qualities of a good personal statement

How to Write a Personal Statement (with Tips and Examples)

By Hannah Yang

Table of Contents

What is a personal statement, 6 tips on how to write a personal statement, personal statement examples (for college and university), faqs about writing personal statements, conclusion on how to write a personal statement.

How do you tell someone who you are in just a few hundred words?

It’s certainly no easy task, but it’s one almost every college applicant must do. The personal statement is a crucial part of any college or university application.

So, how do you write a compelling personal statement?

In this article, we’ll give you all the tools, tips, and examples you need to write an effective personal statement.

A personal statement is a short essay that reveals something important about who you are. It can talk about your background, your interests, your values, your goals in life, or all of the above.

Personal statements are required by many college admission offices and scholarship selection committees. They’re a key part of your application, alongside your academic transcript, standardized test scores, and extracurricular activities.

The reason application committees ask you to write a personal statement is so they can get to know who you are. 

Some personal statements have specific prompts, such as “Discuss a period of personal growth in your life” or “Tell us about a challenge or failure you’ve faced.” Others are more open-ended with prompts that essentially boil down to “Tell us about yourself.”

No matter what the prompt is, your goal is the same: to make yourself stand out to the selection committee as a strong candidate for their program.

Here are some things a personal statement can be:

It can be funny. If you have a great sense of humor, your personal statement is a great place to let that shine.  

It can be vulnerable. Don’t be afraid to open up about hardships in your life or failures you’ve experienced. Showing vulnerability can make you sound more like a real person rather than just a collection of application materials.  

It can be creative. Candidates have got into top schools with personal statements that take the form of “a day in the life” descriptions, third-person short stories, and even cooking recipes.

Now we’ve talked about what a personal statement is, let’s quickly look at what a personal statement isn’t:

It isn’t a formal academic paper. You should write the personal statement in your natural voice, using first-person pronouns like “I” and “me,” not in the formal, objective language you would use to write an academic paper.

It isn’t a five-paragraph essay. You should use as many paragraphs as you need to tell your story instead of sticking to the essay structure you learned in school.

It isn’t a resumé. You should try to describe yourself by telling a clear and cohesive story rather than providing a jumbled list of all of your accomplishments and ambitions.

Here are our top six tips for writing a strong personal statement.

Tip 1: Do Some Serious Self-Reflection

The hardest part of writing a personal statement isn’t the actual process of writing it.

Before you start typing, you have to figure out what to write about. And that means taking some time to reflect on who you are and what’s important in your life.

Here are some useful questions you can use to start your self-reflection. You can either answer these on your own by writing down your answers, or you can ask a trusted friend to listen as you talk about them together.

What were the key moments that shaped your life? (e.g. an important friendship, a travel experience, an illness or injury)

What are you proud of? (e.g. you’re a good listener, you always keep your promises, you’re a talented musician)

How do you choose to spend your time? (e.g. reading, practicing soccer, spending time with your friends)

What inspires you? (e.g. your grandmother, a celebrity, your favorite song)

Doing this self-reflection is crucial for figuring out the perfect topics and anecdotes you can use to describe who you are.

Tip 2: Try to Avoid Cliché Topics

College application committees read thousands of personal statements a year. That means there are some personal statement topics they see over and over again.

Here are a few examples of common personal statement topics that have become cliché:

Winning a tournament or sports game

Volunteering in a foreign country

Moving to a new home

Becoming an older sibling

Being an immigrant or having immigrant parents

If you want to make a strong impression in the application process, you need to make your personal statement stand out from the crowd.

But if your chosen personal statement topic falls into one of these categories, that doesn’t necessarily mean you shouldn’t use it. Just make sure to put a unique spin on it so it still delivers something the committee hasn’t seen before.

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Tip 3: Show, Don’t Tell

One common mistake you might make in your personal statement is to simply tell the reader what you want them to know about you, such as by stating “I have a fear of public speaking” or “I love to cook.”

Instead of simply stating these facts, you should show the committee what you’re talking about through a story or scene, which will make your essay much more immersive and memorable.

For example, let’s say you want the committee to know you overcame your fear of public speaking. Instead of writing “I overcame my fear of public speaking,” show them what it was like to be onstage in front of a microphone. Did your palms get clammy? Did you feel light-headed? Did you forget your words?

Or let’s say you want the committee to know you love to cook. Instead of writing “I love to cook,” show them why you love to cook. What’s your favorite dish to cook? What does the air smell like when you’re cooking it? What kitchen appliances do you use to make it?

Tip 4: Connect the Story to Why You’re Applying

Don’t forget that the purpose of your personal statement isn’t simply to tell the admissions committee who you are. That’s an important part of it, of course, but your ultimate goal is to convince them to choose you as a candidate.

That means it’s important to tie your personal story to your reasons for applying to this specific school or scholarship. Finish your essay with a strong thesis.

For example, if your story is about overcoming your fear of public speaking, you might connect that story to your ambition of becoming a politician. You can then tie that to your application by saying, “I want to apply to this school because of its fantastic politics program, which will give me a perfect opportunity to use my voice.”

Tip 5: Write in Your Own Voice

The personal statement isn’t supposed to be written in a formal tone. That’s why they’re called “personal” statements because you have to shape it to fit your own voice and style.

Don’t use complicated or overwrought language. You don’t need to fill your essay with semicolons and big words, unless that’s how you sound in real life.

One way to write in your own voice is by speaking your personal statement out loud. If it doesn’t feel natural, it may need changing. 

Tip 6: Edit, Edit, Edit!

It’s important to revise your personal statement multiple times in order to make sure it’s as close to perfect as possible.

A single typo won’t kill your application, but if your personal statement contains multiple spelling errors or egregious grammar mistakes, you won’t be putting your best foot forward.

ProWritingAid can help you make sure your personal statement is as clean as possible. In addition to catching your grammar errors, typos, and punctuation mistakes, it will also help you improve weaknesses in your writing, such as passive voice, unnecessary repetition, and more.

