Creating Effective Personal Statements

For most graduate school applications, you will be required to write a Personal Statement (aka Statement of Purpose), in which you explain why you want to attend the program and why you’re a good fit. It's also your writing sample.

The Personal Statement is a very important part of your application. It can sometimes be the deciding factor in the admissions decision. It will be evaluated for quality of writing and clarity of professional goals. For help with it, connect with your college career office or the U of M Writing Center. You should also consider getting feedback from professors in your field. (TIP: For a quick summary, watch this 10-minute online presentation about personal statements.)

• Conduct self-reflection
  • What are your motivations for pursuing graduate/professional school?
  • What are your interests, skills, and goals?
  • How do your personal goals match with the institutions and programs you’re considering?
  • What makes you a strong candidate for the program?
    
    
• Research programs
  • Questions to consider as you assess graduate programs include:
    • What’s the criteria for acceptance?
    • What are the values of the program and the institution?
    • What are themes expressed by students and staff?
  • If possible, visit the institution and talk to students, faculty, and admissions committee members.
  • Research the program faculty. Get to know their areas of expertise and background.
  • Other ways to gather information:
    • Visit your college career office to browse information about grad schools or for personal assistance.
    • Go to University libraries to browse grad program directories and information.
    • Check out the Web sites of every graduate program that interests you.
    • If you don’t find what you need these ways, contact the grad programs directly to request additional information.

• Follow directions on each specific application
  • Read the instructions very carefully. Follow the required format, and the required word count or page limits.
  • Read each question carefully, and be sure you answer each one.
  • If no specific questions are provided, consider your experiences, motivations, and goals that relate to the program.
  • If creating statements for multiple schools, customize each one to reflect your research and interest in that program.
  • Avoid writing vague or generic-sounding personal statements. They’re ineffective.
    
    
• Mention your research about the program or school
  • You view this program as a good match for you. Explain why.
  • What opportunities does this program offer? What is it known for? Discuss this and why it matters to you.
  • What faculty do you hope to work with and why?
    
    
• Shape how you describe yourself
  • Use anecdotes from your life to tell them who you are. Tell stories about yourself, and relate them to the program and your long-term career plans.
  • Emphasize what’s unique about you. (For example: classes you’ve taken, professors you’ve worked with, or events you’ve attended. You can also highlight projects, volunteer positions, jobs, or internships that relate to your goals.)
  • Demonstrate that you have a realistic sense of the field and the training required. Provide examples of how you’ve prepared yourself for this field. (For example, how you did research, volunteer work, or related personal experiences.)
  • Don’t explain the field or program. The reader of your personal statement will already be an expert.
  • Use your personal statement to highlight information not covered in other parts of your application.
  • Draw the reader in with a strong opening statement and strong first paragraph. Your application is one of many, and this will help you stand out in the applicant pool.
  • Say what the program will gain by accepting you.
  • Keep it positive. Do not use your personal statement to explain shortcomings in your background or application, or poor grades. That would highlight negatives, which you want to avoid.
  • If there was a short period during which you did poorly in school or withdrew from classes, and this was due to extenuating life circumstances, you could address that in an addendum. (For example, if you were ill or there was a death in your family.) An addendum is a separate document at the end of your personal statement, and shouldn’t be longer than one page. Make an appointment with a professional career counselor for guidance about addendums.
    
    
• Don’t forget tone and writing style
  • Come across as genuine, realistic, unique, and excited.
  • Show your enthusiasm for the program.
  • Avoid romanticizing your plans. Talk about realistic ways you expect to contribute to the field.
  • Balance your enthusiasm, anecdotes and self-marketing with practical information.
  • Avoid meaningless cliches such as “I’ve always wanted to…” or “I like to help people.”

• Get it critiqued!
  • Edit and proofread it. Are you communicating exactly what you want to say?
  • Does it look professional and well written? Look at grammar, font size, aesthetics, spelling, and format. Don’t forget your personal statement is also a writing sample.
  • Include your name as a header on each page.
  • Get feedback from a professor or advisor.
  • Take it to the Center for Writing for feedback and editing tips. (See the 'Student Writing Support’ section.)
  • CLA students: To get your draft reviewed by a career counselor, visit our office in 135 Johnston Hall or call 612-624-7577 and request a personal statement appointment. You must send us a draft at least 24 hours before your appointment. You can also take our Personal Statements workshop.
    

• Proofread it again.
  Have someone new to it proofread the final version for typos or errors. Then send it with your application materials and congratulate yourself on a project well done!