lec writin per statmnt

8/20/2019 LEC Writin Per Statmnt

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Defnition o personalstatement:

A refection on the evaluation o the

links you established to the areas ointeractions, the process youollowed to prepare your nalproduct and the overall success o

your project in terms o your initialgoals.


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A A statement o purposestatement o purpose, or, or personalpersonalstatementstatement, is a brie and ocused, is a brie and ocused essayessay aboutaboutone's career or research goals, and isone's career or research goals, and is

requently required or applicants torequently required or applicants touniversitiesuniversities,, graduate schoolsgraduate schools, and, and proessionalproessional schools. A statement o purpose !o"# is aschools. A statement o purpose !o"# is aconcise essay about one's career goals,concise essay about one's career goals,identied means to achieve them andidentied means to achieve them and

accomplishments so ar towards those goals. $taccomplishments so ar towards those goals. $tis a required document when applying oris a required document when applying oradmission to most proessional programs in theadmission to most proessional programs in the%nited !tates. &ten, !o" is used as a yardstick%nited !tates. &ten, !o" is used as a yardstickto assess the capabilities o a prospectiveto assess the capabilities o a prospective

student in terms o critical thinking, analyticalstudent in terms o critical thinking, analyticalabilities, interests, aims and aspirations. $t is aabilities, interests, aims and aspirations. $t is agood way or an applicant to communicate withgood way or an applicant to communicate withthe admissions committee. ost admissionsthe admissions committee. ost admissionscommittees look or a short, crisp andcommittees look or a short, crisp andideologically clear !o".ideologically clear !o".

http://www.answers.com/topic/essayhttp://www.answers.com/topic/essayhttp://www.answers.com/topic/universityhttp://www.answers.com/topic/universityhttp://www.answers.com/topic/graduate-schoolhttp://www.answers.com/topic/graduate-schoolhttp://www.answers.com/topic/professionhttp://www.answers.com/topic/professionhttp://www.answers.com/topic/professionhttp://www.answers.com/topic/graduate-schoolhttp://www.answers.com/topic/universityhttp://www.answers.com/topic/essay


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Personal statementPersonal statement

$t is also known as a (raduate !chool )ssay.$t is also known as a (raduate !chool )ssay.&ther universities sometimes call it a *+etter&ther universities sometimes call it a *+ettero $ntent*, *+etter o $ntention*, *!tatemento $ntent*, *+etter o $ntention*, *!tatement

o $ntent*, *!tatement o $ntention*,o $ntent*, *!tatement o $ntention*,*!tatement o $nterest*, *(oals !tatement*,*!tatement o $nterest*, *(oals !tatement*,*"ersonal !tatement*, *"ersonal arrative**"ersonal !tatement*, *"ersonal arrative*or *Application )ssay*. -he name can be justor *Application )ssay*. -he name can be just

a name but oten it infuences content anda name but oten it infuences content andlength o the essay. )very university has itslength o the essay. )very university has itsown regulations, but most o the time it willown regulations, but most o the time it willbe /0 pages.be /0 pages.


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A personal statement is: A personal statement is: A picture A picture. "rovide a snapshot o who. "rovide a snapshot o who

you are as a person. you are as a person. An invitation An invitation. 1our job is to 2bridge the. 1our job is to 2bridge the

assumed distance o strangers.3 $nviteassumed distance o strangers.3 $nvite your reader to get to know you. your reader to get to know you.

An indication of your priorities and An indication of your priorities and

judgment judgment. 1our selection o material. 1our selection o materialreveals your priorities and ability toreveals your priorities and ability to

discern e4ectively.discern e4ectively. A story, or more precisely, your story A story, or more precisely, your story ..

-he personal statement allows you room-he personal statement allows you room

or creative, meaningul sel/refection.or creative, meaningul sel/refection.


