What is the average length of a personal statement?
Asked by: Dominic Hermiston | Last update: January 13, 2026Score: 4.4/5 (49 votes)
Generally, 500-600 words is the best choice for the personal statement word count. But it's crucial to pay attention to the requirements provided by the chosen university. If there are no specific instructions concerning the word count, I would aim for approximately 500-800 words.
Is a 500 word personal statement too short?
Personal statements are generally 500-650 words. For example, the Common Application, which can be used to apply to more than 800 colleges, requires an essay ranging from 250-650 words. Similarly, the Coalition Application, which has 150 member schools, features an essay with a recommended length of 500-650 words.
What is the 80 20 rule for personal statement?
How do you structure a personal statement? Make sure you structure your personal statement with an 80/20 percentage split: 80 per cent academic experience, work experience and extra-curricular activities that relate to your chosen course, and 20 per cent related to your hobbies or other extracurricular activities.
How long is a good personal statement?
The typical length of a personal statement for graduate school applications is between 500 and 1,000 words. Different programs have different requirements, so always check if there's a minimum or maximum length and stick to the guidelines. If there is no recommended word count, aim for no more than 1-2 pages.
Is 550 words enough for a college essay?
If your institution doesn't provide a specific word count, it's best to keep your essay between the length established by the longer college admissions essay format: 250 to 650 words. Word count is just one factor to consider as you craft your college admissions essay.
Importance of a Proper Personal Statement Length
Is a 450 word college essay good?
Here's a simple answer: most personal statements written for college admissions are somewhere between 450-650 words, with 650 being the maximum word count for the Common App, the most frequently used platform.
What do 650 words look like?
A 650-word essay is approximately a page and a half to two pages long when using a standard 12-point font and standard spacing between lines. To visualize what 650 words look like, think about a typical two-page, double-spaced essay with an introduction, three main body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
Is it bad if my personal statement is too long?
Some schools set no limit for personal statements, but most suggest either 2–3 or 2–4 pages. Aim for two pages, double-spaced.
Can I write a college essay in a week?
While timelines will differ depending on the student, plan on spending at least 1–3 weeks brainstorming and writing the first draft of your college admissions essay, and at least 2–4 weeks revising across multiple drafts.
Should I 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.
How to end a personal statement?
- Tie it back to what you've written earlier. Revisit the key points you've already spoken about in the main body of your personal statement and emphasise them again in your conclusion. ...
- Talk about the future. ...
- Think about your university experience.
What is the 8020 rule in study?
The Pareto Principle, often called the 80/20 rule, is the broad observation that approximately 80% of outcomes or results come from about 20% of your inputs or effort. Therefore you should concentrate on areas where you can get 'big wins' with comparatively little effort.
Can I submit the same personal statement to different colleges?
The good news is that you can submit the same personal statement to different schools. The personal statement is usually attached to the Common Application and the Coalition Application. The personal statement aims to get to know the applicant as a unique person.
What is the shortest a personal statement should be?
Remember, it can only be 4,000 characters, which is about two sides of A4. So, you'll need to use your words wisely to fit everything in. You can find a full guide on How to start a personal statement: the attention grabber, but here are the main things to think about. Don't overthink the opening.
Is it bad if my college essay is short?
For the Common App, I would recommend a bare minimum of 500 words, about 75 percent of the maximum. If you've written your essay and there is room for more, share it with readers you trust—friends, parents, and especially teachers—and ask if there are moments that could be clearer or that seem underdeveloped.
How to start a personal statement?
'The best opening sentences refer to experiences – students need to think about what stands out to them regarding their relationship with their chosen subject… their interest in the subject may have been generated from work experience, voluntary work, hobbies/interests or even from studying it at A Level.'
Can I write my college essay in 2 days?
Writing a college essay in two days may seem like a daunting task, but it's definitely possible if you manage your time well and follow these steps: Plan your essay: Spend some time brainstorming and outlining your ideas. Decide on the topic, main points, and supporting evidence you will use in your essay.
What is a good personal statement?
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.
Do you send the same college essay to every college?
If you're applying to colleges using the Common App, you can submit the same essay to every college on your list.
Should you avoid using I in a personal statement?
Like many rules, there are exceptions to avoiding first-person usage. For instance, personal statements, reflections, opinion pieces, or any assignment directions that explicitly state using first person can and should freely use “I” statements. Writing in a first-person voice is not an error.
Do personal statements need a title?
Should a personal statement have a title? No title is necessary for a statement of purpose. Graduate school applications expect an applicant to submit one and the document itself should speak itself for its contents.
Why is a personal statement so hard to write?
This document can be very challenging to write, as you will need to concisely outline your strengths, goals, experiences, and qualifications while demonstrating good writing skills. This can be a time-consuming project, so allow plenty of time to work on your statement.
What is the best topic for a college essay?
- Prompt #1: Share your story.
- Prompt #2: Learning from obstacles.
- Prompt #3: Challenging a belief.
- Prompt #4: Reflecting on gratitude.
- Prompt #5: Personal growth.
- Prompt #6: What captivates you?
- Prompt #7: Topic of your choice.
- Describe a person you admire.
What is 30000 words considered?
Short Novels or Novellas
A novel of around 100 pages is considered a novella or a short novel. It usually contains around 20,000 to 30,000 words. This length is perfect for a focused story with a small cast of characters and a simple, linear plot.
Is 650 words 2 pages?
A 650 word count will create about 1.3 pages single-spaced or 2.6 pages double-spaced when using normal margins (1″) and 12 pt. Arial or Times New Roman font.