Are there any official books on personal statements? Forum

[BillsFan9907]

Are there any official books on personal statements?

[TheSpanishMain]

Pretty much all applications have a question along the lines of "if your education has been interrupted, please explain." Which of the following constitute an interruption?

1. Taking a semester off to pursue work in a foreign country
2. Taking time off from school to resolve a health condition
3. A gap between undergrad and grad school

My guess: 1 and 2 both do, since you're temporarily withdrawing from a program in progress. 3 does not.

[famousblueraincoat]

What about taking a semester off for an internship? I didn't receive credit for it and still graduated a year early, so not sure how much of an interruption it really was.

[TheSpanishMain]

Probably counts, I guess. Easily explainable, of course.

I'm not an authority on the Doctrine of Education Interruptus, though, so if in doubt I'd say just call the admissions office and ask if whatever your situation is qualifies.

[bp shinners]

What about taking a semester off for an internship? I didn't receive credit for it and still graduated a year early, so not sure how much of an interruption it really was.

Yep.

The question wants to know if, after starting at a post-high school institution, you stopped earning credit for at least a semester before receiving a degree.

[SemperLegal]

Pretty much all applications have a question along the lines of "if your education has been interrupted, please explain." Which of the following constitute an interruption?

1. Taking a semester off to pursue work in a foreign country
2. Taking time off from school to resolve a health condition
3. A gap between undergrad and grad school

Disclose 1 and 2 since they won't in anyway hurt your application and are at least arguably a break. Explain in a short (i.e. quarter page) addendum.

Number three should be covered by your resume.