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Personal Statement Examples From student-athletes

What is a personal statement? A personal statement is your chance to show college coaches who you are outside of your academic and athletic life. It provides an opportunity to showcase your character, extracurricular activities, and anything else you would want a coach to know about you that they can’t get from stats or video. 

As a student-athlete, you should include your personal statement in your NCSA athletic profile. You can also use the information from your personal statement to help formulate introduction letters or emails to college coaches . 

4 Steps to Writing a Personal Statement

Step 1: be yourself..

When writing your personal statement, be honest and be personal. This is something to keep at the forefront of your mind as you write and revise the statement.  

There is no need to write this like an academic paper; instead, tell everything you want your recruiter to know about you. Don’t be ashamed to “boast” your achievements. At the same time, share your passions and what motivates you when it comes to your college future.  

Step 2: Be specific.

Being specific in your personal statement means answering questions like “So what?” and “Why me?” when describing what you bring to your dream college team. This includes:  

• Awards and accolades  
• Academics (beyond what is displayed on your athletic profile) 
• Experiences, hardships, and lessons learned 
• Motivations 
• Future goals 
• Leadership roles 

When writing your personal statement, use these questions as a guideline, but make sure your personal statement is unique to you. It should highlight what is impressive about you and your life, such as: 

• What details of your life have influenced who you are? 
• When and how did you become interested in your sport? 
• What have you learned about yourself through playing your sport? 
• What are your academic goals for high school? For college? 
• Have you had to overcome any obstacles to get where you are? 
• What unique characteristics or skills do you possess? 

Step 3: Edit and proofread for spelling and grammar.

Once the first draft of your personal statement is written, review it and focus on: 

• Spelling and grammatical errors  
• Specificity    
• Relevancy    
• Clarity with simple, concise language  
• Active voice (rather than passive voice)    

Then, read the essay aloud to help catch additional mistakes and hear how the writing flows to identify areas of improvement. If you have family or friends who can proofread your personal statement, that will only make it better. This is your chance to shine and make a good impression on a college coach, so give your full effort.  

Step 4: Rework your opening sentence.

Lastly, make sure to work on and rework your opening sentence to grab the reader’s attention. It should be personal to you, not using any clichés or quotes. This is arguably the most important part of the statement! 

NCSA Personal Statement Examples

Seeking some inspiration for your NCSA personal statement? Review the two examples below from real student-athletes. What makes these statements flourish is that they do not simply repeat the baseline information in the players’ applications and athletic profiles. 

Personal Statement for Women’s Basketball

Here is a personal statement from basketball player Laura Marx , hailing from Menomonee Falls, WI. 

What did Laura do well here? For one, she provides plenty of specificity with detail on the exact basketball skills she brings to a team followed by her involvement in other sports clubs. This underscores her dedication to the sport.  

Throughout the essay, her statements are clear and concise, staying on-topic to her personal passions and accomplishments.  

Additionally, she emphasizes her involvement in academic organizations and the community, tying it all together with her desire to thrive both on the court and in the classroom.  

Personal Statement for Men’s Football

Check out this personal statement from football player Cormac Shanoff of Little Falls, MN.

This personal statement begins strong by sharing his involvement in two other sports aside from football. This helps highlight his dedication and well-roundedness as an athlete.  

He does an especially excellent job at keeping the statement truly personal, with the first section displaying a sense of authenticity and vulnerability. Cormac highlights life lessons he has learned from playing on a team, such as the importance of teamwork and camaraderie.  

However, he doesn’t forget to be specific by addressing his sports awards, leadership skills, and academic goals.  

How long should a personal statement be? 

As a very general rule of thumb, the word count range for a personal statement is about 500 to 650 words. Ultimately, this depends on the specific requirements provided the university—so, pay attention to your application instructions.  

For college sports, a personal statement length requirement might range anywhere from 200 to 650 words, for instance. 

Does a personal statement matter? 

