personal statement for theology graduate school

Student Good Guide

The best UK online resource for students

Theology Personal Statement Examples

Below are two perfectly written Theology personal statement examples . Use it as a motivation and inspiration for your academic work and university application. 

Theology Personal Statement

The origami crane sits on my desk as a reminder of the theological questions that unfold before me. When I was 10 years old, I folded this paper crane in the hospital chapel where my mother had been admitted for cancer treatments. 

As I struggled to understand why a benevolent God would allow such suffering, the chaplain helped me find spiritual meaning in hardship through this ancient art of paper folding. Origami transforms a two-dimensional sheet into a sculpture full of contours, shadows and depth – much like how spiritual perspectives can transform situations of grief into opportunities for growth. 

Just as that little crane helped my young mind grasp concepts beyond my years, I now hope to guide others wrestling with existential questions and provide perspectives allowing them to see life anew. This childhood experience sparked a commitment I carry to this day – to advance my theological understanding so I can lift the spirits of those enduring life’s darkest nights.

Within the classroom, Religious Studies quickly emerged as my favourite A-Level subject. I was particularly captivated by modules on the philosophy of religion , ethics and the nature of God across Abrahamic faiths. Comparing ontological arguments from Anselm and Descartes highlighted to me the complexity of reasoning for God’s existence across history. Studying Kantian ethics and its application to issues like embryo research opened my eyes to moral nuance. By achieving an A grade in my RS A-Level alongside strong grades in complementary subjects like English Literature (B) and History (A), I have demonstrated both an aptitude for and commitment to theological study needed to excel at the university level.

Beyond prescribed curriculums, I have taken it upon myself to expand my theological knowledge substantially. Reading texts by modern thinkers like Richard Dawkins and Reza Aslan has exposed me to new perspectives on topics like science-religion compatibility and textual criticism of scriptures. I also had the privilege of visiting Israel and Palestine last summer, deepening my understanding of interfaith relations and conflicts in sacred land. From volunteering at a local church soup kitchen to engaging in debates on my school’s Philosophy Society, I have continually sought new ways to actively advance and apply my theological learning rather than pursuing it as a purely abstract, intellectual exercise.

Looking ahead, I feel strongly called to not only further my understanding through advanced theological study but also help guide others in their personal relationships with the divine. As an empathetic yet analytical thinker, I believe I possess the ideal traits to serve in roles like chaplaincy and spiritual counselling. 

By pursuing expertise in theological ethics as well as psychological models of faith development, I hope to provide specialised support for those in crisis moments of faith – whether they be teenagers struggling to square their sexuality and upbringing or hospital patients facing end-of-life questions about the afterlife. Wherever I land professionally, university theology programmes will provide me with the advanced knowledge and critical thinking abilities to make meaningful impacts on people when spiritual guidance matters most.

With a lifelong fascination for the theological paired with a calling to help guide others spiritually, I am confident further study at university represents the next profound step on my path. The chance to substantially deepen my expertise whilst preparing for real-world application in fields like chaplaincy truly excites me. I look forward to all the intellectual, ethical and philosophical revelations studying Theology has to offer.

The stage lights illuminate the barren set piece – a simple wooden cross. As I step forward to deliver my monologue wrestling with the mystery of Jesus’ sacrificial death, the theatre fades away until only the cross remains. 

This crucifix simultaneously embodies the profound questions at the heart of Christ’s suffering as well as the deeper spiritual longings within each audience member. Why must purity be rooted in pain? How does undeserved agony transform into redemption? In those heavy moments of silence, it feels as if all humanity holds its breath awaiting answers. 

Though the director yells “Scene!” breaking the spell, for me the lights stay dimmed as the theological queries continue churning within. That perennial quest to unpack doctrine and comfort and disturb through drama is what calls me to the formal study of God and the human condition we call theology.

Beyond just an intellectual curiosity in religious issues though, my motivation also stems from a desire to provide thoughtful spiritual counsel. My grandmother’s inspiring model demonstrated the power of faith even amidst deep grief – as I helped care for her through my grandfather’s long illness, her steadfast belief in redemptive suffering provided comfort. Inspired by her grace, I wish to similarly guide others wrestling with questions of theodicy and loss from a place of compassion. A degree in Theology would equip me with the expertise to potentially serve communities as a hospital chaplain, hospice visitor or even bereavement counsellor.

I recognise advanced engagement with philosophical debates around God, morality and the meaning of life requires strong critical thinking abilities. As an avid member of my school’s Philosophy Club, I regularly dissect complex theological arguments and have undertaken my own analysis on topics like the compatibility of divine omniscience and human free will. 

Achieving an A on my Religious Studies A-Level demonstrated my skill in interpreting biblical texts and assessing truth claims. I also further honed my logic through an interdisciplinary Extended Project Qualification exploring the intersection of law, ethics and technology.

Though eager to test boundaries of dogmatic thought, I believe fruitful theological exploration also requires empathy – an openness to varied lived experiences of the divine. As such, I have sought first-hand encounters with diverse religious traditions beyond just academic study. 

From attending a Hindu puja ceremony to volunteering at a local mosque’s Eid festival, these exposures have enriched my interfaith literacy. If selected for theology programmes, I am particularly interested in modules examining communities like liberation theology and feminist approaches to reimagining God through marginalised voices.

With equal parts intellectual rigour and compassion for the human condition, I believe I possess the essential foundations to thrive in university-level theological inquiry. By combining critical philosophical perspectives with the needs of spiritual counselling, I feel called to not only advance discourse but transform lives. Just as the most moving theatrical performances integrate layered meaning with emotional resonance, an effective theological practitioner must seamlessly blend intellect and empathy. I am eager to enact this model, bridging ideological complexities around faith with sensitive guidance to uplift people in their darkest moments of doubt.

• Telephone Tel: +44 (0) 20 7499 2394
• Email Email: [email protected]

Strategic Guidance

• Private Oxbridge Consultation
• International Oxbridge Consultation
• Postgraduate Applications Guidance
• Book a Complimentary Call

Comprehensive Support

• The Premier Service
• Oxford and Cambridge Interview Preparation Weekend

Targeted Support

• Oxbridge Personal Statement Support
• Oxbridge Admissions Test Support
• Oxbridge Interview Preparation Support
• Admissions Test Preparation Day 2024

Application Guidance

• ‘Aspiring to Oxbridge’ School Talk
• Teacher Training Workshop
• Individual Guidance Consultations

Personal Statement Support

• Personal Statement Group Workshop
• Personal Statement Consultations

Admissions Test Preparation

• Admissions Test Day
• Admissions Test Course

Interview Preparation

• Interview Preparation Day
• Interview Preparation Course

Free Library

• Oxbridge Interview Resources
• Admissions Tests Resources
• Student Library
• Teacher Library
• Keeping You Current
• Webinar Library

Our Publications

Course reports, oxbridge applications.

• Become A Tutor
• Our Offices
• Dukes Education

News & Press

• Widening Access
• Publications
• Sign In Register
• Sign In    Register

Theology Personal Statement Guide

Your personal statement is an important part of your university application. It is your first chance to make a lasting impression on the admission tutors in the Theology department. 

Your personal statement provides an insight into your motivations for wanting to study Theology, showcases your potential contributions to the cohort and demonstrates your determination and skills that will aid your success on the course.

Personal statement writing can appear to be a daunting process for many Theology applicants, especially when trying to strike a balance between discussing relevant accomplishments and academic interests, whilst condensing it all into one A4 page. 

To help you get on the right track, our Personal Statement Guide takes you through everything you need to know to create an excellent Theology personal statement:

• Why are Personal Statements Important?
• What Should I Include in a Theology Personal Statement?  
• What Should I Avoid in a Theology Personal Statement?  

Advice on How to Start a Theology Personal Statement  

Advice on how to finish a theology personal statement  .

What Should I Avoid in a Theology Personal Statement ?  

The most common pitfall when writing a Theology Personal statement is oversimplifying or misinterpreting theological concepts. You must ensure that you explain theological concepts accurately and clearl y to produce an effective personal statement. You can make sure you don't do this by only mentioning ideas that you've read about thoroughly and are sure you understand completely.

Moreover, you must spell any key terms you use correctly . This not only shows your ability to pay attention to detail, but that you also understand the content you are discussing. Be careful not to conflate elements of one religious tradition with another, as this too can undermine your credibility and understanding.

Finally, stay as far away as possible from cliches and overly verbose language , like “I have wanted to study theology since I was young” or “Buddhism is super fascinating.” Instead, you should use precise, genuine expressions to succinctly convey your motivations and insights. Remember that your word count is short, and wasting words on vague statements does not make for an attractive personal statement.

Register to access our complimentary e-book "So You Want To Go To Oxbridge? Tell me about a banana…"

Your Theology Personal statement is a reflection of your academic journey and pursuit of the subject. Hence, mapping out this journey to decide what you want to include in your personal statement is a great place to start.

Before you begin writing, creating a mind map or list outlining your reasons for interest in the subject can be very beneficial. Reflect on the theological texts you've found compelling, discussions you've engaged in, and any relevant experiences or media you've encountered. Concentrate on detailing what you have undertaken, what has motivated and enriched your understanding, and your aspirations for further learning. For instance, after reading the Epic of Gilgamesh, how was your understanding of Mesopotamia impacted or after learning about Samsara, what significance do you think reincarnation has for Hinduism?

If you are struggling to get your wider research off the ground, or need something new to get out of a research rut, check out some of our recommendations below:

Becoming Sinners: Christianity and Moral Torment in Papua New Guinea Society by Joel Robbins

Public Religions in the Modern World by José Casanova

A Secular Age by Charles Taylor

Studying Islam: The Critical Issues (Studying World Religions)  by Clinton Bennett

Religion in Britain Since 1945 by Grace Davie

Documentaries:

Testament: The Story of Moses

The Story of God With Morgan Freeman

In Our Time, Religion (BBC Radio 4)

Philosophize This!

BBC Beyond Belief Podcast

Journals/Publications:

The Journal of Theological Studies

International Journal of Systematic Theology

Religion and Gender

Writing the conclusion of a Theology Personal Statement can be as challenging as crafting the opening line. Our main piece of advice is to try not to overcomplicate things! Your final sentences should clearly and succinctly summarise your academic interest in Theology and your enthusiasm for pursuing the course.

Think about what you want the admissions tutors to remember about you once they have finished reading. This is the information to foreground in your conclusion.

Lastly, always proofread your personal statement several times . We recommend giving a final version to a parent, guardian, teacher, friend, or anyone else you can find, really! Getting a second opinion, be it from someone with a background in Theology or someone completely new to the subject, can help weed out mistakes and ensure your writing is clear and your intentions can be understood.

• What are some Tips for Writing a Strong Theology Personal Statement?
• How Long Should my Theology Personal Statement Be?
• What Kind of Extracurricular Activities Should I Include in my Theology Personal Statement?
• How Can I Tailor my Theology Personal Statement to the Oxford/Cambridge Course?

The strongest Theology Personal statements are ones which demonstrate a genuine and authentic interest in the study of Theology but also show that they understand what Theology is. Top students will include key terms and explain relevant theories or content accurately to demonstrate their understanding of the course and course requirements.

Top level applicants will spend most, if not all, of their statement focused purely on their academic research and interests within the field of Theology. They will not mention anything that they cannot relate back to Theology or relevant skills for higher level study.

If you are applying for a joint honours course, such as Theology and Philosophy, or different courses at a few universities and Theology at others, carefully think about which topics you write about to demonstrate that you have skills to cover all elements of the course.

It is advisable to use as much of the UCAS-provided limit as you can. Your personal statement is a chance to exhibit to admissions tutors that you possess the qualities of an outstanding Theology student. While the 4000-character or 47-line limit (whichever is met first) may appear ample, once you begin detailing your interests, you will find that it ins't much space at all!

You want to ensure that you only include extracurricular activities that demonstrate relevant skills, interests, and qualities in your statement.

