examples of design personal statement

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Writing the Personal Statement

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This handout provides information about writing personal statements for academic and other positions.

The personal statement, your opportunity to sell yourself in the application process, generally falls into one of two categories:

1. The general, comprehensive personal statement:

This allows you maximum freedom in terms of what you write and is the type of statement often prepared for standard medical or law school application forms.

2. The response to very specific questions:

Often, business and graduate school applications ask specific questions, and your statement should respond specifically to the question being asked. Some business school applications favor multiple essays, typically asking for responses to three or more questions.

Questions to ask yourself before you write:

• What's special, unique, distinctive, and/or impressive about you or your life story?
• What details of your life (personal or family problems, history, people or events that have shaped you or influenced your goals) might help the committee better understand you or help set you apart from other applicants?
• When did you become interested in this field and what have you learned about it (and about yourself) that has further stimulated your interest and reinforced your conviction that you are well suited to this field? What insights have you gained?
• How have you learned about this field—through classes, readings, seminars, work or other experiences, or conversations with people already in the field?
• If you have worked a lot during your college years, what have you learned (leadership or managerial skills, for example), and how has that work contributed to your growth?
• What are your career goals?
• Are there any gaps or discrepancies in your academic record that you should explain (great grades but mediocre LSAT or GRE scores, for example, or a distinct upward pattern to your GPA if it was only average in the beginning)?
• Have you had to overcome any unusual obstacles or hardships (for example, economic, familial, or physical) in your life?
• What personal characteristics (for example, integrity, compassion, and/or persistence) do you possess that would improve your prospects for success in the field or profession? Is there a way to demonstrate or document that you have these characteristics?
• What skills (for example, leadership, communicative, analytical) do you possess?
• Why might you be a stronger candidate for graduate school—and more successful and effective in the profession or field than other applicants?
• What are the most compelling reasons you can give for the admissions committee to be interested in you?

General advice

Answer the questions that are asked

• If you are applying to several schools, you may find questions in each application that are somewhat similar.
• Don't be tempted to use the same statement for all applications. It is important to answer each question being asked, and if slightly different answers are needed, you should write separate statements. In every case, be sure your answer fits the question being asked.

Tell a story

• Think in terms of showing or demonstrating through concrete experience. One of the worst things you can do is to bore the admissions committee. If your statement is fresh, lively, and different, you'll be putting yourself ahead of the pack. If you distinguish yourself through your story, you will make yourself memorable.

Be specific

• Don't, for example, state that you would make an excellent doctor unless you can back it up with specific reasons. Your desire to become a lawyer, engineer, or whatever should be logical, the result of specific experience that is described in your statement. Your application should emerge as the logical conclusion to your story.

Find an angle

• If you're like most people, your life story lacks drama, so figuring out a way to make it interesting becomes the big challenge. Finding an angle or a "hook" is vital.

Concentrate on your opening paragraph

• The lead or opening paragraph is generally the most important. It is here that you grab the reader's attention or lose it. This paragraph becomes the framework for the rest of the statement.

Tell what you know

• The middle section of your essay might detail your interest and experience in your particular field, as well as some of your knowledge of the field. Too many people graduate with little or no knowledge of the nuts and bolts of the profession or field they hope to enter. Be as specific as you can in relating what you know about the field and use the language professionals use in conveying this information. Refer to experiences (work, research, etc.), classes, conversations with people in the field, books you've read, seminars you've attended, or any other source of specific information about the career you want and why you're suited to it. Since you will have to select what you include in your statement, the choices you make are often an indication of your judgment.

Don't include some subjects

• There are certain things best left out of personal statements. For example, references to experiences or accomplishments in high school or earlier are generally not a good idea. Don't mention potentially controversial subjects (for example, controversial religious or political issues).

Do some research, if needed

• If a school wants to know why you're applying to it rather than another school, do some research to find out what sets your choice apart from other universities or programs. If the school setting would provide an important geographical or cultural change for you, this might be a factor to mention.

Write well and correctly

• Be meticulous. Type and proofread your essay very carefully. Many admissions officers say that good written skills and command of correct use of language are important to them as they read these statements. Express yourself clearly and concisely. Adhere to stated word limits.

Avoid clichés

• A medical school applicant who writes that he is good at science and wants to help other people is not exactly expressing an original thought. Stay away from often-repeated or tired statements.

For more information on writing a personal statement, see the personal statement vidcast .

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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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How to Write a Personal Statement

A personal statement can be a key part of your college application, and you can really make yours shine by following a few tips.

When you're applying to college—either to an undergraduate or graduate program—you may be asked to submit a personal statement. It's an essay that gives you the chance to share more about who you are and why you'd like to attend the university you're applying to.  

The information you provide in your personal statement can help build on your other application materials, like your transcripts and letters of recommendation, and build a more cohesive picture to help the admissions committee understand your goals.

In this article, we'll go over more about personal statements, including why they're important, what to include in one, and tips for strengthening yours.  

What is a personal statement?

A personal statement—sometimes known as a college essay —is a brief written essay you submit along with other materials when you're applying to college or university. Personal statements tend to be most common for undergraduate applications, and they're a great opportunity for an admissions committee to hear your voice directly.

Many colleges and universities in the US, especially those using Common App , provide prompts for you to use. For example, "Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea" or "Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time" [ 1 ]. If the school you're interested in attending doesn't require prompts, you will likely want to craft a response that touches on your story, your values, and your goals if possible.

In grad school, personal statements are sometimes known as letters of intent , and go into more detail about your academic and professional background, while expressing interest in attending the particular program you're applying to.

Why is a personal statement important?

Personal statements are important for a number of reasons. Whereas other materials you submit in an application can address your academic abilities (like your transcripts) or how you perform as a student (like your letters of recommendation), a personal statement is a chance to do exactly that: get more personal.

Personal statements typically:

Permit you to share things that don't fit on your resume, such as personal stories, motivations, and values

Offer schools a chance to see why you're interested in a particular field of study and what you hope to accomplish after you graduate 

Provide an opportunity for you to talk about past employment, volunteer experiences, or skills you have that complement your studies 

Allow colleges to evaluate your writing skills 

Bring life to a college application package otherwise filled with facts and figures 

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How to write a personal statement

As we mentioned earlier, you may have to respond to a prompt when drafting your personal statement—or a college or university may invite you to respond however you'd like. In either case, use the steps below to begin building your response.

Create a solid hook .

To capture the attention of an admissions committee member, start your personal statement with a hook that relates to the topic of your essay. A hook tends to be a colorful sentence or two at the very beginning that compels the reader to continue reading.

To create a captivating hook, try one of these methods:

Pose a rhetorical question. 

Provide an interesting statistic. 

Insert a quote from a well-known person.

Challenge the reader with a common misconception. 

Use an anecdote, which is a short story that can be true or imaginary. 

Credibility is crucial when writing a personal statement as part of your college application process. If you choose a statistic, quote, or misconception for your hook, make sure it comes from a reliable source.

Follow a narrative.

The best personal statements typically read like a story: they have a common theme, as well as a beginning, middle, and end. This type of format also helps keep your thoughts organized and improves the flow of your essay.

