ntu how to write a personal statement

How To Write A Personal Statement For Masters (17 PDF Sample Examples)

Published: 14 Mar 2022 Study Abroad 108,892 views

A personal statement for masters program is one of the most important parts of your college application and writing a good one is what’s the exception between receiving an offer and being rejected.

If you’ve been tasked with presenting a personal statement, you should keep in mind that whatever you submit must put you forward as the right candidate for the course. Additionally, it should convince the admissions officers that you deserve a place on your program of study.

Achieving the above, is a skill most postgraduate students are yet to acquire but thankfully this article on How To Write A Personal Statement For Masters covers everything you need to know on doing this.

In this article you’ll learn:

• What is a personal statement?
• Tips for making your personal statement for masters stand out
• How to write a personal statement for masters
• Personal statement for masters sample
• Examples of personal statement for masters
• Conclusion – things to avoid when writing a personal statement for masters

Read:  Admission Interview Tips .

What Is a Personal Statement?

A personal statement AKA admissions or application essay or statement of purpose is a type of essay or written statement a candidate presents to a college, university, or graduate school they are applying to, explaining why they want to attend that school, study a particular course, and why they would be a perfect fit for these things.

A personal statement for masters is an essay you submit specifically for your postgraduate application. Writing one presents the opportunity for you to promote yourself to a school and show the admissions teachers that you are the perfect candidate for a course.

Tips For Making Your Personal Statement For Masters Stand Out

Before we get into how you should write a statement of purpose for masters, we would first like to share with you certain tips to include in your essay to make it stand out from that of other applicants and be convincing enough to any admissions officer that reads it. The tips we have mentioned here, cover general things like starting and ending your personal statement, timing, length, and what to include and what not to include in the essay, etc.

1. Starting And Ending A Personal Statement

When starting a personal statement, you would want to right off the bat grab the reader’s attention. To do this, start the statement by writing about your degree of choice, next why you want to study it and then how you got interested in it.

The next 2 sentences after that should cover a summary of your background in the chosen field, and you conclude by saying what you plan to do once you acquire your graduate degree.

Also start with that the evaluators reading want to hear first, then every other information should come second. You will notice we’ve used in the sop examples for masters we will share with you later in this article.

2. Plan Ahead

A personal statement is not something you rush while writing, which means if you want to get something good before you application then you must start to decide things like the length and how long it should take to complete.

Let us throw more light on this…

For length, a personal statement should be brief ranging somewhere between 500 -700 words, although schools often detect how long it should be. So, this is dependent on the institution you are applying to.

In terms of what to say in a statement, you could include personal experiences like why you were driven to apply for the program, an experience you had with a scholar in your chosen discipline, a course you took that inspired you to pursue masters, or a key moment during your studies which further motivated you.

No matter what you decide to write, just keep in mind that you need to take your time to craft something good even if it means creating several drafts before the real thing and do not forget to proofread the statement for errors.

3. Research Your Program Of Study

Researching your program of study is one way to establish that you truly understand the discipline you’re getting into and prove to the admissions officer that you thoroughly thought about it before applying.

And because you want to put yourself forward as a serious candidate, one way to make you research easier is for you to visit the website of the department you are applying to. This page will contain information about faculty members, their specialisation, and publications.

From the intel, you gathered there you can now identify which professors match your interests and which ones you will benefit the most from learning under. After you’ve found this out, relate the same in a sentence or two in your statement of purpose for masters.

Example: “I would be honoured to study under the tutelage of Professor Nadia whose work I found resonated strongly with my beliefs and intended projects in this course”.

4. Avoid Clichés, Junks, And Many Details

When writing a statement of purpose for master degree try to avoid clichés, junks, and unnecessary details so that you don’t lose or bore your readers in between. Be as concise as possible, even if it’s your chance to express yourself.

A personal statement is an opportunity for the admissions committee to get information that tells the that you are suitable for the course. So, when you overpower your statement with too many words, stories, and useless details, you come off as someone who is just trying to meet the word count.

5. Include Your Personal History Only If It Adds To The Statement

Do not include your personal history in your statement of intent for masters if it is not relevant to your purpose of study. This means no need for you to tell that story about that time you helped someone treat a cut and immediately realised that you wanted to be a doctor or nurse or how you developed a taste for reading at a very young age.

We can guarantee you that the hundreds of other applications competing for the same spot you are felt the same way, so saying those things really doesn’t make you unique.

On the other hand, if you are going to add personal history to your statement, you can put in things like an internship you did and the experience you got from the job, a major research project you ran by yourself, publications you’ve read or published, conferences you’ve attended or presentations you’ve done. These experiences are more concrete and are directly related to your program of study. They also set you apart from other applicants.

6. Don't Use The Same Personal Statement For All Your Applications

One common mistake applicant make that you shouldn’t is using the same statement of purpose for master degree for all your applications. Using the same information repeatedly even if you are going to change the university names is risky and could land you in a big mistake on a day you forget to be thorough.

All programmes have their own unique set of questions they want to see answered and information they need in your personal statement.

And even if some of them like extracurricular activities, proposal for project, why you are applying to the school, your unique qualities, and research works you’re doing might appear the same, do not use one statement to respond to all of them.

Write a new unique personal statement every time you want to apply.

Check out:  How to Write a Good CV for Students - Resume Examples for Students (PDF).

How To Write A Personal Statement for Masters

When writing a personal statement for masters there are several steps and ground rules you need to follow to ensure that it comes out good enough to impress the admissions team of a school, and ultimately convince them to give you a spot on your program of study.

If writing one is something you are currently struggling with and can’t seem to get down the process of it right no matter what, this section on how to write a personal statement for masters, discusses in detail everything you need to get help with yours.

There are 4 parts to consider when writing your personal statement and we have listed them below:

1. Planning A Personal Statement

A personal statement is a piece of writing showing your academic interests and is only for application purposes which means there is no room for any autobiographical information in it about your personal life. Be as to-the-point as possible when writing it and stick to telling the school why you are the right person for the course, plus any other extra information detailing your achievements.

Before You Start:

Allot plenty of time to write your msc personal statement so that you don’t rush it. Remember, this simple piece of writing is your one shot at convincing a school that you are the best applicant they’ve seen and as such can either make or break your application.

Read the information expected of you from the university, rules and guidelines given, selection criteria and understand what they mean. Also research the institution.

Do a thorough research on the course you are applying for; this will help you explain better why you want to study it. The tutors interviewing you can tell when you are lying and presenting yourself as uninformed can cost you the admission.

Ensure that you don’t use the same personal statement for all your applications.

When Writing:

When writing the statement there are some questions to ask yourself that can help you plan it better. Those questions are:

• Why you want to study a master’s and how does it benefit you in future?
• How does the course you have chosen fit into your pre-existing skill set?
• How do you stand out from the crowd as an applicant - e.g., work experiences you’ve had in the same field you are applying for?
• What do you aspire to do or be as a future career and how will the course help you achieve that?
• How can your work or skillsets contribute positively to the department/ university you are applying to, or society at large?

On the other hand, if you are applying for the masters to change from the field you studied in your undergraduate to another field, you should tell the school why you decided to take a different path in your studies.

Questions to ask yourself for this include:

• Your reason for deciding to change your discipline.
• How your undergraduate degree will be material for bringing fresh insights into your masters course.
• How changing your study path will help you attain your future career.

2. Structuring A Personal Statement

Having good structure for your personal statement for master degree is important because it ensures that everything from the beginning, middle, and ending of the statement is written and equally falls in place perfectly.

We’ve left some tips for you below to help you:

Start your personal statement with an attention-grabbing introduction that is not dramatic or cliché. That means you should not begin with any of these over-used phrases we’ve listed out below:

For as long as I remember…

Since my childhood…

I want to apply to this course because I’ve always felt a strong connection to it…

All my life, I have always loved…

My interest in (course) always ran deeper than…

I’ve always been zealous about…

Ever since I was a child, I’ve always wanted to pursue a career in…

My past educational experiences have always…

You would want to be as snappy as possible with your opening because the admission officer has over a hundred applications to read and can’t waste all their time on yours. This means you should avoid overpowering it with unnecessary facts, quotes, and stories from your life.

The middle part of your ma personal statement is where the main content of the write-up should be. This is where you show your dedication to the course you’ve chosen, what motivated you to choose it, and why you are the right candidate for it.

When writing the middle part of a graduate personal statement, you should:  

• Give concrete reasons why you want to study a course at the University. The reason could be because of how the course is aligned to your future career or the University’s reputation in teaching that program.
• Mention relevant things like projects, dissertations, or essays you’ve done, and any work experience you have.
• Show proof of your core skills like and how they can contribute to the department.
• Prove what makes you a unique candidate.
• Discuss who your main influences for wanting to study the course are and why.
• Add experiences like memberships to clubs that are related to your field, papers you’ve written before, awards, scholarships, or prizes.
• Draw focus to how the course links to your past and future.
• Mention your academic and non-academic skills and how they fit the course.

For Formatting:

• Keep the statement length between 250 -500 words or as directed by the school.
• Sentences should be no more than 25-30 words.
• Use headings to break up the content – Why this university? Why this subject? Etc.
• Make claims and provide evidence to back each of them up. This can be done by discussing your work experience and academic interests.

Language and tone to use:     

• The tone for your masters application personal statement should be positive and enthusiastic, to show you eagerness to learn and so that you convince the evaluators that you have what it takes to succeed.
• Use exciting and refreshing language, and an engaging opening line.
• Ensure you grammar, punctuations, and spellings are accurate.
• Avoid exaggerated claims you cannot backup.
• Don’t use cliché generic terms and keep your focus on the course.

Keep the ending of your essay for master degree application concise and memorable, leaving no doubt in the admission officers mind that you deserve a spot on the program.

To create the best ending summarise all your key points without dragging it our or repeating yourself. The ending should be simple, end on a positive note and make it clear that the school will be lucky to have you on their program.

