Applying to Graduate School? Here’s How I Approached My Personal Statement

Have you ever tried picking up an old hobby or skill after time away? Maybe you revisit the rusty bike sitting in the corner, or you break out an old video game you once mastered. Once you get started, you remember what you need to do, but it requires some practice to get back into a rhythm and for your full ability to emerge. I had a similar experience of rediscovery when I applied to graduate school in the summer of 2024. Returning to the creative writing desk required me to unbox a skillset I knew I had. I was excited to flex those muscles, but there was also some uncertainty as I worked to craft a personal statement for grad school for the first time in almost 10 years. 

Applying to graduate school was something I didn’t take lightly. It required a thoughtful construction of my application, among other important decisions. If it worked out, I’d be leaving my job and the community I’d built over the past five years. Although I’d miss my closest friends and family, I was ready for a new challenge. I knew I could create an impactful essay, but it’d take some practice to find my rhythm again. I just needed to make sure I stood out among the thousands of other applicants… easy, right? 

Getting Started: Beginning the Graduate School Essay Process Early

Once I decided to apply to graduate school, I was eager to get a head start on writing my essays. In fact, I started the process about two months before applications even opened.   

One thing I’m confident of is the amount of time I need to develop a polished essay. As a student, I was impressed with others who could produce a 10-page piece in just a few days, while I always needed multiple weeks of drafts, feedback, and revisions to complete an assignment. While a bit more time-consuming, this approach relieved some of the deadline pressure as I balanced work, social time, and dedicated application work in the evenings and over the weekends. 

Fortunately, as a self-identified poor test-taker, my graduate program is test-optional, so I chose not to take the GRE, one of the standardized tests for graduate programs. Because of this decision, I knew my essays would have even greater weight. However, I also knew that they were the best medium for showcasing who I am, what I want, and why I want to pursue this degree.  

If you’re applying to a test-optional graduate program, your personal statement and supplemental essays may play an even larger role in demonstrating your readiness and fit. Starting early gives you the space to reflect and revise intentionally.

Finding Your “Why”: What Makes a Strong Graduate School Personal Statement?

While I was excited about my essays, reflecting on my ‘Why’ proved challenging. Why do I want this program? Why now? Why should they choose me for their program? Even with a few years of professional work under my belt and my support system cheering me on, I felt like I hadn’t achieved enough to warrant admission to a dream program. To overcome this mental hurdle, I had to think beyond the surface-level reasoning behind my ‘Why’. I knew I wanted to build community, challenge myself, and expand my expertise, but how could I turn those common themes into a coherent roadmap told in my authentic voice? 

I started my story with a story. Thinking back to my grade school computer class, I recalled one of my first memories of using computer games to learn. Yes, Type to Learn helped me develop proper typing form, but that experience also came with many other memories. I wrote about how I bonded with classmates over the levels that were seemingly impossible to pass, about how the game was a break from traditional classroom work, and how, even though I didn’t know it then, that experience as a 10-year-old would connect me to the professional work I’m now pursuing in education.  

My Writing Process: From Brainstorming to Final Draft

My best brainstorming often occurs away from my desk. There is something daunting about a blank Word document, the blinking cursor silently waiting for you to make the first move. Instead of engaging in this face-off, I jot down my thoughts on the Notes App on my phone (which is where the first draft of this post lived!) and revisit to make edits as I go throughout my day. These initial ideas are usually incomplete thoughts, even incomplete sentences or notes to myself. If I don’t give these thoughts the attention they require in the moment, I risk losing them altogether. Once I have enough (gibberish) to form an outline, I transition to a formal document. 

To hold myself accountable during this multi-month-long process, I leaned on my network to help review my essay drafts. I also met up with a friend at coffee shops on the weekends to write. She happened to be job searching, so we would spend the afternoon chatting and drafting. Creating a sustainable, fun routine kept me on track as I developed this essential piece of my application. 

Key Takeaways for Writing a Graduate School Personal Statement

If you’re beginning your own graduate school application essay, here are a few lessons I learned:

• Start early. Give yourself weeks (or months) to draft and revise.
• Reflect deeply on your “Why.” Go beyond surface-level motivations.
• Show, don’t just tell. Use specific stories to illustrate your growth and goals.
• Brainstorm away from the blank page. Capture ideas wherever they arise.
• Seek feedback. Trusted readers can help you clarify your message.
• Build a writing routine. Sustainable habits reduce stress and improve clarity.

What’s Next

I’m both nervous and excited as I think about the next steps in my professional journey. There will always be considerations beyond my control, such as the state of the job market or the competitiveness of a role, but I trust that my values will ground me and steer me in the right direction. While my interests and expertise have evolved, at the core, my ‘Why’ remains the same. My graduate school application was a valuable starting point for me to reassess my priorities, map out what I really want, and think about how I might achieve these goals. I encourage you to use these personal essay opportunities to do the same. 

(Explore our Revision Tips to Strengthen Your Draft, and for more ideas for brainstorming, drafting, and refining your application essays, check out  additional blog posts.)

About the Author

Rachel Windreich holds a B.A. in Child Development from Tufts University and is completing her M.Ed. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She has a background in children’s media and aspires to develop digital learning experiences for children in informal learning environments, bridging her love of creative development with her interest in impact work.

Motivated by her lifelong mission to serve young children and students, Rachel joined the College Essay Team to support students as they work to craft their own stories. She recognizes the impact that writing has had on her own growth and hopes it opens opportunities for others as well.