personal statement phd linguistics

SLP Grad School Personal Statements: The Ultimate Guide

What is an slp personal statement.

SLP grad school personal statements are probably the single most important part of your application to a masters program. It is what brings everything else together.

It gives context to your GPA and GRE scores.

A well-written personal statement complements the letters of recommendation from your academic sources.

Your personal statement transforms the lists on your resume into rich and meaningful experiences that excite the admissions committee.gra

SLP personal statements defined:

The basic idea behind a personal statement is to talk about your intent to study in that SLP program, and explain why you might be a good fit.

Other names for a personal statement

Different graduate programs have different names for it. You may see different SLP programs refer to it as any one of the following:

Personal statement
Statement of purpose
Letter of intent
Admissions essay
Personal essay
Statement of interest
Statement of goals

The basic idea behind each of these names is the same.

Some might argue that a “personal statement” is more of a personal narrative whereas as “statement of purpose” focuses more on the program. If you’re worried about splitting hairs, you can read more on the difference between letter of intent and personal statement at GradSchool.com.

How to Write SLP Grad School Personal Statements

I’m going to walk you through the exact steps I used to write the statements of purpose that earned me admissions into top SLP grad programs, and helped me earn over $100,000 in SLP scholarships and funding.

My experience on the topic

Back before I wanted to become an SLP , I worked with a program called Upward Bound as a sort of college coach. I helped dozens of amazing high schoolers become first-generation college students (one of them is now literally a rocket scientist!) through tutoring, ACT prep, workshops, summer camps, and designing customized college admissions strategies.

When I applied for a Fulbright Fellowship, I was lucky that Dr. Marie Orton, took me under her wing and mentored me through the rigorous application that helped me earned the coveted grant.

While completing that Fulbright, I interned at the Institute of International Education’s Office for Latin America. There, I managed multiple international scholarships for partners like Exxon-Mobil, Cargill, and Harvard.

Finally, each year I am deeply honored to serve on the selection committee in Mexico for Fulbright scholars, conducting interviews with dozens of top applicants from Mexico and the United States.

I don’t share all of this to brag. I’m not perfect (heck, I even found a glaring typo in my own SLP masters admissions essay). I share it to let you know that I’m not just making this up. What I’m sharing is based on my experiences, my research, and my work.

I truly hope it is helpful to you.

Two Types of SLP Personal Statements for Graduate School

A general or comprehensive statement has very few guidelines and a very broad topic. This gives you so much freedom to write, which is a bit scary but ultimately super powerful.

Some examples:

Why do you want to become an SLP?
Explain your interested in graduate studies at our institution.
Describe your intentions in pursuing study in this field.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, some SLP masters programs ask very specific questions. Your personal statement should answer those questions specifically. Some schools might provide multiple questions for you to choose from OR multiple questions you must answer.

What does disability mean to you?
Explain what “evidence based practice” means to you.
What three objects would you take with you if trapped on a desert island?
Other than technology and “apps”, what do you believe is a significant development in the field of speech-language pathology over the past 10 years? How will you incorporate this development into your future practice as a speech/language pathologist?”

Steps to Writing the Best SLP Personal Statements for Grad School

Step 1. start early.

This should be pretty obvious, but I put it because… well… you need to start early!

DO NOT wait until the last minute to write your essays. I repeat: DO NOT wait until the last minute to write your essays.

You should start drafting your essays about 6 months before they’re due. They don’t need to be perfect, but you need a rough draft.

For my admissions essays to top SLP program, I started around April, and didn’t turn the essays in until October. This gives you plenty of time to change and revise your essays. My first draft essay looks NOTHING like the one that earned me a spot in my first-choice graduate program.

2. Brainstorming & Introspection

If you think you can write your grad school admissions essay without doing this, you’re either 1) a hyper-focused prodigy, or 2) you need to rethink your decision to go to grad school.

That might sound a bit harsh, but let’s not sugarcoat this: Graduate school for speech-language pathology is a big deal, and you need to treat it as such.

You should spend sometime doing some “soul searching” to figure out why you truly want to go. Your conscious rationalization might not even match whats going on in your subconscious once you start probing.

If you’re not very good at introspection, I suggest investing the $14 in my book: SLP to Be . There is a whole chapter on pre-writing exercises, focused on SLP grad school.

In my essays, I started with a (hackneyed) explanation of my passion for teaching inspired by my wonderful high school Spanish teacher. After several months of revising (and guidance from an amazing mentor), I was able to draw a meaningful thread through most major events in my life (literally from birth) and show how those antecedents, more than inspired me, compelled me to go to graduate school.

Ok, that’s a little dramatic sounding – but it was truly an emotional and stirring experience. I even cried once… or twice.

Nothing should be overlooked during this process. Look at everything you’ve done: jobs you’ve had, people who have mentored you, classes you’ve taken, books that have inspired you.

The point is, you really need to look inside yourself and reflect on what you find.

And if you’re stuck, seriously consider my book. Here’s an example of one of the activities included in it:

Sample pre-writing activity from the book, SLP To Be.

Working with certain professors (whether taking their classes, reading their work, or working with them on a project) influences you and forms you as a scholar and future clinician. You pick up their perspectives and ways of viewing the field.

For this activity, you will reflect on the people who have influenced you and how you view the field of SLP (or related fields such as health care, linguistics, or education). Write a response to each question:

Which professors have most influenced the way you think? What ideas or perspectives did they imprint upon you?

Have any professors ever said something that stuck with you? What was it? Why did it stick?

If you have completed any research, what was it about? What was your methodology? What did you learn from the process?

Are there any professors who you would like to study under at a specific university?

Is there a book or essay that you found particularly meaningful? Why?

Have you ever heard conflicting information or thoughts from professors on the same topic? How did you decide whose advice to follow?

Step 3: Word Vomit Everything

“Word vomit” is the highly technical process (<- sarcasm) that you will use to create your first draft.

You’re just going to put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) and start writing the answer to the question, “Why do you want to go to graduate school for Speech Language Pathology?” without thinking or stopping or editing.

You might think, “AH! But that’s not the prompt!” And you’re right; it is probably not the exact prompt for every school. But I bet it is pretty close, and “pretty close” is good enough for now .

Don’t worry at this point if you have too much content or if it is completely filled with atrocious grammatical errors. This is a precursor to rough draft.

Just try to write without stopping to think or judge, just type any thoughts on why you want to become an SLP. Imagine you’re sitting on a comfy couch having a cup of coffee (or wine, depending on which gets you going better) with someone who asks you why’re interested in the field. You’ve got nothing but time and someone who is super interested in your answer. Tell them everything!

