math phd personal statement

Writing a Personal Statement for a Graduate School Application

Overview of the personal statement.

Most mathematics PhD programs will ask applicants to write a Personal Statement or Statement of Purpose as part of their application to the school. Often it can be ambiguous as to what precisely the program wants to see in these statements. I read several hundred of these every year, and based on that experience I have compiled a list of the most impactful statements in a personal statement.

In general, I prefer personal statements that are structured more along the lines of a cover letter for a job. I am most interested in reading about a student’s current interests in mathematics and why they believe my department’s program is a good fit, rather than a lengthy description of what first drew the applicant towards mathematics.

Keep in mind that the personal statement is one of the few parts of the application in which readers get a glimpse of your personality. The rest of the application is more “boilerplate”. For this reason I do recommend spending some effort to write a well organized, well written statement.

Of course, as you are reading this list keep in mind that it is my own set of preferences. Other reviewers may have different opinions.

Tips for the Personal Statement

Past experiences to highlight.

Many of these experiences will already be listed on your CV/resume, but you can certainly write a more detailed explanation of them in your personal statement:

Definitely do describe any previous research experiences or activities that you have participated in. This could be doing a reading or research project with a faculty member, or even a full fledged Research Experience for Undergraduates in the summer.

Describe any previous positions as a teaching assistant or mathematics tutor. Even describing informal tutoring to your friends can be helpful. In most programs you will be asked to be a TA, tutor, or even instructor, and it is helpful to know that you have past experience with this.

Describe any prior participation in activities related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Even listing any readings you have done about these topics, or DEI seminars you may have attended, is useful to know.

If you faced any challenging personal life circumstances in recent years, especially any which may have negatively affected your transcripts, the personal statement can be a good place to address them.

Discussion of Research Interests

It is important to describe your research interests in the personal statement. Departments typically concentrate on only a subset of the many research areas within mathematics, and evaluators want to make sure that your research interests will fit within the department.

Departments are typically divided into research groups. These groups are usually listed on the department website, with their own individual webpages. It is worth spending some time browsing these pages. You should state which of these groups you see yourself most likely interacting with, and why. This gives evaluators a good sense of how you would fit into the department.

If there are any specific faculty members whose research you find particularly compelling you should also list their names. A short (one sentence) summary of why you find their research interesting is also useful. This helps evaluators direct applications to specific faculty members.

Discussion of Future Plans

There are two types of future plans you can describe: those you intend to accomplish during graduate school, and plans for after graduate school.

Describe any graduate student activities that you may be interested in participating in. Examples include the department’s graduate student association, the Association for Women in Mathematics, student chapters of the AMS or SIAM, or any other student groups. A list of these should be available on the department website.

Any mentoring activities that you wish to participate in. Examples include doing reading projects with undergraduate or high school students.

Any activities you may be interested in participating in during the summer months. Examples include attending summer schools, helping to run a research experience for high school or undergraduate students, working in a government lab, doing an internship in industry, etc. You don’t need to discuss specific opportunities, but listing those which interest you can be helpful for a committee.

Describe what career possibilities you may wish to pursue after your degree. Examples include going further into academia, entering industry, working for government, etc.

None of these statements of ironclad commitments. They do, however, give a committee a sense of how you might fit into the department, and a sense of your personality.

Practical Tips

Don’t write more than two pages.
Once you’ve written it, do pay some attention to font, font size, and spacing. Making the document visually attractive can help.
No one expects that you write a completely new statement for each school that you apply to. But there should be one or two paragraphs that you customize for each school that you apply to. This is a good way to show that you have spent at least some time researching the department and would seriously consider joining it. All the information you need to do this customization should be available on the department website.
Write your personal statement before asking for letters of recommendation. You should send the statement to your letter writers. It helps them with their own letter, and as they are reading the statement they may send back suggestions for improvement. Generally it is enough to send them a template, i.e. it is not necessary to send them a statement for each school that you apply to.

$Tom Alberts$

Tom Alberts

Associate professor of mathematics, university of utah.

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How to Write a Personal Statement for a PhD Program Application

Personal statement guidelines, general guidelines to keep in mind:.

One size does not fit all : Tailor your personal statement to each program and department you are applying to. Do your research to learn what is unique about each of your choices and highlight how this particular program stands out.
Yes, it’s personal : Showcase your unique strengths and accomplishments. Explain what influenced your personal decisions to pursue the program. Ask yourself, could this be applied to your friend or neighbor? If so, you need to be more specific and provide examples. Saying that you are a “good scientist” isn’t enough. Provide examples of your previous research experience, projects you’ve completed, and what technical skills you learned. Explain how you overcame any challenges along the way.
Set aside enough time : Although personal statements are generally short in length (approx. 700 words; 1-2 pages), give yourself ample time to write a strong, well-written statement. It takes more time than you think to develop a final draft for submission.
Focus on your spelling, grammar, and vocabulary : It’s important to present a well-written statement with good grammar and vocabulary. Write concrete, succinct sentences that flow well. Avoid flowery language. Visit the Writing Center for additional review and feedback.
Proofread one more time: Check your grammar and spelling again before submitting your final draft. Ask a friend, professor, or advisor to proofread your final draft one more time before sending it in.

YOUR PERSONAL STATEMENT SHOULD ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

Why do you want to complete further research in this field? Write down a list of reasons as to why you are interested in pursuing further study in the field. When did you become interested in the field and what knowledge have you gained so far? Describe how your previous work provided the foundation and for further study.
Why have you chosen to apply to this particular university ? Does the institution have a particular curriculum, special research facilities/equipment, or interesting research that appeal to you?
What are your strengths ? Demonstrate how you stand out from other candidates. Highlight relevant projects, dissertations thesis or essays that demonstrate your academic skills and creativity. Include IT skills, research techniques, awards, or relevant traveling/ study abroad experience.
What are your transferable skills? Be sure to emphasize transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, and time management skills. Give examples of how you have demonstrated each of these with specific examples.
How does this program align with your career goals? It’s okay if you don’t know the exact career path you plan to take after completing your PhD. Provide an idea of the direction you would like to take. This demonstrates commitment and dedication to the program.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

For examples of successful personal statements, visit the Online Writing Lab (OWL) .

Personal Statements for PhD Study

Written by Mark Bennett

Universities often ask prospective students to provide a personal statement for PhD study. This is likely to be a key part of your PhD application .

Whereas your research proposal explains the potential of your project, your personal statement (also known as a PhD statement of purpose) demonstrates your suitability for doctoral work in general.

Writing a PhD personal statement can seem challenging, but it’s also a valuable opportunity to state what you have to offer and ‘sell yourself’ as a PhD candidate.

This page explains how to write a PhD personal statement, including suggestions for an effective structure and some additional tips for success.

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Will I have to write a personal statement for a PhD programme?

Not necessarily. Some PhD applications don’t actually ask for a separate personal statement. This may be because the admissions tutors want to focus on your research proposal instead (and leave other details for interview questions ).

A personal statement is very likely to be requested if you you’re applying to an advertised project with pre-defined aims and objectives (and aren’t submitting your own PhD proposal). If so, it will be your main chance to say why you’re the best student for this position.

Who will read it?

Your PhD statement may end up being read and considered by various people:

Admissions tutors will check that you have relevant experience and qualifications for this programme and that these are up to the standard expected of a PhD candidate.
Potential supervisors will be interested in your specific academic background as well as your motivations for working in their department or research group.
Interview panellists (who may include admissions tutors and supervisors) will probably consult your personal statement when preparing questions for you .

These people will be interested in slightly different things, but don’t worry: a good statement should be able to satisfy all of them.

What is a PhD statement of purpose?

If you’re applying for a PhD programme at an American grad school , you may be asked to provide a ‘PhD statement of purpose’.

A PhD statement of purpose (SOP) is your chance to demonstrate that you’re an ideal fit for the grad school in question.

It’s essentially the equivalent of a personal statement, but you should check the application details for your preferred institution to make sure you’re covering everything you need to. Always follow the conventions of the country that your prospective programme is in.