Including a personal statement with your application is always a good idea, particularly if it’s a college you would really like to attend. If coaches are between two applications, a strong, well-written personal statement will help set you apart.  

For student-athletes, meeting the college’s athletic standards is only the first step. Studies have shown that coaches place high importance on athletes’ character and coachability over pure athletic ability. Thus, demonstrating humility, patience, and willingness to learn is key when you are trying to stand out. 

Get Recruited with more NCSA resources

Now that you’ve got a grasp on writing a sports-centric personal statement for college coaches, check out our College Recruiting Guide to dive more deeply into key areas of the recruiting process. 

If you’re ready to build your free online athletic recruiting profile (including a personal statement) to tell coaches who you are, click here ! 

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PERSONAL STATEMENT EXAMPLE Sport and Exercise Science Personal Statement

Submitted by Edward

Brighton ranks 7th in the UK for Sport Science (GUG, 2024).

Study in specialist labs in a Sports degree that covers physiology, psychology, anatomy and biomechanics, essential to building a career in the sector.

Sport and Exercise Science Personal Statement

I have always immersed myself fully in the world of sport , whether that be through playing it myself or keeping up to date with developments, results and inquests through news articles. The sporting world is an exciting yet demanding aspect of today's society, with the ability to unite nations by providing a global language which everyone can understand, regardless of nationality, ethnicity or religious beliefs. Its importance can be appreciated through observing its valuable contribution to communities and the economy, as well as to the individuals who participate. Sports science has the capacity to push an athlete's body to the limit both physically and through the use of technology.

My interest in the science of sport started at a young age when I became intrigued by how the body works during exercise. My A-Level subjects of Biology, Physical Education and Business Studies have further fuelled my interest in this area, allowing me to extend my scientific understanding of how body systems operate, as well as introducing me to the commercialisation involved, and the relationship between the media and sport.

Studying PE has allowed me to develop a deep understanding of the theoretical underpinning of sport, ranging from sports psychology, to the biomechanics of musculoskeletal movement. Biology has allowed me to become more confident with practical laboratory work and mathematical skills, as I have gained experience of devising and carrying out investigations and using statistical analysis to assess the significance of my results. Many of the areas covered over both of these courses intertwine with one another, meaning I've been able to reinforce my knowledge in areas such as the anatomy of the human body and physiological processes, such as those involved in the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. In particular I enjoyed investigating ways in which the human body responds to exercise and ways in which injuries can be prevented or rehabilitated.

I have been involved in a host of sporting activities ranging from an inter-school downhill skiing event, club football, and school rugby matches, which I have played competitively for 5 years. After studying the muscular system at A Level, I took up weight training to aid my performance in my main sports, which are rugby and football. I am determined to pursue them further in the future and I am looking forward to playing sport at a higher level at university. I have always believed sport to be a positive challenge and a chance to socialise and meet new people as well as the chance to be part of a team. With rugby being my chosen sport in PE, I have been involved in a volunteering programme at my school. This has allowed me to work alongside teachers to enthuse and encourage young children in the hope that they too will share the same passion for sport. This experience has developed my leadership skills and I am often required to demonstrate the correct technique for certain movements.

I have assisted in developing a programme in order progressively to build on their confidence when performing and to educate them on the rules of rugby. This has allowed me to advance my communication skills and understand the importance of simplifying key ideas into smaller components to aid understanding. I have developed my teamwork skills through decision making and problem-solving in group situations. With this in mind, I feel I can positively contribute to lab work and discussions surrounding sport. I am also a self-motivated person with an ability to persevere without necessarily needing encouragement from others. The way the Olympics has united countries and their motto- 'citius, altius, fortius' or 'faster, higher, stronger'- has encouraged people to strive for their full potential. I look forward to studying and researching ways to drive athletes to achieve their maximum performance.

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Writing The Perfect Sports Science Personal Statement

Table of Contents

Sports science is a multidisciplinary field of study. It combines principles from biology, physics, chemistry, and psychology to understand and improve human performance in sports.

