Writing a Personal Statement for College?

Applying for college?

Do you have to write a personal statement?

Note that just like a CV for college student or resume, personal statements are common requirements when applying for college.  

So, do you know how write one?

Or do you need a personal statement example for college to reference?  

Before diving into it, it is important to first understand the purpose of a personal statement.

Purpose of a Personal Statement

So, what is the purpose of a personal statement?

Personal statements serve particular purposes.

As illustrated in our personal statement example for college, such purposes may include:

1. Demonstrating your writing ability- creativity, grammar, punctuation, expression, organization, etc.
2. Illustrating the connection between your past experiences or education and future goals
3. Elaborating your philosophy of the field and the reason you are pursuing an opportunity in that area
4. Describing what makes you unique and how you can add to the diversity of the program
5. Illustrating how you can be an asset to the school or organization both now and in the future

All your personal statement should be organized around these 5 purposes.

Our personal statement example for college below clearly demonstrates how to do this.

Tips on how to Write a Personal Statement

There are a few things you can do to help write a top-notch personal statement.

These things will assist in bringing out important features as depicted in our personal statement example for college below.

They include:

1. Making a list of the most exciting and compelling college courses, independent study projects, research projects, study abroad experiences, internships, work experiences, volunteer or community service experiences, etc. After listing them, you should go ahead and ask yourself the following questions:

• Which of these on the list might offer anecdotes and substantive comments for the personal statement?
• Which of these on the list offers an opportunity for expansion in the essay?

2. Compiling a list of personal events that shows the timeline of your growing interests in this field or area of work. You should identify the turning points that led to you applying for the course and the experiences that prepared you for this step.

3. Considering where you see yourself doing in five, ten, fifteen years. You should ask yourself the question: What do I really want to accomplish during that time in my career?

4. Determining how the school or program (or scholarship opportunity, etc.) will fit with those aspirations and goals?
5. Developing a tentative outline with 3-5 of the most important events, ideas, and turning points you want to use.

You should consult with someone— a tutor, a professor, a friend, etc. and ask them if your points seem to connect well.

Ask yourself the question: Is the place and position you are applying for the best fit based on your experience and vision?

Using the Right Language

As illustrated in our personal statement example for college, language is very important.

You should ensure that your tone is positive and enthusiastic.

Language used should show your willingness to learn and persuade the college that you have what it takes to succeed in the course you intend to pursue. 

Using such language requires you to:

1. Use fresh and exciting language to make your application stand out.
2. Use engaging opening paragraphs
3. Use accurate grammar, punctuation and spelling 
4. Use clear language in short sentences
5. Shun extravagant claims
6. Avoid using generic terms
7. Talk specifically about the course

Personal Statement Example for College

            The modern day financial field is characterized by scores of uncertainties, where decision making in finance has become more complicated and quite onerous. The emergence of complex financial concepts and applications like annuity, future value, present value, and P/E ratio has made mathematics a core discipline in the practice of finance. Without doubt, every financial institution or sub-discipline in the modern world, in one way or the other requires the application of complex mathematic calculations. Mathematics has therefore become a key component of resolving problems in different fields, including finance. For this reason, it is prudent that every professional in finance possesses in-depth knowledge and skills in mathematics for effective mastery of and operation in the field. This has made Finance Math one of the most critical disciplines in finance, where it forms the ultimate foundation for evaluating financial situations to aid in proper decision making.            

            The exposure to various models in my undergraduate studies sparked my curiosity in the study of application of mathematics in finance, and the further interest to pursue Finance Maths in my postgraduate studies. My undergraduate studies in Mathematics and Finance Majors encompassed wide application of financial models, where their practical use in problem resolution became quite captivating. It was fascinating to find out how problem situations could be approached from a mathematical dimension, where problem resolution from this dimension usually resulted into a personal feeling of achievement in financial management. As well, it was exciting to see how complicated financial situations like effective risk control could be easily unravelled through the application of mathematics. To further my interests in the application of mathematics in finance, I have decided to seek enrolment with the distinguished University of _ for Finance Maths Masters Degree.

