personal statement examples for university finance

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• Finance Personal Statement Examples

Here are two finance personal statement examples from some of the best students in undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Both examples you can use as inspiration and motivation to write your own personal statement for university . 

Finance Personal Statement

Ever since I discovered my passion for the finance industry at a young age, I have been determined to pursue a career as a financial consultant and advisor. It is this unwavering ambition that has led me to apply for the MSc course in Finance at the esteemed London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). I firmly believe that this course will provide me with the necessary tools and knowledge to achieve my career goals by expanding my understanding of financial products, the intricate workings of financial markets, and investment banking.

The reputation of LSE as a university of academic excellence is one of the key reasons for my decision to apply. I am aware of the university’s ability to equip students with critical analysis skills that are essential for becoming leaders in their chosen sectors. Moreover, being located in the heart of London provides unparalleled opportunities for networking and professional development in the world of business and finance. The course’s comprehensive approach, which strikes a balance between theoretical and practical modules, is also highly appealing to me.

My educational background in accounting has laid a solid foundation for my advanced studies in finance. Through my coursework in accounting, I have developed strong numerical skills and gained practical experience in management accounting and reporting roles within financial firms. It was during my studies that I discovered a particular interest in Strategic Financial Management, where I was introduced to financial products such as equities, derivatives, fixed income, and bonds, along with their significance in financial markets. Building on this knowledge, I have become a qualified accountant and have gained valuable work experience as an Associate at Deloitte, where I am part of the project management team, responsible for decision support. This role has honed my ability to work under pressure and within tight time constraints, allowing me to meet urgent and conflicting deadlines.

To stay up-to-date with the dynamic financial market, I avidly follow financial news through subscriptions to reputable media platforms such as the Financial Times, the Economist, and Bloomberg. Additionally, I engage in various hobbies such as travelling, watching movies and documentaries, and reading to broaden my knowledge and stay informed about current affairs. As a sports enthusiast, I follow tennis, football, boxing, and Formula One racing. These diverse interests have cultivated qualities such as ambition, intuition, focus, and self-discipline, which drive me to excel in any endeavour. I value the input and opinions of others, making me an effective team player, while also possessing the independence and initiative to work autonomously. I firmly believe that these qualities will contribute to my success as a finance analyst and enable me to excel academically.

Looking toward the future, I aspire to establish a reputable financial consulting firm in my home country, Nigeria. This firm would provide a range of financial services to both companies and public institutions. I recognise that achieving this goal will require years of experience, cultivating the right connections, and personal determination. Pursuing an MSc in Finance from LSE will better equip me to manage corporate, strategic, and financial opportunities, while also providing the opportunity to learn from talented professors and compete with exceptional graduates. I am convinced that this course is a crucial step toward realizing my long-term aspirations.

The increasingly evident impact of financial risk on our world has captivated my interest like never before. The interplay between the financial sector, government, and the general public dominates news stories, emphasizing the significance of understanding the industry. With my passion for finance nurtured from an early age, I have dedicated myself to attaining a comprehensive understanding of both the theoretical and practical aspects of global finance through high-level studies and extensive work experience in diverse industrial and international contexts.

Currently, in my fourth year of a degree in Finance, Risk, and Investment at Caledonian University, I have developed a strong foundation of knowledge in the field. Moreover, I have delved deeper into specific areas

Finance Personal Statement Example

Since my early years, extensive international travel has shaped my perspective on the world, particularly the stark economic contrasts between the ‘Third World’ and the ‘Western World.’ Having the privilege of experiencing different cultures and economies through my parents, who have lived in Africa, Europe, and the USA, I have developed a deep curiosity about the mechanisms that drive global economies. This curiosity has led me to pursue Economics at A Level, as I believe it is at the core of world discussions and can provide a comprehensive understanding of current news articles and their correlation to the subject.

Through my readings, such as Tim Harford’s ‘The Undercover Economist,’ I have come to appreciate the analogy that economics is like engineering, offering insights into how things work and the consequences of changing them. I see economics as an intricate puzzle, requiring economists to integrate economic theories with government policies to solve complex economic problems. Attending conferences at prestigious institutions like the University of Warwick and Oxbridge has broadened my perspective on economics, with theories like Freakonomics intriguing me and sparking a desire to explore the unexpected links between seemingly unrelated phenomena.

My passion for economics is complemented by a strong affinity for mathematics , which has been nurtured since my childhood. From playing mental maths games to tackling complex problem-solving at A Level, I have developed analytical abilities that were put to the test during a taster day at Cass Business School. Through quick thinking and effective teamwork, I excelled in a trading shares simulation, resulting in my group being the most profitable. Furthermore, my participation in a business management enterprise day at the University of the West of England allowed me to showcase my skills, leading to the recognition of the ‘Best Business Idea.’

To gain practical experience in the finance sector, I sought work opportunities that would provide me with invaluable insights. My time at Britannia Building Society exposed me to the inner workings of retail banking, allowing me to shadow the branch manager, work closely with financial planning advisors, and handle transactions at the tills. This experience introduced me to financial assets, including options for investing in bonds, shares, and increasing savings. Additionally, working at Harrison’s Accountancy and Insolvency Agency gave me valuable knowledge about liquidations and insolvencies of businesses, further solidifying my interest in pursuing a career in finance.

