If you’ve looked at application requirements for universities in the US for a Master’s Degree, you would know that you have to submit a personal essay as part of your application. These essays go by different names. Some universities refer to them as personal essay, personal statement, or statement of purpose. 

Personal Essay

Your personal essay is an extremely important part of your college application. While your CV and grades definitely display your capabilities, your personal essay is your voice to express your talent, passion and rigor towards your goals. 

Admissions committees want to know who you are as a person and why they should choose you. Each college will ask for different questions for a personal essay. The following points are what colleges normally look for in a personal essay:  

• Who are you and what are your achievements? 
• Why do you want to study this subject? 
• Why are you fit for our university? 
• What are your long term goals? 

Addressing all these points in your essay is very important. 

Now let me give you tips on how to write a good personal essay!

Some tips on how to write a personal essay

Tip 1: Read the instructions carefully
This tip is extremely crucial. Instructions tell you what questions the college wants your answer on your personal essay. Instructions may include information on font size, length of the essay, word-spacing etcetera. Strictly adhere to these instructions on length, content and format. This shows the college that you’re attentive and can follow instructions. 

Tip 2: Create an outline
After you’ve understood the instructions, my advice would be to break the essay questions into parts and choose a story from your life that best fits the essay. Then create an outline of the essay keeping in mind both the essay questions and your story. Make sure you answer all the questions. Your outline should create a good flow of all the information you’re presenting. 

Tip 3: Give the admissions counselor something that they can remember.
Your personal essay is personal for a reason. Admissions counselors read hundreds of essays during admissions. Your story should be catchy so that they can remember you. What is unique about you? Why should they choose you out of all the different applicants? Communicate a heartfelt commitment to your chosen career. 

Tip 4: Don’t just narrate a story rather reflect on it.
Your story should definitely be catchy, but what did it teach you? What change did it bring in you? What life-experiences contributed to your self-understanding? This is the part where universities can really get to know your personality. Be genuine and talk about your learnings. 

Tip 5: Keep the essay short

Remember that admissions counselors are reading lots of essays during admissions. Keep your essay short and simple. Our recommendation would be to keep it approximately 1000 words long or roughly 2 pages unless the word limit set by the university is different. 

Tip 6: Personalize your essay

Many applicants write one essay and submit it to all the universities they’re applying to. Our recommendation would be that you tailor your essay to suit each university’s peculiarity.

Tip 7: Start early
Starting early is very crucial. A haphazard essay will not be able to communicate ideas correctly. It takes time to plan, write and edit your essay. Remember that your personal essay will have multiple drafts. It’s important to give it time so that you can perfect it at each stage! 

Tip 8: Edit it with fresh eyes 

After writing multiple drafts, you’ve finally completed your essay. Now keep it aside for a day and come back to it the next day. Editing it with fresh eyes will really put things in perspective as well as make it easier to spot any corrections that are to be made. 

Tip 9: Get your essay reviewed

Make sure your essay gets proofread by your teachers, parents or friends. Basically, anybody that knows you well. Incorporate the suggestions they offer. 

At UniRely, you can get access to hundreds of personal essays of students who have been accepted to the top universities in the US. To get more information about how to apply to universities abroad for your master’s degree, please visit our website – www.unirely.com.