personal statement for military academy

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Dec 22, 2023

Summer Seminar Essays for the U.S. Service Academies

Updated: Mar 31

It is likely your first one for the SAs so make it good!

Candidate writing her summer seminar essay

For most students applying to the summer seminars at the U.S. service academies, the first question I hear is simply, "what should I write about?"

Let's discuss some good approaches for candidates seeking to attend these programs and creating the personal statements required for the application.

Applying to the Air Force Academy and the Naval Academy summer seminars is straightforward. USMA's Summer Leaders Experience is easier as it has not historically required an essay. The same is true for 2024. Finally, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy's AIM or "Academy Introduction Program" also requires a couple of essays. All of the applications require some basic details, including your full name, your address, your congressional district, your social security number, your activities, your GPA and some other personal information. Each application ends (except USMA SLE) with the essays prompts for your response.

Here is a list of the different essays, either confirmed (C) or predicted (P) for 2024:

USAFA #1 (C) - Please discuss any personal life experience where you have overcome adversity or challenges that have shaped you into the person you are today? [3000 character limit]

USAFA #2 (C) -What makes you a unique candidate for the summer seminar program? [1500 character limit]

USNA (C) - Please answer the following questions briefly:

Why are you interested in attending the Naval Academy Summer Seminar?

Have you been involved in any STEM-related activities, groups, or conferences?

Please elaborate on any extracurricular activities in which you have participated. [1000 character limit]

USMA (C) - no essay is required

USCGA #1 (C) - Why do you want to attend the AIM Program and what are your expectations for the program? [500 word limit]

USCGA #2 (C) - This is an opportunity to provide any additional information, such as a résumé . [500 word limit]

With all of the essays or personal statements, there are some central themes:

Each application asks you to list your activities, sports, and awards. Keep this point in mind as you write your personal statements. There is no need to repeat those simple facts. In other words, you listed earning the Civil Air Patrol's Mitchell Award, so move to details that talk about how you earned it and your current responsibilities.

Ensure that you respond to the full set of prompts for each essay. For the AFA, note both the personal experience and how it "shaped you," too.

Focus on your unique story. Ideally, you write a story that no one else can write. Clearly, with a short word limit, that will be challenging, but I'm sure you will find a way!

Let's talk about each specific set of essays . . .

Air Force Academy Summer Seminar :

The limit for each essay is measured in "characters" not words. I have students misread this point each year - LOL! A limit of 3000 characters is about 500 to 600 words.

Most of us are very fortunate, as we have not experienced 'great' adversity, such as losing our home or experiencing hunger. However, you have likely addressed challenges earning your good grades, hiking and camping in some rough terrain with bad weather in Scouting, or winning your first match after your hard work and dedication as a freshman wrestler. You may use these kinds of examples in your first personal statement for USAFA.

By the way, this prompt is quite similar to several that you will encounter later as you apply to all of the SAs and ROTC scholarships so be sure to save your personal statement for potential reuse this summer with your applications.

"Unique" can be difficult to identify. But it also demonstrates self-awareness and helps USAFA understand your motivations to attend the seminar. Some ideas are your personality, attitudes, perspectives, habits, intellect, goals, experiences, relationships, creativity, passion, hobbies, skills (especially STEM talents), communications, humor and/or tastes. Think through each 'area,' and speak to what you 'bring' to the seminar.

Naval Academy Summer Seminar :

As with AFASS, the NASS essay limit is counted in "characters." Plus, at 1000 characters, it is quite short, translating into about 200 or less words. It is little space to include lots of details!

To address 'why' (the first prompt), you may want to include 'seeing' the Academy, 'meeting' staff and faculty, and 'learning' more about a midshipman's lifestyle. You could mention your motivations to be a Naval officer and the career you seek. In short, what inspires you?

To cover the second prompt, be sure to cover your Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics experiences. Course listings are part of the application so no need to list them; however, you might point out projects, reports or other technical work that you accomplished in the courses. Clubs, Scouting, CAP, etc., often include STEM activities so be sure to note those experiences, too.

For the final prompt, highlight leadership, or other impactful ways that you have acted, in your different activities. You will likely 'run out' of characters so don't fret, as everyone has the same limits. Just do your best to be concise.

Coast Guard Academy AIM :

The 500-word limit for these two personal statements should give you ample space to cover the topics.

Address the 'why' in the same manner as noted previously for the NASS statement. The second half addressing your expectations should 'line-up' with the reasons with which you started the essay. In other words, you desire to 'see' the Coast Guard Academy so you 'expect' to have a tour of the campus along with opportunities to experience the facilities as you participate in the program.

AIM prides itself on being the 'toughest' summer program among the service academies so you may want to note this challenge and your desire to be 'tested' by the experience.

