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Applying to grad school means having to write a killer statement. This statement can be either a statement of purpose or a personal statement (or both, as we’ll explain later). But what exactly is the difference between these two types of essays?

In this guide to the statement of purpose vs personal statement, we take an in-depth look at the unique purposes of the grad school statement of purpose and personal statement, how the two essays are different and alike, and what you can do to ensure you produce an essay that’s guaranteed to get you into grad school.

What’s the Difference Between a Personal Statement and a Statement of Purpose?

First off, what is the main difference between a statement of purpose and a personal statement for grad school?

The short answer is that a statement of purpose is about what you want to do, while a personal statement is about who you are. Each essay has its own goals in what it’s supposed to do for you and the program you’re applying to.

Whereas the statement of purpose showcases your academic strengths and background, career goals, research interests, and fit with the program, the personal statement highlights your personal motivations for applying to the program and any major accomplishments you’ve had or challenges you’ve faced along the way.

In spite of these big differences, both statements essentially serve the same overarching purpose: to make the admissions committee think you are a good fit and will be successful in the program to which you’re applying.

Here’s a brief overview of the biggest differences between a personal statement and a statement of purpose:

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Statement of Purpose vs Personal Statement: Which Do You Need to Write?

Now that you know the main difference between a personal statement and a statement of purpose, which one will you have to actually write for your grad school applications?

The answer to this question depends on what documents your school requires and how it defines the two types of essays.

While some grad schools, such as  Michigan State University and the UC system , clearly distinguish between the two essays and require two separate statements for admission, other schools don’t distinguish at all between the personal statement and statement of purpose. In fact, many grad programs use the terms interchangeably!

Meanwhile, some grad schools combine qualities from both statements into one comprehensive statement.  Notre Dame’s Creative Writing MFA program , for instance, requires an essay that’s really a combination of the personal statement and statement of purpose: it asks applicants to talk about their future academic and professional goals as well as any personal aspects of their identity that influence their writing.

Generally, most grad programs will require at least one essay. For research-based programs, this will likely be the more academic, more formal statement of purpose.

To figure out which essay you’ll need to write for your program (and whether you’ll need to write more than one), check the program’s official website. You should be able to find details on either the program’s application requirements page or the application itself.  I also advise checking the FAQ page to see whether anyone has asked a question about the program’s essay requirements.

If you’re still confused about what your grad school admissions essay should focus on and/or what type of essay you’re required to write for your application, contact the program directly by email or phone.

How to Approach the Statement of Purpose vs Personal Statement: 11 Tips

In light of these major differences between the personal statement and statement of purpose, it’s important that you also know the differences in how you approach each essay.

In this section, we give you our top tips for how to write a truly effective and compelling personal statement and statement of purpose for grad school. We also give you some general tips you can use for both essays.

How to Write a Statement of Purpose

We’ll start with the statement of purpose—the more formal, more academic essay.

Tip 1: Consider Your Future Goals

Most statements of purpose will require you to introduce your future goals (academic, professional, or both) and describe how this particular program will help you achieve these goals. Therefore, it’s important that you clearly lay out in your essay the ambitions you have, and explain how these relate to the field you want to enter and the program to which you’re applying.

Think deeply about what you hope this grad program will do for you, academically and/or professionally. For example, if you’re applying for a master’s program in computer science, you could talk about how you plan to leave your career as a real estate agent to become a freelance web developer.

Make sure that you also explain why this program in particular will help you. Perhaps you enjoy the grad program’s emphasis on internships and believe these will let you more easily enter the professional world upon graduation, for example.

Tip 2: Research the Program and Its Professors

You likely already did some research on the program—why else would you be applying?—but it’s important to dig even deeper so you can write about specific aspects of the program that interest you.

Here are some examples of features you could write about:

• Professors with whom you wish to work
• Certain classes you hope to take
• Internships, networking events, and/or other professionally oriented events offered by the program or school
• The program’s emphasis on a certain topic, idea, or skill
• Any other attributes of the program, such as its small class sizes, its emphasis on group projects, its contests or competitions in your field, etc.

Note that it’s best NOT to mention these things in your essay:

• The program’s selectivity or acceptance rate
• The program’s ranking

The best way to begin research on your program is to simply look at the program’s official website. This should give you all the information you need on what the program requires, what it focuses on, what types of students it’s geared toward, and so on.

I also recommend visiting websites such as The Grad Cafe and Reddit . With these websites, you can get the inside scoop by reading what real students have to say about the program you’re applying to.

Tip 3: Explain How You’re a Good Match

Grad programs must make sure that the applicants they admit will be able to study what they want to research and will fit well with the program’s overall focus and its faculty members’ areas of expertise.

This point is especially important for those applying to doctoral programs, since you’re most likely going to be working one-on-one with a specific faculty member on a major research project or dissertation.

Here are some things you can write about in your statement of purpose to highlight your “fit” with the program:

• A professor whose research areas and expertise align with your research interests, background, and/or skills
• The academic or professional focus of the program and how this matches your future goals (see Tip 1)

For example, maybe you hope to work with a professor whose research areas match the general topic you want to write about for your dissertation.

Tip 4: Emphasize Your Accomplishments

The statement of purpose isn’t just for explaining your goals and fit but also for talking about your (relevant) academic and professional accomplishments.

You don’t want to repeat what’s already on your undergraduate transcript or CV/resume, so try to be extremely specific  here about what you’ve done and how this achievement has influenced your decision to get a graduate degree in this field.

How to Write a Personal Statement

Now that we’ve covered how to write a statement of purpose, let’s look at how your approach might differ for the personal statement.

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Tip 5: Tell a Story

Since the personal statement is less formal and more personal, you’ll want to ensure you’re telling a compelling story. In other words, you have more free rein to be creative with the personal statement than you do with the statement of purpose.

The personal statement is the one part of your grad school application where you can really flex your creative muscles. For instance, you don’t need to stick with the conventional chronological format (though there’s nothing wrong with this, of course).

A good way to show off your creativity is to use a variety of literary techniques , from imagery and metaphors to dialogue and colloquialisms. It’s also OK to write a little less formally than you would in a statement of purpose. So go ahead and tell that joke, or share that eccentric story!

Just be careful to not go overboard with informalities,  and make sure you’re still clearly presenting yourself as a serious applicant who is an ideal fit for the program.

Tip 6: Focus On Your Personal Motivations

Since the personal statement allows you to be a bit more personal than the statement of purpose does, it’s best to use this space to focus more on your own personal reasons for developing an interest in this field and applying to this grad program specifically.

Take time to consider what motivated you to apply to grad school and to continue schooling in this particular field. Don’t just focus on grad school in general but on the specific program you are applying to. What initially drew you to this program and at this time?

Tip 7: Explain Any Weaknesses/Challenges You’ve Overcome

You can also use your grad school personal statement to discuss any major weaknesses in your application or any challenges or barriers you’ve overcome in recent years. These can be personal struggles with things such as your career, school, health, money, etc.

For example, maybe your undergraduate GPA wasn’t that high your freshman year because you struggled with living away from home and not knowing anyone at your college. In your personal statement, you could discuss how joining your school’s badminton team helped you make friends and more easily adjust to college life.

Regardless of the challenge you write about,  put a positive spin on it. This will prove to the grad admissions committee that you’re able to overcome challenges on your own and can push forward to be successful.

General Tips for Both the Statement of Purpose and Personal Statement

In this final section, we give you some general tips you can use for both grad school statements.

Tip 8: Read the Instructions Carefully

The #1 most important rule for any statement for grad school is that you follow all the instructions for the essay.  Specifically, this means you should do the following:

• Answer the prompt and all the questions in it —some prompts won’t require you to answer every single question it asks, though it’s best to answer most if you can
• Adhere to the length requirements —most grad school essays will give you either a word limit (e.g., 500 words) or a page limit (e.g., two to three double-spaced pages), so don’t go over this!
• Include any information the program requires you to put on each page of your essay —this will most likely be your full name and might also include the document type, page number, etc.

If you have any questions about the requirements for your personal statement or statement of purpose, contact the grad program directly to ask.

Tip 9: Use Specific Details

In any essay you write, it’s important to be as specific as possible. And in a grad school personal statement and statement of purpose, it’s critical that you  include the names of people and places, as well as vivid descriptions of people, ideas, events, and emotions.  Doing this will make your essay not only more realistic but also more relatable to the admissions committee.

Moreover,  try to touch on specific aspects of the grad program, including your research interests and what drew you to this field of study. Don’t just write, “I developed an interest in psychology after taking an introductory psychology class in college.” Tell us who taught the class, the topics you studied that were most fascinating to you, and why you initially decided to enroll in this class.

Tip 10: Be Authentic

While a statement of purpose is more formal than a personal statement is, you still want to sound authentic in both essays. So  make an effort to write in your real, honest voice.  Don’t feel the need to grab a thesaurus to look up difficult vocab words to include in your essay—the admissions committee will be able to tell you’re just trying to sound smart!

Ultimately, you want to write in a sophisticated yet natural-sounding voice that shows off your personality while also highlighting your intelligence and maturity.

Tip 11: Edit and Proofread

Finally, give yourself plenty of time to edit and proofread your essays for your grad school applications. A big part of the personal statement and statement of purpose is showing off your superior, grad-level writing skills, so take your time to craft a compelling (and technically correct!) statement.

Once you’ve got a rough draft completed, look it over for any typos; errors in grammar, spelling, or punctuation; and awkward or irrelevant areas. After you’ve done your own edit, give your essay to someone else to read, such as a former professor (if he or she has agreed to look at it   for you),   and ask for some feedback on what you could improve or change.

