The process of admissions for graduate/professional schools and fellowship programs is highly competitive.

In
addition to standardized test scores and academic transcripts, you will probably be required to submit to a piece
of writing often called a personal statement or "statement of purpose." The personal statement is a labor of
love and hate, often requiring many drafts and several weeks of work in order to complete a specific and
accurate portrayal of the author in a limited number of words or pages. The purpose of the personal statement is
to provide the admission committee an opportunity to get to know you and decide whether you are a good fit for
the program. Unless you have a perfect GPA and perfect test scores, this could make or break your application.

A personal statement should minimally answer the following questions:
What experiences have you had that have given you exposure to the world? Tie your academic
experiences into your practical and life experiences.
What have you learned from these experiences?
What have you learned about the world and how it works?
Why do you want to be in this particular program? (interests, goals, good fit)

Keep in mind you cant tell the admission committee everything, so focus on what they would want to know
about you as it relates to this program or position. You are trying to let them know who you are and that you
are a good fit for this program or position. To accomplish this will probably require that you do some research
on the program you are applying to. Your personality, relevant experience, writing skills, and your goals need to
come across in the statement. Remember that committees read hundreds of personal statements each year.
Many people will be reading and evaluating it! Make it interesting, personal, and perfect.

In addition to content, personal statements must be written well and correctly so be meticulous. Type and
proofread your essay very carefully. And please, avoid clichs and unprofessional wording. Many application
readers say that good written skills and command of correct use of language are as important to them as the
individuals experiences. 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.
Also, instead of stating that you love animals, maybe state that you are excited by the idea of learning more
about animals.
Writing Personal
Statements
Guide To
Colorado College 226 Worner Center Colorado Springs, CO 80903 (719)389-6893
Career
Center





Do
Follow their rules, guidelines and questions exactly.
Give yourself plenty of time.
Do your research on the program and schools.
Use business writing style and show your best writing ability.
Make sure it is structured, organized, and flows.
Observe word or page limits.
Use direct statements and action verbs.
Use the first person voice (ex. My goal for becoming a doctor or I learned).
Create an interesting and strong opening paragraph.
You can tell a relevant story, but remember this is not creative writing.
Demonstrate who you are and what youve done with specific scenarios and examples. Most application
readers believe that past performance indicates future performance.
Be concrete and specific.
Emphasize your strengths.
Allow time to make several drafts.
Use perfect grammar, spelling and punctuation.
Have it proofread several times by different people.
Work with a professor, the Writing Center, and the Career Center.
Explain any inconsistencies or discrepancies in your academic record or test scores.
Be distinctive but not strange.
Answer the specific questions given.
Demonstrate your determination, persistence, confidence (not arrogance) and enthusiasm.
Be carefully and gently persuasive. Dont hard sell.


Dont
Dont use flamboyant words and academes.
Dont use clichs.
Dont use quotes by others.
Dont use cute fonts or multiple fonts.
Dont elaborate too much, but dont be too brief either.
Dont tell your life story from childhood. Focus on college and later.
Dont discuss anything controversial.
Dont mention personal problems or make excuses.
Dont be vague or abstract.
Dont use the second or third person voice (ex. When you do this or It was an interesting experience.).
Dont use passive statements.
Dont repeat your resume.