uw madison law personal statement

Writing Personal Statements for Ph.D. Programs

Introduction

So you’ve decided to apply to a Ph.D. program—how exciting! While the application process can be harrowing at times, being accepted to a graduate school that is a good fit for your interests and skills is a privilege that will be well worth your efforts.

Before we get too wrapped up in the future, though, let’s return to the task at hand: writing a thoughtful personal statement that compellingly represents your academic journey and makes a persuasive case for your admission. This page will orient you to the process of writing a personal statement. The subsequent pages in this section will give you some general guidelines for constructing a convincing statement.

The advice on these pages is designed for students who are applying to Ph.D. programs in the U.S. While some of what we say may be applicable for graduate school applications to master’s degree programs, professional schools (like business school, law school, or medical school), or other kinds of courses of study, keep in mind that some (or many!) aspects of these applications may be different.

Although the title of this page mentions personal statements, the truth is that each department has different names for the essays they require for admission. Some departments require only a personal statement, others will ask for a personal statement and a research statement, still others will request only a statement of purpose (among other permutations!). While the personal statement, statement of research, and statement of purpose may seem like different essays altogether, this is not always the case. For this reason, it is critical that you read through the admissions guidelines for each program you are applying to. Carefully dissecting and understanding the criteria for each part of the application is an important part of applying to graduate school.

If you have any question about the kind of essay a school requires, your first defense should be your advisor (a professor in the field to which you are applying). Together, you can strategize about the requirements for the essay and can determine if you should reach out to the graduate coordinator for clarification.

That being said, this guide will focus primarily on personal statements, which we will define as essays in which applicants give details about their interest in an academic discipline and intellectual journey. Applicants may also be asked to write about challenges they have faced or the kinds of academic questions that most interest them. These statements’ main purpose is to convince admissions committee that the applicant is a good match for graduate work.

As you write your personal statement, be sure to read through these pages:

• Before you begin: useful tips for writing your essay
• Guided brainstorming exercises
• Get more help with your essay
• Frequently Asked Questions

The Writing Process and a Suggested Timeline

Now that we know what we’re talking about, let’s think about how you will actually write this statement. What follows is a brief outline of one process for writing a personal statement. Keep in mind, though, that everyone is different. You may find that you are able to rigidly follow this process and timeline, but this also may not be the case.

Before you start your applications, think carefully about the kinds of writing you have done in the past. What kinds of writing processes have worked for you? What hasn’t? At what point in the day or week can you get the most work done? When are you not usually as productive?

Based on your answers to these kinds of questions, create a schedule for yourself and set deadlines for completing writing goals (like finishing a first draft of your personal statement, for example). Transcribe this schedule onto a physical calendar, your phone’s calendar application, or a boatload of sticky notes—whatever makes the most sense for you. Just make sure that you can see easily see your schedule in the places where you work.

One last note: try to build in extra time. Most students applying to Ph.D. programs are able to quickly write short essays, so you may be tempted to assume that you’ll also be able to write your personal statement without devoting too much time or effort to this process. Although personal statements are short, they’ll require more time than you might expect. This kind of writing is hard word—and can be emotional, especially because you’ll need to share your statement with tough critical reviewers. Sometimes, too, these reviewers may take a while to get back to you with feedback, so make sure that your schedule can accommodate these anomalies.

What follows is a suggested (and we think, realistic!) timeline for crafting a compelling personal statement based on the assumption that applications are due in December. Here, we’ve outlined a rough schedule that covers when you should start a particular element of the writing process, but we haven’t attempted to say how long each element will take. (For example, we say that you should write the first draft of your personal statement in August, but we don’t say how many hours you should devote to completing this draft.) We hope that you will use the schedule below to create your own calendar that includes your own estimates for the amount of time each element of the writing process will take. For example, you may want to schedule four two-hour writing sessions in August that you can use to write your first draft. Once you have a sense of how long it takes to write this kind of draft, you can tailor your calendar to your own writing habits.

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Personal Statements

What is a personal statement.

A personal statement is a required document in graduate school applications. Documents are typically 1-2 pages in length. Many schools will give maximum length or word count. For your specific personal statement, follow the instructions from the specific school and program you are interested in applying to. Personal statements are your ability to articulate your interest in the field of interest and the specific program.

