The letter of intent (also called personal statement, statement of purpose, or application essay) is your introduction to a graduate school selection committee. Because personal statements are personal, there is no single type or style of writing that is preferred. While every personal statement is unique in style, its purpose is the same--to determine whether you are invited for an interview.
Impression. Your personal essay should produce a picture of you as a person, as a student, and as a potential scholarship/assistantship recipient.
Invitation. The reader must be invited to get to know you, personally. Bridge the assumed distance of strangers. Make your reader welcome.
Indication of your priorities and judgment. What you choose to say in your statement tells the committee what your priorities are. What you say, and how you say it, is crucial.
Story, or more precisely, your story. Everyone has a story to tell, but we are not all natural storytellers. Self-reflective conversation with friends, family, and mentors can be very helpful.
A Personal Statement is not:
An academic paper with you as the subject. The papers you write for class are typically designed to interpret data, reflect research, or analyze events all at some distance. We are taught to eliminate the “I” from our academic writing. In a personal statement your goal is to close the distance between you and the reader. You must engage on a different, more personal level than you have been trained.
A resume in narrative form. An essay that reads like a resume of accomplishments and goals tells the reader nothing he/she could not glean from the rest of the application. This type of essay reveals little about the candidate and is a wasted opportunity.
A journal entry. While you may draw on experiences captured in your personal journal, your essay should not read like a diary. Share what is relevant, using these experiences to give a helpful context for your story. Include only what you are comfortable sharing and be prepared to discuss at an interview what you include.
General Advice
Do:
Plan on devoting a significant amountof time writing this essay. It is common to write severaldrafts of your personal statement.
Proofread your essay several times. Make sure there are no punctuation or grammatical errors. Solicit comments from professors, graduate students, and English majors whom you know well.
Carefully follow all instructions on your application and follow the advice of your professors.
Keep it brief. Most instructions specify how long the essay should be. If length is not mentioned, stick to 1-2 pages, single-spaced (unless the instructions specify otherwise).
Mention a specific program or faculty member you might like to work with (and why).
Don't:
Use the most advanced vocabulary you can muster. For example:
"I endeavor to pursue my doctorate in the field of cognitive psychology because I believe human thought permeates all facets of human behavior, and I would find the profession fulfilling to such a degree that I would be ecstatic regarding my chosen profession."
A better example might sound like this:
"I want to get my Ph.D. in cognitive psychology because I think it's an intriguing field, and I know I would be happy with this as my career."
Use humor. It is difficult to make someone laugh whom you've never met before. Avoid any humor, unless you're absolutely sure it is appropriate and tasteful.
Be chatty or tell your entire life history.
Forget to proof and reproof your letter
Before You Write, Ask Yourself :
What's special, unique, distinctive, and/or impressive about you or your life?
What details of your life (personal/family, history, people/events that have shaped you or influenced your goals) might help the committee better understand you or help see you apart from other applicants?
When did you become interested in this field and what have you learned about it (and about yourself) that has further stimulated your interest and reinforced your conviction in this field? What insights have you gained?
How have you learned about the field-through classes, readings, seminars, research, work/internship experiences, or conversations with professors or people already in the field?
If you have worked during your college years, what have you learned (leadership, managerial, teamwork skills, etc.) and how has that work/internship experience contributed to your growth?
What are your career goals?
Are there any gaps or discrepancies in your academic record that you should explain (great grades but mediocre LSAT or GRE scores, or a distinct upward pattern to your GPA if it was only average in the beginning?)
Have you had to overcome any unusual obstacles or hardships (for example, economic, familial, or physical) in your life?
What personal characteristics (integrity, compassion, persistence, etc.) do you possess that would improve your prospects for success in the field or profession? Is there a way to demonstrate or document these?
What skills (leadership, communicative, analytical, etc.) do you possess?
Why might you be a stronger candidate for graduate school and more successful in the profession or field than other applicants?
What are the most compelling reasons you can give for the selections committee to be interested in you?
Finally, writing a personal essay is challenging and will take many drafts and much reflection. Don't wait until you have it complete before you share it with others; their input will likely make it stronger, clearer, and focused. Don't put it off until you have it right...just write!
Personal Statement #1 
