grad school essays

[aroraborealis]

So, the personal statement for the Tufts program just... flowed. I wasn't sure what to say, but then I sat down and started typing, and I'm pretty pleased with the result. My two first-round editors both had good things to say about it AND some useful comments, which I'm integrating for a second draft, aiming to finish that by the end of the weekend. With that, the big hurdle for the Tufts application is done, because there's no test required, and now I just have to fill out some forms, and then ask recommenders to write their letters. This is excellent and exciting.

On the other hand, the person statement for UMass Boston (3, actually, as they have three questions they want applicants to address) is like pulling teeth. I have sat down numerous times for an hour or two at a stretch and somehow eked out a few sentences each time, none of which flow or feel good or tie together or even manage to convince me, much less someone who's not me, that I'm excited about this program. Does this mean I'm not excited about this program? I don't think so! Whenever I look at the web page, I think, "Hey, this is really awesome! How cool would it be to be doing this??" And then I flip the window over to my personal statement and think, "Buuuuuuuuuuuuuhhhh..."

Do you have any idea how aggravating this is??

Comments

[signsoflife.livejournal.com]

I've been on a lot of graduate admissions interviews, and it's been pretty obvious that a lot more people than I ever imagined read my statement horrifyingly closely.

[aroraborealis.livejournal.com]

This is more consolation. Thank you!