Whether you are an aspiring coach, or exercise scientist, applying for a sports science program will increase your knowledge. A personal statement is a crucial part of the application process. It gives the admissions committee a picture of who you are, and showcases your passion and interest in sports. The sports science personal statement examples below will provide you with a clear blueprint of how to make your statement unique.

Keep reading this article to learn how to write an outstanding sports science personal statement. We’ve included some amazing sports science personal statement examples to guide you.

What Is A Sports Science Personal Statement?

A sports science personal statement is often required as part of a university or college application for a sports science degree program.

It allows you to demonstrate your passion for sport science and highlight relevant knowledge, skills, and experience . A personal statement is also an avenue to stand out from other competitors.

How to Write An Excellent Sports Science Personal Statement

A sports science personal statement should typically include the following elements:

1. An introduction

A personal statement should contain a brief, catchy introduction that describes who you are to the reader.

2. Reasons for applying for the program

Explain why you are interested in pursuing a sports science degree and how your previous experience and interests have prepared you for this field.

3. Relevant skills and experience

Talk about any relevant skills or experience you have that make you a strong candidate for a sports science degree program. It can be any relevant coursework, internships, or extracurricular activities you have participated in.

4. Goals and aspirations

Highlight your long-term career goals and how a sports science degree will help you achieve them.

5. Conclude

Finally, conclude your statement with a strong reason why you are perfect for the program.

Sports Science Personal Statement Examples

I have been passionate about Physical and Health Education (PHE) for as long as I can remember, having participated in various sports since childhood.

I have a curious mind that yearns to understand the basics of human movement. It is no surprise that a degree program in Sports Science is my top choice. Growing up, I was eager to learn more about how we interact with our environment. I also flex my reflexes, agility, coordination, and balance through varied sports activities.

My interest has been further intensified by exposure to research papers focusing on strength and conditioning, ergonomics, and motor control. My achievements include securing second place in my school’s badminton competition, being appointed a junior coach, and teaching basketball skills at local camps. At every opportunity, I strived to challenge myself intellectually by seeking opportunities to test different ideas to improve my performance. This keenness to think deeply led me to experiment with alternative training methods like game-based learning, which proved beneficial during physical activity sessions.

As such, pursuing this line of study would be an invaluable experience in developing my existing knowledge. And providing me with the platform to contribute to the sports science domain. 

I also aim to make advancements using innovative strategies – ultimately striving to unlock new possibilities within the PHE arena.

I hope I am considered for this opportunity.

I have always been passionate about physical education and sport science. My enthusiasm for health, exercise, and well-being has driven my desire to pursue this field. I am highly motivated to take my knowledge of the subject further and make a lasting impact in the world of sports. 

I have experienced various sports activities through practicals and extracurricular studies. This has allowed me to gain insight into different aspects such as physiology, nutrition, psychology, anatomy, and more.

During my high school years, I trained in squash and badminton, which allowed me to develop greater resilience and strength. Through these experiences, I gained experience with various teaching techniques, eventually earning certifications in coaching youths.

I’m eager to continue developing my skills while contributing towards my chosen career path. With that being said, a sports science degree would provide the perfect platform for me to reach new heights. It will help me understand how training programs are constructed and applied within performance settings. Being familiar with research methods and data analysis, I can ensure accuracy when conducting evaluations or implementing treatments. 

In addition, having a deep understanding of physiological processes will allow me to identify unique approaches when aiding athletes in their recovery process. My passion, commitment, and previous experience set me apart from other applicants and make me the ideal candidate for your prestigious Sports Science program.

I have been passionate about physical education and sport science since high school. This field offers a wide range of possibilities, both in terms of academic advancement and practical experience. I aim to combine the two elements to become an expert in this field.

I am particularly keen on researching how various factors impact physiological processes during sports activity. This curiosity was fueled when I began examining the physiology behind training adaptations. And analyzing the effects of training volume and intensity upon recovery duration. Having already gained considerable knowledge in exercise physiology, nutrition, and kinesiology, I am confident that further study will broaden my knowledge.

