Also I've been editing a ton of NSF GRFP statements this cycle. I could (should) probably write an entire series re some common writing pitfalls I see but for now I want to share just one thing I've noticed recently: language that disempowers you as an applicant

1/n ❌ "This allowed me to explore xyz"
✅ "I explored xyz"

❌ "I was being trained as"
✅ "I trained in"

❌ "I was able to conduct"
✅ "I conducted"

❌ "I was able to determine"
✅ "I determined"

❌ "The xyz courses available to me"
✅ "I took courses in xyz"