professional goals essay for graduate school examples

• Graduate School

Grad School Career Goals Statement: Your Guide

Including 2 sample statements.

A grad school career goals statement is often part of applying for graduate school programs. Students wondering how to get into grad school can push their application ahead with a great career goals statement. Many students state their future career ambitions without elaborating on their answers, and their career goals statement falls short. In this blog, our grad school essay tutors reveal why you need a career goals statement, what to include, what to leave out, and a step-by-step process to help you craft your own.

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Article Contents 15 min read

Why do i need to include a career goals statement in my grad school application.

When applying to any graduate school program, the application process will more than likely include a career goals statement. These are sometimes called a grad school personal statement, statement of purpose or statement of intent . Not every school admissions application will ask you to write a career goals statement, but a variation of the career goals statement or personal statement is requested when applying for MBA programs. It’s a good idea to write a career goals statement anyway, because writing down your career ambitions can be a powerful personal tool as well. Putting your career goals in writing can help you to visualize the steps you’ll need to take to reach your goal, measure your progress and keep you accountable in pursuing your stated professional goals. Admissions committees ask for career goals statements to get an in-depth look at your personal and professional history, and what career aspirations you have. Committees are looking for key information in your career goals statement, including: what long and short-term career goals you have, how the program you’re applying to will help you achieve them and what you’ve already accomplished in your field. Bottom line, they want to know if you’re the type of student and working professional they want to add to their graduate program. Reading graduate school statement of purpose examples and tips for success can help inspire you as you draft your own career goals statement. Or, you can consider seeking extra help from a graduate school admissions consultant , who can teach you how to improve your statement writing skills, among other skills.

A well-written grad school career goals statement can help push your application to the top.

The important information you need to include in your career goals statement, regardless of what grad school program you’re applying to, is your short and long-term career goals, why you’re applying to study at the graduate level, how the chosen program will help you achieve your goals, and what you’ve already accomplished in your chosen professional field. All of this information will give your grad school admissions committee a detailed look at who you are, what you want to do in your career and why you’ve chosen a specific program to achieve it. The details you include with this information should convince the committee that you are worthy of a spot in a competitive graduate school program. Your career goals statement is also your chance to prove to the admissions board that you have not only a goal, but the drive and commitment to realize it.

Want help with other areas of your grad application as well? Check out this video:

Your grad school career goals statement should include the key information admissions committees want to know about you, as well as the qualities and format of a well-written personal statement. We’ll expand on these more below.

Short and long-term career goals

While you may have a primary reason for applying to a graduate school program, the admissions committee will want the details of your short and long-term career goals. Your short-term career goals would be what you want to accomplish in the months after graduation, or maybe even while you are studying. Are you looking to change career paths? Switch industries? Maybe your goal is to specialize your professional skillset, and your undergraduate degree is in too general a field of study. Regardless of your reasons, tell the admissions team what you want to accomplish following your graduation in the short-term, as well as the long-term goals you have for your career. If you want to enter a new professional field, what position do you want to reach in the long-term? What professional goals do you want to accomplish? What companies will you be looking to apply to?

Be as specific as you possibly can about your goals. Don’t just say you want to be a manager—write about why you want to be a manager in your professional field.

A good rule of thumb is to include SMART goals in your statement. SMART is an acronym which means specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound. Basically, be as specific about your goals as you can be, make them relevant and realistic to your field of study or work and your experience, and state when exactly you want to achieve them. Short term career goals might include earning a promotion you’ve had your eye on at your company, or getting a position at a particular company or in a specific field of interest to you after graduation. Long term career goals might be more vague, such as reaching a certain salary bracket or they may be ultra-specific, like starting your own business venture in your chosen field by 2025.

There are many reasons to study at the graduate level. Maybe you’re seeking to expand your professional skills or you’re looking at applying to a high-level position that requires a graduate degree. You might want to take more courses in a specific field of interest in your industry. Or you’re looking at an MBA, so you can hone your skills in management and business operations. In short, you need a better reason for applying than just earning another degree. Share the primary reason you’re applying for a rigorous graduate program, and why you feel further schooling will benefit you.

Why you chose this graduate school program

Schools want to know the reason why you chose their program in particular. Point to the courses, school values or specialties that drew you to the program. If the school of your choice is known for its excellent MBA program, for example, mention this. If a school values innovative thinking like you, elaborate on this point. Pick a school that you feel fits you best, and research the curriculum of the program you hope to attend. If you can’t give an answer as to why you chose a program, it’s less likely that you’ll be chosen to attend. Examine the specific reasons why you’re applying. Did you take a business class as an undergrad that sparked an interest in the technology industry? Was there a professor or professional experience that inspired you to start your own business? As an intern, did you discover a love for the work done by your current company? These details will give the admissions board a clear picture of your motivations.

How this program will help you achieve your goals

Related to the above answer, admissions boards will ask why you chose their graduate program and how it will help you achieve your career goals in the short and long-term. Highlight your earlier points here, strengthening them by connecting your goals to your reasons for applying. If you’re applying to a graduate program because a second degree will give you the skills and experience to move up in your chosen career, write about how the school’s focus on management and leadership will help mold you into a business leader. Or how the program’s internship opportunities will open doors for you in a new industry you’re hoping to break into. It’s best to be as specific as possible, and point to the main benefits the graduate school program will have on your career prospects and future goals.

Consider also what you can contribute to the school’s graduate program. Research the graduate school’s recent work or accolades and draw a connection between the work and your own recent accomplishments. If the school publishes heavily in scientific journals or pursues cutting-edge research in technology, highlight any articles you’ve had published, or mention any positions you’ve held in advancing technology industries. 

Interested in some tips that can help get you into grad school? This infographic is for you:

When writing your grad school career goals statement, it’s important not only that the content be full of personal details, but that the structure and format be strong, too. Once you’re able to answer the career goals statement prompt and include all the above information, you want to structure it in the short essay format, make sure your writing is clear, detailed, and confident. You’ll also add in an intriguing personal narrative, which helps improve the ‘flow’ and carry your readers through your writing seamlessly. You can read samples of college essays for inspiration, but the admissions committee wants to hear about you, personally and professionally. They’re expecting a well-structured, well-written document that gives them an insightful look into a prospective future student: you.

These elements are the bones of your career goals statement, while your detailed content—your actual answers—is the meat.

Short essay format

For short essay format, you’ll need a clear introduction, body paragraphs and a conclusion. Typically, these statements are one page long, and no more than two pages long. Some programs will specify a word count or ask for a statement of no more than a few sentences. Whatever the length, it’s important to include as much detailed information as you can.

For the introduction, grab your readers’ attention from the get-go with an intriguing topic sentence. For a career goals statement, this can be a challenge, so start with your answer to the question: what are your future career goals?

In your body paragraphs, expand on your goals. State how you will achieve them, and why you’ve chosen to study at the graduate level at your chosen school. Finally, state your timeline. Share when exactly you want to achieve your short and long-term goals. For example, your short-term goals might be 3-6 months. Your long-term goals might be 5, 10 or even 20 years from now. There is no hard rule about what is short-term and long-term, but be explicit in what these mean to you and your career goals.

In your conclusion, dive into how your chosen program will help you achieve your stated goals, and deliver your closing arguments for why you should be selected to attend the program.

Clarity and detail

Details will be the elements the admissions committee will remember best. They help set your career goals statement apart from the thousands of others they will receive each year. Details help make your statement more unique. But clear writing and well-structured sentences will make your details shine. So don’t forget the most important final step: proofreading. Read and re-read your statement to ensure it is clear, concise and free of errors. Reading aloud helps to be able to hear if your narrative flows smoothly and with clarity.

Use a confident tone of voice when writing your career goals statement. Don’t say you’d like to apply to hopefully be a manager. Say you will be a manager. You will be a leader. Write like your future career goals are a foregone conclusion if you obtain your graduate’s degree. If you are accepted—and you will be, as you are a perfect candidate—you will achieve your goals exactly as you’ve outlined in your career goals statement.

Personal narrative

Your grad school career goals statement is a detailed rundown of your professional ambitions, but it is also a look at you, personally. Tie your statement together with a compelling personal narrative to make it stand out, get noticed and connect your personal motivations to your professional goals. You want the reader to see the connection between your personal experiences and professional ambitions. So, if your goal is to enter a new professional field, share a personal anecdote about the passion you have for your field: when did it start? Where did your interest come from? If your aim is to improve your managerial skills, write about your personal or professional experiences where you demonstrated the qualities of a good leader or went above and beyond for your team.