What should my PhD personal statement include?

The exact content of your PhD statement of purpose will depend on the kind of project you’re applying for and the requirements set by your university.

You should check the latter carefully. If the admission guidelines ask for your personal statement to refer to specific details (such as motivations, career goals, your choice of university, etc) make sure it does.

In general, your PhD statement should cover the following topics:

1. What is your background?

Keep this relevant (and fairly brief). Admissions tutors and supervisors will be interested in what’s brought you to choose a PhD, but they won’t need to know your life story (and you won’t have time to tell it to them).

If your interest in your subject was inspired in childhood, feel free to say so. But focus on the interest, not the childhood.

2. Why do you want to research this topic?

Every personal statement needs to explain your motivation for taking on a PhD, but what you include here will depend on the kind of PhD you want to take on.

If you’re also submitting a separate research proposal you should probably focus more on why you want to research a PhD than the specific topic you’re proposing to research (that, after all, is what your research proposal is for).

If you’re applying for an advertised project (and not proposing your own research) you should say something about your interest in that PhD: what interests you about it and what you can bring to it.

3. What academic experience do you have?

Your personal statement isn’t a CV, so avoid simply listing qualifications you’ve detailed elsewhere in your application (on your CV , for example).

But your personal statement is a chance to comment on your CV and explain the significance of those qualifications for your PhD application. This is vital if you want to stand out from the crowd.

Most PhD applicants are academically excellent. Be proud of your own results, but explain what those degrees (including specific units and dissertation projects) taught you about the subject you now want to research.

4. What extra-curricular experience do you have?

Another way to build upon your academic qualifications is to include other experience that has also demonstrated (or developed) relevant skills for your PhD.

Again, relevance is key. You may also wish to include one or two examples of your wider experience and achievements, but the focus should be on your suitability for PhD study.

Examples of your character and qualities may be relevant for some projects – particularly those with a charitable focus, human-interest angle or clear social benefits / outcomes. Otherwise, try to stick to relevant skills such as organisation, independent project management, self-motivation, etc.

5. What are your broader goals and motivations?

It’s a good idea to say something about how this PhD fits into your wider aims and career goals.

The specifics of what you plan to do after your doctorate may not matter to your admissions tutors, but the fact that you have plans and can show that a PhD fits them demonstrates that you’ve thought seriously about a doctorate and are likely to commit to overcoming the challenges it involves.

6. Are there any other areas or issues arising from your CV?

Your personal statement is a great opportunity to expand upon your CV.

That could mean providing more detail about academic degrees (as above). But it can also mean explaining any gaps or irregularities and anticipating some of the questions they might raise.

Perhaps you didn’t do as well as you hoped on your undergraduate degree, but went on to find your niche and succeed with a more specialised Masters. It’s OK to acknowledge and explain that if so – particularly if your Masters relates closely to your PhD.

Similarly, if there’s a gap in your CV, it’s better to explain it than leave any begged questions – particularly if there’s a perfectly good reason why you weren’t working or studying at that point.

How to write a PhD personal statement

Crafting a good PhD personal statement requires discipline and planning.

Writing about yourself may not seem particularly hard, but selecting, sequencing and organising your material can be harder than it seems. You know a lot about you, after all, but you only have so much time and space. Speaking of which:

How long should a PhD personal statement be?

A PhD personal statement should be 400-500 words, fitting on one side of an A4 sheet of paper. Your university may set a specific word count or maximum length, so make sure to check the application details.

Either way, you should aim to be disciplined and concise. There are two reasons for this:

One is that the ability to think – and express yourself – clearly is a key PhD skill in all subject areas. There’s no harm in demonstrating it now.

The other is that admissions tutors and prospective supervisors are people. People who may well have a lot of personal statements and applications to assess, besides yours. If you give them a long essay to read, they might not.

How should I structure my statement?

The sequence above actually provides a good ‘spine’ for a personal statement (with roughly a paragraph or two for each section):

Start with a quick introduction, explaining who you are and what your background is. Try to have this progress naturally into your research interests and your choice of PhD and university.

From there you can move on, logically, to expanding on your skills and experience and how these make you a good fit for the PhD in question. If you wish to comment on other areas of your CV, do so at appropriate points here.

Finally, you can conclude with a section on your longer-term goals and aspirations.

What writing style should I use?

The ‘personal’ aspect of your statement should extend to its content (it’s a document about you) but not necessarily to its tone (it’s also a professional document, part of an application for a specific role).

That doesn’t mean you can’t express yourself (your reader will want to see that you’re passionate about your subject and enthusiastic about PhD research) but keep things professional and relevant.

These guidelines should also extend to way you write. Try to stick to short sentences and express yourself with clarity and precision. After all, a personal statement that’s easy to read is more likely to be read.

What extra-curricular experience do you have?

What are your broader goals and motivations, are there any other areas or issues arising from your cv, learn more about phd applications.

There are several components of a PhD application , besides your personal statement or statement of purpose. Our guides cover references , research proposals , academic CVs , cover letters and more.

Tips for writing your PhD personal statement

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Some of the ingredients for a great PhD statement vary from project to project and from student to student (it’s a personal statement, after all).

But the following general tips are still worth bearing in mind:

Keep it relevant – Remember that this is a statement about you as a potential PhD student, not just a statement about you.
Don’t duplicate your research proposal – A personal statement and a research proposal are two separate things. If you’re submitting both, make sure they cover different (and appropriate) ground.
Be honest – If you’re lucky, the content of your personal statement could end up informing questions at your PhD interview . Don’t let embellishments or inaccuracies turn those into awkward questions.
Look for guidelines – If your university asks you to cover something specific in your proposal, make sure you do so. The same applies to space limits or word counts.
Think of the statement as a beginning, not an end – Resist the temptation to include everything, ‘just in case’. By focussing on the most important elements you’ll improve the clarity of your statement and increase your chance of covering other details at your interview.
Address questions arising from elsewhere – If there’s a gap in your CV or an issue with one of your references, your personal statement can be an opportunity to (briefly) explain that.
State, don’t plead - This isn’t a letter asking to be given a PhD place. It’s a statement showing why you should be given a PhD place. That’s even more important if there’s funding involved.
Be confident – By the same token, don’t be afraid to demonstrate self-belief. Express your skills and achievements honestly, but be proud of what they represent.

Finally, before you submit your statement (and the rest of your PhD application ) ask someone who knows you to read it. They could be a friend, an employer, a current tutor or even one of your referees .

Either way, they’ll have a fresh perspective on your statement and will be able to tell you if it makes sense and comes across effectively. If they know you (and your work) well enough they may also be able to spot any details you’ve missed, or suggest ways to improve what you have included.

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Graduate School Statement of Purpose

What is a Statement of Purpose?

The statement of purpose for graduate school should be between 1-2 pages long. Graduate committee members read your statement as part of your overall package. When a graduate committee member reads your statement they also have a copy of your transcript, perhaps your resume, and GRE scores. The statement should be viewed as a way to present some of your experiences that do not appear on your transcripts or to expand on some item on your resume. If you have poor grades in some courses, you could use the statement to explain why this occurred. If there was a gap in your education, this should also be explained. If you have a research and/or teaching experience then you should use the statement of purpose to give some detail about your research experience. This gives you the opportunity to discuss mathematics so that the reader gets the sense that

you have some deeper understanding of a topic and
you can communicate mathematical ideas.

Your statement of purpose should not rehash items that can be obtained from your transcripts or your resume. The statement of purpose should convince the reader that you are knowledgeable about undergraduate mathematics and that you have given some thought to your career path towards the doctorate. The statement should also give confidence that you will succeed in a graduate program.

Students will apply to more than one graduate school. Typically students apply to about seven programs. Students should consider writing their statement of purpose and leaving room in the statement to personalize it for each of the institutions where it is to be sent. Students should look up the webpage for the department, look at the research areas and the faculty, and comment on some aspect of that webpage.

