Personal Statement for Graduate and Adult Bachelor's Programs
A written personal statement is required of applicants to all degree programs as part of the admission process. It can be submitted as part of the online application or you can send it in separately by email to appstatus@lesley.edu or by mail to the Office of Graduate and Adult Bachelor's Admissions.
The purpose of this statement is to give insight into an applicant's level of motivation, sense of purpose in pursuing a degree program, writing skills, and personal/professional communication style. Care in preparation is strongly encouraged since it is an important part of the Admission Committee's review process.
Most applicants will follow the same personal statement guidelines, however, if you are applying to one of the programs listed below, please see program specific written personal statement questions.
For applicants to all other graduate programs including Expressive Therapies, Intercultural Relations, and MFA in Creative Writing
Your written personal statement should be 900 - 1500 words in length. Please use narrative form and address the following questions:
- In reflecting upon your personal and professional history, what forces have influenced your professional growth and contributed to your decision to seek admission to this Lesley University program?
- What are your long-term professional goals (ie. new directions, opportunities, interests, skills, professional renewal, and/or work advancement), and how does this Lesley University program help you to meet them?
- Is there any other information you think would help the Admissions Committee to understand you better (ie special interests, publications, academic achievements, supervisors' references, unusual career path, awards and/or honors, special accomplishments, leadership abilities)?