PERSONAL STATEMENT

VS
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
KNOW THE DIFFERENCE

BANDA KHALIFA MD, MPH, MBA Swipe

 01
While both documents are critical

Truth About Admissions & Scholarships

components of a graduate
application, they serve distinct
purposes.

The Personal Statement humanizes

the applicant.

The Statement of Purpose, in

contrast, is a testament to your

Academic rigor,
clarity of vision, and
alignment with the program's
objectives.

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 02

Personal Statement vS Statement of Purpose

The distinction, while subtle, is
profound and can significantly
impact the impression one leaves
on an admissions committee.

So how does personal statement

differ from statement of purpose

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 Personal Statement vS Statement of Purpose
03

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Core Focus
 04

Personal Statement

Personal Statement vS Statement of Purpose

This is about you as a person.

It explores experiences that have

shaped you, challenges you’ve
overcome, and what drives you.

Essentially, it's answering: Who are

you, and how did you become this
person?

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 05

Statement of Purpose

Personal Statement vS Statement of Purpose

This is about your academic,
research, and professional journey.

It answers: What do you want to

study, why, and how does this
program help you?

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 Personal Statement vS Statement of Purpose
06

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Tone
 07

Personal Statement

Personal Statement vS Statement of Purpose

It's reflective.

You're looking back at personal

moments that influenced your life
and choices

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 07

Statement of Purpose

Personal Statement vS Statement of Purpose

It's forward-looking and specific.

You’re laying out a plan and

showing that you’ve done your
homework about the program.

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 Personal Statement vS Statement of Purpose
08

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Structure
 09

Personal Statement

Personal Statement vS Statement of Purpose

More flexible.

It's your story, so you decide how

best to tell it.

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 10

Statement of Purpose

Personal Statement vS Statement of Purpose

More structured.

Typically, you'd outline past work,

current interests, and future plans
in a logical sequence.

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 Personal Statement vS Statement of Purpose
11

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Purpose
 12

Personal Statement

Personal Statement vS Statement of Purpose

To give the committee a glimpse
into who you are beyond grades
and test scores.

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 13

Statement of Purpose

Personal Statement vS Statement of Purpose

To show the committee you are a
good fit for the program and that
you have a clear vision for your
future

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 14

Personal Statement vS Statement of Purpose

When writing a Personal Statement,
think about the experiences that
have made you who you are today.

For the Statement of Purpose, focus

on your academic and professional
goals and how the program aligns
with them.

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 Banda Khalifa, MD, MPH, MBA
PhD Student @ Johns Hopkins Uni.

President of Johns Hopkins Epi Students

Organization.

I talk about graduate school, Ethical AI,

personal development, and global public
health.

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