how to write phd supporting statement

Personal Statements for PhD Study

Written by Mark Bennett

Universities often ask prospective students to provide a personal statement for PhD study. This is likely to be a key part of your PhD application .

Whereas your research proposal explains the potential of your project, your personal statement (also known as a PhD statement of purpose) demonstrates your suitability for doctoral work in general.

Writing a PhD personal statement can seem challenging, but it’s also a valuable opportunity to state what you have to offer and ‘sell yourself’ as a PhD candidate.

This page explains how to write a PhD personal statement, including suggestions for an effective structure and some additional tips for success.

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What is a PhD statement for?

A personal statement provides additional information on a PhD applicant’s academic background, relevant experience and motivations for undertaking postgraduate research.

It is different from a PhD proposal, which outlines a particular research topic, explaining its aims, methodology and scholarly or scientific value.

Put simply, if a PhD is a unique individual project (and it is) then your personal statement shows that you’re the kind of unique individual who can complete one.

The form it takes can vary. Universities may include a space for a personal statement in their application materials, or they might ask you to submit it as a separate document or in place of a covering letter . Make sure you check what’s required before you start writing.

Will I have to write a personal statement for a PhD programme?

Not necessarily. Some PhD applications don’t actually ask for a separate personal statement. This may be because the admissions tutors want to focus on your research proposal instead (and leave other details for interview questions ).

A personal statement is very likely to be requested if you you’re applying to an advertised project with pre-defined aims and objectives (and aren’t submitting your own PhD proposal). If so, it will be your main chance to say why you’re the best student for this position.

Who will read it?

Your PhD statement may end up being read and considered by various people:

Admissions tutors will check that you have relevant experience and qualifications for this programme and that these are up to the standard expected of a PhD candidate.
Potential supervisors will be interested in your specific academic background as well as your motivations for working in their department or research group.
Interview panellists (who may include admissions tutors and supervisors) will probably consult your personal statement when preparing questions for you .

These people will be interested in slightly different things, but don’t worry: a good statement should be able to satisfy all of them.

What is a PhD statement of purpose?

If you’re applying for a PhD programme at an American grad school , you may be asked to provide a ‘PhD statement of purpose’.

A PhD statement of purpose (SOP) is your chance to demonstrate that you’re an ideal fit for the grad school in question.

It’s essentially the equivalent of a personal statement, but you should check the application details for your preferred institution to make sure you’re covering everything you need to. Always follow the conventions of the country that your prospective programme is in.

What should my PhD personal statement include?

The exact content of your PhD statement of purpose will depend on the kind of project you’re applying for and the requirements set by your university.

You should check the latter carefully. If the admission guidelines ask for your personal statement to refer to specific details (such as motivations, career goals, your choice of university, etc) make sure it does.

In general, your PhD statement should cover the following topics:

1. What is your background?

Keep this relevant (and fairly brief). Admissions tutors and supervisors will be interested in what’s brought you to choose a PhD, but they won’t need to know your life story (and you won’t have time to tell it to them).

If your interest in your subject was inspired in childhood, feel free to say so. But focus on the interest, not the childhood.

2. Why do you want to research this topic?

Every personal statement needs to explain your motivation for taking on a PhD, but what you include here will depend on the kind of PhD you want to take on.

If you’re also submitting a separate research proposal you should probably focus more on why you want to research a PhD than the specific topic you’re proposing to research (that, after all, is what your research proposal is for).

If you’re applying for an advertised project (and not proposing your own research) you should say something about your interest in that PhD: what interests you about it and what you can bring to it.

3. What academic experience do you have?

Your personal statement isn’t a CV, so avoid simply listing qualifications you’ve detailed elsewhere in your application (on your CV , for example).

But your personal statement is a chance to comment on your CV and explain the significance of those qualifications for your PhD application. This is vital if you want to stand out from the crowd.

Most PhD applicants are academically excellent. Be proud of your own results, but explain what those degrees (including specific units and dissertation projects) taught you about the subject you now want to research.

4. What extra-curricular experience do you have?

Another way to build upon your academic qualifications is to include other experience that has also demonstrated (or developed) relevant skills for your PhD.

Again, relevance is key. You may also wish to include one or two examples of your wider experience and achievements, but the focus should be on your suitability for PhD study.

Examples of your character and qualities may be relevant for some projects – particularly those with a charitable focus, human-interest angle or clear social benefits / outcomes. Otherwise, try to stick to relevant skills such as organisation, independent project management, self-motivation, etc.

5. What are your broader goals and motivations?

It’s a good idea to say something about how this PhD fits into your wider aims and career goals.

The specifics of what you plan to do after your doctorate may not matter to your admissions tutors, but the fact that you have plans and can show that a PhD fits them demonstrates that you’ve thought seriously about a doctorate and are likely to commit to overcoming the challenges it involves.

6. Are there any other areas or issues arising from your CV?

Your personal statement is a great opportunity to expand upon your CV.

That could mean providing more detail about academic degrees (as above). But it can also mean explaining any gaps or irregularities and anticipating some of the questions they might raise.

Perhaps you didn’t do as well as you hoped on your undergraduate degree, but went on to find your niche and succeed with a more specialised Masters. It’s OK to acknowledge and explain that if so – particularly if your Masters relates closely to your PhD.

Similarly, if there’s a gap in your CV, it’s better to explain it than leave any begged questions – particularly if there’s a perfectly good reason why you weren’t working or studying at that point.

How to write a PhD personal statement

Crafting a good PhD personal statement requires discipline and planning.

Writing about yourself may not seem particularly hard, but selecting, sequencing and organising your material can be harder than it seems. You know a lot about you, after all, but you only have so much time and space. Speaking of which:

How long should a PhD personal statement be?

A PhD personal statement should be 400-500 words, fitting on one side of an A4 sheet of paper. Your university may set a specific word count or maximum length, so make sure to check the application details.

Either way, you should aim to be disciplined and concise. There are two reasons for this:

One is that the ability to think – and express yourself – clearly is a key PhD skill in all subject areas. There’s no harm in demonstrating it now.

The other is that admissions tutors and prospective supervisors are people. People who may well have a lot of personal statements and applications to assess, besides yours. If you give them a long essay to read, they might not.

How should I structure my statement?

The sequence above actually provides a good ‘spine’ for a personal statement (with roughly a paragraph or two for each section):

Start with a quick introduction, explaining who you are and what your background is. Try to have this progress naturally into your research interests and your choice of PhD and university.

From there you can move on, logically, to expanding on your skills and experience and how these make you a good fit for the PhD in question. If you wish to comment on other areas of your CV, do so at appropriate points here.

Finally, you can conclude with a section on your longer-term goals and aspirations.

What writing style should I use?

The ‘personal’ aspect of your statement should extend to its content (it’s a document about you) but not necessarily to its tone (it’s also a professional document, part of an application for a specific role).

That doesn’t mean you can’t express yourself (your reader will want to see that you’re passionate about your subject and enthusiastic about PhD research) but keep things professional and relevant.

These guidelines should also extend to way you write. Try to stick to short sentences and express yourself with clarity and precision. After all, a personal statement that’s easy to read is more likely to be read.

What extra-curricular experience do you have?

What are your broader goals and motivations, are there any other areas or issues arising from your cv, learn more about phd applications.

There are several components of a PhD application , besides your personal statement or statement of purpose. Our guides cover references , research proposals , academic CVs , cover letters and more.

Tips for writing your PhD personal statement

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Some of the ingredients for a great PhD statement vary from project to project and from student to student (it’s a personal statement, after all).

But the following general tips are still worth bearing in mind:

Keep it relevant – Remember that this is a statement about you as a potential PhD student, not just a statement about you.
Don’t duplicate your research proposal – A personal statement and a research proposal are two separate things. If you’re submitting both, make sure they cover different (and appropriate) ground.
Be honest – If you’re lucky, the content of your personal statement could end up informing questions at your PhD interview . Don’t let embellishments or inaccuracies turn those into awkward questions.
Look for guidelines – If your university asks you to cover something specific in your proposal, make sure you do so. The same applies to space limits or word counts.
Think of the statement as a beginning, not an end – Resist the temptation to include everything, ‘just in case’. By focussing on the most important elements you’ll improve the clarity of your statement and increase your chance of covering other details at your interview.
Address questions arising from elsewhere – If there’s a gap in your CV or an issue with one of your references, your personal statement can be an opportunity to (briefly) explain that.
State, don’t plead - This isn’t a letter asking to be given a PhD place. It’s a statement showing why you should be given a PhD place. That’s even more important if there’s funding involved.
Be confident – By the same token, don’t be afraid to demonstrate self-belief. Express your skills and achievements honestly, but be proud of what they represent.

Finally, before you submit your statement (and the rest of your PhD application ) ask someone who knows you to read it. They could be a friend, an employer, a current tutor or even one of your referees .

Either way, they’ll have a fresh perspective on your statement and will be able to tell you if it makes sense and comes across effectively. If they know you (and your work) well enough they may also be able to spot any details you’ve missed, or suggest ways to improve what you have included.

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How to Write a Personal Statement for a PhD Program Application

Personal statement guidelines, general guidelines to keep in mind:.

One size does not fit all : Tailor your personal statement to each program and department you are applying to. Do your research to learn what is unique about each of your choices and highlight how this particular program stands out.
Yes, it’s personal : Showcase your unique strengths and accomplishments. Explain what influenced your personal decisions to pursue the program. Ask yourself, could this be applied to your friend or neighbor? If so, you need to be more specific and provide examples. Saying that you are a “good scientist” isn’t enough. Provide examples of your previous research experience, projects you’ve completed, and what technical skills you learned. Explain how you overcame any challenges along the way.
Set aside enough time : Although personal statements are generally short in length (approx. 700 words; 1-2 pages), give yourself ample time to write a strong, well-written statement. It takes more time than you think to develop a final draft for submission.
Focus on your spelling, grammar, and vocabulary : It’s important to present a well-written statement with good grammar and vocabulary. Write concrete, succinct sentences that flow well. Avoid flowery language. Visit the Writing Center for additional review and feedback.
Proofread one more time: Check your grammar and spelling again before submitting your final draft. Ask a friend, professor, or advisor to proofread your final draft one more time before sending it in.

YOUR PERSONAL STATEMENT SHOULD ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

Why do you want to complete further research in this field? Write down a list of reasons as to why you are interested in pursuing further study in the field. When did you become interested in the field and what knowledge have you gained so far? Describe how your previous work provided the foundation and for further study.
Why have you chosen to apply to this particular university ? Does the institution have a particular curriculum, special research facilities/equipment, or interesting research that appeal to you?
What are your strengths ? Demonstrate how you stand out from other candidates. Highlight relevant projects, dissertations thesis or essays that demonstrate your academic skills and creativity. Include IT skills, research techniques, awards, or relevant traveling/ study abroad experience.
What are your transferable skills? Be sure to emphasize transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, and time management skills. Give examples of how you have demonstrated each of these with specific examples.
How does this program align with your career goals? It’s okay if you don’t know the exact career path you plan to take after completing your PhD. Provide an idea of the direction you would like to take. This demonstrates commitment and dedication to the program.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

For examples of successful personal statements, visit the Online Writing Lab (OWL) .

What Is a PhD Personal Statement?

How to structure your personal statement, final thoughts, phd personal statements.

Updated March 14, 2023

When applying for a PhD position, a personal statement is often required. This can be the case whether you are applying for an advertised PhD research project or with a personally devised project.

This personal statement is separate from your PhD research proposal, which will go into much greater detail about the PhD project you are proposing or applying to undertake.

This article will delve into what to your PhD personal statement should contain and how to structure it for the best chance of success.

A PhD personal statement will support your application and is intended to shed more light on your motivations, academic background/ achievements and personal strengths .

Your statement will most likely be read by the admissions tutor for the department, who, based on your statement and research proposal, will decide whether your application should progress to the next stage of the process.

A personal statement will not always be required, so make sure to check the requirements for your institution and department.

What Should a PhD Personal Statement Contain?

When writing your PhD personal statement, you will need to convey your suitability for the programme or position, indicating that you have the academic ability, background knowledge and drive to take on a project of this level of complexity.

Statements are expected to be heavily related to the discipline and research angle being proposed. Your statement should draw out the strands of your previous exploration and research and illustrate what led you to apply to complete this particular PhD project.

It should discuss your interest in the subject matter, your academic interests within the field and your motivations for applying to the institution in question.

Below is a list of topics that need to be addressed in your personal statement .

The examples provided are for illustrative purposes only. It is important that your writing is grounded in your own experiences and aspirations, and consistently linked to your research proposal.

1. Why You Want to Do This PhD

It is important to talk about your motivations for undertaking the project, along with an awareness of the challenges you may experience, as this will display your drive for completing your research.

Directly reference your research proposal, talking about how your current or previous studies relate and have prepared you to undertake this project.

The strongest argument for why you want to undertake the PhD will come from the arc of your academic research and displaying a genuine enthusiasm for advancing the research of your chosen field.

During my master’s degree at the University of Nottingham, I had two primary focuses: cultural behaviours and social media impacts. I was interested in how culture reacts under new stimuli, so I wrote my dissertation on how cultural practices can be newly read through the lens of media platforms. My proposed research proposal takes this theoretical and desk-based research a step further, exploring the reflections of the specific cultural practice of...

2. How Your Work Will Benefit the University

When applying for a PhD, what you will bring to the university as a junior academic is an important factor in the decision-making process. You will not just be a student but a member of the department, most likely with teaching responsibilities.

The faculty will want to know that you can meaningfully contribute to the department through both your research and teaching.

If your work links into other PhD projects currently being supervised, or to the research of a senior academic or professor, it is good to indicate these connections and the potential they hold – whether this is in terms of supportive research, a complementary strand or a new angle or perspective.

If there is an academic whose work you are particularly interested in and you have not already indicated that you would like the opportunity to work alongside them, highlight this. Display that you are knowledgeable about the department’s current research interests, specialities and standing.

Since beginning my MSc research and developing a more specific interest in mangrove restoration, I have closely followed the research being conducted by Professor Stephens into restoration and wave attenuation. As I subsequently elaborate upon in my research proposal, I believe that my project fruitfully intersects with this research. It aims to make a meaningful contribution to a department world-renowned for its research into marine and coastal climate change impacts.

3. Why You Want to Study for a PhD at This University

It is important to convey why you want to conduct your research specifically at the institution you are applying to. Admissions will want to know that you have thought carefully about your application and know exactly what undertaking a PhD with their department will involve.

Conveying this intersects with the sentiments of the above point, as you should display that you have investigated the work of the professors in the department and are aware of any individual research groups or projects that relate to your work. These intersections help to show why the university is the best choice for you.

I believe that the University of Cardiff offers the best reciprocal environment in which to grow and diversify my approach to this research. Working alongside my supervisor, I intend to tap into the departmental expertise on biodiversity mapping and – using the framework of the 2019 report by Fischer, Raymond and Wills – reveal new insights by building upon the current research.

