Graduate and professional school applications often require a personal statement and sometimes additional essays. So do some fellowship and internship opportunities. Some employers ask for responses to prompts as part of the application process or samples of your writing.
Here are some tips for getting started on writing for an application:
Give yourself plenty of time to get feedback on your initial drafts, and be prepared to do some rewriting based on that feedback.
Generally, graduate and professional programs want to know that you understand the program that you’re applying for, that you’re equipped to succeed, and that you have a plan for using the credential that you will earn. Beyond that, expectations vary from program to program. You can get the best advice from people who are knowledgeable about the kind of program you have in mind.
Have others read what you wrote for content and for grammar. Did you answer the question(s) that were asked in the prompt provided by the program you are applying to?
Fellowships, internships, experiential opportunities, and research programs often ask for personal statements (or sometimes called “statements of purpose”). Success begins with following the directions. Make sure you understand the questions, and pay close attention to specifications about word count, font size, format or submission processes. If you have to type directly into a submission box, consider drafting your responses in a separate document and then copy/pasting once you have a final version.
When programs ask for this additional information, they generally want to understand what you’ve done that will lead to success in their program, why you are motivated to take part, and what you plan to do with the experience you gain. Specific details about your prior experiences and interests can convey your enthusiasm and set you apart from other applicants
When graduate programs ask for writing samples as part of the application, they want to see evidence of your writing, research, and/or analytical skills. Academic papers are excellent for this purpose. Only send as much material as they ask for. Sending more eliminates control you have over which pages will get read and assessed.
When employers ask for writing samples, they’re looking for evidence that you have the skill to write in the ways that they need. Academic papers are not always the best choice, even if you got a good grade. The writing you do for an instructor may not convey your ability to write to that organization’s audience or in a relevant genre. It is okay to create samples for the position. For example, if the internship requires writing content for the organization’s newsletter, a short informative article that you write for the application on a subject relevant to the organization would convey your skills. If you do send academic writing, consider using shorter excerpts that demonstrate the needed skills, and frame them with a brief explanation of the assignment and purpose.
If you are pursuing a writing-intensive career path, consider creating a personal website to use as an online writing portfolio.
