sample personal statement for residency

How to Write a Personal Statement for Medical School

The following piece was written by Dr. Michelle Finkel. Michelle has been featured in our Admissions Expert series and is a former Harvard Medical School faculty member. She is the founder of Insider Medical Admissions. ‍

At first glance, medical school admissions might seem a far cry from the subjects of reality television confessionals. The players are stalwart, steady characters who live restrained lives and channel their passions with extreme discipline. Yet the admissions game is arguably one where the drama is real, the intensity is palpable, and the stakes are high. There are winners and losers, with thin margins separating one group from the other. In that spirit, I submit to you these true confessions from my time as an admissions decision-maker to help you understand the gritty underbelly of the process that sifts through hordes of aspiring candidates and determines who makes the cut.  

For the faint of heart, be warned: It is never pretty to see how the sausage gets made.

Several years after writing my personal statements for medical school and emergency medicine residency, I found myself reading essays and making admissions decisions as a Harvard Medical School faculty member. In assessing application essays, first at Harvard and now as a professional medical admissions advisor for over six years, I have learned firsthand that certain personal statement techniques fly and others do not. A candidate’s approach can mean the difference between acceptance and rejection at his/her dream institution.

So, in keeping with the realty show theme, I’ll start this first entry in my series of personal statement blogs with a revelation: 

If a personal statement is filled with flowery, empty language, and platitudes about wanting to help humanity, I imagine the applicant wearing a Miss America Pageant tiara.

The rule I want you to remember here is this: All stuff, no fluff. (No Miss America cliches!) The medical personal statement should be a persuasive document that convinces medical schools that you are worthy of spot at their institutions, which means it should include facts about what makes you special – your achievements. 

Just like a lawyer does when s/he is trying a case in front of a judge, you must persuade with evidence. Saying you are a caring person or want to make the world a better place is not compelling, and those claims do not distinguish you from the scores of other applicants competing with you. You need to prove your value and your distinctiveness with your academic, clinical, research, community service, leadership, international, and teaching achievements. To the admissions reader, you are what you do – not what you say. 

Every part of your essay should be distinctive, highlighting your unique qualities through your accomplishments. If there is even a phrase in your personal statement that could have been written by someone else, omit.

My next revelation: Occasionally, I feel an applicant has mistaken me for his/her mother, wasting precious space expounding on his/her childhood dream of becoming a doctor.

Rest assured that unlike Mom, your essay reader doesn’t plan to show his/her friends the photo of you in scrubs from Halloween those many years ago, and you can't make any assumptions about your reader’s unconditional support of your endeavors. Crafting a paragraph (or two) about your childhood doctor Halloween costume has several fatal flaws: First, despite the fact that applicants should know better, the tactic is (sadly) overused. Also, these stories do not engage your reader nor further your candidacy because they are not built on evidence of your distinctive accomplishments. So, you’ve wanted to study hepatology since you were a baby? How does that support your being a great future physician or leader in medicine? It doesn’t, which is why admissions readers will fall asleep when reading about it.

Remember: if you spend too much space talking about your dreams, there's a good chance it will leave your reader snoozing. 

My next confession: I do not do independent research or go back and forth checking an applicant’s supporting documents if s/he writes something that isn’t clear .

I remember learning an interesting fact several years ago: When small children do not understand something, they simply tune it out and start to engage in another activity. Children – and adults - do not like being confused, and you can’t blame them. In some medical school applicants’ personal statements, candidates make the mistake of obscurely referring to a crowning, distinguishing accomplishment without explaining it.

I remember a talented applicant I advised a few years ago who showcased an award she had won. She listed the name, but didn’t explain what it was. When I asked her, she told me the award was an academic honor given to only the top 1% of students out of several thousand. Had she not taken my advice and rewritten the section, her admissions readers wouldn’t have given her an ounce of credit for that extraordinary accomplishment. What you fail to adequately explain counts against you.

On a related topic, don’t expect a reader to understand something in your essay because it’s explained in our AMCAS® activities. Different faculty members will approach the application in different ways, so – to get “full credit” for your accomplishments - you need to assume that your reader is seeing your essay first, independent of your AMCAS® activities. Bottom line: ensure your personal statement can stand alone and doesn't rely on your AMCAS® activities' section for clarification.

You've heard it here first: Your med school admissions essay reader is a sleep-deprived skeptic with the attention span of a toddler and very basic cognitive abilities.

Visit Insider Medical Admissions for more information, or check out Dr. Finkel on Facebook and Twitter .  

The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

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Academic Personal Statement Guide + Examples for 2024

You have a bright future ahead of you in academia and you’ve already found the program of your dreams.

The only problem? 

You have to write an impressive academic personal statement that sets you apart from a sea of applicants.

We know that writing about yourself might not come naturally. And when the academic program you have your sights set on is on the line, it doesn’t make it any easier.

But there’s no need to worry!

We’ve prepared this guide to help you write your academic personal statement and secure your spot in your program of choice.

In this article, we’re going to cover:

• What Is An Academic Personal Statement?
• 7 Steps to Writing the Best Academic Personal Statement
• An Example of a Stellar Academic Personal Statement

Let’s dive in.

You’ll need an academic CV alongside your personal statement. Create one with ease with Novorésumé !

What Is an Academic Personal Statement?

A personal statement is an essential part of the academic application process.

Much like a motivation letter , your academic personal statement serves to demonstrate why you’re the right candidate for the course and sell yourself as a capable student.

Your goal is to show the admissions committee that they’ll benefit from having you in their university as much as you’ll benefit from joining the program.

Academic Vs CV Personal Statement

The term ‘personal statement’ can mean different things depending on your field.

In the world of job hunting, a personal statement usually refers to a few sentences that go at the top of your CV . This paragraph is meant to convey your top skills, relevant experiences, and professional goals to a hiring manager from the get-go and increase your chances of getting an interview.

However, in the world of academia, a personal statement refers to a more in-depth description of you as a candidate. 

In a nutshell, an academic personal statement shows the admissions committee your academic achievements so far, as well as what motivated you to apply and pursue this position.

Personal statements are also often required when applying for certain jobs, much like writing a cover letter . If you’re looking at a position as a faculty member in a university or other academic institution, for example, you might be asked to provide an academic personal statement.

