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Scholarship personal statements.

Scholarship personal statements help applicants to present their strengths, showcase their achievements and describe their aspirations. These statements provide important information for the scholarship selection committee to determine the suitability of the applicants. ELSS offers the following series of workshops to help students prepare an effective personal statement.

Scholarship Workshop 1: Brainstorming and preparing the outline

Intended Learning outcome:

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Create a mind map for ideas, narrow down and combine significant ideas for the personal statement, transform the mind map into an outline, other related services.

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How to Write a Personal Statement That Wows Colleges

← What Is an Application Theme and Why Is It Important?

10 Personal Statement Examples That Work →

  Most of the college applications process is fairly cut and dry. You’ll submit information about your classes and grades, standardized test scores, and various other accomplishments and honors. On much of the application, your accomplishments must speak for themselves. 

The personal statement is different though, and it’s your chance to let your voice be heard. To learn more about the personal statement, how to choose a topic, and how to write one that wows colleges, don’t miss this post.

What is the Personal Statement?

Personal statements are used in both undergraduate and graduate admissions. For undergrad admissions, personal statements are any essays students must write to submit their main application. For example, the Common App Essay and Coalition Application Essay are examples of personal statements. Similarly, the ApplyTexas Essays and University of California Essays are also good examples .

Personal statements in college admissions are generally not school-specific (those are called “supplemental essays”). Instead, they’re sent to a wide range of schools, usually every school you apply to. 

What is the Purpose of the Personal Statement?

The personal statement is generally your opportunity to speak to your unique experiences, qualities, or beliefs that aren’t elsewhere represented on the application. It is a chance to break away from the data that defines you on paper, and provide a glimpse into who you really are. In short, it’s the admissions committee’s chance to get to know the real you.

So, what are colleges looking for in your personal statement? They are looking for something that sets you apart. They are asking themselves: do you write about something truly unique? Do you write about something common, in a new and interesting way? Do you write about an aspect of your application that needed further explanation? All of these are great ways to impress with your personal statement.

Beyond getting to know you, admissions committees are also evaluating your writing skills. Are you able to write clearly and succinctly? Can you tell an engaging story? Writing effectively is an important skill in both college and life, so be sure to also fine-tune your actual writing (grammar and syntax), not just the content of your essay.

Is your personal statement strong enough? Get a free review of your personal statement with CollegeVine’s Peer Essay Review.

How To a Choose A Topic For Your Personal Statement

Most of the time, you’re given a handful of prompts to choose from. Common personal statement prompts include:

• Central aspect of your identity (activity, interest, talent, background)
• Overcoming a failure
• Time you rose to a challenge or showed leadership
• Experience that changed your beliefs
• Problem you’d like to solve
• Subject or idea that captivates you

One of the questions that we hear most often about the personal statement is, “How do I choose what to write about?” For some students, the personal statement prompt triggers an immediate and strong idea. For many more, there is at least initially some uncertainty.

We often encourage students to think less about the exact prompt and more about what aspects of themselves they think are most worthy of highlighting. This is especially helpful if you’re offered a “topic of your choice” prompt, as the best essay topic for you might actually be one you make up!

For students with an interesting story or a defining background, these can serve as the perfect catalyst to shape your approach. For students with a unique voice or different perspective, simple topics written in a new way can be engaging and insightful.

Finally, you need to consider the rest of your application when you choose a topic for your personal statement. If you are returning from a gap year, failed a single class during sophomore year, or participated extensively in something you’re passionate about that isn’t elsewhere on your application, you might attempt to address one of these topics in your statement. After all, the admissions committee wants to get to know you and understand who you really are, and these are all things that will give them a deeper understanding of that.

Still, tons of students have a decent amount of writer’s block when it comes to choosing a topic. This is understandable since the personal statement tends to be considered rather high stakes. To help you get the ball rolling, we recommend the post What If I Don’t Have Anything Interesting To Write About In My College Essay?

Tips for Writing a Personal Statement for College

1. approach this as a creative writing assignment..

Personal statements are difficult for many students because they’ve never had to do this type of writing. High schoolers are used to writing academic reports or analytical papers, but not creative storytelling pieces.

The point of creative writing is to have fun with it, and to share a meaningful story. Choose a topic that inspires you so that you’ll enjoy writing your essay. It doesn’t have to be intellectual or impressive at all. You have your transcript and test scores to prove your academic skills, so the point of the personal statement is to give you free rein to showcase your personality. This will result in a more engaging essay and reading experience for admissions officers. 