For the second promp t, a résumé outlining your activities, sports, and awards makes sense, especially if this list of items is not included in other sections of the application. With 500 words, you will have an opportunity to provide some deep dives into some of the 'impact' that you made (or make) in your different leadership roles. Take advantage of the 'space' to tell USCGA Admissions about your successes!

By the way, you may be interested in my other blog about the Summer Seminars , which discusses some 'nuts and bolts' details of the programs.

I hope this blog helped provide you have some good ideas to use for summer seminar personal essays. Happy writing and good luck with your summer seminar applications!

[ I have many more ideas for your personal statements and essays! I would welcome a chance to discuss the details with you. I offer coaching services to pace and prepare you (and your parents!) for the entire Academy application process. Contact me at [email protected], 503.515.7406 or complete my contact for m on the home page.]

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Winning West Point Essay Examples: How to Strengthen Your Application

LTC Kirkland and Captain Dach

8 minute read

Successful West Point Essay Examples

The following are West Point essay examples from cadets who have won appointments to West Point in the past few years. We will provide commentary at the end of each essay as to why each of these answers to West Point’s questions are effective. For information on all the West Point application requirements, read our Ultimate Guide to getting into West Point .

Prompt: Explain why you want to attend the United States Military Academy and serve on active duty as an Army officer.

Answer: I want to earn an undergraduate degree at West Point pursue my passions of military service to our great Nation while exploring the sciences. I work diligently in high school, taking advanced academics, keeping in top physical condition, holding school leadership positions, and volunteering in the community. This, along with the honor of knowing many Army officers, gives me confidence in pursuing West Point as the next step toward becoming an officer in the Army.

I’ve been fortunate to have the support of my teachers and mentors in my pursuit of becoming a West Point cadet and future military leader; they reminded me of the importance of selfless service. My football coach, Chris Page, before he passed away, told us the incredible sacrifices he made to make himself a better teacher and coach. Through his stories, the purpose of my hard work in preparing for a military career crystalized- be better for others so they can be better serving our country. To honor him, I founded the Coach Page Scholarship Fund so others would be inspired by his life of selfless service.

To gain additional insight on being an Army officer, I have talked with a family friend, Major General Joseph Jones, who was the Commanding General of U.S. Army Cadet Command who talked to me about life as a cadet and the challenges I would face. I also wanted to see an active military unit, so I visited with a captain at the New York Army National Guard training site at Camp Smith. There, I saw how Army officers lead by example; they are expected to get “dirty on the field” and to support other soldiers in all their goals. I am inspired by military leaders I have interacted with and through them, I’ve gained an understanding and respect for the duties I would assume upon commissioning.

For the privilege of serving our great Nation, I have prepared for the challenge and honor of being a USMA cadet and upon graduation, to commission as a proud officer in the Army.

Commentary:

Note that this first essay is not a laundry list of accomplishments the candidate did in high school. Rather, it centers on what the candidate did to find out more about what life would be like both as an officer candidate and an officer in the United States Army. Notice the candidate talked to officers as well as took time out of his/her schedule to visit a local National Guard unit to meet with officers and see what life in the Army would be like. This shows West Point that you understand that becoming a cadet is a serious commitment and that “get” why you are making this commitment is important.

Prompt: Think of some things in the past that were difficult for you. Pick one and discuss what steps you took to address it. Include whether you turned to anyone, the role that person played, and what you learned about your character as a result of this challenge.

One of my most life-changing setbacks was moving from Japan to Florida one week before starting high school. Previously, I devoted a significant portion of my life to training in martial arts. From a young age, I developed strong Japanese speaking and listening skills with a specific focus on martial arts. Spending a minimum of ten hours a week training with team mates, I was laser-focused on the next competition with aspirations of competing at the national level one day. My family’s PCS to MacDill Air Force Base rendered nearly all of my goals obsolete and squandered most of my efforts. The move forced me not only to leave my training behind but also dramatically reshaped my priorities as I realized I needed to make changes to my life to accomplish my goals.

Before high school, I had no experience with team sports or club activities outside of martial arts. Despite this reality, upon starting my freshman year, I immediately signed up for soccer and joined the Corps of Cadets. My first weeks of soccer were extraordinarily challenging. I did not know the rules and struggled with the physical demands. Most importantly, I was painfully unfamiliar with the concept of relying on others. The juniors and seniors on the team needed me as a defender; therefore, they encouraged my learning and celebrated my successes.

