Rating details, graduate admissions essays. I admit I was kind of lost when it came to the essays, but the examples were brilliant albeit a little exemplary and graduate admissions essays helped me so much in crafting my So, I was lurking on GradCafe a few weeks ago and saw this book being recommended to every prospective grad student. Also because the most fun I had applying to colleges was the essay part. Writing an effective graduate admissions essay requires knowing your audience. Excellent explanation of the graduate admissions process and the strategies one can use to get in. Average rating 4.
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Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read. Want to Read saving…. Want to Read Currently Reading Read. Other editions. Enlarge cover. Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Open Preview See a Problem? Details if other :. Thanks for telling us about the problem. Return to Book Page. Preview — Graduate Admissions Essays by Donald Asher. Graduate Admissions Essays: Write Your Way Into the Graduate School at Your Choice by Donald Asher. Veteran higher-education consultant Donald Asher demystifies the graduate school application process and offers a detailed action plan that has proved successful for some of the most competitive programs in the country.
The 50 sample essays-selected from thousands of candidates-showcase the best of the best, while the Essay Hall of Shame identifies common pitfalls to avoid Veteran higher-education consultant Donald Asher demystifies graduate admissions essays graduate school application process and offers a detailed action plan that has proved successful for some of the most graduate admissions essays programs in the country. The 50 sample essays-selected from thousands of candidates-showcase the best of the best, while the Graduate admissions essays Hall of Shame identifies common pitfalls to avoid. Sample letters of recommendation and essays for scholarships, residencies, fellowships, and postgraduate and postdoctoral applications cover all stages of the application process.
Teaches how to craft a winning essay with 50 state-of-the-art samples to inspire, instruct, graduate admissions essays, and all but guarantee a top-of-the-pile application. Updated third edition includes an entirely new chapter dedicated to online applications and how they're managed, processed, and considered. Previous editions have soldcopies. From the Trade Paperback edition. Get A Copy. Hardcovergraduate admissions essays, pages. Published March 1st by Ten Speed Press first published March 1st More Details Original Title. Graduate Admissions Essays: Write Your Way into the Graduate School of Your Choice Graduate Admissions Essays.
Other Editions 6, graduate admissions essays. All Graduate admissions essays Add a New Edition Combine. Friend Reviews. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up, graduate admissions essays. To ask other readers questions about Graduate Admissions Essaysplease sign up. Be the first to ask a question about Graduate Admissions Essays. Lists with This Book. Community Reviews. Showing Average rating 4. Rating details. More filters. Sort order, graduate admissions essays. Start your review of Graduate Admissions Essays: Write Your Way Into the Graduate School at Your Choice. Oct 19, Anu marked it as colour-me-curious · review of another edition, graduate admissions essays. I've been reviewing statements of purpose for various people I know, and today, I learnt that there are books that give sample essays, I'm assuming?
Which, graduate admissions essays, I honestly don't begin to understand for a multitude of reasons, graduate admissions essays. Mostly because a statement of purpose is a very personal, subjective essay, and I don't see how sample essays can help with that. Also because the most fun I had applying to colleges was the essay part. But hey, this seems like a lucrative market. I say I'm curious to read th I've been reviewing statements of purpose for various people I know, and today, I learnt that there are books that give I say I'm curious to read this, but literally, I only mean if I can get my hands on a copy I don't have to pay for. flag 5 likes · Like · see review.
Aug 13, Ana rated it it was amazing. This book is priceless. It gave me so much information, and made me see the whole graduate school admission process in a different way. The tips presented in the book are not found anywhere else and all of them are invaluable! I know I sound repetitive but this is surely one of the most enlightening books I have ever read. flag 4 likes · Like · see review. View 1 comment. Shelves: non-fictionschool-unrated. About the 3 star rating: I rate the books according to how much I enjoyed them, and to stay that "I liked it" is a pretty big deal for this kind of book.
