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Examples of research proposals

How to write your research proposal, with examples of good proposals.

Research proposals

Your research proposal is a key part of your application. It tells us about the question you want to answer through your research. It is a chance for you to show your knowledge of the subject area and tell us about the methods you want to use.

We use your research proposal to match you with a supervisor or team of supervisors.

In your proposal, please tell us if you have an interest in the work of a specific academic at York St John. You can get in touch with this academic to discuss your proposal. You can also speak to one of our Research Leads. There is a list of our Research Leads on the Apply page.

When you write your proposal you need to:

Highlight how it is original or significant
Explain how it will develop or challenge current knowledge of your subject
Identify the importance of your research
Show why you are the right person to do this research
Research Proposal Example 1 (DOC, 49kB)
Research Proposal Example 2 (DOC, 0.9MB)
Research Proposal Example 3 (DOC, 55.5kB)
Research Proposal Example 4 (DOC, 49.5kB)

Subject specific guidance

Writing a Humanities PhD Proposal (PDF, 0.1MB)
Writing a Creative Writing PhD Proposal (PDF, 0.1MB)
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90 Finance Research Proposal Topics

Research papers are an academic type of writing that requires the ability to find the results of a subject and analyse those results to make conclusions and recommendations. In the realm of finance, there are numerous things one could investigate. The management of risk Corporate and organizational governance, investment and many more are just the beginning of the things this field of study covers. Before we dive into the most common topics of finance research papers, it is essential to know about the basics of finance.

What is Finance?

Simply put financial management is the administration of money. However, this type of management encompasses activities like forecasting, savings and lending, borrowing and investing. Finance is a leading area to a swath of different activities related to investing, money credit, capital markets leverage or debit, and banking. Finance-related careers have for quite a while been rewarding because it gives you an advantage over virtually all other courses available. However, in this vast array of subjects, where do students in finance have resources available for writing research papers on finance ? There are several websites that concentrate on topics for finance research papers online.

Select the most appropriate research topic for the Finance Research Proposal

It is critical to choose your subject carefully and remove any irrelevant information. When selecting a research topic, consider its relevance to the current application, its relationship to previous research , the type of issue, and other factors. Additionally, you must ensure that the subject is focused on a specific issue that you will address during your research analysis.

When you are deciding on your research paper, it is crucial to choose the subject you are fascinated by.
Find a question with no answer within the area of your research and conduct additional study to discover a feasible solution.
Before you begin writing your essay, be sure you've completed some preliminary research to make sure you have enough research materials to write about your topic .
Conduct a search online and discover which topics could be an issue that you must tackle.
Be sure you're taking a look at current, up-to-date and current information so that you can ensure your report is current.
Check out a variety of financial theses and papers to get a concept of your chosen subject;
Find a general view on your topic of financial research and then use the information to focus on one specific aspect.
Discuss your subject with your friends or others who have written essays. It is also possible to consult with your professors as well.

List of New Finance-Related Topics to Write About in 2024

We have compiled an array of interesting topics for writing about. They are divided into groups. This will allow you to select the most relevant topic for your audience and be sure to write it down completely. Enjoy doing your research.

Innovative Finance Research Topics

Perhaps you're planning to write a fascinating business essay. You'll have to pick some of the most popular topics for finance papers and then create a persuasive essay. This is our list of 10 topics we think are the fascinating.

A comparative study of the benefits and setbacks of mergers and acquisitions
Potential solutions Possible solutions Capital Asset Pricing Model
The future of commerce as well as the consequences of manipulating commodities
Behavioral Finance for Public Budgeting: Understanding How Biases Influence Policy Decisions
Stability for retail investors by implementing the Systematic Investment Strategy
US economic growth and taxation of income
How will the American economy function in conjunction with the current banking system?
Analysis of financial statements and ratio analysis are they a real element?
Blockchain Technology for Public Financial Management: Enhancing Transparency, Efficiency, and Auditability
Multilevel Marketing and it's application across different economies around the world
The similarities and differences between traditional finance and behavioral
Customer satisfaction with e-banking
The most effective risk management strategies for manufacturing - thorough analysis
Impact Investing and Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): Blending Financial Returns with Social Impact in Public Projects
Risks that could be posed to the banking sector, and how to mitigate them?
The latest technology that is behind commercial banking

Research Topics on Finance for MBA

The following list of research subjects in finance will inspire your professors and view finance from a different view.

An analysis of the investment potential of your selected company
Capital management - a detailed report
Considerations for saving taxes and financial strategies
Life insurance investment and the participation of investors in these investments
An analysis of the comparison between the traditional product and UIL
The Future of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs)
The Growing Influence of Social Media on Financial Markets
The Role of Behavioral Finance in Mitigating Investment Biases
The Future of Work and its Implications for Retirement Planning
The Impact of Fintech on Financial Inclusion in Developing Economies

New Topics Related to Public Finance

Topics in public finance are financial research topics that cover the tax system, borrowing by the government as well as other aspects.

Budgeting for government and accounting
The economic austerity is a result of finance and education in the government
The concept and practice of the taxation by the government
How can the government get money by borrowing?
The revenue collection plan of the government
Accounting and budgeting for the government
The Impact of Tax Policy on Income Inequality: Evaluating Distributional Effects
Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) for Infrastructure Development: A Comparative Analysis
The Role of Financial Literacy in Promoting Public Financial Wellness
The Rise of Social Impact Bonds: Innovative Financing for Social Programs

Research Topics for International Research in Finance

Because business transactions are taking place globally, and local commerce is no longer the only alternative, it is essential to study international business.

The Rise of Fintech in Emerging Markets
Blockchain Technology for Cross-Border Payments
The Impact of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) on International Monetary Cooperation
The Role of Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWFs) in International Investment Strategies
How can we help prevent the onset of global economic crisis?
Does the banking industry have the ability to lessen the consequences of the financial crisis?
Can a country get the goal of providing healthcare to homeless people?
Which areas of healthcare require more money?
The issues with the high cost of medications in the US
Sustainable Investment Strategies in Developing Countries

Topics in Research on Healthcare Finance

Here are a few of the most important issues in the field of healthcare finance:

Which is better, free or paid healthcare?
Big Data Analytics for Healthcare Cost Management: Identifying Fraud, Waste, and Abuse
Financial Modeling for Emerging Health Technologies
Precision Medicine and Personalized Healthcare Financing
Social Impact Bonds (SIBs) for Public Health Initiatives
Wearable Technologies and Health Data Collection: Monetizing Health Data for Improved Risk Assessment and Personalized Insurance Products
Is financing healthcare a privilege or a right?
Health policies throughout America U.S. through history
What can countries in the first world do to enhance healthcare?
What impact has the government had on health care?
Are we able to achieve universal healthcare for all?

Topics in Corporate Finance

Corporate finance is the process of the organization of capital, financing, and making choices on every investment. Following is a list of finance research topics that will help you avoid errors in this field.

ESG Factors into Corporate Investment and Financing Decisions
Alternative Funding Sources for Startups and SMEs: Beyond Traditional Venture Capital and Bank Loans
Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) with Cryptocurrencies and Blockchain Assets
Social Impact Investing within Corporate Strategies: Balancing Financial Returns with Social Responsibility
The Future of Corporate Debt Structuring: The Impact of Sustainable Bonds, Green Finance, and ESG-Linked Loans
Human Capital Management as an Investment: Optimizing Workforce Engagement and Skills Development for Long-Term Value Creation
Potential solutions to ethical issues in the field of corporate finance
Understanding the investment trends of small and medium-sized firms
Mutual funds and investment A thorough analysis of its various streams
How can equity investors deal with the potential risk
What are the possible advantages and disadvantages of SWIFT and how will it function?

Topics in Business Finance

Every decision we make in the business world has financial consequences. We must therefore be aware of the basics of writing finance-related topics that need analysis, management valuation, management, etc.

The establishment of business entities and the use of business finance
Modernization of business and the role of finance in business
Selling our life insurance Do we have a tax incentive that is effective in this case?
Who are the people who mutual funds affect in the private and public sectors?
Diverse investment options for various types of financials - Do you have an investment option you prefer?
The preferences and choices of investors - A thorough analysis
The investor's perspective regarding taking a stake in private insurers
Corporate entities and raising their accountability
Business finance and ethical issues
Taxes on small and medium-sized business payment

Personal Financial Topics

Personal finances are a vulnerable field because we all want to attend to our finances in a way that is appropriate. Below are some fascinating problems in this area:

Strategies for saving money while in a financial bind - A assessment
The impact of inflation and the rise in the rate of interest on personal finances
Employers and employees working at home - what are the advantages?
Is health insurance that is free or affordable healthcare a right that everyone should have?
What are the most effective ways to save money if you're in a pinch?
Credit scored - a comprehensive analysis
The importance of car and credit loans
How do taxes affect financial decisions?
What are the most effective ways to effectively manage credit?
The mobile banking industry and its problems

New Research Topics For Indian Students

Microfinance Beyond Microloans: Expanding Financial Services for Women Entrepreneurs in India
The Impact of Aadhaar on Financial Inclusion and Credit Scoring in India
The Future of Pension Systems in India
Financial Planning for Millennials in India
The Growth of Impact Investing in India
The Role of Social Media Influencers on Investment Decisions of Indian Youth
Financial Literacy for Small Businesses in India: Developing Culturally Relevant Educational Programs
The Impact of Behavioral Finance on Individual Investment Choices in India
Green Bonds and Sustainable Infrastructure Development in India
The Future of Cashless Transactions in India

Totally New Topics for Research Proposals in Finance in 2024

The Rise of Fintech in Unbanked Populations: Financial Inclusion Strategies in Fragile States
The difference between traditional and behavioral finance.
The impact of budget management on organizational performance
The Impact of Resource Nationalism on Foreign Investment Flows
The Geopolitical Risks of Digital Currencies
The Financialization of Water Resources
The Financialization of Cybersecurity
An analysis of the use of financial state in evaluating a company's performance.
Ethics concerns in corporate finance and how they can be addressed
Transparency and clarity are improving in corporate organizations.
Investment management: pros and cons management
Sustainability and green governance in industries that could pollute the earth.
How do corporate governance and institutional ownership affect green patent Generation?
The implementation of risk-management strategies.
Microfinancing and the alleviation of poverty
The transformation of the banking industry due to information technology (IT)
The management of massive credit at commercial banks in both developed and developing countries
Mobile banking in both developed and developing countries
A review of credit management practices and bank lending practices in both developed and developing countries.
Electronic banking is a relationship that influences the satisfaction of customers
Examining the effects of loan defaults and loan defaults on the financial viability of banks
Internal controls in accounting firms
Corporate Social Responsibility is a key issue in the banking systems of today
The combination of cryptocurrency and banks in a demonetized global
Security concerns with online banking and transactions online
Examine the differences between traditional finance and behavioral finance.
Study of the effect of budgetary control on the effectiveness of an organization.
A critical analysis of the usage of financial statements to evaluate the efficiency of an organization.
What are the ethical issues associated with finance in corporations, and how can they be addressed easily?
Audit independence: improving transparency and accountability within corporate companies
Credit management and issues related to bad debts at commercial banks of [Country Name].[Country Name].
Opportunities and challenges of mobile bank banking within [Country NameProspects and challenges of mobile banking in [Country Name].
Evaluation of lending practices at banks and credit management in [Country Name].The evaluation of credit management practices and lending practices in [Country Name].
The impact of electronic banking on the satisfaction of customers.
An analysis of loan defaults and the impact it has on the bank profitability.

How to Write a Perfect Finance Research Paper

Gathering and utilizing the correct financial information is vital in the production of clear financial reports and research papers on finance for academic and corporate goals. These data can range from the financial history of a business, the trends of an asset's performance on its market, or shifts in the market for investment. But, before collecting and analyzing the data it is essential to choose a subject to avoid wasting time by focusing on a faulty subject. How can you be sure the finance research essay you write is done to perfection? Here are some steps to make sure that you adhere to when writing an essay or research paper on finance: an essay on finance:

Pick a relevant Research Paper Area

This article is designed to provide most popular topics for finance research papers. When choosing a successful study paper subject, it's crucial to know the subject you're dealing with. If you don't know the subject you're writing about can result in you taking many dead-end routes and wasting valuable time. Once you have a clear understanding of the topic you must determine the relevancy of the topic and the subject you're writing your research paper on. Also, you can brainstorm ideas for subjects that could be suitable to research for your financial paper and based on these ideas you'll end with a suitable topic.

Plan your writing

It is commonly advised that if you are planning to chop off a branch, invest longer sharpening the axe. Writing effectively requires the steps you take to plan the actions for your research paper prior to you actually begin writing. This will ensure that you're more productive and will ensure that as you write, you are spending less time. In writing a research paper, you'll employ a variety of approaches to writing. It could involve observation, summarizing, or analyzing, arguing, and analyzing. Being mindful of the purpose of your paper is vital during this stage. This is where you will collect ideas for your finance essay.

Editing and writing

The process of writing the finance research paper is at the heart of the procedure. It is not much to be said regarding the writing process if you have prepared well and settled on a topic that is suitable in the study paper. But, every writer is bound to make mistakes. When writing, there will be mistakes made on paper. Additionally, ideas can change, or new ideas may pop out. The reason for the process of editing your financial research document is to polish your paper into the most polished version possible. Here are some tips to follow during how to edit and proofread your work.

Don't edit your essay immediately after writing. It is best to let it for a few days or for a long period of time prior to beginning your editing and proofreading.
If you can, ask someone to assist you with proofreading and editing your work. This could be from a friend or family member or even a colleague from class.
When editing, make sure to edits, do it on chapters that are based on chapter. This will help you lessen the burden as your finance research papers may be quite a lengthy document.
Use different methods in your editing. Examining for grammatical errors and checking for a flow of logic, ensuring the correct reference usage and many more.
After editing, read the entire document to ensure that there wasn't anything that was overlooked.

In the final draft of this paper, you will not just exhume data, but also confidence.

Frequently asked questions

What is finance .

Financial management is simply the management of funds. However, this form of management also includes borrowing, investing, and operations like predicting and lending. A wide range of distinct activities relating to investment, money credit, capital markets leverage or debit, and banking fall under the umbrella of finance.

What is the best topic for finance project ?

role of retail credit in bank credit's long-term expansion. Retail bank credit's contribution to the economy's sustained expansion. The role of ECGC guarantees in export credit. An analysis of corporate banking and project finance, including credit for infrastructure.

What are the current research topics in finance ?

Finance-related research topics for students.

the variations and parallels between conventional finance and behavioral finance.
e-banking customer satisfaction.
A thorough review of the best risk management strategies for the manufacturing sector.
Identification and evaluation of the financial risks associated with a derivatives market.

What are the topics for finance internship ?

General Financial

Studies on capital budgeting.
Economic Analysis.
Ratio evaluation
Risk assessment.
Inventory Control.
Analysis of financial performance.
studies on venture capital finance.
Tax preparation.

Which project is best for MBA finance ?

Beginner MBA Finance Projects

The value of capital budgeting.
corporate investment analysis.
portfolio management, including techniques.
an examination of a company's cost modeling.
the mechanism for controlling the budget and inventory.
Public understanding and familiarity with wealth management.

What can be the topics for mba Finance summer internship project in a CA firm ?

corporate finance, international taxation, mergers, and acquisitions, etc

How do I prepare for a finance internship ?

Refresh your knowledge of technical financial topics and abilities. Refresh your memory of typical finance issues or procedures that you could be asked to use on the day of your interview. Candidates seeking internships at Wall Street institutions are frequently required to verbally describe financial practices.

What are the articles related to finance ?

According to Article 280 of the Constitution, the President appoints the Finance Commission, which has as its primary responsibility to make suggestions on how to tax income should be divided between the Union and the States and among the States themselves.

What are some research proposal topics in accounting and finance ?

Five Interesting Topics for Accounting Research Papers

Software for accounting is required.
newest accounting software innovations.
Accounting ethics dilemmas.
Best accounting techniques' historical prospects.
Benefits of quick information for contemporary accountants.

What is the best topic for internship ?

Topics for Internship.

Any State's e-governance.
Analyze any given service across all States.
Internet adoption and methods to boost it.
Internet safety.
Social media: good or bad?
Social media's impact on Indian culture
Social media is eroding our culture's foundation.

What is the best topic in finance ?

Accounting businesses' internal controls. Concerns about corporate social responsibility in contemporary banking systems. combining banks and cryptocurrencies in a demonetized environment. Cybersecurity concerns have an impact on online transactions and banking.

What is the objective of a finance internship ?

Learn everything you can about the company's cash management procedures. Learn everything you can about the company's treasury operations. Learn about the company's corporate budgeting procedure. Discover the company's internal and external financial reporting practices.

What is research proposal with example ?

A research proposal is essentially a formal, organized document that outlines your intended research subject, your reason for choosing it as a topic for study, and your methodology (i.e. your practical approach).

How long is a research proposal ?

2,500 words

How do you start a research proposal example ?

A succinct description of your desired research, no more than 100 words, should be included in the proposal. This might be a few phrases outlining the issue you want to look at or the main issue you want to tackle. Explain the general context in which your study will be conducted.

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Qualitative & Quantitative data analysis

TO STUDY THE EFFECTS OF FINANCIAL LEVERAGE ON THE BANKING PERFORMANCE OF UK

[Name of Writer]

[Date of Submission]

[Name of Institution]

Background of the study.

The following research is aimed towards the effects of financial leverage on the banking performance of UK. In the contemporary business world, the corporate structure is known as one of the issues that are considered to be very puzzling in the literature of corporate finance (Ku and Yen, 2016). The concept of the capital structure is known as such a concept in which the debt and equity are regarded as the strategic choice for the managers of the organization, specifically in the banking sector. The decision of capital structure is considered to be an important decision for the managerial role as it influences the return and risk of the shareholders. The capital structure decision mainly affects the market value of the share and the banks would have to plan that capital structure at the initial phase at the time of inception (Afolabi et al., 2019).

Principally, whenever there are funds which need to be raised for the financial investment purposes, there is an involvement of the capital structure decision. In the banking sector, it is analysed that there is a need of the debt and equity for financing the investments and in this process, the preference shares are also used (Bhayani and Ajmera, 2018). Financial leverage is known as the ratio of the fixed charge sources for funding like preference shares for the equity of the owners and the debt in the capital structure. The decisions that are related to the financial leverage is considered as very important as the performance of the organization is mainly affected by the such decisions, hence, the financial managers in the banking sector should perform their duties with the cautions and the focus over the decisions regarding the debt-equity mix (Ku and Yen, 2016). Thus, the study had been directed for exploring the influence of the financial leverage on the performance of the banking industry in the UK.

Aims and Objectives of the study

The main aim of conducting this research is to evaluate and measure the effects of financial leverage on the performance of the banking industry in the UK. The objectives that are focused in the study plays a major role in order to achieve the aim of the study in a respective manner. The objectives designed for the study had been presented below:

To study the concept and significance of financial leverage
To identify factors affecting the performance of an organisation
To evaluate the impact of financial leverage on the banking performance of the UK
To provide recommendations on the improvisation of banking performance through financial leverage in the UK.

Methodology

The design which is followed in order to conduct the study mainly reflects the nature of the study which is mostly categorized in two types that are qualitative and quantitative research design (Kumar, 2019). For the research, the quantitative research design is followed in which data would be tested by using mathematical and statistical tests. By relying on the existing studies, it is investigated that most of the studies have been conducted over the same topic by using a quantitative research design that is why this method is used for the study. For the study, the primary data is collected through questionnaire, interviews and observations which mostly comprise of new information. Whereas on the other hand, secondary data consists of the data that is already available on the internet in which web link, books and columns etc. are included. The main purpose of the study was analysing the banks of UK; therefore, five top banks of the UK are involved in the study that are HSBC, Barclays, Halifax, Natwest and Lloyds. In order to measure the financial leverage of banks two metrics, debt to asset and debt to equity are used whereas in order to measure the performance of banking the metrics like ROA, ROE and Net profit margins are used. The data will be taken for the years mentioned as 2005-2018. Correlation and regression tools are used in order to analyses the gathered data. The variable description is presented as,

Afolabi, A., Olabisi, J., Kajola, S.O. and Asaolu, T.O., 2019. Does leverage affect the financial performance of Nigerian firms?. Journal of Economics & Management , 37 , pp.5-22.

Bhayani, S.J. and Ajmera, B., 2018. AN EMPIRICAL STUDY ON EFFECT OF FINANCIAL LEVERAGE ON FIRM’S PERFORMANCE AND VALUATION OF SELECTED PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES IN INDIA. Indian Journal of Accounting (IJA) Vol , 50 , p.2.

Ku, Y.Y. and Yen, T.Y., 2016. Heterogeneous effect of financial leverage on corporate performance: A quantile regression analysis of Taiwanese companies. Review of Pacific Basin Financial Markets and Policies , 19 (03), p.1650015.

Kumar, R., 2019. Research methodology: A step-by-step guide for beginners. Sage Publications Limited.

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200 Finance Dissertation Topics: Quick Ideas For Students

Finance dissertation topics are on-demand in the 21st century. But why is this so? It may perplex you how everyone is up and down looking for interesting, quality finance topics. However, the answer is simple: because fascinating finance dissertation topics can earn students bonus points.

We will delve into that in just a second. Your finance topic dictates the difficulty of the assignment you are going to handle. Landing on the right topic means that you will not have to toil as much as when you pick a highly complex topic. Does it make sense?

Let’s explore the nitty-gritty of finance dissertation papers before we get into mentioning the top-rated finance research topics list.

What Is A Finance Dissertation?

As the name goes, finance dissertation is a kind of writing that investigates a particular finance topic selected by the student. The topics range from the stock market, banking, and risk management to healthcare finance topics.

This dissertation provides the student with a degree of academic self-confidence and personal satisfaction in the finance field. Finance writing requires extensive research to create a persuasive paper in the end.

Writing Tips For Finance Dissertations

Are you uncertain concerning what you need to do to compose a top-notch finance dissertation? Worry no more! Our professional writers have put together some essential suggestions to kick you off. In the next few minutes, you will be in a position to create a perfect finance dissertation painstakingly:

Narrow down your topic : Trim down your finance topic to a specific niche. It should focus on one region; either micro-finance, macro-finance, or internet banking.
Verify your facts : Finance is a field that includes a lot of statistical data to be followed logically. Therefore, verify facts and figures with reliable sources before opting to use them in your paper.
Write concisely : Unlike other papers with long narrative tales, you should encapsulate a finance paper into a tight, concise paper. The rule of ‘short is sweet’ technically applies here at great length.
Arrange your data neatly : A paper that is stuffed with numerals and charts all over may turn down a reader at first sight. For an impressive finance thesis, know-how and when to use your data.
Write simply : Avoid jargon that may confuse an ordinary reader. Where a need is for technical terms to be used, illustrate them with relatable examples. Simplicity is gold in a finance dissertation. So, use it well.

With these tips and tricks, you are all set to start writing your finance paper. We now advance to another crucial part that will make sure your finance paper is refined and at per with your institution’s academic standards.

General Structure of a Finance Dissertation

It is crucial to consult your supervisor regarding your dissertation’s research methodology, structure, style, and reasonable length. Depending on the guidance of your supervisor, the structure may vary. Nonetheless, as a general guide, ensure the following sections are part and parcel of your dissertation:

Introduction: State the problem that you intend to address in your dissertation. It also includes a definition of key terms, the relevance of the topic and a summary of hypotheses.
Theoretical and empirical literature, hypotheses development and contribution: It provides the theoretical framework of your study. The hypotheses are based on the literature review.
Data and methodology: State the model (i.e. dependent and key independent variables) that you want to use the drawing on theoretical framework or economic argument that you may employ for your analysis. Define all control variables and describe the data used to test the hypothesis.
Empirical results: Describe the results and mention whether they are consistent with the hypotheses and relate them with the existing evidence in the literature. You will also describe the statistical and practical/economic significance of your findings.
Summary and conclusion: Summarize your research and state the general conclusion with relevant implications.

It is important to have all the dataset you want to use readily available before finalizing the topic. The dataset is essential for testing your hypotheses.

There are thousands of research topics for finance students available all over the internet and academic books. You only have to browse and lookup for the latest research or refer to past readings or course lectures.

Even though this exercise may look simple enough on the surface, it takes a lot of time to consider what makes for interesting finance topics adequately. Not all ideas you find will achieve the academic requirements that your supervisor expects from you.

Here is a list of freshly mint topics to use for numerous finance situations:

Impressive Healthcare Finance Topics

Healthcare involves more than just treating patients and administering injections. There are finance aspects that also come into play, including:

Strategies for marketplace achievement in turbulent times: Medical staff marketing
Effects of the employer executive compensation and benefits plan after the Tax Reform Act of 1986
Improving profitability through accelerating philanthropic giving to healthcare systems
Acceleration and effective information strategies for cash management in hospitals
Finding the system’s solution to health care cost accounting
How hospitals spend money from charitable organizations and donor funding
Models of enhancing cost accounting efforts by improving existing information sources
Strategies of increasing cash flow with a patient accounting review
A systematic review of productivity, cost accounting, and information systems
A study of the cost accounting strategies under the prospective payment system
How to manage bad debt and charity care accounts in hospitals
Achieving more value from managed care efforts in healthcare systems
Strategies of achieving economies of scale through shared ancillary and support services
Profitable ways of financing the acquisition of a health care enterprise
Effects of mergers and acquisitions on private hospitals
Measuring nursing costs with patient acuity data in hospitals
Affordable treatment and care for long-term and terminal diseases
Survey of the organization and structure of a hospital’s administration concerning financing
Impact of culture and globalization on healthcare financing
Discuss the necessity for universal health coverage in the United States

Finance Management Project Topics

If you are a finance management enthusiast, this section will impress you the most:

The impact of corrupt bank managers on its sustainability
How banks finance small and medium-scale enterprises
Loan granting and its recovery problems on commercial banks
An evaluation of credit management in the banking industry
The role of microfinance banks in the alleviation of poverty in the US
Comparative evaluation strategies in mergers and acquisitions
How to plan and invest in the insurance sector and tax planning
Impact of shareholders on decision-making processes on banks
How diversity in banks affects management and leadership practices
Credit management techniques that work for small scale enterprises
Appraisal on the impact of effective credit management on the profitability of commercial banks
The impact of quantitative tools of monetary policy on the performance of deposit of commercial banks
Financial management practices in the insurance industry and risk management
The role of the capital market in economic development
Problems facing financial institutions to the growth of small scale business in the USA
Why training and development of human resources is a critical factor in bank operations
The impact of universal banking financial system on the credibility
Security threats to effective management in banks
The effect of fiscal and monetary policy in controlling unemployment
The effects of financial leverage on company performance

Topics in Mathematics With Applications in Finance

Mathematics and finance correlate in several ways in that they borrow concepts from each other. Here are some of the mathematics concepts that apply to finance paper topics:

Linear algebra
Probability theory
Stochastic processes
Regression analysis
Value at risk models
Time series analysis
Volatility modelling
Regularized pricing and risk models
Commodity models
Portfolio theory
Factor modelling
Stochastic differential equations
Ross recovery theorem
Option, price, and probability duality
Black-Scholes formula, Risk-neutral valuation
Introduction to counterparty credit risk
HJM model for interest rates and credit
Quanto credit hedging
Calculus in finance and its application

International Finance Topics

International finance research topics deal with a range of monetary exchanges between two or more nations. Below is a list of international research topics in finance for you to browse through and pick a relevant one:

A study of the most important concepts in international finance
How internal auditing enhances good corporate governance practice in an organization
Factors that affect the capital structure of Go Public manufacturing companies
A financial engineering perspective on the causes of large price changes
Corporate governance and board of directors responsibilities
An exploratory study on the management of support services in international organizations
An accounting perspective of the need for theorizing corporation
Impact of coronavirus on international trade relations
Is business ethics attainable in the global market arena
How exchange rates affect international trading
The role of currency derivatives in shaping the global market
How to improve international capital structure
How to forecast exchange rates
Ways of measuring exposure to exchange rates fluctuations
How to hedge exposure to exchange rates fluctuations globally
How foreign direct investment puts individual countries at risk
How to stabilize international capital markets
A study of shadow banking in the global environment
A comparative analysis of Western markets and African markets
Exploring the monetary funding opportunities by the International Monetary Fund

Corporate Finance Research Topics

These 20 topics have the potential to help you write an amazing corporate finance paper, provided you have the will to work hard on your paper:

Short- and long-term investment needs for working capital trends
Identifying proper capital structure models for a company
How capital structure and an organization’s funding of its operations relate
Corporate finance decision making in unstable stock markets
The effect of firm size on financial decision making incorporates
Compare and contrast the different internationally recognized corporate financial reporting standards
Evaluate the emerging concept integrated reporting in corporate finance
Managing transparency in corporate financial decisions
How technological connectivity has helped in integrated financial management
How different investment models contribute to the success of a corporate
The essence of valuation of cash flows in financial and non-financial corporates
Identify the prevalent financial innovations in the USA
Ways in which governance influences corporate financial activities
Impact of taxes on dividend policies in developed nations
How corporate strategies related to corporate finance
Implications of the global economic crisis in the backdrop of corporate finance concepts
How information technology impact corporate relations among companies
Evaluate the effectiveness of corporate financing tools and techniques
How do FDI strategies compare in Europe and Asia?
The role of transparency and liquidity in alternative corporate investments

Finance Debate Topics

These finance debate topics are formulated in keeping with emerging financial issues globally:

Is China’s economy on the verge of ousting that of the US?
Does the dynamic nature of the global market affect the financial alienations of countries?
Is Foreign Direct Investment in retail sector good for the US?
Is it possible to maintain stable oil prices in the world?
Are multinational corporations good for the global economy?
Does the country of origin matter in selling a product?
Are financial companies misusing ethics in marketing?
Why should consumer always be king in marketing messages?
Does commercialization serve in the best interest of the consumer?
Why should companies bother having a mission statement?
Why should hospitals receive tax subsidies and levies on drugs?
Is television the best medium for advertisement?
Is the guarantor principle security or a myth?
Compare and contrast market trends in capitalism versus Marxism states
Does the name of a business have an impact on its development record?
Is it the responsibility of the government to finance small-scale business enterprises?
Does budgeting truly serve its purpose in a company?
Why should agricultural imports be banned?
Is advertising a waste of company resources?
Why privatization will lead to less corruption in companies

Finance Topics For Presentation

Is your group or individual finance presentation giving you sleepless nights just because you do not have a topic? Worry no more!