My word-vomit-super-rough-draft was three pages long and riddled with errors, errant thoughts, and all sorts of stuff that (while true) I would never show to grad schools. But the point was to get the answer onto paper!

At this point, no experience is too small. Write about fears, hopes, dreams. Write about things that excite you and things that terrify you. Write about things you would never tell the admissions committee.

The point is to get all of those rambling, errant thoughts out of your head so they can stop districting you. How do you know when you’re finished? When you have every possible motivation to become an SLP written down.

Step 4: Writing Your SLP Personal Statement

At this point you have a good source of raw material from which to build your essays. More importantly, you got all those loose ideas out of your head so they’ll stop distracting you.

Now you’re at an important juncture. You need to focus on a general or specific prompt.

If your school has a specific prompt, answer it. Then jump ahead to these other steps. Chances are, you’ll need to answer a general prompt as well.

Here’s how to do it:

First and foremost, answer the question being asked. Even if it is a general essay prompt, be sure you are answering it. Don’t wander off into left-field and talk about something irrelevant. Answer the question in approximately 1,000 words or less (we’ll cut it down later). Pull generously from your brainstorming (i.e. word vomit) that you did previously.

Next go back to the beginning. You need a hook, or strong opening paragraph. This is where you grab the reader’s attention or lose it. This paragraph will set the tone for the rest of the statement.

Finally, make sure that your essay can answer these three questions:

How does your background prepare you for graduate studies?
What do you want to attend our specific school for speech-language pathology?
Briefly, what are your plans upon graduation?

Those three questions kind of cover the basic information that any admissions committee is going to look for. They might not say it explicitly, but the admissions reader expects to find answer to these implicit questions in your essay.

Step 4: Revising Your Personal Statement

Now, you want to dig in to essay and create a narrative. You need to make sure the essay tells a bit of a story.

You’re going to have to make a lot of tough decisions at this point.

My first piece of advice is to focus on what only you can talk about. If you know one of your letters of recommendation is going focus on teamwork, don’t waste space on that in your essay – focus on something only you can focus on – like how you felt during your first linguistics course or how shadowing an SLP showed you the impact speech therapy can have on a child’s life.

Second piece of advice: don’t be afraid to delete and remove sentences or even paragraphs. Sometimes, you know you need a smoother transition or a shorter way of expressing an idea, but you’re too attached to what’s already written to make changes. When this happens, open a new word document and start typing there until you’ve got the idea out, then copy and paste it into the main essay. Sometimes getting your work out of your sight helps you to get your mind off of it.

I recommend saving each draft on your computer. Save it as “Draft 1.” Then next time you make a big change, make a new copy and save it as “draft 2,” and so on. This helps you to keep track over time of your progress, and lets you easily backtrack.

Aim to revise your essay at least three times over the course of 2-3 weeks. Why does time matter? You need to look at the essay with fresh eyes. Waiting at least a week between readings helps you do that.

Step 5: Get some help

At this point, you need some help. You cannot should not try to do this on your own.

Why? Because we get tunnel vision when reading our own writing, after a few passes we tend to skip things and to think it is a lot better than it actually is. Also, we’re so close to our own lives that we sometimes can’t make sense of it – a third party can make connections we take for granted.

My advice for selecting a mentor:

This is a tough and delicate thing to figure out. If the person is a professor, do they teach writing courses (good sign!) Are they published? (good sign!) Does they often get asked to write letters of recommendation (good sign!) Have they won grants in the past? (good sign!)
Business people write differently than engineering people write differently than speech language pathologists. You want someone who knows your field and what is abuzz in its sphere of influence.
Many of your college professors have probably served on an admissions review panel for graduate students before. These are the perfect people to give you advice on your essays because they know all of your competition and what reviewers will look for!

As a final note, you don’t have to know your mentor very well before beginning work with him/her. I actually didn’t know my mentor before she agreed to look at my essays. My academic advisor suggested I contact this professor who “had some experience” with Fulbright. I wrote her a polite (and proper) email asking if she could spare some time to work with me. As it turns out, she is an alumnus of the program and a former member of the national selection committee! Her advice was AMAZING (and probably a huge part of why I won the grant!).

Once you have a mentor, ask them to read the essay multiple times. In fact, ask as many people as possible to read your essays.

But remember, just because someone reads the essay doesn’t mean they have to follow their advice! Evaluate who is giving you the information and their familiarity with the field of SLP and with graduate education in general.

Step 6: Tweaking & Customizing

First, a tip on organization. I use Dropbox; it is easy to use and creates automatic backups for free. I suggest creating a folder for each university that you’re applying to. In each folder, create a copy of your “base draft” of the essay. In a new word document, put that school’s specific essay requirements at the top. Into the document, paste chunks of your “base essay” together and start tweaking it.

One thing to help customize your essay is simply to mention the school’s name. You’d be surprised how many people don’t.

Another powerful tool for customization is program fit. Most SLP programs are pretty similar, but many do have speciality tracks or reputations in certain sub-areas.

If you’re interested in a specific area of research, mention the name of a faculty member conducting research in that area. Remember, you’re not committing yourself to anything yet. You’re merely expressing your interest.

Check out the program’s mission statement as well for relevant key concepts.

Finally, make sure you’re following the school’s prompts to the letter. You don’t want to get rejected when some student worker notices essays was 301 words when the limit is 300. Oh and double checking spelling. How embarrassing would it be if you spelt a professor or university name incorrectly? Is it Queens College or Queen’s College? Double check.

This step, of customizing and tweaking, requires a lot of knowledge about the program you’re applying to. Read up on their website to make sure you’re a good fit, and that you’re showing that in your essays.

Step 7: Revise Revise Revise

Once your essay is beginning to take shape and you have a draft you’re excited about, wait a week and read it again.

Here’s some exercises to help with revision:

Make sure you have a structure and flow. If you need ideas, check out this post that gives three basic example structures.

Ask yourself about each sentence and paragraph:

Is this idea necessary?
Can I say this in less words?
Does the admissions committee really care about this?
Am I trying to humble brag, or is this sincere?

Take sections of your essay and try rewriting them or reducing them to one sentence. You don’t have to use those short bits; it is just an exercise to help increase the quality of your writing.

The most important thing is to revise, wait, and revise again constantly. Even years later looking back at my admissions essays, I see things I could improve upon.

If you need more help writing SLP personal statements...

If you’re still stuck or need more help, you might find my book helpful . It has three chapters on how to write personal statements for SLP graduate school.

Obviously I’m biased because I wrote it… but I really do think it will help.

