personal statement examples for data entry

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The Best Data Entry CV Example [2024 Guide + Tips]

Are you looking to write your perfect Data Entry CV?

Securing a position in the field of data entry requires more than just a basic document listing your work history. Crafting an effective CV is crucial in showcasing your qualifications, experience, and achievements to potential employers.

This article serves as your comprehensive guide, offering step-by-step instructions, valuable tips and real examples to assist you in creating the perfect CV that will get you more job interviews. Let’s get started!

• Data entry CV example
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How to format your CV

• How to write a perfect CV (a step-by-step guide)
• Personal profile statement example
• Duties to add to your CV
• Useful skills to add to your CV
• Tips on making your CV more effective

Scott Crawford

I am a hard-working, methodical and driven individual with more than three years of experience in the Data Entry field and with the ability to input and manage data accurately, with great speed and in high volumes. I am able to demonstrate effective communication and organisational skills; work on my own initiative, both independently and within a team. I have the excellent ability to organise and prioritise my workload to achieve set goals and deadlines in the most efficient manner.

• Professional level typing speed (79 wpm – words per minute with 98% accuracy)
• Promotion to Data Entry Administration within the 3-months probation period

Relevant Modules:

• Information Systems
• Computer Systems
• Advanced Database Skills
• Advanced Spreadsheet Skills
• Impact of the Use of IT on Business Systems

Main duties performed:

• Being the first point of contact for data-related queries
• Dealing with customers and clients via email and telephone
• Manual entering and verification of customer records and orders
• Assisting with the investigation and rectification of system errors
• Data input and manipulation in Excel spreadsheets and Access databases
• Ensuring the Data Protection Act is adhered to at all times
• Ensuring the safety and security of the company’s data systems
• Occasionally carrying out various administration tasks (filing, printing, etc.)
• Data input, storage, manipulation, interpretation and backup
• Converting raw data into useful information
• Creating reports for management
• Running statistical analysis on data batches
• Manual data input from paper-based sources into the electronic system
• Using spreadsheets to manipulate data (charts, tables, etc)
• Ensuring all the information on the system is accurate and up-to-date
• General office duties such as serving tea, answering the phone and emails
• European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) – BCS
• e-Type (typing quickly and accurately without looking at the keyboard) – BCS
• Computer Literacy and Information Technology qualification (CLAIT) – OCR
• Excellent data entry skills (for both accuracy and speed);
• Professional typing skills (79 wpm – words per minute – with 98% accuracy)
• Attention to detail without compromising the tasks’ speed and performance
• Excellent IT skills and hands-on knowledge of spreadsheets and databases
• Perseverant and patient when dealing with repetitive tasks

I am a very sporty individual, and I enjoy taking part in a variety of sports such as Badminton and Tennis as I think maintaining a healthy lifestyle is very important. In my spare time, I also enjoy computing and socialising with my friends and family.

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How to save your CV as a PDF document:

• Click on File > Save As > Select “PDF” from the drop-down menu.
• Utilise a clean and organised layout: Organise your CV with a clean and structured layout to enhance readability. Use clear headings and maintain consistent formatting throughout. Consider using a CV template to achieve this.
• Adopt a professional font: Choose a professional and easy-to-read font such as Verdana or Helvetica. Maintain a font size between 10-12 for body text and slightly larger for headings.
• Highlight key sections with bold headings: Emphasise important sections like ‘Work Experience’ and ‘Education’ by using bold headings. This helps recruiters quickly navigate your CV.
• Use bullet points for job descriptions: List your responsibilities and achievements in concise bullet points. This format is reader-friendly and allows for easy comprehension.
• Quantify achievements: Quantify your achievements where possible. For example, “Processed 1000 data entries daily with 99.5% accuracy.”
• Proofread thoroughly: Eliminate any typographical errors or grammatical mistakes. A well-proofread CV reflects attention to detail.

How to Write a Data Entry CV

Personal information.

Your CV’s personal information section provides essential information about you.

Include your full name, contact details (address, phone number, and email), and optionally, your LinkedIn profile.

Avoid including unnecessary details, such as age or marital status, to adhere to modern CV practices.

Keep it concise and focused on facilitating easy communication between you and potential employers.

• James Collins
• 456 Oak Avenue, Manchester, M1 2BC
• Mob: 02345 678 901       Email: [email protected]

Personal profile

The personal profile section of a CV provides a concise overview of your skills, qualifications, and career objectives, offering employers insight into what you bring to the role.

Guidelines:

• Introduction: Briefly introduce yourself, emphasising your proficiency in data entry.
• Key skills: Highlight essential data entry skills, such as accuracy, attention to detail, and software proficiency.
• Experience and achievements: Summarise your relevant work experience, focusing on accomplishments and quantifiable achievements in data entry roles.

Data entry personal profile example:

Experienced data entry professional with a proven track record of ensuring precision and efficiency in handling large datasets. Proficient in utilising industry-standard software and maintaining an accuracy rate of over 99%. Successfully streamlined data entry processes, reducing errors by 20%, contributing to enhanced organisational efficiency. Seeking to apply expertise in a dynamic role that values attention to detail and technological proficiency.

Accomplishments

This is where you shout about your successes, from awards and promotions to achieving top-notch grades. Think of it as a snapshot of your proudest moments at work or in education, showcasing your skills and the value you bring.

Make it a punchy list of bullet points that paints a picture of your achievements – it’s your chance to shine and stand out from the crowd.

• Achieved a 99.5% accuracy rate in data entry, surpassing department standards.
• Successfully implemented a streamlined data entry process, reducing processing time by 15%.
• Promoted twice within two years for consistently exceeding performance targets.
• Achieved a First-Class Honours degree with a focus on data management.

Employment history

In the employment history section of your CV, you’re showcasing your work journey.

Begin with your most recent role and work backwards, detailing what you did in each job. Focus on your accomplishments, not just your tasks. Use action verbs to describe your responsibilities, and quantify your achievements where possible – this helps employers see the real impact you’ve had.

Related: How to write your degree on your CV .

Main duties and responsibilities performed:

• Maintained a high level of accuracy in data entry tasks, consistently achieving a 99.7% error-free rate.
• Implemented efficient data validation processes, resulting in a 20% reduction in input errors.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless data flow across departments.
• Utilised advanced Excel skills to streamline data reporting, improving efficiency by 15%.
• Achievement: Successfully led the transition to a new data management system from June 2019 to December 2019, enhancing overall data accuracy and workflow efficiency.

Data entry duties to add to your CV

• Inputting and accurately updating large volumes of data into databases and electronic systems.
• Conducting regular data quality checks to ensure information accuracy and integrity.
• Utilising spreadsheet software, such as Excel, for organising and managing datasets efficiently.
• Handling confidential information with the utmost discretion and maintaining data security protocols.
• Collaborating with team members to resolve data discrepancies and ensure consistency.
• Creating and maintaining detailed documentation of data entry processes and procedures.
• Performing data validation to identify and rectify errors, ensuring a high level of precision.
• Responding promptly to data-related queries and providing support to colleagues as needed.
• Adhering to established data entry standards and following company-specific data management guidelines.
• Continuously updating skills and staying abreast of technological advancements in data entry tools and software.

The education section of your CV is a chance to showcase your academic journey.

Start with your most recent qualifications and work backwards in reverse chronological order. List your university degrees, A-Levels, GCSEs, or any other relevant qualifications you’ve earned.

Subjects Studied:

• Mathematics (A)
• Computer Science (B)
• Business Studies (B)

Professional training and qualifications

In this section, showcase your professional training and vocational qualifications to demonstrate your commitment to continuous improvement in your industry.

For a data entry role, consider including certifications such as “Advanced Data Entry Certification” or training courses in software proficiency like “Microsoft Excel Advanced Techniques.” Highlight any vocational qualifications that enhance your efficiency in data management, showcasing your dedication to staying current with industry best practices.

• Level 2 Certificate in Data Entry – City & Guilds
• Advanced Diploma in Office Administration – Pearson
• OCR Level 3 Diploma in Business Administration – Oxford College
• BTEC Level 2 Award in Computerised Accounts – Edexcel
• ECDL (European Computer Driving Licence) – British Computer Society
• High School Diploma in Information Technology – City School of London
• Microsoft Office Specialist Certification – Microsoft
• RSA Level 2 Word Processing – Royal Society of Arts
• Pitman Training Advanced Keyboard Skills – Pitman Training Centre

In the skills section of your data entry CV, you should highlight your proficiency in relevant tools and software, as well as your attention to detail and accuracy in data processing.

Showcase your ability to efficiently manage large datasets and your familiarity with spreadsheet applications like Microsoft Excel. Also, emphasise any specialised skills such as data cleansing, validation, and strong keyboarding capabilities.

• Data entry and accuracy: Proficient in entering large volumes of data with a keen eye for accuracy, demonstrated through consistently achieving a 99.5% accuracy rate in previous roles.
• Microsoft Excel: Advanced user with expertise in creating complex spreadsheets, including pivot tables and VLOOKUP functions, improving data processing efficiency by 20%.
• Keyboarding skills: Strong keyboarding skills with a typing speed of 70 words per minute, enhancing productivity in data entry tasks.

10 useful data entry skills to add to your CV

• Accuracy: Demonstrating meticulous attention to detail in entering and verifying data to ensure precision.
• Typing speed: Proficient touch typing with a high words-per-minute (WPM) rate for efficient data input.
• Data analysis: Ability to interpret and analyse data trends, identifying patterns and insights.
• Attention to detail: Thoroughly reviewing data for errors, inconsistencies, and ensuring data integrity.
• Time management: Prioritising tasks and meeting deadlines in a fast-paced data entry environment.
• Data validation: Checking and validating data to ensure it meets quality standards and criteria.
• Database management: Competence in maintaining and updating databases with accurate and current information.
• Microsoft Excel: Proficient use of Excel for data entry, manipulation, and basic analysis.
• Communication: Clear communication with team members to ensure accurate data transfer and understanding of requirements.
• Data security: Adhering to data protection policies and ensuring the confidentiality and security of sensitive information.

Personal interests

The personal interests section of your CV provides a glimpse into your personality, hobbies and extracurricular activities, offering a more rounded view of you as an individual beyond your professional qualifications.

For a data entry professional, showcasing relevant personal interests in the CV can provide additional insights into skills such as precision and organisation. Examples could include maintaining a personal database for a collection, participating in online data analysis challenges, or engaging in activities that enhance attention to detail, such as intricate crafting or puzzle-solving hobbies.

Read more: Hobbies and interests on a CV (examples + guide) .

Professional references

The References section of your CV is where you provide details of individuals who can vouch for your professional capabilities and character.

Your referees can include individuals such as former colleagues, supervisors, or managers from your previous jobs. Additionally, if you’re a recent graduate, academic referees like professors or tutors can be valuable.

Note: If you do not wish to disclose your references on your CV, you should write, “References are available upon request.”

Tips to make your CV more effective

• Highlight accuracy and attention to detail: Ensure your CV reflects your commitment to precision, showcasing specific instances where meticulous data entry led to error-free outcomes. Employers in data-driven roles value accuracy, so make it a focal point.
• Utilise keywords from the job description: Tailor your CV to the specific data entry role by incorporating relevant keywords. This not only aligns your CV with the employer’s needs but also enhances its visibility in automated applicant tracking systems.
• Emphasise time management skills: Employers value efficient data entry, so highlight instances where you optimised processes to meet tight deadlines. Discuss your ability to manage high volumes of data without compromising accuracy.
• Tailor your CV for each application: Avoid using a one-size-fits-all approach. Customise your CV for each application, emphasising the skills and experiences most relevant to the specific data entry role you’re applying for.
• Use action verbs: Begin each bullet point with a strong action verb to convey a sense of accomplishment and responsibility. For instance, “Managed data entry tasks for a high-profile client, ensuring…” provides a more impactful description than a passive statement.

This is the end of our comprehensive guide on crafting an effective data entry CV.

With the tips, insights and recommendations provided, you are well-equipped to make a lasting impression on prospective employers and secure opportunities in the dynamic field of data entry.

Best of luck in your job search!

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13 Data Entry Resume Examples That Worked in 2024

Data Entry Resume

• Data Entry Resumes by Experience
• Data Entry Resumes by Role

Data entry professionals encompass all industries, wear multiple hats, and can provide specialized services. It can be difficult to determine what content is important to a hiring manager and understand what to include in your resume for this data-driven field. 

We analyzed numerous data entry resume samples from all experience levels, industries, and scopes and learned what works to help you get more interviews in 2024. We created 13 resume templates to help data entry professionals like you  build an eye-catching resume  and data entry cover letter to showcase your accomplishments.

The hardest part of  writing your resume  is getting started. These resumes helped data entry pros find outstanding jobs at top-notch companies, so they’re a great place to start!

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Why this resume works

• The easier you can make the person’s life reviewing your data entry resume, the better your chances of getting an interview.
• Data entry professionals manage data. Therefore, your resume should emphasize your accomplishments in terms of data. Be sure to focus on how your work improved data accuracy, process efficiency, and revenue growth.
• Don’t forget to  check your resume ; ensure your resume score is high to gain the recruiter’s attention!

Beginner Data Entry Resume

• Also, let your beginner data entry resume tap from your experience and achievements in your coursework projects by emphasizing how they can be applied in real-world work.

Entry-Level Data Entry Resume

• Be aspirational in your resume objective. What do you want to contribute in your next data entry role?
• Skills like data entry, math, organization, and attention to detail can be woven throughout your work experience bullet points. If you’ve never held a data entry role, that’s okay! Just highlight all similar skills and transfer that experience to your dream data job.
• List your impact in the form of metrics. Numbers and percentages pack a punch, catch the reader’s eye and break up chunks of text. They’re a sure win for your resume.

Transcriptionist Resume

• Don’t let your skills section catch dust! The right ChatGPT resume prompt can help you think of and add all the tools you’re well-versed with, such as Google Speech-to-Text, Express Scribe, and TranscribeMe.

Typing Resume

• Take Ethan’s typing resume as an example and see how he does a great job of mentioning his role in “reconciling inventory discrepancies” to show that he’s got an eye for detail and can take on the typing job easily!

Customer Service Data Entry Resume

• Take advantage of that achievement and highlight it in your customer service data entry resume to give potential employers a hint of what you’re bringing to the table of solutions.
• Then, drive home your expertise in dealing with the public by sharing real stories as you’re making a cover letter .

Data Entry Operator Resume

• It can be challenging to convey the many facets of your professional identity when you’ve primarily held data-heavy roles. Sharing a passion for creative hobbies, like travel photography, is one way to add depth to your profile.

Accounting Data Entry Resume

• Listing your bookkeeping certification and four-year accounting degree paints a picture of a professional who possesses a deep understanding of both sides of the business.

Data Entry Specialist Resume

• As a data entry specialist, you should  write your resume  with a focus on how your work directly (and positively) impacted the company. Be sure to cite specific data-driven examples, including process improvements that improved productivity and increased sales.
• For example, if you have data entry experience in a healthcare setting, you likely have worked with data that must remain private and confidential. This should be mentioned explicitly on your resume.
• Employers won’t have to question your experience and are more apt to interview you when they see you meet the specific job requirements mentioned in the job description. 

Freelance Data Entry Resume

• Your freelance data entry resume should showcase your ability to work independently and take on responsibilities (wear more hats) to support your clients.
• Metrics can serve to showcase your organization, leadership skills, and ability to manage multiple projects—appealing to employers by demonstrating your ability to collaborate and meet deadlines.
• Soft skills like leadership, reliability, and the ability to teach others are stellar qualities every employer seeks in those they hire.

Data Entry Clerk Resume

• As a data entry clerk professional, focus on any specialty areas or  skills to list on your resume  (for example, Excel, WIS, problem-solving, or time management) that you want the employer to notice about your experience, especially if the job description prefers candidates with your specific skill set. 
• Be sure your data entry clerk resume includes a nice balance of responsibilities and results-oriented data that showcases your accomplishments. 
• We recommend the reverse-chronological  resume format  because it presents your most recent and likely relevant work history at the top, followed by your older jobs.
• Don’t worry if this sounds foreign! We’ve got you covered with some free interactive  Word resume templates  or  free Google docs resumes  to take the stress out of the process.

Data Entry Processor Resume

• Your  CV  is a better place to include more of your previous work, but generally, you should try to limit your resume to three to five work experience sections. 
• Take the time to update your resume often. Those internships you held back when Nirvana was still releasing albums are probably not relevant anymore. 
• Think about it. As a data entry professional, what better place could there be to demonstrate your comfort with metrics and meticulous data collection? Plus, including numbers throughout your resume will let hiring managers know that you have the talent to back up your words with proven performance.

Data Entry Analyst Resume

• Consider adding an objective if you’ve just started out in your career and don’t have much experience, or if you’re going through a significant career change. Trust us, resume objectives have saved many from the dreaded half-page, 20-point font resume.
• If you’re applying to multiple  job postings , ensure you’re not accidentally submitting a customized resume objective exclaiming your desire to work at Google in your Microsoft job application. It might give the hiring manager a chuckle, but it probably doesn’t bode well for you getting the job.

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Data entry resume summary examples.

Approved by hiring managers, here are proven resume summary examples you can use on your Data Entry resume. Learn what real hiring managers want to see on your resume, and when to use which.

• Data Entry Clerk
• Data Entry Manager
• Data Entry Operator
• Data Entry Specialist
• Data Entry Supervisor
• Junior Data Entry Analyst
• Senior Data Entry Clerk
• Data Entry resume templates
• Similar summary examples

Data Entry Resume Summary Example

Showcase your accuracy rate.

Accuracy is the backbone of data entry. The mention of a high accuracy rate, especially with a tangible figure like 98%, concretely demonstrates your attention to detail and reliability. It's not just about bragging rights, it's about showing potential employers that you will get the job done right.

Mention your experience with data management systems

Using the term 'implemented a new data management system' shows that you're not only proficient with data entry itself, but also capable of improving the whole procedure. It's a clever way to display leadership skills and an understanding of technological advancements in your field.

Quantify your cost-saving efforts

By pointing out cost savings, you're not just telling employers that you're efficient, but also that you have a good understanding of the business side of things. It's a smart way to show that you're not just a technical whiz, but you also understand how your role impacts the company's bottom line.

Data Entry Clerk Resume Summary Example

Showcasing technical accomplishments.

Implementing an automated data verification system is no small feat. It not only displays a strong understanding of data entry systems but also highlights the proactivity in improving the existing processes. This is not just about having the technical knowledge, but also about seeing the big picture and making things better. This tells recruiters that you're not just a doer but a problem solver.

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Data Entry Manager Resume Summary Example

Showcase your leadership experience.

Mentioning a large team size that you've managed, especially in a high-pressure environment, shows you can handle large-scale projects and teams. It's a strong underline on your leadership ability and high competence level.

Highlight your role in process improvement

By talking about streamlining processes and reducing turnaround time, you're showing potential employers that you're always looking for ways to improve efficiency and productivity. It's a great way to demonstrate proactiveness and problem-solving skills.

Data Entry Operator Resume Summary Example

Showcase your team management and productivity boost.