In preparation for writing this statement of purpose, students should meet with their advisors and have the advisor look over the statement of purpose before it is sent out. Below are some helpful links when writing your statement of purpose:

The Princeton Review - Tips for Writing a Statement of Purpose
Peterson’s – Top Graduate School Essay Writing Mistakes You Must Avoid
Purdue Online Writing Lab – Writing the Personal Statement
The Chronicle of Higher Education Article - “Leave Dr Seuss Out of It”

More Personalized Help

Don't know what to write in your personal statement? Ask a mentor for advice! Your mentor can share how they wrote a personal statement and tips and tricks to get admissions committees to like you. Mentors can also help you edit a draft of a personal statement.

Personal Statement

Unlike undergrad applications, the Statement of Purpose (SOP from here on) is meant to be more "professional" than "personal". The purpose of SOP is literally to state your purpose for joining a program: what kinds of math are you interested in? Do you have experiences (research, reading UROPs, classes) in the areas of math you are hoping to pursue? Why are you applying to this specific program, e.g. are there (tenured) professors doing active research in the things you are interested in? In other words, your goal is to convince the professors reading your SOP that the program is a good match for you in terms of your research interests, and to sneak in relevant experiences you have to prove that you can survive (and succeed in) the program.

While there is no "best" template for SOP, there are things that you definitely should avoid. For instance, it is not a good idea to try too hard to impress, especially by writing about mathematical ideas that you don't understand fully. The professors are agile at catching those. It is also generally not a good idea to state that you are only interested in working with one particular professor in the program, unless this is what you really intend to convey. That one professor might not be taking students and your interest might change, so it would make you seem a "riskier" candidate .

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Gre prep online guides and tips, 3 successful graduate school personal statement examples.

Looking for grad school personal statement examples? Look no further! In this total guide to graduate school personal statement examples, we’ll discuss why you need a personal statement for grad school and what makes a good one. Then we’ll provide three graduate school personal statement samples from our grad school experts. After that, we’ll do a deep dive on one of our personal statement for graduate school examples. Finally, we’ll wrap up with a list of other grad school personal statements you can find online.

Why Do You Need a Personal Statement?

A personal statement is a chance for admissions committees to get to know you: your goals and passions, what you’ll bring to the program, and what you’re hoping to get out of the program. You need to sell the admissions committee on what makes you a worthwhile applicant. The personal statement is a good chance to highlight significant things about you that don’t appear elsewhere on your application.

A personal statement is slightly different from a statement of purpose (also known as a letter of intent). A statement of purpose/letter of intent tends to be more tightly focused on your academic or professional credentials and your future research and/or professional interests.

While a personal statement also addresses your academic experiences and goals, you have more leeway to be a little more, well, personal. In a personal statement, it’s often appropriate to include information on significant life experiences or challenges that aren’t necessarily directly relevant to your field of interest.

Some programs ask for both a personal statement and a statement of purpose/letter of intent. In this case, the personal statement is likely to be much more tightly focused on your life experience and personality assets while the statement of purpose will focus in much more on your academic/research experiences and goals.

However, there’s not always a hard-and-fast demarcation between a personal statement and a statement of purpose. The two statement types should address a lot of the same themes, especially as relates to your future goals and the valuable assets you bring to the program. Some programs will ask for a personal statement but the prompt will be focused primarily on your research and professional experiences and interests. Some will ask for a statement of purpose but the prompt will be more focused on your general life experiences.

When in doubt, give the program what they are asking for in the prompt and don’t get too hung up on whether they call it a personal statement or statement of purpose. You can always call the admissions office to get more clarification on what they want you to address in your admissions essay.

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What Makes a Good Grad School Personal Statement?

A great graduate school personal statement can come in many forms and styles. However, strong grad school personal statement examples all share the same following elements:

A Clear Narrative

Above all, a good personal statement communicates clear messages about what makes you a strong applicant who is likely to have success in graduate school. So to that extent, think about a couple of key points that you want to communicate about yourself and then drill down on how you can best communicate those points. (Your key points should of course be related to what you can bring to the field and to the program specifically).

You can also decide whether to address things like setbacks or gaps in your application as part of your narrative. Have a low GPA for a couple semesters due to a health issue? Been out of a job for a while taking care of a family member? If you do decide to explain an issue like this, make sure that the overall arc is more about demonstrating positive qualities like resilience and diligence than about providing excuses.

Specific Examples

A great statement of purpose uses specific examples to illustrate its key messages. This can include anecdotes that demonstrate particular traits or even references to scholars and works that have influenced your academic trajectory to show that you are familiar and insightful about the relevant literature in your field.

Just saying “I love plants,” is pretty vague. Describing how you worked in a plant lab during undergrad and then went home and carefully cultivated your own greenhouse where you cross-bred new flower colors by hand is much more specific and vivid, which makes for better evidence.

A strong personal statement will describe why you are a good fit for the program, and why the program is a good fit for you. It’s important to identify specific things about the program that appeal to you, and how you’ll take advantage of those opportunities. It’s also a good idea to talk about specific professors you might be interested in working with. This shows that you are informed about and genuinely invested in the program.

Strong Writing

Even quantitative and science disciplines typically require some writing, so it’s important that your personal statement shows strong writing skills. Make sure that you are communicating clearly and that you don’t have any grammar and spelling errors. It’s helpful to get other people to read your statement and provide feedback. Plan on going through multiple drafts.

Another important thing here is to avoid cliches and gimmicks. Don’t deploy overused phrases and openings like “ever since I was a child.” Don’t structure your statement in a gimmicky way (i.e., writing a faux legal brief about yourself for a law school statement of purpose). The first will make your writing banal; the second is likely to make you stand out in a bad way.

Appropriate Boundaries

While you can be more personal in a personal statement than in a statement of purpose, it’s important to maintain appropriate boundaries in your writing. Don’t overshare anything too personal about relationships, bodily functions, or illegal activities. Similarly, don’t share anything that makes it seem like you may be out of control, unstable, or an otherwise risky investment. The personal statement is not a confessional booth. If you share inappropriately, you may seem like you have bad judgment, which is a huge red flag to admissions committees.

You should also be careful with how you deploy humor and jokes. Your statement doesn’t have to be totally joyless and serious, but bear in mind that the person reading the statement may not have the same sense of humor as you do. When in doubt, err towards the side of being as inoffensive as possible.

Just as being too intimate in your statement can hurt you, it’s also important not to be overly formal or staid. You should be professional, but conversational.

Graduate School Personal Statement Examples

Our graduate school experts have been kind enough to provide some successful grad school personal statement examples. We’ll provide three examples here, along with brief analysis of what makes each one successful.

Sample Personal Statement for Graduate School 1

PDF of Sample Personal Statement 1 – Japanese Studies

For this Japanese Studies master’s degree, the applicant had to provide a statement of purpose outlining her academic goals and experience with Japanese and a separate personal statement describing her personal relationship with Japanese Studies and what led her to pursue a master’s degree.

Here’s what’s successful about this personal statement:

An attention-grabbing beginning: The applicant begins with the statement that Japanese has never come easily to her and that it’s a brutal language to learn. Seeing as how this is an application for a Japanese Studies program, this is an intriguing beginning that makes the reader want to keep going.
A compelling narrative: From this attention-grabbing beginning, the applicant builds a well-structured and dramatic narrative tracking her engagement with the Japanese language over time. The clear turning point is her experience studying abroad, leading to a resolution in which she has clarity about her plans. Seeing as how the applicant wants to be a translator of Japanese literature, the tight narrative structure here is a great way to show her writing skills.
Specific examples that show important traits: The applicant clearly communicates both a deep passion for Japanese through examples of her continued engagement with Japanese and her determination and work ethic by highlighting the challenges she’s faced (and overcome) in her study of the language. This gives the impression that she is an engaged and dedicated student.

Overall, this is a very strong statement both in terms of style and content. It flows well, is memorable, and communicates that the applicant would make the most of the graduate school experience.

Sample Personal Statement for Graduate School 2

PDF of Sample Graduate School Personal Statement 2 – Musical Composition

This personal statement for a Music Composition master’s degree discusses the factors that motivate the applicant to pursue graduate study.