Staying updated with current financial affairs is crucial to me, and I regularly read the economy sections of reputable sources such as the BBC website and The Economist. Subscribing to a weekly update from RBS provides me with topical developments in the financial markets. Alongside my commitment to academic and professional pursuits, I have also developed essential skills through my job at O2 Retail. This experience has sharpened my interpersonal skills and honed my ability to negotiate mutually beneficial deals for both customers and the company. As a captain of my football team, I have learned the value of leadership, motivation, and maintaining high team morale, skills that have translated into success in class debates and the trading shares simulation at Cass Business School.

During a recent trip to Switzerland, I had the opportunity to meet with the assistant vice president at Credit Suisse, who shared insights into exchange rate processes within a leading investment bank. These conversations further solidified my understanding of the close relationship between economics and the finance sector.

Through a comprehensive study of Level Economics and practical experiences, I have been able to bridge the gap between theory and real-world situations. Engaging with professionals in the field has deepened my appreciation for the vital connection between economics and finance. I am confident that pursuing a university education will equip me with the necessary knowledge and skills to navigate the dynamic and fast-paced world of financial markets.

My passion for finance and economics was sparked by the Lehman Brothers’ bankruptcy and the subsequent financial crisis when I was 21 years old. The events of that

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• Finance personal statements

Banking and finance degree personal statement example (1a) work experience

Extensive international travel has influenced my life from a very young age providing me with the opportunity to observe the stark economic contrasts between the ‘Third World’ and the ‘Western World’. Sharing experiences with parents who have lived in Africa, Europe and the USA has fuelled my desire to study Economics at A Level and fully appreciate the mechanisms that drive world economies.

Economics is at the core of world discussion and upon closer examination of many current news articles I have begun to recognise their correlation to the subject. Whilst reading ‘The Undercover Economist’ by Tim Harford I find myself identifying with analogies such as ‘economics is just like engineering, it will tell you how things work and what will happen when you change them’. Similarly, I believe economics is an intricate puzzle whereby it is the role of an economist to integrate economic theories with government policies in order to resolve economic problems. After attending conferences at both the University of Bristol and Oxbridge, my view on economics has been broadened. I was intrigued by the theory behind Freakonomics and am keen to learn more about the unpredicted links between the most unrelated things.

From childhood days of playing mental maths games through to complex problem solving at A Level, Maths has been a continued interest of mine. My analytical ability was put to test during a Cass Business School taster day, where quick thinking, clarifying and configuring the task at hand resulted in being a member of the most profitable group during a trading shares simulation. Whilst attending a University of the West of England business enterprise day, my pitch to a panel of experts played a major part in achieving ‘Best Business Idea’.

Work experience at Britannia Building Society provided me with an invaluable insight into retail banking. This included shadowing the branch manager, working closely with the financial planning advisor and operating behind tills. Being introduced to options regarding financial assets has helped me grasp ideas surrounding investing in bonds, shares or increasing savings. In addition, I worked at Harrison’s Accountancy and Insolvency Agency obtaining knowledge of liquidations and insolvencies of businesses. These experiences have enhanced my desire to focus on a career in the finance sector. In order to keep up with current financial affairs I regularly read the economy section on the BBC website, the Economist website and subscribe to a weekly update from RBS outlining topical developments in the financial markets.

Over the last 18 months my job at O2 retail has enabled me to grasp valuable skills and concepts which I believe will be crucial when being introduced to new topics at University. As a result I have developed strong interpersonal skills and improved my persuasive skills when achieving the perfect deal mutually beneficial to both customer and the company. Whilst captaining my football team I have learnt the value of leadership, motivation and maintaining high team morale. These skills have successfully been used in other aspects of my life including class debates and participating in the trading shares simulation at Cass Business School.

During a recent trip to Zurich, it was enlightening to meet with the assistant vice president at Credit Suisse who is the regional manager for Production Testing Group for Foreign Exchange. Discussion with him provided me with knowledge of exchange rate processes in a leading investment bank.

Comprehensive study of A Level Economics, combined with work experiences, has allowed me to relate theory to practical situations. Liaising with professionals has strengthened my appreciation of the close link between economics and the finance sector. I believe this, and a university education will enable me to not only understand but also apply principles needed to operate in the dynamic and fast-moving world of financial markets.

Universities Applied to:

• University of Birmingham (Money, Banking and Finance) - Unconditional Offer (AAA) Firm
• Cass Business School (Banking and International Finance) - Conditional Offer (AAA) Insurance
• Henley Business School (Finance and Investment Banking) - Conditional Offer (AAB)
• University of Surrey (Economics and Finance) - Conditional Offer (AAB)
• Cardiff Business School (Economics and Finance) - Conditional Offer (AAB)
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• Personal Statements
• Accounting and Finance Personal Statement

Accounting and Finance Personal Statement Example

Sample statement.

No one who has watched the news or read the newspapers over the last few years can doubt the importance of finance in the modern world. Since the economic crash of 2008, the economies of Britain, Europe and the wider world have been headline news, and the affects have been keenly felt by each and every one of us. I want to study finance at university not only to allow me to understand what is happening, but also to influence these events for the better.

With my parents running a long-standing family business, accounts and finance have been a large part of my life for as long as I can remember. My father has always involved us in the running of the business, explaining his decisions so that we could support him and know what was going on. However, it has been really difficult to watch as events way beyond his area of business, have caused his company to struggle, despite the hard work and dedication of him and his staff.

I have steered my studies towards the ecomomic subjects so that I can gain a better understanding of the wider picture and how this has affected my family business. I have studied maths and business studies, along with geography to give me a worldwide context for these events. As I have got older, I have also become more involved in the details of the company’s finances, gaining an in depth understanding of the mechanics of running a small business.

