The personal statement must “smell authentic” meaning that it could never be possible to confuse it with any other applicant. To be compelling, your story must be told with humility while also highlighting your strengths and leadership. Begin by telling your story of public service, your contributions to the public good and define your passion for specific policy issues and the ways in which you have engaged with those areas either as a volunteer or paid professional.

Next, explain your reason for applying to a graduate school of public policy and international affairs. Be sure to explain what is motivating you to pursue this degree, what skills you expect to acquire and how WWS best fits your interests.

Of critical importance is to show your focus, which means that we want to know what you intend to do with this degree following graduation. Indicate not only the sectors where you wish to work, but name the specific organizations, agencies, non-profits, multilateral institutions, foundations, advocacy, elected office, etc. By naming the sector and providing specific examples of jobs, you provide a clear and strong indication of your ambition and future leadership. Yes, it is fiction because it is aspiration rather than accomplishment. However, we want to admit new students who are outrageously ambitions, yet realistic of the progression in their careers.

I came up with a opening line. “I stood in the crowd where people protested and screamed, “no guns in my school”, “protect people, not guns”. A woman besides me held a frame inside her arms across her chest. She could hardly choke her tears back and sobbed, “why him?”. Those gun-control posters waved in the sky and it was DC’s newest skyline.” but I dont know how to finish the rest of introduction and the statement. I want to tell a story which help me find my passion in pursuing career in Public service.

The story is One morning which should be as normal as usual in the second year I went to D.C., however, I was not waked up by the clock but by the alarm of police vehicles. Following the alarm was shot and scream. Having no ideas about what happened, I closed windows and doors at first thought. About 15 minutes later, everything calmed down. Later I enlightened through news that I experienced a Navy Yard Shooting. As a young man who came from a country where guns were not allowed, I was shocked by the bloody scene and felt sorry for the innocent people. I did some researches on gun policies and attended memorial activities. I did not feel lonely for the first time even though I was 7000 miles away from my hometown due to the same wish for a better and more peaceful world of all the people from various cultures. A dream that I should make a difference rooted since then. Mahatma Gandhi, One of the world’s renowned leaders said “In a gentle way you can shake the world”. It is this belief that drives me towards being involved in the march. Despite the fact that I am non-American with my home country being more than 7,000 miles away, this march made me feel included. I gained the feeling that my contribution would be significant in stopping gun violence in the country and leading towards the realization of strict policies that ban gun ownership. Over time, I have become more passionate over the issue of gun control in the country and the call for the government to develop and implement strict policies that hinder the usage of guns in the country. This would be a major step towards preventing incidents of gun violence in future.

Anyway, this experience made me come to a relization that I wish I could make a change when it is not too late. and tell another story like . I remember that when I just came to the U.S., I was cut off with only 50,000 dollars left. Even though I had a Chinese credit card, I chose not to use it to keep my backbone. I used part of the 50,000 dollars to rent a cheap house which was far from university campus, and bought a car with bank loan. After calculating the money left, I invested in the equity market. However, due to the depressing state of economy, my investment suffered a great loss. Then I started some tough work, night doorman, sales of stores and letting agent for example. Although things did not go smoothly at first, I successfully earned 5,000 dollars’ commission on the third month. That period of time was hard while it was a fortune, a priceless experience for me. I realized that life goes up and down, while the most significant thing is to fight and as long as a person has a desire and makes an effort, he would eventually achieve the life he wants. this perosnal story shows that if there is dream, you should go for it. Some people argue that we live for profits while I believe that we are fighting for better world. Living in a world with too many coincidences, to create a peaceful world where nobody would worry about being shot on the street and no innocent being killed by guns is my dream. Public Administration is not a job to make a living but a way without destination. I do not want to regret not to take actions when I or my loved person dies because I did not make my own effort. Therefore, I hope to further my study in Public Administration to help achieve my dream and wish you to take my application into consideration.