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Postgraduate taught

Written work requirements

Some courses require a sample of your written work to demonstrate your suitability.

Departmental requirements

Details of what to include in your sample of written work will be provided during the application process. Not all courses require written work as part of your application. Please check the relevant course page for further information.

Where a sample of your written work is needed, it will be assessed for your analytical and critical thinking skills; your ability to construct and defend an argument and your powers of expression.

To help you to prepare before you start your application, you can find out about course-specific requirements below.

Got a question about applying to York? Email our friendly Admissions Team for advice and support.

If you've already applied to study at York please use You@York to upload any documents. Please do not email documents to us.

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Supply at least two examples of your recent written work.

These may be essays which you have written recently for your present course, material you have prepared for some other purpose, or something you have written specially for your application to York.

The examples you supply should be on topics which are relevant to the subject of your proposed course of study.

MA Eighteenth Century Studies

Supply two examples of your recent written work.

These may be essays which you have written for your present course, material you have prepared for some other purpose, or something you have written specially for your application to York.

The examples you supply should be literary critical essays rather than creative writing and preferably on topics which are relevant to your proposed course of study.

We are looking for self-directed high-quality work which shows that you are suitably prepared for postgraduate study.

Your essays should be long enough to build an argument, but not too long (typically six to ten pages double spaced is recommended). The best essays have:

• a clear argument, built by using good materials and examples to back up your points
• engagement with existing scholarly work
• accurate references
• a clear conclusion.

It is usually better to select of piece of work written later in your degree, as this will be your strongest work.

A section from a research essay or dissertation might be ideal, but don't send the whole work.

Select a good six to ten-page section and give a very brief introduction explaining how this section fits into the bigger work.

These may be essays which you have written for your present course, material you have prepared for some other purpose, or something you have written specially for your application to York. The examples you supply should be literary critical essays rather than creative writing and preferably on topics which are relevant to your proposed course of study.

MA Renaissance and Early Modern Studies

These may be essays which you have written recently for your present course, material you have prepared for some other purpose, or something you have written specially for your application to York. The examples you supply should be on topics which are relevant to the subject of your proposed course of study. Ideally, at least one will relate to the Renaissance and Early Modern period.

MA History of Art and pathway degrees

You should submit one sample of academic-style writing, maximum 1,500 words in length.

Where possible the subject matter should concern art history, but if your background lies in other areas, we would welcome work in another field such as literature, history or other subjects. The writing sample should:

• demonstrate your command of the subject
• have an argument
• engage with primary sources (such as a work of art or architecture) and with specialist scholarship.

The writing sample should have a scholarly apparatus (including footnotes, bibliography, and a list of illustrations); this apparatus does not count towards the word count.

Your writing sample might typically be an excerpt from a previous essay or dissertation, or a new text written specially for the application. If you are submitting an excerpt from a longer piece of writing, please add a note at the start to clarify the context from which it is taken.

If you have any questions or concerns about the writing sample, please feel free to contact the Graduate Chair in History of Art for advice.

Please note that if you submit your writing sample electronically, you may need to remove digital images from your work so that the file size does not surpass 1MB. We will read art-historical writing samples without images so long as your text indicates which images were originally included in a list of illustrations.

MA Stained Glass Conservation & Heritage Management

The written sample for the MA in Stained Glass Conservation & Heritage Management does not have to be on a stained glass topic, but needs to show use of scholarly mechanisms and an ability to construct arguments.

MA Medieval Studies

You should include two essays as part of your application.

Your essays should be long enough to build an argument, but not too long (typically six to ten pages double spaced is recommended).

The best essays have:

Your essays can be from the same or from different disciplines, ie one from literature and one from art history; but one must be on a medieval topic.

It is usually better to select pieces of work written later in your degree rather than your first year.

You may even choose to write an essay specifically for the application, especially if you've been out of education for many years.

MA Culture and Thought after 1945

You should include two examples of your recent written work which demonstrate some links to the MA content.

They should be at least 3,000 words in length but not significantly more.

You may write something specifically for this application if you wish.

MA Music Production

Provide a short portfolio of extracts (no longer than five minutes) of some of your previous work in music production.

You can attach an mp3 (320kb/s) file along with your application, or you can provide a text document containing an external download link for your portfolio (in mp3 320kb/s or higher resolution formats).

Please also provide a short written statement (maximum 500 words) describing the portfolio items and how they were produced. Also, provide in under 500 words a short written statement describing the musicianship, scholarship or research that is relevant to the production work that you wish to do.

MA Music Performance

If you wish to specialise in performance, you should provide a video recording (or a link to an online video recording) of about 10 to 15 minutes of yourself performing a varied repertoire that includes Western art music. Please refer to the entry requirements for the programme for more information.

• Music Performance: Vocal Studies
• Music Performance: Historical Performance Practices
• Music Performance: Piano Studies
• Music Performance: Solo Voice Ensemble Singing

 MA musicology 

If you wish to specialise in musicology please supply a sample academic essay with referencing on a music-related subject of your choice.

MA Philosophy

Please supply a 2,000- to 4,000-word essay written on a philosophical theme. This could be an essay written for a previous Philosophy degree.

MA Film and Television Production with Cinematography

To accompany your application, please send us a short portfolio highlighting your best creative work through filmmaking.

This should include samples of cinematography where possible, but examples of directing and editing can also be submitted to further demonstrate your talent and ambition.

It is not essential to send multiple examples – just send us what you consider your strongest creative work.

At least one piece should be a completed film/show you had a key role in creating ; preferably as cinematographer or another role in camera/lighting.

Complete films or short edited scenes you've made are often preferred for showing off your storytelling abilities in film/TV, but we can also review showreels if submitted.

Send us links (YouTube, Vimeo, Google Drive, etc) where we may view your work by uploading a document (Word or PDF) with the links included as part of your submission.

To support your portfolio submission please also include a separate document (one page maximum) providing details of your specific role(s) in any film project examples you choose to submit as part of your application. This will allow us to better assess your filmmaking skills and abilities.

If you have difficulties uploading, please contact us by email.

MA Film and Television Production with Producing

Ideally, you will have some experience of film, television or video production. However, we will consider applicants with experience in other performance arts or media, such as theatre or music, who have an interest in producing. In all cases we want to see examples of your media production work and details about your specific role in creating it .

To accompany your application, send us a Word or PDF document with web links to your work, eg YouTube, Vimeo, Dropbox etc, so we can view it directly. We cannot accept physical media.

These sample projects can be in any genre, such as narrative, non-fiction or animation. They should demonstrate your talent and ambition.

We prefer to see entire works but you may also include a link to a showreel, so long as you include a link to at least one entire project as well.

If you have difficulties uploading please email us.

In a separate Word or PDF document, describe your specific role in the creation of each project , eg producer, production manager or director. You should also indicate whether this was a project you initiated or one that was part of a group exercise. This will allow us to better assess your filmmaking skills and abilities.

MA Film and Television Production with Directing

To apply to this course you must have some prior experience in directing film, television or video.

To accompany your application, please send us a Word or PDF portfolio document with web links to your sample directing work so we can view it online, eg Youtube, Vimeo or Dropbox. We cannot accept physical media.

Sample projects can be in any genre, eg narrative, non-fiction or animation. They should demonstrate your talent and ambition. You may also include a link to a showreel so long as you include a link to at least one entire project as well.

We consider quality over quantity, so please only send links to your best work.

If you have difficulties uploading to your application, please contact us by email.

In a separate Word or PDF document , give details for each project listed in your portfolio document including:

• your specific role(s) in the creation of it
• whether it was a project you initiated or one that was part of a group exercise
• a brief description of your specific creative objectives for it.

This will allow us to better assess your filmmaking skills and abilities.

MA Playwriting

Supply at least two examples of recent written work .

One should be a piece of your own creative writing (for example, a play script).

The second should be a piece of analytical writing. It may be an essay which you have written for your present course, material you have prepared for some other purpose, or something you have written specially for your application to York.

MA Theatre-Making

You must include one piece of recent written work for your application.

This should be a piece of analytical writing of approximately 2,000 to 3,000 words . It may be:

• an essay that you have written for a present or past course
• material you've prepared for some other purpose
• something you have written especially for your application to York.

Additionally, you may choose to submit a recording of some recent creative work , eg an acting or directing project. Upload a document to your application via You@York with links where we may view your work. Sharing websites like YouTube, Vimeo and OneDrive are recommended.

MA/MSc Film and Television Production with Sound

Alongside your application, we would like to see a short portfolio of your creative work . This could include samples of sound design-related work you've been involved with, for example:

• a short film or television/video programmes with an original soundtrack
• sound or music recordings
• audio applications you have programmed.

Include in a separate document (one page maximum) details of your role in these projects. These examples should demonstrate your talent and ambition and also link to your portfolio work submitted. There is no need to send many examples – just what you consider your best work.

