Words of Wisdom from Applicants

As the opening of this resource mentioned, applying to graduate school can be challenging. Hopefully this resource will help you understand the pieces of the application and engage in a meaningful writing process. To conclude, I’d like to offer you some encouragement and wisdom from several applicants who successfully navigated the application process, Tnsae Mulu and Vital Nyabashi. Below, these applicants talk about how they persevered through writing their materials and offers guidance for the next applicants.

Words of Wisdom from Tnsae Mulu

The moment I learned about Occupational Therapy (OT) I felt a profound sense of joy and clarity because I found a career that perfectly aligned with my values and passions. However, as I began preparing my applications and delved into the process of writing my personal statement, I encountered a few challenges that I did not expect. A majority of those challenges were from moments of discouragement, particularly when I struggled to articulate the seamless connection I felt between my story and the pursuit of OT. Although prompts across OT programs slightly varied, they all generally sought to know answers to the following question “What experiences have led you to this point and how have they influenced your pursuit of this profession?” The goal of writing a personal statement, especially for a health science program, is to have applicants reflect and explain the motivations behind choosing that specific profession and the experiences that shaped that decision. Essentially, the programs were asking, “Of all professions, why are you pursuing this one?” Even though I had the answers, I found it challenging to convey the heartfelt impact of my experiences into a cohesive statement. Now, being on the other side of that and being accepted into the University of Southern California Chan’s Occupational Therapy Program, I realize the mistakes I made during the writing process and now know the initiatives one should take to avoid them.

Initially, I treated the personal statement like any other essay and tried to complete it quickly just to get it over with; this was one of my biggest mistakes. Rushing the initial reflection process for the sake of producing backfired. Without allowing myself the time and space to gather and collect my thoughts, my writing lacked coherence and I struggled to express myself, making it hard for me to explain my journey and my interest in pursuing a career as an OT. This resulted in several drafts that dissatisfied and disappointed me. It was through this struggle that I realized the value of pausing to reflect and discussing my thoughts with others before diving in to writing. During a conversation with Erin, who has tremendously supported me throughout my writing process, she asked me a question along the lines of, “Why are you doing this?” As I began to respond to her question, my passions and experience flowed naturally, leaving Erin and me wishing that we recorded that moment of clarity. Recording voice memos, speaking with others, making a bullet point list are all great ways to begin the reflection process, an initiative I wish I took sooner and dedicated more time to.

When writing my personal statement, the process of editing and reading was a lot more time-consuming than the actual writing itself. This physically and mentally exhausted me, so be prepared to invest a lot of time in revising. There were moments I felt so overwhelmed; my eyes grew weary repeatedly going over the same paragraphs and my mind grew doubtful, taking a toll on my well-being. I spent long periods reflecting, reciting, and rewording phrases, often struggling to express the depth of my passion. But what really made a difference was allowing myself to rest, and I did this by giving myself space from writing as well as limiting my computer usage. Allowing myself to rest allowed fresh ideas to flourish, strengthening me and helping me persevere. For this reason, I strongly suggest to include intentional breaks and rest as a part of your writing process. Rest itself, though it may not be deemed as “productive” by societal expectations and demands, is productive because it is restorative.

The support from my community was incredibly empowering. Professors and mentors encouraged me when I felt like delaying my application. Loved ones uplifted me when they noticed my stress. Whenever doubt or the thought of giving up crept in, my community reminded me of my purpose, motivating me to press onwards. I am thankful that I wasn’t isolated in this process.

Here is some general advice to keep in mind as you move forward with your statement:

• Reflect and brainstorm with others, don’t isolate yourself in that process! Reflecting during the writing process allowed me to see how much I’ve grown and to contemplate whether this career path was truly the right next step for me. The deeper I delved into my past experiences, the more clearly I could see how my passions and career aspirations aligned.
• Do not rush the process. Instead, plan ahead of time and aim to submit something that reflects your pride and effort.
• Although this may not be feasible for some, I recommend engaging with people who have been through similar experiences and connecting with professionals in the field that you are interested in; their insights can provide motivation and hope, especially during challenging times. If possible, connect with a student or professor to gain a better understanding of the institution and determine if it feels like the right fit for you.
• Rather than trying to impress the admissions team, approach your essay as if you are explaining to yourself or a close friend why this path is right for you. I found that when approaching the personal statement process as transactional, one where I’d produce something that would appease others, I began to write solely with acceptance in mind. Inauthenticity, a product of my fear of being rejected, ultimately made the writing process harder. It was when I began to lay out how my experiences and motivations led to my pursuit of OT that my writing became clear. This process also boosted my confidence and assurance because regardless of the outcome, I knew I was on the right path.
• You can learn from others’ experiences but don’t compare yourself to them.
• Another really important point is to focus on clarity and simplicity. In my experience, worrying about using sophisticated language or jargon got me off track and detracted me from writing about my personal experiences, those that were distinct and intimate to my life. That being said, simple helps you stay on track and helps you directly answer prompts while still being authentic.
• When you ask others to review your statement, provide them with specific questions to guide their feedback, such as, “Does my statement directly answer the prompt?” or “Am I focusing too much on what I have done rather than explaining why  I am pursuing this profession and who I am?” (Don’t assume your experience speaks for itself). These are questions you should also keep at the back of your head as you are writing and reviewing your personal statement.
• Lastly, never surrender to self-doubt. If I gave in to those negative thoughts, I would have delayed, or worse quit, long ago. Keep pushing forward and remember, you’ve got this.

