Personal Statement – Getting Started
A personal statement, or statement of goals and purpose, for your application to graduate or professional school may be
a bit overwhelming to write. You may be wondering where to start or what to include. If you are finding it difficult to
begin, consider the following steps:
Brainstorm your answers to these questions:
1. Why do I want to go to graduate or professional school?
2. What is my experience in the field (research, clinical, volunteer, and/or paid)?
3. What are my accomplishments in the field?
4. What are my strengths? (Consider your top 5 strengths from StrengthsQuest)
5. What area of study am I interested in and why? (e.g.: Social Psychology, Biostatistics, Chemistry, Communication
Sciences and Disorders, Pharmacy, Medicine)
6. What are my short and long term career goals?
Develop a First Draft including some or all of your answers to the above questions.
Include:
1. A brief description of the history of your interest in the field.
2. Descriptions of your experiences including research, volunteer and work experience, accomplishments, and, if
applicable, describe any clinical experiences you have had.
 How have you prepared and why are you a good fit for this field?
 When writing about your experiences explain the value and meaning of each. What did you learn about:
a. Yourself
b. Your field
c. Your goals
d. Your career choice
(over)
If you are applying to GRADUATE SCHOOL answer these additional questions:
3. What do you want to study (e.g: Biostatistics, Art History, Applied Economics)?
4. What do you want to research in graduate school?
 Identify faculty doing research in areas of interest to you. Name the faculty with whom you would like to
work and their research area(s).
5. Why do you want to enroll in this program?
 How does the program curriculum match your interests?
 If you visited the school and program mention with whom you met and when.
6. What are your short and long term goals (Masters, PhD) and what will you do with a degree from that school?
Teach? Research? Academia? Work in private industry?
If you are applying to PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL such as Medical School, Dental School, Pharmacy School, or
others answer these additional questions and any supplemental questions required for your application(s):
1. What are the skills and qualities desired by the profession? How can you demonstrate you have these skills or
qualities? Be specific and give examples.
2. What is your knowledge of issues within the profession (current issues, topics)?
Bring your draft to your counseling appointment
Additional resources:
UMD Career Services website:
http://duluth.umn.edu/careers/grad_school/index.html
U of MN Twin Cities online personal statement workshop:
http://www.healthcareers.umn.edu/online-workshops/pers-stmt/index.htm