The personal statement, also called the statement of purpose, is a special type of writing sample.
Personal statements are commonly requested when applying for scholarships and graduate /
professional schools. They may also be requested for certain types of jobs, such as competitive
teaching and research appointments in education, for positions with non-profit organizations, or
for internship applications.
So what is a personal statement? It is a writing sample describing you at your best, your reasons
for choosing the field you have chosen, your research interests, your objectives, and the unique
ways you can contribute to the program / organization to which you are applying. A statement
of purpose is designed to communicate five things:
1. Writing abilities – grammar, punctuation, organization, creativity, expression, etc.
2. Connections between your past education / experiences and future goals.
3. Your philosophy of the field and why you are pursuing an opportunity in that area.
4. What makes you unique and how you can add to the diversity of the program.
5. How you can be an asset to the organization or the school, now and in the future.
Personal statements are commonly requested when applying for scholarships and graduate /
professional schools. They may also be requested for certain types of jobs, such as competitive
teaching and research appointments in education, for positions with non-profit organizations, or
for internship applications.
So what is a personal statement? It is a writing sample describing you at your best, your reasons
for choosing the field you have chosen, your research interests, your objectives, and the unique
ways you can contribute to the program / organization to which you are applying. A statement
of purpose is designed to communicate five things:
1. Writing abilities – grammar, punctuation, organization, creativity, expression, etc.
2. Connections between your past education / experiences and future goals.
3. Your philosophy of the field and why you are pursuing an opportunity in that area.
4. What makes you unique and how you can add to the diversity of the program.
5. How you can be an asset to the organization or the school, now and in the future.