how long should grad school personal statement be

Writing Your Personal Statements

Your personal statement must demonstrate to the admissions committee that you have considered graduate school and their specific program seriously. It’s your opportunity to summarize your academic and research experiences. You must also communicate how your experiences are relevant to preparing you for the graduate degree that you will be pursuing and explain why a given program is the right one for you.

The personal statement is where you highlight your strengths. Make your strengths absolutely clear to the reviewers, because they will often be reading many other statements. Your self-assessments and honest conversations with peers and advisors should have also revealed your strengths. But you must also address (not blame others for) weaknesses or unusual aspects of your application or academic background.

Your personal statement should focus on two main aspects: your competence and commitment.

1. Identify your strengths in terms of competence that indicate that you will succeed in the grad program and provide examples to support your claims. Start your statement by describing your strengths immediately. Because faculty will be reading many statements, it’s important to start off with your strengths and not “bury your lede.” Consider traits of successful graduate students from your informational interviews, and identify which of these traits you have. These traits could involve research skills and experiences, expertise in working with techniques or instruments, familiarity with professional networks and resources in your field, etc.

Check your responses from the exercises in the self-assessment section. You may wish to consult notes from your informational interviews and your Seven Stories . Write concise summaries and stories that demonstrate your strengths, e.g. how your strengths helped you to achieve certain goals or overcome obstacles.
Summarize your research experience(s). What were the main project goals and the “big picture” questions? What was your role in this project? What did you accomplish? What did you learn, and how did you grow as a result of the experience(s)?

My research examines the interplay between U.S. domestic politics and foreign policy during the Cold War. As a native New Yorker, I saw firsthand how dramatically my city changed after 9/11, which prompted my early interest in U.S. policy at home and abroad. As an undergraduate at the City College of New York, I planned to study international relations with a focus on U.S. foreign affairs. I also quickly became involved in student activist groups that focused on raising awareness about a wide range of human rights issues, from the Syrian refugee crisis to asylum seekers from Central America.

The more I learned about the crises in the present, the more I realized that I needed a deeper understanding of the past to fully grasp them. I decided to pursue a PhD in history in order to gain a clearer understanding of human rights issues in the present and to empower young student-activists like myself.

— Vannessa Velez, PhD candidate in History

Addressing weaknesses or unusual aspects

Identify weaknesses or unusual aspects in your application—e.g., a significant drop in your GPA during a term; weak GRE scores; changes in your academic trajectory, etc. Don’t ignore them, because ignoring them might be interpreted as blind spots for you. If you’re unsure if a particular issue is significant enough to address, seek advice from faculty mentors.
Explain how you’ll improve and strengthen those areas or work around your weakness. Determine how you will address them in a positive light, e.g., by discussing how you overcame obstacles through persistence, what you learned from challenges, and how you grew from failures. Focusing on a growth mindset or grit and this blog on weaknesses might also help.
Deal with any significant unusual aspects later in the statement to allow a positive impression to develop first.
Explain, rather than provide excuses—i.e., address the issue directly and don’t blame others (even if you believe someone else is responsible). Draft it and get feedback from others to see if the explanation is working as you want it to.
Provide supporting empirical evidence if possible. For example, “Adjusting to college was a major step for me, coming from a small high school and as a first-generation college student. My freshman GPA was not up to par with my typical achievements, as demonstrated by my improved GPA of 3.8 during my second and third years in college."
Be concise (don’t dwell on the issues), but also be complete (don’t lead to other potentially unanswered questions). For example, if a drop in grades during a term was due to a health issue, explain whether the health issue is recurring, managed now with medication, resolved, etc.

2. Explain your commitment to research and their graduate program, including your motivation for why you are applying to this graduate program at this university. Be as specific as possible. Identify several faculty members with whom you are interested in working, and explain why their research interests you.

Descriptions of your commitment should explain why you’re passionate about this particular academic field and provide demonstrations of your commitment with stories (e.g., working long hours to solve a problem, overcoming challenges in research, resilience in pursuing problems). Don’t merely assert your commitment.
Explain why you are applying to graduate school, as opposed to seeking a professional degree or a job. Discuss your interest and motivation for grad school, along with your future career aspirations.

I am definitely not your traditional graduate student. As a biracial (Native American and white), first-generation PhD student from a military family, I had very limited guidance on how best to pursue my education, especially when I decided that graduate school was a good idea. I ended up coming to this PhD in a very circuitous manner, stopping first to get a JD and, later, an MFA in Young Adult Literature. With each degree, I took time to work and apply what I’d learned, as a lawyer and as an educator. Each time, I realized that I was circling around questions that I couldn’t let go of—not just because I found them to be fascinating, but because I did (and still do!) feel that my research could help to bridge a gap that desperately needs bridging. Because my work is quite interdisciplinary, I strongly feel that I wouldn’t have been able to pursue this line of research without the degrees and life experience I gained before coming to this program.