Upload a document to your application via You@York with links where we may view your work. Sharing websites like YouTube, Vimeo, and OneDrive are recommended.

MA Film and Television Production with Editing

Alongside your application, we would like to see a  short portfolio of your creative work . This could include samples of editing in which you have been involved, for example

• a short film
• television or video programmes
• animations.

You should include in a separate document (one page maximum) details of your role in these projects. These examples should demonstrate your talent and ambition. There is no need to send many examples - just what you consider your best work. 

Upload a document to your application via You@York with links where we may view your work. Sharing websites like YouTube, Vimeo and OneDrive are recommended.

If you have difficulties with uploading, please contact us by email.

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Advice for writing personal statements.

Personal statements are focused narratives that map out important experiences that shape you, what you value most, and how you plan to apply these toward your future. Personal statements provide a balanced explanation about the significance of your experiences, current objectives, and future goals. There is no set formula to follow. Personal statement prompts vary. Read and analyze them carefully, so that you can understand what they look for specifically. Some encourage personal reflection; others are more academically or professionally focused. Essays should: 1. engage readers and clearly demonstrate what makes you a unique candidate; 2. be clear and concise; 3. express a vibrant and confident tone; and 4. provide a balanced discussion of your past experience with an explanation of your goals, plans, and aspirations. Consider some of the following to begin writing the personal statement  

• What makes you unique? What's the most important thing the committee should know about you?
• How and when did you become interested in your field? How did you become committed to working in your field (what solidified your decision?) What do you expect to do and what do you hope to get out of it?
• What intellectual influences--writers, artists, books, professors, concepts-- have shaped how you think and what you want to do?
• How has your undergraduate academic experience—courses, research, internships, study abroad, etc.—prepared you for graduate/professional school or for a fellowship or scholarship? What research have you conducted, and internships or leadership roles have you had? What did you learn?
• What non-academic experiences contributed to your choice of field of study or career?

A few guidelines

Start writing early and get feedback from faculty, advisors, and peers . Applications and essays require research, planning, writing, rewriting, and revision. Make a schedule for yourself with self-imposed deadlines for drafts, getting letters of recommendation, transcripts, sending applications. Work closely with faculty and mentors on essay drafts. They can provide valuable insight and feedback on your writing. Focus essays on you and make an impression on the reader . While you might discuss someone who has been an important influence on you, the main components of the narrative should draw on your own observations, ideas, and values. Aim for a balanced portrait of your knowledge and skills, commitment and passion, and real-life goals.

Show purposefulness and responsibility . Demonstrate in your essays that you make decisions based on informed choices, and that you are capable and self-directed.

Write clearly. While the essay should be lively, it is not a creative writing exercise. Avoid using jargon. The writing does not have to be complex. Aim for clarity.

Describe major challenges in balanced way.  If problems beyond your control—poverty, discrimination, serious illness, family difficulties—have played an important role in your experience and relate to how you approach your goals, write about them. However, the purpose should not be to elicit sympathy, but rather show how you have worked to overcome or address problems.

Last Updated: 06/27/2023 12:27

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Baruch College Writing Center

Prewriting for personal statements and other application materials

This guide is designed to help you begin brainstorming information to include in your application materials. Open a new, blank document and take notes in response to each of the below prompts.

List your experience

Identify your skills, interests, and goals, connect your experience to your skills, research the program, find and analyze models, draft the statement.

Begin by identifying your most significant past experiences—in work, in school, and in your personal life. What are the most important, uncommon, or interesting elements of your past? What makes you stand out from the average applicant? List anything a committee might want to know about you.

• Academic Experiences Ex: Course in International Economics
• Professional or Extracurricular Experiences Ex: Marketing Internship; founder of start-up; treasurer of a club
• Personal Experiences Ex. Living in several countries; family members who inspired you

Then, start identifying your skills, interests, and goals. As you brainstorm, focus on what is most relevant to this application.

• Personal skills and traits Ex: data analysis; leadership skills; patient with young kids; persistence; curiosity; graphic design
• Current interests and goals that motivate you to apply Ex: Management Consulting; NYC theater scene; to gain non-profit experience; to learn about other cultures
• Long term goals this opportunity will help you achieve Ex: To obtain a managerial role; to pursue a graduate degree; to enter a particular subfield or specialty

Next, you’ll look for connections between elements in these lists.

Frame your background as a source of expertise:

Explain how one or more elements of your background helped you to develop a key skill, interest, or understanding.

• Ex: Over the years, I have gained an understanding of how the historic and political structures of South Asian regions cause cultural practices to evolve. I owe much of this learning to my experience living in India in 2015.
• Ex: Having minored in English literature, I’m especially interested in the relationship between creative writing and marketing.
• Ex: My initial interes t in communication studies, and specifically the field of intercultural communication, emerged from the experience of growing up in China as a child of Bangladeshi parents.

Explain what you learned from each experience:

Consider one or two of your recent professional or extracurricular experiences. Write a few sentences about what you learned or achieved.

• Ex: This experience exposed me to non-traditional approaches to leadership that can increase employee satisfaction.
• Ex: Having served on the diversity committee at my company, I have learned a great deal about cultural conceptions of workplace etiquette.
• Ex: My summer experience helped me understand the importance of implementing economic policies supported by substantive research. This further solidified my desire to pursue a graduate degree in public administration

Link your past to your future:

You’ll want to demonstrate that you have a sense of your future professional or academic plans upon completion of the program (even if you change your mind later!). Write a few sentences linking admission in this program to success in your future career goals.

• Ex: Participating in the English Teaching Assistantship in Japan will be an important step towards a career in educational leadership.
• Ex: I am confident that the program’s emphasis on public policy will give me the necessary skills to advocate for policy changes in service of disempowered communities in New York City.
• Ex: As I refine my research focus, I believe I would benefit from the opportunities the program provides for field experiences at community centers.

Before writing your personal statement, you’ll want to research the program’s design, emphasis, and curriculum. Using this research, write a few sentences to demonstrate knowledge of and interest in specific aspects of the program.

• Ex: I look forward to the experiential component of the program , as I hope to build an understanding of how business decisions are made on a global scale.
• Ex: After speaking with Lisa Anderson, I am especially drawn to the Executive Fellowship program and its focus on transforming the academic experience of students at community colleges.

Look for models of strong statements in the same discipline or genre.

• Start by asking your advisors if they have models to share.
• If you find an example online, run it by a trusted mentor to see if they agree that it’s a strong model text.
• Find out what readers in your specific program expect. Applications for research-focused graduate programs have different expectations than those in more applied fields (a doctoral program in clinical psychology vs. one in social psychology, for example).

Once you’ve found some compelling examples, analyze them for writing moves you can borrow.

• What information does the writer include in the introduction? The conclusion?
• How do they structure their body paragraphs?
• How personal is the statement?

Read our “ Personal Statements Introductions” handout for examples of opening paragraphs in four disciplines.

Now that you’ve brainstormed in all of the categories above, you’re ready to start putting together a first draft.

• As you outline, give each paragraph a clear purpose.
• Keep in mind that committees often review hundred of applications from similar candidates. As you write, try to help them understand your specific experience and interest. Ask yourself: Could another student have written the same essay?
• If you’re writing multiple essays or letters for the same application, draft with their different purposes in mind.

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• How to Apply

Required Materials

To apply, you'll submit some required materials via the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) and complete an online application by a specific deadline . 

Online Application and Electronic Attachments

Before you begin, review the Admission 2024 Application Instructions (PDF: 350 KB).

You’ll need to choose one program to which you’ll apply this cycle (September to June). 

Be sure to use the right application form for the program you’ve chosen and for the semester in which you’d like to start studies, if applicable.

You must fully and accurately complete each section of the application form, and attach the required materials. (Do not print and mail the form or attachments; they will be discarded.)

The $85 application fee is non-refundable. You will be prompted to pay it with a credit card when you submit the application form.

Contact us if you are unable to use a credit card, or if the application fee would present a financial hardship.

The fee isn’t a tuition credit, if admitted.

Tell us about all of your education and work experience in one to two pages. Please include details about any 3-month period when you weren’t in school or employed.

Other than length, there is no required format for your résumé/CV. It is fine to include extracurricular activities, publications, presentations, or other career-related information, if you have them.

This is a brief statement—make it no more than 500 words.

It is also personal. Describe aspects about yourself, your accomplishments, or your academic and professional goals. Take a moment to reflect on these, and consider including your thoughts about how they motivate you toward graduate study and/or illuminate the reason(s) you are applying for one of our programs or a particular specialization.

LLM in Legal Theory

If you are applying to this specialization, be sure to address your main field(s) of interest within legal theory and some of the potential research questions or projects you’d like to explore.

