TSDA Personal Statement
- 1. Howdy!
- 2. Fun Fact • TWU – opened as an all girls school -1901 (men admitted 1972) • A& M – opened as all boys school - 1876 (women admitted 1960) • Train between two schools to commute for social events (proms)
- 3. Personal Statement • Brings application to life! • Show how you are unique. • Provides personal insight into who you are, what you have done, and where you are going. • Opportunity to talk about achievements – concrete examples • Use this as a document to help you stand out as an individual!
- 4. Personal Statement • Reviewers- • Can student follow directions • Written clear and concise • Demonstrate creative writing skills • 1000 word limit! • Is it interesting? …..or did you lose me at hello?
- 5. Personal Statement • Questions to be addressed • Why do YOU want to enter the dietetic profession? • Discuss experiences that have helped you to prepare for your career and the internship. • Identify your short and long term goals. • What leadership roles have you held? • What are your strengths and weaknesses? • Why are you interested in this program? What influenced you to apply here?
- 6. Personal Statement • Writing Tips • Follow Directions • Sequential in your thoughts • Proofread, have others proofread • If sending to more than once place, make sure your salutations and address are correct • Share, but don’t over share……personal medical, prejudices, etc. • Know the program you are applying to….how do you fit? • Appear confident and use "when" not "if.
- 7. Personal Statement • Additional considerations • Offer a copy of the personal statement to those writing letters of recommendation for your DI application. • Display a POSITIVE ATTITUDE!
- 8. Example – Intro The day I realized that food has an effect on our health was when I was ten years old and my six year old brother was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes. His life completely changed as he immediately began insulin injections, as well as monitoring his blood glucose and food intake. I chose on that day to learn alongside him, more about nutrition and its effects on one’s health, particularly in diabetes. This experience was my first push into the world of nutrition.
- 9. Example – Intro Dietetics as a profession, for me, is more of a lifestyle than a career. It takes two of my favorite things, service and science, and puts them together for an outcome of health and wellbeing on many levels. My interest in dietetics started when I took an introductory nutrition course and fell in love with it. The science and chemistry of food and how it works in the body enhanced my passion for the workings of the body itself. My belief of food being used as medicine and as a preventative measure is at the core of my lifestyle.
- 10. Example My greatest strength in life is that I am an optimist about the future. The belief that there is hope and promise in a healthier future with food and nutrition has led me to the lively and ever- changing field of dietetics. Dietetics has captured my heart and my enthusiasm, due to the ability to be a positive impact on people's lives, and also do something that will continuously challenge me. My dietetic journey has incorporated the best aspects of the community, science, psychology, and wellness together into an exciting venture that has never failed to inspire me.
- 11. Example I first became interested in dietetics during the summer of 2009 when I was introduced to the role of nutrition in health care. That was the summer I began working at Camp John Marc, a camp that specializes in serving children living with chronic medical conditions. While working in the kitchen at this facility, I learned about how principles of nutrition were applied in disease management. I soon found myself captivated by the idea that food could be used therapeutically and by the end of that summer I knew I had found my calling in life. The dietetics profession offered to me personal fulfillment through combining my love of food with my fondness of helping others. It was with that seed of interest that I enrolled in the didactic program at Texas Woman’s University.
- 12. Example – steps taken The summers following my sophomore and junior year at Texas Woman’s University, I served as a Project Transformation intern, working with children in underserved areas of Dallas. Since the population we served was also targeted as food insecure, there is a partnership with the North Texas Food Bank to provide meals. With my educational background in nutrition, I was given the responsibility of designing the nutrition education components provided to the children each summer. I implemented my education of nutritional needs and appropriate nutrition education for this age, to develop a successful nutrition education component. In doing this, I realized how important nutrition education is, especially in areas where there may be a knowledge deficit. I grew to have a passion for nutrition education and developing these nutrition components became my favorite responsibility during my intern experience.
- 13. Example- Values 1 Every decision I have made in life has had a purpose and my desire to complete a dietetic internship is no different. I am driven forward by the prospects of what I aspire to become and accomplish. Ultimately, my goal is to make an impact in the lives of others. This is a goal I seek to achieve through dietetics.
- 14. Hats off to all that you have accomplished thus far! Today you are you! That is truer than true! There is no one alive who is you-er than you! The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go. ~Dr. Seuss