by Ruth Gotian and Ushma S. Neill
At multiple points in your life, you will need to take action to transition from where you are to where you want to be. This process is layered and time-consuming, and getting yourself to stand out among the masses is an arduous but not impossible task. Having a polished resume that explains what you’ve done is the common first step. But, when an application asks for it, a personal statement can add color and depth to your list of accomplishments. It moves you from a one-dimensional indistinguishable candidate to someone with drive, interest, and nuance.
Whether applying for a summer internship, a professional development opportunity, such as a Fulbright, an executive MBA program, or a senior leadership development course, a personal statement threads the ideas of your CV, and is longer and has a different tone and purpose than a traditional cover letter.
We’ve led prominent professional programs for over two decades and sat on prestigious awards committees. Between us, we have read thousands of personal statements. While a few stand out, most are lackluster and miss the mark. A few adjustments to your personal statement can get your application noticed by the reviewer.
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