While I will ultimately inherit the family business from my father, I aim to spend the intervening time gaining as much experience in the wider world of finance and accounting as I can, in order to bring fresh perspectives to the way things are done. I believe the best first step on this road is to study finance and accounting at university, so that I can apply the very best practice to the business.

I am a subscriber to The Economist and regular reader of the Financial Times, which help by giving me different views and opinions on the key issues of the day. I am also a keen member of the school debating society, and enjoy being given a point of view to defend, especially if it is one that I do not personally agree with. I have even considered a career in law as a result of this, but I feel that finance and the economy are in my blood as part of my upbringing.

Of course, life is not all work, and I enjoy hill walking with my friends as well as playing for the school rugby and cricket teams. I was also part of a school project to build and race a go-cart, and was one of just a handful of people who stuck with the project to the end. This experience of working in a close-knit team was a valuable time for me and one that I will treasure, along with the second place trophy that we worked so hard for.

I believe that university life will be an education for me, not only academically, but also in a social and interpersonal way. The experience will prepare me for the working world and ultimately make me a worthy successor to my father as head of the family business. 

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• Personal statement: finance and accounting

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Dr Fatimah Zainudin from the University of Southampton’s management school is looking for 'the "chemistry" that makes an applicant shine out,’ so try and demonstrate your enthusiasm about the course and the buzz you'll get from studying it.

'What we love to see is a passion for the subject itself. If you fall in love with the subject, that’s what will lead to success on the course; it will give you the right chemistry,' she says.

Demonstrate your enthusiasm

If you can demonstrate what's sparked your interest in finance and accounting, that's a good start – but it’s no good just saying you’ve got a passion for it, you have to show it.

If you’re not the kind of person who gets very passionate about things, don’t worry. But do still try to explain what it is that attracts you to studying it. Then back it up with evidence of your relevant skills, knowledge or experiences and show that you understand something about what’s involved. That should solve it.

See our in-depth guides to studying finance or accounting at university, from typical modules to career paths, for some inspiration.

Finance and accounting personal statement must-haves

• Get the basics right: good communication skills are essential to anyone working in the finance sector, so make sure your statement is well-written. Nobody is asking for a literary masterpiece here, just a well-structured and waffle- and error-free statement.
• Interest in the subject: Sheffield Hallam University is looking for you to demonstrate 'an interest in and awareness of accounting and finance, or some level of practical experience.' Similarly, Bristol is looking for 'interest and commitment to the subject.' This means conveying enthusiasm for studying it and showing that you understand something about it, whether that comes from reading, work experience, or studying relevant topics in your A level, BTEC, or Higher course.
• Business awareness: University of Bath selectors are expecting students to have an interest and aptitude for 'quantitative analysis of business issues.' Demonstrate this with evidence that shows your abilities for applying mathematical skills to the analysis of business problems.
• Beyond the classroom: The University of Bristol is looking for 'intellectual curiosity – reading or research beyond the A level (or equivalent) syllabus.’ This is always good practice in personal statements, provided you then reflect on what you learned from your wider reading or research – they don’t just want a list.
• Relevant outside interests: if you choose to include extra-curricular activities, make sure they are relevant or showcase appropriate personal characteristics, skills, or achievements. Apply the 'so what?' test: if you play the flute or basketball, can you make that relevant to your future success at university, or should other factors take priority in your 47 lines?

Make the most of any experience

If you’ve had some work experience , that’s great. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a couple of weeks spent shadowing an accountant, a couple of hours just talking to one, a part-time job in a financial, retail, or business environment, or a scheme like Young Enterprise. What does matter is that you write about something relevant that you have learned from it. But, as Sheffield Hallam and LSE say on their websites, experience is not essential, so don’t panic if you don’t have any.

Your commitment to studying accounting or finance as an academic subject is usually the key requirement. However, if you can also show that extra ingredient of passion and a glimpse of the ‘chemistry’ that exists between you and the subject, then your application really will stand out.

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Sample Personal Statement Finance (MIT Sloan)

by Talha Omer, MBA, M.Eng., Harvard & Cornell Grad

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

Here is the personal statement of an applicant who got admitted to MIT Sloan’s  Masters in Finance program . For personal statement, Sloan poses several questions to applicants, which the admissions committee expects to be answered in an essay form. MIT provides these personal statement prompts to encourage students to self-reflect and then to share their insights with the program. 

The following essays are an example of a compelling story and reflect the original voice and personality of the applicant. Get inspiration from them and try to incorporate their strengths into your own personal statement.

In this Article

Personal Statement Prompt 1

Personal statement prompt 2, personal statement prompt 3.

Please discuss past academic and professional experiences and accomplishments that will help you succeed in the Master of Finance program. Include achievements in finance, math, statistics, and computer sciences, as applicable. 

As an ardent finance student, I have always sought opportunities to develop a solid grounding in the subject.

During my undergraduate, I successfully co-founded a philanthropic long/short Impact Investment Hedge Fund, “Australian Students Asset Management” (ASAM). The fund secured firms like Goldman Sachs to provide pro-bono services and mentorship. In addition, I developed a proprietary ESG algorithm to identify investment opportunities per our social development mandate. As a result, our investments have consistently outperformed our benchmark. Furthermore, I attended two courses at LSE on Alternative Investments and Financial Risk with “A” grades. This involved in-depth exploration of topics like Monte Carlo, Bootstrapping, Financial Modelling and Stratification.

As an Associate at PwC, I created PwC’s first fully automated valuation process. This consisted of using industry-specific valuation templates using Python and VBA for data scraping. This solution saw significant savings for the firm and is now used by PwC throughout the world.

