| Undergraduate Grades and Entrance-Exam Scores Don't Tell the Whole Story | p. ix |
| Creating Perfect Personal Statements | p. 2 |
| The Questions | p. 2 |
| Preparing to Write Your Essays | p. 5 |
| Writing Your Personal Statement--Content and Theme | p. 7 |
| The Ultimate Test for Content | p. 7 |
| What They Are Really Looking For | p. 8 |
| Almost Everyone Makes This Mistake | p. 8 |
| Getting Creative--Especially in Your Opening Remarks | p. 8 |
| Taking Risks in Expressing Yourself | p. 9 |
| Discussing Your Background and Experience | p. 9 |
| Discussing What Makes You Different or Unique | p. 10 |
| Discussing Your Minority Status or Disadvantaged Background | p. 11 |
| Discussing Your Motives and Aspirations | p. 11 |
| Discussing Why You Want to Attend This Particular School | p. 14 |
| Explaining Deficiencies, Inconsistencies, and Blemishes | p. 16 |
| Disclosing Skeletons in Your Closet | p. 17 |
| Discussing Your Recommenders and Other "Influential" People | p. 17 |
| Writing Your Personal Statement--Style and Format | p. 18 |
| Introductory Paragraphs and Conclusions/Summaries | p. 18 |
| Unconventional and Gimmicky Writing Styles | p. 19 |
| Unconventional and Gimmicky Formats and Packages | p. 20 |
| Typeface, Type Size, and Handwritten Essays | p. 21 |
| Page Limits and Word Limits | p. 21 |
| Obtaining Assistance in Writing/Editing Your Personal Statement | p. 22 |
| Submitting Supplemental Materials | p. 22 |
| The Top 10 Do's and Don'ts for Writing Personal Statements | p. 23 |
| Top 10 Rules to Write By | p. 23 |
| Top 10 Personal-Statement Pitfalls | p. 24 |
| Personal Statements and Medical School Applications | p. 25 |
| The AMCAS "Personal Comments" Essays | p. 25 |
| "Supplemental" or "Secondary" Application Essays | p. 26 |
| Applying to Law Schools via the LSAC Web Site | p. 26 |
| The AMCAS Application Form (for Medical-School Admission) at the AAMC Web Site | p. 27 |
| Recommendation Letters and in-Person Interviews | p. 30 |
| Recommendation Letters | p. 30 |
| What the Schools Want to Know from Your Recommenders | p. 30 |
| The Checkbox or "Grid" Approach | p. 32 |
| Selecting Your Recommenders | p. 33 |
| Approaching and Assisting Potential Recommenders | p. 33 |
| Undergraduate Placement Files and Credential Services | p. 34 |
| If the School Does Not Require any Recommendation Letters | p. 35 |
| Submitting Fewer or More Letters than Required | p. 35 |
| "Sealed" Recommendation Letters | p. 36 |
| Waiving Your Right of Access to Recommendation Letters | p. 36 |
| Submitting a "Dean's Certification" | p. 37 |
| Committee Letters for Medical-School Applicants | p. 38 |
| In-Person Interviews | p. 38 |
| Arranging for an Interview | p. 38 |
| Interview Format and Dress Code | p. 41 |
| What to Expect During the Interview | p. 41 |
| Thirty Great Personal Statements (by Successful Applicants) | p. 44 |
| Essays That Relate a Personal Anecdote | p. 45 |
| Essays That Admit Shortcomings | p. 50 |
| Essays That Connect the Applicant's Past, Present, and Future | p. 54 |
| Essays by Risk-Takers with Distinct Points of View | p. 59 |
| Essays by Applicants Clearly Focused on Goals | p. 64 |
| Essays by Applicants with Unique Life Experiences | p. 69 |
| Essays That Explain Why the Applicant Chose This Particular School | p. 74 |
| Essays That Explain Deficiencies Or Blemishes | p. 77 |
| Essays by Applicants Who Are Committed to a Cause | p. 81 |
| Essays by Multifaceted Applicants | p. 86 |
| Advice From the Experts | p. 92 |
| Advice from the Law Schools | p. 93 |
| Boalt Hall (University of California at Berkeley, School of Law) | p. 93 |
| Cornell University Law School | p. 96 |
| Georgetown University Law Center | p. 98 |
| The University of Michigan Law School | p. 101 |
| The University of Texas at Austin, School of Law | p. 103 |
| UCLA School of Law | p. 106 |
| Advice from the Business Schools | p. 108 |
| Columbia University, Graduate School of Business | p. 108 |
| The Fuqua School of Business (Duke University) | p. 111 |
| University of Illinois M.B.A. Program | p. 113 |
| Leonard N. Stern School of Business at New York University | p. 115 |
| Stanford University, Graduate School of Business | p. 116 |
| Amos Tuck School of Business Administration (Dartmouth College) | p. 118 |
| Advice from the Medical Schools | p. 121 |
| Stanford University School of Medicine | p. 121 |
| New York University School of Medicine | p. 122 |
| University of Michigan Medical School | p. 124 |
| The Pritzker School of Medicine (The University of Chicago) | p. 126 |
| School of Medicine, University of Washington | p. 129 |
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