strategic communications personal statement

Graduate School Personal Statement

The graduate school personal statement is your chance to show the graduate committee what it would be like to have you in the department. Would you contribute positively to the program, work well with others, and have the necessary skills to undertake important research? Convince them you are worth the investment and that you’re a good match for their program through a compelling story that’s based on your concrete experiences .

If you are in a hurry, you can also check out this short video for quick tips.

1. Before you start

1.1. Reflect on your experiences and goals

Reflect on your experience, motivation, and research goals. What drives your research motivations, and how do your motivations link to your background and long-term goals?

Think beyond the technical space when brainstorming ideas for your personal statement. What do you care about and value—besides getting a higher-level degree? Include experiences that demonstrate your leadership, organization, and communication skills as well. Whether it’s growing up on a farm, mentoring high school students, or leading a robotics team, these experiences can be used to demonstrate motivation, commitment, and a good work ethic. These are attributes that can help you be successful in a research lab.

1.2. Do the research on your target program

To demonstrate how well you fit with the program, you must know what they value and what they are working toward. Each department has different goals and missions; some might value fundamental science, others engineering innovation, and others societal impact. Here are initial steps to take while researching a graduate program:

• Read the program’s website —specifically their mission statement. See what language they use to describe themselves, and echo that language in your personal statement. This is also a good place to see what kind of research is currently being performed. Looking at MIT NSE’s mission statement, what can we notice?

• Look up recent publications from your target research group (if you have one). The department’s website might not be up to date with any group’s new research directions. This will avoid the scenario where you express interest in working on a research project that has been abandoned.
• Get in contact with faculty in your target program. If you have had a positive discussion with someone at the department, describe how those interactions indicate that you will be a good match.
• State which professors in the program you would plan to work with and why their research interests you. Show how their research areas align with your background and your goals. You can even describe potential research directions or projects. This is even more effective if you have contacted the professor beforehand and spoken with them about the possibility of doing research for them. However, not naming a specific group of interest is not an automatic “reject.”

1.3. Consider your audience

A graduate committee will review your application and determine if you would make a successful graduate student in the department. Although the determination varies from committee to committee, the reviewers will be looking for the following criteria, which you should specifically address in your statement:

• Your ability to perform high-quality and independent research
• Your readiness to complete the expected coursework for your program
• Your likelihood to be a match in the department (ex: If you are currently in a physics program, you will need to explain why you’re seeking an advanced degree in nuclear engineering).

A graduate committee is usually composed of faculty from the program of interest—and may be the same people who will spend years working with you if you’re accepted. They more than likely have the following:

• A strong knowledge of the program’s general subject areas and familiarity with your proposed research area
• Familiarity with the academic setting and some courses, but not necessarily the courses you have taken
• Access to the rest of your application materials.

If applying to MIT’s Nuclear Science and Engineering department, you can assume your audience knows what a tokamak is, but you cannot expect (all of) them to know every component. Likewise, you need not list all of your courses but could emphasize one or two advanced subjects if they are relevant to your past and intended future research.

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2. Structure of a personal statement

As long as you stay within the specifications set by your target program, you have the freedom to structure your personal statement as you wish. Still, you can use the structure shown on the right as a loose guide for demonstrating match.

2.1. Create a personal narrative 

Build a personal narrative that ties together your personal history, experiences, and motivations. In addition to a few paragraphs (2-3) at the beginning of your statement, you can weave your motivation and goals throughout your document to create a cohesive story. This cements your identity into the minds of the graduate committee. If they remember you, they will be more likely to accept you!

When crafting a personal narrative, consider the following:

• What research directions are you passionate about, and why?
• Was there a moment that sparked your interest in your proposed field?
• What do you picture yourself doing in 10 years?

Keep these questions in mind as you are writing other sections of your personal statement.

2.2. Your Experiences

This section is typically 2-4 paragraphs long, with examples to illustrate your point. To decide which experiences to share, ask yourself these two questions: In which ways did this experience help me grow? Why should the review committee care? One common mistake is to describe an experience in great detail and then fail to translate it into relevant strengths that the committee would care about. Therefore, explicitly say what that experience means for your future goals, including your work as a graduate student.

2.3. Specific research interest  

Spend 1-2 paragraphs describing your research goals. Briefly summarize the projects you want to work on (and professors you’d like to work with, if applicable), and how those fit in with your experiences. Describe how your past experiences have prepared you for working on this new project in graduate school. If you’re already in graduate school, you can spend more time on this section, as it is also a part of your past experiences.

2.4. Career goals 

Finally, your long-term career goals should be a logical completion of the personal narrative you’ve built throughout the document, and usually takes up one paragraph. How will this graduate program fit into your future career? How will graduate school in general allow you to pursue these goals? Because your personal statement should show that you are a qualified match, describe how your goals overlap with those of the department or program. Your readers will not hold you to these goals, but they will see you are forward-thinking and have ambitions.

3. Maximize Effectiveness

3.1. use concrete examples.

Make your relevant experiences tangible by stating specific outcomes such as awards, discoveries, and publications. Whenever possible, try to quantify the experience. How many people were on your team? How many protocols did you develop? As a TA, how often did you meet with your students? Here are some examples of vague and concrete experiences:

3.2. Explain the meaning of your experiences

• Why was this experience important to your growth as a scientist?
• What did you gain from or demonstrate during that experience?
• How will this make you a better grad student?

Even if it feels obvious to you, you need to explicitly answer these questions to your audience. Here are some examples experiences that have been expanded to contain meaning:

4. Quick Tips and Additional Resources

• Read the prompt carefully. Each school is unique, and will have unique requirements for their applications. If anything in those requirements contradicts with advice you read here or elsewhere, go with the application guidelines. Make sure your document meets criteria for length, formatting, font, file type, etc. specified in the application, and answers any specific questions asked.
• Double check your spelling and grammar. A well-written statement demonstrates your communication skills, which are essential for success in graduate school.
• Triple check that you have the right program and avoid accidentally putting the name of another graduate school into the document. Also check for specific labs or professors that you have mentioned in other statements. Using the search feature of your text editor will catch whatever you miss.
• Seek feedback from someone who’s not familiar with your work. Departments are diverse and your statement should make sense to someone in your field but outside your specific research area.
• Be strategic with letters of references. Do not go to professors who you think will write you the most positive letters. Instead, go to those who can write about specific experiences that demonstrates the skills that you want to highlight in your application. Each letter should bring new and complementing insights into who you are as a student and researcher.
• Check out other resources , such as The Key to Successful Applications (a blog post from MIT Graduate Admissions) and Apply to Grad School from MIT’s Career Development and Professional Development (CAPD).

5. Annotated Examples

Here are examples of graduate school personal statements from students who have been accepted into MIT NSE. Note that prompts vary from program to program, and sometimes from year to year within the same department. Be sure to follow the prompt for your program and your application cycle.

To get started or receive feedback on your graduate school personal statement, make an appointment with one of us. We would love to help you!

Advice for Applying to Master's in Communication Programs

Admission Requirements for a Master’s in Communication Program

Advice for applying to master’s in communication programs, #1: every part of the application matters, #2: what schools look for in prospective students, #3: advice for completing your personal statement, #4: advice on requesting letters of recommendation, #5: apply early – do not wait to submit your application, concluding remarks.

Applying to a master’s degree program can be intimidating for even the most qualified individuals. These programs are often quite selective, with a strict list of requirements applicants must fulfill in order to be considered for admission. Typically, this means meeting certain thresholds in terms of past academic performance and professional experience, as well as providing thorough documentation proving one is a good fit for graduate-level instruction. Master’s in communication programs are no exception. Many have a rigorous selection process, and prospective students will need to stand out among their fellow applicants if they hope to be accepted.

In an effort to help students navigate the application process, and maximize their chances of admission, we spoke with faculty members from some of the top master’s in communication programs in the country to get their advice on the matter. They had plenty of tips to offer, including the top qualities to demonstrate in an application, what students should address in their personal statement, and how to best go about requesting letters of recommendation. Additional advice in this article comes from a panel discussion lead by four communication professors that took place during the Graduate Student Workshop at the Western States Communication Association’s 2018 annual convention in Santa Clara, California.

Read through all the advice these professors and faculty members had to share for applying to a master’s in communication program in the sections below.

The application process and admission requirements for a master’s in communication vary by program. In order to apply, students typically must complete and submit an application form to their school of choice, along with an associated fee, if required. Many programs only accept applicants with an undergraduate GPA over a certain threshold, such as a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 or 3.0. Most often, students are required to send in official transcripts from all previous postsecondary institutions to show they meet this GPA requirement or any other academic prerequisites. Along with this, schools may ask for a resume detailing relevant professional experience, and possibly contact information for one or more references.

Two major components required by most master’s in communication programs are a personal goal statement and letters of recommendation. The personal statement is a chance for students to discuss their qualifications and what they hope to achieve in the program, all while demonstrating they are adequately prepared for graduate-level study. This gives the admissions committee a better understanding of each applicant’s personality and passions, and ultimately, whether or not they would make a good fit for the particular program. Additionally, the personal statement essay provides applicants with a place to discuss any potential weaknesses in other aspects of their application, for example, their GPA or standardized tests scores. In certain cases, additional writing samples may be requested. Some schools also require an in-person, phone, or Skype interview with program faculty, or even ask students to record a video interview answering specific questions about their background and goals.

Along with a personal statement, it is common for programs to require one or more letters of recommendation as part of the application package. These are typically written by past professors or employers who can vouch for the applicant’s personal qualifications and aptitude. Depending on their particular focus, some programs may prefer or even require letters of recommendation from a certain type of reference. For example, programs designed to prepare students for doctoral studies in communication typically prefer recommendations from professors who can speak to an applicant’s ability to succeed at the graduate level. Whereas applied communication programs that require several years of experience often prefer recommendations from employers who can better speak to an applicant’s current professional strengths.

While some master’s in communication programs require students to submit GRE or GMAT test scores as part of the application process, many do not. Those that include the GRE as an admission requirement may also do so on a conditional basis, only requiring test scores from students who fail to meet other admission criteria, such as the minimum GPA threshold. Additionally, some programs might allow students to apply for a GRE waiver based on their professional experience or past academic achievements (such as already possessing a graduate degree in another field).

An example of a program that requires the GRE on a conditional basis is the Master of Science in Communication Management program at the University of North Florida (UNF), which asks applicants for standardized test scores if their undergraduate GPA is below a 3.0. John Parmelee, Ph.D., Chair of the Department of Communication at UNF, explains, “We are looking for applicants with a GPA of 3.0 or higher in all work attempted in the last 60 credit hours of undergraduate study. If it’s much lower than our usual standard of 3.0, applicants will need to provide additional evidence that they are ready for graduate school.” In this case, Dr. Parmelee says, “The additional evidence is their choice of one of the following: either a GRE score of at least 153 verbal, 144 quantitative or a GMAT minimum 500 total score.”

It is important that prospective students pay close attention to all admissions criteria when researching master’s in communication programs, as different program types and specializations may have different requirements. For example, academic or research-based programs, such as master’s degrees in communication studies or interpersonal communication, often require the GRE, while applied communication programs, which focus on career-oriented specialties like technical communication and strategic communication, generally do not.

Many programs also have selective admission policies, meaning that even if students meet the requirements for admission, they may not be accepted to the program. Some might be highly competitive, and only enroll a small number of students each year, which in some cases may be as few as six to 10. That means only a small fraction of the students who submit applications will be accepted to the program, so a particularly strong personal statement or letter of recommendation could be the difference between being accepted and not getting into the program.

When applying to a master’s in communication program, it is important that students place equal weight on every aspect of their application. Many of the professors we interviewed stressed that they evaluate applicants holistically, taking each component of a student’s application into careful consideration when deciding who to accept. As the Director of Graduate Study for the Department of Communication at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Leanne Knobloch, Ph.D. explains, “We evaluate students based on their application as a whole (taking into account undergraduate grades and coursework, career goals, research experience, personal statement, writing sample, GRE scores, and letters of recommendation).” She adds, “We are looking for students who are prepared for graduate-level work and have given considerable thought to their career goals. Ideal candidates spell out in their personal statement why they are interested in our department and how their interests fit with our expertise.”

We are looking for students who are prepared for graduate-level work and have given considerable thought to their career goals. Ideal candidates spell out in their personal statement why they are interested in our department and how their interests fit with our expertise.

Dr. Leanne Knobloch – University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Professor Wendy Zajack, MBA, Faculty Director for the Master of Professional Studies in Integrated Marketing Communications and Design Management and Communications Programs in the School of Continuing Studies at Georgetown University, echoes these statements. “We holistically review applications so we like to see a combination of things from our students,” she says. These include, “1) a good undergraduate academic performance 2) excellent and relevant work experience – we like to see at least a year of working experience (or amazing internships). We have an opportunity to submit work samples – so please do! and 3) an application that really helps us understand why our IMC program is of interest to you and fits your career goals. This could include looking through our list of courses and letting us know which ones you are excited about, as well as an explanation of your career aspirations.”

To help get a better understanding of both the program itself and what admissions staff look for in applicants, Bernardo Alexander Attias, Ph.D., Graduate Coordinator for the Department of Communication Studies at California State University, Northridge, recommends students reach out to school faculty early on in the research process. “It’s a good idea to contact the Graduate Coordinator to find out more about whether this program meets your needs,’ he says. “It’s important to understand what you want out of a graduate program before you decide which ones to apply to.” When it comes time to submit an application, Dr. Attias stresses, “It should be clear from your personal statement that the coursework and program that we offer helps you advance your own personal and professional goals.”

Simply meeting the admission requirements for a master’s in communication program may not always be enough to secure one’s admittance. As discussed earlier, these programs often have selective admissions policies, meaning students will need to submit a noteworthy application if they hope to be accepted. Many of the faculty members we interviewed made it clear they look for well-rounded applicants, who display not only academic prowess, but an excitement about the particular program of study and where it might take their career. This is typically communicated to the selection committee through the personal goal statement and any long-form questions on the application itself, as well as through interviews with faculty members, if required during the application process. In order to stand out from the other applicants, it is important to make sure every component of one’s application demonstrates they are ready and eager to succeed in the specific master’s program they are applying to.

According to the faculty members we spoke with, here are some qualities students should be sure to demonstrate in their application:

• A passion for academic endeavors (such as any extracurricular activities)
• Maturity and collegiality
• Alignment with program goals
• Readiness for graduate school
• Intellectual curiosity, inquisitiveness (a readiness to to think, not just read and write)
• Excellent writing skills

Athena du Pré, Ph.D. has reviewed countless applications in her role as Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Communication at the University of West Florida. When it comes to choosing the ideal candidate, she says, “Our top priorities are evidence of academic or professional achievement and personal goals that would be well served by our curriculum.” Additionally, Dr. du Pré mentions her department looks for applicants who communicate well and show enthusiasm for the program. “We put a premium on good writing skills and inquisitiveness,” she adds. “Because this is an action-oriented program, we favor applicants who are interested in getting involved and being part of a team.”

Students who have a clear idea of what they want to do with their degree often make the best students and have the most success. An application that demonstrates both passion and clear goals gets noticed.

Dr. Rocky Dailey – South Dakota State University

This motivation to learn and excel, both in the program and professionally, is a major factor schools look for in master’s in communication applicants. Rocky Dailey, Ed.D., Online Graduate Advisor in the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at South Dakota State University, explains, “We look for students ready to take the next step with their professional mass communication career, so we want highly motivated individuals who come in with some professional experience to build off of.” In their application, students should be sure to convey exactly how they plan to use what they learn in the program to further their careers after graduation. According to Dr. Dailey, “Students who have a clear idea of what they want to do with their degree often make the best students and have the most success. An application that demonstrates both passion and clear goals gets noticed.”

Meina Liu, Ph.D. is the Graduate Director for the Master of Arts in Communication Management Program at The George Washington University. She too stresses the importance of illustrating exactly how one’s goals align with that of the program. “The Graduate Studies Committee reviews applications by looking at the entire package rather than one specific aspect,” says Dr. Liu. “Our MA students come from a variety of academic backgrounds, including international affairs, economics, organizational sciences, political communication, strategic communication, mass communication, women’s studies, and so on.” No matter their particular background, Dr. Liu explains, “In general, applicants that articulate a good fit between their backgrounds/interests and what our program offers are given more serious consideration than those that write a generic essay. For example, a student who describes how the program’s course offerings may help advance his or her career goals is considered to have a stronger fit and motivation than a student seeking a career in journalism.”

Due to their often interdisciplinary nature, master’s in communication programs tend to draw applicants with a wide range of industry backgrounds. While professional experience is something selection committees consider when reviewing applications, they typically place less weight on one’s specific area of expertise, and more on what students hope to achieve through the degree program. Paula Weissman, Ph.D., Program Director for the Online MA in Strategic Communication at American University, says, “We take a holistic approach to reviewing applications. All factors, including previous academic experience, professional experience, letters of recommendation, and the personal essay are considered.” As for the ideal candidate, Dr. Weissman explains, “Some students already have substantial experience in the communications industry; others are experienced in other areas, but looking to make a career switch; and a smaller number are still quite early on in their careers. We look for strong students who have a demonstrated passion for learning more about strategic communication and clear career goals that align with our degree program.”

Above all, most master’s in communication programs are looking for students who display a passion to succeed both in and out of the classroom. This enthusiasm for learning and furthering one’s career is exactly what John McArthur, Ph.D., Director of Graduate Programs at the James L. Knight School of Communication at Queens University of Charlotte, hopes to find in applicants to the school’s online Master of Arts in Communication program. “At Queens, our typical students have a passion for the study of communication as a way to advance their careers in their selected industries,” Dr. McArthur explains. “We have a diverse mix of seasoned professionals who are advancing their careers and recent undergraduates who are just starting to find their place.” In his opinion, “The optimal applicant is one who can match his or her interests to the goals of our program and demonstrates the personal motivation to succeed as an online learner. Our students are practitioners AND scholars, concerned about their own development AND the development of their classmates, and ready to learn AND be a part of a vibrant community.”

One of the best ways applicants to a master’s in communication program can convey their personality, passion, and goals to the admissions committee is through their personal statement essay. This portion of the application is when students have a chance to show admissions faculty who they are as a person, and why they think they would make a good fit for the program. Transcripts and resumes only tell part of the story; schools want to know exactly what applicants hope to achieve through graduate study, as well as how these goals line up specifically with what their program has to offer. The personal statement essay is also an opportunity for students to display their writing skills, discuss any weaknesses in their qualifications, and elaborate on achievements or other elements of their background outlined elsewhere in the application.

