1、Getting Personal A grad schools first impression of you is your personal statement. Make it count.Do you long to make your mark in image sequence analysis, conduct research on robust 3-D object recognition or master exemplary cache management skills? Then youre probably headed for graduate school, a
2、nd to get there, youll need to write a persuasive personal statement. Whether its called a personal statement, a statement of purpose or a letter of intent, the goal is the sameyou have about 500 words to petition for admission into a program that probably receives 10 times more applicants than it c
3、an accept. A well-written, thoughtful personal statement will help elevate you above the crowd.Discern the Criteria of the Essay QuestionAlthough some applications may simply request a one-page statement without specifying any content guidelines, typically you are asked to comment on matters of pers
4、onal background, work experience, research goals, long-term objectives and your particular interest in the program to which you are applying. Attend to each of these categories, perhaps devoting one short paragraph to each, explicitly and efficiently. Anchor your topic sentences in the language of t
5、he criteria (e.g., “My long-term goals are.“; “My past research endeavors include.“), followed by examples demonstrating the specifics of your background and the clarity of your thinking.Articulate Your Personal and Professional InspirationHaving read hundreds of personal statements over the years,
6、I recognize how valuable it is to paint an interesting personal but professional picture of yourself. Some students make the mistake of discussing something far too private or unsettling in their personal background (such as a serious family crisis or a bout with depression), while others come off a
7、s a wannabe hacker or exude a “computers are really cool“ naivete. Instead, give a thumbnail sketch that stresses positive and professional influence: a memorable and uplifting early experience, a high school or college project that ignited or deepened your interest in computer science, an especiall
8、y inspiring teacher or relative who followed a career path that you emulate. The goal is to write an opening paragraph that no other candidate could have written, while striking a professional, positive tone.Discuss Your Experience as a Set of Aquired SkillsWith emphasis on professional experience a
9、nd transferable skills, describe your background using action verbs (e.g., “I programmed.“; “I installed and maintained.“; “As part of a team, I redesigned.“). If you are not invited to submit a resume with your application, you may want to incorporate the job descriptions from your resume into your
10、 statement. Also, seek to interweave a discussion of your coursework, teaching and activities with a description of your actual work experience as necessary. Those Web pages you designed as part of a classroom project, or your work as a teaching assistant for a lab course, or your active involvement
11、 in the student chapter of a professional association can be just as relevant as an internship position.温馨提示：专业的事情，交给专业的机构来完成。10 年来，监审留学一直致力于留学文书和留学论文的写作服务，已经帮助过无数留学生申请到理想的大学，留学过程中如果时间不够的都找我们监审留学写作课堂作业，不敢保证高分，但最低保及格。如果您有写作方面的需求可以 联系QQ：970865017，按时交稿，绝不拖延，再也不用发愁。Describe a Research Plan or Identify a
12、n Area of Research InterestHerein lies the toughest yet most important job for most grad school applicantsdescribing your specific research interest. Recognize, however, that you are not committing to an unbreakable covenant, but simply identifying a compatible area of interest. For specifics here,
13、turn to your previous coursework, think about successful projects you have already taken part in, and browse the host programs Web pages and application materials to determine what kinds of projects the professors and research teams undertake. Selection committees will give special attention to stud
14、ents who show an interest in theoretical computer science, or those who have a background in a related application area, such as chemistry, mathematics or geographic information systems, and successfully tie their interests to a projected area of research. Stress your desire and ability to solve rel
15、evant problems and address research questions.Establish Long-Term ObjectivesAs with the discussion of a research plan, long-term objectives are not lifetime commitments but thoughtful, concrete plans. Valuable options here include specifying continued work in a particular research area, the desire t
16、o obtain a Ph.D. or teach at the university level, or future plans to work as an independent or corporate consultant. By articulating a reasonable long-term objective or two, you persuade a program that you are worthy of serious consideration. If youre hazy about long-term objectives, discuss some p
17、ossibilities with an advisor in your field from whom you might also receive feedback on your personal statement.Close by Discussing Specifics About the Program to Which You Are ApplyingLearning all you can about the target program not only makes sense, it gives you concrete closing material to inclu
18、de in your essay. Many graduate programs include downloadable application materials on their Web sites, and just one phone call to the programs graduate office will secure plenty of materials. Also, be certain to research information about the faculty, perhaps reading some of the faculty publication
19、s to familiarize yourself with the research being done. Some students even email faculty whom they are especially interested in working with, establish a correspondence, and cite this interaction in their personal statement. The goal is to create a professional link between yourself and the program,
20、 its facilities and its faculty. Go beyond simply inserting the program name into your final paragraph; prove that you have done your homework.Pay a VisitWithout question, an on-site visit is the best way to ensure a good fit between you and a graduate program, and graduate directors will always giv
21、e special attention to candidates willing to make a visit. Do not count on being invited specifically to visit a program but set up an appointment on your own, ideally before or while your application is under consideration. While visiting the site, be certain to have relevant questions ready for the graduate director, ask to tour the facilities, and try to meet with a faculty member or two. If you are especially interested in a particular program, an on-site visit would be a finishing stroke to a perfect application.
