8 Tips for Writing a Strong Personal Statement
Updated: Mar 9, 2023
Personal Statements are tough... For some programs, you will be required to write one just to apply. Or for some prestigious scholarships, a personal statement will be expected! These short essays are a way for selection committees to get to know you, the candidate, without actually meeting you face-to-face. Here is a list of 8 tips for writing a strong personal statement.
TL;DR (Too long; didn't read):
It is important to note, that not every personal statement should be written in the same way. Some applications require a focus in leadership while others would like you to focus on your academic accomplishments... which brings us to our first tip.
1. Focus on what the selection committee is looking for.
If you are applying to a graduate program, perhaps it would be best to highlight some of your academic achievements and challenges you've overcome. But, if the scholarship is looking for leadership, maybe your participation with Organization XYZ as Team Lead would be of more value in this statement. Typically, you are given a page limit when writing statements, and unfortunately, you cannot possibly cover everything you have ever done nor should you. Remember to stay focused on the particular objective of the specific program / scholarship / grant you are applying for.
You might be tempted to write your statement in a completely unique way - and yes, this is a good strategy for some applications! However, ensure that the agency that you are applying to is not looking for a more traditional, formal essay. Focus on what the selection committee is looking for.
2. Tell a story.
There is no one on this planet with the same story as you. And your unique story is what brought you exactly to this moment, into the position you are in, to this application. Use your uniqueness as an advantage to hook in your reader and pique their interest in you, as a person. This strategy will inherently differentiate you from everyone else!
Some prompts to consider:
What moments in your life brought you to this path?
Can you think of how this passion first developed?
What measures are you implementing to continue pursuing your passion? How are you continuing to feed it?
3. Avoid clichés.
I think that every selection committee member that reviews medical school applications is tired of seeing the cliché "I want to help people." Again, your story is unique , there is no need for clichés.
4. Be clear.
Yes, use creative narrative techniques but be careful. Do not go off on tangents during your story. This tip loops in with Tip #1, stay focused and clear. Be concise with your words (you have limited space, remember?! Don't let unnecessary details take up the valuable page real estate).
As a rule of thumb, if you are bringing up a story from the past, make sure that it is relevant to your present situation or to future plans.
5. Start writing early.
Review. Revise. Review. Revise. Review...
Writing one of these statements can take a LONG time. And that's okay! Be sure to schedule enough time for writing as you want to make sure that you can review your statement numerous times. You should not be submitting one of your first few drafts.
Also, if you have people who are willing to read your statement, do so! Having a second, third, or even fourth set of eyes can be very helpful to identify small errors, or to brainstorm more effective ways of getting your ideas across. I know that it's difficult, laying yourself bare for your readers sometimes... so choose your personal reviewers wisely and seek the constructive crticism.
6. Address your shortcomings...
I know exactly what it feels like to have a something you are not-so-proud-of in your transcripts or in any of the other objective reports submitted to a committee. If that 'something' needs to be addressed, be sure to do it yourself. Do not let the committee find it on their own, especially if that 'something' is directly related to your application (ex: a bad grade in design class, when applying for an industrial design degree).
We are human - we make mistakes. You can leave your selection committee to draw up their own conclusions about this 'something' or you can write about the lessons you learned or the hardships you overcame to compensate for it. Growth, or at least the willingness to grow, is a big factor for selection committees, from what I've been told!
7. But more importantly, showcase your strengths.
I literally just told you to talk about the weak points of your application and now I am telling you to talk about strengths! Haha! The saying, "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" is extremely pertinent while writing personal statements.
You can actually focus on your strengths by carefully crafting your sentences and paragraph structure. Think about your reader, and the thoughts that linger in their mind as they read each sentence. For example, maybe it would be better to start your sentences more 'negatively' and then put a positive spin on the end. "As a student familiar with failure, I chose to focus on creating resources for the students who were most at-risk and lead them to success," may leave a better impression than "I created resources for students who were most at-risk in my program because I am familiar with failure."
8. Stay true to yourself.
Be your authentic self. Be honest. Even through writing, it's easy to spot a phony writing voice or tone. You are wonderful. You are an excellent candidate which is why you are applying in the first place. Get the reader interested in you, as a person. They can read all about your 'boring' facts such as your degree and where you're from somewhere else. Think of your personal statement like your... dating profile bio? (Maybe not the greatest analogy...) Get them interested in you, make them remember you, and you'll stand out from the many other statements that reviewer must read.
Believe in yourself and follow these tips (make sure to research even more!), and you will leave a strong impression on whoever comes across your statement.
You may be wondering why I put 8 tips... Well, in my culture, the number 8 is said to bring good luck. So good luck to you in your endeavors and happy writing!
Disclaimer: These tips are written based on personal experience and are non-comprehensive. Following them does not guarantee success in any way, shape or form!
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