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How to Write a Stand-Out Personal Statement for Your Graduate School Application

While deciding to embark on the path to graduate school is an exciting first step toward advancing your career, the application process can sometimes feel daunting and confusing.

One major part of the application that most schools require is a personal statement. Writing a personal statement can be an arduous task: After all, most people don’t necessarily enjoy writing about themselves, let alone at length.

A compelling personal statement, however, can help bring your application to the top of the admissions pile. Below, we’ve outlined what you need to know about crafting a personal statement to make your application shine.

What Is a Personal Statement?

The point of a personal statement is for the admissions board to gain a deeper understanding of who you are apart from your education and work experience. It explains why you’re the right fit for the program and a worthwhile applicant. It’s also an opportunity to highlight important factors that may not be readily available in the rest of your application.

A personal statement is different from a statement of purpose (if you’re asked for that as well). A statement of purpose will touch on your academic and career goals, as well as your past credentials. While those should also be discussed in your personal statement, it’s more about your life experiences and how they’ve shaped you and your journey to graduate school.

Questions to Ask Yourself Before Writing a Personal Statement

Before you start crafting your essay, there are a few prompts you can ask yourself to help clarify what you want to accomplish.

• What are the key points you want to communicate about yourself?
• What personal characteristics or skills do you have that make you a strong candidate for this field?
• What exactly are your career goals, and how does graduate school play into them?
• What have you learned about this field already? When did you first choose to follow this path, and what do you enjoy about it?
• What do you think is important for the admissions board to know specifically about you?
• Are there any discrepancies or causes for concern in your application you need to address? For example, is there a career and schooling gap, or a low GPA at one point? This is the time to discuss whether a personal hardship may have affected your academics or career.
• Have you dealt with any unusual obstacles or difficulties in your life? How have they affected and shaped you?
• What sets you apart and makes you unique from other graduate school applicants?
• What factors in your life have brought you to where you are today?

Top Tips for Writing a Graduate School Personal Statement

Pick a few points to emphasize about yourself . Introduce yourself to the admissions board. Select key factors about your background that you want the university to know — elements that reveal what kind of person you are and demonstrate why you’re a strong candidate for the school and field of study.

Be very specific . Again, a personal statement is all about communicating what distinguishes you from other applicants. To accomplish that, you need to share specific anecdotes that underscore your statements. If you say you’re a strong leader, present an example of a time you’ve proven that skill through work, school or your personal life. These specific, personal stories provide a deeper understanding of who you are and prove your intentions.

Do your research . Demonstrate what attracted you to the program. If there is a specific faculty member or class that caught your attention, or another aspect of the program that greatly interests you, convey it. This shows you’ve truly researched the school and have a passion for the program.

“Whatever the topic may be, I would recommend writing in a manner that reflects or parallels the institution’s and/or department’s missions, goals and values,” said Moises Cortés, a graduate/international credentials analyst for the Office of Graduate Admission at USC .

Address any gaps or discrepancies . Explain any factors that may have impacted your academic career. If you had an illness or any other personal hardships that affected your grades or work, discuss them. If there is a discrepancy between your grades and your test scores, you can also take the time to go over any extenuating circumstances.

Strike the right tone . While it’s important to give readers a glimpse of your personality, avoid oversharing or revealing intimate details of your life experiences. You should also avoid making jokes or using humorous cliches. Maintain a professional tone throughout your writing.

Start strong and finish strong . As with any piece of writing, you want to draw in your readers immediately. Make sure to start off with an interesting and captivating introduction. Similarly, your conclusion should be a well-written, engaging finish to the essay that highlights any important points.

“ For a personal statement, I think the first and last paragraphs are most important and should always relate the program they are applying to their own experiences and ideas,” Hoon H. Kang, a graduate/international credential analyst with the Office of Graduate Admission, told USC Online.

Proofread, proofread and proofread again . We can’t emphasize enough the importance of rereading your work. Your personal statement is also an analysis of your writing skills, so ensure you have proper grammar and spelling throughout. In addition, we recommend having multiple people look over your statement before submission. They can help with the proofreading (a second person always catches a mistake the writer may miss), give advice about the statement’s structure and content, and confirm it’s the proper recommended length.

Once you’ve considered all of the above and reviewed and edited your personal statement to perfection, it’s time to submit and check off any remaining application requirements, including your resume and letters of recommendation .

Personal statements are arguably one of the most challenging aspects of applying to graduate school, so make sure to revel in this accomplishment and acknowledge your successes.

For more information, visit the  Office of Graduate Admission at USC  and explore  USC Online ’s master’s degrees, doctoral programs and graduate certificates.

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How to Write a Winning Personal Statement

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•       Resources       Writing a Winning Personal Statement for Grad School

Writing a Winning Personal Statement for Grad School Tips and Advice for Standing Out as a Graduate Program Candidate

Applying to graduate school can be a significant step toward reaching academic and career goals, which can make the admissions process even more intimidating. Along with gathering letters of recommendation, taking exams and submitting transcripts, prospective graduate students typically have to write personal statements to include with their applications. The personal statement is an oft-elusive element of the grad school application, but it fulfills a specific and significant need in the eyes of admissions committees. By learning about the personal statement and its role, getting familiar with this essay's key elements and soaking in tons of advice from an admissions expert, graduate school applicants can prepare to write outstanding personal essays that can help them land spots in their ideal graduate programs.

• What is a Personal Statement?
• Personal Statement Components
• How to Write a Winning Statement

Personal Statement Example

Additional resources, what's the personal statement on a grad school app.

Graduate school applications often have prospective students include personal statements. These help admissions committees get to know the person behind each application. A personal statement is a short essay that introduces a grad school candidate and his or her personal reasons for applying to a particular program. While metrics such as GPA and test scores can give an admissions committee an idea of a student's qualifications, they are impersonal and don't indicate whether a candidate would be a good fit for a given program. "Metrics only show one small part of the entire picture," says career coach and former university admissions representative Meg Radunich. "Graduate programs care about the person behind the standardized test score and grade point average. A personal statement is the only part of the application where a candidate gets to make their own case for what they can add to the cohort of incoming first year students."

Students may get applications that ask for statements of purpose, or statements of intent, as well as personal statements. With such similar names, it's no surprise that many students wonder whether there is a difference. Depending on the program and writing prompt, a personal statement and a statement of purpose may fill the same need in the eyes of the admissions committee. In cases where both are required, however, things can get a little tricky. In general, the statement of purpose focuses more on a student's reasons for applying to that particular graduate program and may address topics such as career and research goals, how his or her academic track record demonstrates qualification for that particular school or program of study and how a given program will impact the student's future.

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By contrast, personal statements usually lend more freedom when it comes to content and form and are intended to give the admissions committee a glimpse into a candidate's personality. This narrative essay combines specific, self-reflective anecdotes with details about past experiences (internships, volunteer experiences, etc.) and a clear delineation of a student's goals and interest in the prospective graduate program to provide a fuller picture of the applicant. This combination, often unaccompanied by an explicit writing prompt or set of instructions, can make even the most practiced essay writers freeze up. Familiarizing themselves with the ins and outs of writing strong personal statements for graduate school can alleviate stress and ease the process of sending out those applications.

Components of a Successful Personal Statement

Because personal statements are individual to the applicant, there is no one-size-fits-all way to write them. However, there are a few key elements of strong personal statements that prospective graduate students should keep in mind as they write.

• Broad Understanding
• Vulnerability and Sincerity
• Awareness of Audience
• Individuality

When writing personal statements, students may feel pressured to tell admissions committees everything about themselves. People are multifaceted, and it seems extra important to hit all your personality highlights and accomplishments. However, the personal essay isn't meant to be an autobiography or a long-form reiteration of the applicant's resume. "One major mistake I see all the time is students who try to tell too much in the personal statement," says Radunich. "Tell one or two specific stories or scenarios really well instead of having a broad focus and attempting to tell your life story. The goal of the essay is to get an interview, one-on-one face time that will you allow you to divulge more. Use that personal statement to tease them just enough so they feel like they need to get you in for an interview to learn the rest of your story."

• An MFA program applicant could build his statement around a sculpture class reluctantly taken during sophomore year of undergraduate study that encouraged him to experiment and ultimately changed his art style and approach. This is more telling and interesting than meandering through a lifelong love of art that began at childhood.
• Students should try to keep the scope of their personal statements within the past few years, as admissions committees are generally most interested in applicants' undergraduate experiences.

The best personal statements have clear purposes and easily draw readers in. Students should be cautious about turning their personal statements into risky or edgy creative writing projects and instead maintain a strong narrative structure using anecdotes for support when necessary. "Everyone loves a coming-of-age story," Radunich says. "Remember that the faculty have a vested interest in admitting students who will be fun for them to work with and watch grow." Applicants should determine which key points about themselves are most important to make and then choose situations or experiences that demonstrate those points. This serves as the main content of the personal statement. It's important that students remember to keep anecdotes relevant to the specific programs to which they are applying and to make it clear how the experiences led them to those programs.

• A prospective engineering student who volunteered abroad might set the scene by writing about how working with members of the local community who had their own innovations based on supplies that were readily available in their area, like flip phone batteries and dismantled mopeds, challenged her exclusively Western understanding of infrastructure and exposed holes in her knowledge.
• She could follow up with brief but concrete examples that showcase both hard and soft skills relevant to her program of study, like how experience as a resident assistant affirmed her desire to help people, and her senior thesis project pushed her to reach out to others and collaborate for the sake of better research.

Along with a focused narrative, grad school applicants should demonstrate for the admissions committee why they want to attend this program and how doing so relates to their place academically, locally and globally. Radunich notes that strong personal statements show that candidates understand the "big picture" of the profession and the true meaning and impact they will have in their communities.

Applicants often feel as if they have to show how highly accomplished and impressive they are in their personal statements, but Radunich stresses the significance of being honest and vulnerable. "It helps the reader connect. Admissions deans read enough essays from 23-year-old applicants who brag about their accomplishments and think they have life figured out." Acknowledging faults or weaknesses shows the committee that an applicant is self-aware, teachable and eager to grow.

