do personal statements have titles

How To Title A Personal Statement

The majority of the people I’ve seen don’t have a title for their personal statement. (They occasionally write “Personal Statement,” but never “The Importance of Being Serious About Graduate School/college.”)

In this Personal Statement article, we will discuss how to title a personal statement and creative titles for personal statements . 

The perfect title is something along the lines of “University Name Personal Statement” or “Statement for ABC DI.” You’ll be able to choose the proper one for the right program this way.

There is sometimes a room or box given for the title. You have to write the heading there. This may be given at the center, middle or left side of the page.

The “Personal Statement Title” Box Is Not Seen By The Program Directors

Isn’t it fascinating? You can still use the fantastic title you created. You are free to fill the box with whatever you like. However, it will not be printed on the application that the directors will see.

So, what exactly is the purpose of the box? You must determine whose personal statement is which. You’ll choose whatever program(s) you want to apply to in a different section of the application. There will also be a personal statement attached. 

You’ll need to know which statement goes to which program if you apply to multiple programs and compose a personal statement for each one. You’ll see the Personal Statement Title you typed in that field at that time, and you’ll be able to connect the dots.

Length Of The Title

The amount of words in the title box is limited. Your personal statement has a restricted amount of room in the DICAS application. Because two things are listed, there is a little bit of ambiguity about what the limit is.

“Do not exceed the maximum length of 1,000 words,” it reads when you open the personal statement section and select the “Instructions for this Section” button. However, it reads “(max 8,000 characters)” just under the box where you’ll type your personal statement text.

Because the text box is what counts the characters (which includes letters, digits, punctuation marks, and spaces), you should keep it to 8,000 characters. Even though you highlight extra characters in your personal statement in Word and then copy and paste it over (which I encourage because editing in Word is much easier), it will only paste 8,000 characters in that box. 

Before you complete the transfer, you may count the words and letters in Word to see whether everything will fit. You wouldn’t want a word or a phrase in your personal statement to be cut off somewhere in the middle of it.

This implies that when you include a name at the start of your personal statement in that box, those characters will be counted toward the total. As a result, you’ll have fewer characters to explain about your experience or why you wish to do internships in the body of your personal statement. If you have a lot of information to present in your personal statement when asking the questionnaire, adding a subtitle may not be the greatest use of characters.

It’s Good To Know: How To Write A Personal Statement For Transfer Students

If There Is Room, You Can Still Add A Headline

Some of you will have enough space in your 1,000-word limit to include a title in that area so that directors may see it. You can still put a title on it if you want to.

However, while a title may assist introduce a subject or demonstrate your distinct personality, directors will be most interested in the facts in your personal statement. That is where the directors will learn more about you and your internship preparation. Or without a title, there are numerous ways to inject individuality and uniqueness into your personal statement.

THE Summary Of Your Statement’s Heading/Title

In the absence of any graduate school requirements, your heading included the title of the document you’re sending (for example, “Personal Statement”), the institution, and the department. 

Who you’re writing it for (e.g., “Northern University College of Education”), as well as your name. These can be centered, left-justified, or formatted in any professional format.

Titles for Personal Statements with a Creative Twist

I’ve gathered some personal statement examples that will help you in writing the best title for your personal statement.

• How Can Change Be Beneficial?
• Let the light in.
• How my world has shaped my dreams and aspirations.
• Advantages of Educational opportunities.

Points To Be Kept In Mind

After selecting a personal statement title example you have to consider some tips to write a good personal statement. Here are a few pointers to help you come up with your own personal essay title.

• Maintain brevity in your title. Extended titles aren’t appealing to anyone.
• The second need is that you must have a fresh and original title. It is something they aren’t exposed to regularly.
• Use a headline for your personal statement that accurately describes the content of your personal statement.
• Write your title in bold letters. Or write according to the given instructions.
• Your personal statement title must startle the readers and should be relevant.
• Do not use quotations or copy other’s titles. Avoid plagiarism.
• Look for personal statement heading examples and take ideas from that but don’t copy them.

Final Words: how to title a personal statement

So giving a title isn’t very necessary if you don’t see it in your personal statement’s instructions. But if you want to give a title then you must know how to title a personal statement . 

The title of your personal statement should convey the main point of your statement. Write 3-4 titles for your statement and compare them to choose the best one for your personal statement. 

