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How to Write an Amazing Personal Statement (Includes Examples!)

Lisa Freedland is a Scholarships360 writer with personal experience in psychological research and content writing. She has written content for an online fact-checking organization and has conducted research at the University of Southern California as well as the University of California, Irvine. Lisa graduated from the University of Southern California in Fall 2021 with a degree in Psychology.

Learn about our editorial policies

Zach Skillings is the Scholarships360 Newsletter Editor. He specializes in college admissions and strives to answer important questions about higher education. When he’s not contributing to Scholarships360, Zach writes about travel, music, film, and culture. His work has been published in Our State Magazine, Ladygunn Magazine, The Nocturnal Times, and The Lexington Dispatch. Zach graduated from Elon University with a degree in Cinema and Television Arts.

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.

The personal statement. It’s one of the most important parts of the entire college application process. This essay is the perfect opportunity to show admissions officers who you are and what makes you stand out from the crowd. But writing a good personal statement isn’t exactly easy. That’s why we’ve put together the ultimate guide on how to nail your personal statement, complete with example essays . Each essay was reviewed and commented upon by admissions expert Bill Jack. Let’s dive in!

Related: How to write an essay about yourself  

What is a personal statement? 

A personal statement is a special type of essay that’s required when you’re applying to colleges and scholarship programs. In this essay, you’re expected to share something about who you are and what you bring to the table. Think of it as a chance to reveal a side of yourself not found in the rest of your application. Personal statements are typically around 400 – 600 words in length. 

What can I write about? 

Pretty much anything, as long as it’s about you . While this is liberating in the sense that your writing options are nearly unlimited, it’s also overwhelming for the same reason. The good news is that you’ll probably be responding to a specific prompt. Chances are you’re applying to a school that uses the Common App , which means you’ll have seven prompts to choose from . Reviewing these prompts can help generate some ideas, but so can asking yourself meaningful questions. 

Below you’ll find a list of questions to ask yourself during the brainstorming process. For each of the following questions, spend a few minutes jotting down whatever comes to mind. 

• What experiences have shaped who you are? 
• What’s special or unique about you or your life story? 
• Who or what has inspired you the most? 
• What accomplishments are you most proud of? 
• What are your goals for the future? How have you arrived at those goals? 
• If your life was a movie, what would be the most interesting scene? 
• What have been some of the biggest challenges in your life? How did you respond and what did you learn? 

The purpose of these questions is to prompt you to think about your life at a deeper level. Hopefully by reflecting on them, you’ll find an essay topic that is impactful and meaningful. In the next section, we’ll offer some advice on actually writing your essay. 

Also see:  How to write a 500 word essay

How do I write my personal statement? 

Once you’ve found a topic, it’s time to start writing! Every personal statement is different, so there’s not really one formula that works for every student. That being said, the following tips should get you started in the right direction:  

1. Freewrite, then rewrite 

The blank page tends to get more intimidating the longer you stare at it, so it’s best to go ahead and jump right in! Don’t worry about making the first draft absolutely perfect. Instead, just get your ideas on the page and don’t spend too much time thinking about the finer details. Think of this initial writing session as a “brain dump”. Take 15-30 minutes to quickly empty all your thoughts onto the page without worrying about things like grammar, spelling, or sentence structure. You can even use bullet points if that helps. Once you have your ideas on the page, then you can go back and shape them exactly how you want. 

2. Establish your theme 

Now that you’ve got some basic ideas down on the page, it’s time to lock in on a theme. Your theme is a specific angle that reflects the central message of your essay. It can be summarized in a sentence or even a word. For example, let’s say you’re writing about how you had to establish a whole new group of friends when you moved to a new city. The theme for this type of essay would probably be something like “adaptation”. Having a theme will help you stay focused throughout your essay. Since you only have a limited number of words, you can’t afford to go off on tangents that don’t relate to your theme. 

3. Tell a story

A lot of great essays rely on a specific scene or story. Find the personal anecdote relevant to your theme and transfer it to the page. The best way to do this is by using descriptive language. Consult the five senses as you’re setting the scene. What did you see, hear, taste, touch, or smell? How were you feeling emotionally? Using descriptive language can really help your essay come to life. According to UPchieve , a nonprofit that supports low income students, focusing on a particular moment as a “ revised version of a memoir ” is one way to keep readers engaged. 

Related: College essay primer: show, don’t tell  

4. Focus on your opening paragraph

Your opening paragraph should grab your reader’s attention and set the tone for the rest of your essay. In most cases, this is the best place to include your anecdote (if you have one). By leading with your personal story, you can hook your audience from the get-go. After telling your story, you can explain why it’s important to who you are. 

Related:  How to start a scholarship essay (with examples)

5. Use an authentic voice 

Your personal statement reflects who you are, so you should use a tone that represents you. That means you shouldn’t try to sound like someone else, and you shouldn’t use fancy words just to show off. This isn’t an academic paper, so you don’t have to adopt a super formal tone. Instead, write in a way that allows room for your personality to breathe. 

6. Edit, edit, edit…

Once you’re done writing, give yourself some time away from the essay. Try to allow a few days to pass before looking at the essay again with fresh eyes. This way, you’re more likely to pick up on spelling and grammatical errors. You may even get some new ideas and rethink the way you wrote some things. Once you’re satisfied, let someone else edit your essay. We recommend asking a teacher, parent, or sibling for their thoughts before submitting. 

Examples of personal statements 

Sometimes viewing someone else’s work is the best way to generate inspiration and get the creative juices flowing. The following essays are written in response to four different Common App prompts: 

Prompt 1: “Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.”

When I was eight years old, I wanted a GameCube very badly. For weeks I hounded my dad to buy me one and finally he agreed. But there was a catch. He’d only get me a GameCube if I promised to start reading. Every day I played video games, I would have to pick up a book and read for at least one hour. At that point in my life, reading was just something I had to suffer through for school assignments. To read for pleasure seemed ludicrous. Needless to say, I wasn’t exactly thrilled about this proposed agreement. But I figured anything was worth it to get my hands on that shiny new video game console, so I bit the bullet and shook my dad’s hand. Little did I know that I had just made a life-changing deal. 

At first, the required hour of reading was a chore — something I had to do so I could play Mario Kart. But it quickly turned into something more than that. To my complete and utter surprise, I discovered that I actually enjoyed reading. One hour turned into two, two turned into three, and after a while I was spending more time reading than I was playing video games. I found myself captivated by the written word, and I read everything I could get my hands on. Lord of the Rings , Percy Jackson , Goosebumps — you name it. I was falling in love with literature, while my GameCube was accumulating dust in the TV stand. 

Soon enough, reading led to writing. I was beginning to come up with my own stories, so I put pen to paper and let my imagination run wild. It started out small. My first effort was a rudimentary picture book about a friendly raccoon who went to the moon. But things progressed. My stories became more intricate, my characters more complex. I wrote a series of science fiction novellas. I tried my hand at poetry. I was amazed at the worlds I could create with the tip of my pen. I had dreams of becoming an author. 

Then somewhere along the way my family got a subscription to Netflix, and that completely changed the way I thought about storytelling. My nose had been buried in books up until then, so I hadn’t really seen a lot of movies. That quickly changed. It seemed like every other day a pair of new DVDs would arrive in the mail (this was the early days of Netflix). Dark Knight, The Truman Show, Inception, Memento — all these great films were coming in and out of the house. And I couldn’t get enough of them. Movies brought stories to life in a way that books could not. I was head over heels for visual storytelling. 

Suddenly I wasn’t writing novels and short stories anymore. I was writing scripts for movies. Now I wanted to transfer my ideas to the big screen, rather than the pages of a book. But I was still doing the same thing I had always done. I was writing, just in a different format. To help with this process, I read the screenplays of my favorite films and paid attention to the way they were crafted. I kept watching more and more movies. And I hadn’t forgotten about my first love, either. I still cherished books and looked to them for inspiration. By the end of my junior year of high school, I had completed two scripts for short films. 

So why am I telling you all this? Because I want to turn my love of storytelling into a career. I’m not totally sure how to do that yet, but I know I have options. Whether it’s film production, creative writing, or even journalism, I want to find a major that suits my ambitions. Writing has taken me a long way, and I know it can take me even further. As I step into this next chapter of my life, I couldn’t be more excited to see how my craft develops. In the meantime, I should probably get rid of that dusty old GameCube. 

Feedback from admissions professional Bill Jack

Essays don’t always have to reveal details about the student’s intended career path, but one thing I like about this essay is that it gives the reader a sense of the why. Why do they want to pursue storytelling. It also shows the reader that they are open to how they pursue their interest. Being open to exploration is such a vital part of college, so it’s also showing the reader that they likely will be open to new things in college. And, it’s always fun to learn a little bit more about the student’s family, especially if the reader can learn about how the students interacts with their family. 

Prompt 2: “The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?”

I remember my first impression of Irvine: weird. It was foggy, stock-full of greenery and eucalyptus trees, and reminded me of my 5th grade trip to a “science camp” which was located in the San Bernardino mountains. Besides Irvine, that was one of the few places in Southern California where you’d find so many non-palm trees. 

Of course, perhaps my initial impression of Irvine was biased, motivated by a desire to stay in my hometown and a fear of the unknown. While that was true to an extent, Irvine was certainly still a little peculiar. The city itself was based on a “master plan” of sorts, with the location of each of its schools, parks, shops, and arguably its trees having been logically “picked” before the foundation was poured. Even the homes all looked roughly the same, with their beige, stucco walls almost serving as a hallmark of the city itself.

Thus, this perfectly structured, perfectly safe city seemed like a paradise of sorts to many outsiders, my parents included. I was a little more hesitant to welcome this. As I saw it, this was a phony city – believing that its uniformity stood for a lack of personality. My hometown, although not as flawlessly safe nor clean as Irvine, was where most of my dearest memories had occurred. From the many sleepovers at Cindie’s house, to trying to avoid my school’s own version of the “infamous” cheese touch, to the many laughs shared with friends and family, I shed a tear at the prospect of leaving my home.

Moving into the foreign city, remnants of the hostility I held towards Irvine remained. Still dwelling in my memories of the past, I was initially unable to see Irvine as a “home.” So, as I walked into my first-ever Irvine class, being greeted by many kind, yet unfamiliar faces around me, I was unable to recognize that some of those new faces would later become some of my dearest friends. Such negative feelings about the city were further reinforced by newer, harder classes, and more complicated homework. Sitting in the discomfort of this unfamiliar environment, it started to seem that “change” was something not only inevitable, but insurmountable.

As the years went on, however, this idea seemed to fade. I got used to my classes and bike racing through Irvine neighborhoods with my friends, watching the trees that once seemed just a “weird” green blob soon transform into one of my favorite parts of the city. While I kept my old, beloved memories stored, I made space for new ones. From carefully making our way over the narrow creek path next to our school, to the laughs we shared during chemistry class, my new memories made with friends seemed to transform a city I once disliked into one I would miss. 

Through this transformation, I have come to recognize that change, although sometimes intimidating at first, can open the door to great times and meaningful connections. Although Irvine may have once seemed like a strange, “phony” place that I couldn’t wait to be rid of, the memories and laughs I had grown to share there were very real. As I move onto this next part of my life, I hope I can use this knowledge that I have gained from my time in Irvine to make the most of what’s to come. Even if the change may be frightening at first, I have learned to embrace what’s on the other side, whether green or not.

One huge plus to writing an essay that focuses on a place is that you might have it read by someone who has been there. Yet, what’s really helpful about this essay is that even if someone hasn’t been there, a picture is painted about what the place is like.  Admission officers have the hard task of really understanding what the student sees, so the use of adjectives and imagery can really help.  It’s also really clever to see that the green that’s mentioned at the beginning is mentioned at the end.  It’s a nice way to bookend the essay and tie it all together.

Prompt 6: “Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?”

I like getting lost. Not literally, of course, but figuratively. Whether it be in the story of a love song by Taylor Swift, or in the memories brought back by listening to my favorite childhood video game’s background music, I’ve always appreciated music’s ability to transport me to another place, another time, another feeling. 

Alas, I cannot sing, nor have I practiced an instrument since my middle school piano class days. So, perhaps Kurt Vonnegut was right. As he puts it, “Virtually every writer I know would rather be a musician.” While I cannot speak for others, I have certainly not debunked his theory. Writing allows many, including myself, to attempt to mimic the transformative power of music – even if our singing voices aren’t exactly “pleasant.” Just as you can get lost in music, you can do so in a story. Whether it is in George Orwell’s totalitarian Oceania, or Little Women’s Orchard House, the stories outlined in novels can provide an amazing look into the lives and worlds of others, and an escape from the worries and problems of those in your own.

While I am certainly not claiming to have the storytelling abilities of the Orwells or Alcotts before me, I’ve had fun trying to recreate such transformative feelings for others. When I was nine, I attempted to write a story about a little girl who had gotten lost in the woods, only managing to get a couple pages through. As I got older, whenever I was assigned a creative writing assignment in school, I wrote about the same pig, Phil. He was always angry: in my 8th grade science class, Phil was mad at some humans who had harbored his friend captive, and in my 9th grade English class, at a couple who robbed him. 

Thus, when I heard about a writing club being opened at my school in 11th grade, I knew I had to join. I wanted to discern whether writing was just a hobby I picked up now and then, or a true passion. If it was a passion, I wanted to learn as much as possible about how I could improve. Although my high school’s writing club certainly wasn’t going to transform me into Shakespeare, I knew I could learn a lot from it – and I did. The club challenged me to do many things, from writing on the spot, to writing poetry, to even writing about myself, something that’s hopefully coming in handy right now. 

From then on, I started to expand into different types of writing, storing short ideas, skits, and more in appropriately-labeled Google Drive folders. At around the same time, I became interested in classic literature, which largely stemmed from a project in English class. We had been required to choose and read a classic on our own, then present it to the class in an interesting way. While my book was certainly interesting and unique in its own right, nearly everyone else’s novels seemed more captivating to me. So, I took it upon myself to read as many classics as I could the following summer.

One of the books I read during the summer, funnily enough, was Animal Farm, which starred angry pigs, reminiscent of Phil. I had also started going over different ideas in my head, thinking about how I could translate them into words using the new skills I learned. While the writing club helped reaffirm my interest in writing and allowed me to develop new skills, my newfound affinity for classics gave me inspiration to write. Now, I am actually considering writing as part of my future. In this endeavor, I hope that Phil, and the music I inevitably listen to as I write, will accompany me every step of the way.

Admission officers might read 70 (or more!) essays in one day. It’s not uncommon for them to start to blend together and sound similar. This essay might not make you laugh out loud. But, it might make the reader chuckle while reading it thanks to the subtle humor and levity. Being able to incorporate a little humor into your essay (if it is natural for you to do… do not force it), can really be a great way to shed additional light into who you are. Remember, the essay isn’t merely about proving that you can write, but it should also reveal a little bit about your personality.

Prompt 5: “Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.”

I learned a lot of things during the summer I worked at Tropical Smoothie. I discovered the value of hard work. I figured out how to save money. I even mastered the art of the Mango Magic smoothie (the secret is lots of sugar). But most importantly, I learned the power of perspective. And I have Deja to thank for that. 

Deja was my shift supervisor, and one of Tropical Smoothie’s best employees. She was punctual, friendly, and always willing to lend a helping hand. She knew the store from top to bottom, and could handle pretty much any situation thrown her way. She made everyone around her better. On top of all that, she was four months pregnant! I was always impressed by Deja’s work ethic, but I gained an entirely new level of respect for her one day.

It was a Friday night, and Deja and I were working the closing shift together. It was very busy, and Deja and I were the only ones on shift. We managed to get by, but we were exhausted by the end of the evening. After wiping down the counters and mopping the floors, we closed up shop and went our separate ways. I was eager to get home. 

I walked a couple blocks to where I had parked my car. Well, it wasn’t my car actually. It was my dad’s ‘98 Chevy pickup truck, and it was in rough shape. It had no heat or A/C, the leather seats were cracked beyond repair, and the driver’s side door was jammed shut. I sighed as I got in through the passenger side and scooted over to the driver’s seat. The whole reason I was working at Tropical Smoothie was to save up enough money to buy my own car. I was hoping to have something more respectable to drive during my senior year of high school. 

I cranked the old thing up and started on my way home. But soon enough, I spotted Deja walking on the side of the road. There was no sidewalk here, the light was low, and she was dangerously close to the passing cars. I pulled over and offered her a ride. She got in and explained that she was on her way home. Apparently she didn’t have a car and had been walking to work every day. I couldn’t believe it. Here I was complaining about my set of wheels, while Deja didn’t have any to begin with.

We got to talking, and she confessed that she had been having a tough time. You would never know from the way she was so cheerful at work, but Deja had a lot on her plate. She was taking care of her mother, her boyfriend had just lost his job, and she was worried about making ends meet. And of course, she was expecting a baby in five months. On top of all that, she had been walking nearly a mile to and from work every day. The whole thing was a real eye opener, and made me reconsider some things in my own life. 

For one, I didn’t mind driving my dad’s truck anymore. It was banged up, sure, but it was a lot better than nothing. My mindset had changed. I appreciated the truck now. I began to think about other things differently, too. I started making mental notes of all the things in my life I was thankful for — my family, my friends, my health. I became grateful for what I had, instead of obsessing over the things I didn’t. 

I also gained more awareness of the world outside my own little bubble. My encounter with Deja had shown me first-hand that everyone is dealing with their own problems, some worse than others. So I started paying more attention to my friends, family members, and coworkers. I started listening more and asking how I could help. I also gave Deja a ride home for the rest of the summer. 

These are all small things, of course, but I think they make a difference. I realized I’m at my best when I’m not fixated on my own life, but when I’m considerate of the lives around me. I want to keep this in mind as I continue to grow and develop as a person. I want to continue to search for ways to support the people around me. And most importantly, I want to keep things in perspective.

Too often we can be focused on our own problems that we fail to realize that everyone has their own things going on in their lives, too.  This essay showcases how it’s important to put things in perspective, a skill that certainly will prove invaluable in college… and not just in the classroom.  Another reason I like this essay is because it provides deeper insight into the student’s life.  Sure, you might have mentioned in your activities list that you have a job.  But as this essay does, you can show why you have the job in the first place, what your responsibilities are, and more.

A few last tips

We hope these essay examples gave you a bit of inspiration of what to include in your own. However, before you go, we’d like to send you off with a few (personal statement) writing tips to help you make your essays as lovely as the memories and anecdotes they’re based off of. Without further ado, here are some of our best tips for writing your personal statements:

1. Open strong

College admissions officers read many, many essays (think 50+) a day, which can sometimes cause them to start blending together and sounding alike. One way to avoid your essay from simply fading into the background is to start strong. This means opening your essay with something memorable, whether an interesting personal anecdote, a descriptive setting, or anything else that you think would catch a reader’s attention (so long as it’s not inappropriate). Not only might this help college admissions officers better remember your essay, but it will also make them curious about what the rest of your essay will entail.

2. Be authentic

Perhaps most important when it comes to writing personal statement essays is to maintain your authenticity. Ultimately, your essays should reflect your unique stories and quirks that make you who you are, and should help college admissions officers determine whether you’d truly be a good fit for their school or not. So, don’t stress trying to figure out what colleges are looking for. Be yourself, and let the colleges come to you!

3. Strong writing

This one may seem a little obvious, but strong writing will certainly appeal to colleges. Not only will it make your essay more compelling, but it may show colleges that you’re ready for college-level essay writing (that you’ll likely have to do a lot of). Just remember that good writing is not limited to grammar. Using captivating detail and descriptions are a huge part of making your essay seem more like a story than a lecture.

4. Proofread

Last but not least, remember to proofread! Make sure your essay contains no errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling. When you’re done proofreading your essay yourself, we would also recommend that you ask a teacher, parent, or other grammatically savvy person to proofread your essay as well.

Final thoughts 

With those in hand, we hope you now have a better sense of how to write your personal statement. While your grades and test scores are important when it comes to college admissions, it’s really your essays that can “make” or “break” your application. 

Although this may make it seem like a daunting task, writing an amazing personal statement essay is all about effort. Thus, so long as you start early, follow the advice listed above, and dedicate your time and effort to it, it’s entirely possible to write an essay that perfectly encapsulates you. Good luck, and happy writing!

Also see:  Scholarships360’s free scholarships search tool

Key Takeaways

• It may take some people longer than others to know what they want to write about, but remember that everyone, including you, has something unique to write about!
• Personal statements should be personal, which means you should avoid being too general and really strive to show off what makes you “you”
• Time and effort are two of the most important things you can put into your personal statement to ensure that it is the best representation of yourself
• Don’t forget to ask people who know you to read your work before you submit; they should be able to tell you better than anyone if you are truly shining through!

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Blog Human Resources 7 One Pager Examples, Ideas, Templates & How to Create

7 One Pager Examples, Ideas, Templates & How to Create

Written by: Jennifer Gaskin Oct 11, 2023

The humble one pager has a simple name, but in reality, it’s anything but one dimensional.

That’s because teachers, business owners, sales teams and training managers can all make use of this utility player document.

Let’s learn more about one pagers and explore tips for creating your own, whether it’s to sell your company’s services or help reinforce training materials .

Click to jump ahead:

What is a one pager?

7 one pager examples, what should a one pager include, how to write a one pager.

One pager is a single page of content, most often no larger than a letter- or A4-sized sheet of paper. Because they have such broad uses, though, what’s actually in a one pager will depend on your needs and the purpose of the materials.

In a business context, we most often see one pagers used to summarize the services a company offers. They’re also often used to aid in employee training and development . And that brings us to the overlap between training and education, as a teacher might use a one pager as a learning tool for their students.

(Not sure visual training content works? Let us change your mind.)

Now that you’ve gotten an overview of what one pagers are, let’s take a look at some examples — both inside and outside of a corporate context.

Business one pager s

Here are some general business one pager examples:

This project one pager focuses on a product launch. Note how different departments are color-coded. This allows team members to see what areas they’re responsible for at a glance.

Use your product flyer, sell sheet or even investor pitch one pager to compare your product or service to a chief competitor with a comparison one pager. Seeing key specs side-by-side can really make your products stand out.

Showcase the variety of products or service your company offers with this product flyer one pager template. Make sure you have high-quality photos (or use icons and graphics to represent your services).

Take a page (ahem, one page) from this real estate sales flyer for your next sell sheet. Summarize key points in the bulleted list and highlight the contact information for your sales team.

Give potential customers a 35,000-foot view of your business by creating a company one pager using a template like this one. Include your logo, hours, contact information, website and address to give the reader all the most important details.

Training and development one pager s

Ensuring team members have the skills they need and follow the right procedures is an ideal use for one pagers in a business of any size. Here are a few examples and templates to get you started:

While this one pager was designed to keep track of equipment, you could easily modify it to make sure other procedures — particularly ones you’ve recently put in place — are followed. Research has shown that writing things on paper (or a tablet) can improve information retention, so your training and development one pagers should be printer-friendly.

Create individualized learning and development plans for your employees with this template. Modify it to list things like courses they’ll complete, certifications they can earn or new tasks they want to take on.

Keep track of training and development schedules with a one pager that lists each person’s sessions and how long they’ll last.

Learning and development in a professional setting can sometimes feel isolating, particularly if team members are on their own throughout the training process. But by creating a training one pager like this, the whole team can see where their peers stand and provide moral support and motivation.

Use a flyer design like this to make sure everyone at your company knows that learning and development opportunities are available — whether you offer them in-house or provide outside tools.

Education one pager s

I’m not a teacher, but I know one pagers are also quite popular in education, from elementary school to college. While they’re similar in some ways to those used in business, they typically vary in one big way: students make them, rather than teachers.

An education one pager is a document that a student creates to show what they’ve learned. They can be used in place of tests or quizzes or as a companion to a more traditional written assignment. They often include drawings or other artistic depictions (here are some cool examples of creative one pagers made by students ).

Project one pagers

A project one-pager provides a high-level overview of a specific project and is designed to capture the key details of the project.

Want to make sure everyone’s on the same page for your upcoming project? A project one pager is just what you need. It squeezes all the important bits onto a single page – perfect for those who want to get the gist without getting overwhelmed.

If you’ve got stakeholders in the mix who are a bit crunched for time and not keen on diving into the nitty-gritty project docs, I’ve got your back. Check out this example of a project one-pager to make sure you catch all the important stuff.

You can also use a project one pager to help divide job scope by clearly outlining responsibilities and tasks for each team member or department. It’s like a simple guide that keeps things organized and everyone in check.

Company one pagers

A company one-pager is a brief document that gives a snapshot of essential information about your company.

It’s like the quick intro to your business – from what the company does to its mission and a glimpse of its achievements. The one-pager is the go-to cheat sheet for anyone wanting to understand your business in a nutshell.

Consider putting together a company one-pager to share what services you offer. It’s a simple way to highlight what makes your business unique and help clients or partners understand how your services differ from competitors.

Product one pagers

Ever feel like explaining your product is like untangling a knot of spaghetti? Imagine a concise, one-page document summarizing your product’s magic: what it does, who it helps and why it’s special.

And that, is exactly why you need a product one pager.

Instead of sifting through loads of info, your customers get a quick overview of what the product is and why they might be interested – all neatly packaged in one page. It’s like the go-to guide for products, keeping things straightforward and easy to grasp.

You’re not just limited to selling stuff—it could be a service or, in this case, even a cool business startup course!

Alternatively, you can craft a product launch one-pager to outline your marketing strategy and organize the launch of your new product.

Personal one pagers

Personal one-pagers are documents that provide a snapshot of an individual’s key details, achievements, and skills.

They are similar to resumes but are typically more visually appealing and designed to give a quick overview of a person’s professional background, expertise and personal brand. Personal one-pagers can be used in job applications, networking events or as part of a personal branding strategy .

Imagine it as a sort of personalized business card, but way more fun. It’s your chance to move beyond the usual “hi, I do X” and highlight what makes you, well, you.

If you’re a freelancer or contractor, think of personal one-pagers as a handy way to share what you’re good at, highlight past projects, and let them know about the services you offer. Just like this example here:

The exact content of a one pager will depend on why it’s needed and who’s creating it. I assume you’ve landed here because you’re looking for one pagers related to some aspect of business.

So for now, I’m going to focus on how businesses tend to use one pagers. (I’ll talk more about educational one pagers later). For a business, a one pager can have pretty much limitless applications. But here are the most successful uses I’ve seen and the types of information you should include in each:

A company one pager is meant to describe what your business does, whether that’s selling goods or providing a service.

For a successful company one pager, all companies should include a few things:

• Mission/values statement
• Services offered
• Value proposition
• Contact information

Many companies use their basic one pager as a sell sheet, particularly if they are known for making one or two main products.

But a sell sheet should include things like:

• Your pricing model
• Project timelines (if applicable)
• Product or service specifications
• Ordering information

Product flyer

A close cousin to a sell sheet, a product flyer is essentially a sell sheet for a particular good or service that you create or sell. What distinguishes them from sell sheets is they focus on a singular good or service rather than all the goods or services your company sells.

Product flyers should have:

• Logo (company and/or product logo, if applicable)
• Photos of your product (or images that represent your services)
• Product specs
• Sale information (if applicable)
• Purchasing information
• Contact information/social media

Investor pitch

If you’re looking for financial backing for your company, you’re probably going to create a pitch deck . But if you distill that information into a single page too, it can help set you apart from other potential investments — it shows you have a firm grasp on your unique value proposition and business plan and you respect the time of those you’re pitching.

Consider including the following in your investor pitch one pager:

• Logo (or the name of your business if you don’t have a logo yet)
• Unique value proposition
• Market analysis and revenue projections
• List of officers and key team members
• Launch timeline
• Fundraising goal

Standard operating procedure

One pagers are incredibly useful when learning how to do something new, whether you’re just starting a job or you’re taking on new responsibilities. Give your employees a leg up by creating standard operating procedure one pagers written tutorials they can refer back to. These types of one pagers can help them commit tasks to memory so they become second-nature.

An SOP one pager should have:

• Description of document’s purpose
• Summary of procedures or specific task
• Policies and procedures necessary to understand task

A training one pager may be quite similar to a standard operating procedure one pager. But it has the specific purpose of ensuring team members know how to tackle a new task, technology or process. Also called job aids , these types of one pagers are closest in purpose to those used for education: their goal is getting information to stick.

The specific content will vary, but generally training one pagers should include:

• Name of task
• List of steps to complete task
• FAQ about task
• Contact information if help is needed

Sales report

One pagers are perfect for summarizing lengthy material. This is why they’re so useful in training materials , which we just explored. But they can also be used to highlight important aspects of broader information or data, such as sales data. Your company may have a seemingly endless number of sales- and revenue-related data points… summarizing it all in a one pager can make the material easier to digest.