Mentioning a specific increase in productivity under your leadership will impress hiring managers. It's evidence that you have effective management skills and can positively impact a team's work output.

Highlight your role in reducing errors and data migration

Enforcing a new data entry protocol and completing a large data migration project with high accuracy are impressive achievements. These points tell employers you're adept at managing big projects and ensuring quality output.

Data Entry Specialist Resume Summary Example

Highlight your database management skills.

Managing a large database of records is a challenging task that requires strong technical skills and meticulousness. By mentioning this, you're demonstrating your capacity to handle complex tasks and high volumes of data.

Detail your time-saving skills

The ability to reduce data processing time is a valuable skill in the data entry field. It shows that you have an understanding of efficient processes and you're capable of implementing them to improve productivity.

Data Entry Supervisor Resume Summary Example

Highlighting impact on efficiency.

Reducing entry errors by 30% is a significant achievement. It shows that you're not only diligent but also effective. Recruiters love efficiency; they want to hire people who can do their job well and quickly. By stating the impact of your actions, you demonstrate that you're that kind of employee.

Junior Data Entry Analyst Resume Summary Example

Mention specific software skills.

Pointing out that you've used advanced Excel functions to improve efficiency demonstrates your technical skills. It shows that you're not just doing data entry, but also using tools to take it to the next level.

Discuss your project-based achievements

By mentioning a specific project, you're showing potential employers that you can apply your skills to deliver actionable results. It's a concrete way of showing that you're results-oriented.

Senior Data Entry Clerk Resume Summary Example

Talk about your team management experience.

Mentioning your experience in managing teams of data entry clerks not only shows your leadership and management skills but also signals that you have the capacity to handle responsibility. It's a strong way to move your resume towards managerial roles.

Highlight your contributions to reducing errors

Reducing data entry errors is a prime concern in this field. When you emphasize how you've been able to achieve that, it makes you stand out as someone who can improve processes and enhance the quality of work.

Data Entry Resume Templates

Engineering manager.

Integration Architect

Data & Analytics Resume Summary Examples

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Thank you for the checklist! I realized I was making so many mistakes on my resume that I've now fixed. I'm much more confident in my resume now.

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Data Entry Resume Examples & Writing Tips

• Jan 24, 2024

“There were 5 exabytes of information created between the dawn of civilization through 2003, but that much information is now created every two days.” Eric Schmidt

Crafting a comprehensive data entry resume can be challenging. However, by knowing the techniques, you can assemble an engaging document that will land you interviews.

This article is a step-by-step instruction on how to compose a resume tailored specifically to the data entry field. It's full of resume sections and examples for data entry jobs, so you can see what a good document looks like.

Get ready to learn how to highlight your skills, experiences, and qualifications to create a winning resume!

Create your professional Resume in 10 minutes for FREE

Data entry resume examples

Data entry clerk resume sample:.

Annie G. Valdes 678-975-8923 | [email protected] | Marietta, GA Resume summary: Results-driven data entry clerk adept at updating and maintaining databases with a keen focus on accuracy. Proven ability to streamline data entry processes, resulting in increased efficiency. Seeking a challenging role where my enthusiasm for data entry and analysis can contribute to organizational success. Education: Bachelor of Science in Information Technology | Georgia State University (Atlanta, GA) Graduated: May 2021 Founder and president of "Data Enthusiasts" club (2019-2021) Recipient of the "Outstanding IT Student of the Year" award (May 2021) Experience: Data Management Clerk | Tech Innovate Inc. (Atlanta, GA) | January 2022 - Present Conduct audits, identify and resolve data discrepancies, and improve data quality. Maintain confidentiality and security of sensitive information during data handling. Internship: Data Entry Intern | Digital Dynamics (Atlanta, GA) | June 2021 - December 2021 Assisted in accurate data entry tasks, ensuring efficiency and precision. Learned and applied best practices in data entry and management. Collaborated with cross-functional teams on assigned projects, gaining hands-on experience. Skills: Proficient in Salesforce and Microsoft Office Suite Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy Experience in data cleaning and validation processes Familiarity with database management systems Ability to handle confidential information with discretion Strong organizational and time management skills References: Lewis Hammond | Current Supervisor at Tech Innovate Inc. 816-669-3211 [email protected] Dr. Flynn Gunson | Former Academic Advisor at Georgia State University 518-677-2281 gunsonf@gsu@edu

Data entry specialist's resume example:

Contact and personal information.

Every resume should begin with the name and most crucial identification details of the applicant.

When composing a data entry resume, the personal and contact information should include your full name , current address , phone number , and professional email .

You can also share any professional online profiles, such as LinkedIn if you are actively sharing your career advancement there. It is vital to make sure that all the details are up-to-date and have no typos.

When seeking a data entry job, it is crucial to state your academic qualifications on the resume. It is best to arrange your education in chronological order : from the most recent to the oldest.

The most common majors achieved by data entry keyers in 2021 were Business, Social Sciences, and Education. (Data USA)

If you are seeking a role as a data input expert, you should include any degrees and certifications pertinent to analytics or computer programming. You may also want to mention professional seminars or conferences you attended.

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science , University of California, San Diego (Graduated in 2020)

• Introduction to Data Input and Analysis Course (2019)
• Advanced Web Design and Programming Course (2019)
• Certifications in the Microsoft Office Software Package (2018)

Intro to Business Administration Short Course , San Diego Community College (2017)

Including this information on the resume will illustrate the knowledge necessary for the data entry role. The degree in Computer Science demonstrates fluency in programming languages. Certifications and courses prove that the applicant is familiar with business principles and processes.

Bachelor of Science in Mathematics , University of Southern California (2020)

• Fundamentals of Data Analysis Course, University of Southern California (2019)
• Certifications in Microsoft Excel & Google Sheets (2018)

Associate's Degree in Finance , Los Angeles Community College (2017)

Having a degree in math can be beneficial when pursuing a data entry opportunity because it indicates an understanding of numbers and analytics. The classes focused on data analysis also evidence knowledge and experience with data examination techniques.

The certifications validate proficiency with popular spreadsheet software used for data entry purposes. Finally, an associate's degree in finance shows comprehension of financial processes which could be useful when entering economic data into a spreadsheet.

As of 2022, the industries with the highest level of data entry specialists are employment services, computing infrastructure, accounting, and education. (The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

As you build your data entry resume example, noting and categorizing job history is essential. Utilize chronological order to display your experience, with the last or current job at the top.

When hiring managers review applications, they want to see that candidates have the necessary background and experience relevant to the position. By listing particular job duties and achievements, applicants can show that they possess the right skills and qualifications necessary for success in the data entry role.

Data Entry Specialist | Precision Data Pro (June 2021 - Present) New Bedford, MA

• Lead a data synchronization project, ensuring seamless integration of diverse datasets.
• Implement advanced data validation techniques, reducing errors by 15%.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to develop and optimize data entry protocols, streamlining workflows.

Junior Data Analyst | Tech Flow (January 2019 - May 2021) Burlington, MA

• Provided crucial support in implementing data entry processes for client projects.
• Developed and maintained documentation on data entry procedures, facilitating training.
• Assisted in troubleshooting and resolving data-related issues, ensuring database integrity.

Data Entry Intern | IQ Hub (May 2018 - December 2018) Providence, MA

• Gained hands-on experience in data entry techniques and best practices.
• Assisted in migrating legacy data systems, ensuring a smooth transition.
• Conducted data verification and validation tasks, contributing to improved accuracy.

Simply cataloging data entry as a job title without specific details would not give recruiters enough information about a candidate's experience. This could cause them to overlook the applicant even if they have all the needed knowledge.

Outlining precise job responsibilities and achievements allows HR managers to get a comprehensive understanding of an applicant's background . Failing to provide this information could result in missed opportunities when applying for a data entry position.

Resume summary

“We are surrounded by data, but starved for insights.” Jay Baer

A resume summary is a concise overview at the beginning of your document that highlights a candidate's key qualifications, skills, and achievements . It serves as a snapshot of the individual's professional background, providing potential employers with a quick insight into the candidate's suitability for a specific role.

Here are 3 suggestions for forming an excellent summary of a data entry position:

• Focus on the most relevant experience. Feature the data entry skills you have developed over time and list any achievements that are pertinent to the role you are applying for.
• Be concise. Keep your summary short and to the point - no more than four sentences. Use active language and avoid repetitive words or phrases.
• Adjust it to your particular position. Employ industry-specific terms when conveying your qualifications, as this will display to the employer that you have studied the role in detail.

Data entry resume summary example 1:

Detail-oriented Data Entry Specialist with over 3 years of experience in managing and maintaining accurate databases. Proven track record of implementing advanced data validation techniques, resulting in a significant reduction in errors. A collaborative team player committed to optimizing data entry efficiency and maintaining high standards of data integrity.

Data entry resume summary example 2:

Energetic Entry-Level Data Entry Specialist with a keen interest in maintaining accurate databases. Proficient in inputting and validating data with a commitment to precision. A proactive learner and team player ready to support efficient data entry processes in a dynamic work setting.

Data entry skills for resume

It is important to describe both soft and hard skills in a data entry resume. The combination of skills highlights the candidate's special characteristics.

Begin by enumerating your hard skills like typing speed or knowledge of certain software programs. Then, move on to list the transferable not job-specific skills that make you a well-rounded professional.

Sample data entry resume soft skills:

• Computer literacy;
• Typing speed;
• Familiarity with database management;
• Data entry software proficiency, like 10-Key;
• File management capability;
• Mathematics skills;
• Expertise in the Microsoft Office programs;
• Knowledge of coding languages, such as SQL and HTML.

Sample data entry resume hard skills:

• Attention to detail;
• Time management;
• Resolving issues;
• Communication skills ;
• Organization;
• Flexibility;
• Adaptability;
• Reliability.

By incorporating both types of skills into your data entry resume, you can present yourself as a perfect fit for the role. This will help you increase your chances of getting hired.

Additional information

States with the highest number of data entry keyers are Texas, California, Florida, Illinois, and New York. (The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Embedding extra personal facts into a data entry application is vital for creating an eye-catching profile for recruiters. The following blocks can be added to the data entry resume:

Providing such information may be the deciding factor in employers selecting you over other candidates. It shows that you've put extra thought into writing your resume .

Builder recommendation

Are you looking for a professional and easy way to build your data entry resume? Consider using our online service! We offer pre-made resume templates to assist you in constructing a remarkable paper rapidly.

Using a template is much easier than designing a resume from scratch. You do not have to worry about formatting and layout , as everything is already set up for you. You can just focus on the content, knowing that your experience and skills are communicated most effectively.

Our resume builder comes with the AI assistant that will help you that provides ideas on how to formulate your thoughts if you struggle to. Your data entry resume example will surely catch the attention of hiring managers.

No need to be tech-savvy to use the platform: anyone can do it! Just choose one of the templates and add your information to it – voila! Your resume is ready to go!

So what are you waiting for? Start writing your data entry resume now!

Data entry cover letter

Writing a great cover letter for a data entry job enhances the chance of being noticed among other applicants.

Here are some tips to help you compose a winning letter:

• Formatting. Your data entry cover letter should be neatly formatted and legible, with clear headings and plenty of white space.
• Opening statement. Begin your letter by introducing yourself and communicating your enthusiasm for the opportunity.
• Relevant skill. Exemplify your relevant skills and experience that make you the ideal candidate for the data entry job. Focus on any qualifications or experiences that apply to the role.
• Personality. Demonstrate why you're the best person for the job by pointing out your unique traits and enthusiasm for data entry work.
• Call to action. Close your supporting letter by thanking the hiring manager for their time and expressing your hope for further discussing the role at an interview.

To better understand what your cover letter may look like, see the provided Data entry specialist cover letter examples: bad and good.

Bad example:

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am writing to apply for the data entry specialist position at your esteemed company. I am confident that I am the perfect fit for this role because I have experience using a computer and typing really fast. I have also used Microsoft Excel a few times, so I believe I am highly qualified for this position.

I have always been good with numbers and have been using computers for a long time, so I am confident in my ability to excel in this role. I am a fast learner and believe that my skills in browsing the internet and using social media will contribute greatly to the success of your data entry team.

I am sure that once you hire me, your data entry processes will become much more efficient, and I will bring a new level of expertise to your organization.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss my qualifications further.

Sincerely, Max

This cover letter for data entry is ineffective due to its lack of specificity and concrete examples of relevant skills or experiences in data entry.

The overconfident statements made by the candidate are not substantiated by any evidence or achievements, diminishing the credibility of their application.

Furthermore, the inclusion of irrelevant skills like internet browsing and social media use suggests a lack of understanding of the specific requirements for a data entry specialist role.

Good example:

Dear Ms. Cohen,

I am writing to inquire about the Data Entry position with EntryPulse. With my strong managerial and communication skills, I am confident I can make an immediate contribution.

I recently graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science. The studied curriculum provided me with a solid foundation in data analytics and programming languages: Java, Python, and HTML.

My coursework also included several classes focusing on database architecture and management. Those have helped me gain valuable knowledge and practice working with large datasets.

My previous experience as an administrative assistant gave me valuable insight into how inputting data fits into overall project management strategies. I am familiar with common software applications such as Microsoft Excel, QuickBooks, and Salesforce. I am also highly organized, detail-oriented, and a quick learner. All of the mentioned makes me certain that I can meet all of EntryPulse's data entry needs.

I am excited about the opportunity to join EntryPulse and contribute my skills to help grow its success in this field. I look forward to discussing my qualifications further during an interview at your convenience. Thank you for your kind attention.

Sincerely, Silvino Aguayo Aguilar

The example is a good one because it is well-formatted and easy to read with sections labeled distinctly throughout the letter. It also contains relevant information about the candidate's qualifications as well as their character traits.

Finally, it finishes with a polite closing statement expressing a desire to have a further conversation about the position.

Data entry cover letter with no experience

“With data collection, ‘the sooner the better’ is always the best answer.” Marissa Mayer

Don’t have any work experience yet? Not a problem! Here are some tips for writing a cover letter for data entry with no experience:

• Highlight relevant education or certifications you have that demonstrate mastery in data entry principles and processes.
• Mention transferable skills that relate to data processing such as attention to detail, problem-solving, research capabilities, etc.
• Showcase your diligent professional ethic and ability to both take initiative and collaborate with colleagues.
• Ensure that you incorporate extracurricular activities and volunteer work that has helped you develop the necessary skillset for the role.
• Use clear language that is easy to understand and avoid using jargon or overly technical terms unless absolutely necessary.

Dear Mr. Harper,

I am writing to show my desire to join the Pixel Co. as a Data Entry clerk. Despite having no prior experience in this field, I am convinced that I possess the necessary competencies to succeed in the role.

I have an associate degree in Computer Science, which has given me excellent research, data analysis, and problem-solving skills. I also have solid communication and managerial abilities. In addition, I am highly attentive to detail and accuracy with all tasks I undertake.

Furthermore, I take pride in my capacity to work both independently and collaboratively. In my previous roles, I am able to work effectively as part of a team while also taking initiative on my own projects. My strong work ethic and dedication make me an ideal candidate for this position.

I am eager to put my skills and experience to use in a data entry capacity and I am certain I will exceed your expectations. Please find my resume attached for your review.

Thank you very much for your time and consideration. I eagerly await your response.

Sincerely, Connie Johnson

Proofreading

Double-checking your resume for data entry jobs is vital when submitting an application for a data entry position. Not only can typos and spelling errors detract from your professionalism , but they can also lead to misinterpretation.

• Proofreading a data entry resume is to read it aloud . This will help you catch errors that may have been missed during the initial writing.
• It’s helpful to use a spellchecker , like Grammarly or AutoCorrect, to check for any inaccuracies.
• Having someone else examine your documents can be useful too. A second opinion may assist in finding any mistakes that you did not notice.

Overall, double-checking and correcting any mistakes in your application materials should not be overlooked. Taking the time to check that your papers are free of mistakes reveals your dedication to the job.

Writing a resume for data entry jobs can be a tedious process. With the right guidance, however, it can be done easily and quickly.

Let’s recap the most important parts of a data entry resume writing process:

• Start with drafting a resume summary that spotlights your key qualifications and experience.
• Include information about your education, certifications, and other training.
• Describe your professional experience in detail, focusing on the skills that are most relevant to the position.
• Write about awards or recognition you have received as part of your data entry role.
• List any technical skills you have acquired and software programs you have used.
• Incorporate any other experiences that could be pertinent to the role.

Constructing a resume from the ground up can be time-consuming. To simplify this process, use the online resume builder with templates and look at a sample resume for a data entry specialist for inspiration.

You surely will craft your resume quickly and effectively!

Trevor Richfield

Career Coach & Professional Resume Writer

Trevor is a professional resume writer, career coach, and Nationally Certified Online Profile Expert (NCOPE) with well over 1,000 resumes under his belt. He emphasizes the importance of building an authentic professional brand you are proud to display to potential collaborators and employers. From recent graduates to executive leaders, Trevor has helped professionals land jobs at Fortune 500 companies and expand their own independent ventures.It's not only about results with Trevor, but about a continuous journey of professional and personal empowerment.

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CV personal statement examples

If you want to secure job interview, you need a strong personal statement at the top of your CV.

Your CV personal statement is a short paragraph which sits at the very top of your CV – and it’s aim is to summarise the benefits of hiring you and encourage employers to read your CV in full.

In this guide I have included 17 CV personal statement examples from a range of professions and experience levels, plus a detailed guide of how to write your own personal statement that will get you noticed by employers

CV templates 

17 CV personal statement examples

To start this guide, I have included 10 examples of good personal statements, to give you an idea of how a personal statement should look , and what should be included.

Note: personal statements are generally used by junior candidates – if you are experienced, check out our CV profile examples instead.

Graduate CV personal statement (no experience)

Although this  graduate has no paid work experience, they compensate for it by showcasing all of the skills and knowledge the have gained during their studies, and demonstrating how they apply their knowledge in academic and personal projects.

When you have little or no experience, it’s important to draw out transferable workplace skills from your studies and extracurricular work, to showcase them to employers.

Graduate CV personal statement (part time freelance experience)

This candidate has graduated with a degree in biochemistry but actually wants to start a career in digital marketing after providing some digital freelance services to fund their studies.

In this case, they haven’t made much mention of their studies because they aren’t relevant to the digital marketing agencies they are applying to. Instead they have focused their personal statement around their freelance work and passion for the digital field – although they still mention the fact they are degree educated to prove their academic success.

School leaver CV personal statement (no experience)

This candidate is 16 years old and has no work experience whatsoever, but they compensate for this by detailing their academic achievements that relate to the roles they are applying for (maths and literacy are important requirements in finance and accountancy roles).

They also add some info on their extracurricular activities and school work-placements, to strengthen this student CV further.

    Top tips for writing a CV personal statement

• Thoroughly research the jobs and companies you are planning to apply for to identify the type of candidate they are looking for – try to reflect that in your personal statement
• Don’t be afraid to brag a little – include some of your most impressive achievements from education, work or personal life
• Focus on describing the benefits an employer will get from hiring you. Will you help them to get more customers? Improve their workplace? Save them time and money?
• If you have no work experience, demonstrate transferable workplace skills from your education, projects, or even hobbies

School leaver CV personal statement (part time experience)

Although this person has only just left school, they have also undertaken some part-time work in a call centre alongside their studies.