As an analyst with Barclays Capital, a Global Quantitative Hedge Fund, I gained exposure to arbitrage trading strategies by implementing statistical principles like mean reversion, volatility trends and co-integration in Python. This helped me develop successful trading algorithms yielding a highly desirable annualized return of 33%.

Describe your short-term and long-term professional goals. How will our MFin degree help you achieve these goals?

My short-term goal is to return to Australia and establish my own quantitative “for-profit” hedge fund. I will utilize my previous experience co-founding the philanthropic hedge fund, ASAM, to that effect. My long-term goal is to expand this hedge fund’s operations overseas and invest in the North American markets, as they present significant growth opportunities.

At MIT, I am eager to research the implications of current trends in institutional capital flows. This detailed exploration will enhance my understanding of the potential risks of passive investing and provide an edge in building trust with future investors.

As an Analyst at Barclays Capital, I developed event-driven and relative-value trading algorithms using Python. With the MFin, I will create an advanced, intuitive approach to data science problems, enabling the manipulation of alternative data sets to automate trading decisions and executions. The Advanced Analytics and Data Science courses and Analytics Certificate are especially exciting as they will allow me to understand shallow models and train deep neural networks in an economic context. I also hope to improve my technical skills around asset pricing and general dimension reduction techniques and ensemble methods which are critical to forming accurately priced derivatives.

Please share personal qualities that will enable you to contribute to the advancement of our mission.

THE MISSION

The mission of the MIT Sloan School of Management is to develop principled, innovative leaders who improve the world and generate ideas that advance management practice.

I believe success as a Leader requires one to have a passion for taking the initiative, thinking outside the box and persevering in adversity.

These traits have always been integral to my personal and professional pursuits, including my recent experience as a special education teacher in San Pedro, a rural village in Costa Rica. I was required to develop creative methods to overcome the language barrier and constructed visual aids from cardboard pieces to make block numbers. In addition, the school had a dire need for wheelchairs, so I devised a cost-effective design to repurpose old bicycles into wheelchairs that we implemented as a team. My commitment to improving the world through innovation will allow me to contribute actively to MIT’s mission.

Furthermore, my extensive involvement in boxing has enabled me to develop perseverance and increased focus in facing challenges. My first loss was devastating, and I considered giving up the sport, as my goal had been to maintain a perfect record. Ultimately, increasing training intensity, dance classes and the strong support from my team allowed me to win my next match and achieve the Most Improved Fighter award by the Sydney Boxing League.

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Finance Personal Statement Examples

See our free Finance Personal Statement examples for students applying to study a bachelor’s or postgraduate degree in Finance at the university level.

Finance Personal Statement Example 1

My parents (accounting graduates) say that I always had a unique smile when I touched and counted money as a child, ever since I was young. The business world was introduced to me quite early, whereas my father saw the heights of the international market as a chartered accountant.

By the time I was thirteen, I could discuss assets and liabilities with my older peers, particularly with my father.

Thanks to my older friend, I discovered a book titled ‘Rich Dad, Poor Dad’ by Mr Kiyosaki, which gave my early experiences some structure and meaning. During that period, I was allowed to join a new school initiative on financial literacy.

The optional subject on Internationalisation that I studied during my undergraduate days taught me about the interdependence of developing countries, wealth and poverty, and financial inclusion in developing economies.

I found it appealing, just as Monopoly had before. As I studied Kiyosaki’s financial world, I realised that it was connected to the injustice occurring to the poor. Money, after all, holds the world’s economy together. 

After conducting an extensive study of access to finance in the petroleum industries in Africa in my undergraduate dissertation, I have gained some understanding of how our society depends on commodity exchange and its effects in the developing world. At the same time, I found myself enjoying the financial markets surrounding it.

I got an idea of what my dad did when he was an accountant during my internship at his office as an undergraduate student. I learned business skills that I then used to manage my mum’s school cafeteria’s finances. My contribution was to develop a new, simple Excel system that made the accounting process more transparent and comprehensible.

In addition to studying, I enjoy engaging in physical activity as well. In my early childhood, I played football and enjoyed how our team worked together.

Upon joining the initiative on financial literacy, I created an online football manager gaming community, and we’ve been getting together virtually for over three years since we graduated. Working together with other ex-classmates has taught me to learn to work with others and to plan resources accordingly.

My friends don’t remember ever seeing me in a bad mood, and I believe participating in sports makes me uncommonly happy. England is my choice for my future because I wish to study Finance in the English language and want to experience a multicultural environment. Having the opportunity to gain real-life experience and a wealth of practical education in finance at university simply cannot be refused, which is why I am so drawn to it.

I am looking for an excellent educational experience and want to establish myself in a well-located job after finishing graduate school. With a better understanding of what I could accomplish to better our global financial environment, I want to return home after my studies to apply my knowledge.

Since finance is my academic home and we live in a financial world, I want to be able to understand and contribute to its enhancement.

Please consider my Finance personal statement to study for a degree at your university.

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Undergraduate Personal Statement Example: Economics and Finance

With so many university personal statement examples available, how do you know if you’re reading a good one?

Reading examples of personal statements can be valuable when applying to a university or college course. 

After all, personal statement examples can teach you how to write and structure your application, and you can quickly learn how to write a personal statement by examining others.

Undergraduate personal statements should highlight relevant academic and practical experience, academic skills, ambitions and suitability for the degree field. This undergraduate personal statement example for Economics and Finance clearly illustrates these three critical elements.

