General Resource : Resources for Graduate Schools >> 3. Personal Statement

• What is a Personal Statement or Essay?
• Submitted by Joe Wilson on 2010-01-10
• 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:

  • Background Information (i.e., research interests, education, research and work experience)
  • Future oriented expectations (i.e., reasons for pursuing degree, expectations of program, short/long-term goals)
  • Personality Factors (i.e., maturity, unique characteristics, your enthusiasm and commitment to the field)
  • 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:
    • Where are you coming from? Why are you coming here? Where are you going after this?
    • What makes you unique, different or unusual?
    • Who and what have been your intellectual influences?
    • 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, the Writing Center 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.

  
  
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