Sample personal statement for university application

As a child growing up in central China, I was eager to learn about the rest of the world. Consequently, I spent as much time as possible reading American and European history. When I discovered the transcripts of David Frost’s interviews with six British prime ministers and seven U.S. presidents, I knew that I had found the mother lode and, more importantly, my career. Like Frost, I decided to blend my love of politics with my interest in journalism.

Born in 1978 at the start of China’s “reform and opening up” period and as a child in central China, I had limited opportunities to learn about the outside world. My mother, a teacher, encouraged me to read as widely and deeply as possible and, by doing so, position myself to pursue my dreams. As a result, the small local library became my refuge. Virtually daily, I sat and read histories of the world—and especially the West—and biographies of famous leaders, including Washington, Lincoln, Roosevelt, Churchill, Stalin, and Kennedy.

I was especially fascinated by journalists’ accounts of the “week that changed the world”—Nixon’s and Kissinger’s meetings with Mao and Chou En-lai and, therefore, tried to read not only Chinese but also Western journalists’ accounts of this groundbreaking event. The local librarian was able to secure a few copies of the New York Times from this period. Intrigued by the American perspective, I read each copy from cover to cover and over and over again.

In order to obtain a solid grounding in both disciplines, I double-majored in political science and journalism at Sichuan University. During this time, I also worked part-time at a local newspaper, where I reported on politics at both the provincial and national levels. Subsequently, I began my Ph.D. in political philosophy at Peking University. Once again, I balanced the academic with the practical by working as a reporter for China Times. In this capacity, I often interviewed and wrote about both Chinese and visiting Western political leaders, including former U.S. Vice President Al Gore. My 2005 “Interviews with Leaders,” which involved both Chinese and Western government and business officials, won the annual Chinese Ministry of Information’s “Best Interview Series” award.

Realizing that I needed to deepen my understanding of Western political science, I applied to and was accepted by Columbia University’s Political Science Department as a Visiting Scholar. Since the fall of 2007, I have completed courses on democracy, leaders of the 20^th century, the free market system, and America changing global role. As a free-lance journalist for China Daily, I have written several articles concerning the 2008 U.S. election and America in the post-Bush-Cheney era. My three-part “Perspectives” series involved my interviewing white, black, and Chinese-Americans on their views concerning America and diversity.

At this point, I want to complete my formal education as a journalist. Because of Columbia School of Journalism’s outstanding reputation and internationally-recognized faculty, I would like to pursue my Master of Arts in journalism at your school. I believe that my background together illustrates a unique blend of theory and practice. Even if I do not reach the heights attained by David Frost, I hope to contribute to the field of journalism and, by doing so, help clarify the differences between Western and Chinese political systems. In turn, perhaps leaders and their nations would understand each other better.