examples of personal statements

Romantic relationships can undeniably be considered as life’s icing on the cake. Relationships give you a euphoria and enable you to surpass challenges especially during those grueling years in school. However, there are times when romantic relationships must take a back seat as school work begins to pile up. So for you to effectively keep up with the demands in school and in your relationship, remember to do the following:

Maintain constant communication with your partner

Communication is one of the most essential factors in a relationship. Without communication, couples tend to break up. So, even if you are busy in school, spare time to keep in touch with your partner. Communication doesn’t have to take hours. Even daily text messages and thirty-minute phone calls are enough to keep the lines open and active. In addition, save Saturday or Sunday as your “us” day, having no other appointments or tasks other than to spend time with your girlfriend or boyfriend.

Of course, school work becomes more important than relationships, at times. But it would be such a waste to disregard an already developing or established romantic relationship just for the sake of finishing school requirements. Spending time to communicate with your partner works to your advantage, too, because you can use it to unwind, enjoy, and get your energy back as you balance your school and social life.

Plan your schedule and manage your time

The more priorities you have, the more you need to make a schedule and manage your time. By doing so, you can pay undivided attention to the people and activities you value most. Also, should you need to spend more time accomplishing school requirements, you can give your partner a heads up on days you will be busy if you have a schedule. If your time is well-managed, you get enough time to do activities you enjoy, to rest, and to study efficiently for your classes.

People have different criteria in choosing the best schools for themselves or for their children. Among the criteria are the location of the school, tuition, courses offered, religious orientation, and student population. Gender orientation and school popularity are, at times, also criteria people use in selecting educational institutions. On top of these deciding factors, however, the prestige of a school is often the most important for many people. Below are reasons people choose prestigious schools.

Reason 1 – Prestigious schools mean the best quality of education

The first reason is true for many educational institutions, but, it does not apply to all. Time can change the status and quality of education in schools and one that is known previously as a top-notch institution may no longer be so on the following years. Nevertheless, a school earns its reputation if it offers quality education.

The people that make up the faculty in prestigious schools are some of the most learned professors and instructors in varying fields of interests. The management of prestigious schools invest on the said educators so that students get holistic education and become well-prepared for their careers. In addition, through the guidance of learned educators, students enrolled in prestigious schools become more knowledgeable in the industries they choose to enter.

Reason 2 -  Prestigious schools give students an edge while job hunting

One of the factors employers look at when reading resumes is the schools applicants come from. If applicants graduated from the best schools, they make it to the short lists or are hired immediately. Sometimes, too, even if applicants do not have all the essential credentials for a position, they get the job because of the schools they came from. The mindset of employers toward schools explains why parents and students consider prestige and reputation as criteria for selecting schools.

Of course, other criteria in choosing schools are as important as prestige. But if the selection process leads you to deciding only on two very good schools, opt for the one that can help you go farther in your education and career. Despite the odds, the knowledge and training you will get from a prestigious institution is worth it in the end.

Colleges, law schools, medical schools, MBA programs, and graduate schools in the United States require all students, even foreigners, to submit personal statement essays upon applying. Personal statement essays allow admissions committees to know more about theapplicants aside from their grades. These essays also enable applicants to get accepted in a school. As a foreign student, the US education requirements, such as personal statement essays, might be new to you. And for you to come up with an essay that works to your advantage, it is advisable that you read examples online. Below are ways by which examples of personal statement essays can be useful for you.

Examples of personal statement essays serve as guides to writing your own essay

Many examples of personal statement essays found online are written by following instructions from colleges, law schools, medical schools, MBA schools, and graduate schools. Although instructions from different schools vary, you can find from the examples two or more characteristics that make an exceptional personal statement essay. The said characteristics include having a positive tone and optimistic perspective, using a friendly, straightforward and clear language, and having a content that is properly outlined and well-thought of. Apply the mentioned characteristics in your personal statement essay to make it stand out from those of other applicants.

Examples of personal statement essays show which themes to avoid

One of the themes that put readers of personal statement essays off is the self-pitying theme. Sounding like a victim in your personal statement essay shows that you allow challenges in life to bring you down and that you are not strong enough to get past major obstacles. So, instead of writing with a self-pitying tone, appeal to your readers how motivated and able you are to surpass the challenges that school work and studying in a foreign country offer. By doing so, you can convince more the admissions committee to accept you into the school.

The importance of personal statements should never be taken for granted. When it comes to deciding which student deserves the last slot in a college, law school, medical school, MBA program or graduate school, a persuasive, honest, unique and well-written personal statement can be the final determining factor. The personal statement is an essay that enables admissions committees to learn about the personal side of applicants, how they fit into the diverse student body, and fare in their preferred specializations. So, for you to get accepted into the school of your choice, learn about two mistakes to avoid in writing personal statements.