Mistakes to avoid when drafting your grad school career goals statement

It goes without saying, but don\u2019t submit the first draft of your career goals statement with your graduate school application. Proofread your work after writing. Ask someone else to proofread it for you as well in case they catch something you missed. Revise your work in a second draft, and proofread it again, before you submit your statement. ","label":"Don\u2019t submit your first draft","title":"Don\u2019t submit your first draft"}]" code="tab1" template="BlogArticle">

Step by step instructions on writing a career goals statement

When writing an effective grad school career goals statement, it can help to follow a step-by-step process, especially if writing is not your strength.

Start with brainstorming your ideas. Write them down or make a list. Outline your answers to the questions admissions committees want to know. Ask yourself questions about your career aspirations and why you’ve chosen to apply to a graduate program. Once you have the answers to these questions, write them down and keep them handy as a reference for yourself.

Next, research the schools and graduate programs you’ll be applying for, based on your interests, eligibility and personal needs. Have a look at the programs they offer and what kind of coursework they offer. Does the coursework fit with your stated career goals? What skills will you gain from them that will help you achieve your goals? Jot down some of your answers to include in your career goals statement.

Once you have your notes complete, draft the outline of your answers and structure them into the short essay format. Decide what you will include in your introduction, your body paragraphs and your conclusion. Using your outline as a guide, type out your first draft, checking your notes to make sure you’ve included all the details you need.

If you can, ask for feedback from another set of eyes or ask someone to review your first draft. Read it aloud a few times to see how it sounds, if it flows well and if all the information you need is included. Once you have your feedback, from yourself and others, revise and create your second draft. Repeat the revision process if you need and be sure to proofread your work. Ask a friend to proofread your statement as well to ensure your essay is free of errors and is as polished as it can be.

Sample graduate school career goals statements to inspire your own

Below are two samples of graduate school career goals statements to help guide you in crafting your own.

Statement 1

My future career goals are entrepreneurial in nature, as I want to combine my passion for cycling with my interest in business administration. I chose to further my studies at the graduate level because of my goal to pursue my own start-up venture. My aim is to start my own company providing affordable, durable carbon fibre mountain bikes to cycling enthusiasts. As a cycling enthusiast myself, I understand the benefits a carbon fibre bicycle can bring, and I want to make it a more attainable and affordable option for cyclists like me. To be a successful business owner, I know it is imperative that I develop my management and organizational skills at the graduate level.

[University] is well-known for its superb MBA program, and I decided to apply for this program because I believe it will instill in me the necessary skills to succeed in a highly competitive business realm. [University’s] focus on developing forward-thinking, innovative leaders who excel in their chosen fields appeals greatly to me. I consider myself a creative, innovative thinker, and I know my business requires individuals who can look to the future of cycling and provide solutions now.

My short-term goals include starting this business venture soon after graduation. Having this degree will check the box of having a business leader with well-developed skills and the tools and resources to launch this business idea. My long-term goal is to provide cyclists like myself with durable, affordable carbon fibre mountain bikes and to reinvigorate interest in the sport in my region. Developing and providing carbon fibre bicycles to mountain cyclists will make the sport more accessible to more people. Carbon fibre bicycles are more adaptable, lightweight, and maneuverable on rough terrain, and they are extremely hardy and durable, so they will last riders for years to come. Making them as affordable as possible will also ensure they are accessible to as many different people as possible. Interest in the sport has waned in my area, but there is a small group of dedicated and passionate fans, and one of my goals is to utilize this group and my growing business to reignite passion for this challenging and adventurous sport. The advancements in technology in recent years will help propel me towards this goal, but a business degree at the graduate level will provide me with the crucial professional skills and experience needed to succeed.

My professional experience working in a cycling shop will also complement my goals and my future as an entrepreneurial business leader. For the past 5 years, I’ve worked as a manager at Cranky Cycling, a retail bicycle and repair shop in my area. As a manager, I’ve been introduced to the operational side of the business and have earned plenty of customer service experience. As manager, I’ve been responsible not only for employee management, scheduling, customer order and financial statements, I’ve been able to get to know every aspect of the business operations. From the repair side of things, I’ve been responsible for overseeing all repairs and advising customers on the ins and outs of bicycle care and maintenance. I also keep up to date on the latest developments in the cycling world, and often implement the knowledge I gain in the day-to-day running of the business.

I know these are small aspects of being a business owner, but I believe my extensive experience and expertise in the field are an excellent foundation for my future career goals. The key missing piece will be furthering my education and complementing this foundation with the professional skill development I will need in the future. 

Since my undergraduate studies, I have developed a passion for environmental sciences, and sustainable energy policy-making especially. At [University] I studied environmental sciences with a minor in political science and government policy. A graduate degree in environmental sciences will provide me with the background, knowledge and essential skillset I need to succeed in my career in sustainable energy management. While my undergraduate degree in environmental sciences has given me a solid foundation to work from, I am eager to expand my learning in fields such as environmental technology and government policy. A background in these subjects is necessary for me to achieve my goal of working at a high level in my chosen company [Company].

[Company] provides sustainable solar energy systems to its customers, and frequently collaborates with municipal and regional government bodies, private corporations and organizations to provide alternative energy needs. [Company] is also at the forefront of exploring emerging technology in solar energy and is a huge advocate for the possibilities of what can be achieved using solar energy. The company’s values and goals align well with my own, as I believe the future of energy in our region lies in utilizing solar power and its emerging technology. I think if more of our local companies were able to make the switch to solar more efficiently, they would choose to do so. Part of [Company’s] mission is to make the switch to solar more comfortable, affordable and easy.

After graduation, it is my goal to be hired at this company for a full-time, permanent position. I have previously interned at this company for one year and have gained a good understanding of company operations. As an intern, I helped educate on the benefits of solar power, how our company helps organizations to make the switch and municipal bylaws and policies about installing and using solar power in the region. My hope is to grow with this company long-term, achieving a higher-ranking position within its corporate structure and eventually being promoted to VP of operations. I believe here I would be able to make the most impact and be a positive advocate for the adoption of renewable solar energy systems in my community.

With a graduate degree in environmental sciences from [University], I know I will be able to achieve a higher position at my chosen company, and be armed with the experience and professional skillset I need to truly transform my community. With the knowledge I will gain from this degree, and the passion and experience I will contribute, I can share my vision of a solar-powered future with my community and fellow businesses.

Want to learn some tips that can help you survive grad school once you get there? Take a look at this video:

While writing a career goals statement may be a challenge, a good one can greatly increase your chances of admission to your chosen grad school program. Reading grad school career goals statement samples, asking for someone to review your statement and proofreading will all help you in creating a great statement for your grad school application. You might also look for extra help from a grad school admissions consultant when crafting your career goals statement.

A grad school career goals statement is a document that tells a grad school admissions committee what your short and long-term career goals are, why you are applying to the program and how the program will help you achieve your career goals.

A grad school career goals statement is usually one page long, but no more than two pages.

A good grad school career goals statement includes your detailed short and long-term goals, your reason for studying at the graduate level, why you’ve chosen a specific grad school program, and how this program will contribute to you achieving your goals.

Graduate schools want to learn more about who you are and what you want to achieve in your career. More importantly, they want to know how the program will contribute to you achieving your goals. This information will help them determine if you are a good fit for their program.

A good grad school career goals statement will outline your career ambitions, your motivations for applying to grad school and convince the admissions committee that you are an ideal candidate for your chosen program.

Don’t use the same career goals statement for every program you apply to, don’t use cliches or information that isn’t relevant to your career goals and your purpose in applying for grad school, and don’t submit a draft you haven’t proofread.

Yes. A career goals statement is sometimes called a statement of purpose, personal statement or statement of intent, as the general purpose of all these are the same.

SMART is an acronym which stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound. Your career goals should follow these criteria. Describe your goals in your statement as specifically as possible, make sure they are relevant, measurable and achievable in your chosen field of work, and state when exactly you want to achieve these goals by.

