How to write a personal statement

A personal statement is essential for graduate school applications because it enables applicants to showcase their individuality, explain their fit for the program, show their passion and commitment. 

By its most straightforward description, a personal statement is a short essay in which you tell the reader about:

personal statement essay

Although it looks like detailed and crafty work, writing a personal statement isn’t that hard. You are good to go as long as you follow our step-by-step guide. 

Step 1: Analyze a 5-paragraph personal statement

Before we dive into the steps of writing a great personal statement, let’s first analyze an engaging example. Simply hover over on the sentences to see how they stand in the academic writing context.

5-Paragraph Personal Statement Example

Personal Statement for Harvard MBA

Introduction

From an early age, I have been driven by a passion for business and entrepreneurship. An emotional and impressive opening As a young girl, I started a small baking business in my community, and through dedication and hard work, I was able to grow it into a thriving enterprise. This experience sparked a lifelong interest in business, and I have since worked in various roles in the corporate world, including finance, marketing, and management. An interesting/impressive story about yourself Now, as I consider pursuing an MBA, I am drawn to Harvard University for its unparalleled reputation and commitment to excellence. An explanation about your motivation

Body Paragraphs

So, why should Harvard choose me for its MBA program? Firstly, my academic record and professional experience demonstrate my exceptional proficiency in business management. Answer why they should choose you I have consistently achieved high grades, held leadership positions, and completed several successful projects, including a marketing campaign that generated record sales for my company. Give evidence on your background Additionally, I am a collaborative and dedicated team member, as evidenced by my experience leading cross-functional teams and driving successful outcomes. Keep explaining your competencies

Furthermore, I have a clear moral compass and am committed to using my knowledge and skills to make a positive impact on society. My ultimate goal is to start my own socially responsible business that will help address global issues such as poverty, inequality, and climate change. Correlate your morals with your aims With an MBA from Harvard, I believe I will be better equipped to achieve this goal and make a real difference in the world. Explain how Harvard will help you with your goals

Looking towards the future, I am excited about the opportunities that an MBA from Harvard will provide me. I am particularly interested in the school's focus on entrepreneurship and its network of successful alumni who have gone on to create some of the world's most innovative companies. I am confident that Harvard will provide me with the skills and knowledge I need to succeed in my future endeavors and make a meaningful contribution to society. Keep expanding on your motivation and how Harvard will help you

Conclusion

I believe that I am an outstanding candidate for Harvard's MBA program due to my exceptional academic record, my collaborative and dedicated nature, and my commitment to using business to make a positive impact on society. Wrap up your personal statement I am excited about the opportunity to learn from and contribute to Harvard's community of scholars and innovators and am confident that an MBA from Harvard will provide me with the tools and resources I need to achieve my long-term goals. End with a memorable and strong closing sentence

First of all, don’t disregard the fact that the reader isn’t a passionate reader of yours. In other words, you aren’t a famous writer of any bestseller. 

That’s why your personal statement should be exact, accurate, and to the pointIf you are asked to answer a set of specific questions, try to meet the instructions in your paper. 

As seen from the example above, a well-organized personal statement consists of the three following parts: introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

Let’s now continue with each part, starting from the introduction.

essay outline structure

Step 2: Write an attention-grabbing introduction

First, choose a good title. Then, starting with a striking sentence is an important way to grab the attention of the reader. It’s important to write a strong introduction to your personal statement as it sets the tone for the rest of your paper and draws the reader in. When writing an introduction:

Personal statement introduction example

Introduction

As an avid problem solver with a passion for technology, my interest in Computer Science began as a mere fascination with the endless possibilities of coding. An impressive opening that hints the reason for interest However, it wasn't until I embarked on a project to develop a website that would help underprivileged children gain access to education that I fully realized the transformative potential of technology. An impressive story about yourself I was amazed at the impact that a simple tool could have on the lives of children and families, and since then, I have been driven to pursue a career in Computer Science that will enable me to make an even greater difference in the world. A brief explanation of your motivation

As you see from the example, a successful introduction would include the following:

Once again, the introduction paragraph is the part that provides the biggest opportunity to catch the reader’s attention. Don’t forget to stand out among others.

Step 3: Build compelling body paragraphs

This is where you open up your feelings towards a general or specific topic you want to work on. In this part of your personal statement, you are generally expected to give detailed information on your educational background and your reason of application.

Personal statement body paragraphs example

Body Paragraphs

So, why should I be chosen for MIT's Computer Science program? Highlight/answer: whey they should choose you Firstly, my academic record demonstrates my exceptional proficiency in Mathematics, Science, and Computer Science. I have consistently achieved high grades, participated in numerous competitions, and completed several research projects, including a machine learning project that predicts COVID-19 symptoms. Additionally, I am a collaborative and dedicated team member, as evidenced by my experience leading the robotics team at my school and working as a mentor for underprivileged students who are interested in Computer Science. Give evidence of your competencies

Furthermore, I have a clear moral compass and am committed to using my knowledge and skills to make a positive impact on society. State your morals My ultimate goal is to develop technology that will help address global issues such as poverty, inequality, and climate change. With a degree from MIT's prestigious Computer Science program, I believe I will be better equipped to achieve this goal and make a real difference in the world. Be clear and descriptive about your future plans

Pro tips for writing body paragraphs

Step 4: Write an effective conclusion

In the conclusion part of your statement, you wrap your ideas, ambitions, and stories up. In this part, you are expected to correlate what you’ve written until this part and remind the most important points to the reader.

Personal statement conclusion example

Introduction

After all, I believe that I am an excellent candidate for MIT's Computer Science program due to my exceptional academic record, my collaborative and dedicated nature, and my commitment to using technology to make a positive impact on society. Restate your competencies and slowly wrap up I am confident that MIT's program will provide me with the skills and knowledge I need to achieve my long-term goals and contribute to creating a better world. Finish your personal statement with a strong closing sentence

Pro tips for writing a conclusion

Step 5: Proofread and edit

The last, and maybe the most underestimated, part of a successful statement of purpose is to check your grammar (active and passive, capitalization, headings, etc.) and proofread your paper for common mistakes.

Don’t hesitate to use a simple language. As long as you aren’t applying to a PhD program in literature or linguistics, your main concern should be forming clean and understandable statements.

Lastly, follow these tips to finalize your personal statement essay.

Key takeaways

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of a personal statement?

A personal statement serves as almost like an essay, where you highlight your qualifications, experiences, and motivations. It is often used for job or scholarship applications, or college admissions. Its goal is to provide insights into who you are, your accomplishments, and the reasons you make a strong candidate.

How long should a personal statement be?

A personal statement’s length can vary depending on the specific requirements, but it’s generally advised to be focused and concise. Personal statements for graduate or college applications are typically 500-800 words long. It’s important to follow any word or character restrictions listed in the application criteria.

What should I include in a personal statement?

You should include your background, accomplishments, experiences, motivations, and long-term goals in your personal statement. It’s a chance for you to highlight your special skills and how they connect to the program or job you’re applying for. Make sure to explain why you’re a good fit for the position and what makes you stand out from the competition.

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Deniz Akcaoglu
Content editor and writer. Probably out there trying to get into an obscure band she actually hates the sound of.