sample personal statement for phd in management

Personal Statements for PhD Study

Written by Mark Bennett

Universities often ask prospective students to provide a personal statement for PhD study. This is likely to be a key part of your PhD application .

Whereas your research proposal explains the potential of your project, your personal statement (also known as a PhD statement of purpose) demonstrates your suitability for doctoral work in general.

Writing a PhD personal statement can seem challenging, but it’s also a valuable opportunity to state what you have to offer and ‘sell yourself’ as a PhD candidate.

This page explains how to write a PhD personal statement, including suggestions for an effective structure and some additional tips for success.

Pick the right programme for you

There are lots of choices, let us help you to make the right one. Sign up to our weekly newsletter for the latest advice and guidance from our team of experts.

Will I have to write a personal statement for a PhD programme?

Not necessarily. Some PhD applications don’t actually ask for a separate personal statement. This may be because the admissions tutors want to focus on your research proposal instead (and leave other details for interview questions ).

A personal statement is very likely to be requested if you you’re applying to an advertised project with pre-defined aims and objectives (and aren’t submitting your own PhD proposal). If so, it will be your main chance to say why you’re the best student for this position.

Who will read it?

Your PhD statement may end up being read and considered by various people:

Admissions tutors will check that you have relevant experience and qualifications for this programme and that these are up to the standard expected of a PhD candidate.
Potential supervisors will be interested in your specific academic background as well as your motivations for working in their department or research group.
Interview panellists (who may include admissions tutors and supervisors) will probably consult your personal statement when preparing questions for you .

These people will be interested in slightly different things, but don’t worry: a good statement should be able to satisfy all of them.

What is a PhD statement of purpose?

If you’re applying for a PhD programme at an American grad school , you may be asked to provide a ‘PhD statement of purpose’.

A PhD statement of purpose (SOP) is your chance to demonstrate that you’re an ideal fit for the grad school in question.

It’s essentially the equivalent of a personal statement, but you should check the application details for your preferred institution to make sure you’re covering everything you need to. Always follow the conventions of the country that your prospective programme is in.

What should my PhD personal statement include?

The exact content of your PhD statement of purpose will depend on the kind of project you’re applying for and the requirements set by your university.

You should check the latter carefully. If the admission guidelines ask for your personal statement to refer to specific details (such as motivations, career goals, your choice of university, etc) make sure it does.

In general, your PhD statement should cover the following topics:

1. What is your background?

Keep this relevant (and fairly brief). Admissions tutors and supervisors will be interested in what’s brought you to choose a PhD, but they won’t need to know your life story (and you won’t have time to tell it to them).

If your interest in your subject was inspired in childhood, feel free to say so. But focus on the interest, not the childhood.

2. Why do you want to research this topic?

Every personal statement needs to explain your motivation for taking on a PhD, but what you include here will depend on the kind of PhD you want to take on.

If you’re also submitting a separate research proposal you should probably focus more on why you want to research a PhD than the specific topic you’re proposing to research (that, after all, is what your research proposal is for).

If you’re applying for an advertised project (and not proposing your own research) you should say something about your interest in that PhD: what interests you about it and what you can bring to it.

3. What academic experience do you have?

Your personal statement isn’t a CV, so avoid simply listing qualifications you’ve detailed elsewhere in your application (on your CV , for example).

But your personal statement is a chance to comment on your CV and explain the significance of those qualifications for your PhD application. This is vital if you want to stand out from the crowd.

Most PhD applicants are academically excellent. Be proud of your own results, but explain what those degrees (including specific units and dissertation projects) taught you about the subject you now want to research.

4. What extra-curricular experience do you have?

Another way to build upon your academic qualifications is to include other experience that has also demonstrated (or developed) relevant skills for your PhD.

Again, relevance is key. You may also wish to include one or two examples of your wider experience and achievements, but the focus should be on your suitability for PhD study.

Examples of your character and qualities may be relevant for some projects – particularly those with a charitable focus, human-interest angle or clear social benefits / outcomes. Otherwise, try to stick to relevant skills such as organisation, independent project management, self-motivation, etc.

5. What are your broader goals and motivations?

It’s a good idea to say something about how this PhD fits into your wider aims and career goals.

The specifics of what you plan to do after your doctorate may not matter to your admissions tutors, but the fact that you have plans and can show that a PhD fits them demonstrates that you’ve thought seriously about a doctorate and are likely to commit to overcoming the challenges it involves.

6. Are there any other areas or issues arising from your CV?

Your personal statement is a great opportunity to expand upon your CV.

That could mean providing more detail about academic degrees (as above). But it can also mean explaining any gaps or irregularities and anticipating some of the questions they might raise.

Perhaps you didn’t do as well as you hoped on your undergraduate degree, but went on to find your niche and succeed with a more specialised Masters. It’s OK to acknowledge and explain that if so – particularly if your Masters relates closely to your PhD.

Similarly, if there’s a gap in your CV, it’s better to explain it than leave any begged questions – particularly if there’s a perfectly good reason why you weren’t working or studying at that point.

How to write a PhD personal statement

Crafting a good PhD personal statement requires discipline and planning.

Writing about yourself may not seem particularly hard, but selecting, sequencing and organising your material can be harder than it seems. You know a lot about you, after all, but you only have so much time and space. Speaking of which:

How long should a PhD personal statement be?

A PhD personal statement should be 400-500 words, fitting on one side of an A4 sheet of paper. Your university may set a specific word count or maximum length, so make sure to check the application details.

Either way, you should aim to be disciplined and concise. There are two reasons for this:

One is that the ability to think – and express yourself – clearly is a key PhD skill in all subject areas. There’s no harm in demonstrating it now.

The other is that admissions tutors and prospective supervisors are people. People who may well have a lot of personal statements and applications to assess, besides yours. If you give them a long essay to read, they might not.

How should I structure my statement?

The sequence above actually provides a good ‘spine’ for a personal statement (with roughly a paragraph or two for each section):

Start with a quick introduction, explaining who you are and what your background is. Try to have this progress naturally into your research interests and your choice of PhD and university.

From there you can move on, logically, to expanding on your skills and experience and how these make you a good fit for the PhD in question. If you wish to comment on other areas of your CV, do so at appropriate points here.

Finally, you can conclude with a section on your longer-term goals and aspirations.

What writing style should I use?

The ‘personal’ aspect of your statement should extend to its content (it’s a document about you) but not necessarily to its tone (it’s also a professional document, part of an application for a specific role).

That doesn’t mean you can’t express yourself (your reader will want to see that you’re passionate about your subject and enthusiastic about PhD research) but keep things professional and relevant.

These guidelines should also extend to way you write. Try to stick to short sentences and express yourself with clarity and precision. After all, a personal statement that’s easy to read is more likely to be read.

What extra-curricular experience do you have?

What are your broader goals and motivations, are there any other areas or issues arising from your cv, learn more about phd applications.

There are several components of a PhD application , besides your personal statement or statement of purpose. Our guides cover references , research proposals , academic CVs , cover letters and more.

Tips for writing your PhD personal statement

Our postgrad newsletter shares courses, funding news, stories and advice.

Some of the ingredients for a great PhD statement vary from project to project and from student to student (it’s a personal statement, after all).

But the following general tips are still worth bearing in mind:

Keep it relevant – Remember that this is a statement about you as a potential PhD student, not just a statement about you.
Don’t duplicate your research proposal – A personal statement and a research proposal are two separate things. If you’re submitting both, make sure they cover different (and appropriate) ground.
Be honest – If you’re lucky, the content of your personal statement could end up informing questions at your PhD interview . Don’t let embellishments or inaccuracies turn those into awkward questions.
Look for guidelines – If your university asks you to cover something specific in your proposal, make sure you do so. The same applies to space limits or word counts.
Think of the statement as a beginning, not an end – Resist the temptation to include everything, ‘just in case’. By focussing on the most important elements you’ll improve the clarity of your statement and increase your chance of covering other details at your interview.
Address questions arising from elsewhere – If there’s a gap in your CV or an issue with one of your references, your personal statement can be an opportunity to (briefly) explain that.
State, don’t plead - This isn’t a letter asking to be given a PhD place. It’s a statement showing why you should be given a PhD place. That’s even more important if there’s funding involved.
Be confident – By the same token, don’t be afraid to demonstrate self-belief. Express your skills and achievements honestly, but be proud of what they represent.

Finally, before you submit your statement (and the rest of your PhD application ) ask someone who knows you to read it. They could be a friend, an employer, a current tutor or even one of your referees .

Either way, they’ll have a fresh perspective on your statement and will be able to tell you if it makes sense and comes across effectively. If they know you (and your work) well enough they may also be able to spot any details you’ve missed, or suggest ways to improve what you have included.

Ready to apply for a PhD?

Head over to our course search to find PhD opportunities and get in contact with universities.

Select your nearest city

You haven’t completed your profile yet. To get the most out of FindAPhD, finish your profile and receive these benefits:

Monthly chance to win one of ten £10 Amazon vouchers ; winners will be notified every month.*
The latest PhD projects delivered straight to your inbox
Access to our £6,000 scholarship competition
Weekly newsletter with funding opportunities, research proposal tips and much more
Early access to our physical and virtual postgraduate study fairs

Or begin browsing FindAPhD.com

or begin browsing FindAPhD.com

*Offer only available for the duration of your active subscription, and subject to change. You MUST claim your prize within 72 hours, if not we will redraw.

sample personal statement for phd in management

Do you want hassle-free information and advice?

Create your FindAPhD account and sign up to our newsletter:

Find out about funding opportunities and application tips
Receive weekly advice, student stories and the latest PhD news
Hear about our upcoming study fairs
Save your favourite projects, track enquiries and get personalised subject updates

Create your account

Looking to list your PhD opportunities? Log in here .

Testimonials

Free Resources

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.

Quick side note: we've created the world's leading online GRE prep program that adapts to you and your strengths and weaknesses. Not sure what to study? Confused by how to improve your score? We give you minute by minute guide.

You don't NEED a prep program to get a great GRE score. But we believe PrepScholar is the best GRE prep program available right now , especially if you find it hard to organize your study schedule and don't know what to study .

Click here to learn how you can improve your GRE score by 7 points, guaranteed .

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:

Want to improve your GRE score by 7 points? We have the industry's leading GRE prep program. Built by world-class instructors with 99th percentile GRE scores , the program learns your strengths and weaknesses through machine learning data science, then customizes your prep program to you so you get the most effective prep possible.

Try our 5-day full access trial for free:

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.

Want to improve your GRE score by 7+ points?

Check out our best-in-class online GRE prep program . We guarantee your money back if you don't improve your GRE score by 7 points or more.

PrepScholar GRE is entirely online, and it customizes your prep program to your strengths and weaknesses . We also feature 2,000 practice questions , official practice tests, 150 hours of interactive lessons, and 1-on-1 scoring and feedback on your AWA essays.

Check out our 5-day free trial now:

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

This page uses frames, which your browser doesn't support. Upgrade.

Skip navigation

Fall Updates
For Employers
In the Know
Make An Appointment
Internships
Employer Connections
CCE Programs
Funding Programs
Drop-in Hours
Career Counseling Appointments
Practice Interviews
Programs & Services
Design Your Next Steps
Resumes & CVs
Cover Letters
Negotiating
Career Advancement
Graduate School
Premium Resources
Communications & Media
Engineering & Technology
Environment & Sustainability
Financial Services
International Affairs
Non-Profits & Social Justice
Psychology, Counseling, & Social Work
Ways to Gain Experience
Career Assessments
Connect With Alumni
Student Experiences
First-Generation/Low-Income Students
International Students
Students with Disabilities
Veteran Students
LGBTQ Students
Visiting Students
Students of Color

How to Write a Personal Statement for a PhD Program Application

Personal statement guidelines, general guidelines to keep in mind:.

