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• July 2, 2024
• Personal Statement

Personal Statement is written to communicate your background and why you want to join a particular program. When applying for a master of public administration, applicants are faced with the task of connecting their current occupation and their chosen course which most times don’t come off as an easy task. So, we are presenting a master of public administration personal statement sample which was submitted by another applicant to guide you when writing yours.

P.S: This sample provided here is solely for education purposes, do not copy it. If you need assistance writing yours, click here to hire our experts today .

Table of Contents

Areas to Cover When Writing Your Personal Statement Include:

• Personal motivation to study the course
• Academic and professional background
• Relevance of the program to your career
• Why did you pick the school and country?
• Qualities that would make you a good addition to the program

How to Introduce Yourself in Your Master’s Personal Statement

Start your statement by  describing your strengths immediately . Because faculty will be reading many statements, it’s important to start off with your strengths and not “bury your lede.” Consider traits of successful graduate students from your informational interviews, and identify which of these traits you have.

Tips on How to Make Your Personal Statement Stand Out

1. Plan Before You Write: We know you’re eager to jump in and start writing, but as the old phrase goes; ‘failing to plan is planning to fail’. Before you start, briefly outline the points you want to make in your personal statement, and make sure you’re answering the questions; what, why, and  how .  What  do you want to study?  Why  do you want to study it?  How  do your skills and past experiences prove this?

2. Format Correctly: Careful formatting will make your personal statement appear neat and professional. To do this, separate it into paragraphs, making sure to include an introduction and conclusion. Each paragraph should discuss a different topic, so that, as a whole, your personal statement reads clearly and fluidly.

For example:

Paragraph 1 : Introduction

Paragraph 2 : Academics

Paragraph 3 : Why you’re interested and how you’ve demonstrated this

Paragraph   4 : Hobbies and interests (including relevant work experience)

Paragraph 5 : Conclusion

3. Make your introduction clear and direct: Grab the attention of your reader from the start, with a strong opening sentence highlighting your main skills, as well as outlining why you are applying to this course.

4. Include examples (but make sure they’re relevant): For every statement you make, follow it up with a ‘so what?’. Ok, so you were on your school debating team. So what? Follow up this statement by talking about the skills you therefore developed, as well as what you learned from this experience. Perhaps this taught you how to develop a structured argument, which will be useful in an essay-based subject where you will need to approach a question critically and argue your point.

5. Put the ‘personal’ in ‘personal statement’: Making your application personal, ensuring it doesn’t sound insincere or generic, is the winning ticket for your personal statement. What makes you unique? Don’t be afraid to think a little outside of the box. Admissions tutors read hundreds of personal statements, so saying something a little different will see your application dazzle the masses.

6. Make your conclusion brief but informative: The conclusion is your final chance to make an impression on the admissions tutor. Use it to sum up and explore themes you have mentioned previously and apply them in a wider context. Decide what your main message is in your personal statement and reaffirm this in your conclusion.

7. Proofread when you’re done: Check through your personal statement, it’s extremely easy to miss out on mistakes in your work, which is why it’s vital to have someone else read through it before you send it off.

Word Count of a Master’s Personal Statement

State the name of the program and the University, and write a separate personal statement for each application. Even if the courses you are applying for are very similar, you should write a tailored response for each one. In most cases, there will be a word limit of  400 to 600 words .

What has motivated you to pursue an M.P.A. degree? Why are you interested in public administration and public policy?

I am writing to indicate my interest in your distinguished Master’s of Public Administration Program and I wish to use this study to develop robust knowledge in administration and policy development. Studying Public Administration will help me stay informed about public policy decisions made both in national and international institutions and I hope to apply the knowledge to actualize my personal goal of becoming a policymaker in my country.

One of my reasons for picking Public Administration is because the knowledge can be applied across the public and private sectors, and being equipped with the right managerial, administrative, and leadership competence will put me in a position to proffer effective and efficient solutions in the area of national and international trade. Born and brought up in xxx, and having received my first degree here too, I am interested in enrolling for this study in a country that will give me solid backing in learning and cultural exposure.

How will your background and preparation, including education and professional experience, contribute to your success in the M.P.A. program?

My undergraduate study in xxx equipped me with communication, negotiation, and human relationship skills that have paved my path to success on the professional front. So far, my career experiences have involved the application of managerial competencies and understanding, my recent work experience in International Trade Operations in a multinational bank has served as a bridge for communicating and relating with a lot of people, thereby ensuring the resolution of customers’ problems and orienting them on how to apply government policies to succeed as business owners and citizens. More so, this position has made me increasingly aware of the importance of promoting policies that protect customers. Hence, I developed an interest in understanding how nations can create an equally competitive playing field for trade and investment both locally and internationally. Public administration is a preparatory and clarifying course that will enable me to establish a refined knowledge to provide a relevant contribution to our private sector. Therefore, I believe that knowledge from my previous study and professional background will play an important role in my success during this program and upon graduation.

What particular policy interests do you hope to explore, specifically as they relate to our three areas of research priority (Governance, Social Policy and Inequality, and Innovation, Science, and Technology). Why are you interested in these areas?

My interest to study at the University of xxx stems from the reputation of this school and the courses offered by this program. Going into this program, my area of interest is Social Policy and Inequality, and I am interested in these areas because despite the moral decadence in my country today, a lot of people are hoping to have a better social system that cares and prioritizes their needs. So, getting a degree in Public Administration with a focus on Social Policy and Inequality will enable me to understand what it takes to support social policies for my country.

What do you hope to achieve in this program?

I already have experience working in the private sector, and one area of focus will be to utilize my knowledge from this program to serve as a link for policy-makers to ensure the implementation of their corporate responsibilities, especially in the underdeveloped areas where they are operating.

Free Master of Public Administration Personal Statement Sample PDF

Download the free Master of Public Administration Personal Statement PDF Sample

This file is strictly for educational purposes, do not miss out on this change by copying it.

See other Samples:

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• University Canada West, Canada

Need Assistance Writing a Master of Public Administration Personal Statement?

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Breaking down the MPA/MPP personal statement, personal essay, and supplemental essay

Essays for graduate study cover a myriad of topics. Here at SPIA, we hope our essays help reflect and speak to our culture, our community, and our values—the stuff we care about. We require a variety of essays and short answer written responses, and each serves a slightly different purpose toward helping us to understand the academic and professional trajectory of each person as well as the motivation for graduate study at Princeton. No one thing is determinative in our process or application; we read each file individually and holistically, and admissions decisions are based on the totality of information in the file. 

The personal statement should answer the prompt and include an explanation of one’s commitment to a career in public service. We are interested in a clear description of the policy areas of interest to you and why you care about them as well as how your previous academic, personal, and professional experiences have shaped your career goals. We want to know why you want to enroll at SPIA, what you hope to gain from our program, as well as your career plans in terms of policy issues and agencies or organizations you wish to work with and why. We are looking to understand Why Princeton. Why now. And what’s next.

SPIA’s supplemental essay has long been the part of our application where we ask you to go beyond the other dimensions of the file and where we seek to get to know you on a more personal and individual basis. We all come from somewhere and it shapes us – both in who we become and what we value. We’re interested in your story and what shaped you. What do you value? This essay often helps us to further understand the person behind the paper.

This year, the Graduate School introduced the personal essay . The announcement of this essay reaffirms Princeton’s strong commitment to welcoming students from diverse backgrounds and experiences. It provides applicants an additional space to describe how their academic interests and life experiences will help them contribute to Princeton’s scholarly community. We hope to further understand how you will contribute to our tight-knit and vibrant campus community.

We understand there may be some similarities and overlap in how you interpret and write each essay. Our hope, of course, is that each essay will reveal something new and that each provides space and opportunity to translate through as rich and as full a description of your background, goals, and aspirations as possible. 

Through each of them, we are looking for you to tell us your story in the way that only you can.

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Public administration personal statement example.

Having various experiences of national and international institutions with mass experiences in the field of management besides other administrative experience, I would like to express my keen eagerness for getting admittance in the chevening scholarship for the academic year 2009-2010 in the field of Public Administration.

I am currently Risk manager (Market) at Centralbank of Afghanistan (Da Afghanistan Bank); I have completed my primary, secondary and high school education at Nanagarhar Afghanistan.

In addition, I had honor to be officially invited to participate in different regional and international conferences in Turkey, India and Pakistan. I have gone through many short term educational and technical courses and have had the opportunity to participate in various national and international trainings.

Besides I am president of AYIG (Afghan Youth Initiative Group). This is one of new established active associations in Afghanistan, working for peace through promoting and developing leadership training, arranging workshop, meeting and conferences among youths as well as I am lecturer of Economics subjects and English at karwan Karwan Inistitue.

I had thought English and Mathematic for more then two years in Arian English language Center and had the responsibility of back person for the general manager.

I am graduated from the Kabul University with B.A in Economics, during my study I started work with New Speen Ghar construction company as project and finance assistant as well as I joint AIESEC and I got key position their such as Team leader of External Relation, Vice President of Educational Exchange and MCP or National President of AIESEC in Afghanistan positions in very short time, AIESEC aims to developed the potential of youths at leadership and culture understating, by exchange program among Young's at more then 110 countries and 850 universities campus and introduce the young's with positive impact to communities.

As an Afghan citizen and social active, I know my country and the region well, and I am aware of my country and region' history, politics, sociology, local culture and especially socio-economic characteristics.

Afghanistan is now on its way toward reconstruction and rehabilitation despite of many challenges. And no doubt this process and breaking of these challenges needs educated Afghans, particularly youths who are valuable asset of community covering 75-80 % of the country population.

My academic background, aboard and inside work experience, and presences in various biggest international conferences in different European and Asian countries motivated me to gain more education and move forward for being able serve my country.

Therefore, attending this program will further enhance my higher education and cultural knowledge to comprehensively work for Afghanistan and utilize them for better future and prosperity of Afghanistan.

Hopefully after completion of this program in coming year I intend to work for the objectives of my professional career, which at the later stage transform to the objectives of my country in fighting against corruption and strengthening the economy of my country.

Therefore, I would like to request you for your assistance in providing me the opportunity of admittance in this program for further and higher education.

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

paserly's Comments

I write this statement about the strengthen of Economy by bringing transparency and accountability through education afghan youth.

I hope you guys give me some useful advice

This personal statement is unrated

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Cornell Brooks School MPA Application Tips: The Personal Statement

Tom O’Toole, Executive Director of the MPA Program, offers his perspective on making the personal statement section of your graduate school application truly stand out.

