Writing Your Personal Statement

November 8, 2010Lynn Willits, Director of Career Education

Why is the personal statement so important?

It is the only part of your application that is not based on test scores or other people’s perceptions of you.

It is the one part of your application that you have complete control of and allows you to make a personal case for yourself.

Writing the Personal Statement

1. The general, comprehensive personal statement:

Allows you maximum freedom in terms of what you write and is the type of statement often prepared for standard medical or law school applications.

The personal statement generally falls into one of two categories:

2. The response to very specific questions: Business, graduate school and other

professional school applications often ask specific questions, and your statement should respond specifically to the questions being asked.

Some applications favor multiple essays, typically asking for responses to three or more questions.

The personal statement generally falls into one of two categories:

The Do’s of Writing Your Personal Statement

Tell a story Provide concrete examples that pertain to your life,

goals and experiences. This will distinguish your story and make yourself more memorable.

Be thoughtful, honest and reflective. Be specific in relating your achievements, obstacles,

goals and values.

The Do’s cont.

Concentrate on Your Opening Paragraph The lead or opening paragraph is generally the most

important. It is here your grab the reader’s attention or lose it.

Use a quote, story, an anecdote or an engaging description of a scene.

Unite your essay and give it direction with a theme or thesis.

Choose what you want to discuss and the order in which you want to discuss it.

Tell what you know Write about what interests or excites you in your

particular field. Be as specific as you can in relating what you know. Use the language that professionals use. Refer to experiences, research, classes, books you’ve

read, seminars you’ve attended. Explain why you’re suited to this field.

The Do’s cont.

Do some research Find out what sets your choice apart from other

universities or programs. If the school setting would provide an important

geographical or cultural change for you, this might be a factor to mention.

The Do’s cont.

Answer the questions that are asked Don’t be tempted to use the same statement for all

applications. If slightly different answers are needed, write

separate statements. If you are asked to describe your greatest

accomplishment or challenges, use vivid language. Allow your reader to visualize your accomplishment

and your sense of success.

The Do’s cont.

Write well, clearly and correctly Be meticulous. Adhere to required word limits. Read it out loud. Proofread! Proofread! Proofread!

The Do’s cont.

Be specific, be concise

Strive for depth, not breadth.

If you say you would make an excellent doctor (lawyer, teacher, engineer, etc.), back it up with specifics.

The Do’s cont.

Avoid Clichés “I want to help people” “I love working with children” “I am good at science”

Express your original thought

The Do’s cont.

Use Your Resources

• The Writing Center

• Your faculty advisor or program director

• Alumni, family or friends who have attended the medical or law school you are interested in

• Internet examples

The Do’s cont.

Don’t...

1. Include information that doesn’t support thesis2. Start essay with “I was born in…” 3. Write an autobiography, itinerary or resume in

prose4. Try to be a clown (gentle humor is OK)5. Try to impress reader with your vocabulary

The Don’ts

Don’t…1. Rely exclusively on your computer for spell check2. Provide a collection of generic statements3. Give weak excuses for your GPA or test scores4. Be afraid to start over if the essay just isn’t

working or doesn’t answer the essay question5. Make things up!

The Don’ts cont.

Underestimating the time and difficulty involved in developing the personal statement.

You cannot start working on the essay one week before it’s due. Start early.

Lack of “flow”. Have different people review and give feedback.

Spelling and grammar mistakes. These will kill you. Failing to let yourself come through. Including topics that you can’t support in an

interview.

Mistakes to Avoid

What’s special, unique, distinctive, and/or impressive about you or your life story? What details of your life (personal/family problems, history, people or events that have shaped you

or influenced your goals) might help the committee better understand you or help set you apart from other applicants?

When did you become interested in this field and what have you learned about it (and yourself) that has reinforced your desire that you are well suited to this field?

What are your career goals? What are your expected goals in this field? Are there any gaps or discrepancies in your academic record that you should

explain (great grades, but mediocre MCAT, LSAT, or GRE scores)? What personal characteristics (integrity, compassion, persistence, honesty) do you

possess that would improve your prospects for success in this profession? How can you document that you have these characteristics?

What skills (leadership, analytical, technical, communicative, language) do you possess? Why might you be a stronger candidate than other applicants?

Questions to address…

http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/about-ama/our-people/member-groups-sections/minority-affairs-consortium/transitioning-residency/writing-your-personal-statement.shtml

http://lawschool.about.com/od/applicationprocess/tp/personalstatement.htm

http://www.princetonreview.com/medical/personal-statement.aspx

http://www.accepted.com/grad/personalstatement.aspx

Helpful Websites

Questions?Contact:

Career Education, 314.529.9375 or the Writing Center, 314.529.9228

for more information.