Conclusion: The Critical Difference Between a Statement of Purpose and Personal Statement

When it comes down to the statement of purpose vs personal statement for grad school, how exactly are the two different—and how are they alike? While both essays are meant to make the grad admissions committee want to admit you, they each contain pretty different information.

The statement of purpose is the more formal of the two, highlighting your academic/professional background and accomplishments, your future goals, and how you see yourself fitting with the program you’re applying to.

By contrast, the personal statement is less formal and focuses more on who you are as a person, including what motivated you to apply to grad school (and this program) and what kinds of obstacles you’ve faced in life.

Most grad programs require at least one statement; this could be either a personal statement, a statement of purpose, or a statement that’s some sort of combination of the two. And some programs require both essays.

Because a statement of purpose differs from a personal statement, the way you approach each statement is also different.

Here’s what you want to do for a statement of purpose:

• Consider your future goals
• Research the program and professors
• Explain how you’re a good match
• Emphasize your accomplishments

For a personal statement, on the other hand, you’ll want to do the following:

• Tell a story
• Focus on your personal motivations
• Explain any weaknesses or challenges you’ve overcome

Finally, for both statements, be sure to take these four steps:

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• Read the instructions carefully
• Use specific details
• Be authentic
• Edit and proofread

Now that you understand the major difference between a statement of purpose and personal statement, you can get started on writing an amazing grad school admissions essay!

What’s Next?

Still not sure how to approach the grad school statement? Then check out our collections of real examples of statements of purpose and personal statements .

For even more tips on how to write a killer grad school essay, take a look at our expert guides to how to write the statement of purpose and how to write the personal statement .

What does a grad school application look like? Learn more about grad school application requirements , and get tips on how to find acceptance rates for the grad programs you’re applying to .

Ready to improve your GRE score by 7 points?

Author: Hannah Muniz

Hannah graduated summa cum laude from the University of Southern California with a bachelor’s degree in English and East Asian languages and cultures. After graduation, she taught English in Japan for two years via the JET Program. She is passionate about education, writing, and travel. View all posts by Hannah Muniz

Personal Statements and Statements of Purpose: What’s the Difference?

So you’ve decided to apply for grad school—hooray! Now comes the fun part: more standardized testing, accumulating transcripts, and drafting essay after essay. As you go through your schools’ requirements, you may see requests for “personal statements” or “statements of purpose.” They’re the same thing, right? Not quite. 

As the names suggest, the personal statement focuses on who you are as a person, your background, and what inspired you to pursue your chosen field, while the statement of purpose focuses on your career goals, your academic and professional qualifications, and what you hope to get out of your graduate program. 

Some schools may require one essay combining these topics, some may ask for just one of these essays, and some may ask for both. So, as always, do your research! One way schools evaluate applicants is by how well they follow directions during the application process, so be absolutely sure you understand the prompt, the word count, and any other instructions. 

WRITING THE PERSONAL STATEMENT

The personal statement is similar to what you may remember writing for your undergraduate applications . This essay should be vulnerable, personal, and unique to you and your own life experiences. What are your interests? What personal, academic, or professional challenges have you faced and how have you overcome them? What inspired you to pursue graduate work in your chosen field? How did you decide to apply to this program? Perhaps you majored in chemistry in undergrad but did an internship in biochem that prompted you to shift your focus in your graduate work. Maybe a classroom debate in high school sparked a love of ethical philosophy, leading you to major in English and now apply for law school. 

The goal of this essay is to understand what has shaped you, including your family, your background, your interests, and your personal journey. Admissions should walk away from your essay feeling like they have a sense of who you are as a person. Make sure you mention your undergraduate major and any specific courses, professors, internships, or experiences that motivated you to apply for graduate studies. The most compelling personal statements weave your challenges and accomplishments into a unique narrative charting your personal growth. 

WRITING THE STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

The statement of purpose should be more formal and more focused on your academic and professional background, as well as your goals for the program and your future career. Rather than recounting your personal journey, tell admissions about your research, coursework, internships, and jobs. How have these experiences led you to this specific program? This document should help the reader understand how you will fit into their cohort and what you will bring both to the school and to the field upon graduation. Be sure to discuss your research interests (particularly for STEM fields) and describe how the program will support you to pursue your research. 

This essay should also outline what qualities you possess that make you a good fit for the program and how you will use your education for your future career. Most importantly, make sure you have done your research on each school so you can say exactly what attracts you to each program. Specificity is key here! List the professors, courses, research experiences, and other specific aspects of the program that excite you. How will this program prepare you for your chosen career? Maybe there’s a particular lab you can’t wait to join or perhaps you’re excited by the industry internships the program offers. 

For both essays, remember the three Rs: Research, Reflection, and Revision

• Research each school to understand exactly how your interests, background, and goals align with their offerings, highlighting specific faculty, courses, and program offerings.
• Reflect on your personal journey, your motivations for applying, and your career goals to clearly and persuasively articulate your fit for each program and the field at large.
• Revise your writing! It’s always easier to cut content than to add, so allow your first draft to be a word-dump of every vaguely relevant thought you have. Then go back through with your research and reflection in mind (see what we did there?) and edit your essay to best answer the prompt.

As always, your friendly neighborhood College Essay Advisors are here to help guide you through every stage of the writing process for your personal statement, statement of purpose, and any other supplemental essays that come your way! 

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Category: Admissions , Essay Resources , Essay Tips , Essay Writing , Postgrad , Uncategorized

Tags: grad school , grad school applications , graduate essays , graduate school admissions , graduate school applications , law school admissions , MBA admissions , personal statement , PhD admissions , postgrad applications , postgrad essays , statement of purpose

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Statement of Purpose vs. Personal Statement: [6] Differences Between the Two

Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash

In this article, we compare a statement of purpose vs a personal statement .

We also added six things to think about while writing your statement of purpose and six tips for writing a winning statement of purpose.

Table of Contents

What is a statement of purpose, what is a personal statement, what are the important differences between a statement of purpose and a personal statement, six points to consider when writing a statement of purpose, six steps to writing a winning statement of purpose.

It’s an essay written by an applicant, usually for a graduate program.

It aims to tell the admissions committee about your academic and professional goals, professional interests, and how they can provide value to the graduate program.

It can also be called a research statement or a letter of intent. It should be one to three pages long, depending on the program’s guidelines.

The statement of purpose should be written in a formal tone and should include a brief overview of the applicant’s educational and professional experience as well as any other information that makes them a good candidate for the course and a good fit for that specific program.

It’s an essay used by applicants to introduce themselves to an admissions committee, usually for an undergraduate degree.

Personal statements usually focus on the applicant’s identity, personality and skills.

These are often short narratives or stories that show why a particular candidate is right for a particular program.

You can also include personal and academic experiences, as well as explain your motivation and enthusiasm for the field you are applying for.

1. Statement of Purpose vs. Personal Statement: Format

Both are types of documents used to apply for graduate programs, however, a statement of purpose is more commonly used especially where research is involved.

The format of a Statement of Purpose is more formal and should highlight your academic strength and background, research interests, long-term goals, and why you are fit for that particular program.

A personal statement can be informal in format and should showcase your personal motivation for applying to that program or any achievements or challenges that you faced as well as learning from those experiences.

2. Statement of Purpose vs. Personal Statement: Purpose

Both statements are used to provide insight into the applicant’s personal background, academic/professional experience, and future goals.

The Statement of Purpose typically calls for greater emphasis on the applicant’s purpose for applying to graduate school as it relates to their interests, academic/professional experience, and future goals compared to a Personal Statement which may focus more on the applicant’s personal background or story.

3. Statement of Purpose vs. Personal Statement: Content

The main difference between the two types of statements is that a personal statement focuses more on who you are as an individual while a statement of purpose emphasizes what you want to study and what you plan to do with your degree.

Additionally, personal statements often include stories from applicants’ lives that help readers get to know them better, whereas statements of purpose usually don’t have this type of personalization in them.

4. Statement of Purpose vs. Personal Statement: Accomplishments

Both the statement of purpose and personal statement can highlight accomplishments and achievements.

However, the statement of purpose focuses more on how the student wants to enhance his/her professional profile through their time at university.

For example, it may mention specific fields of interest as well as incubators or membership of networks that will help build their professional base.

On the other hand, a personal statement tends to focus more on personal achievements rather than professional ones.

It usually highlights a student’s dedication towards a certain field or activity they have been involved in for some time now – such as volunteering or participating in competitions.

It also allows them to showcase any awards they may have won along with any other notable achievements related to their hobbies or interests outside school hours.

5. Statement of Purpose vs. Personal Statement: Creativity

Both a statement of purpose and a personal statement can be creative in their tone and structure.

A personal statement is usually more individual and informal than a statement of purpose which takes on a more traditional academic tone.

While both types of statements should focus on the author’s credentials and accomplishments, personal statements may also focus on other aspects such as relationships with others or life lessons learned along the way.

6. Statement of Purpose vs. Personal Statement: Resources & Tools

Both should be checked carefully but for a statement of purpose, you should use a writing guide and samples to be sure you are organising your writing in the correct way. These include:

• The Write Ivy PhD and Master’s Guide: This FREE (and helpful) guide will help you, step-by-step.
• Sample Statements of Purpose: These can provide inspiration for your own statement of purpose and help you understand the format and structure to write your own document.
• Writing Tips: Writing tips from experts can help guide you through the process of crafting a powerful statement of purpose that stands out from the rest!
• Grammar Checker/Spell Checker Software: It is important that your statement is written correctly in order for it to be taken seriously by admissions officers; grammar checkers/spell checkers can help with this task!