4. Why You Are the Best Candidate

The PhD personal statement is an opportunity to promote yourself, so it needs to be specific, personal and unique – nobody else has your history, aspirations or skill set, so explain what it is about you that makes you best suited to this endeavour.

When stating that you possess certain skills, back them up with concrete examples or explanations that are unique to you.

Be wary of making your personal statement too general or simply writing what you believe the admissions team want to hear. There are no correct answers, perfect CVs or ideal academic paths to have followed to reach this point. Your personal statement should reflect your journey and what you have gained from it, segues and unconventional routes included.

During my English Literature master’s degree, I focused on videogames and late medieval literature. I could see at that point that literary studies had a lot to offer the study of games and that games provided interesting new angles for applying longstanding theoretical approaches and fields. This led me to complete a further master’s degree in videogames as I sought to apply my research in a more specific and digitally focused arena. I found, because of my background in humanities and literary theory, that I possessed a perspective that my fellow empirically-minded colleagues, with backgrounds in coding, lacked. Using this unique perspective, I am now seeking to develop the research of my master’s dissertation through a PhD project

5. What You Learned During Your past Degrees and the Skills You Developed

To get to this stage, you will have already spent many years devoted to studying and growing your interest in your subject matter, so sell yourself and your talents. Think about the individual and group projects you have undertaken and the skills they helped you to develop and hone.

Remember to be specific and relate your skill set back to your proposed PhD project. For example, talk about the methodological approaches you have used previously to yield results, the new connections and collaboration you fostered across disciplines, or the positive impact made by projects you were involved in.

Your examples will vary greatly depending upon your academic background and the PhD you wish to complete but, regardless of topic, it is important to reveal your high level of skill and competence.

During my MSc, I conducted fieldwork in [location] and gained direct experience of collecting samples for paleolimnological analysis. I developed an aptitude for rapid algal species analysis and enjoyed the challenge of comparing this population data across cores and sample locations. This practical background has enabled me to be confident in my ability to source and analyse the sediment cores I require for this PhD project.

6. Any Explanations for Lower Grades (If Applicable)

If you have any extenuating circumstances for any results or grades, do not be afraid to explain the situation in your statement. Be honest about your struggles or challenges and seek to convey how you have grown as a consequence of these.

7. Your Future Plans

It is important to have thought carefully about your plans for life after your doctorate, as displaying clear goals will help the admissions team to determine that you have the correct motivations for applying.

Having a considered path you intend to follow beyond your proposed research gives confidence in your dedication to the project. Someone with articulated ambitions is more likely to be committed to the programme in the face of challenges.

If you wish to pursue a career in academia, as many PhD graduates do, show that you are aware of what this will involve. If you have a different industry path in mind, don’t be afraid to share it in your statement. PhDs can lead on to a variety of different career paths, so impress the admissions team with your aspirations of practical application.

The university will also want to ensure they can provide you with the skills and training you require to be successful and reach your goals. Letting the department know early on about your aspirations can help to ensure that the tailored support you will require can be provided.

After completing my PhD here, I intend to pursue an academic career within an architectural faculty in the UK. If the opportunity is available, I will be looking to apply for a lecturing position within this department. I am, however, acutely aware of the fierce competition in this field. I will be proactively seeking legacy funding for my research project as its potential to inform the typologies of housing used for settlement upgrading extends well beyond the timescale of this PhD.

If you are applying to more than one institution, which is highly likely, ensure that you tailor your personal statement to each university. Taking the time to craft a statement that speaks to the specificities of the university and the research of the teaching department will exponentially increase your chances of moving on to the next stage in the admissions process.

Below are our tips for structuring your PhD statement. You must ensure that you are aware of all the requirements set out by the university to which you are making your application, as these will influence the structure and content of the piece.

Step 1 . Structure

PhD applicants are expected to be highly adept at writing, so it is paramount that your personal statement is carefully constructed and reflects your ability for written communication .

The university you are applying to may provide you with a word count , or it may be stipulated by the space allowed on an online application form . Check if this is the case, as it is far easier to write to a specific word limit rather than having to make extreme edits to a piece that exceeds accepted length.

A PhD personal statement should be approximately one to one-and-a-half pages in length and be split into clear and concise paragraphs. If a sentence does not add value to the personal statement, omit it.

As a guide, aim for between four and six paragraphs , depending on their length. As previously indicated, it is best to keep paragraphs shorter rather than longer, as this will make your statement easier and more enjoyable for the admissions team to read.

Open your personal statement with a context-setting introduction regarding your academic interests and what has led you to apply for this research project. Seek to convey a real sense of yourself, so that those who read your statement can get a genuine sense of the student and junior academic you will be.

In the middle paragraphs , explore your motivations in greater detail, along with the qualities that make you a suitable candidate– with examples of when you displayed them.

It is important to provide a closing paragraph , bringing together the strands in your statement to solidly iterate why you are the right candidate.

Although it is best to avoid clichés and keep your writing original and interesting, conclude your personal statement by thanking the admissions tutor for taking the time to read your statement and considering your application.

Step 2 . Tone

When writing your statement, use a formal tone , correct grammar and appropriate language.

Colloquial and familiar language should be avoided. It is important to talk about your past academic and, perhaps, fieldwork or research experiences, but keep these professional in tone rather than anecdotal.

Ask someone to read through your statement to sense-check the tone and language used. It is always good to get a new perspective, particularly on a piece you spent a long time crafting.

Ensure you thoroughly check your grammar and spelling using the spell check function on your computer and also by eye. If including complex academic terminology, double-check that your terms are spelt correctly and have not been mistyped or incorrectly recognised and changed by your computer.

Writing a personal statement that accurately reflects your achievements, abilities and drive to take on your PhD can be a difficult task.

It is important to leave yourself enough time to write a draft statement so you can receive outside feedback, review it yourself and make the necessary improvements to ensure your piece does your potential as a PhD student justice.

Demonstrate your suitability for doctoral work with a personal statement that is personal to you and your unique experience and skills. A carefully thought-out, well-structured and well-evidenced statement will sell yourself and your academic abilities.

Seek to connect with those who read your application, explaining why your journey has equipped you for completing a PhD you will be proud of.

You might also be interested in these other Wikijob articles:

The 10 PhD Interview Questions You Might Be Asked

Or explore the Postgraduate / PHD sections.

School of English
Postgraduate study

PhD Supporting Statement

Every PhD candidate at the University of Sheffield is required to submit a supporting statement and research proposal prior to acceptance onto the programme.

Postgraduate students writing and concentrating

Supporting statement and research proposal

Applicants for the PhD Programme must submit a supporting statement and research proposal as part of their application. Jump to research proposal for Creative Writing PhDs

The standard supporting statement and research proposal has three sections:

Your background.
Your research proposal
Why studying for a PhD with us is right for you.

Section 1: Your background In this section (maximum 250 words), you should summarise your most significant attainments.

List any qualifications (achieved and in progress), specifically noting overall grades (achieved or predicted) at masters and undergraduate level.
Please also note any work experience directly relevant to the PhD research, and any prizes/awards and other relevant achievements.

Section 2: Your research proposal Project Title This must be brief and clear, encapsulating the central aim of the project.

Project Summary (maximum 100 words). This should briefly describe the project in such a way that someone who is not a subject specialist can understand the topic area, the aims, and the value of the research.

Project Description (maximum 1500 words + bibliography). This should offer a clear account of your proposed PhD project.

outline the main aims of your research, with an explanation of the central topic and your key research questions; explain what is original about your project
offer a critical discussion of the most relevant existing literature, referring to the key works in the field; explain how your project will develop and extend knowledge in this area
provide a proposed methodology and explain how the thesis will be organised; explain how your proposal offers a systematic response to the topic. If necessary, note any specifically relevant resources available at Sheffield and any others that would be required.
Provide a bibliography of any works cited.

Section 3. Why studying for a PhD at the University of Sheffield is right for you

In this section (maximum 400 words) you should explain why you want to study for a PhD with us. Tell us what you hope to gain from your studies (for example, any specific training you will need, or how PhD study will help you meet your career aspirations). Also tell us why you think the School of English at the University of Sheffield is ideal for your project. Here, you might talk about the research and supervision expertise available, key research resources, or other support we can provide.

Creative Writing research proposal

The research proposal for the Creative Writing PhD is distinct from the proposal for other programmes, but you should also submit sections 1 and 3 of the supporting statement as detailed above.

The research proposal for this PhD should be a maximum of 1,500 words, outlining both the creative and critical sides of the project.

You should outline the research questions you will address in each chapter of the critical component, how these fit into the wider project, and the texts and secondary source material that you plan to use. For example, if the overall topic is the Cold War in fiction, with a chapter that focuses on the Berlin airlift as represented in fiction, you would include:

A list of authors and key texts
The archives that might be consulted
The critical approach you plan to take, e.g. Adorno or feminist-materialist historiography
The specific research question you plan to answer, e.g. how haunted by fascism is Berlin in these texts?

You should also indicate the projected themes of the novel, collection of stories or poems. You should say what kinds of research the writing will entail, and give a description of the structure, with subsections, subtopics, and as full an abstract as you can - though clearly, this will be exploratory.

Search for PhD opportunities at Sheffield and be part of our world-leading research.

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How to write a PhD personal statement

16 th August 2022

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Not sure where to start when it comes to writing a PhD personal statement? We have put together a helpful article packed full of advice for writing your PhD personal statement (or cover letter), so you can approach the task with confidence. PhD personal statements are incredibly important bits of work, showing how suitable you are for studying within the department that you are applying to, so it’s wise to make sure you’ve done your absolute best – you only get to make your first impression once! Have a read of our useful PhD personal statement tips, make a cup of coffee, and start showing off your writing skills.

What is a PhD personal statement?

How do i write a phd personal statement, how should i structure a phd personal statement, what should i write in a phd personal statement, what style should i use for a phd personal statement, how should i check my phd personal statement, phd cover letter and personal statement tips.

When applying for a PhD course, you may have to submit a research proposal as well as a personal statement or cover letter.

The proposal details your research project (such as proposed methods, results and planned analysis) and why there is value in exploring it.

Your personal statement outlines why you are suitable for doctoral study. In addition, it should say why you’re interested in the specific PhD with that particular department and how your experiences can add to it.

Sometimes you only have to submit a proposal or a personal statement. If you have to submit both, be sure that they clearly cover these separate areas.

Your PhD application is very different from an application you may have made before through UCAS. It goes directly to the university and needs to be fully tailored to what the department is looking for. It’s similar to a job application.

If you haven’t already, get in touch with the PhD supervisors or other contacts within the department you want to work in. They regularly need PhD students to support their work, so they will probably be happy to help you with your application.

When planning what to write, read all relevant information about the course and any guidance from the university – for example, lists of desirable criteria, or a person specifications. You can use each criterion as a heading and make bullet points on what to write under each one.

An introduction that outlines why you want to do the PhD
Middle paragraphs that say how your interests and experiences make you right for doctoral study, and why the university department is a suitable fit for you
A concluding paragraph that summarises why you’re the best person for the course

Aim to explain how your skills and experience make you a suitable candidate for this particular PhD at this specific university.

Why should you be completing research in this area?
What are your strengths and achievements?
What are your influences?
Why is this university the right one for your project?
Why do you want to work with this team?
Make sure that you give evidence and not just state points, especially if the criteria are specific. What have you done to match the requirements?

You can discuss your wider achievements or extracurricular activities, but try to keep it suited to the PhD. If you want, add information about gaps in your CV or any other issues that are relevant.

If you're applying for a fellowship (a funded PhD), you should tailor your application to the funder. Spend enough time researching the fellowship so you talk about why it will be beneficial to you.

Aim to be concise in your writing. The university may set a limit on the word count, but if not, your personal statement should ideally be no longer than one side of A4. Be concise and make every word count.

Your statement should reflect the academic nature of the writing you’ll be doing in the PhD. For example, if your work is scientific, the people who will read your statement want to see that you can provide evidence and an explanation with each point you make.

For more information on how to write a personal statement, see our general postgraduate advice article.

Go to: How to write a postgraduate personal statement

When writing your application, spend plenty of time rewriting sections to perfect it. A good idea is to spend 20 minutes editing for every hour you spend writing. If you can, sit in a different environment to edit than where you write from, as this will help keep your mind clear and fresh.

Develop a strong academic CV – this is what admissions tutors will usually look at before reading your personal statement. Use the CV to list your experiences, and don’t repeat the same information in your statement.

Start putting your application together early, even as early as a year before the PhD will begin. This will give you time to contact supervisors. Your applications may be due in January before you start, so you’ll need to set aside plenty of time if you’re applying for funding.

Next: Read more about Mistakes to avoid on your postgraduate application

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How to Write a PhD Personal Statement: Essential Tips and Examples

6th June 2024

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A personal statement is a crucial part of your PhD application. It provides an opportunity to showcase your academic background, research interests, and motivations for pursuing a PhD. Crafting a compelling personal statement can significantly impact your chances of being accepted into your desired course. This guide will help you understand how to write a good personal statement, how to format it, and provide an example for reference.

What is a Personal Statement for a PhD?

A personal statement for a PhD application is a written account of who you are, your academic achievements, your research interests, and your motivations for pursuing a doctoral degree. It is your chance to convince the admissions committee that you are a suitable candidate for their programme. A well-written personal statement should highlight your strengths, experiences, and goals, demonstrating your readiness for the challenges of a PhD programme.

How to Write a Good Personal Statement

Writing a good personal statement requires careful planning and reflection. Here are some essential steps to help you craft a compelling narrative:

Reflect on Your Academic Journey

Begin by reflecting on your academic and professional experiences. Consider what motivated you to pursue your current field of study, any significant achievements or projects, and how these experiences have prepared you for a PhD. This reflection will form the foundation of your personal statement.

Define Your Research Interests

Clearly articulate your research interests and how they align with the programme you are applying to. Be specific about the areas you want to explore and why they are important to you. Mention any previous research you have conducted and how it has influenced your interests.

Explain Your Motivations

Discuss your motivations for pursuing a PhD. Explain why you want to delve deeper into your chosen field and what you hope to achieve with a doctoral degree. This section should convey your passion and commitment to research.

Highlight Relevant Experiences

Include any relevant experiences that demonstrate yo that you are ready to pursue a PhD programme. This could include academic achievements, research projects, publications, presentations, or professional experiences. Emphasise skills and knowledge that will contribute to your success as a doctoral candidate.

Convey Fit with the Programme

Research the PhD programme you are applying to and mention specific aspects that attract you. This could be faculty members you want to work with, research facilities, or unique programme features. Demonstrating a good fit shows that you have thoughtfully considered your application and are genuinely interested in the programme.

Maintain a Professional Tone

While your personal statement should be personal, it should also maintain a professional tone. Avoid colloquial language and ensure your writing is clear, concise, and free of grammatical errors. Proofread multiple times and consider seeking feedback from mentors or peers.

