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TopAdmit- Online Application Essay Editing

College admissions essay editing, statement of purpose, personal statement & study plan.

When applying to any school, whether it’s undergraduate or graduate, you will always be required to submit one or more written documents. The purpose of these documents is to allow the admissions committee to find out more about the students on a personal level. Looking at your test scores, credentials, class rank, and similar data is not enough. There are thousands of students applying from all over the world with a similar application to yours. Therefore, your writing is arguably more important than anything else you submit, as it gives you the chance to express what makes you stand out from the rest of the applicants.

However, different schools ask for different formats, and this tends to confuse students, which leads to off-topic writing. Writing off-topic, no matter how creative and special your story is, could lead to automatic filtering by the admissions committee because you have failed to read the requirements and deliver what they are asking for.

Let’s look at the differences individually.

Statement of Purpose (SOP) – Just by looking at the title, we should already know that this paper is focused on your purpose, or the reasons why you want to study a particular course/major at this university. Usually, schools will assign what they call “prompts,” which are focused questions which you need to answer in detail. Failure to answer the question automatically marks you as an unfit candidate. It is very important to direct your response to the particular questions at hand. Don’t go off topic and start talking in detail about your past achievements, hopes, or dreams. Effective SOP writing discusses your career plan and future goals. This must be well thought out, as it takes focus and determination to pursue a degree, especially if you are applying for a master’s or doctorate degree. The admissions committee wants to see how well organized and prepared you are. Your readers need to know that you are serious about the degree program. They do not want slackers; they want well-defined research interests. A well-written SOP formally expresses the candidate’s background (education, interests, credentials, etc.), but the candidate does not brag. The candidate explains in detail his or her desire to gain acceptance into the program of choice. Check out free Statement of Purpose essay samples here .

Personal Statement – The keyword “personal” already tells you how different this is from an SOP. Here is your chance to show off what you have accomplished in your academics, any major skills you have, and any extracurricular activities in which you have participated. In this paper, you have the chance to represent yourself to stand out from the other students; you have the freedom to talk about anything and everything in your life, as long as it is relevant to the program to which you are applying. A common mistake with this type of document is that some applicants have too much to say, and they do not know how to choose relevant details or transition fluidly from idea to idea. Jumping from one story to another in one paragraph will put off the admissions committee, so organize your thoughts in advance. Plan what you want to write and structure your essay logically. Most importantly, don’t lie! The best personal statements are straightforward, reflective, and honest, so don’t overthink the task. Just express yourself.

Study Plan – A study plan is just another way some schools around the world, particularly in Asia, refer to a personal statement/SOP. They are looking to learn about your personality, past achievements, present roles, and future goals. There may be a shorter word limit for a study plan or no limit at all, depending on each individual school’s guidelines. When you are reading through the requirements, pay special attention to what the school is asking for so that you can focus the essay accordingly. If you do research on how to write a study plan, notice that the term “study plan” can also refer to a planned schedule to help students prepare for tests and exams. For instance, some students make study plans or schedules to determine how many words per day they should review for the SAT, GRE, or TOEFL. However, this use of the term “study plan” is unrelated to the application essay, so make sure you do not confuse these two meanings. One way to avoid confusion is to read about personal statements and use those guidelines instead.

To simplify the differences, you can think of them this way. An SOP describes why you want to attend a university while offering some details about your fit for the program, whereas a personal statement or study plan is all about representing yourself, your skills and accomplishments, and why this university should choose you.

It is always useful to read other people’s work to get a sense of what good essays are. To assist you, TopAdmit provides you some college admissions essay samples written by counselors and editors hailing from prestigious schools including Harvard. This page contains personal statement samples, statement of purpose samples, and application essay samples for college. But please remember, these are for your reference only; it is not to your benefit to copy their style or concepts. It not only violates academic ethics and could lead to an automatic rejection by the admissions committee — the point of our service is to help you construct a unique essay — not one similar to other essays.

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How to write a personal statement

How to approach writing your personal statement for graduate applications.

If you’re applying for a grad course that requires a personal statement (sometimes also called a ‘statement of purpose’), it can be difficult to know where to start and what to include. Read on for tips from some of our masters’ students about their process and what they found helpful.

