Personal Statements & Essays

Commonly referred to in the United States, namely through the Common Application.

Essays in the United States are opportunities for students to standout in what is a holisitic but subjective admission process. Universities can learn a lot about students' backgrounds, personalities, and interests through essay prompts.

This term is often seen in the United Kingdom, other parts of Europe, and at some universities in Asia. 

The personal statement is academic; it is a summary of how you've prepared for your desired career: What activities or experiences have given you additional insight and what did you learn? What have you done outside of the classroom to prepare for this field?

These terms can combine aspects from the previous two examples. A Motivation Statement might ask for examples of how you've prepared for the program in addition to your personal interests and background. A Letter of Intent is more straight forward and usually comes with specific instructions on what information to include, ultimately as it relates to program preparation.