If you’re having trouble finding up an appropriate heading for your personal essay, you can approach us since we have some of the finest personal statement writers on board who can assist you in presenting the ideal headline for the essay. 

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Home » University Of Washington » Do Personal Statements Need A Title?

Do Personal Statements Need A Title?

Table of Contents

Should a personal statement have a title? No title is necessary for a statement of purpose . Graduate school applications expect an applicant to submit one and the document itself should speak itself for its contents.

Should a personal statement have a heading?

THE HEADING FOR YOUR STATEMENT In the absence of any guidelines provided by the graduate school, your heading should include the name of the document you are submitting (e.g., “Personal Statement”), the school and department for whom you are writing it (e.g., “Ohio University College of Education”), and your name.

What should the title of my personal essay be?

Also, they make your text look ordered and clear. The title must bear the theme of the text: choose a title that summarizes the essay . Capitalize all words with certain exceptions: Capitalize the first letter of every word in the title, but do not capitalize pronouns, articles, prepositions, and conjunctions.

How do you format a personal statement title?

In that case, italicize the title of the book (but not the rest of the title of your paper.) margins, and you must use Times New Roman, 12 point size . No other fonts are acceptable. The Heading, which is used in MLA formatting, will not be needed for this document.

What is required for a personal statement?

Your personal statement should include a brief overview of who you are, your strengths and any work experience and/or education you’ve got . Be sure to include skills you’ve gained, such as time management, customer service, teamwork, computer skills etc.

How do you write a personal statement outline?

Address your strengths, experiences and accomplishments . It is important to be specific by using examples from your experiences to support your statements. Do not make assumptions, use clichés or state the obvious. Conclude the statement by summarizing everything that was previously addressed.

Should a personal statement be single spaced?

Personal Statements are typically 1.5 or double spaced and adhere to regular one inch margin space. Use a font that is common and easy to read (Calibri, Times New Roman, etc.).

Should an essay have a title?

Titles create the first impression of an essay: • It is important that your title creates interest and draws readers into your essay . try to title your essay before you have it written. At first, you may want to use a tentative title which will likely change as you revise your drafts.

What is an example of a title?

The definition of a title is the name of a person’s job, the name of a creative work or a word used before someone’s name to indicate his or her status. “Vice President of Marketing ” is an example of a title. The Wizard of Oz is an example of a movie title. “Mr.” and “Mrs.” and “Dr.” are all examples of titles.

How do you start a personal statement example?

Previous years’ top five included:

• ‘From a young age…’
• ‘For as long as I can remember…
• ‘I am applying for this course because…’
• ‘I have always been interested in…’
• ‘Throughout my life I have always enjoyed…’

Should my law school personal statement have a title?

Don’t give your essay a title . Use one-inch margins all around. Double-space your essay. Left-align or justify your essay.

How do you end a personal statement for a masters?

Like the rest of your Masters personal statement, keep the ending simple. Be succinct and make it clear why you’ll be an asset to the university and end on a positive note, with a statement about why the institution would be lucky to have you as a student.

How long should your personal statement be?

Dr Adrian Bell, Admissions Tutor, Engineering, UMIST Page 2 2 Your Personal Statement should be between 350 and 500 words in length and contain a number of paragraphs that link together in a logical, well-written style.

What should not be included in your personal statement?

11 Things NOT to Put in Your Personal Statement

• NEGATIVITY.
• NOT MENTIONING YOUR SKILLS & ACHEIVEMENTS.
• EXAGGERATION & OUTRIGHT LIES.
• POOR SPELLING AND GRAMMAR.
• NOT GETTING FEEDBACK.
• STATING THE OBVIOUS.
• TALKING ABOUT YOUR CHILDHOOD.
• THE WORD PASSION.

What should a 500 word personal statement include?

Writing a 500-word personal statement is your chance to highlight your greatest skills, explain why you would want the job or study there, why you are the ideal candidate for the job, and also how you differ from those other applicants .

How many words is 47 lines?

500 words Regardless, the ‘word’ limit is 47 lines of text, or 4000 characters. This equates to (roughly) 500 words .

Should a personal statement have a thesis?

