You might feel like you could keep revising your statement indefinitely-which, you could. So, how do you know if you are done? First, set a clear deadline for yourself. This helps you stay accountable for developing a final product that you can submit on time with your application.
But, it’s important to let yourself cross the finish line. Here are a few questions to ask yourself to assess whether you’re done:
- Do you feel that you’ve effectively articulated your motivation? Is your motivation authentic?
- Will the reader walk away from your statement with a clear sense of who you are and your motivation?
- Do your stories have a clear beginning, middle, and end?
- Do your stories demonstrate learning, growth, or change?
- Does your essay have a theme?
If you’re able to answer “yes” to these questions, be proud of the work you’ve done to get to this point.
Congratulations! Submit your personal statement!