1. Goals: What do you want to achieve?

Think about:

• Your goals and objectives: What do you hope to achieve after completing the program of study? Be specific and clearly outline your medium- and long-term goals.
• How the program fits with your career plans: Does the program suit your interests, professional goals, and academic background well? Will it provide opportunities for further specialization or research in your field of interest?
• The reputation of the college or university offering the program: do your research to be sure you’ll receive a quality education as well as a chance of a good job.
• How you will pay for it? Be sure to check out scholarships or financial aid available for this particular program.

2. Information: What do they need to know?

• Write concisely and clearly, with a focus on your career goals and objectives.
• Your strengths, achievements, and potential for success in your chosen field or profession.
• Your qualifications for the desired program of study.
• You should emphasize any relevant experience that would add value to your application package and future research.

3. Word Length: How long should it be?

It should usually be between 1-2 pages (single-space pages in 12-point font). Some schools may provide a word limit, in which case you must keep to it.

4. Type of Statement: Should it be a purpose or a personal statement?

A purpose and a personal statement both serve as an introduction to the candidate.

However, a purpose is more formal and objective, while a personal statement can be more creative, using a narrative style with the candidate’s voice.

Additionally, a purpose focuses on qualifications and accomplishments while a personal statement can reveal how the candidate got to where they are today.

A purpose is more traditionally academic in its tone and structure than a personal statement.

A personal statement can be less formal than a purpose and may start off with relevant quotes or clever opening lines to engage the audience right away.

Additionally, while both pieces should be proofread for grammar and spelling mistakes, they differ in that personal statements may have an additional layer of creativity not found in statements of purpose.

5. Writing Style: How should it be written?

• Make sure your statement of purpose is unique and focuses on your skills and achievements. Add concise detail to leave a lasting impression.
• Write in a more formal way: Ensure that your statement of purpose directly and clearly communicates your goals, motivations, and aspirations.
• Consider your audience: Before writing your statement of purpose, consider who will be reading it (for example, faculty members or admission officers) so that you can keep it focused, with relevant information about yourself or the subject you want to study
• Proofread carefully before submitting.

6. Writer’s Voice: What tone should be taken?

When writing a statement of purpose, it is important to focus on the positive (what you can do, what you want to learn) rather than gaps in your experience and skill set.

If you are adding example experiences to demonstrate your skills and suitability for the course, the story you choose should be interesting, with concise detail that will interest a reader.

Step 1: Explain why you want to pursue this graduate degree

When writing a statement of purpose for a graduate degree in business, it is important to explain why you are passionate about pursuing this degree, what inspires you to achieve your professional goals, and how the program aligns with your career aspirations.

Add motivating factors such as transitioning from the corporate world or completing an MBA to progress within your company.

Additionally, be sure to explain any relevant experience or qualifications that qualify you for admission into this program, with supporting data.

For example, ‘I trained new staff in using software to improve sales’ may be true, but ‘I trained 28 team members using the XYZ software package, and their sales increased 9.2% within a week’ is much better.

Step 2: Share your motivation and your dreams but be brief

• Start by brainstorming and writing down your goals and ambitions. What motivates you? What are your dreams?
• Identify your strengths (that will help you achieve these goals), as well as experience or skills that will be relevant.

Step 3: Define your research interests

• Identify your research interests: What are you interested in studying, and why? Which topics or questions are you hoping to explore?
• Name the professors at the school who you are interested in working with, explaining how their specialist research topics could fit in with your objectives. Do the same for any other programs such as work experience placements that are part of the course. For example, ‘I received an award for my presentation on the Hall Lock (used in anaesthesia) and am thrilled to have the opportunity to complete my work placement with Professor Hall’s team at Cardiff University, where this equipment was developed’.
• Provide specific examples of your interests related to the course. For example, if you’re applying for a PhD program in Clinical Psychology then it would be important to highlight what specific topics within clinical psychology interest you most (e.g., psychotherapy techniques) and why they resonate with your personal values/beliefs/experiences.

Step 4: Outline your strengths and suitability for the program

• Create an outline before you start writing the statement of purpose.
• Write down your thoughts in an organized manner and ensure that your essay is coherent.
• Find personal reasons that motivate you to apply for the program, then spend some time reflecting on what motivates you specifically for this course of study.
• Discuss any challenges that you have overcome in recent years to highlight your problem-solving abilities.
• Conclude on a positive note by assuring the admission committee that you can tackle any challenges ahead successfully.

Step 5: Show by example how you have achieved goals in the past

Showing by example how you have achieved goals in the past can help with writing a winning statement of purpose because it provides the admissions committee with an insight into your strengths and achievements.

You can also demonstrate that you have the determination and drive to succeed in this graduate program.

Additionally, these examples show that you are able to take initiative and make a positive impact on whatever situation or project you are involved in, building trust between yourself and the admissions committee.

Step 6: Follow all instructions!

• Check all the instructions and requirements for writing a statement of purpose.
• Follow all instructions to the letter, without trying to be smart or creative to get them.
• Once again, make sure that your essay meets six basic requirements: it should be concise, well-structured, coherently organized, grammatically correct and free from spelling mistakes, and coherently written in perfect academic English without any slang or typos.
• Make sure you have included all the necessary information such as name/surname/contact details/college applied to/date submitted etc., at the end of your essay before submitting it online or via an email attachment if instructed to do so by the admissions team.

FAQs – (Some of these are covered in more detail above)

What is the difference between a statement of purpose and a personal statement in terms of undergraduate and post-graduate programs.

Both a statement of purpose and a personal statement can be used for undergraduate admission or graduate/post-baccalaureate programs.

A statement of purpose usually places greater emphasis on an applicant’s reasons for applying to graduate school as it relates to their interests, academic/professional experience, and future goals.

A personal statement often calls for applicants to discuss their personal background (not necessarily academic or professional).

How long should a Statement of Purpose or Personal Statement be?

When writing a statement of purpose or personal statement, it is important to consider the length of the document.

Generally, both types of essays should be between 1-2 pages (single-space pages in 12-point font).

Some schools may provide a word limit, in which case you should strictly adhere to it. Brevity is key, so try to focus on only the most relevant information and make every word count.

What format should I use for a Statement of Purpose or Personal Statement?

The format for a statement of purpose or personal statement depends on the program you are applying to.

For graduate studies, business or law school, it is usually best to write in story form and use a more narrative style with your voice.

For medical programs, it is typically more formal and objective. Regardless of the program, you are applying for, it is important to proofread your essays for grammar and spelling before submitting them.

What are the requirements for a Statement of Purpose or Personal Statement?

The requirements for a Statement of Purpose or Personal Statement include:

• It should be well-written, coherent, and clear.
• It should be concise and focused on the topic at hand.
• It should address why you are applying to the program or university in question and why you would be a good fit for it.
• It should highlight relevant experiences, achievements, or skills that make you an ideal candidate for the program or university’s graduate degree program/scholarship/fellowship award/etc..
• It should demonstrate your ability to succeed in the chosen field of study by providing examples of past successes related to that field of study (e.g., research papers).

What strengths should I highlight in my Statement of Purpose or Personal Statement?

When writing a Statement of Purpose or Personal Statement, it is important to highlight your strengths. Some examples of strengths you can include are:

• Leadership skills
• Problem-solving abilities
• Dedication and perseverance
• Initiative and drive to succeed
• Communication skills
• Persuasive speaking abilities
• Multicultural understanding and awareness

How do I make sure my Statement of Purpose or Personal Statement stands out?

• Research the field you are applying to and find out what they are looking for in a statement of purpose or personal statement.
• Make sure your statement is personalized and focused on why you want to pursue that particular degree/field of study/career path, rather than just listing your qualifications and experience.
• Make sure it is concise, clear, and easy to read – use simple language that will not distract from the main message of your statement or bore the reader with unnecessary details or long sentences.
• Proofread carefully for any grammar or spelling mistakes before submitting it as this can make a bad impression on the admissions committee from the start!
• Make sure it has an interesting opening sentence or paragraph that will capture their attention right away; this could be something related to their field of study/research topic if possible since they will be more likely to take notice if they recognize what you’re referring to right away!

What resources are available to help me write my Statement of Purpose or Personal Statement?

There are a variety of resources available to help you write your Statement of Purpose or Personal Statement. These include:

• Sample statements and templates to guide you in composing your own statement
• Tips and advice from experts on how to write an effective statement
• Guidance on how to format and structure your document for maximum impact
• Resources such as dictionaries, thesauruses, and style guides for enhancing the quality of your writing

What mistakes should I avoid when writing my Statement of Purpose or Personal Statement?

When writing your Statement of Purpose or Personal Statement, you should avoid the following mistakes:

• Not clearly stating your purpose or goal in writing the statement.
• Using clichés or overused phrases in your statement. Phrases such as ‘I passed the exam with flying colours’ tend to come up quite regularly in statements so it’s better to write, ‘I received four A grades and achieved a 3.9 GPA’
• Trying to fit too much into one statement, results in it becoming convoluted and difficult to read and understand.
• Failing to proofread thoroughly for grammar and spelling errors before submitting your statement for review or acceptance into a program of study/scholarship/funding opportunity etc.

Is a personal statement the same as a statement of purpose?

A personal statement and a statement of purpose both provide an opportunity for applicants to introduce themselves and explain why they are qualified for the position they are applying for.

Both types of statements should be well-written, concise, and compelling.

Personal statements typically focus on an applicant’s background, accomplishments, skillset, and goals while the statement of purpose focuses more on what motivates the applicant to pursue a particular career path or program at a specific university or institution.

Personal statements are often used in applications for graduate school or scholarships whereas the statement of purpose is used more often in applications for jobs or internships.

When it comes down to the statement of purpose vs personal statement for grad school, how exactly are the two different—and how are they alike?

The statement of purpose is the more formal of the two essays, highlighting your academic/professional background and accomplishments, your future goals, and how you see yourself fitting in with the program you’re applying to.

