Overview
This section is where you can write a brief statement expressing why you would like to be considered for the programs you are applying to. You only need to write one personal statement, which will be shared with all programs you apply to.
Note that you cannot personalize this statement for individual programs. Focus groups and experience have shown that customizing personal statements for individual programs is not worth the time and effort. Personal statements should reflect your personal stories, values, and aspirations, rather than catering to specific programs. By authentically expressing yourself, you are more likely to find the right fit. Additionally, while you cannot submit a custom personal statement to a program, you can show your interest in a particular program using the application's Signals feature.
Requirements
- Do not exceed the maximum length: You can see both the word and character count below the field in the application. The left-hand number shows the maximum number of characters that you can use in your essay. As you type, you can see how many characters are still available and the associated word count. Characters include spaces, carriage returns, and punctuation. You cannot save your essay if it exceeds the 9,999 character limit.
- Use your own words: Plagiarizing any part of your essay is a violation of the code of conduct and may subject you to sanctions.
- Use simple formatting: Formatting such as tabs, italics, multiple spaces, etc., will not be saved. To delineate paragraphs, type a double return between each paragraph.
Proofreading
Be sure to read over your essay several times to catch any spelling, grammar, punctuation, etc., errors before submitting. Once you submit your application, you cannot edit your essay. If you find an error after submission that you believe could have major effects on your application, we recommend sending a corrected copy directly to the programs you applied to.