To make the most of this experience, they have combined their academic achievements with their workplace exposure in this personal statement.

By highlighting their GCSE results, summer programme involvement, work experience and expressing their ambitions to progress within sales, this candidate really makes an appealing case for hiring them.

College leaver CV personal statement (no experience)

This candidate has left college with good grades, but does not yet have any work experience.

To compensate for the lack of workplace exposure, they have made their A level results prominent and highlighted skills and experience which would benefit the employers they are targeting.

Any recruiter reading this profile can quickly understand that this candidate has great academic achievements, a passion for IT and finance and the ability to transfer their skills into an office environment.

College student CV personal statement (freelance experience)

As this student has picked up a small amount of freelance writing work during their studies, they have made sure to brag about it in their personal statement.

They give details on their relevant A level studies to show the skills they are learning, and boost this further by highlighting the fact that they have been applying these skills in a real-life work setting by providing freelance services.

They also include key action verbs that recruiters will be looking for , such as creative writing, working to deadlines, and producing copy.

Academic CV personal statement

Aside from junior candidates, the only other people who might use a personal statement, are academic professionals; as their CV’s tend to be more longer and detailed than other professions.

This candidate provides a high level overview of their field of study, length of experience, and the roles they have held within universities.

School leaver CV personal statement with and sports experience

Although this person has no work experience, they are still able to show employers the value of hiring them by selling their other achievements and explaining how they could benefit an organisation.

They expand on their sports club involvement to demonstrate their teamwork, leadership skills, communication and motivation, which are all important traits in the workplace, and will be looked upon favourably by recruiters and hiring managers.

They also draw upon their future plans to study business studies and take a part time job, to further prove their ambition and dedication.

History graduate CV personal statement

This history graduate proves their aptitude for both academic achievement and workplace aptitude by showcasing valuable skills from their degree and voluntary work.

They do this by breaking down the key requirements for each and showing how their skills could be beneficial for future employers, such as listening, communication, and crisis management.

They also describe how their ability to balance studies alongside voluntary work has not only boosted their knowledge and skills, but also given excellent time management and organisational skills – which are vital assets to any employer.

Law graduate CV personal statement

This legal graduate makes the most from their work university work placements by using it to bulk out the contents of their CV personal statement.

They include their degree to show they have the necessary qualifications for legal roles, which is crucial, but more importantly, they showcase how they applied their legal skills within a real-life work setting.

They give a brief overview of the types of legal professionals they have been working alongside and the type of work they have been carrying out – this is all it takes to get the attention of recruiters and show employers they have what it takes to fulfil roles in the legal sector.

Medical student CV personal statement

This medical student proves their fit for the role by showcasing the key skills they have gained from their studies and their work experience placements.

In just these few sentences, they are able to highlight the vast amount of experience they have across different disciplines in the industry, something which is particularly important in the medical sector.

As they have not graduated yet and are still studying, they have provided proof of their most recent grades. This can give the recruiter some indication as to the type of grade they could be graduating with in the near future.

Masters student CV personal statement

This masters student has started by specifying their area of study, in this case, accounting, and given details about the specific areas of finance they are most interested in. This can hint towards their career goals and passions.

They have then carefully listed some of the key areas of accounting and finance that they are proficient in. For example, business finance, advanced corporate finance and statistics.

They have also outlined some of the transferable skills needed for accounting roles that employers will be looking out for, such as communication, attention to detail and analytical skills.

Finance student CV personal statement

As this finance student has recently undertaken some relevant work experience, they’ve made sure to shout about this in their personal profile.

But more than this, they have included a list of some of the important finance skills they gained as a result of this work experience – for example, financial reporting, processing invoices and month-end reconciliations.

Plus, through power words and phrases such as ‘prevent loss’ and ‘ improve upon accuracy and efficiency’, they have also showcased how they can apply these skills in a workplace setting to benefit the potential employer.

Internship  CV personal statement

This digital marketing professional has started their personal profile by outlining their most relevant qualifications and work experience, most notably their freelance role as a content manager.

They have also provided examples of some of the key marketing skills that potential employers might be looking for, including very detailed examples of the platforms and tools they are proficient in – for example, LinkedIn, Twitter and Pinterest.

They have then closed their statement by giving a detailed description of the type of role or opportunity they are looking for. In this case, an in-house position in a marketing company.

Graduate career changer personal statement

Switching careers as a graduate can be tough. Especially when it comes to writing a personal statement that will attract employers in your new chosen field.

This candidate is looking to move from history teaching into journalism, so they have created a statement which briefly mentions their current workplace, but mainly focuses on highlighting transferable skills which are relevant to journalism. They achieve this by discussing the writing skills they use in their current role, and mentioning their hobby of writing – including some publications they have been featured in for extra brownie points.

Business management graduate personal statement

This business management proves their ability to work within a junior business management position by swiftly highlighting their impressive degree (to ensure it is not missed) and summarising some of the real-life experience they have gained in management during their university placements and volunteering. They do not let their lack of paid work experience, stop them demonstrating their valuable skills.

PhD graduate

PhD graduate roles attract a lot of competition, so it’s important that your CV contains a personal statement that will quickly impress and attract recruiters.

This candidate provides a short-but-comprehensive overview of their academic achievements, whilst demonstrating their exceptional level of knowledge in research, languages and publication writing.

By highlighting a number of skills and abilities that are in high-demand in the academic workplace, this CV is very likely to get noticed and land interviews.

How to write a personal statement for your CV

Now that you’ve seen what a personal statement should look like and the type of content it should contain, follow this detailed guide to one for your own CV – and start racking those interviews up.

Guide contents

What is a CV personal statement?

Cv personal statement or cv profile, personal statement format, what to include in a cv personal statement.

• Personal statement mistakes

How to write persuasively

A personal statement is a short paragraph at the top of your CV which gives employers an overview of your education, skills and experience

It’s purpose is to capture the attention of busy recruiters and hiring managers when your CV is first opened – encouraging them to read the rest of it.

You achieve this by writing a tailored summary of yourself that explains your suitability for the roles you are applying for at a very high level, and matches your target job descriptions .

One question candidates often ask me is , “what is the difference between a personal statement and a CV profile?”

To be honest, they are almost the same – they are both introductory paragraphs that sit at the top of your CV… but there are 2 main differences

A personal statement tends to be used more by junior candidates (graduates, school leavers etc.) and is relatively long and detailed.

A CV profile tends to be favoured by more experienced candidates , and is shorter in length than a personal statement.

Note: If you are an experienced candidate, you may want to switch over to my CV profile writing guide , or example CV profiles page.

To ensure you grab recruiters’ attention with your personal statement, lay it out in the following way.

Positioning

You need to ensure that your personal statement sits at the very top of your CV, and all of it should be totally visible to readers, without the need to scroll down the page.

Do this by reducing the top page margin and minimising the space taken up by your contact details.

This will ensure that your whole personal statement can be seen, as soon as your CV is opened.

We have a Word CV template which can help you to get this right.

Size/length

Your personal statement needs to contain enough detail to provide an introduction to your skills and knowledge, but not so much detail that it bores readers.

To strike the right balance, anything between 8-15 lines of text is perfect – and sentences should be sharp and to-the-point.

As with the whole of your CV or resume , your personal statement should be written in a simple clean font at around size 10-12 to ensure that it can be read easily by all recruiters and employers.

Keep the text colour simple , ensuring that it contrasts the background (black on white is best) and break it into 2 or even 3 paragraphs for a pleasant reading experience.

It should also be written in a punchy persuasive tone, to help you sell yourself and increase your chances of landing interviews , I cover how to do this in detail further down the guide.

Quick tip: A poorly written CV will fail to impress recruiters and employers. Use our quick-and-easy CV Builder to create a winning CV in minutes with professional CV templates and pre-written content for every industry.

Once you have the style and format of your personal statement perfected, you need to fill it with compelling content that tells recruiters that your CV is worth reading.

Here’s what needs to go into your personal statement…

Before you start writing your personal statement, it’s crucial that you research your target roles to find out exactly what your new potential employers are looking for in a candidate.

Run a search for your target jobs on one of the major job websites , look through plenty of adverts and make a list of the candidate requirements that frequently appear.

This research will show you exactly what to include in your personal statement in order to impress the recruiters who will be reading it.

Education and qualifications are an important aspect of your personal statement, especially if you are a junior candidate.

You should highlight your highest and most relevant qualifications, whether that is a degree, A levels or GCSEs. You could potentially go into some more detail around modules, papers etc. if they are relevant to the roles you are applying for.

It’s important that you discuss the experience you have gained in your personal statement, to give readers an idea of the work you are comfortable undertaking.

This can of course be direct employed work experience, but it doesn’t have to be.

You can also include:

• School/college Uni work placements
• Voluntary work
• Personal projects
• Hobbies/interests

As with all aspects of your CV , the content should be tailored to match the requirements of your target roles.

Whilst discussing your experience, you should touch upon skills used, industries worked in, types of companies worked for, and people you have worked with.

Where possible, try to show the impact your actions have made. E.g . A customer service agent helps to make sales for their employer.

Any industry-specific knowledge you have that will be useful to your new potential employers should be made prominent within your personal statement.

For example

• Knowledge of financial regulations will be important for accountancy roles
• Knowledge of IT operating systems will be important for IT roles
• Knowledge of the national curriculum will be important for teachers

You should also include some information about the types of roles you are applying for, and why you are doing so. Try to show your interest and passion for the field you are hoping to enter, because employers want to hire people who have genuine motivation and drive in their work.

This is especially true if you don’t have much work experience, as you need something else to compensate for it.

CV personal statement mistakes

The things that you omit from your personal statement can be just as important as the things you include.

Try to keep the following out of your personal statement..

Irrelevant info

Any information that doesn’t fall into the requirements of your target roles can be cut out of your personal statement. For example, if you were a professional athlete 6 years ago, that’s great – but it won’t be relevant if you’re applying to advertising internships, so leave it out.

Generic clichés

If you are describing yourself as a “ dynamic team player with high levels of motivation and enthusiasm” you aren’t doing yourself any favours.

These cliché terms are vastly overused and don’t provide readers with any factual details about you – so keep them to a minimum.

Stick to solid facts like education, skills , experience, achievements and knowledge.

If you really want to ensure that your personal statement makes a big impact, you need to write in a persuasive manner.

So, how do you so this?

Well, you need to brag a little – but not too much

It’s about selling yourself and appearing confident, without overstepping the mark and appearing arrogant.

For example, instead of writing.

“Marketing graduate with an interest in entering the digital field”

Be creative and excite the reader by livening the sentence up like this,

“Marketing graduate with highest exam results in class and a passion for embarking on a long and successful career within digital”

The second sentence is a much more interesting, makes the candidate appear more confident, throws in some achievements, and shows off a wider range of writing skills.

Quick tip: A poorly written CV will fail to impress recruiters and employers. Use our quick-and-easy CV Builder to create a winning CV in minutes with professional templates and pre-written content for every industry.

Your own personal statement will be totally unique to yourself, but by using the above guidelines you will be able to create one which shows recruiters everything they need.

Remember to keep the length between 10-20 lines and only include the most relevant information for your target roles.

You can also check our school leaver CV example , our best CV templates , or our library of example CVs from all industries.

Good luck with the job hunt!

• • Reduced data processing time by 25% using data entry software.
• • Maintained 99.5% accuracy in data entry for over 6 months resulting in increased productivity.
• • Developed new data entry procedures resulting in a 30% decrease in error rate.
• • Improved database management by organizing and maintaining over 10,000 records.
• • Collaborated with team members to ensure timely and accurate data entry processing.
• • Translated data for clients with limited English proficiency resulting in increased client satisfaction.
• • Completed 50+ market research surveys by entering data into databases with 98% accuracy.
• • Automated data analysis processes using RPA resulting in a 50% reduction in processing time.
• • Prepared weekly reports and analyzed data findings for presentations to team of 10+ executives.
• • Collaborated with in-house and external teams to deliver customized data analysis solutions.

3 Data Entry CV Examples & Guide for 2024

Customize this CV with ease using our seamless online CV builder.

Data Entry CVs based on experience level

Additional data entry cv tips and tricks:, data entry skills for your cv:, data entry cv summary examples and tips:, specific tips how to make your data entry cv stand out:.

When applying for a job, many people overlook a crucial aspect of the process - their CV. In this article, jobseekers will learn how to make their CV stand out with the following:

• 3 examples of Data Entry CVs
• Additonal tips and tricks for creating a Data Entry CV
• Top skills and technologies to showcase on a Data Entry CV
• Sample summaries to illustrate how to present yourself on a Data Entry CV
• Specific tips to help your Data Entry CV stand out
• Frequently asked questions about Data Entry CVs

Career Change Data Entry CV example

Entry Level Data Entry CV example

Top sections for a Data Entry CV:

• Contact Information
• Personal Statement
• Work experience/employment history
• Skills and abilities
• Relevant coursework or training
• Licenses and certifications
• Vounteer work
• Short-term projects
• Associations and memberships

Top bullet points for your Data Entry CV

• Accurately handled data entry resulting in a 30% increase in turnaround time
• Successfully performed daily data entry tasks with a 0% error rate
• Managed large amounts of data entry requests with efficient and timely processing
• Expertly utilised job-specific software, leading to improved productivity by 20%
• Demonstrated exceptional attention-to-detail with high-volume data input
• Coordinated with internal departments to effectively manage high-volume data sharing
• Implemented new data entry processes, leading to increased efficiency by 25%
• Handled confidential data entry requests with superior attention-to-detail and discretion
• Managed data complexities resulting in an increase in processing efficiency by 15%
• Identified data inconsistencies and errors resulting in a reduction of processing errors by 40%
• Communicated professionally with customers and team members regarding data input inquiries
• Assisted with data entry project planning, resulting in project delivery ahead of schedule
• Managed project budget for data entry with a 15% reduction in expenses
• Created data reports with 100% accuracy using Microsoft Excel and other tools
• Proactively identified and recommended updates to data entry processes resulting in identified savings of £20k yearly

Make sure to quantify achievements and use varied language and wording expressions. Here's a In your work experience, focus on measurable results rather than daily tasks.

It's important to showcase both hard and soft skills on your Data Entry CV. Here are the top ones:

Top hard skills or technologies on your CV for a Data Entry job

• Microsoft Excel
• Database management skills
• Typing speed and accuracy
• Data analysis and reporting
• Excellent typing and transcription skills
• Knowledge of accounting principles (for data entry related to finance)

Top soft skills on your CV for a Data Entry job

• Attention-to-detail
• Time management and organisation
• Communication skills
• Teamwork and collaboration
• Problem-solving and critical thinking
• Flexibility and adaptability in a fast-paced environment
• Stress management and composure

Highlight your relevant work experience, particularly in the data entry field. Use specific, detailed examples of your experience to paint a picture of your qualifications.

Top summaries for your Data Entry CV

• A skilled data entry specialist with over 5 years of experience in high-volume data entry, resulting in a 0% error rate
• Experienced and reliable data entry professional with exceptional attention-to-detail and an ability to work independently
• An organised and efficient data entry clerk with experience in managing tight deadlines and handling confidential information
• Detail-oriented data entry specialist with expertise in database management, resulting in significant improvements in efficiency and cost savings
• An accurate and thorough data entry professional with a proven track record of delivering high-quality work on time and under pressure

Make sure to focus on your unique strengths and achievements. Here's another CV Keep your summary short and to the point, highlighting your most compelling skills and experience.

Here are some less-obvious tips:

• Use numeric results to back up your claims
• Use a simple, professional font to enhance readability
• Include keywords from the job description
• Customise your CV for each specific job application
• Make your CV visually appealing and easy to scan

Looking to build your own Data Entry CV?

• CV Examples

Frequently Asked Questions about Data Entry CVs:

Q: should i include references on my data entry cv, q: how can i demonstrate my experience with data management systems on my cv, q: how long should my data entry cv be.

In-Demand Analysis Skills for Your CV That Are on Recruiter’s Watch in 2024

Computer Skills for Your CV: Niche Software and Industry Examples for 2024

How to Choose The Best CV Style: Examples & Tips for 2024

CV Design: 3 Unique Curriculum Vitae Designs for 2024

Understanding the Different Sections in Your CV - Guide for 2024

The Best ATS-Friendly CV Examples (+ ATS-Compliant Template)

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5 Data Entry Cover Letter Examples

Data Entry professionals excel at meticulously inputting, updating, and managing information, turning chaotic data into organized records. Similarly, your cover letter is your chance to transform your diverse skills, experiences, and achievements into a structured narrative that captures a recruiter's attention. In this guide, we'll delve into the best cover letter examples for Data Entry roles, helping you to craft a compelling story that stands out in the job market.

Cover Letter Examples

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The best way to start a Data Entry cover letter is by addressing the hiring manager directly, if their name is known. Then, introduce yourself and express your interest in the data entry position. Briefly mention your relevant experience, skills, or achievements that make you a suitable candidate for the job. For example, "Dear [Hiring Manager's Name], I am excited to apply for the Data Entry position at [Company's Name]. With my 3 years of experience in data management and proven accuracy in high-volume environments, I am confident I can contribute effectively to your team." This approach is professional and immediately highlights your qualifications.

Data Entry professionals should end a cover letter by summarizing their interest in the position and their qualifications. They should reiterate their enthusiasm for the role and how their skills and experiences align with the job requirements. A polite, professional closing such as "Thank you for considering my application" or "I look forward to the possibility of discussing this opportunity further" is appropriate. They should then sign off with a professional closing like "Sincerely" or "Best regards," followed by their full name. It's also important to include contact information, such as email and phone number, for easy reference. This ending leaves a positive impression, shows gratitude for the reader's time, and expresses eagerness for further engagement.

A Data Entry cover letter should ideally be about one page long. This is because hiring managers often have to go through numerous applications and a concise, well-written cover letter can effectively communicate your skills and experiences without taking up too much of their time. The cover letter should be direct and to the point, highlighting your data entry skills, experiences, and why you would be a good fit for the position. Remember, the goal is to pique the employer's interest so they want to learn more about you from your resume.

Writing a cover letter with no experience as a Data Entry can seem challenging, but it's all about showcasing your relevant skills, enthusiasm, and potential to learn quickly. Here's how you can approach it: 1. **Start with a strong introduction:** Begin your cover letter by introducing yourself and stating the position you're applying for. Mention where you found the job posting and if you have any mutual connections with the company. 2. **Highlight relevant skills:** Even if you don't have direct experience in data entry, you might have other skills that are relevant. For example, if you have experience with Microsoft Office, attention to detail, fast typing speed, or the ability to work under pressure, these are all worth mentioning. 3. **Showcase your educational background:** If you have any educational background in IT, business, or any related field, make sure to mention it. Even if your degree isn't directly related, you can highlight any relevant coursework or projects. 4. **Emphasize your willingness to learn:** Employers understand that everyone has to start somewhere. Show your enthusiasm for the role and your eagerness to learn. You can mention how you're planning to improve your skills, such as taking online courses or practicing typing speed. 5. **Provide examples:** Give examples of when you've used relevant skills in the past. This could be during your studies, volunteer work, or any other projects. 6. **End with a strong conclusion:** Reiterate your interest in the role and the company, and express your eagerness to contribute and grow with the company. Remember, your cover letter should not just repeat your resume, but provide a deeper insight into who you are and why you are a good fit for the role. Proofread your letter for any errors before sending it, as accuracy is crucial in data entry jobs.

