Asked • 06/16/25

Should a personal statement be emotional or professional?

Akash D.

tutor
To write an effective personal statement make sure you put yourself in the shoes of the person reading it. Usually that person has seen the most effusive of emotions and factual of professionals. The current AI availability has made the life of that person way more difficult because earlier they could throw 80 percent of statements in the garbage bin just because of spelling and grammar mistakes. (Now they throw the ones that do not have any!! :-) ) Whether it is a graduate school personal statement or undergrad will also change the person who is reading it. Solution: Work diligently with AI and go through about 15 iterations for your personal statement. Then go through 3 more iterations with a Tutor who has seen the other side or has been the person who has read the personal statements. Then, review the statement 5 times without the Tutor, without the AI and submit. There are lot of very good Tutors on Wyzant about personal statements. I would be happy to assist you as well. Good wishes!! :-)
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06/18/25

Sasha F.

tutor
Thank you for your input, Akash! You're absolutely correct that the pervasive use of AI introduces yet another layer to consider when developing a personal statement--it may be a useful tool when used ethically, but there are also risks in relying too heavily on it; a balanced approach is necessary, along with mindfulness in controlling one's use of it. I also agree that audience is key in crafting any piece of writing. Successful written communication necessitates properly understanding the target audience and writing in a language that resonates with them! As a career writer, I often find it helpful to build out audience personas to better identify the values and ideas my potential audience will care about and then structure my writing accordingly. Cheers, Sasha
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06/18/25

2 Answers By Expert Tutors

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Ronnie B. answered • 7d

Tutor
New to Wyzant

Former Admissions Reader | 15-yr College Essay Writing Coach
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What about both! Emotion gets their attention, reflection shows your depth.

The strongest personal statements blend feeling and professionalism. Tell a story only you can tell, then connect it to what it taught you or how it shaped your goals. If you’re not sure how to find that balance, I help students write essays that sound authentic and stand out to admissions readers.



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Sasha F. answered • 06/16/25

Tutor
5 (25)

12+ Years Admissions Coaching for Undergrad, Grad, and Scholarships
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It should be both—personal, but with purpose. Emotion matters when it’s tied to reflection and growth. A strong statement feels like a window into who you are, but also shows that you can communicate with clarity, maturity, and self-awareness. Law schools, for example, want future lawyers who can argue persuasively and reflect deeply.


If you’re trying to strike that balance, I’d love to support you in shaping a statement that feels honest and effective.

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