Writing essays for graduate school can be difficult, most especially when you have to write the essay that will actually get you into the graduate school of your choice. Graduate school admission essays can be stressful, nerve-racking, and downright difficult to compose, because your main goal is to persuade the admissions committee members to accept you into their school. Writing a compelling persuasive essay may seem like a difficult task at first glance, but it is nothing that you cannot do. If you’ve gotten through college, then the chances are that you have already written a persuasive essay, so at least you have a point of reference for your graduate school admission essay. Continue reading to find out more about writing a successful persuasive essay for graduate school.
Basics of a persuasive essay
When writing a persuasive essay, your first task is to understand what you are writing about, why you are writing it, and who you are writing it for. When it comes to your graduate school admission essay, the chances are that you will be writing about yourself and why you should be accepted into the graduate school you are applying to. Your audience is the admissions committee members — the people who will actually make the final decision on whether to accept or reject your application. The trick here is to write an essay that advocates your strengths without coming off as boastful, arrogant, or full of pride. A persuasive essay is a test of your ability to capture the reader’s interest, convince them to hear out your arguments, compel them to agree with what you are saying, and, in the case of graduate school essays, persuade them to accept you into their school.
Tips in writing a persuasive grad school essay
Here are some tips:
- Make sure that your introduction captures the attention of the reader and hints at some of the arguments that you will be making. The body should then follow up with strong arguments as to why you make a good candidate for their school. Finally, your conclusion should wrap everything up, reiterate your arguments, and make a lasting impact on the admissions committee.
- Use experiences and examples to prove your point and to tell the reader the story of how you developed the qualities that make you a good fit in the school that you are applying to.
- Beware of controversial or taboo topics. Try not to talk about anything that might make the admissions committee uncomfortable, such as strong religious convictions, political topics, or ethical topics. Stick to topics that clearly show how you have developed into the person you are now, a person ready to take on the challenge of graduate school and succeed in life.
How persuasive sample essays can help you
Another tip for writing your persuasive essay is to use sample essays to help you with your task. Sample essays are a great resource that can help you think of topics, themes, writing styles, techniques, and writing formats for your essay. Just make sure that you don’t copy these essays, or you may get caught and punished for plagiarism. Use the sample essays as a guide and analyze how the writer tries to persuade the reader. Ask yourself these questions as you read through the samples:
- Is the essay interesting and persuasive?
- What arguments or examples were used by the writer?
- Why were these arguments and examples effective at being persuasive?
- How can you write a similarly compelling essay based on your life experiences?
One of the most common types of essays out there is the compare and contrast essay. Whether you are in elementary school, junior high, high school, college, or graduate school, you are likely to encounter an assignment that calls for a compare-and-contrast essay. In graduate school, though, your teachers are probably going to have high demands and high expectations, meaning that they will be highly critical of your essay as well. Read on to learn about how to write a graduate school level compare-and-contrast essay.
What a compare-and-contrast essay is
In the most basic terms, a compare-and-contrast essay is an essay about the similarities and differences between at least two topics. In graduate school, your essays will probably cover numerous specific topics or a few broad topics. When writing this essay, your aim will be to make a solid assessment of the topics being discussed, arriving at a strong conclusion that expresses your findings throughout the assignment. It may take a lot of research to clearly understand and write about each of the topics that you are talking about. Basically, try to come up with a conclusion that presents new information about the topics that you have studied and written about.
Coming up with a compare-and-contrast essay as your personal statement
You may be asked to write a compare-and-contrast essay for your graduate school personal statement. If this is the case, you should understand that your objectives are not only to compare and contrast the topics you talk about, but also to persuade the admissions committee members to accept you in their school. Make sure that you fully understand the question being asked and the topics that you have chosen to write about. One good way of using the compare-and-contrast format to suit your personal statement is to compare and contrast how you have developed as a person. You may want to use various experiences that have forced changes in your personality and character traits for the better. The point is to put emphasis on how you have developed into a better human being who is capable of handling the challenges of graduate school. Also, you should try to mention your future goals and how graduate school can best prepare you to meet your goals.
Other tips to keep in mind when using compare and contrast as an essay-writing technique
- Make sure to have a clear layout of your essay. For example, talk about a particular topic and all of your observations about that topic, then follow it up with a discussion on another related topic. Make each comparison and contrast device clear to the reader.
- You may want to use a chart, table, or diagram to help you compare and contrast the various topics you will discuss in your essay. A Venn diagram is a great tool for getting started on your essay, or you may want to make a chart displaying the similarities and differences between your topics.