When it comes to graduate school admission, the personal statement/essay represents your chance to truly shine.  In addition to providing a tremendous opportunity to convey the quality of your writing to admissions committees, the personal statement allows you to highlight your purpose for pursuing graduate studies.  Here are a few tips for making sure your essay reaches its full potential:

1)  The Personal Statement is a Writing Sample : Some graduate schools require writing samples as part of their applications, and some do not.  For those that do not, the personal statement is the only sample of your writing that the admissions committee will see.   For this reason, it is important (particularly for a professional program where writing skills are essential), to tell your story in a clear, coherent manner, and to  proofread carefully .  Grammatical errors, typos, and colloquial language will severely diminish the professionalism and credibility of your statement.  These errors will also indicate that you do not invest much effort into representing yourself well.

3)  Graduate Admissions Committees are Immune to Guilt : Although admissions committees do look for evidence of resilience and perseverance in applicants, many applicants spend their entire statement conveying difficult personal circumstances they have had to overcome, and explaining why, because of these circumstances, they are deserving of admission.  This tells the committee very little about whether an applicant has the drive to succeed in graduate school, and many reviewers find being “guilted” into approving an application off-putting.  Focus instead on experiences that are directly relevant to your motivation for pursuing a specific graduate degree.

4)  Are you Ready for This?  Another common error in personal statements is conveying that graduate school is the “logical next step” in an applicant’s career.  Graduate schools want to admit bright, capable individuals who have a genuine interest in making intellectual contributions to their field.  They are not keen on admitting applicants who are pursuing graduate studies because they cannot figure out what to do with their lives, or are avoiding a difficult job market.  Graduate school is a rigorous, challenging commitment, and conveying that it is the “logical next step” in an applicant’s career doesn’t convey a strong clarity of purpose behind the application.

5)  Tailor:  One of the many problems associated with the “revolution” in electronic applications is that electronic submission encourages applicants to be generic.  The “point, click, apply” mentality that yields poor results on the internship/job market also yields poor results for many graduate school applicants.  Each statement should be tailored for the strengths of the individual program in question, (convincingly) citing faculty, courses, and specific initiatives that the applicant intends to leverage as a student.  Part of what admissions committees are looking for in applicants is intellectual capability, but they are also looking for “fit.”  As an exercise, if the applicant can replace the name of our program with any other MPA/MPP program in their statement, and the statement still makes sense, the statement isn’t well-tailored to a specific program.

6)  Tell us a New “Story”:  After reviewing several hundred applications, admissions officers find that each statement tends to run together because applicants rely on many of the same strategies to tell their story.  The trick is to balance professionalism and maturity with creativity.  Give us an example of how you resolved a problem using an interdisciplinary, entrepreneurial approach.  Discuss a public policy space that you feel would benefit from a new infusion of energy or ideas.  However you decide to tell your story, make it innovative.

If you have questions about attending the MPA Program at Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy, we encourage you to request more information  today!

Subscribe to our graduate education blog —  Public Policy in Action  —  for tips and tools related to pursuing a Master of Public Administration degree!

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• How to Write Your Personal Statement | Strategies & Examples

How to Write Your Personal Statement | Strategies & Examples

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

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

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

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

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

Urban Planning Psychology History

Table of contents

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

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

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

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

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

Strategy 1: Open with a concrete scene

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

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

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

Strategy 2: Open with your motivations

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

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

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

Tips for the introduction

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

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

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

Strategy 1: Describe your development over time

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

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

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

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

Strategy 2: Own your challenges and obstacles

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

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

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

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

Strategy 3: Demonstrate your knowledge of the field

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

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

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

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

Strategy 4: Discuss your professional ambitions

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

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

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

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

Tips for the main body

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

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

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

Strategy 1: What do you want to know?

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

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

Strategy 2: What do you want to do?

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

Tips for the conclusion

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Personal Statement for the Master’s in Public Administration

Are you trying to get admission for the master of public administration in a global university but have no idea how to write the personal statement? Need a sample personal statement for MPA that can help you with the writing process? Looking to find a suitable format for MPA personal statements to use for your own statement?

Well, if your answer is affirmative to all these questions, then you have come to the right place. We are a team of  professional personal statement writers . We have been helping students write exceptional personal statements for MPA for a decade.

We know how each personal statement for MPA needs to be written, formatted, and structured for maximum value in the eyes of the admission committee. We also know how the content must follow in the statement and how your candidature needs to be presented for better chances of admission. That’s why we are one of the best.

Master of Public Administration Personal Statement Examples

The possibility and execution of numerous medical procedures could never have been conceivable without the advancement of anesthesiology and its implementation in operating rooms. People always desire to be relieved of their pain, and anesthesiology has improved a huge number of individuals’ lives around the world. I was pursuing medicine, yet I had no clue about what to specialize in. While choosing which specialty to seek out and which fit best with my insight into medicine and my longing to practice, I tried to keep a receptive outlook toward the beginning of my third year. The way that anesthesiology consolidates the psychological obstacles of medicine with the involved approach of medical procedures has inspired me to keep considering and practicing medicine. Having the chance to collaborate with and look at various patients permits me to remain refreshed and keep up with my emphasis on the current turn of events. I’m trusting that the variety in anesthesiology will offer me the valuable chance to treat every patient exceptionally by putting my clinical preparation and creative plans to use.

A profoundly useful method for learning and investigating new things was clinical rotations. I saw many people with differing conditions and ailments who were wanting to rapidly recover. I addressed everybody in the ward, yet they didn’t hold my attention. I genuinely felt pleased with myself when I conversed with a patient named Gabriel. Because of schizophrenia and diabetes, he was admitted to the hospital. The attending doctor and I discussed the expected reasons for his raised glucose level. Notwithstanding my earlier orthopedic clinical rotations experience, I gave him a logical clarification for the new episodes in Gabriel’s day-to-day lives. It fulfilled me to become familiar with medicine and helped me have a positive outlook on utilizing what I had previously realized. Although internal medicine kept my brain dynamic, I was downright anxious and needed to be associated with the patients.

All through my clinical rotations, I came to realize what gives me joy and fulfillment. I conversed with a patient who had been treated for xxx (a sickness) before she went through a medical surgery. I consoled her by telling her that she could have a smooth surgery while we discussed her profession, her family, and her friends. A couple of days after that incident, I ran into her at the hospital, and she remembered me immediately. She showed me around her family while they were present. She said thanks to me for my time with her and her family and requested that I do likewise for her upcoming surgery. Something turned out badly during her second surgery, and I saw nurses running toward the operating room while the anesthesiologist called for help from different associates and endeavored to stabilize the patient. However, she succumbed to intestinal necrosis a week later. 

My communication with her permitted me to understand what and how I needed to practice medicine. I wanted to practice medicine in a manner that would empower me to foster close bonds with my patients. Rather than characterizing patients exclusively upon their sickness, I savored the opportunity to get to know and understand every single one of them personally. I found that anesthesiology was the best fit for my objectives. Both independence and backing are esteemed in this field. I will foster a more elevated level of confidence in the care I can provide for my patients. Furthermore, I need to utilize my anesthesiology experience to give patients the most ideal treatment while likewise offering their families solace and consideration. Since they put their trust in us with their lives, I believe it’s important to give them the regard and care they need.

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How to Write a Personal Statement for MPA?

Writing a winning, engaging, and focused personal statement for MPA for admission in any university in the world is a tough job. The more popular the university is, the better your statements need to be as you will face a lot of competition.Further, with the right focus and hard-work, you can surely create an impressive personal statement for MPA.However, a student has to understand that if you prepare well enough for the challenge, it can easily be met. What happens with most students is that they fail to prepare to write the statement. Hence, they fail.

But if you are willing to put in the right efforts, the following tips will help you:

• Getting to know the university requirements for the MPA statement
• Create a suitable strategy that you can follow to write the statement
• Find the most suitable MPA personal statement format to use
• Decide on the elements you want to include and not in the statement
• Start writing the process well in advance to make the statement better
• Seek someone’s help and advice to review the statement for quality

These tips can help you walk in the right direction while writing a personal statement. This will teach you how to go about making a genuinely impressive statement rather than relying on sample personal statements for MPA online.

What Makes Us the Best Name to Write A Personal Statement for MPA?

Every student that wants to get admission for MPA in any foreign university of repute needs to submit their application with an exceptional personal statement. While a personal statement for MPA alone cannot get you the admission, the document is extremely important for you to bolster your chances.

Over the years that we have worked with our students, we have provided them with exceptional service support when it comes to writing personal statements for MPA. This student-focused support has made us one of the best in the field.

And we can help you write inventive and engaging personal statements for MPA as well. And we do that with the help of our service qualities given below:

Unrivaled Quality

We are extremely adamant about the quality of the MPA personal statements that we offer. Whether we do deliver the statements in PDF or Doc formats, we keep the quality to be the best in the field. In order to do that, we integrate various quality systems into our statement writing processes.

Flexible Services

We know that different students would want to get different services from us. As we know this, we always provide our students with flexible services that can meet their expectations exactly. This client-specific approach has made us one of the best in the field to create customized MPA personal statements for admission.

Timely Deliverance

We know that the timely deliverance of personal statements is extremely important for the student and their application. Keeping this in our minds, we always deliver the statement even before the project deadline. This ensures that our students will have ample time to review the statement before it is submitted.

Samples and Formats

Many students want to see sample personal statements for MPA before associating with us. Being an experienced team, we have numerous sample and MPA personal statement formats with us. If our students need them to review it for our quality, we can deliver them in PDF and Doc formats.

Professional Team

We know that nothing beats an excellent team. Hence, we have taken great efforts to build an excellent team for our service offerings. The team has experienced writers who know how to write a personal statement for MPA creatively. The team also knows how to bring the best out of the given inputs from the students.

Customer Support

In our efforts to deliver our students with the best overall customer experience along with an impressive MPA personal statement, we have constituted a strong customer care team. Our students can contact the customer care team and get all their concerns addressed in the shortest time possible.

As you have seen, each of these qualities has helped us become one of the best places in the market to write winning personal statements for MPA. And we utilize these features to create a unique MPA personal statement for you, too.

Hire the Our Personal Statement Writing Help for MPA

We understand that the potential of public administration for better career and success makes it one of the most sought-after courses in any university. Hence, getting admission to such a course can be tougher than one can imagine. However, with our expertise and experience, you will be in a better position for admission.

As we have created thousands of personal statements, we can help you with writing an engaging MPA personal statement.

We can deliver you with a statement that is:

• Assertive of your candidature
• Creative to impress the university
• Developed from scratch for you
• Focused in your goals for value
• Checked with paid tools for quality

Apart from this, as per your singular requirements, we can create the best and most value-adding personal statement for you for MPA. As we work closely with you, we try to learn about your goals and aspirations in your career. We integrate these insights into the personal statement for MPA for more value.

