How to write a good personal statement to study abroad

Most universities and colleges abroad require applicants to write a personal statement. Particularly, universities in the UK and US ask applicants to submit a personal statement along with their application.

However, what they don’t tell you is this. A convincing personal statement along with your academic transcript determine if you’ll be given an offer of a place on a full-time degree course or not.

Getting intimidated because it involves writing?

No need to be. In fact, it’s best you write your personal statement on your own, especially if it’s your first time applying to a university abroad.

And eventually if it’s your first time, don’t worry you won’t have the anxiety I had the time I applied.

You know why?

For the simple reason that you are reading this article. I recall applying to an Australian university – writing a personal statement was one of the things I had to do.

The problem I had then wasn’t whether I could write a personal statement or not. Because, at least I had good knowledge of essay writing in high school. Instead, my problem was that I had no idea what I’m to write.

I was stuck!

You may be wondering how important a personal statement is.

How important is a personal statement?

Consider this…..the content of your personal statement is part of your course application.

That is, while you will be assessed by your academic credentials, you’ll also be assessed by the quality of your personal statement.

Dear God! But why?

Because your personal statement will include important details like;

Reasons why you want to study in the university.

Reasons why you want to study abroad even.

Reasons why you chose your course.

Your previous roles in extra-curricular activities.

Scenarios that has made you to demonstrate effective leadership.

And so on. You now begin to realize how important a personal statement is to your course application.

I put it this way. A personal statement helps them KNOW you.

In 2017, I started my course application to attend a university in Australia. So, I reached an older friend who studied in Ghana but once had an offer at a UK university. He advised me on what to write. I gave all he told me a thought, and my mind began to open. Four days later, I was through thinking.

Want an idea of what I thought about?

Here is it. I started asking myself why I want to study in Australia instead of Nigeria. Why not just study in Nigeria, I continued.

I had reasons. Fortunately, the reasons were strong. And that was where I had a breakthrough in writing my personal statement.

The summary is that I went on to write a great personal statement (it was specified in my offer letter). And then I had an offer of a place on a full-time course in Australia.

It is the secret behind that great personal statement which earned me an offer of a place I have decided to share.

And it is my hope you find it very useful.

What is a personal statement?

I define personal statement as a statement of intent.

That’s not hard, is it?

It’s a statement that describes YOU – your desires, intentions, skills, abilities, experiences, goals, and future plans if possible. That’s all.

personal statement
Photo credit: Canva

Almost all universities abroad require a personal statement to complete your course application. It is a standard.

So, absorb it! Embrace it! Get over it!

And… sit up!

To study abroad, a personal statement is very important. So, you would be unable to avoid it if you want to study abroad.

Now that you know what a personal statement mean and why it’s important, let me show you how to write a good one.

When applying to a UK university, applicants are required to submit their personal statement with their course application. However, some universities in other countries require a personal statement after your offer.

Now how do I write a personal statement? And not just a statement, how do I write a good one?

How to write a good personal statement

First, you should know that personal statement don’t require a maximum number of words.

Which means you are expected to open up!

From my experience, a good personal statement should provide convincing answers to the following questions:

  • Why do you want to study abroad?
  • Why do you want to study the course you selected?
  • And what skills or abilities do you have that is relevant to your course?
  • Why do you want to study at a university?
  • What way have you shown determination to study abroad or your selected course?
  • In what instances have you shown effective leadership?
  • What do you plan doing after finishing your course?

Giving answers to those questions ain’t hard. Is it?

You could even tell me right away in the comments why you want to study abroad. That is to say, it isn’t a hard thing after all.

But, how do you present it? What exactly do they want?

Should you just state why you want to study abroad? Or what?

But then, what if an applicant don’t have answers to those questions? It is likely that there won’t be an offer of a place.

To help you with your personal statement, I have put together six tips to guide you. Simply, they are tips to answering the questions I mentioned earlier.

Before we get started, let me give you an advise. It is important you keep your personal statement as brief as possible. Not short, but brief. What I mean is, be specific and don’t beat about the bush. Otherwise, you might end up writing too much to read. There is no specific amount of words for too much, but your personal statement shouldn’t be an autobiography.

Good enough, I included an example to help you.

Why do you want to study abroad?

Think about your reasons for wanting to study in another country instead of yours. Mention how studying abroad will benefit you or your family. Make sure to add how to studying overseas will contribute to the development of your home country. These benefits of studying abroad may help.

Why do you want to study the course you selected?

So you want to study Medicine or Marketing. You should say why. Give reasons you want to have a degree in that field. Mention the problems you have identified you can solve in that area. And, if it’s a global problem, it’s all great! Include why it’s the right course for you. Consider these tips to choosing the right course to study.

