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How To Write A Personal Statement For An Internship

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Personal statements are a great way for employers to learn more about the potential interns applying for their internships. It is also a chance for those who want an internship to showcase their amazing skills and talents.

So, that is why it is important that you are able to write a fantastic personal statement. 

A personal statement is an opportunity to show how you are more than just the figures on your resume. It is a chance for you to tell them about your background, challenges you’ve faced, and prove to them that you are the type of person they are looking to hire for this internship. 

It can seem a little daunting trying to figure out what to write about yourself. Well, don’t panic. This guide will help you to figure out what to include and how to write a personal statement for an internship. 

Table of Contents

What Is A Personal Statement?

Plan and reflect, plan your format, writing your opening paragraph , writing about your experience, summarizing, use the active voice, keep your personal statement short and sweet, proofread your work, get someone to give you constructive criticism, don’t repeat yourself, final thoughts .

Before we look at how to write a personal statement, it is important to go through what a personal statement is. 

A personal statement is an essay that goes through the individual’s skills, background, and why the individual would be perfect for the internship . A personal statement should be all about you. 

It might seem like a personal statement is a biography but it is important to keep linking what you’ve put in your personal statement to what you are applying for. This is why it is more like an essay than a biography of your life. 

It is an opportunity to show how you stand out from the other applicants. 

Now that you know what a personal statement is, let’s look at some things you can do to help you write a personal statement. 

The best personal statements are the ones that have been planned out thoroughly. Your personal statement should have a clear structure to it. However, before you can plan what you are going to include, you need to reflect on your life. 

You need to be able to take the time to reflect on your life experiences and what makes you a unique candidate for the internship.

You should go back to the description of the internship and ask yourself what they need that you’ve got to offer. You should think about what you’ve got but they don’t realize they need it. 

If you are struggling with what makes you stand out, then you can ask some of your family and friends. Discuss what qualities they think make you a great candidate for the internship. 

Once you have an idea of what you want to write about to sell yourself, then you can move on to formatting your personal statement.

Personal statements tend to have the same format. They often start with an introduction, then a few main body paragraphs that discuss your skills, experience, knowledge, and how they relate to the internship you are applying for.

Then you might want to include a paragraph of your future goal in relation to your career and link how this internship will help you achieve your goals.

Then it ends with a paragraph that concludes what you have discussed. This paragraph should be like a closing statement of the argument you have explained. 

However, there might be other guidelines as to how you should format your paragraphs from the internship you are applying for. Make sure you follow any instructions they have when it comes to writing your personal statement.

These instructions could be the font you are allowed to use or the size of the font. They might even have a word count limit for how much you can write for each paragraph or in total. 

You might be tempted to state who you are and where you are from in your opening paragraph. However, this doesn’t make you stand out from the crowd like your personal statement is supposed to. 

Instead, you should start your introductory paragraph with a story about the moment in your life that made you decide to pursue the career you have chosen. The point of this story is to hook the reader so that they want to read on. 

For this to be a good opening paragraph, it needs to be personal to you. Don’t go for any generic moment, make sure you are able to convey the importance and influence this moment had over your life. 

The main body paragraphs or the middle paragraphs should be about your experience. You should explain how your experience benefits the internship you are applying for.

During these paragraphs, you want to talk about your experience and what skills you have developed because of this experience. 

Make sure you look over the description of the internship you are applying for and that you have included examples to show that you meet the requirements of the candidate they are looking for. 

The aim of the middle paragraph is to discuss your life and how the things you have experienced in your life have made you right for the role you are applying to.

An example of this would be discussing how being part of the relay team during college has helped you develop resilience, determination, and teamwork skills. 

For your final paragraph, it is important to include a summary of what you have stated in your essay. It is a good idea to link back to the story you included in your first paragraph and develop the significance of that event. 

At this point, some decide to write about their life goals. Others prefer to write a paragraph before their conclusion about these life goals.

Either way is perfectly fine as long as you do include information about your career goals and how this internship will help you achieve your dreams. 

Top Tips 

Here are some tips to help you when writing and after you’ve finished writing your personal statement. 

When writing your personal statement make sure you are using the active voice rather than the passive voice. The active voice will make your personal statement seem more personal and the reader will feel more connected to you when reading your personal statement. 

When writing your personal statement it is important that you are genuine and authentic. The reader will be able to pick up on any moments where you are not being genuine in your personal statement. 

Personal statements are about you, so you need to be yourself when writing about your life. Don’t over-dramatize events that have happened in your life as the reader will be able to see that you’ve done that. 

The point of a personal statement is to prove to the employer that you are worthy of a place on this internship. If you are not being truthful or genuine in your statement then you are proving that you are not worthy of a place. 

You might be tempted to include skills that you haven’t developed yet because those skills seem easy to learn. However, if you do get through to the next stage, then you might be required to demonstrate those skills. This will only reflect poorly on you.

The last thing you want to do for a personal statement is to talk about yourself for pages and pages. This will not leave a good impression of you on your employer. Instead, you want to be selective about what you include in your personal statement. 

They are not interested in where you went to kindergarten. You should only be writing about the life experiences that are relevant to what they are looking for. If you do this, it shows them you are able to stay on topic and cut out any unnecessary information. 

There is nothing more important than proofreading your personal statement. If you send off a personal statement that has a lot of small mistakes littered in it, this gives those reading your personal statement a bad impression.

Sending off a personal statement that hasn’t been checked for mistakes gives the impression that you don’t care. It makes it seem like you are less passionate about the role you are applying for compared to other candidates. 

Attention to detail is a valuable skill that a lot of employers want their interns to have, so if your personal statement has mistakes in it, you’ve expressed to your employer that you don’t have this skill. 

Those who are looking at your application are able to tell when you have rushed your personal statement. So, give a good first impression by thoroughly proofreading your work for mistakes. 

Something that you can do in order to check your work is to get someone else to give you feedback. Ask your family or friends for help with proofreading. They might be able to spot mistakes that you haven’t noticed in your work. 

Having someone else read your work is a great way to see what they know about your personal statement and whether it is effective or not. They can help you with the structure of your personal statement to see if it flows smoothly. 

One thing to keep in mind is that you are not repeating yourself. These could be phrases like ‘I am a good fit for the internship because’. Try not to repeatedly use ‘I’. Instead of explicitly telling them you are a good fit, explain how the skills you have are relevant to the role. 

