Writing a Graduate School Personal Statement

Personal statements are a key component of graduate school applications. They complement other application components, such as résumés, transcripts, and letters of recommendation, and allow applicants a chance to write directly to the admissions team about why they are pursuing admission to the program and why they are a good candidate. They also showcase applicants’ writing ability, as writing is an essential skill in graduate studies. 

Sample Personal Statements

Getting Started 

  • Begin working on your statement early to allow ample time for document preparation and editing. It is typical to write multiple drafts. 
  • Research the specific programs you are applying to so you know the parameters of the personal statement(s) you’ll need to write. Look for information such as:
    • The number of statements required
    • Any specific prompts
    • Length requirements/limits
    • Formatting requirements (ex. one essay vs. long-answer responses to individual questions) 
  • Check resources offered by any professional associations in your field; some may have sample personal statements or suggested guidelines. 

Content 

If your program provides a specific personal statement prompt: 

  • Answer the prompt! This advice may sound simple, but if you do not directly answer the prompt, you are not giving the admissions committee the information they need to consider your candidacy. 

If your program does not provide a specific prompt, consider addressing the following: 

  • Motivation: Why are you pursuing this graduate degree? How did your interest in this field originate? 
  • Career goals: What are your professional aspirations? 
  • Relevant experiences: Share academic, work, or personal experiences that have prepared you for this field. 
  • Program compatibility: Why is this specific program a good match for you? 
  • Contributions: How will you contribute to the program and the field? 

Structure & Flow 

There are three common structure options for personal statements. Choose whichever one you feel will best allow you to tell your story. 

  1. Broad-to-narrow:
    • Start by describing your journey, including who you are and how you gained experience in your field. 
    • Then share your aspirations, including why you are interested in this field and what kind of graduate student/professional you want to be. 
    • End by connecting the dots, focusing on how this program is essential for you to attain your goals and how you can benefit the program. 
  2. Chronological:
    • Start by including one of your earliest introductions to the field you are pursuing in your introduction. 
    • Continue detailing your growing interest in the field over time through your body paragraphs. 
    • Use your final body paragraph and/or conclusion to explain your future aspirations and how this program is a logical next step in your journey.
  3. Theme-based:
    • End your first paragraph with a thesis statement that identifies the main theme of your statement. Your main theme could focus on one of your core values, the top reason you want to pursue the field, or another key point you’d like to make. 
    • Detail your relevant experiences and skills throughout the body paragraphs, connecting each back to the thesis statement. 
    • Reiterate your thesis in the conclusion and mention how the program you are applying to also relates to your thesis. 

If you are not sure which of these structures to choose, consider trying multiple and then choosing which one feels or flows the best. 

Writing Style 

  • Start your statement with a compelling opening to capture the reader’s attention. 
  • Organize your statement in a logical way with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. Ensure the key takeaways you want readers to have are clearly identifiable throughout your statement and reiterated in your conclusion. 
  • Be concise, focused, and on topic while writing your statement. Because you have a limited amount of space, every sentence should be relevant to your overall story or theme.  
  • Provide specific, detailed examples which effectively demonstrate each point you are making. Show don’t tell. 
  • Portray genuine enthusiasm in an authentic way without exaggerating or gushing. 
  • Avoid  
    • Vague or generalized language that can be found in any applicant’s personal statement 
    • Technical language (keep in mind some of the admissions committee may not have a technical background in your field) 
    • Over-sharing, particularly personal information covered by privacy laws (e.g., FERPA, HIPAA) 
    • Using generative AI to write any part of your statement for you 

Revising and Refining 

  • Revise and edit your statement multiple times (ideally with breaks in between) to ensure that it is clear, coherent, and comprehensive. 
  • Seek feedback from multiple people, including people in and outside your field. They may have different feedback, but this can be helpful since the members of the admissions committee may also have different perspectives. 
  • Proofread, proofread, proofread! Ensure your statement is free of grammatical errors and typos before submitting. 

Sample Personal Statements 

Our collection of personal statement samples features examples from many different industries. UConn students and alumni can visit the 12twenty Resource Library to view these samples.