personal statement vs. "philosophy"?
personal statement vs. "philosophy"?
Some schools have asked for a personal statement and others have asked for teachers to outline their "philosophy". What are the similarities and differences?
Reply
They could be interchangeable terms for the same thing. Your best approach is to ask the school or read its application guidelines very carefully.
Typically a "philosophy" means teaching philosophy. Whats your pedagogy and methodology. Inquiry based is the hot approach since thats what IB is based on.
A Personal Statement is more a brief autobiographical outline of your personality and character. Are you enthusiastic, hard working, patient, persistent, etc.
Typically a "philosophy" means teaching philosophy. Whats your pedagogy and methodology. Inquiry based is the hot approach since thats what IB is based on.
A Personal Statement is more a brief autobiographical outline of your personality and character. Are you enthusiastic, hard working, patient, persistent, etc.
Another question here…SAS is asking for a "brief" personal statement outlining why want to move to Shanghai, experience with curriculum mapping, what I would bring in terms of development of their school and tech integration.
How "brief" can this be? Are we talking one page of A4 still? Or can it venture onto the second page?
How "brief" can this be? Are we talking one page of A4 still? Or can it venture onto the second page?
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[quote="ChoirGuy"]Another question here…SAS is asking for a "brief" personal statement outlining why want to move to Shanghai, experience with curriculum mapping, what I would bring in terms of development of their school and tech integration.
How "brief" can this be? Are we talking one page of A4 still? Or can it venture onto the second page?[/quote]
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Brief is also in the eye of the beholder. One page would probably be about right, but a little more wouldn't kill your chances (the second page may or may not have their full attention).
If pollution is driving you out of Beijing, I'm a little surprised you are pushing for Shanghai. Air quality may be a bit better there but not exactly head and shoulders above where you are now (from my brief experience and friends who have lived in both places).
Good luck either way!
How "brief" can this be? Are we talking one page of A4 still? Or can it venture onto the second page?[/quote]
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Brief is also in the eye of the beholder. One page would probably be about right, but a little more wouldn't kill your chances (the second page may or may not have their full attention).
If pollution is driving you out of Beijing, I'm a little surprised you are pushing for Shanghai. Air quality may be a bit better there but not exactly head and shoulders above where you are now (from my brief experience and friends who have lived in both places).
Good luck either way!