• "One medical school candidate I worked with wanted to become a psychiatrist due to her own personal experience with anxiety in high school," recalls Radunich. "Instead of hiding this experience, she owned it. Her personal statement was phenomenal as a result."
• Vulnerability should be presented as something that leads to growth rather than an excuse for doing poorly in certain academic areas.

Strong personal statements demonstrate awareness of audience and how content may be received. Radunich advises applicants to think about their essays from admissions deans' perspectives: What would and wouldn't you want to read it if you were in their shoes? As they write, students should remember that admissions personnel must read many personal statements and sort through thousands of applications. Being conscious of how words or stories may be perceived by those with experiences different from their own can be invaluable to students.

• Radunich cites a time when she worked with a student who wrote about her experience providing medical care in a developing country as part of her medical school application: "The student had good intentions, but in writing she sounded patronizing and even condescending when describing her interactions with patients. She had no idea. Remember that people who see the world differently from you will be reading this essay."

One of the biggest keys to writing a successful personal statement is in the name itself. This essay is meant to be personal and completely unique to the writer. "You have full control over this part of your application," Radunich says, urging students to avoid coming across as desperate in their essays. "Fight the urge to ‘shape shift' into whom you think that program wants you to be. You're not going to be a perfect fit for every single graduate program. Be you, and if a graduate program doesn't get it, you most likely aren't going to be happy in that program for the next three or more years." Many applicants may have similar metrics, but each student has different experiences to write about in a personal statement. Students should commit to their experiences and own them rather than err too far on the side of safety, something Radunich says is a common pitfall.

• "Students also make a mistake when they play it safe and write personal statements that have been played out. For example, medical students tend to cite experiencing illnesses, watching family members struggle with their health or wanting to help people as the reason why they want to become a doctor. Admissions deans have to read thousands of these. Make it personal and offbeat. Give them something new to read."

Applicants must take time to ensure their personal statements are tight and free of errors. Radunich stresses the importance of proofreading. "Do not even bother sending in an application with a personal statement that has spelling mistakes or grammatical errors. This personal statement is a reflection of the quality of work you will submit for the program."

One of the hardest parts of writing a personal statement is getting started. These steps and strategies can help prospective graduate students push through the initial hesitation and get on their way to writing winning personal statements.

• Read the instructions. Some applications provide little in the way of guidance, asking prospective students to expand on why they want to apply to the program or supply information on their backgrounds and interests. Others, however, give specific guidelines on content, format, word count and submission method. It's crucial that applicants read and understand what is expected of their personal statements. It won't matter how beautifully crafted the statement is if it doesn't address the prompt or disregards stated length requirements.
• Self-reflect. Before sitting down to write, students should spend a good amount of time thinking about their strengths and what they want to convey to admissions committees. Radunich says it's essential for students to really dwell on what makes them special. "Take time to reflect on your personal brand. What qualities do you bring to a cohort of graduate students that this program doesn't know they need?" When students are confident in their positive qualities, it can make it easier to convince admissions officers the value they bring to any given graduate program.
• Talk to friends and family. Sometimes figuring out how to write about oneself or what elements to highlight can be tough. Radunich says that this is where friends and family can be extremely helpful. She recommends talking those who know you best. "Ask the people who have been with you throughout your journey to provide feedback on who you are and what they've observed. Use them to provide feedback on what you have to offer a graduate program. How would they describe you in five words? This is your ‘essence self' — what makes you stand apart from others."
• Be authentic. "We hear this all the time, but it's the best advice," says Radunich. "Admissions personnel can smell a phony. They know when you're using words outside of your vocabulary or when you're exaggerating what an experience meant to you. They read thousands of personal statements per year and also see which applicants show up as the people they said they were once they're admitted. Don't sell yourself to an admissions panel; present a polished yet real account of who you are and what you care about. This way, the right school will recognize what you bring to the table."
• Keep it relevant. The focus should remain on why the student is qualified and wants to apply to that particular program. Admissions personnel want to get familiar with their applicants, but they mostly want to make sure they choose students who value the program and have specific reasons for applying. For instance, a student may be drawn to a program because one or two faculty members conduct research that aligns with that student's interests. That is something worth mentioning in a statement. Anecdotes and stories bring a personal element, but it's also important to include practical, academic- and career-focused details, too.
• Get feedback from outside sources. It's helpful for students to ask other people to read their personal statements. As Radunich points out, this can help students see how their statements may be perceived by others, and another set of eyes can help a student determine whether or not the essay is engaging and well-organized. Friends, family members, teachers and writing center staff can all be great resources.
• Use specific examples. Grad school applicants should do their best to avoid using general statements or listing their experiences and qualifications. "Use specific examples and strong storytelling to pull the reader into your life and care about you by the end," suggests Radunich. "For example, if you're applying to medical school, give us one specific, personal story about something that happened while volunteering at the hospital that changed your worldview, challenged you and confirmed your goal of being a doctor."
• Address potential shortcomings. The personal statement is an excellent opportunity for a candidate whose metrics aren't top notch to stand out and plead his or her case. "If the student earned less-than-stellar grades during their undergraduate education," notes Radunich, "(the student) can provide some context in the personal statement." Students may not feel this is necessary or be comfortable with this, but it is an option. Applicants should be cautious about how they address any weak points; explanations should not sound like excuses but should be framed in a way that demonstrates perseverance, improvement or the learning that followed those challenges.
• Use space efficiently. Personal statements are generally pretty short, often ranging between 500 and 1,000 words. This means that filler words and phrases, such as "the truth is," or "it's my personal belief that," take up valuable space that could be used to compel admissions into requesting an interview. It's important to convey a clear image in a few paragraphs, so be both concise and precise. In statements allowing longer word counts, keep in mind that more isn't always better. Admissions committees read thousands of personal essays each year, and longer ones may be at greater risk of being skimmed through rather than thoroughly read.
• Draft, edit, repeat. Depending on the program, a student's personal statement can carry considerable weight. It shouldn't be thrown together at the last minute. Allowing for adequate time to write multiple drafts, edit and thoroughly proofread is a must. Have other people proofread and check for grammar before sending in the application; they may catch errors that were glossed over in earlier drafts.

Writing a personal statement can be intimidating, which may make it difficult for applicants to get started. Having enough time to ruminate and write is also valuable and can give students the opportunity to choose a strong point of view rather than feel pushed to write about the first thing that comes to mind. Radunich emphasizes that students who aren't sure what to write about or how to approach writing about themselves should do some considerable brainstorming and get input from those who know them well. Students are often self-critical, especially in high-stakes situations, and they may not realize the positive qualities they may have that stand out to others.

Radunich also offers tips for getting in the mindset of admissions personnel: "They're reading the personal statement and gauging the candidate's fitness for the program. Can this person deal with stress and persevere? Does he/she have grit? Has this person overcome adversity, and does that give us confidence that they can handle the three demanding years of law school? Can this person handle receiving feedback, or will he/she drop out after the slightest bit of challenge or criticism? Can this student tolerate differing viewpoints and be open to growth?" Considering these questions can help guide students through the writing process.

It may also help students to look at example personal statements and see how these key considerations play out in an actual essay. Take a look at this example personal statement from a prospective grad student.

As I approached the convention hall, I wondered if I had gotten the room number wrong. I couldn't hear any signs of life, and I was losing my nerve to open the door and risk embarrassing myself. As I imagined a security guard striding up and chiding me for being somewhere I shouldn't be, a hand reached past me and pushed the door open, jolting me back to the real world. I peeked in. More hands. Hundreds of them. Hands were flying, waving, articulating, dancing . I was at once taken by awe and fear.

You can do this.

I had never planned on taking American Sign Language, and I certainly hadn't planned on it taking my heart. In my first term of college, I signed up for German, a language I had loved the sound of since I was a child. A week before classes began, however, the course section was cut. In my frustration, I decided I would take the first available language class in the course register. In hindsight, that probably wasn't the smartest approach, but it was a decision that completely altered my supposedly set-in-stone plan of becoming a linguist. The complexities of nonverbal language floored me, and I found myself thinking about hand signs while writing essays on Saussure's linguistic signs. I rearranged my schedule so I could take improv classes to help with my facial and body expressions. Theater! That was completely out of character, but I suddenly found myself compelled toward anything that would help immerse me in ASL and deaf culture.

Except actually getting involved in the community.

I knew going to my first deaf convention would be intimidating. My hands shake when I'm anxious, and nothing brings on nerves quite like throwing yourself into a situation where you are a total outsider. Between my limited vocabulary, quaking fingers and fear-frozen face, would anyone be able to understand me? What was I doing here? I had been studying American Sign Language for nearly three years and had somehow managed to avoid spontaneous conversation with the deaf community, and I was terrified. Workbook exercises and casual conversations with classmates — who had roughly the same ASL vocabulary and relied on the same linguistic crutches as I did — had become increasingly comfortable, but immersing myself in deaf culture and community was something entirely different. I was afraid. However, American Sign Language and deaf studies had captured my heart, and I knew this fear was a huge barrier I needed to get past in order to continue working toward my goal of becoming an advocate and deaf studies educator.

It must have been pretty obvious that I was both hearing and petrified, because I was immediately greeted by someone who, very formally and slowly, asked if I was a student and offered to accompany me. This small gesture is representative of how I became so fond of deaf culture in such a short period of time. The hearing community tends toward posturing, indirect communication and a sometimes isolating emphasis on individualism, and my limited experiences within the deaf community have been the opposite. The straightforward communication that exists in a beautifully nuanced and perspicacious language and the welcoming enthusiasm to grow the community is something I intend to be part of. I am an outsider, and I have much to learn, but I want to do everything I can to encourage understanding and exchange between the deaf and hearing communities and make hearing spaces more inclusive, especially for those who have more experience as outsiders than I do.

My devotion to language and learning about culture through communication hasn't changed, but the path by which I want to pursue that passion has. My foray into deaf studies and American Sign Language may have started as an accident, but no matter how nervous I still get when my fingers fumble or I have to spell something out, I am humbled and grateful that this accident led me to a calling that could have remained unheard my whole life.

