social sciences personal statement examples

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Writing Your Personal Statements

Your personal statement must demonstrate to the admissions committee that you have considered graduate school and their specific program seriously. It’s your opportunity to summarize your academic and research experiences. You must also communicate how your experiences are relevant to preparing you for the graduate degree that you will be pursuing and explain why a given program is the right one for you.

The personal statement is where you highlight your strengths. Make your strengths absolutely clear to the reviewers, because they will often be reading many other statements. Your self-assessments and honest conversations with peers and advisors should have also revealed your strengths. But you must also address (not blame others for) weaknesses or unusual aspects of your application or academic background.

Your personal statement should focus on two main aspects: your competence and commitment.

1. Identify your strengths in terms of competence that indicate that you will succeed in the grad program and provide examples to support your claims. Start your statement by describing your strengths immediately. Because faculty will be reading many statements, it’s important to start off with your strengths and not “bury your lede.” Consider traits of successful graduate students from your informational interviews, and identify which of these traits you have. These traits could involve research skills and experiences, expertise in working with techniques or instruments, familiarity with professional networks and resources in your field, etc.

• Check your responses from the exercises in the self-assessment section. You may wish to consult notes from your informational interviews and your Seven Stories . Write concise summaries and stories that demonstrate your strengths, e.g. how your strengths helped you to achieve certain goals or overcome obstacles.
• Summarize your research experience(s). What were the main project goals and the “big picture” questions? What was your role in this project? What did you accomplish? What did you learn, and how did you grow as a result of the experience(s)?

My research examines the interplay between U.S. domestic politics and foreign policy during the Cold War. As a native New Yorker, I saw firsthand how dramatically my city changed after 9/11, which prompted my early interest in U.S. policy at home and abroad. As an undergraduate at the City College of New York, I planned to study international relations with a focus on U.S. foreign affairs. I also quickly became involved in student activist groups that focused on raising awareness about a wide range of human rights issues, from the Syrian refugee crisis to asylum seekers from Central America.

The more I learned about the crises in the present, the more I realized that I needed a deeper understanding of the past to fully grasp them. I decided to pursue a PhD in history in order to gain a clearer understanding of human rights issues in the present and to empower young student-activists like myself.

— Vannessa Velez, PhD candidate in History

Addressing weaknesses or unusual aspects

• Identify weaknesses or unusual aspects in your application—e.g., a significant drop in your GPA during a term; weak GRE scores; changes in your academic trajectory, etc. Don’t ignore them, because ignoring them might be interpreted as blind spots for you. If you’re unsure if a particular issue is significant enough to address, seek advice from faculty mentors.
• Explain how you’ll improve and strengthen those areas or work around your weakness. Determine how you will address them in a positive light, e.g., by discussing how you overcame obstacles through persistence, what you learned from challenges, and how you grew from failures. Focusing on a growth mindset  or grit  and this blog on weaknesses might also help.
• Deal with any significant unusual aspects later in the statement to allow a positive impression to develop first.
• Explain, rather than provide excuses—i.e., address the issue directly and don’t blame others (even if you believe someone else is responsible). Draft it and get feedback from others to see if the explanation is working as you want it to.
• Provide supporting empirical evidence if possible. For example, “Adjusting to college was a major step for me, coming from a small high school and as a first-generation college student. My freshman GPA was not up to par with my typical achievements, as demonstrated by my improved  GPA of 3.8 during my second and third years in college."
• Be concise (don’t dwell on the issues), but also be complete (don’t lead to other potentially unanswered questions). For example, if a drop in grades during a term was due to a health issue, explain whether the health issue is recurring, managed now with medication, resolved, etc.

2. Explain your commitment to research and their graduate program, including your motivation for why you are applying to this graduate program at this university. Be as specific as possible. Identify several faculty members with whom you are interested in working, and explain why their research interests you.

• Descriptions of your commitment should explain why you’re passionate about this particular academic field and provide demonstrations of your commitment with stories (e.g., working long hours to solve a problem, overcoming challenges in research, resilience in pursuing problems). Don’t merely assert your commitment.
• Explain why you are applying to graduate school, as opposed to seeking a professional degree or a job. Discuss your interest and motivation for grad school, along with your future career aspirations.