How to Format a Personal Statement

The format of your PhD personal statement is crucial for readability and coherence. Here are some tips on how to format your statement:

Typically, a personal statement for a PhD application should be between 500 and 1,000 words. Check the specific requirements of each programme, as they can vary. Aim to be concise while covering all necessary information.

A well-structured personal statement usually follows this format:

Introduction: Briefly introduce yourself and your academic background.
Academic and Research Background: Discuss your previous studies, research projects, and relevant experiences.
Research Interests: Clearly state your research interests and objectives.
Motivations for Pursuing a PhD: Explain why you want to pursue a PhD and what you hope to achieve.
Fit with the Programme: Mention why you are interested in the specific PhD programme and how it aligns with your goals.
Conclusion: Summarise your key points and reiterate your enthusiasm for the programme.

Formatting Tips

Font and Size: Use a standard font like Times New Roman or Arial, size 11 or 12.
Margins: Use 1-inch margins on all sides.
Spacing: Double-space your text to enhance readability.
Headings: Use headings and sub-headings to organise your content if appropriate.
File Format: Submit your statement in the required file format, usually PDF or Word.

PhD Personal Statement Example

Here’s a brief example to give you an idea of what a PhD personal statement might look like:

Introduction:

I am passionate about advancing research in molecular biology and have dedicated my academic journey to exploring the intricate mechanisms of cellular processes. With a strong foundation in biochemistry and hands-on research experience, I am eager to pursue a PhD at [University Name] to contribute to groundbreaking discoveries in this field.

Academic and Research Background:

I completed my undergraduate degree in Biochemistry at [University Name], where I graduated with honours. During my studies, I worked on several research projects, including an investigation into the role of protein folding in neurodegenerative diseases. This project, under the guidance of Dr. [Mentor’s Name], resulted in a publication in the Journal of Molecular Biology. My passion for research led me to pursue a master’s degree, where I focused on the genetic regulation of cancer cells.

Research Interests:

My primary research interest lies in understanding the molecular basis of cancer. Specifically, I am interested in the signalling pathways that regulate cell proliferation and apoptosis. My previous work on the genetic mutations in oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes has prepared me to delve deeper into this area. At [University Name], I hope to work with Dr. [Professor’s Name], whose research on cellular signalling in cancer aligns perfectly with my interests.

Motivations for Pursuing a PhD:

Pursuing a PhD will enable me to contribute to the field of molecular biology by addressing critical questions about cancer development and progression. I am motivated by the potential to translate research findings into therapeutic strategies that can improve patient outcomes. A doctoral degree will provide me with the skills and knowledge to lead independent research projects and collaborate with experts in the field.

Fit with the Programme:

[University Name]’s PhD programme in Molecular Biology is an ideal fit for my research goals. The programme’s emphasis on interdisciplinary research and access to state-of-the-art facilities will provide the perfect environment for my studies. Additionally, the opportunity to collaborate with Dr. [Professor’s Name] and the esteemed faculty at [University Name] excites me.

Conclusion:

I am enthusiastic about the prospect of joining [University Name]’s PhD programme and contributing to the advancement of molecular biology research. My academic background, research experience, and passion for discovery have prepared me to undertake the challenges of a doctoral programme. I look forward to the opportunity to further my research and make meaningful contributions to the scientific community.

Take Your PhD Personal Statement to the Next Level

Writing a PhD personal statement requires careful reflection, clear articulation of your goals and experiences, and attention to detail. By following this guide, you can create a compelling personal statement that showcases your qualifications and passion for research. Remember to tailor your statement to each programme, highlighting why you are a good fit and how the programme aligns with your research interests. With a well-crafted personal statement, you can enhance your chances of gaining admission to your desired PhD programme.

Need a second pair of eyes for your personal statement? Our expert academics can review and provide feedback to ensure your statement is polished and impactful . We offer tailored advice to help you highlight your strengths and address any weaknesses, making your application as strong as possible. Contact us today to get started on perfecting your application and take the next step towards achieving your academic goals.

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Writing an Effective Personal Statement for PhD Graduate Programs

Personal statements should be a reflection of your academic skills, success, and goals.

By Kaela Singleton Doctoral Candidate in Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience

A personal statement is one of the most important components of any doctoral graduate school application. This post will guide you with some general steps to get you started with generating a personal statement that is concise, reflects your academic success, and emphasizes your goals for graduate school. The individual graduate programs will provide writing prompts that detail exactly what you should address in your statement, so be sure you touch on everything that they want you to cover!

Before you start writing

Update your CV: Having a complete list of your accomplishments will make it easier to include and exclude information from your personal statement. Your CV can be used as a timeline of your achievements, and therefore an outline to how your past experiences have prepared you for graduate school. For guidance on CV writing, see 7 Tips for Writing a Successful CV.
Research Graduate Schools of Interest: Gain insight into the coursework, faculty, and student life for each program you are considering. Using the program website, generate a list of qualities that appeal to you about each school you’re applying to. Emphasize how and why these qualities contribute to your decision to apply to this program. This list should include research and faculty members that interest you as well as any other pros (i.e. location, cohort size, post-graduate jobs etc.)
Create a team of editors: Your personal statement will be read by faculty members and graduate students studying different topics within the program. Therefore, your personal statement should be compelling to a broad audience. Ask peers, mentors and advisors from various disciplines well in advance to edit and provide feedback on your statement.

Now start writing

Introduction.

The goal is to engage your reader with a quick synopsis of who you are, what you want out of graduate school, and your qualifications to join this specific program.

Introduce yourself and identify your academic interests: Provide a brief introduction of yourself and your academic interests. If you have a personal anecdote that explains how you became interested in science and research, start there. These “narrative hook” anecdotes engage the reader and set up a great platform to describe the motivation behind your experiences. Then go into your academic interests, which can be a couple of sentences broadly stating your research interests.
Emphasize your skills and overall goals: Use both your research on the program and CV to highlight how your skill set will complement and grow from participation in this program. Speak in broad terms, showcasing how your goals align with the overall mission of the program.

THE BODY PARAGRAPHS

The goal is to expand on the points you mentioned within the introduction. Provide concrete examples of how past and present experiences led you to writing this application.

Explain how you became interested in your particular scientific field: Highlight key moments that encouraged you to apply to graduate school. This can be the very start of your interests in the field or from skills and knowledge that you gained from internships, research experiences, or coursework and class discussions.
Describe your prior research experiences and importantly what you learned from each experience: Provide a past experience where you used and developed a new skill that is pertinent to your ability to conduct research. Be sure to explain how this skill will be useful for your future in graduate school. It is critical to discuss what you learned from experience and to be as specific and concise as possible. For example: I worked with Dr. A at institution B. My work focused on C. The project entailed D, E and F techniques. From this experience, I learned G. This taught me F about my decision to attend graduate school.

In the conclusion paragraph, you should discuss what you learned about the graduate school program that you are applying for. Highlight specific faculty members or courses listed that excite you, and re-emphasize your goals.

Summarize your qualifications and experiences: Bring everything together here. Emphasize the skills you currently have and how joining this program will aide in continuing your success.
Personalize: In this final paragraph, include specific faculty and program qualities that appeal to you as an applicant. Show that you have researched specific faculty or courses that will aide in your future training. Also be sure to discuss your career goals.
Edit: Proofread and edit. Send your statement out to friends, faculty advisors, and people outside of your discipline.

Personal statements should tell your story and be compelling across fields. Remember that a PhD program trains you to build and utilize scientific skills to advance research. You won’t want to try to convince the reader that you’ll cure cancer or discover the flu vaccine. Instead, focus on persuading readers that graduate training is right for you, and that the accompanying enrichment of your research skillset will help you reach your academic and professional goals.

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Graduate School

Personal Statement for PhD Scholarship Sample

A personal statement for PhD scholarship sample can only help so much, as doctorate-level scholarships have varying, non-universal application requirements. Some scholarships may not even ask for a personal statement, while others will ask you to write a statement based on a very particular prompt or topic that goes beyond the standard “ why do you want to do a PhD? ”. The variety and diversity of scholarships available to PhD applicants mean that your creativity, writing skills, and self-reflection ability matter more than your academic background or achievements.

This article presents a personal statement for PhD scholarship sample, written based on a specific scholarship, the Rhodes Scholarship, along with a few general tips that you should follow to make your own personal statement stand out.

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Article Contents 9 min read

Note: The following personal statement was written according to the requirements of the Rhodes Trust, which awards the internationally renowned Rhodes Scholarship. This scholarship was chosen because it has global reach, and applicants from anywhere entering a program (undergraduate and graduate) at the University of Oxford can apply. It was also chosen because the personal statement is a crucial component of your application. All applicants must write a 750-word personal statement that addresses all three of the following specific prompts:

'Which Rhodes Scholar quality do you display most strongly, and how are other contexts and people helping you to develop the others?'
'What would you like to learn from the Rhodes and wider community in Oxford?'
'From your place in the world, what is humanity’s greatest need?'

Still uncertain about grad school? Check out this video:

Personal Statement for PhD Scholarship Sample

V.S. Naipaul hated Oxford. 'I hate those degrees and I hate all those ideas of universities', he said in an interview with The Paris Review. Naipaul graduated with a bachelor’s degree – Upper Second Class Honours, not the First Class Honours he wanted – but I don’t believe his ire can be explained by his failing the oral exam to complete the B.Litt. post-graduate degree he was seeking.

While his words are unambiguous and forceful, I think Naipaul’s work, and actions, betray a more complicated relationship with his alma mater and the overarching culture and identity of Britishness Oxford represents. Let’s not forget that Naipaul, born in Trinidad, took the extraordinary step of leaving his home to study in England, and in that remarkable action, I think we can infer a deep-rooted, visceral and intense desire to belong.

I was also born in Trinidad, not far from Naipaul’s birthplace. And, like Naipaul, my grandparents were transplants from another sector of the British Empire, Hong Kong. I too grew up in an environment never feeling like I belonged. I struggled for a long time to create an idea of myself that represented all the aspects of my past and present. I believe the rootlessness and alienation I felt ultimately led me to become post-national.

Writing a personal statement for a PhD scholarship is different from writing a research interest statement , a grad school career goals statement , or a school or program specific personal statement, like the Harvard graduate school personal statement . The main difference, of course, is the reason for writing the statement, which is to win a scholarship to pay for graduate school, not entry into a program or university. This difference matters because you may be asked to write about something totally unrelated to your academic achievements or research plans, which may be difficult at first.

As you can see from the prompts given above, scholarship selection committees look for very specific answers on topics that are the opposite of what you would write in a typical Oxford personal statement , graduate school cover letter or PhD motivation letter . Scholarship selection committees are also bound by the stipulations set forth by the founder or benefactor of the scholarship since they are the ones funding the award. The people who establish academic and non-academic scholarships do so for a variety of reasons.

In the case of Cecil Rhodes, the founder of the Rhodes Scholarship, it was to 'promote unity among English-speaking nations'. The original motivation for the scholarship, which was founded at the turn of the 20 th century, has evolved to be more inclusive of international students, but its core mission to reward scholars who show essential qualities, like an instinct to lead and devotion to duty is unchanged.

The scope of many scholarships means it is difficult to recommend what exactly to write and what to mention since it is the scholarship administrators who determine that, and it can be different for every scholarship. The requirements can be either open-ended, or, in the case of the Rhodes Scholarships, quite precise.

For an example of an open-ended personal statement for PhD scholarship, the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship program, administered by the Canadian government, asks for a two-page Personal Leadership Statement, with the main requirement being that you 'outline how you have gone above and beyond the expected norms' in a leadership capacity. Yet another example of how tricky it can be to navigate all the different requirements scholarships ask for is that the Vanier CGS program also asks for you to expound on much more than your leadership. You are encouraged to write about any personal obstacles you overcame to pursue your studies, what led you to pursue this particular field of study and how you will achieve your particular goals at the institution which has nominated you for the scholarship (you must be nominated; you cannot apply yourself). Therefore, the Vanier CGS resembles a typical personal statement in some ways (writing about overcoming obstacles, answering the 'tell me about yourself' PhD interview question ), but there is much more you need to write about, as it is a PhD-level scholarship which has a myriad of opportunities attached to it.

What Should I Include in my Personal Statement for a PhD Scholarship?

What you include in your personal statement for a PhD scholarship depends on the scholarship you are applying to. Fortunately, many of these scholarships tell you directly what you need to include, whether it be, like the Rhodes Scholarship, how you exemplify certain characteristics, or what you would do to address a certain problem, or how the school or program you want to enter can help you in achieving your academic and career goals.

There are thousands of different scholarship opportunities out there for eligible students, and their eligibility requirements also differ. The scholarship could be academically based, meaning you must meet certain academic requirements. It could be based around your program and only available to students within that program.

Other scholarships are specifically for a certain demographic, such as students who identify as Black, Indigenous or another ethnicity. These students may be asked to write a totally different personal statement than someone who applies for an academic or merit-based scholarship. Other funding opportunities may be based solely on financial need and do not require you to submit any supporting documentation other than financial records.

But there are a few general tips that you can modify accordingly, so that you have some idea of what you need to write about.

1. Don’t Stray from the Requirements

Writing a personal statement for a PhD scholarship is, in some ways, a bit easier than learning how to write a CV for grad school , mainly because (in some cases, not all) you are given a specific set of requirements that can help you formulate and structure your statement, rather than having to do it yourself. The Rhodes Scholarship is only one example of this, but there are many others.

Since these scholarships are explicit about their requirements, you must adhere to them faithfully. These requirements apply not only to the content of your statement, but to the formatting as well. The Vanier GSC program has very strict formatting requirements which, if not followed, will reflect poorly on your overall application: maximum of 2 pages (2.5 pages for essays written in French), 12-point font size, six lines per inch.

Should you pursue a master’s or PhD , you should know that doctorate programs have fluctuating costs, but they usually enter the six-figure range, so figuring out how to fund your education is essential. If you are unsure about how to find a job after grad school , then applying for a full scholarship like the Rhodes or Vanier can help you shoulder the costs so that you are not burdened with student debt.

The Rhodes and Vanier scholarships are only two examples of scholarships that cover all costs associated with a PhD, but not all of them do. Some have limited funds to disburse, and availability depends on various factors, so you should research which scholarships apply to your particular program or whether you fit the eligibility requirements.

Many scholarship programs regardless of the school, program of study or discipline, ask applicants to submit a short essay or statement about either a specific topic or something more general. Usually, but not always, the topic or prompt is based around the reasons the scholarship was created in the first place (to promote a specific ideal or discipline, to help underprivileged students get into graduate school, etc.). But it could also be a general letter about why you want to pursue your PhD.

Whether or not you write a personal statement for a PhD scholarship depends on what scholarship you are applying for, as they do not all require them. You should check the requirements carefully to find out for sure.