Personal Statement for Masters Sample

In this section, we have left a masters personal statement example for you, which you can use as material to write yours for any course of study you are applying to a school for.

Personal Statement PDF

You can also download this statement of purpose sample for masters degree pdf here and take your time to read it later – Personal Statement For Masters Sample .

See Also:  Student CV Template .

Examples of Personal Statement for Masters

We have taken the time to source for some of the best postgraduate personal statement examples, which you can use in addition to the personal statement for masters program example as a template to write yours.

While you scroll through our list, you will find the perfect masters essay example for any field you wish to apply for, from business administration, to Psychology, to information technology, and lots more.

1. msw personal statement

We have found one of the best msw personal statement examples out there for you.

social work masters personal statement .  

2. personal statement for masters in public health

mph personal statement examples

3. personal statement for masters in management

Personal statement for master degree sample for masters in management .  , 4. personal statement for masters in education example.

personal statement for masters in education example

5. psychology masters personal statement

psychology masters personal statement example

6. sample personal statement for masters in data science data science masters personal statement

7. speech and language therapy personal statement statement of purpose for masters sample: speech and language therapy

8. business administration personal statement personal statement for masters in business administration

9. personal statement for masters in cyber security pdf masters degree personal statement examples for cyber security

10. personal statement for masters in finance msc finance personal statement examples

11. statement of purpose for masters in information technology pdf msc personal statement examples for information technology

12. international development personal statement statement of purpose for masters example

13. msc international business management personal statement international business management personal statement examples

14. computer science masters personal statement

statement of purpose for masters in computer science pdf

15. personal statement for masters in economics statement of purpose sample for masters degree in economics

16. mha personal statement statement of purpose format for masters in health administration    

Conclusion – Things to Avoid When Writing A Personal Statement For Masters When writing a personal statement for university masters, there are some things you should avoid, so that you don’t ruin your essay. We have listed out those things below: •    Avoid negativity. •    Following an online template blindly. •    Do not include unnecessary course modules, personal facts, or extra-curricular activities in your personal statement. •    Do not lie or exaggerate an achievement or event. •    Do not include inspirational quotes to your statement. •    Avoid using clichés, gimmicks, humour, over-used word such as 'passion' or ‘driven’. •    Do not make pleading statements. •    Avoid mentioning key authors or professors in your field without any explanation. •    Avoid using sentences that are too long. •    Avoid flattering the organisation or using patronising terms. •    Do not repeat information in your statement that you have already listed in your application. •    Avoid waffling i.e., writing at length. •    Don’t start writing your personal statement at the last minute.  

Related Articles:

How to Write a Good Letter of Recommendation for Students (10 PDF Sample Examples).

How to Write a Good Financial Aid Appeal Letter (13 PDF Sample Examples).

How to Write a Good Personal Statement for a Scholarship ( 7 PDF Sample Examples).

How To Write A Good Motivation Letter For Scholarship (4 PDF Sample Examples).

How To Write A Letter Of Intent For Scholarship (4 PDF Sample LOI Example).

Latest Blog Posts

• US Visa Types Fees & Requirements
• 20 Free Social Media Marketing Course
• 30 Best Medical Universities In The US 2024
• Tips To Find And Apply For Scholarships Online
• 30 Best Study Techniques To Try This 2024
• 26 Best Country To Teach English 2024
• 26 Best Free AI Chatbot 2024
• 20 Best Countries To Relocate 2024
• Best Scholarships
• DAAD MIPLC Scholarships for Students from Developing Countries (Germany) 2024
• DAAD STEM Study Scholarships for Developing and Emerging Countries 2024
• UK Government Chevening Scholarship for Students Worldwide 2025
• University of Oxford Skoll Scholarships 2025 (Fully-funded)
• United Nations Young Professionals Programme 2024
• University of Michigan African Presidential Scholars Program 2024
• Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme 2024
• Yenching Academy Masters Fellowships for International Students 2024

Scholarship Tips

Scholarships by country to study.

• United Kingdom
• United States
• South Africa
• New Zealand
• Netherlands

Scholarships by Category

• Postgraduate
• Undergraduate
• College School
• Entrepreneurs
• Bachelors Degree
• Women Scholarships
• Fully Funded

Scholarships by Country of Origin

• African Students
• Developing Countries

Scholarships by Institution / Company

• Flinders University
• German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
• University of Edinburgh
• The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS)

Scholarships by School

• University of Melbourne
• University of Kent
• University Of Queensland, Australia
• University of Oxford
• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Use

Scholarships

• Undergraduate Scholarships
• Masters Scholarships
• MBA Scholarships
• Ph.D Scholarships
• Fellowship Scholarships
• Fully Funded Scholarships
• F1 Visa Interview Questions And Answers
• Scholarship Application Letter
• Letter Of Intent For Scholarship
• Personal Statement For Masters
• Motivation Letter For Scholarship
• Scholarship Acceptance Letter

Other Locations

• Scholarships in UK
• Scholarships in Canada
• Scholarships for Nigerian Students
• Scholarships for African Students
• Study Abroad Community

Writing Your Med School Personal Statement for NUS and NTU (2024)

In this guide, we will provide you with insights, analysis, and a clear approach to help you craft a personal statement that stands out from the crowd.

Jan 24, 2024

Writing a compelling personal statement for Medicine at NUS and NTU is a pivotal step in securing your spot in med school. While it may appear daunting, breaking down the process step by step can make it more manageable. In this guide, we will provide you with insights, analysis, and a clear approach to help you craft a personal statement that stands out from the crowd.

Understanding the Prompts

Nus medicine.

“This is an introduction of yourself to the Admissions committee and the interviewer, who would like to learn about the experiences that have shaped your values and desire to study medicine. The word limit is 500 words.”

Source: NUS Medicine

NTU Medicine: “The personal statement is an essay of not more than 300 words, introducing the applicant including, but not limited to, the reasons for wishing to study medicine and of any experience that may have driven the desire to become a doctor. Leadership experience and teamwork ability should be highlighted. The personal statement must be furnished in the application form, and it may be followed up at the interview stage.”

Source: NTU Medicine

In essence, you have to answer two critical questions in your personal statement:

• Why you? Who are you beyond your grades? What have you done outside of class to prove that you have the ability to thrive in medical school and as a future doctor?
• Why Medicine? Can you convey your passion for serving people and love for science in a compelling way?

Remember, your personal statement should reflect your unique experiences and qualities.

Step-by-Step Guide to Writing Your Personal Statement

Step 1: identify your qualities.

Start by developing a list of qualities you want to demonstrate to the admissions committee. Consider aspects like leadership, teamwork, empathy, and resilience.

Want more resources and steps to think about your personal brand and your qualities? Read our blog here . 

Step 2: Highlight Relevant Experiences

Think of events or situations from your life that showcase these qualities. Focus on experiences that have shaped your journey and made you stand out.

For this step, you don’t need to go in-depth yet. Simply think of highlights from the past two years. It’s important not to go too far back in your timeline—experiences in primary school or more than 2-3 years ago are unlikely to have much significance, unless it still remains a present part of your life and your routine.

Step 3: Qualify and Connect Your Qualities with Experiences

Choose experiences that not only align with your qualities but clearly showcase your unique attributes. It's crucial to move beyond generic statements and delve into the specifics of your actions and contributions.

For instance, if you claim to be a team player, don't merely state it – demonstrate it with precision. In group projects, assess your role critically. Do you find yourself actively listening to everyone's needs and aligning goals? Perhaps you are the one consistently taking notes and ensuring every voice is heard. Alternatively, maybe you naturally assume the role of decision-maker, ensuring a clear direction for the team.

Specificity is your secret weapon to stand out amidst fierce competition. In personal statements, qualities like empathy, teamwork, and leadership are frequently mentioned. To set yourself apart, avoid generalisations and provide concrete examples of how you embody these traits.

Generic: I am James, an ex-student of Raffles Institution, where I played for my hockey team and volunteered. I want to pursue Medicine at NTU, as a life in medicine resonates with me. My experiences have shaped me, and allowed me to be a suitable fit for Medicine. As Hockey Vice-Captain in JC, I learned how to work with a team towards a common goal, and to lead by example. The ability to stay calm even during times of pressure was something I also picked up. Furthermore, Platoon IC during my BMT, I realised the importance of building rapport with your teammates and the idea of “leading by serving”, which will be relevant with regards to serving my patients.

This statement could be written by anyone—it is simply a list of facts of what the student has done, and doesn’t showcase any real specificity on how a life in medicine actually resonates.

More targeted:

As Vice-Captain, I took on a supportive role and encouraged my team when training got tough. Ensuring everyone was coping well strengthened our bond, which made our time more enjoyable. For the latter, being responsible for the 63 men under me and answerable to those above me, I had to give instructions clearly and effectively, as well as stay calm under pressure, while still maintaining rapport with my teammates. These teachings made me a versatile leader and will help me better interact with my seniors, my team and my patients.

Step 4: Putting It All Together

Show, Don't Tell:  Instead of stating your qualities, provide concrete examples that illustrate them. Engage the reader with real-life situations.

Connect Experiences to Qualities: Explicitly connect each experience to the qualities you want to showcase for better understanding.

Balance Emotion and Reflection: Blend emotional aspects with reflective insights to add depth to your narrative. Avoid Generic Statements : Be specific and authentic to make a lasting impression.

Common Questions about NUS and NTU Medicine Personal Statements

Do i need one moment where i knew i wanted to be a doctor.

Many applicants wonder if their personal statement requires a defining moment. We’ve read so many personal statements that start with applicants describing taking care of a family member who got sick or always being really interested in science—while that’s a fine starting point, you cannot base your entire personal statement around that.

