Napier

     Apply. Apply. Apply. 

    This past summer I decided it was time to go back to school. I always wanted to go back to get my master's, but first I wanted experience and adventure. I have gained all that and more. It was time to finally just do it. Looking back I think I also held off because I was nervous about rejection, or the daunting question of whether am I good enough? I dived deep into the universities, knowing I wanted creativity and writing. While looking into universities I realized that programs in Europe are cheaper as well as a shorter time frame. I decided to narrow my search, to Europe, the UK, and Scotland. Finally, I found it! A course that was all about creativity! I had narrowed it down, but now it was time to research and make some calls and connections. I started absorbing everything I could read about Napier. I started messaging students, and administration and even went to LinkedIn to check out the professor's background. It was time to play detective. I knew Napier was the school I wanted. But I had to be smart, I started comparing and contrasting prices and seeing if other schools had anything similar to a program like this. There was one, but I wanted Scotland. I wanted Edinburgh. I wanted Napier. So finally coming to terms with this being my top choice, I knew it was time to write my personal statement. I was anxious, what do I even write about? How will I stand out from others? I messaged my old college campus and reached out for help when it came to personal statements, I googled tips and advice, and even students from Napier were giving me advice. 

My First Personal Statement:

Dear Edinburgh Napier Admissions Committee,

We are all walking advertisements whether we are a student, friends, daughters, or significant others. We sell ourselves to others, trying to receive approval and acceptance. I want to go into advertising because I want to help others, I want to advocate for their companies and to make a campaign that resonates with others as well as make it memorable for all global audiences. In a world full of noise, let’s come together and create a symphony. 

    In college, I had many jobs which allowed me to be adaptable to all endeavors. In my senior year, I was a bartender at a local bar in town which was accustomed to serving military veterans. The business wasn’t doing too well, since the opposing bars were managing a better business. I managed to come up with a promotion and menu that was handcrafted for the college students. Since I was a part of the targeted audience I knew what my colleagues and peers wanted, and I delivered which resulted in more revenue, as well as I created a community that brought together the residents of the town and the students of the college as one.

    My prior experience in teaching has taught me how to communicate effectively to a targeted audience. Especially when it comes to understanding and motivating my students. I worked in a Montessori Catholic school which allowed me to help guide my students in order to be independent problem solvers and critical thinkers. Within the school year, my students managed a micro market where they created handcrafted items for the community. All of the proceeds this previous academic year went to their Spring Odyssey trip which was to Washington D.C. Each student learned about marketing & advertising. They had to know what they were selling, and who they were selling to. I helped plan, direct, and coordinate as well as help advocate their voice which allowed the class to earn over twelve thousand dollars, which allowed us to go to D.C. with all expenses paid due to the campaigns, advertising, and products they sold. With this experience, I believe that my leadership skills would make me an excellent candidate for Edinburgh Napier. I believe Napier’s Master of Science in Creative Advertising is the next step in fulfilling my desired career goal which is to become an advertising and promotions manager for new and upcoming companies. 

    Therefore the courses provided in the Master of Science in Creative Advertising programme align with what I have built and learned through my previous studies and professional experiences and will push me to the next level. If granted acceptance, I am determined to keep growing through self-expression, imagination, and creativity. 

Sincerely,

    Alyssa Wallace

This was my first draft, I had the editors' help, but after rereading it, I didn't like it. I felt like I was trying to oversell, and it seemed a bit cocky in a way. I decided to start again. 

My second draft Personal Statement

Dear Edinburgh Napier Admissions Committee,

I was born creative, never allowing myself to hold back, and being empowered by my own imagination is what makes me a creator. That is why I am interested in Edinburgh Napier’s Master of Science in Creative Advertising program. Within the course, the module concept creation intrigues me, with a Bachelor in English, I have been able to create a simple sentence into a story. As a writer, I know the importance of revision and working with peers who help guide and advise you in clarifying your voice, and relaying what you truly mean. 

    On May 24, 2022, 8 students and two guides were left on the side of the road with Joe, a wilderness guide. I put my pack on and allowed the weight to adjust, then I stepped forth into the unknown. Within the first hour, my boots were soaked with water, sweat dripped off my face and my legs were bleeding from the bramble bushes. Inside I was screaming to myself, “How in the world did I say yes to this?!” I looked around and saw the same expressions on my soon-to-be students for the next school year. By the end of the trip, those 8 students became my comrades, we made it through many difficult situations together. That August, I walked into my classroom and wrote the schedule on the board. Trying to put everything in order, my nerves seemed to be getting the best of me. It was my first day as a teacher, and I was scared. My thoughts were broken when I heard “Good Morning Miss Alyssa.” I turned and there stood Will, one of the boys from the wilderness excursion. Soon the class was filled with all the students. My nerves melted away with each smile. Throughout the school year, my students were using most of their time to complete their assignment of writing a year-long novel. While they worked, I edited and revised. The stories weren’t just stories to appease me or to be granted a grade. Instead, I was entrusted to catapult/launch/transform their creation. They revealed their truths to me. My professional skills are very transferable and give me an edge. I know how to communicate and advocate for others. While teaching I also took on a second job in serving which allowed me to work on my skills in sales and persuasion. Being able to come up to a table knowing the customer's needs, and being able to direct them to the best experience possible.

    Caledonia calls to me, with its rich history and broad landscape. That is why I am interested in studying abroad in Edinburgh. I have a passion for history, especially the Jacobites, William Wallace and Robert Burns. These men all had one thing in common - the Pride and Passion of Scotland. When I last visited Scotland in 2016, the landscape was breathtaking and with my passion for hiking, I am determined to one day hike Ben Nevis. This program/degree would help me move forward on my goal of being able to work for companies that are thinking about world heritage and keeping the historic environment alive and protected. So future generations can still recall the prior historical figures and landmarks that make Scotland what it is today. 

