (BS, human biology, apremedicinemajorIdesignedincollaborationwiththefaculty).Iwasverydissatisfiedwiththisperformance,asIwassureIcouldhave

excelledhadIhadmoretimeformystudies.Ireaffirmedmycommitmentto health care as a career, and I studied nursing at the University ofCalifornia,LosAngeles.ThereIappliedmyselfandgraduatedmagnacumlaude(BS,nursing).

(ThisisanAMCASessayformedicalschool.ItisimportanttonotethatwithaninitialapplicationtoAMCASschools,nolettersofrecommendationorsupportingmaterialsofanykindareallowed.Thismakestheadmissionessayextremelyimportant.Ifschoolsareinterestedinthecandidate,theywillrequest additional materials, known as secondaries. Notice the straightforward coverage of thecandidate’sgradesinherfirstundergraduatecareer.)

I then pursued a nursing career with zeal, selecting a path that wouldallowmetostressmedicine,autonomy,anddecisionmakinginmywork.Afterservingayearonamedical-surgicalfloor,Iacceptedapositionwiththe Kidney Transplant Unit (KTU) at the University of California, SanFrancisco,MedicalCenter (UCSFMedicalCenter).Thispositionallowedmetogainin-depthknowledgeofaspecificpatientpopulationandgavemeopportunities to advance my assessment skills. My nursing skill wasacknowledged in formal and informalways, includingmynomination fortheSophieRobinsonAwardforexcellenceinnursing,andIservedonmanyin-serviceandqualityassurancecommittees.NextIwasselectedforthepositionofphysicianextenderfortheRenal

Transplant Service at UCSF Medical Center, where I was hired by thedepartment of surgery to assist house staff in meeting patient needs. I

attended twicedaily rounds, followedupon radiographic, laboratory, andconsultreports,performedroutinehousestaffprocedures,andoccasionallyassisted in OR. This was a custom-designed nursing position, and I wasallowedtodefinetheroletotheextentthatIorientedandworkedside-by-sidewithinterns.Iwasalsoinvitedtoserveasresearchassistant,collectingdata on drug side effects under direction of Juliet Melzer, MD, UCSFMedicalCenter,onaprojectwiththeworkingtitleof“InvestigationaldrugstudyonMALG(MinnesotaAnti-LymphocyteGlobulin).”Aftereighteenmonthsofthisexperience,whichIenjoyedthoroughly,I

decided to obtain critical care experience and began to apply forcompetitivepositionsinthisarea.IobtainedanappointmenttotheCornellUniversityMedicalCenter atNewYorkHospital as apostanesthesiacarenurse. In this position, I provided post-op care for cardiac, neurologic,pediatric,trauma,burn,andvascularpatients.Thiswasexcitingwork,witha diverse patient population. This is also when I decided once again tobecome a physician. Because of the following event, I realized that theintellectual challenges of nursing were no longer enough for me, and Imademydecisiontogoontomedicalschoolandbecomeaphysician.

(Ifyouarenotadmittedtomedicalschoolonyourfirstattempt,youshouldnotethatmanystudentsareadmittedafterstrengtheningtheirbackgroundsasthiscandidatedid.Notetheproperuseinthisessayofworkingtitlestodescriberesearchinprogress.)

I received a forty-two-year-old female with a newly placed peritonealshunt.(Shehadhadaneleven-yearhistoryofovariancancer,andachronicascitesproblemrequiringfrequentparacentesis.)Sheawokecombative,andwasquicklyextubatedbytheanesthesiologist.Herrecoverydeteriorated,asshedevelopedpulmonary edema, a temperatureof 40degrees centigrade,and right-sided heart failure. I provided the critical direct nursing care tothis patient for hours while the interns consulted on approaches to hertreatment.Iwasacutelyawarethatmyabilitiesandknowledgewerelimitedtonursing,andIverymuchwantedtobeabletocontributemeaningfullytotheintellectualdebateIwaswitnessingamongtheinterns.The attending physician was summoned to survey the problem. He

clampedtheshuntandputheronantibiotics,recognizingthatthepatient’sheartwasnotstrongenoughtohandlethelargefluidload.ThepatientwenttoICU,andIdecidedtogotomedicalschool.I returned to theKidneyTransplantUnit ofUCSFMedicalCenter and

began tostudy for theMCATs.Also, I tookacourse inhematology fromSan Francisco StateUniversity and served as a research assistant on two

additional projects: (1) I conducted GFR studies as an assistant toNephrologyResearchFellowCarlosStempl,MD,UCSFMedicalCenter,on a project with a working title, “Does Verapamil improve GFR intransplant recipients?” and (2) I am currently research assistant under thedirection ofWilliamAmend,MD,UCSFMedicalCenter, performing theretrospectivearmofatwo-armedstudy,“IncidenceofCytomegalovirusintransplantpatientsandtheefficacyofAcyclovirprophylaxis.”Myultimate career direction is to practice infectious diseasemedicine.

Witnessing the devastation these organisms can cause on immuno-compromisedpatientshasgivenmeagreatappreciationfortheroleofthephysician, to intercede in and reverse the course of infectious disease. Iwould find this work immensely interesting and rewarding, and I lookforwardtotheopportunitytopursueit.With more than enough energy and stamina to succeed, I am

intellectually, emotionally, and financially prepared for medical school. Iwill admit no more impediments to my goal. I am eager to begin theprocess.

(Thisendingshowsconfidence,determination,andpoise.Remember,youaresomeonewhoisgoingtosucceedwhetheryou’readmittedtotheirparticulargraduateprogramornot.)

ESSAY#17:“TobaccoMosaicVirusandtheEiffelTower”

“Whatis themost importantdifferencebetweentobaccomosaicvirusandtheEiffelTower?”myprofessoraskedon the lastdayofmy introductorybiochemistryclass,asheputtwoslidesofthestructuresuponthescreen.“Botharemadeofprecisebuildingblocksthatelegantlycometogethertoformthewholeunit,”heexplained,“butonlythevirusknowshowtoputitself together.”Atthispoint,IhadaEureka! response.I trulyrecognizedthebeautyandcomplexityoflifeatthemolecularlevel.That’swhenIfirstknewthatIwantedtoundertakebiomedicalresearch.

(Hereisasuperbexampleofusinganexperientialopeningforascience-orientedessay.)

Sincethen,mydecisiontopursuegraduatestudyhasbeenconfirmedbyboth my undergraduate course work and my research experience. Whilestudyingimmunologyinmysophomoreyear,Ilearnedforthefirsttimenotonlythefactsabouttheworkingsoftheimmunesystem,butalsotheideasand experiments that led to their discovery. As I became exposed to theexperimental side of the information found in the textbook, I began toappreciate the sophisticated thought processes and energy required byscientificresearch.The most influential experience in persuading me to attend graduate

school,however,hasbeenmycurrentindependentresearchproject,whichwill culminate in an honors thesis. I am examining the antigenicity of aprotein in a novel drug delivery system. (Please see the accompanyingresearchsummary.)IameagertobringtheconceptsIhavelearnedinmyprojecttothelevelofagraduateprogramofstudy.First,Idiscoveredhowthepowerofperseverancecanovercomeobstacles.Whenmyexperimentalsystem,theELISA,suddenlystoppedworking,carefultroubleshootingledto thediscoveryofaminor technicalproblem.Through thisexperience, Ilearnedhowtocriticallydissectanexperimenttofindtherootoferror.Inaddition, thegraduatestudentwithwhomIhavebeenworkingforalmosttwoyears,JorjeSoares,hastaughtmetheabilitytotakeanideaandfollowitwhileatthesametimedemonstratingtomethebalancingactinvolvedinallocating time, money, and energy to a project when the direction your

results will take you is unknown. My research sponsor, Dr. RobertaMartinez, with her contagious energy, has also influenced me with herenthusiastic approach to attacking new research areas, and hasmotivatedmetoworkhardertoreachmygoalsandthegoalsofthelab.

(Therearemanycareerpathsand researchopportunities related tomedicine,pharmaceuticals, andbiotechnologythatdonotinvolveanMDdegree.ThisPhDcandidateinmedicalpathobiologywillhavemanyexcitingopportunitiestocontributetomedicalscience,withoutsufferingthroughafewyearsofeighty-andhundred-hoursleeplessclinicalinternships.)

(Tracethehistoryofyourinterestinthetopic.)

The pathobiology graduate program at the College of Physicians andSurgeonsofColumbiaUniversity is of interest tome for several reasons.First, theaffiliationof theUniversitywithPresbyterianHospital,MilsteinHospital, the Institute for Cancer Research, and the Institute for HumanNutritionprovidesstudentswiththeopportunitytocombinebasicscientificstudieswith clinical applications.The resources available at the hospitalsand centers aid students in immediately applying what they learn in theclassroom and laboratory to situationswhere disease demands immediateattention.Inaddition,thelocationofthecollegeinManhattanisattractivebecauseofitsproximitytootherresearchinstitutionsandmedicalschools.Such a dynamic group of scientists provides many opportunities for theexchange of fresh ideas and collaborative efforts. Finally, the range ofresearch conductedby the faculty is appealing.The studies ofDr.NicoleSucio-Focaareofparticularinteresttomebecausetheyinvolvethecreationof peptide vaccines, an area of immunological research that has muchpotentialforthetreatmentorpreventionofmanydiseases.

(This is a model answer to the question “Why here?” Every program wants an answer to thisquestion,whethertheyexplicitlyaskitornot.)

Once in graduate school, I hope to pursue studies related to thedevelopmentofvaccines.Myinterestinthistopicstemsnotonlyfrommycourseworkspecifictoimmunologybutalsofromanadditionalacademicexperienceinthecourse“TheBurdenofDiseaseinDevelopingNations.”Inthisclass,Ilearnedthatalthoughvaccinesarecurrentlyavailabletotreatamyriadof diseases, someof these vaccines are useless to people in thedeveloping world because they degrade under the conditions of hightemperature or humidity that are often found in these countries.Multiplelines of research can thus address both the development of newvaccinesand the improvement of currently existing vaccines so that they may be

usefultothegreatestnumberofpeople.Intryingtocreatenewvaccinesfordiseasesforwhichtheyarecurrently

not available, several approaches from immunology, biochemistry,moleculargenetics,andorganicchemistrycanbeconsidered.Forexample,anunderstandingofwhetherahumoralorcell-mediatedimmuneresponseis best suited to fight a particular disease is needed. ImmunologictechniquesinvolvinganimalmodelsandcellculturestudiescanbeusedtodeterminehowBandTcellsinteracttofightdisease.Furthermore,specificpathogenicmacromoleculescanbeusedas theantigen inavaccineratherthananentireprotein.Thismethodrequirestheisolationandpurificationofprotein subunits using biochemical assays such as gel electrophoresis,column chromatography, and protein sequencing. In addition, the geneencoding an antigen can also be used to develop a vaccine.RecombinantDNA techniques such as screening of genomic cDNA libraries, genesequencing, and the polymerase chain reaction can be used to isolate,characterize,andamplifyaspecificgene.Finally,specificproteinantigenscan be chemically synthesized. Thismethod requires not only a rigoroususe of synthesis design from organic chemistry, but also principles frombiochemistry to determine protein sequence and folding, as theconformationof aproteindomainandnot just its aminoacid sequence isoften recognized by antigen presenting cells.Thus,X-ray crystallographyandFTIRmustbeemployed.Alloftheselinesofresearchcanleadtothedevelopmentofnewvaccines.After graduate school, I will consider a career in the pharmaceutical

industry.Theabilitytoseeanideaaboutamolecularprocessevolveintoaproduct thatwill helpmake people’s lives healthier ismymotivation forthischoice.However,IamalsoconsideringacareerinacademiabecauseIam interested in the possibility of combining research with teaching andinteractingwith undergraduates. I am currently tutoring genetics studentsandhavepreviouslytutoredorganicchemistrystudents,andtheone-on-oneinteractionhasenabledmetoteachandlearnatthesametime.Throughmyinvolvement in Women in Science and Engineering as a biochemistryaffinitygroupleader,Ihavebeenabletoadvisestudentsabouttheselectionof courses, summer jobs, and potential professors with whom to do anindependentstudy.Theteachingexperiencethathasproventobethemostchallenging is serving as mentor and instructor for a ninth-grade girls’scienceclubforthepastthreeyears.Ihavepreparedmyownlessonsandled discussionswith a group of twenty, sometimes less than enthusiastic,fourteen-year-olds. Trying to capture their attention has forced me to be

creativeinmystyleandpresentationofmaterial.Mypastexperienceshavewellpreparedmetopursuegraduateeducation

attheCollegeofPhysiciansandSurgeons.Myundergraduateeducationinthe competitive atmosphere at Brown has enabled me to not merelyreiterate ideas stated by my professors but to apply the concepts I havelearnedtounfamiliarsituations.Duringmyfouryearshere,bothmystudyskillsandmyability toprocess informationhavesharpened,asevidencedbyanimprovement inmygradeswithinmymajorfroma3.0gradepointaveragefreshmanyeartoa3.6junioryear.Thelackofself-confidencethatplaguedmeduringmyfirsttwoyearsherewasinducedbybothinsufficientstudyskillsandanunusuallyrigorouscourseload,whereinIcompletedmyinorganicandorganicchemistrycoursesinthreesemestersratherthanfourandtookphysicalchemistry,acourseusuallyreservedforupperclassmen,my sophomore year. In addition, my interactions with people within theBrown community outside the classroom have prepared me for theintellectual atmosphere at Columbia. The need to write and speakeffectively on issues of importance, whether it involves a change in thehousing policy or creating a new concentration, are requisite to enactpositive change. One initiative that I undertook was the creation of awebsite for Women in Science and Engineering, to help create bettercommunication among women scientists both at Brown and at otheruniversities. Therefore, by combining my diverse undergraduateexperiences, I will be able to grow as a researcher in your pathobiologygraduate program while contributing my ideas about both the researchinterestsofmycolleaguesandissuesfacingtheColumbiacommunity.

(Whenyourgradeshavemarkedlyimproved,alwayspointthatout.ReadersmaylookatyourGPAwithoutnotingyourGPAtrend.Helpthemseewhatyouwantthemtosee.)

(Servicetoyouracademiccommunity,andtheother“communities”towhichyoubelong,isalmostalwaysregardedasapositivesignofcharacterandmaturity.)

ESSAY#18:“AdultEducation”

TheQuestion:ProvideaPersonalandProfessionalNarrativetoEstablishYourReasonsforPursuingthePhDPrograminAdultEducationandHigherEducationLeadership.

Hetookthehammer,ranupbehindme,andhitmeonthebackofmyhead.Ittookaguyoncrystalmethtoforcemetoconsidermylifeandmyfuture.Lying inahospitalbedafter themuggingallowedme toseemylifewithclarity.Yes, Iwasangry, fearful,anddepressed,butas thehoursmarchedonandthetearsbegantodry,arealizationdawnedonme.Ididn’thavetobeangry,scared,ordepressed.Ihadcontrolovermyowndestiny.Ichosenot to be a victim. The attacker and his accomplice were arrested andincarcerated, but I found no pleasure in this. An addict is an addict, Ithought at the time. I could have been him, just as easily as anyone elsecould have. I desired to knowwhat circumstances would bring a humanbeing to the point of physical and psychological violence. I eventuallybegantolooktomyselffortheanswertothatquestion.WhatseparatedmefromhimwerethechoicesImadeinresponsetothecircumstances.Thosechoiceswerebasedoneducationandself-awareness.

(Notice how personal this essay is, but the author has RTGDQ. It asks for a “personal andprofessionalnarrative,”andthatiswhatisprovided.Relatingapersonalintellectualjourneycanveerintoindulgenceifoneisnotcareful,butthiswriterisinterestingandthoughtful.Hestrikestherightbalance.)

Before the attack, I had been living in a world of ignorance andblindness.I lackedself-reflection.Myrealitywasshapedbyidentificationwithideasandbeliefsthatwerenotmyown.Inparticular,myspiritualandpsychologicalbeliefscamefromothers,butwerenotauthentic.Theprocessof reshaping my psychology began with educating myself in criticalthinking, emotional intelligence, and self-awareness. I read many books,watched videos, and attended lectures. I saw clearly that the power tochange the world was possible by changing my perception of it. This

perceptionwasdirectly related tohow I began to seemyself. I couldnotallowmyangertowardastrangertoparalyzeme.IusedittoopenadoortoamuchlargeruniversethanIcouldeverhaveconceivedof.So, at the age of thirty-six, this period of “enlightenment” began and

lastedforoverayear.Itwassystematicandintentional.AmongthebooksIread, none impacted me more than the works of J. Krishnamurti. Aphilosopher,scholar,andeducator,Krishnamurtihadauniqueapproachtothe psychological issues of theworld.Krishnamurtiwas passionate aboutpersonalresponsibility,andhoweachindividualcontributestospecificandgeneral problems.He challenged people to look at their ownpsychology,and transform their perception of reality by seeing themselves in light ofrelationship. He urged students to revolutionize education throughawareness,criticalthinking,andemotionalintelligence.(Incidentally,Iamworking on an article on J. Krishnamurti’s views on how education cantransform the individual and society that will be submitted soon to theJournalofTranspersonalPsychology.)

(Namingintellectualinfluencesprovesyouhavethem.)

My hunger and need for insight took me to the words of JosephCampbell and his universal teachings on mythology and the concept of“following your bliss.” I listened intently as Dr. Jill Taylor spoke of her“strokeof insight”andnear-deathexperience thatawakenedher toanewandcolorfulworld.Herresearchintoneuroanatomyandbrainbehaviorhasbeenhighlyrecognizedbythescientificcommunity,butwhatisstrikinglyfamiliar tome isher sincereandheartfelt appeal forpeople to live in theright hemisphere of their brains. Dr. Taylor illustrates her view byemphasizing that we are beings of energy capable of great achievementsand highly focused purpose. The list of people who have influencedmyeducational and psychological perspectives also include Ken Robinson,PhD, the English professor who turns the idea of education on its headthroughhisanecdotalspeeches,andAbrahamMaslowwithhishumanisticapproachtopsychotherapyandself-actualization.Professionally, I have usedmany of the lessons I’ve taken from these

great individuals to help others. Currently, I hold the position of BooksDepartmentmanagerwithGoodwillIndustries.Onpaper,Iamresponsiblefor managing a $4 million mail-order business. In reality, I have theresponsibility of being a role model and educator to more than seventyemployees who each have their own needs, desires and perspectives.Obviously, this isdirectly related to the fieldofadulteducation.With the

autonomytorunmydepartmentinanymannerImaydirect,Ihavecreateda thirteen-week supervisor leadership program on subjects such asinterpersonal relationships, technology, management styles,communication, and supervisory skills. I have designed and implementedcross-training regimens and monthly “work-with’s” for each employee.These experiences are a chance for staff to sit downone-on-onewithmeandcoveranytopic,andforustodiscusswheretheyareintheirprogresswith the company. I also developed instructional curricula and personalassessment tools to educate employees on emotional intelligence,constructive criticism of themselves and others, creativity, and unbiasedevaluationof their roleswithin thecompany. It is important tonote that Ididallthisbeforedecidingtopursueagraduatedegreeinadulteducation.Itisratherthattheseprojectsdrovemyinterestinadulteducation,andledmetoseekgraduateeducationinhowbesttoeducateandtrainadultlearners.The attached resume provides information on my other professional

accomplishments.YouwillnotethatIcompletedmybachelor’sdegreewithaGPAof3.83whileworkingforty-fivehoursaweekatademandingjob.Ihavedevelopedstrongtime-andproject-managementskills,andIamratherfocusedinmyapproachtomyassignments.

(Beingboldlyambitiousisfine,aslongasyoucanarticulatethatvision.Thisisagoodexample.)

Educationhasgivenmethetoolsnecessarytoevolveonmanylevelsandfind resourceswithinmyself that I never knew existed.We all share thiscapacity. I had the privilege of becoming deeply aware of it. I seek agraduate degree in adult education not just to help corporate employeesmastertasksofbenefittotheiremployers,buttoreapthetruepotentialofadulteducation: thepotential tocreatetransformation.Ibelieveallpeoplearecapableoftransformationatallstagesoflife.Itismyintenttofoundaneducationalfacilityfocusedonadultdevelopmentwithaholisticapproach.Such a facility would center around exploring introspective awareness,challenging student assumptions, using classical and contemporaryliterature and media, and broadening perceptions by offering alternativeviewsofreality.TheeducationalcenterthatIwanttoestablishorworkforwould offer courses in the natural sciences, fine arts, and humanities, aswell as provide counseling and meditation services. Several establishedorganizations exist in this field including the Institute of TranspersonalPsychologyinCaliforniaandNaropaUniversityinColorado.I believe the sociology of education within corporate and academic

environments can be revolutionized for the next generation. An

introspectivepsychologicalandhumanisticapproachtothisrevolutionarethe keys to its success. Thus, my research interest is in the effects ofintrospective and humanistic psychological methods in educational andoccupational environments. Among the faculty at the Adult EducationProgram,specifically Iwould like toworkwithLoriBostederandDonnaDrake-Clark, given their backgrounds in emotional intelligence,psychology,anddiversityeducation.IhaveaspecialinterestintakingmyresearchtotheGLBTcommunity,ofwhichIampart.Iamalsoexcitedtoget to work with Theme Grenz and needs assessment in the workplace,Dave Kovac and group cultures within nonprofit corporations, and JanetNishiharawith emphasis on identity development. The graduate programprovidesfertilegroundformygoalsanddreamstotakeroot.What I learnedwhile lying in a hospital five years ago is thatwe can

choosetobevictims,orwecantakecontrolofourlives.Byadvancingmyunderstanding in adult education and human psychology, I want to leadothers to take control of their own lives. A graduate education in yourprogram would provide a foundation for me to become a teacher in thetruestsense,andarolemodelforothers.

ESSAY#19:“IditarodDogsandMolecularBiology”

StatementofPurpose

Theycall it the last frontier.Last summer I setout forAlaska, to see thetruewildnessleftinthisworld.ThisspiritofadventuretookmetoHomeron the Kenai Peninsula, where I became the “dog handler” for IditarodmusherJackBerryandhissixtyhuskies.AlthoughIcametoAlaskatoliveamongthewild,IfoundmyselfspendingallmyfreetimeteachingEnglishpronunciation toaBraziliandoctorandarguingplantphysiologywith theold women of the Homer Garden Club, when I wasn’t hitchhiking thefifteen miles to the Homer Public Library. For better or for worse, I’mobsessedwithlearning,andIwanttotakemypursuitofknowledgetoafargreaterscale.

(Notice how this graduate-school candidate uses personal stories and a genuine enthusiasm topackagehisapproachtoscience.ThisapplicantalsotoldmethatheworeanHawaiianshirt tohisinterviews, to standout from thecrowd in themindsof interviewerswhomaymeetwithadozencandidates inaday.These techniquesworkedforhim,butonlybecause theymatchedhiseffusivepersonality.)

Theoreticalphysicistsareinpursuitofthegrandunifyingtheory,thesetof equations that will make compatible all of this world’s macro-andmicrocosms.AsIsee it, there isasimilargrandobjective in theworldofbiology.Ifeeladrivetoelucidatethemechanismsoflifethroughmolecularstudies.Thereareways,paths,linesofthinkingthatconvergetherealmofthe biological with the domain of chemical logic. I know that a solidunderstandingofthephysicalfunctionofproteinscanbethatunifyinglink.NowitistherainywinterofmyfourthandfinalyearatReedCollege.I

have been an enthusiastic biochemistry and molecular biology majorenrolledinwhatispossiblythebestprogramofitskind.ThispastspringIworkedindependentlyonaprojecttodeterminethepreferredconformationofdehydratedisosorbide.Whilethiswasinterestinginitsownright,Ithinkthat theknowledgeobtained through studiesoforganic chemistry ismost

relevant when applied toward macromolecules. Aside from beingfascinating structures, they have a significance reaching far beyond thelaboratory. I’ve chosen the topic of my undergraduate thesis with thesegreater interests inmind. For this thesis, I am pipetting toward a crystalstructureofxylose isomerase thatcontainsa singleactivesitemutation. Ifind it absolutely amazing that proteins can catalyze reactions and amobsessed with the relationship between their function and structure.Enzymescatalyzereactions,butanaminoacidpolymer isalsocapableofmuchmore.Motorproteins,G-proteins,theamalgamationsintheSNAREhypothesis—cells have created proteins for an intense diversity of uses. Iam lucky to be a structural biologist at a time when the techniquesnecessary to decipher the form of these proteins are uncovered. I amintriguedby the functional structureofproteins, andvalueany laboratorymethod that can provide molecular insight. I chose to apply to ScrippsbecauseIhavebeenuncommonlyimpressedbythestructuralresearchI’veseen published by Scripps researchers.OrtonGilula’s andNigelUnwin’sinvestigations of the structure and functionalmechanisms of gap-junctionand ion channels are especially intriguing. I find ion channels to bewondrousedifices.IonchannelsarecontraptionsstraightoutofaDr.Seussstorybook:onemassiveproteinthatchoosestoallowspecificionsthroughit,ifandonlyifitissatisfiedwiththechemicalandelectricalenvironmentsurroundingit.This,truly,isalevelofchemistrywherebiologicaldecisionsaremade.

(Notice the answer to “Why here?” and the mention of specific researchers of interest to thiscandidate.Customizeyouressays,orloseouttothecandidateslikethisone,whodo.)

Icoulddroneonforpagesabout theresearch that I findfascinating,asScrippshasacollectionofamazingresources.Iwouldlovetheopportunitytoworkinalaboratorywiththistalent.Iamenrollingingraduateschooltolearnmore and to understand greater biological systems so that Iwill beabletoapplymymolecularknowledgetomyownresearch.I’mfascinatedbythebiologyofthecell;withathoroughunderstandingofthetechniquesavailabletotheproteinscientist,Iwillfinallypossesstheabilitytoaddressthebasichowsandwhysofcellfunction.Two years ago I spent a semester abroad with the School for Field

Studies in the Pacific island nation of Palau. With every mangrove andcoralreeftransectwetook,Iwantedtoknow:“Whydotheseangelfishlivehere?Howcanthesetreesgrowoutofthesaltsea?”Theonlyanswersmyprofessors could give: “Because the fish do best in this biotic

environment…because they’veevolvedandadapted for longer thanyoucan imagine.”The answers available are just not satisfactory, but I knowthat with more training I could find those answers for myself. I wantanswers with a mechanism: answers that resemble not statisticalspreadsheets, rather blueprints of ingenious design; answers that mightdetailhowmembraneproteinsbalanceharshextracellularconditionswithacytoplasmthat isconducive to life.Theseareanswers Ineed to find,andI’mtoostubborntoquitnow.Ineedtogotograduateschool,forI’veonlyjustlearnedtheprinciplesofproteinstructureandfunction.Iwanttobeanexpert. The MCSC Program holds the resources that can enable me tocontinuemyquest.

ESSAY#20:“NSFPostDocinChemistry”

PersonalStatementforNationalScienceFoundationPostdoctoralResearchFellowshipinChemistry

The training conducted under this grant would be geared towardestablishinganewacademiclaboratoryinwhichbiological,chemical,andphysicaltechniquesarefocusedonelucidatingthefundamentalforcesandprinciples of bioorganic and bioinorganic catalytic mechanisms. Thestrategy of this laboratory would be to elucidate chemicalstructure/reactivitypropertiesofenzymesandenzyme-boundintermediatesleadingto thedesignofexperiments that test thenatureof transitionstatestabilization for a given reaction. As chemical systems, some proteinsprovideexcellent, surprisingly tolerant,structurallydefinablescaffolds forholding probes of the ground states and transition states of catalyzedreactions.Mutant proteins are truly chemical analogues of the wild typestructure, and genetics provides an excellent way to generate and test alargenumberoftheseanalogues(10/8structures,whichwouldresultfromrandomizing seven amino acid positions, could reasonably be testedgenetically). X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy providepowerful, essential, yet incomplete characterization of enzyme chemistry.Fruitful interpretation of good structures can be limited by a paucity offunctional information. Therefore, the proposed laboratory would beprimarily responsible for generating functional information through thepreparation of enzymes, random and site-directed mutant enzymes,inhibitors, and chemically and isotopically modified substrates andcofactors, and through the characterization of the chemical reactions ofthese reagents. Characterization of the reactions would routinely includegeneticfunction,reactionproductanalysis,kinetics,andataminimum,thepreparation of suitable samples for X-ray crystallography, NMRspectroscopy, and any other informative techniques.How far thework ofthe labextends into thephysicallyoriented techniqueswillbedetermined

bytheextentofthetrainingIamabletoaccomplishaswellasbypersonnelin the lab; however, collaborations with specialists in crystallographic orspectroscopic techniques will always be preferable to provide as manyperspectives on a given project as possible. To the extent that good,effectivemathematicalmodelsareavailable,theywillbehighlyconsideredduringtheinterpretationofresultsandtestedbythedesignofexperiments,e.g., the computer programDel Phi has proven itself a useful model forelectrostaticforcesinproteins.Thelaboratorywouldstudymanydifferentenzymeswithdifferent chemistries atvarious stagesofdevelopment.Thestudy of established enzyme systems would provide the most rigoroustestinggroundforourknowledgeofenzymaticchemistry.Theanalysisofenzymes with undefined mechanisms would include therapeutic targetswhere much may be presumed about the chemistry of the enzyme, butwheresatisfactory, functional inhibitorsarestillwanted.Thesocial raisond’être for this laboratory would be the development of new therapeuticinhibitorsbaseduponthechemistryderivedfrompursinganunderstandingof catalysis. The study of enzymes with unknown mechanisms shouldprovidefertilegroundforthediscoveryofnewchemistry.

(Noticehowdifferentthisessayisfromthelastone,eventhoughboththesecandidatesareapplyingforlaboratoryscienceopportunities.Althoughthetitleforthispostdoctoralessay,asrequestedontheapplicationform,is“PersonalStatement,”thereisnotashredofpersonalinformationinit.Theessaycontains a proposal for formulation of a chemistry lab and research project, andmentions severalprominent chemists who support the proposal. This type of application entails a whole lobbyingcampaign and extensive personal contact in support of the project, and this essay needs to beconsidered in that larger context. The ability tomake and utilize personal contacts becomes evermoreimportantasyouracademiccareeradvances.)

The proposed postdoctoral work provides an excellent opportunity toestablish a project that hasmuch in commonwith the futurework of theproposed laboratory.Theenzyme isa therapeutic targetwithanunknownmechanism.Theprojecthingeson the synthesisof substrate analoguesasinhibitors and involves chemical and kinetic characterization of theinhibition, aspects of enzymology in which I am not well trained. Inaddition, chemical characterization may involve the preparation andanalysisofproteincrystals.The proposed scientific advisor, Prof.RobertAbeles, has established a

laboratorywhere compounds are routinely designed and synthesizedwiththeintentoftestingbioorganicandbioinorganicenzymaticmechanisms.Asaconsequence,heprovidesexpertiseinanenvironmentwheretheresultsofsuchexperimentsareroutinelyanalyzedandinterpreted.Heactivelyseeks

to train his postdoctoral fellows in sciencewhile teaching chemistry as itpertains to the analysis of enzyme mechanisms. In short, he operates alaboratorywiththefocuswithwhichIwouldliketooperatemyown.Hisrecommendation would indicate my suitability as the director of such alaboratory.

(Obviously thiscandidatehasbeen involved indetaileddiscussionswith the researchersnamed inthisessay.)

Brandeis University presents an excellent faculty. In addition to Dr.Abeles, thebiochemistry faculty includesDr.W.P. Jencks,who is also aparticularly lucid and careful chemist and enzymologist.As a sign of thecontinuing supportofpenetratingenzymology, theuniversityhas recentlyaddedtothefacultytwonotedcrystallographers,Drs.G.A.PetskoandD.Ringe, whose collaboration with Dr. Abeles is very strong. Theircrystallographic program now includes the Laue diffraction techniquewhich allows structural characterization of enzymatic reactions on amillisecondtimescale.

ESSAY#21:“InterdisciplinaryCulturalStudies,RaceTheory,andQueerStudies”

IrememberthefirsttimeIsawthem.Ihadjustfinishedanhour-and-a-halfballetclassat theoldBroadwayDanceCenter facilitieson57th,between7thandBroadway.Iwassittingonthefringesofthedancefloorpeelingmywet and warm ballet slippers from my tender feet when the pointe-techniqueclassarrived towarmupat theballetbarres. Istarted togetupfrom the floorwhen Iwashaltedby theglimpseofaman’s foot slippingintoachampagne-coloredpointeshoeandslowlyrealizedthatthisstunningvisionincludedsevenothermenpresentandshodintheclassicpointeshoe.Theirbolsteredtoes,whichliftedthemtoheightsthatwereintimidatingyetdelicate,pushedtheconventionsofmynineteen-year-oldworld.“Aremenallowedtodothat?”Ithoughttomyself.Ilingeredintheclassforaslongas I could, absorbing the image that made my breath shallow withindiscernible longing.Threeyears later Imoved toNewYork topursueacareerinmusicaltheaterandarrivedatthissameclasswithmyfirstpairofpointeshoes.Ithrivedinthislifeforayear,untilatearinmyleftAchillestendonbroughtmeoffmytoesandtoaflat-footedrealitythatengenderedmyreturntomyundergraduatestudies.

(Thisopeningmightbeconfusingexceptforthefactthattheprogramisinterdisciplinaryinstructureandculturalstudiesinfocus.Forthosereasons,thisopeningisperfect.)

Mytransitionfromtheballetbarretotheacademywasaidedbythekeenawarenessofbodiesandspacethatdancersspendyearscultivatinginfrontof a mirror. The exchange that occurs between dancer and mirror is notlimited tomerely learning choreographyor teaching adance class, but tomethemirrorsinvariablyreflectedthedisparitiesthatpeopleofcolorfacewhen participating in or having access to the classical performancedisciplines.Thisrealizationcausedmetoconsiderhowthecanonsofballetandmusicaltheaterseldomincludestrongnarrativesforpeopleofcolor.Ihave extended this awareness to my undergraduate scholarship as ajournalist as well, where in the course of reporting and “representing”storiesintheSanJosécommunity,Ifoundthatthereareinconsistenciesin

thewaymarginalizedcommunitiesarerepresentedinmainstreammedia.Ingraduateschool,Iwouldliketoanalyzethecontradictionsofthenarrativesofunderrepresentedcommunitiesandtheperformingartsandhelptocreatespaceswhereunderrepresentedexperiencesandstoriesareseenandvalued.My research this past summer at the Moore Undergraduate Research

ApprenticeProgram(MURAP)heldattheUniversityofNorthCarolinaatChapelHillencapsulatedmypassionsasascholarof journalismandasaperformingartist.IwroteanhistoricalresearchpaperaboutchoreographerMatthew Bourne’s gender-bending ballet Swan Lake. I examined SwanLake’s performance reviews in the US alongside contemporaneous newsarticlesaboutthedeathofMatthewShepard,whohadbeenmurderedtwodays prior to Bourne’s Swan Lake’s premiere on Broadway. I used thisevidence to argue that at that time the public discourse about the gaycommunitywas inconversationwithwhat the reviewershad tosayaboutSwan Lake. The political debates about queer communities today haveshifted from the topic of hate crime legislation to include currentdiscussions of gay marriage and other LGBTQ rights. However, thenarratives of closeting and the destruction of the queer male body, thatemerged repeatedly in the media coverage of Shepard’s murder and ofBourne’sSwanLake,remainattheforefrontofmuchofthecontemporarydiscourseaboutqueercommunities.Mymainareaof research interest is theculturalperformanceofCuban

identity in the bodies of exiledmale ballet dancers.Regardless of sexualorientation,Iwouldliketoconsiderthatthesemeninhabitqueeredbodiesbecauseof theway thatmale ballet dancers are viewed in theUSand inCuba.Iwouldliketoanalyzethesedancers’bodiesandsubjectivitiesinthecontext of Cuba’s historical intolerance toward homosexuals and theseeming contradiction of their fervent support of ballet within theirmachismo-driven culture. Cuban ballet dancers have been defecting fordecades, and I would like to explore this use of ballet as a medium ofresistanceandasourceforphysicalandpoliticalmobility.The interdisciplinary research in which I would like to engage in

graduateschoolatUNCwouldbecenteredontheperformanceofgenderaswell as queer issues in theater and dance. More broadly, my researchinterests include how dance/musical theater performance can have animpact on nontraditional and marginalized audiences. Mainstreamrepresentations of queer communities in the United States are limited todisplaying only the experiences pertaining to queer white populations. Iwould likemy research to add to the growing body of scholarship about

queercommunitiesofcolor.