Undergraduate degree personal statement examples are sometimes referred to as personal mission statements or statements of purpose , so if you’re tasked with writing a personal mission statement, the following example will work for you.

I’ve broken down this personal statement example section by section, with a commentary on each element. 

That way, you’ll see its strengths and weaknesses and get some inspiration for your own personal statement .

Once you’ve read the personal statement example and analysis, you’ll be able to download a pdf of the whole document, to use as inspiration for your own!

Personal Statement Example: Introduction

“A recent conference organised by my local Somali community centre highlighted the economic and financial issues faced by many African countries today. An advocate of independent learning, I was informed enough to proactively question the origins of these economic and financial dilemmas, and my participation enabled me to view the problems in Africa as multi-dimensional, arising from increased economic, financial, cultural and historical incompatibilities with an ever-globalising world. Appreciating the orthogonal nature of economic and financial issues enabled me to think beyond media representations of the ‘Dark Continent’.  Consequently, I have chosen to embark upon the interdisciplinary course Economics and Finance, as it is essential in helping me to grow, navigate and ultimately change the world around me.”

Commentary and Analysis 

This introduction begins exceptionally convincingly, with a strong connection between the writer’s personal commitments and ethics and the subject matter of the undergraduate degree course they are applying for.

The paragraph also establishes the writer’s academic strengths, and their use of vocabulary indicates a sophisticated connection to economics and finance.  The content also indicates a significant level of maturity and worldview.

The personal passions of the author also combine with their academic knowledge to provoke a sound sense of educative and professional ambition, justifying their application and indicating a strong connection to the subject they’re applying for.

If you’re struggling with your personal statement introduction, check out my article on how to write perfect opening paragraphs here .

Personal Statement Example: Section 2

“Spending time working for NHS Test & Trace allowed me to witness first-hand the impact the pandemic had on working families; I spoke to people from a wide range of backgrounds, many of whom could not afford to stay at home and self-isolate even though they were a contact or a confirmed case. As a contact tracer, I had a bird’s-eye view of the economic impact of the pandemic and am aware of its national and global reach. Seeing how nations of different economic standing dealt with the virus illustrated the variety of economic and financial factors that affect a country’s sense of priority, capacity and willingness to respond. This experience served as a catalyst for my academic interest in economics and finance as I had a direct, almost ethnographical understanding of how government decisions can have lasting effects on economic agents at a micro and macro level.”

Commentary and Analysis

Again, a sophisticated and mature paragraph that links the writer’s personal views with the course. Outlining work experience is important in an undergraduate personal statement example, and in addition to adding weight to the writer’s ethical and professional ambitions, it also indicates that they have experience working in a professional environment.

A number of transferable skills are also referenced, and although they are largely implied rather than specific, they certainly indicate a high level of suitability. 

Lastly, the writer makes a strong connection between their experiences and their academic ambitions, strengthening their suitability in the mind of an admissions reader.

If you’d like to learn more about how to structure your personal statement or statement of purpose , check out my awesome Personal Statement Template eBook here . It’s full of detailed examples of what to include!

Personal Statement Example: Section 3

“My engineering studies necessitated different problem-tackling perspectives, and the qualities and skills required for success are highly transferable to the undergraduate requirements of Economics and Finance. Throughout my studies, I critically analysed problems by actively questioning underlying theoretical assumptions prior to investigating and formulating methods to solve them practically.

In Access to HE: Engineering , I developed my understanding of planning projects from the ground up and identifying the tools necessary to its fulfilment. For example, in the topic Engineering Materials , I was tasked with costing inputs and assessing outputs, ensuring the largest cost/benefit structure to aid efficiency. To facilitate this process, I was detail-oriented and measured all inputs into sophisticated formulae, developing my knowledge of CAD, calculus, spreadsheets and the fundamentals of programming. This monitoring of cost, revenue and product can easily be linked to principles in microeconomics, as engineers constantly battle with creating accurate economies of scale. I believe that my familiarity with the effective employment of mathematics and statistics, changing software and fluid analytical components has successfully prepared me for undergraduate study.”

Using the details from academic study works extremely well. However, whilst the writer makes mention of the value of some specific aspects of the course, they could have made much more of a connection between their experiences and generic elements of the courses they are applying for. This works well because when an applicant does this, they make a clear link between their capabilities and the demands of a degree course.

The second paragraph paints a picture of an exceptionally capable student. It is detailed, comprehensive, and rich with pertinent vocabulary. Even though there is not a direct link between engineering and economics, the writer manages to make some compelling connections. 

This way of writing maximises the value of the author’s previous educational experiences and makes a direct connection between these and the courses they are applying for.

Check out lots more examples of personal statements here , and see how they can inspire your application!

Personal Statement Example: Section 4

“Last year I participated in ‘The True Cost of the Clothes on Your Back’ event, which outlined the exploitation of labour in developing nations. The event exposed the typical wages labourers in developing nations earn before the clothes are sold to developed nations at prices which are unsustainable for the global environment and the growing populations of working poor. To actively develop my understanding of some of the Marxist views represented at the event, I read the ‘Communist Manifesto’ and ‘Techno Capitalist Feudalism’. This independent reading helped illuminate some of the ongoing employee-employer problems within capitalist models in a globalised arena.”

Commentary and Analysis: 

This section certainly shows applied reading and research and shows a high level of enquiry and purpose. It also indicates that the writer is capable of using literature to inform their real-world interests. 

Again, although it doesn’t explicitly reference economics and finance, this section of the personal statement example shows flexibility and the capacity of the writer to apply skills across a range of contexts.