Printable Personal Statement Guide

General Recommendations

• Tell your story: catch the reader’s attention with a hook or theme that will carry through your statement.
• Be specific: give concrete examples that show or demonstrate your abilities.
• Keep information relevant to the ‘why’ you are writing.
• Avoid clichés such as “I’ve always known that I wanted to be X” or “Since I was a child, I knew that X”.
• Remember the audience and find balance between vulnerability with professionalism.

Interest in the field

• Where did your interest in the field originate?
• What type of exposure to the field have you had that solidified your interest (classes, volunteer, work, other experiences)?
• Reflect on your experiences and the diverse perspectives of individuals within the field you are pursuing—how will that be helpful

Qualifications

• Write about your educational background as it pertains to the program you are applying for.
• What experiences have you pursued to prepare you for the program and field? How have you learned from others whose experiences may differ from you? What unique perspectives do you bring?

Alignment with institutional values

• Discuss what drew you to the program: curriculum, faculty, practical experience, other factors?
• How does the program align with your personal values and desired goals?

Career Aspirations

• What are your career goals and how will going through this program help you meet your goals? This is a place to tailor your information and reasoning for applying to the specific program.

Review and feedback on Personal Statement

It is ideal to have multiple people review and give feedback on your personal statement. This can help catch grammatical mistakes as well as give an outside perspective on the story you are telling. Questions for you or the person reviewing your personal statement to consider.

• Did the opening paragraph catch my attention?
• Does the statement reflect the individual’s story and their qualifications?
• Did you address any outstanding circumstances relevant to your academic or career path?
• Do you get a clear understanding why the writer is applying for the program or field?
• Were the prompt questions (if any) clearly addressed throughout the personal statement?
• Does the personal statement flow well? Does it keep my attention? Is the content relevant?
• Is the statement free of grammatical errors?

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Personal Statement

Main content.

Every law school application requires a personal statement and it is an important part of the application. Since the majority of law schools don’t have interviews, committees rely on this statement as an interview-in-an-essay. It is also a sample of your writing ability. With many applicants with similar qualifications (high GPA and LSAT scores, strong professional or extracurricular experiences, etc), the personal statement is the chance for you to help the admissions committee distinguish you from all the rest. Your personal statement can be what tips you from the waitlist or decline list to the admit list, so make sure to take it seriously!

Steps to Writing a Strong Personal Statement:

• Brainstorm:  The goal of this stage is to find a core idea or theme around which your statement will center. Most schools are interested in learning what unique qualities and experiences you will contribute to their incoming class. Take time to brainstorm about what experiences have shaped you, what skills or traits are unique to you, or what personal accomplishments set you apart. 
• Free Write: Pick three of the topics, themes, or ideas from  your brainstorming session.  This is the stage where you sit down and just start to write. If you have several different themes or topics in mind, start one draft for each. Spend 10-15 minutes on each free writing draft. Don’t edit yourself, try to stay within a word limit, or attempt to edit while you write. The goal is to get as much down on paper as  you can.
• Review: Review your “free write” drafts. Does one stand out or particularly resonate with you? If none of the topics feel right, go back, pick three more ideas from your brainstorming session, and repeat the free write exercise until you find something that you want to move to the next stage with;
• Draft:  Start drafting your personal statement. Some people find drafting an outline first assists them in thinking through the structure and flow of the statement, while other prefer to just start writing and organize as they go.
• Edit:  Have at least one objective person, ideally someone familiar with the law school application process, review your personal statement. Be prepared for feedback. A good reviewer will send your personal statement back to you with comments and suggestions. If you get your statement back with a simple “looks great!”, find a new reviewer! Remember that many law school applicants go through several rounds of revision before submitting their application! Legal Pathways offers personal statement review, but please make sure to allow enough time to go through the editing process -- if you email asking for feedback by the next day, we won’t be able to help! 
• Finalize: Once you are done making any substantive edits, proofread carefully. Additionally, make sure you have followed the directions provided (which may vary from school to school) about word count or page limit and any formatting requirements. Ensure you have used the right law school name for each statement.  

