1) It recaps where you’ve been.
Throughout your essay, you’ve shared experiences, skills and knowledge that have driven you toward who you are today. In your conclusion, remind the admissions team about how all those different elements work in combination to make you a unique candidate for their program.
2) It recaps where you are.
This is an aspect applicants often forget to include. You are at a crucial junction between the past and the future, and this program you’re applying to is the bridge. Recap why this program is an important stepping stone in your career path and how it’s a good fit for you personally.
3) It recaps where you are going.
Most importantly, you must tell the admissions team what your long-term career goal is. The more specific you can be, the better (even if you aren’t 100% sure, it’s best to come off as confident that you know what you want!). For example, rather than just recapping that you want to become a doctor, you can share additional sub-goals, such as wanting to be a doctor who works in low-income, inner city hospitals since you volunteered at those types of facilities before. Or perhaps you plan to go back to the country where you grew up and work as a surgeon there since they are in such short supply.
Bring It Together
Once we bring all three of those elements together, you can see how they link together to form one, solid conclusion. Ideally, your conclusion should be about 4-6 sentences long — not too short but not a long ramble. Below is an example showing how fusing the past (1), present (2) and future (3) together can end your essay on a strong note.
