Writing a Statement Of Purpose Vs A Personal Statement | Writing a Graduate School Application Essay | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Statement of purpose focuses on research interests and goals, while personal statement tells a story that highlights the candidate's personal background and passion for a particular program.

Key Insights

• 🎓 Personal statements and statements of purpose are both crucial elements of university applications for graduate courses.
• 👨‍🔬 A personal statement tells a story about the candidate's personal background and passion, while a statement of purpose focuses on research interests and goals.
• 🫠 It is important to read and follow the specific requirements provided by the university when writing these statements.
• ✍️ Brainstorming ideas and creating an outline before writing can help ensure a well-structured and compelling statement.

Transcript

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Questions & Answers

Q: What is the main difference between a statement of purpose and a personal statement?

A statement of purpose focuses on the candidate's research interests and academic goals, while a personal statement tells a story about the candidate's personal background and passion for a program.

Q: How should a personal statement be structured?

A personal statement should start with a compelling introduction that grabs the reader's attention. It should then expand on the candidate's experiences, learnings, and critical thinking related to the program. The final paragraph should restate the thesis and connect the experiences back to the reason for writing the essay.

Q: How should a statement of interest be structured?

A statement of interest should introduce the candidate, briefly mention their personal background, and then focus mainly on their research interests. It should explain why the candidate is interested in the research topic and how the program will help them achieve their academic goals.

Q: Can a personal statement and statement of interest be combined?

Yes, sometimes universities may require both a personal statement and a statement of interest. In that case, the personal statement should focus more on the candidate's personal background and story, while the statement of interest should focus on their research interests and goals.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• A personal statement is a narrative that explains how the candidate's personality, motivations, and experiences have shaped them into a strong candidate for a program.

• A statement of purpose or research statement focuses on the candidate's research interests, academic goals, and how the program aligns with their career aspirations.

• It is important to read and follow the requirements provided by the university, brainstorm ideas, and create an outline before writing the statement.