A published guide to writing SLP grad school personal statements

4 thoughts on “SLP Grad School Personal Statements: The Ultimate Guide”

Do you help people with their personal essays of know of someone I could hire?

Hey Courtney! Send me a message through the “Contact” age ( https://thespeechblog.com/contact/ ), and I’ll see what I can do!

I am curious, do you always put a cover sheet (not a cover letter) with your personal statements?

I did not use cover sheets with mine when I was applying, and I haven’t seen any schools ask for it. Usually in the upper left margin you’ll include a simple note like “First Name Last Name – Personal Statement” and that’s about it.

Postgraduate Personal Statement Example: TESOL & Linguistics

Studying examples of personal statements can be an extremely valuable strategy when you’re applying to a university or college course.

That’s because personal statement examples can teach you how to write and structure your application, and you can quickly learn how to write a personal statement by examining others.

But with so many university personal statement examples available, how do you know if you’re reading a good one?

Postgraduate personal statements should highlight relevant academic and practical experience, research skills and ambitions and their suitability for the course. This postgraduate personal statement example for TESOL & Linguistics considers these three critical elements.

Studying master’s degree personal statement examples can be especially valuable. They’re sometimes referred to as personal mission statements or statements of purpose , so if you’re tasked with writing a personal mission statement, the following example will work for you.

I’ve broken down this personal statement example section by section, with a commentary on each element.

That way, you’ll see its strengths and weaknesses and get some inspiration for your own personal statement .

Once you’ve read the personal statement example and analysis, you can download a pdf of the whole document to use as inspiration for your own!

Personal Statement Example: Introduction

““In me the tiger sniffs the rose.” Sassoon’s compelling line has always inspired me to enjoy both the “tiger” and “rose” in my own personal and professional life and offers me the motivation needed to become an outstanding English teacher. To achieve this goal, I intend to dedicate myself to exploring English teaching methods through courses such as Language Teaching Methodology and Teaching Young Learners. I am confident that by pursuing the TESOL and Applied Linguistics MA programme at Slater University, I will gain a rich understanding of critical ideas in English language teaching, adding value to my own life and those of my students.”

My Commentary and Analysis

In this personal and engaging introduction, the writer has used a quotation to outline their motivation and show their ongoing engagement with their subject of choice.

They’ve also taken the opportunity to illustrate the logical progression of their academic and professional ambitions, linking their goals with the opportunities available on the course.

A relatively concise and direct introduction, it expresses the writer’s personality and genuine passion whilst creating a legitimate motivation for higher study on this particular course.

If you’re struggling with your personal statement introduction, check out my article on how to write perfect opening paragraphs here .

Personal Statement Example: Academic Background

“My graduate studies in Teaching English have laid a robust foundation for my further studies. Taking courses covering educational theories, dialectics, English language and literature and English teaching assessment, I’ve developed my understanding of the theoretical aspects of English teaching. Equally, my experience supporting learners through the use of modern educational technology has prepared me for the Technology-Enhanced Language Learning module. To explore teaching and learning strategies, I’ve enhanced my critical thinking and analytical skills through extensive reading and essay writing. Participating in several tutor-led research projects, one of which focused on the design of micro-writing teaching activities in high school English, I applied literature research methodologies, classroom observation techniques and interviews. I identified and analysed the challenges students and teachers face, and the research results were included in a 30,000-word academic paper.

Consequently, I am confident that my capacity for research and data analysis will fully support my study of English language teaching and effectively underpin my studies at Slater. Equally, my meticulous attitude and strict logical thinking are reflected in my outstanding academic results and active participation in regular extracurricular activities. As vice president of the student union, I took responsibility for event planning, organising a wide range of student activities and raising team cohesion by showing excellent organisational and communication skills.”

My Commentary and Analysis

This is a convincing section which outlines the writer’s educational background fully. It covers academic and practical elements and explains clearly how the writer has gained a range of relevant skills and experiences which have prepared them well for study at a higher level.

The writer then outlines the ways in which this level of preparation will add value to their studies and, in doing so, makes clear and effective links with regard to their suitability.

Making this connection in a master’s personal statement is critical, as it reassures an admissions reader that the applicant is committed to further study and that they have the transferable skills to succeed.

The final section outlines further transferable skills that may well be of value on a postgraduate course and certainly in an educational role. It would be even more valuable if this was linked directly to a specific aspect of the course being applied for.

If you’d like to learn more about structuring your personal statement or statement of purpose , you can read my complete guide to writing a master’s degree personal statement here .

Alternatively, click on the image below to download a free template for structuring your writing.

Personal Statement Example: Practical Experience 1

“To deepen my theoretical understanding of English teaching methodology, I interned as an English teacher and class advisor at a technical school. By completing classroom observations, researching textbooks, preparing course materials and devising teaching syllabi according to the curriculum, I improved my knowledge of English, gained a deeper understanding of the relationship between English teaching and learning, and accumulated practical skills in English teaching. Applying my well-grounded knowledge of modern teaching theories and methods to conduct English teaching in various contexts, I was gratified to see my students progress confidently. I received sound feedback from students and a high appraisal from the instructor, increasing my confidence in working in the English teaching sector.

This valuable experience helped me realise that my current teaching methods need to be more expert if I am to help students move beyond the mechanical repetition of grammar rules and vocabulary. I am confident that by examining the theoretical and practical aspects of the English language and studying modules such as Practice of English Language Teaching and Psychology of Language Learning and Teaching, I will become the competent and inspirational teacher I desire to be.”

Commentary and Analysis

This critical section outlines the writer’s practical teaching experience. Given their ambitions and the course content, it’s essential material to include as it shows an admissions team that they have not only had this experience but are still positive about developing a career in this field.

That means they’re more likely to view the application more positively: they can see the applicant’s relevancy and potential and how the course will connect with their goals.

The writer also outlines the skills and experiences developed during this internship, which are also relevant to their goals and will be of value on the course.

The reflection at the end of this section is crucial as it shows self-awareness regarding skills that need to be developed and also knowledge and understanding of the course content that will help them achieve this.

When the reader sees this kind of link made by a self-aware and motivated student, it’s easier for them to judge the candidate’s suitability and make an achievable offer.

Check out lots more examples of personal statements here , and see how they can inspire your application!