That brings us to the end of this guide on how to write a personal statement for an internship. The main thing to remember is that a personal statement should highlight your strengths and what makes you valuable to them.

As long as you are true to yourself then you should find it easy to plan what you are writing. Make sure to stick to any instructions they give you about writing your personal statement. 

Hopefully, this guide has helped you feel more confident about writing your personal statement. 

Related Resources

• How To Write An Email For An Internship
• How To Write A Cover Letter Engineering Interns
• How To Put An Internship On A Resume
• How To Apply For An Internship

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Navigating Your Way to Success: How to Write a Personal Statement for Your Internship

• October 23, 2023 October 23, 2023

Introduction

Securing an internship is an essential step in many students’ academic and professional journeys. It provides invaluable hands-on experience, networking opportunities, and a chance to apply classroom knowledge in the real world. To land the perfect internship, you’ll often need to submit a personal statement along with your application. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of crafting an impressive personal statement that sets you apart from the competition.

How to Write a Personal Statement for Your Internship

Crafting a concise internship personal statement that exudes confidence can be quite a formidable endeavor. Follow these essential guidelines from experts to create a refined piece of composition.

Understand the Purpose: Before diving into the writing process, it’s crucial to understand the purpose of a personal statement. Your personal statement is your chance to introduce yourself, showcase your skills , and experiences, and explain why you’re an ideal candidate for the internship. It’s a reflection of your personality, enthusiasm, and what you bring to the table.

Research the Internship and Company: Start by thoroughly researching the internship program and the company you’re applying to. Understand their mission, values, culture, and the specific skills or qualities they are looking for in an intern. This information will help you tailor your personal statement to align with the organization’s goals.

Structure and Format: Your personal statement should be organized and easy to read. Consider this structure:

• Introduction: Begin with a compelling hook that grabs the reader’s attention. Explain why you’re interested in the internship and briefly introduce yourself.
• Body: Use two or three paragraphs to delve into your relevant experiences, skills, and qualities. Discuss any past internships, coursework, or extracurricular activities that are pertinent to the position. Highlight specific accomplishments and skills you’ve developed.
• Alignment with the Company: Demonstrate how your values and goals align with the company’s. Mention why you are passionate about what the company does and how you can contribute to their success .
• Future Goals: Conclude your statement by discussing your career aspirations and how the internship fits into your long-term plans.
• Professional Tone: Maintain a professional and positive tone throughout your statement.

Be Specific and Show, Don’t Tell: Avoid vague statements and generalities. Instead, use concrete examples to illustrate your qualifications. For instance, if you’re applying for a marketing internship, don’t just say, “I’m a great marketer.” Instead, share a specific project or experience where you successfully used your marketing skills.

Tailor Each Statement: One-size-fits-all personal statements rarely work. Customize your personal statement for each internship you apply to. Mention the company’s name and specifics about the internship in your statement to demonstrate your genuine interest.

Proofread and Edit: Errors in grammar and spelling can leave a negative impression. Proofread your statement carefully and consider having a trusted friend or mentor review it as well. Ensure that it’s clear, concise, and free of typos.

Express Enthusiasm: Show your enthusiasm for the internship and the company . Use language that conveys your passion and excitement. Companies want interns who are genuinely excited to work with them.

Be Honest and Authentic: While it’s essential to present your best self, don’t exaggerate or invent experiences. Be honest and authentic in your personal statement, as integrity is highly valued by employers.

Seek Feedback: Before submitting your personal statement, seek feedback from mentors, professors, or career counselors. They can provide valuable insights and suggestions for improvement.

Final Polishing: Double-check that your personal statement meets the internship program’s specific requirements, including word count and any additional documents they may require.

Pro Insights from Experienced Internship Personal Statement Writers

Collect Materials: Ensure your internship personal statement aligns with other documents. Therefore, keep all those papers readily accessible for easy reference. Compile Crucial Details: Jot down all significant information on a piece of paper that might be needed while crafting your internship personal statement. Employ First-Person Perspective: Your personal statement for the internship is a document exclusively centered on you. Therefore, employ the first-person singular perspective, using ‘I.’ Avoid Repetition: Steer clear of reiterating any information already conveyed in your personal statement. Also, endeavor to circumvent redundant mention of course titles in your written content. Infuse Uniqueness: To set your personal statement apart, infuse it with an experience that has profoundly influenced your decision-making. Maintain Brevity: Remember that a personal statement differs from a statement of purpose. It should be a succinct and concise rendition, not extending beyond a single typewritten page. Review Your Statement: It is advisable to begin with a rough draft and then progressively refine and enhance it. This approach will yield a flawless final draft. Consider Professional Assistance if Necessary: If you do not feel entirely confident about your personal statement after completing it, consider seeking professional aid to enhance its impact.

What Mistakes Can Negatively Affect Your Internship Personal Statement?

Several mistakes can have a detrimental impact on your internship personal statement, potentially undermining your chances of securing the desired internship opportunity.

Some of the Most Common Errors to Avoid Include:

• Lack of Focus: Failing to convey a clear and focused message about your goals, interests, and qualifications can weaken your personal statement. Ensure that your narrative directly relates to the internship you’re applying for.
• Grammatical and Spelling Errors: Sloppy writing, grammar mistakes, and spelling errors can make you appear careless and unprofessional. Proofread your personal statement meticulously to avoid such issues.
• Excessive Length: Going overboard with the length of your personal statement can be off-putting. Keep it concise and within the recommended word or page limit, as excessive verbosity can bore or overwhelm the reader.
• Lack of Originality: Using clichés and generic phrases can make your statement unmemorable. Be unique and authentic, showcasing your individuality and experiences.
• Overconfidence or Self-Praise: While it’s essential to convey your skills and accomplishments, excessive self-praise and arrogance can turn off the reader. Strike a balance between confidence and humility.
• Failure to Address Weaknesses: Avoid glossing over or ignoring any gaps or shortcomings in your qualifications. Address any weaknesses honestly and explain how you plan to overcome them.
• Generic Statements: A generic, one-size-fits-all personal statement that could apply to any internship will not stand out. Tailor your statement to the specific internship and organization you’re applying to.
• Neglecting Research: Not demonstrating an understanding of the internship program, company, or industry can convey a lack of genuine interest. Research the organization and incorporate relevant insights into your statement.
• Failure to Tell a Story: Your personal statement should tell a compelling narrative that engages the reader. A disjointed collection of facts and statements is less likely to leave a lasting impression.
• Disregarding Proof and Examples: Claims and assertions about your skills and accomplishments should be backed up with concrete examples and evidence. Specific instances make your statements more convincing.
• Ignoring Guidelines: Not adhering to the guidelines and requirements set by the internship application can result in your application being rejected. Ensure you follow the word limit, format, and any other specific instructions provided.
• Lack of Proofreading and Editing: Submitting your personal statement without careful proofreading and editing can result in errors and inconsistencies. Take the time to review and refine your statement for clarity and coherence.