Being a client-centric service provider, we can also deliver the best MPA personal statements in PDF and Doc as and when you need it.

Get more details about our offerings from our client support desk. Contact us!

What is a Master of Public Administration (MPA) personal statement?

An MPA personal statement is a written document that outlines your academic and professional background, career goals, and reasons for pursuing a Master of Public 

Administration degree.

Why is a personal statement important for my MPA application?

A well-crafted personal statement provides insight into your qualifications, motivations, and suitability for the MPA program, helping you stand out to admissions committees.

What should I include in my MPA personal statement?

Your personal statement should highlight your academic achievements, relevant work or volunteer experiences, your passion for public administration, and your career aspirations.

Can you assist me in creating a customized MPA personal statement that reflects my unique profile?

Yes, our team of experienced writers specializes in crafting personalized personal statements that showcase your individual strengths and aspirations.

Are your writers knowledgeable about the field of Public Administration?

Absolutely. Our writers have expertise in Public Administration and can effectively communicate your passion and understanding of the field.

How do I get started with your service?

To begin, simply reach out to us through our website or email. We will guide you through the process of ordering an MPA personal statement.

What is the typical turnaround time for receiving my completed personal statement?

The turnaround time depends on the complexity of your request and your specified deadline. We offer flexible delivery options to accommodate your needs.

Is my MPA personal statement guaranteed to be unique and free from plagiarism?

Yes, all personal statements we create are unique and written from scratch to reflect your individuality. We have strict quality control measures to ensure originality.

Vasuki Ram, senior writer and the founder of SOP Consultants is a B-tech Graduate who used to work in an MNC. Starting from 2013, she along with her team has assisted more than 10,000 students. Shift in her career was drastic. Read full story here.

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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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100+ Grad School Personal Statement Examples

by Talha Omer, MBA, M.Eng., Harvard & Cornell Grad

In personal statement samples by field | personal statements samples by university.

In this Article

Importance of a Strong Personal Statement

Purpose of this blog post, length and format, tone and style, general tips for success, computer science and engineering, economics and finance, management and business, healthcare and medicine, environment and sustainability, public affairs, international relations and politics, architecture, arts and film, mathematics and statistics, religion and philosophy, phd personal statement examples, scholarship & fellowship personal statements, word count-specific personal statements, prompt-specific grad school personal statements examples, academic achievements and experiences, research experiences, work and internship experiences, volunteer and community service, personal growth and overcoming challenges, future goals and career aspirations, research the program and faculty, emphasize alignment with program objectives, highlight unique program offerings, overused phrases and clichés , excessive self-praise, lack of focus or organization, consulting mentors, and advisors, incorporating feedback and refine, introduction.

A personal statement is essential in the graduate school application process, as it plays a significant role in shaping the admissions committee’s perception of you. In fact, a survey conducted by the Council of Graduate Schools revealed that 64% of graduate admissions officers consider the personal statement to be the most crucial factor in the admissions process. Furthermore, according to a study by Kaplan Test Prep, a well-crafted personal statement can boost an applicant’s chances of acceptance by up to 50%.

The personal statement’s importance stems from its ability to create a lasting impression on the admissions committee. 

Consider this: the admissions committee (adcom) does not know you personally. They have never met or spoken to you, nor have they ever interviewed you. They only know you through quantifiable aspects such as your GPA, test scores, and work experience. However, they lack insight into your thought processes, aspirations, background, and personal experiences. In essence, they need to connect with you on a personal level. The personal statement serves as a bridge, enabling the adcom, who are human beings themselves, to gain insight into your personality, motivations, and aspirations beyond your grades and test scores.

Time and again, adcoms at top universities emphasize the critical role of personal statements in their decision-making process. Drafting a personal statement is your opportunity to market yourself, showcasing your unique qualities and demonstrating your genuine interest in their program. By investing time and effort into creating a powerful personal statement, you can significantly enhance your chances of securing a place in your desired graduate program.

In this blog post, I will be sharing over 100 authentic graduate school personal statement examples from successful applicants across the globe who have secured admission to prestigious programs in the United States and across the world.

These samples encompass a wide range of fields, including MBA, Law, Medicine, Engineering, and Social Work, and originate from esteemed institutions such as Harvard, Stanford, and MIT. You will find examples of personal statements for various degrees, including MSc, MA, LLM, Residency, MBA, and PhD programs. You will also find examples of statements written by applicants who obtained fellowships, and scholarships. By sharing these diverse examples, I aim to achieve the following goals:

• Inspiration and guidance: I want to provide you guys with a wide range of personal statement examples to serve as inspiration and offer guidance for making your own statements.
• Addressing common topics: These samples will cover all the common personal statement elements, helping you understand how to effectively discuss your academic achievements, research experiences, work history, volunteer work, personal growth, and future goals.
• Tips for success: The post will also provide helpful tips on tailoring personal statements to specific graduate programs, avoiding common pitfalls, and seeking feedback to improve the final draft.
• Empowerment: Ultimately, the goal of sharing these for free is to empower you guys to create compelling and unique personal statements that will increase your chances of being accepted into your dream graduate program.

By providing this comprehensive resource, I hope to demystify the personal statement writing process and equip you with the tools and inspiration necessary to craft a captivating narrative that reflects your unique journey and aspirations. 

Personal Statement Basics

When writing your personal statement, it’s crucial to pay attention to three key areas: length and format, tone and style, and general tips for success.

It’s important to create a well-structured personal statement that adheres to the specified word count and follows proper formatting guidelines. Some programs, particularly MBA programs, might not request a single personal statement. Instead, they may pose several questions and require you to write a brief essay for each one. Such programs typically break down a personal statement into multiple short questions, expecting essay responses tailored to each query. 

As a result, it’s crucial to carefully read the guidelines before you start writing, as students often mistakenly create a single personal statement and try to tweak it for various programs without realizing that different requirements exist. By doing so, they lose time and waste considerable effort and energy. 

Adhering to instructions and responding appropriately will leave a positive impression on the admissions committee. To accomplish this, consider these key aspects:

• Word count: Most graduate programs provide guidelines on the desired length of personal statements, typically ranging from 500 to 2,000 words.Adhere to these limits to show that you can follow instructions and communicate concisely.
• Formatting: Use a clear and easy-to-read font (e.g., Times New Roman or Arial) at a standard size (e.g., 11 or 12 points) with 1-inch margins. Ensure your document is well-organized with paragraphs and headings where appropriate.
• Structure: Start with a strong opening paragraph that hooks the reader, followed by body paragraphs addressing the key topics, and conclude with a memorable closing paragraph that reinforces your main points. This structure will ensure a cohesive and engaging narrative that effectively communicates your experiences and aspirations to the admissions committee.

In terms of tone and style, your personal statement should strike a balance between professionalism and authenticity to effectively convey your unique experiences and perspective. To accomplish this, consider the following aspects:

• Professional and confident: Adopt a professional tone in your writing, using clear, concise language. Be confident in presenting your accomplishments without being overly boastful.
• Authentic and personal: Avoid overly formal or academic language that may make your writing feel impersonal. Showcasing your authentic self will help the admissions committee connect with you on a personal level.
• Engaging storytelling: Use storytelling techniques to make your personal statement more engaging and memorable. This can include anecdotes, vivid descriptions, and a strong narrative structure. Starting with a quote that is relevant to your story is also a good way to begin your personal statement.

Lastly, adhering to tried and tested tips can greatly improve your personal statement, ensuring you present a polished and compelling narrative that effectively showcases your strengths and aspirations to the admissions committee. Some general advice is as follows::

• Start early: Give yourself ample time to brainstorm, write, revise, and seek feedback on your personal statement. On average. Grad school applicants spend 20+ hours in perfecting a personal statement of 1000 words. Moreover, they have their personal statement reviewed and redrafted 5 times on average.  
• Be focused and organized: Clearly structure your personal statement, addressing the main topics and ensuring your narrative flows logically from one point to the next. A well-organized statement will demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively and coherently.
• Proofread and edit: Carefully review your personal statement for grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors. Use free tools like grammarly to remove any unwanted errors in your writing.
• Seek feedback: Share your personal statement with your mentors, or peers, to gather valuable feedback. I especially recommend that you show your essay to someone who has already gone through the process successfully as they know the ins and outs well. Then, incorporate this feedback to refine and strengthen your final draft.

To help you get started and see everything that I just discussed in action, here is a list of 100+ personal statement examples from successful graduate school applicants.