(Thewholerestofthisessayisaboutfitandmatch.That’sanappropriateuseofwordswhenfitandmatchisdifficultorcomplextoestablish.)

Iwouldliketosaythatgivenmyinterests,IfeelUNCisthebestplaceformetopursuemyPhD.OfthemanyperformancestudiesprogramsthatIhave researched,UNC’s offerings in ethnographicmethods and rhetoricaland cultural studies seemespecially strong, and I am specifically lookingforward to courses on sexuality and identity as well as performanceethnography.UNC’scurriculumisappealingtomebecauseofitsemphasisonperformanceasatextualstudy,anareainwhichIwouldliketoreceivemore training as I begin my career. I particularly look forward to theopportunity to study with Prof. Richard Cante, whose work in culturalhistoriography inspires me to apply his thoughts on gay ambivalencetowardmyexaminationofantihomosexualsentiments inCuba.Dr.ReneeAlexander Craft’s experience in cultural performance and nationalismswithintheAmericaswillinfluencemyperspectiveofculturalandpoliticalidentityofqueerCuba.IalsolookforwardtotheopportunitytoworkwithProf.Della Pollock,who discussedwithme herwork in oral history andbodypoliticsthispastsummer.

(When the program is interdisciplinary, it may be necessary to mention many faculty members’researchandfocitodepicthowyouwouldfitintotheprogram.)

TheDepartmentofDramaticArtatUNCalsoprovidesmanyresourcesthatcouldsupportmyresearch.Dr.AshleyLucas,whowasmymentoratMURAP this summer, works on US Latina/o theater, theater for socialchange,andcomparativeethnicstudies,andDr.AdamVersényifocusesonLatinAmerican theater, theater production, and theatrical translation.TheDepartmentofDramaticArtalsosponsorstheTeatroLatinoSeries,whichbrings Latina/o theater practitioners and scholars to campus to performand/or lecture about their work. The Teatro Latino Series, the EnglishDepartment’s Latina/o Speakers Series, and Carolina Performing Arts’offeringsatMemorialHallwouldprovidemeawidearrayofopportunitiestoseeandinteractwithLatina/operformersonUNC’scampus.ThiscouldproveinvaluabletomystudyofLatina/operformance.IwouldalsoliketheopportunitytostudywithDr.RosaPerelmuter,from

theDepartmentofRomanceLanguages,who teachesavarietyof courseson contemporaryCuban andCuban-American texts that follow the rangeandintricacyofexpressionfoundintheliteraryandculturalproductionof

CubansontheislandandintheUnitedStates.Dr.LouisPérez’sworkintheDepartmentofHistoryalsocentersontheSpanish-speakingCaribbeanandexplores the provenance of Cuban nationality and identity. The newlyfoundedCarolinaLatina/oCollaborativeandthegrowingLatina/oStudiesProgrambothprovideopportunitiesfornetworkingandhostmanycampusevents thatwouldbeof interest tome inmyresearchand inmy lifeasagraduatestudent. Icanonlyhope thatmyworkwouldfindahomein theUNCcommunity,anditismygoaltoenrichthatcommunityasmuchasIbelieveitwouldenrichme.

ESSAY#22:“SeventeenSchools”

PersonalStatement

I attended seventeen different schools before high school. I do not comefroma familyofmigrantworkers in the traditional sense, but thosewerenonethelessdifficulttimesformymother,asinglewomanwiththreeyoungchildren, fewskills, andnoeducation.Wemoved from town to townandstatetostateasmymothertriedtogetbetterpaying,lessphysicallytaxingjobs that ranged from tending bar to cleaning salmon to lightmanufacturing.This upheaval might have soured some students on school and driven

them into a shell. I had the opposite response: I threw myselfwholeheartedlyintoeachnewschool,strivingtodistinguishmyselftonewteachersandpeers.Insomeschools,thisallowedmemoreopportunityforadvancedstudy;inothers—alreadytooovertaxedtoadequatelyeducatetheforty “average” students in the class—I was seated in the corner withinstructions to complete the class lesson and entertain myself non-disruptivelyfortheremainingtime.IstartedreadinganythingthatIcouldgetmyhandson,andsobeganmylifelongpursuitofknowledge.

(As a personal autobiography that segues into an intellectual biography, this is a highly effectiveessay. Similarly to those in essays #1 and#15, the challenges that this applicant has overcome toreachhergoalsaresosignificantthatonecanbesureofherself-motivationandinternaldrive.)

I knew early on that Iwould go to college, evenwhen living in smalllogging townswhere such thingswere almost unknown.Mymotherwaswiseenoughnottopointoutthatnooneelseinthefamilyeverhad,orthatkids from trailer parks get jobs, not degrees. Instead, she did everythingwithinherpowertomakeitpossible:whenscholarshipswereavailable,sheputme in private schools; she used addresses of friends or employers inplace of our own on school registration forms to keep me in the betterpublic schools; she ensured that I was articulate in “proper” English, inadditiontotheslangspokenbymyfriends.

Whenthetimecameformetorealizemygoal,Imadeapointofgoingtoa private university, which I fundedwith scholarships, grants, loans, andpart-time jobs. I hid my background and made friends with upper-andupper-middle-classstudents,asthoughIcouldbecomeoneofthemthroughimmersion.WhiletheywenttoFranceforthesummer,Iworkedfiftyhoursaweek. I kept up this ruse for three semesters,while taking classes in anumber of disciplines. Finally, in the fourth semester, I cracked. I wastaking eighteen units, working three jobs, and steadily falling behind ontuitionpayments.Idecidedtocutmylosses,takeasemesterof“W”onmytranscript, anddropout of school. In retrospect, thismaybe the smartestthingI’veeverdone.

(Thisisaveryrevealingstoryofadversityovercome.Remembertherulesforaddressingadversityinanapplicationessay:Ithastobeinthepast,ithastoberesolved,andithastobesympathetic.Thiscandidate’slifeisoneoftriumphoverchallenges,andthisessayrepresentsherwell.)

Imovedhome,gotajob,andfeltlikeafailureforawhile.Outofschoolforthefirsttimeinmylife,Ihadalotoftimetothink.IgottoknowmyselfasIreallyam,ratherthanwhoIwastryingtobeforshow,possiblyforthefirsttimeinmylife.IdiscoveredthatIamwhoIambecauseof,ratherthanin spite of,my experiences. It wasmy “fortune” to be less fortunate—itmademestrong,resourceful,andadaptable,amongotherthings.I returned toMarquetteUniversity after a year’s leaveof absencewith

renewed vigor and a pronounced sense of responsibility to honor mybackground instead of denying it. I focused more sharply on issues ofgenderandsocialjustice.ThemoregloballyIstudiedtheseissues,themoreIsawthatthemacroscalemirroredthemicroscale.IwatchedLifeon theGlobalAssemblyLine,adocumentaryfilmaboutwomeninlightindustryinthe newly industrializing nations, and almost cried.Women used up anddiscarded by the export electronics industry inMalaysia remindedme ofmyownmother,whosearmsaresoplaguedwithwork-relatedarthritisandtendonitisat age fifty that shecan’tpickuphergrandchildren.But I alsosawwomen’s little resistancesboth innewly industrializingcountriesandhereintheUnitedStates,thewaytheyworkaroundthesystemevenunderthe harshest conditions. These arewhat call tome—the powerful, small-scale actions that frequently aren’t even recognized as political, but thatempowerthesewomen.I need to usemy gifts for learning, teaching, and social analysis to do

workrelevanttotheworldIcomefrom—ashadoweconomywherewomenbarterwhattheyhaveforwhattheyneed:childcareformoney,government

cheeseformeat,afewhoursrunningthecommunitycenterforusedshoesfortheirchildren.Becauseofmyownupbringingonthemarginsofsociety,I am especially intrigued by community-based women’s groups indevelopingandnewlydemocratizingnations,whichconstitutethemarginsof the developed world. Through my research and writing, I want todocument the ways in which poor women organize for socialdemocratizationindevelopingnationsandwhattheyneedtoimprovetheirplight;Iwanttodrawparallelsbetweenthemandpoorwomeninwealthiercountries like the US, and to examine the extent to which politicaldemocracyimpactstheireffortstoimprovetheirlives.MuchoftheinformationIreceivedinmyyouthfromschool,booksand

televisionabouthowAmericansocietyworksdidnotreflecttheactivitiesIwitnessedinmyowncommunity,wherelow-incomesingleparentslikemymotherused informalnetworks andunusualmethods tomeet their needs.Tosupplementtheirfoodstamps,someofthemgleanedremainingproducefromfields thathadalreadybeencommerciallyharvested inexchangefor75 percent ofwhat they picked. Theywould then give a portion of their“earnings” to otherwomen in payment forwatching their childrenwhiletheywereinthefields.AtMarquetteUniversity,Iaugmentedmypoliticsmajorwithacertificate

inwomen’sstudies inpart to fill in thisgapbetweenmyexperiencesandmytextbooks.Mypoliticsclassesgavemeagoodgroundingininstitutions,but the subtleties of the informal economy and the oblique ways somewomen’s groups circumvent laws or issues without challenging themdirectly simply don’t fit into the “official” version of political science.Because they focusedon thepeoplewithin the institutions rather than theinstitutions themselves, sociology and women’s studies classes such as“Sociology ofGender,” “Women,Men, andViolence,” “Women,Society,and Religion,” “Social Movements and Revolutions,” “Nonviolence inTheory and Practice,” and “Political Sociology” allowed me to exploretheseinterestsmorefully.Intheseclasses,Iresearchedandwrotepapersonmovementsforlegalbirthcontrol,India’sChipkomovement,andwomen’speace groups likeWomenStrike for Peace and theWomen ofGreenhamCommon. One of these, “The Truth About Women and Peace,” waseventuallypublishedinTheWomenandWarReader,anewanthologyfromNYUPress(seeattachedarticle).

(Here’sasmoothcitationofapublication.)

Deeper research into issues of gender and social justice revealed that

whetherone looksatLagos,LosAngeles,or ruralLaos,women’sgroupsareorganizing forvarious formsof socialdemocratization, scratchingoutspace for and improving their lives even under the harshest conditions. Ipropose to research and document the ways in which women in ruralBangladeshattempt to improve their livesandwhat theyneed toadvancetheirgoals.Again,Iwanttodrawparallelsbetweenthemandimpoverishedwomen in wealthier countries like the US, and to examine the extent towhichpolitical democracy impacts their efforts to improve their lives.Toachievethesegoals,Iintendtobecomeaprofessorofsociology.Iamnotone togo into thingsrashly.Youcouldsay thatmylastseven

yearshavebeenadryrunforgraduateschool.IassistedMarquettepoliticsdepartmentchairRaymondEvanswithresearchforhisforthcomingbooks,The Victims’ RightsMovement andThe Post-ColdWar SocialismReader,andEnglishdepartmentchairCatherineBryanwithresearchonwomeninmedievalandRenaissancedrama.Twoyearsago,IdeliveredtwopapersattheannualmeetingofthePeaceStudiesAssociation,alongwithhelpingtoorganizetheconference;thispastyear,IdeliveredonepaperattheannualPeace Studies Association meeting and attended the American PoliticalScience Association meeting and the American Sociological Associationmeeting.Theseconferencesallowedmeabetterunderstandingofthedepthandbreadthofcurrentresearchandtheopportunitytopresentmyworktocolleagues in several disciplines. I have reviewed the papers ofmypeerswhile working as the editor of Discourse Interdisciplinary PhilosophyJournal, a student-runpublication, and thoseof scholars fromaround theglobeaseditorofPeaceReview.Irecentlypreparedascholarlymanuscriptfor associate dean Janine Tryon and religious studies professor LeaLafayette.Currently,IamexperiencingtheadministrativesideofMarquetteasassistant to theassociatedean forarts,humanities,andsocial sciences.I’menteringgraduateschoolwellpreparedtomeetthechallenge.

(Wheneveryouhaveheldpositions ineducationaladministration,besure tomention theminyouressay.)

There are a number of reasons why the University of California–Berkeley (UCB) is the best setting for my pursuit of these goals. I amextremely impressed by the scholarship of Raka Ray, whose work onwomen’s political groups in India is inmanyways similar to thework Iwish to pursue. I have read several of her articles and believe that shewouldbeanexcellentmentor.Additionally,LatinAmericaandtheformerEastern Bloc, regions that I am particularly interested in exploring

academically,arestronglyrepresentedinthespecialtiesoffacultymembersLauraEnriquez,ManuelCastells,VictoriaBonnell,andGilEyal.UCB’s reputation as an innovative, qualitative, and highly regarded

program seems to provide the ideal combinationof rigor and freedom.Aperusalofrecentdissertationtopicsindicatedthatstudentsareallowedtheautonomytotakeonprojectsthatdon’tnecessarilyfollowtheworkoftheiradvisors and that are quite ambitious in scope. Ameeting with graduateassistant Elaine Talmadge confirmed this impression.As someonewith ahistoryof takingon challengingand intensive researchprojects, I believethatIwouldthriveinsuchanenvironment.Ihopetobuildafoundationforalongandproductiveacademiccareerinsociology.

(Here’sacompellinganswertotheconcern,“Whyhere?”Remember, it’sgenerallyagoodideatoidentifymorethanoneprofessorinwhomyouareinterested,asthiscandidatedoes.)

ESSAY#23:“SystemsEngineering”

StatementofPurpose,PhDinSystemsEngineering

Alargechartisslowlyunfurledinfrontoftheclassastheprofessoroffersexcitedly, “This will give us some perspective on what you’ve beenlearning these last three semesters!” The chart displays a descendingcontinuum of linearity to nonlinearity on the y-axis.On the x-axis is thenumber of variables in a system. I sit up attentively, anticipating myprofessor’sintroductiontowhatwouldbecomemyfavoriteclass,SystemsSimulation. The professor directs the laser pointer to the top left corner,highlightingthefirst-andsecond-ordertopicssuchasradioactivedecayandRLCcircuits:“We’vespentallthistimelearningthebasicsoftheselinearsystems.” His laser pointer drifts to the lower right and enthusiasticallynarrates, “Now this is the where it gets interesting. Limit cycles. Theimmunesystem.Economics.”Ashispointertravelstothelowerright-mostitem,hesayseagerly,“Andfinally:Life.”ItoccurstomethenthatalthoughI have taken four courses inmy intended specialty, I have only begun tolearnsystemsengineering.Iameagertocrossthefrontiertobeginlearningabout life.Thisrevelationmotivatedmethen,anditmotivatesmestill, topursue a PhD in systems engineering with a specialization in nonlinearcontrolandsimulationofinterdisciplinarysystemsformygraduatestudies.

(Note how engaging this future scientist’swriting is.Her enthusiasm is palpable.And she tells astoryinwhichaprofessoristhehero,thesourceofwondrousknowledgeandlight.Rememberwhoisgoingtoreadanessaylikethis?Exactly.)

I have sought out many opportunities to work on multidisciplinaryengineeringprojectsinmyundergraduatecareer.Inmymostrecentsummerresearch position, I had the opportunity to work in a team of threeundergraduates under Prof. J. Rossmann in designing and constructingHarveyMuddCollege’sfirstlarge-scalesubsonicwindtunneltoallowforvisualization and quantification of external flows.1 I had a range ofresponsibilitieswithin the team that involved a full spectrumof research,

design, and construction. These included calculating the necessaryspecifications of the settling chamber, exit diffuser, and axial fan.Furthermore, I worked with a limited budget to design a cost-effectivestructural support system, negotiated with vendors, and helped assembleandbuild the test section and flow-straightening screens.This experiencegavemeareal-worldtasteofhowelegantsystemsengineeringcouldbe—Ihad the tools to beautifully integrate mechanical, structural, electrical,economic,andprojectmanagementaspectsinordertodesignasuccessfulwindtunnel.Thegreatestchallengeduringtheprojectwascompletingthedesign and construction of the wind tunnel over a ten-week period; ourteam learned the value of efficient timemanagement, maintaining focus,and good project planning. I look forward to coordinating thedocumentationofourdesignandconstructionprocessofthewindtunnelinaforthcomingpublicationbytheendofthespringsemester.

(Gradschoolinvolveslotsofteamwork,especiallyinengineering.Tellingastoryaboutasuccessfulteamprojectisagreatidea.)

Last year, as part of a larger project to explore the development of aGPS–Loran-C integrated navigation system, another engineering team Iwas on investigated the viability and characteristics of Loran-C (Long-Range Aid to Navigation Type C) as an air-traffic navigation andpositioningsystem.2Myresponsibilitieswithinthefour-personteamweretodetermine and model the sources of error contributing to the relativeinaccuracy of Loran-C. I assisted in experimentally testing daily andseasonal variation and the effects of Earth’s conductivity and terrain.Moreover,IhelpeddevelopaMATLABmodelforerrorsduetotransmitterstationsynchronization.Foraninitialguesswithina6-kilometerradiusofthe true position, the average absolute accuracy of the model improvedfrom460meters toapproximately100meters.Thisprojectenabledmetodemonstrate my ability to maintain good working relationships with myteammembersandadvisor.Ialsodiscoveredtheimportanceofindependentmotivation and drive within a team in contributing to the success of theproject.

(Noticehowthiswriterdifferentiateshercontributionsfromtheoverallproject.)

Working on these research projects involves organizational andleadership skills. As president of HMC’s Society of Women Engineers(SWE) for three years, I head the coordination and execution of SWE’sannual Women Engineers and Scientists of Tomorrow Conference. Over

160highschoolgirlsandparentsattendthisone-dayconferencetointeractwith current women in the sciences and participate in workshops inengineering.ThenumerousaccomplishmentsofSWEduringmyterm,suchas initiatingengineeringdepartmentgatheringsandarranging fund-raisingactivities,demonstratemyleadershipskillsandabilitytoplanandcompletesuccessful projects.Mymotivation also is evidenced bymy involvementwith our collegiate chapter of Tau Beta Pi (TBP). As TBP president, Iorganize tutoring sessions for the seven engineering core classes andparticipateinTBPcommunityservice.

(Nice,straightforward,effectivediscussionofleadershipandservice.)

Thatcaptivatingchart thatplots thecomplexityofsystemspresented inmysystemssimulationcoursesymbolizesthepathIhopetopursue.Sofar,I have managed to edge my way toward a better understanding of thedynamicsofnonlinearsystems;Ihavemodeledfascinatingsystemsrangingfromtheromanceof twolovers to thelimitcyclesofoscillatingchemicalreactions.AtCaltech,Iintendtofurtherstudynonlinearsystemsmodelingand simulation. I am especially interested in continuing my work ininterdisciplinaryengineeringsystemswithapplications inroboticsandtheautomotive industry. I hope to bring my previous research modeling theLoran-C navigation system, my most recent nonlinear variable structurerobustcontrolproject insystemssimulation,andmyexperience inhands-on experimentation techniques from my wind tunnel research to thedevelopment of modeling these systems. The proximity to the charmingcityofOldTownPasadenahasalsofactoredintomyconsiderationtoattendCaltech.Tobeinthisrichenvironmentwouldbeatremendousopportunity.

1. Rossmann, J. S., Hsu,Y. J., Schauer, J., and Stratton, C. “Design andConstructionofaSubsonicWindTunnel.”UCSantaBarbara:FluidsMini-Symposium.SantaBarbara,CA.

2.Boyd,C.,Ahle,K.,Hsu,Y. J., andThatte,G. “Modeling theExistingLoran-C Radionavigation System.” Harvey Mudd College Clinic FinalReport.Claremont,CA.

ESSAY#24:“WhereDriveandTalentCanTakeYou—TheFulbright”

PersonalStatementfortheFulbrightScholarship

WhenIfirstsawaskeletonhangingonthewindowofahouse,Ishruggedandwonderedwhattypeofneighborhoodmyfamilyhadmovedinto.WhatelsecouldIthink?IwasarecentimmigrantfromIsraelandtheconceptofHalloweenwasoneof thoseAmericanculturalentitieswhichIhadyet tolearnabout.Itwasthestartofseveralyears’worthofaninterplayinvolvingmutual ignorance on my part, regarding American culture, and on myAmericanpeers’part,regardingmine.Infact,thiswasnotthefirstimmigrationinmyfamily’shistory.Bothof

my parents emigrated from Romania to Israel after World War II. Theconsequencewasthatsentencesinourhouseholdsometimesstartedinonelanguage (e.g., Romanian),were interjectedwith a phrase from a second(e.g.,English),beforefinallybeingterminatedinathird(e.g.,Hebrew).WhenIarrivedtotheUnitedStates(whereIwaslaternaturalized),Iwas

“fluent” in only one word in English (the word “no”), inappropriatelyclothed(withrespecttothefashionofthetime),andculturallyinept.Thus,Iwas castoutbymanyofmyclassmates as anoutsider at first.Throughhardwork anddetermination, I strove to excel academically and initiatedextracurricular involvement as I began to overcome the language barrier.With time, I believe my classmates also learned a lot about me and mypreviouscountry’sculture.Based onmy experiences, I realized that themost effectiveway to rid

oneself of ignorance of other nations (and to learn from them) is viacomplete immersion in the foreign culture. This is why I am so excitedabouttheFulbrightprogram’sgeneralpremise.Howelsecanwegaineachother’strusttotheextentthatwecancollaborateonideasandprojectsthatwillshapeourfuture?Myexperienceshaveleftmewithasmanyquestionsasanswers.Inow

wonder which traits are innate to humans and which are cultural. Forexample, while a kiss signifies love in one country, it can serve as theequivalentofahandshakeinanother.Winkingisconsideredratherimpolite

insomenon-Westerncultures.Ifsuchseeminglyinnatenonverbalformsofcommunication are interpreted differently, then certainly there must bemanyotherdifferencesthatwecanlearnabout.Asanindividualwhohasseentwoverydifferentculturalworlds,Ifeel

that Iaminaposition tobetterunderstandsuchcultural issues. Itwillbeespecially interestingforme toexploreCanada,whereIcanseeaculturethatisnotasdifferentfromAmericaasthatofmynativeland.Eventhoughit has fewer cultural differences vis-à-vis the United States than moredistantcountriesdo,IhavealreadywitnessedseveralofthemfirsthandonacoupleoftripstoCanada,includingavisittotheUniversityofToronto.Itwill be interesting to see how American and Canadian cultures retainedsomecharacteristicsandyetdifferentiatedinothersastheysplitfromtheiroriginalBritishroots.

(Everycandidatefacesmanychoiceswhenwritinganapplicationessay.Thesenexttwoessayswerewrittenbythesamecandidate,whodidwintheFulbrightandthentookadeferralonhisPhDstudies.Thepointis:Youalsocanwriteamoreoralesspersonalessay,amoreoralesstechnicalessay.Thiscandidate’sprudentchoicesresultedinsuccessintwoverydifferentdirections.Hadheswitchedhisessays,it’spossiblethatneitherwouldhavebeeneffective.Youmighttrymorethanoneapproachtoyouressaybeforechoosingtheoneyouthinkwillserveyoubest.Youmayhaveonebackground,butyouhavemanystoriestotellandmanywaysyoucantelleachstory.)

I think that a Fulbright experience will help me as I look toward thefuture.My career goal is to apply computer and engineeringmethods tobiology(specificallybiochemistry),inordertofacilitatethedesignofbetterdrugs. Iwouldalso like toencouragegovernments toprovidecooperativeresearch funding opportunities for drug design efforts. Such opportunitieswould divide the cost of researching new drugs among North Americancompanies and the government and involve North American academicinstitutions in the research process.Working together across national andcommercial/academic boundaries would be especially rewarding in thisfield. Drug research is expensive, yet people all over the world realizeimmensebenefits fromeachnew typeofdrug thatbecomesavailable,nomatterwhat country it originates from. I hope that I can be a part of theprocessthatimprovesthequalityoflifeforcitizenseverywhere.For,whilewe may be different in how we communicate and in the traditions wecherish,surelyweareallmadeofthesame“stuffoflife,”asthelateCarlSaganonceputit.

(Everypointinthisessayischosenforitsrelevancetothepublishedscholarshipcriteria.)

ESSAY#25:“WhereDriveandTalentCanTakeYou—BiomedicalEngineering”

MolecularBiophysicsEssay

EversinceIwasyoung,Ihavewantedtounderstandnotjusthowthebodysolved complex engineering problems, but also how these mechanismsworked at a fundamental level. In particular, I am interested in applyingcomputer and experimental techniques to biological problems (and viceversa).Ofparticularinterestistheuseofcomputationaltoolsinanalyzingissues relating to sequence analysis/protein engineering, protein folding(andthereverseproblem).

(Thisessaywaswrittenbythesamepersonasthelastone.Althoughthereisamodicumofoverlap,noticehowdifferentthispresentationisfromthepriorexample.)

I thinkthis iswhyIfindthepursuitofaPhDalmostanecessity,givenmyneedtosatiatemymind’scuriosityforseekingdeeperknowledgeinthisarea. In fact, I think thismethodology has been reflected throughoutmylife, as I have always strived to challenge myself to find answers andovercome various obstacles.When I arrived in theUnited States, I knewonlyoneword inEnglish(theword“no”).Yet, Iwasdeterminedtoworkhard in order to catch up. Graduating valedictorian of my class in highschoolandservingascopresidentofScienceOlympiadprovedthatitcouldbedone.Iwenton toCarnegieMellonUniversity,not justbecauseof themerit-

basedscholarships,butalsobecauseIwantedtogaindeeperunderstandingofcomputertechniquesandtheirapplicationsinbiology/medicine.WhileImajoredinelectricalandcomputerengineeringwithaminorinbiomedicalengineering, I took asmany relevant biology and chemistry courses as Icould within the curriculum, including advanced courses like 03-510(Computational Biology) and 42-680 (Bioinstrumentation). This spring, Iamscheduledtotakeabiochemistryandsecondorganicchemistryclass.Iexpecttohavethenecessaryprerequisitesforadvancedbiochemistrystudy

bygraduation.I am confident that I will succeed in advanced courses given my

background. I also feel that I have some rather unique advantages as anonbiology major. Having a heterogeneous entering class composed notonly of biology/biochemistrymajors allows formore diversity in thoughtprocesses.Havingundergoneasimilarcurriculumwithsimilarexperiences,biologymajorswill likely have similar perspectiveswhen encountering anovel problem. In contrast, an individual likemyselfmay have a unique,novelcontribution.Manyofthebreakthroughsinthepasthavecomefrominterdisciplinarystudyresultinginalinkbetweentwopreviouslyunknownareasthatwentontoserveasthebasisforaninvention(andanewareaforresearch). Two recent examples include the invention of DNA-basedcomputersandbiochips.Ineachcase,abiologistoranelectrical/computerengineerworkingalonecouldnothavecarriedtheprojecttofruition.I have always strived to complement my education/experiences in

computational approaches with fundamental biology. I have gainedexperience with biology both at the molecular level and at the systemslevel,which allowsme to see the big picture.When chosen by theOhiogovernortorepresentthestate,IwenttotheLawrenceBerkeleyLaboratoryforaprogramcalled“LifeSciencesandBiotechnology.”Here, I attendedbothlecturesanddidlabworkinvolvingbiotechnology.ProfessorsincludedDr.MarianDiamond,Nobel Prize–winnerDr.Glenn Seaborg,Dr. SylviaSpenger (on theHumanGenome Project), Dr.MinaBissell, andDr. JeffO’Neil(Calgene).AtasummercourseatCaseWesternReserveUniversityentitled “Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering,” I gained additionalknowledgeinexperimentaltechniques.

(Nameyouradvisors.)

Fromtheaforementionedprograms,Ihavegainedexperiencewithsuchbiological techniques as electrophoresis, Southern blots, transformations,recombinant DNA techniques, PCR, chromatography, and sequenceanalysis. Through class/lab work and various programs, I have becomeknowledgeable in computer techniques used in biology such as codingregion identification (via base composition, codon bias/preference, etc.),BLAST/FASTAalgorithms for sequencematch scoringmethods,multiplesequence alignment, general similarity and homology methods (e.g.,dynamic programming, dot-matrixmethods, usage of hashing), secondarystructure prediction (methods like Chou-Fasman, Garnier-Osguthorpe-Robson,SOPMA,etc.),andhydophobicityanalysis.

(Makealaundrylistoflaboratoryskills.Don’tassumeyourreaderwillknowwhatyoucando.)

In terms of bioinstrumentation, I have learned about NMR, IR, andtechniquesfornovelinstrumentationdesign.Thispastsummer,Iworkedona signalprocessingproject in theTachycardiaResearchgroupofSt. JudeMedical’sPacesetter(acompanyformerlyownedbySiemens).Idesignedandbuiltastimuluswaveformgenerator.Then,Iinitiatedaresearchstudywith the group’s manager involving pain thresholds (in over thirtyindividuals) and coauthored “Sural Nerve Sensory Thresholds ofDefibrillationWaveforms,”whichhasbeensubmittedandaccepted.ItwillbepresentedatthenextAmericanCollegeofCardiologyScientificSessionandpublishedintheorganization’speer-reviewedJournaloftheAmericanCollegeofCardiology.One example where I applied computational/engineering techniques to

biology(asIhopetodoinmycareer)goesbacktothefirstsemesterofmyfreshmanyear. I independentlywrotemyowngrantproposalbasedonanidea I thought of while at the Lawrence Berkeley Lab that involvedapplication of neural networks to the classification of DNA fingerprints.When my proposal won a SURG grant, I carried out the projectindependently under mentor Prof. Jose Moura, editor-in-chief of IEEETransactions on Signal Processing. This endeavor, combined withacademicachievements, resulted inmyrecognitionviahonorablementionaspartof theall-USACollegeAcademicTeamcompetition (published inUSAToday).OnlyoneCarnegieMellonstudentisknowntohaveeverbeenrecognized in this competition.Since it involvednovel coding techniquesdeployedonaPCandsupercomputingenvironment,theworkalsoledtoanarticle (which I wrote) in the “Cross Platform Strategies” section in fivemagazinesineighty-twocountries.(Tracethehistoryofyourinterest.Thisapplicantisabletotracethisparticularideabacktofreshmanyear.)

Forthepastseveralsemesters,Ihavebeenworkingonaresearchprojecton the “system level” at the University of PittsburghMedical Center. Itinvolves analysis of EEG signals from brain waves and design of abarbiturate drug infusion system with Dr. Marc Bloom, the director ofneuroanesthesiaattheUniversityofPittsburgh’smedicalcenter.Theresultsofmyprojectare ratherexciting.Thecontrol systemwas testedona liverhesus monkey and later revised. We are currently discovering andclassifyingrelationsbetweenvariouspatientvariablesandthesedativestateand already have some interesting correlations.Aswe approach the next

phase, this information will be combined “to establish an entirely newapproach to patient modeling and the use of control in bioengineeringsystems” (as originally stated in the NSF grant from a group of threeprofessorsthatIhelpedtoformlastsemester).I believe I canmake a significant contribution to the current literature

during graduate school and eventually lead efforts in innovation upongraduatingfromtheUniversityofPennsylvania.IthinktheresultfrommyexperienceatMotorola’sSpeechTechnologyLaboratory isanexampleofsuchanendeavor.NotonlydidIputforthanewidea,Ialsoimplementeditinaprototypeandwrotethefirstdraftof thepatent(whichIpresentedtothe other coinventors for input). The patent was submitted to the patentofficeinJulyafterapprovalbytheMotorolareviewcommittee.Ialsohaveexperienceinwriting,askillthatisobviouslyimperativefor

researchers who wish to communicate their findings with others. As awriter for several newspapers, I have had the chance to interview peoplesuchasOhio’sgovernor,aUScongressman,aCEO(FORESystems),threecurrentandpastpresidentsofCarnegieMellon,andamanagingeditorfromU.S.News&WorldReport.Ihavefoundseveralfaculty thatsharemyinterestsat theUniversityof

Pennsylvania. In Prof. Lewis’s lab, I am interested in thework going onrelated to computational methods used for studying protein-nucleic acidcomplexes.PapersfromProf.Sharp’sresearchinstructureofproteinatthemolecular level(usingcomputational techniquesasanoption)alsopiquedmyinterest.IseeapossiblematchwithProf.Wroblewski’sworkinvolvingimageprocessingandproteinstructure.Iamopentoworkinginotherlabsinvolvinga combinationof computational andexperimental techniques inbiochemistryaswell.

(Address thequestion,“Whyhere?”Thiscandidatewrotedifferent,andsuccessful,applications toCaltech,Stanford,MIT,Berkeley,andothers.Customize,customize,customize!Ofcourse,ithelpstobeasaccomplishedasthisscholar.)

ESSAY#26:“BringingPoliticstoLife”

PersonalStatement

AstheUnitedStateslaunchedyetanothersmallwarinadistantcorneroftheglobe,SenatorEverettMcKinleyDirksenreturnedtolifeandcaptivateda hometown audience in Pekin, Illinois, with the folksy eloquence thatmadehimnationallyfamous.UnlikeThucydides,GeorgeWashington,andTheodoreRoosevelt,whoallproclaimedthatthebestpreparationforpeaceis war, Dirksen (performed by local journalist and actor Dave Watters)spoke to a group of teachers and community leaders about the power ofwords to assuage conflict, whether on the floor of the Senate or in theconductofAmericanforeignpolicy.TherelevanceofDirksen’sspeechtotheapproachingwarwasagratifyingcoincidence;indeed,hisreflectionsonspokenlanguageseemeddeliberatelyironicasourcountrybeganbombingnearthebirthplaceofwrittenlanguage.Butformethegreatestpleasureofthe evening was playing resurrection-man to the senator, selecting andarranging the findings of my archival research and then watching itunveiledinaneducationaldramaticmonologue.ThatnightIwitnessedthepowerofthescholartobreathelifeintothehistoricalrecord.

(This understated essay reveals a highly accomplished candidate, with considerablepostundergraduate education and experience relevant to this application. Thewriter reveals a lifesteeped in academia, and this next program is but a logical next step. The tone is confident butrespectful,whichisaverygoodchoiceforanapplicationessay.Also,thisessayisfairlyshort.Onegets the impression that other complete essays could be written about items selected from anyparagraph.)

