sample essay for social work graduate school

10 MSW Personal Statement Examples (with Commentary)

Get inspired by some of the best MSW personal statement examples below.

These personal statement examples are inspired by actual essays from students with whom we’ve collaborated, essays that contributed to their successful admissions. For confidentiality, key details have been altered.

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Table of Contents

Example 1: NYU MSW Personal Statement Sample

Prompt: ‘why i want to be a social worker’ essay.

At the tender age of five, as my family faced the challenges of immigrating to the United States, I quickly became attuned to the complexities surrounding us. This early brush with adversity sparked my quest for understanding, especially in the realm of adolescent experiences. Growing up in a household where my mother tirelessly cared for us, while my father remained emotionally distant, I learned to seek solace in introspection and daydreaming. These experiences laid the foundation for my deep empathy towards others and a commitment to understanding them beyond surface-level perceptions.

My ability to empathize with others, particularly adolescents, has been a guiding force in my life. Working with XXXX as a counselor, I revisited my own teenage years, recognizing the crucial need for guidance during this transformative phase. This realization has fueled my determination to specialize in counseling and therapy for adolescents, a path I am eager to pursue through NYU’s Master of Social Work program. I am convinced that effective counseling during adolescence is pivotal in shaping capable, responsible adults.

My internship at XXXX Health was a turning point. Observing clinical behavioral health therapists and working alongside a psychiatrist specializing in post-incarceration life, I gained profound insights into the long-lasting impact of disrupted adolescent experiences. Hearing the narratives of former inmates underscored the importance of early intervention in defining one’s identity. This experience intensified my desire to work with young individuals struggling to find their place in the world.

Choosing NYU Silver was a natural decision. The school’s esteemed faculty, particularly Dr. Kirk Jae James, resonates with my journey as an immigrant. Dr. James’ dedication to overcoming his challenging past and disproving stereotypes is not just inspiring; it mirrors the resilience and determination I strive to embody. His work with those affected by mass incarceration aligns closely with my aspiration to be a clinical therapist who can bring change to young lives.

New York City, the vibrant and diverse backdrop of NYU Silver, also greatly appeals to me. The city’s rich history of nurturing notable figures like Andy Warhol, Roy Halston, and Jean Basquiat speaks to its capacity to foster self-discovery and belonging. I am excited to immerse myself in this melting pot of cultures and ideas, which will undoubtedly enrich my learning and practice in clinical therapy.

My personal history, particularly my father’s struggle with his traumatic childhood, has taught me that resilience and determination are key to overcoming adversity. His journey, though fraught with challenges, has instilled in me the belief that embracing the unknown and being steadfast in one’s goals can lead to remarkable achievements. Carrying this lesson with me, I step into NYU Silver poised to embark on a journey towards becoming an influential clinical therapist for adolescents.

My path to NYU Silver is more than an academic pursuit; it is a commitment to my dream of guiding adolescents through their most vulnerable years. By combining my personal experiences with the comprehensive training at NYU Silver, I am ready to make a meaningful impact in the field of clinical therapy, helping young individuals navigate their formative years with understanding and resilience.

Commentary:

Personal and Cultural Background : Effectively connects early experiences as an immigrant to developing empathy, crucial for social work.
Professional Aspirations : Clearly links past experiences with seniors and an internship to a focused interest in clinical therapy for adolescents.
Academic Motivation : Draws a parallel between personal experiences and the inspiration found in NYU Silver’s faculty and New York City’s diversity.
Resilience and Determination : Reflects on lessons learned from family, particularly the father, instilling a belief in achieving ambitious goals.
Career Vision : Articulates a strong desire to impact adolescent lives, demonstrating an understanding of the field’s challenges and opportunities.

Verdict: The personal statement is heartfelt and well-structured, showing a clear link between the candidate’s background, their professional drive, and their chosen academic path. The reflection on personal and family resilience adds depth, positioning the candidate as a motivated individual ready to leverage their experiences for meaningful social work.

Example 2: Columbia MSW Personal Statement Sample

Part 1: Reflecting upon your decision and motivation to pursue the MSW, describe how attending CSSW will enable you to meet your goals as a social worker. What are your immediate and long-term social work goals?
Part 2: Describe a social problem of significance to you. Please discuss it in regard to societal contributions to the origin of the problem, experiences that have contributed to your identification and understanding of the problem, and possible ways of addressing the problem.
Part 3: Choose two attributes and provide examples as to how you exemplify these traits. Choose one attribute you would like to improve. How will attending the MSW program at CSSW help you in doing so?

1. Motivation and Goals for Pursuing MSW:

From a young age, I have been acutely aware of the disparities and injustices in my community. Growing up in a low-income neighborhood in Chicago, I witnessed firsthand the detrimental effects of poverty, limited access to quality education, and the cycle of violence. These early observations fueled my passion for social work, specifically my desire to develop community-based programs aimed at youth empowerment and education. My immediate goal is to work in a non-profit organization focused on urban youth development, while my long-term ambition is to establish a foundation dedicated to providing educational resources and mentorship programs for at-risk youth.

Attending the Columbia School of Social Work (CSSW) will provide me with the critical skills, knowledge, and network necessary to achieve these goals. CSSW’s commitment to social justice, its comprehensive curriculum, and the opportunity to learn from esteemed faculty and diverse peers will equip me with a nuanced understanding of social issues and effective intervention strategies.

2. A Significant Social Problem:

The social problem that resonates most with me is the school-to-prison pipeline, an issue rampant in many urban communities, including my own. This problem arises from a combination of societal factors such as underfunded public schools, zero-tolerance policies, and systemic racial discrimination. My understanding of this issue deepened through volunteering at a local youth center, where I encountered numerous teens who had been expelled from school and were at risk of entering the juvenile justice system.

Addressing this problem requires a multi-faceted approach, starting with policy reform to prioritize education and rehabilitation over punishment. Community-based intervention programs focusing on mentorship, counseling, and educational support can play a vital role in diverting at-risk youth from the criminal justice system. At CSSW, I hope to explore these interventions in-depth and develop effective strategies to dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline.

3. Personal Attributes and Areas for Improvement:

Empathy : My empathy has been a guiding force in my social work journey. A poignant example was when I volunteered at a local youth center. There, I met a teenager named Marcus who had been expelled from school. By actively listening and engaging with him, I learned about his challenges at home and his struggles with learning disabilities. Understanding his situation, I worked with the youth center staff to develop a personalized educational plan and connect him with a mentor. This experience deepened my ability to empathize with individuals from diverse backgrounds, recognizing the unique challenges they face.

Resilience : My resilience was particularly tested when I spearheaded a community project to revitalize a rundown public park. The project faced numerous setbacks, including funding shortages and bureaucratic hurdles. Despite these challenges, I mobilized the community, organized fundraising events, and negotiated with local officials. The successful completion of the park not only provided a safe space for children but also reinforced my ability to persist in the face of adversity, a crucial trait for a social worker.

Area for Improvement – Policy Advocacy : My experience in grassroots initiatives has been rewarding, but it also highlighted the limitations of addressing social issues without policy change. For instance, while volunteering at the youth center, I realized that individual interventions, though beneficial, could not alone prevent the systemic issue of school expulsions leading to juvenile detentions. This recognition has fueled my desire to improve my skills in policy advocacy, an area where I see great growth potential. CSSW’s program, with its emphasis on policy practice, will be instrumental in helping me acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to advocate effectively for systemic changes.

Conclusion:

Attending Columbia School of Social Work will be a pivotal step in my journey to becoming an impactful social worker. I am eager to engage with the CSSW community, learn from diverse experiences, and contribute my perspective towards creating meaningful change. I am committed to using the knowledge and skills gained from CSSW to fight for social justice and empower the youth in communities like mine.

Clarity of Motivation : The essay effectively communicates the candidate’s personal experiences and observations of disparities in their community as key motivators for pursuing social work.
Goal-Oriented : Clearly outlines immediate and long-term goals, demonstrating a focused vision for a career in social work.
Understanding of a Social Issue : The candidate’s insight into the school-to-prison pipeline, informed by volunteer experiences, indicates a deep understanding of this complex social problem.
Attributes and Self-Improvement : Demonstrates empathy and resilience through specific examples. Identifies policy advocacy as an area for improvement and connects this to CSSW’s curriculum.
Personal and Professional Growth : The candidate’s experiences, challenges faced, and the growth they seek align well with the offerings of the CSSW program.

Verdict: The candidate’s personal statement is compelling and well-crafted. It showcases a strong personal connection to the field, a clear understanding of relevant social issues, and a desire for professional growth that aligns with the CSSW program.

Example 3: UC Berkeley MSW Statement of Purpose Sample

Please address each of the following in your statement:

Describe your aptitude, motivation and preparation for graduate study in the field of social welfare; your future career goals in the profession of social work; and achievements that demonstrate your professional promise and leadership potential as a social worker.
Describe your academic and professional areas of interest in social work, including your chosen area(s) of specialization.
Demonstrate your understanding of contemporary issues and challenges in the professional practice of social work by posing a question or identifying a relevant problem/current issue you would like to explore, and how you might address it from the perspective of a masters’-level social worker.

My journey into the world of social work began with a deeply personal experience – caring for my youngest daughter who faced developmental and language delays. This challenge opened my eyes to the struggles of parents with special needs children and sparked my commitment to helping vulnerable groups. I founded a non-profit organization to support children in rural Russian orphanages, which expanded my drive to assist not only children but also adults suffering from trauma and PTSD. This path has led me to pursue the Master of Social Welfare program at Berkeley, where I aim to deepen my knowledge and skills for effective global impact.

My background is richly diverse. As a mother of four bilingual, multicultural children, I developed a keen interest in early bilingualism. For my thesis at XXXX State Linguistic University, I explored bilingual language development in infants and toddlers, focusing on methods used by parents raising bilingual children. This research, recommended for publication as a guide for multilingual families, heightened my awareness of the challenges immigrant families face globally. It solidified my resolve to find research-based solutions to social issues, a commitment I bring to Berkeley’s rigorous program.

Professionally, I thrived as a XXXX Director for XXXX in Russia, where I honed leadership skills by building a team of passionate educators. A notable achievement was our collaboration with XXXX Department, providing educational programs to young patients. This experience was transformative, broadening my perspective on social change and reinforcing my desire to make a meaningful difference.

As a certified life and leadership coach, I focused on assisting Russian-speaking immigrants and refugee women, many confronting dire challenges like domestic abuse and PTSD. These encounters underscored the need for specialized social welfare skills, steering me towards a Master’s in Social Work. My goal is to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, specializing in trauma and PTSD, and to contribute on an international scale, possibly with organizations like Doctors Without Borders.

Recognizing the critical role of language in social work, I have been learning Spanish and French to better connect with diverse patient populations. My linguistic background enhances my ability to engage effectively in multicultural settings. To gain practical experience, I completed a 90-hour training at Crisis Support Services of XXXX and began volunteering on their crisis line. This hands-on involvement, particularly during these challenging times, has further motivated me toward my LCSW goal.

UC Berkeley’s MSW program, known for its diverse student body and commitment to public service, is the ideal environment for me to grow. Surrounded by peers and faculty who share a dedication to social justice, I am eager to expand my understanding and prepare for a career dedicated to improving the lives of vulnerable individuals, families, and communities.

Personal Experience as Motivation : The statement effectively uses the candidate’s personal experience of caring for a child with developmental delays as a catalyst for their interest in social work.
Global Perspective : Showcases a strong commitment to international social issues through work with Russian orphanages and immigrant communities.
Professional Achievements : Highlights relevant professional experiences, including leadership roles and work with vulnerable populations.
Educational Goals and Alignment : Clearly articulates the desire to specialize in trauma and PTSD, aligning with Berkeley’s MSW program’s strengths.
Multicultural and Linguistic Skills : Demonstrates an understanding of the importance of cultural competence in social work, supported by multilingual abilities.

Verdict: The candidate presents a compelling mix of personal motivation, professional experience, and academic alignment with the MSW program at UC Berkeley. Their diverse background and specific career goals make them an ideal candidate for the program.

Example 4: Cal State Fullerton MSW Personal Statement Sample

The quality of the writing in the personal statement will be evaluated, as will the applicant’s ability to thoroughly address the questions outlined below:

Describe how your personal background and life experiences have influenced your decision to pursue a graduate education in social work. Please include any challenges or hardships you may have overcome on your journey.
What are your expectations of graduate education at Cal State Fullerton in terms of your own development? Indicate any problems or limitations that should be taken into account in planning your graduate program.
Specify your career objectives as a professional social worker as you now conceive them. Indicate the fields of practice in which you are interested.
Describe your experiences with diverse populations and groups, and how those experiences have contributed to your interest in social work. Which population (defined by culture, ethnicity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, psychological and/or physical functioning) would you like to serve and why?

While managing an in-school feeding program, I watched a 7-year-old boy take a modest meal at school, and save half for his siblings at home. Another girl expressed joy for the school meals she relied on. These encounters, and others like them, deeply impacted me, highlighting the critical issue of child hunger and food insecurity. My resolve to expand our school feeding program was fueled by these experiences, successfully growing it from 7 to 1,053 schools over five years.

After graduating, I joined the Philippine XXXXX in 2001, managing the Business and Peace Program in the XXXXX Region. Here, I worked with XXXXXX, identifying young Muslims for internships that fostered leadership and peace.

In 2008, I transitioned to the XXXXX Foundation, developing community programs and managing the in-school feeding program, which fed 40,000 children at its peak. These experiences solidified my commitment to child welfare and my belief in the power of social work.

Managing the feeding program, I faced ethical challenges, like discovering fund misappropriation by a local agency officer. I addressed this by establishing direct communication with schools and conducting random checks, ensuring program integrity.

Then in 2013, I took a break to focus on family and moved to XXXXX. Motherhood enriched my perspective, making me more empathetic, resilient, and dedicated to child welfare. Now ready to re-enter the social work field, I seek an MSW degree to update my skills and knowledge.

Post-MSW, I aim to influence policies and contribute to community-based solutions in the Philippines, aspiring to work with large non-profits and eventually with international agencies like UNICEF.

The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened child poverty in the Philippines, underscoring the urgency of my mission. At CSU Fullerton, I plan to study social work theories, understand child welfare systems, and apply these learnings to the Philippine context.