By contrast, the personal statement is less formal and focuses more on who you are as a person, including what motivated you to apply to grad school (and this program) and what kinds of obstacles you’ve faced in life.

The way you approach each essay is also different: for a statement of purpose, consider your future goals; research the program and professors; explain how you’re a good match; emphasize accomplishments; while for a personal statement tell a story focus on your personal motivations to explain any weaknesses or challenges overcome

More Personal Statement Tutorials

• Guide to Writing a Winning Personal Statement for University

What’s the Difference Between a Personal Statement and a Statement of Purpose?

The daunting process of applying to graduate degree programs can be as complex and stressful as it is exciting. If you’re in the midst of this process, you’ve probably already encountered a few unique pieces that may seem confusing at first – like your personal statement and statement of purpose. What’s the difference between them? How do they overlap or diverge? Both documents are integral to getting admitted into your preferred program, so it’s important to know their respective differences before you take on either task. In this blog post, we will present a comprehensive guide that highlights the similarities and contradictions between the two statements to provide you with the confidence you need to create graduate school applications that truly stand out!

Why are applicants often confused about the personal statement and the statement of purpose?

When applying to graduate school, applicants often find themselves stumped upon learning that a statement of purpose and a personal statement are two distinct requirements. The source of this confusion can be attributed to five key reasons.

• Similar Objectives: Both personal statements and statements of purpose aim to convey your passion for your chosen field and your suitability for the course, which can lead to confusion about the distinct purposes of each.
• Unclear Instructions: Some universities or programs often don’t provide clear guidelines about what each document should contain, leading to uncertainty about their roles in the application process.
• Overlapping Content: Both documents may include information about your academic achievements, future goals, and why you are interested in the specific program, leading to a perceived overlap.
• Variable Terminology: Different institutions may use the same terms interchangeably or refer to similar documents with different names, adding to the confusion.
• Lack of Experience: Many applicants may not have written either a personal statement or a statement of purpose before, and therefore may struggle to understand the nuances that differentiate the two.

First things first: Pay close attention to admissions requirements

It’s crucial for you to thoroughly examine the admissions pages of your targeted graduate programs. Often, these pages offer precise prompts that help distinguish the roles and objectives of the personal statement and the statement of purpose. These two terms, while seemingly interchangeable, may not denote the same thing across varying programs, fields, or even countries. It’s this variability that underscores the importance of a detailed review of the admissions guidance provided by individual programs. This not only clarifies the purpose of each document but also ensures the your responses align with the specific expectations of the program, enhancing the likelihood of a successful application.

In addition to examining the program’s guidelines, you can also seek advice from mentors, advisors, or even current students who have previously gone through the application process. Hearing about their experiences and any challenges they faced in writing these documents can provide valuable insight and help clarify any confusion. Moreover, seeking feedback from multiple sources can lead to a more well-rounded and polished final draft.

What is a Personal Statement and What Does it Do

A personal statement, often required in graduate school applications, is a document where you articulate who you are, what has shaped your career path so far, and how you envision your future. It’s an opportunity for you to give admissions committees an insight into your personality, your aspirations, and the experiences that have prepared you for advanced study in a particular field.

This narrative can include personal experiences, academic accomplishments, involvement in community service, or any other events or people who have had an impact on your life. The personal statement plays a crucial role in helping the admissions committee to understand the individual behind the grades and test scores. It humanizes the application, adds context and depth to your academic and professional experiences, and illustrates you potential to contribute to the school community and the chosen field of study. It can be a deciding factor in the admissions process, particularly when the applicant pool is competitive and other components of the application, like GPA and test scores, are comparable.

The four main purposes of the personal statement in the application process

The personal statement in the admissions process for graduate school serves four main purposes.

• It provides you with an opportunity to showcase your unique experiences, skills, and qualifications that make you a strong candidate for the program. This allows you to present your academic achievements and demonstrate your potential as a future scholar or professional.
• The personal statement allows you to articulate your motivation and passion for the chosen field of study. It gives you a platform to explain why you are interested in pursuing graduate education in that particular discipline and how your previous experiences have shaped your aspirations. This helps admissions committees understand your commitment and alignment with the goals of the program.
• The personal statement enables you to demonstrate your writing skills and ability to articulate your thoughts effectively. It serves as a writing sample that showcases your ability to communicate ideas clearly and construct a compelling narrative.
• Personal statements frequently play a substantial role in the allocation of funding in the application process. Funding bodies or scholarship committees often use this tool as a way of discerning an applicant’s passion, dedication, and potential for impactful contributions in their chosen field. Specifically, they aim to support scholars who display a deep understanding of their area of study, clear goals for their future career, and a vision for how their work could contribute to societal progress. By offering a glimpse into the applicant’s long-term aspirations and commitment, personal statements serve as a testament to the applicant’s potential return on investment. Therefore, the ability to articulate these elements convincingly in a personal statement can significantly enhance an applicant’s chances of securing financial aid.

What is a Statement of Purpose and How Does it Differ from a Personal Statement

A statement of purpose , also referred to as a research statement or a letter of intent, is a formal essay that you submit as part of your graduate school application. In contrast to the personal statement, the SoP is more closely focused on your academic and professional objectives. It outlines your specific interests within the field of study, your reasons for choosing the particular program, and how the program aligns with your long-term professional goals. It also provides an opportunity for you to discuss any relevant research you have undertaken, the outcomes of such research, and how it has further reinforced your desire to pursue advanced studies in that area.

Furthermore, the SoP may delve into the specific aspects of the program that you find appealing, such as courses, faculty members, or research opportunities. While both documents aim to give a holistic view of your profile, the SoP is more career-focused and objective, whereas the personal statement is more reflective and subjective, emphasizing your personal journey and experiences leading up to your decision to apply for graduate study.

The SoP and personal statement together provide a comprehensive understanding of your motivation, abilities, and future aspirations. Therefore, it is essential to carefully craft these documents and ensure that they complement each other in conveying a coherent and compelling narrative about your readiness for advanced studies.

Crafting Your Personal Statement vs. Crafting Your Statement of Purpose

Crafting your personal statement and statement of purpose (SoP) requires distinct approaches due to their different objectives. When crafting a personal statement, the aim is to present a vivid narrative of your personal journey and experiences, highlighting the factors that have shaped your character, values, and motivation for further study. It should be an introspective piece that conveys your personality and explains who you are beyond your academic achievements.

On the other hand, crafting your SoP involves a more structured and focused approach. Here, you should clearly articulate your academic and professional goals, demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the field of study, and explain how the specific program will facilitate your career aspirations. The SoP should exhibit your academic prowess, professional maturity, and readiness for advanced studies.

Tips for writing the perfect personal statement or statement of purpose

Writing the perfect personal statement or statement of purpose can be a daunting task, but with the right tips and guidance, you can create a compelling and impactful piece that showcases your unique qualities and aspirations. Here are some key pointers to consider:

• Understand the Purpose: Begin by understanding the purpose of your personal statement or statement of purpose. Knowing the specific purpose will help you tailor your writing accordingly.
• Start Early and Plan Ahead: Give yourself plenty of time to brainstorm, outline, and revise your statement. Starting early allows you to explore different ideas, gather feedback, and make necessary improvements.
• Show, Don’t Tell: Instead of simply stating your strengths and accomplishments, use specific examples and anecdotes to demonstrate them. Show how your experiences have shaped you and highlight your skills and qualities through storytelling.
• Be Authentic and Reflective: Admissions committees value authenticity. Be genuine and reflective in your writing, sharing personal insights and lessons learned. Avoid clichés and focus on your unique perspective.
• Tailor Your Essays: Customize your statement for each institution or organization you are applying to. Research their values, mission, and goals, and align your narrative accordingly. This personalized approach shows your genuine interest and commitment.
• Stay Future-Oriented: Focus on your future goals, aspirations, and how the program or opportunity you are applying to aligns with them. Highlight the potential impact you can make and your enthusiasm for the field or industry.
• Stay True to Yourself: Finally, remember to stay true to yourself throughout the writing process. Your graduate application essays should reflect your passions, values, and aspirations. Be confident in sharing your story and let your unique voice shine through.

Common mistakes to avoid when writing either document

One of the most common pitfalls when writing a personal statement or a statement of purpose is failing to adequately answer the question or address the prompt. It’s crucial to stay focused on the specific requirements of the institution or organization to which you are applying.

Another frequent error is using clichés or common phrases that lack individuality and don’t convey your unique experience and perspective. Remember, your statement needs to stand out among potentially hundreds of others, so using generic terms and phrases can work against you.

Neglecting to provide specific examples to support your claims is another common mistake . Instead of making broad statements, illustrate your points with concrete examples from your life or career.

A fourth error to avoid is writing an overly long or convoluted statement. Remember to be concise and clear, making every word count, and avoiding long, complex sentences that could confuse the reader.

Lastly, but perhaps most importantly, avoid submitting your statement without thorough proofreading. Errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation can give the impression of carelessness and lack of attention to detail. Always take the time to revise, edit, and perfect your statement before sending it off.

Strategies for standing out from the crowd with either document

To make your personal statement or statement of purpose stand out from the rest, adopt a narrative approach that weaves your experiences, values, and aspirations into an authentic and compelling story. Show your passion and commitment towards your chosen field of study or career path by citing experiences that have shaped your interest or deepened your understanding of it.

Using a unique, engaging opening can pique the reader’s interest and set the tone for your statement.

Avoid using jargon or complicated language to appear intellectual; instead, aim for clarity and simplicity in your expression.

Last but not least, maintaining a positive and optimistic tone throughout your statement can leave a lasting impression on the reader. Regardless of the challenges or obstacles you’ve encountered, focus more on what you’ve learned from them and how they have contributed to your personal and professional growth.