Let’s look at some of the best personal statements that have worked for successful candidates in the real world. 

Harvard Personal Statement Example

Love. For a word describing such a powerful emotion, it is always in the air. The word “love” has become so pervasive in everyday conversation that it hardly retains its roots in blazing passion and deep adoration. In fact, the word is thrown about so much that it becomes difficult to believe society isn’t just one huge, smitten party, with everyone holding hands and singing “Kumbaya.” In films, it’s the teenage boy’s grudging response to a doting mother. At school, it’s a habitual farewell between friends. But in my Chinese home, it’s never uttered. Watching my grandmother lie unconscious on the hospital bed, waiting for her body to shut down, was excruciatingly painful. Her final quavering breaths formed a discordant rhythm with the steady beep of hospital equipment and the unsympathetic tapping hands of the clock. That evening, I whispered—into unhearing ears—the first, and only, “I love you” I ever said to her, my rankling guilt haunting me relentlessly for weeks after her passing. My warm confession seemed anticlimactic, met with only the coldness of my surroundings—the blank room, impassive doctors, and empty silence. I struggled to understand why the “love” that so easily rolled off my tongue when bantering with friends dissipated from my vocabulary when I spoke to my family. Do Chinese people simply love less than Americans do?

This is an excerpt from a personal statement that got the applicant admitted to Harvard University. The applicant discusses her background as a Chinese-American by musing on the word “love” and what that means within her family.

The writer uses vulnerable details about her relationship with her grandmother to give the reader an understanding of where she comes from and how her family has shaped her.  

You can read the full personal statement on the Harvard Crimson website.

Tufts Personal Statement Example

My first dream job was to be a pickle truck driver. I saw it in my favorite book, Richard Scarry’s “Cars and Trucks and Things That Go,” and for some reason, I was absolutely obsessed with the idea of driving a giant pickle. Much to the discontent of my younger sister, I insisted that my parents read us that book as many nights as possible so we could find goldbug, a small little golden bug, on every page. I would imagine the wonderful life I would have: being a pig driving a giant pickle truck across the country, chasing and finding goldbug. I then moved on to wanting to be a Lego Master. Then an architect. Then a surgeon. Then I discovered a real goldbug: gold nanoparticles that can reprogram macrophages to assist in killing tumors, produce clear images of them without sacrificing the subject, and heat them to obliteration. Suddenly the destination of my pickle was clear. I quickly became enveloped by the world of nanomedicine; I scoured articles about liposomes, polymeric micelles, dendrimers, targeting ligands, and self-assembling nanoparticles, all conquering cancer in some exotic way. Completely absorbed, I set out to find a mentor to dive even deeper into these topics. After several rejections, I was immensely grateful to receive an invitation to work alongside Dr. Sangeeta Ray at Johns Hopkins.

This is the beginning of a personal statement by Renner Kwittken, who was admitted into Tufts University as a pre-medical student.

Renner uses a humorous anecdote about being a pickle truck driver to describe his love for nanomedicine and how he got involved in his field. You can feel his passion for medicine throughout his personal statement.

You can find Renner’s full essay on the Tufts Admissions page.

Law School Personal Statement Essay Example

For most people, the slap on the face that turns their life around is figurative. Mine was literal. Actually, it was a punch delivered by a drill sergeant at Fort Dix, New Jersey, while I was in basic training. That day’s activity, just a few weeks into the program, included instruction in “low-crawling,” a sensible method of moving from one place to another on a battlefield. I felt rather clever for having discovered that, by looking right rather than down, I eliminated my helmet’s unfortunate tendency to dig into the ground and slow my progress. I could thus advance more easily, but I also exposed my unprotected face to hostile fire. Drill sergeants are typically very good at detecting this type of laziness, and mine was an excellent drill sergeant. So, after his repeated suggestions that I correct my performance went unheeded, he drove home his point with a fist to my face. We were both stunned. This was, after all, the New Army, and striking a trainee was a career-ending move for a drill sergeant, as we were both aware. I could have reported him; arguably, I should have. I didn’t. It didn’t seem right for this good sergeant, who had not slept for almost four days, to lose his career for losing his temper with my laziness. Choosing not to report him was the first decision I remember making that made me proud.

These are the first three paragraphs of an anonymous personal statement by a Wheaton College graduate, who used this personal statement to get into a top-25 law school.

This statement describes a time the applicant faced a challenging decision while in the army. He ended up making a decision he was proud of, and as a result, the personal statement gives us a sense of his character.

You can find the full essay on the Wheaton Academics website.

Here are some common questions about how to write a personal statement.

How Long Should a Personal Statement Be?

The length of your personal statement depends on the specific program you’re applying to. The application guidelines usually specify a maximum word count or an ideal word count.  

Most personal statements are between 500–800 words. That’s a good general range to aim for if you don’t have more specific guidelines.  

Should Personal Statements Be Different for Scholarships?

Many scholarship applications will ask for personal statements with similar prompts to those of college applications.

However, the purpose of a personal statement you’d write for a scholarship application is different from the purpose of one you’d write for a college application.

For a scholarship application, your goal is to showcase why you deserve the scholarship. To do that, you need to understand the mission of the organization offering that scholarship.

For example, some scholarships are meant to help first-generation college students get their degree, while others are meant to help women break into STEM.

Consider the following questions:

Why is this organization offering scholarships?

What would their ideal scholarship candidate look like?

How do your experiences and goals overlap with those of their ideal scholarship candidate?

You can use the same personal anecdotes you’d use for any other personal statement, but you’ll have a better chance of winning the scholarship if you tailor your essay to match their specific mission.

How to Start a Personal Statement

You should start your personal statement with a “hook” that pulls the reader in. The sooner you catch the reader’s attention, the more likely they’ll want to read the entire essay.