7 Steps to Write an Academic Personal Statement

Preparation is the key to success and this is exactly where our guide comes in handy.

So just follow these steps and you’re sure to secure your spot:

#1. Read the Brief (Carefully!)

Academic personal statements aren’t necessarily a one-size-fits-all piece of writing. 

Typically, every institution has its specific requirements on what candidates should include in their academic personal statement.

To make sure you’re on the right track with your academic personal statement, read the brief carefully. Consider taking notes and highlighting important points from your program’s brief as you go through it.

Pay attention to any specific question the university wants you to answer. If you don’t address everything the admissions board expects, your personal statement will look sloppy and you’ll be considered an inattentive candidate.

Be sure to re-read the brief after you’ve finished writing your academic personal statement, too. This way you can make sure you’ve answered everything adequately and you’ll have the opportunity to correct any slips.

#2. Research the Program

Make sure you do your homework on the academic program you’re applying to.

You can’t write a good academic personal statement without research, let alone a great one. Much like researching your employer , taking the time to learn more about your desired school and personalizing your application can make a huge difference.

For example, you can dive into how your values align with that of the school you’re applying to, and how your experience and interests relate to specific things about the program. The more you focus on how you’re the right fit for this specific position, in this specific program – the better.

Carefully read through the school and program’s official pages since everything you would need to know is probably on the school’s official website. You can also ask current and former students for help but remember that whatever they say should never replace official information when crafting your academic personal statement.

#3. Plan Your Statement

An academic personal statement is meant to explain your academic interests and shouldn’t contain irrelevant details about your personal life.

Focus on why you want to study the course you’ve chosen and provide any information about your achievements so far.

Ask yourself the following questions to get the ball rolling on what to write:

• Why do you want to study (or work) in this program? How will it benefit you?
• How do your skills match the position?
• What makes you stand out from other applicants?
• What are your exact career aspirations?
• How can you and your work benefit the institution you’re applying to?
• If you changed fields, how did you decide to apply in this direction?
• What insight can you bring thanks to your different experiences?
• How will this change of field help your future career?

Write down your answer to these questions in the first draft of your academic personal statement.

#4. Look at Example Statements

Don’t hesitate to read other people’s academic personal statements online. They’re a great source of inspiration and can help get rid of any remaining writer’s block.

If you’re struggling to understand how to meet the language and formatting requirements for your academic personal statement, seeing actual examples is the best way to learn.

But be careful – don’t copy any lines you read, no matter how impressive you think they are. 

Most universities run every academic personal statement through intensive plagiarism checking, and even a paraphrased sentence could lead to your application being rejected for plagiarism.

So pay more attention to the overall structure of the academic personal statements you read, rather than copying the exact wording.

#5. Structure the Contents

There should be a cohesive argument that your entire essay follows. Each sentence and paragraph should complement and build on the one that comes before it.

The structure of your personal statement should include:

An intriguing introduction to you as a candidate

The introductory paragraph should grab the admission committee’s attention and keep them engaged.

Here you should be sure to avoid cliches like saying how you’ve “always dreamt” of graduating from this university or of studying this exact program. Instead, give an example of what really influenced you to pursue this dream.

Here’s an example:

• I’ve always loved reading and since I was a child, it’s been my dream to graduate from Oxford University and contribute to the world of literary analysis. That’s why I spent the past year volunteering at my local writers’ society and giving constructive feedback during workshops and book discussions.
• It wasn’t until I failed my first essay assignment in secondary school that I realized the depth that lies beneath each sentence in a given text. I began to delve into the rich layers of literary texts and the intricacies of literary analysis became my passion. Although initially challenging, the depth of understanding that this field offers about human emotions, cultural contexts, and narrative structures enthralled me. I found myself questioning the narrative structures and character motivations that I had previously taken for granted, and I was eager to understand how the subtle and often overlooked elements within a text could have a profound impact on its overall interpretation. This need to fundamentally understand a given author’s work has stayed with me since and led me to pursue literary analysis as a postgraduate student.

An engaging body

The main part of your academic personal statement should detail your interests, experience, and knowledge, and how they make you suitable for the position.

This is where you should expand on your motivation and use the following tips:

• Why this university? Provide strong reasons for your choice, related to your future career or the institution’s reputation.
• Mention your relevant studies and experience. This includes projects, dissertations, essays, or work experience.
• Give evidence of key skills you have, such as research, critical thinking, communication, and time management, and explain how you can contribute to the department with them.
• Say what makes you unique as a candidate and provide an example.
• Explain who have been the main influences who put you on this path and why they’ve influenced you.
• Mention other relevant experiences, such as memberships in clubs related to the subject, awards you might have won, or impressive papers you’ve written.
• Talk about your career aspirations and how the program ties into your goal of achieving them.

Depending on the guidelines of the specific university, you could also divide your academic personal statement’s body with subheadings, such as:

• Academic background
• Research interests
• Methodological approaches
• Research experience
• Personal experience
• Extracurricular activities 
• Relevant skills
• Career aspirations

A logical conclusion

Your academic personal statement needs a conclusion that ends on an enthusiastic note.

Make sure the conclusion reiterates the main points from the body of your text.

Your relevant accomplishments and desire to attend this specific program should be clear to any reader.

#6. Pay Attention to the Language

When writing the first draft of your academic personal statement, pay attention to the language and tone you’re using.

An academic personal statement is also a formal text, so your writing should reflect that. Colloquialisms aren’t appropriate, as they would take away from the well-mannered impression you want to give the admissions committee.

However, you also want your personal statement to be straightforward and avoid any complex jargon from your field of study.

For example, your opening sentence shouldn’t be overly complicated. You should communicate everything as clearly as possible, and be inclusive to those outside of your field of study since they might be on the admissions board that’s reading your academic personal statement.

Make sure that the tone throughout your text is positive and conveys your enthusiasm for the program. Your academic personal statement should show the admissions committee that you really want to be there, and why that’s beneficial to everyone involved.

#7. Proofread Your Statement

This step probably isn’t surprising to you but it’s worth paying attention to.

Your academic personal statement is a very formal document and it should be spotless. 

So, make sure it adheres to academic writing conventions . For example, contractions like “I’m” instead of “I am” are informal, and should be avoided.

