While listening to a podcast, I started thinking about the essential components of a strong personal statement, statement of purpose, or MBA goals essay. Basically, the adcoms want a map of where you’ve been, where you are, and where you’re going for the statement of purpose and the goals essay. For a personal statement your readers will want to know your current location and how you got here; clear plans for the future are secondary and usually not required.
MAP has a double meaning for those of you writing statements of purpose and goals essays. It stands for Motivation, Aspiration, and Perspiration.
• Motivation: What makes you tick? Why have you made the decisions you have made? Why do you want to go into your chosen field?
• Aspiration: Where are you headed? What do you aspire to immediately after you complete your degree and sometimes long term.
• Perspiration: When in the past have you sweated to achieve? When have you dedicated yourself to a cause or goal? When have you worked hard to make an impact and contribute?
When you write your statement of purpose or MBA goals essay, check it for MAP. If it has these three critical elements, you have started down the right path.
If you would like us to check whether you have MAP in your essay or you want us to work with you so you take the right road, please explore Accepted’s services.
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This article originally appeared on the Accepted Admissions Consulting Blog, the official blog of Accepted.com.