Your essay doesn't need a single moment of realization. Instead, concentrate on portraying your path and journey to medicine. It is more compelling and will convince the admissions committee that you’ve done your due diligence, you know what becoming a doctor entails—you’re not simply basing off your motivations off one encounter or scenario.

How do I stand out from the crowd? Won’t everybody have similar experiences?

Rather than stating that you possess leadership qualities or care about people—qualities that most students will write about—avoid generic statements by delving into specific incidents that have shaped you. For instance, if you claim to be service-oriented due to your volunteering experiences, explore a particular interaction or individual that left a lasting impact. Was there a moment that truly touched you or influenced your commitment to service?

I have so many relevant experiences; which one is the "best" to choose?

It's common for applicants to feel overwhelmed with numerous relevant experiences. While it's tempting to list all your achievements, it's more impactful to focus on what you've learned from these experiences. Consider the depth of your understanding and the personal growth each experience has afforded you.

For example, if you've engaged in exciting research, shadowed a family physician, and excelled as a musician, don't merely present a laundry list. Instead, emphasise the key lessons learned.

• How did your research experience contribute to your understanding of medicine?
• What insights did shadowing a family physician provide regarding teamwork in healthcare?
• How has your musical journey instilled discipline and focus, and how does it relate to your desire to be a doctor?

Always connect your experiences back to the fundamental questions: "Why you?" and "Why do you want to be a doctor?" Demonstrate how each experience has shaped your character, skills, and aspirations, making you a compelling candidate for medical school.

In essence, quality often trumps over quantity. Choose experiences that showcase your growth, highlight your qualities, and reinforce your commitment to pursuing medicine at NUS or NTU.

By following these steps and avoiding clichés, you can create a personal statement that reflects your unique journey and captivates the admissions committee. Best of luck on your journey to securing a spot at NUS or NTU med school!

Still at a loss for where to start? We get it; it’s a scary experience looking at a blank page. Download our e-guide for more tips and advice on applying to NUS and NTU Medicine.

Or simply drop us a message to get in touch with us. We work with hundreds of anxious applicants each year, and we know what it feels like to be at a loss. Our focus is always to support students through this time and ensure they have the best guidance and resources possible.

Founded in 1999 to provide comprehensive standardised test preparation and admissions coaching for students embarking on their university education.

Subscribe to our newsletter

stay ahead of the game with the latest trends, tips, and news on university admissions and scholarships.

Latest Articles

Oxford vs. Cambridge Law

Comparing Oxford vs. Cambridge Law for Prospective Law Students

August 13, 2024

The Pressure to Perform: A Deep Dive into Singapore's Educat...

Singapore's education system: high achiever, high pressure

July 30, 2024

How to Write the "Why This College?" Essay

This conversation delves into the world of medicine, with doctors sharing their personal experiences, the challenges they face, and any reg...

July 02, 2024

• Pre-Clinical Years
• Clinical Years
• Med School Resources
• Must-Read Guides
• Personal Statement
• Interviews & MMI
• Books & Inspiration
• Applying for University
• Med Application Notes
• A-Level Notes
• O-Level Notes
• FAQs on Receiving Notes
• Book Reviews

How to Write Your Medicine Personal Statement (Singapore): The Complete Guide

Both NUS and NTU medical schools require a personal statement as part of the application. Instructions are brief, and no suggested framework is given. This article reviews the requirements of the personal statement when applying to Medicine in Singapore, and guides you through the entire process of writing your own—from planning to proofreading.

Personal Statement Prompts from NUS and NTU Medicine

Nus medicine personal statement instructions.

This is an introduction of yourself to the Admissions committee and the interviewer, who would like to learn about the experiences that have shaped your desire to study medicine . (Word limit: 500 words) (Source: NUS Medicine admissions page )

NTU Medicine Personal Statement Instructions

The personal statement is an essay of not more than 300 words, introducing the applicant including, but not limited to, the reasons for wishing to study medicine and of any experience that may have driven the desire to become a doctor . Leadership experience and teamwork ability should be highlighted. The personal statement must be furnished in the application form, and it may be followed up at the interview stage. (Source: NTU Medicine admissions page )

Key Aspects of Your Personal Statement

Notice that I’ve bolded the keywords in the above two excerpts:

From the above information, we can gather three key aspects to cover in your essay:

In this case, “desirable qualities” refer to personal attributes or skills that make you a good potential candidate for medical school. Importantly, they must be conveyed through concrete examples.

Indeed, overall, your personal statement should be “examples-driven”. It’s like saying “I’m compassionate”, versus telling a compelling story of a personal interaction with an autistic student. Which one is more convincing?

The admissions officers do not know you personally, and they will need proof of your leadership, teamwork, commitment, and so on.

Which Personal Statement to Write First?

(This question is only relevant if you’re applying to both NUS and NTU Medicine. Otherwise, feel free to skip to the next section.)

Note the difference in the word limit set by the two schools: 500 words for NUS versus 300 words for NTU. This means that you will have to submit a different personal statement for NUS and NTU.

There are two ways to go about doing this, and you may choose whichever one suits you:

• Write the 500-word NUS personal statement first, then shorten and edit it to 300 words for the NTU personal statement.
• Write a separate personal statement for NUS and NTU.

The “advantage” of the second option is that you can tailor each of your personal statements more to the school’s philosophy and what (you think) they are looking out for. However, the first option is an efficient and solid method.

Even if you’d like to “customise” your NTU personal statement more, you can always write that with your original 500-word essay as the foundation.

Step 1: List Out Your Activities and Achievements

Start by listing out all your activities and achievements in the past two years . This is essentially your portfolio. If you’ve already done one (most schools would ask for it close to graduation), just take that as reference.

It may be helpful to list the activities under the following categories:

• Academic awards e.g. scholarship
• Academic contribution e.g. academic competitions, research projects, H3 subjects
• CCA and leadership positions e.g. CCA exco, student council
• Community involvement e.g. volunteering, service learning project, OCIP
• Work experience e.g. attachment or job shadowing, internship
• Other relevant experiences e.g. long-term illness in the family, others

Next, select the most significant ones to include in your personal statement. To determine which activities to prioritise, look for those that:

• have impacted you the most (e.g. a self-initiated project you devoted yourself to > a project in which you were not in the core organising committee and did not contribute as much to)
• shows long-term commitment (e.g. weekly volunteering at a nursing home over two years > an ad hoc stint as a volunteer at an event that you did not organise)
• demonstrates a desirable quality for medical school (e.g. any leadership experience or effective teamwork, any form of volunteering or service learning, etc)
• shows your interest in medicine (e.g. work experience, volunteering, healthcare-related events or competitions, etc)

Choose at most three activities as the “keystone activities”. These are the ones you will write about in more detail.

Other activities of some significance can be “lumped” together. The five categories above can serve as a guide. For instance, all your academic awards and/or contributions could be “bundled” together in the same paragraph, without going into the details of each individually (highly unnecessary).

Note: If you have a limited number of items in your portfolio, and would like to include all of them, you may skip the selection/elimination step. However, if you do have many scattered activities, some of which may not be significant (e.g. volunteer at an ad hoc event, certificate of participation at some competition or seminar), eliminate ruthlessly. Do not attempt to cram your JC life into 500 words. Your essay will lose direction and focus.

Step 2: Create an Outline of Your Personal Statement

With the activities and accomplishments you have chosen, think about what each intends to show. Remember, your personal statement should be examples-driven. Each example and every line in your personal statement should contribute to demonstrating either one of these two points:

• an amazing quality you have that makes you a good candidate for medicine
• your undying motivation for pursuing medicine

You don’t have to complete the table, but at least think through this:

In the first column, “ Activity or achievement ”, jot down the name of the activity . If it is a “keystone activity” (i.e. one that you will write about in more detail), also note down poignant moment(s) and/or details that you wish to highlight .

Under the second column, “ Significance ”, answer the question: What does this activity or achievement show about a skill or quality of mine (desirable qualities for medicine) OR about my interest in the course (motivation for medicine)?

A very quick example could look something like this:

Here is a list of some key qualities that medical schools are looking out for:

Note: You can also reverse engineer the process, and fill in the second column first (taking ideas from the list of qualities above). For example, write down “leadership”. Then fill in the corresponding row in the first column with experience(s) that demonstrate your leadership capability.

Next, you can think about the flow of your essay and how you want to order the components. There is no fixed way to do this. Just make sure that it is logical and coherent.

A good idea is to have one focus paragraph dedicated to your motivation for pursuing medicine, and to place this as either the first or the last paragraph. In between, you can then bring in your various experiences and qualities.

I have seen an example in which the student opened with his many years of service in the St. John’s Ambulance Brigade (SJAB). His experiences in SJAB formed a huge part of why he decided to do medicine. (It was also one of his “keystone activities”, and thus written about in greater detail.)

For me, I chose to close with my motivation to study medicine, as a culmination of all the preceding paragraphs. There is no “right” way, and both work equally well.

Step 3: Write the First Draft of Your Personal Statement

Create a new document and start writing your essay. The first draft will always be trash, but once you have that absolutely trashy first draft out, you’ve won more than half the battle.

This is a key step. No matter how terrible the words sound, resist the urge to reread and edit every line as you are writing. Just keep on writing the next sentence, the next paragraph. Leave all the refining till later.

Step 4: Get Feedback on Your Personal Statement

Ask someone to read through your essay and give comments. This could be your parents or other family members, your teachers (they may not agree to do this for individual students), your school’s ECG (if they have such a service), your seniors, etc.

Ask specifically for areas in which you can improve. Not everyone you ask may be a “figure of authority” on the subject of personal statements, so you can choose which comments to act upon and which to ignore.

You can also act as your own critic. You might know best which parts of your essay you’d like to improve on, or where the wording doesn’t seem quite right. A personal statement should be “personal” (based on your personal experiences and insights), and therefore if you’re confident of your own writing and your own ideas, you shouldn’t feel obliged to have someone look through it for you.