The one thing that all successful personal statements have in common is that they are concise, engaging and accurate in spelling, punctuation and grammar. Consequently, I always recommend Grammarly to my students and clients. 

It’s an outstanding tool for ensuring your personal statement is rich with detail whilst hitting those all-important word limits. Check out the free version of Grammarly here , or hit the banner for more information.

Personal Statement Example: Conclusion

“My aims are to use the academic and personal experiences I will gain as a mature student to further my understanding of economic and financial thought, principles and ideas. Subsequently, I intend to employ this knowledge by working to help offset the many inequalities facing developing nations, in a bid to uplift the disenfranchised.”

This conclusion is understandably brief, given the character count for UK undergraduate personal statements, but is probably the least effective aspect of the entire application. The first sentence is quite vague and could, perhaps, have been used to discuss the value that the candidate might bring to the university environment.

The last sentence, however, does clarify the writer’s intentions very clearly and gives the reader the sense that the applicant is dedicated to their path of study. 

In summary, this reads as a mature and purposeful personal statement example, which quite cleverly identifies the transferable skills from a slightly disconnected set of learning experiences.

For more great advice, check out my article on writing an excellent final personal statement paragraph here .

Click here or on the banner below to get your free download of this complete personal statement example . 

Whether you’re looking for personal mission statement examples or an example of personal purpose statement, I hope this personal statement example has been helpful. Above all, I wish you every success in your academic career. 

If you’d like to work with me to develop your personal statement 1:1 and write a powerful mission statement, I’d be delighted to hear from you. 

Find out about my personal statement support services by clicking here or on the image below.

Research and content verified by Personal Statement Planet .

David Hallen

I've worked in the Further Education and University Admissions sector for nearly 20 years as a teacher, department head, Head of Sixth Form, UCAS Admissions Advisor, UK Centre Lead and freelance personal statement advisor, editor and writer. And now I'm here for you...

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Please note UCAS will detect any form of plagiarism. PSE and its contributors do not take any responsibility for the way in which personal statements are used.

Finance personal statement example

• Reading time: 2 minutes
• Price: Free download
• Published: 28th June 2019
• Word count: 483 words
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My interest in this area started during high school when I took business law and accounting. My enthusiasm to learn how businesses operate grown because I kept learning how to manage businesses and their finance. What was fascinating then is that I always tried to find out how the oil and gas business manage its economy, and the operation of the financial market. Though I chose to major in Petroleum Engineering, it interests me how finance professionals have the responsibility of managing assets and analyzing risks for a company or organizations future success. I have decided to pursue my graduate studies in finance base on my knowledge of the importance of finance and my interest of the subject.

A master’s degree in finance would complement my undergraduate degree in Petroleum Engineer. My background in petroleum engineering provides me with knowledge over topics like differential and integral calculus, probability theory, random distributions, correlation, regression, numerical techniques as well as familiarity with statistics and data analysis. I learned the basic principle of finance in Accounting. I have read a number of books on the subject from “The Intelligent Investor” to “Rich Dad Poor Dad” in order to expand my knowledge of the different areas in finance. I believe that books and magazines has given me revelation about topics not covered at school, for example There was unrest among the workforce in Chinese factories due to Chinese workers’ dislikes towards Japanese management. This has affected the share price of companies such as Toyota. Reading about them made me realize the importance of Finance and the economy and how it influences everybody\’s lives, which peaked my interest to further study the field.

While in College, I worked part-time to gain experience and financially support my education. I worked as a cashier in HEB, responsible for taking cash, credit cards, or checks from customers in exchange for goods and service. I learned to effectively communicate with customers while providing the necessary service in order to give customers a positive experience. I also community service chair for the National Society for Black Engineer. I planned, scheduled and executed community service events, and collaborated with public relations chairperson and members about community service endeavours. I also held fundraising events which gave me the opportunity to work with finance chair and learn how the organization is operating. My experience with the organizations reinforced my decision to devote my future career in finance.

After earning my master’s degree, I hope to work for an oil and gas company such as Schlumberger or ExxonMobil as a financial professional. The technical expertise and professional skills the university provide will prepare me for the trials that I will encounter. In my career, I hope to help institutions use their resources to the greatest advantage. I am confident that I can handle the programs demands, and I greatly appreciate your consideration.

7th February 2017

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Home News How to Write a Personal Statement for Graduate School

How to Write a Personal Statement for Graduate School

Preparing to apply for graduate school? If so, then there’s a good chance that your program of choice will require you to submit a personal statement as part of your application. Specifically, a personal statement is a short essay that allows applicants to showcase their unique qualities, aspirations, and other traits that may make them a good candidate for the program.

Still, if you’ve never written a personal statement before, the thought of writing an essay about yourself may seem daunting. The good news? With some practical tips and tricks in mind, it doesn’t have to be.

Understanding the Purpose of a Personal Statement

Before you start writing or even brainstorming, it’s important to understand the purpose of a personal statement in a graduate school application. Ideally, this essay should complement the other components of your application by providing additional context, showcasing your personality, and demonstrating the passion that you have for your chosen field. This can provide the admissions committee with a more holistic view of you as a person.

The Role It Plays in Your Application

There’s a good chance that your application will be one of just dozens or even hundreds to get into your program of choice. Admissions committee members, then, must sift through all kinds of application material to help them make their final decisions.

Many admissions committees utilize personal statements as a means of assessing an applicant’s writing ability, critical thinking skills, and their overall fit for the program. These essays can be especially useful in distinguishing applicants who may have similar academic backgrounds or who may otherwise look similar “on paper.”