Common themes to consider for your personal statement include:

Special role models from your past

Life-altering events you've experienced

Unusual challenges you've faced

Accomplishments you're especially proud of

Service to others and why you enjoy it

What you've learned from traveling to a particular place

Unique ways you stand out from other candidates

Be specific.  

Admissions committees read thousands of personal statements every year, which is why being specific on yours is important. Back up your statements with examples or anecdotes.

For instance, avoid vague assertions like, "I'm interested in your school counseling program because I care about children." Instead, point out experiences you've had with children that emphasize how much you care. For instance, you might mention your summer job as a day camp counselor or your volunteer experience mentoring younger children.

Don't forget to include detail and vibrancy to keep your statement interesting. The use of detail shows how your unique voice and experiences can add value to the college or university you're applying to. 

Stay on topic.

It's natural to want to impress the members of the admissions committee that will read your personal statement. The best way to do this is to lead your readers through a cohesive, informative, and descriptive essay.

If you feel you might be going astray, check to make sure each paragraph in the body of your essay supports your introduction. Here are a few more strategies that can help keep you on track:

Know what you want to say and do research if needed. 

Create an outline listing the key points you want to share.

Read your outline aloud to confirm it makes logical sense before proceeding. 

Read your essay aloud while you're writing to confirm you're staying on topic.

Ask a trusted friend or family member to read your essay and make suggestions.

Be true to your own voice

Because of the importance of your personal statement, you could be tempted to be very formal with structure and language. However, it's better to use a more relaxed tone than you would for a classroom writing assignment. 

Remember: admissions committees really want to hear from you . Writing in your own voice will help accomplish this. To ensure your tone isn't too relaxed, write your statement as if you were speaking to an older relative or trusted teacher. This way, you'll come across as respectful, confident, and honest. 

Tips for drafting an effective personal statement

Now that you've learned a little about personal statements and how to craft them, here are a few more tips you can follow to strengthen your essay: 

1. Customize your statement.

You don't have to completely rewrite your personal statement every time you apply to a new college, but you do want to make sure that you tailor it as much as possible. For instance, if you talk about wanting to take a certain class or study a certain subject, make sure you adjust any specifics for each application.

2. Avoid cliches.

Admissions committees are ultimately looking for students who will fit the school, and who the school can help guide toward their larger goals. In that case, cliches can get in the way of a reviewer understanding what it is you want from a college education. Watch out for cliches like "making a difference," "broadening my horizons," or "the best thing that ever happened to me." 

3. Stay focused.

Try to avoid getting off-track or including tangents in your personal statement. Stay focused by writing a first draft and then re-reading what you've written. Does every paragraph flow from one point to the next? Are the ideas you're presenting cohesive?

4. Stick to topics that aren't controversial

It's best not to talk about political beliefs or inappropriate topics in your personal essay. These can be controversial, and ideally you want to share something goals-driven or values-driven with an admissions committee.

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Article sources

1. Common App. " 2022-2023 Common App Essay Prompts , https://www.commonapp.org/blog/2022-2023-common-app-essay-prompts." Accessed June 9, 2023.

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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.

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Guide to Writing Interior Designer Personal Statements

Table of Contents

An  interior designer personal statement  is a document that conveys an individual’s unique qualifications, experiences, and goals in the field of interior design. It provides recruiters and admissions board representatives with additional information to help them gauge an applicant’s suitability. Personal statements highlight an applicant’s experience, skills, achievements, and aspirations.

Crafting personal statements is as much an art as it is a skill. Every student and professional must learn to write an effective personal statement essay because it significantly impacts their prospects.

The Importance of a Personal Statement

A personal statement is an integral part of any application material. It gives recruiters and admissions officers additional information to gauge a candidate’s suitability. Personal statements are everyday encounters in job hunts, special programs, internships, and university applications.

The main benefit of personal statements stems from their format. Unlike resumes and CVs, personal statements come in paragraphs. These grant applicants the ability to inject a bit of their personality into their content.

This significantly impacts you because it introduces a human touch to your materials. It gives evaluators and readers a glimpse into your background, values, and your character. 

Your personal statement is a way to present yourself in a manner that goes beyond bullet points and summaries. It lets you emphasize essential qualifications that can impact the impression you establish .

A well-written personal statement will help you stand out from other applicants. Exposition is key to a solid first impression and memorable profile.

Consider these surefire tips if you need help crafting an effective interior design personal statement.

Tips For an Effective Interior Designer Personal Statement

Showcase Your Technical Skills

Be sure to highlight the technical and practical elements of design that make you an excellent fit for the position. This can include samples of furniture selection, layout planning, or CAD design work that demonstrates your ability to effectively create beautiful designs.

More often than not, your skills are the primary basis for determining your suitability. If you’re unsure of what technical skills to emphasize, reread the job listing’s description. Recruiters usually include hints regarding the qualifications they’re looking for.

Highlight Your Best Designs

An influential interior designer personal statement should also include details on work you have completed. Discussing these pieces with passion and clarity will show prospective employers why they should hire you over other candidates. They also show prospects your full potential. 

Demonstrate Your Understanding of Trends

The field of interior design is constantly changing, so it’s vital to demonstrate that you’re aware of current design trends. You should also demonstrate your ability to incorporate them seamlessly into your designs. Mention specific pieces or styles you find interesting and how you would use them in upcoming projects. 

Explain Your Motivations

Writing about your motivations is another way to make your personal statement stand out. Consider talking about different aspects of interior design that excite you, such as working with unique materials or creating bespoke solutions for clients. Your motivations matter to recruiters because they help determine your behavior.

Use Strong Language

Finally, be sure to use powerful words when presenting yourself. Don’t rely on clichés. Instead, choose words like “innovative” or “dynamic” that express your excitement for the industry and demonstrate your commitment to success.

Moreover, strong language is a key ingredient for creating vivid descriptions and powerful messages. Its benefits permeate many aspects of life.

Interior Design Personal Statement Examples

As a seasoned professional, I have a unique creative ability to think outside the box. I can come up with innovative ideas for building interiors. Having obtained my degree from a prestigious university, I can apply my knowledge of modern design techniques to design aesthetic and practical living spaces. 

I strive to use research methods that go beyond simply looking at what others have done. Instead, I seek to look deep into the needs of the people using the space and build accordingly. 

With each project, I take the time to read, review, and evaluate every option carefully. I make sure to do this before submitting results that offer satisfaction and good value for money. 

Moreover, I understand how important it is to keep abreast of current trends and stay informed about new developments in the field. As such, I actively invest in learning activities such as attending seminars and workshops related to this subject matter. My commitment to honing my professional skills has enabled me to connect well with people from various backgrounds. It allows me to tailor my work according to their requirements. 

I am confident my experience, educational background, and passion for interior design make me an ideal candidate for your school’s program. I welcome the opportunity to learn more about your offerings. Thank you for taking the time to consider my application.

As a university student studying Interior Design, I am devoted to perfecting my craft. I want to be able to offer comprehensive design services for residential, commercial, and retail clients. 

My course has enabled me to develop an eye for detail and the ability to ask intelligent questions. Over the past year, I have worked on various materials selection and planning case studies. Through this work, I’ve gained an appreciation of how to effectively approach the technical and aesthetic elements of any design. 