Part-time Applicants with a US JD

For candidates applying to the part-time LLM, E-LLM, or APC in Taxation programs, you are strongly encouraged, but not required, to submit a personal statement. All other part-time applicants must submit a personal statement.

We offer the addendum option so that, if there is any information you’d like to share, you can.

Not all applicants submit an addendum—in fact, not even the majority—but we wouldn’t want to put you in the position of being unable to share important and relevant information just because we didn’t ask about it.

The addendum option can also be used if you need additional space to respond to a character and fitness question.

There are some items that are not an addendum; do not attach these:

• Writing samples, articles, or research papers;
• Digital versions of academic credentials, test scores, or recommendations;
• An extended essay to augment your personal statement.

Hauser Global Scholarship Essay

If you’re applying for the Hauser Global Scholarship Program , you’ll need to attach an additional essay (500-750 words) before submitting the application.

Your essay should briefly describe a current legal dilemma, controversy, or issue facing a country, a region, or the world, and suggest a strategy to address the problem. 

Research and Writing Samples

If you’d like for your previous research and writing to be considered, please make note of it on your résumé/CV.

Do not submit samples. We do not require them for application to the LLM program and we do not review them.  

If you’re a CPA, please provide a digital image of your certificate.

We reserve the right to validate its authenticity or your standing with the governing board at any time. 

You must electronically attach these materials to the application form. 

Take your time to ensure you’ve arrived to the final versions of these materials before submitting the application. Late submission and/or revisions are not permitted.

Sample Research Paper

To fulfill this requirement, you can submit a published paper, a research paper written for seminar credit, or a paper prepared specifically for your application to the doctoral program. You must have originally written it in English.

Ideally, but not necessarily, it will address a question in the same substantive area you plan for your dissertation.

We do not set a page or word limit, but the file must be 2MB or smaller so that it can be attached.

Proposal of Study

You’ll need to submit a dissertation proposal of no more than 3,000 words. It must be written in English and contain a bibliography. 

Your proposal should have sufficient specificity to make possible an evaluation by a member of our faculty familiar with the proposed field. 

The substance of your proposal should:

• Clearly state the research questions to be addressed;
• Review the current literature in the field;
• Identify the original contribution the dissertation will make;
• State the methodological approach that the applicant plans to adopt;
• Identify any difficulties that might be encountered during research.

If your proposal includes fieldwork, address the time needed for it, your plan to integrate it into the program’s required residency period , and any impact that plan may have on your project’s design or its completion.

You are not expected to be in contact with, nor seek approval from, faculty members in advance of application. Instead, you should identify in the proposal possible dissertation advisors after reviewing the  NYU faculty biographies online . Students admitted into the program will be notified of their designated advisor.

Supporting Materials Sent to LSAC

All applicants must use the LSAC Credential Assembly Service . If you hold foreign education credentials, you must purchase the International Authentication and Evaluation Service. While not required, we strongly recommend your materials arrive at least two weeks early for processing.

Official transcripts from all institution(s) you have attended are required. These should be accompanied by translations, if the original is not in English. 

Make sure your school includes a statement of your class rank with your transcript. If your school does not issue a class rank, a statement of that policy can be included instead.

Please follow LSAC’s instructions to ensure your school(s) send the correct documentation in proper form. You may also wish to view LSAC’s helpful country-by-country guidance as you prepare to ask institutions for your credentials.

Hint #1: Get transcripts from all the school(s) you attended, even if you didn’t earn a degree (e.g. exchange studies or transfer credit).

Hint #2: If you need translations, ask for two transcripts. Have the school send one to LSAC, and use the second for translation.

Hint #3: If you haven’t completed a degree, please have your school send any updated academic results to LSAC once they become available (including after the deadline). LSAC issues report updates at no additional cost to you.

Most foreign-trained applicants must take an approved English proficiency exam. Applicants are strongly advised to register for and take one of the approved tests at a test center. The Committee on Graduate Admissions prefers score results from exams taken at test centers, and there is availability for these exams in countries around the globe.

What tests are approved?

• The internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language ( TOEFL iBT )
• The academic version of the International English Language Testing System ( IELTS )

What are the minimum scores to be considered for admission?

Applicants should at least meet these scores; JSD applicants are expected to exceed them: TOEFL: 100/120

• Listening: 26
• Reading: 26
• Speaking: 22
• Writing: 22

IELTS: 7.0/9.0

• Listening: 7.5
• Reading: 7.5
• Speaking: 7.0
• Writing: 7.0

Who is exempt from submitting a score?

If you earned your law degree (or bachelor’s degree for MSL applicants) in English in a country where English is a primary language.

Have more questions?

Check out  our FAQs .

In your LSAC account, be sure to both register recommender(s) and assign letters . Whether requesting letters to be sent electronically or by mail, we encourage you to review the submission process with your recommender. 

Our master’s and certificate programs require one letter and the JSD program requires two. Three is the maximum.

If you’re applying to the LLM, E-LLM or APC program, submit at least one academic letter. Choose the person who knows you best as a student and who can comment with specificity about your academic skills, personal qualities, and preparedness for graduate study.

If you’re applying to the MSL, the required letter should be from someone who is able to comment on your substantive tax experience.

JSD applicants need two letters from law school professors who know your academic work and can attest to your ability to complete a doctoral dissertation that will make a significant scholarly contribution.

Should I submit more than the required number?

More is not necessarily better. If you opt to submit more than required, make sure the recommender will provide a new, relevant perspective.

For candidates applying to the part-time LLM, E-LLM, or APC in Taxation programs, you are strongly encouraged, but not required, to submit a recommendation. All other part-time applicants must submit at least one academic letter.

Reapplicants

If you’re reapplying, be sure that we receive your online application and all of the required materials in a timely manner. 

Typically, the easiest way to reapply is to use the same LSAC account because your credentials are preserved for a number of years after they are submitted to LSAC. Be sure to check if there are any incomplete transcripts or expired test scores before applying.

Provided the recommender agrees, it is fine to reuse letters that were submitted with a prior application. It is equally fine to obtain a new letter or choose new recommenders.

If you’re a current NYU Law student, check out special information about applying to the Graduate Division’s programs.

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Millie's Guide to Personal Statements UK vs. US

Watch Workshop

In the UK, students need to convey why they want to study a chosen subject for the next three years. In the US, colleges want to know about potential students as people.

The difference between uk & us personal statements.

Despite UK and US colleges being among the most popular choices for international students to apply to, many people don’t realize that the two countries have very different application requirements when it comes to personal statements.

In the UK, students need to convey why they want to study a chosen subject for the next three years; winning personal statements focus more on academic strengths and interests than they do on extracurricular activities.

In the US, colleges want to know about potential students as a person . They have all the academic details they need from SAT scores and school grades, so they want to get a taste of a student’s values, their life experiences, and ultimately what they’ll bring to the college.

Whether you are destined for the UK or the US, here’s how to write a personal statement that will stand out.

UK Personal Statements

Start with why you love the major you’re applying for; that doesn’t mean how long you’ve studied it.

In the UK, you get just one personal statement that you can send to up to five universities. The most important thing here is the word count: the limit is just 4,000 characters, including spaces and punctuation. That’s only about 600 words in total, so keep them short, and make them count. Our recommendation is to use about 80% of the word count to cover your academic profile, and the remaining 20% on your extracurricular activities.

• Start with why you love the major you’re applying for

That doesn’t mean how long you’ve studied it! Instead, you need to talk about what ignites your enthusiasm for the subject – it could be how geography or economics give you a lens with which to view the world, or how medieval literature has transported you through time and expanded your mind. Whatever that spark is, find it and explain it in a way that makes you stand out.

Example: Living in Hong Kong makes it easy to be ignorant about what is happening in other parts of the world. As a resident, I do not have to worry about earthquakes or famines in the foreseeable future. But this sense of ease is sometimes so strong that you can hardly hear voices from the less fortunate or possess a global vision. However, Geography’s interdisciplinary nature creates a diversity of intellectual streams within itself. Motivated by my aspiration to become an urban planner, I am keen on knowing how humans interact with the environment. By two clear scopes, human and physical Geography, the subject essence drives me to dig deeper and step out of my comfort zone.

Highlight your relevant experience & why you’ll excel in your chosen major

Lots of students provide a laundry list of their current subjects but don’t discuss how they relate to the major they're applying for. If you’re applying to study law, you could talk about how your psychology course has helped you understand human behavior or how history has helped you see how legal patterns have repeated themselves. Think about everything you’ve been learning and try to apply it to the subject you want to study.

Example: I have relished the chance to study English Language and Literature at Higher Level for my IB Diploma. From analyzing Shakespeare’s Macbeth to deconstructing a Burger King advertisement, I have been exposed to a diverse range of texts, making me more sensitive to the nuances of linguistic expression.