Here’s what works well in this statement:

The applicant provides two clear reasons motivating the student to pursue graduate study: her experiences with music growing up, and her family’s musical history. She then supports those two reasons with examples and analysis.
The description of her ancestors’ engagement with music is very compelling and memorable. The applicant paints her own involvement with music as almost inevitable based on her family’s long history with musical pursuits.
The applicant gives thoughtful analysis of the advantages she has been afforded that have allowed her to study music so extensively. We get the sense that she is insightful and empathetic—qualities that would add greatly to any academic community.

This is a strong, serviceable personal statement. And in truth, given that this for a masters in music composition, other elements of the application (like work samples) are probably the most important. However, here are two small changes I would make to improve it:

I would probably to split the massive second paragraph into 2-3 separate paragraphs. I might use one paragraph to orient the reader to the family’s musical history, one paragraph to discuss Giacomo and Antonio, and one paragraph to discuss how the family has influenced the applicant. As it stands, it’s a little unwieldy and the second paragraph doesn’t have a super-clear focus even though it’s all loosely related to the applicant’s family history with music.
I would also slightly shorten the anecdote about the applicant’s ancestors and expand more on how this family history has motivated the applicant’s interest in music. In what specific ways has her ancestors’ perseverance inspired her? Did she think about them during hard practice sessions? Is she interested in composing music in a style they might have played? More specific examples here would lend greater depth and clarity to the statement.

Sample Personal Statement for Graduate School 3

PDF of Sample Graduate School Personal Statement 3 – Public Health

This is my successful personal statement for Columbia’s Master’s program in Public Health. We’ll do a deep dive on this statement paragraph-by-paragraph in the next section, but I’ll highlight a couple of things that work in this statement here:

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This statement is clearly organized. Almost every paragraph has a distinct focus and message, and when I move on to a new idea, I move on to a new paragraph with a logical transitions.
This statement covers a lot of ground in a pretty short space. I discuss my family history, my goals, my educational background, and my professional background. But because the paragraphs are organized and I use specific examples, it doesn’t feel too vague or scattered.
In addition to including information about my personal motivations, like my family, I also include some analysis about tailoring health interventions with my example of the Zande. This is a good way to show off what kinds of insights I might bring to the program based on my academic background.

Grad School Personal Statement Example: Deep Dive

Now let’s do a deep dive, paragraph-by-paragraph, on one of these sample graduate school personal statements. We’ll use my personal statement that I used when I applied to Columbia’s public health program.

Paragraph One: For twenty-three years, my grandmother (a Veterinarian and an Epidemiologist) ran the Communicable Disease Department of a mid-sized urban public health department. The stories of Grandma Betty doggedly tracking down the named sexual partners of the infected are part of our family lore. Grandma Betty would persuade people to be tested for sexually transmitted diseases, encourage safer sexual practices, document the spread of infection and strive to contain and prevent it. Indeed, due to the large gay population in the city where she worked, Grandma Betty was at the forefront of the AIDS crises, and her analysis contributed greatly towards understanding how the disease was contracted and spread. My grandmother has always been a huge inspiration to me, and the reason why a career in public health was always on my radar.

This is an attention-grabbing opening anecdote that avoids most of the usual cliches about childhood dreams and proclivities. This story also subtly shows that I have a sense of public health history, given the significance of the AIDs crisis for public health as a field.

It’s good that I connect this family history to my own interests. However, if I were to revise this paragraph again, I might cut down on some of the detail because when it comes down to it, this story isn’t really about me. It’s important that even (sparingly used) anecdotes about other people ultimately reveal something about you in a personal statement.

Paragraph Two: Recent years have cemented that interest. In January 2012, my parents adopted my little brother Fred from China. Doctors in America subsequently diagnosed Fred with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). My parents were told that if Fred’s condition had been discovered in China, the (very poor) orphanage in which he spent the first 8+ years of his life would have recognized his DMD as a death sentence and denied him sustenance to hasten his demise.

Here’s another compelling anecdote to help explain my interest in public health. This is an appropriately personal detail for a personal statement—it’s a serious thing about my immediate family, but it doesn’t disclose anything that the admissions committee might find concerning or inappropriate.

If I were to take another pass through this paragraph, the main thing I would change is the last phrase. “Denied him sustenance to hasten his demise” is a little flowery. “Denied him food to hasten his death” is actually more powerful because it’s clearer and more direct.

Paragraph Three: It is not right that some people have access to the best doctors and treatment while others have no medical care. I want to pursue an MPH in Sociomedical Sciences at Columbia because studying social factors in health, with a particular focus on socio-health inequities, will prepare me to address these inequities. The interdisciplinary approach of the program appeals to me greatly as I believe interdisciplinary approaches are the most effective way to develop meaningful solutions to complex problems.

In this paragraph I make a neat and clear transition from discussing what sparked my interest in public health and health equity to what I am interested in about Columbia specifically: the interdisciplinary focus of the program, and how that focus will prepare me to solve complex health problems. This paragraph also serves as a good pivot point to start discussing my academic and professional background.

Paragraph Four: My undergraduate education has prepared me well for my chosen career. Understanding the underlying structure of a group’s culture is essential to successfully communicating with the group. In studying folklore and mythology, I’ve learned how to parse the unspoken structures of folk groups, and how those structures can be used to build bridges of understanding. For example, in a culture where most illnesses are believed to be caused by witchcraft, as is the case for the Zande people of central Africa, any successful health intervention or education program would of necessity take into account their very real belief in witchcraft.

In this paragraph, I link my undergraduate education and the skills I learned there to public health. The (very brief) analysis of tailoring health interventions to the Zande is a good way to show insight and show off the competencies I would bring to the program.

Paragraph Five: I now work in the healthcare industry for one of the largest providers of health benefits in the world. In addition to reigniting my passion for data and quantitative analytics, working for this company has immersed me in the business side of healthcare, a critical component of public health.

This brief paragraph highlights my relevant work experience in the healthcare industry. It also allows me to mention my work with data and quantitative analytics, which isn’t necessarily obvious from my academic background, which was primarily based in the social sciences.

Paragraph Six: I intend to pursue a PhD in order to become an expert in how social factors affect health, particularly as related to gender and sexuality. I intend to pursue a certificate in Sexuality, Sexual Health, and Reproduction. Working together with other experts to create effective interventions across cultures and societies, I want to help transform health landscapes both in America and abroad.

This final paragraph is about my future plans and intentions. Unfortunately, it’s a little disjointed, primarily because I discuss goals of pursuing a PhD before I talk about what certificate I want to pursue within the MPH program! Switching those two sentences and discussing my certificate goals within the MPH and then mentioning my PhD plans would make a lot more sense.

I also start two sentences in a row with “I intend,” which is repetitive.

The final sentence is a little bit generic; I might tailor it to specifically discuss a gender and sexual health issue, since that is the primary area of interest I’ve identified.

This was a successful personal statement; I got into (and attended!) the program. It has strong examples, clear organization, and outlines what interests me about the program (its interdisciplinary focus) and what competencies I would bring (a background in cultural analysis and experience with the business side of healthcare). However, a few slight tweaks would elevate this statement to the next level.

Graduate School Personal Statement Examples You Can Find Online

So you need more samples for your personal statement for graduate school? Examples are everywhere on the internet, but they aren’t all of equal quality.

Most of examples are posted as part of writing guides published online by educational institutions. We’ve rounded up some of the best ones here if you are looking for more personal statement examples for graduate school.

Penn State Personal Statement Examples for Graduate School

This selection of ten short personal statements for graduate school and fellowship programs offers an interesting mix of approaches. Some focus more on personal adversity while others focus more closely on professional work within the field.

The writing in some of these statements is a little dry, and most deploy at least a few cliches. However, these are generally strong, serviceable statements that communicate clearly why the student is interested in the field, their skills and competencies, and what about the specific program appeals to them.

Cal State Sample Graduate School Personal Statements

These are good examples of personal statements for graduate school where students deploy lots of very vivid imagery and illustrative anecdotes of life experiences. There are also helpful comments about what works in each of these essays.

