Cover letters and personal statements

Cover letters and personal statements are both documents that are often used in applications, but they have different purposes and formats. 

Please limit the length of your document to 2 pages 
(US "letter" size paper, 12 point font, single-spaced).

Cover letters
Are used in professional contexts to highlight your qualifications and fit for a specific job. They are more formal and concise, and are often used when applying for jobs. Cover letters can help grab the reader's attention, generate interest in you, and provide a sample of your writing and organizational skills. They can include information like the job you are seeking, how you learned about it, why you want to work at the organization, and your skills and experience.

Personal statements
Are often used in academic contexts and focus on your personal journey, goals, and motivations. They can also be called statements of purpose, personal narratives, or letters of intent. Personal statements are more narrative and introspective, and can be longer and more detailed than cover letters, typically ranging from one to two pages. They can be a critical component in the selection process for competitive internships and graduate and professional schools. Personal statements can include information like how your background, experiences, and goals connect to the mission, requirements, and desired outcomes of the opportunity you are seeking. They can also give you more room to demonstrate your personality, tone of voice, and outlook, and to complement your accomplishments with creativity. Personal statements should be written clearly, interestingly, and honestly.