Loric

Well, how about.. what would you be unhappy to not be allowed to study? Mention that it's one of the areas of major interest for you. That way, if they reject you because it's a poor fit, it's a poor fit. Instead of implying "omg i'll only study.." when it's not something you aren't so adamant about. If you're wide open, tell them you're wide open - but these are areas you've already found yourself drawn to.

On printing - I used print outs when i was general interviewing. The way theatre works, you spend a lot of time interviewing and then are "asked" to formally apply to the school. So with that, I'd show up at schools after some intial contact, have an interview, and at that point fork over a folder with my resume, scores, copy of transcript, digital copy of my portfolio, reccomendation contacts, etc.. and then wait to hear back in a little bit. This is not how all programs work and certainly not how even a majority of schools will do it. If you're in a situation where you'll be mass interviewing or mingle, like a conference, it's good to have a little "packet" ready to go. But otherwise, if you're showing a school and actually applying it needs to be formally sent.

2nd paragraph is "nice" but it's really not relevant. Also, the whole "my journey began.." type statements really all start to sound the same. Read around these forums for others people's work - you'll notice it starting to become a "thing" to you too.. imagine if you worked in admissions? Can you find a way to just hop into it full force? I think you would be better served to put more emphasis on what you want to do and study, and then using your experience to show how you're prepared to do so. And just a general note, when you mention single interactions it makes things seem very small. You're not saving the world one person at a time, or at least that's certainly not what the average graduate program wants you to do or think. They also frown on generalized altruism and overly heady "I'm going to solve hunger and find world peace!" statements too. You need to find something in the middle. You've had students - some of which had or were... yadda yadda.. and it drives you to.. instills in you.. which will help you achieve.. while doing... studying.. blah blah blah. That sort of thing. The emtional aspect of their situation isn't some inherently bad thing, but people who read essays have ready every sob story on the face of the earth. They're cold. Cold cold cold. And something that even has the slightest essence of being an attempt at a sympathy vote will get struck down out of spite. As always, just some feedback and thoughts. Take what you want, filter out what doesn't apply, but just keep in mind that the way i read it could be how someone else could read it. So, if anything, consider phrasing to more clearly make the points you want to express.

When i asked about it i was told they want ALL and it's because of accredidation standards. So, ask. It's not a bad thing that you went to CC. Edit: Anyone who thinks it is, is themself a buttclown you don't want to attend the school of - a school who put someone in an admissions position who's that much of an idiot? Forget that noise.

The advice in the sticky at the top of the forum says not to list negatives.. just sayin.

The point I may not have clearly expressed.. You shouldn't point out missteps as negatives. Negatives are things for the admissions group to find on their own and decide on their own. You job as an applicant is to give them all the reasons to accept you. You can "explain" by pointing out how it makes you who you are, what you learned, and how there are positives you gleamed. But you don't state it as a negative. Being negative is their job. They are looking for reasons to reject people to make their lives easier. Don't give them the reasons.

Admission to multiple graduate programs...? A career as a writer..?

Umm.. I don't know..? The worst case scenario is that you apply and they say "no." You then begin asking why/how/etc... Show a dedication to the field and ask what other options you may have for future admission. Ask if you can get in by taking those classes. Talk to the professors involved. Until you get rejected you're just thinking negatively. Even then, you just need to probe, ask, see what they say. People talk about this stuff like it's all set in stone and an immovable object. It's not. Talk to people, see who will help you out, etc.. There's always another answer.

I asked. It's required for their accredidation. So, yes.

People who actually know you and can talk about you personally will always sound better when they scribble out the letter than people who barely know you from Adam. Make no mistake - they are not just pontificating into the air. You are supposed to be giving them a little listing of how/what/why that they need to emphasize and exactly what picture they're trying to paint for this particular program. If they know who you are, they will be better at filling in the blanks convincingly. If they don't, it'll be pretty bad. Just because they're smart doesn't mean they can actually write. Writing what you know is always easier than faking it. People can tell. Admissions people are.. wait for it.. people.

Yes and yes. If it's a sort of program that has a certain number of slots.. the earlier they find people the happier they are. The deadline isn't always "the last possible time we'll consider people" but rather "When we close up shop for the season - PS: We sold out of canned corn a month ago." Sometimes the decisions were made months ago. Also, some of those people may get in elsewhere as well and then they need to fill the slots. It's not always "oh, you're great, come to my school" - moreso "you're great, we have a slot, welcome aboard!" and sometime "you're great! we're full! better luck next time"

I have really broad shoulders. I have to have suits fitted or they look ridiculous. This does not always jive well with my present income or need to interview. I wear "dress sweaters" as a compromise. Works great if you're interviewing in the fall/winter. Not so good if it's the middle of summer. Hopefully their office is cold. We're not talking cute office worker argyle sweaters, but the nice ones that many fashionable types would wear under a sports coat. This could be awful advice, but I've gotten away with it for years. I like to wear bright pops of color with a complimentary ties that makes a nice solid knot and then the sweater, with the licks of color peaking out from the cuffs. I also work in the arts, so, your mileage may vary.

