Thread by @drhammed

Important points to consider when writing an Admission or Scholarship essay - by Prof Diane Thomson

Are you a prospective graduate student writing Statement of Purpose/Research Statement (or Emailing Professors)?

This thread will provide some tips on essay writing.

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At the end of this thread, there's a sample essay titled- The graduate school essay I wish I'd written (although I got in anyway) by Prof Diane Thomson (Associate Prof at the Claremont Colleges Joint Science Department)

NB: Much emphasis on research programs in this thread.
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Things NOT to do

1. No need to spend time talking about personal stories, or even grades. If you've won a scholarship before (eg- MTN/Dean Scholarship), mention it straight, else be brief (I graduated with 1st class degree is okay). Such record(s) will grant you attention

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It's important to note that If the review committee (mostly Profs) are not convinced in what you say about RESEARCH interest, they won't care & may not review your docs further. But if they are interested, they'll check your CV & transcripts- & they see your achievements.

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2. Don't be too focused on a particular study system or limit your research interest (at least not at the beginning of your career). E.g: I want to do my MSc to study DNA sequencing, rather come up with research ideas (questions) that will likely lead to something good.

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3. No need to stress how your interest in research developed-E.g.- loving science from child (if you don't have any interest, you wouldn't be applying after all), talk more on how you'll apply your knowledge to advance your field or solve a problem (important to you).

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Things to Do

1. Be SPECIFIC in why you're applying for that position, in that lab- remember you're working directly with a Prof. Please take this as though you're applying for a job. Why do you want to work with this Prof & not another Prof? Why should you be considered?

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2. Be explicit about your research questions. What do you want to study? E.g- Your interest might be in understanding "How flooding & other disasters affect the livelihood of people living in the urban slum?".

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3. Customize your application to each department- The essay you submitted for School A might be out of place for (similar) program in school B- This is because you might be applying under a different research theme, or the program aim is different- it may be tricky.

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4. Write about the Prof you want to work with- why do you want to work with this Prof? Draw a line between what they do & yourself (your background or interest)

5. Lastly (for now), describe your previous projects, even if not published (esp. the significance of the study)

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I'll keep updating as they become available. See another thread on writing Statement of Purpose and Personal Statement 👇

https://twitter.com/drhammed/status/1293545175566954496?s=20

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Sample draft & Reference: The graduate school essay I wish I had written (although I got in anyway)- Diane Thomson, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Claremont Colleges Joint Science Department

N.B- Please this is ONLY a guide & should be used as such, please don't copy verbatim

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