Avoiding these common mistakes and crafting a well-written, thoughtful, and personalized personal statement will significantly enhance your chances of impressing the internship selection committee and securing the internship you desire.

A well-crafted personal statement can make a significant difference in your internship application. By following these tips and guidelines, you’ll be better prepared to create a compelling personal statement that showcases your qualifications and makes a strong case for your candidacy. Remember, the key is to be authentic, specific, and aligned with the company’s values and goals. Good luck in your journey to securing the perfect internship!

How To Write a Personal Statement That Stands Out

Table of contents

Laura Jane Bradbury

A personal statement is a chance to highlight your unique qualities, skills, and experiences, all while showcasing your personality.

But whether you're applying for university, a job, or funding, it can be daunting to write about yourself. To increase your chances of getting accepted, it's important to know how to create an effective personal statement.

In my six years as a copywriter, I’ve written many personal statements that get results. In this article, I’ll guide you through what to include, what to avoid, and how to tailor a personal statement based on your application type.

Key Takeaways

• A personal statement is an opportunity to share your unique qualities, experiences, and skills.
• It should always relate to the course, job, or funding you are applying for.
• Include accomplishments and experiences that demonstrate how suited you are to the position or course you are applying for.
• Use clear and simple language to ensure your points are understood.

Your personal statement should be concise and demonstrate how you fit the position or opportunity you’re applying for. It’s important to keep information relevant, rather than listing all of your skills and accomplishments.

Follow these steps to accurately write and tailor your statement.

Understand your prompt

Before you start, make sure you understand what's expected of you. Are there specific instructions, keywords, or phrases that stand out in your prompt? Read through it thoroughly and note the requirements. You can then brainstorm ideas for each point.

Let's say I'm applying for a university journalism course. I've been asked to write a statement that shares why I'm interested and why I would be a good fit. I can use columns to plan my content:

Putting your ideas together first makes it easier to stay on track. Otherwise, you might lose focus and include irrelevant information. 

Show, don't just tell

Once you’ve listed your experiences, skills, and accomplishments, consider how you can demonstrate them with examples. Take a look at the list you created during the previous exercise and organize your points so you have clear examples and proof.

This technique helps you demonstrate your experiences and how they tie in with your application.

When telling anecdotes, use engaging stories that demonstrate your skills. For instance, a story about how I handled a fast-paced news internship proves I work well under pressure. 

Start strong

Recruiters, application tutors, and funders read lots of personal statements. You can make yours stand out with an engaging introduction.

Examples of a strong opening include:

A meaningful statistic

This draws readers in and increases credibility: 

"Communication is the key to marketing success, according to Business Marketing News. With five years of experience communicating and delivering campaigns to global clients, I have the skills and passion to add value to your team."

A personal story

Anecdotes connect the reader with the author’s real-life experience: 

"My first exposure to microbiology was during my time as a research assistant for a microbiologist. I was fascinated by the complex and intricate processes within cells."

An alarming statement

This piques the reader’s interest by making an issue seem urgent:  

“ The fashion industry churns out clothes at an alarming rate, causing mass production of synthetic fibers and harsh chemicals which have a detrimental impact on the planet. Funding my sustainability initiative is vital to mitigating this environmental impact." 

Avoid cliches such as "From a young age, I have always loved...." and "For as long as I can remember, I have had a passion for..."

Pro tip: Use Wordtune Editor 's Shorten feature to cut unnecessary fluff and make your intro sharper. Simply type in your sentence and click Shorten to receive suggestions.

Get Wordtune for free > Get Wordtune for free >

Admission committees and employers appreciate sincerity and authenticity. While it may be tempting, avoid exaggeration. You can better emphasize your skills and personality by being honest. For instance, rather than claiming I read every type of newspaper in my journalism application, I can focus on my dedication to reading The New York Times.

Your writing style should also feel genuine. Instead of trying to impress with complex language and fancy words, keep sentences simple and direct . This makes them more effective because they’re easier to read. 

Address weaknesses

Addressing weaknesses can show your willingness to confront challenges. It also gives you a chance to share efforts you have made for improvement. When explaining a weakness, exclude excuses.

Instead of saying "I didn't achieve my expected grades due to work commitments impacting my studies," try “While I didn't achieve my expected grades, I am now working with a tutor to help me understand my weak areas so I can succeed in your program.”

Wordtune’s Spices feature can help you develop counterarguments to weaknesses. In the Editor, highlight your text, click on Spices, and then Counterargument . Here’s an example:

Using Wordtune’s suggestion, I can highlight my eagerness to learn and provide examples to support my argument.

Highlight achievements

This is your chance to shine! A personal statement should highlight your best qualities — provided they relate to your prompt.

Ask yourself:

• What are your skills and strengths? Identify both academic and non-academic abilities such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork.
• What challenges have you faced? Reflect on how you have overcome significant challenges and how these experiences have helped you grow. For example, completing a course, learning a new language, or starting a business.
• What are your unique selling points? Consider what sets you apart from other applicants. For example, you may have a unique set of technical skills or experience learning in a different country.
• How have your achievements shaped your goals and aspirations? Sharing your goals shows that you think long-term and have taken the time to make sure you’re applying for the right opportunity.

Connect with the institution or company

Tailor your statement to the specific institution or company you're applying to — this shows you understand their values and have carefully considered where you want to seek opportunities.

To do this, head to the company or institution’s website and look for the About page. Many organizations include a mission statement on this page that conveys its purpose and values.

For example, universities often include their values under “Community” or “Student Life” sections. Here, Princeton University’s “In Service of Humanity” section highlights how they value using education to benefit society. Applicants can engage with this by explaining how they interact with their communities and seek to use their education to help others.

You can also research a company or institution’s social media. Look for similarities — maybe you both prioritize collaboration or think outside the box. Draw upon this in your personal statement. 

