Personal Statements Decoded

Fact: Personal Statements are difficult to write.

Fact: Personal Statements are a crucial part of the graduate school admissions process.

Fiction: Without a traumatic, life-changing event, it’s impossible to write an effective personal statement.

If you’re like any other stressed college senior applying to graduate schools, the concept of a personal statement can be hard to grasp.  The thought of summing up your life experiences into a statement can be frightening. Relax- you’re not alone. And now read- all the in’s and out’s of an admission-winning personal statement is right here.

What is a personal statement? A personal statement is your own marketing campaign. It is a way to sell yourself in the application process, and a way to set you apart from the masses. When you’re applying, many other applicants will have your same test scores, grade point average, and extracurricular activities. This is the place to add something truly unique to your application package by letting your personality, experiences, and voice shine through.

The personal statement typically fits into one of two categories. There is the general, comprehensive personal statement, which is typical for medical and law school applications. The prompt for this statement reads like "Discuss any matters relevant to your ability to succeed in law school and the practice of law, and any attributes, experiences, or interests that would enable you to make a distinctive contribution..." The second type of response is much more specific, and asks you to answer a number of particular questions. This format is typical for business or master's programs. Regardless of format, there are certain general tips that can be used to turn your essay into a winning statement.

Step 1: Think about your life.

Reflect on what has happened in the past, what has led you to this point, and why you want to attend graduate school. You can ask yourself a number of questions, such as:

•       What is important to me?
•       What experiences have I had?
•       What qualities do I possess that are necessary for this profession?
•       What goals do I hope to accomplish by attending graduate school?   

Step 2: Write.

Start by brainstorming your achievements, career goals, leadership roles, and personal interests. Once you’ve done this, narrow the emphasis to one specific theme or point. Use that point to write your introductory paragraph, which then sets the stage for the rest of the essay. The introductory paragraph should hook and intrigue the reader. The following paragraphs should support and develop the theme you establish in the introduction.

Make sure you tell a story. Use your life experiences to write a narrative that leads the reader through your journey. Interweave these personal experiences with intellectual interests. As admissions committees plod through the piles of applications, personal statements that pique their interest, entertain them, and keep them interested are the ones that will stand out. Even if your experiences are similar to those of other applicants, if you can put a spin on your stories and draw unique lessons out of experiences, this can be an effective personal statement. Make sure you are avoid writing a narrative resume or telling your complete life story.

Above all, start early enough to go through several drafts. During the writing process, seek help from others. Ask friends and family members to read through your statement, or go to your school's writing center or career center for additional editing help. It never hurts to get fresh eyes to look at your statement! (Just make sure the writing is still yours.)

Step 3: Have you...

• Answered the question?
• Written well?
• Hooked the reader with your opening paragraph?
• Avoided cliches? 
• Been interesting?

If you can say yes to all these things, you’re on your way to an all-star personal statement! Good luck!