7 Tips For Writing An Impactful Personal Statement: Check Samples 

This blog will discuss the 7 helpful tips for writing an impactful personal statement. Additionally, we will also discuss some samples to help students relate to the concept of personal statement. 

Have you ever wondered why writing a personal statement feels intimidating? In a personal statement, or essay, you are required to express how your life has been so far and the things you are good at. It doesn’t matter if you are using the UCAS, Common Application, or a university-specific application portal to apply for admission. It can be scary to come up with an essay topic that encircles your personal and academic journey.  

What is a Personal Statement? 

A personal statement is an essay where you can express your individuality. It allows you to showcase your unique skills and academic experiences that you’ve worked hard to develop. This statement is a crucial component of the application process and is mandatory for all applicants. In it, you’ll discuss your passions, interests, hobbies, and other non-academic abilities. 

How to Write a Personal Statement? 

University admission teams sift through thousands of applications daily, making it difficult to remember every applicant’s name and details. So, how can you make your application stand out? One effective way is to include something unique and memorable about yourself. While this may seem straightforward, many applicants find it daunting, fearing they might make mistakes. Here are some clear tips for crafting an impactful and engaging personal statement. 

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How To Write A Good Personal Statement? 

Tips For Writing An Impactful Personal Statement

Make a Strong Opening 

Every interesting story starts with a strong and bold opening. This must be done with the intent of hooking the audience from the very beginning. To make the start strong and engaging, try to share a personal story or a field-related quote. 

Example: “Ever since I visited the National Zoological Park at age ten, I’ve been fascinated towards nature and animals—this curiosity led me to pursue a degree in Zoology.” 

Be Authentic and Personal 

You must express your true self. Admission teams want to understand who you are, so avoid overly formal language. Your true self and honest experiences and aspirations will add charisma to your personal essay. 

Example: “I grew up in a multicultural household where I learned to appreciate diversity. This influenced my decision to study psychology, as I’m keen on understanding human behavior in different cultural contexts.” 

Discuss Your Academic Strengths 

Write down your academic achievements and relevant skills. In school or college, if you were part of any course-specific activity, projects, or events, do discuss them in the essay engaging.  

Example: “My final year project on sustainable architecture not only sharpened my design skills but also deepened my understanding of eco-friendly construction practices.” 

Show Enthusiasm for the Course 

Be clear in discussing why you want to study the particular course, how it aligns with your future goals, and what you can contribute to the field. This will require you to discuss what drives you to pursue a career in the field. It can be passion, interest, influenced by role models, personal experience, etc. 

Example: “Studying business management will equip me with the skills needed to launch my own start-up, blending my passion for technology with my entrepreneurial spirit.” 

Link Experiences to Future Aspirations 

If you have any past experiences that can perfectly align with your future goals, try to discuss them. Try to show how what you’ve done prepares you for the course and what you plan to achieve.  

Example: “Volunteering at local environmental campaigns has inspired me to pursue a degree in environmental science, with the goal of working in conservation and sustainable development.” 

Research the University and Course 

Before getting into a university and selecting a course, try to research all the relevant details. This must be done to tailor your statement according to the university and course. This can be an answer to questions like, why do you wish to study at (University)? How can your academic life help the university to grow? etc. 

Example: “The innovative research in AI at (University) and the experienced faculty makes it the ideal place for me to further my studies in computer science.” 

Conclude with a Forward-Thinking Statement 

Yes, the end is important too and it must express your confidence. Try to emphasize your enthusiasm and readiness to start the next chapter of your education. Make sure to not make it complex as the reader by now already has an idea about your academic and personal journey. 

Example: “I’m excited about the opportunities your program offers and am eager to contribute my skills and dedication to both the classroom and the wider university community. 

Interesting Personal Statement Topics and Responses 

No preparation is complete without understanding the types of topics and questions asked in an exam. Writing a personal statement is not an exam. It is just asking you to talk about yourself. Here are some interesting personal statement topics and their responses that can be added to make it interesting and engaging. 

A Challenge You Overcame 

When I was in high school, I struggled to balance academics and sports. I had morning training sessions followed by school classes, and by then, I was already exhausted. To improve my focus during lectures, I made sure to get enough sleep to recover from the physical and mental strain. As a result, I not only enhanced my academic performance but also improved my athletic abilities. 

Why You Chose This Field 

Animals have always fascinated me about nature and their surroundings. As a child, I used to visit hill stations and national parks in my country and enjoyed the natural beauty and wild animals. This curiosity evolved into a passion for nature and since then I’ve always wanted to become an environmentalist and raise awareness to build a sustainable future for all living beings.

Your Future Aspirations 

I envision myself helping international businesses expand their global presence while prioritizing sustainability. There’s a quote that resonates with me: ‘Development is not real if it is not sustainable.’ This concept fuels my curiosity to explore how business growth and sustainable living can go hand in hand. 

Conclusion 

Writing a personal statement in a university application is a simple task. All you need is to reminisce about all your academic and life goals and what inspires you to achieve your goals. A lot of students find this task intimidating, especially when they have not expressed themselves on a piece of paper. We discussed above some of the most impactful personal statement tips which will surely help every aspirant with their personal statement or essay writing.