End with a strong conclusion

A strong conclusion is clear, concise, and leaves a lasting impression. Use these three steps:

• Summarize the main points of your statement. For example, “My experience volunteering for the school newspaper, along with my communication skills and enthusiasm for writing, make me an ideal student for your university."
• Discuss your future . Share your future ambitions to remind the reader that you’ve carefully considered how the opportunity fits into your plans.
• Include a closing statement. End on a positive note and offer the reader a final explanation for why you would be a great match. For instance, “Thank you for reviewing my statement. I am confident my skills and experience align with the role and your company culture.”

Tip: Learn more about writing an effective conclusion with our handy guide . 

Different types of personal statements

Now you know how to write a personal statement, let’s look at what to focus on depending on your application type.

The length of your personal statement will vary depending on the type. Generally, it should be around 500 words to 650 words . However, a university application is often longer than a statement for a job, so it’s vital to determine what is expected of you from the beginning.

Whatever the length, it’s important to remove and edit content fluff , including any repetition or copy that does not relate to your prompt.

Personal statement checklist

Use this checklist to ensure that your statement includes: 

• An engaging introduction.
• Clear examples of your experiences, skills, and expertise. 
• A commitment to improvement, if required.
• Any applicable achievements. 
• A direct connection to the company or institution’s values.
• A strong conclusion that summarizes information without adding new content.
• Authentic, simple language.

Personal statements are an opportunity to delve deeper and share who you are beyond your grades or resume experience. Demonstrate your ability with anecdotes and examples, address any weaknesses, and remember to use genuine and simple language. This is your place to shine, so follow our tips while displaying your unique personality, and you’ll be sure to stand out from the crowd.

Want to get started and create a powerful introduction? Read our step-by-step guide .

What is the difference between a cover letter and a personal statement?

A cover letter expresses your interest in a position and introduces you to an employer. It’s typically shorter and focuses on your qualifications, skills, and experience for a particular role. A personal statement, however, is common for a job, internship, funding, or university application. It explores your background, goals, and aspirations, as well as your skills and experience.

What is the purpose of a personal statement?

A personal statement is an opportunity to stand out by detailing your background, experiences, and aspirations. It should explain why you are interested in and a good match for the company or institution you are applying to.

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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

Preparing to Write 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.

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)

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How Long Should a Personal Statement Be: Writing a Strong Personal Statement

As part of your applications to graduate schools, you will need to write a personal statement. But what is a personal statement? What should you write about? And more importantly, how long should a personal statement be?

A personal statement is important because it allows you to make sure your application stands out from others. It will allow you to show off your biggest achievements in life and what you consider to be your best attributes.

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Explore the below tips to learn how to write a strong personal statement and what length you should keep your personal statement at.

What Is a Personal Statement?

A personal statement is an essay explaining your reasons for wanting to enter the coding bootcamp , four-year program, or graduate program you are applying for. It is your chance to tell the school who you are and how you became interested in your field. 

In your personal statement, you should show your passion for the subject and motivation behind applying for the program. There should also be an emphasis on storytelling. Schools typically require applicants to write about challenges in their lives and how they have overcome them.

Maybe you are choosing a program that does not align with your previous education, or maybe you do not have specific work experience related to the field. In this case, a personal statement will help you emphasize your strengths and show why you belong in the program.

How Long Should a Personal Statement Be?

It is best to focus on the message you are delivering in the essay rather than the length. Requirements for the length of a personal essay may vary depending on the school to which you are applying. Typically, colleges and coding bootcamps ask for a word count of about 200 to 500.

How Long Should a Personal Statement Be for College?

While you won’t run into this often, you may find the occasional college application to a four-year school that requires a personal statement. If your ideal college requires a personal statement as part of the college application, you should plan on writing around 500 words. 

During the application process, you will likely find out the personal statement word limit set by your school. It is important to double-check the requirements set forth by your ideal college because 500 words is simply a ballpark number. Some schools may require shorter or longer essays.

How Long Should a Personal Statement Be for Grad School?

If you are working on a statement for graduate school applications, you can expect to write a bit more than you would for a four-year college. Typically, a grad school application requires a personal statement that is around two to three pages in length.

A personal statement for graduate school is also a bit more serious than one for a four-year college. You’ll notice the entire grad school application requires more application materials in general, like a cover letter . That means you will need to work extra hard to avoid awkward sentences, punctuation errors, and exceeding or not meeting the required length for your personal statement letter.

What Are Schools Looking for in a Personal Statement?

Through a personal statement, schools are trying to get to know you on a deeper level. It is important to include a story about yourself in your statement. It should be related to your personal failures and triumphs. 

All the experiences you write about should also be related to your field of study. It’s a good idea to avoid opening your essay with a quote and try not to use cliches or get too creative. You still want to come across as a professional, serious applicant.

The admissions committee will also be looking for your inspiration behind entering your chosen field. They will want to know what made you interested in the specialization. While explaining your interests, do not make the mistake of going back to the beginning of your life, or even to high school. Avoid starting your statements with “I fell in love with …. When I was 8.”

The school will want to find out what personally motivated you to apply. Be honest in your statement and explain why it is an appropriate step on your educational path, and how it will help you achieve your future career goals.

Of course, strong writing skills are crucial to a strong essay. A successful personal statement will show that you can write coherently. Make sure you use correct grammar, punctuation, and capitalization. Ask a couple of family members, friends, or former professors to proofread your essay when you feel you are finished.

There are five universal traits that most schools will be looking for you to demonstrate in your essay:

• Punctuality
• Ability to work independently
• Good communication skills
• Time management abilities
• Determination and perseverance

How to Start Off a Personal Statement

If you want to submit a stand-out personal statement letter with your college application, you’ll want to know exactly how to start off a personal statement. The opening sentence is incredibly important to your personal statement essay, as it needs to be clean, clear, and eye-catching.

Throughout each application cycle, the college admissions team will see hundreds of personal statements. Many applicants open their letters with a quote, and while this is not a bad idea, it has become generic. Try starting your personal statement off with a quick and interesting anecdote about a valuable experience that has impacted your desire to enroll in the program.

Any sort of life experience or challenging experience you can think of related to your field of study should go into the essay as early as possible. That being said, don’t cram in all of the relevant experiences you can think of in the first paragraph. If you find yourself doing this, try adding an extra paragraph to your opener.

A killer personal statement should also allude to a few personal characteristics that fit with the field of study. For example, in the law, medical, and philanthropic fields, you may want to start off your personal statement with a quick anecdote about a life experience that displays your ability to logically help others.

