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| Writing a Personal Statement |
Step-By-Step Guide to Writing a Personal Statement
Writing a personal statement can be very stressful and heartbreaking if you do not know what goes into it, especially for beginners or first-time writers. Most universities require personal statements or statements of purpose from applicants before admission, at the undergraduate, master's, and PhD levels. As a result, it is very necessary to get a standard step-by-step guide to help you through your undergraduate master's or PhD applications to help you secure admissions.
This guide has helped many people secure admissions to many schools such as the University of Cambridge, Oxford, the University of British Columbia, Ohio State University, and inter alia. Follow the step-by-step guide below to draft an excellent personal statement in ascending order:
- Start with a hook
Property values and the average income of Ghanaians differ significantly. The median monthly salary, according to estategh.com, is about ₵2,213, and urban residential real estate frequently costs between ₵300,000 and more than ₵100,000. Many average-income earners find homeownership exorbitant and unreachable due to the income gap, which results in a number of social and environmental problems such cramped living quarters and restricted social mobility. My interest with the architectural marvels that surrounded me has developed into a deep dedication to comprehending and valuing not only the buildings but the whole real estate environment.
2. Purpose and Passion
After starting your writing with a hook, the next thing to add is purpose and passion. Under this, applicants are advised to clearly state their intention for applying to a specific program and why. Also, explain why you are passionate about this field of study. Below is a good example:
My decision to seek a master's degree in real estate is motivated by both my own goals and a larger objective. My desire to employ thoughtful real estate development to bring about positive change was sparked by seeing how abandoned regions were turned into vibrant communities. I'm eager to learn about the intricacies of market research, investment plans, housing affordability, and sustainable building methods that can affect how we build in the future. Substandard housing conditions, urban sprawl, and housing affordability are key issues that are becoming more prevalent in Sub-Saharan Africa, especially in Ghana. By pursuing a career in real estate, I hope to contribute to the answer. Because of its well-rounded curriculum, which is reinforced by industry connections and professors who are authorities in their fields, the University of Reading offers the perfect environment for turning my passion into knowledge that can be put to use.
3. Next is your Career Goals
The third thing to do is to add your career goals. To do this, outline your long-term career aspirations and how the program you are applying to will help you achieve your career goals. It is advisable not to hold back on this at all. You have to be bold and audacious about your goals. Include your short-term goals as well. Below is a good example:
With an emphasis on development feasibility, development affordability, portfolio management, and real estate investment strategies, I hope to quickly get completely immersed in the academic and practical aspects of real estate through this program. After I graduate, I want to use a data-driven decision-making process to work as a real estate finance analyst at the State Housing Company. My long-term objective is to operate my own real estate development and investment business with a focus on property valuation and cheap, sustainable urban housing in Africa. In order to promote resilient urban planning, influence housing policy, and help address the housing crisis and affordability, I see smart partnerships and innovative financial options.
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4. Add your Academic Background
Under this, you are supposed to summarize your academic journey, highlighting relevant coursework, including online short courses if any, your achievements, and awards you have received before. It is not advisable to just mention your grades; explain how they relate to your passion, interest, and competence in your target program. Courses that are not related to the program you are applying to, do not mention them here because they add no value.
5. Next is your Research Experience
The fifth item to add to your personal statement is your research experience. Write in detail, any research projects or papers that align with the program you are applying to. If you also have an international experience, such as field studies outside your town or country, kindly add them here. Add special skills you developed and their relevance to your program of choice.
Someone may ask, "What if I don't have research experience"? Yes, that's true. It is not everyone who will have a research experience. If you don't have it, you can skip this part.
6. Professional Work Experience
At this stage, you are expected to describe any professional roles, internships, National Service Experience, or volunteer experience you had that is very important to your field. Add any internship experience, both remote and on-site internships, even if it's less than a month. Explain the roles you played during an internship or in your professional role. Explain any work you have done that is voluntary, where, when, and what your roles were.
7. Skills
Under this, you are supposed to highlight a set of skills that are relevant to the program you are applying to. Note that skills that are not relevant to the program of choice should not be listed. For example, if you are applying for a data science program, it is worth mentioning skills like Python, coding, etc. If you're applying for a program like chemistry, it is worthless to add skills like real estate market analysis, real estate marketing, etc. These are completely different things, as it does not tally at all.
8. Program Fit
At this point, applicants are advised to explain why the university they are applying to is the ideal place to study, and to continue their journey, and the work they have done. You can mention specific supervisions/course modules/labs/resources at your target department that appeal to you. If you are an international student, you can talk about cultural diversity and international exposure.
9. How Can You Contribute to the University Community?
Second but last, describe how you will contribute to the university community in your personal statement. This is very important. During your studies or after your studies, how are you going to contribute to the university community? You can contribute to the university community through research, leadership initiatives, volunteer programs, and inter alia. Once you are coming to benefit from the university through your studies, at least you should also contribute to the development of the university in one way or the other. Admission committees look up to this.
10. End with a Closing Statement
After noting all the above points in your personal statement, end with a closing statement by recapping your main points in a way of summary. End with a strong and memorable closing that reinforces your enthusiasm. Recap the need for you to take the program and its benefits.
Note
It is very necessary to do your background checks, especially through the program website and the university website. Learn more about the program before you draft your essays.
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