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In General
In General
In general, your Personal Statement should cover 5 key sections:
Introduction
Academic and Professional Background
Motivation for Graduate Study
Career Goals
Conclusion
Often, you are limited by word count or page length. Be sure to double check the requirements for all colleges.
Tip: Write a general Personal Statement first; then, adjust your personal statement to each institution.
The Prompt
The Prompt
The following are examples of Personal Statement prompts for graduate school admissions. As you are preparing your drafts, keep in mind that a good personal statement can be adapted for multiple admissions packages. Be sure to read the prompt for each institution carefully.
Purdue University, Civil Engineering
This document helps reviewers learn more about you as a whole person and as a potential graduate student. This may include relevant details on community service, leadership roles, participation in diverse teams, and significant barriers that you overcame to attend graduate school. Describe how your background and life experiences contribute to your ability to be both persistent and resourceful in graduate school. Describe how your life experiences have prepared you to contribute to an academic community where scholars with diverse research interests, abilities, backgrounds, and experiences are supported, respected, and valued.
University of Nebraska - Lincoln, Computer Science
Statement of Intent. A one-page personal statement describing the applicant’s:
Interest in and potential for contributing to the field of [X].
Career objectives
Self-assessment of personal skills and general preparation for succeeding in [X]
Montana Tech, General
Degree Objective Statement - Personal/Professional Statement. Include a typewritten statement outlining academic and professional goals and how they relate to the chosen field of study.
State University of New York - Environmental Science and Forestry, General
A statement of educational and professional goals.
University of Arizona, General
Please write and upload a 750-1000 word written statement of introduction, interest in the program, and outlines any experience, knowledge or skills you have that would make you successful in the program.
Brainstorming
Brainstorming
The personal statement is meant to be, well, personal. It provides the admissions committee with a comprehensive understanding of who you are, your academic and professional background, your motivations for pursuing a graduate degree, and your future goals
Spend some time reflecting on your experiences, achievements, and goals. Consider the following questions to help you brainstorm:
What are your reasons for pursuing graduate education?
What inspired you to pursue this field of study?
What are your academic and professional accomplishments?
Do you have any relevant specialized coursework?
How have your experiences prepared you for graduate school?
Have you participated in any research projects, internships, or professional experiences?
What unique skills and knowledge do you have that are pertinent to the program?
Do you have any specific interests within the field? How did they develop?
Do you have any mentors or experiences that influenced your decision for graduate school?
What are your short-term and long-term career objectives?
What are your career aspirations, and how will this program help you achieve them?
How does the specific graduate program align with your goals?
How do you plan to contribute to the field and the community?
External Resources
External Resources
USA Today: 10 Tips for Writing a Grad School Personal Statement
General information on elements you should include in your Personal Statement.
Purdue OWL: Statement of Purpose Guide
General information on elements you should include in your Personal Statement.
USC: How to Write a Personal Statement
This article outlines the basics on what, and how, to address certain topics in your statement.
MIT Communication Lab: Statement of Purpose
This article provides detailed help on describing 'experiences', including clarity and meaning.
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