What is a Personal Statement and How to Write One

Writing a personal statement as part of an application may feel overwhelming. It is how applicants for scholarships and schools make a statement. It is also often the most critical impression they can make on an acceptance committee. Personal statements should be unique, purpose-driven and showcase the writer’s individuality.

Whether a person is applying for a scholarship or admission to a school — particularly for graduate studies — a personal statement is a typical requirement.?

Writing a successful personal statement involves threading a needle: It needs to showcase what makes a person unique. In some cases, the personal statement might be the only distinct display. GPAs, test scores and resumes can all look alike.

So, what makes a great personal statement? How should the writer arrange and format it to stand out from the crowd?

What is a Personal Statement?

A personal statement is often a short-written essay that wears many hats. It accounts for and details a person’s talents, life experiences, interests and goals. Some institutions refer to them as admissions essays or statements of purpose. The overall goal is for the writer to tell the reader something about themselves.

Personal statements are “an introduction to the selection committee” for scholarships or schools. They share critical details about the subject’s priorities and judgment. They should, in theory, provide a good overview of the writer as more than a student. Personal statements should highlight personality and priorities and give an idea of what kind of former scholarship winner or alum a person will become.

They are not, however, purely academic papers. They do not read as resumes of accomplishments. Personal statements should avoid justifying selection or pleading the case for awarding a scholarship. They are authentic representations of the person who writes them. The goal is to grab the readers’ interest and make them want to meet for an interview.

How to Structure a Personal Statement?????????????

Personal statements can be flexible. Showcase skills and experiences first. Personal statements should have a narrow focus with specific (and appropriate) details.

Writing a personal statement is not the time to experiment with form or function. Write in paragraphs and use a concrete introduction paragraph, supporting body paragraphs and a conclusion that ties everything together. The basic structure can be like this:

Introductory Paragraph

This is where the hook lives and is the first chance to impress the reader. It does not have to be exhaustive, but it does need to provide the reader with context to move on. Writers should present themselves as driven, capable and mature to succeed in their coursework or professional goals.

And for those writers who are not quite sure how to structure their essays beyond that, an outline can help.

How to Write a Personal Statement

1. Brainstorm Key Moments of Your Life

Writing a personal statement involves thinking about key decision points or experiences and then using them as fuel to follow a career path or dream. Sometimes these moments can show adversity the writer has overcome. They can also be uplifting and inspiring experiences.

2. Write a Compelling Opening (and Write it Last)

Many writers recommend writing the opening paragraph of a personal statement (or essay) last. Because the introduction shows the reader what a writer plans on threading throughout their statement, knowing what points the writer put into the paper can allow for a more concise summary of details. It also helps ensure that what lives in the introduction matches with the essay’s conclusion.

3. Start Early

Plan what you want to say and how to express it. This is where the outline we mentioned earlier comes into play.?

If anything, starting on a personal statement early allows for an extended revision period and makes it possible for others to read the essay and give feedback.

4. Highlight Your Strengths

A personal statement should shine a light on the writer’s strengths and viewpoint. Suppose the writer has won awards for their public service commitment or academic performance. In that case, it is worth noting them in the personal statement — especially if they tie back to the scholarship topic.

Highlighted strengths should be time-sensitive, however. Some experts recommend leaving out high school experiences or accomplishments.

5. Be Unique

Most panels read hundreds of personal statements each year. Standing out is a must. But how a writer stands out is essential, too. The best way to make a personal statement unique is to tailor it to a specific subject or viewpoint.?

6. Be Honest

Convey the honest motivations for applying to graduate school or for this scholarship. The admissions committee wants to find out who the writer truly is. If there is someone the writer wants to work with or learn from, they should mention that person in the essay (but only if true).

7. Connect the Story to Your Major

The story or experience a writer shares in their statement should link to the major or program they plan on pursuing. A medical school personal statement, for example, would ideally reference when the writer had a positive experience with a doctor or as a volunteer in a medical situation.?

8. Use Specific Examples

Specificity is crucial for personal statements. For example, a law school admissions essay could point out a particular television show (even episode) or court case that inspired the writer to become an attorney.?

9. Avoid Clichés

Clichés come in a few flavors. And focusing on specific details of their story that impacted their choices reduces the need to lean on these clichés to prop up their statement.

10. Take a Break Before Editing

Though it is tempting to edit immediately after finishing the statement, many writers recommend giving the piece some time before diving back in. This break from work allows the writer to return to the personal statement with a fresh perspective.

11. Find Someone to Proofread It

One of the most effective ways to ensure a personal statement makes sense and accomplishes what it sets out to do is to have someone else read it. Depending on the situation, it may make sense to have one of the following individuals read the draft and make comments where necessary:

• Guidance counselors
• English teachers
• Professional mentors
• A trusted friend

The proofreader may catch mistakes or typos the writer made in the original draft (or during their revisions).?

Dos and Don’ts of Writing a Personal Statement

The following tips offer concrete advice for any personal statement.

Do:

• Use a hook to catch the reader’s attention.
• Use concrete examples from life experiences to support the thesis.
• Ask friends and family for detailed information about the past.
• Include personal details where appropriate.
• Write about genuine interests or exciting subjects.
• Explain weaknesses, but be succinct.
• Ask friends and family to read and ensure it sounds authentic.

Don’t:

• Tell a story for story’s sake. Explain why it is essential.
• Repeat what already lives in a resume.
• Dwell on high school experiences, save for lifelong struggles.
• Make assumptions about locations, names of places, companies, etc.
• Use clichés or generalities.
• Brag about accomplishments.
• Try to impress readers with vocabulary alone.
• Rely on the computer for spell-checking.
• Make grammatical mistakes or typos.

Most undergraduate universities have resources available to help applicants write compelling personal statements for graduate school applications. If stuck, it is always a good idea to speak with the school’s career services department or writing center.

Personal Statement Examples

In addition to helpful advice showing just why their statements were effective, this list offers even more helpful tips for making this critical type of essay stand out. Another valuable resource for personal statements offers samples from medical school admissions, scholarship essays, law school admissions applications and more.

Remember there is no one-size-fits-all formula for how to write a personal statement.?

Top Takeaways

• Personal statements are part of the application process for scholarships and graduate schools.
• A compelling personal statement is unique and tells the reader a story.
• Personal statements need a “hook” to encourage the reader to continue engaging with the essay.
• Personal statements must be free of errors like typos and grammar mistakes.
• Good personal statement essays sum up a person’s qualities and give readers a sense of who the writer is.

(Reporting by NPD)?