Here are the top tips our interviewees had to offer for writing an effective and impactful personal statement essay:

• Be authentic
• Research the program
• Describe your goals
• Detail how the program will help you achieve them
• Be an excellent communicator
• Proofread carefully
• Demonstrate maturity

Before students sit down to write their personal statement essay, it is important that they have thoroughly researched the program they are applying to, and are prepared to explain exactly how the curriculum aligns with their academic and professional aspirations. Rebekah Farrugia, Ph.D., Graduate Program Director for the Department of Communication and Journalism at Oakland University, says, “We encourage students applying to our MA program to do their research and take their time when crafting their Statement of Purpose.” As for the essay itself, Dr. Farrugia stresses, “It should clearly indicate why they believe that they are a good fit for our program and how their interests and goals align with our program offerings.”

In your personal statement, tell us why you want to join our master’s program. Ours specifically, not why you want to join a master’s program.

Dr. Christopher Bell – University of Colorado Colorado Springs

Another faculty member we interviewed who emphasized the importance of proper research is Magdelana Red, Ph.D., who works as the Academic Director for the Master of Arts in Communication Management Program at the University of Denver’s University College. “It sounds simple, but I love to see applications that show how students see themselves contributing to and benefitting from the MA in Communication Management,” she notes. “A strong grasp of how they’ll fit into the program (or, how they’ll get the most out of it!) demonstrates that they’ve done their homework, see the unique value proposition that we provide, and are committed to making a contribution to our community.”

According to Christopher Bell, Ph.D., the Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Communication at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, there are several questions students should address in their essay to show they have done the research and truly believe the program is right for them. “In your personal statement, tell us why you want to join our master’s program. Ours specifically , not why you want to join a master’s program,” he explains. “What is it about our specific program that excites you? What do you plan to study, keeping in mind that’s often going to change over the course of your time here. Whom among our professors are you looking toward working with? What are your plans for after you complete the program?” Ultimately, Dr. Bell says, “We want to know who you are, what you want to study, and why you’re choosing us. That will help us determine if we’re also choosing you.”

When it comes time to craft the statement essay, Karrin Vasby Anderson, Ph.D. from Colorado State University Fort Collins, who spoke at the Western States Communication Association’s (WSCA) 2018 annual convention, says students should be authentic and use simple declarative statements, avoiding effusive language that may read as unprofessional. Along with tailoring their personal statement to the program itself, Dr. Anderson recommends applicants highlight their professional goals and ambitions, while describing in detail how the program will help them reach these objectives. Her fellow panel member, Teresa Bergman, Ph.D., a professor at the University of the Pacific, also stressed the importance of being open and genuine in one’s goal essay, even if that means stating you are unsure about your career aspirations, but excited and open to the possibilities the program might lead to. By being as honest as possible in their personal statement, applicants can better help schools determine if they would make a good fit for the program, or ultimately be unhappy in the course of study.

Robert DeChaine, Ph.D. from California State University, Los Angeles, another speaker at the WSCA convention, emphasizes that the personal statement essay should not just be a laundry list of talents or accomplishments. Instead, he recommends applicants provide an account of their personal interests and passions, and not try to impress admissions staff with their knowledge in the field. For many schools, the way in which the essay is written is just as important as the content itself. The fourth member of the Graduate Student Workshop panel, Margaret Pitts, Ph.D., who teaches at the University of Arizona, says students should strive to be concise and display excellent communication skills in their personal statement. In particular, she likes essays that directly outline the applicant’s direction, the types of approaches they will use in the program, and who specifically (i.e. which faculty members) they hope to work with during their studies.

Of course, several of the faculty members we interviewed also recommend applicants try to make explicit connections between their professional experience and the program itself in their personal essay. For example, Judy Foster Davis, Ph.D., Chair of the Faculty Committee for the Master of Science in Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) Program at Eastern Michigan University, suggests students applying to the program “highlight their experience connecting with customers – such as any projects in which they created customer engagement by incorporating effective contact points that provide a setting for interactive communication; or created a seamless experience for customers to interact with a brand by melding elements of marketing and/or communication across various channels to act as one unified force.” In addition to this, she says, “Displaying their understanding of the importance of branding, customer relationships, public relations, and target marketing will make for a strong application.”

Graduate school is a significantly different experience from undergraduate. It requires dedication and focus. So we’re looking for students who are mature and committed to learning about human communication, have the intellectual capability for graduate-level work, and have the drive to grow into independent thinkers.

Dr. Hye-ryeon Lee – University of Hawaii at Manoa

Along with detailing any relevant work experience, students should use their personal essay to demonstrate they are adequately prepared for the rigors of a master’s program. Director of Graduate Studies and a Professor in the Department of Communicology at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, Hye-ryeon Lee, Ph.D. offers this advice, “In our program, we look at several key things. First, we’re looking at your academic capability,” she explains. “Graduate school is a significantly different experience from undergraduate. It requires dedication and focus. So we’re looking for students who are mature and committed to learning about human communication, have the intellectual capability for graduate-level work, and have the drive to grow into independent thinkers.” As for the personal statement, Dr. Lee says, “You want to describe the experiences you have had and your achievements that can give us the confidence in your intellectual capability to handle the courses and projects.” She adds, “Our program is also quite demanding, so you need to have that ‘fire in the belly,’ meaning that you really care about what we study, and about understanding human communication processes.”

For Dr. Lee, ideal candidates for UH Manoa’s Master of Arts in Communicology program are those that exhibit a genuine enthusiasm towards learning. “Whatever you can do to show that you have that passion and that you’re not coming to our program simply because you didn’t know what to do after graduation is helpful to illustrate in your application,” she notes. “You should show us that this field is something that is intensely interesting to you, and that you are ready to give your all to try to study and understand and further your knowledge about how human communication processes work.”

Above all, students should see their personal statement essay as a chance to speak directly to the program faculty evaluating their application. “For your personal statement, use it as your opportunity to really talk to the admissions committee,” says Cylor Spaulding, Ph.D., Faculty Director for the Master of Professional Studies in Public Relations and Corporate Communications Program at Georgetown University. “Our committee meets almost every week for several hours to sit down and go through the applications that have come in at that time. We try to get a sense of each person’s experiences, goals, work ethic, and personality as represented on the page. So, put your best foot forward in your personal statement.”

Dr. Spaulding also suggests prospective students use their personal essay to address any potential weak spots in their application. “I would say even if you had a bad semester at some point in your undergraduate career, address that in your personal statement. Explain to the committee what was going on, because we really do look at students holistically,” he says. “If you don’t have that background in public relations, it’s not necessarily a deal breaker. But make a good case for yourself as to why this is what you want to do. We want to see what the end goal is.”

My best advice… edit. Second best piece of advice… edit again.

Dr. Michael G. Strawser – Bellarmine University

Once the personal statement is complete, students should be sure to meticulously proofread their essay multiple times to ensure there are no mistakes or omissions. “My best advice… edit. Second best piece of advice… edit again,” says Michael Strawser, Ph.D., Director of Graduate Programs for the School of Communication at Bellarmine University. “Applications with typos, spelling errors and/or mechanical/grammatical mistakes show the committee a red flag.” A strong attention to detail will not only improve the overall quality of the essay, but show admissions staff that you are taking the application seriously, and diligent about getting a spot in the program. “I am a big believer (and I hate to be cliché) in grit,” Dr. Strawser adds. “Meaning, when I read your personal statement I want to know that you are passionate about communication and will persevere through the program.”

It is typical for a master’s in communication program to ask applicants to submit several references or letters of recommendation as part of the application process. This is so admissions staff can get a better idea of each student’s personality and work ethic from people who know them firsthand, as well as corroborate certain aspects of their academic or professional background. Positive recommendations that speak enthusiastically about an applicant’s strengths and potential, while reinforcing the qualifications outlined elsewhere in their application, can help bolster one’s chances of being accepted into their program of interest, especially if the selection process is competitive.

In most cases, these letters of recommendation come from either previous instructors or employers. Some schools might explicitly require one or the other, asking for academic references over professional ones, or vice versa. Others may prefer a certain type of reference based on the program’s focus or an applicant’s background. For example, if the person applying has been out of school for a significant period of time, a recent employer may be better able to speak to their qualifications than their last professor. On the other hand, academic or research-based master’s programs often prefer letters of recommendation from undergraduate faculty members as opposed to past employers. Students interested in applying to a master’s in communication program should reach out to admissions staff beforehand to find out which type of reference is preferred.

During the Graduate Student Workshop at WSCA, Dr. Anderson, Dr. Bergman, Dr. DeChaine and Dr. Pitts also had advice for students regarding letters of recommendation. Their advice is summarized below along with information from our faculty interviews.

To get the most effective recommendations possible, students should ask for letters from people they currently know, who can speak to the kind of person they are and work they are doing at the time of application. The faculty members we interviewed also stressed the importance of selecting references that can touch on personal qualities and refer to specifics in their reference letter, meaning they should be someone who knows the applicant well. “Good letters of recommendation from people who actually know you and your work always helps,” explains Dr. Spaulding from Georgetown University. “Generic letters of recommendation are fine, but they really don’t speak to your characteristics. So even if it’s not a professor, but it’s a supervisor or someone who knows you a little better and can actually speak to why this program is a good fit for you, and what you could bring to the program, goes a long way towards selling yourself in the application.”

I highly recommend that students form relationships with their instructors and maximize their efforts at the undergraduate level to ensure strong references when applying to MA programs.

Dr. Rebekah Farrugia – Oakland University

When requesting letters of recommendation from instructors or professors, it is important for students to choose faculty members they have a close relationship with, who can address their academic prowess and potential in detail. “I highly recommend that students form relationships with their instructors and maximize their efforts at the undergraduate level to ensure strong references when applying to MA programs,” says Dr. Farrugia from Oakland University.

One way to go about this is to approach professors and tell them you are considering pursuing a master’s degree, then ask if they would be willing to have a conversation about graduate school. Tell them what you hope to achieve through your master’s studies and ask questions about different program options or the admissions process. When it comes time to ask for a letter of recommendation, they will know more about you personally and hopefully be inspired to help. Additionally, while this may not be possible for every student, if you can find professors who know faculty at the programs you are applying to, their recommendations may carry more weight, as the admissions committee will know the quality of students he or she recommends. The same goes for recommendations from professors with connections to your school or program of interest, for example, an alumnus of the program who knows exactly what it takes to succeed in that particular course of study, and can discuss why you would be a good fit.

Finally, while this may seem obvious, be sure to ask any prospective reference if they can provide you with a positive reference tailored to you specifically, not just a generic or neutral letter of recommendation. If they are unable to do so, try another instructor or faculty member.

Whether academic or professional, Kevin Meyer, Ph.D., Graduate Coordinator for the School of Communication at Illinois State University, encourages students to seek out references who have gone to graduate school themselves, and understand the importance of a strong recommendation letter. “I generally advise applicants to seek letters of recommendation from those who have attended a graduate program themselves,” he says. “These letters from faculty tend to be longer and more detailed than those from other recommenders, often speak to the academic and scholarly potential of the applicant (something the selection committee wants to know), and carry the credibility of coming from someone who knows what it takes to succeed in graduate studies.”

In order to give program faculty ample time to review one’s application, students should be sure to submit their documents as soon as possible. Several of the faculty members we interviewed warned against waiting until the deadline, as it can be harder to stand out among the sea of applications submitted at that time. Furthermore, some master’s in communication programs have rolling admission policies. This means they accept applications over a long period of time and review candidates throughout, instead of waiting for a particular deadline to make their decision. In these cases, it is possible for the program to reach enrollment capacity even before the actual application deadline. Students who are accepted after enrollment is full for a given start date typically must wait for the next start date in order to begin the program.

According to Dr. Meyer, submitting one’s application materials early is important because it gives admissions staff more time to get to know a candidate. “I always encourage applicants to have their files complete and submitted weeks before the deadline,” he explains. “The more time the selection committee can spend with a file before being inundated with a stack of materials at the deadline, the more opportunity there is for committee members to fall in love with a file.”

MastersinCommunications.com wants to thank all of the faculty we interviewed, and Dr. Anderson, Dr. Bergman, Dr. DeChaine and Dr. Pitts for their excellent advice on applying to a Master’s in Communication program. We hope this article helps prospective students who are currently in the application process or considering a graduate program in the field.

Postgraduate Personal Statement Example: Communication

Reading examples of personal statements can be valuable when applying to a university or college course. After all, personal statement examples can teach you how to write and structure your application, and you can quickly learn how to write a personal statement by examining others.

But with so many university personal statement examples available, how do you know if you’re reading a good one?

Postgraduate personal statements should highlight relevant academic and practical experience, research skills and ambitions and their suitability for the course. This postgraduate personal statement example for Communication clearly illustrates these three critical elements.

Studying Master’s degree personal statement examples can be especially valuable. They’re sometimes referred to as personal mission statements or statements of purpose , so if you’re tasked with writing a personal mission statement, the following example will work for you.

I’ve broken down this personal statement example section by section, with a commentary on each element. 

That way, you’ll see its strengths and weaknesses and get some inspiration for your own personal statement .

Once you’ve read the personal statement example and analysis, you’ll be able to download a pdf of the whole document, to use as inspiration for your own!

Personal Statement Example: Introduction

“The power and value attached to the tools and processes of mass communication are incredible, to the extent that the exchange of ideas through digital media fills our lives. Contemporary social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook spread information and knowledge that affects everyone, impacting our unconscious thoughts and behaviours. 

As a graduate student of Communication, I aim to examine the strategies used in digital communications and understand how meaning is absorbed and actioned. I aim to continually acquire new skills, broaden my knowledge and meet new challenges. This philosophy motivates my decision to pursue a graduate degree in Communication and increase my competitive and professional edge.”

Commentary and Analysis 

The start of this personal statement is positive and immediately connects with the content and nature of the course, which is ideal. The writer also offers some opinion, although it’s uninformed and lacks a specific reference or source.

By writing “As a graduate student of Communication”, the applicant links themselves with the course in the reader’s mind. That’s a sophisticated approach that works well. There’s a general justification for the degree, but with no specific detail about a career plan or particular aspect of the course that would be of value.

If you’re struggling with your personal statement introduction, check out my article on how to write perfect opening paragraphs here .

Personal Statement Example: Academic Background

“Studying Management as an undergraduate, I understood how vital internal and external communication is to a business. Keen to develop this knowledge further, I intend to learn more about persuading an audience to receive messages and act accordingly. My academic management experience will be of direct value to courses such as Marketing, Ethical Business, HR Management and Labour Relations because it’s essential to understand an organisation’s context when formulating communication strategies. 

The undergraduate curriculum offered me numerous individual and group work opportunities, and these improved my academic writing, critical thinking and collaborative skills. Responsible for coordinating the division of work within a group, I established each member’s skills and allocated roles, allowing us to complete assignments successfully. Consequently, I learned to embrace the diversity of team members’ views and realised the importance of two-way communication and active listening. 

To add to my academic preparedness for this graduate course, I also completed two online courses in Communication on Coursera. This added to my in-depth knowledge of this challenging discipline and reconfirmed my desire to study this subject.”

Commentary and Analysis

This section outlining the writer’s academic background begins well. They have connected their undergraduate studies in Management with the focus of the master’s course, linking their experience with the course content. They’ve also referenced several of the modules in the postgraduate course, deepening their connection and showing the reader that they understand the course content.

They’ve also mentioned the opportunities for collaborative work gained as an undergraduate and implied that it would be of value to the postgraduate course. However, little detail shows the reader precisely what the quality or learning outcomes of these experiences were or what the writer gained in the way of tangible skills. It doesn’t connect the group work with specific elements of the master’s course, which is a missed opportunity.

Adding that additional skills were gained by taking extra courses shows a reasonable degree of independent learning and ambition. Again, it would be more effective to directly link the learning outcomes of the online courses with specific aspects of the master’s course, to strengthen the sense of connection and suitability.

If you’d like to learn more about how to structure your personal statement or statement of purpose , check out my awesome Personal Statement Template eBook here . It’s full of detailed examples of what to include!

Personal Statement Example: Practical Experience 1

“As a promotions assistant for a clothing studio, I run the official WeChat account. Having completed online courses in photo editing, I publish push articles on the official account, introducing product brand stories. One of our new lines was rooted in the goal of racial equality and used continental plate imagery as a concept, which I found very impressive. The brand hopes to call for racial equality through fashion, and I worked hard to plan a social campaign linking critical aspects of racial discrimination with potential cultural solutions. 

However, when I received the final details for content writing, I realised the design did not cover every country or follow the world map. I felt that this was a serious issue, so after communicating with the design team and the supervisor, I decided to add “only part of the plate shapes are captured, including design factors and non-political stance issues” as a statement in the post, helping the brand avoid potentially negative political responses and generating new interest and understanding in the audience.”

The first paragraph outlining the writer’s practical experience gives their application a sense of context, which is valuable. There’s a clear sense of professional connection with the course and a degree of subject-specific vocabulary, which is a positive. It’s very descriptive, however, outlining what was done but not what was learned or how it relates to the demands of the master’s degree, which should also be included.

The second paragraph shows motivation, clarity of vision, an understanding of professional communication strategies and some ethical integrity. It then needs additional content related to the course the writer is applying to, or the full value of this experience is lost.

Check out lots more examples of personal statements here , and see how they can inspire your application!

Personal Statement Example: Practical Experience 2

“During my experience assisting a fashion live-streamer, I witnessed the power of communication in live-streaming commerce. The live-streamer posts videos and pictures on social media platforms such as TikTok, while other viewers comment with feedback. After these communications, they build a relationship with that creator, become her followers and recognise her as an influencer. 

When the creator live-streams related products, they are more likely to reach an agreement with her and tend to view the products she recommends as in line with their own standards. She has learned how to engage, lead and compel an audience and, subsequently, how to capitalise on that process, which is reflective of the kind of power and profitability that an in-depth knowledge of contemporary communication strategies brings. 

In summarising and feeding back follower engagement, I improved my ability to extract meaningful information from qualitative data. Additionally, communicating with customers and offering them solutions enhanced my capacity for empathy, which is a highly effective communication tool.”

Commentary and Analysis: 

This section of the writer’s personal statement shows they have experience with contemporary social media marketing strategies, illustrating a sound knowledge base.  There’s a substantial range of relevant vocabulary in use and a sense that the writer is aware of the knowledge they want to improve on as a graduate student.

The content is mainly descriptive of the writer’s experience. While aspects such as qualitative data analysis are valuable, there’s minimal discussion of why this experience or knowledge is relevant to specific parts of the course they are applying for.

The writer hasn’t clarified why empathy will be a valuable skill in the course or how the course will help them meet a specific goal in relation to this content.