These essays are sometimes written in response to very specific questions; sometimes, they’re written in response to a generic prompt. In both cases, the good personal statement carefully balances its author’s history and aspirations. Unlike much academic writing, personal statements are not necessarily thesis-driven .

How do you write an amazing personal statement?

What makes a good personal statement?

• Explain the reason for your choice and how it fits in with your aspirations for the future.
• Give examples of any related academic or work experience.
• Show you know what the course will involve and mention any special subjects you’re interested in.

How do I make my personal statement flow?

For your essay to have a natural flow, use tense from your current perspective . Things that happened in the past should be in past tense (“During my shadowing experience, I went…”), and current experiences can be in present tense (“I continue to work as an EMT…”).

Should college essays have a title?

You don’t need a title for your college admissions essay, but you can include one if you think it adds something important .

Should my common app essay have a title?

A title is not required for the Common App essay , but you are, of course, more than welcome to include one if you’d like.

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Is it necessary to title our Personal Statement?

Personal statement title.

Holt  Educational Consultant - / 15460   Sep 11, 2022   #2 Hi, in reference to your question, it is not necessary for the writer to use a title in the personal statement. That is actually an option that is given to the writer but it is not part of the assessment considerations. Most of the essay prompts allow the writer to directly respond in the form or text box since the online submission forms are character or word sensitive. It cuts out the essay when it reaches the maximum count. So providing a title is not really required since it will be taking away space from the actual response presentation. Gone are the days of needing to come up with an impressive title for the application essay since these are no longer paper based applications. It is really more of a personal preference these days. You do not have to do it if you do not want to since it does not serve a purpose in the application process.

famma12345 1 / 2   Sep 17, 2022   #3 I personally don't think you do require a title since personal statement is a combination of quite a lot of different prompts and it wouldn't be easy to pick up one for the name. However, just check with the instructions whether they require it or not. Have a great day

Pettypet 4 / 12   Sep 23, 2022   #4 I don't think it's absolutely necessary to title your personal statement. You may choose to do so though I don't think it has any implications. I believe it is more of personal preference as long as you keep the word count of your essay in mind.

Should your personal statement have a title for law school?

In brief, here's what your law school personal statement will need in terms of format: Overall: No title , 11- or 12-point Times New Roman font, one-inch margins. Header: Your name, your LSAC number, and “Personal Statement” with a page number, formatted as either one or three lines.

Should I put a title on my personal statement?

What not to say in law school personal statement.

Lofty, pretty words that come off as vague should not be included in your law school personal statement. Be specific and look for overly abstract phrasings. If you notice one, try to determine if it's necessary and if so work on clarifying the point you are trying to get across.

How should a law school personal statement look?

Tell an interesting, informative story and personal story about yourself in 700-1400 words (double- spaced) . Check the school's requirements for the exact word count or page limit. Share aspects of your life that are not apparent from your transcript(s), resume, or letters of recommendation.

How personal should a law school personal statement be?

Unlike your undergrad application essay, you may need to be more straightforward with your personal statement for law school. But that doesn't mean it has to be boring. You still want to tell a story that allows the admissions committee to get to know the real you and remember you in a sea of applicants .

LAW SCHOOL ADMISSIONS | my personal statement

How long should you spend on law school personal statement?

Law school applicants should plan to spend time brainstorming their topic, developing outlines, writing, proofreading, and revising their personal statements before submitting them. It can take law school applicants 2-4 weeks to write a good personal statement.

What is a good length for a law school personal statement?

Depending on the law school, your personal statement will range in length from 300 to 1000 words . Most law schools require personal statements that are two to two-and-a-half pages, double-spaced, with one-inch margins and 12 point font.

Do law schools fact check your personal statement?

Finally, this may go without saying, but don't stretch the truth or out-and-out lie in your personal statement. Law school admissions committees will be able to tell. And yes, they will check . Once you have a personal statement topic in mind, set aside some time to write—and just let yourself go.

Who should read my law school personal statement?

You should have a peer, professor, or admissions advisor read your essay. The core question to ask them to evaluate is, “Do you have a good sense of who I am and why I want to attend law school after reading this?” If the answer is no, revisions are necessary. For big changes, rewrite instead of editing.

Should I indent paragraphs in my personal statement?