Here are some examples of hooks you can use:

A story (e.g. When the spotlight hit my face, I tried to remind myself to breathe. )

A setting description (e.g. My bedroom floor is covered with dirty laundry, candy wrappers, and crumpled sheet music. )

A funny anecdote (e.g. When I was a little kid, my friends nicknamed me Mowgli because of my haircut. )

A surprising fact (e.g. I've lived in 37 countries .)

There you have it—our complete guide to writing a personal statement that will make you stand out to the application committee.

Here’s a quick recap: 

A personal statement is a short essay that shows an application committee who you are

Start with a strong hook that pulls the reader in

Tell a story to engage the reader 

Write in your own voice, not in a formal tone

Good luck, and happy writing!

Hannah Yang

Hannah is a speculative fiction writer who loves all things strange and surreal. She holds a BA from Yale University and lives in Colorado. When she’s not busy writing, you can find her painting watercolors, playing her ukulele, or hiking in the Rockies. Follow her work on hannahyang.com or on Twitter at @hannahxyang.

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• Knowledge Base
• Applying to graduate school
• How to Write Your Personal Statement | Strategies & Examples

How to Write Your Personal Statement | Strategies & Examples

Published on February 12, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on July 3, 2023.

A personal statement is a short essay of around 500–1,000 words, in which you tell a compelling story about who you are, what drives you, and why you’re applying.

To write a successful personal statement for a graduate school application , don’t just summarize your experience; instead, craft a focused narrative in your own voice. Aim to demonstrate three things:

• Your personality: what are your interests, values, and motivations?
• Your talents: what can you bring to the program?
• Your goals: what do you hope the program will do for you?

This article guides you through some winning strategies to build a strong, well-structured personal statement for a master’s or PhD application. You can download the full examples below.

Urban Planning Psychology History

Table of contents

Getting started with your personal statement, the introduction: start with an attention-grabbing opening, the main body: craft your narrative, the conclusion: look ahead, revising, editing, and proofreading your personal statement, frequently asked questions, other interesting articles.

Before you start writing, the first step is to understand exactly what’s expected of you. If the application gives you a question or prompt for your personal statement, the most important thing is to respond to it directly.

For example, you might be asked to focus on the development of your personal identity; challenges you have faced in your life; or your career motivations. This will shape your focus and emphasis—but you still need to find your own unique approach to answering it.

There’s no universal template for a personal statement; it’s your chance to be creative and let your own voice shine through. But there are strategies you can use to build a compelling, well-structured story.

The first paragraph of your personal statement should set the tone and lead smoothly into the story you want to tell.

Strategy 1: Open with a concrete scene

An effective way to catch the reader’s attention is to set up a scene that illustrates something about your character and interests. If you’re stuck, try thinking about:

• A personal experience that changed your perspective
• A story from your family’s history
• A memorable teacher or learning experience
• An unusual or unexpected encounter

To write an effective scene, try to go beyond straightforward description; start with an intriguing sentence that pulls the reader in, and give concrete details to create a convincing atmosphere.

Strategy 2: Open with your motivations

To emphasize your enthusiasm and commitment, you can start by explaining your interest in the subject you want to study or the career path you want to follow.

Just stating that it interests you isn’t enough: first, you need to figure out why you’re interested in this field:

• Is it a longstanding passion or a recent discovery?
• Does it come naturally or have you had to work hard at it?
• How does it fit into the rest of your life?
• What do you think it contributes to society?

Tips for the introduction

• Don’t start on a cliche: avoid phrases like “Ever since I was a child…” or “For as long as I can remember…”
• Do save the introduction for last. If you’re struggling to come up with a strong opening, leave it aside, and note down any interesting ideas that occur to you as you write the rest of the personal statement.

Once you’ve set up the main themes of your personal statement, you’ll delve into more detail about your experiences and motivations.

To structure the body of your personal statement, there are various strategies you can use.

Strategy 1: Describe your development over time

One of the simplest strategies is to give a chronological overview of key experiences that have led you to apply for graduate school.

• What first sparked your interest in the field?
• Which classes, assignments, classmates, internships, or other activities helped you develop your knowledge and skills?
• Where do you want to go next? How does this program fit into your future plans?

Don’t try to include absolutely everything you’ve done—pick out highlights that are relevant to your application. Aim to craft a compelling narrative that shows how you’ve changed and actively developed yourself.

My interest in psychology was first sparked early in my high school career. Though somewhat scientifically inclined, I found that what interested me most was not the equations we learned about in physics and chemistry, but the motivations and perceptions of my fellow students, and the subtle social dynamics that I observed inside and outside the classroom. I wanted to learn how our identities, beliefs, and behaviours are shaped through our interactions with others, so I decided to major in Social Psychology. My undergraduate studies deepened my understanding of, and fascination with, the interplay between an individual mind and its social context.During my studies, I acquired a solid foundation of knowledge about concepts like social influence and group dynamics, but I also took classes on various topics not strictly related to my major. I was particularly interested in how other fields intersect with psychology—the classes I took on media studies, biology, and literature all enhanced my understanding of psychological concepts by providing different lenses through which to look at the issues involved.

Strategy 2: Own your challenges and obstacles

If your path to graduate school hasn’t been easy or straightforward, you can turn this into a strength, and structure your personal statement as a story of overcoming obstacles.

• Is your social, cultural or economic background underrepresented in the field? Show how your experiences will contribute a unique perspective.
• Do you have gaps in your resume or lower-than-ideal grades? Explain the challenges you faced and how you dealt with them.

Don’t focus too heavily on negatives, but use them to highlight your positive qualities. Resilience, resourcefulness and perseverance make you a promising graduate school candidate.