I am passionate about building upon what I’ve learned so far and expanding my knowledge base by exploring new approaches to interior design solutions.

During my career, I aim to bring a unique perspective to each task, considering physical features and people’s interactions with the environment around them. 

I am confident that my enthusiasm, determination, and skills will help me excel in this field and become a valuable asset to any team.

I have been involved in the world of design for most of my days. In fact, it has become an integral part of who I am. It is something that transcends far beyond a mere art or profession. As an interior design student, I take pride in being able to use my creative abilities to shape unique art through design. 

From infusing exciting textures, colors, and patterns into the fabric of a room, to carefully selecting pieces of furniture, decor items, and artwork. I ensure all elements perfectly harmonize with the space’s environment. This is the crux of my craft; providing balanced and beautiful interiors tailored to each client’s needs and desires.

An interior design personal statement is a short essay that showcases your design skills . It should focus on your proficiencies and ability to use art elements to design aesthetic interiors. These statements are important because they can impact the course of your career by opening different prospects. 

Abir Ghenaiet

Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.

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Personal Statement Examples

Browse our UCAS personal statement examples for university in the UK by subject, from A to Z. Please do not plagiarise phrases, sentences or whole paragraphs, as UCAS can detect this and will penalise your application.

Accounting and Finance

These two subjects lie at the heart of any business, and a degree in at least one of these will equip you with essential skills for life.

View 48 Accounting and Finance Personal Statements

Actuarial Science

To become a successful actuary you will need to use both mathematical and business skills to solve problems concerning financial risk and uncertainty.

View 13 Actuarial Science Personal Statements

American Studies

Learn more about American culture, society, history and politics with this specialised degree

View 4 American Studies Personal Statements

Anthropology

Study the evolution and history of humanity around the world.

View 24 Anthropology Personal Statements

Archaeology

Dig into the history of human activity.

View 23 Archaeology Personal Statements

Architecture

Understand the processes involved in the planning, designing and constructing of buildings and other structures.

View 35 Architecture Personal Statements

Art and Design

Pursue painting, pottery, textiles, sculpture and any other discipline that interests you in the world of art.

View 57 Art and Design Personal Statements

Biochemistry

Investigate biological processes at the molecular level.

View 19 Biochemistry Personal Statements

Bioengineering

Use traditional engineering techniques and apply them to real-world problems.

View 7 Bioengineering Personal Statements

Study a wide range of biological topics, and choose to specialise in microbiology, ecology, zoology, anatomy or any number of other areas.

View 84 Biology Personal Statements

Biomedical Science

Study and explore medically related subjects such as genetics, physiology, pharmacology and neuroscience.

View 66 Biomedical Science Personal Statements

Biotechnology

Learn how to apply biological organisms, processes and systems to industrial tasks.

View 7 Biotechnology Personal Statements

Business Management

Learn about economics, accounting, management and more.

View 86 Business Management Personal Statements

Learn all the skills you need to be successful in the world of business.

View 112 Business Personal Statements

Gain a solid theoretical foundation and practical training in this fascinating arm of science.

View 36 Chemistry Personal Statements

Delve into the literature, history, philosophy and archaeology of the Greeks and Romans.

View 9 Classics Personal Statements

Computer Science

Combine analytical knowledge and technical skills to ready yourself for an in-demand career.

View 108 Computer Science Personal Statements

Computing and IT

Get ahead in IT by becoming an accomplished programmer, learning how computers work and expanding your Mathematics skills.

View 120 Computing and IT Personal Statements

Criminology

Study the science behind criminal behaviour, laws and justice.

View 39 Criminology Personal Statements

Explore the practice of dance and develop your performance, choreography and teaching skills

View 1 Dance Personal Statement

Study the latest approaches in dentistry, combined with practical clinical experience that will prepare you for your career.

View 14 Dentistry Personal Statements

Apply your artistic skills in a commercial environment.

View 24 Design Personal Statements

Qualify as a dietician in the UK with this degree that explores the science of nutrition and how to communicate it to the wider world.

View 3 Dietetics Personal Statements

Combine theatre theory and practice to help you on your way to centre stage.

View 20 Drama Personal Statements

Learning the fundamentals of this subject will pave the way to many career options, including a data analyst, stockbroker, forensic accountant and external auditor.

View 157 Economics Personal Statements

Explore how people develop and learn in their social and cultural contexts.

View 26 Education Personal Statements

Engineering

Browse our engineering personal statement examples to help you write your own, unique statement.

View 186 Engineering Personal Statements

Improve your reading, creative writing and critical thinking with an English degree.

View 158 English Personal Statements

Environment

Explore different habitats, climates, formations and societies and how we can reduce the human impact on nature.

View 11 Environment Personal Statements

Environmental Science

Learn more about the science of the environment through collaborative research, expeditions and teaching partnerships.

View 13 Environmental Science Personal Statements

Event Management

This varied and exciting field will prepare you for a number of careers, including a hotel manager, charity fundraiser and a tourism officer.

View 5 Event Management Personal Statements

Find out more about the fundamentals of fashion and find out more about how to research, design and develop clothing.

View 16 Fashion Personal Statements

Discover the core skills required to become a screenwriter, director or critic.

View 24 Film Personal Statements

Equip yourself with the basic skills and techniques needed for a successful financial career.

View 57 Finance Personal Statements

Food Science and Catering

Discover more about travel, tourism, event management and food science in this exciting subject.

View 3 Food Science and Catering Personal Statements

Forensic Science

Study a wide range of subjects from chemistry and biology, to criminalistics and toxicology.

View 10 Forensic Science Personal Statements

Personal statements written by students taking a year out before university.

View 7 Gap Year Personal Statements

Study the earth’s physical structures and scientific processes to prepare yourself for a career in urban planning, environmental consultancy, conservation and many more.

View 62 Geography Personal Statements

Understand the evolution of the earth, how our planet works and what the future holds for us through both laboratory and field work.

View 14 Geology Personal Statements

Health Sciences

This subject provides a broad base of scientific knowledge and skills applicable to many occupations and potential career opportunities.

View 22 Health Sciences Personal Statements

History of Art

Increase your understanding of ancient and modern society and culture.

View 5 History of Art Personal Statements

Study the events and people from the past to better understand what our future could be like.

View 145 History Personal Statements

Hotel Management

Give yourself a solid foundation for many different career options in this exciting and thriving sector.

View 6 Hotel Management Personal Statements

International Relations

Understand how politics, history, geography, economics and law all require international co-operation to resolve global problems.

View 96 International Relations Personal Statements

International Student

Read personal statement examples written by international students.

View 23 International Student Personal Statements

International Studies

A subject that is applicable to a wide range of professions in the private and public sectors, including international agencies and government bodies.

View 10 International Studies Personal Statements

Islamic Studies

Study the foundation and development of Islamic knowledge from a broad and multidisciplinary perspective.

View 4 Islamic Studies Personal Statements

Japanese Studies

Explore Japan’s society, culture and language, with some universities offering the opportunity to spend a year abroad.

View 11 Japanese Studies Personal Statements

Develop the full set of skills required for a career in journalism.