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However, all of these statements are definitely pushing the boundaries of acceptable length, as all are above 1000 and one is almost 1500 words! Many programs limit you to 500 words; if you don’t have a limit, you should try to keep it to two single-spaced pages at most (which is about 1000 words).

University of Chicago Personal Statement for Graduate School Examples

These examples of successful essays to the University of Chicago law school cover a wide range of life experiences and topics. The writing in all is very vivid, and all communicate clear messages about the students’ strengths and competencies.

Note, however, that these are all essays that specifically worked for University of Chicago law school. That does not mean that they would work everywhere. In fact, one major thing to note is that many of these responses, while well-written and vivid, barely address the students’ interest in law school at all! This is something that might not work well for most graduate programs.

Wheaton College Personal Statement for Graduate School Sample 10

This successful essay for law school from a Wheaton College undergraduate does a great job tracking the student’s interest in the law in a compelling and personal way. Wheaton offers other graduate school personal statement examples, but this one offers the most persuasive case for the students’ competencies. The student accomplishes this by using clear, well-elaborated examples, showing strong and vivid writing, and highlighting positive qualities like an interest in justice and empathy without seeming grandiose or out of touch.

Wheaton College Personal Statement for Graduate School Sample 1

Based on the background information provided at the bottom of the essay, this essay was apparently successful for this applicant. However, I’ve actually included this essay because it demonstrates an extremely risky approach. While this personal statement is strikingly written and the story is very memorable, it could definitely communicate the wrong message to some admissions committees. The student’s decision not to report the drill sergeant may read incredibly poorly to some admissions committees. They may wonder if the student’s failure to report the sergeant’s violence will ultimately expose more soldiers-in-training to the same kinds of abuses. This incident perhaps reads especially poorly in light of the fact that the military has such a notable problem with violence against women being covered up and otherwise mishandled

It’s actually hard to get a complete picture of the student’s true motivations from this essay, and what we have might raise real questions about the student’s character to some admissions committees. This student took a risk and it paid off, but it could have just as easily backfired spectacularly.

Key Takeaways: Graduate School Personal Statement Examples

In this guide, we discussed why you need a personal statement and how it differs from a statement of purpose. (It’s more personal!)

We also discussed what you’ll find in a strong sample personal statement for graduate school:

A clear narrative about the applicant and why they are qualified for graduate study.
Specific examples to support that narrative.
Compelling reasons why the applicant and the program are a good fit for each other.
Strong writing, including clear organization and error-free, cliche-free language.
Appropriate boundaries—sharing without over-sharing.

Then, we provided three strong graduate school personal statement examples for different fields, along with analysis. We did a deep-dive on the third statement.

Finally, we provided a list of other sample grad school personal statements online.

What’s Next?

Want more advice on writing a personal statement ? See our guide.

Writing a graduate school statement of purpose? See our statement of purpose samples and a nine-step process for writing the best statement of purpose possible .

If you’re writing a graduate school CV or resume, see our how-to guide to writing a CV , a how-to guide to writing a resume , our list of sample resumes and CVs , resume and CV templates , and a special guide for writing resume objectives .

Need stellar graduate school recommendation letters ? See our guide.

See our 29 tips for successfully applying to graduate school .

Ready to improve your GRE score by 7 points?

Author: Ellen McCammon

Ellen is a public health graduate student and education expert. She has extensive experience mentoring students of all ages to reach their goals and in-depth knowledge on a variety of health topics. View all posts by Ellen McCammon

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M.S. Admissions

The application window for Fall 2025 is open. Application deadline is December 15, 2024.

The Mathematics Department offers two programs to obtain a Ph.D. Applicants can pursue a Ph.D. in Applied & Interdisciplinary Mathematics or Mathematics. Please use the "Programs" link at the left to explore our offerings.

Three Letters of Recommendation (May submit up to 5 letters, but only 3 are required.)
Curriculum Vitae or Resume
Academic Statement of Purpose (concise - no limit)
Personal Statement (500 word limit)
TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition and IELTS Indicator online test are accepted.
Exemption rules: https://rackham.umich.edu/admissions/applying/tests/
List of International English Exclusive Institutions approved by Rackham

GRE General Test scores are no longer included in the admission process in accordance with a policy of the Rackham Graduate School .

GRE Mathematics Subject Test scores are strictly optional. However, if an applicant chooses so, they may submit them as a combined pdf file with their transcript or personal statement.

Application Timeline

The Mathematics Department's graduate programs only accept applications for Fall semesters.

General Requirements for Admission

A student must have completed a bachelor's degree at an accredited college or university by the time of entry in order to be considered for admission.

Applied & Interdisciplinary Mathematics (AIM) Ph.D. Admissions Requirements

Successful AIM Ph.D. applicants will demonstrate an interest in an interdisciplinary area of applied mathematics in addition to substantial mathematical ability. Two types of students are generally considered for admission to the AIM Ph.D. program:

Mathematics majors with excellent grades in mathematics courses and excellent letters of recommendation. The admissions committee will also take into account other scholarly activities such as summer research experience, published papers, or courses in other fields.
Non-mathematics majors from the physical, life, or engineering sciences, or from other appropriate areas of study. Such students are expected to have completed at least two upper division mathematics courses, and/or have substantial exposure to mathematics in other courses, and may submit a GRE mathematics subject test score. Other experience in working with mathematics (for instance, summer research positions) will also be taken into account, as well as grade point average and letters of recommendation.

Mathematics Ph.D. Admission Requirements The undergraduate major need not be mathematics, but a student should have mastered material roughly equivalent to the undergraduate mathematics major at The University of Michigan including:

three semesters of calculus
one or two semesters of differential equations
one semester courses in modern algebra, linear algebra, geometry or topology
advanced calculus of one and several variables

In addition, a student should have completed at least three additional mathematics courses and at least two courses in related fields such as statistics, computer science, or the physical sciences. Students with strong records in less comprehensive programs will be considered for admission but if admitted should expect to spend the first one or two semesters in graduate school completing their undergraduate preparation in mathematics. Based on historical data, we expect that successful applicants to the Ph.D. program will have an overall GPA of at least 3.3 on a 4.0 scale.

Application Requirement Details

GRE, TOEFL, and IELTS Tests

GRE General test scores are not required.
GRE Mathematics Subject Test scores may be submitted as a combined pdf file with your transcript or personal statement. (Optional)
TOEFL or IELTS exam is required for students whose native language is not English
TOEFL and IELTS exams should not be older than two years as of the Admission Deadline.
Minimum TOEFL and IELTS scores must meet Rackham's requirements here .
TOEFL or IELTS Exemptions are only given per Rackham's rules here .
ETS school code for the University of Michigan Rackham Graduate School is 1839

Letters of Recommendation

Letters of recommendation play an especially crucial role in the admission process. At least three letters are required, and up to five may be submitted. Applicants should choose as recommenders people who know their strengths and weaknesses relevant to graduate study in mathematics. The most useful letters are those which list in some detail the accomplishments of the student and make direct comparisons with other students who have succeeded at major U.S. graduate schools. International students already in the U.S. should submit letters from their U.S. institution, whenever possible. Please register your recommenders for the electronic Letters of Recommendation when using the Online Application. Letters received after the application deadline will be accepted, but should be received within 1 week of that deadline.

Those students who will have completed a Master's degree in Mathematics by the time they begin studies at the University of Michigan must apply to the Ph.D. program. Others may apply to either program.

Academic Statement of Purpose

Focus your academic statement on your mathematical interests, research experience, published papers, math camps, teaching & tutoring experience etc. Be sure to mention any specific faculty with whom you wish to work.

Personal Statement:

Focus your personal statement on what makes you unique, any struggles you have experienced and overcome, and why you feel U-M Math is the right place for you. Be sure to include any hardships you have experiencedand how you overcame them. These could be financial, familial, or personal.

Transcript Submission:

The Mathematics Admissions Committee will review uploaded transcripts with university logos during the application process. While these are considered "unofficial" transcripts because they have been opened from their original sealed envelopes, they are acceptable. If an applicant receives an offer of admission, an official transcript in a sealed envelope will need to be mailed from the institution directly to the Rackham Graduate School.