Whether the activity or resource you want to mention is directly related to Theology or not (and it doesn't necessarily have to be), you should not just mention it, but also explicitly discuss why or how you believe that it either motivates you or equips you with the skills to perform well on the degree course to which you are applying.

A lot of students assume you need to be experts in the Reformation, know the ins and outs of all the Abrahamic religions and be able to analyse Latin, but it is no requirement to cover any of this in your personal statement. It is important when tailoring your personal statement to Oxford and Cambridge that you follow your interests and, above all, be yourself and authentic in the opinions you express and the topics you choose to discuss.

Book your Theology Personal Statement Package

You can contact our Oxbridge-graduate Consultants on +44 (0) 20 7499 2394 or email [email protected] to discuss our personal statement packages.  

If you’d like to know more about Theology, we have admissions test guidance and interview preparation readily available.  

Our Oxbridge-graduate consultants are available between 9.00 am – 5.00 pm from Monday to Friday, with additional evening availability when requested.

• Tel: +44 (0) 20 7499 2394
• Email: [email protected]

Oxbridge Applications, 58 Buckingham Gate, London, SW1E 6AJ

• Private Oxbridge Application Consultation
• Oxbridge Personal Statement Support Package
• Oxbridge Mock Interview Preparation and Support
• Personal Statement Workshop and Checks
• Schools Mock Interviews – Online and In-School
• Teacher Training Workshops – Online and In-School
• Oxbridge Preparation Days – Online and In-School
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Terms and Conditions
• Privacy Policy
• Safeguarding & Child Protection
• Company Registration Number: 3757054

Recently Updated Blogs

Blog how can i use chatgpt for my personal statement, blog overused topics and resources to avoid in your personal statement, blog what gcse grades do i need for oxbridge, blog how will my gcses impact my university applications, blog updates to the ucas personal statement for 2026 entry, choosing a college, a slippery question, added to cart.

• Remember me Not recommended on shared computers

Forgot your password?

• Statement of Purpose, Personal History, Diversity

Personal Statement, Master of Theological Studies, Boston College

By Seatbelt Blue October 17, 2012 in Statement of Purpose, Personal History, Diversity

Recommended Posts

Seatbelt Blue

I'd like to share my personal statement for my application to the Master of Theological Studies program at Boston College to get some reactions and see how it is. Personal statement requirements may be found at http://www.bc.edu/co...ss/degree2.html

I used the same personal statement at Fordham, and I believe I used this at Seton Hall, to which I was accepted.

Feedback and criticism is appreciated. Please don't troll on the subject of religion, and speak about the personal statement itself.

After nearly a decade of discernment, in August 2010 I entered seminary for the Diocese of Brooklyn. In eight months I would withdraw, get a job and an apartment, and move on with my life.

What always appealed to me the most about the priesthood was the theology. As much as I tried to drum up enthusiasm for the pastoral end of things, the goal in sight was always to be a dedicated theologian and academic, to discuss and discern and define the faith I’ve confessed since I was sixteen. Theology has been an enormous part of my life for that entire time, from my first forays into the basic, core doctrines, to my present reconstructivist analysis of the same. The theology, so rich at its core, so malleable on the edges, which both defines and defies the scope of the Church, has from the beginning been that to which I have always tended. It’s beautiful -- poetry, in a way. In fact, I could call it the science of poetry itself. It’s an attempt to plumb the depths of God and the universe and of man’s own heart. Hard to resist.

After I left seminary, I spent months thinking and wondering where to go next, what to do next -- I could never be satisfied at my current job. My intellect is wild and restless and seeks new frontiers, and every day all I get is the same old recorded lectures, endlessly through my iPhone, as I sit at a desk and put products up on a retail website.

My undergraduate work was in English, a field I chose because I thought I’d get some significant opportunities to refine my writing, which proved rather elusive, but it did help me put my brain to work in unpacking complex ideas from tightly-woven texts, and only encouraged my natural inclination towards theological thinking; not without cause did I seize on Tess of the d’Urbervilles as an icon of Persephone, or on Maggie Tulliver from The Mill on the Floss as an explication on the moral life and apocalypticism. I naturally tend toward larger explanations, and enjoy making small things much bigger than they might otherwise be.

My research interests, then, tend toward both the large and the small -- I like unpacking the theology present in any text, from classic works of English literature to comic books, with a particular emphasis on Superman as an exemplary moral figure rather than the savior image so often presented. Further, I have a large interest in ecumenical theology and ecclesiology, and I’ve been kicking around an idea, probably not terribly original, that there can in fact be no such thing as a divided body of Christ.

These contribute to society inasmuch as any theology does; religion informs who we are, how we see ourselves, how we think about the world and others, and resultantly, how we act in the world. It’s the queen of sciences because it undergirds the whole human endeavour as fundamentally as the presence of six inches of topsoil and the fact that it rains. And what is more, there is something to be said for the vigorous pursuit of the truth of the world, knowable by human reason, discernible from the chaff of human thought, pursued under the light of revelation. These are self-evident goods, and do not need defense.

This is why I seek the insane privilege of being able to devote my life to them, to learn at this institution more of how it’s to be done and to be equipped with the tools for the digging.

Link to comment

Share on other sites.

This SoP centers on you and your personal interest in theology. Obviously this is important to some extent. What is missing, in my opinion, is why Boston College is a good place for you to pursue your interest in theology generally, or reconstructivist analysis, or whatever else you may pursue at BC. You need to talk about their program and why your interests fit the interest of the faculty there.

What you bring to the program is also missing here. Why should BC choose you? How will you benefit the program and how is this demonstrated in your past work, even if it is not in theological studies. You cannot be reserved here. You may not have a groundbreaking theory that is going to take the theological world by storm, but you need to puff yourself up a little more. Saying things like "probably not terribly original" is not advised. They may recognize that this is not a new thought if you don't include the caveat, but there is no need to demean your own interests and thinking, there are plenty of other people in academia who will do that for you as you continue your studies.

I would also avoid the excessive use of unnecessary adjectives ("large interest", etc.). In sum, I think that you have a good start to introducing yourself and why you want to study theology at the master's level. I think this should be one to two paragraphs of your SoP--at most. You should work on demonstrating your specific interests, how BC fits with those interests, and what you will bring to their program.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Already have an account? Sign in here.

• Existing user? Sign In
• Online Users
• All Activity
• My Activity Streams
• Unread Content
• Content I Started
• Results Search
• Post Results
• Leaderboard
• Create New...

Important Information

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use

• Accreditation
• Dean's Message
• Campus & Sites
• Educational Effectiveness
• Faculty & Staff
• Mission & Motto
• News & Events
• Offices & Centers
• Student Testimonials
• Theology & History
• United Methodist Experience

• Master of Divinity (MDiv) | Online or On-Campus
• Master of Practical Theology (Online-Openseminary)
• Master of Theological Studies
• MDiv/MBA in Organizational Management
• MDiv/MA in Theological & Cultural Anthropology Dual Degree
• Maestría en Estudios Teológicos en Linea
• DMin in Contextual Leadership
• Doctor of Marriage and Family Therapy
• PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy
• Certificate-Diploma Programs (ESCM)

• Master of Divinity (Online)
• Master of Practical Theology (Online)

• Academic Advising
• Orientation
• Commencement
• Library Resources
• Chapel & Chew
• Special Interest Groups
• Student Assembly
• Supervised Ministries
• Science and Religion Symposium
• African American Heritage Month Celebration
• Student Handbook

• Application Steps
• International Students
• Application Deadlines
• Tuition, Financial Aid, Scholarships
• Online Info Sessions & Visits
• Contact Admissions
• Alliance Seminary Students
• Non-Degree Admissions

• For Prospective Students
• For Current Students
• For Faculty/Staff
• Work at Palmer
• Request Info

In 2 to 4 double-spaced typed pages, please exhibit your best writing and thinking skills by developing an essay that responds to the following:

• What persons, events, and other factors have significantly influenced your Christian journey thus far?
• Describe the significant motives, convictions, persons and/or experiences that have led you to pursue a theological education.
• Describe your ministry up to this point in your life. What forms do you expect your ministry to take in the future (such as pastor, teacher, counselor, minister of Christian education)? What do you hope to accomplish in this ministry?
• Evaluate the abilities you possess for theological studies, including past academic coursework, and how they will be used in your intended ministry.
• What would your trusted friends say are the greatest strengths and most challenging weaknesses in your personality?
• When you are not in church, at work or in school, how do you spend your free time? How often do you get to enjoy these activities?
• If you are accepted at Palmer, what areas of needed growth do you hope will be developed by your experience with us? Also, what areas of strength do you believe Palmer Seminary can help you develop?

1300 Eagle Road St. Davids, PA 19087-3696 610-341-5800

• Emergency Information
• Website Feedback

Palmer Theological Seminary does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarships, loan programs, athletic and other programs. Read Nondiscrimination Policy.

• Website Policies
• Privacy Statement

Writing Your Personal Statements

Your personal statement must demonstrate to the admissions committee that you have considered graduate school and their specific program seriously. It’s your opportunity to summarize your academic and research experiences. You must also communicate how your experiences are relevant to preparing you for the graduate degree that you will be pursuing and explain why a given program is the right one for you.

The personal statement is where you highlight your strengths. Make your strengths absolutely clear to the reviewers, because they will often be reading many other statements. Your self-assessments and honest conversations with peers and advisors should have also revealed your strengths. But you must also address (not blame others for) weaknesses or unusual aspects of your application or academic background.

Your personal statement should focus on two main aspects: your competence and commitment.

1. Identify your strengths in terms of competence that indicate that you will succeed in the grad program and provide examples to support your claims. Start your statement by describing your strengths immediately. Because faculty will be reading many statements, it’s important to start off with your strengths and not “bury your lede.” Consider traits of successful graduate students from your informational interviews, and identify which of these traits you have. These traits could involve research skills and experiences, expertise in working with techniques or instruments, familiarity with professional networks and resources in your field, etc.

• Check your responses from the exercises in the self-assessment section. You may wish to consult notes from your informational interviews and your Seven Stories . Write concise summaries and stories that demonstrate your strengths, e.g. how your strengths helped you to achieve certain goals or overcome obstacles.
• Summarize your research experience(s). What were the main project goals and the “big picture” questions? What was your role in this project? What did you accomplish? What did you learn, and how did you grow as a result of the experience(s)?

My research examines the interplay between U.S. domestic politics and foreign policy during the Cold War. As a native New Yorker, I saw firsthand how dramatically my city changed after 9/11, which prompted my early interest in U.S. policy at home and abroad. As an undergraduate at the City College of New York, I planned to study international relations with a focus on U.S. foreign affairs. I also quickly became involved in student activist groups that focused on raising awareness about a wide range of human rights issues, from the Syrian refugee crisis to asylum seekers from Central America.

The more I learned about the crises in the present, the more I realized that I needed a deeper understanding of the past to fully grasp them. I decided to pursue a PhD in history in order to gain a clearer understanding of human rights issues in the present and to empower young student-activists like myself.

— Vannessa Velez, PhD candidate in History

Addressing weaknesses or unusual aspects

• Identify weaknesses or unusual aspects in your application—e.g., a significant drop in your GPA during a term; weak GRE scores; changes in your academic trajectory, etc. Don’t ignore them, because ignoring them might be interpreted as blind spots for you. If you’re unsure if a particular issue is significant enough to address, seek advice from faculty mentors.
• Explain how you’ll improve and strengthen those areas or work around your weakness. Determine how you will address them in a positive light, e.g., by discussing how you overcame obstacles through persistence, what you learned from challenges, and how you grew from failures. Focusing on a growth mindset  or grit  and this blog on weaknesses might also help.
• Deal with any significant unusual aspects later in the statement to allow a positive impression to develop first.
• Explain, rather than provide excuses—i.e., address the issue directly and don’t blame others (even if you believe someone else is responsible). Draft it and get feedback from others to see if the explanation is working as you want it to.
• Provide supporting empirical evidence if possible. For example, “Adjusting to college was a major step for me, coming from a small high school and as a first-generation college student. My freshman GPA was not up to par with my typical achievements, as demonstrated by my improved  GPA of 3.8 during my second and third years in college."
• Be concise (don’t dwell on the issues), but also be complete (don’t lead to other potentially unanswered questions). For example, if a drop in grades during a term was due to a health issue, explain whether the health issue is recurring, managed now with medication, resolved, etc.