As you’re writing, there’s no need to follow the traditional five-paragraph format with an explicit thesis. Your story should have an overarching message, but it doesn’t need to be explicitly stated—it should shine through organically. 

Your writing should also feel natural. While it will be more refined than a conversation with your best friend, it shouldn’t feel stuffy or contrived when it comes off your tongue. This balance can be difficult to strike, but a tone that would feel natural when talking with an admired teacher or a longtime mentor is usually a good fit.

2. Show, don’t tell.

One of the biggest mistakes students make is to simply state everything that happened, instead of actually bringing the reader to the moment it happened, and telling a story. It’s boring to read: “I was overjoyed and felt empowered when I finished my first half marathon.” It’s much more interesting when the writing actually shows you what happened and what the writer felt in that moment: “As I rounded the final bend before the finish line, my heart fluttered in excitement. The adrenaline drowned out my burning legs and gasping lungs. I was going to finish my first half marathon! This was almost incomprehensible to me, as someone who could barely run a mile just a year ago.”

If you find yourself starting to write your essay like a report, and are having trouble going beyond “telling,” envision yourself in the moment you want to write about. What did you feel, emotionally and physically? Why was this moment meaningful? What did you see or hear? What were your thoughts?

For inspiration, read some memoirs or personal essays, like The New York Times Modern Love Column . You could also listen to podcasts of personal stories, like The Moth . What do these writers and storytellers do that make their stories engaging? If you didn’t enjoy a particular story, what was it that you didn’t like? Analyzing real stories can help you identify techniques that you personally resonate with.

3. Use dialogue.

A great way to keep your writing engaging is to include some dialogue. Instead of writing: “My brothers taunted me,” consider sharing what they actually said. It’s more powerful to read something like:

“Where’s the fire, Princess Clara?” they taunted. “Having some trouble?” They prodded me with the ends of the chewed branches and, with a few effortless scrapes of wood on rock, sparked a red and roaring flame. My face burned long after I left the fire pit. The camp stank of salmon and shame. 

Having dialogue can break up longer paragraphs of text, and bring some action and immediacy to your story. That being said, don’t overdo it. It’s important to strike a balance between relying too much on dialogue, and using it occasionally as an effective writing tool. You don’t want your essay to read like a script for a movie (unless, of course, that’s intentional and you want to showcase your screenwriting skills!).

Want free essay feedback? Submit your essay to CollegeVine’s Peer Essay Review and get fast, actionable edits on your essay. 

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Personal Statements

1. giving a recap or report of all the events..

Your essay isn’t a play-by-play of everything that happened in that time frame. Only include relevant details that enrich the story, instead of making your personal statement a report of the events. Remember that the goal is to share your voice, what’s important to you, and who you are. 

2. Writing about too many events or experiences. 

Similarly, another common mistake is to make your personal statement a resume or recap of all your high school accomplishments. The Activities Section of the Common App is the place for listing out your achievements, not your personal statement. Focus on one specific experience or a few related experiences, and go into detail on those. 

3. Using cliche language.

Try to avoid overdone quotes from famous people like Gandhi or Thoreau. Better yet, try to avoid quotes from other people in general, unless it’s a message from someone you personally know. Adding these famous quotes won’t make your essay unique, and it takes up valuable space for you to share your voice.

You should also steer away from broad language or lavish claims like “It was the best day of my life.” Since they’re so cliche, these statements also obscure your message, and it’s hard to understand what you actually mean. If it was actually the best day of your life, show us why, rather than just telling us.

If you want to learn more about personal statements, see our post of 11 Common App Essay Examples .

Want help with your college essays to improve your admissions chances? Sign up for your free CollegeVine account and get access to our essay guides and courses. You can also get your essay peer-reviewed and improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays.

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Any advise on how to write personal statement for CityU? [International Student]

Hello, I am applying to CityU this year and need some advise regarding the personal statement. As I am not finding any sample statements I have written a drat statement.I have chosen the disciplines of EEE, CS and Data Engineering. The problem with my draft statement if that its too engineering focused. Any advise on how to connect these three disciplines? Thanks for the feedback!

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City University Personal Statements

These UCAS personal statements have been kindly provided by students applying to City University. You can click on one of the links below to view the entire statement and find out if the applicant was offered a place.

You can also view our entire collection of personal statements or view personal statements for application at other universities .