Please submit your most current transcript with your online application by the due date. If you would like the Admissions Committee to see your Fall term scores, you may email them to [email protected] after the due date, and they will be included with your application.

Additonal Application Materials: If you have additional materials you would like to submit with your application, you may email them to [email protected]. Be sure to include your name and umid number in the email and attach files in pdf format.

Note: All credentials submitted for admission consideration become the property of the University of Michigan and will not be returned in original or copy form.

Additional Information: Please visit the admissions page of the Rackham Graduate School for additional information regarding admission including: minimum graduate school requirements, residency, and application fees. Unfortunately, application fee waivers are not available for international students.

Financial Support for Ph.D. Students

Ph.D. Programs

Most students enrolled in the Ph.D. program in Mathematics are granted full financial support including an annual stipend, tuition waiver, and health insurance for a period of five years, subject to satisfactory progress. The Department offers aid in the form of Graduate Student Instructorships, Research Assistantships, and Fellowships.

All entering Ph.D. students will be considered for Graduate Student Instructorships, which normally require four classroom hours of teaching per week plus additional office hours during the Fall and Winter terms. The stipend for such an appointment in 2021-2022 is $11,598 per term. In addition, Graduate Student Instructors receive a full tuition waiver. Teaching duties may involve teaching a section of a first-year calculus or pre-calculus course or serving as an instructor for recitation sections attached to a faculty lecture in multivariable calculus or elementary differential equations. The Department of Mathematics has many fellowship opportunities, including the Copeland, Glover, Rainich, and Shields Fellowships which may provide a stipend, tuition waiver and in some cases a reduced teaching load. Other fellowships administered by the Rackham Graduate School can be found at their Fellowships office . The University of Michigan is part of the CIC consortium, which also awards fellowships to outstanding underrepresented applicants. Also available are prestigious Rackham Science Award’s given out by the Rackham Graduate School.

After Admission

All new Graduate Student Instructors are required to attend an orientation and training program which is held the week before classes begin. New Graduate Student Instructors whose Undergraduate Degree is not from an English speaking University must pass an English Evaluation which tests the specific oral skills needed for classroom teaching and are required to attend a three-week cultural orientation program starting in July.

Research Assistantships are awarded mainly to senior Ph.D. students to relieve them of teaching duties during the final part of their dissertation research. Students at this point may also compete for Rackham Dissertation Fellowships, which provide full support for one year, or Research Partnerships. A small number of positions as paper-graders for the larger advanced courses is available each term.

Some additional funds are often available for support during the summer. More advanced students who are actively involved in research may be supported from NSF grants awarded to faculty members. For other students there is a limited number of Departmental fellowships and a few teaching positions are available. No advanced graduate courses are offered in either the Spring or Summer half-terms and students are encouraged to spend some of their summers attending workshops, doing research, working in government, or seeking internships in industry.

$math phd personal statement$

Marjorie Lee Browne (MLB) Scholars Program - an MS bridge to PhD program for diverse students

The Department of Mathematics at the University of Michigan is pleased to offer the Marjorie Lee Browne (MLB) Scholars Program. The program is named for Dr. Marjorie Lee Browne, who in 1949 became the first African-American woman to earn a Ph.D. in Mathematics at the University of Michigan. The MLB Scholars Program is an enhanced option for the M.S. degree in either Mathematics or Applied and Interdisciplinary Mathematics that is designed to give students professional knowledge of pure or applied mathematics in order to prepare them for continuing toward a Ph.D. Please see this Marjorie Lee Brown Scholars webpage for eligibility and details.

If you have any questions regarding the application process, please contact the Department of Mathematics at [email protected].

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Is it appropriate to include actual maths in a mathematics personal statement?

So, the title speaks for itself, but essentially over the course of the last few weeks I've been doing a course in complex analysis, and some of the identities that pop up are immaculate, and I think including one of these will enable me to convey that not only am I passionate about my subject (mathematics), but I am also well informed. Is this an acceptable thing to do?

In my opinion, it feels "too unconventional to be acceptable," but I'd like to hear your input rather than my own.

Any responses are appreciated.

statement-of-purpose

5 What are you applying for (PhD, postdoc, faculty)? – astronat supports the strike Commented Mar 5, 2018 at 15:15

4 Answers 4

As a general principle, I would say that there is rarely going to be a situation where mathematical statements are going to add value in a personal statement. I am in a mathematical field, and I have not seen an exampe that contradicts this. Some reasons why this is so:

You are either going to be talking about a math problem that is well known or one that is unknown to the reader. If it is well-known you should be able to describe it by name, without using any maths. If it is a problem that the reader has not encountered, with any real substantive depth, it is unlikely that the reader is going to be able to digest the mathematics in a short read.

For applicants for graduate programs, it is usually the case that their undergraduate training has given them the capacity to manipulate equations, but they are not yet adept at backing up calculations with intuitive explanation --- they can't yet "see the matrix". For this reason, it is much more impressive to see a good textual explanation of the intuition of a problem than to see mathematical equations describing or solving a problem.

If you are an applicant to graduate school, your mathematics is far below the standards of the professors who will be reading your statement. (Yes, I am even talking to you Mr summa cum laude .) What you think is a demonstration of your mathematical competence is probably just a demonstration of how clunky you are at setting out your work. I am not talking about the correctness of your equations (which should be taken for granted), but other aspects of the presentation that your professors will notice (e.g., notation choices, brevity, completeness, rigour, etc.). Becoming good at writing mathematical work in a clear and parsimonious way is a skill that takes longer than your undergraduate degree --- it might be best not to remind the professors of how far you have to go!

You are talking about presenting mathematical results that you only just learned in a complex analysis course you are doing. Okay, so you can write down the formulas. But have you had time to fully mull over their implications and intuition? Have you seen fifty other results in other mathematical fields that are connected to these results in a deep way? Do you really understand them? Are they in your bone marrow? If not, it might be best to avoid.

1 Yesterday I was thinking of giving an example of a good way and a bad way to do this, but decided not to take the time. However, many of the things you said are what I was thinking of (although not in as well an expressed way that you gave). For what it's worth, my example was going to be the identity theorem for analytic functions, with the bad way having symbols and jargon and quantifiers and other such clutter, and the good way being how this result tells us (for example) that all the trig identities one learns in high school continue to hold when complex numbers are used. – Dave L Renfro Commented Mar 8, 2018 at 14:00

Here's the thing about personal statements in math: a bad one can hurt you, but a good one doesn't help you all that much. Your grades and letters are what will get the committee's attention and convince them that you're smart. You don't have to use the personal statement to keep convincing them that you're smart. The goal is more to demonstrate that you know what grad school in math is generally all about. It's also good if your enthusiasm shines through, but don't try too hard. For example, talking about how much you loved math as a kid would just be trite.

To answer the question: yes, it's probably fine to include a formula that you really like, and talk a bit about how it captured your imagination. But it's better if you can relate this to your future plans, because that is what the statement should be focused on.

And again, don't formula-drop to look smart, especially not if the formula is something everyone learns in a first course in complex analysis (because knowing it doesn't set you apart from other applicants).

The above advice assumes you're applying for a graduate program. If you're applying for a summer REU or something similar, the same advice mostly applies, but there is less of an expectation that you know what your future plans are. But you can still tie your enthusiasm for Cool Identity X to your desire to learn more advanced math and get a taste of research through whatever program you're applying to.

Disclaimer: biomedical field here so not totally in tune with the math department culture.

Based on the very limited input, I'd advise against it, for the following reasons:

In some more diverse department, the hiring/admission committee may contain members from different fields, using mathematical expression may risk losing their understanding.

For some more serious people, this may appear to be too informal. I think it'd be cool to do that in the job talk, but not so in a more one-way communication like a personal statement.

The biggest risk is that this may switch on some unintended areas in the committee member's brain, which can be high risk high return, or a total flop. If you decided to go that route, you really need to make sure the math is right so that it wouldn't divert their attention and start grading it.

