How to Write a Graduate School Personal Statement When English Is Not Your First Language

I have sat on graduate admissions committees and dietetic internship admissions committees. I have read hundreds of graduate school personal statements. I only remember a handful because the majority of applicants failed to tell a story. For international applicants writing in English as an additional language, this problem is even more common, because so much energy goes into getting the language right that your story doesn’t come through.

This post is not about grammar. It is about how to write a personal statement that gets you noticed, even if English is not your first language.

What a Personal Statement Is (and Isn’t)

A personal statement is not a summary of your achievements. Committees already have your resume. It’s also not a formal academic essay. A personal statement is designed to answer the question: Why are you and this program a match? Everything in your personal statement should work to answer that question.

Before You Start Writing, Do This

The biggest mistake international applicants make is starting to write in English immediately. This leads to translated thinking; sentences that are grammatically acceptable but structurally strange, because they follow the logic of another language. Instead, answer these questions in whatever language you think most clearly in:

- Why do I want to study this field?

- What experience made me certain this was the right path?

- What have I done that proves I can succeed in this program?

- What do I want to do after I graduate?

- Why this program specifically?

Once you have clear answers, then write in English. Following this structure helps you focus on ideas rather than grammar. You can perfect the grammar later.

The Structure That Works

Admissions committees read quickly. We may be dealing with hundreds of applications. A clear structure helps us find what we need.

Opening paragraph: The hook

Do not open with "I have always been passionate about…" Every applicant says this. Instead, open with a specific moment, observation, or experience that explains why you are pursuing this field.

Example (weak): I have always been passionate about nutrition and helping people live healthier lives.

Example (stronger): As a kid, I was told to eat my vegetables. But I didn’t really like vegetables, so I didn’t understand why this was repeated over and over. As I got older, I started to learn about the benefits of vegetables, and this started my interest in cooking. I wanted to understand how to prepare vegetables so that I would enjoy eating them. Now, I see myself working in food service management to make sure people are able to eat healthy and tasty foods.

The second example is better not just because it’s longer. It’s actually interesting and provides genuine insight into your motivation for graduate study.

Middle paragraphs: Your evidence

Each paragraph should make one point and support it with a specific example. Don’t just list everything you have done; this is just telling the admissions committee things they can probably get from your resume. Instead, choose two or three experiences that are most relevant to the program and describe them in enough detail that the reader understands what you actually did and what you learned. This is showing the committee what you’ve done. It gives them context and proves your point.

More about my “Show, don’t tell” rule. Don’t tell the committee your strengths are time management and working well in teams. Give an example of a time where you really demonstrated good time management. Give an example of an issue you had in a team situation and how you resolved it. This description is much more convincing than listing 10 good qualities.  

Final paragraph: Your direction

End with where you are going, not where you have been. What do you want to accomplish in the next few years after graduation? How does this program fit into that plan? Be specific about why you want to attend the program. You might mention a faculty member whose work interests you, a research area, or a clinical or internship opportunity. This shows you have done your research and are not sending the same statement to every program. Do not say things like, “It’s close to home”, or “I have a lot of friends there”, or “It’s one of the most affordable programs”. Focus on how the program will advance your career, and write like it’s your top choice, even if it isn’t.

You should also indicate how you will contribute to the program. How have your training and experiences prepared you to be actively involved in the program? Don’t just talk about what you will get from the program; talk about what you can give.

Final Checklist Before You Submit

- Does my opening paragraph tell the reader something specific about me?

- Am I showing, not telling, the committee about my preparation for this next step?

- Have I mentioned something specific about the program that shows I have researched it?

If you want more tips on common mistakes made by non-native English speakers, check out this additional post.

Need help with your personal statement? Book an appointment with us here: Book Services.

Back to the Blog