One size does not fit all : Tailor your personal statement to each program and department you are applying to. Do your research to learn what is unique about each of your choices and highlight how this particular program stands out.
Yes, it’s personal : Showcase your unique strengths and accomplishments. Explain what influenced your personal decisions to pursue the program. Ask yourself, could this be applied to your friend or neighbor? If so, you need to be more specific and provide examples. Saying that you are a “good scientist” isn’t enough. Provide examples of your previous research experience, projects you’ve completed, and what technical skills you learned. Explain how you overcame any challenges along the way.
Set aside enough time : Although personal statements are generally short in length (approx. 700 words; 1-2 pages), give yourself ample time to write a strong, well-written statement. It takes more time than you think to develop a final draft for submission.
Focus on your spelling, grammar, and vocabulary : It’s important to present a well-written statement with good grammar and vocabulary. Write concrete, succinct sentences that flow well. Avoid flowery language. Visit the Writing Center for additional review and feedback.
Proofread one more time: Check your grammar and spelling again before submitting your final draft. Ask a friend, professor, or advisor to proofread your final draft one more time before sending it in.

YOUR PERSONAL STATEMENT SHOULD ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

Why do you want to complete further research in this field? Write down a list of reasons as to why you are interested in pursuing further study in the field. When did you become interested in the field and what knowledge have you gained so far? Describe how your previous work provided the foundation and for further study.
Why have you chosen to apply to this particular university ? Does the institution have a particular curriculum, special research facilities/equipment, or interesting research that appeal to you?
What are your strengths ? Demonstrate how you stand out from other candidates. Highlight relevant projects, dissertations thesis or essays that demonstrate your academic skills and creativity. Include IT skills, research techniques, awards, or relevant traveling/ study abroad experience.
What are your transferable skills? Be sure to emphasize transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, and time management skills. Give examples of how you have demonstrated each of these with specific examples.
How does this program align with your career goals? It’s okay if you don’t know the exact career path you plan to take after completing your PhD. Provide an idea of the direction you would like to take. This demonstrates commitment and dedication to the program.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

For examples of successful personal statements, visit the Online Writing Lab (OWL) .

Chris Blattman

Phd applicants: writing your statement of purpose.

January 11, 2022

I’ve read a lot of personal statements for PhD applications. I sat on admissions at UChicago, Columbia, and Yale, mostly in economics, political science, and public policy. Here’s the advice I’ve given my own students and research assistants to craft their statements. I give it because, sadly, I don’t find most statements helpful. This means they are not helping you, the applicant.

As with all my advice posts, it’s important that students outside elite colleges get this information, so here are some personal thoughts.

[Note: You can now subscribe by email to receive posts to your inbox.]

First, let’s clarify your number one job as an applicant: Send the best, clearest signal of your abilities as a future researcher, and minimize the noise around that signal. I explain why in a longer post on whether and how you should apply to PhD programs (including the other elements of an application packet):

the fundamental problems in graduate admissions are “information overload” and “noise”. For every slot in a PhD program, there are probably 30 to 50 applicants. A department that plans to have a class of 20 students may receive 1000 applications. Meanwhile, most departments delegate admissions to a small committee of two to six faculty. They don’t have time to read 1000 applications in detail. And the committee may change every year. Thus, their experience may be limited. And you never know who will be on the committee or what they care about. This adds further randomness. These faculty want to admit the most talented and creative young researchers who will push the field ahead. And they also want you to pass all the most technical classes, because they hate kicking students out. So the admissions committee are looking for strong signals of intelligence, creativity, determination, and other proclivities for research. But this is hard . There are too many applications. Applicants don’t have many good ways to signal quality. All applicants are trying to send the same signals. And there is a ton of uncertainty around each signal. Hence: Information overload and noise.

Yet most schools as for a written statement of some kind. Sometimes they ask for both a biographical statement and a research statement. What do they want and what should you write?

Don’t tell your life story. This statement is not an undergrad entry essay where you describe your life’s trials and tribulations, or your journey to wanting to do a PhD. It’s not that we don’t care. It’s just that it’s probably not relevant to judging your ability as a researcher. If it is, then weave that into the narrative around your research interests and plans. We have hundreds of these things to read and so you only want to focus on the most important information.
Don’t be cliché. Do not start your with your epiphany—the day the scales fell from your eyes and you realized you wanted to be a professor, or were inspired tackle big questions and social issues. Especially if it involves a child in a poor country. This approach is overused and unoriginal, and the information does not help us judge whether you will be a great researcher (see point 1).
Platitudes about wanting to be a professor or researcher
Generic or flattering statements about being excited to join a program, your admiration for the faculty, etc.
Unspecific interests in a research subject or field
Routine information such as “I am graduating in May…”
Filler sentences like “Please find enclosed…”
Start with your broad fields of interest (e.g. “I am principally interested in labor and development economics” or “I want to work at the intersection of comparative politics and international relations”)
Then give 2-3 examples of broad topics and questions that interest you. (“I’m interested in studying inefficiencies in labor markets, especially market power and monopsony. I’m also interested in…”)
Are tenure or tenure-track faculty
Have their primary appointment in the department you are applying to
Are actually there and take students (i.e. they didn’t retire last year, etc.)
You could discuss two ideas in moderate depth, or one idea in greater depth. Either way, I recommend this research discussion be 40-60% of your entire statement.
Ideally this is a question or topic of current interest in the field. One thing I often see is that students are focussed on the research frontier 10 years ago (because those are the papers they read in their classes) and are not clued in to some of the current puzzled and priorities. This is hard to avoid, but some reading and your advisors should be able to help you avoid this.
The best discussions will (if empirical) identify interesting data and discuss plausible empirical strategies. This is difficult, which is why it is a good signal if you do it well.
It’s important to locate your question in the literature without overdoing that discussion. Try to motivate the question with reference to recent and recognizable research papers and agendas. If you are mainly citing articles with few citations, in lower-ranked journals, this is a sign that you need to link your idea to bigger debates in the field, or perhaps rethink the question you are proposing.
This is (in my experience) the most crucial section for most social science departments. Except possibly economics. It’s not clear how seriously many departments take your statement in economics, and some of my colleagues profess to never look at the statement. That may be true, but some will look, and you have to have a statement, so I suggest following this advice to make it a research proposal.
Why you studied physics but now are doing political science
What happened in that single bad semester on your transcript
How to interpret your foreign GPA, and where you ranked in your class
Clarify your classes if they have off names (e.g. “My class called XX was a Real Analysis class using textbook X, and so I have all the mathematical requirements for entry.”
Get help. Your letter writers, professors you work for, or PhD student you know can read and give feedback on your statements. Ask them for their advice. Do this early–a couple months before the application, ideally. they can help you frame your question in a more interesting way, decide what papers to mention, or what is or is not frontier.
Don’t be repetitive. This is not the place to restate your CV (“First I worked for Professor… and then I worked for…”). They have your CV. Use this document to do something no other in your application can do. Only mention work or other experience if you can add essential, high-density information the reader cannot get elsewhere in the application packet. Maybe you picked up specific technical skills working on a project that relate to the research proposal you just described? If not, you don’t have to say anything at all about your past. Just let the research proposal speak for itself.
I recommend using the Hemingway Editor as a tool to write more clearly. Some long and complex sentences are ok, but sparingly. And they can often be improved. Aim for a grade 10 reading level.
Use active voice
Omit needless material and words (see points 3 and 9)
Limit jargon
Each paragraph should be a distinct idea
Paragraphs should have a hierarchical structure, with the big idea or general point as the first topic sentence, and the rest of the paragraph elaborates. Someone should be able to get an “executive summary” but simply reading the first line in every paragraph. they should make sense as a story/summary.
Use subheadings if possible, to delineate sections such as your broad fields of interest (point 4), your research proposal (point 5), and other key information (point 6)

This is just my view. Other professors will have different preferences and advice here. So ask them. Get more opinions. Or put your advice in the comments below.

Subscribe to Blog

Email Address

What Is a PhD Personal Statement?

How to structure your personal statement, final thoughts, phd personal statements.

Updated March 14, 2023

When applying for a PhD position, a personal statement is often required. This can be the case whether you are applying for an advertised PhD research project or with a personally devised project.

This personal statement is separate from your PhD research proposal, which will go into much greater detail about the PhD project you are proposing or applying to undertake.

This article will delve into what to your PhD personal statement should contain and how to structure it for the best chance of success.

A PhD personal statement will support your application and is intended to shed more light on your motivations, academic background/ achievements and personal strengths .

Your statement will most likely be read by the admissions tutor for the department, who, based on your statement and research proposal, will decide whether your application should progress to the next stage of the process.

A personal statement will not always be required, so make sure to check the requirements for your institution and department.

What Should a PhD Personal Statement Contain?

When writing your PhD personal statement, you will need to convey your suitability for the programme or position, indicating that you have the academic ability, background knowledge and drive to take on a project of this level of complexity.

Statements are expected to be heavily related to the discipline and research angle being proposed. Your statement should draw out the strands of your previous exploration and research and illustrate what led you to apply to complete this particular PhD project.

It should discuss your interest in the subject matter, your academic interests within the field and your motivations for applying to the institution in question.

Below is a list of topics that need to be addressed in your personal statement .

The examples provided are for illustrative purposes only. It is important that your writing is grounded in your own experiences and aspirations, and consistently linked to your research proposal.

1. Why You Want to Do This PhD

It is important to talk about your motivations for undertaking the project, along with an awareness of the challenges you may experience, as this will display your drive for completing your research.

Directly reference your research proposal, talking about how your current or previous studies relate and have prepared you to undertake this project.

The strongest argument for why you want to undertake the PhD will come from the arc of your academic research and displaying a genuine enthusiasm for advancing the research of your chosen field.

During my master’s degree at the University of Nottingham, I had two primary focuses: cultural behaviours and social media impacts. I was interested in how culture reacts under new stimuli, so I wrote my dissertation on how cultural practices can be newly read through the lens of media platforms. My proposed research proposal takes this theoretical and desk-based research a step further, exploring the reflections of the specific cultural practice of...

2. How Your Work Will Benefit the University

When applying for a PhD, what you will bring to the university as a junior academic is an important factor in the decision-making process. You will not just be a student but a member of the department, most likely with teaching responsibilities.

The faculty will want to know that you can meaningfully contribute to the department through both your research and teaching.

If your work links into other PhD projects currently being supervised, or to the research of a senior academic or professor, it is good to indicate these connections and the potential they hold – whether this is in terms of supportive research, a complementary strand or a new angle or perspective.

If there is an academic whose work you are particularly interested in and you have not already indicated that you would like the opportunity to work alongside them, highlight this. Display that you are knowledgeable about the department’s current research interests, specialities and standing.

Since beginning my MSc research and developing a more specific interest in mangrove restoration, I have closely followed the research being conducted by Professor Stephens into restoration and wave attenuation. As I subsequently elaborate upon in my research proposal, I believe that my project fruitfully intersects with this research. It aims to make a meaningful contribution to a department world-renowned for its research into marine and coastal climate change impacts.

3. Why You Want to Study for a PhD at This University

It is important to convey why you want to conduct your research specifically at the institution you are applying to. Admissions will want to know that you have thought carefully about your application and know exactly what undertaking a PhD with their department will involve.

Conveying this intersects with the sentiments of the above point, as you should display that you have investigated the work of the professors in the department and are aware of any individual research groups or projects that relate to your work. These intersections help to show why the university is the best choice for you.

I believe that the University of Cardiff offers the best reciprocal environment in which to grow and diversify my approach to this research. Working alongside my supervisor, I intend to tap into the departmental expertise on biodiversity mapping and – using the framework of the 2019 report by Fischer, Raymond and Wills – reveal new insights by building upon the current research.

4. Why You Are the Best Candidate

The PhD personal statement is an opportunity to promote yourself, so it needs to be specific, personal and unique – nobody else has your history, aspirations or skill set, so explain what it is about you that makes you best suited to this endeavour.

When stating that you possess certain skills, back them up with concrete examples or explanations that are unique to you.

Be wary of making your personal statement too general or simply writing what you believe the admissions team want to hear. There are no correct answers, perfect CVs or ideal academic paths to have followed to reach this point. Your personal statement should reflect your journey and what you have gained from it, segues and unconventional routes included.

During my English Literature master’s degree, I focused on videogames and late medieval literature. I could see at that point that literary studies had a lot to offer the study of games and that games provided interesting new angles for applying longstanding theoretical approaches and fields. This led me to complete a further master’s degree in videogames as I sought to apply my research in a more specific and digitally focused arena. I found, because of my background in humanities and literary theory, that I possessed a perspective that my fellow empirically-minded colleagues, with backgrounds in coding, lacked. Using this unique perspective, I am now seeking to develop the research of my master’s dissertation through a PhD project

5. What You Learned During Your past Degrees and the Skills You Developed

To get to this stage, you will have already spent many years devoted to studying and growing your interest in your subject matter, so sell yourself and your talents. Think about the individual and group projects you have undertaken and the skills they helped you to develop and hone.