Brainstorming is an important step in writing a convincing personal essay, and Coggle may be just the tool to help. Coggle is a mind-mapping app that helps users organize their thoughts in visual, nonlinear ways. Users can easily share with collaborators, such as writing coaches, advisers or friends.

Inspiration may strike at any time. Students can make sure they're prepared to jot down any personal statement ideas, gather inspiration and organize their thoughts with Evernote , a popular note-taking app.

Writing personal statements requires distraction-free writing time. However, most students do their writing on their most distracting devices. FocusWriter is a simple tool that helps mitigate the distraction problem by hiding computer interfaces and substituting a clean, clear digital writing environment.

This web browser add-on makes checking grammar quick and easy. Grammarly scans users' text and provides context-specific suggestions and corrections. Detailed explanations of each suggestion help users improve their writing over time.

This subject-specific book is a guide to writing personal statements for graduate school. It includes tons of tips and examples to help students write their application essays.

Microsoft's OneNote app is one of the most popular among those who like to use outlines to gather and organize their thoughts, but its many features make it a great prewriting tool for writers of all organizational preferences.

Mindomo can help grad school candidates brainstorm and pinpoint key elements to include in their personal statements. The app's mind maps, concept maps and outlines help users easily visualize and organize their ideas.

Students who are looking for an advanced editing tool to help them power through their grad school applications might want to look into ProWritingAid , a comprehensive application that helps with basic and advanced editing and addresses issues in style, word choice and structure.

The academic writing standby, Purdue OWL , weighs in on the 10 essential dos and don'ts of personal statement writing.

The UNR Writing Center offers this extensive, alphabetized list of tips on writing, from academic voice to writing introductions, to help with the writing process. Students should also consider consulting their own undergraduate schools' campus writing centers for help as well.

UNC provides specific guidance for students writing personal statements and other significant academic essays. The guidance on this page is not exclusive to UNC, so students from many different schools may find these tips helpful.

Penn State's College of Earth and Mineral Sciences provides this online manual to help students understand and successfully write personal statements and other graduate admissions and scholarship essays. The easy-to-navigate chapters provide many examples and tips to meet a range of criteria.

How to Write a Personal Statement for Grad School [2024 Guide]

Knowing how to write a personal statement for grad school can help you strengthen your applications.

A personal statement is a one- to two-page narrative that discusses your academic and professional goals and explains why you want to earn a graduate degree.

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An admissions committee uses this document to get to know you and evaluate whether you’re a good fit for their program. This guide covers practical tips on how to write a grad school personal statement.

How to Write a Personal Statement for Grad School

A personal statement allows you to promote yourself to admissions committees, so it’s an essential part of your application packet.

This short narrative should explain your motivation for attending graduate school and highlight relevant experiences that have prepared you for advanced studies.

The content of a personal statement can vary based on your goals, the specific program you’re applying to, and other factors. But, effective personal statements contain these elements:

• Compelling introduction . You can begin your personal statement with an engaging hook related to your area of study. For example, you could explain how a childhood experience inspired your interest in the field.
• Qualifications . You can spotlight relevant experiences that have helped you prepare for graduate school. You might mention internships, extracurricular activities, and research projects.
• Career goals . It’s beneficial to outline your professional goals and explain how the program would help you reach them. For instance, if you want to become a college professor, you could discuss how the program’s emphasis on teaching will prepare you for your career.
• Explanation of fit . You can demonstrate that you’re an excellent fit for the program by providing specific examples of ways you plan to contribute. You could mention graduate organizations you want to join, grants you’d apply for, and specific faculty you’d be interested in working with.
• Discussion of hardships (if applicable) . Some applicants have faced challenges that affected their academic performance. For instance, a death in the family or a disability may have caused you to have a lower GPA during your sophomore year. You can address these issues in your personal statement and explain how overcoming obstacles has helped you develop as a scholar.

It’s also beneficial to ask a trusted faculty member to give you feedback on your personal statement before you submit it.

Questions to Ask Yourself When Writing a Personal Statement for Grad School

Many applicants wonder how to start a personal statement for grad school and what to include. You can brainstorm ideas by asking yourself these questions:

• Why are you interested in earning a graduate degree in this field?
• What are your academic and personal strengths?
• What personal traits, qualifications, and past experiences make you stand out from other applicants?
• What are your career goals for the next five to ten years? How can a graduate degree from this program help you achieve them?
• Which research interests do you want to explore, and how can this program expand your knowledge of these areas?
• What excites you about this specific program?
• How would you contribute to this program if you got accepted?
• Which faculty members have research interests that align with your goals?
• Have you overcome any challenges or hardships that you want to address in your statement?

You can also ask current graduate students to share their personal statements with you for inspiration.

What Is a Personal Statement for Grad School?

A personal statement for grad school is an essay that demonstrates why you’re a suitable fit for a program. A strong personal statement creates a compelling narrative that addresses these three areas:

• How your past experiences (internships, coursework, research projects, etc.) have prepared you for graduate school
• How you plan to impact the graduate program positively
• How the program will help you achieve your future goals

A personal statement for masters program or PhD program applications also allows you to showcase your personality and strengths. Admissions committees may favor passionate applicants with positive traits, such as leadership and resilience.

How Long Should a Personal Statement Be for Grad School?

Typically, most personal statements for graduate school consist of 1 to 2 double-spaced pages. But the ideal length for a personal statement varies by program and discipline.

Many graduate programs provide specific guidelines for the personal statement in their application instructions. For example, some programs may ask for a 500 to 750 word personal statement, while others allow up to 3 pages. It’s strategic to read the instructions thoroughly before you start writing your statement.

If a program doesn’t specify the length, you can ask a faculty member or mentor in your field for guidance.

When you start checking with admissions about the number of letters of recommendation required for grad school , it’s advisable to also ask about the quantity of personal statements needed. While most graduate programs require one, some may request more.

What’s the Difference Between a Statement of Purpose vs. Personal Statement?

Some graduate programs ask for a statement of purpose, while others require a personal statement. These documents include similar content, but they have a few key differences.

Both documents allow admissions committees to gain insights into an applicant’s personality and motivations.

Writing a Graduate School Personal Statement

Understanding how to write a personal statement for graduate school is one of the first steps to creating a compelling application. This document lets you showcase your passions, strengths, and skills to the admissions committee.

A strong personal statement could give you a leg up by helping you stand out in a competitive applicant pool. It could also demonstrate your fit for the program, making it easier for the admissions committee to picture you as one of their students.

If you’re ready to expand your expertise in graduate school, you can take the next step by researching online and in-person programs from accredited schools. You will come across graduate schools that have low GPA score requirements or place significant emphasis on alternative admissions criteria. It might also be a good time to start checking if financial aid for graduate school is available.

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Writing Your Personal Statements

Your personal statement must demonstrate to the admissions committee that you have considered graduate school and their specific program seriously. It’s your opportunity to summarize your academic and research experiences. You must also communicate how your experiences are relevant to preparing you for the graduate degree that you will be pursuing and explain why a given program is the right one for you.

The personal statement is where you highlight your strengths. Make your strengths absolutely clear to the reviewers, because they will often be reading many other statements. Your self-assessments and honest conversations with peers and advisors should have also revealed your strengths. But you must also address (not blame others for) weaknesses or unusual aspects of your application or academic background.

Your personal statement should focus on two main aspects: your competence and commitment.

1. Identify your strengths in terms of competence that indicate that you will succeed in the grad program and provide examples to support your claims. Start your statement by describing your strengths immediately. Because faculty will be reading many statements, it’s important to start off with your strengths and not “bury your lede.” Consider traits of successful graduate students from your informational interviews, and identify which of these traits you have. These traits could involve research skills and experiences, expertise in working with techniques or instruments, familiarity with professional networks and resources in your field, etc.

• Check your responses from the exercises in the self-assessment section. You may wish to consult notes from your informational interviews and your Seven Stories . Write concise summaries and stories that demonstrate your strengths, e.g. how your strengths helped you to achieve certain goals or overcome obstacles.
• Summarize your research experience(s). What were the main project goals and the “big picture” questions? What was your role in this project? What did you accomplish? What did you learn, and how did you grow as a result of the experience(s)?

My research examines the interplay between U.S. domestic politics and foreign policy during the Cold War. As a native New Yorker, I saw firsthand how dramatically my city changed after 9/11, which prompted my early interest in U.S. policy at home and abroad. As an undergraduate at the City College of New York, I planned to study international relations with a focus on U.S. foreign affairs. I also quickly became involved in student activist groups that focused on raising awareness about a wide range of human rights issues, from the Syrian refugee crisis to asylum seekers from Central America.

The more I learned about the crises in the present, the more I realized that I needed a deeper understanding of the past to fully grasp them. I decided to pursue a PhD in history in order to gain a clearer understanding of human rights issues in the present and to empower young student-activists like myself.

— Vannessa Velez, PhD candidate in History

Addressing weaknesses or unusual aspects

• Identify weaknesses or unusual aspects in your application—e.g., a significant drop in your GPA during a term; weak GRE scores; changes in your academic trajectory, etc. Don’t ignore them, because ignoring them might be interpreted as blind spots for you. If you’re unsure if a particular issue is significant enough to address, seek advice from faculty mentors.
• Explain how you’ll improve and strengthen those areas or work around your weakness. Determine how you will address them in a positive light, e.g., by discussing how you overcame obstacles through persistence, what you learned from challenges, and how you grew from failures. Focusing on a growth mindset  or grit  and this blog on weaknesses might also help.
• Deal with any significant unusual aspects later in the statement to allow a positive impression to develop first.
• Explain, rather than provide excuses—i.e., address the issue directly and don’t blame others (even if you believe someone else is responsible). Draft it and get feedback from others to see if the explanation is working as you want it to.
• Provide supporting empirical evidence if possible. For example, “Adjusting to college was a major step for me, coming from a small high school and as a first-generation college student. My freshman GPA was not up to par with my typical achievements, as demonstrated by my improved  GPA of 3.8 during my second and third years in college."
• Be concise (don’t dwell on the issues), but also be complete (don’t lead to other potentially unanswered questions). For example, if a drop in grades during a term was due to a health issue, explain whether the health issue is recurring, managed now with medication, resolved, etc.