Mistakes like these are very common when writing about yourself, particularly when you’re used to describing yourself in informal environments.

Carefully proofread your academic personal statement, then run it through a grammar checker like Grammarly or Quillbot, then proofread it again.

The tiniest grammar mistake or typo could make the admissions board reject your application.

Academic Personal Statement Example

Ever since my first encounter with the enchanting worlds spun by Flaubert, Balzac, and Proust, my intellectual pursuits have gravitated toward French literature. With an undergraduate degree focused on French Language and Literature, I have been fortunate to explore my passions both theoretically and empirically, embedding them within broader themes of cultural theory and comparative literature. It is with great excitement that I apply for the postgraduate research position in the French Literature program at Kent University, with the aim of contributing novel scholarly perspectives to this captivating field.

Academic Background and Research Interests

During my undergraduate studies, I delved deeply into the realms of 19th-century Realism and Naturalism. My senior thesis, which examined the dialectics of morality and social structures in Balzac's "La Comédie Humaine," was not merely an academic exercise; it served as a crucible where my theoretical understandings were rigorously tested. This research experience intensified my interest in the complex interplay between literature and societal norms, a theme I am eager to further explore in my postgraduate work.

Methodological Approaches

My academic approach is fundamentally interdisciplinary. I strongly believe that literature should not be studied in a vacuum; rather, it should be contextualized within historical, sociological, and psychological paradigms. During a semester abroad in Paris, I took courses in cultural anthropology and French history, an enriching experience that complemented my literature-focused studies. This holistic approach will enable me to contribute a multifaceted perspective to the research endeavors at Kent University.

Previous Research and Scholarly Engagements

My scholarly activities have also extended beyond the classroom. Last summer, I participated in an international conference on French Literature and Post-Colonial Theory, presenting a paper on the depictions of colonial landscapes in Dumas' adventure novels. The opportunity to engage with academics from various disciplines provided me with fresh insights and underscored the importance of collaborative research. Further, I've had the honor of having a review article published in the Sheffield Journal of Contemporary Literary Explorations, where I critiqued a groundbreaking new translation of Verne's works.

Extracurricular Contributions and Skills

In addition to my academic achievements, I have sought to enrich my department’s intellectual community. I served as the editor of our departmental journal and organized a series of seminars featuring guest speakers from the worlds of academia and publishing. My strong organizational skills, combined with proficiency in both written and spoken French and English, make me a versatile candidate capable of adding value to the French Literature program’s broader objectives.

To summarize, my deep-rooted passion for French literature, fortified by rigorous academic training and interdisciplinary methodologies, makes me an ideal candidate for the postgraduate research position in your esteemed program. The prospect of contributing to academic discourse at Kent University is an opportunity I find deeply compelling. I am especially excited about the potential for collaborative research and interdisciplinary inquiries, which aligns perfectly with my academic philosophy. I am fully committed to leveraging my skills, experiences, and enthusiasm to make a substantive scholarly contribution to the study of French Literature. Thank you for considering my application; I am keenly looking forward to the possibility of furthering my academic journey in this vibrant intellectual community.

FAQs on Academic Personal Statements

If you’re wondering anything else about academic personal statements, check out the answers to the most frequently asked questions related to them here:

#1. How do you start a personal statement for an academic job?

Applying for an academic job is different from applying for a position as a student. First, you need to establish your qualifications and enthusiasm for the role immediately.

Start by explaining your current status, for example, as a postdoctoral researcher or an experienced member of the faculty, and specify the position you are applying for. Then follow up with your research interests or personal philosophy towards teaching.

You can add a personal anecdote or compelling fact that summarizes your academic journey so far, or your passion for the field. After that, your academic personal statement can go deeper into the qualifications from your academic CV and how you’re a great fit for the position.

#2. How do I introduce myself in an academic personal statement?

The introduction of your academic personal statement is the key to grabbing the attention of the admissions committee.

Start by stating the field or subject that interests you, and why. You can share a specific personal anecdote or observation that led you to this academic pursuit and set the stage for the detailed explanation in your main body.

The goal of your introduction is to give the reader a sense of who you are, what drives you, and why you would be a valuable addition to their department.

#3. Is an academic personal statement like an essay?

Yes, an academic personal statement can be considered a type of essay.

Both essays and academic personal statements are structured forms of writing that are meant to deliver a coherent argument and are divided into an introduction, body, and conclusion. They provide supporting evidence to prove the point and maintain a logical flow to guide the reader to the final conclusion.

However, essays tend to be objective and explore a specific topic or question in depth. Academic personal statements use similar techniques but they present the candidate’s qualifications, experiences, and aspirations in a way that’s meant to persuade the admissions committee.

#4. How long is an academic personal statement?

Typically, an academic personal statement is between 500 and 1000 words long.

The exact length of the text varies depending on the university and program you’re applying to. You should always check the specific requirements for your desired program, and stick to the guidelines you find.

However, if the university you’re applying to doesn’t specify a word count, you should aim for one to two pages.

#5. What do I avoid in an academic personal statement?

Since your personal statement is a crucial part of your academic application, it’s important to avoid any common mistakes.

Make sure the content of your academic personal statement isn’t too generic. Its goal is to give insight into you as an individual, beyond what can be read in your CV . 

You should also avoid cramming too many points in your text. Your academic personal statement should follow a logical flow, and focus on the relevance of what you’re sharing about yourself and how it relates to the academic program you’re pursuing.

Key Takeaways

And that concludes our guide to writing an academic personal statement!

We hope you feel more confident when crafting your application for that academic program or faculty position you have your sights set on.

Now let’s recap what we talked about so far:

• Academic personal statements are very different from CV personal statements. While CV personal statements are brief paragraphs at the top of the page, an academic personal statement is an in-depth text that details why you’re interested in a given position, and what makes you a good candidate.
• The guidelines on academic personal statements vary according to the institution you’re applying to. Read the brief very carefully, and pay attention to what it says about word count and questions your personal statement should answer. Any mistakes here could result in rejection.
• There are differences between applying for a postgraduate program and applying for a faculty position. But in both cases, you should research the exact place you want to apply to and adjust your application accordingly to match the institution’s values.
• Always proofread your academic personal statement before sending it, even if you’re sure there are no errors.

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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 .

