When applying to universities, particularly for graduate programs, you’ll likely be asked to submit either a personal statement (PS) or a statement of purpose (SoP). Some programs, may ask for both.
While many people think these essays are similar, they are in fact very different in both function and approach. Be sure you are clearly aware of what you need to submit in order to have a strong application.
Let’s look at the PS.
The key to this essay, this personal statement, is in its name: it’s personal. This means the focus is more on you as a person, not as a student with a GPA or a professional with an impressive resume. It’s about your journey, your values, challenges you’ve overcome, how you developed your interests and goals, and so on.
As such, the PS is commonly written in a narrative style, with a more personal tone using less formal language (though not too casual). It looks more at your past, your background, experiences, motivations and aspirations, and so on. This storytelling style allows for more creativity and an opportunity to distinguish yourself from the crowd, to be unique, to stand out in ways that reach beyond your academic and/or professional career.
The SoP is likewise aptly named. It’s about your purpose in pursuing this course of study. The essay aims to demonstrate your preparedness for the program, your understanding of the field, and your long-term professional goals. It is less about personal experiences and more about your academic and professional performance and trajectory.
The SoP is more formal and narrowly tailored to the program you are applying to. It should outline your background in the field of study, or at least your exposure to it (what you’ve read, whom you’ve spoken to about it, what you’ve learned so far, etc.), your future aspirations, research interests, reasons for choosing the specific program (as opposed to others like it), plans to contribute to the academic community and the field in general, and so on.
In summary, think of the PS as a look at you and your journey to the present moment, with a hint at your future path. Think of the SoP as a justification of why you belong in the program, why it suits you and you it, and what the future holds for you academically and professionally.
Consider these differences especially if you are asked to submit both statements with your application. It is crucial to have two distinct statements that do not overlap but rather complement each other.
If your application asks for a Letter of Motivation or a Letter of Intent, consider these documents as the letter versions of the PS and SoP, respectively (i.e., add a greeting and a closing to the PS and SoP).
That said, how are the PS and SoP similar?
Both require a compelling presentation. You have to grab a reader’s attention and lead him/her all the way through to the end. This means starting strong and having dense paragraphs; in other words, make every word count. Both also need to be tailored to the target audience, a.k.a. the admissions committee, to effectively convey your strengths and aspirations.
Lastly, and maybe most importantly, the language has to be sophisticated (not to be confused with complicated) and absolutely correct—do not forget to edit, proofread, and then do it again, ideally with outside feedback.
Tip (applies to both statements): Be authentic in your personal presentation and specific in your purpose.