Allow for ample enough margins that the reader isn't distracted by cramped-looking text. Margins of at least one inch are standard. Single space your text, skipping a line between paragraphs. You can indent paragraph beginnings or not, as long as you're consistent .

What should you absolutely never do when writing your personal statement?

• Telling a story. ...
• Repeating information already contained in your application. ...
• Spending too long discussing personal issues. ...
• Making simple grammatical errors. ...
• Failing to demonstrate capability of university-level study. ...
• Using clichés.

What are the do's and don'ts of a personal statement?

Don't be modest or shy . You want your passions to come across. Don't exaggerate – if you do, you may get caught out in an interview when asked to elaborate on an interesting achievement. Don't use quotes from someone else, or cliches.

What should you not start your personal statement with?

Avoid overused opening sentences, quotes and clichés like 'when I was young…' They want to know about you now, not your childhood or Shakespeare!

How do you title a personal statement document?

You may title your essay "Personal Statement." I would not use a creative title, like “Turning Points” or “Life Lessons,” which can sound hokey. You might also add page numbers, especially if your document is more than 2 pages long. Finally, make sure that you're sending a clean PDF.

Is the title included in word count for personal statement?

Title. A title to your college essay is generally not required and takes from your word count . It can also confine your essay to a single meaning, so if you decide to use titles, use them with care. Keep your font double-spaced with a line space between the paragraphs to keep the essay easy on the eyes.

Should my essay have a title?

An essay title is important because it accomplishes a few things: Tells readers what the essay is about . Catches potential readers' attention. Helps researchers sort essays and find the ones most relevant to their work.

What is the first sentence of the law school personal statement?

The beginning of a solid law school personal statement ought to be intriguing, experts say. " The statement should begin with a strong intro sentence, that summarizes the applicant's goal or tone ," Ivy says. "For example, 'I have always been interested in international finance.

Should I use the same personal statement for all law schools?

First, if multiple schools are asking nearly identical questions, it's logical to use some or perhaps even most of your essay response . However, the essay lengths might be different, and the wording will vary to some extent. Read each question out loud, so you can actually hear exactly what the schools are asking.

How do you brainstorm a personal statement for law school?

(2) Do you have any hobbies or unique talents? (3) What are some work experiences you've had? (4) What are some volunteer experiences you've had? Page 2 (5) What are your favorite books, movies, and/or authors? (6) Which relationships in your life are most important to you? (7) Name an individual(s) who inspires you.

Do law schools look at your Instagram?

A study conducted by Kaplan Test Prep revealed that 43% of law school admissions officers have Googled or looked up applicants on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and other social media platforms . Furthermore, 37% said that they have found something online that negatively impacted an applicant's chances of admission.

Do law schools look at the writing sample?

Although LSAT Writing samples don't receive a score, they are considered by law school admission committees when reviewing individuals' applications. Each law school uses LSAT Writing in its own way. However, most law schools view LSAT Writing samples as an integral part of their admission decisions .

Can you reuse your personal statement for law school?

You don't need to write an entirely new personal statement if you are reapplying to law school . However, at the very least, the last few paragraphs of your previous statement should be updated to address why you didn't attend law school the first year you applied.

Is three pages too long for a personal statement for law school?

Some schools set no limit for personal statements, but most suggest either 2–3 or 2–4 pages . Aim for two pages, double-spaced. Do not make the error of thinking that more is better. Law schools value the ability to persuasively convey information in a relatively short space.

How long is the Yale law school personal statement?

Mandatory: a 250-word essay on “an idea or issue from your academic, extracurricular, or professional work that is of particular interest to you” Optional: various addenda, such as a diversity statement or an explanation of unusual items that appear elsewhere in your application.

How long did it take to write law school personal statement?

Generally, applicants who are working on their applications part time – in addition to work, school or other time commitments – will need three to five weeks to complete a personal statement. Because the personal statement is open-ended, it can take several drafts to come up with the right subject and structure.

Personal Statement

Personal Statement Format

Personal Statement Format | Step-by-Step Guide With Examples

Published on: Apr 13, 2021

Last updated on: Oct 26, 2024

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A personal statement is often required of applicants to jobs, internships, and graduate programs. It can be challenging because you need to answer some questions about yourself in this document while still keeping it interesting!

Your statement should be more than just a list of skills and accomplishments. Here you have the perfect opportunity to write about your career goals, what makes you unique from other candidates.