Personal Statement Tips:

• “Show, Don’t Tell” :  Show, don’t tell: conclusions should be self-evident. Well written statements use stories that illustrate your good qualities. You should not have to explicitly state them.
• Be the Main Character and Grow :  Tell a story where you are the main character and you changed, grew, or shifted your perspective.
• Write a concise narrative with one or two points . Personal statements are relatively short and you can’t fit it all in -- tell one story very well not ten stories poorly!  over quantity.
• Keep the focus on yourself , not your family members, friends, or other people in your life (even if they are very interesting or important to you!)
• Be authentic and honest . This is your chance for the law school admissions committee to get to know you. Use it! 

Avoid Common Pitfalls:

• Don’t rush the process . Many students need to write 3-6 drafts to craft a strong, concise and memorable personal statement.
• Don’t skip the review process . Have at least one person familiar with the law school application process review your personal statement and provide feedback. At the University of Washington Tacoma, both the Writing Center and Legal Pathways provide this service! 
• Don’t use your personal statement to repeat what is already in your resume . You only get to submit a handful of things in your law school application, so make each one count and don’t duplicate information! If they will read about it somewhere else, don’t repeat it.
• Don’t try to write like a legal scholar or explain the law . No Latin phrases. No teaching. This is an essay about you (and don’t worry, you will have lots of opportunities to use that Latin once you are in law school!)
• Personal Statement Do’s and Don’ts
• Writing Personal Statements for Law School
• Personal Statement Packet (Pre-Law Guru)
• Sample Personal Statements (The University of Chicago Law School)
• Personal Statement Brainstorming Exercises (University of Wisconsin-Madison)
• Nine Important Personal Statement Tips for Law School Applicants (New England Law)
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How to Ace Your University of Wisconsin Personal Statements

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The University of Wisconsin System has a holistic admissions process that includes at least one personal statement. The flagship campus in Madison requires two essays. Applicants can apply using either the Common Application or the University of Wisconsin Application. This article addresses strategies for responding to the essay prompts. 

The Personal Statement for all University of Wisconsin Campuses

The main campus of the University of Wisconsin in Madison as well as the campuses in Milwaukee, Stevens, and Stout accept either the Common Application or the UW application. For these four schools, applicants can choose to apply using the Common Application and reply to one of its seven essay prompts . This gives you the freedom to write about anything you choose, for not only do the prompts cover a wide range of topics, but option #7 allows you to write on a topic of your choice .

Every campus of the UW system, however, accepts the University of Wisconsin application. The main prompt on this application asks the following:

This part is all about you. Tell us about something you’ve done—academically or personally—and what you’ve learned from it. Was it a success or a challenge? Did it represent a turning point in your life? How did this particular moment in your life influence you, and how will it continue to influence you as you pursue your college education?

You have so many options here that you might find the essay prompt daunting. As you figure out what the "something you've done" is that you should write about, keep in mind the reason why the University of Wisconsin is asking this question. The admissions process is holistic, so the university wants to get to know you as a whole person, not just as a set of empirical data such as grades, class rank, and standardized test scores. Your extracurricular activities and employment history are part of the holistic portrait, but they don't tell the whole story. 

Use this prompt to explore something that isn't obvious from the rest of your application. If one of your jobs or extracurricular activities is particularly important to you, you could use this essay to explain why that is so (much like a typical  short answer essay ). Or you could use this essay to present a side of your personality that doesn't appear on your application at all. Perhaps you like rebuilding motorcycles, fishing with your younger sister, or writing poetry.

Almost anything that's important to you is fair game here, just make sure you follow through and explain  why  it's important to you. If you fail to explain what you learned and how you've changed, you've failed to present the admissions folks a full window into your passions and interests. Also make sure your essay is forward looking since the prompt asks you to project ahead into your college years.

The Additional Essay for UW-Madison

The University of Wisconsin flagship campus in Madison requires a second essay. The prompt is the same whether you use the Common Application or the UW Application. It asks the following:

Tell us why you would like to attend the University of Wisconsin–Madison. In addition, please include why you are interested in studying the major(s) you have selected. If you selected undecided, please describe your areas of possible academic interest.