With a Master of Social Work degree, I am poised to join the effort to advance children’s welfare, equipped to make a significant difference in their lives. The Filipino children cannot wait. They need all the help they can get. And with a Master of Social Work degree from CSU Fullerton, the battle will have been half-won.

Personal Narrative as Motivation : The statement effectively uses the applicant’s personal experiences with poverty, domestic violence, and addiction to illustrate a deep-rooted motivation for pursuing social work.
Community Involvement and Professional Experience : Highlights significant community engagement and professional achievements, demonstrating a commitment to social justice and positive change.
Challenges and Ethical Considerations : Discusses challenges faced during professional work, showing problem-solving skills and ethical awareness.
Academic and Career Goals : Clearly articulates how an MSW will enrich the applicant’s knowledge and skills, aiming to influence policies and create community-based solutions.
Personal Growth and Family Perspective : Reflects on the lessons learned from being a stay-at-home mother, tying this to a renewed enthusiasm for child welfare work.

Verdict: The statement presents a well-rounded candidate with a compelling personal connection to social work, reinforced by active community involvement, ethical professional practice, and clear career goals. The applicant’s experiences and aspirations align well with the MSW program at CSU Fullerton- making them a strong candidate.

Example 5: Cal State Long Beach MSW Personal Statement Sample

How did you become interested in social work? What motivated you to choose social work as a profession?

My passion for social work and advocacy for equality is rooted in a fundamental belief: no voice should be silenced in the pursuit of a just society. Throughout my life, I’ve witnessed how advocates for equality are often marginalized, their concerns unheard. This fuels my commitment to actively work towards a just world, where standing up for justice is a right for all.

As a child of Mexican immigrants, I experienced the harsh realities of a low-income household. This upbringing ingrained in me deep empathy and an intimate understanding of the struggles faced by underprivileged communities. My parents’ relentless hard work and sacrifices, despite economic hardships, have been a constant source of inspiration. They taught me resilience, compassion, and the importance of community support.

My professional journey in social work began at XXXX Community Development Corporation, where I took a lead role in organizing a landmark meeting with elected officials. We successfully voiced community concerns, addressing critical issues like infrastructure and public safety. This experience honed my skills in advocacy and highlighted the power of active listening and engagement.

Furthering my commitment, I volunteered at XXXX Volunteers in Medicine, assisting in providing healthcare to those unable to afford it. Here, I learned the critical role of accessible healthcare and the importance of educating communities about healthy living. These experiences have solidified my resolve to pursue a career in social work, focusing on advocating for essential services and support for underprivileged communities.

My aspiration to become a licensed clinical social worker, specializing in children’s mental health, aligns perfectly with the academic rigor and diverse environment offered by the Master of Social Work program at CSULB. As an undergraduate at CSULB, I was captivated by the program’s depth and the diverse perspectives it embraced. The experiences shared with students from varied backgrounds deepened my understanding of the multifaceted challenges in our society.

I am fully committed to investing my time and resources in the coursework and fieldwork placements at CSULB. The opportunity to study in a stimulating environment, surrounded by professionals who share my passion, will provide a solid foundation for my career. I bring with me a wealth of practical insights from working with low-income communities, the homeless, the elderly, and drug users. These experiences, I believe, will contribute significantly to our class discussions and align perfectly with CSULB’s mission of supporting vulnerable and oppressed populations.

My journey in social work is a commitment to those who struggle to be heard. At CSULB, I aim to further my skills, knowledge, and understanding, preparing myself to be a force for change and a voice for the voiceless. My goal is to ensure that every child, family, and community I work with gets the opportunity to thrive, just as I strive to make a meaningful impact in the field of social work.

Strong Personal Connection : The statement effectively connects the candidate’s personal background as a child of Mexican immigrants to her empathy and understanding of underprivileged communities.
Professional Experience : Highlights relevant work in community development and healthcare, which demonstrates practical skills in advocacy and community engagement.
Academic and Career Goals : Clearly articulates the ambition to specialize in children’s mental health, aligning with CSULB’s program.
Commitment to Social Work Values : Demonstrates a deep commitment to social justice, aligned with the mission of CSULB’s social work program.

Verdict: The personal statement is comprehensive and well-constructed, effectively demonstrating the candidate’s passion, relevant experience, and alignment with CSULB’s Master of Social Work program. The candidate’s background and professional aspirations make them a strong fit for the program.

Example 6: San Jose State University MSW Personal Statement Sample

In the heart of a small migrant community, where the sting of social inequities was a daily reality, my path toward a career in social work began to take shape. My childhood, marked by the challenges of racial discrimination and economic struggle, instilled in me not only resilience but a deep understanding of the complex social fabric that shapes communities. It was these formative experiences, coupled with my time volunteering at a local shelter, that solidified my dedication to advocating for social justice.

Professionally, my experiences have been closely aligned with the values at the core of social work. Serving as a community organizer, I worked alongside local leaders to tackle critical issues like housing affordability and healthcare accessibility, gaining valuable insights into the world of policy advocacy. Another pivotal role was as a counselor for at-risk youth, where I developed a keen understanding of the challenges faced by young people from diverse backgrounds. This role was instrumental in refining my skills in empathy and communication.

Looking ahead, my immediate goal is to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a focus on trauma and PTSD. In the long run, I aspire to establish a non-profit dedicated to providing mental health services to marginalized communities. These ambitions are rooted in a deep-seated commitment to effecting lasting change for those society often overlooks.

San Jose State University’s MSW program, renowned for its emphasis on culturally competent practice, particularly with Latinx and other minority groups, aligns perfectly with both my personal and professional values. The program’s exceptional faculty and comprehensive curriculum stand out as ideal for nurturing my academic and professional growth.

In conclusion, I am confident that my time at San Jose State University will not only refine my existing skills but also expand my perspectives, equipping me to become an effective, empathetic social worker. I am eager to embrace the tools and knowledge that the program offers, to champion social justice and make a tangible difference in the lives of those most in need.

This MSW personal statement sample effectively showcases the candidate’s journey and motivation towards a career in social work. It does well in several key aspects:

Personal Experience : The statement begins with a compelling narrative about the candidate’s upbringing in a diverse, challenging environment, effectively linking personal background to their interest in social work.
Professional Alignment : The candidate skillfully ties their professional experiences, like community organizing and counseling, to the core values of social work- to demonstrate a clear understanding and commitment to the field.
Future Goals & Alignment with the Program : The statement outlines specific short-term and long-term professional goals, aligning them with the strengths of San Jose State University’s MSW program. This demonstrates the candidate’s purposeful choice of program and their understanding of how it will support their career objectives.
Flow and Clarity : The essay is well-structured, with each paragraph transitioning smoothly into the next, maintaining a clear and engaging narrative throughout.

Verdict: The statement presents a well-rounded, sincere, and focused candidate with a clear vision for their future in social work. It makes a strong case for their admission.

Example 7: Wayne State University MSW Personal Statement Sample

Your statement must address the following items:

The National Association of Social Workers set forth important guiding principles to address social workers’ ethical responsibility to clients, colleagues, employers and employing organizations, the social work profession, and society.
Describe how these ethical standards would shape your professional social work practice. How would you reconcile any conflicts between your personal values and the requirements of the profession?
Describe why you believe you are a good fit with the mission of the Wayne State University School of Social Work, particularly its urban mission.
Social workers are committed to social justice. Please describe your thoughts on a particular social and economic justice issue and how you intend to use your professional social work degree to address these issues.

As an African American with Native American roots, I have firsthand experience with the challenges faced by underserved communities. This background has deeply influenced my desire to pursue social work, driven by a belief in compassion, commitment, and competence. I aim to amplify my impact in this field by enhancing my skills, and I believe the MSW program at Wayne State University is the ideal setting for this growth.

My life in Detroit has exposed me to the myriad challenges of urban environments, from food deserts to unsafe public spaces and high crime rates. The city’s struggle with deindustrialization has led to job losses, property abandonment, and heightened poverty, which I believe positions me uniquely for Wayne’s urban mission. Understanding these issues firsthand, I feel equipped to contribute meaningfully to solutions.

In my current role with a youth assistance program, I work to prevent youths from entering the juvenile system and help rehabilitate those already involved. Our sessions include group counseling, academic enrichment, and life skills training, aimed at early intervention to improve life quality and academic performance.

My practice as a social worker is grounded in the ethical standards set forth by the National Association of Social Workers. I prioritize service above self-interest, as evidenced by my role as a Direct Care Worker for my sister with Autism Spectrum Disorder. I am committed to social justice and understand the importance of dignity and respect for every individual, regardless of their background. My experience with Wayne State University’s XXXXXX program has further reinforced the value of human relationships in social work.

I recognize the potential conflicts between personal values and professional responsibilities. In such cases, I intend to adhere to the profession’s ethical standards, ensuring that my personal beliefs do not hinder my ability to serve clients effectively.

The Wayne State University School of Social Work’s urban mission resonates with my experiences and aspirations. My understanding of Detroit’s unique challenges aligns with the school’s focus on urban social work. I am particularly interested in addressing issues of poverty and economic disparity, leveraging my post-masters degree to initiate impactful programs like fundraisers for low-income students and collaborations with local food banks.

I am aware of the challenges in understanding certain aspects of social work, such as the dynamics of gang involvement. To address this, I plan to engage in continuous learning about various community issues to enhance my ability to serve diverse populations effectively.

My journey has not been without its challenges. While I have been actively involved in addressing the needs of victims of gang violence, I recognize a gap in my understanding of gang culture. To bridge this gap, I am committed to learning more about gang dynamics, history, and the socioeconomic factors that influence gang membership. This knowledge will be crucial in my work with at-risk youth, allowing me to provide more targeted and effective interventions.

Balancing the demands of graduate studies with work, family, and financial responsibilities will be challenging, but my experience in the Wayne State University XXXXX program has equipped me with valuable skills in time management and prioritization. I am prepared to fully commit to the MSW program, confident that it will transform me into an impactful social work professional aligned with Wayne State’s mission.

Alignment with University’s Mission : The statement effectively aligns the student’s personal and professional experiences with Wayne State University’s urban mission.
Ethical Awareness : Demonstrates a clear understanding of social work ethics and a commitment to upholding these standards in practice.
Conflict Resolution : Thoughtfully addresses potential conflicts between personal values and professional responsibilities, indicating maturity and professional readiness.
Commitment to Social Justice : Shows a strong dedication to social justice, particularly in addressing economic disparities and poverty.
Continuous Learning : Emphasizes a willingness to learn and grow, especially in areas like understanding gang dynamics, which is crucial for effective social work.
Personal Experiences : Successfully uses personal experiences to illustrate a deep understanding of the challenges faced by underserved communities.
Realistic Approach : Acknowledges and prepares for the challenges of balancing graduate studies with other life responsibilities.

Verdict: The applicant shows a strong alignment with the program’s focus, demonstrates ethical awareness, and possesses a clear commitment to social justice and continuous learning. The statement shows maturity and readiness for the challenges of graduate study in social work.

Example 8: University of Pittsburg MSW Personal Statement Sample

Please describe in your personal statement the following:

Influences in your life that led you to select social work as a profession
Why you are applying to the University of Pittsburg School of Social Work
How an MSW will help you achieve your career goals
Your special skills and abilities, your strengths as well as your limitations
How your abilities will contribute to your development as a professional social worker
Discuss a contemporary issue that is of concern to you

Printed on my grandfather’s funeral brochure was an old Irish proverb: “Death leaves a heartache no one can heal; love leaves a memory no one can steal.” This sentiment has resonated with me deeply, as I have experienced significant loss in my life, from cancer to accidents and suicide. These experiences have not only shaped my understanding of grief but also steered me towards a career in social work, specifically in gerontology and hospice care.

During my final quarter at XXXXXXX State College, I met a hospice social worker whose impact on families dealing with end-of-life situations was profound. Her approach to helping families accept, celebrate life, and find peace in farewells deeply inspired me. It was then that I realized the power of social work in providing comfort and dignity in life’s final stages.

I am applying to the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work because of its strong gerontology program and its commitment to addressing contemporary issues like the impact of COVID-19 on the aging population. The pandemic has starkly highlighted the disparities in our healthcare system, especially concerning end-of-life care. I aim to contribute to this field by developing solutions to these emerging challenges, ensuring dignity and comfort for all in their final moments, regardless of their racial or socioeconomic status.

My work experience in childcare and hospitality has equipped me with patience, empathy, and a strong work ethic, qualities essential for a career in social work. Additionally, my volunteer work with XXXXXXX and the XXXXXXX has given me valuable experience in community service. However, I recognize my tendency to be overly trusting as a limitation. In the field of social work, discernment is crucial, and I am actively working on balancing empathy with professional objectivity.

At the University of Pittsburgh, I am particularly interested in courses like Grief and Loss: Interventions, Implications, and Understanding, and Direct Practice with Older Adults. These courses, coupled with field education in aging, hospice, or hospital settings, will be instrumental in achieving my career goals.

My commitment to serving the Pittsburgh community stems from my deep-rooted connection to the city. Witnessing the impact of the university’s alumni in the field has further motivated me to pursue my MSW here. I am fully aware of the challenges that lie ahead in the field of social work, but I am confident that the guidance and training offered by the University of Pittsburgh will equip me to tackle these challenges effectively.

My personal experiences with loss, combined with my professional aspirations and commitment to social justice, make me a suitable candidate for the MSW program. I am eager to contribute my skills, work ethic, and unique perspectives to the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work and to grow into a compassionate and effective social worker.

Connection of Personal Experience to Career Choice : Effectively links personal encounters with loss to a passion for social work, particularly in gerontology and hospice care.
Alignment with Program’s Strengths : Clearly identifies why the University of Pittsburgh’s program, with its focus on gerontology, is a strong fit for the candidate’s career goals.
Discussion of Contemporary Issues : Addresses the impact of COVID-19 on the aging population, showing awareness of current challenges in social work.
Self-awareness and Growth : Acknowledges personal limitations, like being overly trusting, and the intention to work on balancing empathy with professional objectivity.
Relevant Skills and Experience : Highlights experiences in childcare, hospitality, and volunteer work, which showcase skills valuable in social work.