View 14 Journalism Personal Statements

Land Economy

This multi-disciplinary social science course focuses on the study of economics, business and law and their relationship to the environment around us.

View 1 Land Economy Personal Statement

Set yourself on the path to an international career with a languages degree.

View 87 Language Personal Statements

Develop a critical awareness of the common law legal tradition and apply problem-solving skills to a range of legal and non-legal settings.

View 166 Law Personal Statements

Linguistics

Learn the science behind languages, and how to understand and interpret language on a global scale.

View 20 Linguistics Personal Statements

Gain a broad foundation in topics relating to business, finance, economics and marketing.

View 46 Management Personal Statements

Give yourself the knowledge and skills you need to excel as a professional marketer.

View 24 Marketing Personal Statements

Mathematics

Take your understanding of the theories and concepts of mathematics to a higher level.

View 106 Mathematics Personal Statements

Mature Student

Read personal statement examples written by mature UCAS students.

View 15 Mature Student Personal Statements

This degree is ideal if you want to pursue a career in PR, journalism, film, advertising or broadcasting.

View 46 Media Personal Statements

Medicine Perso

Browse our collection of medicine personal statement examples to help you write your own.

View 103 Medicine Perso Personal Statements

Gain the necessary skills and clinical experience to become a qualified midwife.

View 9 Midwifery Personal Statements

Develop your ability to create new music by studying topics such as composition, performance and music theory.

View 25 Music Personal Statements

Music Technology

Prepare yourself for a career in the music and audio industry.

View 7 Music Technology Personal Statements

Natural Sciences

Focus on various perspectives of the natural world, including chemical, physical, mathematical and geological.

View 18 Natural Sciences Personal Statements

Neuroscience

Explore the workings of the human brain, from molecules to neural systems.

View 12 Neuroscience Personal Statements

Qualify for a rewarding career as an adult, children’s or mental health nurse.

View 38 Nursing Personal Statements

Occupational Therapy

Learn the knowledge and skills to treat people with psychological, physical or social disabilities.

View 9 Occupational Therapy Personal Statements

Learn the knowledge, skills, and experience you need to become a registered osteopath.

View 1 Osteopathy Personal Statement

Personal statements by those applying to study at Oxbridge.

View 150 Oxbridge Personal Statements

Apply for this course to successfully qualify as a registered pharmacist in the UK.

View 20 Pharmacy Personal Statements

Find out how to form and voice your own opinions, and how to analyse and communicate ideas clearly and logically.

View 86 Philosophy Personal Statements

Photography

A course combining academic study and hands-on practice to help you become a skilled photographer.

View 9 Photography Personal Statements

Learn about the fundamental building blocks and forces of nature and how physics helps us understand the world around us.

View 55 Physics Personal Statements

Choose from a medical, human or general physiological science course.

View 3 Physiology Personal Statements

Physiotherapy

Learn the theoretical disciplines and gain the practical experience required to become a qualified physiotherapist.

View 6 Physiotherapy Personal Statements

Study how governments work, how public policies are made, international relations and other topics to open the door to a wide range of careers.

View 195 Politics Personal Statements

Read example personal statements written by postgraduate students for their chosen universities.

View 44 Postgraduate Personal Statements

Explore how our minds work and why we behave the way we do.

View 154 Psychology Personal Statements

Radiography

Help diagnose and treat illness by producing and interpreting medical images, or learn how to treat cancer patients with therapeutic radiography.

View 5 Radiography Personal Statements

Religious Studies

A creative discipline, vital to contemporary understandings of economy, art, politics, media culture and globalisation.

View 4 Religious Studies Personal Statements

Social Work

A popular degree course, with a practical focus, that allows you to develop your professional skills and knowledge as you study to become a qualified social worker.

View 26 Social Work Personal Statements

Gain the knowledge and skills required to critically engage with issues facing society today.

View 67 Sociology Personal Statements

Sports & Leisure

Understand the value and purpose of sport in society, as well as the social, cultural and economic importance of sport and contemporary issues in sport and leisure.

View 14 Sports & Leisure Personal Statements

Sports Science

Learn about sports performance and the factors that affect behaviour in sport.

View 15 Sports Science Personal Statements

Discover how to manage buildings by exploring topics such as project management, legal and technical advice, building reports, defect diagnosis and conservation.

View 2 Surveying Personal Statements

Teacher Training

Become a qualified teacher with this popular training course.

View 13 Teacher Training Personal Statements

Understand the different religious and spiritual perspectives in the contemporary world.

View 9 Theology Personal Statements

Travel and Tourism

Prepare for a career in one of the fastest growing industries with this vocational degree.

View 3 Travel and Tourism Personal Statements

Urban Planning

Gather the skills required to help you shape and design the world around us.

View 3 Urban Planning Personal Statements

Veterinary Science

Study the basic veterinary sciences first before learning to apply that knowledge to veterinary practice as a clinical student.

View 5 Veterinary Science Personal Statements

Learn about all kinds of animals, including their anatomy, physiology, genetics, and their adaptations for survival and reproduction in different environments.

View 7 Zoology Personal Statements

How To Write A Bad Personal Statement

Find out more

Personal Statement Mistakes To Avoid

What is a personal statement?

The UCAS personal statement is an important piece of writing you need to put together for your UCAS application .

It is where students should sell themselves in order to try and secure a place at their chosen universities . This includes your strengths, achievements, interests and ambitions, and you need to convey why the university should choose you over other candidates.

How do I write a personal statement?

We recommend you start by making some notes about what you want to study at university and why, as well as a list of skills and interests, and your gap year plans (if you have any).

We then suggest reading some example personal statements for inspiration, and to see how previous students have successfully applied for courses at university.

This should give you an idea of how to put your own statement together, starting with an attention-grabbing opening that explains what aspects of your subject you enjoy and why.

The next few paragraphs need to cover your relevant work experience and activities outside of school, as well as your interests or hobbies, and anything else you’ve done related to your subject that isn’t already on your UCAS form.

The final paragraph should round off your statement succinctly and talk about your future plans after university, and how a degree can help you achieve these.

Our personal statement template can help you structure your statement correctly.

Remember that the language you use and the way it is laid out will be judged too, so it’s important to get all aspects of your statement right.

Once you’ve written your personal statement, ask family, friends and tutors to read it and give you some feedback. Look through their comments and amend your statement accordingly (if you feel they improve it).

Try to ask for several rounds of feedback to make sure it's as good as it can be before sending it off.

For more advice, please see our in-depth personal statement writing guide .

How do I start a personal statement?

The first rule with opening your personal statement is to avoid using any cliches or over-used phrases or sentences that the admissions tutors have seen a million times before.

These include: "ever since I was young/a child", "I have always wanted to be..." and "for as long as I can remember".

If you want the reader to go to sleep or immediately put your UCAS form in the rejection pile, then this is a sure way to go about it.

Instead, try to put together an eye opening sentence or two that will grab their attention and make them want to read on.

Our example personal statements above will help you with this, by showing you how students have constructed successful statements in the past.

Many students choose to start their statement by talking about a specific aspect of the subject they enjoy most and why they are interested in it. Others choose to relate a life experience (avoiding cliches) from their younger days, while some decide to begin their statement in another way.

