PhD Personal Statement Examples for 2017 Applicants
Did you know that a PhD can increase your lifetime earnings by as much as 30% compared to a BA, depending on your field? PhDs are a great financial investment, but the competition for getting into programs is stiff. You need a well-written personal statement that differentiates you from others and allows you to truly stand out. Here’s how you can write one.
Steps for Writing the Personal Statement You Need
First thing’s first: how to actually write it with the help of personal statement examples. This is easily the most annoying part, so let’s get our steps over with first.
- Research: Check out what your chosen schools most want to see.
- Brainstorm: Sit down and just think about what you want to discuss.
- Make notes: Take the time to jot down some ideas and questions for yourself.
- Write an outline: Take your notes and arrange them more coherently into a structure you can work with. Feel free to keep this informal.
- Keep on writing: Time to fill it in! Use your voice, and stick to words you know – don’t try to impress too much.
- Proofread: You’ll go through a ton of drafts, so don’t be discouraged, but you’ll need to proofread a lot.
Keep or Don’t Keep: Personal Statement Tips
Is this relevant? Should I have that? We have the tips for writing the best personals statement. Here’s what you should keep:
- Transferrable skills – be sure you link them to your program
- The reasons you want to study what you’re applying for
- Your qualifications – everything that’s made you prepared
- Your long-term plans for the future
- Clear critical thinking skills
Get rid of these things:
- Slang, which just sounds unprofessional
- Quotes
- Typos – don’t leave mistakes in!
- Negativity
- Clichés
Hot New Buzzwords for Personal Statements
Personal statements for PhD applications are leaning decidedly towards the following trends: action verbs, strict relevance, and custom statements for each school. Tweak each personal statement before you submit it and make sure everything you’re including is very relevant and applicable to your program. Finally, use the hottest buzzwords for personal statements: action verbs. Analyzed, created, and innovated are much better words to use for your activities than “did”. Show, don’t tell!
Personal Statement for PhD Examples
Everything is easier with an example. That’s why we’re providing you with a sample outline you can use to write a really great personal statement.
- Intro: Talk about who you are and why you want to enter your field and, generally, into graduate school.
- Body one: Explain what experiences have prepared you for graduate school. Anything from school or work that’s relevant will go here.
- Body two: Discuss your long-term goals and what you plan to do after you’re finished.
- Body three: If there are any irregularities you can explain them here, or if there’s anything else to clear up.
- Conclusion: You’re nearly done – just discuss a bit about why you’d be a great fit for this program and wrap it up neatly with a flourish.
Your Personal Statement Is Just a Click Away
Getting the personal statement you need and deserve is no longer as difficult as it once was. Thanks to the internet, help is available from all corners. We want to assist you through this journey with the help of our MBA or AMCAS personal statement sample, so don’t wait. You’ll soon see how much easier your applications can be with just a little nudge in the right direction.