Verdict: The statement demonstrates a clear connection between personal experiences and professional aspirations. It aligns effectively with the program’s focus, displays awareness of current social issues, and shows a commitment to personal growth- making the candidate a strong fit for the University of Pittsburgh’s MSW program.

Example 9: Case Western Reserve University MSW Personal Statement Sample

Discuss significant factors influencing your decision to pursue a Master of Science in Social Administration (MSSA).

Your essay should include information regarding your interest in the social work profession, your intended concentration/specialization, and career goals.
Please reflect on how any past school, community, volunteer, professional work, and leadership experiences will contribute to your success as a graduate student.
Describe how you see yourself contributing to the vibrancy of our student body and school community.
Describe any strengths or limitations that might influence you being successful in your field placement.
Finally, please include why the Mandel School is a good fit for your educational goals.

My decision to pursue a Master of Science in Social Administration (MSSA) at the Mandel School is deeply rooted in personal and professional experiences that have highlighted the profound impact of social work. My journey began with observing the complexities of mental health within my family, which instilled in me a passion for understanding and advocating for mental health care.

Growing up, I watched a beloved family member struggle with mental health challenges. Witnessing their battle and the ripple effect it had on our family stirred in me a resolve to support others facing similar trials. This resolve only deepened with the birth of my daughter, Eve, when I encountered my postpartum mood disorders. Through receiving treatment and support, I was empowered to overcome these challenges, which further fueled my aspiration to assist women grappling with similar issues.

In my professional role as a Health Coach and Personal Trainer, I’ve had the privilege of supporting clients like John and Anna, whose mental well-being was intertwined with their physical health goals. These experiences have honed my ability to listen empathetically and devise holistic approaches to wellness that I believe will be invaluable in my social work practice.

My immediate career goal is to establish a private practice focused on women’s mental health, particularly addressing postpartum mood disorders. I am inspired to create a space where women can seek help without stigma or silence. In the long term, I aspire to influence mental health policy, advocating for accessible care and support systems that recognize and address the silent struggles many women face.

The Mandel School’s commitment to academic excellence and its vibrant student body resonate with my educational and professional ethos. The school’s innovative approach to social work education, particularly in mental health, makes it an exceptional fit for my aspirations. My compassion, coupled with my professional experience and personal journey through mental health challenges, will contribute to the rich tapestry of the Mandel School community.

Ultimately, I envision my time at the Mandel School as a transformative experience that will not only deepen my understanding of social work but also equip me with the skills to make significant contributions to the field. With a community that fosters diversity of thought and experience, I am confident that my educational journey here will prepare me for a fulfilling and impactful career in social work.

Personal Connection : The statement effectively establishes a personal connection to social work through the candidate’s family experiences with mental health.
Professional Relevance : It highlights relevant work experience that translates well into social work competencies, particularly in understanding clients’ holistic needs.
Clear Career Objectives : The candidate articulates well-defined short-term and long-term goals that align with their personal experiences and professional aspirations.
School Alignment : There is a strong emphasis on how the Mandel School’s ethos resonates with the candidate’s goals, suggesting a thoughtful choice in their application.
Contribution to Community : The statement outlines how the candidate’s unique experiences and compassion will add value to the student body and fieldwork.

Verdict: The candidate’s personal statement is compelling, demonstrating a strong, authentic motivation for pursuing an MSSA and a clear vision for how the Mandel School will help fulfill their career objectives.

Example 10: University of Pittsburg MSW Personal Statement Sample

Influences in your life that led you to select social work as a profession.
Why you are applying to Pitt’s School of Social Work.
How an MSW will help you achieve your career goals.
How your abilities will contribute to your development as a professional social worker.
discuss a contemporary issue that is of concern to you.

At just seven years old, I witnessed the harsh realities of poverty, domestic violence, and addiction within my family. These experiences instilled in me a passion for social work, especially after seeing how social workers supported our family through my parents’ mental health and addiction challenges. This inspired me to pursue a career in this field to use my background and skills gained from an MSW program to assist individuals and families in their recovery processes.

Growing up, our family was caught up in a custody battle, leading my siblings and me to frequently navigate foster care and courtrooms. My parents’ struggle with addiction was alleviated by the support of social workers and case managers, who provided housing, food assistance, service coordination, and counseling. Tragically, both my parents eventually succumbed to drug overdoses. Though painful, these experiences further reinforced my commitment to social work and helping others facing similar struggles.

In recent years, I have been actively involved in social justice activism. My roles as a community organizer and development director for XXXXX Summer Camp, a non-profit empowering girls and non-binary youth through music and mentorship, highlighted the need for improved mental and behavioral health services. Volunteering as a delivery driver and food packager with XXXXX Aid during the COVID-19 pandemic underscored the importance of community support for those in need.

My experience in event coordination, donor relationship building, and electoral campaign work has enabled me to contribute to meaningful change in my community, such as the successful XXXXX Wage initiative in Oregon, which improved the lives of countless workers. Serving on the XXXXX Democratic Committee for Ward Four, I have amplified community voices and supported candidates who advocate for accessible mental and behavioral health services, safe and affordable housing, and environmental protection.

A contemporary issue that concerns me is the effectiveness of harm reduction techniques in treating mental health and dual-diagnosis clients. I aim to explore how these techniques can be integrated into traditional substance abuse treatment models to better meet the mental health needs of individuals like my parents. Additionally, I am interested in how mental health professionals and addiction treatment providers can collaborate to provide comprehensive care for dual-diagnosis clients.

Obtaining an MSW will empower me to become a skilled, compassionate, and trauma-informed clinician. My goal is to contribute to accessible mental and behavioral health services, particularly for trauma survivors, and advocate for inclusive, culturally responsive, and restorative justice practices.

I am empathetic and easily connect with people, and my resilience in adversity will contribute to my development as a professional social worker. These qualities have supported me in helping my sister Cheyan and in my social justice work.

I chose the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Social Work for its highly-ranked program and specialization in mental health. This program aligns with my goal of employing harm reduction strategies for dual-diagnosis clients. Additionally, its proximity to my family will enable me to support them while pursuing my education.

I am eager to return to the University of Pittsburgh and embark on this transformative journey to become a professional social worker. The MSW program will enable me to make a significant difference in the lives of those who need compassionate and trauma-informed care. I am confident that this program will honor my family’s legacy and empower me to create positive change for countless individuals and families in need.

Personal Experience as a Motivation : The applicant compellingly uses their personal history of overcoming poverty, domestic violence, and addiction to demonstrate a deep-rooted motivation for pursuing social work.
Community Involvement : The statement highlights significant community engagement and activism, showcasing a commitment to social justice and change.
Professional Development : Details about event coordination, campaign involvement, and leadership roles show the applicant’s ability to effect change and work collaboratively.
Academic and Career Goals : The applicant clearly articulates their interest in harm reduction techniques and their intent to enhance their skills through the MSW program.
Personal Qualities : Empathy and resilience are emphasized as strengths that will aid in their development as a social worker.

Verdict: The statement presents a well-rounded candidate with a powerful personal connection to social work, backed by active community involvement and clear professional goals. Their commitment to addressing complex social issues, coupled with their personal strengths, shines throughout the statement.

Before you go…

You should be inspired enough to craft your authentic MSW personal statement. But you still need experienced eyes to deeply review it for flow, tone, logical structure, and clarity! See how I can help you below…

I will proofread, polish, edit any personal statement, college application essay or sop.

Social Work Personal Statement Guide (w/Examples)

Top 8 Cheapest Online MSW Programs

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Application Essay Guidelines

Apply Now button image links to application website https://ubgradconnect.buffalo.edu.

Your personal statement essay is an important component of your application. The essay must include critically reflective responses to the below four (or five, if applicable) questions.

Required Essay Questions

Briefly, yet critically, discuss a social issue or problem that is important to you and motivates your decision to pursue an MSW degree.
A key part of the UB School of Social Work’s mission is promoting social justice as one of the six core social work values outlined in the Code of Ethics. Please discuss how your lived experience has contributed to your understanding of social justice. In your response, you may include how race or other factors have impacted your life, whether through discrimination, inspiration or otherwise.
Tell us why you are pursuing the profession of social work at this time, and why the UB School of Social Work's MSW degree program is a good match for you.
What personal skills and knowledge, and/or professional and academic experiences have prepared you for a graduate level social work degree program?
Undergraduate GPA below 3.0;
Low or failing grades (for example, D, F, U);
Been on academic probation;
Dismissed from, or denied readmission to any college or department major,

Please explain the issue(s) and be specific as to how you have addressed it and your readiness to move into graduate level study.

Formatting your Essay

DO NOT use a question and answer format. Write a full essay answering ALL questions above.
Questions may be answered in any order to fit the narrative of your essay.
Your essay should be double spaced, in 12-point font.
Please keep your answers to the first four questions to no more than 7 pages double-spaced.

How to Write an Effective Personal Statement for Grad School

Written by Michelle, Founder of MSW Helper

Schools of social work are looking for your ability to think critically and contribute to the social work field. This is more important than your grades and experience. I know this because I’ve seen people with high grades and a ton of experience get rejected from the program because they weren’t able to articulate their critical thinking skills (and I’ve seen it go the other way too, where applicants with low grades and little experience get accepted because of their strong personal statement).

So, let’s talk about how you can write an effective personal statement for your grad school application.

Michelle is the Founder of MSW Helper, where she helps Master of Social Work Applicants write top notch personal statements for grad school. Michelle understands how stressful applying to the MSW can be, and strives to help applicants feel confident about their applications.

Check out her website to learn more: https://www.mswhelper.com/

What schools of social work are looking for

In my experience, most schools of social work ask about these key areas:

Your experiences that motivated you to become a social worker, including personal, professional, academic, and other experiences
A discussion of a social problem and how social workers can work towards solving it
Your goals as a social worker

In addition, schools of social work typically assess your personal statement for the following:

Evidence of critical and analytical thinking skills
Potential contribution to the field of social work
Your ability to communicate clearly and succinctly

This is how you can demonstrate all of the following key areas seamlessly.

Contribution to the field

Let’s look at a personal statement of a past MSW applicant:

Applicant name: Sally ● Experiences : Sally works at a women’s shelter and talks about what she learned there. ● Social Justice Issue : Sally decides to talk about an issue within child welfare. ● Goal : Sally mentions that she wants to get an MSW so that she can qualify for a job at the hospital.

There are a few issues with Sally’s personal statement.

First, there is no cohesion between her experience, social justice issue, and goals, which makes it hard for the reader to understand why she wants to pursue an MSW and how she’ll be an asset to the field.

Second, Sally is talking about how an MSW will be beneficial for her, which comes off as a bit self-serving. When writing a personal statement, it’s important to talk about how pursuing an MSW will allow her to help others.

With this in mind, let’s see an example of how Sally could improve her personal statement:

Applicant: Sally ● Experiences : Sally works at a women’s shelter and talks about what she learned there. ● Social Justice Issue : Sally discusses an insight from her time at the women’s shelter, and backs it up with research that proves that her observation is part of a larger social problem. ● Goal : This issue that Sally noticed at the women’s shelter inspired her to get her MSW so that she can address that issue and support her clients in a different capacity and advocate for women’s rights at the macro level.

Better, right?

In this version of her personal statement, Sally demonstrates a high level of critical thinking by talking about her insights and backing them up with research, and she demonstrates her potential contribution to the field by discussing how a Master of Social Work will allow her to serve others in a greater capacity.

If you’re planning to write a personal statement, a great place to start is to think about insights and problems you’ve observed from your work, volunteer, placement, and personal experiences, and use those insights to develop your social justice problem.

Evidence of critical and analytical thinking

In addition to demonstrating your potential to contribute to the field, there are some tangible ways you can demonstrate your critical thinking skills.

First, make sure you understand what social work actually is.

This might sound obvious, but there are a surprising number of applicants who have a pretty limited understanding of what social work entails. I don’t blame them. The media often portrays a specific image of what social workers look like (usually involving child welfare, case workers, or therapists).

However, social work is so much more than that. Social workers work at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels of society, and can work in many areas at each of these levels.

Also, many applicants pursue social work out of a desire to help others, but it’s not good enough to say that in your personal statement. There are a lot of other jobs you can do that would allow you to help others. Think about how social workers are different from other helping professions (such as nurses, psychologists, police officers, teachers, lawyers, etc.). Why do you want to be a social worker and not another helping profession?

Understanding what social work is will help you provide a stronger and more thorough answer to the question of “why” you want to become a social worker.

Finally, connect your insights to the bigger picture by integrating research into your personal statement .

It’s one thing to talk about the issues you’ve noticed from your experiences, and it’s another to connect your insight to the bigger picture with the help of research.

Let’s look at Sally again.

Sally’s role at the women’s shelter is to help her clients who experienced domestic violence find housing. Sally noticed that many of her previously housed clients got evicted and ended up back at the shelter.

Sally also did some research and found studies to suggest that women who experience domestic violence have an overall higher rate of housing instability due to barriers such as income loss and lack of social support.

This knowledge motivated Sally to pursue a Master of Social Work so that she can move into a policy role to advocate for income and social support for women who experience domestic violence.

Connecting experience to research will demonstrate a high level of critical thinking.

Ability to communicate clearly and succinctly

When it comes to writing your personal statement, it’s not only what you say, but also how you say it. Admissions committees are typically assessing your personal statement for your writing ability.

Make it easy to read : Admissions committees read literally hundreds of personal statements each application season, so it’s likely that whoever reads your personal statement is going to quickly skim through your personal statement to find your answers. With that in mind, it’s important to make your personal statement as skimmable and easy to read as possible.

You can do this by adding headings that match each question or prompt so that the reader can easily see that you did answer each prompt.

You should also be concise and get rid of filler words and sentences that don’t directly answer the prompts.

Finally, you should always try to include an introduction and a conclusion in your personal statement where you summarize your experience, social justice problem, and goals. This will allow the reader to get your whole story in a few sentences, and leave them with a strong impression at the beginning and end of your personal statement.

Treat your personal statement like an academic writing sample: Many applicants don’t realize that the personal statement is a sample of your academic writing and research skills. One way to stand out is to treat your personal statement like a school paper. I often advise applicants to use full APA formatting when writing their personal statement, as this will make your personal statement look more professional and will stand out from the crowd.

