Writing Personal Statements:

standing out in the lineup

so wait, I’m one of how many?Your opportunity to sell yourself in the application

process. Generally two types:

• General, comprehensive personal statement: allows you maximum freedom (often prepared for standard medical or law school application forms).

• Response to very specific questions: (often, business and graduate school). Statement should respond specifically. Some business school applications favor multiple essays, asking for responses to three or more questions.

Adapted from: Purdue OWL

color inside the lines…

• Length will almost always be specified (word count or pages)

• Questions or prompts will often be included (if not check other application prompts or institutional/dept. websites)

• Remember the heading (matching to a resume or CV heading can be a nice touch!)

• Answer every question asked• Be aware of what might be controversial or irrelevant• Pay attention to detail!

but use lots of color!

• Find an “in” (hook, angle) - the opening paragraph is important!

• Be specific (don’t make general claims and then just leave them “I’d make a great doctor”)

• Do your homework (background on the school, faculty, courses)

• Avoid clichés

things to do

• Depth rather than breadth. Narrow focus to one or two key themes, ideas or experiences

• Tell something that no other applicant will be able to say

• Provide insight into what drives you

• Be yourself, not the 'ideal' applicant

• Get creative and imaginative in the opening remarks

Adapted from: Stewart, Mark Alan. Perfect Personal Statements. New York: Simon & Schuster Macmillan, 1996.

things to do (cont.)

• Address the school's unique features that interest you• Focus on the affirmative; consider an addendum to explain

deficiencies or blemishes• Evaluate experiences, rather than describe• Proofread carefully for grammar, syntax, punctuation, word

usage, and style• Use readable fonts, typeface, and conventional spacing and

margins

Adapted from: Stewart, Mark Alan. Perfect Personal Statements. New York: Simon & Schuster Macmillan, 1996.

things to avoid

• Do not submit an expository resume; avoid repeating information found elsewhere on the application

• Do not complain or whine about the "system" or circumstances in your life

• Do not preach to your reader. You can express opinions, but do not come across as fanatical or extreme

• Do not talk about money as a motivator

• Do not discuss your minority status or disadvantaged background unless you have a compelling and unique story that relates to it

• Do not remind the school of its rankings or tell them how good they are

Adapted from: Stewart, Mark Alan. Perfect Personal Statements. New York: Simon & Schuster Macmillan, 1996.

things to avoid (cont.)

• Don’t use boring clichéd intros or conclusions…"Allow me to introduce myself. My name is...”"This question asks me to discuss...”"I would like to thank the admissions committee for considering my application.”"It is my sincere hope that you will grant me the opportunity to attend your fine school.”"In sum, there are three reasons why you should admit me...”

• Don’t use unconventional and gimmicky formats and packages• Don’t submit supplemental materials unless they are requested• Don’t get the name of the school (or people) wrong• Don’t incorporate technical language or very uncommon words

and irrelevant or over-ambitious name dropping can do more harm than good

Adapted from: Stewart, Mark Alan. Perfect Personal Statements. New York: Simon & Schuster Macmillan, 1996.

remember…

• In many cases, the personal statement is the single most important document a selection committee will see

• Have lots of friends or colleagues in your field take a look at the statement for you!

• Make contact with people (students and/or faculty) in the program early-on (if possible)

• Don’t be afraid to keep multiple copies of your personal statement for multiple purposes!

• Think about having clients write a “personal” personal statement to be honest about their drive