1. Before you start

The academic work is the most important reason why we’re here, but that also translates into work experiences, internships, volunteering. I think a big part of the personal statement is crafting that narrative of academic self that fits alongside your professional experiences, to give that greater picture of who you are as an academic. Lauren (MSc Modern Middle Eastern Studies)

Start by thinking about the skills, knowledge and interests you’ve acquired over time and how the course at Oxford will take them forward.

Your statement is the story you want to tell about yourself and your academic work to the department you are applying to.

Most of your application and its supporting documents communicate plain facts about your academic career so far. Your personal statement is your best opportunity to put these facts into context and show assessors how you’ve progressed and excelled.

Make sure you highlight evidence of your achievements (a high grade in a relevant area, an award or scholarship, a research internship).

Presenting yourself

When I was writing my personal statement, I went onto my course website. I looked at what they emphasised and what kind of students they were looking for, and I wrote about my experiences based on that. Kayla (MSc in Clinical Embryology)

Make it easy for an assessor to see how you meet the entry requirements for the course (you can find these on each course page ).

Don’t make any assumptions about what Oxford is looking for!

Get to know your department

You want to study this particular subject and you want to study at Oxford (you’re applying here, so we know that!) but why is Oxford the right place for you to study this subject? What interests or qualities of the academic department and its staff make it attractive to you?

Use your academic department’s website for an overview of their research, academic staff and course information (you'll find a link to the department's own website on each course page ).

I said, ‘why do I actually want to be here? What is it about being at Oxford that’s going to get me to what I want to do? Sarah (Bachelor of Civil Law)

Talk it out

Talking to others about your statement can be a great way to gather your ideas and decide how you’d like to approach it. Sarah even managed to get benefit out of this approach by herself:

“I spent a lot of time talking out loud. My written process was actually very vocal, so I did a lot of talking about myself in my room.”

2. The writing process

Know your format.

Make sure you’ve read all the guidance on the How to Apply section of your course page , so you know what’s needed in terms of the word count of the final statement, what it should cover and what it will be assessed for. This should help you to visualise roughly what you want to end up with at the end of the process.

Make a start

When it comes to writing your personal statement, just getting started can be the hardest part.

One good way to get around writer’s block is to just put it all down on the page, like Mayur.

First - write down anything and everything. In the first round, I was just dumping everything - whatever I’ve done, anything close to computer science, that was on my personal statement. Mayur (MSc Computer Science)

You’ll be editing later anyway so don’t let the blank page intimidate you - try writing a little under each of the following headings to get started:

• areas of the course at Oxford that are the most interesting to you
• which areas you’ve already studied or had some experience in
• what you hope to use your Oxford course experience for afterwards.

3. Finishing up

Get some feedback.

Once you’ve got a draft of about the right length, ask for feedback on what you’ve written. It might take several drafts to get it right.

This could involve getting in touch with some of your undergraduate professors to ask them to read your draft and find any areas which needed strengthening.

You could also show it to people who know you well, like family or friends.

Because they’re the first people to say, ‘Who is that person?’ You want the people around you to recognise that it really sounds like you. It can be scary telling family and friends you’re applying for Oxford, because it makes it real, but be brave enough to share it and get feedback on it. Sarah (Bachelor of Law)

Be yourself

Finally - be genuine and be yourself. Make sure your personal statement represents you, not your idea about what Oxford might be looking for.

We have thousands of students arriving every year from a huge range of subjects, backgrounds, institutions and countries (you can hear from a few more of them in our My Oxford interviews).

Get moving on your application today

To find out more about supporting documents and everything else you need to apply, read your course page and visit our Application Guide .

• Application Guide: Statement of purpose

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Personal Statement Yazmak İçin 10 İpucu

Personal Statement olarak da bilinen niyet mektubu nedir merak ediyor musun? Yurtdışı eğitim ve mezuniyet sonrası iş başvuruları için kullanılan en önemli belgelerden biri olan Personal Statement yazmak için ipuçları rehberimizde.

Yurtdışında eğitim için üniversite başvurusu yapmayı düşünüyorsanız, kabul almak için seçtiğiniz okulun sizi kabul etmesinde en önemli etkenlerden biri yazacağınız kişisel beyan olacaktır. Personal Statement ya da Statement of Purpose olarak da bilinen niyet mektubu, yurtdışı üniversite lisans ya da lisansüstü eğitim ve mezuniyet sonrası iş başvuruları için kullanılan en önemli belgelerden biridir. 

