personal statement for internship

How To Write A Personal Statement For An Internship

Home / Uncategorized / How To Write A Personal Statement For An Internship

Trending Careers

Personal statements are a great way for employers to learn more about the potential interns applying for their internships. It is also a chance for those who want an internship to showcase their amazing skills and talents.

So, that is why it is important that you are able to write a fantastic personal statement. 

A personal statement is an opportunity to show how you are more than just the figures on your resume. It is a chance for you to tell them about your background, challenges you’ve faced, and prove to them that you are the type of person they are looking to hire for this internship. 

It can seem a little daunting trying to figure out what to write about yourself. Well, don’t panic. This guide will help you to figure out what to include and how to write a personal statement for an internship. 

Table of Contents

What Is A Personal Statement?

Plan and reflect, plan your format, writing your opening paragraph , writing about your experience, summarizing, use the active voice, keep your personal statement short and sweet, proofread your work, get someone to give you constructive criticism, don’t repeat yourself, final thoughts .

Before we look at how to write a personal statement, it is important to go through what a personal statement is. 

A personal statement is an essay that goes through the individual’s skills, background, and why the individual would be perfect for the internship . A personal statement should be all about you. 

It might seem like a personal statement is a biography but it is important to keep linking what you’ve put in your personal statement to what you are applying for. This is why it is more like an essay than a biography of your life. 

It is an opportunity to show how you stand out from the other applicants. 

Now that you know what a personal statement is, let’s look at some things you can do to help you write a personal statement. 

The best personal statements are the ones that have been planned out thoroughly. Your personal statement should have a clear structure to it. However, before you can plan what you are going to include, you need to reflect on your life. 

You need to be able to take the time to reflect on your life experiences and what makes you a unique candidate for the internship.

You should go back to the description of the internship and ask yourself what they need that you’ve got to offer. You should think about what you’ve got but they don’t realize they need it. 

If you are struggling with what makes you stand out, then you can ask some of your family and friends. Discuss what qualities they think make you a great candidate for the internship. 

Once you have an idea of what you want to write about to sell yourself, then you can move on to formatting your personal statement.

Personal statements tend to have the same format. They often start with an introduction, then a few main body paragraphs that discuss your skills, experience, knowledge, and how they relate to the internship you are applying for.

Then you might want to include a paragraph of your future goal in relation to your career and link how this internship will help you achieve your goals.

Then it ends with a paragraph that concludes what you have discussed. This paragraph should be like a closing statement of the argument you have explained. 

However, there might be other guidelines as to how you should format your paragraphs from the internship you are applying for. Make sure you follow any instructions they have when it comes to writing your personal statement.

These instructions could be the font you are allowed to use or the size of the font. They might even have a word count limit for how much you can write for each paragraph or in total. 

You might be tempted to state who you are and where you are from in your opening paragraph. However, this doesn’t make you stand out from the crowd like your personal statement is supposed to. 

Instead, you should start your introductory paragraph with a story about the moment in your life that made you decide to pursue the career you have chosen. The point of this story is to hook the reader so that they want to read on. 

For this to be a good opening paragraph, it needs to be personal to you. Don’t go for any generic moment, make sure you are able to convey the importance and influence this moment had over your life. 

The main body paragraphs or the middle paragraphs should be about your experience. You should explain how your experience benefits the internship you are applying for.

During these paragraphs, you want to talk about your experience and what skills you have developed because of this experience. 

Make sure you look over the description of the internship you are applying for and that you have included examples to show that you meet the requirements of the candidate they are looking for. 

The aim of the middle paragraph is to discuss your life and how the things you have experienced in your life have made you right for the role you are applying to.

An example of this would be discussing how being part of the relay team during college has helped you develop resilience, determination, and teamwork skills. 

For your final paragraph, it is important to include a summary of what you have stated in your essay. It is a good idea to link back to the story you included in your first paragraph and develop the significance of that event. 

At this point, some decide to write about their life goals. Others prefer to write a paragraph before their conclusion about these life goals.

Either way is perfectly fine as long as you do include information about your career goals and how this internship will help you achieve your dreams. 

Top Tips 

Here are some tips to help you when writing and after you’ve finished writing your personal statement. 

When writing your personal statement make sure you are using the active voice rather than the passive voice. The active voice will make your personal statement seem more personal and the reader will feel more connected to you when reading your personal statement. 

When writing your personal statement it is important that you are genuine and authentic. The reader will be able to pick up on any moments where you are not being genuine in your personal statement. 

Personal statements are about you, so you need to be yourself when writing about your life. Don’t over-dramatize events that have happened in your life as the reader will be able to see that you’ve done that. 

The point of a personal statement is to prove to the employer that you are worthy of a place on this internship. If you are not being truthful or genuine in your statement then you are proving that you are not worthy of a place. 

You might be tempted to include skills that you haven’t developed yet because those skills seem easy to learn. However, if you do get through to the next stage, then you might be required to demonstrate those skills. This will only reflect poorly on you.

The last thing you want to do for a personal statement is to talk about yourself for pages and pages. This will not leave a good impression of you on your employer. Instead, you want to be selective about what you include in your personal statement. 

They are not interested in where you went to kindergarten. You should only be writing about the life experiences that are relevant to what they are looking for. If you do this, it shows them you are able to stay on topic and cut out any unnecessary information. 

There is nothing more important than proofreading your personal statement. If you send off a personal statement that has a lot of small mistakes littered in it, this gives those reading your personal statement a bad impression.

Sending off a personal statement that hasn’t been checked for mistakes gives the impression that you don’t care. It makes it seem like you are less passionate about the role you are applying for compared to other candidates. 

Attention to detail is a valuable skill that a lot of employers want their interns to have, so if your personal statement has mistakes in it, you’ve expressed to your employer that you don’t have this skill. 

Those who are looking at your application are able to tell when you have rushed your personal statement. So, give a good first impression by thoroughly proofreading your work for mistakes. 

Something that you can do in order to check your work is to get someone else to give you feedback. Ask your family or friends for help with proofreading. They might be able to spot mistakes that you haven’t noticed in your work. 

Having someone else read your work is a great way to see what they know about your personal statement and whether it is effective or not. They can help you with the structure of your personal statement to see if it flows smoothly. 

One thing to keep in mind is that you are not repeating yourself. These could be phrases like ‘I am a good fit for the internship because’. Try not to repeatedly use ‘I’. Instead of explicitly telling them you are a good fit, explain how the skills you have are relevant to the role. 

That brings us to the end of this guide on how to write a personal statement for an internship. The main thing to remember is that a personal statement should highlight your strengths and what makes you valuable to them.

As long as you are true to yourself then you should find it easy to plan what you are writing. Make sure to stick to any instructions they give you about writing your personal statement. 

Hopefully, this guide has helped you feel more confident about writing your personal statement. 

Related Resources

• How To Write An Email For An Internship
• How To Write A Cover Letter Engineering Interns
• How To Put An Internship On A Resume
• How To Apply For An Internship

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

• SUGGESTED TOPICS
• The Magazine
• Newsletters
• Managing Yourself
• Managing Teams
• Work-life Balance
• The Big Idea
• Data & Visuals
• Reading Lists
• Case Selections
• HBR Learning
• Topic Feeds
• Account Settings
• Email Preferences

How to Write a Strong Personal Statement

• Ruth Gotian
• Ushma S. Neill

A few adjustments can get your application noticed.

Whether applying for a summer internship, a professional development opportunity, such as a Fulbright, an executive MBA program, or a senior leadership development course, a personal statement threads the ideas of your CV, and is longer and has a different tone and purpose than a traditional cover letter. A few adjustments to your personal statement can get your application noticed by the reviewer.

• Make sure you’re writing what they want to hear. Most organizations that offer a fellowship or internship are using the experience as a pipeline: It’s smart to spend 10 weeks and $15,000 on someone before committing five years and $300,000. Rarely are the organizations being charitable or altruistic, so align your stated goals with theirs
• Know when to bury the lead, and when to get to the point. It’s hard to paint a picture and explain your motivations in 200 words, but if you have two pages, give the reader a story arc or ease into your point by setting the scene.
• Recognize that the reviewer will be reading your statement subjectively, meaning you’re being assessed on unknowable criteria. Most people on evaluation committees are reading for whether or not you’re interesting. Stated differently, do they want to go out to dinner with you to hear more? Write it so that the person reading it wants to hear more.
• Address the elephant in the room (if there is one). Maybe your grades weren’t great in core courses, or perhaps you’ve never worked in the field you’re applying to. Make sure to address the deficiency rather than hoping the reader ignores it because they won’t. A few sentences suffice. Deficiencies do not need to be the cornerstone of the application.

At multiple points in your life, you will need to take action to transition from where you are to where you want to be. This process is layered and time-consuming, and getting yourself to stand out among the masses is an arduous but not impossible task. Having a polished resume that explains what you’ve done is the common first step. But, when an application asks for it, a personal statement can add color and depth to your list of accomplishments. It moves you from a one-dimensional indistinguishable candidate to someone with drive, interest, and nuance.

• Ruth Gotian is the chief learning officer and associate professor of education in anesthesiology at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City, and the author of The Success Factor and Financial Times Guide to Mentoring . She was named the #1 emerging management thinker by Thinkers50. You can access her free list of conversation starters and test your mentoring impact . RuthGotian
• Ushma S. Neill is the Vice President, Scientific Education & Training at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. She runs several summer internships and is involved with the NYC Marshall Scholar Selection Committee. ushmaneill

Partner Center

Intern personal statement example (including cover letter)

• Reading time: 4 minutes
• Price: Free download
• Published: 31st October 2021
• Word count: 1000 words
• File format: Text

My name is xxxxxx and it is with much enthusiasm that I am applying for the internship with the Mayor’s Office. As a prospective May 2019 VCU graduate studying Sociology and Criminal Justice , a Virginia Western A.S. 2017 graduate, and having diverse work experience, I am confident that I am an ideal candidate for this position.

