Writing a Personal Statement (or Statement of Purpose)

Greetings again. I hope that all is going well for you.

This time of year, my activities include helping medical students revise drafts of their personal statements. (In this context, a personal statement is an essay that a student submits when applying for residency training in his or her chosen specialty.)

In fields other than medicine, applications for graduate or post-graduate study also often require a personal statement. Sometimes this statement has another name, such as statement of purpose.

Whatever its name, the statement is an essay intended to

• summarize relevant aspects of the applicant’s background
• explain why the applicant is interested in applying
• show that the applicant is well suited for the opportunity being sought

Commonly, the statement is accompanied by a curriculum vitae (CV) or resume, which includes additional details about the applicant’s background.

Here are some basic suggestions for writing a personal statement or a statement of purpose:

• Give the statement an easy-to-follow structure. For example, start with a paragraph summarizing your interest, then show how your interest in the field developed, and finally note your longer-term goals.
• Include information showing that you’re well suited for the opportunity being sought.
• If applying for a specific program (rather than submitting a statement to forward to more than one program), say why that program appeals to you.
• Word the statement simply and concisely. Remember: People reading such statements are busy.
• Write and proofread the statement carefully. Doing so helps show your communication skills.

Until the next post—

Barbara