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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

Medical School Personal Statement

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Choosing the right university can sometimes be a challenge and a hassle for some. Since there are a lot of universities who may be asking a lot from their students. Medical school and even residency schools asks for a reflective statement, residency personal statement , or a personal statement . Learning the do’s and don’ts are helpful.

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What Is a Medical School Personal Statement?

A medical school personal statement is a personal narrative essay . An essay that you write to introduce yourself, your chosen profession, and the reason behind the chosen profession. The whole purpose of this statement is to convince the committee as to why you deserve to be given a spot in their medical program, in the university you are planning on applying to.

How to Write a Medical School Personal Statement

We know that writing a personal statement is easy, but this is a different kind and should also have its own ways of writing. For this, scroll down for some tips to wow the committee with your medical school personal statement.

Step 1: Understand the Common Theme for Your Statement

Find a theme you can go for. Understanding the common theme for your personal statement is necessary. Write about the topic or the theme and write about why you wish to take up medical school. Figure out how to express and impress the same time.

Step 2:  Keep It Simple but Personal

Do keep it simple but give a touch of personal to it as well. Think of a reflection essay . Avoid writing your personal statement as if it were just another essay you are forced to write. This is too generic and may not be able to convince the committee of your reason for wanting to be a part of the medical program.

Step 3: Focus on What You Want to Show

Give your writing some value . Do not simply add what you think the committee wants to see or a generic personal statement. You can even add in your own personal values to show why you deserve to be a part of the team or the school of your choosing. Focusing on what you want to show can also be in the form of your career goals , career objectives , core values , and beliefs.

Step 4: Finalize and Proofread the Entire Statement

After you have drafted your essay, finalizing and checking for anything you may have missed is crucial. It is also best to check for any grammatical errors, misspelled words and any other issues that you need to check before passing. Once that is done, you should immediately hand in your statement.

What is a medical school personal statement?

A medical school personal statement is a kind of personal essay that is written down by an applicant. This consists of the reasons and the explanations as to why they should be a part of the medical program.

What should be done before writing a medical school personal statement?

Do your research, write a draft. To be able to convince the committee to accept your personal statement, make sure to give personal examples as to why you want this course. Make it simple and personal.

What is something that should be avoided when writing your medical school personal statement?

Avoid making it too long. Avoid going off topic. In addition to that, avoid having to make up a story just so that you could impress them. They will know a real story from a fabricated one. Lastly, don’t be too generic.

It goes without saying writing personal statements can be a challenge sometimes. Especially when you have to find ways to not be too generic, to be personal at the same time convincing. Those who do have a talent for writing may find it easier, but for those who do not, it does not mean that this is the end of your dreams. Following the tips or guidelines to help you out would surely make a difference.

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10 Examples of Public speaking

20 Examples of Gas lighting

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Your residency advisor will use our comprehensive intake form and spend time getting to know you on a personal level to find out what makes you unique.

Using your individual story, your Physician Advisor will work with you to brainstorm a cohesive narrative about the speciality of your choice.

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Once you have decided on content, your Writing Advisor will help you develop and enhance your story, turning your ideas into an organized and cohesive essay that puts your experiences in the spotlight.

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After a few drafts, your Writing Advisor will refine your prose and correct smaller writing errors that stand in the way of excellence. Your Physician Advisor will then approve the final product.

With the help of your team of residency advisors, you will craft an ERAS application that will get you interview invites, and lead to the match outcome you want!

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A trailblazing physician and advocate, Dr. Ng has spearheaded LGBT health initiatives, founded Ohio's first LGBT-focused PRIDE Clinic, and achieved numerous accolades for his work in healthcare diversity and inclusion. Dr. Ng was an assistant dean and member of the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine Admissions Committee.

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Dr. Flynn has been involved in both medical school and residency admissions committees and is dedicated to collaborating with anyone interested in pursuing medicine. She is passionate, compassionate, and excited to work with aspiring medical school students.

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Dr. Dallara-Marsh is an esteemed neurologist and epileptologist in Bergen County, New Jersey, with a notable academic journey, comprehensive training in child neurology and epilepsy, an active role in mentoring and academic admissions, and a research interest in Palliative Care. Dr. Dallara-Marsh has extensive admissions experience.

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We have physician advisors across multiple specialities, and when appropriate, we'll do our best to pair you with one in the particular speciality you are looking at matching into. However, we cannot guarantee this, and there are times when another advisor may actually be a better fit!

With MedSchoolCoach, you get the advantage of having a Physician Advisor and Writing Advisor to help you develop your story. Our Physician Advisors have sat on admissions committees and have evaluated thousands of applications, so they understand exactly how to bring out the best in an applicant. Our Writing Advisors are professional writers and editors who will help you refine your concepts and create a compelling essay. This combination results in an extremely powerful team that will take your application essays to a new level.

Yes! All our essay editing packages come with brainstorming time with your Physician Advisor. Your Writing Advisor will also provide you with a worksheet to help you outline your narrative.

We use our advising portal, CHART, to organize your essays. When you upload your drafts to the platform, your Writing Advisor will review them in detail and then provide constructive feedback on how to improve them. As you get closer to a final draft, we will focus on things like word choice, sentence structure, and grammar.

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I had a wonderful experience with David, who helped me with my residency application. He was available every step of the way, and fielded all of my questions in an extremely timely manner (often within the hour). His edits to my personal statement and CV portions were thoughtful and informed.

He also remained available throughout the interview and ranking process. He helped me with interview prep in addition to weighing in on my rank order list and how to best organize my thoughts on each program. In the end, I matched at my top choice, in no small part to David's contributions throughout the entire process. I cannot sing his praises enough!

Exceptional guidance and support for my ERAS personal statement

I am incredibly grateful for the support I received from MedSchoolCoach's Residency ERAS Personal Statement Consulting & Editing service. The team of Physician Advisors and Writing Advisors worked closely with me to understand my unique journey and craft a compelling personal statement. Their expertise in residency admissions committees was evident, and their guidance helped me highlight my strengths and aspirations effectively. With their help, I received interview invites and matched into my top-choice program. I highly recommend MedSchoolCoach for anyone seeking a competitive edge in their residency application.