I note that you are looking for a student with professionalism, leadership, clerical, and customer service skills in the setting of public service. As you will see from my resume, I have developed excellent experience in these varied and valuable qualities. My experience as a Senior Counselor at Camp Bethel Summer Camp, provided the foundation of these desired skills that I have continued to build upon in my academic and work life. Serving as the Youth Coordinator for the Catholic Diocese of Richmond taught me my most valuable leadership skills. Working as the coordinator was quite daunting in the beginning, but it helped me conquer past fears I had of holding such a crucial leadership role. My time as the Director of Outreach for The #YouDefineYou Project showed me the value of teamwork in order to achieve a common goal. Now, my position as the Child and Youth Program Assistant for the Department of Defense is reinforcing my ability on how to listen in order to learn, understand, and support.

It would be an honor to receive the opportunity to work with such a great political leader. Thank you for your time and consideration and I look forward to hearing from you to discuss this amazing opportunity. I may be reached xxxxxx or by email at xxxxxx.

————-

I take great interest in improving the quality of life for others through serving my community. Whether it be through volunteer work such as my time with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, or through jobs I have held, I take great pride in serving my community. I am most inspired by Mayor Stoney’s biography and share his vision and commitment for a bright future for the most beautiful city of Richmond. I am interested in this internship in order to better prepare myself for a future career. This internship would give the great opportunity for professional development by further diversifying my skillset, challenging me, and overall giving me a new perspective outside of the school setting. In my future career, I hope to work with children and adolescents in the field of public service. This internship would give me the very best experience in order to prepare for a career in public service. I would be a great asset to the Mayor’s Office with the skillset and dedication I have for public service. It would be an absolute honor to work beside Mayor Sxxxx and the staff in this internship.

As described in the job description, I hope to integrate the knowledge and experiences I have gained in my studies into this “real world” setting. Specifically, I hope to apply theories I’ve learned in my classes on social justice organizing, public speaking, U.S. government, computer applications, writing, etc., and overall, the extremely valuable lessons my professors have taught me throughout my years in college. I would like to learn different means of career development in this internship. I would like to learn what qualities and experiences will help me be the most successful public service employee that I can be. Specifically, skills such as learning how to better operate office or computer equipment, organizing data and records, or overall improving my leadership , teamwork, and writing skills. Lastly, I would also like to use this internship to work on my personal development. This would be fulfilled by developing better confidence, critical thinking skills, and how to approach a professional workplace. I am confident that the Richmond Internship Program greatly assists in these learning objectives.

During the summer of 2016 with Camp Bethel Summer Camp, I was working one of the day camps offered at a church in Roanoke City. This weeklong summer camp was offered at no cost for the families, therefore, gained much attraction in this low-income neighborhood. We accepted all children that wanted to participate, which caused the week to have approximately 60 participants. Camp Bethel asked that the children could be sent with a packed lunch each day. Many of the children in my unit came prepared each morning with their small lunch box, but many of them did not. The first day, I assumed these children’s caretaker(s) had simply forgotten to throw a lunch together for them. At the end of the day, I approached the appropriate caregiver(s) and with much politeness, and reminded them of the packed lunch. The next day, I packed extra sandwiches and snacks in preparation that the lunch will again be an issue for caretakers. It was a good thing I did. A few children were again sent with little to no food for the day. I was then able to see this less as an issue of innocent forgetfulness but as an issue of food insecurity in this community. I saw it as my duty to tell the program coordinator in order to figure out how to better handle this situation. We came to the conclusion that we should continue to pack extra lunches while not shaming these parents. Many of these children were able to have free and reduced lunches during the school year and did not have the transportation to take part in the summer lunch program Roanoke has offered. Whether we had to take children aside and give them a breakfast or pack 10 extra peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, we made sure that no child went hungry. This experience has forever impacted me and has steered my work life and career goals to where they are now. It challenged me in ways that helped me work on my observation, communication, problem-solving, and collaboration skills. I am forever grateful that those children came into my life.

Related personal statements:

• Sustainable development course personal statement example
• History admissions reconsideration request
• Leadership PhD personal statement
• Geography personal statement
• Studying abroad personal statement
• College personal statement
• Student body personal statement
• Fashion studies personal statement example
• General personal statement example

Review this personal statement:

Latest reviews:.

There are no reviews yet. Be the first one to write one.

Leave a comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Privacy Overview

How to Write a Cover Letter for an Internship

A cover letter for an internship, also called a letter of introduction, an application letter, or a personal statement, expresses how your skills and experiences make you the best candidate for the position. It should showcase your personal style while expanding upon and complementing your  résumé .

Always include a cover letter when it is requested to solidify your chance of becoming a candidate for the internship. Conversely, including a cover letter , particularly when it’s optional, gives you an edge over candidates who don’t submit a cover letter. Consider the following guidance, tips, and examples before presenting your skills and experience to hiring managers.

Write with confidence Grammarly helps you communicate clearly Write with Grammarly

How to format your cover letter and what to include

Contact information and date.

In the header or upper left-hand corner of the page, include your name and contact information and then that of the recruiter or hiring manager, followed by the date.

Your Name Berkeley, CA (000) 000-0000 [email protected] linkedin.com/in/myname

Recruiter’s Name or Title [Recruiter’s position if name is provided] Company Name Anytown, USA

March 4, 2022

Greeting and introduction

First impressions are important, and this holds true for your letter. Avoid common mistakes by keeping the recruiter or hiring manager foremost in your mind. Begin with “Dear” or an appropriate title, like Mr., Ms., or Mx., followed by the individual’s first and last names.

Avoid impersonal greetings, like “To Whom It May Concern,” or casual greetings, like “Hey” or “Hi.” You want to strike a personal yet professional tone.

Here’s a tip: If you’re unable to locate a name for the salutation, try alternatives , like “Dear Team [Company Name].”

After the greeting, include in the first sentence the position to which you are applying, followed by how you discovered the internship, then express your interest in the company.

Here’s a tip: Use language that makes your reader feel seen and reveals your excitement for the position.

Dear Ms. Reader,

I am writing to express my interest in the Editorial Internship at Firtree Magazine. I’m a subscriber, and Firtree’s content ignited my interest in environmental justice journalism. I was excited to see the editorial internship opportunity listed on Handshake, my university’s job database.

Content paragraphs

Your cover letter should have two to three body paragraphs that cover the following information:

Reason for applying

Most students seek internship opportunities to jump-start their careers, while others may seek internships to discover potential career paths that are related or unrelated to their course of study. In a few sentences, explain how your personal and academic experiences lend themselves to the company’s or organization’s objectives. 

As a computer science major, I believe in Google’s informational access initiative. I’m particularly interested in user experience and how usability and accessibility are interconnected. I would be glad to use my strong coding abilities to help the company expand and deepen this area of research and development.

Relevant skills or experience

Identify academic skills and experiences to add to your cover letter. You might pull relevant experience such as:

• Research assistantships or fellowships
• Conference or symposium presentations
• Participation in scholastic competitions
• Occupying a leadership or other significant role in a club or campus organization
• Campus jobs (e.g., school news reporter, library assistant, resident assistant, etc.)
• Membership and participation in student organizations

You could also describe the skills you acquired through extracurricular experiences or coursework. These can include soft skills, like leadership or multitasking, and hard skills, like coding, Python, HTML, or proficiency with the Adobe Creative Cloud or Microsoft Office Suite.

Here’s a tip: Quantify your successes to stand out.

As the social media lead for the University of Michigan’s Writing Center, I frequently use Photoshop and Premiere Pro to produce brand-specific content. I release five to ten social media posts a week using the Creative Cloud.

Your intended contribution and goals

Do your homework on the company and role to identify how you could contribute and be an asset to the team. Explore the company’s website or its reviews on sites like Glassdoor to get a sense of its culture, values, and mission. Also, state why you want to intern for the company regarding what you hope to learn or gain.

I’ve noticed Pixar’s increased focus on films with characters of varied abilities. I think my two years as a research assistant working with neurodivergent children could help enhance the information Pixar’s content producers are seeking while providing me valuable hands-on experience for a career in the film industry.

Conclusion and sign-off

To conclude the letter, reiterate your excitement about the internship opportunity and invite the hiring manager to discuss your application further. 

Wrap up the letter with a sign-off followed by your signature. Appropriate sign-offs include: “Sincerely,” “Best wishes,” “Kindly,” or “Thank you.” 

I look forward to learning more about the design internship and welcome the opportunity to further discuss my application and suitability for the role. You may reach me at [email protected] or over the phone at (000) 000-0000.

Devon Reader

How to handle little or no related experience in your cover letter

If you don’t have much related experience, be flexible. In instances where you have little experience, consider an unpaid part-time internship that can fill the gap. You may want to hold off on internships with “required/preferred qualifications” or “would love to see” in the job description since these might limit your competitive chances.

When crafting your cover letter, get creative about how you talk about what you’ve done, whether it’s problem-solving an issue at school or otherwise, organizing or facilitating an event, or starting a new group or game—these are all experiences you can bring to an internship. Use your cover letter to make a good impression, tout your qualifications, and demonstrate why you deserve consideration.

Identify transferable skills

Transferable skills are abilities you can easily take from one job to another. You can identify your transferable skills by generating a list of experiences from your responsibilities, like caregiving or babysitting, volunteer experience, or courses you took related to your major. Beneath each respective listing, note the hard and soft skills you successfully used.