If you are going to bring something up in your personal statement, you need to leave yourself enough words to explain why you said it.

Mention any relevant extracurricular involvements and/or work experience

You only need to include these if they are relevant. If you do have something to mention here, ensure you detail what it was, what you learned, and, again, how it relates to what you want to study. The challenge lies in being succinct. If you're going to mention something in your personal statement, you need to allocate enough words to explain why you mentioned it.

Example: I undertook an internship at Rouse, a global firm specializing in IP rights. I organized records of trademark registration and renewal certificates and standardized client-facing templates for Vietnam based on existing ones for China. I observed solicitors at work and read correspondence from contentious cases. It amazes me how subtle phonetic, aural, visual, and conceptual similarities between trademarks could lead to an opposition proceeding.

US Personal Statements

The goal of personal statements in the US is to showcase your uniqueness. Especially for top-tier schools, there will be very little difference in grade scores between applicants; this is your one and only chance to stand out.

You can apply to as many colleges as you wish in the US, but be aware that every college has its unique requirements. Make sure you allocate ample time to understand the requirements of your target schools and be prepared to create varying personal statements as necessary.

Since most US universities use the Common App platform for applications, which is what most students applying to US colleges will encounter, we'll focus our advice on Common App statements. This entails a 500-650 word essay response to a prompt that encourages discussion about your background, talents, or a significant challenge you've faced.

Given the minimal difference in grade scores between applicants, this personal statement is your one and only opportunity to stand out.

Picking prompts and nailing them

It's probably best to reverse-engineer the prompt you choose. First, think about what you want to present, and then select the prompt that best matches. This approach will make it easier to find relevant supporting information and will prevent you from producing multiple mediocre essays.

The process of compiling your personal statements will take about six weeks, so ensure you allocate enough time to write them and to receive feedback from one or two trusted individuals.

Millie’s pro tips: our favorite Common App prompts

This is a good, wide-ranging option which we would recommend to most students.

Not a good choice unless you have faced a very serious challenge.

Unless you have a very strong vision on how you’d like to solve a problem, we’d recommend only answering this prompt if you’ve made headway with solving something important.

This is another good option, just make sure you’re focused on the growth, not the accomplishment.

Quite a tricky prompt to answer well. Go for it if you have a very good idea on what you want to say, otherwise opt for prompt 1 instead.

Don’t do a topic of your choice for the sake of it. Prompts 1-6 are so broad it makes sense to opt for one of them unless you have something unique to say.

The whole process of getting your personal statements together will take about six weeks – so make sure you leave enough time to write them, and to allow for feedback from one or two trusted people. Would you like Millie's feedback on your personal statements? Learn more about our 1:1 Writing Clinic here .

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How Will My Application Be Reviewed? During application evaluation, our colleges review your academic achievements to determine your likelihood of being successful on their campus.

Please note that your application will be reviewed based on a number of components, which can vary by college.

Use this page to understand how your application will be considered and determine which of our colleges is a strong academic fit.

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Freshman Applicants

Each of our colleges has a unique selection process, and there is a great fit college for all first-year students. For most programs, a comprehensive review of your academic record is sufficient to make an admission decision.  However, some of our colleges will review additional supporting materials to determine your eligibility.

Admission Profile

Use this profile to review the average GPA of students accepted to the university for Fall 2023. The table below displays information for both general and SEEK/CD admission .  Remember that there is a great fit college for all first-year students, and you can apply to up to 6 colleges using the  CUNY Application .

CUNY College Admission Profile: Fall 2023

1 Excludes applicants admitted through the Opportunity for Student Success (OSS) program and applicants admitted conditionally. 2 Consists of admitted applicants meeting the SEEK/CD income criteria who are in the SCD1 or SCD2 student groups, or who are in the SEEK or CD student groups. Admits in one of the above groups and in the ASAP student group have been excluded. 3 Includes applicants admitted to both associate and baccalaureate degree programs.

Application Review & Support Materials

Once you’ve reviewed the admission profile, take a look at the components that each college can consider during application review.  For specific information on how each college will review your application, view the College Specific Information section.

Academic Review:

• Overall academic average or GPA
• Foreign Language
• Strong performance in one or more specific subject areas
• Level of coursework completed in each subject area (for instance, the completion of Trigonometry or Calculus in mathematics)
• Participation in college level courses while in HS
• AP or IB participation
• Course selection during senior year
• Proficiency  in Math and English
• NYS Regents examination results, if available
• High School Equivalency exam results
• Financial Aid information for students wishing to be considered for SEEK/CD. To learn more about SEEK/CD, click  here .
• TOEFL, IELTS, PTE or Duolingo for temporary visa holders who were educated in a non-English environment.
• Please note that SAT/ACT exams are not required, nor will they be considered through the Spring 2025 admission cycle. For more information, click here .

Supporting Materials:

• Extracurricular achievements
• Letters of recommendation
• Personal statements

Transfer Applicants

As a transfer applicant, the review of your application will be based on a comprehensive review of your academic record.  Each of our colleges has a unique selection process, and certain majors may have additional requirements. Once you’re admitted, you’ll be able to engage with your future college to determine credit transfer. Already a CUNY student?  Use  this tool  to see how your credits will transfer across the university.

Use this profile to review the average GPA of transfer students accepted to the university for Fall 2023.  Remember that as a transfer applicant, you can select up to 4 college choices on the  CUNY Application .

1 The GPA reflects a combination of all prior colleges attended. GPAs reported as “0” in CUNYfirst are only included if the total number of credits attempted is greater than 0. GPAs reported as greater than 4.0 have been excluded. 2 Total credits earned for each applicant reflects a combination of all prior colleges attended but does not necessarily reflect the number of credits that CUNY will accept towards the degree. Credits reported as “0” in CUNYfirst are only included if the total number of credits attempted is greater than 0. 3 Means are based on applicants admitted to both associate and baccalaureate degree programs. 4 Only includes applicants admitted as transfer applicants. 5 Data is not available at this time but Guttman accepts Transfer Students.

Most of our colleges will review your application based on your overall GPA and demonstrated  proficiency  in math and English. However, certain majors have additional requirements.  Below is a listing of items that our colleges may consider during review. For specific information on how each college will review your application, view the college specific information section.

• Overall academic average or GPA in college courses
• Completion of pre-requisite coursework
• Completion of an associate degree
• Demonstration of  proficiency  in math and English
• Academic average or GPA in high school
• Proof of high school graduation
• TOEFL, IELTS, PTE or Duolingo for temporary visa holders who were educated in a non-English environment
• Proof of licensure for certain majors

Which colleges require a personal statement for general freshman applicants?

Hunter College and Queens College ask that all freshman applicants submit a personal statement. It is recommended for Baruch College.

What are the essay topics for Baruch College, Hunter College and Queens College?

You may submit one of three essay topics as part of your freshman application to Baruch (essay is recommended), Hunter or Queens:

• Tell us something meaningful about yourself that is not reflected in your application.  You may choose to speak about your interests, aspirations and/or background.
• It is often said that the road to success is paved with setbacks.  Tell us about a time you faced a challenge or obstacle.  What did you learn from it, and how did it contribute to your success?
• Share an essay on any topic.  You may use an essay that you have previously written or one that discusses a topic of your choice.

Do any colleges require a letter of recommendation?

Letters of recommendation are optional for general admission programs. Be sure to check if your intended major requires supplemental materials to be submitted.

How will community colleges review my freshman application?

Our community colleges will primarily look for proof that you are graduating with a high school diploma. Many students who are looking for a supportive environment choose to apply to a community college.

My school does not offer Regents exams, but I’m a strong student. Will my application be impacted by missing Regents exam scores?

No.  Each college will review your application comprehensively.  We understand that not all students take Regents exams, and our colleges will look at other components of your application to determine eligibility.

My grade point average falls slightly below what is listed on the admission profile. Can I still apply?

Yes. The admission profile displays averages of admitted students and does not represent minimum requirements for admission.

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UCAS Will Replace Personal Statements in 2024: What Students Need to Know

Big changes are coming to the UCAS application process . UCAS announced that they will be replacing personal statements with a series of structured questions starting in 2024 . This new approach aims to reduce stress for university applicants while still giving them a chance to share information about themselves.

Why is UCAS Changing Personal Statements?

The personal statement has been one of the key criteria of the UCAS application for years. However, feedback from both students and universities highlighted some issues with the current free-form format. Surveys found that 83% of students felt writing the personal statement was stressful and 79% said it was hard to complete without support .

Universities also noted it can be difficult to compare personal statements , as content varies widely depending on the individual student. With no set guidelines, students receive different levels of help based on what resources are available.

The goal of the new structured questions is to focus responses and make the process more equitable across the board . Applicants will have clarity on what information universities want to know upfront.

What Will Replace Personal Statements?