Personalized attention that made a difference in my application

Working with MedSchoolCoach's Residency ERAS Personal Statement editing was an excellent decision. The personalized attention I received from the Advisors was invaluable. They took the time to understand my unique experiences and goals and guided me in developing a standout personal statement. Their expertise and insights helped me effectively convey my passion for my chosen specialty. With their help, I received interview invitations and secured a spot in my desired residency program. I am grateful to the entire team at MedSchoolCoach for their support throughout the process.

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Educational resources, recent blog posts.

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How to Write a Great Personal Statement for the Global MPH

May 15, 2019

Imperial College London’s School of Public Health is renowned for conducting world-class research on today’s most pressing public health issues. No matter how compelling your research findings are, it is essential to communicate them clearly in order to promote positive change.

The same principle applies to your personal statement for the Global Master of Public Health (MPH) program . This personal statement is a chance to make the case that you belong at Imperial. Making that case clearly and effectively can be as important as your academic and professional qualifications.

Many students get anxious about this portion of the application, or worry that their writing skills aren’t up to the task. Our advice? Don’t panic!

You don’t have to be an outstanding writer to craft a great personal statement. Your task is to provide Imperial’s reviewers with the information they’re looking for in 1500 words or less. Let’s break the key points down into three specific areas: your past, present, and future.

1. Past: your background in public health

Start by introducing yourself. You’ve already provided a CV with your application, so this is an opportunity to put your experience in context. Tell us how and why you became interested in public health, the skills you’ve developed, and what you’re most proud of in your studies and career. Don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through!  

Key points:

• Previous academic and professional experience
• Relevant exposures to public health related work and research
• Areas of interest in healthcare and why they interest you

Examples from the MPH Class of 2018-19:

“Throughout my years at University and recent postgraduate studies, I have worked in a pharmacy as a pharmacy/ dispensing assistant, in both community and hospital settings with the latter being involved with cancer clinical trials. These roles have greatly advanced my knowledge of patient care, different treatment options and health awareness strategies within the NHS and local CCGs.”

“I worked on a retrospective study to examine the trends and outcomes of aortic valve replacements performed on veterans from 2005 to 2015. Prior coursework in statistics equipped me to interpret data analyses. I co-authored two abstracts. I often considered how researchers contribute towards reducing health inequities in specific populations.”

2. Present: why you are applying to the Imperial College MPH

After you’ve introduced yourself, explain your motivation for your application. What is driving you to take your career in public health to the next level, and why is the Imperial Online MPH right for you? Make a compelling case why you are applying to this program, specifically, and why now is the right time.

• Your motivation for your professional and/or research career in public health
• Why you are applying for the Online MPH program, specifically

Examples from MPH Class of 2018-19:

“My healthcare background has given me the drive to move my career from disease treatment to increasing awareness of disease prevention. With an increasing life expectancy and an uncertain national healthcare budget, prevention of poor health from preventable diseases has never been more imperative.”

“I am particularly interested in studying at Imperial College London due to its Public Health Policy Evaluation Unit, as the research areas of the unit match my own areas of interest for future research which include big healthcare data, healthcare access and health policy; within these areas I have an interest in mental health, cancer and primary and secondary care.”

3. Future: goals for your research at Imperial and your career beyond graduation

Finally, show that you have a specific vision for your time at Imperial and your post-MPH career. Include a short proposal (150 words or less) for a research project that you would be interested in carrying out as part of your dissertation over approximately a three month period. This gives the team more of an idea of your research interests and motivation to undertake the online Global MPH program. If you are accepted, you will not be required to carry out the proposal from your application. If you’d like to pursue the proposal from your application as part of your research portfolio, you can.

Key Points:

• Your future career goals
• Your proposed research area

“I believe the course will be able to provide an opportunity to obtain a more in-depth knowledge within these areas, but also developing a strong theoretical understanding of health policy, epidemiology and research methods, which I will give me the underpinning knowledge to undertake a PhD in Public health evaluation and policy in the future.”

“I aim to perform research to evaluate and improve the effectiveness and accessibility of health services for chronic conditions in low-income communities.”

__________________________

One last piece of advice: write an honest statement that gets across your true character and motivations, rather than writing something you think the panel will want to hear. Imperial’s goal in requesting these personal statements is to get to know prospective applicants on a personal level. Focus on providing a clear account of who you are, why you’re applying, and what you plan to do during and after the program.

The Global MPH offers the opportunity to get a world-class graduate degree in public health from one of the top 10 universities in the world (QS World University Rankings 2019). The program is affordable, flexible, and 100% online. As such, it attracts a diverse, highly-qualified group of students from across the globe. With a great personal statement, you can significantly increase your chances of joining the next cohort!  

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University of Florida

Admission information for all applicants.

The general requirements below apply to undergraduate admission and readmission to any college or division of the university.

Minimum Admission Requirements

Admission to the university is selective. Only minimum requirements for admission are provided; satisfaction of these minimums does not guarantee admission.

Minimum Requirements

• Online application for admission received by the Office of Admissions by the deadline.
• A non-refundable application fee. Students who are eligible can have their application fee waived.
• A satisfactory academic record. Applicants must provide a complete chronological record of educational institutions attended. Official transcripts from all educational institutions must be submitted according to instructions on the application. Failure to declare attendance at another institution could invalidate an offer of admission and any credits or degrees earned.
• Satisfactory scores on achievement or aptitude tests.
• A satisfactory conduct record.
• Applicants must identify a preferred term of enrollment on their application. Applicants who wish to change their term of entry should contact the Office of Admissions immediately.
• Admission to on-campus degree programs must be validated by taking one or more on-campus courses in the specific semester for which the student is accepted. 

Residency for Tuition Purposes

Requests for in-state residency for tuition purposes are not granted to applicants who appear to have entered the state solely for educational purposes. More Info

Proof of Immunization

Before registering for classes, each person accepted for admission must submit proof of immunization. No student will be permitted to register until the Student Health Care Center has received and approved the mandatory health form. More Info

Computer Requirement

Access to and ongoing use of a computer is required of all students. The university expects new students and continuing students to acquire computer hardware and software appropriate to the degree program. The cost of meeting this requirement will be included in financial aid considerations. More Info

All official university correspondence is sent via email to the student's GatorLink email address.