Grad School Personal Statement Examples by Field of Study

• Example Personal Statement Computer Science (Admitted to Oxford with Low GPA )
• Example Personal Statement Computer Science (Admitted to Stanford )
• Example Personal Statement Computer Science (Admitted to Cambridge PhD )
• Example Personal Statement Artificial Intelligence (Admitted to UCLA)
• Example Personal Statement Machine Learning (Admitted to Duke )
• Example Personal Statement Data Science and Analytics (Admitted to CMU )
• Example Personal Statement Data Analytics (Admitted to Georgia Tech )
• Example Personal Statement Advanced Analytics (Admitted to NCSU )
• Example Personal Statement Mechanical Engineering (Admitted to USC , Imperial )
• Example Personal Statement Economics (Admitted to LSE )
• Example Personal Statement Economics (Admitted to Oxbridge )
• Example Personal Statement Finance (Admitted to MIT Sloan )
• Example Personal Statement Financial Engineering (Admitted to UC Berkeley )
• Example Personal Statement Financial Engineering (Admitted to UCLA )
• Example Personal Statement Accounting & Finance (Admitted to Michigan University)
• Example Personal Statement Investment Banking (Admitted to UPenn )
• Example Personal Statement (Admitted to Georgetown )
• Example Personal Statement (Admitted to Harvard LLM )
• Example Personal Statement (Admitted to Northwestern )
• Example Personal Statement (Admitted to NYU , Duke )
• 8 MBA Personal Statements (All IVY LEAGUES )
• Example BA Essays ( INSEAD )
• Example MBA Essays ( Kellogg Northwestern )
• Example Personal Statement Operations Management (Admitted to MIT PHD)
• Example Personal Statement Management (Admitted to Duke )
• Example Personal Statement Marketing (Admitted to NYU , Cornell )
• Example Personal Statement Business Analytics (Admitted to MIT , CMU )
• Example Personal Statement Management & Analytics (Admitted to LBS )
• Example Personal Statement Project Management (Admitted to UT Austin )
• Example Personal Statement Logistics & Supply Chain (Admitted to Boston . Penn State )
• Example Personal Statement Supply Chain Management (Admitted to MIT )
• Example Personal Statement Teaching ( Scholarship US State Department)
• Example Education Personal Statement (Admitted to UPenn , NYU , UCLA )
• Example Personal Statement Education Policy (Admitted to USC )
• Example Personal Statement Special Education Teacher (Admitted to TUFTS )
• Example Personal Statement of an Aspiring Teacher (Admitted to American University )
• Example Personal Statement Residency in Internal Medicine (Admitted to ASU )
• Example Personal Statement Counseling (Admitted to Harvard , Yale )
• Example Personal Statement Psychology (Admitted to NYU Steinhardt)
• Example Personal Statement Nursing (Admitted to Duke , Ohio)
• Example Personal Statement Public Health (MPH) (Admitted to Columbia , Emory)
• Example Personal Statement Social Work (MSW) (Admitted to Columbia )
• Example Personal Statement Veterinary (Admitted to UC Davis , CSU , Edinburgh)
• Example Personal Statement Biochemistry (Admitted to Johns Hopkins )
• Example Personal Statement Biology (Admitted to JHU )
• Example Personal Statement Anthropology (Admitted to Stanford )
• Example Personal Statement Environment and Sustainability (admitted to Stanford , CALTECH )
• Example Personal Statement Environmental Sustainability and Energy Management (Admitted to Yale , Duke )
• Example Personal Statement International Relations (Admitted to Columbia , Cornell )
• Example Personal Statement Political Science (Admitted to Duke , UCLA , NYU )
• Example Personal Statement Public Administration MPA (Admitted to Columbia , Harvard )
• Example Personal Statement Public Policy MPP (Admitted to Harvard , Brown , Erasmus Mundus Scholarship )
• Example Personal Statement Architecture (Admitted to Cambridge , Cornell , Yale )
• Example Personal Statement MFA (Admitted to New School and Rhode Island )
• Example Personal Statement in Filmmaking (Admitted to New York Film Academy )
• Example Personal Statement Fashion and Textile (Admitted to Parsons , Royal College of Arts )
• Example Personal Statement Math (Admitted to Oxbridge )
• Example Personal Statement Statistics (Admitted to NCSU , Cornell )
• Example Personal Statement Religious Studies (Admitted to Columbia , Harvard )
• Example Personal Statement 1 (Admitted to MIT )
• Example Personal Statement 2 (Admitted to Cambridge )
• Example Research Statement (Admitted to JHU )
• Example Statement of Research Interests (Admitted to Scripps )
• Example Statement of Objectives (Admitted to MIT )
• Example Personal StatemenT MS leading to Ph.D. (Admitted to Notre Dame )

These essays are written by applicants who are seeking financial aid or funding to support their graduate studies. In most cases, the program does not require a separate essay or application for the scholarship or fellowship, but in a few cases they do.

Most external donors do require a separate application such as the Fulbright program.

The purpose of these essays is to convince the selection committee that the applicant is the best candidate for the scholarship or fellowship.

• Scholarship Personal Statement Example (Won $250,000 Scholarship )
• Scholarship Personal Statement Example (Won Erasmus Mundus Scholarship )
• Fellowship Personal Statement Example (Won MIT Sloan Fellowship )
• Scholarship Personal Statement Example 1 (Won Fulbright Scholarship )
• Scholarship Personal Statement Example 2 (Won Fulbright Scholarship )

Word Count-Specific Personal Statements have a specific word count limit, which must be adhered to by the applicant. These are often required as part of graduate school applications, where the admissions committee wants to ensure that all applicants are providing the same amount of information and not exceeding or falling short of the specified word count.

Writing a word count-specific personal statement can be challenging, as applicants must balance providing enough detail to adequately convey their story and goals, while also being concise and staying within the specified limit. However, meeting the word count requirement is essential for demonstrating an applicant’s ability to communicate effectively, follow instructions, and prioritize information.

Here are a few examples of word-count specific personal statements.

• 100 Word Personal Statement Example
• 150 Word Personal Statement Example
• 200 Word Personal Statement Example
• 250 Word Personal Statement Example
• 300 Word Personal Statement Example
• 400 Word Personal Statement Example
• 500 Word Personal Statement Example
• 600 Word Personal Statement Example
• 700 Word Personal Statement Example
• 750 Word Personal Statement Example
• 800 Word Personal Statement Example
• 1000 Word Personal Statement Example

Prompt specific personal statements are statements that are tailored to answer a specific question or prompt in a personal statement. These statements are typically used in graduate school applications, especially MBA apps. These essays usually have a word-limit as well.

The purpose of a question specific personal statement is to demonstrate to the admissions committee that the applicant has the skills, knowledge, and experience required to succeed in the program. By directly addressing the prompt or question, the applicant can provide a focused and coherent response that highlights their relevant qualities and accomplishments.

For example, if a prompt asks an applicant to discuss their leadership experience, a question specific personal statement would focus on describing specific instances where the applicant demonstrated leadership skills and qualities, such as problem-solving, decision-making, and effective communication.

Here are some samples on Question or Prompt Specific Personal Statements.

• Prompt-specific Personal Statement on Career Goals
• Prompt-specific Personal Statement on Values that have Influenced You
• Prompt-specific Personal Statement on Leadership
• Prompt-specific Personal Statement on 25 Things You Don’t Know About Me
• Prompt-specific Personal Statement on Describe a Challenge you Faced and How you Overcame it?
• Prompt-specific Personal Statement on My Passion in Life
• Prompt-specific Personal Statement on Why do you want to become a doctor?
• Prompt-specific Personal Statement Example 1 ( Responses to 6 Prompts for Fellowship)
• Prompt-specific Personal Statement Example 2 ( Responses to 5 Prompts for Duke)
• Prompt-specific Personal Statement Example 3 ( Responses to 3 Prompts for MIT)
• Prompt-specific Personal Statement Example 4 ( Responses to 4 Prompts for LBS)
• Prompt-specific Personal Statement Example 5 ( Responses to 4 Prompts for UC Berkeley)
• Prompt-specific Personal Statement Example 6 ( Responses to 4 Prompts for MIT)

Addressing Common Personal Statement Components

In this section, I will explore the various components that commonly make up a well-rounded personal statement.I have also discussed these in a lot more detail in a blog post here . In that post, I have also shared various examples of personal statements that show how you can put these components in an essay form. Furthermore, that blog post also introduces an 8-point framework designed to assist you in evaluating and rating your personal statement draft.

When applying for graduate programs that are academic in nature, such as PhD, Master of Science, or Master of Arts, it’s essential to emphasize your academic achievements and experiences in your personal statement. To effectively showcase your educational background, you can do the following:

• Highlight relevant coursework: Discuss courses that have prepared you for graduate study and demonstrate your passion for the subject.
• Showcase your academic accomplishments: Mention awards, honors, high GPA, or scholarships you’ve received, and explain their significance.
• Share influential academic experiences: Describe any conferences, workshops, or seminars you’ve attended, and explain how they’ve shaped your understanding of your field.

When applying for research-oriented programs such as PhD, post-doc, or research-based masters, it’s crucial to emphasize your research background, experiences, and achievements in your personal statement. To effectively highlight your research accomplishments, consider including the following in your personal statement:

• Describe your research projects: Outline the relevant research you’ve conducted, including the objectives, methodology, and results.
• Emphasize your role: Detail your specific contributions (co-contributor, co-author, lead researcher) to the research project, highlighting your skills and expertise.
• Discuss the impact: Explain how your research has contributed to the field (maybe you got published in a journal, got a patent or published a white paper). You can also discuss how it influenced your career goals.

When composing your personal statement, it’s a good idea to show your work and internship experiences, as they highlight your practical skills and dedication to your chosen field. These experiences are especially significant for those applying to professional programs such as MBA, Project Management, and Masters in Engineering. 

However, they can also add considerable value to applications for academic or research-based programs. To effectively emphasize your work experiences and their relevance to your graduate studies, take into account the following aspects:

• Detail relevant experiences: Discuss any internships, part-time jobs, or full-time positions related to your field, highlighting the skills you’ve gained.
• Demonstrate transferable skills: Show how your work experience has equipped you with valuable skills (e.g., teamwork, leadership, problem-solving) that can be applied to your graduate studies.
• Share meaningful moments: Describe any significant projects, accomplishments, or challenges you’ve encountered during your work experience that have shaped your perspective or goals.

In your personal statement, highlighting your volunteer and community service experiences can be a valuable addition, particularly for programs that emphasize social impact or community engagement, such as social work, public health, or education.

These experiences demonstrate your commitment to making a difference, and they showcase your ability to apply the skills and knowledge gained in real-world situations. Additionally, they reflect your extroverted nature, openness to new ideas, and willingness to engage with people from diverse backgrounds. 

Emphasizing your involvement in volunteer work and community service not only reveals your personal growth and alignment with your field of study but also highlights your ability to work collaboratively, appreciate different perspectives, and contribute positively to society. To give you some idea, you can demonstrate your service to the community by doing the following in your personal statement:

• Showcase your involvement: Discuss volunteer work, community service, or extracurricular activities you’ve participated in that are relevant to your field of study or personal growth.
• Emphasize personal growth: Describe the impact of these experiences on your personal development, such as gaining empathy, cultural competence, or leadership skills.
• Connect to your field: Explain how your volunteer or community service experiences relate to your graduate studies and future career aspirations.

By sharing the obstacles you’ve faced and the lessons you’ve learned from them, you demonstrate your resilience, adaptability, and motivation. Connecting these experiences to your academic and career goals will further emphasize your determination to succeed in your chosen field and your readiness for the rigors of graduate study. Here are some ideas to get you started with this:

• Share your story: Discuss any personal challenges or obstacles you’ve faced and how they’ve shaped your character, values, or motivations.
• Demonstrate resilience: Explain how you’ve overcome these challenges and what you’ve learned from the experience.
• Relate to your academic and career goals: Show how your personal growth and experiences have influenced your decision to pursue graduate studies and your future career aspirations.

Your personal statement should also address your future goals and career aspirations. You should discuss both your short-term (3-5 year) and long-term (10-15 year) goals in your grad school personal statement. 

Explain the motivation behind them, and connect these goals to the graduate program you’re applying to. This will show that you have a clear plan for your academic and professional journey, and that the program is an essential stepping stone toward achieving your goals. Here is a helping hand that will assist you include this element in your essay.

