masters in communication personal statement

Postgraduate Personal Statement Example: Communication

Reading examples of personal statements can be valuable when applying to a university or college course. After all, personal statement examples can teach you how to write and structure your application, and you can quickly learn how to write a personal statement by examining others.

But with so many university personal statement examples available, how do you know if you’re reading a good one?

Postgraduate personal statements should highlight relevant academic and practical experience, research skills and ambitions and their suitability for the course. This postgraduate personal statement example for Communication clearly illustrates these three critical elements.

Studying Master’s degree personal statement examples can be especially valuable. They’re sometimes referred to as personal mission statements or statements of purpose , so if you’re tasked with writing a personal mission statement, the following example will work for you.

I’ve broken down this personal statement example section by section, with a commentary on each element. 

That way, you’ll see its strengths and weaknesses and get some inspiration for your own personal statement .

Once you’ve read the personal statement example and analysis, you’ll be able to download a pdf of the whole document, to use as inspiration for your own!

Personal Statement Example: Introduction

“The power and value attached to the tools and processes of mass communication are incredible, to the extent that the exchange of ideas through digital media fills our lives. Contemporary social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook spread information and knowledge that affects everyone, impacting our unconscious thoughts and behaviours. 

As a graduate student of Communication, I aim to examine the strategies used in digital communications and understand how meaning is absorbed and actioned. I aim to continually acquire new skills, broaden my knowledge and meet new challenges. This philosophy motivates my decision to pursue a graduate degree in Communication and increase my competitive and professional edge.”

Commentary and Analysis 

The start of this personal statement is positive and immediately connects with the content and nature of the course, which is ideal. The writer also offers some opinion, although it’s uninformed and lacks a specific reference or source.

By writing “As a graduate student of Communication”, the applicant links themselves with the course in the reader’s mind. That’s a sophisticated approach that works well. There’s a general justification for the degree, but with no specific detail about a career plan or particular aspect of the course that would be of value.

If you’re struggling with your personal statement introduction, check out my article on how to write perfect opening paragraphs here .

Personal Statement Example: Academic Background

“Studying Management as an undergraduate, I understood how vital internal and external communication is to a business. Keen to develop this knowledge further, I intend to learn more about persuading an audience to receive messages and act accordingly. My academic management experience will be of direct value to courses such as Marketing, Ethical Business, HR Management and Labour Relations because it’s essential to understand an organisation’s context when formulating communication strategies. 

The undergraduate curriculum offered me numerous individual and group work opportunities, and these improved my academic writing, critical thinking and collaborative skills. Responsible for coordinating the division of work within a group, I established each member’s skills and allocated roles, allowing us to complete assignments successfully. Consequently, I learned to embrace the diversity of team members’ views and realised the importance of two-way communication and active listening. 

To add to my academic preparedness for this graduate course, I also completed two online courses in Communication on Coursera. This added to my in-depth knowledge of this challenging discipline and reconfirmed my desire to study this subject.”

Commentary and Analysis

This section outlining the writer’s academic background begins well. They have connected their undergraduate studies in Management with the focus of the master’s course, linking their experience with the course content. They’ve also referenced several of the modules in the postgraduate course, deepening their connection and showing the reader that they understand the course content.

They’ve also mentioned the opportunities for collaborative work gained as an undergraduate and implied that it would be of value to the postgraduate course. However, little detail shows the reader precisely what the quality or learning outcomes of these experiences were or what the writer gained in the way of tangible skills. It doesn’t connect the group work with specific elements of the master’s course, which is a missed opportunity.

Adding that additional skills were gained by taking extra courses shows a reasonable degree of independent learning and ambition. Again, it would be more effective to directly link the learning outcomes of the online courses with specific aspects of the master’s course, to strengthen the sense of connection and suitability.

If you’d like to learn more about how to structure your personal statement or statement of purpose , check out my awesome Personal Statement Template eBook here . It’s full of detailed examples of what to include!

Personal Statement Example: Practical Experience 1

“As a promotions assistant for a clothing studio, I run the official WeChat account. Having completed online courses in photo editing, I publish push articles on the official account, introducing product brand stories. One of our new lines was rooted in the goal of racial equality and used continental plate imagery as a concept, which I found very impressive. The brand hopes to call for racial equality through fashion, and I worked hard to plan a social campaign linking critical aspects of racial discrimination with potential cultural solutions. 

However, when I received the final details for content writing, I realised the design did not cover every country or follow the world map. I felt that this was a serious issue, so after communicating with the design team and the supervisor, I decided to add “only part of the plate shapes are captured, including design factors and non-political stance issues” as a statement in the post, helping the brand avoid potentially negative political responses and generating new interest and understanding in the audience.”

The first paragraph outlining the writer’s practical experience gives their application a sense of context, which is valuable. There’s a clear sense of professional connection with the course and a degree of subject-specific vocabulary, which is a positive. It’s very descriptive, however, outlining what was done but not what was learned or how it relates to the demands of the master’s degree, which should also be included.

The second paragraph shows motivation, clarity of vision, an understanding of professional communication strategies and some ethical integrity. It then needs additional content related to the course the writer is applying to, or the full value of this experience is lost.

Check out lots more examples of personal statements here , and see how they can inspire your application!

Personal Statement Example: Practical Experience 2

“During my experience assisting a fashion live-streamer, I witnessed the power of communication in live-streaming commerce. The live-streamer posts videos and pictures on social media platforms such as TikTok, while other viewers comment with feedback. After these communications, they build a relationship with that creator, become her followers and recognise her as an influencer. 

When the creator live-streams related products, they are more likely to reach an agreement with her and tend to view the products she recommends as in line with their own standards. She has learned how to engage, lead and compel an audience and, subsequently, how to capitalise on that process, which is reflective of the kind of power and profitability that an in-depth knowledge of contemporary communication strategies brings. 

In summarising and feeding back follower engagement, I improved my ability to extract meaningful information from qualitative data. Additionally, communicating with customers and offering them solutions enhanced my capacity for empathy, which is a highly effective communication tool.”

Commentary and Analysis: 

This section of the writer’s personal statement shows they have experience with contemporary social media marketing strategies, illustrating a sound knowledge base.  There’s a substantial range of relevant vocabulary in use and a sense that the writer is aware of the knowledge they want to improve on as a graduate student.

The content is mainly descriptive of the writer’s experience. While aspects such as qualitative data analysis are valuable, there’s minimal discussion of why this experience or knowledge is relevant to specific parts of the course they are applying for.

The writer hasn’t clarified why empathy will be a valuable skill in the course or how the course will help them meet a specific goal in relation to this content.

The one thing that all successful personal statements have in common is that they are concise, engaging and accurate in spelling, punctuation and grammar. Consequently, I always recommend Grammarly to my students and clients. 

It’s an outstanding tool for ensuring your personal statement is rich with detail whilst hitting those all-important word limits. Check out the free version of Grammarly here , or hit the banner for more information.

Personal Statement Example: Conclusion

“PLFU is an internationally renowned and culturally diverse university offering excellent teaching resources and high-profile, influential faculty staff. This, combined with a professionally and culturally diverse set of peers, provides an academically stimulating environment to draw on my experiences and gain new skills and networks. Providing students with the opportunity to apply for mentorship and internships at some of the top communication businesses in the field is another factor behind my application, as this will enable me to put prior learning into practice in real-world contexts. Additionally, studying Communication will help me strengthen my professional capabilities and increase my work prospects in the media, public relations and advertising fields, in which graduate-level data collection and analysis skills are vital.

A skilled PR role necessitates formulating communication strategies and building and maintaining strong relationships with major media. These skills can be acquired through PLFU’s rich curriculum, which includes courses on Audience Analysis, Crisis Management and Public Relations Campaigns and Cases. I look forward to developing my understanding of communication strategies and building professional skills within your respected faculty.”

This conclusion starts well. There’s a clear and concise rationale for why the candidate is keen to study this course and a sense that they have researched the faculty more broadly. The writer has also connected the value of the course to their career goals, linking to specific modules, which is an excellent strategy. 

No particular faculty members or teaching staff have been identified, and there’s no sense of wanting to participate in ongoing research projects or working with specific professors. That’s important for a postgraduate application, so don’t omit it. There’s no tangible explanation of how this candidate plans to contribute to the broader life of the university or how they will add value to the faculty. 

Overall, this personal statement clearly connects with the subject and gives the reader confidence that the writer is articulate and has researched the course. 

However, a deeper sense of the value of those experiences and a greater connection to specific elements of the course would strengthen it, as would more informed reasons for wanting to study this particular course. Including specific and relevant career aims and outlining a greater sense of the qualities they would bring to the faculty would also strengthen this application.

For more great advice, check out my article on writing an excellent final personal statement paragraph here .

Click here or on the banner below to get your free download of this complete personal statement example . 

Whether you’re looking for personal mission statement examples or an example of personal purpose statement, I hope this personal statement example has been helpful. Above all, I wish you every success in your academic career. 

If you’d like to work with me to develop your personal statement 1:1 and write a powerful mission statement, I’d be delighted to hear from you. 

Find out about my personal statement support services by clicking here or on the image below.

Research and content verified by Personal Statement Planet .

David Hallen

I've worked in the Further Education and University Admissions sector for nearly 20 years as a teacher, department head, Head of Sixth Form, UCAS Admissions Advisor, UK Centre Lead and freelance personal statement advisor, editor and writer. And now I'm here for you...

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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 with other materials when 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 who 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, ensure each paragraph in your essay's body 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, using a more relaxed tone is better 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 want to make sure 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 discuss political beliefs or inappropriate topics in your essay. These can be controversial; ideally, you want to share something goals- or values-driven with an admissions committee.

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A stellar personal statement starts with stellar writing skills. Enhance your writing ability with a writing course from a top university, like Good with Words: Writing and Editing from the University of Michigan or Writing a Personal Essay from Wesleyan University. Get started for free to level up your writing.

Article sources

1. Common App. " 2022-2023 Common App Essay Prompts , https://www.commonapp.org/blog/2022-2023-common-app-essay-prompts." Accessed January 9, 2024.

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PrepScholar GRE Prep

Gre prep online guides and tips, 3 successful graduate school personal statement examples.

Looking for grad school personal statement examples? Look no further! In this total guide to graduate school personal statement examples, we’ll discuss why you need a personal statement for grad school and what makes a good one. Then we’ll provide three graduate school personal statement samples from our grad school experts. After that, we’ll do a deep dive on one of our personal statement for graduate school examples. Finally, we’ll wrap up with a list of other grad school personal statements you can find online.

Why Do You Need a Personal Statement?

A personal statement is a chance for admissions committees to get to know you: your goals and passions, what you’ll bring to the program, and what you’re hoping to get out of the program.  You need to sell the admissions committee on what makes you a worthwhile applicant. The personal statement is a good chance to highlight significant things about you that don’t appear elsewhere on your application.

A personal statement is slightly different from a statement of purpose (also known as a letter of intent). A statement of purpose/letter of intent tends to be more tightly focused on your academic or professional credentials and your future research and/or professional interests.

While a personal statement also addresses your academic experiences and goals, you have more leeway to be a little more, well, personal. In a personal statement, it’s often appropriate to include information on significant life experiences or challenges that aren’t necessarily directly relevant to your field of interest.

Some programs ask for both a personal statement and a statement of purpose/letter of intent. In this case, the personal statement is likely to be much more tightly focused on your life experience and personality assets while the statement of purpose will focus in much more on your academic/research experiences and goals.

However, there’s not always a hard-and-fast demarcation between a personal statement and a statement of purpose. The two statement types should address a lot of the same themes, especially as relates to your future goals and the valuable assets you bring to the program. Some programs will ask for a personal statement but the prompt will be focused primarily on your research and professional experiences and interests. Some will ask for a statement of purpose but the prompt will be more focused on your general life experiences.

When in doubt, give the program what they are asking for in the prompt and don’t get too hung up on whether they call it a personal statement or statement of purpose. You can always call the admissions office to get more clarification on what they want you to address in your admissions essay.

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What Makes a Good Grad School Personal Statement?

A great graduate school personal statement can come in many forms and styles. However, strong grad school personal statement examples all share the same following elements:

A Clear Narrative

Above all, a good personal statement communicates clear messages about what makes you a strong applicant who is likely to have success in graduate school. So to that extent, think about a couple of key points that you want to communicate about yourself and then drill down on how you can best communicate those points. (Your key points should of course be related to what you can bring to the field and to the program specifically).

You can also decide whether to address things like setbacks or gaps in your application as part of your narrative. Have a low GPA for a couple semesters due to a health issue? Been out of a job for a while taking care of a family member? If you do decide to explain an issue like this, make sure that the overall arc is more about demonstrating positive qualities like resilience and diligence than about providing excuses.

Specific Examples

A great statement of purpose uses specific examples to illustrate its key messages. This can include anecdotes that demonstrate particular traits or even references to scholars and works that have influenced your academic trajectory to show that you are familiar and insightful about the relevant literature in your field.

Just saying “I love plants,” is pretty vague. Describing how you worked in a plant lab during undergrad and then went home and carefully cultivated your own greenhouse where you cross-bred new flower colors by hand is much more specific and vivid, which makes for better evidence.

A strong personal statement will describe why you are a good fit for the program, and why the program is a good fit for you. It’s important to identify specific things about the program that appeal to you, and how you’ll take advantage of those opportunities. It’s also a good idea to talk about specific professors you might be interested in working with. This shows that you are informed about and genuinely invested in the program.

Strong Writing

Even quantitative and science disciplines typically require some writing, so it’s important that your personal statement shows strong writing skills. Make sure that you are communicating clearly and that you don’t have any grammar and spelling errors. It’s helpful to get other people to read your statement and provide feedback. Plan on going through multiple drafts.

Another important thing here is to avoid cliches and gimmicks. Don’t deploy overused phrases and openings like “ever since I was a child.” Don’t structure your statement in a gimmicky way (i.e., writing a faux legal brief about yourself for a law school statement of purpose). The first will make your writing banal; the second is likely to make you stand out in a bad way.

Appropriate Boundaries

While you can be more personal in a personal statement than in a statement of purpose, it’s important to maintain appropriate boundaries in your writing. Don’t overshare anything too personal about relationships, bodily functions, or illegal activities. Similarly, don’t share anything that makes it seem like you may be out of control, unstable, or an otherwise risky investment. The personal statement is not a confessional booth. If you share inappropriately, you may seem like you have bad judgment, which is a huge red flag to admissions committees.

You should also be careful with how you deploy humor and jokes. Your statement doesn’t have to be totally joyless and serious, but bear in mind that the person reading the statement may not have the same sense of humor as you do. When in doubt, err towards the side of being as inoffensive as possible.

Just as being too intimate in your statement can hurt you, it’s also important not to be overly formal or staid. You should be professional, but conversational.

Graduate School Personal Statement Examples

Our graduate school experts have been kind enough to provide some successful grad school personal statement examples. We’ll provide three examples here, along with brief analysis of what makes each one successful.

Sample Personal Statement for Graduate School 1

PDF of Sample Personal Statement 1 – Japanese Studies

For this Japanese Studies master’s degree, the applicant had to provide a statement of purpose outlining her academic goals and experience with Japanese and a separate personal statement describing her personal relationship with Japanese Studies and what led her to pursue a master’s degree.

