career objective essay for graduate school

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Graduate School Application Essays

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Types of Essays

Regardless of the type of school you are applying to, you will be required to submit an admissions essay as part of the application process. Graduate programs want students with clear commitment to the field. Essay prompts typically ask applicants to discuss their previous experience, future professional goals, and how the program can help them in achieving those objectives. The essay gives the applicant the chance to articulate these goals and display strong writing skills. Remember to tailor your essay to each school and the faculty committee that reviews your application. But first, take note of what kind of essay is being requested of you. Here are the two main admission essays:

Personal Statement

A personal statement is a narrative piece describing how your character and experiences have formed you into someone who will contribute positively and effectively to not only the department but the academic discipline as a whole. This is often achieved by detailing social, educational, cultural, and economic obstacles you have overcome in your journey to get to where you are today and your future objectives. A personal statement is also an opportunity to highlight what is unique about you and how you will advance diversity within the institution.

Check out Personal Statement Resources for Graduate School Applications in the Resources section of Handshake for a brainstorming activity and essay samples that can help you get started on your personal statement.

Statement of Purpose

Interchangeably called a “research statement”, a statement of purpose will prompt you to describe your research interests and professional goals, how you plan to accomplish them, and why a specific program is best suited for you to do so. Be specific about your specialized interests within your major field. Be clear about the kind of program you expect to undertake, and explain how your study plan connects with your previous training and future goals.

Use the Outlining Your Statement of Purpose guide in the Resources section of Handshake to get started on your statement outline.

How to Write a Powerful Admission Essay

Whatever required format, your essay should be thoughtful, concise, compelling, and interesting. Remember, admissions officers read hundreds of personal essays. Below are some tips for your admissions essay writing process:

Before Writing

• Read the question:  Be sure you are aware of all aspects of the prompt. Failing to pay attention to details in the prompt won’t reflect well on you as a potential candidate.
• What is distinct, special, and/or impressive about me and my life story?
• Have I overcome any particular hardships or obstacles?
• When did I become interested in this field and what have I learned about it?
• What are my career goals?
• What personal traits, values, and skill sets do I have that would make me stand out from other applicants?
• Create an outline:  You might have a lot that you want to say, but you will need to whittle down your many thoughts and experiences to a concrete thesis with a select number of examples to support it. Create an outline for your draft, not only to organize your points and examples, but to help tailor your essay for your readers.
• Know your audience:  Consider how your narrative can best meet the expectations of admissions committee members. Will faculty be reading this? Administrators? Experts in the field? Knowing your audience ahead of time will assist you in addressing the prompt appropriately.

While Writing

• Grab your reader’s attention:  Start your essay with something that will grab the reader’s attention such as a personal anecdote, questions, or engaging depiction of a scene. Avoid starting things off with common phrases such as “I was born in…” or “I have always wanted to…” Consider the experiences that have shaped you or your career decision, and delve into them with a creative hook.
• Write well:  Your essay is a sample of your writing abilities, so it’s important to convey your thoughts clearly and effectively. Be succinct—you don’t need to write out your full autobiography or resume in prose. Exclude anything that doesn’t support your thesis. Gentle humor is okay, but don’t overdo it. Also, don’t make things up! Be honest about your experiences.
• End strong:  End your essay with a conclusion that refers back to the lead and restates your thesis. This helps unify your essay as a whole, connecting your detailed experiences back to the reason you are writing this essay in the first place—to show your qualifications for your graduate program of choice.

Final Touches

• Use resources: The MIT Communication Labs have a CommKit that collects all of the Comm Lab resources relevant to the grad application process , including recommendation letters & interviews
• Revise:  Give yourself enough time to step away from your draft. Return with a fresh pair of eyes to make your edits. Be realistic with yourself, not your harshest critic. Make a few rounds of revisions if you need.
• Ask for help:  Have your essay critiqued by friends, family, educators, and the  MIT Writing and Communication Center or our Career Services staff.
• Proofread:  Read your essay out loud or even record yourself and listen to the recording, to help you catch mistakes or poor phrasing you may have missed when reading to yourself. Also, don’t rely exclusively on your computer to check your spelling.

• Graduate School

Grad School Career Goals Statement: Your Guide

Including 2 sample statements.

A grad school career goals statement is often part of applying for graduate school programs. Students wondering how to get into grad school can push their application ahead with a great career goals statement. Many students state their future career ambitions without elaborating on their answers, and their career goals statement falls short. In this blog, our grad school essay tutors reveal why you need a career goals statement, what to include, what to leave out, and a step-by-step process to help you craft your own.

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Article Contents 15 min read

Why do i need to include a career goals statement in my grad school application.

When applying to any graduate school program, the application process will more than likely include a career goals statement. These are sometimes called a grad school personal statement, statement of purpose or statement of intent . Not every school admissions application will ask you to write a career goals statement, but a variation of the career goals statement or personal statement is requested when applying for MBA programs. It’s a good idea to write a career goals statement anyway, because writing down your career ambitions can be a powerful personal tool as well. Putting your career goals in writing can help you to visualize the steps you’ll need to take to reach your goal, measure your progress and keep you accountable in pursuing your stated professional goals. Admissions committees ask for career goals statements to get an in-depth look at your personal and professional history, and what career aspirations you have. Committees are looking for key information in your career goals statement, including: what long and short-term career goals you have, how the program you’re applying to will help you achieve them and what you’ve already accomplished in your field. Bottom line, they want to know if you’re the type of student and working professional they want to add to their graduate program. Reading graduate school statement of purpose examples and tips for success can help inspire you as you draft your own career goals statement. Or, you can consider seeking extra help from a graduate school admissions consultant , who can teach you how to improve your statement writing skills, among other skills.

A well-written grad school career goals statement can help push your application to the top.

The important information you need to include in your career goals statement, regardless of what grad school program you’re applying to, is your short and long-term career goals, why you’re applying to study at the graduate level, how the chosen program will help you achieve your goals, and what you’ve already accomplished in your chosen professional field. All of this information will give your grad school admissions committee a detailed look at who you are, what you want to do in your career and why you’ve chosen a specific program to achieve it. The details you include with this information should convince the committee that you are worthy of a spot in a competitive graduate school program. Your career goals statement is also your chance to prove to the admissions board that you have not only a goal, but the drive and commitment to realize it.

Want help with other areas of your grad application as well? Check out this video:

Your grad school career goals statement should include the key information admissions committees want to know about you, as well as the qualities and format of a well-written personal statement. We’ll expand on these more below.

Short and long-term career goals

While you may have a primary reason for applying to a graduate school program, the admissions committee will want the details of your short and long-term career goals. Your short-term career goals would be what you want to accomplish in the months after graduation, or maybe even while you are studying. Are you looking to change career paths? Switch industries? Maybe your goal is to specialize your professional skillset, and your undergraduate degree is in too general a field of study. Regardless of your reasons, tell the admissions team what you want to accomplish following your graduation in the short-term, as well as the long-term goals you have for your career. If you want to enter a new professional field, what position do you want to reach in the long-term? What professional goals do you want to accomplish? What companies will you be looking to apply to?

Be as specific as you possibly can about your goals. Don’t just say you want to be a manager—write about why you want to be a manager in your professional field.

A good rule of thumb is to include SMART goals in your statement. SMART is an acronym which means specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound. Basically, be as specific about your goals as you can be, make them relevant and realistic to your field of study or work and your experience, and state when exactly you want to achieve them. Short term career goals might include earning a promotion you’ve had your eye on at your company, or getting a position at a particular company or in a specific field of interest to you after graduation. Long term career goals might be more vague, such as reaching a certain salary bracket or they may be ultra-specific, like starting your own business venture in your chosen field by 2025.

There are many reasons to study at the graduate level. Maybe you’re seeking to expand your professional skills or you’re looking at applying to a high-level position that requires a graduate degree. You might want to take more courses in a specific field of interest in your industry. Or you’re looking at an MBA, so you can hone your skills in management and business operations. In short, you need a better reason for applying than just earning another degree. Share the primary reason you’re applying for a rigorous graduate program, and why you feel further schooling will benefit you.

Why you chose this graduate school program

Schools want to know the reason why you chose their program in particular. Point to the courses, school values or specialties that drew you to the program. If the school of your choice is known for its excellent MBA program, for example, mention this. If a school values innovative thinking like you, elaborate on this point. Pick a school that you feel fits you best, and research the curriculum of the program you hope to attend. If you can’t give an answer as to why you chose a program, it’s less likely that you’ll be chosen to attend. Examine the specific reasons why you’re applying. Did you take a business class as an undergrad that sparked an interest in the technology industry? Was there a professor or professional experience that inspired you to start your own business? As an intern, did you discover a love for the work done by your current company? These details will give the admissions board a clear picture of your motivations.

How this program will help you achieve your goals

Related to the above answer, admissions boards will ask why you chose their graduate program and how it will help you achieve your career goals in the short and long-term. Highlight your earlier points here, strengthening them by connecting your goals to your reasons for applying. If you’re applying to a graduate program because a second degree will give you the skills and experience to move up in your chosen career, write about how the school’s focus on management and leadership will help mold you into a business leader. Or how the program’s internship opportunities will open doors for you in a new industry you’re hoping to break into. It’s best to be as specific as possible, and point to the main benefits the graduate school program will have on your career prospects and future goals.

Consider also what you can contribute to the school’s graduate program. Research the graduate school’s recent work or accolades and draw a connection between the work and your own recent accomplishments. If the school publishes heavily in scientific journals or pursues cutting-edge research in technology, highlight any articles you’ve had published, or mention any positions you’ve held in advancing technology industries. 

Interested in some tips that can help get you into grad school? This infographic is for you:

When writing your grad school career goals statement, it’s important not only that the content be full of personal details, but that the structure and format be strong, too. Once you’re able to answer the career goals statement prompt and include all the above information, you want to structure it in the short essay format, make sure your writing is clear, detailed, and confident. You’ll also add in an intriguing personal narrative, which helps improve the ‘flow’ and carry your readers through your writing seamlessly. You can read samples of college essays for inspiration, but the admissions committee wants to hear about you, personally and professionally. They’re expecting a well-structured, well-written document that gives them an insightful look into a prospective future student: you.

These elements are the bones of your career goals statement, while your detailed content—your actual answers—is the meat.

Short essay format

For short essay format, you’ll need a clear introduction, body paragraphs and a conclusion. Typically, these statements are one page long, and no more than two pages long. Some programs will specify a word count or ask for a statement of no more than a few sentences. Whatever the length, it’s important to include as much detailed information as you can.