I am definitely not your traditional graduate student. As a biracial (Native American and white), first-generation PhD student from a military family, I had very limited guidance on how best to pursue my education, especially when I decided that graduate school was a good idea. I ended up coming to this PhD in a very circuitous manner, stopping first to get a JD and, later, an MFA in Young Adult Literature. With each degree, I took time to work and apply what I’d learned, as a lawyer and as an educator. Each time, I realized that I was circling around questions that I couldn’t let go of—not just because I found them to be fascinating, but because I did (and still do!) feel that my research could help to bridge a gap that desperately needs bridging. Because my work is quite interdisciplinary, I strongly feel that I wouldn’t have been able to pursue this line of research without the degrees and life experience I gained before coming to this program.

— Jamie Fine, PhD candidate in Modern Thought and Literature

Statement of Purpose: subtle aspects

• Think in terms of engaging faculty in a conversation rather than pleading with them that you should be admitted. Ask reviewers to read drafts with this concern in mind.
• With later drafts, try developing an overall narrative theme. See if one emerges as you work.
• Write at least 10 drafts and expect your thinking and the essay to change quite a bit over time.
• Read drafts out loud to help you catch errors.
• Expect the "you' that emerges in your essay to be incomplete. . . that’s OK.
• You’re sharing a professional/scholarly slice of "you."
• Avoid humor (do you really know what senior academics find funny?) and flashy openings and closings. Think of pitching the essay to an educated person in the field, but not necessarily in your specialty. Avoid emotionally laden words (such as "love" or "passion"). Remember, your audience is a group of professors! Overly emotional appeals might make them uncomfortable. They are looking for scholarly colleagues.

© Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305

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Social Sciences Personal Statement

This is a sample personal statement written by our professional writer. Please note that our website is scanned by various anti-plagiarism software, so do not attempt to copy/paste this personal statement. You will get caught and your university career will be over before it has begun! To get a custom-written personal statement, just complete the order form and we will write an original personal statement, based specifically on the information you give us, which will never be published or resold.

Nothing intrigues me more than unearthing the driving factors that make society tick. From trying to understand the beliefs and ideologies that shape society, to the personal experiences and behaviour that develop our individual characters, the social sciences hold the key to a wealth of knowledge and learning.

I was first drawn towards the social sciences when I moved into secondary education. After years of what felt like enduring a repetitive cycle of studying mathematics, English and the physical sciences I wanted a complete change, something to interest me as I was committed to developing my higher education as far as I possibly could. I went to enrol at college with an open mind, and my attention was quickly drawn towards the subjects of politics and government, sociology and psychology. I had never had the option of studying these topics before and after arriving at my college rather subdued, I left with a real sense of excitement about taking my first steps into further education.

At first I found these subjects to be rather simplistic, and was easily able to relate what I was learning to the world around me. This was, however, just the tip of the iceberg with respect to each subject and little did I know about the wealth of knowledge I was about to be exposed to.

While I imagine each of these topics alone would provide enthralling study, I found this overarching study of social science I had chosen to take on gave me an excellent overview. Learning about each of these individual areas I was able to understand how society worked from a variety of different perspectives. It was also important to learn the vast array of differing theories as to how society works, and how individuals are driven, and how all of these factors and behaviours are related and affect one another.

The most appealing elements of my studies was the fact that unlike many physical sciences there were, in the pursuit to understand social science, relatively few absolute truths. This field of study is filled with conflicting theories, opinions and arguments and there is constantly changing in tandem with the world around us.

I am now looking to further develop my understanding of social science with a view to starting my own research. I have found myself drawn towards the sociological area of study more so than any other, but firmly believe and overarching understanding of social science will be of more benefit when it comes to compiling accurate and fully reflective studies. I have already started to develop very strong beliefs, but want to be able to fully investigate and bring them to the fore in the most accurate and strongest possible way.

I feel understanding and interpreting social science is a valuable tool in bringing the world around us closer together. Once we can all appreciate this wonderful diversity and the way in which it all relates I feel the world will be a better place and I wish to be part of this study by developing my own understanding of social science.