Growing up working class, urban decay becomes depressingly familiar. The sight of a row of abandoned houses does not surprise me, but it continues to bother me. Since high school, I have been determined to pursue a career in urban planning. While people of my background experience the consequences of urban planning decisions first-hand, we are underrepresented in the field itself. Ironically, given my motivation, my economic background has made my studies challenging. I was fortunate enough to be awarded a scholarship for my undergraduate studies, but after graduation I took jobs in unrelated fields to help support my parents. In the three years since, I have not lost my ambition. Now I am keen to resume my studies, and I believe I can bring an invaluable perspective to the table: that of the people most impacted by the decisions of urban planners.

Strategy 3: Demonstrate your knowledge of the field

Especially if you’re applying for a PhD or another research-focused program, it’s a good idea to show your familiarity with the subject and the department. Your personal statement can focus on the area you want to specialize in and reflect on why it matters to you.

• Reflect on the topics or themes that you’ve focused on in your studies. What draws you to them?
• Discuss any academic achievements, influential teachers, or other highlights of your education.
• Talk about the questions you’d like to explore in your research and why you think they’re important.

The personal statement isn’t a research proposal , so don’t go overboard on detail—but it’s a great opportunity to show your enthusiasm for the field and your capacity for original thinking.

In applying for this research program, my intention is to build on the multidisciplinary approach I have taken in my studies so far, combining knowledge from disparate fields of study to better understand psychological concepts and issues. The Media Psychology program stands out to me as the perfect environment for this kind of research, given its researchers’ openness to collaboration across diverse fields. I am impressed by the department’s innovative interdisciplinary projects that focus on the shifting landscape of media and technology, and I hope that my own work can follow a similarly trailblazing approach. More specifically, I want to develop my understanding of the intersection of psychology and media studies, and explore how media psychology theories and methods might be applied to neurodivergent minds. I am interested not only in media psychology but also in psychological disorders, and how the two interact. This is something I touched on during my undergraduate studies and that I’m excited to delve into further.

Strategy 4: Discuss your professional ambitions

Especially if you’re applying for a more professionally-oriented program (such as an MBA), it’s a good idea to focus on concrete goals and how the program will help you achieve them.

• If your career is just getting started, show how your character is suited to the field, and explain how graduate school will help you develop your talents.
• If you have already worked in the profession, show what you’ve achieved so far, and explain how the program will allow you to take the next step.
• If you are planning a career change, explain what has driven this decision and how your existing experience will help you succeed.

Don’t just state the position you want to achieve. You should demonstrate that you’ve put plenty of thought into your career plans and show why you’re well-suited to this profession.

One thing that fascinated me about the field during my undergraduate studies was the sheer number of different elements whose interactions constitute a person’s experience of an urban environment. Any number of factors could transform the scene I described at the beginning: What if there were no bus route? Better community outreach in the neighborhood? Worse law enforcement? More or fewer jobs available in the area? Some of these factors are out of the hands of an urban planner, but without taking them all into consideration, the planner has an incomplete picture of their task. Through further study I hope to develop my understanding of how these disparate elements combine and interact to create the urban environment. I am interested in the social, psychological and political effects our surroundings have on our lives. My studies will allow me to work on projects directly affecting the kinds of working-class urban communities I know well. I believe I can bring my own experiences, as well as my education, to bear upon the problem of improving infrastructure and quality of life in these communities.

Tips for the main body

• Don’t rehash your resume by trying to summarize everything you’ve done so far; the personal statement isn’t about listing your academic or professional experience, but about reflecting, evaluating, and relating it to broader themes.
• Do make your statements into stories: Instead of saying you’re hard-working and self-motivated, write about your internship where you took the initiative to start a new project. Instead of saying you’ve always loved reading, reflect on a novel or poem that changed your perspective.

Your conclusion should bring the focus back to the program and what you hope to get out of it, whether that’s developing practical skills, exploring intellectual questions, or both.

Emphasize the fit with your specific interests, showing why this program would be the best way to achieve your aims.

Strategy 1: What do you want to know?

If you’re applying for a more academic or research-focused program, end on a note of curiosity: what do you hope to learn, and why do you think this is the best place to learn it?

If there are specific classes or faculty members that you’re excited to learn from, this is the place to express your enthusiasm.

Strategy 2: What do you want to do?

If you’re applying for a program that focuses more on professional training, your conclusion can look to your career aspirations: what role do you want to play in society, and why is this program the best choice to help you get there?

Tips for the conclusion

• Don’t summarize what you’ve already said. You have limited space in a personal statement, so use it wisely!
• Do think bigger than yourself: try to express how your individual aspirations relate to your local community, your academic field, or society more broadly. It’s not just about what you’ll get out of graduate school, but about what you’ll be able to give back.

You’ll be expected to do a lot of writing in graduate school, so make a good first impression: leave yourself plenty of time to revise and polish the text.

Your style doesn’t have to be as formal as other kinds of academic writing, but it should be clear, direct and coherent. Make sure that each paragraph flows smoothly from the last, using topic sentences and transitions to create clear connections between each part.

Don’t be afraid to rewrite and restructure as much as necessary. Since you have a lot of freedom in the structure of a personal statement, you can experiment and move information around to see what works best.

Finally, it’s essential to carefully proofread your personal statement and fix any language errors. Before you submit your application, consider investing in professional personal statement editing . For $150, you have the peace of mind that your personal statement is grammatically correct, strong in term of your arguments, and free of awkward mistakes.

A statement of purpose is usually more formal, focusing on your academic or professional goals. It shouldn’t include anything that isn’t directly relevant to the application.

A personal statement can often be more creative. It might tell a story that isn’t directly related to the application, but that shows something about your personality, values, and motivations.

However, both types of document have the same overall goal: to demonstrate your potential as a graduate student and s how why you’re a great match for the program.

The typical length of a personal statement for graduate school applications is between 500 and 1,000 words.

Different programs have different requirements, so always check if there’s a minimum or maximum length and stick to the guidelines. If there is no recommended word count, aim for no more than 1-2 pages.

If you’re applying to multiple graduate school programs, you should tailor your personal statement to each application.