Economics Personal Statement Example 5 Choosing an undergraduate degree in economics is a result of my deep seated curiosity to know why economies are they way they are; why oil prices in my country, Pakistan, rapidly fluctuate whereas economies like USA and China continue to strengthen despite recessions...

Maths & Actuarial Science Personal Statement Example 1 "It has become a very strange and perhaps frightening subject from the ordinary point of view,but anyone who penetrates into it will find a veritable fairyland"( Kasner E and Newman J).This saying is perhaps the most fitted to describe my enthusiasm for Maths...

Business & Management Personal Statement Example There is no limit to what you can learn and how much you can earn from it. Instilled with this belief by my father, I have since the beginning learnt to approach the world differently. I view that knowledge can be applied practically not only to earn a living, but also to earn wisdom...

Accountancy & Management Personal Statement Example I have chosen to study combined degrees in Accounting and Finance or Economics because I intend to further my studies towards developing a career in financial consultancy. Accountancy and Finance remain central elements of the dynamics of commerce, that define the way a firm, shareholders and society at large interact on multiple platforms...

Psychology Personal Statement Example 51 There is a reason behind everything we do, a purpose to our actions. The cognition behind any decision that we make is one of the many aspects of psychology that I am fascinated by. The following five words, as said by the Prophet Muhammad, I believe explain such a suggestion: "Actions are but by intentions"...

Economics and Management Personal Statement Example 1 The theoretical aspects of economics and business management have for the past years been one of my greatest interests and developing as an entrepreneur has been my goal. I am fascinated by strategies in management and the behaviour of companies in the theory of the firm...

Computer Games Programming Personal Statement Example 7 As a keen gamer, it has always been a dream to follow games programming as a career and work for a game developing company or, preferably, to run my own business. This is why I have decided to study a course in this field...

Computer Science Personal Statement Example 49 My views about computing changed considerably when I heard about Linux. In the late nineties it was a newer operating system and tasks like installing and configuring were considered to be quite challenging in India...

Management Studies Personal Statement Example As a witness to the global financial crises, I was struck by the importance and relevance of organisational management. I first applied bookkeeping and devised marketing plans for my mother’s business at the age of twelve...

Accounting and Finance Personal Statement Example 7 For me Accounting is something I am incredibly passionate about. From a young age I have always enjoyed Mathematics and problem solving; fortunately for me these two interests of mine are a part of the fundamentals of Accounting and Finance...

Sociology with Criminology Personal Statement Example Society plays a vital part in our lives, providing the norms and values we follow throughout our daily routine. Sociology helps us understand the aspects of society from the seemingly insignificant to those of greatest importance...

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To facilitate outstanding candidates in making informed decisions among all early offers they receive from various universities, candidates who apply to CUHK on or before 16 November 2023 will be considered for an advance offer. In this round, successful applicants may be given a firm or conditional offer depending on individual merits, and those selected for advance offers will be notified by mid-January 2024.

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You should upload a personal statement of no more than 1,000 words detailing your interest in applying to the University, the programme(s), etc. You will only be able to submit one personal statement regardless of the number of your programme choice(s). However, if you have indicated interest in our HKU-UCL Dual Degree Programme in Law, a separate personal statement is required.

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Personal Statement Guidelines

To complete your application you are required to submit a personal statement detailing your experience and interest in the course.  Your personal statement should be unique and tailored to the course for which you are applying.

What is a personal statement?

The personal statement offers you the opportunity to shed more light on your personality, character and suitability for the course. The information we are looking for should add clarity, richness and meaning to the information you have already provided in your application and in your Curriculum Vitae.  Your personal statement will help us to assess your application and to make a decision on your suitability for the course.

What your personal statement should cover  

• Why you are applying for the course and why you think you are suitable for it.
• How your academic abilities, relevant skills and knowledge will fit with the course and help you succeed.
• Your interest in the subject matter of the course, perhaps including some academic references or readings.
• What you know about DCU’s expertise in the subject matter of the course and why you want to study at DCU.
• The impact which you expect the course to have on your goals and aspirations and how the course will help you achieve them.

How to write a personal statement

 There is no fixed structure or formula you should follow but here are some tips to help you:

• Start early: and think about what you would like to write, and how you would like to come across
• Write a draft, and give yourself enough time to make revisions
• Structure your personal statement to contain:
• a general introduction to yourself;
• body text to reflect your experiences, skills, interests and qualities;
• and a conclusion to reinforce your commitment to your chosen course and your enthusiasm about studying at DCU
• Present your ideas in a structured and meaningful manner
• Proofread and edit until you are happy that the structure, grammar, spelling and punctuation are correct.
• Stick to the word count and use double line spacing throughout.