The role of diplomatic ties in enhancing financial relations between countries
Should banks use force when recovering loans from long-term defaulters?
Why mortgages are becoming difficult to repay among the middle class
Ways of improving the skilled workforce in developing
How technology creates income disparities among social classes
The role of rational thinking in making financial decisions
How much capital is necessary for a start-up?
Are investments in betting firms good for young people?
How co-operatives are important in promoting communism in a society
Why should countries stop receiving foreign aids and depend on themselves?
Compare and contrast the performance of private sectors over public sectors
How frequent should reforms be conducted in companies?
How globalization affects nationalism
Theories of financial development that is still applicable today
Should business people head the finance ministry of countries?
The impact of the transport sector on revenue and tax collection
The impact of space exploration on the country’s economy
How regional blocs are impacting developing nations
Factors contributing to the growth of online scams
What is the impact of trade unions in promoting businesses?

Finance Research Topics For MBA

Here is our best list of top-rated MBA financial topics to write about in 2023, which will generate more passion for a debate:

Evaluate the effect of the Global crisis to use the line of credit in maintaining cash flow
Discuss options for investment in the shipping industry in the US
Financial risk management in the maritime industry: A case study of the blue economy
Analyze the various financial risk indicators
Financial laws that prevent volatility in the financial market
How the global recession has impacted domestic banking industries
Discuss IMF’s initiatives in tackling internal inefficiency of new projects
How the WTO is essential in the global financial market
The link between corporate and capital structures
Why is it important to have an individual investment?
How to handle credit crisis in financial marketing
Financial planning for salaried employee and strategies for tax savings
A study on Cost And Costing Models in Companies
A critical study on investment patterns and preferences of retail investors
Risk portfolio and perception management of equity investors
Is there room for improvement in electronic payment systems?
Risks and opportunities of investments versus savings
Impact of investor awareness towards commodities in the market
Is taxation a selling tool for life insurance
Impact of earnings per share

Public Finance Topics

These interesting finance topics may augur well with university students majoring in public finance:

Financial assistance for businesses and workers during Coronavirus lockdowns
Debt sustainability in developing countries
How we can use public money to leverage private funds
Analyze the use of public funds in developed versus developing countries
The reliability of sovereign credit ratings for investors in government securities
Propose a method of analysis on the cost-benefit ratio of any government project
The role of entities in charge of financial intermediation
The reciprocity and impact of tariff barriers
Impact of the exempted goods prices on the trade deficit
Investor penalties and its impact in the form of taxes and penalties
Public government projects that use private funds
Ways of measuring the cost of sustainability
Maintaining economic growth to avoid a strong recession
The impact of the declining income and consumption rates
Effects of quarantine and forced suspension of economic activity
Innovative means of limiting the scale of pandemic development
The growing scale of the public debt of the public finance system
A critical analysis of the epidemiological safety instruments used in countries
The growing debt crisis of the state finance system
How to permanently improve and increase the scale of anti-crisis socio-economic policy planning

Business Finance Topics

You can address the following business finance research papers topics for your next assignment:

How organizations are raising and managing funds
Analyze the planning, analysis, and control operations and responsibilities of the financial manager
Why business managers should take advantage of the federal stimulus package
Economical ways of negotiating for lower monthly bills
Evaluate the best retirement plans for entrepreneurs
Tax reform changes needed to spearhead businesses to the next level
How politicians can help small businesses make it to the top
Setting up life insurance policies from which you can sidestep the banks and loan yourself money
Why every business manager should know about profit and loss statements, revenue by customers and more.
Advantages of creating multiple corporations to business entrepreneurs
Why good liquidity is a vital weapon in the face of a crisis
Reasons why many people are declaring bankruptcy during the coronavirus pandemic
Why you should closely examine the numbers before making any financial decisions
Benefits of corporations to small scale business ventures
How to start a business without money at hand
Strategies for improving your company’s online presence
Discuss the challenge of debt versus equity for small-scale businesses
The impact of financial decisions on the profitability and the risk of a firm’s operations
Striking a balance between risk and profitability
Why taking the ratio of current assets to current liabilities is important to any business

You can use any of the hot topics mentioned above for your finance dissertation paper or opt for our thesis writing services. We have competitive finance dissertation writing experts ready to tackle your paper to the core.

Try us today!

A research proposal submitted in the SCH OF ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE OF NKUMBA UNIVERSITY

2019, Research proposal

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Carolyn Barnes

Till Bruett

Microfinance in Uganda grew rapidly between 1998 and 2003 due to a combination of significant donor funding; a shared stakeholder vision for the sector, including active government support for the vision; skilled human resources; and intensive collaboration among the major stakeholders (practitioner organizations, donor agencies, and government bodies). At the end of 2003, approximately 1,500 microfinance institutions (MFIs) were serving more than 935,000 small savers and close to 400,000 borrowers in the country. The Ugandan parliament passed the Micro Deposit-Taking Institution Act in 2003, which created the conditions for MFIs to become regulated, deposit taking institutions. Shared stakeholder vision, skilled human resources, and intensive stakeholder collaboration have been the three major drivers of effective microfinance in Uganda. The report finds that if microfinance in Uganda is to continue to flourish, a number of challenges must also be resolved. Resolution of these chal...

THE CHALLENGES AFFECTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF ISLAMIC MICRO FINANCING IN UGANDA A CASE STUDY OF ISLAMIC MICROFINANCE INSTITUTIONS IN KAMPALA

mikidad ratib

Microfinance is the provision of savings accounts, loans, insurance, money transfers and other banking services to customers that lack access to traditional financial services, usually because of poverty. Microfinance can also be defined as a type of banking service that is provided to unemployed or low-income individuals or groups who otherwise would have no other access to financial services. It is in some instances also called microcredit. Microfinance plays an important role in creating financial access needs in the undesirable sections of the economy and society. It helps lift masses out of poverty by providing small loans to those lacking access to traditional financial services or funding opportunities, develop small businesses that can then provide regular income, and they provide financial resources to underserved markets. As such, microfinance is an important tool not just to minimize the impacts of poverty, but also to promote house hold income and livelihoods. However micro financing has generally not been well developed and established on the global, regional and national level. Relating to Islamic micro financing, it too suffers the same issues in its development and establishment on all levels.

Working Papers

Gloria Almeyda

Abdul kaziba Mpaata

The study was designed to examine the relationship microfinance services and the rural community welfare in Uganda. It focused on Masaka Microfinance which is one of the oldest microfinance institutions in Uganda. The specific objectives included; (1) to establish the relationship between Masaka Microfinance services and rural community income earnings; (2) to determine the relationship between Masaka microfinance services and the resulting job creation in the community; (3) to document the relationship between Masaka microfinance services and community saving practices. A sample of 78 respondents of who were beneficiaries of Masaka Microfinance Limited was purposively contacted out of whom 52 filled and returned complete questionnaires. The results showed that there is a positive and significant relationship between Masaka Microfinance services and; (1) rural community income earnings (r = .690 p<0.0001); (2) the resulting jobs in the community (r = .540 p<0001); and (3) comm...

April, Development Research Center, …

Hans Dieter Seibel

kabasha marc

MUDIOPE CHARLES

under Tier IVfinancial system (Finance Act 2002) as an NGO primarily to enhance access to financialservices by the majority of poor Ugandans, especially women who have generally beenleft out by the mainstream financial system in the country. The program design focuseson poverty alleviation through provision of credit at an affordable cost, convenience, nocollateral or pre-saving requirement, plus provision of capacity building to clients toenhance planned for income generation activities.In the span of only two years, the microfinance program has a network outreach of 46 branch offices in 24 districts across the four (East, central, West, North) geographicalregions of Uganda. The program offers two micro credit products:Micro group lending:-1,932 member groups formed with 55472 clients. Total loandisbursed is US $ 11,727.153 to 39,888 clients at 20% annual interest rate. No collateralor pre-saving required, and services delivery at client doorstep. Success and sustainability of projects undertaken depends so much on monitoring and evaluation. Microfinance institutions have enabled increased access to credit for many individuals thus improving their livelihood. It is therefore important to understand the role of monitoring and evaluation which are essential tools that enhance the growth of microfinance institutions. The aim of the Central Bank of uganda is to see that the microfinance industry spreads out to the heart of rural homes in order to meet the needs of the unbanked through expanding access to financial services for poor individuals and families along with small businesses, especially the small, medium Scale and informal sector businesses. Such a goal also fulfills the ugadan Vision 2040 where the government aims to improve access to the financial sector and in doing so fulfill the millennium development goals. This research was conducted in Entebbe munisparity by analyzing responses got from employees and clients working in some of the leading microfinance institutions in the region. Data analysis was done to present the findings by employing statistical methods. It was found that monitoring and evaluation practices influences performance of MFIs schemes as was supported by 86.6% of the respondents. The research established that preventive monitoring and evaluation practices are not fully utilized by microfinance organizations and in addition that Information technology practices need to be incorporated when conducting monitoring and evaluation. Recommendations were made which included insuring flexibility in M&E practices that should be customer based and the use of sustainable screening techniques that enhance effective delivery of services. Moreover, training of employers and employees on customer's preferences and seeking professional assistance are essential tools for monitoring and evaluation.

Abanis Turyahebwa

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99 Top Research Proposal Topics in Finance

Table of Contents

Finance Research Proposal Topics That Will Earn You Grades like Never Before!

Finance seems to be the most interesting field but when it is about finance and its related fields of research regarding finance research proposal topics, students are a bundle of nerves since they don’t know what their supervisors are expecting out of them..

I was once a supervisor, so I knew a bit about their nature and their feelings when things are circled about the word finance. Therefore, I feel an urgent urge in this respect to compiling a list of related finance research proposal topics that would be most helpful for research proposals on this relative field of finance, for those nervous students as I was once a student too and went through the same situation.

Here are some of the finance research proposal topics examples for undergraduates these topics are created by our expert finance writers.

Finance research proposal topics for undergraduates

Suggestions for research proposal topics in finance:

The Impact of Interest Rates on Corporate Investment Decisions
Analyzing the Relationship Between Stock Market Performance and Economic Growth
The Effect of Financial Regulations on Banking Stability
Risk Management Strategies in Financial Institutions
The Role of Financial Technology (Fintech) in Modern Banking
The Impact of Cryptocurrency on Traditional Financial Markets
Behavioral Finance : How Investor Psychology Affects Market Trends
The Influence of Macro-Economic Indicators on Stock Prices
Comparative Analysis of Investment Strategies: Active vs. Passive Management
The Effectiveness of Financial Derivatives in Risk Management
Corporate Social Responsibility and Financial Performance
Financial Performance Analysis of Startups in the Technology Sector
The Role of Venture Capital in Funding Innovation
Impact of Global Economic Crises on Emerging Markets
The Relationship Between Corporate Governance and Financial Performance
Analyzing the Effect of Mergers and Acquisitions on Shareholder Value
The Influence of Exchange Rate Fluctuations on International Trade
Investment Opportunities in Renewable Energy: A Financial Analysis
The Role of Financial Ratios in Predicting Business Failures
The Effect of Financial Statement Manipulation on Investor Confidence
Financial Implications of Brexit on European Financial Markets
The Impact of Economic Sanctions on International Financial Transactions
The Use of Machine Learning in Predicting Stock Market Trends
Comparative Study of Islamic Finance vs. Conventional Finance
The Effects of Monetary Policy on Inflation and Unemployment Rates
Relationship between corporate image and mobile phone advertising in the field of finance.
Impact of Oil Price on the real GDP of Pakistan and its other financial sectors.
Macroeconomic variables and their effect on the financial market in relation to the GDP on consumer market plans.
Impact of Cash Flow and Profitability on Dividend payout on yearly fixed deposits and assets in relation to consumer consumption level of commodities.
A study on the impact of in-mall events and activities, which are enhancing the overall shopping experience of the customer’s purchasing power.
To study the level of satisfaction amongst the lower management staff for health benefits and other related benefits that the staff is entitled to as per the company’s standard policies registered by the local government.
A study of short message service (SMS) acceptance, to participate in television programs is being evaluated.
Effects of Underwriter’s reputation over initial public offerings, based on their credibility and affordability as per the demand by the international market marketing strategy plan.
Impact of Cash Flow and Profitability on Dividend payout on fixed and saving deposits of consumers.
Relationship between Debt Maturity and Tax Rate(s).
Prediction of corporate bankruptcy through financial ratios compared with other commercial banks.
Financing requirements in agricultural commodity businesses and its challenges.
Liquidity and Stock Return.
Ownership Structure and Firm Value.
Impact of Bank Mergers and Acquisitions on Bank Performance calculated in the year.
The relationship between firm investment and financial status.
Determinants of Mutual Fund growth in Pakistan.
Impact of portfolio diversification on Banks’ Return.
Impact of energy crises on economic growth and GDP fluctuation.
Relationship between Government Expenditure and Government Revenues.
The impact of interest rate changes on the stock market
The relationship between corporate governance and firm performance
The effects of currency devaluation on international trade
The role of financial technology (fintech) in improving access to financial services
An analysis of the performance of socially responsible investments
The impact of government regulation on the financial industry
A comparison of the risk-return tradeoff of different asset classes
The effects of macroeconomic factors on the real estate market
An examination of the impact of market psychology on investment decision-making
The role of corporate social responsibility in attracting and retaining investors.
Risk and Return Analysis of Emerging Market Investments
Financial Management Practices in Non-Profit Organizations
The Role of Financial Planning in Retirement Savings
Analyzing the Effect of Interest Rate Changes on Mortgage Markets
The Impact of Corporate Tax Policies on Investment Decisions
The Financial Implications of Climate Change for Investment Portfolios
Trends in Cross-Border Mergers and Acquisitions
The Influence of Political Stability on Financial Markets
The Role of Credit Ratings in Corporate Financing
Financial Risk Assessment in the Real Estate Market
The Impact of Social Media on Investor Behavior
The Role of Behavioral Biases in Financial Decision Making
Analyzing the Effectiveness of Corporate Risk Management Strategies
The Relationship Between Dividend Policies and Stock Prices
Financial Analysis of the Impact of Trade Wars on Global Markets
The Effect of Corporate Restructuring on Financial Performance
The Role of Private Equity in Corporate Growth
The Influence of Technological Advancements on Financial Services
Financial Challenges in Developing Economies
The Impact of Globalization on Financial Stability
The Effect of Financial Innovation on Investment Strategies
Analyzing the Impact of Regulatory Changes on Banking Operations
The Role of Financial Advisors in Wealth Management
The Impact of Demographic Changes on Financial Planning
Comparative Analysis of Risk Management in Different Financial Sectors

These are just a few examples, and you can adapt or modify them to suit your specific interests or needs. You could also consider proposing a research project that addresses a current issue or problem in finance, such as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on financial markets or the use of financial instruments to address climate change.

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List of Microfinance dissertation Topics

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Impact Of the Global Financial Crisis 2008-2009 on the Uk Construction Industry and Quantity Surveyors

Introduction.

The 2008-2009 Great Recession or Global Financial Crisis is considered one of the worst economic events since the Great Depression of 1929 (Latham and Braun 2011). The crisis itself began in the United States with the subprime bubble popping in the mortgage sector, which eventually spread throughout Europe’s economies, catching on in Asia, South America and Africa.

The Global Financial Crisis (GFC) results are currently still in effect, with many subsequent events unfolding in real-time. These include the debt crisis of Greece and Spain. The financial upheaval has led to shortages in the stock markets, credit markets, decreased corporate profits and a rise in unemployment. The United Kingdom had officially entered into a recession in January 2009.

Since the onset of the recession, the UK’s gross domestic product (GDP) has sharply decreased in 2008 and continued to do so until 2009 (Atkins 2009). Peston (2008) asserted that the UK experienced the worst economic downturn since the Second World War. The construction industry in the UK was not immune to the worsening situation, eventually entering into the phase of deflation in 2008, with the industry still attempting to recover, only to be hit by the British Referendum 2016 (Brexit).

According to the Office of National Statistics (ONS) (2008), the construction industry’s revenue generation has fallen by 1.1 per cent during the fourth quarter of 2008. The resultant was the loss of massive jobs between 2009 and 2011 (ONS, 2015).

Problem Specification

The construction industry was badly affected by the GFC in 2008-2009. Evidence of this is presented in Sonson (2014), who states that new order in the construction industry had decreased by 39 per cent in the third quarter of 2008, a large reduction compared to that in 2007.

It is noted that during the time period, there was a reduction in private house order by 62 per cent on average, with public housing orders reducing by 36 per cent. According to ONS (2008), private housing orders began to fall in 2008 by 43 per cent and further decreased by 32 per cent in 2009. The industry saw a reduction in workload by 0.7 per cent in 2008. An additional decline in 2009 presented itself with 3.1 per cent (ONS 2008).

One of the most devastating impacts on the construction industry due to the events of GFC was decreasing salaries and excessive job cuts (Latham and Bruan 2011). Figures presented by Felstead et al. (2012) states that about 400,000 jobs in the construction industry were lost between 2009 and 2010.

Studies by Frei (2010), Hoxley (2010) and Dikeman et al. (2010) argue that both the private and public sector companies had significantly downsized and restructured themselves to survive the major impacts of the recession resulting in loss of resources about technical and expert human capital.

Many quantity surveyors experience the looming threat of recession, making their job quite redundant (Hoxley 2010). Consequently, quantity surveyors played an imperative role in recharging the construction industry through the recession and helping it grow once the economy was in recovery mode (Henry 2013).

Chiang et al. (2013), CIC (2013), and Henry (2013) agree that quantity surveyors play a critical role in ensuring that resources of the construction industry are used to the fullest extent for the company, industry and greater society. Chiang et al. (2013) 3mphasizes that quantity surveyors can be extremely useful for the financial management of projects, cost consultation services for clients and designers throughout the project’s lifecycle.

Quantity surveyors are important consultants for their employers in both the private and public sectors. The only difference between the two sectors is their use of the surveyors – for the private sector, that means focus on profit 3mphasizes3n. At the same time, the public 3mphasizes their use for accountability of public finance.

However, over the last few decades, both the private and public sectors have combined their differing aims to compete in the market with one another for construction projects, increased business and profit (Alfred 2007).

Considering the great importance placed on quantity surveyors in construction companies, it is essential to analyse the impact the economic recession may have on them.

Analysing their perspective can provide researchers with better insight on how to deal with catastrophes like the economic decline to stabilise markets and prepare them for impact since the GFC 2008-2009 researchers have focused on vast markets around the world to examine the factors causing the event and the immediate and long term consequences of it.

It is essential to investigate the crisis from a quantity surveyor’s eyes because of their crucial role in the construction industry. Based on preliminary research, the following primary research question has been developed.

How has the Great Financial Crisis of 2008-2009 impact quantity surveyors and the UK’s construction industry?

To help answer the primary research question, sub-questions were developed that are as follows;

1. What challenges did quantity surveyors experience in both the public and private sector during the financial crisis?

2. What was the role of quantity surveyors for public and private organisations during the financial crisis?

3. What are the strategies that quantity surveyors developed in both the public and private sector to prepare for future financial crises?

Research Aims and Objectives

The study’s primary aim is to analyse the impact of the financial crisis on the construction industry in the UK and quantity surveyors to understand the challenges and issues they faced to survive. To achieve this aim and answer the research questions, the following objectives have been developed.

1. Use primary and secondary data examine the impact of the financial crisis on the UK construction industry. This will include published government data from official websites like the Office of National Statistics (ONS) and conducting surveys throughout the public and private sector.

2. Examine the role that quantity surveyors played to mitigate the risk and threats imposed by the financial crisis on construction companies using primary research tools to gather data and then have it analysed.

3. Examine published academic literature that revolves around the topic of study to develop strong arguments throughout the thesis and use these gathered pieces of evidence to strengthen the premises current study.

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Literature Review

The current study will use a systematic literature review to gather, organise, and examine existing literature. The purpose of using a systematic literature review allows the researcher to use vast-ranging literature in an organised manner (Cooper 2003).

According to Bem (1995) and Cooper (2003), the systematic literature review is efficient to recognise, evaluate, and incorporate published academic papers relevant to the study and address its research questions, aims, and objectives.

The current study aims to comprehend the relationship between quantity surveyors and their role during financial crises. This includes their strategies, their influence on the construction companies, and how financial crises may reciprocate surveyors’ influence. Randolph (2009) argues that systematic literature reviews can present relationships between topics by including contradictory material, identifying gaps in previous research, and even inconsistencies.

Research Design	Mixed Methods Research (Realism)
Sampling Techniques	A total of 10 construction companies will be contacted, five from the public sector and five from the private sector. It is recommended that at least 20 quantity surveyors from each company be contacted to participate. Therefore a total of 200 quantity surveyors will be included in the study (N=200). At least one person from each company will be asked to participate in the semi-structured interview questions.
Data Collection	Quantitative: Likert Scale Questionnaire for Quantity Surveyors. Qualitative: Semi-structured interview questions.
Data Analysis	Quantitative: Descriptive Statistics, Factor Analysis, and Cronbach’s Alpha. Qualitative: Thematic Analysis

Findings and Analysis

The chapter summarises the data collected and analysed based on the methods presented in the Methodology chapter. This includes charts, graphs, or other forms of illustrating the data to understand the presented arguments better.

Discussion and Conclusion

Alfred, O., 2007. Conflict of interest within construction practitioners: Quantity surveying, case study. Surveying and Built Environment, 18(1), pp. 35-50.

Atkins Group. 2009. Global construction outlook for 2009. International Construction Intelligence 21(1), pp. 1-6.

Bem, D., 1995. Writing a Review Article. Psychological Bulletin 118, 172–177.

Chiang, Y. H., Li, J., Choi, T. N. Y., Man, K. F. 2013. Evaluating construction contractors efficiency in Hong Kong using data envelopment analysis assurance region model. Journal of Facilities Management 11 (1), pp. 52-68.

Cooper, H., 2003. Psychological Bulletin: Editorial. Psychological Bulletin 129, 3–9.

Dikmen, I., Birgonul, M. T., Ozorhon, B., Space, N. E., 2010. Using the analytic network process to assess business failure risks on construction firms. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management 17(4), pp. 369-386.

Felstead, A., Green, F., and Jewson, N. 2012. An analysis of the 2008-09 recession on the provision of training in the UK. Work Employment and Society, 26(6), pp. 968-986.

Frei, M., 2010. The implication of the global financial crisis for the quantity surveying profession. International Cost Engineering Council Publications [online]. Available at: http://www.icoste.org/Frei.pdf [Accessed: 30th May 2017].

Henry, L., 2013. Intellectual capital in a recession: evidence from UK SMEs. Journal of Intellectual Capital 14(1), pp. 84-101. Hoxley, M., 2010. Built environment recession. Structural Survey 28(2), n.d.

Latham, S., and Braun, M., 2011. Economic recessions, strategy, and performance: A synthesis. Journal of Strategy and Management 4(2), pp. 96-115.

Lim, B. T. H., Oo, B. L., and Ling, F. 2010. The survival strategies of Singapore contractors in a prolonged recession. Engineering, Construction, and Architectural Management 17(4), pp. 387-403.

Office of National Statistics (ONS). 2008. Housing in England 2006/07: A report based on the 2006/07 survey of English housing carried out by the National Centre for Social Research. London: Department for Communities and Local Government.

Office for National Statistics (ONS). 2015. Output in the construction industry, August 2015 [online]. Available at: http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/publications/re-reference-tables.html?edition=tcm%3A77-358530 [Accessed: 30th May 2017].

Peston, R., 2008. The new capitalism. BBC Report, 8th December [online]. Available at: http://www.wtf.org.uk/documents/thenewcapitalism_001.pdf. [Accessed: 30th May 2017].

Randolph, J.J., 2009. A Guide to Writing the Dissertation Literature Review. Practical Assessment, Research & Evaluation 14.

Sonson, S. J., 2014. Quantity surveying role and environment influences in Saint Lucia. PhD Thesis, University of Salford

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How to Write an Amazing Personal Statement (Includes Examples!)

Lisa Freedland is a Scholarships360 writer with personal experience in psychological research and content writing. She has written content for an online fact-checking organization and has conducted research at the University of Southern California as well as the University of California, Irvine. Lisa graduated from the University of Southern California in Fall 2021 with a degree in Psychology.

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Zach Skillings is the Scholarships360 Newsletter Editor. He specializes in college admissions and strives to answer important questions about higher education. When he’s not contributing to Scholarships360, Zach writes about travel, music, film, and culture. His work has been published in Our State Magazine, Ladygunn Magazine, The Nocturnal Times, and The Lexington Dispatch. Zach graduated from Elon University with a degree in Cinema and Television Arts.

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Student completes a personal statement she has been writing for a college application

The personal statement. It’s one of the most important parts of the entire college application process. This essay is the perfect opportunity to show admissions officers who you are and what makes you stand out from the crowd. But writing a good personal statement isn’t exactly easy. That’s why we’ve put together the ultimate guide on how to nail your personal statement, complete with example essays . Each essay was reviewed and commented upon by admissions expert Bill Jack. Let’s dive in!

Related: How to write an essay about yourself

What is a personal statement?

A personal statement is a special type of essay that’s required when you’re applying to colleges and scholarship programs. In this essay, you’re expected to share something about who you are and what you bring to the table. Think of it as a chance to reveal a side of yourself not found in the rest of your application. Personal statements are typically around 400 – 600 words in length.

What can I write about?

Pretty much anything, as long as it’s about you . While this is liberating in the sense that your writing options are nearly unlimited, it’s also overwhelming for the same reason. The good news is that you’ll probably be responding to a specific prompt. Chances are you’re applying to a school that uses the Common App , which means you’ll have seven prompts to choose from . Reviewing these prompts can help generate some ideas, but so can asking yourself meaningful questions.

Below you’ll find a list of questions to ask yourself during the brainstorming process. For each of the following questions, spend a few minutes jotting down whatever comes to mind.

What experiences have shaped who you are?
What’s special or unique about you or your life story?
Who or what has inspired you the most?
What accomplishments are you most proud of?
What are your goals for the future? How have you arrived at those goals?
If your life was a movie, what would be the most interesting scene?
What have been some of the biggest challenges in your life? How did you respond and what did you learn?

The purpose of these questions is to prompt you to think about your life at a deeper level. Hopefully by reflecting on them, you’ll find an essay topic that is impactful and meaningful. In the next section, we’ll offer some advice on actually writing your essay.

Also see: How to write a 500 word essay

How do I write my personal statement?

Once you’ve found a topic, it’s time to start writing! Every personal statement is different, so there’s not really one formula that works for every student. That being said, the following tips should get you started in the right direction:

1. Freewrite, then rewrite

The blank page tends to get more intimidating the longer you stare at it, so it’s best to go ahead and jump right in! Don’t worry about making the first draft absolutely perfect. Instead, just get your ideas on the page and don’t spend too much time thinking about the finer details. Think of this initial writing session as a “brain dump”. Take 15-30 minutes to quickly empty all your thoughts onto the page without worrying about things like grammar, spelling, or sentence structure. You can even use bullet points if that helps. Once you have your ideas on the page, then you can go back and shape them exactly how you want.

2. Establish your theme

Now that you’ve got some basic ideas down on the page, it’s time to lock in on a theme. Your theme is a specific angle that reflects the central message of your essay. It can be summarized in a sentence or even a word. For example, let’s say you’re writing about how you had to establish a whole new group of friends when you moved to a new city. The theme for this type of essay would probably be something like “adaptation”. Having a theme will help you stay focused throughout your essay. Since you only have a limited number of words, you can’t afford to go off on tangents that don’t relate to your theme.

3. Tell a story

A lot of great essays rely on a specific scene or story. Find the personal anecdote relevant to your theme and transfer it to the page. The best way to do this is by using descriptive language. Consult the five senses as you’re setting the scene. What did you see, hear, taste, touch, or smell? How were you feeling emotionally? Using descriptive language can really help your essay come to life. According to UPchieve , a nonprofit that supports low income students, focusing on a particular moment as a “ revised version of a memoir ” is one way to keep readers engaged.

Related: College essay primer: show, don’t tell

4. Focus on your opening paragraph

Your opening paragraph should grab your reader’s attention and set the tone for the rest of your essay. In most cases, this is the best place to include your anecdote (if you have one). By leading with your personal story, you can hook your audience from the get-go. After telling your story, you can explain why it’s important to who you are.

Related: How to start a scholarship essay (with examples)

5. Use an authentic voice

Your personal statement reflects who you are, so you should use a tone that represents you. That means you shouldn’t try to sound like someone else, and you shouldn’t use fancy words just to show off. This isn’t an academic paper, so you don’t have to adopt a super formal tone. Instead, write in a way that allows room for your personality to breathe.

6. Edit, edit, edit…

Once you’re done writing, give yourself some time away from the essay. Try to allow a few days to pass before looking at the essay again with fresh eyes. This way, you’re more likely to pick up on spelling and grammatical errors. You may even get some new ideas and rethink the way you wrote some things. Once you’re satisfied, let someone else edit your essay. We recommend asking a teacher, parent, or sibling for their thoughts before submitting.

Examples of personal statements

Sometimes viewing someone else’s work is the best way to generate inspiration and get the creative juices flowing. The following essays are written in response to four different Common App prompts:

Prompt 1: “Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.”