I strive to apply theory into practice by participating in numerous sporting events. And taking part in several community projects related to coaching and physical development. These activities have allowed me to sharpen my communication and leadership skills and develop interpersonal connections.

If allowed to pursue this course at your esteemed university, I could take full advantage of it and develop those areas that need improvement. 

Additionally, the flexibility and creativity encouraged at your institute would enable me to explore many aspects related to PHE. This will help me expand my horizons even more!

I’m an avid sports enthusiast passionate about learning and utilizing sports science. Ever since I was young, I have been thrilled by the power of exercise. And its ability to bring together people from all backgrounds and lifestyles.

As such, I decided to pursue this interest in my undergraduate studies to learn more about the fundamentals of physiology and biomechanics. My academic background has enabled me to understand how physical activity affects both body and mind. 

I also possess experience working within the field of sports science. During my internship at a local fitness center, I developed extensive knowledge about fitness training protocols, sports nutrition, and biomechanical assessments. 

All this has given me an insight into the workings of the industry. Furthermore, it improved my communication skills and led me to collaborate with multiple teams involved in the organization’s projects.

I aim to use my education and personal experience to advance my understanding of sports performance to enhance athletes’ productivity and minimize injuries. To achieve this goal, I am eager to join a highly-ranked university that provides world-class resources and mentorships. This will allow me to develop my professional skills further.

A life-long passion for sports has driven me to pursue a deeper understanding of the science behind it. My desire to explore this field further was inspired by the physical and mental changes I have experienced over time. With my experiences alongside classroom learning, I can effectively contribute to the sports sciences field.

I am particularly interested in biomechanics, physiology, psychology, and nutrition, which all combine to form a comprehensive approach to sporting performance. My familiarity with these subjects has grown through my involvement in soccer, basketball, and swimming since I was a child. Furthermore, courses I have taken in – including human anatomy and kinesiology – have taught me how our bodies respond to exercise.

I am eager to build upon my knowledge by immersing myself in a stimulating university environment. Where I can develop new skills and investigate varied perspectives. Through research and experimentation, I hope to gain more excellent sports science knowledge and improve my analytical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. 

Studying sports science will allow me to take full advantage of my natural abilities and expand my horizons further.

I am an avid athlete, constantly pushing myself to reach peak physical performance and mental strength. 

I have devoted countless hours to understanding the science of sport and how it can be applied to achieve optimal fitness goals. With a strong passion for health, nutrition, and exercise science, I aim to use this knowledge to benefit others. 

I’ve coupled theoretical knowledge with practical experience to develop my comprehension of sports science. Every step of my journey has served to further my appreciation of the principles of human movement and healthy living. I studied kinesiology at the high school level and participated in advanced training sessions as part of my college soccer team.

I understand the significance of remaining current with industry trends by staying updated on research developments. My enthusiasm will enable me to contribute fresh ideas upon enrollment into a university’s sports science program. I am confident in my ability to perform exceptionally well in any setting related to sports science.

Wrapping up

Sport is fascinating to many people, but beyond running, jumping, and all, it is a science with an exciting aspect. If you’re planning to enrol for a sports science program, your personal statement is the first impression the admission committee has about you . It is also your chance to convince them that you’re the perfect fit for the sports science program.

Therefore, give your best to writing the perfect personal statement. The sports science personal statement examples above will come in handy. You may also use Hey INK to generate an exceptional personal statement!

Abir Ghenaiet

Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.

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How to Write a Non-Cliche Sports College Essay

Writing your college application essay about your experiences in sports is a popular topic. Admissions officers have read countless essays about the life lessons learned from being on a team, pushing through adversity, or achieving a personal best. While sports can certainly provide meaningful material for an essay, you need to be careful to avoid cliches and tell YOUR unique story in an original way.