Creating Your Own MSW Personal Statement

When writing a personal statement for your MSW, it’s important to demonstrate your potential contribution to the field, critical thinking skills, and strong writing ability. If you follow these tips, you’ll be on your way to writing an effective personal statement that stands out.

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5 hacks for your social work personal statement

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So, you want to get into social work.

Hold on… it’s not that easy.

But you are in the right place.

In this article, we will show you how to write a personal statement.

Then we will show you an example of the social work personal statement.

In applying for social work, you will need to write a personal statement that explains why you want to study social work.

How to write a social work personal statement

1. set a deadline for your personal statement..

No work will ever be perfect. Yet we often fall into the fallacy of writing and rewriting, editing and re-editing. We think we can make the perfect personal statement that will land us in social work.

We can’t make it perfect. Before you start writing, you need to know when you have to stop and submit.

There is a saying in Chinese that goes, 画蛇添足. It tells the story of an art competition. During that competition, an artist, in his quest for perfection, ended up adding legs to his painting of a snake. Naturally, he lost.

The moral of the story is that there will never be a perfect picture, or perfect personal statement. What matters is that you have tried.

Start writing your personal statement.

Often, our quest for perfection or plain procrastination stops us from writing. We try planning in detail, without actually writing. In my experience, I was pushed for time.

I had been awarded a scholarship, but no university place offered to me. Due to the urgency of the matter, I had to write quickly. I had to submit.

There was no time to think.

In much the same way, rather than spending too much time thinking, simply start writing. Writing has a magical way of sorting out your thoughts. You can always come back to edit it thereafter.

Include real-life examples of why you want to study social work.

As you can see below, I included examples from my own experiences being helped by a social worker and helping others as a volunteer. The truth is: facts tell, stories sell. Stories give the applications panel another side to you.

They make you real.

In writing your stories, be clear about what your role was. What did you contribute? What did you do? What was your impact? Did anyone praise you?

Secondly, link it to the wider motivation for social work. What did your experience teach you? How did it push you to decide on a career in social work?

Edit your personal statement.

Grammatical and spelling mistakes are a no-no. they show that you have not spent as much effort as you should have on your personal statement. When editing, print out a copy of your personal statement, and then read it out loud.

Reading it out aloud helps you to hear the arguments. It lets you see if the arguments make sense, flow well, and are cogently linked together.

Give your personal statement to someone else to read.

I was fortunate to have a friend who was a social worker. She agreed to read my personal statement. From that reading, she gave me valuable feedback on what I could improve on.

Having someone else to read removes our blind spots. Having interacted so much with your personal statement, you might be too emotionally invested in it to remove parts that are not as good.

Therefore, having someone else helps to make your essay much better.

Example of social work personal statement

This was the personal statement I wrote that eventually allowed me to be accepted into the University of Nottingham’s BA Social Work course.

Winston Churchill once said, “We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.” Indeed, I have come to see how a life well-lived is one through which we give out of the largesse of our hearts. With a desire to engender positive change in the society around me, contributing to the community that has nurtured me, studying social work develops the expertise needed to aid the communities around me.

Why social work?

My desire to study social work stems from a wish to help people deal with the befuddling complexities of life, for which there is often no proper problem solving method, and certainly no correct answer.

What piqued my interest in social work was a first-hand encounter with social workers, who inspired me to take up social work myself.

In college, I remembered seeing my mother bent over the toilet bowl, vomiting out the remains of her previous meal.

Days later, she was stripped of her once lustrous, beautiful hair.

Watching my mother buried under blankets, trying to keep warm, I was overcome by a sense of helplessness.

My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in June.

The months after were a harrowing experience. So often used to the pillar of strength my mother represented, to see her reduced to such a state, ravaged by the destruction of cancer, terrified and frightened me. As the eldest in the family, I had to take on additional responsibilities at home on top of my academic workload. It was arduous juggling the various obligations. There were times when exhaustion overtook me, causing me to fall asleep in my uniform, waking up only to fight another day.

However, I was fortunate to have the guidance of a social worker, who helped me regain emotional balance. She enabled me to stand on my own two feet again, anchoring myself in the midst of the changes that were happening around me.

Just as I have been so helped, I desire to offer lifebuoys of aid to others.

I want to assist them in finding greater emotional stability and eventually soaring towards a more fulfilling life.

My experience

Intrigued by the complexities of social work, I joined YGOS, a welfare organization reaching out to youths from disadvantaged backgrounds, as an intern.

There, I worked with youths who were doing poorly academically and exhibiting behavioral problems.

I enjoyed the opportunity I had to personally mentor these youths, working closely with them to improve their academic grades and attitude towards learning.

Having a hand in molding them positively, revealed the possibilities that social work offered in eliciting real change in the community around me.

The myriad of opportunities that an overseas education offers me excites me. Exposure to a different welfare system will further my perspectives on the various welfare models in the world, and broaden my horizons on the pros and cons that each welfare system inherently possesses. Studying overseas will push me out of my comfort zone, forcing me to live independently. Experiencing another culture, environment, and country will open my eyes to the diversity in the world.

I begin seeing the world in a different lens.

Beyond school, I volunteer regularly with the Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore.

In one of my earliest experiences volunteering, I was teaching a boy to write the alphabet “A”.

After struggling for thirty minutes, he threw up his arms, exclaiming,

“I don’t know how to write this!”

For him, the writing of such a simple alphabet had already prompted so much difficulty. It was a reminder that in the search for the academic “A”s in our lives, it is such a blessing to even have the chance to search.

Volunteering regularly has equipped me with empathy, which will aid me in better understanding my clients’ needs, finding lasting solutions for them.

Through social work, I hope to impact the world, shaping it, one person at a time, community by community, walking with my clients through some of their darkest emotional tunnels, and helping them to find the light again.

I hope these social work personal statement examples help you to craft your personal statement better. If you need more help, please look at advice I wrote on writing better personal statements.

You can also write to me at [email protected] .

All the best!

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Knowledge Base
Applying to graduate school
How to Write Your Personal Statement | Strategies & Examples

How to Write Your Personal Statement | Strategies & Examples

Published on February 12, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on July 3, 2023.

A personal statement is a short essay of around 500–1,000 words, in which you tell a compelling story about who you are, what drives you, and why you’re applying.

To write a successful personal statement for a graduate school application , don’t just summarize your experience; instead, craft a focused narrative in your own voice. Aim to demonstrate three things:

Your personality: what are your interests, values, and motivations?
Your talents: what can you bring to the program?
Your goals: what do you hope the program will do for you?

This article guides you through some winning strategies to build a strong, well-structured personal statement for a master’s or PhD application. You can download the full examples below.

Urban Planning Psychology History

Getting started with your personal statement, the introduction: start with an attention-grabbing opening, the main body: craft your narrative, the conclusion: look ahead, revising, editing, and proofreading your personal statement, frequently asked questions, other interesting articles.

Before you start writing, the first step is to understand exactly what’s expected of you. If the application gives you a question or prompt for your personal statement, the most important thing is to respond to it directly.

For example, you might be asked to focus on the development of your personal identity; challenges you have faced in your life; or your career motivations. This will shape your focus and emphasis—but you still need to find your own unique approach to answering it.

There’s no universal template for a personal statement; it’s your chance to be creative and let your own voice shine through. But there are strategies you can use to build a compelling, well-structured story.

The first paragraph of your personal statement should set the tone and lead smoothly into the story you want to tell.

Strategy 1: Open with a concrete scene

An effective way to catch the reader’s attention is to set up a scene that illustrates something about your character and interests. If you’re stuck, try thinking about:

A personal experience that changed your perspective
A story from your family’s history
A memorable teacher or learning experience
An unusual or unexpected encounter

To write an effective scene, try to go beyond straightforward description; start with an intriguing sentence that pulls the reader in, and give concrete details to create a convincing atmosphere.

Strategy 2: Open with your motivations

To emphasize your enthusiasm and commitment, you can start by explaining your interest in the subject you want to study or the career path you want to follow.

Just stating that it interests you isn’t enough: first, you need to figure out why you’re interested in this field:

Is it a longstanding passion or a recent discovery?
Does it come naturally or have you had to work hard at it?
How does it fit into the rest of your life?
What do you think it contributes to society?

Tips for the introduction

Don’t start on a cliche: avoid phrases like “Ever since I was a child…” or “For as long as I can remember…”
Do save the introduction for last. If you’re struggling to come up with a strong opening, leave it aside, and note down any interesting ideas that occur to you as you write the rest of the personal statement.

Once you’ve set up the main themes of your personal statement, you’ll delve into more detail about your experiences and motivations.

To structure the body of your personal statement, there are various strategies you can use.

Strategy 1: Describe your development over time

One of the simplest strategies is to give a chronological overview of key experiences that have led you to apply for graduate school.

What first sparked your interest in the field?
Which classes, assignments, classmates, internships, or other activities helped you develop your knowledge and skills?
Where do you want to go next? How does this program fit into your future plans?

Don’t try to include absolutely everything you’ve done—pick out highlights that are relevant to your application. Aim to craft a compelling narrative that shows how you’ve changed and actively developed yourself.

My interest in psychology was first sparked early in my high school career. Though somewhat scientifically inclined, I found that what interested me most was not the equations we learned about in physics and chemistry, but the motivations and perceptions of my fellow students, and the subtle social dynamics that I observed inside and outside the classroom. I wanted to learn how our identities, beliefs, and behaviours are shaped through our interactions with others, so I decided to major in Social Psychology. My undergraduate studies deepened my understanding of, and fascination with, the interplay between an individual mind and its social context.During my studies, I acquired a solid foundation of knowledge about concepts like social influence and group dynamics, but I also took classes on various topics not strictly related to my major. I was particularly interested in how other fields intersect with psychology—the classes I took on media studies, biology, and literature all enhanced my understanding of psychological concepts by providing different lenses through which to look at the issues involved.

Strategy 2: Own your challenges and obstacles

If your path to graduate school hasn’t been easy or straightforward, you can turn this into a strength, and structure your personal statement as a story of overcoming obstacles.

Is your social, cultural or economic background underrepresented in the field? Show how your experiences will contribute a unique perspective.
Do you have gaps in your resume or lower-than-ideal grades? Explain the challenges you faced and how you dealt with them.

Don’t focus too heavily on negatives, but use them to highlight your positive qualities. Resilience, resourcefulness and perseverance make you a promising graduate school candidate.

Growing up working class, urban decay becomes depressingly familiar. The sight of a row of abandoned houses does not surprise me, but it continues to bother me. Since high school, I have been determined to pursue a career in urban planning. While people of my background experience the consequences of urban planning decisions first-hand, we are underrepresented in the field itself. Ironically, given my motivation, my economic background has made my studies challenging. I was fortunate enough to be awarded a scholarship for my undergraduate studies, but after graduation I took jobs in unrelated fields to help support my parents. In the three years since, I have not lost my ambition. Now I am keen to resume my studies, and I believe I can bring an invaluable perspective to the table: that of the people most impacted by the decisions of urban planners.

Strategy 3: Demonstrate your knowledge of the field

Especially if you’re applying for a PhD or another research-focused program, it’s a good idea to show your familiarity with the subject and the department. Your personal statement can focus on the area you want to specialize in and reflect on why it matters to you.

Reflect on the topics or themes that you’ve focused on in your studies. What draws you to them?
Discuss any academic achievements, influential teachers, or other highlights of your education.
Talk about the questions you’d like to explore in your research and why you think they’re important.

The personal statement isn’t a research proposal , so don’t go overboard on detail—but it’s a great opportunity to show your enthusiasm for the field and your capacity for original thinking.

In applying for this research program, my intention is to build on the multidisciplinary approach I have taken in my studies so far, combining knowledge from disparate fields of study to better understand psychological concepts and issues. The Media Psychology program stands out to me as the perfect environment for this kind of research, given its researchers’ openness to collaboration across diverse fields. I am impressed by the department’s innovative interdisciplinary projects that focus on the shifting landscape of media and technology, and I hope that my own work can follow a similarly trailblazing approach. More specifically, I want to develop my understanding of the intersection of psychology and media studies, and explore how media psychology theories and methods might be applied to neurodivergent minds. I am interested not only in media psychology but also in psychological disorders, and how the two interact. This is something I touched on during my undergraduate studies and that I’m excited to delve into further.

Strategy 4: Discuss your professional ambitions

Especially if you’re applying for a more professionally-oriented program (such as an MBA), it’s a good idea to focus on concrete goals and how the program will help you achieve them.

If your career is just getting started, show how your character is suited to the field, and explain how graduate school will help you develop your talents.
If you have already worked in the profession, show what you’ve achieved so far, and explain how the program will allow you to take the next step.
If you are planning a career change, explain what has driven this decision and how your existing experience will help you succeed.

Don’t just state the position you want to achieve. You should demonstrate that you’ve put plenty of thought into your career plans and show why you’re well-suited to this profession.

One thing that fascinated me about the field during my undergraduate studies was the sheer number of different elements whose interactions constitute a person’s experience of an urban environment. Any number of factors could transform the scene I described at the beginning: What if there were no bus route? Better community outreach in the neighborhood? Worse law enforcement? More or fewer jobs available in the area? Some of these factors are out of the hands of an urban planner, but without taking them all into consideration, the planner has an incomplete picture of their task. Through further study I hope to develop my understanding of how these disparate elements combine and interact to create the urban environment. I am interested in the social, psychological and political effects our surroundings have on our lives. My studies will allow me to work on projects directly affecting the kinds of working-class urban communities I know well. I believe I can bring my own experiences, as well as my education, to bear upon the problem of improving infrastructure and quality of life in these communities.

Tips for the main body

Don’t rehash your resume by trying to summarize everything you’ve done so far; the personal statement isn’t about listing your academic or professional experience, but about reflecting, evaluating, and relating it to broader themes.
Do make your statements into stories: Instead of saying you’re hard-working and self-motivated, write about your internship where you took the initiative to start a new project. Instead of saying you’ve always loved reading, reflect on a novel or poem that changed your perspective.

Your conclusion should bring the focus back to the program and what you hope to get out of it, whether that’s developing practical skills, exploring intellectual questions, or both.

