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Graduate School Applications

Writing a Personal Statement

A personal statement (or letter of interest) is one of the most important components of your graduate school application. It gives you the opportunity to showcase your motivations, academic background, career goals, and why you’re a good fit for the program.

In this section, we'll offer tips on creating a strong personal statement or letter of interest that highlights your qualifications and your passion for pursuing graduate studies.

Personal statements are also known as "letters of interest," "statements of purpose," or "application essays."

No matter the name, their goal is clear: to present yourself thoughtfully and persuasively to the admissions committee.

Personal Statement Pro Tips

When writing a personal statement, two questions should guide your response:

  1. Who are you?
  2. What do you value?

Expand each section to learn more tips to help you craft a clear, compelling statement:

Your personal statement serves multiple purposes:

  • Demonstrate fit: Show how your academic and professional interests align with the graduate program.
  • Explain motivation: Convey your passion for the field of study and why you want to pursue advanced education in this area.
  • Highlight experience: Share relevant academic, professional, or research experience that has prepared you for graduate-level work.
  • Showcase potential: Illustrate your long-term academic and career goals, and how the program will help you achieve them.

While each graduate program may have specific prompts or guidelines for the personal statement, most statements include similar core elements. Here's a breakdown of what to consider when drafting your personal statement:

Introduction: Who Are You and Why This Program?

  • Start with a hook: Begin with an engaging introduction that captures the reader's attention.
  • State your purpose: Briefly introduce why you're interested in the specific program and how it fits with your long-term goals. Be clear about your academic and professional interests.

Academic Background and Experiences

  • Undergraduate studies: Discuss your academic background, especially as it relates to the field you're applying to. Highlight any coursework, projects, or academic achievements that have prepared you for graduate study.
  • Relevant experience: Include any relevant research, work, volunteer, or internship experiences that have helped you develop skills applicable to the field of study.
  • Challenges and growth: If relevant, you can discuss any challenges you’ve faced (academic or personal) and how you’ve grown as a result.

Why This Specific Program?

  • Research interests: If you're applying to a research-focused program, clearly explain your research interests. What specific questions or problems in the field are you eager to explore?
  • Program features: Mention specific aspects of the program that attract you, such as faculty members, resources, research facilities, or special concentrations.
  • Fit and contribution: Describe how you can contribute to the program’s academic community. Highlight your unique perspective, skills, or background that will add value to the program.

Long-Term Goals

  • Career aspirations: Explain how this graduate program fits into your career trajectory. What are your professional goals, and how will this program help you achieve them?
  • Impact on the field: If applicable, describe how you envision contributing to your field of study or how the program will enable you to make a difference in your community or society.

Conclusion: Summing Up Your Fit and Passion

  • Reaffirm your interest: Close by reinforcing your enthusiasm for the program and your desire to contribute to its academic environment.
  • Forward-looking: End with a forward-looking statement, expressing your excitement about the opportunity to join the program and the future contributions you plan to make.
  • Be genuine: Your personal statement should reflect your authentic voice and passion for the subject. Admissions committees are looking for sincerity and clarity, not overly formal or embellished language.
  • Be concise: While you should aim to provide enough detail, it's important to be concise and focused. Avoid unnecessary tangents or lengthy explanations. Stick to the word or page limit provided by the program.
  • Stay focused: Each section of your statement should tie back to the central message: Why are you a strong candidate for this program? How does this program align with your goals?
  • Generic statements: Avoid writing a generic personal statement that could apply to any program. Tailor your statement to the specific graduate program and faculty you’re applying to.
  • Overly personal details: While your personal statement is about you, avoid including irrelevant personal details. Focus on your academic and professional journey and the experiences that have shaped your academic interests.
  • Lack of specificity: Don’t just say you’re passionate about the field—show why. Provide concrete examples of your experiences, skills, and achievements that directly connect to your interest in graduate study.
  • Grammatical errors: Poor grammar, spelling mistakes, or awkward phrasing can detract from an otherwise strong application. Proofread carefully, and consider asking someone else (a mentor, professor, or peer) to review your statement for clarity and correctness.
  • Research the program thoroughly: The more you know about the program, the better you can tailor your statement to highlight why you’re a great fit. Look at faculty research, the program’s curriculum, and any specific opportunities the program offers.
  • Use clear examples: Rather than simply stating that you're passionate or qualified, back up your claims with clear examples from your academic work, professional experiences, or extracurricular activities.
  • Seek feedback: Ask for feedback from mentors, professors, or peers. They can provide valuable insight on both the content and structure of your statement.
  • Be yourself: The personal statement is a chance to showcase who you are beyond your grades and test scores. Don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through while maintaining professionalism.

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