For the introduction, grab your readers’ attention from the get-go with an intriguing topic sentence. For a career goals statement, this can be a challenge, so start with your answer to the question: what are your future career goals?

In your body paragraphs, expand on your goals. State how you will achieve them, and why you’ve chosen to study at the graduate level at your chosen school. Finally, state your timeline. Share when exactly you want to achieve your short and long-term goals. For example, your short-term goals might be 3-6 months. Your long-term goals might be 5, 10 or even 20 years from now. There is no hard rule about what is short-term and long-term, but be explicit in what these mean to you and your career goals.

In your conclusion, dive into how your chosen program will help you achieve your stated goals, and deliver your closing arguments for why you should be selected to attend the program.

Clarity and detail

Details will be the elements the admissions committee will remember best. They help set your career goals statement apart from the thousands of others they will receive each year. Details help make your statement more unique. But clear writing and well-structured sentences will make your details shine. So don’t forget the most important final step: proofreading. Read and re-read your statement to ensure it is clear, concise and free of errors. Reading aloud helps to be able to hear if your narrative flows smoothly and with clarity.

Use a confident tone of voice when writing your career goals statement. Don’t say you’d like to apply to hopefully be a manager. Say you will be a manager. You will be a leader. Write like your future career goals are a foregone conclusion if you obtain your graduate’s degree. If you are accepted—and you will be, as you are a perfect candidate—you will achieve your goals exactly as you’ve outlined in your career goals statement.

Personal narrative

Your grad school career goals statement is a detailed rundown of your professional ambitions, but it is also a look at you, personally. Tie your statement together with a compelling personal narrative to make it stand out, get noticed and connect your personal motivations to your professional goals. You want the reader to see the connection between your personal experiences and professional ambitions. So, if your goal is to enter a new professional field, share a personal anecdote about the passion you have for your field: when did it start? Where did your interest come from? If your aim is to improve your managerial skills, write about your personal or professional experiences where you demonstrated the qualities of a good leader or went above and beyond for your team.

Mistakes to avoid when drafting your grad school career goals statement

It goes without saying, but don\u2019t submit the first draft of your career goals statement with your graduate school application. Proofread your work after writing. Ask someone else to proofread it for you as well in case they catch something you missed. Revise your work in a second draft, and proofread it again, before you submit your statement. ","label":"Don\u2019t submit your first draft","title":"Don\u2019t submit your first draft"}]" code="tab1" template="BlogArticle">

Step by step instructions on writing a career goals statement

When writing an effective grad school career goals statement, it can help to follow a step-by-step process, especially if writing is not your strength.

Start with brainstorming your ideas. Write them down or make a list. Outline your answers to the questions admissions committees want to know. Ask yourself questions about your career aspirations and why you’ve chosen to apply to a graduate program. Once you have the answers to these questions, write them down and keep them handy as a reference for yourself.

Next, research the schools and graduate programs you’ll be applying for, based on your interests, eligibility and personal needs. Have a look at the programs they offer and what kind of coursework they offer. Does the coursework fit with your stated career goals? What skills will you gain from them that will help you achieve your goals? Jot down some of your answers to include in your career goals statement.

Once you have your notes complete, draft the outline of your answers and structure them into the short essay format. Decide what you will include in your introduction, your body paragraphs and your conclusion. Using your outline as a guide, type out your first draft, checking your notes to make sure you’ve included all the details you need.

If you can, ask for feedback from another set of eyes or ask someone to review your first draft. Read it aloud a few times to see how it sounds, if it flows well and if all the information you need is included. Once you have your feedback, from yourself and others, revise and create your second draft. Repeat the revision process if you need and be sure to proofread your work. Ask a friend to proofread your statement as well to ensure your essay is free of errors and is as polished as it can be.

Sample graduate school career goals statements to inspire your own

Below are two samples of graduate school career goals statements to help guide you in crafting your own.

Statement 1

My future career goals are entrepreneurial in nature, as I want to combine my passion for cycling with my interest in business administration. I chose to further my studies at the graduate level because of my goal to pursue my own start-up venture. My aim is to start my own company providing affordable, durable carbon fibre mountain bikes to cycling enthusiasts. As a cycling enthusiast myself, I understand the benefits a carbon fibre bicycle can bring, and I want to make it a more attainable and affordable option for cyclists like me. To be a successful business owner, I know it is imperative that I develop my management and organizational skills at the graduate level.

[University] is well-known for its superb MBA program, and I decided to apply for this program because I believe it will instill in me the necessary skills to succeed in a highly competitive business realm. [University’s] focus on developing forward-thinking, innovative leaders who excel in their chosen fields appeals greatly to me. I consider myself a creative, innovative thinker, and I know my business requires individuals who can look to the future of cycling and provide solutions now.

My short-term goals include starting this business venture soon after graduation. Having this degree will check the box of having a business leader with well-developed skills and the tools and resources to launch this business idea. My long-term goal is to provide cyclists like myself with durable, affordable carbon fibre mountain bikes and to reinvigorate interest in the sport in my region. Developing and providing carbon fibre bicycles to mountain cyclists will make the sport more accessible to more people. Carbon fibre bicycles are more adaptable, lightweight, and maneuverable on rough terrain, and they are extremely hardy and durable, so they will last riders for years to come. Making them as affordable as possible will also ensure they are accessible to as many different people as possible. Interest in the sport has waned in my area, but there is a small group of dedicated and passionate fans, and one of my goals is to utilize this group and my growing business to reignite passion for this challenging and adventurous sport. The advancements in technology in recent years will help propel me towards this goal, but a business degree at the graduate level will provide me with the crucial professional skills and experience needed to succeed.

My professional experience working in a cycling shop will also complement my goals and my future as an entrepreneurial business leader. For the past 5 years, I’ve worked as a manager at Cranky Cycling, a retail bicycle and repair shop in my area. As a manager, I’ve been introduced to the operational side of the business and have earned plenty of customer service experience. As manager, I’ve been responsible not only for employee management, scheduling, customer order and financial statements, I’ve been able to get to know every aspect of the business operations. From the repair side of things, I’ve been responsible for overseeing all repairs and advising customers on the ins and outs of bicycle care and maintenance. I also keep up to date on the latest developments in the cycling world, and often implement the knowledge I gain in the day-to-day running of the business.

I know these are small aspects of being a business owner, but I believe my extensive experience and expertise in the field are an excellent foundation for my future career goals. The key missing piece will be furthering my education and complementing this foundation with the professional skill development I will need in the future. 

Since my undergraduate studies, I have developed a passion for environmental sciences, and sustainable energy policy-making especially. At [University] I studied environmental sciences with a minor in political science and government policy. A graduate degree in environmental sciences will provide me with the background, knowledge and essential skillset I need to succeed in my career in sustainable energy management. While my undergraduate degree in environmental sciences has given me a solid foundation to work from, I am eager to expand my learning in fields such as environmental technology and government policy. A background in these subjects is necessary for me to achieve my goal of working at a high level in my chosen company [Company].

[Company] provides sustainable solar energy systems to its customers, and frequently collaborates with municipal and regional government bodies, private corporations and organizations to provide alternative energy needs. [Company] is also at the forefront of exploring emerging technology in solar energy and is a huge advocate for the possibilities of what can be achieved using solar energy. The company’s values and goals align well with my own, as I believe the future of energy in our region lies in utilizing solar power and its emerging technology. I think if more of our local companies were able to make the switch to solar more efficiently, they would choose to do so. Part of [Company’s] mission is to make the switch to solar more comfortable, affordable and easy.

After graduation, it is my goal to be hired at this company for a full-time, permanent position. I have previously interned at this company for one year and have gained a good understanding of company operations. As an intern, I helped educate on the benefits of solar power, how our company helps organizations to make the switch and municipal bylaws and policies about installing and using solar power in the region. My hope is to grow with this company long-term, achieving a higher-ranking position within its corporate structure and eventually being promoted to VP of operations. I believe here I would be able to make the most impact and be a positive advocate for the adoption of renewable solar energy systems in my community.

With a graduate degree in environmental sciences from [University], I know I will be able to achieve a higher position at my chosen company, and be armed with the experience and professional skillset I need to truly transform my community. With the knowledge I will gain from this degree, and the passion and experience I will contribute, I can share my vision of a solar-powered future with my community and fellow businesses.

Want to learn some tips that can help you survive grad school once you get there? Take a look at this video:

While writing a career goals statement may be a challenge, a good one can greatly increase your chances of admission to your chosen grad school program. Reading grad school career goals statement samples, asking for someone to review your statement and proofreading will all help you in creating a great statement for your grad school application. You might also look for extra help from a grad school admissions consultant when crafting your career goals statement.

A grad school career goals statement is a document that tells a grad school admissions committee what your short and long-term career goals are, why you are applying to the program and how the program will help you achieve your career goals.

A grad school career goals statement is usually one page long, but no more than two pages.

A good grad school career goals statement includes your detailed short and long-term goals, your reason for studying at the graduate level, why you’ve chosen a specific grad school program, and how this program will contribute to you achieving your goals.

Graduate schools want to learn more about who you are and what you want to achieve in your career. More importantly, they want to know how the program will contribute to you achieving your goals. This information will help them determine if you are a good fit for their program.

A good grad school career goals statement will outline your career ambitions, your motivations for applying to grad school and convince the admissions committee that you are an ideal candidate for your chosen program.

Don’t use the same career goals statement for every program you apply to, don’t use cliches or information that isn’t relevant to your career goals and your purpose in applying for grad school, and don’t submit a draft you haven’t proofread.

Yes. A career goals statement is sometimes called a statement of purpose, personal statement or statement of intent, as the general purpose of all these are the same.

SMART is an acronym which stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound. Your career goals should follow these criteria. Describe your goals in your statement as specifically as possible, make sure they are relevant, measurable and achievable in your chosen field of work, and state when exactly you want to achieve these goals by.

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Everything you need to know to get Accepted

February 29, 2024

• Writing Your Career Goals Essay

Check out all the blog posts in this series:

• Identifying the Ingredients of a Winning Essay
• Finding a Theme for Your Statement of Purpose
• Revise and Polish Your Application Essays

Your career goals essay demands a laser-like focus. A personal statement, by contrast, allows for some flexibility in its content, though you can – and often should – discuss your career goals. But a career goals essay has a particular and packed agenda. In fact, the prompt for a career goals essay could actually include multiple questions, and in such cases, you want to make sure you address each of them.

For example, in 2022, Kellogg asked applicants to its one-year program to respond to the following prompt: “Please discuss your post-MBA career goal, the current experience you will leverage to support the transition, and the Kellogg 1Y opportunities that will help you reach this goal.” 

