Personal statement vs statement of intent or artist statement

[hello_lauren]

I have a question:

 

What am I supposed to say in a personal statement?

 

I spoke with someone in admissions for Michigan, and she told me this is my "chance to talk about myself as a person." Which is just vague enough that I have no idea what people put in these things. Artist statements and statements of intent I understand and can navigate pretty well. I can talk about my work and influences and why I'd like to get an MFA. Unfortunately, I just have no idea what I'm supposed to write in an entirely separate statement that's just devoted to me. 

 

Can someone please elaborate? 

 

[ismewilde]

Your personal statement is exactly what she said that it is- it about you. Think of it as something like a cross between an autobiography, a letter to a someone you admire telling them about yourself, and a personal ad. Let it reflect your personality...

[hello_lauren]

I love that description, that actually really helps, thanks!

[seeingeyeduck]

you do also want to talk about the ideas and motivations behind your work too. I would connect autobiography and themes in your work. Did the places you lived in and the people you knew influence how you thought about art? What's the role of art in your life - why is it so important to you? And of course, how does grad school fit into all this?

[ismewilde]

what seeingeyeduck said too!

[cocoma]

I saw all of those requirement of writing samples on schools' official website, And then I was confused: are colleges intend to know their candidates better or just to exam their language skill? By the way, what will be like when I have entered a college if I do good works but always cannot express myself well?