UW-Madison has packed a lot into this essay prompt, and it might be best to view it as two essay prompts, not one. The first—why UW-Madison?—is typical of the supplemental essays for many other colleges, and you'll want to avoid common supplemental essay mistakes . The key here is to be specific. If your answer could be applied to schools other than UW-Madison, then you're being too vague and generic. What  specifically  about UW-Madison appeals to you? What unique features of the university distinguish it from other places you're considering?

Similarly, with the question about your academic interests, be sure to do your research. Make sure you know what the university offers so that you know what opportunities you can take advantage of should you be admitted. UW-Madison is trying to make sure applicants are familiar with the university's academic offerings and have clear interests that map well to the school's curriculum.

For both pieces of this essay, keep the "why" at the forefront. Don't just describe your academic interests or the features of UW that you like. Explain why you like these things. Why do you get excited about a certain subject area? Why does UW appeal to you? In addressing "why," your essay becomes about you. The admissions folks get a glimpse into what you value and what it is that interests and excites you.

The Additional Essay for UW-La Crosse

Of all the campuses in the University of Wisconsin system, the only other school to require a second essay is UW-La Crosse . The essay prompt reads:

Please respond to the following: How will your life experiences, commitments, and/or characteristics enrich the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse campus community? Tell us why you are interested in attending UW–La Crosse and what aspects of the campus are especially important to you?

Here, as with the UW-Madison prompt, you're getting the "Why our school?" question. Be sure to be specific. Any response that could be applied to universities other than UW-La Crosse are too generic. Show that you are familiar with UW-La Crosse and that the university has unique features that align well with your interests, personality, academic goals, and professional aspirations.

The main part of the essay prompt is refreshing in its directness, for, in truth, it is asking what every college admissions essay asks—How will you "enrich our community?" Colleges want more than students with good grades and high test scores; they also want students who will contribute to campus life in a positive way. Before you write your essay or take part in a college interview, you'd be wise to figure out your own answer to the question. What is it that you will contribute? Why will the college be a better place because of your presence? Think about your hobbies, your sense of humor, your quirks, your academic passions... all of the features that make you you .

Nearly all application essays are really getting at this very issue. Whether you are writing about a challenge you've faced, a problem you've solved, an important accomplishment in your life, or an important dimension of your life experiences, a good essay shows that you bring to campus the type of passion and personality that will enrich the university community.

Make Your University of Wisconsin Essay Shine

You have lots of breadth in choosing what to write about, but you'd be wise to steer clear of bad essay topics that often go astray. Also, don't just focus on what to write, but also how you write it. Pay attention to the style of your essay so that your narrative is tight, engaging, and powerful. Also be sure to follow the tips on the UW website .

• University of Wisconsin-La Crosse: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics
• Common Application Essay Option 4—Gratitude
• UC Personal Statement Prompt #1
• How to Write a Successful Personal Statement for Graduate School
• University of Wisconsin-Madison: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics
• 7 Law School Personal Statement Topic Ideas
• 2020-21 Common Application Essay Option 4—Solving a Problem
• Common Supplemental Essay Mistakes
• The 2021-22 Common Application Essay Prompts
• Common Application Essay Option 6: Losing Track of Time
• Common Application Essay Option 2 Tips: Learning from Failure
• Common Application Essay on a Meaningful Place
• Common Application Essay, Option 1: Share Your Story
• Topic of Your Choice: Common Application Essay Tips
• University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Admissions
• The Length Requirements for the Common Application Essay in 2020-21

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J.D. Admissions

J.d. admissions transfer applicants.

A J.D. student who has completed their first year J.D. curriculum at a member school of the Association of American Law Schools may apply for admission with advanced standing as a J.D. degree candidate.

An LL.M. student who is currently enrolled in an LL.M. program at an ABA-accredited law school may apply to transfer as a J.D. candidate with advanced standing provided the applicant has met all of the following criteria: (1) the applicant is a graduate of a law school in a country outside the United States; (2) the applicant successfully completed J.D. degree coursework while enrolled in the LL.M. program; and (3) the law school that the applicant enrolled at for their LL.M. degree has a grading system for LL.M. students in J.D. courses that is comparable to the grading system for J.D. degree students in the course. LL.M. applicants are not required to take the LSAT.