Mistake 1 – Using highfalutin words

You may think that big, sophisticated words can help you make an educated impression on admissions committees. However, the effect of using highfalutin words is that your readers will think that you are writing to impress than to communicate who you are. Admissions committees prefer personal statements that have a clear and truthful voice and that are an easy read. In addition, because your aim is to persuade the admissions committees to accept you into the school, the language you must apply in your personal statement should be conversational, friendly, and captivating. So, make sure to keep your essay simple and straightforward.

Mistake 2 – Having an idealistic but vague content

Idealism is one good characteristic a personal statement should have. You can write in your essay that your purpose for pursuing an MBA, a college degree, or a post-graduate degree, for example, is to help improve people’s lives or to contribute to society. However, always remember to back up your general claims with specifics. Inform the readers of your personal statement of the precise ways you plan to carry out your goal. Many students fail in the aspect of providing details and end up having vague content in their personal statements. So, to avoid submitting an unsatisfactory personal statement, think about its message and create an outline before writing.

School work requires lots of time, effort, and sometimes sacrifices on a student’s part. The demands for every course or subject entail much mental and physical effort from students. And if their immune system is not all that strong, students can get sick every now and then. To help students maintain their health, some US states require students to have health insurance.

Why students should get health insurance

One reason students are better off with a health insurance is for them to stay healthy and be able to keep up with the challenges in college or graduate school. And because many students enrolled at universities work part-time to finance their education, the more they are prone to getting sick. In addition, many working students are no longer covered by their parents’ health insurance policies. This leaves students responsible for their own well-being. If they have their own health insurance, students can get treatment when they get sick, recover immediately, and proceed to juggling their school work and social life.

Where to get student health insurance

One source for student health insurance is universities and graduate schools. Many colleges, universities, and graduate schools offer health insurance to students, especially if the course demands are physically exhausting. Another source for health insurance is private insurance companies. They offer special packages and insurance policies to students, particularly those attending college, law schools, medical schools, MBA schools, and graduate schools.

What you need to know about student health insurance

Students eligible for health insurance are those of 17 years up to 29 years of age. General choices for student health insurance are group and individual insurance. A group package covers a particular set of diseases while an individual package can be customized depending on the need of a student. Usually, the premiums for both group and individual packages are affordable. No matter which package you choose, remember to read the fine print carefully and clarify gray areas before signing any documents.

Universities and schools usually have similar processes on screening and admitting applicants. But, if you learn about details on admission requirements such as interview questions and quality and type of personal statements preferred, you can increase your chances of getting accepted into the educational institution of your choice. Below are tips that can help you prepare for the screening and admission process.

Tip 1 – Check out online forums, student blogs, and message boards

You can use the Internet to get assistance and tips on doing excellently in interviews as well as on preparing the requirements for admissions, such as application forms, recommendation letters, and entrance exams. Join online forums, student blogs, and message boards of the schools you want to apply to. In the said websites, you can post questions and wait for members to provide their answers. Most likely, the members who participate in the forums, blog websites, and message boards are current students or are alumni of your preferred universities.

Tip 2 – Use your social network to get information

Do you know people who are studying or have studied in the universities you want to apply to? Get in touch with them to learn more about admission processes. Students or alumni can tell you about their professors who conduct interviews and the characteristics these professors look for in applicants. In addition, students and alumni can give you tips on how to write your personal statements and how to study for the entrance exams.

Tip 3 – Get answers from the horse’s mouth

Other than students and alumni, you can go directly to one or two members of admissions committees and ask them questions. They are, often, more than willing to help you because they want applicants to succeed in getting accepted into universities. Of course, it is essential that you set an appointment with any of the committee members because they are very busy people. And once you get a few minutes with them, ask about the application process and be considerate of their time. With just a bit of research and effort, you can well be on your way to making it to your dream university or college.

Applying for financial aid can be difficult if you are Asian, because federal loans are normally not extended to non-US citizens. Still, there are numerous organizations that offer financial aid for Asians and other ethnic groups. Here are some of the organizations that offer financial aid to Asian students:

School-specific financial aid for Asian students

Northwestern University offers a number of financial aid solutions for Asians and other international students. Plans offered here include plans for permanent residents and other eligible non-citizens. There are other universities and schools that provide financial aid for Asian students. You may want to apply at this school and other similar institutions of higher learning if they offer a good curriculum and the courses that interest you.

International financial aid organizations

Many organizations offer financial aid to people from all over the world, including Asians. One such organization is The Gates Millennium Scholars program, established by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. This organization offers financial aid for high school seniors, college students of all levels, and graduate students entering into fields such as computer science, science, and mathematics.

Other forms of financial aid for Asian students

Aside from the financial aid programs mentioned above, there are other ways to get financial aid if you are an Asian student. Use the Internet to search for other organizations that offer financial aid to Asian students, like the Xerox Technical Minority Scholarship Program. You can also seek for financial aid from your country of origin. Many countries have organizations that offer financial aid for those who want to study in the US. Get to know the organization you are dealing with and how they can help you. Before signing up, be sure to go over all of the details of your financial aid plan. Once you are approved, you can focus a little more on your studies rather than thinking of how to pay tuition.