These statements are always different and dependent on the institution you're writing for. But all types of statements require a specific format as in other academic papers, so make sure to follow these guidelines carefully!

This statement is a core component of the application essay process. In this blog, we will discuss how to write a personal statement in the correct format. So, let's get this started.

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What is a Proper Personal Statement Format?

You should always follow formatting and structure guidelines when writing your personal statement. By following the proper format, you can ensure all the information is organized correctly for easy reading!

Make sure you format your statement in both interesting and engaging ways. Here is a basic format that should help you get started:

• The perfect length for a statement is 500 words. So, be sure to finish your paper within 495 - 505.
• Keep your paragraphs single-spaced and aligned with an extra line of space from the next.
• Times New Roman is a great font choice for every paper.
• Make sure the font size is 12 pt.
• Mention your name and page number in the header of each page.

How do you format a personal statement heading?

A personal statement heading should include the name of your document, your name, and for which school or department.

These statements should be formatted in a standard, reader-friendly style. Carefully consider the type of formatting that will make your statement appealing to review.

As admission committees go through thousands of these documents each year, it is important to make sure that you stand out from other applicants.

How to Format a Personal Statement?

Many students ask,  'What is the format of a personal statement?' How should I write my personal statement?

The requirements for writing on different personal statement prompts vary, but generally, it includes specific information in the format.

Introduction

It often begins with an opening statement designed to grab the reader's attention. In this opening paragraph, you can highlight your skills and experiences so they can connect directly to the program you're applying for.

If you are applying for a degree or a position, make sure to include the program name and your title.

Body Paragraphs

In these paragraphs, you need to answer any specific questions about your qualifications, long-term goals, and compatibility with the program.

Should a personal statement have paragraphs?

Yes, your statement is a series of well-written paragraphs that connect together in an elegant and logical way.

Each body paragraph should start with a topic sentence to inform the readers of what that paragraph will be focusing on. Also, provide examples from your experience and make sure these are relevant to the argument.

In conclusion, summarize all the points discussed in your body paragraphs. Also, restate your interest in that specific program or position you're applying for.

Highlight how this degree or position will help you achieve your long-term goals.

Personal Statement Format Examples

Do you want to know more about the perfect personal statement format? Check our helpful examples. Going through them will give you a great idea of how to outline your personal statement.

It is important to know the specific details that should be included in your statement. You want it to match who you really are and what makes YOU unique, right? We've provided some good examples of perfect statements below:

It is important to avoid plagiarism, but you should feel free to use the following examples as inspiration for your own statement.

Personal Statement Format for College

A statement for college is written to show admission officers who you are and why your talents deserve a place at their college.

In college personal statements, you must discuss your high school major accomplishments. With the help of this example, you can format your own statement for college.

The following example includes all sorts of ways to ensure that it is personalized and interesting enough, so colleges want YOU!

Personal Statement Format Graduate School

This statement is a chance to share more about who you are. It should not be simply an introspection but also provide insight into your plans and goals.

Do you want to know the best way to create an engaging and creative graduate school personal statement? Check out this example! This will help ensure that all of your information has been properly formatted.

Personal Statement Format for Masters

This statement is an opportunity to express your unique qualities in a way that will make you stand out from other applicants.

You might be wondering why students study the courses they do. They have reasons for wanting to take that specific course. Look at this Master's example to know how they mention those specific reasons.

Personal Statement Format for University

A personal statement is the most important document. It will help you convince the admission committee why you are a deserving candidate to study at their university.

These examples will help you write your own statement in an engaging and informative way.

MBA Personal Statement Format

It's time to take the next step in your career! Get an edge over other applicants by writing the perfect MBA personal statement.

It's not too late to get into the MBA program you've always wanted. This easy personal statement format template will surely help you write one.

Personal Statement Law School Format

This statement is your chance to reflect upon life and show law admission committees who you really are. So, it must be well-written and formatted correctly.

A perfect law school personal statement can be drafted using the following format:

Nursing School Personal Statement Format

The nursing personal statement is an integral part of your application process. It's an opportunity to show off your personality and address any questions that admission committees could have.

The following example will inspire you and ensure that your statement is on the right track.

Personal Statement Format Medical School

Personal statements for medical school are an opportunity to tell your story and explain why you want to be a doctor.