Especially given the facts that I had to bribe myself with many cups of hot chocolate as well as threaten myself with somber predictions of the future in order to get myself to read it. Besides, 3 stars isn't such a bad rating. As I said above: I recommend this book to anyone and everyone that is applying to graduate school. Even if you've alrea About the 3 star rating: I rate the books according to how much I enjoyed graduate admissions essays, and to stay that "I liked it" is a pretty big deal for this kind of book. Even graduate admissions essays you've already written your personal statement and even if Yale Law school is banging on your door begging you to apply I hate you.
and even if you've got several degrees in english: I still recommend you read this book. I devoured my copy when I brought it home. I read it cover to cover- skimming through the final essays because, graduate admissions essays, let's be honest, that's a lot of essays. I have already planned out what I want to write, and so I was using this book as a sort of reassurance that I was on the right track and graduate admissions essays notes while reading it. This goes to show that there are many ways to use this book as a tool to guide you. I would start reading this book at the very start of your application process, for Asher does not just give advice on the writing. He goes further back into the process of applying to graduate school by giving advice on how to decide if graduate school is good for you and, if so, which ones.
Then he helps you to organize yourself, advising on when applicants should plan on completing certain tasks. In chapter 4 he gets to the writing. The final section of the book, graduate admissions essays, save for graduate admissions essays small section on letters of recommendation, is a collection of application essays that Asher considered to be especially good- with his notes on the side. The language Asher uses is accessible without being condescending and the book is useful if you're just starting out with the application process or if you're well into it. flag 2 likes · Like · see review. Oct 18, Anya ~on a semi-hiatus~ rated it really liked it · review of another edition Shelves: i-am-mr-meeseeksnon-fictionfor-school-and-stuff.
So, I was lurking on GradCafe a few weeks ago and saw this book being recommended to every prospective grad student. I am so happy that I found it when I found it. In this book, Asher walks you through the entire grad school process from selecting the right grad school for you to acquiring scholarships and writing your Statement of Purpose. I admit I was kind of lost when it came to the essays, but the examples were brilliant albeit a little exemplary and they helped me so much in crafting my So, I was lurking on GradCafe a few weeks ago and saw this book being recommended to every prospective grad student. I admit I was kind of lost when it came to the essays, but the examples were brilliant albeit a little exemplary and they helped me so much in crafting my own.
Would definitely recommend it to anyone thinking about applying to grad schools. Nov 01, graduate admissions essays, Marsha Altman rated it it was amazing. This book is really about every aspect of the admissions process, and it's amazing. I don't know what I would have done without it. flag 1 like · Like · see review. Feb 03, graduate admissions essays, David rated it liked it. Enjoying a break from reading actual admissions essays this spring during sabbaticalI couldn't resist reading up on what advice the students are getting about how to write them. Pretty solid stuff on essay writing, with numerous examples included and useful commentary in the margins re what makes them good essays. Maybe it's just me, but I think this would backfire "Student X is insecure yet pushy, vague but persistent Jul 05, Liana rated it really liked it.
Some of the speech was a little elitist, but if it's for grad school, then I guess it's fitting. The author provides very helpful tips. If once I was lost, this book got me found. I credit this book for giving me that extra push to get into a Master's Library Science program, and hopefully I'll be admitted to a couple more before the year is up. Sep 17, Zhizhong Ding rated it really liked graduate admissions essays · review of another edition. Got Ph.
topic for expository essay
Pretty solid stuff on essay writing, with numerous examples included and useful commentary in the margins re what makes them good essays. Maybe it's just me, but I think this would backfire "Student X is insecure yet pushy, vague but persistent Jul 05, Liana rated it really liked it. Some of the speech was a little elitist, but if it's for grad school, then I guess it's fitting. The author provides very helpful tips. If once I was lost, this book got me found. I credit this book for giving me that extra push to get into a Master's Library Science program, and hopefully I'll be admitted to a couple more before the year is up.
Sep 17, Zhizhong Ding rated it really liked it · review of another edition. Got Ph. offer five years ago with this book. Jan 10, Ravi rated it really liked it · review of another edition. Good book. It needs updates I liked the way the process of applying is demystified and explained in excruciating detail. The examples were also pretty good. However the author makes the book more general and tries to cover a large number of scenarios. This breaks continuity and makes parts of the book useless for most people. flag Like · see review.
Aug 24, Makeda Coxall rated it it was amazing · review of another edition. Very Insightful! I'm currently still using this book for my essays. The exercise for writing have been helpful. Didn't know I had that much to write about myself. The recommendations chapter was helpful too. If I get accepted to my program of choice I will have to change this review Very Insightful! If I get accepted to my program of choice I will have to change this review Apr 17, Janel Brubaker rated it it was amazing · review of another edition. Absolutely fantastic book! I recommend it to anyone thinking of applying to grad school. So helpful and made the beginning stages of applications less stressful.