Choose appropriate experiences

Once you’ve generated your list of skills, identify the required skills in the job description and look for correlations. Did participating in a group project improve your communication skills or ability to work effectively on a team? Have you cultivated skills that help you multitask and resolve conflict with poise? Depending on the internship’s expectations, match one or two experiences from your list to those listed in the job description. 

Sell your story and skills

In your cover letter, discuss the specific experiences that show you have comparable skills to do what the job requires. Let hiring managers know how you made a difference or overcame a challenge and how those skills apply to the role. 

In my economics class, I led a group of four peers to construct and present a product where I focused on delegation and team support. I shared praise and provided constructive criticism. My actions helped us work collaboratively, and we earned an “A” on the assignment. My interpersonal skills and open approach to teamwork make me a strong candidate for the  Communications Internship.

Internship cover letter guidelines

Your internship cover letter should be:

• Half a page to one page long
• Single spaced with 1-inch margins
• Written in 10–12 point font (Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri) 
• Submitted as a PDF for electronic or email submissions unless otherwise instructed
• Printed on US letter size paper (8.5 by 11 inches) if mailing

Perfecting tone

Tone conveys your attitude about a given topic or subject. Aim to present yourself as professional, likable, and genuinely interested in the company. For an internship cover letter, aim for a tone that is professional yet friendly.

Getting tone right can be difficult. Fortunately, Grammarly’s tone detector can help you nail the appropriate tone and ensure you come across as intended.

When to follow up

It’s tempting to ask for a status update about your application, but before you do, double-check the job description. Confirm when the application period closes, if applicants are asked not to inquire about status updates, whether a response date is provided , and submission portal updates . Requesting an update too soon or when it’s not advised may make you come across as impatient or as someone who didn’t bother to read all of the application information.

According to one study , inquiring “one to less than two weeks” is an appropriate time to reach out. Call or email the point of contact and politely inquire about the status of the application process.

Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],

Approximately two weeks ago, I submitted my application for [Internship Title] and wanted to inquire about the status of my application and/or learn when a decision will be made.

Please let me know if additional information is needed. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sample internship cover letter

Jane Smith Berkeley, CA (000) 000-0000 [email protected] linkedin.com/in/janesmith

Ms. Ronny Reader Hiring Manager Firtree Magazine Los Angeles, CA March 4, 2022

I am writing to express my interest in the Editorial Internship at Firtree Magazine. As an avid reader, John Forrest’s 2019 article, “Not Only the Land Is Burned by Forest Fires,” sparked my interest in environmental justice journalism. Naturally, I was excited to see Firtree’s Editorial Internship opportunity listed on UC Berkeley’s Handshake job database, knowing Firtree’s commitment to climate justice aligns with my career interests.

I am currently a junior pursuing my bachelor’s degree in English literature at Cal, which has strengthened my written communication skills. This is evident in my 3.85 grade point average and consistent placement on the dean’s list for the past three semesters. I work as a staff writer at The Daily Californian , Cal’s student-run paper. As a staff writer, I produce articles on a bi-weekly basis. Producing at this level in tandem with my coursework has sharpened my time management skills. Pitching on a weekly basis has strengthened my creative thinking and ability to stay abreast of current ecojustice news. My skill set aligns with Firtree’s goal of delivering interesting, informed content to your audience. 

Outside of academics, my volunteer experience has cultivated my interpersonal skills. Each week I tutor in writing at the local high school, which has taught me to communicate complex ideas effectively and engage with different learning styles and backgrounds. I believe this experience will help me communicate with my peers at Firtree and with interview subjects in the field. 

Having the opportunity to intern with Firtree would allow me to gain hands-on editorial experience to prepare for a full-time journalism career while contributing to Firtree’s continued success. I welcome the opportunity to further discuss my application for clarification or questions related to my experience. You can reach me at (000) 000-0000 or by email at [email protected].

Polished, mistake-free writing

Every writer needs feedback on their work, and cover letters are no exception. You want the hiring manager to see your experience and personality in your internship cover letter, not grammatical, spelling, and punctuation mistakes. To ensure your writing shines, use Grammarly to help catch typos, get rid of repetitive wording, and strike the right tone. 

Internship cover letter FAQs

What is an internship cover letter? An internship cover letter is a personalized letter that demonstrates a student’s or recent graduate’s suitability for an internship position based on relevant skills and experience.

What should an internship cover letter include? An internship cover letter should include reasons for applying, appropriate skills and relevant experience, intended contribution to the company, and the applicant’s goals/desires.

What if the applicant lacks experience? If an applicant has little or no related experience, draw from volunteer work, personal duties, and/or engagement and performance in relevant coursework to discuss applicable transferable skills. Find examples of your skillset inside and outside of the academic setting, be it sports, babysitting, event planning, or organizing groups or games. 

How do you format an internship cover letter? The cover letter should be formatted and organized to include the following in a single-page document:

• The applicant’s and hiring manager’s contact information and the date of the letter
• Greeting/salutation
• Opening paragraph
• Body paragraph showcasing applicant’s suitability for the position
• Closing paragraph

How to write a personal statement for an internship

What is a personal statement, why is a personal statement important, what should you include in your personal statement, 1. start early, 2. read the internship description carefully, 3. be concise, 4. be specific, 5. use active voice, 6. get feedback, 7. edit and proofread your statement, 8. make it memorable, how to write a personal statement for an internship.

For many students, an internship is the perfect way to gain experience in their chosen field while also building connections in the industry. However, before you can start interning, you must first write a personal statement that will impress potential employers.

Your personal statement is essentially your sales pitch – it’s your chance to convince an employer that you’re the best candidate for the internship. But how exactly do you go about writing a persuasive personal statement?

In this article, we’ll break down the key components of a strong personal statement and provide you with tips to help you craft a statement that will get noticed.

A personal statement is a brief essay that summarizes your background, experiences, and career objectives. It’s your chance to showcase your skills, personality, and motivations to a potential employer, and demonstrate why you’re the right fit for their internship program.

A personal statement is critical because it’s often the first thing that an employer reads when they receive your application. A strong personal statement can increase your chances of getting selected for an interview and ultimately, landing the internship.

When crafting your personal statement, you should include the following:

• Your Background: Briefly discuss your education, previous work experience, and any relevant extracurricular activities.
• Your Skills: Highlight the skills that are most relevant to the internship. This could include technical skills, such as proficiency in a programming language, or soft skills, such as strong communication skills.
• Your Career Objectives: Discuss your career aspirations and explain how the internship fits in with your long-term goals.
• Your Personality: Give the employer a sense of your personality. Explain what motivates you, describe any challenges you’ve overcome, and discuss what sets you apart from other candidates.

How to Write a Strong Personal Statement for an Internship

Now that you know what to include in your personal statement, here are some tips to help you write a statement that will stand out:

Don’t wait until the last minute to start your personal statement. Give yourself plenty of time to brainstorm, write, and edit your statement. This will ensure that you have enough time to craft a strong, well-written statement that will impress employers.

Before you start writing your personal statement, make sure that you thoroughly understand the internship description. Identify the skills and qualities that the employer is looking for, and tailor your statement to reflect those qualities.

Your personal statement should be no more than two pages long, so be mindful of the word count. Every sentence should demonstrate the quality or skill you want to convey, and avoid using filler words or redundant phrases.

Avoid vague statements that don’t provide any specific details. Instead, provide examples and specific details of your accomplishments that demonstrate why you’re the right candidate for the position.

Use active voice instead of passive voice to make your personal statement more engaging. Active voice conveys confidence and authority, while passive voice can make your writing seem weaker.

Get feedback from your peers, mentors, or advisers on your personal statement. Constructive criticism can help you improve your statement and make it more persuasive.

Before you submit your personal statement, make sure you have thoroughly edited and proofread it. Pay attention to spelling and grammar errors, and make sure your statement flows smoothly.

A strong personal statement is one that sticks in the mind of the employer. Use vivid language and imagery, and avoid clichés that will make your statement seem generic.

A personal statement is an essential component of any internship application. By following the tips outlined in this article, you can create a statement that will demonstrate your skills, personality, and motivations, and convince employers that you’re the right fit for their program.

About The Author

Madeline Moran

Leave a comment cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

How To Write a Personal Statement That Stands Out

Table of contents

Laura Jane Bradbury

A personal statement is a chance to highlight your unique qualities, skills, and experiences, all while showcasing your personality.

But whether you're applying for university, a job, or funding, it can be daunting to write about yourself. To increase your chances of getting accepted, it's important to know how to create an effective personal statement.

In my six years as a copywriter, I’ve written many personal statements that get results. In this article, I’ll guide you through what to include, what to avoid, and how to tailor a personal statement based on your application type.

Key Takeaways

• A personal statement is an opportunity to share your unique qualities, experiences, and skills.
• It should always relate to the course, job, or funding you are applying for.
• Include accomplishments and experiences that demonstrate how suited you are to the position or course you are applying for.
• Use clear and simple language to ensure your points are understood.

Your personal statement should be concise and demonstrate how you fit the position or opportunity you’re applying for. It’s important to keep information relevant, rather than listing all of your skills and accomplishments.

Follow these steps to accurately write and tailor your statement.

Understand your prompt

Before you start, make sure you understand what's expected of you. Are there specific instructions, keywords, or phrases that stand out in your prompt? Read through it thoroughly and note the requirements. You can then brainstorm ideas for each point.

Let's say I'm applying for a university journalism course. I've been asked to write a statement that shares why I'm interested and why I would be a good fit. I can use columns to plan my content:

Putting your ideas together first makes it easier to stay on track. Otherwise, you might lose focus and include irrelevant information. 