The one thing that all successful personal statements have in common is that they are concise, engaging and accurate in spelling, punctuation and grammar. Consequently, I always recommend Grammarly to my students and clients. 

It’s an outstanding tool for ensuring your personal statement is rich with detail whilst hitting those all-important word limits. Check out the free version of Grammarly here , or hit the banner for more information.

Personal Statement Example: Conclusion

“PLFU is an internationally renowned and culturally diverse university offering excellent teaching resources and high-profile, influential faculty staff. This, combined with a professionally and culturally diverse set of peers, provides an academically stimulating environment to draw on my experiences and gain new skills and networks. Providing students with the opportunity to apply for mentorship and internships at some of the top communication businesses in the field is another factor behind my application, as this will enable me to put prior learning into practice in real-world contexts. Additionally, studying Communication will help me strengthen my professional capabilities and increase my work prospects in the media, public relations and advertising fields, in which graduate-level data collection and analysis skills are vital.

A skilled PR role necessitates formulating communication strategies and building and maintaining strong relationships with major media. These skills can be acquired through PLFU’s rich curriculum, which includes courses on Audience Analysis, Crisis Management and Public Relations Campaigns and Cases. I look forward to developing my understanding of communication strategies and building professional skills within your respected faculty.”

This conclusion starts well. There’s a clear and concise rationale for why the candidate is keen to study this course and a sense that they have researched the faculty more broadly. The writer has also connected the value of the course to their career goals, linking to specific modules, which is an excellent strategy. 

No particular faculty members or teaching staff have been identified, and there’s no sense of wanting to participate in ongoing research projects or working with specific professors. That’s important for a postgraduate application, so don’t omit it. There’s no tangible explanation of how this candidate plans to contribute to the broader life of the university or how they will add value to the faculty. 

Overall, this personal statement clearly connects with the subject and gives the reader confidence that the writer is articulate and has researched the course. 

However, a deeper sense of the value of those experiences and a greater connection to specific elements of the course would strengthen it, as would more informed reasons for wanting to study this particular course. Including specific and relevant career aims and outlining a greater sense of the qualities they would bring to the faculty would also strengthen this application.

For more great advice, check out my article on writing an excellent final personal statement paragraph here .

Click here or on the banner below to get your free download of this complete personal statement example . 

Whether you’re looking for personal mission statement examples or an example of personal purpose statement, I hope this personal statement example has been helpful. Above all, I wish you every success in your academic career. 

If you’d like to work with me to develop your personal statement 1:1 and write a powerful mission statement, I’d be delighted to hear from you. 

Find out about my personal statement support services by clicking here or on the image below.

Research and content verified by Personal Statement Planet .

David Hallen

I've worked in the Further Education and University Admissions sector for nearly 20 years as a teacher, department head, Head of Sixth Form, UCAS Admissions Advisor, UK Centre Lead and freelance personal statement advisor, editor and writer. And now I'm here for you...

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Strategic Communication, MA

• Program description
• At a glance
• Degree requirements
• Admission requirements
• Tuition information
• Application deadlines
• Global opportunities
• Career opportunities
• Contact information

Communication, Content Marketing, Content Strategy, Media Relations, Public Engagement, Public Relations, Social media, Sports Public Relations, Strategic, media, video

Anyone can create content, but few can tell captivating stories that strategically connect messages to key audiences. Learn how to harness digital media techniques, public relations, data and content strategy to create communication campaigns that make a difference.

Students in the MA program in strategic communication gain the media skills, techniques, critical thinking skills and leadership capacity to advance careers across media and communication in agencies, sports, corporations, government agencies and nonprofit organizations.

Students develop the ability to strategically address communication challenges through courses in strategy development, research methods, content creation, crisis communication, ethics, campaign planning and others; courses in communication management, leadership, project management and finance help learners become leaders.

Students begin their experience by developing foundations in communication history, theory and ethics. An emphasis on content creation prepares students to produce both traditional public relations campaigns, persuasive writing and media relations plans, as well as innovative strategic content including client-video storytelling and digital content hubs. Then, via the school's teaching hospital model, students receive immersive, hands-on training in advanced tools, progressive techniques, and real client work across a faculty-led, student-run agency.

• College/school: Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Comm
• Location: Downtown Phoenix

30 credit hours including the required capstone course (MCO 570)

Required Core (18 credit hours) MCO 502 Journalism Skills (8) MCO 504 Cronkite Master's Seminar (1) MCO 506 Media Law for Strategic Communication (3) MCO 519 Strategic Communications Leadership and Ethics (3) MCO 525 21st Century Media Organization and Entrepreneurship (3)

Other Requirements (3 credit hours) MCO 537 Strategic Communications Writing (3) or MCO 561 Defining the Digital Audience (3)

Electives (6 credit hours)

Culminating Experience (3 credit hours) MCO 570 Master of Mass Communication Capstone (3)

Additional Curriculum Information Elective courses should be selected in consultation with the program advisor; some courses require department approval.

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in a related field from a regionally accredited institution.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of a student's first bachelor's degree program, or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.

Applicants are required to submit:

• graduate admissions application and application fee
• official transcripts
• three letters of recommendation
• professional resume
• personal statement
• proof of English proficiency

Additional Application Information An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency. Applicants must achieve a score of 100 or better on the TOEFL iBT, taken in a testing center. Similar English proficiency scores from other exams may be considered. ASU Global Launch does not satisfy this requirement.

Applicants should provide a 300- to 500-word statement describing their interest in strategic communication, their career goals, and how previous work and academic experience have prepared the student for success.

Students may use elective course slots to participate in applicable Global Education experiences and international internships. Students also may work with international clients at the capstone level.

Content creation and campaign strategy skills are in high demand across the media industries. Many strategic communicators pursue careers in agency or corporate environments, while others leverage their skills in work with multiple clients or as media entrepreneurs.

Graduates possess skills that are transferable across communications fields and organizations, including:

• athletic teams
• colleges and universities
• communication agencies
• government agencies and political groups
• nonprofit organizations
• public relations firms
• retail and hospitality brands

Graduates can apply their advanced media skills to a variety of roles, including:

• brand storytellers
• community engagement specialists
• content creators
• digital strategists
• media executives
• media relations specialists
• PR professionals
• strategic communications leaders

Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Comm | CRONK 302 [email protected] 602-496-5555 Admission deadlines

All About Universities

SOP for Journal...

SOP for Journalism: How to Write a Statement of Purpose for Journalism, Mass Communication, or Media Studies?

Do you have a background in communication sciences, social sciences, or literature? Do you aspire to pursue an MA/MSc in Journalism and Mass Communication or Media Studies abroad? Writing an effective SOP plays a crucial role in the initial steps of the application process for some of the top media schools like Amsterdam, Southern California, and LSE.

Media schools assess capabilities like critical thinking and creativity through writing samples, along with communication skills evident in your portfolios. Similarly, the capabilities of an appropriate candidate are highlighted through your statement of purpose for journalism.

But how do you write an effective statement of purpose for a mass communication program? Connect with Yocket Counsellors , and they will help you with everything that comes along the way! Get personalized assistance on your SOP, LOR, and application process and get it all sorted.

Read ahead to understand the intricate facets of a good SOP for journalism.

How to Draft an SOP for Mass Communication, Journalism, and Media Studies?

To start writing your statement of purpose for a mass communication sample, brainstorm, free-write, and collect your thoughts. Your SOP should dive into relevant life experiences, academic and professional background (if applicable), career goals, co-curricular activities, volunteering/community involvement, and more. Get more information at Yocket’s SOP Builder.

So, refer to the effective guidelines given below to draft a stellar SOP for mass communication, journalism, and media studies programs:

Introduction

What motivated you to choose Journalism, Mass Communication, and Media Studies as your interests? What is the strongest experience that led you to choose this field? For example, a community event in your neighborhood was misrepresented in the media, or a progressive children’s campaign against abuse did not get any coverage in your national media. Depict how this formative experience provoked a thought for you and eventually translated into your passion for Journalism, Mass Communication, and Media Studies.

• Begin your introduction with an attention-grabbing experience that is evocative of your journey into the field.
• Alternatively, you can also begin with a research problem statement that you consider exploring in your future Journalism, Mass Communication, and Media Studies programs.
• This is because some programs directly seek an SOP for mass communication that is more of a research proposal than it is otherwise.

Second Paragraph

Building on the onset of interest in Journalism, Mass Communications, and Media Studies, discuss relevant academic and life experiences that have augmented this interest. How has each of these experiences impacted your thought process, streamlined it, or transformed it?

• Here, you can discuss relevant undergraduate experiences or courses in which you developed a particular interest.
• For example, you must have developed Journalism, Mass Communications, Media Studies, or Media Psychology.
• Touch upon a few course specifics and how these led you to develop your portfolio and inspired to work on projects relevant to these interests.
• You can discuss interesting projects you have worked on or relevant co-curricular experiences worth sharing. Make sure that your experiences align with your interest in the Journalism, Communications, and Media Studies program you’re applying for.

Third Paragraph

Have you faced any setbacks in your academics? You can mention that if you just made the cut or have fewer scores.

• Have you faced any other unique challenges or setbacks that have redefined your perspectives or interests?
• How did you overcome these challenges, and what is/are the positive outcomes of these experiences?
• It’s essential to reflect on the lessons from these experiences to underscore your resilience. To learn more about how to make your SOP stand out, schedule a free consultation call with Yocket’s experts. 

Fourth Paragraph

You can discuss extracurriculars in this paragraph. Remember that universities are interested in learning more than just academics. So, go ahead and speak about your hobbies, social work, volunteering, etc. here. You can also discuss workshops or certifications that you have taken to upgrade your skills.

Fifth Paragraph

If you have work experience, add it here. If you do not have work experience, you can also discuss your internship experiences, reflecting on your specific learnings and take-aways. Identify a knowledge gap or the need for you to go for an MA/MSc in Journalism, Communications, and Media Studies.

• How has the work experience/s influenced your career goals? Why do you wish to go for an MA/MSc in Journalism now?
• Define your short-term and long-term goals.
• How will the MA/MSc program in journalism or mass media from a specific design school help you achieve these goals?
• How does the program align with your areas of interest?

Your conclusion for a statement of purpose in mass communication or journalism needs to be equally engaging as your introduction.

• What capabilities do you have to contribute to the university?
• How can you be an asset to the university?
• What activities, clubs, sports, student associations, groups, etc, piqued your interest?
• What diverse experiences do you bring to your future graduate community?

Do’s and Don'ts of an SOP for Journalism, Mass Communication, and Media Studies

Your statement of purpose should be truthful, concise, engaging, and well-written. Remember that every experience that you present should be coherent and well-connected. This leaves no space for grey areas. Follow these dos and don'ts in the statement of purpose for the journalism sample.

Suggested: Common Mistakes in Writing SOPs and Application Essay

Skills to Include in Your SOP for Mass Communication, Journalism, and Media Studies

Your statement of purpose for a journalism sample should be in-depth and research-intensive. Journalism, communications, or media studies is a creative and fascinating field of study. From information design, campaign graphics, and digital entrepreneurship to filming, news production, and academia, the career opportunities are diverse.

Therefore, an SOP for journalism should portray these skills to make it unique and more appealing than the rest. Let’s check!

• Investigative Skills
• Through Knowledge
• Communication Skills
• Professionalism and Confidence
• Research Aptitude
• Academic/Research Writing Skills
• Knowledge of Platform Specialisation applying for (television, digital, print, and so on)
• Relevant Technologies/Software
• Experiential Mindset
• Critical Thinking
• Problem-solving

Suggested: Remove Your SOP Writing Fever!

SOP Requirements of Top Universities for Journalism, Mass Communications, and Media Studies

Most universities have a similar statement of purpose mass communication requirements as part of their respective applications. We’ve shortlisted a few top universities for MA/MSc in Journalism, Mass Communications, or Media Studies with their requirements.

1.  University of Amsterdam

If you are applying for an MA in Journalism, Communications, or Media Studies at the University of Amsterdam , follow these guidelines:

• What are your reasons for applying to the course?
• How will you contribute to your future classes and beyond?
• A succinct narrative of your background with emphasis on clearly defined academic and career goals.
• The SOP should focus on ideas rather than extensive background/personal information and should be forward-thinking in vision.
• Evidence of motivation for the proposed area of study.
• Applications to specializations within Media have specific prompts that need to be addressed in the SOP.

2.  London School of Economic and Political Science

The London School of Economic and Political Science requires a personal statement as part of an MSc in Journalism, Communications, and Media Studies.

• The personal statement should be 500 words.
• Elucidate your reasons for applying to the program and the university.
• What is your current creative practice or your Journalism, Communications, or Media Studies career, and how will this help you achieve your future career goals?
• If you cannot substantiate formal educational background or qualifications to apply to the program, describe relevant academic and professional experiences underscoring motivation to apply to the chosen Journalism, Communications, or Media Studies program.

3.  University of Southern California

The University of Southern California requires an SOP of 500 to 750 words in length. This statement should demonstrate the following aspects:

• Your interest in applying to the chosen program
• Clearly defined goals (in the program and after the program)
• What are the expected outcomes of the program, and how do these align with or help achieve your career aspirations?

Apart from these general instructions, SOPs for different specializations have unique requirements and different word limits.

From the Desk of Yocket

However, the SOP writing style for most countries remains the same. But in the case of a program-specific statement of purpose for Journalism/Mass Communication/Media Studies, you can re-engineer the original draft to suit the University/program requirements.

We understand that writing an SOP can be daunting. But don’t worry, Yocket is here to help you comprehend the nuances of an actionable SOP in terms of the format and guidelines. Therefore, choose Yocket Premium and bring your educational dream to life. Our counsellors are transparent with the rules, cooperative, and provide unique services. Become a Yocketeer and make your study abroad journey a hassle-free ride!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the accepted word count for an MA/MSc in Journalism, Communication, and Media Studies SOP?

Keep the length of the SOP for journalism within 800-1000 words. However, universities abroad have word counts defined as part of the online applications.

What can lead a statement of purpose for mass communication to be rejected right away?

Plagiarism and poor syntax can get your SOP for mass communication rejected.

What is the best writing style for a Journalism and Mass Communication or Media Studies SOP?

Conversational writing keeps the narrative engaging. So, write your SOP effectively maintaining a positive tone.

How many SOPs to write for Journalism and Mass Communication or Media Studies?

Each university requires a separate and original SOP. Hence, you need to write a different statement of purpose for the mass communication sample for every university applying to. Along with SOP, Universities require program-specific writing samples as part of applications.

How to save and submit your SOP for mass communication and journalism?

SOPs have to be uploaded in PDF as part of the applications. This makes your SOP look professional and eliminates the possibility of any formatting inconsistencies. Universities may also provide forms to paste contents of SOP as part of applications with or without the option to upload it.

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PrepScholar GRE Prep

Gre prep online guides and tips, 3 successful graduate school personal statement examples.

Looking for grad school personal statement examples? Look no further! In this total guide to graduate school personal statement examples, we’ll discuss why you need a personal statement for grad school and what makes a good one. Then we’ll provide three graduate school personal statement samples from our grad school experts. After that, we’ll do a deep dive on one of our personal statement for graduate school examples. Finally, we’ll wrap up with a list of other grad school personal statements you can find online.

Why Do You Need a Personal Statement?

A personal statement is a chance for admissions committees to get to know you: your goals and passions, what you’ll bring to the program, and what you’re hoping to get out of the program.  You need to sell the admissions committee on what makes you a worthwhile applicant. The personal statement is a good chance to highlight significant things about you that don’t appear elsewhere on your application.

A personal statement is slightly different from a statement of purpose (also known as a letter of intent). A statement of purpose/letter of intent tends to be more tightly focused on your academic or professional credentials and your future research and/or professional interests.

While a personal statement also addresses your academic experiences and goals, you have more leeway to be a little more, well, personal. In a personal statement, it’s often appropriate to include information on significant life experiences or challenges that aren’t necessarily directly relevant to your field of interest.

Some programs ask for both a personal statement and a statement of purpose/letter of intent. In this case, the personal statement is likely to be much more tightly focused on your life experience and personality assets while the statement of purpose will focus in much more on your academic/research experiences and goals.

However, there’s not always a hard-and-fast demarcation between a personal statement and a statement of purpose. The two statement types should address a lot of the same themes, especially as relates to your future goals and the valuable assets you bring to the program. Some programs will ask for a personal statement but the prompt will be focused primarily on your research and professional experiences and interests. Some will ask for a statement of purpose but the prompt will be more focused on your general life experiences.

When in doubt, give the program what they are asking for in the prompt and don’t get too hung up on whether they call it a personal statement or statement of purpose. You can always call the admissions office to get more clarification on what they want you to address in your admissions essay.

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What Makes a Good Grad School Personal Statement?

A great graduate school personal statement can come in many forms and styles. However, strong grad school personal statement examples all share the same following elements:

A Clear Narrative

Above all, a good personal statement communicates clear messages about what makes you a strong applicant who is likely to have success in graduate school. So to that extent, think about a couple of key points that you want to communicate about yourself and then drill down on how you can best communicate those points. (Your key points should of course be related to what you can bring to the field and to the program specifically).

You can also decide whether to address things like setbacks or gaps in your application as part of your narrative. Have a low GPA for a couple semesters due to a health issue? Been out of a job for a while taking care of a family member? If you do decide to explain an issue like this, make sure that the overall arc is more about demonstrating positive qualities like resilience and diligence than about providing excuses.

Specific Examples

A great statement of purpose uses specific examples to illustrate its key messages. This can include anecdotes that demonstrate particular traits or even references to scholars and works that have influenced your academic trajectory to show that you are familiar and insightful about the relevant literature in your field.

Just saying “I love plants,” is pretty vague. Describing how you worked in a plant lab during undergrad and then went home and carefully cultivated your own greenhouse where you cross-bred new flower colors by hand is much more specific and vivid, which makes for better evidence.

A strong personal statement will describe why you are a good fit for the program, and why the program is a good fit for you. It’s important to identify specific things about the program that appeal to you, and how you’ll take advantage of those opportunities. It’s also a good idea to talk about specific professors you might be interested in working with. This shows that you are informed about and genuinely invested in the program.

Strong Writing

Even quantitative and science disciplines typically require some writing, so it’s important that your personal statement shows strong writing skills. Make sure that you are communicating clearly and that you don’t have any grammar and spelling errors. It’s helpful to get other people to read your statement and provide feedback. Plan on going through multiple drafts.

Another important thing here is to avoid cliches and gimmicks. Don’t deploy overused phrases and openings like “ever since I was a child.” Don’t structure your statement in a gimmicky way (i.e., writing a faux legal brief about yourself for a law school statement of purpose). The first will make your writing banal; the second is likely to make you stand out in a bad way.