2. Explain your commitment to research and their graduate program, including your motivation for why you are applying to this graduate program at this university. Be as specific as possible. Identify several faculty members with whom you are interested in working, and explain why their research interests you.

• Descriptions of your commitment should explain why you’re passionate about this particular academic field and provide demonstrations of your commitment with stories (e.g., working long hours to solve a problem, overcoming challenges in research, resilience in pursuing problems). Don’t merely assert your commitment.
• Explain why you are applying to graduate school, as opposed to seeking a professional degree or a job. Discuss your interest and motivation for grad school, along with your future career aspirations.

I am definitely not your traditional graduate student. As a biracial (Native American and white), first-generation PhD student from a military family, I had very limited guidance on how best to pursue my education, especially when I decided that graduate school was a good idea. I ended up coming to this PhD in a very circuitous manner, stopping first to get a JD and, later, an MFA in Young Adult Literature. With each degree, I took time to work and apply what I’d learned, as a lawyer and as an educator. Each time, I realized that I was circling around questions that I couldn’t let go of—not just because I found them to be fascinating, but because I did (and still do!) feel that my research could help to bridge a gap that desperately needs bridging. Because my work is quite interdisciplinary, I strongly feel that I wouldn’t have been able to pursue this line of research without the degrees and life experience I gained before coming to this program.

— Jamie Fine, PhD candidate in Modern Thought and Literature

Statement of Purpose: subtle aspects

• Think in terms of engaging faculty in a conversation rather than pleading with them that you should be admitted. Ask reviewers to read drafts with this concern in mind.
• With later drafts, try developing an overall narrative theme. See if one emerges as you work.
• Write at least 10 drafts and expect your thinking and the essay to change quite a bit over time.
• Read drafts out loud to help you catch errors.
• Expect the "you' that emerges in your essay to be incomplete. . . that’s OK.
• You’re sharing a professional/scholarly slice of "you."
• Avoid humor (do you really know what senior academics find funny?) and flashy openings and closings. Think of pitching the essay to an educated person in the field, but not necessarily in your specialty. Avoid emotionally laden words (such as "love" or "passion"). Remember, your audience is a group of professors! Overly emotional appeals might make them uncomfortable. They are looking for scholarly colleagues.

© Stanford University.   Stanford, California 94305.

• Undergraduates
• Ph.Ds & Postdocs
• Faculty/Staff
• Prospective Students & Guests
• Student Athletes
• First Generation and/or Low Income Students
• International Students
• LGBTQ Students
• Students with Disabilities
• Students of Color
• Student Veterans
• Advertising, Marketing & PR
• Finance, Insurance & Real Estate
• General Management & Leadership Development Programs
• Law & Legal Services
• Startups, Entrepreneurship & Freelance Work
• Environment, Sustainability & Energy
• Media & Communications
• Policy & Think Tanks
• Engineering
• Healthcare, Biotech & Global Public Health
• Life & Physical Sciences
• Programming & Data Science
• Graduate School
• Business School
• Health Professions
• Cover Letters & Correspondence
• Interview Preparation
• Professional Conduct & Etiquette
• Job Offers & Salary Negotiations
• Navigating AI in the Job Search Process
• Yale Career Link
• CareerShift
• Gap Year & Short-Term Opportunities
• Planning an International Internship
• Funding Your Experience
• Career Fairs/Networking Events
• On-Campus Recruiting
• Resource Database
• Job Market Insights
• Informational Interviewing
• Peer Networking Lists
• Building Your LinkedIn Profile
• YC First Destinations
• YC Four-Year Out
• GSAS Program Statistics
• Statistics & Reports
• Meet with OCS
• Student Organizations Workshop Request
• Office of Fellowships
• OCS Podcast Series
• Contact OCS
• OCS Mission & Policies
• Additional Yale Career Offices
• Designing Your Career
• Faculty & Staff

Writing Personal Statements for Graduate School

• Share This: Share Writing Personal Statements for Graduate School on Facebook Share Writing Personal Statements for Graduate School on LinkedIn Share Writing Personal Statements for Graduate School on X

Personal Statements

Preparing a well-written and effective personal statement (sometimes referred to as statements of purpose or personal essays) that clearly articulates your preparation, goals, and motivation for pursuing that specific graduate degree is critically important. You will need to spend a considerable amount of time and effort in crafting these statements. The focus, structure, and length of personal statements vary from program to program. Some will have prompts or questions you need to answer, while others will leave the topic open-ended. The length varies widely as well. Read instructions carefully and make sure to adhere to all parameters laid out in the application guidelines.

Clear writing is the result of clear thinking. The first and most important task is to decide on a message. Consider carefully which two or three points you wish to impress upon the reader, remembering that your audience is composed of academics who are experts in their fields. Your statement should show that you are able to think logically and express your thoughts in a clear and concise manner. Remember that the reader already has a record of your activities and your transcript; avoid simply restating your resume and transcript. Writing your statement will take time; start early and give yourself more than enough time for revisions. If no prompts are given, you can use the questions below to begin brainstorming content to include in your statement.

• What experiences and academic preparation do you have that are relevant to the degree you’re seeking?
• Why are you choosing to pursue a graduate degree at this time?
• Why do you want to pursue this particular degree and how will this degree and the specific program fit into your career plans and your long-term goals?
• What specific topics are you aiming to explore and what does the current literature say about those topics?

After you’ve written a first draft, start the work of editing, refining, simplifying, and polishing. Provide specific examples that will help illustrate your points and convey your interests, intentions, and motivations. Is any section, sentence, or word superfluous, ambiguous, apologetic, or awkward? Are your verbs strong and active? Have you removed most of the qualifiers? Are you sure that each activity or interest you mention supports one of your main ideas? Spelling and grammatical errors are inexcusable. Don’t rely on spell-check to catch all errors; read your statement aloud and have it reviewed by multiple people whose opinion you trust. If possible, have your statement reviewed by a writing tutor. For individual assistance with writing your personal statement, consult with the writing tutor in your residential college  or the Writing Center within the Yale Center for Teaching and Learning .

Office of Career Strategy

Visiting yale.

• Trojan Stories

How to Write a Stand-Out Personal Statement for Your Graduate School Application

While deciding to embark on the path to graduate school is an exciting first step toward advancing your career, the application process can sometimes feel daunting and confusing.

One major part of the application that most schools require is a personal statement. Writing a personal statement can be an arduous task: After all, most people don’t necessarily enjoy writing about themselves, let alone at length.

A compelling personal statement, however, can help bring your application to the top of the admissions pile. Below, we’ve outlined what you need to know about crafting a personal statement to make your application shine.

What Is a Personal Statement?

The point of a personal statement is for the admissions board to gain a deeper understanding of who you are apart from your education and work experience. It explains why you’re the right fit for the program and a worthwhile applicant. It’s also an opportunity to highlight important factors that may not be readily available in the rest of your application.

A personal statement is different from a statement of purpose (if you’re asked for that as well). A statement of purpose will touch on your academic and career goals, as well as your past credentials. While those should also be discussed in your personal statement, it’s more about your life experiences and how they’ve shaped you and your journey to graduate school.

Questions to Ask Yourself Before Writing a Personal Statement

Before you start crafting your essay, there are a few prompts you can ask yourself to help clarify what you want to accomplish.

• What are the key points you want to communicate about yourself?
• What personal characteristics or skills do you have that make you a strong candidate for this field?
• What exactly are your career goals, and how does graduate school play into them?
• What have you learned about this field already? When did you first choose to follow this path, and what do you enjoy about it?
• What do you think is important for the admissions board to know specifically about you?
• Are there any discrepancies or causes for concern in your application you need to address? For example, is there a career and schooling gap, or a low GPA at one point? This is the time to discuss whether a personal hardship may have affected your academics or career.
• Have you dealt with any unusual obstacles or difficulties in your life? How have they affected and shaped you?
• What sets you apart and makes you unique from other graduate school applicants?
• What factors in your life have brought you to where you are today?

Top Tips for Writing a Graduate School Personal Statement

Pick a few points to emphasize about yourself . Introduce yourself to the admissions board. Select key factors about your background that you want the university to know — elements that reveal what kind of person you are and demonstrate why you’re a strong candidate for the school and field of study.

Be very specific . Again, a personal statement is all about communicating what distinguishes you from other applicants. To accomplish that, you need to share specific anecdotes that underscore your statements. If you say you’re a strong leader, present an example of a time you’ve proven that skill through work, school or your personal life. These specific, personal stories provide a deeper understanding of who you are and prove your intentions.

Do your research . Demonstrate what attracted you to the program. If there is a specific faculty member or class that caught your attention, or another aspect of the program that greatly interests you, convey it. This shows you’ve truly researched the school and have a passion for the program.

“Whatever the topic may be, I would recommend writing in a manner that reflects or parallels the institution’s and/or department’s missions, goals and values,” said Moises Cortés, a graduate/international credentials analyst for the Office of Graduate Admission at USC .

Address any gaps or discrepancies . Explain any factors that may have impacted your academic career. If you had an illness or any other personal hardships that affected your grades or work, discuss them. If there is a discrepancy between your grades and your test scores, you can also take the time to go over any extenuating circumstances.

Strike the right tone . While it’s important to give readers a glimpse of your personality, avoid oversharing or revealing intimate details of your life experiences. You should also avoid making jokes or using humorous cliches. Maintain a professional tone throughout your writing.

Start strong and finish strong . As with any piece of writing, you want to draw in your readers immediately. Make sure to start off with an interesting and captivating introduction. Similarly, your conclusion should be a well-written, engaging finish to the essay that highlights any important points.

“ For a personal statement, I think the first and last paragraphs are most important and should always relate the program they are applying to their own experiences and ideas,” Hoon H. Kang, a graduate/international credential analyst with the Office of Graduate Admission, told USC Online.

Proofread, proofread and proofread again . We can’t emphasize enough the importance of rereading your work. Your personal statement is also an analysis of your writing skills, so ensure you have proper grammar and spelling throughout. In addition, we recommend having multiple people look over your statement before submission. They can help with the proofreading (a second person always catches a mistake the writer may miss), give advice about the statement’s structure and content, and confirm it’s the proper recommended length.

Once you’ve considered all of the above and reviewed and edited your personal statement to perfection, it’s time to submit and check off any remaining application requirements, including your resume and letters of recommendation .

Personal statements are arguably one of the most challenging aspects of applying to graduate school, so make sure to revel in this accomplishment and acknowledge your successes.

For more information, visit the  Office of Graduate Admission at USC  and explore  USC Online ’s master’s degrees, doctoral programs and graduate certificates.

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

Published: 14 Mar 2022 Study Abroad 109,132 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
• 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
• King's College London Chevening Scholarship 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

• Faculty / Admin

Boston University School of Theology

745 Commonwealth Avenue

Boston, MA 02215

How to Apply

Once you have determined which degree program is right for your academic interests and vocational goals you may begin the online application through the application portal. Our system allows you to begin an application and save, review, and change it at your leisure until you are ready to submit it. Any questions about the application process can be directed toward our Admissions Office ( [email protected] or 617-353-3036 Monday through Friday, 9am – 5pm Eastern Standard Time).

Applications for the Fall 2024 Semester are now closed. Please check back after September 1st, 2024 to access applications for the Spring 2025 & Fall 2025 semesters. 

Application Deadlines

The School of Theology matriculates students into its programs twice a year, in the fall and spring semesters. Applicants should have all materials (online application, transcripts, references, etc.) submitted by the deadlines below to be considered for admission. The School of Theology utilizes three types of application deadlines:

• Early Decision Deadlines – Applications by this date are decided before January, and eligible applicants are considered for tuition and merit scholarships.
• Priority Admissions Deadlines – Eligible applicants are considered for tuition and merit scholarships.
• Final Deadlines – This is the final date one can complete an application and be considered for matriculation in the following semester. While tuition scholarships are still likely for those who apply by the final deadline, merit awards are typically no longer available.