Some applications provide a prompt or question. In this case, you might have to write a new personal statement from scratch: the most important task is to respond to what you have been asked.

If there’s no prompt or guidelines, you can re-use the same idea for your personal statement – but change the details wherever relevant, making sure to emphasize why you’re applying to this specific program.

If the application also includes other essays, such as a statement of purpose , you might have to revise your personal statement to avoid repeating the same information.

If you want to know more about college essays , academic writing , and AI tools , make sure to check out some of our other language articles with explanations, examples, and quizzes.

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• College essay format
• College essay style
• College essay length
• Diversity essays
• Scholarship essays

Academic writing

• Writing process
• Avoiding repetition
• Literature review
• Conceptual framework
• Dissertation outline
• Thesis acknowledgements
• Burned or burnt
• Canceled or cancelled
• Dreamt or dreamed
• Gray or grey
• Theater vs theatre

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How To Write a Personal Statement That Stands Out

Table of contents

Laura Jane Bradbury

A personal statement is a chance to highlight your unique qualities, skills, and experiences, all while showcasing your personality.

But whether you're applying for university, a job, or funding, it can be daunting to write about yourself. To increase your chances of getting accepted, it's important to know how to create an effective personal statement.

In my six years as a copywriter, I’ve written many personal statements that get results. In this article, I’ll guide you through what to include, what to avoid, and how to tailor a personal statement based on your application type.

Key Takeaways

• A personal statement is an opportunity to share your unique qualities, experiences, and skills.
• It should always relate to the course, job, or funding you are applying for.
• Include accomplishments and experiences that demonstrate how suited you are to the position or course you are applying for.
• Use clear and simple language to ensure your points are understood.

Your personal statement should be concise and demonstrate how you fit the position or opportunity you’re applying for. It’s important to keep information relevant, rather than listing all of your skills and accomplishments.

Follow these steps to accurately write and tailor your statement.

Understand your prompt

Before you start, make sure you understand what's expected of you. Are there specific instructions, keywords, or phrases that stand out in your prompt? Read through it thoroughly and note the requirements. You can then brainstorm ideas for each point.

Let's say I'm applying for a university journalism course. I've been asked to write a statement that shares why I'm interested and why I would be a good fit. I can use columns to plan my content:

Putting your ideas together first makes it easier to stay on track. Otherwise, you might lose focus and include irrelevant information. 

Show, don't just tell

Once you’ve listed your experiences, skills, and accomplishments, consider how you can demonstrate them with examples. Take a look at the list you created during the previous exercise and organize your points so you have clear examples and proof.

This technique helps you demonstrate your experiences and how they tie in with your application.

When telling anecdotes, use engaging stories that demonstrate your skills. For instance, a story about how I handled a fast-paced news internship proves I work well under pressure. 

Start strong

Recruiters, application tutors, and funders read lots of personal statements. You can make yours stand out with an engaging introduction.

Examples of a strong opening include:

A meaningful statistic

This draws readers in and increases credibility: 

"Communication is the key to marketing success, according to Business Marketing News. With five years of experience communicating and delivering campaigns to global clients, I have the skills and passion to add value to your team."

A personal story

Anecdotes connect the reader with the author’s real-life experience: 

"My first exposure to microbiology was during my time as a research assistant for a microbiologist. I was fascinated by the complex and intricate processes within cells."

An alarming statement

This piques the reader’s interest by making an issue seem urgent:  

“ The fashion industry churns out clothes at an alarming rate, causing mass production of synthetic fibers and harsh chemicals which have a detrimental impact on the planet. Funding my sustainability initiative is vital to mitigating this environmental impact." 

Avoid cliches such as "From a young age, I have always loved...." and "For as long as I can remember, I have had a passion for..."

Pro tip: Use Wordtune Editor 's Shorten feature to cut unnecessary fluff and make your intro sharper. Simply type in your sentence and click Shorten to receive suggestions.

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Admission committees and employers appreciate sincerity and authenticity. While it may be tempting, avoid exaggeration. You can better emphasize your skills and personality by being honest. For instance, rather than claiming I read every type of newspaper in my journalism application, I can focus on my dedication to reading The New York Times.

Your writing style should also feel genuine. Instead of trying to impress with complex language and fancy words, keep sentences simple and direct . This makes them more effective because they’re easier to read. 

Address weaknesses

Addressing weaknesses can show your willingness to confront challenges. It also gives you a chance to share efforts you have made for improvement. When explaining a weakness, exclude excuses.

Instead of saying "I didn't achieve my expected grades due to work commitments impacting my studies," try “While I didn't achieve my expected grades, I am now working with a tutor to help me understand my weak areas so I can succeed in your program.”

Wordtune’s Spices feature can help you develop counterarguments to weaknesses. In the Editor, highlight your text, click on Spices, and then Counterargument . Here’s an example:

Using Wordtune’s suggestion, I can highlight my eagerness to learn and provide examples to support my argument.

Highlight achievements

This is your chance to shine! A personal statement should highlight your best qualities — provided they relate to your prompt.

Ask yourself:

• What are your skills and strengths? Identify both academic and non-academic abilities such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork.
• What challenges have you faced? Reflect on how you have overcome significant challenges and how these experiences have helped you grow. For example, completing a course, learning a new language, or starting a business.
• What are your unique selling points? Consider what sets you apart from other applicants. For example, you may have a unique set of technical skills or experience learning in a different country.
• How have your achievements shaped your goals and aspirations? Sharing your goals shows that you think long-term and have taken the time to make sure you’re applying for the right opportunity.

Connect with the institution or company

Tailor your statement to the specific institution or company you're applying to — this shows you understand their values and have carefully considered where you want to seek opportunities.

To do this, head to the company or institution’s website and look for the About page. Many organizations include a mission statement on this page that conveys its purpose and values.