- Use your thesis statement as a backbone for your essay. Anchor each of your arguments, points, and topics to your thesis statement to create a clear and cohesive essay.
- Your conclusion should be persuasive, compelling, and should leave a strong impression on the reader.
How a Sample Graduate School Essay Can Help You Land a Spot in Your Dream School
Landing a spot in one’s dream school is never an easy thing for the one dreaming it. It takes a lot of effort on the part of the student because getting into top graduate schools in the US can be very competitive. One of the requirements that should be turned in is the graduate school essay. Read on to discover tips on how you can come up with your own.
Crafting your essay
So, if you are a student writing your personal statement, and you are having difficulty writing an effective application essay, don’t look for anywhere else for a topic you can write. Writing about your perfect situation at the moment would be a very good topic to develop into an essay.
Applicants base their graduate school choices on their own academic achievements, skills, and personal interests. They aim to look for schools that match their capabilities, trainings, and experiences. In the same manner that the admissions officers search for their potential candidates who are well-suited to the standards and qualifications of the institution. And this depends heavily on how creative and effective you will write your essay or personal statement.
A great application essay is said to have that ability to present a clear, personal, and striking perception of you to the admissions staff. How well you craft your personal statement would determine how well you would stand out among the pile of applicants vying for the available slots. Do your best to come up with a very effective essay, because your future success depends on this one particular writing piece of yours.
Using sample graduate school essays as guides
Sometimes, the best option to consider in coming up with one’s own well-written essay is to look at sample graduate school essays. These essays can usually be read for free and you can search them online. There are many advantages to checking out sample graduate school essays. Here are some of them.
* These essays have been proven to work in sustaining the interest of the reader. When you check out these essays, you get to see how you can also come up with your own technique that will grab the reader’s attention and sustain it until the end.
* These essays focus on the most effective themes in admission essays. Usually, the most common themes are overcoming adversity, influential persons, and life-changing situations. Admissions committees tend to become bored when they read essays on these themes. With well-written sample graduate school essays, you get to see other themes that you can explore as well.
* These essays employ the best writing approaches and techniques in organization and structure of ideas. Most of the time, students have no idea how they will start and end their essays. Also, even though they have already written the opening paragraph, they just go on and on without actually leading the reader to a specific thesis statement. Well-written sample graduate school essays employ a logical sequence to how ideas are presented. A well-written sample graduate school essay does not ramble, rather, it moves from one paragraph to the next seamlessly and enriches and supports the thesis statement effortlessly.
Just remember that checking out sample graduate school essays does not mean that you’ll be copying their ideas. That’s plagiarism. Learn how to develop your own writing style, approach, and tone by emulating what you’ve seen in these essays.
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Using a Sample Graduate School Essay Focusing on the Importance of Research Skills in Graduate School As A Guide
Most students applying for graduate school find themselves wandering during the application process because they think they do not have the adequate skills to effectively write their personal statements or essays. They become too stressed out, not only because the task is tedious and challenging for them, but because they do not know how to start writing. The essay or personal statement means a lot to most students because it is their only opportunity to speak directly to the admissions committee, that is why they exhaust all their efforts into coming up with a creative and very effective essay.
If you are contemplating on what to write for your graduate school admission, you could try writing about the importance of research skills in graduate schools. This will surely have a great impact on the admissions committee reading it, because developing research skills and techniques is an integral part of the whole technical competence of the students. They do not only look for qualities such as skills in research management, personal effectiveness, communication skills, and career management. More importantly, they look into the research skills of the applicants that will complement their academic achievements.
Preparing for the essay
As in every writing, there is just one basic format. The very first step is preparing for the essay by collecting the details needed to get the main idea. Describe your goals and aspirations, your reasons for aspiring graduate study, and what qualities and skills you possess that make you a bankable potential applicant. Emphasize your technical over-all competence to the admissions officers that will be reading your essay. Elaborate that your competence and experiences include relevant research trainings and skills. Support evidences to your essay by enlisting all the research trainings and activities you have undergone in the past, and mention that you have always applied your learnings in your research investigations. This will definitely build more depth in your essay, making you a more credible writer and, therefore, a highly qualified applicant for a slot in the graduate school.
Supporting main topic with your strengths
Keep your main idea the central theme of your essay, and let all details revolve around your main topic. You should stick to discussing what you need to tell the admissions officers for you to be granted admission. Show them you are very interested in their program and that you have actually taken your time out to research about it. Then you can highlight that your various skills, qualities, personal interests, and achievements match the program you are interested in.
