How do I write a personal statement?
Many graduate school programs require or give the option to include a personal statement in your graduate school application. Including an optional personal statement can make you a more competitive applicant and offer an opportunity for you to stand out through your individuality, experiences, and potential contributions to the program.
The goal of a personal statement is for the reader and admissions committee to gain a deeper understanding of who you are apart from your education and work experience. It explains why you’re the right fit for the program and a worthwhile applicant. It’s also an opportunity to highlight important factors that may not be readily available in the rest of your application. You will want to communicate how you can contribute to the program and what.
Be sure to address any specific questions or prompts the program’s application provides while also taking the opportunity to highlight new information about you, your identity, your personal and/or academic background and experiences, and how you can contribute to the program.
When there is little to no guidance given on what content to include, you can address these topics:
- Key points you want to communicate about yourself, including personal characteristics or skills that make you a strong candidate for this field and/or program
- Lessons you’ve learned from unique experiences (how you have applied them or will apply them in the future)
- Your career goals and the role graduate school plays into them
- Why you first chose to follow this path and what you enjoy about it
- Unusual obstacles or difficulties you have faced, how it has affected and shaped you
- Address any discrepancies or causes for concern in your application (low GPA, career or schooling gap)
Whether you need help getting started, are wondering what information you should disclose, or need someone to review your final draft, Greene Center career advisors are available to meet with you to brainstorm and discuss your person statement.