Here’s what a sales one pager could include:

• Quarter/annual/fiscal year
• Income and expenses
• Year-over-year change (or month-over-month/quarter-over-quarter)
• Projections
• Return on investment
• Important milestones/events

Project report

What is a one pager for a project? Similar to a sell sheet or product flyer, a project report one pager summarizes key information about an ongoing (or upcoming) project. One pagers are excellent tools for keeping your team on track during any project.

Include things like:

• Images of project (if applicable)
• Timeline, including noting if team is falling behind
• Projected new timeline (if applicable)
• Key team members

The goal of a one-pager is to quickly and effectively communicate your message, so brevity and clarity are essential. You want the reader to grasp the key points in a matter of seconds.

Here’s a general outline for creating a one-pager:

• Header: Start with a clear and eye-catching title at the top of the page and include your name or the name of your organization.
• Introduction: Provide a brief introductory paragraph or a few sentences that explain the purpose and context of the one-pager.
• Problem statement or opportunity: Clearly state the problem you’re addressing or the opportunity you’re seizing. This is the “why” of your project.
• Solution or idea: Present your solution, idea or project in a concise manner. Explain how it addresses the problem or leverages the opportunity.
• Key benefits: Highlight the key benefits or advantages of your solution. This can include things like cost savings, increased efficiency or market advantages.
• Key features or components: List the most important features, components or elements of your project or product. Bullet points work well for this section.
• Target audience: Describe the target audience or customers for your project. Who will benefit from it, and who is it designed for?
• Market opportunity (if applicable): If your one-pager is for a business idea or startup, provide some information about the market opportunity, such as size, growth,and trends.
• Implementation plan or timeline: If relevant, outline the steps or timeline for implementing your project. This can include key milestones or phases.
• Call to action: Conclude with a clear call to action. What do you want the reader to do next? Contact you, invest, or take some other specific action?
• Contact information: Provide your contact information, including email, phone number and any relevant social media or website links.
• Visual elements (optional): Consider including visuals such as charts, graphs, images or infographics to make your one-pager more engaging and informative.
• Formatting and design: Keep the layout clean and easy to read. Use a legible font, appropriate font size and simple colors. Ensure that the document is well-organized.
• Proofread and edit: Carefully proofread your one-pager for spelling and grammar errors. Ensure that it conveys your message clearly and concisely.
• Review and feedback: Before finalizing your one-pager, have someone else review it to get feedback and make improvements.

One-pagers excel in business communication with their compact size and versatility

As we’ve explored, you can create a one pager for your business that highlights your services, convinces an investor to give you money or helps keep your team’s skills sharp.

Whether you’re an executive or a learning and development professional, you can create all of these one pagers and more with Venngage for Business.

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• Knowledge Base
• Applying to graduate school
• How to Write Your Personal Statement | Strategies & Examples

How to Write Your Personal Statement | Strategies & Examples

Published on February 12, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on July 3, 2023.

A personal statement is a short essay of around 500–1,000 words, in which you tell a compelling story about who you are, what drives you, and why you’re applying.

To write a successful personal statement for a graduate school application , don’t just summarize your experience; instead, craft a focused narrative in your own voice. Aim to demonstrate three things:

• Your personality: what are your interests, values, and motivations?
• Your talents: what can you bring to the program?
• Your goals: what do you hope the program will do for you?

This article guides you through some winning strategies to build a strong, well-structured personal statement for a master’s or PhD application. You can download the full examples below.

Urban Planning Psychology History

Table of contents

Getting started with your personal statement, the introduction: start with an attention-grabbing opening, the main body: craft your narrative, the conclusion: look ahead, revising, editing, and proofreading your personal statement, frequently asked questions, other interesting articles.

Before you start writing, the first step is to understand exactly what’s expected of you. If the application gives you a question or prompt for your personal statement, the most important thing is to respond to it directly.

For example, you might be asked to focus on the development of your personal identity; challenges you have faced in your life; or your career motivations. This will shape your focus and emphasis—but you still need to find your own unique approach to answering it.

There’s no universal template for a personal statement; it’s your chance to be creative and let your own voice shine through. But there are strategies you can use to build a compelling, well-structured story.

The first paragraph of your personal statement should set the tone and lead smoothly into the story you want to tell.

Strategy 1: Open with a concrete scene

An effective way to catch the reader’s attention is to set up a scene that illustrates something about your character and interests. If you’re stuck, try thinking about:

• A personal experience that changed your perspective
• A story from your family’s history
• A memorable teacher or learning experience
• An unusual or unexpected encounter

To write an effective scene, try to go beyond straightforward description; start with an intriguing sentence that pulls the reader in, and give concrete details to create a convincing atmosphere.

Strategy 2: Open with your motivations

To emphasize your enthusiasm and commitment, you can start by explaining your interest in the subject you want to study or the career path you want to follow.

Just stating that it interests you isn’t enough: first, you need to figure out why you’re interested in this field:

• Is it a longstanding passion or a recent discovery?
• Does it come naturally or have you had to work hard at it?
• How does it fit into the rest of your life?
• What do you think it contributes to society?

Tips for the introduction

• Don’t start on a cliche: avoid phrases like “Ever since I was a child…” or “For as long as I can remember…”
• Do save the introduction for last. If you’re struggling to come up with a strong opening, leave it aside, and note down any interesting ideas that occur to you as you write the rest of the personal statement.

Once you’ve set up the main themes of your personal statement, you’ll delve into more detail about your experiences and motivations.

To structure the body of your personal statement, there are various strategies you can use.

Strategy 1: Describe your development over time

One of the simplest strategies is to give a chronological overview of key experiences that have led you to apply for graduate school.

• What first sparked your interest in the field?
• Which classes, assignments, classmates, internships, or other activities helped you develop your knowledge and skills?
• Where do you want to go next? How does this program fit into your future plans?

Don’t try to include absolutely everything you’ve done—pick out highlights that are relevant to your application. Aim to craft a compelling narrative that shows how you’ve changed and actively developed yourself.

My interest in psychology was first sparked early in my high school career. Though somewhat scientifically inclined, I found that what interested me most was not the equations we learned about in physics and chemistry, but the motivations and perceptions of my fellow students, and the subtle social dynamics that I observed inside and outside the classroom. I wanted to learn how our identities, beliefs, and behaviours are shaped through our interactions with others, so I decided to major in Social Psychology. My undergraduate studies deepened my understanding of, and fascination with, the interplay between an individual mind and its social context.During my studies, I acquired a solid foundation of knowledge about concepts like social influence and group dynamics, but I also took classes on various topics not strictly related to my major. I was particularly interested in how other fields intersect with psychology—the classes I took on media studies, biology, and literature all enhanced my understanding of psychological concepts by providing different lenses through which to look at the issues involved.

Strategy 2: Own your challenges and obstacles

If your path to graduate school hasn’t been easy or straightforward, you can turn this into a strength, and structure your personal statement as a story of overcoming obstacles.

• Is your social, cultural or economic background underrepresented in the field? Show how your experiences will contribute a unique perspective.
• Do you have gaps in your resume or lower-than-ideal grades? Explain the challenges you faced and how you dealt with them.

Don’t focus too heavily on negatives, but use them to highlight your positive qualities. Resilience, resourcefulness and perseverance make you a promising graduate school candidate.

Growing up working class, urban decay becomes depressingly familiar. The sight of a row of abandoned houses does not surprise me, but it continues to bother me. Since high school, I have been determined to pursue a career in urban planning. While people of my background experience the consequences of urban planning decisions first-hand, we are underrepresented in the field itself. Ironically, given my motivation, my economic background has made my studies challenging. I was fortunate enough to be awarded a scholarship for my undergraduate studies, but after graduation I took jobs in unrelated fields to help support my parents. In the three years since, I have not lost my ambition. Now I am keen to resume my studies, and I believe I can bring an invaluable perspective to the table: that of the people most impacted by the decisions of urban planners.

Strategy 3: Demonstrate your knowledge of the field

Especially if you’re applying for a PhD or another research-focused program, it’s a good idea to show your familiarity with the subject and the department. Your personal statement can focus on the area you want to specialize in and reflect on why it matters to you.

• Reflect on the topics or themes that you’ve focused on in your studies. What draws you to them?
• Discuss any academic achievements, influential teachers, or other highlights of your education.
• Talk about the questions you’d like to explore in your research and why you think they’re important.

The personal statement isn’t a research proposal , so don’t go overboard on detail—but it’s a great opportunity to show your enthusiasm for the field and your capacity for original thinking.

In applying for this research program, my intention is to build on the multidisciplinary approach I have taken in my studies so far, combining knowledge from disparate fields of study to better understand psychological concepts and issues. The Media Psychology program stands out to me as the perfect environment for this kind of research, given its researchers’ openness to collaboration across diverse fields. I am impressed by the department’s innovative interdisciplinary projects that focus on the shifting landscape of media and technology, and I hope that my own work can follow a similarly trailblazing approach. More specifically, I want to develop my understanding of the intersection of psychology and media studies, and explore how media psychology theories and methods might be applied to neurodivergent minds. I am interested not only in media psychology but also in psychological disorders, and how the two interact. This is something I touched on during my undergraduate studies and that I’m excited to delve into further.

Strategy 4: Discuss your professional ambitions

Especially if you’re applying for a more professionally-oriented program (such as an MBA), it’s a good idea to focus on concrete goals and how the program will help you achieve them.

• If your career is just getting started, show how your character is suited to the field, and explain how graduate school will help you develop your talents.
• If you have already worked in the profession, show what you’ve achieved so far, and explain how the program will allow you to take the next step.
• If you are planning a career change, explain what has driven this decision and how your existing experience will help you succeed.

Don’t just state the position you want to achieve. You should demonstrate that you’ve put plenty of thought into your career plans and show why you’re well-suited to this profession.

One thing that fascinated me about the field during my undergraduate studies was the sheer number of different elements whose interactions constitute a person’s experience of an urban environment. Any number of factors could transform the scene I described at the beginning: What if there were no bus route? Better community outreach in the neighborhood? Worse law enforcement? More or fewer jobs available in the area? Some of these factors are out of the hands of an urban planner, but without taking them all into consideration, the planner has an incomplete picture of their task. Through further study I hope to develop my understanding of how these disparate elements combine and interact to create the urban environment. I am interested in the social, psychological and political effects our surroundings have on our lives. My studies will allow me to work on projects directly affecting the kinds of working-class urban communities I know well. I believe I can bring my own experiences, as well as my education, to bear upon the problem of improving infrastructure and quality of life in these communities.

Tips for the main body

• Don’t rehash your resume by trying to summarize everything you’ve done so far; the personal statement isn’t about listing your academic or professional experience, but about reflecting, evaluating, and relating it to broader themes.
• Do make your statements into stories: Instead of saying you’re hard-working and self-motivated, write about your internship where you took the initiative to start a new project. Instead of saying you’ve always loved reading, reflect on a novel or poem that changed your perspective.

Your conclusion should bring the focus back to the program and what you hope to get out of it, whether that’s developing practical skills, exploring intellectual questions, or both.

Emphasize the fit with your specific interests, showing why this program would be the best way to achieve your aims.

Strategy 1: What do you want to know?

If you’re applying for a more academic or research-focused program, end on a note of curiosity: what do you hope to learn, and why do you think this is the best place to learn it?

If there are specific classes or faculty members that you’re excited to learn from, this is the place to express your enthusiasm.

Strategy 2: What do you want to do?

If you’re applying for a program that focuses more on professional training, your conclusion can look to your career aspirations: what role do you want to play in society, and why is this program the best choice to help you get there?

Tips for the conclusion

• Don’t summarize what you’ve already said. You have limited space in a personal statement, so use it wisely!
• Do think bigger than yourself: try to express how your individual aspirations relate to your local community, your academic field, or society more broadly. It’s not just about what you’ll get out of graduate school, but about what you’ll be able to give back.

You’ll be expected to do a lot of writing in graduate school, so make a good first impression: leave yourself plenty of time to revise and polish the text.

Your style doesn’t have to be as formal as other kinds of academic writing, but it should be clear, direct and coherent. Make sure that each paragraph flows smoothly from the last, using topic sentences and transitions to create clear connections between each part.

Don’t be afraid to rewrite and restructure as much as necessary. Since you have a lot of freedom in the structure of a personal statement, you can experiment and move information around to see what works best.

Finally, it’s essential to carefully proofread your personal statement and fix any language errors. Before you submit your application, consider investing in professional personal statement editing . For $150, you have the peace of mind that your personal statement is grammatically correct, strong in term of your arguments, and free of awkward mistakes.

A statement of purpose is usually more formal, focusing on your academic or professional goals. It shouldn’t include anything that isn’t directly relevant to the application.

A personal statement can often be more creative. It might tell a story that isn’t directly related to the application, but that shows something about your personality, values, and motivations.

However, both types of document have the same overall goal: to demonstrate your potential as a graduate student and s how why you’re a great match for the program.

The typical length of a personal statement for graduate school applications is between 500 and 1,000 words.

Different programs have different requirements, so always check if there’s a minimum or maximum length and stick to the guidelines. If there is no recommended word count, aim for no more than 1-2 pages.

If you’re applying to multiple graduate school programs, you should tailor your personal statement to each application.

Some applications provide a prompt or question. In this case, you might have to write a new personal statement from scratch: the most important task is to respond to what you have been asked.

If there’s no prompt or guidelines, you can re-use the same idea for your personal statement – but change the details wherever relevant, making sure to emphasize why you’re applying to this specific program.

If the application also includes other essays, such as a statement of purpose , you might have to revise your personal statement to avoid repeating the same information.

If you want to know more about college essays , academic writing , and AI tools , make sure to check out some of our other language articles with explanations, examples, and quizzes.

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How to Write a Personal Statement (with Tips and Examples)

By Hannah Yang

Table of Contents

What is a personal statement, 6 tips on how to write a personal statement, personal statement examples (for college and university), faqs about writing personal statements, conclusion on how to write a personal statement.

How do you tell someone who you are in just a few hundred words?

It’s certainly no easy task, but it’s one almost every college applicant must do. The personal statement is a crucial part of any college or university application.

So, how do you write a compelling personal statement?

In this article, we’ll give you all the tools, tips, and examples you need to write an effective personal statement.

A personal statement is a short essay that reveals something important about who you are. It can talk about your background, your interests, your values, your goals in life, or all of the above.

Personal statements are required by many college admission offices and scholarship selection committees. They’re a key part of your application, alongside your academic transcript, standardized test scores, and extracurricular activities.

The reason application committees ask you to write a personal statement is so they can get to know who you are. 

Some personal statements have specific prompts, such as “Discuss a period of personal growth in your life” or “Tell us about a challenge or failure you’ve faced.” Others are more open-ended with prompts that essentially boil down to “Tell us about yourself.”

No matter what the prompt is, your goal is the same: to make yourself stand out to the selection committee as a strong candidate for their program.

Here are some things a personal statement can be:

It can be funny. If you have a great sense of humor, your personal statement is a great place to let that shine.  

It can be vulnerable. Don’t be afraid to open up about hardships in your life or failures you’ve experienced. Showing vulnerability can make you sound more like a real person rather than just a collection of application materials.  

It can be creative. Candidates have got into top schools with personal statements that take the form of “a day in the life” descriptions, third-person short stories, and even cooking recipes.

Now we’ve talked about what a personal statement is, let’s quickly look at what a personal statement isn’t:

It isn’t a formal academic paper. You should write the personal statement in your natural voice, using first-person pronouns like “I” and “me,” not in the formal, objective language you would use to write an academic paper.

It isn’t a five-paragraph essay. You should use as many paragraphs as you need to tell your story instead of sticking to the essay structure you learned in school.

It isn’t a resumé. You should try to describe yourself by telling a clear and cohesive story rather than providing a jumbled list of all of your accomplishments and ambitions.

Here are our top six tips for writing a strong personal statement.

Tip 1: Do Some Serious Self-Reflection

The hardest part of writing a personal statement isn’t the actual process of writing it.

Before you start typing, you have to figure out what to write about. And that means taking some time to reflect on who you are and what’s important in your life.

Here are some useful questions you can use to start your self-reflection. You can either answer these on your own by writing down your answers, or you can ask a trusted friend to listen as you talk about them together.

What were the key moments that shaped your life? (e.g. an important friendship, a travel experience, an illness or injury)

What are you proud of? (e.g. you’re a good listener, you always keep your promises, you’re a talented musician)

How do you choose to spend your time? (e.g. reading, practicing soccer, spending time with your friends)

What inspires you? (e.g. your grandmother, a celebrity, your favorite song)

Doing this self-reflection is crucial for figuring out the perfect topics and anecdotes you can use to describe who you are.

Tip 2: Try to Avoid Cliché Topics

College application committees read thousands of personal statements a year. That means there are some personal statement topics they see over and over again.

Here are a few examples of common personal statement topics that have become cliché:

Winning a tournament or sports game

Volunteering in a foreign country

Moving to a new home

Becoming an older sibling

Being an immigrant or having immigrant parents

If you want to make a strong impression in the application process, you need to make your personal statement stand out from the crowd.

But if your chosen personal statement topic falls into one of these categories, that doesn’t necessarily mean you shouldn’t use it. Just make sure to put a unique spin on it so it still delivers something the committee hasn’t seen before.

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Tip 3: Show, Don’t Tell

One common mistake you might make in your personal statement is to simply tell the reader what you want them to know about you, such as by stating “I have a fear of public speaking” or “I love to cook.”

Instead of simply stating these facts, you should show the committee what you’re talking about through a story or scene, which will make your essay much more immersive and memorable.

For example, let’s say you want the committee to know you overcame your fear of public speaking. Instead of writing “I overcame my fear of public speaking,” show them what it was like to be onstage in front of a microphone. Did your palms get clammy? Did you feel light-headed? Did you forget your words?

Or let’s say you want the committee to know you love to cook. Instead of writing “I love to cook,” show them why you love to cook. What’s your favorite dish to cook? What does the air smell like when you’re cooking it? What kitchen appliances do you use to make it?

Tip 4: Connect the Story to Why You’re Applying

Don’t forget that the purpose of your personal statement isn’t simply to tell the admissions committee who you are. That’s an important part of it, of course, but your ultimate goal is to convince them to choose you as a candidate.

That means it’s important to tie your personal story to your reasons for applying to this specific school or scholarship. Finish your essay with a strong thesis.

For example, if your story is about overcoming your fear of public speaking, you might connect that story to your ambition of becoming a politician. You can then tie that to your application by saying, “I want to apply to this school because of its fantastic politics program, which will give me a perfect opportunity to use my voice.”

Tip 5: Write in Your Own Voice

The personal statement isn’t supposed to be written in a formal tone. That’s why they’re called “personal” statements because you have to shape it to fit your own voice and style.

Don’t use complicated or overwrought language. You don’t need to fill your essay with semicolons and big words, unless that’s how you sound in real life.

One way to write in your own voice is by speaking your personal statement out loud. If it doesn’t feel natural, it may need changing. 

Tip 6: Edit, Edit, Edit!

It’s important to revise your personal statement multiple times in order to make sure it’s as close to perfect as possible.

A single typo won’t kill your application, but if your personal statement contains multiple spelling errors or egregious grammar mistakes, you won’t be putting your best foot forward.

ProWritingAid can help you make sure your personal statement is as clean as possible. In addition to catching your grammar errors, typos, and punctuation mistakes, it will also help you improve weaknesses in your writing, such as passive voice, unnecessary repetition, and more.

Let’s look at some of the best personal statements that have worked for successful candidates in the real world. 

Harvard Personal Statement Example

Love. For a word describing such a powerful emotion, it is always in the air. The word “love” has become so pervasive in everyday conversation that it hardly retains its roots in blazing passion and deep adoration. In fact, the word is thrown about so much that it becomes difficult to believe society isn’t just one huge, smitten party, with everyone holding hands and singing “Kumbaya.” In films, it’s the teenage boy’s grudging response to a doting mother. At school, it’s a habitual farewell between friends. But in my Chinese home, it’s never uttered. Watching my grandmother lie unconscious on the hospital bed, waiting for her body to shut down, was excruciatingly painful. Her final quavering breaths formed a discordant rhythm with the steady beep of hospital equipment and the unsympathetic tapping hands of the clock. That evening, I whispered—into unhearing ears—the first, and only, “I love you” I ever said to her, my rankling guilt haunting me relentlessly for weeks after her passing. My warm confession seemed anticlimactic, met with only the coldness of my surroundings—the blank room, impassive doctors, and empty silence. I struggled to understand why the “love” that so easily rolled off my tongue when bantering with friends dissipated from my vocabulary when I spoke to my family. Do Chinese people simply love less than Americans do?

This is an excerpt from a personal statement that got the applicant admitted to Harvard University. The applicant discusses her background as a Chinese-American by musing on the word “love” and what that means within her family.

The writer uses vulnerable details about her relationship with her grandmother to give the reader an understanding of where she comes from and how her family has shaped her.  

You can read the full personal statement on the Harvard Crimson website.

Tufts Personal Statement Example

My first dream job was to be a pickle truck driver. I saw it in my favorite book, Richard Scarry’s “Cars and Trucks and Things That Go,” and for some reason, I was absolutely obsessed with the idea of driving a giant pickle. Much to the discontent of my younger sister, I insisted that my parents read us that book as many nights as possible so we could find goldbug, a small little golden bug, on every page. I would imagine the wonderful life I would have: being a pig driving a giant pickle truck across the country, chasing and finding goldbug. I then moved on to wanting to be a Lego Master. Then an architect. Then a surgeon. Then I discovered a real goldbug: gold nanoparticles that can reprogram macrophages to assist in killing tumors, produce clear images of them without sacrificing the subject, and heat them to obliteration. Suddenly the destination of my pickle was clear. I quickly became enveloped by the world of nanomedicine; I scoured articles about liposomes, polymeric micelles, dendrimers, targeting ligands, and self-assembling nanoparticles, all conquering cancer in some exotic way. Completely absorbed, I set out to find a mentor to dive even deeper into these topics. After several rejections, I was immensely grateful to receive an invitation to work alongside Dr. Sangeeta Ray at Johns Hopkins.

This is the beginning of a personal statement by Renner Kwittken, who was admitted into Tufts University as a pre-medical student.

Renner uses a humorous anecdote about being a pickle truck driver to describe his love for nanomedicine and how he got involved in his field. You can feel his passion for medicine throughout his personal statement.

You can find Renner’s full essay on the Tufts Admissions page.

Law School Personal Statement Essay Example

For most people, the slap on the face that turns their life around is figurative. Mine was literal. Actually, it was a punch delivered by a drill sergeant at Fort Dix, New Jersey, while I was in basic training. That day’s activity, just a few weeks into the program, included instruction in “low-crawling,” a sensible method of moving from one place to another on a battlefield. I felt rather clever for having discovered that, by looking right rather than down, I eliminated my helmet’s unfortunate tendency to dig into the ground and slow my progress. I could thus advance more easily, but I also exposed my unprotected face to hostile fire. Drill sergeants are typically very good at detecting this type of laziness, and mine was an excellent drill sergeant. So, after his repeated suggestions that I correct my performance went unheeded, he drove home his point with a fist to my face. We were both stunned. This was, after all, the New Army, and striking a trainee was a career-ending move for a drill sergeant, as we were both aware. I could have reported him; arguably, I should have. I didn’t. It didn’t seem right for this good sergeant, who had not slept for almost four days, to lose his career for losing his temper with my laziness. Choosing not to report him was the first decision I remember making that made me proud.

These are the first three paragraphs of an anonymous personal statement by a Wheaton College graduate, who used this personal statement to get into a top-25 law school.

This statement describes a time the applicant faced a challenging decision while in the army. He ended up making a decision he was proud of, and as a result, the personal statement gives us a sense of his character.

You can find the full essay on the Wheaton Academics website.

Here are some common questions about how to write a personal statement.

How Long Should a Personal Statement Be?

The length of your personal statement depends on the specific program you’re applying to. The application guidelines usually specify a maximum word count or an ideal word count.  

Most personal statements are between 500–800 words. That’s a good general range to aim for if you don’t have more specific guidelines.  

Should Personal Statements Be Different for Scholarships?

Many scholarship applications will ask for personal statements with similar prompts to those of college applications.

However, the purpose of a personal statement you’d write for a scholarship application is different from the purpose of one you’d write for a college application.

For a scholarship application, your goal is to showcase why you deserve the scholarship. To do that, you need to understand the mission of the organization offering that scholarship.

For example, some scholarships are meant to help first-generation college students get their degree, while others are meant to help women break into STEM.

Consider the following questions:

Why is this organization offering scholarships?

What would their ideal scholarship candidate look like?

How do your experiences and goals overlap with those of their ideal scholarship candidate?

You can use the same personal anecdotes you’d use for any other personal statement, but you’ll have a better chance of winning the scholarship if you tailor your essay to match their specific mission.

How to Start a Personal Statement

You should start your personal statement with a “hook” that pulls the reader in. The sooner you catch the reader’s attention, the more likely they’ll want to read the entire essay.

Here are some examples of hooks you can use:

A story (e.g. When the spotlight hit my face, I tried to remind myself to breathe. )

A setting description (e.g. My bedroom floor is covered with dirty laundry, candy wrappers, and crumpled sheet music. )

A funny anecdote (e.g. When I was a little kid, my friends nicknamed me Mowgli because of my haircut. )

A surprising fact (e.g. I've lived in 37 countries .)

There you have it—our complete guide to writing a personal statement that will make you stand out to the application committee.

Here’s a quick recap: 

A personal statement is a short essay that shows an application committee who you are

Start with a strong hook that pulls the reader in

Tell a story to engage the reader 

Write in your own voice, not in a formal tone

Good luck, and happy writing!

Hannah Yang

Hannah is a speculative fiction writer who loves all things strange and surreal. She holds a BA from Yale University and lives in Colorado. When she’s not busy writing, you can find her painting watercolors, playing her ukulele, or hiking in the Rockies. Follow her work on hannahyang.com or on Twitter at @hannahxyang.

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UCAS Personal Statement and Examples

What is the ucas personal statement .

The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) Personal Statement is the main essay for your application to colleges and universities in Great Britain. UCAS gives a nice explanation here , but in short, this is your chance to stand out against the crowd and show your knowledge and enthusiasm for your chosen area of study.

You’ve got 4,000 characters and 47 line limit to show colleges what (ideally) gets you out of bed in the morning. How long is that, really? Use your “word count” tool in Google or Word docs to check as you go along, but 4,000 characters is roughly 500 words or one page.

HOW IS THE UCAS PERSONAL STATEMENT DIFFERENT FROM THE US PERSONAL STATEMENT?

Think they’re the same? Think again. Here are some key differences between the UCAS and the US Personal Statement:

When you apply to UK schools, you’re applying to one particular degree program, which you’ll study for all, or almost all, your time at university. Your UCAS personal statement should focus less on cool/fun/quirky aspects of yourself and more on how you’ve prepared for your particular area of study.

The UCAS Personal Statement will be read by someone looking for proof that you are academically capable of studying that subject for your entire degree. In some cases, it might be an actual professor reading your essay.

You’ll only write one personal statement, which will be sent to all the universities you’re applying to, and it’s unlikely you’ll be sending any additional (supplemental) essays. Your essay needs to explain why you enjoy and are good at this subject, without reference to any particular university or type of university.

Any extracurricular activities that are NOT connected to the subject you’re applying for are mostly irrelevant, unless they illustrate relevant points about your study skills or attributes: for example, having a job outside of school shows time-management and people skills, or leading a sports team shows leadership and responsibility.

Your personal statement will mostly focus on what you’ve done at high school, in class, and often in preparation for external exams. 80-90% of the content will be academic in nature.

A QUICK STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO WRITING THE UCAS PERSONAL STATEMENT

This may be obvious, but the first step to a great UCAS Personal Statement is to choose the subject you’re applying for. This choice will be consistent across the (up to) five course choices you have. Often, when students struggle with a UCAS personal statement, it’s because they are trying to make the statement work for a couple of different subjects. With a clear focus on one subject, the essay can do the job it is supposed to do. Keep in mind you’re limited to 47 lines or 4000 characters, so this has to be concise and make efficient use of words.

To work out what information to include, my favourite brainstorming activity is the ‘Courtroom Exercise’. Here’s how it works:

The Courtroom Exercise

Imagine you’re prosecuting a case in court, and the case is that should be admitted to a university to study the subject you’ve chosen. You have to present your case to the judge, in a 47 line or 4,000 character statement. The judge won’t accept platitudes or points made without evidence–she needs to see evidence. What examples will you present in your statement?

