How to write your personal statement

Your personal statement is your chance to show the admissions committee that you're serious about graduate school and their program. Use it to explain your academic background, research experience, and why this program is a good fit for you.

This is also the time to show your strengths clearly. Committees read many statements, so make yours stand out. Be honest about any weaknesses, but take responsibility and explain how you've learned from them.

Focus on Two Things:

1. Your competence (your ability to succeed in grad school)

2. Your commitment (your dedication to research and the program)

1. Show Your Competence

Start by clearly stating your strengths—don’t hide them in the middle or end. Use examples to prove what you say. Mention traits you’ve seen in successful grad students and show how you have them too. This could include:

• Research experience

• Technical skills

• Field-specific tools or methods

• Familiarity with academic networks

Look at your self-assessments, interview notes, or “Seven Stories” exercises for ideas. Write short examples that show how your strengths helped you meet goals or overcome challenges.

Also, talk about your research:

• What was the project about?

• What was your role?

• What did you achieve and learn?

• How did it help you grow?

Example:
Vannessa Velez became interested in U.S. foreign policy after seeing how 9/11 changed her hometown. Studying international relations and joining human rights groups helped her understand today’s issues better. She chose a PhD in history to better understand the past and support other young activists.

Addressing Weaknesses or Gaps

If your application has unusual parts - like a low GPA, weak test scores, or changes in your academic path—don’t ignore them. Instead:

• Mention them honestly

• Focus on what you did to improve

• Share what you learned and how you grew

• Avoid blaming others

Use specific examples. For instance:

“Adjusting to college was hard for me as a first-generation student. My GPA was low in the first year, but I raised it to 3.8 in the next two years.”

Be brief but clear. If the issue was health-related, explain whether it’s now resolved or under control.

2. Show Your Commitment

Explain why you care about your field and why this graduate program is right for you. Be specific:

• What motivates you?

• Why this program, not another one?

• Which faculty members do you want to work with, and why?

Don’t just say you're committed - show it through examples. Maybe you worked long hours on a research project or stuck with a tough problem until you solved it.

Also, explain why you want a graduate degree instead of going straight into a job or getting a professional degree.

Example:
Jamie Fine didn’t take a direct path to a PhD. Coming from a military family and being a first-generation student, she earned a JD and an MFA before starting her current program. Her past work as a lawyer and educator helped her shape important research questions. Her life experience made her research goals stronger and more focused.

Final Tips for Writing

• Think of your statement as starting a conversation with the faculty—not pleading for a spot

• Try to develop a theme or story throughout your statement

• Write many drafts - 10 or more is normal

• Read your statement out loud to catch errors

• Remember: You’re presenting your academic and professional self - not your whole personality

• Avoid jokes, dramatic language, or emotional words like "love" or "passion"

• Keep your tone serious, respectful, and focused