Show, don't just tell

Once you’ve listed your experiences, skills, and accomplishments, consider how you can demonstrate them with examples. Take a look at the list you created during the previous exercise and organize your points so you have clear examples and proof.

This technique helps you demonstrate your experiences and how they tie in with your application.

When telling anecdotes, use engaging stories that demonstrate your skills. For instance, a story about how I handled a fast-paced news internship proves I work well under pressure. 

Start strong

Recruiters, application tutors, and funders read lots of personal statements. You can make yours stand out with an engaging introduction.

Examples of a strong opening include:

A meaningful statistic

This draws readers in and increases credibility: 

"Communication is the key to marketing success, according to Business Marketing News. With five years of experience communicating and delivering campaigns to global clients, I have the skills and passion to add value to your team."

A personal story

Anecdotes connect the reader with the author’s real-life experience: 

"My first exposure to microbiology was during my time as a research assistant for a microbiologist. I was fascinated by the complex and intricate processes within cells."

An alarming statement

This piques the reader’s interest by making an issue seem urgent:  

“ The fashion industry churns out clothes at an alarming rate, causing mass production of synthetic fibers and harsh chemicals which have a detrimental impact on the planet. Funding my sustainability initiative is vital to mitigating this environmental impact." 

Avoid cliches such as "From a young age, I have always loved...." and "For as long as I can remember, I have had a passion for..."

Pro tip: Use Wordtune Editor 's Shorten feature to cut unnecessary fluff and make your intro sharper. Simply type in your sentence and click Shorten to receive suggestions.

Get Wordtune for free > Get Wordtune for free >

Admission committees and employers appreciate sincerity and authenticity. While it may be tempting, avoid exaggeration. You can better emphasize your skills and personality by being honest. For instance, rather than claiming I read every type of newspaper in my journalism application, I can focus on my dedication to reading The New York Times.

Your writing style should also feel genuine. Instead of trying to impress with complex language and fancy words, keep sentences simple and direct . This makes them more effective because they’re easier to read. 

Address weaknesses

Addressing weaknesses can show your willingness to confront challenges. It also gives you a chance to share efforts you have made for improvement. When explaining a weakness, exclude excuses.

Instead of saying "I didn't achieve my expected grades due to work commitments impacting my studies," try “While I didn't achieve my expected grades, I am now working with a tutor to help me understand my weak areas so I can succeed in your program.”

Wordtune’s Spices feature can help you develop counterarguments to weaknesses. In the Editor, highlight your text, click on Spices, and then Counterargument . Here’s an example:

Using Wordtune’s suggestion, I can highlight my eagerness to learn and provide examples to support my argument.

Highlight achievements

This is your chance to shine! A personal statement should highlight your best qualities — provided they relate to your prompt.

Ask yourself:

• What are your skills and strengths? Identify both academic and non-academic abilities such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork.
• What challenges have you faced? Reflect on how you have overcome significant challenges and how these experiences have helped you grow. For example, completing a course, learning a new language, or starting a business.
• What are your unique selling points? Consider what sets you apart from other applicants. For example, you may have a unique set of technical skills or experience learning in a different country.
• How have your achievements shaped your goals and aspirations? Sharing your goals shows that you think long-term and have taken the time to make sure you’re applying for the right opportunity.

Connect with the institution or company

Tailor your statement to the specific institution or company you're applying to — this shows you understand their values and have carefully considered where you want to seek opportunities.

To do this, head to the company or institution’s website and look for the About page. Many organizations include a mission statement on this page that conveys its purpose and values.

For example, universities often include their values under “Community” or “Student Life” sections. Here, Princeton University’s “In Service of Humanity” section highlights how they value using education to benefit society. Applicants can engage with this by explaining how they interact with their communities and seek to use their education to help others.

You can also research a company or institution’s social media. Look for similarities — maybe you both prioritize collaboration or think outside the box. Draw upon this in your personal statement. 

End with a strong conclusion

A strong conclusion is clear, concise, and leaves a lasting impression. Use these three steps:

• Summarize the main points of your statement. For example, “My experience volunteering for the school newspaper, along with my communication skills and enthusiasm for writing, make me an ideal student for your university."
• Discuss your future . Share your future ambitions to remind the reader that you’ve carefully considered how the opportunity fits into your plans.
• Include a closing statement. End on a positive note and offer the reader a final explanation for why you would be a great match. For instance, “Thank you for reviewing my statement. I am confident my skills and experience align with the role and your company culture.”

Tip: Learn more about writing an effective conclusion with our handy guide . 

Different types of personal statements

Now you know how to write a personal statement, let’s look at what to focus on depending on your application type.

The length of your personal statement will vary depending on the type. Generally, it should be around 500 words to 650 words . However, a university application is often longer than a statement for a job, so it’s vital to determine what is expected of you from the beginning.

Whatever the length, it’s important to remove and edit content fluff , including any repetition or copy that does not relate to your prompt.

Personal statement checklist

Use this checklist to ensure that your statement includes: 

• An engaging introduction.
• Clear examples of your experiences, skills, and expertise. 
• A commitment to improvement, if required.
• Any applicable achievements. 
• A direct connection to the company or institution’s values.
• A strong conclusion that summarizes information without adding new content.
• Authentic, simple language.

Personal statements are an opportunity to delve deeper and share who you are beyond your grades or resume experience. Demonstrate your ability with anecdotes and examples, address any weaknesses, and remember to use genuine and simple language. This is your place to shine, so follow our tips while displaying your unique personality, and you’ll be sure to stand out from the crowd.

Want to get started and create a powerful introduction? Read our step-by-step guide .

What is the difference between a cover letter and a personal statement?

A cover letter expresses your interest in a position and introduces you to an employer. It’s typically shorter and focuses on your qualifications, skills, and experience for a particular role. A personal statement, however, is common for a job, internship, funding, or university application. It explores your background, goals, and aspirations, as well as your skills and experience.

What is the purpose of a personal statement?

A personal statement is an opportunity to stand out by detailing your background, experiences, and aspirations. It should explain why you are interested in and a good match for the company or institution you are applying to.

Share This Article:

8 Tips for E-commerce Copywriting Success (with Examples!)

The Brand Strategy Deck You Need to Drive Social Media Results + 5 Examples

Grammarly Alternatives: Which Writing Assistant is the Best Choice for You?

Looking for fresh content, thank you your submission has been received.

• AI Content Shield
• AI KW Research
• AI Assistant
• SEO Optimizer
• AI KW Clustering
• Customer reviews
• The NLO Revolution
• Press Center
• Help Center
• Content Resources
• Facebook Group

Guidelines for Writing a Personal Statement for Internship

Table of Contents

A personal statement for internship applications suggest that the firm wants to know more about you than just your résumé.

As with any application, the internship personal statement is your chance to demonstrate the organization who you are and why they should hire you. It is a separate document you submit alongside your internship application, resume, and other required documents.

This article explains what an internship entails, provides guidelines and an example to help you draft great personal statements .

What Is an Internship?

An internship is an opportunity to learn about a particular job or field by working in it. It provides students still in school with job experience and enables them to determine if they wish to pursue that career route after graduation.

Internships can also be an excellent way for recent graduates to gain more work experience and make connections in their industry.

A personal statement should begin with an introduction, then description of relevant experiences related to the field , and end with a great conclusion

Internship coordinators will typically have additional requirements, such as requiring you to use a specific typeface (such as Times New Roman or Arial), a particular point size (10 or 12), and a word restriction (500 or 800 words).

Use a standard 10- or 12-point font, and keep the statement to up to two pages if you don’t obtain specific instructions. Put “Personal Statement for” and your name at the top. Other great tips include the following:

1. Seek a Background Connection

Take a moment in your life that made you want to go into this industry and think about it. Hearing a famous politician speak or learning carpentry from your grandfather may have peaked your curiosity.

A captivating narrative will keep the reader interested and make you stick in their mind. The “thread” of your argument should consist of anecdotes.

2. Describe your Abilities and Experiences

Think about what it is that makes someone successful in that industry. Reading the internship advertisement, job description, and LinkedIn profiles of industry professionals can help you understand what an employer wants. Drawing on your findings.

Use the body of your essay to discuss your abilities and experiences. You can discuss, for instance,

• How your leadership on the debate team improved your public speaking
• Your time on a summer construction crew toughened you up and taught you to work hard.

This section still serves as a personal narrative but also makes your case for why you should be chosen as an intern.

3. Proofread Your Draft

Correct any spelling or grammar issues in your initial draft when you’ve finished writing it. Whether a student or a recent grad, your statement should reflect your best efforts as a professional candidate.

4. Conclusion

A story’s beginning is only as good as its conclusion, so ensure they’re connected. The decision should emphasize critical points about your character and the story you’re telling. To conclude reasonably, think about why the story is worth telling in the first place.

Great Example of Personal Statement for Internship

An internship is a great way to gain experience in your desired field. It can allow you to learn about the company, its culture, and how things operate from the inside. Here’s a sample of a great one:

I am writing to apply for the internship program I saw on your website.

I am a recent college graduate looking for an opportunity to gain experience in the marketing field. My studies have focused on marketing and business. An internship would be a great way to learn more about the industry and develop my skills.

I can provide examples of my work from previous jobs or internships and references from professors or colleagues. I would appreciate the chance to come in for an interview to discuss this position further. Thank you for your time.

A personal statement for internship is an opportunity for you to lay out your experience, interests, and future goals . Take your time because it is well worth the investment.

Abir Ghenaiet

Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.

Explore All Write Personal Statement Articles

How to draft meaningful length of law school personal statement.