What Admission Committees Look For

So, what exactly are admission committees looking for when they read a personal statement or sift through other application materials? Some of the most important elements they are seeking include:

• Evidence of thorough program research and aligned goals.
• A demonstrated passion for the field or discipline of study.
• Articulated potential for success.
• Effective written communication skills.

Crafting Your Narrative

Not sure how to write a personal statement for grad school? One of the best ways to start is to transform your experiences, challenges, and pivotal life moments into a compelling narrative that really showcases where you’ve been and where you hope to go.

Identifying Your Unique Qualities and Experiences

This begins with doing a little self-reflection to uncover the distinct qualifications, experiences, and skills that make you a great candidate for the program. Take some time to write down what you believe to be the most pivotal moments of your academic and/or professional life. Can you pinpoint what sparked your interest in your chosen field?

How to Tell Your Story Effectively

From there, it’s all about using language to tell your story in a way both engaging and compelling. You can do this by using vivid language with plenty of concrete examples. When crafting your personal statement, it’s also important that the narrative is structured with a clear beginning, middle, and end. Outlining before you write your first draft can be a great way to keep yourself on track in this regard.

Key Elements to Include in Your Personal Statement

There are many important components you won’t want to leave out of your personal statement, ranging from specific academic achievements and career goals to professional experiences and research interests.

Academic Achievements and Research Interests

Your admissions committee wants to hear about your academic accomplishments and research interests, so don’t be modest here. Now is the time to let your accomplishments shine and to make connections between these achievements and your chosen program of study.

Professional Experiences and Goals

If you can incorporate any of your professional experiences and career goals into your personal statement, be sure to do this in a way that demonstrates your commitment to the field and the potential contributions you could make to the program itself.

Personal Motivations and Aspirations

Be sure to articulate your personal motivations for pursuing a graduate degree in your chosen field, including a detailed discussion of your future aspirations. Optimally, you’ll be able to connect these to the program’s specific values and offerings as well.

How to Write a Stand-Out Personal Statement for Grad School

As you get started in drafting your personal statement for graduate school, here are some tips and best practices to keep in mind.

Starting With a Strong Opening

Never underestimate the power of a strong opening. Preferably, you’ll want to begin with an attention-grabbing opening that hooks the reader and really sets the tone for the rest of the essay. A personal anecdote, quote, or surprising statistic can work well here, but don’t hesitate to get creative!

Maintaining a Cohesive Structure

Make sure your personal statement is well organized in a way both logical and coherent. This will ensure a smooth flow of ideas and a clear narrative arc. If you’re not sure how to do this, try outlining your essay first. When you read the outline back to yourself, the basic idea(s) should come across clearly.

Employing Vivid Descriptions and Examples

Using specific details, concrete examples, and vivid language can be a great way to bring your personal statement to life and make it more engaging for your readers. Vivid and descriptive writing can also help make your essay more memorable, which can work in your favor.

H2: How Long Should a Personal Statement Be?

When it comes down to how to write a personal statement for grad school, most notably how long should a personal statement be, the best way to determine this is to review the specific application requirements on your program page. Different schools and programs may have different requirements for number of pages, word count, and formatting. Typically, it is common for a personal statement to be about two pages long.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

As you write and revise your personal statement, there are also some common mistakes that you’ll want to avoid as much as possible.

Overused Phrases and Clichés

Admissions committees want to see unique, authentic writing. With this in mind, it’s important to avoid phrases and clichés that may be overused by other applicants. Some examples of phrases to avoid may include:

• “My passion was sparked when…”
• “I believe I am a good fit for this program because…”
• “I have been interested in this field since I was X years old…”
• “I am extremely passionate about…”

Neglecting the Program-Specific Details

Your personal statement should also demonstrate that you’ve actually taken the time to read through the details of the program and understand the curriculum. With this in mind, it’s important that you tailor your essay to the program itself. Don’t leave out details that will help highlight your understanding of the program and what it will entail.

The Revision Process

Completing a first draft of your personal statement is certainly an accomplishment, but it’s still important to revise and edit your draft multiple times before you submit it.

Seeking Feedback From Mentors and Peers

One of the best ways to get valuable feedback about your personal statement is to ask your trusted friends, classmates, and even professors to read it and identify areas of improvement. The people who read your essay don’t even need to be familiar with the program itself to provide useful feedback and perspectives .

Fine-Tuning Language and Tone

As you revise, work on fine-tuning your own writing to make sure your essay is as clear and concise as possible without sacrificing professionalism. You can avoid redundancies in your writing, for example, by using the active voice as much as possible and removing unnecessary prepositional phrases.

Finalizing Your Personal Statement

As you prepare your personal statement for submission with the rest of your application materials, there are a few more steps you should take to ensure that you’re submitting your absolute best work.

Proofreading for Grammar and Spelling Errors

First, make sure to proofread meticulously to avoid any spelling or grammatical errors. Understand that word processing software won’t always catch every typo, so it’s a good idea to read through your essay manually a few times. Another great way to catch typos that a spell-checker might miss is to actually read your essay word-for-word backwards .  Give it a try for yourself!

Ensuring Adherence to Application Guidelines

Finally, be sure to double-check that your personal statement adheres to all requirements outlined by your school/program. This means ensuring that the essay is formatted correctly, meets all length/word count requirements, and is in the proper style, like MLA or APA . Failing to follow application guidelines when you write your personal statement can throw off red flags for admissions committee members that an applicant doesn’t know how to follow directions, which may not bode well for your admission decision.