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• How to Write Your Personal Statement | Strategies & Examples

How to Write Your Personal Statement | Strategies & Examples

Published on February 12, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on July 3, 2023.

A personal statement is a short essay of around 500–1,000 words, in which you tell a compelling story about who you are, what drives you, and why you’re applying.

To write a successful personal statement for a graduate school application , don’t just summarize your experience; instead, craft a focused narrative in your own voice. Aim to demonstrate three things:

• Your personality: what are your interests, values, and motivations?
• Your talents: what can you bring to the program?
• Your goals: what do you hope the program will do for you?

This article guides you through some winning strategies to build a strong, well-structured personal statement for a master’s or PhD application. You can download the full examples below.

Urban Planning Psychology History

Table of contents

Getting started with your personal statement, the introduction: start with an attention-grabbing opening, the main body: craft your narrative, the conclusion: look ahead, revising, editing, and proofreading your personal statement, frequently asked questions, other interesting articles.

Before you start writing, the first step is to understand exactly what’s expected of you. If the application gives you a question or prompt for your personal statement, the most important thing is to respond to it directly.

For example, you might be asked to focus on the development of your personal identity; challenges you have faced in your life; or your career motivations. This will shape your focus and emphasis—but you still need to find your own unique approach to answering it.

There’s no universal template for a personal statement; it’s your chance to be creative and let your own voice shine through. But there are strategies you can use to build a compelling, well-structured story.

The first paragraph of your personal statement should set the tone and lead smoothly into the story you want to tell.

Strategy 1: Open with a concrete scene

An effective way to catch the reader’s attention is to set up a scene that illustrates something about your character and interests. If you’re stuck, try thinking about:

• A personal experience that changed your perspective
• A story from your family’s history
• A memorable teacher or learning experience
• An unusual or unexpected encounter

To write an effective scene, try to go beyond straightforward description; start with an intriguing sentence that pulls the reader in, and give concrete details to create a convincing atmosphere.

Strategy 2: Open with your motivations

To emphasize your enthusiasm and commitment, you can start by explaining your interest in the subject you want to study or the career path you want to follow.

Just stating that it interests you isn’t enough: first, you need to figure out why you’re interested in this field:

• Is it a longstanding passion or a recent discovery?
• Does it come naturally or have you had to work hard at it?
• How does it fit into the rest of your life?
• What do you think it contributes to society?

Tips for the introduction

• Don’t start on a cliche: avoid phrases like “Ever since I was a child…” or “For as long as I can remember…”
• Do save the introduction for last. If you’re struggling to come up with a strong opening, leave it aside, and note down any interesting ideas that occur to you as you write the rest of the personal statement.

Once you’ve set up the main themes of your personal statement, you’ll delve into more detail about your experiences and motivations.

To structure the body of your personal statement, there are various strategies you can use.

Strategy 1: Describe your development over time

One of the simplest strategies is to give a chronological overview of key experiences that have led you to apply for graduate school.

• What first sparked your interest in the field?
• Which classes, assignments, classmates, internships, or other activities helped you develop your knowledge and skills?
• Where do you want to go next? How does this program fit into your future plans?

Don’t try to include absolutely everything you’ve done—pick out highlights that are relevant to your application. Aim to craft a compelling narrative that shows how you’ve changed and actively developed yourself.

My interest in psychology was first sparked early in my high school career. Though somewhat scientifically inclined, I found that what interested me most was not the equations we learned about in physics and chemistry, but the motivations and perceptions of my fellow students, and the subtle social dynamics that I observed inside and outside the classroom. I wanted to learn how our identities, beliefs, and behaviours are shaped through our interactions with others, so I decided to major in Social Psychology. My undergraduate studies deepened my understanding of, and fascination with, the interplay between an individual mind and its social context.During my studies, I acquired a solid foundation of knowledge about concepts like social influence and group dynamics, but I also took classes on various topics not strictly related to my major. I was particularly interested in how other fields intersect with psychology—the classes I took on media studies, biology, and literature all enhanced my understanding of psychological concepts by providing different lenses through which to look at the issues involved.

