how to format a personal statement for university

How to write a personal statement

How to approach writing your personal statement for graduate applications.

If you’re applying for a grad course that requires a personal statement (sometimes also called a ‘statement of purpose’), it can be difficult to know where to start and what to include. Read on for tips from some of our masters’ students about their process and what they found helpful.

1. Before you start

The academic work is the most important reason why we’re here, but that also translates into work experiences, internships, volunteering. I think a big part of the personal statement is crafting that narrative of academic self that fits alongside your professional experiences, to give that greater picture of who you are as an academic. Lauren (MSc Modern Middle Eastern Studies)

Start by thinking about the skills, knowledge and interests you’ve acquired over time and how the course at Oxford will take them forward.

Your statement is the story you want to tell about yourself and your academic work to the department you are applying to.

Most of your application and its supporting documents communicate plain facts about your academic career so far. Your personal statement is your best opportunity to put these facts into context and show assessors how you’ve progressed and excelled.

Make sure you highlight evidence of your achievements (a high grade in a relevant area, an award or scholarship, a research internship).

Presenting yourself

When I was writing my personal statement, I went onto my course website. I looked at what they emphasised and what kind of students they were looking for, and I wrote about my experiences based on that. Kayla (MSc in Clinical Embryology)

Make it easy for an assessor to see how you meet the entry requirements for the course (you can find these on each course page ).

Don’t make any assumptions about what Oxford is looking for!

Get to know your department

You want to study this particular subject and you want to study at Oxford (you’re applying here, so we know that!) but why is Oxford the right place for you to study this subject? What interests or qualities of the academic department and its staff make it attractive to you?

Use your academic department’s website for an overview of their research, academic staff and course information (you'll find a link to the department's own website on each course page ).

I said, ‘why do I actually want to be here? What is it about being at Oxford that’s going to get me to what I want to do? Sarah (Bachelor of Civil Law)

Talk it out

Talking to others about your statement can be a great way to gather your ideas and decide how you’d like to approach it. Sarah even managed to get benefit out of this approach by herself:

“I spent a lot of time talking out loud. My written process was actually very vocal, so I did a lot of talking about myself in my room.”

2. The writing process

Know your format.

Make sure you’ve read all the guidance on the How to Apply section of your course page , so you know what’s needed in terms of the word count of the final statement, what it should cover and what it will be assessed for. This should help you to visualise roughly what you want to end up with at the end of the process.

Make a start

When it comes to writing your personal statement, just getting started can be the hardest part.

One good way to get around writer’s block is to just put it all down on the page, like Mayur.

First - write down anything and everything. In the first round, I was just dumping everything - whatever I’ve done, anything close to computer science, that was on my personal statement. Mayur (MSc Computer Science)

You’ll be editing later anyway so don’t let the blank page intimidate you - try writing a little under each of the following headings to get started:

• areas of the course at Oxford that are the most interesting to you
• which areas you’ve already studied or had some experience in
• what you hope to use your Oxford course experience for afterwards.

3. Finishing up

Get some feedback.

Once you’ve got a draft of about the right length, ask for feedback on what you’ve written. It might take several drafts to get it right.

This could involve getting in touch with some of your undergraduate professors to ask them to read your draft and find any areas which needed strengthening.

You could also show it to people who know you well, like family or friends.

Because they’re the first people to say, ‘Who is that person?’ You want the people around you to recognise that it really sounds like you. It can be scary telling family and friends you’re applying for Oxford, because it makes it real, but be brave enough to share it and get feedback on it. Sarah (Bachelor of Law)

Be yourself

Finally - be genuine and be yourself. Make sure your personal statement represents you, not your idea about what Oxford might be looking for.

We have thousands of students arriving every year from a huge range of subjects, backgrounds, institutions and countries (you can hear from a few more of them in our My Oxford interviews).

Get moving on your application today

To find out more about supporting documents and everything else you need to apply, read your course page and visit our Application Guide .

• Application Guide: Statement of purpose

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Tips for Writing a Personal Statement

If you’re seriously considering applying for a master’s program, you’re probably already aware of the graduate school requirements you need to fulfill. One of them is likely a personal statement, which many students consider one of the hardest components to start. It requires a clear vision, excellent writing, and a certain level of self-awareness.