The differences are that a personal statement for a PhD scholarship may require you to write in response to a very specific topic, whereas a regular personal statement usually does not. A regular personal statement is where you outline various autobiographical details and how they relate to your overall academic and professional goals. A personal statement for a PhD scholarship may or may not ask for those same details. They may ask you to write about something else, which is the main difference between the two.

What you include in your personal statement for a PhD scholarship depends on the stipulations of the scholarship founder and committee.

Yes, it very well might. Writing an excellent personal statement (if you are asked to write one) is an important part of winning a scholarship, and it can tip the scales in your favour if it helps you stand out in a field of similarly bright and capable applicants. You should put as much time and effort into writing it as you would for any personal statement requirement.

It depends on the scholarship which you are applying to. The examples given above, Rhodes and Vanier, have many different requirements and ask you to submit other documentation like your research resume , statement of purpose and grad school letters of recommendation . You may have to meet other academic and non-academic requirements, like having a master’s degree or a specific GPA score.

Scholarships are not specific to PhDs or graduate students, as they can be used by anyone who needs the appropriate funding and resources to complete their education, regardless of the level. A PhD scholarship is a bit different in that it can afford you other opportunities besides money for tuition and living expenses. Winning a Rhodes Scholarship grants you access to several professional development opportunities, an international alumni network and entrance into a hallowed legacy. But other PhD scholarships' benefits may not be as far-reaching and involve only helping you pay for your education.

Award amounts vary between different scholarships and are not always made public since the prize can be disbursed over several years or all at once, depending on the scholarship. Other scholarships are one-time, non-renewable prizes which cover only one year of study or one semester, and you are told upfront how much money is available. But, again, even those amounts can change, depending on how many applicants apply and how many scholarships are awarded.

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How to Write a Personal Statement for a PhD Program

Writing a personal statement for your PhD program is often a key requirement when applying to most institutions. The personal statement is considered to be a crucial part of the PhD application process, playing a major role in admission decisions. Even though it may seem difficult, writing a PhD personal statement gives you the chance to highlight your qualifications, share your reasons for wanting to pursue a PhD, and, most importantly, highlights your eligibility for the doctoral program.

In this article, we will discuss what a personal statement is, why it is needed, who will read it, and when to write it. We will also provide some tips and guidelines on how to write a successful personal statement for PhD application.

What is a personal statement and why is it needed?

Your personal statement is a key means through which the admissions committee gets to know more about you and your suitability for the PhD program. The statement should therefore demonstrate your motivations, relevant research and work experience, accomplishments, strengths, and your career goals. This is important to position yourself as an apt candidate for the chosen PhD program.

Who will read your personal statement and when to write it?

While the research proposal is considered the most important document in the PhD application process, some institutions also ask candidates to submit a personal statement. Your personal statement will likely be read by the admissions committee and the interview panelists. Along with other documents submitted during the application process, your personal statement plays a big role in assessing whether you meet the often-stringent eligibility criteria and evaluate if you are a suitable candidate for a doctoral program. Remember that panelists for your interview may also have questions for you based on their review of your personal statement, so be as honest as possible.

How to write a personal statement that makes an impact

The PhD personal statement should be concise and convey only the important aspects about your work and professional achievements. You should be aware that the personal statement would be read by a committee that will be evaluating many applications, so keep it short and ensure that it is aligned with the program requirements stated by the institution.

Generally, universities and institutions provide details about the required word count or length of a personal statement. While there is no perfect personal statement format, it is essential that you follow a structure to ensure logical flow. Include a good introduction of yourself followed by details of your research interests, relevant skills, and past experience in the discipline you have opted for.

What to include in a personal statement

Reasons for pursuing a PhD: Your personal statement should clearly communicate the factors that encouraged you to apply for a PhD program. It should also convey how this chosen program builds on your previous experience and education.
Relevant skills and competencies: The personal statement provides you with a good opportunity to communicate any international academic exposure, awards, research projects, and any other competencies or experience that may be relevant to the PhD program applied for.
Address any gaps in your CV: Clearly explain the reasons behind any gaps or short breaks that you may have taken as you pursued your academic career. Also, remember to mention any changes made mid-way during your academic program. This ensures better transparency.
Long-term career goals and aspirations: It is important to explain how your PhD will feed into your future career plans. To the admission committee, this will reflect your seriousness and commitment to the study program you have opted for.

Tips to keep in mind when writing a personal statement

Prepare a unique personal statement for each university.

Universities offering PhD programs will typically ask for different criteria or questions to be answered in the personal statement. Therefore, relying on creating a single personal statement that will be shared with different universities with only slight modifications may not prove to be effective. Take the time to write personal statements that address specific points required by each university that you apply to.

Avoid repetition

Always remember that a personal statement is very different from your research proposal. Focus on highlighting your goals, skills, accomplishments, and experiences that are relevant to your study program but be careful not to be repetitive. Also mention any challenges you faced and overcame along the way to showcase your problem-solving ability.

Invest sufficient time

Keep in mind that while writing the personal statement, you must provide key information about yourself in a way that will convince the admissions committee of your eligibility. However, this needs to be done in a concise, compelling way. While it might be tempting to write every small detail, be careful to only include points that highlight your candidacy. This requires time and careful consideration, so start the process early enough to write a clear, persuasive personal statement.

Avoid jargon and irrelevant details

Always keep in mind that the admissions committee has to handle numerous applications. Therefore, keep the information in your personal statement direct and to the point, avoiding complex technical jargon, big words, and/or flowery language.

Don’t skip editing and proofreading your work

Nothing is worse for your candidacy than poor language and difficult-to-read personal statements. So, ensure that the language, grammar, and syntax used in your personal statement is correct and devoid of any errors. It is always a good idea to share what you have written with your close associates for a final read through. Getting a second or third pair of eyes to check and help polish your personal statement can be especially helpful if you have English as a second language.

Finally, it’s important to remember that your personal statement should be the outcome of deep introspection as you take the next step in your career. It should be a good reflection of who you really are and what your aspirations are for the future, both in terms of what you want to study and how you want to steer your career in the future.

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Writing your PhD Personal Statement

If you are completing a PhD application, you may be required to write a personal statement, although you will find this is less common for PhD applications than those for Masters courses.

Typically you will be allowed around 1 side of A4 to say why you think you should be accepted on to the course. Sometimes you will just be asked to provide a statement that supports your application, though at other times you will be given more of a description of what to include. For example, if you are applying for a PGCE course: Describe briefly your reasons for wanting to teach giving the relevance of your previous education and experience, including teaching, visits to schools and work with other young people. There will be times when you are not given any clear indication of what you should include in your statement, so we’ve written some guidelines to help you put together a well-structured statement.

1. Write a checklist

Before starting to write your first draft of your personal statement, put together a beginner's checklist using the points below as a guide.

Try to write down a paragraph of 2 or 3 sentences for each question, as this will help you construct a good personal statement that focuses on what the reader is interested to find out. Think about:

Why do you want to pursue a PhD?
What are your reasons for wanting to study at a particular university ?
Why is this topic of most interest to you?
What previous academic and practical experience have you got that shows your interest in your chosen subject?
What skills do you have that will help you make the transition between undergraduate and postgraduate study and make you succeed in the research area?

2. Pay attention to detail

Make sure you use good vocabulary and grammar throughout your statement – using well-written sentences that flow easily will make it more fresh and dynamic compared to other applicants. Avoid overly long sentences. Try to keep the tone of your statement positive and enthusiastic. You also need to demonstrate you are able to make the points required in a concise manner, and make sure you adhere to the word limit. After you've completed your final draft, make sure you use the spelling and grammar checker on your computer to correct any mistakes. However, don't rely on this entirely - you should read it through several times for sense, and to check for other mistakes.

When you think your statement is as good as you can make it, ask a few friends or family members to take a look at it and see if they can suggest any improvements.

Print off a copy of each statement you write as what you have written will probably be referred to in your interview.

3. Give your statement structure

Your statement should be structured, with an introduction, main body and end. The aim of the introduction is to grab the reader’s attention and hold it so they remain interested and read to the end of your statement. In the main body of the statement you should concentrate on relating your skills, knowledge and experience in the field and how this relates to the course you are applying for.

4. Explain why you chose your topic

This means writing down your reasons why you are interested in and enthusiastic about pursuing further study into the field.

Convey your motivation and mention any relevant projects, dissertations or essays that demonstrate your skills. Put down anything that shows creativity, responsibility and independence.

You should also mention any prizes or awards you have, plus any relevant travelling experiences or time spent studying abroad.

Again, think about why you want to study this particular subject – make your reasons clear why you have chosen it, e.g. does the course place emphasis on a certain area of the subject, or offer specialist modules? When did you become interested in the field and what knowledge have you gained about it?

5. Include why you like this particular university

Does the institution have special research facilities/equipment that appeal to you? Are there certain academic staff in the field you wish to work with?

Try to mention at least a couple of things about the university that you are excited about as a potential student.

Staff want to hear that you have done your research and tell them why you want to join their department.

6. Talk about your skills

These include:

Academic skills you have to offer – include IT skills, and knowledge of any appropriate research techniques.
Personal skills – e.g. ability to work as part of a team; communicate effectively with others; organisation and time management, etc. Give examples of how you have demonstrated each of these skills, as this shows that you have considered all your strengths and potential weaknesses.
Work experience - what skills did you learn from any placements you've completed since school? Again, think about specific examples that you can give to demonstrate these.

Place emphasis on your strengths and show how you are a better candidate than any others. Include the relevance of your undergraduate degree to the course – describe how any work you did as part of your degree relates to the course you are applying for, and what foundation in knowledge it has laid for further study.

7. Career plans

Although you may not have a concrete idea of what career path you hope to follow after completing your PhD, you should at least have some ideas that you can put down for your statement.

For example, do you think you will want to continue working in academia, either in research or teaching? Or do you see yourself working in industry? Having an idea of which direction you would like to go in will show more commitment to the course, and show that you are likely to get good results.

8. Make it unique

O ne way you can make your statement stand out is to relate a detailed example of something specific to your own experience, e.g. something that influenced your decision to pursue a particular undergraduate degree, or career path.

Remember that for each point you make in your statement, always provide an example to back it up.

E.g. if you are applying for a Masters in Biotechnology, saying you are a "good scientist" isn't enough - give examples of your previous laboratory experience, any projects you have completed and what technical skills you have learned.

9. Sell yourself

It's important to remember that a personal statement is meant to be "personal".

There's nobody else who knows you and your experiences as well as you do, so you are the best person to write your personal statement in order to present yourself in the best possible light.

You may wish to ask yourself: could my personal statement apply equally to, say, my friend or my neighbour?

If the answer is "yes" then it is probably too general and you need to make it more specific and more personal.

10. Tailor your statement

Do not use the same statement for each application – each one will require slightly different content depending on the university you are applying to and the department you are applying to. Therefore it’s important to research each university and what’s involved in each project so you can see what is unique about each of your choices, and how they each stand apart from the others.

Don't underestimate how difficult it can be to write a good personal statement that will do you justice. Make sure you give yourself ample time to write it.

Best of luck with your PhD personal statement, and remember: you are not trying to answer your research question, just provide an outline of why you want this place, and what qualifications, skills and work experience make you so well suited to it.

Further information

For more tips and advice on applying for a PhD, please see:

PhD entry requirements
How to apply for a PhD
Choosing a supervisor
Choosing a topic
Writing a CV
Research proposals

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How to Write a Statement of Purpose for PhD Admission

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The dreaded doctoral statement of purpose — every PhD program asks for it, but why is it so difficult to write? Writing a strong statement of purpose is essential to getting into your top PhD programs. A PhD statement of purpose gives admissions committees an introduction to your research interests and why their specific program is of interest to you.

Like a cover letter for a job application, a great statement of purpose allows you to highlight your strengths, interests and experience. If you need statement of purpose advice, keep reading for guidance on how to write a successful statement of purpose that will make your PhD application stand out.

Statement of purpose vs. personal statement

Though the two may sound similar, they’re not necessarily interchangeable. A personal statement gives insight into who you are, while a statement of purpose is meant to showcase what you want to do. Rarely will you be asked to write a personal statement for a PhD program.

As you go through the PhD application process, you will likely see schools requesting either a statement of purpose or a research statement. In most cases, they're both looking for the same thing. Admissions committees want to know about your academic background, your research goals and what you hope to accomplish as a candidate in a PhD program.

Your research goals should align with faculty research

Being admitted to a PhD program is a great feeling, but if you enroll in a program that doesn’t match your research interests or help support your career goals, you may be setting yourself up for disappointment later down the road.

Applying for admission to a program is all about fit. Faculty reviewers are looking for students who best represent the department’s mission and will help them obtain their research objectives.

By the time you apply, you should have a solid understanding of what the department’s primary research and content areas are, as well as which faculty members you’d like to work with more closely. This might mean finding information about what their labs do and reading published articles related to their work.

Be sure to include how your interests and past experiences align with the work that they do and how you would be an active contributor to those endeavors. This approach shows that you took the time to look into their program, so the committee will be more willing to invest theirs in reviewing your application.

Don’t be afraid to address your weaknesses

Many people assume they should avoid listing their shortcomings in their essays. The whole point of applying to a program is to impress the reviewers, right? But constructively addressing your weaknesses can be a great way to demonstrate how this program can help you achieve your academic goals.

Look at the catalog and read through the courses that are part of the program. If there is a particular class that fascinates you, talk about how it could help you obtain a new skill or a better understanding of a concept that you’ve struggled with before.

This demonstrates that you are actively seeking programs to help you better your education. It also exhibits that you’re mindful of what areas of your knowledge need some improvement, which shows maturity and the ability to self-assess.

Keep it succinct

If your program of interest does not specify a page word or word limit, it’s best to assume that your statement should not exceed two pages total. It should be enough to give them a glimpse of who you are and what you have to offer but not share your life story.

The aim is to communicate how and why this particular program will help you meet your academic and career goals. Limited space means you must prioritize what you include in your statement.

Create an outline before you start writing to ensure you are including points that are relevant to your application and the program to which you are applying. Your statement is also an example of how well you can write. By framing your essay before you write it, you can avoid stream-of-consciousness writing that can often come across as undefined and incoherent.

Proofread! And read it over and over

When you think you have a finished product, read your essay out loud. This makes it easier to catch typos, poor grammar, and oddly worded sentences. If you have a friend who is also applying to grad school, help each other out by editing each other’s essays.

Having someone else read your statement and ask questions can help you clarify your points and make it more compelling. Your statement is your one chance to present yourself professionally in your own words. The occasional mistake is excusable, but messy writing will make them think you lack attention to detail.

Before you hit submit on that application, be sure that you have attached the correct document for the right institution. It can be very embarrassing if your statement mentions the wrong faculty member’s name or refers to another school’s library! It could also cause the reviewers to think you are not as serious about their program.

