Tips for Writing Essay and Personal Statement

Almost all of the world's leading universities such as Oxford, Cambridge and MIT require prospective students to write a letter of intention describing themselves during the application. These articles, generally called 'personal statement', 'motivation letter' or 'essay' in English, are examined in detail during university admissions, and the better the letter of intent you write, the more likely you will stand out among other students.

The purpose of universities expecting these letters is to see how active the student is during his student life or in extracurricular activities, as well as his academic achievements, to learn about the research he has done, and to decide whether the student meets the requirements of the department he has chosen. For this reason, you must include elements in your letters of intention that will emphasize that you are the right candidate.

An Effective Introductory Paragraph

School officials read thousands of letters of intent, including yours, during the application period. The more impressive and informative the introduction of your letter of intent, the greater your chance of standing out among other candidates. For example, if you are applying to a department such as International Relations, you can increase the reader's interest by stating this in your introductory paragraph if you have participated in the activities of an organization such as MUN.

Compliance With The Department You Choose

Although the length of your letter of intent may vary depending on the university, your first aim should be to describe yourself briefly and clearly in these letters, which are generally required to be between 500-800 words. While doing this, make sure that the personal characteristics you describe meet the requirements of the department you are applying to. For example, one of the most important characteristics sought in an engineer is problem-solving ability. If you are applying to an engineering department, you can talk about how playing chess for years contributed to your 'problem-solving' ability, as well as your first place in a chess tournament you participated in and received an award for.

Determination

Schools want to see whether students are determined to study in this department as well as their suitability for the department they have chosen. You can show that you are determined by talking about your future career goals, ideals and the research you plan to do during your university education. You can show that you have the necessary motivation and determination by stating the internship programs, summer schools or courses you have previously attended and completed.

Extra-Curricular Activities

In addition to your academic achievements, the volunteer work you do throughout your education and the extracurricular activities you participate in are of great importance. You should mention the charities you are a member of, the sports activities you have done, and the individual or team awards you have won.

Be Yourself

Schools prefer a letter of intent in which personal characteristics are highlighted honestly and supported by examples, rather than a letter of intent containing exaggerated and unnecessary information. For example, it would be better to talk about a sports activity that you tried and failed in the past, or a lesson that you did not like when you were younger, and then talk about the successes you gained in these areas by making an effort.

After paying attention to all the items we mentioned in your letter of intent, do not forget to have it read by a consultant or professional. You can make the necessary adjustments to your letter of intent, taking into account the constructive feedback you receive.

You can also contact an overseas education consultant to increase your chances of success in this process.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tips for Writing Essay and Personal Statement