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Personal-Statement-Guide

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20 views

Personal-Statement-Guide

Uploaded by

Mahmoud Abouelsoud
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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UF CAREER

CONNECTIONS CENTER
Personal
Statement Guide
UF CAREER
CONNECTIONS CENTER
Personal Statement Preparation
What is the purpose of a personal statement?
Prepares you for your next steps
Helps a committee get to know you beyond your test scores and transcript and allows you to highlight your unique
strengths and competencies
Provides a holistic view of who you are
May be the only “interview” opportunity with the school
Showcases what makes you different from other candidates and why you are qualified and a good fit for the
program Demonstrates your writing ability, self-awareness, and motivations

What will you be asked?


General or Open-Ended Prompt: Some schools will simply ask for a "personal statement," "letter of intent," a
"statement of purpose," or simply state "Tell me about yourself."
Narrative style response
Allows more freedom of what to include
Relates back to why you are pursuing that particular field or program
Shows your voice
Not just a summary of your resume

Specific Topics or Questions: Some schools may ask multiple specific questions, which may need to be answered
in different essays.
Answer question(s) fully and stay on topic
Consider what they are hoping to learn by asking that question
Refer to relevant experiences or learning to support your answer

Reflection questions to ask yourself before writing:


What is distinctive about me?
How can I help the reader get to know me?  How do I stand out?
What will make me a great professional one day?  Why do I want to attend this program? How does it fit into my
short and long-term goals?
What major influences or accomplishments in my life have helped shaped me and what insights have I gained from
them?
How did I become interested in this field and what have I learned about it (and myself) that has stimulated my
interest?
What are some themes in my life experiences as it relates to my interest in the program or the institution I wish to
attend?
What are my motivations, values, and goals? What unique strengths and competencies have I developed?
How will my personal qualities contribute to the field and program?
UF CAREER
CONNECTIONS CENTER
Parts of the Personal Statement
Introduction (the hook)
This section serves as a framework for the rest of the personal statement.
Use a compelling first statement or a "hook" to grab the reader's attention. This helps the reader to want to keep
reading and to feel connected to you.
Introduce a main idea or theme to use throughout the personal statement.
Answer these questions: why are you writing this and what do you want?
Make sure to mention the name of the school and/or program in this section if you are not using a centralized
application.

Body (tell your story):


Use this section to highlight your competencies, abilities, and experiences that will make you a successful student
and professional. Try to stick to 2-3 key stories or experiences.
Be personal and speak in the first person. Make sure the essay reflects your voice and uses concise, direct
language rather than relying on clichés or gimmicks.
Connect how your story relates to your interest in the program and your values, outlook, and ambitions.
Can use this space to address gaps or discrepancies in your academic record and put them into context, such as
drops in GPA or school performance.
Personalize your statement for each program you are applying for and address the program or school's unique
features that attract you.

Conclusion (the future):


Reiterate the theme or focus from your narrative, such as why you've chosen this career goal, what makes this
particular program the best next step, and why you are a suitable student for this program.
Make this a strong, forward-looking paragraph. Anticipate possible experiences you hope to gain in that graduate
program as well as in your career.
Make sure to follow the length guidelines provided, otherwise 1 page (single spaced) to 2 pages (double spaced) is
ideal.

Next Steps
Proofread! Have at least 2-3 others review your personal statement, including someone who knows you well and a
professor or other professional in your field
Ask others what impressions your personal statement gives. Does it answer the question the prompt(s) ask? Does it
relate to why you want to do this particular program?
Reading your personal statement out loud, to yourself or others, may help clarify if there is cohesion or if anything is
vague.
It is normal to review a personal statement 2-3 times before deciding on a final draft.
Visit the Career Connections Center and the UF Writing Studio for individual help and workshops on creating a
personal statement.

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