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• University of Denver

How to Write a Statement of Professional Goals

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Will you be successful as a graduate student? Your background, experience, passion for your field, and other factors help to answer this question during the application review process. 

Academic transcripts and resumes do not always tell a complete story. Your Statement of Professional Goals (or Personal Statement) will help to “fill in the blanks” and allow others to get a deeper understanding of you and your path.

Step-By-Step

Ask yourself the following questions and write down your thoughts:

• Why am I interested in this field of study and degree?
• What do I expect to learn or gain from this program?
• What courses or experiences am I most looking forward to?
• How will this program impact my personal and professional lives? 
• How will I contribute to the learning environment within the program?

Create an outline to help keep your ideas organized. Your reflections (above) can be used throughout your Statement of Professional Goals.

• Briefly introduce yourself and your background (as it relates to you applying for graduate school).
• 1 to 3 examples of relevant experiences or accomplishments.  
• Your professional and educational goals.
• Why you are interested in the Morgridge College of Education (and what you can bring to the community!).
• Summarize what you’ve already shared. Be sure to emphasize how your qualifications align with the program you are interested in.

3. Work on Your Draft

Give yourself time to work on your Statement. If you think your Statement is done after one sitting, there is a good chance that you’ve forgotten something important (or, worse yet, have significant grammatical or other errors).

4. Prepare Your Final Version

If you’re done editing and feel ready to submit your Statement, please make sure to adhere to MCE’s formatting guidelines.

• Length : 2-3 pages
• Font : 12-point Times New Roman
• Spacing : Double
• Citations : APA format 

What to Include

• Your voice! Your Statement should demonstrate your passion for the program you’re interested in. It is also an opportunity for you to let your personality shine through. 
• What you know (or don’t!). Whether you’re hoping to fill a knowledge gap or want to grow your expertise, let us know what you want to learn.
• Faculty mentions. Is there a faculty member whose research areas align with your interests? Make sure to mention them!
• Plans or context. If you are addressing issues, be sure to explain how you plan to overcome them. As an example, if you let us know why your GPA was lower than you had hoped, you should explain what you’ve done (or will do) to maintain a high level of academic performance.

Try Not to Include

• Vague or generalized goals. Saying that you “have a passion for education” is helpful, but we’d much rather know how you hope that passion will translate into your program experience and future career.
• Another college’s name. If you’re applying to multiple colleges, try to have a different Statement prepared for each one. Every program is unique. Your Statement(s) should be specific to each program that you’re applying to.
• Find someone to help review your Statement. Parents, siblings, friends, and colleagues may be willing to look over your Statement to help spot issues or errors.
• Microsoft Office Spelling & Grammar Checkers
• Google Docs Spelling & Grammar Checkers
• Writing Your Statement of Purpose from Inside Higher Ed. Get tips on introducing yourself and more.
• Writing the Personal Statement from Purdue OWL. Get advice on reflecting, writing, and other important topics.  

How to Write a Statement of Purpose for Graduate School

Congrats! You’ve chosen a graduate program , read up on tips for applying to grad school , and even wrote a focused grad school resumé . But if you’re like many students, you’ve left the most daunting part of the application process for last—writing a statement of purpose. The good news is, the task doesn’t have to feel so overwhelming, as long as you break the process down into simple, actionable steps. Below, learn how to write a strong, unique statement of purpose that will impress admissions committees and increase your chances of getting into your dream school.

What is a statement of purpose?

A statement of purpose (SOP), sometimes referred to as a personal statement, is a critical piece of a graduate school application that tells admissions committees who you are, what your academic and professional interests are, and how you’ll add value to the graduate program you’re applying to.

Jared Pierce, associate director of enrollment services at Northeastern University, says a strong statement of purpose can be the deciding factor in a graduate student’s admission.  

“Your statement of purpose is where you tell your story about who you are and why you deserve to be a part of the [university’s] community. It gives the admissions committee the chance to get to know you and understand how you’ll add value to the classroom,” he says.

How long should a statement of purpose be?

“A statement of purpose should be between 500 and 1,000 words,” Pierce says, noting that it should typically not exceed a single page. He advises that students use a traditional font at a readable size (11- or 12-pt) and leave enough whitespace in the margins to make the statement easy-to-read. Make sure to double-space the statement if the university has requested it, he adds. 

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How to Write a Statement of Purpose: A Step-by-Step Guide

Now that you understand how to format a statement of purpose, you can begin drafting your own. Getting started can feel daunting, but Pierce suggests making the process more manageable by breaking down the writing process into four easy steps.

1. Brainstorm your ideas.

First, he says, try to reframe the task at hand and get excited for the opportunity to write your statement of purpose. He explains:

“Throughout the application process, you’re afforded few opportunities to address the committee directly. Here is your chance to truly speak directly to them. Each student arrives at this process with a unique story, including prior jobs, volunteer experience, or undergraduate studies. Think about what makes you you and start outlining.”

When writing your statement of purpose, he suggests asking yourself these key questions:

• Why do I want this degree?
• What are my expectations for this degree?
• What courses or program features excite me the most?
• Where do I want this degree to take me, professionally and personally?
• How will my unique professional and personal experiences add value to the program?

Jot these responses down to get your initial thoughts on paper. This will act as your starting point that you’ll use to create an outline and your first draft.

2. Develop an outline.

Next, you’ll want to take the ideas that you’ve identified during the brainstorming process and plug them into an outline that will guide your writing. 

An effective outline for your statement of purpose might look something like this:

• An attention-grabbing hook
• A brief introduction of yourself and your background as it relates to your motivation behind applying to graduate school 
• Your professional goals as they relate to the program you’re applying to
• Why you’re interested in the specific school and what you can bring to the table
• A brief summary of the information presented in the body that emphasizes your qualifications and compatibility with the school

An outline like the one above will give you a roadmap to follow so that your statement of purpose is well-organized and concise. 

3. Write the first draft.

Your statement of purpose should communicate who you are and why you are interested in a particular program, but it also needs to be positioned in a way that differentiates you from other applicants. 

Admissions professionals already have your transcripts, resumé, and test scores; the statement of purpose is your chance to tell your story in your own words.

When you begin drafting content, make sure to:

• Provide insight into what drives you , whether that’s professional advancement, personal growth, or both.
• Demonstrate your interest in the school by addressing the unique features of the program that interest you most. For Northeastern, he says, maybe it’s experiential learning; you’re excited to tackle real-world projects in your desired industry. Or perhaps it’s learning from faculty who are experts in your field of study.
• Be yourself. It helps to keep your audience in mind while writing, but don’t forget to let your personality shine through. It’s important to be authentic when writing your statement to show the admissions committee who you are and why your unique perspective will add value to the program.

4. Edit and refine your work.

Before you submit your statement of purpose:

• Make sure you’ve followed all directions thoroughly , including requirements about margins, spacing, and font size.
• Proofread carefully for grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Remember that a statement of purpose should be between 500 and 1,000 words. If you’ve written far more than this, read through your statement again and edit for clarity and conciseness. Less is often more; articulate your main points strongly and get rid of any “clutter.”
• Walk away and come back later with a fresh set of eyes. Sometimes your best ideas come when you’re not sitting and staring at your computer.
• Ask someone you trust to read your statement before you submit it.

Making a Lasting Impression

Your statement of purpose can leave a lasting impression if done well, Pierce says. It provides you with the opportunity to highlight your unique background and skills so that admissions professionals understand why you’re the ideal candidate for the program that you’re applying to. If nothing else, stay focused on what you uniquely bring to the classroom, the program, and the campus community. If you do that, you’ll excel.

To learn more tricks and tips for submitting an impressive graduate school application, explore our related Grad School Success articles .

Editor’s note: This article was originally published in March 2017. It has since been updated for thoroughness and accuracy.

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Graduate School Application Essays

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Types of Essays

Regardless of the type of school you are applying to, you will be required to submit an admissions essay as part of the application process. Graduate programs want students with clear commitment to the field. Essay prompts typically ask applicants to discuss their previous experience, future professional goals, and how the program can help them in achieving those objectives. The essay gives the applicant the chance to articulate these goals and display strong writing skills. Remember to tailor your essay to each school and the faculty committee that reviews your application. But first, take note of what kind of essay is being requested of you. Here are the two main admission essays:

Personal Statement

A personal statement is a narrative piece describing how your character and experiences have formed you into someone who will contribute positively and effectively to not only the department but the academic discipline as a whole. This is often achieved by detailing social, educational, cultural, and economic obstacles you have overcome in your journey to get to where you are today and your future objectives. A personal statement is also an opportunity to highlight what is unique about you and how you will advance diversity within the institution.