2. Explain your commitment to research and their graduate program, including your motivation for why you are applying to this graduate program at this university. Be as specific as possible. Identify several faculty members with whom you are interested in working, and explain why their research interests you.

• Descriptions of your commitment should explain why you’re passionate about this particular academic field and provide demonstrations of your commitment with stories (e.g., working long hours to solve a problem, overcoming challenges in research, resilience in pursuing problems). Don’t merely assert your commitment.
• Explain why you are applying to graduate school, as opposed to seeking a professional degree or a job. Discuss your interest and motivation for grad school, along with your future career aspirations.

I am definitely not your traditional graduate student. As a biracial (Native American and white), first-generation PhD student from a military family, I had very limited guidance on how best to pursue my education, especially when I decided that graduate school was a good idea. I ended up coming to this PhD in a very circuitous manner, stopping first to get a JD and, later, an MFA in Young Adult Literature. With each degree, I took time to work and apply what I’d learned, as a lawyer and as an educator. Each time, I realized that I was circling around questions that I couldn’t let go of—not just because I found them to be fascinating, but because I did (and still do!) feel that my research could help to bridge a gap that desperately needs bridging. Because my work is quite interdisciplinary, I strongly feel that I wouldn’t have been able to pursue this line of research without the degrees and life experience I gained before coming to this program.

— Jamie Fine, PhD candidate in Modern Thought and Literature

Statement of Purpose: subtle aspects

• Think in terms of engaging faculty in a conversation rather than pleading with them that you should be admitted. Ask reviewers to read drafts with this concern in mind.
• With later drafts, try developing an overall narrative theme. See if one emerges as you work.
• Write at least 10 drafts and expect your thinking and the essay to change quite a bit over time.
• Read drafts out loud to help you catch errors.
• Expect the "you' that emerges in your essay to be incomplete. . . that’s OK.
• You’re sharing a professional/scholarly slice of "you."
• Avoid humor (do you really know what senior academics find funny?) and flashy openings and closings. Think of pitching the essay to an educated person in the field, but not necessarily in your specialty. Avoid emotionally laden words (such as "love" or "passion"). Remember, your audience is a group of professors! Overly emotional appeals might make them uncomfortable. They are looking for scholarly colleagues.

© Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305

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Gre prep online guides and tips, 3 successful graduate school personal statement examples.

Looking for grad school personal statement examples? Look no further! In this total guide to graduate school personal statement examples, we’ll discuss why you need a personal statement for grad school and what makes a good one. Then we’ll provide three graduate school personal statement samples from our grad school experts. After that, we’ll do a deep dive on one of our personal statement for graduate school examples. Finally, we’ll wrap up with a list of other grad school personal statements you can find online.

Why Do You Need a Personal Statement?

A personal statement is a chance for admissions committees to get to know you: your goals and passions, what you’ll bring to the program, and what you’re hoping to get out of the program.  You need to sell the admissions committee on what makes you a worthwhile applicant. The personal statement is a good chance to highlight significant things about you that don’t appear elsewhere on your application.

A personal statement is slightly different from a statement of purpose (also known as a letter of intent). A statement of purpose/letter of intent tends to be more tightly focused on your academic or professional credentials and your future research and/or professional interests.

While a personal statement also addresses your academic experiences and goals, you have more leeway to be a little more, well, personal. In a personal statement, it’s often appropriate to include information on significant life experiences or challenges that aren’t necessarily directly relevant to your field of interest.

Some programs ask for both a personal statement and a statement of purpose/letter of intent. In this case, the personal statement is likely to be much more tightly focused on your life experience and personality assets while the statement of purpose will focus in much more on your academic/research experiences and goals.

However, there’s not always a hard-and-fast demarcation between a personal statement and a statement of purpose. The two statement types should address a lot of the same themes, especially as relates to your future goals and the valuable assets you bring to the program. Some programs will ask for a personal statement but the prompt will be focused primarily on your research and professional experiences and interests. Some will ask for a statement of purpose but the prompt will be more focused on your general life experiences.

When in doubt, give the program what they are asking for in the prompt and don’t get too hung up on whether they call it a personal statement or statement of purpose. You can always call the admissions office to get more clarification on what they want you to address in your admissions essay.

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What Makes a Good Grad School Personal Statement?

A great graduate school personal statement can come in many forms and styles. However, strong grad school personal statement examples all share the same following elements:

A Clear Narrative

Above all, a good personal statement communicates clear messages about what makes you a strong applicant who is likely to have success in graduate school. So to that extent, think about a couple of key points that you want to communicate about yourself and then drill down on how you can best communicate those points. (Your key points should of course be related to what you can bring to the field and to the program specifically).

You can also decide whether to address things like setbacks or gaps in your application as part of your narrative. Have a low GPA for a couple semesters due to a health issue? Been out of a job for a while taking care of a family member? If you do decide to explain an issue like this, make sure that the overall arc is more about demonstrating positive qualities like resilience and diligence than about providing excuses.

Specific Examples

A great statement of purpose uses specific examples to illustrate its key messages. This can include anecdotes that demonstrate particular traits or even references to scholars and works that have influenced your academic trajectory to show that you are familiar and insightful about the relevant literature in your field.

Just saying “I love plants,” is pretty vague. Describing how you worked in a plant lab during undergrad and then went home and carefully cultivated your own greenhouse where you cross-bred new flower colors by hand is much more specific and vivid, which makes for better evidence.

A strong personal statement will describe why you are a good fit for the program, and why the program is a good fit for you. It’s important to identify specific things about the program that appeal to you, and how you’ll take advantage of those opportunities. It’s also a good idea to talk about specific professors you might be interested in working with. This shows that you are informed about and genuinely invested in the program.

Strong Writing

Even quantitative and science disciplines typically require some writing, so it’s important that your personal statement shows strong writing skills. Make sure that you are communicating clearly and that you don’t have any grammar and spelling errors. It’s helpful to get other people to read your statement and provide feedback. Plan on going through multiple drafts.

Another important thing here is to avoid cliches and gimmicks. Don’t deploy overused phrases and openings like “ever since I was a child.” Don’t structure your statement in a gimmicky way (i.e., writing a faux legal brief about yourself for a law school statement of purpose). The first will make your writing banal; the second is likely to make you stand out in a bad way.

Appropriate Boundaries

While you can be more personal in a personal statement than in a statement of purpose, it’s important to maintain appropriate boundaries in your writing. Don’t overshare anything too personal about relationships, bodily functions, or illegal activities. Similarly, don’t share anything that makes it seem like you may be out of control, unstable, or an otherwise risky investment. The personal statement is not a confessional booth. If you share inappropriately, you may seem like you have bad judgment, which is a huge red flag to admissions committees.

You should also be careful with how you deploy humor and jokes. Your statement doesn’t have to be totally joyless and serious, but bear in mind that the person reading the statement may not have the same sense of humor as you do. When in doubt, err towards the side of being as inoffensive as possible.

Just as being too intimate in your statement can hurt you, it’s also important not to be overly formal or staid. You should be professional, but conversational.

Graduate School Personal Statement Examples

Our graduate school experts have been kind enough to provide some successful grad school personal statement examples. We’ll provide three examples here, along with brief analysis of what makes each one successful.

Sample Personal Statement for Graduate School 1

PDF of Sample Personal Statement 1 – Japanese Studies

For this Japanese Studies master’s degree, the applicant had to provide a statement of purpose outlining her academic goals and experience with Japanese and a separate personal statement describing her personal relationship with Japanese Studies and what led her to pursue a master’s degree.

Here’s what’s successful about this personal statement:

• An attention-grabbing beginning: The applicant begins with the statement that Japanese has never come easily to her and that it’s a brutal language to learn. Seeing as how this is an application for a Japanese Studies program, this is an intriguing beginning that makes the reader want to keep going.
• A compelling narrative: From this attention-grabbing beginning, the applicant builds a well-structured and dramatic narrative tracking her engagement with the Japanese language over time. The clear turning point is her experience studying abroad, leading to a resolution in which she has clarity about her plans. Seeing as how the applicant wants to be a translator of Japanese literature, the tight narrative structure here is a great way to show her writing skills.
• Specific examples that show important traits: The applicant clearly communicates both a deep passion for Japanese through examples of her continued engagement with Japanese and her determination and work ethic by highlighting the challenges she’s faced (and overcome) in her study of the language. This gives the impression that she is an engaged and dedicated student.

Overall, this is a very strong statement both in terms of style and content. It flows well, is memorable, and communicates that the applicant would make the most of the graduate school experience.

Sample Personal Statement for Graduate School 2

PDF of Sample Graduate School Personal Statement 2 – Musical Composition

This personal statement for a Music Composition master’s degree discusses the factors that motivate the applicant to pursue graduate study.

Here’s what works well in this statement:

• The applicant provides two clear reasons motivating the student to pursue graduate study: her experiences with music growing up, and her family’s musical history. She then supports those two reasons with examples and analysis.
• The description of her ancestors’ engagement with music is very compelling and memorable. The applicant paints her own involvement with music as almost inevitable based on her family’s long history with musical pursuits.
• The applicant gives thoughtful analysis of the advantages she has been afforded that have allowed her to study music so extensively. We get the sense that she is insightful and empathetic—qualities that would add greatly to any academic community.

This is a strong, serviceable personal statement. And in truth, given that this for a masters in music composition, other elements of the application (like work samples) are probably the most important.  However, here are two small changes I would make to improve it:

• I would probably to split the massive second paragraph into 2-3 separate paragraphs. I might use one paragraph to orient the reader to the family’s musical history, one paragraph to discuss Giacomo and Antonio, and one paragraph to discuss how the family has influenced the applicant. As it stands, it’s a little unwieldy and the second paragraph doesn’t have a super-clear focus even though it’s all loosely related to the applicant’s family history with music.
• I would also slightly shorten the anecdote about the applicant’s ancestors and expand more on how this family history has motivated the applicant’s interest in music. In what specific ways has her ancestors’ perseverance inspired her? Did she think about them during hard practice sessions? Is she interested in composing music in a style they might have played? More specific examples here would lend greater depth and clarity to the statement.