Starting with the 2025 UCAS application entry, personal statements will be replaced by six key questions identified through research with universities:

• Motivation for Course – Why do you want to study these courses?
• Preparedness for Course – How has your learning so far helped you to be ready to succeed in these courses?
• Preparation through Other Experiences – What else have you done to help prepare, and why are these experiences useful?
• Extenuating Circumstances – Is there anything the universities need to know to put your achievements into context?
• Preparedness for Study – What have you done to prepare for student life?
• Preferred Learning Styles – Which styles suit you best and how do your course choices match that?

The goal is to capture the key information universities need while allowing applicants to share relevant details about themselves. UCAS continues to refine the focus areas based on feedback.

What This Means for Applicants

Replacing personal statements will affect students definitely. For students applying in 2024 and beyond, the new questions will change how you present yourself to universities. 

The good news is that the process aims to be more straightforward with a clear structure to follow. However, it still requires thought and effort to make your responses stand out.

With less space for elaborate anecdotes, choose details carefully to showcase your skills, experience and fit for the program. Follow prompts closely and focus on exactly how you meet the criteria.

The emphasis will likely shift from creative writing skills to concise, persuasive responses showcasing your abilities. Take time to reflect on experiences that highlight your motivation and preparedness.

What Happens Next?

UCAS emphasizes this change will be a process based on continuous feedback. They aim to introduce the new questions somewhere in 2024 to allow students and advisors time to adjust.

Before launch, UCAS is gathering input on areas like:

• Are there any missing question topics?
• How much preparation time would your role need?
• Perspectives on allowing different statements per university choice.

There is still time to share thoughts and help shape this update. UCAS also hints at more innovations in future cycles, such as multi-media submissions.

Postgraduate Personal Statements Remain Unchanged

The upcoming changes to the personal statement will only apply to undergraduate UCAS applications . For students applying to postgraduate, PhD and master’s programmes , personal statements will remain a required component of the application process. 

These programmes will continue to use free-form personal statements, allowing applicants ample space to detail their motivations, relevant skills and experiences. Universities utilise personal statements to assess candidates’ fit and potential for rigorous further study required at the postgraduate level. 

While undergraduate admissions are evolving, postgraduate applicants can expect the current personal statement format to persist across UK universities.

Learn more:

• How to Write a Personal Statement for a Masters Degree
• How to Write a Personal Statement for a PhD

Final Thoughts: Personal Statement Change

The UCAS personal statement as we know it will soon be a thing of the past. While it marks a major change, the update aims to streamline the process for all involved. Students can focus on putting their best foot forward in a more structured format. With some preparation, applicants will still be able to share their unique stories.

FAQ: UCAS Replacing Personal Statements

Why is ucas replacing personal statements.

UCAS decided to replace free-form personal statements after feedback showed the current format causes stress for applicants. Universities also noted personal statements can be difficult to compare. The new structured questions aim to make the process more straightforward and equitable.

When will the new questions be implemented?

UCAS plans to introduce the structured questions no earlier than 2024, for use in the 2025 application cycle. This timeline allows students, advisors, and universities time to adjust to the new format.

What will the new questions focus on?

Based on research with universities, UCAS identified six key topics: motivation and preparedness for the course, relevant experiences, extenuating circumstances, preparedness for study, and preferred learning styles. Applicants will need to concisely answer prompts on each theme.

How many questions will there be?

UCAS is still finalising the format, but the initial framework suggests six main questions covering the key themes. Each theme may have multiple sub-questions to guide responses.

Will the word count stay the same?

We don’t know yet. Details are still in progress, but it’s likely the total word count will be similar to the current 4,000-character limit for personal statements. Word counts may vary per question.

How should students prepare for the new format?

Students should reflect on key experiences that showcase their skills, motivation and readiness for university study. Focus responses on providing relevant details the prompts ask for.

Will universities have access to past personal statements?

UCAS has not indicated if universities will still have access to personal statements submitted before 2024 during the transition period.

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Statement of Purpose

A statement of purpose describes your study interests, goals, and program fit

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Your statement of purpose should be a typewritten, double-spaced, well-organized statement explaining why you wish to pursue graduate study through your program of interest at NYU. This is your opportunity to introduce yourself and to inform the department about your goals, interests, and career plans as they relate to your intended academic pursuits. Please make sure to include your name as it appears on your application, the program you are applying to, and the date. This document can be uploaded directly to your online application portal.

For those applying as a Cyber Fellow: Applicants to the NYU Cybersecurity M.S. program who are also applying to be considered for the NYU Cyber Fellow scholarship must submit a well-organized statement of purpose that is a maximum of 250 words . 

For all other applicants: Applicants to any other program or applicants to the Cybersecurity M.S. who are not interested in being considered for the Cyber Fellows scholarship must submit a well-organized statement of purpose that is a maximum of one- to two-pages .

How to write a strong Statement Of Purpose

Your statement of purpose should assure readers—primarily the faculty on the selection committee—that your background and experience will support your success in graduate study. Think of the statement of purpose as a composition with five key parts:

Share your interests — what sparked your desire for graduate study? This should be short and to the point; you don’t need to spend a great deal of time on your autobiography. You can elaborate on your areas of academic interest later in the statement.

Include details such as:

• Research you have conducted. Indicate with whom, the title of the project, what your responsibilities were, and the outcome. The graduate admissions committee is composed of faculty so write technically, or in the style of your discipline.
• Important papers or thesis projects you’ve completed, as well as related extracurricular activities.
• Awards or recognitions you’ve received for the scholarly achievements discussed.
• Related internship experience, especially if you’ve had any responsibility for testing, designing, researching or interning in an area similar to what you wish to study in graduate school.

If you have ongoing projects or work experience, indicate the scope of that work. Whether for a company, non-profit, design team, etc, include your responsibilities, what you learned, etc. You can also indicate how this will help you focus your graduate studies. Cyber Fellows applicants: You can skip this portion for brevity!

Use this part of your statement to indicate what you would like to study in graduate school in enough detail to show the graduate admissions committee that you understand the scope of research in a specified discipline. This can include engagement with current research themes, and/or reasons why this specific program would be a good fit for you. Indicate your area(s) of interest. Ideally, pose a question, define a problem, or indicate a theme that you would like to address and questions that arise from contemporary research that you would like to investigate. This is a key paragraph!

End your statement in a positive manner, indicating your excitement and readiness for the challenges ahead.

• Residency Application

The Top ERAS Personal Statement Requirements You Need To Know

Featured Expert: Dr. Michael Chung, MD

You’re tired, exhausted, spent; you don’t want to write another personal statement ever again, especially since ERAS personal statement requirements are different from medical school personal statement requirements, which means you have to write a completely new one. We get it. At this point in your journey, you already know things like how to choose a medical specialty , and whether you want to enter a family medicine residency or an internal medicine residency , but maybe your skills have been dulled by writing countless patient histories and physicals, which do not lend themselves to writing a personal statement (but they can, also). If that is the case, we can help you sharpen your writing skills, and give you strategies to mine your past and personal experiences that will make you a memorable candidate. This blog will provide a step-by-step guide to master your ERAS personal statement, regardless of the specialty you are going into and hopefully get you in on your first try.

>> Want us to help you get accepted? Schedule a free strategy call here . <<

Article Contents 22 min read

Eras personal statement requirements.

Learning How to Write, Again

You are unique, but so is everyone else. That’s the challenge of getting into any professional program, whether medical school, a residency, law school or an MBA, how do you stand out from all these other unique individuals who have also graduated medical school and are now your competition? 

What are the most competitive and least competitive residencies? Find out in this video:

The answer is simple – your personal statement.

Your personal statement is a safe space for you to get out anything that motivates you, inspires you, troubles you, makes you scared, makes you angry, or gives you strength. But neither is it a confessional. If you talk about all those things, you have to talk about how you made those emotions real through your actions.

Your residency personal statement can be an outlet for all the things you experienced during school or clinical rotations that you made a mental note of but didn’t know how or where to express it.

The first time you heard a patient cry out in pain.

The first time you saw a baby born.

The first time you felt a pulse stop. 

How did all that make you feel? How did you react? How did it change you?

These are the things that all residency program directors want to know (but, not only).

A great personal statement should cover the future, as well as the past.

What will this residency program add to who you are, as a future physician, researcher, and overall person? And vice-versa, what will you add to it, and how?

These are also important questions to answer.

We don’t have to tell you how important a personal statement is; that fact has been drilled into you since you applied to medical school. You want to make a great first impression with your personal statement as it directly addressed to the residency program directors.

But, let’s be real. The best residency personal statement will not save an application that is poor or below average in other areas, such as having too low a GPA, too many failed courses, or lack of experiences.

Still, many residency programs do review applications holistically, meaning they look at all the aspects of your application, not just the metrics. So, what you need to know is how to be creative, how to develop a voice and style that is unlike any other.