How to Start Off a Personal Statement: A Sample

The following sample is tailored to a student applying for medical school:

In 2016, I spent one month in rural Haiti volunteering at a hospital. This was an extremely challenging experience for me, as I saw many people in need of critical healthcare that simply was not available to them. However, it was this experience that helped me decide I wanted to attend medical school and study to become a doctor. 

I quickly learned to separate my logical self from my emotional self so that I could help people receive treatment as quickly and efficiently as possible, while also providing reassurance and bedside company to those who needed it.

Writing a Personal Statement Step-by-Step

Writing a personal statement can be challenging. On top of having to explain all of your strengths in one short essay, you will also need to follow the rules and have no grammatical errors. Here are eight steps to take when writing a personal statement:

1. Start Early

Start the process a couple of months before your application is due. Personal statements take a lot of work, especially if you are also balancing other commitments in your life. Setting aside extra time means you will not have to squeeze in hours of work at the last minute. Starting early also allows for careful planning to ensure everything down to the sentence structure is perfect in your finished application essay.

2. Read the Requirements Thoroughly

It is very important to make sure that you understand the instructions fully. Your program will give the information as to what content your statement should focus on, how long it should be, and even how to save your essay.

"Career Karma entered my life when I needed it most and quickly helped me match with a bootcamp. Two months after graduating, I found my dream job that aligned with my values and goals in life!"

Venus, Software Engineer at Rockbot

Some colleges are very specific and will give you a character limit for your piece of writing, while others will be much more relaxed. If you have trouble finding the personal statement instructions, try reaching out to your school’s admissions staff.

3. Brainstorm Ideas

Brainstorm topics you would like to discuss. Common topics for this essay include extracurricular activities , a compelling story, and concrete examples of why you are one of the most qualified students for the program. 

This can give you a better shot at admissions by separating you from the other numerous candidates. Figure out how you will present your goals, what the program means to you, and why you are interested in it.

4. Make an Outline

Create a chart or a list of the things you plan to mention in your essay and the order you would like to discuss them. This is the time to develop your personal statement structure. You can find inspiration for your own essay by looking at personal statement examples online.

5. Draft Your Essay

Now, begin writing your admission essay. When you enter this stage, it is entirely okay to write down anything that seems relevant. While you continue to draft, you can take out parts that seem unnecessary. An admission tutor would be very helpful during the actual writing process and can help you become the perfect candidate.

6. Get Feedback

Allow people you trust to read your essay and provide feedback. They will see your writing with fresh eyes and tell you what needs to be fixed. Discussing your essay with people who have read it will help you improve your writing.

7. Edit Your Essay

Now that you have feedback, you will be able to revise and edit your statement based on the responses of people you trust. Look out for sentences with unnecessary information. Personal statements are intended to be short, so if one sentence is not essential, take it out. You can even send your essay to a personal statement editing service.

8. Proofread 

The last step is to proofread, a lot. Make use of your computer’s spellchecker, Grammarly, and any other resources available to you. Proofread one sentence at a time. Then, allow others to proofread your final draft. If they see a problem, go back one step, then proofread again.

How Long Should a Personal Statement Be FAQ

Typically, personal statements are double-spaced. You may find a college requiring single-spaced personal statements, but unless it is clearly stated, double-spaced is a safe option. If you are really unsure, reach out to your admissions office for guidance.

If your personal statement is too long, review it and remove any information that is not 100 percent necessary. Unless a sentence is providing clear, important information about you as a candidate for the program, it should be removed. You can look up personal statement examples to get a better idea of how yours should be.

Avoid saying anything in your personal statement that is negative or braggy, or that takes the focus away from you. Many students complain about past educational experiences, but if you do this, you will likely have a harder time being accepted into the program. You want to describe positive personal experiences you have had but aim to do so without bragging about yourself.

It can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to write a personal statement. It primarily depends on how far in advance you plan your essay, your writing style, and how much time you put into editing and reviewing. Taking some extra time to write this statement is never a bad idea.

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How to Write a Strong Personal Statement

• Ruth Gotian
• Ushma S. Neill

A few adjustments can get your application noticed.

Whether applying for a summer internship, a professional development opportunity, such as a Fulbright, an executive MBA program, or a senior leadership development course, a personal statement threads the ideas of your CV, and is longer and has a different tone and purpose than a traditional cover letter. A few adjustments to your personal statement can get your application noticed by the reviewer.

• Make sure you’re writing what they want to hear. Most organizations that offer a fellowship or internship are using the experience as a pipeline: It’s smart to spend 10 weeks and $15,000 on someone before committing five years and $300,000. Rarely are the organizations being charitable or altruistic, so align your stated goals with theirs
• Know when to bury the lead, and when to get to the point. It’s hard to paint a picture and explain your motivations in 200 words, but if you have two pages, give the reader a story arc or ease into your point by setting the scene.
• Recognize that the reviewer will be reading your statement subjectively, meaning you’re being assessed on unknowable criteria. Most people on evaluation committees are reading for whether or not you’re interesting. Stated differently, do they want to go out to dinner with you to hear more? Write it so that the person reading it wants to hear more.
• Address the elephant in the room (if there is one). Maybe your grades weren’t great in core courses, or perhaps you’ve never worked in the field you’re applying to. Make sure to address the deficiency rather than hoping the reader ignores it because they won’t. A few sentences suffice. Deficiencies do not need to be the cornerstone of the application.

At multiple points in your life, you will need to take action to transition from where you are to where you want to be. This process is layered and time-consuming, and getting yourself to stand out among the masses is an arduous but not impossible task. Having a polished resume that explains what you’ve done is the common first step. But, when an application asks for it, a personal statement can add color and depth to your list of accomplishments. It moves you from a one-dimensional indistinguishable candidate to someone with drive, interest, and nuance.

• Ruth Gotian is the chief learning officer and associate professor of education in anesthesiology at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City, and the author of The Success Factor and Financial Times Guide to Mentoring . She was named the #1 emerging management thinker by Thinkers50. You can access her free list of conversation starters and test your mentoring impact . RuthGotian
• Ushma S. Neill is the Vice President, Scientific Education & Training at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. She runs several summer internships and is involved with the NYC Marshall Scholar Selection Committee. ushmaneill

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This question is about careers .

