# How do I write to a graduate program and amaze them? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 24, 2010, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-write-to-a-graduate-program-and-amaze-them/526270 "2010-01-24T20:33:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![RiverLethe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/cdc98d/32.png) [@RiverLethe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RiverLethe)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2010, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-write-to-a-graduate-program-and-amaze-them/526270/1 "2010-01-24T20:33:54Z")
It’s looking like, in the future, I may have to write a letter or two to the grad. programs I decide to apply to describing why they should take me. Can anyone give me any hints as to how I can make myself sound amazing and what sorts of things would be pertinent to put in there? Thank you kindly. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2010, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-write-to-a-graduate-program-and-amaze-them/526270/2 "2010-01-25T01:39:02Z")
What sort of programs are you applying to, why do you want to grad school, and what do you think your best selling points are? ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2010, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-write-to-a-graduate-program-and-amaze-them/526270/3 "2010-01-25T12:27:59Z")
Book recommendation. ‘‘[Graduate School Admissions Essays](http://www.amazon.com/Graduate-Admissions-Essays-School-Choice/dp/1580080421#reader_1580080421): Write Your Way Into the Graduate School of Your Choice’’ by Donald Asher. The author gives a very thorough explanation of what is needed to stand out among scores of other applicants (as well as a slightly chilling account of how random the process can actually be.) The book is filled with admissions essays written by students who were accepted into top programs in their field, as well as good examples of what NOT to do. It is actually a pretty fun read. I’m a very good writer, and even I found this book helpful. With its assistance I made a good essay even better – enough that the admissions director commented on how well-written it was and (off the record) accepted me on the spot. The bottom line is you have to write something they haven’t seen before. They go through hundreds of these things every year, and I’m sure after a while they all sound the same. Open with something different and unexpected. Make yourself unique. And good luck! ---
**Author:** ![steadierfooting](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@steadierfooting](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steadierfooting)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2010, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-write-to-a-graduate-program-and-amaze-them/526270/4 "2010-01-25T16:39:48Z")
Unless you are going to a top-tier grad school (I believe UPenns MBA program requires 7 essays) then they will hardly glance at it, and I wouldn’t waste your time. For my program I made sure I followed the game generic guideline I did for the GRE essay (intro, 2 supporting paragraphs, conclusion). I spent maybe 10 minutes on it. Good luck. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2010, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-write-to-a-graduate-program-and-amaze-them/526270/5 "2010-01-25T21:29:42Z")
What type of program are you applying to? MS, MA, or Ph.D? My daughter had very specific stuff she wanted to work on. That turned off some programs, and turned on others. When she visited the place where she is going now, she bonded with her future adviser, which counted for more than any essay. We also had written two peer reviewed papers together, so that counted for a bunch also. I don’t remember writing essays when I applied to grad schools. ---
**Author:** ![Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helen_s_Eidolon)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2010, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-write-to-a-graduate-program-and-amaze-them/526270/6 "2010-01-25T23:48:36Z")
Not quite what you were asking for, but although you want to amaze them, you want to be honest, too. A program that’s a bad fit is no good for the school OR for you. ---
**Author:** ![Fretful\_Porpentine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fretful_porpentine/32/2873_2.png) [@Fretful\_Porpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fretful_Porpentine)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2010, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-write-to-a-graduate-program-and-amaze-them/526270/7 "2010-01-26T00:05:43Z")
Are you talking about the statement of purpose that is a standard part of many applications, or are you asking for advice about contacting the program informally, _outside_ of the regular application process? If the former – In many fields, this is very important. Be as specific as possible about your research interests and what you hope to gain from the program. If you have relevant academic or professional experience, play it up – you sound a lot more credible if you can talk about things you’ve already done and what you’ve learned from those experiences. Do _not_ waste time on stuff that isn’t immediately relevant to your academic or professional goals; grad programs do not, as a rule, care whether you are a well-rounded person. If possible, provide reasons you’re interested in _this_ program – e.g., your research would benefit from access to a particular facility or special collection. That said, be cautious about naming specific faculty members you’d like to work with, since you don’t know who’s leaving or retiring, or who hates whom. If the latter, if you have specific questions it’s fine to write to the director of graduate studies or a faculty member you’re thinking of working with, but this isn’t the time for the hard sell. Keep it short, sweet, and relevant. ---
**Author:** ![Hippy\_Hollow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hippy_hollow/32/4841_2.png) [@Hippy\_Hollow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hippy_Hollow)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2010, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-write-to-a-graduate-program-and-amaze-them/526270/8 "2010-01-26T05:28:53Z")
It’s admissions season in my neck of the woods, and I have over 100 applications to read in the next few weeks. And I’ve got tons of inquiries from students in the past few weeks. (I direct a graduate program at major state university.) I would say “be an amazing applicant.” We get inquiries from folks all the time. There isn’t time to read them in great depth. But nothing is going to make you stand out better than having a great GPA, terrific GRE scores, and interesting research that complements what our faculty do. Do your research. Know what degrees are offered in the program. Don’t ask questions that are answered in the viewbook and/or the website, so review them carefully. It is always good to get the name of a current student to give you the scoop on faculty leaves, impending retirements, and the like. Having familiarity with articles written by faculty is a plus as well. Treat our administrative staff well, and make sure you know whom to contact for your questions. For example, I direct the masters program and a colleague of mine directs the doctoral program. We get mail intended for each other all the time, which isn’t a huge deal. Call the administrative staff to learn who does what as well. ---
