Before You Submit Your Application

When you’ve completed your personal statement and you’re ready to submit your application, take two more steps to ensure that your application is as strong as it can be.

1. Be sure to read your personal statement in the context of your entire application.

   1. Does the total package make sense? Does it represent you favorably? Is everything consistent?
   2. Have you demonstrated your intellectual ability, relevant experience and skills, and personal characteristics?
   3. Most importantly, do you feel good about the application? After all, you don’t want to be rejected on the basis of an application that you don’t believe represents the real you.
2. Have someone you trust and respect review your application. Someone who has not been involved in writing the application may pick up spelling or grammatical errors that you’ve overlooked. In addition, because your application is an intensely personal document that requires significant self-examination, you may not be able to remain objective. Someone who knows you and can be frank will tell you whether your application has “captured” you most favorably. Note, however, that some schools prohibit you from using any outside help on your application. A last-minute once-over from a friend or family member is probably within reason, but you may want to directly ask the school what is permissible.