在美国印第安纳大学英语训练中心当任助理教授的布鲁斯・利兹博士，为研究申请者解答应怎样开始应付写作 。讨论题目有：
1. 我需要多长时间写一份完善的个人声明 （personal statement)?
2. 我怎么开始写呢？
3. 我的背景很普通，怎么办呢？
[bamboo] WELCOME EVERYONE!
[bamboo] I'm Bamboo :) host for today's event.
[bamboo] As most of you know, today's event focuses on HOW TO START WRITING MY PERSONAL STATEMENT ( )
[bamboo] We're very privileged to have Dr. Bruce Leeds with us today.
[bamboo] Dr Leeds is an Adjunct A istant Profe or at the Center for English Language Training in Indiana University, U.S.
[BruceLeeds] Thank you. I am privileged to be here.
[bamboo] Profe or Leeds is also very experienced in advising and guiding international students on writing their personal statements for graduate school a lication.
[bamboo] Hi Profe or Leeds, Thank you for being here with us today. I believe it's 10pm your time?
[BruceLeeds] Yes it is. The time differences are very confusing to me sometimes. :)
[bamboo] Our se ion lasts for one hour today. I will first ask Profe or one question and then invite all of you to ask your own questio . I'm sure you have many questio for our honorable guest today.
[bamboo] Yes, indeed, Profe or Leeds, I always get myself confused with the time differences too. :-P So glad you can be here with us even though it's late in your time zone. :)
[bamboo] Profe or, what role does the statement of purpose play in one's a lication?
[BruceLeeds] Most universities do not have the funds (money) to be able to interview pro ective students personally. That mea that the a lication e ay is the main way that a university has to get to know the student personally, what he/she is interested in studying ecifically, how well he or she can write and organize his/her thoughts. Things like that. It is co idered a VERY important part of the a lication material, and truly can "make or break" a student in terms of getting into the school.
[bamboo] I see, so the (personal statement) is like a cover letter.
[BruceLeeds] It is kind of like a cover letter, but it allows the writer to go into greater detail of course. The personal statement is really a PERSONAL statement. Lots of students don't understand this and think that there is some kind of form that they should follow in writing. The form of your e ay should follow what it is you are trying to communicate (form follows content). There is no ecial form to follow—just be sure your ideas are clearly expre ed and well organized. They will be looking for your ability to write (clarity and organization) as well as trying to find
out your study interests and who you are as a person.
[aaron] My question is how to start it, it confuses me.
[bamboo] I gue every one of us have some framework in mind when we start writing our , but the daunting task is how to start the proce WELL.
[BruceLeeds] You should always start with the familiar. That is very important. When you sit at the computer, your thoughts can block your writing. Don't think "On no. I am sitting here writing in a foreign language and I don't know what to say." Simply begin writing about how much you love your major and why (this more for the master’s a lication than the Ph.D.). Then in the later stages of writing, you can organize your ideas any way you want. The most important thing is to relax. (Easy for me to say).
[BruceLeeds] Let me say something quickly about the begi ing again. Make the begi ing a short paragraph that orients the reader. Tell them quickly what you are doing now and why you are writing the statement (what degree you are a lying for and when you want to begin). It will help relax the reader!
[kimwin] Yeah. Prof, I wonder if should focus more on past activities or pay more attention to future pro ects.
[BruceLeeds] Kimwin: past activities. Nobody knows the future! And everybody understands that, including your reader!
[pundit] Profe or, what content should the mainly covers, in relation to master's or PhD a lication.
[BruceLeeds] Content should cover your area of interest, as ecifically as you can. And if you can, tell the reader about how you got into your study career to that ecific extent.
[kimwin] Prof, is it proper to start with a short story?
[BruceLeeds] Begi ing with a short story is an excellent idea! Even for the Ph.D. a lication, which typically focuses on research interest, you can communicate the history of your deep interest in your major by telling the reader a story. Remember, the statement is partly for telling the reader about who you are. If you do begin with a story, make sure that after the story you co ect it to your statement right away in the next paragraph.
