theme of this collection relies on poems that draw from classical, biblical, and folk traditions, as well as everyday
experience, in order to celebrate the process of giving and taking life, whether literal or figurative. My poetry draws
from and influences my academic studies. Much of what I read and study finds a place in my creative work as
subject. At the same time, I study the art of literature by taking part in the creative process, experimenting with
the tools used by other authors in the past.
In terms of a career, I see myself teaching literature, writing criticism, and going into editing or publishing poetry.
Doctoral studies would be valuable to me in several ways. First, your teaching assistant ship program would provide
me with the practical teaching experience I am eager to acquire. Further, earning a Ph.D. in English and American
literature would advance my other two career goals by adding to my skills, both critical and creative, in working with
language. Ultimately, however, I see the Ph.D. as an end in itself, as well as a professional stepping stone; I
enjoy studying literature for its own sake and would like to continue my studies on the level demanded by the
Ph.D. program.
(Stelzer pp. 40-41)
Some advice from admissions representatives:
Lee Cunningham
Director of Admissions and Aid
The University of Chicago Graduate School of Business
The mistake people make most often is not to look at what the questions are asking. Some people prepare
generic statements because they're applying to more than one school and it's a lot of work to do a personal essay
for each school. On the other hand, generic statements detract from the applicant when we realize that we're one
of six schools and the applicant is saying the same thing to each and every school despite the fact that there are
critical differences between the kinds of schools they may be applying to. They don't take the time. They
underestimate the kind of attentions that is paid to these essays. Take a look at what the essay asks and deal
with those issues articulately and honestly.
At least 2, and sometimes 3, people read each essay. I read them to make the final decision. Our process works
so that each person who reads the application does a written evaluation of what he or she has read and the written
evaluations are not seen by the other reader.
(adapted from Stelzer, p. 49)
Steven DeKrey
Director of Admissions and Financial Aid
J. L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management (Northwestern University)
We're looking for a well-written, detailed essay that responds directly to the question. The questions are about
extracurricular activities, motivation, challenges, commitment to the school that kind of thing. We see a variety and
that's fine. Our approach is very individualized. The way the applicant devises the answer, determines the length,
develops the response, is all part of the answer. The level of effort applicants put into essays varies considerably,
which sends messages to the admissions committee as well. Over-involved, elaborate essays send one message,
while very brief and superficial essays send another message.
Trying to second-guess what we are looking for is a common mistake--which we can sense.
We can tell when applicants use answers to other schools' questions for our essays; we're sensitive to this. Poorly
written essays are a bad reflection on the applicant.
Don't over-elaborate; we're reading a lot of these kinds of essays. Also, don't be too brief or superficial. We like to
have major ideas presented well.
( adapted from Stelzer, p. 55)
Michael D. Rappaport
Assistant Dean of Admissions
UCLA School of Law
Applicants should take the time to look at what the law school is asking them to write about. At UCLA, we say, "we
know you have lots of extracurricular activities--we want to know how you differ, what makes you unique? What can
you bring to the first year class that's going to make you distinctive from the other 99 people who are already
there?" The fact that you were active in your fraternity or sorority is really not going to do it. What we're looking for
is somebody who, in their personal statement, stands out as being so unusual, so diverse, that they're extremely
attractive as a law student for the first-year class. Maybe what's going to make them distinctive is the fact they
spent six months living in a log cabin in Alaska. You try to give the law school some justification for admitting you.
With a lot of people, there's nothing that's going to make them distinctive. If that's the case, they've got to
recognize that, indeed, the essay is not going to make that much difference here at UCLA.
We're also asking if there's any reason their LSAT or grades are not predictive. You'd be amazed at the number of
people who completely ignore this--they don't take advantage of the opportunity.
Most law schools operate fairly similarly. There's a certain group of applicants whose grades and LSAT scores are so
high that the presumption is that the applicants are going to be admitted unless they do something terribly stupid
to keep themselves out. I have seen applicants whose personal statement has done that, but it's extremely rare.
At the other extreme is another group of applicants who, no matter what they write, are not going to get in.
The applicant has to realize, first of all, where he or she stands. If you have a straight-A grade point average and
a perfect LSAT score, you don't have to spend a lot of time worrying about your personal statement. On the other
hand, if you know you're in the borderline area, that's where the personal statement becomes very, very important.
The applicant should take the time to read the application to see what the schools are asking for. Sometimes the
school will ask for a general description of why you want to go to law school, or why they should admit you,
something of that nature. In such case you can be fairly sure that the school is just interested in the essay to see
how well you write. So what you say isn't as important as how you say it. On the other hand, some schools are
more specific--UCLA being a very good example of that.
Make sure the essay is grammatically and technically correct and well written. Avoid sloppy essays, coffee stained
essa
s, or ones that are handwritten so
ou can't read them. You'd be amazed at what we
et!