What Is A Personal Goals Statement?

What Is a Personal Goals Statement?

Personal statement. Statement of purpose. Now a personal goals statement. Each of these terms boils down to the same thing – in order to complete your application to grad school, you have to write an essay.

A personal goals statement is a short essay describing why you want to pursue a graduate degree, how it will help you realize your ultimate career goals, and why you’re applying to the program. Even though the often-used terms personal statement and statement of purpose doesn’t lay this out explicitly, you should be presenting your case outlining each of these points in ANY essay submitted for graduate school application. 

Admissions committees choose students with aptitude and promise. Yes, you need to meet the minimum published requirements when it comes to grades or test scores. Yes, you need to submit letters of recommendation. When it comes to the essay that you ultimately submit, you need to be crystal clear about your career aspirations. This may come as a shocker, but quite a few applicants disqualify themselves with vague, “fluffy” essays. You should articulate, typically in 2 pages or less:

• Why do you want to go to grad school?
• Why now?
• What do I ultimately want to do with this degree?
• How can this program help me in my career? What am I hoping to learn?
• Where do I see myself in my career in the next 5-10 years?

Start by asking yourself the questions listed above. Write down your answers. Figure out how to weave them into the narrative of your essay. You would be surprised how many essays do not cover these points. Or don’t cover them clearly.

I can see this clearly in hindsight. Years ago, I was the applicant with a lot of promise who couldn’t clearly convey my specific interests, a long-term vision of my intended career path, or why I was applying to said illustrious graduate program in the first place. Also, from the other side of the table, working with a committee, deciding who would advance to the next round, it became clear that it’s not just the applicants with stellar grades and test scores that pass muster. If you cannot clearly convey your qualifications, career aspirations, or why graduate study is the natural next step, you are also dead in the water, especially compared to others who nail it.

Make it clear. Make it plain. Define a specific interest. Assert your passion. Show that you are decisive and committed to this career path. This is what makes applicants stand out from the competition and moves you closer to an acceptance letter.

There is a major practical reason that admissions committees request personal goals statements. There aren’t bestselling books about quarterlife crises for no reason. Many wake up with grand ideas of “doing more with their life” and apply to grad school without much deep thought. Sometimes they don’t know what else to do besides pursue another degree. While the quarterlife crisis is a valid and common feeling, this is perhaps not the best or most compelling reason to admit someone to your graduate program. It absolutely won’t cut it in a selective graduate program.

Getting into grad school can be extremely competitive. No matter what kind of program you’re applying to, the applicant who clearly conveys passion and intent and demonstrates a commitment to a career path with laser-focused purpose and clearly defined goals wins. Hands down.