Here’s what’s successful about this personal statement:

• An attention-grabbing beginning: The applicant begins with the statement that Japanese has never come easily to her and that it’s a brutal language to learn. Seeing as how this is an application for a Japanese Studies program, this is an intriguing beginning that makes the reader want to keep going.
• A compelling narrative: From this attention-grabbing beginning, the applicant builds a well-structured and dramatic narrative tracking her engagement with the Japanese language over time. The clear turning point is her experience studying abroad, leading to a resolution in which she has clarity about her plans. Seeing as how the applicant wants to be a translator of Japanese literature, the tight narrative structure here is a great way to show her writing skills.
• Specific examples that show important traits: The applicant clearly communicates both a deep passion for Japanese through examples of her continued engagement with Japanese and her determination and work ethic by highlighting the challenges she’s faced (and overcome) in her study of the language. This gives the impression that she is an engaged and dedicated student.

Overall, this is a very strong statement both in terms of style and content. It flows well, is memorable, and communicates that the applicant would make the most of the graduate school experience.

Sample Personal Statement for Graduate School 2

PDF of Sample Graduate School Personal Statement 2 – Musical Composition

This personal statement for a Music Composition master’s degree discusses the factors that motivate the applicant to pursue graduate study.

Here’s what works well in this statement:

• The applicant provides two clear reasons motivating the student to pursue graduate study: her experiences with music growing up, and her family’s musical history. She then supports those two reasons with examples and analysis.
• The description of her ancestors’ engagement with music is very compelling and memorable. The applicant paints her own involvement with music as almost inevitable based on her family’s long history with musical pursuits.
• The applicant gives thoughtful analysis of the advantages she has been afforded that have allowed her to study music so extensively. We get the sense that she is insightful and empathetic—qualities that would add greatly to any academic community.

This is a strong, serviceable personal statement. And in truth, given that this for a masters in music composition, other elements of the application (like work samples) are probably the most important.  However, here are two small changes I would make to improve it:

• I would probably to split the massive second paragraph into 2-3 separate paragraphs. I might use one paragraph to orient the reader to the family’s musical history, one paragraph to discuss Giacomo and Antonio, and one paragraph to discuss how the family has influenced the applicant. As it stands, it’s a little unwieldy and the second paragraph doesn’t have a super-clear focus even though it’s all loosely related to the applicant’s family history with music.
• I would also slightly shorten the anecdote about the applicant’s ancestors and expand more on how this family history has motivated the applicant’s interest in music. In what specific ways has her ancestors’ perseverance inspired her? Did she think about them during hard practice sessions? Is she interested in composing music in a style they might have played? More specific examples here would lend greater depth and clarity to the statement.

Sample Personal Statement for Graduate School 3

PDF of Sample Graduate School Personal Statement 3 – Public Health

This is my successful personal statement for Columbia’s Master’s program in Public Health. We’ll do a deep dive on this statement paragraph-by-paragraph in the next section, but I’ll highlight a couple of things that work in this statement here:

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• This statement is clearly organized. Almost every paragraph has a distinct focus and message, and when I move on to a new idea, I move on to a new paragraph with a logical transitions.
• This statement covers a lot of ground in a pretty short space. I discuss my family history, my goals, my educational background, and my professional background. But because the paragraphs are organized and I use specific examples, it doesn’t feel too vague or scattered.
• In addition to including information about my personal motivations, like my family, I also include some analysis about tailoring health interventions with my example of the Zande. This is a good way to show off what kinds of insights I might bring to the program based on my academic background.

Grad School Personal Statement Example: Deep Dive

Now let’s do a deep dive, paragraph-by-paragraph, on one of these sample graduate school personal statements. We’ll use my personal statement that I used when I applied to Columbia’s public health program.

Paragraph One: For twenty-three years, my grandmother (a Veterinarian and an Epidemiologist) ran the Communicable Disease Department of a mid-sized urban public health department. The stories of Grandma Betty doggedly tracking down the named sexual partners of the infected are part of our family lore. Grandma Betty would persuade people to be tested for sexually transmitted diseases, encourage safer sexual practices, document the spread of infection and strive to contain and prevent it. Indeed, due to the large gay population in the city where she worked, Grandma Betty was at the forefront of the AIDS crises, and her analysis contributed greatly towards understanding how the disease was contracted and spread. My grandmother has always been a huge inspiration to me, and the reason why a career in public health was always on my radar.

This is an attention-grabbing opening anecdote that avoids most of the usual cliches about childhood dreams and proclivities. This story also subtly shows that I have a sense of public health history, given the significance of the AIDs crisis for public health as a field.

It’s good that I connect this family history to my own interests. However, if I were to revise this paragraph again, I might cut down on some of the detail because when it comes down to it, this story isn’t really about me. It’s important that even (sparingly used) anecdotes about other people ultimately reveal something about you in a personal statement.

Paragraph Two: Recent years have cemented that interest. In January 2012, my parents adopted my little brother Fred from China. Doctors in America subsequently diagnosed Fred with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). My parents were told that if Fred’s condition had been discovered in China, the (very poor) orphanage in which he spent the first 8+ years of his life would have recognized his DMD as a death sentence and denied him sustenance to hasten his demise.

Here’s another compelling anecdote to help explain my interest in public health. This is an appropriately personal detail for a personal statement—it’s a serious thing about my immediate family, but it doesn’t disclose anything that the admissions committee might find concerning or inappropriate.

If I were to take another pass through this paragraph, the main thing I would change is the last phrase. “Denied him sustenance to hasten his demise” is a little flowery. “Denied him food to hasten his death” is actually more powerful because it’s clearer and more direct.

Paragraph Three: It is not right that some people have access to the best doctors and treatment while others have no medical care. I want to pursue an MPH in Sociomedical Sciences at Columbia because studying social factors in health, with a particular focus on socio-health inequities, will prepare me to address these inequities. The interdisciplinary approach of the program appeals to me greatly as I believe interdisciplinary approaches are the most effective way to develop meaningful solutions to complex problems.

In this paragraph I make a neat and clear transition from discussing what sparked my interest in public health and health equity to what I am interested in about Columbia specifically: the interdisciplinary focus of the program, and how that focus will prepare me to solve complex health problems. This paragraph also serves as a good pivot point to start discussing my academic and professional background.

Paragraph Four: My undergraduate education has prepared me well for my chosen career. Understanding the underlying structure of a group’s culture is essential to successfully communicating with the group. In studying folklore and mythology, I’ve learned how to parse the unspoken structures of folk groups, and how those structures can be used to build bridges of understanding. For example, in a culture where most illnesses are believed to be caused by witchcraft, as is the case for the Zande people of central Africa, any successful health intervention or education program would of necessity take into account their very real belief in witchcraft.

In this paragraph, I link my undergraduate education and the skills I learned there to public health. The (very brief) analysis of tailoring health interventions to the Zande is a good way to show insight and show off the competencies I would bring to the program.

Paragraph Five: I now work in the healthcare industry for one of the largest providers of health benefits in the world. In addition to reigniting my passion for data and quantitative analytics, working for this company has immersed me in the business side of healthcare, a critical component of public health.

This brief paragraph highlights my relevant work experience in the healthcare industry. It also allows me to mention my work with data and quantitative analytics, which isn’t necessarily obvious from my academic background, which was primarily based in the social sciences.

Paragraph Six: I intend to pursue a PhD in order to become an expert in how social factors affect health, particularly as related to gender and sexuality. I intend to pursue a certificate in Sexuality, Sexual Health, and Reproduction. Working together with other experts to create effective interventions across cultures and societies, I want to help transform health landscapes both in America and abroad.

This final paragraph is about my future plans and intentions. Unfortunately, it’s a little disjointed, primarily because I discuss goals of pursuing a PhD before I talk about what certificate I want to pursue within the MPH program! Switching those two sentences and discussing my certificate goals within the MPH and then mentioning my PhD plans would make a lot more sense.

I also start two sentences in a row with “I intend,” which is repetitive.

The final sentence is a little bit generic; I might tailor it to specifically discuss a gender and sexual health issue, since that is the primary area of interest I’ve identified.

This was a successful personal statement; I got into (and attended!) the program. It has strong examples, clear organization, and outlines what interests me about the program (its interdisciplinary focus) and what competencies I would bring (a background in cultural analysis and experience with the business side of healthcare). However, a few slight tweaks would elevate this statement to the next level.

Graduate School Personal Statement Examples You Can Find Online

So you need more samples for your personal statement for graduate school? Examples are everywhere on the internet, but they aren’t all of equal quality.

Most of examples are posted as part of writing guides published online by educational institutions. We’ve rounded up some of the best ones here if you are looking for more personal statement examples for graduate school.

Penn State Personal Statement Examples for Graduate School

This selection of ten short personal statements for graduate school and fellowship programs offers an interesting mix of approaches. Some focus more on personal adversity while others focus more closely on professional work within the field.

The writing in some of these statements is a little dry, and most deploy at least a few cliches. However, these are generally strong, serviceable statements that communicate clearly why the student is interested in the field, their skills and competencies, and what about the specific program appeals to them.

Cal State Sample Graduate School Personal Statements

These are good examples of personal statements for graduate school where students deploy lots of very vivid imagery and illustrative anecdotes of life experiences. There are also helpful comments about what works in each of these essays.

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However, all of these statements are definitely pushing the boundaries of acceptable length, as all are above 1000 and one is almost 1500 words! Many programs limit you to 500 words; if you don’t have a limit, you should try to keep it to two single-spaced pages at most (which is about 1000 words).

University of Chicago Personal Statement for Graduate School Examples

These examples of successful essays to the University of Chicago law school cover a wide range of life experiences and topics. The writing in all is very vivid, and all communicate clear messages about the students’ strengths and competencies.

Note, however, that these are all essays that specifically worked for University of Chicago law school. That does not mean that they would work everywhere. In fact, one major thing to note is that many of these responses, while well-written and vivid, barely address the students’ interest in law school at all! This is something that might not work well for most graduate programs.

Wheaton College Personal Statement for Graduate School Sample 10

This successful essay for law school from a Wheaton College undergraduate does a great job tracking the student’s interest in the law in a compelling and personal way. Wheaton offers other graduate school personal statement examples, but this one offers the most persuasive case for the students’ competencies. The student accomplishes this by using clear, well-elaborated examples, showing strong and vivid writing, and highlighting positive qualities like an interest in justice and empathy without seeming grandiose or out of touch.

Wheaton College Personal Statement for Graduate School Sample 1

Based on the background information provided at the bottom of the essay, this essay was apparently successful for this applicant. However, I’ve actually included this essay because it demonstrates an extremely risky approach. While this personal statement is strikingly written and the story is very memorable, it could definitely communicate the wrong message to some admissions committees. The student’s decision not to report the drill sergeant may read incredibly poorly to some admissions committees. They may wonder if the student’s failure to report the sergeant’s violence will ultimately expose more soldiers-in-training to the same kinds of abuses. This incident perhaps reads especially poorly in light of the fact that the military has such a notable problem with violence against women being covered up and otherwise mishandled

It’s actually hard to get a complete picture of the student’s true motivations from this essay, and what we have might raise real questions about the student’s character to some admissions committees. This student took a risk and it paid off, but it could have just as easily backfired spectacularly.

Key Takeaways: Graduate School Personal Statement Examples

In this guide, we discussed why you need a personal statement and how it differs from a statement of purpose. (It’s more personal!)

We also discussed what you’ll find in a strong sample personal statement for graduate school:

• A clear narrative about the applicant and why they are qualified for graduate study.
• Specific examples to support that narrative.
• Compelling reasons why the applicant and the program are a good fit for each other.
• Strong writing, including clear organization and error-free, cliche-free language.
• Appropriate boundaries—sharing without over-sharing.

Then, we provided three strong graduate school personal statement examples for different fields, along with analysis. We did a deep-dive on the third statement.

Finally, we provided a list of other sample grad school personal statements online.

What’s Next?

Want more advice on writing a personal statement ? See our guide.

Writing a graduate school statement of purpose? See our statement of purpose samples  and a nine-step process for writing the best statement of purpose possible .

If you’re writing a graduate school CV or resume, see our how-to guide to writing a CV , a how-to guide to writing a resume , our list of sample resumes and CVs , resume and CV templates , and a special guide for writing resume objectives .

Need stellar graduate school recommendation letters ? See our guide.

See our 29 tips for successfully applying to graduate school .

Ready to improve your GRE score by 7 points?

Author: Ellen McCammon

Ellen is a public health graduate student and education expert. She has extensive experience mentoring students of all ages to reach their goals and in-depth knowledge on a variety of health topics. View all posts by Ellen McCammon

Master of Arts in Communication

• Fall Nov 1 Priority
• Fall January 10 Final

International students may need to surpass the Graduate School’s minimum English language proficiency exam scores for this program. If the graduate program has unique score requirements, they will be detailed below. Otherwise, please refer to the Graduate School’s minimum score guidelines.

• 600 TOEFL Paper-based score
• 250 TOEFL Computer-based score
• 93 TOEFL Internet-based score

Degree Description:

The M. A. in Communication at Washington State University is designed for individuals seeking higher-level and focused understanding of communication theory, processes and phenomena, whether their intent is to prepare for doctoral-level study in pursuit of an academic career or a communication-related career in business, government, education, research, or the communications industry. Successful completion of the program normally requires two academic years of full time study and results in the granting of the Master of Arts in Communication.

Our program centers on:

*Media, Society and Politics focuses on the role that communication plays in political institutions and in creating robust civic engagement. We examine political communication from multiple perspectives and examine the interplay of emerging technology, media, and communication with information seeking, processing, and decision making. Our research focuses on both individual-and societal-level outcomes. Faculty and graduate students work in teams to test and develop theory related to political communication.

*Media & Health Promotion focuses on media messages and health behavior. This includes social level analysis of mainstream and alternative media as products of and influences on the health of individuals and society; individual level analysis of psychological processes through which health related knowledge, attitudes and behaviors are shaped; and the creation of messages related to health and social well being, as well as how strategic message campaigns can influence decision making and social development.

*Science Communication focuses on enhancing the relevance and accessibility of scientific information and local context needed for collaborative and sustainable resource management, especially among local populations most at-risk. The program focuses on environmental communication, natural or technological hazards and the use or communication of public policy. Faculty and students specialize in science education, communication campaigns, communicating risks, risk perception analysis, spatial modeling of vulnerability and adaptive capacity of human populations, audience segmentation, media analysis and public engagement.

Admission Requirements:

Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree in communication or related field. If your undergraduate degree is not in a related field, certain undergraduate course work may be required.

In addition to the Graduate School application and admission tests, you should send the following:

• Personal Statement. A Personal Statement of no more than 500 words explaining your academic area of interest and why you feel The Edward R. Murrow College of Communication at Washington State University is a good fit for you. In your statement, please discuss the personal, professional and academic factors that have prepared you to pursue a master’s degree.
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• Reference Letters. Three reference letters from people who know you well, and who can comment on your academic ability. Please have these individuals complete the WSU reference form accessed through the Graduate School Application web page.
• Transcripts. One set of unofficial transcripts for each college or university you have attended. If admitted, the Graduate School will require official transcripts. Official transcripts must be sent directly from those institutions to the Graduate School. If you are currently attending Washington State University, you do not need to have your transcripts sent.
• Supplemental material. Submit any additional material that you feel might enhance your application. Writing samples, published works, abstracts, etc. are particularly encouraged and can be emailed to [email protected].