Emphasize the fit with your specific interests, showing why this program would be the best way to achieve your aims.

Strategy 1: What do you want to know?

If you’re applying for a more academic or research-focused program, end on a note of curiosity: what do you hope to learn, and why do you think this is the best place to learn it?

If there are specific classes or faculty members that you’re excited to learn from, this is the place to express your enthusiasm.

Strategy 2: What do you want to do?

If you’re applying for a program that focuses more on professional training, your conclusion can look to your career aspirations: what role do you want to play in society, and why is this program the best choice to help you get there?

Tips for the conclusion

Don’t summarize what you’ve already said. You have limited space in a personal statement, so use it wisely!
Do think bigger than yourself: try to express how your individual aspirations relate to your local community, your academic field, or society more broadly. It’s not just about what you’ll get out of graduate school, but about what you’ll be able to give back.

You’ll be expected to do a lot of writing in graduate school, so make a good first impression: leave yourself plenty of time to revise and polish the text.

Your style doesn’t have to be as formal as other kinds of academic writing, but it should be clear, direct and coherent. Make sure that each paragraph flows smoothly from the last, using topic sentences and transitions to create clear connections between each part.

Don’t be afraid to rewrite and restructure as much as necessary. Since you have a lot of freedom in the structure of a personal statement, you can experiment and move information around to see what works best.

Finally, it’s essential to carefully proofread your personal statement and fix any language errors. Before you submit your application, consider investing in professional personal statement editing . For $150, you have the peace of mind that your personal statement is grammatically correct, strong in term of your arguments, and free of awkward mistakes.

A statement of purpose is usually more formal, focusing on your academic or professional goals. It shouldn’t include anything that isn’t directly relevant to the application.

A personal statement can often be more creative. It might tell a story that isn’t directly related to the application, but that shows something about your personality, values, and motivations.

However, both types of document have the same overall goal: to demonstrate your potential as a graduate student and s how why you’re a great match for the program.

The typical length of a personal statement for graduate school applications is between 500 and 1,000 words.

Different programs have different requirements, so always check if there’s a minimum or maximum length and stick to the guidelines. If there is no recommended word count, aim for no more than 1-2 pages.

If you’re applying to multiple graduate school programs, you should tailor your personal statement to each application.

Some applications provide a prompt or question. In this case, you might have to write a new personal statement from scratch: the most important task is to respond to what you have been asked.

If there’s no prompt or guidelines, you can re-use the same idea for your personal statement – but change the details wherever relevant, making sure to emphasize why you’re applying to this specific program.

If the application also includes other essays, such as a statement of purpose , you might have to revise your personal statement to avoid repeating the same information.

If you want to know more about college essays , academic writing , and AI tools , make sure to check out some of our other language articles with explanations, examples, and quizzes.

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Application Requirement:

The Garland School of Social Work application includes four short-answer essay prompts. The four essays focus on the following topics:

Social Work profession
Advocating for others
Diana R. Garland School of Social Work mission statement
Societal issues

Application Advice:

Essays are a significant piece of the application to the MSW program at Baylor. This is how we get to know you as a future student and social work professional. We encourage all applicants to take their time, thoroughly think through a response, and engage in strong writing skills. Read through the information below for additional advice regarding application essays:

Review, revise, and review again …grammar, punctuation, and editing matter. Be sure there are no typos or other errors that can distract readers.
Answer the question . As a graduate student, you learn how to write in a concise manner. Use your application as a chance to highlight this skill by answering the question asked of you and avoid rambling.
Read the mission statement . Knowing the mission of a program and highlighting how you identify with that mission can help reviewers understand what you would bring into the program.

The essay prompts are available on the Garland School of Social Work Application. These prompts are available for students to review and begin drafting essay responses. Students will submit responses to the application essay directly from the Status Portal. As a reminder, students will have access to the Status Portal immediately upon submission of their application.

Application essays are required as part of a complete application. Applicants will submit application essays directly from the Status Portal.

Diana R. Garland School of Social Work

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Master of Social Work - Guidelines for Preparing the Personal Statement

Guidelines for Preparing the Personal Statement (~600-800 words)

This statement must be included in your application for admission. The autobiographic statement details your interest in social work, including personal experiences, strengths, values and beliefs that will contribute to your competence as a social worker. The autobiographic statement should be a carefully prepared document that is typed and double-spaced, with 1-inch margins and 10-12 font. Please place your name at the top right hand margin on each page and number pages at the bottom center.

Please address the following:

Describe in detail your personal understanding of social work as a profession.
Discuss your interest in rural/non-urban social work practice
What factors influenced your decision to seek graduate social work education at Jacksonville State University? If you have worked or trained in another field, why are you now considering a career change?
Describe the intellectual and personal qualifications that will enable you to practice social work successfully in non-urban/rural social work, for example collaboration with others, leadership ability, ability to empathize, communication and language skills. What limitations do you see in your work experiences, skills, or other attributes, including your awareness of your personal biases that you want to address to ensure your effectiveness in practicing social work?
How will you balance outside responsibilities with academic responsibilities?
Discuss your notable accomplishments, such as related work experience, military experience, volunteer services, other academic accomplishments, etc.

Ideas for an MSW Essay for Grad School

When you apply to a Masters in Social Work, or MSW, program at a college or university, you’re faced with the task of presenting yourself in a unique and strong way via an application. The MSW application essay, often referred to as a personal statement, is an opportunity to make your application shine, and by including essential elements of a successful MSW essay, you'll present yourself in the best possible light.

Explore this article

Mission Statement
Development

1 Mission Statement

Cater your MSW essay to the school to which you’re applying. Wherever you're applying, study the institution’s mission statement in order to get at the heart of what the school values and represents. If your own values and goals do not match the school, re-evaluate your choice, as MSW programs look for prospective students that are a proper fit for their unique program. For example, if the MSW graduate program you’re applying to has a deep commitment to social justice, and that is also one of your own fundamental beliefs, design your MSW essay to address that.

2 Development

One of the main objectives of an MSW essay is to reveal to the graduate school how your interest in social work developed. Whether this is highlighting a time when you volunteered at a local soup kitchen or the experience you had in lower income areas building homes for the less fortunate, highlight the moments that brought you to the conclusion that your life should be devoted to social work. Every person’s story regarding this is different, and the more passionate and truthful your explanation is the better.

3 Strengths

An MSW essay offers you a wonderful opportunity to tell the graduate school about your strengths regarding becoming a social worker. Highlight the accomplishments you achieved during your undergraduate education and explain why they are significant to you personally and becoming a social worker in the future. Do not repeat accomplishments that are included in your transcript, such as GPA and the like. The MSW essay is your chance to reveal positive attributes about yourself that aren't included in your transcript.

4 Weaknesses

Detail factors that you believe could restrict you work as a social worker. Whether this is the inherent emotional pain that goes along with becoming a social worker or otherwise, a graduate school application committee is looking for prospective students that are honest about their ambitions, and a way to demonstrate that you are trustworthy is to discuss the obstacles standing in your way of becoming a social worker.

1 The New Social Worker: Graduate School Admissions: Writing an Effective Personal Statement
2 The New Social Worker: Your Social Work Graduate School Application: 14 Tips to Help You Get an Acceptance Letter

About the Author

Jake Shore is an award-winning Brooklyn-based playwright, published short story writer and professor at Wagner College. His short fiction has appeared in many publications including Litro Magazine, one of London's leading literary magazines. Shore earned his MFA in creative writing from Goddard College.

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Gre prep online guides and tips, 3 successful graduate school personal statement examples.

Looking for grad school personal statement examples? Look no further! In this total guide to graduate school personal statement examples, we’ll discuss why you need a personal statement for grad school and what makes a good one. Then we’ll provide three graduate school personal statement samples from our grad school experts. After that, we’ll do a deep dive on one of our personal statement for graduate school examples. Finally, we’ll wrap up with a list of other grad school personal statements you can find online.

Why Do You Need a Personal Statement?

A personal statement is a chance for admissions committees to get to know you: your goals and passions, what you’ll bring to the program, and what you’re hoping to get out of the program. You need to sell the admissions committee on what makes you a worthwhile applicant. The personal statement is a good chance to highlight significant things about you that don’t appear elsewhere on your application.

A personal statement is slightly different from a statement of purpose (also known as a letter of intent). A statement of purpose/letter of intent tends to be more tightly focused on your academic or professional credentials and your future research and/or professional interests.

While a personal statement also addresses your academic experiences and goals, you have more leeway to be a little more, well, personal. In a personal statement, it’s often appropriate to include information on significant life experiences or challenges that aren’t necessarily directly relevant to your field of interest.

Some programs ask for both a personal statement and a statement of purpose/letter of intent. In this case, the personal statement is likely to be much more tightly focused on your life experience and personality assets while the statement of purpose will focus in much more on your academic/research experiences and goals.

However, there’s not always a hard-and-fast demarcation between a personal statement and a statement of purpose. The two statement types should address a lot of the same themes, especially as relates to your future goals and the valuable assets you bring to the program. Some programs will ask for a personal statement but the prompt will be focused primarily on your research and professional experiences and interests. Some will ask for a statement of purpose but the prompt will be more focused on your general life experiences.

When in doubt, give the program what they are asking for in the prompt and don’t get too hung up on whether they call it a personal statement or statement of purpose. You can always call the admissions office to get more clarification on what they want you to address in your admissions essay.

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What Makes a Good Grad School Personal Statement?

A great graduate school personal statement can come in many forms and styles. However, strong grad school personal statement examples all share the same following elements:

A Clear Narrative

Above all, a good personal statement communicates clear messages about what makes you a strong applicant who is likely to have success in graduate school. So to that extent, think about a couple of key points that you want to communicate about yourself and then drill down on how you can best communicate those points. (Your key points should of course be related to what you can bring to the field and to the program specifically).

You can also decide whether to address things like setbacks or gaps in your application as part of your narrative. Have a low GPA for a couple semesters due to a health issue? Been out of a job for a while taking care of a family member? If you do decide to explain an issue like this, make sure that the overall arc is more about demonstrating positive qualities like resilience and diligence than about providing excuses.

Specific Examples

A great statement of purpose uses specific examples to illustrate its key messages. This can include anecdotes that demonstrate particular traits or even references to scholars and works that have influenced your academic trajectory to show that you are familiar and insightful about the relevant literature in your field.

Just saying “I love plants,” is pretty vague. Describing how you worked in a plant lab during undergrad and then went home and carefully cultivated your own greenhouse where you cross-bred new flower colors by hand is much more specific and vivid, which makes for better evidence.

A strong personal statement will describe why you are a good fit for the program, and why the program is a good fit for you. It’s important to identify specific things about the program that appeal to you, and how you’ll take advantage of those opportunities. It’s also a good idea to talk about specific professors you might be interested in working with. This shows that you are informed about and genuinely invested in the program.

Strong Writing

Even quantitative and science disciplines typically require some writing, so it’s important that your personal statement shows strong writing skills. Make sure that you are communicating clearly and that you don’t have any grammar and spelling errors. It’s helpful to get other people to read your statement and provide feedback. Plan on going through multiple drafts.

Another important thing here is to avoid cliches and gimmicks. Don’t deploy overused phrases and openings like “ever since I was a child.” Don’t structure your statement in a gimmicky way (i.e., writing a faux legal brief about yourself for a law school statement of purpose). The first will make your writing banal; the second is likely to make you stand out in a bad way.

Appropriate Boundaries

While you can be more personal in a personal statement than in a statement of purpose, it’s important to maintain appropriate boundaries in your writing. Don’t overshare anything too personal about relationships, bodily functions, or illegal activities. Similarly, don’t share anything that makes it seem like you may be out of control, unstable, or an otherwise risky investment. The personal statement is not a confessional booth. If you share inappropriately, you may seem like you have bad judgment, which is a huge red flag to admissions committees.

You should also be careful with how you deploy humor and jokes. Your statement doesn’t have to be totally joyless and serious, but bear in mind that the person reading the statement may not have the same sense of humor as you do. When in doubt, err towards the side of being as inoffensive as possible.

Just as being too intimate in your statement can hurt you, it’s also important not to be overly formal or staid. You should be professional, but conversational.

Graduate School Personal Statement Examples

Our graduate school experts have been kind enough to provide some successful grad school personal statement examples. We’ll provide three examples here, along with brief analysis of what makes each one successful.

Sample Personal Statement for Graduate School 1

PDF of Sample Personal Statement 1 – Japanese Studies

For this Japanese Studies master’s degree, the applicant had to provide a statement of purpose outlining her academic goals and experience with Japanese and a separate personal statement describing her personal relationship with Japanese Studies and what led her to pursue a master’s degree.

Here’s what’s successful about this personal statement:

An attention-grabbing beginning: The applicant begins with the statement that Japanese has never come easily to her and that it’s a brutal language to learn. Seeing as how this is an application for a Japanese Studies program, this is an intriguing beginning that makes the reader want to keep going.
A compelling narrative: From this attention-grabbing beginning, the applicant builds a well-structured and dramatic narrative tracking her engagement with the Japanese language over time. The clear turning point is her experience studying abroad, leading to a resolution in which she has clarity about her plans. Seeing as how the applicant wants to be a translator of Japanese literature, the tight narrative structure here is a great way to show her writing skills.
Specific examples that show important traits: The applicant clearly communicates both a deep passion for Japanese through examples of her continued engagement with Japanese and her determination and work ethic by highlighting the challenges she’s faced (and overcome) in her study of the language. This gives the impression that she is an engaged and dedicated student.

Overall, this is a very strong statement both in terms of style and content. It flows well, is memorable, and communicates that the applicant would make the most of the graduate school experience.

Sample Personal Statement for Graduate School 2

PDF of Sample Graduate School Personal Statement 2 – Musical Composition

This personal statement for a Music Composition master’s degree discusses the factors that motivate the applicant to pursue graduate study.

Here’s what works well in this statement:

The applicant provides two clear reasons motivating the student to pursue graduate study: her experiences with music growing up, and her family’s musical history. She then supports those two reasons with examples and analysis.
The description of her ancestors’ engagement with music is very compelling and memorable. The applicant paints her own involvement with music as almost inevitable based on her family’s long history with musical pursuits.
The applicant gives thoughtful analysis of the advantages she has been afforded that have allowed her to study music so extensively. We get the sense that she is insightful and empathetic—qualities that would add greatly to any academic community.