The Corps further solidified my appreciation of the team concept. As a new JROTC cadet, my superiors corrected how I dressed, marched, and spoke. Having never been part of a hierarchical system, I quickly learned to adapt to subordination. Accepting help and mentorship while preparing for promotion board preparation armed me with the confidence and sense of duty to help junior cadets later in my Corps career. I learned that I could set an example for my peers and contribute to an effort greater than myself. Two years later, as a First Sergeant, I became responsible for training younger cadets. I embraced this leadership opportunity and discovered how much joy and accomplishment I experience while serving others as their leader.

Whether it be a win on the field, a successful execution of pass and review, or a passed promotion board of a cadet I trained, collective victories trump any satisfaction I experienced throughout martial arts competition. I have learned from the experience to seek out an education and a profession where I can join and ultimately build and lead a cohesive team, and to rely on my teammates. My experiences in high school taught me to seek out leadership with a technologically advanced team that shares a common goal: to win our nation’s wars. Should I be given the opportunity to one day lead, I hope to realize my maximum potential as an Army officer and find true contentment in the opportunity to be a servant leader.

Note that the writer focuses on what they learned from this experience, and how it will help them serve as a better officer as a result of the challenge. A majority of the essay is focused not on the conflict, but on what resulted from the life challenge.

Prompt: West Point and the Army are committed to the idea that respect for others and an understanding of diversity are important leadership traits. Why will you be successful in working with leaders, peers, and subordinates of a gender, color, ethnicity, and/or religion different from your own?

Answer: Military officers are comfortable working in teams and they value the inherent strengths that come from teams made up of people with different backgrounds and perspectives. They are respectful of others. They understand that high performing teams are characterized by common goals, shared responsibility for success, and appropriate leadership-followership relationships.

I spent last summer in Nicaragua; three weeks in an intensive Spanish language program and two months living with a Nicaraguan family in the country. While I was in the country, I was working with a non-governmental organization (NGO) that was fielding small-scale alternative energy projects that people could us. For example, I helped develop an apparatus that fermented chicken manure into methane gas for cooking. Not headline-grabbing stuff, but it worked very well for these folks. I learned an incredible amount. I learned that people are people wherever you go. We may look different, we may talk different, we may have some different ideas, but we are all basically the same and should treat each other with dignity and respect.

I understand that I will deploy to other countries and need to appreciate foreign cultures and show respect for their different points of view. By practicing inclusion in leading others in the Army, that will surely transfer to both myself and the people who I lead respecting those we interact with overseas.

This essay should be centered on an experience the candidate had that shows that he/she values diversity and respects others. The first paragraph summarizes the argument, the second paragraph talks about the experience, and the third concludes forcefully with a summary as well as applicability to his/her future role as an Army officer that will require him/her to deploy, fight and win.

Final Thoughts for Your West Point Application Essays:

Essay #1 is probably the most important of the three essays and is standard across most Academy and ROTC applications. The key to most of these essays is to do some legwork and ask serving or retired officers about these questions as well as go out and visit local Guard or Reserve units to see the Army in action and forcefully answer these questions drawing on these interviews and experiences. You can get our tips on Congressional nomination essays here .

If you do the above things, you are that much closer to a West Point appointment !

Article Contents

Examples of essays that won service academy appointments, do you need help crafting a compelling essay for service academy admissions, related posts.

See What Worked

Lieutenant Colonel Robert Kirkland (USA, Ret.) is an expert on military admissions and leadership. He served for over 25 years in the United States Army, including stints as an instructor at West Point and as a commander of two Army ROTC programs. Former Air Force Captain Trisha Dach served as an Intelligence Officer from 2011-2018. A graduate of the Air Force Academy. They have helped hundreds of candidates secure appointments and ROTC scholarships. Together, they help educate parents and students on military propensity, leadership, and Academy admissions.

West Point Case Study: Strategic Decisions

Preparing for the west point cbef: what high school students need to know, service academies & recruited athletes: west point spotlight, new west point admissions book – how to get into west point, west point jobs after graduation, what is the service academy whole person concept, 5 steps to writing excellent service academy essays, requirements for the service academy presidential nomination, applying to west point summer seminar: summer leaders experience, the west point letter of encouragement.

West Point (US Military Academy) Essay Prompts and Tips

May 13, 2022

With an acceptance rate of just 9%, getting into West Point and officially becoming a United States Military Academy cadet is no easy task. After all, how many colleges require a nomination from a member of Congress? Those brave young men and women who aspire to navigate a supremely challenging admissions process do so in order to later dedicate a portion of their adult lives toward serving their country. The intent of this blog is to offer admissions-related advice on how to approach the three West Point essays.

(Want to learn more about How to Get Into the United States Military Academy? Visit our blog entitled: How to Get Into West Point: Admissions Data and Strategies for all of the most recent admissions data as well as tips for gaining acceptance.)