• Outline your short-term and long-term goals: Discuss your objectives for both your graduate studies and your future career, demonstrating a clear vision of your path.
• Explain your passion and motivation: Share the driving forces behind your goals, showcasing your enthusiasm and dedication to your field of study.
• Connect your goals to the graduate program: Illustrate how the specific graduate program you’re applying to will help you achieve your academic and career objectives.

Tailoring your Personal Statement for Specific Schools

One common mistake that applicants make is submitting a generic personal statement to multiple programs. This can significantly reduce their chances of admission. 

Universities appreciate when applicants have taken the time to research the specific program, courses, faculty, and research facilities, demonstrating genuine interest and effort. 

While it’s acceptable to have a core personal statement that outlines your personal story, achievements, and interests, it’s crucial to tailor part of the essay to the particular program you are applying to. By customizing your personal statement, you show the admissions committee that you’ve done your homework.

Here I have some suggestions for you that you can use to tailor your personal statement for the specific program.

To tailor your personal statement for specific schools, it’s essential to thoroughly research the program and faculty at each institution. This involves exploring the program’s curriculum, core and optional course offerings, summer internship placement opportunities, industry-affiliated projects that are available, faculty research interests, and the school’s overall reputation in your field. By understanding these aspects, you can demonstrate your genuine interest in the program and highlight how your background and goals align with the faculty and coursework offered.

Once you have a solid understanding of the program and faculty, emphasize the alignment between your own values, objectives, and the program’s values and objectives in your personal statement. This can include showcasing your commitment to the program’s core principles, highlighting your passion for the program’s focus areas, and demonstrating your enthusiasm for working with particular faculty members on research or projects that align with your interests.

Each graduate program may have unique offerings that set it apart from others, such as specialized courses, research centers, or industry partnerships. In your personal statement, highlight these distinctive features and explain how they will benefit you. By doing this, you show the admissions committee that you have carefully considered the program’s offerings and have a clear understanding of how they will contribute to your academic and professional growth.

Personal Statement Pitfalls to Avoid

When writing your personal statement, you should be watchful of common traps that can diminish the impact of your narrative. Avoiding these mistakes will help you create a nice, well-rounded and unique story that will stand out to the adcom.

I have also discussed these in a lot more detail in a blog post here . In that post, I have also shared various examples of personal statements that avoid these traps and some that fall for them.

Here are some critical pitfalls to avoid:

Avoid relying on common phrases or clichés in your personal statement. Nearly all the personal statement templates use clichés like, such as “I’ve always known that I wanted to…”, “I have a thirst for knowledge.”, “I want to give back to society.”, “Ever since I can remember…”. These can make your writing appear as copy paste, dull and boring. Instead, you should try to be creative and unique and use expressions that genuinely reflect your own individual experiences and motivations.

While it’s essential to showcase your achievements and strengths, be cautious not to overdo self-promotion. Overly boastful or self-aggrandizing language can be off-putting to the reader and you could come across as arrogant and self-conceited. Focus on presenting your accomplishments and experiences in a balanced and authentic manner, highlighting the impact and the lessons learned from them. In short, stay humble.

A disorganized or unfocused personal statement can make it difficult for the admissions committee to grasp your main points or understand your narrative. Ensure your personal statement is well-structured, with clear coherence between paragraphs and a logical progression of ideas. Stay focused on only talking about experiences that are relevant to your field of study. However, if you want to talk about something that you feel is important for the application but is not relevant to the chosen program, just touch upon it in your essay.

Again, I would recommend you to go through this post where I have delved deeper into the things you should avoid. Additionally, in that post I have also provided you with a 7-point framework that you can use to circumvent the common pitfalls often encountered in personal statements.

Seeking Feedback and Revising Your Personal Statement

Before submitting your personal statement, it’s essential to seek and incorporate feedback. Applicants who create successful personal statements spend 20 hours on average on creating the perfect essay. You should consult mentors, advisors, and peers, to refine your narrative. This section will guide you through the process of seeking feedback and making revisions to optimize your personal statement.

Seek input from individuals who know you well and have experience with the application process. I would also recommend that you should ask feedback from people who have successfully gone through the process in the past. Their feedback can help you identify areas for improvement, and ensure your narrative aligns properly.

After receiving feedback from various sources, take the time to thoughtfully consider their suggestions and incorporate them into your personal statement. Remember that not all feedback may be applicable or useful, so use your judgment to determine which revisions will enhance your narrative. Continue refining your personal statement through multiple drafts, ensuring your final version presents a polished and compelling story that showcases your strengths and aspirations.

I hope that these 100+ personal statement examples for graduate school and all the associated tips will provide you with the inspiration, guidance, and ideas you need to create a captivating narrative of your own. As you embark on this journey, remember that dedication, self-reflection, and resilience are key to putting up a persuasive narrative. Remember, there is no short-cut to success. Good luck, and we can’t wait to see where your academic journey takes you!

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Woodrow Wilson School MPA and MPP Personal Statement

posted on November 12, 2015

“Your personal statement should showcase your strengths and provide an overview of your background, goals, academic and professional aspirations, and a commitment to public service. The personal statement should be approximately two to four pages. If you wish to address any weaknesses in your application, it is better to write a separate, succinct, fact-based explanation as an addendum.” You have two to four pages to say what you need to say, which is a wide range and gives you space to work with. Just because they give you four pages doesn’t mean you  need to fill the full four pages. A well written and concise statement is better than filling it the to the max. Let’s start with the last phrase which is critical to this application component, “ a commitment to public service .” Think hard about what your commitment to public service actually is. What they’re really asking is: what draws you to this work?  Why have you chosen to pursue a career in public service? When answering, don’t fall into platitudes, like “I want to serve my country” or “I care about using policy to improve the lives of others.” Go personal. The personal statement is the place where your application comes alive and you become more than test scores and transcripts. If you’re having trouble articulating what it is that really motivates you, sit down with a friend or family member and have them interview you, probing for stories that have influenced you along the way. This should draw out the elements of public service that stimulate you the most, the elements that cause you to want to get up in the morning and work long days. Again, the more personal the better. Show the depth of your personality and the basis for your commitment to public service. “ Goals, academic and professional aspirations . “ This is another section that trips up many applicants. Make sure you’re clear in your goals, that you describe them in a compelling way, and that they make sense, particularly for this program. Academic and professional aspirations may be slightly different from other goals or they may be one and the same; I find it most helpful to think of them all together. One way to tackle this is to lay out 3, 5, 10 and 20 year goals. You may not choose to write about all of them, but it’s a way to think about where you’re going, where you want to end up, and everything along the way. Once you think you have a good set of goals to include in the personal statement, run them by someone else alongside the articulation of your commitment to public service and make sure the two complement each other. Finally, your   talk about your  background . This is just another space Woodrow Wilson is allowing you to tell your story. Hopefully, your answer is linked to your commitment to public service and you can tell them about where you come from and/or what you’ve done academically and professionally. How does what you are saying support the arc, or continuity, of your story? You want the admissions officer reading your statement to get a sense of you as a person, what makes you tick and why. You want to give them facts that support your claims and goals. Don’t regurgitate your resume or your transcripts–they have those in front of them. If you need ideas, mention a job you had or a course you took (only if you have more to say about it). Was it a pivotal time for you? Did it shift they way you thought about something? If yes, then feel free to mention. Finally, think about this: if you had 3 minutes of time in front of the person making the decision about your acceptance, would what you say to sway them? Why you? Make sure to include this in your personal statement. (Note: Contrary to some other programs that may encourage you to address weaknesses in your application in the personal statement, WWS specifically tells you not to do this and instead discuss those in an addendum. Pay attention to this and don’t include this in the Statement. Following the rules is the #1 rule of these applications.) Once you feel happy with the content of your statement, have a few friends read it over to make sure they come away with the message you intended. Ask them what their take-aways were after reading your statement and what they’ve learned about you as an applicant. This will provide valuable insight into how compelling your essay is. After you’ve made any adjustments these conversations generate, next ask 2-3 people (and it could be the same people) to read it over for grammar errors and typos. There is no excuse for these mistakes in your personal statement. Don’t give the admissions officer any reason to discount your otherwise great story! 

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Writing the Personal Statement

The personal statement, your opportunity to sell yourself in the application process, generally falls into one of two categories: 

The general, comprehensive personal statement:  This allows you maximum freedom in terms of what you write and is the type of statement often prepared for standard medical or law school application forms. 

• The response to very specific questions: Often, business and graduate school applications ask specific questions, and your statement should respond specifically to the question being asked. Some business school applications favor multiple essays, typically asking for responses to three or more questions. 

What's special, unique, distinctive, and/or impressive about you or your life story? 

What details of your life (personal or family problems, history, people or events that have shaped you or influenced your goals) might help the committee better understand you or help set you apart from other applicants? 

When did you become interested in this field and what have you learned about it (and about yourself) that has further stimulated your interest and reinforced your conviction that you are well suited to this field? What insights have you gained? 

How have you learned about this field—through classes, readings, seminars, work or other experiences, or conversations with people already in the field? 

If you have worked a lot during your college years, what have you learned (leadership or managerial skills, for example), and how has that work contributed to your growth? 

What are your career goals? 

Are there any gaps or discrepancies in your academic record that you should explain (great grades but mediocre LSAT or GRE scores, for example, or a distinct upward pattern to your GPA if it was only average in the beginning)? 

Have you had to overcome any unusual obstacles or hardships (for example, economic, familial, or physical) in your life? 

What personal characteristics (for example, integrity, compassion, and/or persistence) do you possess that would improve your prospects for success in the field or profession? Is there a way to demonstrate or document that you have these characteristics? 

What skills (for example, leadership, communicative, analytical) do you possess? 

Why might you be a stronger candidate for graduate school—and more successful and effective in the profession or field than other applicants? 

What are the most compelling reasons you can give for the admissions committee to be interested in you? 

If you are applying to several schools, you may find questions in each application that are somewhat similar. 

Don't be tempted to use the same statement for all applications. It is important to answer each question being asked, and if slightly different answers are needed, you should write separate statements. In every case, be sure your answer fits the question being asked. 