Yurtdışında üniversite okumak için başvuracağınız neredeyse her kurum, kim olduğunuz ve neden belirli bir bölümü ya da dersi okumak istediğiniz konusunda daha net bir fikir edinmek için kişisel bir beyan yazmanızı isteyecektir. Niyet mektubu yazmak ilk başta göz korkutucu görünebilir, ancak adım adım kılavuzumuz sizi doğru yönde yönlendirecektir. Gelin, Personal Statement yazmak için ipuçlarına beraber göz atalım!

1. Personal Statement için nasıl bir başlangıç yapmalısın?

Niyet mektubu yazmaya başlamanın en iyi yolu bir plan yapmaktır. Yazınızın kısa ve öz olması gerekir. Üniversiteler, çoğu birbirinden ayırt edilemeyen çok sayıda kişisel beyan alır. Neleri dahil edeceğinizi düşünmek için biraz zaman ayırmalı ve birkaç ipucuna göz atmalısınız;

• Bölümü seçme nedenlerinizin bir listesini yazın
• Neden bu eğitimden faydalanmak istediğinizi anlatın
• Konuyla ilgili önceki deneyimlerinizden bahsedin

Bazı programlar için iş deneyimi gereklidir, ancak zorunlu değildir. Örneğin; veterinerlik okumak istiyorsanız, bir hayvan barınağında veya veteriner kliniğinde gönüllü olmak gibi ilgili deneyimler bir zorunluluk olma eğilimindedir. İstediğiniz bölümde bir yer için değerlendirilirken kişisel beyanınızın belirleyici faktör olabileceğini unutmayın!  Nasıl SOP Yazılır, Nelere Dikkat Edilmelidir?  rehberimize göz atın. 

2. Niyet mektubu uzun olmalı mı?

Kelime sayısı her ülkeye ve hatta bazı durumlarda her üniversiteye göre değişir. Birleşik Krallık'ta, kabaca 500 kelimeye denk gelen 4000 karakterlik bir sınır vardır. Avustralya'da 700 kelime yani yaklaşık 1400 karakter hedeflemelisiniz ve ABD'de önerilen uzunluk yaklaşık 500-800 kelimedir. Dolayısıyla bir kişisel beyan bir ya da iki sayfa uzunluğunda olacaktır ve size çok fazla görünebilir. Ancak yazmaya başladığınızda bakış açınız değişecek, becerileri ve deneyimleri özetlemeniz gerekecektir. 

Yurtdışı eğitim alabileceğin tüm üniversitelerin listesine  buradan ulaşabilir,  yurtdışı lisans bursları  ve  yurtdışı yüksek lisans bursları  sunan tüm üniversiteleri araştırabilirsin.

3. Niyet mektubu yazarken açılış cümleniz üzerinde düşünün

Komik, ilginç, alışılmadık veya şaşırtıcı bir şeyle personal statement yazmaya başlamak iyi bir ilk izlenim verecektir. Ancak kusursuz açılış cümlesi, niyet mektubunuz için tam bir özet olmalı ve çarpıcı bir başlangıç sunmalıdır. Öyleyse kendinize zaman tanıyın ve doğru kelimelerin size gelmesini bekleyin.  Adım Adım Üniversite Başvuru Rehberi  nasıl olur hemen kontrol edin. 

Yurtdışında üniversite okumak istediğiniz okullar, bölümler ve başvurular hakkında merak ettiklerinizi uzmanlarımıza ücretsiz sorarak  yurtdışı eğitim danışmanlığı  alabilirsiniz. 