When applying to an institution like West Point that rejects more than 9 of every 10 applicants, you’ll need to put maximum effort into every area of the application, including the supplemental essays. Below are the United States Military Academy’s required supplemental prompts for the 2021-22 admissions cycle along with our advice for composing winning essays.

Note: each has a limit of 2,500 characters.

West Point Essay Prompt #1

Explain why you want to attend the United States Military Academy and serve on active duty as an Army officer.

It may be helpful to view this prompt as a higher-stakes version of the typical “Why Us?” college essay. In this category of essay, an applicant is tasked with telling their story of how they decided that ______ University was the perfect school for them. Next, they may write about particular academic programs, courses, professors, research opportunities, internships/co-ops, study abroad programs, and student-run organizations that they will take advantage of once on campus.

Similarly, this essay for West Point wants to see that you have done your homework and are 100% committed to life as an Army officer. This should be a highly-personal story that demonstrates your maturity, commitment, and readiness to commit to a life in the Army. This is not a decision that anyone should make lightly and West Point will want to see evidence of specific experiences that led you to this conclusion.

For example, perhaps you have:

Had multiple conversations with a recruiting officer. Share what you learned.
Participated in Junior ROTC as an adolescent/young adult.
Attended the Summer Leadership Experience at West Point.
Had in-depth discussions with family members or non-family family members who served in the Armed Forces.

West Point Essay Prompt #2

What are the most important qualities in becoming a successful USMA cadet and a successful Army officer?

Let’s brainstorm some qualities that might be worth mentioning here:

Perspective
Open-mindedness
Self-regulation
Emotional/social intelligence
Persistence
Enthusiasm and vigor
Adaptability

Yet, this is by no means a comprehensive list of admirable qualities that apply to your four years at West Point as well as your later Army career. Ideally those qualities listed may assist in your brainstorming process.

One terrific way to come up with your list of qualities is to directly ask those who have served or who presently serve, what qualities they feel are most important in an Army officer. While there are no right or wrong answers with this one (outside of listing negative qualities), your explanations for precisely why each quality is critical to the success of a cadet/officer is essential.

West Point Essay Prompt #3:

West Point and the Army are committed to the idea that respect for others and an understanding of diversity are important leadership traits. Why will you be successful in working with leaders, peers, and subordinates of a gender, color, ethnicity, and/or religion different from your own?

A highly-diverse population arrives each year at West Point and they want people that are comfortable with people of all ethnic and religious backgrounds. Sharing your views on tolerance and diversity is great, but words are not as impressive as actions. Not surprisingly, the strongest essays chronicle a candidate’s actual experiences. Use your life experience to show rather than tell West Point how well you work as part of a diverse team. Examples can come from a job, school projects, athletics, Junior ROTC, or—if applicable—the Summer Leader Experience at West Point.

In short, the thing to keep in mind here is the Latin quote “Facta, non verba” which translates to “Deeds, not words.”

How important are the essays at West Point?

The United States Military Academy lists six factors as being “very important” to the admissions committee: GPA, standardized test scores, the interview, extracurricular activities, character/personal qualities, and the rigor of your secondary school record.

West Point classifies the essays as being “important” to their decision-making process, in the same tier as class rank, recommendations, and talent/ability.

Want Personalized Essay Assistance?

If you are interested in working with one of College Transitions’ experienced and knowledgeable essay coaches as you craft your West Point essays, we encourage you to get a quote today.

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Home — Essay Samples — Life — Personal Statement — Naval Academy Personal Statement

Naval Academy Personal Statement

Categories: Personal Statement

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Published: Mar 20, 2024

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United States Military Academy | Army’s 2023-24 Essay Prompts

Common app personal essay.

The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don‘t feel obligated to do so.

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you‘ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

What will first-time readers think of your college essay?

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Personal Statements

Thread starter jammy
Start date Aug 3, 2013
Aug 3, 2013

I've been working on my Common App. essay and my West Point Personal Statements this past week. While the Common App. Essay involves creativity (recounting a life-changing experience, a lesson learned, etc), I'm wondering if the Personal Statements should be creative too. As my guidance counselor said, "Your goals with the Common App. Essay are to tell the reader about yourself and, above all, not to bore the reader." I've been using imagery, metaphors, and allusions in my Common App. Essay, but I'm thinking the place for that is not in a West Point Personal Statement. Thoughts? Thanks

845something

Aug 4, 2013

Recommend not getting too fancy here. The English department may like it, but military writing is meant to convey your thoughts concisely. You want to stand out, not bore the reader (since everyone answers the same three questions), but not be so over the top that you seem aloof.