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Data entry clerk cover letter, data entry operator cover letter, entry level data entry cover letter, related resumes for data entrys, data entry resume example.

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Data Entry Cover Letter Example (+ Full Guide for 2024)

You have an eye for detail and approach every task with precision.

You’re a data entry specialist, so accuracy and efficiency are at the core of your work ethic.

But there's just one problem—you can’t type up a cover letter that reflects everything you can offer an employer.

Staring at that blank document can feel as daunting as decoding a complex spreadsheet, and it's challenging to frame your skills in the right light.

But fear not!

In this article, we're here to navigate you through the intricacies of writing a data entry cover letter that resonates with employers.

We're going to explore:

• What a Successful Data Entry Cover Letter Looks Like
• 5 Steps to Composing an Impactful Data Entry Cover Letter
• 9 Vital Cover Letter Tips for Data Entry Professionals

...and much more!

Let's key it in.

Data Entry Cover Letter Example

5 Steps for the Perfect Data Entry Cover Letter

Alright, you've seen what a great cover letter looks like, and now it's your turn!

Remember, writing an impressive cover letter is all about following some simple steps.

Grab that keyboard and let’s get started:

#1. Put Contact Information in the Header

At the top of your data entry cover letter, it's important to include your contact details. Keep everything consistent with your data entry resume by using a header, so your details will also be easy to find for the hiring manager.

Here's what you should include:

• Full Name. Put your name front and center at the top.
• Job Title. Align this with the specific data entry role you're eyeing. Since hiring managers often juggle multiple job openings, being specific helps them sort things out quickly.
• Email Address. Choose an email that's simple and professional. A combination of your first and last name works best, like [email protected] , rather than something like [email protected] .
• Phone Number. Don’t forget to add your contact number. If you're eyeing a job abroad, include the international dialing code.
• Location. Just your city and state/country are sufficient. If you're open to remote work or willing to relocate, make sure to mention that.
• Relevant Links (optional). If you have a LinkedIn profile or any other professional online presence, feel free to add those links.

Next, you'll want to include the hiring manager's contact details :

• Company Name. Clearly state the company you're applying to.
• Hiring Manager's Name. A bit of research can often uncover this; try the job ad or the company's LinkedIn.
• Hiring Manager's Title. If you know their exact title, like 'Head of Data Management', use it. It shows you've done your homework.
• Location. Note down the city and country, especially if it’s an international company. You can include the street name and number if you want to be extra precise.
• Email Address (optional). If you come across the hiring manager’s email, include it.
• Date of Writing (optional). Adding the date can give your cover letter a professional edge.

#2. Address the Hiring Manager

After setting up your essential contact information, the next step is to tailor the greeting of your cover letter.  

Moving away from the old-fashioned "To Whom It May Concern" is a good idea. A personalized greeting immediately sets a more engaging and connected tone.

To do this, a bit of sleuthing is required. Dive into the job posting, the company's website, or their LinkedIn to uncover the name and email of the person recruiting for the data entry role.

Addressing them formally with "Mr." or "Ms." followed by their last name shows respect. If you're not sure of their marital status or prefer a more gender-neutral option, their full name works well, too. For instance:

• Dear Mr. Boussard,  
• Dear Jordan Boussard,

In cases where you can't find the specific name of the hiring manager, aim your letter at the relevant department or the company more broadly.

• Dear Data Entry Team,  
• Dear Human Resources Department,  
• Dear XYZ Corporation,

Are you struggling to prepare your application for that data entry job? Learn how to write a resume with our detailed guide!

#3. Write an Eye-Catching Opening Statement

Hiring managers often only take a short time to review a job application before deciding if it's worth a closer look.

To grab their attention from the start, your opening paragraph has to make a memorable first impression.

Start by introducing yourself and sharing why you're drawn to the data entry role. A touch of enthusiasm for the job or the field itself can spark the hiring manager's interest in you.

If you have relevant experience, lead with an impressive achievement or a unique skill that sets you apart as a candidate for the data entry position.

Doing your homework about the company beforehand can also pay off. The better you understand the organization, the more effectively you can show why you'd be a great addition to their team. This method tells the hiring manager that you're truly interested in this specific role, not just sending out your resume to any job you find.

But , it's important to keep it brief. Your goal at this point is to just pique the hiring manager's curiosity, making them want to read more of your cover letter.

#4. Use the Cover Letter Body for the Details

The body of your data entry cover letter is where you bring your qualifications and experiences to life, stepping beyond the bullet points of your resume.

It's crucial not to just echo what's in your resume. Use this space to delve into how you achieved particular successes, address any gaps in your employment, or describe the development of a key skill relevant to data entry.

Concentrate on achievements that highlight why you're an ideal candidate for the data entry position. Refer to the job advertisement for clues. For example, if the job ad stresses the importance of "efficient and accurate data processing," you might discuss a time when you efficiently managed a large dataset or implemented a new system that increased data accuracy.

Customizing your cover letter for the specific role is key. If the job emphasizes proficiency in certain software or databases, detail your experience with these tools and provide specific examples.

Being informed about the company you're applying to is also a plus. If you admire their advanced use of technology in data management or their commitment to data security, make sure to mention it. This shows that you align with their values and goals.

And don't forget, your enthusiasm is important. Make it clear that you're excited about the chance to work with them and confident that you can make a meaningful contribution to their team.

Remember to keep an eye out for these fatal cover letter mistakes while writing your own!

#5. Wrap It Up and Sign It

Concluding your cover letter effectively is your final opportunity to make a memorable impression on the hiring manager.

In your closing paragraph , quickly summarize your key strengths. Maybe you have a strong history of managing large databases with high accuracy, or you're known for your proficiency in specific data entry software. Just remind them why you're the ideal fit for the role.

Then, prompt the hiring manager to take the next step, like arranging an interview. A clear call to action shows your enthusiasm and readiness to move forward in the hiring process.

End your data entry cover letter on a professional note. Choose a respectful sign-off, followed by your full name.

Here’s how:

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me via email or phone to schedule an interview. I am looking forward to the possibility of discussing my application in more detail at your earliest convenience.

Warm regards, Jesse Mayer

If "Warm regards" doesn't quite suit your style, here are some other options for a closing line:

• Best regards,
• Thank you for your time and consideration,

Need more inspiration? Check out these 21+ cover letter examples.

9 Essential Data Entry Cover Letter Tips

You've got all the know-how for crafting a standout data entry cover letter, and now it's time to add that final polish!

Up next, we'll share some essential cover letter tips to make your application shine:

• Match Your Resume. Ensure your cover letter complements your resume so the hiring manager can easily pick out your application from the lot. Use our free resume builder and grab one of the matching cover letter templates to give your application a professional look.

• Customize Each Letter. Tailor your data entry cover letter for each job application. Mention specific details about the company and the role to show that you've done your homework.
• Highlight Your Skills. Focus on the skills and experiences that make you ideal for a data entry role. Use specific examples to demonstrate your expertise.
• Include Your Software Proficiency. Showcase your expertise with various data entry software and systems, reflecting your adaptability and technical skills.
• Emphasize Speed and Efficiency. Mention specific instances where your ability to quickly and efficiently process large volumes of data made a significant impact, demonstrating your productivity.
• Show Your Enthusiasm. Let your excitement for the job and the company shine through. A genuine interest can set you apart from other candidates.
• Use a Professional Tone. Even though the tone should be conversational, maintain a level of professionalism suitable for a job application.
• Proofread. Always double-check your cover letter for spelling and grammatical errors. A polished letter reflects your attention to detail.
• Include Keywords. Incorporate keywords from the job description. This can help if the company uses software to screen applications.
• Add a Call to Action. End your cover letter with a call to action, like expressing your eagerness to discuss the role in an interview.

Key Takeaways

And that's a wrap on mastering your data entry cover letter!

With all the insights and tips you've gathered, we're confident that you're on your way to crafting an application that stands out.

Before we conclude, let's quickly summarize the key points of our article:

• Align your data entry cover letter to your resume. The easiest way is by using an online resume builder that also offers matching cover letter templates you can choose from.
• Start your cover letter by expressing your specific interest in the data entry role and showing the hiring manager why your skills are a perfect match.
• Use the cover letter body to highlight your precision in data entry, including examples of your attention to detail and efficiency. This is your chance to write a narrative that paints you as the best candidate, so don’t just repeat what’s on your resume.
• Make sure to showcase your proficiency with various data entry software. Reference the job ad for what software is relevant to the role.
• Wrap up with a call to action, inviting the hiring manager to discuss your application and showing your keen interest in the job.

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A personal statement is an essay written by a student applying to either a college or university. A personal statement is written and then uploaded to UCAS and is then attached to any university applications that the student may then make.

If you need more information check out our personal statement advice articles .

How to write a personal statement

There isn't a clearly defined personal statement template for you to use as each person's statement is different.

When it comes to writing a personal statement for universities, your personal statement should touch on your passions, your interest in the course, why you're applying for the course and why you would be an asset to the university you're applying to.

Talk about the clubs and societies that you belong to, any work experience you may have and any awards you might have won.

If you're still looking for information check out our article on how to write a personal statement .

How to start a personal statement

When it comes to starting your personal statement, the best thing to do is to be succinct and to have enough tantalising information to keep the reader informed and eager for more.

Your introduction should touch on your personal qualities and why you are applying for the subject you're applying for. Keeping things short and sweet means that it also allows you to break your personal statement up, which makes it easier for the reader.

We have plenty of advice for students that are wondering about what to include in a personal statement .

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Sample Personal Statement Data Science and Analytics

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

In personal statement samples by field.

The demand for data science experts is increasing in every industry, not just in technology. Moreover, it is a high-paying job with a guaranteed placement even before graduation. Hence, the competition is also increasing, and with every passing year, the ease of getting into a top data analytics program keeps getting harder. So, start early with your application and make sure you put good time into drafting your perfect application essays.

Here is a sample personal statement of data science professional with two years of experience working in a big data consulting firm. This candidate was able to secure admission into top data science programs like Vanderbilt and CMU. He has graciously shared his successful essay so that prospective applicants can benefit from it.

Related Personal Statements 1) Sample Personal Statement Business Analytics 2) Sample Personal Statement in Advanced Analytics (admitted to NCSU) 3) Sample Personal Statement in Analytics (admitted to Georgia Tech) 4) Sample Personal Statement in Management and Analytics (admitted to LBS)

Sample Personal Statement for Big Data/Data Science/Data Analytics

I want to play a critical role as a big data architect who translates business problems into solvable analytics. In the short run, I want to work for a leading FMCG firm like Unilever, P&G, or Nestle and define procedures and models to determine what IT systems gather and remove information silos across different departments. In the long run, however, I want to extend my expertise in the public sector and advise corporates and governments alike across the globe to solve several social and business problems through big data.

My undergraduate has equipped me with extensive quantitative knowledge and technical experience around different themes in Computer Engineering. I’ve focused most of my studies on GUI in C++, apps and game development, and intensive numerical analysis. This was further honed when I joined Afiniti Experience Ltd as Software Engineer.

I have written scripts using MySQL and MSSQL to process large datasets and troubleshoot and configure the company’s operations. At Afiniti, I have developed a strong skillset in collecting, storing and managing big data. I plan to translate business problems into analytics-driven solutions, which I would embed into business operations. However, I must first curate my leadership skills and polish my skillset in designing computational pipelines for high-dimensional and large-scale complex data.

At Vanderbilt, I want to develop my theoretical basis of operations and decision technologies which ideally dovetails with my career interests of applying quantitative techniques in business operations. Beyond the classroom, I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to learn from and collaborate with Vanderbilt’s influential faculty. The Data Science Institute will allow me to learn data-driven research and train me as a future leader.

In particular, the techniques of Gautam Biswas on learner modeling and adaptivity are foundational for my current work. Moreover, Jeffrey D. Blume’s expertise in statistical inference and methodology for analyzing and interpreting receiver operating characteristic curves will equip me with tools through which I can excel in my future career.

My future aspirations require strong leadership qualities recognized in a data-driven world. For this purpose, I would greatly benefit from Data Science Institute’s capstone development and lead a project from scratch. This will mold my personality into a global leader’s persona.

Lastly, I will exploit the locational advantage of living at Vanderbilt and gain access to multiple fortune 500 companies where I can seek pro bono consulting opportunities and enhance my problem-solving acumen. I am also confident in acquiring the necessary communication skills to present solutions to Product Managers, Sales Associates, Engineers, and Marketing Teams.

To sum up, owing to my aspirations and professional expertise in big data synthesis, I am confident of using the vibrant opportunities at Vanderbilt’s master’s in data science and converting it into an ideal segue for my future career aspirations.

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Last updated March 5, 2024

Every piece we write is researched and vetted by a former admissions officer. Read about our mission to pull back the admissions curtain.

Blog > Common App , Essay Examples , Personal Statement > 15 Amazing Personal Statement Examples (2024 Update)

15 Amazing Personal Statement Examples (2024 Update)

Admissions officer reviewed by Ben Bousquet, M.Ed Former Vanderbilt University

Written by Kylie Kistner, MA Former Willamette University Admissions

Key Takeaway

What’s that old saying? “The best way to learn is by doing.” Well, we believe that, in personal statements and in life, cliches like this should be avoided. For some people, the best way to start writing a personal statement is indeed just to start.

But for most writers, jumping right into the writing process is a daunting task. If you’ve never written a personal statement before, then how do you know where to begin?

That’s where example essays come in. There are millions of opinions in the college admissions world about whether or not students should read example essays. But here’s ours:

You absolutely should be reading example personal statements.

Let’s get into it.

Why you should read example personal statements

Reading example personal statements helps you understand why they work (or don’t work) in the admissions process.

Now, the point of reading them isn’t to copy them. It’s not even necessarily to be inspired by them.

Instead, the point of reading examples is to know what personal statements look like. Think about it: if you’d never seen a children’s book before, would you know how to write one? Probably not! Same goes for personal statements.

In this post, we show you some exceptional, solid, and need-to-be-improved personal statements.

And to help you understand how these essays function as personal statements, we’ve also gotten our team of former admissions officers to grade and provide feedback on each.

What does an admissions officer look for in a personal statement?

Before we get to the essays, let’s briefly walk through what goes through an admissions officer’s head when they open an application.

Admissions officers (AOs) read hundreds to thousands of applications in a single year. Different institutions require admissions officers to use different criteria when evaluating applications, so the specifics will vary by school. Your entire application should cohere to form a seamless narrative . You'll be crafting that narrative across the following categories:

• Transcripts and course rigor : AOs look at the classes you’ve taken to assess how much you’ve challenged yourself based on the classes your school offers. They’re also looking at how well you've done in these classes each term.
• Extracurricular activities : When reading through your activities list, AOs look at the activities you’ve done, how many years you’ve participated in them, and how many hours a week you devote to them. They’re assessing your activities for the levels of magnitude, impact, and reach that they demonstrate. (Want to know more about these terms? Check out our extracurricular impact post .)
• Background information : This background information briefly tells admissions officers about demographic and family information, your school context, and any honors or awards you’ve received.
• Letters of recommendation : Letters of recommendation give AOs insight into who you are in the classroom.
• Essays : And, finally, the essays. Whether you’re writing a personal statement or a supplemental essay , essays are the main place AOs get to hear your voice and learn more about you. Your personal statement in particular is the place where you get to lay out your overall application narrative and say something meaningful about your personal strengths.

So, with all that in mind, what does an admissions officer actually look for when reading your personal statement?

A few traits tend to surface across the best personal statements, no matter the topic or format. There are four primary areas you should focus on as you craft your personal statement.

• Strengths : AOs want to know about your strengths. That doesn’t mean bragging about your accomplishments, but it does mean writing about a topic that lets you showcase something positive about yourself.
• Personal meaning : Personal statements shouldn’t be fluff. They shouldn’t be history essays. They should be personal essays that ooze meaning. The topic you choose should show something significant about yourself that the admissions officers won’t get from any other part of your application.
• Authenticity and vulnerability : These characteristics can be the most difficult to achieve. Being “vulnerable” doesn’t mean airing all your dirty laundry. It means revealing something authentic and meaningful about who you are. To be vulnerable means to go beyond the surface level to put yourself out there, even to admissions officers who you’ve never met.
• Clear organization and writing : And lastly, admissions officers also want your essay to be organized clearly so it’s easy to follow along. Remember that admissions officers are reading lots of applications, even in one sitting. So you want to make your reader’s job as easy as possible. Thoughtful and skillful writing can also help take your personal statement to the next level.

If you want to know more about how to incorporate these traits into your own essay, we have a whole guide about how to write the perfect personal statement .

But for now, let’s get into the examples.

We’ve broken up the example personal statements into three categories: best personal statement examples, good personal statement examples, and “bad” personal statement examples. These categories show you that there is a spectrum of what personal statements can look like. The best examples are the gold standard. They meet or exceed all four of the main criteria admissions officers are looking for. The good examples are just that: good. They’re solid examples that may be lacking in a specific area but are still effective personal statements. The “bad” examples are those that don’t yet stack up to the expectations of a personal statement. They’re not objectively bad, but they need some specific improvements to align with what admissions officers are looking for.

Here we go!

The Best Personal Statement Examples

Writing an exceptional personal statement takes a lot of time and effort. Even the best writers can find the genre challenging. But when you strike the perfect chord and get it right, it’s almost like magic. Your essay jumps off the page and captures an admissions officer’s attention. They feel like you’re right there with them, telling them everything they need to know to vote “yes” on your admission.

The following essays are some of our favorites. They cover a range of topics, styles, and student backgrounds. But they all tell meaningful stories about the writers’ lives. They are well-organized, use vivid language, and speak to the writers’ strengths.

For each essay, our team of former admissions officers have offered comments about what makes the essay exceptional. Take a look through the annotations and feedback to see what lessons you can apply to your own personal statement.

Personal Statement Example #1: Thankful

My family has always been broke. Saturday mornings and Thursday evenings, always the same drill: the kids (my brothers and me) would be loaded in the car with my parents and off we’d all go to the food pantry. New clothes were few and far between, and going on vacation was something that we could only dream of. Despite our financial struggles, one year, my parents decided to surprise us with a trip to Disney Land. It was a complete shock to me and my siblings. We were over the moon. In fact, the screams of excitement that emanated from my younger brother’s mouth still ring in my ears.

