An example of personal statement is a useful tool for a student who is having difficulty writing a personal statement. Personal statement writing is different from other academic writing styles such as essays, reports, case study analyses and research papers because a personal statement only discusses information about a single subject: the writer himself. There are no strict guidelines when it comes to personal statement writing because what is ideal to be discussed by a student wishing to enroll in a degree program of a particular university may not be applicable for the student applying in a different degree program on a different university or country. Therefore, personal statement writing has to leave some form of individuality and creativity that students can explore.
A good example of personal statement should be able to inspire students to write their own. Of course, any student would do good to use an example of personal statement written by a student who has been admitted into his or her intended degree program.
There are general rules in writing personal statements. One is to use appropriate words and phrases to express what the student wishes to communicate. This involves using the student’s skill in using language and a rhetorical approach to express an idea clearly and in a manner that will interest the reader. One way to use language in a personal statement is through the use of stylistic tools such as the following:
- Listing famous personalities who have studied the same subject that the applicant wishes to study or even enrolled in the same university that the applicant is aiming for. This will usually not work because it is like saying that the applicant is already placing himself or herself among the ranks of these famous individuals.
- Using words or phrases that blatantly solicit sympathy from the reader, such that the university admissions officer or tutor would find it funny or overwrought.
Related topic Using an Example of Personal Statement