personal statement examples for college journalism

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Journalism Personal Statement Examples

Your Journalism personal statement is a crucial element of your UCAS application . It is your opportunity to showcase your passion for journalism, your relevant experiences, and your potential to succeed as a journalism student. Check our journalism personal statement examples for UCAS , which can inspire and guide you in writing your successful personal statement .

Whether you are interested in broadcast journalism , print journalism , or digital and online journalism , these examples cover a range of topics and styles that can help you stand out to admissions tutors.

Journalism Personal Statement Example

As an A-level student in Business Studies, English Literature, and Religious Studies, I have always been passionate about education and learning. I have always been fascinated by the power of the written word and the impact that journalism can have on shaping public opinion and educating society. That is why I am so excited to pursue a career in journalism and continue to make a positive impact on society.

My interest in journalism was first sparked during work experience placements at my local newspaper, The South Wales Evening Post, and a local radio station. During my time at the newspaper, I was allowed to work with experienced journalists and editors, assisting them with research, conducting interviews, and writing articles for publication. This experience taught me the importance of accuracy, objectivity, and the need to present balanced viewpoints. Additionally, at the radio station, I learned about the power of broadcast media and how it can be used to reach a wider audience and engage with listeners on a more personal level.

As a great believer in education, I see the role of the journalist as an educating force, an incredibly important one. The media has a responsibility to inform the public about current affairs and provide accurate and unbiased reporting. Through my work experience, I have seen firsthand how the media can influence public opinion and shape perceptions of different issues. I believe that journalists have a responsibility to provide truthful and accurate reporting, whilst also highlighting important social issues and driving change.

Outside of my academic routine, I have several hobbies and interests that keep me grounded and motivated. One of my favourite pastimes is reading, particularly books that explore different cultures and perspectives. I also enjoy running, which I find helps me to clear my mind and think creatively. By engaging in these hobbies, I can maintain a balanced lifestyle and stay connected with the world around me.

Throughout my academic career, I have strived to excel in all of my studies. During my secondary school years, I was one of the best students in my class, achieving high grades in all subjects. This has given me a strong foundation and the skills necessary to succeed in a career in journalism. Additionally, I have travelled around the world and visited 56 countries so far. This has allowed me to gain a wider perspective on different cultures and societies, which I believe will be invaluable in my future career.

I am excited to continue my education and pursue a career in journalism. I believe that my passion for education, my experience in the media, and my diverse interests and hobbies make me an excellent candidate for this field. I am committed to using my skills and talents to make a positive impact on society, and I look forward to the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

Personal Statement Example For Journalism

I am driven by my passion for the English language and the power it holds to inform, engage and inspire people. With a deep-rooted affection for the written word and its ability to capture the essence of life, I have always been fascinated by how language has evolved. As a student of English Literature, History and Media Studies, I have been able to explore this evolution in detail and develop my unique voice as a writer.

Studying English has allowed me to think critically, analyse the techniques used by both fiction and non-fiction writers and express my ideas and opinions through a portfolio of work. Through this, I have learnt how to craft compelling narratives, convey complex ideas with clarity and precision, and engage readers through powerful storytelling. My studies in History and Media Studies have complemented my understanding of English, allowing me to appreciate the importance of context, perspective, and the role of media in shaping our understanding of the world around us.

Outside of academics, I am involved in many creative pursuits that allow me to develop my skills as a communicator and storyteller. I participate in a drama group, where I am honing my skills in characterisation, improvisation and public speaking. I am also working towards my Bronze Arts Award, which involves creating and performing a piece of original drama. Additionally, I enjoy playing the piano, which requires a large amount of patience, creativity and dedication – skills that I believe are essential for a successful journalist.

I am proud to have received Young Writers Award from my Secondary School, recognising my talent and dedication as a writer. These accolades have encouraged me to pursue a career in journalism, where I can use my skills to inform, educate and entertain readers on a wide range of topics. I am excited about the prospect of being able to tell stories that matter, whether it is through investigative journalism, features or opinion pieces.

My passion for the English language, combined with my academic pursuits and creative pursuits, have prepared me well for a career in journalism. I am eager to continue my journey as a writer and storyteller, and I believe that a degree in journalism will provide me with the knowledge, skills and experience needed to make a meaningful contribution to the world of media.

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Personal statement advice: media studies and journalism

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Be clear and focused

The best personal statements are those that really go for it. Not in an off-the-wall kind of way, but by revealing something unique about you or your academic ideas or practical experiences. This is no place to hide behind waffle.

There’s a wide span of media courses, ranging from the theoretical to the practical, and your statement should focus on the specific type of course you’ve chosen to apply for.

When it comes to media studies courses , start by being clear about the kind of degree you want to study. Do you want to analyse media, produce content, or a combination of both? Whichever it is, demonstrate that you’re focused about this. Outline why you want to study the course, and the knowledge, ideas, or practical experiences you will bring to it.Similarly, journalism personal statements need to set out why you want to study it, and how your knowledge and experience supports this – particularly in the case of professionally accredited journalism degrees . A vague, unsubstantiated ambition to be a journalist will not suffice.

If you're still exploring your options, see our guide to studying media studies at university .
Our guide to studying journalism reveals more information about what journalism at uni entails.

Practical journalism courses

If you’re applying for practical journalism courses , competition for places could be fierce. Here’s a selection of tips, courtesy of Bournemouth University, the University of Sheffield, and De Montfort University:

State clearly why you want to study journalism, and explain that you know something about the work of the central figure in journalism – the reporter.
Demonstrate creative writing ability, a good presentational style, accurate spelling, correct grammar, and a sound grasp of the English language.
Read quality broadsheet newspapers and follow major developing news stories. Show you're aware of current affairs.
Maybe explain what you noticed about how the reporting of a topical event differed depending on which publication you were reading, and the impact this may have had on shaping public perception.
Show you understand the power the media has, and the importance of reporting facts clearly and concisely.
Show that you can express your own opinions and thoughts, and know how to tell stories to different audiences.
Demonstrate your interpersonal skills, persistence, and an ability to dig deep into a wide range of topics.

Work experience in your personal statement

For practical journalism courses, some (though not all) unis will insist on work experience.

If you can, try to gain some work experience within a media environment , ideally in a newsroom of a local newspaper office. Free newspapers, local or hospital radio, or a TV newsroom could also give you insights into the reporter's job.
What did you learn? What skills did you observe as being particularly important? How has the experience impacted on your motivation to further your studies in journalism? See our guide for how to make work experience count in your personal statement .
Alternatively, are there any other settings where you've written for an audience, such as your own blog or your school newspaper? If so, what have you learned from this about working towards strict deadlines, or how writing pieces for an intended audience can alter the language and style you use?

If you’ve already had journalistic work published or broadcast, produced a blog, vlog, or podcast yourself, had a great reference from some relevant work experience; or anything else that may be relevant, consider sending them a link or clip separately.