Notice of Admission

When an application for admission is approved, the university will send a notice of admission for a specific term. If the student is unable to enroll for the term indicated or wishes to be considered for entrance to a different term, the Office of Admissions should be notified immediately.

All offers of admission are tentative and will remain so until the Office of Admissions receives and reviews final transcripts and credentials. Students who are admitted conditionally may enroll, subject to verification of satisfaction of all conditions of admission. Admission offers will be revoked if final coursework/credentials do not meet admission requirements. Should that occur, the student's classification will change to a non-degree status and future enrollment will be denied.

Under no circumstances should an applicant make plans to depart for Gainesville until the university has provided official admission notification. An applicant who comes to campus without confirmation of admission does so entirely at their own risk. Presence on campus will not influence the admission decision.

Applicants who furnish false or fraudulent statements or information in connection with an application for admission or residency declaration could receive disciplinary action, denial of admission and invalidation of credits or degrees earned.

Under Board of Education policy, the university can admit a limited number of students as exceptions to the requirements listed above.

Current high school students seeking college freshman placement and students who have earned fewer than 12 semester credits following graduation from high school.

Students receiving their high school diploma and an Associate of Arts degree (AA) from a Florida College System (FCS) or State University (SUS) institution at the same time should complete the freshman application. If we are unable to offer you admission at the freshman level, you will be provided with the opportunity to have your application reconsidered as an upper-division transfer. Students admitted via transfer admission may have their offer of admission rescinded if they do not complete the required prerequisites and AA degree prior to enrollment. 

How to Apply

Applicants must apply using the Common Application and must complete all sections of the application, including the Student Profile and the UF supplemental section. Apply Online

When to Apply

Starting in the Fall of 2024, the University of Florida will provide two options for prospective students to apply: Early Action (EA) and Regular Decision (RD). EA is a non-binding way to apply to UF and receive an admission decision sooner than those applying in the RD round.

Incoming Freshman Deadlines

• Application Deadline: November 1
• Credentials Deadline: November 15
• Decision Notification: late January
• Application Deadline: January 15
• Credentials Deadline: January 31
• Decision Notification: mid-March

Freshman Selection

UF employs a comprehensive review process that evaluates academic and nonacademic criteria. When we review an application, we are considering a candidate's chance of success at UF based on what the student has accomplished within distinct opportunities and challenges. The admissions review process tries to balance the subjective and objective components of the application. The university recognizes that there is great variation among applicants' personal circumstances, home communities and high schools, including schools' course offerings and grading practices. Admission officers can exercise flexibility and professional judgment in their reviews and decisions, but they also must apply consistent standards.

Admission is selective, and the number of qualified students exceeds the space available in the freshman class.

Minimum Requirements for Freshman Admission Consideration

Middle 50% of the 2022 freshman class.

• High school GPA of 4.4-4.6
• SAT scores of 1350-1490
• ACT scores of 30-34

Minimum freshman admission requirements include:

• Graduation from a regionally accredited or state-approved secondary school or the equivalent (G.E.D., etc.).
• Submission of ACT, CLT, or SAT scores
• A cumulative C (2.0) average in the academic core, as computed by the university, at all institutions attended, high school and college.
• A record of good conduct. Major or continuing difficulty with school or other officials may render an applicant ineligible regardless of academic qualifications.

Non-Accredited and Homeschools

Homeschooled students or students at non-accredited schools are considered for admission using the same holistic review process as the entire applicant pool. In addition to grades and ACT/SAT/CLT scores, students attending a homeschool or a non-accredited school are encouraged to take core classes and submit grades from an accredited secondary or post-secondary institution.

Credit by Examination

There are several credit-by-examination programs that earn credit toward a UF degree. The university participates in the Advanced Placement (AP) program , the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) , the International Baccalaureate (IB) program and the Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) . Students may receive university credit for or exemption from such courses without credit, depending on the results.

Dual-Enrollment Credit

Courses from Florida public colleges and State University System schools generally adhere to the Statewide Course Numbering System. If the prefix (first three letters) and the last three digits of the course number are the same, then the course is considered equivalent.

Equivalent courses fulfill the same requirements (e.g., General Education) that the UF course fulfills. 

Courses taken at private and out-of-state institutions which do not have a direct UF equivalent need to be evaluated by the student’s college to determine if they will fulfill specific requirements.

Tuition Deposit after Admission

• Freshmen are required to submit a $200 non-refundable tuition deposit no later than May 1 to secure their place in the class. This deadline may be extended depending on extenuating circumstances.
• The tuition deposit will not be reimbursed if the student does not enroll in the term offered for admission.
• The tuition deposit will be credited to the student’s account and applied toward the first-semester tuition. If there is a credit balance on the account at the end of drop/add, the balance will be refunded.
• This deposit is waived for those students who qualified for an SAT or ACT fee-application waiver. Students who qualify for Pell Grants may receive a tuition deposit reduction if they appeal.

The Office of Admissions classifies an applicant as an undergraduate if they have not earned a university degree equivalent to a US bachelor’s degree.

International applicants must apply online. Apply Online

Applications cannot be considered until the Office of Admissions receives ALL required credentials. International applicants should supply the following:

• All international applicants should apply online.
• Submit the non-refundable $30 application fee (US currency drawn on a US bank or credit card).
• Freshmen must submit official SAT, ACT, or CLT scores.
• Applicants whose native language is not English must submit official scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
• Freshman applicants with coursework completed outside the US must submit at least three full years of their most current secondary school transcripts, in addition to the final/senior year schedule or predicted grades, in both native language of instruction, and if applicable, a certified English translation. Unofficial transcripts are accepted throughout the initial review process. Applicants should not attempt to enter grades from a non-US transcript into the Student Self-Reported Academic Record (SSAR) system. A NACES approved course-by-course credential evaluation with a GPA calculation is encouraged, but not required for freshman admission.  Transfer level applicants with college or university coursework completed outside the US are required to submit all non-US transcripts to a NACES -approved credential evaluation agency for a course-by-course evaluation with GPA calculation. 

A transfer student is defined as an applicant who has earned at least 12 semester credits of credit following graduation from high school and who has not received a bachelor’s degree.