Although criteria for admission are stringent, they are not rigid. The College of Communication considers all available information before making a decision. In some cases, exceptional credentials in one area may override sub-par credentials in another.

Career Opportunities:

Graduates of The Edward R. Murrow College of Communication graduate program are prepared for careers in teaching, research, and public service. Potential employers of program graduates include colleges and universities, private industry, and governmental agencies.

Career Placements:

Instructor, Southern Illinois University Carbondale; Pursuing doctoral degrees at Michigan State University and Arizona State University; Communication Coordinator in health industry; Doctoral Fellow at University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill; Non-Profit organizations; Account Manager at Consensus Inc.; Professional training coach; Assistant Professor; Assistant Director of Communication WSU Foundation; Event Planning Coordinator at Northwest Harvest; Faculty at La Trobe University; Director of Communication, WSU College of Nursing.

Contact Information:

• Jeremy Watson [email protected]

Master of Arts

Communication

Become a dynamic communication leader through innovative messaging.

Analyze and design message strategies for face-to-face interaction, organizations, politics and health. A Master of Arts in Communication from the University at Albany will sharpen your skills as a researcher, problem solver and collaborator, while empowering you to pursue specific interests aligned with your career goals.

Whether your ambitions point you toward the responsibility of workforce leadership or the rigor of doctoral education, you will be prepared through a blend of theoretical and applied study.

Program of Study

• Research and Internships
• Career Outcomes
• Combined BA/MA Program
• Admissions Requirements
• Communication Home

The master’s in communication curriculum combines core study in theory, practice and research methods with electives related to your selected concentration in one of these areas:

• Interpersonal and Intercultural Communication
• Organizational Communication
• Political Communication
• Health Communication

Your studies will culminate in either an original research project or a practicum with guidance and mentorship from our active faculty. The research project provides excellent preparation for doctoral study, while the internship-practicum offers a prime opportunity to practice what you have learned in an applied setting.

Core Requirements

• Communication Theory and Practice
• Communication Research Methods

Supporting Electives

(9 credits)

Courses in the Department of Communication or in other departments that have been approved for your course of study. Sample courses:

• Conversation Analysis
• Mass Media Effects in Political Communication
• New Media and Engagement
• Organizational Culture
• Digital and Social Media in Strategic Communication

Areas of Concentration 

(12 Credits)

Interpersonal / Intercultural Communication:

• Interpersonal Interaction
• Culture and Communication
• 6 additional credits as advised in interpersonal interaction/cultural practices

Organizational Communication:

• Theories and Research in Public Organizational Communication
• 9 additional credits as advised in organizational communication

Political Communication:

• Theories and Research in Political Communication
• 9 additional credits as advised in political communication

Health Communication:

• 9 additional credits as advised in health communication

Capstone Project

Complete either a Guided Research Project or Research Seminar/Practicum as advised.  

Additional Information

See the Graduate Bulletin for details .

For more information, contact Alyssa Morey at [email protected] .

You will have the opportunity to participate in faculty-assisted research and internships to acquire a deeper understanding of the coursework. Collaborate with faculty on topics such as e-government, mass media, healthcare interactions and communications within under-resourced communities.

Our MA Communication students have previously interned for the nearby New York State Assembly, as well as the American Red Cross, General Electric, Sirius XM Radio, Starbucks and the World Health Organization.

With an MA in Communication degree you will be positioned to pursue executive and managerial positions, or advanced degrees such as a PhD.

Potential job titles include :

• Public relations manager
• Project manager
• Vice president of corporate communications
• Digital marketing strategist
• Technical writer
• Managing editor
• Communications director
• Content strategist

"Academically and professionally, the program did two really important things for me. First, it helped build important connections between aspects of communication that I had learned by experience and the conceptual and theoretical mechanisms behind them. Second, the political communication program opened my eyes to the ways I could apply the skills that I had learned working in media to other industries and professions."

- Jordan Carleo-Evangelist, MA 2016

If you’re a current UAlbany undergraduate student with at least a 3.2 GPA, you can save time and money by beginning your graduate degree coursework as early as your junior year. Up to 12 academic credits, billed at the undergraduate rate, will count towards both degrees – so you can complete your combined program in only 5 years and spend less than you would if you completed each program separately.

Contact your undergraduate advisor to see if you’re eligible and learn about your combined graduate program options .

• Fall: Rolling
• Spring: Rolling
• Summer: Rolling

There is no departmental assistantship consideration for this program..

• Transcripts from all schools attended
• Three letters of recommendation
• Statement of Goals

Writing Sample

Available information for  International Applicants .  

Letters of Recommendation

Letters should come from university faculty with whom you studied, preferably more senior, permanent faculty. Letters from employers or work associates do not provide information about your ability as a student. If you have been out of touch with faculty with whom you studied and cannot supply letters from academic sources, you should contact the Communication department’s Director of Graduate Studies for advice.  

Personal Statement

 Your personal statement should inform the Admissions Committee about what you hope to gain from studying Communication at the graduate level. In particular, your statement should be informative about:

• How you expect graduate studies in Communication to be relevant to and supportive of your plans and goals after your receive your degree
• What you hope to learn as a graduate student and how that will benefit you
• What it is about the UAlbany program in particular that led you to apply here

 Applicants are kindly asked not to utilize AI assistance or automated writing services when constructing the personal goals statement. This statement is a vital component of an application, offering an opportunity to showcase your authentic voice, motivations, and unique experiences. The admissions committee values your genuine aspirations and personal connection to our program. Please let your own thoughts and words convey your passion and suitability. AI-assisted writing tends to be recognizably formulaic, making it difficult for the review committee to feel confident in recommending admission.  

Your writing sample should demonstrate your ability to analyze and reason about the claims and thinking presented in others’ texts, and to write arguments supporting your claims. Papers that summarize or evaluate or dispute others’ work but do not analyze it, are less helpful to the admissions committee in discerning your ability to do the kind of writing required in our classes. Press releases or other professional writing, or creative writing, generally do not reveal abilities relevant to the kind of writing you would be asked to do in our classes.

You can submit a sample of writing you did in the past that presents an analysis and argument about materials you read. This may have been written to fulfill a class assignment or a work-related report or recommendation. If you have a writing sample of this kind, please include it with your application, adding an explanation of the assignment or task you were fulfilling.

You can write a new essay to submit with your application in response to the following assignment: In an essay of 700-1,000 words, provide reasons for agreeing or disagreeing with the argument that David Bohm is making about communication in his short essay "On Communication".

Note : In submitting your writing sample, you are guaranteeing that it is entirely your own work, both in regard to the content and the actual writing. If you are admitted to the program, and it is later found that your writing sample was not original work created solely by you, that would be grounds for dismissal from the program.  

Applicants to the MA program do not need to submit GRE scores.  

TOEFL/IELTS Scores

All international applicants must submit TOEFL or IEFLTS scores except for those who have earned BA or MA degrees in English-speaking countries. In general, the minimum TOEFL score required for admission to our graduate program is 580 (paper-based total), 237 (computer-based total) or 93 (internet-based total). The minimum IELTS score is 7.0.

For questions about application materials and procedures, and application status, please contact the Office of Graduate Admissions at [email protected] .

This program offers an internship, field experience, study abroad component, or clinical experience in the course listing as an option to fulfill course requirements. Students who have previously been convicted of a felony are advised that their prior criminal history may impede their ability to complete the requirements of certain academic programs and/or to meet licensure requirements for certain professions. If applicants have concerns about this matter please contact the Dean’s Office of the intended academic program.

Learning objectives that UAlbany students are expected to attain through their course of study within their academic program.

• Professionally oriented students will be able to apply knowledge of theory and research within their field of study to understanding and explaining communication phenomena experienced within practical contexts and proposing courses of action designed to achieve relevant communication-related goals.
• Students with the goal of pursuing further graduate study will be able to apply their knowledge of theory and research to the generation of appropriate research questions, and to the collection and analysis of data designed to answer research questions related to their field of study.

Supplemental Degree Programs

Graduate students can typically request a supplemental degree in one or more subordinate degrees without needing to go through the full admissions process again.

Visit the Supplemental Degree Programs page to learn how to apply for these programs.

Supplemental programs available with this degree:

Supplemental Program Africana Studies CGS Communication CGS Community College Leadership CGS Demography CGS International Education Management CGS

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Samples of my work in communications & closely related areas.

• MLIS, Medical Informatics, Wheelchair Access
• PHD Interdisciplinary Telecommunications, Sudan
• PHD Communications Media and Instructional Tech.
• Master's Degree Multimedia, Taiwanese
• Master Digital Library Learning, European
• MLIS Non-traditional Latina, Mexicana

Diversity in Communications

I celebrate diversity. And no where is diversity more important than in the area of communications. It is here, where symbols are so powerful, that dignity must guide all professionals in the selection and creation of cultural symbols that are appropriate and inspiring.

Statements of Excellence in Communications

Personal Statement of Purpose for Graduate School in Communications, Masters, Doctorate

I see communications as a dynamic catalyst for progressive social change that moves our technological and human advancement on every frontier.

I am pleased to help dozens of people every year in the area of communications. Most applicants in this area seek to study towards the Master’s Degree; but we have also helped many applicants to PHD programs. We take the material that you provide and turn it into a highly eloquent essay that demonstrates your capacity to excel in graduate school, as well as you potential for making important, lifelong career contributions to communications in your area of chosen specialization. We keenly look forward to helping you to get accepted. After you fill out our Online Interview Form , we will ask you additional questions so that we have all of the information that we need to draft a spectacular statement on your behalf. If needed, we are also prepared to do extensive research on your behalf concerning your special area of interest. It is our pleasure to be of service to you and in this way share in the exciting advancements that are taking place in communications.

Communications and Ethics

Especially in the field of Communications, I always try to inspire students entering their field to reach outside the norms and acknowledge that the world of media is ever-changing. And with this ever-changing nature, students must look ahead to strive to break negative societal norms as well as be a light in their future careers. Whether your major is in the sphere of communications or not, I especially appreciate helping all applicants who see potential in their future career practices to think more critically on current issues in the realm of what is ethical.

In the globalized world of communications, companies in one country can easily do business with firms across the world. Different cultures can sometimes complicate business dealings. Mores and norms vary from society to society, but corporations need to set certain ethical standards, especially for communications. For example, if a communications supplier in one country finds bribery a perfectly acceptable way to conduct business, his buyer needs to look elsewhere. It does not matter that this supplier offers the cheapest prices. Corruption cannot be tolerated in the communications world.

Up until the financial meltdown of 2008, the communications world emphasized short-term results. Business executives received extravagant compensation packages for closing deals, no matter how the transaction affected the company in the long run. Financial institutions lent to borrowers freely, not considering their ability to repay the loans. Eventually, debtors defaulted on their loans, and the economy stood on the brink of collapse. Ethical leaders in all fields, especially communications, need to ignore easy profits and focus on future ramifications of actions, even if it earns less money for the company.

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The Humanitarian Side of Communications

Communications is one of those subjects that lends itself to almost any niche, organization and area of humanitarian work. In fact, do any research online for humanitarian-related work in communications and the media, and you’ll almost have too much to choose from!

While you can get humanitarian work straight out of school, a Master’s degree will naturally make you more employable. We’ll look at both of these routes here: the Masters programs available to you and some of the jobs available out there in the humanitarian market.

Humanitarian Positions For Communications Masters Graduates With Experience

To give you an idea of the sort of positions in demand in the workplace right now, let’s jump right in and consider the following example. At the time of writing, the UN Development Programme is recently seeking a Communications Consultant in New York. The contract is for 4 months, and the post level is international consultant.

To get this post, you’ll need an advanced university degree (a Masters or equivalent) in communication, journalism, international relations, public administration or related field – or, a first-level degree and two additional years of qualifying experience, instead of the advanced degree. However, they are also asking for a minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in public information, public relations, journalism, international relations or other area, preferably within humanitarian organizations and contexts.

The type of duties involved in this role include supporting the World Healthcare Students Symposium (WHSS) and Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) with liaison for the production and distribution of press kits, media products and other communications materials; organize other activities to promote awareness and outreach, including attending and participating in press conferences, interviews, press seminars, etc.; plus many other activities.

Starting with this example may be beneficial to you, as it shows where you might be able to get to in the future, and demonstrates that there is a real need for communications experts out there in top organizations in this field.

Pan American Health Organization, Regional Office of the World Health Organization

The Pan America Health Organization recently produced a document detailing how to manage information during emergencies and disasters. You could be employed to write similar documents as part of your work at an NGO or other humanitarian organization. This particular document, “Information management and communication in emergencies and disasters: manual for disaster response teams, was edited by Susana Arroyo Barrantes, Social Communicator at OXFAM; Martha Rodriguez, Social Communications Advisor, PAHO/WHO and Ricardo Perez, Regional Advisor in Information, PAHO/WHO. To head in this direction, what about getting a Masters in Communications or International Relations. More on that later.

Internews is currently looking for a Humanitarian Communications Specialist to work at various locations. This Specialist will work to support the Humanitarian Country Team strategic response for 4-6 weeks, with a possible extension of several months.

The required qualifications for this post include previous experience designing and implementing communication with communities and/or beneficiary communication; significant experience using media and communications in humanitarian emergency responses; relevant university degree; a very good working knowledge of the mandates and modalities of the international humanitarian sector, including the UN cluster system. Another demanding post for a highly qualified individual, and something to work towards, especially if you’ve recently completed your Communications degree.

Humanitarian Positions for Communications Bachelor’s Degree Graduates With Experience

Concern Worldwide is an international humanitarian organization committed to the helping the poorest people in the least developed countries in the world. At the time of writing, they are looking for a Communications Officer with a Bachelor’s Degree in communications, journalism, or a related field and 5-7 years’ experience working with multimedia content creation, fluency in visual and graphic design software and a solid knowledge of social media platforms.

Camris International is a growing international development and research firm that has worked in more than 80 countries. They are currently looking for senior, mid and junior level Communications Specialists to provide support to their anticipated Middle East and North Africa Services (MENA) proposal, which aims to provide administrative, technical and programmatic staff support services to the field-based programs managed by USAID’s Middle East Bureau.

Camris International accept graduates with a Bachelor’s degree to work at the junior level, if you have experience participating on a multi-disciplinary cross-cultural team, and provide expertise in quantitative and qualitative evaluations methods, which would be fairly easy to accumulate with a degree and some volunteer experience abroad!

Masters Degrees For You

A Master’s degree is ideal if you’re a high-flyer and want to get into top positions in the humanitarian field. A combination of this and some relevant experience working as a volunteer or intern abroad will make you super employable.

You have a number of options open to you. You could simply develop your existing skills and go for a Master’s in Public and Corporate Communication; Media and Communication; Journalism, Media and Globalization or Social Science, Media and Communication Studies.