Strategy 2: Own your challenges and obstacles

If your path to graduate school hasn’t been easy or straightforward, you can turn this into a strength, and structure your personal statement as a story of overcoming obstacles.

• Is your social, cultural or economic background underrepresented in the field? Show how your experiences will contribute a unique perspective.
• Do you have gaps in your resume or lower-than-ideal grades? Explain the challenges you faced and how you dealt with them.

Don’t focus too heavily on negatives, but use them to highlight your positive qualities. Resilience, resourcefulness and perseverance make you a promising graduate school candidate.

Growing up working class, urban decay becomes depressingly familiar. The sight of a row of abandoned houses does not surprise me, but it continues to bother me. Since high school, I have been determined to pursue a career in urban planning. While people of my background experience the consequences of urban planning decisions first-hand, we are underrepresented in the field itself. Ironically, given my motivation, my economic background has made my studies challenging. I was fortunate enough to be awarded a scholarship for my undergraduate studies, but after graduation I took jobs in unrelated fields to help support my parents. In the three years since, I have not lost my ambition. Now I am keen to resume my studies, and I believe I can bring an invaluable perspective to the table: that of the people most impacted by the decisions of urban planners.

Strategy 3: Demonstrate your knowledge of the field

Especially if you’re applying for a PhD or another research-focused program, it’s a good idea to show your familiarity with the subject and the department. Your personal statement can focus on the area you want to specialize in and reflect on why it matters to you.

• Reflect on the topics or themes that you’ve focused on in your studies. What draws you to them?
• Discuss any academic achievements, influential teachers, or other highlights of your education.
• Talk about the questions you’d like to explore in your research and why you think they’re important.

The personal statement isn’t a research proposal , so don’t go overboard on detail—but it’s a great opportunity to show your enthusiasm for the field and your capacity for original thinking.

In applying for this research program, my intention is to build on the multidisciplinary approach I have taken in my studies so far, combining knowledge from disparate fields of study to better understand psychological concepts and issues. The Media Psychology program stands out to me as the perfect environment for this kind of research, given its researchers’ openness to collaboration across diverse fields. I am impressed by the department’s innovative interdisciplinary projects that focus on the shifting landscape of media and technology, and I hope that my own work can follow a similarly trailblazing approach. More specifically, I want to develop my understanding of the intersection of psychology and media studies, and explore how media psychology theories and methods might be applied to neurodivergent minds. I am interested not only in media psychology but also in psychological disorders, and how the two interact. This is something I touched on during my undergraduate studies and that I’m excited to delve into further.

Strategy 4: Discuss your professional ambitions

Especially if you’re applying for a more professionally-oriented program (such as an MBA), it’s a good idea to focus on concrete goals and how the program will help you achieve them.

• If your career is just getting started, show how your character is suited to the field, and explain how graduate school will help you develop your talents.
• If you have already worked in the profession, show what you’ve achieved so far, and explain how the program will allow you to take the next step.
• If you are planning a career change, explain what has driven this decision and how your existing experience will help you succeed.

Don’t just state the position you want to achieve. You should demonstrate that you’ve put plenty of thought into your career plans and show why you’re well-suited to this profession.

One thing that fascinated me about the field during my undergraduate studies was the sheer number of different elements whose interactions constitute a person’s experience of an urban environment. Any number of factors could transform the scene I described at the beginning: What if there were no bus route? Better community outreach in the neighborhood? Worse law enforcement? More or fewer jobs available in the area? Some of these factors are out of the hands of an urban planner, but without taking them all into consideration, the planner has an incomplete picture of their task. Through further study I hope to develop my understanding of how these disparate elements combine and interact to create the urban environment. I am interested in the social, psychological and political effects our surroundings have on our lives. My studies will allow me to work on projects directly affecting the kinds of working-class urban communities I know well. I believe I can bring my own experiences, as well as my education, to bear upon the problem of improving infrastructure and quality of life in these communities.

Tips for the main body

• Don’t rehash your resume by trying to summarize everything you’ve done so far; the personal statement isn’t about listing your academic or professional experience, but about reflecting, evaluating, and relating it to broader themes.
• Do make your statements into stories: Instead of saying you’re hard-working and self-motivated, write about your internship where you took the initiative to start a new project. Instead of saying you’ve always loved reading, reflect on a novel or poem that changed your perspective.

