Personal Statements

Comments

• 1 Like

  harrismegan Member

  December 2014 2074 karma

  Wow, thanks! I'll remember this if I ever need it!
• 1 Like

  Vriver01 Alum Member

  December 2014 60 karma

  thanks James Ray!
• 1 Like

  Nick Luciano Alum Member

  December 2014 edited December 2014 12 karma

  thank you!
• pjanderson5 Free Trial Member

  December 2014 238 karma

  Messaged!
• James Ray Alum Member

  December 2014 186 karma

  Hi PJ,
  
  Send me your email address!
  
  Cheers,
  
  James
• [Deleted User] Free Trial

  December 2014 578 karma

  Roya
  
  Royaimani@hotmail.com
  
  Do you charge??
• craig_yuan Alum Member

  December 2014 33 karma

  ^This
• pjanderson5 Free Trial Member

  December 2014 238 karma

  Yeah he does
• 1 Like

  James Ray Alum Member

  December 2014 186 karma

  Hi everyone, yes I do charge for my time, but if you are unsatisfied with what you got for your money, don't pay me! I write and tutor for a living, so it's not free, but there is no real risk either. I'm also happy to take a quick look at anyone's statement and let them know if I think they actually need my services, free of charge.
  
  All the best
• 1 Like

  James Ray Alum Member

  December 2014 186 karma

  Hi All,
  
  Someone messaged me asking for help with personal statement topics. This was my response:
  
  Choosing a topic for a personal statement is never easy or simple. Because each of us are unique, I cannot tell you what your topic should be, because the point of the statement is not the topic at all. The point is to show the admissions committee something of yourself and make them yearn for more. They should read your statement and think, "this is a person I want to take to lunch. This is someone I want to know." This needs to be your goal. Your task is to find a way to do this concisely, and professionally.
  
  A few pieces of good advice:
  1. Skip the gimmicks. They don't want a rap, a poem, a short story, a phony obituary of your life as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, or any of that nonsense. Be yourself. That's what you need them to want. Sincerity will win out.
  2. Exclude uses of the the words "very," "extremely," "super," or any other such modifiers. They are words for people who cannot find the best word to fit.
  
  If anyone is interested in help with their personal statement, shoot me a private message with your email address.
  
  All the best
  
  James
  
• 1 Like

  Snowball Member

  December 2014 111 karma

  Does anyone find this helpful?
• shinny117 Alum Member

  December 2014 69 karma

  @jamesray how much do you charge?
• James Ray Alum Member

  December 2014 186 karma

  Hi all,
  
  Someone just asked me my thoughts on school specific personal statements. My reply is below.
  
  In general I think it is ill-advised. Here is why:
  1. You need to put a lot of effort into crafting a personal statement that captures your audience. Splitting your time to try and make something that addresses one specific school is a distraction
  2. A personal statement is an exposition of self. Exactly how would that change because you are applying to a different school? It is my belief that sincerity wins out when it comes to personal statements. Pandering to one school or another will obscure that sincerity. Just don't do it.
  3. Unless a school specifically asks for it, I don't think its necessary at all and with so much to do for applications, why add to it? If you are in doubt, contact the admissions office and ask after their preference.
  
  I hope this helps.
  
  Cheers,
  
  James
• James Ray Alum Member

  December 2014 186 karma

  Shinny,
  
  For basic editing pricing starts at $59. If you want help to build your personal statement from the ground up it costs $199. Those are the lower and upper limits of my charges. I also have a 100% guarantee. If you are unsatisfied, you will be refunded 100% of your money.
• mbphipps Member

  December 2014 2 karma

  Thanks James! I will be in touch!