Personal Statement: Applying for a Journalism/Media Degree

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personal statement examples for college journalism

A question I am frequently asked is what exactly you should write on your personal statement when applying for a journalism/media course. Putting together a great statement can be a pretty stressful task as it is difficult to gage what exactly universities are looking for. However, all graduates have been through it and there is no reason why you cannot secure a place on the course of your choosing. Here are some of my top tips on what exactly you should be writing:

Enthusiasm and passion

For me, I think this is the most crucial element to any application. Demonstrate just how passionate and enthused you are about the course. Perhaps pinpoint an element or a module that you are most excited about and why. Showing that you genuinely want to be studying that course always looks great and will put you in good stead with the admissions officer. Cardiff in particular has a fantastic student media department with its own newspaper, magazine, radio, and TV station. Make reference to these and emphasise how eager you are to get involved, maybe even mentioning that you aspire to be the editor-in-chief of the magazine, or a presenter on the radio station. Universities are always looking for people that want to get stuck in so convey this well.

Relevant experience

If you have done any kind of writing, editing, blogging etc. outside of school then absolutely put this in. This will show that you are not only able to use your initiative, but that you have the ability to work independently and have great time-management – all essential skills when studying at higher education. If you don’t already have a blog GET ONE. This is possibly the most simple and easy way to get journalism experience where you can write whatever you like, whenever you like, and wherever you like.

Even if you don’t directly have experiences like this, any part time jobs or qualifications you have will also be great for your statement as each will bring with them a useful set of skills for university.

A recent news story that has caught your interest

If you want to study journalism, you of course have to be up-to-date with all the latest happenings of the world. Writing a small paragraph on something in the news that has captured your attention and why will make your statement stand-out and show that you engage with the news. Don’t be afraid to have an opinion and articulate your feelings about something you feel strongly about.

Future goals

Why is it you want to study journalism/media? What do you hope to do with the degree you are applying for? Express that studying the course is a stepping stone for you to get into your dream career and that you truly believe the university will be able to support and facilitate that goal.

Finally, no human being is defined purely by work. Tell the admissions officer exactly who you are and show some personality. What is it you enjoy doing at the weekend? Do you have a hobby? No matter how common or unusual it is, put it in! If you play a sport then there is bound to be a society for that at Cardiff so let them know that you are desperate to get involved. You want to make it clear to the university that there is so much more to you than just academia, and that you will be an all-round great student to have study with them.

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Personal Statements
Journalism personal statement

Journalism Personal Statement Example

Sample statement.

If you want to apply to study Journalism at university then it’s almost a given that you’re good at writing but all good writers suffer from writer’s block occasionally, right?

For those of you that are struggling with a personal statement to study Journalism – here is our example to help you out:

Having developed a passion for writing at an early age my writing skills have evolved over the years and I now feel that a career in journalism is right for me. However, I am not prepared to rest on my laurels and I am always striving to further develop my writing skills.

I enjoy the challenge of conveying a story, event, or thought to a reader in an interesting, engaging, and easily understood way. I write my own blog and look forward to expanding my topic range when I reach university.

To expand my knowledge and skills in journalism I undertook a work experience placement at my local newspaper, The Waterside Herald, whilst I was at school. This gave me the chance to develop my writing skills to suit a journalistic style and to gain an in-depth insight into the daily life of a journalist.

Outside of school I enjoy travelling and hope that my love of travel will enable me to gain experience working for publications in other countries during summer breaks from university.

I am also a keen sports player and regular runner. As well as my academic goals I also hope to complete the London Marathon next year, something that I have been training towards for a number of months.

I look forward to the new challenges that life at university will bring and having the chance to learn new skills and build on my already high standards of writing and communication.

I hope that by studying journalism to degree level I will be able to gain an entry level position at a national newspaper such as The Guardian or The Times. I am also interested in pursuing television journalism as a possible career choice whilst at university.

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Journalism – Boost Your Personal Statement

Thinking about studying journalism at university but not sure what to include in your personal statement?

Journalism is a competitive industry, but if you’re considering studying a degree in this exciting discipline, it’s important that you convey your enthusiasm, capability and written communication well – your personal statement is therefore the best place to evidence these skills. Understandably, the current situation has made things very difficult for you to gain extra-curricular skills, but here are a few activities you may wish to do over the summer to research the profession more and to enhance your personal statement.

You may be undecided about the type of journalism you want to specialise in, be it newspaper, magazine, digital, TV or radio broadcast journalism, but that’s ok as a degree in journalism will give you the opportunity to explore different areas in more depth, so ensure that you check the content of your five university choices for variety. Also ensure that you research the profession – click here for further information.

After you’ve researched different careers, start researching influential journalists. You may aspire to be the next Faisal Islam or Vanessa Kingori, or it may be someone who writes or broadcasts about topics that you value such as the environment, music, fashion, travel, food, equality or human rights for example. Like artists, it’s always good to have a muse or a role model to admire from afar before you start developing your own style. So start watching TED talks, collate inspiring journalists’ work and dig a bit deeper into their backgrounds.

A sk yourself, what makes a successful journalist, influencer or campaigner?

Build upon the skills of a journalist

Check out the NCTJ Summer School , which boasts a series of video clips outlining the different attributes that make a great journalist. This has already started but you can check out the videos on YouTube and learn about a variety of journalistic skills such as news gathering, media ethics, law, sports reporting, fact checking and much more. Click here for access.

Another useful skill is touch-typing and improving the number of words-per-minute that you can type and you can take a free online course here. You may have also heard about news reporters taking notes using shorthand when interviewing people. This skill, used by many journalists is known as teeline and is great for when technology fails. Have a go at learning some of the basics here as well as brushing up on your grammar from the BBC news style archives.

For a variety of free online courses related to Journalism and Media, try Alison , Coursera, or Open Culture all delivered from universities from all over the world. This will give you a taste of learning beyond your current course and will equip you with research and independent study skills. Just ensure that you check the time commitment of the course so that it’s feasible for you to complete. It is also wise to keep up-to-date with what’s happening in the industry such as new technology, tools, apps and current affairs through the Journalism website – a go-to site for many journalists where you can read about current developments as well as listen to podcasts.

If you’ve not had any work experience yet, there are some virtual opportunities currently available. Although these are not journalistic roles, you will still acquire employability skills such as time-management, planning and working to a deadline – all skills transferable to journalism. View the following platforms on Chrome for opportunities: Inside Sherpa, Barclays Lifeskills and Speakers for Schools .

For writing experience, you’ll have to be persuasive and seek out opportunities yourself, so approach your local newspaper and ask if there are any virtual tasks you can help them with or see if you can interview a journalist about their job. The worst they can do is say no! Or try writing competitions such as the BBC Young Reporter, Young Muslim Writers Award , or the Walter Scott Prize to name a few.

You could also try blogging about issues that are important to you through sites such as WordPress or Blogger – don’t worry if nobody reads them, this is a way for you to collate your writing!

Volunteering in roles such as tutoring English or campaigning for social action is also great experience, so try Vinspired . You can always blog about your volunteering experiences too! Or why not approach other volunteering organisations and offer to write for them? You could even ask your school or college if you can start a newsletter, newspaper or social media communication – this will build your personal writing portfolio. Other ideas include volunteering for hospital radio when the situation becomes safer to do so. For information on this, click here.

These are just some cost-effective ideas for you to expand upon in your personal statement, but it’s not an exhaustive list so do keep your eyes open for other opportunities too.

Remember, like a journalist, be tenacious and create opportunities!

For further advice on your personal statement, email: [email protected]

* Always be cautious and check any online forum or employer with your teacher or people at home first, as your safety is paramount!

Journalism Personal Essays

Cultural reporting and criticism.