This prompt has three parts: (1) What do you want to do post-MBA ? (2) Why is the 1Y program appropriate for you? And (3) what experience has so far prepared you to succeed in your target role? 

So, always pay close attention to your target school’s prompt to ensure that you answer all the questions within its “single” question. 

Three elements of a successful career goals essay

In addition to having a distinct theme , your career goals essay should achieve the following:

• Highlight specific career achievements. Choose from your most notable or defining experiences. These could be related to your work, community involvement, or extracurricular activities. The experiences you select should showcase your leadership skills , creative thinking, collaborative abilities, and personal reflections about what you learned or gained.
• Explain why your experiences and influences make your career goal a logical and wise choice.
• Demonstrate why you are suited to a particular field as a result of your education, experience, abilities, and enthusiasm. Ideally, the material you choose to include will also allow you to prove your knowledge about industry trends and suggest how your abilities and strengths can help you contribute to that field.

It’s a very tall order to achieve all this.

Putting these elements together to create your goals essay

Let’s take a look at a sample MBA Goals Essay and see how these three key elements are incorporated.  

You should be able to easily recognize why the writer’s opening is attention-getting for all the right reasons. The writer introduces herself as the supremely busy executive she visualizes becoming in the future. She trades large amounts of stock, rushes off to a Zoom conference, hurries downstairs, flags down a taxi, then hops on a plane. As she describes this whirlwind of activity, we can practically feel her heart pumping.

After establishing her voice and personality in this opening, she offers context for her MBA goal. Notice that in writing about her work as an accountant for a major firm, she provides relevant details, including how many years she has been in the field, her bilingualism, and her specialty area as an auditor. This information is her springboard to explain why she is pursuing an MBA: she’s bursting out of her limited role as an accountant. Her eyes and ambition are set on a larger playing field as an international investment manager.

Write an essay, not a list or CV

Outstanding career goals essays are not lists of an applicant’s roles and achievements. Instead, they have a narrative flow and arc that convey the candidate’s palpable excitement about their career choice. This writer’s enthusiastic, dreamy first paragraph achieves this, and she returns to that image at the end, where she paints her idealized (if frantically busy) future. She also proves her seriousness by noting that she registered for the CFA exam.

Connect your career goals to your reasons for choosing a particular program

Many essay questions, especially those for MBA programs , will ask why you have chosen the school you’re applying to. Be prepared to respond knowledgeably and enthusiastically. And the only way to become knowledgeable – and enthusiastic – is by visiting campus in-person or virtually, attending student recruitment meetings, participating in forums, reading student blogs, watching videos of students speaking about their experiences, communicating directly with students and/or recent alumni, and otherwise doing your homework. As part of your research, make sure you have familiarized yourself with the courses and specializations that are relevant to your goals.

Summary Tips

• Focus on answering each and every question asked in a career goals essay prompt. Often, there is more than one.
• Highlight specific achievements vividly and in a way that shows that your career choice is logical for you.
• Do the research so you can write about why the school is a good fit for you and do so with genuine enthusiasm.

In the next post in this series , we’ll explain how to take all this advice and apply it to create an exemplary first draft.

Work one-on-one with an expert who will walk you through the process of creating a slam-dunk application. Check out our full catalog of application services . Our admissions consultants have read thousands of essays and know the exact ingredients of an outstanding essay.

By Judy Gruen, former Accepted admissions consultant. Judy holds a master’s in journalism from Northwestern University. She is also the co-author of Accepted’s first full-length book, MBA Admission for Smarties: The No-Nonsense Guide to Acceptance at Top Business Schools . Want an admissions expert help you get accepted? Click here to get in touch!

Related resources:

• The Winning Ingredients of a Dynamic MBA Goals Essay , a free guide
• Grad School Personal Statement Examples
• Focus on Fit , podcast Episode 162

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Gre prep online guides and tips, 3 successful graduate school personal statement examples.

Looking for grad school personal statement examples? Look no further! In this total guide to graduate school personal statement examples, we’ll discuss why you need a personal statement for grad school and what makes a good one. Then we’ll provide three graduate school personal statement samples from our grad school experts. After that, we’ll do a deep dive on one of our personal statement for graduate school examples. Finally, we’ll wrap up with a list of other grad school personal statements you can find online.

Why Do You Need a Personal Statement?

A personal statement is a chance for admissions committees to get to know you: your goals and passions, what you’ll bring to the program, and what you’re hoping to get out of the program.  You need to sell the admissions committee on what makes you a worthwhile applicant. The personal statement is a good chance to highlight significant things about you that don’t appear elsewhere on your application.

A personal statement is slightly different from a statement of purpose (also known as a letter of intent). A statement of purpose/letter of intent tends to be more tightly focused on your academic or professional credentials and your future research and/or professional interests.

While a personal statement also addresses your academic experiences and goals, you have more leeway to be a little more, well, personal. In a personal statement, it’s often appropriate to include information on significant life experiences or challenges that aren’t necessarily directly relevant to your field of interest.

Some programs ask for both a personal statement and a statement of purpose/letter of intent. In this case, the personal statement is likely to be much more tightly focused on your life experience and personality assets while the statement of purpose will focus in much more on your academic/research experiences and goals.

However, there’s not always a hard-and-fast demarcation between a personal statement and a statement of purpose. The two statement types should address a lot of the same themes, especially as relates to your future goals and the valuable assets you bring to the program. Some programs will ask for a personal statement but the prompt will be focused primarily on your research and professional experiences and interests. Some will ask for a statement of purpose but the prompt will be more focused on your general life experiences.

When in doubt, give the program what they are asking for in the prompt and don’t get too hung up on whether they call it a personal statement or statement of purpose. You can always call the admissions office to get more clarification on what they want you to address in your admissions essay.

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What Makes a Good Grad School Personal Statement?

A great graduate school personal statement can come in many forms and styles. However, strong grad school personal statement examples all share the same following elements:

A Clear Narrative

Above all, a good personal statement communicates clear messages about what makes you a strong applicant who is likely to have success in graduate school. So to that extent, think about a couple of key points that you want to communicate about yourself and then drill down on how you can best communicate those points. (Your key points should of course be related to what you can bring to the field and to the program specifically).

You can also decide whether to address things like setbacks or gaps in your application as part of your narrative. Have a low GPA for a couple semesters due to a health issue? Been out of a job for a while taking care of a family member? If you do decide to explain an issue like this, make sure that the overall arc is more about demonstrating positive qualities like resilience and diligence than about providing excuses.

Specific Examples

A great statement of purpose uses specific examples to illustrate its key messages. This can include anecdotes that demonstrate particular traits or even references to scholars and works that have influenced your academic trajectory to show that you are familiar and insightful about the relevant literature in your field.

Just saying “I love plants,” is pretty vague. Describing how you worked in a plant lab during undergrad and then went home and carefully cultivated your own greenhouse where you cross-bred new flower colors by hand is much more specific and vivid, which makes for better evidence.

A strong personal statement will describe why you are a good fit for the program, and why the program is a good fit for you. It’s important to identify specific things about the program that appeal to you, and how you’ll take advantage of those opportunities. It’s also a good idea to talk about specific professors you might be interested in working with. This shows that you are informed about and genuinely invested in the program.

Strong Writing

Even quantitative and science disciplines typically require some writing, so it’s important that your personal statement shows strong writing skills. Make sure that you are communicating clearly and that you don’t have any grammar and spelling errors. It’s helpful to get other people to read your statement and provide feedback. Plan on going through multiple drafts.

Another important thing here is to avoid cliches and gimmicks. Don’t deploy overused phrases and openings like “ever since I was a child.” Don’t structure your statement in a gimmicky way (i.e., writing a faux legal brief about yourself for a law school statement of purpose). The first will make your writing banal; the second is likely to make you stand out in a bad way.

Appropriate Boundaries

While you can be more personal in a personal statement than in a statement of purpose, it’s important to maintain appropriate boundaries in your writing. Don’t overshare anything too personal about relationships, bodily functions, or illegal activities. Similarly, don’t share anything that makes it seem like you may be out of control, unstable, or an otherwise risky investment. The personal statement is not a confessional booth. If you share inappropriately, you may seem like you have bad judgment, which is a huge red flag to admissions committees.

You should also be careful with how you deploy humor and jokes. Your statement doesn’t have to be totally joyless and serious, but bear in mind that the person reading the statement may not have the same sense of humor as you do. When in doubt, err towards the side of being as inoffensive as possible.

Just as being too intimate in your statement can hurt you, it’s also important not to be overly formal or staid. You should be professional, but conversational.

Graduate School Personal Statement Examples

Our graduate school experts have been kind enough to provide some successful grad school personal statement examples. We’ll provide three examples here, along with brief analysis of what makes each one successful.

Sample Personal Statement for Graduate School 1

PDF of Sample Personal Statement 1 – Japanese Studies

For this Japanese Studies master’s degree, the applicant had to provide a statement of purpose outlining her academic goals and experience with Japanese and a separate personal statement describing her personal relationship with Japanese Studies and what led her to pursue a master’s degree.

Here’s what’s successful about this personal statement:

• An attention-grabbing beginning: The applicant begins with the statement that Japanese has never come easily to her and that it’s a brutal language to learn. Seeing as how this is an application for a Japanese Studies program, this is an intriguing beginning that makes the reader want to keep going.
• A compelling narrative: From this attention-grabbing beginning, the applicant builds a well-structured and dramatic narrative tracking her engagement with the Japanese language over time. The clear turning point is her experience studying abroad, leading to a resolution in which she has clarity about her plans. Seeing as how the applicant wants to be a translator of Japanese literature, the tight narrative structure here is a great way to show her writing skills.
• Specific examples that show important traits: The applicant clearly communicates both a deep passion for Japanese through examples of her continued engagement with Japanese and her determination and work ethic by highlighting the challenges she’s faced (and overcome) in her study of the language. This gives the impression that she is an engaged and dedicated student.

Overall, this is a very strong statement both in terms of style and content. It flows well, is memorable, and communicates that the applicant would make the most of the graduate school experience.

Sample Personal Statement for Graduate School 2

PDF of Sample Graduate School Personal Statement 2 – Musical Composition

This personal statement for a Music Composition master’s degree discusses the factors that motivate the applicant to pursue graduate study.