Your medical school personal statement should be creative, interesting, and engaging. The following example is a great way to stimulate your creativity.

Personal Statement Format for Job

What makes you stand out from the others? That's what your statement should be all about. It is an opportunity for self-expression and highlighting what makes you special, so use this space wisely!

Writing a statement for your job application can feel overwhelming, but don't worry! This is one of the short personal statement examples that will guide you through the process.

When you start writing a personal statement, always refer back to the guidelines and examples provided above.

When you are ready to write your statement, remember that it should be professional and follow all the formatting guidelines. After you've done writing, read your personal statement several times to ensure it is error-free.

This statement is a tricky thing to write for a lot of reasons. Sometimes mistakes are just too hard to overlook, and in the end, you lose everything that matters most - your chance at getting into college or university.

Wasting your time on your statement is a huge mistake. However, if you make the wrong choice, it's game over for scholarship opportunities.

Many people miss an opportunity by not doing enough to make their school application form perfect. But there's always a way, and that includes hiring professional writers who can write custom statements for you!

The right professional writer can help you craft a statement that will make it easy for you to get into any college or university of your choice. A statement written by professionals flows smoothly and is impressive throughout.

If that's a tough task for you, get the best college essay help online at CollegeEssay.org to increase your chances of enrolling in your dream college/university. Bring to the table all of your important information and let our expert personal essay writing service take care of it.

You can also try out our AI essay writer and make a great first impression!

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is a personal statement.

A personal statement should not be more than 4,000 characters, so you'll need to stay within this limit when writing one. 

Does a personal statement need a title?

There is no need to add titles when submitting your personal statement. Avoid mentioning things that the college wants you to say. Be honest and genuine about yourself! 

Should I leave spaces between paragraphs in my personal statement?

Yes, you should leave spaces between paragraphs to avoid cramped-looking text. 

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The personal statement, your opportunity to sell yourself in the application process, generally falls into one of two categories:

1. The general, comprehensive personal statement:

This allows you maximum freedom in terms of what you write and is the type of statement often prepared for standard medical or law school application forms.

2. The response to very specific questions:

Often, business and graduate school applications ask specific questions, and your statement should respond specifically to the question being asked. Some business school applications favor multiple essays, typically asking for responses to three or more questions.

Questions to ask yourself before you write:

• What's special, unique, distinctive, and/or impressive about you or your life story?
• What details of your life (personal or 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 about yourself) that has further stimulated your interest and reinforced your conviction that you are well suited to this field? What insights have you gained?
• How have you learned about this field—through classes, readings, seminars, work or other experiences, or conversations with people already in the field?
• If you have worked a lot during your college years, what have you learned (leadership or managerial skills, for example), and how has that work contributed to your growth?
• What are your career goals?
• Are there any gaps or discrepancies in your academic record that you should explain (great grades but mediocre LSAT or GRE scores, for example, or a distinct upward pattern to your GPA if it was only average in the beginning)?
• Have you had to overcome any unusual obstacles or hardships (for example, economic, familial, or physical) in your life?
• What personal characteristics (for example, integrity, compassion, and/or persistence) do you possess that would improve your prospects for success in the field or profession? Is there a way to demonstrate or document that you have these characteristics?
• What skills (for example, leadership, communicative, analytical) do you possess?
• Why might you be a stronger candidate for graduate school—and more successful and effective in the profession or field than other applicants?
• What are the most compelling reasons you can give for the admissions committee to be interested in you?

General advice

Answer the questions that are asked

• If you are applying to several schools, you may find questions in each application that are somewhat similar.
• Don't be tempted to use the same statement for all applications. It is important to answer each question being asked, and if slightly different answers are needed, you should write separate statements. In every case, be sure your answer fits the question being asked.

Tell a story

• Think in terms of showing or demonstrating through concrete experience. One of the worst things you can do is to bore the admissions committee. If your statement is fresh, lively, and different, you'll be putting yourself ahead of the pack. If you distinguish yourself through your story, you will make yourself memorable.

Be specific

• Don't, for example, state that you would make an excellent doctor unless you can back it up with specific reasons. Your desire to become a lawyer, engineer, or whatever should be logical, the result of specific experience that is described in your statement. Your application should emerge as the logical conclusion to your story.