Words of Wisdom from Vital Nyabashi

Applying to graduate school is overwhelming, but it is a process of self-discovery. After going through the process, here are some lessons and strategies that helped me:

Start Early: The earlier you can begin, the more time you can have to reflect on your goals and craft a compelling statement of purpose (SoP). I underestimated how much thought goes into articulating why I wanted to pursue graduate studies and how the specific programs aligned with my goals. Early preparation gives you time to refine your ideas and avoid last minute stress.

Be Authentic: Some of the best advice I received was to stay true to my story. Graduate admissions committees want to see your motivations, experiences, and ambitions, not what you think they want to hear. Do not shy away from sharing challenges you have faced; showing how you have grown can make your application memorable.

Seek Feedback: Imposter syndrome often makes me feel like I have to constantly prove my worth to others, which sometimes makes it difficult to ask for help. You might relate to this. However, applying to graduate school is a challenging process, and seeking guidance is crucial. Reach out to faculty in your field of interest, your advisors, and, if you’re fortunate to be part of a program like McNair, take advantage of the support they offer. Each perspective I received strengthened my application and helped me ensure it was clear, compelling, and true to my voice.

Embrace the Process: Writing my SoP forced me to think about my future and how I fit into my chosen field. While it was challenging, it also reaffirmed my passion for research and learning. Treat the process as an opportunity to reflect on what excites you most about your field.

Applying to graduate school is both a challenge and a great opportunity. Take it one step at a time, lean on your support network, and stay focused on your goals.

Words of Wisdom from Cindy Lara

Applying to graduate school is already overwhelming and isolating, but being a first-generation college student and a second-generation immigrant made it even more so. This feeling was even more intensified by the lack of faculty and graduate students in my field who shared my background and identities. However, through the McNair Scholars Program, I found direction, guidance, and a supportive community that made applying to doctoral programs less alienating. After finishing my application materials and submitting them, I have advice for those starting their journey. Here is my general advice:

• My first piece of advice would be to start as early as possible. When I first began the application process, I underestimated the amount of time it would take to write a statement of purpose that I felt portrayed my experiences and interests accurately and meaningfully. Writing my statements required multiple drafts, feedback from mentors, and personal reflections to effectively convey my interests and goals. Without starting early, I would not have had the time to revise and reflect on my statements in a meaningful way.
• Additionally, I would highly recommend creating an account in the online application portals as soon as they become available. I found it extremely helpful to review the required materials, statements, and information early on to ensure I had everything I needed for my application. Since application instructions and statements can vary depending on the institution or program, having that extra time can be beneficial in the long run.
• Furthermore, I would advise seeking feedback from numerous sources, including faculty, mentors, or even friends. Receiving input from multiple perspectives helped me bring in multiple approaches and revisions. However, I sometimes encountered contradictory feedback from different mentors. This experience taught me to evaluate suggestions and select the ones that best aligned the application’s requirements and instructions.
• One piece of advice that stuck with me from a mentor of mine was to avoid using passive voice in my statement of purpose. Writing in an active voice when describing my personal and research experiences gave me agency and made my statement more confident.
• I was also advised to show, rather than tell. This advice helped me a lot when writing my statement of purpose because it encouraged me to describe my experiences and skills through examples rather than just stating them.
• Be mindful when reading other people’s statements. It is easy to feel intimidated and compare yourself to others but remember everyone’s journey and experiences are unique.
• My last piece of advice is to find community. While applying to graduate school, I found it extremely helpful to interact with others going through the same process, and those who have been through it. Although I was privileged to have a strong community, I understand others may not have the same support. Therefore, I would recommend reaching out to faculty you feel comfortable with or exploring online communities. A support network can provide valuable advice and emotional encouragement throughout this overwhelming journey.