Grad School Essays: Submission Checklist

Before you submit your application, use the following checklist to ensure that your personal statement is as powerful as it can be.

Content

• Are you answering the actual question given in the prompt?
• Have you been sincere and personal?
• Is your essay within the word limit?
• Will your reader find the essay interesting?
• Are you showing rather than telling?
• Does your introduction grab the reader's attention?
• Do you explore your experiences in sufficient depth?
• Does your essay contain a high level of detail and concrete evidence?
• Have you avoided unsubstantiated claims?
• Do you offer specific, personal insights rather than trite generalizations and clichis?
• Does your essay reveal anything meaningful about your character?
• Do you avoid summarizing information that can be found elsewhere on your application?
• Will your essay make you stand out?
• Does your conclusion leave a lasting impression?

Structure

• Can you identify an overarching theme? Have you articulated that theme in the essay?
• Does your theme have multiple layers and genuine depth?
• Do you have a reason for placing every paragraph where it is?
• Do your paragraphs flow smoothly? Are there any gaps or jumps?
• Does each point build upon previous points, or does your essay sound like a list?
• Have you written insightful transitions and resolutions that highlight your key themes?
• Are your stories well integrated into your essay?
• Is the essay clear and coherent? Have you strengthened its impact by using the optimal structure?

Style

• Have you achieved a simple, straightforward style?
• Have you varied your sentence constructions?
• Have you avoided unnecessarily fancy vocabulary?
• Have you avoided passive voice?
• Have you achieved active writing through the use of strong verbs?
• Have you avoided overusing adjectives and adverbs?
• Is your tone conversational, rather than too casual or too formal?
• Have you conveyed confidence, enthusiasm, and passion?