TheinventionoftheDirksenpersona,nowusedasaneducationaltoolatschoolsandcommunityfestivalsthroughoutcentralIllinois,wasjustoneofthe many Dirksen Center projects I worked on intending to educate thepublic about the history and legislative procedures of Congress (seeattached resume). During my three-year tenure, I researched and wrotedramatic monologues for portrayals of Abraham Lincoln and John F.Kennedy; cowrote an essay presented at a historical conference on civil

rights; and helped write a syllabus and plan readings for an advancedcollege seminar on the US Senate. Although the Dirksen Center hadpreviouslyawardedmefellowshipsforstudyinWashington,DC,andattheInstituteofInternationalAffairsatBradleyUniversity,Ibelievetherewasone other factor that especially prepared me for research at a nonprofiteducational institution.While in college, I joined the forensics team, thenational speakingchampions for the last sixteenconsecutiveyears.Asanextemporaneousandimpromptuspeaker, travelingtoweeklycompetitionsall over the country, I followed current events daily and read and fileddozens of publications every week in order to speak on any foreign ordomestic policy question that I might draw. I thus acquired an activecomprehension of world affairs that extended far beyond the collegeclassroom. Butmy earliest knowledge of international affairs began as achildwhenmyparentswouldrecountthemanyyearstheyspentabroadinthePeaceCorpsandworkingforaGreekimport/exportcompany.Frommyparents,IalsolearnedthatmygrandfatherwasoneofthreeGreekcitizensgrantedtransportationcontractstohelpfortifytheGreek-BulgarianborderagainstNazi invasionduringWorldWarII. Ihaveconsequently remainedfascinated with modern Greek history and US foreign policy towardpostwarEurope.AsamakeweighttomydailyabsorptioninpublicpolicyatBradley,my

intellectualcuriositybegantobroadenwhileencompassingpoliticsinevermore subtle ways. In the course of reading about Italian fascism duringWorldWar II, I became intrigued with the polemics and poetry of EzraPoundandgrewpuzzledattherelationshipbetweentheliteraryavant-gardeandreactionarypoliticsinItaly,France,andGermany.ThisinterestledmetoleaveBradleyfortheintensescholarlyenvironmentoftheUniversityofChicago, where I wrote an honors thesis on Ezra Pound’s Cantos thatsynthesized poetic analysis with history of religions methodology andinquiry into the antidemocratic politics of literary modernism. Because Istudiedreligionasmuchaspoliticsduringthecourseofmyresearch,andbecause I thought that further religious study would assist me in therevisionofmythesisforpublication,IdecidedtoattendtheUniversityofChicago Divinity School to study Greek religion, sacrifice, and ritualtheory, an academic opportunity I had never previously envisioned.As astudentat theUniversityofChicago, Iwasalsoable to studyeducationalpublicpolicywithliterarycriticGeraldGraffandtoconductresearchandwrite monograph chapters for a World Health Organization study oninternationaloralhealthcarepolicy.

IamapplyingtotheFletcherSchoolbecauseIhopeeventuallytoworkforagovernmentornonprofitinstitution(suchastheUSSenate,NationalEndowment for the Humanities, or the Dirksen Congressional Center)whereIcanintegratemypublicpolicyresearchwithmyscholarlytrainingin the humanities. Of the international affairs programs that I haveresearched, Tuft’s offerings in US foreign/diplomatic policy and politicaltheory seem especially strong, and I am specifically looking forward tocourses on US foreign relations since 1918, American Constitutionalhistory,andthedevelopmentofpoliticaltheory,whichshouldallowmetobuild uponmy existing knowledge of scholarship on political leadershipand archival sources for US legislative history. Tuft’s curriculum is alsovery appealing to me because of its emphasis on economics andquantitativemethodsinthesocialsciences,twoareasinwhichIwouldliketoreceivemoretrainingbeforebeginningapublicpolicycareer.GivenmyexperienceasalectureratBradley,VassarCollege,andtheGeorgeSchoolinPhiladelphia,Ialsohopetoteachoneday.

(Ifyoucannotnamespecificprofessorsyouareattractedto,thenmentionspecificclassesorareasofstudyinwhichyouknowtheprogramexcels.)

WorkingataneducationalresearchinstitutionsuchastheDirksenCenterhas shown me that ideas can be put into action, a notion expressed inancientGreekaspaideuma,coincidentallythetitleofthejournalinwhichmyPoundessaywillsoonbepublished.However, itwasSenatorDirksenrather than Ezra Pound who persuaded me that reverence for study andcivicresponsibilityarecompatiblegoals.BringingthesenatorbacktolifeonthatJanuaryeveofwargavehimthevoicetodoso.

(Besuretomentionpendingorsubmittedpublications,aswellasthosealreadyreleased.)

ESSAY#27:“ToBeaCollegeProfessor”

StatementofPurpose,CombinedApplicationforAssistantshipandDoctoralProgram

I had never had the opportunity to teach before; graduate assistants atBaylorrarely teach,andsoIwasstillquitenervousandunsureofmyselfwhenIsteppedtothelecternthatfirstnightatOuachitaTechnicalCollegeasthenewadjunctpoliticalscienceinstructor.Ihadpreparedmylecture;Iknewmysubject;Icertainlyhadthedesiretoteach,butuntilthatmomentIstilldidn’tknowifIhadwhatitwouldtaketobeacollegeprofessor.Whentheclassendedthreehourslater,Iknew.EversinceIleftBaylorwithmymaster’s,IhaveknownthatIeventually

wouldreturntograduateschooltocontinuemyworktowardadoctorate.Ihavealwaysconsideredmytimeinthe“realworld”tobeapreparationforthisreturntograduateschool,anopportunitytomatureandtobroadenmyexperience in government and politics beyond the theoretical and thetextbook.

(Thisessayisattractivebecauseitreadssowell.Itmaynotbeasflashyassome,butit isaclean,efficientpresentationofaseriousandthoughtfulcandidate.Ifyouwantateachingassistantship,asdoesthiscandidate,besuretodiscussyourteaching,tutoring,andproctoringbackground.)

Toward this end, I have spent the past three years with the ArkansasHistoricPreservationProgram,astategovernmentagencychargedwiththeenforcementoftheNationalHistoricPreservationAct.IwasinitiallyhiredtooverseethedevelopmentandpublicationofAFoundationfortheFuture:TheArkansasHistoricPreservationPlan,acomprehensivestatementoftheagency’s mission, goals, and objectives over the next five years. On thecompletion of this project, I was asked to stay on as the agency’s staffplanner. This has been a most valuable experience for a student ofgovernment and politics, a chance to applymy education and skills in apublicpolicyareawithnational,stateandlocalimplications.Over the past three years, I have had the opportunity to work on a

numberof interestinganddiverseprojectswithfederalagencies includingtheNationalParkServiceandtheUnitedStatesPostalService,withotherstate historic preservation offices, with state and national historicpreservationinterestgroups,andwithcityandcountygovernmentofficialsall over Arkansas. I have researched and written on numerous historicpreservationpublicpolicyissues,includinganintensivestudyontheeffectsofpostoffice relocationpoliciesonhistoricdowntowns that resulted in aUS Senate Subcommittee hearing here in Little Rock. My efforts atdevelopingcomprehensivepreservationplansandlandprotectionstrategiesforArkansas’sCivilWarbattlefieldsthroughtheSecretaryoftheInterior’sAmerican Battlefield Protection Program have been commended byofficialsoftheNationalParkService.

(Useyouressaytoexplainyourdecision-makingprocesses,totieallyourotherexperiencestogether,andto“makesense”ofdatathatmayalsobeprovidedonaCVorotherpartsofyourapplication.This candidate’s backgroundmight have seemeddisjointed, running fromacademe to governmentandbackagain,butthisexplicationofhisintentionslayssuchconcernstorest.)

Mytimeinstategovernmenthasbeenan invaluableexperience. Ihavewitnessedfirsthandtheinteractionsandrelationshipsamongfederal,state,and local governments; I have developed a better understanding of theintricacies of government bureaucracies; and I have broadened myeducation through extensive research and writing on Arkansas’s politicaland social history. Through my professional connections, I had theopportunity to serve as a regional campaignmanager for a gubernatorialcampaign, and I was also active in the last presidential campaign; theseexperiences have given me valuable insights into modern politicalcampaigningandtheelectoralprocess.IbelievethattheseexperienceshaveservedtocomplementtheveryfineeducationthatIreceivedatBaylorandtostrengthenmyfascinationwithgovernmentandpolitics.InAugust of this year, I accepted a part-time positionwithHenderson

StateUniversityasadjunctpoliticalscienceinstructoratOuachitaTechnicalCollegeinMalvern,Arkansas;myexperienceteaching“AmericanNationalGovernment” to a class of thirteen nontraditional students has beentransformational. This experience, more than any other, has forced apersonalreassessmentofmygoalsandstrengthenedmyresolvetoleaveaposition that I have found both professionally challenging and personallyrewarding,andtoreturnnowtograduateschooltoearnadoctorateandtopursueanacademiccareer.For the past two years, I have collected information from a variety of

PhD programs in the southeastern United States, and I have slowlynarrowed my choices to a handful of schools. I visited Vanderbilt’sdepartment of political science last summer, andwas impressedwith thefriendly faculty and their willingness to speak with me about myeducational interests and goals. I was already familiar with Vanderbilt’sexcellent reputation, but I felt that I should experience the programfirsthand before I applied for admission. Academically, I feel that I ambetter suited to a smaller,more intimate educational environment. It wasthisatmospherethatIfoundsorewardingatBaylor,anditsabsenceledmeto leave the University of Virginia. Based on my discussions with Drs.Gare, Bennett, and Halestrap, I hope that I have found it again atVanderbilt.

(The entire remainder of this essay explains why the candidate chose this particular graduateprogram.)

AtVanderbilt, I hope to pursue a courseof study involving thenature,formulation, and implementation of American foreign policy, specificallytowardEuropeand the formerSovietUnion.TheabatementofEast-Westconfrontationalism and the emergence of new democracies in EasternEurope and the former Soviet Union represent unparalleled opportunitiesand challenges forAmerican policymakers to encourage the growth andmaturation of these new political systems. While the East-Westrapprochement has not resulted in a cessation of regional conflictaltogether,ithasclearlyalteredtheinternationalpoliticaldynamicsofsuchconflicts.Meanwhile, a number of international public policy issues willcontinue to demand attention from American policy makers: theenvironment,economicinterdependenceandfreetrade,refugeeism,andthecontinuingpoliticalandeconomicinstabilityinthedevelopingworld.Howwill these issues playout in theAmericanpolitical process, howwill thepresidentandtheCongressaddresstheseforeignpolicyconcerns,andwhatfactors and pressures will influence their decisions? These are the issuesthatIhopetoaddressinmystudiesatVanderbilt.IamthereforeapplyingforadmissiontoVanderbiltUniversity’spolitical

science doctoral program with the teaching assistantship option. Theexperience, theeducation,andthedegreethatIhopetoearnatVanderbiltwillenablemetopursueacareerinteachingandresearchattheuniversitylevel,andtomakealastingcontributiontothisfascinatingdiscipline.Iamconfidentthatmyacademicandprofessionalexperienceshaveimbuedmewiththedepthandmaturitythatyourprogramdemands,andthat,giventhe

opportunity,Icouldbeavaluableassettoyourdepartment.Ihopethatyouwillseriouslyconsidermyqualificationsandarriveatthesameconclusion.

ESSAY#28:“Economics—withFitandMatch”

IwanttostudyeconomicsbecauseIwanttounderstandhumanaction,andthe most quantitative way to accomplish that goal is in the field ofeconomics. Similarly, I want to study development economics andmicroeconometricsbecauseapowerfulwaytounderstandhumanactionistostudytheplacesandsituationsinwhichhumansystemsfail.Inordertoachieveanontrivialgrasp,Imustbecompetentinusingthepropermethodsof analysis that can help me to uncover the trends that underlie specifictypesof failure.Thereare fewbetterexamplesofeconomicsystems thanthemissingandimperfectmarketspervasiveindevelopingeconomies.TheLeonardVolstachenSchoolofEconomicsisaperfectfitforthesegoals.Iappreciate how the curriculum emphasizes current applied research ineconomicdevelopmentwithaneconometricrigorthatadvancestheabilityofresearcherstoattainvaluableresults.IhavebeencorrespondingwithDr.James for a few months, and she has been quite encouraging about thematchbetweenmyinterestsandyourprogram’soverallstrengths.ImetDr.WillcoxandDr.FineataconferenceinChicagolastsummersponsoredbytheAmerican Economic Review. I found Dr. Wilcox’s paper on the riskprofileoffarmers tobecompelling,andDr.Fine’sonlinelectureofpaneldata techniques helpedme to understand the subject in a superiorway. Ilookforwardtomeetingtheentirefacultyofthedepartment.

(Mentionfacultybyname,andmentioncontextforeachconnection.Haveyoumetthem?Readtheirpapersorbooks?Correspondedwiththem?Doyourcurrentprofessorsrecommendthem,orisyourundergraduatementoraprotégéofatargetedgraduateadvisor?Theseareimportantdatapoints.)

Ifirstbecameinterestedineconomicgraduatestudywithmyfirsttasteofeconometric research. The culminating goal of the class was aneconometric researchpaper,hopefully fit forpublicationandpresentation.ItfiredmyimaginationwhenIreadacademicpapersonwhetheraccesstoformal credit constrained agricultural production decisions, and themethodsvariouseconomistsusedtoanswerthatandsimilarquestions.Theprecisionof theanalysisandthesoundnessof themethodologyimpressedme, and I realized that sort of stimulatingwork—conducting quantitativeresearch and then articulating one’s findings to economists and

noneconomistsalike—wasacareerthatIcouldpursue.ThoseeconomistsIwasreadingwere,inimportantways,thefinalproductofthepersonInowsawmyselfasbeingabletobecome.

(Customizeyour essays right from the top, so that the readers knowyouwrote this essay for thisprogramandthesefacultyreaders.Moststudentsseemtoputtheircustomizationnearthebottomofthe essays, whichmakes the bulk of the essay seem canned. As always, naming specific facultymembersand their research foci isoneof theeasiestandbestways tocustomize. It showsfitandmatch.)

I have a good knowledge of statistics from my minor and fromconducting research. I am able to manage large and multipart researchprojects independently; I alsocollaboratedwithapeercoauthor tocraft aresearchpaper.Iknowstatisticssoftware,suchasSPSSandEViews.Frommy work at a financial services consulting firm and a bank, I amcomfortable managing complex data sets and analyzing them. I havemaintaineda4.0GPAinmymajor,anda3.84overall. Inaddition, Iwasfortunatetoattendanundergraduateinstitution—theCookHonorsCollegeat Indiana University of Pennsylvania—that combines a rare mix ofanalytical thinkingandanemphasison the students’obligations toactonthe knowledge received. The unique curriculum revolves around “GreatQuestions” (in contrast to the “Great Books” liberal arts curriculum), inwhich eachquestion (e.g., “Howcanwe tell thegood from thebad?”) isfollowed by the equally important “What, therefore, should we [thestudents] do?” The analysis half of the question is one of the primarydriversofmydesiretounderstandeconomicsandthetoolsthateconomistsusetounderstandhumanaction.Iamfurthergratefulforasecondmajorinphilosophy,whichhasenabled

me to think carefully about the structure of good thinking and soundlyconstructedargument,howtobecarefulinthefoundationsandassumptionsone makes—whether it is in evaluating the assumptions behindphilosopherswhosubscribetoBayesianconfirmationtheoryoreconomistswho hold that access to formal credit constrains agricultural productiondecisionsoffarmers.MypeercoauthorandIwerehonored toreceive theBest Undergraduate Paper Award at the Pennsylvania EconomicAssociation for our paper on the credit constraints and the productiondecisions of rural farmers in India. Our paper was also published in thepeer-reviewedPennsylvaniaEconomicReview.Thefacultyof theCollegeof Humanities and Social Sciences selected me for the Margaret FlegalHarte Scholarship, a merit scholarship for outstanding students in thehumanitiesandsocialsciences.Asastudent-electedmemberoftheBoard

ofDirectorsfortheIUPStudentCooperativeAssociation,Ilearnedhowtoenter the fray of a political debate with real consequences for students,faculty,andadministrators.

(Alwaysparseyourgrades inyourmajor if theyarehigh, andespeciallywhen theyare thishigh.(SeehisGPAinthepriorparagraph.))

In terms of my research interests, I am specifically intrigued by thedeterminants of the decisions of farmers in developing economies,untangling the empirical relationship and determinants of formal andinformal lending in developing economies, as well as deepening myunderstandingofmicroeconomicdevelopmentandeconometricmeasuringtechniques. I understand that in the course of my graduate studies myinterestswillberefinedandmaychange,butat themoment thoseare thetopicsthatmostinterestme.

(MentionmajoraccomplishmentsinyouressayeveniftheyarementionedinyourCVorelsewhereinyourapplication.Assumethatyouressayisreadallbyitself,withouttherestofyourportfolioathand.)

IwouldenjoyspendingmytimeinAthens,Georgia,whichisfarwarmerand inviting in its climate thanWestern Pennsylvania, where I currentlylive. In thespring, Iwillbeworkingonfurtherresearchprojectswithmycoauthor,usingthedatawehavealreadygatheredandstructuredtoanswerdifferent theoretical questions, perhaps about the determinants of thedemandforformalandinformalcreditandhoweachdiffersandissimilarto the other. I will continue interning at Stewart Capital Advisors,conductingquantitativeandqualitativeresearch.IalsoplantoassistDr.J.JozefowiczinconductingresearchontheimpactsofthechangeintheGinicoefficientinWestVirginiaonthestate’sunemploymentrate.(Nicegeographicalconnection!Mentionitbutdon’tbelaborit.)

AfterreceivingmyPhDineconomics,Iplantofindafacultypositionata research institution, where I can spend time teaching students—botheconomics majors and nonmajors—as well as conducting research,primarilyonthechoicesofruralfarmers,thehomeless,orindividualswhodonothaveaccesstoideal,or,inmanycases,anymarketatallforgoods,and how that impacts their decision making. I hope to promote thedisciplinethroughresearch,beabletousethatresearchtohelpthesubjectsofthatresearch,andimparttostudentsthepassionofpursuingthestudyofhumanactionthatisthewideandprofoundlyrelevantfieldofeconomics.

(Thereisnearlyayearbetweenthetimeyouapplyandwhenyouarriveatagraduateprogram.Besuretomentionyourprojectsthatwillbeongoingorcompletedduringthatyear.)

ESSAY#29:“AerospaceEngineering”

Sometimes,arejectionisthebestthingthatcanhappentoyou.When I first applied to graduate school, six years ago, I was rejected.

Instead, I went to work in the creative, multidisciplinary defense R&Dindustry,whereIhadtheopportunitytolearntherealitiesoftheengineeringvocation. I also learned my strengths, my weaknesses, and mostimportantly,whatIwantedtodonext.

(It’s okay tomention a past failure as long as (1) you don’t dwell on it, (2) you don’t whine orcomplain in any way, and (3) you use it as a demarcation point for growth, achievement, andperseverance.)

AturningpointinmyprofessionallifeoccurredasIlookedintotheskytowatchasixteen-footremote-controlledaircraftabouttoattemptafirst-of-its-kindoperation.Theaircraftwasflyingoveraninactivemilitaryairfield,preparing to turn and approach a prototype system to catch and landunmannedaerialvehiclesonNavyships.Asprogrammanager,Ihadledtheefforttodevelopthesystemfortwoyears.AsIwatchedtheaircraftcirclingaround for its first attempt, I realized that I was about to experience amomentofclosureoveragreatamountofworkbymeandourentireteam.Whathappenednextwasoutofmyhands.Thesuccessofthetestswouldbedecidedbytheremotepilotandthequalityofthehardwareourteamhadbuilt.Thepilotturnedtheaircraft inatightarc.Irememberthatitseemedto

floatdirectly infrontofme,beforepullingoutof itsbankandcontinuingtowardtherecoverysystem,itstail-hookdirectlyontargettosnagthearrestloopthatwouldinitiateengagement.Astheaircraftpassedovertherecoverysystem,therecamealoudnoise

likeseveraltrucksshiftingintolowgearatonce.Theeventwasoverintheblinkofaneye,butwhathappenedwasthis:theaircraftsnaggedthearrestcable andwas then yanked out of the air onto the wheeled landing pad,whichwasalreadymovingatsynchronousvelocitythankstotheinnovativedesign of one of our engineers. The recovery pad absorbed the aircraft’sverticalimpactandthen,asasingleunit,theaircraftandcartrolledjusttenmorefeettohaltunderhydraulicbraking.

Thesystemhadpluckedthedroneoutoftheairandbroughtitsafelytorest in less than sixty feetoverall.Our teamhad justdemonstratedanewmeans of landing an unmanned aircraft. The practical implicationswereenormous.Wehadjustchangedthedefinitionofanairfield!

(Iftheimplicationsofyourresearchareimportant,makethemplain.Don’texpectthereadertoinferthem.)

Fiftyminuteslater,weachievedasecondsuccessfulrecovery.Thatdaygavemea lot. Iwalked intomycompanywith renewedself-

confidence.OfgreatervaluewasthebenefitIwoulddiscoverinthemonthsto come, when I felt the pride of standing in front of a room full ofengineersandpresentingthenewcapabilitythatIhadhelpedtomakereal.Myworkwithrecoverysystemsforfixed-wingUAVshashadthelargest

impact on my career to date, but I did not plan it that way. I have alsoworkedinspacesystems,onprojectsIstartedonmyowninitiative.Afewyears ago I wrote and won a SBIR proposal topic in satellite thermalcontrol. The goal of this project has been to develop thermal controlequipmentthatcanberapidlyassembledontoasatellitebustocontrolheatflow between the bus and a piece of onboard hardware. This thermalcontrolprojectgavememyfirstpresentationandpublicationopportunities,aswell as thechance towriteandwinadditionalproposalsandbuildmyownareaofexpertise.Theactivity Iwill remembermost isworkingwithLockheed-Martintoputthehardwarethroughvibrationtestingonthesameequipment used to test multimillion-dollar satellites. Working with theLockheed engineers and being treated as an equal by them was greatlyinspiringandhelpedtoboostmyconfidenceasanengineer.Like many in the aerospace field, my passion is to expand human

activities inspace. Ioriginallywanted todoagraduateprograminspace-based life support systems, because I was most inspired by the specifictopicofhumansurvival inspace.However,myexperience in thedefensecommunityforcedmetoconcludethatafocusonthehuman-crewedaspectofspacesystemsmaynotleadtothehighest-potentialdiscovery.Withthedisclaimerthatwhatfollowsismyownopinion,Ihaveseeninthedefensecommunity the emergence of a vision of human-machine interaction inwhich every human war-fighter is surrounded by a team of unmannedsystems. The human will serve as the commander, while the unmannedsystems will perform supporting operations that vastly multiply thehuman’s capability. Thismodel is how I believe future space explorationwilloccur.Bothtechnicalandbudgetconsiderationssuggestthatunmanned

systemsshouldleadtheway.Toanextent,theyalreadyhave.Iexpectourspacecommunitytocontinuetoextendthatmodelintheyearstocomesothat unmanned autonomous systems become an inseparable and, in someaspects,adominantaspectofhuman-crewedoperations.Ialsosharetheviewofmanyinthespaceindustrythateconomicbenefit

isnecessarytosustainprogress.Myoverallgoalis todevelopanddeploynewsystemsthatwillfosterimmenseeconomicactivityinspace.Asthesesystems and their economic uses increase, they will inevitably draw ushumansoutwardaswell.

(ExcellentexplicationofaGPA.Itisokaytogetaroughstartaslongasthetrendlatelyispositive,andespeciallyifthetrendlatelyispositiveandconsistent.)

Having discussed my long-term goals, I’d like to address myundergraduate transcript. I enteredundergraduate studieswithhighnativeintelligence,poorstudyskills,andalackofdirection.WhenIrealizedthatmy college careerwas not succeeding, I went on leave and spent a yeardeveloping software for a technology startup, andpursuingmy interest intechnical writing. When I returned, I came with the intent to succeedacademically.Withthisinmind,pleasenotethatmyGPAformyuppertwoyearswas4.00inmymajor.IamexcitedaboutcompletingaPhDprograminaerospaceengineering

forthreereasons.First,Iwanttoshapemyfundamentalengineeringskills,acquiredinmyundergraduatestudiesandinmywork,intoexpertiseinmyspecificinterestofspacesystems.Second, Iwant to honemy skills for original research. In industry, the

technical quality of a proposal is only one factor that contributes to itsaward. I know that I have used strategic positioning, as well as simplesalesmanship,togivemyproposalsaboost.Whilethereisnothingwrongwith this, it is important to me that I drive my technical skills to theirabsolutemaximum,sothatwhenIdoutilizemyinstinctsforstrategyandsalesmanship,Iwilldosoknowingthatmytechnicalapproachis thebestthatitcanbe.My final goal in graduate school is to work hands-on with spacecraft

technologies that make it out of the laboratory. It was Texas A&M’sresearch projects involving the design, fabrication and operation of smallsatellites(AggieSats)thatfirstdrewmetotheprogram.VisitingtheA&Mcampus tomeetwithProf.HelenReed,AggieSat labdirectorMr. JosephPerez, and the studentmembers of theAggieSat team further assuredmethat A&M would offer the excellent aerospace education and research

opportunitiesIamlookingfor.ThechallengeofAutonomousRendezvousand Docking (ARD) that will be addressed in future AggieSats is anexcellent fit with my long-term goal of designing autonomous spacesystems, and I believe that several of my skill sets such as thermalmanagement,mechanicaldesign,andsystemsengineeringwillbeusefultothischallenge.Ithankyouforyourconsideration.

(It isalmostalwaysagoodidea tomentionseveralspecificfacultymemberswhoseworkmatchesyourinterests.)

ESSAY#30:“TableTopic”

TheSynthesisofThiaporphyrinsasPossiblePhotodynamicCancerTherapy(PDT)Agents

AMYL.GRYSHUK*,DawnCox*,RyanJ.Howard*,LynnE.Maelia#,EdwardP.Zovinka**Dept.ofChem.,Math&Phys.Sci.,SaintFrancisCollege,Loretto,PA&Div.ofNaturalSci.,MountSaintMaryCollege,Newburgh,NY

(This table topic,alsoknownasa tablepresentation, isaworksample submitted in addition to astatementofpurpose.Tabletopicsarepresentedatscientificmeetings.Theauthor/researcherstandsin frontofapresentationboardandrepresentsher research to interestedparties,whomostusuallybrowse throughanauditoriumfullofsuchexhibits (sortof likeascience fair forgrownups).Thisparticular topicwon“BestChemistryPresentation”at a regional conference,whichwasof coursementionedindetailinthisstudent’sstatementofpurpose.)

I.ABSTRACTThestudyofthiaporphyrinsisofinterestbecauseoftheirpotentialuseasPhotodynamicTherapy(PDT)agentsforcancertreatment.Whenlightactivated,thephotosensitizerexcitestheoxygeninthecelltoitstoxic singlet state, which kills the cancer. Prior experimentation on theinsertion ofmolybdenum into a thiaporphyrin ligand has shown bands at717nm,whichisinthedesiredredregion(630–800nm).1The goal of this project is to efficiently and affordably synthesize

thiaporphyrins according to a “3+1” Synthesis of a thiotripyrranedicarboxylic acid with 1-H-pyrrole-2,5-dicarboxaldehyde. Thethiotripyrranehasbeensuccessfullysynthesizedaccordingto1HNMRdataandwearecurrentlypreparing1-H-pyrrole-2,5-dicarboxaldehyde.

II.INTRODUCTION:WHATARETHIAPORPHYRINS?Unliketheporphyrin,thethiaporphyrin(SPH)consistsof3bridgingpyrrolesandonethiophene ring. The dithiaporphyrin (S2P) consists of 2 bridging pyrrolesand2thiophenrings.TheadditionoftheSatomtothemacrocyclecoreis

ofparticular interestbecausethecoremodifiedporphyrinsarearelativelyuntapped resource. The core size is smaller in comparison to the normalporphyrinandthearomaticcharacterismodifiedduetonon-planarityofthemacrocycle.2 The N···N distance is 4.383 Å in tetraphenylporphyrin, theS···Ndistanceis3.585Åinthiaporphyrin,andtheS···Sdistanceis3.069Åindithiaporphyrin.3Our current research includes inserting early transition metals since

metals later in the transition series, such as Cu, Fe, and Ni, have beenpreviouslystudiedwiththeSPHligand.Whilethestructuralandreactivitychangesbrought aboutbymodificationof the coremaybeof interest forcatalytic uses, the main purpose of this research project is to studymetallothiaporphyrins for possible use as Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)agentsforcancer.

WHATISPHOTODYNAMICTHERAPY (PDT)? PDT is amedicaltreatment for solid cancers in which photosensitizing agents such asporphyrinsareadministeredandthenactivatedwithlight(630-800nm).1Itis a safe, noninvasive treatment for cancer that is based on the“phototoxicity of photosensitizing agents like porphyrins which are thenaturalprecursorsofhemoglobin.”4Porphyrinshavebeenchosenbecauseof their similarity tohemoglobin,whichcarriesoxygen in redbloodcellsthroughoutthebodyincludingtothecancerousregions.Thephotosensitizer is inserted into thebodywhere it accumulatesnear

cancer cells. In theground state, theoxygenpresent in the cells is in thetripletstate.When light-activated, theporphyrinexcites theoxygen in thecelltoitstoxicsingletstate,whichkillsthecancer.Lightwithwavelengthinthe650–800nmrangeispreferredbecauseofitsabilitytopenetrateupto3.0cm(over1⅛inch)deepintohumantissues.4PDT eliminates the need for surgical procedures because of the

possibility of irradiating the tumor through the skin, through topicalapplicationsofporphyrins,orthroughendoscopiclasertherapy.

(Whensubmittingworksamples,besuretocomplywiththesetworules:worksamplesmustbevery,verygood, and theyneed tobedirectly related to the targeted areaofgraduate study.You should

haveaprofessorreviewanyworksampleyouplantosubmit,bothtoreviewthequalityoftheworkandtoassesstheappropriatenessofthesubmission.Thisone’sawinner.)

TheBasicIdeaofTumorPhototherapyIsto:5

1.Selectagoodphotosensitizerwithselectivityforphotodamagetotumortissue.

2. Inject the photosensitizer andwait until the tumor region fluoresces todenotethepresenceofporphyrin.

3.Irradiatethetumorwiththevisiblelight(650–800nm).

PDT5

Advantages•Painless

•Noninvasive

•Abletotreatmultiplelesionswithtopicalporphyrinsinonesitting

•Goodpatientacceptance

•Goodcosmeticresults

•Notcytotoxicunlessirradiatedwithlight

•Canberepeatedasoftenasnecessarywithoutdamaginghealthytissue

Disadvantages•Impurecompoundscurrentlyinuse

• Compounds remain in the skin for 4–6 weeks, causing cutaneoussensitivity

•Stillexperimental—researchiscontinuing

PRELIMINARY EVIDENCE According to Marcinkowska, et al.,“Modification of the core of porphyrins, by the introduction of variousheteroatomsinplaceofoneortwopyrolle-NHgroups,allowspreparation

of new heterocycles that show interesting properties in terms of theiraromatic porphyrin-like character and the marked difference in theelectronicspectra.”6

Following this suggestion, we have prepared thiaporphyrin (SPH) andhaveinsertedamolybdenumatomintoitscore.Theelectronicspectrumofthismolybdenumthiaporphyrin(MoSPH)showstheabsorptionof lightat717nm.7Thisisinthetarget650–800nmwavelengthrangeforPDTuse.

III.EXPERIMENTAL

Synthesis2,5-bis-chloromethyl-thiophene

Toa3-neck500mLflaskwithstirbarandthermometerwasadded45.0mL37%CH2Oand11.5mLconc.HCl.HClgaswasbubbledthroughthestirring solution for 2 hours until a specific gravity was reached, 1.1797g/mL(literaturesuggested1.185g/mL).After2hrs.bubblingwasstoppedand an ice/water bathwas added to cool the 3-neck flask (kept stirring).Distilled thiophene (15.0 mL) was added dropwise at 1 drop/sec. Thetemperature remained between 30°C and 0°C. After the thiophene wascompletelyadded,theyellowishsolutionwasstirredforanadditional20–30 minutes. After 20–30 minutes, the stirring was stopped to allow thesolutiontosettle into3layers(keeponice/waterbath).Threelayerswerevisible:top—cream/white;middle—lightyellow;bottom—largerdark-goldyellow (oil). The 3-neck flask remained on ICE at ALL TIMES(polymerizesatR.T.).Theloweroilylayerwassiphonedoff,placedintoaseparatory funnel, and rinsed twicewith~25.0mLCOLDdistilledwater.Theoily layerwasextracted intoa100mLr.b. torefrigerateovernight toformcrystals.2,5-bis-chloromethyl-thiopheneoilpolymerizesatR.T.soitwaskepton

ICE at ALL times. Next day, noticed a lower dark oily layer and lightgolden water layer with possible para-formaldehyde solid. The flask andglass frit used for vacuum filtration were chilled. The filtrate flask wasplacedintoanicebathwhilefiltrating.Solidgoldenpara-formaldehydewaspresenton frit surface (discarded).Waterglobulespresent in filtrateweresiphonedoffanddiscarded.Theoilfiltratewaspipetedintoa25.0mLr.b.andrefrigerated.Synthesis2,5-bis-acetoxymethyl-thiophene

Transferred 49.0 mL glacial HOAc into 100 mL r.b. Measured out13.8053 g NaOAc and added to stirring HOAc. The solution started tosolidify so a glass stirring rod was used to break up the solid chunks.Slowly 14.09 g 2,5-bis-chloromethyl-thiophene was added to the stirredsuspension (kept 2,5-bis-chloromethyl-thiophene r.b. on icewhilewaitingtoadd—polymerizesatR.T.).The temperaturewaskept steadyat~60°C.Thegoldenyellowslurrywasstirredfor5hours.After5hours,thesolutionwascooledatR.T.for16hrs.toformtwolayers.Twolayerswerepresent:top—brown/rust clear liquid; bottom—yellow solution w/white solid onbottom. Next day, oil settled out (¾ maroon oil on top & ¼ yellow onbottom).After 16hours, the solutionwasvacuum filtrated.Awhite solidremained on glass frit. The white solid was tested for solubility andpresenceofchloride ions.Therich,brownoil filtratewas transferred toa100mLr.b.viapipet.Ther.b.wasrotovaporedonahotwaterbath.Afterbeingrotovaporated,achunky,crispy,golden-orangecaramelsolid

withwhitechunks remained.COLDNa2CO3was added to100mL r.b. toneutralize.Thewhitesolidsettledonthebottomleavingthebrownoillayerontop.ExcessNa2CO3wasadded.Thecontentsweretransferredtoabeakerwhereexcessdistilledwaterandethyletherwereadded.Then,thesolutionwasplacedintoseparatoryfunnelandtheoillayerwasextractedintoa50.0mLr.b.(darkbrownoil).Ther.b.wasnotcappedtoallowtheethylethertoevaporateoff.

SynthesisofThiotripyrrane

Added0.9541gdistilled(Fraction#3)2,5-bis-acetoxymethyl-thiopheneto100mLSchlenkflask.Whilestirringandundernitrogen,1.2883gethylpyrrole-2-carboxylate was added to flask. Approximately 30.0 mLdenatured ethanol to golden, clear solution was slowly added. Lastly,0.1663gp-Toluenesulfonicacidwasaddedtothestirredsolution.Atfirstthesolutionwaspaleyellowand/orslightlycloudy.For7hoursthemixturewas refluxed under nitrogen to produce a dark, golden/tan solution.Nitrogenwasblownover thetopof theflaskwhilecooling.Oncecooled,theflaskwasplacedintherefrigeratorovernight.Thenextdaytherewasaclearbrownliquidaboveadark“caramel”oil.

