In plain English
It is the part of an application where the applicant explains themselves in their own words. In this essay for a course or institution, they describe their background, interests, achievements, and aims.
In context
Here, "personal statement" names the required essay document in which the applicant sets out their background, interests, achievements, and aims.
- Situation
- Applying for admission, scholarships, financial aid, and following decision status
- What it communicates
- names a required application essay document
Meaning limits
The term alone does not establish the essay's length, structure, or exact wording.
Examples
“For his engineering course application, Ravi rewrote his personal statement to describe his family background, his interest in robotics, the prizes he had won, and his career aims.”
“The admissions tutor read her personal statement before turning to the transcript.”