The dread of rejection: are your essays up to the mark?

Wrestling with the fear of rejection is a common concern among applicants. The thought of your essay being overlooked or discarded can be disquieting. You might be asking yourself, “Is my essay truly compelling? Does it stand out from the rest? Can it withstand the scrutiny of the admissions committee?”

These anxieties can be overwhelming but remember, they also signal an opportunity for improvement. Seeking expert advice to refine your essay can provide reassurance, highlight areas for enhancement, and ultimately increase your chances of acceptance.

Do not let the fear of rejection deter you; instead, let it fuel your pursuit of a powerful and persuasive essay. After all, the admissions committee is not looking for perfection but rather authenticity and potential. So, embrace your unique voice and experiences, and let them shine through your essays!

The process of applying to graduate school and applying to degree programs can be a rollercoaster of emotions. But if you understand the subtle nuances in the documents like the personal statement and statement of purpose, it can be easier to feel more confident in your decisions! For further guidance on crafting an engaging narrative while keeping in mind which points should stand out for each piece, let The Admit Lab be your guide and mentor when it comes to essay writing. Our graduate school application essay services will take your application essay to the next level and make sure that you don’t just get accepted into your dream program but fly through the admissions process with ease. So don’t wait – take advantage of our services today!

With a Master’s from McGill University and a Ph.D. from New York University, Dr. Philippe Barr is the founder of The Admit Lab . As a tenure-track professor, Dr. Barr spent a decade teaching and serving on several graduate admission committees at UNC-Chapel Hill before turning to full-time consulting. With more than seven years of experience as a graduate school admissions consultant, Dr. Barr has stewarded the candidate journey across multiple master’s programs and helped hundreds of students get admitted to top-tier graduate programs all over the world .

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The Admissions Strategist

Personal statement vs. statement of purpose: literally everything you need to know.

When applying to graduate school , you’ll likely be asked to write a personal statement, a statement of purpose, or even both.

Sometimes, you’ll receive detailed prompts. Other times, your instructions will be vague: Include a personal statement or Include a statement of purpose .

So, what do these terms mean?

What’s the difference between a personal statement and a statement of purpose?

In this article, we’ll explain the key differences between the two and provide some tips to get you started.

What’s the Difference Between a Personal Statement and a Statement of Purpose?

The personal statement is about who you are, beyond the numbers and accolades the admissions team already knows. On the other hand, the statement of purpose is about what you want to do.

• In the personal statement, you can tell a meaningful story about your life.
• You may want to focus on life lessons, major accomplishments, personal motivations, or challenges that you’ve overcome.
• The personal statement is more open-ended and less formal than the statement of purpose.

In the statement of purpose, you should discuss your future goals and why this graduate program is a great fit for you. Get specific about your interest in this program.

• Try to mention professors, classes, research and internship opportunities , etc. that align with your personal goals.

You’ll also want to discuss your accomplishments and why you’re a strong candidate and a good fit for the program.

To put it simply: The personal statement is about who you are, while the statement of purpose is about your goals .

The personal statement is more informal and open-ended, while the statement of purpose has a narrower focus.

What Are the Similarities Between a Personal Statement and a Statement of Purpose?

Although the personal statement and statement of purpose take two different approaches, they ultimately share a common goal.

Both essay types should demonstrate that you’re a good fit and likely to be successful in the program.

• In addition, the essays are generally the same length, about 1-3 double-spaced pages.

In both essays, you should follow some general guidelines like:

• Carefully read all instructions
• Write in your authentic voice, and be honest
• Use specific details when possible
• Proofread and edit
• Have at least one other person check over your essay before submitting

How do You Know Which Type of Essay to Write?

Some graduate schools require both a personal statement and a statement of purpose.

Others require just one of the two, and some use these terms interchangeably.

Some essay prompts even ask for a combination of the two essays.

• In most cases, research-based programs require the more formal statement of purpose.
• Other programs are likely to ask for a personal statement.
• However, these are generalizations that don’t apply to every school.

To decide which essay(s) you’ll need to write, carefully read the application requirements page on the school’s official website.

You should also carefully read through the application itself, FAQ pages, and any other helpful resources for applicants.

If you’re still unsure what to write, call or email the school for more information.

Tips for Writing a Statement of Purpose

If you need to write a statement of purpose, be sure to follow these tips!

Research the Program

If you’re applying to a program, you probably know a good amount of information about the program already.

For your statement of purpose, however, you’ll need to mention specific aspects of the program that interest you.

Start by reading through the program’s official website. If the program has a blog, read through the blog too.

You may also want to talk to current students or alumni of the program if possible.

Then, choose a few features to focus on in your essay, like:

• Courses you want to take
• Professors you’d like to work with
• Special programs, events, and opportunities offered through the program
• Any unique aspects of the program that appeal to you
• Favorable characteristics, like small class sizes
• The program’s emphasis on a topic or area that interests you

Don’t mention the program’s ranking, prestige, or acceptance rate.

The admissions team wants to know that your interest in the program is deeper than just name recognition and reputation.

In addition, avoid mentioning aspects of the program that could apply to many or most similar graduate programs .

This is why doing your research and getting specific is so important.

You’ll show you’re knowledgeable and passionate about the school, and you’ll help the admissions team envision you on campus.

List Your Goals and Accomplishments

Another major focus of your statement of purpose will be your future goals.

• What is your purpose?
• What are you trying to accomplish by attending this graduate program?

Take the time to contemplate and write out your goals, both academic and professional.

In your statement of purpose, focus on the goals that are most applicable to the graduate program to which you’re applying.

Consider the following:

• How do your goals relate to the field you want to enter and the program to which you’re applying?
• What will this graduate program do for you academically and professionally?
• How will this graduate program help further your goals?

Think through each of these points so you can clearly articulate them in your statement of purpose.

Finally, list relevant accomplishments that can be included in your personal statement.

You never want to simply rehash your resume, so get specific about what you’ve accomplished and how these accomplishments have influenced you to pursue a graduate degree in your field of choice.

Make the Connection: Why Are You a Good Fit?

Ultimately, your statement of purpose will highlight the connection between your goals and the aspects of the program that interest you.

Explain how this exact program will help you successfully reach your goals and pursue your passions.

If you’re applying to a doctoral program, you’ll most likely be working one-on-one with a faculty member on a research project or dissertation.

• For this reason, a doctoral statement of purpose should identify a professor whose research area(s) align with your skills, background, and research interests.

To sum it up, your statement of purpose should outline your goals and explain how these goals relate to the program to which you’re applying.

When applicable, briefly mention accomplishments related to your goals and to your interest in/fit with the program.

Tips for Writing a Personal Statement

Need to write a personal statement instead of a statement of purpose? Follow these tips!

Remember that the personal statement is more open-ended than the statement of purpose.

Although freedom to choose your topic has its benefits, it can also be challenging.

Start by brainstorming a list of the following:

• Challenges you’ve faced
• Obstacles you’ve overcome
• Experiences you’ve had that shaped you and/or influenced your goals
• Your motivation for the career area, major, and graduate program you’ve chosen

When you create your list, write without stopping, second-guessing, or editing. Once you’re finished, read over the list.

• Would any of the items make a compelling story ?
• Do any feel especially meaningful to you?

You can also read through the graduate program’s website to get an idea of their ideal candidate.

• What personal characteristics and attributes does the admissions team especially value?

You don’t want to lie or exaggerate to present yourself as the ideal candidate.

If, however, some of the items on your list highlight the qualities preferred by the admissions team, you may want to choose one of these topics for your personal statement.

Tell a Story

The personal statement is more creative and informal than the statement of purpose.

Take the opportunity to flex your creative muscles and tell a story.

Open with a vivid anecdote related to your motivations, challenges, or a meaningful experience. Use specific details that make your story unique and engaging.

Feel free to let your personality shine through. Use your authentic voice, tell a joke, etc.

Just don’t be overly informal, and steer clear of controversial topics.

Be Reflective

Whatever story you decide to tell, spend some time reflecting on it. Discuss:

• What you learned from the experience
• How the experience influenced you to pursue this field, major, and/or graduate program
• How the experience shaped you as a person

If you talk about a challenge or obstacle, be sure to focus on the positive. How have you grown from the experience?

What did you learn from facing the challenge or overcoming the obstacle? Your story should be one of resilience and optimism.

Tips for Both Essays

Remember that for both essays, you should:

• Carefully read all instructions-Adhere to length requirements, topic guidelines, and any required information. If the prompt has multiple parts, be sure to address every question.
• Have at least one other person check over your essay before submitting-preferably a former professor, teacher, or peer who is a gifted writer

Final Thoughts: Personal Statement vs. Statement of Purpose

Graduate school applicants often dread writing the personal statement and/or statement of purpose, but it doesn’t have to be scary or complicated.

The statement of purpose should highlight your academic and professional goals, your relevant accomplishments, and why you would be a great fit for this specific graduate program.

Be sure to:

• Research the program , including specific professors, courses, opportunities, benefits, etc.
• List relevant accomplishments that you could mention in the statement
• Make the connection: Explain exactly why you are a great fit for this program

The personal statement should tell a story that showcases your personality and who you are as an individual, including obstacles you’ve overcome or what has motivated you to apply to this graduate program and pursue this career.

Remember to:

• Brainstorm potential topics
• Tell a meaningful, compelling story
• Be reflective- What does the story mean to you and how has it influenced your personal development and ambitions?

Most graduate schools require one or the other, but you may be asked to write both.

Regardless of which essay(s) you write, don’t forget to:

• Read instructions
• Write in your authentic voice
• Be specific
• Recruit at least one additional proofreader/editor

With these tips in mind, you’re ready to write a stellar personal statement, statement of purpose, or even both.