This is a strong, serviceable personal statement. And in truth, given that this for a masters in music composition, other elements of the application (like work samples) are probably the most important. However, here are two small changes I would make to improve it:

I would probably to split the massive second paragraph into 2-3 separate paragraphs. I might use one paragraph to orient the reader to the family’s musical history, one paragraph to discuss Giacomo and Antonio, and one paragraph to discuss how the family has influenced the applicant. As it stands, it’s a little unwieldy and the second paragraph doesn’t have a super-clear focus even though it’s all loosely related to the applicant’s family history with music.
I would also slightly shorten the anecdote about the applicant’s ancestors and expand more on how this family history has motivated the applicant’s interest in music. In what specific ways has her ancestors’ perseverance inspired her? Did she think about them during hard practice sessions? Is she interested in composing music in a style they might have played? More specific examples here would lend greater depth and clarity to the statement.

Sample Personal Statement for Graduate School 3

PDF of Sample Graduate School Personal Statement 3 – Public Health

This is my successful personal statement for Columbia’s Master’s program in Public Health. We’ll do a deep dive on this statement paragraph-by-paragraph in the next section, but I’ll highlight a couple of things that work in this statement here:

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This statement is clearly organized. Almost every paragraph has a distinct focus and message, and when I move on to a new idea, I move on to a new paragraph with a logical transitions.
This statement covers a lot of ground in a pretty short space. I discuss my family history, my goals, my educational background, and my professional background. But because the paragraphs are organized and I use specific examples, it doesn’t feel too vague or scattered.
In addition to including information about my personal motivations, like my family, I also include some analysis about tailoring health interventions with my example of the Zande. This is a good way to show off what kinds of insights I might bring to the program based on my academic background.

Grad School Personal Statement Example: Deep Dive

Now let’s do a deep dive, paragraph-by-paragraph, on one of these sample graduate school personal statements. We’ll use my personal statement that I used when I applied to Columbia’s public health program.

Paragraph One: For twenty-three years, my grandmother (a Veterinarian and an Epidemiologist) ran the Communicable Disease Department of a mid-sized urban public health department. The stories of Grandma Betty doggedly tracking down the named sexual partners of the infected are part of our family lore. Grandma Betty would persuade people to be tested for sexually transmitted diseases, encourage safer sexual practices, document the spread of infection and strive to contain and prevent it. Indeed, due to the large gay population in the city where she worked, Grandma Betty was at the forefront of the AIDS crises, and her analysis contributed greatly towards understanding how the disease was contracted and spread. My grandmother has always been a huge inspiration to me, and the reason why a career in public health was always on my radar.

This is an attention-grabbing opening anecdote that avoids most of the usual cliches about childhood dreams and proclivities. This story also subtly shows that I have a sense of public health history, given the significance of the AIDs crisis for public health as a field.

It’s good that I connect this family history to my own interests. However, if I were to revise this paragraph again, I might cut down on some of the detail because when it comes down to it, this story isn’t really about me. It’s important that even (sparingly used) anecdotes about other people ultimately reveal something about you in a personal statement.

Paragraph Two: Recent years have cemented that interest. In January 2012, my parents adopted my little brother Fred from China. Doctors in America subsequently diagnosed Fred with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). My parents were told that if Fred’s condition had been discovered in China, the (very poor) orphanage in which he spent the first 8+ years of his life would have recognized his DMD as a death sentence and denied him sustenance to hasten his demise.

Here’s another compelling anecdote to help explain my interest in public health. This is an appropriately personal detail for a personal statement—it’s a serious thing about my immediate family, but it doesn’t disclose anything that the admissions committee might find concerning or inappropriate.

If I were to take another pass through this paragraph, the main thing I would change is the last phrase. “Denied him sustenance to hasten his demise” is a little flowery. “Denied him food to hasten his death” is actually more powerful because it’s clearer and more direct.

Paragraph Three: It is not right that some people have access to the best doctors and treatment while others have no medical care. I want to pursue an MPH in Sociomedical Sciences at Columbia because studying social factors in health, with a particular focus on socio-health inequities, will prepare me to address these inequities. The interdisciplinary approach of the program appeals to me greatly as I believe interdisciplinary approaches are the most effective way to develop meaningful solutions to complex problems.

In this paragraph I make a neat and clear transition from discussing what sparked my interest in public health and health equity to what I am interested in about Columbia specifically: the interdisciplinary focus of the program, and how that focus will prepare me to solve complex health problems. This paragraph also serves as a good pivot point to start discussing my academic and professional background.

Paragraph Four: My undergraduate education has prepared me well for my chosen career. Understanding the underlying structure of a group’s culture is essential to successfully communicating with the group. In studying folklore and mythology, I’ve learned how to parse the unspoken structures of folk groups, and how those structures can be used to build bridges of understanding. For example, in a culture where most illnesses are believed to be caused by witchcraft, as is the case for the Zande people of central Africa, any successful health intervention or education program would of necessity take into account their very real belief in witchcraft.

In this paragraph, I link my undergraduate education and the skills I learned there to public health. The (very brief) analysis of tailoring health interventions to the Zande is a good way to show insight and show off the competencies I would bring to the program.

Paragraph Five: I now work in the healthcare industry for one of the largest providers of health benefits in the world. In addition to reigniting my passion for data and quantitative analytics, working for this company has immersed me in the business side of healthcare, a critical component of public health.

This brief paragraph highlights my relevant work experience in the healthcare industry. It also allows me to mention my work with data and quantitative analytics, which isn’t necessarily obvious from my academic background, which was primarily based in the social sciences.

Paragraph Six: I intend to pursue a PhD in order to become an expert in how social factors affect health, particularly as related to gender and sexuality. I intend to pursue a certificate in Sexuality, Sexual Health, and Reproduction. Working together with other experts to create effective interventions across cultures and societies, I want to help transform health landscapes both in America and abroad.

This final paragraph is about my future plans and intentions. Unfortunately, it’s a little disjointed, primarily because I discuss goals of pursuing a PhD before I talk about what certificate I want to pursue within the MPH program! Switching those two sentences and discussing my certificate goals within the MPH and then mentioning my PhD plans would make a lot more sense.

I also start two sentences in a row with “I intend,” which is repetitive.

The final sentence is a little bit generic; I might tailor it to specifically discuss a gender and sexual health issue, since that is the primary area of interest I’ve identified.

This was a successful personal statement; I got into (and attended!) the program. It has strong examples, clear organization, and outlines what interests me about the program (its interdisciplinary focus) and what competencies I would bring (a background in cultural analysis and experience with the business side of healthcare). However, a few slight tweaks would elevate this statement to the next level.

Graduate School Personal Statement Examples You Can Find Online

So you need more samples for your personal statement for graduate school? Examples are everywhere on the internet, but they aren’t all of equal quality.

Most of examples are posted as part of writing guides published online by educational institutions. We’ve rounded up some of the best ones here if you are looking for more personal statement examples for graduate school.

Penn State Personal Statement Examples for Graduate School

This selection of ten short personal statements for graduate school and fellowship programs offers an interesting mix of approaches. Some focus more on personal adversity while others focus more closely on professional work within the field.

The writing in some of these statements is a little dry, and most deploy at least a few cliches. However, these are generally strong, serviceable statements that communicate clearly why the student is interested in the field, their skills and competencies, and what about the specific program appeals to them.

Cal State Sample Graduate School Personal Statements

These are good examples of personal statements for graduate school where students deploy lots of very vivid imagery and illustrative anecdotes of life experiences. There are also helpful comments about what works in each of these essays.

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However, all of these statements are definitely pushing the boundaries of acceptable length, as all are above 1000 and one is almost 1500 words! Many programs limit you to 500 words; if you don’t have a limit, you should try to keep it to two single-spaced pages at most (which is about 1000 words).

University of Chicago Personal Statement for Graduate School Examples

These examples of successful essays to the University of Chicago law school cover a wide range of life experiences and topics. The writing in all is very vivid, and all communicate clear messages about the students’ strengths and competencies.

Note, however, that these are all essays that specifically worked for University of Chicago law school. That does not mean that they would work everywhere. In fact, one major thing to note is that many of these responses, while well-written and vivid, barely address the students’ interest in law school at all! This is something that might not work well for most graduate programs.

Wheaton College Personal Statement for Graduate School Sample 10

This successful essay for law school from a Wheaton College undergraduate does a great job tracking the student’s interest in the law in a compelling and personal way. Wheaton offers other graduate school personal statement examples, but this one offers the most persuasive case for the students’ competencies. The student accomplishes this by using clear, well-elaborated examples, showing strong and vivid writing, and highlighting positive qualities like an interest in justice and empathy without seeming grandiose or out of touch.

Wheaton College Personal Statement for Graduate School Sample 1

Based on the background information provided at the bottom of the essay, this essay was apparently successful for this applicant. However, I’ve actually included this essay because it demonstrates an extremely risky approach. While this personal statement is strikingly written and the story is very memorable, it could definitely communicate the wrong message to some admissions committees. The student’s decision not to report the drill sergeant may read incredibly poorly to some admissions committees. They may wonder if the student’s failure to report the sergeant’s violence will ultimately expose more soldiers-in-training to the same kinds of abuses. This incident perhaps reads especially poorly in light of the fact that the military has such a notable problem with violence against women being covered up and otherwise mishandled

It’s actually hard to get a complete picture of the student’s true motivations from this essay, and what we have might raise real questions about the student’s character to some admissions committees. This student took a risk and it paid off, but it could have just as easily backfired spectacularly.

Key Takeaways: Graduate School Personal Statement Examples

In this guide, we discussed why you need a personal statement and how it differs from a statement of purpose. (It’s more personal!)

We also discussed what you’ll find in a strong sample personal statement for graduate school:

A clear narrative about the applicant and why they are qualified for graduate study.
Specific examples to support that narrative.
Compelling reasons why the applicant and the program are a good fit for each other.
Strong writing, including clear organization and error-free, cliche-free language.
Appropriate boundaries—sharing without over-sharing.

Then, we provided three strong graduate school personal statement examples for different fields, along with analysis. We did a deep-dive on the third statement.

Finally, we provided a list of other sample grad school personal statements online.

What’s Next?

Want more advice on writing a personal statement ? See our guide.

Writing a graduate school statement of purpose? See our statement of purpose samples and a nine-step process for writing the best statement of purpose possible .

If you’re writing a graduate school CV or resume, see our how-to guide to writing a CV , a how-to guide to writing a resume , our list of sample resumes and CVs , resume and CV templates , and a special guide for writing resume objectives .

Need stellar graduate school recommendation letters ? See our guide.

See our 29 tips for successfully applying to graduate school .

Ready to improve your GRE score by 7 points?

Author: Ellen McCammon

Ellen is a public health graduate student and education expert. She has extensive experience mentoring students of all ages to reach their goals and in-depth knowledge on a variety of health topics. View all posts by Ellen McCammon

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MSW Application

The UW School of Social Work attracts well-qualified students with diverse backgrounds who are committed to racial justice and anti-oppressive practice, and have significant experience in diverse and marginalized communities. Admission to the Master of Social Work Program is selective and based on a holistic review of an applicant’s academic preparation, graduate study readiness, relevant experience in the field, alignment with our program’s mission , and the potential to contribute to the profession. Carefully review our Essential Skills, Values and Standards of Professional Conduct before applying.

Before You Begin

Explore our three MSW pathways
Explore our our YouTube videos and register for an MSW info session .
Learn ways to fund your MSW .
Browse our MSW frequently asked questions .

September 2024: All MSW applications open for the 2025-2026 academic year.

January 15th, 2025 by 11:59pm PST: Applications for the Day and Advanced Standing Programs are due. This is also the Extended Degree Program priority deadline. The Extended Degree Program application will remain open on a space-available basis until February 15th, 2025 by 11:59pm PST.

Early March: Applicants will be notified of an admission decision by email. Please monitor your spam and other inbox folders if you feel you have missed any communication from us.

July 2025: MSW Advanced Standing Programs (part-time and full-time) begin. Please note that both the full-time and part-time Advanced Standing Programs begin in mid-summer ( Summer Session B ) with a required full-time summer bridge program .

September 2025: MSW Extended Degree & Day Programs begin.

Please review the eligibility requirements. Admission is competitive, and applicants are evaluated holistically. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required for the MSW program.

MSW Day Program and MSW Extended Degree Program

Admission is competitive and applications are evaluated holistically. Applicants to the MSW Day Program or MSW Extended Degree Program must meet the minimum requirements outlined by the UW Graduate School.

Social Work Experience: All MSW candidates are recommended to have at least 2000 hours of relevant social service experience by the time of application; however, this is not a requirement.

Degree: We do not require any specific major or baccalaureate degree to apply for either program. Applicants must have, at a minimum, a four-year baccalaureate degree. The degree must be posted before the start of the MSW Program. However, the School of Social Work may consider an exceptional applicant without a four-year bachelor’s degree. An admission petition to the Graduate School must be submitted by the School of Social Work before an offer is made for any applicants that do not meet the degree minimum and is subject to denial. More information on minimum degree requirements here .

GPA: Applicants must meet the 3.0 grade point average (on a 4 point scale) for credits earned at a regionally accredited institution awarding the bachelor’s, master’s, graduate doctoral degree, or professional doctoral degree OR at least a 3.0 for the last 90 quarter credits/60 semester credits. However, the School of Social Work may consider an exceptional applicant with a GPA below a 3.0 – applicants with less than a 3.0 GPA are encouraged to provide additional information related to the context of their GPA in the Application Questions section of the application. An admission petition to the Graduate School must be submitted by the School of Social Work before an offer is made for any applicants that do not meet the GPA minimum and is subject to denial. Please see this document for suggested strategies to help strengthen your candidacy for admission.

English Proficiency: Non-native English speakers must demonstrate English language proficiency. More information on English proficiency requirements can be found here . We require applicants to meet/surpass the RECOMMENDED test scores.

Criminal Background Check: Applicants who are offered admission to the School of Social Work will receive instructions to complete the criminal background check and Request for Criminal History Information Form with the admission notice. Prospective applicants with questions or concerns about this requirement should review our information on Criminal History Information and Admissions/Continuance .