Check out Personal Statement Resources for Graduate School Applications in the Resources section of Handshake for a brainstorming activity and essay samples that can help you get started on your personal statement.

Statement of Purpose

Interchangeably called a “research statement”, a statement of purpose will prompt you to describe your research interests and professional goals, how you plan to accomplish them, and why a specific program is best suited for you to do so. Be specific about your specialized interests within your major field. Be clear about the kind of program you expect to undertake, and explain how your study plan connects with your previous training and future goals.

Use the Outlining Your Statement of Purpose guide in the Resources section of Handshake to get started on your statement outline.

How to Write a Powerful Admission Essay

Whatever required format, your essay should be thoughtful, concise, compelling, and interesting. Remember, admissions officers read hundreds of personal essays. Below are some tips for your admissions essay writing process:

Before Writing

• Read the question:  Be sure you are aware of all aspects of the prompt. Failing to pay attention to details in the prompt won’t reflect well on you as a potential candidate.
• What is distinct, special, and/or impressive about me and my life story?
• Have I overcome any particular hardships or obstacles?
• When did I become interested in this field and what have I learned about it?
• What are my career goals?
• What personal traits, values, and skill sets do I have that would make me stand out from other applicants?
• Create an outline:  You might have a lot that you want to say, but you will need to whittle down your many thoughts and experiences to a concrete thesis with a select number of examples to support it. Create an outline for your draft, not only to organize your points and examples, but to help tailor your essay for your readers.
• Know your audience:  Consider how your narrative can best meet the expectations of admissions committee members. Will faculty be reading this? Administrators? Experts in the field? Knowing your audience ahead of time will assist you in addressing the prompt appropriately.

While Writing

• Grab your reader’s attention:  Start your essay with something that will grab the reader’s attention such as a personal anecdote, questions, or engaging depiction of a scene. Avoid starting things off with common phrases such as “I was born in…” or “I have always wanted to…” Consider the experiences that have shaped you or your career decision, and delve into them with a creative hook.
• Write well:  Your essay is a sample of your writing abilities, so it’s important to convey your thoughts clearly and effectively. Be succinct—you don’t need to write out your full autobiography or resume in prose. Exclude anything that doesn’t support your thesis. Gentle humor is okay, but don’t overdo it. Also, don’t make things up! Be honest about your experiences.
• End strong:  End your essay with a conclusion that refers back to the lead and restates your thesis. This helps unify your essay as a whole, connecting your detailed experiences back to the reason you are writing this essay in the first place—to show your qualifications for your graduate program of choice.

Final Touches

• Use resources: The MIT Communication Labs have a CommKit that collects all of the Comm Lab resources relevant to the grad application process , including recommendation letters & interviews
• Revise:  Give yourself enough time to step away from your draft. Return with a fresh pair of eyes to make your edits. Be realistic with yourself, not your harshest critic. Make a few rounds of revisions if you need.
• Ask for help:  Have your essay critiqued by friends, family, educators, and the  MIT Writing and Communication Center or our Career Services staff.
• Proofread:  Read your essay out loud or even record yourself and listen to the recording, to help you catch mistakes or poor phrasing you may have missed when reading to yourself. Also, don’t rely exclusively on your computer to check your spelling.

How to Write a Stand-Out Personal Statement for Your Graduate School Application

While deciding to embark on the path to graduate school is an exciting first step toward advancing your career, the application process can sometimes feel daunting and confusing.

One major part of the application that most schools require is a personal statement. Writing a personal statement can be an arduous task: After all, most people don’t necessarily enjoy writing about themselves, let alone at length.

A compelling personal statement, however, can help bring your application to the top of the admissions pile. Below, we’ve outlined what you need to know about crafting a personal statement to make your application shine.

What Is a Personal Statement?

The point of a personal statement is for the admissions board to gain a deeper understanding of who you are apart from your education and work experience. It explains why you’re the right fit for the program and a worthwhile applicant. It’s also an opportunity to highlight important factors that may not be readily available in the rest of your application.

A personal statement is different from a statement of purpose (if you’re asked for that as well). A statement of purpose will touch on your academic and career goals, as well as your past credentials. While those should also be discussed in your personal statement, it’s more about your life experiences and how they’ve shaped you and your journey to graduate school.

Questions to Ask Yourself Before Writing a Personal Statement

Before you start crafting your essay, there are a few prompts you can ask yourself to help clarify what you want to accomplish.

• What are the key points you want to communicate about yourself?
• What personal characteristics or skills do you have that make you a strong candidate for this field?
• What exactly are your career goals, and how does graduate school play into them?
• What have you learned about this field already? When did you first choose to follow this path, and what do you enjoy about it?
• What do you think is important for the admissions board to know specifically about you?
• Are there any discrepancies or causes for concern in your application you need to address? For example, is there a career and schooling gap, or a low GPA at one point? This is the time to discuss whether a personal hardship may have affected your academics or career.
• Have you dealt with any unusual obstacles or difficulties in your life? How have they affected and shaped you?
• What sets you apart and makes you unique from other graduate school applicants?
• What factors in your life have brought you to where you are today?

Top Tips for Writing a Graduate School Personal Statement

Pick a few points to emphasize about yourself . Introduce yourself to the admissions board. Select key factors about your background that you want the university to know — elements that reveal what kind of person you are and demonstrate why you’re a strong candidate for the school and field of study.

Be very specific . Again, a personal statement is all about communicating what distinguishes you from other applicants. To accomplish that, you need to share specific anecdotes that underscore your statements. If you say you’re a strong leader, present an example of a time you’ve proven that skill through work, school or your personal life. These specific, personal stories provide a deeper understanding of who you are and prove your intentions.

Do your research . Demonstrate what attracted you to the program. If there is a specific faculty member or class that caught your attention, or another aspect of the program that greatly interests you, convey it. This shows you’ve truly researched the school and have a passion for the program.

“Whatever the topic may be, I would recommend writing in a manner that reflects or parallels the institution’s and/or department’s missions, goals and values,” said Moises Cortés, a graduate/international credentials analyst for the Office of Graduate Admission at USC .

Address any gaps or discrepancies . Explain any factors that may have impacted your academic career. If you had an illness or any other personal hardships that affected your grades or work, discuss them. If there is a discrepancy between your grades and your test scores, you can also take the time to go over any extenuating circumstances.

Strike the right tone . While it’s important to give readers a glimpse of your personality, avoid oversharing or revealing intimate details of your life experiences. You should also avoid making jokes or using humorous cliches. Maintain a professional tone throughout your writing.

Start strong and finish strong . As with any piece of writing, you want to draw in your readers immediately. Make sure to start off with an interesting and captivating introduction. Similarly, your conclusion should be a well-written, engaging finish to the essay that highlights any important points.

“ For a personal statement, I think the first and last paragraphs are most important and should always relate the program they are applying to their own experiences and ideas,” Hoon H. Kang, a graduate/international credential analyst with the Office of Graduate Admission, told USC Online.

Proofread, proofread and proofread again . We can’t emphasize enough the importance of rereading your work. Your personal statement is also an analysis of your writing skills, so ensure you have proper grammar and spelling throughout. In addition, we recommend having multiple people look over your statement before submission. They can help with the proofreading (a second person always catches a mistake the writer may miss), give advice about the statement’s structure and content, and confirm it’s the proper recommended length.

Once you’ve considered all of the above and reviewed and edited your personal statement to perfection, it’s time to submit and check off any remaining application requirements, including your resume and letters of recommendation .

Personal statements are arguably one of the most challenging aspects of applying to graduate school, so make sure to revel in this accomplishment and acknowledge your successes.

For more information, visit the  Office of Graduate Admission at USC  and explore  USC Online ’s master’s degrees, doctoral programs and graduate certificates.

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Gre prep online guides and tips, 7 successful statement of purpose examples.

