Personal Statement Reviews

What is a Personal Statement Review?

You will submit a draft of your Personal Statement, a document you have written for admission to a graduate or professional school program,  ICT, scholarships, fellowships, or other special programs. It is assigned to a Career Coach or Pre-Professional Graduate Assistant for review, and they will provide feedback by email.

There are three assignment submission options in the Canvas page: Graduate School Personal Statement, Intercollegiate Transfer Process Essay (ICT), and Pre-Health Personal Statement. Be sure to submit your document into the appropriate assignment tab, as it cannot be removed by TCC staff.  

You are eligible for one personal statement review per semester.

Who Can Submit a Personal Statement?

Current students, and recent alumni with active NetID.

NOTE FOR PRE-LAW STUDENTS: The Pre-Law Advising Services provides personal statement reviews for students applying to Law School. Please do not submit law school personal statements to The Career Center.

This service is open to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, or national origin. Reasonable accommodations are available upon request, please contact careercenter@illinois.edu.
Submission Guidelines and Rules
  • All submissions must be uploaded to the Career Center Personal Statement Reviews Course on Canvas.
  • There are three options for assignment submissions: Graduate School Personal Statement, Intercollegiate Transfer Process Essay (ICT), and Pre-Health Personal Statement. Be sure to submit your document into the appropriate assignment tab, as it cannot be removed by TCC staff.  
  • You are only allotted one review per semester.  
  • You may only submit one document per assignment. If multiple documents are submitted to an assignment, only the first submission will be reviewed.  
  • You will receive feedback within 3-5 business days from The Career Center. Longer review times may occur during breaks, holidays, or busy application periods, so plan accordingly.  
  • A business day is considered Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CST. Any assignment submitted after 5 p.m. will be considered the next business day.  
  • The service will only be available when class is in session. If class is not in session, it is not considered a business day for this service. If you have any questions, please reach out to careercenter@illinois.edu.  
  • You will receive your feedback for your submitted document via Canvas, where you can review and download the reviewed document.
What Feedback Should I Expect?
  • Average turnaround time for feedback is 3-5 business days (longer during breaks/holidays or busy application periods, so plan ahead!)
  • Our staff will not edit your statement or correct grammar; we will provide written feedback on content and themes, and provide recommendations to strengthen your statement.
  • For help with editing, grammar, spelling, and general writing support, please visit the University's Writer's Workshop.
  • You are welcome to make an appointment with your reviewer to discuss and clarify feedback.

Confidentiality Statement

*The Career Center is not a confidential resource. If you disclose contemplating harm to self or others or past experiences of harm (such as...but not limited to... self-harm, suicide ideation/threat, harassment, sexual assault, dating/domestic violence, etc.), our staff must follow university reporting guidelines and procedures. If you would like to speak to a confidential resource, here is a list of confidential resources for you to utilize:

Confidential Advisors @ WRC
(217) 333-3137
 
Counseling Center
(217) 333-3704
 
McKinley Health Center
(217) 333-2705
 
Rape Advocacy Counseling & Education Services (R.A.C.E.S.)
(217) 384-4444
 
Courage Connection (Domestic Violence)

(217) 384-4390

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