The Cultural Reporting and Criticism (CRC) program in Journalism requires applicants to submit a personal essay that will be judged both as a piece of writing and as an indication of whether your aspirations, abilities, interests, and experience are suited to CRC.

The essay should be specific and detailed enough to give the admissions committee a concrete sense of who you are as a potential cultural reporter and critic. It should address the following questions: What do you expect to get from CRC? What do you think you can contribute to it? What aspects of your background and experience are most relevant to your interest in the program? What kind of writing have you done and what do you aspire to do? Which cultural issues and phenomena most engage you? What publications do you read regularly and why? Which cultural journalists do you admire, which do you dislike, and which have influenced you? Feel free to include any other ideas you consider relevant to your application.

CRC places most emphasis on letters of recommendation from professors or editors with whom you have worked directly and who can assess your intellectual abilities and the quality of your writing.

Please append to your essay a brief statement of your plans for financing your graduate work. This statement must be included, whether or not you are applying for financial aid.

Global and Joint Programs

Journalism requires applicants to write a personal essay. The essay is an extremely important part of the application, so treat it accordingly. The essay should be 1,000 to 1,500 words in length. In addition, all applicants must submit at least three samples of their work, whether published or not.

The goal of the essay is to give the Admissions Committee a concrete sense of who you are as someone who aspires to a career as a professional journalist, writing and reporting for print, online or broadcast media. It should address the following questions: What do you expect to get from the program? What aspects of your experience are most relevant to your interest in journalism? Tell us about your background--your academic degree, intellectual interests, work experience, life experience, and other sources of inspiration--and explain how this background informs what you want to do as a journalist.

Applicants should also describe their existing "body of work" as a journalist, critic or just someone who writes. We are mostly interested in published work, but if you have yet to break into print, then tell us what kind of writing you have done. What have been your major themes? What issues and phenomena most engage you? What publications do you read regularly and why? Which journalists do you admire, which do you dislike, and which have influenced you?

In addition, for the non-Journalism field of study (Africana Studies, East Asian Studies, French Studies, Latin American and Caribbean Studies, Near Eastern Studies, or Russian and Slavic Studies), please briefly describe your past and present work as it relates to your intended field of study, and your reasons for choosing your field of study.

In addition, for International Relations : the program in International Relations (IR) trains individuals who wish to make a difference on international affairs either through continued academic study or via the actual practice of international affairs in government, the non-governmental or private sectors. Please explain, in a brief and concise manner, how your past studies and work experience relate to a course of study at the graduate level in international relations at NYU. You should include how your educational objectives will help you to achieve your future career goals, and should briefly outline where you see yourself 10 years after graduating from NYU. Please also explain why you chose to apply to study in the IR Program at NYU and how NYU specifically will help you to advance your personal and professional objectives.

European and Mediterranean Studies does not not require an additional statement. Only the Journalism personal essay is required.

Please append to your essay a brief statement of your plans for financing your graduate work. This statement must be included, whether or not you are applying for financial aid.

Journalism and Religion

Journalism requires applicants to write a personal essay. The essay is an extremely important part of the application, so treat it accordingly. The essay should be 1,000 to 1,500 words in length. In addition, applicants must submit at least two samples of their work, whether published or not.

As part of your personal essay, please include a discussion that provides the Admissions Committee with a sense of who you are as someone who aspires to a career in journalism, writing and reporting about important matters in the news and analysis of religious issues.

Two different writing samples are required. One should be an example of your strongest academic writing, preferably a paper written for an undergraduate course that demonstrates your ability to construct a coherent argument. It should not exceed 25 double-spaced pages. The second should represent your aptitude for journalism. A clip from your college newspaper, a personal essay, and an academic research paper are all acceptable.

Literary Reportage

Literary Reportage requires applicants to answer the following questions. We will judge both the style and content of your writing.

Describe the project you want to pursue. Tell us about the stories you want to write, in as much detail as possible. Big ideas, themes and questions are essential, but just as essential are specific stories—real names, real places—through which you explore them. We expect your work to evolve while at NYU, so you are not committing to your agenda now.
Who/what have you read and been inspired by? What, to your mind, are the similarities and differences between creative writing and creative nonfiction? How can "literary technique" be applied to the practice of long-form journalism? What do reporters do? What do you envision “Literary Reportage” to be?
Tell us about your academic degree(s), intellectual interests, work/life experiences, and explain how they inform your project. Describe your "body of work" as a journalist, blogger, or just someone who writes. What are your strengths and weaknesses as a writer? What do you expect to get from Literary Reportage?
Describe how you plan to use the city and the university’s vast resources. We welcome projects of national or international scope, but only if they can be reported effectively from the city and its environs (with the usual extensions of email and telephone) during the school term.
You may answer the above questions separately, or in a single essay.

News and Documentary

The News and Documentary Program in Journalism requires applicants to write a personal essay. The essay is an extremely important part of the application, so treat it accordingly. The essay should be 1,000 to 1,500 words in length. In addition, all applicants must submit at least three samples of their work. This can be print or video clips or scripts.

The goal of the essay is to give the Admissions Committee a sense of who you are as someone who aspires to a career as a professional journalist/documentary filmmaker. It should address the following questions: What aspects of your experience are most relevant to your interest in journalism? Tell us about your background—your academic degree, intellectual interests, work experience, life experience, and other sources of inspiration—and explain how this background informs what you want to do as a journalist. What do you expect to get from the program?

Applicants should also describe their existing "body of work." This can be print, video, radio or documentary work you’ve already done. Video experience is not a prerequisite at all so if this is the case, your body of work might be volunteering somewhere, working with an NGO, teaching etc. We’d also like to know what publications you read and news or documentary programming you like, and why. Which journalists do you admire, and which have influenced you?

Please also address what motivates you to pursue the documentary long form in particular. In your third semester, you will be creating a capstone piece of journalism--a half-hour documentary. What might this project be about and how would you approach it? Although experience in documentary is not required, your ideas are.

Podcasting and Audio Reportage

Your personal essay is an opportunity for you to reveal more about who you are and for you to connect your goals for attending this program with your background and qualifications. The Admissions Committee will be looking for your voice in your writing style, as well as paying close attention to the evidence you provide in the case you are making for why you should be selected. While many students aim for 1,000-1500 words in length, writing for audio requires efficiency and clarity, therefore shorter essays may also be effective. In addition, applicants are asked to submit 3 work samples, which can be links to audio or multimedia work. Work samples do not need to be published work, but we suggest choosing work which demonstrates your journalism, narrative storytelling or audio production skills.

In your essay, please address the following questions:

Why are you applying to this program and what do you hope to gain from your graduate studies?
Why audio? What is it about this medium and what in your background or experience has motivated you to pursue this field of study? What is your experience with audio production? What experience do you have in journalism?
Audio Journalism is a medium that values voice. Whose voices have you been inspired by and whose voices do you imagine we would hear in your work?
Tell us about your interests and background. What life experiences, intellectual pursuits, educational or creative pursuits or other sources of inspiration inform your desire to create audio journalism?

Please append to your essay a statement of your plans for financing your graduate work. This statement must be included, regardless of any request for financial assistance.