Application Checklist

Transcripts – Frequently Asked Questions

What constitutes an unofficial transcript?

• A scan or photocopy of your paper transcript, which was sent to you by the Registrar of your institution
• An unofficial transcript that you have downloaded from your institution’s online student system (ex. StudentLink at Boston University)

What if I’ve transferred between several institutions? Do I need to send unofficial copies of all my transcripts?

• name of the transfer institution (ex. Africa University)
• semester in which each course was taken (ex. Spring 2016)
• the names of each course (ex. “Introduction to Philosophy”)
• the grades you received in each of your transferred courses
• If your final transcript does not include all of the above information (ex. if your transfer courses are marked on your final transcript as “pass” with no letter grade) then you will need to provide an unofficial copy of your transcript from the institution from which you transferred.

Do I need to complete the WES (World Education Service) transcript evaluation as part of my application if I took courses at a school outside of the United States?

• Probably not. If the institution you attended can provide a transcript in English that includes the full names of each course and the grades received then you do not have to complete the WES evaluation.
• If your previous institution cannot provide a transcript in English then you may either complete the WES evaluation or have a certified professional translation made of the transcript from its original language into English. If you choose to have a certified professional translation made, you need to provide our Admissions Office copies of both the translation and the original transcript

Transfer Students

The Boston University School of Theology welcomes transfer students from other institutions. Applicants for transfer into a degree program are evaluated on the same basis as other applicants. Applicants may also be eligible for consideration for merit awards based on the same criteria as other applicants for admission.

Students may transfer credits from any graduate theological school accredited by the ATS or other comparable accrediting agency if transferring from outside of North America. In every instance, course equivalents are determined on an individual basis, by petition, and only when that coursework is demonstrated to be relevant to the course of study being pursued in the School of Theology, as determined by the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, operating on behalf of the faculty. Applicants for transfer must include in their personal statement the reasons they are seeking a transfer, and must provide a recently-issued letter of good standing from their previous institution. Please see the School of Theology’s Academic Bulletin for the latest Admissions Transfer Policy .

Advanced Standing

Incoming first-level master’s students who have taken previous courses in religious studies may be able to earn advanced standing in certain academic disciplines by sending a petition to the Office of the Registrar, where it will then be forwarded to the Academic Dean for review. Advanced Standing is different from transfer credit in that it does not reduce the number of credit hours one must earn toward a master’s degree program. However, if an incoming student is granted advanced standing in an academic discipline, that person is able to take an advanced course in the discipline rather than the introductory course. Advanced Standing in New Testament, for example, allows an incoming student to take an upper-level New Testament course such as “Letter to the Romans” or “Gospel of John” rather than the “Introduction to the New Testament” class.

Advanced Standing permission is only applicable to required, introductory-level core courses. Those disciplines are:

Please note: this does not reduce the number of credit hours you must take in your program, but rather allows you to customize your curriculum toward more advanced coursework. The advanced course, moreover, must be taken at the School of Theology (not through the BTI or by transfer).

Advanced Standing is only granted when the coursework previously taken is sufficiently rigorous, employing critical scholarship in the relevant discipline. The course grade on the transcript must be a B or above. To petition for Advanced Standing, you must complete a General Petition Form , selecting “Advanced Standing” as the type of petition. (Please note: you will need your BU email address and kerberos password to complete this form.)  (1) You must stipulate explicitly the course or courses in which you are requesting advanced standing and (2) attach the syllabi of all the coursework you have completed in a discipline. (3) You must also provide the transcripts from all relevant prior coursework. Your syllabi and transcripts will be reviewed by the Registrar and Academic Dean, and a decision will be communicated to you prior to registration for your first semester. Any questions about Advanced Standing should be addressed to the School of Theology’s Registrar’s Office .

Related Resources

Paying for Seminary

Learn more about the School of Theology's generous financial aid.

Denominational Resources

Check out our denominational offerings and the denomination-specific communities of learning.

Campus Visits

We invite prospective students to visit us here in Boston or meet with us virtually.

PhD student La Ronda Barnes (’26) published in Black Theology: An International Journal

September 3, 2024

The following is an excerpt from the Black Theology: An International Journal...

BUSTH announces Faculty Publications and Presentations for Summer and September 2024

September 2, 2024

The School of Theology is pleased to announce the following faculty publications...

BUSTH Announces Distinguished Alumni for 2024

August 29, 2024

The Boston University School of Theology (BUSTH) is pleased to announce this...

• 5 Sep STH Library Book Sale
• 5 Sep SHS Immunization Clinic
• 6 Sep STH Library Book Sale
• 6 Sep SHS Immunization Clinic

Testimonials

Free Resources

PrepScholar GRE Prep

Gre prep online guides and tips, how to write a stand-out personal statement for grad school.

If you’re applying to graduate school, you’ll likely need to write a personal statement. But what exactly is a graduate school personal statement? And what should you write about to give yourself your best shot at admission?

In this guide, we teach you how to write a personal statement for grad school, step by step. But first, let’s go over how the personal statement differs from the statement of purpose as well as what schools look for in a great graduate school essay.

What Is a Graduate School Personal Statement?

A graduate school personal statement is an admission essay that typically focuses on your personal reasons for wanting to enter a grad program and particular field of study. Essentially, you must tell the story of who you are and how you developed your current research interests.

So is a personal statement for graduate school the same thing as a statement of purpose? Well, not always (though it can be). Here are the general distinctions between the two essay types:

• Statement of purpose:  A formal essay that summarizes your academic and professional background, research interests, and career goals. In this essay, you’ll usually explain your reasons for applying to grad school and why you believe the program is a good fit for you (as well as why you’re a good fit for it!).
• Personal statement: A less formal essay that focuses on your passion and motivation for wanting to enter your chosen field and program. This statement is typically more flexible than the statement of purpose, with a bigger emphasis on storytelling. Schools often encourage applicants to discuss (relevant) challenges in their lives and how they’ve overcome them.

Both the graduate school personal statement and statement of purpose are usually anywhere from one to three double-spaced pages long, depending on the program you’re applying to.

Below is a chart comparing the personal statement and statement of purpose:

Usually, the personal statement and statement of purpose are considered two different graduate school essay types.

But this isn’t always the case. While some schools consider the personal statement and statement of purpose two distinct essays, others use the names interchangeably.

For example, Michigan State University’s College of Engineering  considers them two distinct essays, while The Ohio State University uses “personal statement” to describe what is essentially a statement of purpose.

Many schools require just one essay  (and it’ll usually be the statement of purpose, as it’s the more academic one). But some, such as the University of Michigan , ask for both a personal statement and statement of purpose, while others, such as  Notre Dame’s Creative Writing MFA program , want an essay that combines the features of both!

Ultimately, the type of graduate school essay you  submit will depend entirely on where you’re applying.

What Do Schools Look For in a Personal Statement?

Many grad schools require a personal statement in order to learn more about you, your interests, your struggles, and your motivations for wanting to enter a field of study. Through this essay, schools can get to know you on a deeper, more intimate level and learn about you in ways they can’t through transcripts and letters of recommendation alone.

But what specifically do universities look for in a great personal statement for graduate school? Here are some of the most important elements to include in your essay.

A Compelling Story

First off, your personal statement must tell a story. After all, this essay is basically your autobiography: it introduces who you are, your interests and motivations, and why you’ve decided to apply to grad school.

Unlike the statement of purpose, the personal statement should focus mostly on your personal history, from your failures to your triumphs. All experiences should tie back to your field or research area, emphasizing what you’ve learned and what this means in terms of your potential as a grad student.

Since you’re talking about yourself, be conversational in your storytelling: use an authentic voice, open up about your experiences, and maybe even throw in a joke or two. Though you’re still writing an essay for school, it’s generally OK to be a little more informal here than you would in a statement of purpose.

That said, there are a couple of things you absolutely shouldn’t do in your personal statement.

• Open your essay with a quotation. Professors have heard the quotation before and don’t need (or want) to hear it again. Plus, quotations often take up too much space in an already short essay!
• Use clichés. Think of unique ways to tell your story and grab readers’ attention. Schools want to see you can be creative yet honest about yourself, so avoid clichés like the plague (see what I did there?).
• Get too creative. Your goal is to look like a serious, committed applicant—not a wacky risk taker—so write clearly and avoid any unnecessary distractions such as images, colors, and unprofessional fonts.

Most importantly, remember that your graduate school personal statement should focus on your successes. Try to use strong, encouraging words and put positive twists on difficult experiences whenever possible. It’s OK to mention your setbacks, too—just as long as you’re discussing how you ultimately overcame (or plan to overcome) them.

Inspirations for Your Research Interests

Schools don’t only want to see clearly defined research interests but also  why you have these particular interests.   While the statement of purpose elaborates on your professional goals, the personal statement explains what personally motivated you to explore your interests.

For example, in my personal statement for a Japanese Studies MA program, I wrote about my hot-and-cold relationship with the Japanese language and how a literature class and a stint abroad ultimately inspired me to keep learning.

Don’t make the mistake of going way back to the beginning to start your essay. Many applicants open their statements with something along the lines of “I fell in love with psychology when I was ten years old” or “It all started when I was in high school.” But these broad statements lack the creativity and zest needed to secure an acceptance, so avoid them at all costs.

Your Motivation for Applying to Grad School

Your statement of purpose should explain why grad school is a practical next step in your professional life—but your personal statement should focus on what personally motivates you to take this step.

Generally, schools want answers to the following questions:

• Why is grad school an appropriate step for you now?
• How will a graduate degree help you achieve your goals?
• Why didn’t you apply to grad school earlier (if you took time off after undergrad)?
• Were there any struggles or problems you faced that prevented you from applying to grad school before?

Be honest about why you’re applying, both to grad school and the program in particular. In my graduate school essay, I discussed how my passion for Japanese literature and desire to translate it inspired me to seek advanced language training at the graduate level.

Strong Writing Skills

A great personal statement shows that you can write cogently and coherently. After all, strong writing skills are imperative for success as a grad student!

So in addition to telling a good story, make sure you use correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, and capitalization. Use paragraphs to break up your thoughts, too. Because the personal statement is slightly less formal than the statement of purpose, feel free to play around a little with paragraph form and length.

Also, remember that  good writing doesn’t necessarily equal big words.  You’re writing about yourself, so use words that come naturally to you. Don’t grab a thesaurus and start throwing in a bunch of high-level vocabulary wherever you can; this will make your essay sound less authentic, not to mention stiff.

On the other hand, don’t get too colloquial. You’ll lose respect if you start inserting conversational words such as “gonna” and “gotta.” Therefore, look for the middle ground and write from there.

Want to improve your GRE score by 7 points?  We have the industry's leading GRE prep program. Built by world-class instructors with 99th percentile GRE scores , the program learns your strengths and weaknesses through machine learning data science, then customizes your prep program to you so you get the most effective prep possible.

Try our 5-day full access trial for free:

Explanations for Any Hiccups in Your Academic Career

Lastly, the personal statement  gives applicants a chance to explain any problems or changes in their academic histories, such as low grades or gaps in education.

Because transcripts and resumes are severely limited in what information they give, schools often use the personal statement to understand your reasons for abrupt changes in your resume and/or transcripts, and to see how you’ve overcome these barriers in your education (and life).

Essentially, a personal statement equalizes the playing field by giving you full rein to explain yourself and emphasize your success over any struggles you’ve had.

How to Write a Personal Statement for Grad School: 9-Step Guide

The personal statement is a fiercely important part of your grad school application. In this section, we teach you how to write a memorable personal statement for grad school so that you’ll have a better shot at getting accepted.