Remember to be specific and relate your skill set back to your proposed PhD project. For example, talk about the methodological approaches you have used previously to yield results, the new connections and collaboration you fostered across disciplines, or the positive impact made by projects you were involved in.

Your examples will vary greatly depending upon your academic background and the PhD you wish to complete but, regardless of topic, it is important to reveal your high level of skill and competence.

During my MSc, I conducted fieldwork in [location] and gained direct experience of collecting samples for paleolimnological analysis. I developed an aptitude for rapid algal species analysis and enjoyed the challenge of comparing this population data across cores and sample locations. This practical background has enabled me to be confident in my ability to source and analyse the sediment cores I require for this PhD project.

6. Any Explanations for Lower Grades (If Applicable)

If you have any extenuating circumstances for any results or grades, do not be afraid to explain the situation in your statement. Be honest about your struggles or challenges and seek to convey how you have grown as a consequence of these.

7. Your Future Plans

It is important to have thought carefully about your plans for life after your doctorate, as displaying clear goals will help the admissions team to determine that you have the correct motivations for applying.

Having a considered path you intend to follow beyond your proposed research gives confidence in your dedication to the project. Someone with articulated ambitions is more likely to be committed to the programme in the face of challenges.

If you wish to pursue a career in academia, as many PhD graduates do, show that you are aware of what this will involve. If you have a different industry path in mind, don’t be afraid to share it in your statement. PhDs can lead on to a variety of different career paths, so impress the admissions team with your aspirations of practical application.

The university will also want to ensure they can provide you with the skills and training you require to be successful and reach your goals. Letting the department know early on about your aspirations can help to ensure that the tailored support you will require can be provided.

After completing my PhD here, I intend to pursue an academic career within an architectural faculty in the UK. If the opportunity is available, I will be looking to apply for a lecturing position within this department. I am, however, acutely aware of the fierce competition in this field. I will be proactively seeking legacy funding for my research project as its potential to inform the typologies of housing used for settlement upgrading extends well beyond the timescale of this PhD.

If you are applying to more than one institution, which is highly likely, ensure that you tailor your personal statement to each university. Taking the time to craft a statement that speaks to the specificities of the university and the research of the teaching department will exponentially increase your chances of moving on to the next stage in the admissions process.

Below are our tips for structuring your PhD statement. You must ensure that you are aware of all the requirements set out by the university to which you are making your application, as these will influence the structure and content of the piece.

Step 1 . Structure

PhD applicants are expected to be highly adept at writing, so it is paramount that your personal statement is carefully constructed and reflects your ability for written communication .

The university you are applying to may provide you with a word count , or it may be stipulated by the space allowed on an online application form . Check if this is the case, as it is far easier to write to a specific word limit rather than having to make extreme edits to a piece that exceeds accepted length.

A PhD personal statement should be approximately one to one-and-a-half pages in length and be split into clear and concise paragraphs. If a sentence does not add value to the personal statement, omit it.

As a guide, aim for between four and six paragraphs , depending on their length. As previously indicated, it is best to keep paragraphs shorter rather than longer, as this will make your statement easier and more enjoyable for the admissions team to read.

Open your personal statement with a context-setting introduction regarding your academic interests and what has led you to apply for this research project. Seek to convey a real sense of yourself, so that those who read your statement can get a genuine sense of the student and junior academic you will be.

In the middle paragraphs , explore your motivations in greater detail, along with the qualities that make you a suitable candidate– with examples of when you displayed them.

It is important to provide a closing paragraph , bringing together the strands in your statement to solidly iterate why you are the right candidate.

Although it is best to avoid clichés and keep your writing original and interesting, conclude your personal statement by thanking the admissions tutor for taking the time to read your statement and considering your application.

Step 2 . Tone

When writing your statement, use a formal tone , correct grammar and appropriate language.

Colloquial and familiar language should be avoided. It is important to talk about your past academic and, perhaps, fieldwork or research experiences, but keep these professional in tone rather than anecdotal.

Ask someone to read through your statement to sense-check the tone and language used. It is always good to get a new perspective, particularly on a piece you spent a long time crafting.

Ensure you thoroughly check your grammar and spelling using the spell check function on your computer and also by eye. If including complex academic terminology, double-check that your terms are spelt correctly and have not been mistyped or incorrectly recognised and changed by your computer.

Writing a personal statement that accurately reflects your achievements, abilities and drive to take on your PhD can be a difficult task.

It is important to leave yourself enough time to write a draft statement so you can receive outside feedback, review it yourself and make the necessary improvements to ensure your piece does your potential as a PhD student justice.

Demonstrate your suitability for doctoral work with a personal statement that is personal to you and your unique experience and skills. A carefully thought-out, well-structured and well-evidenced statement will sell yourself and your academic abilities.

Seek to connect with those who read your application, explaining why your journey has equipped you for completing a PhD you will be proud of.

You might also be interested in these other Wikijob articles:

The 10 PhD Interview Questions You Might Be Asked

Or explore the Postgraduate / PHD sections.

Undergraduates
Ph.Ds & Postdocs
Faculty/Staff
Prospective Students & Guests
Student Athletes
First Generation and/or Low Income Students
International Students
LGBTQ Students
Students with Disabilities
Students of Color
Student Veterans
Advertising, Marketing & PR
Finance, Insurance & Real Estate
General Management & Leadership Development Programs
Law & Legal Services
Startups, Entrepreneurship & Freelance Work
Environment, Sustainability & Energy
Media & Communications
Policy & Think Tanks
Engineering
Healthcare, Biotech & Global Public Health
Life & Physical Sciences
Programming & Data Science
Graduate School
Business School
Health Professions
Cover Letters & Correspondence
Interview Preparation
Professional Conduct & Etiquette
Job Offers & Salary Negotiations
Navigating AI in the Job Search Process
Yale Career Link
CareerShift
Gap Year & Short-Term Opportunities
Planning an International Internship
Funding Your Experience
Career Fairs/Networking Events
On-Campus Recruiting
Resource Database
Job Market Insights
Informational Interviewing
Peer Networking Lists
Building Your LinkedIn Profile
YC First Destinations
YC Four-Year Out
GSAS Program Statistics
Statistics & Reports
Meet with OCS
Student Organizations Workshop Request
Office of Fellowships
OCS Podcast Series
Contact OCS
OCS Mission & Policies
Additional Yale Career Offices
Designing Your Career
Faculty & Staff

Writing Personal Statements for Graduate School

Share This: Share Writing Personal Statements for Graduate School on Facebook Share Writing Personal Statements for Graduate School on LinkedIn Share Writing Personal Statements for Graduate School on X

Personal Statements

Preparing a well-written and effective personal statement (sometimes referred to as statements of purpose or personal essays) that clearly articulates your preparation, goals, and motivation for pursuing that specific graduate degree is critically important. You will need to spend a considerable amount of time and effort in crafting these statements. The focus, structure, and length of personal statements vary from program to program. Some will have prompts or questions you need to answer, while others will leave the topic open-ended. The length varies widely as well. Read instructions carefully and make sure to adhere to all parameters laid out in the application guidelines.

Clear writing is the result of clear thinking. The first and most important task is to decide on a message. Consider carefully which two or three points you wish to impress upon the reader, remembering that your audience is composed of academics who are experts in their fields. Your statement should show that you are able to think logically and express your thoughts in a clear and concise manner. Remember that the reader already has a record of your activities and your transcript; avoid simply restating your resume and transcript. Writing your statement will take time; start early and give yourself more than enough time for revisions. If no prompts are given, you can use the questions below to begin brainstorming content to include in your statement.

What experiences and academic preparation do you have that are relevant to the degree you’re seeking?
Why are you choosing to pursue a graduate degree at this time?
Why do you want to pursue this particular degree and how will this degree and the specific program fit into your career plans and your long-term goals?
What specific topics are you aiming to explore and what does the current literature say about those topics?

After you’ve written a first draft, start the work of editing, refining, simplifying, and polishing. Provide specific examples that will help illustrate your points and convey your interests, intentions, and motivations. Is any section, sentence, or word superfluous, ambiguous, apologetic, or awkward? Are your verbs strong and active? Have you removed most of the qualifiers? Are you sure that each activity or interest you mention supports one of your main ideas? Spelling and grammatical errors are inexcusable. Don’t rely on spell-check to catch all errors; read your statement aloud and have it reviewed by multiple people whose opinion you trust. If possible, have your statement reviewed by a writing tutor. For individual assistance with writing your personal statement, consult with the writing tutor in your residential college or the Writing Center within the Yale Center for Teaching and Learning .

Office of Career Strategy

Visiting yale.

Our cookies

We use cookies for three reasons: to give you the best experience on PGS, to make sure the PGS ads you see on other sites are relevant , and to measure website usage. Some of these cookies are necessary to help the site work properly and can’t be switched off. Cookies also support us to provide our services for free, and by click on “Accept” below, you are agreeing to our use of cookies .You can manage your preferences now or at any time.

Privacy overview

We use cookies, which are small text files placed on your computer, to allow the site to work for you, improve your user experience, to provide us with information about how our site is used, and to deliver personalised ads which help fund our work and deliver our service to you for free.

The information does not usually directly identify you, but it can give you a more personalised web experience.

You can accept all, or else manage cookies individually. However, blocking some types of cookies may affect your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer.

You can change your cookies preference at any time by visiting our Cookies Notice page. Please remember to clear your browsing data and cookies when you change your cookies preferences. This will remove all cookies previously placed on your browser.

For more detailed information about the cookies we use, or how to clear your browser cookies data see our Cookies Notice

Manage consent preferences

Strictly necessary cookies

These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems.

They are essential for you to browse the website and use its features.

You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work. We can’t identify you from these cookies.

Functional cookies

These help us personalise our sites for you by remembering your preferences and settings. They may be set by us or by third party providers, whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies, then these services may not function properly.

Performance cookies

These cookies allow us to count visits and see where our traffic comes from, so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are popular and see how visitors move around the site. The cookies cannot directly identify any individual users.

If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site and will not be able to improve its performance for you.

Marketing cookies

These cookies may be set through our site by social media services or our advertising partners. Social media cookies enable you to share our content with your friends and networks. They can track your browser across other sites and build up a profile of your interests. If you do not allow these cookies you may not be able to see or use the content sharing tools.

Advertising cookies may be used to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. They do not store directly personal information, but work by uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will still see ads, but they won’t be tailored to your interests.

How to write a PhD personal statement

16 th August 2022

Person at office desk with laptop and books, top view

Post on Facebook
Send to a friend
Recommend 0

Not sure where to start when it comes to writing a PhD personal statement? We have put together a helpful article packed full of advice for writing your PhD personal statement (or cover letter), so you can approach the task with confidence. PhD personal statements are incredibly important bits of work, showing how suitable you are for studying within the department that you are applying to, so it’s wise to make sure you’ve done your absolute best – you only get to make your first impression once! Have a read of our useful PhD personal statement tips, make a cup of coffee, and start showing off your writing skills.

What is a PhD personal statement?

How do i write a phd personal statement, how should i structure a phd personal statement, what should i write in a phd personal statement, what style should i use for a phd personal statement, how should i check my phd personal statement, phd cover letter and personal statement tips.

When applying for a PhD course, you may have to submit a research proposal as well as a personal statement or cover letter.

The proposal details your research project (such as proposed methods, results and planned analysis) and why there is value in exploring it.

Your personal statement outlines why you are suitable for doctoral study. In addition, it should say why you’re interested in the specific PhD with that particular department and how your experiences can add to it.

Sometimes you only have to submit a proposal or a personal statement. If you have to submit both, be sure that they clearly cover these separate areas.

Your PhD application is very different from an application you may have made before through UCAS. It goes directly to the university and needs to be fully tailored to what the department is looking for. It’s similar to a job application.

If you haven’t already, get in touch with the PhD supervisors or other contacts within the department you want to work in. They regularly need PhD students to support their work, so they will probably be happy to help you with your application.

When planning what to write, read all relevant information about the course and any guidance from the university – for example, lists of desirable criteria, or a person specifications. You can use each criterion as a heading and make bullet points on what to write under each one.