You’ve spent a good amount of time perfecting your application, so take your time to review everything before you submit it so you can rest easy knowing you’ve presented your best.

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Personal Statement Example: Student Applying for a Ph.D. in Literature

It represents both a chance for you to introduce yourself to the admission committee of the institution, but also to present your thesis or research goals you plan to achieve during your studies. Read key tips for understanding what a personal statement is and how to write one for your Master's or Ph.D.

What better way to get the creative juices flowing than an example of a successful personal statement, written by a student applying for a PhD in Literature at a university in the United States ?

Read carefully and think what you would include in your personal statement to convince the university you’ve got what it takes to successfully complete your degree and become a prestigious alumna or alumnus.

Find PhDs in Literature worldwide

Personal Statement for a Ph.D. in Literature

In August 2015, I completed my graduate degree and thesis for the Research Master's in Comparative Literary Studies at [university name2]. As a student in the Research Master's (RMA) program, my scholarly concerns were mostly focused on critical theory, cultural studies, and social discourse, built into the wide-ranging, cross-cultural framework of Comparative Literature. In addition, the rigorous graduate curriculum in the RMA program placed a strong emphasis on individual research and intensive academic writing to prepare me for Ph.D-level studies. As a student, I find myself consistently engaged with the intersection of politics, literature, and critical theory.

I have always had an interest in projects that are interdisciplinary and which also foster a broad, social-political dialogue; I have published in Marxist theory, but I have also presented at conferences on neuroscience and on post-colonialism. While my interests are vast, I have always found literary studies to satisfy my intellectual curiosity and provide a meaningful methodological foundation. Therefore, it is from this theoretical perspective and challenging background as a scholar that I wish to pursue a Ph.D. in Literature at [university name], as it would be a privilege to participate in this critical discourse alongside the immensely distinguished Literature faculty.

Before beginning my graduate studies, I finished a Bachelor's degree in English from the [university name3]. I was fortunate enough as an undergraduate to have found exhilarating joy in academic research. Setting a goal to pursue a lifelong career as an academic allowed me to overcome weaknesses that were initially felt to be insurmountable, including low grades and test scores. Learning the strategies necessary for university study, though, while following a compelling curriculum enabled me to complete my degree, participate in interdisciplinary thesis research, and eventually continue on to graduate school. Relocating to the Netherlands for graduate school proved to be a worthwhile choice, as living abroad for the past few years has been a formative and enriching experience. Thinking globally about academic study and education more generally, while being amid a tumultuous political climate and refugee crisis has developed the way I continue to speak (and write) about cultural experience.

In 2015, I had my first refereed article, "Utopian Registers of the New Italian Epic," published in the peer-reviewed journal Incontri: Rivista Europa di Studi Italiani. After submitting it to this journal, the article underwent a strict external review process where I was able to refine my argument carefully before it was published in the 30th volume of Incontri.

The final six months of my degree were devoted to completing my RMA thesis, entitled "An Ethics of Belonging". For this project, I chose to continue my interest in examining ethics and literature, using several sources of migrant literature as my literary corpus. I framed my discussion within the context of 'belonging,' and considered the ethical complications with that concept. One of the interesting aspects of writing this thesis was the ability to place these ideas in the background of current events and political issues such as racism, police violence, and migrant experience. Adding an urgency to my thesis, I was able to further emphasize the stakes of literature, otherness, and belonging, while illustrating the efficacy of imagination, empathy, and representation in re-calibrating the ethical horizon.

It is with gratitude that I have always looked toward the esteemed Literature department at [university name] as a source of inspiration throughout my undergraduate and graduate education; and, the faculty at [university name] has always held my attention as giving invaluable contributions to literary and social discourse. It would, therefore, be an honor to pursue my Ph.D. in Literature at [university name]. And, given my own scholarly background and academic achievements, I believe I am an ideal candidate for this program.

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How To Write a PhD Personal Statement

Katie Baker
September 6, 2023

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For your PhD personal statement to tick all the right boxes, it needs to answer all the questions which university admission teams will have in mind while reviewing your application.

While you will have the opportunity to fill in some of the blanks during your initial interview, with the competitive nature of some PhD programs, for the best chance of success, you will want to assure your favoured institution that you are the right person to carry out the research.

Your PhD personal statement should also prove that the research aligns with your career goals, why the university is a good fit for your skills and knowledge, and how your strengths set you apart from your peers.

After outlining what a PhD personal statement is and its purpose, this article will highlight all the bases you will want to cover and provide helpful tips on making the best first impression with your PhD personal statement.

What is a PhD Personal Statement?

While not every university or PhD program requests a PhD personal statement be submitted, usually, they are a key part of the PhD application process.

A personal statement for PhD applications shouldn’t be confused with research proposals, which allude to the potential of your research; personal statements, sometimes referred to as statements of purpose, are your chance to demonstrate your suitability for doctoral research.

Rather than seeing writing your PhD personal statement as a challenge, see it as the ultimate opportunity to make your skills, knowledge, experience, and expertise seem invaluable to an institution. Even if the prospect of selling yourself to an admissions team makes you feel uncomfortable at first, see it as the first step in your doctoral journey which will bring you closer to your opportunity to create new knowledge in the academic arena and your career goals.

What Purpose Does a PhD Personal Statement Serve?

A PhD personal statement is a necessity in most PhD applications as it provides additional information on the relevant experience, academic background, and motivation for undertaking doctoral research. Unlike a PhD research proposal, it shouldn’t revolve around outlining the research topic you want to dig into, the aim of the research or its scientific value.

All PhD candidates are accepted on programs due to their ability to carry out unique and individual research; along with several other factors, acceptance depends on a prospective candidate’s ability to demonstrate they are unique individuals who can complete the research.

The required format of a PhD personal statement can vary; always ensure that you have looked at the unique requirements set by the university or universities you are applying to. Some universities may ask you to write your statement on the application materials provided. Other universities may ask you to submit a separate document, sometimes referred to as a cover letter; always check the requirements before you get to work writing and completing the application.

Some universities prefer to focus on your research proposal and will get to know you on a better basis via their interview questions. However, if you are applying for a project with pre-defined aims, as opposed to submitting your own research proposal, you will likely need to write a PhD personal statement. Your statement will be your chance to prove why you are the best candidate for the position and funding – if applicable.

Who Will Read Your Personal Statement?

Each university and institution has its own application process, which means that who reads your statement can vary. Typically, you can expect your statement to be read by the following people:

Admissions Tutors

Admissions tutors will read your statement to verify that you have the relevant qualifications and experience for the program, both of which meet the standards set by the institution.

Potential PhD Supervisors

With some PhD programs, your PhD supervisors will be appointed to you; in these instances, potential supervisors will scour your statement with a particular interest in your academic background and motivations for joining the research group or department.

Interview Panellists

Interview panellists are admissions team members tasked with preparing personalised questions based on your statement; this could include admissions tutors and potential supervisors.

Even though admissions tutors, potential supervisors and interview panellists will all be interested in different aspects of your statement, an effective statement should provide the information to satisfy all of them.

Generally speaking, a PhD personal statement which gets you through to the initial interview stage should answer the questions outlined below. However, you should always ensure that your statement is written with a particular focus on the candidate requirements, as outlined by each university or program.

Why are you interested in doctoral research in this field?

Where possible, try to avoid answering this question generically, and always keep your answer as academically relevant as possible. When explaining your interest, share the extent of the knowledge you have gained. Concisely, outline how your previous work and research have built the foundation for your interest and further study.

Why do you want to carry out your research at this particular university?

Before attempting to answer this question, conduct thorough research into the curriculums, facilities, equipment and projects the university has been or is currently part of. Be sincere in your answers but not overzealous in your flattery.

What strengths will you bring to the university and program?

As PhD programs can be highly competitive, the onus is on the applicants to stand out from the rest, especially if the research has pre-defined objectives and aims. To distinguish yourself from the other candidates, always use evidence to back up your proficiency and capacity to carry out the research. This can be achieved by highlighting relevant projects, such as essays or dissertations and mentioning other technical skills or experience.

Do you have any transferable skills?

Just as a PhD can allow you to obtain transferable skills, your transferable skills can secure your acceptance into a PhD program; relevant transferable skills could include project management, networking, and communication skills. Always back up any mention of your transferable skills with evidence of how you acquired these skills.

Does the PhD program align with your professional goals?

Not every PhD candidate knows which career path they want to take as they apply to a program, but even if you have a vague idea, this could demonstrate your dedication and commitment to the program and research.

General Guidelines for a PhD Personal Statement

Personalise your statement

While guidelines such as the one you are currently reading can help you to write your statement effectively, never take a one-size-fits-all approach. Always tailor your statement to fit the program you are applying for. This is a great opportunity to demonstrate your willingness to go in-depth with your research on the program and institution.

Ensure your statement is as unique as you are

Anyone can reel off a list of desirable traits in their PhD personal statements. If you are only using a brief list of attractive attributes and not backing them up, your statement won’t be far from the bottom of the pile. For example, don’t just say you are determined and highly motivated; provide an example which proves this kind of tenacity. Furthermore, once you have drafted your statement, review it with the question, could this personal statement also be applied to the other applicants?

Don’t rush your personal statement

Personal statements are typically around one to two pages long. However, you shouldn’t aim to complete a personal statement in one sitting. Give yourself plenty of time to write a strong, concise, and impactful statement, then give yourself a period of reflection before you return to your statement and develop a final draft. Once your final draft is ready, ensure the vocabulary and grammar are above par for a doctoral research candidate.

Additionally, you will also want to make sure that the sentences are succinct and flow well. If writing isn’t one of your strengths, enlist the help of a proofreader you trust who will give you constructive criticism.

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Fall is Application Prep Season for Graduate Studies: How to write a PhD personal statement

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What is a PhD personal statement?

When applying for a PhD course, you may have to submit a research proposal as well as a personal statement or cover letter.

The proposal details your research project (such as proposed methods, results and planned analysis) and why there is value in exploring it.

Sometimes you only have to submit a proposal or a personal statement. If you have to submit both, be sure that they clearly cover these separate areas.

An introduction that outlines why you want to do the PhD
Middle paragraphs that say how your interests and experiences make you right for doctoral study, and why the university department is a suitable fit for you
A concluding paragraph that summarises why you’re the best person for the course

Aim to explain how your skills and experience make you a suitable candidate for this particular PhD at this specific university.

Why should you be completing research in this area?
What are your strengths and achievements?
What are your influences?
Why is this university the right one for your project?
Why do you want to work with this team?
Make sure that you give evidence and not just state points, especially if the criteria are specific. What have you done to match the requirements?

You can discuss your wider achievements or extracurricular activities, but try to keep it suited to the PhD. If you want, add information about gaps in your CV or any other issues that are relevant.

If you’re applying for a fellowship (a funded PhD), you should tailor your application to the funder. Spend enough time researching the fellowship so you talk about why it will be beneficial to you.

For more information on how to write a personal statement, see our general postgraduate advice article.

Go to: How to write a postgraduate personal statement

Start putting your application together early, even as early as a year before the PhD will begin. This will give you time to contact supervisors. Your applications may be due in December or January before you start, so you’ll need to set aside plenty of time if you’re applying for funding.

PhD Personal Statement Examples

1 Personal Statement Example Links
2 Career Opportunities
3 UK Earnings Potential For PhDs
4 Similar Courses in UK
5 UK Curriculum
6 Alumni Network

Personal Statement Example Links

Personal Statement Example 1
Personal Statement Example 2 (Literature)
Personal Statement Example 3 (Postgraduates)
Personal Statement Example 4
Personal Statement Example 5

Ever been driven by a relentless curiosity and a deep desire to contribute original knowledge to your field of study? Ready to immerse yourself in a specific topic, creating new knowledge through rigorous research?

If so, a PhD, or Doctor of Philosophy degree, could be your perfect journey. This highest level of academic degree equips you with the expertise to become a thought leader in your field, pushing the boundaries of what we know.

A PhD in Psychology is a highly sought-after degree that provides students with the opportunity to explore the inner workings of the human mind. This degree is ideal for those who are interested in research and teaching, as well as those who wish to pursue a career in psychology.

The PhD in Psychology is a rigorous program that requires students to have an in-depth understanding of the field of psychology. Students must demonstrate a strong foundation in psychology and the ability to think critically and analytically.

The course overview for a PhD in Psychology typically includes courses in the areas of cognitive psychology, social psychology, developmental psychology, and clinical psychology. Students may also be required to take courses in research methods, statistics, and ethics. In addition, students may be required to complete a dissertation or research project.

👍 When writing a personal statement : Highlight your passion for the course, demonstrating your understanding of it. Use relevant personal experiences, coursework, or work history to showcase how these have fostered your interest and readiness for the course.

Career Opportunities

Earning a PhD degree from a UK university prepares you for an array of career opportunities, predominantly within academia but also extending to other sectors:

1. Academic Researcher: Carry out original research within your discipline and contribute to the body of academic knowledge.

2. University Lecturer/Professor: Teach students in your area of expertise at a university level, whilst continuing your own research.

3. Policy Advisor: Use your extensive knowledge of a specific field to inform policy-making within government or non-governmental organisations.

4. Consultant: Provide expert advice in your field of study to various industries.

5. Science/Medical Writer: Communicate complex scientific or medical information in a way that is accessible to the public or specific audiences.

6. Data Scientist: Use your research skills and knowledge of advanced statistics to analyse and interpret complex data in various sectors.

7. R&D Specialist: Lead research and development projects in industries related to your field of study.

The skills and knowledge you gain while earning a PhD are highly valuable, offering you opportunities to contribute meaningfully in various professional environments. Embrace the potential that your doctoral degree brings!

UK Earnings Potential For PhDs

The average earnings for someone with a PhD in the UK vary depending on the field of study. Generally, the salaries for PhD graduates range from around £30,000 to £50,000 per year. However, graduates in certain fields such as engineering, medicine , and finance can earn significantly more.

In terms of trends in the job market, demand for PhD graduates is increasing in many sectors. This is due to the fact that employers are increasingly looking for graduates with higher-level qualifications, such as PhDs, to fill roles in research and development, data analysis, and other areas.

Additionally, the UK government has recently introduced initiatives to encourage more people to pursue PhDs, which is likely to further increase demand for these graduates in the future.

Similar Courses in UK

Other related courses to the PhD course include the Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) and the Professional Doctorate (ProfDoc). Both of these courses are higher-level qualifications that involve research and the production of a dissertation.

The key difference between a PhD and a DPhil is that the latter is a research degree that is awarded by the University of Oxford and is only available to those who already hold a Masters degree. The Professional Doctorate, on the other hand, is a professional practice-based degree that is offered by many universities and is open to those who have a first degree or equivalent.

The main difference between a PhD and a Professional Doctorate is that the former is a research-based degree, while the latter is a practice-based degree. The PhD focuses on the development of new knowledge, while the Professional Doctorate focuses on the application of existing knowledge. The Professional Doctorate also requires a higher level of professional practice, such as a portfolio of work or a dissertation.

