writing a personal statement

writing a personal statement

Crafting a Compelling Personal Statement: A Guide for University Applicants

1. Introduction to Personal Statements

In the competitive world of the contemporary university experience, crafting a compelling personal statement is crucial for budding academics and innovators alike. The personal statement, which accompanies university applications in many countries, offers both prospective students and institutions an opportunity to distinguish themselves from the competition. A well-written statement can tip the scales in an applicant’s favor by showing the admissions board that a particular university is not just a vanishing mirage, but a long-held dream.

In this guide, we present a comprehensive approach to penning the personal statement. Specifically, we show the nuts and bolts of gaining a deeper understanding of the writing style, organizing theme, and structural framework that tip the scale in favor of our desired acceptance. To that end, this guide on how to write a personal statement is divided into six comprehensive parts. First, we start with a general overview of what a personal statement is, nuances of how it is applied, and why it causes excitement to the admissions officer. Second, we move onto the first step in our plan—the basics of planning, outlining, and choosing your topic. In building up our writing strategy, we must then articulate our narrative, state the reality, offer an emotional insight, and conclude powerfully to leave the reader awestruck.

2. Identifying Your Unique Qualities and Experiences

Many universities require applicants to submit a personal statement as part of their application package. For many students, the task of writing about oneself can seem daunting. However, with care and an understanding of how to set oneself apart from the competition, the invaluable insight gained from the application process can lead toward developing a strong application essay. The key to writing an effective personal statement is to know your specific qualities and experiences. Every student who has volunteered in their community and earned top grades believes that those details are what admissions offices want to read. While schools greatly appreciate such contributions from students, everyone has some story to share about these activities, which begs the question: What makes me unique? Identifying this quality requires self-reflection and personal growth.

The value of knowing your unique qualities lies in being able to effectively share them with an admissions officer. Remember that universities no longer conduct interviews to learn about the student body and that a personal statement will work in the applicants’ favor if written correctly. Approaching the personal statement as an opportunity to showcase some intangible, and in many cases personal, attributes goes far in making an application stand out. Some considerations to be aware of include understanding who you are in the basic sense and what values you hold. Inform yourself about the time and experiences you have had that have shaped your character and philosophy. Finally, brainstorm and prepare yourself to discuss your goals for the future. Throughout the whole of the essay writing process, ask yourself how your individuality might come across. Can people get a sense of who you are from your statement? Does your personal statement sound like it could have been written by anyone or is your personal touch present? Be honest and fair in your self-assessment in developing your personal statement.

3. Structuring Your Personal Statement Effectively

Your personal statement represents a great opportunity for you to tell your story of what has dedicated your interest in your chosen subject or degree course. As you explain your opinion or set out your ‘pitch’, you naturally motivate your statement’s reader to want to find out more – from an academic perspective. It is not always easy to get underway with writing this statement as a number of conflicting and compromising advice is available, particularly in the United Kingdom.

The personal statement should incorporate a narrative that unites all of the main themes. You should seek to involve the reader with your responses and be original and engaging. You are telling the story from first principles and you are unveiling views around the general topic. The paper might get shorter progressively if each sentence makes point and correlates back to the primary sentence of the paragraph. Remember that the language used in the essay is probably the most critical aspect of your statement. The reader must use this evidence to decide whether you are genuinely interested in the subject or course in which you have applied and whether you have the ability and commitment to succeed, so emphasis on your argument and information on the experiences to confirm your points. Tell stories but do not mention details. Clearness in your studies is the main priority, and the statement should not only show the writing ability, but also the interest, discovery, critical thinking, teamwork, and initiative. All the attributes are valued by the universities. The statement should start with your friend reviewing and include your reasons for wishing to study the course, include enthusiasm about books or exposition, take part in an academic pathway or distinctive clusters and link the course to the professional career.

4. Showcasing Your Achievements and Goals

Applicants must incorporate into their personal statement any significant achievements that are relevant to the academic program they are applying for. This means referring to extracurricular activities, volunteering, or work experiences that shed light on their worldviews, community involvement, and personal growth. It is also recommended to explicitly mention academic achievements here, as this may shed light on why the applicant feels they are a good fit for the program they are applying to. The personal statement should demonstrate how the candidate’s goals have led them to pursue study in their chosen field. It is crucial that these motivations be consistent with both their future career aspirations and the field of study they are entering. Letting the admissions committee know why the candidate wants to study their field of interest and what they intend to do with their education shows a commitment to success. It also shows that the candidate’s excitement for their chosen field of study supersedes any temporary academic hardships they may face.

It’s possible to start a personal statement with a paragraph about an extracurricular activity, volunteer work, or job, and reason your way to discussing academic achievements, future educational goals, and long-term career aspirations. Conversely, you could open with a story about a teacher in your chosen field who was able to guide you through your undergraduate studies and who makes you excited to undertake graduate studies in the same field. There are no strict rules about length, focus, or organization of particular stories for the personal statement. As long as the applicant is discussing their feelings, goals, and plans for the future, they should feel free to incorporate stories as they see fit.

5. Editing and Polishing Your Personal Statement

The personal statement should be revised and each sentence carefully reviewed in order to build an overall statement with its own unique voice and flow. Copy and pasting sentences will not cut it because it takes away from the inherent richness of your character and how you would like to convey yourself. Ensure that ideas and points flow into each other, and that you have not already covered a point, topic or aspect elsewhere if it only needs to be represented once. The more you can edit and improve your statement, the clearer and richer a picture it will paint of who you are as a person, and what has led you to apply for the course.

It can be a difficult and time-consuming process, but seeking feedback at every stage from friends, teachers, and careers advisors is essential. The first draft may look unrecognizable to the final copy once you have sought and implemented feedback and comments. Sending an updated draft after you have significantly revised the statement and made recommended changes to a friend or career advisor is always a good idea. By doing so, you can demonstrate the effort you have made to accept and act on any feedback and suggestions on the document towards improving your statement, solidifying your previous drafts, and any refinements suggested from the research or insights you receive will just about determine that you are on the right track.