10 Exceptional Personal Statement Examples for Graduate School to Inspire You
Are you applying for graduate school and struggling to write your personal statement? You’re not alone. Crafting an exceptional personal statement can be difficult, but luckily there are many examples out there to inspire you. In this article, we have gathered 10 exceptional personal statement examples for graduate school that will help you understand the structure, tone, and content required for a winning statement.
1. Harvard University Example
The personal statement from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences is a great example of a concise, well-written statement. It is only two paragraphs long but manages to convey the student’s passion for their field and how they have pursued it in both their academic and personal life. The statement ends with a clear statement of their goals and how the program can help them achieve them.
2. Columbia University Example
This personal statement from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism is an excellent example of how to weave personal experiences and interests into a statement. The student talks about their journey from a small town to big cities and how this has shaped their perspective on life. They then tie this into their passion for journalism and how they want to use it to shed light on underrepresented stories.
3. Stanford University Example
The personal statement from Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business is an excellent example of how to balance personal and professional experiences in a statement. The student talks about their background in both business and nonprofits and how this has driven them to pursue business as a tool for social change. They then outline their future plans and how the program can help them achieve them.
4. MIT Example
The personal statement from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a great example of how to highlight your academic achievements while still conveying your personality and experiences. The student talks about their passion for engineering and how they have pursued it both in and out of the classroom. They also talk about their volunteer work and how this has shaped their perspective on the world.
5. University of Oxford Example
This personal statement from the University of Oxford is an excellent example of how to structure your statement effectively. The student starts with a personal story that illustrates their passion for their subject before diving into their academic and extracurricular achievements. They then tie this back into their future plans and how the program can help them achieve their goals.
6. Yale University Example
The personal statement from Yale University’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences is an excellent example of how to convey your passion for your subject. The student talks about their love of literature and how they have pursued this both academically and creatively. They then tie this into their future goals and how the program can help them achieve them.
7. University of Cambridge Example
This personal statement from the University of Cambridge is a great example of how to use your experiences to show your readiness for graduate school. The student talks about their background in research and how this has driven them to pursue a PhD. They also talk about their teaching experiences and how this has prepared them for a career in academia.
8. New York University Example
The personal statement from New York University’s Tandon School of Engineering is an excellent example of how to balance your experiences and goals effectively. The student talks about their background in engineering and how this has driven them to pursue a graduate degree. They then tie this into their future goals and how the program can help them achieve them.
9. University of Chicago Example
This personal statement from the University of Chicago is an excellent example of how to highlight your academic achievements while still showing your personality. The student talks about their background in economics and how this has driven them to pursue a PhD in the field. They also talk about their love of music and how this has enriched their life.
10. California Institute of Technology Example
The personal statement from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) is an excellent example of how to convey your passion for your subject and your readiness for graduate school. The student talks about their background in physics and how they have pursued this both academically and through research. They then tie this into their future goals and how the program can help them achieve them.
Conclusion
Crafting an excellent personal statement for graduate school can be challenging, but these 10 exceptional examples should give you an idea of what a winning statement looks like. Remember to be concise, highlight your experiences and achievements, and tie them into your future goals. And most importantly, let your personality shine through. Good luck with your applications!