Step 5: Refine Your Personal Statement

Lastly, keep on refining. As you near the end of your editing and proofreading process, the tweaks should become more and more minor. Importantly, know when to stop and just let that be the final version.

Some quick, self-explanatory pointers:

• Proofread – check for errors in spelling and grammar
• Refine sentence structure – vary sentence length and avoid starting sentences with the same word
• Cut words – look for concise expressions to fit your ideas into the word limit, and delete entire sentences or ideas if you must
• Check for key aspects – ensure that you have devoted sufficient breadth and depth to each of the three key aspects required in your personal statement
• Check for focus – every example and every line should convey either a desired quality for the course or your motivation for the course (Medicine)

Free Personal Statement Planner (PDF)

This is a very simple two-page planner to guide you in the ideating and planning process for your own personal statement (Steps 1 and 2 described in this article).

It is deliberately designed to make the planning as quick and painless as possible. All blanks are for you to jot down brief notes in point form (and not to write any full-sentence answers). An example of one section is shown in Step 2 above.

You don’t even have to write in it if you’re lazy (like me), but it could give you a good framework for thinking through and structuring your personal statement.

Download  « SG Medicine Personal Statement Planner »

Check out other articles on medical school applications , or specifically for applying to Medicine in Singapore . If there’s anything you’d like to see, or if you have any questions at all, please leave a comment below, or drop me a message anytime. I read and respond to every message and email.

• Applying to Uni
• Apprenticeships
• Health & Relationships
• Money & Finance

Personal Statements

• Postgraduate
• U.S Universities

University Interviews

• Vocational Qualifications
• Accommodation
• ​​​​​​​Budgeting, Money & Finance
• ​​​​​​​Health & Relationships
• ​​​​​​​Jobs & Careers
• ​​​​​​​Socialising

Studying Abroad

• ​​​​​​​Studying & Revision
• ​​​​​​​Technology
• ​​​​​​​University & College Admissions

Guide to GCSE Results Day

Finding a job after school or college

Retaking GCSEs

In this section

Choosing GCSE Subjects

Post-GCSE Options

GCSE Work Experience

GCSE Revision Tips

Why take an Apprenticeship?

Applying for an Apprenticeship

Apprenticeships Interviews

Apprenticeship Wage

Engineering Apprenticeships

What is an Apprenticeship?

Choosing an Apprenticeship

Real Life Apprentices

Degree Apprenticeships

Higher Apprenticeships

A Level Results Day 2024

AS Levels 2024

Clearing Guide 2024

Applying to University

SQA Results Day Guide 2024

BTEC Results Day Guide

Vocational Qualifications Guide

Sixth Form or College

International Baccalaureate

Post 18 options

Finding a Job

Should I take a Gap Year?

Travel Planning

Volunteering

Gap Year Blogs

Applying to Oxbridge

Applying to US Universities

Choosing a Degree

Choosing a University or College

Personal Statement Editing and Review Service

Clearing Guide

Guide to Freshers' Week

Student Guides

Student Cooking

Student Blogs

• Top Rated Personal Statements

Personal Statement Examples

Writing Your Personal Statement

• Postgraduate Personal Statements
• International Student Personal Statements
• Gap Year Personal Statements

Personal Statement Length Checker

Personal Statement Examples By University

• Personal Statement Changes 2025

Personal Statement Template

Job Interviews

Types of Postgraduate Course

Writing a Postgraduate Personal Statement

Postgraduate Funding

Postgraduate Study

Internships

Choosing A College

Ivy League Universities

Common App Essay Examples

Universal College Application Guide

How To Write A College Admissions Essay

College Rankings

Admissions Tests

Fees & Funding

Scholarships

Budgeting For College

Online Degree

Platinum Express Editing and Review Service

Gold Editing and Review Service

Silver Express Editing and Review Service

UCAS Personal Statement Editing and Review Service

Oxbridge Personal Statement Editing and Review Service

Postgraduate Personal Statement Editing and Review Service

You are here

• Mature Student Personal Statements
• Aberystwyth
• Anglia Polytechnic University
• Bath Spa University College
• Bournemouth University
• British College of Osteopathic Medicine
• British School of Osteopathy
• Canterbury Christ Church University College
• Central School of Speech and Drama
• Chester A College of The University of Liverpool
• City College Manchester
• Coventry University
• De Montfort University
• Edge Hill College of Higher Education
• Falmouth University
• Farnborough College of Technology
• Glamorgan Centre for Art and Design Technology
• Glasgow Caledonian University
• Goldsmiths College
• Heriot-watt
• Heythrop College
• King's College
• Kingston University
• Leeds Metropolitan University
• Liverpool Hope
• Liverpool John Moores University
• London Metropolitan University
• London South Bank University
• Loughborough
• Loughborough College
• Middlesex University
• Napier University, Edinburgh
• Newcastle College
• Northumbria University
• Nottingham Trent
• Oxford Brookes
• Queen Margaret University College, Edinburgh
• Queen's, Belfast
• Regents Business School London
• Roehampton University of Surrey
• Royal Holloway
• Royal Veterinary College
• Sheffield Hallam University
• Southampton
• Southampton Institute
• St George's Hospital Medical School
• St Mary's University College
• Staffordshire University
• Strathclyde
• Swansea Institute of Higher Education
• Thames Valley University
• The Arts Institute At Bournemouth
• The Glasgow School of Art
• The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts
• The London Institute
• The Manchester Metropolitan University
• The North East Wales Institute of Higher Education
• The Robert Gordon University
• The Surrey Institute of Art and Design
• The University of Bradford
• The University of Buckingham
• The University of Gloucestershire
• The University of Huddersfield
• The University of Salford
• University College Northampton
• University College Worcester
• University of Abertay Dundee
• University of Brighton
• University of Central Lancashire
• University of Derby
• University of East London
• University of Glamorgan
• University of Greenwich
• University of Hertfordshire
• University of Lincoln
• University of Plymouth
• University of Portsmouth
• University of Sunderland
• University of Teesside
• University of The West of England, Bristol
• University of Ulster
• University of Wales College, Newport
• University of Wales Institute, Cardiff
• University of Wales, Bangor
• University of Westminster
• University of Wolverhampton
• Writtle College
• York St John College
• Personal Statements By Subject
• Personal Statement Editing Service
• Personal Statement Writing Guide
• Submit Your Personal Statement
• Personal Statement Questions 2025

Nottingham Trent University Personal Statements

These UCAS personal statements have been kindly provided by students applying to Nottingham Trent University. You can click on one of the links below to view the entire statement and find out if the applicant was offered a place.

You can also view our entire collection of personal statements or view personal statements for application at other universities .

Biomedical Science/Neuroscience Personal Statement Example The limitless potential of the life sciences and the opportunity for world-changing breakthroughs are both exciting and compelling to me. Upon hearing about a disease for the first time, I am eager to find out more about the precise ways in which it affects the body, which has led me to spend much time researching the details of various diseases...

French and Italian Personal Statement Example 1 I see speaking a foreign language as a key to a door opening up a new world of possibilities and opportunities. As a child my mother insisted I learned another language, she told me to grab any possible open window for a life beyond my own imagination...

Early Childhood Studies Personal Statement Example 5 Ever since I could remember I have always wanted to play a big part in children’s education. As I was growing up I could see children of my age in Africa struggling to go to school because of their circumstances...

English Literature with Italian Personal Statement Example As a child, I was always intrigued by the idea that other worlds could be held between the covers of a book, providing insight into cultures, times and societies that would otherwise be foreign to us. Continued study of English Literature through to 'A' level has broadened my understanding and enjoyment of literature, greatly improving my ability to read analytically and critically...

Economics and Finance Personal Statement Example 15 Through life's experiences, I have come to realise that the economy affects almost everything in the world. Newspapers dedicate more headlines to financial issues in comparison to other topics. This has led to the realisation that without a good stable economy the world could fall to its knees, for example, the Wall Street collapse of 1929 and the more current financial crisis which started in 2007...

Physics Personal Statement Example 13 Attending university has been a lifelong dream of mine; ever since my childhood, I have been told that I should, and I have always agreed with the sentiment. If I were asked to pin down an exact reason, however, I would be forced to confess that I do not know - I just enjoy learning new things and exercising my mind...

Financial Mathematics Personal Statement Example 2 Studying mathematics is a pure pleasure for me and I take pride in my achievements in the subject. What makes maths so interesting is its foundations in the real world; for instance, the Fibonacci numbers that arise all through nature, the notes played by a guitar string producing standing waves at different frequencies of sound and algebra which is used to create special effects in animated films and TV shows...

Physics Personal Statement Example 14 Physics is fascinating. It’s exciting, it’s thrilling, it’s relevant, it’s really interesting, and that’s just the start. I’ve always asked lots of questions and tried to figure out how and why everything works as it does...

Law Personal Statement Example 83 Currently I study English language, history and law. Out of the three I find law the most fascinating because it is the foundation of anything that occurs in society. Learning about how decisions are made in law, the constant arguments to reach a fair judgement and the on-going evolution of the law to adapt to society makes me enthusiastic to learn more...

Spanish and Chinese Personal Statement Example My passion for Modern Foreign Languages is what drives me to pursue a degree in Chinese and Spanish; my fascination and curiosity to explore the cultures of not only China and East Asia, but also of the Hispanic world, motivate me to learn and discover the languages of these regions...

Fashion Communication Personal Statement Example Fashion is an eternally evolving outlet for expression. I have a profound interest in how clothing can portray a message about one's self. I am particularly fascinated by the progression in the accessibility of garments since the fashion boom of the 1960s; I'm greatly inspired by the various British subcultural styles that have since been reshaped over the generations...

Chemistry Personal Statement Example 18 Chemistry explores the properties of all matter and energy in our universe, which eventually leads to breakthroughs that benefit mankind, ranging from how to prevent food from decomposing to understanding what chemicals can help or harm you...

