What is the difference between a Statement of Purpose and a Personal History Statement?
Your Statement of Purpose deals primarily with your academic and professional experience and goals. It is a relatively black and white portrait of where you are now, where you want to be in the future, and why the UC Berkeley School of Public Health is the next logical step. Your Personal History Statement, on the other hand, gives you an opportunity to add some color to the black and white picture you have painted. You can talk about who you are as a person, about your family, your ethnicity, and the experiences that make you a unique individual. This essay will play a large role in consideration for fellowships. For more information see the Personal Statement Guide on the Graduate Division web site.
