Texas State University Career Services and Writing Center

1. Texas State University Career Servicesand Writing Center Caroline Richardson Writing Center Coordinator cr1498@txstate.edu 512-245-6169 Kim Nelson Career Advisor Liaison to the College of Liberal Arts knelson@txstate.edu 512-245-2645 (main line)www.writingcenter.txstate.eduwww.careerservices.txstate.edu

2. What Types of Recommendations are we talking about? • For most jobs (phone calls), for teaching jobs (online forms and letters), for government jobs such as the CIA/ FBI (site visits), for graduate school (online forms and letters), for scholarships (forms and letters), for grants (letters), etc.

3. When do I start? • Start thinking about getting recommendation letters long before you need them: • Get to know as many of your professors as possible • Maintain relationships with previous professors • Get involved: University jobs/ work-study, volunteer work, internships • Keep track of your achievements (save graded papers, save flattering emails from professors)

4. How do I request Recommendation letters? • Choose your recommendations carefully. • Think about the people who have seen the best of your achievements and accomplishments. • Never push an unwilling person to write you a recommendation letter.

6. What If I am asked to write my own letter? • Although email is usually acceptable, it’s best to ask first in person a month before your letters are due. • Explain why you believe your potential recommender can attest to your competence. • Briefly remind him or her of your academic achievements, contributions to class, or proven skills. • Let him or her know your goals. • Tell them you will provide them with additional information if they agree to write our letter(s). Note: The difference can get confusing; many foreign countries use the term “CV” to mean “resume.”

8. Once someone has accepted your request to write a letter, you will want to provide them with the information they need to recommend you: • CV or resume • A list of letters requested with complete instructions and deadlines (see template) • Graded papers from the recommender • Emails from the recommender praising your work

9. So That’s it? • No, it’s not. You are responsible for these letters being submitted. • Check in with your recommenders 1-2 weeks before your letters are due, especially if your recommenders submit their letters themselves. • If you submit your recommendation letters as a part of a packet, be sure to arrange a time to collect your letters that is convenient for your recommender. • Also, your professor, boss, or colleague has helped you! Make sure he or she knows that the effort was appreciated! • Send them a thank you note.

10. Statement of Purpose

11. What is a Statement of Purpose? • A statement of purpose, or personal statement, is a brief and focused essay about one's career or research goals, and is frequently required for applicants to universities, graduate schools, and professional schools

12. Why is a Statement of Purpose important to graduate school admission? • Your statement of purpose works to address two principal linkages between you and your graduate program(s) of choice: •  1) FIT •  2) THEIR ABILITY TO ACCOMMODATE YOUR ACADEMIC AND/OR RESEARCH INTERESTS

13. How will your Statement of Purpose be used in the admission process? • Admission • Scholarship Consideration • Research or Teaching Assistantships • Placement into a Discipline, Sub-discipline or Group

14. What is the relative weight a Statement of Purpose carries in an admission decision? • Application • Statement of Purpose or other Essays • Letters of Recommendation • Transcripts • Scores • Resume • Writing Sample/Portfolio/Audition

15. What should your Statement of Purpose include/not include? (Part 1) • Your statement must be well organized, concise, and completely free of • mechanical errors. • Please be careful not to rely on spell-check to do your editing! • Use an appropriate e-mail address to correspond with programs!!! • Your statement should focus on the reasons you are interested in a specific institution, • graduate program and discipline, sub-discipline or research group. • Before submitting your statement, seek constructive comments and suggestions from • others, including faculty and/or practitioners in your field. • -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- • Why do you want to attend institution/program X? • Why now? • Directly from an undergraduate program? • As a “career advancer”? • As a “career changer”? 

16. What should your Statement of Purpose include/not include? (Part 2) • Ideas of topics important to cover (if relevant): • How did you become interested in the field? • What experiences have contributed to your preparation for • further study or work in the field? • What are your future academic and/or career goals? How would • their location/institution/program help you meet your goals? • What are your research interests? • How are you a good “fit” for the program to which you are • applying?

17. What should your Statement of Purpose include/not include? (Part 3) • Examples of personal attributes, special skills, major (relevant) accomplishments • (e.g. honors and awards), or other qualities that would help you complete • graduate study successfully or help you to contribute as a practitioner in the field. • An assessment of your readiness for advanced study. Strengths and/or weaknesses. • Your initiative, ability to develop ideas, your ability to work independently or • collaboratively, your determination, or perseverance. Demonstrate your PASSION!!! • Examples of your having overcome obstacles (motivation, persistence) to succeed • despite economic, social or educational barriers. Extenuating circumstances (that you • have overcome) that affected a period of your life, schooling or work (that are relevant). • Final Thoughts…Apply the “SO WHAT” test!!! • Do your homework BEFORE writing your statement of purpose!!!

18. Thank you! Kim Nelson Career Advisor Liaison to the College of Liberal Arts knelson@txstate.edu 512-245-2645 (main line) www.careerservices.txstate.edu