Having said that, it's all about being tastefully done. To tell the truth I too would be attracted by an application that looks like a patient's chart, a data analysis plan, a graphic novel, or even a statistical software output. The competition is indeed intense and I appreciate your innovation to stand out. If you're so inclined to try it, I'd suggest showing it to some professors (or people resembling whoever will judge your application) for some honest input.

Also, consider attaching the work as a writing sample if the submission system allows it. Mention briefly about this attachment in the personal statement so reviewers who are more inclined can decide to see it.

Best of luck to your endeavor!

My opinion.

In a personal statement you're trying to attract their attention to you and is a way to increase your chances for meeting them which will hopefully lead to a job or other position. It's also a way to link your CV to a specific role too.

So if you think an actual equation will increase your chances or make you seem better for the job, go for it.

In reality though, it might be better to mention these equation rather than stating them. This might also benefit you as you can talk about the equations once you get to meet them, you might be able to write them down and explain their appropriateness to them in person, rather than making them try and understand them on their own.

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MyU : For Students, Faculty, and Staff

Doctoral Admissions

PhD applicants are expected to be prepared to enter our required coursework or more advanced classes.

Preparation typically includes coursework in abstract algebra, analysis, and topology as well as their immediate prerequisites of linear algebra, and advanced calculus. Our admissions committee is also looking at applicants fit for our diverse and collaborative program.

Admission statistics

Tuition and funding

The PhD program is fully funded.
Most of our students are funded through graduate assistantships, typically in the form of a teaching assistantship.
Funding offers are renewable for up to six years.

Tuition and benefits

We do not utilize the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score as part of the admissions process. Submitted GRE Scores, general or subject, will not be reviewed.

How to apply

Apply online using the Graduate School admissions system to create and complete the application. All application materials must be submitted through the electronic system.

Apply Online

Application fee waivers

We do not directly offer application fee waivers.
We encourage domestic applicants to apply through the FreeApp program offered by the Big Ten Academic Alliance.
Applicants who are members of the Math Alliance and are participating in the F-GAP program should contact the Graduate Program Coordinator ( [email protected] ) with a copy of their letter to have the associated fee waiver applied.

Required application materials

+ list of advanced mathematics courses, list of advanced mathematics courses.

In the “Mathematics” section of the application, upload a table listing the advanced mathematics courses you have taken. If you are in the process of completing your current degree, please include the courses you are taking and plan to take as you finish your degree. The information in this list is in addition to the information on your transcripts. Include any study you have completed outside of the classroom.

These are courses beyond calculus, and introductory linear algebra.
It is expected that applicants will be prepared to enter our 8000 level coursework . Typically this means year-long courses in both abstract algebra and rigorous analysis.

Table format

Course

When taken

Grade

Textbook

Author

Topics/chapters covered

+ Transcripts

Transcripts.

Upload unofficial transcripts or academic records in the “Academic History” section of the application.

We are looking for transcripts from institutions where degree-seeking coursework has been completed.
Official transcripts are not required. If you are admitted and choose to matriculate you will be asked to submit official records before enrolling at the University of Minnesota.

+ Proof of English language proficiency

Proof of english language proficiency.

International applicants must provide proof of English language proficiency unless coursework has been completed in a designated country . Domestic applicants whose first language is not English must provide proof of English language proficiency.

Unofficial test scores are to be uploaded in the “Test Scores” section of the application. Your application will be reviewed as complete with your self reported, unofficial, test scores. Official Scores will be processed by the Graduate Admissions Office throughout the admissions process. The School of Mathematics has the same access as you to see if these scores have been received.

The TOEFL iBT is the preferred examination for assessing English Language Proficiency.
We expect scores to be in line with the minimum scores for admission found on the Graduate School's website with a preference for a speaking score of at least 23.
Official English language proficiency must be submitted to the Graduate School following the instructions on the Admissions Website .

+ Statements

Upload in the “Materials” section of the application.

Required Personal Statement

The personal statement is what gives us the best sense of you as a Mathematician. The prompts below were developed by our admissions committee to give applicants a sense of what they are looking for in this statement. Using the prompts is recommended but not required.

How you came to the field of mathematics.
What course's subject matter piqued your interest.
Any mathematical research you have done.
If you know the area of math you want to specialize in, discuss how you arrived at that (Note: We do not expect applicants to our graduate programs to have specific research interests upon admission. Our students typically develop their research interests as they complete their introductory coursework).
Why are you applying to the University of Minnesota?
Why do you want to continue your Education in Mathematics?
Tell us about any extracurricular activities that support engagement with mathematics or science within your community.
We also encourage all applicants to write about a challenge that they have encountered and how they persevered through it or overcame it.
Why a Master’s at the University of Minnesota?
If you are applying for one of our emphasis areas, Industrial and Applied Mathematics or Math Education, specify how your goals for furthering your education align with the emphasis you are applying to.

Recommended Diversity Statement

The School of Mathematics recommends that all applicants provide a diversity statement with their application. Supporting the development of a diverse student body is central to the University of Minnesota's mission. This mission is enacted by the inclusion of academically excellent students with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and/or a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. Please write a statement that identifies the distinctive characteristics and/or life experiences that you would bring to your graduate program and how that could contribute to the education and enhanced perspective of fellow students at the University of Minnesota.

We recommend that applicants who are U.S. citizens and identify as an underrepresented minority in the field of Mathematics look at the statement prompts on the Diversity of Views and Experiences (DOVE) Fellowship website and address these in their diversity statements, as we will be nominating eligible applicants for this award.

+ Curriculum vitae (CV)

Curriculum vitae (cv).

A CV is a detailed document that highlights your professional and academic history. Please include:

Work experience
Achievements and awards
Scholarships or grants you’ve earned
Research projects and publications of your work

+ Three letters of recommendation

Three letters of recommendation.

Add three recommenders to the “Recommendations” section of the Application. Typically these recommenders are mathematicians you've been involved with in advanced coursework or research projects.
Only letters from those listed by the applicant on the application will be accepted.

Letter writers will receive an email from the application system ( [email protected] ) with instructions on uploading their letters. If recommenders have difficulty with the application system, they should reach out to the Graduate Program Coordinator ( [email protected] ) for assistance.

+ Optional application materials

Optional application materials.

Publications and articles may be uploaded under the Other Materials section of the Materials tab of the application.

Downloadable application checklist

Graduate Program Coordinator [email protected]

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Sample Math Personal Statement (Oxbridge)

by Talha Omer, M.Eng., Cornell Grad

In personal statement samples by field | personal statements samples by university.

The following personal statement is written by an applicant who got accepted to top graduate programs in math. Variations of this personal statement got accepted at Oxford, and Cambridge university. Read this essay to get inspiration and understand what a top math school PS should look like.

Sample Math Personal Statement for Oxbridge

The challenges involved in problem-solving have always been vital to my passion for studying Mathematics. However, the first beauty of mathematics I observed was in my childhood when I first encountered Geometry.

It was a simple but exciting problem relating to circles; thus, I got myself attached to the subject. I have always been a bright student in Mathematics, and later on, I realized that Mathematics is my thing. Besides Mathematics, no other field grabs my attention. I have also won the National Calculus competition in my country.

Throughout my voyage, I have kept my studies limited to the curriculum. Still, I have also explored different things, which gave me significant exposure to what we have accomplished in Mathematics and what is left for us to do.

I eagerly want to contribute to the development of Mathematics. My current area of research is regarding simplicial complexes, which borrow ideas from Graph Theory and Combinatorics. I want to pursue my education by enrolling in the Math program at Oxford and eventually do Post Doctorate in Pure Mathematics. My area of interest lies in Algebraic Topology and Algebraic Geometry. I want to become a researcher and devote my life to the nourishment of Mathematics.

Aside from that, I am very fond of the Birch and Swinnerton-Dyer Conjecture, which motivated me to choose the abovementioned areas. I learned about this conjecture when searching for methods to determine the solutions of polynomials having two variables. After digging further into things relating to this conjecture, I was amazed and startled by the beautiful work of Bryan Birch, Peter-Swinnerton Dyer (pioneer of the conjecture), Louis Mordell, Gerd Faltings, Manjul Bhargava, and Victor Kolyvagin. Their astonishing and brilliant results grabbed my attention, and I got myself attached to the conjecture.