In a good statement, you’ll make an opening and a closing point.

To open your argument, can you sum up in one sentence why you wish to study this subject? Can you remember where your interest in that subject began? Do you have a story to tell that will engage the reader about your interest in that subject?

Next, you’ll present a number of pieces of evidence, laying out in detail why you’re a good match for this subject. What activities have you done that prove you can study this subject at university?

Most likely, you’ll start with a class you took, a project you worked on, an internship you had, or a relevant extra-curricular activity you enjoyed. For each activity you discuss, structure a paragraph on each using the ABC approach:

A: What is the A ctivity?

B: How did it B enefit you as a potential student for this degree course?

C: Link the benefit to the skills needed to be successful on this C ourse.

With three or four paragraphs like these, each of about 9 or 10 lines, and you should have the bulk of your statement done. Typically two of these will be about classes you have taken at school, and two about relevant activities outside of school.

In the last paragraph, you need to demonstrate wider skills that you have, which you can probably do from your extracurricular activities. How could you demonstrate your time management, your ability to collaborate, or your creativity? Briefly list a few extracurricular activities you’ve taken part in and identify the relevant skills that are transferable to university study.

Finally, close your argument in a way that doesn’t repeat what you’ve already shared. Case closed!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What if I’m not sure what I want to study? Should I still apply? 

There are a number of broader programs available at UK universities (sometimes called Liberal Arts or Flexible Combined Honours). However,  you should still showcase two or three academic areas of interest. If you are looking for a broader range of subjects to study and can’t choose one, then the UK might not be the best fit for you.

What if I haven’t done much, academically or via extracurriculars, to demonstrate that I’ll be able to complete the coursework for my degree? Should I still apply?

You certainly can, but you will need to be realistic about the strength of your application as a result. The most selective universities will want to see this evidence, but less selective ones will be more willing to account for your potential to grow in addition to what you’ve already achieved. You could also consider applying for a Foundation course or a ‘Year 0’ course, where you have an additional year pre-university to enable you to develop this range of evidence.

If I’m not accepted into a particular major, can I be accepted into a different major?

It’s important to understand that we are not talking about a ‘major,’ as what you are accepted into is one entire course of study. Some universities may make you an ‘alternative offer’ for a similar but perhaps less popular course (for example you applied for Business but instead they offer you a place for Business with a Language).At others, you can indicate post-application that you would like to be considered for related courses. However, it’s not going to be possible to switch between two completely unrelated academic areas.

What other information is included in my application? Will they see my extracurricular activities, for example? Is there an Additional Information section where I can include more context on what I’ve done in high school?

The application is very brief: the personal statement is where you put all the information. UCAS does not include an activities section or space for any other writing. The 47 lines are all you have. Some universities might accept information if there are particularly important extenuating circumstances that must be conveyed. This can be done via email, but typically, they don’t want to see more than the UCAS statement and your school’s reference provides.

Now, let’s take a look at some of my favourite UCAS personal statement examples with some analysis of why I think these are great.

UCAS PERSONAL STATEMENT EXAMPLE FOR CHEMISTRY

When I was ten, I saw a documentary on Chemistry that really fascinated me. Narrated by British theoretical physicist Jim Al-Khalili, it explained how the first elements were discovered and how Chemistry was born out of alchemy. I became fascinated with Chemistry and have remained so ever since. I love the subject because it has very theoretical components, for example quantum Chemistry, while also having huge practical applications.

In this introduction, the student shows where his interest in Chemistry comes from. Adding some additional academic detail (in this case, the name of the scientist) helps guide the reader into more specific information on why this subject is interesting to him.

This aspect of Chemistry is important to me. I have, for example, used machine learning to differentiate between approved and experimental drugs. On the first run, using drug molecules from the website Drug Bank, I calculated some molecular descriptors for them. I started with a simple logistic regression model and was shocked to find that it had apparently classified almost all molecules correctly. This result couldn’t be right; it took me nearly a month to find the error. I accidentally normalized the molecular-descriptor data individually, rather than as a combined data set, thereby encoding the label into the input. On a second run, after fixing the error, I used real machine learning libraries. Here I actually got some performance with my new algorithm, which I could compare to professional researchers’ papers. The highest accuracy I ever saw on my screen was 86 percent. The researchers’ result was 85 percent; thanks to more modern machine learning methods, I narrowly beat them. I have also studied Mathematics and Physics at A Level and have been able to dive into areas beyond the A Level syllabus such as complex integration in math and the Schrödinger equation in Physics.

This paragraph outlines a clear case for this student’s aptitude for and interest in Chemistry. He explains in detail how he has explored his intended major, using academic terminology to show us he has studied the subject deeply. Knowing an admissions reader is looking for evidence that this student has a talent for Chemistry, this paragraph gives them the evidence they need to admit him.

Additionally, I have worked on an undergraduate computer science course on MIT Opencourseware, but found that the content followed fixed rules and did not require creativity. At the time I was interested in neural networks and listened to lectures by professor Geoffrey Hinton who serendipitously mentioned his students testing his techniques on ‘Kaggle Competitions’. I quickly got interested and decided to compete on this platform. Kaggle allowed me to measure my machine learning skills against competitors with PhDs or who are professional data scientists at large corporations. With this kind of competition naturally I did not win any prizes, but I worked with the same tools and saw how others gradually perfected a script, something which has helped my A Level studies immensely.

Introducing a new topic, the student again uses academic terminology to show how he has gone beyond the confines of his curriculum to explore the subject at a higher level. In this paragraph, he demonstrates that he has studied university-level Chemistry. Again, this helps the reader to see that this student is capable of studying for a Chemistry degree.

I have been keen to engage in activities beyond the classroom. For example, I have taken part in a range of extracurricular activities, including ballroom dancing, public speaking, trumpet, spoken Mandarin, and tennis, achieving a LAMDA distinction at level four for my public speaking. I have also participated in Kaggle competitions, as I’m extremely interested in machine learning. For example, I have used neural networks to determine the causes of Amazon deforestation from satellite pictures in the ‘Planet: Understanding the Amazon from Space’ competition. I believe that having worked on projects spanning several weeks or even months has allowed me to build a stamina that will be extremely useful when studying at university.

This penultimate paragraph introduces the student’s extracurricular interests, summing them up in a sentence. Those activities that can demonstrate skills that are transferable to the study of Chemistry are given a bit more explanation. The student’s descriptions in each paragraph are very detailed, with lots of specific information about awards, classes and teachers.

What I hope to gain from an undergraduate (and perhaps post-graduate) education in Chemistry is to deepen my knowledge of the subject and potentially have the ability to successfully launch a startup after university. I’m particularly interested in areas such as computational Chemistry and cheminformatics. However, I’m  open to studying other areas in Chemistry, as it is a subject that truly captivates me.

In the conclusion, the student touches on his future plans, using specific terminology that shows his knowledge of Chemistry. This also reveals that he aims to have a career in this field, which many admission readers find appealing as it demonstrates a level of commitment to the subject.

UCAS PERSONAL STATEMENT EXAMPLE FOR VETERINARY MEDICINE

This next statement has to accomplish a number of tasks, given the subject the student is applying for. As a vocational degree, applicants for veterinary medicine are committing to a career as well as a subject to study, so they need to give information demonstrating they understand the reality of a career in this area. It also needs to explain their motivation for this interest, which quite often is demonstrated through work experience (something which is often a condition for entry into these programs). Finally, as this is a highly academic subject to study at university, the author should include a good level of academic terminology and experiences in the statement.

There is nothing more fascinating to me than experiencing animals in the wild, in their natural habitat where their behaviour is about the survival of their species. I was lucky enough to experience this when in Tanzania. While observing animals hunting, I became intrigued by their musculature and inspired to work alongside these animals to help them when they are sick, as a veterinarian.

In an efficient way, the applicant explains her motivation to become a vet, then squeezes in a bit of information about her experience with animals.

As a horse rider and owner for nearly ten years, I have sought opportunities to learn as much as I can about caring for the animal. I helped around the yard with grooming and exercise, bringing horses in and out from the fields, putting on rugs, and mucking out. I have also been working at a small animal vet clinic every other Saturday for over 2.5 years. There, my responsibilities include restocking and sterilising equipment, watching procedures, and helping in consultations. Exposure to different cases has expanded my knowledge of various aspects, such as assisting with an emergency caesarean procedure. Due to a lack of staff on a Saturday, I was put in charge of anaesthesia while the puppies were being revived. I took on this task without hesitation and recorded heart and respiration rate, capillary refill time, and gum colour every five minutes. Other placements following an equine vet, working on a polo farm, and volunteering at a swan sanctuary have also broadened my experience with different species and how each possesses various requirements. During pre-vet summer courses, I was also introduced to farm animals such as pigs, cows, sheep and chicken. I spend some time milking dairy cows and removing clustered dust from chicken feet, as well as tipping sheep in order to inspect their teats.

In this paragraph, she synthesizes personal experience with an academic understanding of vet medicine. She demonstrates that she is committed to animals (helping in the yard, regular Saturday work, assistance with procedures), that she has gained a variety of experiences, and that she understands some of the conditions (caesareans, clustered dust) that vets have to deal with. Note that she also briefly discusses ‘pre-vet summer courses,’ adding credibility to her level of experience.

I have focused on HL Biology and HL Chemistry for my IB Diploma. I was particularly excited to study cell biology and body systems because these subjects allowed me to comprehend how the body works and are applicable to animal body functions. Topics like DNA replication as well as cell transcription and translation have helped me form a fundamental understanding of genetics and protein synthesis, both important topics when looking into hereditary diseases in animals. Learning about chemical reactions made me consider the importance of pharmaceutical aspects of veterinary medicine, such as the production of effective medicine. Vaccines are essential and by learning about the chemical reactions, I f developed a more nuanced understanding about how they are made and work.

Now, the statement turns to academic matters, linking her IB subjects to the university studies she aspires to. She draws out one particular example that makes a clear link between school and university-level study.

I have also written my Extended Essay discussing the consequences of breeding laws in the UK and South Australia in relation to the development of genetic abnormalities in pugs and German shepherds. This topic is important, as the growing brachycephalic aesthetic of pugs is causing them to suffer throughout their lifetime. Pedigree dogs, such as the German shepherd, have a very small gene pool and as a result, hereditary diseases can develop. This becomes an ethical discussion, because allowing German shepherds to suffer is not moral; however, as a breed, they aid the police and thus serve society.

The IB Extended Essay (like an A Level EPQ or a Capstone project) is a great topic to discuss in a personal statement, as these activities are designed to allow students to explore subjects in greater detail.

The first sentence here is a great example of what getting more specific looks like because it engages more directly with what the student is actually writing about in this particular paragraph then it extrapolates a more general point of advice from those specificities.

By choosing to write her Extended Essay on a topic of relevance to veterinary medicine, she has given herself the opportunity to show the varied aspects of veterinary science. This paragraph proves to the reader that this student is capable and motivated to study veterinary medicine.

I have learned that being a veterinarian requires diagnostic skills as well as excellent communication and leadership skills. I understand the importance and ethics of euthanasia decisions, and the sensitivity around discussing it withanimal owners. I have developed teamwork and leadership skills when playing varsity football and basketball for four years. My communication skills have expanded through being a Model U.N. and Global Issues Network member.

This small paragraph on her extracurricular activities links them clearly to her intended area of study, both in terms of related content and necessary skills. From this, the reader gains the impression that this student has a wide range of relevant interests.

When I attend university, I not only hope to become a veterinarian, but also a leader in the field. I would like to research different aspects of veterinary medicine, such as diseases. As a vet, I would like to help work towards the One Health goal; allowing the maintenance of public health security. This affects vets because we are the ones working closely with animals every day.

In the conclusion, she ties things together and looks ahead to her career. By introducing the concept of ‘One Health’, she also shows once again her knowledge of the field she is applying to.

UCAS PERSONAL STATEMENT EXAMPLE FOR AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING

Standing inside a wind tunnel is not something every 17 year old aspires to, but for me the opportunity to do so last year confirmed my long-held desire to become a mechanical engineer.

This introduction is efficient and provides a clear direction for the personal statement. Though it might seem that it should be more detailed, for a student applying to study a course that requires limited extended writing, being this matter-of-fact works fine.

I enjoy the challenge of using the laws of Physics, complemented with Mathematical backing, in the context of everyday life, which helps me to visualise and understand where different topics can be applied. I explored the field of aeronautics, specifically in my work experience with Emirates Aviation University. I explored how engineers apply basic concepts of air resistance and drag when I had the opportunity to experiment with the wind tunnel, which allowed me to identify how different wing shapes behave at diverse air pressures. My interest with robotics has led me to take up a year-long internship with MakersBuilders, where I had the chance to explore physics and maths on a different plane. During my internship I educated young teenagers on a more fundamental stage of building and programming, in particular when we worked on building a small robot and programmed the infra-red sensor in order to create self-sufficient movement. This exposure allowed me to improve my communication and interpersonal skills.

In this paragraph, the student adds evidence to the initial assertion that he enjoys seeing how Physics relates to everyday life. The descriptions of the work experiences he has had not only show his commitment to the subject, but also enable him to bring in some academic content to demonstrate his understanding of engineering and aeronautics.

I’m interested in the mechanics side of Maths such as circular motion and projectiles; even Pure Maths has allowed me to easily see patterns when working and solving problems in Computer Science. During my A Level Maths and Further Maths, I have particularly enjoyed working with partial fractions as they show how reverse methodology can be used to solve addition of fractions, which ranges from simple addition to complex kinematics. ­­­Pure Maths has also enabled me to better understand how 3D modelling works with ­­­the use of volumes of revolution, especially when I learned how to apply the calculations to basic objects like calculating the amount of water in a bottle or the volume of a pencil.

This paragraph brings in the academic content at school, which is important when applying for a subject such as engineering. This is because the admissions reader needs to be reassured that the student has covered the necessary foundational content to be able to cope with Year 1 of this course.

In my Drone Club I have been able to apply several methods of wing formation, such as the number of blades used during a UAS flight. Drones can be used for purposes such as in Air-sea Rescue or transporting food to low income countries. I have taken on the responsibility of leading and sharing my skills with others, particularly in the Drone Club where I gained the certification to fly drones. In coding club, I participated in the global Google Code competition related to complex, real-life coding, such as a program that allows phones to send commands to another device using Bluetooth. My Cambridge summer course on math and engineering included the origins of a few of the most important equations and ideologies from many mathematicians such as, E=mc2 from Einstein, I also got a head start at understanding matrices and their importance in kinematics. Last summer, I completed a course at UT Dallas on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. The course was intuitive and allowed me to understand a different perspective of how robots and AI will replace humans to do complex and labour-intensive activities, customer service, driverless cars and technical support.

In this section, he demonstrates his commitment to the subject through a detailed list of extracurricular activities, all linked to engineering and aeronautics. The detail he gives about each one links to the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in these subjects at university.

I have represented Model UN as a delegate and enjoyed working with others to solve problems. For my Duke of Edinburgh Award, I partook in several activities such as trekking and playing the drums. I enjoy music and I have reached grade 3 for percussion. I have also participated in a range of charitable activities, which include assisting during Ramadan and undertaking fun-runs to raise money for cancer research.

As with the introduction, this is an efficient use of language, sharing a range of activities, each of which has taught him useful skills. The conclusion that follows is similarly efficient and to the point.

I believe that engineering is a discipline that will offer me a chance to make a tangible difference in the world, and I am certain I will enjoy the process of integrating technology with our everyday life.

UCAS PERSONAL STATEMENT EXAMPLE FOR ECONOMICS AND SOCIAL POLICY

Applying for a joint honours course presents a particular challenge of making the case that you are interested in the first subject, the second subject and (often overlooked) the combination of the two. In this example, the applicant uses her own academic studies and personal experiences to make her case.

I usually spend my summer breaks in Uttar Pradesh, India working at my grandparents’ NGO which produces bio-fertilizers for the poor. While working, I speak to many of the villagers in the nearby villages like Barokhar and Dharampur and have found out about the various initiatives the Government has taken to improve the production of wheat and rice. I understand the hardships they undergo and speaking to them has shown me the importance of Social Policy and the role the government plays in improving the lives of people and inspired me to pursue my university studies in this field.

In the introduction, this applicant explains where her interlinking experiences come from: she has personal experiences demonstrating how economics impacts the most vulnerable in society. In doing so, she shows the admissions reader that she has a deep interest in this combination and can move on to discussing each subject in turn.

My interest in these areas has been driven by the experiences I had at high school and beyond. I started attending Model United Nations in the 9th grade and have been to many conferences, discussing problems like the water crisis and a lack of sustainability in underdeveloped countries. These topics overlapped with my study of economics and exciting classroom discussions on what was going on how different events would impact economies, for instance how fluctuations in oil prices will affect standards of living. Studying Economics has expanded  my knowledge about how countries are run and how macroeconomic policies shape the everyday experiences of individuals.

Unusually, this applicant does not go straight into her classroom experiences but instead uses one of her extracurricular activities (Model United Nations) in her first paragraph. For students applying for subjects that are not often taught at school (Social Policy in this example), this can be a good idea, as it allows you to bring in material that you have self-studied to explain why you are capable of studying each subject at university. Here, she uses MUN discussions to show she understands some topics in social policy that are impacting the world.

By taking up history as a subject in Grade 11 and 12, I have seen the challenges that people went through in the past, and how different ideas gained momentum in different parts of the world such as the growth of communism in Russia and China and how it spread to different countries during the Cold War. I learned about the different roles that governments played in times of hardships such as that which President Roosevelt’s New Deal played during the Great Depression. From this, I gained analytical skills by scrutinizing how different social, political and economic forces have moulded societies in the past.

In this paragraph, she then takes the nearest possible class to her interest in Social Policy and draws elements from it to add to her case for Social Policy. Taking some elements from her history classes enables her to add some content to this statement, before linking to the topic of economics.

To explore my interest in Economics, I interned at Emirates National Bank of Dubai, one of the largest banks in the Middle East, and also at IBM. At Emirates NBD, I undertook a research project on Cash Management methods in competitor banks and had to present my findings at the end of the internship. I also interned at IBM where I had to analyze market trends and fluctuations in market opportunity in countries in the Middle East and Africa. I had to find relations between GDP and market opportunity and had to analyze how market opportunity could change over the next 5 years with changing geo-political situations. I have also attended Harvard University’s Youth Lead the Change leadership conference where I was taught how to apply leadership skills to solve global problems such as gender inequality and poverty.

Economics is explored again through extracurriculars, with some detail added to the general statement about the activities undertaken during this work experience. Though the level of academics here is a little thin because this student’s high school did not offer any classes in Economics, she does as well as she can to bring in academic content.

I have partaken in many extra-curricular activities which have helped me develop the skills necessary for this course. Being a part of the Press Club at school gave me an opportunity to hone my talent for the written word and gave me a platform to talk about global issues. Volunteering at a local library taught me how to be organized. I developed research and analytical skills by undertaking various research projects at school such as the sector-wide contribution of the Indian economy to the GDP in the previous year. As a member of the Business and Economic Awareness Council at school, I was instrumental in organizing many economics-based events such as the Business Fair and Innovation Mela. Being part of various Face to Faith conferences has provided me with an opportunity to interact with students in Sierra Leone, India and Korea and understand global perspectives on issues like malaria and human trafficking.

The extracurricular activities are revisited here, with the first half of this paragraph showing how the applicant has some transferable skills from her activities that will help her with this course. She then revisits her interest in the course studies, before following up with a closing section that touches on her career goals:

The prospect of pursuing these two subjects is one that I eagerly anticipate and I look forward to meeting the challenge of university. In the future, I wish to become an economist and work at a think tank where I will be able to apply what I have learnt in studying such an exciting course.

UCAS PERSONAL STATEMENT EXAMPLE FOR HISTORY OF ART & PHILOSOPHY

This applicant is also a joint-honours applicant, and again is applying for a subject that she has not been able to study at school. Thus, bringing in her own interest and knowledge of both subjects is crucial here.

At the age of four, I remember an argument with my mother: I wanted to wear a pink ballerina dress with heels, made for eight-year-olds, which despite my difficulty in staying upright I was determined to wear. My mother persistently engaged in debate with me about why it was not ok to wear this ensemble in winter. After two hours of patiently explaining to me and listening to my responses she convinced me that I should wear something different, the first time I remember listening to reason. It has always been a natural instinct for me to discuss everything, since in the course of my upbringing I was never given a simple yes or no answer. Thus, when I began studying philosophy, I understood fully my passion for argument and dialogue.

This is an unusual approach to start a UCAS Personal Statement, but it does serve to show how this student approaches the world and why this combination of subjects might work for her. Though it could perhaps be drawn out more explicitly, here she is combining an artistic issue (her clothes) with a philosophical concern (her debate with her mother) to lead the reader into the case she is making for admission into this program.

This was first sparked academically when I was introduced to religious ethics; having a fairly Christian background my view on religion was immature. I never thought too much of the subject as I believed it was just something my grandparents did. However, when opened up to the arguments about god and religion, I was inclined to argue every side. After research and discussion, I was able to form my own view on religion without having to pick a distinctive side to which theory I would support. This is what makes me want to study philosophy: it gives an individual personal revelation towards matters into which they may not have given too much thought to.

There is some good content here that discusses the applicant’s interest in philosophy and her own motivation for this subject, though there is a lack of academic content here.

Alongside this, taking IB Visual Arts HL has opened my artistic views through pushing me out of my comfort zone. Art being a very subjective course, I was forced to choose an opinion which only mattered to me, it had no analytical nor empirical rights or wrongs, it was just my taste in art. From studying the two subjects alongside each other, I found great value, acquiring a certain form of freedom in each individual with their dual focus on personalized opinion and taste in many areas, leading to self- improvement.

In this section, she uses her IB Visual Arts class to explore how her interest in philosophy bleeds into her appreciation of art. Again, we are still awaiting the academic content, but the reader will by now be convinced that the student has a deep level of motivation for this subject. When we consider how rare this combination is, with very few courses for this combination available, the approach to take slightly longer to establish can work.

For this reason, I find the work of Henry Moore fascinating. I am intrigued by his pieces, especially the essence of the ‘Reclining Nude’ model, as the empty holes inflicted on the abstract human body encouraged my enthusiasm for artistic interpretation. This has led me to contemplate the subtlety, complexity and merit of the role of an artist. Developing an art piece is just as complex and refined as writing a novel or developing a theory in Philosophy. For this reason, History of Art conjoins with Philosophy, as the philosophical approach towards an art piece is what adds context to the history as well as purpose behind it.

Finally, we’re given the academic content. Cleverly, the content links both the History of Art and Philosophy together through a discussion of the work of Henry Moore. Finding examples that conjoin the subjects that make up a joint-honours application is a great idea and works well here.

Studying Philosophy has allowed me to apply real life abstractions to my art, as well as to glean a deeper critical analysis of art in its various mediums. My IB Extended Essay examined the 1900s Fauve movement, which made a huge breakthrough in France and Hungary simultaneously. This was the first artistic movement which was truly daring and outgoing with its vivid colours and bold brush strokes. My interest expanded to learning about the Hungarian artists in this movement led by Henri Matisse. Bela Czobel was one of the few who travelled to France to study but returned to Hungary, more specifically Nagybanya, to bestow what he had learned.

Again in this paragraph, the author connects the subjects. Students who are able to undertake a research project in their high school studies (such as the IB Extended Essay here, or the A Level Extended Project or AP Capstone) can describe these in their UCAS personal statements, as this level of research in an area of academic study can enliven and add depth to the writing, as is the case here.

As an international student with a multicultural background, I believe I can adapt to challenging or unfamiliar surroundings with ease. I spent two summers working at a nursery in Hungary as a junior Assistant Teacher, where I demonstrated leadership and teamwork skills that I had previously developed through commitment to sports teams. I was a competitive swimmer for six years and have represented my school internationally as well as holding the school record for 100m backstroke. I was elected Deputy Head of my House, which further reflects my dedication, leadership, teamwork and diligence.

As in the previous examples, this statement gives a good overview of the applicant’s extracurricular activities, with a mention of skills that will be beneficial to her studies at university. She then concludes with a brief final sentence:

I hope to carry these skills with me into my university studies, allowing me to enrich my knowledge and combine my artistic and philosophical interests.

UCAS PERSONAL STATEMENT EXAMPLE FOR LIBERAL ARTS

A good range of UK universities now offer courses called ‘Liberal Arts’ (or similar titles such as ‘Flexible Combined Honours’), which allows students to study a broader topic of study–perhaps combining three or four subjects–than is typically available in the UK system.

This presents a challenge in the personal statement, as within the 47 line / 4000 character limit, the applicant will have to show academic interest and knowledge in a range of subjects while also making the case to be admitted for this combined programme of study.

As a child I disliked reading; however, when I was 8, there was one particular book that caught my attention: The Little Prince. From that moment onwards, my love for literature was ignited and I had entered into a whirlwind of fictional worlds. While studying and analysing the classics from The Great Gatsby to Candide, this has exposed me to a variety of novels. My French bilingualism allowed me to study, in great depth, different texts in their original language. This sparked a new passion of mine for poetry, and introduced me to the works of Arthur Rimbaud, who has greatly influenced me. Through both reading and analysing poetry I was able to decipher its meaning. Liberal Arts gives me the opportunity to continue to study a range of texts and authors from different periods in history, as well as related aspects of culture, economy and society.

Here we have a slightly longer than usual opening paragraph, but given the nature of the course being applied for this works well. A personal story segueing from literature to modern languages to history and cultural studies shows that this student has a broad range of interests within the humanities and thus is well-suited to this course of study.

Liberal Arts is a clear choice for me. Coming from the IB International Baccalaureate Diploma programme I have studied a wide range of subjects which has provided me with a breadth of knowledge. In Theatre, I have adapted classics such as Othello by Shakespeare, and playing the role of moreover acting as Desdemona forced me to compartmentalise her complex emotions behind the early-modern English text. Studying History has taught me a number of skills; understanding the reasons behind changes in society, evaluating sources, and considering conflicting interpretations. From my interdisciplinary education I am able to critically analyse the world around me. Through studying Theory of Knowledge, I have developed high quality analysis using key questions and a critical mindset by questioning how and why we think and why. By going beyond the common use of reason, I have been able to deepen greaten my understanding and apply my ways of knowing in all subjects; for example in science I was creative in constructing my experiment (imagination) and used qualitative data (sense perception).

Students who are taking the IB Diploma, with its strictures to retain a broad curriculum, are well-suited to the UK’s Liberal Arts courses, as they have had practice seeing the links between subjects. In this paragraph, the applicant shows how she has done this, linking content from one subject to skills developed in another, and touching on the experience of IB Theory of Knowledge (an interdisciplinary class compulsory for all IB Diploma students) to show how she is able to see how different academic subjects overlap and share some common themes.

Languages have always played an important role in my life. I was immersed into a French nursery even though my parents are not French speakers. I have always cherished the ability to speak another language; it is something I have never taken for granted, and it is how I individualise myself. Being bilingual has allowed me to engage with a different culture. As a result, I am more open minded and have a global outlook. This has fuelled my desire to travel, learn new languages and experience new cultures. This course would provide me with the opportunity to fulfil these desires. Having written my Extended Essay in French on the use of manipulative language used by a particular character from the French classic Dangerous Liaisons I have had to apply my skills of close contextual reading and analysing to sculpt this essay. These skills are perfectly applicable to the critical thinking that is demanded for the course.

Within the humanities, this student has a particular background that makes her stand out, having become fluent in French while having no French background nor living in a French-speaking country. This is worth her exploring to develop her motivation for a broad course of study at university, which she does well here.

Studying the Liberal Arts will allow me to further my knowledge in a variety of fields whilst living independently and meeting people from different backgrounds. The flexible skills I would achieve from obtaining a liberal arts degree I believe would make me more desirable for future employment. I would thrive in this environment due to my self discipline and determination. During my school holidays I have undertaken working in a hotel as a chambermaid and this has made me appreciate the service sector in society and has taught me to work cohesively with others in an unfamiliar environment. I also took part in a creative writing course held at Keats House, where I learnt about romanticism. My commitment to extracurricular activities such as varsity football and basketball has shown me the importance of sportsmanship and camaraderie, while GIN (Global Issue Networking) has informed me of the values of community and the importance for charitable organisations.

The extracurricular paragraph here draws out a range of skills the student will apply to this course. Knowing that taking a broader range of subjects at a UK university requires excellent organizational skills, the student takes time to explain how she can meet these, perhaps going into slightly more detail than would be necessary for a single-honours application to spell out that she is capable of managing her time well. She then broadens this at the end by touching on some activities that have relevance for her studies.