Agree with 845something for a different reason. Unless you have some unique experience, many kids may think their lives are special or different, but most kids live a normal life. When there are kids with personal tragedies (I.e. sickness, death, poverty, and etc) talking about some project, sports event, incidents involving friends, and etc seems unimportant to me. I serve on my. MOC nomination board. A question I like to ask is what is the biggest failure of your life and what did you learn from it. Most of the time, there is a big pause, than I throw a life line - it's okay to not having make any big mistake so far in your life so far, how about just a lesson you learned from a mistake.

OK, I just don't want to misuse a type of writing in the wrong context. I thought maybe if I was writing what everyone else was writing then, while it may be boring, I'd be showing my genuine interest in joining the military. I'll make it more interesting without making something minor into a traumatic life event.

Aug 5, 2013

jammy said: OK, I just don't want to misuse a type of writing in the wrong context. I thought maybe if I was writing what everyone else was writing then, while it may be boring, I'd be showing my genuine interest in joining the military. I'll make it more interesting without making something minor into a traumatic life event. Click to expand...

Sharing my journey through Air Force Officer Training School (OTS) and beyond.

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AF Portal Announcements – 7 Mar 19

I get a lot of questions about Personal Statements (PS) so I decided it is time to do another post. I believe your PS is your best chance to make an impact on the board. The PS should not be a bland recap of your career experience or qualifications because the board is going to get this from your OTS applicant profile. IMO your goal for the PS should be to tell the board a personal story about how you were inspired to apply to become and officer in the United States Air Force. It should be so captivating it must be read to the end, and reading it should fill the board member with emotion and move them to tears. If you do not do this (or attempt to do this), I think you are missing a huge opportunity to catch the board’s attention. Over this past year I have ran this blog I have probably read two or three PSs which met my own personal criteria for this, so it is possible. If there are any selects out there who would like to contribute their PS to my blog, I would love to post it.

I am not sure what criteria recruiters are pushing out there for civilian applicants, but active duty applicants are required to fit their entire PS into a form called the Air Force Form 56 (AF56). This form (like many other AF Forms) is an “xfdl” file which requires specific software to open. The software is designed for windows but I have heard it is possible to use it on Mac, it can just be a little buggy. Instructions for obtaining the software and form:

Proceed to the Air Force E-Publishing web site. This is the official master archive for all Air Force forms and publications, so it should already be your best friend. I always get to it by Googling “af epubs” but here is the link: http://www.e-publishing.af.mil/ .
Once the software is loaded you can open the form. To download the AF56, from the main page type “af56” in the search block.

The PS block is on page 4. For the AD side we are to write the PS in this block and copy/paste it onto the OTS applicant profile. The xfdl forms are a little quirky with spacing but you will figure it out.

General Guidelines

The official label as listed on the AF56 for your PS is as follows:

WHAT ARE YOUR OBJECTIVES AND REASONS FOR DESIRING AN AIR FORCE COMMISSION? (Include what you have to offer the Air Force. Confine comments to this space. Attachments ARE NOT authorized) (MUST BE TYPED).

The approximate length for the form is 450 words, but your results may vary.

Personal Opinion/Advice

I am not or have never been a member of the OTS board, but I have written (with the help of my mentors) a PS and have been selected for OTS. As the owner of this blog, I have also reviewed the PSs of many of my readers who have and have not been selected. I believe can see the difference between an effective and not-so-effective PS. Here are some of my own personal opinions and advice which you can consider as you author your PS and decide what is best for you.

I personally believe you should tell your story. Why do you want to become an officer in the United States Air Force? Why an officer and not enlisted?
What inspired you to apply to serve your country as an officer? Why the Air Force and not another branch?
If you know or have known Air Force officers, what about them has inspired you to want to follow in their footsteps?
Avoid overusing quotes. It good to show you are educated but I believe relying too much on quotes can remove a personal aspect to your PS.
Try to avoid rehashing your career or experience. Speak from the heart, not the mind.
Demonstrate you are educated through your writing. Keep your ideas clear and concise, use an expanded vocabulary, but still be yourself. Don’t use big words just to use big words, use big words because they are your words.
What does it mean to accomplish an Air Force mission, and how can you contribute to the accomplishment of these missions?
Instead of telling the board what the Air Force Core Values or mission are (trust me, they know), tell a personal story about how one or more of the core values has deeply impacted your life.
Consider telling the board about one of the most valuable leadership lessons you have learned in your life.
Tell the board about how much of an honor it would be to serve your country. Capture the feeling of pride and service, not the verbiage.
If you don’t have a story I mentioned above, tell the board any story about a life or career lesson you have learned.
‘ Perspective ‘ is key. Show the board you not only know where you are, but you know where you are going and how where you are going aligns with the future needs of the Air Force.