An introduction that outlines why you want to do the PhD
Middle paragraphs that say how your interests and experiences make you right for doctoral study, and why the university department is a suitable fit for you
A concluding paragraph that summarises why you’re the best person for the course

Aim to explain how your skills and experience make you a suitable candidate for this particular PhD at this specific university.

Why should you be completing research in this area?
What are your strengths and achievements?
What are your influences?
Why is this university the right one for your project?
Why do you want to work with this team?
Make sure that you give evidence and not just state points, especially if the criteria are specific. What have you done to match the requirements?

You can discuss your wider achievements or extracurricular activities, but try to keep it suited to the PhD. If you want, add information about gaps in your CV or any other issues that are relevant.

If you're applying for a fellowship (a funded PhD), you should tailor your application to the funder. Spend enough time researching the fellowship so you talk about why it will be beneficial to you.

Aim to be concise in your writing. The university may set a limit on the word count, but if not, your personal statement should ideally be no longer than one side of A4. Be concise and make every word count.

Your statement should reflect the academic nature of the writing you’ll be doing in the PhD. For example, if your work is scientific, the people who will read your statement want to see that you can provide evidence and an explanation with each point you make.

For more information on how to write a personal statement, see our general postgraduate advice article.

Go to: How to write a postgraduate personal statement

When writing your application, spend plenty of time rewriting sections to perfect it. A good idea is to spend 20 minutes editing for every hour you spend writing. If you can, sit in a different environment to edit than where you write from, as this will help keep your mind clear and fresh.

Develop a strong academic CV – this is what admissions tutors will usually look at before reading your personal statement. Use the CV to list your experiences, and don’t repeat the same information in your statement.

Start putting your application together early, even as early as a year before the PhD will begin. This will give you time to contact supervisors. Your applications may be due in January before you start, so you’ll need to set aside plenty of time if you’re applying for funding.

Next: Read more about Mistakes to avoid on your postgraduate application

DON'T MISS OUT

Receive regular newsletters packed with useful tips.

Converting a Postgraduate Certificate to a Masters

PG certificates are a perfect stepping stone to a Masters degree as you’ll not only...

Law and Legal Studies - Postgraduate Guide

As it is a subject that touches many other sectors, there are various postgraduate...

How to Make the Most of Postgraduate Open Days

If you’re going to university open days to help you figure out where you could do...

How to Write a PhD Personal Statement: Essential Tips and Examples

6th June 2024

Speak right now to our live team of English staff

A personal statement is a crucial part of your PhD application. It provides an opportunity to showcase your academic background, research interests, and motivations for pursuing a PhD. Crafting a compelling personal statement can significantly impact your chances of being accepted into your desired course. This guide will help you understand how to write a good personal statement, how to format it, and provide an example for reference.

What is a Personal Statement for a PhD?

A personal statement for a PhD application is a written account of who you are, your academic achievements, your research interests, and your motivations for pursuing a doctoral degree. It is your chance to convince the admissions committee that you are a suitable candidate for their programme. A well-written personal statement should highlight your strengths, experiences, and goals, demonstrating your readiness for the challenges of a PhD programme.

How to Write a Good Personal Statement

Writing a good personal statement requires careful planning and reflection. Here are some essential steps to help you craft a compelling narrative:

Reflect on Your Academic Journey

Begin by reflecting on your academic and professional experiences. Consider what motivated you to pursue your current field of study, any significant achievements or projects, and how these experiences have prepared you for a PhD. This reflection will form the foundation of your personal statement.

Define Your Research Interests

Clearly articulate your research interests and how they align with the programme you are applying to. Be specific about the areas you want to explore and why they are important to you. Mention any previous research you have conducted and how it has influenced your interests.

Explain Your Motivations

Discuss your motivations for pursuing a PhD. Explain why you want to delve deeper into your chosen field and what you hope to achieve with a doctoral degree. This section should convey your passion and commitment to research.

Highlight Relevant Experiences

Include any relevant experiences that demonstrate yo that you are ready to pursue a PhD programme. This could include academic achievements, research projects, publications, presentations, or professional experiences. Emphasise skills and knowledge that will contribute to your success as a doctoral candidate.

Convey Fit with the Programme

Research the PhD programme you are applying to and mention specific aspects that attract you. This could be faculty members you want to work with, research facilities, or unique programme features. Demonstrating a good fit shows that you have thoughtfully considered your application and are genuinely interested in the programme.

Maintain a Professional Tone

While your personal statement should be personal, it should also maintain a professional tone. Avoid colloquial language and ensure your writing is clear, concise, and free of grammatical errors. Proofread multiple times and consider seeking feedback from mentors or peers.

How to Format a Personal Statement

The format of your PhD personal statement is crucial for readability and coherence. Here are some tips on how to format your statement:

Typically, a personal statement for a PhD application should be between 500 and 1,000 words. Check the specific requirements of each programme, as they can vary. Aim to be concise while covering all necessary information.

A well-structured personal statement usually follows this format:

Introduction: Briefly introduce yourself and your academic background.
Academic and Research Background: Discuss your previous studies, research projects, and relevant experiences.
Research Interests: Clearly state your research interests and objectives.
Motivations for Pursuing a PhD: Explain why you want to pursue a PhD and what you hope to achieve.
Fit with the Programme: Mention why you are interested in the specific PhD programme and how it aligns with your goals.
Conclusion: Summarise your key points and reiterate your enthusiasm for the programme.

Formatting Tips

Font and Size: Use a standard font like Times New Roman or Arial, size 11 or 12.
Margins: Use 1-inch margins on all sides.
Spacing: Double-space your text to enhance readability.
Headings: Use headings and sub-headings to organise your content if appropriate.
File Format: Submit your statement in the required file format, usually PDF or Word.

PhD Personal Statement Example

Here’s a brief example to give you an idea of what a PhD personal statement might look like:

Introduction:

I am passionate about advancing research in molecular biology and have dedicated my academic journey to exploring the intricate mechanisms of cellular processes. With a strong foundation in biochemistry and hands-on research experience, I am eager to pursue a PhD at [University Name] to contribute to groundbreaking discoveries in this field.

Academic and Research Background:

I completed my undergraduate degree in Biochemistry at [University Name], where I graduated with honours. During my studies, I worked on several research projects, including an investigation into the role of protein folding in neurodegenerative diseases. This project, under the guidance of Dr. [Mentor’s Name], resulted in a publication in the Journal of Molecular Biology. My passion for research led me to pursue a master’s degree, where I focused on the genetic regulation of cancer cells.

Research Interests:

My primary research interest lies in understanding the molecular basis of cancer. Specifically, I am interested in the signalling pathways that regulate cell proliferation and apoptosis. My previous work on the genetic mutations in oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes has prepared me to delve deeper into this area. At [University Name], I hope to work with Dr. [Professor’s Name], whose research on cellular signalling in cancer aligns perfectly with my interests.

Motivations for Pursuing a PhD:

Pursuing a PhD will enable me to contribute to the field of molecular biology by addressing critical questions about cancer development and progression. I am motivated by the potential to translate research findings into therapeutic strategies that can improve patient outcomes. A doctoral degree will provide me with the skills and knowledge to lead independent research projects and collaborate with experts in the field.

Fit with the Programme:

[University Name]’s PhD programme in Molecular Biology is an ideal fit for my research goals. The programme’s emphasis on interdisciplinary research and access to state-of-the-art facilities will provide the perfect environment for my studies. Additionally, the opportunity to collaborate with Dr. [Professor’s Name] and the esteemed faculty at [University Name] excites me.

Conclusion:

I am enthusiastic about the prospect of joining [University Name]’s PhD programme and contributing to the advancement of molecular biology research. My academic background, research experience, and passion for discovery have prepared me to undertake the challenges of a doctoral programme. I look forward to the opportunity to further my research and make meaningful contributions to the scientific community.

Take Your PhD Personal Statement to the Next Level

Writing a PhD personal statement requires careful reflection, clear articulation of your goals and experiences, and attention to detail. By following this guide, you can create a compelling personal statement that showcases your qualifications and passion for research. Remember to tailor your statement to each programme, highlighting why you are a good fit and how the programme aligns with your research interests. With a well-crafted personal statement, you can enhance your chances of gaining admission to your desired PhD programme.

Need a second pair of eyes for your personal statement? Our expert academics can review and provide feedback to ensure your statement is polished and impactful . We offer tailored advice to help you highlight your strengths and address any weaknesses, making your application as strong as possible. Contact us today to get started on perfecting your application and take the next step towards achieving your academic goals.

What is a SOP and How to Write a SOP for a PhD Application?

How to Write a Diversity Essay? | Explained with Tips & Examples

PhD vs Doctorate: Exploring Key Differences

Blog categories.

Graduate School

Harvard Graduate School Personal Statement Examples

Reading Harvard graduate school personal statement examples can help organize your thoughts, experiences, and knowledge to craft your own above-average personal statement. Different from statement of purpose examples for graduate school , the personal statement should tell your story and describe what brought you to this moment when you’re applying to one of the most prestigious universities in the world. Your personal statement can contain anything about your past (stories, experiences, trials, obstacles, etc.), but you must find a way to connect them to your present goals.

This article will provide different personal statement examples, explain more about the nuances of applying to Harvard Graduate School and show you how to write a compelling introduction and opening sentence for your Harvard graduate school personal statement.

>> Want us to help you get accepted? Schedule a free initial consultation here <<

Article Contents 12 min read

Applying to harvard graduate school.

The Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences offers master’s and PhD degrees in various areas of study, ranging from the arts and humanities to business administration and physics. As such, each program has different entrance requirements, although some general requirements include applicants taking the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

Non-native-English-speaking students also need to take an English proficiency test to show they have the necessary language skills. Specialized programs in a specific field like Greek Studies or art history may require language proficiency in other languages like Latin, Greek or Italian, so you should carefully review all the requirements of your chosen program.

The personal statement requirement is also not universal. Some programs may ask for a statement of purpose (similar to a letter of intent), which is more focused on your academic background and ambitions, and not the same as a personal statement. Other programs ask for a portfolio or other work.

You should research all about the program you want to enter before you apply, and if you have any doubts or questions, reach out to them directly. All university graduate programs are eager to accept exceptional and qualified candidates and will be more than happy to clarify anything that is confusing.

I have always had a hard time defining myself. Other than my gender identity, I’ve always felt parts of me are too fluid to define. I never felt any particular affinity or pride toward the country of my birth, but neither do I identify with my parent’s countries of origin, although elements of their culture (language, music) do resonate with me.

I went to a very diverse, multicultural high school and it was my first brush with not belonging. I don’t remember thinking about my identity before. I grew up in a community based around my neighborhood and we didn’t differentiate people according to race, language, religion, or things like that. They were just my neighbors and friends.

In high school, though, everyone had their cliques and groups. Sometimes, they were centered on shared cultural, national, and racial ties, which meant that I, a biracial, native-born kid with parents from South America and Europe found it hard to fit in. I became aware of what life was like outside the paradise of my neighborhood when I was bullied in high school for being biracial. And it came from all the students; for some, I was too light-skinned; for others, I was too dark.

It was a hard thing for me to understand. Being judged for my skin color was something that had never happened to me before, and I took it to heart. As the bullying continued, I became depressed and angry. I lashed out at my parents for no reason. My grades began to suffer. My worried parents sent me to the family doctor to explain my problems, but he only suggested anti-depressants, which I did not want to take.

It was my high school guidance counselor, Ms. Olivia Nuzzi, who gave me what I most needed at the time: someone to talk to, someone to listen. I can’t remember the exact circumstances that brought us together – I think my mother reached out to her – but by the time of our first meeting, I was not doing well. My depression had intensified. I was experiencing suicidal ideation. I felt like I would never belong or be accepted by anyone.

The first time I met Ms. Nuzzi, she placed her hand on mine, and that simple act of tenderness made me burst out sobbing. It was the first time anyone, other than bullies, had tried to get close to me in months. In our first session, I talked openly about what was going on with the bullying and how it made me question my identity. I began to see Ms. Nuzzi regularly after that. Going to see her was often the only highlight of my week, and we became very close.

I went to her on one of the worst days of my life. I was in class, and someone made an insulting comment about me. I didn’t react at all, but inside I was furious. Soon, that fury turned to panic, and I started to feel short of breath, dizzy. I asked to be excused and made my way to Ms. Nuzzi’s office. She calmed me down and asked what had happened.

