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Career Center

Personal Statement

Graduate programs are looking for a personal statement that is:

  • Unusual

  • Thoughtful

  • Mature

  • Well-prepared

  • Written with confidence (assume you're getting in!)

Use graduate-level language and terminology
 

Make it evident that you're going to succeed anyway!
 

Unless your faculty is famous, refer to them in a non-gender way:

  • Dr. I. Jones

  • Prof. I. Jones

Include research, publications and presentations:

  • "Extended independent research project resulting in a presented work."

  • "Assisted with"

  • "Collaborated with"

  • "Presented with"

  • If you are unable to actually present the research, "Presented by my co-authors at [conference]."

  • Include a possible research topic: "At this time, my interest is potentially XXX, but I realize I have much more to learn, and as I take my first few years of course work, I know my interests may evolve."

  • Begin by including all research and other significant experiences from freshman year-present; you can cull this later.

Provide evidence of success:

  • GPA

  • Rigor of coursework

  • Work sample

  • GRE scores

  • Internship

  • Strongly positive recommendations

  • Participation in professional associations

  • "As to my capacity for perform, I offer you the following evidence ... "

Include languages:

  • Bilingual/bicultural

  • Fluent

  • Proficient

  • Basic

  • Some exposure to

Include lab and computer skills relevant to grad school


Talk about:

  • The work of a minimum of three professors at target institution

  • Advisors and mentors here at Truman State University

  • Major thinkers and theorists in your field

  • Encouraging words professors have told you (could be something negative that motivated you)

  • "In my frequent correspondence with Drs. XXX, XXX, and XXX, I realize ... "

  • Fill in one or more of the blanks: "I would like to do, learn, explore, master, discover more about ."

  • "I am also interested in learning more about and in general."

Include things that are unusual or unique about you:

  • Born in unusual place

  • Grew up in unusual place

  • Unusual experience

Be sure to include any of the following you've participated in:

  • Teaching assistantship (formal or informal)

  • Search committee

  • RA/SA

  • Admissions tour guide

Talk about your "epiphany"-the event(s) that led up to your decision to pursue this field.

 

Why here? Answer the question of "why this university?"

  • Faculty

  • Curriculum

  • Geography (your interest in being in that city/area needs to be mentioned)

Talk about what you plan to complete prior to entrance-relevant coursework, independent study, research, languages, travel, new skills.

  • "Before arriving on your campus next fall, I will have the opportunity to ... "

What you're trying to hide:

  • GPA

  • GRE score

  • Sometimes the thing you want to hide is something you should feature

  • "Concerning my GRE score, I was really surprised that I did not do better. In practice exams, I scored much higher. If you'd like me to take it again, I'd be glad to."

  • 95% of people who retake thee exams score within 5% of their original score.

  • Unless you have a compelling reason to think you're one of the 5%, don't retake.

  • You'll only solidify your low score.

  • Don't claim test anxiety unless it's medically documented.

  • Should study 8-30 hours for the GRE.

  • "Concerning my GPA... " (explain and shine a light in most positive way, such as GPA in major, GPA minus a disastrous semester)

  • Explanations should be 2/3-3/4 of the way down the paper- NEVER in the 1st half, and NEVER the very last thing they read.

Big finish!

  • Predict your own success (but not arrogant)

  • Why you? Why are you a good investment?

    Will you:

  • Conduct original research for many years

  • Educate future generations

  • Make a contribution to business/industry

Admissions' greatest fears:

  • Won't complete degree

  • Bad methodology

  • Can't write or speak

Additional pointers:

  • Use a past, present, future format so that the statement flows.

  • Make sure your opening paragraph is attention-grabbing, so that the recipient will want to continue on. Make your statement stand out, but not stick out.

  • Avoid excessive use of the word "I", particularly at the beginning of sentences and paragraphs. To counter this, occasionally use passive voice.

  • Have your statement read by the Career Center's graduate school advisor and a professor in your major.

  • Default length on personal statements is 900-1200 words.