My academic and personal preferences have always led me to the Liberal Arts; I feel as though the International Baccalaureate, my passion and self-discipline have prepared me for higher education. From the academics, extracurriculars and social aspects, I intend to embrace the entire experience of university.

In the final section, the candidate restates how she matches this course.

Overall, you can see how the key factor in a UCAS statement is the academic evidence, with students linking their engagement with a subject to the course of study that they are applying to. Using the courtroom exercise analogy, the judge here should be completely convinced that the case has been made, and will, therefore issue an offer of admittance to that university.

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Business tips

11 one-pager examples and how to create your own

One of my responsibilities as a marketer at an agency is sending monthly performance reports to my clients. They're busy people, so I include an executive summary at the beginning of each report that consolidates seven pages of detailed information into a few key bullet points—the "must-knows."

One-pagers serve the same function as these executive summaries. They boil down a lot of business information into one concise summary, enabling stakeholders or investors to quickly review important information and make important decisions—to invest or not invest, to use your offering or not, whatever the case may be. Needless to say, they need to pack a punch.

Here, I'll walk you through what should be included (and where) in these strategic documents, as well as share some one-pager examples and templates to help guide you through the creation process.

Table of contents:

What is a one-pager?

One-pagers can be for either internal or external use. For example, you may share an internal training one-pager with your employees or a startup plan one-pager with potential investors.

How to make a one-pager 

Think of a one-pager as a resume for whatever you're one-paging: it should tell the readers everything they absolutely need to know about you—in an aesthetically pleasing way.

Depending on the type of one-pager, you might include different elements, but here's a breakdown of the general elements you should include in each section of your one-pager. Keep scrolling for more examples of how these components would look in action. 

Since we read English top-to-bottom and left-to-right, organize your one-pager accordingly. At the top of your one-pager, include:

Company name and/or logo: Regardless of the type of one-pager, this is important for immediate brand recognition.

Headline: Give your audience a reason to keep reading. Write an attention-grabbing headline that hints toward 1) what your one-pager is about and 2) why they should care.

Brief overview of your product, service, project, or concept: It only needs to be a sentence or two.

Problem statement: Clearly state the issue you want to solve. It may be an overarching problem your business solves or a specific knowledge gap your one-pager fills.

Solution: Briefly explain how your offering or information provided in the one-pager solves the problem you previously stated.

If you think of a one-pager as a sandwich, the middle is the meat. Pack this section full of value:

Key benefits/features: This is where you'll highlight the benefits or features of your offering. What makes it unique? What problems does it solve? What are the specific features customers will love? 

Target market: Who is the audience of your one-pager? What are their needs and pain points? The more specific you can get, the better.

It's time to wrap it up and give people one last takeaway. Include these components at the bottom of your one-pager:

Future objectives: Outline your general plans for the future. What are your goals for the next year, three years, or five years? How are you working to achieve these goals? 

11 one-pager templates

I had my design team create almost a dozen one-pager examples—and templates to go along with them. As we run through them, I'll also share a few examples from the wild to get your creative gears turning. 

1. General one-pager/company one-pager

A general one-pager is like a company overview you'll share with customers and works well for general networking events or conferences. It includes all the standard one-pager elements I mentioned before: 

Company name and logo

Brief overview

Problem statement

Key benefits/features

Target market

Future objectives

2. Startup one-pager

Media attention/social proof

Investment stage

3. Pitch presentation one-pager

Startups, project managers, consultants, and non-profits can all use a pitch presentation one-pager to summarize the benefits they offer their audience. 

This one-pager serves as a quick reference guide, allowing presenters to succinctly convey their message, capture the audience's attention, and pique their interest. It's also a leave-behind for potential investors, partners, or clients to facilitate follow-up discussions. It should include: 

Market research summary

Team details, including specific expertise

4. Strategic plan one-pager

A strategic plan one-pager not only helps stakeholders easily digest your goals—it also serves as an accountability measure. It prevents people from leaving your presentation and immediately forgetting what your objectives are and how you plan to achieve them. 

Companies can use this one-pager to create organization-wide clarity, and non-profits can use it to appeal to donors. Make sure to include:

Key metrics

5. Product one-pager

Product one-pagers are invaluable for marketing and sales teams, enabling them to present essential information in a clear and compelling way to potential customers or stakeholders. They can even be used as an internal resource for new hires. Here's what to include:

Product name

Unique selling proposition

Timeline for launch (if new)

6. Company report one-pager

This one-pager can be used internally as an employee handout or post-summary during an annual company meeting. It can also be shared with external stakeholders to give a glimpse into the company's performance and future outlook. It should include:

Financial highlights

Achievements

Future challenges

7. Investor update one-pager

Give your investors the rundown on performance and the current goings-on of your business with a nice one-pager that breaks it all down. This concise update tells investors what they need to know—and nothing more. Here's what investors like to see: 

Progress toward milestones

Current challenges

Potential asks

8. Employee orientation one-pager

When I start a new job, I mentally prepare to be bombarded with a lot of information on the first day. Give new hires an employee orientation one-pager, so they have a quick overview of the key details they'll want to remember. Provide information like: 

Company culture

Leadership overview

Onboarding timeline

Key contacts

9. B2B one-pager

Decision-makers at businesses are busy, and a one-pager can cut through the noise to clearly communicate what your company does and why it's valuable (leave the jargon at home). Weave these elements into your one-pager:

Customer testimonials

Value proposition

10. Marketing one-pager

A marketing one-pager is an internal document that helps keep your company's teams aligned on branding and marketing. It's a snapshot of critical elements like:

Brand colors

Brand voice

Marketing goals

Customer personas

11. Consulting services one-pager

This type of one-pager is used by consulting firms to present their services, expertise, and value proposition to prospective clients. It offers a quick look into the consultancy's offerings to show clients how it can address their specific needs and challenges. These one-pagers typically include:

Client testimonials

Contact information

One-pager examples in the real world

Those templates will hopefully give you a head start, but let's take a look at some real-life examples of how people use and design one-pagers. Check out this variety of examples from real companies with details on what I think they particularly nail in their one-pagers.

General one-pager

In this general one-pager, Threekit briefly explains what it does and how it integrates with Salesforce. More specifically, it uses a variety of visual elements, from mockups to illustrated icons, to break up the text and display what the company's 3D product configurator looks like in action. 

Each component is also clearly defined with three separate background colors, which makes it easy to scan. Minimal copy is used while still getting the point across, and there's a clear visual hierarchy with the largest title and image at the top of the page.

Product one-pager

This product one-pager from CAT is a little more text-heavy, but it uses callout boxes and illustrations to break things up—plus, the bullet points make it easier to scan. The eye-catching header image is impressive, and there's also a clear headline and CTA.

B2B one-pager

Consulting one-pager

The example below is technically two pages, but it packs a lot of info into it. Clear headers help explain what services the company offers and the value those services hold. It also establishes credentials with customer testimonials and stats like "18B+ investment in security R&D and 3,500 cybersecurity experts." These elements help prospective clients feel secure about choosing them as a partner.

One-pager best practices

Just because you've managed to cram some important information onto one page doesn't mean it'll be effective. Here are some best practices to make sure your one-pagers have the effect you want them to:

Be concise: If you can't read a sentence on your one-pager without taking a breath, it's too long. Keep the copy short and sweet, so you don't defeat the whole purpose of a one-pager.

Appeal to your audience: Keep your reader in mind while creating your one-pager. If you're speaking to your customer base, avoid the corporate jargon. If you're speaking to investors, make sure to include the numbers that matter to them.

Include white space: While you may feel tempted to use every inch of space you have —don't. Empty space around text and visuals keeps your one-pager from looking cluttered and your reader from feeling overwhelmed.

Write a compelling headline: Like anything else you write, you need to grab the reader's attention right away. Make it immediately clear what value your one-pager will provide.

Tell a story: Like a good story, your one-pager should have a distinct beginning, middle, and end. Every component should connect to tell the story in a clear and engaging way.

Follow formatting guidelines: It's called a one -pager for a reason. Stick to one side of a page. Also, ensure it can be easily distributed physically and digitally by sticking to a standard letter (8.5 x 11") format.

Get creative with distribution: Of course, one-pagers are great for physical handouts, but think beyond that. Can you share the content on your website or social accounts? Can you adapt the content to be sent as an email newsletter? Choose a distribution method that makes sense for your audience.

Related reading:

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Cecilia Gillen

Cecilia is a content marketer with a degree in Media and Journalism from the University of South Dakota. After graduating, Cecilia moved to Omaha, Nebraska where she enjoys reading (almost as much as book buying), decor hunting at garage sales, and spending time with her two cats.

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25 Business One-Pager Examples That Stand Out (+Templates)

See best one-pager examples that effectively sell your company, product, project, or service. Learn what makes good one-pagers for sales, marketing, and more.

6 minute read

helped business professionals at:

Short answer

What makes a good business one-pager?

A good one-pager includes only key information that enables the reader to reach a conclusion or make a decision. An effective one-pager at the beginning of communication gives just enough detail to build interest. A one-pager near the end of communications gives the critical information for making a final decision

What should a one-pager include?

A one-pager includes only the most plausible information to grab the attention of decision-makers and get them interested in learning more.

The exact structure your one-pager should include depends on which one-pager you intend to make.

Which one-pager do you need to make?

1) Sales one-pager

2) Startup one-pager

3) Marketing one-pager

4) Company one-pager

5) Product one-pager

6) Business plan one-pager

7) Event one-pager

8) One-page report

Sales one-pager

A sales one-pager is used to provide a snapshot of the company’s offering and its unique value proposition.

Title slide

Company introduction (Who we are?)

Industry challenges

Solution overview

How it works

Startup one-pager

A startup one-pager is used to provide a fast company overview for investors

Vision statement

The problem

The solution

Proven results

Market Opportunity

Competitor analysis

Go-to-market strategy

Revenue projections

Team introduction

Fundraising goals

Roadmap/Product plan

Call-to-action (Contat us)

Marketing one-pager

A marketing one-pager is used to present a marketing plan to potential customers or internally to executive management.

How it works (process)

Benefits and outcomes

Call to action (contact)

Company one-pager

A company one-pager, also called a corporate one-pager, is used to provide a quick overview of a company’s offering, activity, or authority for prospective clients, investors, or partners.

Target market

Proven success

Main features

Testimonial

Trust indicators

Call to action (contact us)

Product one-pager

A product one-pager is used as a one-page brochure to showcase a B2B product or a high-ticket B2C product (like a house or a car)

Salesperson introduction

Business plan one-pager

A business plan one-pager is used to present the core information of a business plan to investors or internal decision-makers so as a base for an initial conversation.

The problem statement

Market analysis

How the product works

Future objectives

Unique selling points

SWOT analysis

Financial summary

Testimonials

Team introduction (our team)

Event one-pager

Digital brochure for events or conventions: used to provide access to informative video content, special offers, etc. This use case does not have a set structure.

One-page report

A one-page report is used for updating investors and stakeholders or for internal communications such as progress reports, business plans, roadmaps, and mission statements.

Executive summary

Methodology

Key highlights

Future outlook

Recommendations

A one-pager is NOT what you think.

A one-pager is not necessarily one page. Business one-pagers used to be an A4 page dense with text and loaded with information, but no one reads from printed paper anymore.

(If you have no idea what an A4 is, then I rest my case).

A one-pager is not a one-page PDF or Word document. I mean, it could be, but then hardly anyone would read it. A scary dense single page is the legacy way of doing it.

A modern one-pager is simply a short web page. Generously spaced, interactive, scrollable, and easy to read.

It’s also easy to make . I’ll show you how in a bit.

Or if you preffer, you can grab an interactive template and get to work.

Business one-pager templates

Go easy on yourself and use one of our tried and tested one-pager templates.

They come complete with built-in analytics which you can get instantly in Storydoc’s analytics panel.

What does a business one-pager look like?

Most business professionals still stick to PDFs when creating one-pagers. PDFs are simple to prepare and the contents stay intact regardless of the device your one-pager is viewed on.

But while it may be easy for you, it’s very hard for your prospect to actually read the damn thing.

Reading PDF one-pagers on mobile is next to impossible. Considering that almost 50% of all outreach one-pagers are now opened on mobile , if you’re using PDFs you’re practically losing every other prospect.

Now, let’s take a look at a legacy PDF one-pager for B2B sales , and compare it with a modern interactive web-based one-pager…

Bad one-pager example (legacy PDF)

Dense, overloaded, and uninviting.

Good one-pager example (modern interactive web page)

Buzzworthy, memorable, and easy to follow.

The numbers speak for themselves. Using interactive one-pagers, you can complement your content with live graphs, videos, and animations, which skyrocket your engagement and get 41% more people to read the one-pager in full .

Types of business one-pagers

Depending on your particular business goals, there are various types of one-pagers you can use with slight yet important differences.

1) Business plan one-pager

2) Project one-pager

3) Company one-pager

4) Product one-pager

5) Sales one-pager

6) One-page proposal

7) Marketing one-pager

8) Startup one-pager

9) Team one-pager

10) Personal one-pager

A business plan one-pager is great if you’re still in the early stages of figuring out your business idea.

It can work as a starting point before developing a full business plan. It will allow you to easily tweak and adjust when sending out to investors for gauging initial interest.

Browse business plan one-pager templates ➜

Project one-pager

A project one-pager is a succinct document that provides an overview of a specific project.

It includes essential details like objectives, scope, key milestones, current status, challenges, and next steps, presented in a clear and accessible format for stakeholders and team members.

A Company one-pager outlines your offering in a concise manner with the intention of capturing your readers’ attention enough to want to learn more about your product or service in the near future.

Browse company one-pager templates ➜

A Product one-pager is a succinct overview of a product or service.

It includes the main features of a product or service, the key pain points of your target audience that it aims to solve, the core benefits it brings, its position in the market, and past customer feedback.

It aims to raise brand awareness and establish a relationship with potential customers.

The main difference between a product one-pager and a company one-pager is that a product one-pager focuses on a single product or service in a company’s portfolio.

Browse product one-pager templates ➜

Or learn how to create an effective product one-pager ➜

While similar to a company one-pager, it’s more geared toward the unique value proposition your business provides to potential buyers.

It can also be used as a marketing tool and either published on your social media channels or distributed to prospective customers and investors.

Browse sales one-pager templates ➜

One-page proposal

At the end of a sales process, there usually comes a proposal.

The final proposal presented to the board is a one-page proposal that includes the succinct details of the sales offer, including provisions, costs, timetables, and a next step (many times this is an e-signature box).

Browse one-page proposal templates ➜

This is commonly used by marketing agencies or service providers to quickly summarize their offerings. It includes a unique value proposition, basic details of the service provided, cost, timetable, and next steps.

Browse marketing one-pager templates ➜

A Startup-one pager, sometimes called a SaaS one-pager, provides an overview of your company’s UVP, position in the market, and competitive advantage.

The main goal is to convince potential investors and venture capitalists that your business idea is viable and scalable in order to obtain the funds necessary to grow your company.

Browse startup one-pager templates ➜

For tips on how to prepare a full version of your investor one-pager, follow our guide on how to create a winning pitch one-pager investors love .

Team one-pager

This one-pager provides an overview of the team that leads a company, a project, or an event. It briefly introduces key team members with their responsibilities, authority, skills, and know-how.

The purpose of a team one-pager is to persuade the reader of the team's ability to successfully lead a company or a project.

Browse team introduction slides ➜

Personal one-pager

This is a concise document that summarizes an individual's professional and personal background, skills, experiences, and accomplishments. It's similar to a resume, but more streamlined and often more visually engaging.

Best one-pager examples showcasing clarity and persuasion

Cramming everything you want to say into a one-page business document can be a hard and painful process.

If you want to make your one-pager look professional, it’s even harder. And if you want to make it an engaging read, harder still.

That’s why I brought you the best one-pager examples. They were effectively used in the real world. They’ve been shown to communicate value, engage readers, and capture leads .

You can use these examples as templates to make your own killer one-pager.

Let’s go!

This example is a good fit for SaaS startups. It effectively outlines the problem, solution, market analysis, and future objectives.

The design is clean and professional, which appeals to investors and stakeholders. It's a great example of clear structure and concise presentation of key information.

This example is effective for travel industry professionals. It showcases a comprehensive ERP solution with a focus on efficiency and productivity.

The design is modern and engaging, making complex information accessible and appealing. Its clear layout and interactive elements demonstrate the software's capabilities and benefits.

Digital Product One-Pager

This example is very good for manufacturing businesses looking to digitalize their operations. It highlights the ease and speed of transforming into a smart factory.

The design is sleek and forward-thinking, aligning well with the product's digital nature. Its focus on real-time data and efficiency gains is particularly useful for businesses seeking to improve productivity and decision-making.

SaaS product One-Pager

This example is superb when you are running an eCommerce business focusing on customer loyalty and engagement. It highlights features like reward programs and analytics in a visually appealing and interactive manner.

The design is vibrant and user-friendly, making it easy to grasp the product's benefits.

Its focus on actionable insights and integration capabilities is particularly useful for businesses aiming to enhance customer experiences and drive growth.

Physical product one-pager

This example is excellent for tech companies showcasing innovative solutions. It effectively communicates how FuturumTech's products simplify technology use and enhance efficiency.

The design is sleek and tech-oriented, which resonates well with its target audience.

The example shows how user empowerment through easy integration and customization.

Startup product one-pager

This example is optimal for tech startups aiming to showcase their innovative solutions. It effectively communicates how your products address industry challenges and drive growth.

The design is dynamic and modern, aligning with the startup ethos.

Its focus on tailored solutions, from consultation to integration, is particularly useful for businesses seeking to enhance their technological capabilities and efficiency.

It effectively communicates how their services can streamline operations and enhance efficiency. The design is professional and straightforward, focusing on clarity and impact.

Its step-by-step explanation of the process, from discovery to optimization, is particularly useful for businesses looking to understand how your solutions can be integrated into their operations for improved results.

Tech sales one-pager

This example is amazing for businesses seeking advanced data extraction solutions. It effectively showcases how cloud technology and automation can revolutionize data handling.

The design is sleek and tech-focused, emphasizing the product's modernity and efficiency.

Its clear explanation of the step-by-step process, from connection to automation, helps buyers understand the impact of your solutions on operational efficiency and ROI.

Outbound sales one-pager

This example is great for BI and analytics teams facing data discovery challenges. It effectively illustrates how data management platforms provide complete visibility and efficient data management.

The design is straightforward and focused, highlighting the solution's ease of use and quick implementation. It tells the story of how automated data lineage and discovery can revolutionize your client’s business.

AI cyber security sales one-pager

This example is perfect for online retailers dealing with digital gift card fraud. It effectively showcases an AI-driven solution that distinguishes legitimate transactions from fraud, significantly reducing false declines.

The design is clean and focused, exemplifying the technology's sophistication and effectiveness.

The one-pager covers high approval rates and seamless integration. You can use it to enhance revenue and customer satisfaction without compromising on security.

Real estate sales one-pager

This example is ideal for real estate agencies, aiming to simplify the home-buying process.

It effectively communicates how a personalized approach and technology make finding the perfect home easier and more enjoyable.

The welcoming and user-friendly design reflects the company's focus on customer satisfaction.

It focuses on expert guidance, wide property selection, and streamlined transactions. This helps your prospective clients navigate the complex real estate market.

This example works well for businesses facing challenges in customer acquisition and marketing ROI. It showcases how marketing solutions enhance marketing strategies and drive success.

The design is professional and engaging, reflecting the company's commitment to quality and innovation.

The one-pager explains how using tailored solutions, from consultation to implementation can bring exceptional results.

Social media marketing one-pager

This example is a good choice for brands looking to amplify their social media presence. It effectively demonstrates how tailored content strategies enhance audience engagement and drive conversions.

It focuses on crafting and delivering captivating content across key platforms. It’s useful for businesses seeking to stand out, expand their reach, and resonate with their target audience.

Startup PR one-pager

This example is excellent for innovative tech startups, especially with an attractive physical product to show off.

The design is sharp and futuristic, aligning with the cutting-edge nature of their product.

It effectively highlights significant achievements by the company and demonstrates the system's versatility and deployment in high-stakes scenarios like defense and emergency services.

It could be useful for illustrating the product's real-world impact and potential for growth.

Project proposal one-pager

This example works well for project overviews for services. It effectively outlines performance management and advisory, addressing common project challenges. The design is clear and professional.

This one-pager proposal breaks down the project plan, timeline, and budget. It helps prospects understand the scope of a solution rollout and the impact on their organizational success.

Project overview

This example is useful for tech companies seeking to revolutionize their operations with innovative software solutions.

It outlines how business management software , leveraging AI and data analytics, enhances productivity and decision-making. The design is clean and modern.

This project one-pager includes the project's phases, from analysis to implementation.

Tech project one-pager

This example is outstanding for businesses seeking advanced tech solutions like AI and blockchain.

It highlights how custom solutions address efficiency, security, and scalability challenges.

The design is crisp and professional.

It includes a detailed project plan, timeline, and budget breakdown. This helps businesses clearly understand the scope and impact of your solutions on their operational advancement and market competitiveness.

Company profile one-pager

This example is a good fit for tech companies aiming to showcase their product's features and history in an engaging way. Its interactive elements and clear layout make complex information concise, accessible, and interesting.

The design is modern and aligns well with tech industry standards, making it appealing for investors and stakeholders.

Company overview one-pager

This example is excellent for businesses looking to showcase their innovative solutions and market impact.

It highlights a user-centric approach, emphasizing how the technology optimizes operations for e-commerce, startups, and large enterprises.

The design is clean and professional, reflecting the company's focus on efficiency and user experience.

The detailed presentation of success metrics, like revenue growth and customer satisfaction, communicated the company’s impact on their client’s operational improvement and market success.

Company intro one-pager

This example is best for businesses in the finance and technology sector. It showcases how high-end services empower businesses with digital transformation, focusing on streamlining operations and enhancing customer experiences.

This one-pager covers the details of the consultation, implementation, and support process. It tells the story of how the company can drive growth and operational efficiency for its clients.

Startup executive summary one-pager

This example is fitting for startups seeking to impress potential investors or partners.

Its clear structure highlights key business aspects like challenges, solutions, and benefits.

The design is sleek and professional, which appeals to contemporary tastes. It effectively communicates essential information quickly, making it a powerful tool for first impressions.

One page business report

This is a good example of internal company updates or briefings to stakeholders. Its concise format efficiently presents key financial data and performance metrics.

The design is clean and focused, making it easy for readers to grasp essential information quickly. This one-pager is particularly useful for conveying complex data in a digestible format.

Compact one-pager

This example is excellent for companies aiming to showcase their solutions in a very succinct manner.

Its streamlined layout efficiently highlights key offerings and benefits.

The design is minimalistic with a shallow scroll but remains engaging. It's good for quickly communicating essential details in an accessible way.

Simple one-pager

This example is advised for businesses looking to communicate their core values and services in a straightforward way.

Its uncluttered layout makes it easy to digest, focusing on essential information.

This ensures the message is conveyed without distractions. It will swerve you well in circumstances where you need to engage audiences who appreciate clarity and brevity.

Personalized vs generic one-pager examples

You can’t afford to send generic one-pagers if you want to succeed against your competitors.

You either stand out or stand down. You have to personalize your content if you want to convince prospects to give you their scarce time and attention.

If you’re not talking to them, why should they talk to you?

Certain one-pager builders, such as Storydoc, also let you create personalized tailor-made versions of your one-pagers for individual prospects at scale.

Storydoc can pull data directly from your CRM, meaning you can automate personalized one-pagers for each recipient based on your CRM contact information.

If you're not using personalization then you should— it can skyrocket your one-pager conversion rates.

According to our research personalized content:

Gets 68% more people to read one-pagers in full

Increases the average reading time by 41%

Share by prospects internally 2.3x more often

Imagine the impact this could have on your performance.

If you take anything from this post I hope it’s the advice to never send another PDF or Word one-pager again, but use a web-based one-pager instead.

Still, I wouldn’t recommend going through all the hassle involved in building a one-pager with traditional website builders like Wix or WordPress.

They’ve been designed with whole websites in mind which makes them too complicated for making a simple one-pager.

Go easy on yourself and simply grab one of our tried and tested one-pager templates .

As the Head of Marketing, I lead Storydoc’s team of highly trained content-ops warriors fighting to eradicate Death-by-PowerPoint wherever it resides. My mission is to enable buyer decision-making by removing the affliction of bad content from the inboxes of businesses and individuals worldwide.

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Writing a Personal Statement

Preparing to Write

Brainstorming, don't forget, sample prompts.

A personal statement is a narrative essay that connects your background, experiences, and goals to the mission, requirements, and desired outcomes of the specific opportunity you are seeking. It is a critical component in the selection process, whether the essay is for a competitive internship, a graduate fellowship, or admittance to a graduate school program. It gives the selection committee the best opportunity to get to know you, how you think and make decisions, ways in which past experiences have been significant or formative, and how you envision your future. Personal statements can be varied in form; some are given a specific prompt, while others are less structured. However, in general a personal statement should answer the following questions:

• Who are you?
• What are your goals?
• How does this specific program/opportunity help you achieve your goals?
• What is in the future?

A personal statement is not:

• A variation of your college admissions essay
• An academic/research paper
• A narrative version of your resume
• A creative writing piece (it can be creative, though)
• An essay about somebody else

Keep in mind that your statement is only a portion of the application and should be written with this in mind. Your entire application package will include some, possibly all, of the materials listed below. You will want to consider what these pieces of the application communicate about you. Your personal statement should aim to tie everything together and fill in or address any gaps. There will likely be some overlap but be sure not to be too repetitive.

• Personal Statement(s)
• Transcripts
• Letters of recommendations
• Sample of written work
• Research proposal

For a quick overview of personal statements, you might begin by watching this "5 Minute Fellowships" video!

If you are writing your first personal statement or working to improve upon an existing personal statement, the video below is a helpful, in-depth resource.

A large portion of your work towards completing a personal statement begins well before your first draft or even an outline. It is incredibly important to be sure you understand all of the rules and regulations around the statement. Things to consider before you begin writing:

• How many prompts? And what are they? It is important to know the basics so you can get your ideas in order. Some programs will require a general statement of interest and a focused supplementary or secondary statement closely aligned with the institution's goals.
• Are there formatting guidelines? Single or double spaced, margins, fonts, text sizes, etc. Our general guideline is to keep it simple.
• How do I submit my statement(s)? If uploading a document we highly suggest using a PDF as it will minimize the chances of accidental changes to formatting. Some programs may event ask you to copy and paste into a text box.
• When do I have to submit my statement(s)? Most are due at the time of application but some programs, especially medical schools, will ask for secondary statements a few months after you apply. In these instances be sure to complete them within two weeks, any longer is an indication that you aren't that interested in the institution.

Below is a second 5 Minute Fellowships video that can help you get started!

Before you start writing, take some time to reflect on your experiences and motivations as they relate to the programs to which you are applying. This will offer you a chance to organize your thoughts which will make the writing process much easier. Below are a list of questions to help you get started:

• What individuals, experiences or events have shaped your interest in this particular field?
• What has influenced your decision to apply to graduate school?
• How does this field align with your interests, strengths, and values?
• What distinguishes you from other applicants?
• What would you bring to this program/profession?
• What has prepared you for graduate study in this field? Consider your classes at Wellesley, research and work experience, including internships, summer jobs and volunteer work.
• Why are you interested in this particular institution or degree program?
• How is this program distinct from others?
• What do you hope to gain?
• What is motivating you to seek an advanced degree now?
• Where do you see yourself headed and how will this degree program help you get there?

For those applying to Medical School, if you need a committee letter for your application and are using the Medical Professions Advisory Committee you have already done a lot of heavy lifting through the 2017-2018 Applicant Information Form . Even if you aren't using MPAC the applicant information form is a great place to start.

Another great place to start is through talking out your ideas. You have a number of options both on and off campus, such as: Career Education advisors and mentors ( you can set up an appointment here ), major advisor, family, friends. If you are applying to a graduate program it is especially important to talk with a faculty member in the field. Remember to take good notes so you can refer to them later.

When you begin writing keep in mind that your essay is one of many in the application pool. This is not to say you should exaggerate your experiences to “stand out” but that you should focus on clear, concise writing. Also keep in mind that the readers are considering you not just as a potential student but a future colleague. Be sure to show them examples and experiences which demonstrate you are ready to begin their program.

It is important to remember that your personal statement will take time and energy to complete, so plan accordingly. Every application and statement should be seen as different from one another, even if they are all the same type of program. Each institution may teach you the same material but their delivery or focus will be slightly different.