Personal Statement Example: Future Study Aims

“Aware of Slater’s competitive reputation for academic excellence, I have been developing my knowledge of linguistics, phonetics, semantics and pedagogy by reading relevant books and literature sources prior to starting the MA programme. During my postgraduate studies, I will treat every course seriously, endeavour to gain expert knowledge regarding the cognitive and social processes of language learning and lay a thorough grounding in current research, theories, principles and practices in English education. My goal is to learn how to design effective teaching plans and devise appropriate testing methods for English teaching and develop my capabilities in analysing, synthesising and evaluating research sources in TESOL and Applied Linguistics. I also intend to accumulate teaching experience by interning at various educational or training institutions. All of these experiences will combine to provide me with the advanced skills necessary to help students master knowledge as a result of my logical and dynamic teaching style.”

My Commentary and Analysis:

This section begins with the use of relevant vocabulary, which further reassures the reader that the writer is immersed in their intended field of study.

It would have been more effective if the writer had identified some of the sources of their research, argued for or against the findings of others or related the value of this knowledge directly to the challenges they expect to face on the course.

There’s a summary of academic and professional goals included here, which connects clearly to the course outcomes.

However, the rest of this section is quite general and doesn’t really add any new or tangible information. It sounds good, but it’s quite empty content. Essentially, the writer is promising to be a good student, and although that’s reassuring, it doesn’t really offer any depth or detail.

The one thing that all successful personal statements have in common is that they are concise, engaging and accurate in spelling, punctuation and grammar. Consequently, I always recommend Grammarly to my students and clients.

It’s an outstanding tool for ensuring your personal statement is rich with detail whilst hitting those all-important word limits. Check out the latest version of Grammarly here , or hit the banner for more information.

Personal Statement Example: Conclusion

“I have selected the TESOL and Applied Linguistics MA programme at Slater University to engage in debate with the programme’s erudite professors, access the rich alum resources and contribute to the worldwide prestige of a faculty which will be of great help to my intellectual growth and career development. I am confident that my previous experiences, my engaging and communicative nature and my capacity for detailed research and application will be of reciprocal value to the Slater community. An optimistic, positive, and sociable individual with the patience to teach and a strong desire to continually expand my knowledge and understanding, I’m convinced that, whatever the challenges, this course represents the next step on my personal and professional journey. I look forward to adding to the diversity of spirit, culture and opportunity that exemplifies Slater’s ethos.”

In some ways, this conclusion covers all the critical points. It outlines the applicant’s motivation for study, considers their value to the institution and indicates an awareness of the ethos and culture of the learning experience on offer.

Whilst these are all necessary elements to include in a concluding paragraph, they don’t contain very much detail.

When writing about the university, there’s no mention of particular faculty members the writer would like to work with or tangible physical resources such as libraries, labs or on-campus organisations. There’s no real sense of types of research opportunities or how this particular college is more important than any other.

As a result, it feels like this conclusion could have been written without having read any of the relevant literature.

You must ensure you include detail in your personal statement conclusion and that it is specific and compelling.

There’s some mention of the value they might add, but no consideration of context. How will their previous experiences and communication skills be of value to the community? They don’t actually say.

The reader is consequently left with the impression that this candidate knows a lot about their field but little about the university they are applying to.

This could easily jeopardise their application, despite much of this personal statement being of a high standard.

For more great advice, check out my article on writing an excellent final personal statement paragraph here .

Click here or on the banner below to get your free download of this complete personal statement example .

Whether you’re looking for personal mission statement examples or an example of personal purpose statement, I hope this personal statement example has been helpful. Above all, I wish you every success in your academic career.

If you’d like to work with me to develop your personal statement 1:1 and write a powerful mission statement, I’d be delighted to hear from you.

Find out about my personal statement support services by clicking here or on the image below.

Research and content verified by Personal Statement Planet .

David Hallen

I've worked in the Further Education and University Admissions sector for nearly 20 years as a teacher, department head, Head of Sixth Form, UCAS Admissions Advisor, UK Centre Lead and freelance personal statement advisor, editor and writer. And now I'm here for you...

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Linguistics personal statements

On this page you'll find a collection of real personal statements written by students applying to study linguistics and related courses at university.

These personal statements are written by real students - don't expect them all to be perfect! But by reading through a few of these samples, you'll be able to get some ideas and inspiration for your own personal statement.

Linguistics personal statement examples

More help with your personal statement.

You can find personal statement examples for other courses by using this subject list, or by returning to our personal statements by subject page.

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Linguistics, Personal Statement Example

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My parents did not have higher education, thus, as a high school student in Hong Kong, I used to help my parents read and translate business letters. My family is in the electronics business and the growth of Hong Kong’s manufacturing industry has inspired them to seek growth in international markets for the first time. The success of international ventures doesn’t only depend upon business skills but also soft skills such as cross-cultural knowledge and language. Language is the window into a culture and acquiring foreign language skills gives one a competitive edge in the international markets.

My interest in linguistics has also been shaped by extensive international travels. I noticed that foreign language skills do not only help one expand his thinking horizon and improve understanding of the world but also help one secure goodwill and cooperation from the locals. I am also fortunate to experience a foreign culture as a local resident when I spent last year of high school in New Zealand. My goal in enrolling at Logan Park High School (LPHS) in New Zealand was to become more proficient in British English but I also ended up learning Latin and French. My linguistics education also helped me learn about the roots of English and French languages in Latin. For example, “amicus” in Latin is “ami” in French and “friend” in English. The realization that even languages who could not have been more different in sound and grammar, share roots only further sparked my interest in linguistics.

LPHS hosts “International Student Festival” every year in which I represented China and introduced participants to Chinese culture and basic linguistic rules. One of the things I realized during the festival was the difficulty of translating foreign words into Chinese language because either substitute words do not exist in Chinese language or any attempt to translate foreign words into Chinese results in quite unexpected meanings. Similarly, when translation attempts may be possible, Chinese terms are usually longer than foreign terms. For instance, “Pizza Hut” is “Bi Sheng Ke,” in Chinese which translates to “most certainly win in the house.” But the word “pizza” alone translates to “pi-sa” in Chinese. This realization also helped me understand why international marketers frequently make marketing mistakes in China and sometimes even have to change their original brand names in favor of a local version. This also demonstrates the close relationship between language and a culture. This is why I am determined to expand my linguistics skills because certain elements of culture can only be understood through local language.

My linguistic skills also helped me secure a position as a student helper at Diablo Valley College’s International Student Admissions and Services facility (ISAS) in Spring 2013. My responsibilities included providing information to students about visa and immigration issues. Students from countries as varied as France, Korea, and Indonesia would specifically seek my assistance because they claimed I could anticipate their concerns even without asking. I also used the experience to further advance my linguistic skills.

