BRIDGE PSYCHOLOGY NETWORK
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Tips for Writing an Effective Personal Statement

  • Answer all questions asked
  • Tell a story
  • Draw from your personal experience
  • Be specific
  • Find an angle or "hook"
  • Strong opening paragraph
  • Tell what you know
  • Exclude out-of-date topics
  • Research the program
  • Discuss why the program interests you and why it is your top choice
  • Write correctly
  • Challenge your writing
    •  Think: Does this statement help sell me and add substance to my essay?
  • Read it out loud! Catch the grammar and spelling errors that spellcheck misses and make sure your sentences flow well
  • Avoid cliches
  • Avoid bragging
    • Focus on how your experiences have shaped you, rather than stating something just to seem impressive
  • Avoid being vague or general
  • Avoid using lists
  • Avoid starting off with or centering your essay around a famous quote
  • Avoid trying to be funny or silly                ​
Adapted from:
Hickey, R. (2017, June 9). Write a graduate school essay that will knock their socks off. Retrieved from https://www.petersons.com/graduate-schools/write-graduate-school-essay.aspx#/sweeps-moda
Purdue Online Writing Lab. (2017). Writing the personal statement. Retrieved from https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/642/01/

Links on How To Write an Effective Personal Statement

University of Delaware Career Services page:
​www.udel.edu/students/career-services-center/students/graduateschool/

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Power Point:
https://clinicalpsych.unc.edu/files/2017/12/Personal-Statement.pdf

Purdue Owl Personal Statement page: 
owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/642/01/

Peterson's: 
www.petersons.com/graduate-schools/write-graduate-school-essay.aspx#/sweeps-moda

complete a self-assessment to help you structure your personal statement and career goals

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  • Home
  • Network Aims
  • Networked Program Directory
  • For Students
    • Communication
    • Considering graduate education
    • Preparing >
      • Clinical Experiences
      • Research Opportunities
      • GRE
      • Mentors
      • Potential Letter Writers
      • Developing a List of Potential Programs (and Mentors)
      • Networking Tips
    • Your Application Year >
      • Personal Statement
      • Letters of Recommendation
      • CV
      • Interviews
      • Decision Time
      • Stress management
  • Join us!
  • Calendar
  • Diversity-focused job opportunities
  • Networked Program Directory