[bamboo] How do we capture the reader's attention? I mean, the profe or in the dept will be reading so many statements. How do I make mine stand out?
[BruceLeeds] You can make your statement stand out (this is a good question!) by making it as personal as you can without making it too personal. Whey you are finished with your statement, it should be one THAT NO ONE ELSE COULD HAVE WRITTEN.
[bamboo] To write a unique : how do I evaluate myself, see the good in myself? If my background is ordinary, how do I make myself look GOOD? :p
[BruceLeeds] I think it is important not to evaluate yourself in your statement. DON'T talk about yourself like "I did such a great job on ....." SHOW the reader how enthusiastic you are about your field of study and allow the reader to make his or her own decisio about you. I hope you see what I mean. Show, don't Tell.
[BruceLeeds] Notice the difference: I won the best student of the year award during my junior year of college. I tead of the above, say: I was so excited when I won an award in my junior year for the best student.........Do you see what I mean? eak about yourself indirectly if you can. eaking directly about your achievements can sound arrogant to the reader, and the reader is reading your e ay, again in part, to try to find out what you are like as a person. No one wants to work with a person on his/her Ph.D. for several years if that person is arrogant, for example. I know that must sound scary.
[bamboo] All: this se ion is organized for you, so make full use of it. Don’t be shy in asking your questio .
[xdz] Profe or, I'd like to ask how one can start with a story in an objective view. I mean a story always tends to be unconvincing e ecially for a Ph.D. program a lication, doe 't it?
[BruceLeeds] Everybody likes a good story. However, I would say that a story at the begi ing of an e ay is more a ropriate for the master's a lication that for the Ph.D. The Ph.D. a lication is pretty formal and focused on research experience and interest (even including the discu ion of a di ertation topic.)
[pundit] Prof. I want to know which personal stage we should begin with, such as high school or bachelor program and so on.
[xdz] I think for a graduate program a lication, bachelor program is a better starting point. We might mention high school, but a glance at most.
(to pundit)
[pundit] oh I see thanks
[BruceLeeds] For example, if you are a lying for a master's degree, you could start with a story about when you where a child and you first fell in love with your major. Everybody loves the idea of a long love affair with one’s major. It makes it sound as though you WERE BORN TO STUDY THAT. But you are right: typically a mention of high school and more discu ion of the increased sophistication of your interest through college. The basic idea is to CREATE A CONVINCING NARRATION. A narration that leaves the reader at the end with the idea: this guy really loves his major!
[bamboo] So the point is to arouse pa ion!
[BruceLeeds] Arouse pa ion - YES. Demo trate your pa ion in your writing. Yes yes yes.
[kimwin] Prof, is it proper to pay great attention to my own striving history? Say, how I improved from an ordinary student to a good one?
[xdz] To kimwin, I think it's meaningful to show your hard work. But it's nece ary to be aware that you are showing that you are qualified for the program. I mean if you just convince the reader: I strove hard to get my current level....Well, what's more? Maybe the reader thinks that you weren't born to do this (otherwise you wouldn't have done so hard).
[BruceLeeds] Generally you should stay away from negatives. The danger of writing about your moving from being an ordinary student to a great one is that the reader will remember you being an ordinary one! :) It depends of course on the context of what you are saying. There ARE times when you need to create such a narration.
[cfyue] My university is not famous, is it a weak point for a lying? Should I mention my research work in the very much? The quality of your university can be a weak point, but it is best not to focus on that. There is nothing you can do about it anyway. Just present the best image you can to the reader through your writing. Be positive and project a positive image of yourself. How much you mention your research work depends, of course, how important you think it is for your a lication. If it is a research degree, then you should emphasize it, yes.
[Rachel] Prof, if I'm a lying for a different major, is it helpful to describe my current research experience in detail? Maybe this research i 't so related with the major I'm a lying for?