MSW Advanced Standing (Part-time and Full-time)

Admission is competitive and applicants are evaluated holistically. Applicants to the Advanced Standing Programs must meet the minimum requirements outlined by the UW Graduate School, in addition to a bachelor’s degree in social work/social welfare. If you are a current BASW Senior at UW Seattle with a 3.5 GPA at the end of junior year you are eligible for a streamlined application process – please click here for specific instructions.

Social Work Degree: All Advanced Standing applicants must have graduated from a U.S. baccalaureate program in social work or social welfare accredited by the CSWE or a Canadian bachelor’s level social work program accredited by CASSW ( CASWE ).

Students who have a BSW/BASW degree from a social work program outside of the U.S. may have their degree evaluated by the International Social Work Degree Recognition and Evaluation Service , and may apply for Advanced Standing if the degree is determined to be consistent with CSWE requirements.

Advanced Standing applicants who graduated more than five years ago should demonstrate continued professional growth through social work experience. (Professional training, leadership, and advancement in the social work field are also considered).

Social Work Experience: All MSW candidates are recommended to have at least 2000 hours of relevant social service experience by the time of application; however, this is not a requirement.

English Proficiency: Non-native English speakers must demonstrate English language proficiency More information on English proficiency requirements can be found here . We require applicants to meet/surpass the RECOMMENDED test scores.

UW Seattle BASW Seniors

If you are a current BASW Senior at UW Seattle with a 3.5 GPA at the end of junior year you are eligible for a streamlined application process.

View specific instructions.

Undocumented Applicants

The School of Social Work accepts applications from prospective students regardless of citizenship status – we encourage applicants who identify as undocumented, DACA eligible, or HB 1079 eligible to connect with the various resources on campus that may provide additional information about UW resources, residency, and funding opportunities.

Our hope is that you’ll find safe and welcoming spaces at the School of Social Work and the UW. The Graduate Student Equity & Excellence (GSEE) has detailed instructions for students on how best to complete the demographics portion of the graduate school application. Please review these materials prior to beginning your application.

We highly encourage students to review the Northwest Immigrants Rights Project DACA Advisory that outlines recommendations for community members who have applied for DACA or who are interested in applying.

Need additional support in applying? Feel free to reach out to our office , GSEE, or Leadership Without Borders .

International Applicants

Most international applicants are only eligible for a visa if enrolled full-time (Day or Full-Time Advanced Standing program). International students requiring an F-1 student visa to attend the University of Washington should not list the Extended Degree Program (EDP) or Part-Time Advanced Standing Program among application choices for consideration. Visit the UW Graduate School’s International Student page, which includes important details about visas, U.S. immigration laws, and the financial ability requirement. International applicants must provide proof of financial ability, demonstrate English proficiency, and will need a student visa to attend. Please note that international students are not eligible for the CWTAP traineeship and are only eligible for the WDI traineeship if they have guaranteed work authorization after their education visa has expired.

Non-Native English Speakers

Non-native English speakers can demonstrate English language proficiency in several ways: a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree from a U.S. institution, a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree from an institution located in a country where English is the official language, official documentation from the degree-granting institution verifying that all instruction is in English, OR, an Official English Language Test Score (sent electronically to the University of Washington via testing center). The UW School of Social Work requires scores to meet/surpass the “recommended” scores . We will accept the TOEFLI or TOEFLB scores of 92 or higher, Duolingo scores of 125 or higher, and IELTS scores of 7.0 or higher. Test scores should be sent at least two weeks before the application deadline to 5 ensure they are processed in time. Due to the rigor and pace of our programs, students with scores below the “recommended” scores will not be admitted and enrolling in an Academic English Proficiency (AEP) class is not permitted. More information on English proficiency requirements can be found here .

MSW Transfer Applicants

Students are encouraged to only begin an MSW program they intend to complete. We strongly discourage starting a program with the intention of transferring later on.

Applicants transferring from another CSWE-accredited MSW program are considered for admission into the MSW Day and Extended Degree Programs on a space-available basis only after required pre-application advising – pre-application advising must be completed before January 3rd . Transfer students who do not complete this advising process will have their applications withdrawn.

Pre-application advising is intended to proactively ensure students do not encounter course sequencing issues. To schedule pre-application advising, make an appointment with an admissions advisor here . After the initial pre-application advising, an official from your current/former MSW program must complete a Certification of Good Standing form and submit to our office BEFORE January 3rd, 2025. Once all completed forms have been received, they’ll be reviewed to determine if you meet our requirements to transfer. If cleared to apply, you’ll apply like a typical applicant.

Transfer students must meet all general eligibility requirements, be in good standing at their current/previous MSW program, and have completed their full generalist curriculum and practicum.

Due to the part-time format, the Extended Degree Program and UW-Tacoma’s MSW Program may be more feasible options for transfer applicants.

The Office of Admissions may request updated transcripts after an offer of admission. Failure to successfully complete the generalist curriculum prior to the start of the program can result in a withdrawal of admission or enrollment.

Credits will be evaluated by the MSW Program Office after receiving an offer of admission. Transfer students are only eligible to be waived out of a maximum of 39 quarter credit hours. However, this is subject to review by the MSW Program Director to ensure course equivalency. UW’s generalist curriculum often differs from other MSW programs, therefore, transfer students almost always need to take some generalist courses which can extend the typical graduation timeline. We cannot guarantee credits will fully transfer.

Per UW policy, students must complete all degree requirements within six years. If previously completed MSW coursework was done four years ago or more, they will be reviewed by the Director of Student Services. If admitted, transfer students will choose an area of specialization and a practicum site. Some specializations and practicum sites have limited capacity and are therefore only available to transfer students on a space-available basis.

Students wishing to transfer credits from a different type of graduate program from which they did not earn a degree are limited to 6 transfer credits per UW Graduate School policy. Students who have taken graduate-level research courses may be waived out of the required MSW research courses. Under both circumstances, eligibility is assessed only after the student has been admitted, paid the enrollment deposit, and provided relevant syllabi.

The UW does not award general credit for work or life experience

Re-Applicants

We welcome you to reapply. Reapplying is never looked at negatively, and does not impact admission chances. As of May 2023, reusing materials is no longer possible due to a change in application platforms.

Learn more about reapplying

Graduate Non-Matriculated (GNM) and Non-Matriculated (NM) Applicants

For full details about the current GNM registration process, visit this Canvas page . Per Graduate School policy, prospective GNM students must meet the following minimum requirements:

Hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university in the U.S. or its equivalent from a foreign institution.
Have earned at least a 3.0 grade-point-average (on a 4 point scale) for the last 90 graded quarter credits or 60 graded semester credits.

Before filling out the application and paying the fee, please contact the School of Social Work Student Services at [email protected] to inquire about classes available to GNM and NM students during the quarter you are hoping to enroll. Initial contact must be made more than two weeks prior to the quarter beginning. The adviser will go over the next steps with you, at this time. We only want you to pay the fee if we are able to allow you into a course in which you’d like to enroll.

For GNM status, you will also have to complete these additional steps.

Visit the Graduate School’s online application to complete the application. There is a $75 non-refundable or transferable fee for GNM applications.
As part of the online application, you will upload unofficial transcripts.
Additionally, you will also be required to upload a resume.
Alert the Student Services Department that your application has been submitted and is ready for review. Please email [email protected] . The application portal does close for a period of time during the spring and summer – in order to submit your application you will need to communicate with Student Services to coordinate.

What other things should I know in order to take class(es)?

UW Time Schedule for course and schedule information
Tuition information
Academic Calendar
If you are a UW or State employee, planning to use tuition exemption, please visit the Registrar’s webpage . MSW Extended Degree Program students cannot use tuition exemption, since the EDP program is a fee-based program
UW Graduate School Policies for GNM .

The Admissions Committee strives to give all applications the most prompt and holistic consideration possible. To make this process smooth and efficient, please consider the following:

Ensure your email address is accurate – use one personal email address for all of your application materials (application, funding consideration, scholarships, etc). You may want to add our email to your contact list to avoid these messages going to spam folders. Please check your email regularly as this is the main form of communication we use. Be cautious of using a school-issued email address that may expire.
Submit all completed application materials early. Applications will not be processed until all materials are received (including references); in the event that your application materials are incomplete we will attempt to contact you by email.
Select references early and ask references to respond promptly ; references must be completed via a unique link sent via email. Emailed letters or physical materials are not accepted.
Notify the School of Social Work via email of any changes (e.g. address, name change) or decision to withdraw from consideration.
Review all application materials for completeness and accuracy before submitting them . Keep copies of your essay and other materials submitted.

Download the application checklist here !

Applicants are expected to create and submit accurate and original application materials by the deadlines without the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) content generators, such as ChatGPT. Issues of dishonesty may result in denial of admission, rescinding an offer of admission, and/or revoking funding/scholarship.

Application Fee

An $90.00 application fee is required and must be paid by credit card through the online application system. Information about an application fee waiver through the Graduate School is available here . Be sure to submit an application fee waiver at least one week prior to the application deadline to allow adequate time for processing.

If you are not eligible for the Graduate School Fee Waiver, you may be eligible for a departmental fee waiver. More details here .

Academic History (Transcripts)

You must submit un official transcripts from every accredited college or university where you earned academic credit. Please review the Eligibility Criteria and Special Applicant Groups (above) regarding minimum degree and GPA requirements.

Please make sure your first and last names, degree conferred date, and the name of the institution are clearly included on all transcripts.

If you are currently enrolled in a college/university and have not yet graduated, please upload a transcript including the most recently completed quarter/semester. A final transcript showing confirmation of a bachelor’s degree or equivalent will be due before the start of the program, if admitted.

If you transferred credits from a previous institution and they are listed in detail on your degree-granting transcript with a GPA (and full course names), you do not need to list and upload them separately. If they are not listed in detail, or if there is no GPA, please list and upload the additional schools and transcripts.

Please submit PDF files only via the Graduate School application; we will not accept incomplete, blurry, or illegible documents or pictures from your phone. We will not accept e-mailed, faxed, mailed transcripts nor transcripts sent through electronic transmission services.

All current or former students of the University of Washington, including UW Tacoma/UW Bothell, are still required to upload unofficial transcripts.

If you attended a school that does not use a traditional grade point system, please upload all narrative transcripts as one PDF package.

Transcript evaluations such as those from WES must be accompanied by the original transcript(s).

Specializations

Day students will officially select their area of specialization during Winter Quarter. However, to help with course planning, we ask you to rank the specialization options.
EDP and Part-Time Advanced Standing applicants do not need to select a specialization since we offer only one specialization in our part-time programs: Clinical Social Work.
Full-Time Advanced Standing applicants are admitted directly to a specialization. Applicants will note their ranking of the offered specializations in the application in the “Interest Area” section. Please review specializations choices before finalizing these selections and submitting the application. Advanced Standing applicants will also be asked to write a short rationale for their top choice selection in the essay portion of the application. Specializations are space-restricted and once offers are made, changes are not guaranteed and limited. Please contact us if you need additional information to select your specialization area.

Applicants interested in the Child Welfare Training and Advancement Program ( CWTAP ) or Behavioral Health Workforce Development Initiative (WDI) should note that in order to be considered, they must follow a Clinical Social Work specialization.

Need help choosing a specialization? Watch this webinar !

Alternate Program Selection

Applicants have the opportunity to list second and third choice program options in the event they are not admitted to their first choice. Only list alternate options if you have fully reviewed the MSW program information , fully understand the distinct program options and costs , and are willing to pursue an MSW degree in this program. (Note: the specializations offered in the full time programs are different than those offered in the Extended Degree Program and Part-Time Advanced Standing Program.)

Social Work and Human Service Experience

Applicants will be prompted to enter all relevant experience in the application, as well as the total hours of experience.

For additional guidance on identifying relevant experience we have developed a handout with information on social work and human services.

Optional Information

GPA: We highly encourage applicants with a GPA below 3.0 to provide additional information for our Admissions Committee. Please see this document for suggested strategies to help strengthen your candidacy for admission.

Short Answer Critical Reflection Questions

We are seeking students who want to join us as we wrestle with complex social problems, and who understand that we must work together to end white supremacy and oppression in all its forms. As such, You are required to critically reflect and respond to two short answer questions.

How does oppression impact the communities you intend to serve? Please highlight examples of structural, institutional, or systemic-level oppression that are of particular concern to you. (300 words or less)

How have you developed self-awareness around racism or other areas of oppression ? Identify areas where you’d like to grow in your anti-oppressive approach. (300 words or less)

Personal Statement

The required personal statement portion is an important component of your application package.

Prompt: The MSW Program at the University of Washington School of Social Work is grounded in our commitment to racial, economic, gender, and social justice informed by and for those at the social margins of our local, national, and global communities. Reflecting on the UWSSW’s MSW Program Statement of Purpose , in 2 – 3 pages write a personal statement about why you have decided to pursue an MSW at UW. Include the following:

How has your unique background shaped your perspective and prepared you to work towards social justice? Highlight any skills, professional work, and/or lived experiences you see contributing to the diversity of the school’s learning community and the field of social work.

How do your professional goals align with the Program’s Statement of Purpose?

Part 2: Advanced Standing Specialization Rationale (ONLY applies to Advanced Standing applicants) : Please restate your first-choice specialization and provide reasoning for your selection. How might specializing in this area help you to achieve your social work career goals? If you identified a second choice option, please briefly describe why you might also consider specializing in this area. This section should be less than 1 page.

Format: Statements should be double-spaced with 1-inch margins, using 12-point font (either Times New Roman or Calibri). Citations are not required or expected unless you have cited specific evidence in your writing. Feel free to tell your “story” in a reflective, creative, and expressive style. If you are including Part 2, please use the header: “Advanced Standing Specialization Rationale”. Please submit all parts as one PDF document and upload to the “Personal Statement” section in the online application.

Provide a resume (no more than 2 pages; in PDF format only) that includes:

Educational background

Paid work experience: dates, employer name and address, job title, brief overview of job responsibilities

Unpaid, relevant social work experience including practicums/internships

Other paid/unpaid experience involving community work, leadership/capacity building, and/or advocacy/activism

Awards, honors, and special achievements you have earned (academic, work, volunteer)

Languages spoken and written and level of fluency, if bilingual (including ASL)

Research experiences: any research you have conducted or been a part of

International experiences (length of time, work/volunteer experience)

Please address gaps in your work history as appropriate and/or explain these in your Personal Statement.

