From One UMasser to Another: Part 2

Tackling the GRE:

Again, without knowing you (the reader) or how you operate as a student, I can only offer what worked in my experience and pose questions for you to consider. The GRE is good for 5 years after you take it. Although I was not sure about my post-undergrad plans I knew that it was best for me to take it as soon as I was done with school while my study habits were still intact. I also forced myself to study regularly for it (which I didn’t do for the SATs). I carried homemade vocabulary flash cards and used GRE study guides from the library to practice Math problems for a few hours a week. Many study guides offer practice tests, which are also very helpful. The exams don’t change very much from year to year so I suggest a minimal investment in study materials. Get everything you can from the library.

Admissions & Your Personal Statement:

DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE IMPORTANCE OF KNOWING THE SCHOOL
Please refer to the questions on the handout for finding out what you want to do and what schools you would be interested in attending. While you are working through which schools you would like to go to, visit them if possible. Don’t be afraid to open a dialogue with someone in admissions. That is their job security, make them do some work. Ask a million questions. Find out exactly what they are looking for and what the school/students are like. You are the one making the huge investment in school and you have the right and obligation to know everything about the school.

After you engage thoroughly in an honest and open dialogue with a few schools (as is important in every relationship) you are now ready to begin the personal statement. Each school asks different questions and it is important to address each individually. Don’t write one that you will send into all the schools. It is cheap and it weakens your argument for them to accept you.

Don’t complain about your life, no matter how shitty it actually is. Talk about your trials in an empowering way; i.e., some people would complain about x,y, or z, but I am better now for the experience and it allowed me to see the world in yadda yadda light, etc.

Personalize it by connecting your experience to your interests. There has to be a “BING!” moment when you realized what made sense for you. Try a short narrative within the body of the essay. See if it fits. If it doesn’t, toss it.

Experiment. Have some wine and write whatever comes to mind. Come back to it in a couple of days. It takes time and should take time. It is a process, and you may actually learn more about yourself because you are forced to be autobiographical.

Remain authentic. You are cool, and they need to know how cool actually are. Everyone can write a ‘smart’ essay, but can they write a smart and authentically cool essay? It is important to separate yourself from the boring essay writers.

Have people read it (only people you respect, it saves you trouble).

Good Luck, in all of your endeavors!

If you made it this far, you will be rewarded. Below is the handout from the alumni event and below that is my personal statement. Not only did I get in to the New School, they also gave me %25 off the cover price (a merit scholarship). Hopefully it will give you some ideas. Any questions, e-mail me: Medeiros.lindsey@gmail.com