In addition, remember:

• Be yourself: You aren’t good at being someone else
• Tragedy is not a requirement, reflection and depth are
• Research the institution or organization
• Proofread, proofread, proofread
• How to have your personal statement reviewed

The prompts below are from actual applications to a several types of programs. As you will notice many of them are VERY general in nature. This is why it is so important to do your research and reflect on your motivations. Although the prompts are similar in nature the resulting statements would be very different depending on the discipline and type of program, as well as your particular background and reasons for wanting to pursue this graduate degree.

• This statement should illustrate your academic background and experiences and explain why you would excel in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (UMass Amherst - M.S. in Civil Engineering).
• Describe your academic and career objectives and how the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies can help you achieve them. Include other considerations that explain why you seek admissions to the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies and your interests in the environmental field (Yale - Master of Environmental Management).  
• Please discuss your academic interests and goals. Include your current professional and research interests, as well as your long-range professional objectives. Please be as specific as possible about how your objectives can be met at Clark and do not exceed 800 words (Clark University - M.A. in International Development and Social Change).
• Write a 500- to 700-word statement that describes your work or research. Discuss how you came to focus on the medium, body of work, or academic area you wish to pursue at the graduate level. Also discuss future directions or goals for your work, and describe how the Master of Fine Arts in Studio (Printmedia) is particularly suited to your professional goals (School of the Art Institute of Chicago - MFA in Studio, Printmaking).
• Your statement should explain why you want to study economics at the graduate level. The statement is particularly important if there is something unusual about your background and preparation that you would like us to know about you (University of Texas at Austin - Ph.D in Economics).
• Your personal goal statement is an important part of the review process for our faculty members as they consider your application. They want to know about your background, work experience, plans for graduate study and professional career, qualifications that make you a strong candidate for the program, and any other relevant information (Indiana University Bloomington - M.S.Ed. in Secondary Education).
• Your autobiographical essay/personal statement is a narrative that outlines significant experiences in your life, including childhood experiences, study and work, your strengths and aspirations in the field of architecture, and why you want to come to the University of Oregon (University of Oregon - Master of Architecture).
• Personal history and diversity statement, in which you describe how your personal background informs your decision to pursue a graduate degree. You may refer to any educational, familial, cultural, economic or social experiences, challenges, community service, outreach activities, residency and citizenship, first-generation college status, or opportunities relevant to your academic journey; how your life experiences contribute to the social, intellectual or cultural diversity within a campus community and your chosen field; or how you might serve educationally underrepresented and underserved segments of society with your graduate education (U.C. Davis - M.A. in Linguistics).
• A Personal Statement specifying your past experiences, reasons for applying, and your areas of interest. It should explain your intellectual and personal goals, why you are interested in pursuing an interdisciplinary degree rather than a more traditional disciplinary one, and how this degree fits into your intellectual and personal future (Rutgers University - Ph.D in Women’s and Gender Studies).
• Your application requires a written statement to uploaded into your application and is a critical component of your application for admission. This is your opportunity to tell us what excites you about the field of library and information science, and what problems you want to help solve in this field. Please also tell us how your prior experiences have prepared you for this next step toward your career goals and how this program will help you achieve them (University of North Carolina Chapel Hill - Master of Science in Library Science).
• After watching the video, please describe what strengths and preferences as a learner you have that will facilitate your success in this innovative curriculum. What challenges in our curriculum do you anticipate and what strategies might you use to address these challenges? (MGH Institute of Health Professions PT - They recently redesigned their curriculum)
• Your personal goal statement should briefly describe how you view the future of the field, what your goals are to be part of that future, and what brought you to pursue an advanced education degree in your chosen field. You may include any other information that you feel might be useful. (Northeastern PT)
• Personal Statement: In 500 words or less, describe a meaningful educational experience that affected your professional goals and growth and explain how it impacted you. The educational experience does not need to be related to this degree. Focus on the educational experience and not why you think you would be a good professional in this field. (Simmons PT)
• Personal Statement (500 word minimum): State your reasons for seeking admission to this program at this institution. Include your professional goals, why you want to pursue a career in this field and how admission to this program will assist you in accomplishing those goals. (Regis College Nursing)
• “Use the space provided to explain why you want to go to this type of program.” (AMCAS)
• Address the following three questions(Though there is no set limit, most statements are 1–2 pages, single-spaced.): What are your reasons for pursuing this degree? Why do you wish to pursue your degree at this institution? How do you intend to leverage your degree in a career of this field? (Boston University MPH)
• Please submit a personal statement/statement of purpose of no more than 500 words for the department/degree of choice. Professional degree essays require a clear understanding of the _______ field and how you hope to work within the field. Be sure to proofread your personal statement carefully for spelling and grammar. In your statement, be sure to address the following: what interests you in the field of _____ what interests you in a specific degree program and department at this institution and what interests you in a particular certificate (if applicable). Please also describe how you hope to use your ________ training to help you achieve your career goals. (Columbia PhD in Public Health - Epidemiology)
• Because each Home Program requires significant original research activities in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree, we are interested in obtaining as much information as possible about your previous research experiences. Those who already have such experience are in a better position to know whether they are truly interested in performing ______ research as part of a graduate program. Please include specific information about your research experience in your Statement of Purpose. You may also use the Statement to amplify your comments about your choice of Home Program(s), and how your past experiences and current interests are related to your choice. Personal Statements should not exceed two pages in length (single spaced). Make sure to set your computer to Western European or other English-language setting. We cannot guarantee the ability to access your statement if it is submitted in other fonts. (Stanford Biosciences PhD)
• Your statement of purpose should describe succinctly your reasons for applying to the Department of ____ at ___ University. It would be helpful to include what you have done to prepare for this degree program. Please describe your research interests, past research experience, future career plans and other details of your background and interests that will allow us to evaluate your ability to thrive in our program. If you have interests that align with a specific faculty member, you may state this in your application. Your statement of purpose should not exceed two pages in length (single spaced). (Stanford Bioengineering PhD)
• Statement of purpose (Up to one page or 1,000 words): Rather than a research proposal, you should provide a statement of purpose. Your statement should be written in English and explain your motivation for applying for the course at this institution and your relevant experience and education. Please provide an indication of the area of your proposed research and supervisor(s) in your statement. This will be assessed for the coherence of the statement; evidence of motivation for and understanding of the proposed area of study; the ability to present a reasoned case in English; and commitment to the subject. (Oxford Inorganic Chemistry - DPhil)

Related resources

How to Start a Personal Statement

One of the first hurdles students encounter when writing college essays is how to start a personal statement. As a core element of many applications, understanding how to write a personal statement is crucial. Learning how to write a personal statement that is an authentic representation of yourself can be challenging. However, mastering this skill will help you craft personal essays that make a lasting impact on admissions officers. 

Specific, actionable college essay tips can help you learn how to write a personal statement for college. If you spend time learning how to start a college essay, you’ll feel even more confident as you begin the process. So, let’s demystify just exactly how to start a personal statement. 

In this guide, How to Start a Personal Statement, we’ll cover everything you need to know about personal statements, including:

• Personal statement meaning, goals, and expectations
• Common personal statement formats
• The importance of a hook and how to write one
• Steps for how to start a personal statement
• Tips for how to write a personal statement
• How to approach the editing phase
• Coming up with personal statement ideas
• Examples of personal statements and how to use them

Remember, any writing process takes time. This applies whether you’re figuring out how to start a college essay or how to write a personal statement for college. No matter what approach you take, the key to how to write a great college essay is to start early! 

Now, let’s start with the basics: what is a personal statement?

What is a personal statement?

Simply put, a personal statement is a type of college application essay. But, if you’re looking for answers to, “What is a personal statement?” you probably already know that. At its core, the personal statement should be the essay that most clearly reflects your application narrative . By reading your personal statement, colleges should gain a better understanding of who you are. That means having a clear sense of your strengths, values, and interests.

However, this doesn’t mean that your personal statement needs to capture your entire life story. In fact, often, your personal statement will likely center around just one particular moment or experience. Specifically, one that has defined your identity, passions, or personal growth. 

If you search for a personal statement meaning by school, you may find slightly varying definitions. However, all personal essays have the same goal. Personal essays show colleges your authentic voice while highlighting a part of yourself that isn’t captured elsewhere in your application. You’ll notice this if you read any example of a personal statement for college. 

Engaging in self-reflection

To understand the personal statement meaning in the simplest terms, think of two words: self-reflection . Identifying pivotal life moments, values, and skills are all a part of how to write a great college essay. However, the process of how to write a personal statement for college takes more than just describing an experience. Instead, it forces you to find the balance between contextualizing what happened and expressing how it impacted you.

Successful personal essays will generally do two things. One, they’ll capture the meaning of your past experiences, specifically the ways you were changed and the lessons you learned. Two, they’ll connect your past experiences to your current and future goals. For many students, college applications are the first time they’ve been asked to write about themselves. So, the process of making these personal connections may seem daunting.

Preparing for the future

Knowing exactly what is a personal statement and how to write a personal statement can also help you in other facets of life. For example, consider the overlap between the college application process and the job application process. When applying to jobs, you need to highlight pertinent skills, values, and beliefs—just like in a college application essay. You can even use the skills and principles for writing a personal statement to write a cover letter (with certain nuances, of course).

For more information on the personal statement meaning, check out the application/essay page for schools on your college list. Their advice and resources can help students understand exactly what’s expected from them in these types of essays. And, many colleges will even provide their own tips for how to write a great college essay. They might also provide an example of a personal statement for college. 

We’ve answered the question, “What is a personal statement?” So, now, let’s get into the personal statement format.

Personal statement format

When learning how to write a personal statement, you’ll encounter some different personal statement formats. While there is no singular or “best” personal statement format, most personal essays share a few key attributes. So, understanding these key features can greatly help students learning how to write a great college essay.

Many students’ personal statements tell stories. In fact, discovering these important stories forms a key component of how to start a college essay. Much of the work that goes into discovering how to write a personal statement starts before you even begin writing. (We’ll discuss brainstorming ideas in a later section of this guide.)

Before we dive into how to start a personal statement, we need to pinpoint the starting point for your personal statements: the prompts.

Common/Coalition Application Personal Statement

In many cases, the personal statement refers to the Common App essay or Coalition Application essay. While there are some differences between the two application portals, both follow the same personal statement format. Students will choose from a selection of college essay prompts and write an essay (650 words max). Then, they will submit that essay to every school they apply to via that particular portal. In these cases, the process of how to start a college essay begins with reading through the provided prompts.

Learning how to write a personal statement for college includes learning how to choose the best prompt for you. The personal statement topic you ultimately choose is extremely important; your topic is essentially the soul of your essay. You’d be hard-pressed to find a well-written example of a personal statement for college that wasn’t based on an impactful topic. 

The Common App essay

Let’s take a closer look at how to start a college essay for the Common App. In the Common App, students have seven college essay prompts to choose from. Each of these college essay prompts allows students to share important anecdotes from their lives. Most of these college essay prompts ask specific questions, however, the seventh prompt is slightly different. Prompt #7 actually allows students to choose any topic for their essay.

10 Exceptional Common App Essay Examples

The coalition app essay.

The Coalition Application offers a similar personal statement format. Prompt #6 also asks students to submit an essay on any topic. You might think that responding to such an open-ended prompt would change your approach for how to write a great college essay. However, you can still use the college essay tips provided in this guide, no matter what prompt you decide to respond to.

The Common App and the Coalition Application are the most common personal statement formats you’ll encounter. However, some schools have their own unique personal statement format and requirements.

Coalition Essay Prompts 2023-24

Other personal statements

The method you take when figuring out how to write a personal statement will largely depend on your personal statement prompt. However, a personal statement for college isn’t always based on specific college essay prompts. You might simply be asked to share more about yourself. However, even if your personal statement format doesn’t directly ask you for a particular narrative, your essay still needs a focus. So, you should still aim to have your personal statement tell a story about some critical aspect of your identity. 

That being said, always double-check the specific personal statement format and requirements for each program you apply to. For instance, if you apply to universities in the UK, the UCAS personal statement is far different from other personal essays. Namely, these personal statements focus almost entirely on academics. 

When considering how to start a personal statement, look to admissions websites or university blogs for advice. Often, they’ll have a page dedicated to helpful college essay tips with insight into what they look for from students’ personal essays. For example, check out this blog from UChicago that provides tips on how to approach their quirky prompts. Additionally, check out this personal statement webinar in which an admissions officer shares helpful college essay tips. 

Now, let’s define an important attribute of how to start a personal statement: the hook.

How to start a personal statement: Understanding the “hook”

It’s impossible to learn how to start a personal statement or how to write a personal statement that “wows” without a hook. A hook is an opening statement that catches the reader’s attention. It draws them in and makes them want to keep reading to see how the story unfolds. In personal essays, the hook is key to getting your reader invested in your story. 

But, if the idea of coming up with a compelling hook intimidates you, don’t panic! The hook isn’t necessarily the step you need to start with when learning how to start a college essay. That being said, it forms a crucial component of the personal statement introduction. You’ll notice that almost every successful example of personal statement for college has an engaging hook.

Let’s check out some hooks that impressed to help give you a better idea of how to start a personal statement.

College Personal Statement Examples

Example of personal statement for college: hook #1.

My life is as simple as a Rubik’s Cube: a child’s toy that can be solved in 20 moves or less IF and only if enough knowledge is gained.

In this personal statement introduction, this student intrigues the reader by comparing their life to a toy. Simply by reading this hook, we can see this student’s self-reflection as well as their creativity. And, most importantly, we’re intrigued to see the connection of how and why this person is fascinated by a Rubik’s cube. In this example, the Rubik’s cube is both unique and genuinely important to the writer. Moreover, by the end of the essay, we gain some valuable insight into how this person navigates the world. And, it all started with this hook. 

Example of Personal Statement for College: Hook #2

When I joined the high school swim team, I never expected to go to school dressed as Shrek.

After reading this hook, you’re probably left with more questions than answers. “What does having to be on the swim team have to do with dressing up as Shrek?” We don’t know yet! And, that’s the point. This surprising hook has the reader curious about the connection the writer will make. However, when figuring out how to start a personal statement, don’t go overboard with the shock factor. Keep in mind that personal essays can’t come from wild statements alone. Rather, they need to connect to a meaningful moment in the writer’s life. 

Example of Personal Statement for College: Hook #3

At six years old, most kids I know get excited to help Blue find clues or recite Elmo’s songs on Sesame Street. So you can imagine my family’s surprise when they saw me ignoring the other kids to go belt alongside my grandfather’s mariachi trio in the backyard.

Your hook doesn’t have to be just one sentence. Rather, it might be a couple of sentences or even the first paragraph, like in this example. Keep in mind that there are no definitive rules to how to start a personal statement—other than sharing important information about yourself that will stand out to admissions officers.

Students who want to master how to write a personal statement need to learn how to craft an engaging hook. This particular hook shows how the writer is different from their peers. As the reader, we can learn a lot from just these few sentences. We already know that this writer isn’t afraid to be themselves and do what they love from a young age. This college application essay gets into much deeper themes as the narrative continues. However, the most important part of the personal statement introduction—the hook—has already done its job of pulling the reader in to learn more. 

Using these examples

These are just a few successful hooks that students have used in their approach to how to start a personal statement. Each of these comes from a strong example of a personal statement for college. As you can see from each example of a personal statement for college, the best personal statement topics are unique. However, even the most quirky hooks always lead the reader into an essay of substance.

Use each example of personal statement for college to help inspire your “how to write a personal statement” journey. When considering how to write a great college essay, analyzing examples of what works can help. 

Want to see how others figured out how to start a personal statement? Check out these personal statement examples as well as these Common App essay examples for inspiration.

When to write your hook

Having a hook is a crucial part of how to write a personal statement that impresses. However, coming up with your hook won’t necessarily form the first step in your process. Just as there’s no one right way of how to write a personal statement, there’s no one right way to write a hook. 

When considering how to start a personal statement, you don’t need to dive into the hook right away. You may even write a whole draft of your essay before figuring out the best hook for your personal statement introduction. 

So, if a hook doesn’t jump to your brain as you consider personal statement ideas, just start writing! Sometimes, it’s best to write a straightforward beginning (maybe even dry!) and then work your way backward. Remember, it doesn’t matter when you come up with it. Just be sure to add that sparkly hook to your personal statement before submitting your final draft.

Do all colleges require a personal statement?

It’s more than likely that you will need to know how to write a personal statement during the college application process. However, not every college requires a personal statement—though most top schools do. 

So, before stressing about how to start a college essay, check the requirements of the schools on your college list . However, keep in mind that most of the nation’s top schools require applicants to submit a personal statement for college.

Additionally, you might want to adjust your personal statement for different programs. You’ll still submit the same personal statement for college for each school you apply to through the Common App. However, other specialized programs and applications might request a slightly different personal statement format. So, always check the admissions requirements and do your research on every school and each individual program. Your approach to how to start a college essay will depend on each program’s prompts and formats. You can also always look at an example of a personal statement for college for inspiration. 

33 Colleges Without Supplemental Essays

Do colleges care about the personal statement? 

A strong college application essay is extremely important in the admissions process. So, put simply, yes—colleges really do care about the personal statement. Understanding how to start a personal statement means understanding the weight that it carries. Of course, you shouldn’t let yourself get overwhelmed by the process. Rather, try to feel excited by the opportunity to truly show off your personality, skills, background, future goals, and more.

That being said, the extent to which your personal statement impacts your admissions decision will likely vary by school. For instance, some larger state schools may focus foremost on your grades or standardized test scores (due to the fact that they receive such a large volume of applicants and have more spaces available). While these schools will still care about your personal statement, other factors may have a more immediate impact on their admissions decisions. 

On the other hand, top universities with smaller enrollments often place a considerable amount of emphasis on the personal statement. These schools receive more qualified applicants than the places they have available. Your personal statement lets you highlight what makes you unique and how you’ll enrich their campus community. 

How to write a personal statement – Step-by-step guide

A successful personal statement for college will read as passionate and authentic. You’ll notice this in each example of personal statement for college that you read. But how exactly do you write a passionate and authentic essay?

To begin, you’ll likely brainstorm personal statement ideas and decide on your personal statement topic.  However, understanding how to write a personal statement will require more than simply knowing how to start a personal statement. And remember, you can always check out an example of a personal essay for college if you’re feeling stuck. 

How to write a personal statement isn’t a strict process—as seen in this personal statement webinar about rethinking your essay . However, you should follow certain key steps as you craft your essays. Following each step, and allotting yourself sufficient time to do so, will make the writing process all the better. (Tips about staying on track are just as important as the best college essay tips about writing!)

Next, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of how to write a personal statement. This includes brainstorming personal statement ideas, exploring personal statement topics, and reviewing and submitting your personal essays.

Ready to learn just how to write a personal statement? Let’s get started!

How to start a personal statement – First steps

Now, let’s dive into how to start a personal statement. The first steps to how to start a personal statement can be broken down into two parts:

During these steps, you’ll generate personal statement ideas and select your personal statement topics. Without a strong topic, you’ll struggle to write a genuine essay. So, let’s talk about how to generate an essay topic that highlights your passion. 

Step 1: Brainstorm

How to start a personal statement begins with brainstorming a list of ideas. Each stellar example of a personal statement for college likely came from a brainstorming session. But, why is brainstorming so important? 

While some personal statement requirements won’t provide specific prompts for applicants, many will, including the Common App essay. So, you should make sure to choose a great topic that directly answers the prompt. 

Let’s check out some brainstorming exercises that can help you get the great ideas flowing. 

The best way to choose a great topic for a personal statement for college is through your passions. If you’re stuck when it comes to pinpointing your passions, try answering this question: If you were going to host a TED talk, what would it be and why? We all know that TED talks are addicting—that’s because they’re engaging. And they’re engaging because the hosts are talking about their passions. 

So, think about something you would be excited to spend 30-40 minutes discussing in front of an audience. What would you say about it? You might find using voice notes and recording yourself is easier than writing out your ideas. For some students, talking about something may feel easier than immediately putting pen to paper. 

If a TED talk doesn’t get your creative juices flowing, try a classic essay brainstorming method: mind maps. You’ve likely done mind maps in your high school English class. But for those who haven’t, let’s break down the process. 

First, take the prompt for your essay. For instance, maybe it asks about a challenge you’ve faced. Set a timer for 10 minutes and write the prompt on a sheet of paper. Then, next to the prompt, start writing every experience you’ve had that relates to the prompt. This is not the time to get into the details—just focus on potential topics. Even if you’re not sure if something is a perfect fit, include it! At this stage, all ideas are fair game. Later, you can narrow them down to find the topic that you have the most to write about. 

Defining values

Another useful brainstorming exercise for a college application essay, especially when it comes to how to start a personal statement, has to do with defining your values. Most successful personal essays center around a value that students have. Think about the values that are most important to you (loyalty, kindness, empathy, honesty, etc.). Then, create a list of 4-6 values. After that, for each of your values, come up with a list of experiences that reflect them. You can even set a timer for each value. 

Alternatively, you might work backward by coming up with a list of experiences that you find were the most impactful in your life. From these experiences, you can identify values that they instilled or that you embodied. Make sure to focus on an experience that highlights something critical about who you are as a person, student, or community member. You might also consider doing this same activity for qualities or skills depending on the essay prompt. 

Step 2: Free-write

Once you have your topic, it’s time to flex your writing muscles. Don’t feel constrained by the word count at this stage. In fact, forget about a hook, a conclusion, and other literary details. Now is just the time to get your ideas on paper stress-free. 

Struggling with Step 2 in how to start a personal statement? You might benefit from doing a timed free write. Set a timer for 20 minutes and don’t stop writing about the topic until the time is up. Don’t stress about writing the perfect sentence or having the right flow–just keep writing on the topic at hand. You may want to do this step a couple of times if you’re still deciding on the best prompt to respond to. You won’t always find the perfect personal essay topic on the first try, and that’s okay.

However, keep in mind that some topics may read as inappropriate or cliché. If you end up choosing an overused essay topic, you may struggle to come up with a unique angle. (But that doesn’t mean these topics are entirely off-limits!) However, you should not talk about illegal or illicit behavior and never use explicit language. 

While you have free range to pick an essay topic, there are certain errors you can make. Make sure you don’t join the club of students who missed the mark with their personal essays. Learn from this personal statement webinar reviewing common mistakes that students make in their personal essays. Then, you’ll know what to avoid when deciding how to start a personal statement.

How to start a personal statement – Writing & editing

You’ve gotten some answers to the question “what is a personal statement?” and learned how to start a personal statement. Now, it’s time to start a draft. 

For some students, figuring out how to start a college essay is the most stressful part of writing their personal essays. Indeed, you may have to write four to six drafts of your college application essay before you’ve written a personal statement for college that makes you feel proud. 

This is why our top piece of advice for how to write a great college essay is to start early. If you start early, you’ll have plenty of time to learn how to write a personal statement. You’ll also have the flexibility to write multiple drafts of your personal essays. Additionally, you’ll be able to read an example of a personal statement for college. 

Time also allows you the freedom to try out multiple personal statement topics. That way, you can find the personal statement format that makes for a powerful college application essay.

In this section, we’ll provide some college essay tips for outlining your personal statement, an important step for how to start a personal statement.

One idea for how to start a college essay is to draft an outline. An outline is simply a list of the ideas that will go into each part of your essay. You can format your outline in any way that makes sense for you. 

By outlining, you can remove some of the pressure around how to start a personal statement. Instead of putting pen to paper to write a whole essay , you just have to jot down what order you want your ideas to go in. Think of an outline as a sketch of a picture you want to draw. Once you have that sketch, drawing the rest of the picture is usually easier.

However, outlining is not for everyone. Some students find outlining stressful, limiting, or confusing. If you’d rather jump into writing your personal statement on a blank page, do so. At the end of the day, when figuring out how to start a personal statement, you should follow the writing process that works best for you.  

Drafting Your College Essay

Regardless of whether you choose to outline your ideas, here are some tips for how to start a college essay draft:

Find a beginning, middle, and end to your story.

As we’ve shared, a strong personal statement for college tells a story about who you are and demonstrates what you would bring to a college campus. 

To write a strong example of a personal statement for college, you must have a beginning, middle, and end. By this, we mean that your essay should introduce and build upon ideas until they lead to some kind of resolution usually related to your personal growth. Think about your favorite book or movie – how did the story develop and resolve itself? Make sure your personal essays do the same.

Develop your hook.

The key to how to start a personal statement is with a hook. As we shared above, a hook is an engaging personal statement introduction that catches the reader’s attention. In your outline, consider adding some ideas for potential hooks. 

A hook can include, but is not limited to, any of the following types of opening sentences:

• A piece of dialogue (i.e. “Do you remember the summer we went to Turkey?” said my mother.)
• A description of a scene (i.e., The Alaskan lake was warm that summer, the sun gleaming off its gentle ripples.)
• A thought-provoking question (i.e., What makes a house feel like a home?)
• A relevant and powerful quote (i.e., When Steve Jobs said “You can’t connect the dots looking forward, you can only connect them looking back,” he gave words to a struggle I have long faced.) 
• An unexpected thought (i.e., I am the fourth of eleven children in my family and the first one to dream of going to college.)

Each of the above personal statement introductions is unique and original. Additionally, all of these hooks make the reader wonder what else is coming in the essay. Indeed, each of these hooks is a great idea for how to start a college essay. 

When thinking about how to start a college essay, avoid using cliché or generic personal statement introductions. In general, don’t directly answer college essay prompts like “A challenge I have faced is…”. These types of personal statement introductions are so common that they tend to lose the reader’s attention quickly.

Jot down details.

After identifying a hook, begin telling your story. In your outline, include any details that make your story unique. While some students assume that personal statement topics must be very rare or ground-breaking, in most cases the details are what set essays apart. 

What do you remember that can help the reader experience your story vividly? How can you evoke their senses or emotions in a way that makes them feel and remember your story? Keeping these questions in mind will unlock many tools for how to write a great college essay.

Identify reflections.

Stories are powerful not only for how they make us feel but for what they teach us. When you jot down your outline, consider what reflections or lessons you have to share. Why does your story matter? What does it demonstrate about who you are? 

Your essay should be descriptive and show us what you were experiencing. However, you can also include a few lines that tell the reader what you want them to take away. Usually, these reflections come towards the end of the essay, but they can also be sprinkled throughout. 

How to Write a Personal Statement – Polish and Revise 

Now that you’ve learned how to start a personal statement, let’s discuss what some consider to be the most critical part of writing an essay – revising. Polishing and revising an essay are the keys for how to write a great college essay. When you look at an example of a personal statement for college, remember that the student probably spent many hours revising that essay.

When revising your personal essays, avoid getting frustrated by how long the process takes. The key for how to write a personal statement without getting too overwhelmed is to be gentle and compassionate with yourself. Just like living your story takes time, energy, and resilience, so does writing your story in a college application essay. Rather than getting frustrated, celebrate how much you have learned about how to start a college essay.

In the next section, we’ll dive deeper into college essay tips for revising your personal essays. 

Step 4: Revise

If you’re wondering how to write a personal statement for college, you’re probably also wondering how to revise one. Revision is the process during which you review what you have written for errors and to check whether the ideas make sense. You might also revise to find ways to shorten your essay if it is too long or expand on ideas that you didn’t fully flesh out. 

Here are some college essay tips for revision:

College Essay Revision Tips

1. take breaks.

After you write your first draft, step away from it for at least 24 hours. When we spend a long time working on a piece of writing, sometimes our brains find it hard to focus. Stepping away will give you time to let your brain rest and return to it with fresh eyes.

We also recommend taking breaks whenever you feel stuck, a condition sometimes called writer’s block. While you might feel that pushing through is the best option, stepping away for a glass of water or a stretch can rejuvenate your body and give new energy to your mind as well. Taking care of yourself is actually one of the keys for how to write a personal statement that represents your best work. 

2. Make a revision checklist

Create a list of items to look for as you revise. That way, you won’t miss anything. Here are some ideas for what how to start a personal statement revision checklist:

• Structure/flow – Does the structure of my essay support its meaning? A structure can refer to the length of paragraphs, the order of ideas, or the format. Maybe your essay has a lot of dialogue, but now you have realized the dialogue is distracting. 
• Repetitive language – Do you use the same words or phrases over and over again? While you may have fallen into repetition when figuring out how to start a personal statement, try varying vocabulary or rephrasing sentence structure to keep the reader interested.
• Spelling/grammar/syntax – Run your essay through an app like Grammarly and always use spell check. Look for ways to remove unnecessary words or shorten sentences. Generally, the fewer words you use to express an idea, the easier it will be for the reader to understand.
• Narrative voice – This refers to the voice you use to tell your story. Is it very informal? Do you sound like you are texting with friends? One of the keys for how to write a personal statement is to use your own voice while still remembering that you are speaking to a college admissions officer. As experts in how to write a great college essay know, avoid slang and spell out contractions for added formality.