All Other Programs

The goal of the essay is to give the Admissions Committee a concrete sense of who you are as someone who aspires to a career as a professional journalist, writing and reporting for print, online or broadcast media. It should address the following questions: What do you expect to get from the program and the specific concentration to which you are applying? What aspects of your experience are most relevant to your interest in journalism? Tell us about your background--your academic degree, intellectual interests, work experience, life experience, and other sources of inspiration--and explain how this background informs what you want to do as a journalist.

How To Write a Personal Statement That Stands Out

Laura Jane Bradbury

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

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

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

Key Takeaways

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

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

Follow these steps to accurately write and tailor your statement.

Understand your prompt

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

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

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

Show, don't just tell

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

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

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

Start strong

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

Examples of a strong opening include:

A meaningful statistic

This draws readers in and increases credibility:

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

A personal story

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

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

An alarming statement

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

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

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

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

Get Wordtune for free > Get Wordtune for free >

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

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

Address weaknesses

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

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

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

Wordtune Editor’s Spices feature can provide a counterargument to help you address weaknesses in a personal statement.

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

Highlight achievements

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

Ask yourself:

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

Connect with the institution or company

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

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

Princeton University’s “In service of humanity” page highlights that they value supporting society and giving back.

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

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

End with a strong conclusion

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

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

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

Different types of personal statements

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

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

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

Personal statement checklist

Use this checklist to ensure that your statement includes:

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

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

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

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

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

What is the purpose of a personal statement?

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

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Journalism BA (Hons) Undergraduate Degree Personal Statement Example

Journalism personal statement example (page one)

Reading time: 3 minutes
Price: Free download
Published: 2nd March 2023
Word count: 650 words
File format: Text

As an avid consumer of news and current affairs, I have always been fascinated by the role of journalism in society. Journalism is an essential component of democracy, holding the powerful accountable and giving voice to the voiceless. It is a profession that requires a deep sense of responsibility and integrity, and I am excited to pursue it through the Journalism BA (Hons) degree at [Example] University.

Throughout my academic journey, I have always been drawn to courses that challenge me and help me develop new skills. My passion for journalism started during my secondary school years, where I was the editor-in-chief of the school newspaper. During that time, I had the opportunity to cover a range of topics, from school events to local politics. I enjoyed the process of gathering information, conducting interviews, and writing stories that inform, entertain, and educate the readers.

I went on to study Communications at A-level, which gave me a broad understanding of media and communication theories. During this time, I continued to write for the student newspaper, and I also interned at a local radio station. These experiences allowed me to see the practical side of journalism and to develop my skills in news writing, reporting, and broadcast journalism.

After completing my A Levels, I worked as a freelance writer for various online publications. This experience taught me the importance of being able to write for different audiences and to adapt my writing style to suit different formats. I also learned the importance of fact-checking and the need to present information in a clear, concise, and engaging way.

Despite these experiences, I knew that I needed to develop my skills further to become a professional journalist. I decided to pursue a Diploma in Journalism, where I honed my skills in investigative journalism, data journalism, and multimedia storytelling. This course gave me a solid foundation in the ethical, legal, and practical aspects of journalism, and I am confident that it has prepared me well for the degree.

This degree stands out to me because of its emphasis on practical, hands-on experience. I am excited about the opportunity to work in a newsroom environment, where I can put my skills into practice and learn from experienced journalists. I am also impressed by the range of modules on offer, including digital journalism, sports journalism, and international journalism. This diversity of modules will enable me to explore different areas of journalism and to develop my skills in areas that I am most interested in.

I am particularly interested in the module on investigative journalism, as I believe that it is the most important form of journalism in holding those in power accountable. Investigative journalism requires tenacity, persistence, and a commitment to uncovering the truth, and I am eager to develop my skills in this area. I am also interested in the module on data journalism, as I believe that data can be a powerful tool in storytelling and in providing context to complex issues.

In addition to the practical aspects of the course, I am also excited about the opportunity to engage in critical reflection on the role of journalism in society. The module on media ethics and regulation, for example, will enable me to explore the ethical dilemmas faced by journalists and to consider the impact of media regulation on journalistic freedom. These discussions will be essential in shaping my understanding of the responsibility that comes with being a journalist and the importance of upholding journalistic standards.

I am confident that the Journalism BA (Hons) degree [Example] University will equip me with the skills and knowledge to become a successful journalist. My passion for journalism, combined with my academic and professional experiences, have prepared me well for the course. I am excited about the prospect of working alongside other aspiring journalists, and I am eager to learn from experienced journalists who are passionate about their craft.

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7 ways to improve a journalism personal statement

Journalism, University, Personal Statement, UCAS

As a journalism student, the question I hear the most from people wanting to study the subject at university is, “ how do I improve my personal statement?” and understandably so. Aside from your grades, your personal statement is your big chance to prove (or sell) yourself to that dream university.

It’s an arduous process with every word being sweated over and making the most of the strict word count. Deciding what to include is a nightmare in itself, so hopefully the following tips will help you improve your personal statement.

1. Researching and Deciding

Knowing what you want to do can be hard, but making a decision can make things a lot easier. Your personal statement will be much easier to write if you decide on one subject to apply for. Applying for multiple subjects (Journalism, History, English, etc.) can lead to an unfocused personal statement. Researching each subject and their related courses and then deciding what is best for you can make life easier.

Why is writing my personal statement so hard? I’m applying for journalism and creative writing courses I should be good at it — Chloe Becca (@ChloeBecca_) October 20, 2015

2. Get Blogging

The internet provides a great platform to get your writing out there. Blogging sites such as WordPress, Blogger and Google Blogs allow you to publish content for free and, if you’re lucky, build a readership. Even if nobody reads your blog, its a great place to archive your work.

3. Writing with Passion

Your personal statement should scream that you are passionate about writing and dream of becoming a journalist. After all, this is what your personal statement is about: proving how much you want to study the course. Don’t be too over-dramatic, but make the administrations person reading know how much you love to write.

4. Writing for an Online Publisher

What’s an online publisher? You’re on one. Sites such as Kettle Mag offer an excellent place to get articles published to a wider audience. They also introduce you to people just like you. Make sure to follow any style guide that the online publisher may have.

5. Work Experience

Nothing looks better on a personal statement than work experience. It provides you with experience as a journalist and also proves your interest in journalism. You can organise work experience by contacting where you want to work directly or you can get help through your school or college. Local newspapers are always a good option.

ok so i wanna go into sports journalism and ive got no experience and nothing to write about on my personal statement how stupid can i be?? — rachel (@hwatsonfan) July 21, 2015

6. School Newspapers

Busy days at school and college don’t allow for much time to be a journalist. That’s why becoming involved in a school newspaper is such a useful opportunity. It allows you to work on your writing skills, while having your work seen by other people. It’s also a handy place to start building up an archive of your work.

7. Show Your Ambition

So, you’ve said why you want to study the course and what you’ve done. But, it’s also important to say what you want to do after university. Do you want to become a columnist, a court reporter or a television reporter? There’s a long list of what a journalism course can lead to in the world of work and there is no pressure to make a firm decision at this point, but a quick mention of what you hope to achieve after university will show you have put some thought into your future and taking part in this course is something you really want to do to achieve that dream job.

For information on what journalism courses are out there check out our Journalism course search

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How to Write a Personal Statement That Wows Colleges

← What Is an Application Theme and Why Is It Important?