TheclearbrownliquidwasdecantedtoevaporateofftheEtOH.CH2Cl2wasadded to the Schlenk flask to dissolve the dark “caramel” oil. Oil wastransferred into large glass vial and weighed. An IR (salt plate) of thethiotripyrraneoilandEtOHoilfromthiotripyrraneweretaken.The crude thiotripyrrane oil was columned using silica gel and eluted

withCH2Cl2.

SynthesisofThiotripyrrane-dicarboxylicacid

10.0 mL of 1.0MNaOH in water and 5 mL of absolute ethanol wereaddedto0.2130gofthiotripyrrane-ethylesterwithstirring.After22hoursofstirringatroomtemperature,thesolutionwasrefluxedfor4hours.Thesolution was allowed to stir for another 18 hours at room temperature.Unreacted startingmaterial was extracted into 10mLCH2Cl2, the NaOHsolutionwasneutralizedwith1.0MHCl,andtheresultingcarboxylicacidwas extracted intoCH2Cl2 (3 × 10mL). Thiswas dried overMgSO4 andfilteredintoaroundbottomwithoutpurificationforfurtherreactiontothedithiaporphyrin.

Synthesisof2.5-pyrrole-dicarbaldehyde

Carefullyweighedout0.515gPb(OAc)4and1.0476gPbO2into100mLr.b. Approximately 30.0 mL HOAc was added to the r.b. Originally thestirred solutionwasblack.Toa50.0mLbeakerwasadded0.5166g2,5-dimethylpyrrole. HOAc (16.5 mL) was added to the beaker to make aslurry. When the slurry was added to the stirred solution of HOAc,Pb(OAc)4, and PbO2 the color turned to dark brown/coffee. The solutionwas stirred for 3 hours atR.T. and cappedwith a stopper.After 3 hours,20.0mLdistilledwaterwasaddedtother.b.Themixturewasrefluxedfor30minutesandallowedtocool(keptstirring).Distilledwater (100mL)wasadded to ther.b.andplaced into500mL

separatory funnel. The r.b.was rinsedwith 100mLCH2Cl2 and added tofunnel. A dissecting light was used to distinguish 2 layers: top—darkmaroonwater; bottom—CH2Cl2 dark/ light red-maroon layer. The CH2Cl2layerwasextractedintoa250mLErlenmeyerflask.WaterlayerwasrinsedwithCH2Cl2.CH2Cl2 layerwas transferredback intoseparatoryfunneland10.0 mL Na2CO3 was added. CH2Cl2 layer was extracted into a 500 mLErlenmeyer flask. The dark, plum, maroon colored sol’n was transferredback into theseparatory funneland rinsedwith100mLdistilledwater (3times).TheCH2Cl2layerwasextractedintoa500mLflaskanddriedoverNa2SO4.Theliquidwasdecantedoffintoa500mLr.b.androtovaporedonhotwaterbath.Thecrude2,5-pyrrole-dicarbaldehyde residuewas columnedon3.0 cm

diameterSilicaGelandelutedwithChCl3.Fractions#1–10werecollectedin50.0mLintegrals.TLCplatesandIRweretaken.

IV.DISCUSSION Literatureprocedureswerefollowedforthesynthesisof 2,5-bis-chloromethyl-thiophen (41.4% yield), 2,5-bis-acetoxymethyl-thiphene (61.8% yield), thiotripyrrane (33.6% yield), thiotripyrrane-dicarboxylic acid (??), and 2,5-pyrrole-dicarboxaldehyde (3.4%). Step 1

(2,5-bis-chloromethyl-thiophene) and Step 2 (2,5-bis-acetoxymethyl-thiophene) were successfully synthesized while Step 3 (2,5-pyrrole-dicarboxaldehyde)isstillbeingstudied.AllmaterialswerecharacterizedbyIRand/or1HNMRspectra.

V. FUTURE PLANS Future research will involve the synthesis ofthiaporphyrins (SPH) and dithiaporphyrins (S2P) according to the “3+1”Synthesis. Once successfully synthesized, early transition metalthiaporphyrincomplexesofSPHandS2Pthatabsorbinthedesired630–800nmwavelengthrangewillbeprepared.ThesecompoundscanthenbeusedinstudiesaspossiblePDTphotosensitizersforcancer.The last fewweeks of summer researchwill focus on the synthesis of

dithiaporphyrin,followedbythethiaporphyrin.Thedithiaporphyrincanbesynthesized more easily because the thiotripyrrane-dicarboxylic acid canreact with the commercially available 2,5-thiophene-dicarboxaldehyde.Oncethe2,5-pyrrole-dicarboxaldehydeispurified,theSPHreactioncanbeattempted.Once S2P and SPH are synthesized on a small scale, they can then be

attemptedonlargerscales.Ourfocuswillthenbeoninsertingmolybdenumand/ortungstenintotheS2PandSPHligands.

VI.RESOURCES

1.Pandey,R.K.;Ressler,M.M.“CreatingNewPhotosensitizersforCancerTherapy.”ChemtechMarch1998,35.

2.Lato-Grazynski,L.;Lisowski, J.;Olmstead,M.M.;Balch,A.L. “TheFirst Structural Characterization of a Nickel (I) Macrocyclic System:Structure of Nickel (I) Diphenyldi-p-tolyl-21-Thiaporphyrin.” InorganicChem.1989,23,1183–1188.

3. Lato-Grazynski, L.; Lisowski, J.; Olmstead,M.M.; Balch,A. L. “21-Thiatetra-p-tolylporphyrin and Its Copper (II) Bicarbonate Complex.StructuralEffectsofCopper-ThiopheneBinding.”J.Am.Chem.Soc.1987,109,4428–4429.

4.LumaCare.Http://www.lumacare.com/1997MGBTechnologies.

5. Bonnet, R. “Photosensitizers of the Phorphyrin and Phthalocyanine

SeriesforPhotodynamicTherapy.”ChemicalSocietyReviews1995,19.

6.Chmielewski,P.;Lato-Grazynski,L.;Marcinkowska,E.;Pacholska,E.;Radzikowki, C.S.; Ziolkowski, P. “The New Sensitizing Agents forPhotodynamic Therapy: 21-Selenaporphyrin and 21-Thiaporphyrin.”AnticancerResearchVol.17,1997,3313–3314.

7.Zovinka,E.P.;Howard,R.J.UnpublisheddataonMoSPH,1997–98.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Donors of the Petroleum Research Fund,administeredbytheAmericanChemicalSociety(ACS)forpartialsupportofthisresearch;thefollowinginstitutions:

MountSaintMaryCollegeSaintFrancisCollegeUnitedStatesMilitaryAcademyatWestPoint

ESSAY#31:“TheMidnightRun”

DaveMcDonaldStatementofPurposeUniversityofCalifornia,SanFranciscoFamilyNursePractitionerProgram

Withhisonlyhand,Manuela’shusbandpassedhismacheteuptothefrontof thepickup that Iwasdriving.“Here,”hesaid toCarlo,“take this,youmightneed it.”Manuelawas sittingbetweenCarloandmewithaB/Pof90/40,amiscarriagecausinghertobleedexcessively.Itwasoneo’clockinthemorningandweweredrivingfromthefarmcooperativetothehospitalinJiquilisco.Therewerereportsofarmedgangsontheroads,sotakinghertothehospitalatnightwasarisk,butManuelacouldn’twait.

(Here’sanarrestingopeningparagraph.Thereaderwillhavetoknowmore,willhavetoreadon…)

I asked myself what I was doing there and discovered that this wasexactlywhere Iwanted to be.Not necessarily on a dangerous road inElSalvador,butworking ina ruralcommunityprovidingnursingcare to thepeoplewhoneeditthemost.I decided to become a nurse when I was seventeen, after traveling

throughruralMexicoandwitnessingadevelopingnationforthefirsttime.Thisexperiencebecameacatalystforme.SincethenIhaveworkedwithavariety of underserved populations. At Northeastern University, I choserotationsinemergencyroomsintheinnercityandonanIndianreservation.These experiences created an interest in cardiac care. After graduation, Ibeganworkingonacardiacstep-downunit.ThenItraveledtoElSalvadorduringacivilwar.IwasstronglyinfluencedbywhatIsawthereandwasremindedofmyoriginalinterestinnursing.Idecidedtoacquiretheskillsvaluable to a war-torn country and began working at the hospital’srehabilitationcenter.

(This is a fascinatingessayandassuredlyunlikeanyothers thatmayarrive in the sameyear.The

candidate does awonderful job of drawing the reader into an event—an emergency no less—andusesthatasanintrointothebiggerpictureofhisacademicinterestsandhowtheyarealignedwithhissenseofmissiontoserveothers.)

Withinayear,IhadraisedfundsthroughanUltimateFrisbeetournamentandreturnedtoElSalvador.Usingmyexperienceinrehabilitation,Imovedto the farmcooperativeandsetupaclinic fordisabledveteransand theirfamilies.Overthefollowingyears,IvisitedElSalvadorfrequently,workingwith people whowere developing ideas fromwithin the community andbuilding a medical delivery system with local resources. I becameinterested inhow theseappropriate“technologies”couldbeused tomakehealthcaremoreaccessible.ActivatingtheUltimateFrisbeecommunity,Idevelopedthetournament

into an annual event raising over $10,000 a year. Fundswere used for avariety of appropriate technology projects, including a prostheticsworkshop run by disabled veterans and a natural medicine pharmacy.Tournament proceeds, combined with a grant I requested from thePresbyterianHungerProgram,wereused tobuy fifteenacresof farmlandforanindigenouscommunity.Myworkwith Spanish-speaking populations led to two summerswith

the Colorado Migrant Health Program. While setting up a school-basedclinic for migrant kids in Head Start through the ninth grade, I had theopportunitytoworkwithafamilynursepractitioner.Seeingthathisskillswerewhatweremost needed in rural health care, I began to prepare forgraduate school. While working with adult migrants, I noticed thesimilarities between Salvadoran and North American farmworkers. Ibecame curious how migrant workers could benefit from appropriatetechnology. Specifically, I am interested in how family caregivers cancombine traditional health care andWestern medicine to provide greatercontinuityofcarewhiletravelingthroughmigrantsocialsystems.Ihopetostudythisfurtheraspartofathesisproject.(Aconsistent, long-termhistoryofserviceisrequiredtoimpressmedicaladmissionsprofessionals.Any last‑minuteconversionsof the“Ohmagod, I forgot I’msupposed tobeagivingperson” typewillbeseenforwhattheyare.Thiscandidatehasyearsofvolunteerworktodiscuss.)

DrawnbythelargeCentralAmericanandmigrantpopulations,Imovedto California. Over the past two-and-a-half years, I have been providingservices for low-income youth through the Department of Labor’s JobCorps Program, an experience that has greatly preparedme for advancedpractice.AttheTreasureIslandCenter,Isawuptotwentywalkinsperday,

treatingawiderangeofmedicalproblems.Working independentlywithaset of standing orders, I coordinated care with physicians, specialists,dentists, and a mental health consultant. I developed the department toincludeareferralprocess,wellnessprograms,drugandalcoholcounseling,acomputerizeddatabase,andMediCalenrollment.WhileattheSacramentoCenter, I managed the nursing staff and coordinated care for over fourhundredstudents.Mydevelopmentofnewsystemsforchartingandhealthcaredeliveryhasresultedinimprovedservicesforthestudents.Enteringanadvancedpracticeprogramwillbemynextsteptoattaining

greater independence and expertise in community health. Being a nursepractitionerwillenhancemyabilitytoprovidenursingcaretofarmworkerfamilies.Workingmore independentlyandwitha largerscopeofpracticewill enable me to provide more of the services that are needed in ruralareas.I am attracted to theUCSF program for its focus on crosscultural and

international nursing. On completion of the program, I will continue toprovide care for Spanish-speaking and migrant families in California. Ihope to continue my work in El Salvador, facilitating the exchange ofappropriate technology between the two regions and using it to providelow-costcare.AgainIaskmyselfwhatitisthatIwanttodoandIgobacktothatnight

inElSalvador.Asanursepractitioner,IwouldhavebeenbetterpreparedtotakecareofManuelaintheclinicontheranch.WewentbacktoJiquiliscoafewdayslater,thistimeinthedaylight,tobringherhome.Iwasgladtohavebeenabletohelpher.NexttimeIcandomore.I look forward to the challenges ahead and hope I am given the

opportunitytocontributetoyourprogram.

(Noticehowneatlyhedrawshisthemebackintothewrap-upfortheessay.)

ESSAY#32:“RanchRealities”

PersonalStatementforVeterinarySchool

As Iwas growingup, our housewas always filledwith an assortment ofanimals—dogs, cats,birds, and reptiles. In the summers, Iworkedonmygrandparents’cattleranchincentralOregon,andthereIparticipatedintheplanting, irrigating, and haying operations.My true preference, however,wasworkingwiththelivestock.Irodeonthecattledrivesandhelpedinthebrandings(whichincludeddehorning,vaccinating,andcastrating).Throughthese experiences, I came to understand the relationship between rancherandlivestock,andtheoftenharshrealityofanimalhusbandry.

(Thisessayissimpleanddirect.Initsownstyle,itisoverwhelminglyarticulate.Itrevealsthatrarestofcreatures,anidealisticcandidatedevoidofnaiveté.)

Atmygrandparents’, too, Ibecame interested inhorses.Myfirsthorsewasanunbrokenquarterhorse,whoquicklyeducatedmeon the trialsofowningalargeanimal.Ihaveownedtwootherhorses,boththoroughbreds,which I trained, showed, and later sold. As a horse owner, I haveexperiencedmyshareofcolics,wirecuts,andmysteriouslameness,aswellaslearnedhowtohandleandcajoleananimalthatweighseighttotentimesmore than I do. I have taught English and Western lessons, anatomy,general horsemanship, and first aid to Sierra Clubmembers and summercamp children, and have been responsible for the care of fifteen lessonhorses.Nomatterwhattheexperience,thecompanionship,enjoyment,andsenseofresponsibilityIhavegainedfromgrowinguparoundanimalshasconvincedmethatveterinarymedicineoffersmeawaytocombinemyloveforanimalswithmyinterestinbiologicalscience.

(Noticethestraightforwardexpositorystyle.Itiseasytoread,andthewordsdon’tdistractatallfromthemessage.)

Morerecenteventshavealsodirectedme towardacareer inveterinarymedicine.AftergraduatingfromDukewithabachelor’sdegreeinbiology,

Iacceptedafour-monthinternshipnearNaples,Florida,workingatawildanimal rehabilitation clinic. In contrast to my experiences withdomesticated animals, the wild animals I encountered did everything intheirpowertofleeorfighttheirwaytofreedom.Weworkedincooperationwith local veterinarians to provide emergency care to injured wildlife,nursingcaretoconvalescinganimals,andphysicaltherapytoanimalsthatwerepotentiallyreleasable.Iparticipatedinallaspectsoftheseproceduresand gained invaluable experience handling raptors, seabirds, and othernative species. My daily responsibilities included medicating, weighing,rescuing,andprovidingemergencycare,aswellaspreparingfood,cleaningcages,andansweringpublicinquiries.MyinternshipendedinJanuaryandImovedbacktoSeattle,whereIwas

hired by amajor dog and cat hospital. The hospital provides general andspecialized veterinary services, employing an oncologist, a neurologist, aradiologist,andaninternist.WhenIstartedattheclinic,myresponsibilitiesincluded restraining animals during procedures, cleaning cages, andmedicating hospitalized cases. I now am the technician to Dr. VernaPetrakis, the neurology specialist (see letter of recommendation), andmyduties include placing IV catheters, drawing blood, monitoring animalsunder anesthesia, and preparing for joint/spinal taps and myelograms. Inaddition, Ihavebeen trained tooperateaCATscan,which thehospital isfortunateenoughtoown.In my present position, I am not only learning new procedures and

techniques, but also I am gaining experience in seeing how a veterinaryclinic operates. I realize that in order to maintain high professionalstandards it takes solid managerial and financial skill. The hospital runssmoothly only when inventory is well stocked, kennels well maintained,andapositive rapportexistsbetween theclinicandclientele.BaseduponconversationsIhavehadwithveterinariansandonmyownobservations,Isensethattheprofessionofveterinarymedicineisundergoingrapidchange.Advancements (in both human and animal medicine) have created newdilemmas for veterinarian and client. While care has improved andpreviously incurable conditions can now be treated, the costs for suchprocedures canbeprohibitive. Ibelieveveterinariansmust approach theirclients honestlywhen discussing the benefits and costs of treatments andofferalternativestotheclientwheneverpossible.Afterworkinginseveralareasoftheanimalcareindustry,Ihavebegun

to narrow down my potential career goals. While I enjoy working withsmall animals, my interests really lie with large ones. My experiences

workingincentralOregonhaveenforcedmydesiretoworkinaruralareaand treat livestock. I am also interested in wildlife and marine mammalmedicine. Inaddition tomywork in thesmallanimalclinic, IworkasanecologyteacheronaresearchvesselonPugetSound.Thisexperiencehasreinforced my commitment to environmental issues. Wildlife veterinarymedicineseemstometoofferawayIcanhelppreservewildlifeandfulfillmyownprofessionalgoals.

(Havingaclearinterestinanicheimpliesmaturityandasophisticatedunderstandingofyourfutureprofession. However, it will increase your chances of admission only if the program you havetargetedhassomespecialexpertiseinthatarea.)

ESSAY#33:“SocratesGoesInnerCity”

ApplicationEssayforRhodesScholarship

InPlato’sProtagoras,SocratesbeginshisinterrogationofHippocrateswiththequestion“Whatwillyoubecome?”Socratesrepeats thisquestionwithincreasingfuryasherebukesHippocratesforplanningtobecomewisebylisteningtothesophistProtagoras.SocratesdoesnotcarethatHippocrateswill waste money on a few lectures, but instead that he will “risk hisgreatesttreasure”byentrustingthetrainingofhissoultoateacherskilledin speaking rather than in wisdom. Socrates’s breathtaking vision of thehumanpotentialatstakeineducationhasinspiredmycommitmenttoworkinpubliceducationaswellaspolitics.MystudyofphilosophybeganwiththeGreeks, and I since have found no other thinkerswho so profoundlystrugglewith the issuesofeducation,politics,and their relation tohumanpotential.AsIstrugglewithwhatIwillbecome,Ithinkthemostvaluabletraining would be an intense engagement with the texts of Plato andAristotleintheclassicsprogramatOxford.WhenIbeganstudyingphilosophy,IwasshockedatPlato’sdevastating

critique of competitive debating, the activity that had dominated myexperience through high school. In the Republic, Plato argues that suchdebate suffocates constructivedialoguebecause it aimsat conquest ratherthan truth. Socrates’s final description of the just individual as one whowould“participateinthepoliticalaffairsoftheidealcitybutnotanyother[city]” forcedme to reassess not onlymy past debating butmy politicalaspirations.

(TheRhodesscholarshipisreservedforthosestudentswhodemonstrateexcellenceinacombinationof academics, community service, and sports. This essayist does not mention his participation insports,butyoucanbeassuredthatsomewhereelseinhisapplicationhemakesamplementionofhisaccomplishmentsinthisarea.)

With Socrates’s words in mind, I avoided the debates of the politicalorganizationsoncampus,andduringmysophomoreyearIbecameatutor

for a student struggling with English at Hillhouse High School. After asemester, I guest-taught poetry to a class of inner-city students. Wediscussed the poem “Dream Deferred,” in which Langston Hughescomparesalanguishingdreamtoaraisinthatdriesinthesun.Attheendofthe class, I askedwhether thepoemwouldhavebeendifferent ifHugheshadchosenaplumratherthanaraisin.“Itwouldbecompletelydifferent,”astudent answered, “because if a raisin dries up, there’s nothing, but if aplumdriesup,there’saseed;there’shope.”

(ThiscandidatewritesaboutGreco-Europeanthinkerswithgreatfamiliarityandease,asthoughtheywerehisbestfriendsorlastsemester’sroommates.)

Thatanswernourishednewdreams,andIdecidedtoteachEnglishinasummer program for economically disadvantaged New Haven students.After the first day of class, I was disheartened because my tenth-gradestudents angrily resisted reading the Iliad on the grounds that it had norelationtotheirlivesasAfricanAmericans.IfirsttriedtoarguethatHomerwasworth reading,whichonly causedmore resentment.When I toldmyfellowteachersabouttheproblem,manyurgedmetousestricterdisciplineto quiet the students’ complaints and to proceed with the Iliad. But myrecent studyofRousseauhad convincedme that the excitement Iwantedthestudents toexperiencecouldonlyoccur inanatmosphereof freedom.Theproblemwasnotonlythestudents’lackofdiscipline,butthefailureofmyeffortstorespondtotheirdifficultiesinreadingandenjoyingthetext.Ifound that by reading aloud diverse scenes from the Iliad, the studentscould more readily experience the variety of life Homer describes. Onestudentwas somoved byHector’s farewell to hiswife and child that helaterwroteanessaythatretoldtheIliadfromHector’sperspective.Anotherstudent, who initially felt the most oppressed by the class, decided that“Achilles was cool” and wrote in his evaluation, “This was my favoriteclassbecauseIfeltIhadsomefreedom.”While Rousseau’s ideas on education influenced how I taught, his

politicalthoughtinfluencedhowIrespondedtothecommunityatYale.Hisvisionofanactivecitizenry thatcontributes toacommongoalofferedanalternative to the fragmented community I saw outside of class. Thechallenge remained of how to organize students with diverse interests tocontributetothepublicgood.Atthebeginningofmyjunioryear,IstartedtheBranchprogram,which

organized Yale students to share their interests with public high schoolstudents.Bytheendofthatyear,onehundredandfiftyYalestudentswere

workingtogetherwithstudentsatHillhouseHighSchoolinprogramssuchas art, drama, writing, recycling, and journalism. Yale students who hadearlier passed by more general community service posters found aparticularexcitementinsharingtheirenthusiasmforwhattheylovedtodo.Thisenthusiasmwasoftencutshorthowever,whenHillhousestudentsdidnot showup for their appointedmeetings.Theproblemsof the inner citycanunderminetheprogrambysuffocatingthehighschoolstudents’senseof responsibility and their hope. This year Branch has restructured itsprograms to make them sufficiently reliable and engaging to encouragestudentstodeepentheircommitmentsandtheiraspirations.

(Righthereidealismmeetsreality,andyetsurvives.Beingblindlyoptimisticandupbeatisoftennotasimpressiveasbeingcommittedinthefaceoffranklydauntingcircumstances.)

As I try to respond to problems that can seem overwhelming, I oftendrawonthephilosophyofImmanuelKant.Kant’sconvictionthatthereareno absolute limits onour freedom to changeourselvesor others providesgrounds for hope. His categorical imperative challenges us to considerourselves as architectswhobuild aworldwhenwe act.Kant’s ambitiousmodel of our shared duty to build our society provides a foundation forRousseau’s conception of the active citizen. In my senior thesis, I willcontinue to explore what I see as the potentially revolutionary power ofKant’svisiontorespondtotheinequalitiesthatravageoursociety.Kant’s vision, however, raises many questions that have urged me to

returntoastudyoftheGreeks.PlatoandAristotle’sdiscussionofeducationandpoliticswoulddeeplyenrichmyunderstandingofwhatmightbedoneto enable people to realize their freedom. Since Oxford’s program inclassics is known for integrating a close study of ancient and modernphilosophical texts, therewould be nomore excitingplace to explore therelationshipbetweenancientthoughtandKant’sphilosophy.Socrates’s question—“What will you become?”—expresses a

combination of urgency and hope that underliesmy view of politics andeducation. I sharehis furyat the recklessdevastationofhumanpotential,andalsohishopethatwecanbuildwhatwewillbecome.Inpursuitofthathope,Iplanfirst to teachinpublichighschoolandthentoworkonlocaleducation policy.By the end ofmy course of study atOxford, I hope tounderstandmorefullywhatisatstakeinSocrates’squestion,andbebetterpreparedtorespondtoit.

(Thisisanicesummation,drawingallthepartsoftheessaytogether.)

ESSAY#34:“AHappyChildhood—ThenArchitecture”

AutobiographyforSchoolofArchitecture

IwasborninPortHarcourt,Nigeria,toamiddle-classAfricanfamily.Ifeelfortunate to have had a beautiful early childhood. I attributemost ofmysuccessasaadulttoastrongfoundationmadeinearlylifebyawarmandloving family thatprovidednurture, guideddirection, enforceddiscipline,inspiredexcellence,establishednormsandvaluesystemsthatwereethicalandhumane,andinstilledagoodsenseofjudgment.Aboveall, therewasendless love. On the other hand, though, the school (elementary, highschoolthroughcollege)wasabigpartnerinthisenterprise.Theyreinforcedandcomplementedsomeoftheseefforts.Andforme,itwasapleasuretoseek, wonder, and learn, combined with the splendor of meeting newfriends, each of whom had a meaningful significance in my life.Subsequently,Idevelopedaverygoodsocial,moral,andintellectualbasethatenhancedmycapacitytosucceedinacompetitiveanddynamicsociety.As time evolved, my decision to attend undergraduate school in the

UnitedStateswasamajorone.First,therewasthethrillofadventure,thejoyandexcitementofdiscovering the“NewWorld,” theUnitedStatesofAmerica,andtheenthusiasmtobegincollegework.Americahasfascinatedme, especially as portrayed by Mark Twain, Ernest Hemingway, EmilyDickinson,anddepictedinthepaintingsofNormanRockwell.OfcourseIwas also aware of the superior design education available in the UnitedStates. After graduation, I emigrated to the US to study architecture,attendingHamptonUniversityinHampton,Virginia,abeautifulcollegebytheseawithacommittedandinformedfaculty,richinresources.Architecture was a challenging and demanding major; however, my

interest to seek involvement in building human habitation and improvingthequalityoftheenvironmentwasastrongone.Inaddition,itismynatureto accomplish and excel. I have particularly liked the works of valued,appreciatedarchitecture,anarchitecturethatmakesimpressionandquality

statements, that provides refinement and distinction. To this effect,quintessenceandexcellenceindesignleadershipreinforcedmyinspirationandcommitmenttothestudyofarchitecture.AtHampton,Icompletedarigorousfive-yearprogramthatemphasized

conceptdevelopmentanddesign.Igraduatedtopinmyclasswiththefirstprofessionaldegree,bachelorofarchitecture (BArch), threeyearsago lastMay.IwaselectedchairmanoftheDesignCouncilbymyfellowstudentsofarchitectureandwasappointedtothevisitinglecturescommitteebythestudentbodypresident.IwaselectedpresidentoftheInternationalStudentsAssociation, was initiated into Alpha Kappa Mu honor society fordistinguished scholars, and served as a peer counselor and a mentor toarchitecturemajors.Iwasthedirectorofthevisualaidsdepartmentwithinthe university’s architecture department, including supervision of work-study students, and by invitation of the professor, served as a teachingassistant for “Architectural History,” for which I also gave lectures onAfricanart,architecture,andaestheticinfluences.

(Ifyoureadalotofadmissionsessays,yougetalittletiredofthe“victimmentality”ofapplicants.I’ve read essays from candidates who claimed they were victimized because their parents weremiddle class, because their pet bird died, or because they had to (“Gasp!”) like, you know,workwhile theywent to school.This isnot impressive to adult admissions readers.Strife iswhenyourmom dies in your arms from a horrific and excruciatingly painful disease the day of yourcomprehensiveexams.Strife iswhenyouaresopoor thatyoucan’tafford tobuypostagestamps,muchlesssomethingsoexpensiveasfood.Strifeiswhenyougrowupinanactivewarzonewhereattendingschoolisanactofinsanebravery.That’sstrife.)

During this period, I was recipient of distinguished academic andprofessional awards, including (a) The American Institute of Architects’ScholasticAward:TheCertificateofMerit forExcellence in theStudyofArchitecture, (b) the Virginia Foundation for Architectural Education’sO’PendletonWrightScholarshiptoaDistinguishedArchitectureStudentinAdvanced Standing, two years in a row, and (c) the Adrian FreemanScholarship prize and citation awarded by the Hampton UniversityPresident to the “Outstanding Graduating Senior Who Has ShownExcellenceandPromise.”

(Thisessayisanabsoluteslapoffreshair.Thiscandidatehadahappychildhood,iswelladjusted,andpromisestobringthisoptimismwithhimtograduateschool.Wow!)

Duringmycollegeyears,Ialsocametoappreciatecoffeeinsteadoftea,discoveredthehamburger,learnedtoplaygolf,playedonthevarsitytabletennis team (competing in an ad hoc mid-Atlantic conference), andcontinued to pursue my interests in photography, nature, fishing, sailing,

andsurfing.Hamptoniswellsituatedforsuchsports,asitisatthemouthofChesapeakeBay.Duringthesummers,ItraveledextensivelythroughouttheUnitedStates, andattended summer sessionsatVirginiaTechand theUniversityofTexasatArlington.In professional practice, my involvement evolved from working as a

junior gofer and plan-check corrections personnel through assisting invarious efforts of the design andworking drawing process to leading theproduction crew, interfacing with principals and consultants, and agencycoordination for reputable design firms in the Los Angeles area. I lastworkedasprojectmanagerwiththeRLAtkinsCompany,aBeverlyHills–baseddesign-buildlanddevelopmentcompany.

(Autobiographiesshouldfocusonyourlifeexperiencesthatmoldedyouintoagoodcandidateforthetargetedgraduateprogram.Behonestandforthcoming,certainly,butdon’tforgetthatthis,too,isanadmissionsdocument.)

Even though my career was advancing rapidly, I felt the need forcontinued, specialized education to achieve my ultimate goals. I leftpracticetopursuethesecondprofessionaldegree,themasterofarchitecturedegree (MArch) atUCBerkeley,which I selected for its preeminence indesign leadership and with the recommendations of my professors fromHamptonandmymentorsfrommyprofessionalcareer.AtBerkeley,Iamdoingquitewell,currentlyrankinga3.88GPA,andexpectingtograduatewithhighhonors.Upon completion of my current studies, I hope to begin study

immediatelywiththePhDprogram.Duringthecourseofmyexperienceofarchitecture, both as a student and as a professional in practice, I haveconsideredtheterminaldegreeasanappealingoption,bothtoachievethefulfillmentofmyintellectualinterestsandtoserveasthefoundationofmylater career. My objective is to serve the practice of architecture in aleadershiproleandultimatelytocontributetoresearchandeducationinmychosenfield.

ESSAY#35:“MD/PhD–AMCASessayforMedicalScientist”

Many science majors at Truman State University loathe IntroductoryBiology II. It is commonly known among students as the biology major“weed-out”coursebecauseofitsdifficulty,andasa“surveyoflife”course,studentsmust spend long hours in the lab looking at different species ofprotozoa and algaeundermicroscopes as they try tomake senseof theseunfamiliar organisms. However, my Introductory Biology II experienceconvincedme that I wanted nothingmore than to pursue a career in thebiological sciences.This courseopenedmyeyes to the amazingdiversityandcomplexityof lifeon thisplanet.Aswemoved through thecourse, Iloved seeing how different taxonomic groups, although each adapted totheir individual environment, were still related to each other via sharedancestors throughout evolutionary history. The laboratory component,which I had been dreading, becamemy favorite part of the class. Everyweek, Iwent to extra “open lab” hours to take a closer look at all theseremarkableorganisms, and theynever failed to enthrall and fascinateme.Atthispoint,IknewtheremustbesomenichewithinthisvastdisciplinetowhichIcoulddedicatemylife’swork.

(Itisfinetotraceyourinterestinanacademicdisciplinetoacollegecourse,butthinktwicebeforestartingwithachildhoodexperience.)

From that point on, I have taken every opportunity possible to gainexposure tomychosen field.Starting in the fallofmysophomoreyear, IworkedwithmyIntroductoryBiologyIIprofessor,Dr.A.E.Weisstein,todevelopamathematicalmodelofhowaninfectiousdiseaseepidemiccouldpossibly disseminate throughout the United States. The model is nowfinished,andIamcurrentlycoauthoringapaperanalyzingthepedagogicalefficiency of introducing mathematical modeling into the introductorybiologyclassroom.Thispastsummer,Ihadthegoodfortunetobeselectedto the Summer Undergraduate Research Program at the University ofMassachusettsMedicalSchool,whereIinvestigatedvirulencemechanismsoftheplaguebacillusYersiniapestis in the laboratoryofDr.JonGoguen.Currently,Iamconductingoriginalresearchofmyowndesignconcerning

antibioticresistanceofEscherichiacoliisolatesfromman-madereservoirsinnortheastMissouriundertheauspicesofDr.C.CooperatTrumanStateUniversity.Thisworkwasoriginally fundedbyaMerck/AAASgrant lastsummer,butIhavenowtransformedtheprojectintoalongitudinalstudytoanalyze resistance patterns over time. The preliminary results werepresented at the American Society for Microbiology Missouri BranchAnnual Meeting. These experiences, along with many others, havecementedmydesiretoseekfurthereducationinthelifesciences.Butwhymedicine?IhavestatedthatIwanttocontinuestudywithinthe

life sciences, and there are plenty of other fields that fall within thisdesignation;however,therearemanyreasonsthatdrawmetothestudyofmedicineinparticular.First and foremost, a formalized study ofmedicine allowsme to study

the human being in great detail. As a student who is quite interested inscience,thisfascinatesmetonoend.Thehumanbeingisarguablythemostinteresting organism on the planet, and I would very much enjoy theopportunity to learnmoreabouthowourbodiesareable to functiononaday-to-daybasis.Inaddition,myplanistoperformresearchasaphysicianscientist,specificallyinthefieldofinfectiousdiseases,andabackgroundinmedicinewould helpme to better understand these diseases in a clinical,insteadofpurelyscientific,context.Second,medicine is an applied science, and it allowsme tomake the

most immediate impact on society. There are many fields in the lifesciencesthathavelittleapplicationtohumansociety,andalthoughIknowthatIwould,anddo,findmanyofthosefieldsinteresting,Iwouldprefertodedicatemylife’sworktoatopicthathadmoredirecthumanbenefit.SinceI know that I want to study science, medicine gives me the tools tomaximizemyindividualcontributiontohumanityasawhole.Third,Iamexcitedfor theopportunitytoworkwithpatients.Although

myprimaryinterestisinbecomingaphysicianscientist,Istillwanttoworkwithpatients,andinterpersonal interaction isavery importantpartof thiswork. I believe that I have the personal skills necessary for theseinteractions. In the course of my volunteer work through Blue Key, aserviceorganizationoncampus,IhavehadtheopportunitytovolunteeratmultiplenursinghomesintheKirksville,Missouri,area.TheseexperienceshaveshownmethatIdoenjoyworkingwithpatients,andIlookforwardtotheclinicaltrainingaspectofmedicalschool.Finally,IamconvincedthatIhavethequalitiesnecessarytosucceedin

medical school. My perfect GPA and 42TMCAT score demonstrate my

intellectual ability, while my campus involvement and athletic pursuitsshowthatIpossessthesocialandpersonalqualitiestosucceed.Inaddition,myresearchbackgrounddisplaysmyinterestin,andpassionfor,research.Alloftheseattributesareessentialforsuccessinthestudyofmedicine.I wish to study medicine in preparation for a career as a physician

scientist.Medicalschoolpromisestobequitethejourney,andpersonally,Iamreadyforthejourneytobegin.