Find an angle

• If you're like most people, your life story lacks drama, so figuring out a way to make it interesting becomes the big challenge. Finding an angle or a "hook" is vital.

Concentrate on your opening paragraph

• The lead or opening paragraph is generally the most important. It is here that you grab the reader's attention or lose it. This paragraph becomes the framework for the rest of the statement.

Tell what you know

• The middle section of your essay might detail your interest and experience in your particular field, as well as some of your knowledge of the field. Too many people graduate with little or no knowledge of the nuts and bolts of the profession or field they hope to enter. Be as specific as you can in relating what you know about the field and use the language professionals use in conveying this information. Refer to experiences (work, research, etc.), classes, conversations with people in the field, books you've read, seminars you've attended, or any other source of specific information about the career you want and why you're suited to it. Since you will have to select what you include in your statement, the choices you make are often an indication of your judgment.

Don't include some subjects

• There are certain things best left out of personal statements. For example, references to experiences or accomplishments in high school or earlier are generally not a good idea. Don't mention potentially controversial subjects (for example, controversial religious or political issues).

Do some research, if needed

• If a school wants to know why you're applying to it rather than another school, do some research to 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.

Write well and correctly

• Be meticulous. Type and proofread your essay very carefully. Many admissions officers say that good written skills and command of correct use of language are important to them as they read these statements. Express yourself clearly and concisely. Adhere to stated word limits.

Avoid clichés

• A medical school applicant who writes that he is good at science and wants to help other people is not exactly expressing an original thought. Stay away from often-repeated or tired statements.

For more information on writing a personal statement, see the personal statement vidcast .

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Writing Tutorial Services

Personal statements & application letters, personal statements and application letters.

The process of applying for jobs, internships, and graduate/professional programs often requires a personal statement or application letter. This type of writing asks writers to outline their strengths confidently and concisely, which can be challenging.

Though the requirements differ from application to application, the purpose of this type of writing is to represent your goals, experiences and qualifications in the best possible light, and to demonstrate your writing ability. Your personal statement or application letter introduces you to your potential employer or program director, so it is essential that you allow yourself enough time to craft a polished piece of writing.

1) PREPARE YOUR MATERIALS

Before you sit down to write, do some preparation in order to avoid frustration during the actual writing process. Obtain copies of documents such as transcripts, resumes and the application form itself; keeping them in front of you will make your job of writing much easier. Make a list of important information, in particular names and exact titles of former employers and supervisors, titles of jobs you have held, companies you have worked for, dates of appropriate work or volunteer experiences, the duties involved etc. In this way, you will be able to refer to these materials while writing in order to include as much specific detail as possible.

2) WRITE A FIRST DRAFT

After you have collected and reviewed these materials, it is time to start writing. The following is a list of concerns that writers should keep in mind when writing a personal statement/application letter.

Answer the Question: A major problem for all writers can be the issue of actually answering the question being asked. For example, an application might want you to discuss the reason you are applying to a particular program or company. If you spend your entire essay or letter detailing your qualifications with no mention of what attracted you to the company or department, your statement will probably not be successful. To avoid this problem, read the question or assignment carefully both as you prepare and again just prior to writing. Keep the question in front of you as you write, and refer to it often. Consider The "I" Problem: This is a personal statement; using the first person pronoun "I" is acceptable. Writers often feel rather self-conscious about using first person excessively, either because they are modest or because they have learned to avoid first and second person ("you") in any type of formal writing. Yet in this type of writing using first person is essential because it makes your prose more lively. Using third person can result in a vague and overly wordy essay. While starting every sentence with "I" is not advisable, remember that you and your experiences are the subject of the essay. Avoid Unnecessary Duplication: Sometimes a writer has a tendency to repeat information in his or her personal statement that is already included in other parts of the application packet (resume, transcript, application form, etc.). For example, it is not necessary to mention your exact GPA or specific grades and course titles in your personal statement or application letter. It is more efficient and more effective to simply mention academic progress briefly ("I was on the Dean's List"; or "I have taken numerous courses in the field of nutrition") and then move on to discuss appropriate work or volunteer experiences in more detail. Make Your Statement Distinctive: Many writers want to make their personal statements unique or distinctive in some way as a means of distinguishing their application from the many others received by the company or program. One way to do this is to include at least one detailed example or anecdote that is specific to your own experience—perhaps a description of an important family member or personal moment that influenced your decision to pursue a particular career or degree. This strategy makes your statement distinctive and memorable. Keep It Brief: Usually, personal statements are limited to 250–500 words or one typed page, so write concisely while still being detailed. Making sure that each paragraph is tightly focused on a single idea (one paragraph on the strengths of the program, one on your research experience, one on your extracurricular activities, etc.) helps keep the essay from becoming too long. Also, spending a little time working on word choice by utilizing a dictionary and a thesaurus and by including adjectives should result in less repetition and more precise writing.