But as the trip drew close, my excitement tempered and I began to worry. Being poor when you’re young doesn’t just affect you materially. It also affects how you see the world and loads you up with a whole range of anxieties that, in an ideal world, no child should have to face. How were my parents going to afford this, I wondered? Would an expense like this push us over the brink?(( The beginning of this essay, and especially this sentence, show the writer’s empathy. They are not selfish; they understand their broader family context and take that into consideration.)) I didn't want to ruin the surprise by asking, but I couldn't shake the feeling of dread building inside of me.

The day of our trip arrived and we set off for the airport. In the car, my dad made an off-the-cuff comment about a new video game that he’d wanted to play but didn’t buy, and everything clicked—my parents had made the trip possible by saving for months, cutting back on expenses and sacrificing their own comforts to make the trip happen.

As we boarded the plane, I was filled with a mix of emotions. I was grateful beyond words for my parents' sacrifice, but I was also overwhelmed by the guilt of knowing that they had given up so much for us. I didn't know how to express my gratitude; when we deplaned in LAX, I gave my mom and dad a rib-crushing hug.

The trip itself was everything that I had dreamed of and more. We spent four magical days at Disney Land(( Nice use of vivid details here. The reader can picture the sights and smells of Disney—and the ensuing hunger when passing a churro stand.)) , speed running the roller coasters and campy boat rides from the 70s. Sure, we packed our own food and walked right by the churro stands with a hungry look in our eyes. But I will never forget the feeling of unmitigated joy that my family shared on that trip, the smiles that painted my parents’ faces.

But the trip itself was nothing compared to the gratitude I felt for my parents(( Here, the writer transitions to reintroducing the theme of gratitude.)) . They had given us the gift of a lifetime, and I knew that I would never be able to repay them for their sacrifice.

In the years since that trip, I have carried that feeling of gratitude with me. It has motivated me to work hard and to always strive to be the best person that I can be. I want to make my parents proud and to show them that their sacrifice was worth it(( Finally, the writer sums things up with an eye to the future. It’s helpful for an admission officer to picture what the essay’s lessons might mean for the student as a future community member.)) .

I will never be able to fully express my gratitude for what my parents did for us, but I will always remember their selflessness and their willingness to put their own needs aside for the sake of our happiness. It was a truly surprising and incredible act of love, and one that I will always be thankful for.

AO Notes on Thankful

This essay accomplishes a few things even though it essentially tells one story and offers a quick reflection. It gives some important context regarding the challenges of being from a lower-income family. It does that in a way that is authentic, rather than problem-focused. It also shows that the writer is empathetic, family-oriented, and reflective.

Why this essay stands out:

• Vulnerability : This essay is upfront about a challenging topic: financial insecurity. While you don’t have to tell your most difficult challenge in an essay, this writer chose to write about a circumstance that gives additional context that may be helpful as admissions considers their application.
• Personal : The writer gets into some family dynamics and paints a picture of how their family treats and takes care of each other.
• Values: We clearly see some values the writer has and that they don’t take their parents’ sacrifices for granted. As an admission officer, I can picture this student using their education to give back—to their family or to others.

Personal Statement Example #2: Pickleball

I’ve always been one to have a good attitude no matter the circumstances. Except when it comes to exercise. From dodgeball in PE class to family Turkey Trots, I’m always the first one out and the last one across the finish line. These realities aren’t from a lack of skill—I’m actually quite coordinated and fast. They are from a lack of effort(( This is a quick hit of… either humor or vulnerability. I chuckled at the blunt honesty, and am intrigued to learn more.)) . Despite my best intentions, I can never get myself to care about sports or competitions. So when my dad first asked me to be his pickleball partner last summer, I did nothing but laugh.

But soon, I realized that he was serious. My dad started playing pickleball two years ago as a fun way to exercise. He’d become a star in our city’s recreation league, and I always enjoyed cheering him on from the sidelines. When his doubles partner got relocated for work, my dad decided that the disruption was a good opportunity for us bond through pickleball. Even though I was mortified by the thought of running back and forth to hit a bouncing ball, I reluctantly agreed.

The next Saturday morning, we went to the court for our first practice. I was wearing sweatpants, an old sweatshirt, and a grimace. My dad showed me how to hold the paddle, serve, and return the ball to our opponents. He told me about staying out of the kitchen—an endearing pickleball term that references the “kitchen,” or the middle part of the court—trying to make me laugh. Instead, I sighed impatiently and walked to my end of the court, ready to get it over with.

My dad remained patient in spite of my bad attitude. He gently served me the ball, and I gave a lackluster attempt to return it. The ball bounced into the net. I hadn’t even made it to his side of the court. Trying his best to encourage me, my dad gave me the ball so I could serve it to him instead. I tossed the ball up and hit it underhand toward my dad. It hit the net again. I tried again and again, each attempt with less care than the last. I grew frustrated and threw my paddle down in anger(( Okay, this paragraph gives a good dose of openness to the emotions of the writer. They’ve served up an opportunity to learn a lesson soon…)) .

After seeing my mini-meltdown, my dad crossed the kitchen to talk to me. During our conversation, I began to ask myself why I got so frustrated when I wasn’t trying very hard in the first place. I thought pickleball was a miserable sport, but I realized that it wasn’t pickleball that I cared about. I cared about my dad. I wanted to make him proud(( Ah, and there it is! A realization. As the admission officer I’m thinking, “Go on…”)) . Playing pickleball with him was the least I could do to thank him for everything he’d done for me. I dusted off my bad attitude alongside my paddle, and I got up to try another serve.

That serve hit the net again. But more determined now, I kept trying until my serves went over the net and through my dad’s weak side. I couldn’t believe it. My attitude adjustment helped me see the game for what it was: a game. It wasn’t supposed to be agonizing or cruel. It was supposed to be fun.

I learned that my attitude towards sports was unacceptable. This experience taught me that it’s okay to have preferences about what you enjoy, but it’s important to always maintain a positive attitude(( And the lesson learned! )) . You may just enjoy it after all.

Now my dad and I are both stars in our recreation league. Soon, we will make our way to our league’s semi-finals. We’ve worked our way through the bracket and are close to the championship. What I appreciate more about this experience, however, is how close it’s brought my dad and I together. His patience, positivity, and persistence have and will always inspire me. I want to be more like him every day, especially on the pickleball court.

AO Notes on Pickleball

This is a strong “attitude adjustment” essay, a bit of a remix of a challenge essay. The challenge, in this case, was a fixed mindset about sports that needed to be adjusted. The writer takes us on a witty journey through their own attitude towards organized athletic activities and their father.

• Self-aware : Similar to the vulnerability of other essays, this writer is willing to criticize themselves by recognizing that they need an attitude adjustment. Even before they changed their attitude, we get the sense that they are at least aware of their own lack of effort.
• Strong conclusion : We see a nice lesson at the end that relates both to having an open mind and caring for others. They even make a point about simply enjoying things because they are fun.
• Life lesson : Beyond the stated lesson, as an admission officer with a few more years on this Earth than the writer, I can tell this lesson will apply beyond sports. In fact, I can easily picture this student trying a new class, club, or group of friends in college because they are now more open to novel experiences.

Personal Statement Example #3: The Bird Watcher

I’m an avid walker and bird watcher(( Okay, the writer gets right into it! I think this simple introduction of the topic works well because they are writing about a less common hobby among teenagers. If they had said “I am an avid baseball player”, I would have been less eager to learn more.)) . Growing up, I’d clear my head by walking along the trail in the woods behind my house. By the time I was immersed in the chaos of high school, these walks became an afternoon routine. Now, every day at three o’clock, I don my jacket and hiking shoes and set off. As I walk, I note the flora and fauna around me. The wind whispering through the trees, the quiet rustling of a chipmunk underfoot, and the high-pitched call of robins perched atop branches, all of it brings me back to life after a difficult day.

And recently, the days have been more difficult than not. My grandparents passing, parents divorcing, and doctor diagnosing me with ADHD have presented me with more challenges than I’ve ever experienced before. But no matter what’s going on in my life, the wildlife on my walks brings me peace. As an aspiring ornithologist, the birds are my favorite(( This paragraph accomplishes a lot: a montage of difficult circumstances, context for their application, and declares their future career.)) .

I became interested in ornithology during long childhood afternoons spent at my grandparents’ house. They would watch me while my parents finished up work. I’d listen to the old bird clock that hung on the wall in the kitchen. Each number on the clock corresponded with a different bird. Every hour, the clock would chirp rather than chime. When the cardinal sang, I knew my parents would be arriving soon. Those chirps are all seared into my memory.

Twelve o’clock: robin. The short, fast, almost laugh-like sound of the robin always makes me hungry. All those Saturday afternoons filled with laughter and good food have resulted in a Pavlovian response. I’d cook meatballs with my grandma, splashing sauce on her floral wall paper. We’d laugh and laugh and enjoy the meal together at her plastic-covered kitchen table. This wasn’t my home, but I felt at home just the same.

Three o’clock: blue jay. It’d chime as soon as we walked in the door after school. The blue jay was my grandpa’s favorite. It was also mine. Why he loved it, I’m not completely sure. But it was my favorite because it marked the beginning of the best parts of my day. Symbolizing strength and confidence, blue jays always remind me of my grandpa.

Six o’clock: cardinal. The sharp whistle and staccato of the cardinal indicated that it was almost time for me to leave. Like the whistle of a closing shift, I’d hear it and start to pack my things. The cardinal has always been my least favorite.

Nine o’clock: house finch. The high, sweet, almost inquisitive call of the house finch was the one my grandma loved most. It was also the one I rarely heard. Either too early or too late in the day, the house finch was reserved for the occasional weekends when I’d spend the night at their house. My grandma would explain that finches symbolize harmony and peace. They are petite but mighty, just like she was(( This is a clever and sweet way of describing summer days with grandparents, while sprinkling in some vivid details to bring the story to life.)) .

This past weekend was the anniversary of my grandpa’s passing. Longing for my grandparents, I went for a walk. Winter is approaching, so the sky was darkening quickly. I walked slowly. As the sun set, I heard the tell-tale squawk of a blue jay, loud and piercing through the chill of the wind. I looked around and saw it sitting on an old stump, a small house finch behind it. I extracted my binoculars from my backpack, hoping to get a better glimpse through the dark. I turned the dial to focus the lenses, just as the birds flew away together. I took a deep breath, binoculars in hand, and continued on, spotting a robin in the distance(( The ending stylistically wraps the essay up without tying a bow on it. It’s a more artful way of concluding, and it works well here.)) .

AO Notes on Birdwatcher

This first two paragraphs are well-written and fairly to-the-point in their language. They do a nice job of setting the scene, but the third paragraph transitions into the writer’s distinctive voice. They detail the birds on the clock to chronicle the hours of their summer days and end, not without concluding, but leaving the reader wanting to read more of their stories.

• Voice: The writer transitions to writing in their own distinct voice, which comes to a crescendo in the final paragraph.
• Interesting approach: Sometimes students use an approach to tell a story that feels overly forced or cliche. This one feels organic and relates nicely to the writer, their family, and the story as a whole.
• Career path : This is far from a “What I want to be when I grow up” essay, but it clearly shows an academic interest grounded in family and childhood memories. This is an artistic and beautiful approach to showing admissions how the writer may use their college education.

Personal Statement Example #4: Chekov’s Wig

At the age of six, I starred in an at-home, one-woman production of Annie. My family watched as I switched between a wig I’d fashioned from maroon yarn, a dog’s tail leftover from Halloween, and a tie I’d stolen from my dad.

When the reveal came that Annie’s parents had actually passed away, I took a creative liberty: they had left Annie a small unicorn farm. The rest of the play proceeded as normal. When the curtain closed, I bowed to the sound of my family’s applause. But one set of hands was missing: my grandmother’s. Instead she sat, arms raised, and jokingly exclaimed, “But what about the unicorns?”(( Wow, an interesting intro! We see creativity and a silly side to the writer. As the admission officer, I’m eager to see where this leads.))

My grandma, an avid thespian, taught me a lot about life. But one of the most important lessons followed this production of Annie . After we laughed about her remark, she introduced me to the concept of Chekov’s gun. For Anton Chekov, brilliant playwright, the theory goes something like this: a writer shouldn’t write about a loaded gun if it’s not going to be fired. In other words, writers shouldn’t include details about something if it won’t serve a purpose in the story later. My unicorn farm had committed this writing faux pas egregiously.

I’m not a natural writer, and I have no goal to become one, but I’ve taken this concept of Chekov’s gun to heart—it forms the foundation of my life philosophy. I don’t believe that everything was meant to be(( This philosophical reflection is a nice introduction to the paragraphs that follow. )) . In fact, I think that sometimes bad things just happen. But I believe that these details will always play a part in our larger story.

The first test of my Chekov’s gun philosophy occurred shortly after Annie when my grandma, my biggest supporter, passed away. My family tried to console me saying that “it was her time to go,” but I disagreed. I couldn’t see how a death could be destined. Instead, I found comfort knowing that her presence, her support, and her death wasn’t for nothing. Like Chekov’s gun, I wasn’t quite sure how or why, but I knew that she would return for me.

As I grew older, my philosophy was tested time and again. Most recently, I fell back on Chekov’s gun as I coped with my parents’ divorce and my subsequent move to a new town. Both events shattered my world. My happy family theatre productions turned into custody hearings and overnight bags. The community I’d found at my old school became a sea of unfamiliar faces at my new one. None of this was meant to be. But as the writer of my own life, I won’t let the details become inconsequential.

I’ve used these events as plot points in my high school experience. Dealing with my parents’ divorce has taught me how to make the best of what’s given to me. I got the chance to decorate two bedrooms, live in both the suburbs and the city, and even have twice the amount of pets. And without the inciting incident of the divorce and move(( We see that the writer is able to make lemonade out of lemons here.)) , I never would have joined a new drama club or landed leading roles in Mama Mia and Twelfth Night. The divorce and move, like Chekov’s gun, have been crucial details in getting me where I’m at today.

I know that Chekov’s gun is more about the details in a story, but this philosophy empowers me to take what happens, the good and the bad, as part of my personal character development. Nothing would be happening if it weren’t important.

This summer, as we cleaned our garage in preparation for yet another move, I found my old Annie wig, yarn tangled from the box. Next to the wig was a note, handwritten in a script I’d recognize anywhere. My darling star, it read. You are going to go on to do great things. Love, Grandma ((And a sweet, or bittersweet, conclusion.)) .

AO Notes on Chekov’s Wig

This essay tells a beautiful story about a foundational philosophy in this young writer’s life. As their admission officer, I can see how grounded and positive they are. I can also imagine them taking this lesson to college: really paying attention to life, reflecting on the past, and understanding the value of even the smallest instances. There is an inherent maturity in this essay.

• Creativity: From the first few sentences, we can see that this student is now, and was as a child, creative. An original thinker.
• Reflective: When challenged by their grandmother, the writer didn’t insist that their way was correct. They took the criticism in stride and absorbed it as a salient life lesson. This shows open-mindedness and an uncommon level of maturity.
• Silver linings: It’s clear that this young writer has had some familial challenges that are likely familiar to some of you. They don’t gloss over them, but instead they learn from them. From having more pets to starring in the school musicals, there are lessons to glean from even life’s more difficult challenges.

Personal Statement Example #5: An Afternoon with Grandmother

The Buddhist temple on the hillside above my home has always possessed a deep power for me. With its towering spires and intricate carvings thousands of years old, it is a place of peace and serenity(( This writer opens with some wonderful imagery. I like how the imagery mirrors the meaning.)) —somewhere I can go to escape the chaos of the world and connect with myself and with my sense of spirituality. When my grandmother called me one January to let me know that she would be coming to visit, I smiled, my mind darting immediately to the temple and to the visit of it we would take together.

My relationship with my grandmother is a special one. After my parents passed away, she and my grandfather raised me for three years before I moved in with my father’s sister. In that time, she was my sole companion; she shared her recipes with me, told me stories, and most importantly, she taught me everything I know about spirituality. We spent countless nights staying up past bed-time, talking about the teachings of the Buddha, and she encouraged me gently to explore my own path to enlightenment(( This topic is accomplishing a lot: we see the writer’s relationship with their grandmother, their personal values, and their ideas about who they want to be in the future.)) .

When my grandmother finally arrived, I felt bathed in a warm glow. After catching up and preparing her favorite meal—red rice with miso soup and hot green tea—I told her about the plans I had for us to visit my special place.

Later that afternoon, as we entered the temple, I felt the calmness and tranquility wash over me. I took my grandmother's hand and led her to the main hall, where we knelt before the altar and began to recite the prayers and mantras that I had learned from her years before.

As we prayed, our voices joined together, echoing throughout the temple. A gentle rain began to fall outside and, as the cold crept around where we knelt, I was engulfed by a deep sense of connection with my grandmother and with the universe. It was as if the barriers between us were falling away, and we were becoming one—with each other, and with our shared connection to the divine.

We finished our prayers and sat in silence, lingering in the serenity of the temple. I could feel my grandmother's hand in mine, and I was filled with a sense of gratitude and love(( A great example of weaving vivid language with explicit reflection!)) .

Spirituality has been essential in my life. It gives me a sense of grounding and purpose, and it teaches me the value of compassion. My spirituality has also given me a way to connect with my grandmother on a deeper level—like a private language that only we speak together. In a world that can often feel chaotic and disconnected, faith and spirituality provide a sense of stability and connection.

As we left the temple, I held my grandmother's hand and felt suffused by a sense of peace and contentment. Too often people who are disconnected from spirituality misunderstand the role it plays in billions of people’s lives. They see it as a way to “check out” from the issues the world faces, ignoring their responsibilities to others. This may be true for others, but not me. Quite the opposite. My spirituality helps me empathize with others(( Wonderful reflection.)) ; it helps me focus on the obligations we each have to every other person and creature on this planet. For me, it is the ultimate way to “check in” to the needs of the world and my community in a way that grounds me emotionally.

Spirituality offers a way to find meaning and purpose in life, and to connect with something greater than ourselves. For that, and for my grandmother, I am truly grateful.

AO Notes on An Afternoon with Grandmother

In this deeply reflective essay, the writer uses spirituality and their relationship with their grandmother to reveal a very personal part of themselves. The writer isn’t afraid to be vulnerable, and they clearly showcase strengths of wisdom and compassion.

• Vivid language: This author is a talented writer who has included a bunch of vivid language. But it’s not over the top. They include just enough to hold a reader’s attention and add some interest.
• Reflection: The reflection throughout this essay is excellent. Notice how it’s not just at the beginning or the end. It’s woven throughout. The writer follows up each major detail with an explanation of why it’s personally meaningful.
• Conclusion: The conclusion combines vivid language and reflection perfectly. By the end of the essay, we know exactly what the writer wants us to take away: spirituality is personally meaningful to them because it helps them connect with the people around them. And I especially like how the writer chose to end on a note of gratitude—always a good value to have in a personal statement.

Personal Statement Example #6: Rosie’s

While most people find their lowest point at rock bottom, I found mine in an Amerikooler DW081677F-8(( We’re definitely off to an odd start. I’m curious where this is headed!)) . With drops rolling down my back and my cheeks, I snuck into the walk-in freezer for a moment of chill.