My experiences in the U.S. have also helped me better understand the role of language within a particular culture. I studied British English in New Zealand which is quite similar to American English but the differences are significant enough to create communication hurdles. In addition, the accents also vary across cultures and Middle East is a great example. Students from Saudi Arabia spoke Arabic in an accent and style that was quite different from Arabic language speakers from Morocco. Languages do not only serve as means of communication but also provide hidden meanings that are lost in translation. This is why my goal is to learn as many languages as possible and I hope University of California will provide me with education that helps me bridge gaps between cultures.

One of the traits I am particularly proud of is my willingness to embrace new experiences. As a child, I was shy and reserve and mostly kept to myself. I didn’t trust others to really understand me and the idea of being judged also prevented me from opening myself to others. My father understood the importance of social interaction and skills, thus, he started bringing me to business events to acquire social and communication skills. It was not easy at first but I started realizing it is difficult to exist in isolation because we need others in life sometimes whether in personal or professional matters. But as I became better at communication and social skills, my hesitation started disappearing.

The biggest influence on me in my journey towards embracing the outside world was a high school teacher who referred to Forrest Gump, “life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get.” She helped me realize life is full of tests which are meant to measure our true potential and successfully passing each test gives us a renewed sense of pride and self-confidence. She taught me that even failures carry valuable lessons and education takes place everywhere, even in the seemingly ordinary events in life. She encouraged me to embrace new experiences even if they may not appeal to me because only by stepping outside our comfort zones do we expand our perspectives and thinking horizon.

Another trait I am proud of is my willingness to embrace challenges and try to overcome them. My experiences in life have taught me we put in our best efforts and push ourselves to the limit only when faced with difficult challenges. Challenges may scare us but there are also essential for our personal growth. Learning new languages is not an easy task but I am determined in order to make the most out of my future international travels. I have no doubt it will open numerous career paths for me because national boundaries are becoming insignificant and interaction among cultures will continue to grow. My personality traits have helped me achieve high degree of self-confidence which is why I do not only embrace challenges but actually seek them out.

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South Korean Linguistics PHD Personal Purpose Statement

I was born and raised in South Korea and came to the US in 2010. I am now in my senior year of a bachelor's degree program in English Language and Literature. My goal is to join a challenging but supportive program that will enable me to conduct research relating to the effects of culture on language and to become an expert translator of Korean into English and vice versa. I seek to provide linguistics and translation training to undergraduate and graduate students.

Korean and English languages come from different roots and so have fascinating contrasts but surprisingly many similarities and this interested me, especially the concepts that are common to all languages and I want to explore this in a formal structured program. During my studies, I have also come to appreciate that translators are often able to offer only an approximation of the meaning intended, that sometimes a lack of understanding of an idiom and cultural outlooks can lead to sometimes humorous but also potentially dangerous mistranslations and misunderstandings.

Obviously, an approximation is sufficient for many purposes but there are many situations in which a highly faithful transmission of an author’s intended meaning is an absolute necessity. I am thinking of such things as manuals for medical equipment or pharmaceutical usage as well as artistic applications such as translations of poetry or dramatic works where inaccuracy arising from a lack of appreciation of cultural context, can result in corruption of the author’s purpose or message.

I have undertaken volunteer work at an orphanage in South Korea and this experience first fired an interest in the power and uses of language. The young are learning to use the tools that language provides to communicate feelings and wants and quickly become adept and I have contrasted this with the problems of the old who may be losing their facility with language and applying supplementary or compensatory communication in the form of non-verbal signals of their needs and wants. This latter problem will be of increasing interest as the aging of populations accelerates.

I know that linguistics has many applications beyond those that I have specified, such as psychological, social, and marking and measuring changes in language and the reasons for such changes. The power of language for good and ill is almost limitless and this is what really interests me, I wish to assist in applying the power of words for the good of humanity. All the different facets of the subject fascinate me, and I am certain that my passion will flourish in the Ph.D. program to which I undertake to apply myself fully and enthusiastically.

I believe that my academic results will provide an assurance as to my ability to profit from the program and undertake useful research in this subject.

Thank you for considering my application.

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A "Personal Statement" is an important vehicle through which you introduce yourself to a third party for a specific purpose - enrolling in a graduate school, applying for a scholarship, seeking an internship opportunity, or applying for a job. To write a good Personal Statement, the skills required are as delicate as creating Coffee Art - and practice makes perfect! The following sections will introduce key qualities of good Personal Statements. The recommended links provide both practical and user-friendly tips, samples/templates, and textbook resources on writing Personal Statements (i) for Academic Purposes; and (ii) for Career Purposes.

Essentials for Personal Statements

Effective Personal Statements can open the door to an interview, selection for admission to graduate schools, or even help you to secure a scholarship – but just remember "COFFEE ART"

Contributions	To demonstrate your worth through how you can contribute to the academic institution or organization,
Objectives and Plan	To outline your objectives and plan in pursuing the immediate future goal -further studies, or entry positions into specific industry,
Fresh and Distinctive	To stand out, you must be unique amongst thousands of candidates so that you will impress readers of your compelling Personal Statement. Focus on your features and core competitive advantage with concrete information,
Focused, Structured with Style	To be well-organized, make your Personal Statement enjoyable and interesting to read,
Expressions	To make sure your expressions and tone are used appropriately. You can also demonstrate your personality via your writing style,
Easy to Read	To ensure that the content is concise and easily understandable,

Achievements	To show your achievements, dedication, setbacks, and capabilities to overcoming hardships,
Reasons for Choosing Each Other	To demonstrate specific reasons why you have selected the particular academic programme or organization; and convince them skillfully why they should choose you,
Theme	To set out the theme or include headings for the content that you would like to communicate with the reviewer which fit with the specific purposes of your Personal Statement.

Samples For Academic Use - By Discipline

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Electronic and Engineering - "Which Types of Skills are Expected to be Demonstrated?" (See Entry Profile Item in English on the left of the boxes) – Resources from University of Nottingham
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Writing a Personal Statement

Preparing to Write

Brainstorming, don't forget, sample prompts.

A personal statement is a narrative essay that connects your background, experiences, and goals to the mission, requirements, and desired outcomes of the specific opportunity you are seeking. It is a critical component in the selection process, whether the essay is for a competitive internship, a graduate fellowship, or admittance to a graduate school program. It gives the selection committee the best opportunity to get to know you, how you think and make decisions, ways in which past experiences have been significant or formative, and how you envision your future. Personal statements can be varied in form; some are given a specific prompt, while others are less structured. However, in general a personal statement should answer the following questions:

Who are you?
What are your goals?
How does this specific program/opportunity help you achieve your goals?
What is in the future?