Nov 06, Endah Rosa rated it it was amazing. This book is really good. Been very helpful to me during admission process to graduate school. Highly recommended to any prospective grad students. Feb 16, ZhongXuan Liu rated it it was amazing · review of another edition. Good luck with my Fall Admission! Dec 16, Bob Nasser rated it really liked it · review of another edition. A very helpful book that walks you through all the needed steps to navigate the graduate university admissions process. Nov 03, Julie Shuff rated it really liked it · review of another edition. This book was either a strong 3. Having previously worked in an MBA admissions office, I felt that much of the information was common sense. The book is a bit general as well, which is the danger of trying to appeal to a broad audience.
As I am intending to apply to a school in the social sciences, I skimmed some of the highly technical science samples. Another drawback to the book has been noted by other reviewers, that many of the examples are those individuals from extremely uniq This book was either a strong 3. Another drawback to the book has been noted by other reviewers, that many of the examples are those individuals from extremely unique backgrounds or who have overcome almost insurmountable obstacles. Reading this book is certainly an exercise in humility, for sure. Where this book succeeds, however, is the insight it offers in applications, such as naming the location of the school, or which cliches to avoid e.
the childhood chemistry kit. As someone who would be the first in my family to go to graduate school, I feel that he offered many specific guidelines to follow that I would otherwise have been oblivious to. Having read through the 50 sample essays was invaluable, as I now have a concrete idea of how to format my own essay. Apr 29, PurplyCookie rated it liked it Shelves: reference , non-fiction , graduate-studies , essay-writing. This book explains why it is important to go to grad school, who should go, how you should plan your application process, and of course it guides you through writing your essay. I think one thing many may overlook is the fact the book covers a lot beyond just essays. It addresses issues like communications with the faculty and department before you apply, while the application is being reviewed, and discussions you should have with your recommendation writers.
This book covers many, many useful t This book explains why it is important to go to grad school, who should go, how you should plan your application process, and of course it guides you through writing your essay. This book covers many, many useful topics outside of the essays, and was invaluable in my overall preparations. I appreciated the 50 sample essays--selected from thousands of candidates--showcase the best of the best, while the Essay Hall of Shame identifies common pitfalls to avoid. Book Details: Title Graduate Admissions Essays: Write Your Way into the Graduate School of Your Choice Author Donald Asher Reviewed By Purplycookie Dec 31, Sasha Vitoria added it Shelves: , misc. Huge thumbs up. This was the single most helpful resource I had while applying to grad programs this year.
I have severe ADHD and the act of sitting down to write is nigh impossible most of the time, particularly because my impulse is all or nothing. This book helped me overcome that, at least in this one area. The writing exercises are the most valuable part of the book, by far. I only skimmed the sample essays. None were related t Huge thumbs up. None were related to even the field I want to work in environmental , and there was a heavy lean towards PhD applications and longer essays. It was difficult to cram all the information I needed to convey in such a short space, and I wish there had been strategies offered for dealing with this.
Apr 15, Austin Bertrand rated it it was amazing. This book was exactly what I thought was and more. I found it instrumental in writing my statement of purpose for UMass Boston. I will admit that the first few chapters are not directly about writing the essay. The first few chapters are about choosing your program, managing the application process and a few clever tips on how to pay for graduate school. But there were some very solid tips in the third chapter regarding the application in general. What I really loved about this book was that it This book was exactly what I thought was and more. What I really loved about this book was that it had 50 samples of successful graduate admissions essays from a full range of programs.
I found myself pouring over them night after night to get ideas for writing my own admissions essay. Well done Mr. Dec 25, Valerie added it · review of another edition. I'm not rating this because I didn't actually sit down and read the whole thing, just perished mostly. I will say there seems to be the odd assumptions on recommender advice. I already had mine picked, but he seems to assume students go back to grad school right after undergrad which isn't always the case. Mostly I found the essays helpful in getting me in the write frame of writing style and also gave me some interesting ideas on how to open up the essay and avoid the more formulaic tendencies, I'm not rating this because I didn't actually sit down and read the whole thing, just perished mostly.