10 Personal Statement Examples That Work →

Most of the college applications process is fairly cut and dry. You’ll submit information about your classes and grades, standardized test scores, and various other accomplishments and honors. On much of the application, your accomplishments must speak for themselves.

The personal statement is different though, and it’s your chance to let your voice be heard. To learn more about the personal statement, how to choose a topic, and how to write one that wows colleges, don’t miss this post.

What is the Personal Statement?

Personal statements are used in both undergraduate and graduate admissions. For undergrad admissions, personal statements are any essays students must write to submit their main application. For example, the Common App Essay and Coalition Application Essay are examples of personal statements. Similarly, the ApplyTexas Essays and University of California Essays are also good examples .

Personal statements in college admissions are generally not school-specific (those are called “supplemental essays”). Instead, they’re sent to a wide range of schools, usually every school you apply to.

What is the Purpose of the Personal Statement?

The personal statement is generally your opportunity to speak to your unique experiences, qualities, or beliefs that aren’t elsewhere represented on the application. It is a chance to break away from the data that defines you on paper, and provide a glimpse into who you really are. In short, it’s the admissions committee’s chance to get to know the real you.

So, what are colleges looking for in your personal statement? They are looking for something that sets you apart. They are asking themselves: do you write about something truly unique? Do you write about something common, in a new and interesting way? Do you write about an aspect of your application that needed further explanation? All of these are great ways to impress with your personal statement.

Beyond getting to know you, admissions committees are also evaluating your writing skills. Are you able to write clearly and succinctly? Can you tell an engaging story? Writing effectively is an important skill in both college and life, so be sure to also fine-tune your actual writing (grammar and syntax), not just the content of your essay.

Is your personal statement strong enough? Get a free review of your personal statement with CollegeVine’s Peer Essay Review.

How To a Choose A Topic For Your Personal Statement

Most of the time, you’re given a handful of prompts to choose from. Common personal statement prompts include:

Central aspect of your identity (activity, interest, talent, background)
Overcoming a failure
Time you rose to a challenge or showed leadership
Experience that changed your beliefs
Problem you’d like to solve
Subject or idea that captivates you

One of the questions that we hear most often about the personal statement is, “How do I choose what to write about?” For some students, the personal statement prompt triggers an immediate and strong idea. For many more, there is at least initially some uncertainty.

We often encourage students to think less about the exact prompt and more about what aspects of themselves they think are most worthy of highlighting. This is especially helpful if you’re offered a “topic of your choice” prompt, as the best essay topic for you might actually be one you make up!

For students with an interesting story or a defining background, these can serve as the perfect catalyst to shape your approach. For students with a unique voice or different perspective, simple topics written in a new way can be engaging and insightful.

Finally, you need to consider the rest of your application when you choose a topic for your personal statement. If you are returning from a gap year, failed a single class during sophomore year, or participated extensively in something you’re passionate about that isn’t elsewhere on your application, you might attempt to address one of these topics in your statement. After all, the admissions committee wants to get to know you and understand who you really are, and these are all things that will give them a deeper understanding of that.

Still, tons of students have a decent amount of writer’s block when it comes to choosing a topic. This is understandable since the personal statement tends to be considered rather high stakes. To help you get the ball rolling, we recommend the post What If I Don’t Have Anything Interesting To Write About In My College Essay?

Tips for Writing a Personal Statement for College

1. approach this as a creative writing assignment..

Personal statements are difficult for many students because they’ve never had to do this type of writing. High schoolers are used to writing academic reports or analytical papers, but not creative storytelling pieces.

The point of creative writing is to have fun with it, and to share a meaningful story. Choose a topic that inspires you so that you’ll enjoy writing your essay. It doesn’t have to be intellectual or impressive at all. You have your transcript and test scores to prove your academic skills, so the point of the personal statement is to give you free rein to showcase your personality. This will result in a more engaging essay and reading experience for admissions officers.

As you’re writing, there’s no need to follow the traditional five-paragraph format with an explicit thesis. Your story should have an overarching message, but it doesn’t need to be explicitly stated—it should shine through organically.

Your writing should also feel natural. While it will be more refined than a conversation with your best friend, it shouldn’t feel stuffy or contrived when it comes off your tongue. This balance can be difficult to strike, but a tone that would feel natural when talking with an admired teacher or a longtime mentor is usually a good fit.

2. Show, don’t tell.

One of the biggest mistakes students make is to simply state everything that happened, instead of actually bringing the reader to the moment it happened, and telling a story. It’s boring to read: “I was overjoyed and felt empowered when I finished my first half marathon.” It’s much more interesting when the writing actually shows you what happened and what the writer felt in that moment: “As I rounded the final bend before the finish line, my heart fluttered in excitement. The adrenaline drowned out my burning legs and gasping lungs. I was going to finish my first half marathon! This was almost incomprehensible to me, as someone who could barely run a mile just a year ago.”

If you find yourself starting to write your essay like a report, and are having trouble going beyond “telling,” envision yourself in the moment you want to write about. What did you feel, emotionally and physically? Why was this moment meaningful? What did you see or hear? What were your thoughts?

For inspiration, read some memoirs or personal essays, like The New York Times Modern Love Column . You could also listen to podcasts of personal stories, like The Moth . What do these writers and storytellers do that make their stories engaging? If you didn’t enjoy a particular story, what was it that you didn’t like? Analyzing real stories can help you identify techniques that you personally resonate with.

3. Use dialogue.

A great way to keep your writing engaging is to include some dialogue. Instead of writing: “My brothers taunted me,” consider sharing what they actually said. It’s more powerful to read something like:

“Where’s the fire, Princess Clara?” they taunted. “Having some trouble?” They prodded me with the ends of the chewed branches and, with a few effortless scrapes of wood on rock, sparked a red and roaring flame. My face burned long after I left the fire pit. The camp stank of salmon and shame.

Having dialogue can break up longer paragraphs of text, and bring some action and immediacy to your story. That being said, don’t overdo it. It’s important to strike a balance between relying too much on dialogue, and using it occasionally as an effective writing tool. You don’t want your essay to read like a script for a movie (unless, of course, that’s intentional and you want to showcase your screenwriting skills!).

Want free essay feedback? Submit your essay to CollegeVine’s Peer Essay Review and get fast, actionable edits on your essay.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Personal Statements

1. giving a recap or report of all the events..

Your essay isn’t a play-by-play of everything that happened in that time frame. Only include relevant details that enrich the story, instead of making your personal statement a report of the events. Remember that the goal is to share your voice, what’s important to you, and who you are.

2. Writing about too many events or experiences.

Similarly, another common mistake is to make your personal statement a resume or recap of all your high school accomplishments. The Activities Section of the Common App is the place for listing out your achievements, not your personal statement. Focus on one specific experience or a few related experiences, and go into detail on those.

3. Using cliche language.

Try to avoid overdone quotes from famous people like Gandhi or Thoreau. Better yet, try to avoid quotes from other people in general, unless it’s a message from someone you personally know. Adding these famous quotes won’t make your essay unique, and it takes up valuable space for you to share your voice.

You should also steer away from broad language or lavish claims like “It was the best day of my life.” Since they’re so cliche, these statements also obscure your message, and it’s hard to understand what you actually mean. If it was actually the best day of your life, show us why, rather than just telling us.

If you want to learn more about personal statements, see our post of 11 Common App Essay Examples .