When I was eight years old, I wanted a GameCube very badly. For weeks I hounded my dad to buy me one and finally he agreed. But there was a catch. He’d only get me a GameCube if I promised to start reading. Every day I played video games, I would have to pick up a book and read for at least one hour. At that point in my life, reading was just something I had to suffer through for school assignments. To read for pleasure seemed ludicrous. Needless to say, I wasn’t exactly thrilled about this proposed agreement. But I figured anything was worth it to get my hands on that shiny new video game console, so I bit the bullet and shook my dad’s hand. Little did I know that I had just made a life-changing deal.

At first, the required hour of reading was a chore — something I had to do so I could play Mario Kart. But it quickly turned into something more than that. To my complete and utter surprise, I discovered that I actually enjoyed reading. One hour turned into two, two turned into three, and after a while I was spending more time reading than I was playing video games. I found myself captivated by the written word, and I read everything I could get my hands on. Lord of the Rings , Percy Jackson , Goosebumps — you name it. I was falling in love with literature, while my GameCube was accumulating dust in the TV stand.

Soon enough, reading led to writing. I was beginning to come up with my own stories, so I put pen to paper and let my imagination run wild. It started out small. My first effort was a rudimentary picture book about a friendly raccoon who went to the moon. But things progressed. My stories became more intricate, my characters more complex. I wrote a series of science fiction novellas. I tried my hand at poetry. I was amazed at the worlds I could create with the tip of my pen. I had dreams of becoming an author.

Then somewhere along the way my family got a subscription to Netflix, and that completely changed the way I thought about storytelling. My nose had been buried in books up until then, so I hadn’t really seen a lot of movies. That quickly changed. It seemed like every other day a pair of new DVDs would arrive in the mail (this was the early days of Netflix). Dark Knight, The Truman Show, Inception, Memento — all these great films were coming in and out of the house. And I couldn’t get enough of them. Movies brought stories to life in a way that books could not. I was head over heels for visual storytelling.

Suddenly I wasn’t writing novels and short stories anymore. I was writing scripts for movies. Now I wanted to transfer my ideas to the big screen, rather than the pages of a book. But I was still doing the same thing I had always done. I was writing, just in a different format. To help with this process, I read the screenplays of my favorite films and paid attention to the way they were crafted. I kept watching more and more movies. And I hadn’t forgotten about my first love, either. I still cherished books and looked to them for inspiration. By the end of my junior year of high school, I had completed two scripts for short films.

So why am I telling you all this? Because I want to turn my love of storytelling into a career. I’m not totally sure how to do that yet, but I know I have options. Whether it’s film production, creative writing, or even journalism, I want to find a major that suits my ambitions. Writing has taken me a long way, and I know it can take me even further. As I step into this next chapter of my life, I couldn’t be more excited to see how my craft develops. In the meantime, I should probably get rid of that dusty old GameCube.

Feedback from admissions professional Bill Jack

Essays don’t always have to reveal details about the student’s intended career path, but one thing I like about this essay is that it gives the reader a sense of the why. Why do they want to pursue storytelling. It also shows the reader that they are open to how they pursue their interest. Being open to exploration is such a vital part of college, so it’s also showing the reader that they likely will be open to new things in college. And, it’s always fun to learn a little bit more about the student’s family, especially if the reader can learn about how the students interacts with their family.

Prompt 2: “The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?”

I remember my first impression of Irvine: weird. It was foggy, stock-full of greenery and eucalyptus trees, and reminded me of my 5th grade trip to a “science camp” which was located in the San Bernardino mountains. Besides Irvine, that was one of the few places in Southern California where you’d find so many non-palm trees.

Of course, perhaps my initial impression of Irvine was biased, motivated by a desire to stay in my hometown and a fear of the unknown. While that was true to an extent, Irvine was certainly still a little peculiar. The city itself was based on a “master plan” of sorts, with the location of each of its schools, parks, shops, and arguably its trees having been logically “picked” before the foundation was poured. Even the homes all looked roughly the same, with their beige, stucco walls almost serving as a hallmark of the city itself.

Thus, this perfectly structured, perfectly safe city seemed like a paradise of sorts to many outsiders, my parents included. I was a little more hesitant to welcome this. As I saw it, this was a phony city – believing that its uniformity stood for a lack of personality. My hometown, although not as flawlessly safe nor clean as Irvine, was where most of my dearest memories had occurred. From the many sleepovers at Cindie’s house, to trying to avoid my school’s own version of the “infamous” cheese touch, to the many laughs shared with friends and family, I shed a tear at the prospect of leaving my home.

Moving into the foreign city, remnants of the hostility I held towards Irvine remained. Still dwelling in my memories of the past, I was initially unable to see Irvine as a “home.” So, as I walked into my first-ever Irvine class, being greeted by many kind, yet unfamiliar faces around me, I was unable to recognize that some of those new faces would later become some of my dearest friends. Such negative feelings about the city were further reinforced by newer, harder classes, and more complicated homework. Sitting in the discomfort of this unfamiliar environment, it started to seem that “change” was something not only inevitable, but insurmountable.

As the years went on, however, this idea seemed to fade. I got used to my classes and bike racing through Irvine neighborhoods with my friends, watching the trees that once seemed just a “weird” green blob soon transform into one of my favorite parts of the city. While I kept my old, beloved memories stored, I made space for new ones. From carefully making our way over the narrow creek path next to our school, to the laughs we shared during chemistry class, my new memories made with friends seemed to transform a city I once disliked into one I would miss.

Through this transformation, I have come to recognize that change, although sometimes intimidating at first, can open the door to great times and meaningful connections. Although Irvine may have once seemed like a strange, “phony” place that I couldn’t wait to be rid of, the memories and laughs I had grown to share there were very real. As I move onto this next part of my life, I hope I can use this knowledge that I have gained from my time in Irvine to make the most of what’s to come. Even if the change may be frightening at first, I have learned to embrace what’s on the other side, whether green or not.

One huge plus to writing an essay that focuses on a place is that you might have it read by someone who has been there. Yet, what’s really helpful about this essay is that even if someone hasn’t been there, a picture is painted about what the place is like. Admission officers have the hard task of really understanding what the student sees, so the use of adjectives and imagery can really help. It’s also really clever to see that the green that’s mentioned at the beginning is mentioned at the end. It’s a nice way to bookend the essay and tie it all together.

Prompt 6: “Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?”

I like getting lost. Not literally, of course, but figuratively. Whether it be in the story of a love song by Taylor Swift, or in the memories brought back by listening to my favorite childhood video game’s background music, I’ve always appreciated music’s ability to transport me to another place, another time, another feeling.

Alas, I cannot sing, nor have I practiced an instrument since my middle school piano class days. So, perhaps Kurt Vonnegut was right. As he puts it, “Virtually every writer I know would rather be a musician.” While I cannot speak for others, I have certainly not debunked his theory. Writing allows many, including myself, to attempt to mimic the transformative power of music – even if our singing voices aren’t exactly “pleasant.” Just as you can get lost in music, you can do so in a story. Whether it is in George Orwell’s totalitarian Oceania, or Little Women’s Orchard House, the stories outlined in novels can provide an amazing look into the lives and worlds of others, and an escape from the worries and problems of those in your own.

While I am certainly not claiming to have the storytelling abilities of the Orwells or Alcotts before me, I’ve had fun trying to recreate such transformative feelings for others. When I was nine, I attempted to write a story about a little girl who had gotten lost in the woods, only managing to get a couple pages through. As I got older, whenever I was assigned a creative writing assignment in school, I wrote about the same pig, Phil. He was always angry: in my 8th grade science class, Phil was mad at some humans who had harbored his friend captive, and in my 9th grade English class, at a couple who robbed him.

Thus, when I heard about a writing club being opened at my school in 11th grade, I knew I had to join. I wanted to discern whether writing was just a hobby I picked up now and then, or a true passion. If it was a passion, I wanted to learn as much as possible about how I could improve. Although my high school’s writing club certainly wasn’t going to transform me into Shakespeare, I knew I could learn a lot from it – and I did. The club challenged me to do many things, from writing on the spot, to writing poetry, to even writing about myself, something that’s hopefully coming in handy right now.

From then on, I started to expand into different types of writing, storing short ideas, skits, and more in appropriately-labeled Google Drive folders. At around the same time, I became interested in classic literature, which largely stemmed from a project in English class. We had been required to choose and read a classic on our own, then present it to the class in an interesting way. While my book was certainly interesting and unique in its own right, nearly everyone else’s novels seemed more captivating to me. So, I took it upon myself to read as many classics as I could the following summer.

One of the books I read during the summer, funnily enough, was Animal Farm, which starred angry pigs, reminiscent of Phil. I had also started going over different ideas in my head, thinking about how I could translate them into words using the new skills I learned. While the writing club helped reaffirm my interest in writing and allowed me to develop new skills, my newfound affinity for classics gave me inspiration to write. Now, I am actually considering writing as part of my future. In this endeavor, I hope that Phil, and the music I inevitably listen to as I write, will accompany me every step of the way.

Admission officers might read 70 (or more!) essays in one day. It’s not uncommon for them to start to blend together and sound similar. This essay might not make you laugh out loud. But, it might make the reader chuckle while reading it thanks to the subtle humor and levity. Being able to incorporate a little humor into your essay (if it is natural for you to do… do not force it), can really be a great way to shed additional light into who you are. Remember, the essay isn’t merely about proving that you can write, but it should also reveal a little bit about your personality.

Prompt 5: “Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.”

I learned a lot of things during the summer I worked at Tropical Smoothie. I discovered the value of hard work. I figured out how to save money. I even mastered the art of the Mango Magic smoothie (the secret is lots of sugar). But most importantly, I learned the power of perspective. And I have Deja to thank for that.

Deja was my shift supervisor, and one of Tropical Smoothie’s best employees. She was punctual, friendly, and always willing to lend a helping hand. She knew the store from top to bottom, and could handle pretty much any situation thrown her way. She made everyone around her better. On top of all that, she was four months pregnant! I was always impressed by Deja’s work ethic, but I gained an entirely new level of respect for her one day.

It was a Friday night, and Deja and I were working the closing shift together. It was very busy, and Deja and I were the only ones on shift. We managed to get by, but we were exhausted by the end of the evening. After wiping down the counters and mopping the floors, we closed up shop and went our separate ways. I was eager to get home.

I walked a couple blocks to where I had parked my car. Well, it wasn’t my car actually. It was my dad’s ‘98 Chevy pickup truck, and it was in rough shape. It had no heat or A/C, the leather seats were cracked beyond repair, and the driver’s side door was jammed shut. I sighed as I got in through the passenger side and scooted over to the driver’s seat. The whole reason I was working at Tropical Smoothie was to save up enough money to buy my own car. I was hoping to have something more respectable to drive during my senior year of high school.

I cranked the old thing up and started on my way home. But soon enough, I spotted Deja walking on the side of the road. There was no sidewalk here, the light was low, and she was dangerously close to the passing cars. I pulled over and offered her a ride. She got in and explained that she was on her way home. Apparently she didn’t have a car and had been walking to work every day. I couldn’t believe it. Here I was complaining about my set of wheels, while Deja didn’t have any to begin with.

We got to talking, and she confessed that she had been having a tough time. You would never know from the way she was so cheerful at work, but Deja had a lot on her plate. She was taking care of her mother, her boyfriend had just lost his job, and she was worried about making ends meet. And of course, she was expecting a baby in five months. On top of all that, she had been walking nearly a mile to and from work every day. The whole thing was a real eye opener, and made me reconsider some things in my own life.

For one, I didn’t mind driving my dad’s truck anymore. It was banged up, sure, but it was a lot better than nothing. My mindset had changed. I appreciated the truck now. I began to think about other things differently, too. I started making mental notes of all the things in my life I was thankful for — my family, my friends, my health. I became grateful for what I had, instead of obsessing over the things I didn’t.

I also gained more awareness of the world outside my own little bubble. My encounter with Deja had shown me first-hand that everyone is dealing with their own problems, some worse than others. So I started paying more attention to my friends, family members, and coworkers. I started listening more and asking how I could help. I also gave Deja a ride home for the rest of the summer.

These are all small things, of course, but I think they make a difference. I realized I’m at my best when I’m not fixated on my own life, but when I’m considerate of the lives around me. I want to keep this in mind as I continue to grow and develop as a person. I want to continue to search for ways to support the people around me. And most importantly, I want to keep things in perspective.

Too often we can be focused on our own problems that we fail to realize that everyone has their own things going on in their lives, too. This essay showcases how it’s important to put things in perspective, a skill that certainly will prove invaluable in college… and not just in the classroom. Another reason I like this essay is because it provides deeper insight into the student’s life. Sure, you might have mentioned in your activities list that you have a job. But as this essay does, you can show why you have the job in the first place, what your responsibilities are, and more.

A few last tips

We hope these essay examples gave you a bit of inspiration of what to include in your own. However, before you go, we’d like to send you off with a few (personal statement) writing tips to help you make your essays as lovely as the memories and anecdotes they’re based off of. Without further ado, here are some of our best tips for writing your personal statements:

1. Open strong

College admissions officers read many, many essays (think 50+) a day, which can sometimes cause them to start blending together and sounding alike. One way to avoid your essay from simply fading into the background is to start strong. This means opening your essay with something memorable, whether an interesting personal anecdote, a descriptive setting, or anything else that you think would catch a reader’s attention (so long as it’s not inappropriate). Not only might this help college admissions officers better remember your essay, but it will also make them curious about what the rest of your essay will entail.

2. Be authentic

Perhaps most important when it comes to writing personal statement essays is to maintain your authenticity. Ultimately, your essays should reflect your unique stories and quirks that make you who you are, and should help college admissions officers determine whether you’d truly be a good fit for their school or not. So, don’t stress trying to figure out what colleges are looking for. Be yourself, and let the colleges come to you!

3. Strong writing

This one may seem a little obvious, but strong writing will certainly appeal to colleges. Not only will it make your essay more compelling, but it may show colleges that you’re ready for college-level essay writing (that you’ll likely have to do a lot of). Just remember that good writing is not limited to grammar. Using captivating detail and descriptions are a huge part of making your essay seem more like a story than a lecture.

4. Proofread

Last but not least, remember to proofread! Make sure your essay contains no errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling. When you’re done proofreading your essay yourself, we would also recommend that you ask a teacher, parent, or other grammatically savvy person to proofread your essay as well.

Final thoughts

With those in hand, we hope you now have a better sense of how to write your personal statement. While your grades and test scores are important when it comes to college admissions, it’s really your essays that can “make” or “break” your application.

Although this may make it seem like a daunting task, writing an amazing personal statement essay is all about effort. Thus, so long as you start early, follow the advice listed above, and dedicate your time and effort to it, it’s entirely possible to write an essay that perfectly encapsulates you. Good luck, and happy writing!

Also see: Scholarships360’s free scholarships search tool

Key Takeaways

It may take some people longer than others to know what they want to write about, but remember that everyone, including you, has something unique to write about!
Personal statements should be personal, which means you should avoid being too general and really strive to show off what makes you “you”
Time and effort are two of the most important things you can put into your personal statement to ensure that it is the best representation of yourself
Don’t forget to ask people who know you to read your work before you submit; they should be able to tell you better than anyone if you are truly shining through!

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How to Write a Personal Statement for College (15+ Examples)

Tips on how to write a personal statement for college

Reviewed by:

Former Admissions Committee Member, Columbia University

Reviewed: 4/25/24

Are you struggling to write your college personal statement? You’re in luck! Read on for a complete guide on how to write a strong personal statement.

Writing a personal statement can feel daunting. May students struggle to frame themselves the way they want to — and we get it! It’s not always easy to talk about yourself. With that said, how do you write a compelling personal statement?

We’ll review how to write the perfect personal statement, from what colleges look for to successful examples of personal statements. If you still have questions by the end, you can always set up a free consultation with one of our admissions experts to kickstart your college application.

Let’s get started!

What is a Personal Statement?

A personal statement is a college admissions essay, providing you with the opportunity to sell yourself in the application process. It shares information beyond what admissions committees have already seen in your other application materials.

This is your chance to show colleges your personality, strengths, and what matters most to you. Generally speaking, there are two types of personal statements:

A general personal statement is an open-ended essay with very few constraints, sometimes with no prompt or word count. While this type of personal statement allows you to write about whatever you want, it should tell admissions committees about you. General or open-ended personal statements are common in med or law school applications.

A response personal statement is an essay answering a specific question and is more common for college applications. These questions guide your writing but are geared toward getting to know you. For example, you may be asked, “What matters most to you, and why?” or “How have your life experiences led you to your current interests or goals?”

Think about a story, moment, or lifestyle change that has shaped who you are today or influenced your educational and career goals. These experiences often make great personal statement topics!

Why Do Colleges Ask for a Personal Statement?

Colleges ask for personal statements to have the applicant present themselves to the admission committee, beyond their grades on paper. Essays humanize candidates, allowing them to express themselves and their passions.

Your personal statement can give you a competitive edge against other candidates if it stands out. When brainstorming topics, consider the unique experiences you’ve had that have shaped who you are.

What to Include in a Personal Statement for College

Before getting started, include all the necessary information you want admissions committees to know. Your personal statement could answer some or all of the following questions:

What is something unique in your life that has shaped you into who you are today? (Consider your culture, heritage, hometown, health, family traditions, hobbies, etc.)
What event first sparked your interest in your chosen field?
What have you learned about your interest area so far, and what more do you hope to learn during college? (It’s a good idea to do school research to best answer this question.)
Have you experienced any unique challenges in your life? If so, how have you overcome them?
How do you specifically intend to contribute to your field in the future? (What are your goals, and how will you achieve them?)
How does your unique experience set you up for a successful career as a student and a professional? (Think of things you’ve learned, your background, and challenges you’ve overcome.)

You can answer these questions before you start writing your essay and try to find links to connect them. While all of your answers may not be relevant to the prompt you chose, they can help you get started!

Note that a personal statement is different from a statement of purpose , in which you would focus more on your academic aspirations and goals. Statements of purpose are typically required for graduate school applications.

How to Write a Personal Statement for College

Here is a step-by-step breakdown of how to write a college personal statement.

Step 1: Brainstorm

Before you start writing, it’s essential to brainstorm; this is a valuable personal statement tip. Consider the questions above. What makes you unique? What challenges have you overcome? Ensure you answer each question in the brainstorming process.

If you’re having trouble coming up with ideas, you can ask a family member or a friend who knows you well what they think makes you unique. This can help you gather some ideas to craft your story.

Take plenty of time on this step and write down many ideas – even silly ones! You may be surprised by what comes to mind. By the time you move on to the next step, you should have at least five anecdotes to choose from and several pieces of information you want to include.

Make sure to keep the prompt in mind. Your prompt may cancel out some ideas if they don’t relate.

Step 2: Select Your Strongest Ideas

Evaluate your brainstorming notes. Which story from your life compels you the most? Whichever idea gets you excited to write is likely the one you should choose.

The story you write should have an apparent climax and a compelling takeaway. What did you learn from the experience? How has it shaped your life? This is what the reader should understand by the end of your essay.

Step 3: Write Your Introduction

When you write, your introduction should immediately grab the reader's attention. There are many ways to do so – if you’re feeling lost, you can always refer to these five effective ways to start your college essay .

In summary, avoid clichés and begin with a bang. Your introduction should only be one or two sentences before getting to the meat of the story.

Step 4: Tell Your Story

Your story should answer the prompt and show admissions committees what makes you a unique and qualified candidate. This is the main chunk of your essay. Ensure your writing is self-reflective, concise, and straightforward.

While your narrative should center on an experience you’ve had, the central theme should be bigger than that. Your takeaway should be a trait you’ve developed throughout the story or something you’ve learned that has made you a better person and candidate today.

Step 5: End on a High Note

The end of your college essay is a crucial moment for the reader, so spending a lot of time here is important. This is the last thing the admissions officers will read, so it should be memorable. You want to ensure your narrative comes full circle and has a common thread.

How you write your college personal statement’s conclusion is up to you; some students like to look toward the future, whereas others have different ideas about ending a personal statement !

Step 6: Revise, Revise, Revise

Once you’ve completed the writing portion, it’s crucial to revise like you’ve never revised before! There should be absolutely no spelling or grammar mistakes, famous quotes, run-on sentences, clichés, or other errors.

When giving your essay to someone else, ask if they agree with the following points:

Your writing is clear, concise, and straightforward.
The essay is interesting from the very beginning, with a short yet compelling introduction.
Your story is easy to follow.
Your story tells the reader something unique about you.
The essay has an effective conclusion in which the main theme of the essay is clear (i.e., what you’ve learned, your goals, or character traits).

You should also ask your revision partner what they’ve learned about you and ask yourself if their takeaway aligns with your original intention. Sometimes the intended message doesn’t always come across as it does in our heads, so this is an essential final step.

You can ask a friend, parent, or teacher to proofread your essay for you. You can also get expert insight from our team at Quad Education to help you create the highest-quality personal statement possible!

The Benefits of Reviewing Personal Statement Samples

When it comes to crafting a compelling personal statement, it can be challenging to know where to start. One effective strategy is to review personal statement samples from successful applicants.

By understanding these examples, you can gain valuable insights and inspiration to help you create a standout personal statement of your own. Here are some key benefits of reviewing personal statement samples:

1. Understanding the Structure

Personal statement samples provide a clear picture of how to structure your own essay. You can observe how successful applicants introduce themselves, discuss their experiences and achievements, and tie everything together with a strong conclusion.

2. Identifying Key Themes and Patterns

As you review personal statement samples, you'll likely notice recurring themes and topics. Successful applicants often discuss their passions, challenges they've overcome, and their goals for the future.

3. Gaining Inspiration

Reading personal statement samples can also provide a much-needed dose of inspiration. Seeing how others have successfully conveyed their stories and personalities can spark ideas for your own essay. You may discover new ways to frame your experiences or find inspiration for a creative opening or closing paragraph.

4. Avoiding Common Pitfalls

In addition to showing what to do, personal statement samples can also help you avoid common mistakes. By reading through a variety of examples, you can identify overused phrases, clichés, and other pitfalls to avoid in your own writing. This can help you craft a personal statement that stands out from the crowd and truly reflects your individual voice and experiences.

5. Seeing Successful Examples

Perhaps most importantly, reviewing personal statement samples allows you to see what successful essays look like. You can gain a sense of the writing style, tone, and level of detail that admissions committees are looking for to stand out as a strong applicant.

So, take the time to read through the following examples and use the insights you gain to create a compelling personal statement of your own.

College Personal Statement Examples

Here are some examples of good personal statements and explanations of their success. These examples can provide inspiration to formulate your own writing. You can also find more examples of college admission essays in our database to give you even more inspiration.

#1. Personal Statement Example

This is an example of a personal statement that worked from a student named Rozanne who was accepted to Johns Hopkins University:

“ The white yarn slipped off my aluminium crochet hook, adding a single crochet to rows and rows of existing stitches, that looked to be in the form of a blob. Staring at the image of the little unicorn amigurumi lit up on the screen of my laptop, and looking back at the UMO (unidentified messy object) number five, I was extremely perplexed.

…The remaining rounds were blurred into hours and minutes that should have resulted in a little white creature in the likeness of a unicorn, but sitting on my desk (much like the four days before today) was a pool of tangled white yarn…

Very much like learning how to crochet, my journey in forging my own path and finding a passion was confusing, messy and at times infuriating. Even in primary school, I had heard all the stories of individuals finding their own route in life. I had been told stories of those who found their passion at a young age and were exceptionally proficient at their craft, of those that abandoned their interests and pursued a lucrative career, even those who chose their dreams but regretted it afterwards. This weighed heavily on me, as I was determined to have a success story as many of my other family members had. The only problem was that I did not have a direction.

In the years following primary school, I stepped out of my comfort zone in a frenzy to find a passion…At my ballet school, I branched out to contemporary and jazz dance. I stuffed myself with an experience similar to an amigurumi engorged with batting. I found myself enjoying all of those activities but soon enough, I was swamped with extracurriculars. Just like the tangles of white yarn on my desk, I was pulled in all directions. I still felt lost…

It was not until high school that I realized that I could view this mission to find a passion from another perspective. While successfully completing a crochet project is an accomplishment itself, the motions of making slip knots, single or double crochets takes you on an adventure as well. The knots that I had encountered in my craft were evidence of my experiences and what shaped me as an individual…

Through trial and error, the current adventure that I am on resonates the most with me, taking me down the path of service and environmental activism. However, I have learnt that no one path is static, and I can be on more than one path at a time. While I may only be halfway to the proportionate unicorn amigurumi that some others may have already achieved, I still have so much to learn and so much that I want to learn, and so my journey to grow continues. ”

Why This Personal Statement Worked

Rozanne’s narrative expertly showcases her hobby (which may not have been discussed elsewhere in her application) and connects it to her struggles to find direction and passion when everyone else seems to have everything figured out.

Her strength in this essay is reflecting upon that idea: it also shows us her vulnerability. Beyond continually weaving in the analogy of a messy crochet project and her perceived lack of direction, this essay also shows she’s a curious individual willing to try new things.

It also helps that she refers to the ideas in her introduction, conclusion, and the rest of her essay. Circling back to her crocheting hobby creates a nice narrative thread.

#2. Personal Statement Example

This is an NYU example that worked:

Prompt: “Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.”

“In her cramped kitchen, Titi Nana cracked the egg in the center of the pan, the cheeriness of the bright yellow yolk contrasting the harshness of the caldero. In a flourish, she jerked the bottle of alcohol in her hand, flames erupting from the griddle. She instructed me: "Wipe it all off," gesturing to dust off my shoulders and arms into the inferno. I laughed nervously as I removed the maldad [evil] from my body, one brush at a time. I left Titi's apartment that day confused about how our family's practice of Santería [witchcraft] fit in with my outward embrace of my heritage. I felt as if the parts of my Latina identity I claimed openly -- dancing salsa to Celia Cruz or enjoying lechón y arroz con habichuelas en Navidad -- were contradicted by my skepticism towards Titi's rituals. My experience with Santería wasn't new, as proven by my mother's kitchen altar lit dimly by prayer candles and adorned with evil eyes, statues of San Miguel, and offerings to Elegua; however, I'd never before witnessed such a tangible demonstration of my family's ritualistic beliefs. Although it surrounded me, I refused to believe in the effects of Santería... so I shunned it entirely.

Moving to a predominantly white boarding school and away from the rituals my family had passed down, I avoided addressing the distance I had wedged between myself and my background. I pushed away all things Latina as my fear of failing to honor my Puerto Rican heritage intensified. This distance only grew as my classmates jokingly commented on my inability to speak Spanish and my white-passing complexion, further tearing away bits of my Latinidad with each snide remark.

In an effort to build myself back up, I began to practice the small bits of Santería that I comprehended: lighting candles for good luck, placing a chalice of water by my bedside to absorb all maldad, and saying my prayers to San Miguel and my guardian angels each day. To my disbelief, the comments that attacked my Latinidad, or lack thereof, faded along with the aching feeling that I had failed to represent my heritage. As I embraced the rituals that I initially renounced, I finally realized the power in Titi's practices. In all of her cleansing and prayer rituals, she was protecting me and our family, opening the doors for us to achieve our goals and overcome the negativity that once held us back. In realizing the potential of Santería, I shifted my practices to actively protecting myself and others against adversity and employed Santería as a solution for the injustice I witnessed in my community.

Santería once served as my scapegoat; I blamed the discomfort I felt towards black magic for the imposter syndrome festering inside me. Until I embraced Santería, it only served as a reminder that I wasn't Latina enough in the eyes of my peers. Now, I understand that while intangible, ethereal, even, the magic of Santería is real; it's the strength of my belief in myself, in my culture, and in my commitment to protect others.”

The writer has done an excellent job of telling a story related to their cultural background. We learn about the writer and their family in this heartwarming story, even learning things we might not have known about Santeria — but that’s not the central theme.

The main theme of this essay is the lesson of self-trust, cultural pride, and self-acceptance. While we are learning about this person's unique identity, the takeaway is that this person has a newfound respect for their identity and has learned to embrace themselves.

#3. Personal Statement Example

This example details Stella’s journey as she takes the skies and what she learned:

“ The first lesson I learned as a student pilot is that left and right don’t exist. Maybe driving on a highway or in a parking lot, left and right is precise enough to describe the location and movements of slow-moving bikers, pedestrians, and cars. But at 36,000 feet in the air in a steel tube hurdling almost 200 miles an hour? Left and right just don’t cut it.

During one of my first flights in a small Cessna-182, my flight instructor ordered me to scan the horizon for approaching aircrafts. To my right, I caught a glimpse of one: another Cessna with maroon stripes, the sun’s reflection glinting off its windows. Gesturing vaguely to my two o’clock, I informed my flying instructor, “There’s a plane to the right.”

“No, to your right. From his position, what direction does he see you?” From his angle, I was to his left. In that moment, I realized that perspective and precision of language is everything. The radio chirped: “Cessna One-Eight-Two Sandra, heading north to John Wayne Airport. Over.”

…Through flying, I began to consider all points of view, regardless of my personal perspective.

Perhaps it was my ability to scan the horizon to communicate a single story, uniting contrasting outlooks, that drew me to my love for journalism and the diverse melting pot that was my community.

To me, journalism modernizes the ancient power of storytelling, filled with imperfect characters and intricate conflicts to which I am the narrator. As editor-in-chief for my school newspaper, The Wildcat’s Tale, I aim to share the uncensored perspective of all students and encourage my editorial groups to talk — and listen — to those with whom they disagree. Starting each newspaper edition with a socratic, round-table discussion, I ask the other journalists to pursue stories that answer the questions: why did this happen and where will it lead?