Of course, this is not easy. It can take years of practice and writing to develop an unmistakeable and uncanny writing style.

But, hopefully, by the end of this article you will have discovered the following:

• Learn how to write the why (you know why you want to enter this program, but how do you say it)
• The differences between average writing and great writing
• How to incorporate experiences, important events, emotions, people and other perspectives into your writing

Before we get to helping you find your voice, the ERAS system has a few requirements that you should know, which can help you format and structure your statement so you don’t go over the word length or use the wrong format. Word and page limits can seem daunting, like walls closing in on you. 

But they can actually be quite useful. Knowing you can only use a certain number of words should help you during the editing process, where the word limit will make you less afraid to remove words, sentences and paragraphs that you don’t need. But keep whatever you take out and use it in your interview or supplemental essays, if the program requires them.

The length of an ERAS personal statement is generally one page. In words, that’s about 500-600 words. The other format requirements include:

• Write your statement in plain text in either Notepad (for Windows) or Text Edit (for Apple)
• Write your statement directly into the online dialog box

These are all the technical ERAS personal statement requirements you need to know. But one thing we need to make clear, before we get to anything, is to give yourself a lot of time. You should start following these steps at least six months before you actually have to submit your application; taking into account all your rough drafts, rewrites, editing, asking for advice and letting others read your statement.

Now, let’s focus on how to start your personal statement, which can involve many different steps and strategies.

Finding Your Voice

You’re a smart, accomplished medical school graduate. We don’t have to explain what the ERAS is or how important it is, because you know all that. However, after years of working with hundreds of residency candidates like you, who we helped get into their programs, we know a thing or two about writing residency personal statements , and writing, in general.

And the first thing we want to say about writing an ERAS personal statement is:

Take the pressure off.

Think of writing your statement as seeing a friend or visiting a relative you haven’t seen in a long time. It’s an opportunity. You can finally say all the things you’ve bottled up inside or internalized from the four amazing and chaotic years you just had (longer, if you’re a non-traditional medical school applicant or took a gap year before residency ).

The pressure you and everyone else puts on you leads to panic and desperation. It leads to rushed, uninteresting, forgettable statements. It leads to cliches ( I’ve always wanted to be a doctor because I want to help people ). You don’t want that. The people reading your statement don’t want that. 

How do you take the pressure off?

Feel proud of all you’ve accomplished up to this point. You’ve done a lot! Look at your diploma, or a research project you participated in. Look over your old medical school personal statements and see how you have changed, and what is different about you now.

Let that give you the confidence you need to write confidently about all you’ve accomplished and all you still want to accomplish. But everything in moderation. Seeming arrogant or boastful is not good either.

Then, think about your failures. Pour water on all those cocky impulses by remembering when you completely failed your first block of exams or how an anatomy class left you in a haze of details you couldn’t remember.

This is you creating a voice. The good and bad. Complex, and interesting.

Working on your ERAS letter of recommendation?

Pre-Writing  

After you’ve relaxed, and gotten into the right mindset, start thinking about what you want to write. 

There are a few basics you should cover in your statement, such as:

• Why this program?
• Why this specialty?
• What makes you special, as a person, future resident, and physician?
• What have you done to show your commitment to medicine, or this specialty?
• Why medicine?

But here we return to the how . You know why you want to enter this residency (good reputation, expert faculty, etc.) but the trick is saying it in a meaningful and substantive way.

And here opinions differ.

Some suggest stating your reasons for wanting to enter the program right away in the opening or the second paragraph. But that method runs the risk of turning the rest of the statement into a recitation of your CV:

I want to join this residency because of this....

And here’s why...

We recommend beginning with a bit of your background first.

Talk about who you are (background; family); important moments in your life that made you choose medicine. Then talk about your progress; things you’ve learned (academically or personally) that have changed you; things that have influenced you to follow this branch of medicine, whether it be people, a class you took, a book, film, piece of music, or article you read.

Keep going forward in time until you reach the last few paragraphs where you tie everything together and state clearly and plainly why you are interested in this program, and what you would give to the program.

To recap, and this is optional, you can choose to use another outline:

• Something interesting about yourself (opening)
• Why medicine, or an “inciting incident” that made you choose medicine (second paragraph)
• Show what you did because your specialty excites you or makes you curious
• Talk about how the program reflects your interests, and how you connect to its mission

Start Writing

Then, start writing. Write anything and write often. Write. Every. Day.

Don’t fall into the trap of “waiting for inspiration” or “not feeling it today”. You have to sit down and spend all those uncomfortable hours in front of a blank page to write something great.

It’s good practice to help you develop a rhythm, style, and, discipline.

If you’re not sure what to write about, write about your firsts (first day of medical school, first biochemistry class, first interaction with a patient, etc.) When writing use active voice in the beginning and short sentences (here is where writing histories and note-taking will help you).

If you have a memory or first in mind, establish other details.

Where was it? Who was it with? What did it involve? What did you do?

Give the reader details that you remember and try to be as accurate as possible.

The more detail you include gives your readers insight into what you remember or think of as important (sounds, smells, colors) and that most importantly, you pay attention to detail; something extremely important in medicine.

And, at this point, don’t worry about word or page lengths.

Those don’t matter now. You can cut it all later. In fact, write more than the page or word count to give yourself a lot of material and then cut down later. The same way directors shoot hours and hours of film, only to whittle it all down to a few seconds.

With all this in mind, we’ll do something a little different. We’ll write a poor opening paragraph so you can compare your writing to something objectively bad.

We’ll provide the details like setting, people, and a short example to show what we mean.

The body of your statement is next. Referring to the questions above, it is in the body of your statement where you show, don’t tell. Just as Alice was about to mention her work organizing people to lobby Congress, in the middle of your statement is where can talk about a singular achievement, experience, person, event that put you on the path to this residency program. Since you have word limits, you usually want to talk about only one experience; you can mention other experiences in other statements you write to other programs or residency interviews .

But basically, you want the middle of your statement to be where you demonstrate how you’ve lived up to the ideals of the program you are entering; whether it was through opening a new line of investigation in a field of research. But don’t be lulled into thinking you have to mention something academic, scientific or related to medical science. You can talk about something personal that moved you – for example, in Alice’s case, it could be something like this:

I created an impromptu Facebook group of families living with diabetes, and we started sharing what we all did to get cheaper insulin. Some people went all the way to Mexico, or Canada to get cheaper insulin. And some, unfortunately, choose not to get their medication because they simply couldn’t afford it. With the support of my group, I contacted my Representative in Congress and asked what I could do to bring attention to this issue at the federal level.

She told me that the Senate committee that oversees the pharmaceutical industry was meeting so and that I should attend with my group. We all went to Washington, and it was during a break in one of the sessions when I started a conversation with a prominent endocrinologist, Dr. Sarah Capito. When I told her I was in medical school, she asked where I was going to do my residency. I told her I hadn’t decided yet, and she suggested NYU Grossman, if I was passionate about pediatric diabetes and endocrinology.

But we can cut this down.

I created an impromptu Facebook group of families living with diabetes, and we started sharing thinking about what we could do to get cheaper insulin. what we all did to get cheaper insulin. Some people went all the way to Mexico, or Canada to get cheaper insulin. And some, unfortunately, choose not to get their medication because they simply couldn’t afford it. With the support of my group,. To cover all my bases, I contacted my Representative in Congress and asked what I could do to bring attention to this issue at the federal level.

She told me that the Senate committee that oversees the pharmaceutical industry was meeting soon and that I should attend with my group. We all went to Washington, an In Washington, during a break in the session, I started a conversation with a woman who I later realized was a prominent endocrinologist, Dr. Sarah Capito. When I told her I was in medical school. During our conversation, she asked where I was going to do my residency. I told her I hadn’t decided yet, and she suggested NYU Grossman, if I was passionate about pediatric diabetes, endocrinology, and drug policy.

Of course, you won’t have this same exact experience. We are using this example to illustrate that it is better to show than to tell what you did, but your example could be something much smaller, but still, significant. Pull from anything you still remember vividly, preferably from your recent past, not from when you were a teenager or undergraduate.

Once you feel like you have relayed your passion and dedication to your specialty, then, you need to connect that passion to the program you are applying to. In Alice’s example, a single individual got her interested in NYU, but the final paragraphs should reveal what Alice has discovered on her own about the program, and what about it ultimately appeals to her.

You need to do the same. Research the program inside and out and take notes while you are researching. Jot down all the interesting facts and lines of research current residents are involved in or past residents did. At the end is where you also want to demonstrate a very important quality: humility.

Yes, you’ve accomplished a lot. You finished medical school and, in Alice’s case, you’ve shown your commitment to your field and improving lives, but you also want to talk about what you want to do after you finish your residency. What’s next? And here you can talk about what you still want to investigate, or how you plan to take an interdisciplinary approach to investigate something that interests you, or describe how you see yourself as a future physician. 