Here’s what works well in this statement:

• The applicant provides two clear reasons motivating the student to pursue graduate study: her experiences with music growing up, and her family’s musical history. She then supports those two reasons with examples and analysis.
• The description of her ancestors’ engagement with music is very compelling and memorable. The applicant paints her own involvement with music as almost inevitable based on her family’s long history with musical pursuits.
• The applicant gives thoughtful analysis of the advantages she has been afforded that have allowed her to study music so extensively. We get the sense that she is insightful and empathetic—qualities that would add greatly to any academic community.

This is a strong, serviceable personal statement. And in truth, given that this for a masters in music composition, other elements of the application (like work samples) are probably the most important.  However, here are two small changes I would make to improve it:

• I would probably to split the massive second paragraph into 2-3 separate paragraphs. I might use one paragraph to orient the reader to the family’s musical history, one paragraph to discuss Giacomo and Antonio, and one paragraph to discuss how the family has influenced the applicant. As it stands, it’s a little unwieldy and the second paragraph doesn’t have a super-clear focus even though it’s all loosely related to the applicant’s family history with music.
• I would also slightly shorten the anecdote about the applicant’s ancestors and expand more on how this family history has motivated the applicant’s interest in music. In what specific ways has her ancestors’ perseverance inspired her? Did she think about them during hard practice sessions? Is she interested in composing music in a style they might have played? More specific examples here would lend greater depth and clarity to the statement.

Sample Personal Statement for Graduate School 3

PDF of Sample Graduate School Personal Statement 3 – Public Health

This is my successful personal statement for Columbia’s Master’s program in Public Health. We’ll do a deep dive on this statement paragraph-by-paragraph in the next section, but I’ll highlight a couple of things that work in this statement here:

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• This statement is clearly organized. Almost every paragraph has a distinct focus and message, and when I move on to a new idea, I move on to a new paragraph with a logical transitions.
• This statement covers a lot of ground in a pretty short space. I discuss my family history, my goals, my educational background, and my professional background. But because the paragraphs are organized and I use specific examples, it doesn’t feel too vague or scattered.
• In addition to including information about my personal motivations, like my family, I also include some analysis about tailoring health interventions with my example of the Zande. This is a good way to show off what kinds of insights I might bring to the program based on my academic background.

Grad School Personal Statement Example: Deep Dive

Now let’s do a deep dive, paragraph-by-paragraph, on one of these sample graduate school personal statements. We’ll use my personal statement that I used when I applied to Columbia’s public health program.

Paragraph One: For twenty-three years, my grandmother (a Veterinarian and an Epidemiologist) ran the Communicable Disease Department of a mid-sized urban public health department. The stories of Grandma Betty doggedly tracking down the named sexual partners of the infected are part of our family lore. Grandma Betty would persuade people to be tested for sexually transmitted diseases, encourage safer sexual practices, document the spread of infection and strive to contain and prevent it. Indeed, due to the large gay population in the city where she worked, Grandma Betty was at the forefront of the AIDS crises, and her analysis contributed greatly towards understanding how the disease was contracted and spread. My grandmother has always been a huge inspiration to me, and the reason why a career in public health was always on my radar.

This is an attention-grabbing opening anecdote that avoids most of the usual cliches about childhood dreams and proclivities. This story also subtly shows that I have a sense of public health history, given the significance of the AIDs crisis for public health as a field.

It’s good that I connect this family history to my own interests. However, if I were to revise this paragraph again, I might cut down on some of the detail because when it comes down to it, this story isn’t really about me. It’s important that even (sparingly used) anecdotes about other people ultimately reveal something about you in a personal statement.

Paragraph Two: Recent years have cemented that interest. In January 2012, my parents adopted my little brother Fred from China. Doctors in America subsequently diagnosed Fred with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). My parents were told that if Fred’s condition had been discovered in China, the (very poor) orphanage in which he spent the first 8+ years of his life would have recognized his DMD as a death sentence and denied him sustenance to hasten his demise.

Here’s another compelling anecdote to help explain my interest in public health. This is an appropriately personal detail for a personal statement—it’s a serious thing about my immediate family, but it doesn’t disclose anything that the admissions committee might find concerning or inappropriate.

If I were to take another pass through this paragraph, the main thing I would change is the last phrase. “Denied him sustenance to hasten his demise” is a little flowery. “Denied him food to hasten his death” is actually more powerful because it’s clearer and more direct.

Paragraph Three: It is not right that some people have access to the best doctors and treatment while others have no medical care. I want to pursue an MPH in Sociomedical Sciences at Columbia because studying social factors in health, with a particular focus on socio-health inequities, will prepare me to address these inequities. The interdisciplinary approach of the program appeals to me greatly as I believe interdisciplinary approaches are the most effective way to develop meaningful solutions to complex problems.

In this paragraph I make a neat and clear transition from discussing what sparked my interest in public health and health equity to what I am interested in about Columbia specifically: the interdisciplinary focus of the program, and how that focus will prepare me to solve complex health problems. This paragraph also serves as a good pivot point to start discussing my academic and professional background.

Paragraph Four: My undergraduate education has prepared me well for my chosen career. Understanding the underlying structure of a group’s culture is essential to successfully communicating with the group. In studying folklore and mythology, I’ve learned how to parse the unspoken structures of folk groups, and how those structures can be used to build bridges of understanding. For example, in a culture where most illnesses are believed to be caused by witchcraft, as is the case for the Zande people of central Africa, any successful health intervention or education program would of necessity take into account their very real belief in witchcraft.

In this paragraph, I link my undergraduate education and the skills I learned there to public health. The (very brief) analysis of tailoring health interventions to the Zande is a good way to show insight and show off the competencies I would bring to the program.

Paragraph Five: I now work in the healthcare industry for one of the largest providers of health benefits in the world. In addition to reigniting my passion for data and quantitative analytics, working for this company has immersed me in the business side of healthcare, a critical component of public health.

This brief paragraph highlights my relevant work experience in the healthcare industry. It also allows me to mention my work with data and quantitative analytics, which isn’t necessarily obvious from my academic background, which was primarily based in the social sciences.

Paragraph Six: I intend to pursue a PhD in order to become an expert in how social factors affect health, particularly as related to gender and sexuality. I intend to pursue a certificate in Sexuality, Sexual Health, and Reproduction. Working together with other experts to create effective interventions across cultures and societies, I want to help transform health landscapes both in America and abroad.

This final paragraph is about my future plans and intentions. Unfortunately, it’s a little disjointed, primarily because I discuss goals of pursuing a PhD before I talk about what certificate I want to pursue within the MPH program! Switching those two sentences and discussing my certificate goals within the MPH and then mentioning my PhD plans would make a lot more sense.

I also start two sentences in a row with “I intend,” which is repetitive.

The final sentence is a little bit generic; I might tailor it to specifically discuss a gender and sexual health issue, since that is the primary area of interest I’ve identified.

This was a successful personal statement; I got into (and attended!) the program. It has strong examples, clear organization, and outlines what interests me about the program (its interdisciplinary focus) and what competencies I would bring (a background in cultural analysis and experience with the business side of healthcare). However, a few slight tweaks would elevate this statement to the next level.

Graduate School Personal Statement Examples You Can Find Online

So you need more samples for your personal statement for graduate school? Examples are everywhere on the internet, but they aren’t all of equal quality.

Most of examples are posted as part of writing guides published online by educational institutions. We’ve rounded up some of the best ones here if you are looking for more personal statement examples for graduate school.

Penn State Personal Statement Examples for Graduate School

This selection of ten short personal statements for graduate school and fellowship programs offers an interesting mix of approaches. Some focus more on personal adversity while others focus more closely on professional work within the field.

The writing in some of these statements is a little dry, and most deploy at least a few cliches. However, these are generally strong, serviceable statements that communicate clearly why the student is interested in the field, their skills and competencies, and what about the specific program appeals to them.

Cal State Sample Graduate School Personal Statements

These are good examples of personal statements for graduate school where students deploy lots of very vivid imagery and illustrative anecdotes of life experiences. There are also helpful comments about what works in each of these essays.

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However, all of these statements are definitely pushing the boundaries of acceptable length, as all are above 1000 and one is almost 1500 words! Many programs limit you to 500 words; if you don’t have a limit, you should try to keep it to two single-spaced pages at most (which is about 1000 words).

University of Chicago Personal Statement for Graduate School Examples

These examples of successful essays to the University of Chicago law school cover a wide range of life experiences and topics. The writing in all is very vivid, and all communicate clear messages about the students’ strengths and competencies.

Note, however, that these are all essays that specifically worked for University of Chicago law school. That does not mean that they would work everywhere. In fact, one major thing to note is that many of these responses, while well-written and vivid, barely address the students’ interest in law school at all! This is something that might not work well for most graduate programs.

Wheaton College Personal Statement for Graduate School Sample 10

This successful essay for law school from a Wheaton College undergraduate does a great job tracking the student’s interest in the law in a compelling and personal way. Wheaton offers other graduate school personal statement examples, but this one offers the most persuasive case for the students’ competencies. The student accomplishes this by using clear, well-elaborated examples, showing strong and vivid writing, and highlighting positive qualities like an interest in justice and empathy without seeming grandiose or out of touch.

Wheaton College Personal Statement for Graduate School Sample 1

Based on the background information provided at the bottom of the essay, this essay was apparently successful for this applicant. However, I’ve actually included this essay because it demonstrates an extremely risky approach. While this personal statement is strikingly written and the story is very memorable, it could definitely communicate the wrong message to some admissions committees. The student’s decision not to report the drill sergeant may read incredibly poorly to some admissions committees. They may wonder if the student’s failure to report the sergeant’s violence will ultimately expose more soldiers-in-training to the same kinds of abuses. This incident perhaps reads especially poorly in light of the fact that the military has such a notable problem with violence against women being covered up and otherwise mishandled

It’s actually hard to get a complete picture of the student’s true motivations from this essay, and what we have might raise real questions about the student’s character to some admissions committees. This student took a risk and it paid off, but it could have just as easily backfired spectacularly.

Key Takeaways: Graduate School Personal Statement Examples

In this guide, we discussed why you need a personal statement and how it differs from a statement of purpose. (It’s more personal!)

We also discussed what you’ll find in a strong sample personal statement for graduate school:

• A clear narrative about the applicant and why they are qualified for graduate study.
• Specific examples to support that narrative.
• Compelling reasons why the applicant and the program are a good fit for each other.
• Strong writing, including clear organization and error-free, cliche-free language.
• Appropriate boundaries—sharing without over-sharing.

Then, we provided three strong graduate school personal statement examples for different fields, along with analysis. We did a deep-dive on the third statement.

Finally, we provided a list of other sample grad school personal statements online.

What’s Next?

Want more advice on writing a personal statement ? See our guide.

