TEM #048: Wait, you think your personal statement is about you?

June 28, 2024

Happy Friday!

Quick note before we jump in: The Education Mindset will take a break next week (7/5) for holiday travel and time to unwind.

I hope you have fun plans and at least one alarm-free day in your future!

(Personally, I'm pumped for nostalgic Midwestern sloppy joe sandwiches and Ballreich potato chips)

In case your holiday weekend starts tonight and you have grand plans of working on your grad school application next week (you've got this!), today I'm bringing back a popular post that went viral on Pinterest.

As you prepare to write your personal statement - remember - it's not actually about you 🤯

Keep scrolling to find out why.

This week’s highlights:

• Your education affirmation

• Your grad school personal statement is not about you

• Chocolate fireworks (dreams do come true) 🍫

• A little help from a friend

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Education affirmation.

"Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire." - William Butler Yeats

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Your grad school personal statement is not about you.

I know, I know - it says "personal" statement.

And all of the questions are about your experiences.

... How can it possibly not be about you?

Truth be told, application reviewers are humans who are excited to welcome future graduate students - and - have their own agendas in mind, too.

Reviewers really want to know whether you will:

1. Add value in class and to your cohort.

2. Complete the degree with minimal bumps along the way.

3. Be a strong representative of the program as an alum in your career pursuits.

Basically, your personal statement is about them, their interests as educators and maintaining the existence of their graduate program.

Knowing this, you're in the best position to write a persuasive case for why you deserve a spot to meet their needs - and - reach your future goals.

This one's worth a read before you start writing - click below to make sure your statement has what it takes to get accepted!

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Fun fact.

Chocolate fireworks are real!

In 2002, Nestle built and detonated a ​chocolate firework​ for the Guinness Book of World Records.

It released 130+ pounds of chocolate in the air (my literal dream, although it probably wasn't edible).

No ties to grad school today - be safe if you play with fireworks next week!

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A little help from a friend.

Even if we have yet to meet, know that I'm always here to help with your back-to-grad-school process.

Here's what previous prospective graduate students like you have shared about our time working together:

"I liked that it was a conversation and not something intimidating like 'you need to do this by this deadline and this is everything you need to do.' Dr. Jena asked what I wanted to accomplish and how she could help get me there." - Shelby

"Dr. Jena was friendly and eager to help and also very real. She made it easier to see things clearly because she was up front and honest and helped me make the best decision for me." - Cam

Whether it's a quick email question, a strategy session, or a full personal statement review (these are way more fun and confidence-boosting than you'd expect) - I've got you covered.

After working together, I also love to check in and hear how everything is going with your process, and especially to celebrate you getting accepted when the time comes!

As always, thanks for being here - have a phenomenal holiday week!!

Dr. Jena

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** Whenever you are ready, here are 4 ways I can help **

If you’re thinking about graduate school 🤔

If you’re ready to apply this year 😃

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