01/04/2007, 12:26 AM
You should definately TYPE your personal statement. Hand writing a personal statement is about the equivalent of waltzing into an interview in t-shirt and jeans...it just does not look professional and you do not want to start of on the wrong foot.
As for the legnth, the typical legnth is usually 500-750. 800+ is actually not too bad, as long as it's closer to the 800 and not the +. I completely understand your frustration of trying to convey all that you want in that amount of time, but they are looking for clear, concise, well thought out and structured essays (with some personal flair). This involves tact, and choosing which stories and experiences to share that best illustrate who you are instead of bogging the whole thing down by telling them every reason. The idea is to get them to want to know all the rest about you by accepting you to their program. As English teachers always say SHOW them that they want to except you, don't tell them.
As for the legnth, the typical legnth is usually 500-750. 800+ is actually not too bad, as long as it's closer to the 800 and not the +. I completely understand your frustration of trying to convey all that you want in that amount of time, but they are looking for clear, concise, well thought out and structured essays (with some personal flair). This involves tact, and choosing which stories and experiences to share that best illustrate who you are instead of bogging the whole thing down by telling them every reason. The idea is to get them to want to know all the rest about you by accepting you to their program. As English teachers always say SHOW them that they want to except you, don't tell them.