Graduate School: Personal Statement
The Personal Statement (also known as a Purpose Statement, Statement of Purpose, Essay):
This document is your opportunity to communicate more about yourself to the graduate school application committee — your hopes, ambitions, experiences (both personal and professional), and inspirations. This is your opportunity to be open and reflective.
Many programs will have specific guidelines for the length of your statement, the topics they want covered or may pose questions for you to answer within your statement.
If a school does not provide guidelines for creating your personal statement, here are a few guidelines to help you get started:
- General length: 1-2 pages
- Begin with an intriguing opening paragraph or statement to grab the reader’s attention
- Provided details that describe your academic preparation and experiences
- Ensure you display high level writing skills