Mastering the Art of Writing Application Essays

 
Writing Application Essays
 
Barbara Gastel, MD, MPH
Professor, Texas A&M University
INASP Associate – AuthorAID
 
Opportunities for Which Applicants
Sometimes Must Submit Essays
 
Graduate (postgraduate) programs
Professional school (for example, medical school)
Internships (in various professional fields)
Residencies in medical fields
Fellowships (for example, for postdoctoral study)
Scholarships
Awards
Other
 
A Note on Terms
 
For some opportunities, the 
application essay
may have another name, such as 
admissions
essay, personal statement, 
or 
statement of
purpose.
 
In this presentation, the general term
application essay 
will be used.
 
Some Purposes of an Application Essay
 
To show where you’re coming from, where
you are now, and where you’re going
To show that you’re well matched will the
opportunity you’re seeking
To show that you think clearly and express
yourself well
Other?
 
Ideal Impression on a Reader
 
“This applicant is essentially a perfect fit.  The
applicant’s background, values, and goals all suit
the opportunity.  So do the applicant’s abilities
and traits.  And the applicant comes across as
someone we’d enjoy working with.  Of course
this applicant should be a finalist for this
opportunity.”
 
Preparing to Write
an Application Essay
 
 
Researching the Opportunity
 
Inform yourself well about the opportunity in
order to
Make an informed choice
Gear your application essay accordingly
Find out any requirements for the application
essay—for example:
Length
Deadline
 
Reflecting on Yourself
 
Identify items such as relevant
Experience
Abilities
Traits
Goals
Note: Consulting your resume or curriculum
vitae can be helpful.
 
Looking at Models
 
Consider looking at general examples of
application essays (for example, online).
If feasible, perhaps look at application essays
by people who have obtained opportunities
like the one you are seeking.
 
Drafting an Application Essay
 
 
Establishing the Mindset
 
Be ready to tell your story.  Application essays
that are largely stories tend to be easier to
write and read.
Know that the point is to communicate, not to
impress with your literary skill.
Be aware that readers are likely to be busy.
Therefore write in a way that is easy to read.
Remember that a draft is just a draft.  Get
something written.  You can then revise it.
 
A Basic Structure
 
Introduction (can be a straightforward
overview or, for example, can incorporate an
anecdote or quote)
Relevant aspects of your history
Evidence that you’re well matched with what
you’re seeking (can be integrated into the
above)
Your hopes for the future, especially as related
to the opportunity you’re seeking
 
Note: Having the content at the end
“circle back” to that at the beginning
can work well.
 
 
Some Suggestions on Content
 
Be focused.
Relate the content to your main objective.
Be selective.
If, for example, you’re applying for different
fellowships, have different versions of your
application essay, each geared accordingly.
Include the 5 Ws and an H (who, what, where,
when, why, and how).
 
Suggestions on Content (cont)
 
Support statements with evidence (for
instance, examples).
Show that your choice of what to seek is well
informed and thoughtful.
Show rather than tell.  For example, rather
than saying that you’re hardworking, make it
clear from your story that you’ve worked hard.
Consider presenting your strengths in terms of
perceptions by others.
 
Suggestions on Content (cont)
 
Be sure to explain items that may be unclear.
For example, if the purpose of an award is
unclear from its name, say what the award
was for.
If there are aspects of your background that
readers may wonder about (for example, gaps
in your education or career), explain them.
 
Some Notes on Drafting
 
When drafting an application essay, don’t
worry much about length.  Just try to get the
ideas down.  You can expand or condense the
essay later.
Likewise, don’t get bogged down in trying to
make the application essay perfect right away.
You can polish it later.
 
Polishing an Application Essay
 
 
Some Items to Check
 
Clarity
Insufficient just to be clear enough to understand
Should be so clear it can’t be misunderstood
Completeness (Was anything  major left out?)
Focus (Is any content tangential and therefore in
need of deletion?)
Organization (Is everything in logical order?)
Flow (Does each idea lead smoothly to the next?)
Mechanics: grammar, spelling, punctuation, usage
 
To Avoid: Wordiness
(Unnecessarily Lengthy Wording)
 
A common problem, especially in drafts
Tends to make writing harder to read
Takes up valuable space; thus, can’t present as
much content
Decrease wordiness by
Generally using the shorter word
Deleting unnecessary words
Condensing wordy phrases
 
Using the Shorter Word
 
Attempt → Try
Currently → Now
Demonstrate → Show
Fundamental → Basic
Numerous → Many
Subsequently → Later
Utilize → Use
 
Deleting Needless Words
 
Absolutely essential → Essential
Completely destroy → Destroy
Count the number of cases → Count the cases
In the field of biostatistics → In biostatistics
Of an efficient nature → Efficient
Red in color → Red
This particular disease → This disease
Whether or not to → Whether to
 
Condensing Wordy Phrases
 
At this point in time → Now
In the event that → If
Is able to → Can
Is similar to → Resembles
Make contributions → Contribute
Produce relief of → Relieve
The majority of → Most
 
Also to Avoid
 
Overly long sentences
Excessive use of abbreviations
Undefined abbreviations
 
Getting Feedback
 
Consider getting feedback on one or more
drafts of your application essay.
Think of who can best help with what aspects.
Indicate what kind of feedback you’re seeking:
General comments on content?
Help in final polishing?
Something else?
Whatever could help?
Note: Provide enough time to do the review.
 
Formatting an Application Essay
 
Follow the instructions, if any.
Unless otherwise specified:
Use a standard, readable typeface.
Use medium-sized type (10 to 12 points).
Use margins of at least 2.5 cm (1 inch).
For readability, use an unjustified (“ragged”) right
margin.
 