3. Read your essay aloud

Reading your essay out loud can help you find mistakes. Even more importantly, it can also help you feel if the essay captures your voice. When you read it out loud, does your essay sound like you? Are there words in your essay that you would never use in real life? These questions can help you determine if you need to adjust the narrative voice of your essay. After all, admissions officers want to hear what you sound like, not a parent or friend.

4. Get help

Whether you’re stuck on how to write a personal statement or not, it’s always a good idea to get another set of eyes on your essay. Just be careful who you select. Make sure you are asking someone who knows how to write a personal statement and can give you the right kind of feedback. 

Also, consider asking both someone who knows you well and someone who does not know you well. The person who knows you well, like a teacher, parent, counselor, or college advisor (like our team of experts at CollegeAdvisor) can make sure your voice comes across. A person who does not know you well can provide input from an outsider’s perspective. Ultimately, when you submit your college essay, you will be sending it to someone who has never met you. As such, it should make sense to people who don’t know you as well.

5. Don’t be afraid to start over

Sometimes, during the revision process, you may realize that your topic doesn’t work for you. Perhaps you realize that you were so worried about how to start a personal statement that you chose a topic you thought others wanted to read instead of one that really resonates with you. Or, maybe you just thought of a new idea for how to start a personal statement that you like a lot better. It is totally normal to redraft entire paragraphs or simply throw out the essay and start over . Even though it may seem like you have wasted time, you were learning throughout the entire process about how to write a personal statement. 

Starting over might be the best approach for you and allow you to write an essay that feels more authentic . However, do not simply start over because you are being hyper-critical of yourself. Focus as much on what you like about your essay as the parts that you do not. Do not let perfectionism cause you to throw away a perfectly good essay.

On average, students learning how to write a great college essay need to write four to six drafts until they are ready to submit. However, if you have done your research on how to write a personal statement, it may take you less. After six drafts, ask yourself if you really need to keep working on the essay, or if you are letting perfectionism get the best of you. Remember, no essay is perfect. As long as your personal statement reflects your true voice and shares a compelling story about how you became who you are, you’re likely ready to submit it.

In the next section, we will dive deeper into the final steps for how to write a great college essay that you should take before hitting submit.

Step 5: Final Review & Submit

Congratulations! You’re almost ready to submit your personal statement for college. You’ve learned how to write a personal statement, brainstormed and drafted one, and revised it. Before you hit submit, here is a final checklist of questions to ask yourself: 

1. Did I answer the prompt fully?

Just like you plug your answer back into a math equation to see if it works, plug your essay back into the prompt. Make sure each part of the question is being answered.

2. Did I meet the word or character count?

While it is okay to be a bit under the word count, as long as you answer the question fully, going over the word count will usually mean you cannot submit your essay. 

3. Does my essay paste neatly into the application?

Before pasting your essay into the online application, we recommend pasting your essay into a Word document or Google document. Make sure to remove any formatting like bolding, italics, or comments. Left-align your essay so that it is easy to read. And, double check that spacing between sentences and paragraphs is uniform. 

While these might seem like small details, they all add to the impression you make upon admissions officers about how prepared you might be to attend their school.  Take advantage of the option to download the PDF summary of your application, if it exists, to ensure everything looks neat before you submit it.

If you can answer all these questions with a yes, you’re probably ready to submit your essay. Now, you can teach others how to write a personal statement, too. 

How to start a personal statement

At this point, you have reviewed all the steps for how to write a personal statement for college. We’d like to remind you of some important parts of this process that will help ease any stress related to writing your college essays.

First, try brainstorming first. Writing a college essay is a lot different than most academic writing you’ll have done, and it’s natural to face some writer’s block. By taking advantage of brainstorming exercises, you can get used to the idea of writing about yourself in a low-pressure environment. Some students want to skip brainstorming because they find this step unnecessary or a waste of time. 

In fact, brainstorming can help you write your essay faster because your personal statement ideas will already be on paper. Brainstorming can also help you avoid writing an essay and then realizing you do not like your topic, leading to you having to write a whole new draft.

Another key point in how to start a personal statement is to write a good “hook.” However, this doesn’t need to be the first thing that you write as you begin the drafting process. Just like writing a title sometimes is easier after you have written a paper, it can be easier to find your hook after you have fleshed out other parts of your essay.

Starting early

Regardless of what approach you take, remember that the most important piece of advice for how to start a personal statement is to start early. If you begin the process early, you’ll have time to learn about personal statement format and personal statement meaning, brainstorm essay ideas, watch personal statement webinars, and review sample essays. All of these steps will help you learn how to write a personal statement that is strong and clear.

Below, we’ll help you learn more about how to start a personal statement by providing brainstorming exercises to come up with personal statement ideas.

Generating personal statement ideas

The first question many students ask when learning how to start a personal statement is how to come up with personal statement ideas. As we have mentioned, brainstorming forms a key part of this process.

Importantly, there are many ways to brainstorm. So, even if you think you do not like to brainstorm, consider revising these brainstorming methods. One of them might open up ideas for how to start your personal statement that you had never considered.

One important note is that you do not have to use college essay prompts as the starting point for your brainstorming process. While they can certainly jog your thinking, sometimes they can also limit your creativity. Since most of the Common App and Coalition App prompts are open-ended, you can usually turn most ideas into a great response to college essay prompts.

Keep reading for activities that can help you brainstorm your personal statement for college. 

Here are some ideas for brainstorming personal statement topics:

Brainstorming Activities

1. make a timeline of important life events.

Students who ask “what is a personal statement?” are often concerned that they have to tell their entire life story in 650 words. While this is not true, your personal statement should highlight key life events. A life event can include a big change, an accomplishment, or a time of deep personal growth. 

For this activity, consider making a timeline of important life events. Do so without judgment or filtering. No event is too small to include. After you have completed your timeline, consider if any event is one that you want to share in your college application essay. One of these events might be a great hook for your personal statement introduction and give you ideas for how to start a personal statement.

2. Make lists

Lists are an excellent way to brainstorm personal statement topics. Try making lists of accomplishments, challenges you have faced, people who have taught you important life lessons, values, fears, hobbies, or mistakes you have made. Remember that it is perfectly fine to talk about times when you feel you failed or made mistakes if you can show how you learned and grew from the experience.

3. Ask trusted people for ideas

Brainstorming does not have to happen alone. Ask friends, family, mentors, teachers, classmates, or others who know you well to tell you what your most important character traits are. You’d be surprised what people will share. Perhaps one of your friends sees you as adventurous because you like to take new routes to school every day, and you had never considered that to be a noteworthy trait of yours. This feedback could be the inspiration you need for how to start a personal statement.

4. Free-write

Rather than trying to find an idea, allow yourself the freedom to free-write. Set a timer for 10 minutes and write without stopping. Write a response to any of the following questions :

• What matters to you?
• What do you want others to know about you?
• What is the hardest thing you have ever gone through? How did you get through it?
• What brings you joy?
• How have you grown or changed in the past few years?

If you feel at a loss for words, write “I don’t know” over and over until a new idea pops into your head. The idea is to allow your brain to flow without restriction or pressure. Do not judge what you write, just allow it to be. When you have completed your free-write, look through what you wrote looking for meaningful stories or learnings you might want to share.

Undoubtedly, these are just a few ideas for how to start a personal statement and find a good personal statement introduction. If none of these work, do not despair. Instead, try a different route for coming up with personal statement topics. For instance, you may try reading an example of a personal statement for college or checking out this personal statement webinar. 

In the next section, we’ll discuss how to use sample essays when figuring out how to write a personal statement.

Using personal statement examples

When looking for answers to questions like “What is a personal statement?” or “How to start a personal statement?” college application essay examples can be very helpful. In this section, we’ll look at how to write a personal statement for college and identify college essay tips with the help of sample essays .

Sample Personal Essays

In this article , we review ten essays that provide ideas for how to start a personal statement. Whether writing about books or gymnastics, each example of a personal statement for college highlights a unique important aspect of a student’s life. In addition, each student provides meaningful insights into how their thinking developed over time.

How to Write a Personal Statement: 5 Personal Statement Examples

Check out this resource to see five excellent responses to the Common App college essay prompts. Note how each essay has a unique hook that captures the reader’s attention.

College Essay Examples: 10 Best Examples of College Essays and Why They Worked

Wondering how a personal statement format impacts the essay’s meaning? This essay compilation answers that question and much more, providing college essay tips based on what worked in these personal essays.

How to Analyze an Example of a Personal Statement for College

If you’re looking for ideas on how to start a personal statement, then reading sample essays is an excellent idea. However, be careful not to copy others’ work. In this section, we’ll discuss how to use these samples when you develop your own personal statement meaning and personal statement format.

First, be authentic. While it is important to find inspiration in others’ work, copying topics or phrases is dangerous. At best, it will come across as disingenuous to admissions officers, who read thousands of essays. At worst, it can get you into serious trouble. 

Instead, use these samples to learn about how to write a personal statement. As you read them, ask yourself questions such as:

• Why did the writer choose this topic?
• How does the first sentence of the essay engage the reader?
• What structure does the personal statement use?
• How does this personal statement format add to the essay’s intrigue?
• What does this essay teach us about the writer?
• In what ways might this essay be an expression of the writer’s personal brand ?

Take notes as you read each example of a personal statement for college. In your notes, identify general thoughts regarding the questions “What is a personal statement?” and “How to start a college essay?” If you can answer these questions fully after reading sample essays, you’re on your way to acing your college essay.

How to Start a Personal Statement: Final Thoughts

With this article, we answered the question: “What is a personal statement?” By breaking the personal statement meaning, we found tips for approaching many kinds of college essay prompts. We also identified why personal statement meaning is important to colleges and how to write a great college essay that will help your application shine.

Even skilled writers struggle with how to write a personal statement. Personal essays are difficult not only because they require a certain level of vulnerability , but also because the personal statement format is not something we use often in our day-to-day lives. For that reason, it is difficult to know how to start a college essay.

Throughout this guide, we provided resources like personal statement webinars and sample essays. We also highlighted how to use an example of a personal statement for college in your own process. Within these samples, you’ll find lots of ideas for how to start a personal statement.

Whenever you feel overwhelmed by thinking about how to start a personal statement, remember that you are not alone. Our team can provide you with additional insights and individualized coaching about how to write a personal statement for college. With support, you will be able to express who you are and ace your personal statement. Good luck!

This article was written by Sarah Kaminski and senior advisor, Courtney Ng . Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.

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20 One-Pager Examples, Plus Advice for Using Them With Your Students

A single page of notes can be a real game-changer.

One-pagers and Sketchnotes have become incredibly popular in recent years, and it’s easy to see why. Rather than just jotting down words on a page, students use one-pagers to visually represent key points and takeaways. They’re fun to create and have a real impact on memory and comprehension. Here’s how to use them, plus lots of terrific one-pager examples to inspire you and your students.

What Are One-Pagers?

Source: Chomping at the Lit

One-pagers invite students to think deeply about a text and produce a single page to represent its most important aspects. They usually include some images, doodles, or other graphic elements, giving them the alternate name Sketchnotes . One-pagers are often full of color and may include more images than words, depending on the student. They’re most commonly used in ELA classrooms but can be helpful in other subjects too.

This note-taking concept was pioneered by AVID , a group that seeks to prepare all students for college. As one-pagers caught on, teachers found that students who used one-pagers made a deeper connection to the text and had better retention of key concepts. AVID’s guidelines encourage students to share their one-pagers with one another, helping to inspire learning in a variety of visual ways.

How To Get Started With One-Pagers

Source: Spark Creativity

One problem teachers face when encouraging kids to use one-pagers is that some students don’t feel “artistic” enough. They may also not know where to start. When teaching kids to use Sketchnote one-pagers, provide more direction at first. Start by showing kids one-pager examples (see below). Ask what they notice about these Sketchnotes. Some characteristics they might note:

• The information and images fill the whole page.
• They’re colorful and full of illustrations.
• The illustrations don’t need to be expert, they just help emphasize a connection.
• Words are carefully chosen to highlight key concepts.

Some kids will take the idea and run with it right off the bat. Others will need a little more help. In this case, offering one-pager templates like these from Spark Creativity can really help.

You can also share these specific directions from AVID , which provide guidance on what to include on each page. Giving students a clear list of what to cover will increase confidence and free them up to be creative. For example, in English Language Arts, you might ask students to:

• Sketch one visual symbol that represents the text’s main theme.
• Write out two quotations that show the author’s style.
• Include a sketch and a sentence representing the setting.
• Make connections between the text and current events using sketches and text.
• Examine one or two main characters and their development.
• Identify three symbols through sketches or text.
• Include a statement about one thing they connected with in the reading.

One-Pager Examples and Ideas

Here are some outstanding one-pager examples on a variety of texts and topics. Note the incredible array of styles, which you can use to remind kids that there’s no one right way to use Sketchnotes. Encourage them to be creative!

Simple DNA One-Pager

Source: @sciencelessonsthatrock

We like this one-pager example because it shows students that you don’t need to be an expert artist to create something meaningful.

Poetry One-Pager

Source: @prestoplans

Here’s an example of how a template can provide students with strong guidance to get them started. This one-pager has more words than illustrations, but it’s still colorful and engaging.

Digital One-Pager

Source: @readitwriteitlearnit

One-pagers can go digital too! Try a whiteboard tool like Jamboard to make the process easy.

The Outsiders One-Pagers

Source: @wonderingwithmrswatto, The Outsiders

Source: @wonderingwithmrswatto, Digital The Outsiders

Take a look at these two different one-pager examples, one handwritten and one digital—and both effective!

Symbols One-Pager

Source: @studyallknight

Here’s another terrific way to use a template. Students can sketch the symbol, then add in handwritten notes for more info.

Beowulf One-Pager

Source: @gretazefo

This note-taking option really gives artistic students a chance to shine! Just make sure they add enough information (graphic or text) to help them make connections with what they’ve read.

The Great Gatsby One-Pager

Source: @mrsreganreads

Sketching characters from books can bring them to life for readers. Highlight a few quotes that truly express their personalities.

Power Profiles One-Pager

Source: @laumom

Students can use one-pagers to demonstrate what they know. They make interesting alternatives to essays or book reports.

Because of Winn-Dixie One-Pagers

Source: @enrichingelementary

Note that although each student used the same basic template (hand-drawn too, so don’t worry about making copies!), they each created something different and meaningful to themselves.

Fahrenheit 451 One-Pager

Source: @mudandinkteaching

Encourage students to add at least some images to their Sketchnotes, even if they’re as simple as stick figures or outlines. This engages different parts of the brain than just writing words does, and it deepens recall.

Letter From Birmingham Jail One-Pager

Source: @thehodgenator

Even when writing text, try to use a variety of colors and styles for emphasis. Just shading a background can draw the eye to something important.

Geography One-Pager

Source: @wmscl4

One-pagers are terrific for comparing and contrasting information, like this one comparing how geography affects the lives of people in China and India.

The Running Dream One-Pager

Source: @mayor_james

We love the idea of adding a word cloud to a one-pager! If you’re making a digital version, try these word cloud generators .

Intro One-Pager

Source: @nowsparkcreativity

One-pagers are such a fun way to do a getting-to-know-you activity on the first day of class.

Frayer Model Vocab One-Pager

Source: @missjackiesroom

The Frayer model graphic organizer is a terrific lead-in to more creative one-pagers, and a nice way to get students more comfortable with the format.

Inaugural Address One-Pager

Source: @mrsprzbooks

The main image choice can set the tone for an entire one-pager analysis.

USA One-Pager

Source: Teach With Tina

Don’t be afraid to try one-pagers in any class, for any topic!

Want to share more one-pager examples or ask for advice? Join the conversation in the WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook .

Plus, get our free reading comprehension strategies bundle ..

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18 Stunning One-Pager Templates: How to Use Them & Best Practices

Written by: Olujinmi Oluwatoni

One-pagers are lifesavers—from pitching project ideas to investors to communicating process information to team members and launching products.

One-pagers could be your only chance to make a favorable first impression and command the attention of your audience.

These digital assets are foolproof in terms of boosting ROI when properly built. However, creating one that is well-structured, informative and engaging takes skill and thought.

That's why we want to help. In this piece, we'll show you how to use one-pager templates in your business, share some of our favorite one-page templates, and go over some best practices for making the most of them.

Before you dive in, watch this video to discover the secrets of crafting impactful one pagers that wow your readers and get your message across in the most compelling way possible.

Here’s a short selection of 8 easy-to-edit one-pager templates you can edit, share and download with Visme. View more templates below:

Table of Contents

• What is a Business One-Pager
• What Should a One-Pager Template Include
• 18 One Pager Templates You Can Customize Now

5 Best Practices for Creating a One-Pager for Business

5 ways to use one-pager templates for business, one pager faqs.

• A one-pager is a concise document that showcases everything about your brand in an engaging way that's easy for potential customers to digest at a glance.
• One-pagers are great for pitching a new product or service, but they can also be used as an internal guide to the business and a number of other uses .
• Your one-pager should include everything from your business summary, defining the problem you're addressing, who you are addressing it to and what benefits they will get from your solution to social proofs and a great call to action.
• Professional one-pagers should be a simple and accurate description of what you do. It should be visually appealing with a catchy headline. Don't forget to collaborate with teams while at it.
• With Visme’s easy-to-use one-page templates, you can create stunning designs that reflect your brand and sell your business in no time.

What is a Business One-Pager?

A business one-pager is a concise summary designed to provide an overview of a project, product, or service in an easy-to-digest format.

It’s ideal for busy professionals who need to quickly convey information to others in a clear and concise manner.

The key benefit of a business one-pager is that it gives readers an immediate and comprehensive snapshot of the business without having to spend time poring over multiple documents or web pages.

A good way to think about how best to use a one-pager is like an "elevator pitch." Essentially, you're trying to get someone excited about what you do in only a few minutes (or better yet, seconds).

This can be challenging because there's no room for rambling on with details that aren't important right now. Instead, every word matters because they all add up towards creating an image in other people's minds as they contemplate whether they should invest time into learning more about you or your business.

As such, one-pagers are often used in pitch decks , presentations and even on websites. The best one-pagers are concise yet comprehensive, providing just enough information to give readers a good understanding of the business without overwhelming them.

What Should a One-pager Template Include

One-pagers can cover a vast range of topics, from investment prospecting to product marketing. Those are broad categories that require slightly different information.

So how do you know what to include in a one-pager? Well, as a general rule, you should try to include the following information in your one-pager:

1. About Us/Summary

An executive summary is a brief overview of your company's story. It's a section that grabs readers’ attention and summarizes critical information regarding your company and your upcoming short-term and long-term goals .

2. The Problem Statement

Your problem statement should accurately identify the pain points that your product or service will address. It should also provide enough context to understand why this problem needs to be solved. Make your problem statement succinct yet descriptive so that potential customers can clearly understand what issue your company is solving.

For instance, a company that provides online education courses might have a problem statement like:

"With more people working remotely and an ever-evolving job market, many struggle to develop new skills to stay competitive. They need an affordable, convenient way to learn from experts and apply new knowledge quickly."

By clearly outlining the problem, potential customers will be able to quickly understand how your product or service can help them solve their problems.

Do you need help crafting a problem statement for your one-pager? Take advantage of the Visme AI Writer . To use the AI writer, add a text box to your canvas and click the AI writer button on the bottom edge.

In the prompt, add a draft of your problem statement and ask the AI Writer to perfect it. Share details about your business and the brand tone in the prompt to get the best results possible.

3. Features or Benefits

When it comes to crafting a company one pager template, you must provide readers with a clear and concise explanation of the solution your business provides. Explain how your product or service will help customers solve their problems and how it’s different from existing solutions.

Be sure to include any special features or benefits that make your solution stand out from the competition. Outlining this information clearly and succinctly will help readers understand exactly what your business does and how it can help them.

4. Use Social Proof

This is how you’ll convey to the reader that other people love your product. Use visual social proof , numbers, reviews—whatever it takes to communicate that there’s demand for whatever you’re selling.

Use a collection of data widgets to highlight the quantity of followers, data trends over time or engagement data from different social channels.

5. Include a Call-to-Action

Include a clear call-to-action at the end of your company one pager template so that readers know what they should do next (e.g., sign up for a newsletter, book an appointment, or request more information).

6. Contact Information

All that is left is to provide your contact information so that your potential customers can get in touch with you. Your contact information should include your company's address, phone number, email, social media handles, etc.

A one-pager could also include sections such as company history and overview, target market and customers, milestones achieved, future plans and objectives, team members and resources and more.

18 One-Pager Templates You Can Customize Now

Creating a professional and eye-catching one-pager doesn’t have to be difficult or time-consuming. Customize any of these company one-pager examples to help you get started.

1. Tech Company One-Pager Proposal

This modern one-page business template emphasizes simplicity and clarity. Make an impressive presentation of your business information, offerings, and more with this useful template. There are also pre-formatted sections for you to fill in with information about your company, services, features, statistics, feedback, and a lot more.

Use this business one pager template to impress potential clients with your company's expertise and secure those high-paying jobs you've always wanted.

2. IT Service One-Pager Proposal

Use this template to captivate your clients by presenting a detailed insight into their needs and your proposed solutions.

This template features sections such as a summary, problem statement and a description of the benefits your service provides. Having information like this at a glance can be a great way for your clients to understand the dynamics of your service.

Simply upload your branding kit and content to the template and make it your own.

3. Social Influencer One-Pager Proposal

Looking for a one-pager template that markets your services? This template is a great pick for selling a professional service. It is designed for creative designers of all stripes, including designers, agencies, freelancers, photographers, and the like. The template is fully responsive on any device ensuring that the resolution remains high.

This design, like all Visme templates, is totally editable in every way imaginable. Make the design your own by inserting your company's colors, logo, icons, and images.

4. Media Startup One-Pager Proposal

Use this modern, market-fit, startup one pager template to quickly draw attention to key details about your services, clientele, and processes. Think of one page pitch template as a tool to share your concept with potential investors and convince them that your venture is investing in

It has a clean design that makes use of delightful colors, shapes, fonts to create a pleasant experience.

Spruce things up by adding interactivity to your content , animations, gestures, and characters.

5. Customer Service One-Pager Proposal

Using this template, you can effectively explain the framework of your company. This is especially helpful if you have remote workers in your office, as it will ensure that everyone is on the same page with regard to how the business operates.

Use this business one pager as an internal resource to keep everyone informed about everything going on in the company—from new hires to upcoming events and promotions—and make sure everyone stays on top of their tasks.

Consider making your one-pager interactive. Thanks to Visme’s interactivity features, you can add hotspots and hyperlinks to any text or object. For example, you can link your one-pager to a larger document or resources. There’s also an option to add hotspots that reveal extra information when clicked or hovered over.

6. Company Sales One-Pager Proposal

The company sales one-page proposal is an excellent tool for attracting new customers and attracting investment. The template gives a clear picture of your products, USP and target market. Being able to see all of your plans laid out side by side will give them confidence (and hopefully convince them that investing in or doing business with your company is worth their time).

Put your own spin on this sales one pager design by adding your branding elements to it, including colors, fonts and even tone.

7. Development Process One-Pager Proposal

Use this professionally designed project one-pager template to create an overview of development processes. This will help ensure that all team members are on the same page with your project's goals and objectives.

The template provides sections for you to add information about the project's goals, budget, and other metrics of success. The versatility of this template lies in its minimal style . All you need to do to make it your own is fill in the blanks with your own information. Then, adjust the look and feel to match your brand's standards. You can also repurposed this template as a one pager m&a template by customizing it to your m&a needs.

8. Consumer Product One-Pager Proposal

Whether you're promoting an established product or introducing a brand-new one, this stunning layout will put your products in the best possible light.

You can use it out of the box or feel free to make changes as you see fit. The product one pager template is simple to use and modify, saving you time.

9. Gym Brand One-Pager Proposal

This gym brand one pager uses complementary colors to immediately grab readers’ attention. It then keeps that attention with an easy-to-read layout that walks potential customers through every step of what they will get. This is a great way to show your audience the value your business delivers and how it can make a difference in their lives.

You can download your design as a JPG, PNG, or PDF to print or share with your team members for collaboration.

10. Retail Business Plan One-Pager Proposal

Whether you're just getting your firm off the ground or outlining your present objectives, this business plan will help you bring your ideas to life. It will guide you through the process of writing about your firm and products, as well as establishing your values and developing strategies for sales and marketing.

Use your company's brand colors and fonts in your one-page business plan template if you've already developed a brand guide.

11. Fundraiser Project One-Pager Proposal

This project one-pager template will be very helpful if you are planning to start a fundraising campaign.

Whether you decide to use it to run a social media marketing campaign or create a plan for your fundraising events, this eye-catching one pager project template is sure to get results. Your design can be further customized by selecting from a variety of fonts and color schemes.

12. Corporate Event One Pager Business Proposal Template

Need help sponsoring or finding guest speakers for your next event? Utilize this one-page corporate event business proposal template to approach and start the discussion. Instead of overwhelming your potential sponsor with a 10-20 page sponsorship deck , use this template to provide a brief overview of what your event is all about. 

The template comes equipped with color block segments to guide the reader's eye from section to section, all within a clean design. It also includes a chart and graph to highlight essential statistics for market analysis and financial projections.

13. Marketing and Media One Pager Business Proposal Template

This colorful yet modernly designed marketing and media one-page business proposal template has all the necessary information you need to impress potential investors. 

The template provides sections for introductions, problem statements, solutions, target audience, market analysis, value proposition, revenue model, and a space for contact information, all of which create a solid one pager format that can be reused for social media, media, PR or a content marketing one pager business proposal. 

Edit and download this template as is, or customize it with your company's brand colors and logo. Moreover, instead of cluttering your one-pager with too much information, you can also include links to reports, documents, or even video content with our interactive tool.

14. Agency Startup One Pager

Leave a lasting impression on potential investors using this agency startup one-pager template. Replace the image placeholder with a group picture of your agency’s team, or choose from the thousands of stock images Visme has to offer.

This template gives investors a quick overview of the funding type, stage, and money raised for your agency. It includes a 'Differentiators' section for listing the top reasons your company stands out among the competition. 

It’s no secret that starting or operating an agency is no easy task, but with Visme, you have access to professionally designed templates and tools tailored for agencies. 

From investment pitch decks to service proposals and much more, Visme also offers a workspace feature enabling you and your team to track tasks and manage multiple clients in one comprehensive workspace.

15. eCommerce Startup One Pager

If you’re an ecommerce business owner looking to increase funding or find partners to work with, start by utilizing this eCommerce startup one pager. 

This template comes with clean white spaces, bold tones of blue and pink accents and minimalistic icons and layouts. It includes everything you’ll need to have in your one pager, plus a section for lead investors and a brief overview of your marketing and sales strategy. 

16. Finance Business Plan One Pager

Need a one-pager focused on finances that won’t bore your reader? Try this financial business one-pager template instead. It provides an excellent starting point to use or to inspire you as you create one from scratch. 

With its bold tones of blue and accents of gray against a white background, the design is not only easy on the eyes but has an impressive layout. 

This template will help readers to seamlessly review your target analysis, target market, conclusion, and competition analysis—all in one space.

17.  Nutritional Product One Pager Case Study

This template is ideal for anyone seeking a more product-focused one-pager. The nutritional product one-pager case study offers ample features and designs to effortlessly showcase your product(s) as you break down your case study’s findings.

Equipped with sections for introduction, space for your logo, findings and outcomes, key performance indicators, and a conclusion, this template provides comprehensive coverage.

With its vibrant colors, this template is designed to grab your reader's attention. Alternatively, you can customize it to match your product or brand's color palette.

Additionally, leverage Visme’s Mockup Generator to seamlessly create a mockup of your product to add to your one-pager.

If your photos need a professional touch, use Visme’s AI editing tools . These tools allow you to remove sharpen, upscale unblur images, resize , erase and replace items, and much more. This empowers you to edit images without the need for a professional designer.

18. Real Estate One Pager Case Study Template

Looking to summarize the vital details of your real estate case study? This template is tailor-made for realtors and agents. Its vibrant and attention-grabbing design features two-tone color blocks. Additionally, you have the option to animate icons and elements, ensuring your readers remain engaged with your content.

This template encompasses all the essential elements required for a comprehensive case study one-pager, covering objectives, challenges, key findings, solutions, recommendations, and a conclusion.

Here are five best practices to help you learn how to write a one-pager and create one for your business:

1. Keep it Concise

One of the most important elements of creating a one pager design for business is to keep it concise and easy to digest. It’s important to remember that there isn’t room for every detail—just the key points.

