Using quotes in personal statements Forum

[sassafrassylassy]

It's probably a heavily relied upon convention in personal statements. Does anyone have any thoughts on their use?

What kind of world limit would you use? Is it okay to use a passage? Any quotes so cliche you would avoid them entirely?

I'm interested in hearing your feedback.

"Be the change you wish to see in the world"
(One I love, but that I would not use)

[scott82]

If it's your opening or closing, avoid it. If it's a quote just for quote's sake, avoid it. If it fits within the larger narrative, or was genuinely part of something important and you can expound upon it, it may be ok. One recent poster included a quote in his PS from The Analects, that he discovered as his father was making him translate it from Chinese to English. In that situation, I think it's acceptable, but don't make it the theme of your PS; totally unoriginal.

[JackDaniels]

I hear this is a great quote to start/end a PS with:

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference."

[solidusardet]

I hear this is a great quote to start/end a PS with:

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference."

^ This poster is the winner. Use this exact quote; anything from The Road Less Traveled is all star material.

I even use a quote to start off my PS:

"You want to go to law school? You're crazy!"

-My Wife

[OperaAttorney]

I wouldn't do it. It's called a personal statement for a reason. Think about it.

[legends159]

Start with the quote if it makes it easier for you to start writing and then when you edit, phase it out while keeping the same themes of the quote.

[OperaAttorney]

Start with the quote if it makes it easier for you to start writing and then when you edit, phase it out while keeping the same themes of the quote.

Not a bad tip.

[TheJudge]

Personally, I think quotes are great! I love using them. But then again, only use one that has a meaning for you and that somehow fits into the overall narrative of your statement. Having said that, anyone who uses cheesy quotes from the Dalai Lama about "being the change that one wants to see in the world" or some BS quote that he/she picked up while watching TV deserves a punch in the face!

At the end of the day, academics read your PS (hopefully) and if you can come up with an interesting, thought provoking quote, that may even score you an extra point! As I said, don't use some Hollywood-Angelina-Jolie BS type of quote!

[jaen78]

Start with the quote if it makes it easier for you to start writing and then when you edit, phase it out while keeping the same themes of the quote.

Not a bad tip.

+1. Quotes always seem a little cliche to me, but they can definitely make starting your PS easier.