Personal Statement

Through a personal statement, you introduce yourself; it reflects your personality and intellect. It is important that you read each question carefully and make every effort to understand and respond to it with well-considered responses and in a persuasive manner.

Write a Personal Statement

• The most important part of your application
• Your only* chance to tell the scholarship committee why you deserve the award – what they know about you is what you tell them
• Highlight what makes you unique
• Be confident – own your identity
• Show how you represent the award's aims
• Answer all of the questions asked
• Respect the word limits!

Reflection Questions to Help Jump-Start your Personal Statement

• What is your story? Think about what makes you unique
• What part of my story do I want to tell? Think Strategically
• Would I like the person who wrote this essay? (This is usually the goal -- an interview!)
• Does the applicant offer a clear, detailed, and engaging narrative of his or her past experiences?
• Do these experiences relate to the applicant's goals and the interests of the fellowship?

Resources for Writing a Personal Statement

• Song Tan - Guidelines for the Personal Statement
• Joe Schall - Writing Personal Statements Online
• Joe Schall - 10 Commandments for Writing Personal Statements
• The Harry S. Truman Foundation - "Tips for preparing an effective personal statement"