Overall, all three of these courses are higher-level qualifications that involve research and the production of a dissertation. However, the key differences between them lie in the focus of the research, the level of professional practice required, and the university awarding the qualification.

UK Curriculum

The key topics and modules covered in a PhD course vary depending on the specific area of research being undertaken. However, some common topics and modules include:

Research methods and design: This module covers the fundamentals of research methods, including the development of research questions, the use of qualitative and quantitative research methods, and the development of a research proposal.
Data analysis: This module covers the analysis of data collected during the research process, including the use of statistical software, the interpretation of results, and the presentation of findings.
Writing: This module covers the writing of academic papers, including the development of a thesis, the use of appropriate language and style, and the presentation of results.
Ethics: This module covers the ethical considerations of conducting research, including the ethical implications of the research process, the protection of human subjects, and the dissemination of results.
Teaching: This module covers the teaching of research methods and topics to students, including the development of course materials, the delivery of lectures, and the assessment of student work.

In addition to the topics and modules covered in the course, there is often a significant amount of hands-on experience and practical work involved. This can include the development of research projects, the collection of data, the analysis of results, and the presentation of findings.

Alumni Network

One notable alumni from the PhD course is Dr. Stephen Hawking, the world-renowned physicist and cosmologist. Dr. Hawking has made significant contributions to the field of physics, including his work on black holes and the Big Bang Theory.

He has also written numerous books on the subject, including A Brief History of Time and The Universe in a Nutshell. Dr. Hawking has been a major influence in the field of physics, and his work has been widely recognized and honored.

The university offers a variety of alumni events and networking opportunities, including an annual alumni reunion and a monthly alumni newsletter. These events provide alumni with the opportunity to stay connected with their alma mater and to network with other alumni.

Additionally, the university hosts a number of alumni-focused lectures and seminars throughout the year. These events provide alumni with the opportunity to stay informed about the latest developments in their field, as well as to connect with other alumni and faculty members.

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Applying for a PhD: How to write a Personal Statement

By charlesworth author services.

Charlesworth Author Services
19 April, 2022

A personal statement is an important part of a PhD application package, which, also typically includes a research proposal , CV , transcripts and references.

Personal statement vis-à-vis statement of purpose

A personal statement is similar to an alternative popular application package item, the statement of purpose (SoP), in that they are both means of ‘selling’ yourself personally to your intended university. However, while an SoP is specific to the topic of the PhD , the personal statement is more about your personal suitability for the course of study or the institution , and not so specifically the topic of your research. (Learn more about the difference between the two documents here: Personal Statement vs. Statement of Purpose )

Things to NOTE before you write your personal statement

The personal statement usually varies in length depending on the targeted institution ’s requirements, which may range from the average 400–500 up to 1000 words. There may also be quite specific prompts in terms of what to cover. Like any academic writing, you are going to be judged on:

Your writing
The way you structure the writing
Meeting all the requirements within the set limitations

Things to DO before you write your personal statement

Begin by researching the institution you are interested in .
Check what strengths the department has, what areas of research they cover and how it aligns with your interests.
Consider how your career fits with the targeted institution.

Preparing to write your personal statement

First, revise your CV accordingly and start to group the relevant information that you wish to emphasise in the personal statement. The personal statement usually allows you freedom to identify your specific strengths.

Tip : Be careful not to exaggerate enthusiasm as this runs the risk of sounding false.

Writing your personal statement

Decide on the most appropriate sequence of factors to bring in and include in your personal statement.

a. Start with something that will engage your audience

Your audience will be members of the PhD admissions committee of your targeted institution, but may be other admissions staff too. One way to hook your audience is to recount how you became so interested in your specific academic field . Ideally, draw on something authentic as this will ring true with your reader, rather than relying on something more formulaic which many other candidates might also allude to.

b. Think about how your interests coincide with your targeted department/institution and their strengths

Demonstrate – drawing on the CV but not repeating it – how your academic background fits with the chosen department/institution.

c. Showcase your engagement/involvement with community

What other extracurricular academic activities have you been engaged in that highlight your role as an active and involved community member? This could either an academic/university community, a professional community or even your local community. Engagement in such activities and any leading roles you have held are important qualities that will interest your audience .

d. Showcase extracurricular skills

You might also draw on other skills from other areas or activities that you are involved in, such as sport or the arts. These activities also show you to be a rounded personality whose forte encompasses healthy elements important for sustaining a long-term research project like the PhD.

e. Showcase skills beyond academia

What other skills have you developed outside of academia that might also be relevant? In both the CV and the personal statement, use verbs such as ‘lead’, ‘initiate’ and ‘ collaborate ’ , to express your skill in fulfilling academic activities as a team .

f. End with your intent

End by expressing how you are a highly suitable candidate and that you can also make a useful contribution to the organisation that you are aiming to form part of.

Reviewing your personal statement

Always have some other people run through your drafts, preferably people with experience of application packages. It is important that you view this section as part of a larger package that needs to be coherent . All parts should be reviewed together to make sure they are consistent throughout the application.

All the best for writing your personal statement and also for your PhD application!

Read previous (first) in series: Applying for a PhD: Personal Statement vs. Statement of Purpose

Read next (third/final) in series: Applying for a PhD: How to write a Statement of Purpose

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Are you planning to apply for a PhD programme ? That’s exciting! We know that the application process can sometimes be stressful, so to help you with your mission we have prepared a few tips for writing your PhD personal statement.

What is a PhD personal statement?

A PhD personal statement is different from a PhD research proposal, and the two should not be mixed up. A research proposal is a statement outlining the research problem that a student is looking to solve through their research. A PhD personal statement is usually required when a university is recruiting candidates onto pre-defined PhD projects.

A PhD personal statement will serve as your way to promote yourself as a student and explain why you are eligible to become a PhD student. Your personal statement will be your chance to make a good first impression. This will be your opportunity to talk about, and market yourself as a student.

In addition, some students are asked to supply a motivation letter. A motivation letter is focused on outlining your future study plans and how the PhD programme can help you achieve your goals as a professional.

A PhD personal statement, on the other hand, will need to cover your motivations, academic background, achievements, experiences, and personal strengths. They are widely used at undergraduate and masters level alongside qualifications and/or work experience.

It’s important to understand the difference between these two requirements to make sure that you don’t end up sending the wrong type of letter which can lead to rejection.

Who reads a PhD personal statement?

Your PhD personal statement will be read and considered by various people . Admissions tutors, potential supervisors, and interview panelists will read your personal statement. All of them will be checking different parts of your personal statements such as your relevant experience, qualifications, academic background, motivations and more.

These people will be interested in different parts of your personal statement. But as long as you craft a well-thought, well-structured, and genuine statement, you’ll convince everyone why you are a good fit.

What you should include in your PhD personal statement

Different universities and departments will have differing requirements. Therefore we strongly encourage you to check – with the relevant contacts – to ensure that you cover the details they expect you to include.

The whole point of writing your PhD personal statement is for you to tell them who you are. We know it’s easy to talk about yourself. But do make sure that information you provide is still relevant to why you are applying for a PhD programme.

Be clear and concise when sharing facts about yourself to make your readers fully understand who you are and why you deserve to become a PhD student.

Your previous studies or courses

All universities will have different entry requirements when it comes to PhD programmes but most of them will only accept students who have already completed their Bachelor’s degree and Master’s Degree. You need to highlight your learnings, experiences, and achievements from your previous studies to demonstrate your eligibility and become accepted in a PhD programme.

Why you want to become a PhD student ?

When writing your PhD personal statement, you must ask yourself these questions:

Why do you want to become a PhD student?
What is your motivation for studying this degree subject?
Explain is the attraction of the particular department?
What made you choose a certain university and not another?
Describe the details you looking forward to in your PhD programme.

Display your curiosity

This is your chance to display your curiosity and showcase why you enjoy doing research. Although your interests might change throughout the programme, giving your readers an idea of your interests will still be great and beneficial to include in your PhD personal statement.

Experiences and Volunteer Jobs

You should include your work experiences, research experience and volunteer jobs to showcase your competencies. Highlight any relevant experiences you have and be sure to briefly describe the responsibilities you have previously undertaken. This will make your PhD personal statement look more professional and convincing.

Skillset

Critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, time management skills are some of the many skills you need to have if you want to complete your PhD degree programme. You must share your skills in your PhD personal statement to convince readers that you are prepared and skilled enough to finish your PhD programme.

Your goals

You can also share a glimpse of your future goals and explain how studying for a PhD can help you achieve your goals. Although your goals are expected to be seen in your motivation letter, it won’t harm you to share a bit about your career aspirations in your PhD personal statement.

Weaknesses and how you plan to address them

Universities don’t often require students to include their weaknesses in their PhD personal statement. However, in case they ask you to it’s crucial to indicate how you are planning to address any areas where you might struggle. Better to be honest now and mention how you are overcoming them to ensure you can get the support you need.

Tips for writing your PhD personal statement

Before you start, make sure you know the requirements and selection criteria so you can convince all the readers of your PhD personal statement.
Be honest. All supervisors can tell if you’re lying just to make yourself look good.
Your chances of getting onto a PhD programme can depend on the quality of your personal statement. Don’t rush it and give yourself plenty of time to do it.
Proofread your PhD personal statement. You can be a great candidate because of your experiences but if your grammar or spelling is mostly incorrect on your personal statement, you might end up being rejected.
Don’t copy or use personal statement templates, using those will make your statement look generic. Structure your personal statement properly and make it unique enough to stand out.
Show off your enthusiasm for the PhD programme and be as relevant and specific as possible. You will impress your readers and you'll have a higher chance of being accepted.

Search through the latest PhD study opportunities on Postgraduate Studentships , and join our mailing list for up-to-date advice and opportunities.

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How to structure your PhD thesis

Organising your PhD thesis in a logical order is one of the crucial stages of your writing process. Here is a list of the individual components to include

Shama Prasada Kabekkodu

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The task of writing a PhD thesis is top of mind for many aspiring scholars. After all, completing one is no small task. And while these pieces of writing often share a standard format, this can differ slightly based on the requirements of your institution or subject. So what elements make up a PhD thesis?

A doctoral thesis usually contains:

A title page
Declarations from the candidate and supervisor
A certificate from the candidate and supervisor
A plagiarism report
Acknowledgements
A table of contents
Abbreviations
An abstract

Chapters typically cover:

A general introduction
Literature review
Analysis of the gap in research with aims and objectives
Materials and methods
Summary and conclusion
References or bibliography.

You should also include a list of papers you have published and any relevant achievements at the end.

An explanation of each of the components of a PhD dissertation

Title page: a PhD thesis starts with a title page that contains the complete title of the research work, the submitting university, names of the candidate and supervisor, affiliation and month and year of submission.

Abstract: this serves as a concise synopsis of the dissertation, covering the research context, purpose of the study or research questions, methodology, findings and conclusions. This section is usually one to two pages in length.

Table of contents: this page lists the thesis content and respective page numbers.

General introduction and literature review: this component is usually 20 to 40 pages long. It presents the readers with the primary material and discusses relevant published data. It provides an overview of pertinent literature related to the thesis such as texts that critically assess the existing literature to identify the gap in research and explain the need behind the study.

Aims and objectives: this section of the thesis is typically one to two pages long and describes the aims and objectives of the study. Structure them as three to four bullet points describing specific points that you will investigate. Approach this by thinking about what readers should understand by the end of the thesis. Ensure you:

Give a clear explanation of the purpose and goals of your study
Outline each aim concisely
Explain how you will measure your objectives
Ensure there is a clear connection between each aim
Use verbs such as investigate, evaluate, explore, analyse and demonstrate.

Materials and methods: this section briefly explains how you have conducted the study and should include all the materials you used and procedures you implemented. For example, if your research involves working with chemicals, list the chemicals and instruments used, along with their catalogue numbers and manufacturers’ names. This section should also explicitly explain the methodology you used, step-by-step. Use the past tense while writing this section and do not describe any results or findings of the study yet.

Results: this section is sometimes called the “findings report” or “the experimental findings” (referring to data collection and analysis). Write the results concisely and in the past tense. Include text, figure and table infographics created with tools such as Microsoft PowerPoint, Adobe Illustrator and BioRender to visualise your data .

Discussion: this is a chance to discuss the results and compare the findings of your study with the initial hypothesis and existing knowledge. Focus on discussing interpretations, implications, limitations and recommendations here.

Resources on academic writing for higher education staff
Tips for writing a PhD dissertation: FAQs answered
How to tackle the PhD dissertation

Summary and conclusion: this section should be shorter than the discussion and summarise your key findings. The summary and conclusion should be brief and engaging, allowing the reader to easily understand the major findings of the research work. Provide clear answers to the research questions, generate new knowledge and clarify the need for the study.

Future perspective: this section of the thesis (which is often combined with a summary or conclusion) talks about the study's limitations, if any, and indicates the directions for future studies based on your findings.

References or bibliography: the last section should include the list of articles, websites and other resources cited in the thesis.

Always remember that, depending on the department, university or field of study, you might have to follow specific guidelines on how to organise your PhD thesis. Ensure you consult your supervisor or academic department if you have any doubts.

Shama Prasada Kabekkodu is a professor and head of cell and molecular biology at Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, India.

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Trump floats green cards for noncitizen college graduates

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WASHINGTON — Former President Donald Trump suggested in a podcast released Thursday that noncitizens in the U.S. should "automatically" get green cards when they graduate from college.

"What I want to do and what I will do is you graduate from a college, I think you should get automatically as part of your diploma, a green card to be able to stay in this country," Trump said. "And that includes junior colleges, too."

Trump made similar comments during his 2016 campaign, only to limit legal migration when he was in office.

Trump was responding on the podcast to a comment from one of its hosts, who said, "We need high-skilled workers in this country." Another chimed in, noting that three of the four hosts are immigrants.

"Can you please promise us you will give us more ability to import the best and brightest around the world to America?" a host asked, prompting Trump's green card response.

Trump said he did promise that, adding that it was "so sad when we lose people from Harvard, MIT, from the greatest schools, and lesser schools that are phenomenal schools, also."

In a statement Friday morning, Trump campaign national press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that the former president's proposal would apply to "the most skilled graduates" who are "the most thoroughly vetted."

“President Trump has outlined the most aggressive vetting process in U.S. history, to exclude all communists, radical Islamists, Hamas supporters, America haters and public charges," Leavitt said. "He believes, only after such vetting has taken place, we ought to keep the most skilled graduates who can make significant contributions to America. This would only apply to the most thoroughly vetted college graduates who would never undercut American wages or workers.”

Earlier in the podcast appearance, Trump had repeated his frequent unfounded claim that migrants crossing the southern border into the U.S. are coming from jails, prisons, mental institutions and insane asylums. He also asserted without evidence that "we have terrorists coming into our country at a level that we've never seen before."