Your conclusion should bring the focus back to the program and what you hope to get out of it, whether that’s developing practical skills, exploring intellectual questions, or both.

Emphasize the fit with your specific interests, showing why this program would be the best way to achieve your aims.

Strategy 1: What do you want to know?

If you’re applying for a more academic or research-focused program, end on a note of curiosity: what do you hope to learn, and why do you think this is the best place to learn it?

If there are specific classes or faculty members that you’re excited to learn from, this is the place to express your enthusiasm.

Strategy 2: What do you want to do?

If you’re applying for a program that focuses more on professional training, your conclusion can look to your career aspirations: what role do you want to play in society, and why is this program the best choice to help you get there?

Tips for the conclusion

• Don’t summarize what you’ve already said. You have limited space in a personal statement, so use it wisely!
• Do think bigger than yourself: try to express how your individual aspirations relate to your local community, your academic field, or society more broadly. It’s not just about what you’ll get out of graduate school, but about what you’ll be able to give back.

You’ll be expected to do a lot of writing in graduate school, so make a good first impression: leave yourself plenty of time to revise and polish the text.

Your style doesn’t have to be as formal as other kinds of academic writing, but it should be clear, direct and coherent. Make sure that each paragraph flows smoothly from the last, using topic sentences and transitions to create clear connections between each part.

Don’t be afraid to rewrite and restructure as much as necessary. Since you have a lot of freedom in the structure of a personal statement, you can experiment and move information around to see what works best.

Finally, it’s essential to carefully proofread your personal statement and fix any language errors. Before you submit your application, consider investing in professional personal statement editing . For $150, you have the peace of mind that your personal statement is grammatically correct, strong in term of your arguments, and free of awkward mistakes.

A statement of purpose is usually more formal, focusing on your academic or professional goals. It shouldn’t include anything that isn’t directly relevant to the application.

A personal statement can often be more creative. It might tell a story that isn’t directly related to the application, but that shows something about your personality, values, and motivations.

However, both types of document have the same overall goal: to demonstrate your potential as a graduate student and s how why you’re a great match for the program.

The typical length of a personal statement for graduate school applications is between 500 and 1,000 words.

Different programs have different requirements, so always check if there’s a minimum or maximum length and stick to the guidelines. If there is no recommended word count, aim for no more than 1-2 pages.

If you’re applying to multiple graduate school programs, you should tailor your personal statement to each application.

Some applications provide a prompt or question. In this case, you might have to write a new personal statement from scratch: the most important task is to respond to what you have been asked.

If there’s no prompt or guidelines, you can re-use the same idea for your personal statement – but change the details wherever relevant, making sure to emphasize why you’re applying to this specific program.

If the application also includes other essays, such as a statement of purpose , you might have to revise your personal statement to avoid repeating the same information.

If you want to know more about college essays , academic writing , and AI tools , make sure to check out some of our other language articles with explanations, examples, and quizzes.

College essays

• College essay examples
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• College essay style
• College essay length
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Academic writing

• Writing process
• Avoiding repetition
• Literature review
• Conceptual framework
• Dissertation outline
• Thesis acknowledgements
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What to include in a Personal Statement

Personal Statement Tips

Personal statement example social science personal statement.

Submitted by Lola

Social Science Personal Statement

I want to study Sociology at a higher, more advanced level. The reason I am so drawn towards this specific course is because it gives people an explanation as to why humans behave/ interact in a certain way towards others in society. It is stated that curiosity killed the cat but in this case curiosity has lead me to understand that society is unequal when considering race, class and gender. My perspective has been developed as I now view things in a more sociological way.

Studying this subject will enhance my knowledge and I will be enlightened. It is within my interest to learn about how family takes a toll on the outcome of the person for example primary socialisation (when a child is socialised the correct norms and values in the first few years of their life) focuses on the upbringing as well as different family types such as cohabiting, extended, gay and lone parent families etc. Studying Sociology, Media, Religious Education and Philosophy has helped me to develop debating and my ability to craft an argument, my communication skills, and to look at things from different viewpoints.