Sample Personal Statement for Graduate School 3

PDF of Sample Graduate School Personal Statement 3 – Public Health

This is my successful personal statement for Columbia’s Master’s program in Public Health. We’ll do a deep dive on this statement paragraph-by-paragraph in the next section, but I’ll highlight a couple of things that work in this statement here:

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• This statement is clearly organized. Almost every paragraph has a distinct focus and message, and when I move on to a new idea, I move on to a new paragraph with a logical transitions.
• This statement covers a lot of ground in a pretty short space. I discuss my family history, my goals, my educational background, and my professional background. But because the paragraphs are organized and I use specific examples, it doesn’t feel too vague or scattered.
• In addition to including information about my personal motivations, like my family, I also include some analysis about tailoring health interventions with my example of the Zande. This is a good way to show off what kinds of insights I might bring to the program based on my academic background.

Grad School Personal Statement Example: Deep Dive

Now let’s do a deep dive, paragraph-by-paragraph, on one of these sample graduate school personal statements. We’ll use my personal statement that I used when I applied to Columbia’s public health program.

Paragraph One: For twenty-three years, my grandmother (a Veterinarian and an Epidemiologist) ran the Communicable Disease Department of a mid-sized urban public health department. The stories of Grandma Betty doggedly tracking down the named sexual partners of the infected are part of our family lore. Grandma Betty would persuade people to be tested for sexually transmitted diseases, encourage safer sexual practices, document the spread of infection and strive to contain and prevent it. Indeed, due to the large gay population in the city where she worked, Grandma Betty was at the forefront of the AIDS crises, and her analysis contributed greatly towards understanding how the disease was contracted and spread. My grandmother has always been a huge inspiration to me, and the reason why a career in public health was always on my radar.

This is an attention-grabbing opening anecdote that avoids most of the usual cliches about childhood dreams and proclivities. This story also subtly shows that I have a sense of public health history, given the significance of the AIDs crisis for public health as a field.

It’s good that I connect this family history to my own interests. However, if I were to revise this paragraph again, I might cut down on some of the detail because when it comes down to it, this story isn’t really about me. It’s important that even (sparingly used) anecdotes about other people ultimately reveal something about you in a personal statement.

Paragraph Two: Recent years have cemented that interest. In January 2012, my parents adopted my little brother Fred from China. Doctors in America subsequently diagnosed Fred with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). My parents were told that if Fred’s condition had been discovered in China, the (very poor) orphanage in which he spent the first 8+ years of his life would have recognized his DMD as a death sentence and denied him sustenance to hasten his demise.

Here’s another compelling anecdote to help explain my interest in public health. This is an appropriately personal detail for a personal statement—it’s a serious thing about my immediate family, but it doesn’t disclose anything that the admissions committee might find concerning or inappropriate.

If I were to take another pass through this paragraph, the main thing I would change is the last phrase. “Denied him sustenance to hasten his demise” is a little flowery. “Denied him food to hasten his death” is actually more powerful because it’s clearer and more direct.

Paragraph Three: It is not right that some people have access to the best doctors and treatment while others have no medical care. I want to pursue an MPH in Sociomedical Sciences at Columbia because studying social factors in health, with a particular focus on socio-health inequities, will prepare me to address these inequities. The interdisciplinary approach of the program appeals to me greatly as I believe interdisciplinary approaches are the most effective way to develop meaningful solutions to complex problems.

In this paragraph I make a neat and clear transition from discussing what sparked my interest in public health and health equity to what I am interested in about Columbia specifically: the interdisciplinary focus of the program, and how that focus will prepare me to solve complex health problems. This paragraph also serves as a good pivot point to start discussing my academic and professional background.

Paragraph Four: My undergraduate education has prepared me well for my chosen career. Understanding the underlying structure of a group’s culture is essential to successfully communicating with the group. In studying folklore and mythology, I’ve learned how to parse the unspoken structures of folk groups, and how those structures can be used to build bridges of understanding. For example, in a culture where most illnesses are believed to be caused by witchcraft, as is the case for the Zande people of central Africa, any successful health intervention or education program would of necessity take into account their very real belief in witchcraft.

In this paragraph, I link my undergraduate education and the skills I learned there to public health. The (very brief) analysis of tailoring health interventions to the Zande is a good way to show insight and show off the competencies I would bring to the program.

Paragraph Five: I now work in the healthcare industry for one of the largest providers of health benefits in the world. In addition to reigniting my passion for data and quantitative analytics, working for this company has immersed me in the business side of healthcare, a critical component of public health.

This brief paragraph highlights my relevant work experience in the healthcare industry. It also allows me to mention my work with data and quantitative analytics, which isn’t necessarily obvious from my academic background, which was primarily based in the social sciences.

Paragraph Six: I intend to pursue a PhD in order to become an expert in how social factors affect health, particularly as related to gender and sexuality. I intend to pursue a certificate in Sexuality, Sexual Health, and Reproduction. Working together with other experts to create effective interventions across cultures and societies, I want to help transform health landscapes both in America and abroad.

This final paragraph is about my future plans and intentions. Unfortunately, it’s a little disjointed, primarily because I discuss goals of pursuing a PhD before I talk about what certificate I want to pursue within the MPH program! Switching those two sentences and discussing my certificate goals within the MPH and then mentioning my PhD plans would make a lot more sense.

I also start two sentences in a row with “I intend,” which is repetitive.

The final sentence is a little bit generic; I might tailor it to specifically discuss a gender and sexual health issue, since that is the primary area of interest I’ve identified.

This was a successful personal statement; I got into (and attended!) the program. It has strong examples, clear organization, and outlines what interests me about the program (its interdisciplinary focus) and what competencies I would bring (a background in cultural analysis and experience with the business side of healthcare). However, a few slight tweaks would elevate this statement to the next level.

Graduate School Personal Statement Examples You Can Find Online

So you need more samples for your personal statement for graduate school? Examples are everywhere on the internet, but they aren’t all of equal quality.

Most of examples are posted as part of writing guides published online by educational institutions. We’ve rounded up some of the best ones here if you are looking for more personal statement examples for graduate school.

Penn State Personal Statement Examples for Graduate School

This selection of ten short personal statements for graduate school and fellowship programs offers an interesting mix of approaches. Some focus more on personal adversity while others focus more closely on professional work within the field.

The writing in some of these statements is a little dry, and most deploy at least a few cliches. However, these are generally strong, serviceable statements that communicate clearly why the student is interested in the field, their skills and competencies, and what about the specific program appeals to them.

Cal State Sample Graduate School Personal Statements

These are good examples of personal statements for graduate school where students deploy lots of very vivid imagery and illustrative anecdotes of life experiences. There are also helpful comments about what works in each of these essays.

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However, all of these statements are definitely pushing the boundaries of acceptable length, as all are above 1000 and one is almost 1500 words! Many programs limit you to 500 words; if you don’t have a limit, you should try to keep it to two single-spaced pages at most (which is about 1000 words).

University of Chicago Personal Statement for Graduate School Examples

These examples of successful essays to the University of Chicago law school cover a wide range of life experiences and topics. The writing in all is very vivid, and all communicate clear messages about the students’ strengths and competencies.

Note, however, that these are all essays that specifically worked for University of Chicago law school. That does not mean that they would work everywhere. In fact, one major thing to note is that many of these responses, while well-written and vivid, barely address the students’ interest in law school at all! This is something that might not work well for most graduate programs.

Wheaton College Personal Statement for Graduate School Sample 10

This successful essay for law school from a Wheaton College undergraduate does a great job tracking the student’s interest in the law in a compelling and personal way. Wheaton offers other graduate school personal statement examples, but this one offers the most persuasive case for the students’ competencies. The student accomplishes this by using clear, well-elaborated examples, showing strong and vivid writing, and highlighting positive qualities like an interest in justice and empathy without seeming grandiose or out of touch.

Wheaton College Personal Statement for Graduate School Sample 1

Based on the background information provided at the bottom of the essay, this essay was apparently successful for this applicant. However, I’ve actually included this essay because it demonstrates an extremely risky approach. While this personal statement is strikingly written and the story is very memorable, it could definitely communicate the wrong message to some admissions committees. The student’s decision not to report the drill sergeant may read incredibly poorly to some admissions committees. They may wonder if the student’s failure to report the sergeant’s violence will ultimately expose more soldiers-in-training to the same kinds of abuses. This incident perhaps reads especially poorly in light of the fact that the military has such a notable problem with violence against women being covered up and otherwise mishandled

It’s actually hard to get a complete picture of the student’s true motivations from this essay, and what we have might raise real questions about the student’s character to some admissions committees. This student took a risk and it paid off, but it could have just as easily backfired spectacularly.

Key Takeaways: Graduate School Personal Statement Examples

In this guide, we discussed why you need a personal statement and how it differs from a statement of purpose. (It’s more personal!)

We also discussed what you’ll find in a strong sample personal statement for graduate school:

• A clear narrative about the applicant and why they are qualified for graduate study.
• Specific examples to support that narrative.
• Compelling reasons why the applicant and the program are a good fit for each other.
• Strong writing, including clear organization and error-free, cliche-free language.
• Appropriate boundaries—sharing without over-sharing.

Then, we provided three strong graduate school personal statement examples for different fields, along with analysis. We did a deep-dive on the third statement.

Finally, we provided a list of other sample grad school personal statements online.

What’s Next?

Want more advice on writing a personal statement ? See our guide.

Writing a graduate school statement of purpose? See our statement of purpose samples  and a nine-step process for writing the best statement of purpose possible .

If you’re writing a graduate school CV or resume, see our how-to guide to writing a CV , a how-to guide to writing a resume , our list of sample resumes and CVs , resume and CV templates , and a special guide for writing resume objectives .