Expanding beyond the perspectives of my classmates, I began writing articles for the Korea Daily, and later, the Los Angeles Times High School Insider. I schedule interviews with city council candidates, young and old voters, and mayors of my town, obtaining quotes and anecdotes to weave into my writing. My interviews with both Democratic and Republican voters have taught me to thoroughly report polarizing-opposite opinions through an unbiased lens. As a journalist, I realized I cannot presume the opinions of the reader, but instead simply provide them with the tools necessary to formulate their own conclusions.

I found that in my suburban community, people love to read about the small-town hospitality of their own friends and neighbors…My favorite stories to publish are the ones taped onto fridges, proudly framed on the mom-and-pop downtown diner, or pinned into the corkboard in my teacher’s classroom. I discovered the size of my story does not matter, but the impact I leave on the reader does.

In my time as both a student pilot and journalist, I grew to love these stories, the ones that showed me that living life with blinders, can not only be boring, but dangerous. Whether I was 36,000 feet in the air or on ground level, by flying and writing, I realized that the most interesting stories of life come straight from the people most different from me .”

Why This Personal Statement Worked

Although Stella opens with an anecdote about flying a plane, that’s not really what this personal statement is about. She reflected adequately on points of view in the sky and connected it to how the ability to see an issue from all sides was instrumental to her success as a journalist.

Stella shares some of her achievements in a way that doesn’t feel like a list, but her responsibilities give us a glimpse of her life. When she transitions to writing about the value in every story, big or small, we see her ability to connect with her community and deliver an impact, even without writing a years-long investigative story.

#4. Personal Statement Example

Please note that this and subsequent personal statements have been anonymized.

“‘ I have the audacity of equality.’ The roar of applause explodes from the television as I hunch over a rapidly cooling bag of popcorn, my world rocked by this single line. Enter Hasan Minhaj’s Netflix comedy special Homecoming King, an ode to all the brown kids born and raised in the U.S., caught between the country they have known their entire lives and the countries their immigrant parents are still deeply tied to. As I sat enamored by Minhaj’s performance, it was as if the fog that often obscured how to navigate that middle ground of living as a mixed kid in America was cleared. I am the daughter of a [COUNTRY] immigrant mother and a first-generation [COUNTRY] father raised in cookie-cutter American suburbia, and I have spent my entire life in a strained limbo of feeling not quite red, white, and blue enough to fit in with my almost entirely white peers, while also feeling far too disconnected from my parents’ countries to find solace in their cultures. After a lifetime of feeling unseen, not fitting into a boxed-off identity, Minhaj’s special felt like a beacon of understanding.

The day after watching the special, I announced my newest aspiration in life: to become a professional comedian. But after a few stale jokes fell flat, it was clear comedy would not be my future. Yet that image of Minhaj traipsing across the stage as his words held the live crowd, and me miles away, ensnared in their grasp, was unshakeable. I wanted to chase that feeling of using words to speak to and for others, especially those whose stories are often abandoned and unheard. So while I didn’t join any comedy clubs, I did sign up for my first year of competitive debate.

Soon after, I found that I too could use my words to influence and speak to others, even if my audience was limited to judges and my spotlight was the glare of fluorescent lights in high schools across the nation. Addicted to the thrill of getting to discuss pressing issues I had previously only seen in the news, I amassed unholy amounts of research on American water resource protection for the 2021 season. As I plowed through mountains of research, I unearthed the truth that how we distribute water is also how we exercise justice, particularly in my community. In [STATE], where agriculture consumes over 80% of my state’s water, every-day people, especially other people of color, struggle to deal with the disproportionate impacts of water scarcity. Though I sat stunned and disappointed by my state’s water conservation practices, the line ‘I have the audacity of equality’ echoed, reminding me that I don’t have to settle for historically inequitable systems of power decided decades before I was born. I have a right to fight for the change my community needs.

Thus, when the opportunity arose to speak to one of my city’s biggest newspapers and radio stations about water conservation, I took it. I was shepherded in front of a voice recorder and later into the radio station, palms sweating as the black microphone that would project my voice city-wide hovered imposingly before me. Yet, I remembered that this was my chance to use my voice to uncover the stories that had been silenced. As my words flowed, (yes, like water) I felt that same spark of advocacy ignited in me years prior.

However, it’s one thing to elevate silenced stories and another to act upon a desire to change those narratives. If outdated political decisions are to blame for water inequities, I know new ones from young, passionate people like myself must upend them. Accordingly, soon after my interviews, I sought out an internship where I could pitch those same ideas of water conservation to residents throughout [COUNTY NAME]. My audience morphed from high school debate judges to voters, porches as a stage where I amplify the voices of the people through the power of elections and democracy.

Upon revisiting Minhaj’s comedy special, a line I first missed stands out. Hands gesturing wildly, he asks, ‘Isn’t it our job to push the needle forward little by little?’ I have established the answer is decidedly yes. I no longer miss that line when I rewatch the special because over the course of my advocacy my habit of mind has changed along with my actions. No matter the audience, the stage, or the spotlight, I view each opportunity to speak to issues I care about as pushing that needle forward. Despite my brief dream of comedic glory never coming to fruition, I am no less fulfilled in how I choose to speak for what I believe in because I understand that I have that same potential to inspire change .”

This personal statement does an excellent job of keeping a narrative thread from the introduction to the conclusion. Through this statement, we learn about the author’s background, identity, values, passions, and skills without feeling like we’re reading from an itemized list.

Their explanation about comedy not being for them is light-hearted and comical, but their speaking up for water inequities is powerful and shows their determination.

#5. Personal Statement Example

This personal statement explores a student’s experiences with wildfires:

“ A cacophony of alert ringtones blared loudly from pockets, backpacks, and desks around the room. I grabbed my phone: “EMERGENCY ALERT: Wildfire evacuation for areas west of [STREET NAME].” I looked out the window of the [HIGH SCHOOL] classroom, where I and the other Link Crew members had planned to spend the week before school started organizing freshman orientation. An angry column of black smoke billowed from just beyond the football field. This fire was closer and more intense than most. We booked it to a nearby friend’s house. An hour later, I received yet another [STATE] Fire alert. My heart dropped – I wouldn’t be able to go home tonight. Instead, the Fire had spread, cutting me off from my dad, mom, and little brother. What’s more, the fire was rapidly approaching our location. After receiving a second evacuation notice, we loaded up the camper and drove through falling ash to the nearest evacuation center, where I spent hours refreshing the [STATE] fire page and anxiously watching the smoke-filled sky.

Since I moved in 2014 from the [CITY] suburbs to [TOWN], a town of [NUMBER] in the [MOUNTAIN] Foothills, I’ve witnessed climate change firsthand. Years of drought gradually turned much of my pine forest playground into sticks of tinder. Instead of running on once-shaded trails at cross-country practice, we now dash through blackened remains of burned-out trees. While my old friends in [CITY] mow their lawns, I clear scotch broom and dead manzanitas from our property to reduce wildfire hazards.

I recognize climate change for what it is – an existential threat. Yearly reminders during the fire season underscore the immediacy of the threat that climate change poses. Some think of our climate as a problem for the future. But I know that climate change already shapes the lives of me, my community, and millions around the world. Initially, my response to climate change was just on a personal level. After studying the meat industry’s carbon footprint at Tech Trek, a STEM camp at [COLLEGE], I cut meat out of my diet entirely and have been a vegetarian for almost five years. Last year, in response to the fire, I used the skills I learned in my engineering classes to design and construct garden boxes for people who had lost their plants in the blaze.

But I know that my actions alone aren’t enough to engender lasting change. I turned to my community to compound my impact. Partnering with nature preserves and conservation groups around [TOWN], my girl scout troop and I organize environmental cleanups of tributaries and hiking trails. I designed and taught Leave No Trace curriculum and organized challenges for local youth to increase community engagement in local ecological issues.

More recently, I’ve begun to think more deliberately about how to further my impact on a larger scale. I believe that my firsthand experience with climate change, when paired with my passion for designing technological solutions to environmental problems, allows me to think about innovative ways to tackle climate challenges. To address the lack of useful resources on native and invasive plants in the [MOUNTAIN] Foothills, I’ve created a database of plants with tips and educational materials for each plant in order to create a resource that scientists, gardeners, and enthusiasts alike can use. Using the skills I’ve developed over the course of the last three years in the engineering pathway, I am drawing inspiration from temperature-regulating termite mounds to design a biomimetic home that uses air movement to maintain comfortable interior temperatures.

My family and home were safe through the fire, but others weren't as lucky. My lived experience with climate change and subsequent response on a personal, community, and larger-scale level equip and motivate me to continue the fight for a more sustainable future. Climate change started this battle, it's up to me to finish it. ”

The introduction immediately catches our attention for its vivid imagery and charged emotion as the student navigates an emergency. They connect this anecdote to the broader theme of climate change and other experiences relating to their values.

Although the student describes what they’ve already accomplished, they share what they’d like to do to address climate change on a larger scale in the future and wrap up their story by referencing the anecdote from their introduction.

#6. Personal Statement Example

This personal statement explores a candidate’s love of fashion:

“ I nervously stand from behind my desk, ready for my turn. Eyes glare at me from all sides as the teacher beckons me to begin. I dread group introductions, the first days of school, or any icebreaker exercise because of this moment. I have never had a traditional fun fact to share, like ‘I play soccer’ or ‘I have a twin.’ I used to share something safe like, ‘I hate whipped cream.’ On this day, I decided to share my true passion. ‘I love fashion.’ Giggles float through the room. Whispers are exchanged through my classmates' smirks. I immediately began to second guess myself. Was my response too shallow? Too girly? No – fashion transcends the boundaries of gender and is the opposite of shallow. It is an intricate manifestation of a person's true, innermost feelings toward the outside world. It is a way to express oneself when words don't suffice. That does not seem shallow to me.

Each day, I gaze into my closet and try to answer the routine question of what to wear. A flowing white sundress or a worn, black leather jacket? A pleated blazer or a bright red band tee? I might choose a sundress when I feel carefree and lighthearted or a heavy jacket when the world seems overwhelming and I need protection. Though it may seem an insignificant question of comfort or trends, I am really deciding which version of myself I want to reveal that day through my clothing. I could wear a coastal, relaxed outfit, and tomorrow could feature urban business attire. By no means does this imply that I have an identity crisis. I am simply a human with a wide range of emotions that cannot be confined. It is because of my inner diversity that I am unique.

The fabric that wraps my body is not meant only for cover. It also allows others a window into my soul. Though the deep desires of my heart never waver, each day brings new emotions, obstacles, and circumstances that, at times, can be difficult to process. This daily change instigates a perpetual evolution that communicates I am not the same person I was yesterday.

It's human nature to try to categorize people and things. Certain styles and garments tend to connect with a particular aesthetic. For instance, a callous person must dress grunge, and a fun, free-spirited person must dress bohemian. But people are complex. We cannot be constrained by one specific personality type. The beauty of humanity is in its inherent diversity. People can be demographically grouped by their culture, surroundings, family, or upbringing. However, the people who make up those respective communities are capable of diverse and independent thoughts, feelings, and emotions. Fashion can express that.

Fashion is not just an opportunity to display the latest trend or designer clothes. Fashion is an intimate representation of the inner workings of one's being. Even those who claim not to care about their clothing subconsciously express their emotions through it. A girl going through a breakup would think she disregards fashion by putting on a pair of sweats and throwing her hair into a messy bun. In reality, she chose the sweats because she is vulnerable and wants to feel warm and safe, and her bun prevents her hair from drowning in her tears. Her attire tells us multitudes of details if we just pay attention. Acknowledging how she feels through her clothing choice can help her process difficult emotions. She deserves this outlet to express her current state of mind. Everyone deserves this chance. I believe in an industry that can provide the average person with clothing that helps them feel beautiful and confident, regardless of their stage of life or socioeconomic status. So maybe she and I deserve those few extra minutes to get ready in the morning so that we may define the current state of our ever-changing selves .”

This personal statement shows the author’s love for fashion, particularly how they describe the various pieces in their closet. Their writing shows how they connect apparel choices to a person’s personality and feelings.

This statement may be more metaphorical and poetic than others in this list, but it could be a compelling personal statement for an aspiring fashion or art student.

#7. Personal Statement Example

This personal statement showcases a high school student’s experience with physician shadowing:

“ As I sat observing the patients scattered around the waiting room, my eyes stopped on a man flushed and gasping. He met my gaze; his own eyes were brimming with fear. His face began to take on a deep shade of red. The woman by his side jumped up and began shouting for help. A group of doctors and nurses came rushing into the waiting room. The man held my gaze and I returned his panicked stare.

Over the four months I’d spent shadowing Dr. [NAME] at [HOSPITAL NAME], my days encompassed: accompanying him during his rounds, checking on patients, and taking vital signs for postoperative patients. I even shadowed him during a valve replacement procedure. I remember thinking that operating on a person’s most central organ, with calculated precision, was the pinnacle of what it meant to be a surgeon. However, as I sat paralyzed in the waiting room, unable to break eye contact with a terrified patient entering cardiac arrest— I knew I was experiencing a part of the medical field I’d never seen.

Dr. [NAME] and the nurses moved in a synchronous dance. The nurses placed the patient on his back and helped to hold him still. Dr. [NAME] centered his hand on the man’s chest and began performing CPR. I knew rationally things were moving in real time, but the doctor’s actions seemed to move in slow motion. Dr. [NAME] began cycling between mouth to mouth and chest compressions. I felt my own heartbeat pounding rapidly in my chest.

A piercing ‘beep’ filled the room as the monitor detected a heartbeat.

When the patient met my gaze, my first instinct was to leap from my chair and help him. However, my traitorous body had been paralyzed in terror; all I could do was hold his gaze. This concerned me. If I couldn't manage my anxiety for a patient during high stress situations, did I have what it took to be a surgeon?

‘How did you stay calm?’ I asked Dr. [NAME] as we sat in his office later that day. The regular sounds of the waiting room leaked under the door—as if nothing had happened. He paused for a moment, ‘I was nervous, of course, but years of experience has taught me to channel my nerves into treating the patient the best that I can.’

Although his words made sense, it still seemed impossible to not feel fear for a patient whose life is in danger. However, as I considered his words further, I realized Dr. [NAME] wasn’t telling me he didn’t feel emotionally invested in the patient’s safety. Rather, he was saying he had learned to channel his concern into focusing on providing the best patient care possible.

During my time shadowing Dr. [NAME], prior to the day of the resuscitation, I learned the importance of surgical precision, clinical expertise, and confidence under pressure. However, as I sat in his office that day, my perspective of the medical field changed. I now understood that staying confident in the midst of chaos isn’t instinctive; it is learned. Moreover, a good surgeon recognizes that she can use her fear for her patient as motivation to save the patient.

My inclination to help others and fascination with molecular biology is what attracted me to the medical field. From the waiting room ordeal, my preserving commitment to becoming a physician was only reaffirmed. It encouraged me that my natural empathy for others would fuel rather than hinder my ability to work efficiently during stressful situations. I look forward to using this thought process in my day-to-day leadership activities, and one day, as a surgeon. ”

This personal statement offers a glimpse into the writer’s time shadowing a physician and shows their vulnerabilities and fears. This statement shows what they’ve learned from the experience and how they’ll use these skills and knowledge to realize their dream of becoming a surgeon.

#8. Personal Statement Example

This sample personal statement is about an applicant’s journey with dance and religion:

“ I stepped barefoot onto the cool wooden floor and bent down to lay my sweaty palms on the ground. I quickly got into line with the other girls and waited for the music to begin playing. My hips swayed while my heartbeat matched the rhythm of the song. Through each segment, my movements changed, evolving from Jhumar and ending in Dhamal. Behind every motion, there was an intention to send a message to the audience.

I immediately found my place with Bhangra–a traditional Punjabi folk dance. I picked up the routines effortlessly, dancing with precision. I soon advanced to the older girls’ group, working on intricate choreography that required more stamina. Bhangra became not just a passion, but a path to better explore my Punjabi heritage. With each passing year, I came to see reflections of my life in Bhangra, connecting its many forms to different pieces of my identity.

Jhumar is delicate. It grows in intensity over time, but remains fragile. Full of smooth hand movements and soft placements, it builds on knowledge and experience, mirroring my relationship with Sikhism. For a long time, I was skeptical of practicing my faith. It seemed unnecessary–a method of control rather than a choice. My grandmother coaxed me to attend prayers and forced me to sit for long periods in the Gurdwara, all of which felt like more of a chore. Over the last two years, I found myself returning to the Gurdwara willfully. I had not completely restored my faith in God, but went there as a place of healing, finding comfort in the practices I once dreaded. I sat alone in the silence to calm myself. Gradually, my broken relationship with Sikhism wove itself back together, like the gentle motions of Jhumar.

In my teenage years, I began to perform Giddha with my mother, aunts, and cousins, clapping and laughing alongside figures who shaped me. The dance is usually performed by women, telling tales of village life through skip steps and illustrative motions. Each gesture conveys the emotion and content of the story told. Giddha captured the evolution of my self-identity, reminding me of my support system and my ancestral roots. Performing next to these strong women in my life allowed me to grow my confidence and granted me a fuller sense of myself.

Dhamal is the grand finale–bright and energetic, full of jumps on fast-paced beats. It is a dance that is usually performed at the end and demands the most energy. At the beginning of this segment, I am forced to make a decision: push forward and smile through the exhaustion, or flail my limbs and give up. I center myself to keep my hands sharp and clean while stepping with purpose, making every step count. I know I will regret becoming sloppy with my motions when I rewatch the performance, so I do my best to perform elegantly. It is a test of my drive.

What began as a lighthearted use of time became a fundamental part of me. Bhangra allowed me to restore my relationship with Sikhism and turn towards it as a source of healing from times I felt lost and overwhelmed. I formed meaningful connections to the women in my family, and through them, my ancestors, bonding over traditions and experiencing my culture in depth. I learned to handle pressure with grace, pushing through difficulty with determination, and further strengthening essential parts of my identity. As I dance, I step, clap, and move through the parts of myself that make me whole .”

This personal statement begins with an anecdote to immerse the reader in an event and showcases how Bhangra helped her reconnect with her heritage, religion, and culture. This narrative shows the applicant’s drive and talent while illuminating her journey toward strengthening her identity.

#9. Personal Statement Example

Let’s see how one applicant transformed their love of chess into a winning personal statement:

“ The wooden board promised possibilities and endless opportunities. On the maple wood of the battlefield, rooks, bishops, and knights stood ready in the most strategic war, chess.

My father lovingly taught me the game of chess as a young child. I immediately gravitated toward the game due to its strategic nature and quickly learned that chess appeared simple: just capture the king. Regardless of this apparent simplicity, my analytical mind always thought ten moves ahead. I never entered the battle without a full-fledged plan and a future-focused mindset that always seemed to be an advantage. From that point, many victories made me naive to the need to adjust my well-laid plans to meet outside challenges. Then, a particular game upended my strategies and confidence. This game began no differently from the others as I slowly set up the pieces and developed a seemingly invincible plan. And as my plan was forming, my confidence rose.

I started the game by bringing the king's pawn forward two spaces. In the very next move, I crossed my queen three places. I applied maximum pressure immediately to stay on offense and put my opponent on defense. After a few silly moves later by my father, I saw the opening to put his king in check, so I took it. I was executing my plan perfectly. However, my father started moving his rook closer to my queen, and in a matter of seconds, he captured my strongest piece. Playing it off as no sacrifice, for the rest of the game, I remained unwilling to change my plan, only to lose the game eventually. I realized at that moment that I had not appreciated the importance of adapting to changing circumstances and challenges–to the idea that for every action, there is an opposite and equal reaction, as I later learned in physics. Since that game, I began to balance my strategic planning with the need to adjust to the moves of my opponent as one must balance one’s strategic goals with the reality of the present; otherwise, life will deliver missed opportunities.

Yet one of my greatest passions was discovered by thinking far ahead in the future. From a young age, I became fascinated with engineering, both the physics of how objects move and fly and the potential for real innovation that accompanies the design and execution processes of engineering. Due to my logical nature, I prefer to set plans in order to optimize an outcome. When one identifies and defines problems logically and precisely, a plan is necessary, so thinking in future terms becomes essential. However, as time has passed, my love for engineering has grown, especially my passion for discovering how physical objects move and interact and plans can develop in creative and previously unthinkable ways. This future-focused mindset has influenced both my academic studies and my work in STEM internships as well as a recent apprenticeship with [LARGE COMPANY]. These pursuits, in turn, have allowed me to expand my vision of what my undergraduate studies and future career paths may hold. Still, future strategizing and adapting to the present are skills that will guide my future endeavors. Thus, engineering, like the game of chess, not only involves having a strategy going into the game, sometimes the key to victory, but also adapting to changing conditions can mean the difference between success and failure. ”

The author used their experiences with chess to describe the development of skills such as strategic planning and adaptation. They effortlessly connect their story about a chess game to their love of physics and engineering.

The chess game serves as a backdrop for their passion for STEM and what they’ve done to further explore their interests and connects the game to engineering and their cultivated skill to adapt amid changing conditions (such as new information) – a skill top colleges look for in candidates.

#10. Personal Statement Example

This candidate’s experience with a disposable camera helped them find the perfect personal statement:

“ When I was fourteen years old, my mother bought me a disposable film camera, a shiny green plastic gadget from Walmart. At first, I was bewildered by how this seemingly superfluous object could supplement my perfectly efficient iPhone camera. Dangling the gift between my fingers with confusion, I was torn between telling my mother I had no use for this fossil, and graciously giving in to her request to ‘just try it out.’ I took the high road, and settled on the latter.

Initially photography was an aesthetic hobby, however, it quickly turned into immense devotion to the art. I began to carry around the little green camera everywhere I went. Unfortunately, disposable film cameras have meager lifespans, and I could only take 27 pictures before the film was exhausted. After years of taking pictures with careless abandon, my photography was transformed by the idea of a tiny plastic box forcing me to choose my shots more carefully. Formerly, I could whip out my camera whenever I wanted to and take a picture, capturing a frame that would eventually disappear in the mass conglomeration of my iPhone camera roll. Conversely, my film camera required me to decide the right moment to capture a snapshot of a memory frozen in time.

Ultimately, the narrative I have captured through my film camera has also helped me find my authentic voice through writing. I love using language to express my character, demonstrating my willingness to explore my passions and capture my every emotion. When I first attempted to write a full length novel, I recognized it would be a massive time commitment, and there would be hundreds of revisions. However, upon completing my first manuscript, I did not feel worried, or overwhelmed by the editing process. I was excited to embark on this next journey of perfecting my work. I was immersed in finishing my novel when my mom convinced me to apply for a Writing Contest. I followed her advice, and the risk ended up paying off. A few months later, I opened up my laptop to see an email announcing I had received the [TOP PRIZE]. The thrill of my teachers and parents could not be compared to my own surprise. I was absolutely overjoyed that the judges were moved by my story. My devotion to the film camera is now reflected in my approach to everyday life and my profile as a student.

Throughout my high school career, I have dedicated myself to a few activities and developed my skill set, instead of spreading myself thinly in several fruitless activities. Stepping out of my comfort zone, I decided to sign up for a boxing class in my [HIGH SCHOOL] year. I looked forward to every training session, and began to transfer that energy into becoming an even better academic student. I loved learning new techniques and memorizing nuanced tips, until I eventually took the combat training style and made it my own. Yet another activity that began as a hobby, eventually helped build my self-confidence and provided strategies on how to approach adversity; from interactions with peers, to the boxing ring.

I have yet to fully appreciate the fleeting nature of every moment. Incorporating my film camera into my everyday life has allowed me to take control and fill my high school career with a rich and genuine photo album of experiences .”

The writer’s careful approach to using the film camera shows their deliberateness and newfound approach to their passion for art and photography. They connect this story to their love of writing, citing their finished full-length novel, a truly impressive feat.

They also show their ability to step outside their comfort zone and passion for artistic endeavors with their experiences in boxing. This personal statement showcases their commitment to their passions and how taking pictures with a disposable camera showed them how to take control of their journey.

#11. Personal Statement Example

Here’s another example detailing an applicant’s visit to the zoo:

“ As the sunlight trickles through the willow trees and glitters on the surface of the water, I squint. Where is it? Even though I’m in the shade, sweat is pouring down my face; it’s easily 115 degrees out. I scour the swamp beneath me one last time, sigh, and give up. Every time I visit the [ZOO NAME], this singular [ANIMAL] (a type of crocodilian) evades me. Somewhere in the murky water underneath the pedestrian bridge, the elusive false gharial hides from view. It’s enough to make most people give up in disappointment, potentially anger. Not me. Each time I visit, I enjoy my experience to the fullest, regardless of what I see.

Since I was a toddler, I have been enamored with every zoo I visit. My mother doesn’t exaggerate when she claims I had to be dragged out of zoos against my will as a toddler. The animal kingdom is beautifully diverse, unique, and absolutely breathtaking; it enraptured me as a child and still does today. The fact that toucans throw their food in the air and catch it with their beaks, parachute frogs glide from tree to tree, or sea cucumbers eject their insides as a self-defense mechanism–these are all such incredible adaptations and behaviors that I sometimes am unable to comprehend the incredible scope of evolution. I am easily swept up in my admiration of all aspects of the natural world, completely losing myself in the experience.

The last time I visited the [ZOO NAME] with my extended family, I was astonished by the new Dome structure. A shimmering glass dome sparkling under the bright, hot sun, the building was reminiscent of a giant greenhouse. Although the eponymous pangolins had not yet been moved to their new home where I could see them, reading about their story was eye-opening. These cute armored mammals are considered the most trafficked animals in the world. As I traversed the rest of the building, I discovered that different levels are devoted to depicting various aspects of the Rainforest, the most ecologically productive biome in the world. Starting from the bottom of the dome, viewers walk through the tropical, fish-filled waters, then climb through the forest’s various levels, getting to see the complex intersection of energy flows, water use, and nutrient cycles. I was humbled by the experience. I left that day with a clear understanding of why I love zoos so much: zoos are a chance for humans to learn how to better coexist with the environment.

We live in a world where human development and conservation are almost mutually exclusive. A forest, field, or beach has to be destroyed, drilled into, or paved in order for ‘civilization’ to exist. Zoos prove that this does not have to be the case; they are a source of inspiration for how we can better live in harmony with nature. Every exhibit is a microcosm of a distinct aspect of the environment and can teach us how facets of nature interact. The aforementioned Dome, for example, uses natural light to simulate a real biome while conserving energy. Other conservationist elements–resource recycling and reuse, water conservation, etc.–are evident throughout the zoo.

In what feels like an instant after stepping out of the tomistoma enclosure, I realize that the sun has already begun to set and the cicadas have already begun to buzz. As I am dragged back into the car by my uncle, I reflect on how I can apply the zoo’s sustainable techniques to the general public. How can we adapt nature’s solutions to certain problems and conform them to meet our needs? For example, can we reduce a city’s temperature and carbon levels? Planting green roofs can reduce both. Whenever I want to solve such environmental issues, I think of the [ZOO NAME]. Nature has solutions to all of our problems; we just have to embrace them. ”

This personal statement shares the author’s interest in biology and animal sciences through anecdotes showing their love and appreciation of zoos. The animal facts and musings about the new building show their passion for knowledge and happiness at the opportunity for humans to coexist with nature.

The conclusion raises the writer’s questions but shows their critical thinkins skills and how they can connect the zoo’s “sustainable techniques” to new solutions in cities. It also effectively wraps up the narrative.

#12. Personal Statement Example

This personal statement describes a candidate’s experience navigating the jungle and how it ignited a new passion:

“ Immersed in the core of the [NAME] jungle, I was set to embark on my first plant medicine journey. At age 14, I was depressed and anxiety scheduled my days. For a week, I lived with the [NUMBER] year-old [NAME] tribe: waking before the sun, drinking cleansing tea with the Chief and his counsel, and cutting through the wilds with a machete to hunt for dinner. Known for centuries to be cautious of welcoming Westerners, the village members embraced me. I had the chance to hear the tribe passionately share their knowledge about native plants and ways to live harmoniously with the land. Songs of exotic birds and warm, crisp air breathed love into my lungs, and I felt my nervous system recalibrating. I partook in the ceremony with [TEA NAME], a plant based entheogenic tea that activates the pineal gland, and I felt my connection growing stronger with divine nature. It felt like I was washing my brain in ice water and I was inspired by the tribe’s devotion to Her. At night, I feverishly scribbled down my day in my Moleskin journal. By the time the week was through, every page was filled with thoughts, questions and feelings.

When I returned back home, I wanted to learn more about these plants and why or how they became so scorned and abused in contemporary society. Taking research into my own hands, I proactively began to dig into the history of these plants. I was hooked after reading Terrance and Dennis McKenna's Stoned Ape Theory and listening to the podcast, ‘Avoid Gurus, Follow Plants.’ This year, I became the youngest to complete The Course [NAME] led by Dr. [NAME]. I learned about limbic healing, the psychoneuroendocrine immunology network, and the power of these sagacious teacher-plants. Dr. [NAME] discussed the harms of disrespecting plant medicines and how if we work for them, they may choose to work with us.

The course included conversations with Ph.D. student, [NAME], regarding her dissertation about the benefits of ketamine in psychotherapy. The thesis concluded that compounds in medicinal plants had healing properties to neurodegenerative diseases and those with terminal illnesses and trauma, all of which are imperative to our current and future concept of health. My enthusiasm for plant medicine spread into all aspects of my life; it was time for another journal and another journey. Thus, I began my podcast: [NAME]. Honoring the wisdom of the indigenous, the podcast bridged gaps between societies and generations, creating a safe space for curiosity to thrive and penetrating the walls of ignorance. Recently, I watched my mom transform from a senior executive at a major telecommunication company to a [NEW ROLE] and CEO of her own firm. As my first podcast guest, she shared her mission to guide one million souls into personal sovereignty. Since then, I have been blessed to speak with Dr. [NAME], the Chief of a [TRIBE], who discussed the preview of her new book and shared how surrendering invites harmony to a person’s life. It was then that I realized that The [PODCAST NAME] was more than a podcast; it was a quiet voice with something loud to say. Today, its purpose is to focus on integrating spirituality into everyday life, and how to work respectively with these venerated and still controversial plant medicines. It is paradise for thinkers, visionaries, and pioneers. The words exchanged in the podcast are the planks in a bridge that connect some of the world’s most remarkable leaders to a generation that may benefit from their wisdom. The journey that began in [COUNTRY] struck the match to the wildfire of my passion, curiosity and devotion to plant medicine .”

