Personal statements, statements of interest, or graduate school application essays all require you to reflect upon your experiences and accomplishments as an undergraduate as you plan your next steps.  Your writing allows you to express who you are to the admissions representatives reviewing your application, and it give you the opportunity to highlight your unique characteristics, experiences, and skills.   

Take a moment to read this article authored by the AAMC to help you jump start your reflective writing process. 

The College of Literature Science and Arts provides several resources and supports LSA students writing these statements.

Please note: We can only offer this service to LSA students. We are able to offer support to LSA graduates. Please explain you are a LSA graduate at the time of making your appointment via email (newnanfrontdesk@umich.edu) or phone (734) 764-0332. Students in other colleges should contact the advising office of their respective college for writing assistance most related to their undergraduate academic experience. 

Writing Consultants at Newnan

In collaboration with pre-law, pre-health, Honors, and other expert advisors, Writing Consultants at Newnan support students in the writing and reflection work necessary to craft excellent application essays for graduate, law, and health-professional schools. We are here to help with your transitions beyond the University of Michigan, reflecting upon your Michigan Experience as a whole. (NOTE: The Writing Consultants at Newnan do not address writing for undergraduate opportunities, such as internship essays or student employment cover letters.)

Getting Started with a Writing Consultant

• View the Canvas tutorial "Personal Statements 101." It will help you avoid common pitfalls and introduce you to practices that will produce more impactful first drafts.

• Make an appointment with a Writing Consultant at Newnan by completing the form under the "other advising types."

• Email your drafts (Google Docs or Word format) to the Consultant, at least two full business days (48 hrs) in advance of appointment.

• Please send no more than two essays (~ 1000 words) per appointment. If more than one essay, please clearly indicate the order of priority.

• Please include the prompt for each essay at the head of the document as well as character or word count limits. 

Pre-Health Advisors in the Newnan Advising Center

Pre-Health advisors conduct personal statement reviews by appointment for LSA students and LSA alumni. LSA students can schedule these appointments online. When scheduling your appointment, please indicate your desire for a personal statement review. NOTE: Your appointment is subject to cancellation if the following outlined requirements are not met.  

• Your essay must be emailed to the advisor ahead of your appointment two full business days minimum (48 hours). Friday at/after 5pm, Saturdays and Sundays are not business days.
• One essay review per appointment (this includes secondary essays)
• It is ok to review an outline or working draft during an appointment
• No cold reads. If you do not submit an essay ahead of your appointment, you can talk through content during your appointment, but if you would like a full essay review, you will need to reschedule. 

Note for Non-LSA students: Check with your School/College for personal statement support. We encourage all students to consider reaching out to trusted mentors, your letter of recommendation authors, supervisors, faculty, GSIs, etc. who might have the capacity to provide feedback on your essay(s). 

The LSA Opportunity Hub

Coaches at the LSA Opportunity Hub are available to help you with personal statements as well as other wrap around services focused on your next steps. 

Sweetland Peer Writing Center (Online & eTutoring)

Students like you are available to discuss your personal statement through the Sweetland Peer Writing Center . Read here to make an appointment .  (NOTE: the Writing Workshop does not review personal statements. Be sure to schedule with the Sweetland Peer Writing Center)