Need stellar graduate school recommendation letters ? See our guide.

See our 29 tips for successfully applying to graduate school .

Ready to improve your GRE score by 7 points?

Author: Ellen McCammon

Ellen is a public health graduate student and education expert. She has extensive experience mentoring students of all ages to reach their goals and in-depth knowledge on a variety of health topics. View all posts by Ellen McCammon

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How to Write a Graduate School Personal Statement (with example!)

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Congratulations on finishing your bachelor’s degree, and starting the next chapter! You might be thinking about applying to graduate school, and fortunately, it’s very similar to applying to an undergraduate program. However, it’s probably been a few years since you’ve had to write an application essay, so you might be wondering how to write a personal statement for graduate school. If so, this guide is the perfect resource for you! Keep reading below to find out more, and don’t forget to check out the example of a graduate school personal statement.

What is a personal statement?

A personal statement is an essay that encapsulates your personal journey and how that’s shaped who you are as an applicant. They are typically 400-600 words, but can be longer or shorter. 

Be sure not to confuse a personal statement with a statement of purpose as they are two different types of admissions essays. Use this as an opportunity to show colleges what you value and what’s turned you into an ideal student for your desired school. 

What should I write about?

Personal statements are your chance to get, well, personal. While you should answer the prompt in its entirety, you should also write about yourself. Bring a personal element into your essay like family or a story of you overcoming an obstacle. 

Ideally, your story should relate to what you’re trying to accomplish at your graduate school of choice. Tie it all together: your personal experiences, your desired major, and your ideal outcome. 

Tips for writing a personal statement for graduate school

It’s important to start your graduate application as soon as you’re able. Usually, the first round of applications receive the best financial aid packages, so start early! 

Starting sooner can also give you the time to outline your essay and get it read over by your support system. You’ll want it all to be perfect, so don’t rush.

Be transparent

Instead of telling admissions what you think they want to hear, be open and honest about yourself. You want them to understand you, and the only way to do that is to show who you actually are. Offer up personal stories or things that genuinely interest you so that you can show off your sparkling personality!

Be original

Graduate programs are often very competitive since there’s a smaller admissions pool. As a result, your essay should be as original as possible to stand out from the crowd. Tell your story in an organic way, and approach the given prompt with an open mind. 

Related : How to write an essay about yourself

Check your work

It’s extremely important for you to proofread and check for correct spelling and grammar throughout your personal statement. Even simply reading your statement out loud can help you catch any errors and make sure your words flow together. You should also consider having mentors or people within your support system read over your essay to ensure your message is clear.

Common mistakes when writing a graduate school personal statement

Reusing your undergraduate essay .

Reusing your first supplemental essay as a template is a big mistake you want to avoid. Years have passed since then, and you’ve learned new skills and grown as a person and a student. 

The experiences you previously wrote might not resonate with who you are today or tell the graduate team what they want to know about you. It may also have grammatical errors that you might not have noticed before, so take a little extra time to start from scratch and create something new.

Repeating what’s in your resume

It’s likely that your graduate school of choice will require you to upload a copy of your resume as part of your application. Therefore, the admissions committee will already know your professional background, so tell them something else about yourself or provide further depth to a job experience. Repeating yourself only tells them one thing, and you want to be the most well-rounded applicant that you can be.

Graduate school personal statement example

Prompt: Please discuss how your experiences, both personal and professional, have led you to pursue a graduate business degree at this time. What are your short- and long- term goals and how will this program and the J. Mack Robinson College of Business help you achieve these goals? (750 words max)

While many of the applications you receive will detail the many ways that person has been the first to do something, I pose a different perspective: hope to be the last. In other words, you might see me as a first-generation college student, but I see the makings of becoming the last generation to worry about generational wealth in my family. 

Though it is true that I would be the first in my family to get my master’s degree, I’m hoping that my future success means I’ll be the last “first.” It’s not lost on me what this title means, but most of all, it signifies the dawn of an era. A dynasty bred from the struggles and achievements of those before it.

These are big shoes to fill, but I’ve never been afraid of a challenge and the things I’ve learned have helped me secure my future. For example, by observing different business models throughout the years, I found a secret about marketing: people love a product that loves them back. In my case, a product that’s always loved me back were books. I’d fallen in love with bookshelves and bookstores alike, so it only makes sense that a culmination of my love of marketing and books is the goal of one day working in book publishing. I want to know the inner workings of book promotion including design decisions and book tours. Eventually, I plan on working at one of the big publishers such as Penguin Random House, Harper Collins, or Macmillan.

Fortunately, I’ve been given opportunities to decide on my own path, which I hope to execute at Georgia State University. This school’s unique curriculum will be an asset to me since there are classes that specifically cater to buyer behavior, and that’s an area of study I’m particularly interested in. The Social Media Intelligence Lab and social media marketing class will hopefully give me an inside look into influencer marketing and its impact on product profitability. According to your mission statement, GSU educates future leaders, and I want to be a part of that.

As a mentor of mine once said, knowledge is meant to be shared, and if it isn’t, it’s control. I hope to build up the people around me with knowledge and experiences as I go out into the professional world just as I hope this program will do for me. If I’m accepted into this program, I plan on using my creativity and drive for not only my success, but for my family’s as well. There may be times I fall short of a goal, but failure isn’t an option. Each benchmark professors put in front of me will be conquered, and one day, I’ll be one of your notable alumni. 

Why this essay works:

• The writer clearly researched the school and understands its values
• The prompt is answered completely and seamlessly
• The applicant knew their goals and thought of ways to achieve them at the college 
• This statement communicates not only what the college gains from this applicant’s admission, but also what the applicant gains
• It’s also well within the word limit

Frequently asked questions about how to write a graduate school personal statement

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Articles & Advice > Graduate School > Articles

Advice for Writing Your Grad School Personal Statement

The graduate personal statement isn't just another essay. Here's what to keep in mind as you're writing this important part of your grad school application.

by Kim Lifton President, Writing Workshop

Last Updated: Mar 16, 2023

Originally Posted: Apr 1, 2020

Applying to law school? Med school? PA school? Business school? No matter what type of graduate program you choose, you’ll likely need to write a personal statement (or multiple essays) to get in.

Why? Personal statements help admission committees get to know the person behind each grad school application. They also give applicants an opportunity to express their reasons for applying to a particular graduate program. For many candidates, this task can be intimidating. To make it a little less so, here’s some advice to get you through this big task.

What makes a good personal statement?

There is no rubric for a good personal statement for grad school, but the ones that stand out all share a few common features. Regardless of the prompt, they:

• Answer the question;
• Showcase a positive trait or characteristic;
• Sound like a graduate-level student;
• Illustrate something meaningful about the applicant;
• Explain why the applicant wants to be part of this particular school and program; and
• Demonstrate reflection.

There’s a lot of competition for limited spots in graduate-level programs at the most selective schools in the United States, and personal statement can indeed make a difference. It won’t rescue lousy transcripts or mediocre test scores, but the personal statement can help set an applicant apart from the crowd.

Writing the essay may not be the easiest task for everyone, but it certainly doesn’t need to be daunting. Look at it like an elevator pitch that can help get you to the next phase of the admission process.

“Approach your personal statement as a five-minute conversation with a normal human being at the end of which you hope the normal human being is thinking, ‘This person would be well suited to be at XYZ Law School when fall comes,’” suggests Sarah Zearfoss, Senior Assistant Dean for Admission, Financial Aid, and Career Planning at the University of Michigan Law School.

Related: Engaging Ways to Open Your Personal Statement

Develop a plan for your personal statement

The graduate admission committee wants to get a glimpse of who you are beyond the basics. You can give them what they want by developing a plan before you start writing. At Wow Writing Workshop, we’ve been working with undergraduate and graduate applicants on their college essays and grad school personal statements for more than a decade. During this time, we’ve found that applicants who plan out which characteristics and experiences are most important to share do a much better job writing their essays—so don’t just dive in with no plan.

How to get started on your personal statement

Start the process by making a list answering these three questions:

• Who are you?
• What are your best traits and characteristics?
• How are these traits and your experiences relevant to the program you’re applying to?

Next, look at the prompt. Let’s use this prompt for Harvard Business Schoo l’s MBA program as an example: “As we review your application, what more would you like us to know as we consider your candidacy for the Harvard Business School MBA program?”

To answer this prompt, ask yourself:

• What do I want Harvard to know about me beyond my test scores, undergraduate transcript, and résumé ? Think about traits and characteristics, not just experiences and accomplishments.
• How are my traits and experiences relevant to this specific MBA program?
• Why am I a good fit for this program?

I recently worked with an applicant who responded to this prompt with a beautiful story that focused on his father’s business success rather than himself. His father was a beloved surgeon who volunteered in the community where he grew up. The applicant wanted to follow his dad’s lead and wrote about that. Unfortunately, he made a huge mistake: he didn’t answer the prompt. To answer a prompt, applicants must write about themselves , not about people they admire or want to mimic. 

While the story was heartfelt, it missed the mark. We helped him reframe his experience to focus on his ability to seize opportunities and showcase his traits—he is hard working, determined, and focused. The applicant was admitted to Harvard’s MBA program.

Related: Should You Write Your College Essay Now?

Can I use one personal statement for every school?

Grad school personal statements vary. Some provide clear instructions, while others are more general. Some prompts are designed to get to know you better, while others are more specific and look for clear ideas about what you plan to do after the program. Before you begin planning your essay, read the prompt and make sure you understand it thoroughly. You can also search the school website to see if there are specific items you need to include in the personal statement.

“Read the prompt carefully,” warns Manhattan-based independent educational consultant Janet Stark, a Harvard Business School graduate who counsels college and grad school candidates. “You may be applying to five schools for graduate work in Physics, but they may give slightly different personal statement prompts and word counts. Do not answer the ‘Why this school?’ question if that school doesn’t ask for it.”

If a particular graduate or professional school does use the “Why this school?” prompt, what should you do? “Make sure that it is very specific to that school,” Stark says. “The reader should know that you know the school and have reasons specific to that school.”

