A personal statement is a personal "mission statement" that connects the reader to the values of who you are, why you are here, and how you make educational decisions. It connects you to your chosen academic discipline and future orientation. It may explain your decision to study a particular field or career, and it may highlight what you are hoping to find, gain, and accomplish from your undergraduate experience. Your values reflect your core moral standards that contribute to your studies as a responsible individual.

It may contain information about your moral aspirations and the standards to which you hold yourself. It displays an attitude and a tone that stands out amidst your work and scholastic achievement. It would likely contain your short-term and long-term goals without losing sight of your personal dreams.

Question to consider:

• What drives you to do what you do?
• Who do you want to be?
• What do you want others to know about you?

Your personal statement should also incorporate your Clifton Strengths. Share your strengths and how they materialize in your life currently. Reflect on the influence of your strengths thus far and consider how that impact will persist throughout your life as your strengths evolve, became stronger, or even change. 

Some students will want to highlight their academic major(s) and/or minor(s) and describe their plan of studies. Perhaps your field is niche or broad and you want to describe to others what it is exactly that you do. If your program is interdisciplinary, this is an opportunity to weave together each nuance into a cohesive strategy.

At minimum, you should include a list of courses with annotations (small reflections) on those courses that were most important to you in terms of personal growth, educational experience, relation to career goals, etc.

Additional things to consider:

• Representations of your best work (papers, presentations, collaborative pieces, creative design projects)
• Short-term & Long-term projects

Each scholar's undergraduate experiences are unique. You should reflect on those that have been most meaningful to you, placing an emphasis on those that are related to your academic and professional goals.

• One thing that set honors scholars apart from the major student body is their involvement and contributions to research at UT. Whether you have submitted and published a paper in Pursuit, participated in research at a university or national laboratory, presented at a local or national conference, or collaborated on a team of researchers on a large project, describing your research experience significantly expands your identity as undergraduate student.
• Many honors scholars participate in experiential pursuits such as internships and cooperatives with businesses, employers, and researchers during their tenure at UT. Your e-portfolio should highlight what you have gleaned from the work, how the experience has enhanced what you are already working toward, and the skills gained during the experience.
• Many honors scholars will participate in an international or intercultural experience (study abroad, international internship, international service, and/or domestic intercultural trip). Sharing intercultural experiences provides scholars the opportunity to display their cultural competence and commitment to working in an expanding global marketplace.

You should create a separate page to post a downloadable version of your resume or curriculum vitae. Be sure to update your resume or C.V. each semester or year so that the most relevant iteration is available to viewers.

New in 2020: Each honors scholar in CHP, HLP, and HSP needs to include a record of semester honors seminar attendance. Each 1794 scholar needs to include a record of their four pillar activities each semester. You should have one page organized in reverse chronological order by semester. You should include dates and titles of individual seminars/activities along with some proof of attendance, which can be any combination of photos, written reflections (3-5 sentences), and audio/video recordings.

1. Showcase and highlight short-term and long-term educational goals
2. Create a personal or professional blog to reflect on important milestones such as study abroad, research accomplishments, and your entire undergraduate experience
3. Record and list completed courses along with reflections on those courses that were most important or enjoyable
4. Highlight your scholarships, honors, and awards
5. Showcase and reflect on your community service work during your time at UT
6. Compile research papers, writing, projects, or assignments that represent your best work
7. Display photographs of important milestones during your college career, e.g. honors induction, community service activities, study abroad experiences, award ceremonies
8. Publish a personal “mission statement” or educational philosophy
9. Attach your resume/curriculum vitae for download
10. Make a contact page so that interested parties may contact you