4. Kısa paragraflar halinde yazmayı deneyin

Niyet mektubu yazarken  k ısa paragraflar, hem yazmanızı kolaylaştırır hem de insanların daha rahat okumasını sağlar. Okuyucunun dikkatini çekmek söz konusu olduğunda ilk pratik kural, bir paragrafta beş ya da altıdan fazla cümle yazmaktan kaçınmak olacaktır. Aslında paragrafların ya da cümlelerin kısa ya da uzun olması gerektiği ile ilgili bir kural yoktur, ancak bu tamamen sizin anlatım yeteneğinize bağlı olacaktır. Karşınızdakini sıkmadan, uzun ve amaçsız cümleler kurmadan kendinizi ifade etmelisiniz. Ayrıca unutmayın, yurtdışı eğitim için başvurunuzu büyük olasılıkla İngilizce yapacaksınız ve karmaşık kelimeler ve cümlelerin kullanılması okunmasını zorlaştıracaktır. 

5. Gerekli tüm bilgileri tamamlayın

Basit görünebilir, ancak niyet mektubu için hakkınızda gerekli tüm bilgileri doldurun. Bunu yapmazsanız, ayrıntılara dikkat etmemiş, eksik detaylar vermiş gibi görünebilirsiniz. Zorunlu bilgileri dışarıda bıraktığınız için başvurunuzu işleme koymak zor olabilir. Bu da üniversiteye kabul etmenizi geciktirebilir. 

6. Niyet mektubu örneği nasıl olmalı?

Dünyanın dört bir yanındaki aday öğrencilerin çoğu, üniversite başvurularının bir parçası olarak niyet mektubu yazacaklar, ancak özellikle uluslararası öğrenciler için birkaç gereklilik var. Dahil etmeniz gereken temel içerik için aşağıya bakın:

• İngilizce dil yeterliliğinin kanıtı - IELTS ya da TOEFL sınavı
• Neden o ülkede okumak istediğinize dair bir açıklama
• Neden kendi ülkeniz yerine yurtdışında okumak istiyorsunuz?
• Edindiğiniz beceriler - yabancı diller, hobileriniz
• İş deneyimi, gönüllülük
• Yurtdışı seyahatler
• Katıldığınız kulüpler, etkinlikler
• Kariyeriniz ve akademik hedefleriniz

Personal statement yazarken herhangi bir iş tecrübeniz yoksa endişelenmeyin! Onun yerine bilgisayar becerileri, ilgi alanları ve hobilerinizi ekleyebilirsiniz. Düzenli olarak müze ve galerileri ziyaret ediyor musunuz? Bir spor takımının parçası mısınız? Tüm bunlar, kim olduğunuzun ve kazanmış olabileceğiniz becerilerin puanlarının bir resmini çizmenize yardımcı olacaktır.

Sitemize üye olarak dünyanın en iyi üniversiteleri, yurt dışı eğitim haberleri, faydalı içerikler ve ücretsiz broşürlerden faydalanabilirsiniz. Nasıl mı?  Hemen bu linkten kayıt olun .

7. Benzersiz olun

Kişisel ifadenizin üslubu resmi, ancak coşkulu olmalıdır. Mizahtan kaçınmaya çalışın çünkü bu rahatsız edici olabilir ve bir öğrenci kabul öğretmeni tarafından yanlış anlaşılabilir. Niyet mektubu yazınızın anlamlı olup olmadığını kontrol etmek için kendi başınıza veya başka birine yüksek sesle okuyabilirsiniz. Bu, sessizce okurken kaçırabileceğiniz dil bilgisi veya yazım hatalarını fark etmenize yardımcı olacaktır. Bu nedenle, göndermeden önce üç kez kontrol ettiğinizden ve düzeltme yaptığınızdan emin olun.

8. Personal statement yazarken güçlü yönlerinize odaklanın

Çıkarmanız gereken şey, kişisel beyanınızda elinizden gelen en iyi şekilde kendinizi ayırt etmektir. Olduğunuz kişiyi geçmek zorundasınız. Diğer öğrencilerle aynı üniversite ya da bölüme başvuruyor olsanız da benzersiz bir şekilde öne çıkmalı ve hatırlanmalısınız. İstenmedikçe kendinize ait bir imajınızı veya ifadenizi öne çıkaracak herhangi bir şeyi eklemeyin. Sanat gibi belirli kurslar için gerekirse çalışmanızın bir portföyünüzü sunmanız istenebilir.  Yurtdışı Eğitim Başvurusu Yaparken CV'mi Nasıl Hazırlamalıyım?

