How do you craft a compelling story for your grad school personal statement?

1 Choose a theme

A theme is a central idea or message that connects your experiences, interests, and aspirations. It helps you focus your story and avoid rambling or irrelevant details. Think of a theme that reflects your passion, purpose, or vision for your field of study. For example, if you are applying for a psychology program, your theme could be how you want to use your research skills to improve mental health outcomes for marginalized communities.

2 Tell a story

A story is a narrative that illustrates your theme and engages the reader's emotions. It should have a clear beginning, middle, and end, and show how you have grown, learned, or changed as a result of your experiences. Choose a story that demonstrates your achievements, challenges, or insights related to your field of study. For example, if you are applying for an engineering program, you could tell a story about how you designed and built a solar-powered device for a local school.

3 Highlight your skills

Your skills are the abilities and knowledge that make you qualified for your chosen program. They can be academic, professional, or personal, depending on the requirements and expectations of the program. You should highlight your skills by providing specific examples of how you have applied them in your previous or current studies, work, or extracurricular activities. For example, if you are applying for a business program, you could highlight your skills in leadership, communication, or problem-solving.

4 Explain your goals

Your goals are the outcomes or impacts that you hope to achieve through your grad school education. They should be realistic, relevant, and aligned with your theme and skills. You should explain your goals by describing how they relate to your field of study, why they are important to you, and how they will benefit you and others. For example, if you are applying for a public health program, you could explain your goals of advancing health equity, addressing social determinants of health, and collaborating with diverse stakeholders.

5 Show your fit

Your fit is the match between your profile and the program's mission, values, and culture. It shows that you have done your research, understood the expectations, and demonstrated your interest and enthusiasm. You should show your fit by mentioning specific aspects of the program that appeal to you, such as the faculty, curriculum, research areas, or opportunities. You should also explain how you can contribute to the program and its community. For example, if you are applying for a creative writing program, you could show your fit by mentioning the genres, styles, or themes that you want to explore, and how you can enrich the literary scene.

6 Proofread and edit

Proofreading and editing are the final steps of writing a personal statement that ensure its quality, clarity, and coherence. You should proofread and edit your personal statement by checking for spelling, grammar, punctuation, and formatting errors. You should also review your content, structure, and tone, and make sure they are consistent, concise, and compelling. You can ask for feedback from others, such as friends, mentors, or tutors, who can offer you constructive criticism and suggestions.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?