Are you confused on how to write a law school personal statement? One of the essential elements of your application…

• Write Personal Statement

Effective History and International Relations Personal Statement to Try

Are you considering studying history and international relations? Or you may be curious about what a degree in this field…

Guide to Quality Global Management Personal Statement

Are you applying for a global management program and want to stand out from the crowd? A well-written personal statement…

How to Draft Better Examples of Personal Statements for Residency

Achieving a residency can be a massive accomplishment for any aspiring medical professional. To secure your spot in one of…

Tips for Drafting a Free Example of Personal History Statement

A personal history statement can be crucial to many applications, from university admissions to job search processes. This blog will…

Writing Compelling Dietetic Internship Personal Statement

Applying for a dietetic internship is a rigorous process and requires submitting a personal statement, which is an essential part…

Recent posts:

• Work-life balance: Enjoy your stay as a DC intern
• DC Intern advantage: The benefits of working as an intern in the Nation’s capital
• Student Accommodation in Washington DC: A Checklist for Interns
• Navigating the Capital: A Guide to Washington DC Intern Housing
• Spending Labor Day in DC

Share the Blog:

Experience the Capital Life: Affordable Living in D.C. Awaits!

One of the hardest things you’re ever going to write about is yourself. So, it’s no surprise that writing a personal statement is at the top of nobody’s list of favorites.

But your personal statement is important in your application because here you can express your personal side and show your individuality.

Your statement is very different from a laundry list of experience on your resume. Here is where you can make a more personal connection.

Figuring out how and where to start is usually the hardest part.

Formatting your personal statement correctly gives it a nice flow and takes your reader all the way through.

Here are some tips:

Write an outline

Before you start writing your personal statement, create a rough outline of what you want to say. This will help you organize your thoughts and get a good handle on the flow of your statement. It’s also an early opportunity to work on that first paragraph hook that will make the reader want to learn more about you.

Often, they will ask you to answer or discuss a specific question in your personal statement. Answer the actual question as you tell your story. They are asking for a reason.

Typically, a personal statement outline looks like this:

• Opening paragraph (open with a story…more on this below)
• A few paragraphs on your skills and knowledge that relate to the application—and how that benefits the company
• Your life goals and how you see this job getting you there
• Closing statement which refers back to your story and wraps it all up

Open with a story

Storytelling is always a way to engage the reader and be memorable. Think of a story that relates to how you chose your career path, inspired you or taught you something. If you’re boring, into the trash you go.

A few ideas to get you thinking:

• A teacher or sports coach at school who taught you the value of research, hard work or pushing through
• A relative that taught you a specific skill
• A movie that made you decide to follow your path
• An event in your life that impacted you, such as moving to a new city or country, even something traumatic from which you learned how to bounce back
• A famous person who inspired you to pursue your career

Open your statement with a short paragraph about how and why this changed your life, then make references to it as you write the whole document.

The middle section

Write a few paragraphs on your skills and knowledge. Be specific. Use examples that relate to the job you are applying for. Talk about why you think the company will benefit from these talents.

Show a little enthusiasm for what you do and for what THEY do. This is the place to do that.

Read our post on steps you can take to prep your experience section

The wrap-up

Like every story, there is a beginning, middle and end. Wrap up your story by referring back to your story from the first paragraph. You could quote from the person you wrote about, something like…”What my grandmother always said…” or “ I see the challenges of politics is like moving here from China…it’s like learning a whole new culture and language.”

Remember to:

Pay attention to the requirements

Most application statements come with a strict set of requirements or guidelines. For example, there might be a certain font size, minimum page count or word cap (e.g. 800 words max.). This is not the place to show off your creativity.

Talk to your people about you

You may be surprised at how others see you.

Your friends and fam just might have the insight you’re looking for. Talk to them, and find out what they see as unique about you. It can be hard to come up with a list of strengths on your own because you see yourself in a different way. What they say is true: we are all our own worst critics.

They can help you find those key traits that set you apart from other applicants and even give you the confidence you need to see yourself in a more accurate, praise-worthy light.

Tell the reader exactly why you should be chosen

Even if the topic you are given to write about is a bit abstract, let the reader know why you are the right candidate for the internship position. (You know what happens when you leave things open to interpretation.) Present yourself in a positive light.

Have someone else proofread your statement

This pearl of wisdom is an oldie, but still a goodie. Ask trusted friends, family members or your mentor read over your personal statement to check for flow and grammatical mistakes.

Things like poor grammar and misspellings are a sure way to have your application thrown directly into the rejection pile.

You want to hear the best piece of advice ever? Here it is: do NOT wait until the last minute to start! You’ll totally regret it if you do. Give yourself time to revise and revise until every word on that paper is perfect.

Call us to ask about our Woodley Park location! The summer is approaching quickly and we are prepared to meet your housing needs with discounted rates for our double, single, and studio rooms! Submit an application and give us a call to hear more 202-548-2720.

" * " indicates required fields

Contact WISH Intern Housing

Please fill out this form and we will get in touch with you shortly

Personal Statement for Internship

Ai generator.

Introduction I am a third-year student at Stanford University pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, and I am eager to apply for the Software Engineering Internship at Google. My passion for technology, combined with my academic background and hands-on experience, has prepared me to contribute effectively to your team and further develop my skills in a dynamic and innovative environment.

Academic Background At Stanford University, I have maintained a 3.8 GPA while taking challenging courses in data structures, algorithms, and machine learning. My coursework has provided me with a strong foundation in software development and problem-solving. Additionally, I have worked on various projects, including developing a mobile app that tracks and analyzes user fitness data, which won first place at the university’s hackathon.

Professional Experience Last summer, I interned at XYZ Tech Solutions, where I worked on a team to develop a web application for managing client relationships. My responsibilities included coding, testing, and debugging software modules using Python and JavaScript. I also collaborated with cross-functional teams to gather requirements and ensure the application met client needs. This experience enhanced my technical skills and taught me the importance of teamwork and effective communication in a professional setting.

Personal Qualities and Skills I am a highly motivated and detail-oriented individual with a strong passion for technology and innovation. My ability to learn quickly and adapt to new challenges has enabled me to excel in fast-paced environments. I have strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and I am proficient in programming languages such as Python, Java, and C++. Additionally, my excellent communication skills and collaborative nature make me a valuable team member.

Future Goals My long-term goal is to become a software engineer specializing in artificial intelligence and machine learning. I am particularly interested in developing intelligent systems that can solve real-world problems and improve the quality of life. This internship at Google represents an ideal opportunity for me to gain hands-on experience in cutting-edge technologies and to learn from industry leaders. I am excited about the potential to contribute to innovative projects and to further my understanding of AI and machine learning applications.

Conclusion In conclusion, my passion for technology, strong academic background, and relevant professional experience make me a strong candidate for the Software Engineering Internship at Google. I am eager to bring my skills and enthusiasm to your team and to learn from the exceptional professionals at Google. Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how my background, skills, and aspirations align with the goals of your internship program.

Text prompt

• Instructive
• Professional

10 Examples of Public speaking

20 Examples of Gas lighting

• Information Technology
• Commuter Services
• Human Resources
• Campus Safety
• Career Services
• Appointments & Drop-Ins
• Students with disabilities
• International students
• LGBTQ+ students
• Undocumented students
• Student veterans
• Career consultation support services
• Career conversations with students toolkit
• Hiring student employees
• Recommendation letters for students
• In-Person Event Planning Checklist for Student Clubs
• Virtual Event Planning Checklist for Student Clubs
• Instagram / Marketing requests
• Workshop/presentation requests
• Club Spotlights
• Recent Grads and Alumni
• Majors & career exploration

Personal statements

• Diversity statements
• How to write a resume
• Preparing for an interview
• Questions during an interview
• Phone and video interviews
• Technical interviews
• Follow-up after an interview
• Salary negotiation
• Elevator speeches
• Career conversations
• Managing your social networks
• LinkedIn Learning & Tips
• AI & the job search
• References and letters of recommendation
• Application Materials
• Graduate Students
• Internships
• Opportunities with Boeing
• Washington State Legislative Internship Program
• Recruitment policy for students
• Become a Premier Employer Partner
• Campus engagement
• Virtual career fair resources
• Employer user policy
• Hiring international students
• Internship guidelines for employers
• Post a job or internship
• Career fair resource guide for students
• Exploratory Courses
• Getting Experience
• Occupational Therapy
• Physical Therapy
• Physician Assistant/Associate
• Veterinary Medicine

What is a personal statement?

The personal statement, also called the statement of purpose, is a special type of writing sample. Personal statements are commonly requested when applying to scholarship programs and graduate/professional schools. They may also be requested for certain types of jobs, such as competitive teaching and research appointments in education, for positions with non-profit organizations, or for internship applications. It is a writing sample describing you at your best, your reasons for choosing the field you have chosen, your research interests, your objectives, and the unique ways you can contribute to the program/organization to which you are applying. Some personal statement prompts may ask you to describe your experiences and principles around concepts of diversity.

If a position asks for a diversity statement in particular, review our diversity statement resources .

A statement of purpose is designed to communicate five things:

• Writing ability, including grammar, punctuation, organization, creativity, expression, etc.
• Connections between your past education/experiences and future goals.
• Your philosophy of the field and why you are pursuing an opportunity in that area.
• What makes you unique and how you can add to the diversity of the program.
• How you can be an asset to the organization or the school, now and in the future.

What makes a personal statement compelling?

Good personal statements tell stories that demonstrate your strengths.