9. Mükemmel kelimeleri ve ifadeleri bulduğunuzdan emin olun

Bazen işleri basit tutmak en iyisidir. Bir şeyi on yerine beş kelimeyle söyleyebiliyorsanız, bunu yapın. Daha entelektüel görünmek için bir eşanlamlılar sözlüğü kullanmak veya online eşanlamlıları aramak cazip gelebilir; ama yanlış bağlamda çok fazla kullanırsanız, bir cümle tüm anlamını yitirebilir. En önemlisi, ifadenizin okunmasının kolay olduğundan ve bir noktadan diğerine mantıklı bir sırayla iyi aktığından emin olun. Bir kelimeyi yanlış kullanırsanız, göze çarpacak ve kafa karıştırıcı olacaktır. Yazılı ödevler, değerlendirmelerinizin önemli bir parçası olabilir ve ifadeniz bunları yapıp yapamayacağınızı gösterecektir. 

10. Personal Statement yazmaya ne zaman başlamalısınız?

Yurtdışı üniversite başvurusu yapmaya ne zaman başlayacağınıza karar verdiniz mi? O halde, araştırmalara başlamak için doğru zamanı bulmalısınız. Kurumlar, özellikle uluslararası öğrenciler için kendi başvuru tarihlerini belirleyebildiğinden, önce başvurduğunuz üniversitenin web sitesini kontrol etmelisiniz. 

Yurtdışı eğitim alırken bütçenize katkı sağlayacak freelance iş imkanları hakkında yeterince bilgi aldığımıza göre kendin için en iyi üniversite ve bölümü araştırıyorsan sana özel kişiselleştirilmiş sonuçlar veren kurs eşleştirme aracımızı kullanabilirsin!  Denemeye hemen başlamak için linke göz at ! Ayrıca  üniversite sıralamaları  sayfamızı da inceleyerek hangi üniversitelerin farklı ülkelerde en iyi performansı gösterdiğine ve sitemizde hangilerinin en popüler olduğuna bakabilirsin. 

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IELTS: Uluslararası İngilizce Dil Test Sistemi

IELTS, bugün dünyanın en iyi üniversiteleri ve kolejlerinde eğitim almak isteyen öğrencilere İngilizce dil yeterliliklerini kanıtlama imkanı sunuyor. Yurtdışında eğitim almak, birçok kişi için kariyerlerini ilerletmek, kültürel deneyimler yaşamak ve yeni fırsatlar keşfetmek anlamına gelir. Ancak Amerika, Kanada, İngiltere gibi birçok ülke, uluslararası öğrencilerden İngilizce dil yeterliliğini belgelemelerini ister. Yazımızda IELTS sınavının yurtdışı eğitim

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Academic Personal Statement Guide + Examples for 2024

You have a bright future ahead of you in academia and you’ve already found the program of your dreams.

The only problem? 

You have to write an impressive academic personal statement that sets you apart from a sea of applicants.

We know that writing about yourself might not come naturally. And when the academic program you have your sights set on is on the line, it doesn’t make it any easier.

But there’s no need to worry!

We’ve prepared this guide to help you write your academic personal statement and secure your spot in your program of choice.

In this article, we’re going to cover:

• What Is An Academic Personal Statement?
• 7 Steps to Writing the Best Academic Personal Statement
• An Example of a Stellar Academic Personal Statement

Let’s dive in.

You’ll need an academic CV alongside your personal statement. Create one with ease with Novorésumé !

What Is an Academic Personal Statement?

A personal statement is an essential part of the academic application process.

Much like a motivation letter , your academic personal statement serves to demonstrate why you’re the right candidate for the course and sell yourself as a capable student.

Your goal is to show the admissions committee that they’ll benefit from having you in their university as much as you’ll benefit from joining the program.

Academic Vs CV Personal Statement

The term ‘personal statement’ can mean different things depending on your field.

In the world of job hunting, a personal statement usually refers to a few sentences that go at the top of your CV . This paragraph is meant to convey your top skills, relevant experiences, and professional goals to a hiring manager from the get-go and increase your chances of getting an interview.

However, in the world of academia, a personal statement refers to a more in-depth description of you as a candidate. 

In a nutshell, an academic personal statement shows the admissions committee your academic achievements so far, as well as what motivated you to apply and pursue this position.