But don’t write the piece like a brochure, she cautions. If you’re applying to a school in New York City, don’t tell them you want to go to a school that’s located in New York City. They already know that! Rather, tell them what it means to you that the school is located in the city. 

Common mistakes on the personal statement

Besides writing about someone other than themselves, students at the graduate level tend to quote famous people and professors in their personal statements. But graduate admission teams prefer to hear about your life, your story.

Remember that the personal statement is a narrative about your life, your successes, your best characteristics; it’s not about someone famous. At Wow, we say the only person to quote in any essay or personal statement is you , the applicant. You don’t have a lot of words to use, so you need to make every word count. 

It’s critical that your personal statement be written in your own voice, using your own words— never copy someone else’s ideas. Don’t duplicate information from your résumé, and don’t tell the school you have no clear idea of a career path. Tell them what you hope to do with this advanced degree. 

“The story has to be your own,” Stark says. “Just because someone else you know got accepted with a certain story doesn’t mean you should tell that same one.”

In the same vein, an essay that has good ideas but is poorly written will not help you. At this point of your educational journey, admission committees expect clean copy that flows well. It should include great content and be free from spelling and grammatical errors, incorrect sentence structure, and inconsistent verb tenses. Your grad school personal statement should show that you can write well enough to succeed at the grad school level. Proofread, and make sure to have another reader proof it as well before you click send. 

Personal statement best practices

• Focus on you. Highlight your unique traits and key values. Are you resourceful? Funny? Creative? Philosophical? Decide what you want your prospective grad school to know about you that they can’t learn from the rest of your application.
• Pick a meaningful topic. You don’t have to be the editor of the college newspaper, work overseas, or be a TA to write a good personal statement for grad school. This essay should be meaningful, reflective, and connected to the program you want to study.
• Know your audience. You’re writing for graduate admission committees, not your parents, teachers, or Instagram followers. These folks want to know how you think and if you’ll be a good fit for the school (and vice versa), so write with that in mind.
• Be yourself. How would you tell your story to a friend? Write it that way, in your own words and voice. Trust yourself. Don’t try to sound “professional,” like your favorite author, or the kid whose essay went viral after he was admitted to all the Ivies. And write it yourself! Your personal statement has to sound like you .
• Don’t treat it like a college class paper. There is no “formula” for writing a good personal statement, but it shouldn’t sound like an academic essay. If you reflect on your life experiences and relate them to the program, you’re applying to then write and revise, your best story and a structure will emerge through the writing process.
• Take your time. Do not start your personal statement the night before it’s due! You need to brainstorm, write, and edit. Give this important piece of writing the time and care it deserves by starting a few months before your application deadlines . This also makes the process easier to manage because you’re not as rushed.
• Follow the directions. Grad schools will often give you specific application instructions, so follow them! If they ask for 500 words, don’t write more. You don’t want the admission committee to question your ability to follow directions.
• Proofread. After you’re done writing your personal statement, set it aside for a day or two, then read it again with fresh eyes. Look for typos, misspellings, and punctuation errors. Also make sure you’re conveying the message you wanted and answering the prompt accurately. It needs to show you’re capable of grad school–level writing.  

Related: Essential Grad School Search and Application Timeline

The most important things to remember when writing your grad school personal statement are to be authentic and to not treat it like just another essay. With care and intention, you’ll be able to write a great statement that will impress admission representatives and get you into the graduate program of your dreams. Good luck!

Do you know we have a whole section dedicated to  Graduate School ? Check it out now to learn more about the admission process or find the right program for you.

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Helpful Tips for Writing a Personal Statement for Grad School Applications

Reviewed by David Krug David Krug is a seasoned expert with 20 years in educational technology (EdTech). His career spans the pivotal years of technology integration in education, where he has played a key role in advancing student-centric learning solutions. David's expertise lies in marrying technological innovation with pedagogical effectiveness, making him a valuable asset in transforming educational experiences. As an advisor for enrollment startups, David provides strategic guidance, helping these companies navigate the complexities of the education sector. His insights are crucial in developing impactful and sustainable enrollment strategies.

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When writing your personal statement for your graduate school application, you must remember that it can make or break your admission!

The simple reason: Aside from your cover letter, it’s the best way to introduce yourself – your academic performance and potential, your research interests, and your career goals, among others, which demonstrates your fit with the graduate program.

Indeed, the way in which you present who and what you are in your personal statement can set your path in graduate school. 

But we also understand that writing your personal statement is a challenging task, to say the least, because of its enormous impact on your admission into graduate school. With that in mind, here are helpful tips that you can keep in mind to write a persuasive personal statement.

Additional Resources:

• How To Build a Great Resume and Cover Letter for Your Grad School Job Search
• How to Get into Grad School with a Low GPA
• What does it take to get into Graduate School?

Be prepared for three steps in making a compelling personal statement that will increase your success in being admitted to the graduate program of your dreams.

• First, you must perform intensive research into the program and your interests, accomplishments and goals.
• Second, you have to write the first draft of your master personal statement – in the same way that you must have a master resume and cover letter – rewrite it a few more times and seek feedback along the way.
• Third, you must tailor your personal statement for every graduate program you’re sending applications to in the hopes of admission. 

Before Writing Your Personal Statement

You must have the right understanding and be in the right mindset before writing your personal statement. With such a strong foundation, you’re in a better position to craft your master personal statement that can be revised according to the requirements and preferences of each graduate program. 

Understand the Purpose of Your Personal Statement

What exactly is the purpose of a personal statement in a graduate school application? What can you do to serve its purpose? These are questions that you must first ask before you can write your personal statement, whether it’s your master personal statement or its tailored version. 

Your personal statement is, first and foremost, a summary of your personal and professional qualifications. You must, however, also keep in mind that it’s an opportunity to tell your story and journey – where you have been, where you are now, and where you want to be.

Your main goal: Demonstrate the ways in which being in the graduate program will contribute to your continuing story and journey – or in other words, highlight your good fit. 

Furthermore, your well-written personal statement will also achieve the following purposes: 

• Highlight your writing skills in particular and your communication skills in general, both of which are crucial to your success as a graduate student.
• Explain the weaknesses in your application, such as gaps in your academic journey or professional history or a less-than-impressive GPA.
• Demonstrate your research interests, skills and contributions, particularly when you’re applying to a research-oriented graduate program. 
• Address specific questions required by the admission committee to be answered in your personal statement.
• Highlight your values and character that will allow the admissions committee to get a holistic perspective of who you are.

Indeed, your personal statement is your opportunity to stand out from the competition and differentiate yourself! 

Reflect on Your Unique Qualities

What can you bring to the table? What past contributions have you made and the potential contributions you can make in advancing the body of knowledge in your chosen field? What are your strengths and weaknesses? What trials have you overcome and what triumphs are you most proud of and why? 

These questions may sound like these are made for beauty pageants but you will find that answering them will result in your ability to stand out from the rest of the applicants! By reflecting on your uniqueness, you’re emphasizing your individuality which strengthens your candidacy for admission into graduate school. 

We suggest listing down the answers to the abovementioned page so you will have a reference when writing your personal statement. You can also use the guide below when reflecting on your unique individuality.

1. Academic achievements

Your academic achievements will not only highlight your commitment to excellence but will also be an indication of your academic potential, List down academic awards (e,g., honors program, Latin honors) as well as distinctive research projects and published works. 

2. Unique background

Your personal challenges that contributed to your success in life, your perspective, and your individuality can also be included in your personal statement. You will be surprised by how people are fascinated by individuals overcoming the odds stacked against them!

3. Research interests

Your research interests should ideally be aligned with the graduate program’s research projects, and it’s possible to determine it by looking at previous published research papers authored by professors and alumni. List down your specific research interests and their uniqueness, usefulness, or innovativeness in the field, as well as a brief explanation of your possible contributions to the field. 

4. Professional experience

Your professional experience is also a crucial contributor to your career path and your desire to earn a graduate degree for career advancement. Better yet, write down the insights you gained that differentiate you from other applicants. 

5. Personal interests and passions related to your chosen field of study

Again, you should align your specific personal interests and passions with the graduate program’s mission. You should list down your extracurricular involvement, too, such as community volunteer work, leadership and membership in industry organizations and professional associations, and even sports – but only in relation to how these contributed to your personal and professional growth. 

6. Life experiences

Your life isn’t just a series of academic achievements and extracurricular activities either! Write down life experiences, such as travel and internships, which shaped your personality and perspectives in life as well as your passion for graduate education. 

7. Unique qualities and skills

You should take pride in skills like creativity and innovation, problem-solving and decision-making skills, and communication skills because these are valued life skills. Inclusivity and diversity are of particular value, too, in the academic community. 

8. Career aspirations

Career aspirations are a huge part of anyone’s decision to pursue a graduate degree, so it makes sense that your personal statement will discuss your career goals. 

If you have yet to make a resume, then the above-mentioned aspects can be incorporated into your master resume. If you already have a resume, then you’re halfway into your personal statement – just take the relevant information from your master resume and incorporate it into your personal statement. 

Research the Program

Your next step is researching the graduate program that you’re interested in. If you’re planning on applying to several programs, then you must make appropriate notes about every single program. 

Your research will also be the basis for the tailored version of your master personal statement. You will find it easier and faster to change specific information, format, and details on your master personal statement to fit each program than to start from scratch. 

What exactly must you know about the graduate programs you’re interested in? Here is the crucial information you should get. 

• Understand the program – what its values and mission are, what its structure and curriculum are, and what its unique features are, including its specializations. These aspects are usually defined in its website and program materials (e.g., brochures, curriculum, and manual/handbook) 
• Get information about the faculty members, including their research publications, interests, and subjects covered. You will also find the information useful when you’re choosing your academic advisor and research advisor. 

Aside from the program’s official information, you may also consider connecting with current students and alumni. Your talks with them, no matter how short, will likely provide valuable insights into the culture and curriculum, among other aspects, of the graduate program you’re interested in. 