There's no right or wrong answer - just make sure it doesn't read like hundreds of other statements the tutors have already seen before!

How do I end a personal statement?

You should conclude your personal statement with a concise summary of why you are an ideal candidate for this course, your career plans, and any other ambitions you have for the future.

Try to keep it to no more than three or four lines, but make sure the content sells you as a person and has a positive tone that will encourage admissions tutors to offer you a place.

Take a look at your initial notes to help you - remember, it doesn't have to be perfect at this point, as you will have time to redraft it later.

Again, our example personal statements above will provide you with some inspiration for this part of your personal statement (but please don't copy any of them, or UCAS will penalise your application!).

How do I structure my personal statement?

Your personal statement should have a clear beginning , middle and end.

Structure is important if your statement is to be a coherent creative piece of writing, so all the paragraphs should flow nicely together.

At Studential, we recommend the following approach as a guideline:

• Paragraph 1: Introduction to your subject, the aspects you’re interested in and why
• Paragraph 2: What you have done related to the subject that isn’t already on your UCAS form
• Paragraphs 3 and 4: Work experience placements and relevant extracurricular activities at school
• Paragraph 5: Your interests and hobbies outside of school, particularly those that show you are a responsible and reliable person
• Paragraph 6: Your goal of attending university and a memorable closing comment.

Of course, you may wish to structure yours differently and it's entirely up to you at the end of the day - just remember to make sure it's coherent and flows together well.

For additional help on piecing it together, use our personal statement template , which will give you an idea of how a successful statement should look.

What makes a great personal statement?

Tell the reader why you're applying to this particular course and university – include your ambitions, as well as what interests you about the subject, the course provider, and higher education.

Think about what makes you suitable – this could be relevant experience, skills, or achievements you've gained from education, work, or other activities.

You need to show the admissions tutors why you make a perfect candidate for your chosen course, and what value you can bring to their department.

What should you not write in a personal statement?

Avoid these common mistakes if you want your personal statement to be successful:

• Listing your skills, experience etc. Use full sentences and examples to back everything up.
• Any form of negativity - be positive!
• Omitting any relevant skills or achievements
• Embellishing the truth or lying outright
• Not checking for spelling and grammar issues - this sort of sloppiness just tells the admissions tutors you don't care very much
• Not asking for feedback from friends, family and teachers - this is a great way of receiving objective advice
• Stating the obvious or repeating what is already mentioned on your UCAS form elsewhere
• Including over-used words, phrases and sentences, such as "ever since I was a child..." and "I have always wanted to be...".
• Using jokes or humour - this isn't the time or place, and the admissions tutors probably won't appreciate it!

How long should my personal statement be?

For undergraduate courses, UCAS allows students up to 4,000 characters for their personal statement.

This isn't a huge amount of space, so you need to make sure every word counts and you sell yourself in the best possible light at all times!

Once you have put together an initial draft, you can check if it's too long or short with our personal statement length checker .

When should I start writing my personal statement?

We recommend you begin writing some notes during the school summer holidays, and maybe even have your first draft written before going back in September (especially if you're applying to Oxbridge ).

The sooner you start writing, the sooner you can get your final draft in place ready for your UCAS form. This also helps to take the pressure off, and means you won't be rushing to get it done at the last minute.

Use our handy UCAS personal statement template to help you structure your statement, and make sure you have included everything you need to.

Personal statement tips

For a successful personal statement, we recommend following these top tips:

• This is your opportunity to sell yourself - so use it! Talk about your strengths, abilities, achievements, personal traits, hobbies, extracurricular activities and anything else relevant that makes you an amazing candidate for this course.
• Start writing your personal statement early - ideally over the summer holidays, which give you plenty of time to get a perfect statement in place by the autumn (this advice especially applies if you are applying to Oxbridge , or for medicine , veterinary science , or dentistry ).
• Make sure you back up everything you say with solid examples, using your initial notes to help you.
• Talk about your motivations for choosing this particular course, and showcase all strengths using your own voice.
• Don’t embellish the truth or lie outright (you’ll get caught out at the interview!), and don’t use humour or tell jokes (this isn’t the time or place).
• Use positive language and let your enthusiasm shine through - tutors only want students on their course that are passionate about their subject!
• Don't get someone else to write your statement for you, or buy/plagiarise a statement online. UCAS check statements for similarity, and your chances of being offered a place at university could be affected if they find you have cheated on your statement.
• Ask those you know and trust to provide you with feedback, and incorporate their comments and suggestions accordingly.
• Go through at least several rounds of feedback before polishing your statement into a final draft.
• Don't just rely on a Spellchecker to check your statement for errors - read it through carefully three or four times to make sure there are no spelling or grammar mistakes.
• Use an reputable personal statement editing service if you're struggling with your final draft, or just want to try and give it some extra shine!

These tips and advice apply to all personal statements, whether you’re applying for an undergraduate or postgraduate course. If you follow them, you will have a better chance of securing a place at your chosen universities.

Best of luck with your UCAS application!

Further information

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• Personal Statement Editing Services
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• Analysis Of A Personal Statement
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• Graphic Design Personal Statement Examples

Read below Graphic Design Personal Statement Examples and use them as inspiration to writing your university application. 

Graphic Design Personal Statement

As a passionate and self-taught graphic designer, I am excited to apply to UK universities for graphic design courses. For me, design is a constantly evolving field that requires continuous expansion of one’s culture and creative processes. I am particularly drawn to graphic design for its omnipresence and diversity, as it is present in nearly every aspect of our daily lives, from printed materials to web design, branding, packaging, and visual identity.

My journey in graphic design began with self-teaching, followed by completing a BEP (equivalent to NVQ Level 2) Graphic Industries course, which provided me with hands-on experience in prepress, on-press, and finishing work. Currently, I am pursuing a Baccalaureate Professional (equivalent to a BTEC National Diploma) in Graphic Communication, which has further honed my skills in investigating and researching graphic projects, such as logotypes, visual identities, posters, leaflets, and illustrations, among others. Additionally, I possess a solid understanding of the theoretical and practical components that are necessary for designing, including layout, composition, colour theory, sketch drawing, and CAD using Adobe Suite.

One of my main inspirations in graphic design is the Swiss style, with its emphasis on simplicity, minimalism, and typography. I am particularly drawn to typography, as it is a core element of visual communication that allows for efficient message conveyance without being superfluous. I have been fortunate to explore typography in detail, thanks to an enthusiastic teacher; it is a complementary skill that I would like to specialize in after graduation.

My work placements have given me practical experience in the business world. I have created websites, logos, and layouts for printed brochures, and helped staff with various projects. These experiences have taught me to work with other designers and to be more autonomous and productive in a professional environment.

In addition to my design experience, I have held leadership positions that have honed my teamwork and project management skills. As vice-chairman of the School Life Council, I organized meetings and debates that improved school life for students. As the communication head of a national student union, I managed important projects and information campaigns and became more aware of current affairs and issues.

I am eager to study in the UK, as I admire the country’s artistic culture and atmosphere. I believe that studying in the UK will provide me with an opportunity to further develop my skills and gain new perspectives. I am currently preparing for the IELTS test, and I am working on improving my English skills daily.