Writing a graduate school statement of purpose? See our statement of purpose samples  and a nine-step process for writing the best statement of purpose possible .

If you’re writing a graduate school CV or resume, see our how-to guide to writing a CV , a how-to guide to writing a resume , our list of sample resumes and CVs , resume and CV templates , and a special guide for writing resume objectives .

Need stellar graduate school recommendation letters ? See our guide.

See our 29 tips for successfully applying to graduate school .

Ready to improve your GRE score by 7 points?

Author: Ellen McCammon

Ellen is a public health graduate student and education expert. She has extensive experience mentoring students of all ages to reach their goals and in-depth knowledge on a variety of health topics. View all posts by Ellen McCammon

How to Write a Career Goal Statement for Grad School

Personal Statement for Reasons Seeking Graduate Degree in Nursing

Grad school applicants have already shown that they have the discipline, work ethic and intellect to succeed in a further education program. But your previous experience and achievements certainly don't mean that this next step will be easy.

Admissions committees only want the very best students in their programs. They're looking for applicants that can bring something new to the college and who will produce important research which will help to advance the colleges academic reputation. They also want to make sure that prospective students will be able to cope with the demands of a post-graduate workload and will add to the dialogue during seminar sessions and group working situations.

When applying to grad school, your career goal statement which is also known as a "statement of purpose," a "personal statement" or a "letter of intent" is the single most important part of your application, and the main way you have to reach or influence the decision making process of the admissions committee.

Remember that the members of the admission selection panel will have to read many personal statements and will be looking for interesting and special letters which stand out from the pile that they receive.

What Information Should You Include in Your Career Goal Statement?

Your career goal statement is a written part of your application where you're able to explain why you should be accepted into a post-graduate course of study. Some institutions will ask you to include specific information such as any work you have already completed on the topic, what your field of study will be or how you propose to conduct your research.

They might also want to know about work experiences you have had that will benefit your course of study. Other colleges accept less structured statements which allow students to shine while discussing a range of topics and research interests.

Your prospective college will provide you with information about exactly what it wants to see in your application package, including what to include in your goal statement for college admission. Read this information, including any examples sent, very carefully. Then, take your time and make sure that you submit your application ahead of the deadline, allowing yourself plenty of time to edit, review and rewrite your personal statement.

The Princeton Review advises prospective research students to carefully consider exactly what the admissions committee wants to see. They say that regardless of the field of study all admissions departments will want to find out the following information from students:

• What you want to study at the graduate level and why.
• Why you want to study it at the chosen institution.
• What you intend to add to the existing research.
• What experiences you already have in the industry or field of knowledge.
• Your career plans and goals for the future, and how your postgraduate degree will help you to achieve your career goals.
• Personal information about you, and why the admission committee should choose you.

This information will help them to decide which applicants will benefit the most from the program and which students can bring fresh insight and new findings to the topic or industry. They're also looking for evidence that you'll be able to cope with the demands of postgraduate study and that you're ready for the challenge of an advanced degree.

Things to Avoid in Your Goal Statement for College

University admission committees have to wade through an awful lot of applications and read hundreds of goal statements for college packages. They can be forgiven for becoming jaded at seeing the same cliched sentences repeated time and time again. So stand out from the crowd by avoiding overused language.

The Career Center at Berkeley produces a list of words to avoid when crafting your goal statement for college. They include overused adjectives like "significant," "interesting," "challenging," "satisfying" and "exciting," or cliches like "I want to make a difference," or "I like to help people."

You'll also want to make sure that any facts or figures that you include are accurate and that you do not introduce any controversial information or unfounded arguments.

Read over your statement and ensure that it is personalized. It must contain stories, insight and reflections from your unique point of view and life experiences. As you read it through, it should be impossible to imagine that anyone but you could have written it.

Although you are advised to make your statement as personal as possible, you don't need to include personal details unrelated to your field of studies, such as your interests or hobbies. You should avoid including unnecessary information that doesn't add to your argument.

What Is the Correct Goal Statement Format?

It's important to carefully plan an outline to ensure that you don't miss out any important information that should be included.

Try to clarify the main points that you want to get across and consider exactly which words you want to come to mind when the admissions team discusses your application. When you're editing your statement, take a highlighter marker and find your key themes or words to make sure they are repeated strategically throughout your statement. This will help bring your ideas together and ensure you have written a compelling argument for why you should be chosen for your selected program.

Your goal statement format should include your key themes brought to life with interesting narratives and compelling anecdotes. Sometimes people find it difficult to write about themselves and worry that they may come across as self-absorbed. However, this is your personal statement and needs to focus on your success, your views, your goals and why you are the best choice for the program.

If you are drawing a blank when trying to think of stories or experiences that exemplify your key points, think carefully about why you want to continue your studies. Why do you want to learn more? What do you want to discover? And how have these topics manifested themselves over the course of your life? Answering these questions will help you clarify your message and plan out your personal statement.

You should begin with a catchy personal introduction that grabs the readers attention and quickly injects your personality into what will be one of many many personal statements the admissions team has to read. You should describe what you intend to study, how your interests have been shaped by your previous education and life experiences and any challenges you have experienced along the way in your life and academic career.

Explain carefully why you are applying to this particular school and why you want to undertake study in this particular topic. Refer to any studies published by the university or any unusual or interesting research work they have produced recently. Show that you are up to date on the University's mission and research interests and accomplishments. Don't be afraid to praise any recent work, awards or initiatives which you found particularly impressive or noteworthy. After all, a little flattery can go a long way.

The usual length of a personal statement is about two pages, but you should carefully observe your college's instructions sent along with the application packet to ensure that you meet the required word count.

Include a comprehensive conclusion that sums up all your ideas and arguments and gives a clear answer to why you should be chosen and accepted to this college at this time.

Examples of Career Goal Statements

The California State University Channel Islands has shared a collection of goal statement format examples showcasing those that caught the eye of admissions officers.

They suggest that prospective graduate students include enough personal information to stand out from the crowd. They also suggest that they should mention by name any professors who have had an impact on their education and that they detail the work they hope to focus on during their research and studies.

When discussing the impact you wish to have, use specific examples from the particular school and program course to which you are applying. When you apply to grad school you may well be applying to many different institutions, but the admissions panel should feel that your application is specifically tailored to their college.

Although it can feel laborious, you will greatly improve your chances of acceptance if you write individual personal statements for every grad school that you apply to.

If you have any unusual or unexpected choices throughout your academic history carefully explain them. If you changed your major, abandoned a particular study or relocated to a different university it may not be seen as a negative by the admissions panel as long as you can explain what happened and how your choices have benefited your studies or furthered your understanding of the topic and how they have lead you to where you are today. Ensure, however, that your delivery is upbeat and that it doesn't sound like a list of excuses or an exercise in self-pity.

You can also choose personal events or circumstances, such as your work history, family or even challenges you encountered to illustrate your key achievements and traits that make you an ideal candidate for the program of study and the demands of a post-graduate course in general.

When to Ask for Help

Writing a career goal statement for grad school is difficult and that's one of the reasons why selection committees ask you to complete one. It gives them an excellent idea of your personal interests and research focus, but it also ensures applicants are serious about the process.

If you have no idea where to start at all and internet searches are not making it any easier for you, then you should consider booking an appointment with a career advisor at your college and asking for some assistance in crafting your personal statement. You can also ask for help from previous grad school graduates or from your tutor. You'll be expected to include references from your professors, so it's a good idea to ask them for any relevant advice or tips as well.

Once you have finished writing your career goal statement for grad school, check it for spelling and grammar mistakes, and then re-read it after a day or two. Be sure to print it out before proofreading as mistakes can be overlooked when only reading from a computer screen.

Read the statement aloud to check for flow and meaning, and then read it to a friend or relative and get their honest opinion. You may also want to ask a teacher or professor to look it over and ask a proofreader to do a final check before submission.

Take your time to complete your personal statement, a rushed submission will not impress anyone and this is the best opportunity you have to impress the selection committee and improve your chances of being selected to join the grad school of your choice.

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Fiona Tapp is a freelance writer and educator. Her work has been featured on The Washington Post, HuffPost, The Toronto Star, Readers Digest, and others. She writes about a variety of topics including Homes, Parenting, Education, and Travel. Fiona is a former teacher and masters degree holder. ᐧ

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• University of Denver

How to Write a Statement of Professional Goals

Admission & Aid

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Will you be successful as a graduate student? Your background, experience, passion for your field, and other factors help to answer this question during the application review process. 

Academic transcripts and resumes do not always tell a complete story. Your Statement of Professional Goals (or Personal Statement) will help to “fill in the blanks” and allow others to get a deeper understanding of you and your path.

Step-By-Step

Ask yourself the following questions and write down your thoughts:

• Why am I interested in this field of study and degree?
• What do I expect to learn or gain from this program?
• What courses or experiences am I most looking forward to?
• How will this program impact my personal and professional lives? 
• How will I contribute to the learning environment within the program?

Create an outline to help keep your ideas organized. Your reflections (above) can be used throughout your Statement of Professional Goals.

• Briefly introduce yourself and your background (as it relates to you applying for graduate school).
• 1 to 3 examples of relevant experiences or accomplishments.  
• Your professional and educational goals.
• Why you are interested in the Morgridge College of Education (and what you can bring to the community!).
• Summarize what you’ve already shared. Be sure to emphasize how your qualifications align with the program you are interested in.

3. Work on Your Draft

Give yourself time to work on your Statement. If you think your Statement is done after one sitting, there is a good chance that you’ve forgotten something important (or, worse yet, have significant grammatical or other errors).

4. Prepare Your Final Version

If you’re done editing and feel ready to submit your Statement, please make sure to adhere to MCE’s formatting guidelines.

• Length : 2-3 pages
• Font : 12-point Times New Roman
• Spacing : Double
• Citations : APA format 

What to Include

• Your voice! Your Statement should demonstrate your passion for the program you’re interested in. It is also an opportunity for you to let your personality shine through. 
• What you know (or don’t!). Whether you’re hoping to fill a knowledge gap or want to grow your expertise, let us know what you want to learn.
• Faculty mentions. Is there a faculty member whose research areas align with your interests? Make sure to mention them!
• Plans or context. If you are addressing issues, be sure to explain how you plan to overcome them. As an example, if you let us know why your GPA was lower than you had hoped, you should explain what you’ve done (or will do) to maintain a high level of academic performance.