Not sure what graduate schools are looking for in a statement of purpose? Looking at successful graduate school statement of purpose samples can help! In this guide, we’ll orient you to what makes a great statement of purpose or letter of intent for graduate school. Then we’ll provide you with four successful statement of purpose examples from our graduate school experts. We’ll also provide analysis of what makes them successful. Finally, we’ll direct you to even more helpful examples that you can find online!

The Graduate School Statement of Purpose: An Overview

A statement of purpose (also called a letter of intent or a research statement) introduces your interests and experience to the admissions committee. For research-focused programs, like most PhDs and many master’s degrees, your statement of purpose will focus primarily on your past research experience and plans. For more professionally-focused graduate programs, your statement of purpose will primarily discuss how your pursuit of this professional program relates to your past experiences, and how you will use the skills from the program in your future career.

A statement of purpose for grad school is also where you sell the admissions committee on why you belong in their program specifically. Why do you fit there, and how does what they offer fit your interests?

What’s in a Great Grad School Statement of Purpose?

Here are the essential elements of a strong graduate school statement of purpose:

Clear Articulation of Goals and Interests

A strong statement of purpose will clearly and specifically lay out your goals in undertaking the program and what you hope to accomplish with the degree. Again, for a research-focused program, this will focus primarily on the research project(s) you want to undertake while you are there. For a more professional program, discuss what interests you within the professional field and what skills/knowledge you hope to gain through the program.

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You should be as specific as possible in discussing what interests you. Use examples of particular phenomena, tools, or situations that you find exciting. If you are vague or say that everything in the field interests you, you run the risk of seeming unfocused or not actually that passionate.

Don’t worry that being too specific will box you into a particular research area or subfield during your entire tenure in graduate school. Your program understands that interests change—they won’t be pulling out your research statement to cross-reference with your dissertation proposal!

Evidence of Past Experience and Success

A great graduate school statement of purpose will also show programs that you have already been successful. They want applicants that will be able to follow through on their research/professional plans!

To this end, you’ll need to provide evidence of how your background qualifies you to pursue this program and your specific interests in the field. You’ll probably discuss your undergraduate studies and any professional experience you have. But be sure to draw on specific, vivid examples.  You might draw on your thesis, major projects you’ve worked on, papers you have written/published, presentations you’ve given, mentors you’ve worked with, and so on. This gives admissions committees concrete evidence that you are qualified to undertake graduate study!

Interest and Fit With the Program

The third essential ingredient to a great statement of purpose is to clearly lay out why you and the program are a good fit. You should be able to identify both specific reasons why your work fits with the program and why the program suits your work/interests! Are there particular professors you’d like to work with? Does the department have a strong tradition in a certain methodology or theory you’re interested in? Is there a particular facet to the curriculum that you’d like to experience?

Showing that you and the program are a match shows that you chose the program thoughtfully and have genuine interest in it. Programs want to admit students who aren’t just passionate about the field. They want students who are genuinely enthused about their specific program and positioned to get the most out of what they have to offer.

Strong Writing

The final essential piece of a strong statement of purpose or letter of intent is strong writing. Writing skills are important for all graduate programs. You’ll need to demonstrate that you can clearly and effectively communicate your ideas in a way that flows logically. Additionally, you should show that you know how to write in a way that is descriptive but concise. A statement of purpose shouldn’t ever be longer than two pages, even without a hard word limit.

Admissions committees for humanities programs may be a little more focused on writing style than admissions officers for STEM programs. But even in quantitative and science-focused fields, written communication skills are an essential part of graduate school. So a strong statement of purpose will always be effectively written. You’ll see this in our statement of purpose for graduate school samples.

Real, Successful Statement of Purpose Samples

In this section, we’ll present four successful graduate school statement of purpose examples from our graduate school experts, along with a brief commentary on each statement. These statements come from a diverse selection of program types to show you how the core essentials of a statement of purpose can be implemented differently for different fields.

Note: identifying information for these statements have been changed—except for example four, which is my statement.

• Statement of Purpose Sample One: Japanese Studies MA

This statement of purpose is notable for its great use of space and its vivid descriptions. The author is able to cram a lot into about a page. She discusses how she came to her two primary research interests (and how they are connected). She integrates this discussion of her interests with information on her past experiences and qualifications for pursuing the course of study. Finally, she includes details on her goals in pursuing the program and components of the program that interest her. Her examples are specific and fleshed-out. There’s a lot very cleverly included in a small amount of page space!

Additionally, the language is very vivid. Phrases like “evocative and visceral” and “steadily unraveling,” are eye-catching and intriguing. They demonstrate that she has the writing skills necessary to pursue both graduate study and her interest in translation.

• Statement of Purpose Sample Two: Music MM

This sample is fairly long, although at 12 point Times New Roman it’s under two pages single-spaced. The length of this statement is partially due to the somewhat expansive nature of the prompt, which asks what role music has played in the applicant’s life “to date.” This invites applicants to speak more about experiences further in the past (in the childhood and teen years) than is typical for a statement of purpose. Given that this is for a master’s degree in music, this is logical; musical study is typically something that is undertaken at a fairly young age.

This statement does an excellent job describing the student’s past experiences with music in great detail. The descriptions of the student’s past compositions and experiences performing new music are particularly vivid and intriguing.

This statement also lays out and elaborates on specific goals the student hopes to pursue through the program, as well as features particular to the program that interest the student (like particular professors).

• Statement of Purpose Sample Three: Economics PhD

One of the first things you’ll likely notice about this statement is that it’s a little on the longer side. However, at 12 point Times New Roman font and single-spaced, it still comes in under 2 pages (excluding references). It makes sense for a PhD statement of purpose sample to be longer than a master’s degree statement of purpose—there’s more to lay out in terms of research interests!

The writing style is fairly straightforward—there’s definitely a stronger focus on delivering content than flashy writing style. As Economics is a more quantitative-focused field, this is fine. But the writing is still well-organized, clear, and error-free.

The writer also gives numerous examples of their past work and experience, and shows off their knowledge of the field through references, which is a nice touch.

• Statement of Purpose Sample Four: History of the Book MA

This is actually my statement of purpose. It was for a program that I got accepted to but did not end up attending, for a Master’s in the History of the Book. You’ll notice that the two essay prompts essentially asked us to split our statement of purpose into two parts: the first prompt asked about our research interests and goals, and the second prompt asked about our relevant experience and qualifications.

I’ll keep my comments on this graduate school statement of purpose sample brief because I’ll do a deep dive on it in the next section. But looking back at my statement of purpose, I do a good job outlining what within the field interests me and clearly laying out how my past experiences have qualified me for the program.

Obviously this statement did its job, since I was accepted to the program. However, if I were to improve this statement, I’d change the cliche beginning  (“since I was a child”) and provide more specificity in what about the program interested me.

Deep Dive Analysis of a Sample Statement of Purpose for Graduate School

Next, we’ll do a paragraph by paragraph analysis of my statement, statement of purpose sample four. I’ll analyze its strengths and suggest ways I could shore up any weaknesses to make it even stronger.

Essay 1: Academic Interests

To refresh, here’s the first prompt: Please give a short statement that describes your academic interests, purpose, objectives and motivation in undertaking this postgraduate study. (max 3500 chars – approx. 500 words)

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Paragraph 1

Since I was a child, my favorite thing has always been a book. Not just for the stories and information they contain, although that is a large part of it. Mostly, I have been fascinated by the concept of book as object—a tangible item whose purpose is to relate intangible ideas and images. Bookbindings and jackets, different editions, the marginalia in a used book—all of these things become part of the individual book and its significance, and are worth study and consideration. Books and their equivalent forms—perfect bound, scrolled, stone tablets, papyrus—have long been an essential part of material culture and are also one of our most significant sources of information about the human historical past. Through both the literal object of the book, the words contained thereon, and its relationship to other books—forms of context, text and intertext—we are able to learn and hopefully manage layers of information with which we would otherwise have no familiarity.

First, the good: this paragraph does a good job introducing my academic interest in the book-as-object, and shows off pre-existing knowledge both of the study of material culture and literary theory. Additionally, the language is engaging: the juxtaposition of “tangible” and “intangible” in the beginning and phrases like “perfect bound, scrolled, stone tablets, papyrus” lend life to the writing and keep the reader engaged.

