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Your Personal Statement: Finding Something to Say
Many graduate school applications include a section called the Personal Statement, Purpose Statement, or Candidate's Admission Statement. This is the section of the application where you can explain why you want to go to graduate school, why you are choosing this particular program, what your goals are, etc. A sincere, memorable, and interesting personal statement can make all the difference to your graduate school application - especially if your GRE scores and undergraduate grades are not as stellar as you would like. Does this sound intimidating? Follow these tips to help you figure out what to say in your personal statement.
Read the statement topic thoroughly and carefully
The statement topic for each school to which you apply is going to be slightly different, and you are going to want to want to write a different statement for each program. Read the topic carefully, highlighting or making notes of important words and phrases you need to address in your statement.
Think about what you want to say
Once you have an idea of what information the personal statement needs to include, start making notes or a list of personal and career/educational details about your life. Your statement needs to provide a compelling explanation as to why you are a stronger candidate for graduate school than other applicants and why you will be successful in your chosen career. This is not a time to be modest!
Personal details to note
- Anything that is special or impressive about you, your life, and your goals.
- Details of your life that set you apart from other applicants.
- Obstacles or hardships you have had to overcome in your life.
- Personal characteristics that will improve your chance for success in your chosen field.
- General skills you possess that will improve your chance for success in your chosen field.
Career/educational details to note
- When and how you became interested in your field of study.
- How your education and/or work experience have increased your interest in this field of study.
- Why you are well-suited to this field.
- Your career goals.
- Skills you have developed through your education/work that have contributed to your growth.
- Your career goals.
- Gaps in your academic record (such as a high GPA but low GRE scores).
