Applying for College?
Time to apply for college?
Do you have to write a personal statement, an admission essay, or a CV?
How good are your writing skills?
Would a successful personal statement example for college help?
Among applicants, it is clear that preparing college application documents could be challenging.
Nonetheless, with the right approach and skills, it can be easy and fun.
Key Elements of a Personal Statement
It is important to understand makes a good personal statement.
This entails learning what to include.
As illustrated in our personal statement example for college below, you should aim to answer three main questions, i.e.
- Why me?
- Why here?
- Why now?
These questions should be answered in a systematic manner to ensure that the personal statement is coherent.
Our grad school personal statement example, as well as the PhD personal statement example demonstrates how to systematically answer these questions.
Answering these questions demands that you include the below elements:
1. Interest
It is necessary to clearly and adequately demonstrate your interest in the course or program.
Following our personal statement example for college, this interest should presented using both academic and personal evidence.
2. Motivation
As well, you should explain why this is the field of your choice.
To do this, you should demonstrate why you want to study at this particular university/department.
3. Unique contribution
It is also important to show your potential contributions to the course.
This can be achieved through an exploration of personal strengths and experience.
As illustrated in our graduate school personal statement example below, you should highlight what you believe would help you succeed and add value to the course or field.
4. Relevant experience
Your professional experience is also very important.
This might range from placement to employment, work experience, and voluntary work that supports your application.
For ideas on how to mesh all the experiences, you can review our personal statement example for college.
5. Relevant extracurricular experience
Although sometimes overlooked, extracurricular experience is essential in illustrating your suitability.
You should reference your other achievements and interests that are relevant and support your application.
6. Any other relevant information
You could also include personal information that puts you ahead of all the other applicants.
For example, you could describe a challenge that you overcame that illustrates your resilience or determination.
Introduction
Introduction is one of the most important parts.
As illustrated in our personal statement example for college, the introduction should comprise specific information.
Such information includes:
- Who you are and where you are currently studying
- What qualifications you have (A levels, undergraduate degree, diploma, etc.) and the course or program you are applying for
- Reasons why you want to study the selected course or program
- Reasons why you want to study at the target institution
Note that besides introducing yourself, you should aim to capture the interest of the reader.
Doing the above would require you to show enthusiasm for the course or programs and college.
You should also demonstrate a proper understanding of both the course/ program and the college.
Personal Statement for Graduate School
Although personal statements serve the same purpose, for grad school, its shape and approach could be different.
This is because at this level, it is expected to be more sophisticated.
As illustrated in our grad school personal statement example, there are areas that require more emphasis.
These areas include:
1. Background
There should be more emphasis in this area.
From our graduate personal statement example, it is evident that the applicant’s background is more elaborate.
It covers in in-depth key aspects like:
- Academic experiences
- Project experiences
- Research/ internship experiences
- Leadership involvement, etc.
Note that just mentioning these aspects is not enough.
Instead, you should highlight them in a manner that reflects your proper preparation for the course or program.
Differently, the personal statement example for college does not cover all this.
This is because college applicants are not expected to have experiences in some of these areas.
2. Interests
The grad personal statement should clearly state how the degree program will help advance your career aspirations.
As illustrated in our graduate personal statement example below, it should be clear why you need the program.
Doing so would require you to reference:
- Classes of interest
- Professors teaching them
- Professors’ areas of focus (research areas, conferences, publications, etc.)
3. The institution
You must also explain why you think the institution is the best fit for your academic pursuits.
To do this, you should ask the following questions.
- Why do want to attend this institution?
- Why do you want to work with this department?
- Why do you want to work with these specific faculty members?
Borrowing from our grad school personal statement example, you could reference faculty members (professors).
This would require you to consult with the faculty members before you start the application process.
4. Future career goals
The personal statement should as well include your future career goals.
You should articulate:
- What you intend to do with the advanced degree
- Why the knowledge and skills acquired will be needed to secure the opportunities you are seeking
This can be achieved by zooming in on a few areas of the program that really appeal to you.
Personal Statement Example for College
For me, it was not a revelation when I decided my future lay in the legal field. My decision was far more gradual and considered. Looking back, some of the key moments that contributed to my resolve include the Trump v. United States, 603 U.S. case that followed the January 6, 2021, attacks on the U.S. Capitol; U.S. Supreme Court reversal of Roe v. Wade; U.S. Senate deliberations on Supreme Court Ethics Reforms; and wider reading, which sparked my interest in understanding and constitutional and human rights law. Although I considered applying to nursing school, my problem solving and research skills feel more suited to studying law. Eventually, I see myself helping people in other ways, by specializing in International Affairs.
When it came time to choose a college, University of Georgia was the best place for me; despite not being sure whether I would be able to pursue options in Not-for-profit and NGOs, politics, media, teaching, or journalism. I trusted that I would find my way to whichever options suited me best. One year later, my intentions changed. Human Rights, Conveyance Law, Family Law, and Alternative Dispute Resolution areas of law became my way into appreciating the interlink between social relationships, access to resources, and international human rights. A close examination of International Affairs on bilateral trade, political stability, and environmental policies developed my bigger picture and conceptual understanding of relations among international actors.
In my college coursework, I have demonstrated the ability to learn and analyze legal concepts and conduct legal research. Graduate study will give the opportunity to apply what I have learned about legal practice to international affairs as a whole. I want to deepen my understanding of the connections between International Affairs and Human Rights by studying fundamental freedoms for all and international economic, social, cultural, and humanitarian problems and to understand international security and international political economy more broadly. I am particularly interested in studying international policymaking. While I currently intend to specialize in international law, it is possible to become interested in a particular area of Human Rights and Global Governance.
I am enthusiastic about the prospect of doing research at Hertie School, formulating and advocating for international policies, and about teaching, either Human Rights or International Security. My undergraduate professors have had a tremendous impact on me. I began studying Not-for-profit and NGOs, politics, and teaching as an experiment, and along the way refined my interests to areas related to Human Rights in large part because of the guidance and commitment of my professors. They directed me to an area I have now come to appreciate more, and I hope to influence my students the same in future. I welcome the department’s emphasis on a scientific study of a specific policy challenge as part of the master’s program. I am confident that I will able to work effectively with my supervisor, and fellow students where necessary.
My bachelor’s degree in law, as well as experiences as a high court advocate and legal practice in various capacities, have prepared me for master’s work in International Affairs and allowed me to demonstrate my aptitude in the area. I am confident in my enthusiasm and ability and I would love to be a part of the International Law and Policy Faculty at Dean Rusk International Law Center.
