Hey guys,

I am applying to Columbia and have a doubt regarding the personal statement.

Is a personal statement or a statement of purpose? I mean, should I emphasize my personal history and achievements or should I try to sound more academic and explain with more details my academic interests and career goals?.

I am applying to Harvard too and the a) part is academic and the b) part is personal, but for Columbia there is only one question and I am not sure which is the best approach to answer it.

Thanks for your help¡¡¡

i wrote a combination of the two!

Me too.

I'd recommend doing both and blending them where possible.

- Where are you coming from (personally, academically and for CLS also professionally - they want experience 9 out of 10)
- How does that relate to what you want to do (focus on 'academically', a hint of 'personally') at CLS
- How does CLS relate to what you want to later on (personally and professionally)

Voila! Good luck =)