Politics Personal Statement Example 31 I have always been interested in Politics from a young age and was enticed by media coverage of such events like 9/11, the rise of Al-Qaeda, the Iraq war and the recession and its impact on us as a nation; however, when I started AS Government & Politics I knew Politics was the course for me...

• University specific personal statements
• All personal statements

• Schools and Communities
• Schools and Departments
• Our degrees
• Student stories

Writing your personal statement

• Foundation Year
• Masters degrees
• PhD research
• Student experience
• Music at Nottingham
• Global skills
• Working for the Faculty
• Equality, diversity and inclusion
• News, events and social media
• Email this Page

You've got just 4000 characters to say why you want to study your subject. It's not much! And it may seem even harder if you want to study more than one subject on a joint honours course.

Dr Chris Collins shares his advice on what to include in a personal statement. From how to show your passion, demonstrate your experience and connect different subjects together Chris's short video will help get you started.

Faculty of Arts

University of Nottingham University Park Nottingham, NG7 2RD

For course and admissions enquiries see our enquiry page For Faculty contacts see our contacts page

Legal information

• Terms and conditions
• Posting rules
• Accessibility
• Freedom of information
• Charity gateway
• Cookie policy

Connect with the University of Nottingham through social media and our blogs .

• How To Write Your Postgraduate Personal Statement

Choosing a university

• Fairs and open days
• Entry requirements
• What are the differences between an undergraduate and postgraduate personal statement?

What's on this page?

What is a personal statement, preparing to write your personal statement, opening your personal statement, work experience and future plans, ending your personal statement.

Your postgraduate personal statement is your chance to get noticed for your expertise and experience you’ve gathered. It’s an important part of the application process as it allows you to talk about yourself and your passions and prove the value you can bring to your chosen university.

In this article, we’re going to talk you through how to write a postgraduate personal statement that stands out and gives you the best chance of being offered a place on the master’s programme you’re applying for. 

Shona Barrie – Director of Admissions, University of Stirling

You’ll have already written a personal statement for your undergraduate study, so you’ll know the importance of preparation. There are two things to think about when you’re planning:

• The practical and factual information you need to get across.
• Then, the more emotional, human parts of you that make you different to everyone else. 

Before you start writing, take some time to think about the key things you’d want your chosen university to know about you, and get them down on paper.

Questions to focus your mind

• Why have you chosen this master’s programme?
• Why are you passionate about this subject matter? 
• How has your undergraduate study influenced your decision to apply?
• Have you got any work experience that might help you?
• What life experiences have you had that you could talk about?
• What achievements can you talk about to support your application?
• Why do you want to study at this particular university?
• What plans and ambitions do you have for your future career?

Three top tips

Be specific.

Remember that a postgraduate personal statement needs you to talk specifically about the university you’ve chosen.

Demonstrate experience

Universities will be looking for postgraduate students who are able to demonstrate expertise in a particular subject – so include that.

Show what you've learnt

Tell the university about your university life as an undergraduate and include any clubs or societies you were involved in.

Admissions tutors will be reading a lot of personal statements so it’s important to grab their attention right from the start. 

You can find a full guide on How to start a personal statement: The attention grabber but here are the main things for you to think about. 

• Don’t overthink the opening . Just start by showing your enthusiasm for the subject, showcasing your knowledge and understanding, and sharing your ambitions of what you want to achieve.
• Avoid cliches . Remember, this opening part is simply about introducing yourself, so let the admissions tutor reading your personal statement get to know you. 
• Keep it relevant and simple . You’re limited on how much you can include so avoid long-winded explanations. Why use 50 words when ten can make your point?

Talking about the course

Now you’re ready to start talking about the course and subject you’re applying for.

There are four main areas you’ll need to cover in this section of your personal statement. 

• Why are you applying for this master’s?  Think about your undergraduate study and how this master’s will develop your expertise further. Do you have career aspirations this course will help you achieve?
• Why does the subject interest you? This is your chance to show your passion and really demonstrate who you are. If you have work or volunteering experiences related to the subject, include them here.
• Why do you think you’ll be an asset to the university?  Your personal and practical skills combined together create a unique picture of who you are and why you’ll be a successful postgraduate student, so include both. 
• How does your previous undergraduate study relate to the course? Showcase your enthusiasm for your current study and take the opportunity to demonstrate your skills and knowledge now, and how you want to build on that. 

Next, you’ll need to write about your personal skills and achievements.

Universities like to know the abilities you have that’ll help you on the course, or generally with life at university. Don’t forget to include evidence to back up why you’re so passionate about the programme you’ve chosen.

Your personal skills and achievements

Be bold and talk about the achievements you’re proud of., include positions of responsibility you hold, or have held, both in and out of school., what are the things that make you interesting, special, or unique .

Your work experience and future plans are important to include in your personal statement. You should share details of jobs, placements, work experience, or voluntary work, particularly if it's relevant to your course. 

• Try to link any experience to skills or qualities that’ll make you successful on your course.
• If you know what you’d like to do after as a career, explain how you plan to use the knowledge and experience you’ll gain.

It’s always good to connect the beginning of your statement to the end and a great way to reinforce what you said at the start. You want to see the ending as your chance to end in a way that’ll make the university remember you. 

This final part of your personal statement should emphasise the great points you’ve already made and answer the question of why you should be offered a place on the course. 

Read our full guide on How to finish your statement the right way .

Aakriti Labra – MSc Occupational and Organisational Psychology, University of Surrey

Now you’ve written your postgraduate personal statement, you’ll need to do a couple of final things before you submit it. 

• Have you proofread your personal statement? Don’t just rely on spellcheckers. We’d recommend reading it out loud as that’s a great way to spot any errors as well as checking it sounds like you. 
• Have you asked for feedback? Ask friends, family or your undergraduate university tutors to have a read through your personal statement and take their feedback on board.
• Check out our personal statement dos and don'ts Have a look at the common pitfalls against your final draft to make sure you haven't made any obvious errors!

Postgraduate

More advice.

Use the UCAS’ personal statement tool alongside this guide to help you structure your ideas.

Do you want to understand the differences between an undergraduate and postgraduate personal statement? Take a look at our guide here.

Why study a postgraduate course? Find out here.  

What funding is there for postgraduate courses?  

Sponsored articles UCAS Media Service

How to find a job, student finance for postgraduate loans, five reasons to sign up to the ucas newsletter.

What are your chances of acceptance?

Calculate for all schools, your chance of acceptance.

Your chancing factors

Extracurriculars.

How to Write a Personal Statement That Wows Colleges

← What Is an Application Theme and Why Is It Important?

10 Personal Statement Examples That Work →

  Most of the college applications process is fairly cut and dry. You’ll submit information about your classes and grades, standardized test scores, and various other accomplishments and honors. On much of the application, your accomplishments must speak for themselves. 

The personal statement is different though, and it’s your chance to let your voice be heard. To learn more about the personal statement, how to choose a topic, and how to write one that wows colleges, don’t miss this post.

What is the Personal Statement?

Personal statements are used in both undergraduate and graduate admissions. For undergrad admissions, personal statements are any essays students must write to submit their main application. For example, the Common App Essay and Coalition Application Essay are examples of personal statements. Similarly, the ApplyTexas Essays and University of California Essays are also good examples .

Personal statements in college admissions are generally not school-specific (those are called “supplemental essays”). Instead, they’re sent to a wide range of schools, usually every school you apply to. 

What is the Purpose of the Personal Statement?

The personal statement is generally your opportunity to speak to your unique experiences, qualities, or beliefs that aren’t elsewhere represented on the application. It is a chance to break away from the data that defines you on paper, and provide a glimpse into who you really are. In short, it’s the admissions committee’s chance to get to know the real you.

So, what are colleges looking for in your personal statement? They are looking for something that sets you apart. They are asking themselves: do you write about something truly unique? Do you write about something common, in a new and interesting way? Do you write about an aspect of your application that needed further explanation? All of these are great ways to impress with your personal statement.

Beyond getting to know you, admissions committees are also evaluating your writing skills. Are you able to write clearly and succinctly? Can you tell an engaging story? Writing effectively is an important skill in both college and life, so be sure to also fine-tune your actual writing (grammar and syntax), not just the content of your essay.

Is your personal statement strong enough? Get a free review of your personal statement with CollegeVine’s Peer Essay Review.

How To a Choose A Topic For Your Personal Statement

Most of the time, you’re given a handful of prompts to choose from. Common personal statement prompts include:

• Central aspect of your identity (activity, interest, talent, background)
• Overcoming a failure
• Time you rose to a challenge or showed leadership
• Experience that changed your beliefs
• Problem you’d like to solve
• Subject or idea that captivates you

One of the questions that we hear most often about the personal statement is, “How do I choose what to write about?” For some students, the personal statement prompt triggers an immediate and strong idea. For many more, there is at least initially some uncertainty.

We often encourage students to think less about the exact prompt and more about what aspects of themselves they think are most worthy of highlighting. This is especially helpful if you’re offered a “topic of your choice” prompt, as the best essay topic for you might actually be one you make up!

For students with an interesting story or a defining background, these can serve as the perfect catalyst to shape your approach. For students with a unique voice or different perspective, simple topics written in a new way can be engaging and insightful.

Finally, you need to consider the rest of your application when you choose a topic for your personal statement. If you are returning from a gap year, failed a single class during sophomore year, or participated extensively in something you’re passionate about that isn’t elsewhere on your application, you might attempt to address one of these topics in your statement. After all, the admissions committee wants to get to know you and understand who you really are, and these are all things that will give them a deeper understanding of that.

Still, tons of students have a decent amount of writer’s block when it comes to choosing a topic. This is understandable since the personal statement tends to be considered rather high stakes. To help you get the ball rolling, we recommend the post What If I Don’t Have Anything Interesting To Write About In My College Essay?