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Frequently asked questions

What’s the difference between a personal statement and a statement of purpose.

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.

Frequently asked questions: Graduate school

In the US, most graduate school applications require you to include:

• Transcripts from previous educational institutions
• Standardized test scores (such as the GRE or MCAT)
• A graduate resume
• 2–3 letters of recommendation
• A statement of purpose

Some programs may ask you to write a personal statement in addition to, or instead of, a statement of purpose. You may also be asked to an interview .

Always carefully read the application instructions for the specific program you’re applying to.

Most medical school programs interview candidates, as do many (though not all) leading law and business schools.

In research programs, it depends—PhDs in business usually do, while those in economics normally do not, for example.

Some schools interview everyone, while others only interview their top candidates. Look at the websites of the schools you’re applying to for more information on whether they conduct interviews.

In addition to thinking about your answers for the most commonly asked grad school interview questions , you should reach out to former and current students to ask their advice on preparing and what sort of questions will be asked.

Look back through your resume and come up with anecdotes that you could use for common questions, particularly those that ask about obstacles that you overcame. If you’re applying for a research program, ensure that you can talk about the previous research experience you’ve had.

You should also read as much research in your field as possible. Research the faculty at the schools you’re applying to and read some of their papers. Come up with a few questions that you could ask them.

Graduate schools often ask questions about why you are interested in this particular program and what you will contribute.

Try to stay away from cliche answers like “this is a good program” or “I got good grades in undergrad” and focus instead on the unique strengths of the program or what you will bring to the table. Understand what the program is looking for and come up with anecdotes that demonstrate why you are a good fit for them.

Different types of programs may also focus on different questions:

• Research programs will often ask what topics you’d like to research and who you would like to work with, as well as specific questions about your research background.
• Medical schools are interested in your personal motivation, qualities such as integrity and empathy, and how you’d respond to common ethical dilemmas.
• Business schools will focus on your past work experience and future career prospects, and may be particularly interested in any experience you have managing or working with others.

Some students apply to graduate school straight from undergrad, but it’s also common to go back to school later in life. The ideal time to do so depends on various financial, personal, and career considerations . Graduate school is a big commitment, so you should apply at a time when you can devote your full attention to it.

Your career path may also determine when you should apply. In some career fields, you can easily progress without a graduate degree, while in others—such as medicine, business, and law—it’s virtually impossible to move up the career ladder without a specific graduate degree.

Most graduate school applications for American graduate programs are due in December or January for a September start.

Some types of programs, especially law school, are rolling applications, meaning that the earlier you apply, the earlier you’ll hear back. In this case, you should aim to apply as early as possible to maximize your chances.

Medical school follows a completely separate timeline with much earlier deadlines. If you’re applying for medical school, you should speak to advisors at your university for more information.

A good starting point to aim for is about 18 months before you would start the program, or 6–9 months before the applications are due.

In the first few months of the process, research programs and study for any standardized exams you might need.

You can then begin writing your personal statements and statements of purpose , as well as contacting people to write your letters of recommendation . Ensure that you give recommenders plenty of time to complete their letters (ideally around 2–4 months).

In the US, the graduate school application process is similar whether you’re applying for a master’s or a PhD . Both require letters of recommendation , a statement of purpose or personal statement , a resume or CV , and transcripts. Programs in the US and Canada usually also require a certain type of standardized test—often the GRE.

Outside the US, PhD programs usually also require applicants to write a research proposal , because students are expected to begin dissertation research in the first year of their PhD.

A master’s degree usually has a higher upfront cost, but it also allows you to start earning a higher salary more quickly. The exact cost depends on the country and the school: private universities usually cost more than public ones, and European degrees usually cost less than North American ones. There are limited possibilities for financial aid.

PhDs often waive tuition fees and offer a living stipend in exchange for a teaching or research assistantship. However, they take many years to complete, during which time you earn very little.

This depends on the country. In the United States, you can generally go directly to a PhD  with only a bachelor’s degree, as a master’s program is included as part of the doctoral program.

Elsewhere, you generally need to graduate from a research-intensive master’s degree before continuing to the PhD.

This varies by country. In the United States, PhDs usually take between 5–7 years: 2 years of coursework followed by 3–5 years of independent research work to produce a dissertation.

In the rest of the world, students normally have a master’s degree before beginning the PhD, so they proceed directly to the research stage and complete a PhD in 3–5 years.

A PhD, which is short for philosophiae doctor (doctor of philosophy in Latin), is the highest university degree that can be obtained. In a PhD, students spend 3–5 years writing a dissertation , which aims to make a significant, original contribution to current knowledge.

A PhD is intended to prepare students for a career as a researcher, whether that be in academia, the public sector, or the private sector.

A master’s is a 1- or 2-year graduate degree that can prepare you for a variety of careers.

All master’s involve graduate-level coursework. Some are research-intensive and intend to prepare students for further study in a PhD; these usually require their students to write a master’s thesis . Others focus on professional training for a specific career.

It’s best to ask in person if possible, so first reach out and request a meeting to discuss your graduate school plans.

Let the potential recommender know which programs you’re applying to, and ask if they feel they can provide a strong letter of recommendation . A lukewarm recommendation can be the kiss of death for an application, so make sure your letter writers are enthusiastic about recommending you and your work!

Always remember to remain polite. Your recommenders are doing you a favor by taking the time to write a letter in support of your graduate school goals.

This depends on the program that you are applying for. Generally, for professional programs like business and policy school, you should ask managers who can speak to your future leadership potential and ability to succeed in your chosen career path.

However, in other graduate programs, you should mostly ask your former professors or research supervisors to write your recommendation letters , unless you have worked in a job that corresponds closely with your chosen field (e.g., as a full-time research assistant).

Choose people who know your work well and can speak to your ability to succeed in the program that you are applying to.

Remember, it is far more important to choose someone who knows you well than someone well-known. You may have taken classes with more prominent professors, but if they haven’t worked closely with you, they probably can’t write you a strong letter.

The sections in your graduate school resume depend on two things: your experience, and the focus of the program you’re applying to.

Always start with your education. If you have more than one degree, list the most recent one first.

The title and order of the other sections depend on what you want to emphasize. You might include things like:

• Professional experience
• Voluntary and extracurricular activities
• Publications
• Awards and honors
• Skills and certifications

The resume should aim for a balance between two things: giving a snapshot of what you’ve done with your life so far, and showing that you’re a good candidate for graduate study.

A resume is typically shorter than a CV, giving only the most relevant professional and educational highlights.

An academic CV should give full details of your education and career, including lists of publications and presentations, certifications, memberships, grants, and research projects. Because it is more comprehensive, it’s acceptable for an academic CV to be many pages long.

Note that, outside of the US, resume and CV are often used interchangeably.

No, don’t include your high school courses and grades. The education section should only detail your college education.

If you want to discuss aspects of high school in your graduate school application, you can include this in your personal statement .

A resume for a graduate school application is typically no more than 1–2 pages long.

Note, however, that if you are asked to submit a CV (curriculum vitae), you should give comprehensive details of all your academic experience. An academic CV can be much longer than a normal resume.

Always carefully check the instructions and adhere to any length requirements for each application.

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.

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.

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Statement of purpose vs. personal statement: knowing the difference

If you’re applying to graduate school, then you might remember the headaches of that application process that you encountered many years ago. Maybe you struggled to decide on a topic for the personal statement, maybe you debated which extracurriculars were worth listing, or maybe you were torn between taking the ACT or SAT. But for all the anxieties induced by college applications, at least those applications (especially, if you remember, those sent through the Common App) spoke the same language: that is, most schools needed the same essential materials, asked the same kinds of questions, and expected the same kinds of answers.

Graduate school applications, by contrast, are far less universal. Since many programs are highly specialized, you may be applying to several programs that each require their own unique statements and supporting materials. Even if you are applying to seemingly identical programs, one school may ask for a one-page statement while another asks for three pages, one school may ask for five recommendations while another asks for three; the variations are endless! Just wrapping your head around the different application requirements can be tiring. 

In this post, I want to de-mystify one difference that I found particularly disorienting when I applied to graduate school: the distinction between the “statement of purpose” and the “personal statement.” Most graduate schools will ask for a statement of purpose, and only some will ask for a personal statement, so in the majority of cases, the statement of purpose is considerably more important. But pointing out the difference between the two statements also emphasizes what exactly a statement of purpose is (and what it is not!).

As I mentioned earlier, the confusing lack of common terms across graduate school applications means that the following distinction might not even hold for all applications. You may, for example, come across a program that asks for a “personal statement,” but the actual essay prompt essentially describes the more standard “statement of purpose.” Or you might encounter a request for a very specific kind of personal statement--one that, for example, only focuses on your ethnic background. Be sure to fully read each application and any accompanying resources so that you address exactly what each application requires. With that important caveat aside, here are the distinctions for what are most commonly called the “statement of purpose” and the “personal statement:”

Statement of Purpose

Think of the statement of purpose like a cover letter. You might start off with something autobiographical or anecdotal, but most of the essay should be about your relevant training and technical career goals.