Step 1: Start Early

Personal statements (actually, grad school applications in general!) take a lot of work, so don’t put off writing your essay until the week before your deadline. Rather, try to start working on your essay at least two or three months before your application is due.

You might want to give yourself more time to write it if you’re currently in school or working a demanding job. Setting aside more time lets you work on your graduate school essay routinely without having to squeeze in too many hours each week.

If you only have a month or less until your application deadline, get started on your essay pronto! Though it’s possible to write a personal statement quickly, I recommend carving out more time so that you can put more thought and effort into what you write and how you present yourself. (Doing this also gives others more time to edit your essay for you! We’ll cover this more in later steps.)

Step 2: Read the Instructions

Perhaps the most important step is to read your program’s instructions for the personal statement. Not following these instructions could very well result in a rejection, so always read these first before you start writing! Most programs put their personal statement instructions on their application materials pages.

Your program should give you the following information:

• What type of content your personal statement should include or generally focus on (you might even get an actual prompt to answer!)
• How long your statement should be
• What type of heading, if any, you must include on your statement
• How to save and submit your statement (e.g., .docx, PDF, etc.)

For example, let’s say you’re applying to the History PhD program at UC Berkeley . In this case, your personal statement can’t exceed 1,000 words (three double-spaced pages). You must also answer this prompt :

Please describe how your personal background informs your decision to pursue a graduate degree. Please include information on how you have overcome barriers to access in higher education, evidence of how you have come to understand the barriers faced by others, evidence of your academic service to advance equitable access to higher education for women, racial minorities, and individuals from other groups that have been historically underrepresented in higher education, evidence of your research focusing on underserved populations or related issues of inequality, or evidence of your leadership among such groups.

On the other hand, if you were to apply for an MS in Mining, Geological, and Geophysical Engineering at the University of Arizona , your personal statement would follow these parameters:

Your personal statement is an opportunity to sell yourself, in terms of your research interests, research experience and research goals. Unless you have extensive research experience, most personal statements should be about two single-spaced pages. Your writing should be clear, concise, grammatically correct and professional in tone. You may convey some personal experiences that have led to your current interests or that make you a particularly promising candidate.

Clearly, grad programs can approach personal statements quite differently. Some schools consider them the same as statements of purpose and want a formal focus on academic and research interests, while others want applicants to explain more informally the challenges they’ve overcome to get to this point.

Simply put,  follow your program’s directions exactly in order to give yourself your best shot at admission.  And if any part of the instructions is unclear, don’t hesitate to contact your program!

Step 3: Figure Out Your Angle

Your “angle,” or focus, in your graduate school personal statement will depend on a few key factors:

• What your grad program wants you to write about
• Your field of study and research interests
• How much experience you have in your field

As I mentioned in step 2, it’s extremely important to  read the personal statement instructions for your program. Many times these guidelines will tell you what to include in your essay, thereby clarifying what your overall angle needs to be.

Let’s look back at the example we used above for UC Berkeley’s doctoral program in history. If you were applying here and came from a low-income family, you could discuss how you’ve overcome these financial challenges in your life to get to where you are today.

No matter the prompt, you’ll need to discuss your research interests (to some degree) in your personal statement.  How much you talk about your interests, however, will depend on whether you have to submit a separate statement of purpose. If so, you can focus less on your research plans and more on your passions and motivations for applying.

On the other hand, if your personal statement is essentially a statement of purpose, dive deep into your research interests—that is,  be specific! For example, those applying to English lit programs should think about the works, eras, and writers they want to study, and why.

More broadly, though, try to answer the question of  what you hope to accomplish, either during or after the program. Is there any particular project you want to do? Skills you want to improve? Field you want to break into?

Finally, always choose a positive angle.  Use affirmative words and phrases to highlight both your successes and overall enthusiasm for the program.

Step 4: Ask Yourself, “Why This Program? Why This Field?”

Although the statement of purpose usually answers this question directly, you’ll likely need to address this in your personal statement as well—ideally, with a less academic and more conversational tone.

As you brainstorm, try to come up with answers to the following questions:

• What goals or experiences led you to apply to this program?
• How will this program help you grow on a personal level?
• What made you interested in this field? Why do you want to study it more?
• What are your research interests? How did you develop these interests?
• Are there any particular professors you wish to work with?

Step 5: Make an Outline

Now that you’ve brainstormed some ideas, it’s time to start outlining your essay.

Want to improve your GRE score by 7+ points?

Check out our best-in-class online GRE prep program . We guarantee your money back if you don't improve your GRE score by 7 points or more.

PrepScholar GRE is entirely online, and it customizes your prep program to your strengths and weaknesses . We also feature 2,000 practice questions , official practice tests, 150 hours of interactive lessons, and 1-on-1 scoring and feedback on your AWA essays.

Check out our 5-day free trial now:

How you choose to outline your statement is up to you. Some people like drawing bubble charts for organizing their thoughts, whereas others (like myself) prefer to write a list of rough ideas in the general order they want to present them.

Even if you’re not sure whether you want to include something, just add it to your outline anyway. You can always cut it out later as you draft and edit.

Step 6: Draft Your Essay

It’s now time to start writing! Once you’ve got your outline ready, work on expanding what you’ve written into full-fledged paragraphs.

In the beginning, it’s OK to write down anything you feel is relevant, but as you continue to draft, try to look for any extraneous information you can chop.

Remember, most personal statements will be short— usually one to two double-spaced pages—so you don’t want to risk exceeding your program’s word limit. Schools want to see that you can tell a story concisely yet effectively.

If you’re having trouble coming up with a way to open your statement, try skipping around as you draft. Go ahead and jump to a paragraph you have more ideas for—it’s perfectly OK! Just make sure you start to tie all of your ideas together the closer you get to finishing your draft.

On a related note, be careful not to copy any material from your statement of purpose (if you’re required to submit two separate essays). These statements may share a little overlap but should still focus on different aspects of your (academic) life, accomplishments, and goals.

Step 7: Get Feedback

Once you finish drafting, give your essay to people you trust for feedback. This could be a parent, friend, sibling, or mentor (such as a former or current professor).

Ask your editors to give you  specific feedback  on what you can change, both stylistically and technically, to make it more impactful. Ideally, they’ll also note any unclear, awkward, or redundant ideas/phrases and will offer you helpful suggestions for improvement.

If you’ve written a separate statement of purpose, see whether your editors are willing to check that essay over as well so that you can ensure there isn’t too much overlap between the two.

Step 8: Revise & Edit Your Essay

Once you get feedback, revise and edit your personal statement using your editors’ comments as a guide.

For example, if your editors told you your essay lacked detail, look for places in your writing where you can be more specific and that are likely to have a strong impact on the admission committee.

As you revise, keep an eye out for any awkward sentences or extraneous information. Personal statements are usually pretty brief and you don’t want to accidentally exceed the word limit. So when in doubt, take it out!

Step 9: Proofread

The final step is to proofread your draft. Start by using your computer’s spell check function to quickly find any glaring typos and grammatical errors.

Then, proofread your essay one sentence at a time. Since it’s easy to miss errors in your own writing, I recommend editing your essay from back to front (i.e., from the last sentence to the first sentence). Doing this prevents you from glossing over words and lets you pinpoint punctuation, spelling, and grammatical errors more easily.

In addition, check that you have page numbers on each page (if required—though I suggest adding them regardless) and a proper heading (again, if required) that meets the requirements of your program.

Before you submit it, see if you can get someone else (preferably one or all of your editors from step 7) to look over your final draft as well.  If anyone spots a problem with your essay, go back to step 8. If you get all thumbs ups, read over your statement one last time and then turn it in without looking back! (Seriously, don’t read it again or you’re going to want to change something.)

The Key to a Great Graduate School Personal Statement

The personal statement is an essential part of your grad school application. Like the statement of purpose, it highlights your research interests, experiences, and goals.

But more importantly, the personal statement showcases  your unbridled passion for your field, lets you reflect on challenges you’ve faced (and subsequently overcome), and answers the overarching question of why you want to attend grad school.

A great graduate school personal statement will normally include most or all of the following elements:

• A compelling story
• Inspirations for your research interests
• Your motivation for applying to grad school
• Strong writing skills
• Explanations for any changes or problems in your academic career

Above, we walked you through how to write a personal statement for grad school. To recap, here are the nine steps to follow:

• Start early—at least two or three months before your application is due
• Read your program’s instructions for the personal statement
• Figure out your angle by brainstorming ideas
• Ask yourself, “Why this program/field?”
• Make an outline using charts, a list, etc.
• Draft your essay
• Get specific feedback from multiple editors
• Revise and edit your essay
• Proofread (and get other people to proofread it, too!)

What’s Next?

Need to write a statement of purpose, too? Waste no time!  Our expert guide offers tons of tips to help you come up with a statement of purpose that’s certain to impress admission committees.

Do your schools require a CV or resume?  If you’re totally lost on where to begin, read our guides to learn how to put together a great CV or resume for grad school. And for extra help, check out our four original CV and resume templates !

What do you need to submit for your grad school application?  Get the scoop on what kinds of materials you’ll need to prepare when applying to grad school .

Ready to improve your GRE score by 7 points?

Author: Hannah Muniz

Hannah graduated summa cum laude from the University of Southern California with a bachelor’s degree in English and East Asian languages and cultures. After graduation, she taught English in Japan for two years via the JET Program. She is passionate about education, writing, and travel. View all posts by Hannah Muniz

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

Emerging Scholars Blog

InterVarsity's Emerging Scholars Network

Writing a Christian Personal Statement

Writing any application for a school can be difficult, and writing the Personal Statement can become the most challenging part of it. By the time you are preparing to submit an application, most of its elements are already fixed: your GPA, your MCAT or GRE scores, the activities you did (or didn’t do). The Personal Statement, however, is an open field of possibilities in self expression, and that sense of ambiguity lends itself to great liberty and/or great anxiety.

Admittedly, the title is somewhat misleading. A “Christian” personal statement shouldn’t technically be very different from any other personal statement. It still has to accomplish the same goals, which are fairly well defined in the context of applying for a graduate or professional school. As an example, an excellent source on the Medical School Personal Statement  would advise you to focus on answering these questions:

• What have you done that supports your interest in becoming a doctor?
• Why do you want to be a doctor?
• How have your experiences influenced you?

Sounds simple? It’s not. Few people can easily articulate the reasons why they want to go into medicine (and this even includes those who have been  working in medicine). As reflected on before , the most powerful reasons tend to be emotionally charged and heavily driven by personal experiences, desires, and ambitions. Sometimes these reasons spring from tangible and discrete moments that are relatively simple to describe: a father becomes ill, a friend becomes helpless, a tragedy unfolds in which the universal compulsion to heal and to comfort becomes central and even life-changing. But sometimes those reasons are harder to describe: a series of loosely connected jobs that led to an internal conviction, an affection for both the material and immaterial, a search for a career grounded in the authenticity of human experiences.

The more personal these experiences are, the more uncomfortable and self-conscious we become in describing them. We wonder if others will see things from our perspective, and as we struggle to describe them in nouns and adjectives and run-on sentences, we find it easy to become paralyzed by the fear that the reader/admission officer/judge will fail to understand . . . and in doing so, reject us as both applicants and as people. It is deeply unsettling because the process will require an act of introspection and then an act of public revelation.

So, like all other expressions of self-revelation, we are tempted to edit heavily. We want to be accepted for who we are but we also want to achieve a goal. We have an ideal that motivates us, but in order to achieve it we must submit it to the scrutiny of another . . . and in that process, we risk having it change.

What do I mean by this? I mean that I volunteered at a soup kitchen because I wanted to help people, but in writing the essay I wanted to make sure that the reader understood just how deeply I felt that emotion, so I overplayed the descriptions of how scraggly the hobo’s beard looked or how heart-melting that child’s eyes were. I mean that I did research because it sounded interesting and I enjoyed tinkering around in the lab, but I wanted my work to be respected so I added a gazillion extra adjectives about how triumphant or beatified I felt when gazing through the clear liquid in a test tube. I mean that I felt helpless when I sat by my friend’s bed as she lay dying or in watching my sister get bullied in speech therapy, but I wanted to do rightly by them in becoming a doctor so I wrote whatever bastardized piece of junk I felt needed to be written in order to get the job done. I mean I wanted to talk about Jesus and what he meant to me, but I couldn’t because it might get us both thrown out of school before we even started there.