Tying it Together

The PS, along with your entire application, should flow, not be a disjointed discombobulation of catch phrases or concepts. After the board reads your PS or reviews your application they should know who you are as a person, what makes you tick, and that you will be the perfect addition to the Air Force. Put your heart into it, re-write it as many times as it takes, have some English majors and Field Grade Officers review it, and let it happen.

airforceotsguy

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18 comments.

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Alejandro Luna

would you be able to look over my PS? If so how would I get a hold of you?

Sure, you can email it to me. My email is at the top of the page. airforceotsguy@gmail.com

Great point. I don't think there is any right or wrong answer, I think it is just a matter of effectively getting your message across. I didn't get any guidance at all about mine, my CC let me do my thing and only did his part. Most PSs I have seen seen fill the space. I know I wouldn't have been able to communicate my message without filling the block so thats what worked for me. I would love to read yours.

What is the direction people are getting about white space? I applied and was accepted back in 2000. White space wasn't a factor. I filled up maybe a third of the block. For me, if I were on the board, I agree with everything you said. You gotta be inspirational; however, I prefer quality over quantity. If you can inspire with half the block filled then that is great. I'd rather read a short, clear, concise, inspirational PS than a long PS that meanders on just to fill that block. Anyway, just wondering what people are being told these days.

So I’m trying to commission as an Officer in the 2018 Boards. Still not entirely certain what all this is supposed to look like, but I got a rough draft that I think its really solid. Would you mind giving it a quick once over?

Sure you can email it to me at airforceotsguy@gmail.com .

I’m a recent ABM select, from the 18OT03 Civilian board. My AFOQT scores were adequate, but not as competitive, compared to the others that I saw, and this worried me (DON’T LET IT). So somewhere in my package, I believe they saw more than just the scores, hopefully a strong point was my personal statement. I sat down thinking I could do this during my morning routine, but with little guidance, writing something so personal takes more time than that, and I’m glad I took my time. All of these points mentioned were spot on! My favorite being, make it personal by telling your story. And tell a story about leadership experiences. I found my inspiration in family, my grandfather, and my brother. I would be happy to share mine with anyone if you need another one to reference. So THANK YOU, for all of this wonderful information. I can’t seem to get enough of it.

Thanks for the comment!!!

Sabrina Rabbani

Hello. I am applying for ots this year at the 21OTCAD board. I would love to get a second reference and read how you wrote yours. I still have to write my AD LO personal essay. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Sorry I couldn’t help!

Anybody still reading this in 2019? Thank you for sharing – it’s super helpful! I’ve re-written mine about 5 times. Would you be willing to give it a quick glance to see if I’m on the right track? Thanks in advance!

Hey Brittnie yes shoot me an email at airforceotsguy@gmail.com . Sorry for the delay!

Lailany Machado

Hello, I was wondering if you would be willing to read my PS for my OTS application?

Sure, shoot me an email at airforceotsguy@gmail.com

I would love someone to take a look at my PS if possible! If anyone is still doing that. This website has been so extremely helpful.

Sure, check out my “app review” page and/or send it to my email at airforceotsguy@gmail.com . I’m back in classes so please just let me know when you want/need it back by. Thanks for the feedback!

Hello. I am applying for ots this year at the 21OTCAD board. I would love to get a second reference and read how you wrote yours in Gorm 56. I still have to write my AD LO personal essay. I would also like to send you my essay for review. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

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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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August 31, 2023

VA Personal Statement: 5 Best Things to Include

I hope you enjoy reading this blog post.

If you want to learn how to implement these strategies to get the VA benefits you deserve, click here to speak with a VA claim expert for free.

Writing a VA personal statement can help show an unquestionable link between your military service and disability.

While it’s not required, we highly recommend writing a VA personal statement to help strengthen your VA disability claim.

This post will look at the 5 Best Things to Include in Your VA Personal Statement .

We’ll also explain why a personal statement is important and what you shouldn’t say in your VA personal statement.

To wrap up, we have a VA personal statement example to help get you started.

Let’s dive in!

What is a VA Personal Statement?

What should i include in my va personal statement, things to avoid saying in your va personal statement, why is a va personal statement important, va disability personal statement examples, what is a va lay witness statement, how to submit a va personal statement form, need more assistance.

You DESERVE a HIGHER VA rating. WE CAN HELP.

Take advantage of a FREE VA Claim Discovery Call with an experienced Team Member. Learn what you’ve been missing so you can FINALLY get the disability rating and compensation you’ve earned for your service.

A VA personal statement allows you to tell the VA how your condition affects your daily life and your ability to function.

Writing a VA personal statement gives you the opportunity to advocate for yourself and ensure your condition is accurately evaluated.