The Masters in Public and Corporate Communication at the University of Milan in Italy is geared towards enabling students to perform management and organizational roles in sectors like public relations, public administration, international humanitarian NGOs, journalism and political campaigns. The course is taught in English over 24 months, and you can specialize in either corporate communication marketing or public and social communication.

The M.Sc. in Social Science, Media and Communications Studies at Lund University, Sweden is a two-year program with module choices like Media and Political Engagement, Media Audiences and a Study Abroad program, and focusses on questioning and understanding global media structures and processes in modern life. It draws on world class scholars who have published key works in media and communication and teaching is based on international expertise in areas like democracy, participation and social media, as well as many others.

Another way to get into the humanitarian field is to study a Masters that is directly related to this kind of work, such as an M.A. in Humanitarian Action, International Relations; an M.Sc. in Emergency Management, Emergency Services Administration or Security Management.

For example, the Syracuse University in New York, US, runs an International Relations (Multidisciplinary) course made up of five core courses, including international relations, economics, quantitative analysis, program evaluation and management and one of five signature courses in accordance with their chosen career track.

The different tracks include development and humanitarian assistance; governance, diplomacy and international organizations; peace, security and conflict and regional concentrations in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Latin America. An internship program is an optional part of the program, and proficiency in a second language is required.

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How To Write A Personal Statement For Masters (17 PDF Sample Examples)

Published: 14 Mar 2022 Study Abroad 102,373 views

A personal statement for masters program is one of the most important parts of your college application and writing a good one is what’s the exception between receiving an offer and being rejected.

If you’ve been tasked with presenting a personal statement, you should keep in mind that whatever you submit must put you forward as the right candidate for the course. Additionally, it should convince the admissions officers that you deserve a place on your program of study.

Achieving the above, is a skill most postgraduate students are yet to acquire but thankfully this article on How To Write A Personal Statement For Masters covers everything you need to know on doing this.

In this article you’ll learn:

• What is a personal statement?
• Tips for making your personal statement for masters stand out
• How to write a personal statement for masters
• Personal statement for masters sample
• Examples of personal statement for masters
• Conclusion – things to avoid when writing a personal statement for masters

Read:  Admission Interview Tips .

What Is a Personal Statement?

A personal statement AKA admissions or application essay or statement of purpose is a type of essay or written statement a candidate presents to a college, university, or graduate school they are applying to, explaining why they want to attend that school, study a particular course, and why they would be a perfect fit for these things.

A personal statement for masters is an essay you submit specifically for your postgraduate application. Writing one presents the opportunity for you to promote yourself to a school and show the admissions teachers that you are the perfect candidate for a course.

Tips For Making Your Personal Statement For Masters Stand Out

Before we get into how you should write a statement of purpose for masters, we would first like to share with you certain tips to include in your essay to make it stand out from that of other applicants and be convincing enough to any admissions officer that reads it. The tips we have mentioned here, cover general things like starting and ending your personal statement, timing, length, and what to include and what not to include in the essay, etc.

1. Starting And Ending A Personal Statement

When starting a personal statement, you would want to right off the bat grab the reader’s attention. To do this, start the statement by writing about your degree of choice, next why you want to study it and then how you got interested in it.

The next 2 sentences after that should cover a summary of your background in the chosen field, and you conclude by saying what you plan to do once you acquire your graduate degree.

Also start with that the evaluators reading want to hear first, then every other information should come second. You will notice we’ve used in the sop examples for masters we will share with you later in this article.

2. Plan Ahead

A personal statement is not something you rush while writing, which means if you want to get something good before you application then you must start to decide things like the length and how long it should take to complete.

Let us throw more light on this…

For length, a personal statement should be brief ranging somewhere between 500 -700 words, although schools often detect how long it should be. So, this is dependent on the institution you are applying to.

In terms of what to say in a statement, you could include personal experiences like why you were driven to apply for the program, an experience you had with a scholar in your chosen discipline, a course you took that inspired you to pursue masters, or a key moment during your studies which further motivated you.

No matter what you decide to write, just keep in mind that you need to take your time to craft something good even if it means creating several drafts before the real thing and do not forget to proofread the statement for errors.

3. Research Your Program Of Study

Researching your program of study is one way to establish that you truly understand the discipline you’re getting into and prove to the admissions officer that you thoroughly thought about it before applying.

And because you want to put yourself forward as a serious candidate, one way to make you research easier is for you to visit the website of the department you are applying to. This page will contain information about faculty members, their specialisation, and publications.

From the intel, you gathered there you can now identify which professors match your interests and which ones you will benefit the most from learning under. After you’ve found this out, relate the same in a sentence or two in your statement of purpose for masters.

Example: “I would be honoured to study under the tutelage of Professor Nadia whose work I found resonated strongly with my beliefs and intended projects in this course”.

4. Avoid Clichés, Junks, And Many Details

When writing a statement of purpose for master degree try to avoid clichés, junks, and unnecessary details so that you don’t lose or bore your readers in between. Be as concise as possible, even if it’s your chance to express yourself.

A personal statement is an opportunity for the admissions committee to get information that tells the that you are suitable for the course. So, when you overpower your statement with too many words, stories, and useless details, you come off as someone who is just trying to meet the word count.

5. Include Your Personal History Only If It Adds To The Statement

Do not include your personal history in your statement of intent for masters if it is not relevant to your purpose of study. This means no need for you to tell that story about that time you helped someone treat a cut and immediately realised that you wanted to be a doctor or nurse or how you developed a taste for reading at a very young age.

We can guarantee you that the hundreds of other applications competing for the same spot you are felt the same way, so saying those things really doesn’t make you unique.

On the other hand, if you are going to add personal history to your statement, you can put in things like an internship you did and the experience you got from the job, a major research project you ran by yourself, publications you’ve read or published, conferences you’ve attended or presentations you’ve done. These experiences are more concrete and are directly related to your program of study. They also set you apart from other applicants.

6. Don't Use The Same Personal Statement For All Your Applications

One common mistake applicant make that you shouldn’t is using the same statement of purpose for master degree for all your applications. Using the same information repeatedly even if you are going to change the university names is risky and could land you in a big mistake on a day you forget to be thorough.

All programmes have their own unique set of questions they want to see answered and information they need in your personal statement.

And even if some of them like extracurricular activities, proposal for project, why you are applying to the school, your unique qualities, and research works you’re doing might appear the same, do not use one statement to respond to all of them.

Write a new unique personal statement every time you want to apply.

Check out:  How to Write a Good CV for Students - Resume Examples for Students (PDF).

How To Write A Personal Statement for Masters

When writing a personal statement for masters there are several steps and ground rules you need to follow to ensure that it comes out good enough to impress the admissions team of a school, and ultimately convince them to give you a spot on your program of study.

If writing one is something you are currently struggling with and can’t seem to get down the process of it right no matter what, this section on how to write a personal statement for masters, discusses in detail everything you need to get help with yours.

There are 4 parts to consider when writing your personal statement and we have listed them below:

1. Planning A Personal Statement

A personal statement is a piece of writing showing your academic interests and is only for application purposes which means there is no room for any autobiographical information in it about your personal life. Be as to-the-point as possible when writing it and stick to telling the school why you are the right person for the course, plus any other extra information detailing your achievements.

Before You Start:

Allot plenty of time to write your msc personal statement so that you don’t rush it. Remember, this simple piece of writing is your one shot at convincing a school that you are the best applicant they’ve seen and as such can either make or break your application.

Read the information expected of you from the university, rules and guidelines given, selection criteria and understand what they mean. Also research the institution.

Do a thorough research on the course you are applying for; this will help you explain better why you want to study it. The tutors interviewing you can tell when you are lying and presenting yourself as uninformed can cost you the admission.

Ensure that you don’t use the same personal statement for all your applications.

When Writing:

When writing the statement there are some questions to ask yourself that can help you plan it better. Those questions are:

• Why you want to study a master’s and how does it benefit you in future?
• How does the course you have chosen fit into your pre-existing skill set?
• How do you stand out from the crowd as an applicant - e.g., work experiences you’ve had in the same field you are applying for?
• What do you aspire to do or be as a future career and how will the course help you achieve that?
• How can your work or skillsets contribute positively to the department/ university you are applying to, or society at large?

On the other hand, if you are applying for the masters to change from the field you studied in your undergraduate to another field, you should tell the school why you decided to take a different path in your studies.

Questions to ask yourself for this include:

• Your reason for deciding to change your discipline.
• How your undergraduate degree will be material for bringing fresh insights into your masters course.
• How changing your study path will help you attain your future career.

2. Structuring A Personal Statement

Having good structure for your personal statement for master degree is important because it ensures that everything from the beginning, middle, and ending of the statement is written and equally falls in place perfectly.

We’ve left some tips for you below to help you:

Start your personal statement with an attention-grabbing introduction that is not dramatic or cliché. That means you should not begin with any of these over-used phrases we’ve listed out below:

For as long as I remember…

Since my childhood…

I want to apply to this course because I’ve always felt a strong connection to it…

All my life, I have always loved…

My interest in (course) always ran deeper than…

I’ve always been zealous about…

Ever since I was a child, I’ve always wanted to pursue a career in…

My past educational experiences have always…

You would want to be as snappy as possible with your opening because the admission officer has over a hundred applications to read and can’t waste all their time on yours. This means you should avoid overpowering it with unnecessary facts, quotes, and stories from your life.

The middle part of your ma personal statement is where the main content of the write-up should be. This is where you show your dedication to the course you’ve chosen, what motivated you to choose it, and why you are the right candidate for it.

When writing the middle part of a graduate personal statement, you should:  

• Give concrete reasons why you want to study a course at the University. The reason could be because of how the course is aligned to your future career or the University’s reputation in teaching that program.
• Mention relevant things like projects, dissertations, or essays you’ve done, and any work experience you have.
• Show proof of your core skills like and how they can contribute to the department.
• Prove what makes you a unique candidate.
• Discuss who your main influences for wanting to study the course are and why.
• Add experiences like memberships to clubs that are related to your field, papers you’ve written before, awards, scholarships, or prizes.
• Draw focus to how the course links to your past and future.
• Mention your academic and non-academic skills and how they fit the course.

For Formatting:

• Keep the statement length between 250 -500 words or as directed by the school.
• Sentences should be no more than 25-30 words.
• Use headings to break up the content – Why this university? Why this subject? Etc.
• Make claims and provide evidence to back each of them up. This can be done by discussing your work experience and academic interests.

Language and tone to use:     

• The tone for your masters application personal statement should be positive and enthusiastic, to show you eagerness to learn and so that you convince the evaluators that you have what it takes to succeed.
• Use exciting and refreshing language, and an engaging opening line.
• Ensure you grammar, punctuations, and spellings are accurate.
• Avoid exaggerated claims you cannot backup.
• Don’t use cliché generic terms and keep your focus on the course.

Keep the ending of your essay for master degree application concise and memorable, leaving no doubt in the admission officers mind that you deserve a spot on the program.

To create the best ending summarise all your key points without dragging it our or repeating yourself. The ending should be simple, end on a positive note and make it clear that the school will be lucky to have you on their program.

Personal Statement for Masters Sample

In this section, we have left a masters personal statement example for you, which you can use as material to write yours for any course of study you are applying to a school for.

Personal Statement PDF

You can also download this statement of purpose sample for masters degree pdf here and take your time to read it later – Personal Statement For Masters Sample .

See Also:  Student CV Template .

Examples of Personal Statement for Masters

We have taken the time to source for some of the best postgraduate personal statement examples, which you can use in addition to the personal statement for masters program example as a template to write yours.

While you scroll through our list, you will find the perfect masters essay example for any field you wish to apply for, from business administration, to Psychology, to information technology, and lots more.

1. msw personal statement

We have found one of the best msw personal statement examples out there for you.

social work masters personal statement .  

2. personal statement for masters in public health

mph personal statement examples

3. personal statement for masters in management

Personal statement for master degree sample for masters in management .  , 4. personal statement for masters in education example.

personal statement for masters in education example

5. psychology masters personal statement

psychology masters personal statement example

6. sample personal statement for masters in data science data science masters personal statement

7. speech and language therapy personal statement statement of purpose for masters sample: speech and language therapy

8. business administration personal statement personal statement for masters in business administration

9. personal statement for masters in cyber security pdf masters degree personal statement examples for cyber security

10. personal statement for masters in finance msc finance personal statement examples

11. statement of purpose for masters in information technology pdf msc personal statement examples for information technology

12. international development personal statement statement of purpose for masters example

13. msc international business management personal statement international business management personal statement examples

14. computer science masters personal statement

statement of purpose for masters in computer science pdf

15. personal statement for masters in economics statement of purpose sample for masters degree in economics

16. mha personal statement statement of purpose format for masters in health administration    

Conclusion – Things to Avoid When Writing A Personal Statement For Masters When writing a personal statement for university masters, there are some things you should avoid, so that you don’t ruin your essay. We have listed out those things below: •    Avoid negativity. •    Following an online template blindly. •    Do not include unnecessary course modules, personal facts, or extra-curricular activities in your personal statement. •    Do not lie or exaggerate an achievement or event. •    Do not include inspirational quotes to your statement. •    Avoid using clichés, gimmicks, humour, over-used word such as 'passion' or ‘driven’. •    Do not make pleading statements. •    Avoid mentioning key authors or professors in your field without any explanation. •    Avoid using sentences that are too long. •    Avoid flattering the organisation or using patronising terms. •    Do not repeat information in your statement that you have already listed in your application. •    Avoid waffling i.e., writing at length. •    Don’t start writing your personal statement at the last minute.  

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Question: What are the typical admissions requirements for master’s in communication programs?

Updated: september 29, 2022.

Answer: All master’s in communication programs listed on MastersinCommunications.com require that applicants have a bachelor’s degree for admission. While specific admissions requirements vary by program, the majority of programs require students to submit college transcripts and meet a minimum undergraduate GPA. Additionally, programs may require applicants to submit standardized test scores (typically from the GRE exam), a personal statement, letters of recommendation, academic writing samples, and/or a resume. Non-native English speakers are also expected to submit a minimum TOEFL score. Each program weighs these requirements differently, so students should think about their application holistically and reach out to prospective programs for advice on how to best prepare their application.

To earn admission to a master’s in communication program, students typically need to meet a minimum set of requirements. In addition, the majority of programs have a selective admissions policy, which means even if a student meets the minimum requirements, they are not guaranteed admission to the program. Consequently, for some programs, the average GPA (and potentially GRE scores) of students who are admitted to the program may be higher than the required minimum.

For some programs, applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements for full acceptance may still be admitted to the program on a conditional basis. In these situations, students typically need to achieve and maintain a minimum GPA in their graduate level courses in order to gain full admission. Students considering a program for which they do not meet the minimum requirements should contact the program before applying to determine if they may still be eligible for admission.

As with most aspects of graduate programs, requirements for admission vary by program; however, they usually include some or most of the factors listed below.

