What is a Personal Statement?
Personal statements are a required part of graduate school applications, and are typically 1-2 pages in length or should be written to the required word count. A personal statement is a way for you to articulate your interest in the program and field.
Your personal statement should cover
| Interest in Field | Qualifications |
| Career Aspirations | Alignment with Institutional Values |
Content Suggestions
Depending on the program, there may be a specific prompt you are expected to answer. However, if there is no prompt, the following should be included in a personal statement:
Interest in Field
Talk about where your interest in the field originated. This could be from personal, professional, or educational experience.
Qualifications
Explain your educational background as it pertains to the degree program.
Career Aspirations
Discuss how the program will help you meet your career goals.
Alignment with Institutional Values
Talk about your orientation to the program, department, or school's mission. Be sure to also mention any faculty you are excited to perform research with.