For example, universities often include their values under “Community” or “Student Life” sections. Here, Princeton University’s “In Service of Humanity” section highlights how they value using education to benefit society. Applicants can engage with this by explaining how they interact with their communities and seek to use their education to help others.

You can also research a company or institution’s social media. Look for similarities — maybe you both prioritize collaboration or think outside the box. Draw upon this in your personal statement. 

End with a strong conclusion

A strong conclusion is clear, concise, and leaves a lasting impression. Use these three steps:

• Summarize the main points of your statement. For example, “My experience volunteering for the school newspaper, along with my communication skills and enthusiasm for writing, make me an ideal student for your university."
• Discuss your future . Share your future ambitions to remind the reader that you’ve carefully considered how the opportunity fits into your plans.
• Include a closing statement. End on a positive note and offer the reader a final explanation for why you would be a great match. For instance, “Thank you for reviewing my statement. I am confident my skills and experience align with the role and your company culture.”

Tip: Learn more about writing an effective conclusion with our handy guide . 

Different types of personal statements

Now you know how to write a personal statement, let’s look at what to focus on depending on your application type.

The length of your personal statement will vary depending on the type. Generally, it should be around 500 words to 650 words . However, a university application is often longer than a statement for a job, so it’s vital to determine what is expected of you from the beginning.

Whatever the length, it’s important to remove and edit content fluff , including any repetition or copy that does not relate to your prompt.

Personal statement checklist

Use this checklist to ensure that your statement includes: 

• An engaging introduction.
• Clear examples of your experiences, skills, and expertise. 
• A commitment to improvement, if required.
• Any applicable achievements. 
• A direct connection to the company or institution’s values.
• A strong conclusion that summarizes information without adding new content.
• Authentic, simple language.

Personal statements are an opportunity to delve deeper and share who you are beyond your grades or resume experience. Demonstrate your ability with anecdotes and examples, address any weaknesses, and remember to use genuine and simple language. This is your place to shine, so follow our tips while displaying your unique personality, and you’ll be sure to stand out from the crowd.

Want to get started and create a powerful introduction? Read our step-by-step guide .

What is the difference between a cover letter and a personal statement?

A cover letter expresses your interest in a position and introduces you to an employer. It’s typically shorter and focuses on your qualifications, skills, and experience for a particular role. A personal statement, however, is common for a job, internship, funding, or university application. It explores your background, goals, and aspirations, as well as your skills and experience.

What is the purpose of a personal statement?

A personal statement is an opportunity to stand out by detailing your background, experiences, and aspirations. It should explain why you are interested in and a good match for the company or institution you are applying to.

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Learn how to write a personal statement correctly

Published 17 Oct 2024

Coming up with a great idea is difficult, especially when learning how to write a personal statement that will stand out and impress people. This article will help you see the most common use cases and understand what levels can be achieved. We shall focus on the personal statement structure and what must be done to prepare it. To help you overcome writing challenges, our guide will explain things step by step with a list of things to observe and avoid. Finally, a personal statement example will help you learn from the actual sample below! 

How to Write a Personal Statement: What is it?

A personal statement is often called a statement of purpose and can be used for education and professional employment. In most cases, you are dealing with an essay about your personality and future academic or job-based plans. Unlike traditional college essays, personal statements offer a unique opportunity to showcase a student’s character, experiences, and aspirations to admission committees. Crafting a strong personal statement is particularly important for grad school applications, as it allows applicants to narrate their experiences and demonstrate their suitability for the program. Here, you must share details of your work experience, existing skills, volunteering, or specific professional background that may play a significant role. Therefore, learning the tricks of how to write a personal statement can become challenging! The solution is to set your goals and narrow things down to a particular employer or a special workshop you wish to attend. Thus, your personal statement essay must become a mission you deliver in writing!

For example, when writing a personal statement, you must deal with personal statements for different levels, including writing for a job and adjusting things for a company or working for an undergraduate school. The significant difference between a personal statement and a job is that you must talk about your professional qualities and showcase how you can be helpful to the company. Unlike an educational piece, knowing how to write a good personal statement must include something to impress your future employer. Apparently, it has to show your expertise as you must compete with others, unlike when you are an applicant for an academic institution. It is a significant difference.

Understanding Personal Statements

A personal statement is a crucial component of college and graduate school applications and scholarship applications. It’s an opportunity for applicants to showcase their skills, qualities, values, and interests and to demonstrate how they can contribute to the academic community. A strong personal statement can significantly impact the application process, providing a unique perspective on the applicant’s background, experiences, and goals. By presenting a compelling narrative, you can effectively convey your readiness and enthusiasm for the program you are applying to.

Definition and Purpose

A personal statement is a written essay that showcases an individual’s unique qualities, skills, and experiences. It is a crucial component of college and graduate school applications, especially for grad school applications where demonstrating your suitability for the program and scholarship and fellowship programs are essential. The purpose of a personal statement is to provide a comprehensive and compelling narrative that highlights the applicant’s strengths, passions, and goals. Sharing your personal journey can give the admissions committee a deeper understanding of who you are and what drives you.

Importance of a Personal Statement

A personal statement is essential in the application process because it allows the admissions committee to get to know the applicant beyond their academic credentials. It allows the applicant to showcase their personality, values, and motivations and demonstrate how they can contribute to the academic community. A well-written personal statement can make a significant difference in the application process, as it can help the applicant stand out from the competition and increase their chances of acceptance. For grad school applications, a strong personal statement is crucial. It allows applicants to narrate their experiences and demonstrate how they embody the qualities the admissions committee seeks, thereby illustrating their suitability for the program. You can communicate your unique story and aspirations effectively by presenting a solid personal statement.

