Definition of Personal Statement
A personal statement is a succinct and scholarly composition that provides a comprehensive portrayal of your background, experiences, skills, and aspirations within a specified context. This context is typically associated with academic or professional future. It serves as a reflective and persuasive tool, conveying your unique qualities, motivations, and objectives, highlighting your suitability and potential contributions to a particular academic program, scholarship, job opportunity, or other relevant fields.
The main objective of a personal statement is to concisely and eloquently showcase your qualities, giving a good understanding of your intellectual capability, your character traits, and your likely potential for personal and professional growth.
Types of Personal Statements
There are several types of personal statements. Each personal statement differs from other personal statements. The type of a personal statement depends largely on your context. Here are some major personal statements.
| Type of Statement | Context Where Used | Major Elements |
| Academic Personal Statement | Academic applications (undergraduate or graduate programs) | Academic achievements, research experience, intellectual interests, future academic goals |
| Professional Personal Statement | Job applications, internships, fellowships | Professional experiences, skills, qualifications, career goals, alignment with desired position/industry |
| Scholarship Personal Statement | Scholarship applications | Academic excellence, leadership skills, extracurricular involvement, community service, the impact of scholarship on education and career aspirations |
| Medical or Health Professions Personal Statement | Medical school or health-related program applications | Academic background, clinical experiences, research interests, commitment to patient care, motivation for pursuing a career in healthcare |
| Law School Personal Statement | Law school applications | Academic achievements, critical thinking abilities, analytical skills, legal interests, reasons for pursuing a career in law |
| Graduate School Personal Statement | Graduate school applications | Academic background, research experience, career goals, alignment with a desired graduate program, relevant professional experience, publications |
| Transfer Personal Statement | Transfer applications | Academic achievements, reasons for transferring, how the new institution aligns with educational and career objectives |
| International Student Personal Statement | Academic or professional opportunities abroad | International background, cross-cultural experiences, language proficiency, adaptability, the value brought to institution/organization |
| General Personal Statement | Various contexts | Comprehensive overview of experiences, skills, and aspirations, highlighting unique qualities, experiences, and goals in a broader sense |
Elements of Personal Statement
Why These Elements
The elements of an effective personal statement are of paramount importance. It is because they shape the impact and persuasive power of the document. For example, the introduction serves as a crucial hook, captivating the readers’ attention and establishing the subject’s first impression. The background and experiences section provides essential context, providing the candidate’s qualifications, expertise, and journey through this care, creating credibility and relevance. Motivation and aspirations further showcase the candidate’s drive, purpose, and alignment with the opportunity, illustrating commitment and potential for future success. Here are some common elements used in a personal statement.
- Introduction:
- Engaging the reader’s attention
- Captivating opening
- Incorporating a personal anecdote, thought-provoking statement, or succinct overview of background
- Background and Experiences:
- Pertinent educational background
- Professional experiences
- Research projects
- Internships
- Significant formative experiences
- Motivation and Aspirations:
- Articulating the impetus for pursuing the opportunity
- Long-term career objectives
- Personal aspirations
- Alignment of personal values and passions with the opportunity
- Skills and Qualities:
- Key proficiencies and strengths
- Leadership capabilities
- Teamwork aptitude
- Problem-solving acumen
- Effective communication skills
- Adaptability and flexibility in diverse contexts
- Academic/Professional Achievements:
- Eminent academic/professional accomplishments
- Prestigious awards and accolades
- Publications in reputable journals
- Delivering impactful presentations
- Undertaking noteworthy projects
- Demonstrating unwavering dedication, expertise, and commitment to excellence
- Personal Values and Ethical Principles:
- Personal values and ethical framework
- Influential factors shaping decision-making and approach
- Exhibiting commendable character, integrity, and a commitment to effecting positive change
- Diversity and Unique Perspective:
- Distinctive perspectives stemming from diverse backgrounds
- Multifaceted experiences contributing to a broader understanding
- Cultural heritage and cross-cultural encounters fostering inclusivity and global awareness
- Conclusion:
- Concise recapitulation of key points discussed
- Reflecting on the transformative journey thus far
- Reaffirmation of unwavering commitment and preparedness
- Crafting a poignant closing statement that leaves an indelible impression
Functions of Personal Statement
A personal statement performs several functions. Here is a list of some potential functions with their benefits and their examples of how to write and incorporate them in your personal statement.