Tips for Writing a Personal Statement for College

1. approach this as a creative writing assignment..

Personal statements are difficult for many students because they’ve never had to do this type of writing. High schoolers are used to writing academic reports or analytical papers, but not creative storytelling pieces.

The point of creative writing is to have fun with it, and to share a meaningful story. Choose a topic that inspires you so that you’ll enjoy writing your essay. It doesn’t have to be intellectual or impressive at all. You have your transcript and test scores to prove your academic skills, so the point of the personal statement is to give you free rein to showcase your personality. This will result in a more engaging essay and reading experience for admissions officers. 

As you’re writing, there’s no need to follow the traditional five-paragraph format with an explicit thesis. Your story should have an overarching message, but it doesn’t need to be explicitly stated—it should shine through organically. 

Your writing should also feel natural. While it will be more refined than a conversation with your best friend, it shouldn’t feel stuffy or contrived when it comes off your tongue. This balance can be difficult to strike, but a tone that would feel natural when talking with an admired teacher or a longtime mentor is usually a good fit.

2. Show, don’t tell.

One of the biggest mistakes students make is to simply state everything that happened, instead of actually bringing the reader to the moment it happened, and telling a story. It’s boring to read: “I was overjoyed and felt empowered when I finished my first half marathon.” It’s much more interesting when the writing actually shows you what happened and what the writer felt in that moment: “As I rounded the final bend before the finish line, my heart fluttered in excitement. The adrenaline drowned out my burning legs and gasping lungs. I was going to finish my first half marathon! This was almost incomprehensible to me, as someone who could barely run a mile just a year ago.”

If you find yourself starting to write your essay like a report, and are having trouble going beyond “telling,” envision yourself in the moment you want to write about. What did you feel, emotionally and physically? Why was this moment meaningful? What did you see or hear? What were your thoughts?

For inspiration, read some memoirs or personal essays, like The New York Times Modern Love Column . You could also listen to podcasts of personal stories, like The Moth . What do these writers and storytellers do that make their stories engaging? If you didn’t enjoy a particular story, what was it that you didn’t like? Analyzing real stories can help you identify techniques that you personally resonate with.

3. Use dialogue.

A great way to keep your writing engaging is to include some dialogue. Instead of writing: “My brothers taunted me,” consider sharing what they actually said. It’s more powerful to read something like:

“Where’s the fire, Princess Clara?” they taunted. “Having some trouble?” They prodded me with the ends of the chewed branches and, with a few effortless scrapes of wood on rock, sparked a red and roaring flame. My face burned long after I left the fire pit. The camp stank of salmon and shame. 

Having dialogue can break up longer paragraphs of text, and bring some action and immediacy to your story. That being said, don’t overdo it. It’s important to strike a balance between relying too much on dialogue, and using it occasionally as an effective writing tool. You don’t want your essay to read like a script for a movie (unless, of course, that’s intentional and you want to showcase your screenwriting skills!).

Want free essay feedback? Submit your essay to CollegeVine’s Peer Essay Review and get fast, actionable edits on your essay. 

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Personal Statements

1. giving a recap or report of all the events..

Your essay isn’t a play-by-play of everything that happened in that time frame. Only include relevant details that enrich the story, instead of making your personal statement a report of the events. Remember that the goal is to share your voice, what’s important to you, and who you are. 

2. Writing about too many events or experiences. 

Similarly, another common mistake is to make your personal statement a resume or recap of all your high school accomplishments. The Activities Section of the Common App is the place for listing out your achievements, not your personal statement. Focus on one specific experience or a few related experiences, and go into detail on those. 

3. Using cliche language.

Try to avoid overdone quotes from famous people like Gandhi or Thoreau. Better yet, try to avoid quotes from other people in general, unless it’s a message from someone you personally know. Adding these famous quotes won’t make your essay unique, and it takes up valuable space for you to share your voice.

You should also steer away from broad language or lavish claims like “It was the best day of my life.” Since they’re so cliche, these statements also obscure your message, and it’s hard to understand what you actually mean. If it was actually the best day of your life, show us why, rather than just telling us.

If you want to learn more about personal statements, see our post of 11 Common App Essay Examples .

Want help with your college essays to improve your admissions chances? Sign up for your free CollegeVine account and get access to our essay guides and courses. You can also get your essay peer-reviewed and improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays.

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

Blog » Undergrad » Singapore » Application Process » How to Write the Perfect Personal Statement when Applying to Universities in Singapore for an Undergraduate Degree?

How to Write the Perfect Personal Statement when Applying to Universities in Singapore for an Undergraduate Degree?

A personal statement is an essay that you write to show the University’s admissions committee who you are and why you deserve to be admitted to their university. It provides a platform for you to highlight your skills and achievements . It is critical for you to tailor your personal statement to the university you are applying to. 

Each application in Singapore is different. While one university may ask you to write a Statement of Purpose, another may ask you to write short essays as part of your application. For example:

• NUS requires one personal statement of 300 words
• Example of a short answer question could be: “What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?”
• Example of a short essay question could be: “ Have you ever struggled for something and failed? How did you respond?”

Although the various requirements may seem daunting, the standard rules of writing and the tips provided by us can be used universally across pieces of writing. So make sure to follow them!

While writing your personal statement, admission officers look for the following:

• An insight into your background and how it has shaped your personality.
• Your formative experiences.
• Important events/ significant achievements that have led to changes in your life.
• Your interest in your course choice.
• Your interest in studying in Singapore, and in particular the university.
• Your expectations from tertiary education.
• Your future goals and dreams.

 Make sure to cover these points when writing your personal statement.

Tips to write a good Personal Statement

To help you write a good personal statement or essay, we have come up with a few tips for you.

• Firstly, plan your essay well in advance . Create a rough skeleton for the essay and jot down important details that you can include in your essay. This includes your background, significant experiences and achievements, why you wish to pursue this course and why you want to study at this university. 
• Next, your essay must truly show who you are . The essay has to be highly tailored to fit in how your unique experiences have shaped you and your interests. You should be able to specifically address why your interests lie where they are. This can be done through an anecdote. It could also be your motivations and feelings about a certain topic.
• Thirdly, being honest goes a long way. Mention your achievements and strengths in your own voice and it is okay to not be overly positive. You can mention your setbacks and analyze how those situations have helped you grow as a person. 
• Next, always make sure that you don’t overcomplicate your sentences . Your personal statement must be clear, coherent and succinct. 
• Lastly, proofread your essay as many times as possible. Look for grammatical errors, sentence semantics and wordplay. And keep in mind the word count, so as to not exceed it. 

The personal statement speaks volumes about you as a person as it is the most qualitative piece in your application and gives a human touch to all the numbers and scores. Make the most of your personal statement to showcase your voice in your application.

At UniRely, you can get access to 100+ sample personal statements of students who have been accepted to top universities abroad. Please visit our website unirely.com to learn more about the process of applying to universities in Singapore for an undergraduate degree.

previous post

where am I able to access the 100+ personal statements on this site?

Sign up on the AI platform and get access to personal statements. For more details, please leave us a message and we’ll get back to you.

Anisha Goyal

Great tips to work on personal essays..

Henry Smith

well crafted information.

post a comment cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Filter by Keywords

How to Write a Goal Statement (with Examples)

Sudarshan Somanathan

Head of Content

September 1, 2024

Start using ClickUp today

• Manage all your work in one place
• Collaborate with your team
• Use ClickUp for FREE—forever

If you want to be happy, set a goal that commands your thoughts, liberates your energy, and inspires your hopes.

Knock, knock! Quickly checking in—what was the name of the business book you planned to start this weekend? Or the graduate school application you promised to write this month? Or that personal essay you wanted to publish on Medium?

If you’re struggling to recall, you’re not alone because constant distractions in our personal and professional life, like doomscrolling on social media platforms, can easily derail us from our goals and priorities.

Recent research found that employees who set goals are 14 times more likely to feel inspired at work. That’s not all. Writing goal statements also leads to a 90% boost in performance and persistence​.

This highlights the power of goal-setting, goal-tracking, and self-accountability in reaching your objectives. It also reinforces the age-old wisdom: reading, writing, and consistent reflection on our goals are key to building habits and staying on track. 

So, let’s dive directly into how you can construct effective goal statements and make those goals a reality. 🎯

The relevance of goal statements in personal and professional life

The importance of a career goal statement, the role of goal setting in crafting an effective goal statement, using the smart method to create goal statements, tips for writing a goal statement, implementation, effective business goal statements, effective personal goal statements, periodically tracking and updating your goal statement, learning from successful real-world examples, being flexible and adaptable with your goal statement.

What Is a Goal Statement?

A goal statement is a concise outline of your goal or goals for the future, including your vision, mission, and values.

You can use a goal or mission statement for various purposes—like career objectives, personal development, and even long-term life planning. 

A professional goal statement not only outlines your career direction but also acts as a personal development blueprint. It breaks down the steps needed to achieve your strategic objectives, ensuring steady progress toward your aspirations. 

More importantly, it gives clarity and purpose to your actions, keeping you aligned with your future ambitions and enabling personal growth along the way. A strong goal statement points you in the right direction, but more than that, it gives you a clear path forward, whether you’re aiming for a promotion, switching careers, or picking up new skills. 

It acts as a roadmap, breaking down the steps you need to take while keeping you accountable along the way. A personal statement can consistently remind you of what you’re working toward and fuel your motivation to stay committed until you achieve your desired result.

The influential self-development expert, Brian Tracy, said in an interview :

I always say there are two things to be successful. The first is to decide exactly what you want–set your goals–and then determine how you will achieve them (what skills you will have to learn, what actions will you have to take). And these are totally under your control. These are not dependent upon anyone else.

Thus, goal statements prove to be invaluable in personal and professional life.

