Quiz #12 - Statement of Purpose or Personal Statement

statement of purpose

• focsues on what you have accomplished academically and professionally in the past as well as what you plan to accomplish in the future

personal statement

• focuses on who you are as an indivdual; this document is more biographical

length of statement of purpose or personal statement

• 1-3 pages in length, but 1-2 recommended to avoid being wordy

Questions to Answer for a Statement of Purpose

• what is your research interests and why?

• who would you like to work with if you were admitted into the program and why?

• wht professional training have you had in the past?

• what are your strengths?

• what are you career goals?

• describe your accomplishments

• what do you hope to gain in the graduate program?

Questions to Answer for Personal Statement

• what should the admissions committe know about you?

• what do you aspite to become and why?

• where do you see yourself in the future?

• wht made you pursue the field?

• how can the graduate program help you?

• what challenges have you observed or had to overcome that made you pursue the field?