What she said next has always stayed with me. She said, “Not knowing who you are now doesn’t mean you’ll never know, and it doesn’t mean you’re empty. It only means you have a lot of work to do.” Her saying that made me realize that identity is something we are always constructing.

Ms. Nuzzi lost touch after I graduated, but her words never left me. I thought of her when I decided what my career should look like, in childhood psychology, and applied to the Psychology program at Cornell. Despite all the care and tenderness Ms. Nuzzi had shown me, I wanted to offer more to children grappling with identity and identity formation within the context of education.

During my undergrad, I focused on classes related to preadolescent development and the important role of socialization in how young people define themselves. I also took courses in sociology and social work to better understand how to create actionable plans to treat childhood depression, anxiety, and mental illness.

During my master’s, I focused on approaches to child psychology that helped me gain a better understanding of how to assess and interpret a child’s distress. It became clear to me that I needed to study more about the social basis for the way a child forms their identity and how they respond to external factors.

Among the many reasons I am applying to the Harvard Graduate School Psychology program is the opportunity to study under the supervision of Dr. Henry Blackthorn, a pioneer in the field of childhood anxiety disorders. I have admired Dr. Blackthorn’s work for many years, and I think his outline for developmental risk factors is the most precise diagnostic retuning in ages.

It’s ironic that my search for an identity led me to finding my career, even though I am wary of defining myself by my profession. I am a dedicated student and researcher, and I feel like I can contribute effectively to this graduate program, but one thing I have learned in trying to shape my own identity is that the work of creating yourself is never over.

One of the things I remember most about my father is his bookcase. My father never finished grade school, and he had worked most of his life. He had as many jobs as anyone I ever knew, and he took pride in listing off the jobs he had held in his time, ranging from janitor, factory worker, and line supervisor to line cook, hospital attendant, and general contractor.

Wearing as many hats as he did, he knew a lot about different subjects. He knew how to take apart a carburetor and cook a French omelet. He knew the best wood to build a house (spruce or Douglas fir) and the best way to get out chocolate stains. But he was always insecure about not having a formal education.

He made up for it by learning as much practical knowledge as he could from the jobs that he had, but inside I think it wasn’t enough. He could never fill that void that wanted to be filled with a college- or university-level education. I would tell him that he could take a night course or something else that interested him, but he always said “no” and made up some excuse.

He had his own plan. He built a ramshackle bookcase out of old, repurposed wood and stuck it in the basement. He slowly filled the shelves with whatever he could find – books he bought at garage sales, books the library gave away, books our neighbors gave him – but mainly a lot of repair and how-to books and manuals. After a year, the bookcase was almost full.

His other plan involved me. If he couldn’t go to university, then I would be the one to go. He made clear to me at a young age that I was headed to university and that education was one of the most important things in life. It was one of the few things that we agreed on: education. We didn’t have much else in common other than an appreciation for learning.

As his book collection grew, so did I. Since my dad was so hands-on, one day, when I was in high school, I was surprised to find a book on the bookcase that actually interested me: a copy of Ovid’s Metamorphoses. I didn’t know where he got the book or who gave it to him – it was such a rare thing to see on my father’s bookcase – but finding that book would shape the rest of my life and bring me here to apply to the PhD in Ancient History program at Harvard.

I have an innate love for stories, but Ovid’s poetry was such a departure from the storytelling structure I had grown up with. An epic poem was a genre I never knew existed, let alone one that was thousands of years old. While I was reading the second book, I was drawn in by the story of Phaeton, the demi-god who believes Helios is his true father and is desperate to prove it.

The lines Helios speaks to Phaeton to dissuade him from riding the sun chariot, “Your lot is mortal, it is not mortal what you ask,” made me think of my father, wanting to know more than what life had taught him. Helios spoke those words to Phaeton to keep him from danger, but my father told me the opposite. My father taught me that knowledge was a way to achieve greatness. He did not want me to be content with what I had or who I was. He wanted me to strive to be more than he could ever be.

Reading those lines from Ovid put everything into perspective and made me realize my future would be among the Classics. I wanted to reach back to the beginning of recorded knowledge, where the first poets, philosophers, historians, mathematicians, and engineers tried to interpret the living world in a way that had never been done before. I started taking Latin classes with my local priest who had learned the language while studying at the Vatican.

When I graduated from high school, I decided on Northwestern because its Classics program is one of the best in the country and because it was not far from home. I wanted my father to visit me on campus to give him a taste of the college life.

While at Northwestern, I participated in an exchange program during my third year and took two semesters in Hellenic Studies at the University of Athens. I started learning Greek in my first year, and by the time I arrived in Athens, I was semi-fluent. Unfortunately, my academic dreams came close to crashing in my last years, as that was when my father passed away from prostate cancer. His loss is something I still struggle with, but his love for learning and knowledge is something that has stayed with me and continues to motivate me. His plan for retirement was to read a book a day from his bookcase, but he never got there. I dedicated my personal statement for my master’s degree in Anthropology to my father.

During that degree, I participated in a field expedition to the hills of Thessaloniki to explore a cache of pottery and other artifacts uncovered by recent construction. It was during this time when I also co-published my first academic paper, “The Enchantment of Ovid: Love, Desire and Consent in Mythological Context,” with Dimitrios Alexopoulos, now co-chair of the Hellenic Studies program at Dartmouth.

My plans for the rest of my career include opening new methods of analysis in understanding classical literature. I have a strong interest in dissecting the ways that classical arts continue to influence modern artists and thinking, especially as seen through a gendered and racialized prism.

I would also like to follow in my father’s example and pass on his love of learning to a new generation of students. I want my students to be imbued with the desire to learn as much as Phaeton desired to ride the sun chariot, which to my father, would not have been as exciting as getting an education.

I always wanted to open my own business. To me, having your own business, being your own boss was the best thing in the world. I came to this country from Nigeria wanting to be a success, even though I wasn’t sure of what I would do. I started washing cars and picking up shifts as an Uber driver to earn money, but my end goals were not clear yet.

I thought the answer would come to me and then I would know what to do, but regardless, I started saving money, knowing that whatever it was that interested me, it would take money and resources to follow through. Luckily, the answer I was waiting for arrived in the back of my Uber one night.

I picked up my fare, an older gentleman who had come from a restaurant where he had been celebrating closing a business deal, he told me later. Normally, I didn’t speak with my customers, unless they wanted to, but this gentleman, I’ll call him Jerry, was in a talking mood. He told me about how he had started his business a long time ago and now he had enough money to retire.

I told him I was interested in opening a business, but I wasn’t sure in what. Jerry told me that didn’t matter. The idea wasn’t as important as the work that you put into making it real. Everyone has ideas, he said, but only a few ever become more than ideas in someone’s head.

Jerry told me that enrolling in a business program would give me the fundamentals to create any business I wanted. He said that businesses fail not because they’re bad ideas, but because the people behind them don’t know how to keep them alive. But Jerry also said that I should never underestimate the power of luck. Sometimes the underdog makes it, sometimes they do not.

I drove Jerry home, and he gave me his card, in case I wanted any more advice. I did take his advice and started looking into Business Administration programs near me that would suit my schedule and let me continue working. I enrolled in the one at the SUNY Buffalo School of Management and took courses in accounting, marketing, and entrepreneurship.

The more I studied business theories and how to analyze data to extract a favorable business strategy, the more I became convinced that Jerry was right. It was knowledge and know-how that mattered more than just an idea. Learning more about business administration also refocused my goals. I started to see that running my own business was not as interesting to me as expanding or growing an established business.

I also realized that running a successful business is about a lot more than big ideas. If recent history has shown us anything, it’s that people with grand ideas are more interested in making people believe their idea works, even if it doesn’t. They ignore the social responsibility aspect of any business only to justify their greatness.

I realize that I don’t have the lofty goals of some modern business titans. My goals are humbler and more realistic. I feel like my emphasis on collecting and analyzing data is more important to any business than my leadership abilities, which is why I’m applying to the Harvard Graduate School PhD in Business Administration. If I am admitted to your program, I hope to effectively merge my analytical and business skills to further research on human resource management and information technology.

If Harvard graduate school is your dream school, then you should know how to get accepted and what it takes to write an outstanding personal statement. Along with college essay examples , the Harvard graduate school personal statement examples found here should only be used as a template to create your own statement.

The format of a personal statement is usually open-ended, but each graduate program has its own requirements, so make sure you check what they are before you start formulating an answer. You can write about any personal story that is significantly related to your educational and academic path, but make sure you connect it to why you are an ideal candidate for the program.

A personal statement is a guided essay that aims to explain a little more about your personal motivations to enter a specific school, graduate program, or profession.

Not all schools or graduate programs will ask for a personal statement, but it depends on what school or program you apply to. You should check the admissions requirements for any program you want to enter before you apply.

A personal statement can be a supplemental essay, but the latter is often based on specific prompts or questions asked by the admissions committee. Read these Harvard supplemental essay examples or these Harvard MBA personal statement examples to get a better idea of how they differ.

You can start your personal statement by thinking about why you wanted to enter the profession you are entering and explain in detail the steps you took to achieve that goal.

A letter of intent is a document outlining your specific academic and professional goals, along with past achievements in your field. It is strictly an academic resume. But a personal statement is something that reveals what attracted you to your field and what motivates you to pursue this advanced degree.

You can talk about a time when you identified your career goals and ambitions, whether it was during childhood or adolescence, as long as you relate how your story helped you choose the program you are applying to.

You should NOT talk about personal issues or difficulties that are unrelated to your degree or education. You should NOT talk about vague characteristics (hard-working, organized) without providing concrete examples from your past.

The length, word count, and other format details are decided by the program you want to enter, but if there are no stated requirements, you want to keep your statement to two pages, double-spaced.

Want more free tips? Subscribe to our channels for more free and useful content!

Apple Podcasts

Like our blog? Write for us ! >>

Have a question ask our admissions experts below and we'll answer your questions, get started now.

Talk to one of our admissions experts

Our site uses cookies. By using our website, you agree with our cookie policy .

FREE Training Webinar:

How to make your grad school application stand out, (and avoid the top 5 mistakes that get most rejected).

Leadership PhD personal statement

PhD personal statement - leadership (first page)

Reading time: 10 minutes
Price: Free download
Published: 15th June 2021
Word count: 2936 words
File format: Text

Background to my application

My motivation for undertaking this doctorate programme is underpinned by a deep and persistent longing to learn. I believe education is not about competition and getting to the top (contrary to the message I was given by the schools I attended in India) but about building knowledge and skills, developing mental and intellectual capability and connecting with other people. My past educational experiences have always been tied to professional ambitions – my MBA was essentially a race to get into the job market and climb the ladder – and I missed not having the opportunity to really enjoy and focus on the learning process itself.

Although studying with an experienced and diverse cohort during my MBA gave me a taste of this, it was short-lived, as it was a one year program and securing a job was my priority at the time. Having reached a relatively stable career path, pursuing a professional doctorate would offer me the chance to realise my full intellectual potential and discover new aspects of myself.

I see the Ashridge Doctorate as a long-term personal quest. As it helps me critically evaluate and enhance my professional knowledge, it will also contribute to my overall personal development. In particular, I would like to enhance my ability to construct and articulate an original concept, my writing and analytical skills and to become an expert in the area that I have chosen.

Objectives – professional and academic

My short-term career objective is to take full advantage of the doctorate programme from Ashridge to fine-tune my research skills, while continuing to develop professional experience in management consulting. The opportunity to engage in and develop inquiries in the first two years of the doctorate programme will be valuable in my current work which involves rigorous analysis of markets and business models and leading the team to generate a set of strategies that are effective for the business. This would give me an edge as an experienced practitioner and will create a network of clients and professionals across many business areas.

In the long term, I plan to combine what I have learnt on the doctorate programme with my skills and management experience and build an effective consulting expertise in organisational culture and innovation. My consulting experience will focus on facilitating companies to create a high performance culture and address fundamental strategy, including the key relationships between their actions and context.

The opportunity to benefit from a network of academic professionals and take advantage of interacting with an experienced cohort would be invaluable to my long-term career. The Ashridge Doctorate provides an opportunity to work with professionals from across the globe and gain insights into diverse working cultures and practices, which will strengthen both my Doctorate thesis and my consulting experience. I am used to working individually on projects, however the prospect of working alongside a highly qualified peer group and course supervisors is highly appealing.