Ready to Apply for a Graduate Program?

There’s quite a bit to keep in mind when it comes to writing a compelling personal statement for graduate school. At the end of the day, you’ll want to remember that your personal statement is a unique opportunity to showcase what makes you such an ideal fit for the program to which you’re applying. By following these tips, you should be in good shape.

Still looking for the right graduate program to help you accelerate your career? Marymount University offers 17  master’s degree programs , seven doctorate programs, and 22 certificate programs to meet your needs and interests.  Learn more  by reaching out or get started with your online  application  for enrollment today!

https://marymount.edu/academics/majors-programs/#masters

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Accounting and finance personal statement example 1.

It was when I earned my first pound at the age of ten washing my mother's car that I became interested in the power of money.

Over time it became clear to me that the people who understand the monetary and banking system are capable of understanding the decisions made by governments and the future of society. I want to be one of those people.

To broaden my knowledge of different areas of finance, I have read a number of different books on the subject - from "How the City of London Works" to "Rich Dad Poor Dad". I am also a regular reader of the Economist magazine.

I believe that reading such books and magazines has given me insight into topics not covered at school, for example how Japanese management in Chinese factories caused unrest among the workforce due to the Chinese workers' dislike of the Japanese management style, and how this affected the share price of companies such as Honda.

Reading about such things has made me realise how the subject of Finance and the economy affects everybody's lives, and has strengthened my desire to further study the subject.

The A-level subjects I am studying give me a firm foundation for studying Finance at University. Business Studies at A-level has greatly improved my analytical and writing skills.

I have particularly enjoyed the part of the course which concerns how a firm selects financial strategies and how managers choose which aspect of a firm needs the most investment.

German has improved my communication skills and self-confidence and has also made me more appreciative and open to other cultures.

Alongside the logical method of thinking that I have developed from Mathematics at A-level, I believe that I am well prepared to take on a degree course in Finance at University.

My part-time job as a receptionist at a sports and leisure club has given me some insight into the demands of working life. Having worked there since May, I now feel I am an able employee and because of the nature of the job. I have learned how to communicate with colleagues, my employer and of course, customers.

I often have to work alone so I have learned to use my own initiative and how to be independent - skills which are of paramount importance if I want to work in the financial industry.

Since the age of eleven, a hobby and a major interest of mine is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. This year I won the Welsh Open under 18 absolute division and in 2010 I won a silver medal in the under 18 lightweight division in the European Championships.

My previous successes include being the team captain for the Indonesian National Children's team, where we won the Pan Asian team Championships, beating The Philippines in the final. Balancing my academic life with the rigours of playing a sport at such a level has been very challenging at times.

The weeks and months leading up to a major competition are usually pretty stressful, but, as I have now been through the experience many times, I have learned how to deal with immense pressure - and how to enjoy the success which comes afterwards!

In addition to this, I have learned about commitment and dedication as well as honour and how to handle a major loss, and also how to remain humble in victory. The things I have learned from Jiu-Jitsu will help me throughout my life; not only during University, but during my career and long afterwards.

I am taking a gap year so I can earn some money in order to travel and to pay for some of the costs of university. I intend to keep my job as a receptionist and also to take on some teaching at the sports and leisure club and, when I have enough money, I am planning to travel around Europe and South America.

I believe this experience will be worthwhile as I will come to university with greater maturity after experiencing other cultures.

A possible career option is to do something involved in banking or investments - I certainly hope I will never have to wash another car again!

Profile info

This personal statement was written by oioi for application in 2013.

oioi's university choices University of Bristol Brunel University Cardiff University City University The University of Manchester

Green : offer made Red : no offer made

Related Personal Statements

Grades and offers.

Fri, 14/09/2012 - 11:34

What grades did you get at AS and what were your offers?

Sat, 15/09/2012 - 19:19

what were your prediction grades????? please

My predicted grades were AAB

Tue, 25/09/2012 - 01:12

what are ur predicted grade??

Thu, 01/11/2012 - 23:41

Fri, 16/08/2013 - 19:58

What did you achieve in AS ?

I love this PS, i love your

Wed, 04/09/2013 - 10:28

I love this PS, i love your first sentence, i want to use it

what grades did you achieve

what grades did you achieve in AS please? :)

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Tips for Writing an Impactful Personal Statement

By FAIT Fellowship Staff

The Personal Statement is a key part of your application that will be scored for the Foreign Affairs IT Fellowship. Here’s your chance to shine – to use your personal experiences, values, and feelings to express who you are, what you are passionate about, what motivates you. Why do you want to pursue a career in the Foreign Service? Think of this as a personal essay, in which you have 750 words to tell a story that:

• Illustrates your interpersonal skills or cultural sensitivity through your past experiences, either domestically or abroad.
• Shows your ability to respond to attitudes, feelings or circumstances of various cultures or diverse groups. For example, you may have had volunteer experiences involving interaction with various cultures or socioeconomic groups, such as teaching English or helping in an adolescent literacy program.
• Illustrates any disadvantages or obstacles that you’ve had to overcome to obtain your education. Are you in a single-parent household, or a low-income background? Did you work part- or full-time to finance your education?
• Expresses your interest and availability to travel around the world and to pursue a career in information technology.

Be sure that your personal statement is well-written, uses proper English and provides a clear statement of your goals, interests and background. Do not use any AI writing tools. Authenticity is key – and your personal statement must be your own writing.

Also, the Foreign Service Dimensions infographic can give you insight into what skills, abilities, and personal qualities the State Department is looking for in a candidate.

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