Personal Statements

What is a Personal Statement?

The personal statement, also called the statement of purpose, is a special type of writing sample. Personal statements are commonly requested when applying for scholarships and graduate/professional schools. They may also be requested for certain types of jobs, such as competitive teaching and research appointments in education, for positions with non-profit organizations, or for internship applications. It is a writing sample describing you at your best, your reasons for choosing the field you have chosen, your research interests, your objectives and the unique ways you can contribute to the program/organization to which you are applying.

A compelling personal statement:

  1. Demonstrates Writing Proficiency: Showcases grammar, organization, and clarity.
  2. Bridges Past and Future: Connects your experiences, education, and values to your aspirations.
  3. Defines Your Philosophy: Explains your motivation and commitment to your field or goals.
  4. Reflects Uniqueness: Highlights your distinct perspective and potential contributions.
  5. Positions You as an Asset: Shows how your skills, values, and goals align with the opportunity.

What makes a personal statement compelling?

Good personal statements tell stories that demonstrate your strengths.

  1. Clear purpose: Understand the purpose of the statement. Identify what the program, scholarship, or jobs seeks in candidates, and address these priorities clearly. It is helpful to think of these key questions:
    • What are your goals, and why do they matter to you?
    • How does this opportunity help you achieve your goals?
    • How do your skills and experiences align with what the [organization/program] needs?
  2. Knowing your strengths: How can you be of value or how can you contribute? Begin by looking at your positive experiences for evidence of your strengths and then ask those who know you best for their thoughts. Do not overlook the values of a true friend’s honest assessment of your strengths. Many people find they have hidden strengths that are only obvious to their closest friends and family.
  3. Knowing your audience: Research the program(s) and organization(s) to which you are applying through online searches, reading catalog/program descriptions, and emailing for more information. Talk with professors, graduate students, advisers, and colleagues met during internships.
  4. Making a good case for the “match”: between you and the program or organization to which you are applying.
  5. Telling a stories through examples that demonstrate your strengths: and that sets you apart from others and shows how you can contribute. Avoid just writing a first-person essay where each paragraph is a direct response to the points you are being asked to address. Avoid starting every sentence with “I” or “I want”.

What are some basic tips for writing a personal statement?

Content

  1. Tell concrete, vivid stories and examples to demonstrate your strengths and “match.”
  2. Don’t have too many different ideas in your essay – only include information that supports your thesis or is consistent with your theme.
  3. Don’t exaggerate or make things up.

Expression

  1. Write in the active voice.
  2. Be yourself – don’t use words or styles you wouldn’t normally use.
  3. Be clear, concise, and direct. Make each word meaningful.
  4. Try not to repeat an idea too many times.
  5. Don’t write an autobiography. You are marketing yourself, not telling your life story.
  6. Don’t be a clown (although some humor can be appropriate).

Organization

  1. Follow directions regarding length. If no limit is given, aim for 1.5 to 2 pages of single spaced text.
  2. Don’t start your essay with “I was born in” or anything similar to this statement.
  3. Start your essay with an attention-grabbing lead such as an anecdote, quote, question, or vivid description of a scene.
  4. Link your paragraphs with transitions.
  5. End your essay with a conclusion that refers to the introduction, relates to your theme, or summarizes your main points.

Content Tips

  • Focus on Relevance: Only include experiences and qualities that directly support your goals and fit the opportunity.
  • Highlight Impact: Show not just what you did but how it made a difference.
  • Connect the Dots: Clearly link your past experiences, present skills, and future aspirations.

Editing

  1. Revise your essay at least three times.
  2. Ask someone to critique your personal statement.
  3. Proofread! Don’t rely exclusively on your computer for spell check and grammar check.

How do I get started?

  1. Set a timetable for yourself. Ideally, you should work on your essay for at least a month.
  2. Ask yourself some hard questions:
    • Intellectual influences: Who were your favorite professors (and why)? Identify the best paper you ever wrote, the most influential book you have read, and the most single most important concept you have learned.
    • Encouragement: Recall and write out the actual words of a professor, teacher, or someone else in your life who encouraged you to go in this direction.
    • Turning points: where were you and what were you doing when you first thought of going in this direction? How have your interests evolved?
    • Experiences: list volunteer, travel, family and life experiences that have inspired you to go in this career direction.
    • Academics: How have you prepared to succeed?Skills: What skills have you honed through the experiential and educational choices you have made?
    • Personal attributes: What personal attributes make you particularly likely to succeed?
  3. Be sure to tailor your statement to the individual scholarship / department / program to which you are applying. Follow any prompts or guidelines provided by the organization.
  4. Create an outline for each paragraph before you write it, making sure that all components of the questions/prompts being asked are addressed.

Helpful Resources