Mostly I found the essays helpful in getting me in the write frame of writing style and also gave me some interesting ideas on how to open up the essay and avoid the more formulaic tendencies, which at least one reviewer was shocked by so I guess it worked. Sep 26, Allison rated it really liked it · review of another edition. This book was a good jumping off point for me to begin the application essay writing process. The samples that were provided were great, even though only one or two directly related to programs that I was applying for. I reread parts of the book several times while I was writing and rewriting my essays, and I think that it served me well. It was a good text to get the thought process moving. And I was accepted to top master's programs in my field, so I would say it helped!
Feb 19, Luisa rated it really liked it Shelves: This book gave some good ideas for writing strong admissions essays. The sections with different tips for applying to different types of programs were very helpful. A lot of the book focuses on how to research different programs and find ones that are right for you, so if you've already identified the schools you're applying to, those parts won't be relevant, but there's still a lot of good stuff in here. Aug 12, Savanna rated it it was amazing · review of another edition Shelves: academic-y. This is a great book! It has great writing exercises to help you start brainstorming for your personal statement. I recommend this to anyone when they ask for advice writing a personal statement for any program.
Feb 14, Jovia Nierenberg rated it it was amazing · review of another edition. Excellent explanation of the graduate admissions process and the strategies one can use to get in. Writing exercises prior to working on the first draft of the essay are helpful. Worth every penny for anyone applying to grad school. Aug 08, Kass rated it it was ok · review of another edition. I tried using this for essays a couple of times. My professors tore apart each essay I wrote using this as an instruction manual. Ones that I just wrote from the heart turned out great and I was accepted. Ditch this book and move on. Aug 24, Justina rated it really liked it. Great ideas and prep to write a unique and stand-out personal statement and essay for grad school.
Nov 05, Nicoal rated it liked it. provides some good prompts for preparing to write an essay or personal statement. Sep 05, Laura rated it really liked it · review of another edition. Practical and do-able advice for applying to a variety of graduate programs. Sep 26, Dan Gorman rated it it was amazing Shelves: teaching. Invaluable resource for applying to grad school. What specific training does it offer? What is its philosophy? How well do your interests and goals match the program? Discuss the ways in which your background and competencies overlap with the graduate program's requirements and training opportunities. If you're applying to a doctoral program, take a close look at the faculty.
What are their research interests? Which labs are most productive? Pay attention to whether faculty take on students or appear to have openings in their labs. Peruse the department page, faculty pages, and lab pages. By this time in your academic career, you have likely written a great many essays for class assignments and exams. Your admissions essay is similar to any other essay you have written. It has an introduction, body, and conclusion. Your admissions essay presents an argument, just as any other essay does. Granted, the argument concerns your capacities for graduate study and the outcome can determine the fate of your application.
Regardless, an essay is an essay. I believe this holds true for all types of writing, but especially for drafting graduate admissions essays. Many writers stare at a blank screen and wonder how to begin. If you search for the perfect opening and delay writing until you find just the right angle, phrasing, or metaphor you may never write your graduate admissions essay. Writer's block is common among applicants writing admissions essays. The best way to avoid writer's block is to write something, anything. The trick to beginning your essay is to not start at the beginning. Write the parts that feel natural, such as how your experiences have driven your career choices. You will heavily edit whatever you write so don't worry about how you phrase your ideas.
Simply get the ideas out. It is easier to edit than write so your goal as you begin your admissions essay is to simply write as much as you can. Once you have a rough draft of your admissions essay, keep in mind that it is a rough draft. Your task is to craft the argument, support your points, and construct an introduction and conclusion that guides readers. Perhaps the best piece of advice I can offer on writing your admissions essay is to solicit feedback from many sources, especially faculty. You may feel that you have made a good case and that your writing is clear, but if a reader cannot follow it, your writing isn't clear. As you write your final draft, check for common errors.
Perfect your essay as best you can and once it's submitted congratulate yourself for completing one of the most challenging tasks entailed in applying to graduate school. Share Flipboard Email. By Tara Kuther, Ph. Tara Kuther, Ph. She specializes in professional development for undergraduate and graduate students. Learn about our Editorial Process. Featured Video. Cite this Article Format. Kuther, Tara, Ph. How to Write the Graduate Admissions Essay.
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