Emphasizing resaerch skills and experience
True, the admissions officers scrutinize your marks in your undergraduate courses, especially in your last two years. However, they are also keen on getting students who may have the skills and expertise to conduct and publish original research in the future. So, to guarantee your admission to your dream graduate school, emphasize in your essay all your abilities to do scientific research, highlighting your critical thinking, mathematical and anayltical skills, computer skills, knowledge and interest in theory, and, of course, your writing and communication skills. The key is if you are able to communicate in your application essay that you have sufficient experience in doing the kinds of things they do in graduate school, then you are one step away from your dream graduate school.
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Adelphi University
Adelphi University has contributed to society in more ways than just education. During the Second World War, Adelphi University sent nurses to help soldiers who were injured in the war. Since then, the school has broadened its curriculum to offer a number of courses and programs, including graduate programs. Some of Adelphi University’s graduate programs include those in the arts and sciences, nursing, and business and management. Adelphi University is located in Garden City, which is on Long Island in New York.
Adams State College of Colorado
The Adams State College of Colorado is a state-supported college that is located in scenic Colorado. The school is backdropped by the peaks of the Rockies. Aside from having a beautiful view, Adams State College also offers a diverse curriculum, including post-graduate studies programs. Adams State College of Colorado provides a number of flexible options for graduate students, including part-time, full-time, daytime, night-time, weekend, online, and summer programs. Some of the graduate studies offered in Adam State include programs in Human Performance and Physical Education, Graduate Teacher Education, Counselor Education, History, Art, and Government and Philosophy.
Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University (AAMU)
The Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University is a well-known educational institution for both agricultural and mechanical courses. Aside from these two courses, however, AAMU offers a number of other courses and programs. Here are some of the AAMU graduate degree courses social work, urban and regional planning, business administration and management, computer science, and agriculture. The school has come a long way since it was established in 1875, and it has become a great venue for those looking to take graduate studies.
University of Minnesota Graduate School
The University of Minnesota is a well-known instititution that offers tertiary education courses and programs. As one of the largest and most populated universities in the US, the U of M has become a pioneer in the field of medical research. Those looking to extend their education by taking graduate studies may be glad to know that the U of M has numerous graduate programs for students to chose from, such as computational biology, toxicology, biosciences, and water resource science and biomedical informatics.
University of Maryland Graduate School
The University of Maryland began as the Maryland Agricultural College. The college has grown and developed into a large university system with 13 colleges and school, over 120 undergraduate degrees, and over 110 graduate degrees. At the University of Maryland graduate school, students can gain training, education, and experience in courses like engineering, education, languages, journalism, and foreign studies. With all of the different graduate school offerings in the University of Maryland, graduate students have better chances of finding a graduate program that fits in with their career path.
Alabama State University
Alabama State University has had a long and winding road to becoming one of the most reputable schools in America. The school was founded in 1867 by nine African Americans who used to be slaves. The school was meant to tend primarily to African Americans, since racial discrimination often prohibited or hindered black students from going to other universities. Today, Alabama State University has become a school with a diverse student body and an equally diverse curriculum. Aside from the numerous undergraduate courses offered at the school, some of the graduate studies in Alabama State University include engineering, business management, sciences, and the arts.
Duke University Graduate School
Throuhgout its history, Duke University has gained a great reputation as a premier contender in college basketball. Aside from sports, though, Duke University is also renowned as a premier educational institution. While many of the reputable universities were founded in the 1800s and the early 1900s, Duke University has only been around since 1924. Don’t let the institution’s young age fool you, though, because Duke University has a well-developed educational system. Duke has graduate courses in fields like allied health services, engineering, the arts, education, and the sciences.
University of Virginia Graduate School
Charlottesville, Virgina is the home of one of the country’s prestigious tertiary educational institutions, the University of Virginia Graduate School. The school has come a long way since it was founded in 1825. Today, the University of Virginia has broadened its curriculum to encompass numerous studies. In fact, U.Va. offers graduate studies in fields such as law, medicine, engineering, the arts and sciences, and education. Students who attend the University of Virginia may want to take a break from their studies to enjoy the wonderful landscapes that surround the school.
Northeastern University Graduate Studies
Northeastern University is a research-centered educational institution that has gained a good reputation as one of the top schools in the country. The university provides undergraduate courses like the arts and sciences, professional studies, and engineering. Those who want to take up graduate studies at Northeastern University can take up graduate programs in the fields of health sciences, business administration, engineering, criminal justice, and many other specializations. Students can benefit largely with the educational system implemented at Northeastern University, which favors a mix of both real-life exposure and traditional classroom learning.