    My future career goals are to become an advertising and promotions manager and become as memorable as the advertising campaign of 1916 U.S Military - I Want You, or even Nike- Just Do It. I want to be able to be inspirational and have value. I want to work globally, advocating for the voices that go unnoticed. Therefore the courses provided in the Master of Science in Creative Advertising programme align with what I have built and learned through my studies and professional experiences. If granted acceptance, I am determined to keep growing as a scholar through strategic brand planning and campaign creation.  I plan on becoming the next David Ogilvy of advertising.

    Sincerely,

Alyssa Wallace

     This was the one. Or so I thought. I immediately sent it in, too anxious and nervous to have another person butcher it with imperfections. I sent it in and pressed send in the application. This application was meant for the Fall of 2023. A while later I received an email, saying that due to the time frame, I wouldn't have enough time to get a visa. I was declined, but not due to my lack of a bad application, it was all due to the bad timing.

    At this point, I thought why even try again, but my luck turned that summer of 2023. I had an opportunity that I couldn't turn down. London was wanting, and I accepted without even thinking. I told my mom my plan that I would go to London and look at the universities and try again. I wanted my education! It was the one thing that kept pushing me to pursue this. I came to London and realized, it wasn't time to give up on Napier. I decided to make a call to the head of the master's program that I had applied to. The call couldn't have gone any better. He seemed to have sensed my persistence, and drive. He then invited me to come to Scotland and sit on one of his lectures. How could I say no? I booked a flight and was headed to the enchanting city of Edinburgh. Once I got to Napier, I knew walking there was what I wanted. The atmosphere, the community, the place. it all had a sense of welcome and home. I walked into the class and before I could sneak into a corner the professor walked right up to me and welcomed me to his class. I automatically felt like a student. That day I got to sit at a table that was working on one of their briefs. They included me and wanted my opinion. The opinion of an American girl who had no clue, but within a second, I became the student, it all came back so naturally. This was the place. This was it. 

  I came back to London with fresh eyes and determination. I would reapply for Napier! 

   

This is my Last Personal Statement

 Dear Edinburgh Napier Admissions Committee, 

     This past year I have dealt with a lot of change. I was a teacher, and I loved it. I had the chance to help my students find their voices and help them with their sense of direction when it came to their own goals. While the year was coming to a close I had the opportunity to resign my contract for the next school year. I declined. I knew it was my turn to seek out my passion and figure out my direction. This past summer I took time for myself, I worked and applied for jobs that I believed would help with this new direction. It was still unclear, but at least I had found my north. I wanted the creative girl I once knew, back in my life. In college, I listened to myself. I never doubted my creativity, I never allowed myself to put a pause on it. It was what drove me. After college I forgot that girl, I had somehow put her to rest. This past summer that girl decided to wake up. It was time to once again have a voice, and have a chance to be authentically and unapologetically me. I have always been a writer, ever since I was three, and gifted with my purple journal. That was one thing that never changed, my passion and desire to write. Certain times I have put that passion away thinking it won’t be enough. I was losing myself in the American rat race. I decided to make a change, one that I now look back at and realize was the best decision I ever made. I booked a flight, and I even created a blog, which may sound juvenile, yet it’s the one place where I am unjudged, where I can be truly me, I am truly free. I have found myself again. That is the reason I want to attend Edinburgh Napier. I decided to visit the campus, and class of Creative Marketing. Once I got off my flight and started to head to the campus I felt a sense of calm. It felt like I was coming home. I managed to walk into the room, and I was automatically considered one of them. A creative, I was amongst my peers, which I felt like I had lost back in college. They were discussing their work, and I felt at ease. Even while listening to Adrian Carroll, I knew. He created a company from the ground up, and he always pushed, pushing boundaries. I knew this was the right choice. I have had some amazing moments while blogging and traveling. I have finally accepted my fate, I am saying YES! I am a writer, I am a creative. I have found my authentic voice. I want to push boundaries. That is why I believe I will make a great addition to Napier. I have a voice, that is meant for originality, as well as helping others find their potential. If you do allow me a chance to attend class in the fall, you won’t be changing my life, you will also be changing the lives of everyone I will soon know and help. My writing is the voice that allows others to feel and be seen. I am an advocate for the truth, for the reality of this world and life. Also, I don’t just love Napier, I also love Scotland. I have been to Scotland twice, and both times felt as if I were coming home. The atmosphere is filled with hope and determination. The history of Scotland as well, also resonates with me. I may not be Scottish but I have pride in myself, and my work, and I want to be around people who also share that energy within themselves. I want this. I follow my gut, I follow my true north.

     Sincerely, 

 Alyssa Wallace 

   The change of tone through these three statements is completely different. My last one is concise and clear because I persisted, I didn't give up, and I knew exactly what I wanted. I applied. I waited anxiously, checking my email too many times to count within a day. I emailed admissions asking when I would know. Soon. 

    Then on Mon, Nov 27, 10:38 AM (1 day ago). I received the email I had been anticipating. I clicked it. And what I saw, sent me into a euphoric state, My body couldn't stop shaking with exhilaration. 

I received my Offer of Admission! 
Class of 2024
Masters Program in Creative Advertising

I am so proud of myself for applying to the Master's Program of Creative Advertising! I could have easily given up, after my first application. But I persisted and kept going. My advice, if you want something badly enough, go out and get it! Don't allow yourself to be the one that holds you back. You fail, so what! You learned, now dust yourself off and try harder! 

Chase your goals and make them become your reality!

- Alyssa