The capsGRAD blog is part of the website for the Graduate and Professional Student Services division of the University of California San Diego?s (UCSD?s) Student Services department. As one of the blogs under the Graduate and Professional page, CAPS, which stands for Counseling and Psychological Services, provides its target audience (graduate and professional students of the university) information on a number of topics particularly affecting them.
What to say about the blog
There are currently only seven entries in the blog written by the teaching staff and officers of the university?s graduate school. The seven topics are as follows: advisory relationship, completing your thesis or dissertation, promoting optimal functioning, social adjustment, stress management, time management, and transitioning out of graduate school. As obviously seen in the topics, the entries are primarily for graduate school students of the UCSD. A number of the topics may be helpful and applicable to graduate students in general. The first entry, The Advisory Relationship, is written by the graduate school liaison officer, Dr. Christina Castro. This entry, like the others, are well-written with expert opinions and particularly sound and helpful advice.
The blog is only one page long, so you can actually read all its content in one scroll, although there is a list of links at the top of the page that will lead you to one of the seven entries that you may be probably most interested to read. The sidebar on the left side of the blog page is filled with links to other graduate school pages, such as the home page for grad services and grad campus and community resources. On the top portion of the page are links to CAPS pages such as emergency assistance and information on their staff.
A few glitches
The blog is in its primary stages, so the content is still quite limited so far to psychology-related topics. More content will be very much appreciated. The blog may not be most appealing and eye-catching, but it is quite effective in its goal of assisting graduate school students of the university with valuable advice on how to manage their post-university studies.
Although there is no perfect formula for good writing, you could say that drafting one?s essay would be a good start to create an effective written article. Keep in mind that every time you need to draft your essay, you will always gain the knowledge of hindsight. In revising your draft, check if the main topic you used for writing the essay is a little bit more complicated than necessary. Remember, doing revisions when writing your own essay is very important.
Importance of doing revisions when writing your essay
Doing revisions is necessary when writing your essay. You must check if your main topic is still accurate, as the main idea of the essay may depart from the original idea because of excessive revisions. A god writer will always know when to stop revising and if all the details in the essay are complementing the main idea. Through revisions of your essay, you will see if the essay is already strong enough to be submitted and read by the admissions officers.
What to keep in mind when revising your essay draft
Start by writing an idea off your head. Translate them into one main theme, and checking whether the supporting details need some revisions or not. Next thing to check when planning to revise drafts is how organized the ideas appear in the essay. Do they exhibit coherence and clarity of thought? After a series of revising and rechecking your drafts, refining and polishing each idea, you will finally have to decide if your written essay is already clear and ready for submission to the admissions committee.
Other tips when revising your draft
The stage of invention is also known as prewriting, which is where the crafting of the essay is conceived. Do not be like the others who ignore and neglect this stage of writing. Probe your topic, and understand the assigned question very well.
Check for coherence and unity. Do the supporting details back up your topic sentences and your thesis? Be careful with the manner by which you revise.
Related links:
Writing persuasive essays – How to write persuasive essays
Essay topics – Writing about relevant interests in your essay
Sample graduate essays – How to use sample graduate school essays to your advantage
Online MBA program – About choosing an online MBA program
Admission essay – How to put together attractive essays
Are you staring at a blank page for almost an hour now? Having trouble in writing your grad school admission essay is not uncommon. In fact, even professional essay writers encounter a moment of total inability to write something sensible. Some call it the writer’s block. The pressure placed on submitting a high quality application essay can also set you back a few days before you can write anything for your personal statement, while for some people, keeping their emotions at bay can be their biggest problem.
Let’s discuss these barriers to writing effective grad school essays, so you’ll know what to do when faced with any of these situations.
Writer’s block
The dreaded writer’s block happens when you spend hours trying to write an essay but just can’t find the inspiration or motivation to do so. No matter how hard you try, it seems like your efforts are put to waste. You can’t seem to find the right words or can’t express a sensible thought.
Instead of moping around, it’s best to identify what’s causing the writer’s block. It could be pressure to put out your best, depression, fatigue, or even certain conditions that make writing impossible for you such as insufficient lighting or cramped room space. All these can affect your mood.
Once you know what’s setting you back, you can then focus on the solution. Try to find a place with conditions that are ideal for writing. Some people prefer working in a quiet place; others work better with music as background. Find out what works best for you. Also make sure that you’re not too stressed out. Stress can affect the way you write and only add to the pressure. If you must, schedule a day that’s entirely dedicated to writing your essay. Have enough enough rest, eat well, and forget about the strenuous task before that day.