• Know your strengths. How can you be of value or how can you contribute? Begin by looking at your good experiences for evidence of your strengths and then ask those who know you best for their thoughts. Don’t overlook the value of a true friend’s honest assessment of your strengths. Many people find they have hidden strengths that are only obvious to their closest friends and family.
• Know your audience. Research the program(s) and organization(s) you are applying to by searching online, reading catalog/program descriptions, and emailing for more information. Talk with professors, graduate students, advisers, and colleagues you met through internships.
• Make a good case for the “match” between you and the program or organization to which you are applying.
• Tell a story that demonstrates your strengths through examples to set you apart from others and show how you can contribute. Avoid just writing a first-person essay where each paragraph is a direct response to the points you are being asked to address. Avoid starting every sentence with “I” or “I want”.

How do I get started?

• Set a timetable for yourself. Ideally, you should work on your essay for at least a month.
• Identify your strengths. Reflect on your response to the question, “what are three words people would use to describe you and why?”.
• Intellectual influences. Who were your favorite professors (and why)? Identify the best paper you ever wrote, the most influential book you have read, and the single most important concept you have learned.
• Encouragement. Write down the actual words of a professor, teacher, or someone else in your life who encouraged you to pursue this field of study.
• Turning points. Where were you and what were you doing when you first thought of going in this particular direction? How have your interests evolved?
• Experiences. List volunteer, travel, family, and life experiences that have inspired you to follow this career path.
• Academics. How have you prepared to succeed academically?
• Skills. What skills have you honed through your experiential and educational choices?
• Personal attributes. What personal attributes make you particularly likely to succeed?
• Be sure to tailor your statement to fit content, length, and other requirements of the individual scholarship/department/program to which you are applying.
• Create an outline for each paragraph before you write it, making sure that all of the components of the questions/prompts are being addressed.

What are some basic tips for writing a personal statement?

• Tell concrete, vivid stories, and use examples to demonstrate your strengths and “match.”
• Don’t have too many different ideas in your essay. Only include information that supports your thesis or is consistent with your theme.
• Don’t exaggerate or make things up.
• Write in the active voice.
• Be yourself – don’t use words or styles you wouldn’t normally use.
• Be clear, concise, and direct; make each word count.
• Try not to repeat an idea too many times.
• Don’t write an autobiography – you are marketing yourself, not telling your life story.
• Don’t be a clown (although some humor can be appropriate).

Organization

• Follow directions regarding length. If no limit is given, aim for 1.5 to 2 pages of single-spaced text.
• Don’t start your essay with “I was born in” or anything similar to this statement.
• Start your essay with an attention-grabbing lead: an anecdote, quote, question, vivid description of a scene, etc.
• Link your paragraphs with transitions.
• End your essay with a conclusion that refers to the introduction, relates to your theme, or summarizes your main points.
• Revise your essay at least three times.
• Ask someone to critique your personal statement. You can utilize Career Services or the Writing and Communication Center
• Proofread! Don’t rely exclusively on your computer for spell check and grammar check.

Personal statement examples

Poor personal statement.

Having graduated with an MA in English from Purdue University, with an emphasis on the writing of poetry, I feel that I have come a long way as a writer. I think that my poetry is strong, but I also feel that I need to continue in a concentrated study of writing and poetry. This is an important stage for me, and I think that continuing in a writing program – especially one as strong as the University of Washington program – is the best way for me to accomplish my goals. Eventually I would like to be teaching poetry writing at the college level. After teaching creative writing at Purdue, I realize that it is something that I would like to continue doing as a career, along with writing my poetry. I have also taught composition at Purdue, and I enjoy teaching at that level as well. If accepted into the program at UW, upon graduation I would like to teach composition, and continue to write and publish poems, in the hopes that I will eventually be able to publish enough to allow me to gain employment as a creative writing teacher.

Better personal statement

Every morning at 10:00 a.m. I come face to face with the power of language so free; it happens in a classroom. The students I teach at Seattle Central Community College come from night work in an industrial bakery, from a Vietnamese refugee camp, from a 9-to-5 job in a car wash, or from the day care center where they have left their children. All come to the English Skills Shop to improve their use of language and they move through the same process I have undertaken: uncovering their voices. When they get discouraged, I read aloud excerpts from their own writing. They applaud themselves. In this room, their varied experiences count. I remind them that the only reason to learn how to write well is because they have something to say. And they do. Until this past summer, I had no training in creative writing, nor even in literature; all my knowledge was absorbed like trace minerals from mass consumption of contemporary American fiction. The writer who does most masterfully what I attempt in my own stories is Wallace Stegner. He makes the intricate webs connecting his characters visible by illuminating the tears of dew balanced on each strand. Last summer I enrolled at the University of Washington and have been working ever since to find resonance in my own stories and study the voices within others’. Through an advanced short story class and a creative writing conference, along with literature and critical theory classes, I’ve become a more critical reader and a better writer.

I’m looking for a graduate program which combines the two elements I’ve found most valuable in my recent studies: strong mentors and tight community. I seek teachers who can pull me out of the details of works and phrases to see the whole piece, its form and contradictions. I seek guidance; the self-motivation is there. To balance the hours of solitary writing, I want a graduate program, which nurtures a supportive community. Throughout this process of thawing my voice, I’ve taken periods of formal training and applied the techniques; I see graduate schools as one of these steps. Through it expect to move to another level in my writing and myself, the ability to honestly and compellingly explore the world through stories. The stronger and more fluid connection between my life and writing, the better I’ll be able to teach that connection to others. I would like to write my own stories and teach others how to write theirs. In the end, both undertakings help us all find our voices.

Good personal statement (with commentary)

My awakening to the wonder of human cultural diversity began with my entry into Army Basic Training. Living in an open barracks for three months with women from every corner of the United States opened my eyes and mind to the amazing variety of cultural groups just within our own country. Since then, I have lived, worked, and traveled in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. I gained valuable cross-cultural experience as a member of a multi-national task force, which provided Emergency Medical Service in Kuwait during Operation Desert Storm. In addition to these experiences, my Army training has enabled me to develop strong skills in leadership, teambuilding, and organization. These are all qualities that will help me to be successful in my chosen field of Community Health Nursing. [In this paragraph, she shares her turning points, skills and attributes. She also connects her past and present.]

I have chosen the focus area of cross-cultural nursing because I know that making health programs culturally accessible is as important as making them geographically and financially accessible. This has been clearly demonstrated to me at the Washington Poison Center where we provide telephone information services to the entire state of Washington. Poison Center services are underutilized by non-English speaking population groups and those with English as a second language. This is due, in part, to a lack of awareness or understanding of the services provided by the Poison Center. Cross-cultural health education is the key to informing these populations of the benefits of using Poison Center services. [In this paragraph, she discusses why she is applying for this program and talks about some related experiences.]

As a cross-cultural nursing consultant, I will work with multidisciplinary teams planning and implementing community health programs for underserved populations. I will bring to these teams the unique nursing perspective and an expertise in the effects of culture on health-seeking behaviors for underserved populations. Washington State has a rapidly growing Hispanic population with a large subculture of migrant farm workers. I intend to spend some time in rural eastern Washington working with Public Health officials and community leaders to increase the focus on primary prevention for this population group. I am also interested in working with Hispanic populations in other locations. With these plans in mind, I am currently studying Spanish. In addition, I plan to teach cross-cultural nursing subjects in the academic setting and in other venues such as hospital in-service training. [In this paragraph, she talks about her future goals. She also describes why she is a unique candidate.]

Explore Jobs

• Jobs Near Me
• Remote Jobs
• Full Time Jobs
• Part Time Jobs
• Entry Level Jobs
• Work From Home Jobs

Find Specific Jobs

• $15 Per Hour Jobs
• $20 Per Hour Jobs
• Hiring Immediately Jobs
• High School Jobs
• H1b Visa Jobs

Explore Careers

• Business And Financial
• Architecture And Engineering
• Computer And Mathematical

Explore Professions

• What They Do
• Certifications
• Demographics

Best Companies

• Health Care
• Fortune 500

Explore Companies

• CEO And Executies
• Resume Builder
• Career Advice
• Explore Majors
• Questions And Answers
• Interview Questions

This question is about careers .

How to write a personal statement for an internship

To write a personal statement for an internship, you need to research the organization, make your personal statement concise, and detail your education and skills. Here are some details on these steps and others you can take to write a personal statement for an internship:

Research the organization

Before writing a personal statement for an internship it is very important to do a fair amount of research on the company you are going to send it to. Here you should find out about:

The internship programs it offers

The specific intern roles it might have

The company culture

The company mission statement

The company vision statement

The company values statement

Ingesting all of this information is very important because it can inform how you write your personal statement. Most organizations have this information, or at least some of it, available on their website. You should also try to hone in on who you send the personal statement to, for example, a specific hiring manager or human resources ( HR ) official.

Make your personal statement concise

A personal statement for an internship should be around one paragraph long, and at most, should not exceed one page in length. If you plan on writing one closer to a page in length you should also break up the text in paragraph form. Here are the items you should cover in your personal statement:

Your background in terms of education and experience

Your interests

Your achievements, talents, and expertise

Your career goals

Use information from the research you performed

Your personal statement should include a section that shows how you line up with the company's core values. This helps the company to feel that you are a good fit for an internship role in their organization.

Detail your education and skills

If you are looking to get an internship, you are probably still in college or have just graduated. You can fill your gap in professional experience by detailing your educational experience. This can include items like:

Your major and minor

If you are/were a part of any clubs or associations at your university

Skills your education has given you

You can also include actual work experience if it is relevant to the industry the company is in. Part-time jobs can even have some basic transferable skills that can be used in the professional context.

Search for jobs

Related questions for careers, recent job searches.

• Registered nurse jobs Resume Location
• Truck driver jobs Resume Location
• Call center representative jobs Resume Location
• Customer service representative jobs Resume
• Delivery driver jobs Resume Location
• Warehouse worker jobs Resume Location
• Account executive jobs Resume Location
• Sales associate jobs Resume Location
• Licensed practical nurse jobs Resume Location
• Company driver jobs Resume

Jobs Near You

How long does it take to write a business plan?

