A personal statement is a short essay that introduces a graduate school applicant and their personal reasons for applying to a particular program. Although measures such as grade point average and test scores can give an admissions committee an idea of a student's qualifications, they are impersonal and do not indicate whether an applicant: The "big" essay is the most important, so it's the one I've always written. I was sure I had at least one or three pairs of eyes. Prioritize the big essay and focus on the small with the time you have left, Graduate School Statement of Purpose Example 9, A statement of purpose is a chance to tell your life story. Your statement is not only a celebration of your triumphs, but also a true reflection on the challenges and struggles you have faced. Remember that you cannot victimize yourself in the essay. Writing tips. Most of your graduate school applications will require similar essays, but you should not write a generic essay for every program you apply to. Instead, tailor your essay to each program. This is especially true when describing your research interests and their fit with the training provided by the,