• Think in terms of showing or demonstrating through concrete experience. One of the worst things you can do is to bore the admissions committee. If your statement is fresh, lively, and different, you'll be putting yourself ahead of the pack. If you distinguish yourself through your story, you will make yourself memorable.
• Don't, for example, state that you would make an excellent doctor unless you can back it up with specific reasons. Your desire to become a lawyer, engineer, or whatever should be logical, the result of a specific experience that is described in your statement. Your application should emerge as the logical conclusion to your story.
• If you're like most people, your life story lacks drama, so figuring out a way to make it interesting becomes the big challenge. Finding an angle or a "hook" is vital.
• The lead or opening paragraph is generally the most important. It is here that you grab the reader's attention or lose it. This paragraph becomes the framework for the rest of the statement.
• The middle section of your essay might detail your interest and experience in your particular field, as well as some of your knowledge of the field. Too many people graduate with little or no knowledge of the nuts and bolts of the profession or field they hope to enter. Be as specific as you can in relating what you know about the field and use the language professionals use in conveying this information. Refer to experiences (work, research, etc.), classes, conversations with people in the field, books you've read, seminars you've attended, or any other source of specific information about the career you want and why you're suited to it. Since you'll have to select what you include in your statement, the choices you make are often an indication of your judgement.
• There are certain things best left out of personal statements. For example, references to experiences or accomplishments in high school or earlier are generally not a good idea. Don't mention potentially controversial subjects (for example, controversial religious or political issues).
• If a school wants to know why you're applying to it rather than another school, do some research to find out what sets your choice apart from other universities or programs. If the school setting would provide an important geographical or cultural change for you, this might be a factor to mention.
• Be meticulous. Type and proofread your essay very carefully. Many admissions officers say that good written skills are command of correct use of language are important to them as they read these statements. Express yourself clearly and concisely. Adhere to stated word limits.
• A medical school applicant who writes that they are good at science and want to help other people is not exactly expressing an original thought. Stay away from often-repeated or tired statements.

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• Postgraduate Personal Statements

Written by Ben Taylor

Once you’ve found the perfect Masters programme, the next step is to begin the application process. You’ll usually have to write a postgraduate personal statement that highlights your strengths, skills and experience, giving you the perfect opportunity to sell yourself and to show the admissions tutor that you’ll thrive at their university.

This page provides some practical tips on writing a successful personal statement for a Masters application, from the typical structure to avoidable mistakes – along with some examples of what to do and what not to do! We’ve also included links to several postgraduate personal statement examples in subjects including Business, Psychology and International Relations.

On this page

What is a masters personal statement.

If you’re applying for a Masters, it’s likely that you’ve already written a personal statement for a Bachelors degree and will have a good idea of how one works. Normally, a Masters personal statement won’t be wildly different to what you wrote back then.

You should say why you’re applying for this particular course and institution , talking about what makes it such an appealing place to study. Perhaps there’s a member of staff who you’re especially excited about working with, or a unique element of the curriculum that jumps out at you.

Demonstrate how and why you are invested in your subject. It’s important to mention your academic and employment history, explaining its impact on your choice of a postgraduate course.

What should I include in a Masters personal statement?

Give examples of some of the skills and experience you’ve developed at university or at work, and how they’ll help you succeed with a Masters degree. These could include:

• Time management
• Communication
• Internships
• Public engagement
• Conference attendance
• Relevant extracurricular activities

Your personal statement is an opportunity to write about your future career goals, and how you think this Masters will help you achieve them. You can also discuss preliminary ideas you might have for your Masters dissertation , giving the admissions tutor an indication of the specialist knowledge you have in your discipline.

If there are any significant gaps in your education or employment, you should offer a brief explanation of those extenuating situations (for example, illness or a gap year). Don’t dwell on any unfortunate circumstances though – always strike a positive, optimistic tone.

In most (but not all) cases, you’ll apply directly to the university for a Masters rather than through a centralised system like UCAS. This means you can tailor each personal statement to the institution and programme in question (rather than submitting a single personal statement for five courses, like at undergraduate level in the UK).

You don’t necessarily have to a completely new personal statement for each Masters programme you apply to (there will usually be a degree of overlap between them), but it’s worth putting the extra effort in to make sure your application doesn’t seem like a generic copy-and-paste job to the admissions tutor reading it. You can do this by mentioning the university and department by name, and by providing specific examples of their syllabus that you find intriguing. Pay attention to what makes this particular Masters unique and refer to this in your statement.

How long should a Masters personal statement be?

When writing a postgraduate personal statement, you should aim for a word count of around 500 words (one A4 side of text). Some universities will have more specific requirements, however – for example, they might ask you to submit your personal statement via a form on their website with a character limit.

The relatively short nature of a Masters personal statement means that you should focus on being as succinct as possible, getting straight to the point and avoiding unnecessary detail.

Frequently asked questions about Masters applications

If you have any other questions or concerns about applying for a Masters, our FAQ page features lots of useful information on the application process and beyond. Find out more .

How should I write a personal statement?

How you write your personal statement is just as important as the content; a clear, structured statement is proof of your ability to communicate effectively.

These are some of the most essential attributes of a successful postgraduate personal statement:

• Positive, enthusiastic language
• Professional tone of voice
• Compelling evidence to back up your claims
• Concise and clear sentences

Meanwhile, this is a list of the tendencies to avoid in your personal statement:

• Clichés – think of a way to put it that the admissions tutor won’t have seen lots of times before!
• Waffle – don’t use meandering, vague sentences
• Poor spelling and grammar – check, check and check again, running it past someone with a trustworthy pair of eyes

Don't : After falling in love with the Artemis Fowl series as a young child I have been driven to pursue the study of literature and I think your Masters would be the perfect place for me to continue my journey, given it’s world-leading status and your outstanding academic staff who’s expertise is aligned with my own personal interest in novels and poetry.

Do : Since graduating in 2015 with a First in Advertising from the University of Ogdenville, I’ve been working full-time as a copywriter for Hutz&co (one of Shelbyville’s largest marketing agencies). I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time at the company, learning a great deal about the importance of clear, compelling language. I’ve honed the communication skills I developed at university and feel well-equipped to continue my studies at North Haverbrook University.

Don’t make the mistake of using your undergraduate personal statement as a template for your Masters application. A Masters is a big step up from your undergraduate degree, and the admissions tutor will be looking for evidence that you’ve developed academically since then. Find out more about the differences between undergraduate and postgraduate courses .

Always give yourself enough time to complete your personal statement (and the application process in general) well before the deadline — don’t leave things to the last minute! It’s crucial to get another pair of eyes on your statement, so ask a friend or relative to proofread the text. It’s also worth checking if you have access to a careers adviser through your current (or previous) university who can help you with the application.

How should I structure a personal statement?

By carefully structuring your personal statement, you’ll present the admissions tutor with a logical and easy-to-follow text that shows exactly why you’re a perfect fit for a Masters. Make sure there’s a clear thread of argument linking each paragraph – avoid jumping from topic to topic.

Jot down a short plan before you begin working on the statement (don’t make it up as you go along!). In general, you should aim to write around five or six paragraphs, covering three broad categories:

• An attention-grabbing introduction that sums up your academic and employment background. Don’t be tempted to use a gimmicky inspirational quote or cheesy opener, you’ll stand out for all the wrong reasons!
• An engaging middle section that expands on your interests and provides concrete evidence of your strengths and skills.
• A concise conclusion that draws together the most important elements of your application and will leave a lasting, positive impression of your motivation for study on this particular Masters programme.

Bear in mind that admissions tutors will be reading dozens (if not hundreds) of personal statements. They’ll appreciate a well-organised, methodical text that signposts all the significant parts of your experience and skills.

Postgraduate personal statement examples

We’ve written a selection of postgraduate personal statement samples for several popular subjects.

If you’re working on a personal statement for your Masters application, hopefully they’ll give you some inspiration – but don’t forget that they’re certainly not a substitute for your own unique experiences and background!

• Business Studies
• Computer Science
• Data Science
• Engineering
• Forensic Psychology
• Graphic Design
• International Relations
• Library Science
• Public Administration
• Public Health

Want more advice on postgraduate applications?

Check out our full guide to applying for a Masters or visit our pages on entry requirements and postgraduate references .

Find your perfect Masters!

Search from over 20,000 Masters degrees on our website to find one that is right for you

Our postgrad newsletter shares courses, funding news, stories and advice

Thinking of applying for a Masters? Our guide explains the process, personal statements, references and deadlines for Masters applications.

The main requirement to apply for a Masters is usually a Bachelors degree in a relevant subject. Our guide explains the admissions requirements for postgraduate courses.

You may need a language certificate to apply for a Masters abroad. A range of tests are accepted in different countries around the world.

Applying for a Masters can feel a bit daunting. Here is a checklist of all the things you need to do to make sure you have everything covered in your Masters application.

Masters programmes are delivered in English at universities around the world, but you may need to submit a test score if this isn't your first language. Common tests include the IELTS, TOEFL, PTE and Cambridge English.

Find out more about how different graduate entry tests for Masters degrees work, with information on the GMAT, GRE and other admissions exams.

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StatementWritingHelp.com by  Dr. Robert Edinger Helping Applicants Since 1995   [email protected]

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I invite you to fill out my I nterview Form at this link. Even if you have a draft, the information on the interview form is often helpful and serves as the basis for me to make creative improvements to the statement. I spend more time with the statement for my premium service customers at US$299.00 ; this is especially true when it comes to making major contributions to creative ideas. My standard service at US$199.00 is for clients who already have a well-developed draft that they need to have tweaked. My premium service is for those clients who want my ultimate effort and further revision after making changes. 

• Sep 23, 2023

Master's Public Administration Personal Statement, Healthcare

Updated: May 22

Earning the MPA degree is more than just a logical or natural progression of my academic path. At my current academic level, I have quickly exhausted every path of challenge and promotion in my professional career, and I seek to participate in progressive change, on a macro scale. Hence, I aspire to fulfill a lead role in a hospital or government health agency, developing and implementing viable - sustainable - programs that keep costs under control without compromising quality of care.

There is a distinct need for greater efficiency, streamlining health administration to enhance health outcomes. I am excited to pursue an MPA Program that will allow me to become an agent of progress in healthcare. With healthcare reform coming into play in recent times, the opportunity to contribute positively to the system is enormous. By increasing my knowledge of existing healthcare systems, and actively addressing the social issues that are pertinent today, I can become a part of the change that is needed in healthcare. I am confident that the MPA Program will enable me to develop logically and critically and facilitate my contribution to this noble cause. I am committed to taking the next step in my professional development by pursuing an MPA degree. This program will provide me with the opportunity to learn about the latest trends in legal issues, public policies, healthcare marketing and resource development. By investing in my education, I will be better equipped to serve my community and contribute to positive social change.

As a BS in Health Science graduate with a focus on healthcare administration, I am eager to continue my education in the field of public administration. The MPA program will allow me to build upon my existing foundation in public health administration and policy, community health planning and evaluation, economics, bioethics, and health services and systems. This program will enable me to sharpen my skills and gain essential knowledge to take my career to the next level.

