Applying the Five-Stage Writing Process to Academic Statements

Gathering Materials to Research Yourself

Your knowledge and experience are some of your best resources for crafting an Academic Statement. There are a variety of tools you can utilize in your process. Below are some suggestions for materials to jog your memory—reviewing them can help you form an outline, draft, or find some direction before you sit down to work. Feel free to mix and match at your leisure, or switch up the order in which you do these exercises. You can also choose to skip some if these tactics don’t appeal to you.

Notes and Journal Entries You may have some of your best ideas written down casually somewhere. Reviewing these may help you reflect or generate new material. Checking in with the main driving qualities that make you you may inspire a sense of direction.

Your Self-Evaluations and Faculty Evaluations of Student Achievement Your evaluations each quarter can be fuel for your Academic Statement. Were there projects you found impactful, or moments you now recognize as turning points in your education? Consider how these individual experiences fit into your overall academic journey, and how the depth and breadth of your learning has propelled you towards your academic goals.

Previous Annual Academic Statements If you have annual revisions of your Academic Statement, consider using these drafts as a jumping off point for creating later versions of your Academic Statement. Examine each iteration for themes, achievements, and influential moments of learning. Maybe compare and contrast your more recent statements with your Orientation Essay to see the ways you’ve grown, and remember the goals you have since achieved.

Your Unofficial Transcript Sitting down with your transcript can help you distinguish which programs were most influential, create a relevant throughline (or map) of your time at Evergreen, and view your education as a cohesive academic journey instead of a smattering of courses and credits. Think about how you can tie programs and experiences together to tell a story and give that story meaning to someone who did not live it.

You can order your unofficial transcript through

my.evergreen.edu, under the Transcript and Diploma Order link ($15 for an electronic copy, and $20 for a paper copy).

You can also construct an unofficial transcript for

personal use (for free!) by printing out copies of all your faculty and self evaluations. These can be found under the Academic Progress link at my.evergreen.edu.

Meaningful Projects Consider looking through old projects for reminders of what you’ve learned and accomplished. Is there a thread that connects the themes of your earlier studies to independent work and/or a capstone?

Research your Field Researching your field(s) of interest may help you discover a framework for your education, and in turn, a structure for your Academic Statement. Try looking at job qualifications for language you can mirror. Additionally, faculty in these fields of study can be a great resource.