Personal Statement

Usually, each program defines the length and content they expect for the Personal Statement. Most of the time you’ll be asked to write something between 500 and 1000 words. The idea of this writing is to tell the selection committee about your life and how you ended up applying to the graduate program. Here is where you can talk about your general motivations and life experiences.

Try to be simple and direct, and to say a lot with few words. Additionally, it is important to transmit confidence. Some people may think that they have nothing interesting to tell. If you feel that way, don’t worry, it is normal. Remember that every personal history is interesting if you are authentic, so just tell them what you have done in your life until that moment. 

These are some questions that can help you navigate this short essay. As there are some questions that could be answered in both the personal statement and statement of purpose, consider the length and the narrative you are creating to determine what to include. 

• Why do you want to pursue a graduate program? 

• Why that graduate program in particular?

• What have you experienced in life that has made you want to pursue a graduate program?

• What have you learned during your life that is valuable for a graduate program?

• Why is X subject relevant for you?

• What issues or themes do you want to address and why?

• How can that particular field/discipline help you to achieve that?

• Why is that particular field/discipline the best way to approach the issues you want to address?

• What qualities do you possess that make you a strong candidate for a graduate program?

• Why is a graduate program something coherent for you to pursue?

• How will you contribute to the program?

At the beginning, don’t worry about the length of your essay—try to create a big picture for yourself, and then you can condense information from there.