            My educational background will play an instrumental role in the successful pursuit of my Master’s Degree. Extensive knowledge in C++ programming and microeconomics will form a solid base for my success in the Degree program. On this, C++ programming and microeconomics exposed me to complex mathematics and mathematical application in finding solutions to existing problems. Learning how to apply different mathematical models equipped me with considerable skills and knowledge in mathematical calculations. For example, acquiring knowledge on how to use models such as the Vasicek model to predict interest rates trends as well as the Black-scholes model to predict corporate risk when dealing with investment issues played a critical role in enhancing my skills in the general application of mathematics and its role in problem resolution.

            Equally, the microeconomics discourse in my undergraduate studies is key to enhancing my insights and skills in handling markets. Exposure to the consumer and producer theory principally had a profound impact on my knowledge of how mathematics could be applied in the understanding and prediction of consumer and producer behavior. It was also important in increasing my knowledge on market forces, their respective interaction, and determination of market prices. Research studies in my undergraduate studies will as well play an important role in my Masters Degree pursuits. Studies on high-risk high-return and low-risk low-return portfolios and household consumption harnessed my skills and knowledge in conducting research. The two studies entailed the application of such models and tools as CAMP static model, the Keynes income hypotheses, and the Ramsey RESET test. In it entirety, this background will be essential in my research endeavors at the Masters level.  

            My experiences will also be an academic asset in my Finance Maths Master’s Degree studies. Internship with Sina-Australia Trust Company, a firm that deals with stock investment and the designing of trust fund products has been an eye opener on how the financial markets operate. During this internship, I had the opportunity to use computing programmes in risk exposure calculations using different models. This was essential in boosting skills necessary in the development of new financial products with different needs. The practical skills acquired from one of the projects in my internship program that entailed the development of a trust fund portfolio and required the application of Arma theories in stock price modelling will come in handy. The exercise formed the basis of determining the viability of stock shares. The exposure acquired from this experience will be important in forming a foundation for the application of models learnt in the Masters Degree program in real life situations.   

            Further, personal attributes as well as strengths will significantly contribution to my success at the Master’s Degree level. I boost a strong desire for knowledge, where the drive to study on my own will be imperative in the development of a good command in Finance Maths as well as gathering data relevant in conducting research in the same discipline. Equally, I have strong commitment to all causes that I get engaged in, which will be vital in securing excellent academic grades in this program. I am also goal-oriented, determined towards the achievement of the set goals and resilient to challenging tasks, which will go a long way in enhancing my success in the Masters Degree studies. In summary, my desire for success will be central in augmenting my success in the pursuit of my Finance Maths Masters Degree at your institution.

            Markedly, my career plan encompasses an elaborate strategy, with the acquisition of advanced knowledge in financial mathematics being the basic chapter. I intend to achieve this through a Finance Maths Masters Degree. To acquire this knowledge, I plan to foster extensive teamwork with fellow students in all areas of the studies. I aim to conduct further research in the field to come up with reliable and publishable results. My long-term career plan and goal involves working in a major investment bank in China or Hong Kong as a risk analyst. As an analyst, I intend to engage all the industry stakeholders on the most appropriate ways and methods of determining and averting risk in financial management. Later, I plan to enrol for a doctorate degree in a related field and pursue a consultancy job in financial management.    

            With the acknowledgement of the rise in the need to acquire knowledge relevant to effective determination of financial risks and approaches towards risk management, I aspire to grow to be a senior scholar and professional in the Finance Math discipline. I am passionate and well motivated towards ensuring that the finance industry enjoys stability through accurate risk determination through effective application of relevant financial mathematics models. Positively, my objective to achieve the relevant qualifications and the motivation to contribute to the advancement of the Finance Math discipline are the primary drive in my academic pursuits. For these reasons, I kindly request the acceptance team at the university to consider my admission petition to _ University for the pursuit of a Masters Degree in the Finance Math Program.