Personal Statement Guidelines

Your personal statement is your opportunity to introduce yourself to the admissions committee and tell your unique story. This is where you can go beyond grades to provide context for your application, explaining how this major is the right fit for your goals. It’s also a chance to put academic challenges you’ve faced into perspective and demonstrate how much you’ve grown.

Your statement is very personal and belongs to you alone. Write on what you feel strongly about and what matters most to you — not to your friends, parents, or colleagues. In other words, we invite you to distinguish yourself by sharing your authentic story.

Most colleges and universities have writing centers or similar resources that can help you. The UW Bothell Writing & Communication Center (WACC) works with current UW Bothell students to help write their personal statements.

Writing guidelines

We recommend the following for your statement:

  1. Do not underestimate the need for a well-crafted personal statement. It is a sample of your written communication skills, which are critically important for all computing professionals.
  2. Strive for focus, clarity, and detail in your writing.
    • Be specific about which degree program(s) you are applying for and tailor your statement accordingly.
    • Make sure that your writing flows logically, and that every sentence serves a purpose.
    • Avoid unnecessary wordiness and overuse of adjectives. Write simply.
    • Be as detailed as possible about the activities you have engaged in, the skills they helped you develop, and how those skills prepare you for your major and long-term goals.
  3. Keep readability in mind.
    • Check the formatting for font, font size, line spacing, and paragraph breaks. We recommend you use 12-point Times New Roman font and double-spaced lines.
    • The statement should not be too short (less than one page) or too long (more than two pages).
    • Have another person check your writing for correct grammar, punctuation, and readability.
  4. Writing a good statement takes time.
    • Read the prompt several times.
    • Take notes as you come up with ideas and use them to decide how to build the best narrative.
    • Take breaks as you work and return later for a fresh read.
    • Double check your work. After writing your statement, re-read the prompt and compare. Did you answer the full prompt? Does your story describe your experiences in the best positive light?
  5. You can also elaborate on topics beyond the prompt.
    • Comment on a previous application and what has changed since
    • Explain low grades, repeated courses, or gaps in your education
    • Illuminate your personal hardships and overcoming of adversity
    • Reflect on recent trends in the world and how they relate to your story (social justice, technology, environment, etc.)
    • Anything else you would like the faculty admissions committee to know