A personal statement is not:

A variation of your college admissions essay
An academic/research paper
A narrative version of your resume
A creative writing piece (it can be creative, though)
An essay about somebody else

Keep in mind that your statement is only a portion of the application and should be written with this in mind. Your entire application package will include some, possibly all, of the materials listed below. You will want to consider what these pieces of the application communicate about you. Your personal statement should aim to tie everything together and fill in or address any gaps. There will likely be some overlap but be sure not to be too repetitive.

Personal Statement(s)
Transcripts
Letters of recommendations
Sample of written work
Research proposal

For a quick overview of personal statements, you might begin by watching this "5 Minute Fellowships" video!

If you are writing your first personal statement or working to improve upon an existing personal statement, the video below is a helpful, in-depth resource.

A large portion of your work towards completing a personal statement begins well before your first draft or even an outline. It is incredibly important to be sure you understand all of the rules and regulations around the statement. Things to consider before you begin writing:

How many prompts? And what are they? It is important to know the basics so you can get your ideas in order. Some programs will require a general statement of interest and a focused supplementary or secondary statement closely aligned with the institution's goals.
Are there formatting guidelines? Single or double spaced, margins, fonts, text sizes, etc. Our general guideline is to keep it simple.
How do I submit my statement(s)? If uploading a document we highly suggest using a PDF as it will minimize the chances of accidental changes to formatting. Some programs may event ask you to copy and paste into a text box.
When do I have to submit my statement(s)? Most are due at the time of application but some programs, especially medical schools, will ask for secondary statements a few months after you apply. In these instances be sure to complete them within two weeks, any longer is an indication that you aren't that interested in the institution.

Below is a second 5 Minute Fellowships video that can help you get started!

Before you start writing, take some time to reflect on your experiences and motivations as they relate to the programs to which you are applying. This will offer you a chance to organize your thoughts which will make the writing process much easier. Below are a list of questions to help you get started:

What individuals, experiences or events have shaped your interest in this particular field?
What has influenced your decision to apply to graduate school?
How does this field align with your interests, strengths, and values?
What distinguishes you from other applicants?
What would you bring to this program/profession?
What has prepared you for graduate study in this field? Consider your classes at Wellesley, research and work experience, including internships, summer jobs and volunteer work.
Why are you interested in this particular institution or degree program?
How is this program distinct from others?
What do you hope to gain?
What is motivating you to seek an advanced degree now?
Where do you see yourself headed and how will this degree program help you get there?

For those applying to Medical School, if you need a committee letter for your application and are using the Medical Professions Advisory Committee you have already done a lot of heavy lifting through the 2017-2018 Applicant Information Form . Even if you aren't using MPAC the applicant information form is a great place to start.

Another great place to start is through talking out your ideas. You have a number of options both on and off campus, such as: Career Education advisors and mentors ( you can set up an appointment here ), major advisor, family, friends. If you are applying to a graduate program it is especially important to talk with a faculty member in the field. Remember to take good notes so you can refer to them later.

When you begin writing keep in mind that your essay is one of many in the application pool. This is not to say you should exaggerate your experiences to “stand out” but that you should focus on clear, concise writing. Also keep in mind that the readers are considering you not just as a potential student but a future colleague. Be sure to show them examples and experiences which demonstrate you are ready to begin their program.

It is important to remember that your personal statement will take time and energy to complete, so plan accordingly. Every application and statement should be seen as different from one another, even if they are all the same type of program. Each institution may teach you the same material but their delivery or focus will be slightly different.

In addition, remember:

Be yourself: You aren’t good at being someone else
Tragedy is not a requirement, reflection and depth are
Research the institution or organization
Proofread, proofread, proofread
How to have your personal statement reviewed

The prompts below are from actual applications to a several types of programs. As you will notice many of them are VERY general in nature. This is why it is so important to do your research and reflect on your motivations. Although the prompts are similar in nature the resulting statements would be very different depending on the discipline and type of program, as well as your particular background and reasons for wanting to pursue this graduate degree.