Use short, straightforward sentences and try to avoid long paragraphs. If necessary, break up the text into bullet points or visuals to make it easier to follow.

2. Include High-Quality Visuals

Visuals can be a great way to make a one pager design more engaging and easily comprehensible.

The visuals you include in your one-pagers should be of the highest possible quality. Don't ruin your one-pagers with low-quality images, watermarks, or fuzzy vector icons. You might turn off your readers by delivering low-quality content.

You can find hundreds of unique icons for any purpose, along with millions of high-resolution stock photos on Visme.

In addition, use colors that reflect your brand. Your one-pager should reflect your brand personality . If you nail this, you can attract the right customers to your business and differentiate your business from the competition. With Visme’s brand design tool , you can create and upload your brand assets directly to the editor.

Need help finding unique visuals that aren’t stock photography? Try customizable illustrations or prompt the AI image generator to create visuals that otherwise wouldn’t exist. Include your brand colors in the prompt and input some of your brand guidelines to help the generator create the best visual possible.

Check out how this one-page template features a rich blend of beautiful images, cool icons and stunning graphics.

3. Use a Template to Save Time

Creating a company one-pager from scratch can take a lot of time and effort, so using a template can save you both of these things.

With a template, all you need to do is customize the existing design and add your own content to create a stunning one-pager. You can get a head start with Visme's many pre-made, beautiful one-page designs. After selecting a template, take advantage of the graphs, diagrams, and figures available in the Visme editor.

4. Use Headlines to Draw Readers In

A great way to draw readers into your business one-pager is to use catchy headlines throughout the template. Attention-grabbing headlines will compel your audience to read your one-pager.

5. Collaborate With Your Team Before Finalizing It

Don't lock down the details of your one-pager without first getting input from your team. When team members collaborate on the one-pager and offer suggestions to one another, the final product will be stronger. And Visme helps you do just that!

With Visme, multiple team members can collaborate in real-time. One-pagers can be created through collaborative efforts amongst content writers, editors, designers, marketers, etc. The final products are error-free, inventive, visually attractive, and may be produced in record time.

Here are five ways to make the most out of one-pager templates:

1. Pitch Presentations

A well-designed one-pager can help you make a great first impression when presenting your business to investors or potential partners. They are a great way to introduce your business to potential customers, partners, or investors. You can use them to summarize what your company does and provide any key information that sets you apart from your competition.

Adding visuals and images also makes it easier to engage your audience and break up any monotony that could arise during a long presentation.

2. Investor Updates

Use a one-pager template to communicate the progress of your business or its financial performance to investors. This document should include relevant facts and figures in addition to key takeaways, so investors can easily review what’s going on.

Integrate data visualizations like simplified charts, line graphs and data widgets. Customize the data viz to match the rest of the one pager using the chart settings for color, font and display options.

3. Strategic Plans

When setting strategic goals for your business, create a one-pager that outlines the objectives, timeframe and key strategies for achieving them. This will help everyone involved to stay focused on the plan and track progress over time.

Use a simple timeline or roadmap visual which you can find inside templates, content blocks and the slide library. Alternatively, use the diagram maker, custom lines or design shapes to build your ideal timeline. Remember to not take up too much space, so include only the most vital information.

4. Product Introductions

Whether introducing a new product or promoting an existing one, use a one-pager template to concisely summarize the features and benefits. You can include images, short descriptions, and other details about what you offer. Also include pricing information, availability and a call to action so potential customers know how to buy.

One pager templates are also perfect for telling your story. You can include the history of your company, its milestones, and any other interesting facts about it. This is a great way to engage potential customers and give them insight into your business.

5. Company Reports and Employee Orientation

If you need to present data about the company’s performance or share important metrics with colleagues, a one-pager can easily convey this information. By using visuals, charts and graphs , you can present complex stats in an easy-to-understand way.

One-pagers are also useful for introducing new employees to the company's background, a simple organizational chart , values, goals, services, and features with a consistent message.

Q. What Should a One Pager Include?

A typical one-pager template may include the following sections.

• Company Logo
• About Us/Summary: A brief background information about your company, including your mission, vision, and short-term and long-term goals.
• Problem Statement: This section defines the problem or challenges your company aims to solve.
• Features or Benefits: List your product features and highlight the benefits of your solution.
• Social Proof: Show that people love your product and are using it to solve problems by including testimonials, reviews, endorsements and other forms of social proof.
• Implementation Plan: Briefly explain how the proposed solution will be implemented and any key milestones or timelines.
• Call to Action: Include a prompt or instruction that nudges readers to take the desired action, such as making a purchase, subscribing to a service, or signing up for a newsletter.
• Contact Information : Provide contact information so readers can get in touch with you.

Q. How Do You Structure a One Pager?

The structure of your one-pager depends on several factors, including the topic, intent, purpose and target audience.

You can tailor the design to your preferences while keeping the information on a single page, yet organized into clear, concise content blocks.

Here is a common structure for a one-pager:

• Headline or Title
• Introduction
• Problem Statement
• Key Benefits
• Implementation Plan
• Call-to-Action

Q. What Is a One Pager Template?

A one-pager template is a single-page document that summarizes key information about your product, brand or project in a concise and easily digestible way.

Find the best one pager templates inside your Visme template gallery. There are options for sales, product, proposals and more.

Q. How Long Is a One Pager?

A one-pager is true to its name and covers only one page. But when it comes to one-pager dimensions, that will depend on the type of “one page” you use.

Typically, a one-pager will be either letter size or A4 size. Letter size is 8.5 X 11 inches or 612 X 791 pixels for digital versions. If you wish to print it, use 2551 X 3295 pixels. A4 is 8.27 X 11.69 inches or 592 X 842 pixels for digital and 2480 X 2508 pixels for print.

If you want to choose a creative and digital angle for your one-pager, try using infographic dimensions like 735 X 1150 pixels or a bold 1920 X “as long as you want.”

Q. What is the Best Platform to Create a One Pager?

By far, the best platform to create one-page designs is Visme. We might be partial on this one but hear us out.

There are many benefits to using Visme as your one-pager authoring tool. Here’s a handy list (that covers only a portion of beneficial features):

• Professional templates. Access to several one-pager templates. But that’s not all, you also have access to many other types of templates including proposals, reports, presentations, infographics, social media graphics, data visualizations, and much more.
• Endless design resources. Inside the Visme editor you’ll find numerous types of design elements like; icons, illustrations, custom lines, shapes, photos, videos, backgrounds, custom gradients, and more.
• Pre-designed content blocks. Build one-pagers (or other project types) easily with pre-designed content blocks like; headers, headers with visuals, data and text, and more.
• Easy design and editing tools. Designing with Visme is simple and intuitive. Tools and features include color customization, hundreds of fonts, alignment options, resizing individual objects or groups of them, and much more.
• Interactivity options. Add hotspots in different styles, hyperlinks to supporting content, animated icons and illustrations, animation features for any object, and an easy editing timeline.

All this and much more are the reasons why you should consider Visme as your content-authoring tool; not just for one-pagers but for every business document you might ever need.

Q. How Do You Write a One Pager Example?

Here’s how to write compelling and high-converting one pager examples:

• Use a professional-designed one pager templates
• Start with a compelling headline
• Keep it concise, readable, understandable and memorable: Use bullet points, headings, and images to break up the text
• Create a captivating design and use high-quality visuals
• Include a call-to-action
• Keep your target audience in mind by addressing their pain points and highlighting how your product or service solves them.

Q. Do One Pagers Have Paragraphs?

Yes, one-pagers can have paragraphs, but it's important to keep them short and concise. Overall the text should be short, to the point, and easy to digest.

Q. What Is the Best Size for a One Pager?

The best size for a one-pager depends on the document's purpose and how it will be used. However, the most common sizes for one pagers are letter (8.5 x 11 inches), A4 (8.3 x 11.7 inches) and A3 (11.7 x 16.5 inches). A one pager can also be created in a digital and infographic format.

Ultimately, the best size for a one-pager depends on the specific needs and goals of the project and should be chosen based on what will be most effective in communicating the information in a clear and concise manner.

Q. What Is the Difference Between a One Sheeter and a One Pager?

A one-sheeter and a one-pager are often used interchangeably, but there's a subtle distinction. A one-sheeter typically refers to a single-page document providing a concise overview of a product, service, or concept, often used in sales or marketing.

On the other hand, a one-pager generally includes a broader range of single-page documents, including summaries, reports, or presentations, not limited to sales or marketing. While both aim for brevity and clarity, a one-sheeter is more specific to marketing materials, while a one-pager is a broader term covering various single-page documents.

Use Visme to Create Stunning Templates for Your Business

Now that you have the basics and the best business one-pager examples, it's time to start putting your one-pager together. The best way to do this is by using one pager template or frameworks that gives you a starting point for creating content.

Visme offers a wide variety of modern and stylish templates specifically designed for businesses. The templates are all customizable and can be tailored to match any brand identity. Whether you’re creating a one-pager to pitch your business, explain a product or service, or present data in an engaging way, Visme can help you do it with ease.

The templates also come with pre-made layouts, making them perfect for those who don’t have much experience in designing graphics. All of the elements are easily rearrangeable, so you can quickly create the look and feel you desire even without any design knowledge.

Sign up for Visme's all-in-one visual content creation platform and start making big moves with your one-pagers.

Quickly create winning one pager proposals for your business in Visme

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About the Author

Olujinmi is a Content writer for Visme who creates human-first SEO content. She loves helping businesses smash their ROI goals with strategic content development and optimization. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her composing songs.

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Purdue Online Writing Lab Purdue OWL® College of Liberal Arts

Writing the Personal Statement

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The personal statement, your opportunity to sell yourself in the application process, generally falls into one of two categories:

1. The general, comprehensive personal statement:

This allows you maximum freedom in terms of what you write and is the type of statement often prepared for standard medical or law school application forms.

2. The response to very specific questions:

Often, business and graduate school applications ask specific questions, and your statement should respond specifically to the question being asked. Some business school applications favor multiple essays, typically asking for responses to three or more questions.

Questions to ask yourself before you write:

• What's special, unique, distinctive, and/or impressive about you or your life story?
• What details of your life (personal or family problems, history, people or events that have shaped you or influenced your goals) might help the committee better understand you or help set you apart from other applicants?
• When did you become interested in this field and what have you learned about it (and about yourself) that has further stimulated your interest and reinforced your conviction that you are well suited to this field? What insights have you gained?
• How have you learned about this field—through classes, readings, seminars, work or other experiences, or conversations with people already in the field?
• If you have worked a lot during your college years, what have you learned (leadership or managerial skills, for example), and how has that work contributed to your growth?
• What are your career goals?
• Are there any gaps or discrepancies in your academic record that you should explain (great grades but mediocre LSAT or GRE scores, for example, or a distinct upward pattern to your GPA if it was only average in the beginning)?
• Have you had to overcome any unusual obstacles or hardships (for example, economic, familial, or physical) in your life?
• What personal characteristics (for example, integrity, compassion, and/or persistence) do you possess that would improve your prospects for success in the field or profession? Is there a way to demonstrate or document that you have these characteristics?
• What skills (for example, leadership, communicative, analytical) do you possess?
• Why might you be a stronger candidate for graduate school—and more successful and effective in the profession or field than other applicants?
• What are the most compelling reasons you can give for the admissions committee to be interested in you?

General advice

Answer the questions that are asked

• If you are applying to several schools, you may find questions in each application that are somewhat similar.
• Don't be tempted to use the same statement for all applications. It is important to answer each question being asked, and if slightly different answers are needed, you should write separate statements. In every case, be sure your answer fits the question being asked.

Tell a story

• Think in terms of showing or demonstrating through concrete experience. One of the worst things you can do is to bore the admissions committee. If your statement is fresh, lively, and different, you'll be putting yourself ahead of the pack. If you distinguish yourself through your story, you will make yourself memorable.

Be specific

• Don't, for example, state that you would make an excellent doctor unless you can back it up with specific reasons. Your desire to become a lawyer, engineer, or whatever should be logical, the result of specific experience that is described in your statement. Your application should emerge as the logical conclusion to your story.

Find an angle

• If you're like most people, your life story lacks drama, so figuring out a way to make it interesting becomes the big challenge. Finding an angle or a "hook" is vital.

Concentrate on your opening paragraph

• The lead or opening paragraph is generally the most important. It is here that you grab the reader's attention or lose it. This paragraph becomes the framework for the rest of the statement.

Tell what you know

• The middle section of your essay might detail your interest and experience in your particular field, as well as some of your knowledge of the field. Too many people graduate with little or no knowledge of the nuts and bolts of the profession or field they hope to enter. Be as specific as you can in relating what you know about the field and use the language professionals use in conveying this information. Refer to experiences (work, research, etc.), classes, conversations with people in the field, books you've read, seminars you've attended, or any other source of specific information about the career you want and why you're suited to it. Since you will have to select what you include in your statement, the choices you make are often an indication of your judgment.

Don't include some subjects

• There are certain things best left out of personal statements. For example, references to experiences or accomplishments in high school or earlier are generally not a good idea. Don't mention potentially controversial subjects (for example, controversial religious or political issues).

Do some research, if needed

• If a school wants to know why you're applying to it rather than another school, do some research to find out what sets your choice apart from other universities or programs. If the school setting would provide an important geographical or cultural change for you, this might be a factor to mention.

Write well and correctly

• Be meticulous. Type and proofread your essay very carefully. Many admissions officers say that good written skills and command of correct use of language are important to them as they read these statements. Express yourself clearly and concisely. Adhere to stated word limits.

Avoid clichés

• A medical school applicant who writes that he is good at science and wants to help other people is not exactly expressing an original thought. Stay away from often-repeated or tired statements.

For more information on writing a personal statement, see the personal statement vidcast .

• Strategy & planning

11 one-pager examples, plus how to make your own

Georgina Guthrie

May 29, 2024

Who do you think has a longer attention span? You, or a goldfish?

According to recent studies, the goldfish would win . Sorry about that. Blame TikTok! Luckily, there are formats out there well suited to those with short attention spans (or short on time) — and one such example is the one-pager. 

It’s a small but mighty document that’s all about fitting maximum info into a single page (or two) so the time-pressed can grasp a concept quickly. 

Endlessly versatile, they’re used across everything from sales pitches to teacher recaps — and best of all, they’re really straightforward to do. The hardest bit is learning to distill complex info down to the bare bones, but luckily, we’ve got tips on how to do that too. Read on! 

What is a one-pager?

A one-pager does exactly what it says on the tin. It’s a concise, single page* document designed to convey the essentials quickly. 

Often used in business, politics, education, and marketing, its main goal is to give a snapshot of a topic, product, or service so the time-pressed person can get the essentials at a glance without having to delve through reams of data and docs. 

*OK, sometimes it’s two.

What a one-pager isn’t 

In the old days, one-pagers were literally one A4 printout, chock-full of dense, dull text. These archaic examples now serve as a good reminder of what not to do. 

Nowadays, one-pagers tend to be digital and downloadable. They often feature interactive elements, like scrolling, videos, and clickable links, and they’re not always on one page (although the spirit of brevity remains strong). 

How do you use a one-pager?

One-pagers shine in environments where decision-makers have limited time and need to act decisively. Because of their distilled format, they allow for speedy assessments when time is at a premium. 

Whether you are a startup founder looking to attract investors, a marketer aiming to grab customer interest, or a teacher trying to engage students, a well-written one-pager can be a powerful tool for moving forward with confidence. 

• In the business world, use them to pitch ideas, summarize business plans, outline project proposals, educate staff about a new process, and more. 
• In marketing, use one-pagers as brochures or promo materials that highlight the benefits and features of a product or service. 
• In education, teachers and students use one-pagers to summarize complex topics or research findings.

Given the limited space, every word and visual element in a one-pager needs to pack a punch. It’s no easy task. As Mark Twain allegedly once said , ‘I didn’t have time to write a short letter, so I wrote a long one instead.’ Or in other words, being concise is difficult, and often takes more time and effort than rambling on. Let’s take a look at how to do it well. 

What should your one-pager contain?

Since these little gems are multi-use, there’s no right or wrong answer to this. But here are the bare essentials: 

• Title 
• Summary 
• Infographic/chart/image(s)
• Main points
• Supporting data 
• Conclusion 
• Contact details. 

Let’s expand on these with a step-by-step guide. 

How to make a one-pager 

As anyone who’s ever written a tweet will know, there’s a real knack to being able to distill complex information into something bitesize. Creating a good one-pager is like telling a story: it should have a beginning (top of the page), a middle (the middle of the page), and an end (you get the idea) — three distinct sections, each with its own purpose. Here are some tips to help you on your way. 

The beginning: Capturing attention

Think like a journalist: the top of your page is where you deliver the scoop in as few words as possible. Dedicate around 10-25% of your page to this section.

1. Headline/title

Begin with a strong, punchy headline that encapsulates the one-pager’s topic. This could be the title of your project, product, or the main message you want to share. For example, ‘marketing trends for 2025’ gives your reader a clear idea of what to expect.

2. Subheadline

Follow this up with a brief subheader. This should add a little more context to your headline, and give a snapshot of what the reader will find in the document. For example, ‘personalized experiences are the future of engagement’.

3. Logo and branding

If you’re creating something as part of an organization or for a brand, include your logo. And for that matter, make sure your branding is consistent throughout the document, from company colors, right down to the typeface. This looks professional, which boosts credibility — something you’ll want if you’re persuading a decision-maker who’s short on time and is depending on you for accuracy.

4. Optional: key visual or image

Use a compelling visual, like an image, infographic, or chart, that’s directly related to your topic. Visuals serve multiple purposes: they attract attention, they make the content more engaging, and they break up the text so the copy around the visual is easier to digest. They’re also mini powerhouses when it comes to transmitting data. Of all our senses, 90% of the data sent to the brain is visual. Humans are designed to take in images, so take advantage of their space-saving capabilities in your one-pager. 

This is optional at this stage because, depending on your focus, you may want to keep the image in the middle section. 

The middle: The core content

Now we’re into the meat of your one-pager. Dedicate around 50-75% of your page to this section.

1. Main points and benefits

Start by outlining your main points. Use bullet points and short paragraphs to make the information easy to scan, and aim for two to four sentences per paragraph. For example, if you’re presenting a new product, your main points will be your product’s top benefits, followed by its features.

2. Supporting data and statistics

Statistics add concrete data to your claims. At this point, you may want to add visual aids like charts and graphs, which make all those numbers more digestible. 

3. Testimonials or quotes

If applicable, add testimonials or quotes from satisfied customers, clients, or experts. This adds credibility to someone beyond yourself, which is a powerful, persuasive tool. For example, a quote from a well-known expert in your field can bolster your argument. This works for political and educational tools as well — just add a quote from an expert or key figure to engage and inspire.

4. Infographics and icons

As the old saying goes — a picture’s worth a thousand words. Infographics, charts, and icons break up text and summarize complex data in an easily digestible format. Plus, research has shown that visuals can improve learning and retention by up to 400% , so get them involved. Just make sure your data is up-to-date and relevant. 

The end: Inspiring action

Dedicate about 20-30% of your page space to this section. 

1. Summary or conclusion

Give a brief summary or conclusion that reinforces the main points. This helps recap the essential information and ensures the reader walks away equipped with everything they need to know. Summarize the benefits or key takeaways to remind the reader why the information is important.

2. Call to Action (CTA)

End with a clear call to action. Whether you want the reader to contact you, visit a website, sign up for a newsletter, or make a purchase, make sure this is obvious, straightforward, and focused on one thing — and don’t muddy the waters with multiple options. For example, ‘visit our website to claim your free deal’.

3. Contact information

Include your contact information so whoever has read your one-pager can reach out. This might include your email address, phone number, social media handles, and more. Make it easy to get in touch, and offer multiple contact options for accessibility. 

4. Additional resources or links

If there are additional resources or links that might come in handy, pop them at the bottom. This could be links to your website, product pages, relevant articles, or references. Giving further reading or resources can help interested readers dive deeper into the topic.

One-pager examples and templates 

Let’s take a look at some examples across a range of uses. 

1. All-purpose organization/personal one-pager

The goal of an organizational or personal one-pager is to essentially introduce the org/person. It’s designed to give a quick yet comprehensive snapshot of who you are and what you do. Key elements include:

• Name and logo
• Mission statement/problem you solve
• Features 
• Core values 
• Future goals
• Other services/products offered
• Contact information

This beautifully designed corporate one-pager by Mamunur Rashid makes good use of color to pull out key bits of information. Top marks.

2. Education one-pager

Here’s one for educational institutions or programs that need to give stakeholders (investors, students, parents, educators, etc) an overview of the org’s offerings, goals, and achievements.  

• Institution name and logo
• Program overview
• Curriculum highlights
• Accreditations and awards
• Student testimonials
• Mission statement 
• Future goals (optional) 

3. Teaching one-pager

One-pagers are ideal for helping students, trainees, or apprentices remember the key points without overwhelming them. 

• Class name and module topic 
• Module overview
• Key facts 
• Resources 
• Further study 

Jamie Lee Clark’s teaching one pagers are everything one should be: clear, concise, and designed for speedy comprehension. 

4. Startup one-pager

A startup one-pager is a succinct overview of a new company or business idea, typically used to attract potential investors or partners. It should clearly convey the startup’s vision and potential. Key elements include:

• Company name and logo
• Value proposition
• Media coverage 
• Market opportunity
• Investment stage 
• Funding requirements

5. Pitch one-pager

Salespeople, entrepreneurs, and project managers can all use the pitch one-pager to summarize what they offer their audience. It also works as a leave-behind for potential collaborators and investors. Key elements include:

• Name and logo 
• Solution overview
• Market analysis and forecasts
• Business model
• Competitive advantage

This investor one-pager designed by Kridha Graphics on Dribble contains everything investors will want to know in a clear, colorful format. The result is a pitch that’s attractive and informative in equal measure. 

6. Company report one-pager

This is a high-level summary of a company’s performance over a specific period (usually quarterly or annually). It’s used to give stakeholders the lowdown on progress and future plans. It also works as an employee handout or as a prompt for meetings. Key elements include:

• Executive summary
• Financial highlights
• Key achievements
• Challenges and solutions
• Future outlook

7. Product one-pager

A product one-pager gives potential customers/investors an overview of a product, highlighting its features, benefits, and key specs. It’s useful for sales teams and retailers, who can get the topline facts before talking to a customer or delivering a pitch on your company’s behalf. 

• Company name and logo 
• Product description
• Key features (do them in this order — remember: sell the sizzle, not the steak ! Or in other words, people buy what they want first, then consider its features second). 
• Technical specifications
• Customer testimonials

Panasonic Toughbook’s TOUGHBOOK 20 one-pager is actually (drum roll) two pages. The first is a more accessible sales pitch, with the drier product specs spilling over into the second page (which you can see here ). Design-wise, it takes advantage of punchy headers, arresting imagery, and nice use of color and layout to highlight key bits of information.  

8. Investor update one-pager

An investor update one-pager is a brief document used to keep investors informed about the company’s progress, financial status, and future plans. Key elements include:

• Company overview
• Recent achievements
• Financial performance
• Key metrics
• Future plans

9. Employee orientation one-pager

New hires need to take on a lot of information fast. Avoid overloading them with TMI with an orientation one-pager to tell them the essentials. Key elements include:

• Mission and values
• Key policies and procedures
• Employee benefits
• Contact information for HR
• Onboarding checklist

This recruitment one-pager on Slideshare features all the key information a new starter might need, including HR contacts, responsibilities, and even a little Gantt chart setting out the recruitment princess in timed chunks. 

10. Strategic plan one-pager

A strategic plan one-pager provides a high-level overview of an organization’s strategic goals and how they plan to achieve them. It’s a tool for ensuring all stakeholders are aligned and accountable. Key elements include:

• Vision/mission statement
• Strategic goals

11. B2B one-pager

A B2B one-pager is a marketing document aimed at other businesses, highlighting your company’s services, benefits, and why other businesses should choose to work with you. Key elements include:

• Overview 
• Services offered
• Client success stories
• Testimonials 

This one-pager by Growth Enabler makes good use of visuals, icons, and bullet points. The result is a one-pager that feels packed full of information without feeling cluttered. 

One-pager tips and best practices 

Here are some rules to live by when it comes to creating a one-pager. 

Keep it concise and clearly structured 

Perhaps the most important element of a one-pager is brevity. 

• Stick to the essentials. To do this, put yourself in your audience’s shoes. What do they absolutely need to know?
• Use bullet points and short paragraphs to maintain brevity
• Organize content in a logical flow
• Use headings and subheadings for easy navigation
• Highlight the most important points you want the reader to remember
• Avoid unnecessary details or jargon
• Place the most important information at the top

Use strong visuals and consistent branding

• Incorporate relevant images, icons, and graphics
• Use charts or infographics to illustrate data points
• Use company logos, colors, and fonts
• Ensure the design aligns with your brand identity

Start and end clearly 

• Start with a compelling headline that grabs attention and makes it clear what the one-pager is about immediately
• Include a clear CTA that tells the reader what to do next
• Make the CTA prominent and easy to follow

Design for appeal and accessibility 

• Use a font size that is easy to read
• Avoid overly decorative fonts
• Don’t overcrowd the page with text
• Use white space to make the content more digestible
• Ensure all images and graphics are high-resolution
• Avoid pixelated or blurry visuals

Proofread for errors

• Make sure there are no grammatical errors or typos
• Double-check all facts and figures for accuracy
• Check links and phone numbers to make sure all contact details are correct

Tailor to your audience

• Know who your audience is and what they need
• Customize the content to meet their interests and expectations

Make it shareable

• Provide digital and print-friendly versions
• Include your contact information for easy follow-up

Test and get feedback

• Share drafts with colleagues or stakeholders to get feedback
• Make necessary revisions based on the feedback received

Update regularly

• Keep the content current and relevant.
• Update the one-pager as needed to reflect new information or changes

Design flawless one-pagers every time with Cacoo 

Using diagramming tools can take your one-pagers up a notch. Cacoo , our own platform, comes with a library of templates, which you can use to create your one-pager and the diagrams within it. Select your design, then just drag and drop everything from shapes and text to charts and more into your page. No more fighting with weird formatting — just polished presentations filled with clear charts everyone can understand. Ready to give it a try?

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Professionals

Myth of the One-Page Personal Statement

Written by David Lombardino   |  Updated February 28, 2024

It Has to Be One Page?

We hear it all the time from candidates applying for medical residency: my personal statement has to be one page. One of my attendings told me so. A program director told me so. It is ERAS' recommendation.

Every year my team of editors and I critique, edit and proofread hundreds of personal statements for medical residency .

And every year, program directors tell our clients they love their personal statements. Attendings tell our clients they have never seen candidates articulating their experiences and goals in such an engaging manner. And almost none of them have a personal statement less than one page.

How Is It Possible to Match With a Personal Statement Longer Than One Page?

Not only is it possible to get matched with a personal statement longer than one page, in our experience it is much more likely, with one caveat. No one wants to read a boring personal statement. No one wants to read a personal statement that is the same as even one personal statement they have read before, let alone hundreds or thousands.

We see all the time candidates who believe writing a personal statement according to a template or according to what they believe program directors will want to hear submit weaker applications for medical residency as a result.

They do not get interviews where they should, and they do not get matched at the programs of their preference.

Then Why All the Advice About Personal Statements Being No More Than One Page?

ERAS recommends keeping the personal statement to one page or less because that is the feedback they receive from attendings and program directors, and the reason for this is simple.

No one wants to read a boring personal statement, and most candidates submit boring personal statements.

If a program director is going to have to read a boring personal statement, then they will prefer for it to be as short as possible.

What Makes a Personal Statement Boring?

The challenge of writing a personal statement is that there are many more ways to write a boring one than one that is interesting. The most common way is to be vague. Another is to write what could be just as true if anyone else wrote it. Another is not to know how or where to start. Another is not to know how or when to end. Another is to define the specialty for the program director.

When I talk to program directors and attendings about what they are looking for in a personal statement, they consistently tell me it is much less about what they want to see than it is about what they do not want to see.

What they do not want to see is the same thing they have seen hundreds of times before.

How to Make Your Personal Statement Stand out

The first step is to make it honest and genuine. Be yourself, rather than who you think program directors want you to be. Establish the key themes that represent who you are.

Next, be specific. Provide specific details, replace vague writing with specific writing.

Finally, write a compelling conclusion that brings it all together, and don't worry about whether it finishes all on one page or goes a few lines onto the next page. If it is worth reading, they will read all of it.