(Always assume that readers are only looking at your essay.Of course this student’s outstandinggrades and scores are listed elsewhere in the application, but listing themhere is just smart—andimpressive.)

ESSAY#36:“Cosmopolite”

RobertLewisStatementofMotivation—PeaceCorps“OfBedouinsandBulgarianCircuses”

Likemanypeoplewhoareboth idealisticandpractical, Isometimeshavestruggledwithmygoals,myintentions,withtheveryheartofthequestion“Whatisimportanttome?”Soformanyyears,Imixedoccasionaltravelingandtrekkingwithacareerinthefinancialservicesindustry.Inoneworld,Iam a tough negotiator, able to iron out operations problems in anenvironment where many thousands of dollars are involved in everytransaction.Iconsumeandsynthesizeamassiveamountofdata,facilitatingtheprofitmotiveofothers.Sometimesitislikeconsumingsand.

(ThisisanessaysubmittedaspartofanapplicationtothePeaceCorps.Theapplicantisalreadyanaccomplishedandwidelytraveledcitizenoftheworld.Thistypeofcandidateismorecommonthantheaverageacademicadvisormightbelieve,settingahighbarforacceptance.)

Intheotherworld,IalwaysfeelIamtheguest,theonewhoseinvitationisagift,theonewhostrivestolearnthehouserulesandbetheidealvisitor.My tough veneer is left behind (except for solving crises), and I am astudent in a classroomwithout walls. It is clear tome that this is betterliving,andthis iswhatIwant todoforyearsatastretch,rather thanjustmonths.

(Beingwillingtoworkisgood.Beingwillingtoworkwithyourhandsmaybebetter.Havingskillsrelatedtogrowingfoodorbuildingormechanicalequipmentrepairmaybebestofall.)

Traveling runs inmy family.My ancestorswere barrelmakers from avillagenearTokaj,Hungary,beforetheycametotheUnitedStatesearlyinthelastcentury.OneofmysistersmarriedaSwedeandlivedinSwedenforthreeyears.Anotherisaphotographer,whooftenworksandlivesabroadaswell. Ihave lived inEnglandforsixmonths, inRomefor tenweeks,andhavetraveledthroughoutEurope,Africa,andtheMiddleEast.WhereverI

go and no matter how short the stay, I tend to put down roots almostimmediately.Ilearnthelocalgrocer’sname.Idiscovertheintricaciesofthetown, the hidden nooks and shops the locals use, who knows the bestgossip,howtogetfreshfruit,andsoon.IhaveworkedinalmosteverycountryIhavebeento,also.JobsIhave

heldhavemostlybeenmanuallabor,thesortofjobsthatpeoplegetwhenthey have no papers: apple picker, waiter, tomato picker, dishwasher,gardener, cook, painter. Some of the jobs have been quite interesting,however, such as staff at a popular night club. Of course, I have taughtEnglish on several continents. Ironically, in London I even tutored theEnglish on British English. I taught American English to Russianimmigrants in Israel. I really enjoy this typeofworkand find it tobeanidealwaytobecomereallywellacquaintedwithlocals.

(ThePeaceCorpshasmanydifferentassignmentsandissubjecttotrendsinitsselectioncriteria.Askaroundbeforeyouapply,toseeifyoucandiscoverwhatthey’remostinterestedinthisyear.)

In southernEgypt, I passed fromBedouin tribe toBedouin tribe like atoken for four bizarre and yet serenemonths. I took to the nomadic liferatherwell,butIpreferredridingahorsetoridingacamel.Aftermonthsofseeingnoonefrommyowncentury,IcrossedtheNileandenteredSudan.Once while waiting to use an international phone in Israel, I listened

while an acrobat from the Bulgarian Circus tried to get a connection toSofia.HisRussianwasnotverygood tobeginwith,and itwasclear thatthe operators were totally at a loss. I stepped forward and offered myservicesasa translator,andspeakingRussia to theacrobatandEnglishtotheoperator,Igotthecallputthrough.ThisledtoseveralweeksinwhichtheBulgarianCircus providedmewith room and board—not tomentionlots of entertainment—and carried me around with them in return fortranslatinganddealingwithlocalauthorities.

(BulgarianCircus?Nothingcouldbebetter.)

Althoughitisgreattohaveadventures,Idonotwanttomisrepresentmyinterest in thePeaceCorps. Icouldeasily justcontinuemydouble lifeoftravelandwork,butmymaingoalistocombinethesetwolives, tobringmyworkinlinewithmytrueinterests.Ibelievethathelpingothersistheroot of all truemeaning in life, and Iwant to help others in an endeavormoremeaningfulthanincreasingthewealthofthealreadywealthy.Igrewupinasmalltownofsixthousand,mostly“gentlemenfarmers,”wherethecenter of town was literally a combined general store and post office. I

would be comfortable anywhere youmaywish to assignme, and I lookforward to any assignment. I am experienced, and I think skilled, atteaching English, but I would be happy to pursue agricultural ordevelopmentprojectsaswell.Ihavenopreferenceastogeography,either.IaminterestedinPoland,Hungary,andtherestofEasternEurope,becauseIbelievehistoryisinthemakingthere,butIwouldmostcertainlywelcomeanassignmentanywhereintheworld.

(Here’s the rationale that reveals the candidate to be a serious and thoughtful person, not just anadventureseeker.)

Astomyfutureafter thePeaceCorps, Iwouldwant to incorporatemyPeaceCorps experience in a new career in theUnited States, or perhapswithaninternationaldevelopmentorinternationalaidorganization.Careerpossibilities include teaching, social services, or perhaps serving adevelopmentorganizationwithmyfinancialskills.Ilookforwardtothesenewdirectionswitheagernessandthecertaintythatmyfutureholdsamoreintegrated life,withworkand leisure,heart andmind, involved in allmyendeavors.

ESSAY#37:“BlueCollartoPsychScholar”

StatementofPurpose—PhDinPsychology

Followingnearlytenyearsofemploymentasanaircraftmechanic,Itookahard look at where my life was going. Although I was responsible forimportant work, requiring extensive technical knowledge andmechanicalskills in manufacturing and maintaining aircraft—I felt compelled toincludemyselfinalargerarena.EachairplanethatIrepairedandthatflewawaywas apoignant reminder that Iwas standing still.Consigned to thetediumoflongcommutesandtimeclocks—mydailyroutinewasemptyofgenuine enthusiasm and curiosity. Predictable, the content of my daysofferedlittlebeyondanotherpaycheck,anotherweekend,anotherMonday.Irealizedthatinordertoredirectmylifeandfullyexperiencetheworld,Iwouldhavetoconfronttheuncertaintiesthatchangewouldbring.

(Thismanismatter-of-factabouthavingmadeamajorerrorinhisfirstcareerchoice.Hisbraveryinreturningtoschoolisadmirable.)

Myfirststepwastofaceanembarrassingtruth—reenrollingattheageofthirty, Iearnedmyhighschooldiploma.Icouldhaveforgone thisstepofearningadiplomabutIwascompelledtoalterhowIapproachedmypastand in doing so, how I would meet my future. Resigning as an aircraftmechanicandenrollingfulltimeatmylocalcommunitycollege,Iattainedmyassociateofartsdegree.Unquestionably,theseinitialaccomplishmentscontributed to my deep-rooted curiosity about human behavior andmotivation. Focusingmy academic direction, I then earned a bachelor ofartsdegreeinpsychologyfromCaliforniaStateUniversitySanBernardino(CSUSB).Whileworkingparttimeandattendingcollegefulltimeprovedexhaustingandattimesfrightening,nevertheless,thedecisiontochangemylifewasrevealingitselfasthecorrectpath.Inpreparingforacareerwithinpsychology, I recognized that a doctorate in this fieldwouldbe essential.Withthisgoalinmind,Iresolvedtostrengthenmyacademicandpracticalbackground by entering the master’s program in general/experimental

psychologyatCSUSB.

(Besuretorunlaundrylistsofskills,techniques,andevenequipmentyoucanoperate,asthiswriterdoeshere.)

Having proposed my master’s thesis on the perception of familyresources and the psychological adjustment of parents caring for a childwithautism, I expect todefendbyOctober andearnmymaster’sdegree.Datacollection formy thesis topicwasbasedonprotocolscreatedduringmyworkasaresearchassistantattheUniversityCenterforDevelopmentalDisabilities (UCDD) at CSUSB. The UCDD has over 120 families withdevelopmentally disabled childrenwho receive behavioral treatments andfamily services.Theopportunity toworkdirectlywith these familieswassoberingwhenconsidering factorsaffecting familydynamics.However, itoffered practical as well as conceptual understanding within this area.Additionally, involvement with the UCDD was fundamental inunderstanding the steps of setting up a research investigation from itsearliest stages. During my time there, I was able to research literaturerelated to the field of autism and developmental disabilities, evaluatemeasuresusedfortestconstruction,writetestitems,pilottestquestionsandtesting administration procedures, and interview parents and siblings fordata collection. Seeking to expand my research experience, I alsoparticipated in a study investigating the effects of amphetamine on glialcells. This study, utilizing an animal model, offered the chance to learnlaboratory techniques related to handling, injecting, surgery, profusions,cryostat brain slicing, slidemounting, and finally digitalmicroscopic cellcounting.Thisstudywillbepublishedthisyear.

(Thisstudentisestablishingteaching,writing,andstatisticalskills,virtuallyassuringthathewillgetanassistantship.Teaching,writing,andstatisticalskillsarethetrifectaforgraduateassistants.)

Eager to complement my basic course requirements for the master’sprogram, I have completed two extra upper-level statistics courses(multivariate and structural equationmodeling) aswell as two additionalclinicalcourses(familydynamicsandpervasivedevelopmentaldisorders).Moreover,havingbeenselectedfromamongmanycandidatestoinstructanintroductory experimental course, I have just completed a full academicyear instructing a laboratory section. My responsibilities includedfacilitatingexperimentsandteachingtheassociatedAPAwritingstyleandcontentformattoupper-levelpsychologystudents.Additionally,followingmy teaching assistantship, I was hired as a writing consultant for my

university’s McNair Scholars Program. As a writing consultant, I amresponsible for reviewing students’ research content and writing stylesacrossarangeofdisciplinesincludingphysics,economics,geology,aswellas diverse subjects within psychology. Though these opportunities tointeract and advise undergraduate students require long hours of detailedreview,Ifoundthemextremelyrewardingandtheyhavemademe,Ifeel,amorewell-roundedperson.Tounderstandtheapplicationofpsychology,Ihavesoughtoutvolunteer

opportunitiesaswell.Asacrisiscounselorforalocalsuicide/crisishotlineforoverthreeyears,Ihaveassistedindividualswhowereoverwhelmedbythe burdens of stress. In addition, as an unpaid assistant at Patton StateHospital,astateforensic treatmentfacility, Iassistedstaff inreintegratingpatients for release into community halfway programs after many yearsisolatedfromsociety.Currently,IhavebeguntrainingtovolunteeratarapecrisiscenterthatwillrequirethatImeetwithvictimsandactasanadvocateandassistantduringtheirinitialhospitalandpoliceinvestigation.Moreover,employingmyexpertiseasaphotographer,Ihavedocumentedartworkandactivitiesatalocalmuseum.

(Combatphotography?Wow.That’saconversationitem.)

In changing the direction of my life, I also decided to reenlist in theUnitedStatesAirForceReserves.Reenlistingasaphotographerratherthanin my previous military career as an aircraft mechanic has opened anestheticoutletfosteringcreativityandevenfun.Asasupervisorinacombatphotographyunit taskedwithvisualdocumentationofworldwidemilitaryactivities, I have been able to pursue my interest in people and travelthrough a medium that integrates aspects of both psychology and art—arareopportunity in themilitary.Theexperiencesandpaths Ihave ledarediverse: adopted as a child from Korea, living and working in Europe,travelingaroundtheworld,aswellas thelifeofastudenthavealletchedtheir marks within me. I believe the breadth and depth of my lifeexperiences are my best qualities. Through them, I can appreciate howperspectivesareinfluencedthroughethnicity,culture,geography,andevenhistory. My competence in the laboratory, as a teaching assistant, as aresearcher for the UCDD, as a paid writing consultant for the McNairScholarsProgram,volunteereffortshelpingpeopleduringcrises,andevenmyworkasaphotographerwiththeUSAFhavesolidifiedmydedicationtothefieldofpsychologyasacareerchoice.MygoalistocompleteaclinicalPhDprogram,commitmylifetothefieldofpsychologyandlearning,and

beofservicetoothers.

(Notice how hementions this adoption bombshell in passing, without elaborating at all. Anothergreatexampleofhowsometimeslessismore.)

I am highly interested in the topic of psychotherapy and anxiety andwouldbeexcitedtoworkunderthedirectionofDr.Tehanson.Additionally,Dr. Lehman’s work with anxiety and depression would be particularlyinteresting. I would be an enthusiastic member of either one of theseprofessors’researchteams.

(Thisessayneedsmore“whyhere” than this.Strive inyouressays tomakeacloseconnection tofaculty,especiallyresearchfaculty.Thegeneralruleistoidentifythreeormorewithwhomyouhaveaffinity.)

ESSAY#38:“UnderwaterArchaeology”

PersonalStatementforDoctoralPrograminAnthropology(Archaeology)

The peculiar fact that archaeology is both a social and physical scienceforms the basis of my attraction to the study. The process wherebyinformation gained from chemistry and geology is transformed intostatementsabouthumancultureandsocietyfascinatesme.Ihavechosentostudy archaeology because it is one of the few fields I have found thatdemands a knowledge of metallurgy in order to make statements abouttradenetworks,orofreligiousformstounderstandsettlementpatterning—inshort,anopenandenquiringmindintoallaspectsofthepastandpresentworld as a basis for an understanding of humankind. I am applying toBrownUniversitybecausemyinvestigationshaveledmetobelievethatIwill find an atmosphere of intellectual interest and diversity in faculty,students,andcourseworkparallelingthoseIwouldliketoseeinmyself.

(This candidate is clearly going to be an asset to any department he might join. In the secondparagraph,hehasarticulatedhisreasonsforselectingaschoolstrongerinarchaeologythaninmarinearchaeology,anditwouldseemthatanyschoolwouldbeinterestedinhisaffiliationwithOxford’sMarineArchaeologicalResearchExpedition(MARE).This isanotherexampleofastudentwhoisgoingtoexcelregardlessofwhetherheisadmittedtoanyparticularprogram.)

Anoverworkedcatechismamongmarinearchaeologistsisthat“thereisno such thing asmarine archaeology, only archaeology underwater,” butafter fouryearsofexposure to the field Iamskeptical.Thedichotomy inarchaeology between technique and technology on the one hand, and thequestions of human social processes that these try to answer, is not fullyappreciatedbymany.MyexperiencesonprojectsinJamaica,Bermuda,andItaly,andmypersonal research into thematter,has ledme tobelieve thattechnique exists in marine archaeology apart from any humanisticcomponent and that most researchers follow the Gary Cooper school of“shoot first, ask questions later.” Even after thirty years, most of its

intellectualparameterscontinuetobedefinednotbythearchaeologists,butby the artifacts themselves. Although there is no doubt that otherinstitutions in the United States and abroad offer fine education in thetechniques ofmarine archaeology, techniques, in and of themselves, holdlittle interest for me. These techniques should only be a means, and mystudies at Brown will be directed toward understanding and defining anend.

(Astudentwhobringsintellectualquerieswithhimismoreinterestingthanonewhoexpectstobetoldwhattoinvestigate.)

In general, therefore, what I would like to do while at Brown is toexaminethenatureof theinteractionbetweenhumansocialprocessesandthe maritime environment and to see what light marine archaeology canthrowonexistingquestionsofhumanculturechange.Onamorespecificlevel, I am currently interested in the following questions: Did thedeforestationofCreteleadtothedeclineoftheMinoancivilizationasaseapower? Was the site of Troy an inevitability given the nature of theHellespontandtheabilitiesofBronzeAgeshipping?Andatwhatpointintime,ifatall,weretheMycenaeansabletopenetratetheBlackSeatotheDanube,perhapsfortinfromBohemia?

(OfcourseBrownwouldlovetobetoldwhyitisabetterchoicethanOxford.)

Giventhenatureofthesequestions,itseemslogicalthatIshouldstayatOxford.Myprofessorsarepleasedwithmyworktodateandhaveaskedmeto stay on to complete a DPhi. There are two reasons for which I havechosen to apply to Brown instead of staying on.On a pragmatic level, Ihavefinancedmyyearherewithoutanyfinancialaidbyworkingfor twoyears; I amunwilling to spend theequivalentof a small condominiumortwoBMWsforthreemoreyears.Moneyaside,Ienjoyteachingandintendtomakea careerof it at the university level.Oxford does not emphasizeteaching for itsgraduate students, and I feel that an importantpartofmyeducationislacking.AlthoughIwillbeleavingOxford,Iwillmaintainmyties here and I expect that my involvement with MARE (the MarineArchaeologicalResearchExpedition)willcontinue,allowingbothmyself,and hopefully other students at Brown, an opportunity to do marinearchaeologyintheMediterranean.Inconclusion,Iwouldliketosaythatgivenmyinterestsandconcerns,I

feelBrownis theverybestplaceformetobe.Thefacilities,scholarship,and traditions of the institution, combinedwith the calibre of the student

body,makemeconfidentthatIwillbestimulatedthroughoutthecourseofmystudies. I feelconfidentofmyability tosucceedandhope that Ihavedemonstrated a commitment to, and some ability in, the study ofarchaeology.

ESSAY#39:“AdvancedNursing”

GoalsStatementforAdvancedPrograminNursing

Whenmy sisterMichelle first toldme of her anticipated career choice, Iwas less than enthusiastic. “Nursing,” I saidwith typical teenagedisdain.“Whywould someoneas intelligent asyouwant to changebedpans for aliving?”My imageofnurseswasone formedby television.Those sweet,heavy-on-the-mascara fluffers of pillows andminions of doctorswere ondisplayintheprogramsofmyyouth.SuchTVnursesweremerelyfillerfordramatic scenes of doctors making profound observations and brilliantdiagnoses.However,nursingasaprofessionandIasapersonhavegrownalotoverthepastdecade.Inowseethattheoptionsfornursesareasdiverseas thehealthcaresystemitselfand thatnursesare finallybeinggiven thecredibilityandrespecttheyhaveearned.Asanearlycollegeundergraduate, Iputasidemyoriginalambitions in

art and literature to explore a burgeoning interest in life sciences andpsychology. I was fascinated by the intricacies of the human brain. Ianticipated graduate study in neuropsychology and perhaps a career inresearch.However, I realized that a life spent in a research lab, howeveredifying, was not for me. I knew that I would sorely miss humaninteraction.

(Thisessaystartsoffwithaboldandchallengingstatementthatisboundtoalertthereader.Therestoftheessayisanexcellentexampleofclearandconcisewriting.Thereaderiscarriedalongbythetext,andthepointsaremadesosmoothlythatanyonewouldhavetoagreewiththelastline.Withtheascendanceof advancednursingandphysicianassistant specialties, it is important tonote that thetop-ranked nurses are earning more than the bottom-ranked doctors, and it’s cheaper, faster, andeasiertobecomeatop‑rankednurse.)

Upongraduatingsummacumlaudewithadegreeinpsychology,Itookapositionasaresidentadvisorinagrouphomefordevelopmentallydisabledadults. The clients were considered profoundly retarded with severecerebralpalsyandahostofotherhealthproblems.Itwasdifficultatfirst,both emotionally and physically. But in two years I learned a lot about

health care, nurturing, and empowerment.Over the past six years, I haveworked and volunteered in a variety of social service positions (seeenclosedcurriculumvitae).Iamcurrentlyemployedasafamilycounselorat a homeless multiservice center that caters mostly to the mentallydisabled.However,asasocialworkerone isoftenfrustratedby themanylimitationsofanoverburdened,inefficientsystem.Ifindnursingappealinginthatitprovidesmoreconcrete,tangibleaid.Nursingskillsaregenerallyspecific, and resultsmoredirectlyobservable. Inaddition, Ihave retainedanavidinterestinthelifesciencesandhavebeentakingsciencecoursesforthepastthreesemesterstogivemyselfafirmgroundingforgraduatestudy.(SeeNYUtranscript.)Iwouldlikeadvancedspecialtypreparationsothatasanursepractitioner

Iwillhavemoreautonomytomakedecisionsaboutapatientoraprogramas awhole. I’d also like to have the option to teach, both in-service at amedical center and at the college level. Working closely with the nursepractitionerwhoheadsthemobileclinicthatattendstothehealthproblemsofourclientsattheHomelessProject,Ihavehadanexcellentopportunitytoobserveherroleandresponsibilities(seeletterofrecommendation).Thisobservationhassolidifiedmycareerobjective.My projected specialty is adult primary care with a minor in mental

health nursing. This appeals to my keen interest in community healthissues,aswellasmybeliefinthevalueofpreventivehealtheducationandprescreeningprograms.IseeastrongneedformorehealtheducationinthepopulationthatIworkwith;specificallyalarmingisthelackofknowledgeon suchbasic issuesasbirthcontrol,AIDS,andnutrition. I feel that as anurse practitioner, I would have greater impact on an economicallydisadvantagedcommunity.Amentalhealthminorwouldallowmetodealin amore holistic fashionwith the complex problems of this population.Upon graduation from this program, I would like to use my nursepractitionerlicensetopracticeinaclinicthatprovidesbothon-siteservicesandoutreachcare.Thismay includehomeorsheltervisits,orschoolandcommunityhealtheducationseminars.

(Pursuingafewcoursesspecificallyrelatedtoyourgraduateinterestisverypersuasivetoadmissionsprofessionals.This is especially important ifyou’vebeenoutof school for some time. It canalsohelpyouovercomeanypriorgradeliabilities.AhandfulofrecentA’smayovercomeanyproblemsfromthepast.)

I am enthusiastic about yourMaster’s Entry Program because it is theidealwaytoachievemygoals.Ifeeltheacceleratedpaceisappropriateto

my level of preparation and ability to perform. I feel confident that myacademic and practical background would allow me to excel in theprogram.

(Refertosupportingdocumentation,asthiscandidatedoes,whichremindsthereaderthere’smoretoyouthanwouldfitinanessay.)

ESSAY#40:“MultifunctionalEnzymes”

ResearchSummaryinApplicationtoDoctoralPrograminChemistry

My first research project involved determining whether the enzymeUridylate Synthase “channels” the intermediate Orotidine 5’-mono-phosphate. This is a multifunctional enzyme and explanations for theevolution of this multifunctionality have been somewhat widespreadthroughout the literature. This project then questioned the basis of theseexplanations and offered new hypotheses as to why suchmultifunctionalproteins have evolved. I wrote the computer modeling programs thatintegrated, through recursion, all of the relevant Michaelis-Menton rateequations. This analysis proved that a channeling argument wasunnecessary to explain the available experimental evidence. I alsoperformed some related enzyme assays in order to check several relatedhypothesesdevelopedbyDr.McClardandmyself.

(Thisisanexampleofahighlytechnicalessaydetailingresearchprojectsinchemistry.Thereaderwillbeaspecialistinthisareaofchemistry.Notethetotallackofpersonalinformation.)

Last summer I worked on an organic synthesis project that involvedsynthesisofoneinterestinganalogueofapotent,possiblythemostpotent,regulator of the gluconeogenesis glycolysis pathways fructose 2,5-bisphosphate. The key to the synthesis of the analogue shown below iscontrolofthestereochemistryofthepreviouslyanomericcarbon.Myworkwas involved in the reactions with I2 and Br2 and creation of the“halogenonium” ion of the Wittig product from the starting protectedarabinofructosidesugar,alsoshownbelow.

Mycurrentresearchproject,myseniorthesis,isrelatedtotheoneIwasinvolvedinduringthesummer.Inthiscase,Iamattemptingtosynthesizean analogue of phosphoribosylpyrophosphate (PRPP), which is themolecule that provides the sugar portion in the de novo pathway ofpyrimidine biosynthesis. Thiswork utilizes the same synthetic scheme asshown above with the exception of starting with the ribose sugar andseveralchangesinthephosphorousportionofthemolecule.Thesyntheticschemebelowshows theroute Ihope toexploit insynthesizing the targetmolecule.Theseprojectswereall carriedoutwithProf.McClardatReedCollege.

ESSAY#41:“TheRealHistory”

RainaL.CroffPersonalStatement

ItwasFebruaryagainandIcouldfeelthatfamiliaruneasinessreturningtome.Myfourthgradeclassmates’staresseemedtochainmetomyseatwithunbearable weight. I slumped in my chair, head lowered, eyes downcaststaring atmy open textbook.My nine-year-old body looked the physicalportrayal of the effects of racism—degradation, self-consciousness, andembarrassment.My teacher’s voice still rang inmymind, “Raina,wouldyouliketoreadtotheclassthechapteronslavery?”

(This experiential opening grabs the reader, and leaves them thinking “What’s going to happennext?”)

At the time, all I knew about my cultural background as an AfricanAmericanwaswhatthetextbookshadmadesureIunderstood—myhistoryin this country began as a slave. This was among the only roles in thehistory books in which I was shown a reflection of myself—an imagepainted by someone else, an outsider looking in. I too felt as an outsiderwhenmyfourthgrade teacherpickedmeoutbecauseofmycolor,askingmetoreadformyracetotherestoftheclass.ItwasnotwhatthetextbookstoldmeaboutmyAfricanAmericanheritagethathadthegreatestimpactonme as a young person developing a worldview and a self-perspective.Rather, it was what the writers had strategically left out that stuntedmyknowledge, pride, and self-worth as a human being contributing to theachievementsoftheworld.

(This essay is extremely powerful, using personal and emotional information combined with anintellectualargumentabouttheownershipofhistoryandhistoricalperspective.Showingthislevelofpassioninanapplicationessayis—quitefrankly—risky.Butthiscandidatepullsitoffexpertly.Thecandidate takes a strong and critical stand, without making the reader feel criticized. Of course,withouttheacademicpreparationrecountedinthisessay,itwouldnotbenearlyaseffective.)

Africanhistorybeforeitstransplanting,or“beforeitsbeginningagain”inthe New World, has been repeatedly and systematically written out of

humanhistory.ThisisoneofthegreatestoppressionsaffectingtheAfricanDiaspora.ThisfailuretoacknowledgeandappreciateAfricancontributionsto human civilization creates a void in the self-development and self-perspectiveoftheNewWorldAfricanindividual.Inturn,itsramificationsripple outward to contort how the rest of the world perceives us. As adevelopingAfricanAmericanthinker,Iwasunabletoconnectmyselftoacultural context greater than what my education had spoon-fed me:redundant images of slave auctions and sardine-packed cargo trains ofwhich the textbooks seemed to never tire. Since that fourth gradeexperience,myparentshavetaughtmethatinordertolearnanythingaboutmyself Imust takemy own initiatives. It is imperative that I choosemyown sources and find accounts of my people’s experiences written fromtheir own minds. This is my passion—actively investigating sources ofknowledge from which I can drawmy own conclusions. The systematicsuppression of African history in conventional education has only addedfueltomycuriositytolearnaboutahistoryinwhichareflectionofmyselfemanates from the center. I want to share my passion and my researchfindings with others, especially reaching children at an early age so thattheymay have firm foundations onwhich to build knowledgeablemindsandhealthyself-esteem.As a double major at Beloit College in anthropology and classical

civilizations, I have a strong background from which I can develop asuccessful futuredoing my passion—researching and teaching. I want toconcentrate on the sociocultural traditions of West Africa, as well asstudying her great achievements and contributions of antiquity. Iwant toresearchhow traditional socialpatternshavebeen transplantedamong theDiasporaintheNewWorld,especiallyamongAfricanAmericans.Iwanttoinvestigatethisthroughahistorical-archaeologicalapproachaswellasfromamodernperspectivethroughculturalanthropology.Inordertoachievethisgoal, I must interact between a web of disciplines: African and AfricanAmerican studies, archaeology, and cultural anthropology. Ultimatelymygoalistoactivelyengagethepublic.IplantodothisthroughvolunteerandprofessionaltrainingprogramsthatfocusprimarilybutnotonlyonAfricanAmericans, targetingouryouthand immersing themin the rediscoveryofAfricanhistoryandcontributionthrougheducationinarchaeology.MyvisionworksfrommymindsetthatAfricanhistoryisworldhistory.

It belongs to all of us as a part of our collective human history. I alsobelieve in the educating of the peoples from the inside out—instilling asolid foundation of African knowledge in the black community and

reaching out from there. My vision begins in the teaching of primarilyAfrican Americans with emphasis on the educating and hands-oninvolvementofouryouth,butultimatelyitistoequipthemwiththetoolstobe the educators of a wider, crosscultural audience. A major part of myvision is in leading excavations, both in the New World and in Africa,where African Americans will have the opportunity to dig, learn, andhopefully develop a deeply seated respect and passion for their long-neglected histories. In addition, I want to set up an internship programwhereAfricanAmerican students can beAfrican archaeological researchassistants, training them in excavation techniques andmentoring them inscholarlyresearchmethodology.I wantmy brothers and sisters to experience the same excitement and

inspirationthatIfeelthroughtheempowermentofresearchandrediscoveryof themselves and their history. I want them to share the feeling I hadduring a visit toHowardUniversitywhen I laymy eyes on the bones offirst-generation New World Africans whose remains had been salvagedfrom a black burial ground inNewYork. Iwas fascinated andmoved tolearn how they had kept theirWest African tradition alive even in theirdeath through the details of their burial ritual. Archaeology is an eye-openingandmind-enrichingavenuefor theeducationofouryouth. It isafield of ever-advancing scientific technology while simultaneously ascience of human imagination through the employment of individualinterpretation. After all, archaeology is the material evidence of humanritual.Itisthebyproductofbehavior,whichisitselfamanifestationofanideology.This iswhat Iwant to rediscoverand teach—African ideas thathave been forgotten, miscredited, or stealthily lost from the pages ofhistory.Itistimetheywererecognizedandrepatriatedtoandbytheirownpeople.I have already made some progress toward my goal of becoming an

Afrocentric archaeologist. As both a McNair Scholar and an AssociatedColleges of the Midwest Minority Scholar, I designed an archaeologicalresearch project. This past summer I was the research assistant toarchaeologistDr.RobertSalzer.Ispentthirteenweeksattheinternationallyrecognized southwestWisconsinGottschall rockshelter site doing intenseexcavations and conducting original research. As the assistant ceramicsanalystatthesite,myprojectwastoresearchandrecordthestylecategoryandverticaldistributionofeachofthe two thousandpotteryshardsunearthedoverthepastfourteenyearsofexcavationsatthissite.Inadditiontothis,Ihadto format a computer program into which this data could be stored and

reopenedasnewshardsareuncoveredoverthefollowingyears.Ultimately,in addition to an in-depth research paper, I will speak about my projectresultsataprofessionalarchaeologicalconference in thespring.Also,myfindingswill culminate in a joint publication byme andmymentor in aprofessional journal—an article that will challenge the preestablishedceramicschronologyforthatregion.Thisresearchandanalystassistantshipand publication have equipped me with the archaeological training andexposurethatIwillneedinordertobesuccessfulinmyfurtherstudiesinOld and New World African Archaeology—a rare opportunity for anundergraduate.

(Here is a very clean exposition of an outside research project. Notice the candidate mentions alectureandpublicationthataregoingtohappeninthefuture.)

Inadditiontothisexperience,bythetimethisessayisreceived,IwillbeinSenegal,WestAfrica,studyinganthropologyattheUniversitedeCheikhAnta Diop—the father of and greatest mind of his time in Afrocentricanthropology. Finally, I will be doing what I am passionate about—experiencingfirsthandWestAfricanculture.This tripwillbe thephysicalreconnection forwhich I have beenmentally preparingmyself. I see thisexperienceasthelaunchpadtowardasuccessfulfutureasastudentinthePhDprograminAfricanstudiesatTempleUniversity.

(Here,again,thecandidateprovidesanexcellentexampleofrecountingactivitiesthatwilltakeplacebetweenthisapplicationandthedateofmatriculation.)

I am the first person on both sides ofmy family to attend college, letalonetocontinuemyeducationintothegraduatelevel.Ihavemadeitthisfar,butifIamtomakemygoalsintoachievements,ImustfindmyfutureatTempleUniversity. I seemyself as adedicated, serious, andpassionatestudent and leader, and I am confident that I possess the drive and self-disciplinetosuccessfullycompletemydoctoralstudyatTempleUniversity.I strongly feel Ihave foundmynia, orpurpose, andnow Imust take thenext step toward making my vision a reality. I have researched AfricanstudiesandanthropologyprogramsatTempleUniversityandamexcitedtofindthattheyalignperfectlywithwhatIwanttostudyandteachothers.IamenthusiasticaboutmyfieldofstudyandanticipatethedaywhenIwillbeteaching.InProf.MolefiKeteAsante’sbookAfrocentricity,hewritesofthe transformation of one’s worldview through Afrocentricity: “Formlessbecomes form; black spaces are filledwith truth… a new perspective, anewapproach,anewconsciousnessinvadesourbehavior”(pg.6).I think

ofmyownvisiontakingform,becomingreality.Iwillknowtherewardofthe pursuit of my goal when I will see a young person sitting tall, headraised,andvoiceloudandconfidentasIaskher toreadtotherestof theclassaboutherancestorsandthemightyWestAfricankingdomofCayor.

(Outstandingfinish!)

ESSAY#42:“ChildandAdolescentClinicalPsychology”

StatementofPurpose,MartinaGreeneQuestion:“Whatinfluencesinchildrenresultinhappyadults?”

In my experiences as a preprofessional psychological worker, I haveadopted a working hypothesis that the majority of outpatient-treatablemental health problems stem fromnegative childhood experiences.Thesenegative experiences areoverwhelmingly traceable to influential adults inthepatient’spast,primarilyparentalfiguresandteachers.Whenwewerechildren,myfatherusedtogetmysisterandmetostand

in front of amirror and say positive things to ourselves. It didn’tmatterwhatwesaid,aslongasitwaspositive.Hedidnotmakeusstandinfrontof the mirror and say nice things to ourselves; he jumped around andcoachedusandencouragedusuntilwedidthisalmosteverymorningasamatter of getting up. My family provided warmth, fair and consistentdiscipline,anda truefeelingofsecure, inclusiveboundariesseparatingus(thefamily)fromthegreatersocietyinwhichwelived.

(Clinicalpsychologyprogramsareextremelycompetitive.Manyarestatisticallymuchhardertogetintothanyouraveragemedicalschool.Theprogramslookforpsychologyresearchandanykindofexperience in a mental health clinical setting. Often an interim degree, such as a master’s indevelopmentalorchildorcounselingpsychology,isthekey.Thiscandidatedideverythingright,andthenwroteaboutitwell.)

