Personal Statement

A new year is a time for setting new goals. Maybe one of your goals is to pursue education at a graduate school. If so, you are required to write a personal statement, which gives you a chance to reveal your qualifications without being seen or heard. In other words, it's an opportunity to make a nice first impression. So let your personality shine through. Thus, it is crucial to invest your time and energy into representing yourself in the most favorable light.

A personal statement resembles a cover letter. You introduce yourself and clarify the purpose of enrolling in the program of your choice, the program's relevance to your goals, your future career plans after completing the program, etc. Writing a personal statement is not as difficult as it might seem if you know exactly what you are supposed to do. Here are some helpful guidelines:

• Grab the reader’s attention with a compelling hook (For instance, explain why you are applying with a personal story);
• Show, don't tell (resort to interesting details rather than general statements);
• Demonstrate your knowledge of the subject and highlight your prior research, work, etc.;
• If you are applying to several schools, you can use the same letter, but adjust it to the specific aspects of that school;
• If specific questions in the application are presented, be sure to answer them thoroughly;
• Explain any academic gaps, low grades, or other issues;
• Pay attention to the required word count;
• Proofread carefully before submitting.