Please do not include a photo of yourself, your home address, or phone number.

Recommendations

Three (3) unique recommendation forms must be submitted. You must designate these references in the online Graduate School application portal. References should support your social work/human service background and/or academic preparedness, and potential for contributing to the learning community and field of social work.

It is recommended that all applicants designate at least one reference that is an academic reference and at least one reference that is a professional reference. You may choose to send your references this MSW Recommender Guide prior to designating them in the application.

You do not need to wait for your recommendations to be submitted in order to submit your application.

It is your responsibility to ensure all three recommendations are submitted by the application deadline.

Upon designating a reference, an email will be sent to each reference requesting they complete a brief online recommendation form; there will also be space for them to upload a supporting document. You can check that they’ve completed the recommendation by logging in to the application portal.

We will not accept e-mails, faxes, or mailed letters as substitutes for the recommendation forms.

Family members, partners, clients and personal friends are not appropriate references.

Advanced Standing (Part-time and Full-time) Applicants: Must include one social work faculty member from your BASW/BSW program among the required references.

Re-Applicants: As of May 2023, reusing materials (such as recommendations) is no longer possible due to a change in application platforms.

Social Work Policy Acknowledgement

Prior to submitting your application, you’ll need to review and agree to the following School of Social Work Admissions Policies in the online application:

I acknowledge that failure to submit complete and accurate information by the deadline, including all required documents, may result in denial of admission.
Applicants are expected to create and submit original application materials without the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) content generators, such as ChatGPT. Except for minor editorial assistance, I confirm I wrote all my own application materials and understand the importance of academic and professional honesty and integrity. Issues of dishonesty may result in denial of admission, rescinding an offer of admission, and/or revoking funding/scholarship.
I acknowledge that I have read, understand, and, if admitted, will be held accountable to the UW Student Conduct Code , the School of Social Work’s Essential Skills, Values, and Standards for Professional Conduct and the NASW Code of Ethics .
I understand the School of Social Work reserves the right, on the basis of an educational judgment, to recommend to the Graduate School that an applicant be denied admission or to recommend dismissal to the Graduate School of an admitted student whose academic record or performance in field instruction does not meet minimal expectations, or whose performance is not consistent with the accepted standards for professional behavior.
I assert that I am prepared to fulfill the expectations of the Master of Social Work program. I will work with advisers and/or Disability Resources for Students to arrange reasonable accommodations as needed.

Submitting Your Application

Applications and fee payment must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. PST on the deadline date; the portal will close exactly at midnight. Fee waiver requests should be submitted at least one week prior to the deadline to ensure they are processed in time.

Applications will not be considered complete until the application fee has been paid.

You can login into the application portal to check your admission status, and/or the status of your recommendations.

After submission, applicants can still submit/update unofficial transcripts and update recommenders.

Congratulations on completing your application, and good luck!

Questions regarding the application portal/platform: [email protected]

To request disability accommodation in the admission and application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206.543.6450 (Voice), 206.543.6452 (TTY), 206.685.7264 (FAX), or [email protected] .

Funding Consideration (Optional)

This form is separate from the application and does not impact admissions decisions. We encourage applicants who would like to be considered for School of Social Work fellowships/scholarships to submit this form. The deadline for submission is the same as the general admission deadlines. Please be aware that this is the only opportunity for departmental funding consideration for incoming students.

In order to be considered, the applicant must also file a FAFSA (or WASFA , if eligible) for the current year, however, the departmental funding consideration form is not a replacement for the general need-based financial aid application (FAFSA). UW’s priority FAFSA/WAFSA deadline is January 15th and we strongly recommend submitting by that date to ensure full consideration for School of Social Work funding. Please note that international students are exempt from completing the FAFSA/WASFA.

Please explore the School’s website for additional options for funding your education (e.g. graduate assistantships, traineeships, scholarships for continuing students, resources for undocumented students)

The Funding Consideration Form will appear in your online application upon submitting and paying the app fee. It is titled “Post-Application Questions”.

Be sure to select the correct program, quarter and year. Selecting the wrong program, quarter, or year may require you to begin a new application, repay the application fee, and submit requests for recommendations again.
Please only submit one application. If you are interested in applying to multiple programs, choose only your top choice. Applicants have the opportunity to list second and third choice program options in the application.
Current BASW UW-Seattle Seniors: Please click here to follow specific instructions for the streamlined process.

Social Work Career Paths for College Graduates

A bachelor’s degree in social work is more than an academic achievement. The degree paves the way for several social work career paths, allowing graduates to use their skills and make a difference in the lives of others. It can also take them to many different work environments, from schools and hospitals to government agencies and nonprofit organizations.

Each career path within social work presents unique challenges and rewards. Graduates from a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work program are well-positioned to land jobs that align with their passions and skills.

Some choose to work directly with children or in school systems. Others concentrate on case management or work within the medical system or community services, providing critical support to individuals facing health crises or navigating complex social systems. Whatever social work career a graduate chooses, they all have one thing in common: the focus is on helping others.

Some of the Most Popular Careers For Social Workers

Social work is a profession that helps individuals, families, and communities thrive. The following explores six of the most popular potential social work career paths .

Children and Family Social Worker

Children and family social workers are crucial in supporting vulnerable families and children. They often work with children in foster care who are victims of abuse, neglect, or trauma. These social workers assess family situations, develop intervention plans, and coordinate with other agencies to ensure the safety and well-being of the children involved.

A children’s and family social worker needs strong communication skills, empathy, and resilience to handle challenging situations. They work in settings such as child protective services, family service agencies, and nonprofit organizations.

School Social Worker

School social workers focus on student academic and social development. They collaborate with teachers, parents, and administrators to address issues that impact students. These include bullying, mental health concerns, family crises, and absenteeism. These professionals ensure that students have the necessary support to succeed academically and socially.

A career as a school social worker requires strong interpersonal skills and an understanding of the educational system. They typically work in K-12 schools, developing intervention strategies, providing counseling services, and connecting students and families with community resources.

Healthcare Social Worker

Healthcare social workers assist patients in navigating the healthcare system. They work in hospitals, nursing homes, and rehabilitation centers, helping patients understand their diagnoses and treatment options. These social workers also assist patients and their families in coping with long-term illnesses, disabilities, and end-of-life issues.

A healthcare social worker combines compassion and knowledge to succeed in their work. In addition to working directly with patients and families, social workers coordinate with medical staff and advocate for patients’ needs.

Research Assistant

Becoming a research assistant is an excellent option for professionals interested in the academic side of social work. Research assistants in social work typically work at universities, think tanks, or nonprofit organizations. They assist in the design and execution of research projects related to social issues. This role involves data collection, literature reviews, and report writing.

This career path is ideal for those who enjoy detailed work and have strong analytical and writing skills. Research assistants contribute to advancing social work practices and policies by providing evidence-based insights. This role can also serve as a stepping stone for those considering advanced studies or a career in academia.

Case Manager

Case managers assess individuals’ and families’ needs and connect them with appropriate services. They develop care plans, monitor progress, and adjust interventions as necessary. Case managers work at social service agencies, healthcare facilities, and nonprofit organizations. This role requires excellent organizational skills and the ability to work with diverse populations.

Case managers are critical in ensuring clients receive the resources and support they need to improve their quality of life.

Probation Officer

Probation officers work with people on probation instead of serving time in prison. They monitor offenders’ activities, ensure compliance with court orders, and help them reintegrate into society. Probation officers may work with juveniles or adults.

This role requires strong interpersonal skills, as probation officers must build trust with offenders while holding them accountable. They work closely with law enforcement, the court system, and community organizations to provide rehabilitation and prevent recidivism.

Touro University Worldwide’s Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work

The Touro University Worldwide online Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work prepares graduates as generalists in the social work field. The program provides students with the knowledge and skills to promote their clients’ well-being in their chosen social work career paths. The curriculum includes fieldwork experience available in schools, counseling centers for families, senior centers, and social service charitable organizations.

The program also encourages graduates to enter the working world as advocates for social change and a more just, equitable society. Many graduates move on to earn a master’s degree from Touro University Worldwide, expanding their knowledge and making them better prepared to make positive changes in the world through social work.

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📌 Essay Sample on Social Work: Promoting Social Cohesion & Wellbeing
Social Work Resume Sample & Writing Guide
Admission To The Masters Of Social Work Program Admission Essay Examples
Social Worker Personal Statement Essay Example for Free
🏷️ Sample essay for social work graduate school. Top 162 Social Work Essay Topics & Ideas for
Analytical Essay: Social work grad school essay examples

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Writing for the Social Work Profession
Study Social Work
FIRST TIME APPLYING TO GRADUATE SCHOOL, MSW!!!!! *Emotional*
Admitted Students Day 2023
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PHD STATEMENT OF PURPOSE EXAMPLE

COMMENTS

PDF Personal Statement Master's in Social Work (MSW)
Personal Statement Master's in Social Work (MSW)
10 MSW Personal Statement Examples (with Commentary)
Commentary: Clarity of Motivation: The essay effectively communicates the candidate's personal experiences and observations of disparities in their community as key motivators for pursuing social work.; Goal-Oriented: Clearly outlines immediate and long-term goals, demonstrating a focused vision for a career in social work.; Understanding of a Social Issue: The candidate's insight into the ...
Application Essay Guidelines
Formatting your Essay. DO NOT use a question and answer format. Write a full essay answering ALL questions above. Questions may be answered in any order to fit the narrative of your essay. Your essay should be double spaced, in 12-point font. Please keep your answers to the first four questions to no more than 7 pages double-spaced.
Strong Social Work Personal Statement Examples
Strong Social Work Personal Statement Examples
PDF This writing sample is a vital component of your application. It will
Personal Evaluation — Describe why you think you will make a good clinical social work student as well as an effective social worker. Discuss your readiness for rigorous graduate work, your ability to manage the heavy demands of graduate school with your other personal and professional responsibilities, your strengths and weaknesses, and why ...
How to Write an Effective Personal Statement for Grad School
Let's look at a personal statement of a past MSW applicant: Applicant name: Sally. Experiences: Sally works at a women's shelter and talks about what she learned there. Social Justice Issue: Sally decides to talk about an issue within child welfare. Goal: Sally mentions that she wants to get an MSW so that she can qualify for a job at the ...
Guide to Crafting a Perfect Social Work Personal Statement
Guide to Crafting a Perfect Social Work Personal Statement
MSW Personal Statement Tips & Examples
MSW personal statement examples and tips. With that in mind, here are our tips for composing a winning MSW statement of purpose for graduate social work admissions:. Articulate your inspiration for, and interest in social work: What life experiences, including jobs or volunteer positions, have inspired you?Share all positions you have held (if any), and their impacts on your aspirations.
PDF autobiographical sketch guidelines
A traditional autobiography may be hundreds of pages and can cover dozens of mundane interactions in minute detail. A graduate school autobiographical essay, however, should be much shorter and to the point, highlighting achievements and life events that are relevant to your studies or display an important aspect of your character.1.
5 hacks for your social work personal statement
How to write a social work personal statement. 1. Set a deadline for your personal statement. No work will ever be perfect. Yet we often fall into the fallacy of writing and rewriting, editing and re-editing. We think we can make the perfect personal statement that will land us in social work. We can't make it perfect.
How to Write Your Personal Statement
How to Write Your Personal Statement | Strategies & ...
Essays
Essays. Application Requirement: The Garland School of Social Work application includes four short-answer essay prompts. The four essays focus on the following topics: Application Advice: Essays are a significant piece of the application to the MSW program at Baylor. This is how we get to know you as a future student and social work professional.
PDF MSW Application essay questions
ESSAY I: ESSAY II: ESSAY III: ESSAY IV: The School of Social Work is dedicated to providing excellent graduate education for people committed to creating social change with individuals, families and communities. Discuss in detail a social problem of interest and describe how you might address that issue as a master's level social worker.
Social Worker Personal Statement
Social Work CV Writing This article is a must read - whether you are a student, newly qualified, or an experienced social worker, and looking for a new company to work for, you will find these 13 fundamental tips useful if you want to create the perfect Social Work CV/resume that will make you outshine others and get noticed.
Social Work Personal Statement Examples
Social Work Personal Statement Examples
Master of Social Work
The autobiographic statement details your interest in social work, including personal experiences, strengths, values and beliefs that will contribute to your competence as a social worker. The autobiographic statement should be a carefully prepared document that is typed and double-spaced, with 1-inch margins and 10-12 font. ... Graduate School ...
PDF SCHOOL OF HUMAN SERVICE PROFESSIONS Center for Social Work Education
In addition to your personal statement, please submit a sample of your scholarly (academic) writing. Writing samples should be a minimum of three double-spaced pages in length. Possible sources for your sample include a published research article, a book chapter, a professional report, or a graduate-level course paper.
Ideas for an MSW Essay for Grad School
Learn how to write a successful MSW essay by including essential elements such as mission, development, strengths and weaknesses. See examples and tips for catering your essay to the school you're applying to.
Social Work Graduate Program Essay Examples
Professional social workers can use their skills and competencies to alleviate the problem, as they have to focus on its root causes, particularly considering that the kids are affected by the challenges associated ... Read More. Pages: 3 Words: 682. View Sample. Essay writing services. for smart students. Thousands of students use our ...
3 Successful Graduate School Personal Statement Examples
3 Successful Graduate School Personal ...
7 Great Statement of Purpose Examples for Grad School
7 Great Statement of Purpose Examples for Grad School ...
MSW Application
The UW School of Social Work attracts well-qualified students with diverse backgrounds who are committed to racial justice and anti-oppressive practice, and have significant experience in diverse and marginalized communities. Admission to the Master of Social Work Program is selective and based on a holistic review of an applicant's academic preparation, graduate study readiness, relevant ...
Social Work Career Paths for College Graduates
Whatever social work career a graduate chooses, they all have one thing in common: the focus is on helping others. Some of the Most Popular Careers For Social Workers. Social work is a profession that helps individuals, families, and communities thrive. The following explores six of the most popular potential social work career paths.