The structure of a personal statement 

Since a personal statement has the primary purpose of getting you noticed, the structure can be basically anything that can get the message across. Accordingly, you must show something unique to help you stand out and tell a personal story beyond your grades or diploma achievements. Still, not knowing what to include in a personal statement can be quite daunting! The trick is to see what must be achieved and what kind of person will see your application. Since thousands of personal statements are seen weekly, do it in a non-ordinary way! Choosing a personal statement topic that captures your identity and values is crucial, as it should reflect personal experiences and insights that resonate emotionally with the reader to create a compelling narrative. For grad school applications, it is essential to narrate your experiences and demonstrate how you embody the qualities the admissions committee seeks, thereby illustrating your suitability for the program. Here is what you must include and brainstorm what do colleges look for in essays as they have to look through quite a lot of seemingly compelling personal statements:

• An introduction with a hook sentence (depending on your personal statement format and the case).
• A reason to choose a specific subject/university/job/internship. You can provide examples of what the school or a company has achieved.
• A brief introduction of your current studies and how your experience matches your choice.
• Your interests and responsibilities concerning your academic objectives for a personal statement for university purposes.
• The way you see your future and social life after graduation.
• A summary should discuss why you shall make a good student or a perfect employee.

Although no perfect formula will work (think about an IT college, an English Literature internship, or a Christian college!) for every case, you must think about what makes a good personal statement to impress people. Ask yourself about what will be an easy structure to read as you tell a story. It should not be only about existing accomplishments because it has to be humble at the same time. Focus on those aspects that can talk about how and why something has been achieved and sort things from most to least important.

How to prepare before writing a personal statement for graduate school?

As you might already know, preparation is always a key because you must have an outline and provide a list of essential ideas. At least two things must be present when you plan to learn how to write a letter of intent that impresses you. Indeed, the engaging content and the factual information help to connect the dots. Thus, it has to be emotional and clear to help you sound human instead of becoming a dry list of facts. Before you start with a college essay personal statement, you must think about what you would like people to know about you and talk about things that make you look and sound different! Tailoring your personal statement to the specific requirements of grad school applications is crucial to demonstrate your suitability for the program.

Additionally, ask yourself about the reasons for choosing a particular course and the things that excite you, or talk about how your prior life has motivated you to make a certain choice. Talk about your experiences and consider how the chosen course can help you. Highlight your personal characteristics, shaped by your upbringing and experiences, to show how they have influenced your identity and values. If you have a life experience that has inspired you, consider including it. It will help you see how to format a personal statement by making it engaging all through the way.

When discussing your academic merits, describe how these have been achieved. The same applies to skills when describing your ambitions and future career regarding a chosen program. Do not just promise too much or talk about what you could do; think about what you have already done! As you work on a personal statement structure, make it like a news report that will help your audience feel inspired right until the statement’s end.

Brainstorming and Planning

Before starting to write a personal statement, it’s essential to brainstorm and plan the content. This involves identifying the key themes, experiences, and qualities you want to highlight. Reflect on your academic background, personal growth, and future career aspirations. It’s also crucial to research the institution and program you are applying to to understand their values, mission, and requirements. Doing so can tailor your personal statement to showcase your alignment with the institution’s goals and values. This preparation will help you create a focused and impactful narrative.

Choosing a Topic

Choosing a topic for a personal statement can be a challenging task. Selecting a topic that is meaningful and relevant to your experiences and goals is essential. The topic should also be specific and focused, allowing you to provide a detailed and compelling narrative. Some common topics for personal statements include overcoming challenges, pursuing a passion, or exploring a personal interest. Reflect on your growth and consider how your chosen topic can highlight your strengths and aspirations. Additionally, choose a topic that demonstrates your suitability for grad school, showcasing how you embody the qualities the admissions committee seeks.

How to write a personal statement: step-by-step guide 

The most challenging part of writing a personal statement is coming up with the first bit of an introduction that either catches on or leaves an audience uninspired. As you look at the list of ideas and wonder how to start a personal statement correctly, the first step is the hook (attention grabber). Please don’t overthink this part; do your best to make it accessible. You should introduce yourself and narrow things down to clarify what you wish to tell! For grad school applications, it's crucial to tailor your introduction to highlight your suitability for the program and demonstrate how you embody the qualities the admissions committee seeks.

Let’s narrow things down to the steps that must be taken:

• Explain why you are applying for a college or university course using an exciting hook to make your writing sound interesting.
• What makes you interested in this particular university or college?
• What makes you a unique applicant for your future choice?
• Discuss your personal skills and achievements. As you approach this part, use transition words for essays to help you transition from your unique skills for the course to what you have already accomplished.
• List unique experiences and projects you have been involved with (volunteering, workshops, travels, etc). Seemingly distinct topics or experiences can effectively intertwine in your narrative, highlighting the exact same thing about your character or goals.
• Talk about your plans, which is an obligatory part of a personal statement for college. This part should include how you plan to use the knowledge you gain as you graduate.
• Offer thanks and discuss your hopes, intentions, and dreams. Make it memorable, but don’t boast too much!

If you already have a personal statement prompt to follow, this personal statement outline will help you see what to include. Even if something makes you feel confused, discuss what you want to achieve and why by discussing your life and plans.

Key Elements of a Personal Statement

A great personal statement should have several key elements, including:

• A clear and concise writing style : Ensure your writing is easy to read and jargon-free.
• A strong narrative structure : Whether you choose a narrative or montage style, make sure your story flows logically.
• A focus on your core values, skills, and qualities : Highlight what makes you unique and how these attributes align with the program.
• Evidence of personal growth, insight, and self-awareness : Show how your experiences and academic interests have shaped you.
• Demonstrate your academic background, research interests, and career goals : Provide specific examples of your achievements and aspirations.
• A showcase of your unique experiences, challenges, and achievements : Use anecdotes to illustrate your journey and resilience.