Try Not to Include

• Vague or generalized goals. Saying that you “have a passion for education” is helpful, but we’d much rather know how you hope that passion will translate into your program experience and future career.
• Another college’s name. If you’re applying to multiple colleges, try to have a different Statement prepared for each one. Every program is unique. Your Statement(s) should be specific to each program that you’re applying to.
• Find someone to help review your Statement. Parents, siblings, friends, and colleagues may be willing to look over your Statement to help spot issues or errors.
• Microsoft Office Spelling & Grammar Checkers
• Google Docs Spelling & Grammar Checkers
• Writing Your Statement of Purpose from Inside Higher Ed. Get tips on introducing yourself and more.
• Writing the Personal Statement from Purdue OWL. Get advice on reflecting, writing, and other important topics.  

Statement of Career Goals Examples (for grad school)

by Talha Omer, MBA, M.Eng., Harvard & Cornell Grad

In personal statement prompts.

Graduate schools, especially top business and management schools, require prospective applicants to write a career goal statement, which is simply an essay that describes the applicants short and long term professional goals. The goal statement is a way to let the admissions committee know your career aspirations. While writing the goal statement, you must provide your vision of the future of your career.

Here is an example of a statement of career goals that helped the applicant get into top MBA programs in the US.

Statement of Career Goals Example 1

My long-term goal is to create a Fintech investment platform, an area with vast potential, to provide innovative products designed especially for the low and middle-income segments. For this, post-MBA, I want to expand the reach of my start-up, Alpha Financial, further. Specifically, I aim to introduce novel microfinance products like the first privately managed future derivative trading terminal with the lowest spread to ensure that the masses can access this opportunity.

My professional career has equipped me with a solid understanding of finance, conducting due diligence, and sourcing deals. As a result, I feel ready to utilize the Kellogg MBA to enhance my knowledge, network, and leadership skills to grow my entrepreneurial venture.

I am very excited to study  the Enternpenuership path  at Kellogg, focusing on strategy. This pathway offers modules to help me deal effectively with issues such as creating unconventional financing channels. In addition, electives such as  Global Entrepreneur Finance  will equip me with essential skills and strategies to design financing options for my products.

Moreover, I am excited about engaging in Blockchain Technology, Digital Assets, and the Future of Finance, which will enhance my Fintech understanding and its application to solve lower strata problems. Outside the classroom, the Private Equity and Venture Capital Lab will provide me with unique opportunities to engage in in-depth discussions and build skills essential to become a better business leader.

Statement of Career Goals Example 2

My personal and professional experiences have exposed me to the harsh realities of the glass ceiling that women have to shatter in order to excel in their careers. My journey with human resources in organizational development and communications has strengthened my understanding of the role that capability development and effective organizational design can play in breaking these barriers. This has led to one of my biggest accomplishments – launching and leading the Women’s Club chapter at Coca-Cola. Here, I united 200 female colleagues onto a single platform that offered them company-wide mentorship through workshops and seminars. Now, I am more dedicated than ever to establishing a learning and development firm. This firm would advocate gender parity and will break barriers through a two-pronged approach. First, it will help organizations build gender-inclusive work environments. Second, it will dispense world-class leadership capacity-building for women. This two-pronged strategy will thus sustain a healthy pipeline of talented women leaders.

To turn my dream into a reality, it is essential that I first amplify my knowledge and upgrade my credentials. Doing so will help me prove that women can achieve anything they set their minds to. I must also equip myself with the tools to establish, lead and sustain a venture. Hence a mix of general management education, entrepreneurial skills and a global network at a top university will be a stepping-stone.

After graduation, I intend to join a leading learning and development firm, such as Dale Carnegie or BTS, that provides organizations with capability enhancement solutions. My MBA experience will give me with geographical proximity and an opportunity to network with organizations operating in New York. These firms have expertise in transforming organizations, driving behavioural change, and accelerating learning in a global context. I will concentrate on understanding their framework for designing scalable solutions. I am also much interested in learning their methods of measuring impact for continuous improvement and harnessing their vast network of global thought leaders.

In five years, I plan to leverage all my learning to the fullest upon return to Istanbul, where I will establish my entrepreneurial venture to enhance our women leaders’ capabilities. I will utilize the business acumen acquired from my MBA to sustain and scale my venture. I will import the knowledge, skills and methodologies of my professional experience to develop impactful and tailored learning solutions. My strategic cross-border network will allow my venture to introduce best practices and the latest research in the Turkish market, thereby creating a network of empowered global women leaders.

I dream that one day, successful women will be looked up to as professional role models and that the veil of ignorance and oppression will be lifted to create a meritocratic society rather than one divided along gendered lines.

WANT MORE AMAZING ARTICLES ON GRAD SCHOOL PERSONAL STATEMENTS?

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How to Write a Smart Career Goals Statement in Your Grad SOP

• By Jordan Dotson
• Updated: March 2, 2023

Let’s be honest. Unless you’re a future university professor, then chances are you’re hoping grad school will kickstart a rewarding, well-paid career. This is obvious if you’re targeting a professional-track master’s, like an MHA or MS in Marketing. But even if you’re a Physics mad scientist, I’m guessing you’re at least contemplating a career in industry, no? Either way, if grad school is the obstacle between you and the job of your dreams, then writing a smart career goals statement in your SOP can go a long way toward making that dream real.

In fact, clarifying your career goals might be necessary if you’re applying to competitive master’s programs. It shows that you’re a sharp, long-term thinker, and that you understand how grad school will prepare you to make a difference in the suit-and-tie world.

Unfortunately, I’d estimate that 3/4 of grad applicants don’t do this . Maybe more. And that’s a shame. Luckily, this article will prevent you from making the same mistake. With the tips, templates, and examples below, you’ll have everything you need to convince grad schools that you’ll be the shining star of their next class.

What does a Career Goals Statement look like?

Let’s see a few examples. One of my former students, a financial engineer, wrote the following in the SOP that earned her admission to multiple top-5 schools:

“After graduation, I plan to launch an analyst career in Singapore, hopefully in a buy-side investment firm like Stark Capital or Redstar Securities. Southeast Asia still has tremendous potential for social development, and I envision a career in asset management because I believe in the potential of impact investing to address issues like healthcare accessibility.”

Another student, Yichen, whose entire SOP you can read here , wrote the following to get admitted to his #1 target MPH program:

“My long-term goal is to participate in research on genetics and disease in either orthopedic hospitals or the pharmaceutical industry. I am deeply interested in applying data analysis and modeling to the field of bone health, and hope to participate in research on prevention of long-term disease and occupational health issues.”

For comparison, a wonderful CS scholar wrote:

“Upon graduation, I aim to pursue software developer roles in EdTech companies such as Gotham-based Wayne.ED or Tate. As revealed during the COVID pandemic, the education sector has lagged in adopting secure digital technologies, but GU’s interdisciplinary approach will enable me to aid in building learning ecosystems that meet the heavy demands of overpopulated urban school districts.”

How Should I Write My Career Goals Statement?

I recommend you start with this template:

Upon graduation, I hope to attain a _____ role in a company like _____ or _____, both of whom are currently developing fascinating new ______ solutions applicable to the _____ industry.

Thus, the final version may appear something like this:

Upon graduation, I hope to attain a Senior 3D Designer role in a company like Stark Innovations or Oscorp, both of whom are currently developing augmented reality training platforms applicable to the space mining industry.

Use your own words. Don’t just copy this statement outright. I can’t tell you how often I see SOPs on Reddit that wholesale copy-paste the text from sample essays on this blog. It boggles my mind. Even if grad programs aren’t using AI plagiarism checkers, why would you want to risk someone reading your SOP and saying: “Waitaminute, I’ve seen these sentences ten times! Plagiarizing heathen! Reject! Reject! Reject!”

What Key Elements Should You Think About Conveying?

• A Specific Job Title

If you don’t know what kind of job you want in the future, then why would a grad program take you seriously? Show them that you’ve formulated clear, mature, and reasonable goals. Use Indeed or ZipRecruiter to find your “dream job.” After all, that’s why you’re going back to school, isn’t it? To get your dream job?

• One or Two Potential Employers

It’s easy to say that you want to work as a “software developer” or “health administrator.” But if you’re applying to a MSCS or MHA program, well, that’s fairly obvious, isn’t it? Go further. Tell them where you want to work in an ideal world. Maybe even tell them in which city or country. This only gives them a clearer picture of the ultimate impact you want to make. Don’t be rigid and say you WILL work in these employers (presumptuous much?), but the more detail you can provide, the better.

• Why These Employers?

It would seem naïve (if not obvious) to just say: “I want to work for SpaceX!” Go further. Tell them WHY you want to work in these target employers.

The best way to do this is to connect the companies to the #1 most important sentence in your SOP: the “Sentence of Purpose.” (If you haven’t read that article, I suggest you read it now.) This sentence is a thesis statement that explains the problems you want to learn to solve in grad school, and what you hope to achieve afterward.

Imagine that in your Sentence of Purpose you told the reader you want to work in California coastal ecosystem preservation. Now, imagine that in your Career Statement, you told them you want to work somewhere like the Orange County Sanitation District. Now, tell them WHY you’ve pinpointed this public agency as a potential employer.

Perhaps you want to be a phytoplankton specialist, and the OCSD just released a new initiative to mitigate the effects of wastewater on the local phytoplankton community. When you explain this in your SOP, the admissions committee is going to think:

“Wow, this guy has really done his research and knows what he can achieve. I like him.”

Where to Place Your Career Goals Statement?

Honestly, there are a few places you could work this in. Some students do so deftly in their Sentence of Purpose, at the end of their Frame Narrative Introduction, then weave it throughout the SOP. This, however, takes keen writing skills.

Other applicants include it in their Conclusion paragraph. That’s a solid option, especially if you’ve got a tight word count.

The easiest way, however, if you’ve got the space beneath your word limit, is to include a short paragraph between your “Why This Program” section and Conclusion. At this point in the essay, you’ve explained your credentials in chronological order. Thus, it feels natural to transition ahead and explain the jobs you’ll apply for in the future. This, after all, is your ultimate “purpose.” Describing it here makes it very easy to then sum up your SOP in a concise, meaningful conclusion.

Whatever you do, however, limit this paragraph to no more than 3 sentences. (Just like in the examples above.)

In the end, your SOP should look something like this:

You want a job.

I know it. You know it. Grad schools know it. They want you to get a great job too! (Hence why they publish a “Career Outcomes” page that lists all the fancy places their graduates go to work.)

Certainly, your intellectual proposal or research questions are still the TRUE distinguishing feature of your SOP. But if you’re applying to career-oriented programs, or plan on working in industry after graduation, your intellectual proposal is necessarily tied up with the problems you want to solve in the  professional world.

