Statement of Purpose or Personal Statement
Many graduate and professional programs require a personal statement or statement of purpose. These statements can be important considerations in the admission process.
The campus Academic Resource Center offers periodic workshops to acquaint students with the process and content of such statements. Students may also make an appointment with writing specialists or with Career Services staff to review their submissions.
There is no one-size-fits-all for these statements. Before writing, do
some reflection about yourself and carefully review the specific institution’s
instructions. Typically applicants will want to explain their strong interest in the field, communicate clear educational and career goals, describe motivation for wanting to attend a specific program and institution, establish themselves as a scholar prepared for advanced studies, and address any obstacles for their admission. However, applicants will also want to distinguish themselves from others by including unique personal qualities, academic backgrounds, and life experiences. All information included in the statement should contribute to the establishment of a compelling case that one is a strong candidate for the program.
This is not a one-draft document. Plan on spending some time preparing the statement and arrange for others to review the document.
Statementofpurpose.com
- This site is dedicated to helping you with your application for admission to a university.
- Understand what a Statement of Purpose is
- Understand what universities expect when they ask for a Statement of Purpose
- Use guidelines to write your own unique, winning Statements
Resource Book: Highly Recommended
How to Write a Winning Personal Statement for Graduate and Professional School, Richard Stelzer