A personal and professional goal statement is usually required when applying to degree programs. When a person applies to college, certificate programs, graduate school or professional school (medical, law, dental or veterinary), an applicant needs to give a detailed reason as to why he or she wants to study that particular subject and how it fits in with the individual's academic or professional goals. Competition is stiff, so a goal statement can allow an applicant to stand out.
Instructions
1. What are your personal and professional goals?
Follow the directions. All colleges and universities have their own application requirements. Admissions counselors expect the instructions to be followed. It is important to your academic future that you provide all the necessary information, answer the questions thoroughly and meet all deadlines. Failing to do so will will show your inability to meet professional goals, jeopardizing your chances of admission.
2. Find a theme. Choose one unifying idea for your goal statement. Do you want to help people? And if so, which people--children, the disabled or the elderly? Or do you prefer to help animals? Do you want to work with ideas and expand your knowledge? Do you like working with things and figuring out how they work? Whatever the subject matter or goals you have, try to find specific experiences from your life that can illustrate the theme of your statement and explain its relevance to your professional goals.
3. Make an outline. Make notes about what you want to write about. List what appeals to you about the subject that you want to study, and what relevant experiences you have, including volunteer work, internships or part-time jobs. Write down your one-year, three-year and five-year career and personal goals following graduation. You may not need to incorporate all this information into your statement, but it is good to have it available.
4. Summarize your goals. In the first paragraph, briefly discuss what degree program you are applying to and why. Describe what you hope to get out of the program academically and personally and why you have chosen that particular university for your studies.
5. Describe your goals in detail. In the body of the statement, elaborate on what you wrote in the introductory paragraph. Discuss your academic preparation, your favorite subjects as they relate to the program, your related interests and any personal information that explains how you arrived at your personal or professional goals. If you want to become a vet because the family dog was put down when your parents didn't have the money for veterinary care, say this. Give concrete examples and reasons why you want to achieve these specific goals.
6. Create a powerful conclusion. The first and last paragraphs are the most important because they are remembered the most. In the closing paragraph, reiterate the major theme of your goals. Remind the reader of your strongest quality and how it relates to the degree program for which you are applying. Make your final sentence memorable and interesting.
7. Get feedback. Have a family member or friend read over your statement. Ask for suggestions or advice on how the essay can be improved.
8. Proofread your statement. Submitting a statement that is grammatically correct and has no spelling errors is important. It is one way to make a favorable impression with the admissions officers. Show that you care about the little things by proofreading your statements a few times before submitting your statement. After completing the statement, put it away for a few days and come back to it. You will probably find some areas that can be improved.
Tags: professional goals, your statement, goal statement, personal professional, your goals, degree program, personal professional goals