How to write a personal statement for an internship

To write a personal statement for an internship, you need to research the organization, make your personal statement concise, and detail your education and skills. Here are some details on these steps and others you can take to write a personal statement for an internship:

Research the organization

Before writing a personal statement for an internship it is very important to do a fair amount of research on the company you are going to send it to. Here you should find out about:

The internship programs it offers

The specific intern roles it might have

The company culture

The company mission statement

The company vision statement

The company values statement

Ingesting all of this information is very important because it can inform how you write your personal statement. Most organizations have this information, or at least some of it, available on their website. You should also try to hone in on who you send the personal statement to, for example, a specific hiring manager or human resources ( HR ) official.

Make your personal statement concise

A personal statement for an internship should be around one paragraph long, and at most, should not exceed one page in length. If you plan on writing one closer to a page in length you should also break up the text in paragraph form. Here are the items you should cover in your personal statement:

Your background in terms of education and experience

Your interests

Your achievements, talents, and expertise

Your career goals

Use information from the research you performed

Your personal statement should include a section that shows how you line up with the company's core values. This helps the company to feel that you are a good fit for an internship role in their organization.

Detail your education and skills

If you are looking to get an internship, you are probably still in college or have just graduated. You can fill your gap in professional experience by detailing your educational experience. This can include items like:

Your major and minor

If you are/were a part of any clubs or associations at your university

Skills your education has given you

You can also include actual work experience if it is relevant to the industry the company is in. Part-time jobs can even have some basic transferable skills that can be used in the professional context.

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January 23rd, 2023

How to Write a Perfectly Formatted Personal Statement for Internship in 2023? With Examples

Personal statement for internship is a very important document in the applicatio n for internship programs. This guide will show you:

• How to write personal statement for internship?
• Interview-fetching personal statement for internship examples for reference
• Answers to some of the most frequently asked questions regarding personal statement for internship.

What is a Personal Statement for Internship?

Personal statement for internship is a self-written document that you submit to a company or organization when you apply for internship there.

It is very important to know what is a personal statement for an internship before writing it because it is different from personal statement for course admissions .

How Important is a Personal Statement for Internship?

Internship is a brief period that acts as a bridge between your academic formation and full-time professional career .

As this period is a stepping stone to your career, you need to intern at the best place possible. And that requires you to write a winning personal statement.

A carefully written personal statement for internship accomplishes the following goals.

• It helps you showcase your personality, achievements experiences, and future goals.
• It enables the organizations to figure out your suitability more closely than from a CV.
• It gives you the opportunity to speak about your goals so that the employer might consider you as their employee in future.
• Personal statement is a personalized document. Thus, employers can easily know whether you have crafted it seriously or not.

NEED EXPERTS HELP FOR WRITING YOUR PERSONAL STATEMENT? CLICK HERE NOW!

How to Write Personal Statement for Internship in Seven Simple Steps?

It is already established that you need a perfect internship personal statement to sell yourself to the prospective employer. Here are the key steps to write a powerful personal statement internship.

Brainstorming:

Only you can know about your strengths and weaknesses. Take time to reflect on the areas that can be your selling points.

Write a strong introduction:

Every word in the introduction counts. So, try to make it attention-grabbing. Start with an experience from your past that influenced your decision

Write in active voice:

Most students forget about this. A personal statement written in active voice looks more impactful than one written in passive voice.

Talk about your competencies:

Highlight your competencies and how the employer can benefit from them. Use anecdotes to show how you applied your skills and qualities in the past.

Simple and straight to the point:

A generic approach is a big no in writing internship personal statement. Make it specific, simple and straight to the point.

Be true to yourself:

If you don’t possess leadership quality and highlight it in your statement, you may be asked to lead a team of interns and be in real trouble.

Familiarize yourself with the organization:

Research about the organization that are applying and know about it through and through. Your familiarity will be an added merit.

Know the Ideal Format for Personal Statement for Internship

The use of the right personal statement format for internship will make it look well-organized and brings in a good flow.

It enables the reader to scan it easily and find the points that they are specifically looking for. Here is a commonly recognized personal statement format.

Opening paragraph/introduction

This is the most important part in your internship personal statement. This is where you establish your story and grab the attention of the reader.

First body paragraph

Talk about a domain specific skill that you have and support it with ample evidence from past. Demonstrate how the employer will benefit from this quality of yours.

Second body paragraph

Use this paragraph to talk about a personal strength such as leadership quality and elaborate how you applied it. Show how it will favor you during the internship.

Future goals

Talk about your short term as well as long term career goals and say how much you think this internship will help you reach there.

Present your conclusion as the summation of the story you presented. End it with a reiterating closing statement that shows your suitability for the program. 

Read more here on personal statements:

Sample for Internship Personal Statement

Here is an example of personal statement for internship. Use this only as a reference. Do not attempt to do personal statement examples copying as it can lead to plagiarism.

Personal Statement for Internship

My name is ____________ and with much enthusiasm and excitement, I would like to intern at your organization during this summer for the post of Digital Marketing Intern. The internship at your firm is highly sought-after and well regarded due to its quality and highly career oriented level. I am sure with my existing experience and professional mindset, I would be able to perform well in my domain. I am sure this opportunity would surely propel my career and give me a chance to advance in my chosen field.

I understand that you are looking for a candidate, who is professional in approach and dedicated to work. I believe that I possess the right talents you seek for this post and I would be delighted to enhance my skill set with the right guidance and advice received from your end. The post Digital Marketing Intern is a dream for me as I always sought to build a career in this field due to its huge growth opportunities. During my masters in Business Administration at ______________ (name of the institute), I had an overall development as a Marketing Associate in a few of our Management Fests. I also handled social media handles like Instagram, Facebook. Twitter, etc for the popularity of the fest. This gave me hands-on experience in management, administration, web traffic, analytics, content development, etc. This was a golden opportunity for me to polish my skill set and acquire new ones.

As described in the job description, I would like to try my hands on revenue management and analysis of consumer behavior. I would also like to exhibit my skills in Email marketing, Search Engine marketing, advertising, campaigning, etc. This position is a perfect combination of your desires and my skill set. I hope through this internship, I can give an outlet to the theoretical knowledge I have gained. I am sure with my creative writing expertise I can create attractive content for your clients. Through interaction with fellow mates and senior officials I hope to enhance my skill set and digital knowledge. I am sure with the experience gained, I can become a master in my chosen field. As described in the description, I am an expert in social media content and social media campaigns. With this internship I would like to enhance my knowledge on various tools used and techniques implemented.