[BruceLeeds] Whether you should talk about your research work I believe depends upon whether you feel that it is important for your a lication and degree, as I mentioned above.
[piglet] How should I talk about the research I am interested in since the profe or knows more than me?
[BruceLeeds] Just talk about your research as clearly as you can. Don't think about the profe or. Just concentrate on the clear exposition of your idea.
[piglet] Prof, what do you mean by exposition of idea?
[BruceLeeds] “what do you mean by exposition of idea”---explaining your idea.
[BruceLeeds] “How should I talk about the research I am interested in since the profe or knows more than me”---don't think about the reader in that way. Concentrate on expre ing your ideas. It is a little like climbing a high ladder. DON'T look down! :)
[BruceLeeds] You are not going to know more than the profe or. But that is not why you are writing the statement. You are writing the statement, again, to tell the reader what kind of person you are: friendly, excited about studying in the States, excited about your major and your future. The person who gets hired for a job is typically the person that the interviewer feels like working with.
[bamboo] On piglet's question, will it help to talk about the direction he/she wants to pursue in research, but leave it open enough to inform the reader that she knows she still has a lot to explore in the field?
[BruceLeeds] Will it help to talk about the direction he/she wants to pursue in research, but leave it open enough to inform the reader that she knows she still has a lot to explore in the field? Yes!
[xdz] Prof, I'm a lying for PhD. programs. As a senior undergraduate student, I'm actually not so strict with the research direction. So how should I strike a balance? I mean between "showing my ecific interest" and "convincing that I have a broad interest in my major". Thanks!
[BruceLeeds] Between "showing my ecific interest" and "convincing that I have a broad interest in my major------focus on what you love about what you have accomplished in your field so far.
[cfyue] I'm one graduate, and I want to a ly PhD program, what should I mention much in my , the studying experience or the research experience, if I mention the research work too much , does that mean I will take more risk to get one offer, because one profe or can reject me easily for the unmatchable research.
[BruceLeeds] cfyue: That is a tough one. Yes, if you say "I only want to study such and such," you're dead if they don't have it. As you know, fields are interco ected today, and it might be a good idea in this case to tell the reader that there are several a ects of a field that you would be interested in pursuing. If there is a ecific area that you want to pursue, and the school does not have it, then don’t a ly.
[BruceLeeds] If you are changing your major, give the reader a good reason. The American system is very flexible, but the reader will want to feel that you have purpose.
[bamboo] Prof: following up on Rachel’s question, how could Chinese students get a good feel about how flexible the system is? Is it by looking at what is the required foundation for the new major... or...?
[BruceLeeds] By flexible I meant, in this i tance, that you are allowed to change your mind about majors. Lots of lawyers in the US were English majors! I simply wanted to stre that the reader is going to attempt to judge your character to an extent, and you do not want to project to the reader the image of someone who changes his/her mind "too" frequently.
[greenlight2005] dear bruceleeds, I want to a ly PhD in USA, but I've done too little work beyond my research and have never entered a campus party activity, how can I compe ate that in my . My major is electronic engineering. Thanks.
[BruceLeeds] Greenlight. I don't think the extra activities are significant, if that was your question.
[xdz] Prof: A good matching is always emphasized in PhD a lication. But as an undergraduate, many students don't have such matching and just have general interest in ecific major (including many research directio ). How should these students expre their intention? Thank you.
[BruceLeeds] Intention should be expre ed with as many ecific experiences as po ible.
[cfyue] As one graduate, what he/she does is not very broad, so what should I mention about my research work? Are there some rules?
[iceccn] Dear Prof, I want to ask a question about a lication, I want to a ly for economics or statistic, and finance, but my research work done is not worthwhile by now. How can I put them in my P.S. more powerful? or should I do something on purpose and then make my P.S. more presentable? Thank you :)
[BruceLeeds] I mentioned that the American system of ed. is flexible. That also mea that it is OK to not know exactly what you want to pursue, at least up to the Ph.D. Education is a proce of exploration and the reader is going to understand that. Demo trate your varied interests in your writing. Suggest po ibilities of investigation. Tell the reader that you look forward to exploring many areas and the advice of the teachers. Not for Ph.D. unle it is a ecial case.