Transfer students are accepted on a space-available basis only. Selection of applicants is based on evidence that: (1) the candidate can produce above-average work at the University of Washington School of Law and (2) the candidate will contribute to the diversity of the student body.

Application Deadline

Transfer applications are accepted beginning May 15  through July 15 .

Academic Credit

Please note that semester-hour credits are converted to quarter-hour credits at a ratio of 1:1.5; e.g., 30 semester-hour credits will convert to 45 quarter-hour credits. For transfer students, UW Law will accept all of the credits earned during the student’s first-year program. Additional credits earned after the first-year are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, but may not exceed one-third of the total credits required for graduation. Transfer students are expected to be in residence for a minimum of five quarters and 85 quarter-hour credits. These students are also eligible for graduation with honors based upon academic performance in the second and third years of law school at UW Law.

Only after receiving an offer of admission will the determination of course credits be assessed.

Nondiscrimination Policy

UW Law provides for a selective admission process with the objective of attracting students who demonstrate the strongest prospects for high quality academic work. This selective admission process shall assure that the University's educational opportunities shall be open to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability or veteran status. The process of admission shall be mindful of the need for diversity in the student body and for highly-trained individuals from all segments of the population. For more information, please visit here .

Applicant Responsibility and Accuracy of Information

Applicants are under a continued obligation to notify the law school immediately of any and all circumstances and events that may occur from the date an application is submitted to the first day of enrollment that may change any of the responses to their application. UW Law reserves the right to rescind an offer of admission if the candidate fails to maintain satisfactory scholastic standing for work in progress, if final records fail to show completion of courses and/or degrees required for admission or if the admission decision was based on incomplete, inaccurate or misleading information furnished by the applicant. In addition, the law school may also report its findings to LSAC's Misconduct and Irregularities Committee.

Character and Moral Fitness

Applicants who have been convicted of a felony or other serious crime are eligible for admission into the law school; however, because state bar associations often prohibit persons with criminal records from being admitted to the bar regardless of their degrees or training, it may be impossible for such individuals to practice in some states. In addition to the bar examination, there are character, fitness and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners .

Interview for Admission

As part of the admission evaluation process, the admissions committee may request an interview of a prospective transfer applicant. These interviews will be conducted either in-person or online and will be 30 minutes in length.

Journal Membership

Transfer applicants may have the opportunity to join one of the four journals through a process parallel to that in which our rising 2L students participate. Transfer applicants interested in joining one of the journals must participate in the Transfer Write-On competition. Dates for the 2024 competition are TBD.

On-Campus Interview (OCI) and Resume Collection Program

Admitted transfer applicants are invited to participate in the Fall Recruiting Program, which includes OCI and resume collection.

OCI provides students with an opportunity to interview with attorneys from local and national law firms, government agencies and corporations. These interviews are coordinated by the Center for Career Development in August. The deadline to apply for OCI has not yet been determined. We will update applicants when this information is available.

While we make every effort to render a decision by that date, we are unable to guarantee that all applicants will have a decision rendered before the OCI deadlines. We encourage applicants to submit their materials as soon as possible.

Resume collection is for employers who are unable to visit campus for interviews but wish to review applications from UW Law students. Application deadlines vary from early-July to October but will begin June 1. These employers review applications on their own timeline and interview selected candidates off campus.

Once an admitted transfer student has deposited, the Admissions Office will confirm receipt with Career Development. Students will then be provided with details about participating in the program. We ask that students not contact Career Development before they have received this confirmation from the Admissions Office.

Application Instructions

An application is complete and ready for evaluation when the following items are received:

• Application — Applicants must submit the application through the  Law School Admission Council .
• $60 Application Fee — The application fee will be collected when you submit your application through LSAC.
• Personal Statement — The University of Washington School of Law aspires to be the best public law school in the nation and one of the world's most respected centers for interdisciplinary legal studies. Advancing access to justice, facilitating a fair and thriving global marketplace and fostering an environment of inclusivity and equity is integral to who we are. The primary goal of the admissions process is to enroll students who strive to be leaders; demonstrate outstanding academic, professional, and leadership promise; are committed to generous public service and ethical advocacy; and who have background and experiences that will enhance the diversity of the student body, thereby enriching the law school educational environment. As such, applicants are invited to write a personal statement that describes their potential contributions to our vibrant community. Please limit your response to 700 words. Applicants may include the following factors in their personal statement or the optional supplemental statement: perseverance against substantial obstacles; social or economic disadvantage; family or personal adversity; social hardships; disability; prejudice or discrimination; leadership potential; studying or living abroad; foreign language skills; special talents; unique life experiences; or geographic diversity.
• Supplemental Statement — Applicants may supplement their personal statement by providing a statement that addresses their compelling academic or personal need to transfer to UW Law, and the objectives they hope to achieve. Please limit your response to 500 words.
• Resume — Please provide a resume detailing any significant vocational, non-vocational, extracurricular or community activities, volunteer work, honors, awards, any service in the Armed Forces, job descriptions and major areas of responsibility along with dates of employment (mm/yyyy) and the number of hours per week devoted to such activities, publications or other information that you believe the University of Washington School of Law should consider in evaluating your application. Also please include details as to any foreign language proficiencies you possess, including the level of ability with regard to speaking, comprehension, reading, and writing. Your resume may not exceed three (3) typewritten pages.
• Letter of Good Academic Standing  — Please arrange for a Letter of Good Academic Standing to be sent directly to the Office of Admissions & Financial Aid. This letter should be prepared from your law school Registrar or Academic Dean and must (a) provide your class ranking at the end of your first year of law school instruction (if it is not provided on your law school transcript) or indicate that your law school does not rank students, and (b) state that you are in good academic standing and eligible to continue. This letter may be emailed to lawadm@ uw .edu by the Registrar or Academic Dean.
• Official Law School Transcript  — Please arrange for an official law school transcript that reflects all 1L grades to be sent directly to the Office of Admissions & Financial Aid. A transcript may be emailed to  lawadm@ uw .edu  if your school is able to provide official electronic transcripts.
• Credential Assembly Service Report — We will request this report from LSAC upon receipt of your application. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that LSAC has received all necessary materials to complete the CAS file. You are advised to confirm that your CAS file is complete; LSAC will not send the law school a CAS Report until then.
• Letter of Recommendation  — One (1) letter of recommendation is required and should be submitted through LSAC's Letter of Recommendation Service. The letter should be from a law professor who knows an applicant's work well and can give a well-substantiated assessment of their academic potential.

Please note : all records become part of the official file. They will not be returned or duplicated.

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Good Personal Statement On University of Wisconsin Madison

Type of paper: Personal Statement

Topic: Education , University , Mathematics , Knowledge , Students , Career , Investment , Finance

Published: 05/28/2021

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Life experiences and people shape us and define who we are. I would have never become the person I am today if it was not for University of Wisconsin-Madison. The fantastic university life in the U.S. has turned me into a grown-up in many aspects and has made my choices and actions more mature. Apart from cutting edge knowledge, I had the opportunity to communicate with students coming from different nations and cultures. My world outlook has broadened drastically and these experiences have helped me be more cooperative and communicative.

Since young, I have had interest and passion for mathematics, having practiced it quite a lot, it gradually became my strength. Without any hesitation, after the AP test, I opted for BSc in Economics and BSc in Mathematics as my major. During the undergraduate period, I used to be over my head with studies, I concentrated on the classroom work quite a lot. By making every effort in the class, I achieved A or AB on most of my classes, and the interim GPA has reached 3.8 out of 4. Thus, I was sure that I want to bind my career with mathematics.

Sooner or late we all face a choice of career path to follow and I am not an exception. Before leaving for U.S., I have had a conversation with my parents, regarding the sphere I should pursue my future career in. Taking my interest in mathematics and educational background into consideration, I am very inclined to join the finance industry after graduation. Therefore, during my undergraduate years I also avail myself of the short break in summer session to do internships in China given the vital importance of first-hand experience in this field.

The first one was in the finance department of Shanghai Lianying Medical Treatment Technology Co. Ltd. At first, I assisted in the analysis of profit and loss statements, ones of the most critical financial statements that indicate the revenues and expenses of a company during a particular period. Statement analysis is an interesting, yet challenging job as it has a close-knit relationship with the development strategies of the company.