How are businesses classified?

How to get a job at lush factory?

How to get a job at crunch fitness?

How to get a job at cosmopolitan magazine?

How to get a job at coach?

• Zippia Answers
• How To Write A Personal Statement For An Internship

• Career Development
• Find Internship or Research Experience
• Getting started with research

How to Develop a Personal Statement for Research

• To share your interest and enthusiasm for the specific work you are applying to do
• To demonstrate what you can contribute to the program to which you are applying
• To state the specific lab you want to work in and why
• To state your professional goals and what or how you hope to contribute to this program

First Steps

• Read the personal statement question carefully and analyze what it is asking for
• Visualize your audience: will this be read by a scientist? A physician? An administrator?
• Make yourself as desirable to the selector as possible while being honest about yourself
• Your research interests as they relate to the work you are applying for
• Year of study and current major, related academic and career goals, impressive academic credentials

Experience in the Field

• Any special connection to this work such as prior experience or family background
• Something unique about your research interests or an idea that fuels your own research interests.

Your Proposed Contributions to the Program and Benefits of the Program to You

• Personal qualities that would benefit the program, demonstrated through examples
• What you can do for them; what you seek to gain from the opportunity
• How this specific work fits into your academic and research goals

Writing and Mechanics

Correct usage conveys your attention to detail

• Use strong word choices, particularly verbs and adjectives
• Use the more powerful "I am," rather than "I have always been"
• Make positive statements: "I have experience in…" not "I don't have experience in x, but do have…”
• Craft clear, engaging opening and closing sentences
• Check that the opening statement is supported in the body and consistent with the closing statement
• Organize the statement so it flows from sentence to sentence and paragraph to paragraph
• Proofread for grammar, spelling, paragraph breaks, and correct punctuation

Ask Yourself

• Does this statement show my interest in this specific program , or could it be sent to any program?
• Does this statement describe me specifically, or could any good student in my field use this?

Additional Suggestions:

• Reread the personal statement multiple times out loud for clarity, logic, and flow
• Have someone else read the statement. Ask someone at the Center for Career Opportunities .
• Share your finished personal statement with the faculty member writing your recommendations
• Limit the statement to one and a half to two pages with at least one and a half spacing
• Include a header with your name on each page, which will be numbered as well
• Restating the question/topic
• Rewriting your transcript or resume
• Clichés such as "to make the world a better place"; instead, explain exactly how such a lofty goal will be achieved
• Providing unrelated information, e.g., explaining when you learned you were not interested in computers
• Using phrases like "this opportunity will be fun and interesting for me"; focus on what you can contribute
• Any background earlier than high school
• What Can I do with a Major In...
• Career Mapping System
• Personalize Your Career Plan
• Build a Professional Profile
• Internships and Research
• Job Search Resources
• Programs & Events
• Additional Career Resources
• Archived Newsletters
• Applying to Graduate School
• Reporting Your Post-Grad Plans
• Post-Graduation Data
• Alumni Profiles

Purdue University College of Science, 150 N. University St, West Lafayette, IN 47907 • Phone: (765) 494-1729, Fax: (765) 494-1736

Student Advising Office: (765) 494-1771, Fax: (765) 496-3015 • Science IT , (765) 494-4488

© 2024 Purdue University | An equal access/equal opportunity university | Copyright Complaints | DOE Degree Scorecards

Trouble with this page? Accessibility issues ? Please contact the College of Science .

• [email protected]
• +91 90618 64583

• Graduate School
• Medical School

January 23rd, 2023

How to Write a Perfectly Formatted Personal Statement for Internship in 2023? With Examples

Personal statement for internship is a very important document in the applicatio n for internship programs. This guide will show you:

• How to write personal statement for internship?
• Interview-fetching personal statement for internship examples for reference
• Answers to some of the most frequently asked questions regarding personal statement for internship.

What is a Personal Statement for Internship?

Personal statement for internship is a self-written document that you submit to a company or organization when you apply for internship there.

It is very important to know what is a personal statement for an internship before writing it because it is different from personal statement for course admissions .

How Important is a Personal Statement for Internship?

Internship is a brief period that acts as a bridge between your academic formation and full-time professional career .

As this period is a stepping stone to your career, you need to intern at the best place possible. And that requires you to write a winning personal statement.

A carefully written personal statement for internship accomplishes the following goals.

• It helps you showcase your personality, achievements experiences, and future goals.
• It enables the organizations to figure out your suitability more closely than from a CV.
• It gives you the opportunity to speak about your goals so that the employer might consider you as their employee in future.
• Personal statement is a personalized document. Thus, employers can easily know whether you have crafted it seriously or not.

NEED EXPERTS HELP FOR WRITING YOUR PERSONAL STATEMENT? CLICK HERE NOW!

How to Write Personal Statement for Internship in Seven Simple Steps?

It is already established that you need a perfect internship personal statement to sell yourself to the prospective employer. Here are the key steps to write a powerful personal statement internship.

Brainstorming:

Only you can know about your strengths and weaknesses. Take time to reflect on the areas that can be your selling points.

Write a strong introduction:

Every word in the introduction counts. So, try to make it attention-grabbing. Start with an experience from your past that influenced your decision

Write in active voice:

Most students forget about this. A personal statement written in active voice looks more impactful than one written in passive voice.

Talk about your competencies:

Highlight your competencies and how the employer can benefit from them. Use anecdotes to show how you applied your skills and qualities in the past.

Simple and straight to the point:

A generic approach is a big no in writing internship personal statement. Make it specific, simple and straight to the point.

Be true to yourself:

If you don’t possess leadership quality and highlight it in your statement, you may be asked to lead a team of interns and be in real trouble.

Familiarize yourself with the organization:

Research about the organization that are applying and know about it through and through. Your familiarity will be an added merit.

Know the Ideal Format for Personal Statement for Internship

The use of the right personal statement format for internship will make it look well-organized and brings in a good flow.

It enables the reader to scan it easily and find the points that they are specifically looking for. Here is a commonly recognized personal statement format.

Opening paragraph/introduction

This is the most important part in your internship personal statement. This is where you establish your story and grab the attention of the reader.

First body paragraph

Talk about a domain specific skill that you have and support it with ample evidence from past. Demonstrate how the employer will benefit from this quality of yours.

Second body paragraph

Use this paragraph to talk about a personal strength such as leadership quality and elaborate how you applied it. Show how it will favor you during the internship.

Future goals

Talk about your short term as well as long term career goals and say how much you think this internship will help you reach there.

Present your conclusion as the summation of the story you presented. End it with a reiterating closing statement that shows your suitability for the program. 

Read more here on personal statements:

Sample for Internship Personal Statement

Here is an example of personal statement for internship. Use this only as a reference. Do not attempt to do personal statement examples copying as it can lead to plagiarism.

Personal Statement for Internship

My name is ____________ and with much enthusiasm and excitement, I would like to intern at your organization during this summer for the post of Digital Marketing Intern. The internship at your firm is highly sought-after and well regarded due to its quality and highly career oriented level. I am sure with my existing experience and professional mindset, I would be able to perform well in my domain. I am sure this opportunity would surely propel my career and give me a chance to advance in my chosen field.

I understand that you are looking for a candidate, who is professional in approach and dedicated to work. I believe that I possess the right talents you seek for this post and I would be delighted to enhance my skill set with the right guidance and advice received from your end. The post Digital Marketing Intern is a dream for me as I always sought to build a career in this field due to its huge growth opportunities. During my masters in Business Administration at ______________ (name of the institute), I had an overall development as a Marketing Associate in a few of our Management Fests. I also handled social media handles like Instagram, Facebook. Twitter, etc for the popularity of the fest. This gave me hands-on experience in management, administration, web traffic, analytics, content development, etc. This was a golden opportunity for me to polish my skill set and acquire new ones.

As described in the job description, I would like to try my hands on revenue management and analysis of consumer behavior. I would also like to exhibit my skills in Email marketing, Search Engine marketing, advertising, campaigning, etc. This position is a perfect combination of your desires and my skill set. I hope through this internship, I can give an outlet to the theoretical knowledge I have gained. I am sure with my creative writing expertise I can create attractive content for your clients. Through interaction with fellow mates and senior officials I hope to enhance my skill set and digital knowledge. I am sure with the experience gained, I can become a master in my chosen field. As described in the description, I am an expert in social media content and social media campaigns. With this internship I would like to enhance my knowledge on various tools used and techniques implemented.

I would be honored if I receive this internship and opportunity to work with an amazing company. Let me express my gratitude for your time and consideration and I really look forward to hearing from you so that we can take this discussion further. I may be reached _______ or by email at ___________.

Pro Tips from Experienced Internship Personal Statement Writers

It is important to present a concise personal statement for internship that shows your confidence. It can be a challenging task. Follow these key tips from experts to compose a polished piece of writing.

Gather materials:

Your internship personal statement should be in compliance with other documents. So, keep all those docs ready at hand to refer them easily.

List all important information:

On a piece of paper, note down all important information that may be required while writing your internship personal statement.

Write in first person point of view:

Personal statement for internship is a document that is exclusively about you. So, write it using first person singular ‘I’.

Beware of duplication:

Do not repeat any information that has already been said in your personal statement. Also, try to avoid repeating the course titles in the writeup.

Make it unique:

The best way to make your personal statement unique is to present it in the backdrop of an experience you had which influenced your decision.

Keep it brief:

Remember that personal statement is different from statement of purpose. It is a rather brief and concise version which doesn’t go beyond one typed page.

