A PERSONAL STATEMENT

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...or a letter of intent or application letter may be used when applying for jobs, internships, and graduate/

professional school programs. It challenges you to concisely outline your strengths, goals, experiences

and qualifications while demonstrating good writing skills. It is a process, and it will take a while.

PREP WORK

Before you start writing, gather documents such as your transcript,

resumé and application. Brainstorm information you may need to

include in your essay: names of past supervisors, applicable job

titles, experiences, past successes, job skills and personal traits you

want to specifically communicate. Having the information right in

front of you will bring ease to the writing process.

WRITING TIPS

Answer the Question: If the application asks you to state the

reason you are applying to a particular academic program or

company, do not spend the entire letter talking about your

qualifications. Instead, talk about what attracted you to the

company or program. To keep yourself accountable to answering

the question, keep the question in front of you as you write, and

refer to it often.

Consider The “I” Problem: This letter is about you. It is okay

to use first person, plus it keeps your writing more active and

succinct. However, to demonstrate creativity, do not start every

sentence with “I.”

Avoid Unnecessary Duplication: Do not reiterate information

that is already seen elsewhere in your application, resumé or

transcript. If the reader has access to your transcript, you do not

need to list your grades and course titles. You can be more general

in mentioning these topics. For example: “I was on the Dean’s List”

or “I have taken numerous courses in the field of nutrition” and

then move on to discuss appropriate experiences in more detail.

Make Your Statement Distinctive: To make your letter unique

include at least one detailed example specific to your own

experience. For example, describe how an important family

member or personal moment influenced your decision to pursue a

particular career or degree.

Be wary of using humor to connect with the reader. Most of us are

not very good at making someone laugh whom we have never met

before. The safe option is to avoid any “funny-business” unless

you are absolutely sure that it will work.

Keep It Brief: To keep your essay br ief (essays ar e typically

limited to 250–500 words or one typed page) write concisely yet

detailed. Focus each paragraph on a single idea (e.g. one

paragraph on the strengths of the program, one on your research

experience, one on your extracurricular activities) to keep the

essay from becoming too long.

Use a dictionary and thesaurus to provide more word variation and

to avoid repetition. However, be careful not to be overly zealous in

your use of vocabulary. This tacky sentence, "I endeavor to pursue

my doctorate in the field of cognitive psychology because I

believe human thought permeates all facets of human behavior,

from exam-taking to abhorrent aggression, and I believe that, as a

cognitive psychologist, I would find the profession fulfilling to

such a degree that I would be ecstatic regarding my chosen

profession," would sound more sincere like this: "I want to pursue

my PhD in cognitive psychology because I think it is an intriguing

field, and I know I would be happy working in it."

PERSONAL STATEMENT FORMAT

Requirements for personal statements differ, but generally a

personal statement includes certain information and can follow the

format below:

Introduction: Gain the reader’s attention by star ting with a

catchy opening, such as the distinctive personal example. Then,

connect the example to the actual program/position for which you

are applying. Mention the specific name of the program or

company, as well as the title of the position or degree you are

seeking. Be straight forward and avoid cheesy clichés and

egotism. Avoid using a famous quote.

Detailed Supporting Paragraphs: These par agraphs should

address specific questions from the application. Each paragraph

should be specifically focused and support a topic sentence. You

may be addressing your qualifications, why you are interested in

the program, etc. Regardless, keep your examples relevant to

supporting your qualifications.

Conclusion: In the last par agraph tie together the various

examples and claims you have raised in the essay, and reiterate

your interest in this specific program or position. You might also

mention how this job or degree is a step towards a long-term goal.

General Suggestions: In applying to multiple gr aduate schools/

companies, have at least one paragraph that you change so your

essay will sound individualized. For graduate schools, you might

specify that you have a similar research interests that match

faculty interests at that institution. For companies, you may share

an interest in their mission, leadership style, product, etc.

A cover letter (see Tip Sheet) contains many of the same elements

as a personal statement, but it is presented in a business letter

format and may be shorter and more specific than a personal

statement. Also, your cover letter usually asks for an interview in

the conclusion.

Personal Statement 2

REVISING THE PERSONAL STATEMENT

Because this document is designed to either get you an interview

or a place in a graduate school program, you must allow yourself

enough time to revise it thoroughly. When revising, check both the

content (Did I address the question? Is there enough detail?) and

for technical errors (Is the writing clear? Are the mechanics and

punctuation correct?). Spell- and grammar-checks are helpful

during revision, but do not rely on them exclusively. Read through

the essay yourself and have others (professors, career counselors,

parents, supervisors, etc.) review it as well.

PERSONAL STATEMENT CHECKLIST

 Spelling and grammar have been checked.

 The opening paragraph will interest the reader enough to

prompt the rest to be read.

 It suggests that I am genuinely interested in the kind of work

to be done.

 It is positive and I am presenting the information in a

 Win/Win format.

 It is single-spaced and printed on one side of paper.

 All lines start on the left-hand side of the page.

 It has two spaces between each paragraph and the content is

positioned on the page well.

 It is typed in the same font, with the same margins and printed,

if applicable, on the same type paper as resumé.

 When preparing to mail, do not staple. Use a paperclip.

DON’T...

 Try to be funny or make jokes.

 Start every sentence with I.

 Include your hobbies/interests unless relevant.

 Use vocabulary you don't normally use and just looked up in a

dictionary/thesaurus.

 Use famous quotes.

 Repeat things already in your application.

 Lie or embellish the truth.

 Say you are going to do something before coming to the

university/organization.

 Include same boring phrases/hobbies as everyone else.

 Take any political viewpoints.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

 petersons.com

 studential.com/guide/write_personal_statement.htm

SAMPLE

As a child I often accompanied my father to his small coin shop

and spent hours watching him work. When I was older, I

sometimes set up displays, waited on customers, and even

balanced the books. This experience instilled in me the desire to

own and manage my own business someday, yet I understand that

the business world today is more complex. This complexity

requires more education, and with that in mind, I am applying to

the Master’s of Business Administration program at Indiana

University Bloomington (IUB).

In addition to my helping out in my father’s business, I have had

numerous other work experiences that further enhance my

qualifications for this program. My resumé enumerates the various

positions I have held at Kerasotes Theaters, Chili’s restaurants,

and Indiana University’s new Student Recreational Sports Center

(SRSC), and what all of these positions have in common is an

emphasis on serving the public effectively. Further, as an assistant

manager at the Showplace 11 and a staff coordinator at the SRSC,

I have gained valuable expertise in managing employees and

creating work schedules. Both of these positions have allowed me

to develop my sales and people skills, which are extremely

important in an increasingly service-driven marketplace.

Not all of my work experience has been as a paid employee. Part

of my volunteering experience at Middleway House, the local

battered women’s shelter, involved extensive work on computers,

including word processing, organizing databases and creating

spreadsheets. Also, I recently participated in an internship program

for academic credit with the Eli Lilly corporation in the personnel

division. As a management intern, I was able to watch the

workings of a major corporation up close and would like the

opportunity to combine my experiences with the theoretical

background available in the MBA program at IUB, with its

emphasis on computers, marketing and human resources.

My successful internship is one element of my overall academic

success as an undergraduate here at IUB, yet I have also made

time for a variety of extracurricular activities, including working

for my sorority and competing in intramural basketball. My

positive experiences here have resulted in my desire to stay in

Bloomington to continue my academic endeavors; furthermore,

continuing my education here would allow me to make important

business contacts, with the career goal of opening my own

computer consulting firm in the Midwest.

Resource: indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/personal_statement.shtml