personal statement - application

[drj2b]

well, while most people here have already been accepted....can u please tell me how long your personal statement for your application was?

i can't get mine below 2 1/2 pages, single spaced (1200 words)!!

My personal statement will be the main element of my application (weak academic).

Thanks for the help!!!

[wolfvgang22]

I was in a similiar situation.
It'll probably be okay as long as you have a hook...a story that really draws the reader in and makes them want to keep reading to find out what happened.
Even so, I'd keep it down to a page, page and a half at most.
Double spaced text is much easier to read than single spaced text. I hope you are using 12 point font.
You might consider getting some extra help from some pros. If you don't know a helpful English prof or star literature student, you can get help at essayedge.com. I paid $75 for really good personalized results there, and I felt it was worth the peace of mind knowing that I turned in my absolute best personal statement.
Good Luck!

[Siddman]

well, while most people here have already been accepted....can u please tell me how long your personal statement for your application was?

i can't get mine below 2 1/2 pages, single spaced (1200 words)!!

My personal statement will be the main element of my application (weak academic).

Thanks for the help!!!

My personal statement was 3 pages double spaced.......yah if i had to talk about my full life experience i will need a whole book..... :lol: :lol:


Siddman

[drj2b]

well that was some fast replies!!!

well, both of you are suggesting the same lenght....3 pages double space, page-page and half single space....

wow!.....i'm trying to boil it down, but it's hard....i've had two essay pros look it over already, and i got an A on content and style, but they couldn't really break it down to make it shorter either.

i wouldn't call it boring, but i wouldn't say it's an interesting story either....b/c of having to shorten it, i've had to take out anything that didn't pertain to straight ahead facts.

i guess i'm just going to have to figure out what is important to say, and what isn't.....hmmm......

any more pointers?!

[ResearchingGuy]

I tried changing fonts, adjusting spacing, etc, etc, and I still couldn't get it below about two pages. I say, if you're satisfied with it and it looks and sounds good (and it does) go ahead and just send it in.

Best of luck!

[Siddman]

well that was some fast replies!!!

well, both of you are suggesting the same lenght....3 pages double space, page-page and half single space....

wow!.....i'm trying to boil it down, but it's hard....i've had two essay pros look it over already, and i got an A on content and style, but they couldn't really break it down to make it shorter either.

i wouldn't call it boring, but i wouldn't say it's an interesting story either....b/c of having to shorten it, i've had to take out anything that didn't pertain to straight ahead facts.

i guess i'm just going to have to figure out what is important to say, and what isn't.....hmmm......

any more pointers?!
Remember that ......in the interview they are going ot ask you a lot of questions from your personal statement....so they do take their time to read it very carefully..........

Siddman

[drj2b]

well, i'm actually hoping for two things...

..that i actually get an interview!!

..and that they do scrutinize my personal statement through the interview, b/c what i've been doing is removing extra details in trying to make the personal statement shorter.

i was even wondering how much detail to leave out, i.e. i volunteered at XYZ. My responsibilites were DEF. I gained JKL(insight, experiences etc.)

i've basically been cutting out the JKL stuff.

[OLD_DOG]

I called Gardner and asked what length they expected. The man said that
he was on the admissions committee and to use whatever length I needed.
I figured that 3 pages is max (so you don't kill their eyes). I compromised,
mine is 2.75 pages with 1.5 spacing and 12 size font. You could change the
borders to half inch (left and right) to cut down pages. I did get an interview that went fairly well.
THE ONLY PROBLEM IS THAT IT WAS 9 DAYS AGO AND THEY SAID THAT I WOULD GET A RESPONSE IN "ABOUT A WEEK". I'm trying not to panic here but the waiting is tough!! I hope I get in!!!

[Stewie]

If you don't get in, do they automatically consider you for the next enrollment date...say for example, the Jan 2006 class?

[Siddman]

If you don't get in, do they automatically consider you for the next enrollment date...say for example, the Jan 2006 class?

If you don't get in you are asked to go to MUA instead.......and they pass your file to them....


Siddman

[drj2b]

when i called gardner, the man told me 1 page single spaced!!

wow, this statment will never get done, i'm so sick of editing it.

i would rather have the extra length, just to turn it into more of a story.

[Stewie]

Thanks for the info Siddman

[wolfvgang22]

Siddmans right.
Here's how it works: The admissions committee tries to put you in the semester of your choice. You get to list the semesters in order of preference at the top of the application form if I remember correctly. Sept. is most competitive, followed by May and then January.
Jan. is probably the least competitive because smart applicants who have done their homework know that they would have to really rush through school to participate in the Match, or sit out a whole year until the next Match. (Note I'm not slamming Jan. matriculants, I was one myself and deferred to May.)
If Saba doesn't think that you are quite up to par, they send your application to the MUA admissions committee. When I applied I was prepared to either go to MUA or apply to AUC if that happened.
Good luck!

[Siddman]

Siddmans right.
Here's how it works: The admissions committee tries to put you in the semester of your choice. You get to list the semesters in order of preference at the top of the application form if I remember correctly. Sept. is most competitive, followed by May and then January.
Jan. is probably the least competitive because smart applicants who have done their homework know that they would have to really rush through school to participate in the Match, or sit out a whole year until the next Match. (Note I'm not slamming Jan. matriculants, I was one myself and deferred to May.)
If Saba doesn't think that you are quite up to par, they send your application to the MUA admissions committee. When I applied I was prepared to either go to MUA or apply to AUC if that happened.
Good luck!

Well said wolfgang22......



Siddman

[drj2b]

ok, i've got it down to just under 2 pages single spaced....but, i have two versions....

the straight forward, more boring read, but topics in order of importance

the narrative, more interesting read, but unfortunately, the lesser important topic comes up first

any ideas, all input extremely appreciated!

(hmmm.....maybe i'm procastinating actually getting this application out!)

[studentMD]

ok, i've got it down to just under 2 pages single spaced....but, i have two versions....

the straight forward, more boring read, but topics in order of importance

the narrative, more interesting read, but unfortunately, the lesser important topic comes up first

any ideas, all input extremely appreciated!

(hmmm.....maybe i'm procastinating actually getting this application out!)

have a few ppl read it and give u input on which version would be better to send in...

[OLD_DOG]

I left mine at 2.75 pages and it worked!!! I just got accepted for Jan 2006!
I made the first sentence an attention grabber and went on to explain how
I've been interested in science since I was a child (even when it got me into trouble!). Then, at the end of the first paragraph, I stated how my little story related to my goal of attending SABA and becoming a physician.
I spent 3 weeks on the personal statement because I KNEW that the admissions committee would read it! I did not let anyone proof read it because I'm a good writer and was confident (although I hate writing).
Make it truthful and interesting and you'll be fine. Get someone to proof read it if you're not sure about punctuation or its tone. Good luck!

[wolfvgang22]

:lol:
Just send in your favorite one already...:lol:

[drj2b]

i hear you!!

tomorrow is my absolute deadline, gathering all the material as we speak, going to use the narrative more interesting version, 2pages