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university writing center
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| Worksheet for Writing a Personal Statement |
| Use this worksheet to generate ideas for writing a personal statement. It's best to brainstorm as many ideas as possible--afterwards, you can choose the experiences and interests that are most appropriate for your application. |
| Which qualities about yourself would you like to highlight? What qualities make you a good candidate? |
| List evidence of those qualities (anecdotes, accomplishments, experiences, etc). |
| What are possible weaknesses in your application? How could you explain these weaknesses? What strengths can you emphasize to balance out your weaknesses? |
| What special interests do you have within your chosen field? |
| What are the requirements of your field? How have you met these requirements? Explain any experience that may be different or out-of-the-ordinary. |
| What are the professional expectations of your field? In what ways have you met these expectations? |
| What sets you apart from other candidates? Given a stack of similar applications, why should a committee choose you? |
| What specific features have attracted you to the program you are applying for? How do the qualities you bring to this program make for a good match? |
| List three possible "hooks," metaphors, or images you might use to guide your personal statement. |