Specific Admission Requirements for Master’s in Communication Programs

Bachelor’s degree : Students are expected to earn a bachelor’s degree prior to attending a master’s in communication program. Students may be able to apply to a program in their final semester, but final transcripts are typically required before a student can attend a program. The majority of master’s in communication programs do not require a bachelor’s degree in communication for admission. However, there are some programs that do require an undergraduate degree in communication or a related field (e.g., business, marketing), so students should check with a program for specific requirements before applying.

Transcripts and minimum GPAs : Applicants are required to submit their undergraduate transcripts as evidence of graduation and achieving GPA requirements for admission. The minimum GPA required by most programs is a 3.0, although there are some programs with a minimum GPA of 2.5 to 2.75. As noted above, while this is the minimum, the average GPA for accepted applicants may be higher. In addition, some programs may offer conditional admittance to students who do not meet the minimum due to extenuating circumstances. Finally, there are a limited number of graduate programs that do not have a minimum GPA requirement; these programs typically examine an applicant’s application holistically, taking elements such as work experience into account to determine if applicants are qualified for admission.

Minimum GRE Exam Score : The GRE exam is used by some programs as a standardized measure of aptitude. However, there are many programs that do not require a GRE score. Students should research individual programs to learn whether the GRE is required for admission. In addition, some programs only require the GRE on a conditional basis. For example, some programs may waive the GRE requirement for applicants with a GPA greater than 3.0 or 3.5, for students who have already earned a master’s degree in another field, or for students with significant work experience. Conversely, some programs that do not require the GRE exam may still accept GRE scores if a student thinks they will improve their chances for admission. Students with a borderline GPA may want to consider taking the GRE, even if it is not required by their prospective programs.

Letters of Recommendation : Students are typically required to submit two or three letters of recommendation with their application. The best letters of recommendation tend to come from professors who know the applicant well and who can speak to the applicant’s potential to succeed in a master’s degree program. Internship supervisors also tend to provide helpful recommendations. For applicants who did not recently graduate, programs may accept or prefer a supervisor or past supervisors instead, especially if they can speak to a student’s potential for graduate work. Ultimately, students should seek references from people who know them well and who can speak to their ability to manage the rigor of a master’s program. There are a limited number of programs that do not require letters of recommendation, which may be preferred for some students.

Personal Statement : Applicants are often required to submit a personal statement, which is usually two or three pages and may have a maximum word limit. A personal statement should cover a variety of topics including personal background, purpose for application, academic goals, professional goals, and research interests. Students should explain why they are applying to that specific program, including why it is a good fit for them academically and/or professionally, and why they are a good fit for the program as well. The personal statement is also an applicant’s opportunity to explain any potential problems in their academic past (e.g., a lower than average GPA). For advice on completing a personal statement, see our featured article on Advice for Applying to Master’s in Communication Programs .

Essay Questions : In addition to (or in lieu of) a personal statement, applicants may be required to answer a series of essay questions. Students may be asked questions like, “How would you define communication as it relates to your research area of interest?” and, “How will a master’s in communication support you in the achievement of your short- and long-term goals?” The program coordinators who review applicants’ answers are interested in whether an applicant has the right reasons for earning a master’s degree, that they have researched the program to ensure it is the right fit, and if they have the skills, interests, professional/academic background, and goals that will make them a good fit for the program.

Academic Writing Samples : Beyond the writing required for other portions of the application, some programs also require academic writing samples. Students should consider submitting writing samples that exemplify their ability to synthesize research, use appropriate citation, and produce new ideas that go beyond restating existing concepts from course materials.

Work Experience and/or a Resume : Some master’s in communication programs, especially ones that are focused on applied skills development and career advancement (e.g., strategic communication, public relations and marketing communication, corporate communication), require applicants to submit a resume that details their work experience. In addition, there are some programs that do require applicants to meet a minimum work experience requirement to be eligible for admission.

TOEFL Scores : Non-native English speakers are typically required to submit TOEFL scores to earn admission to master’s in communication programs in the United States. The minimum TOEFL score required depends on the medium through which a student takes the test. The minimum online score is typically a 90, which is equivalent to a 233 if taken by computer, and a 577 if taken by paper.

How Applications to Master’s in Communication Programs Are Evaluated

When programs receive application packets, most make an intentional effort to evaluate applicants holistically, even if they favor specific pieces of the application more than others. In practice, this means that applicants who exceed GPA and GRE requirements may be declined admission compared to an applicant with lower scores who is accepted because they are a better fit for the program. That is why it is extremely important for applicants to research programs and to tailor their application specifically to the program to which they are applying.

For example, a student with a high GPA and fantastic letters of recommendation, who is interested in strategic communication or public relations, may not be accepted to a master’s in communication program that does not offer those specializations. This is because programs want to make sure both the student is a good fit for the program and that the program is a good fit for the student. Conversely, a student who has a lower GPA who specifically wants to study interpersonal communication and work with specific faculty in a program, and who demonstrates they have researched the program and the faculty, may be more likely to be accepted versus someone who submits a generic personal statement saying they are just interested in earning a master’s in communication. This is because the applicant is able to explain specifically how they would benefit from the program, and how in turn they will contribute to the student community through their research or career interests.

Students should research schools to identify programs that best align with their academic and professional goals. Once they identified those programs, they should reach out to professors and program directors to ask questions and let them know they are considering earning a master’s degree and potentially interested in applying. That way, when they submit their application, one (or more) professors who are tasked with reviewing applications will already know who they are and why they are applying to the program. This may be advantageous versus an applicant who just submitted an application without ever speaking to someone in the program.

Master's in Communication FAQs:

• FAQ: Are there any master’s in sports communication programs?
• FAQ: How long is a master’s in communication program?
• FAQ: How much can you make with a master’s degree in communication?
• FAQ: What can I do with a master’s degree in communication?
• FAQ: What is the difference between an MS in communication, an MA in communication, and an MPS in communication?
• FAQ: What is the difference between communication and communications in regards to master’s degree programs?

Master’s in Communication Degree Programs

Contributing Writer

Editor & Writer

www.bestcolleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

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With good communication skills you can spread information, influence people, and drive change. Earning a master's in communication degree can be a big step toward a career where your voice matters. This degree appeals to people with a variety of professional goals. If you are pursuing or advancing a career in media or public relations , you might want to look into getting a master's in marketing , or a similar field and read on to see how it can help you accomplish your goals.

Most students can graduate with their master's in two years from an online or on-campus program. Accelerated and part-time options are also available. Use this guide to learn what to expect from a communication program, explore careers you can pursue, and discover top online schools offering a master's in communication degree.

Best Online Master's in Communication Programs

We use trusted sources like Peterson's Data and the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools. BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site. from our partners appear among these rankings and are indicated as such.

BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

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University of Southern California

• Los Angeles, CA
• Online + Campus

100% Online | Scheduled Classes

Avg. Cost per Credit In State | $2,040 Out of State | $2,040

Credits to Graduate 32

USC's online master's in communication management offers a generalist curriculum and three optional focus areas: marketing communication, market research and analytics, and strategic and organizational communication. By taking two courses per semester, full-time students can graduate in just 16 months.

Graduates join a global network of more than 15,000 USC Anneberg alumni. Program admission requires a completed bachelor's degree, a resume, a statement of purpose, a writing sample, and two letters of recommendation.

Johns Hopkins University

• Baltimore, MD

Avg. Cost per Semester In State | $29,360 Out of State | $29,360

Credits to Graduate 30

The Johns Hopkins online master's in communication teaches students to critically interpret theory, evaluate scientific communication research, and develop effective content. Six optional concentrations cover topics, such as corporate and nonprofit communication, health communication, and applied research in communication.

No in-person components are required, but learners can complete a local practicum if desired. Prospective students need a bachelor's degree and a minimum 3.0 GPA. Program-specific admission requirements include a statement of purpose and a brief writing sample.

University of Florida

• Gainesville, FL

Avg. Cost per Credit In State | $490-$890 Out of State | $490-$890

Credits to Graduate 33-37

UF's online master's in global strategic communication offers eight concentrations, such as audience analytics, political communication, digital strategy, and web design. Requiring between 33-37 credits, this graduate degree focuses on building competitive career skills.

An advisory board of industry leaders works to ensure the program meets the current needs and evolving challenges of global strategic communication. Admission requires a completed bachelor's degree, a 3.0 GPA, a statement of purpose, and three letters of recommendation.

Florida International University

Avg. Cost for Program In State | $25,000 Out of State | $25,000

FIU online offers a fully remote master's in mass communication with a global strategic communication track. The program trains globally minded and socially responsible communication leaders for roles at the highest levels of the corporate, government, and nonprofit industries.

The 30-credit curriculum offers completion times as brief as 12 months. Prospective students must hold a bachelor's degree and submit GRE scores, two letters of recommendation, a resume, and a professional goals essay. 

Purdue University

• West Lafayette, IN

Avg. Cost per Credit In State | $520 Out of State | $820

Taught by award-winning industry experts, Purdue's online master's in communication teaches students to develop branding and messaging strategies across local, national, and international platforms. The highly customizable curriculum requires just three core courses.

Available concentration tracks include strategic communication/public relations, integrated communication and advertising, communication and leadership, and health communication. Admission requires a completed bachelor's degree with a 3.0 GPA, industry experience, resume, a statement of purpose, and three letters of recommendation.

Northeastern University

Avg. Cost per Credit In State | $790 Out of State | $790

Credits to Graduate 45

Learners can pursue Northeastern's online master's in corporate and organizational communication on a part- or full-time basis, graduating in 12-18 months. The program offers six concentrations, including cross-cultural communication, leadership, social media, and project management.

This degree integrates experiential learning opportunities in the student's own workplace or through a faculty-supervised, virtual consulting project. Admission requirements include a completed bachelor's degree, a statement of purpose, a resume, and two letters of recommendation.

American University

• Washington, DC

Avg. Cost per Credit In State | $1,810 Out of State | $1,810

AU's online master's in strategic communication offers specialization tracks in two areas: advocacy and social impact or digital communication strategies and analytics. The program's final capstone requires designing, developing, and completing a research study on a communication issue of the student's choice.

This full-time degree allows for completion in 20 months. Prospective students need a completed bachelor's degree in any discipline. AU recommends a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA for admission.

University of Georgia

Avg. Cost per Credit In State | $630 Out of State | $630

Credits to Graduate 33

UGA's online master's in journalism and mass communication accommodates students from a variety of educational and professional backgrounds. The emerging media concentration focuses on development, design, and project management of the latest interactive digital media formats.

All students complete an emerging media capstone project, such as product development, design research publication, or a client-based project. Program admission requires a completed bachelor's degree, a minimum 3.0 GPA, a resume, a statement of purpose and goals, and three letters of recommendation.

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

• Champaign, IL

Avg. Cost per Credit In State | $920 Out of State | $920

The online master's in strategic brand communication at Illinois offers an interdisciplinary education through the Gies College of Business and the Sandage Department of Advertising. Graduates understand how to grow an organization's revenue through the latest marketing techniques and strategies.

Each student completes a professional capstone project, involving research, analysis, and campaign evaluation. Admission requires a completed bachelor's degree. Illinois evaluates prospective students based on work and educational experience, GPA, statement of purpose, and letters of recommendation.

Syracuse University

• Syracuse, NY

Hybrid | Scheduled Classes

Avg. Cost per Semester In State | $11,780 Out of State | $11,780

Syracuse's online master's in communications offers concentrations in public relations, advertising, journalism innovation, and media management. While courses take place entirely online, students must attend two in-person, weekend-long immersions scheduled throughout the program.

Admission requires a completed bachelor's degree, a resume, a personal statement, and three letters of recommendation. Syracuse also requires participation in an online video interview. Graduates can access the Newhouse Network alumni database, which boasts over 5,800 communications industry contacts.

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At BestColleges, we believe a college education is one of the most important investments you can make. We want to help you navigate the college selection process by offering transparent, inclusive, and relevant school rankings.

We use datasets from trusted sources like the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools and our methodologies. This ranking is from 2022. To learn more, check out our full ranking methodologies .

Master's in Communication Specializations

The curriculum of a communication degree is broad and can be applied to many industries. Choosing a concentration for an MA or MS in communication allows you to graduate as an expert in your field. Some programs are more academic, focusing on theories and preparing you for further study. Alternatively, some pathways take a more applied approach and feature practical, hands-on experiences.

The concentration you choose is dependent on your personal career goals. For example, if you hope to work in business, consider an advertising or leadership concentration. Different concentrations can help prepare graduates for careers in business , advertising , healthcare , and even professional writing.

Specializations

• Strategic Communication and Public Relations
• Integrated Communication and Advertising
• Communication and Leadership
• Health Communication
• Advocacy and Social Impact
• Media and Arts Management and Promotion
• Political Communication
• Technical Communication

Communication Degree Curriculum

Communication programs cover a variety of topics, including writing, media studies, public imaging, and pop culture. Depending on your chosen program, you may or may not be required to complete a thesis project in your final term.

A successful thesis project shows that you can apply what you've learned in the classroom by conducting new research and producing scholarly materials.

• Persuasion and Social Influence
• Mass Communication Effects
• Communication Research Methods
• Advanced Media Writing

Admission Requirements

The admission requirements for a master's in communication program are similar to many other graduate programs. Common requirements include:

• A bachelor's degree in a related field earned with a minimum GPA
• GRE scores (programs do not always require standardized test scores)
• An application essay and student resume
• Letters of recommendation from past professors, school counselors, mentors, or volunteer supervisors

What Can I Do With a Communication Degree?

This degree can open several doors for you, including advanced positions with higher pay and expanded job responsibilities. While it is possible to work up to many senior-level roles with a bachelor's degree and ample experience, an advanced qualification signals your seriousness about career development to potential employers.

Frequently Asked Questions About Master's in Communication Programs

• Collapse All

How long does it take to complete a master's in communication degree?

The amount of time it takes to complete a master's in communication degree depends on the school and the program. Students who enroll on a part-time basis should expect to take longer to finish, while those enrolled in accelerated or degree-completion programs can finish their studies more quickly.

Many master's degree programs feature 30-40 credits and take 18-24 months to complete. USC's master of communication management program can be completed in as little as 16 months.

What do communication majors get their master's degree in?

Motivated students who graduate with a bachelor's in communication can earn a master's degree in just about any field, though many choose to earn a master's in communication. Within the field of communication, some graduate programs offer more specialized training, such as a master's in media communication .

Other popular options for communication degree-holders are a master of business administration (MBA), master's in journalism, and master's in human resources. What is an MS in communication?

A master of science (MS) in communication is a graduate degree focusing on the scientific aspects of communication. Students may complete courses such as strategic communication and marketing communication. This degree option may be a good choice for communication students interested in business, healthcare, or political careers.

Though similar, the curriculum of a master of arts (MA) program may focus more on the creative side of communication. An MA degree is often a good choice for students interested in careers in education or philosophy.

an a communication major get an MBA?

Many MBA programs admit students with a bachelor's degree in any field, meaning a communication major can earn an MBA after completing their bachelor's. Many undergraduate communication programs offer specializations in advertising and business communication, preparing graduates for MBA coursework.

Aspiring graduate students may opt to apply to both MBA and master's in communication programs before ultimately selecting the option that best aligns with their goals. The application requirements for these programs tend to be similar and may include submitting standardized test scores, writing a personal statement, and forwarding transcripts and letters of recommendation.