Want help with your college essays to improve your admissions chances? Sign up for your free CollegeVine account and get access to our essay guides and courses. You can also get your essay peer-reviewed and improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays.

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Media and communication personal statements

On this page you'll find a collection of real personal statements written by students applying to study media, communication and related courses at university.

These personal statements are written by real students - don't expect them all to be perfect! But by reading through a few of these samples, you'll be able to get some ideas and inspiration for your own personal statement.

Media and communication personal statement examples

More help with your personal statement.

You can find personal statement examples for other courses by using this subject list, or by returning to our personal statements by subject page.

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Texas voter guide for college students

The deadline to register to vote is Oct. 7. The last day to apply to vote by mail is Oct. 25. Early voting in person is from Oct. 21 to Nov. 1.

Dance majors from the Department of Theater and Dance perform under a banner encouraging students to vote at the Union Building at the University of Texas at El Paso in El Paso on Oct. 25, 2022.

Sign up for The Brief , The Texas Tribune’s daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news.

The Nov. 5 election is quickly approaching, and Texans will have the opportunity to vote for several federal, state and local officials, including president.

The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit and nonpartisan news organization, is dedicated to helping Texans navigate the intricacies that may come with voting by mail or voting as a student or as a Texan with disabilities. This year, we’ve created a series of guides in addition to our comprehensive voter guide; this is our guide for college or high school student voters.

A fraction of Texas voters cast their ballot and an even smaller number of young people vote. During the 2022 midterms, only 49% of registered Texas voters between 18 and 24 participated, compared to 86% of voters 65 and older.

Young people ages 18-25 make up nearly 15% of Texas’ adult population, according to census data from 2023. The issues most older generations find important may differ from those younger people most care about.

“It sounds cliche, but young people are the future at the end of the day,” said Karyn Fu, a Rice University student majoring in biosciences and social policy analysis who is also an election judge in Harris County.

Congress and the president shape national policies that affect young Texans, like student loan payments and environmental laws. Local officials also directly affect young people when it comes to housing and transportation policies.

“There are a lot of different things that are happening on a day-to-day basis, even on the local level, that are shaped by who we elect,” said Tessa Mitterhoff, Travis County regional field coordinator for MOVE Texas , a nonpartisan group that works to get young Texans civically engaged.

Young voters face several obstacles to voting under Texas’ strict voting laws. Student IDs are not an acceptable form of required identification and the state forbids same-day, online and automatic voter registration. Many colleges also lack on-campus voting locations, partially due to a 2019 state law prohibiting temporary voting sites during the 12 days of early voting.

Mitterhoff said these constraints and low turnout makes it more important that young voters cast ballots. “I think if you're able to show up, it is like a powerful statement,” she said.

Here’s what college students and other young voters need to know to be ready for the election, including how to register, where to find voting locations and what people need to bring to the polls.

Election Day: Nov. 5, 2024
Last day to register to vote: Oct. 7, 2024
First day of early voting by personal appearance: Oct. 21, 2024
Last day of early voting by personal appearance: Nov. 1, 2024
Last day to apply for ballot by mail: Oct. 25, 2024
Last day for a county to receive a mailed ballot: Nov. 5, 2024 (Election Day) or Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024 if postmarked (see more details in our guide to voting by mail )

How to check your voter registration in Texas

One of the most common issues young people face when voting is thinking they're registered to vote when they’re not or being unsure where they should vote if they’ve moved.

You can check to see if you’re registered and verify your information through the Texas Secretary of State’s website . You’ll need one of the following three combinations to log in:

Your Texas driver’s license number and date of birth.
Your first and last names, date of birth and county you reside in.
Your date of birth and Voter Unique Identifier, which appears on your voter registration certificate.

How to avoid long voting lines

Limited time or schedule conflicts are another common challenge to voting for young people like busy college students. If your campus has a polling place on Election Day, the lines can be hours long. Early voting can help voters avoid long lines, but only certain polling places participate. You can check which polling places participate in early voting here or through your county. Early voting for the general election will occur from Oct. 21 to Nov. 1.

Texas law says voters have the right to vote during work hours without being penalized or losing pay, but this may not apply if a worker has two hours before or after work to vote. If Election Day is your only option, you have the right to cast a ballot as long as you’re in line by 7 p.m.

How do I register to vote in Texas?

Before you register to vote, it's important to be aware of the eligibility requirements.
Must be a U.S. citizen.
Must reside in the county where you’re registering.
Must be at least 17 and 10 months old, and 18 by election day.
Cannot be convicted of a felony.

More information on eligibility criteria can be found here .

The voter registration application can be obtained in several ways.

The deadline to register to vote for the Nov. 5 election is Oct. 7.
You can have the form mailed to your residence.
The application can be printed out and mailed to your county election office.
If you need to update your driver's license, you can register to vote online through the Texas Department of Public Safety while renewing your driver’s license.
Find a county voter registration official and they will help you register.
Check to see if your campus keeps voter registration applications on hand at the library or other places.
Organizations like MOVE Texas often set up booths on campuses around Texas to register students as the deadline approaches.

To register, you’ll need identification. Here are the documents accepted:

Texas driver's license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Texas election identification certificate issued by DPS.
Texas personal identification card issued by DPS.
Texas handgun license issued by DPS.
United States military identification card containing the person’s photograph.
United States citizenship certificate containing the person’s photograph.
United States passport (book or card)

More information about identification requirements can be found here .

How do I decide where to register to vote as an out-of-state student?

Deciding where to register to vote as an out-of-state student depends on your preference. As a full-time student, registering to vote in your college state is more manageable because you'll spend most of your time there. With elections typically occurring during the school year, accessing polling places is convenient, eliminating the need to request a mail-in ballot. Getting registered on campus is accessible at most universities in Texas and some campuses have polling places where students can vote on Election Day.

If you are really involved in your community back home and want to stay registered there, absentee voting may be a good option. However, you’ll need to plan ahead of time. You can see the Texas deadlines for absentee and vote-by-mail here .

What if I can’t make it to the county I’m registered to vote in on Election Day?

If you can’t make it to the county you’re registered to vote in on Election Day, there are a few avenues you can take.

Absentee vote
Request a limited ballot (only if the county you’re registered in and the county you’re voting in are both in Texas)

Early voting in person takes place 17 days before Election Day and ends four days before Election Day. Early voting polling locations are supposed to be listed here two days before early voting starts. It’s the same online tool to check if you’re registered to vote and shows all the nearest polling places for both Election Day and early voting.

Absentee voting is voting by mail. In order to be eligible, you must be out of the county on Election Day and during the period for early voting in person. More eligibility criteria can be found here . To vote by mail, you must fill out the application for a mail-in ballot. You can request the application here or print it yourself and mail it to your county’s early voting election clerk . If you need to vote by mail, apply early to give yourself as much time as possible to get your ballot sent to you and to mail it back by Election Day. Applications must be received — not postmarked — by the early voting clerk in your county by Oct. 25. You can learn more about the absentee voting process in our guide to voting by mail .

If you can’t make it to the Texas county you’re registered to vote for, but will still be in the state, you can request a limited ballot. You can vote in person or by mail with a limited ballot and can only vote early. If voting in person with a limited ballot, you can only vote at the main early voting location, which is usually the office of the election administrator or county clerk who runs elections in your county . The main early voting polling place should be noted in a county’s list of early voting locations. Upon request for a limited ballot, you will be required to fill out a limited ballot application . The limited ballot only includes statewide and federal elections. It will not contain any county or precinct elections.

