Follow these tips for a high-impact personal statement for university
- Start early – give yourself plenty of time to understand the application prompt, brainstorm, draft, and edit.
- Show, don't just tell: use real examples from your life to exemplify and showcase relevant skills and lived experiences.
- Take the time to revise and rewrite the initial draft of your personal statement.
- Be aware of deadlines for submitting applications and make sure you have the courses and grades you need to be considered for your desired programs.
A personal statement is your chance to show universities who you are beyond grades and test scores. While more commonly required in areas like the United Kingdom and the United States, more and more universities in Canada are now requesting personal statements along with university application.
What exactly is a personal statement? It’s your opportunity to tell your story, share your goals, and explain why you’re the right fit for the program. Whether you’re applying to a Canadian university, an international institution, or a competitive program, writing a strong personal statement can make all the difference. It is a document used for admission and can also be revised for scholarship applications.
While it may seem like another piece of paperwork, you might want to view it in a positive light: admissions officers have hundreds, if not thousands of applicants with the right qualifications and grades. How do they possibly decide who is the right fit? Your statement is a great way to stand out from the crowd and gain acceptance.
Applying to university in Canada typically involves multiple steps, such as submitting transcripts, personal statements, and reference letters through a centralized application system.
✅ Keep the tone professional but warm.
✅ Use clear, active language.
✅ Show how your past experiences connect to your future goals.
✅ Make every sentence earn its place: don’t waste words.
What Should Be On Your Personal Statement?
The basis of your personal statement should specifically demonstrate why your right for the program. This means you're going to explain the skills and personal qualities that would make you the perfect candidate for the program.
In many cases, schools are also going to be looking for students will contribute positively to the student community. They want someone who will be a leader for other students and get involved in the school's initiatives.
You should also add how you've grown as a person in an academically and non-academically. You can also provide some insight about what strengths you will bring to the program and university. Keep your statement to the point. Stay on topic and only list necessary experiences and qualities.
Many programs have specific admission requirements and application deadlines, so check the websites for your prospective universities to ensure you have your documents submitted on time.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a Personal Statement for University
At first glance, writing a personal statement can seem overwhelming. Follow this step-by-step guide to write an organized, cohesive piece that will stand out from other applicants.
Step 1: Planning and Preparation
Before you start writing, invest time in planning and pre-writing activities: this is where great statements begin. It is critical to understand the prompt: read the application prompt carefully and take note of the the main themes or questions you need to address. Many universities will have specific requirements or values they want to see reflected in your writing.
Next, brainstorm ideas for your personal statement by reflecting on your strengths, experiences, challenges, and future ambitions. Make a list of moments in your academic or personal life that demonstrate and show passion for your chosen field. This could be a research project, a volunteer experience, or a personal challenge you overcame. The more specific and personal, the better - write down adjectives, verbs, and other descriptive language you might use to describe those lived experiences and bring your application to life.
From there, gather concrete examples to use as evidence in your statement. Admissions officers want proof of your skills and qualities—show, don't just tell. From here, develop an outline for your statement so you have a tentative structure to work with before you start drafting.
Deadlines for Canadian university applications vary by program and institution, so it’s important to plan ahead and start the application process early.
Step 2: Writing the Statement
With an outline and detailed notes on hand, you are ready to start writing the statement. Don't feel as though you have to write the whole statement in order: start wherever the ideas are flowing and build your statement from there.
Your introductory paragraph should immediately engage the reader. You might get the reader's attention through a short personal anecdote or a personal story that connects to your academic journey. If the prompt has asked you to address a specific question, ensure the connection to the prompt is clear. Your introduction should set the tone and clearly communicate your motivation for applying.
In the body paragraphs, focus on expanding the themes introduced in your opening. Link your experiences directly to the program’s requirements and show how they have prepared you for success. Use active, confident language to highlight your achievements and growth. If there are any inconsistencies in your academic record, address them honestly but briefly, showing what you learned and how you’ve improved.
Finally, the concluding paragraph should leave the reader with a lasting impression. Reiterate your passion for the field, summarize your suitability for the program, and share your vision for the future. This closing is your final opportunity to show why you’re the right choice.
| Do's | Don'ts |
|---|---|
| Begin with a strong, unique opening | Start with overused lines like “Ever since I was a child…” |
| Use specific, vivid examples | Make generic claims with no evidence |
| Tailor each statement to the program | Recycle the exact same essay for every school |
| Show enthusiasm and purpose | Sound arrogant or disinterested |
| Proofread multiple times | Submit with typos or awkward grammar |
| Keep your information relevant and to the point | Add unnecessary information |
Step 3: Revising and Editing
Editing is where your personal statement goes from good to outstanding - you can add layers of meaning, clean up your writing, and really polish your work. Start by proofreading for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors—small mistakes can undermine your professionalism. Then, seek feedback from a trusted teacher, mentor, or peer who knows you well and can offer constructive criticism.
After you receive feedback, revise with purpose—tighten sentences, improve clarity, and ensure that every paragraph flows logically. Your voice should remain authentic but refined. Once you’re satisfied, review the statement one final time to confirm it meets the word limit and aligns perfectly with the program’s expectations. Try to spend a day not looking at your writing, if possible, before looking it over a final time with "fresh eyes".
When applying to university, careful course selection in secondary school is essential to meet the prerequisite requirements for your desired program.
❌ Writing a generic essay with no personal touch.
❌ Repeating your resume instead of telling a story.
❌ Overusing jargon or big words unnecessarily.
❌ Forgetting to link experiences back to the program.
Tips for Writing a Personal Statement for University Applications
Do the necessary research and reading before writing: look at the program or faculty website and learn the specifics they are asking for.This is going to be your checklist for when you start writing. Next, look at your checklist and figure out your experiences and abilities of what makes you a great fit. Take the time to look at samples of other students' personal statements for inspiration.
When you write your first draft, forget about making it perfect - just get something on paper that you can adapt and enhance. After you've finished writing your first draft, now is the time to go back through the school's checklist and make sure you have all the right steps. Now, it’s time to re-write, re-read and edit, until you feel confident in your work. A good writer will re-visit their work a day or two later to finish their statement.
With a solid foundation in place, you can tweak your writing and add sentences to make your personal statement unique and engaging. Make sure your statement is reflective of you - be honest about yourself and articulate an authentic voice. We all have something the makes us unique, you can use that in your personal statement to stand out.
We know this is time-consuming and may sound unnecessary, but just like applying for a job, your application should match the school. This means there going to be looking for different things or value some experiences more than others.
Our last big tip for personal statements is not to start them at the last minute. You want time to critically think about your writing and the qualities the school is looking for. Leave yourself lots of time and you'll be off to a great start. Also, feel free to ask family or friends to help you edit or re-word things.
Getting Help from a Private Tutor
If you find the process of writing a personal statement overwhelming, or want to have some help getting your grades up so you can be prepared for the university application process, you may want to consider hiring a private tutor.
Superprof has 100s of tutors that offer lessons on numerous subjects. They all have the experience and knowledge to help you learn the best way possible. Superprof also offers lessons online and in-person giving you the freedom and flexibility to learn when you want to learn. Get the help you need with a Superprof tutor.
Applying to University in Canada can come with a lot of questions. This is why we have created numerous articles to help make your application process easier. Check out the articles down below to learn more.
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