Graduate Schools: Discover Your Narrative and Sell Yourself on Applications!

By on March 31, 2010 • Topics: Op-ed

ApplyingCollege students often ask me for a magical “graduate-school-applications formula.”  They assume I’ve spent years perfecting a recipe for the ideal candidate, stumbling upon some secret ingredient to success.  Sure, I’ll be the first to admit that there are some basics that most schools expect, including GPA, recommendations, standardized test scores, and extracurricular activities.  None of these factors, however, are dispositive, as there really is no way to understand exactly what mix of qualities admissions officers seek while sifting through mounds of applications.

Harvard Law School, Image from http://www.pensionriskmatters.com

To be completely frank, I have no idea why Harvard Law School decided to take a risk with this seemingly ordinary Vietnamese guy.  So whenever graduate school hopefuls ask me for the “formula” of getting into Harvard, I always provide the same simple answer:

Sell yourself.

Graduate school applications are as easy as that.  Regardless of whether you graduate top of your class or score a perfect 180 on your LSAT, you still need to convince schools that you deserve one of those coveted seats in their classrooms.  Qualified candidates without a coherent purpose or narrative can be easily lost in the crowd.  Thus, approach your applications as though you’re trying to sell a product in the most competitive market—namely, selling yourself against thousands of other applicants.

This means “packaging” yourself as an attractive candidate through a coherent application.  Dig deep to discover a narrative of who you are and what you hope to accomplish.  Your personal statement, recommendations, resume, and perhaps even test scores should all reflect a narrative that you can use as your selling point.  Put differently, these seemingly distinct parts of your application should work together to build a coherent and convincing story.  Think of this “holistic process” as developing that thirty-second “elevator pitch” to an overburdened and jaded admissions officer.

My Story:

Family during Holiday. (Left to Right: Sister, mom, dad, me)

For example, I grounded my narrative on my background as a son of Vietnamese refugees who worked relentlessly to create his own opportunities.  My resume, personal statement, and recommendations developed that story, highlighting academic and extracurricular activities that reflect my initiative and commitment to helping those from backgrounds similar to my own.  Of course, your narrative may adopt an entirely different approach, so focus on your unique story that now leads you to graduate school.

To Sum Up…

I apologize for not offering a more concrete formula to successful applications.  As mentioned earlier, no one can really identify the perfect mix of qualities that admissions officers seek in admitting applicants.  Rather, you should spend time discovering how to mold and piece together each factor to create your own unique narrative.  As obvious as that sounds, a good sales pitch can earn admissions to any graduate school, so be strategic in selling yourself.

The Author:

Jeremy is a J.D. candidate at Harvard Law School. He graduated cum laude from Harvard College in 2009 with an A.B. in Psychology and secondary in Economics, receiving the Endicott Peabody Saltonstall Prize and John Harvard Scholarship. In college, Jeremy served as Co-President of the Harvard Vietnamese Association and worked at the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, New Sector Alliance, and IBM Corporation. Prior to college, he competed on ABC’s reality television series The Scholar, sharing the Vietnamese refugee story with audiences nationwide. Jeremy now volunteers at the Harvard Legal Aide Bureau as a Vietnamese translator and is an active member of the Asian Pacific American Law Student Association.

  • http://facebook.com/profile.php?id=6001419 Brian Luong

    wow i really wish i had known this when i applied for school… good tips! personal statements are worth like 25% of the whole admissions process… having a great essay could mean the world.. THANKS JEREMY!

  • http://facebook.com/profile.php?id=25414050 Ai Le

    English is my second language. It was really hard for me to write a narrative that really stood out. I think what helped me gotten into a grad school was the interview. Show them your sincerity and your passions, it will get you further than you expected. My advice to anyone who's on the same boat as I am, is to be very prepare for your interview. (Of course, a good GPA, recommendations & high test scores will improve your chances of getting that interview)- I hope it helps :D

  • http://facebook.com/profile.php?id=6001419 Brian Luong

    ai le, thanks for your tip! much appreciated! are you doing residency after dental school this year?

