Developing A

Personal Statement
A personal statement should provide to the review committee a detailed,
thoughtful statement about the opportunity that you would like to pursue.
Your personal statement is your opportunity to articulate your experience,
interests, and goals, and express your enthusiasm for graduate study.
What type of content belongs here?
1. Anything that can give reviewers a sense of you as a person; you can
include any experiences that show your promise, initiative, and ability
to persevere despite obstacles belongs here.
2. Display your communication skills and discuss your ability to maximize
effective collaboration with a diverse cross-section of the academic
community.
3. Discuss any obstacles or barriers you have faced in your education and
or professional experience, sharing those experiences serves both for
the selection process, and for your nomination for fellowships. If one
part of your academic record is not ideal, due to challenges you faced
in that particular area, this is where you can explain that.
4. Describe your passion for your chosen field and why you have chosen
to apply to this particular program.
5. Remember not to restate what is on your resume, instead highlight
your interests and emphasize how your skills can contribute to the
academic community.
What is the difference between a statement of purpose and a
personal statement?

Statement of Purpose: The statement of purpose should be a

concise, well-written statement about your academic and research
background, your career goals, and how the specific graduate
program will help you meet your career and educational objectives.

Personal Statement: The personal statement should describe how

your background and life experiences including cultural,
geographical, financial, educational or other opportunities or
challenges, motivated your decision to pursue a graduate degree.
You can go into more detail about the path you took to get to your
chosen field, significant experiences not directly related to your
field, and other aspects that demonstrate your character and
potential.