Let’s use Alice’s case:

NYU Grossman was not on my radar, but when Dr. Capito mentioned it, I became intrigued. I researched the program and found out that Dr. Capito was right, NYU Grossman hosts one of the best diabetes research programs in the country. Not only that, but research and instruction in performed at each of the medical school’s various branches throughout New York City, and the thought of living in New York City, while following my interests to investigate how to revise the diagnostic criteria for juvenile diabetes, which does not take into account the rapid rise in childhood obesity that took place after these criteria was established, and what role socio-economic factors play into children developing diabetes, is something that appeals to me.

But let’s cut it down:

NYU Grossman was not on my radar, but when Dr. Capito mentioned it, I became intrigued. I researched the program and found out that Dr. Capito was right. I was delighted to read that NYU Grossman hosts one of the best diabetes research programs in the country. Not only that, but research and instruction is performed at each of the medical school’s various branches throughout New York City, which is something that would aid my research in determining the socio-economic factors that play into children developing diabetes.

And then, for the finish:

No one in my family thought my brother would ever develop diabetes, and even though I was prepared to shoulder the burden for him and my parents, I want to discover ways to prevent diabetes in young children so it does not become a burden to anyone. I would like to improve diagnostic and management protocols to identify risk factors and ultimately reduce the number of children diagnosed with diabetes each year. By combining my personal experiences with my passion for research, I am confident that I will be at the forefront of advancing pediatric endocrinology and making significant contributions to the field.

Alice’s full, revised ERAS personal statement:

My younger brother’s diabetes diagnosis was my unofficial introduction into pediatrics. I was the one that had to take care of him. I was the one that had to inject him with insulin and show him how to inject himself, if necessary. I was the one who had to make sure that he stuck to his diet. I was the one that had to make sure we always had orange juice or other sugary foods in our house, just in case.

But I loved every minute of it. I felt good taking the burden off my parents who were busy at their respective jobs; my father, a construction worker; my mother, a hairdresser. However, as my brother and I grew into adulthood, he became more adept at taking care of himself, and I had already decided on a career in medicine. But when I was in medical school, I started to wonder what else I could do to help people with diabetes.

I did some research online and discovered that insulin is much cheaper in other countries for a variety of reasons. I learned that the exorbitant cost of insulin forces some diabetics to forego this life-saving medicine. Learning that made me feel like I had to do something. I created an impromptu Facebook group of families living with diabetes, and we started thinking about what we could do to get cheaper insulin.

To cover all my bases, I contacted my Representative in Congress and asked what I could do to bring attention to this issue at the federal and regulatory level. She told me that the Senate committee that oversees the pharmaceutical industry was meeting soon and that I should attend with my group to voice my concerns. In Washington, during a break in the session, I started a conversation with a woman who I later realized was an endocrinologist, Dr. Sarah Capito.

During our conversation, she asked where I was going to do my residency. I told her I hadn’t decided yet, and she suggested NYU Grossman, if I was passionate about pediatric diabetes, endocrinology, and drug policy. NYU Grossman was not on my radar, but when Dr. Capito mentioned it, I became intrigued.

I was delighted to read that NYU Grossman hosts both a top-notch pediatrics program but also one of the best diabetes research programs in the country. Not only that, but research and instruction are done at each of the medical school’s various branches throughout New York City, which is something that would aid my research in determining the socio-economic factors that play into children developing diabetes.

I want to ultimately combine my interest in pediatrics with endocrinology to discover ways to prevent diabetes in young children. I would like to improve diagnostic and management protocols to identify risk factors and ultimately reduce the number of children diagnosed with diabetes each year. I feel that by combining my personal experiences with my passion for research, I am confident that I will be at the forefront of advancing pediatric endocrinology and making significant contributions to the field.

Total Word Count: 504

Total Characters (no spaces): 2,374

This example covers all the things that we talked about as essential in an ERAS personal statement:

• A revealing opening
• An inciting incident, although we introduced it in the opening
• Showing, not telling
• Explaining why you are interested in your field
• Connecting your mission and skills with the program’s mission

But let’s write another applicant profile, and use the same formula to write about another program and candidate.

• Don’t put any more pressure on yourself than you already feel; approach writing your statement calmly, and confident that you have the knowledge, experience, and writing skills to write a great statement.
• Start as early as possible thinking about what you want to write about; write multiple drafts and let others read your work; but don’t let anyone write your statement for you.
• Develop your writing skills by writing every day; make it a part of your routine; even a page or a few paragraphs is enough to make you feel like you did something.
• For content, think about all your past experiences in medical school; think about things that made you feel real emotion (anger, shame, fear, joy) and focus on the details about that experience (who was involved? What happened? When did it happen? And, most importantly, how did it change you?)
• Don’t use cliches; be original.
• Put everything in context; or, put another way, make everything connect; don’t dwell on irrelevant details; mention the specific event, person, or experience and keep moving forward.

There aren’t many ERAS personal statement requirements for you to follow, but the point of writing your residency personal statement is explaining in rich, and concise detail, why you are interested in this specialty, program, and how you have prepared for it. You should write your statement relaxed and think of it in the same way you would an interview. Write as many drafts as possible and continue editing until you have a tight, coherent story.

Yes, but technically you are writing the personal statement for the residency program, it is only being uploaded to ERAS as part of your residency application, similar how you are asked to upload an AMCAS personal statement , but it has nothing to do with the service itself. But all residency programs ask for a personal statement, or letter of intent, in some cases, and you have to submit one.

The program you are applying to may have specific format or length requirements. Check with them to be sure, but if none is listed, try to aim for a maximum of 500 words or less.

You can talk about a lot of things in your ERAS personal statement, but you should focus on why you want to pursue your specialty, what you are looking for most in a residency program , why you want to train at this particular program, and what has influenced your decision to pursue both. You should focus on the time you spent at medical school and not go too deep into your past, unless its relevant to your choice of residency. Use your emotions, and experiences as stepping stones to talk about the actions you took to be an ideal residency candidate. 

Do not recite your research resume or residency CV ; do not disparage or speak ill of other specialties or programs; do not boast or be arrogant. Do not use unprofessional language. Do not talk in length about your past. Do not dwell on these events, but use them to move your narrative forward to a logical conclusion. 

Yes, it matters a lot. With that said, if your application is lackluster in other areas, a great personal statement may not (or may, you never know) won’t make much of a difference to the residency directors. However, if your application is otherwise stellar, a poorly-written personal statement can sink your chances. 

You should write a different personal statement for each program you apply to. Yes, that seems like a lot of work, but putting in the work to create new statements show dedication and passion and helps you improve your writing skills overall. 

No. If you think AI can help you write a residency statement, try using it and see what comes out. AI can only write according to the parameters you introduce. It does not have memories, experiences, and emotions. The best AI can give you is a generic, uninteresting blob of words that lacks the humanity all residency directors are looking for. The time and effort you put into humanizing an AI-generated statement could instead be put into writing it yourself, with a much better result. 

There are no set requirements other than typing your personal statement in plain text so you can transfer it to the online dialog box on the ERAS application. The format and content requirements are set by the program you want to enter, but they often center around questions such as, “ what do you hope to gain from our residency program? ” and similar questions about your goals and intentions. 

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Applicant Statements

In your application, you will have the opportunity to tell us about yourself in two ways: 

The Statement of Academic Purpose (required), which describes your academic plans. Some programs may request specific details.

The Personal History Statement (optional), which gives information on your background.

Each statement is short — no more than two double-spaced pages, unless a maximum word count is specified. No updates or revisions are accepted after submission, so please proofread each statement carefully.

The Ph.D. program in Social Psychology is requiring a Statement on Quantitative and Programming Skills Preparation  in lieu of the general test of the GRE.

Once you begin your online application, please review the instructions in the Applicant Statements section for the most up-to-date information.

Statement of Academic Purpose

Animal studies, anthropology.

• Anthropology / French Studies

East Asian Studies

Economics (advanced certificate computational social science), hebrew and judaic studies, international relations, general psychology m.a., religious studies.

• XE: Experimental Humanities & Social Engagement

All Other Programs

In a concisely written statement, please describe your interest in Animal Studies and your past and present work as it relates to your interest in this field, your educational objectives, and your personal and professional goals.

Ph.D.— The Statement of Academic Purpose should offer a clear sense of your training in anthropology or related fields, your strengths as a scholar, and the reasons you are applying for the doctoral degree. It should refrain from lengthy personal anecdotes. While applicants need not indicate a precise dissertation topic, it will be helpful to the admissions committee to have a sense of their main area(s) of topical and geographic interest and the critical theoretical questions and/or conversations that drive their interest in pursuing the degree. Finally, applicants should address their particular reasons for wanting to work within the Department of Anthropology at New York University. The statement may not be more than 1,500 words.

