Admission committees typically request a brief essay (500 to 2000 words), sometimes called a Personal Statement (also known as Statement of Interest or Purpose). It is a very important piece for assessing your fit for the program, and your writing ability.
Some schools provide prompt questions, so look for those! In general, these statements discuss:
We have two short exercises, led via video, to get you started on writing your personal statement!
You may be asked to provide a resume, or you may be asked for an academic CV. They are related but different, as follows:
| Typical Differences | CV | Resume |
| Audience | Fellow academics in your field of study | Hiring managers and human resources officers |
| Purpose | Applying to research-focused graduate studies and academic jobs | Applying to professionally-focused graduate studies and jobs |
| Goal | Display your academic credentials and accomplishments in great detail | Demonstrate you have the skills and experience necessary relevant to a job or organization |
| What readers see | Your scholarly potential | Your knowledge, skills and abilities |
| Essential information | Relevant course projects (essays, presentations, assignments), research experiences, publications, conference presentations, teaching experiences, awards | Academic, work, and volunteer experiences that highlight your accomplishments |
| Length | As long as necessary | 2 pages maximum |
| References | Include if requested | Do not include |
The following sample documents were developed by AA&CC staff and student staff, with input from faculty members:
Find more explanation and other useful examples here.
Application & Personal Statement Resources