[xdz] Prof, in a lication to PhD programs (engineering), how do readers evaluate one's social practice, say experience in student unio , clu , Red Cro community, etc.? Thank you.
[BruceLeeds] Irrelevant in my opinion (question immediately above).
[ladybug] Prof Bruce, I am a lying for PhD in computer science. Should I talk about my work experience as a programmer for 1 year?
[BruceLeeds] A OLUTELY talk about ANYTHING relevant to your major. Work experience is highly valued. When you talk about things in your e ay, an experience for example, INTERPRET it for the reader. What did you learn from your job experience?
[Gracei] So you mean the working experience is quite important?
[bamboo] Gracei, that a wer was in relation to ladybug's: she wants to a ly for a PhD in CS and wants to know if she should talk about her one-year work experience as a programmer.
[Gracei] oh, ic, thx:)
[Rachel] Thanks, Prof. I expect to get a master degree in physics, now I’m a lying for Electronic and Electrical Engineering. In my opinion, my current major is relatively theoretical, and I want to study more in a lied major. Is that a proper reason for me to changing majors? May I say my interest is in a liance not in theory, but fundamental theoretical knowledge I've learned these years can help me greatly in the next learning of engineering.
[BruceLeeds] Saying that you want to switch to a more a lied area is FINE. When you mention your past study, don't do what some students do: saying that they hated what they had been studying. Say something like, "De ite the fact that I learned a lot from....." See what I mean?
[iceccn] Dear Prof, is there any differences between the P.S. for master and for PhD? What should I pay more attention to if I a ly for each one?
[BruceLeeds] Basically, as I mentioned, the Ph.D. a lication e ay should be very focused. The master's le focused.
[bamboo] I have one very important question which I asked earlier :p I hope you could a wer this one :)
[bamboo] Among the you read from international students, what are some of the top weak points you notice immediately? Just so we don’t repeat the same dumb mistakes :-
[Gracei] good question:)
[kimwin] yeah, we want to know that
[BruceLeeds] The main week point that comes to my mind immediately is the fact that many students tend, sometimes in an attempt to be humble, to be too negative. The statement is mainly about image, or persona, and it is important that the writer create the kind of persona that the reader will re ond to positively: a person who is creative, interested in her/his major, flexible, for example in her/his ability to live in a “foreign” country, etc. Skip all negative comments and focus only on the positive in your statement.
[bamboo] Prof: before we end today's se ion, do you have anything to add as an advice to our a licants?
[BruceLeeds] Best advice? Easy to give but difficult to follow: BE YOURSELF. The more you project an image of a person who is ha y with him/herself and his/her major and future po ibilities, the more the reader will be drawn in to the e ay and the more likely the reader will put your file on the top of the stack! :) Don't forget: a personal statement is personal (not too personal for the Ph.D., but still not an e ay that could have been written by anyone else.)
[bamboo] Thank you everyone, for participating and bringing your questio . We hope this se ion has been helpful to you. We will publish the chat log tomorrow on our we ite. You can visit
http://www.i tudent.com/blogs/inde... LOG?cat=295or
http://www.i tudent.com.cn/blogs/i...ianDi?cat=188to view
the past chat logs we have on school a lication.
[bamboo] Prof: thanks a lot for being here with us today.
[BruceLeeds] Good night everyone! This was very enjoyable. We will do it again.
[bamboo] Prof, thanks again. Wishing u a very good labor day weekend. :)
[bamboo] BTW, Profe or Leeds will be publishing a book on “how to write your ”.
[bamboo] We expect that book to be available for download in October from the i tudent we ite.
[ladybug] Where can we ask more questio ?
[bamboo] We have a new forum where u can ask more questio !!! Feel free to check it out.
[bamboo] All: best wishes for your a lication!!!