I am keen to expand the knowledge and research methods that I acquired during my MBA and to build on my journey as a lifetime learner. I intend to make use of acquiring a higher level of research methods to publish influential papers in my area of research.

By the end of the Doctorate programme, I would like to attain a level of mastery that is highly appreciated by organisations and communities in my field. I aspire to develop original thinking in the subject area and to articulate findings in a professional and academic context. I believe the Ashridge Doctorate would enable me to achieve this as it will give me the skills and knowledge needed to critically evaluate and enhance my professional practice and further my intellectual capacity. The doctorate will provide a structure to my development process and will integrate rigorous action research with my day-to-day work.

Research Interests and Field

According to statistics, three quarters of America’s current top 500 companies won’t exist in 2027. Which means, 75% of the leading companies will be those that we haven’t yet heard of. In this fast-changing environment, flexibility and adaptation are virtues valued far greater than robustness. Yet, what we often hear from businesses globally are statements such as ‘this is the way we’ve always done it, and it’s the way we’ll keep doing it’. Most of the time this attitude obstructs innovation, learning and structural changes to business models that are needed to adapt to modern-day challenges and create value over time.

Using the skills and knowledge gained during the doctorate programme, I aim to develop a clear and concise understanding of the factors that influence a culture that promotes innovation, especially in a family business setting. My research would focus on analysing how one can manage creativity effectively in the process of generating high potential ideas and converting them into disruptive business models that are most relevant in today’s climate.

In my current role as an Internal Consultant and Business Development Director for DB Capital, I am leading the development and implementation of product and market strategy, for two ventures in India.

DB Capital is an India based family run SME and a core investment company incorporated to streamline investments into group companies. The founders are pursuing multiple projects simultaneously, including a one-of-its-kind wellness project in collaboration with the Isha Foundation, a UN recognised, international non-profit health and well-being organisation, and an innovative financial technology product focused at Indian professionals residing overseas.

Like many family-run businesses in India, DB Capital is transitioning from a traditional family run business to a perpetual enterprise. The founders have been successful in their previous businesses, leveraging on their family ties and political connections in the region. Their earlier businesses were in unorganised sectors, such as real estate and film production, and this is the first time they are venturing into high growth modern businesses aimed at international consumers.

I have enjoyed working with the founders who are highly entrepreneurial and passionate about the products. However there has been a significant delay in rolling out the projects and the implementation of plans. An initial challenge proved to be the founders’ overly ambitious vision; for example proposing a 300-room luxury wellness retreat, versus the recommended size of 150 rooms. In addition, the management team has a tendency to underestimate the necessary resources and formal capabilities required to execute the projects.

The business environment in India and globally has evolved drastically in the past decade and the strengths of business families that were key a decade ago, such as political connections, are becoming less relevant today. Young and innovative companies such as Flipkart and Snapdeal, which have joined the billion dollar valuation club, are rewriting the rules of business in India and posing a serious challenge to traditional family run businesses. In the current dynamic market conditions, it is of the utmost importance that companies build a business model focused at delivering high customer value proposition and align their resources accordingly.

Establishing such coherent, resilient capabilities and behaviours is essential and I have been working with the executive team to embed key practices to achieve this. However, this has been a frustrating and challenging process and I am interested in exploring this issue as part of the Doctorate program.

I have had a range of personal and professional experience of bringing together people from different cultures and backgrounds in various settings, which I can draw on to inform my research. In business , I have been able to work closely with senior/executive management team including the CEO, presidents and CFO and to have experience of leading teams of multinational staff, many of whom are working in non-native countries and are trying to introduce a ‘home-grown’ product or service.

On a personal level, having been married to a white British woman, I also have experience dealing with cultural dynamics in more individual and social contexts. Living and working in the UK and other countries for the past 8 years has given me insight into the way cultural influences inform the behaviour, values, beliefs and actions of an individual, as well as highlighting the challenges and benefits of cultural integration.

Coming from a small town in southern India, the transition to working in these new environments was quite challenging and initiated my interest in this area. By adopting the method of inquiry to my research, I would like to analyse and propose a well-defined process of creating a distinct performance culture, while implementing some of the findings at my current organisation. The opportunity to pursue my research while I test the theories in my day-to-day work would iron out real time issues, and bring a very practical dimension to my thesis.

Key Questions & Curiosities

I have been working for DB Capital for three years, during which time I have witnessed first-hand a family business that is aiming to transition into a formal enterprise and break out of its traditional business mindset. The founders (the new generation of a business family) have set out to create a modern business, inspired by the gold rush of silicon valley startups in the last decade. However, it has been a challenging process to develop solutions and implement viable business models. The long-term – and somewhat grand – vision of the founders, has been hindering their ability to deliver and execute the projects to match today’s shortened technology and product cycles. In addition, the authoritarian style of leadership and the lack of a formal structure to ensure performance and clear accountability, have been major challenges.

Family businesses are unique in that their strong beliefs and core values are real and alive in day-to-day operations. The role of the founder is crucial to establishing a company’s identity, core beliefs, and purpose. The founder’s influence often endures beyond their lifetime and into succeeding generations. However, in the quest for long-term success and viability, even the most inspired culture must remain responsive to the external environment and the requirements of the industry. Constant reconsideration of a company’s value proposition is essential to its ongoing vitality.

I have been trying to create team cohesion and analyse the factors that I believe are preventing the progress of the projects, such as capability (i.e. functional expertise, prior experience), cultural issues (i.e. the Indian way of doing business), leadership (i.e. personality and style of the individual founders), and external factors (i.e. regulatory and current economic context). Research indicates that a strong and deeply‐rooted organisational culture is a primary factor in allowing for sustained innovation, and I would like to address this in the context of DB Capital.

Having worked with a large and successful family controlled business, EF Education First (the world’s largest private education organisation), I have an idea of what a successful transition could look like. EF has a distinct culture and value system, which was evident right from the start when I attended a week-long management induction. My experience of working with the senior management in implementing key strategic decisions gave me a deep insight into the characteristics of EF and how it combined its core family values with innovation, market readiness and entrepreneurial culture.

I have always been fascinated by the way that the leadership can influence the development of performance culture and I would like to explore this in depth as part of my doctorate. I have developed a number of preliminary research questions as a starting point, from which I can narrow my focus as my research journey progresses:

What enables some family businesses to transition successfully into large corporate organisations/ businesses?
What role does the founder’s personality play in the transition process?
How does company culture affect the transition process?
What are the most effective ways of identifying the dysfunctional elements of company culture which might be hindering this transition?
What are the most effective interventions to facilitate the process in companies that are struggling with transition?
Can family run businesses thrive in the current competitive world without losing the essence of their ethos?

I am also interested to explore whether a tangible and measurable problem-solving methodology can and should be applied to the so-called “soft” nature of organisational culture.

Relevant theories and literature:

Most organisational scholars and executives now recognise that organisational culture has a powerful effect on the performance and long-term effectiveness of organisations. Comprehensive research has produced an impressive array of findings demonstrating the importance of culture to enhancing organisational performance. One such recent research indicates that 70 percent of change programs fail, and further analysis reveals that cultural factors are the cause of more than two-thirds of these failures. In fact, change efforts typically stumble on precisely the thing they are trying to transform: employee attitudes and management behaviour. (Breaking the Code of Change, HBR, 2000; Kim S. Cameron and Robert E. Quinn)

Lou Gerstner, retired CEO of IBM, sums up the problem: “Fixing culture is the most critical – and the most difficult – part of a corporate transformation.” (Louis V. Gerstner, Jr, Who Says Elephants Can’t Dance? HarperCollins, 2002)

Referring to the most financially successful companies in the last 2 decades, Robert E. Quinn makes an important argument in his book, ‘Diagnosing and Changing Organisational Culture’, that “the sustained success of these companies has had less to do with market forces than with company values, less to do with competitive positioning than with personal beliefs, and less to do with resource advantages than with vision”.

I have been influenced by the work of leading scholars such as John P. Kotter (author of ‘Leading Change’ and ‘Accelerate – Building Strategic Agility for a Faster-Moving World’) and Joanne Martin (author of ‘Organisational Culture: Mapping the Terrain’) whose work has informed some of my ideas.

Martin analyses various ways to study cultures in organisations, including different theories, political ideologies (managerial and critical), qualitative, quantitative, and hybrid methods, and styles of writing about culture (traditional to postmodern and experimental).

I have also studied and used the frameworks recommended by Eric Ries and Alexander Osterwalder, authors of ‘The Lean StartUp’ and ‘Business Model Generation’ respectively. I would like to reflect on the relevance of such frameworks, which are focused at the ‘Silicon Valley’ model of entrepreneurship and product innovation, into a small family business setting.

Finally, I would like to focus on the theories around leadership and the main levers that leaders can use to influence culture. Contemporary leaders such as Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg, Elon and Musk have distinct styles and I would invest time in studying various leadership styles and its application in the context of family business, corporate and startup settings.

In addition to this I will need to further review literature focussed on strategy, innovation, culture and change management. I plan to use a broad range of sources including case studies, journal articles, books, and online resources such as lexus nexus and the Harvard Business Review.

Research methods and approach

My initial focus would be on fine-tuning my inquiry questions as I realise they are currently broad, and working towards a more focused research proposal. I anticipate that some of my questions might already have been addressed, so I would begin with doing a thorough literature review of relevant research papers, books and journal articles. I would hope to be guided by discussions with supervisors and by seeking feedback from peers/ mentors through the process. Whilst conducting the literature review, I would also work to enhance my knowledge of research methodology and techniques, in order to prepare for the next phase of the project.

I would then develop a framework that will structure and underpin my inquiry. In order to carry out my research I envision using a range of quantitative and qualitative methods to capture and analyse the required data and information. At this stage I am considering a three-staged process for addressing the issue identified; diagnosing the problem, designing interventions and managing the delivery of the solution. Some of the theories and frameworks that I studied during my MBA would be relevant in my research, for example ‘root-cause analysis’ and ‘functional analysis’ in the diagnosis stage. However, I recognise that this may change as my research progresses and I believe my patience and willingness to adapt, would enable me to respond effectively to feedback and recommendations.

To enhance and strengthen my inquiry process, I would attend periodic seminars, conferences on the topic of interest and continue reading leading journals in the field. I would also make use of my alumni network and peers who are in influential roles, while making new contacts within business and academia.

Fine-tuning my writing skills will be an ongoing focus throughout the programme. Presenting my work whenever possible to professors, supervisors, fellow students and peers from the industry would help enormously in articulating my ideas, both orally and in writing.

I have always worked to make a difference wherever I can, and have a track record of seeing tasks and projects that I undertake through to their successful conclusion. Completing the Doctorate programme from Ashridge is the utmost priority for me, both personally and professionally, and the support from supervisors and peer group would help me achieve my career goals while giving me an opportunity to contribute to the university and its research credentials. I look forward to making a positive contribution to the ADOC cohort and building a practice which is based on delivering sustainable value to organisations.

In conclusion, I believe that pursuing my academic and career potential through the doctorate and focusing my efforts in an area I am passionate about, will enable me to realise my full potential and be of benefit across all areas of my life.

Related personal statements:

Business Analytics Masters Personal Statement Example
Sustainable development course personal statement example
History admissions reconsideration request
Intern personal statement example (including cover letter)
Business school personal statement example
Management and Strategy Masters personal statement
Business MBA personal statement example
Business personal statement
3 areas where the Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL) will aid my career aspirations (application essay)
Geography personal statement

Review this personal statement:

Latest reviews:, informative example.

Very thorough and a good example for others.

Privacy Overview

FindAMasters
Business Management Masters Personal Statement Sample

Written by Hannah Slack

This is an example personal statement for a Masters degree application in Business Management. See our guide for advice on writing your own postgraduate personal statement .

Businesses have been instrumental in building our modern way of living. The versatility and innovation of business quickly captured my attention when I started my first job, and my interest has only continued to grow. Having undertaken various work experience roles and achieved a 2.1 in my undergraduate degree, I intend to further my education through a Masters. My main interests lie in strategic management and marketing as I enjoy learning new methods for existing and succeeding in an increasingly globalised market.