I would be honored if I receive this internship and opportunity to work with an amazing company. Let me express my gratitude for your time and consideration and I really look forward to hearing from you so that we can take this discussion further. I may be reached _______ or by email at ___________.

Pro Tips from Experienced Internship Personal Statement Writers

It is important to present a concise personal statement for internship that shows your confidence. It can be a challenging task. Follow these key tips from experts to compose a polished piece of writing.

Gather materials:

Your internship personal statement should be in compliance with other documents. So, keep all those docs ready at hand to refer them easily.

List all important information:

On a piece of paper, note down all important information that may be required while writing your internship personal statement.

Write in first person point of view:

Personal statement for internship is a document that is exclusively about you. So, write it using first person singular ‘I’.

Beware of duplication:

Do not repeat any information that has already been said in your personal statement. Also, try to avoid repeating the course titles in the writeup.

Make it unique:

The best way to make your personal statement unique is to present it in the backdrop of an experience you had which influenced your decision.

Keep it brief:

Remember that personal statement is different from statement of purpose. It is a rather brief and concise version which doesn’t go beyond one typed page.

Revise your statement:

It is recommended to write a rough draft at first and then keep it revising and improving gradually. This way, you will get a flawless draft at last.

Seek professional help if needed:

If you don’t feel 100% confident about your personal statement after completely writing it, seek professional help which will help get it made more impactfully.

Six Mistakes That Can Negatively Affect Your Internship Personal Statement

The six common mistakes student often make while composing their personal statement for internship. Beware of them and try to avoid them in your writeup.

• Not doing enough research about the internship program and the organization.
• Writing the document generically without focusing on the key themes.
• Not saying sufficiently about what and how you can contribute to the firm that hires you.
• Not seeking feedback on your personal statement for internship from someone who is familiar with it.
• Not being genuine and writing things that are not true to your experience or skills.
• Not proofreading and correcting the mistakes. Even if they are minor like spelling errors, they could break your chances.

It is completely okay to seek personal statement writing help for internship from experts if you lack the expertise to compose it perfectly. It will improve your acceptance chances and save you from unnecessary worries.

Top 10 Internship Programs You Will Need a Personal Statement For

Today, almost all internship programs ask applicants to include a personal statement in their application. The top 10 programs are:

• Dietetic internship
• Summer internship
• Medical internship
• Research internship
• Law internship
• Semester internship
• Quarterly internship
• Holiday internship
• Fall internship
• Spring internship

All things considered…

You may have good track records as a student but your prospective employer wouldn’t know about them unless you describe them in a personal statement for internship.

Reading this blog, you have got to the nitty-gritty of writing a strong personal statement to produce in your internship application.

If you still got any doubts or want to share your feedback with us on this blog, use the comment section below.

What is the ideal length for a personal statement for internship?

Personal statement for internship needs to be short and concise. It shouldn’t exceed more than a page in typed version, which would be about 500 words in length.

Who will review my personal statement for internship?

Your personal statement for internship will be checked and verified by the program officer or the HR team of the company/organization/institute you are applying to.

Should I submit a resume along with my personal statement for internship?

It is recommended to verify what documents you are expected to include in the application for internship. Resume is normally asked.

What will happen if my internship personal statement fails to comply with the requirements?

If your personal statement is found to be incomplete or doesn’t meet the requirements put forth by the program, it might lead to the rejection of your application. Once rejected, you won’t probably get a second chance. Therefore, it is important to give as much attention and seriousness as possible while writing it.

Can my teachers or professors write my personal statement for internship?

Personal statement is different from a letter of recommendation. Hence, it is not your teachers or professors who have to write it. Of course, you can seek their guidance before writing it.  If you are not confident to write it on your own, it is better to seek the assistance of a professional who knows about it well.

Mrs Jizah M

Mrs Jizah M has always enjoyed writing down her thoughts since school days. What just started as a hobby slowly transformed into a passion. Her writing skills were first acknowledged by few of her professors when she wrote content for the college website; this was a turing. Slowly she started getting freelance works and later on, a series of events led her to specialize in academic and higher education related documentations. In additional to personal statements, she along with her team writes LORs, SOPs, college application essays, admission essays and all similar types of documents.

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How to Develop a Personal Statement for Research

• To share your interest and enthusiasm for the specific work you are applying to do
• To demonstrate what you can contribute to the program to which you are applying
• To state the specific lab you want to work in and why
• To state your professional goals and what or how you hope to contribute to this program

First Steps

• Read the personal statement question carefully and analyze what it is asking for
• Visualize your audience: will this be read by a scientist? A physician? An administrator?
• Make yourself as desirable to the selector as possible while being honest about yourself
• Your research interests as they relate to the work you are applying for
• Year of study and current major, related academic and career goals, impressive academic credentials

Experience in the Field

• Any special connection to this work such as prior experience or family background
• Something unique about your research interests or an idea that fuels your own research interests.

Your Proposed Contributions to the Program and Benefits of the Program to You

• Personal qualities that would benefit the program, demonstrated through examples
• What you can do for them; what you seek to gain from the opportunity
• How this specific work fits into your academic and research goals

Writing and Mechanics

Correct usage conveys your attention to detail

• Use strong word choices, particularly verbs and adjectives
• Use the more powerful "I am," rather than "I have always been"
• Make positive statements: "I have experience in…" not "I don't have experience in x, but do have…”
• Craft clear, engaging opening and closing sentences
• Check that the opening statement is supported in the body and consistent with the closing statement
• Organize the statement so it flows from sentence to sentence and paragraph to paragraph
• Proofread for grammar, spelling, paragraph breaks, and correct punctuation

Ask Yourself

• Does this statement show my interest in this specific program , or could it be sent to any program?
• Does this statement describe me specifically, or could any good student in my field use this?

Additional Suggestions:

• Reread the personal statement multiple times out loud for clarity, logic, and flow
• Have someone else read the statement. Ask someone at the Center for Career Opportunities .
• Share your finished personal statement with the faculty member writing your recommendations
• Limit the statement to one and a half to two pages with at least one and a half spacing
• Include a header with your name on each page, which will be numbered as well
• Restating the question/topic
• Rewriting your transcript or resume
• Clichés such as "to make the world a better place"; instead, explain exactly how such a lofty goal will be achieved
• Providing unrelated information, e.g., explaining when you learned you were not interested in computers
• Using phrases like "this opportunity will be fun and interesting for me"; focus on what you can contribute
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Personal Statement Length: a Free Guide

Table of Contents

You may be asking yourself what the minimum personal statement length is.