I'm very much of the mindset "never give them negative, let them find it on their own." That's what I just spent a little while posting over to the SOP forums for other folks with various issues they wanted to "explain away." I do very much appreciate your response though I'll keep it in mind - and if they ask, they ask. GRE is supposed to be an indicator of the quality of my education and ability to succeed in graduate study, no? I didn't take the classes (yes, i was registered and didn't drop, that was my irresponsible stupid moment) so i don't feel the F's reflect me at all. In my mind, a reasonable person should see that looking at the transcript.

Just state the how/why/what/when you knew what you wanted to do - the current field of study. Then explain how the lessons you've learned from the old field of study will help you in the new field. Never imply your old field was a mistake or that you had to "course correct." You just have taken a different path - not a "bad" one. Explain how your unique path will make you a good candidate and express your interest in the field.

Bankruptcy suggests a level of instability and irresponsibility. Do not mention it. Mention how you worked through school and flourished at the challenge of balancing a career and study, implying you can take on a heavy workload without burning out or losing it.

Don't attempt to explain away problems that might not be problems. You're just drawing attention to them. Let them find it on their own - if they do. NEVER guide them to potential reasons to not admit you. The thought may have never crossed their minds. Do, however, focus on why that different background makes you a unique candidate who can transition what you've studied/learned into the field and how you are dedicated to this new field of research/work. There's gotta be some way it's helpful. Hell, go for "work ethic" and "ability to handle stressful situation and high work loads" if all else fails. You learned something that made you who you are today, it wasn't for nothing. Explain how that's good for them and your future. Avoid anything that implies your decision was a mistake or to correct a mistake.

I don't know diddly about your study/major/field so I cant really comment on all that. I can say: Lose "Since I want a kid" - no one cares about your entire life since birth. Simply say "I have always been interested in.." or "fascinated with.." Preoccupation suggests OCD. OCD suggests mental illness. Mental illness is considered a "kiss of death" for admissions. We all went to high school and had to take science and math. No one cares. Just delete that whole sentence. Really, your statement works fine without and seems to meander less. Also, why is the question you want to answer - why do things age - important? You need to frame it a little. Why should I care? I don't know, maybe that's a huge topic of study at this school, but I dunno. Maybe it's inherently interesting anf something I should throw money at you for. I dunno. Tell me why. And that's about as far as I can go with my limited understanding of your profession Hope it was helpful - and the "no one cares" and "why should I care" are just standard essay points to keep in mind. Keeps things from getting too tedious/boring/etc for the reader. I'm sure in reality your life is quite fascinating but these people read tons of essays.

You're going for English.. no? Which would mean you're probably going to teach, no..? And in CC doing the low-literacy stint is where you discovered that you enjoy teaching English, to bring the joy of XX and YY of literature to curious young minds..? I think it's important in that sort of frame. Not important in a "i need to explain why i went to a CC" sort of way. Never give them reasons not to like you or try to preemptively explain away perceived problems. Let them find and research reasons not to love you on their own free time. Not yours. Use your time to show them "why" you should be there and why you "want" to be there - with a bit of "how" you're going to succeed there thrown in for good measure.

It sounds like you're explaining.. explaining.. explaining.. I have no experience with your field/major and to me it reads like you're trying to explain away a bad history. These things you're explaining, at least the way they're stated, seem like they're red flag that you know are red flags and are trying to tackle before anyone can ask any questions. It's like you're giving them the reasons to not accept you. Don't. Just -don't.- Negatives off. Talk only in positives. How are you unique? How are these past experiences of your going to broaden their student base and intelectual discourse? Why is your unique POV worth noting? What advantages do you have because of these experiences? If they want to know about something that's atypical, let them ask. I honestly don't even know if the things you try to explain are negatives to your field.. but they seem that way. Like you're making excuses. You doth protest too much. Express your excitement and enthusiasm for the field. Anything negative they can dig up in their own free time. Make them work to drag you down, don't do it for them. Don't lead that horse to water..

I see it like exercise - "for XX mins each day at ZZ time, i will do this." And like with exercise, even doing it when you dont want to will help over time.

I've been out of school for a few years and a new graduate program in the field I want to work in appeared like a wild pokemon . I have previously been accepted to 2 graduate programs for theatrical design (went to one, it was awful, left). I want to go into SCAD's themed entertainment design graduate program. SCAD says GRE scores are entirely optional. They also say honors scholarships are given to 600+ verbal, 740+ quant, and 5+ writing. I took the GRE as a "because it's required" at the other two schools. I had interviewed with the departments and barring massive failure on the GRE I was admitted, just waiting for my file to be complete. I didn't study, took it the next available test date, and knew nothing about what I was getting myself into. My 3-something year old scores are verbal 600 scaled / 160 (estimated), quant 680 / 153, and writing 4.5. Worth redoing..? Worth submitting..? Essentially I don't know if these will look good, look bad, or do me any favors or not if I send them in to my new application. Part of me thinks if they're good or I study and retake and have "good" scores they'll counteract the bad transcript from my last school that I withdrew from. B-, W, W, and then "spring" which i never attended with "FFF" I like to think any admissions advisor who sees W's first and then F's the following semester goes "oh, they dropped out." But... ya know? So, what do you think? Worth it to retake? Those scores are ok on their own?