I realized that the real work of writing a Personal Statement was to stop myself from selling myself. I was not a product out on the marketplace to be distinguished only by my differences in merit and form, but a unique person whose path had already been determined by a loving and sovereign Lord. I was not applying to different schools out of a statistical strategy for maximizing the probability of admission, but because each institution’s strengths and weaknesses could cause me to grow and be shaped differently for the work of the Lord. It helped me understand myself better, realizing in some circumstances that some of my applications were actually not the best thing for me. And I found that though thinking in this way was far more difficult than simply optimizing a resume, it restored a sense of purpose and intentionality to an otherwise superficial and anxiety-provoking time. It made descriptions of myself more vulnerable but more honest, which inadvertently made things more confident and more peaceful.

It made them Christ-centered, and therefore Christian.  In the words of the Psalmist :

O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.

Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,” even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.

Writing a Christian Personal Statement:  Part 2 ,  Part 3 .

About the author:

David graduated from Princeton University with a degree in Electrical Engineering and received his medical degree from Rutgers - Robert Wood Johnson Medical School with a Masters in Public Health concentrated in health systems and policy. He completed a dual residency in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at Christiana Care Health System in Delaware. He continues to work in Delaware as a dual Med-Peds hospitalist. Faith-wise, he is decid­edly Christian, and regarding everything else he will gladly talk your ear off about health policy, the inner city, gadgets, and why Disney’s Frozen is actually a terrible movie.

Share this:

Recent posts.

• Becoming People of the Third Way
• Passing the Baton at the Emerging Scholars Network
• Science Corner: A Priest, a Poet and a Mathematician Walk into an Abbey

Article Categories

How to write a personal statement

How to approach writing your personal statement for graduate applications.

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

1. Before you start

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

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

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

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

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

Presenting yourself

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

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

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

Get to know your department

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

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

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

Talk it out

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

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

2. The writing process

Know your format.

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

Make a start

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

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

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

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

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

3. Finishing up

Get some feedback.

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

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

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

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

Be yourself

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

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

Get moving on your application today

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

Applicant advice hub

This content was previously available through our  Applicant advice hub . The hub contained links to articles hosted on our  Graduate Study at Oxford Medium channel . We've moved the articles that support the application process into this new section of our website.

• Application Guide: Statement of purpose

Can't find what you're looking for?

If you have a query about graduate admissions at Oxford, we're here to help:

Ask a question

Privacy Policy

Postgraduate Applicant Privacy Policy

How to Write a Strong Personal Statement for Graduate School

• by Heidi Kerr and Paul David Terry
• November 10, 2020

You’ve made the exciting decision to pursue a graduate degree. Congratulations! There are a wide range of graduate programs to explore , and once you’ve selected the right program for you, it’s time to begin the graduate application process. 

The statement of purpose and personal history statement are key components of the UC Davis graduate school application . With fewer than 4,000 characters allowed for each essay, these statements can seem particularly daunting. However, each one has a specific purpose for showcasing your academic journey and creating a holistic application.

Below, we’ve analyzed the differences between the statement of purpose and personal history statement and provided tips for writing these graduate school admissions essays. 

Statement of Purpose and Personal History: What’s the Difference?

The statement of purpose shares your academic objectives with the admissions committee and explains why you want to obtain a graduate degree. The personal history statement provides background about who you are and how your experiences have shaped your interests and ability to overcome challenges. Each essay has specific goals to showcase your experience, passion and story. 

How to Write a Strong Statement of Purpose

The statement of purpose should highlight your academic preparation , motivation and interests, along with any specializations and career goals that contribute to your program of study. As you write your statement of purpose, it should encompass some of the following:

• Academic and research experiences - Include any relevant academic studies or research pursuits, internships or employment, presentations, publications, teaching, and travel or study abroad experiences that prepare you for this graduate program. Explain your motivation or passion for these experiences and how they can enrich your graduate study.
• Interests, specializations, and career goals - Highlight your research interests, disciplinary subfields, area(s) of specialization, and professional objectives.
• Fit - Explain how your preparation, experiences, and interests match the specific resources and characteristics of your graduate program at UC Davis. Identify specific faculty within your desired graduate program with whom you would like to work and how their interests match your own.

The statement of purpose should also address why you want to pursue the particular graduate degree program at the university and what your goals are in pursuing a degree. Remember, the statement of purpose should explain exactly that, your purpose for becoming a graduate student. This is the primary way it stands apart from your personal history statement. 

What to Include in Your Personal History Statement

The personal history statement helps the reader learn more about you as an individual and potential graduate student. Use this opportunity to describe how your personal background informs your decision to pursue a graduate degree. Tell a story that  includes any experiences, challenges or opportunities relevant to your academic journey. Consider how your life experiences contribute to the social, intellectual, or cultural diversity within a campus community and your chosen field.

A strong personal history statement begins with an authentic voice and personal narrative. This can reflect your journey to graduate school, any obstacles you’ve encountered, and how you've overcome challenges. Talk about your personal goals and dreams. Explain what motivates and drives you toward this degree. The more your personal statement tells your school about you as an individual, the more it will stand out. Don't write something to impress someone else. This includes language, style and tone. Authenticity is important and resonates well. Tell the truth, in your voice, from your perspective. Use your story to connect.

More Tips and Resources for Applying to Graduate School

Applying to graduate school may be daunting to some, but UC Davis has a variety of resources to help you create a strong graduate school application. Check out the Applying to Graduate School: A Guide and Handbook for ideas and worksheets on how to construct your essays. Or visit our Office of Educational Opportunity and Enrichment Services website for more graduate school prep resources. 

Paul David Terry is the assistant director of special interest and affinity networks and alumni diversity lead at the Cal Aggie Alumni Association. He oversees the UC Davis Health Improving OUTcomes blog and enjoys cycling and brewing ginger beer.

Heidi Kerr works as the content and media manager at UC Davis’ Graduate Studies. She has worked as a communications professional at multiple higher education institutions and is passionate about promoting student success.

The authors acknowledge current and former leaders from Pre-Graduate/Law Advising in Office of Educational Opportunity and Enrichment Services, especially Annalisa Teixeira, Ph.D. and Cloe Le Gall-Scoville, Ph.D., who granted us permission to reference Applying to Graduate School: A Guide and Workbook .

Subscribe to the Majors Blog

Primary Category

• Statement of Purpose, Personal Statement, and Writing Sample

Details about submitting a statement of purpose, personal statement, and a writing sample as part of your degree program application

• Dissertation
• Fellowships
• Maximizing Your Degree
• Before You Arrive
• First Weeks at Harvard
• Harvard Speak
• Pre-Arrival Resources for New International Students
• Alumni Council
• Student Engagement
• English Proficiency
• Letters of Recommendation
• Transcripts
• After Application Submission
• Applying to the Visiting Students Program
• Admissions Policies
• Cost of Attendance
• Express Interest
• Campus Safety
• Commencement
• Diversity & Inclusion Fellows
• Student Affinity Groups
• Recruitment and Outreach
• Budget Calculator
• Find Your Financial Aid Officer
• Funding and Aid
• Regulations Regarding Employment
• Financial Wellness
• Consumer Information
• Life Sciences
• Policies (Student Handbook)
• Student Center
• Title IX and Gender Equity

Statement of Purpose 

The statement of purpose is very important to programs when deciding whether to admit a candidate. Your statement should be focused, informative, and convey your research interests and qualifications. You should describe your reasons and motivations for pursuing a graduate degree in your chosen degree program, noting the experiences that shaped your research ambitions, indicating briefly your career objectives, and concisely stating your past work in your intended field of study and in related fields. Your degree program of interest may have specific guidance or requirements for the statement of purpose, so be sure to review the degree program page for more information. Unless otherwise noted, your statement should not exceed 1,000 words. 

Personal Statement

Please describe the personal experiences that led you to pursue graduate education and how these experiences will contribute to the academic environment and/or community in your program or Harvard Griffin GSAS. These may include social and cultural experiences, leadership positions, community engagement, equity and inclusion efforts, other opportunities, or challenges. Your statement should be no longer than 500 words.

Please note that there is no expectation to share detailed sensitive information and you should refrain from including anything that you would not feel at ease sharing. Please also note that the Personal Statement should complement rather than duplicate the content provided in the Statement of Purpose. 

Visit Degree Programs and navigate to your degree program of interest to determine if a Personal Statement is required. The degree program pages will be updated by early September indicating if the Personal Statement is required for your program.

Writing Sample 

Please visit Degree Programs and navigate to your degree program of interest to determine if a writing sample is required. When preparing your writing sample, be sure to follow program requirements, which may include format, topic, or length. 

Share this page

Explore events.

Home > Admissions > Deadlines & Requirements

Deadlines & Requirements

Deadlines & requirements, application deadlines:.

Upcoming Deadlines :

June 1, 2024 – Fall 2024 Final Deadline

November 1 , 2024 – Spring 2025 Priority Deadline 

December 1, 2024 – Spring 2025 Final Deadline 

Application Requirements :

• Application Form (available online here )

• Resume/CV

• Personal Statement (approximately 1000 words)

Please address (1) Your reasons for the pursuit of graduate theological study, (2) your desire to study at Claremont School of Theology, and (3) your intended use of this degree in meeting future goals.

• Official transcripts demonstrating the completion of an accredited bachelor’s degree .* ( Please submit transcripts from all academic institutions attended after high school. )

• Three Letters of Recommendation :

• Two Academic OR Professional Recommendations

One Pastoral/General Recommendation

• Application Fee ($50)

• If your first language is not English : English Proficiency Documentation  (official TOEFL, official IELTS, or official Duolingo English Test scores will be accepted.) See English proficiency test preferred scores here.

• If applying for the MTS Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapy Track: Applicants must have completed at least one unit of CPE, and must submit their supervisor evaluation with their application for admission.

*  Under certain circumstances, applicants who do not hold an accredited bachelor’s degree may be admitted if they can demonstrate adequate preparation and likelihood for success in a graduate program. Please contact the Office of Admissions for further information by emailing [email protected] .

December 15, 2024 – Fall 2025 Priority Deadline   Late Spring 2025 – Fall 2025 Final Deadline  

* PLEASE NOTE : The PhD in Religion with a concentration in Contextual Theologies is the only PhD that can admit students in both spring and fall semesters. All other PhD programs are fall admission only. For further information, please contact [email protected]*

• GRE not required ( If you choose to submit GRE scores, please use this code: 4710 )

• Writing Sample

• Official transcripts demonstrating the completion of an accredited master’s degree in a relevant field . ( Please submit transcripts from all academic institutions attended after high school. )

• a minimum 3.25 GPA on a 4.0 scale is considered competitive 

• One General Recommendation

• Applicants to the Hebrew Bible and Jewish Studies Concentration: Applicants are expected to demonstrate at least two years of coursework (4 semesters or 6 quarters) in Hebrew language and texts and one year (2 semesters or 3 quarters) in Greek language and texts.

• Applicants to the Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapy Track: Applicants must have completed at least one unit of CPE, and must submit their supervisor evaluation with their application for admission.

November 1, 2024 – Spring 2025 Final Deadline Early Spring 2025 – Fall 2025 Final Deadline 

• Resume/CV demonstrating at least three years of ministry experience after the completion of an MDiv (or equivalent)

• Official transcripts demonstrating the completion of an accredited Master of Divinity (MDiv) or equivalent. * ( Please submit transcripts from all academic institutions attended after high school. )

• * MDiv Equivalency is determined by the Admissions Committee upon receipt of official transcripts and supporting documentation. Per ATS guidelines, MDiv equivalency is defined as “72 graduate semester credits or comparable graduate credits in other systems that represent broad-based work in theology, biblical studies, and the arts of ministry and that include Master’s degree and significant ministerial leadership. Twelve semester credits of the 72-credit requirement may be fulfilled by 24 semester credits of upper division undergraduate coursework in Theology or Religion. Graduates of certain institutions who have obtained an MTh degree meet the MDiv equivalency requirements.”