Understand and Follow the Prompt

Many graduate programs make it easier – or harder, depending on your perspective – to craft a compelling personal statement by providing essay questions, known as prompts. You should answer all the points provided in the prompts and keep your answers clear, concise, and compelling. 

For this reason, you must carefully read the prompts a couple of times to gain a better understanding of its essence. When you address the points covered, you will demonstrate the following characteristics that contribute to success in graduate school: 

• Ability to follow instructions or pay close attention to detail, which are vital in complying with program requirements
• Enthusiastic interest in the program and a strong commitment to success once admitted since it demonstrates program research and self-reflection
• Highlights your strong fit with the program, particularly if you answered the essay prompts appropriately

Of course, answering the points in the essay prompts makes it easier to craft your tailored personal statement because it will highlight the required and relevant information the admissions committee is looking for in their decision-making process.

You will benefit in terms of getting guidance on the preferred structure for your personal statement while also avoiding the inclusion of irrelevant information. In the case of the latter, you can increase the clear and compelling quality of your personal statement and, thus, make a more memorable impact. 

Start Early

Due to the extensive preparation in writing your personal statement, starting as early as possible is a must! You should have ample time to research the programs, brainstorm your uniqueness, and writing and editing, seeking feedback, and tailor your personal statement.

When Writing Your Personal Statement

Now that you understand the importance of your personal statement and you have the necessary information to write it, your next step is to create your first draft. If you’re overwhelmed and you don’t know where to start, just do it! You will find that it gets easier as you go along. 

Demonstrate Your Good Fit with the Program

The first order of a persuasive personal statement is demonstrating that, indeed, you’re a good fit with the program. This means that you’re most likely to succeed as a graduate student through dynamic class participation, good grades, and contributions to the advancement of knowledge in the field, among other goals of graduate studies. 

Your personal statement must then contain the following qualities that make for a compelling read for the admissions committee. 

Highlight your background.

Your background and experiences, no matter how humble these may be, are crucial contributors in your continuing journey! You must then highlight them in such a way that it explains why and how these aspects of your life led to your decision to pursue graduate education. 

You can highlight your relevant coursework, your participation in research projects (i.e., either with you as the principal author or as a co-author), and your internship experiences. You should also consider highlighting capstone projects that demonstrate your expertise in and passion for your field of study. 

Be sure to relate your background and experiences to the graduate program’s values, vision and mission. Let’s say that the graduate program emphasizes multidisciplinary research collaborations among students, alumni, and professors. Your personal statement should then provide concrete examples of your background and experiences in working with diverse and inclusive teams. 

Discuss your research interests.

Many graduate programs emphasize excellence in research, particularly in fields like public health, biology, public policy, and administration, where a master’s thesis or a doctoral dissertation is a graduation requirement. If you’re applying to a research-centric graduate program, then it’s best to highlight your research interests and contributions, too, and align them with its research areas. 

When discussing your research interests, you can explain the specific questions and/or topics that you’re passionate about, use concrete examples in your research experience that demonstrate your keen interest in them, and provide research areas you’re planning on pursuing in the future.

You should mention relevant research experiences that contributed to your keen interest in these research areas, as well as highlight significant skills acquired and contributions made. 

You may also mention faculty members and/or research centers in the graduate program that you believe are involved in the research areas you’re interested in. You can also discuss your long-term research goals and their impact on your career goals. 

Emphasize your skills.

Your technical and transferable skills are uniquely yours – no one else has its unique combinations, strengths, and potential! It then makes sense to showcase your set of skills that contribute to your suitability as a graduate student in the program. 

Start by identifying the key skills that the graduate program values, such as communication, collaboration, and critical thinking skills, aside from research skills. (This is where your list of unique qualities and skills comes in handy)

Then, provide specific examples from your personal, educational, and professional lives that demonstrate these valued skills. Be sure to provide the context, challenges, and outcomes related to these examples. 

For example, in a public health program, you can explain your research paper and/or capstone project that resulted in the development of a more effective measurement of community engagement. You can mention the awards, feedback, and outcomes of your previous work. 

Your professional certifications and specialized training are also useful in highlighting your technical skills and expertise in your field of interest. For example, if you’re applying to a Master of Science in Computer Science program, your Cisco CCNA or CompTIA A+ certifications will be considered favorably. 

Of course, your academic achievements must also be highlighted since these are an indication of your potential for academic success in graduate school. Your above-average GPA, academic distinctions, and Latin honors as well as relevant coursework are worthy of mentioning in your personal statement. 

But since academic achievements aren’t the be-all and end-all of success in graduate school, it’s also crucial to include your extracurricular involvement. But be sure to relate your extracurricular activities with the skills you learned that are, in turn, related to the values of the graduate program. 

You may want to strike a balance between your technical skills and your transferable skills – after all, success in any endeavor is about balance. Being a well-rounded individual with the ability to thrive under pressure and in diverse situations is a valued character trait among the best graduate programs.

Address weaknesses proactively.

If your academic record, professional experiences, and/or life experiences have weaknesses that may have a negative impact on your application, you must address them in a proactive manner.

In doing so, you can influence the way that the admissions committee will look at these weaknesses, namely, see them as strengths-in-the-making. 

But it’s also important to note that unless the essay prompts directly ask applicants about their weaknesses, your personal statement should not discuss your deficiencies.

Your personal statement should ideally discuss your strengths, but if it’s necessary to explain a significant weakness in your application, a brief addendum will suffice. The addendum mustn’t contain tedious excuses but must have a positive tone. 

Here are a few more tips for addressing your weaknesses, whether in the personal statement itself or in an addendum: 

• Openly acknowledge your weaknesses but limit them to one or two, such as a lower GPA or fewer extracurricular activities. 
• Provide a brief context of the weakness, such as a family crisis or a personal health issue
• Demonstrate your resilience, your lessons learned, and your growth
• Share your future plans about addressing your weakness if it’s a concern. 

Even with your weaknesses, you can still emphasize your strengths that offset them. You may also seek feedback and, throughout your brief explanation of your weakness, maintain a positive tone. 

Align with your educational and professional goals.

When you’ve discussed your multiple strengths and a few weaknesses, you can now connect the dots, so to speak. You should state in clear and certain terms the reasons for your good fit for the graduate program. Your personal statement will be stronger if you keep these tips in mind when aligning your goals with the graduate program’s values. 

• Expressly state your reasons why your personal values are a good match for the values that the graduate program promotes. If these are inclusivity and diversity, you can state relevant coursework, previous research, and extracurricular involvement related to these values. If these are business or environmental sustainability, do the same, too. 
• Reflect on the personal and professional experiences, lessons, and growth that contributed to your journey so far and their impact on your future success in the graduate program. 
• Make a convincing conclusion by emphasizing your enthusiasm for and commitment to being part of the graduate program, as well as your keen interest in making meaningful contributions to the academic community.  

You don’t have to get it right the first time – nobody does – but it’s always a good thing to start your personal statement somewhere. 

Write with Clarity and Conviction

Keep in mind that your personal statement isn’t just a summary of your personal and professional achievements – it’s an opportunity to tell your story! You should then write with clarity in mind, with conviction of heart, and with compelling the readers to consider your application favorably. 

Does it sound like a tall order, especially if you have impostor syndrome about your writing skills? Again, the best place to start is just to start writing! You can also keep these tips in mind so that you can write with clarity and conviction. 

Simplicity is key

Use simple and straightforward words instead of complex language (e.g., jargon and terminology), but avoid using slang and street words, too. Being direct in your intentions means your readers will get the essence of your personal statement and determine your fit with the program.

Besides, with thousands of personal statements submitted, being direct to the point means your readers make the most of their time. 

Cliches are just as cringeworthy as irrelevant information, slang words, and overly common phrases in a personal statement. Again, provide concrete examples instead of revising personal statement templates – or worse, copying them word for word. 

Think of a specific person.

While you will not know the names of the admissions committee, you should write your personal statement with a specific person in mind. This means writing in a conversational style yet still maintaining a respectful tone. 

Use the active voice.

Don’t talk about yourself in the third person – you should use “I” in your personal statement because it’s about you and you alone! Your personal statement will also be more compelling when you use the first-person perspective. 

Provide concrete and specific examples.

We cannot overemphasize the need to provide concrete and specific examples when discussing your accomplishments, skills, and qualities! Doing so transforms the abstract into reality and, thus, makes for a compelling personal statement.

Be concise.

Most graduate programs that require a personal statement for admission purposes have either word or page limits. Your first draft will likely be verbose, which necessitates editing to remove fluff and achieve brevity 

Be authentic.

Think of your personal statement as your own introduction to the admissions committee – it’s less formal than your cover letter and resume. You have the opportunity to highlight your individuality, including your standout qualities here. 

Follow Application Instructions

Some graduate programs have specific instructions about the format, layout, and substance of the personal statement – follow them! These include word counts, number of pages, even font type and size, as well as submission deadlines. 

But if there are no specific instructions, the general rule of thumb is a personal statement 1-2 pages in length with 1-inch margins, double space between paragraphs, and formal font and size (e.g., Times New Roman, 12-point).

After Writing Your Personal Statement

When your first draft is done, you should not submit it! There’s a reason it’s called the first draft – it’s still rough around the edges – and must be edited for clarity, brevity, and quality. This is both easy since you already have your first draft and hard because of the input and work required. 

Seek feedback.

Let your trusted family and friends, mentors, and even former professors review your personal statement for constructive criticism. Be open to their feedback, too, but remember that it’s your final decision in the end. 

Proofread and edit.

You may use grammar and spelling apps to detect errors, but your informed judgment is still the best. You must, after all, consider the overall flow and structure of your personal statement. 

Tailor each personal statement.

With your master personal statement, you have a template on which you can create a tailored personal statement for every program. While your personal statement will have many things in common between different programs, there should be differences in them, too. These differences are the result of every program’s unique essay prompts, format and layout requirements, word count limits, and values. 

In conclusion, writing your personal statement isn’t an easy task but it can be broken down into manageable chunks! When you think of it in this manner, your personal statement will tell YOUR story and convince its readers that, indeed, you’re an excellent candidate for your dream graduate program.

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