Writing a non-cliché sports college essay involves highlighting personal growth, overcoming challenges, and showcasing unique perspectives, and with the support of professionals willing to write my essays for me , you can authentically convey your passion for athletics while standing out to admissions committees.

Here's how to write a compelling sports essay that will make you stand out.

Know the Cliches to Avoid

The first step is to recognize the overused cliches that make admissions officers roll their eyes when they see them. Some of the most common ones include:

• Learning about leadership/teamwork - Almost every sports essay mentions this one.
• Finding inner strength/overcoming adversity - While powerful when done well, this theme is very commonly used.
• Discovering passion/purpose - A cliche opening about falling in love with the sport at a young age.

Your goal is to avoid these trite cliches like the plague. Don't start your essay with "Ever since I was a kid dribbling a basketball..." or say your biggest accomplishment was "learning to be a team player." These have been done to death already.

Find Your Unique Angle

When writing a non-cliché sports college essay, focusing on introspection, specific anecdotes, and personal connections to the sport can set your narrative apart. The key is identifying a specific anecdote, accomplishment, or obstacle from your sports experience that allows you to share a fresh perspective and meaningful insight. Maybe your role on the team unexpectedly changed, forcing personal growth. Or an injury sidelined you for a time, teaching resilience. Or perhaps you dealt with issues of equity, access or discrimination.

The most engaging essays go beyond the expected cliches to shed light on the real challenges, meaningful setbacks, eye-opening revelations, and true stories of grit that made you who you are today. This could come from the big championship game or an easy practice day. The situation itself matters less than the depth of self-reflection and your ability to construct an insightful narrative.

Use Vivid Details

The difference between cliche and captivating often comes down to the vividness of your writing and your ability to construct scenes that immerse the reader in the experience. Don't just blankly state that you learned leadership—describe a specific moment when you had to take charge and motivate your teammates during a crisis. Use dialogue, smells, sounds, visual details and your most evocative descriptors to recreate key moments for the reader.

For example, instead of writing "I'll never forget the big championship game," try something like:

"The murmurs of the crowd swirled like a distant Universe in my ears as I dug my cleats into the hardwood floor, the squeaking of rubber soles echoing with each dribble. My heart thudded with the weight of possibility, knowing this could be our last game if we didn't pull ahead soon..."

See the difference? The latter example uses concrete details to place the reader in the arena and build suspense. Leverage techniques like this wherever possible to elevate your essay from bland cliches to a gripping narrative.

Reflect on What It All Meant

Beyond sensory details, the other key element is to elevate your essay with enlightening self-reflection and analysis on what you learned. High school sports teach countless life lessons, and admissions officers want to see evidence of your maturity, self-awareness, and ability to derive deeper meaning from your experiences.

In each essay, dig below the surface accomplishments to unearth the inner grit, mindsets, and philosophies you developed. What counterintuitive lessons did you learn about sacrifice, leadership, failure, or excellence that go against societal cliches? How were your perceptions about community, hard work, or your capabilities fundamentally altered? What about the experience equipped you with skills and perspectives that will propel success in college and beyond?

The best essays don't just assert that you learned perseverance, but provide a thoughtful examination of perseverance through vivid examples, anecdotes, and deep self-reflection. Leave the reader with a window into your values, intellect, and readiness to thrive.

Potential Subheadings

Here are some potential subheadings you could consider using to organize your sports essay:

• More Than Lessons in Teamwork
• Avoiding the Trap of Cliche 
• Finding My Unique Sports Story 
• Bringing the Reader Into the Arena
• Elevating My Essay with Deeper Meaning
• An Unconventional Education Through Sports
• Redefining Victory Off the Field
• My Philosophy Forged by Wins and Losses 

Any of these could work, just make sure your subheadings effectively segment and signal the points being addressed in each section.

Additional Tips

Here are some final tips for making your essay shine:

• Only briefly summarize your accomplishments. The focus should be on personal reflections.
• Avoid excessive use of sports cliches like "give 110%," "left it all on the field," or calling something the "biggest game of my life."
• Leverage self-deprecating humor about your shortcomings where appropriate.
• Conclude with insight on how your experiences will help you succeed in college.
• Have others read your essay to catch any inadvertent cliches you may have missed.