— Jamie Fine, PhD candidate in Modern Thought and Literature

Statement of Purpose: subtle aspects

Think in terms of engaging faculty in a conversation rather than pleading with them that you should be admitted. Ask reviewers to read drafts with this concern in mind.
With later drafts, try developing an overall narrative theme. See if one emerges as you work.
Write at least 10 drafts and expect your thinking and the essay to change quite a bit over time.
Read drafts out loud to help you catch errors.
Expect the "you' that emerges in your essay to be incomplete. . . that’s OK.
You’re sharing a professional/scholarly slice of "you."
Avoid humor (do you really know what senior academics find funny?) and flashy openings and closings. Think of pitching the essay to an educated person in the field, but not necessarily in your specialty. Avoid emotionally laden words (such as "love" or "passion"). Remember, your audience is a group of professors! Overly emotional appeals might make them uncomfortable. They are looking for scholarly colleagues.

How Long Should a Personal Statement Be for Grad School?

by Talha Omer, M.Eng., Cornell Grad

In personal statement tips & advice.

In my recent posts, I have discussed some high-powered tips for creating an outstanding personal statement for grad school . I have also shared over 100 samples of personal statements that exemplify these strategies in action. These samples can serve as inspiration for you while you write your own statement. Additionally, I’ve shared a framework for self-evaluating your personal statements and identified common pitfalls to avoid when writing an essay that grad schools will love.

In this post, I will explore the crucial topic of ideal length of a personal statement for grad school applications. I will also discuss why adhering to appropriate length guidelines is essential for a grad school essay.

In this Article

Why Length Matters?

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The length of a personal statement plays an important role in its effectiveness. Providing enough information is crucial, but lengthy and overly detailed statements can easily bore the admissions committee (adcom).

Typically, the adcom spends about 5 minutes on each statement before they lose interest and move on.

Thus, a concise and well-structured personal statement is more likely to engage the reviewers and create a favorable impression.

Writing more than the required length is seen by admissions committees as lack of attention to detail and the inability to follow instructions. Professionalism is an important quality that graduate programs value in their applicants. Writing more can also make your personal statement appear unfocused, and difficult to read. Moreover, it can also bore the admissions committee, who have limited time to review your application and may not have the patience or inclination to read a lengthy personal statement.

If you write too little, you run the risk of not providing enough information to the admissions committee to evaluate your fit for the program. This can make it difficult for them to make an informed decision about your application. It can also give the impression that you are not taking the application process seriously or that you lack the necessary skills to write a compelling personal statement.

Therefore, it is important to ensure that your personal statement meets the length requirement to the fullest as that will leave a positive impression on your application.

Factors That Determine a Personal Statement’s Length

Various factors play a role in determining the length of your personal statement. These factors include specific grad school requirements, and the key elements of the personal statement itself. By considering these factors, you can ensure that your personal statement is both engaging and effective while adhering to the length expectations set forth by the graduate programs you are applying to.

Grad School Requirements

Some graduate programs, fellowships, and scholarships may have strict word or page limits for personal statements. For example, the Fulbright scholarship requires a 750 word personal statement . The Stanford graduate program in CS requires a 2-page personal statement.

It is important that you strictly follow these requirements, as exceeding or falling short of the word limit will negatively impact your application.

Before starting to write, review the application instructions and guidelines for your specific program.

For example, MBA programs have wide-ranging length requirements; some may require a 500-word essay, others a 250-word essay, or even a 1000-word essay in certain cases.

If the grad school does not specify a precise limit, then use the general guidelines discussed below to determine an appropriate length for your personal statement.

Although rare, but in some cases, grad schools do not define any strict word or page limits. If you come across such a situation then as a general rule of thumb, you should write a personal statement that is 500-750 words for master’s programs , and 1000-1500 words for doctoral programs .

Nevertheless, it is always a good idea to research your specific program and consult with current students, alumni, or faculty to get a better understanding of the expectations.

The Purpose of the Personal Statement

In a previous post , I thoroughly explored the essential components of a personal statement. Regardless of length requirements—whether a program calls for a 500-word essay or a 2000-word essay—it’s vital to ensure that your grad school personal statement addresses the following key elements.

One of the main elements of a personal statement is to demonstrate your fit with the graduate program . To do this, you need to discuss your research interests, academic background, and career goals in relation to the program’s offerings and faculty expertise.

Do not write a generic personal statement and send it to all programs.