I also have interest in Religious Education. The first topic we learnt was about Plato’s cave analogy which taught me that it is vital to look beyond the world I live in, looking past reality and empirical methods. Just like the prisoners are unaware of the real of forms I am trapped. Trapped, held back and imprisoned…my way of breaking free is to unlock and pursue wisdom and knowledge which I am searching for in university. Religious Education also allows me to question the ethical morality of things. Ethics also brings makes me think about whether meritocracy is ethically correct as the bourgeoisie are considered more important and the proletariat aim to be like the rich and what to achieve socially accepted goals.

In addition Media Studies helped me to take notice of the different stereotypes and how they are portrayed in the media for example in our patriarchal society males are seen as more dominant in comparison to women who are submissive. Parsons (a sociologist) claims that our social construct is due to human biological differences.

I have experienced singing, dancing and acting which has given me confidence and enables me to talk and communicate effectively to others. The school council has given me a sense of leadership and the experience of taking other peoples thoughts into consideration when managing them. I have volunteered at a charity shop, dealing with high needs people and giving back to the parts of community that need help, such as those with mental illness.

The reason I am applying for this course is due to my hopes of becoming counsellor. The greatest good for the greatest number, stated by philosopher Jeremy Bentham, I believe I am the greatest good due to my impeccable listening skills, hard work, communications skills and organisation which would make me suitable for this course. Ise jẹ oogun fun osi (Yoruba proverb) means that work is the medicine for poverty. So studying at a higher level going into depth I can achieve wisdom and understanding even though I may be labelled as black and female I still have ability to achieve highly due to equality being on the rise and belief in meritocracy.

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• CAREER FEATURE
• 23 April 2021

Sell yourself and your science in a compelling personal statement

Andy Tay is a science writer in Singapore.

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Personal statements — essays highlighting personal circumstances, qualities and achievements — are used extensively in science to evaluate candidates for jobs, awards and promotions. Five researchers offer tips for making yours stand out in a crowded and competitive market.

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Nature 593 , 153-155 (2021)

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-021-01101-z

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K. B. Clancy et al. Neuron 109 , 677–689 (2021).

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An personal statement examples on social science is a prosaic composition of a small volume and free composition, expressing individual impressions and thoughts on a specific occasion or issue and obviously not claiming a definitive or exhaustive interpretation of the subject.

Some signs of social science personal statement:

• the presence of a specific topic or question. A work devoted to the analysis of a wide range of problems in biology, by definition, cannot be performed in the genre of social science personal statement topic.
• The personal statement expresses individual impressions and thoughts on a specific occasion or issue, in this case, on social science and does not knowingly pretend to a definitive or exhaustive interpretation of the subject.
• As a rule, an essay suggests a new, subjectively colored word about something, such a work may have a philosophical, historical, biographical, journalistic, literary, critical, popular scientific or purely fiction character.
• in the content of an personal statement samples on social science , first of all, the author’s personality is assessed - his worldview, thoughts and feelings.

The goal of an personal statement in social science is to develop such skills as independent creative thinking and writing out your own thoughts.

Writing an personal statement is extremely useful, because it allows the author to learn to clearly and correctly formulate thoughts, structure information, use basic concepts, highlight causal relationships, illustrate experience with relevant examples, and substantiate his conclusions.

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Social Sciences Personal Statement

Sample Social Sciences Personal Statement

There are so many different cultures existing simultaneously in our society, some in harmony and some in dissonance. Each culture tends to have its own traditions and own beliefs which link to others in various differing ways. I have always been inquisitive about different cultures and I have found it interesting that our backgrounds and origins can have such a large impact on the world. The study of anthropology will allow me to examine cultural differences and the impact they have on human behaviour in great detail. Although the entire field of anthropology interests me I am particularly passionate about social anthropology. I have studied History for many years and Sociology in recent years, both of which have given me an introduction to this area of the field. I would relish the opportunity to study this area in more detail at a higher academic level, contributing as well as learning.