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How to Write a Stand-Out Personal Statement for Your Graduate School Application

While deciding to embark on the path to graduate school is an exciting first step toward advancing your career, the application process can sometimes feel daunting and confusing.

One major part of the application that most schools require is a personal statement. Writing a personal statement can be an arduous task: After all, most people don’t necessarily enjoy writing about themselves, let alone at length.

A compelling personal statement, however, can help bring your application to the top of the admissions pile. Below, we’ve outlined what you need to know about crafting a personal statement to make your application shine.

What Is a Personal Statement?

The point of a personal statement is for the admissions board to gain a deeper understanding of who you are apart from your education and work experience. It explains why you’re the right fit for the program and a worthwhile applicant. It’s also an opportunity to highlight important factors that may not be readily available in the rest of your application.

A personal statement is different from a statement of purpose (if you’re asked for that as well). A statement of purpose will touch on your academic and career goals, as well as your past credentials. While those should also be discussed in your personal statement, it’s more about your life experiences and how they’ve shaped you and your journey to graduate school.

Questions to Ask Yourself Before Writing a Personal Statement

Before you start crafting your essay, there are a few prompts you can ask yourself to help clarify what you want to accomplish.

• What are the key points you want to communicate about yourself?
• What personal characteristics or skills do you have that make you a strong candidate for this field?
• What exactly are your career goals, and how does graduate school play into them?
• What have you learned about this field already? When did you first choose to follow this path, and what do you enjoy about it?
• What do you think is important for the admissions board to know specifically about you?
• Are there any discrepancies or causes for concern in your application you need to address? For example, is there a career and schooling gap, or a low GPA at one point? This is the time to discuss whether a personal hardship may have affected your academics or career.
• Have you dealt with any unusual obstacles or difficulties in your life? How have they affected and shaped you?
• What sets you apart and makes you unique from other graduate school applicants?
• What factors in your life have brought you to where you are today?

Top Tips for Writing a Graduate School Personal Statement

Pick a few points to emphasize about yourself . Introduce yourself to the admissions board. Select key factors about your background that you want the university to know — elements that reveal what kind of person you are and demonstrate why you’re a strong candidate for the school and field of study.

Be very specific . Again, a personal statement is all about communicating what distinguishes you from other applicants. To accomplish that, you need to share specific anecdotes that underscore your statements. If you say you’re a strong leader, present an example of a time you’ve proven that skill through work, school or your personal life. These specific, personal stories provide a deeper understanding of who you are and prove your intentions.

Do your research . Demonstrate what attracted you to the program. If there is a specific faculty member or class that caught your attention, or another aspect of the program that greatly interests you, convey it. This shows you’ve truly researched the school and have a passion for the program.

“Whatever the topic may be, I would recommend writing in a manner that reflects or parallels the institution’s and/or department’s missions, goals and values,” said Moises Cortés, a graduate/international credentials analyst for the Office of Graduate Admission at USC .

Address any gaps or discrepancies . Explain any factors that may have impacted your academic career. If you had an illness or any other personal hardships that affected your grades or work, discuss them. If there is a discrepancy between your grades and your test scores, you can also take the time to go over any extenuating circumstances.

Strike the right tone . While it’s important to give readers a glimpse of your personality, avoid oversharing or revealing intimate details of your life experiences. You should also avoid making jokes or using humorous cliches. Maintain a professional tone throughout your writing.

Start strong and finish strong . As with any piece of writing, you want to draw in your readers immediately. Make sure to start off with an interesting and captivating introduction. Similarly, your conclusion should be a well-written, engaging finish to the essay that highlights any important points.

“ For a personal statement, I think the first and last paragraphs are most important and should always relate the program they are applying to their own experiences and ideas,” Hoon H. Kang, a graduate/international credential analyst with the Office of Graduate Admission, told USC Online.

Proofread, proofread and proofread again . We can’t emphasize enough the importance of rereading your work. Your personal statement is also an analysis of your writing skills, so ensure you have proper grammar and spelling throughout. In addition, we recommend having multiple people look over your statement before submission. They can help with the proofreading (a second person always catches a mistake the writer may miss), give advice about the statement’s structure and content, and confirm it’s the proper recommended length.

Once you’ve considered all of the above and reviewed and edited your personal statement to perfection, it’s time to submit and check off any remaining application requirements, including your resume and letters of recommendation .

Personal statements are arguably one of the most challenging aspects of applying to graduate school, so make sure to revel in this accomplishment and acknowledge your successes.

For more information, visit the  Office of Graduate Admission at USC  and explore  USC Online ’s master’s degrees, doctoral programs and graduate certificates.

Personal Statement

By Michelle Zhang and Ignacio Martin Arzuaga Garcia

When applying to graduate school programs, you will need to provide a Statement of Purpose and a Resume/CV highlighting your interests in applying to a specific graduate program. Some graduate schools will also require a Personal Statement as part of your application package. This CommKit article will go over what a Personal Statement is and some strategies to approach writing one. Your Personal Statement can also be revised for future fellowships and scholarships beyond graduate school application.

Main takeaways

• Have an initial hook . The first paragraph of your statement is key to grabbing the attention of the reviewers.
• Tell a story about yourself . The Personal Statement is thought to be more informal and less structured than the Statement of Purpose. Although some formality in the writing should be preserved, in this statement you have the freedom to express yourself and show the reviewing committee who you really are.
• Be specific and avoid clichés . Reviewers will read a vast amount of Statements from different candidates. Thus, they are looking for concrete evidence of your personality, the culture of work, and the achievements that make you stand out from the pool of candidates. For this purpose, avoid vague sentences that don’t give any additional information to what you already explain in your other documents of the application package.

 “Statement of Purpose” vs. “Personal Statement”

As touched upon in our Statement of Purpose (SOP) CommKit article, many schools distinguish between the Statement of Purpose/Objective and the Personal Statement, providing different writing prompts for each. The main difference between these two types of essays is that the Statement of Purpose focuses on your professional background, goals and research interests, while the Personal Statement is more about your personal history and where your motivation for graduate school comes from. The table below summarizes key differences between the two documents.

While the Statement of Purpose primarily focuses on your academic and professional goals, the Personal Statement complements it by providing a more holistic understanding of you as a graduate school candidate. It allows you to go beyond your achievements and qualifications listed in your Resume, offering a narrative that reveals your character, values, and any transformative moments that have driven you to pursue higher education.

In the Personal Statement, you can share specific life experiences (e.g. being a first-generation college student, overcoming poverty, facing discrimination, or other challenges/opportunities) and explain how these have shaped your worldview and passion for your chosen field of study. By sharing these personal stories, you have the opportunity to highlight what is unique about yourself and how you will advance diversity within the institution.

It is worth noting that the Personal Statement may be referred to by different names depending on the institution or program. Some schools may use terms such as “Personal History Statement,” “Diversity Statement,” or other variations. Some schools may also provide specific prompts to write the Personal Statement on, or a list of questions to answer. Regardless of the name, the purpose remains the same—to provide you as an applicant with an opportunity to share your personal narrative and demonstrate your readiness for graduate-level studies.

Strategies and Common mistakes

Here we summarize a list of strategies and common mistakes to take into consideration when addressing your Personal Statement:

• Your statement should tell a story (a real one) about yourself, that shows the reader your personal journey upon this moment in your life and what are the next steps you are aiming to take.
• If you can’t find a personal story to tell, you can also share how a piece of news or a specific person (for example) impacts and/or inspires you.
• Make sure to align your story with the values and goals of the university or institution you are applying to.
• For grad school applications, your Personal Statement doesn’t need to list your skills or academic accomplishments, but to present a story that demonstrates those skills you possess. For example, your statement is a good place to prove your leadership skills through a real example.
• While in a Statement of Purpose the Admissions Committee will look for what you have done, in a Personal Statement they will prioritize how you addressed them. They will put attention on how you overcame the challenges you faced, what strategies you used to do it, and how you took advantage of the opportunities you were given.
• The Personal Statement can also be a good opportunity to “address the elephant in the room” if you haven’t done it in your Statement of Purpose. For example, if your grades at college are not as good as desired, or you don’t have experience in the field you are applying to, this document is a good place to explain the reasons for that. We all go through difficult times, make bad decisions, and want to make a change in our path. That’s not a problem. What we don’t have to do is to expect the reader will ignore that part. They won’t, and it is better to address those weak points in our application package rather than leave them without any explanation.
• Use concrete examples that speak for you. Be specific. Avoid vague statements that don’t give any piece of information about yourself, or to make statements about yourself without proving them.

Ultimately, the key is to offer an interesting piece of writing that the reader enjoys, and make them remember your profile when evaluating the pool of candidates.

Structure Diagram

The Personal Statement is more flexible than the Statement of Purpose and, initially, it doesn’t have a fixed structure you have to fit your content within. Everyone’s path and personal history are different, and that will frame your write-up. You are welcome to be creative and address this document as you feel more comfortable with it. However, here we suggest a tentative structure that you can use to help you organize your statement. We recommend 2 pages maximum, unless specified otherwise by the university.

Alternatives to the Personal Statement

Some universities are also exploring innovative approaches to evaluate applicants beyond traditional methods. These alternatives provide aspiring graduate students with unique opportunities to distinguish themselves and showcase a holistic view of their skills, experiences, and potential. Some examples of alternative documents to the Personal Statement include:

DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) Statement:

• Graduate school applications are increasingly incorporating DEI essays as a means to evaluate applicants’ commitment to fostering an inclusive academic environment and dedication to cultivating a diverse and inclusive community within their chosen field of study. These essays provide candidates with an opportunity to showcase their understanding, experiences, and actions related to promoting diversity and equity.
• Your personal statement can be adapted to help write your DEI statement by focusing on key elements such as contributions to Diversity, values/beliefs as related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and self-reflection/growth from experiences where you have actively engaged with diverse communities, challenged biases, or learned from different perspectives.

Video Essays:

• Some universities are incorporating video essays into their application process, allowing applicants to verbally express their motivations, goals, and academic passions.
• This alternative provides a platform for candidates to showcase their communication skills, confidence, and presentation abilities.
• When adapting this Personal Statement CommKit for video essays, you should focus on developing a concise script that conveys your key points effectively, following the flow suggested above.
• You should also aim to strike a balance between authenticity and professionalism while engaging the audience with a compelling narrative.

Portfolio Submissions:

• To evaluate practical skills and creative abilities, some graduate programs request applicants to submit portfolios showcasing their work. Whether this is in fields such as engineering, design, fine arts, or computer science, this alternative allows candidates to present tangible evidence of their talent and expertise.
• When adapting your personal statement for portfolio-based applications, you should provide context for your work, explaining the motivation behind your projects and highlighting the skills you have developed throughout your academic journey.

When is it time to submit?

The Personal Statement may appear more approachable at the beginning, given its flexibility and relaxed tone. However, finding a good story to tell, and a compelling narrative that effectively showcases your abilities and accomplishments can be hard. Seeking feedback from friends, family, and peers can be invaluable throughout the brainstorming and revision process. If you’re affiliated with MIT you can also make an appointment with a Comm Fellow. In addition to carefully proofreading your statement, don’t forget to check the program requirements to ensure your submission meets the audience’s expectations.

Helpful articles

Gotian, R. & Neill, U. S. (2023). How to Write a Strong Personal Statement . Harvard Business Review. Purdue Online Writing Lab. Writing the Personal Statement .

Resources and Annotated Examples

Personal statement for an mit application.

This annotated Personal Statement shows how the candidate attempts to address the specific prompts in a series of concise essays. 567 KB

Content Generation Worksheet

This worksheet contains a series of questions along with examples intended to help you start drafting your Personal Statement. 54 KB

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Communications, media and culture personal statement example.

I am hoping to read for a communications, media and culture degree. I find it remarkable, inspiring and a little bit frightening how the media exercise control over our lives, whilst offering rich cultural rewards. I am fascinated by the action and effects of human communications of all kinds and am keen to extend the insight I have gained so far. My interest in the subject began through my GCSE Media Studies and my knowledge of the subject area has expanded at A-level where I am acquiring analytical skills, helping me unpack and contextualise a wider variety of media forms. My other A-levels are English Language, Sociology, Critical Thinking and Philosophy &Ethics, and these are giving me a broad overview of life and human communications and culture. An example of how these subjects support each other would be studying the marxist concept of hegemony and applying it to religion, media ownership, the high culture/low culture debate in sociology and even the bourgeois emphasis on Standard English. I've slowly been gaining practical experience alongside my academic learning. Two years ago, I was lucky enough to get work experience with a television crew on location as a runner. I learnt the value of working as a member of the team in a stressful environment and I gained an understanding of the processes of TV production. I have also been involved in several other media projects, some as coursework and others undertaken independently. Coursework projects have included a magazine for young male teenagers; designing a product and advertising campaign; and producing, directing and presenting a documentary for sixth formers and their parents on the EMA system. As extra-curricular activities, I designed a poster and Internet campaign for one of the school plays and in the absence of any existing school publication, I launched a bimonthly newsletter, aimed at Angley's students. These projects have provided great learning experiences, enabling me to develop print software skills in a creative way. Other school activities have included, the lead male role in 'South Pacific' and significant roles in 'Oliver' and 'West Side Story' as well as assisting the Performing Arts A-level group perform their comedy show. By playing roles on stage, my confidence has increased and I have learnt to appreciate and learn from the talents of others. I am also a school prefect, which I find satisfying and a great privilege. In my leisure time I enjoy making films - mostly parodies of various genres. I then edit the films using a programme called Magix Movie Edit Pro. I have also edited on Final Cut Express, which has made an interesting comparison. My next project is to learn Final Cut Pro, and to develop a more effects-driven style. I also like to read, for example, I was inspired by Naomi Klein's book No Logo on the effects of globalization, the commoditisation of our culture and public spaces and how powerful brands have become. I am currently reading Graeme Burton's Media & Society to gain some additional perspective on my A2 media and to prepare myself for my degree. So far I have enjoyed myself in my studies and hopefully have developed some of the skills and qualities for success in degree-level communications, media and culture studies.

Profile info

This personal statement was written by Superboy for application in 2008.

Superboy's Comments

It's okay i guess, it pretty much describes me not trying to sound big headed, i tried to show what i wanted to gain from going to university and what skills i have and how they can become much better by going to the right university. The key was 'Show don't tell'.

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Samples of My Work: Communications & Closely Related Areas

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Master’s Degree Corporate Communications, Saudi Arabian Applicant

I currently work for Ecolab in my home country of Saudi Arabia. The company is the global leader in water, hygiene and energy technologies and services. I am delighted to be employed by a company that undertakes a wide range of services that are so important to humanity and I am committed to furthering and making known its commendable goals.

Since taking up my current role, I have been involved in implementing and running a variety of humanitarian and educational projects for the benefit of local people. For instance, we are planning to launch a ‘Science is Fun’ project aimed at young children to fascinate and enthuse a new generation about science by the use of simple experiments, quizzes etc. I also hope to initiate a ‘Blood Drive’ and ‘Wellness Program’. The Kingdom is seeking to achieve a situation in which blood donation is locally sourced, totally voluntary and non-remunerated. I am personally very sympathetic to the aim of educating the public in the social benefits of regular blood donation.  The ‘Wellness Program’ is especially important in Saudi Arabia which has a very high, and increasing, incidence of Diabetes which it is possible to reduce by successfully encouraging changes in diet and lifestyle. Because of my interest in art and design, I am particularly interested in examining how important health and other information can be transmitted using art to supplement and enhance such messages making the recipient more likely to respond.  