You must tailor your personal statement and focus on key aspects that align with the program, keeping in mind that the statement’s length should allow you to address these points without being overly wordy.

A personal statement is an opportunity to showcase your personal and academic achievements . These may include research projects, internships, publications, presentations, awards, or leadership experiences.

When discussing these accomplishments, be selective and focus on those that are most relevant to your field of study and the program you are applying to.

Ensure that the length of your personal statement provides enough space to highlight these achievements without overshadowing the other components.

If you have gaps in your academic or professional history, or any weaknesses in your application, such as a low GPA , the personal statement is a chance to address these issues . When discussing these topics, be concise, honest, and provide context for the situation.

Focus on what you have learned from these experiences and how they have contributed to your personal growth. The length of your personal statement should allow you to explain these issues without taking up too much space, as the primary focus should still be on your strengths and fit with the program.

Typical Length Ranges

For most master’s programs, personal statements tend to be between 500-750 words in length.

This range allows you to provide a concise overview of your academic background, research interests, and career goals, while also showcasing your personal qualities and experiences. Again, just keep in mind that some programs may have more specific length requirements, so always consult the application guidelines for the program you are applying to.

Doctoral program personal statements are usually longer than those for master’s programs, typically falling within the range of 1000-1500 words.

This increased length allows you to delve deeper into your research interests, discuss your long-term academic and professional goals, and provide more detailed information about your background and achievements. As with master’s programs, always check the application guidelines for specific length requirements.

Handling Length Restrictions

Strategies for cutting down an overly long personal statement (with examples).

If your personal statement exceeds the length limits, begin by removing any redundant information that is not relevant to the program you are applying to. You should assess each section and sentence to determine if it adds value to your overall narrative or if it can be omitted without affecting the clarity and impact of your statement.

Focus on maintaining the most important points and removing any content that does not directly contribute to your main themes.

Let’s consider a hypothetical paragraph from a personal statement and I’ll demonstrate how to remove redundant or irrelevant information.

Original Paragraph

During my undergraduate studies, I volunteered at a local animal shelter every weekend for three years. This experience not only allowed me to develop compassion for abandoned animals but also taught me the importance of community service. I was able to provide a safe and nurturing environment for these animals, while also learning about the challenges faced by nonprofit organizations. I even had the opportunity to organize fundraising events, which contributed to the shelter’s ongoing operations. Additionally, I joined a club called “Students for Animal Welfare” and participated in several campus-wide initiatives to raise awareness about animal rights issues. This experience further strengthened my commitment to animal welfare and my passion for making a difference in my community.

Revised Paragraph

During my undergraduate studies, I volunteered at a local animal shelter, where I developed compassion for abandoned animals and learned the importance of community service. I organized fundraising events to support the shelter’s operations and participated in campus-wide initiatives to raise awareness about animal rights issues through the “Students for Animal Welfare” club. These experiences strengthened my commitment to animal welfare and my passion for making a difference in my community.

In the revised paragraph, the focus is on the most relevant and important aspects of the experience. Sentence 3 in the original paragraph about providing a safe environment and learning about nonprofit challenges was removed, as it doesn’t directly contribute to the main themes of the personal statement (commitment to animal welfare and passion for community service). The revised paragraph is more concise and maintains a strong focus on the key points.

You should review your personal statement to streamline sentences and paragraphs. You can do this by rephrasing long, complex sentences using simpler language and sentence structure.

Condense lengthy paragraphs by focusing on the most crucial information and removing extraneous details. This process will not only help reduce the length of your personal statement but also improve its readability and clarity.

Let’s consider another paragraph from a personal statement and discuss how to streamline sentences.

Original Paragraph:

During my time as a research assistant in Dr. Smith’s cognitive psychology lab, I was given the opportunity to work on a variety of projects that significantly contributed to my understanding of the complexities of human memory and cognitive processes. One of the most memorable projects that I had the chance to work on was a study examining the effects of sleep deprivation on short-term memory recall, which involved designing and implementing a series of controlled experiments, as well as recruiting participants and collecting and analyzing data.

Revised Paragraph:

As a research assistant in Dr. Smith’s cognitive psychology lab, I worked on diverse projects that deepened my understanding of human memory and cognition. One notable project involved examining sleep deprivation’s impact on short-term memory recall, which included designing experiments, recruiting participants, and analyzing data.

In the revised paragraph, rephrasing has helped reduce the length by 50%. All of the extraneous details have been removed while retaining the most crucial information. The streamlined paragraph is more concise, easier to read, and clearer in conveying the main points.

If length is an issue then you can also consider reducing it by prioritizing your key points. You can start this by determining which aspects of your background, experiences, and goals are most important for the graduate program. Then, just focus on these points and remove less significant information to meet the length requirements.