As an aspiring MPA Program applicant, I am excited to delve into a curriculum that covers a broad range of topics ranging from the practical to the theoretical. What draws me most to this program is the opportunity to discuss ethics, as well as the appreciation of fiscal issues. Additionally, the prospect of building a keen sense of community is integral to student success, so I look forward to engaging in meaningful discussions and exchanging ideas with my fellow students.

My passion for healthcare administration grew out of my decade-long career in pharmacy, where I witnessed firsthand the ins and outs of the medical industry. I have gained invaluable insights into the complexities of healthcare insurance companies, and I know that I can make a difference with my extensive experience and knowledge. I am eager to explore new opportunities to expand my skills and work with like-minded professionals. The MPA program is the perfect opportunity to build a solid foundation in healthcare management and fulfill my ambitions of making a positive impact within my community.

As an MPA Program applicant, I understand the importance of keeping the needs of the community at the forefront of everything we do. Having spent over a decade as a pharmacy professional, I have developed an elevated understanding of the importance of serving others and I'm passionate about making a difference. In choosing this program, I hope to hone my skills and develop new ones that will allow me to have an even greater impact on the community I serve.

I am passionate about finding ways to serve the community and make a positive impact. Many seniors are struggling to survive with their social security benefits and are unable to afford the prescribed medications they need. This leads to them taking their medications less often or not at all. It is important to address this issue and find solutions to ensure that everyone has access to the medication they need to live a healthy life.

As an aspiring healthcare professional, I recognize the importance of providing quality healthcare services to communities in need. It is my calling to make a difference and help create a positive impact on society. My community, clients, and neighbors have inspired me to pursue a Master of Public Administration degree, which will provide me with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively advocate for better healthcare delivery. I hope to use my education to help ensure that everyone has easier access to the healthcare services they deserve.

Master's Public Administration Personal Statement

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Crowdstrike windows outage—what happened and what to do next.

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A CrowdStrike update is breaking computers running Windows, causing them to crash and display the ... [+] Blue Screen of Death.

A CrowdStrike update is breaking computers running Windows, causing them to crash and display the blue screen of death. Across industries, companies around the world haven’t been able to reboot, according to reports. Firms affected by the outage include Sky News, which has been unable to broadcast .

Concerned users have taken to forums such as Reddit to report the issue, with one user saying: “Wow, stuck in a boot loop, and entire org taken out.”

So if you got into work this morning and were met by, frankly, carnage, know that you are not alone. Here’s what happened and what to do next.

What Happened

As you might have gathered, an issue with CrowdStrike cybersecurity software is causing the widespread global issue. Engineers at the company said they are working on the issue, which affects its Falcon Sensor product. CrowdStrike calls Falcon “the CrowdStrike platform purpose-built to stop breaches via a unified set of cloud-delivered technologies that prevent all types of attacks—including malware and much more.”

The IT outage has affected airports, businesses and broadcasters, according to the Sky News website. Planes have been grounded in the U.S., trains in the U.K. are impacted, as well as boarding scanners at Edinburgh airport in Scotland.

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Microsoft said it is taking “mitigation actions” after service issues it said started at about 6 p.m. Eastern Time. The company says it is investigating issues with cloud services in the U.S. and “an issue impacting several of its apps and services,” Sky News reported.

“We are aware of a scenario in which customers experience issues with their machines causing a bug check (blue screen) due to a recent CrowdStrike update,” a Microsoft spokesperson said. “We recommend customers to follow guidance provided by CrowdStrike.”

While initial reports focused on a dodgy update, a user named Brody, who is director of CrowdStrike Overwatch, posted on X (formerly Twitter) that it is “a faulty channel file, so not quite an update.”

There is a workaround, he added.

1. Boot Windows into Safe Mode or WRE.

2. Go to C:\Windows\System32\drivers\CrowdStrike

3. Locate and delete file matching "C-00000291*.sys"

4. Boot normally.

At 5:45 a.m. ET, CrowdStrike CEO George Kurtz posted on X, confirming the issue is not a cyberattack and was caused by a botched update.

“CrowdStrike is actively working with customers impacted by a defect found in a single content update for Windows hosts. Mac and Linux hosts are not impacted. This is not a security incident or cyberattack,” Kurz wrote, adding that the issue has been “identified, isolated and a fix has been deployed.”

“We refer customers to the support portal for the latest updates and will continue to provide complete and continuous updates on our website,” he added. “We further recommend organizations ensure they’re communicating with CrowdStrike representatives through official channels. Our team is fully mobilized to ensure the security and stability of CrowdStrike customers.”

It’s not easy to say what to do next. While there is a workaround, it’s not scalable, as it would need to be applied manually, system by system. In a large company, this could could take hours or more to get back up and running.

By its nature, the issue is going to be very hard to resolve once systems are in a reboot loop, says Adam Harrison, managing director at FTI Cybersecurity. “Manual fixes are going to take time for system admins to apply: CrowdStrike can't push a new update remotely to fix. It's going to need manual intervention on each system.”

You might be lucky and be able to roll back to known good states, but the majority won't have anything that supports doing that, says Harrison. “The fix itself is quick to perform, but when you scale that up to thousands of servers and/or thousands of workstations, it's going to be a bad day in the office for lots of folks.”

It’s also going to be a bad day for CrowdStrike. What can the firm do to help people?

“They can only communicate that fix as quickly and widely as they can,” says Harrison. “My assumption would be that the update is already down, so any systems which hadn't updated for any reasons shouldn't still get pushed a bad update.”

Ian Thornton-Trump, CISO at Cyjax, says CrowdStrike “will certainly do their very best to pull the update and instruct the old agents not to update till they can get it sorted.”

However, he says, “what has been done can not be undone for those blue screen machines. If the machines can be booted in safe mode they may be able to issue an out of band update or patch. That’s time consuming—if the machines are critical, they might actually consider restoring from backup or a shadow copy (a built in MSFT recovery feature). Whatever path they have, they will try and fix as quickly as possible.”

CrowdStrike might be able to put a tool together that would apply the fix at the disk level, such as bootable media, says Harrison. “This would maybe help some people out who have thousands of systems to fix. It’s still not a solution that solves the problem fully remotely or at huge scale, but it could bring recovery times down.”

This is a breaking story. Keep your eyes peeled and check back to my Forbes page for updates.

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How to Write a Powerful Personal Statement for Medical School

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The personal statement can make or break your medical school application. Learn how to write it and strategies to make it stand out to admissions committees in this expert guide.

Essays are one of the most important parts of any graduate school application. Whereas your resume, letters of recommendation, and standardized test scores speak to your achievements and academic potential, your essays are where you can make a human argument based on your unique candidacy; they tell the story of a person rather than of numbers.

Typically, aspiring MD candidates will need to submit several essays. The personal statement or personal comments essay is submitted through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS), a centralized application that most medical schools use (outside of Texas), similar to the Common App. This application opens for submission around the end of May or the beginning of June. After you submit your AMCAS application, you’ll also need to submit a secondary application that goes directly to the schools you’re applying to. Depending on the program, this may be open to everyone or extended on an invitation-only basis. This secondary application usually includes several other essays or short-answer questions that are more specific to what the school is looking for.

Though there is a standard that your scores, GPA, and experience need to meet, the essays really can make or break your chances of admission. In this article, we’ll go over what makes a good personal statement, how to get started on yours, and some actionable strategies for success.

What is the Personal Statement?

The “personal statement essay” can be found in section eight of the AMCAS application. The simple, vague prompt is as follows:

“Use the space provided to explain why you want to go to medical school.”

This prompt is purposefully left broad–the admissions committees want to see where applicants go in their responses. In short, they really want the answer to two things:

• Why should we admit you , specifically?
• Why medicine?

On its website, AMCAS says that this essay “provides an opportunity to distinguish yourself from other applicants and provide admissions officers with more insight into why you have chosen to pursue a career in medicine.” In other words, your response should make a compelling case for what you will bring to the table and clearly outline how your path so far has led you to medical school.

Med School Personal Statement Length

The personal comments essay has a character limit of 5,300, which includes spaces. This translates to about a page and a half worth of words. TMDSAS, the Texan equivalent of AMCAS, has a character limit of 5,000.

How Long Will My Personal Statement Take?

Like with any part of the application, timing is everything. Thankfully, medical school applications don’t require too much writing. Still, we recommend giving yourself at least a month on the personal statement (several if you’re able to) so that you have time to iterate on a few different drafts, sit on it, and get feedback.

For more advice on timing the application process, read The Ultimate Guide to the Medical School Application Process .

How to Write a Med School Personal Statement

Often, the most difficult part is getting started; but, it’s hard to do so without a plan. Before you begin writing, it can be helpful to have an idea of your overarching narrative and the role that you want the essay to play. At a foundational level, you also just need to have a really solid understanding of who you are and what your motivations are for pursuing medicine. After all that, you’ll get to writing. Here’s a step-by-step playback for getting from start to finish on your personal statement.

Step 1: Ideate

Before you put pen to paper, think about the following questions and jot a few ideas down. If there are any that you’re struggling with, ask the people around you! Parents/guardians and close friends can be especially helpful in identifying your strengths and what makes you unique.

• What are the main life decisions I made in the last ten years and why did I make them? What values/thoughts/rationale remained consistent across these decisions?
• What character traits do I want to show the admissions committee? What are some examples of when I demonstrated these traits?
• What are my strengths and weaknesses?
• When did I first believe that I wanted to be a doctor? What experiences originally led to that and then later cemented it as a goal?
• What are the main takeaways from my clinical (and other relevant) experience? What did I learn? What stuck with me?
• What parts of my candidacy are not well represented in the other parts of my application?
• Why do I want to go med school? (get specific)
• What do I want my professional career to look like in 15 years? In 30?
• What motivates me–professionally and personally?

In any graduate school application, you’re trying to strike a balance between providing a comprehensive view of your candidacy and not overwhelming with unnecessary information. For this reason, it can be extremely valuable to have an idea of the overall story you want to tell. Think about your “elevator pitch” and use the essay to build on that. If you’re not sure what experiences or characteristics are the most impactful, you can also work with a coach . They’ll help you identify what’s most important to talk about, and to leave out, and can also work with you to draft an outline.

Step 2: Write a draft (it’s okay if it’s terrible)

Once you’ve got some direction, the next step is to just get your thoughts on paper. Sit down and force yourself to brain dump. It does not have to be pretty, it does not have to make sense, it does not have to be comprehensive. From there, leave it for a day. When you come back, highlight the parts that still resonate and make a note of anything missing.

