No More Blank Pages - How to Start Your Personal Statement
The grad school personal statement is one of the most important pieces of writing you will ever complete, and it can feel like a high-pressure, stressful experience. I understand the feeling of not knowing where to start and being extremely overwhelmed with the writing process. One of the key questions applicants ask is where to start or how to start their grad school statement, which is a fair question! This post will go over how to start your statement writing process effectively, hopefully alleviating some of the stress.
Key takeaways:
Start by brainstorming ideas without pressure, even if you aren’t exactly sure where you are going with it yet, and don’t expect perfection right away.
Start with the body and leave the introduction and conclusion for the end.
Use a personal statement template, like this one by MSW Helper to help create an outline.
Once you have a general outline you can write an attention grabbing introduction and conclusion
Just Start!
Of course, this is easier said than done, but the best way to start a personal statement is to start it. By this, I do not mean starting to write full paragraphs and writing a clear, cohesive statement. Starting can simply mean brainstorming in point form.
Here are a few questions to reflect on:
What experiences do you have, including professional and lived experience?
What do you like about that particular program? What makes you a good fit for it?
What social issues are you passionate about?
What does the program offer you that other programs will not?
What do you see yourself doing with your degree?
Starting a personal statement can be scary, but editing and perfecting a blank page is impossible. You can always make a rough draft better and work on your statement until it is exactly what you want, but you must get the ideas down first.
Check out our detailed guide on answering specific personal statement prompts.
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Research the Program
A strong personal statement will connect your experience and goals to the program you are applying to. I recommend going on the program website, looking at courses, specializations, faculty, and opportunities that you find intriguing, and jotting these down to include in your statement.
Start in the Body
As stated in their names, an introduction paragraph introduces what will be discussed in the statement, and a conclusion paragraph concludes and reiterates what was discussed. Therefore, it can be helpful to start writing your body paragraphs and craft your introduction and conclusion last when you know what your statement will be about. Even if you write your introduction first, it will likely change significantly once the statement is completed, as you will have a clear picture of what you are trying to convey. Instead of wasting time writing an introductory paragraph that will change, focus your primary energy on developing the body paragraphs that will then influence the introduction and conclusion.
Don’t Expect Perfection Right Away
There is always room to edit your statement, so your first draft does not need to be perfect. Each sentence does not need to make complete sense or be eloquent and concise; it just needs to exist. Focus on getting the information down on paper, and then use the next drafts to address structure, word choice, and grammar. In your final draft, you can develop your “hook” to ensure the statement is cohesive, has a strong thesis statement, and reflects who you are as an applicant.
The Introduction Paragraph
Your personal statement should be written like an essay, and your first sentence should be used to hook the reader. The statement should also include your thesis statement or elevator pitch, which follows the following format:
The need of a population + your experience and goals = why you would be an asset to the program of your choice
The first line of your statement is highly important because that is the line that will likely be read, even if the statement is being skimmed. For that reason, I recommend taking your time in crafting it and including as much information as possible.
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Examples of Strong Introductions
“I am applying to the Master of Social Work program at [SCHOOL NAME] because I am interested in a program that will provide specific education in working with children and families, helping me pursue my goal of working in children’s mental health.”
This introduction is specific and explains to the reader what they can expect throughout the statement. In this one sentence, the reader gains a strong understanding of the applicant’s motivations for applying to that school and what they plan to do with their degree.
“I am applying to graduate social work education because my personal, professional, and educational experiences have motivated me to pursue a career focused on supporting those facing adversities and creating change in the world by addressing the root cause of these challenges.”
This is the introduction I used for the personal statement that got me into my current grad school program. The introduction shows what I will be discussing in my statement (my personal, professional, and educational experiences) and what I want to do with my degree (support those facing adversities and create change by addressing root causes). This introductory sentence also aligns with the school’s structural approach, showing I understand the theoretical orientation of the program.
“Ontario is currently experiencing a children’s mental health crisis, resulting in many children being unable to access the support they need.”
This introductory sentence does not include your “elevator pitch,” so it would need to be followed by this, but this can be a great hook for applicants whose experiences and goals align with the social justice issue they will be referencing. The rest of your introductory paragraph would then highlight your desire to address this issue, referencing any experiences that have led you to this goal.
Introductions to Avoid
“As long as I can remember…” or “Since I was young…”
While your experiences may be rooted in your youth or you may have long-lasting goals, these phrases are cliché and should be avoided. You can certainly include these experiences in your statement, and your introduction, but word them in a way that is specific and unique to you.
“Dear Admissions Committee,”
I typically advise applicants against formatting their statements as a letter. The admissions committee wants to see a sample of your academic writing and a letter does not give them a sense of this. By formatting your statement as an essay, you are showing the admissions committee what calibre of work they can expect from you during the program and that you understand how to craft academic papers, which make up the bulk of a grad school program.
“My name is…”
The admissions committee is reading your statement, so they likely know your name or applicant number. Further, your introduction should be used to hook readers, and a sentence stating your name does not accomplish that. Some schools may request adding your name to a title page or on each page, so this can also be a good way to identify yourself.
How Can MSW Helper Help?
MSW Helper offers a free personal statement template to help applicants brainstorm ideas. This can be a great starting point, helping you organize your thoughts and eventually develop a strong personal statement.