Including a smart career goals statement in your SOP will show grad programs that you understand this, and convince them that you’re mature enough to handle the work ahead.

Make sure to include:

• A specific job title;
• One or two potential employers;
• And an explanation for WHY you’re targeting these employers.

Do that, and next year, Dream University might feature your handsome, smiling face on their own “Career Outcomes” page.

Still unsure how to explain your career goals in a smart, persuasive way? I can help !

How are you going to write a Career Goals Statement in your SOP?

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Writing a Personal Statement

Preparing to Write

Brainstorming, don't forget, sample prompts.

A personal statement is a narrative essay that connects your background, experiences, and goals to the mission, requirements, and desired outcomes of the specific opportunity you are seeking. It is a critical component in the selection process, whether the essay is for a competitive internship, a graduate fellowship, or admittance to a graduate school program. It gives the selection committee the best opportunity to get to know you, how you think and make decisions, ways in which past experiences have been significant or formative, and how you envision your future. Personal statements can be varied in form; some are given a specific prompt, while others are less structured. However, in general a personal statement should answer the following questions:

• Who are you?
• What are your goals?
• How does this specific program/opportunity help you achieve your goals?
• What is in the future?

A personal statement is not:

• A variation of your college admissions essay
• An academic/research paper
• A narrative version of your resume
• A creative writing piece (it can be creative, though)
• An essay about somebody else

Keep in mind that your statement is only a portion of the application and should be written with this in mind. Your entire application package will include some, possibly all, of the materials listed below. You will want to consider what these pieces of the application communicate about you. Your personal statement should aim to tie everything together and fill in or address any gaps. There will likely be some overlap but be sure not to be too repetitive.

• Personal Statement(s)
• Transcripts
• Letters of recommendations
• Sample of written work
• Research proposal

Preparing to Write A large portion of your work towards completing a personal statement begins well before your first draft or even an outline. It is incredibly important to be sure you understand all of the rules and regulations around the statement. Things to consider before you begin writing:

• How many prompts? And what are they? It is important to know the basics so you can get your ideas in order. Some programs will require a general statement of interest and a focused supplementary or secondary statement closely aligned with the institution's goals.
• Are there formatting guidelines? Single or double spaced, margins, fonts, text sizes, etc. Our general guideline is to keep it simple.
• How do I submit my statement(s)? If uploading a document we highly suggest using a PDF as it will minimize the chances of accidental changes to formatting. Some programs may event ask you to copy and paste into a text box.
• When do I have to submit my statement(s)? Most are due at the time of application but some programs, especially medical schools, will ask for secondary statements a few months after you apply. In these instances be sure to complete them within two weeks, any longer is an indication that you aren't that interested in the institution.

Before you start writing, take some time to reflect on your experiences and motivations as they relate to the programs to which you are applying. This will offer you a chance to organize your thoughts which will make the writing process much easier. Below are a list of questions to help you get started:

• What individuals, experiences or events have shaped your interest in this particular field?
• What has influenced your decision to apply to graduate school?
• How does this field align with your interests, strengths, and values?
• What distinguishes you from other applicants?
• What would you bring to this program/profession?
• What has prepared you for graduate study in this field? Consider your classes at Wellesley, research and work experience, including internships, summer jobs and volunteer work.
• Why are you interested in this particular institution or degree program?
• How is this program distinct from others?
• What do you hope to gain?
• What is motivating you to seek an advanced degree now?
• Where do you see yourself headed and how will this degree program help you get there?

For those applying to Medical School, if you need a committee letter for your application and are using the Medical Professions Advisory Committee you have already done a lot of heavy lifting through the 2017-2018 Applicant Information Form . Even if you aren't using MPAC the applicant information form is a great place to start.

Another great place to start is through talking out your ideas. You have a number of options both on and off campus, such as: Career Education advisors and mentors ( you can set up an appointment here ), major advisor, family, friends. If you are applying to a graduate program it is especially important to talk with a faculty member in the field. Remember to take good notes so you can refer to them later.

When you begin writing keep in mind that your essay is one of many in the application pool. This is not to say you should exaggerate your experiences to “stand out” but that you should focus on clear, concise writing. Also keep in mind that the readers are considering you not just as a potential student but a future colleague. Be sure to show them examples and experiences which demonstrate you are ready to begin their program.

It is important to remember that your personal statement will take time and energy to complete, so plan accordingly. Every application and statement should be seen as different from one another, even if they are all the same type of program. Each institution may teach you the same material but their delivery or focus will be slightly different.

In addition, remember:

• Be yourself: You aren’t good at being someone else
• Tragedy is not a requirement, reflection and depth are
• Research the institution or organization
• Proofread, proofread, proofread
• How to have your personal statement reviewed

The prompts below are from actual applications to a several types of programs. As you will notice many of them are VERY general in nature. This is why it is so important to do your research and reflect on your motivations. Although the prompts are similar in nature the resulting statements would be very different depending on the discipline and type of program, as well as your particular background and reasons for wanting to pursue this graduate degree.

• This statement should illustrate your academic background and experiences and explain why you would excel in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (UMass Amherst - M.S. in Civil Engineering).
• Describe your academic and career objectives and how the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies can help you achieve them. Include other considerations that explain why you seek admissions to the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies and your interests in the environmental field (Yale - Master of Environmental Management).  
• Please discuss your academic interests and goals. Include your current professional and research interests, as well as your long-range professional objectives. Please be as specific as possible about how your objectives can be met at Clark and do not exceed 800 words (Clark University - M.A. in International Development and Social Change).
• Write a 500- to 700-word statement that describes your work or research. Discuss how you came to focus on the medium, body of work, or academic area you wish to pursue at the graduate level. Also discuss future directions or goals for your work, and describe how the Master of Fine Arts in Studio (Printmedia) is particularly suited to your professional goals (School of the Art Institute of Chicago - MFA in Studio, Printmaking).
• Your statement should explain why you want to study economics at the graduate level. The statement is particularly important if there is something unusual about your background and preparation that you would like us to know about you (University of Texas at Austin - Ph.D in Economics).
• Your personal goal statement is an important part of the review process for our faculty members as they consider your application. They want to know about your background, work experience, plans for graduate study and professional career, qualifications that make you a strong candidate for the program, and any other relevant information (Indiana University Bloomington - M.S.Ed. in Secondary Education).
• Your autobiographical essay/personal statement is a narrative that outlines significant experiences in your life, including childhood experiences, study and work, your strengths and aspirations in the field of architecture, and why you want to come to the University of Oregon (University of Oregon - Master of Architecture).
• Personal history and diversity statement, in which you describe how your personal background informs your decision to pursue a graduate degree. You may refer to any educational, familial, cultural, economic or social experiences, challenges, community service, outreach activities, residency and citizenship, first-generation college status, or opportunities relevant to your academic journey; how your life experiences contribute to the social, intellectual or cultural diversity within a campus community and your chosen field; or how you might serve educationally underrepresented and underserved segments of society with your graduate education (U.C. Davis - M.A. in Linguistics).
• A Personal Statement specifying your past experiences, reasons for applying, and your areas of interest. It should explain your intellectual and personal goals, why you are interested in pursuing an interdisciplinary degree rather than a more traditional disciplinary one, and how this degree fits into your intellectual and personal future (Rutgers University - Ph.D in Women’s and Gender Studies).
• Your application requires a written statement to uploaded into your application and is a critical component of your application for admission. This is your opportunity to tell us what excites you about the field of library and information science, and what problems you want to help solve in this field. Please also tell us how your prior experiences have prepared you for this next step toward your career goals and how this program will help you achieve them (University of North Carolina Chapel Hill - Master of Science in Library Science).
• After watching the video, please describe what strengths and preferences as a learner you have that will facilitate your success in this innovative curriculum. What challenges in our curriculum do you anticipate and what strategies might you use to address these challenges? (MGH Institute of Health Professions PT - They recently redesigned their curriculum)
• Your personal goal statement should briefly describe how you view the future of the field, what your goals are to be part of that future, and what brought you to pursue an advanced education degree in your chosen field. You may include any other information that you feel might be useful. (Northeastern PT)
• Personal Statement: In 500 words or less, describe a meaningful educational experience that affected your professional goals and growth and explain how it impacted you. The educational experience does not need to be related to this degree. Focus on the educational experience and not why you think you would be a good professional in this field. (Simmons PT)
• Personal Statement (500 word minimum): State your reasons for seeking admission to this program at this institution. Include your professional goals, why you want to pursue a career in this field and how admission to this program will assist you in accomplishing those goals. (Regis College Nursing)
• “Use the space provided to explain why you want to go to this type of program.” (AMCAS)
• Address the following three questions(Though there is no set limit, most statements are 1–2 pages, single-spaced.): What are your reasons for pursuing this degree? Why do you wish to pursue your degree at this institution? How do you intend to leverage your degree in a career of this field? (Boston University MPH)
• Please submit a personal statement/statement of purpose of no more than 500 words for the department/degree of choice. Professional degree essays require a clear understanding of the _______ field and how you hope to work within the field. Be sure to proofread your personal statement carefully for spelling and grammar. In your statement, be sure to address the following: what interests you in the field of _____ what interests you in a specific degree program and department at this institution and what interests you in a particular certificate (if applicable). Please also describe how you hope to use your ________ training to help you achieve your career goals. (Columbia PhD in Public Health - Epidemiology)
• Because each Home Program requires significant original research activities in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree, we are interested in obtaining as much information as possible about your previous research experiences. Those who already have such experience are in a better position to know whether they are truly interested in performing ______ research as part of a graduate program. Please include specific information about your research experience in your Statement of Purpose. You may also use the Statement to amplify your comments about your choice of Home Program(s), and how your past experiences and current interests are related to your choice. Personal Statements should not exceed two pages in length (single spaced). Make sure to set your computer to Western European or other English-language setting. We cannot guarantee the ability to access your statement if it is submitted in other fonts. (Stanford Biosciences PhD)
• Your statement of purpose should describe succinctly your reasons for applying to the Department of ____ at ___ University. It would be helpful to include what you have done to prepare for this degree program. Please describe your research interests, past research experience, future career plans and other details of your background and interests that will allow us to evaluate your ability to thrive in our program. If you have interests that align with a specific faculty member, you may state this in your application. Your statement of purpose should not exceed two pages in length (single spaced). (Stanford Bioengineering PhD)
• Statement of purpose (Up to one page or 1,000 words): Rather than a research proposal, you should provide a statement of purpose. Your statement should be written in English and explain your motivation for applying for the course at this institution and your relevant experience and education. Please provide an indication of the area of your proposed research and supervisor(s) in your statement. This will be assessed for the coherence of the statement; evidence of motivation for and understanding of the proposed area of study; the ability to present a reasoned case in English; and commitment to the subject. (Oxford Inorganic Chemistry - DPhil)

Related resources

How to Write a Statement of Purpose for Graduate School

Congrats! You’ve chosen a graduate program , read up on tips for applying to grad school , and even wrote a focused grad school resumé . But if you’re like many students, you’ve left the most daunting part of the application process for last—writing a statement of purpose. The good news is, the task doesn’t have to feel so overwhelming, as long as you break the process down into simple, actionable steps. Below, learn how to write a strong, unique statement of purpose that will impress admissions committees and increase your chances of getting into your dream school.

