Personal Statement or: Why I Was Made for an Accelerated Master’s Program
Caroline Marinaro
I have been writing since I was a little girl. Ever since I first sat behind my family’s desktop computer and wrote fairy tales, I have considered myself a writer. Coming to Rowan with the intention of studying writing was the best decision I could have made. Rowan offered me the opportunity to pursue the only field I have ever been passionate about: creative writing. Naturally, I was ecstatic when I received my acceptance letter.
Similarly, I was ecstatic when my advisor suggested that I look into the 4 + 1 Program that the Writing Arts Department offers. My excitement grew as he described the program to me and outlined the qualifications. “This program was made for students like you.” He told me, referring to my grade point average and academic history. For the weeks following that meeting with my advisor, my head was swimming with thoughts of the Master’s Program. I could picture myself, a 23 year old recent college graduate, armed with two degrees, sitting behind a desk in a corner office of a top publishing agency, saying things like “I need it on my desk by Tuesday!” and “Tell them I won’t take any excuses!” into a telephone. I could not stop thinking about what graduate classes would mean for me: more time to perfect myself as a writer, a new group of like-minded classmates, a leg up in the professional world. My favorite classes at Rowan have been my creative writing classes and the thought of being able to take more, advanced courses with students who are just as passionate about creative writing as I am is exhilarating.
Although I painted a rather idealized picture of my professional goals, I plan to use my degree to work in publishing. I have wanted to be a novelist ever since I first started writing but I know that it is very difficult to make a living as an author. For that reason, I want to get an advanced degree so that I can have a career as an editor while writing in my free time. If the opportunity arises, I would love to get my doctorate and maybe teach at the college level.
I know that I am a good student. Learning comes very easily to me and I embrace every chance I get to learn something new. I have done well in every class I have taken at Rowan – even in my weaker subjects like math and science – and I want a new opportunity to challenge myself. I know that the BA/MA program will be challenging but there is no doubt in my mind that I will rise to that challenge and excel. I am a fast learner and I know that I will keep up in an accelerated program
I always intended to get a Master’s Degree in writing and I am excited to do so in half the time. I want to become the best, most competent writer possible and I know that this program can help me to achieve that.
Similarly, I was ecstatic when my advisor suggested that I look into the 4 + 1 Program that the Writing Arts Department offers. My excitement grew as he described the program to me and outlined the qualifications. “This program was made for students like you.” He told me, referring to my grade point average and academic history. For the weeks following that meeting with my advisor, my head was swimming with thoughts of the Master’s Program. I could picture myself, a 23 year old recent college graduate, armed with two degrees, sitting behind a desk in a corner office of a top publishing agency, saying things like “I need it on my desk by Tuesday!” and “Tell them I won’t take any excuses!” into a telephone. I could not stop thinking about what graduate classes would mean for me: more time to perfect myself as a writer, a new group of like-minded classmates, a leg up in the professional world. My favorite classes at Rowan have been my creative writing classes and the thought of being able to take more, advanced courses with students who are just as passionate about creative writing as I am is exhilarating.
Although I painted a rather idealized picture of my professional goals, I plan to use my degree to work in publishing. I have wanted to be a novelist ever since I first started writing but I know that it is very difficult to make a living as an author. For that reason, I want to get an advanced degree so that I can have a career as an editor while writing in my free time. If the opportunity arises, I would love to get my doctorate and maybe teach at the college level.
I know that I am a good student. Learning comes very easily to me and I embrace every chance I get to learn something new. I have done well in every class I have taken at Rowan – even in my weaker subjects like math and science – and I want a new opportunity to challenge myself. I know that the BA/MA program will be challenging but there is no doubt in my mind that I will rise to that challenge and excel. I am a fast learner and I know that I will keep up in an accelerated program
I always intended to get a Master’s Degree in writing and I am excited to do so in half the time. I want to become the best, most competent writer possible and I know that this program can help me to achieve that.