Personal Statements
Graduate and professional schools generally require applicants to write a personal statement or essay as part of the application process. Personal statements allow you to describe the significance of your experiences and go beyond summarizing coursework and activities. The purpose is to evaluate your written communication skills, your motivation and commitment for entering a particular field, as well as your ability to succeed academically and professionally.
Understand the Prompt
- Carefully read the directions and plan what you will write. Adhere to length, organization, and content instructions.
- Identify your main message early and focus on it throughout the essay using specific examples.
- If applicable, tailor each essay for its intended institution and program.
Use Your Resources
- Meet with a career coach, faculty member, or trusted mentor for a review of your personal statement.
What to Share
- While some programs may define the topic or questions, others may leave the content up to you. In general, the following topics are of interest to most graduate programs and should be incorporated into your personal statement.
- Your reasons for pursuing a graduate or professional degree.
- Any areas of study in which you plan to specialize.
- Career goals and plans for the future.
- Reasons for interest in the specific institution and program.
- Preparation and fitness for study in the field which may include academics, involvement, work experience and more.
- Avoid reviewing all the experiences listed on your resume. Rather, illustrate how a few select experiences have motivated you and prepared you for your career.