This personal statement illuminates the author’s experiences living with a different culture in a new environment, showing their ability to exit their comfort zone. The story shows the author’s cultural understanding, describes where their passion for plant medicine bloomed, and how it inspired them to start their own podcast.

#13. Personal Statement Example

This personal statement explores the writer’s love of painting:

“ I am a painter. The connection I feel to the art I create and love is — like the art itself — so much more than the words I can use to describe it. I become utterly absorbed in the process of creating, viewing, and studying art; it taps into my vulnerabilities and connects me to previously unknown parts of myself. Everything I paint, regardless of the apparent subject, reflects something about me. My recent painting ‘[NAME],’ for example, depicts a close friend curled up beneath a quilt festooned with red poppies. I have realized that it is a portrait of both of us that reveals our shared yearning for safety, warmth, and beauty. Likewise, my favorite pieces by other artists lay bare my own internal tensions and artistic aspirations. I believe that paintings unlock access to both the artist and the viewer. This has become apparent in an independent art history project I completed this summer about the early 20th-century painter Amrita Sher-Gil. I remember first seeing one of her works and feeling deeply drawn to her use of color. Compelled to learn more, I sought the mentorship of a local art history professor and embarked on an exploration of Sher-Gil’s work that has resulted in a tremendous affinity for her story – and a better understanding of my own.

In volumes of Sher-Gil’s letters, photographs, and paintings, I found an uncanny resemblance to myself. She was Indian and European, moved frequently, played the piano, and saturated her paintings with bold, warm colors. Sher-Gil drew inspiration from Rajput painting and stained her female subjects with a burning red that could have spilled out of the tube of cadmium red I squeeze each time I create an underpainting. In my work, the same Rajput-like red shines through the crevices of my overpainting and brings my subject matter to life.

As I became enthralled by Sher-Gil’s red, I learned about the color’s history and, in the end, I made an original discovery. Rajput artists surrounded their paintings with a luxurious red border and often used the color to adorn and highlight two lovers; this red became a mark of heterosexual longing. As I read Sher-Gil’s letters and looked at her paintings, I noticed that she used the Rajput-like red to allude to her own bisexuality; my paper pointed out that she reworked the color’s meaning to represent intimacy between and among women.

My research on Sher-Gil is a clear reflection of my own artistic process — sometimes confusing, far from neat, and often driving to an unclear conclusion. Nevertheless, it reinforced my relationship with art. Sher-Gil used paint to capture the complexity of her identity and illustrated her struggles, dilemmas, and moments of pleasure; in doing so, she has given me confidence in my own painting process and self-exploration. When I paint, I live in a space of meaningful and productive uncertainty. Just as the unexpected purple highlights on the arm of the figure beneath the poppies in my painting resulted from accidental layers of red, blue, and green, the meaning of my work may not be evident until the painting is complete.

In the same way, I am a work in progress. In art, I explore strength and vulnerability, femininity and masculinity, uncertainty and knowledge; I throw myself into my creative and intellectual interests as the practitioner and academic, the painter and viewer. When I paint, I value the companionship of my tubes of pigment, the subjects of my images, and painters like Sher-Gil, who has become a role model. I am eager to pursue studio art and art history and to introduce others to the possibilities of self-exploration through art. To know me, you should know my paintings: the ones I create, the ones I love, and the ones I will study, teach, and share with others. Painting reveals the fullest version of who I am .”

This student’s love of painting and Sher-Gil’s work spurred them to seek mentorship and how, like their artistic process, they’re a “work in progress.” The author’s experiences and passion for art intersect with their explorations of himself and their strengths.

#14. Personal Statement Example

This personal story begins with what appears to be a humorous anecdote that transforms into a well-written personal statement:

“ During my first week of kindergarten, I pulled the fire alarm.

We had just come in from recess and kindergartners were lined up single file against the wall. It was our ritual before returning to class. I felt antsy, fidgety, and bored; my body was not ready for the impending ‘circle time.’

A quick turn of my head and there it was – a red, shiny, attractive box. The allure was all-consuming. ‘Pull the lever,’ an internal voice told me. Before I knew it, my thoughts had become actions, and I instantly became a legend. Blue ink on my palms from the dye pack gave me away when the blaring alarm and chaos settled. Despite initial frustration, even the principal appreciated my clever argument: ‘Why can a small kid reach the fire alarm – is it even really my fault?’

For years, I struggled with that question as I learned that my brain craves action and I need to learn to ‘pause’ while most others don't. I also discovered that I have a passion for understanding how and why the brain works, and a resulting interest in neuroscience.

Recognizing that people learn and experience things differently and that it's not their ‘fault’ spurred my desire to help others from a young age. I cajoled my parents to take me to a library – an hour away, each way – that was willing to accept a 12-year-old tutor. Soon after, I developed [WEBSITE NAME], a service that provides a combination of learning and social support. I learned that each child has individual needs, different ‘hows’ and ‘whys’ for learning and experiencing the world – and I was fascinated by it all.

My high school serendipitously had a program perfectly designed for me - [PROGRAM NAME]. I didn’t realize until I started working as a fellow with the [PROGRAM NAME] – a center for mind, body, and education science – that my “field” experience as a tutor coupled with my fascination with learning differences made the intersection of neuroscience and education an ideal focus. My innate desire to understand the brain's inner workings guided me to help others learn and feel comfortable with their own brain wiring. Whether leading a study on the biggest stress factors for high school students or exploring what types of music best influence learning, I am inspired to gain a deeper understanding of brain function and its educational implications.

My parents often tell the fire alarm story – it is pretty funny, after all – but it also represents something more serious for me: the realization that impulsivity is part of my brain circuitry. It's arguably a blessing. As a five-year-old, I needed to pull that alarm. As a more mature student, I need to pursue my desire to understand the brain, recognize I have no ‘fault’ to fix, and use scientific research and insights to help myself and others. To this day, I still believe the fire alarm should be higher than a kindergartner's reach.”

Although this personal statement begins with a humorous anecdote, the tone remains serious enough to convey the author’s lived experiences and accomplishments influenced by their brain’s impulsivity. This exploration of themself led to their interest in neuroscience and how they’re inspired to learn more about brain function.

The conclusion brings the narrative full circle in a light-hearted way while the author shares their conviction to use scientific research in the future to better understand themselves and others.

#15. Personal Statement Example

This personal statement describes the a figure skater’s reflection of their path:

“ The frigid air bit my cheeks as music breathed life into the otherwise dead-silent arena. I felt the intimidating stares of a million eyes as I started gliding across the gleaming ice in sync with the music, yearning to flaunt the moves I’d assiduously perfected during my early-morning practices. Flawlessly landing the last double lutz in my program, I was homebound. As the music reached its final decrescendo, I slowly exited my last spin and struck my final pose facing the motionless audience. The silence returned momentarily but quickly turned into thunderous applause and cheers as I took my bow after another ‘gold medal’ performance.

Exiting the ice, I noticed a haze of silhouetted smiles. Most were unrecognizable, but a few jumped out at me before I was even off the ice: those of my coach, my parents, and my exuberant little sister. However, after performing this same program multifarious times this season, each warm post-program greeting by friendly or familiar faces felt like déjà vu.

Competition after competition caused me to gradually lose sight of my goal. An Olympic gold medal is known to be the pinnacle of a figure skating career, but the elusivity and cutthroat nature of the journey slowly became more of a deterrent to finding my way to the top of that podium. Instead, I was prompted to look beyond the bounds of this track as I sought to uncover a solution to the monotonous cycle that held me confined to the quotidian repetition of competition between training sessions and performances.

Serendipitously, I soon stumbled upon a volunteer coaching opportunity at my local rink. Through the [NAME] Skating Program, I was given the opportunity to work with individuals with a range of physical and developmental disabilities on the ice. Initially hesitant to fill this position because it’d be my first coaching opportunity, I was soon elated by each skater’s positive demeanor and excitement to reach their fullest potential. To them, skating wasn’t about a collection of gold medals, but instead about the freedom granted to them on the ice and the resultant sense of coach-and-skater camaraderie so freely formed.

After the program met each week, I continuously found myself exceptionally eager to return to the ice to improve my own skating skills. However, I began approaching practice sessions with a renewed sense of purpose, as I was no longer concerned with the minuscule details that’d cost me valuable points in competition. Shifting my focus from technicalities to the bigger picture, I could now enjoy my time spent on the ice while also enhancing my skills as a mentor. Precipitating fulfillment out of practice sessions, I discovered that the pride I held in my mentoring abilities was more valuable than any medal.

Reflecting on my decade of skating, I’ve come to find that the most rewarding times, just like the most rewarding and delicious recipes, tend to rely on a balance between leadership and zealousness, between seasoning and zest. The leadership seasoning has come from my coaching experiences, which have impelled me to thrust myself into even more leadership roles both inside and outside the rink. On the other side of the rink, my zest at my best is hard for the rest to test, so this equilibrium between leadership and enthusiasm is critical for me to maintain so that I can always be my best self not just for my own self, but also and mostly for others. Whether it be teaching a skating class, educating underclassmen on basic business fundamentals for DECA, or discussing how to write efficacious and mellifluous news articles for my school paper, I’ve constantly been able to find avidity in every activity I pursue through an equilibrium of mentorship and individual effort, even if it doesn’t earn me an Olympic gold medal in the end, because when it comes to being golden-hearted, I’ve already been Olympic-caliber all my life.”

While the beginning of this personal statement showcases the author’s figure skating talent, the “reflection” piece shows how they handled feeling deterred from their goal toward meaning an Olympic gold medal.

Their mentoring experience shows their community spirit, leadership potential, and adaptability – they connect these experiences to helping them enjoy their time on the ice again. This story conveys how they found balance and can apply it to other situations.

These examples of college personal statements are just that: examples. While your statement doesn’t need to look exactly like these, reading examples is a great way to gain inspiration.

Common Personal Statement Mistakes

Many students find it easy to fall into certain traps when writing their personal statements. Make sure to avoid these mistakes in your writing!

Relying on cliches : It is imperative that you avoid cliche saying, topics, or ideas in your statement. Admissions officers read tons of statements daily, so you want to make yours stand out. Using cliches will give the impression that you aren’t putting honest effort in and only writing what you think they want to hear.
Choosing an inappropriate topic : Stay away from topics involving illegal activities, highly personal or tragic situations, or controversial ideas. You don’t want to make your reader uncomfortable in any way.
Using quotes : Your personal statement should come from you. Using a famous quote in your statement is not only cliche but also takes up valuable space that you could use for your own words and story.
Not proofreading : If you want to look professional and polished, you need to avoid grammar or spelling mistakes at all costs. Proofread your work and then proofread it again. Try reading it aloud to catch small errors.
Repeating your application : You don’t need to talk about your GPA or test scores in your personal statement. The admissions committee has already seen them. Your statement is a place for you to show them who you are in a personal sense.

If you’re struggling even after this comprehensive guide, get help with your personal statement today. Our personalized tutors will work one-on-one with you to craft the perfect personal statement.

Here are our answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about how to write a college personal statement.

1. What Should a College Personal Statement Include?

Your college personal statement should include a brief snippet about a transformative event in your life that led you to your application. You can include important lessons you’ve learned, qualities you’ve developed over time, and your goals.

2. How Do You Start a Personal Statement?

To start a personal statement , begin with a concise introduction. Don’t spend too much time on the beginning; starting with one or two sentences to set up your story and grab the reader’s attention is best.

3. How Do I Make My Personal Statement Stand Out?

To stand out , your personal statement should highlight something special. Think about your life experiences that meant a lot to you growing up and have shaped you into who you are today and who you want to be. Avoid clichés like famous quotes or general statements.

4. How Should I Format a Personal Statement?

College application platforms typically provide a personal statement format, such as a word count or page limit . Generally speaking, you’ll want to select a basic, legible font, such as 12 pt. Times New Roman.

5. How Long Should a Personal Statement Be?

A good personal statement is between 500 and 650 words. Double-check the specific requirements for your school to confirm how long your statement should be.

6. What Should You Not Do in a Personal Statement?

When writing a personal statement, avoid using famous quotes, grammatical errors, or choosing an inappropriate topic.

Final Thoughts

Your personal statement should be authentic, compelling, and give the reader an excellent idea of what makes you, you . The best personal statements include a punchy introduction, a compelling and unique anecdote, and conclude with a few lines nicely wrapping up the narrative.

Don’t be afraid to get personal — it’s a personal statement, after all! Just ensure you end on a high note. Remember, your conclusion is the last thing admissions officers will read, so it should be memorable and impactful. What do you want the audience to take away?

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What Is a Personal Statement? Everything You Need to Know About the College Essay

College Admissions , College Essays

In addition to standardized test scores and transcripts, a personal statement or essay is a required part of many college applications. The personal statement can be one of the most stressful parts of the application process because it's the most open ended.

In this guide, I'll answer the question, "What is a personal statement?" I'll talk through common college essay topics and what makes for an effective personal statement.

College Essay Glossary

Even the terminology can be confusing if you aren't familiar with it, so let's start by defining some terms:

Personal statement —an essay you write to show a college admissions committee who you are and why you deserve to be admitted to their school. It's worth noting that, unlike "college essay," this term is used for application essays for graduate school as well.

College essay —basically the same as a personal statement (I'll be using the terms interchangeably).

Essay prompt —a question or statement that your college essay is meant to respond to.

Supplemental essay —an extra school or program-specific essay beyond the basic personal statement.

Many colleges ask for only one essay. However, some schools do ask you to respond to multiple prompts or to provide supplemental essays in addition to a primary personal statement.

Either way, don't let it stress you out! This guide will cover everything you need to know about the different types of college essays and get you started thinking about how to write a great one:

Why colleges ask for an essay
What kinds of essay questions you'll see
What sets great essays apart
Tips for writing your own essay

Why Do Colleges Ask For an Essay?

There are a couple of reasons that colleges ask applicants to submit an essay, but the basic idea is that it gives them more information about you, especially who you are beyond grades and test scores.

#1: Insight Into Your Personality

The most important role of the essay is to give admissions committees a sense of your personality and what kind of addition you'd be to their school's community . Are you inquisitive? Ambitious? Caring? These kinds of qualities will have a profound impact on your college experience, but they're hard to determine based on a high school transcript.

Basically, the essay contextualizes your application and shows what kind of person you are outside of your grades and test scores . Imagine two students, Jane and Tim: they both have 3.5 GPAs and 1200s on the SAT. Jane lives in Colorado and is the captain of her track team; Tim lives in Vermont and regularly contributes to the school paper. They both want to be doctors, and they both volunteer at the local hospital.

As similar as Jane and Tim seem on paper, in reality, they're actually quite different, and their unique perspectives come through in their essays. Jane writes about how looking into her family history for a school project made her realize how the discovery of modern medical treatments like antibiotics and vaccines had changed the world and drove her to pursue a career as a medical researcher. Tim, meanwhile, recounts a story about how a kind doctor helped him overcome his fear of needles, an interaction that reminded him of the value of empathy and inspired him to become a family practitioner. These two students may seem outwardly similar but their motivations and personalities are very different.

Without an essay, your application is essentially a series of numbers: a GPA, SAT scores, the number of hours spent preparing for quiz bowl competitions. The personal statement is your chance to stand out as an individual.

#2: Evidence of Writing Skills

A secondary purpose of the essay is to serve as a writing sample and help colleges see that you have the skills needed to succeed in college classes. The personal statement is your best chance to show off your writing , so take the time to craft a piece you're really proud of.

That said, don't panic if you aren't a strong writer. Admissions officers aren't expecting you to write like Joan Didion; they just want to see that you can express your ideas clearly.

No matter what, your essay should absolutely not include any errors or typos .

#3: Explanation of Extenuating Circumstances

For some students, the essay is also a chance to explain factors affecting their high school record. Did your grades drop sophomore year because you were dealing with a family emergency? Did you miss out on extracurriculars junior year because of an extended medical absence? Colleges want to know if you struggled with a serious issue that affected your high school record , so make sure to indicate any relevant circumstances on your application.

Keep in mind that in some cases there will be a separate section for you to address these types of issues, as well as any black marks on your record like expulsions or criminal charges.

#4: Your Reasons for Applying to the School

Many colleges ask you to write an essay or paragraph about why you're applying to their school specifically . In asking these questions, admissions officers are trying to determine if you're genuinely excited about the school and whether you're likely to attend if accepted .

I'll talk more about this type of essay below.

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What Kind of Questions Do Colleges Ask?

Thankfully, applications don't simply say, "Please include an essay about yourself"; they include a question or prompt that you're asked to respond to . These prompts are generally pretty open-ended and can be approached in a lot of different ways .

Nonetheless, most questions fall into a few main categories. Let's go through each common type of prompt, with examples from the Common Application, the University of California application, and a few individual schools.

Prompt Type 1: Your Personal History

This sort of question asks you to write about a formative experience, important event, or key relationship from your life . Admissions officers want to understand what is important to you and how your background has shaped you as a person.

These questions are both common and tricky. The most common pit students fall into is trying to tell their entire life stories. It's better to focus in on a very specific point in time and explain why it was meaningful to you.

Common App 1

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

Common App 5

Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

University of California 2

Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side.

University of California 6

Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom.

Prompt Type 2: Facing a Problem

A lot of prompts deal with how you solve problems, how you cope with failure, and how you respond to conflict. College can be difficult, both personally and academically, and admissions committees want to see that you're equipped to face those challenges .

The key to these types of questions is to identify a real problem, failure, or conflict ( not a success in disguise) and show how you adapted and grew from addressing the issue.

Common App 2

The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

Harvard University 7

The Harvard College Honor Code declares that we “hold honesty as the foundation of our community.” As you consider entering this community that is committed to honesty, please reflect on a time when you or someone you observed had to make a choice about whether to act with integrity and honesty.

Prompt Type 3: Diversity

Most colleges are pretty diverse, with students from a wide range of backgrounds. Essay questions about diversity are designed to help admissions committees understand how you interact with people who are different from you .

In addressing these prompts, you want to show that you're capable of engaging with new ideas and relating to people who may have different beliefs than you.

Common App 3

Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

Johns Hopkins University

Tell us about an aspect of your identity (e.g., race, gender, sexuality, religion, community) or a life experience that has shaped you as an individual and how that influenced what you’d like to pursue in college at Hopkins.  This can be a future goal or experience that is either [sic] academic, extracurricular, or social.

Duke University Optional 1

We believe a wide range of personal perspectives, beliefs, and lived experiences are essential to making Duke a vibrant and meaningful living and learning community. Feel free to share with us anything in this context that might help us better understand you and what you might bring to our community.

Prompt Type 4: Your Future Goals

This type of prompt asks about what you want to do in the future: sometimes simply what you'd like to study, sometimes longer-term career goals. Colleges want to understand what you're interested in and how you plan to work towards your goals.

You'll mostly see these prompts if you're applying for a specialized program (like pre-med or engineering) or applying as a transfer student. Some schools also ask for supplementary essays along these lines.

University of Southern California (Architecture)

Princeton Supplement 1

Prompt Type 5: Why This School

The most common style of supplemental essay is the "why us?" essay, although a few schools with their own application use this type of question as their main prompt. In these essays, you're meant to address the specific reasons you want to go to the school you're applying to .

Whatever you do, don't ever recycle these essays for more than one school.

Chapman University

There are thousands of universities and colleges. Why are you interested in attending Chapman?

Columbia University

Why are you interested in attending Columbia University? We encourage you to consider the aspect(s) that you find unique and compelling about Columbia.

Rice University

Based upon your exploration of Rice University, what elements of the Rice experience appeal to you?

Princeton University

Princeton has a longstanding commitment to understanding our responsibility to society through service and civic engagement. How does your own story intersect with these ideals?

Prompt Type 6: Creative Prompts

More selective schools often have supplemental essays with stranger or more unique questions. University of Chicago is notorious for its weird prompts, but it's not the only school that will ask you to think outside the box in addressing its questions.

University of Chicago

“Vlog,” “Labradoodle,” and “Fauxmage.” Language is filled with portmanteaus. Create a new portmanteau and explain why those two things are a “patch” (perfect match).

University of Vermont

Established in Burlington, VT, Ben & Jerry’s is synonymous with both ice cream and social change. The “Save Our Swirled” flavor raises awareness of climate change, and “I Dough, I Dough” celebrates marriage equality. If you worked alongside Ben & Jerry, what charitable flavor would you develop and why?

What Makes a Strong Personal Statement?

OK , so you're clear on what a college essay is, but you're still not sure how to write a good one . To help you get started, I'm going to explain the main things admissions officers look for in students' essays: an engaging perspective, genuine moments, and lively writing .

I've touched on these ideas already, but here, I'll go into more depth about how the best essays stand out from the pack.

Showing Who You Are

A lot of students panic about finding a unique topic, and certainly writing about something unusual like a successful dating app you developed with your friends or your time working as a mall Santa can't hurt you. But what's really important isn't so much what you write about as how you write about it . You need to use your subject to show something deeper about yourself.

Look at the prompts above: you'll notice that they almost all ask you what you learned or how the experience affected you. Whatever topic you pick, you must be able to specifically address how or why it matters to you .

Say a student, Will, was writing about the mall Santa in response to Common App prompt number 2 (the one about failure): Will was a terrible mall Santa. He was way too skinny to be convincing and the kids would always step on his feet. He could easily write 600 very entertaining words describing this experience, but they wouldn't necessarily add up to an effective college essay.

To do that, he'll need to talk about his motivations and his feelings: why he took such a job in the first place and what he did (and didn't) get out of it. Maybe Will took the job because he needed to make some money to go on a school trip and it was the only one he could find. Despite his lack of enthusiasm for screaming children, he kept doing it because he knew if he persevered through the whole holiday season he would have enough money for his trip. Would you rather read "I failed at being a mall Santa" or "Failing as a mall Santa taught me how to persevere no matter what"? Admissions officers definitely prefer the latter.

Ultimately, the best topics are ones that allow you to explain something surprising about yourself .

Since the main point of the essay is to give schools a sense of who you are, you have to open up enough to let them see your personality . Writing a good college essay means being honest about your feelings and experiences even when they aren't entirely positive.

In this context, honesty doesn't mean going on at length about the time you broke into the local pool at night and nearly got arrested, but it does mean acknowledging when something was difficult or upsetting for you. Think about the mall Santa example above. The essay won't work unless the writer genuinely acknowledges that he was a bad Santa and explains why.

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Eloquent Writing

As I mentioned above, colleges want to know that you are a strong enough writer to survive in college classes . Can you express your ideas clearly and concisely? Can you employ specific details appropriately and avoid clichés and generalizations? These kinds of skills will serve you well in college (and in life!).

Nonetheless, admissions officers recognize that different students have different strengths. They aren't looking for a poetic magnum opus from someone who wants to be a math major. (Honestly, they aren't expecting a masterwork from anyone , but the basic point stands.) Focus on making sure that your thoughts and personality come through, and don't worry about using fancy vocabulary or complex rhetorical devices.

Above all, make sure that you have zero grammar or spelling errors . Typos indicate carelessness, which will hurt your cause with admissions officers.

Top Five Essay-Writing Tips

Now that you have a sense of what colleges are looking for, let's talk about how you can put this new knowledge into practice as you approach your own essay. Below, I've collected my five best tips from years as a college essay counselor.

#1: Start Early!

No matter how much you want to avoid writing your essay, don't leave it until the last minute . One of the most important parts of the essay writing process is editing, and editing takes a lot of time. You want to be able to put your draft in a drawer for a week and come back to it with fresh eyes. You don't want to be stuck with an essay you don't really like because you have to submit your application tomorrow.

You need plenty of time to experiment and rewrite, so I would recommend starting your essays at least two months before the application deadline . For most students, that means starting around Halloween, but if you're applying early, you'll need to get going closer to Labor Day.

Of course, it's even better to get a head start and begin your planning earlier. Many students like to work on their essays over the summer, when they have more free time, but you should keep in mind that each year's application isn't usually released until August or September. Essay questions often stay the same from year to year, however. If you are looking to get a jump on writing, you can try to confirm with the school (or the Common App) whether the essay questions will be the same as the previous year's.

#2: Pick a Topic You're Genuinely Excited About

One of the biggest mistakes students make is trying to write what they think the committee wants to hear. The truth is that there's no "right answer" when it comes to college essays . T he best topics aren't limited to specific categories like volunteer experiences or winning a tournament. Instead, they're topics that actually matter to the writer .

"OK," you're thinking, "but what does she mean by 'a topic that matters to you'? Because to be perfectly honest, right now, what really matters to me is that fall TV starts up this week, and I have a feeling I shouldn't write about that."

You're not wrong (although some great essays have been written about television ). A great topic isn't just something that you're excited about or that you talk to your friends about; it's something that has had a real, describable effect on your perspective .

This doesn't mean that you should overemphasize how something absolutely changed your life , especially if it really didn't. Instead, try to be as specific and honest as you can about how the experience affected you, what it taught you, or what you got out of it.

Let's go back to the TV idea. Sure, writing an essay about how excited you are for the new season of Stranger Things probably isn't the quickest way to get yourself into college, but you could write a solid essay (in response to the first type of prompt) about how SpongeBob SquarePants was an integral part of your childhood. However, it's not enough to just explain how much you loved SpongeBob—you must also explain why and how watching the show every day after school affected your life. For example, maybe it was a ritual you shared with your brother, which showed you how even seemingly silly pieces of pop culture can bring people together. Dig beneath the surface to show who you are and how you see the world.

When you write about something you don't really care about, your writing will come out clichéd and uninteresting, and you'll likely struggle to motivate yourself. When you instead write about something that is genuinely important to you, you can make even the most ordinary experiences—learning to swim, eating a meal, or watching TV—engaging .

#3: Focus on Specifics

But how do you write an interesting essay? Focus.

Don't try to tell your entire life story or even the story of an entire weekend; 500–650 words may seem like a lot, but you'll reach that limit quickly if you try to pack every single thing that has happened to you into your essay. If, however, you just touch on a wide range of topics, you'll end up with an essay that reads more like a résumé.

Instead, narrow in on one specific event or idea, and talk about it in more depth . The narrower your topic, the better. For example, writing about your role as Mercutio in your school's production of Romeo and Juliet is too general, but writing about opening night, when everything went wrong, could be a great topic.

Whatever your topic, use details to help draw the reader in and express your unique perspective. But keep in mind that you don't have to include every detail of what you did or thought; stick to the important and illustrative ones.

#4: Use Your Own Voice

College essays aren't academic assignments; you don't need to be super formal. Instead, try to be yourself. The best writing sounds like a more eloquent version of the way you talk .

Focus on using clear, simple language that effectively explains a point or evokes a feeling. To do so, avoid the urge to use fancy-sounding synonyms when you don't really know what they mean. Contractions are fine; slang, generally, is not. Don't hesitate to write in the first person.

A final note: you don't need to be relentlessly positive. It's OK to acknowledge that sometimes things don't go how you want—just show how you grew from that.

#5: Be Ruthless

Many students want to call it a day after writing a first draft, but editing is a key part of writing a truly great essay. To be clear, editing doesn't mean just making a few minor wording tweaks and cleaning up typos; it means reading your essay carefully and objectively and thinking about how you could improve it .

Ask yourself questions as you read: is the progression of the essay clear? Do you make a lot of vague, sweeping statements that could be replaced with more interesting specifics? Do your sentences flow together nicely? Do you show something about yourself beyond the surface level?

You will have to delete and rewrite (potentially large) parts of your essay, and no matter how attached you feel to something you wrote, you might have to let it go . If you've ever heard the phrase "kill your darlings," know that it is 100% applicable to college essay writing.

At some point, you might even need to rewrite the whole essay. Even though it's annoying, starting over is sometimes the best way to get an essay that you're really proud of.

What's Next?

Make sure to check out our other posts on college essays , including our step-by-step guide to how to write your college essay , our analysis of the Common App Prompts , and our collection of example essays .

If you're in need of guidance on other parts of the application process , take a look at our guides to choosing the right college for you , writing about extracurriculars , deciding to double major , and requesting teacher recommendations .

Last but not least, if you're planning on taking the SAT one last time , check out our ultimate guide to studying for the SAT and make sure you're as prepared as possible.

Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points? We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download them for free now:

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Alex is an experienced tutor and writer. Over the past five years, she has worked with almost a hundred students and written about pop culture for a wide range of publications. She graduated with honors from University of Chicago, receiving a BA in English and Anthropology, and then went on to earn an MA at NYU in Cultural Reporting and Criticism. In high school, she was a National Merit Scholar, took 12 AP tests and scored 99 percentile scores on the SAT and ACT.

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36 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Writing Your Personal Statement

April 25, 2017

Phase I of Writing Your Personal Statement: 36 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Begin

In less than 650 words, you have to persuade a stranger to care about you and your application. That’s why the Common App personal statement is one of the most discussed aspects of the college application. Think about how much time you spend on homework, standardized testing, and extracurriculars. This single essay will influence admissions officers as much as these other factors. You could be the perfect applicant, but if your reader doesn’t get to know you and CARE about YOU, you won’t be admitted.

There is no formula for creating the perfect personal statement. The best personal statement topic for your friend might not work well as a topic for you. The topic that might inspire your friend to show his most unique thoughts, the challenges he’s overcome, and the maturity he has gained, might not help you reveal what’s most interesting and compelling about you.

