Your personal statement in grad school applications helps give schools a more complete view of who you are as a person.
While your GPA and test scores are also important to your application, the personal statement shows schools whether or not you would fit well with the program. The personal statement should not reiterate your resume, but it should show schools what they can’t see in your other application materials. Use these tips to help you craft the perfect personal statement!
Tell a Narrative
Having a clear narrative can help structure your personal statement in an effective way. Instead of telling your whole life story, figure out the most important points you want to make about yourself. Then, choose experiences that best illustrate those points. A focused narrative is much more effective than a broad one that attempts to make too many points. Within your narrative, try to include the following:
Unique Professional Experiences
Highlight experiences that are directly relevant to the program, especially if they showcase your skills, achievements, or growth in the field. What experiences have prepared you for your graduate program of interest? For example:
“In my role as a data analyst, I developed a predictive model that increased our project efficiency by 30%, a skill I plan to deepen in your program’s advanced analytics coursework.”
Personal Motivation or Background Story
Share a concise personal story or inspiration that led you to this field or program. How do your interests and motivations relate to the work you have done, or the work you would like to do? For example:
“Growing up in a community where healthcare access was limited inspired my commitment to improving healthcare systems, a goal I’m determined to pursue with the support of your Health Information Technology program.”
Evidence of Dedication and Resilience
Mention specific examples of your resilience, such as overcoming challenges in your career or personal growth. Doing this will show your commitment to achieving your goals despite obstacles. Graduate school is a time for growth, so it’s important to show that you can use challenges as an opportunity to expand. For example:
“When my department faced significant budget cuts, I initiated a cross-functional team project to reallocate resources effectively, resulting in a 15% cost reduction.”
Consider the Big Picture
While you want to tell a focused narrative, it’s also important to understand the role you hope to have in your program, and what you want to get out of the program. How does this grad program fit with your personal big picture? How will you fit into this program’s big picture? UMBC has over 80 graduate programs that can help you achieve your personal and professional goals. As you shape your big picture in your personal statement, try including the following elements:
Clear Career Objectives
Describe your long-term career goals and how this graduate program will help you achieve them. Be specific about the roles, industries, or areas you aim to impact. At UMBC, 95% of alumni of the graduate school are employed or pursuing a higher degree, and 94% of alumni are in positions directly related to their personal career goals. Where do you see yourself going with a graduate degree? For example:
“I aim to leverage this degree to become a project manager specializing in sustainable development within the nonprofit sector.”
Alignment with the Program’s Values and Mission
Research the program’s values and mission to see how your own align. This can help both you and the admissions committee figure out whether you would be a good fit for the program. For example:
“UMBC’s dedication to fostering inclusivity and community resonates with my commitment to creating equitable learning environments in the workplace.”
How You’ll Contribute to the Program Community
Describe how you plan to actively participate in the program and add value to its community. UMBC has countless research partnerships with partnerships with federal and state agencies, foundations, and the private sector. How would you utilize these partnerships? For example:
“I look forward to gaining experience in conducting research for the energy sector through UMBC’s partnership with Constellation.”
Be Yourself
Most importantly, make sure to stay true to yourself as you write your personal statement. Rather than be the person you think admissions deans want to see, use your personal statement to show who you are. Your individuality is what makes you stand out from other applicants, so don’t shy away from authenticity in your writing.
If you’re interested in seeing more examples or getting advice on structuring these elements effectively, feel free to reach out to UMBC’s Professional Programs Student Success Team—they’re there to help you shine! For more tips for the rest of your application, check out this blog post.