I have always been a self-motivated worker who is not afraid of a challenge. I am particularly drawn to management and marketing roles as they are often fast paced environments, involving different tasks and decisions each day. They also allow for a healthy balance between both independent and group work, which I believe is vital to running a successful business with engaged staff. My undergraduate work placement in an international marketing company enabled me to first-hand experience the fast-paced and efficient work style of successfully competing companies. I was also able to understand more about how to plan and manage a large staff force to make sure the business can perform and compete at optimum levels. Furthermore, last year I had a part-time job in a small local business which enabled me to learn and develop valuable skills in growth and future planning which are vital during the early stages of a young business.

In addition to my qualifications and work experience, I am a keen basketball player and often represent my club at the local leagues. Both my successes and failures in sporting competitions demonstrate my constant desire to improve and my determination to continue even in times of failure. I have also had the opportunity of being a team captain and coaching younger league games. Both roles allowed me to develop my leadership and strategy planning skills.

I am applying to your university because it offered the best array of modules for me to both improve my knowledge in my current interests and explore new areas of Business Management I am less familiar with. I was also particularly impressed by the wide array of connections the department has that will guarantee each student an invaluable work experience opportunity. I believe that your university will be the best institution to take my education to the next level and enable me to compete effectively as a strong candidate after graduation.

I think that I will be an excellent fit for your department as I enjoy involving myself in extracurricular activities. I am therefore excited to apply for leadership roles in the some of the postgraduate clubs and organisations the department offers. And, if the opportunity presents itself, I would be interested in creating and running my own project with my fellow peers.

Master Business Management - Digital Business Management

Berlin school of economics and law berlin professional school, international business management - msc, newcastle university newcastle university business school, international business management, heriot-watt university edinburgh business school, international business management - bsc and msc, university of oulu master’s programmes, international business management- msc, oxford brookes university oxford brookes business school, find a masters in business management.

If you're interested in a studying Business, then why don't you check out our regularly updated catalogue of available Business Management Masters courses .

Our postgrad newsletter shares courses, funding news, stories and advice

Looking for the best universities for Business & Management in Ireland? Compare ranking tables from top sources here, along with their methodologies.

Thinking about studying an MBA? We take a look at what skills you'll gain, and the career paths that might be open to you post-graduation.

Looking for the best universities for Business & Management in Australia? Compare ranking tables from top sources here, along with their methodologies.

Looking for the best universities for Business & Management in France? Compare ranking tables from top sources here, along with their methodologies.

Looking for the best universities for Business & Management in Italy? Compare ranking tables from top sources here, along with their methodologies.

Looking for the best universities for Business & Management in Canada? Compare ranking tables from top sources here, along with their methodologies.

Unknown ( change )

Have you got time to answer some quick questions about Masters study?

Select your nearest city

Aberystwyth
Beaconsfield
Bishop Burton
Bournemouth
Bridlington
Chatham Maritime
Cirencester
East Malling
Hemel Hempstead
High Wycombe
Huddersfield
Isle of Man
Jordanstown
London Central
London East
London South
London West
Londonderry
Loughborough
Middlesbrough
Milton Keynes
Musselburgh
Northampton
Potters Bar
Saffron Waldon
Scarborough
Southampton
St Leonards on Sea
Stoke on Trent
Wolverhampton

You haven’t completed your profile yet. To get the most out of FindAMasters, finish your profile and receive these benefits:

Monthly chance to win one of ten £10 Amazon vouchers ; winners will be notified every month.*
Access to our £6,000 scholarship competition
Weekly newsletter with funding opportunities, application tips and much more
Early access to our physical and virtual postgraduate study fairs

Or begin browsing FindAMasters.com

or begin browsing FindAMasters.com

*Offer only available for the duration of your active subscription, and subject to change. You MUST claim your prize within 72 hours, if not we will redraw.

Do you want hassle-free information and advice?

Create your FindAMasters account and sign up to our newsletter:

Find out about funding opportunities and application tips
Receive weekly advice, student stories and the latest Masters news
Hear about our upcoming study fairs
Save your favourite courses, track enquiries and get personalised subject updates

Create your account

Looking to list your Masters courses? Log in here .

Let us help you find a Masters

Never miss a course

Enter our ambassador competition

Get funding news, tips and advice

Hear about upcoming events

Sign up to our newsletter today

We've been helping students find the right postgraduate course for over a decade.

Login to your account

Enter your username below to login to your account.

Writing an Effective Personal Statement for PhD Graduate Programs

Personal statements should be a reflection of your academic skills, success, and goals.

By Kaela Singleton Doctoral Candidate in Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience

A personal statement is one of the most important components of any doctoral graduate school application. This post will guide you with some general steps to get you started with generating a personal statement that is concise, reflects your academic success, and emphasizes your goals for graduate school. The individual graduate programs will provide writing prompts that detail exactly what you should address in your statement, so be sure you touch on everything that they want you to cover!

Before you start writing

Update your CV: Having a complete list of your accomplishments will make it easier to include and exclude information from your personal statement. Your CV can be used as a timeline of your achievements, and therefore an outline to how your past experiences have prepared you for graduate school. For guidance on CV writing, see 7 Tips for Writing a Successful CV.
Research Graduate Schools of Interest: Gain insight into the coursework, faculty, and student life for each program you are considering. Using the program website, generate a list of qualities that appeal to you about each school you’re applying to. Emphasize how and why these qualities contribute to your decision to apply to this program. This list should include research and faculty members that interest you as well as any other pros (i.e. location, cohort size, post-graduate jobs etc.)
Create a team of editors: Your personal statement will be read by faculty members and graduate students studying different topics within the program. Therefore, your personal statement should be compelling to a broad audience. Ask peers, mentors and advisors from various disciplines well in advance to edit and provide feedback on your statement.

Now start writing

Introduction.

The goal is to engage your reader with a quick synopsis of who you are, what you want out of graduate school, and your qualifications to join this specific program.

Introduce yourself and identify your academic interests: Provide a brief introduction of yourself and your academic interests. If you have a personal anecdote that explains how you became interested in science and research, start there. These “narrative hook” anecdotes engage the reader and set up a great platform to describe the motivation behind your experiences. Then go into your academic interests, which can be a couple of sentences broadly stating your research interests.
Emphasize your skills and overall goals: Use both your research on the program and CV to highlight how your skill set will complement and grow from participation in this program. Speak in broad terms, showcasing how your goals align with the overall mission of the program.

THE BODY PARAGRAPHS

The goal is to expand on the points you mentioned within the introduction. Provide concrete examples of how past and present experiences led you to writing this application.

Explain how you became interested in your particular scientific field: Highlight key moments that encouraged you to apply to graduate school. This can be the very start of your interests in the field or from skills and knowledge that you gained from internships, research experiences, or coursework and class discussions.
Describe your prior research experiences and importantly what you learned from each experience: Provide a past experience where you used and developed a new skill that is pertinent to your ability to conduct research. Be sure to explain how this skill will be useful for your future in graduate school. It is critical to discuss what you learned from experience and to be as specific and concise as possible. For example: I worked with Dr. A at institution B. My work focused on C. The project entailed D, E and F techniques. From this experience, I learned G. This taught me F about my decision to attend graduate school.

In the conclusion paragraph, you should discuss what you learned about the graduate school program that you are applying for. Highlight specific faculty members or courses listed that excite you, and re-emphasize your goals.

Summarize your qualifications and experiences: Bring everything together here. Emphasize the skills you currently have and how joining this program will aide in continuing your success.
Personalize: In this final paragraph, include specific faculty and program qualities that appeal to you as an applicant. Show that you have researched specific faculty or courses that will aide in your future training. Also be sure to discuss your career goals.
Edit: Proofread and edit. Send your statement out to friends, faculty advisors, and people outside of your discipline.

Personal statements should tell your story and be compelling across fields. Remember that a PhD program trains you to build and utilize scientific skills to advance research. You won’t want to try to convince the reader that you’ll cure cancer or discover the flu vaccine. Instead, focus on persuading readers that graduate training is right for you, and that the accompanying enrichment of your research skillset will help you reach your academic and professional goals.

More Career Advice

Learn from faculty, staff, postdocs, students and alumni through our Career Catalyst blog.

Applying to Uni
Apprenticeships
Health & Relationships
Money & Finance

Personal Statements

Postgraduate
U.S Universities

University Interviews

Vocational Qualifications
Accommodation
Budgeting, Money & Finance
Health & Relationships
Jobs & Careers
Socialising

Studying Abroad

Studying & Revision
Technology
University & College Admissions

Guide to GCSE Results Day

Finding a job after school or college

Retaking GCSEs

In this section

Choosing GCSE Subjects

Post-GCSE Options

GCSE Work Experience

GCSE Revision Tips

Why take an Apprenticeship?

Applying for an Apprenticeship

Apprenticeships Interviews

Apprenticeship Wage

Engineering Apprenticeships

What is an Apprenticeship?

Choosing an Apprenticeship

Real Life Apprentices

Degree Apprenticeships

Higher Apprenticeships

A Level Results Day 2024

AS Levels 2024

Clearing Guide 2024

Applying to University

SQA Results Day Guide 2024

BTEC Results Day Guide

Vocational Qualifications Guide

Sixth Form or College

International Baccalaureate

Post 18 options

Finding a Job

Should I take a Gap Year?

Travel Planning

Volunteering

Gap Year Blogs

Applying to Oxbridge

Applying to US Universities

Choosing a Degree

Choosing a University or College

Personal Statement Editing and Review Service

Clearing Guide

Guide to Freshers' Week

Student Guides

Student Cooking

Student Blogs

Top Rated Personal Statements

Personal Statement Examples

Writing Your Personal Statement

Postgraduate Personal Statements

International Student Personal Statements

Gap Year Personal Statements

Personal Statement Length Checker

Personal Statement Examples By University

Personal Statement Changes 2025

Personal Statement Template

Job Interviews

Types of Postgraduate Course

Writing a Postgraduate Personal Statement

Postgraduate Funding

Postgraduate Study

Internships

Choosing A College

Ivy League Universities

Common App Essay Examples

Universal College Application Guide

How To Write A College Admissions Essay

College Rankings

Admissions Tests

Fees & Funding

Scholarships

Budgeting For College

Online Degree

Platinum Express Editing and Review Service

Gold Editing and Review Service

Silver Express Editing and Review Service

UCAS Personal Statement Editing and Review Service

Oxbridge Personal Statement Editing and Review Service

Postgraduate Personal Statement Editing and Review Service

I am a clear headed, ambitious individual who has taken the time to think about my future and my goals. I have undertook and completed my first degree in two years as opposed to the normal three or four year programmes. Doing a two year course instead of a three year course has required me to continually focus, and focus more and more as the course has developed.

Doing an accelerated degree has given me the advantage of continuing on to a further education, as if I had undertaken a conventional three or four year degree, I may not have considered continuing on to a masters course as seriously I have done now

I did my degree as I am the only member of my family to go to university and complete a degree, which motivated me to work harder and made me proud. I chose Business Management as a general degree, which gave me the opportunity to learn and test all aspects of Management and Business so I knew what I wanted to specialise in

Information Systems was one of my modules which I thoroughly enjoyed and found very interesting and I saw it as a subject which I want to learn more about and to a much higher level. One of the reasons that I want to move to a further degree is that I have enjoyed the whole learning aspect of my current degree, it has helped me see that learning is a never ending activity.

Wherever I may be, in an institute of education or in my workplace, I will be continually learning. My degree has opened me up to so many aspects of learning, not just being taught, but carrying out research myself has given me a sense of responsibility as I have been teaching myself and learning

Since beginning university I have been exposed to, and pleasantly surprised by the amount of different cultures there are. This has broadened my academic scope and given me new ways of thinking and dealing with situations as I can see things from other perspectives that were not present in my life before university. I have met people from all over the world and they have had a positive impact on me

I knew I wanted to learn more about the world of business before beginning my business management degree. As today's graduate job market is more and more competitive, gaining a postgraduate degree will further enhance my chances of employability in the future

In my life I have given myself certain goals, some relating to my personal life and some to my life in the business world, which I will do my best to complete. One such goal is to manage people effectively and efficiently. I believe that in any line of work, the key to a business is how well that business is managed from a personal development perspective. Employees of any company must be given pertinent direction, sound training, and proper feedback from their managers to be more productive in their defined job roles and responsibilities.