Personal statements are also often required when applying for certain jobs, much like writing a cover letter . If you’re looking at a position as a faculty member in a university or other academic institution, for example, you might be asked to provide an academic personal statement.

7 Steps to Write an Academic Personal Statement

Preparation is the key to success and this is exactly where our guide comes in handy.

So just follow these steps and you’re sure to secure your spot:

#1. Read the Brief (Carefully!)

Academic personal statements aren’t necessarily a one-size-fits-all piece of writing. 

Typically, every institution has its specific requirements on what candidates should include in their academic personal statement.

To make sure you’re on the right track with your academic personal statement, read the brief carefully. Consider taking notes and highlighting important points from your program’s brief as you go through it.

Pay attention to any specific question the university wants you to answer. If you don’t address everything the admissions board expects, your personal statement will look sloppy and you’ll be considered an inattentive candidate.

Be sure to re-read the brief after you’ve finished writing your academic personal statement, too. This way you can make sure you’ve answered everything adequately and you’ll have the opportunity to correct any slips.

#2. Research the Program

Make sure you do your homework on the academic program you’re applying to.

You can’t write a good academic personal statement without research, let alone a great one. Much like researching your employer , taking the time to learn more about your desired school and personalizing your application can make a huge difference.

For example, you can dive into how your values align with that of the school you’re applying to, and how your experience and interests relate to specific things about the program. The more you focus on how you’re the right fit for this specific position, in this specific program – the better.

Carefully read through the school and program’s official pages since everything you would need to know is probably on the school’s official website. You can also ask current and former students for help but remember that whatever they say should never replace official information when crafting your academic personal statement.

#3. Plan Your Statement

An academic personal statement is meant to explain your academic interests and shouldn’t contain irrelevant details about your personal life.

Focus on why you want to study the course you’ve chosen and provide any information about your achievements so far.

Ask yourself the following questions to get the ball rolling on what to write:

• Why do you want to study (or work) in this program? How will it benefit you?
• How do your skills match the position?
• What makes you stand out from other applicants?
• What are your exact career aspirations?
• How can you and your work benefit the institution you’re applying to?
• If you changed fields, how did you decide to apply in this direction?
• What insight can you bring thanks to your different experiences?
• How will this change of field help your future career?

Write down your answer to these questions in the first draft of your academic personal statement.

#4. Look at Example Statements

Don’t hesitate to read other people’s academic personal statements online. They’re a great source of inspiration and can help get rid of any remaining writer’s block.

If you’re struggling to understand how to meet the language and formatting requirements for your academic personal statement, seeing actual examples is the best way to learn.

But be careful – don’t copy any lines you read, no matter how impressive you think they are. 

Most universities run every academic personal statement through intensive plagiarism checking, and even a paraphrased sentence could lead to your application being rejected for plagiarism.

So pay more attention to the overall structure of the academic personal statements you read, rather than copying the exact wording.

#5. Structure the Contents

There should be a cohesive argument that your entire essay follows. Each sentence and paragraph should complement and build on the one that comes before it.

The structure of your personal statement should include:

An intriguing introduction to you as a candidate

The introductory paragraph should grab the admission committee’s attention and keep them engaged.

Here you should be sure to avoid cliches like saying how you’ve “always dreamt” of graduating from this university or of studying this exact program. Instead, give an example of what really influenced you to pursue this dream.

Here’s an example:

• I’ve always loved reading and since I was a child, it’s been my dream to graduate from Oxford University and contribute to the world of literary analysis. That’s why I spent the past year volunteering at my local writers’ society and giving constructive feedback during workshops and book discussions.
• It wasn’t until I failed my first essay assignment in secondary school that I realized the depth that lies beneath each sentence in a given text. I began to delve into the rich layers of literary texts and the intricacies of literary analysis became my passion. Although initially challenging, the depth of understanding that this field offers about human emotions, cultural contexts, and narrative structures enthralled me. I found myself questioning the narrative structures and character motivations that I had previously taken for granted, and I was eager to understand how the subtle and often overlooked elements within a text could have a profound impact on its overall interpretation. This need to fundamentally understand a given author’s work has stayed with me since and led me to pursue literary analysis as a postgraduate student.

An engaging body

The main part of your academic personal statement should detail your interests, experience, and knowledge, and how they make you suitable for the position.