| Function | Benefit | Example |
| Showcasing Qualifications and Expertise | Demonstrates the candidate’s qualifications and expertise in a specific field or area of interest. | “My extensive research experience in molecular biology allows me to bring a deep understanding of genetics to my future studies in genomics.” |
| Conveying Motivation and Passion | Highlights the candidate’s genuine interest and enthusiasm for the chosen academic or professional pursuit. | “My unwavering passion for environmental conservation fuels my commitment to pursuing a degree in environmental science and dedicating my career to sustainability initiatives.” |
| Demonstrating Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills | Illustrates the candidate’s ability to analyze complex issues, think critically, and propose innovative solutions. | “Through my involvement in robotics competitions, I have developed exceptional problem-solving skills and an aptitude for designing autonomous systems.” |
| Showcasing Personal Growth and Resilience | Demonstrates the candidate’s ability to overcome challenges, adapt to new environments, and showcase personal growth. | “Despite facing financial hardships, my determination to pursue higher education has fueled my resilience and shaped me into a tenacious and resourceful individual.” |
| Displaying Effective Communication Skills | Highlights the candidate’s ability to effectively articulate ideas, present arguments, and engage with others. | “My experience as a debate team captain has honed my communication skills, enabling me to convey complex concepts clearly and persuasively a clear and persuasive manner.” |
| Illustrating Cultural Competence and Diversity | Showcases the candidate’s cross-cultural experiences, global perspectives, and ability to contribute to diverse academic or professional settings. | “Growing up in a multicultural household has given me a unique perspective, enabling me to navigate diverse environments with empathy, cultural sensitivity, and open-mindedness.” |
| Presenting a Unique Narrative and Voice | Allows the candidate to convey their personal story, values, and experiences, fostering a memorable and authentic connection with the reader. | “As a first-generation college student, I have defied expectations and strive to inspire others by pursuing my passion for computer science and advocating for educational equity.” |
| Demonstrating Commitment and Long-Term Goals | Highlights the candidate’s dedication, commitment, and clear vision for their academic or professional trajectory. | “My long-standing commitment to social justice has fueled my desire to pursue a career in human rights law, advocating for marginalized communities on a global scale.” |
| Providing Insight into Fit with the Institution or Organization | Offers an opportunity for the candidate to articulate how their goals, values, and aspirations align with the mission and values of the target institution or organization. | “The interdisciplinary nature of your engineering program perfectly aligns with my goal to combine my passion for technology with sustainable development, making your institution the ideal platform for my academic journey.” |
Example Outlines of Personal Statement
This is a generic outline for writing a personal statement. You can use it for any specific purpose, changing titles and other elements/features, giving it your desired structured after properly outlining it. This table provides a guide how to outline a personal statement.
Title: From Curiosity to Impact: Unveiling the Path of Scientific Exploration
| Title | Outline |
| 1. Introduction | Hook the reader with a captivating opening sentence. |
| Share a personal anecdote about a pivotal moment that sparked your curiosity and ignited your passion for scientific exploration. | |
| 2. Background and Experiences | Describe your academic background, including relevant coursework and research experience. |
| Highlight any internships, projects, or extracurricular activities that have shaped your scientific interests and skills. | |
| Showcase your dedication to learning and exploring new frontiers in your chosen field. | |
| 3. Motivation and Aspirations | Discuss your intrinsic motivations for pursuing a career in scientific exploration. |
| Explain how your passion for discovery and innovation drives you to make a meaningful impact in your field. | |
| Articulate your long-term goals and how they align with the opportunity you are applying for. | |
| 4. Skills and Qualities | Showcase the skills and qualities that make you a strong candidate for scientific exploration. |
| Highlight your critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and ability to work in collaborative environments. | |
| Provide examples of how you have applied these skills in your academic or research endeavors. | |
| 5. Academic/Professional Achievements | Highlight any notable academic or research achievements, such as awards, publications, or presentations. |
| Discuss the significance of these achievements and how they have contributed to your growth as a scientist. | |
| Demonstrate your ability to excel in your field and your commitment to pushing boundaries. | |
| 6. Personal Values and Ethical Principles | Share your personal values and ethical principles that guide your scientific pursuits. |
| Discuss the importance of integrity, transparency, and responsible conduct in your work. | |
| Emphasize your commitment to ethical research practices and the positive impact you strive to create. | |
| 7. Diversity and Unique Perspective | Highlight any unique perspectives or diverse experiences that you bring to the scientific community. |
| Discuss how your diverse background enhances your ability to think critically, problem-solve, and collaborate effectively. | |
| Emphasize the value of inclusivity and cultural understanding in driving scientific advancements. | |
| 8. Conclusion | Summarize the key points discussed in your personal statement. |
| Reflect on your journey and the growth you have experienced as a scientist. | |
| End with a powerful closing statement that leaves a lasting impression on the reader, reinforcing your passion for scientific exploration and your commitment to making a significant impact in your chosen field. |
Suggested Readings
- McGinty, Sarah Myers. The College Application Essay. College Board, 2017.
- Gelb, Alan. Conquering the College Admissions Essay in 10 Steps. Ten Speed Press, 2017.
- Asher, Donald. Graduate Admissions Essays: Write Your Way into the Graduate School of Your Choice. Ten Speed Press, 2017.
- O’Shaughnessy, Lynn. The College Solution: A Guide for Everyone Looking for the Right School at the Right Price. FT Press, 2018.
- Dowhan, Chris, et al. Essays That Will Get You into College. Barron’s Educational Series, 2017.
- Fiske, Edward B., and Bruce G. Hammond. Fiske Real College Essays That Work. Sourcebooks, 2020.
- Lamott, Anne. Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life. Anchor, 1995.
- Williams, Joseph M. Style: Toward Clarity and Grace. University of Chicago Press, 2018.
- Zinsser, William. On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction. Harper Perennial, 2016.