Step 3: Review and edit, repeat

Based on the comments you left yourself on your preliminary thoughts, write a second draft. This time, pay a little more attention to the overall flow. Support your main ideas with real evidence in the form of stories and anecdotes. Be concise and get to the point–when your characters are limited, it’s important to not waste any on irrelevant details or extraneous verbiage. Once you’ve done this, set your draft aside for a bit. Come back to it later and make it better. Then, repeat the process. To get a really good personal statement, you’re going to want to go through many different drafts.

Step 4: Get feedback

Once you’ve got a draft that you feel good about, we highly recommend getting a second perspective. The ideal editor is someone who has a basic understanding of your background but does not know you in-depth, as this would make it difficult for them to judge the essay objectively. A friend-of-a-friend, friend-of-a-mentor, professor, or med school admissions coach are all great choices. It’s a bonus if they have any kind of writing or editorial experience.

This third-party review will help you figure out what’s working and what’s not. From this point, and depending on the feedback, you may be close to a final draft.

Step 5: Read it out loud

We know–this sounds weird, but do it. When you read your essay out loud, you hear it as the admissions committee member will. It’s easier to find the gaps, identify missing transitions, see where you’re rambling, and get an overall idea of the impression it gives.

Step 6: Review, final edits, and spellcheck

Once you feel really, really good about your response, read it for a final time. Make sure that there are no grammatical or spelling errors. Then, you’ll copy and paste it into section eight of the AMCAS application, and it’s ready to go!

Caution: Don’t overdo it

Though it’s better to err on the side of too much editing over too little, it is possible to overdo it. If you stare at your writing long enough, everything starts to sound the same. And, for those of us who are perfectionists, it’s easy to feel like it’s never good enough . In most cases, it probably is. There comes to a point where you’ve done all you can and it’s time to submit. A good coach can help you gauge when this is but it also takes knowing yourself. If you start to get overwhelmed or frustrated, it’s completely okay (and even beneficial) to step back for a few days. Then, when you return, you’re coming in with a fresh and slightly more removed perspective.

Medical School Personal Statement Tips

Now that we’ve covered what the personal statement is and how to get it written, we’ll dive into some specifics on how to make it great , including things to do and avoid .

Lean into what makes you different from the other applicants.

After reading your personal statement, you want the admissions committees to think, “If we don’t admit this person right now, we might never get another applicant like them!” No pressure, right? Just kidding, we know this is tough to do! You will come from the same schools as other applicants and have the same majors, the same work experiences, the same hometowns, and the same GPAs. What’s different is how you went through all of that. Your perspective, how you interact with the world, and what you take away are all unique to you.

In the examples you share and your overall argument for admission, make sure you address this and don’t be afraid to get specific. A good test is this: if someone else could have written your exact same personal statement, it’s not unique enough.

Know what your personal statement is not.

You’re applying to medical schools, not creative writing programs. With this in mind, your personal statement should not be an exercise in writing the most experimental personal statement. The power in personal statements comes from the applicant’s background and story, not their writing abilities. To be clear, your statement should still be written well; but, you don’t need to get too fancy.

Don’t lose sight of the prompt.

With broader topics like this, it’s easy to get sucked into a tangent and pretty soon, you’re giving your entire life story. And, while you do want to explain your path, you’re doing so with a specific reason in mind. Your personal statement should explain exactly why you want to be a physician . If your stories aren’t directly relevant to that purpose, take them out.

For this, it can be helpful to examine your personal statement paragraph by paragraph. Imagine your response without that section–does the primary message still get across? Is it contributing something valuable or is it extraneous?

Don’t recite your resume.

This is your classic “show, don’t tell” advice. Use examples to support the qualities that you want the adcom to see, rather than listing your accomplishments and what you think they demonstrate. Here’s an example:

• Applicant 1: For two years, I shadowed a family physician in my city where I learned the day-to-day responsibilities required to succeed in the field.
• Applicant 2: For two years, I shadowed a family physician in my city. This taught me how successful doctors in this field need to understand a variety of issues, problem-solve constantly, and develop real relationships with their patients.

Which one is more compelling? They’re essentially saying the same thing, but the second applicant explains what the first only claims.

Keep the focus on you.

You are the main character of the personal statement. While many stories will also involve other people–mentors, patients, friends, family members, etc…–make sure that the focus remains on what you demonstrated. That’s not to say you should only have stories that don’t include others. Tell the same stories but do so in a way that highlights the role you played.

When you’re reviewing any given anecdote, ask yourself: “What does the admissions committee learn about me from this?” If you can’t point to direct and specific things, it needs to be reworked.

Source: https://www.joinleland.com/library/a/medical-school-personal-statement-tips

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Statement from President Joe   Biden on $1.2 Billion in Student Debt Cancellation for 35,000   Borrowers

Today, my Administration is canceling student debt for 35,000 people through Public Service Loan Forgiveness, bringing the total number of Americans who have benefitted from our various debt relief actions to 4.76 million people. Each of those borrowers has received an average of over $35,000 in debt cancellation. These 35,000 borrowers approved for forgiveness today are public service workers – teachers, nurses, law enforcement officials, and first responders who have dedicated their lives to strengthening their communities, and because of the fixes we made to Public Service Loan Forgiveness, they will now have more breathing room to support themselves and their families.

Today’s announcement comes on top of the significant progress we’ve made for students and borrowers over the past three years. That includes providing the largest increases to the maximum Pell Grant in over a decade; fixing Income-Driven Repayment so borrowers get the relief they are entitled to under the law; and holding colleges accountable for taking advantage of students and families. And earlier this year, I laid out my Administration’s new plans that would cancel student debt for more than 30 million Americans when combined with everything we’ve done so far.

From day one of my Administration, I promised to fight to ensure higher education is a ticket to the middle class, not a barrier to opportunity. I will never stop working to make higher education affordable – no matter how many times Republican elected officials try to stop us.

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FDA Rare Disease Innovation Hub to Enhance and Advance Outcomes for Patients

By: Patrizia Cavazzoni, MD, Director, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research and Peter Marks, MD, PhD, Director, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research

An estimated 10,000+ rare diseases affect more than 30 million people – approximately one out of every 10 people – in the U.S., and about half of these people are children. Many rare conditions are life threatening, and most do not have approved treatments. Fundamental to the mission of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is to engage patients and caregivers – to understand their unique perspectives and experiences and keep these front of mind as we review medical products for rare disease patients. 

The Rare Disease Innovation Hub

Recent rapid advances in the identification of promising drug targets and development of gene therapies offer momentum and potential to meet the needs of patients with rare diseases. In 2023, over half of all the novel drugs and biologics approved by the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) and the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) were to prevent, diagnose or treat a rare disease or condition.

While there have been important advances in treatments for rare diseases, more needs to be done. Many rare diseases lack treatment options and therefore many patients have high unmet medical needs. This requires new approaches to expedite development and approval of safe and effective drugs and biologics. We see huge potential in establishing a new model, within the FDA, to leverage cross-agency expertise and greatly enhance our intercenter connectivity to spur the development of treatments for rare diseases.

To that end, we plan to establish a Rare Disease Innovation Hub (the Hub). The Hub will work across rare diseases but will especially focus on products intended for smaller populations or for diseases where the natural history is variable and not fully understood, as we recognize that development of therapies for these conditions can be particularly challenging. The Hub would have three primary functions:

• Serve as a single point of connection and engagement with the rare disease community, including patient and caregiver groups, trade organizations, and scientific/academic organizations, for matters that intersect CDER and CBER. The Hub will help the larger rare disease community navigate important intersections across the FDA that affect patients with rare diseases, such as medical devices, including diagnostic tests, and combination products. 
• Enhance intercenter collaboration to address common scientific, clinical and policy issues related to rare disease product development, including relevant cross-disciplinary approaches related to product review, and promote consistency across offices and Centers. 
• Advance regulatory science with dedicated workstreams for consideration of novel endpoints, biomarker development and assays, innovative trial design, real world evidence, and statistical methods.

The Hub will be co-led by the two of us, the Directors of CDER and CBER, in close collaboration with our colleagues in the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Oncology Center of Excellence, Office of Orphan Products Development, and Office of Combination Products. As Hub leaders, we will disseminate our shared vision and develop a comprehensive cross-center strategic agenda to align efforts, identify and enable innovative approaches, and streamline communication to better serve the rare disease community. 

The Hub will leverage the activities of the CDER Accelerating Rare disease Cures (ARC) program and CBER Rare Disease Program and will enhance existing cross-center collaborations. In addition, a newly created senior leadership position, Director of Strategic Coalitions for the Hub (Associate Director for Rare Disease Strategy) , will act as a single point of connection and engagement with outside parties on behalf of the Hub on cross-cutting rare disease-related issues. The Director will develop approaches to ensure appropriate FDA staff involvement or appropriate settings for further external engagement and will seek input from the community to inform the priorities of the Hub. 

This collaborative Hub model will advance a shared vision to facilitate rare disease product development. It will leverage the skills of staff within their respective Centers, while staff will retain their existing decision-making authorities within their current organizations. This model will allow our reviewers to benefit from the deep expertise that resides within the many therapeutically aligned review divisions touched by rare disease indications. At the same time, the Hub will bring together scientific, clinical and policy leaders from CDER and CBER under a shared vision to address common challenges in rare disease drug development. 

The Hub will lead to even more collaboration among the FDA’s existing programs in the rare disease space, including the CDER Accelerating Rare disease Cures (ARC) Program and CBER Rare Disease Program. It will also provide a forum to understand and leverage what we learn from pilot programs currently being implemented across the agency, including the Rare Disease Endpoint Advancement (RDEA) Pilot Program and the Support for clinical Trials Advancing Rare disease Therapeutics (START) Pilot Program.

Our Vision for Patients

Our vision and goal for the Hub is ultimately to improve outcomes for patients. We are optimistic about the promise of new therapeutic options and emerging science and the positive impacts for patients with rare diseases. 

In this regard, we anticipate holding an open public meeting this fall, which will include the establishment of a public docket, to provide further information about our vision for the Hub and receive feedback from the community to help shape the Hub’s priorities and initiatives.

We look forward to expanding our shared work and our future collaborations with all interested parties, including patients, patient advocates, product developers and researchers, to help speed the development, review, and approval of safe and effective drugs and biologics for rare diseases.  

To Find Out More Information about FDA’s Rare Disease Programs:

Director of Strategic Coalitions for the Hub (Associate Director for Rare Disease Strategy)

Rare Diseases at FDA For Patients CBER Rare Disease Program CDER’s Rare Diseases Team Accelerating Rare disease Cures (ARC) Program FDA Voices: FDA Helps to Deliver Meaningful Advances for Rare Disease Patients FDA Launches Pilot Program to Help Further Accelerate Development of Rare Disease Therapies

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