In your career, they help you with:

• Clarity and focus: Goal statements help you prioritize key milestones for career growth and avoid irrelevant pursuits
• Measurement and accountability: Goal statements enable you to track progress and maintain accountability
• Company and team alignment: Goal statements ensure your personal goals align with your team’s and company’s vision

When it comes to your personal life, goal statements can help with:

• Motivation: Goals can keep you motivated, especially when things get tough. They give you concrete timelines that make you feel more accountable and often more in control
• Decision-making: Goals guide your decisions, making it easier to choose actions that lead to desired outcomes
• Personal growth: Setting goals encourages you to keep improving and developing yourself. Most personal goal statements involve physical and mental betterment

Setting up an actionable objective is the first step in achieving success. 

According to research, employees in goal-oriented organizations are about 7 times more likely to feel proud of their workplace and just as likely to recommend it as a great place to work. 

Writing down your goals turns them into something tangible, making them easier to focus on and achieve. Here are some solid reasons as to why a goal statement is essential when it comes to your career:

• Responsibility: Writing down your goal makes you accountable and gives you an extra push to stay true to it
• Clarity and direction: A clear goal statement defines your path and the next actionable steps
• Timeline and progress: Professional goals with timelines help you plan your actions and track progress
• Motivation: Outlining your goals keeps you motivated by acting as a long-term to-do list

How to Write a Goal Statement 

Simply thinking about your goals isn’t enough to achieve them. To increase your chances of success, it’s important to write down your goal statements and, if you can, share your progress with people you trust.

Before you begin writing your first goal statement, understand that the key is to outline exactly what you want to accomplish, how you plan to do it, and what the timeline for it is.

Begin by clearly defining your goal, including what you want to achieve, the timeframe for completion, and the steps needed to reach it. 

Make sure your goal answers these essential questions:

What do you want to accomplish?

When do you want to accomplish it?

How will you make it happen?

A well-defined goal should provide clear direction, a realistic timeline, and a practical action plan.

Here’s how you can prioritize your goals and determine where to focus your energy when you’re setting a career objective. Start by asking yourself these key questions:

• Values: What values do you want to uphold in your career? (Ensure your goals align with your core principles and ethics)
• Your definition of success: How do you define success in the workplace? (Tailor your goals to match your personal vision of achievement)
• Your financial goals: What are your financial aspirations? (Set goals that support your desired financial future)
• Ideal work environment: What does an ideal work environment look like to you? (Create goals that foster a setting where you can thrive)
• Educational advancement: What additional degrees or certifications could help you excel in your field? (Identify educational goals to enhance your expertise)
• Work-life balance: How do you envision a healthy work-life balance? (Ensure your goals support a fulfilling life both inside and outside of work)
• Leadership ambitions: Are you interested in pursuing leadership positions? (Guide your career goals toward roles that match your aspirations)
• Strengths: What strengths do you bring to your work, and how can you leverage them? (Set goals that capitalize on your unique abilities)
• Entrepreneurial ambitions: Do you aspire to start your own company in the future? (Align your current goals with your long-term entrepreneurial ambitions)
• Seeking challenges: Are you keen on taking on more challenging roles in your workplace? (Set goals that push you toward growth and new opportunities)

To craft personal goal statements that foster your vision of personal enrichment, here are some guiding questions to consider:

• What kind of lifestyle do you aspire to have? (Set goals that drive you toward fulfilling your dreams and ambitions)
• What are your hobbies and interests, and how can you incorporate them into your life? (Align your personal goals with activities you genuinely love)
• What kind of impact do you want to make on your community? (Direct your goals toward contributing to the greater good of society)
• What steps can you take to improve your physical and mental health? (Ensure your goals keep you in prime condition)
• What can you do to nurture and improve your relationships? (Set goals that deepen your family connections and personal relationships rather than detract from them)

Answering these questions will help you determine the ‘What’ aspect of your personal goal statement. Remember to keep your responses focused, clear, and direct. Here, ClickUp can support you with its array of features. Let’s explore them as we go along.

ClickUp Docs

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all these questions, ClickUp Docs can help you organize your thoughts and draft clear goal statements.

Start by opening a new ClickUp Doc and jot down your goals. With ClickUp Docs, you can create detailed, customizable documents to outline your career path, set timelines, and align tasks with your objectives. 

Once your draft is ready, you can share the document with trusted friends and mentors for feedback, so they can comment directly within the doc. This feature keeps everything organized and ensures your goals are clearly defined and actionable.

Next, let’s address the ‘How’ and ‘When’ by applying the SMART method. This step requires in-depth research into what’s needed to achieve your SMART goals by creating achievable and measurable objectives .

Using the SMART framework helps clarify your goals, track progress, ensure feasibility, and monitor achievement within a set timeframe.

Here’s how SMART goals are set:

• Specific: Define your goal clearly and precisely
• Measurable: Ensure your goal has quantifiable criteria for tracking progress
• Achievable: Set a realistic goal that is attainable given your resources and constraints
• Relevant: Align your goal with your broader objectives and values
• Time-bound: Assign a deadline to create urgency and focus

💡 Example: If you’re aiming for a promotion that requires certifications, research the necessary courses, understand the time commitment, and plan your timeline accordingly. This approach ensures your goals are realistic and grounded in actionable steps.

It can be challenging to juggle all the elements of goal-setting while also creating realistic, relevant goals. That’s where ClickUp’s SMART Goals template comes in. 

ClickUp SMART Goals template

ClickUp’s SMART Goals template simplifies the process by helping you break down large objectives into manageable steps, track your progress, and stay motivated.

Here’s what ClickUp’s SMART Goals template offers:

• Enables progress tracking and success measurement
• Keeps you focused and motivated on long-term goals
• Identifies and addresses potential roadblocks efficiently

In addition to the strategies mentioned, here are some extra tips to help you craft a strong personal or career goal statement:

Tips & tricks

Review it regularly: Regularly review and adjust your goals as needed to reflect progress and changes

Set a timeline: Create a timeline with milestones for both short-term and long-term goals to stay motivated and on track

Request feedback: Share your goals with trusted individuals for honest feedback on your timeline and goal achievement, increasing your accountability

⚡ Template Archive: Need more SMART goal templates that can help you define and achieve your goals efficiently? Check out our library of free SMART goal templates that are easy to use, adaptable, and seamless to track and update.

Writing your goal statements is just the beginning; implementing them is where the real work begins. Break down your career goals into smaller, actionable steps. 

💡 Example: If you aim to land a leadership role, start by taking on smaller team projects to build your management skills. Prioritize these steps and establish a timeline.

Track your progress regularly and adjust as needed. Share your goals with a mentor or colleague for accountability and feedback. Celebrate small victories, like completing a course or receiving positive feedback, to stay motivated.

A flexible system is essential for successful goal implementation, and ClickUp Goals can help you effortlessly track, edit, and adjust your goals.

ClickUp Goals

ClickUp Goals is a powerful tool for creating, tracking, adjusting, and setting project goals or personal goals with ease. It offers flexible goal-setting with customizable targets, deadlines, and tracking methods tailored to fit your needs, making it easier to stay on track and achieve success.

You can break down larger goals into manageable milestones, ensuring steady progress. Visual tools like charts and progress bars help you monitor your progress, keeping you and your team motivated. 

Collaboration is also enhanced by sharing goals with your team, aligning efforts, and exchanging valuable feedback. 

Additionally, ClickUp Goals ensures that individual goals align with broader company objectives by grouping them into folders. It also automatically updates progress based on task completion, keeping everything up to date.

Examples of Personal and Business Goal Statements

Now that we understand the theory behind writing effective career goal statements, let’s explore some practical short and long-goal examples to inspire your personal and business goals.

Business goal statements can be complex, as they require detailed planning to outline your career objectives and the steps to achieve them. Professional goal statements may range from ongoing tasks to a specific one-time project.

A well-defined business or professional goal statement serves as both—a motivation booster and a roadmap for your career. It also enhances your resume by highlighting your career direction, aspirations, and self-awareness to potential employers.

Examples of effective business goal statements

An effective professional goal statement is clear, specific, and measurable. It provides clarity on what you want to achieve, how you’ll achieve it, and by when you expect to attain it. 

Here’s an example: Increase market share in North America by 20% by the end of Q4 2025 through increased ad campaign spending and sales team training

This professional goal statement is precise and quantifiable and includes all key elements: the desired outcome, location, strategy, and timeline.

Other examples include:

• Improve customer retention by 15% by Q2 2024 by enhancing product quality through a comprehensive competitive benchmarking exercise

This goal is focused and measurable, with a clear method for achieving the target.

• Secure a promotion to Senior Vice President by the end of 2026 by exceeding targets and demonstrating strong managerial skills

This goal follows the SMART framework, outlining a clear path for career advancement.

For organizational goals, it’s crucial to have tools like ClickUp Goals or OKR Templates to track and monitor progress across the company, department, and team levels.

By crafting clear and actionable goal statements, you set yourself and your business up for success, ensuring every objective is aligned with a strategic plan and has a defined timeline for achievement. 

ClickUp Company OKRs and Goals template

ClickUp’s Company OKRs and Goals template is a powerful tool for aligning your team with your company’s vision and values. 

It simplifies the process of setting and tracking objectives, standardizes performance measurement, and ensures that individual goals support your organization’s overall objectives. 

By maintaining alignment and cohesion, this template not only streamlines goal management but also boosts team morale and productivity.

Here’s what the ClickUp’s Company OKRs and Goals template offers:

• Create and track objectives to maintain focus and direction
• Identify and prioritize goals for maximum impact and efficient resource allocation
• Ensure all team members are aligned around shared objectives, boosting collaboration and coherence
• Monitor progress and measure performance concisely
• Improve team motivation and morale by clearly defining and tracking success
• Facilitate better communication and understanding across teams

⚡ Template Archive: Looking for more goal-setting templates to ensure you’re on the right track? Check out these free goal-setting and tracking templates that will level up your goal-setting strategy .