Dueto the juxtapositionofmyownexperiencesand theexperiencesofothers, I have long been quite interested in familial and educationalinfluences on the development of children’s adjustment. Although it hasfacedsomepublic ridicule in thepast,myownareaofgreatest interest isself-esteem:Where does it come from?How dowe get it?How canwerepairitafterassaultsagainstthefactorsthatengenderit?I am particularly interested in the development of self-esteem in late

childhood, puberty, and adolescence. I have always been interested inchildren,andIhaveconsistentlyanddiligentlypreparedmyselftobecome

a specialist in child andadolescent clinicalpsychology. In addition to thedetails in my CV, I would like to address three major influences on mycareerdirection:(1)WhenIwasattheUniversityofMassachusetts–Amherst(UMass),I

had the good fortune to work with Dr. Morgan Burke, dean of socialsciencesandfounderandexecutivedirectoroftheFarmSchool.Dr.Burkeisaninspiringprofessor,andheencouragedmetopursuemyinterestintheinternal and external influences on socioemotional development. Heaccepted a proposal ofmine to launch an experimental class at the FarmSchool to test teaching techniques. The program had theworking title of“TestingModelsofSelf-EsteemTraining inanElementaryClassofGirlsandBoys:TowardDevelopingAppliedTechniquesforTeachers.”Iwastheteacher,withfreereintodevelopandruntheclass.

(Besuretomentionkeyprofessorsbyname.)

(2)AsapsychologicalworkerwithBostonFreePsychologicalServices,Iwasintakecounselorforaverydiverseandmulticulturalincomingpatientpopulation.Inthisposition,Iwastheveryfirstcontactmanyself-referralshadwithamentalhealthservicesorganization.Igotafeelformyclinicalaptitude,andhowImightenjoyclinicalservices.Iwasabletoestablishaquick rapport with patients, and gain their trust and cooperation. I waslaudedbythestaffpsychologistsformyskillsintriageandassessment,andmy ability to get an accurate and complete psychological history frompatients. My success with and enjoyment of this position was a majorinfluenceonmyresolvetopursueclinicalpsychologyconcurrentwithmyinterestindevelopmentalpsychology.(3) While I have always respected the integrity of psychology as a

science,ImustcreditDr.KowalskiofthegraduateprograminpsychologyatBostonUniversity(BU)forgivingmeasolidgroundinginexperimentalmethodology. Although I had a working knowledge of experimentalmethodology, and I had certainly designed and executed a number ofexperiments in psychology, over the last two years I have developed apassion for correctmethodology. Inmyclinical career, Imaynothave todesignmanyoriginalresearchprojects,butmyincreasedunderstandingofmethodology has influenced all my thinking about psychology and hasespeciallyimprovedmyabilitytocritiquetheresearchIreadinjournals.

(This isagoodwaytodealwitharoughstart toanacademiccareer.Let thereaderknowthat thegradesthatcountaregood,andexplainyourrationale.)

Finally,Iwouldliketoaddresstheissueofmyacademiccareer.Asyouhavemytranscripts,youcanclearlyseethatIwasnotespeciallyseriousinmyfirstfewyearsasanundergraduateatUMass,andyoucanalsoseethatI have improved dramatically. I have done quite well in my master’sprogramhereatBU,andIexpecttocontinueorexceedthisperformanceinyourprogram.

(Thisisanexcellentexampleofreductionism.)

Myeventualgoalsaretodividemytimebetween(a)clinicaloutpatienttreatmentofchildrenandadolescentpatients,(b)programdevelopmentandconsulting with schools and institutions on self-esteem, specificallydevelopment of teachingmethodologies that enhance it, anddevelopmentoftreatmentprogramsthatrepairit,and(c)teachingattheuniversitylevelondevelopmentalandclinicalpsychologyareas.Iamconfidentofmyabilitytoexcelinyourprogramacademically,and

tobeaneffectiveandvaluableclinicalpsychologistbothinpracticeandinconsultingroles. Iwouldlike to thinkthatIamthe typeofcandidate thatwouldbeagoodrepresentativeofyourprogram.

(Predictyourownsuccess,asagraduatestudentandasapracticingprofessional.)

ESSAY#43:“FromArrangedMarriagetoMolecularBiology”

TheQuestion:“Whydoyouwishtopursuethiscourseofstudyandhowdoesitrelatetoyourultimatecareergoals?”

Wordssuchas“impossible”and“no”oncesignaleddefiniteboundariestome, but experiences over the last few years have drastically changedmyviewandactionwhensuchwordsarenowdirectedatme.InGuyana,mynativecountry,agooddaughterdoeswhatshe’stold.Forayounggirlinathird world country, there is little choice. At eighteen, soon after highschool, I was told that I would be married and school was thereforeunnecessary; I was pressured into marriage at nineteen. Two years later,livingintheUnitedStates,Idecideditwastimetopursueacollegedegree.My spouse declared that my place was in the home and that I was notallowedtoattendcollege;thenextdayIwalkedintomylocalcommunitycollege.Forthefirsttime,Isteppedoveraclearboundaryandsteppedintoaworldwhere I knew I belonged.Now,words such as “impossible” and“no” signal an opportunity to test boundaries and discover. In this newworldattheUniversityofAkron,itisdifficultnottodiscoverandbecomeinterestedinpolymers.

(Thisessaygivesanexcellentexampleofmixing thepersonal into theacademic.A littlepersonalgoesa longway,however.This is aprofound story,but shedoesn’tbelabor it.Shegetson to thescienceprettyquickly.Thisistherightwaytodoit.Personalhistory,nomatterhowdramatic,isthespice,abitofflavor,buttheheartofthemealistheacademics.)

This interest prompted me to design an independent study, under thedirectionofDr.C.M.Turner,toinvestigatethefeasibilityofbiodegradableplastics as a current alternative to nonbiodegradable plastics and thefinancial and environmental cost of underutilization of the recyclingprocess. Following this, I had the good fortune of being selected for theNSF-REUprogramattheMauriceMortonInstituteofPolymerScienceatthe University of Akron. In this program, under the guidance of Dr. C.

Pugh, I pursued research with the working title “Synthesis andThermotropic Behavior of Polynorbornenes with Laterally AttachedMesogens.” This project seeks to investigate methods for regulating andtransformingmesophasesexhibitedby liquidcrystallinepolymers throughself-organization and self-assembly upon the mixing of complementarymonomersviaelectron-donor-acceptorinteractions.UponcompletionoftheREUprogramIdecided tocontinue toworkon thisproject formyseniorhonors thesis.The synthesisof themonomers, as shown in theScheme1below,has allowedme togain significant experience in standardSchlenkand drybox techniques, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy,differential scanning calorimetry, polarized optical microscopy, and gelpermeationchromatography.

(Theremaynotbeastudythatprovesthis,butitismytheorythatstudentswhosuccessfullymixthepersonalandtheacademicgetintobetterprogramsthantheirgradesandscoreswouldpredict.)

Scheme1

ThroughtheREUprogramandtheRonaldE.McNairPost-BaccalaureateAchievementProgram,programsdesignedtopreparestudentsforgraduateresearch opportunities, I have hadmany opportunities to attend academicmeetingsandpresentthisdata(seeattachedCV).Mylaboratoryexperiencehas also been enhanced through specialized training in infrared,

fluorescence, and UV/VIS spectroscopy, gas chromatography/massspectrometry, high performance liquid chromatography, and atomicabsorption.

(Providingalaundrylistofbench,lab,ortechnicalskillsisprudent.Don’tassumethey’llinfersuchskillsfromyourprojects.)

Forthelastfiveyears,I’veworkedasaresearchaideinthelaboratoryofDr.D.Stinnerconductingbasicresearchintotheavailabilityofnutrientstocrops from soil for the Ohio Food, Farm, Education, Research (OFFER)program,with thepurpose to conduct research andeducation activities insupport of Ohio’s organic farming community. UnderDr. Stinner, I havegainedexperienceinspectrophotometricanalysisofnutrientcontentofsoilextracts along with additional supporting information as to soil samplemoisture,organicmatterpools,combustionanalysis,massdeterminationonamicroandmacroscale,andnutrientlability.Otherresponsibilitiesincludethe training and supervision of graduate and undergraduate students inlaboratorymethodologies,qualitycontrolandassuranceaspects, inventorymanagement,andmaintenanceoflaboratorysolutions.Ihavealsohadtheopportunity,withtheguidanceofDr.L.Phelan,todesignamethodologytoanalyzeproteinfractioncontentingrainusingspectrophotometricmethodsand to further test samples for amino acid content utilizing GC/MSmethods. Thismethodology has subsequently been used by otherswithinthedepartmentforsuchanalysis.Withthiscombinedresearchexperience,Ifeelwellpreparedforgraduate

studies at theUniversity ofOregon.Through these experiences, I’ve alsorealizedthatgraduateeducationwillbetransformativeandthatmyinterestswilldevelopandchangeasIengageingraduateclasses.Myexperiencesofar has resulted in a deep interest in the concepts of self-assembly. IperceiveamatchinDr.Richmond’sresearchintothemolecularprocessesoccurring at water/phospholipid monolayer interface and the biologicalimportanceoftheseprocesses.IamalsointerestedinDr.Doxsee’sresearchintophase-andshape-selectiveassemblyofsolid-statematerialsfromsmallmolecule precursors and developing a green chemistry undergraduatecurriculum.IhopetohavetheopportunitytoexploretheseinterestsattheUniversityofOregon.Uponthecompletionofmygraduatestudies,inwhatIhopewillbethe

minimumtime,Ihopetoenteracareerinacademicsandresearchwithanemphasisonteaching.Servingasa teacheraftergraduatinghighschool,Iwasfortunatetobeselectedbythechemistryteacher(myformerteacher)to

teachherGeneralCertificateExaminationAdvancedlevel(GCE‘A’level),aBritishexaminationcoveringtheequivalentofthefirsttwotothreeyearsof college in specific subject areas,when shewas unable to do so. I felthonoredtobethefirstteacherofmyleveltobeselectedtotakecompletecontrolofaGCE‘A’levelchemistryclass;historicallyteachersofmyleveltaughtonlythethirdthroughfifthform(gradesseventhroughten).Mylifeexperienceshaveleftmewithaverystrongdesiretobenotjustachemistryteacher, but to provide young students with the confidence and tools towisely investigate, develop, and test the boundaries of their ideas in bothscienceandlife.The interest thisprogramgives to education,with theopportunities for

students to intern at neighboring colleges, along with the outstandingfaculty, assuresme there is amatch betweenwhat I hope to achieve andwhatthegraduatechemistryprogramattheUniversityofOregonoffers.Inaddition,IlookforwardtolivinginOregon;itsmildweatherandamazingnaturalattractionswillbeadditionalandwelcomedbenefits.

ESSAY#44:“Otolaryngology”

PersonalStatementforResidencyinOtolaryngology

Otolaryngology attracted me for three main reasons. First, my fatherrecently retired as director of theBostonCenter forHearing andSpeech.Through his involvement in speech pathology and audiology, I’ve beenexposed to some aspects of otolaryngology all my life. Second, I’minterested in the opportunity to practice with all ages of patients, fromchildren to the elderly.Third, I amdrawnby the combinationofmedicalandsurgicalpractice.I’vedoneverywellinschool,bothasanundergraduateatMITandasa

medicalstudentat[namewithheld].LastyearIwasawardedoneofthetwoLange Book awards for outstanding scholastic achievement. I also havesignificantundergraduateawardsforscholarship.

(Youmay think that onceyouget intomedical schoolyour career is set.Not so.Medical doctorsmustcompetevigorouslyforinternships,residencies,andfellowships.Thisessaywasusedaspartofasuccessfulapplicationforaresidencyinotolaryngology,atfifty-to-oneodds.)

ResearchisanaspectofgraduatemedicaltrainingforwhichIhavebothaninterestandasoundbackground.ThissummerIwasaresearchassistanttoDrs.S.McQuownandT.A.Cookinastudyontheeffectsofliposuctionon porcine fat cell populations. While at MIT, I learned well theinvestigative thinking of basic research, with extensive experience inbiochemistry,cellbiology,andhistology.Duringmylastyear,Icompleteda senior honors thesis involving the laboratory investigation of protein-foldingmechanisms:“DeamidationofGlutamineandAsparagineResidues:AnApproachtotheStudyofProteinFolding.”Ifindworkingwithmyhandsquitesatisfying.Forthelastsevenyears,I

have supported myself in part by cleaning and repairing microscopes atcolleges, universities, and research centers throughout the greatermetropolitanarea.DuringmysurgicalrotationatGoodSamaritanHospital,Iwas encouraged by two of the attending surgeons,who remarked that I

showedsurprisingfacilityforsurgeryforonesoearly inamedicalcareer(seelettersofrecommendation).

(When professors or other mentors have encouraged you or commended your skills, be sure tomentionthem.Also,refertosupportingdocumentationsubmittedwithyourapplication.)

Inadditiontothesetechnicalandacademicfacilities,Iamabletointeractwith and enjoy a great spectrum of people; this is one of my strongestpersonalitytraits.Onthepersonalside,mywife,Heather,andIhavebeenmarriedfortwo

yearsandhave futureplans forchildren.She is attendinguniversity forateachingdegreeandwillgraduatenextspring.IbelieveIhavetheskills(academic,social,andmanual)andtheinterest

to excel in the field of otolaryngology. The time ahead of me will beexciting. I look forward to thediscovery and the challengeofmychosencareer.

(Predict your own success. This is not bragging. It’s confidence based on self-knowledge and anunderstandingofthechallengesahead.)

ESSAY#45:“InformationSciences”

PersonalStatementforMaster’sofInformationSciences

ApplicantTrackingNo.463219

UniversityofIllinoisatUrbanaChampaign

Adistinguishedmaninasportsjacketwalkeduptothepodium.“Whydowe need generic model management?,” Dr. Bernstein asked as part of aseriesofinformationintegrationlecturesatUniversityofIllinoisatUrbanaChampaign. As he continued his slides, it became apparent: currentmechanisms for building metadata-based applications are application-specific. There needs to be a generic model to build metadata-basedapplications. As the possible applications and implications twirled insidemy head, it reached a single point. I knew I wanted to go into graduatestudiesfordata.

(This essay has an unorthodox layout, and includes hyperlinks and visuals.This is not somethingmost applicants should be doing, but for a computer scientist, it is an interesting and successfulapproach.)

Evenbefore thisseminar, IknewIwanted tododata. Igrewup in theInterneterawhereIsawthesearchcrownmoveuptoGoogle.Evenbackthen,peoplewerepontificatingonthemeritsofGoogle:theyrankedpagesby how many other pages pointed to them. As I learned later, themathematicsbehindpagerank“correspondstotheprincipaleigenvectorofthe normalized link matrix of the web” (The Anatomy of a Large-ScaleHypertextualWeb Search Engine). Back then that was Greek to me, butaftercoursesinlinearalgebra,probabilitywithasmatteringofgraphtheory,thisactuallymadesense.MyundergraduatethesisinvolvedportingamemorysystemtotheLinux

operating system. Under Prof. Zhou, I was trying to do research on theactual limitsofdynamicmissratiocurveforreal largescalesystems.The

dynamic miss ratio curve is the page miss rate versus the memory sizecurve. I wasworking to develop this for the Planet labsmodified Linuxkernelusingrealapplications.Myworkfocusedspecificallyonportingthememorysystemtonewerversionsofthekernel.Although I hadwonmany awards inmany technical competitions and

enteredarguablythebestinternshipforanundergraduatecomputerscientist(IBMExtremeBlue), I realized that itwas really an internship at ICAIRthatpiquedmyinterestinresearch.Myresearchtherefocusedonbuildingapplications to take a snapshot of network system data. Under AssociateDirectorJimChen,wewantedtotakesnapshotsofthenetworkandutilizethis data to optimize the network. My work focused on using SimpleNetwork Management Protocol, open source tools to capture topologyinformation, performance data, andVirtual LocalAreaNetwork (VLAN)information.

WorkSample,Link1:

Find@Siebel gives shortest path within a building to a professor,class, event, or classroom (currently running in the Thomas SiebelCenterforComputerScience).www.Find_Siebel.IBM.com

AftermyIBMExtremeBlueinternship,Ireceivedanofferforafull-timejob even before I came back on campus. That meant I could relax, takeclasses, and enjoy life, but I was never one to succumb to idleness. IbecamecochairofthestudentchapterofACMSIGSoft.Wasitbecauseofmy enthusiasm for technology and my passion to get underclassmaninvolved with projects? I’d like to think so, but I think of it more as a

passiontoleadthecreationofprojectsthatarepracticalinthelivesofmycommunity.Ithinktheinitiative,leadership,andresultsI’veshownsetmeapartfromotherapplicants(seehonorsandawardsinresume).

WorkSample,Link2:

UIUC Pathways gives the shortest paths from point A to B givenmultiple forms of transportation (i.e. bus, alleys, bikes, car).www.UIUC_Pathways.UIUC.eduFromthebeginning,I’veloveddata.AtIBMExtremeBlue,Icreateda

federateddatamodel for a service-oriented architecture, and I havemanyexperiences designing models of databases. I’ve attended bioinformaticsseminars with Prof. Zhai, but more specifically I’m fascinated by Prof.Doan’sresearchin“schemamatching”ofhisproject“Schema&OntologyMatching.”ItcoincidesperfectlywithmyinterestsindataI justcamefromUIUC,butI’dliketogoback.I liketheUIUCSiebel

Center, themany labsand resources itprovides for its students. I like thedepthofresearch, themanyresearchseminars theyprovidefromnotonlyfacultycandidates,butalsofromdistinguishedmembersoftheindustryaswell. I believe the engagement within the seminars helps foster anintellectual environment that’svery important to intellectualdevelopment.Also,IlikehowUIUC’smaster’sisresearchbased,andIlookforwardtoexploringthefieldsofdata.UltimatelyIwantamaster’sbecauseIwanttogainadegreethatallows

me to focus in this area after graduation. After a UIUC master’sspecializing in database and information systems, I’d like to have a job

creating business intelligence that utilizes data mining techniques orcreating applications that integrate heterogeneous data sources. I amfascinatedwithinformationretrieval,andIthinkUIUCistheperfectplacefor me to pursue my master’s. In conclusion, I am confident that theinitiative,problem-solvingskills,andenergyIhaveshowninthepasthavepreparedmeintellectuallyandemotionallyforgraduateschoolatUIUC.Iameagertobegintheprocess.

ESSAY#46:“Cardiology”

StatementofPurpose,CardiologyResidency

Iamcurrentlycompletingmythird-yearresidencyprogramatPresbyterianHospital, where I have been exposed to their cardiology service. This ofcourse includes experiencewith critically ill patients, and also includes atransplant service.We have referrals of patientswith all types of chronicheart conditions, and we have addressed the moral and therapeuticproblemsassociatedwithcriticalorgantransplantcases.

(Likeessay#44, this isa residencyessay. Ithelps tohaveacombinationofoutstandingacademicpreparationandclinicalskill.)

My first interest in cardiology results frommy assessment that it is a“rational”subspecialty.Ihavealwaysenjoyedtheclassical“hard”sciencessuch as physics and physiology because they make sense to me. Theseprinciples apply directly to cardiology. What appeals to me is theexcitement of working in this area, with an opportunity to make rapiddecisions according to specifiable formulae, with a critical impact on apatient’s status. Needless to say, it is quite satisfying to see observableimprovementasaresultofone’sactions.My second interest in the subspecialty comes frommy appreciation of

the diversity of cases and treatments available. I have always been goodwithmy hands, including success in trades work (carpentry and amateurauto mechanics). I feel I could deliver the reason, diagnostic sense, andmechanical finesse required to excel in the field. I would relish theopportunity to use such a collection of diverse skills in one disciplinaryarea.Third,Ihavebeenparticularlyimpressedbytheversatilitydemonstrated

bythecardiologistswhomIhavemettodate.Theywereskillfulnotonlyinabroadvarietyofcardiacproblems,butalsoinalltheirresponsibilitiesasinternists.ThehighdegreeofacumenandskillwhichIhavewitnessedinthecardiologystaffsuggeststomethataspecialtypeofpersonisattracted

tothisfieldandthattheirtrainingmustshapetheseindividualsintohighlyskilledmedicalprofessionals.

(It doesn’t hurt to know the latest trend in your specialty and to be laudatory about the field’sprofessionals.)

Finally,Iviewcardiologyasoneofthemorevitalsubspecialties(nopunintended). I feel that we are poised for a period of continuing rapidadvancement in both diagnostic and therapeutic methods. So far I amparticularly interested in invasive treatments, e.g., thrombolytic therapy,coronaryangioplasty,andvalvuloplasty.Whetherornotinvasivetreatmentscontinuetheirgreatadvances,thefieldwillcontinuetohaveabrightfuture,and will continue to be the preferred area for those of us who want toadvanceourknowledgeandskillsthroughoutourcareers.IcompletemyinternalmedicineresidencyinJune.Inthemeantime,the

TechnicalUniversityBerlinhas awardedmea stipend toperformclinicalresearch on ischemic mitral insufficiency at the German Heart Center inWestBerlin.Iexpecttohavetheopportunitytobecomeinvolvedinclinicaldrugtrialsaswell.Istronglybelieveintheimportanceofresearch,notonlytoinvestigatespecificproblemsandquestions,buttobecomeamorewell-roundedprofessional.Ipreviouslyhad theopportunity tocompleteanelectiveat theGerman

HeartCenter.Ihavefoundthattheexchangeofexperiencewithcolleaguesabroad demands that one reexamine one’s experiences closely.Crossculturalstudyofmedicineremainsastronginterestofmine.My immediate goals are to complete a fellowship in an academically

stimulating environment, to be able to participate in the ongoingdevelopmentofthescienceofcardiology,andtogainexperienceinclinicalmanagement.Mymedium-termgoal is tocombineclinicalpracticewithresearchand

to teachatamedicalcenteraffiliatedwithamedicalschool. Iknowfromexperiencethatthebestwaytolearnandkeeplearningistoteachaswell.Mylong-termgoalistocontributedirectlytotheadvanceofcardiology

asaclinicalsciencefortheultimatebenefitandwell-beingofpatients.Iappreciateyourconsideringthisapplication,andIhopethisstatement

hashelpedyoutomakeyourdecisionaboutthefitbetweenmybackgroundand thismedical and academic speciality. I look forward to visiting yourprogramandmeetingyoupersonally.

(Thisisthemagictrilogy:practice,research,teach.)

ESSAY#47:“DecisionSciences”

Most people raise at least one eyebrow when they hear that I studymathematics, psychology, and philosophy, and hope to pursue a PhD indecision sciences. But the fact is, I’ve had a fascination with schemes,cheats, and ways to take advantage of systems for a long time. Theseinterests have led to my passion for the interdisciplinary study of gametheory, decision making, and moral philosophy; specifically, how peoplemakedecisions,howtheyshouldmakedecisions,andwhytheanswerstothesequestionsdiffer.Inmyview, game theory studieswhat people in strategic situations do

when their goals have already been explicitly decided. The study ofdecisionmaking,ontheotherhand,illuminateshowpeopledoandshouldmake choices between means given ambiguous ends. And finally, moralphilosophy questions what our goals should be in the first place. Thisinsight (or belief), together with my passion for the study of decisionmakingandteachingingeneral,hasledmetoCarnegieMellonUniversity’sPhDprograminSocialandDecisionSciences.

(Itismycontentionthatmoststudentscustomizetoofardownintheiressays.Noticehowthiswritercustomizesnearthetop,sothatreadersknowhewrotethisessayjustfor them.Thisisclearlynotanothercut-and-pasteessay,withafewfacultymembersmentionedatthebottomasanafterthought.Thisisthelevelandtypeofcustomizationthatgetsstudentsintoeliteprograms.)

In particular, the opportunity to use game theory to better understandreal-worldbehavior,underthedirectionofProfs.R.WeberandJ.Miller,isa thrilling prospect for me. I am particularly interested in studying howartificial adaptive agent models can accurately describe and predict realbehaviorandhowtheydonot.Iamalsoveryexcitedbythepossibilityoftaking behavioral economics with Prof. G. Loewenstein and humanjudgmentwithProf.R.Dawes.The core ofmy attraction toSocial andDecisionSciences atCarnegie

MellonUniversityismycontinuingfascinationwithstrategicbehavioranddecision making within systems. Several experiences and courses havefurtheredthisinterestandareoutlinedbelow.•Lastsummer,IwasselectedtoparticipateintheResearchExperiencefor

Undergraduates Program funded by the National Science Foundation. IworkedwithfiveotherstudentsunderthedirectionofProf.R.Muncasteratthe University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. (Reference letterprovided.) The overall topics were evolutionary game theory and socialnetworks; specific topics includedMarkov chains, game spacemanifolds,anddecisiondynamics.Pursuingmyinterestindecisionmakinganderror,Iproducedan independentproject studying theeffectsof anticipatoryerrorondecisionmaking innormal formgames. I found that recognitionofanopponent’s chance of makingmistakes can lead to new, stable equilibriathatarenotNashequilibriaoftheoriginalgame.UpontherecommendationofProf.Weber, I explored the relationshipbetweenmyworkandquantalresponse equilibria and have continued this project as my mathematicsthesisentitled“Error-AwarenessandEquilibriainNormalFormGames.”

• A short internship with a labor mediator for the State of Californiailluminated the importanceof conscious and subconscious strategic socialbehavior.Conducting“shuttlediplomacy”betweenunionheadquartersandacountyhuman resourcesdepartment, I gained a greater appreciation forthe realities of decisionmaking—from the limits of calculating ability toemotional, tactical “mistakes” and their unintended benefits. Thisexperience strengthened my interest in negotiation and desire to pursuefurtherresearchatthegraduatelevel.

• While studying at the London School of Economics (LSE) during myjunior year abroad, I took a yearlong course in Evolution and SocialBehavior,taughtbyDr.C.Badcock.(Referenceletterprovided.)Thetopicthat I found most interesting was the psychology of cooperation. Inparticular, Cosmides and Tooby’s ideas of mental modules and cheatdetectionmechanismscontinuetoinfluencemyinterestindecisionmakingwithingroups.

• Another relevant course from my year at the LSE was Philosophy ofEconomics,whichincludedthestudyofrationalityanddecisionparadoxes.In particular, I was intrigued by Selton’s three-level decision making ofroutine, imagination, and reasoning as an explanation of his Chain StoreParadox.Thoughheviewsthissolutionasaseverethreattogametheoryatlarge, I see it as turning the issueof commonknowledgeversusboundedrationalityintoitsowngameofincompleteinformation.Thatis,thelevelatwhichadecisionisbeingmadecanbeviewedasanalogoustothehandthata poker player holds.Also integral to the coursewere theories of justice

suchasBrianBarry’sjusticeasfairnessversusjusticeasmutualadvantage.I hope to further pursue such perceptions of justice in the context ofstrategicdecisions.

•CurrentlyinmysenioryearatSwarthmoreCollege,IamtakingThinking,Judgment, andDecisionMaking taught by Prof.B. Schwartz. (Referenceletter provided.) What excites me most about the subject is theidentification of systematic loopholes in human thought and discoveringhowtheymightbemanipulatedandremedied.

(This is an outstanding demonstration of knowledge of the major players, contemporary andhistorical, ina targetedfield.Whenyoudemonstrate thatyouknowthe theoriesand theorists,youdemonstrateyouarereadyforgraduatestudy.)

Based on these experiences and courses, I am especially excited abouttheprospectofpursuing further research in theDepartmentofSocial andDecision Sciences in the areas of artificial adaptive agent modeling,strategicerrormaking,andtheshortcomingsandrefinementsofbehavioraleconomicmodels.My long-termprofessionalgoal is toobtain a challenging research and

teaching position in the field of decisionmaking and behavior. Though Imayfindthisinabusinessschoolprofessorship,Ialsoampassionateaboutexcellence inundergraduateeducation. In thiscontext, Iwouldbeequallyexcited by the prospect of teaching undergraduates in psychology,economics, or other disciplines relevant to the interdisciplinary study ofgametheoryanddecisionmaking.

Essay#48“AfricanKashmiri”

LetterofInterest—AfricanAmericanStudies

IwasborninArusha,Tanzania,ontheslopesofMt.Kilimanjaro.MyfatherwasasonofaKashmiriimmigrant.MygrandfathercametoTanzaniaasacheap laborerfor theBritishcolony.Mymother isadaughterofaSegejuwoman(Tanzaniacoastalindigenousgroup).Asachildofthesetwogreatparents,Ihadaninterestingchildhoodthatcontinuestoinformmypersonaland academic life. The union ofmy parents, mymother having been an“African,”causedasplitinmyfather’sfamily.Furthermore,inschoolandpublic areas, my fellow Tanzanians calledme a “Hindu,” while I am anAfrican and aMuslim.And the IndianDiaspora community derogatorilyreferredtousas“halfcastes.”Asachild,Icouldnotgrasptheseracialandidentity issues; it is onlywhen I came toAmerica that I seriously begananalyzingandquestioningmychildhoodexperience.IhavelearnedthattheAfricanAmerican experience inNorthAmerica is a heroic narrative thatspeaksofsimilarquestsforidentity,belonging,andownershipforthepastfive hundred years. This is one of the many reasons I want to pursue agraduatecourseintheAfricanandAfricanAmericanStudiesDepartmentatHarvard. TheAfricanAmerican experience, past and present, is a usefulmodel in explaining awide array of issues such as identity, politics, andownership inother countriesof theworld.Harvard’sAfrican andAfricanAmerican Studies Department is an environment that can personallyempowermetoexplainmysocialandhistoricalbitsandpiecesthroughthestudyoftheblackexperience.

(It is important to know the level of competitionyou are facingwhen applying to elite programs.Thisyoungstudenthasmoreaccomplishmentsthanmostofuscouldfitintoalifetime.)

My life experience as a person belonging to either the African orKashmirisidehasofferedmeauniqueperspectivetolife.Therefore,Iamendowed, or have developed through no particular effort ofmy own, theability to look at issues in many different perspectives. I can be neutral

(invoking neitherAfrican norKashmiri side), I can take a side (invokingAfrican,Segeju,Kashmiri,ortheMuslimside,etc.),andIcanalsoemploythemeshed perspective (invoking all the parts). The permutations of myperspectivesareendlessas theyarecontinuouslyenrichedthroughsimilarexperiencesandage.Forexample,IgrewupwithanexiledBlackPanthercommunity inArusha, Tanzania,where I learned aboutAmerican historyand its people away from America and especially from an exiledAmerican/minority point of view. This ability of employing multipleperspectives on issues resembles the call in academic settings for amultidisciplinary approach. I am interested to join African and AfricanAmericanStudiesatHarvardbecauseithasalongtraditionofscholarshipandresearchonissuesofcultureandracethatIaminterestedtoexplore.W.E.B.DuBois,whowasalsoofmixedancestrysuchasmineandwhoselifereflectssomeofmyownexperiences,waseducatedatHarvard.TrainingatHarvard will equip me with tools and training that will transform myexperiences and passion into practical and tangible outcomes such asresearchskills,networks,andresources.

(Beingauniquecandidatealwaysgarnersinterestfromreviewers.Somanycandidatesseemallthesametoadmissionsreaders.Butnotthisone.)

Harvardhasalottoofferinraisingmyintellectualcapacityasacriticalscholar of African culture and experience through analytical training,research, and networking with like-minded scholars.While at Harvard, Iwould likeexplore theevolutionofapoeticperformance calledMashairiyaKuimbana (poetic form of criticism) practiced in the 1940s in Tanga,intoanewerformknownasMipasho,practicedincommercialcenterssuchasDaresSalaam.Specifically,Iwouldliketoanalyzetheperformanceoftwo female artists1, who are contemporary exponents of this form inTanzania.ThisexplorationwillalsolookathowMipashoembodiessocialandpoliticalcriticism.Theresearchwillanalyzeboththepoetic textsandperformanceaspectsofMipashotopaintacoherentpictureofthisdynamicculturalform.Lastly,IwouldliketomakeacomparativeanalysisbetweenHip Hop’s “dissing” and “beef” phenomena withMipasho. I believe thefaculty,peers,andresourcesatHarvardarebestequippedtotransformmyinterest into an exciting and rewarding research experience. While atHarvard,IwouldliketoworkwithProf.WilliamJulius,whoisanexperton youth culture, and politics of race. Working with Prof. Francis Irele,known and respected expert on postcolonialism and cultural renaissance,will guide my research with appropriate theoretical tools. Additionally, I

would like to seek theguidanceofProf.MarlaFredrick;herexpertiseonreligion,culture,andgenderissueswillbecrucialingivingmyresearchtheappropriate academic nuances. A diverse and resourceful faculty body attheAfricanandAfricanAmericanStudiesDepartmentwillprovidemetheright place to shape and nurture my intellectual faculties. At Harvard, Iexpect to learn a lot from students and facultymembers and at the sametime,Ihopetosharesomeofmyownexperiences.

(Notehowhementionsspecificprofessorshewouldliketoworkwith,andshowsthathehasmorethanpassingknowledgeoftheirareasofexpertise.)

I have been fortunate to conduct research under the guidance of Dr.AileenJulien,fundedbytheprojectonAfricanExpressiveTraditionsGranton Mashairi ya Kuimbana (mentioned above). The research entailed theaudio-videorecordingofthepoetictextsasrecalledbythefewremainingexponentsof theform. Inaddition to theearlier research,whichwaswellreceived by faculty and my fellow researcher, I conducted additionalresearchonMipasho, thecontemporary formofpoeticcriticismpracticedin urban centers of East Africa. Specifically, the research looked at theenduring relevancy of poetic criticism forms in airing grievances. Thisresearch was guided by Prof. Adesokan and generously funded by theRonald E.McNair Scholars program at IndianaUniversity, Bloomington.The research was presented at numerous academic meetings andconferences(seeattachedCVforcompletelist).It isnotenoughformetobepurelyascholar,withnodirectimpacton

this world. I have put my background and interests into action when Icofounded Aang Serian, a global NGO that works on preservation ofindigenousknowledge.AangSerianisofdiverseethnic,gender,religious,and international composition and works in mainly three areas ofdevelopment:appropriateeducation,audio-videorecordingstudio,andfair-trade initiatives.AangSerian’seducationprogram,whichcurrently runsasecondary school in Masailand, Tanzania, has created a unique andinnovativeeducationalmodelfortheindigenouscommunitiesofTanzania.This model was cited by UNEP2 as a model for Africa as it combinesTanzania’s national syllabus with Aang Serian’s indigenous knowledgecurriculum. This educational model aims to address these communities’immediate needs, systematically record the indigenous knowledge, andinstill confidence and identity among the indigenous youth. I intend tointerest Harvard’s faculty and student body to volunteer and conductresearchinTanzania,anengagementthatwillenrichandimpactthelivesof

bothparties,Iamhoping.

(Thiscandidateusesfootnotesappropriately,whichmeanssparinglyandonlytokeepcitationsfromdisturbingtheflowofthenarrative.)

Besidesthepreservationofindigenousknowledgethroughcreationofaninnovativemodel, Ihelpedcofoundacommunityrecordingstudio(nowaradiostation3 inArusha,Tanzania) and amedia center.4TheobjectivesoftherecordingstudioandthemediacenteraretoencourageTanzanianyouthto use media technology to voice, critique, store, and disseminate theircultural heritage and personal voices. The community recording studio, aspaceforunderrepresentedyouths,hasbeenanenormoussuccess.Someofthemembersofourmediaandrecordingstudiohaveattainedinternationalreputation such as theXplastaz,5 amusic group that fusesHipHopwithSwahili/Masaitribalchants.AgraduateofourmediacenterwonaNationalGeographic grant to create a documentary on the disappearing rockpaintings of central Tanzania. I had an opportunity to speak about myexperiences and projects at Harvard last May and received positivefeedback fromstudents and facultymembers. IkeptmyconnectionswithHarvard ever since working with the project on African Hip Hop as anadvisor and contributor of audio-visual resources. These are some of theexperiencesandprojectsthatIwouldliketocontinue.Harvard’sinnovativeteachingexperienceandresearchfacilitiesofferme

anunparalleledacademicandpersonalopportunity.Attaininganeducationat Harvard will not only answer some of my fundamental personalquestions butwill offerme an opportunity to servemy peoplewho haveinvestedsomuchinme.Inaddition,IamlookingforwardtobeingintheCambridgeareatoreunitewithfriendsandcolleagues.Aftermyeducation,I intend to return toTanzania towork as aprofessor, lecturer, consultant,andasaprofessionalwriter.Thankyouforyourattentiontothismaterial,andIamdeeplygratefulfor

yourconsideration.