Transfer applicants must apply online. Apply Online

Transfer applications generally are received six to nine months before the term begins. Apply by your intended college’s deadline. More Info

Transfer Eligibility

• Must have completed an Associate of Arts degree from a Florida public institution or at least 60 transferable semester credit hours from a regionally accredited institution
• Must show competency in a foreign language. Students can do this by providing a high school transcript showing completion of the second high school level or higher of a foreign language or American Sign Language equivalent to the second high school level or higher, or by completing the second collegiate level of a foreign language or American Sign Language.
• Must have a minimum 2.0 overall GPA and a minimum 2.0 GPA at the last institution attended, as calculated by UF.
• Must complete or will complete specific prerequisites for the intended major before attending UF. 
• Must be in good standing and eligible to return to any institution previously attended.

Students with less than 60 semester credit hours or who have already completed a bachelor’s degree are not eligible to transfer to an on-campus program.

Our Decision Process

After the Office of Admissions verifies that your application file is complete, the file is forwarded to the college and academic department for admission consideration and decision. Admissions decisions must be released within a reasonable period of time (as established by the university board of trustees).  

Information about your  application status  is provided online as a convenience. While every effort is made to be timely and accurate, information conveyed by electronic means is unofficial. An official written notification of admission will be mailed to your permanent address within a reasonable period of time (as defined by the university board of trustees). Please do not act on any information until you have received official notification.  ​ More Info

Applicants who have received an Associate in Arts (AA) degree from a Florida public institution immediately prior to transferring receive priority consideration for admission provided the application and all supporting documents are received in the Office of Admissions by the deadline. 

If Denied Admission

The admissions process at the University of Florida is highly competitive and, unfortunately, all qualified and eligible applicants cannot be accommodated due to limited space in the university’s academic colleges. Students who feel they have documented extenuating circumstances that impacted their ability to meet admission requirements may appeal their admissions decision.

To initiate a university-level appeal, students should email  [email protected]  with letter of appeal and any supporting documentation attached, as well as a letter of support from the  college/major  to which the student applied.

Please know that, due to the thoroughness of the university’s application review process, it is unusual to reverse an admission decision. An appeal will only be considered if it provides new and compelling information. More Info

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Board of Professional Responsibility

Of the supreme court of tennessee, *attention*, the board of professional responsibility's attorney portal is currently offline. we apologize for the inconvenience. please check back later for access. , attorney license information.

The Board's Registration Department is responsible for managing all matters regarding a Tennessee attorney's law license with the exception of continuing legal education (CLE) matters and admission to practice law in Tennessee. All inquiries regarding CLE matters should be referred to the Tennessee Commission on Continuing Legal Education . All inquiries regarding admission to the bar of Tennessee should be referred to the Tennessee Board of Law Examiners . All other attorney license inquiries can be directed to the Board's Registration Department at [email protected] . Please scroll down for additional information regarding Tennessee attorney law license status, renewal and registration.

Information for New Attorneys

Information regarding new attorney registration requirements with the BPR.

Reinstatement of Law License

Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, Sections 10 and 30 list the requirements for reinstatement of an attorney's law license.

Active Status

Attorneys on active status are required by Tenn. Sup. Ct. Rule 9 , Sections 10.1 and 10.2; to complete the annual registration requirements (per Rule 9, § 10, and Tenn. Sup.Ct. R. 43) and pay an annual registration fee ($170.00). To complete your annual registration, log into the Board’s attorney portal (see Attorney Login above) and select the Annual Registration tab. If you need to update your email address to gain access to the attorney portal, email [email protected] giving your prior email address information and your BPR number.

Inactive Status

The Supreme Court of Tennessee amended Rule 9 , Sections 10.3 and 10.8 to include new classifications for inactive status and imposing an annual inactive fee effective January 1, 2012.

Upon application for status change pursuant to Rule 9, Section 10.7, the following attorneys may be exempted from the application of Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9:

If your Tennessee law license is currently active and you qualify as exempt to request inactive status, please review Sections (a) through (e) above and click on the appropriate link in order to complete and submit to the Board the Affidavit and Application for Inactive Status (the Affidavit must be a notarized original).

The appropriate Affidavit and Application must be received by the Board prior to the first day of your birth month for the fee exemptions or the reduced fee to apply for the current year registration.

Beginning in 2012, all attorneys on inactive status must file an annual registration statement with the Board and pay an $85.00 annual inactive status fee due on the 1st day of the attorney's birth month. These registration requirements may be completed through the Board's attorney portal (see Attorney Login above) and select the Annual Registration tab. If you need to update your email address to gain access to the attorney portal, email [email protected] giving your prior email address information and your BPR number.

Change of Address

Every attorney admitted to practice in Tennessee is required to notify the Board of any changes of residence or office addresses within 30 days of the changes. See Rule 9, Section 10.1 .

To file changes of address with the Board, log into the Attorney Portal and update your information online. You may also mail, fax, or otherwise deliver a signed notice of address change indicating your prior and new residence or office addresses and the effective date of the change.

Letters of Good Standing and/or Disciplinary History Reports

The Board of Professional Responsibility will provide Letters of Good Standing, Disciplinary History Reports, and certain other information to attorneys as requested. The Board cannot, however, provide a Certificate of Good Standing. Certificates of Good Standing are issued by the Supreme Court of Tennessee and can be requested by contacting the Appellate Court Clerk's Office .

A Tennessee-licensed attorney may request a Letter of Good Standing and/or a Disciplinary History Report through the Board's Attorney Portal on this website. Once logged in, click on the SERVICES tab then select LETTER OF GOOD STANDING to navigate to a page showing the following list:

• Request a Letter of Good Standing
• Request a Disciplinary History Report
• Request a Letter of Good Standing AND a Disciplinary History Report

Select one of the options and submit your request. An invoice will be added to your cart for the service request. Navigate to your Cart to make your payment ($25.00). Upon receipt of your payment, your request will automatically be sent to the Board's Registration Department. Please allow three to five business days for our staff to process your request. We will follow-up by email to confirm details of your request.

Contact the Board's Registration Department at [email protected] with any questions regarding Letters of Good Standing and/or Disciplinary History Reports. Contact the Appellate Court Clerk's Office if you need a Certificate of Good Standing.

