Tips on How to Write a Personal Statement for Ph.D. Applications
In this article, I go over the most important aspects of a personal statement. These tips are specific to a Ph.D. program application.
By Melissa Ortiz — July 24, 2023
Introduction
Applying to a Ph.D. program is a big life decision and commitment. If you've reached this stage, you've likely already explored the programs and faculty members whose research interests align with yours. The next step now is to apply!
The application process is a huge undertaking, and it will take several months to complete all the required components and do the necessary research. While every program, field, and university are different and may prioritize different aspects of an application, the personal statement is arguably the most critical (and time-consuming) piece of any Ph.D. application.
In this article, I go over the most important aspects of a personal statement. These tips are specific to a Ph.D. program application — a personal statement for an undergraduate or even a master's program serves different purposes. A personal statement for a Ph.D. program is much more research-oriented and tailored (keep in mind that, ideally, you will write a unique personal statement for each program you are applying to). However, writing a good personal statement can be daunting, as most programs' personal statement prompts are vague and open-ended. While everyone's statement will look different, all statements should address the topics below in no particular order.
Share Your Background
The staff and faculty reviewing your application will want a good idea of who you are, starting with your background. This may include where you're from, your past academic and work experiences, your skills, and any other experiences that have led you to apply to a Ph.D. program. While most applicants will have many impressive experiences to share, make sure that the experiences and skills you include are relevant to succeeding in a Ph.D. program and, more specifically, to your research interests that you will share next.
Remember that a personal statement for a Ph.D. program, unlike an undergraduate or master's program, should be future-oriented. Generally, in your statement, you want to convey what you hope you will accomplish. Thus, you should spend the least number of words describing your background.
Explain Your Research Interests
Most Ph.D. programs are extremely research-oriented. In this section, you'll present your research interest(s) and question(s) that you hope to pursue in your Ph.D. program. Use this as an opportunity to show what you know and that you're up to date with the literature on your topic — what kind of research has been done in your field? What is missing from this research, and how can you improve upon this research? Moreover, while the importance of your interests and future work may be obvious, be clear and intentional with how you explain this. You probably have a unique vantage point on your topic, and you'd want to use that to your advantage.
Writing this section is also a balancing act — find a balance between a research interest that isn't too broad or too specific. A broad research interest or question may be too vague, difficult to parse out, and probably too similar to many other applicants' interests. On the other hand, you don't want to have too specific of a research interest or question as it's irrelevant to any faculty member within the program. You also want to leave room for your interests to grow and evolve, as they inevitably will throughout your Ph.D. journey. Finally, no matter the topic, you overall want to show that you can grapple with these research questions in a deep and meaningful way.
Goals
At some point in your statement, you should briefly mention your goals upon completing the Ph.D. program. This can be difficult to imagine, as you are several years away from graduating, and your plans will likely evolve. No matter your goals, when writing this section, emphasize how a Ph.D. is key to reaching your goals. Why are you pursuing a Ph.D. instead of a master's degree or more work experience? Which skills do you hope to gain in your Ph.D. program, and how do you plan to use these skills? What is your motivation to complete the arduous process of getting a Ph.D.? To narrow down your choices, you can think about how your goals may overlap with specific fields, jobs, or sectors. And remember, you don't have to commit to just one — leave your options open!
Program and Faculty Fit
Finally, one of the most important pieces of a personal statement is to spell out why you are a good match with a specific faculty member (or multiple faculty members, ideally). This will involve a deep dive into the faculty in the program, their past and current research, their methodologies, and anything else that may be relevant to your interests.
Further, consider what the university and specific program can offer you and why it's a good mutual fit for your background and future work. Explore and share any other relevant activities, courses, or extracurriculars within the program or university at large that are relevant to your research interests. Because of the specificity of these two points (the faculty and program fit), this section should vary the most between all of your personal statements.
Conclusion
Overall, the application and selection process for a Ph.D. program is a bit of a black box which is frustrating. Still, the personal statement can make you stand out and help you tie together the other pieces of your application. While I only have experience applying to humanities programs and am presenting what has worked for me, all the tips above should apply to all Ph.D. programs.
Finally, there is by no means one, or even just a few different ways to write a good personal statement. The personal statement is just that — personal. These tips are to help you present your best self and to show how you are an excellent fit for the program of your choice. Good luck!
Melissa Ortiz
Melissa has ten years of experience working in research and administration in several nonprofits and higher education institutions. She earned her B.A. in Psychology from Loyola Marymount University and her M.S. in Education from the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education.
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