And what skills or abilities do you have that is relevant to your course?

For example, if you want to study marketing, mention how good you are at talking. Have an experience with marketing a product or service in the past, now is the time to share. And, Medicine could be a terrible choice for people that lack compassion, at least. Same apply to other fields, state that one or more things you are good at.

Explain how your talent, skill, or ability (inherent or learned) can be helpful to your course.

Why do you want to study at a university?

Reveal your likeness for the university you chose. Maybe because great people had passed through that school. Or maybe you consider it a great environment for you to develop yourself.

Moreover, it could be that their tuition fees is affordable for low-income families like yours and mine. Or that’s where you could get a scholarship. Feel free to mention it.

What way have you shown determination to study abroad or your course?

It could be that you passed off the chance to study in your country. Mention it. Moreover, you might have had admission offers in other courses, but turned them down.

And, if you have any work experience, be kind to mention it. Don’t say you haven’t worked anywhere before.

Why? Experience in this context doesn’t mean on a job per say. Any experience on a work or out of work that show your determination for your course would do. Perhaps on a train, on a conversation, or in the community.

How about the time you volunteered with a government or a non-governmental organization? Add it.

In what instances have you shown effective leadership?

Be detailed here.

Mention scenarios that has seen you prove leadership. You are the only person who knows those circumstances, tell your reader. Don’t get anxious, it could be anything.

One time I had a rare privilege of occupying a position of authority at a local radio in College. A young chap called in one evening. And, lamented how he wasn’t considered for a position, even though, he performed well at the auditions. Not only was he not given the job, he had been ignored.

I politely requested he come over to the radio, which he did. I obtained his ratings from the auditions desk and went through them. I saw that he was qualified.

That was a situation on my hands. What did I do?

In an attempt to be diplomatic, I requested he check back the next day. That same day, I checked through his application for his contact. Then, I instructed the director of programs to have him report for work the next morning. By the time he arrived, his appointment letter was ready with apology.

He was beaming with smiles knowing the one who had the power to do it had done it.

The patience, diplomacy, respect, attitude, and desire to do what is right were evident.

That was the experience I shared in my personal statement. You see it wasn’t long. Remember I mentioned earlier a personal statement doesn’t have to be so much.

Share a circumstance that has made you show leadership in the past.

You could have me send you personal tips by providing your email.

What do you plan doing after finishing your course?

Reveal your plans; there is no need to hide. Besides, what you share might not be what you eventually do in 10 years. Because, goals are redefined and plans change often.

Include how you’ll apply your course after school. Mention your dreams. It would be great to reveal how your community would benefit from your expertise and experience. Not so hard after all.

In a nutshell, I highly advise you do the following to write a good personal statement.

  • Be open-minded – you will think and write better.
  • Be honest – your personal statement is all about YOU after all.
  • Be straightforward – hit the nail on the head, you saw a circumstance I shared earlier about myself that took place when I was in school.
  • Pay little attention to your vocabulary – the composition doesn’t matter, freely convey your ‘about you’ message in your own words, in your own way.
  • Include all important details as I pointed out earlier and
  • Be excited to be writing about you – you finally got the chance to share why you want to study your course – in your school – your future goals – your targets – and the best part is –  you aren’t standing with a microphone facing an intimidating audience. Embrace it and dish out the best personal statement that represent you and everything you believe in.

Just as with documents needed to study abroad, a good personal statement is important. And, writing a poor personal statement might hurt your chances of having an offer. It could mean study abroad slipping off your hands.  Don’t let it.

Follow these tips to write a good personal statement yourself. Your chance of studying a full-time degree course abroad may depend on it. Personally, I benefited from writing a personal statement myself and today, I can write anything. Most importantly, you too can!

I’d be glad to hear from you in the comments. If I can help further, please let me know. Also, share this post with your friends on social media using the share buttons. They’d be thankful to you.

One more thing. If you’d like to hang out with me and thousands of other international students, click here to join the International Students Facebook group.

11 thoughts on “How to write a good personal statement to study abroad

  1. I’m glad having read this post.
    It’s quite interesting, procedural and the guide from it has made me think of coming up with the best personal statement.
    Before this, I didn’t even know where to start but now, am very much grateful.
    Thank you

  2. Thanks for helping us …through these notes you have gave us l think we can come up with a better personal statement thank you a lot

  3. This post has actually made me to have a wide range of ideas and how to tackle my personal statement. I have always felt discouraged to follow up applications cuz of personal statements

    1. This is a great article that has changed my perspective on how to write a great personal statement. I’m so thankful for having come across it. Continue with this and God bless

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