The goal of your personal statement can vary based on the specific application, so be sure to tailor it to each, rather than using a blanket personal statement to send to all programs. Often, a personal statement is a great place to explain any resume gaps, financial need, research interests- information or circumstances that are hard to convey on a resume and transcript. Be as specific as possible. A personal statement should be personal! Some programs may require a service component post-graduation, so if yours does, think of how you’ll complete that portion of it.
- Try not to use too many “I” statements
- Use active verbs and voice
- Make an appointment with the Writing Center to go over misspellings, grammatical errors and typos. The more eyes on your statement, the better.
- Be creative! It’s time to let your beautiful mind shine in the creative process.
- Plan ahead- be aware of due dates and deadlines. Allow enough time for our office and the Writing Center to review your statement.