Are personal statements single or double spaced?
Asked by: Jan Rath II | Last update: August 9, 2025Score: 4.2/5 (13 votes)
Unless you have extensive research experience, most personal statements should be about two single-spaced pages.
What format should a personal statement be in?
What is the Correct Personal Statement Format? There's no single required format for the Common App or Coalition, but we'd generally recommend keeping it simple and standard. Regarding font choice, things like Times New Roman or Georgia (what this is written in) won't fail you.
Are personal statements one page?
A personal statement should be about one-to-two pages unless otherwise stated. Many graduate and professional programs give a specific word count. Ensure that you are following the application guidelines by following specific word count or page requirements.
How many lines is a personal statement?
A maximum of 4,000 characters (or 47 lines of text) is to be used in the personal statement so you must ensure that you structure your personal statement sensibly to include all of the key areas. As your word count is limited, everything you write should be relevant and add value to your statement.
Do you double space a personal letter?
Generally speaking, single spacing is preferred for business correspondence, like emails or cover letters. Double spacing is typically only required for academic assignments, as well as professional manuscripts submitted for review or publication.
seriously, don't do these to your personal statement
Can personal statements be single-spaced?
Personal statements are usually limited to 500 words (approximately one to two pages). Paragraphs should be single-spaced with an extra line separating one from the next. A standard typeface and formatting convention should be used to make your statement easily readable.
Should I double space my personal statement for law school?
General guidance suggests that 250 words equal 1-page double-spaced. If you need to meet a word count requirement in your law school personal statement, use the instructions below to find the word count.
How to layout a personal statement?
- Reasons for choosing this subject(s)
- Current studies and how these relate to your chosen subject(s)
- Experiences and how these relate to your chosen subject(s)
- Interests and responsibilities and how these relate to your chosen subject(s)
- Your future after university.
Can a personal statement be one paragraph?
Personal statements should always have paragraphs. On average, a single page of typed text should contain between 4 and 6 well-written and logically structured paragraphs, and each paragraph should be focused on a single point, although a range of illustrative examples can be used.
Does a personal statement include spaces?
The maximum size of your UCAS personal statement is 47 lines – that's around 500-550 words, size 12 font. The maximum number of characters is 4000, and this includes spaces. Your reason for wanting to study your chosen course is the first thing tutors will look for and will usually be the opening part of a statement.
What should the heading of a personal statement look like?
That should include a header containing the date, the recipient's name and address, your name and address, and a salutation, as well as a closing and signature. How Long Should a Personal Statement for Graduate School Be?
Are personal statements still a thing?
UCAS has revised their application process to replace the traditional personal statement essay with getting students to answer three questions. On the 18th July 2024, UCAS confirmed that this will be changing for those applying to university for 2026.
Do I need to put my name on my personal statement?
Do you put your name on a personal statement? It's better not to put your name in the first paragraph of the application essay. The name is usually mentioned in the header of the personal statement. However, it's necessary to consider the guidelines for an essay.
What are the 3 parts of a personal statement?
- Why do you want to study your chosen subject?
- What relevant skills and knowledge do you already have about this subject?
- What do you do when you're not studying?
What is the standard for a personal statement?
Your personal statement should follow a logical, methodical structure, where each paragraph follows on from the one before. Make sure paragraphs are short, succinct, clear and to the point. Remember, you only have 500 words so use them wisely.
What does a good personal statement look like?
A clear introduction, explaining why you want to study the course. Around 75% can focus on your academic achievements, to prove how you're qualified to study it. Around 25% can be about any extracurricular activity, to show what else makes you suitable. A clear conclusion.
Should my personal statement be one page?
Generally, personal statements are short. Most schools require approximately 1-2 pages, but you should take extra care of the instructions you get from the particular Law school, Medical school, MBA program, or college.
Is there a specific format for personal statement?
Personal statements are often required for graduate school applications. There usually is no specific form, unless the institution provides guidelines or questions. The personal statement combines personal and academic elements in the form of a narrative essay, telling a story that conveys a thematic message.
What characters are not allowed in a personal statement?
Common symbols not allowed are €, long dashes (–) and the special quote characters “ ' ' ” which will simply be removed from your statement. So remember to replace long dashes with - and quotes with “ and '.
What should the first line of a personal statement be?
Explain what you find interesting about it.' It's much better to engage us with something interesting, relevant, specific and current in your opening line… Start with what's inspiring you now, not what inspired you when you were six.
What is the star format for a personal statement?
The STAR approach includes: Situation – briefly describe the context and your role • Task – the specific challenge, task or job that you faced • Action – what you did, how and why you did it • Result – the outcomes and what you achieved through your actions.
What is an example of a short personal statement?
Here is an example of a 100-word personal statement: "I am a dedicated student with a passion for learning and a desire to make a difference in the world. My experiences, both inside and outside of the classroom, have taught me the importance of hard work, determination, and the pursuit of knowledge.
How not to start a personal statement?
Avoid cliché opening sentences
Make a note of any clichéd sentences you can think of or have seen online, and check you don't include them when writing your personal statement. Some examples to avoid include: 'I have always wanted to study...' 'I feel I've always had a passion for...'
How do I know if my personal statement is good?
Your personal statement should help the reader get to know you and make them want to learn more. Write about your unique achievements, interests, experiences, qualities, or opinions. Avoid irrelevant or inappropriate topics—they won't make you memorable for the right reasons.
What font for personal statement?
Your font should have serifs. Times New Roman is a safe choice.