Personal Statements and Essay

What is a Personal Statement or Essay?

• A statement of your interests and goals
• A reflection of your writing ability
• An opportunity to tie all of the pieces of your application together
• Usually 2 different types of essays: A general, comprehensive essay OR a response to a specific question(s)
• It is NOT an elaborate resume

Purpose

The main purpose of writing a personal statement or essay is to help graduate programs determine whether your interests and goals can be met through their program. The information being evaluated in an essay usually falls into 4 areas:

1. Background Information (i.e., research interests, education, research and work experience)
2. Future oriented expectations (i.e., reasons for pursuing degree, expectations of program, short/long-term goals)
3. Personality Factors (i.e., maturity, unique characteristics, your enthusiasm and commitment to the field)
4. Writing Ability

Steps for Writing

Before writing your response to an essay/personal statement, think about it. Perform self-exploration/self-reflection and review your personal history.

• Ask yourself the following questions:
  1. Where are you coming from? Why are you coming here? Where are you going after this?
  2. What makes you unique, different or unusual?
  3. Who and what have been your intellectual influences?
  4. What experiences have influenced your decision? Why have you chosen this path? What attracts you to this career?
• Organize your thoughts.
• Upon completion of your statement, circulate it among your professors, advisors, employers, and career counselors/liaisons at The Career Center for critiquing, editing, and proofing.
• Be absolutely sure the final draft of your essay contains NO spelling or grammatical errors and that you've answered each question fully.

Helpful Hints

• If there is a question(s), read it carefully and answer it completely.
• Avoid repeating verbatim the information found in your transcripts and resume.
• Concentrate on the opening paragraph - What is most important for the admissions committee to know about you?
• Stress your strong points and discuss what led you to this field or events that influenced your educational and/or career goals.
• Substantiate your dedication to your career goals.
• Use this to set yourself apart from the other applicants and to demonstrate how you would be a good fit with their program.
• Do NOT include high school (some exceptions), controversial topics, or a lengthy discussion regarding poor grades.
• Keep it positive and succinct.

Key Ingredients of Successful Essays

• Great opening lines or paragraphs.
• Communicates the applicant's personality, verifies specific academic preparation and knowledge of the subject matter, and demonstrates an understanding of the challenges, as well as the rewards of the chosen career.
• Conveys a sense of maturity, compassion, stamina, teamwork skills, leadership potential, and general likeability without addressing these issues directly.
• Indicates specific professors at the targeted program who the candidate is interested in working with and specific directions they expect to take with their studies.
• Illustrates how you plan to use your education in your planned career.

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