Anthropology / French Studies 

The Statement of Academic Purpose should offer a clear sense of your training in anthropology, French Studies or related fields, your strengths as a scholar, and the reasons you are applying for the doctoral degree. It should refrain from lengthy personal anecdotes. While applicants need not indicate a precise dissertation topic, it will be helpful to the admissions committee to have a sense of their main area(s) of topical and geographic interest and the critical theoretical questions and/or conversations that drive their interest in pursuing the degree. Finally, applicants should address their particular reasons for wanting to work within the Department of Anthropology and the Institute of French Studies at New York University. The statement may not be more than 1,500 words.

The Department of Chemistry does not ask for a Statement of Academic Purpose. Please do not provide one. However, they do ask you to describe your motivation for graduate school in chemistry. You may elaborate on chemical problems of the greatest interest to you and include discoveries in the field of chemistry that have inspired you.

Ph.D.— Please concisely describe your past and present work—and your academic training—as it relates to your intended field of study and your academic and career goals. Although you are not yet expected to provide a specific dissertation topic, please do your best to indicate your principal area(s) of topical and geographic interest and the central theoretical questions that are motivating your pursuit of a graduate degree. Finally, please indicate your reasons for choosing to work within the Department of East Asian Studies at New York University. The statement should not be more than 1,200 words in length.

M.A.— Please concisely describe your past and present work—and your academic training—as it relates to your intended field of study and your academic and career goals. Also, indicate your reasons for choosing to work within the Department of East Asian Studies at New York University. The statement should not be more than 1,000 words in length.

In a concisely written statement, please answer the following questions:

• Why are you interested in the program?
• What do you want from the program?
• What experience do you have with computer languages? Which ones?
• How skilled are you in these languages?

The work of the faculty of the Department of English at NYU is characterized by a wide variety of interdisciplinary approaches, encompassing literary history, theory, and criticism, as well as careful reflection on the methods of literary study. We are especially interested in graduate students who will be comfortable bridging historical periods in their reading and writing, and who are curious about a wide variety of approaches to literary studies. The admissions committee requires from all applicants a statement of academic purpose, which will be judged as a piece of writing. It will use this statement to evaluate how well your aspirations and interests suit those of the Department of English at NYU. This statement of academic purpose should be succinct (no more than 1,200 words) and address most, if not all, of the following questions:

• What kinds (genres, styles, forms, etc.) of literature most engage you? 
• What, for you, is the purpose of reading literature critically? 
• Are there particular kinds of criticism/theoretical approaches/methods of literary study that you would like to work within or learn more about? 
• How have your intellectual and scholarly interests been shaped by your time outside and beyond the college classroom? 
• In the light of the description above, do you have a particular reason for wishing to work within the Department of English at New York University?

Please describe briefly and concisely your past and present work as it relates to your intended field of study, your educational objectives at NYU, and your career plans. In addition, please include your reasons for choosing your field of study. The Institute of Fine Arts Admissions Committee requests that you consider the following for inclusion in your Statement of Academic Purpose. Please make your statement succinct (2-4 typed pages; please note this limit is a bit longer than what is specified at the top of this page) and use the upload button below to include it in your online application.

• Aspects of your background that may be relevant to a career in the history of art or conservation.
• Name your primary area of interest within art history or conservation.
• What you think are the critical issues in this field.
• Your reason for choosing the Institute of Fine Arts rather than another graduate program.
• Your career plans.

Please describe briefly and concisely your past and present academic, research and/or professional accomplishments as they relate to your intended field of study, your educational objectives while at NYU, and your career goals following the master's program. State your specific area of specialization in the general master's program in psychology and include your reasons for choosing this field of study. What specific goals and objectives do you have for applying to NYU? The statement should be concisely written, in a professional/academic, rather than a personal/informal style, and should not exceed two double-spaced pages.

All other Psychology applicants should refer to the instructions for All Other Programs .

In a concisely written statement, please describe your past and present work as it relates to your intended field of study, your educational objectives, and your career goals. In addition, please include your intellectual and professional reasons for choosing your field of study and why your studies/research can best be done at the Graduate School of Arts and Science at NYU. The statement should not exceed two double-spaced pages.

Ph.D.— Applicants to the doctoral program in Hebrew and Judaic Studies are required to append to their statement of academic purpose a one-page, double-spaced description of their proficiency in Hebrew and the sources from which it was acquired. Non-native speakers of Hebrew should indicate

• The institutions at which they studied Hebrew;
• The textbooks from which they studied;
• The extent to which their program of study incorporated Biblical, classical, and modern Hebrew; and
• The highest level achieved.

Native speakers should indicate the years completed in Israeli schools and universities. 

Applicants to the doctoral program in Hebrew and Judaic Studies may also, at their option, include an autobiographical statement in Hebrew, one page maximum. This statement should be hand-written personally by the applicant and should be saved as a pdf file to be uploaded.

All Programs except Joint M.A. in International Relations/Journalism

Please explain, in a brief and concise manner, how your past studies and work experience relate to a course of study at the graduate level in International Relations at NYU. Please also explain why you chose to apply to study in the IR Program at NYU and the specified concentration (if any), or the dual degree M.P.A.-M.A. in Public and Non-Profit Management and Policy and International Relations, and how NYU specifically will help you to advance your personal and professional objectives. The statement should be no more than two double-spaced pages. NYU’s Program in International Relations trains individuals who wish to make a difference in the world either through the practice of international affairs in government, the non-governmental or private sectors or through continued academic study. With that in mind, please reflect on the following questions in writing your Statement of Academic Purpose:

● How do the Program’s objectives fit with your own goals and interests?

● How will your educational objectives help you achieve your future career goals?

● Where do you see yourself 10 years after graduating from NYU?

Applicants to Journalism programs should refer to  separate instructions .

In a concisely written statement, please describe your past and present work as it relates to your intended field of study, your educational objectives, and your career goals. In addition, please include your intellectual and professional reasons for choosing your field of study and why your studies/research can best be done at the Graduate School of Arts and Science at NYU. As part of your statement, please explain why you are interested in the academic study of religion and what you hope to achieve upon completion of the M.A. in Religious Studies. The statement should not exceed two double-spaced pages.

XE: Experimental Humanities & Social Engagement

Prepare a narrative that integrates your past and present work as it relates to your intended field/s of study, your intellectual objectives, and your long-term goals. We encourage you to include ideas for a potential master's project. In particular, we ask that you indicate how and why your work/research would best be facilitated by XE: Experimental Humanities & Social Engagement, and the broader Graduate School of Arts and Science at NYU. The statement should not exceed two double-spaced pages. 

Personal History Statement

The purpose of this optional essay is to get to know you as an individual and as a potential graduate student, and how your lived experience will significantly contribute to our goals of equity, inclusion, and academic excellence at the Graduate School. Please describe how your personal background has motivated you to pursue a graduate degree. Please note that the Personal History Statement is not meant to be a general autobiography.  The statement is optional and should not exceed two double-spaced pages. It should not duplicate the Statement of Academic Purpose.

Statement on Quantitative and Programming Skills Preparation

Social psychology.

Please be brief. Bullet-point responses are preferable. Answers to all questions should not exceed 1,000 words in total; estimate about 200 word answers per question.

• Please list all college-level, post-baccalaureate, and/or graduate school courses you have taken in statistics, mathematics, logic, or related quantitative disciplines (including in-class and online courses). For each, list the course name, university, main topics covered, and grade received.
• Please list any computer programming languages you know. Describe any special projects you completed using these programming skills.
• Please list any statistical software you have used. Describe any special projects you completed using these programming skills.
• Have you analyzed data independently and/or analyzed data that you collected to test your own research ideas? Please describe the kind of data (e.g., questionnaire, behavioral, eye-tracking, fMRI), the kinds of analyses you performed, and number of projects that used those data and analyses.
• Describe any other aspects of your skills or training that have prepared you for doctoral studies and research in social psychology. You might include content covered in lab meetings you routinely attended, grants received to fund your skill development, professional or career opportunities that provided skill building or training, etc. Do not report GRE scores; we are not accepting GRE scores in the fall 2022 application.

Calculate for all schools

Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, word limit on common app personal statement.

Hey folks, I'm about to start working on my personal statement for the Common App. Can someone let me know what the word limit is for the statement? I just don't wanna go over the limit and then realize I need to cut it down. Thanks in advance!

Hey there! The word limit for the Common App personal statement is 650 words. You're right to be mindful of the limit beforehand, as it'll save you the hassle of having to cut down your essay later on. While you're working on your statement, I recommend keeping an eye on the word count to ensure that you stay within the limit while still effectively conveying your message. Good luck with your personal statement!

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