A strong statement of purpose should:

• Focus on your specific research interests within a particular field
• Detail how your academic and professional experiences have developed those research interests and prepared you to pursue them at a higher academic level
• Explain how those research interests can be pursued at this particular institution in this particular program

Here are some tips for writing an effective statement of purpose:

• Spend at least a paragraph discussing your interest in the specific program to which you’re applying. List specific professors whose work aligns with your own academic experience or research interests (and explain that connection). List specific institutions, programs, and opportunities associated with the program and explain how you would utilize them.
• Be as specific as possible about your research interests. This doesn’t mean you should know exactly what your dissertation topic will be in five years, but you should be able to identify a specific field within the department and professors who work in that field. Often admissions decisions are based on specialties (an English department probably doesn’t want an entire class studying Victorian literature and a biology department probably doesn’t want an entire class researching genetics), so narrowing your field can be essential.
• Anecdotes and autobiography can be effective in your introduction, but make sure the bulk of your statement is technical and academic. Only include extra-curriculars if they directly relate to your research interests. In all likelihood, your personal history has shaped your research interests, and your statement of purpose shouldn’t sound like a generic, lifeless script. But you primarily want to prove to the committee that you can succeed in coursework, excel in lab, finish a dissertation, or teach an undergraduate class.

Personal Statement

Think of the personal statement, by contrast, as more of a bio. You still want to mention your research interests and the specific program you’re applying to, but you also have an opportunity to flesh out your personal history. 

A strong personal statement should:

• Focus on the intersection of your personal, academic, and professional lives
• Detail various life experiences that have developed your character, work-ethic, and perspective
• Explain how your background particularly suits your for this program and/or will allow you to contribute a unique perspective to the community 

Some tips for writing an effective personal statement:

• Some institutions use the personal statement to assign various fellowships based on students’ backgrounds. If you’ve overcome or still face any barriers to education, this is an opportunity to explain those experiences.
• If you haven’t overcome any significant barriers, don’t stretch the truth. Instead, you might talk about how certain experiences have shaped your perspective or widened your understanding of the barriers that others face. Maybe you haven’t experienced any significant hardships but are still driven to help others who do, and you can discuss how this program will help you to achieve that goal. Or you might explain how you look forward to learning from a diverse and dynamic academic community.
• Though the personal statement is an opportunity to share information about yourself that might not directly map onto your academic career, you should still explain how your personal experiences ultimately make you a stronger student, colleague, and/or teacher.

Hopefully these distinctions have helped to clarify some key terms you’ll encounter while applying to graduate school. While these essays are usually the hardest part of applications, they can also be the most rewarding. If you think carefully about why exactly you want to apply to a program, what exactly you would study while there, and how that experience fits into your larger personal history, you’ll be both a stronger candidate and graduate student.

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Grad school personal statement vs statement of purpose: what’s the difference.

Broadly defined, the Personal Statement is, well,  personal : it’s about you as a person. The Statement of Purpose is about—you guessed it—your purpose, which is to say, your goals in the program and beyond.

Personal Statement

Unlike personal essays for college, which can focus on any especially meaningful aspect of your experiences, your graduate school Personal Statement should focus on your life as it relates to your career aspirations .

This essay should be autobiographical and retrospective, and should take the shape of a story. You can discuss educational, familial, cultural, socioeconomic, or personal experiences or challenges; you can also mention relevant extracurricular activities that help explain who you are. How have your life experiences impacted your personal character, values, and chosen field?

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Your Personal Statement can include a general description of your academic interests and career goals. You can incorporate your research experience and future interests in research, but typically this would not be a major component of the Personal Statement.

Statement of Purpose

In your Statement of Purpose, meanwhile, you’ll drill down into your academic interests and future plans. This essay should be more specific, technical, research based, and goals-focused; here, you’re looking forward rather than backward.

Explain why you are applying to grad school and be explicit about your qualifications for acceptance. Lay out your research interests and how they’ve developed through your academic and work experience; if you’ve had formative experiences with mentors, this is the place to mention them. State your career goals as specifically as possible.

And finally, discuss your fit with this particular program: which specific professors do you hope to work with? What resources would you hope to make use of? Which classes, research opportunities, and internships excite you most?

Comparison of the Essays

Let’s take an example of an applicant for an PhD in English. In your Personal Statement, you might discuss your passion for literature from a young age, and how you founded a new literary magazine at your college. You could also describe writing your college thesis on the role of science in Shakespeare’s plays. You could convey your enthusiasm, and how—hunched over your computer and a four-inch binder of notes—your years-long infatuation with analyzing Shakespeare’s tragedies crystallized into a desire to make this your career.

Your Statement of Purpose, meanwhile, would detail your training and qualifications to date; you would describe in a more factual manner the process of creating your thesis, including how you chose your topic, the sources you used, and how you developed and proved your arguments.  In addition, you would cite the reasons the specific graduate program to which you’re applying would be the ideal fit for an English professor-in-training, the kind of research you hope to conduct in the future, and with which faculty members, and the specific shape of the career you hope will follow.

Examples of Essay Prompts

The PhD program in English at the University of Michigan has separate prompts for the Personal Statement and Statement of Purpose, which illustrate the differences between the two:

Personal Statement:

A clearly labeled biographical Personal Statement: statement about how your personal background and life experiences, including social, cultural, familial, educational, or other opportunities or challenges, motivated your decision to pursue a graduate degree at the University of Michigan. This is not an Academic Statement of Purpose, but a discussion of the personal journey that has led to your decision to seek a graduate degree.

Statement of Purpose:

A clearly labeled academic and intellectual Statement of Purpose: statement about your academic and research background, your career goals, and how Michigan’s graduate program will help you meet your career and educational objectives.

It is important to note that some schools do not require two separate essays, but rather one essay that combines elements of both the Personal Statement and Statement of Purpose. Take, for example, the essay requirement of Princeton’s PhD program in English :

Highlight current academic and future career plans as they relate to the Princeton degree program to which you are applying. Include relevant academic, professional, and personal experiences that influenced the decision to apply for graduate admission and obtain a graduate degree. Outline the goals for graduate study.

If the Personal Statement is a full plate—envision a piece of chicken with sides of roast potatoes and string beans—the Statement of Purpose is just the meat, trimmed of any excess fat. Whereas the Personal Statement aims to give a holistic view of who you are, the Statement of Purpose should omit discussions of anything extraneous, like extracurricular activities that don’t directly relate to your academic or career interests. In the Personal Statement, you can weave a captivating yarn; in the Statement of Purpose, you should stay on the ball.

There’s a reason why many grad school applications require both: taken together, they should give a full picture of who you’ve been, who you are now, and who – professionally – you hope to become.

The process of applying to grad school is complex. At Collegiate Gateway, we are experienced in the nuances of the grad school admissions process. If you would like additional guidance, feel free to  contact us  and register for a  free consultation  – as always we’re happy to help!

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Personal Statement Vs Statement of Purpose: How They Compare

by  Antony W

June 24, 2024

The first step to applying to graduate school is to write a personal statement , a statement of purpose, or both.

While these documents are more or less about you, they serve varying objectives, and therefore it’s important to know the difference between the two before writing them.

This guide is all about a statement of purpose vs a personal statement. You’ll learn:

• What each statement is
• The similarity and differences between the two documents
• Some tips you can use to write killer statements that can will you a spot in a graduate school.

Let’s get started.

Statement of Purpose vs a Personal Statement: The Difference 

The biggest difference between a statement of purpose and a personal statement is the role each plays.

On the one hand, a personal statement tells your story, from events that have had an impact in your life and motivation for wanting to take part in a program to the challenges you’ve faced and your achievements.

On the other hand, a statement of purpose highlights what you intend to bring to the table, and in particular your ambition and career goals.

Let’s expand on each to learn the difference.

Personal Statement

A personal statement talks about you. It highlights the challenges you faced in life, your past accomplishments, and what inspires you to apply to a particular program.

In a personal statement, there’s more breathing space to write just about anything you’d like. For example, you’re free to explain how and why you ended up choosing your field of interest, highlight your personal experiences, and write more about the different aspects of your life.

Because a personal statement is wider in scope, it’s more than backward looking. Instead of just focusing on the things you’ve done in the past in readiness for the future, an admissions committee may also require you to state your current goals and your long-term vision, and at the same time demonstrate how the program you’re applying to will help you to achieve those goals.

Whichever approach you take to come up with the statement, you need to make sure the essay demonstrates your readiness for the program in terms of skills and characters. Also, it should explicitly explain why you’re the right candidate for the program.

Statement of Purpose 

As the phrase suggests, a statement of purpose expresses your overall intention for taking an interest in a particular program.

It’s in a statement of purpose that you explain why you chose the university, what you intend to do if you get an admission to the program, why you want to enroll to the program, and the research you wish to engage in. 

The admissions committee expects you to highlight your academic background and strength, mention the researches you’ve done before, and communicate your research interests and career goals.

Overall, a statement purpose is forward-looking, as it’s concerned with specific details on your future career plans as well as research goals.

For what it’s worth, we encourage that you firmly base your statement of purpose on your interests, credentials, and qualifications.

Statement of Purpose vs a Personal Statement: The Similarities 

Although a personal statement and statement of purpose communicate different messages to an admissions panel, they both serve a similar purpose.

Written well, a statement of purpose and a personal statement can convince the admissions committee that you’re the best candidate for the program in question.

Tips to Help You Write a Good Personal Statement and a Statement of Purpose 

Stick to the word limit .

Both statement of purpose and a personal statement are 1 to 2 pages long.

However, some institutions will have their own word limit, in which case you should stick to these requirements. When you’re free to decide the length, more than 2 pages may be inappropriate and ineffective. 

Longer statements tend to be boring and tiresome to read. Short, concise, and well-written essays, on the other hand, will win the day.

Start with a hook, a couple of good paragraphs, a strong conclusion, and you’re good to go. If you can make every word count, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t win an admissions panel over. 

Demonstrate Your Skills 

The two documents should demonstrate your skills as proof that you know what you’re talking about. So show, don’t just show.

Write According to the Instructions 

Follow instructions provided as you write your personal statement and/or statement of purpose.

An admission panel will screen your application against their requirements and eliminate you from the rest of the applicants if they find you failed to follow their instructions.