Revise your statement:

It is recommended to write a rough draft at first and then keep it revising and improving gradually. This way, you will get a flawless draft at last.

Seek professional help if needed:

If you don’t feel 100% confident about your personal statement after completely writing it, seek professional help which will help get it made more impactfully.

Six Mistakes That Can Negatively Affect Your Internship Personal Statement

The six common mistakes student often make while composing their personal statement for internship. Beware of them and try to avoid them in your writeup.

• Not doing enough research about the internship program and the organization.
• Writing the document generically without focusing on the key themes.
• Not saying sufficiently about what and how you can contribute to the firm that hires you.
• Not seeking feedback on your personal statement for internship from someone who is familiar with it.
• Not being genuine and writing things that are not true to your experience or skills.
• Not proofreading and correcting the mistakes. Even if they are minor like spelling errors, they could break your chances.

It is completely okay to seek personal statement writing help for internship from experts if you lack the expertise to compose it perfectly. It will improve your acceptance chances and save you from unnecessary worries.

Top 10 Internship Programs You Will Need a Personal Statement For

Today, almost all internship programs ask applicants to include a personal statement in their application. The top 10 programs are:

• Dietetic internship
• Summer internship
• Medical internship
• Research internship
• Law internship
• Semester internship
• Quarterly internship
• Holiday internship
• Fall internship
• Spring internship

All things considered…

You may have good track records as a student but your prospective employer wouldn’t know about them unless you describe them in a personal statement for internship.

Reading this blog, you have got to the nitty-gritty of writing a strong personal statement to produce in your internship application.

If you still got any doubts or want to share your feedback with us on this blog, use the comment section below.

What is the ideal length for a personal statement for internship?

Personal statement for internship needs to be short and concise. It shouldn’t exceed more than a page in typed version, which would be about 500 words in length.

Who will review my personal statement for internship?

Your personal statement for internship will be checked and verified by the program officer or the HR team of the company/organization/institute you are applying to.

Should I submit a resume along with my personal statement for internship?

It is recommended to verify what documents you are expected to include in the application for internship. Resume is normally asked.

What will happen if my internship personal statement fails to comply with the requirements?

If your personal statement is found to be incomplete or doesn’t meet the requirements put forth by the program, it might lead to the rejection of your application. Once rejected, you won’t probably get a second chance. Therefore, it is important to give as much attention and seriousness as possible while writing it.

Can my teachers or professors write my personal statement for internship?

Personal statement is different from a letter of recommendation. Hence, it is not your teachers or professors who have to write it. Of course, you can seek their guidance before writing it.  If you are not confident to write it on your own, it is better to seek the assistance of a professional who knows about it well.

Mrs Jizah M

Mrs Jizah M has always enjoyed writing down her thoughts since school days. What just started as a hobby slowly transformed into a passion. Her writing skills were first acknowledged by few of her professors when she wrote content for the college website; this was a turing. Slowly she started getting freelance works and later on, a series of events led her to specialize in academic and higher education related documentations. In additional to personal statements, she along with her team writes LORs, SOPs, college application essays, admission essays and all similar types of documents.

Get in touch

Fill in the form below, and we’ll get back to you within 24 hours.

Related posts

How to Write a Perfect Residency Personal Statement in 2023 | A Complete Guide

WE ALSO OFFER:

• Terms and conditions
• Privacy Policy
• Refund and Cancellation Policy

Copyright © 2022 Best Personal Statement Writer | All Rights Reserved

Code + Design by CreativeLeaves.com

• MyU : For Students, Faculty, and Staff

CCAPS, CDes, and CFANS

Career & Internship Services

• Personal Statements

Tips for Writing a Strong Personal Statement

• Follow the prompts carefully. They may be different from one program to the next
• Write an interesting and engaging statement, including the first sentence (versus “I’ve wanted to be a fill-in-the-blank since I was a sophomore”)
• Include 2 or 3 specific stories that illustrate your skills and experiences
• Touch on your intellectual learning from these experiences and highlight what else you want to learn during grad school
• Do online or personal research so you can clearly articulate your interest in each program
• Nearly every sentence should be personal, clearly about you. Facts about your academic topic of interest should be cited only in reference to how they inspired you, sparked your curiosity, or motivated you to action. It’s about you
• Use strong grammar and writing skills throughout
• Write in a clear and organized manner
• Get feedback from your faculty or make an appointment with your career consultant

Grad School Planning

• Deciding to Go or Not to Go
• Application Timeline
• Research and Evaluate Programs
• Paying for Grad School
• Admissions Tests
• Letters of Recommendation
• Career Info by Major
• Job & Internship Search
• Adult Learners
• First Generation College Students
• International Students
• LGBTQIA+ Students
• Multicultural Students
• Student Veterans
• Students with Disabilities
• Undocumented and DACA Students
• Women Students
• Make an Appointment

• Undergraduate Students
• Doctoral Students
• Master’s Students
• Engineering Master’s Students
• Faculty & Staff
• Parents & Families
• Asian / Pacific Islander
• Black/African American
• First Generation/Low Income
• Hispanic/Latinx
• International
• Native American/Indigenous
• Neurodiverse
• Student Athletes
• Students with Disabilities
• Undocumented
• What is a Career Community?
• Business, Finance & Consulting
• Data, Technology & Engineering
• Discovery & Exploration
• Education, Government, Nonprofit & Policy
• Energy, Environment & Sustainability
• Entertainment, Media & Arts
• Healthcare & Biomedical Sciences
• Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Design
• Know Yourself
• Explore Options
• Focus & Prepare
• Take Action
• Evaluate & Refine
• Featured Opportunities
• Career Readiness Resources
• Personalize Your Hub
• For Employers

Personal Statement Guidelines for Career Center Internship Funding Program Application

• Share This: Share Personal Statement Guidelines for Career Center Internship Funding Program Application on Facebook Share Personal Statement Guidelines for Career Center Internship Funding Program Application on LinkedIn Share Personal Statement Guidelines for Career Center Internship Funding Program Application on X

As part of the application process for the Duke Career Center’s Internship Funding Program , you will be required to submit a personal statement. The personal statement is a critical component of the application as it serves are a personal narrative about your interests and goals related to your summer experience.  The selection committee will place a significant amount of focus on your personal statement so it is imperative that you develop a statement that best reflect you and your summer experience. When developing your personal statement we recommend that you consider the following guidelines:

• Limit your statement to 3 pages, double spaced, with one inch margins
• Describe the organization that is hosting your internship
• Describe your prospective role and responsibilities
• Discuss how this opportunity will advance your personal, professional and/or intellectual learning goals
• Relate the experience to your academic coursework and prior experiences
• Address how this opportunity is unique and will provide an experience that cannot be received through a paid position
• Discuss what you are hoping to gain from the experience in addition to how you plan to contribute to the organization
• Overall, why is this opportunity important to you and what impact will the experience have on you as a person or in your career development

Career advisors are available by appointment to assist you with reviewing and revising your personal statement. Please note that advisors will not create or write your statement but serve as a resource in critiquing your document. Appointments can be schedule through your Handshake account.

Additional information regarding the Duke Career Center’s Internship Funding Program including eligibility criteria and application process can be found on Career Hub .

Questions regarding the Internship Funding Program’s application process can be forwarded to Leigh Ann Waring in the Duke Career Center.

• Welcome to myUMBC

How to Write a Personal Statement for Summer Research

Susanna campbell, career peer liaison to cnms, the purpose of a personal statement .

• Share your interests and enthusiasm for the specific work you are applying to do.
• Demonstrate what you can contribute to the program to which you are applying
• To state the specific lab/program you want to work in and why
• To state your professional goals and what or how you hope to contribute to the program

First Steps

• Read the personal statement question carefully and analyze what it is asking for.
• Visualize your audience: will this be read by a scientist? An administrator? A physician?
• Recite your research interests as they relate to the work you are applying for
• Write your year of study, major, related academic and career goals, and impressive academic credentials

Experience in the Field

• Mention any special connections to the work such as prior experience or family background (i.e. Name drop)
• Write something unique about your research interests or an idea that fuels your own research interests

Your Proposed Contributions to the Program

• List personal qualities and demonstrate these through examples
• State what you can do for them and what you seek to gain from the opportunity
• Explain how the work fits into your academic and research goals.
• Saying “I am” is more powerful than saying “I have always been.”
• Make positive statements. “I have experience in…” not “I don’t have experience in x, but do have…”
• Craft clear, engaging opening and closing sentences.
• Check that your opening statement is supported in the body and is consistent with your closing.
• Organize the statement so it flows from sentence to sentence and paragraph to paragraph.
• Proofread for grammar, spelling, paragraph breaks, and correct punctuation.

When you have finished drafting your statement, ask yourself:

• Does this statement show my interests in the specific program or is it generic?
• Does this statement describe me specifically or could any good student in my field use this?

Some common mistakes to avoid:

• Restating the question/topic or rewriting your resume or transcript
• Clichés such as “to make the world a better place” instead, explain how such a lofty goal will be achieved
• Providing unrelated information
• Any background earlier than high school.

Recent Posts

• Career Center Fall 2024 Semester Welcome Posted 1 day ago
• Federal Work Study and Handshake Posted 3 months ago
• Career Center Summer Hours Posted 3 months ago
• Intern of the Week: Kalaiarasi Kaliappan Posted 3 months ago
• Acing the Virtual Interview Posted 3 months ago

myUMBC is a UMBC limited public community forum for information sharing and dialogue. As a public institution, UMBC generally may not limit a community member's right to free speech on this forum. UMBC does not endorse the views expressed or information presented here, unless specifically stated in an official UMBC post. Learn more...