This is where you should expand on your motivation and use the following tips:

• Why this university? Provide strong reasons for your choice, related to your future career or the institution’s reputation.
• Mention your relevant studies and experience. This includes projects, dissertations, essays, or work experience.
• Give evidence of key skills you have, such as research, critical thinking, communication, and time management, and explain how you can contribute to the department with them.
• Say what makes you unique as a candidate and provide an example.
• Explain who have been the main influences who put you on this path and why they’ve influenced you.
• Mention other relevant experiences, such as memberships in clubs related to the subject, awards you might have won, or impressive papers you’ve written.
• Talk about your career aspirations and how the program ties into your goal of achieving them.

Depending on the guidelines of the specific university, you could also divide your academic personal statement’s body with subheadings, such as:

• Academic background
• Research interests
• Methodological approaches
• Research experience
• Personal experience
• Extracurricular activities 
• Relevant skills
• Career aspirations

A logical conclusion

Your academic personal statement needs a conclusion that ends on an enthusiastic note.

Make sure the conclusion reiterates the main points from the body of your text.

Your relevant accomplishments and desire to attend this specific program should be clear to any reader.

#6. Pay Attention to the Language

When writing the first draft of your academic personal statement, pay attention to the language and tone you’re using.

An academic personal statement is also a formal text, so your writing should reflect that. Colloquialisms aren’t appropriate, as they would take away from the well-mannered impression you want to give the admissions committee.

However, you also want your personal statement to be straightforward and avoid any complex jargon from your field of study.

For example, your opening sentence shouldn’t be overly complicated. You should communicate everything as clearly as possible, and be inclusive to those outside of your field of study since they might be on the admissions board that’s reading your academic personal statement.

Make sure that the tone throughout your text is positive and conveys your enthusiasm for the program. Your academic personal statement should show the admissions committee that you really want to be there, and why that’s beneficial to everyone involved.

#7. Proofread Your Statement

This step probably isn’t surprising to you but it’s worth paying attention to.

Your academic personal statement is a very formal document and it should be spotless. 

So, make sure it adheres to academic writing conventions . For example, contractions like “I’m” instead of “I am” are informal, and should be avoided.

Mistakes like these are very common when writing about yourself, particularly when you’re used to describing yourself in informal environments.

Carefully proofread your academic personal statement, then run it through a grammar checker like Grammarly or Quillbot, then proofread it again.

The tiniest grammar mistake or typo could make the admissions board reject your application.

Academic Personal Statement Example

Ever since my first encounter with the enchanting worlds spun by Flaubert, Balzac, and Proust, my intellectual pursuits have gravitated toward French literature. With an undergraduate degree focused on French Language and Literature, I have been fortunate to explore my passions both theoretically and empirically, embedding them within broader themes of cultural theory and comparative literature. It is with great excitement that I apply for the postgraduate research position in the French Literature program at Kent University, with the aim of contributing novel scholarly perspectives to this captivating field.

Academic Background and Research Interests

During my undergraduate studies, I delved deeply into the realms of 19th-century Realism and Naturalism. My senior thesis, which examined the dialectics of morality and social structures in Balzac's "La Comédie Humaine," was not merely an academic exercise; it served as a crucible where my theoretical understandings were rigorously tested. This research experience intensified my interest in the complex interplay between literature and societal norms, a theme I am eager to further explore in my postgraduate work.

Methodological Approaches

My academic approach is fundamentally interdisciplinary. I strongly believe that literature should not be studied in a vacuum; rather, it should be contextualized within historical, sociological, and psychological paradigms. During a semester abroad in Paris, I took courses in cultural anthropology and French history, an enriching experience that complemented my literature-focused studies. This holistic approach will enable me to contribute a multifaceted perspective to the research endeavors at Kent University.

Previous Research and Scholarly Engagements

My scholarly activities have also extended beyond the classroom. Last summer, I participated in an international conference on French Literature and Post-Colonial Theory, presenting a paper on the depictions of colonial landscapes in Dumas' adventure novels. The opportunity to engage with academics from various disciplines provided me with fresh insights and underscored the importance of collaborative research. Further, I've had the honor of having a review article published in the Sheffield Journal of Contemporary Literary Explorations, where I critiqued a groundbreaking new translation of Verne's works.

