Personal stuff in a personal statement. What to say, what to aviod

[peppermint.beatnik]

I am writing a "personal statement" for the first time. All of my other applications have been "statements of purpose," which are more like a research proposal (in terms of what is required by the departments).

Here is the prompt:

A personal statement describing the applicant's personal and intellectual interests that have led him or her to the proposed field of study, and what directions those interests will take at [university], preferably with reference to the specific faculty with whom he or she hopes to work.

I feel really uncomfortable writing stuff like this.

Are there any general guidelines (Things to do/Things NOT to do)?

Is it strictly school stuff, or should you also discuss your life experience?

[modernity]

I am writing a "personal statement" for the first time. All of my other applications have been "statements of purpose," which are more like a research proposal (in terms of what is required by the departments).

Here is the prompt:

A personal statement describing the applicant's personal and intellectual interests that have led him or her to the proposed field of study, and what directions those interests will take at [university], preferably with reference to the specific faculty with whom he or she hopes to work.

I feel really uncomfortable writing stuff like this.

Are there any general guidelines (Things to do/Things NOT to do)?

Is it strictly school stuff, or should you also discuss your life experience?

Judging by the prompt, I would treat it the same as you treated your SOPs. This doesn't sound like it's supposed to be a personal history statement or anything of that nature. If your life experience relates (work or something of that nature)I would include it though.

[fancypants09]

I'm going through similar adjustments (albeit for a master's program).

I agree that the personal statement should be much like the SOP. However, I would add a few "personal" touches if your SOPs for other schools were pure research proposals. Perhaps you could include a short paragraph about how you became interested in the field, or in your research topic. I don't think it has to be super personal, but I do think it has to add some individual dimension to your interest in the field and/or your research topic.

I applied to a master's program in Europe last year where I was required to submit a "research statement"--i.e., nothing about myself or how I became interested in the topic. The schools I'm applying to this year have a similar prompt to the one you posted, and when I asked friends who had also applied to those programs, they all mentioned that I should approach it from a more personal perspective.

[alexis]

I see the SOP and personal statement as slightly different. My personal statement was about 1/3 about my experiences and skills gained (both work and educational, in my case) that led to my research interest and desire to pursue a PhD; the second 2/3 discussed previous research experience, with one last paragraph about fit and some future directions I would like to take regarding my research if accepted to that program. So maybe if you could keep what you have, but edit it and add a paragraph in the beginning about what got you to this point/skills you have built/etc, and make it a bit more of a "narrative." If you're short on ideas what to write, perhaps brainstorm on events in your life or milestones that have had an impact on you. Even if they don't seem relevant, thinking of these various things might give you an idea on what to write about. To answer your question, I would say "yes," this does apply to any general life experience. However, it should be relevant to some aspect of your graduate study--i.e. helped your research skills, got you interested in your field of study, etc.

Also, you probably already know this, but it's perfectly acceptable, and encouraged, to use "I" and discuss things in the first person. It's good for the tone to be both conversational and professional, so keep the writing natural, and you should be fine. Some people advise against using contractions- e.g., "was not" versus "wasn't." However, I found that for me, my personal statement had better flow when I did use them, especially since I was talking in the first person, but that's just me (and I used them sparingly). Otherwise I don't think there are any "rules" you need to follow, just have others look over it. You can't force your "voice" to come through, but if you're honest and add that personal touch, the adcom will see that in your statement.

Also, Donald Asher's "Graduate Admissions Essays: Write Your Way into the Graduate School of Your Choice" is a good source.

Good luck!

[fuzzylogician]

A personal statement describing the applicant's personal and intellectual interests that have led him or her to the proposed field of study, and what directions those interests will take at [university], preferably with reference to the specific faculty with whom he or she hopes to work.

This prompt reads very much like an SOP prompt. Are you writing this in addition to an SOP? If it's the only thing you're writing you should look at it as more of a research oriented essay and not include too many personal references.

Edited December 15, 2009 by fuzzylogician

[papayadance]

This prompt reads very much like an SOP prompt. Are you writing this in addition to an SOP? If it's the only thing you're writing you should look at it as more of a research oriented essay and not include too many personal references.

Definitely agree with fuzzylogician. I wouldn't make too much fuss distinguishing between SOP and personal statement. Both should be engaging and interesting while constantly weaving in your research experience/objectives. I used "I" and personal experiences (well, OK, research anecdotes) for both types of essays. I want people to enjoy reading my essays but at the same time convince them I'm an academic, you know? My suggestion is if you've already got a strong SOP, only tweak it slightly for this app (more "narrative" juice as alexis says).

Good luck : )

[C-Money]

I am writing a "personal statement" for the first time. All of my other applications have been "statements of purpose," which are more like a research proposal (in terms of what is required by the departments).

Here is the prompt:

A personal statement describing the applicant's personal and intellectual interests that have led him or her to the proposed field of study, and what directions those interests will take at [university], preferably with reference to the specific faculty with whom he or she hopes to work.

I feel really uncomfortable writing stuff like this.

Are there any general guidelines (Things to do/Things NOT to do)?

Is it strictly school stuff, or should you also discuss your life experience?

You are only submitting one essay for this application, right? If so, there is no meaningful difference between a "personal statement" and a "statement of purpose." I wouldn't worry about it unless the prompt is dramatically different than your other applications.

[peppermint.beatnik]

It's only one statement. Thanks everyone for your replies; I will treat it as another statement of purpose.