Again, in order to better understand how we can do this, let’s consider a hypothetical paragraph from a personal statement.

During my undergraduate studies, I took a variety of courses in different disciplines, such as sociology, economics, and political science. I also developed an interest in public policy and volunteered for a local government office, where I gained experience in policy analysis and implementation. In my free time, I enjoyed hiking and photography, often combining these hobbies to explore the beautiful landscapes in my region. Additionally, I was an active member of the debate club, which helped me develop strong critical thinking and communication skills.

During my undergraduate studies, I developed an interest in public policy through courses in sociology, economics, and political science. I volunteered for a local government office, where I gained experience in policy analysis and implementation. As an active member of the debate club, I honed my critical thinking and communication skills.

In the revised paragraph, the focus is on the key points most relevant to the graduate program (interest in public policy, relevant experience, and essential skills). The information about hiking and photography, although interesting, is less significant for demonstrating the applicant’s fit with the program and has been removed. The revised paragraph is more concise and maintains a strong focus on the prioritized points.

Ensuring Your Statement Is Long Enough

If your statement is too short, it may not provide sufficient detail to effectively showcase your background, experiences, and goals. To ensure that your statement is long enough, consider doing the following:

Expand on your research interests, academic achievements, or career goals by providing additional context, examples, or details. This additional information can help strengthen your argument and create a more compelling narrative.

Let’s consider an example:

My research interests lie in the field of environmental policy. I have interned at an environmental nonprofit and have taken relevant courses during my undergraduate studies.

My research interests lie in the field of environmental policy, particularly in the development and evaluation of strategies to address climate change and promote sustainable resource management. During my undergraduate studies, I took courses in environmental economics, policy analysis, and sustainable development, which provided me with a solid theoretical foundation. Additionally, I interned at an environmental nonprofit, where I contributed to a project focused on assessing the effectiveness of local climate adaptation measures. This hands-on experience allowed me to apply my academic knowledge in a practical setting and further solidified my commitment to pursuing a career in environmental policy research.

In the revised paragraph, I have developed the main points more thoroughly. The research interests have been expanded upon to provide additional context, and the relevant courses and internship experience have been described in greater detail. This additional information strengthens the argument and creates a more compelling narrative.

To increase the length of your personal statement, consider adding relevant experiences or achievements that demonstrate your skills, knowledge, and passion for your field. These may include internships, research projects, volunteer work, or extracurricular activities related to your discipline. Make sure that any new content aligns with your main themes and contributes to the overall narrative of your personal statement.

As an example, consider the following:

I am passionate about public health and have completed my undergraduate degree in the field. I am eager to continue my studies in a graduate program.

I am passionate about public health, having completed my undergraduate degree in the field. During my studies, I participated in a summer internship at a local health department, where I assisted with community outreach programs and health education initiatives. This experience allowed me to witness firsthand the positive impact of public health policies on vulnerable populations. I also volunteered with a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving healthcare access in underserved areas, which further reinforced my commitment to the field. Eager to build on my knowledge and experiences, I am excited to pursue a graduate program in public health.

In the revised paragraph, relevant experiences (internship and volunteer work) have been added to provide a more comprehensive picture of the applicant’s passion for public health. These additional details strengthen the narrative, demonstrate the applicant’s skills and dedication, and create a more compelling case for their admission to a graduate program.

By following these strategies for handling length restrictions, you can create a personal statement that effectively communicates your ideas and showcases your strengths within the specified word or page limits.

Here are some samples of personal statements of various lengths that demonstrate how past applicants have effectively conveyed their passion, experiences, and goals while adhering to the specified word limits.

These samples will serve as a reference for you, illustrating how you can tailor your personal statements according to the length requirements of different graduate programs. By studying these examples, you will also gain insights into drafting a strong personal statement that balances concision with comprehensive information, ensuring that you make a strong impression on the admissions committee. You can also go a step further and hire an experienced editor to personally review your statement to make sure it is error-free and well-written.

100-word Personal Statement Sample
150-word Personal Statement Sample
200-word Personal Statement Sample
250-word Personal Statement Sample
300-word Personal Statement Sample
400-word Personal Statement Sample
500-word Personal Statement Sample
600-word Personal Statement Sample
700-word Personal Statement Sample
750-word Personal Statement Sample
800-word Personal Statement Sample
1000-word Personal Statement Sample

By adhering to the specific length requirements, you demonstrate your attention to detail and your ability to follow instructions. It also shows your genuine interest in the program and your commitment to finding the best fit for your career goals.

So, focus on presenting your most important points in a concise manner. By emphasizing quality over quantity, you can create a personal statement that ultimately improves your chances of being admitted to your desired graduate program.

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