My academic record has been outstanding to date. I received A’s in English Language, Literature, French and a B in Spanish, showing my aptitude for languages. I also attained Bs in Science, History, Drama and Religious Studies, and an A in ICT. All of my best and most loved subjects have been based in humanities and the study of human accomplishments. I am currently sitting A levels in English Language and Literature, Early Modern History and Citizenship and I am confident that I will receive respectable grades in all of these subjects. I am also taking an AS level in Sociology, inspired by my new-found passion for anthropology.

My extra-curricular activities have always been very humanitarian. Through my school I volunteered for four years at the Riding for the Disabled Association, where I helped in classes teaching disabled adults and children to ride horses. I found this a most rewarding challenge, and an eye opener to the obstacles of people who were much less fortunate than me. In my final year of school I volunteered at a local care home. Within my school I was a boarding house prefect from year 10 onwards, and in year 11 my teachers elected me to become Head of House. This gave me a great level of responsibility overseeing the younger students, and I also had the opportunity to help younger pupils and feel like a valuable part of the school community. I hope I will have a similar experience at University, and I will take advantage of the opportunity to engage in charity and fundraising work.

My work experience has often involved customer service and helping others, which is a key component of my desire to study anthropology. I want to be able to help people by understanding them to the highest degree possible. While working in a vetinary surgery I had a lot of interaction with worried animal owners, and my job in a retail store has allowed me to communicate with customers of all ages from all backgrounds. Both experiences improved my confidence and my communication skills immensely. In my leisure time I often choose to expand on my knowledge through literature and other means of social learning. I regularly visit museums and I am also an avid reader;much of my interest in anthropology has been inspired and fuelled by books such as Animal Farm and 1984 by George Orwell, and The Interpretation of Cultures by Clifford Geertz.

My aspiration to gain expert knowledge in this subject provides me with motivation and a driving force to achieve to the best of my ability. I am hardworking and eager to improve my own personal knowledge and abilities through any means necessary, and the study of anthropology will furnish me with all of the skills and information to succeed in my desired vocation. My ultimate ambition is to undertake anthropological field work abroad in countries such as South Africa. I have always wanted to travel the world and experience the rich variation of different cultures, because I believe that first-hand familiarity is the best and most fulfilling way of qualifying knowledge and expertise in any subject. and I can think of no better way to make this dream come true than in the context of a professional anthropologist.

We hope this Social Sciences personal statement has provided a useful example.

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Social and Political Sciences BA (Hons) Personal Statement Example

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As an individual passionate about the world of politics and governance, the BA in Social and Political Sciences course offered by the University of [Example] is the perfect academic pathway for me. I am deeply committed to learning more about the social, economic, and political structures that shape our world and the various ways in which they interact. The course’s focus on exploring these complex systems in great detail aligns perfectly with my academic and career goals.

Throughout my academic journey, I have been drawn to courses that have allowed me to explore the nuances of various political ideologies and systems. During my A-Level studies in International Relations, I developed a strong understanding of the complex web of power relations that underpin international politics . I was particularly drawn to the topics of international security, conflict resolution, and human rights, and was always eager to explore new and emerging issues within these fields.

During and after completing my A Levels, I worked at the weekends in a non-profit organization that focused on promoting political awareness and civil engagement among young people. I was responsible for organizing seminars, workshops, and other events that facilitated discussion and debate on pressing political issues, with the aim of empowering individuals to make informed decisions and participate more actively in the democratic process. This experience was invaluable in terms of helping me to understand the practical applications of the theoretical concepts I had learned during my undergraduate studies.

This degree stands out to me because of its focus on the intersection of social and political issues. The course provides a comprehensive understanding of the various factors that shape society, including economic, cultural, and environmental factors, and the ways in which they interact with political systems. I am excited about the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of these complex relationships and to explore how they manifest in different parts of the world.

I am particularly interested in the political science elements of the degree, including the modules on political theory, political systems, and political behavior. These modules will enable me to explore the different theoretical frameworks that underpin political thought and to critically evaluate the various political systems that exist in different parts of the world. I am also eager to explore the psychological and social factors that influence political behavior and decision-making, as I believe that understanding these factors is crucial to developing effective political strategies.