At that point, I had worked at Rosie's for nearly a year. The job was a good one: it fit with my school schedule, paid well, and introduced me to close friends. But as a workplace, Rosie’s was pure chaos. The original owners passed on a host of problems the new owners were working hard to fix. But the problems ran deep. From an inefficient kitchen organization to a malfunctioning scheduling software, we never knew what to do or when.

The day I found myself in the Amerikooler was the day everything caught up with us(( This is a good transitional phrase that helps readers navigate this fairly complex narrative.)) . An error in our scheduling software led to us operating with only 30% of our typical team. As the only waitress on duty, I ran between the kitchen and the guests, stopping mid-delivery to put new vegetables in the steamers. The kitchen staff were barely getting through each dish before customers lost patience.

Then, in all the commotion, I dropped a plate of macaroni and cheese all over a customer. I apologized over and over again. I was embarrassed and ashamed. I couldn’t believe what I had done. I always tried to be one step ahead to give my customers the best service, so my mistake felt like an utter failure. After helping them clean up, I ran immediately to the freezer. I realized that something had to change.

In the Amerikooler, a pea and corn mix cool on my back, I considered my options. The easiest option was to quit. I could find another job, one that didn’t cause me so much stress. But quitting wouldn’t just mean giving up. It would mean accepting my failure. It would also mean abandoning the coworkers I had grown close to. Leaving them would only burden them more. While I knew it wasn’t my job to fix the restaurant, I knew that leaving wasn’t the answer either. Instead, I decided to focus on solutions(( I like the focus on solutions and action steps here!)) . I stood up from the cold, dirty freezer floor, dusted off my work pants, washed my hands, and got back to work.

Despite being the newest and youngest member of the Rosie’s staff, I recognized that I brought a new perspective to the workplace. Having spent the previous three summers scheduling volunteers for my local food drive, I used my organizing experience to devise a new scheduling system, one that didn’t rely on our outdated technology. I brought up the system at our weekly meeting, and after initial pushback, everyone agreed to give it a try. Three months later, my system keeps everyone happy and our kitchen and floor staffed.

But it wasn’t just the staffing problem that was the issue. Our workflows were inefficient, and we didn’t know how to communicate or collaborate effectively. I know that identifying an issue is always the first step to a solution, so I raised the question at our most recent staff meeting. Having earned my coworkers’ and bosses’ trust(( And here we see some good growth and leadership.)) , I led us in outlining a few new processes to streamline our productivity. In stark contrast to the failure I felt after spilling the macaroni and cheese, developing a new workflow with my coworkers made me proud. I hadn’t given in to the chaos, but I had worked thoughtfully and collaboratively to create new solutions.

I’m sure that won’t be my last time working in a disorganized environment or spilling macaroni and cheese. But I know that I’ll be ready to address whatever comes my way.

AO Notes on Rosie’s

If you’ve ever worked in a food establishment, then something in this essay will probably resonate with you. But I appreciate how the writer doesn’t get pulled into the negativity they experience. Instead, they focused their efforts (and their essay) on how they could make things better for everyone. That’s the kind of student admissions officers want to see on their campuses.

• Organization: The writer has to narrate and backtrack a bit at the beginning of the essay to make the introduction work. But it’s not confusing for a reader because they have very solid transitions. I also like how the action steps and reflection are organized in the narrative.
• Positive outlook: As an admissions officer, I would admire this student for their problem-solving skills. Working in that environment was surely tough, but they didn’t give up. They got to work and helped everyone out in the process.
• Humor: From the introduction to the conclusion, the writer incorporates subtle humor throughout. Because of it, we actually feel like we know the writer by the conclusion. Too much humor can overwhelm a personal essay, but just enough can help readers see who the writer really is.

Personal Statement Example #7: Gone Fishing

I pulled the line with my left hand and snapped the rod back with my right. The line split through the air above me like a knife through cake. I rigidly waved my right arm up and down to dry off my fly, which had started sinking from the weight of the water. Ready to cast, I loosened the grip on my left hand to release a few more feet of line, pulled my right arm back in a grandiose motion, and hammered it back down. I expected my line to fly out in front of me, gracefully floating back onto the surface of the water. Instead, I was met with a startling resistance. My fly had lodged itself into the bush behind me(( This opening paragraph has great vivid description. Here, we end on a moment of suspense that has left me intrigued about what will happen next.)) .

Annoyed, I waded through the tall, thick grass, rod under my arm and mosquitoes buzzing in my ears. This was the reality of fly fishing. In my short time as a fisherman, I’d caught far more trees, bushes, and riverweed than I had fish. What seems so elegant in movies like A River Runs Through It is actually a grueling process of trial and error. I took up flyfishing a year ago to conquer my fear of the outdoors(( Ah ha—we learn that this essay isn’t really about fly fishing. It’s about conquering a fear. And with that, we see that the stakes are high.)) . I could have (and probably should have) chosen a more mild activity like hiking or kayaking, but I’ve always been one to take on a challenge.

I had been afraid of the outdoors since childhood. Coming from a family that prefers libraries to parks and bed and breakfasts to tents, I never learned how to appreciate nature. I limited my time outside as much as I could. I feared the bugs, the sun, and the unknown.

I decided to try flyfishing when I realized I didn’t want to be controlled by my fear any longer(( As an AO, I would applaud this student’s bravery.)) . All the birthday parties I’d turned down, the memories that were made without me, I had missed out on so much. Being outside was an integral part of the human experience—or, at least, that’s what I’d been told. Without being willing to enjoy nature, I was missing out on what it meant to be myself.

Soon after this realization, I found an old rod in my grandpa’s garage and took it as a sign from the universe. On my first time out, my Honda Civic lurched over a ditch on the gravel road Google Maps had directed me to. I’d spent hours watching YouTube videos of proper technique. Stepping out of my car, I felt my skin crack under the dry heat, and I wanted to leave. But I continued on, walking through branches and over logs to the riverbank. I was doing it( More vivid detail that really gives us a sense of the writer’s discomfort—yet they’re persisting.)) .

I pushed myself to continue, no matter how uncomfortable I got. I went back, Saturday after Saturday, each time noticing improvements in my abilities. Along the way, I learned to push myself to do things that make me uncomfortable. I saw myself in a new light. I wasn’t Charlie, afraid of the outdoors. I was Charlie, fisherman.

The first time I caught a fish, I could hardly believe it. Thinking I had caught another piece of riverweed, I tugged on my line and rolled my eyes. But suddenly, it started tugging back. It was a sensation I’d never experienced before, one of haste, pride, and panic. I instantly collected myself, bracing against the bank as I secured the line with my finger and slowly pulled the fish ashore. Delicately removing my hook from its mouth, I admired its beauty. Whereas I had once feared creatures like this trout, I now respected it. Its holographic scales glistened in the sunlight. I thanked it for helping me grow, and I placed it back in the water. It swam away. I wiped the slime off my hands and picked up my rod, left hand tugging at the line, right hand snapping back again((This conclusion is quite long, but I really like this poetic ending. It shows so much growth, and there’s a subtle nod to the fact that the writer is continuing to fish.)) .

AO Notes on Gone Fishing

From all this imagery, I really felt like I was fishing alongside them. What’s better, I feel like I really get where this student is coming from because of their vulnerability. They show immense growth and open-mindedness, which is exactly what admissions officers are looking for.

• Imagery: This writer definitely likes creative writing. From the introduction, we can envision ourselves going on this journey with the writer. There is some excellent “show, don’t tell” here.
• Deep personal meaning: Biggest fears are hard to overcome, especially with such a good attitude. It’s clear that this topic is a meaningful one to the writer. Even the act of fly fishing, which they didn’t seem to like much at first, becomes a meaningful act.
• Narrative arc: We have a classic “going on a journey” essay, where the writer transforms on a journey from point A (being afraid of the outdoors) to point B (catching a fish). The writer’s implementation of this structure is excellent, which makes the essay easy to follow.

Good Personal Statement Examples

Even if your essay isn’t worthy of The New Yorker , you can still make your mark on admissions officers. Writing an essay that fulfills all the goals of a personal statement, whether or not it meets every single criterion an admissions officer is looking for, can still get you into a great college.

Most personal statements are good personal statements, so don’t worry if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the amazing essay examples you see online. The key to writing a good personal statement is writing your personal statement. Focus on finding a topic that lets you communicate your own meaning and voice, and you’ll be set.

The following examples are awesome personal statements. There may be a little room for improvement in places, but the essays do exactly what they need to do. And they say a lot about their writers. Let’s see what the writers and admissions officers have to say.

Personal Statement Example #8: Beekeeper’s Club

As I lift the heavy lid of the hive, the hum of thousands of bees fills my ears. I carefully smoke the entrance to calm the bees, and I begin to inspect the frames. The bees are busy at work, collecting nectar and pollen, and tending to their young. I am in awe of their organization.

I never would have thought that I, a high school student, would become a beekeeper(( An interesting hobby for a high school student! I’m intrigued to see where this is going.)) . But now it’s something I can’t imagine my life without.

It all started when I found a beekeeping suit at a garage sale two summers ago. At a mere five dollars, it was yellowing and musty, but it appeared to be fully intact and without any holes. I’ve lived many lives as a hobbyist, always willing to try new things. I’ve been a sailor, a gardener, a basketball player, a harpist, a rock climber, and more. The problem is that I can never manage to see these hobbies through(( I see. Here we get a sense of what’s at stake in this new venture. The problem is that writer can’t seem to hold down a hobby. Will beekeeping solve that problem? Let’s find out .)) . As a perpetual novice, I always lose interest or become overwhelmed by all the information. But that’s never stopped me from taking up a new hobby, so I brought the beekeeping suit to the make-shift register and handed the seller a five-dollar bill.

To embark on my new hobby, I first went to the library and read everything I could find about beekeeping. Research is always my first step when starting something new. I like to know what I’m in for. As I read, I became fascinated by the fact that such small creatures can serve such a critical role on our planet. I learned about the importance of bees for pollinating crops, and I read that their populations have been declining in recent years. I was determined to do my part to help. This wasn’t just a hobby anymore— it was a mission(( And the stakes just got higher.)) .

But like the bees I’d been reading about, I knew I couldn't do it alone. My years of abandoning hobbies had taught me that this time, I needed guidance from someone with experience. I knew the first place to look. At the farmer’s market that Saturday, I went straight to the honey stand and introduced myself. The vendor’s name was Jeremy, and he was excited to see someone so young taking up beekeeping. I asked if I could come see his hives sometime, and he agreed.

I showed up the next weekend with my used beekeeping suit in hand. Jeremy gave me a tour. I was astounded by the simultaneous simplicity and complexity. As the months went by, Jeremy became my mentor. He taught me the importance of monitoring the health of the hive, how to properly harvest honey, and even the ins and outs of the farmer’s market business.

I was grateful for his guidance and friendship. I found myself becoming more and more passionate about bees and the art of beekeeping.

After months of tending to my hive, I finally had it up and running. These bees were in my care(( The writer has shown us that they’ve learned a big lesson from their past failures: they need support and guidance. I’m impressed that this time they are making an intentional change.)) —this was one hobby I couldn’t abandon. With that knowledge and Jeremy’s support, one hive grew to five. I’m not in it for the money or even the honey. I’m in it for the bees, for the millimeter of difference I’m making in their lives and in the life of the earth.

Through beekeeping, I have found a community of people who share my love for bees. Jeremy, the bees, and the entire beekeeping community have taught me not to quit. We support each other, share tips and advice, and work together to help protect these important insects. And in the process, I have learned that I can take up any new hobby I want and stick with it if I just put in enough effort(( Yep—the writer has come out of this journey on the other side, having learned that their effort does pay off.)) .

AO Notes on Beekeeper’s Club

As an admissions officer, it’s always fun to read about students’ eccentric hobbies. I’d count this as one of them. But what’s better than learning about the hobby is seeing a student’s personal growth.

What makes this essay good:

• Personal journey: Most good personal statements show some kind of personal growth. In this case, we see that the writer has grown mature and aware enough to hold down a hobby. We see that it wasn’t an easy road, but they got there.
• Strengths: There are lots of strengths in this personal statement. We see self-awareness, initiative, teamwork, and care for the bees and the planet.
• Reflection: Part of what makes this personal journey so good is that the writer takes us on the journey with them through reflection. At each stage of the journey, we know exactly what the writer is thinking and feeling. By the end, we’re celebrating their success with them.

What the writer could do to level up:

• Personal meaning: Yep, “personal journey” and “personal meaning” can be two separate things. Although the writer goes on a great personal journey, the personal meaning seems to be lacking a bit. It’s clear that this is an important topic to the writer, but it doesn’t exactly come across as an especially vulnerable one. The writer could make it more vulnerable by incorporating more personal meaning into their reflection: what would it have meant if they had quit beekeeping too? What’s the problem with dropping hobbies in the first place? Why is it personally important to learn to stick with things?

Personal Statement Example #9: Ann

Pushing her blonde curls from her forehead, she pursed her lips in focus(( This vivid, detailed description really draws me in.)) . She sat with legs crossed across the kitchen chair. This was it: the moment she’d been preparing for. Her tiny hand gripped the pencil as if it were a stick of dynamite and twitched her fingers up, down, and back again. She looked up at me and smiled, teeth too big for her growing mouth. “Ann,” the paper read. As I glowed back at my mini-me, I saw in her my whole heart(( And here the focus switches from Ann to the writer—an important transition.)) .

My sister was technically an accident, born when I was eleven years old. But I know that, in the grand scheme of things, Ann’s existence was destined by the cosmos. Watching her write was like looking in a mirror. My hair has long since turned brown, but she and I deal with the same unmanageable curls. Her toothy grin developed over five years of mutual laughter. And she got that unwavering focus from watching me do my own homework each night. At the same time I’ve taught her the ways of the world, she’s taught me joy, patience, and persistence(( Lessons learned! This sentence really draws attention to the main theme. It could be a little more specific because “joy, patience, and persistence” are almost cliche.)) .

I had been an only child for my first decade of life. I remember being lonely and without purpose. With Ann came the opportunity to make a real impact on someone, even as a child myself. The night she was born, I vowed to protect her. I had never seen anyone so small and fragile, and I begged my parents to let me hold her. Next to mine, her hand looked like a doll’s. It was purple and pink from the ordeal of birth. Her eyes barely opened, but I couldn’t keep mine off her.

Many older siblings find their younger siblings to be nuisances. But Ann has always been my best friend. Her first two years of life, she struggled with health issues that scared us all. I felt helpless and afraid, but I knew I had to fight alongside her. I did everything I could: I grabbed diapers and bottles for my parents, I talked to her for hours on end, and, when she was old enough, I spoon fed her and encouraged her to eat. As Ann grew bigger and stronger, I grew stronger, too(( It sounds like this was a really difficult challenge for the writer and their family. I appreciate this picture we get of the writer in relation to Ann.)) .

Each year has gotten better than the previous. I was there to catch Ann when she took her first steps, teach her her first words, and get her dressed every day. She tagged behind me as I took photos before my first dance, got my learner’s permit, and went on my college tours. While being a teen with a toddler sibling wasn’t always perfect, Ann’s mere presence makes those around her feel loved and appreciated. She’s exactly who I aspire to be.

Watching her write her name at the kitchen table, I became overwhelmed with the thought of leaving her to head off to college. She still has so much to learn, so many ways to grow. But just as the thought entered my mind, she spoke in her high-pitched and innocent voice. “When you go to college,” she asked, “will you tell me about your classes?” I blinked away the tears gathering in my eyes, smoothed her curls with my hand, and pulled her in close.

Going to college won’t mean leaving Ann. It will mean opening her world—and mine—to endless new knowledge and possibilities. She’ll grow and change, and so will I. When we reunite, we’ll smile our toothy smiles and embrace each other, our curly hair intertwining. We’ll sit at the kitchen table, focused and laughing, like nothing has changed(( I like how the siblings are continuing to grow together, but at the end of the day, they still have their amazing relationship.)) .

AO Notes on Ann

I always find sibling essays like this one so sweet. It’s amazing how clearly we can understand someone solely through their interactions with a loved one. As an admissions officer, I would see that this student would be a great community member (and roommate!).

• Deeply meaningful: Especially with the family context, it’s apparent that this topic is deeply meaningful to the writer. Because it’s so meaningful a topic, the writer is able to show an immense amount of care for Ann without even trying. AOs love seeing traits like care, maturity, and the ability to grow.
• Clear message: Personal statements should have themes that encompass the main message the writer wants to convey. This essay’s message is clear as day: the writer is a better, happier, more generous person because of Ann. They are an awesome sibling.
• More about the self: This one’s tricky because we get an implicit sense of who the writer is now through the overall tone and meaning. But a lot of the personal examples the writer chose are old examples from childhood and early adolescence. Some of those are important to provide family context, but I still would have liked to get a more recent picture of the writer.

Personal Statement Example #10: Running through My Neighborhood

My mind and eyes began to wander as I turned the corner on my fourth mile. I’ve always been a runner. It's a way for me to relax and challenge myself. Running makes me feel like I’m one with the world around me. As I run, I can't help but be struck by the beauty of the buildings and people that make up my city. Each is a work of art—a carefully-crafted expression of my community. With every step, I feel a deep connection to the life around me(( This introduction covers a lot, so this last sentence could be a bit more specific.)) .

On my run, I find myself drawn to the intricate details of the buildings. I admire the way the light catches on centuries-old bricks, casting shadows that dance across the pavement below. I look up at the skyscraper windows that nearly touch the sky, frightened at the sight of window washers. Old and new, the buildings all carry stories.

In the same way, I admire the neighbors around me. I see them feeding pigeons, smiling at me as I pass by. They’re walking dogs and babies, talking on a park bench, and playing hopscotch. I run by them, fast but steady, and breathe it all in. I’m on this beautiful city block, surrounded by people whose whole lives are familiar yet mysterious, and I’m running.

But it's not just the aesthetic beauty of the buildings that grabs my attention. As I run, I find myself thinking about the stories and histories behind each one. I wonder about the people who built them, the families they had at home, the lives they led. I think about the people who have lived and worked in these buildings and the memories that have been made within their walls.

Take the local bakery, for instance. I’ve run by there a thousand times in my life, each time soaking up the smell of freshly-baked bread and pastries. The building seems unassuming at first, with a simple glass door and brick façade. But once you step foot inside, you’re immediately hit with the warmth of the staff and patrons. The old photos on the wall and cozy furniture that has been there since the bakery’s opening back in the 1950s—it feels like home(( These are great vivid details.)) . The bakery is everything I value about my neighborhood. It completely represents what kind of neighbor I want to be. Plus, it’s not a bad place for a post-run snack.

Through my runs, I’ve also made connections with those who frequent the sidewalks alongside me. One of the people I see regularly on my runs is Mrs. Carter, an elderly woman who always has a kind word and a smile for everyone she meets. Her white hair is carefully curled, and her face is dimpled with laugh lines from thousands of conversations like ours. She often stops to chat with me, asking how my day is going and sharing stories from her own life. I always look forward to seeing her. She’s like the grandmother I never had. Mrs. Carter inspires me to be a better community member every day(( This kind of reflection brings the focus back to the writer’s personal journey.)) .