This statement should illustrate your academic background and experiences and explain why you would excel in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (UMass Amherst - M.S. in Civil Engineering).
Describe your academic and career objectives and how the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies can help you achieve them. Include other considerations that explain why you seek admissions to the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies and your interests in the environmental field (Yale - Master of Environmental Management).
Please discuss your academic interests and goals. Include your current professional and research interests, as well as your long-range professional objectives. Please be as specific as possible about how your objectives can be met at Clark and do not exceed 800 words (Clark University - M.A. in International Development and Social Change).
Write a 500- to 700-word statement that describes your work or research. Discuss how you came to focus on the medium, body of work, or academic area you wish to pursue at the graduate level. Also discuss future directions or goals for your work, and describe how the Master of Fine Arts in Studio (Printmedia) is particularly suited to your professional goals (School of the Art Institute of Chicago - MFA in Studio, Printmaking).
Your statement should explain why you want to study economics at the graduate level. The statement is particularly important if there is something unusual about your background and preparation that you would like us to know about you (University of Texas at Austin - Ph.D in Economics).
Your personal goal statement is an important part of the review process for our faculty members as they consider your application. They want to know about your background, work experience, plans for graduate study and professional career, qualifications that make you a strong candidate for the program, and any other relevant information (Indiana University Bloomington - M.S.Ed. in Secondary Education).
Your autobiographical essay/personal statement is a narrative that outlines significant experiences in your life, including childhood experiences, study and work, your strengths and aspirations in the field of architecture, and why you want to come to the University of Oregon (University of Oregon - Master of Architecture).
Personal history and diversity statement, in which you describe how your personal background informs your decision to pursue a graduate degree. You may refer to any educational, familial, cultural, economic or social experiences, challenges, community service, outreach activities, residency and citizenship, first-generation college status, or opportunities relevant to your academic journey; how your life experiences contribute to the social, intellectual or cultural diversity within a campus community and your chosen field; or how you might serve educationally underrepresented and underserved segments of society with your graduate education (U.C. Davis - M.A. in Linguistics).
A Personal Statement specifying your past experiences, reasons for applying, and your areas of interest. It should explain your intellectual and personal goals, why you are interested in pursuing an interdisciplinary degree rather than a more traditional disciplinary one, and how this degree fits into your intellectual and personal future (Rutgers University - Ph.D in Women’s and Gender Studies).
Your application requires a written statement to uploaded into your application and is a critical component of your application for admission. This is your opportunity to tell us what excites you about the field of library and information science, and what problems you want to help solve in this field. Please also tell us how your prior experiences have prepared you for this next step toward your career goals and how this program will help you achieve them (University of North Carolina Chapel Hill - Master of Science in Library Science).
After watching the video, please describe what strengths and preferences as a learner you have that will facilitate your success in this innovative curriculum. What challenges in our curriculum do you anticipate and what strategies might you use to address these challenges? (MGH Institute of Health Professions PT - They recently redesigned their curriculum)
Your personal goal statement should briefly describe how you view the future of the field, what your goals are to be part of that future, and what brought you to pursue an advanced education degree in your chosen field. You may include any other information that you feel might be useful. (Northeastern PT)
Personal Statement: In 500 words or less, describe a meaningful educational experience that affected your professional goals and growth and explain how it impacted you. The educational experience does not need to be related to this degree. Focus on the educational experience and not why you think you would be a good professional in this field. (Simmons PT)
Personal Statement (500 word minimum): State your reasons for seeking admission to this program at this institution. Include your professional goals, why you want to pursue a career in this field and how admission to this program will assist you in accomplishing those goals. (Regis College Nursing)
“Use the space provided to explain why you want to go to this type of program.” (AMCAS)
Address the following three questions(Though there is no set limit, most statements are 1–2 pages, single-spaced.): What are your reasons for pursuing this degree? Why do you wish to pursue your degree at this institution? How do you intend to leverage your degree in a career of this field? (Boston University MPH)
Please submit a personal statement/statement of purpose of no more than 500 words for the department/degree of choice. Professional degree essays require a clear understanding of the _______ field and how you hope to work within the field. Be sure to proofread your personal statement carefully for spelling and grammar. In your statement, be sure to address the following: what interests you in the field of _____ what interests you in a specific degree program and department at this institution and what interests you in a particular certificate (if applicable). Please also describe how you hope to use your ________ training to help you achieve your career goals. (Columbia PhD in Public Health - Epidemiology)
Because each Home Program requires significant original research activities in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree, we are interested in obtaining as much information as possible about your previous research experiences. Those who already have such experience are in a better position to know whether they are truly interested in performing ______ research as part of a graduate program. Please include specific information about your research experience in your Statement of Purpose. You may also use the Statement to amplify your comments about your choice of Home Program(s), and how your past experiences and current interests are related to your choice. Personal Statements should not exceed two pages in length (single spaced). Make sure to set your computer to Western European or other English-language setting. We cannot guarantee the ability to access your statement if it is submitted in other fonts. (Stanford Biosciences PhD)
Your statement of purpose should describe succinctly your reasons for applying to the Department of ____ at ___ University. It would be helpful to include what you have done to prepare for this degree program. Please describe your research interests, past research experience, future career plans and other details of your background and interests that will allow us to evaluate your ability to thrive in our program. If you have interests that align with a specific faculty member, you may state this in your application. Your statement of purpose should not exceed two pages in length (single spaced). (Stanford Bioengineering PhD)
Statement of purpose (Up to one page or 1,000 words): Rather than a research proposal, you should provide a statement of purpose. Your statement should be written in English and explain your motivation for applying for the course at this institution and your relevant experience and education. Please provide an indication of the area of your proposed research and supervisor(s) in your statement. This will be assessed for the coherence of the statement; evidence of motivation for and understanding of the proposed area of study; the ability to present a reasoned case in English; and commitment to the subject. (Oxford Inorganic Chemistry - DPhil)

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Linguistics Personal Statement Example

When writing a linguistic personal statement, it is important to understand exactly what is it that would ideally constitute a linguistic personal statement example. Even though it is not quite hyperbole to purport that the underlying common feature of all personal statement is a clear, crisp and comprehensive account of you, your personality, and (quite importantly) your character. This document should posit compelling reasons for the readers to be able to judge you through it, and be impressed as a consequence, which is (in very simple words) the objective of this exercise.

Sample : Herein, you may find a personal statement for linguistics that should yield an insight into the nature of a typical (not a stretch to say: archetype) document of this nature:

My first tryst with a language other than my mother tongue was when I was four years old. Up until this moment, my mother tongue was pretty much the only language that I knew, given that yes, I had been acquainted with other languages that existed around me, it could be a slight exaggeration to say that I was grossly oblivious to it all, but essentially speaking that was not far from the reality, but what could I say, I was four. So, when I first started my schooling we were now officially taught two other languages in other to our mother tongue. I can say, with honesty from each atom of my existence, that the ubiquity of the universal mode of communication was apparent to me right away. I realize now that the epiphanies that I had as a child were not quite the ground breaking revelations that they seems to me at that point, they, nevertheless, opened my eyes to a whole new world of possibilities and realities. By the age of ten, I was, naturally, completely a polyglot in the three languages being taught in school, but that wasn’t the end of it. I had learnt by then, two other languages, one was the mother tongue of the help that we had at home, the other was that of my best friend. I knew in my heart, my love of languages, and the exploration of the world of communication was what I was meant to center my life, eventually, around. I pursued my bachelor’s degree in linguistics as a natural ramification of my aptitudes, and it was during this time that I really began to see the world in all its wonder. I worked in several projects during my bachelor’s and assisted in several ongoing research projects and studies being undertaken at my university. This experience was, simply put, enriching. I now want to pursue my master’s degree from your university, and I will be honored if given the opportunity to be a part of your university.

Call to action: Clearly, it is observable that the above letter renders an understanding into the background for the motivation of the writer as to the degree and nature of his or her penchant for the field of study. The enthusiasm, and the drive to work are furthermore evident. Such a document speaks volumes as to the extent of one’s honest love for the field. Our writers, through years of experience, are highly capable of producing such compelling letters for you and writing journalism personal statement or international relations personal statement .

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They are surprisingly similar and yet incredibly different, at times being translatable word for word, and other times, a word or phrase can be impossible to convey in English. This desire for an understanding of languages leads me to different fields within linguistics, the way a language has evolved from its ancestor, how a language such as Sanskrit, spoken thousands of miles away in India can be similar to Lithuanian.

This is another of the many reasons why the subject is so interesting, it is an extensive field which is artistic, scientific and philosophical. The way humans and even animals can communicate by forming complicated sounds where stress and tone can change meaning, as in African and South-East Asian tonal languages, is remarkable.

I often encounter the subject of accents as I have acquired a native and localised English accent. This surprises the people I meet, especially when I explain that I moved to the United Kingdom at the age of nine.

Linguistics holds the answer to these questions of accent, origin and acquisition and is something I have never had the chance to study but it is something that has always interested me, stemming from my experiences with English and Lithuanian.