In addition to the political science elements of the degree, I am also excited about the opportunity to explore other areas of social and political sciences. The modules on sociology, anthropology, and economics will provide me with a broader understanding of the social and economic structures that underpin political systems, and the ways in which they interact with one another. I am particularly interested in exploring the ways in which economic structures influence political decision-making, as I believe that economic factors are often overlooked in political analysis.

Furthermore, the course’s focus on research methods and analysis is essential in preparing me for a career in the field of political research. I am excited about the opportunity to gain practical experience in conducting research, analyzing data, and developing effective research designs. I believe that these skills will be invaluable in my future career and will enable me to contribute meaningfully to the development of evidence-based policy.

I am confident that the BA in Social and Political Sciences degree will equip me with the skills and knowledge to become a successful political researcher. My passion for politics , combined with my academic and professional experiences, have prepared me well for this course. I am eager to engage with fellow students and experienced faculty members, who share my enthusiasm for exploring the complexities of social and political systems.

In conclusion, I am confident that this degree offered by the University of [Example] is the perfect academic pathway for me. The course’s comprehensive approach to exploring the complex relationship between social and political issues, along with its emphasis on research methods and analysis, aligns perfectly with my academic and career goals.

Related Personal Statements:

• Biomedical Sciences personal statement example
• Mathematics BSc (Hons) personal statement example
• Criminology BSc (Hons) Personal Statement Example
• Physics BSc (Hons) Personal Statement
• Chemistry BSc (Hons) Personal Statement Example
• Philosophy BA (Hons) Personal Statement Example

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Human, social & political sciences personal statement example 2.

During my trip to China in 2006, I discovered a society vastly different from the one I was growing up in. While exploring the outskirts of Shanghai, my family and I were astonished by the levels of poverty and scarcity – I vividly remember watching someone clean a whole chicken in the same river I had just seen another person urinate into.

Travelling back to the wealthy neighborhood of the family we were visiting, I asked my mother about what I had just seen. I wanted to know why those people would not just move to a wealthier area – why not get a job and earn some more money?

Later in life, I have begun to suspect that this exposure to poverty and hardship was what first sparked my interest in the study of society and politics. Though I was too young to understand the complete answer to my question, it was made clear to me that it had something to do with the leadership of the country.

Following this incident, my eagerness to learn more about the world around me has only intensified. In school, I chose to enroll in subjects that allowed me to dive deeper into the areas of social and political sciences. Focusing heavily on international politics and the construction of different societies and forms of government, these courses warranted a sociological approach as well as a political one.

The souring relationship between Russia and the US, and the challenges related to the tribal construction of Afghan society were particularly interesting to me. I have also tried to satisfy my curiosity through extra-curricular activities, combining my interest in this field with a part time job, sporting activities and an active social life.

Constantly studying in my own time, discussing with friends and family, attending voluntary lectures and reading relevant books and articles, social and political sciences have been a major part of my life for many years.

The first book I read on the topic of society in my own time was “World Order” by Henry Kissinger. In it, he discusses the history of international relations, while also touching on how different countries and societies have developed their distinct characters.

This helped me understand the origins of our current international political climate, and revealed the driving forces behind its evolution. Later, when first considering higher education within the field of politics and society, I read Bernard Cricks “Democracy: A Very Short Introduction”, discussing the origins and evolution of democracy, and how the term has come to have so many definitions.

This book offered a more comprehensive study of one of the most frequently discussed topics in school, and deepened my fascination with the history of democracy, both as a political system and as a set of values. Through the reading of several various books on topics relevant to my interests, I believe I have developed a strong foundation for further study.

I have also had the opportunity to experience democracy firsthand. As the elected representative of my class in the student council, I saw both the challenges and virtues of a political system that considers the opinions of all those affected by its decisions.

Though the council operates on a relatively small scale, it captures the essence of democratic leadership – it is committed to considering the views of all students, many with different religions, nationalities and values. As an engaged member, I partook in the democratic process and discovered how deeply interlinked the fields of politics and sociology truly are.

In the years following my visit to Shanghai, my eagerness to further understand how the world works has developed into a true passion. The opportunity to pursue this passion at an elite university, surrounded by driven and ambitious people, would be a dream come true.

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A personal statement aimed particularly towards Cambridge - Human, Social, and Political Sciences. Feedback is appreciated. :)

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