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A personal statement is not: A personal statement is not: An academic paper with you as the An academic paper with you as the

subject.subject. -he objective distance o-he objective distance oacademic writing disengages theacademic writing disengages thereader rom you in a personalreader rom you in a personal

statement.statement. A resume in narrative form A resume in narrative form. &ther parts. &ther parts

o your application, which mighto your application, which mightinclude a resume, already tell readersinclude a resume, already tell readers

about your accomplishments. Aabout your accomplishments. Apersonal statement must reveal andpersonal statement must reveal andinterpret well beyond a resume.interpret well beyond a resume.


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A personal statement is not: A personal statement is not: A journal entry A journal entry . A common mistake is. A common mistake is

allowing your personal statement toallowing your personal statement toread like a diary. !hare only relevantread like a diary. !hare only relevantmaterial selectively, in a voice thatmaterial selectively, in a voice that

remains both individual andremains both individual andproessional.proessional.

A plea or justication A plea or justication. 5on6t beg and. 5on6t beg anddon6t deend the incorrect# assertiondon6t deend the incorrect# assertionthat you are more worthy than otherthat you are more worthy than other

candidates7it only backres.candidates7it only backres.


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Writing personal Writing personal

statementsstatements

-he personal statement is a very-he personal statement is a veryimportant part o the application. $timportant part o the application. $tgives candidates a chance to writegives candidates a chance to writereely about themselves and theirreely about themselves and theirinterest in the subject, as opposed tointerest in the subject, as opposed tothe rest o the application whichthe rest o the application which

consists mainly o 'objective'consists mainly o 'objective'inormation. -he statement can orminormation. -he statement can ormthe basis o an interview discussion.the basis o an interview discussion.


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"ersonal !tatement"ersonal !tatement

)very applicant is required to submit a)very applicant is required to submit apersonal statement. -he personalpersonal statement. -he personalstatement is generally /8 pages and isstatement is generally /8 pages and is

your opportunity to share relevant your opportunity to share relevantinormation about yoursel, your goals,inormation about yoursel, your goals,and why you would make a good matchand why you would make a good matchor the particular graduate program toor the particular graduate program towhich you are applying. !ome programswhich you are applying. !ome programsask that you address particular questionsask that you address particular questionsas your personal statement.as your personal statement.


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!tatement!tatement

"ersonal statements are sometimes also"ersonal statements are sometimes also

called *application essays* or *statementscalled *application essays* or *statementso purpose.o purpose. -hey are essentially essays which are-hey are essentially essays which are

written in response to a question orwritten in response to a question or

questions on a graduate or proessionalquestions on a graduate or proessionalschool application orm which asks orschool application orm which asks orsome sort o sustained response.some sort o sustained response.

!ome applications ask more specic!ome applications ask more specic

questions than others. -here is no setquestions than others. -here is no setormula to ollow in shaping yourormula to ollow in shaping yourresponse, only choices or you to make,response, only choices or you to make,such as whether you should write an essaysuch as whether you should write an essaythat is more autobiographically ocused orthat is more autobiographically ocused orone that is more proessionally ocused.one that is more proessionally ocused.


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&verview o the "ersonal&verview o the "ersonal!tatement!tatement

9rom application to application, requested9rom application to application, requestedpersonal statements also vary widely inpersonal statements also vary widely inlength, ranging rom a couple o paragraphslength, ranging rom a couple o paragraphs

to a series o essays o a page or so each.to a series o essays o a page or so each. "ersonal statements are most important when"ersonal statements are most important when

you are applying to an e:tremely competitive you are applying to an e:tremely competitiveprogram, where all the applicants have highprogram, where all the applicants have high

test scores and ("A's, and when you are atest scores and ("A's, and when you are amarginal candidate and need the essay tomarginal candidate and need the essay tocompensate or low test scores or a low ("Acompensate or low test scores or a low ("A


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How to WriteHow to Write

Personal StatementPersonal Statement

or Collegeor College

Admission Admission


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3 Steps to Write Personal Statement or College3 Steps to Write Personal Statement or College

Admission Admission

!tep ; $nterview yoursel !tep ; $nterview yoursel !tep 0; !tart writing your essay!tep 0; !tart writing your essay

!tep


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Step 1: Interview yoursel Step 1: Interview yoursel

>hat e:periences do you like talking about the most?>hat e:periences do you like talking about the most?

