The importance of the personal statement cannot be underestimated. Often it is the first and sometimes only introduction the admissions committee has to you. From the personal statement, the admissions committee evaluates your writing ability and your desire to enter the field. The personal statement will include information such as professional goals, information on your background and suitability for the program, your understanding of the profession and what influenced your decision to pursue graduate school. Some programs ask for a personal statement and others ask for specific questions to be answered.

Additional Hints:

• If your academic record has some weaknesses, these can be addressed in the personal statement. Explain not just the weakness but what you have done or are doing to improve since then.

• Back up strengths with concrete examples. Avoid generalities, explain the decisions you have made and how you have made them.

• Write each statement to each particular school’s philosophy and requirements. Follow Directions!

• Be concise, make sure the statement is persuasive in your desire to be in the particular school’s program.

• Avoid clichés. Be genuine in enthusiasm about their program.

• Writing a personal statement is not done in one sitting. It is a process that should be revised and adjusted over a few weeks.

• Grammar, spelling, punctuation and presentation need to have no mistakes.