Appropriate Boundaries

While you can be more personal in a personal statement than in a statement of purpose, it’s important to maintain appropriate boundaries in your writing. Don’t overshare anything too personal about relationships, bodily functions, or illegal activities. Similarly, don’t share anything that makes it seem like you may be out of control, unstable, or an otherwise risky investment. The personal statement is not a confessional booth. If you share inappropriately, you may seem like you have bad judgment, which is a huge red flag to admissions committees.

You should also be careful with how you deploy humor and jokes. Your statement doesn’t have to be totally joyless and serious, but bear in mind that the person reading the statement may not have the same sense of humor as you do. When in doubt, err towards the side of being as inoffensive as possible.

Just as being too intimate in your statement can hurt you, it’s also important not to be overly formal or staid. You should be professional, but conversational.

Graduate School Personal Statement Examples

Our graduate school experts have been kind enough to provide some successful grad school personal statement examples. We’ll provide three examples here, along with brief analysis of what makes each one successful.

Sample Personal Statement for Graduate School 1

PDF of Sample Personal Statement 1 – Japanese Studies

For this Japanese Studies master’s degree, the applicant had to provide a statement of purpose outlining her academic goals and experience with Japanese and a separate personal statement describing her personal relationship with Japanese Studies and what led her to pursue a master’s degree.

Here’s what’s successful about this personal statement:

• An attention-grabbing beginning: The applicant begins with the statement that Japanese has never come easily to her and that it’s a brutal language to learn. Seeing as how this is an application for a Japanese Studies program, this is an intriguing beginning that makes the reader want to keep going.
• A compelling narrative: From this attention-grabbing beginning, the applicant builds a well-structured and dramatic narrative tracking her engagement with the Japanese language over time. The clear turning point is her experience studying abroad, leading to a resolution in which she has clarity about her plans. Seeing as how the applicant wants to be a translator of Japanese literature, the tight narrative structure here is a great way to show her writing skills.
• Specific examples that show important traits: The applicant clearly communicates both a deep passion for Japanese through examples of her continued engagement with Japanese and her determination and work ethic by highlighting the challenges she’s faced (and overcome) in her study of the language. This gives the impression that she is an engaged and dedicated student.

Overall, this is a very strong statement both in terms of style and content. It flows well, is memorable, and communicates that the applicant would make the most of the graduate school experience.

Sample Personal Statement for Graduate School 2

PDF of Sample Graduate School Personal Statement 2 – Musical Composition

This personal statement for a Music Composition master’s degree discusses the factors that motivate the applicant to pursue graduate study.

Here’s what works well in this statement:

• The applicant provides two clear reasons motivating the student to pursue graduate study: her experiences with music growing up, and her family’s musical history. She then supports those two reasons with examples and analysis.
• The description of her ancestors’ engagement with music is very compelling and memorable. The applicant paints her own involvement with music as almost inevitable based on her family’s long history with musical pursuits.
• The applicant gives thoughtful analysis of the advantages she has been afforded that have allowed her to study music so extensively. We get the sense that she is insightful and empathetic—qualities that would add greatly to any academic community.

This is a strong, serviceable personal statement. And in truth, given that this for a masters in music composition, other elements of the application (like work samples) are probably the most important.  However, here are two small changes I would make to improve it:

• I would probably to split the massive second paragraph into 2-3 separate paragraphs. I might use one paragraph to orient the reader to the family’s musical history, one paragraph to discuss Giacomo and Antonio, and one paragraph to discuss how the family has influenced the applicant. As it stands, it’s a little unwieldy and the second paragraph doesn’t have a super-clear focus even though it’s all loosely related to the applicant’s family history with music.
• I would also slightly shorten the anecdote about the applicant’s ancestors and expand more on how this family history has motivated the applicant’s interest in music. In what specific ways has her ancestors’ perseverance inspired her? Did she think about them during hard practice sessions? Is she interested in composing music in a style they might have played? More specific examples here would lend greater depth and clarity to the statement.

Sample Personal Statement for Graduate School 3

PDF of Sample Graduate School Personal Statement 3 – Public Health

This is my successful personal statement for Columbia’s Master’s program in Public Health. We’ll do a deep dive on this statement paragraph-by-paragraph in the next section, but I’ll highlight a couple of things that work in this statement here:

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• This statement is clearly organized. Almost every paragraph has a distinct focus and message, and when I move on to a new idea, I move on to a new paragraph with a logical transitions.
• This statement covers a lot of ground in a pretty short space. I discuss my family history, my goals, my educational background, and my professional background. But because the paragraphs are organized and I use specific examples, it doesn’t feel too vague or scattered.
• In addition to including information about my personal motivations, like my family, I also include some analysis about tailoring health interventions with my example of the Zande. This is a good way to show off what kinds of insights I might bring to the program based on my academic background.

Grad School Personal Statement Example: Deep Dive

Now let’s do a deep dive, paragraph-by-paragraph, on one of these sample graduate school personal statements. We’ll use my personal statement that I used when I applied to Columbia’s public health program.

Paragraph One: For twenty-three years, my grandmother (a Veterinarian and an Epidemiologist) ran the Communicable Disease Department of a mid-sized urban public health department. The stories of Grandma Betty doggedly tracking down the named sexual partners of the infected are part of our family lore. Grandma Betty would persuade people to be tested for sexually transmitted diseases, encourage safer sexual practices, document the spread of infection and strive to contain and prevent it. Indeed, due to the large gay population in the city where she worked, Grandma Betty was at the forefront of the AIDS crises, and her analysis contributed greatly towards understanding how the disease was contracted and spread. My grandmother has always been a huge inspiration to me, and the reason why a career in public health was always on my radar.

This is an attention-grabbing opening anecdote that avoids most of the usual cliches about childhood dreams and proclivities. This story also subtly shows that I have a sense of public health history, given the significance of the AIDs crisis for public health as a field.

It’s good that I connect this family history to my own interests. However, if I were to revise this paragraph again, I might cut down on some of the detail because when it comes down to it, this story isn’t really about me. It’s important that even (sparingly used) anecdotes about other people ultimately reveal something about you in a personal statement.

Paragraph Two: Recent years have cemented that interest. In January 2012, my parents adopted my little brother Fred from China. Doctors in America subsequently diagnosed Fred with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). My parents were told that if Fred’s condition had been discovered in China, the (very poor) orphanage in which he spent the first 8+ years of his life would have recognized his DMD as a death sentence and denied him sustenance to hasten his demise.

Here’s another compelling anecdote to help explain my interest in public health. This is an appropriately personal detail for a personal statement—it’s a serious thing about my immediate family, but it doesn’t disclose anything that the admissions committee might find concerning or inappropriate.

If I were to take another pass through this paragraph, the main thing I would change is the last phrase. “Denied him sustenance to hasten his demise” is a little flowery. “Denied him food to hasten his death” is actually more powerful because it’s clearer and more direct.

Paragraph Three: It is not right that some people have access to the best doctors and treatment while others have no medical care. I want to pursue an MPH in Sociomedical Sciences at Columbia because studying social factors in health, with a particular focus on socio-health inequities, will prepare me to address these inequities. The interdisciplinary approach of the program appeals to me greatly as I believe interdisciplinary approaches are the most effective way to develop meaningful solutions to complex problems.

In this paragraph I make a neat and clear transition from discussing what sparked my interest in public health and health equity to what I am interested in about Columbia specifically: the interdisciplinary focus of the program, and how that focus will prepare me to solve complex health problems. This paragraph also serves as a good pivot point to start discussing my academic and professional background.

Paragraph Four: My undergraduate education has prepared me well for my chosen career. Understanding the underlying structure of a group’s culture is essential to successfully communicating with the group. In studying folklore and mythology, I’ve learned how to parse the unspoken structures of folk groups, and how those structures can be used to build bridges of understanding. For example, in a culture where most illnesses are believed to be caused by witchcraft, as is the case for the Zande people of central Africa, any successful health intervention or education program would of necessity take into account their very real belief in witchcraft.

In this paragraph, I link my undergraduate education and the skills I learned there to public health. The (very brief) analysis of tailoring health interventions to the Zande is a good way to show insight and show off the competencies I would bring to the program.

Paragraph Five: I now work in the healthcare industry for one of the largest providers of health benefits in the world. In addition to reigniting my passion for data and quantitative analytics, working for this company has immersed me in the business side of healthcare, a critical component of public health.

This brief paragraph highlights my relevant work experience in the healthcare industry. It also allows me to mention my work with data and quantitative analytics, which isn’t necessarily obvious from my academic background, which was primarily based in the social sciences.

Paragraph Six: I intend to pursue a PhD in order to become an expert in how social factors affect health, particularly as related to gender and sexuality. I intend to pursue a certificate in Sexuality, Sexual Health, and Reproduction. Working together with other experts to create effective interventions across cultures and societies, I want to help transform health landscapes both in America and abroad.

This final paragraph is about my future plans and intentions. Unfortunately, it’s a little disjointed, primarily because I discuss goals of pursuing a PhD before I talk about what certificate I want to pursue within the MPH program! Switching those two sentences and discussing my certificate goals within the MPH and then mentioning my PhD plans would make a lot more sense.

I also start two sentences in a row with “I intend,” which is repetitive.

The final sentence is a little bit generic; I might tailor it to specifically discuss a gender and sexual health issue, since that is the primary area of interest I’ve identified.

This was a successful personal statement; I got into (and attended!) the program. It has strong examples, clear organization, and outlines what interests me about the program (its interdisciplinary focus) and what competencies I would bring (a background in cultural analysis and experience with the business side of healthcare). However, a few slight tweaks would elevate this statement to the next level.

Graduate School Personal Statement Examples You Can Find Online

So you need more samples for your personal statement for graduate school? Examples are everywhere on the internet, but they aren’t all of equal quality.

Most of examples are posted as part of writing guides published online by educational institutions. We’ve rounded up some of the best ones here if you are looking for more personal statement examples for graduate school.

Penn State Personal Statement Examples for Graduate School

This selection of ten short personal statements for graduate school and fellowship programs offers an interesting mix of approaches. Some focus more on personal adversity while others focus more closely on professional work within the field.

The writing in some of these statements is a little dry, and most deploy at least a few cliches. However, these are generally strong, serviceable statements that communicate clearly why the student is interested in the field, their skills and competencies, and what about the specific program appeals to them.

Cal State Sample Graduate School Personal Statements

These are good examples of personal statements for graduate school where students deploy lots of very vivid imagery and illustrative anecdotes of life experiences. There are also helpful comments about what works in each of these essays.

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However, all of these statements are definitely pushing the boundaries of acceptable length, as all are above 1000 and one is almost 1500 words! Many programs limit you to 500 words; if you don’t have a limit, you should try to keep it to two single-spaced pages at most (which is about 1000 words).

University of Chicago Personal Statement for Graduate School Examples

These examples of successful essays to the University of Chicago law school cover a wide range of life experiences and topics. The writing in all is very vivid, and all communicate clear messages about the students’ strengths and competencies.

Note, however, that these are all essays that specifically worked for University of Chicago law school. That does not mean that they would work everywhere. In fact, one major thing to note is that many of these responses, while well-written and vivid, barely address the students’ interest in law school at all! This is something that might not work well for most graduate programs.

Wheaton College Personal Statement for Graduate School Sample 10

This successful essay for law school from a Wheaton College undergraduate does a great job tracking the student’s interest in the law in a compelling and personal way. Wheaton offers other graduate school personal statement examples, but this one offers the most persuasive case for the students’ competencies. The student accomplishes this by using clear, well-elaborated examples, showing strong and vivid writing, and highlighting positive qualities like an interest in justice and empathy without seeming grandiose or out of touch.

Wheaton College Personal Statement for Graduate School Sample 1

Based on the background information provided at the bottom of the essay, this essay was apparently successful for this applicant. However, I’ve actually included this essay because it demonstrates an extremely risky approach. While this personal statement is strikingly written and the story is very memorable, it could definitely communicate the wrong message to some admissions committees. The student’s decision not to report the drill sergeant may read incredibly poorly to some admissions committees. They may wonder if the student’s failure to report the sergeant’s violence will ultimately expose more soldiers-in-training to the same kinds of abuses. This incident perhaps reads especially poorly in light of the fact that the military has such a notable problem with violence against women being covered up and otherwise mishandled

It’s actually hard to get a complete picture of the student’s true motivations from this essay, and what we have might raise real questions about the student’s character to some admissions committees. This student took a risk and it paid off, but it could have just as easily backfired spectacularly.

Key Takeaways: Graduate School Personal Statement Examples

In this guide, we discussed why you need a personal statement and how it differs from a statement of purpose. (It’s more personal!)

We also discussed what you’ll find in a strong sample personal statement for graduate school:

• A clear narrative about the applicant and why they are qualified for graduate study.
• Specific examples to support that narrative.
• Compelling reasons why the applicant and the program are a good fit for each other.
• Strong writing, including clear organization and error-free, cliche-free language.
• Appropriate boundaries—sharing without over-sharing.

Then, we provided three strong graduate school personal statement examples for different fields, along with analysis. We did a deep-dive on the third statement.

Finally, we provided a list of other sample grad school personal statements online.

What’s Next?

Want more advice on writing a personal statement ? See our guide.

Writing a graduate school statement of purpose? See our statement of purpose samples  and a nine-step process for writing the best statement of purpose possible .

If you’re writing a graduate school CV or resume, see our how-to guide to writing a CV , a how-to guide to writing a resume , our list of sample resumes and CVs , resume and CV templates , and a special guide for writing resume objectives .

Need stellar graduate school recommendation letters ? See our guide.

See our 29 tips for successfully applying to graduate school .

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Author: Ellen McCammon

Ellen is a public health graduate student and education expert. She has extensive experience mentoring students of all ages to reach their goals and in-depth knowledge on a variety of health topics. View all posts by Ellen McCammon

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February 21st, 2017, why strategic communications matters and how to study it.

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

This autumn the LSE’s Department of Media and Communications is launching a new course in Strategic Communications. Course leader Dr Lee Edwards explains why she thinks this is such an important subject in today’s ‘post-truth’ world and the special approach the course will take. 

It seems that today, communication doesn’t mean what it’s supposed to mean, fact is undermined by fiction, and audiences are refusing to listen to institutional elites who (used to) hold the reins of power.

We face unprecedented levels of uncertainty, and problems that span the gamut of social, cultural and political life.  The popular vote has delivered outcomes that fly in the face of conventional political and economic wisdom including Brexit in the UK, Donald Trump in the White House and the potential for increased far right influence in the Netherlands, France and Germany. Post-truth is Oxford Dictionaries ‘international word of the year’ for 2016, is defined as “relating to or denoting circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief.”

Organisations are trying to navigate these events, which impinge on their actions by introducing unwelcome forms of risk. Communication is a key strategic tool that can help organisations to navigate complexities, manage challenges and achieve broader goals.

On consultancy websites, case studies and client testimonials are used to illustrate the success that strategic communication can deliver in any circumstance, even the most uncertain. Instead of scrutiny and challenge from disenfranchised stakeholders, strategic communication allo

ws organisations to win over sceptical audiences, pursue conversation and dialogue, and thereby better protect reputation.

Risks and Challenges

These are big claims, of course, and while it may be true that organisations who communicate effectively with their audiences are more aware of their environment and the risks and challenges it poses, this does not mean that strategic communication is a cure-all.

Its tools and techniques – media relations, viral marketing, branding, audience segmentation and many others – are often deployed as an attempt to control audiences and their opinions, but such efforts can never be fully successful because meaning is always co-created. Audiences always bring their own interpretations to bear on an organisation’s words and deeds.

Moreover, strategic communication is often framed in terms of market-based conceptions of audiences-as-customers, and this inherently limits its effectiveness. The challenges that organisations are currently facing originate in people’s desire to secure power, or feel empowered to make change. These are not necessarily commercial or market-driven motivations.

They are to do with democracy, the feeling that participation in society is worthwhile, the right to speak and be heard, and the desire to have one’s own narratives of the world recognised as a valid contribution to public debate. Strategic communication by organisations of all kinds must engage with these political concerns, alongside their own commercial interests.

Influence and Hierarchies

At LSE we think that strategic communication is never solely to do with organisations and their objectives. It is also about their place in society as institutions that influence the distribution of resources and the construction of social hierarchies. They help to determine who or what matters to us, and who or what does not.

In today’s context, for example, discourses that are constructed and circulate through organisational communication have shaped debates about all kinds of topics: the merits of green energy; the value we place on migration; the management of creative works and copyright; the merits of different social media for connecting with friends, family and colleagues; and how we should conduct our personal and work relationships.

Such debates are always multi-faceted, with political, economic and social dimensions. Therefore, when organisations communicate – and no matter how narrow their original objective – they make symbolic and ideological contributions to wide-ranging discussions about the fabric and conduct of our lives.

Approaching strategic communication with this principle as our starting point, opens up questions about the importance of its effects on terrains beyond markets, products and customers. This is not to say that markets, products and consumers are unimportant. On the contrary, they are the basic currency of strategic communication and are therefore essential to any analysis. But they are not the complete picture.

If we can unpick the ideological assumptions and broader political, social and economic discourses that underpin strategic communication, then we are much closer to truly understanding its significance in our complex, risky, ‘post-truth’ world.

Dr Lee Edwards will be leading the new MSc Strategic Communications in the Department of Media and Communications at LSE. For details, click here.

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Diversity in Communications

I celebrate diversity. And no where is diversity more important than in the area of communications. It is here, where symbols are so powerful, that dignity must guide all professionals in the selection and creation of cultural symbols that are appropriate and inspiring.

Statements of Excellence in Communications

Personal Statement of Purpose for Graduate School in Communications, Masters, Doctorate

I see communications as a dynamic catalyst for progressive social change that moves our technological and human advancement on every frontier.

I am pleased to help dozens of people every year in the area of communications. Most applicants in this area seek to study towards the Master’s Degree; but we have also helped many applicants to PHD programs. We take the material that you provide and turn it into a highly eloquent essay that demonstrates your capacity to excel in graduate school, as well as you potential for making important, lifelong career contributions to communications in your area of chosen specialization. We keenly look forward to helping you to get accepted. After you fill out our Online Interview Form , we will ask you additional questions so that we have all of the information that we need to draft a spectacular statement on your behalf. If needed, we are also prepared to do extensive research on your behalf concerning your special area of interest. It is our pleasure to be of service to you and in this way share in the exciting advancements that are taking place in communications.