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Home » Career Advice » Professional Development » 3 Personal Statement Examples and Why They Work

3 Personal Statement Examples and Why They Work

A well-crafted personal statement can be the deciding factor in your application’s success. Admissions officers and hiring managers often sift through hundreds, if not thousands, of applications. Most applicants will have similar qualifications, so it’s your personal statement that can make you memorable. We’ll help you understand what makes a personal statement truly effective by showcasing three examples of personal statements that have worked well in different contexts.

A strong personal statement demonstrates not only your qualifications but also your passion and commitment. It shows that you’ve taken the time to reflect on your experiences and how they’ve shaped your goals. This reflection is key because it helps the reader understand your motivations and see how you’ll contribute to their institution or organization.

Moreover, a compelling personal statement helps you stand out from the crowd. It’s your chance to showcase your unique perspective, which can be especially important in fields that value creativity, leadership, or social impact. When written well, your personal statement can give you an edge, helping you rise above other applicants who may have similar grades, test scores, or work experience.

By the end of this post, you’ll have a clearer idea of how to approach your personal statement writing, what to include, and how to structure it for maximum impact.

You might also want to read:

• How to Write a Personal Statement for a University (with Example)
• The Dos and Don’ts of Personal Statement Writing
• How to Write an Excellent Personal Statement

Example 1: The career-driven personal statement

Our first personal statement example comes from an applicant applying to medical school. Their goal is to become a physician specializing in pediatric care. Below is their personal statement example:

“From a young age, I have been fascinated by the complexity of the human body and motivated by a deep desire to help others. This passion guided me towards a degree in biology, where I excelled in courses such as anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry. These subjects deepened my understanding of how the body functions, but it was my experiences outside the classroom that truly solidified my decision to pursue a career in medicine.

During my time as a volunteer at a children’s hospital, I had the privilege of working closely with children facing serious health challenges. This experience profoundly impacted me, as I witnessed firsthand the resilience of these young patients and the vital role that compassionate, knowledgeable care plays in their recovery. It was here that I realized the profound difference a dedicated pediatrician can make in the lives of both the patients and their families.

I am committed to providing that level of care throughout my career. My volunteer work taught me that medicine is not just about diagnosing and treating diseases; it’s about understanding each patient as an individual, recognizing their unique needs, and offering care that addresses both their physical and emotional well-being. I am eager to bring this holistic approach to my future practice as a pediatrician, where I hope to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and their families. With a strong foundation in the sciences and a deep commitment to compassionate care, I am excited to take the next step toward my goal of becoming a physician.”

Breakdown of why it works

Clarity of purpose

This personal statement example is effective because the applicant clearly communicates their passion for medicine and their long-term goal of becoming a pediatrician. The reader immediately understands what drives this individual and how their experiences have shaped their career aspirations. The applicant’s purpose is evident from the start, and they maintain this focus throughout the statement, making it easy for the reader to follow their narrative.

Use of specific examples

The applicant strengthens their statement by including specific examples, such as their volunteer work at a children’s hospital. These examples not only demonstrate their commitment to the field but also provide concrete evidence of their qualifications and dedication. By highlighting particular experiences, the applicant shows that they have thoughtfully considered their career path and are well-prepared for the challenges ahead.

Professional tone and language

The tone of this personal statement strikes a balance between professionalism and authenticity. The language is formal enough to convey seriousness and respect for the application process, yet personal enough to reveal the applicant’s genuine passion for medicine. This combination helps build trust with the reader, as it shows that the applicant is both competent and sincerely committed to their chosen field.

Key takeaways

• Align your past experiences with your future goals in a clear, focused manner.
• Articulate your purpose and back it up with specific examples for a stronger impact.
• Maintain a professional tone that still reflects your personal passion.
• Craft a compelling personal statement that effectively showcases your strengths and aspirations.

Example 2: The personal growth narrative

“Growing up in a small town with limited resources, I often felt like my dreams were too big for my circumstances. My parents worked tirelessly to provide for our family, but despite their efforts, we struggled to make ends meet. As the oldest of three siblings, I assumed responsibilities at a young age, helping to care for my brothers while balancing school and part-time jobs. These experiences taught me resilience, time management, and the value of hard work. They also fueled my determination to pursue higher education.

Throughout high school, I dedicated myself to my studies, striving to excel academically while remaining active in my community. Volunteering at the local community center, where I mentor younger students facing similar challenges, has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. It serves as a constant reminder of where I come from and reinforces my commitment to achieving my goals. Mentoring these students has also deepened my understanding of the struggles many in our community face, and it motivates me to work even harder to break the cycle of poverty that has affected my family and others like us.

I am eager to continue my education and use it as a tool not only to better my own life but to make a lasting impact on my community. I believe that by earning a college degree, I can open doors that were previously closed to me and help others realize that their dreams are within reach, no matter their background. This scholarship would allow me to focus on my studies without the constant worry of financial strain, enabling me to fully dedicate myself to achieving my academic and personal goals.”

Engaging storytelling

This personal statement stands out because the applicant uses a narrative style that draws the reader in from the beginning. The story of their upbringing and the challenges they faced is compelling and relatable, making the reader want to know more about their journey. The applicant effectively uses their personal story to showcase their growth, highlighting how they overcame adversity through resilience and determination. By framing their experiences as a narrative, the applicant not only captures the reader’s attention but also makes their application memorable.

Emotional connection

The personal nature of this story creates a strong emotional connection with the reader. The applicant’s honesty about their struggles and their role within their family invites the reader to empathize with their situation. By sharing their vulnerabilities and the challenges they’ve overcome, the applicant demonstrates a level of honesty that resonates on a deeper level. This emotional connection is crucial because it helps the reader see the applicant as more than just a list of achievements; it allows them to understand the applicant’s motivations and the impact they aim to make in the future.

Demonstration of self-awareness

The applicant’s ability to reflect on their experiences and articulate the lessons they’ve learned shows a high level of self-awareness. They don’t just list their hardships; they analyze how these experiences have shaped their character, work ethic, and ambitions. This reflection reveals maturity and insightfulness, qualities that are highly valued by scholarship committees. The applicant’s understanding of how their past influences their future goals adds depth to their personal statement, making it clear that they are driven by a purpose beyond personal success—they want to uplift others who face similar challenges.

• Utilize the power of storytelling, emotional authenticity, and self-awareness to make your personal statement memorable.
• Share a personal story that highlights growth and resilience to engage your reader and create a lasting impression.
• Be honest about your challenges and reflect on the lessons learned to build an emotional connection and showcase maturity.
• Demonstrate your readiness for opportunities by connecting your unique experiences to your future aspirations.
• Consider how your experiences have shaped who you are today and how they align with your goals when writing your personal statement.

Example 3: The academic-focused personal statement

Our final example comes from an applicant applying for a research grant to pursue a Master’s degree in Environmental Science.

“My passion for environmental science began during my undergraduate studies in biology, where I was introduced to the intricate challenges posed by climate change. This initial interest evolved into a deep commitment during a summer research internship at the XYZ Environmental Research Institute. There, I conducted a study on the impact of rising temperatures on local ecosystems, focusing on the changes in species distribution and habitat health. This experience not only sharpened my research skills—such as data analysis, fieldwork, and report writing—but also ignited my desire to use scientific inquiry as a tool to tackle pressing global environmental issues.

In addition to my research experience, I have become increasingly interested in how scientific findings can be translated into effective environmental policies. My senior thesis, which explored the effects of urbanization on local biodiversity, allowed me to delve deeper into this intersection of science and policy. Through this project, I analyzed how urban development disrupts ecosystems and proposed strategies for mitigating these impacts. This work further solidified my commitment to pursuing a career where I can contribute to evidence-based policy-making that addresses environmental challenges.

I am eager to continue my academic journey at ABC University, where I am particularly drawn to the opportunity to collaborate with leading researchers in environmental policy. The university’s strong focus on interdisciplinary approaches will allow me to explore the connections between science, policy, and societal impact and contribute to research that drives meaningful, positive change. This research grant will enable me to fully engage in this work, equipping me with the knowledge and skills necessary to make a significant contribution to the field of environmental science.”

Deep dive into academic interests

This personal statement example is successful because the applicant takes a deep dive into their academic interests and research. They clearly articulate their passion for environmental science and provide specific examples of how this passion has developed over time. By discussing their research experiences in detail, the applicant demonstrates a thorough understanding of the subject matter and a commitment to advancing their knowledge. This depth of interest is crucial for a research grant application, as it shows that the applicant is not only interested in the topic but also capable of contributing to the field.

Connection to the program

The applicant makes a strong connection between their academic interests and the specific program they are applying to. They mention their desire to work with leading researchers at ABC University and how the program aligns with their goals. This demonstrates that the applicant has done their homework and understands how the program can help them achieve their aspirations. By showing that they are not just applying to any program but one that is uniquely suited to their research interests, the applicant strengthens their case for being a good fit.

Evidence of academic achievement and potential

The applicant provides clear evidence of their academic achievements and potential by discussing their research experiences and academic work, such as their senior thesis. These examples serve to build credibility, showing that the applicant has a strong foundation in the field and is prepared to take on more advanced research. The balance between discussing past achievements and future aspirations is well-maintained, giving the reader confidence that the applicant has both the skills and the drive to succeed in the program.

• Showcase a deep academic interest in your personal statement.
• Make a strong connection to the specific program you’re applying to.
• Provide evidence of your potential and readiness to contribute to the field.
• Demonstrate your passion for the subject and align your academic interests with the program’s strengths.
• Highlight your past achievements to create a compelling narrative.
• Convince the selection committee of your suitability for the opportunity.

Common elements of effective personal statements

Crafting an effective personal statement involves more than just listing achievements and aspirations. The best personal statements share several key elements that make them stand out and resonate with the reader. By understanding and applying these elements, you can create a compelling narrative that strengthens your application.

Authenticity and honesty

All three examples we’ve discussed maintain a strong sense of authenticity and honesty, which is crucial for an effective personal statement. Each applicant shares their story in a way that feels genuine and true to their experiences. They don’t exaggerate or fabricate details but instead focus on their real challenges, achievements, and aspirations.

Authenticity is important because it allows the reader to connect with you on a personal level. Admissions committees and hiring managers can often tell when a statement is overly polished or insincere, which can weaken your credibility. Being honest about your journey, including any setbacks or challenges you’ve faced, demonstrates self-awareness and integrity. It shows that you are comfortable with who you are and confident in what you have to offer.

Clear structure and flow

A clear structure is another hallmark of effective personal statements. Each of the examples we reviewed follows a logical progression, guiding the reader smoothly from one idea to the next. This structure typically includes an introduction, a body that discusses experiences and goals, and a conclusion that ties everything together.

Having a clear structure helps the reader follow your story without getting lost or confused. It ensures that your key points are communicated effectively and that the overall narrative is cohesive. For example, starting with a strong introduction that grabs the reader’s attention and provides a preview of what’s to come can set the tone for the rest of the statement. Similarly, ending with a conclusion that reinforces your main message leaves a lasting impression.

Tailoring the statement to the audience

Tailoring your personal statement to the specific audience you’re addressing is crucial for making a strong impact. Each of the examples we discussed was carefully crafted with the target audience in mind. Whether it’s a medical school admissions committee, a scholarship board, or a research grant panel, understanding what the reader is looking for allows you to highlight the most relevant aspects of your background and goals.

When tailoring your statement, consider the values, goals, and priorities of the institution or organization you’re applying to. For instance, if you’re applying to a program known for its emphasis on research, you should highlight your research experiences and how they align with the program’s focus. Similarly, if a scholarship emphasizes community service, be sure to showcase your involvement in that area. By aligning your statement with the expectations of the reader, you increase your chances of making a positive impression.

Reflective and forward-looking

An effective personal statement strikes a balance between reflecting on past experiences and looking forward to future aspirations. In the examples we reviewed, each applicant thoughtfully reflects on their past, discussing how their experiences have shaped their character, skills, and goals. At the same time, they also focus on their future, outlining their ambitions and how the opportunity they’re applying for will help them achieve those goals.

This balance is important because it shows that you are not only aware of where you come from but also where you are going. Reflecting on past experiences demonstrates self-awareness and the ability to learn from your journey, while looking forward showcases your vision and ambition. Together, these elements create a narrative that is both grounded in reality and aspirational, which is compelling to any reader.

How long should your personal statement be?

The ideal length for a personal statement can vary depending on the specific application and its requirements. Always check the specific guidelines provided by the institution or organization, as they may have their own word limits or format requirements.

Here’s a general guide for different scenarios:

University Application:

• Undergraduate Applications : Typically, 500–650 words (approximately 1–2 pages). This is the standard length for many college applications, including those submitted through the Common Application.
• Graduate Applications : Usually 500–1,000 words (1–2 pages). Some programs may allow slightly longer statements, especially for research-heavy or professional degrees.

Scholarship Application :

• General Scholarships : Generally, 500–750 words (1–1.5 pages). Scholarships often require concise personal statements that clearly convey your goals and qualifications.
• Specific or Competitive Scholarships : May require 750–1,000 words (1.5–2 pages), especially if the scholarship is highly competitive or if it asks for a detailed explanation of your background and ambitions.

Grant Application:

• Research Grants : Often require more detailed statements, typically 1,000–1,500 words (2–3 pages). This allows for a thorough discussion of your research interests, methodology, and how the grant will support your work.
• Smaller Grants or Fellowships : May ask for 500–1,000 words (1–2 pages), depending on the nature of the grant and the amount of funding.

Job Application:

• Cover Letter/Personal Statement : Typically, 250–500 words (0.5–1 page). In job applications, candidates frequently include personal statements as part of the cover letter. Your personal statement should be concise and focused on showcasing your skills, experience, and how they align with the job you’re applying for.

What time of the year are personal statements needed for college and university?

During the application season, college and university applications in the United States typically require students to submit personal statements. Most colleges and universities have application deadlines in the fall or early winter. Personal statements are usually needed by November for Early Decision or Early Action applications and by January for Regular Decision applications. Some institutions may also have deadlines in December or February.

Here’s a more detailed breakdown:

• August: The Common Application (used by many colleges and universities) usually opens on August 1st. This marks the unofficial start of the college application season. Students can begin filling out their applications and drafting their personal statements.
• September to November: During these months, students are usually finalizing their applications. Early Decision and Early Action deadlines often fall in November, with some as early as October 15th. This is a critical period for students who want to apply early to increase their chances of admission or to receive earlier decisions.
• December to January: This is when the Regular Decision deadlines typically fall, with many colleges having deadlines on January 1st or January 15th. Some schools have deadlines in December or February, but January is the most common.
• February to March: Some schools with later deadlines may accept applications during this time. Additionally, students applying to certain programs, such as fine arts or international students, might have deadlines that extend into the early spring.

So, while the college application season mostly occurs from August to January of a student’s senior year, the actual transition to college happens after graduation, with the new school year starting in late summer or early fall.

Crafting a personal statement that works

As you begin drafting your personal statement, remember that your unique story is your greatest asset. Be authentic, honest, and reflective in your writing. Show your personality without being afraid, and ensure that you structure your statement well and tailor it to your audience. Most importantly, approach the process with confidence, knowing that you have the tools and insights to create a personal statement that truly represents who you are and what you aim to achieve.

Now that you have a solid understanding of what makes a personal statement effective, it’s time to start writing your own.

Sara has been in the career development field for over 10 years and has a wealth of knowledge to share. She covers topics such as resume writing, job search strategies, interview techniques, career planning, and more. You can connect with her on LinkedIn . She has curated our free downloadable resume templates for Word  and  resume templates for Google Docs .

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Title Page Setup

A title page is required for all APA Style papers. There are both student and professional versions of the title page. Students should use the student version of the title page unless their instructor or institution has requested they use the professional version. APA provides a student title page guide (PDF, 199KB) to assist students in creating their title pages.

Student title page

The student title page includes the paper title, author names (the byline), author affiliation, course number and name for which the paper is being submitted, instructor name, assignment due date, and page number, as shown in this example.

Title page setup is covered in the seventh edition APA Style manuals in the Publication Manual Section 2.3 and the Concise Guide Section 1.6

Related handouts

• Student Title Page Guide (PDF, 263KB)
• Student Paper Setup Guide (PDF, 3MB)

Student papers do not include a running head unless requested by the instructor or institution.

Follow the guidelines described next to format each element of the student title page.

Professional title page

The professional title page includes the paper title, author names (the byline), author affiliation(s), author note, running head, and page number, as shown in the following example.

Follow the guidelines described next to format each element of the professional title page.

Watch CBS News

Hackers may have stolen your Social Security number in a massive breach. Here's what to know.

By Aimee Picchi

Edited By Anne Marie Lee

Updated on: August 16, 2024 / 3:02 PM EDT / CBS News

A new lawsuit is claiming hackers have gained access to the personal information of "billions of individuals," including their Social Security numbers, current and past addresses and the names of siblings and parents — personal data that could allow fraudsters to infiltrate financial accounts or take out loans in their names. 

The allegation arose in a lawsuit filed earlier this month by Christopher Hofmann, a California resident who claims his identity theft protection service alerted him that his personal information had been leaked to the dark web by the "nationalpublicdata.com" breach. The lawsuit was earlier reported by Bloomberg Law.

The breach allegedly occurred around April 2024, with a hacker group called USDoD exfiltrating the unencrypted personal information of billions of individuals from a company called National Public Data (NPD), a background check company, according to the lawsuit. Earlier this month, a hacker leaked a version of the stolen NPD data for free on a hacking forum, tech site Bleeping Computer reported . 

That hacker claimed the stolen files include 2.7 billion records, with each listing a person's full name, address, date of birth, Social Security number and phone number, Bleeping Computer said. While it's unclear how many people that includes, it's likely "that everyone with a Social Security number was impacted," said Cliff Steinhauer, director of information security and engagement at The National Cybersecurity Alliance, a nonprofit that promotes online safety.

"It's a reminder of the importance of protecting yourself, because clearly companies and the government aren't doing it for us," Steinhauer told CBS MoneyWatch.

In a statement posted to its website, NPD said the breach involved a "third-party bad actor that was trying to hack into data in late December 2023, with potential leaks of certain data in April 2024 and summer 2024."

The company added that it is working with law enforcement and government investigators. NPD said it "will try to notify you if there are further significant developments applicable to you."

Here's what to know about the alleged hack. 

What is National Public Data? 

National Public Data is a data company based in Coral Springs, Florida, that provides background checks for employers, investigators and other businesses that want to check people's backgrounds. Its searches include criminal records, vital records, SSN traces and more information, its website says.

There are many similar companies that scrape public data to create files on consumers, which they then sell to other businesses, Steinhauer said.

"They are data brokers that collect and sell data about people, sometimes for background check purposes," he said. "It's because there's no national privacy law in the U.S. — there is no law against them collecting this data against our consent."

What happened with the USDoD hack?

According to the new lawsuit, USDoD on April 8 posted a database called "National Public Data" on the dark web, claiming to have records for about 2.9 billion individuals. It was asking for a purchase price of $3.5 million, the lawsuit claims. 

However, Bleeping Computer reported that the file was later leaked for free on a hacker forum, as noted above. 

How many people have been impacted?

The number of people impacted by the breach is unclear. Although the lawsuit claims "billions of individuals" had their data stolen, the total population of the U.S. stands at about 330 million. The lawsuit also alleges that the data includes personal information of deceased individuals.

Bleeping Computer reports that the hacked data involves 2.7 billion records, with individuals having multiple records in the database. In other words, one individual could have separate records for each address where they've lived, which means the number of impacted people may be far lower than the lawsuit claims, the site noted.

The data may reach back at least three decades, according to law firm Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe, which said on Monday it is investigating the breach.

Did NPD alert individuals about the hack? 

It's unclear, although the lawsuit claims that NPD "has still not provided any notice or warning" to Hoffman or other people affected by the breach. 

"In fact, upon information and belief, the vast majority of Class Members were unaware that their sensitive [personal information] had been compromised, and that they were, and continue to be, at significant risk of identity theft and various other forms of personal, social, and financial harm," the lawsuit claims. 

Information security company McAfee reported that it hasn't found any filings with state attorneys general. Some states require companies that have experienced data breaches to file reports with their AG offices. 

However, NPD posted an alert about the breach on its website, stating that it believes the information breached includes names, email addresses, phone numbers, Social Security numbers and mailing addresses.

Can you find out if your data was part of the hack?

There are tools available that will monitor what information about you is available on the dark web, noted Michael Blair, managing director of cybersecurity firm NukuDo. Commonly breached data includes your personal addresses, passwords and email, he added.

One such service is how Hofmann, who filed the lawsuit, found out that his information has been leaked as part of NPD breach.

"Make sure to use reputable companies to look that up," Blair said. 

What should I do to protect my information?

Security experts recommend that consumers put freezes on their credit files at the three big credit bureaus, Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. Freezing your credit is free, and will stop bad actors from taking out loans or opening credit cards in your name. 

"The biggest thing is to freeze your credit report, so it can't be used to open new accounts in your name and commit other fraud in your name," Steinhauer said. 

Steinhauer recommends consumers take several additional steps to protect their data and finances:

• Make sure your passwords are at least 16 characters in length, and are complex. 
• Use a password manager to save those long, complex passwords.
• Enable multifactor authentication, which Steinhauer calls "critical," because simply using a single password to access your accounts isn't enough protection against hackers. 
• Be on alert for phishing and other scams. One red flag is that the scammers will try to create a sense of urgency to manipulate their victims.
• Keep your security software updated on your computer and other devices. For instance, make sure you download the latest security updates from Microsoft or Apple onto your apps and devices. 

You can also get a tracking service that will alert you if your data appears on the dark web. 

"You should assume you have been compromised and act accordingly," Steinhauer said. 

• Data Breach
• Social Security

Aimee Picchi is the associate managing editor for CBS MoneyWatch, where she covers business and personal finance. She previously worked at Bloomberg News and has written for national news outlets including USA Today and Consumer Reports.

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Two doctors and the 'ketamine queen' are charged in the overdose death of actor Matthew Perry

A web of people motivated by greed — two doctors, a live-in-personal assistant, an acquaintance and a drug dealer known as the “ketamine queen” — conspired to provide Matthew Perry with the ketamine that caused his accidental overdose death last year, federal authorities announced Thursday.

The five individuals have all been charged in connection with Perry’s death. As his descent into ketamine addiction deepened last fall, they took advantage of the actor’s vulnerable condition to enrich themselves, authorities said. 

“They knew what they were doing was wrong. They knew what they were doing was risking great danger to Mr. Perry,” U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada said at a news conference. “But they did it anyways. In the end, these defendants were more interested in profiting off of Mr. Perry than caring for his well being.”

Perry, 54, was found face down in the heated end of a pool at his Pacific Palisades home on Oct. 28, 2023. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office attributed his death to the acute effects of ketamine, an anesthetic with psychedelic properties.

According to an 18-count superseding indictment, the events leading to Perry’s death began in September when a Santa Monica doctor, Salvador Plasencia, learned that Perry wanted ketamine. Long known as a club drug, it’s increasingly used to treat people with depression and other mental health issues but carries serious medical risks.

Plasencia reached out to another doctor, Mark Chavez, of San Diego, who had owned a ketamine clinic. Soon the two physicians were discussing how much to charge Perry for the drug.

“I wonder how much this moron will pay,” Plasencia said in a text message to Chavez, according to the indictment. “Lets find out.”

Plasencia went on to provide ketamine to Perry and his assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, 59. Plasencia repeatedly injected Perry with the drug himself and also instructed Iwamasa on how to do it, the indictment says. 

“It was like a bad movie,” Plasencia wrote in a text message to Chavez, the indictment says.

From September until Perry’s death in late October, the doctors provided him with about 20 vials of ketamine at a price of $55,000 in cash, federal prosecutors said. 

In mid-October, Iwamasa sought an additional source of ketamine for his troubled boss, the indictment said. He reached out to an acquaintance of Perry’s, Erik Fleming, who then reached out to a major underground seller known as the "ketamine queen." 

A dual U.S. and U.K. citizen who lived in North Hollywood, Jasveen Sangha had been selling ketamine and other drugs for years, according to federal prosecutors. 

She knew that ketamine could be fatal. In August 2019, a man overdosed on ketamine provided by Sangha, prosecutors said. Afterward, one of the man’s family members sent a text to Sangha. "The ketamine you sold my brother killed him," they wrote. "It's listed as the cause of death."

According to prosecutors, Sangha then typed a question into Google: “Can ketamine be listed as a cause of death.”

She began providing the drugs to Perry through Fleming, and he coordinated the sales with Iwamasa, the indictment says. On Oct. 28, Iwamasa injected Perry with at least three shots of ketamine using syringes provided by Plasencia, according to the indictment.

The actor, best known for playing Chandler Bing on the hit sitcom “Friends,” was found unresponsive in his pool later that day.

“Matthew Perry’s journey began with unscrupulous doctors who abused their position of trust because they saw him as a payday,” Drug Enforcement Administration chief Anne Millgram said at the Thursday news conference. “And it ended with street dealers who sold him ketamine in unmarked vials.”

Sangha, 41, and Plasencia, 42, were both arrested Thursday in Southern California. They were charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine. Sangha was also charged with several other drug-related offenses.

Plasencia, who appeared shackled and in dress clothes during a court hearing Thursday, pleaded not guilty. His bond was set at $100,000.

The judge overseeing the case agreed to allow the non-controlled substance part of Placensia’s practice to remain open if he posts a note at his office explaining the charges and seeks releases from patients stating that they understand the allegations against him.

Plasencia's next hearing is scheduled for Aug. 28.

A lawyer for Plasencia, who operated a clinic in a strip mall in Calabasas, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The owner of a local business, who asked not to be named for fear of harassment, said he met Plasencia briefly about two months ago after noticing a sign for weight loss medication at the clinic.

Plasencia offered him weight loss drugs without a consultation, the business owner said. The local business owner declined. “I’m glad I didn’t do it,” he said.

On Thursday afternoon, a sign advertising weight loss medication remained outside Palencia’s clinic but the front doors were locked. A handwritten note said the urgent care would be closed for the day.

After Perry’s death, federal agents and detectives searched Sangha's home. They found approximately 79 vials of ketamine, three pounds of orange pills containing methamphetamine, hallucinogenic mushrooms and cocaine.

Sangha appeared in court wearing large round glasses and a bright green baggy Nirvana T-shirt. After she pleaded not guilty, a judge ordered her to be held without bail, saying she was a flight risk.

Sangha was previously arrested in March in a separate federal drug case in which she was accused of being "a large volume drug dealer." She was released from custody in that case after she posted a $100,000 bond, according to court records.

Iwamasa, Perry's 59-year-old assistant, pleaded guilty on Aug. 7 to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine causing a death. He admitted to repeatedly injecting Perry with ketamine without medical training, including on the day the actor died, according to prosecutors.

Chavez, 54, the physician based in San Diego, has agreed to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine, prosecutors said. He admitted to selling ketamine to Plasencia, according to prosecutors.

Fleming, 54, the acquaintance who helped Perry procure ketamine, pleaded guilty on Aug. 8 to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine and one count of distribution of ketamine resulting in death. He admitted to distributing the ketamine that killed Perry — drugs that he received from Sangha, according to prosecutors.

Perry had been undergoing ketamine infusion therapy to treat depression and anxiety, but his last session took place more than a week prior to his death. The medical examiner noted that the ketamine in Perry’s system “could not be from that infusion therapy” given its short half-life. 

The levels of ketamine in his body were high — equivalent to the amount used for general anesthesia during surgery, according to the medical examiner. The coroner ultimately ruled his death an accident.

Perry had been open about his lengthy struggles with opioid addiction and alcoholism, which he chronicled in his 2022 memoir, “Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing.”

It’s not uncommon for law enforcement to investigate — and in some cases bring charges against — the people who supplied the drugs that caused a high-profile death.

After the death of Michael Jackson in 2009, his private physician, Dr. Conrad Murray , was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter for providing the singer with a fatal dose of powerful drugs. More recently, federal prosecutors in New York brought charges against four men who supplied actor Michael K. Williams with the fentanyl-laced heroin that killed him in 2021.

The family of “Dateline” correspondent Keith Morrison, who is Perry’s stepfather, said in a statement that they welcomed the news of the law enforcement action.

“We were and still are heartbroken by Matthew’s death, but it has helped to know law enforcement has taken his case very seriously,” the family said. “We look forward to justice taking its course.”

Andrew Blankstein is an investigative reporter for NBC News. He covers the Western U.S., specializing in crime, courts and homeland security. 

Eric Leonard is an investigative reporter and joins NBC4 with more than 20 years of experience in the news business.

Rich Schapiro is a reporter for the NBC News Investigative Unit.