Personal statements aren’t lengthy, only a few paragraphs, but they can be critical to receiving a positive response about your claim.

If you’ve ever wished to talk about things “in your own words,” a VA personal statement is your opportunity!

While a VA disability personal statement isn’t a guarantee of a winning claim, it gives the VA an “insider’s look” at the severity of your condition and how it’s connected to your service.

Finally, your VA personal statement can help capture any unseen impacts your disability caused that may not be fully captured in your medical records alone.

5 Best Things to Include in Your VA Personal Statement:

The name of the VA disability you’re claiming
When you first experienced symptoms of your condition
Precise, concise details about the circumstances around your incident, accident, or illness
Current medical treatment you receive for your condition
How your condition negatively impacts your life, work, and social functioning

Don’t worry about having exact dates if you can’t remember them; even mentioning the year of the incident or accident can help.

For example, “ While serving in Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom in 2001, I developed severe PTSD that has negatively affected my daily life.”

Your VA personal statement should be specific, detailing the circumstances around your condition and how it affects your quality of life.

Use your VA personal statement as a way to paint a picture of the impact of your condition.

Keeping your statement with the most essential details will help the VA rater when sifting through your claim.

What Should I Avoid in My VA Personal Statement?

Unsubstantiated medical claims, including self-diagnoses or speculative medical claims
Unprofessional language, including jargon, slang, and offensive language
Complaints about the VA process, even if you are frustrated about the situation
Irrelevant personal history not applicable to the current disability claim
Graphic or inappropriate details
Irrelevant accomplishments or achievements that aren’t relevant to the claim
Political or controversial opinions that take the focus away from your condition

It’s also best to avoid blaming or finger-pointing for the cause of your condition and instead focus on your experience and the effects of your disability.

PRO TIP: When writing a VA personal statement, avoid being vague and never lie about your condition.

For example, Instead of saying, “ I have anxiety ,” write about how it affects your daily life. “ My anxiety prevents me from attending social situations with many people, and I’ve seen a negative impact on my social functioning ” gives a clearer picture of your condition’s impact.

In addition, you don’t want to embellish your situation because the VA will find out if you are lying, which runs the risk of perjury.

You also want to avoid any filler that takes away from the heart of your VA personal statement and isn’t relevant to the disability you want compensation for.

While detail is important, too much detail may make it hard for the VA rater to fully grasp the severity of your condition.

A VA personal statement is essential because it helps paint a picture of your illness, injury, or disability and allows the VA an inside look at its effect on your daily life.

When you write a VA personal statement, you are detailing your condition or disability, frequency, and severity, which helps paint a clear picture.

A VA personal statement can also help foster a sense of human connection between you and the VA’s evaluators.

Your VA personal statement may also clear any discrepancies in your medical records, especially if something isn’t well-documented or fully explained in your records.

In addition, a VA personal statement can help complete your Fully Developed Claim , speeding up the claims process and your odds of winning your claim.

You can also bring a copy of your personal statement to your Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam for reference.

While you can’t submit additional evidence at your C&P, you CAN bring copies of documents you’ve previously submitted.

Note: Each claim requires its own personal statement, and you should submit one for every condition.

VA DISABILITY PERSONAL STATEMENT EXAMPLE

We’ve got you covered if you’re looking for VA personal statement examples.

We understand and respect that it can be challenging to write about the condition you experience and the potential trauma behind it.

However, detailing the impact of your condition can significantly impact the outcome of your claim.

Here’s a VA personal statement example:

“During my service in [branch of service] from [start date] to [end date], I was exposed to traumatic events that left a lasting impact on my mental and emotional well-being. I was subjected to [briefly describe the traumatic events or experience you were exposed to]. These experiences led to PTSD, significantly affecting my ability to reintegrate into civilian life and maintain a sense of normalcy.

The symptoms of PTSD, including persistent anxiety, intrusive memories, hyper-vigilance, nightmares, and avoidance behavior, have made it incredibly difficult for me to engage in day-to-day activities and establish stable relationships. The trauma’s aftermath has led to sleep disruptions, difficulty concentrating, and heightened stress responses in certain situations.

These symptoms have interfered with my capacity to hold steady employment, contribute meaningfully to my family and community, and experience a sense of safety and well-being.

I have actively sought help for my PTSD through therapists, medical professionals, and support groups. I enclosed my medical records to confirm my ongoing efforts to address and manage my condition.

Despite my best efforts, my PTSD symptoms continue to profoundly impact my life, including relationships, daily life, and my ability to work or engage in social activities. My goal in seeking VA disability compensation is to ease the financial strain caused by these challenges and to access the resources and assistance I need to regain a resemblance of normalcy and functionality.”

A VA lay witness is a different perspective from a VA personal statement.

