Sample personal statement + tips
What is a personal statement? A personal statement is an essay that
describes your reasons for applying to college, your future education plans and
your career goals.
Why do I need to write one? A personal statement is often required to apply for
the scholarships and some other financial awards, and may be required as part
of a college application process. It is important because it gives those who
review your application a greater sense of who you are as a person. It also gives
you a chance to reflect on your reasons for pursuing higher education and your
long-term goals. You are more than a test score, a grade point average or a
social security number. The personal statement is your chance to reveal your
creativity, your dedication, your dreams, or your ideas on how a scholarship can
help you.
What format should I use? Pay attention to the guidelines for each
scholarship. They may be different. In general, your statement should be typed
and double-spaced. Type “Personal Statement” at the top with your name. It
should be a minimum of about two pages. (See Example) If you have trouble
filling up a page, try to put your thoughts into three sections:
1. Where have you been? Talk about your past history
2. Where are you now? What are you working on now? What steps have
you taken toward your goals? Are you still in school? Do you have
employment or volunteer experience that has helped you figure out your
career goals?
3. Where do you want to be in the future? A year from now? Five years from
now? Ten years? After you complete school, how do you want to use
your degree? How can education improve your future?
How do I get started? Answer the following questions:
What are your reasons for attending college?
Why did you choose your course of study?
What are your education and career goals?
Do you have talents, accomplishments, awards, or volunteer work that make you
a good candidate for a scholarship?
Tips on writing an outstanding statement
 Be positive. Highlight your best qualities using examples.
 Read your completed statement aloud.
 Use the spellchecker or a dictionary.
 If you are comfortable sharing your work, let someone else review it.
 If you write about personal challenges, try to include your ideas on
overcoming these challenges.
 Be honest.
 Save your statement in your email account so you can use the same one
for several scholarships. Make changes as needed.
Sample personal statement + tips
Personal Statement from Jane Smart,
I am applying for the Geist Foundation Scholarship because I am a high school
senior planning to start college as a freshman in the Fall semester at Kapiolani
Community College. My ultimate goal is to graduate with an associates degree
and then transfer to University of Hawaii or Hawaii Pacific University to earn a
Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. Helping others is important to me.
During high school, I was placed in my sixth foster home. My foster mother
worked as a registered nurse and encouraged me to volunteer at the hospital.
For the past year, I spent a few hours a week at the hospital delivering meals and
flowers to patients. I enjoyed working in the pediatric wing, where I was able to
cheer up sick children. I found my volunteer work to be so rewarding that I was
inspired to pursue a career in pediatric nursing. The hospital staff taught me how
important it is to be a reliable member of the team. My community is facing a
shortage of nurses and I want to help fill this need.
In high school, I excelled in my biology class. I took advanced biology during my
senior year and earned one of the highest grades in the class. My teacher
referred me to the peer-tutoring program where I was assigned to tutor freshman
students. The first freshman that I tutored was able to improve her grade from a
D– to a C. This accomplishment influenced her to stay in school. I was pleased
to help her, because I had also considered dropping out of school in ninth grade.
I was lucky to have friends and foster parents that convinced me that education
was important.
Sample personal statement + tips
During my junior year of high school, I entered my project on teen smoking in the
regional science fair. When I researched my project, I obtained information from
the American Lung Association and learned about their annual fundraiser. I was
a youth participant in their annual run. Through my sponsors, I raised over five
hundred dollars for the American Lung Association. Contributing to lung cancer
research was very meaningful to me because my grandmother passed away
from lung cancer when I was a child.
Another favorite subject in high school was Spanish. I was an active member of
the Spanish club and helped to organize a fiesta. In college, I hope to take more
Spanish courses and improve my vocabulary. I am considering getting a minor
in Spanish. If I can become fluent enough, I may be able to translate for Spanish
speaking patients in my future nursing career.
I am excited about starting college in the fall. This scholarship would give me the
opportunity to cover many expenses like books and lab fees. When I earn my
degree, I will be the first in my family to finish college. I want to be a good role
model to my younger brother and sister. With my degree, I can be a living
example of how rewarding it is to help other people. I can show my siblings that
hard work and education can open doors for them. Nursing is a great career for
me because I am a patient, dedicated and caring individual. Please consider me
to receive this scholarship, so I can reach my dream of being the caring nurse
that helps children to heal.