Practice Pending Admission

Pursuant to Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 7, Art. X, §§ 10.04 and 10.07, individuals who have made application to be licensed to practice law in Tennessee may apply to practice pending admission.  An applicant for supervised practice or practice pending admission, must be approved to practice by the Tennessee Board of Law Examiners.  Upon approval by the Board of Law Examiners, the applicant is required to notify the Board of Professional Responsibility in writing within thirty (30) days of first establishing an office or other systematic and continuous presence for the practice of law by the authority of § 10.  The notice may be mailed to Registration, Board of Professional Responsibility, 10 Cadillac Drive, Suite 220, Brentwood, TN 37027, or by email to [email protected] and should include all of the following information:

• Full name of applicant
• State of licensure (if applicable) and registration number
• Contact information including the office address, preferred mailing address, home address, telephone numbers for both office and personal number. 
• Current email address.  Please be sure to provide this agency with exactly the same email address you have provided to the Board of Law Examiners for communication regarding the license application process.  Should you change your email address with the Board of Law Examiners, be sure to also change the email address with this agency.
• Provide the name and BPR number of the associated or supervising attorney

Should you withdraw your application for admission to practice law in Tennessee, or if your application is denied by the Board of Law Examiners, please notify this agency by email addressed to [email protected].    

Professional Privilege Tax Obligations

As professionals, attorneys are subject to the Professional Privilege Tax as required by Tenn. Code Ann. § 67-4-1702. For more information about the Professional Privilege Tax, please visit the Tennessee Department of Revenue's Support Site .

Attorneys who have been notified by the Board of Professional Responsibility, pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 9, Section 26, that they were out of compliance are required to submit an affidavit establishing compliance with the Professional Privilege Tax obligations. A sample affidavit is available for download.

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New York County District Attorney's Office

Spanish interpreter/translator intern.

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Apply: Here

Division/Unit: Language Services Unit

CS Title: College Aide

Position Title: Spanish Interpreter/Translator Intern

Salary Range: $16.75/hr – $17.00/hr

Job Description:

The Language Services Unit at the New York County District Attorney’s Office (DANY) provides interpretation and translation services for the investigation and prosecution of criminal cases. Under close supervision, qualified Spanish interpreter/translator interns will have the opportunity to translate bi-directionally between English and Spanish and to proofread translations for accuracy. Translation materials may include legal documents, statements, and audio recordings. Interns will make use of their verbal skills by interpreting during in-house interviews, for which mature and tactful behavior is required. All interns will also assist with screening Spanish audio recordings, in written or oral form, and in producing accurate transcriptions and translations, among other language related tasks.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Ability to interpret/translate both verbal and written communication from English to Spanish and Spanish to English.
• Provide interpretations as required by phone/video conferences, community presentations, and in-person interviews.
• Prepare transcriptions and translations from recordings.
• Verbally screen audio recordings in Spanish.
• Prepare written translations of a variety of materials in both language directions, including but not limited to legal documents, personal statements, press releases, general forms/letters, etc.
• Proofread translations and provide feedback.
• Process requests for Spanish language services and update Unit database.
• In a team effort support Unit staff with translation and interpretation assignments as assigned by supervisor.

In addition to the Minimum Qualification Requirements, all candidates must possess the following:

• Applicants must be currently enrolled as a junior or senior in college or in a graduate program or other language related program. Preference will be given to students enrolled in translation/interpretation programs.
• Applicants must possess a strong bi-cultural awareness as well as a strong ability to speak, write, and use idiomatic expressions and colloquialisms in both English and Spanish. (Prior knowledge of legal language is not required).

How to Apply:

• Cover Letter
• Unofficial transcript, including evidence of current enrollment.
• Three professional references.
• Two sample translations for which source texts are provided at the bottom of this posting. Please attach your translations to your Cover Letter.
• As part of the interview process, interpretation internship candidates will be expected to interpret consecutively in a mock interrogation.

Note : Applications for the Spring 2025 Internship will be accepted during the following dates:

• October 21, 2024 – December 13, 2024

Hours/Shift:

• The Spring Internship is available February 24, 2025 – May 16, 2025. Interns will work two days a week 9:30 am – 4:30 pm.
• Applicants must commit to a complete term.

Minimum Qualification Requirements:

For Assignment Level I:

Matriculation at an accredited college or graduate school. Employment is conditioned upon continuance as a student in a college or graduate school.

For Assignment Level II (Information Technology):

Matriculation at an accredited college or graduate school. Employment is conditioned upon continuance as a student in a college or graduate school with a specific course of study in information technology, computer science, management information systems, data processing, or closely related field, including or supplemented by 9 semester credits in an acceptable course of study.

For Assignment Level III (Information Technology):

Matriculation at an accredited college or graduate school. Employment is conditioned upon continuance as a student in a college or graduate school with a specific course of study in information technology, computer science, management information systems, data processing, or other area relevant to the information technology project(s) assigned, including or supplemented by 9 semester credits in an acceptable course of study.

SPECIAL NOTE:

Maximum tenure for all Assignment Levels in the title of College Aide is 6 years. No student shall be employed more than half-time in any week in which classes in which the student is enrolled are in session. Students may be employed full-time during their vacation periods.

Public Svc Loan Forgiveness:

• As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/ .

Residency Requirement:

• City Residency is not required for this position.

Source Texts for Sample Translations

Directions: please translate the below texts from English or Spanish into the other language respectively. Do not consult any reference materials.

1. Translate the below text into Spanish:

To Whom It May Concern:

I am the Assistant District Attorney in charge of the prosecution of the above-referenced case. The case will be presented to the Grand Jury on Wednesday January 5, 2022. I have enclosed a subpoena calling for your presence before the Criminal Court on that date.

The subpoena does not require it, but I would appreciate your coming to my office at 9:00 AM so that we may discuss the case prior to your testifying in the Grand Jury.

If you have any problems or questions concerning your appearance, please contact me as soon as possible. I can be reached at 212-335-5555.

2. Translate the below text into English:

Fui agredida física y verbalmente por mi actual pareja. Se pone muy celoso cuando está tomado. Me rompe todo en mi habitación y siempre me tira objetos cada vez que discutimos. En verdad tengo miedo de su maltrato. Me golpea y me dice de todo. Una vez me tiró de la guagua. Me salvaron morados. Me gritaba que me hiba matar. No puedo más. Quiero que se valla de mi casa.

The New York County District Attorney’s Office is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual’s sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.