1.HadijaKopaandNasmaKhamisarethoughttobebitterenemies.2.Seewww.UNEP.org/CBD/WG8J/3/INF/3.3. Provided by generous assistance from Prometheus Radio Project atwww.prometheusradio.org.4.Seewww.asdrum.orgforfurtherdetailsontheproject.5.Seewww.xplastaz.comforfurtherdetailsonthemusicgroup.

ESSAY#49:“TheRadioLady”

StatementofPurposeforGraduateSchoolofBusiness

Radio has beenmy passion for as long as I can remember. Iwas one ofthose high school kidswho sat by the radiowaiting for themagic touchtonestodialinandwin;myfascinationwiththemediumwaskindled.Mycollegeradiostation,WXXXat[majoruniversity],actuallyletmeon

theair.I’dgetupformy3A.M.shifttoplaytheimmortalDeadKennedystoinsomniacsinthegreatermetroarea.Aninternshipata“realworld”stationsubstitutedformyseniorthesis,andlaunchedmeintoprofessionalradio.In the seven-plus years that I’ve been out in the working world, my

objectivehasnotchanged: Iwant toownmyownradiostation.Maybeastationgroup,evenanetwork.I often try to analyzewhat it is about thismedium that excitesme so

much.The immediacyof it.Thepower to reachpeople, relayamessage,getunderpeople’sskins.Asaworkenvironment,Iadorethewackypeopleattractedtoradio.Thecasualtypeofworkplace.Thefactthatastationisasmallbusinesswherecreativitycan flourish,andonepersoncanmakeanimpact.Andasaninstitution,aradiostationcanandshouldbeanintegralpartofitscommunity.Itsvoice,itsfriend.

(Thestudentwhowrotethisessaytoldmeshethoughtshecameacrosstotheadmissionscounselorsas“thatcrazy radio lady.”Shesaidsheearnedan interviewwith thisessay,andshewonover thecommittee with her sense of purpose to an unusual goal. Once again, admissions counselors aredrawn to people who they think will succeed whether they are admitted or not. This candidatecertainlyleavesthatimpression.)

And despite all the predictions to the contrary, radio is still alive andwell. Prices of stations remain sky high. Radio is omnipresent. As anindustry, there is a lot of action—more and more stations are becomingincreasinglyspecialized—all-talk,all-sports,allElvis?IsdigitalHDgoingtotakeovertheworld?Issatelliteevergoingtoreachitspromise?Willanewadministrationchangethejointownershiplaws?Whatisthefutureof

AM radio as young people grow up listening only to FM? There are somanyquestions,and inmymind,a lotofopportunity forbold thinkers—whohavetheknowledgetomaketheirideasintoreality.RecentlyImadeadecisivemovetowardattainingmygoal.Ibecamean

account executive for amajormarket station. I knew that unless I couldeffectivelysellradio,I’dneverbeabletosuccessfullyrunastation.Salesisthe traditional route to advancement in radio: good salespeople becomesalesmanagerswhobecomegeneralmanagers.IknowthatifIstickwithit,Icanrisetothetopviathisroute.The truth is, I’veworked for a goodnumberof generalmanagerswho

rosethroughtheranksthroughthesalesdepartmentand,frankly,Iamnotimpressed.Thisbusinessrequiresmoreknowledgethanonecanacquirebysimply

climbingthesalesladder.Ineedtoknowaccountingandfinance.IfIdon’tknow how to put together a deal, who’s going to bankroll my firstacquisition? With an increasingly media-intensive market, how can Istrategicallypositionmystationtogarneritsshareoftheaddollars?Withallthediversepersonalitiesandegosina“showbiz”enterpriselikearadiostation,beingagoodpeoplemanagerisessential,butsoisknowinghowtoutilize resources and how to streamline an organization. These are just afewofmygoalsforbusinessschool.IamveryimpressedbyColumbia’sdiverseofferingsinalltheseareas.I

willlearntheentrepreneurialskillsIneed,whilehavingtheopportunitytointeract with leaders and top students, with interests both similar to anddiverse frommyown. I hope to take advantage of someof theGraduateSchoolofJournalism’sofferingsaswell.AndbystayinginNewYorkCity,Ihopetokeepupwithmyvaluablecontacts,developedinmyyearsalreadyinthisbusiness.

ESSAY#50:“StripClubCulture”

The bouncers at the strip club are beginning to recognize me. I am thewomanwhocomesinwithanotepadaskingquestionsbutisnotinterestedina job. Iamintriguedby thesmallbutsignificantpopulationofdancerswho use stripping as an economic means of supporting their highereducation.Theycontradictstereotypesregardingbothdancersandeducatedwomen.Thesedancersandtheirever-increasingbusiness-andprofessional-class clientele affirm the success of the upscaling campaign that the“Gentlemen’sClub”industryhasimplementedoverthepastdecade.Theseupscaled strip clubs play out socially relevant concepts such as power,gender, and class in a unusual arena that commodifies sexuality in anincreasinglyacceptableforum.

(Thisscholardesignedherownundergraduateresearchprojectinanenvironmentwherefieldstudiesmight seemdaunting.Then, she researched graduate programswell enough to identify a programwith a bias toward studentswith undergraduate field studies experience. This is the epitome of asmart application to graduate school. Her interest is not simply admission, but admission to aprogramwhereshecanexcelandgainmaximumbenefit.)

Ifindeffortstoalleviatethestigmathathasbeentraditionallyassociatedwith patronage and employment in these cultural meeting spaces to beengaging. Gentlemen’s clubs are increasingly prominent in the media,primarilyfortheirnoveltyvalue.Theyraiseinterestinghistoricalquestionsregarding their forerunners in the sex industry (such as the burlesquetheater) and regarding American culture as well. Ethnographic interviewandhistoricalresearchmethodsformthebasisofmyAmericancivilizationshonorsthesisproject(tobecompletedforpresentationthisspring).My American civilizations major has provided me with a versatile

background for intellectual inquiry. Since high school, American culturalhistoryhasbeenasubstantialpartofmyintellectuallife.Mylong-standinginterest in this field ledme to consider becoming a historian.However, Iwantedabroad-basedfoundationinAmericancultureformyundergraduatestudies.Therefore, Ichoseamajorwithamultidisciplinaryapproach.Myundergraduate training as an American culturalist has been in historicalfields and in diverse subjects such as material culture, historical

archaeology, anthropology, sociology, women’s studies, and Americanliterature.The transition fromAmerican culturalist toAmerican cultural historian

became logical to me as I realized both the importance of concentratingupon one discipline, and that many history programs have embraced amyriadofculturalstudies.IwillbringmyversatileAmericancivilizationstrainingtoboththestudyofAmericanculturalhistoryandtoafuturecareeras a professor and researcher. The program that has sparked the mostinterest in me is the American cultural history concentration within thehistoryprogramatJohnsHopkinsUniversity.I am very impressed by the helpfulness and enthusiasm of the several

professorswhospokewithme regarding theirownworkand theworkofothermembersofthedepartment.Prof.RonaldWaltersdescribedhisworkandtheworkofseveralofhisstudentsintwentieth-centurypopularculture.Having a multidisciplinary background in American culture, I wasdelightedtolearnthatthedepartment’sapproachtocoursesofstudyis,asProf.Waltersphrased it, “drivenbyproblems rather thanby rigid fields.”Prof.Waltersalsodiscussedwithmethegraduatehistoryprogram’suniquementorshipsystem.

(Feelfreetoquoteprofessors,aslongasyoudoitaccurately.Notethattheentirerestoftheessaydealswiththealignmentofthetargetedgraduateprogramwiththiscandidate’sinterests.)

I feel that it is important to develop one’s academic career in anenvironment that has visible and accessible mentors. I greatly valueindependent research and independent thought—my undergraduate workandthestructureofmymajorcourseworkattesttothisbias.Nevertheless,Ifeelfortunatetohavehadcloseinteractionswithseveralprofessors—allofwhomIwouldconsideracademicrolemodels—whohelpedmetocriticallyevaluatemy ideasandmywork. Ibelieve that such relationshipsbecomeeven more essential in a doctoral program as one’s chosen disciplinebecomes increasingly specific. My understanding of Johns Hopkins’graduatehistoryprogramisthattheserelationshipsarenotonlyencouragedbutalsofosteredbythedepartment.JohnsHopkins’historyprogramisknownforitsrigorouscourseofstudy

and for its ready inclusion of graduate students into its intellectualcommunity.Ithinkthatastrongsocietyofpeersisessentialindevelopingone’sacademiccareer.Allof theprofessorswithwhomIspokedescribedthe departmental graduate seminars as engaging forums of intellectualexchangeinwhichbothstudentsandfacultyparticipate.Structurally,Johns

Hopkins’historyprogramseemstobenefitfromaclosementorshipsystemand an interactive community of scholarship. I welcome such a learningenvironment.Substantively and temporally, my interests in American history have

generally ledme to the industrial and postindustrial eras. I plan to studycultural history in general and women’s history specifically. For thesereasons,IparticularlylookforwardtotheopportunitytostudywithProfs.Ronald Walters and JoAnne Brown for their work in twentieth-centurytopicsofpoliticalandpopularculturalhistory,respectively,andwithProf.TobyDitz,whodiscussedwithmeherworkinwomen’sandfamilyhistoryandinculturalhistory.My undergraduate work in American civilizations has allowed me to

exploremymanyinterestsinAmericanculture.Ilookforwardtodefiningmyresearchandintellectualpathsinamorerigoroushistoricalframework.I hope that the committee views my credentials and my interests to becomplementarywithJohnsHopkins’resources,professors,andfocus.

9

LettersofRecommendation

Your grades, your test scores, your essay, and your letters ofrecommendation make up the entire body of evidence upon which theadmissions committee will base its decision. Each admissions counselor willweigh these factors differently, but no matter how they view them, letters ofrecommendationareoneofonlyfoursourcesofinformationaboutyou,andthusarevitallyimportant.Interestinglyenough, themorecompetitive theprogram, themore the letters

count in thefinaldecision-makingprocess.All thefinalists for theseprogramswill have outstanding grades, academic preparation, and test scores; thecommitteewill decide based on the essay and letters of recommendation.Thelesscompetitivetheprogram,themorelikelyitisthatthecommitteewillbeabletomakesufficientdifferentiationfromquantitativemeasuressuchasgradesandscores.Ineithercase,ifyouareaborderlinecandidate,youressayandlettersofrecommendationbecomeevenmore important.Evenonewell-thought-outandlaudatoryletterofrecommendationcanpushyouintotheadmitcategory,whileahandfuloflukewarmendorsementscanleaveyoutolanguishonthewaitlistorberejectedasnobodyspecial.Thereareseveralstrategiesforensuringthatyour lettersofrecommendation

are outstanding. Look again at the handout on this page, Getting FantasticLettersofRecommendation.Thefirstandmostobviousstrategyistoapproachyour letterwritersat theearliestpossiblemoment.Thesearebusypeople;youmustbeconsiderateoftheirothertimecommitments.Beveryclearaboutwhenyouaregoingtoapply,buttrynottomentionthedeadline;letthemknowthatyouwouldappreciateitiftheywouldposttheletterassoonaspossible.Usually youwill be asked to declare who your recommenders are on your

online application, and the university then emails them instructions foruploadingtheirletters.Eachrecommenderwillsubmitthelettereitherbyfillinginawindowor submitting it as anattachment.Theyusuallyhave to filloutaform,aswell.Wheneveraletterappearssuspiciousorunusual,admissionsstaff

willverifythatthesenderis(a)whotheyclaimedtobe,and(b)didinfactwritethespecificletterinquestion.Most institutions still accept letters by mail, although they may be curious

aboutwhytherecommenderwouldchoosethatdeliverymode.Inthiscase,yourrecommender writes and signs the letter, on departmental stationery, andprovides a signature across the seal of the envelope flap. Letters not signedacrossthesealoftheenvelopemaybediscarded,orworse,mayinitiateanefforttoconfirmthattheletterislegitimate.A warm, customized letter that mentions personal ties between the

recommender and the targeted school is always better than a letter that is notcustomizedatall.Itisfarbettertohavealetterfromsomeonewhoknowsyourworkwell than tohavea letter froma famouspersonwhoobviouslydoesnotknowyouwellatall.Lettersfromcoaches,religiousleaders,andpoliticiansmaynothaveanyeffect,buttherearealwaysexceptions.It is your job to prompt your letterwriters to actuallywrite and submit the

lettersontime.Promptthematleastonceaweek.Manyprofessorstrytocatchupontheirworkduringlongweekendsandholidays,soitisagoodideatoputalittleextrapressureonthemrightbeforesuchbreaks.Besuretoletaletterwriterknowifhisletteristhelastitemyouneed—manyschoolswillnotreviewyourapplicationfileuntilitiscomplete,soturninginyouressayandapplicationthreemonthsearlyisoflittleuseifyourlastletterofrecommendationarrivesafterthedeadline.Itmaybe agood idea to solicit at least onemore letter of recommendation

thanthetargetschoolorprogramrequires.Ifyouwanttosubmitanextraletterand the online application form will not allow you to list them as arecommender,askthemtomailitinusingthetechniquementionedabove.Someschools issue stern warnings—“Do not submit additional letters ofrecommendation; they will not be considered”—but you can disregard them.Thesewarningsaredesignednottokeepyoufromsendingoneextraletter,buttopreventtheonslaughtofmeaninglessendorsementssomecandidatesforward.Oneadmissionsofficerreceivedsometwenty letters infavorofonecandidate,including one from his pediatrician. “You could tell from the letter,” theadmissionsofficerrecalled,“thatthepediatriciandidn’thaveanybetterideawhyhe was writing that letter than we did.” But one extra letter is okay, andrequestingoneallowsyou to forwardallyourmaterialsassoonasyoucollecttheminimumnumber.

•••

Youshouldselectyourletterwriterscarefully,usingthreecriteria:Dotheyknowyouwellenough towriteaboutyou inadetailedandpersuasivemanner?Willtheysaywonderfulthingsaboutyou?Aretheyreliableenoughtowriteandpostyour recommendation in a timelymanner?Most schools don’t require that allyour letter writers be professors; read and follow the school’s requirementscarefully.Althoughitmaybehardtoresist,avoidthosecelebrityletterwriterswhooffer

lettersof recommendation toallcomers.Forexample,acertainpoliticianwholives in San Francisco will write a letter for practically any nonincarceratedDemocrat.TheselettersworkbetterthefartherfromSanFranciscoyouare,butinCaliforniatheyareviewedwithsnickers.(Foronething,theyareallvirtuallyidentical.)Everystatehaspoliticianslikethis,whowritesuchlettersonbehalfofthesonsanddaughtersoffriendsandbenefactors.Schools usually prefer that you have letters of recommendation written by

employersandprofessorswhohavethemostintimateknowledgeofyourworkand study habits. A specific letter from your immediate supervisor will carrymoreweightthanavagueletterfromsomeonehigherupintheorganizationwhoobviouslydoesnotknowyouverywell.Ofcourse,you should select letterwriterswhowill say themostwonderful

things about you. Some professors are known for writing letters ofrecommendation that are timely,wellwrought, and successful;you shouldaskaround and discover who they are. Do not assume just because someone isfriendly with you that she will write a good letter for you. A professor orsupervisorwho respectsyou,nomatterhowshe feels aboutyoupersonally, isprobablythebestbet.Finally,keepinmindthat theadmissionscommitteewillexpect lettersfrom

certainkeypeople.Ifyouconductedaseniorresearchprojectorwroteanhonorsthesis, the committee will expect a letter from your faculty advisor. If youreporteddirectlytothepresidentatyourlastcompany,thecommitteewillexpecta letter from that president. However, you may have a good reason tointentionallyfailtosolicitaletterfromoneofthesepeople.When you have your list of preferredwriters, ask each of them to tell you

honestlywhattheycouldsayaboutyouinaletterofrecommendation.Thiscanbe tough,but it is far better to findout that aprofessor is not able to endorseyourcandidacythanit is tohaveyourtargetedschoolfindthisoutbeforeyou.Sometimesyoucannegotiatewithprofessors;forexample,youmightgetthemtoagreenottomentionyourhabitofturninginpaperslate,andtokeepthefocusof the letter on the quality of your writing and scholarship. If you feel thatsomeoneislessthanthrilledtowritealetterofrecommendationforyou,select

someoneelse.Areluctantandtepid“endorsement”canbethekissofdeath.

Shouldyouwaiveyourrights?Lettersofrecommendationusedtobesecrettestimony.Now,however,youhavethe right to reviewevery item inyour educational files—thanks to theFamilyEducational Rights and Privacy Act, commonly known as the BuckleyAmendment. Because this student right made some professors nervous, andbecause some graduate schools believed that nervous professors may be lessthanhonestandforthcoming,graduateschoolshaveinventedawaiverforthoserights. On almost every application extant today, you have the opportunity tosignawayyourrights,ortoretainthem,andthereinliesadilemma:Shouldyou,orshouldn’tyou?Theanswerissimple.Youshouldwaiveyourrights.Firstofall,youshould

do your best to select recommenders you can trust.You should sit downwiththemandask,pointblank,“Whatwillyoubeabletosayaboutmeinaletterofrecommendation?”Even thebest letters includesome littlecriticism; listen fortheoveralltone.Isthisastrongendorsementyou’rediscussing,ornot?Second, it is always theprerogativeof theprofessor to share the letterwith

you—manyprofessorswill. This is the best of all possibleworlds.Of course,someprofessors,asamatterofpersonalpolicy,willnoteversharethecontentsof letters with applicants. Personally, I would think twice about using arecommenderwhorefusestoletyouknowwhatisintheletter.Third,graduateprogramsdiscounttherecommendations—evenwhentheyare

strongly laudatory—when thestudent retains the right to review the file.Somewillnotevendistributetheletterstothecommitteeifthestudentdoesnotwaiveher rights to review the contents. This is patently unfair, as some facultyacknowledge. One professor wrote this in response to one of my surveys onfaculty attitudes about letters of recommendation: “If there is integrity in theprocess, professors should have the backbone to state their opinions and backthemupwithevidence.”ToparaphraseDr.Johnson,secrecyisthefirstresortofscoundrels.Nevertheless,yourgoalistobeadmittedtoachallengingprogram.Ifyourlaudatoryletterscouldbediscountedbecauseyouchoosetoretainyourrights,thisisaconcern.

—BETTERLETTERSOFRECOMMENDATION—

ahandoutforfaculty

1.Besureyouwanttorecommendthisstudent.

•Discussastudent’sacademicplansandpreparationbeforeagreeingtowritearecommendation.

•Helpstudentchoosegradprogramsthatmatchinterests,skills,andpreparation.

•Considerdecliningsomesoyoucandoabetterjobonothers.

2.Getenoughdatatodoyourjob.

•Transcriptand/orlistofclassesinmajor

•Gradedworksample:paperorlab

•ResumeorCV—listofhonorsandawards

•Someideaofwhatthestudentwouldlikeyoutofocuson

3.Assemblealaundrylistofbasicskills;assumenothing.Forexample:“__________hascommandofcoherentwaveoptics,Fourieroptics,laserphysics,lensdesign,opticalmetrology,opticsofthinfilms,paraxialoptics,physicaloptics,andallrelatedareasofphysics.”

4.Describeaparticularlysuccessfulproject.

• The candidate needs to be special, out of the ordinary (or, presumably, you shouldn’t berecommendinghim/her).

•Findoneormore“aboveandbeyond”storiestofocuson.

•Mentionstudentexperienceasproctor,TA,RA,tutor,otherformsofdepartmentalservice.

5.Getpersonalwhenappropriate.

•Has thestudentovercomeadversity—work,firstgeneration,healthorfamily,specialchallenges?You can be the candidate’s advocate on these issues,which ismore sophisticated than having thestudentaddressthem.

•Doyouenjoyhavingthisstudentinyourclasses?

6.Closebypredictingsuccess,forexample:

•“OneofthetopstudentsI’veworkedwithinrecentyears.”

•“Razor-sharpmindwithtremendouspotential.”

•“Iamconfidentthat__________willbeanoutstandinggraduatestudentandgoontomakemajorcontributionsinthefieldthroughbothresearchandteaching.”

7.Notewhenthestudentisgoingtoapply,notthedeadline.

—BETTERLETTERSOFRECOMMENDATION—

ahandoutforstudents

Thisisarelationship,notatransaction.Ipreferonemonth’snotice,andtwoweeksataminimum.Ihave made exceptions in extraordinary cases (late decision or late discovery of a very attractiveoption).

Ineedaportfoliofromyouwiththefollowingcontents:

1.Apreliminarylistofthegraduateprogramsyouareconsidering,andhowyoudifferentiatethem.Mostfacultyrecommendyouapplytotwosafeschools,tworeachschools,andtwoschoolsfromthemiddleofthespectrum,moreforlawandmedicine.Ifyouaregoingtogotothetroubletoapplytograduateschool,pleasehaveastrategytosucceedattheprocess.

2.Aprintoutofyourtranscripts.

3.Copiesoftwoorthreegradedworkprojects,theses/papers/labs/writeupsthatrepresentthequalityofyourwork.

4.Aroughdraftoroutlineofyourpersonalstatementorstatementofpurpose.Ifyouwanthelpwiththis, see Donald Asher’s Graduate Admissions Essays (the best-selling guide to the graduateadmissionsprocess).

5.ACVorresumeforme,includingstudentactivities,volunteer,andserviceexperiences,etc.IfyouhaveadifferentCVorresumecraftedforsubmissiontograduateschools,I’dliketoseethatversionalso.

6.Abrieflistofwhatyouthinkwouldbemostimportantforagraduateprogramtoknowaboutyou.

7.Clearinstructionsforsubmittingtheletter.Provideweblinksandcodesthatwork,orifthereisapaperprocess,allformsorenvelopesfilledoutinadvance,andstamps(correctpostage)foranythingthatismailed.ThelesssecretarialworkIhavetodo,themoreeffortIcanputintoyourletteritself.

8.A very clear indication of when you need the letters submitted. Otherwise, I will assume thatanythingaheadofthedeadlineissatisfactory.

AfterIsubmityourrecommendations,Ineedtwomorethings:

1. You need to share with me any communiqués from the graduate programs about secondaryinquiries, admission offers, wait list notices, funding/support/fellowship/assistantship offers,telephonecontacts,meet-and-greetevents,andsoon.Thishelpsmebeabetteradvisor.

2.Ineedtoknowwhereyoudecidetogo!

(TheseformsprovidedbyDonaldAsherfromfacultyexamples.Theseformscanbemodifiedandusedbyfacultyandstaffatanyuniversity.Thislineisallthepermissionyouneed.)

I thinkyoushouldwaiveyour rights. Ihaveseensomeverystrongstudents

refuse towaive their rights. Ihave interviewed studentswho failed toget intoprogramsbecauseofmeanandspitefulcommentsbyprofessorsintheirlettersofrecommendation.It’syourdecision.Makeitthoughtfully.

Shouldyouuseacredentialsservice?Credentials services are often available from college and university careercenters,andsometimesfromindividualdepartments,suchaseducation.Forsucha service, you have “To Whom It May Concern” letters written by yourrecommenders,andtheyareplacedinaconfidentialportfolio.Theservicethenscansthelettersandemailsthisportfoliotograduateschools,or,insomefields,potentialemployers,onademandbasis.Therearenowindependentcompanieswhodothis,aswell,suchasInterfolio(www.interfolio.com).Althoughtheseservicesareanefficientsystem,youshouldavoidthemwhen

you can. You may be applying to dental school and a doctoral program inphysicalanthropologyatthesametime,andthesameletterofrecommendationfor both targetswill not serve your best interests. Beg your recommenders tocustomizeforeachschool.Askthemtomentionanycolleaguestheymayknowatthetargetedinstitutions,ortorelateyourskillsspecificallytowhattheyknowofthetargetedprogram.Ifaprofessoristoobusytowriteindividuallettersformanyschoolsyouareapplyingto,askifshewouldcustomizeforyourtopthreechoices,andthenreverttoaboilerplateversionfortheremainder.Once you have been assured that the letter was posted to the graduate

program,besuretosendapromptandsincerethank-youcardtotheauthor.Asone doctoral student wroteme, “You’ll find that you use your recommendersagainandagain,andthey’llbemoreinclinedtohelpyounexttimeifyoureallyappreciateitthistime.”Bytheway,ifaprofessorisparticularlyenthusiasticaboutyou,havehercall

upyourtargetedschoolandintercedeonyourbehalf.Thiswillbemosteffectiveifsheknowssomeonewhereyouaregoing,whichisfrequentlythecase.(Youshouldnotethatthisishowmostacademicjobsareobtained,aswell,sopracticegettingtheseextraendorsementsnow.)

ContentAneffectiveletterwilladdressthecandidate’sintellectualcapacity,workhabits,socialskills,andparticularacademicpreparation.Thesestatementsneedaframe

ofreference,sosomeletterauthorswillrankstudentsinagreatercontext,suchas“IfindMs.Ashton’sacademicperformancetofallconsistentlyinthetop10percent of students I have ever instructed,” or “Mr. Herzel is a solid student,certainlyranking in the tophalfofstudentsatSt. John’s,butyouhave to takethisrankinginthecontextthattheoverwhelmingmajorityofSt.John’sstudentsobtainanadvanceddegreewithinafewyearsofgraduation,mostofthemfromthetopprogramsinthenation.”Some letterswill describe specific academic accomplishments that illustrate

thestudent’sabilities.Suchlettersareusuallycompellingbecausethereadercanpersonallyjudgetheperformancedescribed.(Thisisalsoaparticularlyaptstyleof letter to request if you have had a spotty career. Ask your professor oremployertofocustheentireletteronyourmostsuccessfulproject.)Authorsoftencitechallengesthestudenthasovercomeorunusualaspectsof

the student’s background. In order to remain believable and to demonstrateobjectivity,lettersofrecommendationalmostalwayscontainsomemodicumofcriticism or warn of some weakness. So, if you review your own letters anddiscovermoderatecriticism,donotdespair. Inanoutstanding letter,ofcourse,theweaknesswillbeastrengthindisguise,justasintheessays;forexample:“IfJohannahasanyfault,itisthatshespendstoomuchtimeonherextracurricularactivities. However, as you can see her academic performance remainsexcellent.”One admissions reader told me that he is particularly impressed when a

professor cites a student’s contributions to her undergraduate department orschool.Onasimilarnote,onehighlysuccessfulcandidatetoldme,“Thetrickisto look like a rising star, somebody who is going on to do wonderful thingswhetheryouattendtheirschoolornot.Remember,inthelongruntheywanttobe associated with you.” Graduate schools are seeking people who willcontribute to their programs as outstanding students, who will enhance thereputationoftheprogrambythesuccessoftheircareers,andwhowilllateronreturn to be involved as benefactors. A good letter of recommendation willdefinitely predict a bright future for the candidate, as a scholar and later as aprofessional with a career. This is often an effective way to close a letter ofrecommendation.As you read the sample letters of recommendation in this chapter, look for

thesecomponents:credentialsofthewriter;depthofknowledgeofthecandidateasapersonandascholar; testimonyas to thecandidate’s intellectualcapacity,work habits, and preparedness for graduate studies; some small fault todemonstrate the writer’s objectivity; and predictions of the candidate’s futurecareercontributions.

LETTER#1:“ConsolidatedLetter”

Attn:SelectionCommitteeMaudieJaneWatkinsMedicalFellowshipforWomenTheWatkinsFamilyFoundationChicago,Illinois

DearSelectionCommittee:

ThisisaletterofintroductionforMs.MeredithArcherofLakeCity,Iowa,whois making application for the Maudie Jane Watkins Medical Fellowship forWomen.Ms.Archer graduated summa cum laude from [schoolwithheld] twoyearsago, receivingabachelorofartsdegree inanthropologywithaminor inpsychology. Ms. Archer completed an honors thesis, Age and GenderDifferences inDelivery ofMedical Services inAfghanistan under the Taliban.SheisamemberofPhiBetaKappaandLambdaAlpha,theanthropologyhonorssociety.Ms.Archerhasbeenacceptedintothefallenteringmedicalschoolclassatthreeuniversities,allofwhichmeetthecriteriafortheWatkinsFellowship.Itisindeedapleasureformetowritethisletter.Meredithisoneofthemost

engaging,intelligent,andtalentedstudentsthatIhaveencounteredinmyfifteen-plusyears inhighereducation.Hercuriosityandquest forexcellence,coupledwithher joiedevivreand infectiousnature,makeheranextraordinarystudentandacharismaticpersonality. I rememberwhenshe firstcame tomyoffice totell me that she thought that she had begun to consider medicine as herprofessional goal. This was three summers ago. The only premedicalrequirement that she had fulfilled was calculus. In her senior year, she tookintroductorychemistryand followinggraduationsheenrolledat theUniversityof Iowa, where she completed the premedical requirements with a 3.89cumulativeGPA.WhenshetooktheMCATexamlastAprilshereceivedascoreof34.Shewill shineas amedical student andwalkawaywithprizes like theFrieman Prize she won for excellence in writing the spring of her freshmanundergraduateyearhere.

(This letter is an example of a consolidated letter of recommendation, a style sometimes used bymedical school advisingcommittees.This is aparticularly rich example, showing the student as arealhumanbeing,withapersonalityandauniquesetofexperiences.Notethehonestdepictionsofthestudent’sacademiclimitationsaswellasherassets.Thisstudent’sadvisorswenttoagreatdealoftroubletoassemblethisletter,andthateffortalonesupportsthestudent’sendeavor.Needlesstosay,

thisletterwonthefellowship.)

Iamcertainlynottheonlypersonat[schoolwithheld]whohasbeenimpactedby this awesomeyoungwoman. Iwas particularly struckby thewords of herintroductory chemistry professor. Meredith made one of her few B’s in Prof.Blair’s section. (And it is worth noting that she did make an A in the firstsemesterofintroductorychemistry.)Prof.Blairwrites,“Sheisauniquestudentandperson.AlthoughsheisnotthemostcleverstudentIhavemetineighteenyears of teaching, she is among the top in commitment, creativity, curiosity,energy,andlove-of-life.Duringhelpsessions,shepersisted(throughthegroansof classmates) until she understood. Often it was clear that the object of herquestion was not relevant to the upcoming exam (hence the groans), but thatdidn’t stifleher.She loves tounderstand. I find it interesting thatshemadeanefforttobecomeacquainted.IwasoneofthefewfacultywhogaveheragradeofB.Thatdidn’tbotherherasmuchasherimpatiencewithherselftolearnbasicchemistry. She could see its relevance, but sometimes had problems withquantitativethinking.Asyoustudyherrecord,youwillseethatherquantitativebackgroundasastudentwas—atthetime—notasstrongasitwouldhavebeenhadshestartedherstudiesinbasicscience.”Meredith took advantage of the study-abroad program while she was an

undergraduatehere.WeoffertheopportunitytoparticipateinaspecialprogramattheUniversityofParis(Sorbonne).Meredithstudiedthereinthespringofherjunioryear.Dr.DupreeinthedepartmentofanthropologyattheSorbonnewasher advisor. Dr. Dupree writes, “In terms of the combination of energy,enthusiasm, and intelligence, Meredith has been one of the more exceptionalstudents I have come across in years, and she is most suitable for medicaltraining. In addition to being a rigorous student, extremely hard-working anddiligent, she also has a strong humanistic side, is very compassionate andgenerouswithherpeers.Shepossessesthemostimportantqualitiesrequiredofaphysician:sheiswise,responsible,andempathetic;thesetraits,combinedwithher resourcefulness and industriousness will prove a tremendous asset in herchosenfield.”Meredithtookabnormalpsychologyaspartofherpsychologyminorandwas

taughtbyProf.Andrews.Prof.Andrewswassoimpressedbyherabilitiesasastudent that he invited her to join a senior seminar devoted to developing in-depthpsychiatricroles.Hewritesofherwork:“WhatMs.Archerhadtodowasmaster both the theoretical as well as the clinical literature about both of herassignedsyndromes…[and]masterhowtheseparticularpatientswouldexpresstheirpsychopathologyincognitivepsychologicaltests.…[This]requiresofthe

student thecapacity toknowherselfverywell, tonotbefrightenedbyanotherperson’spsychopathology,andyettobeabletoputthemselvesintoaparticularpatient’smindset and to develop the subtle nuance of behavior aswell as thecognitive styles reflective of the particular role assigned. Ms. Archer was sosuccessfulinplayingonerole(thatofaborderlinepersonalitydisorderwhowasalsoanincestvictim),thatImadeaspecialtrainingtapetouseinfutureyears.Herperformanceofthisrole,herprofoundunderstandingofboththetheoreticalandtheclinicalliteraturereallyrepresentedhigh-levelgraduatework.”Meredith, asyoumightexpect,was involved inanumberof extracurricular

activities.ShewasanactivememberofasocialsororityandamemberoftheAllUniversityChoir.HersophomoreyearsheplayedtheroleofEmilyinThorntonWilder’sOurTown at the university’sCircleTheatre. Following that role, shewas nominated to compete in an acting competition of soliloquies held atCarnegieMellonUniversity.Whenshewasathomeinthesummers,Iknowthatsheparticipatedinasoupkitchen.Also,inthesummers,shewasafoodserverthirty hours aweek to earnmoney to help defray college expenses.Being theadventuresomesoulthatsheis,whenshestudiedinParisshejoinedaparachutecluband“droppedin”aroundthecountryside.Since she has been a student at [school withheld], Meredith has made a

significantvolunteercommitmenttoafreehealthclinic.Theexecutivedirector,LauraCollins,writes,“Volunteeringhererequiressomeuniquetraitsaboveandbeyond the professional skills expected of most volunteers. We found thatMeredith had no trouble negotiating the sometimes intimidating first fewsessions here. Though she has been with us only five months, she hasdemonstratedawonderful‘can-do’attitude,thoughnotoverbearinginanyway.Meredith is industrious, resourceful, and determined to complete any taskassigned to her. In addition, she seems to possess the innate compassion andsensitivitysosorelyneededinmoderncaregivers.”Meredith has also worked as a nurse extender at City Hospital, emptying

bedpans, giving baths, changing linens, etc. This young woman is no primadonna;Icanassureyouthatshedidallthesethingswithgraceandgoodcheer.What else can I say?Meredith is oneof the jewels thatweall treasure: the

curious and dedicated student, the effective and committed volunteer, and thewarm, sensitive, and empathetic personwhose enthusiasm for life is enviable.Clearly,thisremarkableyoungwomanwillbealeaderinherclassandleaveherimprintwherevershegoes.Shewillmostcertainlybeanexcellentcaregiver,asillustratedbyhercommitmenttovolunteerworkandherwell-thought-outchoiceto pursue the role of physician. It is, indeed, with great pleasure that Irecommend Meredith to you with effusive enthusiasm and the utmost

confidence.Ienvythepeoplewhowillhavethepleasureofhercompanyintheclassroom,inthelab,intheclinics;theycanlookforwardtofourveryrewardingyears indeed. Her patients can look forward to an intelligent and caringphysicianwhowillalwaysgivetheverybestofherselfandherknowledge.Pleasegiveeveryconsiderationtothismostremarkableyoungwomanasyou

reviewherapplicationfortheWatkinsFellowship.