I am excited to pursue graphic design as a career, as it is something that I am passionate about. I am constantly eager to learn new things and improve my design skills. My self-sufficiency, attention to detail, and versatility in creativity make me confident that I will succeed in higher education and the working world. I believe that a UK university education in graphic design will provide me with the necessary tools and skills to pursue my passion and create meaningful designs.

Recommended for reading:

• How to Write a Personal Statement for a Master’s
• How to Write a Personal Statement That Stands Out
• UCAS Personal Statement: A Writing Guide And Tips For Success

Graphic Design Personal Statement Example

In today’s world graphics and design are becoming progressively important disciplines that have the potential to play a crucial role in the success of businesses, individuals, and families. As the world is going through economic turmoil, businesses must stand out from the crowd and employ modern communication techniques and new forms of advertising. I believe that these fields have enormous potential to kick-start economic growth, and I am eager to be a part of this creative movement.

My passion for design was sparked by my recent visit to the Grand Canyon in Arizona, where I had an opportunity to experience the Skywalk. The creators of the Skywalk managed to replicate the effect of hovering over the top of the Canyon, as though we were flying in a helicopter, through a combination of excellent design and great imagination. Witnessing such a bold and cutting-edge design, which made the impossible possible, motivated me to pursue a career in design. I am also inspired by graphic designers like Stefan Sagmeister, whose work continually breaks boundaries and challenges the norms.

My interest in design and technology began at a young age, and I have fully immersed myself in all opportunities to be involved in these areas while at school. At GCSE, I designed and made a garden bench from sustainable wood, and recently, I have been designing a kitchen island unit with recycling and sustainability in mind. I am also involved in designing a wheelchair that can climb stairs without electronic or other assistance. I am motivated to use my design skills to make life easier for people with disabilities.

In my spare time and school holidays, I have been studying graphics and have furthered my design skills under my initiative through two different work placements. These placements have allowed me to appreciate the different phases involved in a design project, from the planning and development stage to manufacture and final fitting. I have learned how important it is to work closely with the customer to meet and exceed their expectations.

Apart from my design pursuits, I am also actively involved in sports and other extracurricular activities such as rugby, cricket, tennis, and squash. I am the school squash captain and have completed my Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award. My involvement in these pursuits has helped improve my ability to work as part of a team, which is an essential skill for any designer.

I am excited to apply to UK universities for graphic design courses, as I believe that the UK has a rich and diverse artistic culture that will provide me with opportunities to further develop my skills and gain new perspectives. I am confident that my passion for design, sustainable approach, and teamwork skills will make me a valuable addition to any design program.

I am eager to contribute to the world of design and make a positive impact through my work. I believe that design has the power to change the world, and I am excited to be a part of this creative movement.

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How To Start A Personal Statement: Tips & Examples

Written by:

Max Stevens

Administrator

We’re regularly asked the question “ how to start a personal statement ”? It’s a challenging task for anybody but worry not as we’re here to help guide you through the process. 

The introduction is the first thing the admissions committee will read. That’s why the first sentence of a personal statement should be a catchy, attention-grabbing hook or story that grabs the reader’s attention and sets up the main point of your essay.

A lacklustre introduction may lose your readers’ interest, preventing them from reading the rest of your personal statement!

But don’t worry, this article will guide you on writing a personal statement introduction, a few examples of opening sentences and how to captivate the admissions tutors. Without further ado, let’s get started.

Top Tip: Leave Your Introduction For Last

You know what they say, the hardest thing to do is  start . So skip the introduction for now and focus on the main body of your personal statement. If you’re not sure what your main content should be, read out how to write a personal statement guide.

After nailing down the main points, you’ll have a concrete idea of how your introduction can captivate the reader and stay relevant to the bulk of the writing. Go ahead and work on the rest of your personal statement.

Come back when you’re finished! And if you’re worried about your conclusion then check out our advice on  personal statement conclusions .

2. Cut To The Chase

You only have  4,000 characters  to sell yourself as an ideal student candidate. Make each character and paragraph count! That means forget about flowery words and directionless statements. When you start your personal statement, explain your motivations for choosing your course in one or two sentences.

Although you will discuss this in-depth in the main body of content, capturing your reader’s attention with a quick overview of why you’re enthusiastic about your chosen course is crucial. That’s why capturing the reader’s attention by jumping straight to the point is key to starting a personal statement.

3. Be Specific

Never give vague details when expressing why you want to pursue your course. “I always wanted to be an engineer since I was a kid,” or “I want to become a doctor because I enjoy science” isn’t advised. 

On that note, if you’re applying to medicine refer to our guide on  how to write a medical personal statement . We suggest being more specific than that, and you can include your academic achievements too. Here are a few suggestions that may help you:

• You witnessed an inspirational figure in your life solve a massive problem with a specific skill set (doctor, engineer, etc.)
• While you were at a charity event, you encountered a problem that kept people in deprivation. By pursuing this course, you’re a part of the solution.
• You’re good at, and you enjoy a specific skill set. The course you’re eyeing puts great emphasis on this particular skill.
• There was a moment in your life when you succeeded in solving a problem. You felt significant by doing so, and you want to keep doing that for the rest of your life (teaching poor children how to read)
• You watched a movie or read a book that ignited your passion for the course. After doing volunteer work or part-time employment related to your course, you’re determined to pursue it.

Craft a sentence or two that encapsulates the core of your “why.” Do this, and your reader will want to read more!

4. Demonstrate Knowledge In Your Chosen Course

An essential element of starting a personal statement is to express why you’re enthusiastic about taking your chosen course. You need to demonstrate that you’re aware of what you’re getting yourself into in the process. Answer any of these prompt questions for inspiration:

• What do you find interesting about the course?
• How do you believe the course will help you achieve your goals?
• How will you use your chosen course to contribute to society?
• What hurdles do you expect to encounter, and how will you handle them?

Decide which of these questions fits best into the main content of your  personal statement . Write your answer in a sentence or two, weave them into your application essay and think about the help you received from your tutors in the past.

5. Ditch The “Since I Was A Child” Line

We’re often asked  what not to put in a personal statement  and “Since I was a child” is a cliche statement that gets thrown around haphazardly. How many students have said this at least once in their personal statements?

Recalling your childhood passions is a weak “why” for pursuing your course. Why? Because the admissions committee is looking for a relevant and up-to-date reason.

When you were little, you had zero knowledge and little enthusiasm to become successful in your field. You had no idea what skillsets you needed or what other options were available to you.

But if you were to cite a recent event in your life that supports your determination to pursue your course, that screams “educated choice” right there. And  that  is what the admission committee is looking for after reading hundreds, if not thousands of introductions.

6. Brainstorm Several Versions Of Your Opening Lines

The desire to get it right the first time paralyses you from starting. So permit yourself to write freely. Write as many versions of your opening lines as possible.

Don’t worry about the grammar, spelling, or character count just yet. Type everything that goes off the top of your head. When you’re done, take a look at your list.

Cross out the ones you dislike, and encircle the ones you think have potential. Then start piecing the puzzle pieces together to check out if the intro lines fit with the rest of your personal statement. 