Proofreading Your Application Essay
 
Set your application essay aside for a while, so
you can proofread it with a fresh eye.
Read your application essay aloud. That way,
you might more easily notice problems such
as missing words.
Consider having someone else proofread your
application essay too.
 
Wishing You Much Success!
 
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Discover valuable insights on writing application essays for various opportunities such as graduate programs, professional schools, internships, residencies, fellowships, scholarships, and awards. Learn about the different purposes of an application essay, tips for making an ideal impression on the reader, and steps to prepare effectively by researching the opportunity, reflecting on yourself, and looking at models. Elevate your application essay writing skills to stand out and increase your chances of success.


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  1. Writing Application Essays Barbara Gastel, MD, MPH Professor, Texas A&M University INASP Associate AuthorAID

  2. Opportunities for Which Applicants Sometimes Must Submit Essays Graduate (postgraduate) programs Professional school (for example, medical school) Internships (in various professional fields) Residencies in medical fields Fellowships (for example, for postdoctoral study) Scholarships Awards Other

  3. A Note on Terms For some opportunities, the application essay may have another name, such as admissions essay, personal statement, or statement of purpose. In this presentation, the general term application essay will be used.

  4. Some Purposes of an Application Essay To show where you re coming from, where you are now, and where you re going To show that you re well matched will the opportunity you re seeking To show that you think clearly and express yourself well Other?

  5. Ideal Impression on a Reader This applicant is essentially a perfect fit. The applicant s background, values, and goals all suit the opportunity. So do the applicant s abilities and traits. And the applicant comes across as someone we d enjoy working with. Of course this applicant should be a finalist for this opportunity.

  6. Preparing to Write an Application Essay

  7. Researching the Opportunity Inform yourself well about the opportunity in order to Make an informed choice Gear your application essay accordingly Find out any requirements for the application essay for example: Length Deadline

  8. Reflecting on Yourself Identify items such as relevant Experience Abilities Traits Goals Note: Consulting your resume or curriculum vitae can be helpful.

  9. Looking at Models Consider looking at general examples of application essays (for example, online). If feasible, perhaps look at application essays by people who have obtained opportunities like the one you are seeking.

  10. Drafting an Application Essay

  11. Establishing the Mindset Be ready to tell your story. Application essays that are largely stories tend to be easier to write and read. Know that the point is to communicate, not to impress with your literary skill. Be aware that readers are likely to be busy. Therefore write in a way that is easy to read. Remember that a draft is just a draft. Get something written. You can then revise it.

  12. A Basic Structure Introduction (can be a straightforward overview or, for example, can incorporate an anecdote or quote) Relevant aspects of your history Evidence that you re well matched with what you re seeking (can be integrated into the above) Your hopes for the future, especially as related to the opportunity you re seeking

  13. Note: Having the content at the end circle back to that at the beginning can work well.

  14. Some Suggestions on Content Be focused. Relate the content to your main objective. Be selective. If, for example, you re applying for different fellowships, have different versions of your application essay, each geared accordingly. Include the 5 Ws and an H (who, what, where, when, why, and how).

  15. Suggestions on Content (cont) Support statements with evidence (for instance, examples). Show that your choice of what to seek is well informed and thoughtful. Show rather than tell. For example, rather than saying that you re hardworking, make it clear from your story that you ve worked hard. Consider presenting your strengths in terms of perceptions by others.

  16. Suggestions on Content (cont) Be sure to explain items that may be unclear. For example, if the purpose of an award is unclear from its name, say what the award was for. If there are aspects of your background that readers may wonder about (for example, gaps in your education or career), explain them.

  17. Some Notes on Drafting When drafting an application essay, don t worry much about length. Just try to get the ideas down. You can expand or condense the essay later. Likewise, don t get bogged down in trying to make the application essay perfect right away. You can polish it later.

  18. Polishing an Application Essay

  19. Some Items to Check Clarity Insufficient just to be clear enough to understand Should be so clear it can t be misunderstood Completeness (Was anything major left out?) Focus (Is any content tangential and therefore in need of deletion?) Organization (Is everything in logical order?) Flow (Does each idea lead smoothly to the next?) Mechanics: grammar, spelling, punctuation, usage

  20. To Avoid: Wordiness (Unnecessarily Lengthy Wording) A common problem, especially in drafts Tends to make writing harder to read Takes up valuable space; thus, can t present as much content Decrease wordiness by Generally using the shorter word Deleting unnecessary words Condensing wordy phrases

  21. Using the Shorter Word Attempt Try Currently Now Demonstrate Show Fundamental Basic Numerous Many Subsequently Later Utilize Use

  22. Deleting Needless Words Absolutely essential Essential Completely destroy Destroy Count the number of cases Count the cases In the field of biostatistics In biostatistics Of an efficient nature Efficient Red in color Red This particular disease This disease Whether or not to Whether to

  23. Condensing Wordy Phrases At this point in time Now In the event that If Is able to Can Is similar to Resembles Make contributions Contribute Produce relief of Relieve The majority of Most

  24. Also to Avoid Overly long sentences Excessive use of abbreviations Undefined abbreviations

  25. Getting Feedback Consider getting feedback on one or more drafts of your application essay. Think of who can best help with what aspects. Indicate what kind of feedback you re seeking: General comments on content? Help in final polishing? Something else? Whatever could help? Note: Provide enough time to do the review.

  26. Formatting an Application Essay Follow the instructions, if any. Unless otherwise specified: Use a standard, readable typeface. Use medium-sized type (10 to 12 points). Use margins of at least 2.5 cm (1 inch). For readability, use an unjustified ( ragged ) right margin.

  27. Proofreading Your Application Essay Set your application essay aside for a while, so you can proofread it with a fresh eye. Read your application essay aloud. That way, you might more easily notice problems such as missing words. Consider having someone else proofread your application essay too.

  28. Wishing You Much Success!

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