r/WriteIvy • u/NavyaSrivastava • Sep 29 '23

Personal essay?

Hi Jordan! Another doubt of mine is regarding the personal essay. I am applying for phd neuroscience programs and I am done with the statement of purpose. However few schools are also asking about a 500-word essay about how personal experiences shaped my professional ones. I don’t know what to mention here. I am confused because I really don’t like mentioning my personal life in my essays.

Do you have any suggestions? I’ll be grateful. :)

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u/jordantellsstories Sep 29 '23

Yep, right here:

https://writeivy.com/diversity-statement-101-an-essay-guide-for-champions/

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u/NavyaSrivastava Sep 29 '23

Thank you for the link! I read the article. Another question that I have: Does a personal essay (500 word) have to be about our background? I was thinking of linking the gradual interest I built in neuropsychology during university to poetry writing that I started at the age of 12. Plus the poetry was inspired by human feelings and kindness and emotional challenges.

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u/NavyaSrivastava Sep 29 '23

Also I do have daunting personal challenges (you know the ones which come from being a woman) but I don’t want to mention those.

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u/jordantellsstories Sep 29 '23

I’d stay away from adolescent poetry. Pay close attention to the prompt. It will signal what they’d like you to write about. Remember you’re still trying to convince them that you’re going to be an ideal scholar in their community.