  • http://facebook.com/profile.php?id=15606655 Amy Truong

    I feel like most Asians write about how their parents came to America and how that has influenced their upbringing, hard work, determination, etc. which is true and awesome but…over done. I hate how I feel thats the only thing that is enough 'substance' to write when it clearly isn't.

  • http://facebook.com/profile.php?id=6001419 Brian Luong

    you are right, its used frequently as the basis of our stories… but thats probably as far as the commonalities go… i think the stories diverge quite drastically after. We all came here for opportunities, and we all use those opportunities differently. Thats where the money's at. How did you use this God-given opportunity to better yourself. What drives you. :)

  • http://facebook.com/profile.php?id=504951293 Isabella Lai

    @Amy, I agree with you. At the same time, I think it'll be denying your upbringing if you don't briefly mention it. I think it plays a huge part in why second generation Vietnamese-Americans are as successful as they are. I think committees understand that, and it is good to mention it. Nevertheless, you should also mention things that make you unique and how you fit into the certain program you're applying for. So there is no easy answer, so just do both: be appreciative of your determination due to coming from an immigrant background and be happy of the opportunities in your future. :D

  • http://facebook.com/profile.php?id=303430 Tung Nguyen

    With regards to admissions to college, grad school, internships, residences, fellowships, etc. I've often found that while we can generally get a good idea of who will end up where based on their accomplishments and personalities, there are also the outliers who perform exceptionally well and surprise us all. The key is to find out what is it about successfull people who make them successful. Is it how they present themselves, is it their attitude, or do they have a unique attribute/accomplishments that few others have. From my experience, I don't think personal statements will make or break you. Self promotion is never as good as a good word from the people who write you letters of recommendations. Are they willing to meet up with you to get to know you better, or do they just have their secretaries dish out a generic letter or even have you write it yourself. And when you do interview, make sure you bring energy and enthusiasm to the table. Ask the interviewers about the strengths of a program. When they tell you what these strengths are, casually "brag" something about urself/achievements that would be compatible with this program's strengths. Just a few common sense tips.

  • http://facebook.com/profile.php?id=6001419 Brian Luong

    Thanks for your 2 cents Dr. Nguyen. Your impressive track record at Yale, Vanderbilt, and USC cardiology is something we can all learn from. Hopefully you can write articles for VTP and share more of your stories!

  • http://facebook.com/profile.php?id=703603959 Jackie Dang

    I am with u on this one isabella and amy.

  • Stephen

    Perhaps pause to look at this question from the inside-out. Imagine someone dropping 1,000 applications with essays your desk. Herein looms the class of 2014. Mind you these are the survivors. Twice as many have already been culled on metrics, e.g. GPA’s and test scores. It now comes down to the subjective. On one hand the institutional needs of a bright, well rounded, and diverse group. There’s a responsibility to the institution, perhaps to its traditions, perhaps to the public good. Second, the readers own sense and proclivities.

    For the reader/panel, formula means something much different. They seek a class, not an individual -a sum greater than the parts. The great failing for many, is to perhaps be “cookie cutter”, to be “predictable”, or should I say “indistinguishable” amongst the throng.

    If you can imagine reading a dozen of these essays an hour, for hours on end, dull patterns quickly emerge even amongst the best and brightest. The trick is differentiation. Be fresh, be memorable, but be sincere. Are your goals, your aspirations, your métier really indistinguishable from the rest?

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  • DH

    Good points, Stephen. Grad program tends to seek a collection of interesting but varied candidates but not necessarily the best overall. Sure, they want a few of those outstanding academic candidates. However, they are likely to pick students that could enhance their program. Thus being different could enhance one’s chance.

    Errol Morris talked his way into Princeton University. It does happen. I witnessed one student charming his way into a scholarship by impressing grad students and the department head. Yes, the brass kid showed up and introduced himself to the grad students and hang around for a few days. Charm and verse in history served him well.