Many applications will include a personal essay, in which you describe "where you're coming ... to do graduate work and describe any particularly formative experiences (for example, an undergraduate ...

For example, Stanford University in California ... essay that's 200-300 words in addition to a 250- to 650-word personal essay. "Sometimes a shorter essay response is not as polished an essay ...

Focus on personal experiences when choosing ... It has to lead in organically to the rest of the essay.” Stone offers an example of a strong hook from the essay of a student she worked with ...