What you’ll need to bring with you to the polling place

When voting in person, you must bring one of the seven approved photo IDs to vote in Texas:
A state driver’s license (issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety)
A Texas election identification certificate (issued by DPS)
A Texas personal identification card (issued by DPS) A Texas license to carry a handgun (issued by DPS)
A U.S. military ID card with a personal photo
A U.S. citizenship certificate with a personal photo
A U.S. passport

Check out this story for more details.

If you don’t have one of those photo IDs or have an out-of-state ID, but you’re registered in Texas, then you can still vote by filling out a Reasonable Impediment Declaration and will have to present one of the following types of supporting identification documents:

A valid voter registration certificate
A certified birth certificate
A document confirming birth admissible in a court of law that establishes your identity (which may include a foreign birth document)
A copy of or an original current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other document that shows the voter’s name and address. (Any government document that contains a voter’s photo must be an original.)

You can cast a provisional ballot if you have a valid photo ID but forgot it. Still, you will have to visit the local voter registrar’s office within six days of Election Day to present an acceptable ID or documentation in order for the ballot to be counted. A registered voter without a valid photo ID or any of the supporting documents can also cast a provisional ballot .

Phones or any other device that can communicate wirelessly or be used to record sound or images are not allowed in the polling booth. So it’s helpful to research a sample ballot, which you can find through your county or other organizations, beforehand and bring a paper list of your election choices. Here is more information on what’s allowed in the polling place.

Here are some resources that can help make voting more accessible for you.

Early voting is a great resource if you have a busy schedule because you’re less likely to have to wait in line for hours and can even vote on weekends.
You can find your sample ballot and some voter guides on Vote411 . The Texas Tribune and many other news organizations also post information about elections and what you may see on your ballot, so keep an eye out for that.
If you’re looking to get more involved in elections, you can sign up to be a poll worker. Polling locations are understaffed, it’s a paid position and you can vote there. Learn more about becoming an election clerk here .
The Secretary of State’s Office has a helpline at 1-800-252-VOTE (8683) to reach state attorneys available to assist voters and election officials with questions.
A coalition of voting rights groups runs voter protection hotlines in several languages. Disability Rights Texas also offers a helpline for people with disabilities.

Disclosure: MOVE Texas, Rice University and Texas Secretary of State have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here .

The full program is now LIVE for the 2024 Texas Tribune Festival , happening Sept. 5–7 in downtown Austin. Explore the program featuring more than 100 unforgettable conversations on topics covering education, the economy, Texas and national politics, criminal justice, the border, the 2024 elections and so much more. See the full program.

Correction, Aug. 12, 2024 at 11:58 a.m. : Correction: A previous version of the Texas college student voter guide incorrectly stated the day of the 2024 November election. The correct date for Election Day is Nov. 5.

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Why seeding for the expanded College Football Playoff isn’t as simple as counting from 1 to 12

FILE - Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore speaks during an NCAA college football news conference at the Big Ten Conference media days at Lucas Oil Stadium, July 25, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)

Alabama offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic talks with the media following an NCAA college football practice, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024, inside the Hank Crisp Indoor Facility, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)

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The College Football Playoff expands from four to 12 teams this season, a massive change that will profoundly impact the sport and how success is defined.

The system is also kind of quirky.

The second-best team in the country by the selection committee’s rankings could conceivably be the fifth seed. The 12th-ranked team could get left out for a team that’s not even in the CFP’s top 25.

This is how the 12-team CFP will work and the guidelines that will almost certainly make fans frustrated.

— The teams will still be selected by a panel of 13 people (mostly former coaches and players and current athletic directors). As in past seasons, the weekly top 25 will start in late October or early November and selection Sunday will be Dec. 8, the day after conference championship games.

— The field will be comprised of the five highest-ranked conference champions, regardless of league, and seven at-large selections. There is no limit to the number of at-large bids a conference can receive.

— Guaranteeing five conference champions in the field means at least one team from a Group of Five league gets in. Recent history and realignment suggest that particular team is likely to fall outside the top 12 in the committee’s final rankings. For example, last year Liberty was ranked No. 23 in the committee’s final rankings, which gave the Flames a spot in the Fiesta Bowl, where they were crushed by Oregon.

In a 12-team playoff with this season’s conference alignment, Liberty would have been the 12th seed, bumping 12th-ranked Oklahoma.

If you root for a Power Four conference school, No. 11 is the more realistic cutoff to get in the CFP.

— The top four seeds and a first-round bye are only available to conference champions, no matter where they are ranked. For example, in 2022 Clemson and Utah would have earned byes as league champions even though they were ranked seventh and eighth, respectively, in the committee’s final rankings.

— Yes, that means the teams ranked third (TCU) and fourth (Ohio State) in 2022 would have been the fifth and sixth seeds. In the new superconference era, that guideline figures to produce some odd-looking brackets.

— As an independent, Notre Dame cannot receive a first-round bye.

— Seeds five through eight will host seeds nine through 12 in first-round games on campus. Those games will be played on Dec. 20 (one game) and Dec. 21 (three).

— The quarterfinals will be played in traditional marquee bowls on Dec. 31 (Fiesta Bowl) and Jan. 1 (Peach, Rose, Sugar). Where the top four seeds play will be aligned as closely as possible with current and traditional bowl tie-ins. For example, the Big Ten champion would play in the Rose Bowl and the SEC champion likely plays in the Sugar Bowl.

— The semifinals will also be played in bowl games. This year, that’s Jan. 9 at the Orange Bowl and Jan. 10 at the Cotton Bowl.

— The championship game, like the Super Bowl, moves around the country. This season is will be played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Jan. 20, by far the latest a college football season as ended.

Follow Ralph D. Russo at https://twitter.com/ralphDrussoAP

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Analysis Based on factual reporting, although it incorporates the expertise of the author/producer and may offer interpretations and conclusions.

Making Equity Part of the Equation in Math Education

Math education outcomes in the United States have been unequal for decades. Learners in the top 10% socioeconomically tend to be about four grade levels ahead of learners in the bottom 10%—a statistic that has remained stubbornly persistent for 50 years.

To advance equity, policymakers and educators often focus on boosting test scores and grades and making advanced courses more widely available. Through this lens, equity means all students earn similar grades and progress to similar levels of math .

With more than three decades of experience as a researcher, math teacher, and teacher educator, I advocate for expanding what equity means in mathematics education. I believe policymakers and educators should focus less on test scores and grades and more on developing students’ confidence and ability to use math to make smart personal and professional decisions. This is mathematical power—and true equity.

What Is “Equity” in Math?

To understand the limitations of thinking about equity solely in terms of academic achievements, consider a student whom I interviewed during her freshman year of college.

Jasmine took Algebra 1 in ninth grade, followed by a summer online geometry course. This put her on a pathway to study calculus during her senior year in an AP class in which she earned an A. She graduated high school in the top 20% of her class and went to a highly selective liberal arts college. Now in her first year, she plans to study psychology.

Did Jasmine receive an equitable mathematics education? From an equity-as-achievement perspective, yes. But let’s take a closer look.

