When applying to undergraduate or graduate schools, applicants will be required to write a personal statement, which can take two different forms. The first one is a general, comprehensive personal statement, which allows students to write about anything of their choosing as long as it relates to themselves. This first type is most commonly used for medical or law school applications. The second type, the response to very specific questions, is generally found on business or graduate school applications. Statements should respond directly to the questions being asked on their applications.

Before the Writing Process

Before beginning to write, students should begin the reflection process by asking themselves a series of questions, including:

• What is special or distinctive about my life or myself?
• What are some details of my life that will help committee members better understand me?
• When did I become interested in my respective field? What have I learned about it?
• What are some unique experiences or opportunities I’ve had in my field?
• What are my career aspirations?
• Have I had to overcome any obstacles or hardships?
• What types of personal characteristics do I possess that are compatible with my future profession?
• What unique skills do I possess?
• Why am I considered a strong candidate for graduate school?
• Why should the admissions committee be interested in me?
• What do I have to offer?

Crafting a Personal Statement

Although crafting a personal statement can seem extremely overwhelming, if students follow the below advice, their personal statements will be eye catching.

1. Students should answer all required questions that are asked on all applications. Even if the questions on each application are similar, applicants should not reuse their personal statement responses on all applications. All responses should fit the specific questions being answered, and should not veer off into unrelated topics.
2. Applicants should try to think of a story to tell demonstrating a personal characteristic through concrete experience. Admissions officers do not appreciate any mundane personal statements, so applicants’ statements should aim to be lively, fresh and unique. If applicants are able to distinguish themselves through a personal narrative, then they become unforgettable.
3. Applicants should always be specific when writing their personal statements. Instead of using bland, general language or details, applicants should use colorful, detailed language in order to describe their unique qualifications. Applicants desire to be in their fields should be reflected as a logical, specific experience in their personal statements.
4. Finding an angel from which to write applicants’ personal statements will be vital in luring the committee officers.
5. The lead paragraph is the most important in a personal statement – it is the first section admissions officers read, and therefore should be attention-grabbing. The introductory paragraph also becomes the framework for the rest of the statement.
6. Because too many individuals graduate knowing little or nothing about how their future profession or field operates, it is vital that the middle sections of applicants’ statements display experience in and knowledge of their respective fields. Applicants should refer to specific experiences, courses, books, seminars or conversations with professors they have had. Given that applicants have the liberty of deciding what should go in their personal statements, their choices are often indicative of applicants’ judgment.
7. Certain subjects should remain out of personal statements, including references or experiences or accomplishments in high school. Controversial topics should also be avoided.
8. If some research is required in order to answer an admissions essay, such as why a certain program is better than another one, applicants should do thorough research. If a certain school provides potential cultural and/or geographical experiences, those factors should be mentioned as well.
9. All personal statements should be proofread for grammatical errors and/or spelling mistakes. Most admissions officers agree that a good command of language is very important to them. Applicants’ personal statements should be expressed clearly and concisely, and all word limits should be obeyed.
10. Most importantly, admissions applicants should avoid clichés when crafting their personal statements. Thus, personal statements should not reiterate often-repeated or tiring statements.

Oftentimes, applicants will be required to produce several drafts of their personal statements. Professors or other highly trusted individuals should read over each personal statement draft in order to revise it for the better. Because of the long revising process, applicants should plan months in advance before the applications are actually due.