1. What would you like to study in graduate school?

  1. What would you like to study in graduate school? 2. What motivated you to choose your field and the particular program to which you are applying? 3. How are your past studies and experiences relevant to your program choice? 4. What do you plan to achieve with your graduate degree? There is also a fifth, overarching question: 5. What makes you unique compared to other candidates? Use the following guidelines to help keep you on track as you compose the best Statement of Interest possible: 1. Prepare. Research your program, check to see if the committee wants specific questions answered in the statement, brainstorm about your goals, experiences, motivations and how they fit with your program of choice- 2. Be coherent. Create a unifying theme in your narrative by linking your points with continuity and focus to give meaning and a sense of purpose to your statement. 3. Be specific- Demonstrate your points by example, creating a scene in the mind’s eye. As in all writing, show, don’t tell. If you find this difficult, keep asking yourself “how” at each point. 4. Be bold- Don’t hide behind bland generalities and make sure the voice your reader hears is unmistakably yours. Don’t confuse boldness with hubris, though. 5. Be concise. Stay on point, write in an active voice and choose your words mindfully.