**Author:** ![RiverLethe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/cdc98d/32.png) [@RiverLethe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RiverLethe)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2010, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-write-to-a-graduate-program-and-amaze-them/526270/9 "2010-01-30T23:34:13Z")
I’m considering an MPH, Epidemiology. I’m looking into writing a required letter. In other words, they have to look at it when considering applicants and it’s considered a very important part of the application. I believe my stats are quite good. The issue is in conveying the right accomplishments. For example, should I include personal experiences that make me who I am or stick more to what I’ve accomplished and so on. Thank you all for the suggestions! If anyone has anything else, I’d love to hear it. ---
**Author:** ![Kyla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2010, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-write-to-a-graduate-program-and-amaze-them/526270/10 "2010-01-30T23:45:08Z")
> [@RiverLethe](#): > > I’m considering an MPH, Epidemiology. I’m looking into writing a required letter. In other words, they have to look at it when considering applicants and it’s considered a very important part of the application. I believe my stats are quite good. The issue is in conveying the right accomplishments. For example, should I include personal experiences that make me who I am or stick more to what I’ve accomplished and so on. Thank you all for the suggestions! If anyone has anything else, I’d love to hear it. I would say that it’s probably more important to talk about why you want an MPH and what you’re going to do with it in the future than what amazing stuff you did in the past, except as to how those experiences will help your future goals. FWIW, I don’t really know how graduate admissions committees make decisions, but I’m doing a professional masters right now (not an MPH) and I got into all of the schools I applied to. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2010, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-write-to-a-graduate-program-and-amaze-them/526270/11 "2010-01-31T16:17:07Z")
> [@RiverLethe](#): > > I’m considering an MPH, Epidemiology. I’m looking into writing a required letter. In other words, they have to look at it when considering applicants and it’s considered a very important part of the application. I believe my stats are quite good. The issue is in conveying the right accomplishments. For example, should I include personal experiences that make me who I am or stick more to what I’ve accomplished and so on. Thank you all for the suggestions! If anyone has anything else, I’d love to hear it. I think you should do both – talk about personal experiences you’ve had that shaped your passion for, uh, epidemiology and what steps you took to get to where you are at today, with all your fantastic stats. Paint a picture of a person who has made a natural progression toward this field and who has made consistent efforts to develop his skillset toward the achievement of specific career goals. They want to know you’ve been thinking about this for a while, and that you have the ability to follow-through on long-term projects. > [@Kyla](#): > > FWIW, I don’t really know how graduate admissions committees make decisions… They roll dice, I think. I’m only sort of kidding. In the book [Getting What You Came For](http://www.amazon.com/Getting-What-You-Came-Students/dp/0374524777), which I STRONGLY recommend for anyone considering grad school, the author conducts anonymous interviews with people on admissions committees. Here a Stanford admissions committee member describes the process of narrowing 600 applications down to 18 acceptance letters: > [@](#): > > ''Next (after narrowing down to 90 applications) we hold a meeting of all 24 committee members, which lasts 2 and a half days, at 8 hours a day. It’s brutal. > > …At this point we are trying desperately to eliminate people, to whittle 90 applications down to 35, so any blemish means ‘‘out they go.’’ For example, if a presenting team says, ‘‘This student wants to study Wordsworth and has submitted a paper he’s written,’’ then our resident Wordsworth scholar says, ‘‘Let me look at that.’’ He skims a couple of pages and says, ‘‘This is crap, totally unoriginal.’’ So that guy’s out. Or, about another application, someone will say, ‘‘Let me look at that one.’’ After they’ve read a few lines, they say, ‘‘My god, this is a male chauvinist.’’ And he’s out. > > Basically, because the process is so political, the student has the luck of the draw. You don’t know what types of people are on the committee or who will take a special interest in your application. > > [Later] We have some sandwiches delivered and take an hour to eat while we look over all 35 applications. This gives you roughly two minutes to look over each application between bites of your sandwich… Because we base our votes on only a couple of minutes’ review of each application, plus whatever we can remember about the presentations from the previous day, the voting can be pretty uninformed. The students would be terrified if they knew the degree of chance involved, though it’s better than throwing darts.‘’ So that’s the process for Stanford’s English department (3% admissions rate.) Obviously it’s going to vary and I don’t know how competitive your program is, OP. I can tell you that my brilliant husband of the 3.92 Honors Psychology GPA, four years of research experience and 99th percentile on the Psych GRE applied to 15 graduate schools and was accepted to one (national admissions rate for psychology Ph.D. programs is about 4%.) When I went in for my admissions interview, I was informed that I was the 70th interview out of 450. The acceptance rate for my program was much higher, about 25%, so I applied to 4 schools instead of 15. My point is, do your research. Find out what the faculty are like, what their interests are, and apply with them in mind. Definitely apply to more than one program. Remember, your grades and stats will show that you are smart–that won’t be an issue up for debate. Everyone who applies is going to be smart. Take the opportunity in the letter to show them that you are more than smart. Maybe you are unusually persevering or creative in your approach to public health, maybe you have a unique research interest or an experience abroad or something that sets you apart from every other smart person who is applying. Think, ‘‘If someone only took 2 minutes to review my application, what would I want to jump out at them? How am I unique?’’ And remember, if you survive this process then you can probably survive grad school.