>hat has been the most interesting, intriguing, and>hat has been the most interesting, intriguing, ande:citing part o your lie @ why, and what did you learne:citing part o your lie @ why, and what did you learnrom it?rom it?

5iscuss an activity or e:perience that has helped you to5iscuss an activity or e:perience that has helped you toclariy your long/term academic goals.clariy your long/term academic goals.

ame a class or internship that you have taken to developame a class or internship that you have taken to develop

e:pertise in your major eld o study.e:pertise in your major eld o study. 5escribe a person who has shaped your values or belies.5escribe a person who has shaped your values or belies. $n ve years, where do you see yoursel working and what$n ve years, where do you see yoursel working and what

do you envision yoursel doing?do you envision yoursel doing? 5escribe your hometown and e:plain its impact on your5escribe your hometown and e:plain its impact on your

belies or values.belies or values. 5iscuss an obstacle that you6ve had to overcome to5iscuss an obstacle that you6ve had to overcome to

achieve your academic goals.achieve your academic goals. >rite a letter, and tell me everything you do, your>rite a letter, and tell me everything you do, your

personal history, and what matters to you.personal history, and what matters to you. >hat do you enjoy doing?>hat do you enjoy doing?


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Step : Start writing your essay Step : Start writing your essay

>rite rom your gut. 1ou6re used to writing rom>rite rom your gut. 1ou6re used to writing rom your head. 5on6t let your head make it up. +isten your head. 5on6t let your head make it up. +istento your gut, and get it down.to your gut, and get it down.

1ou can6t tell them everything. ave a ew main 1ou can6t tell them everything. ave a ew mainpoints you want to get across, and let them ndpoints you want to get across, and let them nd

out the rest o your story in your resume,out the rest o your story in your resume,interview, letters o recommendation, and otherinterview, letters o recommendation, and otherelements o your application.elements o your application.

>hen you decide on the main points and stories>hen you decide on the main points and stories you want to tell, answer these questions; >hat is you want to tell, answer these questions; >hat is

the point o the story you6re telling? >hat do youthe point o the story you6re telling? >hat do youneed to include to tell it well? >hat isn6tneed to include to tell it well? >hat isn6tnecessary?necessary?

ave many others read it or objectivity andave many others read it or objectivity anddistance, since this is the most personal topicdistance, since this is the most personal topic you6ll ever write about. you6ll ever write about.


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StepStep 3: Dou!le"dou!le"#$e#% 3: Dou!le"dou!le"#$e#%

(et other people to read it, mainly your amily, riends, teachers(et other people to read it, mainly your amily, riends, teachersand anyone else who you think will be able to give you a goodand anyone else who you think will be able to give you a goodopinion. As well as checking or spelling and grammaropinion. As well as checking or spelling and grammarmistakes, they will be able to tell you i they think there ismistakes, they will be able to tell you i they think there isanything you've missed out. Also show it to head o year oranything you've missed out. Also show it to head o year orcareer advisers, people like this will have seen a lot ocareer advisers, people like this will have seen a lot ostatements, and have a good idea what they should soundstatements, and have a good idea what they should soundlike.like.


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Do&s and Don&tsDo&s and Don&tsDo ' ' 'Do ' ' '

; Answer all the questions asked.; Answer all the questions asked.$ you are applying to more than one program, you may$ you are applying to more than one program, you maynd that each application asks a di4erent question ornd that each application asks a di4erent question orset o questions, and that you don't really eel likeset o questions, and that you don't really eel likewriting a bunch o di4erent responses. owever, youwriting a bunch o di4erent responses. owever, youshould avoid the temptation to submit the same essayshould avoid the temptation to submit the same essayor di4erent questions7it's ar better to tailor youror di4erent questions7it's ar better to tailor yourresponse to each question and each school.response to each question and each school.