• If applying for the Spiritual Care & Counseling Track: Applicants must have completed at least one unit of CPE, and must submit their supervisor evaluation with their application for admission.

Upcoming Deadlines:

September 1, 2024 –  Winter 2025 Application Deadline   March 1, 2024 –  Summer 2025 Application Deadline

Application Requirements:

• Application Form (available online  here )
• Resume/CV demonstrating at least   three years of ministry experience  after the completion of an MDiv (or equivalent).
• Personal Statement (approximately 1000 words)
• Official transcripts demonstrating the completion of an  accredited Master of Divinity (MDiv)  or equivalent. *  ( Please submit transcripts from   all   academic institutions attended after high school. )
• a minimum 3.25 GPA on a 4.0 scale is considered competitive
• * MDiv Equivalency is determined by the Admissions Committee upon receipt of official transcripts and supporting documentation. Per ATS guidelines, MDiv equivalency is defined as “72 graduate semester credits or comparable graduate credits in other systems that represent broad-based work in theology, biblical studies, and the arts of ministry and that include Master’s degree and significant ministerial leadership. Twelve semester credits of the 72-credit requirement may be fulfilled by 24 semester credits of upper division undergraduate coursework in Theology or Religion. Graduates of certain institutions who have obtained an MTh degree meet the MDiv equivalency requirements.”

Application Fee ($50)

• Application Form (available online here )
• A bachelor’s degree from a theological school, or at least the five (5) theological courses in the following areas: Old Testament, New Testament, Theology, Church History, and Ethics. (In some cases, applicants who have not completed these prerequisite theological courses may be granted Provisional Admission while fulfilling this requirement.)
• (a) a master’s degree in counseling , or a counseling related field (e.g. psychology, education, social welfare, social work, psychiatry, child welfare, adolescent education).
• (b) A bachelor’s degree in counseling (or related field) with at least three (3) years of counseling experience subsequent to receiving the degree in counseling (or related field) approved by the Korean Ministry of Women & Family
• (c) Equivalent qualifications to (a) or (b) as determined by the Korean Ministry of Women & Family.
• Official transcripts demonstrating the completion of the above academic requirements. ( Please submit transcripts from all academic institutions attended after high school. )
• 1) a professor who knows the candidate’s academic abilities
• 2) a pastor or a religious professional who knows the candidate’s spiritual life
• 3) a friend or colleague
• 1) Tell us about your counseling education and clinical experience ( 250 words )
• 2) Why did you choose to study at Claremont School of Theology? ( 250 words )
• 3) Explain how the Doctor of Professional Counseling degree will further your vocational goals. ( 250 words )
• Resume/Curriculum Vitae  

Upcoming Deadlines : February 1, 2025 – Fall 2025 Priority Deadline 

June 1, 2025 – Fall 2025 Final Deadline

Please address (1) Your reasons for the pursuit of graduate theological study, (2) your desire to study at Claremont School of Theology, and (3) your intended use of this coursework in meeting future goals.

• Official transcripts demonstrating the completion of an accredited bachelor’s degree . 

• Application Fee ($25)

United Methodist Advanced Course of Study Applicants:

In addition to the above, please also submit the following: • Official Transcript for Course of Study • Letter of Recommendation (1) from District Superintendent or Course of Study Director

Scholarship Deadlines:

Scholarship deadlines vary depending on program and award terms, however if you are hoping to be considered for institutional scholarships, it is recommended that you complete the application process as early as possible in order to put yourself in the most competitive position possible. Most awards are distributed on a first-come-first-served basis.

Additional Information

Rolling Admissions: Most of our programs review applications as they are submitted. Completing your application early maximizes your admission and financial aid opportunities. Please ensure the Office of Admissions receives all required application materials as soon as possible before the deadline.

English Proficiency Notes: Most of CST’s programs require applicants whose first language is not English to submit either the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test exam.

TOEFL iBT – Please submit Internet-based (iBT) scores. Computer-based (CBT) scores will only be accepted if an applicant lives in a country that does not offer the iBT. Minimum scores preferred vary by program. To view the scores required for each program please click here.

IELTS – (International English Language Testing System) – Minimum scores preferred vary by program. To view the scores required for each program please click here.

Duolingo English Test – To view the scores required for each program please click here.

Letters of Recommendation :

Applicants who have been away from academic study for five years or more may select recommenders who can speak to the applicant’s academic potential and/or professional accomplishments to fulfill the academic recommendation requirement.

Letters of Recommendation may not be submitted by relatives/family members of the applicant Please be in contact with your admissions counselor to ensure appropriate recommendation choices.

Application Materials: Please ensure that all relevant application materials are submitted in English. If using translation or degree equivalency service, please use a certified service, such as World Education Services (www.wes.org).

Hard copies of supporting documentation should be mailed to:

Claremont School of Theology

Office of Admission

10497 Wilshire Blvd

Los Angeles, CA 90024

The Office of Admission does not retain application materials beyond three years and requires new materials from applicants who exceed that timeframe. All application materials become the property of Claremont School of Theology and will not be returned to the applicant nor released to a third party (e.g. educational institution).

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Claremont School of Theology (CST) strives to make theological education affordable through its financial aid program and is proud to offer scholarships to nearly all eligible incoming students.

Office Of Admission

Admission [email protected]

Financial Aid [email protected]

Ready to Experience Claremont?

• Search All Scholarships
• Exclusive Scholarships
• Easy Scholarships to Apply For
• No Essay Scholarships
• Scholarships for HS Juniors
• Scholarships for HS Seniors
• Scholarships for College Students
• Scholarships for Grad Students
• Scholarships for Women
• Scholarships for Black Students
• Scholarships
• Student Loans
• College Admissions
• Financial Aid
• Scholarship Winners
• Scholarship Providers

Student-centric advice and objective recommendations

Higher education has never been more confusing or expensive. Our goal is to help you navigate the very big decisions related to higher ed with objective information and expert advice. Each piece of content on the site is original, based on extensive research, and reviewed by multiple editors, including a subject matter expert. This ensures that all of our content is up-to-date, useful, accurate, and thorough.

Our reviews and recommendations are based on extensive research, testing, and feedback. We may receive commission from links on our website, but that doesn’t affect our editors’ opinions. Our marketing partners don’t review, approve or endorse our editorial content. It’s accurate to the best of our knowledge when posted. You can find a complete list of our partners here .

How to Write a Graduate School Personal Statement (with example!)

Varonika Ware is a content writer at Scholarships360. Varonika earned her undergraduate degree in Mass Communications at Louisiana State University. During her time at LSU, she worked with the Center of Academic Success to create the weekly Success Sunday newsletter. Varonika also interned at the Louisiana Department of Insurance in the Public Affairs office with some of her graphics appearing in local news articles.

Learn about our editorial policies

Bill Jack has over a decade of experience in college admissions and financial aid. Since 2008, he has worked at Colby College, Wesleyan University, University of Maine at Farmington, and Bates College.

Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.

Congratulations on finishing your bachelor’s degree, and starting the next chapter! You might be thinking about applying to graduate school, and fortunately, it’s very similar to applying to an undergraduate program. However, it’s probably been a few years since you’ve had to write an application essay, so you might be wondering how to write a personal statement for graduate school. If so, this guide is the perfect resource for you! Keep reading below to find out more, and don’t forget to check out the example of a graduate school personal statement.

What is a personal statement?

A personal statement is an essay that encapsulates your personal journey and how that’s shaped who you are as an applicant. They are typically 400-600 words, but can be longer or shorter. 

Be sure not to confuse a personal statement with a statement of purpose as they are two different types of admissions essays. Use this as an opportunity to show colleges what you value and what’s turned you into an ideal student for your desired school. 

What should I write about?

Personal statements are your chance to get, well, personal. While you should answer the prompt in its entirety, you should also write about yourself. Bring a personal element into your essay like family or a story of you overcoming an obstacle. 

Ideally, your story should relate to what you’re trying to accomplish at your graduate school of choice. Tie it all together: your personal experiences, your desired major, and your ideal outcome. 

Tips for writing a personal statement for graduate school

It’s important to start your graduate application as soon as you’re able. Usually, the first round of applications receive the best financial aid packages, so start early! 

Starting sooner can also give you the time to outline your essay and get it read over by your support system. You’ll want it all to be perfect, so don’t rush.

Be transparent

Instead of telling admissions what you think they want to hear, be open and honest about yourself. You want them to understand you, and the only way to do that is to show who you actually are. Offer up personal stories or things that genuinely interest you so that you can show off your sparkling personality!

Be original

Graduate programs are often very competitive since there’s a smaller admissions pool. As a result, your essay should be as original as possible to stand out from the crowd. Tell your story in an organic way, and approach the given prompt with an open mind. 

Related : How to write an essay about yourself

Check your work

It’s extremely important for you to proofread and check for correct spelling and grammar throughout your personal statement. Even simply reading your statement out loud can help you catch any errors and make sure your words flow together. You should also consider having mentors or people within your support system read over your essay to ensure your message is clear.

Common mistakes when writing a graduate school personal statement

Reusing your undergraduate essay .

Reusing your first supplemental essay as a template is a big mistake you want to avoid. Years have passed since then, and you’ve learned new skills and grown as a person and a student. 

The experiences you previously wrote might not resonate with who you are today or tell the graduate team what they want to know about you. It may also have grammatical errors that you might not have noticed before, so take a little extra time to start from scratch and create something new.

Repeating what’s in your resume

It’s likely that your graduate school of choice will require you to upload a copy of your resume as part of your application. Therefore, the admissions committee will already know your professional background, so tell them something else about yourself or provide further depth to a job experience. Repeating yourself only tells them one thing, and you want to be the most well-rounded applicant that you can be.

Graduate school personal statement example

Prompt: Please discuss how your experiences, both personal and professional, have led you to pursue a graduate business degree at this time. What are your short- and long- term goals and how will this program and the J. Mack Robinson College of Business help you achieve these goals? (750 words max)

While many of the applications you receive will detail the many ways that person has been the first to do something, I pose a different perspective: hope to be the last. In other words, you might see me as a first-generation college student, but I see the makings of becoming the last generation to worry about generational wealth in my family. 

Though it is true that I would be the first in my family to get my master’s degree, I’m hoping that my future success means I’ll be the last “first.” It’s not lost on me what this title means, but most of all, it signifies the dawn of an era. A dynasty bred from the struggles and achievements of those before it.

These are big shoes to fill, but I’ve never been afraid of a challenge and the things I’ve learned have helped me secure my future. For example, by observing different business models throughout the years, I found a secret about marketing: people love a product that loves them back. In my case, a product that’s always loved me back were books. I’d fallen in love with bookshelves and bookstores alike, so it only makes sense that a culmination of my love of marketing and books is the goal of one day working in book publishing. I want to know the inner workings of book promotion including design decisions and book tours. Eventually, I plan on working at one of the big publishers such as Penguin Random House, Harper Collins, or Macmillan.

Fortunately, I’ve been given opportunities to decide on my own path, which I hope to execute at Georgia State University. This school’s unique curriculum will be an asset to me since there are classes that specifically cater to buyer behavior, and that’s an area of study I’m particularly interested in. The Social Media Intelligence Lab and social media marketing class will hopefully give me an inside look into influencer marketing and its impact on product profitability. According to your mission statement, GSU educates future leaders, and I want to be a part of that.

As a mentor of mine once said, knowledge is meant to be shared, and if it isn’t, it’s control. I hope to build up the people around me with knowledge and experiences as I go out into the professional world just as I hope this program will do for me. If I’m accepted into this program, I plan on using my creativity and drive for not only my success, but for my family’s as well. There may be times I fall short of a goal, but failure isn’t an option. Each benchmark professors put in front of me will be conquered, and one day, I’ll be one of your notable alumni. 