If I were to go back and improve this paragraph, first, I would absolutely change the first sentence to something less cliche than talking about my childhood. I might try something like “My love of books is a multifaceted thing. I don’t only love them for the stories and….” Second, I would chill out on the em dashes a little bit. Three sets in one paragraph is a little excessive. Finally, I might actually cut this paragraph down slightly to make more room word-wise later in the statement to discuss what specific things about the program interest me.

Paragraph 2

Furthermore, blogs, webcomics, digital archives, e-readers, and even social media sites like tumblr and Facebook have revolutionized the concept of the book by changing how we share and transmit ideas and information, just as the Gutenberg printing press revolutionized the book all those years ago in the fifteenth century. Once again there has been an explosion both in who can send out information and who can receive it.

This paragraph briefly and effectively introduces my other main academic interest: how new technology has changed the concept of the book-as-object. The tie-back to the printing press is a nice touch; it’s a vivid example that shows that I’m aware of important historical moments in book history.

Paragraph 3

I am deeply interested in the preservation of the physical book, as I think it is an important part of human history (not to mention a satisfying sensory experience for the reader). However I am also very concerned with the digitization and organization of information for the modern world such that the book, in all of its forms, stays relevant and easy to access and use. Collections of books, archives, and information as stored in the world’s servers, libraries and museums are essential resources that need to be properly organized and administered to be fully taken advantage of by their audiences. My purpose in applying to the University of Edinburgh’s Material Culture and History of the Book is to gain the skills necessary to keep all forms of the book relevant and functional in an age when information can move more radically than ever before.

This paragraph actually has a focus problem. Since it covers two topics, I should split it into two paragraphs: one on the integration of my two interests, and one on my goals and interests in the program. I could also stand to expand on what features the program has that interest me: professors I’d like to work with, particular aspects of the curriculum, etc.

In spite of these things, however, this paragraph does a good job clearly integrating the two academic interests related to the book I introduced in the first two paragraphs. And the language is still strong —“satisfying sensory experience” is a great phrase. However, I’ve been using the word “information,” a lot; I might try to replace with appropriate synonyms (like “knowledge”) in a couple of places.

Paragraph 4

Additionally, I intend on pursuing a PhD in Library and Information Sciences upon completion of my master’s and I feel that this program while make me uniquely suited to approach library science from a highly academic and interdisciplinary perspective.

This final paragraph offers just quick touch on my future goals beyond the program. It’s typically fine for this to be relatively brief, as it is here, just so long as you can clearly identify some future goals.

Essay 2: Relevant Experience

The second prompt just asked me to describe my relevant knowledge, training, and skills.

As a folklore and mythology student, I have gained a robust understanding of material culture and how it relates to culture as a whole. I have also learned about the transmission of ideas, information, stories and pieces of lore among and between populations, which is an important component of book history. Folklore is also deeply concerned with questions of the literary vs. oral lore and the tendency for text to “canonize” folklore, and yet text can also question or invert canonized versions; along with this my studies in my focus field of religion and storytelling have been deeply concerned with intertextuality. One of my courses was specifically concerned with the Heian-period Japanese novel The Tale of Genji and questions of translation and representation in post-Heian picture scrolls and also modern translations and manga. In addition to broader cultural questions concerned with gender and spirituality both in historical Japan and now, we considered the relationships between different Genji texts and images.

This is a strong, focused paragraph. I relate my academic background in Folklore and Mythology to my interests in studying the book, as well as showing off some of my knowledge in the area. I also chose and elaborated on a strong example (my class on the Tale of Genji ) of my relevant coursework.

I also have work experience that lends itself to the study of the book. After my freshman year of college I interned at the Chicago History Museum. Though I was in the visitor services department I was exposed to the preservation and archival departments of the museum and worked closely with the education department, which sparked my interest in archival collections and how museums present collection information to the public. After my sophomore year of college and into my junior year, I worked at Harvard’s rare books library, Houghton. At Houghton I prepared curated collections for archival storage. These collections were mostly comprised of the personal papers of noteworthy individuals, categorized into alphabetical folders. This experience made me very process-oriented and helped me to understand how collections come together on a holistic basis.

This paragraph also has a clear focus: my past, relevant work experience. Discussing archival collections and presenting information to the public links the interests discussed in my first statement with my qualifications in my second statement. However, if I were to revise this paragraph, I would add some specific examples of the amazing things I worked on and handled at Houghton Library. In that job, I got to touch Oliver Cromwell’s death mask! An interesting example would make this paragraph really pop even more.

Finally, in my current capacity as an education mentor in Allston, a suburb of Boston, I have learned the value of book history and material culture from an educational perspective. As a mentor who designs curriculum for individual students and small groups, I have learned to highly value clearly organized and useful educational resources such as websites, iPad apps, and books as tools for learning. By managing and organizing collections in a way that makes sense we are making information accessible to those who need it.

This final paragraph discusses my current (at the time) work experience in education and how that ties into my interest in the history of the book. It’s an intriguing connection and also harkens back to my discussion of information availability in the paragraph three of the first statement. Again, if I were to amp up this statement even more, I might include a specific example of a book-based (or book technology-based) project I did with one of my students. I worked on things like bookbinding and making “illuminated manuscripts” with some of my students; those would be interesting examples here.

This statement is split into two parts by virtue of the two-prompt format. However, if I were to integrate all of this information into one unified statement of purpose, I would probably briefly introduce my research interests, go in-depth on my background, then circle back around to speak more about my personal interests and goals and what intrigues me about the program. There’s not really one correct way to structure a statement of purpose just so long as it flows well and paragraphs are structured in a logical way: one topic per paragraph, with a clear topic and concluding sentence.

More Statement of Purpose Examples

We’ve provided you with four great graduate school statement of purpose examples from our graduate school experts. However, if you’re looking for more, there are other sample letters of intent and statements of purpose for graduate school online. We’ve rounded up the best ones here, along with some strengths and weaknesses about each example.

Majortests Statement of Purpose Sample

This is a fairly straightforward, clearly written statement of purpose sample for a biology program. It includes useful commentary after each paragraph about what this statement of purpose is accomplishing.

• This statement of purpose sample is well-organized, with clear topic sentences and points made in each paragraph.
• The student clearly identifies what interests her about the program.
• The student proactively addresses questions about why she hasn’t gone directly to graduate school, and frames her professional research experience as a positive thing.
• She gives a tiny bit of color about her personality in a relevant way by discussing her involvement with the Natural History Society.
• In general, discussing high school interests is too far back in time unless the anecdote is very interesting or unusual. The detail about The Theory of Evolution is intriguing; the information about the high school teacher seems irrelevant. The student should have condensed this paragraph into a sentence or two.
• While this statement is cogently written and makes the candidate sound competent and well-qualified, it’s not exactly the most scintillating piece of writing out there. Some of the constructions are a little awkward or cliche. For example, the “many people have asked me” sentence followed by “the answer is” is a little bit clunky. This is probably fine for a STEM program. But just be aware that this statement is not a paragon of writing style.

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UC Berkeley History Statement of Purpose Sample

This is a graduate school statement of purpose example from the UC Berkeley History department’s PhD program, with annotations from a professor as to why it’s a successful statement.

• The author is able to very clearly and articulately lay out her research interests and link them to past work she has successfully completed, namely, her thesis.
• She is able to identify several things about the program and Berkeley that indicate why it is a good fit for her research interests.
• She addresses the time she spent away from school and frames it as a positive, emphasizing that her use of time was well-considered and productive.
• Her writing is very vivid, with excellent word choice and great imagery.

While very well-written and engaging, this sample statement of purpose for graduate school is a little bit on the long side! It’s a little over two single-spaced pages, which is definitely pushing the limits of acceptable length. Try to keep yours at 2 pages or less. Some of the information on the thesis (which comprises over half of the statement of purpose) could be condensed to bring it down to two pages.

Pharmacy Residency Letter of Intent Sample

This is not technically a sample letter of intent for graduate school because it’s actually for a pharmacy residency program. However, this example still provides illumination as to what makes a decent graduate school letter of intent sample.

