Your Personal Statement for Graduate School Is Not About You

It's a wild concept for those applying to graduate school.

Even though the details of your personal statement are about you, for the admissions committee, it's ultimately about how you will benefit the program.

Reviewers want to know whether you will:

1. Add value in class and to your cohort.

2. Complete the degree with minimal bumps along the way.

3. Be a strong representative of the program as an alum in your career pursuits.

Basically, your personal statement is about them.

Knowing this, you're in the best position to write a persuasive case for why you deserve a spot.

How do I know this?

I've read 1000s of applications over 12 years at a Research 1 institution in the US and earned a doctorate in higher education (i.e. understanding how universities function - including the mindsets of faculty on admissions committees).

I understand firsthand how it takes more than a good story in a personal statement to sway admissions decisions.

The following points are a reflection of my considerations as an application reviewer, in addition to my awareness of how faculty members can operate based on their unique interests.

By emphasizing how you will benefit them  -  through being a great student and alum  -  you will increase your chances of acceptance.

Here's what reviewers want to see in your personal statement:

1. Add value in class and to your cohort.

You've likely heard the vague term "holistic review" as shrouded language to describe what happens in closed-door admissions conversations.

In essence, a holistic review involves looking at an individual's entire life experience as outlined in application documents: from personal identities to academic credentials, professional experience and service to others.

For an applicant, it makes logical sense to think that an admissions decision is being made about you in a vacuum for a few minutes, without consideration for other applicants.

In reality, faculty and staff reviewers are also doing a holistic review of the applicant pool as a whole, with intentions of building out a "well-rounded" cohort. (Yes, more vague admissions jargon).

This usually references having a variety of backgrounds and identities represented. Research shows that diverse classrooms and teams promotes creativity and learning, so it is valuable to build as diverse a cohort as possible (American Council on Education).

Your personal statement is the first opportunity  -  before interviews  -  to describe what it is about you that is likely different than other applicants.

The focus should be on your lived experiences, whatever they may be. Some applicants may have had every opportunity available while others feel lucky to even consider graduate school given their circumstances. Some have direct experience in their intended degree while others may be pivoting to a new field.

Ultimately, admissions reviewers look for applicants with life stories that will enrich classroom conversations and push the boundaries of learning in group projects.

2. Complete the degree with minimal bumps along the way.

Graduate school is hard. It's supposed to be.

While faculty want to challenge and push graduate students to reach their full potential, they do not want to set any individual up for failure.

In all honesty, it's a bad look for the program and university when students drop out. High retention numbers also play into the university rankings game. (A flawed game, but that's another story).

Because of this, application reviewers look for any and every indication that an applicant may not succeed in the program. 

This ranges from poor grades or performance during their previous degree, to a lack of experience or exposure to the field.

In admissions, it's more efficient to weed out concerning applicants early in the process than it is to search for the gems.

I know this because I've seen it in action.

When you have hundreds of applications to review on a tight deadline, it's often the only option.

So how can you show that you'll succeed in graduate school?

In your personal statement, faculty want to see an example or story that emphasizes you have overcome obstacles and risen to challenges before.

If you have a concerning track record academically, your statement is the opportunity to directly acknowledge why your grades are not up to the program's usual standards. And how you have developed the skills needed to be successful in a graduate-level classroom.

Back to that holistic review concept, if you had a few "lesser" grades in college but went through a health or financial crisis, your personal statement is the opportunity to provide context for the rest of your application.

Faculty and staff are humans, too, and can appreciate when an applicant did the best they could given challenging circumstances.

If a personal statement does not address concerns that a prospective student may not succeed academically or graduate in a timely manner, the admissions committee will likely pass on their application in that review cycle.

3. Be a strong representative of the program as an alum in your career pursuits.

When describing your career goals and how that degree will propel you forward to achieve them, admissions is considering these goals through the lens of how your professional success will reflect on the program.

Universities love accomplished alumni, it's good for business.

Fun fact: application numbers skyrocket for universities whose football and basketball teams win national championships (Forbes).

On a much smaller scale, when alumni go into the world and do incredible work (especially with name-brand organizations or in competitive industries), it reflects positively on the university and specific program where they earned their graduate degree.

Here are potential effects of successful alumni for a university:

1. Strong reputation

   ("You went there? Must be a great program.")

2. Word-of-mouth recruitment

   ("My friend went to ABC University for that and has a great job now, you should check out their program.")

3. Donations

   (Career satisfaction post-graduation = higher chance of giving)

4. Higher rankings

   (More frequent alumni donations = higher rankings = better recruitment) (US News & World Report)

By highlighting exceptional and relevant career goals in your personal statement, you could become a more attractive candidate.

Note: this is not a recommendation to embellish career goals. Application reviewers who have years of experience have exceptional BS detectors. 

Even if you are pursuing an industry not known for high salaries, reviewers of your personal statement will be looking for signs that your academic interests align with your career goals… and that you will be employable and satisfied with the program.

Quick Recap

To write an admissions-worthy personal statement, show how your past experiences will help you to:

1. Add value in class and to your cohort.

2. Complete the degree with minimal bumps along the way.

3. Be a strong representative of the program as an alum in your career pursuits.

Good luck, you've got this!

Follow Dr. Jena on LinkedIn for honest insight and helpful tips on your journey to graduate school as a working professional.

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