Personal Statement
WRITING A PERSONAL STATEMENT
Many graduate school programs, scholarship and internship applications request candidates to write a personal essay. Specific questions may be provided for you to answer, or in some cases you will have the freedom to write about the topic of your choice. The personal essay serves as a writing sample and a chance to present yourself as an individual. It should be something that only you could have written.
LSG 500/LNG 300 (607) 777-2400 http://cdc.binghamton.edu facebook.com/BinghamtonCDC Twitter: @BinghamtonCDC Division of Student Affairs
How to Focus Your Essay
Use the Questions to Ask Yourself Before Writing Your Personal Statement section of this guide to help you determine how to best approach the story you have to tell.
You can focus your essay to: Relate a personal anecdote Connect your past, present and future Present a distinct point of view Relate your goals Describe unique life experiences Explain why you chose this particular school or opportunity Illustrate your commitment to a cause
Questions to Ask Yourself Before Writing a Personal Statement
Questions about your individuality:
Does any attribute, quality, or skill distinguish me from everyone else? How did I develop this attribute? What is my strongest, most unwavering personality trait? What are my favorite books, movies, and artwork? Have these influenced my life in a meaningful way? What was the most difficult time in my life, and why? How did my perspective on life change as a result? Have I ever struggled for something and succeeded? What made me successful? Have I ever struggled for something and failed? How did I respond? Have I experienced an epiphany, as if my eyes became open to something I was previously blind to? How would my friends describe me? What would they write about if they were writing my essay for me? How have I changed/grown over the years? What caused these changes? How have they
Many graduate school programs, scholarship and internship applications request candidates to write a personal essay. Specific questions may be provided for you to answer, or in some cases you will have the freedom to write about the topic of your choice. The personal essay serves as a writing sample and a chance to present yourself as an individual. It should be something that only you could have written.
LSG 500/LNG 300 (607) 777-2400 http://cdc.binghamton.edu facebook.com/BinghamtonCDC Twitter: @BinghamtonCDC Division of Student Affairs
How to Focus Your Essay
Use the Questions to Ask Yourself Before Writing Your Personal Statement section of this guide to help you determine how to best approach the story you have to tell.
You can focus your essay to: Relate a personal anecdote Connect your past, present and future Present a distinct point of view Relate your goals Describe unique life experiences Explain why you chose this particular school or opportunity Illustrate your commitment to a cause
Questions to Ask Yourself Before Writing a Personal Statement
Questions about your individuality:
Does any attribute, quality, or skill distinguish me from everyone else? How did I develop this attribute? What is my strongest, most unwavering personality trait? What are my favorite books, movies, and artwork? Have these influenced my life in a meaningful way? What was the most difficult time in my life, and why? How did my perspective on life change as a result? Have I ever struggled for something and succeeded? What made me successful? Have I ever struggled for something and failed? How did I respond? Have I experienced an epiphany, as if my eyes became open to something I was previously blind to? How would my friends describe me? What would they write about if they were writing my essay for me? How have I changed/grown over the years? What caused these changes? How have they