If you’ve found three potential opening statements, try reading them aloud together with the rest of your personal statement. Do they flow seamlessly into one another? Make the necessary adjustments. Play around with it until you feel you’ve hit the spot.

7. Make Your Opening Statement Error Free

Your opening statement is your hook line. Spelling or grammatical errors at the start discourage your reader from reading further. If you have errors at the beginning, you’ll most likely have them in your main content!

So make sure your English is simple, flawless, and straightforward. Run your personal statement through a tool like Grammarly to weed out most of the errors.

The Hemingway app is also a helpful tool for checking for passive voice and other writing problems. Take advantage of writing assistant tools, especially if you’re a non-native English writer.

8. Read Examples Of Personal Statements

Read as many personal statement examples as you can. Any that captivated you, keep them in your notes. Figure out  why  these statements stood out to you compared to the others. What elements can you place in  your  personal statement?

When reading personal statements that put you off, find out why. What characteristics do they have that elicit a negative reaction from you? List them down, and make sure you avoid them.

After this exercise, you should have a few more ideas about your personal statement introduction.

9. Ask For Feedback

Never underestimate what feedback can give you. Ask your family, friends, and acquaintances about your opening statement. Does your personality shine through? Is it straight to the point? Does it flow smoothly with the main content of your personal statement?

Listen to what they have to say. Jot down important points. You’ll need their feedback to get a second opinion on whether it works for you or not.

10. Give Yourself Time

Your chosen career depends on your college education. And a first crucial step is to convince the admission committee you’re worth accepting into your university. You have to give your personal statement your best shot. Give yourself enough time to brainstorm and think everything over.

You can’t finish a complete,  well-written personal statement  in a week. Much less overnight!

So make sure you set aside enough time to put your best foot forward. After finishing a complete draft of your personal statement, put it down. Forget about it for a few days. Then come back and reread it.

With a fresh set of eyes, you’ll notice details you may not have seen before! Revise as much as you need.

Do I Need To Write An Introduction For A Personal Statement?

Yes, we recommend writing an introduction for your personal statement as it provides context to the rest of your writing. The introduction is an opportunity to make a good first impression and capture the university admissions officer’s attention.

What is a good opening sentence for a personal statement?

Here are some examples of a good opening sentence for a captivating introduction. Note how it ties into the university degree almost straight away with first-hand experience:

• “Growing up in a small town with limited resources sparked my curiosity and drive to pursue higher education and make a positive impact in my community.”
• “From a young age, I have been fascinated by the intricacies of the human mind and the power of psychology to improve people’s lives.”
• “As a first-generation college student, I am determined to break barriers and pave the way for future generations through a career in law.”
• “My passion for sustainable design was ignited by a volunteer trip to a developing country, where I witnessed the devastating effects of environmental degradation firsthand.”
• “A chance encounter with a blind person and their guide dog inspired me to pursue a career in veterinary medicine, with the goal of improving the lives of animals and their human companions.”

Please do NOT use these in your personal statements, use these to guide you on how you want to start your personal statement.

Can You Open Your Personal Statement With A Quote?

It is a risky move to open your personal statement with a quote and can come across as clichéd or insincere to the university admission officers. However, there are rare occasions when it can work, just make sure the quote relates to your degree and experience you’re writing about.

Get Ready To Write Your Personal Statement

How does one start a captivating personal statement? Take the time to think about what makes an effective introduction.

Read examples of personal statements from other students to glean ideas for how yours might stand out. Once you have read through some good ones, they should be more than just two or three!–look closely at what elements made them so successful. 

Then try applying those same principles on how to start a personal statement! Don’t forget to bookmark this post for future reference.

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Apple unveils M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max, the most advanced chips for a personal computer

All-New GPU Features Dynamic Caching, Mesh Shading, and Hardware-Accelerated Ray Tracing

A Faster and More Efficient CPU

Unrivaled Unified Memory Architecture, up to 128GB

Custom Engines for AI and Video

M3: Phenomenal Performance for the Most Popular Systems

M3 Pro: For Users Who Need Even More Performance

M3 Max: A Tremendous Leap in Performance for the Most Demanding Pro Workloads

Better for the Environment

Text of this article

October 30, 2023

PRESS RELEASE

The industry’s first 3-nanometer chips for a personal computer debut a next-generation GPU architecture and deliver dramatic performance improvements, a faster CPU and Neural Engine, and support for more unified memory

CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA  Apple today announced M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max, three chips featuring groundbreaking technologies that deliver dramatically increased performance and unleash new capabilities for Mac. These are the first personal computer chips built using the industry-leading 3-nanometer process technology, allowing more transistors to be packed into a smaller space and improving speed and efficiency. Together, M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max show how far Apple silicon for the Mac has come since the debut of the M1 family of chips. 

The M3 family of chips features a next-generation GPU that represents the biggest leap forward in graphics architecture ever for Apple silicon. The GPU is faster and more efficient, and introduces a new technology called Dynamic Caching, while bringing new rendering features like hardware-accelerated ray tracing and mesh shading to Mac for the first time. Rendering speeds are now up to 2.5x faster than on the M1 family of chips. 1 The CPU performance cores and efficiency cores are 30 percent and 50 percent faster than those in M1, respectively, and the Neural Engine is 60 percent faster than the Neural Engine in the M1 family of chips. And, a new media engine now includes support for AV1 decode, providing more efficient and high-quality video experiences from streaming services. The M3 family of chips continues the tremendous pace of innovation in Apple silicon, and brings massive enhancements and new features to the new MacBook Pro and iMac .

“Apple silicon has completely redefined the Mac experience. Every aspect of its architecture is designed for performance and power efficiency,” said Johny Srouji, Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Technologies. “With 3-nanometer technology, a next-generation GPU architecture, a higher-performance CPU, faster Neural Engine, and support for even more unified memory, M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max are the most advanced chips ever built for a personal computer.”

The next-generation GPU inside the M3 family of chips represents the largest leap forward in graphics architecture for Apple silicon. It features Dynamic Caching that, unlike traditional GPUs, allocates the use of local memory in hardware in real time. With Dynamic Caching, only the exact amount of memory needed is used for each task. This is an industry first, transparent to developers, and the cornerstone of the new GPU architecture. It dramatically increases the average utilization of the GPU, which significantly increases performance for the most demanding pro apps and games.

With the M3 family of chips, hardware-accelerated ray tracing comes to the Mac for the first time. Ray tracing models the properties of light as it interacts with a scene, allowing apps to create extremely realistic and physically accurate images. This, along with the new graphics architecture, allows pro apps to deliver up to 2.5x the speed of the M1 family of chips. Game developers can use ray tracing for more accurate shadows and reflections, creating deeply immersive environments. Additionally, the new GPU brings hardware-accelerated mesh shading to the Mac, delivering greater capability and efficiency to geometry processing, and enabling more visually complex scenes in games and graphics-intensive apps. This breakthrough GPU architecture enables all of these enhancements and features while maintaining Apple silicon’s legendary power efficiency. In fact, the M3 GPU is able to deliver the same performance as M1 using nearly half the power, and up to 65 percent more performance at its peak.

