Personal Statement

Please address the following topics in your personal statement. You are encouraged to write on all topics that are relevant to your individual situation.

Recommended length: One essay of 750-1000 words addressing all required topics and any optional topics selected.

Academic Elements (required)

Academic History

* Tell us about your college career to date, describing your performance, educational path and choices.

* Explain any situations that may have had a significant positive or negative impact on your academic progress and/or curricular choices. If you transferred multiple times, had a significant break in your education, or changed career paths, explain.

* What are the specific reasons you wish to leave your most recent college/university and/or program of study?

Your Major and/or Career Goals

* Tell us about your intended major and career aspirations.

* Are you prepared to enter your intended major at this time? If not, describe your plans for preparing for the major. What led you to choose this major? If you are still undecided, why? What type of career are you most likely to pursue after finishing your education?

* How will the UW help you attain your academic, career, and/or personal goals?

Personal Elements (required)

Cultural Understanding

* Thoughtfully describe the ways in which culture had an impact on your life and what you have learned about yourself and society as a result. How has your own cultural history enriched and/or challenged you?

* NOTE: Culture may be defined broadly. Cultural understanding is often drawn from the ethnic background, customs, values, and ideas of a person’s immediate family, community, and/or social environment in which they live.

Educational Challenges / Personal Hardships (recommended if you have something to say on this topic)

* Describe any personal or imposed challenges or hardships you have overcome in pursuing your education.

* Examples: a serious illness, a disability,...