Art is a very important aspect of my own life. I have derived enormous pleasure and fulfilment through artistic expression and hope, in the future, to initiate projects that are artistically based perhaps for therapeutic purposes but also to fire an interest in art and design for people of all ages and backgrounds, especially infants and the young.

I am making this application in order to equip myself to become a leader in the field of Corporate Communications. Once so equipped, it is my intention to continue working for Ecolab, at least initially, but certainly throughout my future career to work for a company where I am in sympathy with the goals of my employer so that I can seek to further those goals with integrity and with genuine passion.

I am aware that some view the role of the Corporate Communications specialist with some reserve and even cynicism in view of some recent business scandals such as those related to the banking crisis during which some such specialists could be accused of defending the indefensible. I see the role as partly preventative in that the specialist should be among those regularly reminding senior management  that, although it takes years to acquire a good reputation, it can be lost in mere hours and to be aware of those areas in which reputational risks might exist and to provide warnings of them where required.

I also regard effective internal communication as an essential tool in explaining and aligning business goals to those of employees and other stakeholders. Communications should be as comprehensive as possible and provided in a timely and easily accessible way to create and maintain good relationships. Responses should be encouraged, carefully considered and thoughtful responses provided.

As a graduate in Business, I am fully aware of the importance of the ‘bottom line’ in enabling a company to meet its business and charitable goals and I should certainly take a keen interest in the profitability of any business employing my services in the future and to enhance, where possible, its ability to maximize that profitability.

I am fluent in Arabic and English and am fairly widely travelled in the Middle East, Europe and North America. I enjoy learning about other cultures and sharing knowledge of my own.  I undertake voluntary work as a remedial teacher and in providing activities for deprived children which provides tremendous personal satisfaction. I enjoy teaching and mentoring others professionally, I am considered to be an excellent communicator both in writing and in person and am a confident and persuasive speaker.

To summarize: Having carefully considered my career options, I am convinced that Corporate Communications is the best option to apply my skills, characteristics and potential in the most effective way. I believe that I can ‘add value’ to the course by bringing the fruits of my professional experience to date and can assure the reader that I shall apply myself with exceptional diligence and enthusiasm to the course and shall seek to excel rather than merely succeed within it.

Thank you for considering my application.

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Inspiring leaders are great communicators.

Master of Public Relations and Communications, Canada, Indigenous Nations

My father was from Scotland so I tend to think of myself as Scottish, but I was born in Halifax and northern Canada has always been my home. I grew up in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia where I graduated from high school. I then went to XXXX University about 3 hours from Halifax, where I earned my undergraduate degree in Business Administration. I was heavily involved with the student union throughout my four years of study and served as President of each of the residence houses in which I lived, as well as Senior Class President. Spending much of my free time reading about the media and public relations, I am as well traveled as I am read, spending significant amounts of time, in addition to Scotland, in Ireland, France, Italy, Spain, South Korea, China, Hawaii, New York City, and London.

After graduating from XXXX, I earned a Master’s Degree in International Fashion Marketing in Edinburgh, Scotland, bonding with my family roots and exploring a passion my passion for fashion. Upon my return to Canada, I settled in XXXX, a small town on Baffin Island where I have been working until the present time. Here is where I have gained the majority of my professional experience.

I am very much in love with the north of Canada and the way that it has provided me with so many opportunities that have helped me to continue to develop and refine my knowledge base and professional abilities as I continue to pursue my dream of a career in public relations and communications. I see the MPR Program at XXXX University as the optimal springboard to prepare me for excellence and my maximum contribution to my chosen field.

In my current position as Manager of Communication, Education and Outreach for the Government of XXXX Department of the Environment, I keep the public informed about all of our activities, the development of our mission, the nature of the challenges that we face and ways in which we depend upon the community for help and support. I am responsible for writing and distributing press and news releases, speeches for the Minister of the Environment; and I am also fully responsible for creating, organizing, and running special events for public outreach and media relations. I love my work and I hope to return to work again with the same people in the same location after completing the MPR program. I look forward to the fullest level of devotion to public relations as a public servant, for decades to some, assuming increasing levels of responsibility.

My first academic love was marketing, growing out of my fashion interest, evolving over time into my great passion for Public Relations. Some of my work in the area of Fashion had some noble and creative elements, for example, my work with the XXXX Arts and Crafts Association, helping local Inuit designers to showcase and promote their fur fashion to delegations and international visitors to the territory. I very much enjoyed promoting sealskin garments as a bountiful, renewable resource that promotes the use of Inuit traditional knowledge and contributes most significantly to their livelihood.

I seek full immersion and engagement with the most profound and challenging issues of our day, especially everything having to do with the environment. I have learned a great deal from all of my professional engagements, serving as Marketing Manager for the Arts Association, then Event Manager for the Chamber of Commerce, and now working in PR for the government in the Environment Department – I enjoy very much giving my all to a challenging industry, the PETA, Greenpeace, I feel very much at the center of the action.

I especially look forward to distinguishing myself in the promotion of the Inuit culture and way of life, in sustainable and ethical ways that are not cruel to either humans or animals and are not harmful to the environment. Earning the MPR at XXXX will help me to become much better at many things that I do professionally, such as preparing statement on behalf of the Department of Environment, Minister of Environment and in response to media requests we get from outside organizations.

I look forward to many decades of service to come in Public Relations, especially working with government agencies and natural resource companies, as well as the governments of the First Nations, always searching for solutions to difficult challenges.

I thank you for considering my application to the MPR Program at XXXX University.

Sample Personal Statement of Purpose for the MS in Communications, Colorado Activist, Progressive Causes

I have lived in Colorado almost my entire life and it is my permanent home and public square; and I am glad, at least, that Hillary won my state. I see the Democratic loss in the last presidential election as a devastating blow to democracy, women, the LGBT community, people of color, poor people, immigrants, and religious freedom. In Colorado, we on the Left are developing new appreciation for state’s rights; and we are doubling down on our efforts to resist what we see as reactionary pressures emanating from the Federal Government resulting in at least potential life-threatening ramifications for many of the most vulnerable members of our state. Thus, this is a good time for me to return to school and sharpen my skills, particularly with respect to Communications in health care.

Entrepreneurial and outspoken, I found my social identity and political niche in the progressive community developing in Denver, Colorado in 1997, the year that I completed an internship at the state capitol. Focus on the Family was the single most influential political player in Colorado at that time and the Republicans were in control of almost everything in our state. I volunteered to work on Democratic campaigns and ballot issue campaigns, rapidly gaining an increasingly sophisticated understanding of the mechanics of targeting and messaging – getting around and working my way up. I learned how the decisions made by politicians affect real people by talking to those people, the victims of failed policies, the ‘collateral’ damage. I tried to give voice to the voiceless.

Not everything is rosy in Colorado, but we have the political infrastructure built to continue to be a leader in advancing human rights and economic security, all while enjoying the natural beauty of our state. Earning the MS in Communications will enable me to build on the skills that I have developed over the course of my 20-year career in non-profit management and government affairs. A professional communicator, I have been most successful with a very targeted audience of 100 legislators in Colorado. Along with a broad variety of organizations and key players, I have helped to envision and implement landmark legislation to regulate medical, now retail, marijuana dispensaries in Colorado by uniting related businesses and establishing their credibility as the job creators and responsible business owners embracing regulation from the outset of the legal marijuana industry. I made important contributions to our Renewable Energy Standard, helping to ensure that it became a statewide policy by pushing to include rural community projects.  I have also helped to advocate for major voter rights provisions and vote-by-mail laws that have helped Colorado to set a national benchmark for other states working on similar initiatives.

I very much appreciate the fact that your MS Program in Communications at Purdie includes a real-world, case-studies focus as an integral part of the curricula. I am drawn to the fact that the professors in the online program work in the communications field but have backed up their work experience with foundational research in the ethics and methodology of communications. It is important to me that Purdue is a public university, and a top-rated one at that. I hold a strong belief that education is a basic foundation in a democracy and should be accessible to everyone. Both of my parents graduated from Purdue, one with an MS in Library Science and the other with a PhD in Nuclear Physics. Since I have a Purdue legacy anyway, I was overjoyed when I learned all about your most robust online program in Communications.

I need to return to intensive study because face new challenges in Colorado and I envision being in need of all of the additional Communications finesse that I might be able to acquire as a graduate student. This is especially true with the new challenges that we face in providing health care for the more vulnerable members of our community. As I write this, I am watching with horror as hundreds of people in America, most of them poor and vulnerable themselves, are being arrested in protests over the repeal of Obamacare. Access to basic health care at a reduced cost is a lifeline for a very broad swath of our population: single mothers, children, the elderly, the mentally ill, drug addicts, developmentally disabled people, etc.; and I feel strongly that we have a duty to care for them as part of our community.

I thank you for considering my application

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Sample Personal Statement of Purpose for Graduate School Arts and Technology in Emerging Communication, ATEC

I first came to America as a baby but my parents raised me mostly in the USA. Nevertheless, we were always flying back and forth from India to the US, since Indian families are very close and mine is no exception. This pleases me greatly, especially the fact that I decided to attend and graduate from high school in India (1996-2000) because this resulted in me being fully multicultural as well as multilingual, thus maximizing my potential to contribute to the celebration of diversity, in India as well as the United States.

The especially keen ways that the arts - visual, dance, song, and verse - are appreciated in Indian culture have been passed on to me by my family in both America and India; in addition to the Indian-American community. I also excel at IT and everything related to electronic communication and performance; making great strides towards my goal of becoming a successful multicultural artist and music producer. Thus, I feel confident that I will be able to excel in your distinguished PHD Program in the Arts and Technology at University of XXXX.

I look forward to a long lifetime of inspiring my students, and helping them to become highly motivated to pursue their dreams at the intersection of the arts and technology. I especially look forward to engaging in lifelong research into correlations between the arts and technology with an emphasis on sound design. I have already completed several internships in setting up and breaking down sound stages, assisted a sound engineer, and served as stage manager for a play, supervising students on the university level. I keenly look forward to teaching, or perhaps working at Apple in the design of Audio Software.

I am eager to enhance my knowledge and skills to prepare to dig deeper into research to get ready for the doctoral degree.  I am prepared to take these classes at graduate level because I have the basic knowledge and skills that I learnt as an undergraduate and can be utilized successfully.  I want to excel in every aspect of this program and continue my education by attaining a PHD in Arts and Technology with a special focus or concentration in the area of Emerging Communication (ATEC).

If I am accepted in the program, I would be particularly honored to learn from XXXX who specializes in media effects, media psychology, children and media, identity and self-development. I was intrigued by her research on how the role of media correlates to the socialization of young people in contemporary societies. I am particularly fascinated by Sound Design, Interactive Design and Networked Cultures.  Given my background and cultural diversity, I am confident I would be an asset to your university.

I believe that my intense passion and sheer curiosity and drive give me something valuable to offer your program. I love technology generally speaking and I am well read in most if not all of the areas of technological advancement that are related to the arts, especially sound. I will be graduating this coming December of 2017 from XXU with my Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Arts and Performance. I am currently enrolled in an Independent study with one of my professors in which I will produce an album. Eating, sleeping, and breathing classes in Conceptual Development, Art of War and Digital Interactivity, I am also working on my Senior Project. I profoundly hope to become a member of your academic community at University of XXXX devoted to exploring and creating on the frontiers of art and technology and I thank you for considering my application.

Sample 1st 2 Paragraphs MA Communication Disorders, Mixed Race Latina

You will undoubtedly have applicants to your program with better grades and higher GRE scores than mine. Nevertheless, I humbly ask for acceptance based on my great passion for speech therapy and the fact that I already have professional experience in this area working as a speech assistant for Epic Health Services.

I see communications as a dynamic catalyst for progressive social change that moves our technological and human advancement on every frontier and  I am pleased to help dozens of people every year in the area of communications. Most applicants in this area seek to study towards the Master’s Degree; but I have also helped a few applicants to PHD programs. I take the material that you provide and turn it into a highly eloquent essay that demonstrates your capacity to excel in graduate school, as well as you potential for making important, lifelong career contributions to communications in your area of chosen specialization. We keenly look forward to helping you to get accepted. After you fill out my Online Interview Form, I will ask you additional questions so that we have all of the information that we need to draft a spectacular statement on your behalf. If needed, we are also prepared to do extensive research on your behalf concerning your special area of interest. It is our pleasure to be of service to you and in this way share in the exciting advancements that are taking place in communications.

Communications, Ethics, and Diversity

In the globalized world of communications, companies in one country can easily do business with firms across the world. Different cultures can sometimes complicate business dealings. Mores and norms vary from society to society, but corporations need to set certain ethical standards, especially for communications. For example, if a communications supplier in one country finds bribery a perfectly acceptable way to conduct business, his buyer needs to look elsewhere. It does not matter that this supplier offers the cheapest prices. Corruption cannot be tolerated in the communications world.

Up until the financial meltdown of 2008, the communications world emphasized short-term results. Business executives received extravagant compensation packages for closing deals, no matter how the transaction affected the company in the long run. Financial institutions lent to borrowers freely, not considering their ability to repay the loans. Eventually, debtors defaulted on their loans, and the economy stood on the brink of collapse. Ethical leaders in all fields, especially communications, need to ignore easy profits and focus on future ramifications of actions, even if it earns less money for the company.

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Writing the Personal Statement

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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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Investigations initiated for two student organizations

Two UW–Madison registered student organizations (RSOs) are under investigation and have received interim suspension notices related to allegations of conduct in violation of student organization codes.

On May 5-6, the Committee on Student Organizations (CSO) received complaints and media reports alleging members of Mecha de UW Madison and Anticolonial Scientists co-hosted a chalking event at the Dane County Farmer’s Market that may have included discriminatory conduct. Some chalkings endorsed violence, supported terrorist organizations and/or contained antisemitic comments.

Discriminatory harassment is prohibited in UW–Madison’s RSO Code of Conduct . The reports have not been substantiated. Mecha de UW Madison and Anticolonial Scientists will remain on interim suspension until an investigation by the university’s Committee on Student Organizations is complete.

UW-Madison and its leaders condemn antisemitism, Islamophobia and calls for violence.

During the period of the interim suspension, organizations must stop all organizational activity except for one executive board meeting per week. The interim suspension prohibits use of university-owned office space, hosting or co-hosting events, travel, and reserving university facilities.

The organization contacts have been notified of the interim suspensions.

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May 3, 2024

Update on Campus Protests and University Response  

Dear Campus Community,

In the days since the encampment near Rowland Hall was erected, we have been engaged in open discussions with student leaders of the demonstration. Our priority has been to resolve this situation swiftly with a successful good faith negotiation, preventing the kind of threats to public safety and disruptions to university operations that have occurred on other campuses.