It is surprising that different branches of Mathematics, such as Number Theory, Topology, and Algebraic Geometry, are connected abstractly. In my leisure time, I’m continuously exploring what has been accomplished so far regarding this conjecture and developing the background of Mathematics that I would need to understand and work on the conjecture. I’m eagerly looking forward to meeting this challenge in life.

Accomplishing such dreams in my country is nearly impossible as we have limited resources and no exposure to modern tools of Mathematics. However, I am much inspired by Oxford University and find it an ideal place for me to pursue my further education. Oxford has a phenomenal reputation globally and has played a significant role in current research and development of Mathematics.

I am very fond of Professor XYZ and Professor XYZ, currently members of the senior faculty at Oxford. There are of research that coincides with my area of interest. Professor XYZ’s work on 3-Dimensional Topology and Differential Geometry is advanced. His lectures on youtube are very insightful and give an excellent understanding of the subject.

On the other hand, Professor XYZ’s expertise in the subject of L-functions would help me understand the BSD conjecture. Besides that, the atmosphere of Oxford is also very appealing as it focuses on the character-building of its students. There are several societies at Oxford for this purpose, one of which is the Oxford Invariants Society. Such activities keep the student attached to people outside their field and allow them to communicate knowledge between them. The exposure of a student is bound to increase in such an atmosphere. Unfortunately, the universities in my country lack such activities, and I dreamed of such an atmosphere. It would be an honor to educate myself in such an ideal institute under the supervision of the mentioned Professors.

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This subreddit is for discussion of mathematics. All posts and comments should be directly related to mathematics, including topics related to the practice, profession and community of mathematics.

Advice for PhD personal statement

I am a senior math major currently in the process of applying to grad schools, and I’m having trouble writing my personal statements. I have research experience but I don’t know how I’m detail I should talk about each project, especially since some of that work is really applied and I want to do more pure math in grad school. I also am unsure about what else to put in it. Is it like an undergrad essay where they want to hear your story or do they mostly want to know what your research interests are and what you want to do with a PhD (I want to be a professor). Any advice or tips especially specific to math programs would be much appreciated. Thank you!

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A trace of interrogating issues since childhood resulted to the passion for mathematics. Since it create the environment to interrogate the rationale behind any mathematical axioms and hypothesis. The elementary algebra was so fascinating to the extent that one can appreciate the beauty of mathematics.

I have always been captivated by my mathematics studies and having a skill for the subject there was never any qualm that I would choose mathematics as one of my electives subject after my junior secondary school examination. Having been granted my request to study further mathematics in the senior secondary school was one of my ultimate joy. Sooner than later, I was faced with a system of learning where the prominence is placed on the student rather than the tutor.

This gave me the brink to get the best of materials on the subject. I chance on a book titled Additional Mathematics for West Africa authored by A. Godman. This book was my instructor and my commencement of the mathematics dream. Therefore, the only person from class to pursue mathematics for my undergraduate.

Since exiling Advance (A) level system of education in the main stream curriculum in Ghana, brought about wide gap between the first and second year studies of calculus II, vectors and geometry in the university and what we studied under west Africa examination council (WAEC) in the senior secondary school. Hence to survive in the mathematics department calls for extra hard work.

Being introduce to real and complex analysis, abstract algebra was heddle I needed to overcome. This resulted in repeating courses stated above the second time and I was dazed with the grades I made through hard work. That was my turning point in abstract algebra and real analysis. Besides, it gave me the acuity of feeling that made mathematics my topmost enthusiasm.

The interdependence relationship that was display between algebra and geometry leaves a lot to desire, where solutions to algebraic equations can be visualized through geometry and the reverse is true. Once this correspondence is established the results can be derived solely through techniques of algebra and thus the beauty of mathematics.

Again, being introduced to lebesque measure and Riemann integral by the Dr. Margaret McIntyre, increase my appetite for graduate studies in mathematics. The fascination of using higher algebraic objects to describe geometric spaces also shows amazement to the reader. My lack of thesis during my studies was as a result of the department lacking personnel to handle some of the topics leading to a major in mathematics which will require such project work or thesis.

My profound interest was also prompted by attending a series of seminars by graduate students in the department. They exhibit an in-depth knowledge of practical applications to real life problems and it solution. They also try to explain the rationale behind some software applications in use.

I was also involved in non-academic activities such as swimming and athletics, periodically I attend dance and music lesson for the fun it.

I took on one year mandatory service to the nation in teaching. I was posted to a senior secondary and technical school to teach further mathematics. Teaching is a passion that comes out naturally. Impacting the knowledge acquired in mathematics to the less privilege once is my joy.

Having acquired almost twelve (12) years working experience in the banking industry; has really exposed me to a whole lot of direct and indirect applications of mathematics in the daily activities of writing and analyzing credit papers. The applications of mathematics in financial modelling and other software drives the desire to further the studies of this subject to both graduate and post graduate levels.

Coming to terms with the profound interest in algebraic geometry and algebraic number theory makes me consider, pursuing graduate studies in Acadia University due to the wide range of research that the faculty under takes.

Algebraic number theory is one of the research areas that Professor Jeff Hooper specialized in and I hope he will nature that passion in me to the benefit of the mathematics society both home and abroad.

The MSc program in applied mathematics offers exciting opportunity for industrial experience to enable graduate student embark on the practicality of mathematical theories both in business and engineering.

Considering, the research areas currently boarding on by the faculty; will be an interesting time to gain admission into the master’s program to broaden my horizon in these areas especially - Tidal energy in the Bay of Fundy. - Game of cops and robbers.

I am greatly looking forward to the transition from active cooperate environment into academia for my graduate studies. I believe that the challenge of studying and developing my mathematics to a PhD level is commencing with Acadia University and is going to be one that I will deeply enjoy.

I hope the admission committee will find my application appropriate for admission into the graduate program.

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Statement of Purpose Buckingham U. Badger Ph.D.Applicant,Autumn2021 Arrivingat theBadger UniversityI had, seena decentamount of appliedmath; my coursesin high school covered three semestersof calculusand one each of diﬀerentialequations and linearalgebra.However, as I quicklylearned,I had not even scratchedthe surfaceof proof-basedmath.
r/math on Reddit: Since it's grad school application time, here's a
105 votes, 31 comments. 2.8M subscribers in the math community. This subreddit is for discussion of mathematics. ... here's a guide to preparing a personal statement with a ton of examples. Those with experience, please do chime in in the comments section. PDF ... I've been on several graduate admissions committees, and the most important ...
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Writing a Personal Statement for a Graduate School Application
Overview of the Personal Statement. Most mathematics PhD programs will ask applicants to write a Personal Statement or Statement of Purpose as part of their application to the school. Often it can be ambiguous as to what precisely the program wants to see in these statements. I read several hundred of these every year, and based on that ...
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PDF EXAMPLE: Personal Statement
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Ph.D. Admissions
Ph.D. Admissions. Three Letters of Recommendation (May submit up to 5 letters, but only 3 are required.) Curriculum Vitae or Resume. Academic Statement of Purpose (concise - no limit) Personal Statement (500 word limit) TOEFL or IELTS Exam (Non-native English speakers) TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition and IELTS Indicator online test are accepted ...
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Sample Math Personal Statement (Oxbridge)
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Advice for PhD personal statement : r/math
Advice for PhD personal statement . I am a senior math major currently in the process of applying to grad schools, and I'm having trouble writing my personal statements. I have research experience but I don't know how I'm detail I should talk about each project, especially since some of that work is really applied and I want to do more ...
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Mathematics MSc Personal Statement Example. A trace of interrogating issues since childhood resulted to the passion for mathematics. Since it create the environment to interrogate the rationale behind any mathematical axioms and hypothesis. The elementary algebra was so fascinating to the extent that one can appreciate the beauty of mathematics ...