What should you write in your personal statement?

What should you write in your personal statement?

Writing personal statements could be challenging for students; universities decisions are based on it as well as some embassies decisions. So when you are considering to study abroad, especially when considering to study in one of the best universities worldwide what should you write in your personal statement?

What to mention:

Academic Background: What did you study, where and how is it relevant to your future plan?

Work Experience: Where did you work? Do you intend to resume to work there?

Gap between Your Studies: How long is the gap between your previous study and your intended study? And what is its purpose?

Reason to Study at the Selected University: ex. location, fees, ranking. Also, compare with different institutes.

The Reason of Choosing the Program: How will the program benefit your future?  If you decided to change your career path what is the reason behind it? What do you like about the program structure?

The Reason to Study Abroad: Why choosing this country as your studying destination?

Reason Not to Study in Your Home Country: How is the education system abroad different from the education system in your country and how will that benefit you.

Future Plans After You Graduate From This Program: Where you expect to receive an offer when you graduate? What is the expected salary?

Reasons For Returning Back to Your Home Country: Your family circumstances, asset values, the importance of family bonding to you, you running family assets after going back home, improving and developing your community and country.

5 useful tips:

1. Remember you might be using the same personal statement for several universities or colleges and degrees so avoid specifying major or names.

2. Tell the admission officer what makes you the suitable candidate for studying this major; mention your relevant skills, achievements and experiences that you have built and gained from previous education, work or other activities.

3. Mention your voluntary activities and the awards you achieved.

4. Tell the reader your long-term ambition and your interest in the subject as well as the degree provider.

5. In case you had personal circumstances that affected your educational performance or your educational choice mention it.

The Dos and Don’ts

Do be enthusiastic – being passionate and keen about the course can help you get a place.

Do stress on your strength points.

Do write several drafts before the final version.
Do check it on grammarly.

Don’t exaggerate – you will get caught.

Don’t rely on spellchecker but proof read it several times.

Don’t plagiarize. Don’t write it on a rush, but give it a priority as it has a value in your application.