So you’re applying for a summer program, internship, academic course, or another opportunity and you discover that the application requires you to submit a personal statement or statement of purpose. These statements can be tricky to write: the parameters seem to be wide-open, while the stakes feel quite high. How do you begin writing a personal statement or statement of purpose? What is the difference between the two types of statements? And what’s the difference between this type of essay and a cover letter? How much should you write, and what should you say? Read on to find out how to craft a personal statement or statement of purpose you’ll be proud to submit.
Personal Statement vs. Statement of Purpose
Some application packages will ask you to submit a Personal Statement, while others will ask for a Statement of Purpose (SOP). It’s important to understand the difference between these two types of statements and write your statement accordingly.
A personal statement, as the name suggests, is an essay that focuses on your personal story, long-term goals, values and experiences. It should give the reader a clear picture of who you are–and how you convey this is up to you! You might draw on anecdotes, a vision for your future, or why you find a particular issue meaningful. It’s alright to be creative, expressive, and let your personality shine.
A statement of purpose, on the other hand, is more geared toward your purpose in applying for the opportunity you’re interested in. It should give the reader a sense of why you are a good fit for this particular program–whether that’s stemming from your academic background, your work experience, research you’ve done, or your personal or professional goals. Tone-wise, an SOP will be more formal than a personal statement.
Respond to the Prompt
If the opportunity you’re applying for has guidelines for what kind of information they’re looking for in the personal statement or SOP they’re asking for, make sure that you address those in your response. Check out this statement of purpose prompt from the application for the Iowa Young Writers’ Studio:
In 1-2 pages, tell us why you want to participate in the Studio and what you hope to accomplish here. You may want to discuss your writing sample or talk about writers or works that you admire. This is a chance for us to get to know you a little bit from your own words. The statement of purpose should be typed and double-spaced and should be submitted as either a Microsoft Word or PDF file.
Notice that this prompt clearly states the length (1-2 double-spaced pages) and format (Word or PDF file) for applicants’ SOP. It also asks applicants to share some specific information about themselves: what they hope to accomplish in the workshop, background about their writing sample, reflection on writing they admire. When creating a statement for an application such as this, it’s essential to read and understand the prompt and make sure you’re responding to what the prompt asks for in your essay–both in terms of format and content.
Consider Length
Most applications will designate a length for the personal statement or statement of purpose they ask for, either as a word count or suggested page count. If the application you’re working on does not include a word or page count for your statement, aim for the 1-2 page range; a page and a half is generally a safe length for either a personal statement or an SOP.
Plan Ahead and Proofread
A personal statement or SOP is an essential part of any application that asks for it, so it’s critical that you present your best self in your statement. Don’t wait until the last minute to start on your statement–give yourself plenty of time to write before the application is due. Once you have a draft of your SOP or personal statement written, it’s a great idea to share it with a trusted reader (who could be a friend, teacher, counselor or parent) and discuss with them how the statement reads and whether it’s answering the prompt. Last but not least, make sure you proofread your statement for any errors–you don’t want a typo messing up the hard work you’ve put into your application!
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