I have long thought about how a word in Lithuanian, or any other language, may be found due to the existence of the concept and how this shapes the thought of a certain culture or ethnicity. This has brought me to the theories of Sapir and Whorf. Regardless, I believe that a concept can be explained even when it can not be named and therefore exists.

I have furthered my linguistic knowledge and understanding when helping my mother translate texts, such as case summaries, witness statements and letters, from Lithuanian to English and vice versa. What I sometimes come across is the need to use two or three words to describe one concept clearly.

Loan words have permeated the Lithuanian language, as any other, nonetheless, a simple example would be the word "idle", which does not have a direct counterpart and if someone was labelled idle, it would translate as "neturintis darbo", translating back as "without (a) job".

Through translation, I have gained invaluable knowledge of syntax and relationships between languages of different language families as well as change through extensive language contact.

My interests are wide ranging and I enjoy literature, music, sport, politics and science. I love to read and absorb the extensive knowledge passed down in books through generations. I also strive to keep fit, with basketball and football being my two favourite sports.

I play football every Sunday with a group of Lithuanians and enjoy following the trials and tribulations of my national team. The topic of politics is something I have grown to love. Having an understanding of the world around you helps to understand why the world is the way it is and I follow political developments keenly.

Language is often a political issue, where linguistic theory applies. The Belgian conflict of Dutch versus French has been raging for years and the nation is teetering on the brink of break-up. The way the two ethnic groups identify each other using language is a particular example of political linguistics and its impact on daily life.

I believe that university is the perfect place to nurture this passion for a subject which intrigues and captivates me. I enjoy working with people and love to analyse the thoughts and ideas of my counterparts, sharing my own knowledge and experiences with them and learning from theirs.

Linguistics is a topic that has had a significant impact on my life and I yearn to know much more about it. My experience and devotion to this subject will greatly assist me in any future linguistic endeavours.

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This personal statement was written by Andrius for application in 2009.

Andrius's Comments

I was quite happy with this, it got me offers from 4 out 5 - York, Newcastle, Leeds, Lancaster and Edinburgh said no (on the grounds that I didn't do a modern foreign language at GCSE).

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Hey it's ridiculous that.

Sun, 12/09/2010 - 14:36

Hey it's ridiculous that Edinburgh turned you down for that reason!

Fantastic personal statement - it shows independence of thinking and a lively curiosity about one of the most interesting subjects.

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PHD Linguistics Personal Purpose Statement

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My first choice for earning a Ph.D. in Linguistics in America is XXXX University, both for its sheer excellence and the surrounding area's vast intellectual and cultural resources. I look forward to contributing to the diversity of the student body as an Arab woman with a keen, long term-interest in Arabic, its varieties, origins, and relationships with other languages.

A Saudi Arabian woman very dedicated to Linguistics, my father took immense pride in his exceptional gift with languages, especially English, passing it

on to me while I was growing up. He was my teacher and best friend, spending all the time we could working in various languages. My father’s influence on my choice of Linguistics as a career was foundational, going far beyond English. He also taught me to appreciate the Indigenous languages of our part of the world and study them in-depth, especially Najdi Arabic and the Mehri language, which is my first or native language, alongside Arabic. My central career objective is to conduct linguistic research on Naida Arabic and Mehri languages, especially in phonology. At the same time, I look forward to a professional lifetime of service in academia, training students interested in these areas. I am convinced that the theoretical orientation of the Linguistics Program at XXXX University will provide me with the rigorous training I need to meet my goals.

The first female in my family to go to graduate school and dedicate most of her energy to a profession, I am well versed in the long history of repression to which my countrywomen have been subjected, and I take great delight in seeing some progressive change taking place in terms of movement towards greater recognition of women’s rights. Throughout my lifetime, I look forward to being at the forefront of this movement – at least in an intellectual sense. Keenly aware of the importance of professional women lie me serving as role models for new generations of Saudi women seeking education and professional stature together, across generations, we will continue to collaborate in our march towards our liberation, a deepening of the process.

My dad passed away in my senior year, and I was a wreck with grief. Fortunately, I prevented my grades from suffering that much since my studies became my major escape from my sorrow. I am proud to say that I have never received a grade below ‘A’ for any of my classes in Linguistics. My passion and talent in English were noted, and I began teaching English at the university where I studied within two months of graduation, serving as a Junior Lecturer. I taught English skills, introduction to Linguistics, and Phonology. I also won the best translation project prize at Salman bin Abdul-Aziz University.

I am earning an MA in English, focusing on Linguistics at XXXX University. I will graduate this coming May 2019 and hope to begin my Ph.D. Program at XXXX University shortly after that. Curious by nature, linguistics is like a puzzle, and I never tire of seeking solutions to mysteries to which I set my mind. Towards the end of my undergraduate studies, I worked on translating a book with a commentary on the translation. Facing up to this challenge was one of my most incredible learning experiences, helping me appreciate the profound depth of the differences between languages and hence the significant challenges involved in an accurate translation. I learned a great deal during this project about the syntax of Arabic and English.

I am a native speaker of an endangered language, at least an endangered dialect, the Aljahmi dialect of the Mehri language, in Saudi Arabia. A Semitic language, it is central to my personal or individual mission since my grandfather was determined that we acquire this language to save it. Even though I feel like I am starting to lose it due to lack of practice, I want to reclaim and analyze it syntactically and phonologically. Interestingly, the Megrim language has different words for both instead of having prefixes to determine masculinity and femininity. For example, seven is /bit/ for masculine and /hob/ for feminine. No one has paid attention to the phonological and syntactical analysis of the Mehri language. The Linguistics program at X University will sharpen my research skills and help me learn more about linguistics concerning analyzing a variety of Arabic dialects, most specifically the Aljahmi dialect of the Mehri language, phonologically and syntactically. I need the guidance and the knowledge that I am sure I can only get at XXXX University, especially concerning phonological research. Another research area I have given a lot of energy to is the origin and constitution of the pidgin language. I look forward to studying this issue intensively at XXXX University.

I am thrilled to learn that Professor XXXX teaches at XXXX. I will never forget the day I received a pleasant and encouraging response to my email sent to Noam Chomsky concerning a phonological issue. I was shocked that he responded, giving me great positive energy. I also very much admire the work of Professor X in the Creole language, helping me understand the differences between pidgin and Creole. Thus, I look forward to the course Creole Languages and Caribbean Identities.

I have also taught as a volunteer at an orphanage and served as a translator in hospitals. I write poetry and do graphic design. I am a good student, so I won a fully paid scholarship to study at the university that accepts me.

I appreciate your consideration of my application to Linguistics at XXXX University.

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