So, how can you write the best possible personal statement for you and your application? Here are the first steps in the process.

1. Start early!

The worst thing you can do is rush the creation of your personal statement. The next two steps below might take weeks...and these occur before you even have a good first draft and can start multiple rounds of edits. You should edit your personal statement multiple times. You should get feedback from as many family members, friends, and teachers as you can.

But, before you get to this stage, you need to choose the perfect topic (and the best Common App essay prompt ) for you .

So, when is the right time to start the process of writing your personal statement ? You should start brainstorming for your personal statement as early as the spring of your junior year and as late as the summer between junior and senior year.

Why shouldn’t I start earlier? A successful personal statement relies on having a strong and mature sense of yourself. It can also rely on your understanding of what you’d like to do in college, what type of college community you’d like to be a part of, and why you care about your education. Starting too soon might mean you need to start over (see step 3) after you really do some soul-searching about college.

There is a lot of thinking and planning that happens before you start writing, so that’s why you should start early. You will complete your best work when you’re not up against a deadline and you’ll be able to start over (again, see step 3) if this is in your best interests.

2. Brainstorm

If you complete this stage of the process with care and attention, you won’t be faced with Step 3. This step in the process helps you pinpoint that perfect topic for you... which won’t be the same perfect topic for someone else.

To start the process of writing your personal statement , ask yourself the series of 36 questions below. These will help generate topics that will be important and meaningful to you. Keep a written list of possible topics you could choose.

What’s your main academic area of interest?
Why does this matter to you?
When did this interest first start to matter to you? Was there a specific event that sparked your interest?
How did your interest evolve over time?
Did you ever face a really big challenge in continuing to learn about or study this topic?
Was this challenge the result of your gender, race, or religion?
Was this challenge the result of your family’s socio-economic background or the result of the culture of the place you lived?
Would you still pursue this academic interest if you earned a very small income with your future job in this area?

Activities:

What’s an extracurricular activity you do that’s incredibly rare?
What’s an extracurricular activity that has shaped your personality and character?
Why does this activity matter so much to you?
When did this activity first start to matter to you? Was there a specific event that sparked your interest?
How did your interest in and commitment to this activity evolve over time?
Have you done something with this activity that no one else you know has done?
Did you ever face a really big challenge in continuing to pursue this activity?
Was this challenge the result of your family’s socio-economic background?
Was this challenge the result of the culture of the place you lived?

Life-events:

Is there something you’ve done or experienced that changed you forever in a positive way?
How did this event make you more mature, compassionate, self-aware, determined, or strong?
Is there a day from your life that you reflect on often? Why is this day so memorable to you?
Are you similar to or different from your parents / siblings? What made you this way?
When did you feel like you didn’t fit in with a group of people? What made you different than others?
Is there something (non-academic / extracurricular) that you devote A LOT of time to? Why do you do this?
What have you done that didn’t earn you praise, attention, or success?
What makes you feel like your life is meaningful and important to you?
What is one thing that you would never change about yourself or your life experiences?

Once you’ve created your list of topics, you’ll need to start narrowing them down. For each topic, ask yourself:

Is this a topic I care about?
Is this a topic that I’ve cared about for more than 1-2 years?
Is this a topic I think shows something about my character and personality?
Is this a topic that shows something impressive and / or unique about my achievements or activities?
Is this topic memorable to me? Do I think about this fairly often in my life?
Am I the only student in my high school class who would write about this topic?
Does this topic show only positive things about my character, maturity, and perspective on life?
Would I be interested in reading about this topic if someone else wrote about it?
Could I write 10 pages about this topic (far more than you’ll need to write, of course)?

If the answer to most or all these questions is “yes!” you’ve probably landed on an ideal topic for you! And get started with writing your personal statement !

I talk more about choosing your personal statement topic, as well as some of the best topics and worst topics here:

3. Start over?

Have you already written your 650 words? Ask yourself: is this best possible story I could tell about myself to admissions officers? What does this story show about me? Is there anything that’s negative in this essay? Is there anything that would make me appear privileged, immature, irresponsible, unfriendly, boring, or unmotivated?

One of the best skills you can develop while writing your personal statement is not to be too attached to your writing. Good editors make BIG changes. And sometimes “big change” means starting over from scratch.

I’ll share my story as a cautionary tale. After careful planning, I wrote the first draft of my personal statement during the summer before my senior year of high school. I was really proud of it. I’d developed a (I thought) complicated and literary metaphor throughout the personal statement. I printed it off. I gave it to my dad to read. He read it through once and said, “you should start over from scratch.”

I was shocked and horrified. What about the more than 5 hours I’d spent planning and writing this essay? My dad pointed out to me the ways in which my personal statement didn’t show the most impressive things about me. It was fine. But it wasn’t unique. It wasn’t personal.

Writing your personal statement is a very strategic part of your college application. There are many "bad" topics you should avoid , there are many “good” topics you could choose, but there are a few that are “outstanding” because they bring a new, personal, thoughtful, and insightful angle to your application and your personal story. This is the personal statement you want to write! Your personal statement needs to engage your readers in less than 650 words in a way that convinces them to believe in you. Your admissions officer will need to advocate for you in order for you to be admitted. You want this person on your side.

Ask your family, friends, and teachers to read your personal statement or consider the topic you’ve selected. Do they feel like this piece of writing or this topic shows the person they know and love? Could this topic make a stranger care about you in the way that your family, friends, teachers care about and support you? This is your personal statement topic selection goal!

Tags : applying to college , college application essay , common app personal statement , Personal Statement , common app , common app essay prompts , personal statement for college , writing your personal statement , college application

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How to Write Your Personal Statement | Strategies & Examples

How to Write Your Personal Statement | Strategies & Examples

Published on February 12, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on July 3, 2023.

A personal statement is a short essay of around 500–1,000 words, in which you tell a compelling story about who you are, what drives you, and why you’re applying.

To write a successful personal statement for a graduate school application , don’t just summarize your experience; instead, craft a focused narrative in your own voice. Aim to demonstrate three things:

Your personality: what are your interests, values, and motivations?
Your talents: what can you bring to the program?
Your goals: what do you hope the program will do for you?

This article guides you through some winning strategies to build a strong, well-structured personal statement for a master’s or PhD application. You can download the full examples below.

Urban Planning Psychology History

Getting started with your personal statement, the introduction: start with an attention-grabbing opening, the main body: craft your narrative, the conclusion: look ahead, revising, editing, and proofreading your personal statement, frequently asked questions, other interesting articles.

Before you start writing, the first step is to understand exactly what’s expected of you. If the application gives you a question or prompt for your personal statement, the most important thing is to respond to it directly.

For example, you might be asked to focus on the development of your personal identity; challenges you have faced in your life; or your career motivations. This will shape your focus and emphasis—but you still need to find your own unique approach to answering it.

There’s no universal template for a personal statement; it’s your chance to be creative and let your own voice shine through. But there are strategies you can use to build a compelling, well-structured story.

The first paragraph of your personal statement should set the tone and lead smoothly into the story you want to tell.

Strategy 1: Open with a concrete scene

An effective way to catch the reader’s attention is to set up a scene that illustrates something about your character and interests. If you’re stuck, try thinking about:

A personal experience that changed your perspective
A story from your family’s history
A memorable teacher or learning experience
An unusual or unexpected encounter

To write an effective scene, try to go beyond straightforward description; start with an intriguing sentence that pulls the reader in, and give concrete details to create a convincing atmosphere.

Strategy 2: Open with your motivations

To emphasize your enthusiasm and commitment, you can start by explaining your interest in the subject you want to study or the career path you want to follow.

Just stating that it interests you isn’t enough: first, you need to figure out why you’re interested in this field:

Is it a longstanding passion or a recent discovery?
Does it come naturally or have you had to work hard at it?
How does it fit into the rest of your life?
What do you think it contributes to society?

Tips for the introduction

Don’t start on a cliche: avoid phrases like “Ever since I was a child…” or “For as long as I can remember…”
Do save the introduction for last. If you’re struggling to come up with a strong opening, leave it aside, and note down any interesting ideas that occur to you as you write the rest of the personal statement.

Once you’ve set up the main themes of your personal statement, you’ll delve into more detail about your experiences and motivations.

To structure the body of your personal statement, there are various strategies you can use.

Strategy 1: Describe your development over time

One of the simplest strategies is to give a chronological overview of key experiences that have led you to apply for graduate school.

What first sparked your interest in the field?
Which classes, assignments, classmates, internships, or other activities helped you develop your knowledge and skills?
Where do you want to go next? How does this program fit into your future plans?

Don’t try to include absolutely everything you’ve done—pick out highlights that are relevant to your application. Aim to craft a compelling narrative that shows how you’ve changed and actively developed yourself.

My interest in psychology was first sparked early in my high school career. Though somewhat scientifically inclined, I found that what interested me most was not the equations we learned about in physics and chemistry, but the motivations and perceptions of my fellow students, and the subtle social dynamics that I observed inside and outside the classroom. I wanted to learn how our identities, beliefs, and behaviours are shaped through our interactions with others, so I decided to major in Social Psychology. My undergraduate studies deepened my understanding of, and fascination with, the interplay between an individual mind and its social context.During my studies, I acquired a solid foundation of knowledge about concepts like social influence and group dynamics, but I also took classes on various topics not strictly related to my major. I was particularly interested in how other fields intersect with psychology—the classes I took on media studies, biology, and literature all enhanced my understanding of psychological concepts by providing different lenses through which to look at the issues involved.

Strategy 2: Own your challenges and obstacles

If your path to graduate school hasn’t been easy or straightforward, you can turn this into a strength, and structure your personal statement as a story of overcoming obstacles.

Is your social, cultural or economic background underrepresented in the field? Show how your experiences will contribute a unique perspective.
Do you have gaps in your resume or lower-than-ideal grades? Explain the challenges you faced and how you dealt with them.

Don’t focus too heavily on negatives, but use them to highlight your positive qualities. Resilience, resourcefulness and perseverance make you a promising graduate school candidate.

Growing up working class, urban decay becomes depressingly familiar. The sight of a row of abandoned houses does not surprise me, but it continues to bother me. Since high school, I have been determined to pursue a career in urban planning. While people of my background experience the consequences of urban planning decisions first-hand, we are underrepresented in the field itself. Ironically, given my motivation, my economic background has made my studies challenging. I was fortunate enough to be awarded a scholarship for my undergraduate studies, but after graduation I took jobs in unrelated fields to help support my parents. In the three years since, I have not lost my ambition. Now I am keen to resume my studies, and I believe I can bring an invaluable perspective to the table: that of the people most impacted by the decisions of urban planners.

Strategy 3: Demonstrate your knowledge of the field

Especially if you’re applying for a PhD or another research-focused program, it’s a good idea to show your familiarity with the subject and the department. Your personal statement can focus on the area you want to specialize in and reflect on why it matters to you.

Reflect on the topics or themes that you’ve focused on in your studies. What draws you to them?
Discuss any academic achievements, influential teachers, or other highlights of your education.
Talk about the questions you’d like to explore in your research and why you think they’re important.

The personal statement isn’t a research proposal , so don’t go overboard on detail—but it’s a great opportunity to show your enthusiasm for the field and your capacity for original thinking.

In applying for this research program, my intention is to build on the multidisciplinary approach I have taken in my studies so far, combining knowledge from disparate fields of study to better understand psychological concepts and issues. The Media Psychology program stands out to me as the perfect environment for this kind of research, given its researchers’ openness to collaboration across diverse fields. I am impressed by the department’s innovative interdisciplinary projects that focus on the shifting landscape of media and technology, and I hope that my own work can follow a similarly trailblazing approach. More specifically, I want to develop my understanding of the intersection of psychology and media studies, and explore how media psychology theories and methods might be applied to neurodivergent minds. I am interested not only in media psychology but also in psychological disorders, and how the two interact. This is something I touched on during my undergraduate studies and that I’m excited to delve into further.

Strategy 4: Discuss your professional ambitions

Especially if you’re applying for a more professionally-oriented program (such as an MBA), it’s a good idea to focus on concrete goals and how the program will help you achieve them.

If your career is just getting started, show how your character is suited to the field, and explain how graduate school will help you develop your talents.
If you have already worked in the profession, show what you’ve achieved so far, and explain how the program will allow you to take the next step.
If you are planning a career change, explain what has driven this decision and how your existing experience will help you succeed.

Don’t just state the position you want to achieve. You should demonstrate that you’ve put plenty of thought into your career plans and show why you’re well-suited to this profession.

One thing that fascinated me about the field during my undergraduate studies was the sheer number of different elements whose interactions constitute a person’s experience of an urban environment. Any number of factors could transform the scene I described at the beginning: What if there were no bus route? Better community outreach in the neighborhood? Worse law enforcement? More or fewer jobs available in the area? Some of these factors are out of the hands of an urban planner, but without taking them all into consideration, the planner has an incomplete picture of their task. Through further study I hope to develop my understanding of how these disparate elements combine and interact to create the urban environment. I am interested in the social, psychological and political effects our surroundings have on our lives. My studies will allow me to work on projects directly affecting the kinds of working-class urban communities I know well. I believe I can bring my own experiences, as well as my education, to bear upon the problem of improving infrastructure and quality of life in these communities.

Tips for the main body

Don’t rehash your resume by trying to summarize everything you’ve done so far; the personal statement isn’t about listing your academic or professional experience, but about reflecting, evaluating, and relating it to broader themes.
Do make your statements into stories: Instead of saying you’re hard-working and self-motivated, write about your internship where you took the initiative to start a new project. Instead of saying you’ve always loved reading, reflect on a novel or poem that changed your perspective.

Your conclusion should bring the focus back to the program and what you hope to get out of it, whether that’s developing practical skills, exploring intellectual questions, or both.

Emphasize the fit with your specific interests, showing why this program would be the best way to achieve your aims.

Strategy 1: What do you want to know?

If you’re applying for a more academic or research-focused program, end on a note of curiosity: what do you hope to learn, and why do you think this is the best place to learn it?

If there are specific classes or faculty members that you’re excited to learn from, this is the place to express your enthusiasm.

Strategy 2: What do you want to do?

If you’re applying for a program that focuses more on professional training, your conclusion can look to your career aspirations: what role do you want to play in society, and why is this program the best choice to help you get there?

Tips for the conclusion

Don’t summarize what you’ve already said. You have limited space in a personal statement, so use it wisely!
Do think bigger than yourself: try to express how your individual aspirations relate to your local community, your academic field, or society more broadly. It’s not just about what you’ll get out of graduate school, but about what you’ll be able to give back.

You’ll be expected to do a lot of writing in graduate school, so make a good first impression: leave yourself plenty of time to revise and polish the text.

Your style doesn’t have to be as formal as other kinds of academic writing, but it should be clear, direct and coherent. Make sure that each paragraph flows smoothly from the last, using topic sentences and transitions to create clear connections between each part.

Don’t be afraid to rewrite and restructure as much as necessary. Since you have a lot of freedom in the structure of a personal statement, you can experiment and move information around to see what works best.

Finally, it’s essential to carefully proofread your personal statement and fix any language errors. Before you submit your application, consider investing in professional personal statement editing . For $150, you have the peace of mind that your personal statement is grammatically correct, strong in term of your arguments, and free of awkward mistakes.

A statement of purpose is usually more formal, focusing on your academic or professional goals. It shouldn’t include anything that isn’t directly relevant to the application.

A personal statement can often be more creative. It might tell a story that isn’t directly related to the application, but that shows something about your personality, values, and motivations.

However, both types of document have the same overall goal: to demonstrate your potential as a graduate student and s how why you’re a great match for the program.

The typical length of a personal statement for graduate school applications is between 500 and 1,000 words.

Different programs have different requirements, so always check if there’s a minimum or maximum length and stick to the guidelines. If there is no recommended word count, aim for no more than 1-2 pages.

If you’re applying to multiple graduate school programs, you should tailor your personal statement to each application.

Some applications provide a prompt or question. In this case, you might have to write a new personal statement from scratch: the most important task is to respond to what you have been asked.

If there’s no prompt or guidelines, you can re-use the same idea for your personal statement – but change the details wherever relevant, making sure to emphasize why you’re applying to this specific program.

If the application also includes other essays, such as a statement of purpose , you might have to revise your personal statement to avoid repeating the same information.

If you want to know more about college essays , academic writing , and AI tools , make sure to check out some of our other language articles with explanations, examples, and quizzes.

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How to Start a Personal Statement

One of the first hurdles students encounter when writing college essays is how to start a personal statement. As a core element of many applications, understanding how to write a personal statement is crucial. Learning how to write a personal statement that is an authentic representation of yourself can be challenging. However, mastering this skill will help you craft personal essays that make a lasting impact on admissions officers.

Specific, actionable college essay tips can help you learn how to write a personal statement for college. If you spend time learning how to start a college essay, you’ll feel even more confident as you begin the process. So, let’s demystify just exactly how to start a personal statement.

In this guide, How to Start a Personal Statement, we’ll cover everything you need to know about personal statements, including:

Personal statement meaning, goals, and expectations
Common personal statement formats
The importance of a hook and how to write one
Steps for how to start a personal statement
Tips for how to write a personal statement
How to approach the editing phase
Coming up with personal statement ideas
Examples of personal statements and how to use them

Remember, any writing process takes time. This applies whether you’re figuring out how to start a college essay or how to write a personal statement for college. No matter what approach you take, the key to how to write a great college essay is to start early!

Now, let’s start with the basics: what is a personal statement?

What is a personal statement?

Simply put, a personal statement is a type of college application essay. But, if you’re looking for answers to, “What is a personal statement?” you probably already know that. At its core, the personal statement should be the essay that most clearly reflects your application narrative . By reading your personal statement, colleges should gain a better understanding of who you are. That means having a clear sense of your strengths, values, and interests.

However, this doesn’t mean that your personal statement needs to capture your entire life story. In fact, often, your personal statement will likely center around just one particular moment or experience. Specifically, one that has defined your identity, passions, or personal growth.

If you search for a personal statement meaning by school, you may find slightly varying definitions. However, all personal essays have the same goal. Personal essays show colleges your authentic voice while highlighting a part of yourself that isn’t captured elsewhere in your application. You’ll notice this if you read any example of a personal statement for college.

Engaging in self-reflection

To understand the personal statement meaning in the simplest terms, think of two words: self-reflection . Identifying pivotal life moments, values, and skills are all a part of how to write a great college essay. However, the process of how to write a personal statement for college takes more than just describing an experience. Instead, it forces you to find the balance between contextualizing what happened and expressing how it impacted you.

Successful personal essays will generally do two things. One, they’ll capture the meaning of your past experiences, specifically the ways you were changed and the lessons you learned. Two, they’ll connect your past experiences to your current and future goals. For many students, college applications are the first time they’ve been asked to write about themselves. So, the process of making these personal connections may seem daunting.

Preparing for the future

Knowing exactly what is a personal statement and how to write a personal statement can also help you in other facets of life. For example, consider the overlap between the college application process and the job application process. When applying to jobs, you need to highlight pertinent skills, values, and beliefs—just like in a college application essay. You can even use the skills and principles for writing a personal statement to write a cover letter (with certain nuances, of course).

For more information on the personal statement meaning, check out the application/essay page for schools on your college list. Their advice and resources can help students understand exactly what’s expected from them in these types of essays. And, many colleges will even provide their own tips for how to write a great college essay. They might also provide an example of a personal statement for college.

We’ve answered the question, “What is a personal statement?” So, now, let’s get into the personal statement format.

Personal statement format

When learning how to write a personal statement, you’ll encounter some different personal statement formats. While there is no singular or “best” personal statement format, most personal essays share a few key attributes. So, understanding these key features can greatly help students learning how to write a great college essay.

Many students’ personal statements tell stories. In fact, discovering these important stories forms a key component of how to start a college essay. Much of the work that goes into discovering how to write a personal statement starts before you even begin writing. (We’ll discuss brainstorming ideas in a later section of this guide.)

Before we dive into how to start a personal statement, we need to pinpoint the starting point for your personal statements: the prompts.

Common/Coalition Application Personal Statement

In many cases, the personal statement refers to the Common App essay or Coalition Application essay. While there are some differences between the two application portals, both follow the same personal statement format. Students will choose from a selection of college essay prompts and write an essay (650 words max). Then, they will submit that essay to every school they apply to via that particular portal. In these cases, the process of how to start a college essay begins with reading through the provided prompts.

Learning how to write a personal statement for college includes learning how to choose the best prompt for you. The personal statement topic you ultimately choose is extremely important; your topic is essentially the soul of your essay. You’d be hard-pressed to find a well-written example of a personal statement for college that wasn’t based on an impactful topic.

The Common App essay

Let’s take a closer look at how to start a college essay for the Common App. In the Common App, students have seven college essay prompts to choose from. Each of these college essay prompts allows students to share important anecdotes from their lives. Most of these college essay prompts ask specific questions, however, the seventh prompt is slightly different. Prompt #7 actually allows students to choose any topic for their essay.

10 Exceptional Common App Essay Examples

The coalition app essay.

The Coalition Application offers a similar personal statement format. Prompt #6 also asks students to submit an essay on any topic. You might think that responding to such an open-ended prompt would change your approach for how to write a great college essay. However, you can still use the college essay tips provided in this guide, no matter what prompt you decide to respond to.

The Common App and the Coalition Application are the most common personal statement formats you’ll encounter. However, some schools have their own unique personal statement format and requirements.

Coalition Essay Prompts 2023-24

Other personal statements

The method you take when figuring out how to write a personal statement will largely depend on your personal statement prompt. However, a personal statement for college isn’t always based on specific college essay prompts. You might simply be asked to share more about yourself. However, even if your personal statement format doesn’t directly ask you for a particular narrative, your essay still needs a focus. So, you should still aim to have your personal statement tell a story about some critical aspect of your identity.

That being said, always double-check the specific personal statement format and requirements for each program you apply to. For instance, if you apply to universities in the UK, the UCAS personal statement is far different from other personal essays. Namely, these personal statements focus almost entirely on academics.

When considering how to start a personal statement, look to admissions websites or university blogs for advice. Often, they’ll have a page dedicated to helpful college essay tips with insight into what they look for from students’ personal essays. For example, check out this blog from UChicago that provides tips on how to approach their quirky prompts. Additionally, check out this personal statement webinar in which an admissions officer shares helpful college essay tips.

Now, let’s define an important attribute of how to start a personal statement: the hook.

How to start a personal statement: Understanding the “hook”

It’s impossible to learn how to start a personal statement or how to write a personal statement that “wows” without a hook. A hook is an opening statement that catches the reader’s attention. It draws them in and makes them want to keep reading to see how the story unfolds. In personal essays, the hook is key to getting your reader invested in your story.

But, if the idea of coming up with a compelling hook intimidates you, don’t panic! The hook isn’t necessarily the step you need to start with when learning how to start a college essay. That being said, it forms a crucial component of the personal statement introduction. You’ll notice that almost every successful example of personal statement for college has an engaging hook.

Let’s check out some hooks that impressed to help give you a better idea of how to start a personal statement.

College Personal Statement Examples

Example of personal statement for college: hook #1.

My life is as simple as a Rubik’s Cube: a child’s toy that can be solved in 20 moves or less IF and only if enough knowledge is gained.

In this personal statement introduction, this student intrigues the reader by comparing their life to a toy. Simply by reading this hook, we can see this student’s self-reflection as well as their creativity. And, most importantly, we’re intrigued to see the connection of how and why this person is fascinated by a Rubik’s cube. In this example, the Rubik’s cube is both unique and genuinely important to the writer. Moreover, by the end of the essay, we gain some valuable insight into how this person navigates the world. And, it all started with this hook.

Example of Personal Statement for College: Hook #2

When I joined the high school swim team, I never expected to go to school dressed as Shrek.

After reading this hook, you’re probably left with more questions than answers. “What does having to be on the swim team have to do with dressing up as Shrek?” We don’t know yet! And, that’s the point. This surprising hook has the reader curious about the connection the writer will make. However, when figuring out how to start a personal statement, don’t go overboard with the shock factor. Keep in mind that personal essays can’t come from wild statements alone. Rather, they need to connect to a meaningful moment in the writer’s life.

Example of Personal Statement for College: Hook #3

At six years old, most kids I know get excited to help Blue find clues or recite Elmo’s songs on Sesame Street. So you can imagine my family’s surprise when they saw me ignoring the other kids to go belt alongside my grandfather’s mariachi trio in the backyard.

Your hook doesn’t have to be just one sentence. Rather, it might be a couple of sentences or even the first paragraph, like in this example. Keep in mind that there are no definitive rules to how to start a personal statement—other than sharing important information about yourself that will stand out to admissions officers.

Students who want to master how to write a personal statement need to learn how to craft an engaging hook. This particular hook shows how the writer is different from their peers. As the reader, we can learn a lot from just these few sentences. We already know that this writer isn’t afraid to be themselves and do what they love from a young age. This college application essay gets into much deeper themes as the narrative continues. However, the most important part of the personal statement introduction—the hook—has already done its job of pulling the reader in to learn more.

Using these examples

These are just a few successful hooks that students have used in their approach to how to start a personal statement. Each of these comes from a strong example of a personal statement for college. As you can see from each example of a personal statement for college, the best personal statement topics are unique. However, even the most quirky hooks always lead the reader into an essay of substance.

Use each example of personal statement for college to help inspire your “how to write a personal statement” journey. When considering how to write a great college essay, analyzing examples of what works can help.

Want to see how others figured out how to start a personal statement? Check out these personal statement examples as well as these Common App essay examples for inspiration.

When to write your hook

Having a hook is a crucial part of how to write a personal statement that impresses. However, coming up with your hook won’t necessarily form the first step in your process. Just as there’s no one right way of how to write a personal statement, there’s no one right way to write a hook.

When considering how to start a personal statement, you don’t need to dive into the hook right away. You may even write a whole draft of your essay before figuring out the best hook for your personal statement introduction.

So, if a hook doesn’t jump to your brain as you consider personal statement ideas, just start writing! Sometimes, it’s best to write a straightforward beginning (maybe even dry!) and then work your way backward. Remember, it doesn’t matter when you come up with it. Just be sure to add that sparkly hook to your personal statement before submitting your final draft.

Do all colleges require a personal statement?

It’s more than likely that you will need to know how to write a personal statement during the college application process. However, not every college requires a personal statement—though most top schools do.

So, before stressing about how to start a college essay, check the requirements of the schools on your college list . However, keep in mind that most of the nation’s top schools require applicants to submit a personal statement for college.

Additionally, you might want to adjust your personal statement for different programs. You’ll still submit the same personal statement for college for each school you apply to through the Common App. However, other specialized programs and applications might request a slightly different personal statement format. So, always check the admissions requirements and do your research on every school and each individual program. Your approach to how to start a college essay will depend on each program’s prompts and formats. You can also always look at an example of a personal statement for college for inspiration.

33 Colleges Without Supplemental Essays

Do colleges care about the personal statement?

A strong college application essay is extremely important in the admissions process. So, put simply, yes—colleges really do care about the personal statement. Understanding how to start a personal statement means understanding the weight that it carries. Of course, you shouldn’t let yourself get overwhelmed by the process. Rather, try to feel excited by the opportunity to truly show off your personality, skills, background, future goals, and more.

That being said, the extent to which your personal statement impacts your admissions decision will likely vary by school. For instance, some larger state schools may focus foremost on your grades or standardized test scores (due to the fact that they receive such a large volume of applicants and have more spaces available). While these schools will still care about your personal statement, other factors may have a more immediate impact on their admissions decisions.

On the other hand, top universities with smaller enrollments often place a considerable amount of emphasis on the personal statement. These schools receive more qualified applicants than the places they have available. Your personal statement lets you highlight what makes you unique and how you’ll enrich their campus community.

How to write a personal statement – Step-by-step guide

A successful personal statement for college will read as passionate and authentic. You’ll notice this in each example of personal statement for college that you read. But how exactly do you write a passionate and authentic essay?

To begin, you’ll likely brainstorm personal statement ideas and decide on your personal statement topic. However, understanding how to write a personal statement will require more than simply knowing how to start a personal statement. And remember, you can always check out an example of a personal essay for college if you’re feeling stuck.

How to write a personal statement isn’t a strict process—as seen in this personal statement webinar about rethinking your essay . However, you should follow certain key steps as you craft your essays. Following each step, and allotting yourself sufficient time to do so, will make the writing process all the better. (Tips about staying on track are just as important as the best college essay tips about writing!)

Next, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of how to write a personal statement. This includes brainstorming personal statement ideas, exploring personal statement topics, and reviewing and submitting your personal essays.

Ready to learn just how to write a personal statement? Let’s get started!

How to start a personal statement – First steps

Now, let’s dive into how to start a personal statement. The first steps to how to start a personal statement can be broken down into two parts:

During these steps, you’ll generate personal statement ideas and select your personal statement topics. Without a strong topic, you’ll struggle to write a genuine essay. So, let’s talk about how to generate an essay topic that highlights your passion.

Step 1: Brainstorm

How to start a personal statement begins with brainstorming a list of ideas. Each stellar example of a personal statement for college likely came from a brainstorming session. But, why is brainstorming so important?

While some personal statement requirements won’t provide specific prompts for applicants, many will, including the Common App essay. So, you should make sure to choose a great topic that directly answers the prompt.

Let’s check out some brainstorming exercises that can help you get the great ideas flowing.

The best way to choose a great topic for a personal statement for college is through your passions. If you’re stuck when it comes to pinpointing your passions, try answering this question: If you were going to host a TED talk, what would it be and why? We all know that TED talks are addicting—that’s because they’re engaging. And they’re engaging because the hosts are talking about their passions.