Jasmine experienced anxiety in her math classes during her junior and senior years in high school. Despite strong grades, she found herself “in a little bit of a panic” when faced with situations that require mathematical analysis. This included deciding the best loan options.

In college, Jasmine’s major required statistics. Her counselor and family encouraged her to take calculus over statistics in high school because calculus “looked better” for college applications. She wishes now she had studied statistics as a foundation for her major and for its usefulness outside of school. In her psychology classes, knowledge of statistics helps her better understand the landscape of disorders and to ask questions like, “How does gender impact this disorder?”

These outcomes suggest Jasmine did not receive an equitable mathematics education, because she did not develop mathematical power. Mathematical power is the know-how and confidence to use math to inform decisions and navigate the demands of daily life—whether personal, professional, or civic. An equitable education would help her develop the confidence to use mathematics to make decisions in her personal life and realize her professional goals. Jasmine deserved more from her mathematics education.

The Prevalence of Inequitable Math Education

Experiences like Jasmine’s are unfortunately common. According to one large-scale study, only 37% of U.S. adults have mathematical skills that are useful for making routine financial and medical decisions.

A National Council on Education and the Economy report found that coursework for nine common majors, including nursing, required relatively few of the mainstream math topics taught in most high schools. A recent study found that teachers and parents perceive math education as “ unengaging, outdated, and disconnected from the real world .”

Looking at student experiences, national survey results show that large proportions of students experience anxiety about math class , low levels of confidence in math, or both. Students from historically marginalized groups experience this anxiety at higher rates than their peers. This can frustrate their postsecondary pursuits and negatively affect their lives.

How to Make Math Education More Equitable

In 2023, I collaborated with other educators from Connecticut’s professional math education associations to author an equity position statement . The position statement, which was endorsed by the Connecticut State Board of Education, outlines three commitments to transform mathematics education.

1. Foster positive math identities .

The first commitment is to foster positive math identities, which includes students’ confidence levels and their beliefs about math and their ability to learn it. Many students have a very negative relationship with mathematics. This commitment is particularly important for students of color and those new to the English language to counteract the impact of stereotypes about who can be successful in mathematics.

A growing body of material exists to help teachers and schools promote positive math identities. For example, writing a math autobiography can help students see the role of math in their lives. They can also reflect on their identity as a “math person.” Teachers should also acknowledge students’ strengths and encourage them to share their own ideas as a way to empower them.

2. Modernize math content .

The second commitment is to modernize the mathematical content that school districts offer to students. For example, a high school mathematics pathway for students interested in health care professions might include algebra, math for medical professionals, and advanced statistics. With these skills, students will be better prepared to calculate drug dosages, communicate results and risk factors to patients, interpret reports and research, and catch potentially life-threatening errors.

3. Align state policies and requirements .

The third commitment is to align state policies and school districts in their definition of mathematical proficiency and the requirements for achieving it. In 2018, for instance, eight states had a high school math graduation requirement insufficient for admission to the public universities in the same state. Other states’ requirements exceed the admission requirements. Aligning state and district definitions of math proficiency clears up confusion for students and eliminates unnecessary barriers.

What’s Next?

As long as educators and policymakers focus solely on equalizing test scores and enrollment in advanced courses, I believe true equity will remain elusive. Mathematical power—the ability and confidence to use math to make smart personal and professional decisions—needs to be the goal.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article .

is an associate professor of mathematics education in the department of curriculum and instruction in the Neag School of Education at the University of Connecticut. She teaches primarily mathematic education courses to future secondary mathematics teachers and is an affiliated faculty in the department of mathematics. A main thread of her research focuses on how classrooms are organized to support authentic mathematical work, such as argumentation and justification, and how such practices can advance equity goals. In addition, she seeks to understand the mathematical demands of democratic participation and how classrooms can broaden participation structures to support student engagement and success. Megan has published articles in journals such as the Journal of Mathematics Teacher Education, Journal of Mathematical Behavior, and Cognition and Instruction. She is a co-editor of the book Conceptions and Consequences of Mathematical Argumentation, Justification, and Proof, and a co-author of Equity in Mathematics Education: A Position Statement for Connecticut. A former high school math teacher, Megan holds a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction from Stanford University, and a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Brown University. She is a past president of AMTEC, the Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators in Connecticut, and a co-founder of the Math Circle, Math Teachers Circle for Social Justice. Currently, she is the principal investigator of an NSF Noyce Math Teacher Leader grant and an NSF Core grant, Justification as an Equity Practice. Megan lives in Manchester, Connecticut, with her husband and two daughters.

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My favorite author Haruki Murakami once penned 'nothing so consumes a person as meaningless exertion' and, to me, pursuing a higher education and future career in media is the one thing that has never seemed meaningless to me. Communication is something infinitely important because it lets us build a bridge with others so that we may relate to and understand people around us and, through them, the situation that surrounds them which is why media is so important. Media provides power to the people and, in today's day of uncertainty, a good journalist helps to provide clarity in the midst of chaos which is what I aim to do.

The reason I have chosen multimedia journalism as my course is simple; there is a certain power attributed to the written and spoken word that allows us to give more and raise awareness and, aside from just pursuing what I love, I want to be able to make people care about issues still prevalent in today's society.

While selecting my A level subjects, I knew from the beginning that my current studies were ones that would contribute towards my final decision as to what I would want to pursue in the future which is why I chose subjects such as English Literature and Creative Media. These subjects have helped me gain an understanding of the literary and verse myself well with the ways in which the media industry works and, even now, my love for journalism only grows.

When I was chosen to work with the GESF (Global Education Skills Forum) as a student journalist and given a chance to interact with important figures such as Irina Bokova- who is the General-Director of UNESCO- and Bill Clinton, ex-President of the USA, I came to realize that this was the sort of situation in which I would strive in and this belief was further cemented when I was later identified as gifted and talented in public speaking by my school. Currently I am the Editor-in-chief of a newly founded school magazine titled 'The Cambridge Eye' that aims to reinstate Art culture in Dubai. I find working with this project has helped me better understand working with others in a professional environment and network while keeping deadlines in mind. Outside of school I help animal welfare institutions and participate in dog walking to help abandoned dogs at K-9 Friends while actively participating in sports such as basketball, tennis and swimming as this helps me keep my mind and body sharp.

We are all provided with choices as to what we want to pursue in life and, as Robert Frost, in his most iconic poem 'The Road Not Taken' mentioned how having had picked the road less travelled by made all the difference to him and pursuing journalism is my version of that road which will make all the difference to me.

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Honestly my personal statement was probably the deciding factor in my university's giving me offers and I'm still so amazed to get my responses

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End with a strong conclusion

Different types of personal statements

Personal statement checklist

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

What is the purpose of a personal statement?

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Journalism BA (Hons) Undergraduate Degree Personal Statement Example

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7 ways to improve a journalism personal statement

1. Researching and Deciding

2. Get Blogging

3. Writing with Passion

4. Writing for an Online Publisher

5. Work Experience

6. School Newspapers

7. Show Your Ambition

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How to Write a Personal Statement That Wows Colleges

What is the Personal Statement?

What is the Purpose of the Personal Statement?

How To a Choose A Topic For Your Personal Statement

Tips for Writing a Personal Statement for College

2. Show, don’t tell.

3. Use dialogue.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Personal Statements

2. Writing about too many events or experiences.

3. Using cliche language.

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