While I enjoyed studying math and dealing with numbers, I have never felt as challenged as I did working as an intern. Real-life work experience turned out to be fat more complex than I expected, however, I came around pretty fast. Having witnessed the analysis of different aspects including sales revenue, sales costs, operating expenses and taxes, I gained a well-round understanding of how to conduct an analysis of financial statement systematically. I was also involved in the cost control. After one month practice on statement analysis, I strived for a chance to intern at an investment decision making group. Behind every single decision on investment is the vast and complicated calculation, without which the investment would probably go in vain, as any kind of unawareness creates high risk of low return. In the middle of this project, discounting methods were widely used and I practived the NPV, profitability index and IRR methods when assisting to evaluate whether or not the project was worth investing in.

As far as my understanding goes, there are always options for finance students to develop and grow professionally and I have found my path to work on corporate finance. After the internship in Shanghai Lianying, I realized the significance of quantitative skills in the finance area. As a student of economics and mathematics, I developed such skills via assignments and took part in a project about zeros in international bilateral trade. In addition, I also have an internship experience in Guosen Securities, being responsible for helping with financial model building. Besides, I engaged in product design and derivative pricing as well. With great background in mathematics, I have intentions of proceeding further and have the confidence that I have what takes to succeed.

The competition on the job market is appearing to be tougher and tougher every day, and the demand for highly-skilled finance practitioners is soaring. Although I will obtain a degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the nearest time, I am aware that my knowledge in finance is far from enough to cope with contemporary financial problems. Therefore, I am intending to pursue further studies and I plan to focus on finance in particular for my masters. My career goal is to join a large, global enterprise and make the contribution to the corporate finance. Hong Kong stands out immediately as a financial services centre of China and the Asian Region as a whole. Its’ research and influence in China region is not a match for any other. After intense study in the related graduate programs in Hong Kong, I am most appealed by your Master of Finance. I think the course is very well designed through which not only will I gain insights into basic finance knowledge, but will also have a chance to develop my interests via specialized streams. I am extremely eager to become a member of your esteemed university, and am very willing to share my diverse experiences in the U.S. I hope with all my heart, I can also become a famous alumna, who you could take pride in.

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Grayson Murray's parents say the two-time PGA Tour winner died of suicide

Grayson Murray's parents said Sunday their 30-year-old son took his own life, just one day after he withdrew from a PGA Tour event. The family asked for privacy and that people honor Murray by being kind to one another.

“If that becomes his legacy, we could ask for nothing else,” Eric and Terry Murray said in a statement released by the PGA Tour.

Murray, a two-time PGA Tour winner, spoke in January after winning the Sony Open in Honolulu about turning the corner in his life, his golf and battles with alcoholism and mental health. He died Saturday morning.

EDITOR’S NOTE — This story includes a discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org .

Murray had to go through the Korn Ferry Tour to get his PGA Tour card back. And then he birdied the last hole at the Sony Open to get into a playoff, and made a 40-foot birdie putt on the first extra hole for an emotional win.

“It's not easy,” Murray said immediately after winning. "I wanted to give up a lot of times. Give up on myself. Give up on the game of golf. Give up on life, at times.”

Murray tied for 43rd last week in the PGA Championship, which enabled him to hold his position among the top 60 to earn a spot in the U.S. Open next month at Pinehurst No. 2 in his native North Carolina.

He shot 68 in the opening round at Colonial. The next round, he was 5 over and coming off three straight bogeys when he withdrew citing an illness.

PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan said he spoke with Murray's parents about halting play at Colonial and they insisted the golf tournament continue.

Monahan flew to Fort Worth, Texas, to be with players. Many of them wore black-and-red pins on their caps Sunday in honor of Murray. Those are the colors of the Carolina Hurricanes, his favorite NHL team.

“We have spent the last 24 hours trying to come to terms with the fact that our son is gone. It’s surreal that we not only have to admit it to ourselves, but that we also have to acknowledge it to the world. It’s a nightmare,” his parents shared in their statement.

"We have so many questions that have no answers. But one. Was Grayson loved? The answer is yes. By us, his brother Cameron, his sister Erica, all of his extended family, by his friends, by his fellow players and — it seems — by many of you who are reading this. He was loved and he will be missed.

“Life wasn't always easy for Grayson, and although he took his own life, we know he rests peacefully now.”