Be Truthful and Authentic 

When it comes to writing a personal statement and/or a statement of purpose, using a simple language is the way to go.

It temps to use flowery phrases and Shakespearean sonnet, but it’s hard to keep up with these and still remain as authentic.

If anything, write in a natural voice, the same way you would when speaking to a friend.

Also, be truthful. Refrain from putting down statements that far mismatches your personality.

The admissions committee can easily know if you’re lying in your statements or otherwise. So be as straightforward as you possibly can.

Edit Your Essay Thoroughly 

It doesn’t make sense to just write a statement of purpose or a personal statement and not edit it at all.

Complete the statement, walk away from it for a while, and then come back and edit it sentence after sentence.

If you don’t have the time to edit the work yourself, you can hire the service of Help for Assessment to get the proofreading done fast.

Conclusion 

It’s important to keep in mind that a program may give you a step-by-step guide on what to include in your personal statement and statement of purpose. Or they may leave it all open for you to figure things out.

Whichever the case, it’s important to include the most relevant details to the documents, and give all the best point to grab the attention of an admissions committee so that they can pick you as the best candidate for the program.

Also, it’s up to you to decide if you’ll use the same personal statement or statement of purpose to apply to numerous graduate projects.

You do want to stand out, so maybe writing separate statements may be ideal, although there’s nothing wrong with using the same statement to apply to multiple programs. 

What matters is how you shape the essay. And if you do it right, you boost your chances of providing the admissions panel with the information they need to not only know more about you but also select you as the ideal candidate for the program. 

About the author 

Antony W is a professional writer and coach at Help for Assessment. He spends countless hours every day researching and writing great content filled with expert advice on how to write engaging essays, research papers, and assignments.

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HLS: Statement of Purpose vs Personal Statement

Is HLS's Statement of Purpose pretty much the same as your typical personal statement? I've heard some people say that the Statement of Purpose has less of a fixation on personal narrative as opposed to the typical personal statement... Is this true?

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Personal Statement vs Cover Letter: A Guide

Personal statements and cover letters are both valuable documents for your job applications. Either document can accompany your CV and help to convince the recruiter or hiring manager that you’re right for the job. In this article, we’ll discuss personal statements vs cover letters, comparing the differences between each document, outlining their uses and providing a guide to writing a strong example of each.

Understanding the Purpose of a Personal Statement or Cover Letter

The purpose of both a personal statement and a cover letter is similar. Both documents supplement your CV with useful additional information intended to persuade the employer that you’re a suitable candidate. Most modern CV examples are short, concise documents, so either a personal statement or cover letter can be useful for greater detail.

While the purpose of both the personal statement and cover letter are similar, their uses are different. A personal statement is distinct from a CV summary or CV objective, both of which are sections of the CV itself. It usually takes the form of a separate document, essaying your career highlights, skills, experiences and objectives. It tends to be a more personal document than a CV or cover letter, and it can be useful for speculative applications where you’re seeking to introduce yourself to a company.

On the other hand, a cover letter is a professional introduction that accompanies your CV for formal, specific job applications. While your cover letter can contain similar details to your personal statement, the format and structure of the letter is different.

Key Differences Between a Personal Statement and a Cover Letter

These key differences between a personal statement and a cover letter can help you decide which is most suitable for your job applications:

The primary purpose of a personal statement is to express your core values, ethics and strengths in a short, personal story about your life and career. These tend to be used as an introduction to speculative applications. They’re also often used for academic applications and graduate roles. Cover letters, on the other hand, are formal letters accompanying your CV for advertised positions.

Target audience

You’ll usually send your cover letter to a known contact who’s handling the hiring process. This could be a recruiter, an HR manager or a manager within the department you’re applying to work in. Personal statements may be addressed speculatively to heads of department, directors or managers within a company, although it’s still always best to obtain the name of the person you’re sending it to.

Personal statements are essays that delve into your motivations, objectives, values and key qualities. They give you the chance to really express what’s important to you in your career, and what you hope to achieve. Cover letters usually afford some space for this type of content, but they also include various pleasantries and formalities associated with formal job applications.

Length and structure

While there can be some scope for differences in length between a cover letter and personal statement, it’s important to keep both as concise as possible. A cover letter is typically three short paragraphs. A personal statement can be a little longer and more detailed, but a length of four or five paragraphs will usually suffice.

Expert Tip:

Although personal statements are often more speculative than cover letters, you should still write yours with a specific job in mind. This can help you to remain focused with the content of your statement, to make a more compelling case to hiring managers about your credentials and suitability.

Writing an Effective Cover Letter

Cover letter templates typically include the sections outlined below. Follow this guide to ensure your cover letter has the structure and content to make a strong impression with hiring managers:

• Letter header: include your name, phone number, email address and postal address.
• Date: add the date you’re sending the letter.
• Hiring manager’s name and organisation details/address: address the letter to the hiring manager by name, if you have it. Include the company name and address.
• Greeting: greet the hiring manager by name if you know it (for example, ‘Dear Julia Lucas’). If you don’t know their name, use their job title (for example, ‘Dear HR Manager’), or simply ‘Dear hiring manager’.
• Introductory paragraph: in your first paragraph, confirm the role and mention where you saw it advertised. Briefly mention why you think you’re suitable for the role, how it fits with your career ambitions and why you’re keen to work with the organisation.
• Description of your qualities: in the second paragraph, explain how your experience and skills make you a strong fit for the role. Pick out one or two examples of achievements and successes in previous roles and highlight some of the key strengths you can bring to the role.
• Closing paragraph and call to action: finish the letter by expressing your gratitude and enthusiasm, and adding a call to action. This is typically an invitation for the hiring manager to contact you to arrange an interview, or to discuss the details of your application further.
• Sign off: use a conventional, formal letter sign-off to complete your letter. If you know the name of the hiring manager, use ‘Yours sincerely’. If you don’t know their name, use ‘Yours faithfully’. Sign your letter by hand or using a digital signature.

Example Cover Letter

Harry Boardman 27 Cuckoo Lane Bristol BS1 3EF

Joanne Saunders Head of HR Abacus Logistics

Dear Joanne,

I’m writing to apply for the role of Account Manager, as advertised in Transport Monthly’s June 2024 edition. I’m particularly interested in working for your organisation owing to its excellent reputation for developing staff and providing clear career pathways.

I joined Howells Transport and Logistics as an Account Executive in 2013, moving to Account Management in 2018. Since then, I’ve contributed to the ongoing growth of the company by building exceptional customer relations, increasing repeat business by 38%. My commitment to providing high-quality, reliable shipping and logistics solutions has helped Howells win the South West Transport Awards ‘Logistics Provider of the Year’ twice in the past five years.

Thank you for considering my application. I would welcome the chance to discuss the role further. Please don’t hesitate to contact me to arrange an interview, or for any clarification about my application. I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely, Harry Boardman

“The purpose of both a personal statement and a cover letter is similar. Both documents supplement your CV with useful additional information intended to persuade the employer that you’re a suitable candidate."

Crafting a Persuasive Personal Statement

As its name suggests, a personal statement can be a more personal document than a cover letter, which sticks to more formal letter-writing conventions. Follow this structure to create a compelling, persuasive personal statement:

Personal values and career objectives

Open your personal statement with an expression of your values and career objectives. This will help the employer to quickly understand your personality, the qualities you can bring to the organisation and how well you’ll fit in based on your career stage and what you hope to achieve.

Key skills and experience

In the next paragraph, provide a summary of your career to date, highlighting the key experiences you’ve had and the skills you’ve developed. Focus on the skills and experience required for the type of role you’d like to be considered for. Use strong verbs and active voice to keep this section focused, concise and impactful for the reader.

Express enthusiasm and gratitude

Use your third paragraph to express your enthusiasm for the organisation and the potential opportunities they might have for you. Explain why you want to work for the organisation, referencing their reputation and any types of work they’re known for.

Call to action

A call to action for a personal statement may be slightly more vague than it is for a cover letter. Mention that you’d be happy to meet or connect for an informal discussion about yourself, the organisation and any current or potential future opportunities.

Example Personal Statement

As a creative, innovative web designer, I’m keen to pursue opportunities to work for organisations that think differently and aren’t afraid to challenge the industry status quo. I’ve always sought to bring a fresh, vibrant energy to my design projects, and I’m hopeful of finding opportunities within your organisation that align with my priorities.

My experience includes four years’ working as a principal web designer for Almendra Web Design, a boutique web agency based in Manchester.  Working as part of a small team of designers and developers, we advocate for simple, beautiful apps that have a clear, stated purpose and deliver an unrivalled user experience. This stripped-back approach has enabled us to outmanoeuvre larger agencies and win major contracts with clients in the tech, retail and fashion industries.

For me, good design is characterised first and foremost by clarity and simplicity. My web design projects always start by defining the purpose and desired outcomes of the project in the clearest terms. I then strive to create simple, effective design concepts that deliver on the brief and provide developers with a strong framework to build upon. As a team, Almendra has been recognised by the Greater Manchester Business Awards as the city’s best medium-sized web agency.

I would be extremely interested in discussing my experience further with you, and how it might fit with your organisation. If you have any roles you believe are a good fit for my experience and skill set, or if you’d just like to discuss future potential opportunities for collaboration, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Key Takeaways for Personal Statement vs Cover Letter

Whether you’re writing a personal statement or a cover letter, remember to keep it concise and focused on the role you’re applying for. Use strong verbs and include examples of your achievements, while explaining your career motivations and objectives. Jobseeker offers a wealth of tools to help you craft the perfect job application. Find CV templates to easily create a winning CV. Read CV articles to understand how to make a better impression with employers. You can also access cover letter articles and resources to increase your chances of job application success.

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