$ you do nd yoursel short on time and must tailor one$ you do nd yoursel short on time and must tailor onebasic essay to t a number o di4erent questions rom abasic essay to t a number o di4erent questions rom anumber o di4erent schools, target your essay to yournumber o di4erent schools, target your essay to yourrst/choice school, and keep in mind that the less yourrst/choice school, and keep in mind that the less youressay is suited to an application's particular questions,essay is suited to an application's particular questions,the more you may be jeopardiBing your chances o beingthe more you may be jeopardiBing your chances o being

admitted to that school.admitted to that school. Ce honest and condent in your statements.Ce honest and condent in your statements.

%se positive emphasis. 5o not try to hide, make e:cuses%se positive emphasis. 5o not try to hide, make e:cusesor, or lie about your weaknesses. $n some cases, aor, or lie about your weaknesses. $n some cases, astudent needs to e:plain a weak component o his or herstudent needs to e:plain a weak component o his or herapplication, but in other cases it may be best not toapplication, but in other cases it may be best not to

mention those weaknesses at all. =ather, write an essaymention those weaknesses at all. =ather, write an essaythat ocuses on your strengths.that ocuses on your strengths.


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>rite a coherent and interesting essay.>rite a coherent and interesting essay. ake your rst paragraph the bestake your rst paragraph the best

paragraph in your essay.paragraph in your essay. 5evelop a thesis about yoursel early in the5evelop a thesis about yoursel early in the

essay and argue it throughout.essay and argue it throughout. )ach piece o inormation you give about)ach piece o inormation you give about

yoursel in the essay should somehow yoursel in the essay should somehowsupport your thesis.support your thesis.

"ick two to our main topics or a one/page"ick two to our main topics or a one/pageessay.essay.5on't summariBe your entire lie. 5on't5on't summariBe your entire lie. 5on'tinclude needless details that take spaceinclude needless details that take spaceaway rom a discussion o youraway rom a discussion o yourproessionalism, maturity, and ability to doproessionalism, maturity, and ability to dointellectual work in your chosen eld.intellectual work in your chosen eld.


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%se the personal statement as a orm o introduction.%se the personal statement as a orm o introduction.-hink o the essay as not only an answer to a specic-hink o the essay as not only an answer to a specicquestion but as an opportunity to introduce yoursel,question but as an opportunity to introduce yoursel,especially i your program doesn't interview applicants.especially i your program doesn't interview applicants.

Ask yoursel the ollowing questions as you edit or Ask yoursel the ollowing questions as you edit orcontent;content;

Are my goals well articulated? Are my goals well articulated?; 5o $ e:plain why $ have selected this school andDor; 5o $ e:plain why $ have selected this school andDorprogram in particular?program in particular?

; 5o $ demonstrate knowledge o this school or; 5o $ demonstrate knowledge o this school orprogram?program?; 5o $ include interesting details that prove my claims; 5o $ include interesting details that prove my claimsabout mysel?about mysel?; $s my tone condent?; $s my tone condent?

ake sure your essay is absolutely perect spelling,ake sure your essay is absolutely perect spelling,mechanics.mechanics. %se technical terminology where appropriate.%se technical terminology where appropriate.

1ou should write clearly and interestingly, yet also 1ou should write clearly and interestingly, yet alsospeak in a voice appropriate to your eld.speak in a voice appropriate to your eld.


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Don(t ' ' 'Don(t ' ' '

>rite what you think the admissions>rite what you think the admissionscommittee wants to hear. 1ou arecommittee wants to hear. 1ou are

probably wrong, and such a response isprobably wrong, and such a response islikely to make you blend into the crowdlikely to make you blend into the crowdrather than stand out rom it.rather than stand out rom it.