Grayson was a raw talent after taking up golf at age 8. He won his age division three straight years at the prestigious Junior World Championship in San Diego. But he struggled to fit in at college, going to Wake Forest, East Carolina and then Arizona State.

His first coach was Ted Kiegel in North Carolina, who like so many others was devastated.

“Words cannot express the tragedy of this moment,” Kiegel said in a statement sent to The Associated Press. “Grayson came from something that was ordinary and made it EXTRAORDINARY. ... He burned bright for the 30 years he gave us.”

Murray won as a 22-year-old rookie at the Barbasol Championship in Kentucky, and frustration began to set in as he didn't improve as quickly as others whom he routinely beat as amateurs.

He was always open about depression and anxiety, and his bouts with alcohol. One of his darker moments was at the Sony Open in 2021 when he was suspended for an incident in a Hawaii bar. Murray took to social media to say, "Why was I drunk? Because I’m a (expletive) alcoholic that hates everything to do with the PGA Tour life and that’s my scapegoat.”

He also accused the tour of not giving him proper help, which the tour denied.

Monahan said Saturday at Colonial that he called Murray right after that posting and subsequently spent a lot of time with him.

“I think one of the elements of his legacy is his resiliency,” Monahan said. "So you think of going back to 2017, winning the Barbasol Championship, going back and forth between the Korn Ferry Tour and the PGA Tour. ... self-assessing, coming back, becoming in his own eyes a stronger human being, and then winning three times in the past year.

“To me, that’s a level of resiliency that is extraordinary.”

When he won on the Korn Ferry Tour last year, Murray talked about his parents having “been through hell and back basically for the last six years for me fighting some mental stuff.”

“Everyone has their battles,” Murray said a year ago. “Sometimes people are able to hide them and function, and sometimes you're not. I think our society now is getting better about accepting that it's OK to not be OK. I've embraced that mentality. I'm not ashamed that I go through depression and anxiety.”

He also used social media to reach out to others dealing with similar issues in a sport where losing takes place far more than winning.

Murray said in January after he won the Sony Open that he often felt like a failure who had wasted his talent.

“It was a bad place, but like I said, you have to have courage," he said. "You have to have the willingness to keep going. Lo and behold, that’s what I did, and I’m here, and I’m so blessed and I’m thankful.”

He saw that Sony Open victory — which got him into the Masters for the first time — as the start of a new chapter. He said he had become a Christian and was engaged to Christiana Ritchie. He said in January the wedding had been planned for late April.

“My story is not finished. I think it’s just beginning,” Murray said in Hawaii. “I hope I can inspire a lot of people going forward that have their own issues.”

AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

Good Advice from Law School Admissions Deans

“You could approach the personal statement as your opportunity to have ‘an interview’ with an admissions officer. If you had fifteen minutes, what question do you hope would be asked? What story would you tell? What do you hope the interviewer would remember about you? The best statements are heartfelt, sincere, straightforward and above all, beautifully written.” Ken Kleinrock, Associate Dean for Admissions, NYU Law

“We…look favorably upon applicants who can be a bit reflective in the personal statement—they not only describe their life experiences, but how those experiences shaped them and why they are important. How have those experiences influenced the applicant and, perhaps, helped define his or her goals and aspirations. You either have this insight or you don’t. If you are able to draft this type of essay, it can be extremely powerful because it shows that you might have a more sophisticated view of the world and your role in it.” Bill Hoye, Associate Dean of Admissions, Duke University School of Law

“I think that the biggest error in judgment that an applicant might make is to talk too much in their personal statement. It is so much more effective for an applicant to be concise, say what they have to say, make their point, and then stop talking.” Andrew Cornblatt, Dean of Admissions, Georgetown Law

“It is fairly obvious to us when an applicant tries to be someone or something s/he is not, which is not only off-putting, but can also cast a shadow of doubt on other parts of your application. Be sure that when you talk about future goals, e.g., saving Alaskan whales, it is because you have a demonstrated interest in doing so and not simply because you might have gone on an Alaskan whale watching cruise. We really want to know you—who you are and what motivates you, albeit in two pages or less.” Nkonye Iwerebon, Dean of Admissions, Columbia Law School