Definition of a Personal Statement
Mary Hale Tolar
1
Deputy Executive Secretary, Truman Scholarship Foundation
I
f you are applying for nationally competitive scholarships,
for graduate school, or for a number of post-graduate
service or employment opportunities, you have seen the
vaguely phrased request; in one form or another, it comes
down to “tell us something about yourself.”
•
A resume in narrative form. An essay that reads like a
resume of accomplishments and goals tells the reader
nothing that they could not glean from the rest of the
application. It reveals little about the candidate, and is a
wasted opportunity.
T
he Rhodes and Marshall competitions require a 1000-
word personal essay: the Fulbright, a “curriculum vita.”
You are asked to share your “academic and other interests.”
A clearer charge might be: compose an essay that reveals
who you are, what you care about, and what you intend to do
in this life. Tell this story in a......

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Title: Personal Statement
Approximate Word Count: 1155
Approximate Pages: 5 (250 words per double-spaced page)

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