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SOP for Hong Kong: Format, Samples & Writing Tips

Collegedunia Team

Content Curator

SOP for Hong Kong: Guidelines of Universities

The following are some of the  top universities in Hong Kong  and the guidelines for SOP for Hong Kong are given as follows:-

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

The  Chinese University of Hong Kong  caters to several doctoral programs, such as M.Phil. and Ph.D., across various fields of study including Accountancy, Business Administration, etc. These programs require the submission of a Personal Statement to the CUHK online application portal.

• The personal statement must explain how the applicant was encouraged to pursue the degree program and the specified field of study
• It must include the candidate’s future aspirations and how the program would help in achieving them
• The academic background and interests of the applicant should be highlighted in the essay

Apart from the SoP, doctoral candidates are required to produce a research proposal indicating their thesis in the final years of research.

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

A 1-2 page “personal statement” is mandatory for the graduate degree programs offered by the  Hong Kong University of Science and Technology  (HKUST). The guidelines for the same are mentioned as follows:-

• The essay should consist of at least 5 paragraphs explaining the candidate’s excellence and proficiency in the chosen field
• The introductory paragraph should explain the reason the applicant chose the program, as well as his/her academic background
• The following paragraphs should mention his/her experience in the industry, future goals, and motivation
• The essay should conclude with the values that the candidate would add to the college

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

The  Hong Kong Polytechnic University ’s both undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs require a personal statement. The following are the guidelines for the Bachelor’s degree programs, such as BSc in Physiotherapy, BSc in Optometry, and BSc in Occupational Therapy:-

• The essay must contain around 500 words
• It should be written in English
• It should explain the candidate’s motivation for choosing the program and field of study
• The applicant’s academic background must also be included in the essay

For a majority of postgraduate taught programs, including MBA, MS, etc., the submission of a personal statement is compulsory. However, for postgraduate research programs, such as M.Phil. and Ph.D., the essay is optional and the Research Proposal is compulsory.

• The Research Proposal should include the project title and motivation for selecting the project
• The name of the project advisor, his/her academic qualifications, and experience should also be incorporated
• The project synopsis, overview, and objects should be clearly specified
• Mention the scope and applicability of the project
• Explain your research methodology

City University of Hong Kong

In order to apply for the postgraduate-taught program of the  City University of Hong Kong , including MA, Master of Urban Design, and MSc, candidates must submit a 500-word applicant statement. The guidelines for the statement vary with the program but an overall outline for the same is pointed out as follows:-

• You should explain your prior experience, such as employment, internship, etc., in the chosen field of study
• Mention your academic achievements, background, and interests
• Mention your motivation for the program and specialisation
• Describe how the degree would shape your academic and professional career
• Explain how you are the perfect candidate for the program and the institution

Hong Kong Baptist University

Hong Kong Baptist University  offers a wide variety of undergraduate programs that require the submission of a personal statement. The essay should not exceed 1,000 words and the guidelines for the same are listed as follows:-

• Write how you developed an interest in the field of study
• Explain the reason for pursuing the UG program
• Mention your academic interests and academic background
• Do not include the information that is already given in your Resume

Sample SOP for Hong Kong

From a very young age, I witnessed my father run his own business of clothes and garments. As I grew up, I started participating in the business by strategizing a business model, dealing with clients, and searching for suitable raw materials. Over time, my interest evolved in the field of marketing and business, which made me intrigued by the complexities of business, which further inspired me to pursue a BBA at BB Ganguly University in Kolkata.

During my undergraduate studies, I was exposed to a wide range of business-related subjects, including finance, business law, and entrepreneurship. Through these courses, I developed a strong foundation in marketing principles, analytical thinking, and critical reasoning skills, which I believe will serve as a solid base for my advanced studies at ABC University.

After completing the program, I was campus-placed into a leading establishment, “Care & Co.”, as a Business Development Executive. My task was to improve the company’s sales, establish new connections in the industry, and help in team building. As my job progressed, I was made head of the business and marketing team. I not only supervised the branch that I worked in but I was also in charge of other branches and their marketing strategies. This experience offered me valuable insights into the practical aspects of entrepreneurship and business management. It also strengthened my resolve to pursue further education. As my career progressed, I realised that I needed to take on more responsibility and challenging roles in this field in order to achieve my goals. Thus, I resigned after 5 years of loyal work.