Personal Statement Format

As mentioned before, the requirements for personal statements differ, but generally a personal statement includes certain information and can follow this format (see following model).

Introduction Many personal statements begin with a catchy opening, often the distinctive personal example mentioned earlier, as a way of gaining the reader’s attention. From there you can connect the example to the actual program/position for which you are applying. Mention the specific name of the program or company, as well as the title of the position or degree you are seeking, in the first paragraph. Detailed Supporting Paragraphs Subsequent paragraphs should address any specific questions from the application, which might deal with the strengths of the program/position, your own qualifications, your compatibility with the program/position, your long-term goals or some combination thereof. Each paragraph should be focused and should have a topic sentence that informs the reader of the paragraph’s emphasis. You need to remember, however, that the examples from your experience must be relevant and should support your argument about your qualifications. Conclusion Tie together the various issues that you have raised in the essay, and reiterate your interest in this specific program or position. You might also mention how this job or degree is a step towards a long-term goal in a closing paragraph. An application letter contains many of the same elements as a personal statement, but it is presented in a business letter format and can sometimes be even shorter and more specific than a personal statement. An application letter may not contain the catchy opening of the personal statement but instead includes detailed information about the program or position and how you found out about it. Your application letter usually refers to your resume at some point. Another difference between a personal statement and an application letter is in the conclusion, which in an application letter asks for an interview.

3) REVISING THE PERSONAL STATEMENT/APPLICATION LETTER

Because this piece of writing is designed to either get you an interview or a place in a graduate school program, it is vital that you allow yourself enough time to revise your piece of writing thoroughly. This revision needs to occur on both the content level (did you address the question? is there enough detail?) and the sentence level (is the writing clear? are the mechanics and punctuation correct?). While tools such as spell-checks and grammar-checks are helpful during revision, they should not be used exclusively; you should read over your draft yourself and/or have others do so.

As a child I often accompanied my father to his small coin shop and spent hours watching him work. When I was older, I sometimes set up displays, waited on customers, and even balanced the books. This experience instilled in me the desire to own and manage my own business someday, yet I understand that the business world today is more complex. This complexity requires more education, and with that in mind, I am applying to the Master's of Business Administration program at Indiana University Bloomington (IUB). In addition to my helping out in my father’s business, I have had numerous other work experiences that further enhance my qualifications for this program. My resume enumerates the various positions I have held at Kerasotes Theaters, Chili's restaurants, and Indiana University's new Student Recreational Sports Center (SRSC), and what all of these positions have in common is an emphasis on serving the public effectively. Further, as an assistant manager at the Showplace 11 and a staff coordinator at the SRSC, I have gained valuable expertise in managing employees and creating work schedules. Both of these positions have allowed me to develop my sales and people skills, which are extremely important in an increasingly service-driven marketplace. Not all of my work experience has been as a paid employee. Part of my volunteering experience at Middleway House, the local battered women's shelter, involved extensive work on computers, including word processing, organizing databases and creating spreadsheets. Also, I recently participated in an internship program for academic credit with the Eli Lilly corporation in the personnel division. As a management intern, I was able to watch the workings of a major corporation up close and would like the opportunity to combine my experiences with the theoretical background available in the MBA program at IUB, with its emphasis on computers, marketing and human resources. My successful internship is one element of my overall academic success as an undergraduate here at IUB, yet I have also made time for a variety of extracurricular activities, including working for my sorority and competing in intramural basketball. My positive experiences here have resulted in my desire to stay in Bloomington to continue my academic endeavors; furthermore, continuing my education here would allow me to make important business contacts, with the career goal of opening my own computer consulting firm in the Midwest.

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