At a 2016 Republican primary debate, Trump said that "we need highly skilled people in this country" when he was asked about visas for highly skilled workers.

"They’ll go to Harvard. They’ll go to Stanford. They’ll go to Wharton. As soon as they’re finished, they get shoved out," Trump said in March 2016. "They want to stay in this country. They want to stay here desperately. They’re not able to stay here. For that purpose, we absolutely have to be able to keep the brainpower in this country."

However, visa denials and extensions increased during Trump’s time in the Oval Office, making it more difficult for some noncitizen workers to stay in the U.S.

In 2019, Trump laid out a merit-based legal immigration system to prioritize highly skilled migrants. But in 2020, he also signed an executive order that froze new visas for foreign workers.

In a statement, Biden campaign spokesperson Kevin Munoz said that Trump "made it his mission to rip apart immigrant families for his own political gain."

"Trump’s empty promise is both a lie and an insult, especially to the countless people that have been permanently damaged by his first-term in office," Munoz said.

Now campaigning for another term, Trump often makes anti-migrant rhetoric a centerpiece of his campaign speeches.

Trump has compared migrants to Hannibal Lecter from the movie "The Silence of the Lambs." He has asserted that migrants coming to the U.S. are "poisoning the blood of our country," rhetoric the Biden campaign has compared to Adolf Hitler's . Last month, he asserted without evidence that migrants are bringing "very contagious disease."

Megan Lebowitz is a politics reporter for NBC News.

Jillian Frankel is a 2024 NBC News campaign embed.

Jake Traylor is a 2024 NBC News campaign embed.

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Biden Administration

Fact-Checking What President Joe Biden Said in His 2024 Interview With TIME

Read our full cover story on President Joe Biden here . You can also read the transcript of the interview here and buy a copy of the issue here

President Joe Biden sat down for an interview with TIME about America’s role in the world and his foreign policy agenda.

Below is a review of Biden’s statements from the interview. TIME has also published the transcript of the conversation.

What Biden Said : “The Russian military has been decimated. You don’t write about that. It’s been freaking decimated.”

The Facts: This is a fair assessment, according to a Reuters report on a declassified U.S. intelligence assessment provided to Congress. The intelligence determined that Russia had 360,000 active military personnel when it invaded Ukraine in February of 2022. By December of last year, 315,000 Russian troops had been either killed or injured in the war—a reduction in troop strength by 87%.

What Biden Said: "We spent a lot of money in Ukraine, but Europe has spent more money than the United States has, collectively."

The Facts : The European Union has provided over $107 billion dollars in financial, military, humanitarian, and refugee assistance since the war in Ukraine began, as of April 24. Comparatively, Congress has authorized the United States to provide up to $175 billion to support Ukraine, and has provided the country approximately $81 billion since the Russian invasion, according to the White House.

What Biden Said : I spent a month in Ukraine when I was a Senator and Vice President.

The Facts : Biden’s trips to Ukraine include six he made as Vice President—more than any previous President or Vice President. He was also involved in Ukraine during his 36 years as a US Senator. He sponsored or co-sponsored 39 pieces of legislation in support of Ukraine, and worked on issues involving Ukraine as a longtime member of the Foreign Relations Committee, including 12 years as chairman or ranking member.

What Biden Said : "Japan [is] devoting 3% of its GDP to defense..."

The Facts : Japan aims to spend 2% of its GDP on defense by 2027, according to a statement by Prime Minister Kishida Fumio . From 1960 to 2022 , Japan’s defense spending was 1% of GDP or lower.

What Biden Said : "I put together a Quad that never existed before."

The Facts : The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, known as the Quad, is a partnership between the US, Japan, Australia and India that began in 2004, following the Indian ocean tsunami. The group was formalized by then-Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2007, but was inactive until reforming in 2017. The Quad’s first in-person summit was held at the White House in Sept. 2021, during Biden’s first year as President.

What Biden Said : “Wage increases have exceeded what the cost of inflation…”

The Facts : New data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows hourly wage growth topping inflation for the past 12 months. In April, nominal hourly earnings were up 3.9% from a year ago; inflation held at 3.4%. But cumulative inflation has outpaced wage growth for most of the Biden presidency.

What Biden Said : “I remember when I was heading to Taiwan, excuse me, to South Korea, to reclaim the chips industry that we had gotten $865 billion in private-sector investment, private-sector investments since I’ve been in. Name me a president who’s done that.”

The Facts: The White House announced an $866 billion private-sector investment in May, not when Biden went to South Korea in 2022. The funding was also meant for initiatives across clean energy and manufacturing industries, and is not limited to just the chips industry.

What Biden Said: “There are going to be a billion people in Africa in the next several years.”

The Facts : Africa’s total population already exceeds one billion people—an estimated 1.4 billion people live on the continent. That number is expected to reach nearly 2.5 billion by 2050, according to the United Nations .

What Biden Said: “I mean, that line that Macron used, and it says that…I was making notes for this. It said, Macron, they know the experience of brain death unlike anytime. Because lack of US leadership, we should reassess the reality of NATO in light of the lack of US leadership.”

The Facts: Biden appears to be referencing what French President Emmanuel Macron said in a October 2019 interview with The Economist , in which he warned that European countries could no longer rely on the United States to come to the defense of NATO allies. “What we are currently experiencing is the brain death of NATO,” he said, adding that the alliance “only works if the guarantor of last resort functions as such. I’d argue that we should reassess the reality of what NATO is in the light of the commitment of the United States.”

Correction, June 4

The original version of this story incorrectly described one definition of “decimate” as being “reduce to one-tenth.” It means to reduce by one-tenth. The relevant sentence has been removed.

Correction, June 5

The original version of this story misstated the assistance the U.S. has provided to Ukraine since the Russian invasion. It has provided approximately $81 billion, according to the White House, not $175 billion, which is how much Congress has authorized in aid to Ukraine and allied nations.

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Career Advice
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How Your Ph.D. Prepares You to Be an Entrepreneur

You can deploy skills you develop as a grad student and postdoc in a variety of careers, including working for a start-up or founding your own, Chris Smith writes.

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Innovation has become a hot topic in economic circles over the past few years. In March 2022, the United States’ National Science Foundation created its first new directorate in over 30 years : Technology, Innovation and Partnerships , or TIP. The passing of the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 helped fund the directorate, the mission of which is to “advance U.S. competitiveness and societal impact by nurturing partnerships that drive and accelerate diverse innovation ecosystems, technology translation and development, and workforce development.” The U.S. is investing heavily in research and innovation—which you can take advantage of as a Ph.D. researcher working in academia or beyond.

Graduate students and postdoctoral scholars already contribute much to research and innovation in the United States through their work on a variety of projects supported by the federal government and industry partners. But despite that fact, few consider a career focused on the leading edge of innovation: entrepreneurship.

Being willing to push the boundaries of human knowledge and forge new ideas into products is essential for entrepreneurs. And to secure backing, entrepreneurs must also work to articulate the value they and their products bring to individuals, organizations and the nation. Fortunately, plenty of resources are available to assist in those efforts, although many graduate students and postdocs may not be aware of them.

To encourage more technology commercialization and entrepreneurship, in the latter half of the 20th century the federal government established two funding programs for academics and others seeking to either move full-time to a start-up company or obtain funding to develop and commercialize new technologies. The Small Business Innovation Research program supports the growth of start-up companies, while the Small Business Technology Transfer program is aimed at technology commercialization.

Both the National Institutes of Health and NSF fund grants from both programs, and both offer a variety of other mechanisms to foster an innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem in the United States. In addition, NIH provides numerous resources to educate people about entrepreneurship and special programs like the Small Business Transition Grant for New Entrepreneurs (see a webinar on the program here ), which helps researchers interested in transitioning to entrepreneurship via a mentor.

American universities also offer an increasing number of programs that either focus on training Ph.D.s for careers in the technology transfer space or assist them in learning how to commercialize technological and other innovations coming from their research work, as our Innovation Postdoctoral Fellowship here at Virginia Tech seeks to do. In addition, NSF’s Innovation Corps (I-Corps) provides a seven-week experiential training program that prepares scientists and engineers to extend their focus beyond the university laboratory and toward commercialization by engaging in customer discovery and other activities. Such programs can be a bridge between traditional academic research and exploring an entrepreneurial career or employment in the innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Many academics may mistakenly believe that entrepreneurial skills are only relevant if one is planning to run a start-up company. Yet most faculty members running research groups at large universities are effectively leading small businesses inside their institutions. They must articulate a value proposition to get hired and ultimately secure funding for their research. In addition, most faculty leaders or principal investigators are in charge of hiring those who work in their labs and must manage these individuals and their projects toward a larger, common goal. A faculty leader must create a vision for their group and think strategically about how the various projects align toward both short- and long-term goals. This is entrepreneurship in an academic research context.

And just as an entrepreneurial mindset is essential to a successful academic career, it is also extremely useful for any scholar looking to create their own company, independent of their institution.

Entrepreneurial Skills From Your Ph.D. or Postdoc

Ph.D. training offers graduate students and postdocs many experiences to help them navigate entrepreneurship and/or working in a start-up company, such as the following.

Project planning and management. Completing a doctoral dissertation involves extensive project planning and management skills, from ideation to execution and dissemination. This directly translates to the ability to plan and manage large projects as an entrepreneur.
Independent work. Ph.D. students, and especially postdocs, often work independently with minimal oversight, building the drive and accountability needed to accomplish tasks without rigid external deadlines—a crucial skill for entrepreneurs.
Networking and collaboration. Entrepreneurs thrive on networking. Similarly, Ph.D. students and postdocs benefit from building strong connections—engaging with industry professionals, attending conferences and collaborating across disciplines to enhance their network. Such connections can lead to job opportunities, collaborations and funding.

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Thirst for knowledge. A core requirement for a Ph.D. is an insatiable desire to learn and expand one’s knowledge base. Entrepreneurs must constantly step out of their comfort zones and learn new skills, making this thirst for learning invaluable for Ph.D.s and postdocs looking to focus on entrepreneurship as a career.
Research skills. Doctoral training equips individuals with the ability to seek out, evaluate and synthesize quality information from various sources—a vital skill when navigating the unfamiliar territories of entrepreneurship.
Curiosity about the big questions. Starting a business requires asking and answering big questions about target audiences, value propositions and strategic direction. Ph.D.s are trained to take disparate information and craft cohesive narratives to address complex inquiries. Successful entrepreneurs do the same.
Problem-solving. Overcoming research obstacles and failed experiments hones problem-solving abilities in Ph.D.s and postdocs. As entrepreneurs constantly face new challenges, this skill is indispensable for finding innovative solutions.
Resilience and adaptability. Entrepreneurship involves risk-taking and overcoming failures. Ph.D. students and postdocs learn resilience by navigating setbacks. This adaptability prepares them for a dynamic marketplace for their products and ideas and the post-Ph.D. job market itself, where flexibility and the ability to pivot are critical.

In essence, the rigorous training and self-driven nature of doctoral programs and postdoc positions cultivate skills like project management, working both independently and collaboratively, learning agility, strategic thinking and problem-solving—all of which are invaluable assets for successful entrepreneurship. The key to honing these skills is taking increased agency in your projects so that you learn all aspects of the process of identifying a gap in knowledge or application, scoping out the current landscape of that area and working toward a solution. It is certainly not easy work, but it can help you in graduate school, postdoctoral training and beyond.

In sum, by embracing an entrepreneurial mindset in your job search, you identify opportunities in industry, start-ups, government or nonprofits or create your own position through entrepreneurship. And even if you don’t decide to go that direction, innovative thinking and treating one’s career development like a start-up can propel you to professional growth and success. The fact that cultivating the entrepreneurial skills I’ve described can also be significantly helpful for an academic researcher means leaning into them is a win-win for any graduate student or postdoc.

Chris Smith is the postdoctoral affairs program administrator at Virginia Tech. He serves on the National Postdoctoral Association’s Board of Directors and is a member of the Graduate Career Consortium—an organization providing an international voice for graduate-level career and professional development leaders.

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Kansas Colleges Remodel Gen Ed Requirements for Fall ’24

Colleges and universities in the state must align their course catalogs with new statewide require

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FACT SHEET: President Biden Announces New Actions to Keep Families Together

Since his first day in office, President Biden has called on Congress to secure our border and address our broken immigration system. As Congressional Republicans have continued to put partisan politics ahead of national security – twice voting against the toughest and fairest set of reforms in decades – the President and his Administration have taken actions to secure the border, including:

Implementing executive actions to bar migrants who cross our Southern border unlawfully from receiving asylum when encounters are high;
Deploying record numbers of law enforcement personnel, infrastructure, and technology to the Southern border;
Seizing record amounts of fentanyl at our ports of entry;
Revoking the visas of CEOs and government officials outside the U.S. who profit from migrants coming to the U.S. unlawfully; and
Expanding efforts to dismantle human smuggling networks and prosecuting individuals who violate immigration laws.

President Biden believes that securing the border is essential. He also believes in expanding lawful pathways and keeping families together, and that immigrants who have been in the United States for decades, paying taxes and contributing to their communities, are part of the social fabric of our country. The Day One immigration reform plan that the President sent to Congress reflects both the need for a secure border and protections for the long-term undocumented. While Congress has failed to act on these reforms, the Biden-Harris Administration has worked to strengthen our lawful immigration system. In addition to vigorously defending the DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood arrivals) policy, the Administration has extended Affordable Care Act coverage to DACA recipients and streamlined, expanded, and instituted new reunification programs so that families can stay together while they complete the immigration process. Still, there is more that we can do to bring peace of mind and stability to Americans living in mixed-status families as well as young people educated in this country, including Dreamers. That is why today, President Biden announced new actions for people who have been here many years to keep American families together and allow more young people to contribute to our economy. Keeping American Families Together

Today, President Biden is announcing that the Department of Homeland Security will take action to ensure that U.S. citizens with noncitizen spouses and children can keep their families together.
This new process will help certain noncitizen spouses and children apply for lawful permanent residence – status that they are already eligible for – without leaving the country.
These actions will promote family unity and strengthen our economy, providing a significant benefit to the country and helping U.S. citizens and their noncitizen family members stay together.
In order to be eligible, noncitizens must – as of June 17, 2024 – have resided in the United States for 10 or more years and be legally married to a U.S. citizen, while satisfying all applicable legal requirements. On average, those who are eligible for this process have resided in the U.S. for 23 years.
Those who are approved after DHS’s case-by-case assessment of their application will be afforded a three-year period to apply for permanent residency. They will be allowed to remain with their families in the United States and be eligible for work authorization for up to three years. This will apply to all married couples who are eligible.
This action will protect approximately half a million spouses of U.S. citizens, and approximately 50,000 noncitizen children under the age of 21 whose parent is married to a U.S. citizen.