While we’ve focused on career goals, achieving them is near impossible without taking care of your personal well-being. 

Personal goals reflect who you are, what you want, and where you’re headed. Not only do they guide your journey, but they also make a strong impression on potential employers or educational institutions.

Balance your goals by focusing on areas such as relationships, physical health, spirituality, and personal growth to prevent burnout and boost overall satisfaction. 

Use goal-tracking apps to organize and prioritize your goals effectively. Set reminders, break down larger goals into smaller tasks, and regularly review your progress to stay on track and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Examples of effective personal goal statements

When crafting personal goal statements, it’s essential to be specific about what you want to achieve, how you’ll achieve it, and the timeframe for completion. 

Here are some examples that follow the What, How, and When structure:

Reconnect with old friends: before the end of the month, schedule a coffee date with a friend you haven’t seen enough of lately

Learn Spanish: Dedicate 30 minutes daily to language lessons for 6 months to be at least semi-fluent by next summer

Complete a 10K run: Follow a 12-week structured training plan to boost fitness and mental resilience

These examples illustrate how clear, actionable personal statements of goals can lead to tangible outcomes, whether they involve personal enrichment, health, or career development.

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, French writer and pilot said, “A goal without a plan is just a wish.”

Best Practices for Implementing Goal Statements

Now that you’ve written down your goals, it’s time to turn them into reality. 

Here’s how to make it happen:

Track and update your goals regularly to keep them aligned with your growth. Goals should be as dynamic and evolving as you are. Don’t let them collect dust—instead, review and adjust them consistently. 

Consider using goal-setting software to set reminders, track progress, and make adjustments so that your goals remain relevant and attainable as you evolve. When you achieve a goal or hit a milestone, take a moment to celebrate your success. Recognizing your progress keeps you motivated and reinforces positive behavior.

And if you miss a deadline or fall short, don’t be too hard on yourself. Instead, analyze what went wrong, learn from it, and adjust your approach to avoid repeating the same mistakes. 

By staying engaged with your goals and adapting as needed, you can ensure continuous progress and maintain the momentum needed to achieve them.

Real-world success stories offer valuable lessons and inspiration. For example, Elon Musk’s approach to goal-setting is a powerful model. 

His goal with SpaceX is to colonize Mars, and with Tesla, it’s to drive the world toward sustainable energy. What sets Musk apart is his ability to break these enormous goals into manageable steps, steadily working toward each milestone.

This shows the importance of setting bold goals while maintaining a practical, step-by-step approach. But you don’t have to look only at famous figures. You can also learn from those around you, like mentors or family members. 

Observe their strategies, seek guidance, and apply those habits to your journey. Their experiences can provide valuable insights to help you reach your goals more effectively.

If your original plan no longer feels right, don’t hesitate to adjust your goals, resources, or timeline. Flexibility is key to staying on track. Regularly reassess your goals to ensure they still align with your current situation and aspirations. 

Embrace changes as opportunities for growth. Sometimes, a shift in direction can lead to better outcomes than you initially imagined. Stay open to new possibilities and be ready to pivot when necessary. 

This adaptability will help you navigate challenges and seize opportunities as they arise.

Create Goals and Achieve Them with ClickUp

Personal and career goals are crucial for success—they outline your path, keep you motivated, and showcase your potential to employers. 

But with a busy life, managing these goals can be challenging. That’s where ClickUp steps in.

With multiple goal creation, sharing, review, and execution features and a variety of goal-oriented templates, it does all the heavy lifting for you, so you have more time to achieve your goals and dream big. 

Sign up for free today and start turning your aspirations into reality, one goal at a time!

Questions? Comments? Visit our Help Center for support.

Receive the latest WriteClick Newsletter updates.

Thanks for subscribing to our blog!

Please enter a valid email

• Free training & 24-hour support
• Serious about security & privacy
• 99.99% uptime the last 12 months

Get the Reddit app

Wᴇʟᴄᴏᴍᴇ ᴛᴏ ʀ/SGExᴀᴍs – the largest community on reddit discussing education and student life in Singapore! SGExams is also more than a subreddit - we're a registered nonprofit that organises initiatives supporting students' academics, career guidance, mental health and holistic development, such as webinars and mentorship programmes. Interested in our programmes? Follow us on Instagram (instagram.com/sgexams) or look out for the pinned posts on the subreddit for updates! © Esᴛᴀʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ MMXVII

[Uni] NTU ABA Personal statement

Hey! I would be applying through NTU’s ABA for philo/history/English but idk how to structure my personal statement.. should I elaborate more on why I wna study all 3 subjects or just 1? (Like my first choice) bcos I’m scared I don’t get accepted into my first choice then the other 2 I didn’t write much about... so I’m not sure how to go about this, does anyone have any tips? Thank you so much!! :)))

Character count character count character count character count character count character count character count

By continuing, you agree to our User Agreement and acknowledge that you understand the Privacy Policy .

Enter the 6-digit code from your authenticator app

You’ve set up two-factor authentication for this account.

Enter a 6-digit backup code

Create your username and password.

Reddit is anonymous, so your username is what you’ll go by here. Choose wisely—because once you get a name, you can’t change it.

Reset your password

Enter your email address or username and we’ll send you a link to reset your password

Check your inbox

An email with a link to reset your password was sent to the email address associated with your account

Choose a Reddit account to continue

• Postgraduate
• PhD and Professional Doctorates
• How to apply

Writing a research proposal

Your research proposal is the most important part of your doctoral application. Find out how to write a proposal for your own research, for advertised PhD projects, and for Professional Doctorates.

What is a research proposal?

A research proposal is the beginning of your doctoral project. The proposal outlines the intended focus of your research and the possibilities. It will also include your research question, which is the question your project will explore and aim to answer. A good research question will guide your process and should be feasible, specific and relevant to your topic.

Doctoral research should be an original contribution to an academic field, and your proposal should demonstrate that.

Research proposal structure

A proposal should be concise and direct - the panel won’t be expecting you to know all the answers yet, but they need to see the need for the project, your planned approach or methodology, and its potential impact. Make sure your research proposal structure includes these elements:

• a relevant title for the project - the first step in writing your proposal is to decide on a title that clearly indicates the focus of your research.
• an outline of your chosen research question or focus  - this should be outlined at the beginning of your proposal, clearly stating any factors that make the project unique.
• a brief overview of existing academic work on or connected to your topic  - all proposals should include this, and a clear reason as to why your project will differ or add something new.
• details of the methodology you intend to use  - your proposal should also include your plan for the research over the course of your degree and what's called your 'research impact' - the effect your research will have beyond academia.

Your proposal should be no more than 1500 words (not including references). Once you’ve drafted your proposal, ask your potential supervisor for feedback and work on any edits alongside them. Once both you and your supervisor are happy with the proposal, you can submit your application.

Top three tips for your research proposal

1. be distinct.

Amplify the originality of your research, particularly if your work will spotlight an underrepresented area of research or offer a new perspective on a major issue. Outline the need for your research and any elements that might facilitate real-world change.

2. Maximise the potential

How will your project contribute to the research community? Will it have potential for public engagement or be of benefit to a certain community? What could the outcomes be?

Demonstrate your project's scope in your proposal to help it stand out to a decision panel, and to highlight your potential as a researcher.

3. Show your skill

Use your proposal to demonstrate your knowledge of the field, your grasp of methodologies and key concepts, and your abilities as a researcher. Make sure your research plan is feasible and shows your understanding of research practice. The panel will be looking out for good planning and project management.

Research proposals for named PhD projects

Make sure you state which of the projects you are choosing to apply for. Your statement should be concise, with your key points clearly emphasised and detailed. This will help you make a strong impression on the application panel.

Your proposal should provide an outline that demonstrates your understanding of the research project you are applying for, its goals and potential impact, and the approach that you would take as a doctoral candidate. Demonstrate your knowledge of the field and current academic work on the topic and outline what sort of methodology you would choose.

For example, what do you think would be the best way to collect data for the project, and why? Include any potential avenues you would pursue, sharing the project’s research outcomes and possible long-term impacts you could facilitate. Make sure that your proposal has a clear plan for undertaking the research in the proposed timeframe. Your potential supervisor may be able to offer guidance on this.

The statement should be 1500 words, not including any references or appendices.

Personal statements for Professional Doctorates

The researcher is at the heart of any research project -  what is about this research that inspires you? Does your personal or professional background give you a unique insight?

Your personal statement should be a snapshot of you as an individual, your professional identity and your experience. The purpose is to demonstrate to the panel that you have the potential to be an excellent researcher and that you are the right person for your proposed project.

Ready to apply?

When you’ve thought about your proposal, the next step is to submit your application. Read our guide on how to apply.

Careers & Employability Service

Library item label woz ere --> current students explore and develop need a starting point what can i do with my degree occupations skills enterprise get a mentor find placements volunteering graduate jobs part time work further study international opportunities act networking, social media and speculative approaches cv and covering letter personal statement/applications interviews assessment centres psychometric tests specific support speak to someone book an event changing course/take time out equality matters international students employers get involved about us employing a student latest news staff support we offer our aims placement information graduate outcomes employing a student on campus graduates researchers prospective students undergraduate careers support  postgraduate careers support   application forms and personal statements.

Many employers and educational institutions will ask you to apply online using their application form. In this form you will likely need to provide basic information about yourself, as well as provide evidence of your skills and motivation through answering questions or writing a personal statement.

Preparing to write an application form

Includes information on how to research the opportunity and how to reflect on how you meet the requirements.

Find out more

Answering application form questions

Advice on how to answer motivational and competency-based questions in an application form.

Writing a personal statement

Advice on how to structure a personal statement effectively for job, placement and internship opportunities.

Applications for further study and research

Specific advice on personal statements for postgraduate research, research posts and how to structure research proposals.

Our free online course

Want to work through this topic in more depth? Explore our top-rated FutureLearn course