Communications and Ethics

Especially in the field of Communications, I always try to inspire students entering their field to reach outside the norms and acknowledge that the world of media is ever-changing. And with this ever-changing nature, students must look ahead to strive to break negative societal norms as well as be a light in their future careers. Whether your major is in the sphere of communications or not, I especially appreciate helping all applicants who see potential in their future career practices to think more critically on current issues in the realm of what is ethical.

In the globalized world of communications, companies in one country can easily do business with firms across the world. Different cultures can sometimes complicate business dealings. Mores and norms vary from society to society, but corporations need to set certain ethical standards, especially for communications. For example, if a communications supplier in one country finds bribery a perfectly acceptable way to conduct business, his buyer needs to look elsewhere. It does not matter that this supplier offers the cheapest prices. Corruption cannot be tolerated in the communications world.

Up until the financial meltdown of 2008, the communications world emphasized short-term results. Business executives received extravagant compensation packages for closing deals, no matter how the transaction affected the company in the long run. Financial institutions lent to borrowers freely, not considering their ability to repay the loans. Eventually, debtors defaulted on their loans, and the economy stood on the brink of collapse. Ethical leaders in all fields, especially communications, need to ignore easy profits and focus on future ramifications of actions, even if it earns less money for the company.

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The Humanitarian Side of Communications

Communications is one of those subjects that lends itself to almost any niche, organization and area of humanitarian work. In fact, do any research online for humanitarian-related work in communications and the media, and you’ll almost have too much to choose from!

While you can get humanitarian work straight out of school, a Master’s degree will naturally make you more employable. We’ll look at both of these routes here: the Masters programs available to you and some of the jobs available out there in the humanitarian market.

Humanitarian Positions For Communications Masters Graduates With Experience

To give you an idea of the sort of positions in demand in the workplace right now, let’s jump right in and consider the following example. At the time of writing, the UN Development Programme is recently seeking a Communications Consultant in New York. The contract is for 4 months, and the post level is international consultant.

To get this post, you’ll need an advanced university degree (a Masters or equivalent) in communication, journalism, international relations, public administration or related field – or, a first-level degree and two additional years of qualifying experience, instead of the advanced degree. However, they are also asking for a minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in public information, public relations, journalism, international relations or other area, preferably within humanitarian organizations and contexts.

The type of duties involved in this role include supporting the World Healthcare Students Symposium (WHSS) and Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) with liaison for the production and distribution of press kits, media products and other communications materials; organize other activities to promote awareness and outreach, including attending and participating in press conferences, interviews, press seminars, etc.; plus many other activities.

Starting with this example may be beneficial to you, as it shows where you might be able to get to in the future, and demonstrates that there is a real need for communications experts out there in top organizations in this field.

Pan American Health Organization, Regional Office of the World Health Organization

The Pan America Health Organization recently produced a document detailing how to manage information during emergencies and disasters. You could be employed to write similar documents as part of your work at an NGO or other humanitarian organization. This particular document, “Information management and communication in emergencies and disasters: manual for disaster response teams, was edited by Susana Arroyo Barrantes, Social Communicator at OXFAM; Martha Rodriguez, Social Communications Advisor, PAHO/WHO and Ricardo Perez, Regional Advisor in Information, PAHO/WHO. To head in this direction, what about getting a Masters in Communications or International Relations. More on that later.

Internews is currently looking for a Humanitarian Communications Specialist to work at various locations. This Specialist will work to support the Humanitarian Country Team strategic response for 4-6 weeks, with a possible extension of several months.

The required qualifications for this post include previous experience designing and implementing communication with communities and/or beneficiary communication; significant experience using media and communications in humanitarian emergency responses; relevant university degree; a very good working knowledge of the mandates and modalities of the international humanitarian sector, including the UN cluster system. Another demanding post for a highly qualified individual, and something to work towards, especially if you’ve recently completed your Communications degree.

Humanitarian Positions for Communications Bachelor’s Degree Graduates With Experience

Concern Worldwide is an international humanitarian organization committed to the helping the poorest people in the least developed countries in the world. At the time of writing, they are looking for a Communications Officer with a Bachelor’s Degree in communications, journalism, or a related field and 5-7 years’ experience working with multimedia content creation, fluency in visual and graphic design software and a solid knowledge of social media platforms.

Camris International is a growing international development and research firm that has worked in more than 80 countries. They are currently looking for senior, mid and junior level Communications Specialists to provide support to their anticipated Middle East and North Africa Services (MENA) proposal, which aims to provide administrative, technical and programmatic staff support services to the field-based programs managed by USAID’s Middle East Bureau.

Camris International accept graduates with a Bachelor’s degree to work at the junior level, if you have experience participating on a multi-disciplinary cross-cultural team, and provide expertise in quantitative and qualitative evaluations methods, which would be fairly easy to accumulate with a degree and some volunteer experience abroad!

Masters Degrees For You

A Master’s degree is ideal if you’re a high-flyer and want to get into top positions in the humanitarian field. A combination of this and some relevant experience working as a volunteer or intern abroad will make you super employable.

You have a number of options open to you. You could simply develop your existing skills and go for a Master’s in Public and Corporate Communication; Media and Communication; Journalism, Media and Globalization or Social Science, Media and Communication Studies.

The Masters in Public and Corporate Communication at the University of Milan in Italy is geared towards enabling students to perform management and organizational roles in sectors like public relations, public administration, international humanitarian NGOs, journalism and political campaigns. The course is taught in English over 24 months, and you can specialize in either corporate communication marketing or public and social communication.

The M.Sc. in Social Science, Media and Communications Studies at Lund University, Sweden is a two-year program with module choices like Media and Political Engagement, Media Audiences and a Study Abroad program, and focusses on questioning and understanding global media structures and processes in modern life. It draws on world class scholars who have published key works in media and communication and teaching is based on international expertise in areas like democracy, participation and social media, as well as many others.

Another way to get into the humanitarian field is to study a Masters that is directly related to this kind of work, such as an M.A. in Humanitarian Action, International Relations; an M.Sc. in Emergency Management, Emergency Services Administration or Security Management.

For example, the Syracuse University in New York, US, runs an International Relations (Multidisciplinary) course made up of five core courses, including international relations, economics, quantitative analysis, program evaluation and management and one of five signature courses in accordance with their chosen career track.

The different tracks include development and humanitarian assistance; governance, diplomacy and international organizations; peace, security and conflict and regional concentrations in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Latin America. An internship program is an optional part of the program, and proficiency in a second language is required.

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How to Communicate Your Company’s Strategy Effectively

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Ditch the lofty purpose statements and lengthy slide decks.

For too long, communicating strategy has been an afterthought. Executives have shared long, bombastic documents or withheld critical information and expected people to just “get it.” And it hasn’t worked. Greater external uncertainty, collaboration, employee anxiety, and organizational openness demands a change of approach. The author presents five actions that will improve the clarity and quality of communication, enabling stakeholders to make a more substantive and meaningful contribution to the strategy.

Most people can’t recall the strategy of the organization they work for. Even the executives and managers responsible for strategy struggle, with one study reporting that only 28% of them could list three strategic priorities.

• David Lancefield is a  catalyst, strategist, and coach  for leaders. He’s advised more than 40 CEOs and hundreds of executives, was a senior partner at Strategy&, and is a guest lecturer at the London Business School. Find him on LinkedIn (@davidclancefield) or at  davidlancefield.com , where you can sign up for his free “Mastering Big Moments”  workbook .

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Academic Personal Statement Guide + Examples for 2024

You have a bright future ahead of you in academia and you’ve already found the program of your dreams.

The only problem? 

You have to write an impressive academic personal statement that sets you apart from a sea of applicants.

We know that writing about yourself might not come naturally. And when the academic program you have your sights set on is on the line, it doesn’t make it any easier.

But there’s no need to worry!

We’ve prepared this guide to help you write your academic personal statement and secure your spot in your program of choice.

In this article, we’re going to cover:

• What Is An Academic Personal Statement?
• 7 Steps to Writing the Best Academic Personal Statement
• An Example of a Stellar Academic Personal Statement

Let’s dive in.

You’ll need an academic CV alongside your personal statement. Create one with ease with Novorésumé !

What Is an Academic Personal Statement?

A personal statement is an essential part of the academic application process.

Much like a motivation letter , your academic personal statement serves to demonstrate why you’re the right candidate for the course and sell yourself as a capable student.

Your goal is to show the admissions committee that they’ll benefit from having you in their university as much as you’ll benefit from joining the program.

Academic Vs CV Personal Statement

The term ‘personal statement’ can mean different things depending on your field.

In the world of job hunting, a personal statement usually refers to a few sentences that go at the top of your CV . This paragraph is meant to convey your top skills, relevant experiences, and professional goals to a hiring manager from the get-go and increase your chances of getting an interview.

However, in the world of academia, a personal statement refers to a more in-depth description of you as a candidate. 

In a nutshell, an academic personal statement shows the admissions committee your academic achievements so far, as well as what motivated you to apply and pursue this position.

Personal statements are also often required when applying for certain jobs, much like writing a cover letter . If you’re looking at a position as a faculty member in a university or other academic institution, for example, you might be asked to provide an academic personal statement.

7 Steps to Write an Academic Personal Statement

Preparation is the key to success and this is exactly where our guide comes in handy.

So just follow these steps and you’re sure to secure your spot:

#1. Read the Brief (Carefully!)

Academic personal statements aren’t necessarily a one-size-fits-all piece of writing. 

Typically, every institution has its specific requirements on what candidates should include in their academic personal statement.

To make sure you’re on the right track with your academic personal statement, read the brief carefully. Consider taking notes and highlighting important points from your program’s brief as you go through it.

Pay attention to any specific question the university wants you to answer. If you don’t address everything the admissions board expects, your personal statement will look sloppy and you’ll be considered an inattentive candidate.

Be sure to re-read the brief after you’ve finished writing your academic personal statement, too. This way you can make sure you’ve answered everything adequately and you’ll have the opportunity to correct any slips.

#2. Research the Program

Make sure you do your homework on the academic program you’re applying to.

You can’t write a good academic personal statement without research, let alone a great one. Much like researching your employer , taking the time to learn more about your desired school and personalizing your application can make a huge difference.

For example, you can dive into how your values align with that of the school you’re applying to, and how your experience and interests relate to specific things about the program. The more you focus on how you’re the right fit for this specific position, in this specific program – the better.

Carefully read through the school and program’s official pages since everything you would need to know is probably on the school’s official website. You can also ask current and former students for help but remember that whatever they say should never replace official information when crafting your academic personal statement.

#3. Plan Your Statement

An academic personal statement is meant to explain your academic interests and shouldn’t contain irrelevant details about your personal life.

Focus on why you want to study the course you’ve chosen and provide any information about your achievements so far.

Ask yourself the following questions to get the ball rolling on what to write:

• Why do you want to study (or work) in this program? How will it benefit you?
• How do your skills match the position?
• What makes you stand out from other applicants?
• What are your exact career aspirations?
• How can you and your work benefit the institution you’re applying to?
• If you changed fields, how did you decide to apply in this direction?
• What insight can you bring thanks to your different experiences?
• How will this change of field help your future career?

Write down your answer to these questions in the first draft of your academic personal statement.

#4. Look at Example Statements

Don’t hesitate to read other people’s academic personal statements online. They’re a great source of inspiration and can help get rid of any remaining writer’s block.

If you’re struggling to understand how to meet the language and formatting requirements for your academic personal statement, seeing actual examples is the best way to learn.

But be careful – don’t copy any lines you read, no matter how impressive you think they are. 

Most universities run every academic personal statement through intensive plagiarism checking, and even a paraphrased sentence could lead to your application being rejected for plagiarism.

So pay more attention to the overall structure of the academic personal statements you read, rather than copying the exact wording.

#5. Structure the Contents

There should be a cohesive argument that your entire essay follows. Each sentence and paragraph should complement and build on the one that comes before it.

The structure of your personal statement should include:

An intriguing introduction to you as a candidate

The introductory paragraph should grab the admission committee’s attention and keep them engaged.

Here you should be sure to avoid cliches like saying how you’ve “always dreamt” of graduating from this university or of studying this exact program. Instead, give an example of what really influenced you to pursue this dream.

Here’s an example:

• I’ve always loved reading and since I was a child, it’s been my dream to graduate from Oxford University and contribute to the world of literary analysis. That’s why I spent the past year volunteering at my local writers’ society and giving constructive feedback during workshops and book discussions.
• It wasn’t until I failed my first essay assignment in secondary school that I realized the depth that lies beneath each sentence in a given text. I began to delve into the rich layers of literary texts and the intricacies of literary analysis became my passion. Although initially challenging, the depth of understanding that this field offers about human emotions, cultural contexts, and narrative structures enthralled me. I found myself questioning the narrative structures and character motivations that I had previously taken for granted, and I was eager to understand how the subtle and often overlooked elements within a text could have a profound impact on its overall interpretation. This need to fundamentally understand a given author’s work has stayed with me since and led me to pursue literary analysis as a postgraduate student.

An engaging body

The main part of your academic personal statement should detail your interests, experience, and knowledge, and how they make you suitable for the position.

This is where you should expand on your motivation and use the following tips:

• Why this university? Provide strong reasons for your choice, related to your future career or the institution’s reputation.
• Mention your relevant studies and experience. This includes projects, dissertations, essays, or work experience.
• Give evidence of key skills you have, such as research, critical thinking, communication, and time management, and explain how you can contribute to the department with them.
• Say what makes you unique as a candidate and provide an example.
• Explain who have been the main influences who put you on this path and why they’ve influenced you.
• Mention other relevant experiences, such as memberships in clubs related to the subject, awards you might have won, or impressive papers you’ve written.
• Talk about your career aspirations and how the program ties into your goal of achieving them.

Depending on the guidelines of the specific university, you could also divide your academic personal statement’s body with subheadings, such as:

• Academic background
• Research interests
• Methodological approaches
• Research experience
• Personal experience
• Extracurricular activities 
• Relevant skills
• Career aspirations

A logical conclusion

Your academic personal statement needs a conclusion that ends on an enthusiastic note.

Make sure the conclusion reiterates the main points from the body of your text.

Your relevant accomplishments and desire to attend this specific program should be clear to any reader.

#6. Pay Attention to the Language

When writing the first draft of your academic personal statement, pay attention to the language and tone you’re using.

An academic personal statement is also a formal text, so your writing should reflect that. Colloquialisms aren’t appropriate, as they would take away from the well-mannered impression you want to give the admissions committee.

However, you also want your personal statement to be straightforward and avoid any complex jargon from your field of study.

For example, your opening sentence shouldn’t be overly complicated. You should communicate everything as clearly as possible, and be inclusive to those outside of your field of study since they might be on the admissions board that’s reading your academic personal statement.

Make sure that the tone throughout your text is positive and conveys your enthusiasm for the program. Your academic personal statement should show the admissions committee that you really want to be there, and why that’s beneficial to everyone involved.

#7. Proofread Your Statement

This step probably isn’t surprising to you but it’s worth paying attention to.

Your academic personal statement is a very formal document and it should be spotless. 

So, make sure it adheres to academic writing conventions . For example, contractions like “I’m” instead of “I am” are informal, and should be avoided.

Mistakes like these are very common when writing about yourself, particularly when you’re used to describing yourself in informal environments.

Carefully proofread your academic personal statement, then run it through a grammar checker like Grammarly or Quillbot, then proofread it again.

The tiniest grammar mistake or typo could make the admissions board reject your application.

Academic Personal Statement Example

Ever since my first encounter with the enchanting worlds spun by Flaubert, Balzac, and Proust, my intellectual pursuits have gravitated toward French literature. With an undergraduate degree focused on French Language and Literature, I have been fortunate to explore my passions both theoretically and empirically, embedding them within broader themes of cultural theory and comparative literature. It is with great excitement that I apply for the postgraduate research position in the French Literature program at Kent University, with the aim of contributing novel scholarly perspectives to this captivating field.

Academic Background and Research Interests

During my undergraduate studies, I delved deeply into the realms of 19th-century Realism and Naturalism. My senior thesis, which examined the dialectics of morality and social structures in Balzac's "La Comédie Humaine," was not merely an academic exercise; it served as a crucible where my theoretical understandings were rigorously tested. This research experience intensified my interest in the complex interplay between literature and societal norms, a theme I am eager to further explore in my postgraduate work.

Methodological Approaches

My academic approach is fundamentally interdisciplinary. I strongly believe that literature should not be studied in a vacuum; rather, it should be contextualized within historical, sociological, and psychological paradigms. During a semester abroad in Paris, I took courses in cultural anthropology and French history, an enriching experience that complemented my literature-focused studies. This holistic approach will enable me to contribute a multifaceted perspective to the research endeavors at Kent University.

Previous Research and Scholarly Engagements

My scholarly activities have also extended beyond the classroom. Last summer, I participated in an international conference on French Literature and Post-Colonial Theory, presenting a paper on the depictions of colonial landscapes in Dumas' adventure novels. The opportunity to engage with academics from various disciplines provided me with fresh insights and underscored the importance of collaborative research. Further, I've had the honor of having a review article published in the Sheffield Journal of Contemporary Literary Explorations, where I critiqued a groundbreaking new translation of Verne's works.

Extracurricular Contributions and Skills

In addition to my academic achievements, I have sought to enrich my department’s intellectual community. I served as the editor of our departmental journal and organized a series of seminars featuring guest speakers from the worlds of academia and publishing. My strong organizational skills, combined with proficiency in both written and spoken French and English, make me a versatile candidate capable of adding value to the French Literature program’s broader objectives.

To summarize, my deep-rooted passion for French literature, fortified by rigorous academic training and interdisciplinary methodologies, makes me an ideal candidate for the postgraduate research position in your esteemed program. The prospect of contributing to academic discourse at Kent University is an opportunity I find deeply compelling. I am especially excited about the potential for collaborative research and interdisciplinary inquiries, which aligns perfectly with my academic philosophy. I am fully committed to leveraging my skills, experiences, and enthusiasm to make a substantive scholarly contribution to the study of French Literature. Thank you for considering my application; I am keenly looking forward to the possibility of furthering my academic journey in this vibrant intellectual community.

FAQs on Academic Personal Statements

If you’re wondering anything else about academic personal statements, check out the answers to the most frequently asked questions related to them here:

#1. How do you start a personal statement for an academic job?

Applying for an academic job is different from applying for a position as a student. First, you need to establish your qualifications and enthusiasm for the role immediately.

Start by explaining your current status, for example, as a postdoctoral researcher or an experienced member of the faculty, and specify the position you are applying for. Then follow up with your research interests or personal philosophy towards teaching.