Running through my neighborhood is about more than just staying fit. It’s also about being in community with those around me. As I weave through the people on the sidewalk, I feel as though I am weaving myself through their stories, picking up tidbits and adding them to my own narrative. I wouldn’t be who I am today without these runs that have taught me so much. I can’t wait to run across my college campus, admiring my new surroundings and meeting my new neighbors(( I like this gesture to the future—as an AO, I would start to picture this student running through my campus, too!)) .

AO Notes on Running through My Neighborhood

Running essays can get a bad rap in college admissions. But this one overcomes that stereotype. At its core, this essay is about the runner’s relationship to their community. I really appreciate how much care and enthusiasm this writer shows for those around them.

• Writing: The writer’s voice shines through. They have great vivid descriptions, and we’re really able to envision ourselves in the neighborhood alongside them.
• Personal meaning: The way the writer describes those they encounter in their neighborhood shows that this isn’t a minor part of their life. Their runs are a big deal. The people they see along the way have greatly shaped who they are.
• Greater focus on self: Now, there are much worse culprits when it comes to personal essays that focus on people other than the writer. But the writer does toe the line. Their descriptions mostly focus on those around them, and while there is some reflection that connects their own experience to other people, it doesn’t actually take up much space in the essay. To level up, the writer could make this essay more about themself.

Personal Statement Example #11: Musical Installation Art

As a child, I was always drawn to stringed instruments(( The hook could have more punch, but this gets the job done.)) . I would pluck at my dad's old guitars, create makeshift harps with dental floss, and even play around with the banjo and harp in music class. As I got older, I realized that I wanted to focus on making my own instruments. And where better to start than in my dad's scrapyard? The yard sprawled out for almost five acres behind our house. It was a marvel of junk and oddities, with the accumulated garbage from hundreds of junker cars built up in our backyard. I grew up playing there, leading a childhood that most parents would probably see as reckless—rolling tires through narrow alleyways between crushed cars stacked high. But for me, the backyard was an endless playground for my imagination.

It was there that I discovered the joys of welding and soldering. I would rummage through piles of metal and find pieces that I could fashion into something new. My first sculptures were simple, resembling birds or dogs and pieced together from strips of metal. I’d look for similar art everywhere I went, grasping for inspiration. At a fair one weekend, I saw a booth run by an artist who built guitars. After speaking with him about his art, he asked to see a picture of my sculptures. I showed him and explained that I hoped to make my own instruments one day, too. He scuttled to the back of his tent and returned with a gift: a set of thick copper strings. “Try using those,”(( What an endearing story.)) he told me.

My first sculpture instrument was a crude thing—little more than a board of metal with pegs that I used to pull the copper strings tight. But I tightened them, I was in love—spending all night plucking away. At first, the instrument wailed and screeched. String by string, I delicately tuned the wires into sirens. I had created something that played music, and I was so proud.

My experience building the instrument motivated me to enroll in a sculpture class at the local community college. It was there that I learned how to properly solder metal and create more complex structures. For my final project, I made a three-foot-tall, four-stringed metal instrument in the shape of a dragon.

But as I worked, I started to realize that my dragon wasn't going to be beautiful in the traditional sense. Its metal body was jagged and uneven, and the strings were stretched tight across its back in a way that produced discordant, almost abrasive music. I tried to adjust the tuning, but no matter what I did, the music remained harsh and unpleasant.

At first, I was disappointed. I wanted my dragon to be a work of art, something that people would marvel at and love listening to. But as I continued to play with it, I started to see the beauty in the chaos(( This paragraph shows wonderful growth. And as a reader, I’m drawn in trying to imagine what the sculpture actually looks like.)) . The music it produced was like a musical language that I had invented, one that was wild and untamed. It was a reflection of my own creativity and individuality. A discordant collection of notes that sounded like they’d been tuned so as to be atonal. But I didn't care. I was a scrapyard kid, and this dragon played the song of my people: strong, innovative, and beautiful.

The combination of sculpture and music fascinates me. How does the shape of a fabrication affect the kind of sound that the object produces? What sounds do different materials produce? As I’ve learned more about sculpture, I’ve also become interested in installation art that has sound dimensions. I want to capture people’s visual and aural attention to inspire questions about how we navigate the aesthetic world(( It sounds like this topic potentially relates to the student’s future goals. If that’s true, there could be a clearer academic connection here.)) . And I’ll use whatever scraps I can find to make my creations.

AO Notes on Musical Installation Art

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a piece of musical installation art myself, so this topic really held my attention. I appreciate the journey the writer went on to learn that their art may not look like everyone else’s, but it can be just as impactful.

• Topic: I like this topic not only because it’s not one you see every day but also because it lets the writer reveal a lot about themself and their background. We see where they grew up and who they grew up with, and we also learn about this deeply meaningful personal interest.
• Writing style: This author has a very distinct writing style. In some ways, the writing style mirrors their art style—abrupt at times, melodic at others.
• Organization: The first half of this essay doesn’t always match up with the second half. Even though we’re still able to see the writer’s journey as a metal artist and musician, there’s still a bit of streamlining that needs to happen.

Personal Statement Example #12: Ski Patrol

I can never get enough of being in the mountains(( This hook isn’t very compelling, so it could use some more attention.)) . I am a skier through and through. Growing up, I spent countless family vacations on the slopes with my dad and siblings. I love the rush I get speeding down the mountain—I’ve improved so much over my life that I can now handle most runs I come across. But last year, I took my love for skiing to a whole other level by joining ski patrol.

It was mid-December, and my family had decided to take a weekend away to go skiing. Everything was going normally at first. We had a good day on the slopes and wanted to go one more run before calling it a night. We took a moment to rest and watched the person in front of us go. Only seconds after she headed down the mountain, something happened with her ski. She catapulted into a nearby tree. People raced to check on her, while we stayed back and alerted ski patrol.

When ski patrol arrived, I watched in amazement. They moved in such a precise way. They were like a machine—everyone knew exactly what to do when. Thankfully, it was a false alarm and the skier only had a few scratches. But my own life was changed forever. I knew then that I wanted to be a part of this team, to help others in a tangible way and to make a difference on the mountain that had always been my home.

As soon as I could, I applied for the Junior Ski Patrol team. I had to go through a tryout process on the hill, which made me nervous. But it felt good to be surrounded by people who loved skiing as much as I do. Thankfully, I was accepted shortly after; it was one of the best days of my life. Now on Junior Ski Patrol, I have the opportunity to do what I love – skiing – while also making a positive impact on others(( And here we get to the heart of the essay. The writer wants to help others while doing something they love. It’s a noble pursuit!)) . My team shadows the adult Ski Patrol, and we learn a lot of lessons along the way.

On the mountain (and in life), you never know what challenges might arise. One of the most important things I’ve learned from Junior Ski Patrol is to be prepared for anything. I’ve gotten my CPR and first aid certifications so I’m always prepared to administer life-saving care to anyone who might need it. I know how to pack a bag full of enough essentials to survive harsh weather or injuries.

But ski patrol has also taught me so much more than just how to help others. It has shown me how I work best on a team. I’m not naturally a leader, which is something I’ve always felt ashamed about. After learning from our mentors who all fulfill different roles on their adult Ski Patrol team, I realized that I don’t have to be a leader to be a good team member. The quiet collaborators who can follow the lead, take initiative when needed, and do their jobs really well are just as important as the people who are front-and-center(( An important personal insight.)) .

Being on ski patrol as a high school student has been an incredible journey, and I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of such a dedicated team. More importantly, I’m proud of the growth I’ve experienced. I went from a person who just loves skiing to a person who is more confident in herself. I no longer feel unprepared or timid. I know exactly how to keep myself safe and work alongside others. While I don’t want to be a professional Ski Patroller or even go into medicine, I know these lessons will serve me well wherever life takes me(( As an AO, I would have been wondering if being on JSP made them want to study medicine, so I appreciate that they answered it for me!)) . But no matter where I end up, when the mountain calls, you know I’ll answer.

AO Notes on Ski Patrol

In this fun hobby-meets-accomplishment essay, the writer shows us their strengths of care and teamwork. I like the crossover between something that they really enjoy and this impressive accomplishment they have of being on Junior Ski Patrol.

• Lessons learned: The writer makes it very clear what lessons they learned from Junior Ski Patrol. Lessons don’t always have to be this explicit, but I appreciate how the writer really takes the time to reflect on what they’ve learned.
• Personal insight: Okay, this point is related to the lessons learned. But it’s important to draw out on its own because personal essays are, of course, personal. This topic easily could have been just about skiing down a mountain or administering first aid on patrol. Instead, the writer kept the focus inward to meet the expectations of a personal essay.
• What’s at stake?: We do get a good sense of personal meaning. But the writer could do a better job of speaking to the significance of this activity to their life. A good question to ask is, “What’s at stake?” What would I have lost or gained if this story had turned out differently? Asking these questions can also help you figure out what it is that you want an admissions officer to learn from your personal statement.

Personal Statement Example #13: The Regulars

One pump of vanilla syrup. Frothed milk. One espresso shot. Caramel drizzle(( Starting with some version of the following sentence would have been a stronger hook.)) . Like a scientist at her bench, I have methodically repeated these steps four days a week for the past two years. During my time as a Starbucks barista, I’ve learned hundreds of recipes and customizations. I know all the secret menu hacks, and I’ve developed several recipes for friends and family too. I pride myself on speed, quality, and memory. My favorite part of the job is the customer service. As one of the busiest locations in the region, I’ve caffeinated thousands. But it’s my regular customers, those whose orders I know like the back of my hand, who have truly impacted me.

Venti Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew, hold the vanilla syrup. A busy mom of four, Chelsea is always in a hurry. I try to catch her the moment she enters the store so I can get started right away. Her Venti drink fuels her through school dropoffs and pickups, gymnastics lessons, and evening math homework. Throughout my conversations with her, I’ve learned that Chelsea is a scheduling virtuoso. As someone with ADHD(( This paragraph is almost too much about Chelsea, so this sentence is crucial to bring the focus back to the writer.)) , I became so inspired by her ability to juggle so many people and schedules simultaneously. After asking her for advice, she helped me find a time management system that I can keep up with. I have Chelsea to thank for my improved grades.

Grande dark roast, no room for cream. Mr. Williams is a retired businessman who always tips 100%. Mr. Williams is a quiet man, so it took me months to draw any information from him. Instead of using my over-the-top customer service voice, I eventually learned to be myself. When I got him to open up, I discovered that he was a service worker himself before he made it big in business in his sixties. The truth is, Mr. Williams has tipped me hundreds of dollars throughout my time here, which is extra money that will help me pay for college. He’s taught me the value of quiet generosity(( Let’s be honest. Mr. Williams sounds like a cool guy. But Mr. Williams isn’t applying to college—the writer is! I like that we get small glimpses into who the writer is through this paragraph, but there’s still room for more.)) .

Tall soy London Fog. Sweet Darla gave up coffee twenty-five years ago, but she still loves an occasional treat. When Darla enters, I clear my schedule. She always has stories to tell about the eighty years of life she’s lived. Darla is everything I want to be at that age: she’s spunky, opinionated, and hilarious(( Here we learn a lot about the writer through Darla.)) . Sometimes I tell Darla stories of my own. When I explained the dramatic series of events that led to me landing first chair in my symphony, she said she was going to retell it her bridge club. Making Darla laugh so hard will always be one of my proudest moments.

Grande iced matcha. Taylor is my age and goes to my school. When I took her order for the first time, I felt embarrassed that I needed to work to support myself while she could enjoy expensive drinks. But her kindness softened me. As time went on, I learned that she visited Starbucks so much because she wanted to get out of her house, which wasn’t a very happy place. While I have to take on as many shifts as possible, I still have a happy home to return to afterward. Now Taylor comes in near the end of my shift so we can take our drinks and have dinner at my house.

When you work in customer service, customers enter and exit your life like a revolving door. But the regulars, those special people who draw connections from daily but brief interactions, stick with you for life. I wouldn’t be who I am today if it weren’t for these people, and I would never have met them if it weren’t for my job as a barista. I haven’t just been making drinks these past two years. I’ve been making friends(( The conclusion does a good job tying all these different stories back together. )) .

AO Notes on The Regulars

No one appreciates a good barista story more than a tired admissions officer on their 30th application of the day! I like the personality that comes through in this essay especially. But this is one of those cases where it’s almost too much about other people.

• Creative take: Not every college essay needs a creative flair. In fact, sometimes going for “unique” structures can detract from an essay. But I like how the writer uses this format to structure the essay.
• Organization: This essay isn’t one a reader is bound to get lost in. The introduction sets up the essay well, it’s easy to see the connections between the points the writer is conveying, and the conclusion brings the focus back to the writer.
• More focus on self: While we do learn about the writer in this essay, we also learn a lot about Chelsea, Mr. Williams, Darla, and Taylor. The writer could have pared down the descriptions of other people—or cut one of the examples altogether—to save more room for personal reflection.

“Bad” Personal Statement Examples

These “bad” essays aren’t necessarily bad. They just aren’t very effective personal statements. Specifically, these two essays make some of the biggest college essay mistakes.

Making mistakes, especially when you’ve never written a personal statement before, is to be expected. We’ve included these examples so you can see what those mistakes look like in real-time. Learning from ineffective examples can be just as helpful as learning from the exceptional ones, so grab your pencil and start taking notes.

Our admissions officers have highlighted what’s working and what’s not. They offer helpful commentary and advice for revisions that you can use to assess your own personal statement.

Personal Statement Example #14: The Worst Year

My sophomore year of high school presented me with so many challenges(( This hook definitely gets straight to the point, but it doesn’t draw me in as a reader.)) . I struggled with a lot that year and barely managed to get by. It was the greatest challenge I ever faced.

The year started out like any other but soon went into chaos. My brother suddenly started struggling with drugs and alcohol. Before that, we didn’t know how bad he was hurting. But one night he finally came to us for help because apparently he had been using substances to cope with his emotions. He was scared because he felt like he had reached a breaking point and needed support. My parents didn’t want to help because they thought that he didn’t have a problem but I know my brother and I knew that he didn’t seem like himself. It was so sad to watch him go through that. I tried my best to help him but I was only a kid. I couldn’t really do anything besides tell him I loved him. Eventually my parents decided to get him some help, so he went away for a while and I wrote him letters every week and visited him as much as I could. The treatment he got helped thankfully. He’s doing better now and I am grateful that he is my brother.

But then Covid hit and I couldn’t even leave my house. We thought it would just be a two week vacation to school but it turned into two whole years of my life gone just like that. At the beginning I was stuck in my bedroom while my parents were working their jobs from the living room. Everyone was constantly getting annoyed with each other and driving each other wild. I would be doing a class Zoom in my room and I could hear my parents in a meeting in the living room. I had a hard time not being able to see my friends. I couldn't focus and my grades dropped. Even my teachers didn’t really seem to care. I was sick of staring at black Zoom screens all the time that I even stopped logging on. All of that combined led to me becoming very depressed and anxious. My grades dropped even more because I just couldn’t pay attention or focus enough to do my homework. I ended up getting grades way lower than I ever thought I would that year and I’m so frustrated about it because it felt like I was trying my best but it just wasn’t enough(( Here we see the writer opening up a bit and reflecting on what it was like to go through that experience.)) .

Even once we finally got back in school things didn’t get much better. The pandemic was just too much for my family so my parents ended up getting divorced at the beginning of my junior year. After all we had been through together seeing them separate made me devastated. My dad got an apartment and I had to go back and forth between their houses and pack up all my stuff every time. It was like moving my entire life every weekend. My brother was out of the house by this point so it was just me all by myself. My school was far from my dad’s new place so I’d have a long commute on the weeks I was with him. He was stressed at work and about the divorce and I just ended up feeling so lonely and spending most of my time in my room. My grades got better once online school stopped(( This moment of hope does a lot for moving the essay forward.)) but I had a hard time keeping close relationships with my friends because they didn’t like that I was living far away now and that we couldn’t really hang out anymore.

I couldn’t believe that two years would change so much. Getting through everything really challenged me. But I’m glad to be moving forward with my life.

AO Notes on The Worst Year

This student definitely had a challenging year. It’s clear that they’ve overcome a lot, and I appreciate their willingness to share their struggles. I like that the very last sentence

What this essay does well:

• Vulnerability: Writing about challenges is never easy, especially when you’re writing to people you don’t know. This writer is bold and unafraid in doing so.

What could be improved on:

• Not enough positivity: Here’s the thing. You definitely don’t need to be able to spin all of your challenging experiences into positive ones. But the topics you choose to write your college essay about should ultimately conclude on a positive note. You want your college essay to show you in a positive light, so you should choose a topic that lets you find a light, positive, or hopeful resolution.

Personal Statement Example #15: The Strikeout that Changed My Life

The stadium lights shone brightly in my eyes. I stepped up to the plate and drew back my bat. I wiggled my fingers, waiting. The pitcher wound up his arm and threw the ball towards me. My eyes worked overtime to track the ball. I watched as it flew directly towards the center of the plate and made a last-minute curve(( I like this vivid description.)) . It went straight into the catcher’s mitt. “Strike three!” the umpire yelled. That was the time I struck out at the quarter-finals. My team was so close to making it to the championship that we could taste it. It was the bottom of the sixth, and I gave up a valuable chance to score game-winning runs. We ended up losing. I learned a valuable lesson that fateful day. I never wanted to let my team down like that again(( And the writer jumps quickly into the main theme of the essay. Still, the message here could be more specific.)) .

We had advanced through our bracket without much trouble. The other teams were no match for our work ethic and teamwork. We were in perfect sync. As the first baseman, I was ready for any throw that came my way. We were also hitting well. I scored three home runs throughout the course of the tournament. We were a high-functioning machine. But for a machine to work, each cog has to function correctly. When I stepped up to the plate in the sixth inning, I was a broken cog.

After our quarter–final loss, I grieved with my teammates. Then I went off on my own to think. How had I let my team down so badly? How did I not even try to swing at that pitch? It was all my fault. I had to figure out what I had done wrong so I would never make the mistake again. I realized that I had been thinking selfishly. I was concerned about my own performance, my own at-bat averages(( This is a good reflection.)) . I was scared of failing because I didn’t want to be embarrassed. And worrying about all of those things caused me to lose focus and miss my chance to make a difference. Instead, I should have been thinking about how my at-bat would contribute to my team’s overall goal of winning the game.

I returned to where my teammates were congregating, and several of them patted me on the back. The next day, we went over how the game went as a team and talked about how we could improve at our tournament the following weekend. I admitted that I felt like I let the team down. My teammates said that they understood and reassured me that mistakes happen. It wasn’t my failed at-bat alone that lost us the game. Like winning, losing is a team effort. It was a culmination of lots of little issues. At the end of the day, the other team just out-performed us. But we could try hard, practice a lot, and return triumphant next weekend.

Letting my team down was a crushing blow to my self-esteem. I never want to feel like that again, but I know that the experience caused me to grow. Through all of this, I learned that I have to trust myself and my team(( Here we get to the lesson learned.)) . Focusing on myself alone can only get me so far. But focusing on my team can get me to where I want to go. I’m actually thankful that I struck out in that sixth inning because it caused me to learn an important life lesson.