• This is a serviceable letter of intent: the writer clearly lays out their own goals within the field of pharmacy, what qualifications they have and how they’ve arrived at their interests, and how the program fits their needs.
• The writing is clearly structured and well-organized.
• The main weakness is that some of the writer’s statements come across as fairly generic. For example, “The PGY-1 Residency Program at UO Hospitals will provide me with the opportunity to further develop my clinical knowledge, critical thinking, teaching, research, and leadership skills” is a generic statement that could apply to any residency program. A punchier, more program-specific conclusion would have amped up this letter.
• While the writer does a decent job providing examples of their activities, like working as a tutor and attending the APhA conference, more specificity and detail in these examples would make the statement more memorable.
• There’s a typo in the last paragraph —a “to” that doesn’t belong! This is an unprofessional blip in an otherwise solid letter. Read you own letter of intent aloud to avoid this!

NIU Bad Statement of Purpose Example

This is an ineffective graduate school statement of purpose example, with annotations on why it doesn’t work.

As you might imagine, the main strength in this document is as an example of what not to do. Otherwise, there is little to recommend it.

• The annotations quite clearly detail the weaknesses of this statement. So I won’t address them exhaustively except to point out that this statement of purpose fails at both content and style. The author includes irrelevant anecdotes and lists without offering a decisive picture of interests or any particular insight into the field. Additionally, the statement is riddled with grammatical mistakes, awkward sentence structures, and strange acronyms.
• You’ll note that the commentary advises you to “never start with a quote.” I agree that you should never start with a freestanding quote as in this example. However, I do think starting with a quote is acceptable in cases like the Berkeley history example above, where the quote is brief and then directly linked to the research interest.

Graduate School Statement of Purpose Examples: 4 Key Points

Graduate programs ask for statement of purpose to hear about your interests and goals and why you think you and the program would be a good fit.

There are four key elements to a successful statement of purpose:

• A clear articulation of your goals and interests
• Evidence of past experiences and success
• Interest and fit with the program
• Strong writing

We’ve provided you with four successful statement of purpose samples from our graduate school experts!

We also provided additional statement of purpose samples (and a sample letter of intent) for graduate school from other sources on the internet. Now you have all kinds of guidance!

What’s Next?

If you’re looking for more information on graduate school , see our guide to what makes a good GPA for grad school .

Not sure if you need to take the GRE ? See if you can get into graduate school without GRE scores .

Want more information about the GRE? We can help you figure out when to take the GRE , how to make a GRE study plan , and how to improve your GRE score .

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Author: Ellen McCammon

Ellen is a public health graduate student and education expert. She has extensive experience mentoring students of all ages to reach their goals and in-depth knowledge on a variety of health topics. View all posts by Ellen McCammon

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October 13, 2022

How to Write a Goal Statement for Graduate School

Note: This article uses the terms “statement of goals,” “goal statement,” and “statement of purpose” interchangeably, to reflect the variable language used in graduate application prompts.

Motivations matter

Your statement of purpose is one of the best ways you can sell the admissions committee on you as a well-qualified, purposeful candidate. A strong goal statement will demonstrate your knowledge of your chosen field, your suitability for it, as well as your intellectual development, maturity, and ability to write and think clearly. Further, it will prove that you understand what you’re getting into and that you are committed to attending and completing a demanding academic program.  This is important, because graduate admissions committees want to know that you understand and are realistic about your academic and professional goals, and how your chosen program will serve you in reaching these goals.   

As a first step in planning the content of your essay, think about your motivations for your career choice. What first got you interested in this course of study? What experiences have confirmed that this academic focus is ideal for you? When did you realize that this wasn’t just a casual interest but a serious and sustained interest that has become the basis of a career? Additionally, identify specialty areas that interest you most. If you are applying for an art history MA, for example, name artistic traditions, historical time periods, admired artists, and methods of analysis that appeal to you. Refer to particular scholars who have shaped the field, and professors, especially those at your target school , who will play critical roles in your academic training.

Share some “snapshots” of the experiences that made you want to enter this field. As you consider which anecdotes to share, include those that will reveal your career motivations behind the financial. Additionally, write about elements of your background that make you stand out from the crowd of other applicants who want to achieve much the same thing.

Show your prep work

Your undergraduate major may be a starting point to reveal the foundation you’ve already laid, but you may have also taken post-graduate courses, earned a certification, or worked in the field for a period of time. These activities provide a track record of your commitment to this career or field of study. Explain not only what you know about your field, but also what you don’t know. Openly conveying this  awareness shows you’ve done your homework about why you need this program and how you will apply the knowledge afterward.

Personality counts

Being well suited to a career involves much more than academic talent alone. Your personality, aptitudes, and interests also play a role. For example, some people enter the academic world because they have a burning desire to teach; others are born researchers whose dream job would involve spending all day in a lab. If you are going for a social work degree, can you see yourself handling the constant flow of listening to people’s serious, often heart-breaking problems? Do you have the balance of empathy and boundaries so that this is suitable for you? Think about your personality profile and how you have discovered in what field, and in what role, you will fit.

Work with a grad school admissions expert to create a statement of purpose that gets you accepted >>

Consider your “fit” with your target school

You may have always dreamed of getting your degree from an Ivy League school, but remember: The best school for you is the one that fits YOUR needs, and the school where you also fulfill the needs of the program. 

How do you assess whether there is mutual “fit”? Read the program’s website closely; read student profiles and blogs, read up on faculty profiles and identify who has done work in your field of interest, written books or taught courses that appeal to you. If you plan to apply for teaching or research assistantships, have you contacted faculty members with experience or publications in your area of interest who could sit on your committee? Have you come up with a “short list” of courses that will bring you closer to your career goals?

What sorts of departmental opportunities exist, such as special labs, study-abroad programs, internships, or clubs or monthly workshops? How does the location of the program suit your academic, professional, and personal goals? Make sure it is clear to both you and to your target school why you are a perfect match.

What’s your post-graduate plan?

How well versed are you in the career options available to you after earning your degree? Be prepared to identify the potential places of employment and/or job functions you hope to get after completing the program. Your research can include internet and library searches, talking to people already in your field of choice, and reading articles on industry websites. 

If you are headed into academia, do you envision yourself on the “tenure track,” teaching and researching at a large university? Or teaching at a community college where you may have a private practice on the side? Will you be able to achieve your career goals with your master’s degree, or will a Ph.D. be the natural next step? Be clear in your statement about where you hope to land professionally or academically at the end of the program. 

Remember that graduate school is one step in an ongoing and flexible process. No school requires that you “promise” them you’ll assume a certain career post-graduation. Still, even if you anticipate that your career could take you in several different directions, try to commit to a single clear career path in your application. You can always change your mind!

If you would like the guidance and support of experienced admissions consultants as you work on your statement of purpose or other parts of your grad school application, Accepted is here to help. We offer a range of services that can be tailored exactly to your needs.

For 25 years, Accepted has helped applicants gain acceptance to top undergraduate and graduate programs. Our expert team of admissions consultants features former admissions directors, PhDs, and professional writers who have advised clients to acceptance at top programs worldwide including Harvard, Stanford, Yale, Princeton, Penn, Columbia, Oxford, Cambridge, INSEAD, MIT, Caltech, UC Berkeley, and Northwestern.  Want an admissions expert to help you get Accepted? Click here to get in touch!

Related Resources:

• 5 Fatal Flaws to Avoid in Your Graduate School Statement of Purpose , a free guide
• How Personal is Too Personal?
• How to Write a Great Statement of Purpose, a podcast episode

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Statement of Career Goals Examples (for grad school)

by Talha Omer, MBA, M.Eng., Harvard & Cornell Grad

In personal statement prompts.

Graduate schools, especially top business and management schools, require prospective applicants to write a career goal statement, which is simply an essay that describes the applicants short and long term professional goals. The goal statement is a way to let the admissions committee know your career aspirations. While writing the goal statement, you must provide your vision of the future of your career.

Here is an example of a statement of career goals that helped the applicant get into top MBA programs in the US.

Statement of Career Goals Example 1

My long-term goal is to create a Fintech investment platform, an area with vast potential, to provide innovative products designed especially for the low and middle-income segments. For this, post-MBA, I want to expand the reach of my start-up, Alpha Financial, further. Specifically, I aim to introduce novel microfinance products like the first privately managed future derivative trading terminal with the lowest spread to ensure that the masses can access this opportunity.

My professional career has equipped me with a solid understanding of finance, conducting due diligence, and sourcing deals. As a result, I feel ready to utilize the Kellogg MBA to enhance my knowledge, network, and leadership skills to grow my entrepreneurial venture.