You can add a personal anecdote or compelling fact that summarizes your academic journey so far, or your passion for the field. After that, your academic personal statement can go deeper into the qualifications from your academic CV and how you’re a great fit for the position.

#2. How do I introduce myself in an academic personal statement?

The introduction of your academic personal statement is the key to grabbing the attention of the admissions committee.

Start by stating the field or subject that interests you, and why. You can share a specific personal anecdote or observation that led you to this academic pursuit and set the stage for the detailed explanation in your main body.

The goal of your introduction is to give the reader a sense of who you are, what drives you, and why you would be a valuable addition to their department.

#3. Is an academic personal statement like an essay?

Yes, an academic personal statement can be considered a type of essay.

Both essays and academic personal statements are structured forms of writing that are meant to deliver a coherent argument and are divided into an introduction, body, and conclusion. They provide supporting evidence to prove the point and maintain a logical flow to guide the reader to the final conclusion.

However, essays tend to be objective and explore a specific topic or question in depth. Academic personal statements use similar techniques but they present the candidate’s qualifications, experiences, and aspirations in a way that’s meant to persuade the admissions committee.

#4. How long is an academic personal statement?

Typically, an academic personal statement is between 500 and 1000 words long.

The exact length of the text varies depending on the university and program you’re applying to. You should always check the specific requirements for your desired program, and stick to the guidelines you find.

However, if the university you’re applying to doesn’t specify a word count, you should aim for one to two pages.

#5. What do I avoid in an academic personal statement?

Since your personal statement is a crucial part of your academic application, it’s important to avoid any common mistakes.

Make sure the content of your academic personal statement isn’t too generic. Its goal is to give insight into you as an individual, beyond what can be read in your CV . 

You should also avoid cramming too many points in your text. Your academic personal statement should follow a logical flow, and focus on the relevance of what you’re sharing about yourself and how it relates to the academic program you’re pursuing.

Key Takeaways

And that concludes our guide to writing an academic personal statement!

We hope you feel more confident when crafting your application for that academic program or faculty position you have your sights set on.

Now let’s recap what we talked about so far:

• Academic personal statements are very different from CV personal statements. While CV personal statements are brief paragraphs at the top of the page, an academic personal statement is an in-depth text that details why you’re interested in a given position, and what makes you a good candidate.
• The guidelines on academic personal statements vary according to the institution you’re applying to. Read the brief very carefully, and pay attention to what it says about word count and questions your personal statement should answer. Any mistakes here could result in rejection.
• There are differences between applying for a postgraduate program and applying for a faculty position. But in both cases, you should research the exact place you want to apply to and adjust your application accordingly to match the institution’s values.
• Always proofread your academic personal statement before sending it, even if you’re sure there are no errors.

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Statements of Excellence for Admission to Graduate School in Communications

Master’s Degree Corporate Communications, Saudi Arabian Applicant

I currently work for Ecolab in my home country of Saudi Arabia. The company is the global leader in water, hygiene and energy technologies and services. I am delighted to be employed by a company that undertakes a wide range of services that are so important to humanity and I am committed to furthering and making known its commendable goals.

Since taking up my current role, I have been involved in implementing and running a variety of humanitarian and educational projects for the benefit of local people. For instance, we are planning to launch a ‘Science is Fun’ project aimed at young children to fascinate and enthuse a new generation about science by the use of simple experiments, quizzes etc. I also hope to initiate a ‘Blood Drive’ and ‘Wellness Program’. The Kingdom is seeking to achieve a situation in which blood donation is locally sourced, totally voluntary and non-remunerated. I am personally very sympathetic to the aim of educating the public in the social benefits of regular blood donation.  The ‘Wellness Program’ is especially important in Saudi Arabia which has a very high, and increasing, incidence of Diabetes which it is possible to reduce by successfully encouraging changes in diet and lifestyle. Because of my interest in art and design, I am particularly interested in examining how important health and other information can be transmitted using art to supplement and enhance such messages making the recipient more likely to respond.  

Art is a very important aspect of my own life. I have derived enormous pleasure and fulfilment through artistic expression and hope, in the future, to initiate projects that are artistically based perhaps for therapeutic purposes but also to fire an interest in art and design for people of all ages and backgrounds, especially infants and the young.

I am making this application in order to equip myself to become a leader in the field of Corporate Communications. Once so equipped, it is my intention to continue working for Ecolab, at least initially, but certainly throughout my future career to work for a company where I am in sympathy with the goals of my employer so that I can seek to further those goals with integrity and with genuine passion.

I am aware that some view the role of the Corporate Communications specialist with some reserve and even cynicism in view of some recent business scandals such as those related to the banking crisis during which some such specialists could be accused of defending the indefensible. I see the role as partly preventative in that the specialist should be among those regularly reminding senior management  that, although it takes years to acquire a good reputation, it can be lost in mere hours and to be aware of those areas in which reputational risks might exist and to provide warnings of them where required.

I also regard effective internal communication as an essential tool in explaining and aligning business goals to those of employees and other stakeholders. Communications should be as comprehensive as possible and provided in a timely and easily accessible way to create and maintain good relationships. Responses should be encouraged, carefully considered and thoughtful responses provided.

As a graduate in Business, I am fully aware of the importance of the ‘bottom line’ in enabling a company to meet its business and charitable goals and I should certainly take a keen interest in the profitability of any business employing my services in the future and to enhance, where possible, its ability to maximize that profitability.

I am fluent in Arabic and English and am fairly widely travelled in the Middle East, Europe and North America. I enjoy learning about other cultures and sharing knowledge of my own.  I undertake voluntary work as a remedial teacher and in providing activities for deprived children which provides tremendous personal satisfaction. I enjoy teaching and mentoring others professionally, I am considered to be an excellent communicator both in writing and in person and am a confident and persuasive speaker.

To summarize: Having carefully considered my career options, I am convinced that Corporate Communications is the best option to apply my skills, characteristics and potential in the most effective way. I believe that I can ‘add value’ to the course by bringing the fruits of my professional experience to date and can assure the reader that I shall apply myself with exceptional diligence and enthusiasm to the course and shall seek to excel rather than merely succeed within it.

Thank you for considering my application.

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Master of Public Relations and Communications, Canada, Indigenous Nations

My father was from Scotland so I tend to think of myself as Scottish, but I was born in Halifax and northern Canada has always been my home. I grew up in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia where I graduated from high school. I then went to XXXX University about 3 hours from Halifax, where I earned my undergraduate degree in Business Administration. I was heavily involved with the student union throughout my four years of study and served as President of each of the residence houses in which I lived, as well as Senior Class President. Spending much of my free time reading about the media and public relations, I am as well traveled as I am read, spending significant amounts of time, in addition to Scotland, in Ireland, France, Italy, Spain, South Korea, China, Hawaii, New York City, and London.

After graduating from XXXX, I earned a Master’s Degree in International Fashion Marketing in Edinburgh, Scotland, bonding with my family roots and exploring a passion my passion for fashion. Upon my return to Canada, I settled in XXXX, a small town on Baffin Island where I have been working until the present time. Here is where I have gained the majority of my professional experience.

I am very much in love with the north of Canada and the way that it has provided me with so many opportunities that have helped me to continue to develop and refine my knowledge base and professional abilities as I continue to pursue my dream of a career in public relations and communications. I see the MPR Program at XXXX University as the optimal springboard to prepare me for excellence and my maximum contribution to my chosen field.

In my current position as Manager of Communication, Education and Outreach for the Government of XXXX Department of the Environment, I keep the public informed about all of our activities, the development of our mission, the nature of the challenges that we face and ways in which we depend upon the community for help and support. I am responsible for writing and distributing press and news releases, speeches for the Minister of the Environment; and I am also fully responsible for creating, organizing, and running special events for public outreach and media relations. I love my work and I hope to return to work again with the same people in the same location after completing the MPR program. I look forward to the fullest level of devotion to public relations as a public servant, for decades to some, assuming increasing levels of responsibility.

My first academic love was marketing, growing out of my fashion interest, evolving over time into my great passion for Public Relations. Some of my work in the area of Fashion had some noble and creative elements, for example, my work with the XXXX Arts and Crafts Association, helping local Inuit designers to showcase and promote their fur fashion to delegations and international visitors to the territory. I very much enjoyed promoting sealskin garments as a bountiful, renewable resource that promotes the use of Inuit traditional knowledge and contributes most significantly to their livelihood.

I seek full immersion and engagement with the most profound and challenging issues of our day, especially everything having to do with the environment. I have learned a great deal from all of my professional engagements, serving as Marketing Manager for the Arts Association, then Event Manager for the Chamber of Commerce, and now working in PR for the government in the Environment Department – I enjoy very much giving my all to a challenging industry, the PETA, Greenpeace, I feel very much at the center of the action.

I especially look forward to distinguishing myself in the promotion of the Inuit culture and way of life, in sustainable and ethical ways that are not cruel to either humans or animals and are not harmful to the environment. Earning the MPR at XXXX will help me to become much better at many things that I do professionally, such as preparing statement on behalf of the Department of Environment, Minister of Environment and in response to media requests we get from outside organizations.

I look forward to many decades of service to come in Public Relations, especially working with government agencies and natural resource companies, as well as the governments of the First Nations, always searching for solutions to difficult challenges.

I thank you for considering my application to the MPR Program at XXXX University.

Sample Personal Statement of Purpose for the MS in Communications, Colorado Activist, Progressive Causes

I have lived in Colorado almost my entire life and it is my permanent home and public square; and I am glad, at least, that Hillary won my state. I see the Democratic loss in the last presidential election as a devastating blow to democracy, women, the LGBT community, people of color, poor people, immigrants, and religious freedom. In Colorado, we on the Left are developing new appreciation for state’s rights; and we are doubling down on our efforts to resist what we see as reactionary pressures emanating from the Federal Government resulting in at least potential life-threatening ramifications for many of the most vulnerable members of our state. Thus, this is a good time for me to return to school and sharpen my skills, particularly with respect to Communications in health care.

Entrepreneurial and outspoken, I found my social identity and political niche in the progressive community developing in Denver, Colorado in 1997, the year that I completed an internship at the state capitol. Focus on the Family was the single most influential political player in Colorado at that time and the Republicans were in control of almost everything in our state. I volunteered to work on Democratic campaigns and ballot issue campaigns, rapidly gaining an increasingly sophisticated understanding of the mechanics of targeting and messaging – getting around and working my way up. I learned how the decisions made by politicians affect real people by talking to those people, the victims of failed policies, the ‘collateral’ damage. I tried to give voice to the voiceless.

Not everything is rosy in Colorado, but we have the political infrastructure built to continue to be a leader in advancing human rights and economic security, all while enjoying the natural beauty of our state. Earning the MS in Communications will enable me to build on the skills that I have developed over the course of my 20-year career in non-profit management and government affairs. A professional communicator, I have been most successful with a very targeted audience of 100 legislators in Colorado. Along with a broad variety of organizations and key players, I have helped to envision and implement landmark legislation to regulate medical, now retail, marijuana dispensaries in Colorado by uniting related businesses and establishing their credibility as the job creators and responsible business owners embracing regulation from the outset of the legal marijuana industry. I made important contributions to our Renewable Energy Standard, helping to ensure that it became a statewide policy by pushing to include rural community projects.  I have also helped to advocate for major voter rights provisions and vote-by-mail laws that have helped Colorado to set a national benchmark for other states working on similar initiatives.

I very much appreciate the fact that your MS Program in Communications at Purdie includes a real-world, case-studies focus as an integral part of the curricula. I am drawn to the fact that the professors in the online program work in the communications field but have backed up their work experience with foundational research in the ethics and methodology of communications. It is important to me that Purdue is a public university, and a top-rated one at that. I hold a strong belief that education is a basic foundation in a democracy and should be accessible to everyone. Both of my parents graduated from Purdue, one with an MS in Library Science and the other with a PhD in Nuclear Physics. Since I have a Purdue legacy anyway, I was overjoyed when I learned all about your most robust online program in Communications.

I need to return to intensive study because face new challenges in Colorado and I envision being in need of all of the additional Communications finesse that I might be able to acquire as a graduate student. This is especially true with the new challenges that we face in providing health care for the more vulnerable members of our community. As I write this, I am watching with horror as hundreds of people in America, most of them poor and vulnerable themselves, are being arrested in protests over the repeal of Obamacare. Access to basic health care at a reduced cost is a lifeline for a very broad swath of our population: single mothers, children, the elderly, the mentally ill, drug addicts, developmentally disabled people, etc.; and I feel strongly that we have a duty to care for them as part of our community.

I thank you for considering my application

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Sample Personal Statement of Purpose for Graduate School Arts and Technology in Emerging Communication, ATEC

I first came to America as a baby but my parents raised me mostly in the USA. Nevertheless, we were always flying back and forth from India to the US, since Indian families are very close and mine is no exception. This pleases me greatly, especially the fact that I decided to attend and graduate from high school in India (1996-2000) because this resulted in me being fully multicultural as well as multilingual, thus maximizing my potential to contribute to the celebration of diversity, in India as well as the United States.

The especially keen ways that the arts - visual, dance, song, and verse - are appreciated in Indian culture have been passed on to me by my family in both America and India; in addition to the Indian-American community. I also excel at IT and everything related to electronic communication and performance; making great strides towards my goal of becoming a successful multicultural artist and music producer. Thus, I feel confident that I will be able to excel in your distinguished PHD Program in the Arts and Technology at University of XXXX.

I look forward to a long lifetime of inspiring my students, and helping them to become highly motivated to pursue their dreams at the intersection of the arts and technology. I especially look forward to engaging in lifelong research into correlations between the arts and technology with an emphasis on sound design. I have already completed several internships in setting up and breaking down sound stages, assisted a sound engineer, and served as stage manager for a play, supervising students on the university level. I keenly look forward to teaching, or perhaps working at Apple in the design of Audio Software.

I am eager to enhance my knowledge and skills to prepare to dig deeper into research to get ready for the doctoral degree.  I am prepared to take these classes at graduate level because I have the basic knowledge and skills that I learnt as an undergraduate and can be utilized successfully.  I want to excel in every aspect of this program and continue my education by attaining a PHD in Arts and Technology with a special focus or concentration in the area of Emerging Communication (ATEC).

If I am accepted in the program, I would be particularly honored to learn from XXXX who specializes in media effects, media psychology, children and media, identity and self-development. I was intrigued by her research on how the role of media correlates to the socialization of young people in contemporary societies. I am particularly fascinated by Sound Design, Interactive Design and Networked Cultures.  Given my background and cultural diversity, I am confident I would be an asset to your university.

I believe that my intense passion and sheer curiosity and drive give me something valuable to offer your program. I love technology generally speaking and I am well read in most if not all of the areas of technological advancement that are related to the arts, especially sound. I will be graduating this coming December of 2017 from XXU with my Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Arts and Performance. I am currently enrolled in an Independent study with one of my professors in which I will produce an album. Eating, sleeping, and breathing classes in Conceptual Development, Art of War and Digital Interactivity, I am also working on my Senior Project. I profoundly hope to become a member of your academic community at University of XXXX devoted to exploring and creating on the frontiers of art and technology and I thank you for considering my application.

Sample 1st 2 Paragraphs MA Communication Disorders, Mixed Race Latina

You will undoubtedly have applicants to your program with better grades and higher GRE scores than mine. Nevertheless, I humbly ask for acceptance based on my great passion for speech therapy and the fact that I already have professional experience in this area working as a speech assistant for Epic Health Services.

I see communications as a dynamic catalyst for progressive social change that moves our technological and human advancement on every frontier and  I am pleased to help dozens of people every year in the area of communications. Most applicants in this area seek to study towards the Master’s Degree; but I have also helped a few applicants to PHD programs. I take the material that you provide and turn it into a highly eloquent essay that demonstrates your capacity to excel in graduate school, as well as you potential for making important, lifelong career contributions to communications in your area of chosen specialization. We keenly look forward to helping you to get accepted. After you fill out my Online Interview Form, I will ask you additional questions so that we have all of the information that we need to draft a spectacular statement on your behalf. If needed, we are also prepared to do extensive research on your behalf concerning your special area of interest. It is our pleasure to be of service to you and in this way share in the exciting advancements that are taking place in communications.

Communications, Ethics, and Diversity

In the globalized world of communications, companies in one country can easily do business with firms across the world. Different cultures can sometimes complicate business dealings. Mores and norms vary from society to society, but corporations need to set certain ethical standards, especially for communications. For example, if a communications supplier in one country finds bribery a perfectly acceptable way to conduct business, his buyer needs to look elsewhere. It does not matter that this supplier offers the cheapest prices. Corruption cannot be tolerated in the communications world.

Up until the financial meltdown of 2008, the communications world emphasized short-term results. Business executives received extravagant compensation packages for closing deals, no matter how the transaction affected the company in the long run. Financial institutions lent to borrowers freely, not considering their ability to repay the loans. Eventually, debtors defaulted on their loans, and the economy stood on the brink of collapse. Ethical leaders in all fields, especially communications, need to ignore easy profits and focus on future ramifications of actions, even if it earns less money for the company.

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• Undergraduate
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MSc Strategic Communications and Society

• Graduate taught
• Department of Media and Communications
• Application code P3U5
• Starting 2024
• Home full-time: Limited availability
• Overseas full-time: Limited availability
• Location: Houghton Street, London

The MSc Strategic Communications and Society moves beyond a purely vocational approach to the making of messages to offer you an understanding of strategic communication that reflects: the changing means of communication,  image making and storytelling in the organisational environment today; the expanding strategic ends of selling not only products and ideas/ideals but also places and experiences in an increasingly mediated and networked world; and the increasingly complex consequences for all types of organisation of the interaction of these changes.

The programme will focus on the study of different forms of strategic communication across markets, civil society and in politics, especially in the context of changes associated with digitalisation and globalisation. You will examine the ways organisations, informal groups and individuals communicate strategically, and how communication contributes to shaping discourses and practices within organisations and more widely across society.

You will reflect on the role of digital technologies in strategic communications, the links between discourse and power, and how these relate to the way public discourse and symbolic resources are unevenly distributed and controlled through strategic communications practices. Overall, you will develop an understanding of the power of strategic communications as an organisational, but also a social practice that privileges certain institutions and ideologies as it contributes to the evolution of society.

Programme details

For more information about tuition fees and entry requirements, see the fees and funding and assessing your application sections.

Entry requirements

Minimum entry requirements for msc strategic communications and society.

Either (a) Upper second class honours (2:1) degree or equivalent in social science, or (b) Upper second class (2:1) degree or equivalent in another field with professional experience in the media and communications field.

Competition for places at the School is high. This means that even if you meet the minimum entry requirement, this does not guarantee you an offer of admission.