How to make a strong personal statement stand out: dos and don'ts

The secret ingredient is knowing yourself well and checking the university or college (or job) requirements well. This way, you can write things correctly and ensure nothing has been missed. Speaking of personal statement tips, let’s see what must be done and what things must be avoided:

• Read the entry requirements. It is one of the most important parts you should not ignore, as skipping an essential bit can result in discarding your text.
• Follow the word count. It will help you to create an outline and avoid all the unnecessary facts.
• Check the formatting as you learn what is a personal statement type of writing.
• Provide information about yourself in the beginning.
• Talk about your interests and hobbies.
• Tailor your personal statement to the requirements and expectations of grad school applications. Highlight your experiences and demonstrate how you embody the qualities that the admissions committee is looking for.

DON’T:

• Do not repeat your diploma or provide information that is easy to obtain.
• Do not talk about some event in your life by adding too much.
• Do not ask or complain, even if you belong to certain minorities.
• Do not turn your personal statement into narrative or overly dramatic writing.
• Please do not copy from a personal statement template, as it leads to plagiarism risks.

Avoid promising too much or discussing something you cannot yet do. Keep things realistic even as you discuss your future plans!

If you cannot narrow things down and see what elements must be included, you can always hire writer and discuss your plans and achievements. This will help you save time and nerves as you learn what to include and avoid plagiarism risks! It is also possible to talk to a specialist who can guide you towards the perfect outcome. Enlisting the help of a professional writer can significantly enhance the quality of your personal statement, improving your chances of acceptance by educational institutions.

Editing and Revising Your Personal Statement

Editing and revising a personal statement is crucial in the application process. It is essential to review the statement carefully to ensure it is well-written, concise, and error-free. Additionally, ensure that your personal statement meets the requirements and expectations of grad school applications. Seek feedback from others, such as teachers, mentors, or peers, to gain new insights and perspectives. Revising the statement multiple times can help you refine your ideas and create a stronger narrative. Remember, a polished and well-crafted personal statement can leave a lasting impression on the admissions committee.

Getting Help with Your Personal Statement

Writing a personal statement can be a challenging task, especially for those who are not familiar with the process. Fortunately, many resources are available to help you write a strong personal statement. These include:

• Professional writing services  can provide guidance, editing, and proofreading support to enhance your statement.
• Online resources : Utilize writing guides, tutorials, and personal statement examples to gain insights and inspiration.
• Academic advisors, counselors, and mentors : Seek feedback and advice from those who know you well and understand the application process.
• Peer review : Sharing your personal statement with fellow applicants can provide valuable insights and suggestions for improvement.

A good personal statement example 

Nothing can be compared to seeing an actual sample, especially if you do not know what a personal statement looks like or what the formatting should be like. For this purpose, we have included a sample to assist you:

When you wish to assist people, becoming a nurse is often a course that a student tends to choose. What makes me feel unique about X Medical School is the opportunity to focus on volunteering and practical workshops where a person can become involved in social activities. I believe it is exactly what helps to find an inner voice and what makes a person better. Looking at my personal and academic achievements, I want to join this course and continue with my nursing education. The presence of ER unit studies and the lab workshops have been especially interesting to me. As a high school student, I have always participated in first-help activities and provided help during camping trips, mainly using my gained skills.

I believe this course will help me address my confidence and help me see the psychological aspect of a nursing course. This classic approach to studies aligns with my personal vision. The community spirit in this medical field is one of the reasons why I have narrowed down my academic choices. I believe that always working hard will make me a good part of the student family.

Of course, this is only a sample for a medical school that a person can compose. Look at the attention hook at the very beginning because it helps to make things look interesting. Reviewing personal statement examples can provide valuable insights and guidance for crafting your own statement. For grad school applications, it is crucial to narrate your experiences and demonstrate how you embody the qualities the admissions committee seeks, thereby illustrating your suitability for the program. If you wish to compose something special, consider a customer service personal statement agent who can guide you toward a specialist who will help you discuss your most personal aspects. You will also learn how to avoid discrepancies and address the logic. Even if you need to learn how to write a personal statement for a job, an expert at EduBirdie will also provide you with immediate assistance! You can also get various examples to inspire you and help you to continue writing and avoid stress!

Graduate School Personal Statements

A graduate school personal statement is a written essay that is submitted as part of the application process for graduate school. It is typically longer and more detailed than a college personal statement and is designed to showcase the applicant’s academic background, research interests, and career goals. The statement should demonstrate your expertise and knowledge in your field and your potential for success in graduate school. Tailoring the statement to the specific program and institution and highlighting your unique strengths and qualifications is essential. Additionally, it is crucial to demonstrate your suitability for grad school by narrating your experiences and illustrating how you embody the qualities the admissions committee seeks. You can effectively convey your readiness for advanced study and research by presenting a compelling and focused narrative.

Final Checklist

Before submitting your personal statement, reviewing and editing the content carefully is essential. Here’s a final checklist to ensure that your personal statement is complete and adequate:

• Is the writing style clear, concise, and engaging?
• Is the narrative structure strong and well-organized?
• Are the key themes, experiences, and qualities clearly highlighted?
• Is the personal statement tailored to the institution and program you are applying to?
• Are there any grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors?
• Has the personal statement been reviewed and edited by multiple people?

Following these guidelines and checklists ensures that your personal statement is strong and effective and showcases your unique qualities and experiences. A well-crafted personal statement can leave a lasting impression on the admissions committee and significantly enhance your chances of acceptance.

Whenever you are feeling stuck! 

Even by getting advice from a personal statement and looking at the example above, it is easy to feel stuck and confused. The good news is that you can get affordable help by sending a simple “write my essay for cheap” message and completing your unique work on time. When you are one of those students who feel desperate and cannot continue with the following personal statement sentence, we are here for you! Writing a personal statement for grad school can be particularly challenging, and seeking help can make a significant difference. The same applies to simple editing or when you have trouble with a personal statement for graduate school format. We know what the committee members look for, so we can assist you as you reach for the stars.

Just let us know what must be done, and the success is just a few clicks away!

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Written by Madeline Shields

Content Lead. Writing and plagiarism detection expert with a deep understanding of academic integrity and plagiarism cases.

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