I am very excited to study  the Enternpenuership path  at Kellogg, focusing on strategy. This pathway offers modules to help me deal effectively with issues such as creating unconventional financing channels. In addition, electives such as  Global Entrepreneur Finance  will equip me with essential skills and strategies to design financing options for my products.

Moreover, I am excited about engaging in Blockchain Technology, Digital Assets, and the Future of Finance, which will enhance my Fintech understanding and its application to solve lower strata problems. Outside the classroom, the Private Equity and Venture Capital Lab will provide me with unique opportunities to engage in in-depth discussions and build skills essential to become a better business leader.

Statement of Career Goals Example 2

My personal and professional experiences have exposed me to the harsh realities of the glass ceiling that women have to shatter in order to excel in their careers. My journey with human resources in organizational development and communications has strengthened my understanding of the role that capability development and effective organizational design can play in breaking these barriers. This has led to one of my biggest accomplishments – launching and leading the Women’s Club chapter at Coca-Cola. Here, I united 200 female colleagues onto a single platform that offered them company-wide mentorship through workshops and seminars. Now, I am more dedicated than ever to establishing a learning and development firm. This firm would advocate gender parity and will break barriers through a two-pronged approach. First, it will help organizations build gender-inclusive work environments. Second, it will dispense world-class leadership capacity-building for women. This two-pronged strategy will thus sustain a healthy pipeline of talented women leaders.

To turn my dream into a reality, it is essential that I first amplify my knowledge and upgrade my credentials. Doing so will help me prove that women can achieve anything they set their minds to. I must also equip myself with the tools to establish, lead and sustain a venture. Hence a mix of general management education, entrepreneurial skills and a global network at a top university will be a stepping-stone.

After graduation, I intend to join a leading learning and development firm, such as Dale Carnegie or BTS, that provides organizations with capability enhancement solutions. My MBA experience will give me with geographical proximity and an opportunity to network with organizations operating in New York. These firms have expertise in transforming organizations, driving behavioural change, and accelerating learning in a global context. I will concentrate on understanding their framework for designing scalable solutions. I am also much interested in learning their methods of measuring impact for continuous improvement and harnessing their vast network of global thought leaders.

In five years, I plan to leverage all my learning to the fullest upon return to Istanbul, where I will establish my entrepreneurial venture to enhance our women leaders’ capabilities. I will utilize the business acumen acquired from my MBA to sustain and scale my venture. I will import the knowledge, skills and methodologies of my professional experience to develop impactful and tailored learning solutions. My strategic cross-border network will allow my venture to introduce best practices and the latest research in the Turkish market, thereby creating a network of empowered global women leaders.

I dream that one day, successful women will be looked up to as professional role models and that the veil of ignorance and oppression will be lifted to create a meritocratic society rather than one divided along gendered lines.

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Examples of Scholarship Essays for the “Career Goals” Question

Emily Wong is a writer at Scholarships360. She’s worked as a social media manager and a content writer at several different startups, where she covered various topics including business, tech, job recruitment, and education. Emily grew up and went to school in the Chicago suburbs, where she studied economics and journalism at Northwestern University.

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Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.

Writing an essay is often the trickiest part of the scholarship application, not to mention the most time-consuming. However, the essay section also allows room for creativity and individuality. If you can communicate effectively, you can use the essay portion to stand out from the crowd. Let’s go over some tips for writing, as well as a couple of scholarship essay examples about career goals.

How to write a scholarship essay 

At this point, you’ve probably gained plenty of experience writing papers for school. However, it may still take a couple of tries to nail the scholarship essay. Since scholarship teams often have to get through a lot of applications, it’s important to stand out while staying concise. Here are some simple guidelines for writing scholarship essays.

See also: How to write a winning scholarship essay (with examples!)

Take five minutes to brainstorm

Before you even start your essay, take some time to gather your thoughts. Think about what you’ll want the paper to focus on. Why did you choose to pursue your career path in the first place? Where do you want to be in five years? How would this scholarship help you further your studies and work toward your goals?

Once you’ve jotted down a few ideas, choose one or two to center your essay on. Identifying the focus of your paper, it’ll make it easier to keep your thoughts organized. In turn, it’ll make it easier for the reader to follow.

Related : How to start a scholarship essay (with examples!)

Stay within the word limit

Unlike the four-page essays that you may have written in English class, scholarship essays are often only a paragraph or two. In order to respect the selection committee’s time, be wary of going too far about the specified word count. A general rule of thumb is to stay within 20 words above or below the limit. That may entail a few rounds of edits to get the wording just right.

Stay positive!

Feel free to use part of your essay to talk about your life’s challenges. After all, the selection committee often wants to give the award to a candidate who needs it. However, make sure your anecdote doesn’t devolve into a sob story. If you’re going to bring up hardships you’ve endured, try to balance it by talking about how you’ve overcome them. By demonstrating resilience, you can show readers how you would use the scholarship to succeed in your current situation.

Leave time to proofread

Especially for a short scholarship essay, proofreading can take as little as 5-10 minutes. Still, it can be tempting to just hit “submit” after your first draft. However, being too impulsive can leave your essay riddled with typos and grammatical errors.

Try to avoid unnecessary mistakes by finishing your draft at least 24 hours before the scholarship deadline. That way, you can proofread it with fresh eyes before you submit it.

If you’re struggling to close out your essay, read how to end a scholarship essay in five steps .

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How to write a 100-word “career goals” essay.

When writing a 100-word essay, you’ll have to choose your content carefully. Since space is limited, you’ll want to identify the most important details to include beforehand.

First and foremost, make sure to clearly communicate your current pursuits. Talk about your academic and extracurricular activities related to your career goals. Additionally, it’s important to be specific about what you plan to do in the future. Then, if you have extra room, you can talk about how the scholarship will help you reach your goals.

My name is Alison MacBride, and I’m a sophomore at the University of Illinois. I’m currently pursuing a major in Journalism with a minor in Natural Resource Conservation. After completing my program, I plan to combine my areas of interest to become an environmental journalist.

During high school, I volunteered at an eco-conscious farm, where I learned about how our actions affect the earth. Since then, I’ve been set on raising awareness for the environment. This scholarship would go a long way in helping me finish my degree with the skills I need to investigate and report about critical issues.

Word count: 100

How to write a 250-word “career goals” essay

For the 250-word essay, you can go into more detail. Give the readers some context by talking about how you first got interested in your chosen career. Storytelling can be especially effective in engaging your audience. Try to capture their attention by choosing one or two concrete examples and relaying them vividly.

Additionally, you can spend more time talking about the scholarship and how it’ll make a difference in your studies. Go into more detail about how and why you need the award, but remember to keep it positive! For more help, check out how to write a 250 word essay . 

I first decided that I wanted to pursue a career in environmentalism in early high school. The summer after my freshman year, I joined a volunteer program at an eco-conscious farm in my community. In addition to helping out with the operations, I learned about current environmental issues related to farming and other consumer industries.

After learning about the agricultural industry’s impact on the planet, I was inspired to make a difference. The next year, I started a monthly earth magazine at my high school in which we broke down environmental issues and offered tips on how to be more eco-friendly. When I started college, I founded an on-campus publication with the same mission.

In recent years, I’ve been troubled to see how some media outlets downplay the gravity of issues like climate change and deforestation. I’ve admired reporters who publish trustworthy and comprehensible information about environmental issues, and I aim to follow in their footsteps.

When I entered college, I was initially concerned that I wouldn’t have enough money to finish my degree. Fortunately, I’ve been able to cover most of my tuition using merit scholarships and paychecks from my part-time job on campus. Receiving this scholarship would allow me more time to focus on acing my classes and pursuing environmental advocacy work on campus.

Word count: 261

Final thoughts

Planning is essential in making your “career goals” essay clear and concise. Hopefully, these scholarship essay examples about career goals can be your guide to writing a scholarship-winning essay. Good luck!

Additional resources

Maybe you need to write a longer scholarship essay? We can help with our writing a 500 word essay guide ! Be prepared and learn how to write essays about yourself and how to craft an impressive personal statement . Learn the differences between a personal statement and a statement of purpose as the terms might come up on college websites. If you haven’t decided on a college already, check out our guide on how to choose a college . No matter where you are in your educational journey, make sure that you apply for all the scholarships you qualify for!

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