If you have studied or are studying outside of the UK then have a look at our  Information for International Students  to find out the entry requirements that apply to you.

Assessing your application

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified prospective students and want to recruit students with the very best academic merit, potential and motivation, irrespective of their background.

We carefully consider each application on an individual basis, taking into account all the information presented on your application form, including your:

- academic achievement (including predicted and achieved grades) - statement of academic purpose - two academic references - CV

See further information on supporting documents

You may also have to provide evidence of your English proficiency, although you do not need to provide this at the time of your application to LSE.  See our English language requirements .

When to apply

Applications for this programme are considered on a rolling basis, meaning the programme will close once it becomes full. There is no fixed deadline by which you need to apply, however, to be considered for any LSE funding opportunity, you must have submitted your application and all supporting documents by the funding deadline. See the fees and funding section for more details. 

Fees and funding

Every graduate student is charged a fee for their programme.

The fee covers registration and examination fees payable to the School, lectures, classes and individual supervision, lectures given at other colleges under intercollegiate arrangements and, under current arrangements, membership of the Students' Union. It does not cover living costs or travel or fieldwork.

Tuition fees 2024/25 for MSc Strategic Communications and Society

Home students: £27,480 Overseas students: £27,480

The Table of Fees shows the latest tuition amounts for all programmes offered by the School.

For this programme, the tuition fee is the same for all students regardless of their fee status. However any financial support you are eligible for will depend on whether you are classified as a home  or overseas student, otherwise known as your fee status. LSE assesses your fee status based on guidelines provided by the Department of Education.

Further information about fee status classification.

Fee reduction

Students who completed undergraduate study at LSE and are beginning taught graduate study at the School are eligible for a  fee reduction  of around 10 per cent of the fee.

Scholarships and other funding

The School recognises that the  cost of living in London  may be higher than in your home town or country, and we provide generous scholarships each year to home and overseas students.

This programme is eligible for needs-based awards from LSE, including the  Graduate Support Scheme ,  Master's Awards , and  Anniversary Scholarships . 

Selection for any funding opportunity is based on receipt of an offer for a place and submitting a Graduate Financial Support application, before the funding deadline. Funding deadline for needs-based awards from LSE:  25 April 2024 .

In addition to our needs-based awards, LSE also makes available scholarships for students from specific regions of the world and awards for students studying specific subject areas.  Find out more about financial support.

Government tuition fee loans and external funding

A postgraduate loan is available from the UK government for eligible students studying for a first master’s programme, to help with fees and living costs. Some other governments and organisations also offer tuition fee loan schemes.

Find out more about tuition fee loans

Further information

Fees and funding opportunities

Information for international students

LSE is an international community, with over 140 nationalities represented amongst its student body. We celebrate this diversity through everything we do.  

If you are applying to LSE from outside of the UK then take a look at our Information for International students . 

1) Take a note of the UK qualifications we require for your programme of interest (found in the ‘Entry requirements’ section of this page). 

2) Go to the International Students section of our website. 

3) Select your country. 

4) Select ‘Graduate entry requirements’ and scroll until you arrive at the information about your local/national qualification. Compare the stated UK entry requirements listed on this page with the local/national entry requirement listed on your country specific page.

Programme structure and courses

You take one course on media and communications theories and concepts, a course in research methods, and a specialist strategic communications course. You will also select further courses from a range within the Department and across other relevant departments, such as management and social psychology. In addition, you will submit a dissertation of 12,000 words.

(* denotes half unit)  

Theories and Concepts in Media and Communications I (Key concepts and interdisciplinary approaches)* Addresses key theoretical and conceptual issues in the study of media and communications, within a broadly interdisciplinary social science perspective.

Either Methods of Research in Media and Communications (including Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis)* Provides a general training in research methods and techniques. Or Methods of Research in Media and Communications (including Qualitative Analysis & Applied Regression Analysis)* Provides students with a general training in research methods and techniques, including research design, the collection, analysis and interpretation of data, and enables students to evaluate critically their own research and that of professional researchers.

Critical Approaches to Strategic Communications *   Provides an advanced understanding of theoretical knowledge in the field of media and communication as this relates to strategic communications.

Dissertation: Media and Communications An independent research project of 12,000 words on an approved topic of your choice.

Courses to the value of one and a half units from a range of options  

For the most up-to-date list of optional courses please visit the relevant School Calendar page . 

You must note, however, that while care has been taken to ensure that this information is up to date and correct, a change of circumstances since publication may cause the School to change, suspend or withdraw a course or programme of study, or change the fees that apply to it. The School will always notify the affected parties as early as practicably possible and propose any viable and relevant alternative options. Note that the School will neither be liable for information that after publication becomes inaccurate or irrelevant, nor for changing, suspending or withdrawing a course or programme of study due to events outside of its control, which includes but is not limited to a lack of demand for a course or programme of study, industrial action, fire, flood or other environmental or physical damage to premises.

You must also note that places are limited on some courses and/or subject to specific entry requirements. The School cannot therefore guarantee you a place. Please note that changes to programmes and courses can sometimes occur after you have accepted your offer of a place. These changes are normally made in light of developments in the discipline or path-breaking research, or on the basis of student feedback. Changes can take the form of altered course content, teaching formats or assessment modes. Any such changes are intended to enhance the student learning experience. You should visit the School’s  Calendar , or contact the relevant academic department, for information on the availability and/or content of courses and programmes of study. Certain substantive changes will be listed on the  updated graduate course and programme information  page.

Teaching and assessment

Contact hours and independent study.

Within your programme you will take a number of courses, often including half unit courses and full unit courses. In half unit courses, on average, you can expect 20-30 contact hours in total and for full unit courses, on average, you can expect 40-60 contact hours in total. This includes sessions such as lectures, classes, seminars or workshops. Hours vary according to courses and you can view indicative details in the Calendar  within the Teaching section of each  course guide .

You are also expected to complete independent study outside of class time. This varies depending on the programme, but requires you to manage the majority of your study time yourself, by engaging in activities such as reading, note-taking, thinking and research.

Part-time students

Part-time students will normally take and be examined in courses to the value of two units in each year of study. In the first year, these two units, selected in discussion with your academic mentor, will usually include the compulsory theoretical course(s) and one or more option course(s). The methods course(s) and the dissertation are then usually taken in the second year, together with the remaining option course(s). You may be permitted to vary the courses to be taken in each year with the approval of your academic mentor.

Teaching methods

LSE is internationally recognised for its teaching and research and therefore employs a rich variety of teaching staff with a range of experience and status. Courses may be taught by individual members of faculty, such as lecturers, senior lecturers, readers, associate professors and professors. Many departments now also employ guest teachers and visiting members of staff, LSE teaching fellows and graduate teaching assistants who are usually doctoral research students and in the majority of cases, teach on undergraduate courses only. You can view indicative details for the teacher responsible for each course in the relevant  course guide .

All taught courses are required to include formative coursework which is unassessed. It is designed to help prepare you for summative assessment which counts towards the course mark and to the degree award. LSE uses a range of formative assessment, such as essays, problem sets, case studies, reports, quizzes, mock exams and many others. 

You will be assessed by written examinations, research assignments, essays and the dissertation, which must be submitted in August. Formal classroom teaching is usually completed by the end of the Winter Term. Coursework is usually submitted in January and May, and examinations are generally held in May and June. The remaining months are set aside for you to complete the dissertation, supported by staff supervision. 

An indication of the formative coursework and summative assessment for each course can be found in the relevant  course guide . 

Academic support

You will also be assigned an academic mentor who will be available for guidance and advice on academic or personal concerns.

There are many opportunities to extend your learning outside the classroom and complement your academic studies at LSE.  LSE LIFE  is the School’s centre for academic, personal and professional development. Some of the services on offer include: guidance and hands-on practice of the key skills you will need to do well at LSE: effective reading, academic writing and critical thinking; workshops related to how to adapt to new or difficult situations, including development of skills for leadership, study/work/life balance and preparing for the world of work; and advice and practice on working in study groups and on cross-cultural communication and teamwork.

LSE is committed to enabling all students to achieve their full potential and the School’s  Disability and Wellbeing Service  provides a free, confidential service to all LSE students and is a first point of contact for all disabled students.

Student support and resources

We’re here to help and support you throughout your time at LSE, whether you need help with your academic studies, support with your welfare and wellbeing or simply to develop on a personal and professional level.

Whatever your query, big or small, there are a range of people you can speak to who will be happy to help.  

Department librarians   – they will be able to help you navigate the library and maximise its resources during your studies. 

Accommodation service  – they can offer advice on living in halls and offer guidance on private accommodation related queries.

Class teachers and seminar leaders  – they will be able to assist with queries relating to specific courses. 

Disability and Wellbeing Service  – they are experts in long-term health conditions, sensory impairments, mental health and specific learning difficulties. They offer confidential and free services such as  student counselling,  a  peer support scheme  and arranging  exam adjustments.  They run groups and workshops.  

IT help  – support is available 24 hours a day to assist with all your technology queries.   

LSE Faith Centre  – this is home to LSE's diverse religious activities and transformational interfaith leadership programmes, as well as a space for worship, prayer and quiet reflection. It includes Islamic prayer rooms and a main space for worship. It is also a space for wellbeing classes on campus and is open to all students and staff from all faiths and none.   

Language Centre  – the Centre specialises in offering language courses targeted to the needs of students and practitioners in the social sciences. We offer pre-course English for Academic Purposes programmes; English language support during your studies; modern language courses in nine languages; proofreading, translation and document authentication; and language learning community activities.

LSE Careers  ­ – with the help of LSE Careers, you can make the most of the opportunities that London has to offer. Whatever your career plans, LSE Careers will work with you, connecting you to opportunities and experiences from internships and volunteering to networking events and employer and alumni insights. 

LSE Library   –   founded in 1896, the British Library of Political and Economic Science is the major international library of the social sciences. It stays open late, has lots of excellent resources and is a great place to study. As an LSE student, you’ll have access to a number of other academic libraries in Greater London and nationwide. 

LSE LIFE  – this is where you should go to develop skills you’ll use as a student and beyond. The centre runs talks and workshops on skills you’ll find useful in the classroom; offers one-to-one sessions with study advisers who can help you with reading, making notes, writing, research and exam revision; and provides drop-in sessions for academic and personal support. (See ‘Teaching and assessment’). 

LSE Students’ Union (LSESU)  – they offer academic, personal and financial advice and funding.  

PhD Academy   – this is available for PhD students, wherever they are, to take part in interdisciplinary events and other professional development activities and access all the services related to their registration. 

Sardinia House Dental Practice   – this   offers discounted private dental services to LSE students.  

St Philips Medical Centre  – based in Pethwick-Lawrence House, the Centre provides NHS Primary Care services to registered patients.

Student Services Centre  – our staff here can answer general queries and can point you in the direction of other LSE services.  

Student advisers   – we have a  Deputy Head of Student Services (Advice and Policy)  and an  Adviser to Women Students  who can help with academic and pastoral matters.

Student life

As a student at LSE you’ll be based at our central London campus. Find out what our campus and London have to offer you on academic, social and career perspective. 

Student societies and activities

Your time at LSE is not just about studying, there are plenty of ways to get involved in  extracurricular activities . From joining one of over 200 societies, or starting your own society, to volunteering for a local charity, or attending a public lecture by a world-leading figure, there is a lot to choose from. 

The campus 

LSE is based on one  campus  in the centre of London. Despite the busy feel of the surrounding area, many of the streets around campus are pedestrianised, meaning the campus feels like a real community. 

Life in London 

London is an exciting, vibrant and colourful city. It's also an academic city, with more than 400,000 university students. Whatever your interests or appetite you will find something to suit your palate and pocket in this truly international capital. Make the most of career opportunities and social activities, theatre, museums, music and more. 

Want to find out more? Read why we think  London is a fantastic student city , find out about  key sights, places and experiences for new Londoners . Don't fear, London doesn't have to be super expensive: hear about  London on a budget . 

Preliminary reading

1. What is strategic communication and how does it relate to PR, propaganda, persuasion and power?

Arthos, J. (2013). The Just Use of Propaganda: Ethical Criteria for Counter-Hegemonic Communication Strategies . Western Journal of Communication, 77(5), 582-604.

Cunningham, S. B. (2002).  The idea of propaganda: a reconstruction . Westport, Conn: Praeger.

Berger, B. K. (2005). Power Over, Power With, and Power to Relations: Critical Reflectionson Public Relations, the Dominant Coalition, and Activism.  Journal of Public Relations Research, 17 (1), 5-29

Fawkes, J. (2012). Saints and sinners: competing identities in public relations ethics.  Public Relations Review, 38 , 865-872.

Edwards, L., & Hodges, C. E. M. (2011).  Public relations, society and culture: theoretical and empirical explorations . Abingdon: Routledge.

Eyre, D. P., & Littleton, J. R. (2012). Shaping the zeitgeist: Influencing social processes as the center of gravity for strategic communications in the twenty-first century.  Public Relations Review, 38 (2), 179-187

L'Etang, J., & Pieczka, M. (2006).  Public relations: critical debates and contemporary practice . Mahwah, N.J: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

McKerrow, R. (2011). Foucault's Relationship to Rhetoric.  Review of Communication, 11 (4), 253-271

Roper, J. (2005). Symmetrical Communication: Excellent Public Relations or a Strategy for Hegemony?  Journal of Public Relations Research, 17 (1), 69-87.

Weaver, C., Motion, J., & Roper, J. (2006). From Propaganda to Discourse (And Back Again): truth, power, the public interest and publilc relations. In J. L'Etang & M. Pieczka (Eds.),  Public relations: critical debates contemporary practice . New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum.

2. What is the strategic communication/PR industry, how is it defined and how has it evolved?

Bardhan, N., & Weaver, C. K. (2011).  Public relations in global cultural contexts : multi-paradigmatic perspectives . New York: New York : Routledge.

Daymon, C., & Demetrious, K. (2014).  Gender and public relations : critical perspectives on voice, image and identity : London : Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.

Grunig, J. E. (2006). Furnishing the Edifice: Ongoing Research on Public Relations As a Strategic Management Function.  Journal of Public Relations Research, 18 (2), 151-177.

Macnamara, J. (2010).  The 21st century media (r)evolution: emergent communication practices . New York: Peter Lang.

Miller, D. (2008).  A century of spin : how public relations became the cutting edge of corporate power . London ; Ann Arbor, MI: London ; Ann Arbor, MI : Pluto Press.

Moloney, K. (2006).  Rethinking public relations: PR propaganda and democracy . London: Routledge.

Richard, D. W., & Jennifer, L. L. (2011). Revisiting strategic communications past to understand the present; Examining the direction and nature of communication on 400 web sites.  Corporate Communications: An International Journal, 16 (2), 150-169.

Taylor, P. M. (1999).  British propaganda in the twentieth century: selling democracy .

3.  What is promotional culture and how does it link to strategic communication, celebrity and image stereotyping?

Bourdieu, P. (1998).  On television . New York: The New Press.

Chouliaraki, L. (2012).  The ironic spectator : solidarity in the age of post-humanitarianism . Cambridge: Cambridge : Polity.

Corner, J., & Pels, D. (2003).  Media and the restyling of politics: consumerism, celebrity and cynicism . London: Sage Publications.

Edwards, L. (2013). Institutional Racism in Cultural Production: The Case of Public Relations.  The International Journal of Media and Culture, 11 (3), 242-256

Macnamara, J. (2006).  Media and male identity : the making and remaking of men . Basingstoke ; New York: Basingstoke ; New York : Palgrave Macmillan.

Redmond, S. The whitness of stars: looking at Kate Winslet’s unruly white body, in Holmes, S., & Redmond, S. (2006).  Stardom and celebrity : a reader . London: London : SAGE.

Rosenquist, R. (2013). Modernism, Celebrity and the Public Personality.  Literature Compass, 10 (5), 437-448.

Sussman, G. (2011).  The propaganda society: promotional culture and politics in global context  (Vol. 21). New York: Peter Lang.

Wernick, A. (1991).  Promotional culture : advertising, ideology and symbolic expression . London: London : Sage Publications.

4.  What is the impact of strategic communications on the public sphere and deliberative democracy?

Bennett, W. L., & Entman, R. M. (2001).  Mediated politics : communication in the future of    democracy . Cambridge: Cambridge : Cambridge University Press.

Davis, A. (2002).  Public relations democracy: public relations, politics, and the mass media in Britain . New York: Manchester University Press.

Elkins, J. (2012). Concerning practices of truth. In J. Elkins & A. Norris (Eds.),  Truth and Democracy  (pp. 19-53). Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press.

Erkkilä, T. (2012).  Government transparency : impacts and unintended consequences . Basingstoke: Basingstoke : Palgrave Macmillan

Harris, P. (2007). Challenge & response: essays on public affairs & transparency, Edited by Tom Spencer and Conor McGrath. Landmarks, Brussels in association with the European Centre for Public Affairs: 2006; (Vol  7, pp. 127-128). Chichester, UK

Joachim, K., & Tim Oliver, B. (2009). Implications of Habermas’ “theory of communicative action” for corporate brand management.  Corporate Communications: An International Journal, 14 (4), 389-403.

Langer, A. I. s. (2011).  The personalisation of politics in the UK: mediated leadership from Attlee to Cameron . Manchester: Manchester University Press.

Macnamara, J., & Zerfass, A. (2012). Social Media Communication in Organizations: The Challenges of Balancing Openness, Strategy, and Management.  International Journal of Strategic Communication, 6 (4), 287.

5.  Power and discourse – politics and strategic communication.

Coleman, S. (2007). Political Marketing: a Comparative Perspective (Vol. 60, pp. 180-186). Oxford: Oxford Publishing Limited(England).

Herman, E. S., & Chomsky, N. (2008).  Manufacturing consent: the political economy of the mass media . London: Bodley Head.

McNair, B. (2007).  An introduction to political communication . London: Routledge.

Price, S. (2007).  Discourse power address: the politics of public communication . Burlington, VT: Ashgate.

Reyes, A. (2014). Bush, Obama: (in)formality as persuasion in political discourse.  Journal of Language & Politics, 13 (3), 538-563.

Scammell, M. (2014).  Consumer democracy: the marketing of politics : Cambridge University Press

6.  How can strategic communication influence public opinion and behaviour?

Evans, N. (2012). A NUDGE IN THE WRONG DIRECTION.  Review - Institute of Public Affairs, 64 (4), 16-19.

Farrell, H., & Shalizi, C. (2011). Do the right thing.  New Scientist, 212 (2837), 28.

