Writing a Personal Statement

If you are applying to graduate or professional school, you will most likely be asked to submit a personal statement and/or a collection of short-answer essay responses that explain who you are, why you want to pursue graduate study, and why you are a strong candidate for the program. A personal statement can be thought of as a blend between a cover letter and a persuasive essay, where you uniquely present your qualities, skills, and motivations for pursuing advanced education backed by clearly outlined experiences. Before you begin writing your personal statement, it is important to do some reflection and plan your content. Follow the below guide to start your drafting process.

Creating your personal thesis

Think about any life experiences you have that would demonstrate why you want to enter the program or profession to which you are applying.  What are you passionate about? What are the major influences of your life? What have you learned about yourself from those experiences? How do you actively contribute to the success of others around you? What are your goals and hopes for your future career?

List 3 things the reader MUST know or understand about you as they relate to your future career plans and/or the impact you wish to make in that field. For example:

  • I lead by example.
  • I am passionate about service to others.
  • Solving problems energizes me.

Now, take those three things and phrase them as one sentence:

  • Personal Thesis: I am an energetic, service-focused, problem solver who leads by example.

This personal thesis statement is now the basis for your personal statement essay. All your examples and stories in your personal statement should support this thesis. You may not come out and say this sentence exactly, but the readers should know it to be true about you by the end of your essay.

Selecting supporting experiences

Now take some time to brainstorm up to four experiences that support your personal thesis. Your selected experiences may include things such as jobs and internships, academic projects or research, leadership, volunteering or service-learning, or international immersions. You may want to consider at least one from your past, one from who you are now, and one of your goals for the future. Choose a variety of experiences that both connect to your personal thesis and are relevant to skills, knowledge, or other competencies connected to the program or field you are entering.

Connecting to your career goals

In addition to your qualifications and experiences, a personal statement should clearly communicate why you are pursuing a graduate-level education in relation to your future career. What is your ultimate goal on the other side of a graduate or professional program? What skills or knowledge gaps are you looking to fill? How does your unique background combine with this program to position you for a successful career in a niche field? Don’t rely on implications and assumptions that the reviewers will understand your goals simply based on your application to the program. Be direct and utilize the opportunity to showcase what you would unique bring to the program!

Similar to addressing a potential employer in a cover letter, academic programs like to hear why you are choosing to apply to them specifically. Take the time to review the program’s structure, outcomes, faculty specialties, tracks or concentrations, and the department’s and/or institution’s overall missions, vision, and values to see how it aligns with your own perspectives, interests, and goals. For example, if you’re applying to Virginia Tech as a lifelong Hokie fan, that’s great! However, using the personal thesis statement example from above, a passion for service directly aligns with Virginia Tech’s Ut Prosim (That I May Serve) motto and more clearly demonstrates why it might be a great fit.

Congratulations! You now have your essay content outline to begin drafting. The content you listed may change during the editing process, but hopefully you have taken the time to think about your past and what experiences led you to where you are now. Finding the words to discuss who you are now, and who you want to be, will come. Continue to think about how you will change the world, or your profession. Be realistic, but dare to dream!

Looking for feedback on your personal statement?

  • Virginia Tech Writing Center offers 1-on-1 consultations with a writing coach which can be helpful for grammatical reviews, organization, and editing assistance.
  • Career and Professional Development – Schedule an “Applying for graduate/professional school” appointment to meet with a career coach to discuss your content ideas, articulating your career goals, and alignment with program admissions requirements.