How Long Is A Good Personal Statement?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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HOW LONG SHOULD MY PERSONAL STATEMENT BE? A. Unless otherwise specified on the school's admission website, most personal statements are

between 2-3 pages in length

. Personal Statements are typically 1.5 or double spaced and adhere to regular one inch margin space.

Can a personal statement be too long?

While your application

will not

be rejected outright if you include a personal statement that is significantly longer, take your program's guidelines very seriously. They're telling you what they want. They're just also giving you some leeway to say what you need to say.

What should a 500 word personal statement include?

  • Why are you applying and what do you think makes you a suitable candidate?
  • What inspired you to study or follow a career in this area?
  • What is your career aim?
  • What level of experience do you have already?
  • Aside from work or education, what are your interests or hobbies?

Is a 3 page personal statement too long?

Regarding the length of the personal statement, I typically tell students to shoot for between 800 and 1,000 words. 4.5 pages is definitely overkill, but a single page is definitely not enough room to get anything substantial about yourself written down. Aim for

2-3 pages

, double-spaced (it makes for easier reading).

How do you start off a personal statement?


Start with why you chose it

, then try and summarise this in one or two sentences. Be original and refer to personal experiences as a way to draw attention. Avoid overused opening sentences, quotes and clichés like ‘when I was young…' They want to know about you now, not your childhood or Shakespeare!

How do you sell yourself in a personal statement?

Start with why you're the perfect fit for a place on your course. Mention the most important aspects of your relevant skills and experience early. Prove the points you've introduced – it's here you'd talk about your current and previous studies, your skills, and your work experience.

What is the personal statement word limit?

Normally, the length of a personal statement will be dictated by the application—

500 words or 800 words

are typical limits, as are one-page or two-page limits.

What is the maximum words for personal statement?

Normally, the length of a personal statement will be dictated by the application—

500 words or 800 words

are typical limits, as are one-page or two-page limits.

How many words is 47 lines?

Regardless, the ‘word' limit is 47 lines of text, or 4000 characters. This equates to (roughly)

500 words

.

Should you introduce yourself in a personal statement?



The opening

is your chance to introduce yourself, to explain your motivation for studying the course and to demonstrate your understanding of it. ‘ ‘It's your enthusiasm for the course we want to know about. … ‘Talk about you and your enthusiasm for the subject from the very start.

What should you not do in a personal statement?

  • Whining. Don't whine in your essay! …
  • Someone else is the hero. …
  • Reads like a . …
  • Lack of focus. …
  • Leaves out personal growth. …
  • Overcomplicated language. …
  • Incorrect grammar or spelling.

How do you write a really good personal statement?

  1. Explain the reason for your choice and how it fits in with your aspirations for the future.
  2. Give examples of any related academic or work experience.
  3. Show you know what the course will involve and mention any special subjects you're interested in.

What employers look for in a personal statement?

Your personal statement should include

a brief overview of who you are

, your strengths and any work experience and/or education you've got. Be sure to include skills you've gained, such as time management, customer service, teamwork, computer skills etc.

How do you show your personality in a personal statement?

Mentioning specific past experiences,

that are directly linked to your chosen degree

, will turn an average personal statement into an engaging narrative. KEY TIP: continually link/explain these experiences to your reader with the ultimate goal of demonstrating why you are passionate about your chosen subject.

How would you describe yourself?

Example: “I

am ambitious and driven

. I thrive on challenge and constantly set goals for myself, so I have something to strive toward. I'm not comfortable with settling, and I'm always looking for an opportunity to do better and achieve greatness. In my previous role, I was promoted three times in less than two years.”

Can you lie in your personal statement?

Untruths. Admissions tutors will be able to spot any fictions in your application. Firstly, and most crucially:

never, ever lie in your personal statement

. If you do, it will almost certainly come back to haunt you.

Leah Jackson
Author
Leah Jackson
Leah is a relationship coach with over 10 years of experience working with couples and individuals to improve their relationships. She holds a degree in psychology and has trained with leading relationship experts such as John Gottman and Esther Perel. Leah is passionate about helping people build strong, healthy relationships and providing practical advice to overcome common relationship challenges.