This free guide will answer that question and more. A personal statement is a crucial part of your application package, whether you are applying to college or graduate school. It gives the admission committee a sense of who you are as an individual and allows them to evaluate your writing skills. 

What Is a Personal Statement?

A personal statement is an essay or other written statement you submit with your application to a school, program, or job.

The personal statement gives the admissions committee a sense of whom the applicant is as an individual . In addition, it helps them evaluate your writing skills and your suitability for the program.

What’s the Minimum Personal Statement Length?

The minimum personal statement length should be based on the program for which you are applying. The average length of a personal statement is often around 500 words to 800 words. 

For most undergraduate programs, 500-700 words are sufficient, while 600-1000 words are common for graduate school applications. However, there is no hard rule.

Some statements may only require 200 words, while others exceed 1000 words. Your best bet? Write until you feel confident that you’ve said everything you need to say.

Extra Tips to Help You Excel

The following tips will help ensure that your personal statement shines: 

Start Early

You shouldn’t wait until the last minute to start writing your essay! That way, if something comes up, you’ll have time to revise it before submitting it. Starting early helps you research and organize your ideas in the best way possible for your personal statement . As a result, your work will be less difficult to revise and easier to craft.

Begin With a Catchy Line

The opening line of your personal statement plays an important role. If you start well, the reader will get interested and will be hooked. Be sure to use a hook at the very beginning to keep the reader’s attention.

Conciseness is the hallmark of any good personal statement. The admission officer has to go through loads of other statements. If your statement contains too many filler words, you’ll make it harder for them to read through. You’ll bore them, and they will lose interest.

Give Them Something New

Admissions committees read hundreds (if not thousands!) of essays every year. Make sure yours stands out by being unique and interesting. Highlight accomplishments and experiences that make you shine instead of simply regurgitating your grades and GPA.

You should never hurriedly send out your personal statement. Take a step back to look through a second and third time. Doing this ensures you provide a statement you’re proud of while also conveying your unique personal story that the admissions board needs to understand. 

Questions about the ideal length of a personal statement will always arise. Keep in mind that some schools have minimum personal statement length requirements. But you should be careful not to submit a personal statement that is too long that doesn’t convey your personality and passion.

Abir Ghenaiet

Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.

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How to write a personal statement

How to approach writing your personal statement for graduate applications.

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

1. Before you start

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

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

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

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

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

Presenting yourself

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

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

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

Get to know your department

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

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

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

Talk it out

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

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

2. The writing process

Know your format.

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

Make a start

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

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

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

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

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

3. Finishing up

Get some feedback.

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

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

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

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

Be yourself

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

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

Get moving on your application today

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

Applicant advice hub

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

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Personal statements are short essays often written as part of an application (for graduate study, study abroad, a job, an internship, a scholarship...). Some personal statement instructions ask specific questions and offer specific length requirements; others leave the topic and length more open and allow you to figure it out yourself.

Personal Statements Overview : this UWC resource introduces types of personal statements, surveys a common structure, and identifies pitfalls.

Annotated Personal Statement : this UWC-created companion piece to the personal statements overview above points out the moves and choices in a student's personal statement for a graduate school application.

Two-part UWC video series for anyone applying to a graduate or professional school: how to write thoughtful, eloquent personal statements that will help you stand out in a competitive field.

Part I: Writing Personal Statements : strategies for composing personal statements, including how to choose what to write about, how to break down essay writing into a manageable series of tasks, and how to avoid common pitfalls. UWC Writing Specialist Lucy Bryan Malenke anticipates your concerns in this video (full of useful slides along the way).

Part II: Faculty Panel Discussion: Personal Statements : JMU Graduate school faculty members who have served on selection committees share invaluable advice for applicants. They discuss what qualities most impress them, what they're tired of reading about, and tips for addressing poor academic performance in personal statements. Although the panelists come from programs in health and behavioral fields, their reflections and suggestions will help anyone working on an application essay.

PowerPoint tutorial on writing personal statements (a UWC-created resource)

Drafting your statement of purpose : the guidelines here are part of a suite of Purdue OWL resources focused on graduate school applications (but applicable to other purposes). Check out the menu links to the left of the page.

"How to Write a Great Statement of Purpose" : an introspective piece complete with a checklist.

General Guidelines for the Personal Statement : dos and don'ts for writing an effective statement.

Personal Statements and Application Letters : a discussion of how to prepare, draft, format, and revise your work, featuring a sample statement.

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Writing Personal Statements for Graduate School

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Personal Statements

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

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

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

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

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Southwest Airlines raises cap for EarlyBird Check-In, Upgraded Boarding fees

• Southwest Airlines is raising the fee range for EarlyBird Check-In and Upgraded Boarding.
• The new fees are $15-$99 one-way per passenger for EarlyBird Check-In and $30-$149 per passenger per segment for Upgraded Boarding.
• Some passengers may be eligible for these perks without purchasing them separately.

Southwest Airlines passengers may have to pay a little more for certain perks.

Southwest announced it was raising the fee range for EarlyBird Check-In and Upgraded Boarding late last month.

The new fees are $15-$99 one-way per passenger for EarlyBird Check-In and $30-$149 per passenger per segment for Upgraded Boarding. The previous caps for these ancillary fees were $25 and $80, respectively.

“Prices can vary based on flight length and demand. Price points within the new range are subject to change at any time, as they do today,” a Southwest spokesperson told USA TODAY in a statement. “This price range increase is a result of our regular evaluation of pricing for ancillary products based on market trends and customer demand and will generate incremental revenue in support of the company.” 

Cruising Altitude: Want a free upgrade to first class? The only hack is your wallet.

Both EarlyBird Check-In and Upgraded Boarding allow Southwest passengers to receive a priority boarding position, meaning they’re more likely to get their choice of seats under the airline’s open seating plan.

According to the airline, it has yet to sell these perks for top-of-the-range prices.

Frequent flyers with elite status on Southwest Airlines, passengers who purchase Business Select fares and those who have some of the airline’s co-branded credit cards may be eligible for these perks without purchasing them separately. 

Zach Wichter is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in New York. You can reach him at [email protected].

The Key Points at the top of this article were created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and reviewed by a journalist before publication. No other parts of the article were generated using AI. Learn more .