Any suggestions on Personal HISTORY Statement? HELP WANTED.

[Robbie]

Some UC series schools require personal history statement.

I've already write a SOP, but how do I write a personal history statement? Any suggestions?

I just don't know what to include.

[deterministic devil]

In this case, just separate your SOP into two parts:1. SOP should cover only your current goal, future research plan, and why and what you want to study at that university. All other personal background info should go to PHS.

[Robbie]

In this case, just separate your SOP into two parts:1. SOP should cover only your current goal, future research plan, and why and what you want to study at that university. All other personal background info should go to PHS.

wouldn't that sop you described be incomplete and bad?

[TakeruK]

In this case, just separate your SOP into two parts:1. SOP should cover only your current goal, future research plan, and why and what you want to study at that university. All other personal background info should go to PHS.

wouldn't that sop you described be incomplete and bad?

I don't think that SOP would be incomplete. Especially when there is a Personal History Statement (PHS) request, you should write your SOP solely about your professional (research) experience, and leave out all the details about your personal life. You can and should discuss your career-related background info such as your academic experience, your research experience, and how these things have prepared you for graduate study. But other personal info that are not related to your work should go in the PHS.

[aquirdturtle]

I'm working through the same type of thing right now.

For me it depends on the school and the phrasing of said "personal history" statement. A lot schools are pretty clearly looking for you to discuss minority status, economic issues, ect. that have affected your education. Being a white mid-upper class male, I don't have much of that, so I keep those personal statements relatively short and just talk about whats unique about my family and upbringing. I usually pull my "how I got into physics" comments from a more general personal statement and make them a bit more involved for a statement like this. As a result, my personal statements sometimes start with a little less of an introduction, but I think it turns out okay.

[Robbie]

I'm working through the same type of thing right now.

For me it depends on the school and the phrasing of said "personal history" statement. A lot schools are pretty clearly looking for you to discuss minority status, economic issues, ect. that have affected your education. Being a white mid-upper class male, I don't have much of that, so I keep those personal statements relatively short and just talk about whats unique about my family and upbringing. I usually pull my "how I got into physics" comments from a more general personal statement and make them a bit more involved for a statement like this. As a result, my personal statements sometimes start with a little less of an introduction, but I think it turns out okay.

do u know what is the meaning of 'minority status, economic issues, etc. that have affected your education'

[nik]

Some UC series schools require personal history statement.

I've already write a SOP, but how do I write a personal history statement? Any suggestions?

I just don't know what to include.

Which schools need them, by the way? Can u please name those?

[Robbie]

Some UC series schools require personal history statement.

I've already write a SOP, but how do I write a personal history statement? Any suggestions?

I just don't know what to include.

Which schools need them, by the way? Can u please name those?

I list them but that doesn't mean that I apply to those:

UC Berkeley, UC Davis, UC Riverside, U. Mich. etc.

[Catria]

Add to that Minnesota and Yale...

[Aether73]

I'm working through the same type of thing right now.

For me it depends on the school and the phrasing of said "personal history" statement. A lot schools are pretty clearly looking for you to discuss minority status, economic issues, ect. that have affected your education. Being a white mid-upper class male, I don't have much of that, so I keep those personal statements relatively short and just talk about whats unique about my family and upbringing. I usually pull my "how I got into physics" comments from a more general personal statement and make them a bit more involved for a statement like this. As a result, my personal statements sometimes start with a little less of an introduction, but I think it turns out okay.

Writing diversity statements without diversity is tricky.

do u know what is the meaning of 'minority status, economic issues, etc. that have affected your education'

As an international student you'd be a minority in the US. I don't know what your economic status is, but if you come from a low income family you can mention it (bonus points if you describe how you managed to overcome it to receive your education). The key question is whether or not your race/nationality/socioeconomic status has made it more difficult for you to receive an education.

[Robbie]

I'm working through the same type of thing right now.

For me it depends on the school and the phrasing of said "personal history" statement. A lot schools are pretty clearly looking for you to discuss minority status, economic issues, ect. that have affected your education. Being a white mid-upper class male, I don't have much of that, so I keep those personal statements relatively short and just talk about whats unique about my family and upbringing. I usually pull my "how I got into physics" comments from a more general personal statement and make them a bit more involved for a statement like this. As a result, my personal statements sometimes start with a little less of an introduction, but I think it turns out okay.

Writing diversity statements without diversity is tricky.

do u know what is the meaning of 'minority status, economic issues, etc. that have affected your education'

As an international student you'd be a minority in the US. I don't know what your economic status is, but if you come from a low income family you can mention it (bonus points if you describe how you managed to overcome it to receive your education). The key question is whether or not your race/nationality/socioeconomic status has made it more difficult for you to receive an education.

your reply is very helpful. do you know how important is PHS? I've heard that Chinese don't add to the diversity in the US 'cause there are too many Chinese, so PHS is completely nonsense, is that correct? How could the poorness and striving hard actually serve as bonus points?

[Robbie]

In this case, just separate your SOP into two parts:1. SOP should cover only your current goal, future research plan, and why and what you want to study at that university. All other personal background info should go to PHS.

I just found out that your answer sounds very right.