%se empty, vague, over/used words like%se empty, vague, over/used words likemeaningul, beautiul, challenging,meaningul, beautiul, challenging,invaluable, or rewardinginvaluable, or rewarding

&verwrite or belabor a minor point about&verwrite or belabor a minor point about

yoursel. yoursel. =epeat inormation directly rom the=epeat inormation directly rom the

application orm itsel unless you use it toapplication orm itsel unless you use it toillustrate a point or want to develop itillustrate a point or want to develop it

urther.urther.


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Don&tDon&t -ry to be unny. 1ou don't want to take the risk-ry to be unny. 1ou don't want to take the risk

they won't get the joke.they won't get the joke. (et too personal about religion, politics, or(et too personal about religion, politics, or

your lack o education avoid emotional your lack o education avoid emotionalcatharsis#catharsis#

$nclude ootnotes, quotations rom dead$nclude ootnotes, quotations rom dead

people, or long/winded and slow introductions.people, or long/winded and slow introductions. %se statements like *$'ve always wanted to be%se statements like *$'ve always wanted to be

a. . .* or any other hackneyed phrases.a. . .* or any other hackneyed phrases. %se gimmicks7too big o a risk on an%se gimmicks7too big o a risk on an

application to a graduate or proessionalapplication to a graduate or proessionalprogram.program. Allow any supercial errors in spelling, Allow any supercial errors in spelling,

mechanics, grammar, punctuation, ormat, ormechanics, grammar, punctuation, ormat, orprinting to creep under your vigilant guard.printing to creep under your vigilant guard.

C i " > iti thC i " > iti th


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Crie "rocess or >riting theCrie "rocess or >riting the"ersonal !tatement"ersonal !tatement

AnalyBe the questions# asked on a specic AnalyBe the questions# asked on a specicapplication.application.

=esearch the school andDor program to=esearch the school andDor program towhich you are applying.which you are applying.

-ake a personal inventory. >rite out a 0/rite out a 0/<sentence response to each question.sentence response to each question.

>rite your essay.>rite your essay.

=evise your essay or orm and content.=evise your essay or orm and content. Ask someone else / preerably a aculty Ask someone else / preerably a acultymember in your area / to read your essay andmember in your area / to read your essay andmake suggestions or urther revision.make suggestions or urther revision.

=evise again.=evise again.


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"ersonal $nventory Euestions"ersonal $nventory Euestions >hat makes you unique, or at least di4erent>hat makes you unique, or at least di4erent

rom, any other applicant?rom, any other applicant? >hat attracts you to your chosen career? >hat>hat attracts you to your chosen career? >hatdo you e:pect to get out o it?do you e:pect to get out o it?

>hen did you initially become interested in this>hen did you initially become interested in thiscareer? ow has this interest developed?career? ow has this interest developed?

>hen did you become certain that this is what>hen did you become certain that this is what you wanted to do? >hat solidied your decision? you wanted to do? >hat solidied your decision? >hat are your intellectual infuences? >hat>hat are your intellectual infuences? >hat

writers, books, proessors, concepts in collegewriters, books, proessors, concepts in collegehave shaped you?have shaped you?

ow has your undergraduate academicow has your undergraduate academice:perience prepared you ore:perience prepared you orgraduateDproessional school?graduateDproessional school?

>hat are two or three o the academic>hat are two or three o the academicaccomplishments which have most preparedaccomplishments which have most prepared

you? you?


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"ersonal $nventory Euestions"ersonal $nventory Euestions

>hat research have you conducted? >hat did>hat research have you conducted? >hat did

you learn rom it? you learn rom it? >hat non/academic e:periences contributed to>hat non/academic e:periences contributed to

your choice o school andDor career? work, your choice o school andDor career? work, volunteer, amily# volunteer, amily#

5o you have specic career plans? ow does5o you have specic career plans? ow doesgraduate or proessional school pertain to them?graduate or proessional school pertain to them?

ow much more education are you interestedow much more education are you interestedin?in?

