How To Write A Winning Personal Statement: Focus On Your Conclusion

The second most important part of your essay, behindyou might complete a story you started in the
only the introduction, is the conclusion. Just as theintroduction, as in this essay, or you might show how
introduction had the purpose of drawing in the reader,something has changed in your present since the
the conclusion's foremost function should be to leavetimeframe of the introduction. Expand on Broader
the reader with a lasting impression. This section offersSignificance-Within Reason One way to ensure that
guidelines on ways you can maximize the impact ofyour closing paragraph is effective is to tie your ideas
that impression. These guidelines can be grouped intoto some broader implications, whether about yourself
three categories, each of which encompasses aor your field. However, do not get carried away. Some
lesson on what not to do. Synthesize, Don'tapplicants feel they must make reference to changing
Summarize The chief difference between these twothe world or derive some grand philosophical truths
tactics is that the former deals with themes while thefrom their experiences. Remember to stay grounded
latter deals with facts/experiences, though there isand focused on your personal details. This applicant's
some overlap. You do not need to recap the essayconclusion ties his goals in teaching to a broader issue
paragraph-by-paragraph. You do not need to remindabout research limitations at smaller liberal arts
the reader of the experiences you have discussedcolleges. He does not express the goal of
(except as individual experiences might be tied torevolutionizing education, but instead simply wants to
certain themes you want to synthesize). You do wantmake a contribution that has personal significance to
to reiterate key themes, but preferably not in a wayhim. The final sentence invokes the tradition of scholars
that merely repeats them. Instead, in synthesizing thesebefore him. Such a tactic is not usually advisable,
key themes in your conclusion, you should ideally bebecause it can sound forced and generic, but in this
adding a fresh perspective. Try to tie themes togethercase, the applicant has established his focus on a
and demonstrate how they complement each other. Inspecific intellectual topic-human memory-so it's not as
doing so, you should always avoid trite andvaguely trite as invoking Plato, Descartes, and Kant in
clichéd generalizations. In this essay, this applicantthe search for truth. Don't Add Entirely New
uses the conclusion to synthesize the second half ofInformation-Except to Look Ahead We have used the
the essay. It's worth noting that he does not mentionword "fresh" here several times, and what we're
the content about recovering from addiction, becausemainly talking about is perspectives and ideas. You
he could have tied this in with his renewed interest inshould avoid adding entirely new information about
public policy. Nevertheless, the concluding sentences doyour experiences. In shorter essays, you may have to
an effective job of linking his past experiences with hispack details everywhere, but in general, if it's an
career goals: "After getting my master's in publicimportant experience, it should come earlier. That said,
administration, I would like to work in the area ofwriting about your future goals is a strong way to end.
economic development in the Third World, particularlyAfter you have established your background and
Latin America. The setting might be a private (possiblyqualifications in the previous paragraphs, delineating
church-based) development agency, the UN, the OAS,your goals can help synthesize these topics, because
one of the multilateral development banks, or ayou are tying your themes together in the context of
government agency. What I need from graduatewhere you will go next. This applicant's conclusion is a
school is the academic foundation for such a career.straightforward, well thought out description of her
What I offer in return is a perspective that comesprofessional goals. Such an ending demonstrates to
from significant involvement in policy issues at thethe reader that she has given much consideration to
grassroots level, where they originate and ultimatelyher future and the role a Ph.D. in literature can play in it.
must be resolved." Seeing how the pieces fit togetherMoreover, she makes clear that while she has definite
leaves us with a clear point to take away. Moreover,career goals in mind, she also appreciates literature for
the last sentence is key to the lasting impression heits own sake. This kind of natural affinity for her
creates, as it provides a fresh interpretation of thesubject of study serves to make her a dedicated and
significance of his work at the grassroots level. If in thegenuinely engaged student, and, therefore, a more
process of synthesizing you are able to invoke yourattractive candidate to the admissions committee.
introduction, you will add to your essay a further senseMichael Choi is the Managing Editor for which provides
of cohesion and closure. There are a number ofinformation on personal statements and applying to
different ways this can be accomplished. For example,graduate school.