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Whether you are thinking of going into law school or medical school, much preparation is needed to help you do well in your graduate studies in medical or law school. While there are schools that offer pre-med and pre-law tracks, others do not. Here are some ideas on which majors to take up to prepare you for medical school or law school:

Majors for medical school

Earning a degree in medicine will entail a lot of science classes. Some of the best majors for having a smooth transition to medical school are those related to Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. This is because the education, training and experience gained in these science majors will be used in medical school as well. Other courses that students commonly go into before entering medical school include the Social Sciences and the Humanities majors.

Majors for law school

Law school students come from a wide variety of majors. Still, there are some majors that can better prepare you for dealing with law school. One of the most popular majors for law school preparation is Political Science. Psychology, Criminology, and Philosophy are also common courses for those planning on going to law school. Many of these courses focus on human behavior, research, and analysis, as well as logical thought.

Make it about you

Although some majors may include classes that are medicine or law related, the choice is still yours to make. Remember that the most important part of your college education is that you make something of it. You may be better off taking a course that fits your interests, skills, and experience. That way, you will be able to expand your knowledge, talents, and training in that field. Even though your course may not be ideal for medical or law school applicants, most graduate schools accept people from many different academic backgrounds. Set up a meeting with your guidance counselor or career planner so they can help you find the right academic path to suit your personality, aspirations, and inspirations.

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Sexual harassment in the college setting is a serious issue that many educational institutions are trying to eradicate. Studies carried out by the American Association for University Women (AAUW) show that over 60% of both male and female students have been sexually harassed at their college or university. You don’t want to be a statistic, do you? Here are some tips on how to avoid sexual harassment.

Awareness

Awareness is a key factor in avoiding sexual harassment. First, you should be aware of what sexual harassment is. Basically, sexual harassment is any form of unwelcome sexual behavior (physical, verbal, or nonverbal). In the college setting, assailants may be other students, friends, strangers, or even school employees. Use the Internet to research about sexual harassment. This can help you understand the causes, effects, policies, and laws that are related to sexual harassment. You should also know where to go and who to talk to should you become a victim yourself.

Tips for avoiding sexual harassment

* Be aware of your environment. Knowing the places and people around you is important. Try not to go to places that are unfamiliar to you and always try to bring your friends with you when you go to unfamiliar places in the university.
* Try to evaluate the way that you dress. Certain types of clothing may attract unwanted attention.
* Joking and teasing of a sexual nature is also sexual harassment. Do not put up with such behavior.

* If you feel uncomfortable in any way, let people know. Whether its an unwanted touch, unwelcome advance, or a sexual remark, speak out and let those around you know.

Seek help from your college

Most educational institutions, especially postsecondary ones, have their own policies on sexual harassment. Read your student handbook and know how far your school will go to help you. Joining an organization that seeks to fight against sexual harassment is another alternative. You can even meet new people and friends who are just as concerned about sexual harassment as you are.

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Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis is a business venture and project planning method. Basically, SWOT analysis is conducted to help you determine, analyze, and interpret the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats involved in a project or venture. You can conduct such an analysis on yourself and your schooling to aid you in finding the right academic pursuit. Here’s how to do it.

Understanding the SWOT analysis

Before you can effectively conduct a personal SWOT analysis, you have to know about the procedure, its objectives, and how to interpret your findings. Taking a personal SWOT analysis will require you to answer a number of questions regarding your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. You can find personal SWOT analysis tools online to help you conduct your own test. For academic pursuit purposes, tailor your questions and answers in a way that relates to education, training, experience, and personal qualities. Here are some questions that you’ll be finding in relation to SWOT analysis:

1. Which subjects am I good at? (strength)
2. Which part of writing an essay or a paper do I think is the most difficult? (weakness)
3. Which colleges or universities offer programs that I’m interested in? (opportunity)
4. What stands in the way of my getting a college degree? (threat)

Getting to know you

When answering the questions on the test, try to answer as honestly as you can. One method to help you in answering honestly is to think of how others view you. The more honest you are, the more you can learn about yourself. This is important, so that you can effectively evaluate and interpret your results.

Interpreting your results

Once you have answered the questions, take some time to go over the results. Analyze your results and think of the connections between your answers and your academic situation. Use your results to find the best possible academic pursuit for your personality. Here are some guidelines:

* Choose a course where your strengths will allow you to shine.
* Avoid academic pursuits may highlight your weaknesses. If you would like to improve on your weaknesses, you can take extra-curricular activities, seminars or certain classes that help in those areas.
* Maximize your opportunities by listing down and mapping out possible directions for your to take academically and professionally. Take advantage of as many opportunities as you can.
* Knowing and evaluating your threats will allow you to get a better perspective on obstacles that may get in your way throughout your academic pursuit. With this information, you can carefully prepare for possible pitfalls and problems along your path.

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