Writing about sports in college admissions essays can work, but you must do it thoughtfully and originally. By steering clear of cliche themes while embracing vivid storytelling and hard-earned wisdom, your essay will be a winner that gets you accepted.

Related Pages

• Study Sport Science
• Fields of Study — the large range of areas of study within the field of sports and sport sciences.
• Study skills and resources for students
• Top-10 Football Clichés

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PERSONAL STATEMENT RESOURCES

THE PERSONAL STATEMENT

Learn how to write your personal statement for the Common Application using our pay-what-you-can comprehensive online courses, blog posts, podcast episodes, and more.

Online Courses and guides:

The Free Guide to Writing the Personal Statement

Kick things off with the two greatest brainstorming exercises ever, learn about options for structuring a personal statement + example outlines, check out some amazing example personal statements, and get on your way to writing your own killer personal statement for university applications.

How to Write a personal statement

A comprehensive video course for students.

A seven-part online course designed to gives students and counselors everything they need to figure out (or help someone else figure out) how to write a personal statement for the Common App. Watch the Q&A sessions after each session where I answer important questions about the personal statement-writing process and give feedback on essays to real high school seniors and junior like you. (Pay-What-You-Can spots available - see page for more details)

Resources From the CEG blog:

100 Brave and interesting questions

100 deep questions to ask yourself, your writing partner, or anyone really. What’s the toughest decision you made today? What’s the toughest decision you made this year? What’s the toughest decision you ever made? What have you forgotten? And 96 more...

4 Qualities of an Amazing College Essay

I wasn't expecting that. I couldn't believe the ending. I feel like this person is just like me.   This article offers four clear elements of an amazing personal statement for college by showing how two real sample personal statements express them.

The Great College Essay Test

Here’s my test for what makes a (not good, but) great college essay. Learn the four components that I look for in each and every college essay and how to add them to your own.

35+ Best College Essay Tips from College Application Experts

We reached out to some of my favorite college admissions experts—some current and former admissions officers—and asked one question: WHAT’S your favorite piece of advice about writing a college essay?

How To Start a College Essay: 9 Surefire Techniques

In anything you do, there’s a very special and pivotal moment when you Do The Darn Thing (DTDT for short). It’s when you get off the couch, stop binging Netflix, and take action.

How to Make Your Personal Statement Introduction Attention-Grabbing

Personal statements that start with intrigue are about a million times more likely to get read.

How to End a College Essay

Providing insight into your thesis by answering “Why is my thesis important?” can be the difference between a so-so essay and a "yay" essay. After years of hearing my students ask, “How do I do that?” I came up with four ways to write a strong college essay conclusion.

How To Write About Yourself: Great Tips For Personal Writing That Won't Sound Awkward

To help you hone your writing chops and prepare for your personal essay, here are four of the best ways to learn how to write about yourself.

How To Sound Smart In Your Personal Statement

Discover 3 ways to sound intelligent in your personal statement (even though that shouldn’t be your primary focus!).

How to Brag in Your College Essay (Without Sounding Annoying)

A personal statement is all about you. So how do you write about your accomplishments without sounding like you’re bragging? Spoiler: it’s all about the values.

How to Add More Vulnerability To Your Personal Statement

Vulnerability is at the heart of what I do. And it’s at the heart of a great college essay. What is vulnerability, and how do you use it to tell a great story?

Should I Come Out in My Personal Statement? (And If So, How)?

Broaching a sensitive topic in your college essay requires finesse. I’ve consulted dozens of experts to find out the best way to come out in your college essay (spoiler: there are many ways).

Sample Essays

PERSONAL STATEMENT EXAMPLES

Twelve College Essay Examples That Worked

Personal Statement Examples From Successful College Applications

The Best Common Application Essay Examples 

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