FSU Career Center • career.fsu.edu • 850.644.6431
Writing a Personal
Statement for Fellowships
and Awards
FSU Career Center • career.fsu.edu • 850.644.6431
What is a personal statement?
Writing Sample
Introduction
Persuasion Essay
Demonstration of skill/merit/fit
FSU Career Center • career.fsu.edu • 850.644.6431
Preparation I: Looking at You
• Unique attributes of your personal life story
• Your field of interest (and why you chose it)
• Personal success factors
• Goals (short and long term)
• What are you hoping to do with this potential award
and how might it help you achieve your goal?
• Values, interests, and skills
FSU Career Center • career.fsu.edu • 850.644.6431
Preparation II: Looking at Them
What is the program looking for in ideal candidates?
Carefully read the program’s promotional materials for mission, vision, values,
current research, etc.
Talk to current fellows/awardees who succeeded in acquiring the award
Speak with organization representatives about what they are seeking
What is the award committee specifically asking for?
READ the question prompts carefully and be sure to answer EVERY aspect of
the prompt
Speak to how you meet the specified qualifications
Speak to how your values/goals/aspirations match those of the organization
FSU Career Center • career.fsu.edu • 850.644.6431
Preparation III: Group Exercise
Take the next couple of minutes to answer the following on paper:
1. What field are you currently considering?
2. Name 2-3 things that sparked your interest in your field.
3. How did you discover these three things?
Let a partner read what you wrote.
…THEN…
Discuss your answers with a partner.
FSU Career Center • career.fsu.edu • 850.644.6431
Tips for Writing: Format & Style
Readability is key
• Easy-to-read font, size 11 or 12, 0.5” – 1”
margins
• Attend to word limits and page limits
• Attend to formatting guidelines
Language
• Use the first person
• Be authentic – do not write in a voice
other than your own in an attempt to
impress the reader.
FSU Career Center • career.fsu.edu • 850.644.6431
Tips for Writing the Body
• Set up your essay in the first paragraph.
Remember: Thesis, support, support, support,
conclusion!
• Use transition sentences at the end of each
paragraph. Help move the reader through the
flow of your changing thoughts.
• ANSWER THE PROMPT
• Use appropriate spelling and grammar
FSU Career Center • career.fsu.edu • 850.644.6431
Tips for Writing the Opening
Statement
• Avoid gimmicks or clichés
‒ “My name is Malia Obama. Just kidding– did I get your attention?” -- NO! Are you taking this seriously?
‒ “The purpose of this statement is to submit my application for the _______ fellowship.” – NO! I’m already bored.
‒ “I believe the children are our future.” – NO! That is a song. An old song. And it’s a given.
• Be authentic! Authenticity inspires interest
– “One might ask themselves, ‘What is the responsibility of the one to the many’ in this day and age.” – NO! Do you really
talk like that?
• Draw the reader in– leave them wanting to read more
‒ “When I was twelve, I had an experience that would change my life forever.” – YES! What happened?
‒ “Every morning when I wake up, the first thing I do is dance.” -- YES! Really? That’s different…why do you do that?
‒ “There is an old abandoned building on the corner of Main and Palm in my hometown called ‘Alder’s Mill.’” – YES! What
is so special about Alder’s Mill? How will this relate to our application and award?
FSU Career Center • career.fsu.edu • 850.644.6431
Content & Theme:
Open Prompts
“Write a personal statement consisting of 500 – 1000 words.”
You may want to:
• Tell a story/Review personal history (keep it relevant!)
• Discuss goals/aspirations/what you will do with the award
• Explain why you feel alignment with the organization/purpose of the award
and how it will help you achieve your goals/further their cause
FSU Career Center • career.fsu.edu • 850.644.6431
Content & Theme:
Structured Prompts
“Proposal—Please summarize your proposed research project on community
associations. The project topic must have potential of furthering understanding of
residential community associations and benefit the Foundation.”
You may want to:
• Describe your project in-detail
• Describe the community you hope to assist and what aspects of the project
will provide benefit
• Link aspects of the Foundation’s mission, vision, values, and/or projects to
the initiatives of your project– focus on RESULTS!
FSU Career Center • career.fsu.edu • 850.644.6431
Exercise:
What Should You Write About?
Open Prompt
The mission of BDIS is to inspire, empower and support underrepresented
groups students in the pursuit of STEM careers through platforms that include
knowledge sharing, self-discovery and creating life-balance.
What we do
Through an array of programs and services, BDIS inspires and supports underrepresented groups
throughout their academic training and careers. BDIS exposes young people to STEM disciplines and
encourages underrepresented groups to pursue STEM fields using the encouragement of role models
and support networks, while equipping them with the personal skills needed for success. For college
students, where underrepresented students often feel isolated and discouraged in their field, BDIS
serves a vital role in providing peer-support, camaraderie, and opportunities for growth. For those
working in STEM-related careers, BDIS is a resource for identifying talent and an oasis for idea-sharing
amongst a uniquely-compiled network of peers.
FSU Career Center • career.fsu.edu • 850.644.6431
Exercise:
What Should You Write About?
Structured Prompt (Ford Foundation)
FSU Career Center • career.fsu.edu • 850.644.6431
Writing Strategies
• Highlight/underline the main questions of the prompt and
answer each in short-form, then weave it all together
• Free-write about your goals and dreams related to your
work. When you are done, re-read to see how many of
the prompt items you answered unknowingly. Go on from
there.
• Write a bare-bones format for the document with thesis,
support, support, support, conclusion. Fill in the blanks.
FSU Career Center • career.fsu.edu • 850.644.6431
Rules to Write By*
• DEPTH over BREADTH
• Provide insight into what drives you
• Balance creativity with authenticity
• When sharing life experiences, connect them to your
professional goals
• Have someone else (ideally several others) read over your
personal statement and give you feedback.
* Adapted from Mark Stewart’s Perfect Personal Statements
FSU Career Center • career.fsu.edu • 850.644.6431
Common Mistakes to Avoid*
• Repeating information provided elsewhere in your application
• Complaining about your circumstances in life
• “Preaching” to the reader or discussing controversial topics
• Talking about money as a motivator
• Cliché introduction or conclusion; use of gimmicks
• Exceeding word/page limit
• Failure to tailor to organization (make sure you have the
organization’s name right!)
* Adapted from Mark Stewart’s Perfect Personal Statements
FSU Career Center • career.fsu.edu • 850.644.6431
Evaluating Your Personal Statement
• Proofread!
• Strategically choose people to critique your personal statement
– Begin with a trusted friend to clean up language and grammar
– Utilize services offered by the Office of Graduate Fellowships and Awards
– Stop by The Career Center for help from a Career Advisor
– Take it to a professor in the field you are applying for
– Pass it on to people who are writing your recommendations
• What should you look for in your critiques?
– See the Personal Statement Guide & use the Personal Statement evaluation chart at
www.career.fsu.edu
FSU Career Center • career.fsu.edu • 850.644.6431
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