>hat's the most important thing the admissions>hat's the most important thing the admissions

committee should know about you?committee should know about you? -hink o a proessor in your eld that you've-hink o a proessor in your eld that you've

had already and that you like and respect. $ thishad already and that you like and respect. $ thisperson were reading your application essay,person were reading your application essay,

what would most impress him or her?what would most impress him or her?

i)i


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)ips)ips Fonsider e:actly what the question asks. -hen list someFonsider e:actly what the question asks. -hen list some

relevant main ideasG use this list as an inormal outlinerelevant main ideasG use this list as an inormal outline

or your essay.or your essay. 5on't write a 2generic3 essay that could pass or one5on't write a 2generic3 essay that could pass or onethat any other applicant could have written. )verythingthat any other applicant could have written. )verythingin the essay should reveal something about 1&% andin the essay should reveal something about 1&% and your unique situation. Any reader o your essay should your unique situation. Any reader o your essay shouldeel as i he or she knows you personally.eel as i he or she knows you personally.

=emember that committee members are seeking the=emember that committee members are seeking theapplicant who ts the mission o their institution and isapplicant who ts the mission o their institution and isworthy o their award. -ailor your college admissionworthy o their award. -ailor your college admissionessay topic with their perspective in mind, and work toessay topic with their perspective in mind, and work toconvince them that you're the right candidate.convince them that you're the right candidate.

9ollow guidelines regarding such things as ont siBe and9ollow guidelines regarding such things as ont siBe and

essay length. !ometimes a typed essay is requiredGessay length. !ometimes a typed essay is requiredGother times, you are required to hand/write it.other times, you are required to hand/write it.!ometimes it should be on the application ormG other!ometimes it should be on the application ormG othertimes, it must be on a separate piece o paper. otimes, it must be on a separate piece o paper. omatter how good your college admission essay is,matter how good your college admission essay is,ailure to ollow instructions will make a negativeailure to ollow instructions will make a negative

impression and may actually disqualiy you.impression and may actually disqualiy you.

)ips)ips


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)ips)ips $ you have trouble thinking o ideas, be$ you have trouble thinking o ideas, be

resourceul. Ask people who know you wellresourceul. Ask people who know you well

what they would say about you. $ someone haswhat they would say about you. $ someone haswritten a letter o recommendation or you, re/written a letter o recommendation or you, re/read it. >hich accomplishments listed on yourread it. >hich accomplishments listed on yourrHsumH might interest the committee?rHsumH might interest the committee?

5on't use long words and obscure vocabulary5on't use long words and obscure vocabulary

simply to impress the committeeG doing so willsimply to impress the committeeG doing so willcome across as articial and showy.come across as articial and showy. -he appearance o your essay is important.-he appearance o your essay is important.

!pell all words correctlyG ollow grammar and!pell all words correctlyG ollow grammar andpunctuation rulesG and keep your paper neat.punctuation rulesG and keep your paper neat.

-he committee may not meet you personallyG-he committee may not meet you personallyGthis essay may be the sole basis or theirthis essay may be the sole basis or theirselection. A messy paper or an essay ull oselection. A messy paper or an essay ull oerrors will cause them to see you as uncaringerrors will cause them to see you as uncaringor unqualied, despite the inaccuracy o thisor unqualied, despite the inaccuracy o this

judgment. judgment.


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!ave your essayI -here is nothing wrong!ave your essayI -here is nothing wrongwith using the same ideas7and occasionallywith using the same ideas7and occasionallyeven the same college admission essay7oreven the same college admission essay7or

several applications. )ach time, makeseveral applications. )ach time, makerevisions so that the essay topic respondsrevisions so that the essay topic respondsspecically to the questions#. Although youspecically to the questions#. Although youhave used it or other applications, thehave used it or other applications, the

committee should not be able to tell thatcommittee should not be able to tell thatthis essay wasn't originally written as athis essay wasn't originally written as aresponse to their question.response to their question.

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