Leggett, W. (2014). The politics of behaviour change: nudge, neoliberalism and the state.  Policy & Politics, 42 (1), 3-19.

Mols, F., Haslam, S. A., Jetten, J., & Steffens, N. K. (2015). Why a nudge is not enough: A   social identity critique of governance by stealth.  European Journal of Political Research, 54 (1), 81-98.

Raftopoulou, E., & Hogg, M. (2010). The political role of government-sponsored social marketing campaigns.  European Journal of Marketing, 44 (7/8), 1206-1227.

Thaler, R. H. (2008).  Nudge : improving decisions about health, wealth, and happiness . New Haven

Wring, D. (2007). The British Public Relations State.  Conference Papers -- International Communication Association , 1-2.

7.  New media and the global reach of strategic communications:  business, activism and NGOs.

Cammaerts, B., Mattoni, A., & McCurdy, P. (2013).  Mediation and Protest Movements . Bristol: Bristol Intellect Books.

Hwang, S. (2012). The strategic use of Twitter to manage personal public relations.  Public Relations Review, 38 (1), 159.

Neill, M. S., & Moody, M. (2014). Who is responsible for what? Examining strategic roles in social media management.  Public Relations Review

Papasolomou,I, Melanthiou, Y. (2012). Social media: marketing public relations’ new best friend.   Journal of Promotion Management.  18(3): 319-328.

Wiggill, M. N. (2011). Strategic communication management in the non-profit sector: a   simplified model.  Journal of Public Affairs, 11 (4), 226-236.

Zerfass, A., & Schramm, D. (2014). Social Media Newsrooms in public relations: A conceptual framework and corporate practices in three countries.  Public Relations Review, 40 (1), 79.

8.  How do ‘special interests’ use strategic communication to influence policy agendas (lobbying)?

Anderon, Alison. (2006) Spinning the rural agenda: the Countryside Alliance, fox hunting and social policy.  Social Policy and Administration.  40(6): 722-738.

Blau, Benjamin. (2013). Corporate lobbying, political connections and the bailout of banks.   Journal of Banking and Finance.  37(8): 3007.

Casswell, Sally. (2009).  Reducing harm from alcohol: call to action.  The Lancet. 373(9682): 2247-2257.

Kurzer, Paulette. (2013). Organised interests and the case of EU food information labeling.  Journal of European Public Policy.  20(5): 722-740.

Harris, P, McGrath, C. (2012). Political Marketing and Lobbying: A Neglected Perspective and Research Agenda.  Journal of Political Marketing , 11 (1/2): 75-95.

Massey, JE. (2005). Public relations in the airline industry: the crisis reponse to the September 11 th  attacks.  Journal of Hospitality & Leisure Marketing.   12 (1-2): 97-114.

Pollay, R.W. (1997). Hacks, flacks and counter-attacks: cigarette advertising, sponsored research and controversy.   Journal of Social Issues.  53(1): 53-74.

Pratt, Cornelius. (1997/1998).  The 40-year tobacco wars: giving public relations a black eye?  Public Relations Quarterly.  42(4): 5-10.

Quick Careers Facts for the Department of Media & Communications

Median salary of our PG students 15 months after graduating: £30,000

Top 5 sectors our students work in:

• Advertising, Marketing, PR, Media, Entertainment, Publishing and Journalism           
• Government, Public Sector and Policy   
• Education, Teaching and Research            
• Consultancy      
• International Organisations

The data was collected as part of the Graduate Outcomes survey, which is administered by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). Graduates from 2020-21 were the fourth group to be asked to respond to Graduate Outcomes. Median salaries are calculated for respondents who are paid in UK pounds sterling and who were working in full-time employment.

On graduating, our students enter a variety of careers in the UK and abroad, including broadcasting, journalism, advertising, new media industries, political marketing, market research, regulation and policy, media management and research in both the public and private sectors.

Further information on graduate destinations for this programme

Support for your career

Many leading organisations give careers presentations at the School during the year, and LSE Careers has a wide range of resources available to assist students in their job search. Find out more about the  support available to students through LSE Careers .

Find out more about LSE

Discover more about being an LSE student - meet us in a city near you, visit our campus or experience LSE from home. 

Experience LSE from home

Webinars, videos, student blogs and student video diaries will help you gain an insight into what it's like to study at LSE for those that aren't able to make it to our campus.  Experience LSE from home . 

Come on a guided campus tour, attend an undergraduate open day, drop into our office or go on a self-guided tour.  Find out about opportunities to visit LSE . 

LSE visits you

Student Marketing, Recruitment and Study Abroad travels throughout the UK and around the world to meet with prospective students. We visit schools, attend education fairs and also hold Destination LSE events: pre-departure events for offer holders.  Find details on LSE's upcoming visits . 

How to apply

Virtual Graduate Open Day

Register your interest

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MSc Social and Public Communication

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By, Stuart R. Levine Published in, The Credit Union Times

Numerous articles and research studies have shown effective communication to be an important driver of employee engagement, which leads to improved financial performance.  Gallup reports that those organizations falling within the top 25% of employee engagement in their client database not only have significantly higher productivity, profitability and customer satisfaction, but also reduced turnover, lower absenteeism and fewer safety incidents than those clients falling in the bottom 25%.  These numbers make a strong case for the value and importance of strategic communication.

Well-designed communication programs are essential for sharing a company’s strategic plan and providing other important organizational information that informs employees of the organization’s goals and objectives, business priorities, products and services.

Explaining the strategic focus of the business and how it creates value for the customer and stakeholders helps employees understand how their work links directly to the success of the organization.   Strategic communication that ties the organization’s objectives to its core values and mission sustains momentum, increases personal drive and pride in the organization.

The basic elements of effective strategic communication messaging include:

• Using your organization’s mission statement as the blueprint for your communications
• Identifying key major themes
• Conveying a consistent message thread for organizational strategies and business objectives
• Keeping messages clear and simple

In order for a strategic communications program to be effective, senior leaders must understand and embrace the communication strategy, rationale and core messages.  Along with the CEO, senior leadership can be important storytellers for communicating the message with authenticity, purpose and consistency.  Leaders must play close attention to each audience’s concerns, potential resistance, requirements and objectives.

Ultimately individual employees must understand what they need to do differently and why. Management must describe how a business change or a new policy will impact employees.  Employees deserve consistent and regular information on changes that affect them.  Remember that complex changing business environments require even more communication.

We recently helped to launch a very successful strategic communication program.  Within three months of becoming a CEO, our client realized that top management was not leveraging all the creative, innovative ideas within the company.  His team fielded an employee survey to find out how the employees thought the company could build greater momentum, improve costs and spur innovation.  The responses – over 2,000 of them – were sorted, analyzed and the best ones were put into action.  The results were then shared with the employees through succinct weekly email updates, many of which contained links to videos of employees whose suggestions had led to cost reductions, better customer service and improved benefits.

The rollout of an effective strategic communication program involves an education process with employees that is designed to build support, maintain organizational strength and shift attitudes in accordance with the established objectives.  Appropriate communications channels must be efficiently used for the program’s dissemination.  Messages are most effective when communicated through more than one medium, using multiple communications outlets such as print, the organization’s intranet, social media, town hall meetings and most importantly, face-to-face discussions.  Lasting impact requires two-way communication, so management must actively seek feedback in order to understand what is working and not working, and make changes accordingly to reflect employee input.

In our clients’ case, their workforce spans a number of generations, geographies and functional areas. The communications team needed to work hard to create weekly updates that captured the attention of the “point and click” younger generation, while not alienating the more prose-oriented older employees.  Creative communication included many difference vehicles — videos, contests, links to more detailed background information, input from various functions and locations and platforms like Yammer for immediate two-way communication.  Judging by the response on Yammer, the company’s strategic communication has definitely increased employee engagement.  The company’s results to date have outperformed expectations, and while the improved communications and resultant increase in employee engagement may not be the only reason for it, we believe that this played a large part in the company’s success.

In summary, well-designed communications provide employees with the tools for a stronger and more consistent expression of the organization’s brand. Through effective communication, leaders engage employees in a conversation that generates support for the organizational strategy, motivates useful behaviors and, through empowerment, allows the employee to participate in creating the desired change and thereby increasing organizational value.  Effective employee communication brings the best thinking to the forefront, reduces uncertainty and engages employees.  As The Gallup 2013 State of the American Workplace Report affirmed: “Engaged workers are the lifeblood of their organizations.”  And effective strategic communication creates engagement, and increases the likelihood of financial success.

Categories : Articles , Our Work with Credit Unions , Strategic Communication

Stuart Levine & Associates is a premiere management consulting firm specializing in Strategic Planning , Strategic Implementation , Leadership Development , and Governance .

Our consulting products and services are based upon Stuart R. Levine’s international best-selling books, The Six Fundamentals of Success and Cut to the Chase . For insights and commentary on current business issues, view our articles .

Stuart Levine & Associates LLC 3801 PGA Blvd. Suite 600 Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410 United States

Phone: (516) 465-0800

AI Is My Meal Planner, Editor, Assistant and More as a Working Mom — Here's How You Can Use AI to Conquer Multitasking, Too.

A s the CEO and founder of a public relations and marketing agency and mother of a lively two-and-a-half-year-old toddler, my day is a constant balancing act between the many professional roles I hold and my various personal and family commitments. Like many moms out there, transitioning from one role to another is akin to assembling a complex jigsaw puzzle, where each piece represents a different aspect of my life.

Regardless of which hat I am wearing, managing the diverse range of responsibilities that span both my business and personal lives has honed my multitasking abilities better than ever before, but it's never easy to find a balance. Generative AI tools like OpenAI's ChatGPT platform have become invaluable allies. Now, as more platforms adopt AI, mompreneurs can leverage its powers for strategic planning, communication, operations management and managing external stakeholders at work and at home.

Related: The Rise of the Mompreneur: How Moms Are Killing It in the Startup World

Strategic planning: Business and personal

For a business, having a comprehensive market analysis, diverse growth strategies and innovative product and content development is the basis of any successfully run operation that relies on strategic and thorough planning . At home, strategic planning might look more like doctor's appointments, grocery and meal planning, scheduling family trips, scheduling childcare and various children's activities like birthday parties, after-school events and more. Both are essential for achieving your goals and navigating life's complexities with confidence and efficiency.

AI steps in:

• Ideation : AI can be a powerful thought partner. Have you ever caught yourself brainstorming how to best optimize a pitch deck while simultaneously wondering what you should feed your toddler for the week all in the span of five minutes? Inputting these questions into an AI platform like ChatGPT can produce numerous creative ideas and opportunities to iterate. It can even tailor the weekly menu to what you currently have in your pantry or fridge.
• Analysis : AI tools like IBM Watson provide deep analytical capabilities that can predict consumer preferences and analyze vacation costs. This type of analysis can lead to better market forecasts as well as determine the most cost-effective and optimized family vacation based on airfare and exchange rates.
• Automating planning : Planning can be made more efficient with AI, automating both routine and complex tasks. Now that Google Calendar has implemented Reclaim AI , business operations and family life action items such as developing project timelines or coordinating multiple schedules across family members' activities can be simplified.

Communications

In the movie Ocean's Eleven , Matt Damon's character, Rusty, imparts a valuable lesson on the art of effective communication: "Don't use seven words if four will do." Whether you're engaging with clients or connecting with family, this sage advice holds true. Effective communication not only saves you time and energy but also ensures clarity and precision in your message.

• Communication platforms : Slack changed the game on how remote teams interact on a day-to-day basis. My team meets on an ad-hoc basis and communicates with our external clients as well as vendors all via Slack. And now, it leverages AI for advanced search, conversation summaries and recaps — business owners and moms alike can keep their "receipts" and find valuable information in a pinch.
• Writing : Business emails, client reports, delivering news — whether good or bad — all of these tasks require a delicate and precise hand when it comes to written communication. But all too often, factors like context switching or insufficient sleep can sometimes hinder the process. AI tools like ChatGPT and Grammarly can be your thought partner or editor .

Related: How Being a 'Mompreneur' Prepared Me to Run a Multi-Million-Dollar Business

Managing operations

Operational efficiency and profit margins are regular discussion topics and goals in the business, but rarely are the concepts brought into the home life — at least, not verbally. And yet, like a business, moms have a never-ending list of repetitive household tasks as well as milestones and major shifts in routine, just like a business. Integrating AI into household operations can streamline the daily repetitive tasks that are so necessary to keeping life running smoothly, and most importantly, give them the gift that all moms want: free time.

• Low-cost assistant : Many of us have smart tech or activated assistants already implemented in the home, from Google Assistant , Amazon Alexa or Siri . These assistants can help manage grocery lists, control smart home devices, entertain family and guests with auditory and visual entertainment and even help answer homework problems.
• Project management : Platforms like Asana , Monday.com and Notion were developed to streamline professional productivity. They can set automated, personal reminders, build out and manage your everyday to-dos and categorize your tasks based on priority, making those repetitive duties much simpler while decreasing the cognitive load.

Managing external stakeholders

Building and maintaining relationships with business partners, customers, employees and vendors are essential for an entrepreneur's success — surprisingly, not so different from a mother's relationship with community members, teachers, coaches, children's friends and parents, as well as one's own family members. In many ways, mothers tend to fill the role of chief connectivity officer for their family — a unique yet deeply significant position in any successful business.

• Scheduling and event management : Calendly and Doodles are both AI-powered tools that simplify the process of scheduling meetings for business purposes, but can also be implemented for planning community and family events.
• Communication and social : Social media and email are familiar, powerful tools for both business owners and individuals. Tools like Mailchimp and Persado can send personalized blasts while HootSuite and Sprout Social can leverage AI to manage your social media interactions through scheduled posts and engagement analysis.

Tina Fey said, "I think every working mom probably feels the same thing. You go through big chunks of time where you're thinking, 'This is impossible – oh, this is impossible. ' And then you just keep going and keep going and sort of … do the impossible."

Related: 5 Entrepreneurship Lessons We Can Learn From Moms

Juggling the unique spectrum of roles from family matriarch to business dynamo requires strength, resilience and endless energy — of course, it feels impossible. The integration of AI into daily tasks — be it through strategic planning, streamlined communication, optimized operations or effective stakeholder management — has not only enhanced my capacity to perform these roles, but has also redefined the very essence of multitasking.

As we continue to embrace technological advancements and find new ways to simplify and streamline our everyday life , we, as busy mompreneurs, have the potential to thrive in all areas of life, setting new benchmarks for what it means to be a modern, multitasking mompreneur. Sometimes, all it takes is a little help.

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Marketing Personal Statement Examples

What is a marketing personal statement?

Your marketing UCAS personal statement  is a chance to sell yourself to the university admissions tutors and show them why you would make a great marketing candidate. It’s a place to describe your skills and strengths, as well as your career plans and any relevant work experience you have completed.

You are allowed up to 4,000 characters to explain why you are applying for a marketing degree, so you need to make sure your statement is as polished as possible to stand out from the crowd.

How do I write a good marketing personal statement?

Successful marketing personal statements always use evidence to back up what they say - remember to always show, not tell!

You need to convince admissions tutors that you’re a good match for the programme, so if you claim to be committed, organised or inquisitive, then use examples from your life experience to demonstrate this.

To write a great marketing personal statement you need to start early, brainstorm some ideas, and then begin your first draft.

This will then need to be carefully revised and edited before asking family and friends for feedback. Incorporate their comments and suggestions, and see how it is improved before asking them to look at it again.

Read through our marketing personal statement examples above, which will give you an idea of what a good marketing statement looks like.

Make sure you proofread your statement for grammar and spelling before sending it off, and if you feel you need a little extra help, take a look at our personal statement editing services .

What should I include in my marketing personal statement?

Many students choose to start their marketing personal statement by picking a specific topic and explaining why they enjoy it, e.g. consumer behaviour or retail marketing.

Remember that admissions tutors only want candidates that are as passionate about the subject as they are.

As well as your motivations for studying marketing, think about your hobbies and extracurricular activities too. What skills have you learned from these and how will these help you in your marketing degree?

Talk about any work experience placements you have completed, e.g. working as a marketing assistant or digital marketing intern. What did you take away from this experience? Do you feel you have all the necessary personal traits and qualities that make a good university marketing student?

Your wider reading is also important, so it's worth mentioning anything you've read recently that you found interesting and why. This might be in a newspaper, magazine, journal or online. Generally, admissions tutors like students who express their views and opinions, and can back them up with evidence.

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For more information on careers with a marketing degree, please see Prospects and Top Universities .

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Currently, the best UK universities for marketing are:

For more information about UK university rankings for marketing, please see The Complete University Guide and The Guardian .

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ASU PD Chief Thompson on leave

ASU Police Chief Michael Thompson has been placed on paid administrative leave, per university policy, pending a review of complaints filed related to his actions on April 26-27, 2024. Assistant Chief John Thompson has been named Acting Chief. 

The ASU Office of General Counsel is directing a review of actions surrounding the establishment and removal of an encampment on the Alumni Lawn. Upon completion of the review, ASU will provide an update on its findings.  For more information, visit the informational webpage on this issue  here .

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Chancellor’s Message on Agreement Reached to Resolve Encampment

Chancellor Mark Mone shared the following message to UWM students, faculty and staff on May 12, 2024.

Dear UWM Students, Faculty and Staff,

I’m writing to share that UWM leadership has reached an agreement with representatives of the student protesters encamped on the lawn outside of Mitchell Hall. As a result, students have started dismantling the encampment and will finish doing so by Tuesday morning. The agreement also includes assurances that those involved will not disrupt UWM’s upcoming commencement ceremonies. You can read the full terms of the agreement here.

I’m grateful that the ongoing dialogue with our students has resulted in this peaceful resolution. I want to extend my personal thanks to everyone who played a role in the process. The voluntary dismantling of the encampment is the safest conclusion for everyone. And as I mentioned in my campus message last week , dismantling the encampment in no way infringes upon free speech.

I know this has been a trying time for many, especially for those concerned by the encampment’s presence and those who have been personally impacted by the war. I also recognize that many have criticized UWM for not forcing the removal of the camp earlier. Indeed, the most common question asked of us involved when police would be sent in to break up the encampment. Our consistent answer: UWM leadership prioritized the safety of everyone involved, which meant seeking resolution through dialogue with our students. Today, as this agreement goes into effect and the encampment begins to come down, we are thankful there were no significant safety issues and that counterprotests remained peaceful.

UWM is a public university that serves a broadly diverse community, and our core responsibility is the education of our students. And so, consistent with our mission, we’ve charted a path forward that prioritizes strengthening our community of care, mutual respect, accountability and collaboration for a better future.

Best regards,

Mark A. Mone, PhD Chancellor

Read the full agreement. 

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