Why this essay works:

• The writer clearly researched the school and understands its values
• The prompt is answered completely and seamlessly
• The applicant knew their goals and thought of ways to achieve them at the college 
• This statement communicates not only what the college gains from this applicant’s admission, but also what the applicant gains
• It’s also well within the word limit

Frequently asked questions about how to write a graduate school personal statement

Do i have to write a personal statement to get into graduate school, how long is graduate school, do i have to take an exam to get into graduate school, scholarships360 recommended.

10 Tips for Successful College Applications

Coalition vs. Common App: What is the difference?

College Application Deadlines 2024-2025: What You Need to Know

Trending now.

How to Convert Your GPA to a 4.0 Scale

PSAT to SAT Score Conversion: Predict Your Score

What are Public Ivy League Schools?

3 reasons to join scholarships360.

• Automatic entry to our $10,000 No-Essay Scholarship
• Personalized matching to thousands of vetted scholarships
• Quick apply for scholarships exclusive to our platform

By the way...Scholarships360 is 100% free!

• 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

Theology personal statement example 2.

Richard Dawkins once remarked that he 'couldn't see how theology is a subject at all'. But embedded in humanity is the universal conception of a Supreme Being, and the existential quest to uncover the obscurity of our origins, and lift the veil of the future.

Theology nurtures this instinct, and by grappling with the most critical questions of purpose, provenance and existence, arguably transcends all other realms of enquiry. It is the subject's profound nature that compels me to pursue it further. While the religious impulse is fundamental to humanity and religion suffuses social constructs, theology will always be contemporary, always reinventing itself and pertain to all of life.

I have found the theology of Dietrich Bonhoeffer particularly inspiring, and am a member of the International Bonhoeffer Society. Such works as 'The Cost of Discipleship' and 'Ethics' are compelling, as are his views on religion in the context of contemporary society. Bonhoeffer described the phenomenon of secularisation as the world's 'coming of age' from earlier metaphysical dependencies into self sufficient ways of understanding.

While I agree that secularism enjoys ascendancy, what intrigues me is how in recent years spirituality has heightened as people have become increasingly disillusioned with the superficiality of materialism and technology. Religious literacy is therefore essential for religious ideas to be reformulated for modern society.

Christian history can be seen as salvation history and thus I find Christian soteriology absorbing. Robert Picrilli's 'Grace, Faith and Free Will' is inspirational on this subject, and helps me ascertain the parameters of debate between Calvinism and Arminianism. Of course, soteriology cannot be divorced from Christology, in that we perceive the nature of a being in its effect upon us; if Christ is Saviour, this assertion about his function is also a statement about his identity. Joseph Ratzinger's 'Jesus of Nazareth' is excellent in supplementing my interest in Christology.

Attending lectures on church history at the Cambridge Saturday School of Theology has fuelled my interest of the link between the intellectual edifice of Christianity as we know it today and the Reformation. I'm particularly intrigued by how the ramifications of this period helped precipitate and shape modernity, in terms of the emergence of individualistic thinking, which for me places theology at the heart of modern history and my own liberal values.

In the same way, I also feel that theology is inextricably linked to philosophy, as rival or complementary modes of investigation, and have launched a philosophy club in my college. I have enjoyed Robert Sokolowski's 'The God of Faith and Reason', which deals with the philosophical scrutiny of theology and illustrates how faith can preserve the integrity of reason, as opposed to being antirational.

As well as pursuing academic goals, I am an active member of the community; I have been elected Chair of the West Sussex Youth Cabinet, and have become a European Youth Ambassador. These dynamic roles ignited my enthusiasm for current affairs and last year I was a finalist in the National Political Journalism competition, which enhanced my ability to construct arguments coherently.

I also have undertaken the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award. I have an interest in languages, and last year embarked on a Japanese Proficiency course. In my leisure time I read, cycle and play the piano.

There are those who argue that theology demands conformity of ideas, but I feel that the discipline thrives on diversity and debate, and enhances human intellectual autonomy. As Bonhoeffer remarked; 'It is the nature, and the advantage, of strong people that they bring out the crucial questions and form an opinion about them'.

For me, theology is not only a subject, but one that is genuinely rewarding, intellectually liberating, and incrementally significant in a world 'coming of age'.

Profile info

This personal statement was written by Galatea for application in 2008.

Galatea's Comments

I had no idea what to write when it came to my ps, having seen no examples for theology, and I realise now that the ps certainly doesn't have to be as detailed and intense as this one is, but I hope it serves as a useful example anyway to year's crop. In the end I got offers from Cambridge, Durham (with philosophy), KCL, St Andrews and Edinburgh.

This personal statement is unrated

Related Personal Statements

I dont even know what to say.

Wed, 15/10/2008 - 09:33

i dont even know what to say to be honest this has worried me even more about what im going to write its pretty unelivable. its annoying that there is no '[religious studies' ps's cos i dont want to specify in only theoglogy... nice 1 anyway tho

fantastic; succinct,

Wed, 22/10/2008 - 18:48

fantastic; succinct, analytical, academic- a huge help!

Speaking as someone with a

Thu, 04/12/2008 - 13:09

Speaking as someone with a first class degree in theology, I cannot believe that this statement was written by a 17 year old sixth form or college student. It is of course possible that they were a mature student. However, I must say that overall I am skeptical that this is a genuine personal statement at all.

WOW!!! Now THATS a personal

Tue, 17/03/2009 - 03:16

WOW!!! Now THATS a personal statement!

Fab! This really demonstrates

Fri, 26/06/2009 - 20:54

Fab! This really demonstrates ones passion to persue a specific subject which is what writing a personal statement is about.

Thu, 03/12/2009 - 15:32

nice! real nice

i see what you mean mate about being worried about getting in after reading this, tbh I really haven't read any relevant books and so haven't mentioned any in my statement. i wouldn't worry though, this statement is clearly a cut above the rest and no doubt we'll get in :)

Add new comment

• Request Info
• Student Experience

Experience our close community with a campus tour, connect with admissions counselors or apply now.

Creighton is within your reach. Explore financial aid options, calculate your costs and discover scholarships.

Explore our vibrant campus life with diverse student activities, supportive resources and a strong sense of community.

Learn about Creighton’s rich history, commitment to Jesuit, Catholic values, and dedication to academic excellence.

• Site Search
• School of Dentistry
• School of Law
• Heider College of Business
• School of Medicine
• School of Pharmacy and Health Professions
• College of Arts and Sciences
• Graduate School
• College of Professional and Continuing Education
• College of Nursing
• Jesuit Community
• Application Process
• Deciding on Grad or Professional School
• Financing Your Advanced Degree
• Programs & Careers
• Student Success
• Pharmacy and Health Professions

How to Write a Personal Statement for Grad School

If you’re like a lot of people, you’re eager to pursue a graduate degree, but a little apprehensive about writing a personal statement for your application. Don’t be frustrated if you’re stumped at how to start this task. Many smart and talented people have trouble telling stories about their own lives — but it doesn’t have to be difficult.

If you’re questioning how to write a personal statement for grad school, look no further. We enlisted Dr. Elizabeth Churchich, director of graduate and adult recruitment at Creighton University, to help us compile this comprehensive list of tips for composing a standout grad school personal statement.

First, what is a personal statement?

The personal statement for grad school is an essay that tells the story of a candidate’s unique motivations and aspirations for entering a chosen field or program. It is a requirement when applying for most graduate programs in the United States.

In Dr. Churchich’s experience, a personal statement is the student’s way of introducing themselves to the committee. “While your resume and transcripts can speak to your accomplishments, your personal statement allows you to speak more to your goals and the way in which this next degree can help you reach those goals,” she explains.

How long should a personal statement be for grad school? This depends on your specific program, but it’s typically one to two pages in length, double-spaced. The personal statement format and requirements can vary significantly depending on the university and field of study.

Tips for crafting a compelling personal statement

“The best personal statements are well-written and informative, while simultaneously reflecting a bit of the personality of the applicant,” Dr. Churchich explains. She’s seen thousands of examples of personal statements for graduate school — both good and bad — so she’s picked up plenty of pointers along the way.

“Steer clear of generalizations or statements that could be true of any applicant,” she recommends. “Focus on your individual skills and experience.”

While there’s no official personal statement template or type of essay that’s guaranteed to impress an admissions team, you should approach this as a storytelling assignment. In any good tale, the main character has talents, flaws, challenges and triumphs. For this story, you have to identify a narrative from your own life that highlights why you’re right for the program.

Dos and dont's of writing a personal statement for grad school

Now that you know about its purpose, you may be wondering how to start a personal statement for grad school. Review the following tips before you begin.

What to do:

• DO read the instructions carefully. This is especially important if you’re applying to multiple programs. The requirements vary from school to school, so don’t assume that you can write one personal statement and submit the exact same document several times.
• DO have your essay reviewed by someone else. For something as important as a personal statement for grad school, you should have at least two other people assess it. Seek out people you trust and/or people who are stronger writers than you. This is a great opportunity to practice receiving and implementing feedback and constructive criticism.
• DO strive to be concise yet illustrative. Choose your words carefully, there’s not much room for long anecdotes or repetitive sentiments. Your goal is not to hit a minimum word count; it’s to tell the story in a way that is interesting, succinct and complete.
• DO consider talking about a failure, error or disappointment. Showing humility and the ability to learn from mistakes is an underrated quality. “It’s tempting to gloss over the parts of your professional or academic history that you’re not proud of, but it’s important to address them,” Dr. Churchich advises. “If your transcripts or resume are likely to give a committee pause, this is your chance to get ahead of those questions.”
• When did I become interested in this topic/field and why?
• What motivated me to apply for this program specifically?
• What challenges or setbacks did I have to overcome to get where I am today?
• Are there unique or noteworthy aspects of my life story that influenced my decision to earn a graduate degree?
• What have I learned through work experience that will help me thrive in grad school?
• How might I set myself apart from other applicants? 
• What are my career goals and how will this degree help me achieve them?
• Which traits or characteristics (compassionate, hardworking, organized, etc.) do I have that will help me thrive in this field?
• What am I most excited to learn and do in this program if I’m accepted?

What NOT to do:

• DON’T begin your statement with an inspiring quote. No matter how much inspiration you get from the words of a famous leader’s speech, starting your essay off this way is a huge cliché. Think twice before going this route.
• DON’T wait until the last minute. For something as important as a grad school personal statement, procrastination is NOT your friend. Give yourself at least two weeks to write and edit multiple drafts. Don’t forget to build in time for others to give feedback.
• DON’T write extensively about achievements from high school. Generally speaking, you want to focus on more recent experiences and accomplishments. Of course, if you did something incredibly noteworthy in high school and it’s directly relevant to your motivations for earning a master’s degree, that might merit inclusion.
• DON’T exaggerate or invent something you think the committee wants to hear. There’s a big difference between carefully crafting a narrative and fabricating a story. Honesty is the best policy in these situations. “Committees always appreciate candor,” Dr. Churchich affirms. “Addressing strengths or weaknesses head on allows us to see a well-rounded picture of you as an applicant.”
• DON’T send your statement with typos or grammatical errors. This is your chance to stand out and make a positive first impression — don’t let that be “the person who didn’t proofread.”

Put your best foot forward

Now that you have a better idea of how to write a personal statement for graduate school, you’re more prepared to apply. If you haven’t found your ideal program yet, start your research with one of Creighton University’s award-winning graduate programs . With dozens of on-campus, online and hybrid courses to choose from, you just might find your perfect match.

Want to know more about what else goes into building a top-notch graduate school application? Review the requirements for Creighton University by visiting our How to Apply page .

Considering grad school?

Regardless of where you are in your journey, our admissions advisors are ready to help you take the next step.

Related Blogs

Ultimate Guide to Applying for Law School: Insider Tips that Boost Your Chances

How to choose a writing sample for graduate school

How to Secure Great Letters of Recommendation for Grad School