writing the perfect personal statement for university

Here we’ll take you through the process of planning, writing and checking a good personal statement, so you end up with something you can submit with confidence. And to make sure the advice we're giving you is sound, we’ve spoken to admissions staff at loads of UK universities to get their view.

Read example essays and write your personal statement for college and university admission using our free and low-cost video courses and step-by-step guides.

Insert a quote from a well-known person. Challenge the reader with a common misconception. Use an anecdote, which is a short story that can be true or imaginary. Credibility is crucial when writing a personal statement as part of your college application process.

The personal statement, an integral component of most graduate or professional school applications, gives you an opportunity to tell your story to the admissions committee. A well-written, reflective personal statement can greatly enhance an application.

Reviewed by Bill Jack. Edited by Maria Geiger. Updated: June 3rd, 2024. The personal statement. It’s one of the most important parts of the entire college application process. This essay is the perfect opportunity to show admissions officers who you are and what makes you stand out from the crowd.

TABLE OF CONTENTS. (click to skip ahead) What is a personal statement? That just means “essay” … right? What makes a great personal statement? What are some great personal statement topics? (aka How do I brainstorm mine?) How should I write a personal statement? Three personal statement examples.