The Fairfield Personal Statement

So here is my first revision of the Fairfield Personal statement. I'm probably going to strip it down and re-do it again, but this is where I'm starting. Since I'm applying for nonfiction, I felt it was appropriate to begin the essay with a piece of nonfiction writing. So here it is...this is one of the final posts seeing as I'll be presenting this blog in a couple weeks for my capping project. I'm sure I'll be back once the application is sent in! It's crazy to think all I have left to take care of are my letters of recommendation.

Some words of advice: Start early and just keep plugging along.  And if you're passionate about what you're doing, it doesn't feel like work. I really do love to write. Any time that I'm sitting at my desk, writing, I feel like everything is right with the world. It helps bring me down on those wicked angry days and it helps me sift through confusing thoughts. It helps me remember moments I never want to forget. It's taken me on a wild journey from first grade to now...and I hope I have further to go.

Personal Statements: Personal to You, Personal to the School

So I took a crack at writing my first personal statement. Vermont College of Fine Arts sent me a rather large pamphlet about their program and some of application guidelines. One of the first things recommended: “a two to three page essay that addresses your background in writing, goals and writing strengths and weaknesses (as outlines on the application form).”

VCFA also requires that I send in a “three to four page critical essay that demonstrates my ability as a reader and critical thinker; this sample may be something formal that was previously written for another class or you may write a short essay on a literary work you read recently.”

                 

My point here: READ THE APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS! Most schools require some letter to be written that is around two pages long. This is the requirement for VCFA. The personal statement that I drafted up last night, does not fulfill all their requirements, so I will have to do a separate draft for them. However, my point was to simply illustrate how you need to know what they want in the personal statement. Some schools do not specify. Caela Provost sent me her personal statement and it was a huge help in writing mine. I was able to see how she highlighted her strengths and how she explained why she wanted to continue her career in English.

               

Fairfield, the program I am MOST interest in, explained what they want in their personal statement: “Students should describe why they want to be a writer and emphasize their commitment to their craft. While students in the program can work in more than one genre, they should specify which of the three genres they are applying for in their personal statement.” This is alongside the 2 letters of recommendation and the 20-30 page portfolio of writing samples.

                 

Syracuse wants: “Describe in about 500 words your main academic interests, why you wish to study for the degree you've chosen, why you wish to study at Syracuse University, how you expect to finance your studies, and your plans for the future after you receive your degree. ” Again, for this one, I would need to tweak my basic personal statement.  Syracuse also asks for a teaching statement about why you want to teach at the program and afterward. That would be a separate draft.

               

I recommend writing up a basic personal statement and then re-writing for the programs so that you manage to say everything you want in the most concise way. Writing a first draft helps you organize your thoughts about what you want to say as well.

                 

Western Connecticut asks for: “In a five-page essay, address why this particular MFA program is better suited to your goals and needs than other MFA programs. In answering this question, touch on your interest in writing and your aspirations for a future in the writing profession.”

               

                 

They’re all similar, but some want different details added in. Pat Taylor gave me a sheet with tips on writing Personal Statements. One tip was to remember your audience. It said to stick to what you’re an expert in – your life and experiences. It also says to establish your voice (confident but not arrogant), answer the question, and turn weaknesses into strengths.

                 

She then has written five topics to help writing a personal statement. One topic was to answer the question, “how did you become interested in this field?” This part can open up the essay by drawing on past experiences, such as an enjoyable English class that sparked a continuing interest.

                 

One topic was to answer “what kind of activities or experiences have you had that have contributed toward your preparation for an understanding of this field?” This might be a section where you put in internships. She writes that you can group activities or write them chronologically. But she says to NOT write it out resume style. Talk about what you did, as well as what you learned.

                 

Next, “the type of graduate study you’re interested in and the objective.” If you want to teach, SAY SO! If you want to be a publisher, SAY SO! The objective needs to be clearly defined.  She also writes how you need to talk about “Research interests.” Knowing the program you’re applying to helps in this case. What you want to research should be something already in action in that program.

                

 Finally, write about why you are so attracted to the program you are applying to. Caela wrote in how she had already studied abroad at Limerick. This is a great example of carrying this out.

               

                 

The tip sheet ends with the comment that the reader can see “for the applicant, attending graduate school is the next logical step in the sequence toward a specific goal.”

Sample statement under the link
(note: this is the very first draft, obviously in need of work)