So, think about something you would be excited to spend 30-40 minutes discussing in front of an audience. What would you say about it? You might find using voice notes and recording yourself is easier than writing out your ideas. For some students, talking about something may feel easier than immediately putting pen to paper.

If a TED talk doesn’t get your creative juices flowing, try a classic essay brainstorming method: mind maps. You’ve likely done mind maps in your high school English class. But for those who haven’t, let’s break down the process.

First, take the prompt for your essay. For instance, maybe it asks about a challenge you’ve faced. Set a timer for 10 minutes and write the prompt on a sheet of paper. Then, next to the prompt, start writing every experience you’ve had that relates to the prompt. This is not the time to get into the details—just focus on potential topics. Even if you’re not sure if something is a perfect fit, include it! At this stage, all ideas are fair game. Later, you can narrow them down to find the topic that you have the most to write about.

Defining values

Another useful brainstorming exercise for a college application essay, especially when it comes to how to start a personal statement, has to do with defining your values. Most successful personal essays center around a value that students have. Think about the values that are most important to you (loyalty, kindness, empathy, honesty, etc.). Then, create a list of 4-6 values. After that, for each of your values, come up with a list of experiences that reflect them. You can even set a timer for each value.

Alternatively, you might work backward by coming up with a list of experiences that you find were the most impactful in your life. From these experiences, you can identify values that they instilled or that you embodied. Make sure to focus on an experience that highlights something critical about who you are as a person, student, or community member. You might also consider doing this same activity for qualities or skills depending on the essay prompt.

Step 2: Free-write

Once you have your topic, it’s time to flex your writing muscles. Don’t feel constrained by the word count at this stage. In fact, forget about a hook, a conclusion, and other literary details. Now is just the time to get your ideas on paper stress-free.

Struggling with Step 2 in how to start a personal statement? You might benefit from doing a timed free write. Set a timer for 20 minutes and don’t stop writing about the topic until the time is up. Don’t stress about writing the perfect sentence or having the right flow–just keep writing on the topic at hand. You may want to do this step a couple of times if you’re still deciding on the best prompt to respond to. You won’t always find the perfect personal essay topic on the first try, and that’s okay.

However, keep in mind that some topics may read as inappropriate or cliché. If you end up choosing an overused essay topic, you may struggle to come up with a unique angle. (But that doesn’t mean these topics are entirely off-limits!) However, you should not talk about illegal or illicit behavior and never use explicit language.

While you have free range to pick an essay topic, there are certain errors you can make. Make sure you don’t join the club of students who missed the mark with their personal essays. Learn from this personal statement webinar reviewing common mistakes that students make in their personal essays. Then, you’ll know what to avoid when deciding how to start a personal statement.

How to start a personal statement – Writing & editing

You’ve gotten some answers to the question “what is a personal statement?” and learned how to start a personal statement. Now, it’s time to start a draft.

For some students, figuring out how to start a college essay is the most stressful part of writing their personal essays. Indeed, you may have to write four to six drafts of your college application essay before you’ve written a personal statement for college that makes you feel proud.

This is why our top piece of advice for how to write a great college essay is to start early. If you start early, you’ll have plenty of time to learn how to write a personal statement. You’ll also have the flexibility to write multiple drafts of your personal essays. Additionally, you’ll be able to read an example of a personal statement for college.

Time also allows you the freedom to try out multiple personal statement topics. That way, you can find the personal statement format that makes for a powerful college application essay.

In this section, we’ll provide some college essay tips for outlining your personal statement, an important step for how to start a personal statement.

One idea for how to start a college essay is to draft an outline. An outline is simply a list of the ideas that will go into each part of your essay. You can format your outline in any way that makes sense for you.

By outlining, you can remove some of the pressure around how to start a personal statement. Instead of putting pen to paper to write a whole essay , you just have to jot down what order you want your ideas to go in. Think of an outline as a sketch of a picture you want to draw. Once you have that sketch, drawing the rest of the picture is usually easier.

However, outlining is not for everyone. Some students find outlining stressful, limiting, or confusing. If you’d rather jump into writing your personal statement on a blank page, do so. At the end of the day, when figuring out how to start a personal statement, you should follow the writing process that works best for you.

Drafting Your College Essay

Regardless of whether you choose to outline your ideas, here are some tips for how to start a college essay draft:

Find a beginning, middle, and end to your story.

As we’ve shared, a strong personal statement for college tells a story about who you are and demonstrates what you would bring to a college campus.

To write a strong example of a personal statement for college, you must have a beginning, middle, and end. By this, we mean that your essay should introduce and build upon ideas until they lead to some kind of resolution usually related to your personal growth. Think about your favorite book or movie – how did the story develop and resolve itself? Make sure your personal essays do the same.

Develop your hook.

The key to how to start a personal statement is with a hook. As we shared above, a hook is an engaging personal statement introduction that catches the reader’s attention. In your outline, consider adding some ideas for potential hooks.

A hook can include, but is not limited to, any of the following types of opening sentences:

A piece of dialogue (i.e. “Do you remember the summer we went to Turkey?” said my mother.)
A description of a scene (i.e., The Alaskan lake was warm that summer, the sun gleaming off its gentle ripples.)
A thought-provoking question (i.e., What makes a house feel like a home?)
A relevant and powerful quote (i.e., When Steve Jobs said “You can’t connect the dots looking forward, you can only connect them looking back,” he gave words to a struggle I have long faced.)
An unexpected thought (i.e., I am the fourth of eleven children in my family and the first one to dream of going to college.)

Each of the above personal statement introductions is unique and original. Additionally, all of these hooks make the reader wonder what else is coming in the essay. Indeed, each of these hooks is a great idea for how to start a college essay.

When thinking about how to start a college essay, avoid using cliché or generic personal statement introductions. In general, don’t directly answer college essay prompts like “A challenge I have faced is…”. These types of personal statement introductions are so common that they tend to lose the reader’s attention quickly.

Jot down details.

After identifying a hook, begin telling your story. In your outline, include any details that make your story unique. While some students assume that personal statement topics must be very rare or ground-breaking, in most cases the details are what set essays apart.

What do you remember that can help the reader experience your story vividly? How can you evoke their senses or emotions in a way that makes them feel and remember your story? Keeping these questions in mind will unlock many tools for how to write a great college essay.

Identify reflections.

Stories are powerful not only for how they make us feel but for what they teach us. When you jot down your outline, consider what reflections or lessons you have to share. Why does your story matter? What does it demonstrate about who you are?

Your essay should be descriptive and show us what you were experiencing. However, you can also include a few lines that tell the reader what you want them to take away. Usually, these reflections come towards the end of the essay, but they can also be sprinkled throughout.

How to Write a Personal Statement – Polish and Revise

Now that you’ve learned how to start a personal statement, let’s discuss what some consider to be the most critical part of writing an essay – revising. Polishing and revising an essay are the keys for how to write a great college essay. When you look at an example of a personal statement for college, remember that the student probably spent many hours revising that essay.

When revising your personal essays, avoid getting frustrated by how long the process takes. The key for how to write a personal statement without getting too overwhelmed is to be gentle and compassionate with yourself. Just like living your story takes time, energy, and resilience, so does writing your story in a college application essay. Rather than getting frustrated, celebrate how much you have learned about how to start a college essay.

In the next section, we’ll dive deeper into college essay tips for revising your personal essays.

Step 4: Revise

If you’re wondering how to write a personal statement for college, you’re probably also wondering how to revise one. Revision is the process during which you review what you have written for errors and to check whether the ideas make sense. You might also revise to find ways to shorten your essay if it is too long or expand on ideas that you didn’t fully flesh out.

Here are some college essay tips for revision:

College Essay Revision Tips

1. take breaks.

After you write your first draft, step away from it for at least 24 hours. When we spend a long time working on a piece of writing, sometimes our brains find it hard to focus. Stepping away will give you time to let your brain rest and return to it with fresh eyes.

We also recommend taking breaks whenever you feel stuck, a condition sometimes called writer’s block. While you might feel that pushing through is the best option, stepping away for a glass of water or a stretch can rejuvenate your body and give new energy to your mind as well. Taking care of yourself is actually one of the keys for how to write a personal statement that represents your best work.

2. Make a revision checklist

Create a list of items to look for as you revise. That way, you won’t miss anything. Here are some ideas for what how to start a personal statement revision checklist:

Structure/flow – Does the structure of my essay support its meaning? A structure can refer to the length of paragraphs, the order of ideas, or the format. Maybe your essay has a lot of dialogue, but now you have realized the dialogue is distracting.
Repetitive language – Do you use the same words or phrases over and over again? While you may have fallen into repetition when figuring out how to start a personal statement, try varying vocabulary or rephrasing sentence structure to keep the reader interested.
Spelling/grammar/syntax – Run your essay through an app like Grammarly and always use spell check. Look for ways to remove unnecessary words or shorten sentences. Generally, the fewer words you use to express an idea, the easier it will be for the reader to understand.
Narrative voice – This refers to the voice you use to tell your story. Is it very informal? Do you sound like you are texting with friends? One of the keys for how to write a personal statement is to use your own voice while still remembering that you are speaking to a college admissions officer. As experts in how to write a great college essay know, avoid slang and spell out contractions for added formality.

3. Read your essay aloud

Reading your essay out loud can help you find mistakes. Even more importantly, it can also help you feel if the essay captures your voice. When you read it out loud, does your essay sound like you? Are there words in your essay that you would never use in real life? These questions can help you determine if you need to adjust the narrative voice of your essay. After all, admissions officers want to hear what you sound like, not a parent or friend.

4. Get help

Whether you’re stuck on how to write a personal statement or not, it’s always a good idea to get another set of eyes on your essay. Just be careful who you select. Make sure you are asking someone who knows how to write a personal statement and can give you the right kind of feedback.

Also, consider asking both someone who knows you well and someone who does not know you well. The person who knows you well, like a teacher, parent, counselor, or college advisor (like our team of experts at CollegeAdvisor) can make sure your voice comes across. A person who does not know you well can provide input from an outsider’s perspective. Ultimately, when you submit your college essay, you will be sending it to someone who has never met you. As such, it should make sense to people who don’t know you as well.

5. Don’t be afraid to start over

Sometimes, during the revision process, you may realize that your topic doesn’t work for you. Perhaps you realize that you were so worried about how to start a personal statement that you chose a topic you thought others wanted to read instead of one that really resonates with you. Or, maybe you just thought of a new idea for how to start a personal statement that you like a lot better. It is totally normal to redraft entire paragraphs or simply throw out the essay and start over . Even though it may seem like you have wasted time, you were learning throughout the entire process about how to write a personal statement.

Starting over might be the best approach for you and allow you to write an essay that feels more authentic . However, do not simply start over because you are being hyper-critical of yourself. Focus as much on what you like about your essay as the parts that you do not. Do not let perfectionism cause you to throw away a perfectly good essay.

On average, students learning how to write a great college essay need to write four to six drafts until they are ready to submit. However, if you have done your research on how to write a personal statement, it may take you less. After six drafts, ask yourself if you really need to keep working on the essay, or if you are letting perfectionism get the best of you. Remember, no essay is perfect. As long as your personal statement reflects your true voice and shares a compelling story about how you became who you are, you’re likely ready to submit it.

In the next section, we will dive deeper into the final steps for how to write a great college essay that you should take before hitting submit.

Step 5: Final Review & Submit

Congratulations! You’re almost ready to submit your personal statement for college. You’ve learned how to write a personal statement, brainstormed and drafted one, and revised it. Before you hit submit, here is a final checklist of questions to ask yourself:

1. Did I answer the prompt fully?

Just like you plug your answer back into a math equation to see if it works, plug your essay back into the prompt. Make sure each part of the question is being answered.

2. Did I meet the word or character count?

While it is okay to be a bit under the word count, as long as you answer the question fully, going over the word count will usually mean you cannot submit your essay.

3. Does my essay paste neatly into the application?

Before pasting your essay into the online application, we recommend pasting your essay into a Word document or Google document. Make sure to remove any formatting like bolding, italics, or comments. Left-align your essay so that it is easy to read. And, double check that spacing between sentences and paragraphs is uniform.

While these might seem like small details, they all add to the impression you make upon admissions officers about how prepared you might be to attend their school. Take advantage of the option to download the PDF summary of your application, if it exists, to ensure everything looks neat before you submit it.

If you can answer all these questions with a yes, you’re probably ready to submit your essay. Now, you can teach others how to write a personal statement, too.

How to start a personal statement

At this point, you have reviewed all the steps for how to write a personal statement for college. We’d like to remind you of some important parts of this process that will help ease any stress related to writing your college essays.

First, try brainstorming first. Writing a college essay is a lot different than most academic writing you’ll have done, and it’s natural to face some writer’s block. By taking advantage of brainstorming exercises, you can get used to the idea of writing about yourself in a low-pressure environment. Some students want to skip brainstorming because they find this step unnecessary or a waste of time.

In fact, brainstorming can help you write your essay faster because your personal statement ideas will already be on paper. Brainstorming can also help you avoid writing an essay and then realizing you do not like your topic, leading to you having to write a whole new draft.

Another key point in how to start a personal statement is to write a good “hook.” However, this doesn’t need to be the first thing that you write as you begin the drafting process. Just like writing a title sometimes is easier after you have written a paper, it can be easier to find your hook after you have fleshed out other parts of your essay.

Starting early

Regardless of what approach you take, remember that the most important piece of advice for how to start a personal statement is to start early. If you begin the process early, you’ll have time to learn about personal statement format and personal statement meaning, brainstorm essay ideas, watch personal statement webinars, and review sample essays. All of these steps will help you learn how to write a personal statement that is strong and clear.

Below, we’ll help you learn more about how to start a personal statement by providing brainstorming exercises to come up with personal statement ideas.

Generating personal statement ideas

The first question many students ask when learning how to start a personal statement is how to come up with personal statement ideas. As we have mentioned, brainstorming forms a key part of this process.

Importantly, there are many ways to brainstorm. So, even if you think you do not like to brainstorm, consider revising these brainstorming methods. One of them might open up ideas for how to start your personal statement that you had never considered.

One important note is that you do not have to use college essay prompts as the starting point for your brainstorming process. While they can certainly jog your thinking, sometimes they can also limit your creativity. Since most of the Common App and Coalition App prompts are open-ended, you can usually turn most ideas into a great response to college essay prompts.

Keep reading for activities that can help you brainstorm your personal statement for college.

Here are some ideas for brainstorming personal statement topics:

Brainstorming Activities

1. make a timeline of important life events.

Students who ask “what is a personal statement?” are often concerned that they have to tell their entire life story in 650 words. While this is not true, your personal statement should highlight key life events. A life event can include a big change, an accomplishment, or a time of deep personal growth.

For this activity, consider making a timeline of important life events. Do so without judgment or filtering. No event is too small to include. After you have completed your timeline, consider if any event is one that you want to share in your college application essay. One of these events might be a great hook for your personal statement introduction and give you ideas for how to start a personal statement.

2. Make lists

Lists are an excellent way to brainstorm personal statement topics. Try making lists of accomplishments, challenges you have faced, people who have taught you important life lessons, values, fears, hobbies, or mistakes you have made. Remember that it is perfectly fine to talk about times when you feel you failed or made mistakes if you can show how you learned and grew from the experience.

3. Ask trusted people for ideas

Brainstorming does not have to happen alone. Ask friends, family, mentors, teachers, classmates, or others who know you well to tell you what your most important character traits are. You’d be surprised what people will share. Perhaps one of your friends sees you as adventurous because you like to take new routes to school every day, and you had never considered that to be a noteworthy trait of yours. This feedback could be the inspiration you need for how to start a personal statement.

4. Free-write

Rather than trying to find an idea, allow yourself the freedom to free-write. Set a timer for 10 minutes and write without stopping. Write a response to any of the following questions :

What matters to you?
What do you want others to know about you?
What is the hardest thing you have ever gone through? How did you get through it?
What brings you joy?
How have you grown or changed in the past few years?

If you feel at a loss for words, write “I don’t know” over and over until a new idea pops into your head. The idea is to allow your brain to flow without restriction or pressure. Do not judge what you write, just allow it to be. When you have completed your free-write, look through what you wrote looking for meaningful stories or learnings you might want to share.

Undoubtedly, these are just a few ideas for how to start a personal statement and find a good personal statement introduction. If none of these work, do not despair. Instead, try a different route for coming up with personal statement topics. For instance, you may try reading an example of a personal statement for college or checking out this personal statement webinar.

In the next section, we’ll discuss how to use sample essays when figuring out how to write a personal statement.

Using personal statement examples

When looking for answers to questions like “What is a personal statement?” or “How to start a personal statement?” college application essay examples can be very helpful. In this section, we’ll look at how to write a personal statement for college and identify college essay tips with the help of sample essays .

Sample Personal Essays

In this article , we review ten essays that provide ideas for how to start a personal statement. Whether writing about books or gymnastics, each example of a personal statement for college highlights a unique important aspect of a student’s life. In addition, each student provides meaningful insights into how their thinking developed over time.

How to Write a Personal Statement: 5 Personal Statement Examples

Check out this resource to see five excellent responses to the Common App college essay prompts. Note how each essay has a unique hook that captures the reader’s attention.

College Essay Examples: 10 Best Examples of College Essays and Why They Worked

Wondering how a personal statement format impacts the essay’s meaning? This essay compilation answers that question and much more, providing college essay tips based on what worked in these personal essays.

How to Analyze an Example of a Personal Statement for College

If you’re looking for ideas on how to start a personal statement, then reading sample essays is an excellent idea. However, be careful not to copy others’ work. In this section, we’ll discuss how to use these samples when you develop your own personal statement meaning and personal statement format.

First, be authentic. While it is important to find inspiration in others’ work, copying topics or phrases is dangerous. At best, it will come across as disingenuous to admissions officers, who read thousands of essays. At worst, it can get you into serious trouble.

Instead, use these samples to learn about how to write a personal statement. As you read them, ask yourself questions such as:

Why did the writer choose this topic?
How does the first sentence of the essay engage the reader?
What structure does the personal statement use?
How does this personal statement format add to the essay’s intrigue?
What does this essay teach us about the writer?
In what ways might this essay be an expression of the writer’s personal brand ?

Take notes as you read each example of a personal statement for college. In your notes, identify general thoughts regarding the questions “What is a personal statement?” and “How to start a college essay?” If you can answer these questions fully after reading sample essays, you’re on your way to acing your college essay.

How to Start a Personal Statement: Final Thoughts

With this article, we answered the question: “What is a personal statement?” By breaking the personal statement meaning, we found tips for approaching many kinds of college essay prompts. We also identified why personal statement meaning is important to colleges and how to write a great college essay that will help your application shine.

Even skilled writers struggle with how to write a personal statement. Personal essays are difficult not only because they require a certain level of vulnerability , but also because the personal statement format is not something we use often in our day-to-day lives. For that reason, it is difficult to know how to start a college essay.

Throughout this guide, we provided resources like personal statement webinars and sample essays. We also highlighted how to use an example of a personal statement for college in your own process. Within these samples, you’ll find lots of ideas for how to start a personal statement.

Whenever you feel overwhelmed by thinking about how to start a personal statement, remember that you are not alone. Our team can provide you with additional insights and individualized coaching about how to write a personal statement for college. With support, you will be able to express who you are and ace your personal statement. Good luck!

This article was written by Sarah Kaminski and senior advisor, Courtney Ng . Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, what should my personal statement for college include.

Bit stressed about this, but I've begun writing my personal statement for college apps and it feels like there's so much I can say. For folks who have been there, done that- What should and shouldn't be included? Is there an ideal narrative structure or tips to stand out to AdComs?

Your stress is understandable, but doing some brainstorming and following a few guidelines can help a lot with crafting a compelling personal statement. Here's what you should consider:

1. Topic Selection: Pick a unique topic that is meaningful to you— it could be an event, a person who’s influenced you, or a personal habit or trait. Make sure it tells something about you that isn't evident elsewhere in your application. Steer clear of overused subjects like immigrant stories, sports victories or injuries, and moving schools, unless you can tell them in a very distinctive way.

2. Storytelling: Narrate your story effectively. Start with a catchy introduction to draw the reader's interest. Then, elucidate how the experience you're sharing had a significant impact on you.

3. Show, Don't Tell: Instead of explaining your qualities, demonstrate them through tangible examples. For instance, don't state you are compassionate; show instances where you displayed compassion.

4. Reflection: Most importantly, ensure your essay shows personal growth or transformation. Connect past experiences to your future goals showing why these experiences make you a strong candidate.

5. Structure: There isn't a universally perfect structure. However, having a clear beginning, middle and end is critical. It can be linear, a flashback, or even start in medias res (in the middle of things), but it should ultimately make sense to the reader.

6. Voice & Tone: Use your natural voice and maintain a consistent tone throughout your essay. Stay away from fancy jargon or language that's not genuinely "you".

7. Length: Stick to the word limit set by the college. Typically, it's between 500-650 words for the Common App essay.

What you shouldn't include:

1. Negative Remarks: Avoid talking negatively about other people or institutions, including your school or teachers.

2. Illegality or Immoral Issues: Don't mention any activities or incidents involving illegal or immoral behavior.

3. Overly Detailed Personal Issues: While it's okay to talk about personal struggles, avoid getting into extreme details about relationships, bodily functions or severe mental health issues.

4. Cliches: Tired phrases or worn-out storylines should be avoided. Try to keep your essay fresh and dynamic.

Remember, your personal statement should provide insight into who you are as a person— your values, experiences, and how you view the world. It's your chance to show why you would be a valuable addition to the college. Make sure it portrays you authentically!

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How important are personal statements in college applications?

The hello college team.

Last Updated on June 17, 2024

Writing a personal statement is a large part of the application process to colleges and universities. As you start the college application process, you’ll have to gather relevant information about yourself to show colleges your unique qualifications. Students must submit SAT/ACT scores, grades, and descriptions of their courses and fill out info about extracurriculars and other academic accomplishments.

While filling out this information is important, you should pay special attention to your personal statement . The rest of your application—your GPA, your SAT or ACT scores, your Activities List—can only show so much of your personality and your abilities as a student, which is why it’s crucial that you craft a Personal Statement essay that lets your character and abilities shine through.

You should consider the topic for your personal statement carefully, but—once you’ve landed on your subject matter—how do you structure your statement, and what is the best way to write out your essay for your college application ? Most students are used to writing lengthy essays, sometimes many pages in length. But for your personal statements, rather than working to fill up a minimum page requirement, you’ll need to economize your writing to fit the 650-word limit.

Here, we’ll analyze the anatomy of a personal statement and suggest ways to successfully structure your essay to provide you an opportunity to grab your admissions officer’ s attention and tell them exactly why you should be given a spot at their school.

How Should You Structure Your Personal Statement?

Though the individual prompts have occasionally changed, the Common App has provided students with seven essay prompts to choose from. These prompts can help you identify a topic for your essay by describing personal struggles, formative experiences, and other significant events in your life. It’s important to understand that these prompts are merely a means to the end of producing a strong essay that captures your character: one of the prompts encourages students to respond to a prompt of their own creation, indicating that colleges don’t care about the prompt being addressed but about the essay the prompt yields.

Some schools that are not part of the Common App system require their own Personal Statements that respond to different prompts. Typically, though, non-Common App schools’ prompts are phrased in order to allow students to copy their Common Essay with minimal changes.

Regardless of the prompt you’re addressing, you need to create a Personal Statement that is structured and easy to understand. Writing an essay with no organization will make it harder for admissions officer s to follow your writing, which can lead to rejection.

As you outline and structure your essay, we recommend keeping three main components in mind to weave a compelling story for your statement. You want an introduction that hooks readers, body paragraphs that reflect on your story and provide additional evidence to support your claims, and an ending to your statement that emphasizes how the personal qualities or characteristics highlighted in the essay help you succeed in college.

What Specific Elements Should You Include in Your Personal Statement?

To properly structure your personal statement, you should include a beginning, middle, and end. We’ll get more into the specifics and anatomy of your personal statement here.

1. Begin With an Introductory Narrative Hook

To catch admissions officers’ attentions, start your personal statement with a strong introduction. Though there are many ways to hook your reader, the most tried and true is by creating an introduction that tells a brief, immersive story illustrating the personal qualities or characteristics you want your essay to emphasize.

Your hook will help cement your essays tone and—more importantly—its theme. Think carefully about which of your personal qualities you are trying to emphasize in your personal statement. Do you want your readers to walk away from your essay impressed by your creativity? your dedication? your empathy?

As you ponder this, try to think of an opening story that is memorable and eye-catching. Remember, admissions officer s read thousands of essays, so you don’t want start off writing something bland. That said, you don’t have to have climbed Mount Everest or saved a baby from a burning building to catch your readers’ attentions; a striking metaphor or some surprising and incisive insight into our daily lives can demonstrate your intellect better than a story about an athletic triumph or a fancy vacation your parents took you on.

We recommend crafting a narrative—a story like you might read in a novel—for this part of your essay. Talk about specific situations—the events of ten minutes or an hour—that illustrate your character. Include dialogue, vivid descriptions, and compelling details about yourself. These sorts of concrete details make you feel more real to your readers, like an actual person rather than a disembodied voice emerging from the screen. You want your readers to imagine you and your actions, as if you were in a little movie playing in their mind.

Importantly, though, your story should be more than just a series of events: it should tell us something about who you are. This personal quality or characteristic is your essay’s main theme . Your theme—even more than the story that illustrates it—is the real focus of your essa. Your theme might be about your resilience—how you overcame challenge and what you learned—or it could focus on your curiosity—how you seek out new information on topics that interest you, tracking footnotes to find new resources and politely pestering librarians to interlibrary loan books on topics that interest you. Regardless of your story and theme, your essay’s introduction should foreshadow the ideas that the rest of your essay will expand on.

2. Flesh Out Your Body Paragraphs

In the second section of your personal statement—its body—you want to flesh out your essay. First, you want to state your theme clearly. While your opening story about preparing your grandmother’s bao dumplings for a potluck you organized for your friends in which everyone brought one of their family’s traditional dishes will effectively illustrate your theme (that you love learning about others’ cultures and sharing your own), your body paragraphs are where you want to state your theme explicitly. Treat your opening anecdote as you would a stanza of Shakespeare or a paragraph from Gatsby that you might analyze in an English paper. Unpack its meaning for the reader, telling us how it testifies to your positive qualities.

In particular, you should reflect on why you value the particular personal quality you’ve chosen to highlight as your theme. How does your opening anecdote highlight the importance of this virtue? How does it demonstrate the pleasures and satisfactions to be found in possessing that virtue? How does it hint at the lessons you’ve learned by possessing that virtue? As you reflect, you’ll want to bring in further examples from your life. You don’t need to dwell on these examples as much as you did on your opening anecdote, but strive for specificity. This will serve as further evidence to support your character and qualifications as a student. Whether you’re talking about a specific personal challenge or simply want to prove that you possess the academic skills necessary to flourish in college, always remember to show and not simply tell your readers what you want them to believe. These specific details will ensure that your essay can describe you and no one but you.

As your admissions officer reads the middle portion of your essay, they should start to understand who you are and what makes you unique as a candidate. Don’t be afraid to get personal, but be careful of disclosing behavior that might cause colleges to question your judgment.

3. Create an Ending

After telling your story and showing your reader how you embody your key thematic virtue, you need to create an ending for your essay. The best essay conclusions tell readers why they should care about what they just read, and—lucky for you—those stakes are very clear for a college admissions essay: your reader should care about this essay insofar as it demonstrates why you are a promising candidate for admission at their college. So show them why! Imagine yourself in college, continuing to exemplify the personal characteristics you describe earlier in the essay.

The key here, as throughout the essay, is specificity. Even though you’re imagining a hypothetical future, don’t skimp on detail. If you’re telling them how you’re going to be staying late at the library when your friends are out having fun on a Friday night, mention the lukewarm cup of coffee by your side. Here as elsewhere, you want to conjure a mental picture for the admissions officers. You want them to be imagining you walking around their campus so real-seeming that they feel like you’re already haunting the place, that, by merely ticking “Admitted” on their forms, they can turn you into a real live student.

If you are interested in learning more about the college admissions process, or about college life in general, check out more of our blogs and resources here at HelloCollege . We believe that preparing for university shouldn’t be scary, and we are here to help guide you or your student through the process every step of the way.

HelloCollege CEO Andrea Emmons has spent the last 15 years guiding students and families across the country on their path to college. Andrea knows the profound impact proactive college planning has on the lives of students and is passionate about mentoring families through the process.

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This article was written based on the information and opinions presented by Christopher Kilner in a CollegeVine livestream. You can watch the full livestream for more info.

What’s Covered:

Where you belong at college, how to choose between prompts, addressing controversial topics, picking the right passions.

When applying to a college or university, your transcript and standardized test scores show how well you’ve performed academically, but it is your personal statement essay that shows who you are and what you value. In this post, we discuss how college admissions officers view personal statements, what they want to see, and how you can use yours to reflect on what you want to get out of your college experience.

Your personal statement is how colleges find out more about who you are as a person. They’re looking to learn a few specific things about you, such as how you think, approach problems, and network with others.

A simple anecdote or description of a passion can say quite a bit about how you approach and view the world. Since the personal statement provides you with an opportunity to share your individual voice, it can show college admissions committees what drives you and how you’re going to grow at their school.

Every college is different and values different things. The personal statement gives a college greater insight into whether you will fit into their classrooms and community.

If you write about volunteering at your local temple, for example, an admissions committee would see that you’re strong in your faith and want to give back to your community. If you write about working to progress your spot in the school orchestra, they’ll see that you contribute to the arts and work to improve yourself. These short narratives can help colleges understand where you would fit in on their campus.

A personal statement should also be treated as an opportunity to assess your own worldview. Asking these questions of yourself can help you reflect and figure out where you belong and which colleges you think would help you develop your passions.

