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PhD & MFA: Personal Statement

What should I write in my personal statement?

Applicants to every degree program offered by the Graduate School are required to submit a Personal Statement of not fewer than 200 words. The typical length of a personal statement is approx. 750 words or two pages. This statement must describe your qualifications and the objectives of your intended program in a clear, logical, and concise manner. If you need any further details about the contents of the Personal Statement, please contact the department to which you are applying.

How do I submit my personal statement?

You should upload your statement to your online application. Your uploaded document should be no more than five pages and should be in a Western European or other English-language setting. It should contain the following identifying information on every page:

  • Your name
  • Your application ID or BU ID
  • The department and degree program (e.g. Physics PhD program) to which you are applying

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