The document provides guidance on writing letters of intent and short essays for graduate school admissions. It discusses understanding the requirements, developing effective topics, brainstorming ideas, and creating a persuasive personal statement that highlights relevant experiences, goals, and fit for the program. Tips are provided on writing concisely while engaging the reader and demonstrating passion for one's field of study.

1. Writing for Admission and
Scholarships: Letters of Intent
and Short Essays
A Dalhousie Writing Centre
Seminar

2. Introduction
This PowerPoint addresses the type of writing
that many graduate schools expect as part of an
application packet. Schools often request an essay
or statement that tells about you as an individual.
This piece of writing should include aspects of your
experiences that are not addressed in other material
the university will receive, such as test scores,
transcripts, and recommendations. The essay is an
opportunity for you to express who you are, what
your goals are, what the program to which you are
applying offers you, and what you can offer the
program. Perhaps most importantly, the essay or
statement is an opportunity to convey your passion
for your field.

3. Understanding the
requirement
The requirements of written pieces vary
depending on university and discipline.
Some programs will ask for an essay on a
specific topic while others offer no clear
prompt or are very general. If there is no
clear prompt, assume that the essay
requires you to discuss how your
experiences and skills have lead you to this
career path.

4. Understanding the
requirement
 Personal statements are normally 500-
1000 words
 Know your audience; know the program to
which you are applying– the philosophy,
the courses, and its ability to cater to your
interests.
 Read the directions carefully.

5. Topic examples – Law School
The following examples are typical of the
types of essays you may be asked to write:
“Personal Statement. In this statement
you should describe your reasons for
applying to law school and indicate any
qualifications, qualities or
circumstances which you consider to be
significant and which you wish to bring
to the attention of the Admissions
Committee.”
(Dalhousie Law School 2004-2005)

6. Topic examples –
Interdisciplinary Program
“General Statement outlining research proposal and its
objectives: What is the essential question that your research
is addressing? Why is this worth doing?
Critical Assessment: Provide a critical assessment of the proposed
research from the point of view of each of the contributing
disciplines.
Interdisciplinarity: Why does this research require an
interdisciplinary approach? How do you propose integrating
the contributing disciplines to achieve your objectives? Could
you achieve your goals through any existing programs at
Dalhousie, perhaps as a special stream of interest?
Background: What are you bringing to the research? What are you
missing and how do you propose to fill those gaps?
Methodology: What general methodology are you intending to
follow for this research? Why? How does this decision reflect
the interdisciplinary nature of your research?
Results: How do you anticipate that your research results will affect
the knowledge of the contributing disciplines?”
Interdisciplinary PhD Program – Dalhousie University, 2006

7. Additional topic examples
 Write a one-page essay explaining who
you are.
 From history, who would you most like to
meet?
 Explore why you would like to enter this
field of study.
 Who has been the most influential person
in your life? Why?

8. Additional topic examples
Discipline specific questions:
 Should the British pound sterling be abandoned?
 Should Canada join the European Union?
Other pieces, statements of intent, statements of
reasons for graduate study, proposals, and so
on may require a combination of both the personal
essay and the discipline-specific essay in that they
must include research and personal commentary.
The students identifies the field of interest, topic or
area of interest, reasons for studying, personal traits
and background to show that he or she is able and
willing to complete the work.

9. Brainstorming
Freewriting (writing with the goal of getting
ideas on paper without concern for form or
structure) or listing are appropriate
brainstorming techniques for preparing to
write a personal statement.
Use whatever type of brainstorming activity
is comfortable and effective for you and
answer the questions on the following
slide.

10. Brainstorming
 What academic background or experiences have
lead you to apply to this program?
 When and how did you develop an interest in this
field?
 In what ways have you been pursuing this interest?
 What are the most special or notable or interesting
things about you?
 Why do you want to enter this program? What does
this program offer you? Why would this program be
a good fit for you?
 What do you plan to do with the education you
receive from this program?
 What research, if any, needs to be conducted in
order to write the essay? What types of sources will
you need?

11. The form of the personal
essay
A personal statement or essay presents
the reader with a persuasive argument. As
with any argument, your aim is to convince
your audience; in this case, your aim is to
persuade your audience that you belong in
the program.
Use the information created in your
brainstorming session to develop your
argument.

12. Developing an effective
argument
 Select the details that you would like to
include from your brainstorming session.
 Categorize these ideas. Determine what
elements fit together and how.
 Decide on an arrangement for these
categories, keeping in mind that you are
writing a persuasive argument.
 For example, will you proceed largely
chronologically, beginning with your background
and culminating in your application to this
program, or will you arrange the information
according to specific abilities or talents?

13. Creating an effective essay
Throughout the writing process, keep your audience
and purpose (persuasive writing) in mind.
In addition,
 Use active verbs. Verbs reveal action and life.
Rather than writing “ I was responsible for
investigating bullfrogs,” write “I investigated
bullfrogs.”
 Write persuasively and concisely.
 Get feedback from the people who are writing the
recommendations.

14. Checklist
In terms of content, did you
 Clearly address the topic or question?
 Emphasize your strengths?
 Discuss your goals?
 Address how your goals match the goals of the
program?
 Include what skills and traits you offer the program?
 Discuss relevant experience outside of academia?
 Write about yourself as a part of your discipline
rather than write about the discipline itself?
 Provide specific detail?
 Distinguish yourself?
 Convey your passion for your field?

15. Checklist
In terms of form and mechanics, did you
 Have a clear organizational strategy?
 Spell check?
 Proofread?
 Avoid beginning every sentence with “I”?
 Adhere to any page or word limits?

16. Some tips
 Read the directions carefully.
 Don’t skip questions or creatively change the topic.
 Do any research that is necessary. (Show them that
you’re a reader, a citizen of the world.)
 Engage the reader.
 Develop a theme/perspective or point of view.
 Use concrete examples to bring the piece to life.
 Use transitions between paragraphs.
 Use a variety of sentence structures and lengths.
 Avoid being either overly casual or overly formal.
 Get feedback by asking others to read your work.

17. Resources
 Online sources
http://rpi.edu/web/writingcenter/gradapp.html
http://www.psywww.com/careers/applicat.htm
 University resources under departments
 writingcentre@dal.ca
 Dalhousie Career Services career.services@dal.ca
 Handbooks:
 Instant Access
 A Canadian Writer’s Reference
 Fit to Print