What is a statement of purpose?

A statement of purpose (SOP), sometimes referred to as a personal statement, is a critical piece of a graduate school application that tells admissions committees who you are, what your academic and professional interests are, and how you’ll add value to the graduate program you’re applying to.

Jared Pierce, associate director of enrollment services at Northeastern University, says a strong statement of purpose can be the deciding factor in a graduate student’s admission.  

“Your statement of purpose is where you tell your story about who you are and why you deserve to be a part of the [university’s] community. It gives the admissions committee the chance to get to know you and understand how you’ll add value to the classroom,” he says.

How long should a statement of purpose be?

“A statement of purpose should be between 500 and 1,000 words,” Pierce says, noting that it should typically not exceed a single page. He advises that students use a traditional font at a readable size (11- or 12-pt) and leave enough whitespace in the margins to make the statement easy-to-read. Make sure to double-space the statement if the university has requested it, he adds. 

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How to Write a Statement of Purpose: A Step-by-Step Guide

Now that you understand how to format a statement of purpose, you can begin drafting your own. Getting started can feel daunting, but Pierce suggests making the process more manageable by breaking down the writing process into four easy steps.

1. Brainstorm your ideas.

First, he says, try to reframe the task at hand and get excited for the opportunity to write your statement of purpose. He explains:

“Throughout the application process, you’re afforded few opportunities to address the committee directly. Here is your chance to truly speak directly to them. Each student arrives at this process with a unique story, including prior jobs, volunteer experience, or undergraduate studies. Think about what makes you you and start outlining.”

When writing your statement of purpose, he suggests asking yourself these key questions:

• Why do I want this degree?
• What are my expectations for this degree?
• What courses or program features excite me the most?
• Where do I want this degree to take me, professionally and personally?
• How will my unique professional and personal experiences add value to the program?

Jot these responses down to get your initial thoughts on paper. This will act as your starting point that you’ll use to create an outline and your first draft.

2. Develop an outline.

Next, you’ll want to take the ideas that you’ve identified during the brainstorming process and plug them into an outline that will guide your writing. 

An effective outline for your statement of purpose might look something like this:

• An attention-grabbing hook
• A brief introduction of yourself and your background as it relates to your motivation behind applying to graduate school 
• Your professional goals as they relate to the program you’re applying to
• Why you’re interested in the specific school and what you can bring to the table
• A brief summary of the information presented in the body that emphasizes your qualifications and compatibility with the school

An outline like the one above will give you a roadmap to follow so that your statement of purpose is well-organized and concise. 

3. Write the first draft.

Your statement of purpose should communicate who you are and why you are interested in a particular program, but it also needs to be positioned in a way that differentiates you from other applicants. 

Admissions professionals already have your transcripts, resumé, and test scores; the statement of purpose is your chance to tell your story in your own words.

When you begin drafting content, make sure to:

• Provide insight into what drives you , whether that’s professional advancement, personal growth, or both.
• Demonstrate your interest in the school by addressing the unique features of the program that interest you most. For Northeastern, he says, maybe it’s experiential learning; you’re excited to tackle real-world projects in your desired industry. Or perhaps it’s learning from faculty who are experts in your field of study.
• Be yourself. It helps to keep your audience in mind while writing, but don’t forget to let your personality shine through. It’s important to be authentic when writing your statement to show the admissions committee who you are and why your unique perspective will add value to the program.

4. Edit and refine your work.

Before you submit your statement of purpose:

• Make sure you’ve followed all directions thoroughly , including requirements about margins, spacing, and font size.
• Proofread carefully for grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Remember that a statement of purpose should be between 500 and 1,000 words. If you’ve written far more than this, read through your statement again and edit for clarity and conciseness. Less is often more; articulate your main points strongly and get rid of any “clutter.”
• Walk away and come back later with a fresh set of eyes. Sometimes your best ideas come when you’re not sitting and staring at your computer.
• Ask someone you trust to read your statement before you submit it.

Making a Lasting Impression

Your statement of purpose can leave a lasting impression if done well, Pierce says. It provides you with the opportunity to highlight your unique background and skills so that admissions professionals understand why you’re the ideal candidate for the program that you’re applying to. If nothing else, stay focused on what you uniquely bring to the classroom, the program, and the campus community. If you do that, you’ll excel.

To learn more tricks and tips for submitting an impressive graduate school application, explore our related Grad School Success articles .

Editor’s note: This article was originally published in March 2017. It has since been updated for thoroughness and accuracy.

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By April Hunt  April 3, 2024

At a recent Pathways Center networking event, Emory College senior Anya Kasubhai (center) and other students enjoyed access to career advice from alumni in the government, policy, legal, education and nonprofit industries.

— Moses Sparks, Radar Creative

Emory’s Class of 2023 graduated last May well equipped to start their careers, landing jobs or graduate school placements around the world.

The annual Career and Professional Development survey conducted six months after Commencement shows that 97% of 2023 graduates were working or continuing their education. Another 1% reported volunteering, leaving just 2% who were seeking their next step.

Those outcomes were slightly higher than outcomes for the Class of 2022, which had about 95% reporting that they were working, studying or volunteering.

This year’s graduating class looks to continue that positive arc and reaffirms the value that employers and graduate schools place on liberal arts skillsets, such as creative problem-solving, appreciation for learning new knowledge, critical thinking and strong communication.

It also reflects how the first year of Emory’s Pathways Center — which integrates multiple programs focused on career discernment and development — helps students visualize ways to translate those skills into professional lives of meaning and consequence.

“We want every Emory student to cultivate curiosity, test out their theories of career identity through experiential learning, and make connections with alumni,” says Branden Grimmett , who leads the Pathways Center as vice provost for career and professional development and Emory College associate dean.

“Career clarity is not achieved simply through thinking about one’s future — it requires action,” Grimmett says. “The Pathways Center has established a robust set of opportunities to help students try various fields and industries within a safe and supportive environment.”

Pathways officials report that last spring’s job market was robust for recent graduates, especially in the health care, finance, government/nonprofit and technology fields.

Asia Waller, the director of recruiting and employer development at Pathways, expects a similar market this year, though Pathways officials encourage seniors and other students to connect with the center’s resources and programs for the latest job openings and opportunities.

“There is a good mix of opportunities out there in different industries, and the market is more robust than last year,” Waller says. “A lot of the opportunities require the transferrable skills Emory students are known for developing.”

Graduate school placements were also exceptional for the Class of 2023.

Surpassing the national average by 9%, the law school acceptance rate for Emory graduates reached an outstanding 78%, with notable admissions to Emory, Georgia State, Georgetown and NYU.  T he medical school acceptance rate for the 2023 application cycle for Emory students was 65%, exceeding the national average by 19%.

Career discernment for liberal arts students

Elizabeth Hsieh is among the 2023 graduates who took full advantage of Pathways programs and other Emory opportunities to find her way.

An English major, Hsieh networked with professors to land an internship building a database of short stories at the literary studio Plympton.

Meeting with Carol Riddock, the associate director of pre-law advising in Career and Professional Development within Pathways, helped Hsieh secure internships at the Carter Center and New American Pathways.

Riddock also supported Hsieh’s undergraduate research work, helping with administrative tasks and qualitative research related to assistant nursing professor Glenna Brewster’s intervention program for the caregivers of people with dementia.

That experience gave Hsieh a sense of how she would handle new tasks and collaborate with a supervisor. She uses those skills daily as a legal analyst with the Dover & Luner law firm in California — which in turn has reinforced that a legal career is her best fit. She plans to apply to law school in the next year.

“Carol made me feel supported in exploring all sorts of options for what felt right and most stimulating for me,” Hsieh says. “I feel like Emory prepared me to take on a job where I would do well by learning new things all the time.” 

Intentional steps toward grad school

Emory’s pre-health advising team helps students whose trajectory calls for building on their skills through graduate school. The opt-in programming provides peer and professional mentors to guide undergraduates interested in health care professions, from dentistry to physical therapy to veterinary medicine.

Emory launched the team 15 years ago to supplement academic advisors on course sequencing and to offer hands-on guidance with test preparation, application advising and social support.

Pre-health advising director Kim Molee explains that engagement has grown every year in the program, particularly now that it is a visible component within the Pathways Center.

“There are a lot of intentional steps, from students’ first years and into gap years, to ensure that they can be competitive for any graduate or health care program they select,” Molee says. “We talk in detail about holistic development and keep it as universal as we can, so they can consider their best path.”

Emory’s resources and ethos also reinforce the idea that the concept of the best path is apt to change throughout students’ experiences.

Peter Cooke experienced that shift as an undergraduate. He didn’t feel certain about his planned path of law school, even after completing an undergraduate research project on urban policy and finishing his political science and sociology double major studies in his junior year.

But something clicked when he began helping with photography and social media coverage for the university’s pre-college summer program .

He found the writing skills and creativity from his majors translated well in the communications role. During his senior year, Cooke further sharpened his marketing skills by continuing to work with the Office of International and Summer Programs and as a social media ambassador for Emory College.

It became clear that law school was no longer the best fit. The day after Commencement, the engineering consultancy Arcadis offered Cooke a yearlong communications internship. He accepted and has used the experience to further develop his project management and content management skills.

He plans to look for a marketing and communications role next — ideally in music or entertainment, due to his background as a trained cellist. Also on Cooke’s to-do list this spring?  Reach out to the Pathways Center about possible alumni mentors or advisers who can aid in his career development.

Survey data from Emory Career and Professional Development show that 98% of 2023 graduates are pursuing chosen opportunities, such as starting careers, graduate school and volunteering, within six months of graduation.

Here’s how the Class of 2023 is finding success after graduation:

• 60% are employed
• 37% are attending graduate school
• 1% are volunteering or in the military

Check out the Emory Career and Professional Development website for more information on class outcomes, including top employers and graduate schools.

• Emory College
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• Student Flourishing
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• Liberal Arts

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