Graduate and professional schools are appealing options to students looking to build expertise in a particular field of study. These programs have become increasingly popular in recent years — many institutions have reported growing application numbers since the pandemic began. Although grades and entrance exam scores are important factors for gaining an acceptance letter, personal statements provide students with the opportunity to express themselves and highlight their unique perspectives, interests, backgrounds, and ambitions. How to Write the Perfect Personal Statement is a guide for anyone looking to apply to grad school and wanting maximize this element of the application.
Author Mark Alan Stewart starts off by categorizing prompts that regularly appear on grad school applications into topics including those that are extremely open ended, those that inquire about goals, and those that call for discussion of past experiences. Using these categories can help you broadly identify what your essay is meant to convey. When preparing to write an essay on any of these topics, it is important to engage in self-reflection. Stewart recommends asking friends and relatives what they think you should write about, and taking inventory of your unique experiences, influences, and abilities. Additionally, Stewart proposes an experimental exercise where you write a story in which you are the main character. This will help identify what you want readers to get to know about you, and some elements can be used in your final personal statement.
When choosing a topic, Stewart advises identifying something that makes you different, as the Admissions Committee is looking to build a class of diverse perspectives and experiences. He implores readers to take risks in expressing well-reasoned opinions, as long as they are not inflammatory or offensive. Some potential topics of discussion include your family, an important location where you spent your formative years, a personal trauma or a time you helped somebody else through one, a disability, a picture on your wall of you shaking the hand of someone famous, and your unusual skills, talents, and abilities. The key question to ask yourself when choosing a topic is: “is this essay one that only I could personally write?” Of course, there are some parts of the essay that will not just apply to you, but if the majority of your sentences could have been written honestly by another applicant, Stewart recommends digging deeper or going back to the drawing board.
Overall, the personal statement is an opportunity for you to sell yourself to the school. When written well, this can express that you are the perfect fit for the program. Stewart’s guide leaves readers well-equipped to take on this essay by including tips and tricks, as well as examples of successful personal statements. Stop by the CEC to check out the book for yourself and get more advice related to cover letters, grad school applications, and much more!