In order to provide employees with this development, a further academic education is very important in order to understand the needs of employees. I feel that a masters course will help me attain this knowledge and provide me with the essentials of being a successful manager on the various engagements I encounter throughout my career. The business world is an environment which is full of opportunities in a vast array of sectors in which one can specialize and has global implications that are constantly changing, and therefore may leave a business leader feeling lost without a formulated plan of action

Academically I believe that I have a solid foundation from a young age, which I can build upon with this masters programme. Since a young age I have attended private school and sixth form college, and I am presently studying at a recognised management school. In my time at school and sixth form college, I achieved eleven GCSE's and passed three A level subjects to a very high standard.

Also during my last year of school and during sixth form college I was entered into the UK Intermediate Maths Championships and I won a silver award each year, which placed me in the top one third of mathematicians in the country who entered the championship.

During my A level Spanish Course, as group leader, I organised a trip for my class to the University of Salamanca to attend a course in Spanish. I had to organise flights, accommodation and travel around the city and I arranged meetings with all the students to brief them. With this and other group activities I have always assumed the role of team leader as I have always had the respect and trust of my peers, and I have very much enjoyed being in a position of responsibility.

As well as my academic achievements, I took part in many activities which helped me shape my idea of what I want to achieve in the future and my goals, not just in my personal life but in the workplace also

One of the biggest aspects of my life has been my involvement in cricket. For the seven years I was there, I represented my school on the cricket field as one of the senior members of the team. I was often handed the responsibility of captain or vice-captain in the team and was an established opening batsmen, so I was never short of any pressure on my shoulders. Despite being difficult tasks these were the aspects which I enjoyed most and I always perform best when under pressure.

Away from school, I played cricket for local club. Here I progressed through the age groups very quickly, I was playing for the adult teams when I was supposed to be with the youth teams. This was a point where I had to grow up and mature very quickly as I was playing with serious cricketers at a high level.

It was with my local club where I trained with and played against professionals, some of whom perform at an international level. I still train with my local club and assist in the coaching of the youth squads. Another one of my hobbies aside from cricket is reading.

I recently finished a book called Digital Fortress written by Dan Brown who is a very accomplished writer and is the author of the world famous Da Vinci Code which is my current read. I found Digital Fortress very interesting as it was about security issues with the information systems within the NSA in the USA

I believe I have the intellectual ability to complete a Masters Degree and I have illustrated my drive, ambition and dedication to do this is many ways. I am capable of working as part of a team as I have developed the initiative and ability to follow instructions and have the capacity of working with others.

I have good group leadership skills which I want to turn into excellent and distinctive leadership skills through a Masters programme. I am the only member of my family to continue to such a high level of education, and one of the very few of my local community, these factors contribute largely to my motivation and commitment to undertaking and completing a Masters Degree.

Profile info

There is no profile associated with this personal statement, as the writer has requested to remain anonymous.

Related Personal Statements

Add new comment.

IMAGES

500 Word Personal Statement Examples & Expert Writing Help
Graduate School Personal Statement
Trust Writing a PhD Personal Statement to Admission Experts
12 Excellent Statement of Purpose Examples to Inspire You
Sample Phd Personal Statement Download Printable PDF
12 Excellent Statement of Purpose Examples to Inspire You

VIDEO

LAW Admission Test LAT Guess Paper 2024 || How to Get 100% marks in LAT Test
PTDF Motivation Letter Sample| #nigerianscholarships
Kentucky, USA, PhD-Physics Admission with full scholarship
Monday 22nd July 2024
PhD Admissions Live Q&A (February 2021 Edition)
LUMS I PhD Management

COMMENTS

Personal Statements for PhD Study
A PhD personal statement should be 400-500 words, fitting on one side of an A4 sheet of paper. Your university may set a specific word count or maximum length, so make sure to check the application details. Either way, you should aim to be disciplined and concise. There are two reasons for this:
3 Successful Graduate School Personal Statement Examples
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 ...
SAMPLE STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
The time limitation on each assignment has taught me to plan well, work systematically and keep my reports up-to-date. At the same time, having to defend my analyses and recommendations, during both internal discussions and presentations to clients, has taught me to think rigorously and creatively.
PDF Writing an Effective Statement of Purpose/Personal Statement
Do's. Include justification for why you are applying to that program/graduate school, etc. Keep focused, remember your audience. Explain research interests, areas of science, accomplishments, sources of motivation. Address specific aspects of a particular program and apply it to your career goals. Give your essay to at least 3 other people to ...
How to Write a Personal Statement for a PhD Program Application
Set aside enough time: Although personal statements are generally short in length (approx. 700 words; 1-2 pages), give yourself ample time to write a strong, well-written statement. It takes more time than you think to develop a final draft for submission. Focus on your spelling, grammar, and vocabulary: It's important to present a well ...
PhD applicants: Writing your statement of purpose
PhD applicants: Writing your statement of purpose. January 11, 2022. I've read a lot of personal statements for PhD applications. I sat on admissions at UChicago, Columbia, and Yale, mostly in economics, political science, and public policy. Here's the advice I've given my own students and research assistants to craft their statements.
A Guide to PhD Personal Statements [With Examples]
Step 1. Structure. PhD applicants are expected to be highly adept at writing, so it is paramount that your personal statement is carefully constructed and reflects your ability for written communication. The university you are applying to may provide you with a word count, or it may be stipulated by the space allowed on an online application form.
Writing Personal Statements for Graduate School
Personal Statements. Preparing a well-written and effective personal statement (sometimes referred to as statements of purpose or personal essays) that clearly articulates your preparation, goals, and motivation for pursuing that specific graduate degree is critically important. You will need to spend a considerable amount of time and effort in ...
How to write a PhD personal statement
The university may set a limit on the word count, but if not, your personal statement should ideally be no longer than one side of A4. Be concise and make every word count. Your statement should reflect the academic nature of the writing you'll be doing in the PhD. For example, if your work is scientific, the people who will read your ...
PDF Personal Statement Guidance
personal and academic skills, achievements and how they relate to the MRes/PhD Business & Management programme. Outline how the MRes/PhD Business & Management programme will benefit your future academic career plans. Please indicate the research areas that you are most interested in at this stage of your career and explain why.
How to Write a PhD Personal Statement: Essential Tips and Examples
Structure. A well-structured personal statement usually follows this format: Introduction: Briefly introduce yourself and your academic background. Academic and Research Background: Discuss your previous studies, research projects, and relevant experiences. Research Interests: Clearly state your research interests and objectives.
Harvard Graduate School Personal Statement Examples
Harvard Graduate School Personal Statement Example #3. I always wanted to open my own business. To me, having your own business, being your own boss was the best thing in the world. I came to this country from Nigeria wanting to be a success, even though I wasn't sure of what I would do.
PhD Personal Statement Example: Sustainability Management
PhD Personal Statement Example: Sustainability Management. Imagine a community where domestic and industrial wastes are dumped on land, in drainages, and in surface waters, causing pollution with negative impacts on air quality and public health. They are health hazards, traffic congestion, unpleasantness, unsightliness and blockage of drainages.
PDF Writing a personal statement
Guidance for PhD applicants Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge. The 1,500 word personal statement is an important element of your application to doctoral study, whether full-time or part-time. It is one of several elements considered during the application process, alongside your research proposal and the references you provide.
Business Management Personal Statement Examples
Postgraduate Business and Management Personal Statement Example 1. I believe that the Postgraduate HR Management programme will provide me with the necessary knowledge to enhance and develop my capabilities. Also, in order to become a successful HR manager, it is imperative that I gain a more thorough education.
Management Personal Statement Examples
Marketing and Business Management Personal Statement Example 1. Ever since an early stage in my life, I have always worked hard to overcome challenges. This in turn influenced my passion for business. Business can be a risky and competitive industry, but having considered my most desired skills and interests, I know that I am ready to step into ...
PDF This is an example personal statement written by a student who was
This is an example personal statement written by a student who was accepted and enrolled in the MIT EECS PhD program. _____ Throughout my life, I have been compelled by a desire to understand what fundamentally drives seemingly complex systems. In high school, I took a class that
Leadership PhD personal statement
My short-term career objective is to take full advantage of the doctorate programme from Ashridge to fine-tune my research skills, while continuing to develop professional experience in management consulting. The opportunity to engage in and develop inquiries in the first two years of the doctorate programme will be valuable in my current work ...
Business Management Masters Personal Statement Sample
This is an example personal statement for a Masters degree application in Business Management. See our guide for advice on writing your own postgraduate personal statement. Businesses have been instrumental in building our modern way of living. The versatility and innovation of business quickly captured my attention when I started my first job ...
Writing an Effective Personal Statement for PhD Graduate Programs
Create a team of editors: Your personal statement will be read by faculty members and graduate students studying different topics within the program. Therefore, your personal statement should be compelling to a broad audience. Ask peers, mentors and advisors from various disciplines well in advance to edit and provide feedback on your statement.
Postgraduate Business and Management Personal Statement Example 2
Postgraduate Business and Management Personal Statement Example 2. I am a clear headed, ambitious individual who has taken the time to think about my future and my goals. I have undertook and completed my first degree in two years as opposed to the normal three or four year programmes. Doing a two year course instead of a three year course has ...
Personal Statement Example: Student Applying for a Ph.D. in Literature
Personal Statement for a Ph.D. in Literature. In August 2015, I completed my graduate degree and thesis for the Research Master's in Comparative Literary Studies at [university name2]. As a student in the Research Master's (RMA) program, my scholarly concerns were mostly focused on critical theory, cultural studies, and social discourse, built ...

Pick the right programme for you

On this page

Will I have to write a personal statement for a PhD programme?

Who will read it?

What is a PhD statement of purpose?

What should my PhD personal statement include?

1. What is your background?

2. Why do you want to research this topic?

3. What academic experience do you have?

4. What extra-curricular experience do you have?

5. What are your broader goals and motivations?

6. Are there any other areas or issues arising from your CV?

How to write a PhD personal statement

How long should a PhD personal statement be?

How should I structure my statement?

What writing style should I use?

What extra-curricular experience do you have?

Tips for writing your PhD personal statement

Ready to apply for a PhD?

You may also like...

Select your nearest city

Do you want hassle-free information and advice?

Create your account

PrepScholar GRE Prep

Why Do You Need a Personal Statement?

What Makes a Good Grad School Personal Statement?

A Clear Narrative

Specific Examples

Strong Writing

Appropriate Boundaries

Graduate School Personal Statement Examples

Sample Personal Statement for Graduate School 1

Sample Personal Statement for Graduate School 2

Sample Personal Statement for Graduate School 3

Grad School Personal Statement Example: Deep Dive

Graduate School Personal Statement Examples You Can Find Online

Penn State Personal Statement Examples for Graduate School

Cal State Sample Graduate School Personal Statements

University of Chicago Personal Statement for Graduate School Examples

Wheaton College Personal Statement for Graduate School Sample 10

Wheaton College Personal Statement for Graduate School Sample 1

Key Takeaways: Graduate School Personal Statement Examples

What’s Next?

Ready to improve your GRE score by 7 points?

Author: Ellen McCammon

How to Write a Personal Statement for a PhD Program Application

YOUR PERSONAL STATEMENT SHOULD ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Chris Blattman

Subscribe to Blog

Recent Posts

What Is a PhD Personal Statement?

What Should a PhD Personal Statement Contain?

1. Why You Want to Do This PhD

2. How Your Work Will Benefit the University

3. Why You Want to Study for a PhD at This University

4. Why You Are the Best Candidate

5. What You Learned During Your past Degrees and the Skills You Developed

6. Any Explanations for Lower Grades (If Applicable)

7. Your Future Plans

Step 1 . Structure

Step 2 . Tone

Writing Personal Statements for Graduate School

Personal Statements

Office of Career Strategy

Our cookies

Privacy overview

Manage consent preferences

How to write a PhD personal statement

What is a PhD personal statement?

DON'T MISS OUT

Converting a Postgraduate Certificate to a Masters

Law and Legal Studies - Postgraduate Guide

How to Make the Most of Postgraduate Open Days

Similar articles and videos

How to Write a PhD Personal Statement: Essential Tips and Examples

Speak right now to our live team of English staff

What is a Personal Statement for a PhD?

How to Write a Good Personal Statement

Reflect on Your Academic Journey