Do you know that drinking water can also improve concentration? According to some writers, walking can also help alleviate the pressure you’re feeling. A change in position every once in a while can also set the mood for writing or let thoughts run free. Other writers also advise that you should keep writing even without the best ideas, so don’t get trapped with a blank page. Eventually, you’ll be surprised to see that you’re making sense even with your random thoughts.
Lack of self confidence
Since it’s an essay for grad school, you think you should do better than your college application essay. While it might be true for some, there’s not much difference except, of course, for the requirements. Now that you have more experience, your essay should talk about your chosen field, your contributions, and your general interest in pursuing higher studies. Other than these, the rules in essay writing basically remain the same.
Lack of self confidence starts when you compare yourself to other people. Most of the time, this can only bruise your ego. Might as well focus on your accomplishments, what you can do better than others, and your sincere interest in entering grad school. Remember, nobody gets it right the first time. Even novelists had to go through several revisions and were once rejected by publishers.
Getting too emotional
You cannot let emotions control you. Entering grad school is a big decision, and so, you must show some level of emotional maturity if you want to make it through and earn your degree. Don’t let frustration get in the way. Instead, find your motivation. Going through several revisions is no reason for you to stop improving your essay. If you can find the inspiration, don’t be too hard on yourself. Take some time off, but never leave things hanging midway through. Try reading a sample graduate school essay. You may draw inspiration from this, and learn a few techniques in writing.
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.
Photo Credit : so.salem
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.
Photo Credit : Poldavo
University of San Diego
The University of San Diego, established in 1949, is the main university of San Diego, California. The school offers a variety of courses and programs for students to choose from. USD offers graduate degrees as well, making it a great choice for undergraduates and graduate students alike. The USD School of Law also offers post-graduate degrees. Here are the USD schools that offer Master’s degrees: Hahn School of Nursing and Health Services, the School of Business Administration, the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies, the School of Leadership and Education Sciences, and the College of Arts and Sciences. Another advantage of studying at USD is the school’s proximity to California’s beaches.
Roger Williams University
Roger Williams University, which is in Bristol, Rhode Island, has a great location that is easily accessible from Boston, New York, and Providence. RWU has a number of courses and programs, including graduate studies programs in various fields. Here are some of the courses that RWU offers graduate degrees in: Teaching, Criminal Justice with a joint degree in Law, Forensic Psychology, Construction Management, Architecture, and Public Administration. In many of these graduate studies courses, students can choose between part-time or full-time loads, which gives students flexibility to fit work and other responsibilities into their schedules.
Seattle University
Seattle University, also known as Seattle U, is the flagship college of Seattle, Washington, a city known for being a regional center for art and culture. Seattle U has seven schools with a total of 31 graduate degree programs for students to choose from. Master’s degrees at Seattle U can be earned through both part-time and full-time programs, including night classes, day classes, and weekend classes. As a Jesuit institution, many of the programs offered at Seattle U are in the School of Theology and Ministry. The College of Education also offers a large number of graduate degree programs.
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.
Johns Hopkins University (JHU) Graduate School
Johns Hopkins University was founded in 1876, and holds the title as the first American university to be centered on research. JHU is best known for its excellence in the field of mechanical sciences, like engineering, but the institution also offers numerous other courses and programs. Aside from undergraduate courses, JHU also offers a number of doctorate courses and graduate programs. Some of the graduate programs offered by JHU include engineering, creative writing, fine arts, and public policy. Just remember to bring a jacket and some other warm clothing when going to this school, because Baltimore winters can get really cold.
Purdue University
Anyone who has done research on the elite universities in America has probably come across Purdue University. Purdue has a high quality of education that has evolved through a long and rich history, which began in 1869, when the university was founded. The university has a wide array of undergraduate studies for students to choose from. Those who want to enter into graduate school might be happy to know that Purdue University offers both graduate and doctorate degrees. Some of the graduate programs offered in Purdue University include life sciences, aviation, the arts, and business administration.
Ohio State University
Ohio State University specializes in agricultural studies, but the institution has developed and branched-out into many other fields of study. The school has gained fame across the nation as a top competitor in college sports and a premier institution for education. Some of the courses offered at Ohio State include biology, education, the arts, and allied health services. Aside from the numerous undergraduate courses offered at Ohio State University, there are also a number of graduate and doctorate studies offered at Ohio State.