Easing the Visa Process for U.S. College Graduates, Including Dreamers

President Obama and then-Vice President Biden established the DACA policy to allow young people who were brought here as children to come out of the shadows and contribute to our country in significant ways. Twelve years later, DACA recipients who started as high school and college students are now building successful careers and establishing families of their own.
Today’s announcement will allow individuals, including DACA recipients and other Dreamers, who have earned a degree at an accredited U.S. institution of higher education in the United States, and who have received an offer of employment from a U.S. employer in a field related to their degree, to more quickly receive work visas.
Recognizing that it is in our national interest to ensure that individuals who are educated in the U.S. are able to use their skills and education to benefit our country, the Administration is taking action to facilitate the employment visa process for those who have graduated from college and have a high-skilled job offer, including DACA recipients and other Dreamers.

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Megachurch pastor resigns after admitting 'sexual behavior' with 'young lady.' She was 12.

Cindy clemishire says gateway church senior pastor robert morris was 21 when he began molesting her when she was 12. morris, who says he has 'walked in purity' since, has now resigned..

The pastor of a megachurch in Dallas resigned Tuesday, two days after admitting to "inappropriate sexual behavior with a young lady" 35 years ago. The "young lady" in question was 12 and the "behavior" as she described it would amount to criminal sexual abuse.

The now-former Pastor Robert Morris of Gateway Church was preaching to more than 100,000 active attendees and was once a spiritual adviser to former President Donald Trump. His resignation comes four days after 54-year-old Cindy Clemishire went public with allegations that Morris started molesting her when she was 12 and he was 21, telling USA TODAY on Tuesday that she was no longer afraid.

"It was kissing and petting and not intercourse, but it was wrong," Morris, 62, said Sunday in a statement to local Dallas news station WFAA-TV . "This behavior happened on several occasions over the next few years ... Since that time, I have walked in purity and accountability in this area."

At first the church was standing behind Morris but announced his resignation following a wave of criticism.

In a statement issued to members of the news media, the church's board of elders said they previously understood that Morris had an "extramarital relationship" with a "young lady," citing the pastor's words − "not abuse of a 12-year-old child."

"We are heartbroken and appalled by what has come to light over the past few days, and we express our deep sympathy to the victim and her family," according to the statement, obtained by CBS News and NBC News .

Here's what we know.

Cindy Clemishire says Robert Morris sexually abused her at age 12

Allegations against Morris went public on Friday after Clemishire first shared her story with the Wartburg Watch , a blog about sexual abuse within the church.

Clemishire said in the blog post that she and her family met Morris at a youth revival in Tulsa, Oklahoma, when he was 20 and she was 11. Morris was a traveling evangelist with his wife, Debbie.

Morris would preach at Clemishire's church on Sundays, and sometimes he, Debbie, and their son would stay at her family's home. She viewed him as "safe and friendly," she said.

Things changed on Christmas in 1982 when Morris asked a 12-year-old Clemishire to "visit him in his room that night," and she thought nothing of it, she said in the post. Once in his room, she said he sexually abused her and warned her: "Never tell anyone about this because it will ruin everything."

She said the abuse continued in Oklahoma and Texas until 1987.

Eventually Clemishire told a good friend and her parents about the abuse, and Morris "reportedly stepped down from ministry for two years," she told the blog.

Church's initial support precedes Morris' resignation

Even as the church released a statement about his resignation, on Tuesday Morris was still listed as the senior pastor on Gateway Church's website, which says he has been married to his wife Debbie for 44 years and has three children with her.

Morris has a television program that airs in over 190 countries and his radio program airs in more than 6,800 cities, according to his biography on the Gateway Church website . Morris' YouTube page , which has 80,000 subscribers, includes videos with titles like "Freedom Through Forgiveness" and "Did You Know You're Made Perfect By God's Grace?"

In a previous statement issued to WFAA-TV, the church said that Morris has been "open and forthright about a moral failure he had over 35 years ago" and that "there have been no other moral failures."

In his own statement to the outlet on Sunday, Morris said that "this situation was brought to light, and it was confessed and repented of."

"I submitted myself to the Elders of Shady Grove Church and the young lady's father," he said. "They asked me to stop out of ministry and receive counseling and freedom ministry, which I did."

In the latest statement, the church elders said that "we regret that we did not have the information that we now have."

"For the sake of the victim, we are thankful this situation has been exposed," they said. "We know many have been affected by this, we understand that you are hurting, and we are very sorry. It is our prayer that, in time, healing for all those affected can occur."

Morris was also on Trump’s spiritual advisory board during the 2016 campaign and during the presidency. Trump's current campaign spokesman, Steven Cheung, said in a statement to NBC News that the former president hadn't been aware of the allegations and that Morris "does not have a role with the 2024 campaign.”

'Any and all victims, come forward'

Before Morris' resignation on Tuesday Clemishire told USA TODAY that she was "disappointed that they're basically lying and minimizing the crime."

USA TODAY does not typically name victims of sexual abuse but Clemishire said it was important to her.

She said that she has been sharing her story for decades with leadership in "very large and high-profile" churches and organizations, but no one took Morris out of ministry or the pulpit. Clemishire decided to come forward publicly to encourage others who may be victims to tell their stories, she said.

"Any and all victims, come forward ... I just don't believe that I'm the only person," she said.

At 54 years old, Clemishire said she has a "different confidence and a different understanding" that no longer makes her "feel intimidated."

"The courage is there," she said. "I just couldn't stay silent anymore."

Clemishire also included her name in the Wartburg Watch blog because she has "no shame."

"I've always just trusted that God's timing would take it wherever it needed to go," she said about Morris. "Why hide?"

Can Robert Morris be charged criminally?

Boz Tchividjian, Clemishire's attorney, told USA TODAY on Tuesday that Morris can't be charged criminally or civilly for the abuse because of the statute of limitations in place in the late 1980s, which was "fairly short."

Since 2017, the statute of limitations in Oklahoma for sex crimes involving children has been until the accuser turns 45. Before 2017, the statute of limitations was 12 years after the accuser turned 18.

"This just demonstrates the absolute importance of statute of limitations reform, both in criminal and civil cases," Tchvidijian said. "When somebody is traumatized as a child, for many it takes decades to process that trauma to even be ready to speak out or do something about it."

Tchividjian is advocating for "look-back windows," which allows states to reopen statutes of limitations that have previously expired so "survivors can now file their lawsuits."

Clemishire and Tchividjian are "currently evaluating all options" when it comes to legal action against Morris.

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Personal Statements for PhD Study
A PhD personal statement should be 400-500 words, fitting on one side of an A4 sheet of paper. Your university may set a specific word count or maximum length, so make sure to check the application details. Either way, you should aim to be disciplined and concise. There are two reasons for this:
How to Write a Personal Statement for a PhD Program Application
Set aside enough time: Although personal statements are generally short in length (approx. 700 words; 1-2 pages), give yourself ample time to write a strong, well-written statement. It takes more time than you think to develop a final draft for submission. Focus on your spelling, grammar, and vocabulary: It's important to present a well ...
A Guide to PhD Personal Statements [With Examples]
Step 1. Structure. PhD applicants are expected to be highly adept at writing, so it is paramount that your personal statement is carefully constructed and reflects your ability for written communication. The university you are applying to may provide you with a word count, or it may be stipulated by the space allowed on an online application form.
PhD Supporting Statement
The research proposal for the Creative Writing PhD is distinct from the proposal for other programmes, but you should also submit sections 1 and 3 of the supporting statement as detailed above. The research proposal for this PhD should be a maximum of 1,500 words, outlining both the creative and critical sides of the project.
How to write a PhD personal statement
Aim to be concise in your writing. The university may set a limit on the word count, but if not, your personal statement should ideally be no longer than one side of A4. Be concise and make every word count. Your statement should reflect the academic nature of the writing you'll be doing in the PhD. For example, if your work is scientific ...
How to Write a PhD Personal Statement: Essential Tips and Examples
Structure. A well-structured personal statement usually follows this format: Introduction: Briefly introduce yourself and your academic background. Academic and Research Background: Discuss your previous studies, research projects, and relevant experiences. Research Interests: Clearly state your research interests and objectives.
PDF How to Write Statements of Academic Purpose
How to Write Statements of Academic Purpose . The statement of academic purpose is an essential component of the graduate school application. It is your chance to share your passion and commitment to graduate study with the admission committee. To help you get started, we've compiled a few tips to help you write a strong statement of purpose.
PDF Writing a personal statement
Guidance for PhD applicants Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge. The 1,500 word personal statement is an important element of your application to doctoral study, whether full-time or part-time. It is one of several elements considered during the application process, alongside your research proposal and the references you provide.
A Step-by-Step Tutorial to Write PhD Personal Statement
2. Main Body: Delve deeper into your experiences and skills, addressing why you're an ideal candidate for the PhD program. Use this section to elaborate on various aspects of your CV as relevant ...
Writing an Effective Personal Statement for PhD Graduate Programs
Create a team of editors: Your personal statement will be read by faculty members and graduate students studying different topics within the program. Therefore, your personal statement should be compelling to a broad audience. Ask peers, mentors and advisors from various disciplines well in advance to edit and provide feedback on your statement.
PhD applicants: Writing your statement of purpose
I've read a lot of personal statements for PhD applications. I sat on admissions at UChicago, Columbia, and Yale, mostly in economics, political science, and public policy. Here's the advice I've given my own students and research assistants to craft their statements. I give it because, sadly, I don't find most statements helpful. This means […]
Personal Statement for PhD Scholarship Sample
The variety and diversity of scholarships available to PhD applicants mean that your creativity, writing skills, and self-reflection ability matter more than your academic background or achievements. This article presents a personal statement for PhD scholarship sample, written based on a specific scholarship, the Rhodes Scholarship, along with ...
How to Write a Personal Statement for a PhD Program
Reasons for pursuing a PhD: Your personal statement should clearly communicate the factors that encouraged you to apply for a PhD program. It should also convey how this chosen program builds on your previous experience and education. Relevant skills and competencies: The personal statement provides you with a good opportunity to communicate ...
How To Write A PhD Personal Statement
2. Pay attention to detail. Make sure you use good vocabulary and grammar throughout your statement - using well-written sentences that flow easily will make it more fresh and dynamic compared to other applicants. Avoid overly long sentences. Try to keep the tone of your statement positive and enthusiastic.
How to Write a Statement of Purpose for PhD Admission
A PhD statement of purpose gives admissions committees an introduction to your research interests and why their specific program is of interest to you. Like a cover letter for a job application, a great statement of purpose allows you to highlight your strengths, interests and experience. If you need statement of purpose advice, keep reading ...
Personal Statement Example: Student Applying for a Ph.D. in Literature
Personal Statement for a Ph.D. in Literature. In August 2015, I completed my graduate degree and thesis for the Research Master's in Comparative Literary Studies at [university name2]. As a student in the Research Master's (RMA) program, my scholarly concerns were mostly focused on critical theory, cultural studies, and social discourse, built ...
How To Write a PhD Personal Statement
Personal statements are typically around one to two pages long. However, you shouldn't aim to complete a personal statement in one sitting. Give yourself plenty of time to write a strong, concise, and impactful statement, then give yourself a period of reflection before you return to your statement and develop a final draft.
Fall is Application Prep Season for Graduate Studies: How to write a
We have put together a helpful article packed full of advice for writing your PhD personal statement (or cover letter), so you can approach the task with confidence. PhD personal statements are incredibly important bits of work, showing how suitable you are for studying within the department that you are applying to, so it's wise to make sure ...
PhD Personal Statement Examples
Writing: This module covers the writing of academic papers, including the development of a thesis, the use of appropriate language and style, and the presentation of results. Ethics: This module covers the ethical considerations of conducting research, including the ethical implications of the research process, the protection of human subjects ...
Applying for a PhD: How to write a Personal Statement
Preparing to write your personal statement. First, revise your CV accordingly and start to group the relevant information that you wish to emphasise in the personal statement. The personal statement usually allows you freedom to identify your specific strengths. Tip: Be careful not to exaggerate enthusiasm as this runs the risk of sounding false.
Part 5: how to write an Oxford PhD personal statement
In this video, I show you my Oxford PhD personal statement and how to write a PhD personal statement for Oxford and key things to include for graduate school...
Top 10 Tips for Writing a PhD Statement of Purpose
5. Do Not Focus on Teaching. PhD programs are all about training you to do high-quality, independent research. That is the purpose. In your statement, an emphasis on a love for teaching can be detrimental if it comes across as your primary objective. It is true that having a PhD qualifies you to become a university instructor.
Writing your PhD personal statement
A PhD personal statement is usually required when a university is recruiting candidates onto pre-defined PhD projects. A PhD personal statement will serve as your way to promote yourself as a student and explain why you are eligible to become a PhD student. Your personal statement will be your chance to make a good first impression.
How to structure your PhD thesis
Tips for writing a PhD dissertation: FAQs answered; How to tackle the PhD dissertation; Summary and conclusion: this section should be shorter than the discussion and summarise your key findings. The summary and conclusion should be brief and engaging, allowing the reader to easily understand the major findings of the research work. Provide ...
Trump floats green cards for noncitizen college graduates
In a statement Friday morning, Trump campaign national press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that the former president's proposal would apply to "the most skilled graduates" who are "the most ...
News & Publications
Stay up-to-date with the AHA View All News The American Historical Review is the flagship journal of the AHA and the journal of record for the historical discipline in the United States, bringing together scholarship from every major field of historical study. Learn More Perspectives on History is the newsmagazine…
Fact-Checking President Biden's 2024 TIME Interview
Read our full cover story on President Joe Biden here.You can also read the transcript of the interview here and buy a copy of the issue here. President Joe Biden sat down for an interview with ...
How your Ph.D. or postdoc prepares you for entrepreneurship (opinion)
Graduate students and postdoctoral scholars already contribute much to research and innovation in the United States through their work on a variety of projects supported by the federal government and industry partners. But despite that fact, few consider a career focused on the leading edge of innovation: entrepreneurship.
FACT SHEET: President Biden Announces New Actions to Keep Families
Next Post: FACT SHEET: Biden-Harris Administration Announces Historic Rules to Create Good-Paying, High-Quality Clean Energy Jobs FACT SHEET: Biden-⁠ Harris Administration Announces Historic ...
Gateway Church pastor Robert Morris resigns over sex abuse allegation
Church's initial support precedes Morris' resignation. Even as the church released a statement about his resignation, on Tuesday Morris was still listed as the senior pastor on Gateway Church's ...

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How to Write a Personal Statement for a PhD Program Application

YOUR PERSONAL STATEMENT SHOULD ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

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What Is a PhD Personal Statement?

What Should a PhD Personal Statement Contain?

1. Why You Want to Do This PhD

2. How Your Work Will Benefit the University

3. Why You Want to Study for a PhD at This University

4. Why You Are the Best Candidate

5. What You Learned During Your past Degrees and the Skills You Developed

6. Any Explanations for Lower Grades (If Applicable)

7. Your Future Plans

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