The next-generation CPU in M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max features architectural improvements to the performance and efficiency cores. The performance cores are up to 30 percent faster than those in the M1 family, so tasks like compiling and testing millions of lines of code in Xcode are even faster, and musicians can use hundreds of audio tracks, plug-ins, and virtual instruments in Logic Pro. The efficiency cores are up to 50 percent faster than the efficiency cores in M1, so everyday tasks are faster than ever, while allowing the system to maximize battery life. Together, these cores create a CPU that delivers the same multithreaded performance as M1 using as little as half the power, and up to 35 percent more performance at peak power.

Each chip in the M3 family features a unified memory architecture, a hallmark of Apple silicon. This delivers high bandwidth, low latency, and unmatched power efficiency. Having a single pool of memory within a custom package means all of the technologies in the chip can access the same data without copying it between multiple pools of memory, further improving performance and efficiency, and reducing the amount of memory a system requires for the majority of tasks. Additionally, support for up to 128GB of memory unlocks workflows previously not possible on a laptop, such as AI developers working with even larger transformer models with billions of parameters.

M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max also have an enhanced Neural Engine to accelerate powerful machine learning (ML) models. The Neural Engine is up to 60 percent faster than in the M1 family of chips, making AI/ML workflows even faster while keeping data on device to preserve privacy. Powerful AI image processing tools, like noise reduction and super resolution in Topaz, get even faster. Scene edit detection in Adobe Premiere and Smart Conform in Final Cut Pro also see a boost in performance.

All three chips in the M3 family also have an advanced media engine, providing hardware acceleration to the most popular video codecs, including H.264, HEVC, ProRes, and ProRes RAW. And for the first time, the media engine supports AV1 decoding, enabling power-efficient playback of streaming services to further extend battery life.

M3 features 25 billion transistors — 5 billion more than M2. It has a 10-core GPU featuring the next-generation architecture that is 65 percent faster than M1 for graphics performance. Games like Myst have incredibly realistic lighting, shadows, and reflections. M3 has an 8-core CPU, with four performance cores and four efficiency cores, that is up to 35 percent faster than M1 for CPU performance. And it supports up to 24GB of unified memory.

M3 Pro consists of 37 billion transistors and an 18-core GPU, delivering extremely fast performance when working on more graphics-intensive tasks. The GPU is up to 40 percent faster than M1 Pro. Support for unified memory goes up to 36GB, enabling larger projects to be tackled on MacBook Pro when users are on the go. The 12-core CPU design has six performance cores and six efficiency cores, offering single-threaded performance that is up to 30 percent faster than M1 Pro. Actions like stitching together and manipulating enormous panoramic photos in Adobe Photoshop are faster than ever with M3 Pro on the new MacBook Pro.

M3 Max pushes the transistor count up to 92 billion and takes pro performance to the next level. The 40-core GPU is up to 50 percent faster than M1 Max, and support for up to 128GB of unified memory allows AI developers to work with even larger transformer models with billions of parameters. The 16-core CPU features 12 performance cores and four efficiency cores, achieving astonishing performance that’s up to 80 percent faster than M1 Max. And with two ProRes engines, M3 Max makes video post-production work on even the highest-resolution content fast and fluid, whether using DaVinci Resolve, Adobe Premiere Pro, or Final Cut Pro. M3 Max is designed for pros needing the highest performance available in a MacBook Pro with industry-leading battery life in a pro laptop.

The power-efficient performance of M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max helps the new MacBook Pro and iMac meet Apple’s high standards for energy efficiency, and helps the new MacBook Pro achieve the longest battery life ever in a Mac — up to 22 hours. 2 This results in less time needing to be plugged in and less energy consumed over its lifetime.

Today, Apple is carbon neutral for global corporate operations, and by 2030, plans to have net-zero climate impact across the entire business, which includes the entire manufacturing supply chain and life cycle of every product. This means that every chip in every Mac, from design to manufacturing, will be carbon neutral.

• Results are compared to the previous-generation 16-inch MacBook Pro with M1 Max, a 10-core CPU, a 32-core GPU, 64GB of RAM, and 8TB SSD.
• Testing was conducted by Apple in September and October 2023 using preproduction 16-inch MacBook Pro systems with Apple M3 Pro, a 12-core CPU, an 18-core GPU, 36GB of RAM, and 512GB SSD. The wireless web test measures battery life by wirelessly browsing 25 popular websites with display brightness set to eight clicks from the bottom. The Apple TV app movie playback test measures battery life by playing back HD 1080p content with display brightness set to eight clicks from the bottom. Battery life varies by use and configuration. See apple.com/batteries for more information.

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Product Design Personal Statement

Building and creating is what sparked my interest in buildings and creating new things so when it came to school I favoured DT and followed this path on through my academic school life up to A-levels. The aspect I most enjoy is the problem solving side of it. Being given a basic problem and having to create a solution, the idea of creating something new that has never been done is exciting. Furthermore you are also helping people by making a product ergonomically usable for them or simply a better way of doing it for existing users. It is good to know what you are doing is making a difference.

I have always been practical and creative so I took my ideas outside of the classroom. As a hobby I BMX so after my first project in DT where I worked with wood in year 10, I was lucky enough to get timber and build myself a half pipe which has lasted many years. This helped me learn how to work with different tools and understand how structures work. This was a good learning curve to broaden my understanding and skills because of this small project I completed it has inspired me to keep on creating. Due to my development of skills and ideas I aim to create more complex projects than the ramp, at the moment I have been inspired by a programme (George Clarks amazing spaces). Since there is a lack of space for quiet undisturbed work area and an area to relax during the summer. From this I have drawn out a few designs for a shed and began to build up a project. It will be built at the back of my garden to be a studio/summer house, with only recycled pallets and other waste materials I can acquire. With all my projects I prefer to incorporate waste or recycled material because of the decline of resource over the years and the high price of premium timber however to make sure the structure is sound I will have to use new nail and screws etc. Otherwise rusty ones would compromise the structure which would be unsafe.

I am currently studying Product design, Geography and business. After looking around Universities on open days and the videos of all the fascinating projects you get to do, Product design was clearly the course I want to take. The way it is set out works well with my working style. It is a subject I thoroughly enjoy, I have been able to demonstrate this over my academic years due to me working well through the course and meeting deadlines.

I believe I am capable to be on the course but admit I have had to work hard on my perspective drawing and computer prototypes designs to get them up to a standard where I can portray my designs ideas across. I taught myself how to use google sketch up and was taught to use Spaceclaim and 2D design. If there is new programmes to learn on the course I will want to learn them because it will aid me in my future of Product design. Also this year I was awarded with a certificate for an outstanding achievement in AS design & technology: 3D product design due to me getting one of the highest results in my year.

Personally I am an outgoing, friendly and honest individual. I believe keeping active is important, I do this with my hobbies such as skiing and going to my local gym. I do this often due to realising that it helps to keep stress levels down so I can work efficiently without distractions. From playing team sports throughout my life I have learnt how to be effective in a team which helped me during my school life and will in the future to fit well into teamed work environment. Therefore due to my experiences this will help me fit into the course well and University life itself.

I look forward to carrying on my product design interest at a higher level as an undergraduate at your university so I can get my degree and carry on a career In Product design.

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