How To Write A Personal Statement

 

It is never too early to think about writing a personal statement.  You may be asked to submit such an essay for graduate school, an internship, or to be part of a research lab or project.

Students often face writer’s block when crafting these essays.  “My story is not interesting,” they say, or “nothing has ever happened to me?”  Often students compare their situation to others and find their own essay lacks excitement and life-changing epiphanies.  Do not fall into this trap!

There is an old writing cliché:  a story is only as good as the person telling it.  You may think you do not have a story, but you do.  And events that seem mundane will take on importance when you tell that story.  Most of life is composed of little moments, not big, earth-shattering thunderstorms, and these little moments often carry the weight and heft of a life-changing experience.  It is, truly, all in the telling.

Begin by thinking of the events in your life and how you came to be where you are.  When we look back on the past, we often see how, even in the most confusing times, there is a pattern.  If you had not met this person, you would never have had that experience.  If you had never taken that class, you would not have discovered this about yourself.  Look for those transcendent moments.  Again, to be significant, the moment does not have to be “the day I had brain surgery,” or “the time I traveled through Europe.”  If you have had moments like that, certainly use them, but just as easily, you may have had a favorite moment when you last gathered with your family or the time when you had an encounter with someone who made you see the world differently.

Next, begin writing.  No outlines or pre-planning; just write and let your mind go.  No judgment, no saying, “This is horrible.”  Just write.  This may take several sessions over a few days.  You might write thousands of words before you find the story you wish to tell.  Literally, throw words onto the page and see what sticks.  Once you have material written, begin highlighting blocks you might want to elaborate on and develop into something more full and complete.  Remember, the audience for this writing is a scholarship or admissions committee; they want something more from you in the personal statement than what they will know from your grade point averages and letter grades.  Who are you?  If there are times in your history where you did not do as well as you’d hoped, or when you faced a setback, a personal statement is the place to explain what happened and, more importantly, what you learned from the experience.  Committees are not interested only in the good things that have happened to you.  They want to know how you faced adversity, how you struggled with change, how you made mistakes but learned from them.

It is important while you are doing this prewriting to research the program to which you are applying.  Know the research being done in the department and the professors who are coordinating the work.  Your statement should incorporate your research.  Ask yourself what is my goal in applying to this program?  Then work that into your statement as well.  Committees like students with strong goals and objectives.  Go to the library and read the latest research in that particular area so you have knowledge to back up your goals.

Passion is imperative.  What do you find exciting about this program or research?  Make sure to include the experiences you have had that led you to this next step.  You might have discovered this area in a required course, but describe what makes you want to pursue this area in more depth.  Don’t just say, “I want to help people,” or “I want to give back to the world.”  Those are noble sentiments, but it tells the committee nothing but the most common clichés.

This is only the beginning.  Be prepared to write and rewrite.  Take each word, each sentence, and work it to perfection.  Every line must convey meaning and insight into your character and abilities.  That comes with time and revision.  The first draft will never be the only draft if you expect to succeed.  Get input from trusted friends who know you and your passions.  Seek help from your advisors and professors.  The professors might be called upon to write letters of recommendation, so letting them know your career and research plans will help them understand what you want from your future educational pursuits.

Don’t be discouraged.  Good writing takes time and effort.  This may be one of the most important essays you write in your education.  That is no reason to be blocked; it means you must revise and rewrite obsessively to make the statement sing.

So make the commitment today to get started.  No procrastination!  You cannot see the shine until you have started polishing.  Pick up the pen, open the laptop, and begin.