My short-term aspiration is to pursue a career in international business. I am particularly interested in exploring the intersection of marketing and business analytics. My long-term goal is to collaborate with my father and actively contribute to the growth and success of our own establishment, striving it to one of the top positions. With the solid theoretical foundation, practical skills, and international perspective gained from ABC University, I am confident in my ability to make a meaningful contribution to the field.

I am interested in pursuing an MBA in International Business at ABC University due to the numerous exceptional opportunities it offers. The university is home to various research centres focused on areas such as Commercial, International Global, and Private trade. Throughout the year, each research centre organises seminars and lectures that are open to all postgraduate students. By pursuing an “MBA in International Business” at ABC University, I am confident that I will gain a comprehensive entrepreneurial education, establish valuable connections with experts in the field, and be equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in my chosen career path. I look forward to being an active participant in the vibrant academic environment and contributing to the scholarly community at ABC University.

Check out another Sample SOP for Hong Kong !

Tips for Writing SOP for Hong Kong

A few tips and suggestions that should be followed while writing the SOP for Hong Kong are listed below:

• Make sure there are no spelling mistakes or grammatical errors in the essay.
• The essay should include an introductory paragraph and a conclusion.
• Do not repeat yourself.
• Try to include your personal experiences in the essay.
• Do not exceed the word limit.
• Do not use very long sentences as they increase the chances of errors.
• Show your motivation and deviation toward the area of study.

In order to make a presentable SOP for Hong Kong, candidates may look for samples given on the official websites of top universities. Moreover, consulting academic advisors will help you in introspecting and brainstorming innovative ideas for the essay.

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USA University Personal Statement

Writing a personal statement to a us university.

When applying for higher studies in the USA, one of the essential components of the application is the personal statement. This important document provides an opportunity for you to showcase your motivations, aspirations, experiences, and suitability for the program or institution you are applying to. It is a chance to demonstrate your unique qualities and stand out among other applicants.

What do I include in my Personal Statement?

In a personal statement, an international student writes about what they hope to achieve on a  university course , what they hope to do after the course and why they are applying to this particular university. It is your first chance to show a demonstrable passion and understanding of your chosen subject away from exam results.

In the USA, a statement of purpose is only required for undergraduate and postgraduate university applications. Otherwise, it is only needed for visa applications at all other study levels.

• Your career aspirations
• How you became interested in studying the  subject
• What, if any, relevant work experience you have undertaken that is related to the  course or subject
• What aspects of your previous education you have found the most interesting
• What attracted you to the particular  university
• Other relevant academic interests and passions which display positive character and personality

Genuine experiences in extra-curricular clubs, work experience or knowledge around a subject are much more likely to make your personal statement stand out, while admissions officers are also looking for positive evidence of your character, which will make you a productive member of the university.

How long should my Personal Statement be?

The length of a personal statement varies depending on the university, but generally, the average length for an undergraduate application is between 300-600 words, around one side of A4 paper or a maximum of 47 lines. Specific postgraduate programmes may require a 1000-word personal statement, but this will be clearly specified.

Try not to go over the given character limit, as admissions officers have many personal statements to go through, and a clearly written and concise personal statement is more likely to stand out.

What are common Personal Statement errors?

The personal statement serves as one of your first impressions to the university, and in order to make a good impression on the admissions committee, you must make sure that the document is error-free in all aspects. Look out for the following points and make the necessary changes before sending your personal statement to the university:

• The personal statement is too short/long
• The personal statement does not include important information/includes negative information
• The personal statement has a confusing structure

It is also important not to lie about any aspect of your personal life and education history or even exaggerate. Admissions officers will question you about almost all aspects of your application and will be able to see through any lies.

Tips for Writing a Personal Statement

• Express a passion for your  subject
• Start the statement strongly to grab an admission officer's attention
• Link outside interests and passions to your course
• Be honest, but don’t include negative information
• Don’t attempt to sound too clever
• Don’t leave it until the last minute; prepare ahead of the deadline
• Have friends and family proofread it
• Don’t duplicate material from your CV/resume

In terms of presentation, attempt to create five clear paragraphs of text in a clear font such as Arial or Times New Roman, with a maximum size of 12.

Personal Statement Editing

Once you have completed your personal statement, arrange a free consultation with SI-USA. We can suggest edits and ensure the English is clear and grammatically correct.

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