Portland State University
Portland State University or PSU is a tertiary educational institution that is acclaimed as one of the top schools in the country. Being founded in the 1940s, Portland State University is rather young in comparison to other schools of the same caliber. PSU has played a big role in promoting education to the youth by having various community programs and events. Throughout its history, PSU has helped in forming and educating not only the youth, but also adults through their undergraduate studies and graduate studies in PSU. Some of the graduate programs that are offered at PSU include those in the arts and sciences, public affairs, and business administration.
North Carolina Central University
North Carolina Central University or NCCU has grown into a diverse and prestigious educational institution. When NCCU first began as a school primarily for African Americans in 1910, the school didn’t have nearly as many courses and programs as they have today. Aside from the excellent undergraduate education at NCCU, the school also has top-notch graduate studies for those who want to pursue their studies further. NCCU has a wide and varied selection of graduate programs that includes educational Technology, business administration, psychology, and special education.
Cornell University
Cornell University is one of the most famous and reputable schools in America. Located in New York, one of the busiest and diverse states in the country, Cornell has attracted students from all over the world with its high quality education. In fact, Cornell has affilliations with numerous companies from around the world. Cornell also has top-notch graduate programs and doctorate studies in fields such as Aerospace Engineering, Medieval Studies, Microbiology, and Zoology.
In the US, the best graduate schools are very competitive and tend to admit only the cream of the crop. Usually, these institutions only get the cream of the crop, so they have a very small graduate student population. Still, many students want to apply to these institutions because they believe they will get the best kind of instruction there is for their chosen field.
Health
In 2008, the University of Washington was commended for its excellent nursing program. At rank three, The University of Pennsylvania, another competitive graduate institution, has an acceptance rate of 21%. And in the case of Washington University, acceptance rate is at 67%.
Education
Graduate degrees are very specialized. One of the most specialized graduate programs is in the area of education. Advanced education degrees focus on different aspects of education such as educational theories, educational administration, and educational psychology. As of 2008, the Teacher’s College of Columbia University has the most competitive teacher’s program. Its acceptance rate is only about 48%.
Social science
The Social sciences are broad by convention therefore varying universities excel for a particular graduate program. However, some top-ranking universities are noted for their very selective admission standards. For example, Stanford tops the Psychology program and holds an acceptance record of 11%. Harvard, which also has one of the country’s most competitive political science program, presents a lower acceptance rate at 9%.
Engineering and the natural sciences
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) offers some of the country’s best graduate programs, so MIT receives hundreds of applications every year. To maintain a low student-teacher ratio, MIT overall acceptance rate is only 14%, which ranks it as the most difficult university to enter with respect to the fields of engineering and the natural sciences. To ensure that it only gets students who are capable of coping with the rigorous academic demands of its programs, MIT looks for applicants with SAT math scores above 700.
Humanities
According to experts in the field, Harvard University has one of the best graduate programs in English. Yale offers the best History program according to a huge number of respondents. Princeton, the University of California – Berkeley, and Stanford also have competitive graduate programs in the Humanities.
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Earning a graduate degree is an investment for it furthers your potentials and demands time, effort, and money. Although a bachelor’s degree may have already prepared you for the initial steps of your career, having advanced knowledge pertinent to a certain field can make a difference.
Your graduate degree and your career path
Having a graduate degree can provide you with more career opportunities. Because of your advanced learning and better qualifications, more job positions are open to you. There also exists the chance to be promoted if currently employed.
With better career options, the salary will also be more competitive. Definitely, getting a graduate degree comes in handy when you apply for a higher position in the academe or the corporate world and would also merit you better chance to negotiate for a better salary .
Your graduate degree as an accomplishment
Earning the degree itself is an accomplishment. Having a graduate degree is something to be proud of. Not everyone who pursues graduate studies end up finish their chosen program.
Usually, graduating with a bachelor’s degree provides you with the basics needed in order to survive in the real world. Graduate studies, however, equip a person with more advanced skills and knowledge that are very particular to a specific situation or task. You can become an expert or a specialist in that particular area of your field of study.
Your graduate degree as a networking tool
Being connected to important people can advance one’s career. Going to graduate school allows you to expand or broaden your network and look for contacts. In graduate school, aside from working with professors who are considered pillars in their discipline, you get to establish ties with fellow students who may prove significant to you in the future. Attending graduate school requires just as much social skills as you need technical and logical ones.
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