Keep reading for tips and advice for writing a personal statement that will make a lasting impression.

First, what is a personal statement?

Admissions committees often require a personal statement for graduate school to get a sense of who you are, why you’re a good fit for the program, and why you feel the program or school is a good fit for you. It offers you a chance to add color and personality to your application.

This component has the most room for creativity and storytelling, so it should not be treated as a rinse and repeat of your resume. Take advantage of this opportunity to highlight characteristics, experiences, or anecdotes that aren’t reflected elsewhere in your application.

“At Fairfield, our faculty and program directors are highly involved in the admissions process,” says Melanie Rogers, Director of Graduate Admission at Fairfield University. She goes on to explain that “They use the personal statement to evaluate things like a student’s understanding of the field, clinical or professional experience and commitment to the program’s mission statement.”

Things to consider before writing your personal statement

Before getting started, take some time to reflect on your motivations, qualifications, and aspirations for earning a master’s degree. Not only will this help you write more efficiently, but it will also help you understand your motivations, qualifications, and aspirations for earning a master’s degree.

Ask yourself questions like:

• What makes you different or stand out amongst other applicants?
• What do you want the admissions committee to know about you?
• What challenges or obstacles did you have to overcome to get where you are today?
• How might you use your graduate degree to achieve your career goals?
• What relevant experience do you have that makes you a good fit for this program?
• Why did you choose to pursue this field of study?
• What are you most excited to learn about?

When you’re able to articulate what makes you unique and what you bring to the table, it will be much easier to write an authentic and engaging personal statement.

6 personal statement tips for grad school hopefuls

Now that you have a clear idea of what you’re writing and why, you are ready to get started. Consider the following advice for writing a standout personal statement for grad school.

1. Read the instructions carefully

Every program you apply to is going to have a slightly different admissions process and requirements. That’s why it’s important to read all of the instructions and information thoroughly and adjust your application accordingly.

Some things to pay special attention to include:

• Word count/page limit
• Line spacing
• File format
• Question prompts

2. Do your research

In order to tailor your program of research, you’ll need to do some research. Take detailed notes of anything that stands out to you, whether it’s a fascinating course, an impressive professor, an interesting project, or something else.

As you write, look for ways to incorporate these details into your personal statement. This signals to the admissions committee that you are genuinely interested in this particular program and have done your homework.

3. Find your focus and be authentic

It is important to be truthful and genuine when composing your personal statement. Choose just a few anecdotes, achievements, or formative experiences to craft a story around — the more specific, the better. Remember, the goal of your application and personal statement is to be invited for an interview, during which you can elaborate on the rest of your story.

4. Get perspective from your friends, family, and mentors

Writing things like a cover letter or personal statement can be difficult. Sometimes, all it takes is for you to see yourself through the eyes of others. That’s why it can be incredibly helpful to talk with people who know you well and are familiar with your personal journey.

You can ask them to do things like:

• Share their opinions on your strengths and what you have to offer
• Describe how you’ve grown and changed in the time they’ve known you
• Choose five words they would use to describe you to a stranger
• Provide feedback on your personal statement and resume

Discussing your application with those you trust is great practice and will help you boost your confidence.

5. Don’t settle for your first (or second) draft

Your personal statement for graduate school isn’t something you throw together at the last minute. The sooner you can start working on it, the better. Build in time for multiple drafts and rounds of review. Ideally, you’ll give yourself three weeks or more to work on your personal statement and resume. Allow others to review it, make edits and perfect it before submitting.

6. Proofread, proofread, proofread

This should be obvious, but typos in your personal statement can be a red flag for admissions committees.

A clean, error-free statement reflects well on your ability to write academic papers and essays, which is a key requisite to be successful in higher education. So, before you hit “submit,” consider using a tool like Grammarly to get a free assessment on spelling, grammar, and other formatting practices.

Make a great impression with your personal statement

Writing a personal statement is a key step on your path to graduate school. This advice should have you more confident in your ability to tackle this part of your grad school application.

Still on the hunt for a quality master’s program? With high job placement rates, world-class faculty, and unparalleled support, it’s no wonder why Fairfield University has been recognized for its top graduate programs. Explore our graduate programs today

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