The personal statement on the Common App has a 650-word limit. Generally, there are seven or eight prompts each year, and it can be difficult to figure out exactly which one will help you best say what you want to say.

If you’ve thought critically about what you want to bring to your college community and which colleges seem like they will be the best fit and why, you should have an idea of the narrative you want to present in your personal statement. Some students think that they should try to find the best prompt and then tailor their essay to it. Instead, you should be thinking about what you want to write about, and then look for the prompt that will enable you to do this.

Sometimes, you can tell right away which prompt will enable you to tell the best story. When you have this gut reaction, don’t be afraid to act on it.

However, if choosing the right prompt is more difficult for you, don’t worry about it too much. It’s okay to step back and think more about what you’re most passionate about, what experiences have shaped you, and what you think that you bring to the table. When you have more of an idea about what you think would be an interesting story to tell, you can go back and find the prompt that will enable you to write that story.

It’s important to be genuine in writing your personal statement. True passion and excitement are easy to spot in writing—look for what drives you and go from there.

You may be very passionate about a controversial topic. The personal statement isn’t a debate essay, but it is a chance to show a college who you are and what you believe in. If you care a great deal about a hotly contested subject, you should feel free to write about it, as long as the way that you address it shows who you are as a person.

You’re not trying to win an argument—you don’t need to prove that your position is correct. You should, however, try to display your character and how you came to have a particular viewpoint. An anecdote about your past or a story about what you hope to accomplish is perfectly appropriate, even if you’re addressing something controversial.

Rather than try to convince someone of your point of view on a particular issue, you need to keep the focus of the essay on yourself and your journey. Keep your personal statement personal; if you stick to thinking about how a certain highly disputed issue has shaped you, you’ll be successful.

At 650 words, the personal statement is short, but it’s not so short that you only have to choose one passion to write about. If you have one particular thing in mind, you’re welcome to explore that alone. But if you’d prefer to incorporate different passions into one cohesive narrative, you shouldn’t worry that you’re taking on too many subjects.

You can write a good essay about one specific topic, and you can write a good essay about a few different things you are passionate about. Even in attempting to write about just one passion, you may find that you mention other areas of interest for you.

A student could start out writing about their childhood love of LEGOs and tell a sweet story about everything they created with them. They could then use this as an opportunity to go into how they’ve always felt the desire to create things, and this has led to a passion for engineering. They would be using one passion as an introduction to detailing their other passions and ambitions.

You don’t want to overwhelm your reader with an exposition dump of everything you care about, but it’s normal to write a narrative that includes a few different personal interests. You should work to tie them all together to present the clearest picture of yourself and why you would be a good fit for that particular school.

When you think about everything that’s important to you, it should help you gain more insight into who you are and what you want to do. The personal statement helps colleges understand you better, but you should come away from writing it feeling more confident in yourself and your plans too.

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Shona Barrie – Director of Admissions, University of Stirling

UCAS asked admissions tutors – the people who read and score your personal statement – for their advice on what you should and shouldn’t do when writing your personal statement.

The most common piece of advice was not to worry about it – and don’t be tempted to copy anyone else’s.

Read our step-by-step guide to writing your personal statement

Then follow our simple tips below.

Do talk about why you’re a good candidate – talk about you, your motivations and what brings you to this course.
Do be enthusiastic – if you show you’re interested in the course, it may help you get a place.
Do make it relevant . Connect what you’re saying with the course and with your experiences.
Do outline your ideas clearly .
Do avoid the negatives – highlight the positives about you, and show you know your strengths.
Do expect to produce several drafts of your personal statement before being totally happy with it.
Do ask people you trust for their feedback.
Don’t be modest or shy . You want your passions to come across.
Don’t exaggerate – if you do, you may get caught out in an interview when asked to elaborate on an interesting achievement.
Don’t use quotes from someone else, or cliches.
Don’t leave it to the last minute – your statement will seem rushed and important information could be left out.
Don’t let spelling and grammatical errors spoil your statement , but don't just rely on a spellchecker. Proofread as many times as possible.
Don’t copy and paste – make yours original.
Don’t post your personal statement on the internet or on social media or share your personal statement with anyone including your friends and family, unless asking for feedback from people you trust.
Don’t worry about it – we have all the advice you need to help you stand out in your personal statement.

The personal statement tool image

Don’t be tempted to copy or share your statement.

UCAS scans all personal statements through a similarity detection system to compare them with previous statements.

Any similarity greater than 30% will be flagged and we'll inform the universities and colleges to which you have applied.

Find out more

Ana ghaffari moghaddam – third year law student and careers coach, university of liverpool.

You’ve got this. Follow those simple steps and use your personal statement as your chance to shine .Use the below as a checklist to make sure you've avoided all common pitfalls.

Want more tips on what to include in your personal statement? Use the links below.

Get started with our personal statement builder .
Five things all students should include in their personal statement.
See how you can turn your personal statement into a CV, apprenticeship application or covering letter.
Read How to start a personal statement: The attention grabber .

How to write a letter of continued interest for college admission

Being waitlisted or deferred from your top-choice learning institute can make the application process appear discouraging and frustrating. Unlike some students who might sit feeling disappointed and impatient, you can choose to do something about it. How about sending a letter of continued interest?

A collage of a woman writing in a notebook and a student writing in a book

What is a letter of continued interest for college admission, review the institute's guidelines, write the introduction, add relevant updates, include a personal story, write the conclusion, review and revise the letter, example 1: loci template, example 2: loci sample, faqs about a letter of continued interest, wrapping up.

Students apply to top schools every year through the Early Action and Early Decision admissions programs. Sometimes, they are neither rejected nor accepted but placed on a waitlist. While it might be challenging to navigate such a situation, sending a letter of continued interest is the best way to express your interest in the institute despite the postponement.

According to Best Colleges , a letter of continued interest is a document a student sends to learning institutes or training programs after being deferred or placed on the waitlist. The letter's main objective is to express the student's desire to join the institute despite being deferred or waitlisted.

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The school's admission committees receive a letter of continued interest, commonly known as LOCI. Sometimes, these committees consider the letter when deciding which learners to admit to their schools or programs.

Why do students write a waitlist letter of continued interest? Some of the reasons a student can write a LOCI include:

Improve their chance of acceptance
Help the admission committee notice your application letter
To trigger the admission committee to have you in mind when deciding on students to admit
To offer additional information that might be handy in convincing the committee to admit you

Acquiring more information about LOCI can improve your chances of joining your dream school and pursuing your career goals . If you are determined to do that, here is a detailed guide on how to write a LOCI as outlined by Indeed Career Guide .

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Before you write your letter of continued interest, it is important to review the school's guidelines regarding the waitlist process. For instance, some schools have strict policies restricting learners from sending LOCIs, while others ask students to wait for a certain period.

On the other hand, when sending deferral letters, some institutes invite learners to update their applications. Therefore, it is important to review such information to stay in line. However, if the school hasn't offered their LOCI guidelines, you can email them and ask if sending an LOCI is acceptable.

Once you confirm that sending a letter of continued interest is acceptable, you can start drafting your letter. How do you format a letter of continued interest? It should be written formally and addressed to the person who sent your initial waitlist letter. In most cases, this is the admissions officer or program manager.

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After the salutation, include a brief introduction to thank them for their consideration and time. This should be followed by emphasizing your interest in the school or program by stating that it's your top choice.

Using one to three paragraphs, offer any additional updates you have had since you sent the initial application, such as:

Standardized test scores
Recent grades
Extracurricular activities
Volunteer work

Sharing such information indicates your continued growth and development, which may increase your chances of being the desired candidate.

When writing a LOCI, consider adding a short personal story to make it more engaging and create a connection with the admission offices. The story can include a recent visit to the school, the school mission, or details about the specific program you are interested in.

At the end, briefly reiterate your interest in the school and offer additional thanks. If you are sending the letter as an email, type your name, but if you are mailing a physical letter, print the document and add your name and signature by hand.

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Before submitting the LOCI, consider reviewing and revising it carefully. This is another opportunity to demonstrate professionalism. You can read the letter aloud to catch any errors or share it with a loved one to ensure it is accurate and grammatically correct.

Example of letter of continued interest for college admission

Are you wondering what to write in a letter of continued interest? Here are a few samples to guide you:

Dear [Name of admissions committee officer or program manager],

Thank you for your consideration and for taking the time to re-evaluate my application. I am currently [on the waitlist or deferred] and would like to formally state my continued interest in [Name of program or school].

Since I submitted my application on [Date of application], I [Summary of major accomplishments]

[Optional personal anecdote stating why you're interested in the program].

Best software engineer cover letter examples for a job application

[Closing paragraph thanking the recipient again].

[Your name]

A woman drinking coffee while reading a letter

Dear Dr. Oscar Martin

Thank you for taking the time to re-evaluate my application. I am currently on the waitlist and would like to express my continued interest in your school.

Since I submitted my last application in December, my GPA has increased from 3.5 to 3.67. I have also finished several advanced courses in calculus, statistics, and physics. I have also developed my business knowledge through a volunteer program at my local animal shelter.

This school remains my top choice. I hope to study economics and finance and pursue a career in business. My last visit confirmed that I want to acquire my knowledge there.

Your focus on personal learning and charity work in the community are some of the things I highly value, and as I pursue my education , I would be delighted to contribute to them. I have attached my recent transcripts and volunteer papers.

Signs you will get the job after an interview: 14 things to watch out for

Thank you again for taking the time to re-evaluate my application.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Peter James

What is a letter of continued interest? It is a document sent by students to learning institutes or training programs after they have been deferred or placed on the waitlist.
Is there a reason I should not send a letter of continued interest? You should not send a letter of continued interest if the institute specifically refrains you from sending additional letters.
What is the purpose of a letter of continued interest? The letter's main objective is to express your interest in the school despite being on the waitlist. It is also an opportunity to offer your recent updates.
What accomplishments should I note in my LOCI? You should write anything relevant to your intended studies and professional expectations, such as an increased GPA, volunteer experiences, or relevant work experience.
To whom should a letter of continued interest be addressed? A letter of continued should be addressed to the person who sent your initial waitlist letter, who, in most cases, is the admissions officer or program manager.
Does a letter of continued interest help? Yes, it does. Even though it does not guarantee admission, it gives students better chances to secure admission at their preferred schools or programs.
How should a letter of continued interest be formatted? A letter of continued interest should be a formal letter.

How to write a resignation letter that is effective immediately

Many selective schools and training programs waitlist students. However, instead of feeling frustrated and hopeless, you can improve your chances of admission by sending them a letter of continued interest. This offers you an opportunity to highlight your recent accomplishments, which might get you off the waitlist.

Tuko.co.ke shared an interesting article about how to write a CV for attachment . A CV emphasizes your aptitude for learning and your strong points. A good CV serves as more than simply a formality—it's your ticket to career advancement. It acts as a first impression, drawing the interest of a possible employer and differentiating you from other applicants.

For guidance and instructions on how to write a CV for attachment, most recent graduates and current students are always searching. Creating a compelling CV is possible even if you don't have any official work experience. To highlight your potential to employers, highlight your educational history, applicable skills, and extracurricular achievements.

Source: TUKO.co.ke

Venic Nyanchama (Lifestyle writer) Venic Nyanchama is an editor with more than three years of working experience in journalism. She has an educational background in Journalism and Media Studies from the University of Nairobi, having graduated in 2014. Venic has worked on different platforms, such as Rumour Juice and Yen.com.gh. Her content encompasses celebrity biographies, education, guides, fashion, and gaming. In 2023, Venic finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques and the Google News Initiative. You can reach her via [email protected] .

5. Use an authentic voice. Your personal statement reflects who you are, so you should use a tone that represents you. That means you shouldn't try to sound like someone else, and you shouldn't use fancy words just to show off. This isn't an academic paper, so you don't have to adopt a super formal tone.

In a great personal statement, we should be able to get a sense of what fulfills, motivates, or excites the author. These can be things like humor, beauty, community, and autonomy, just to name a few. So when you read back through your essay, you should be able to detect at least 4-5 different values throughout.

Tips for Writing a Personal Statement for College. 1. Approach this as a creative writing assignment. Personal statements are difficult for many students because they've never had to do this type of writing. High schoolers are used to writing academic reports or analytical papers, but not creative storytelling pieces.

Example #12 - Angry brown girl, feminist, singer, meme lover. Personal Statement Example #1. The Tally on My Uniform. Day 19: I am using my school uniform as a slate to tally the days. As the ink slowly seeps through the fabric of my shirt, I begin to understand that being a conscious Arab comes with a cost.

Personal Statement Example. This personal statement describes a candidate's experience navigating the jungle and how it ignited a new passion: " Immersed in the core of the [NAME] jungle, I was set to embark on my first plant medicine journey. At age 14, I was depressed and anxiety scheduled my days.

My skin was consistently tan in splotches and ridden with random scratches. My wardrobe consisted mainly of track shorts, Nike shoes, and tournament t-shirts. Gatorade and Fun Dip were my pre-game snacks. The cacophony of rowdy crowds, ref whistles, squeaky shoes, and scoreboard buzzers was a familiar sound.

If you know how to write a personal statement, even at first mundane personal statement ideas can become good personal statement examples. Personal Statement Example #2: Finding a Great Hook The second of our personal statement examples is by a student who was accepted to UC San Diego, Johns Hopkins, the University of Pennsylvania, Vanderbilt ...

While other aspects of your application offer insight into your academic skills, the personal statement shows colleges your personality. Sometimes, the personal statement is used interchangeably with Common or Coalition Application essay, which is usually written based on an assigned topic or topic of your choice about a specific issue.

A strong personal statement is essential to making a good impression on your college applications. Here are some key elements to consider when crafting your essay: 1. Unique and compelling story: Choose a topic that will allow you to tell a story that is unique to you and helps you stand out from other applicants. Focus on a single moment, event, or experience that shaped your personality ...

2. Brainstorm. If you complete this stage of the process with care and attention, you won't be faced with Step 3. This step in the process helps you pinpoint that perfect topic for you... which won't be the same perfect topic for someone else. To start the process of writing your personal statement, ask yourself the series of 36 questions ...

What is a personal statement? At its core, an effective personal statement is a narrative essay where applicants showcase their unique journeys, personalities, challenges, and aspirations. It's an opportunity to highlight experiences and insights that aren't evident in other parts of the application. Different types of college essays: Personal ...

Strategy 1: Open with a concrete scene. An effective way to catch the reader's attention is to set up a scene that illustrates something about your character and interests. If you're stuck, try thinking about: A personal experience that changed your perspective. A story from your family's history.

Learning how to write a personal statement that is an authentic representation of yourself can be challenging. However, mastering this skill will help you craft personal essays that make a lasting impact on admissions officers. Specific, actionable college essay tips can help you learn how to write a personal statement for college. If you spend ...

Before you submit that application, you must learn how to write a personal statement. Make your personal statement one to remember with these tips.

4. Cliches: Tired phrases or worn-out storylines should be avoided. Try to keep your essay fresh and dynamic. Remember, your personal statement should provide insight into who you are as a person— your values, experiences, and how you view the world. It's your chance to show why you would be a valuable addition to the college.

To properly structure your personal statement, you should include a beginning, middle, and end. We'll get more into the specifics and anatomy of your personal statement here. 1. Begin With an Introductory Narrative Hook. To catch admissions officers' attentions, start your personal statement with a strong introduction.

The personal statement gives a college greater insight into whether you will fit into their classrooms and community. If you write about volunteering at your local temple, for example, an admissions committee would see that you're strong in your faith and want to give back to your community. If you write about working to progress your spot in ...

How to open your personal statement. Admissions Tutors will be reading a lot of personal statements so it's important to grab their attention right from the start. Remember, it can only be 4,000 characters, which is about two sides of A4. So, you'll need to use your words wisely to fit everything in.

Summary. We've talked about the five things every personal statement should include and how you should approach writing it. You may have noticed a big part of writing a great personal statement is your openness to recognising your strengths and sharing that in writing. The five things every student should include on their personal statement.

How to Write a personal statement A Comprehensive Video Course for Students. A seven-part online course designed to gives students and counselors everything they need to figure out (or help someone else figure out) how to write a personal statement for the Common App. Watch the Q&A sessions after each session where I answer important questions about the personal statement-writing process and ...

Do be enthusiastic - if you show you're interested in the course, it may help you get a place. Do make it relevant. Connect what you're saying with the course and with your experiences. Do outline your ideas clearly. Do avoid the negatives - highlight the positives about you, and show you know your strengths. Do expect to produce ...

Your personal statement is the opportunity to show universities who you are, your ambitions and why you're passionate about the course you're applying for. Before you dive into writing, it's good to understand what you should include in your personal statement to make the most of the 4000-character count. The purpose of your personal ...

Your personal statement and optional essays are your chance to pitch yourself as a candidate. You should write and edit them as well as you can, but it's most important to start with the right ...

This is a personal essay, do not include niceties or ^thank-you _ appropriate in a personal letter. 2. Is this something everyone already knows? Is it a cliché? Am I stating something obvious? narrative. ^Every journey begins with a single step ^I must be true to myself _ ^My strength is thinking outside of the box _

Include a personal story A woman writing a letter at home. Photo: @F.J. Jimenez Source: UGC. When writing a LOCI, consider adding a short personal story to make it more engaging and create a connection with the admission offices.

Your college student resume should include a professional summary with job-relevant skills and one or two measurable accomplishments from your academic career or work experience. Here is an example college student resume summary: Resourceful and detail-oriented economics major at the University of Chicago.

You write about this throughout your book. PELOSI: Well, the Republican Party has been hijacked and is now a cult. And they should take it back, because the public needs a strong Republican Party.

A personal statement is an essay used as one major component of the application process by many colleges and universities, especially highly selective schools. It can vary in length, but most personal statements (written for the Common App or Coalition) will tend to be close to 650 words, and will help a reader get a sense, among other things ...

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Ph.D. in Urban and Regional Planning Degree Information

The doctoral curriculum integrates analytical methods, research design, a rigorous understanding of urbanization dynamics, and an examination of broader social theories, processes and policies.

Students address complex systems that typically encompass an array of spatial, environmental, social, political, technical, and economic factors. The emphasis is on theory, analysis, and action.

Each student is also expected to demonstrate an understanding of the literature, theory, and research in a specialization area within the larger discipline of urban and regional planning.

Required Courses

Four courses are required of all Ph.D. students: two doctoral-level planning theory courses and a two-course research seminar sequence.

Advanced Urban Theory (URP 700)
Epistemology and Reasoning for Planning Research (URP 701)
Research Design (URP 801)
Ph.D. Research Seminar (URP 802)

Recent students have engaged in subjects as diverse as:

The political economy of public transit, inner-city revitalization
Global city urbanization
Information technology and cyberspace
The crisis of modernist urbanism
Suburbanization in developing countries
Regional planning institutions
The effects of environmental contamination on patterns of urban and regional development
The culture of suburban commuting
The impact of tourism on historical Mediterranean cities
The application of complex systems analysis to sustainable development

Pre-Candidacy Requirements

Doctoral students specialize in a wide range of possible topics.

Planning theory
Analytic methods
Research design
Primary area of specialization

Students meet these requirements through coursework and exams over a two-year period. During this time, a student’s cumulative grade point average may not fall below a B without academic discipline or probation.

Analytic Methods Courses

Students are expected to be skilled in statistics, in at least two analytic research techniques, and reasonably knowledgeable about several others. Students qualify in analytic techniques by completing the following:

Satisfactory performance (B or higher) in two cumulative graduate-level statistics courses.

Students entering with previous statistics experience may wish to enter directly into a second semester statistics course. In the past, students have typically selected one of the following sequences:

Statistics 402 (Introduction to Statistics & Data Analysis), Statistics 403 (Statistics & Data Analysis II)
Sociology 510 (Statistics); Sociology 610 (Statistical Methods)
Natural Resources 438 (Natural Resources Biometrics), Natural Resources 538 (Natural Resources Data Analysis)
Biostatistics 503 (Introductory Biostatistics), Biostatistics 523 (Biostatistical Analysis for Health-Related Fields)
The sequence in political science

NOTE: Students wishing to study statistics during the spring or summer terms may want to investigate the Summer Program in Quantitative Methods of Social Research sponsored by the Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR) and/or the Summer Institute in Survey Research Techniques conducted by the research staff of the Survey Research Center, Institute for Social Research. Choice of courses to meet requirements should be discussed with your advisor.

Competence in at least two analytic/research methods satisfied through six credit hours of total coursework.

These are methods used in planning research and should prepare the student for their likely area of dissertation work. The requirement is met through completion of nine credits of course work in two analytic/research methods (in addition to statistics), to be defined by the student in conjunction with his or her advisor. (The two methods may be interrelated.) Depending on the research method and the student’s background, more courses may be needed. Courses in these two areas must be completed with a grade of B or higher in order to fulfill this requirement. Graduate level courses that are audited can count for this requirement, as long as the student completes all the work of the course and the instructor provides a letter indicating the grade the student would have received had he or she been enrolled. All plans for satisfying this requirement are the joint responsibility of the student and his or her advisor.

The methods a student selects should relate to their dissertation area. Below are several analytic/research methods in which students have been examined in recent years. Numerous analytic/research methods are appropriate, and students need not be restricted to choices on the list:

Anthropological methods
Case study methods
Complex systems analysis
Cost benefit & cost effectiveness analysis
Decision theory & general risk analysis
Demographic analysis
Discrete choice analysis
Differential equations
Diffusion models
Economic & other forecasting models
Evaluation research
Graph theory
Historical analysis
Institutional analysis
Interview techniques
Linear programming and general analysis using linear models
Network & flow methods
Population growth models
Probability, both theoretical & heuristic
Simulation/gaming & game theory
Spatial analysis
Survey research
Time series

Annual Review of Progress

At the end of each year of study, students are required to complete an Annual Review. The advisor and the Director of Doctoral Studies may make recommendations for any modifications deemed necessary prior to the start of the following academic year. Note: financial support for the subsequent year, if applicable, depends on timely completion of a satisfactory annual review.

Annual Review Steps

By April 15, the student submits:

A draft annual review form to their advisor, including a concise narrative of and goals for the upcoming summer and academic year.
An up-to-date CV

The student and advisor meet; the advisor provides comments to the student and, where necessary, recommends changes in the academic plan in the annual review form.

Once the advisor has approved the plan of study for the coming year, they send the Director of Doctoral Studies a short narrative of student progress.

The URP Ph.D. Advisory Committee reviews the materials, and sends a letter to the student, either confirming their good standing in the program or specifying additional requirements to be in good standing.

Comprehensive Exam

The comprehensive exam tests a student’s knowledge of both their primary and secondary areas of specialization. The exam consists of a take-home, written examination followed by an oral exam. The examination normally occurs at the end of the student’s second year, after completion of all relevant coursework.

The Committee

The student convenes an examination committee of three faculty members, choosing faculty who have expertise in the areas of specialization. At least one member of the committee should be a member of the urban and regional planning faculty. The chair or co-chair of the committee must be a regular member of the planning faculty and cannot be an affiliate faculty member. At least one committee member should represent the student’s secondary area of specialization. (If the student has identified a secondary area of specialization that is traditionally housed in another department on campus, then the student is encouraged to select a faculty member from that outside department as their third committee member.) On occasion, examiners from outside the university have served on students’ examining committees. While this practice is generally not encouraged, written requests for an outside examiner by students are treated on an individual basis by the director of doctoral studies.

The Field Statement

The student meets with the committee chair to plan for the exam and agree on expectations prior to the construction of the exam. In consultation with the chair and committee members, the student identifies appropriate readings and prepares a detailed “field statement” that defines the primary and secondary fields, contains a detailed bibliography of readings, organizes the readings into subfields, and outlines a set of major questions for the fields. The field statement is normally designed principally with the chair and is sometimes analogous to a detailed syllabus that one would prepare for a year-long graduate-level course on the selected specializations. The student often writes possible exam questions that he/she feels are appropriate for the area the exam will cover. The questions are not the questions the committee asks the student; their major function is to help the committee and the student to agree on the scope of the exam.

Scheduling the Exam

The exam must be completed by the end of May, at the end of a student’s second year in the program, and is scheduled on the student’s initiative. Prior to the exam, the student should have completed all coursework (including all incompletes). A student may delay the exam for exceptional circumstances with approval of the faculty adviser and the Director of Doctoral Studies. Students must notify the Director of Doctoral Studies of their intent to take the exam, with a date and time, location, and names of committee members at least one month prior to the exam.

The written part of the exam is in the form of a take-home essay. The committee chair typically solicits exam questions from the committee, selects questions to be used, and composes the final examination. The allotted time period to write the exam is determined by the chair, and typically is over three days. The student must submit the exam in the form as directed by the chair (usually as a Word document submitted by email), plus one copy to the program administrator to be placed in the student’s records. The written exam is followed by a two-hour oral exam, generally scheduled to take place within about one week after the written exam. The exam is evaluated on a “Pass/Fail” or “Conditional Pass” basis. If the student does not achieve a passing evaluation, he/she may take the exam one additional time to achieve a “Pass” or “Conditional Pass” status. A “Conditional Pass” indicates that additional requirements must be met, but the exam need not be retaken. Upon completion of the oral portion of the exam, please refer to the Applying for Candidacy section for next steps.

Applying for Candidacy

A student advances to candidacy when all program requirements except the dissertation proposal and dissertation have been satisfied. The normal and expected time to achieve candidacy is two years from the date of first enrollment in the doctoral program. In addition to urban and regional planning program requirements, a student must also meet Rackham Candidacy Requirements . Any incomplete courses that are critical to satisfying requirements must be completed before applying for candidacy.

Once all required coursework and the comprehensive exam are successfully completed, a student applies for Candidacy by sending a request by email to the URP Director of Doctoral Studies, along with a signed Comprehensive Exam Certification Form.

The Director of Doctoral Studies will recommend a doctoral student for candidacy by submitting a recommendation to the Rackham Graduate School. When candidacy is approved, a student is ready to begin work on the dissertation and is eligible for URP 995 candidacy registration.

Sample Schedule

Sample First Year

Fall
URP 700 or 701	Advanced Urban Theory (700) or Epistemology and Reasoning for Planning Research (701) (offered fall term in odd number years)
URP 500	URP 500 Planning Theory, if did not take during Master’s
[Statistics I]
Elective (methods/specialization)

Winter
URP 612	Directed Study (Literature Review) or Elective
[Statistics II]
2 Electives
URP 801	Research Design

Sample Second Year

Fall
URP 700 or 701	Theory
URP 612	Directed Study (Literature Review) or Elective
Elective

Winter
URP 802	Ph.D. Research Practicum
3 Electives

Spring – Summer

(scheduled by student; typically taken by the end of May)

(by the start of the third year of study)

Sample Years Three – Four

Dissertation Proposal Presentation (reviewed and approved by the student’s dissertation committee and the URP Doctoral Committee)
Dissertation research and writing
Informal “Full Draft Review” (at least 6-8 weeks before the formal defense)
Dissertation Defense
Submittal of the final version of the dissertation

Dissertation

Forming dissertation committee.

After completing the comprehensive exam and advancing to candidacy, the student must form a dissertation committee, in accordance with the Rackham Graduate School’s “Guidelines for Dissertation Committee Service.”

The Dissertation Committee should be formed prior to defending the dissertation proposal, which should be formed several months before the student expects to defend their proposal URP. When prepared to do so, the student should send the Director of Doctoral Studies and Lisa Hauser the completed “Dissertation Committee Worksheet for Students to submit to Program”, which can be obtained from the link above. The Director of Doctoral Studies and Lisa Hauser will then submit the formal request to the Rackham Graduate School.

Dissertation Proposal

Dissertation proposals can be defended anytime after taking the Comprehensive Exam, but no later than the end of the fifth semester (i.e. December). It is the student’s responsibility to schedule the proposal defense attended by the dissertation committee.

The student must notify Lisa Hauser by email of the proposal defense date at least three weeks prior to the meeting, including the location of the defense meeting, a title, and an abstract. After gaining approval from the dissertation committee, the dissertation chair must send an email to the Director of Doctoral Studies that includes (a) the date of the proposal defense, (b) a list of all committee members present at the defense, (c) a title of the proposal, (d) an abstract of the proposal (250 – 350 words), and (e) a copy of the final dissertation proposal to be filed with URP records. Receipt of the email from the dissertation chair will constitute formal approval of the proposal by the committee and readiness to proceed with dissertation work.

Dissertation Process

The dissertation is prepared in accordance with the Rackham Graduate School’s Doctoral Dissertation Requirements , and as outlined in the URP Ph.D. Program Overview Schedule and Policies document.

The student is responsible for several steps: (a) scheduling and reserving rooms (and/or a Zoom link if virtual or hybrid) for the URP pre-defense hearing (which ordinarily should occur at least six weeks and no less than three weeks prior to the dissertation defense) and the defense meeting, both in a timely manner; (b) notifying Lisa Hauser by email of the defense date at least three weeks prior to the meeting, including the location of the defense meeting, (and Zoom link, if relevant), a title, and an abstract; (c) providing a complete dissertation draft, including an abstract and bibliography, to committee members at least two weeks (longer is advised) before the defense date; and (d) registering for an eight-hour candidacy enrollment (995 Dissertation Research) for the term in which the defense is held.

A dissertation defense typically consists of two parts: the first is a formal, public presentation of the dissertation research, followed by questions and answers from both the dissertation committee and the audience. Defenses are advertised and open to the public, and other students and faculty are frequently in attendance. The second part is a closed session for the candidate and the dissertation committee. During the defense, the student may be asked to reconsider certain aspects of the work and to make changes or corrections in the dissertation. At the end of the session, the chair will discuss the oral defense with other members of the committee and inform the student of the outcome. The duration of a defense can vary, but the candidate should reserve the room for a three-hour period.

Formal approval of the dissertation (e.g., formatting of the final document) and applying for graduation are governed by the Rackham Graduate School.

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