LETTER#2:“LetterfromthePresidentoftheCompanyforGraduateSchoolofBusiness”

DearAdmissionsCommittee:

I am pleased towrite this letter of recommendation for ShaneWhittington toattend graduate school in business. I have close daily experience of Shane’sworkhabitsandcontributionstothiscompany,andIcanonlyreportthatIrankhiminthetop5percentofbusinesspeopleIhaveeverhadthepleasuretoknow.Hisanalyticalabilitiesarefirstrate.Inadditiontohisresearchandreporting

work,hehasdesignedseveralmethodologiesthatarenowinusethroughoutthecompany. Even more important, and perhaps harder to define, he alwaysunderstandsthereasoningorthegoalbehindanyanalysisthatheperforms.Thisisarareandrefreshingtrait.Hisinterpersonalskillsareoneofhismostoutstandingtraits.Everybodywho

knowshimthinksfavorablyofhim,andIknowIcantrusthimtorepresentthecompany to our numerous shareholders and business associates. He isenthusiastic andoptimistic inhisdealingswith investors, and thishasbeenofbenefit to the company.Shane’s duties have included several opportunities fordirectsales,andit isclear thathecouldhaveahighlysuccessfulcareer inthisareashouldhechoosetodoso.Inshort,whenIgiveanassignmenttoShaneIknowitwillbedoneright,on

time, and in excess of my specifications. If he has any fault, it is addingenhancementstoassignments,doingmorethanwhatwasasked.Insummary,heis a tremendous asset to management, and will surely rise rapidly in anyorganizationinwhichheisemployed.

(Notehowthislettercoversthecandidate’sanalyticalskills,interpersonalaptitude,andmentalacuityingeneral.Theletterwasfromthepresidentofafinancecompanyandwasoncompanystationery.Thedetailsofthecandidate’scareerarecoveredinhisresumeandhisapplicationessay,sothisletterisfreetofocusonthepresident’simpressionsofthecandidate.)

LETTER#3:“LetterfromProfessorforGraduateSchoolofEnglish”

Attn:Prof.SarahM.HardestyChair,EnglishLanguageandLiteratureSt.LawsonUniversity

DearDr.Hardesty:

It isagreatpleasureformetorecommendMs.CelesteWallaceforadmission,andfellowshipsupport,tograduateschoolinEnglish.Ifirstencounteredherinalarge lecture course Iwas teaching three years ago.Within days,Ms.Wallacehaddistinguishedherselfasanabsolutelyextraordinarystudent—onewhocouldaskthemostpenetratingquestionsabouttheassignedreadingandexpoundherideaswith effortless extemporaneous elegance. I soon found that in a class of150students,Iwasbeginningtocarryonadialoguewithjustone—muchtothefascination of her classmates, who seemed as awestruck as I was. Notsurprisingly, Celeste’s written work proved to be of the same caliber as herconversation; she receivedagradeofA+, andeven that seemed inadequate toheraccomplishment.Sincethen,IhavestayedintouchwithMs.Wallaceandhavehelpedtosteer

hertowardcoursesandexperiencesworthyofhergifts.Ihavereadfourofhersubsequentlywrittenpapers,andhavenotedinthemadeepeningandbroadeningof theoretical concerns.With her boundless curiosity and energy, her wit, hergoodhumor,andherblazingintelligence,shehasallthemakingsofafirst-ratecriticandcollegeteacher.IwouldrankheramongthetopfewundergraduatesIhaveevertaughtinthirty-threeyearsatMichigan.

(This letter is short, sweet, and overwhelmingly effective. I read three letters recommending thisstudent,andeachwasunequivocalandunreservedinitspraise.Thisstudentdoesnotappeartohaveany faults, so none ismentioned.Notehow the author describes the candidate’s performance in aspecificclasssoclearlythatthereaderisabletothinktoherself,“Iwantaspecialstudentlikethat.”)

LETTER#4:“LetterfromDeanofSchoolofDentistryforResidencyinOrthodontics”

ToWhomItMayConcern:

It is my pleasure to write a letter of recommendation on behalf of AkiraTokuyoshiinhispursuitofpostdoctoraleducationinthefieldoforthodontics.Ican state unequivocally that his academic and clinical skills have placed himamongthetopstudentsinhisclass.Hispolitemanner,hisconcernforhisstudiesand his patients, and his emotional maturity are well known and respectedamonghispeersandthefacultyandstaff.His academic credentials alone qualify him for postdoctoral study and

advanced training, but I can recommend this student enthusiastically for otherreasons aswell.He has complemented his academic schedulewith leadershipactivitiesinmanyextracurricularareas,andhasenhancedthereputationandtheimageof[majoruniversity]DentalSchoolasmuchasastudentcan.Akirawas selected student editor of the [major university] Dental School’s

journal,theDentalExplorer.Assuch,hehasworkedcloselywithmanyfacultyandstudents toput together theannual issue,whichwillbereleasedsoon,andwhichhasalreadybeenhighlypraisedbythefacultyreviewers.

(This letter is for a postdoctoral residency in orthodontics. The letter is warm and personal, andclearlydemonstrateshowa student’s contributions tohisown school enhancehisdesirability as agraduateorpostgraduatecandidate.Itisclearthatthiscandidateprovidedtheauthoroftheletterwithacompletelistofhisaccomplishmentsandactivities.)

Akirahasserved(byinvitation)asapreceptorinthe[majoruniversity]DentalSchool’sSummerEnrichmentProgram.Therehetaughtdentalmorphologyandheadandneckanatomytoincomingdentalstudents.Also,hehasvolunteeredasatutorforthepreclinicallaboratoryclasseseveryyearsincehisarrival.Inthesecapacities, his professors have rated him very highly on both communicationskillsandtechnicalknowledge.Hisconcernforhisfellowstudentsisadmirable,andacredittohimselfandthesuccessofourprogram.Akira’snaturalabilitytoworkwithandmotivateothershashelpedhimhold

severaloffices.HeiscurrentlypresidentofourcampuschapterofDeltaSigmaDelta, the international dental fraternity, and he is vice president and senioreditor of our Student Research Group, an IADR affiliate to promote primaryresearchindentalscience.Akira has also participated in research with distinguished members of our

facultyandhasparticipatedinseveralpresentationsandtableclinicsatscientificmeetings.Iunderstandthatsomehowhefindstimetoplaysportsaswell.In summary, Akira distinguishes himself as an individual who exhibits an

organized, scientific approach to work and an ability to plan, organize, andimplementprojectsofvaryingcomplexity.Heisateamplayer,whowithahighdegreeofmotivation,innovation,andinitiative,canaccomplishhisgoals.Iknowhim tobeamostpersonableandsincereyoungman,well likedand

respected by those who work with him. I enthusiastically recommend thisindividual as an outstanding future orthodontist, and I predict he will have abrightfuture.

LETTER#5:“LetterfromFormerEmployerforFellowshipAward”

DearMembersoftheCommittee:

IworkedwithMaureenDaly Pascoe, an applicant for theULI LandUse andDevelopment Fellowship, for five years while she was employed by the EastBay Regional Park District. As a program analyst in the Land AcquisitionDepartment, she was invaluable in a wide variety of acquisition and landplanningprojects.TheissuesthatMaureendealtwithwereinvolved,sensitive,and difficult. She proved time and again that she was capable of handlingcomplexlanduseanddevelopmentissues,ofteninthefaceofopposition.Manyacquisitionsinvolveddevelopers,plannersfromseverallocalgovernments,andavarietyofcommunitygroups;sheworkedwellwitheach.Shewasalwayswellinformed,prepared,andinsightfulontherangeofinterestsrepresented.IconsideramongMaureen’sstrengthshergenuineenthusiasmforthesubject

oflanduseplanninganddevelopment,herabilitytoanalyzethesubjectathandand cut through the mire to the essence of the situation, her attention to thenecessary details (including the numbers), and her intelligence. She was anoutstandingemployee.MaureenDalyPascoe is anexcellent choice for this fellowship; shehasmy

highestrecommendation.

(Fellowshipsandscholarshipsoftenrequirelettersofrecommendationinadditiontoanessayandanapplication. This letter cites the author’s intimate knowledge of the candidate’s background, thenpraisesherstrengthsinallareasnecessaryforsuccessinthefieldinquestion.Inaddition,theauthoris awell-known figure to themembersof the fellowship awards committee.This letter, combinedwithapersuasiveapplicationandacogentessay,isworththousandsofdollars.)

LETTER#6:“RecommendationfromProfessionalAcquaintance”

AdmissionsCommitteeTheAcceleratedPremedicalStudiesProgramUniversityofNewEnglandBiddeford,Maine

Re:MatthewM.Moffett

DearMembersoftheCommittee:

As awriter specializing in careers and education, I interview andwrite aboutacademicandbusiness leadersona regularbasis for theWallStreetJournal. Ioriginally learned of Matthew Moffett over ten years ago through a mutualacquaintance,whotoldmeMattwasanengineerwhohadnevergonetocollege.IwasfascinatedtohearaboutthisratherunusualcareerpathandcalledMatttointerviewhimforanarticle. I foundhimdelightfulandunique,andsince thenhave written about him in several articles and mentioned him and hisaccomplishments in two of my books. I think MatthewMoffett’s story is aninspirationtoothers,andIhavetolditmanytimes.Over the years, I’ve watched Matt’s development rather closely out of

professionalcuriosity.Idonotknowofanotherpersonevenremotelylikehim.MattisreallyathrowbacktoRenaissanceideals.Whocouldimaginethatinthisdayandagesomeonewouldteachhimselfthemathandphysicsrequiredtobean engineer? Who could imagine that in this day and age someone with atechnicalorientationwouldalsobeabletowinoverthemanagementofnotonebut a continuing series of Fortune 500 employers? We live in a credentials-driven society, andMatthewMoffetthas repeatedlyusedhismindashismostpowerful and impressive credential. I hesitate not one bit to say thatMatthewMoffettcouldteachhimselfanysubjectandmasteranyprofession.ThereisnootherpersonIknowaboutwhomIwouldsaythis.

(Most graduate schools will expect letters from professors or employers who have had directsupervisory experience over you. However, the next four letters explore some other options forrecommenders,includingaprofessionalacquaintance,acolleague,apeer,andapertinentcharacterreference from a religious leader. This first letter is from a journalist, describing amost unusual

candidateinamostpersuasiveway.)

I’ve come to knowMatt ratherwell.Hemet hiswife at a gathering atmyhouse, and I’ve served as an informal career counselor for him sincewe firstmet.Iknowhowandwhyhe’smadeeachmovehe’smade,career-wise,forthelasttenyears.He’sgivenmeblanketpermissiontosharewithyouwhatIknowofhim.Matthasbeensearchingfor integrationandpurpose,andaway tousehis mind in helping service to others. For some at his stage in life, enteringpremedical studies with the goal of pursuing a health care career would beimprudent.ButIknowthatMatthewMoffettwillcontinuetosurpriseus.Thisisayoungmanofseeminglyunboundedpotential,andanywayyoucanassisthiminhisquestwillbereturnedmanytimesovertousall.Pleasecallmeifyouwouldlikemetoelucidatefurtheronanypoint.

LETTER#7:“RecommendationfromFormerColleague”

DearAdmissionsCommittee:

DavidArthurhasaskedmetowritethisletterofrecommendationforhimfortheExecutive MBA program at Stanford, and for the Faculty Committee MeritScholarship,andIamhonoredtodoso.AsIhaveknownDavidArthurforalmosttenyears,bothprofessionallyand

personally,Ifeelqualifiedtocommentonhisabilities.IwashisofficemanagerwhenwewererunningCrashMarketing,asmallbusinessconsultingfirm,andwehaveremainedinclosecontacteversince.Infact,Mr.Arthur is themostvaluablementorIhaveeverhad. Igraduated

magnacumlaudefromUCLAwithanMBA,andhavegoneontobecomeatop-ranked business analyst in Taiwan, but I credit Mr. Arthur with the mostimportantpartsofmybusinesseducation.HehasthebestbusinessmindIhaveeverencountered,and Iworkdailywithbusiness leadersofglobalenterprises.Without his valuablementorship in “the human element,” I could never haveachievedmygoalsinthecorporateworld.

(Whenyouownthecompany,oryoucannotfindyourformerbosses,ortheywouldsayawfulthingsaboutyou, letters fromcolleagues, clients, or customersmaybeyouronlyoption. If you solicit acolleagueorcustomerletter,choosesomeonewhowillsaywonderfulthingsaboutyouandsaythemwell.Such lettersneed tobe substantive,as thisone is,or theywillbediscounted.Notehow thisrecommenderlaysouthercredentialsforthereader,whichlendcredencetotherecommendation.)

Inaddition tohis intelligenceand insight,he isaveryefficientperson. I’veseenhimwriteabookonsmallbusinessmarketinginsixweekswhilerunningaverydemandingbusinessdaily.Heleadsbyexampleandwasgoodatmotivatingothersbeyondtheirnormalabilities.ItwasaveryexcitingcompanytoworkinwhileIwasabusinessstudent.Finally, I must say something about David Arthur’s congeniality. People

respondwelltoMr.Arthur.Peoplewalkedintohisofficeandwithintenminutestheywerewillingtotellhimeverythingaboutthemselvesandtheirbusinesses.Launchingacompanycanbeatraumatictimeinpeople’slives,andtheyalwaysseemed to trust Mr. Arthur. They were always happy with our plans andprograms, because they were happy with the experience of dealing with Mr.Arthur.Clientsenthusiastically recommendedourcompany to theircolleagues.Atthesametime,IthinkitwastheparadeofdifferentpeoplewhocameintotheofficeeverydaythatexcitedMr.Arthurthemostaboutthecompany.Peoplelike

himbecausehelikesthem,whatevertheirgender,race,politics,incomelevel,orpersonal style. He is very much at home in an international, multiculturalenvironment.Andalthoughhefocusedonservinganentrepreneurialandhigh-techclientele,hewasjustassuccessfulworkingwithtradesmenwhowantedtostart their own companies, or the founders of ethnic or family businesses—iftheycame toouroffice,and they frequentlydid.Hehasanuncannyability toestablishrapportwithanyone.Inclosing,Mr.Arthurisoneofthoserareindividualswhoseeminglycando

anythinghe setsout todo.He is certainly the typeofpersonwhowouldbeacredit to a quality graduate business program. I recommend him withoutreservation.Hewillmakeanoutstandingadditiontoyouralumni.Shouldyouneedanyadditionalinformation,pleasecontactme.Perhapsemail

isbestduetothetimedifferencebetweenTaiwanandCalifornia.

LETTER#8:“PeerLetterforMedicalSchool”

GeoffreySavage196FoulswellStreet,#1-BBoston,Massachusetts02125

(617)555-3063

OfficeofAdmissionsandStudentAffairsUniversityofMinnesotaMedicalSchoolBox293UMHC420DelawareStreetSEMinneapolis,Minnesota55455-0310

June8,2013

Attn: SelectionCommitteeContents: LetterofEvaluationfromRoommateforApplicant

RobertSavage,ATS#150029

DearCommittee:

Robert Savage has beenmy roommate for the last four years—he is alsomybrother.IamproudtohaveRobertasabrother.Heisapersonofstrongideals,heisaseriousperson,andheissomeoneonwhomhisfriendscancount.Weareroommatesbychoiceandfriendship,notjustbecausewearebrothers.AstoRobert’squalificationsformedicalschool,Iknowofhisstrongaptitude,

especiallyinthesciences,hislongintenttogotomedicalschool,andhisdailyworkhabits.IfIweretopickafewwordstodescribemybrother,atleastfrommypointof

view as his roommate, they would be these: busy, active, efficient. Robert issomeonewho isalwaysdoingsomething.He takesonmore thanmostpeople,and I havewatched him effortlessly handle a very large load of commitments(classes,sports,clubs,andsocialactivities)thatwouldmakeotherstudentsfall

apart.OneofthereasonsRobertisabletodosomuchisbecauseofhisstudyhabits.

Hestudieseveryeveningforonetofivehoursexceptwhenhehasaclassorlab.Heplansforhistestsandpresentationssothathedoesn’thaveawork“crunch”inthelastfewdays.Inadditiontothis,heseemstogetanysciencesubjectonthe first pass through. I have learned a lot fromhim about good study habits,mostlyaboutplanningahead,butIknowfewstudentswho“get”thematerialsoeasily.Inhislabgroups,manysessionsofwhichhavemethereinourapartment,heisusuallythenaturalleader,settingthestrategyforthelabandthewriteup.

(Schoolsoccasionallyasktheapplicanttoprovidelettersfrompeers.Professorsandemployersaretrainedprofessionals,practicedintheartsofinnuendoandscratch-my-back-I’ll-scratch-yours.Peersaremorelikelytobeguileless,whichisexactlywhyschoolsrequesttheseletters.Peersoftenconveymore unintentionally than intentionally.A candidate’s peer letters reveal a great deal about him—aboutthequalityofhisfriendsandhisjudgment—soit’s importanttopickyourpeerletterwritersverycarefully.)

Robert is a good roommate because he never complains about anything. Ienjoyhiscompany,andwehavemanyfriendstogether.Wearebothprettybusy,actually,soitisgoodthatweenjoythecompanyofeachother.Robert has many strengths—strong intellect, a level-headed personality, he

knows a lot of people all over campus—but if he has any weakness it isforgettingtotakethetimetorelaxmoreand“smelltheroses.”Ithinkhisabilitytofocushisattentionsonagoalandignorealldistractionsisprobablyhandyformedicalschool,though.IrecommendRobertSavageforacceptancetoyourmedicalprogram.Iknow

thathewillbeabletoexcelinyourprogram,andIknowthathewillbeahighlyprofessional, skilled, and compassionate physician. Besides, you should knowthathisnicknamealreadyis“Doc”Savage.ThankyouforthisopportunitytospeakuponRobert’sbehalf.

Sincerelyyours,

GeoffreySavageBA,History(HistoryofNavigationSystems),BostonUniversityPhDcandidate,HistoryofScience,MIT

LETTER#9:“CharacterWitnessLetterforMedicalSchool”

DearMembersoftheCommittee:

IampleasedtorecommendtoyouAaron[lastnamewithheld].Itismyopinionthat Aaron will make an uncommonly good medical doctor, and that he hasdemonstratedcharactertraitsthatwillensurethis.SinceIhaveknownhimwellovertenyears,Ihopemyletterwillhaveweightofconsiderationcommensuratewiththatlengthoftime.Myorganization,InternationalOrganizationforSephardicRescue(IOSR),is

dedicated to rescuing Sephardic Jews from oppressive regimes, mostly in theMiddleEast.We broughtAaron [last namewithheld] toNewYorkCity fromIran tenyearsago.Hewasachildofelevenyearswhenheemigrated, leavinghis parents behind. Itwas thought at the time that theywould complete somebusinessmattersandfollowtheirson,butinfacttheyweredetainedforseveralyears.Duringthistime,fromwhenhewaselevenuntilhewasthirteen,Aaronlived

underthebenevolentprotectionofIOSR.Helivedinadormitorysituation,andinthehomesofsomeofourmorededicatedmembers.Hewasalwaysadelightto us all, and his personal strength and courage were a testament to humanpotential.Isaythisnotoutofappreciationforhisabilitytocarryonwithouthisownparents,andinspiteofhisdeepandongoingconcernforthem,butbecauseofhisabilitytoexcelandthriveintheseadverseconditions.Beingofayoungage,hemasteredtheEnglishlanguageandwentontostudy

attheTalmudicalSeminaryhereinNewYork,averyrigorousOrthodoxJewishhigh school with a national reputation. There he excelled in a program ofscience,religion,andclassicalliberalarts(justfortherecord,allsubjectsexceptHebrewlanguagestudiesaretaughtinEnglish).Hewasthevaledictorianofhisclass,andheofcoursegraduatedwithhonors.Then at just the moment when some students would have gone on to a

carefreecollegeexperience,Aaron’sparentsfinallyarrivedfromIran.Iknowofhisdedicationandhisdailyassistancetothem.Hesmoothedthepathforthesenewimmigrantswhowerewithoutthelanguageandsocialskillshehadlearnedsowell.At the same time, hewas highly active in youth programs for IOSR,rising to the position of director of youth programs, including our summerprograminvolvinghundredsofstudents.SoyouseehowIhavewatchedthisyoungmangrowanddevelop,andIknow

the tremendous focushehasuponhisstudiesandhisservice tomankind. It ismy firmbelief thathismaturity, initiative, and self-reliancecouldonly lead tosuccessinmedicalschool,andthathisstrengthofcharactercouldonlyleadtoanoutstandingcontributiontohumanityasamedicaldoctor.IhighlyrecommendAarontoyourschool.It ismyunconditionalbelief that

hewillbecomeanethical,compassionate,andextremelycompetentphysician.

(Professors and employers are the preferred authors of letters of recommendation, but sometimessomeonewith a long-termpersonal knowledge of you can be quite persuasive.This example is a“character witness” letter. Admissions committees will not be impressed if all your letters ofrecommendationareofthistype;however,onemaybeeffectivewhensubmittedinadditiontoafullsetoflettersfromthosewhoknowyourworkandstudycapacities.Ifyourcharacterwitnesscannotaddcompellingweight toyourapplication, itmaybeagood idea toforgosucha letteraltogether.Notehowthisletterisfulloffactualevidenceforthecommittee’sconsideration.)

AbouttheAuthor

DonaldAsher is aveteran career andhigher-education consultant, andoneofthe nation’s foremost authorities on the graduate admissions process. He is afeaturedspeakeratmorethan100collegesanduniversitiesfromcoasttocoastevery year and has spoken internationally on careers, higher education, andglobalism in Ireland, Germany, India, China, SouthKorea,Morocco,Mexico,andCanada.AcontributingwritertotheMSNhomepageandfortheWallStreetJournal’s CareerJournal.com and CollegeJournal.com, he divides his timebetweennorthernNevadaandSanFrancisco.

Index

A

AACOMAS (American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic MedicineApplicationService)

AACPMAS (American Association of Colleges of Podiatric MedicineApplicationService)

AADSAS(AmericanAssociationofDentalSchoolsApplicationService)Academicadvisors,2.1,2.2,7.1,9.1AcademicsocietiesAcceptanceoffersAccomplishments

greatest,5.1,7.1,8.1providingcontextfor

Accreditation,2.1,2.2Admissionsprocess

acceptanceoffersauthorityformakingdecisionsdiversityandmaximizingyieldandrejectionsrollingvs.fixed-datestrangeoutcomesinwaitlists

AdulteducationAdversity,overcoming,8.1,8.2,8.3,8.4AerospaceengineeringAfricanstudies,8.1,8.2“AirportTest”Alumni,asresource,2.1,2.2AMCAS(AmericanMedicalCollegeApplicationService),6.1,7.1,8.1AmericanAssociationofCollegesofOsteopathicMedicineApplicationService

(AACOMAS)American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine Application Service

(AACPMAS)AmericanAssociationofDentalSchoolsApplicationService(AADSAS)AmericanMedicalCollegeApplicationService(AMCAS),6.1,7.1,8.1Anthropology,8.1,8.2

Applicationfees,3.1,4.1Applicationprocess

activitylogandtimelinefor,3.1,3.2interviews,3.1,3.2long-termpreparationformajorstepsinstandingoutin,3.1,3.2testsSeealsoAdmissionsprocess

Applicationsforassistantshipscustomizing,2.1,8.1,8.2,8.3,8.4,8.5deadlinesforearlyincomplete,3.1,4.1,4.2latelyingon,3.1,3.2numberoftooneschoolonlystandardizedsubmittingonlinevs.mailed,4.1,4.2,4.3unusualitemswith,3.1,4.1verifyingcompletionof,4.1,4.2

ArchaeologyArchitecture,2.1,8.1,8.2Arron,DeborahL.Articles

published,3.1,8.1submitted,8.1,8.2

Asher’sLaw,2.1,3.1,3.2Autobiographies

B

Bell,SusanBiochemistry,8.1,8.2

SeealsoMolecularbiologyBiomedicalengineeringBrainstormingBuckleyAmendmentBusinessschool

authorityformakingadmissiondecisionsfinancingimprovingyourchancesfor,3.1,3.2lettersofrecommendationforsampleessaysfor,8.1,8.2

C

CapitalizationCardiologyCareeradvancementCareerchoice

alternativestochangesindedicationtodefiningfutureplans,5.1,6.1historicaloverviewof,5.1,8.1,8.2

CGS(CouncilofGraduateSchools),1.1,4.1Characterwitnessletters,9.1CHEA(CouncilforHigherEducationAccreditation)Chemistry,8.1,8.2,8.3,8.4Childhoodexperiences,writingabout,7.1,8.1,8.2,8.3Citations,7.1,8.1Clinicalpsychology,2.1,8.1Colleagues,recommendationsfromCommunityservice,8.1,8.2

SeealsoVolunteerworkComputerscienceConsolidatedlettersofrecommendationCostoflivingCouncilforHigherEducationAccreditation(CHEA)CouncilofGraduateSchools(CGS),1.1,4.1CredentialsservicesCulturalstudies,8.1,8.2Customization,2.1,8.1,8.2,8.3,8.4,8.5,9.1

D

DAT(DentalAdmissionTest)DeadlinesDean’sadmitDebt,importanceofDecisionsciencesDentalAdmissionTest(DAT)Dissertation,choosingtopicforDiversity,7.1,8.1DoubleBilling(Stracher)Drew,David

E

EconomicsEducationaladministrationEmployers,lettersofrecommendationfrom,9.1,9.2,9.3EncouragingwordsEngineering

aerospacebiomedicalcomputersciencesystems

EnglishliteratureEpiphanytalesEssays.SeeFinaldraft;Firstdraft;Prewritingexercises;SubsequentdraftsEuropeanschoolsExercises.SeePrewritingexercisesExtracurricularactivities

F

FacultyScholarlyProductivityIndexFAFSA(FreeApplicationforFederalStudentAid)FamilyEducationalRightsandPrivacyActof1974Fellowshipsandscholarships

definitionofinternalvs.externallettersofrecommendationfor,9.1,9.2researchingtaxrulesfortop

FilmsFinaldraft

identifyinginformationonlengthof,6.1,7.1,8.1printingshowingtoothers,7.1,7.2signingsubmitting

Financingbooksonthroughemployerfellowshipsandscholarships,1.1,1.2front-endloadedaidgrantsloans,1.1,1.2negotiatingaidPhDvs.master’sresearchassistantshipsteachingassistantshipstuitionwaiverswebsitesfor

Firstdraftdedicationtocareergoalsdemonstratingknowledgewith,6.1,6.2deviatingfromrequestedformat

futureplansopeninglineorparagraphpersonalinformationinreductionisminreferencingotherpartsofapplicationinstyleoftopicvs.themetotalsincerityinwordchoicein,6.1,6.2

Footnotes,6.1,8.1Foreignstudy,2.1,2.2FraternitiesFreeApplicationforFederalStudentAid(FAFSA)FrenchliteratureFulbrightscholarship,1.1,8.1FullDisclosure(Bell)Futureplans,5.1,6.1

G

GAPSFAS(GraduateandProfessionalSchoolFinancialAidService)GettingWhatYouCameFor(Peters)GMAT(GraduateManagementAdmissionsTest)Grades

explaining,6.1,8.1,8.2,8.3,8.4GPA,calculatingmentioningoutstandingoldtranscriptstrendofimproving,8.1,8.2

GraduateandProfessionalSchoolFinancialAidService(GAPSFAS)GraduateManagementAdmissionsTest(GMAT)GraduateRecordExamination(GRE),3.1,3.2GrammarGrandparent,deathofGrantsGray,PaulGRE(GraduateRecordExamination),3.1,3.2

H

Hall,MatthewHenryHealthcare.SeeMedicalschool;Nursing;ResidenciesHistory,8.1,8.2,8.3,8.4HobbiesHumor,7.1,8.1

I

Incomeeducationandprojecting

Influences,intellectual,5.1,8.1Information

hidingpersonal,6.1,8.1,8.2,8.3,8.4

InformationsciencesInstitutionalReviewBoard(IRB)Interdisciplinarystudies,1.1,8.1,8.2InterfolioInternshipsInterviews,3.1,3.2IRB(InstitutionalReviewBoard)Islamicstudies

J

Jobmarket,avoiding,1.1,1.2Journals,2.1,3.1

K

Knowledge,demonstrating,6.1,6.2,8.1,8.2

L

Laboratoryskills,8.1,8.2LanguageskillsLawschool

authorityformakingadmissiondecisionsfinancingimprovingyourchancesforlocatorsforsampleessaysfor,8.1,8.2,8.3

LawSchoolAdmissionTest(LSAT)LawSchoolDataAssemblyService(LSDAS)Lettersofrecommendation

fromcelebritiesconsolidatedcontactingwritersearly,3.1,9.1contentofcredentialsservicesandcustomizingforEuropeanprogramsgettingfantasticguidelinesforimportanceofmailedsubmissionofnumberofonlinesubmissionof,4.1,9.1samplesofselectingwritersforstrategiestowardwaivingrighttoreview,9.1,9.2

Literature,8.1,8.2,9.1Loans,1.1,1.2LSAT(LawSchoolAdmissionTest)LSDAS(LawSchoolDataAssemblyService)

M

MarinearchaeologyMarshallscholarshipMaster’sdegree

incomeandPh.D.vs.,1.1,2.1thesisfor

MAT(MillerAnalogiesTest),3.1,3.2MathematicsMBA.SeeBusinessschoolMCAT(MedicalCollegeAdmissionTest),3.1,3.2Medicalschool

admissionrequirementsguide,2.1,3.1authorityformakingadmissiondecisionsearlyapplicationtoemphasisoffinancingimprovingyourchancesfor,3.1,3.2openingparagraphpeerlettersforsampleessaysfor,8.1,8.2SeealsoResidencies

MedicalSchoolAdmissions:TheInsider’sGuide(Zeballa,Jones,andJones)MellonfellowshipMentors

choosingnamingprofessorsaspossiblefuture,2.1,2.2,8.1,8.2,8.3,8.4,8.5,8.6

MiddleEasternhistoryMillerAnalogiesTest(MAT),3.1,3.2MinorityorganizationsMolecularbiology,8.1,8.2,8.3

SeealsoBiochemistryMolecularbiophysicsMotivations

N

NAGPS(NationalAssociationofGraduateandProfessionalStudents)Name-droppingNarrativeexpositionNationalAssociationofGraduateandProfessionalStudents(NAGPS)NationalCenterforEducationStatisticsNationalResearchCouncilNoveltyessaysNursing,8.1,8.2

O

OAT(OptometryAdmissionTest)OpeningparagraphOptometryAdmissionTest(OAT)OrthodonticsOtolaryngologyOxford,Universityof

P

Papers.SeeArticlesPart-timeprogramsPathobiologyPCAT(PharmacyCollegeAdmissionTest)PeaceCorpsPeerlettersPeters,RobertL.Peterson’sguidesPharmacyCollegeAdmissionTest(PCAT)PhDs

incomeandmaster’svs.,1.1,2.1reducingtimeforunemploymentratefor

PhilosophyPoliticalscience,8.1,8.2PortfolioPrewritingexercises

academicbackgroundbiggestaccomplishmentcareerchoice,alternativestocareerchoice,definingcareerchoice,historicaloverviewofencouragingwordsfirstthoughtofdirectionforstudyfutureplanshidinginformationintellectualinfluencesname-droppingresearchprojects,5.1,5.2school’slocationsportsandhobbiesunusualthingsaboutyou

Proctoring,8.1,8.2Professionalacquaintances,recommendationsfrom

Professorsbecoming,1.1,2.1,8.1importanceofinfluential,5.1,5.2namingpastandpresentadvisors,8.1,8.2,8.3,8.4,8.5,8.6,8.7aspossiblefuturementors,2.1,2.2,8.1,8.2,8.3,8.4,8.5,8.6,8.7,8.8quotingasresourcewritingto,2.1,3.1

ProgramofStudyPrograms

accreditationof,2.1,2.2applyingtomultiple,atsameschoolbuildingalistofpossibledifferencesbetweenexploringoptionsforfirst-choice,2.1,3.1guidestolikelihoodofbeingadmittedtonumberof,toapplytopart-timequestionstoaskreputationof,2.1,2.2,2.3schoolsvs.selectingwhichtoapplytovisiting,1.1,3.1,3.2SeealsoSchools

Project1000ProofreadingPsychology,2.1,8.1,8.2Publications.SeeArticlesPublicpolicyPublicrelationsPunctuation

Q

Quotations,useof,8.1,8.2,8.3

R

Reductionism,6.1,8.1,8.2RejectionsResearch

assistantshipsmeetingsinprogress,workingtitlesforprojects,completed,3.1,3.2,5.1,5.2,8.1,8.2spellingoutimplicationsofsummariestabletopics(tablepresentations)

ResidencehalladvisorsResidencies

lettersofrecommendationforsampleessaysfor,8.1,8.2

Rhodesscholarship,1.1,8.1Richlin,LaurieRollingadmissionsRotaryInternationalFellowshipRTGDQ,6.1,6.2,6.3,8.1,8.2RunningfromtheLaw(Arron)

S

Safetyschools,2.1,2.2Samarasekera,IndiraScholarships.SeeFellowshipsandscholarshipsSchools

buildingalistofpossibleEuropeanfirst-choice,2.1,3.1guidestolocationof,2.1,5.1programsvs.reputationof,2.1,2.2,2.3safety,2.1,2.2SeealsoPrograms

Sciencebiochemistry,8.1,8.2chemistry,8.1,8.2,8.3,8.4essaystyleslaboratoryskills,8.1,8.2molecularbiology,8.1,8.2,8.3molecularbiophysicspathobiologySeealsoResearch

SexistlanguageSociologySororitiesSpecialconsideration,askingfor,6.1,8.1Spellingerrors,7.1,7.2,7.3Sports,5.1,8.1,8.2Spouse,consideringStatisticalskillsStracher,CameronStudentgovernmentStudyabroad.SeeForeignstudySubmissionmethods,4.1,4.2Subsequentdrafts

avoidingcharacterweaknessesincontentvs.styleineditinglanguageinlookingforcommonerrorsinnumberofoveranalyzingproofreadingsexistlanguageinspicinguptopicstoavoid

Success,predicting,8.1,8.2,8.3,8.4SummerprogramsSystemsengineering

T

Tabletopics(tablepresentations)TaxesTeachingassistantships,1.1,8.1,8.2Teachingexperience,8.1,8.2,8.3TestofEnglishasaForeignLanguage(TOEFL)TestsThemesTOEFL(TestofEnglishasaForeignLanguage)TranscriptsTuitionwaiversTutoring,8.1,8.2

U

USNews&WorldReport,2.1,2.2

V

VCAT(VeterinaryCollegeAdmissionTest)VeterinaryschoolVideoVolunteerwork,3.1,3.2,8.1

SeealsoCommunityservice

W

WaitlistsWatsonfellowshipWhatTheyDidn’tTeachYouinGraduateSchool(Grayetal.)Words

choosing,6.1,6.2encouragingwithnegativeconnotationssexist

Worksamples,3.1,8.1,8.2,8.3Writingskills

Y

Yield

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