Writing a Graduate School

Personal Statement

The personal statement is a crucial part of your graduate school application. It’s your opportunity to showcase your unique qualifications, experiences, and aspirations to the admissions committee. Unlike a resume or transcript, the personal statement allows you to tell your story, articulate your passion for your chosen field, and demonstrate why you’re a strong candidate for their program. 

Key Components of a Compelling Personal Statement

• Clear Purpose: State your reasons for pursuing graduate studies and your specific interest in the program. 
• Compelling Narrative: Craft a narrative that highlights your relevant experiences, skills, and achievements. 
• Specific Examples: Provide concrete examples to support your claims and demonstrate your abilities. 
• Strong Connection: Clearly connect your background and goals to the specific program and faculty. 
• Professional Tone: Maintain a formal and academic tone throughout the statement. 

Content and Structure

While there is no one-size-fits-all formula, here’s a general structure that works for many personal statements: 

• Introduction: 
  • Capture the reader’s attention with a hook (e.g., a relevant experience, a compelling question). 
  • Briefly introduce your academic background and research interests. 
  • Clearly state your purpose for applying to the specific program. 
• Body Paragraphs: 
  • Discuss your relevant experiences, skills, and achievements. 
  • Provide specific examples to illustrate your points. 
  • Explain how these experiences have shaped your interest in the field and prepared you for graduate study. 
  • Address any weaknesses or gaps in your academic record (if applicable) and explain how you have overcome them. 
  • Show that you understand the program, its faculty, and its research areas, and explain why you are a good fit. 
• Conclusion: 
  • Summarize your key qualifications and reiterate your interest in the program. 
  • State your future goals and how the program will help you achieve them. 
  • End with a strong and memorable statement. 

Writing Tips

• Start Early: Give yourself ample time to brainstorm, write, revise, and edit your statement. 
• Familiarize Yourself with the Program: Thoroughly familiarize yourself with the program and the active research of current students and faculty to guide your ability to demonstrate how you can potentially contribute as fellow researchers and (if applicable) teachers. 
• Brainstorm and Outline: Before you start writing, brainstorm your ideas and create an outline to organize your thoughts. 
• Tell Your Story: Use your personal statement to tell a unique story about yourself and your journey. 
• Show, Don’t Tell: Use vivid language and specific examples to illustrate your points rather than simply stating them. 
• Be Specific: Tailor your statement to the specific program and institution you are applying to. 
• Tie to Possible Funding: If you expect to be offered research and/or teaching positions as part of your funding package, tailor your explanation of their research experience and relevant teaching experience/skills to the positions you hope to fill. 
• Proofread Carefully: Ensure your statement is free of grammatical errors, typos, and formatting issues. 
• Seek Feedback: Ask trusted mentors, professors, or career center staff to review your statement and provide constructive criticism.