AO Notes on The Strikeout that Changed My Life

This essay on its own definitely isn’t “bad.” As far as essays go, it’s clear, well-written, and organized nicely. But as a college essay, it could be doing more work on the writer’s behalf. See, as an admissions officer, I don’t actually learn that much about the writer from this essay alone. I see that they like baseball, are a good teammate, and can overcome failure. Those are wonderful traits, but they don’t exactly help set this student apart on the admissions committee floor. Instead, the student could make this essay more vulnerable and personal.

• Writing: The writer uses some great creative writing skills to really set the scene for the readers. In that first paragraph, I really feel like I’m there watching the game.
• Reflection: Even though the topic could be more significant, the writer does a great job reflecting on the meaning they drew from the experience.
• Significance: It’s very clear that this topic holds a lot of meaning to the writer. But as a college essay topic, it lacks vulnerability and stakes.

Key Takeaways

Writing a personal statement is a difficult ask, especially when you’ve never even read one before. But now, with these fifteen examples in your back pocket, you’re ready to write your own.

If you’re not sure what steps to take next, hop on over to our guide to writing personal statements for advice. You can also find more extensive guidance on the Essay Academy , a comprehensive college essay writing video course and community.

Happy writing! 🥳

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Gre prep online guides and tips, 3 successful graduate school personal statement examples.

Looking for grad school personal statement examples? Look no further! In this total guide to graduate school personal statement examples, we’ll discuss why you need a personal statement for grad school and what makes a good one. Then we’ll provide three graduate school personal statement samples from our grad school experts. After that, we’ll do a deep dive on one of our personal statement for graduate school examples. Finally, we’ll wrap up with a list of other grad school personal statements you can find online.

Why Do You Need a Personal Statement?

A personal statement is a chance for admissions committees to get to know you: your goals and passions, what you’ll bring to the program, and what you’re hoping to get out of the program.  You need to sell the admissions committee on what makes you a worthwhile applicant. The personal statement is a good chance to highlight significant things about you that don’t appear elsewhere on your application.

A personal statement is slightly different from a statement of purpose (also known as a letter of intent). A statement of purpose/letter of intent tends to be more tightly focused on your academic or professional credentials and your future research and/or professional interests.

While a personal statement also addresses your academic experiences and goals, you have more leeway to be a little more, well, personal. In a personal statement, it’s often appropriate to include information on significant life experiences or challenges that aren’t necessarily directly relevant to your field of interest.

Some programs ask for both a personal statement and a statement of purpose/letter of intent. In this case, the personal statement is likely to be much more tightly focused on your life experience and personality assets while the statement of purpose will focus in much more on your academic/research experiences and goals.

However, there’s not always a hard-and-fast demarcation between a personal statement and a statement of purpose. The two statement types should address a lot of the same themes, especially as relates to your future goals and the valuable assets you bring to the program. Some programs will ask for a personal statement but the prompt will be focused primarily on your research and professional experiences and interests. Some will ask for a statement of purpose but the prompt will be more focused on your general life experiences.

When in doubt, give the program what they are asking for in the prompt and don’t get too hung up on whether they call it a personal statement or statement of purpose. You can always call the admissions office to get more clarification on what they want you to address in your admissions essay.

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What Makes a Good Grad School Personal Statement?

A great graduate school personal statement can come in many forms and styles. However, strong grad school personal statement examples all share the same following elements:

A Clear Narrative

Above all, a good personal statement communicates clear messages about what makes you a strong applicant who is likely to have success in graduate school. So to that extent, think about a couple of key points that you want to communicate about yourself and then drill down on how you can best communicate those points. (Your key points should of course be related to what you can bring to the field and to the program specifically).

You can also decide whether to address things like setbacks or gaps in your application as part of your narrative. Have a low GPA for a couple semesters due to a health issue? Been out of a job for a while taking care of a family member? If you do decide to explain an issue like this, make sure that the overall arc is more about demonstrating positive qualities like resilience and diligence than about providing excuses.

Specific Examples

A great statement of purpose uses specific examples to illustrate its key messages. This can include anecdotes that demonstrate particular traits or even references to scholars and works that have influenced your academic trajectory to show that you are familiar and insightful about the relevant literature in your field.

Just saying “I love plants,” is pretty vague. Describing how you worked in a plant lab during undergrad and then went home and carefully cultivated your own greenhouse where you cross-bred new flower colors by hand is much more specific and vivid, which makes for better evidence.

A strong personal statement will describe why you are a good fit for the program, and why the program is a good fit for you. It’s important to identify specific things about the program that appeal to you, and how you’ll take advantage of those opportunities. It’s also a good idea to talk about specific professors you might be interested in working with. This shows that you are informed about and genuinely invested in the program.

Strong Writing

Even quantitative and science disciplines typically require some writing, so it’s important that your personal statement shows strong writing skills. Make sure that you are communicating clearly and that you don’t have any grammar and spelling errors. It’s helpful to get other people to read your statement and provide feedback. Plan on going through multiple drafts.

Another important thing here is to avoid cliches and gimmicks. Don’t deploy overused phrases and openings like “ever since I was a child.” Don’t structure your statement in a gimmicky way (i.e., writing a faux legal brief about yourself for a law school statement of purpose). The first will make your writing banal; the second is likely to make you stand out in a bad way.

Appropriate Boundaries

While you can be more personal in a personal statement than in a statement of purpose, it’s important to maintain appropriate boundaries in your writing. Don’t overshare anything too personal about relationships, bodily functions, or illegal activities. Similarly, don’t share anything that makes it seem like you may be out of control, unstable, or an otherwise risky investment. The personal statement is not a confessional booth. If you share inappropriately, you may seem like you have bad judgment, which is a huge red flag to admissions committees.

You should also be careful with how you deploy humor and jokes. Your statement doesn’t have to be totally joyless and serious, but bear in mind that the person reading the statement may not have the same sense of humor as you do. When in doubt, err towards the side of being as inoffensive as possible.

Just as being too intimate in your statement can hurt you, it’s also important not to be overly formal or staid. You should be professional, but conversational.

Graduate School Personal Statement Examples

Our graduate school experts have been kind enough to provide some successful grad school personal statement examples. We’ll provide three examples here, along with brief analysis of what makes each one successful.

Sample Personal Statement for Graduate School 1

PDF of Sample Personal Statement 1 – Japanese Studies

For this Japanese Studies master’s degree, the applicant had to provide a statement of purpose outlining her academic goals and experience with Japanese and a separate personal statement describing her personal relationship with Japanese Studies and what led her to pursue a master’s degree.

Here’s what’s successful about this personal statement:

• An attention-grabbing beginning: The applicant begins with the statement that Japanese has never come easily to her and that it’s a brutal language to learn. Seeing as how this is an application for a Japanese Studies program, this is an intriguing beginning that makes the reader want to keep going.
• A compelling narrative: From this attention-grabbing beginning, the applicant builds a well-structured and dramatic narrative tracking her engagement with the Japanese language over time. The clear turning point is her experience studying abroad, leading to a resolution in which she has clarity about her plans. Seeing as how the applicant wants to be a translator of Japanese literature, the tight narrative structure here is a great way to show her writing skills.
• Specific examples that show important traits: The applicant clearly communicates both a deep passion for Japanese through examples of her continued engagement with Japanese and her determination and work ethic by highlighting the challenges she’s faced (and overcome) in her study of the language. This gives the impression that she is an engaged and dedicated student.

Overall, this is a very strong statement both in terms of style and content. It flows well, is memorable, and communicates that the applicant would make the most of the graduate school experience.

Sample Personal Statement for Graduate School 2

PDF of Sample Graduate School Personal Statement 2 – Musical Composition

This personal statement for a Music Composition master’s degree discusses the factors that motivate the applicant to pursue graduate study.

Here’s what works well in this statement:

• The applicant provides two clear reasons motivating the student to pursue graduate study: her experiences with music growing up, and her family’s musical history. She then supports those two reasons with examples and analysis.
• The description of her ancestors’ engagement with music is very compelling and memorable. The applicant paints her own involvement with music as almost inevitable based on her family’s long history with musical pursuits.
• The applicant gives thoughtful analysis of the advantages she has been afforded that have allowed her to study music so extensively. We get the sense that she is insightful and empathetic—qualities that would add greatly to any academic community.

This is a strong, serviceable personal statement. And in truth, given that this for a masters in music composition, other elements of the application (like work samples) are probably the most important.  However, here are two small changes I would make to improve it:

• I would probably to split the massive second paragraph into 2-3 separate paragraphs. I might use one paragraph to orient the reader to the family’s musical history, one paragraph to discuss Giacomo and Antonio, and one paragraph to discuss how the family has influenced the applicant. As it stands, it’s a little unwieldy and the second paragraph doesn’t have a super-clear focus even though it’s all loosely related to the applicant’s family history with music.
• I would also slightly shorten the anecdote about the applicant’s ancestors and expand more on how this family history has motivated the applicant’s interest in music. In what specific ways has her ancestors’ perseverance inspired her? Did she think about them during hard practice sessions? Is she interested in composing music in a style they might have played? More specific examples here would lend greater depth and clarity to the statement.

Sample Personal Statement for Graduate School 3

PDF of Sample Graduate School Personal Statement 3 – Public Health

This is my successful personal statement for Columbia’s Master’s program in Public Health. We’ll do a deep dive on this statement paragraph-by-paragraph in the next section, but I’ll highlight a couple of things that work in this statement here:

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• This statement is clearly organized. Almost every paragraph has a distinct focus and message, and when I move on to a new idea, I move on to a new paragraph with a logical transitions.
• This statement covers a lot of ground in a pretty short space. I discuss my family history, my goals, my educational background, and my professional background. But because the paragraphs are organized and I use specific examples, it doesn’t feel too vague or scattered.
• In addition to including information about my personal motivations, like my family, I also include some analysis about tailoring health interventions with my example of the Zande. This is a good way to show off what kinds of insights I might bring to the program based on my academic background.

Grad School Personal Statement Example: Deep Dive

Now let’s do a deep dive, paragraph-by-paragraph, on one of these sample graduate school personal statements. We’ll use my personal statement that I used when I applied to Columbia’s public health program.

Paragraph One: For twenty-three years, my grandmother (a Veterinarian and an Epidemiologist) ran the Communicable Disease Department of a mid-sized urban public health department. The stories of Grandma Betty doggedly tracking down the named sexual partners of the infected are part of our family lore. Grandma Betty would persuade people to be tested for sexually transmitted diseases, encourage safer sexual practices, document the spread of infection and strive to contain and prevent it. Indeed, due to the large gay population in the city where she worked, Grandma Betty was at the forefront of the AIDS crises, and her analysis contributed greatly towards understanding how the disease was contracted and spread. My grandmother has always been a huge inspiration to me, and the reason why a career in public health was always on my radar.

This is an attention-grabbing opening anecdote that avoids most of the usual cliches about childhood dreams and proclivities. This story also subtly shows that I have a sense of public health history, given the significance of the AIDs crisis for public health as a field.

It’s good that I connect this family history to my own interests. However, if I were to revise this paragraph again, I might cut down on some of the detail because when it comes down to it, this story isn’t really about me. It’s important that even (sparingly used) anecdotes about other people ultimately reveal something about you in a personal statement.

Paragraph Two: Recent years have cemented that interest. In January 2012, my parents adopted my little brother Fred from China. Doctors in America subsequently diagnosed Fred with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). My parents were told that if Fred’s condition had been discovered in China, the (very poor) orphanage in which he spent the first 8+ years of his life would have recognized his DMD as a death sentence and denied him sustenance to hasten his demise.

Here’s another compelling anecdote to help explain my interest in public health. This is an appropriately personal detail for a personal statement—it’s a serious thing about my immediate family, but it doesn’t disclose anything that the admissions committee might find concerning or inappropriate.

If I were to take another pass through this paragraph, the main thing I would change is the last phrase. “Denied him sustenance to hasten his demise” is a little flowery. “Denied him food to hasten his death” is actually more powerful because it’s clearer and more direct.

Paragraph Three: It is not right that some people have access to the best doctors and treatment while others have no medical care. I want to pursue an MPH in Sociomedical Sciences at Columbia because studying social factors in health, with a particular focus on socio-health inequities, will prepare me to address these inequities. The interdisciplinary approach of the program appeals to me greatly as I believe interdisciplinary approaches are the most effective way to develop meaningful solutions to complex problems.

In this paragraph I make a neat and clear transition from discussing what sparked my interest in public health and health equity to what I am interested in about Columbia specifically: the interdisciplinary focus of the program, and how that focus will prepare me to solve complex health problems. This paragraph also serves as a good pivot point to start discussing my academic and professional background.

Paragraph Four: My undergraduate education has prepared me well for my chosen career. Understanding the underlying structure of a group’s culture is essential to successfully communicating with the group. In studying folklore and mythology, I’ve learned how to parse the unspoken structures of folk groups, and how those structures can be used to build bridges of understanding. For example, in a culture where most illnesses are believed to be caused by witchcraft, as is the case for the Zande people of central Africa, any successful health intervention or education program would of necessity take into account their very real belief in witchcraft.

In this paragraph, I link my undergraduate education and the skills I learned there to public health. The (very brief) analysis of tailoring health interventions to the Zande is a good way to show insight and show off the competencies I would bring to the program.

Paragraph Five: I now work in the healthcare industry for one of the largest providers of health benefits in the world. In addition to reigniting my passion for data and quantitative analytics, working for this company has immersed me in the business side of healthcare, a critical component of public health.

This brief paragraph highlights my relevant work experience in the healthcare industry. It also allows me to mention my work with data and quantitative analytics, which isn’t necessarily obvious from my academic background, which was primarily based in the social sciences.

Paragraph Six: I intend to pursue a PhD in order to become an expert in how social factors affect health, particularly as related to gender and sexuality. I intend to pursue a certificate in Sexuality, Sexual Health, and Reproduction. Working together with other experts to create effective interventions across cultures and societies, I want to help transform health landscapes both in America and abroad.

This final paragraph is about my future plans and intentions. Unfortunately, it’s a little disjointed, primarily because I discuss goals of pursuing a PhD before I talk about what certificate I want to pursue within the MPH program! Switching those two sentences and discussing my certificate goals within the MPH and then mentioning my PhD plans would make a lot more sense.

I also start two sentences in a row with “I intend,” which is repetitive.

The final sentence is a little bit generic; I might tailor it to specifically discuss a gender and sexual health issue, since that is the primary area of interest I’ve identified.

This was a successful personal statement; I got into (and attended!) the program. It has strong examples, clear organization, and outlines what interests me about the program (its interdisciplinary focus) and what competencies I would bring (a background in cultural analysis and experience with the business side of healthcare). However, a few slight tweaks would elevate this statement to the next level.

Graduate School Personal Statement Examples You Can Find Online

So you need more samples for your personal statement for graduate school? Examples are everywhere on the internet, but they aren’t all of equal quality.

Most of examples are posted as part of writing guides published online by educational institutions. We’ve rounded up some of the best ones here if you are looking for more personal statement examples for graduate school.

Penn State Personal Statement Examples for Graduate School

This selection of ten short personal statements for graduate school and fellowship programs offers an interesting mix of approaches. Some focus more on personal adversity while others focus more closely on professional work within the field.

The writing in some of these statements is a little dry, and most deploy at least a few cliches. However, these are generally strong, serviceable statements that communicate clearly why the student is interested in the field, their skills and competencies, and what about the specific program appeals to them.

Cal State Sample Graduate School Personal Statements

These are good examples of personal statements for graduate school where students deploy lots of very vivid imagery and illustrative anecdotes of life experiences. There are also helpful comments about what works in each of these essays.

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However, all of these statements are definitely pushing the boundaries of acceptable length, as all are above 1000 and one is almost 1500 words! Many programs limit you to 500 words; if you don’t have a limit, you should try to keep it to two single-spaced pages at most (which is about 1000 words).

University of Chicago Personal Statement for Graduate School Examples

These examples of successful essays to the University of Chicago law school cover a wide range of life experiences and topics. The writing in all is very vivid, and all communicate clear messages about the students’ strengths and competencies.

Note, however, that these are all essays that specifically worked for University of Chicago law school. That does not mean that they would work everywhere. In fact, one major thing to note is that many of these responses, while well-written and vivid, barely address the students’ interest in law school at all! This is something that might not work well for most graduate programs.

Wheaton College Personal Statement for Graduate School Sample 10

This successful essay for law school from a Wheaton College undergraduate does a great job tracking the student’s interest in the law in a compelling and personal way. Wheaton offers other graduate school personal statement examples, but this one offers the most persuasive case for the students’ competencies. The student accomplishes this by using clear, well-elaborated examples, showing strong and vivid writing, and highlighting positive qualities like an interest in justice and empathy without seeming grandiose or out of touch.

Wheaton College Personal Statement for Graduate School Sample 1

Based on the background information provided at the bottom of the essay, this essay was apparently successful for this applicant. However, I’ve actually included this essay because it demonstrates an extremely risky approach. While this personal statement is strikingly written and the story is very memorable, it could definitely communicate the wrong message to some admissions committees. The student’s decision not to report the drill sergeant may read incredibly poorly to some admissions committees. They may wonder if the student’s failure to report the sergeant’s violence will ultimately expose more soldiers-in-training to the same kinds of abuses. This incident perhaps reads especially poorly in light of the fact that the military has such a notable problem with violence against women being covered up and otherwise mishandled

It’s actually hard to get a complete picture of the student’s true motivations from this essay, and what we have might raise real questions about the student’s character to some admissions committees. This student took a risk and it paid off, but it could have just as easily backfired spectacularly.

Key Takeaways: Graduate School Personal Statement Examples

In this guide, we discussed why you need a personal statement and how it differs from a statement of purpose. (It’s more personal!)

We also discussed what you’ll find in a strong sample personal statement for graduate school:

• A clear narrative about the applicant and why they are qualified for graduate study.
• Specific examples to support that narrative.
• Compelling reasons why the applicant and the program are a good fit for each other.
• Strong writing, including clear organization and error-free, cliche-free language.
• Appropriate boundaries—sharing without over-sharing.

Then, we provided three strong graduate school personal statement examples for different fields, along with analysis. We did a deep-dive on the third statement.

Finally, we provided a list of other sample grad school personal statements online.

What’s Next?

Want more advice on writing a personal statement ? See our guide.

Writing a graduate school statement of purpose? See our statement of purpose samples  and a nine-step process for writing the best statement of purpose possible .

If you’re writing a graduate school CV or resume, see our how-to guide to writing a CV , a how-to guide to writing a resume , our list of sample resumes and CVs , resume and CV templates , and a special guide for writing resume objectives .

Need stellar graduate school recommendation letters ? See our guide.

See our 29 tips for successfully applying to graduate school .

Ready to improve your GRE score by 7 points?

Author: Ellen McCammon

Ellen is a public health graduate student and education expert. She has extensive experience mentoring students of all ages to reach their goals and in-depth knowledge on a variety of health topics. View all posts by Ellen McCammon