How long is a personal statement?

A general rule of thumb you might follow is to submit a 2-3 page statement, double-spaced, with 1-inch margins, in 12-pt. Times New Roman font. While there are no set rules about length or format, this is typically considered appropriate and sufficient.

Is 1,000 words too long for personal statement?

Also, it's important to follow the recommendations of the admission committee. The word limit can range from 500 up to 1000 words. Still, remember that your personal statement should contain relevant information. So, it's better to avoid wordiness to increase the word count.

Does your personal statement have to be exactly 4000 words?

A maximum of 4,000 characters (or 47 lines of text) is to be used in the personal statement so you must ensure that you structure your personal statement sensibly to include all of the key areas. As your word count is limited, everything you write should be relevant and add value to your statement.

How long should the personal statement be?

(5) Be Concise

Some schools set no limit for personal statements, but most suggest either 2–3 or 2–4 pages.

Can a personal statement be 2000 words?

Personal statements are a maximum of 4,000 characters or 47 lines (about one side of typed A4) when applying through UCAS. If you apply through ARU online, the maximum word count is 2,000 words.

How long should your personal statement be

Is 1200 words too long for a personal statement?

One page in ERAS equals nearly 1,200 words, however most programs preferences for a typical personal statements in terms of Word Count will be within range of 650-850 – this will be acceptable for most residency programs.

Is 1500 words too long for a personal statement?

Normally, the length of a personal statement will be dictated by the application—500 words or 800 words are typical limits, as are one-page or two-page limits.

Do I put my name on my personal statement?

Do you put your name on a personal statement? It's better not to put your name in the first paragraph of the application essay. The name is usually mentioned in the header of the personal statement. However, it's necessary to consider the guidelines for an essay.

Is 2 weeks enough to write a personal statement?

It may take you a month or two to write your personal statement. And that's perfectly fine! Remember, you will need to distance yourself from it for a few days to get a fresh perspective. So start early and take your time!

What if my personal statement is too long?

Re-word sentences where possible to make sure your point is simple and effective. Ensure that every word in your personal statement serves a purpose - they do not need to know meaningless details about you and your life.

How do I shorten my personal statement?

How do you start off a personal statement?

Start with a short sentence that captures the reason why you're interested in studying the area you're applying for and that communicates your enthusiasm for it. Don't waffle or say you want to study something just because it's interesting. Explain what you find interesting about it.

What is a good example of a personal statement?

I am ready to commit to full time study and have much to contribute to university life. I realise that I am most interested in people, what makes them the people they are and how this manifests in their behaviour and opinions.

How to end a personal statement?

Is a 3 page SOP too long?

For most grad school programs, your Statement of Purpose should be between 500 and 1,000 words, depending on the level of your program and your academic history and achievements. A grad school SOP usually does not exceed two pages when written in a traditional font at a readable size of 11-point or 12-point.

Is 700 words too much for a personal statement?

A typical length for a personal statement is between 500 and 700 words. But be sure to adhere to the word or character limit that the school you're applying to requires.

Can you write a personal statement in 1 day?

If you can write interesting, personal, compelling, clear, and effective personal statement in 24 hours or less, hats off to you. Many applicants think they can do it, but the truth is grim. You may be able to write an okay essay at best, it won't be stellar.

What tense should a personal statement be in?

What tense should my personal statement be written in? Your personal statement can be written in any person or tense – as long as you maintain consistency throughout.

Is 5 pages too long for a personal statement?

A general rule of thumb you might follow is to submit a 2-3 page statement, double-spaced, with 1-inch margins, in 12-pt. Times New Roman font. While there are no set rules about length or format, this is typically considered appropriate and sufficient.

Is it OK to use I in a personal statement?

Keep the question in front of you as you write, and refer to it often. Consider The "I" Problem: This is a personal statement; using the first person pronoun "I" is acceptable.

What is a good opening sentence for a personal statement?

Start with a quote

Using a personal experience or story is a good way to start a personal statement. It is also a great way to highlight your knowledge of history, social history, or your future plans. If you get stuck with an opening sentence, you may want to write the rest of the statement last.

What should you not start a personal statement with?

Avoid overused phrases like 'my passion for history began...' or 'I have been interested in geography since a young age'. Admissions tutors read a ton of personal statements and you want to stand out. So get creative with your sentences, but make sure not to go off-topic.

Should I put a header on my personal statement?

A standard typeface and formatting convention should be used to make your statement easily readable. Review committees look at hundreds of statements a year, so if yours exceeds one page, a header with your name and a page number should be included.

Should I leave spaces between paragraphs on my personal statement?

Leave some space by skipping a line between paragraphs – this will make it easier for admissions selectors to read. You will still find you can produce a text of about 450-500 words in the space available.

Can you go over 500 words in a personal statement?

While going slightly over the limit by a few words is acceptable, we do ask that you adhere as closely as possible to the 500-750 word limit for your Personal Statement.