Extracurricular Contributions and Skills

In addition to my academic achievements, I have sought to enrich my department’s intellectual community. I served as the editor of our departmental journal and organized a series of seminars featuring guest speakers from the worlds of academia and publishing. My strong organizational skills, combined with proficiency in both written and spoken French and English, make me a versatile candidate capable of adding value to the French Literature program’s broader objectives.

To summarize, my deep-rooted passion for French literature, fortified by rigorous academic training and interdisciplinary methodologies, makes me an ideal candidate for the postgraduate research position in your esteemed program. The prospect of contributing to academic discourse at Kent University is an opportunity I find deeply compelling. I am especially excited about the potential for collaborative research and interdisciplinary inquiries, which aligns perfectly with my academic philosophy. I am fully committed to leveraging my skills, experiences, and enthusiasm to make a substantive scholarly contribution to the study of French Literature. Thank you for considering my application; I am keenly looking forward to the possibility of furthering my academic journey in this vibrant intellectual community.

FAQs on Academic Personal Statements

If you’re wondering anything else about academic personal statements, check out the answers to the most frequently asked questions related to them here:

#1. How do you start a personal statement for an academic job?

Applying for an academic job is different from applying for a position as a student. First, you need to establish your qualifications and enthusiasm for the role immediately.

Start by explaining your current status, for example, as a postdoctoral researcher or an experienced member of the faculty, and specify the position you are applying for. Then follow up with your research interests or personal philosophy towards teaching.

You can add a personal anecdote or compelling fact that summarizes your academic journey so far, or your passion for the field. After that, your academic personal statement can go deeper into the qualifications from your academic CV and how you’re a great fit for the position.

#2. How do I introduce myself in an academic personal statement?

The introduction of your academic personal statement is the key to grabbing the attention of the admissions committee.

Start by stating the field or subject that interests you, and why. You can share a specific personal anecdote or observation that led you to this academic pursuit and set the stage for the detailed explanation in your main body.

The goal of your introduction is to give the reader a sense of who you are, what drives you, and why you would be a valuable addition to their department.

#3. Is an academic personal statement like an essay?

Yes, an academic personal statement can be considered a type of essay.

Both essays and academic personal statements are structured forms of writing that are meant to deliver a coherent argument and are divided into an introduction, body, and conclusion. They provide supporting evidence to prove the point and maintain a logical flow to guide the reader to the final conclusion.

However, essays tend to be objective and explore a specific topic or question in depth. Academic personal statements use similar techniques but they present the candidate’s qualifications, experiences, and aspirations in a way that’s meant to persuade the admissions committee.

#4. How long is an academic personal statement?

Typically, an academic personal statement is between 500 and 1000 words long.

The exact length of the text varies depending on the university and program you’re applying to. You should always check the specific requirements for your desired program, and stick to the guidelines you find.

However, if the university you’re applying to doesn’t specify a word count, you should aim for one to two pages.

#5. What do I avoid in an academic personal statement?

Since your personal statement is a crucial part of your academic application, it’s important to avoid any common mistakes.

Make sure the content of your academic personal statement isn’t too generic. Its goal is to give insight into you as an individual, beyond what can be read in your CV . 

You should also avoid cramming too many points in your text. Your academic personal statement should follow a logical flow, and focus on the relevance of what you’re sharing about yourself and how it relates to the academic program you’re pursuing.

Key Takeaways

And that concludes our guide to writing an academic personal statement!

We hope you feel more confident when crafting your application for that academic program or faculty position you have your sights set on.

Now let’s recap what we talked about so far:

• Academic personal statements are very different from CV personal statements. While CV personal statements are brief paragraphs at the top of the page, an academic personal statement is an in-depth text that details why you’re interested in a given position, and what makes you a good candidate.
• The guidelines on academic personal statements vary according to the institution you’re applying to. Read the brief very carefully, and pay attention to what it says about word count and questions your personal statement should answer. Any mistakes here could result in rejection.
• There are differences between applying for a postgraduate program and applying for a faculty position. But in both cases, you should research the exact place you want to apply to and adjust your application accordingly to match the institution’s values.
• Always proofread your academic personal statement before sending it, even if you’re sure there are no errors.

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