On Wednesday, May 1, the university presented a proposal to the protest organizers, addressing nearly all of their initial demands. Our proposal was modeled on a successful agreement at another university which our student protestors had lauded as a victory. 

We received a counterproposal on Thursday, May 2, which introduced a range of new requests which were not part of their initial demands. While some of the new demands can be easily met, most challenge the very core of our mission to educate, to conduct research, and to serve a diverse community without bias. 

The counterproposal calls for ending numerous external partnerships that support our students through scholarships and facilitate long-standing research collaborations. It also demands an end to a wide-range of academic and research collaborations with Israeli organizations and individuals. This would violate fundamental principles of academic freedom and would require us to discriminate based on a person’s nationality, which goes against our commitment to anti-discrimination and our principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion.  

Further, the demands include calls for divestment that would violate university policies on investment decisions that are outside the control of any individual campus. They demand defunding the UCI Police Department despite the fact that all UC campuses have adopted new community safety plans after a year-long consultation process that included student input.

Additionally, the demands include actions that would infringe upon our established procedures for handling accusations of faculty misconduct. They also criticize our Center for Jewish Studies and its efforts to address antisemitism. 

Still, I remain optimistic that we will be able to arrive at a mutually-agreeable resolution of this situation. At this time, we are scheduled to continue our discussions on Monday. 

I am very grateful that our student protestors have helped ensure that the encampment remains peaceful and minimally disruptive of university activities, that it is relatively small, that there have been no efforts at building out “fortifications” or amassing material that could be used as weapons, and that there appears to have been no conduct that violates the rights of any other member of the campus community to have an equal educational experience free from discrimination and harassment. It is vital that this continue to be the case. As long as this remains the situation, there is no cause to involve law enforcement, except as needed to help ensure the safety of the protestors and others in the area. 

That said, the continued presence of the encampment is deeply troubling, not only because it violates important and common-sense policies, but also because of the unease it causes many in our community in light of the unfortunate developments that have unfolded at other universities.

I encourage all members of our community to help us maintain a peaceful, non-disruptive, harassment-free environment while we work towards a resolution. Additionally, I urge people unaffiliated with the campus to refrain from actions that would inflame the situation or threaten the safety of our students, staff and faculty.  

I am mindful that some of the messaging arising from these protests is deeply distressing to other members of the university community. But as we have learned during this Year of Free Speech , the campus cannot and should not censor or punish people merely because they are expressing views that others oppose, even if that speech is considered hateful.   

Still, just as we have consistently safeguarded the right to express all viewpoints on our campus, we remain committed to preventing any actions that may silence or intimidate those with differing opinions. Individuals on our campus will continue to have the freedom to express their support for Zionism, their allegiance to the State of Israel, and their concerns regarding antisemitism. Academic programs and centers dedicated to Jewish Studies, Israel Studies, and Antisemitism Studies will continue their work under the principles of academic freedom, even if some disagree with their activities. Embracing a range of perspectives is fundamental to our identity as an institution of higher education in a free society. It underscores the principle that all members of our diverse community are entitled to participate fully in the vital activities of this university.

In my annual message on free speech I stated, "If our commitment to freedom and democracy compels us to defend free speech rights, our dedication to scholarly inquiry and education prompts us to foster norms and practices that facilitate learning from one another in an environment of constructive engagement and mutual respect." Despite the current focus on protest and free speech, we are fundamentally a scholarly community that pursues and transmits higher knowledge and resolves differences through thoughtful, ongoing dialogue, and debate. 

It is our collective responsibility to ensure that the distinctive work of this university continues even when people feel compelled to express their deeply held views through peaceful protest.  

The ongoing global conflict continues to cause distress to members of our community. Students can seek support from the UCI Counseling Center , and employees may access resources through the Life Resources program.

Chancellor Howard Gillman

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Investigation into Jonathan Yudelman video

Jonathan Yudelman is on leave from Arizona State University pending the outcome of an investigation into a video that began circulating this week, depicting an interaction that took place on the morning of Sunday, May 5.  He was placed on leave on Monday, May 6. As a result, he is not permitted to come to campus, teach classes, or interact with students or employees.  

Prior to May 5, Yudelman had already resigned his position at ASU, effective June 30, and he was not scheduled to teach any additional courses over the summer. The current investigation is being conducted consistent with the university’s procedures for employee discipline. ASU has also referred this matter, which took place on a city sidewalk, to the Tempe Police Department for a criminal investigation.

Arizona State University protects freedom of speech and expression but does not tolerate threatening or violent behavior. While peaceful protest is welcome, all incidents of violent or threatening behavior will be addressed. 

Emory Commencement Update

Dear Emory Community,

I have been firm in my commitment that Emory will celebrate our graduating students at Commencement. While that commitment has not changed, concerns about safety and security require us to adjust the plans. 

Emory will relocate Commencement activities to the Gas South District in Duluth, Georgia, an indoor complex that includes the Gas South Arena and the Gas South Convention Center. This change in venue impacts Emory’s university-wide Commencement celebration as well as the diploma ceremonies for all nine schools, including Oxford College. Details of the revised Commencement plans, including those for related events and receptions, have been added to the Commencement website . This site will be updated as additional details become available. 

Please know that this decision was not taken lightly. It was made in close consultation with the Emory Police Department, security advisors, and other agencies — each of which advised against holding Commencement events on our campuses.

I know that this news will be deeply disappointing to many of you. The FAQs included on the Commencement site provide answers to some of the many questions related to this change.

I want to end by congratulating the Emory Class of 2024 — a class like no other. For many of you, the pandemic interrupted your high school graduations, and you began your Emory experience online. Next Monday, we will celebrate all that you have accomplished since then. You will have your moment together, in person, alongside the people who matter to you the most. Each of your names will be read aloud, and each of you will be conferred an Emory degree. We will applaud your dedication, your accomplishments, and your resilience. You will become graduates of Emory University, ready to enter a world that needs your talents, your wisdom, and your leadership.

Gregory L. Fenves President

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WIU Spring 2024 Commencement Weekend May 10-12

May 8, 2024.

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL - - Ceremonies recognizing the academic and personal accomplishments of Western Illinois University students and alumni will be held Friday-Saturday, May 10-11 in Macomb and in the Quad Cities Sunday, May 12. The number of students eligible to participate in Spring 2024 Commencement Ceremonies is 1,635, which includes 1,025 undergraduate students, of which 99 students are in the Bachelor of Arts in General Studies Degree Program; 572 are master's-level graduate students; and six students are earning their doctorates in Educational Leadership. The doctorate graduates include Matthew Andrews - Dunlap, IL; Erica Joy Cupuro - Des Plaines, IL; Benjamin Daniel Derges - Downs, IL; Amy Louise Kunz - Island Lake, IL; Anthony Ragona - LeClaire, IA; Kari Lynn Shimmin - Monmouth, IL. Additionally, 38 Post Baccalaureate Certificates are being issued. Spring 2024 Commencement Weekend Schedule: Friday, May 10, 2 p.m. Honors Convocation, 5 p.m. Graduate Ceremony, Western Hall, Macomb Saturday, May 11, 9 a.m., Undergraduate Ceremony (College of Arts and Sciences; College of Business and Technology; General Studies), 1:30 p.m., Undergraduate Ceremony (College of Education and Human Services; College of Fine Arts and Communication) Sunday, May 12, 1 p.m., Combined Graduate/Undergraduate Ceremony, Vibrant Arena at The MARK in Moline, IL. Ceremony Live Streams Western Illinois University provides live-streaming video of the commencement ceremonies held at the Macomb campus. The live feed will be available approximately 30 minutes before the scheduled start time of each ceremony on WIU's YouTube channel. Distinguished Alumni Scott Clarke, a 1981 political science graduate, retired from the Illinois Division of Banking after 35 years, 20 as assistant director. He oversaw the regulation of state-chartered banks and represented state regulators on national committees. Clarke chaired key committees in the Conference of State Bank Supervisors and led the Education Foundation of State Bank Supervisors. He's also deeply involved with the American Red Cross, earning several awards for his service. Clarke actively supports WIU through scholarships, advocacy, and alumni engagement, including serving on the Alumni Council. Steve McCann, a 1978 accounting graduate, retired from RSM US LLP in 2017 as an assurance partner. He is now a part-time senior advisor in Business & Transition Advisory Services. He's a CPA and a graduate of the RSM CFO Program. McCann is active in non-profits, including the American Red Cross and Oakwood Country Club. He's received awards like the John Deere Classic Community Hero and serves on various boards including WIU Foundation and Renew Moline. McCann has been instrumental in the development of the WIU-Quad Cities campus. Flags The flags of 32 nations representing the Spring 2024 graduating class will be displayed at the Macomb ceremonies. Sponsored by Western's Center for International Studies, the flags represent the following countries: Antigua, Australia, Bangladesh, Barbados, Brazil, Cameroon, Canada, China, Columbia, Croatia, Dominica, France, Germany, Ghana, Grenada, India, Jamaica, Jordan, Kosovo, Mongolia, Nepal, Nigeria, Philippines, Romania, Russia, Spain, Sri Lanka, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States. Gonfalons Gonfalons, which are banners hung from a crossbar on poles, made their inaugural appearance in the Fall 2009 Commencement ceremonies. Gonfalons for Western Illinois University, the School of Graduate Studies, and each of the four academic colleges: Arts and Sciences; Business and Technology; Education and Human Services; and Fine Arts and Communication as well as the Centennial Honors College, and University Libraries will be included in the ceremony. Photos Photographs of each graduate will be taken as they receive their diploma cover. Proof sheets will be mailed from Western's Center for Photography and Design Production to each graduate, with instructions for ordering photos. Open Ceremonies; ADA Requests WIU-Macomb Ceremonies are open to family and friends of the graduates. Tickets are not required; seating is on a first come basis. Doors open 90 minutes before each ceremony. An interpreter will sign each ceremony and assistive listening devices will be available to the public at the information table in the north lobby of Western Hall. There are a limited number of disability seats, and individuals in need of special accommodations for the ceremonies should contact Western's Student Development and Success Center office at (309) 298-1884. Office hours are 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays. WIU-QC Ceremony; the Vibrant arena provides accessible seating and wheelchairs are available for transportation to seating if needed. To utilize this service, attendees can visit guest services inside the West entrance. Additional information about the WIU-QC Commencement ceremony is available at wiu.edu/qc/commencement/index.php. Visit wiu.edu/commencement for more information.

Posted By: University Communications ( [email protected] ) Office of University Communications & Marketing

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Ending the Encampment

J. Larry Jameson, MD, Ph.D. Interim President

John L. Jackson, Jr. Provost

Craig R. Carnaroli Senior Executive Vice President

To the Penn Community:

We have worked with serious intention for nearly two weeks to engage the protestors on College Green, who were notified on April 26th—the second day of the encampment—that they were in violation of Penn’s policies. This outreach has been met by unreasonable demands and a dangerous escalation of the encampment.

Our community has been under threat and our campus disrupted for too long. Passion for a cause cannot supersede the safety and operations of our University. Early this morning, we took action, with support from local law enforcement, to remove the encampment. We would like to express our gratitude to the City of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Police Department for their support. This is an unfortunate but necessary step to prevent violence, restore operations, and return our campus to our community.

Under these extraordinary circumstances, and to provide for the safety of our community, access to the College Green area of campus will be restricted until further notice. Those wishing to enter the area will be required to show a valid PennCard. Those without proper identification will be asked to leave and, if necessary, will be escorted off campus, or considered trespassing.

The protestors refused repeatedly to disband the encampment, to produce identification, to stop threatening, loud, and discriminatory speech and behavior, and to comply with instructions from Penn administrators and Public Safety. Instead, they called for others to join them in escalating their disruptions and expanding their encampment, necessitating that we take action to protect the safety and rights of everyone in our community. We could not allow further disruption of our academic mission. We could not allow students to be prevented from accessing study spaces and resources, attending final exams, or participating in Commencement ceremonies, which for many did not happen during the pandemic. 

University leaders met with representatives of the encampment on multiple occasions, for extended periods of time. We hoped that reasonable conversations could address both the concerns of protestors and the needs of the University. We made clear that their proposals were not possible, including their demands that participating students and faculty receive amnesty without proceeding through our due process for conduct and for divestment from entities engaged with Israel. Penn remains unequivocally opposed to divestment, and it is unlawful for institutions receiving funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

We also made clear that the encampment needed to disband and offered ways in which the protestors could continue their demonstration in compliance with our policies. We proposed, and still hope to deploy, Penn’s academic resources to support rebuilding and scholarly programs in Gaza, Israel, and other areas of the Middle East. Despite diligent efforts to find a path forward, the gap between the positions of many in the encampment and the University proved too wide to bridge in this volatile environment, while the risks to our community and our missions continued to increase.

This decision is viewpoint neutral and affirmed by our policies. There are times when our abiding commitment to open expression requires balancing free speech with our responsibility to safety, security, and continuing the operations of the University. This is one of those times and why we have acted. Open expression and peaceful protest are welcome on our campus, but vandalism, trespassing, disruption, and threatening language and actions are not.

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Campus Update from the Dean of Students

The following message from the Dean of Students was shared with all UWM students on May 3, 2024

Dear UWM students,

I’m reaching out today to talk about what’s happening on our campus, share our expectations again, and ask for help in keeping UWM’s campus safe and welcoming.

On Monday, a protest on campus led to an encampment that was set up on the lawn south of Mitchell Hall. In our email sent Monday evening, and over the last several months, we responded to protesters’ demands. We see what is happening nationally at other campuses, but we are focused on our own students and the needs of our own community.

UWM does not have investments with weapons manufacturers. But I’ve heard from students that they want more detailed information on the UWM Foundation and how it relates to UWM, as well as some details on its investments. I’ve asked the Foundation for that information, and a message from the Foundation will be sent to campus soon.

I’ve talked and met with students. Students have shared their anger at the war, death and suffering of others, but also their frustration with UWM. I’ve heard some students say they don’t feel safe walking past the encampment or hearing chants. Other students have said that if they speak out, they will be shouted down. And others say they just want to go to class and work and hope our campus is safe for everyone.

I’ve also spoken to faculty and staff who have encouraged us to use this as an educational moment. They have asked how do we help students understand their free speech rights but also the limitations of those rights?

The camping restriction (which is part of state law) represents one of those limitations. This law has nothing to do with the content of the speech or the act of protesting itself. In fact, there have been more than a dozen protests on campus in recent months that did not break the law. So, the encampment must end, safely.

Our campus community has different opinions on what should happen next. Students and others have shared that we should arrest everyone in the encampment. Others have shared that we should be patient, kind and compassionate by clarifying laws with students and providing opportunities to work through their demands.

UWM students are incredibly smart and passionate and have a diverse set of opinions and beliefs about what is happening here, on college campuses nationally, and abroad. Being a member of a college community involves challenging our beliefs and opinions, and having the chance to grow, learn and change this place for the better.

As Dean of Students, I am committed to supporting all students. We may not agree on everything, but I believe we can make progress. Along with many faculty and staff colleagues, I am open to engaging in dialogue on how to help us move forward toward resolution. If you are open to that, just reply to this message.

Adam Jussel Dean of Students

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