A VA lay witness statement, or buddy statement is a written statement from someone familiar with your disease, sickness, or condition.

The person filling out your VA lay witness statement should have firsthand knowledge of your condition’s effects and its impact on your life.

You can obtain a VA lay witness statement from:

Family members
Friends and fellow service members
Coworkers and employers
A teacher, pastor, or mentor

It’s helpful if the person filling out the form uses concrete examples and specific ways your condition interferes with your life instead of giving a vague description.

Note : You can submit more than one buddy statement if it will be valuable to your claim. In addition, you can submit a VA personal statement and buddy statement with your claim, although you can only include one personal statement with each claim.

To submit a VA personal statement, complete VA Form 21-4138 , Statement in Support of Claim.

If you are submitting a VA lay witness or buddy statement, you’ll need to submit VA Form 21-10210 .

The VA personal statement Form 21-4138 asks for basic information like name, social security number, date of birth, telephone number, and address.

In the “remarks” section, you can add information or evidence to support your claim and anything you find beneficial for the VA to know about your condition.

Remember not to leave anything off your form because it could delay your claim.

Finally, you can submit Form 21-4138 online , at a VA regional office , or by mail to:

Department of Veterans Affairs

Evidence Intake Center

PO Box 4444

Janesville, WI 53547-4444

Filing claim forms can get confusing, but you must complete them correctly to ensure you receive what you deserve. Most veterans are underrated for their disabilities and, therefore, not getting their due compensation. At VA Claims Insider, we help you understand and take control of the claims process, so you can get the rating and compensation you’re owed by law.

Our process takes the guesswork out of filing a VA disability claim and supports you every step of the way in building a fully-developed claim (FDC)—so you can increase your rating FAST! If you’ve filed your VA disability claim and have been denied or have received a low rating—or you’re unsure how to get started—reach out to us! Take advantage of a FREE VA Claim Discovery Call . Learn what you’ve been missing—so you can FINALLY get the disability rating and compensation YOU DESERVE!

Top 3 Ways to Get VA Disability Increase Help!

April 22, 2024

8 Ways to Increase Your VA Disability Rating (The Insider’s Guide)

April 21, 2024

Featured Resources

Easy VA Claims to Win!

How to File a Claim on VA.gov (step-by-step)!

How to Get a 100 Percent VA Rating (if deserved)!

Elite Membership

Dear Veteran, Here’s the brutal truth about VA disability claims:

According to our data, 8/10 ( 80% ) of veterans reading this message right now are underrated by the VA…

This means you do NOT currently have the VA disability rating and compensation YOU deserve, and you could be missing out on thousands of dollars of tax-free compensation and benefits each month.

As a fellow disabled Veteran this is shameful and I’m on a mission to change it.

Brian Reese here, Air Force service-disabled Veteran and Founder @ VA Claims Insider.

Since 2016, VA Claims Insider has helped thousands of Veterans just like you get the VA rating and compensation they deserve in less time.

If accepted into our ELITE membership program, you’ll get free up-front access and permission to use $13,119 worth of proprietary VA claim resources, including access to our network of independent medical professionals for medical examinations, disability evaluations, and credible Medical Nexus Letters, which could help you get a HIGHER VA rating in LESS time.

It’s FREE to get started, so click “Go Elite Now” below to complete our 3-step intake process.

Complete Basic Information
Sign Members Agreement
Join the Mastermind Group

If you’re stuck, frustrated, underrated, and currently rated between 0%-90%, VA Claims Insider Elite is for you!

Click “Go Elite Now” below to get started today and a member of our team will be in touch within minutes.

Go Elite Now!

Why Choose VA Claims Insider

You’ve exhausted your free resources.

You're not alone. Thousands of other Veterans in our Community are here for you.

Veteran Community

You’re ready to get the rating you deserve

We know the pain of feeling stuck, frustrated, and alone, and we want to make this process as easy and painless as possible for you.

Explore Elite Membership

We win ONLY when YOU win

Hear from fellow Veterans just like you, with many of our Veteran Ambassadors having gone through our programs.

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Fellow Veterans:

Secret VA Claim Tips Revealed!

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NEXUS LETTERS NOW INCLUDED WITH GRANDMASTER PACKAGE

Win your va rating, time to work smart, not hard.

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One Time, No Contract, 100% Satisfaction Guarantee!

As featured in.

TOP ISSUES FACING VETERANS IN ATTAINING THE RATING THEY DESERVE:

Low ratings.

Low ratings on VA Disability Claim exams can result from brief C&P assessments, inconsistent medical opinions, and the emotional toll of navigating the stigma associated with filing a claim.

CONFUSING PROCESS

Confusion in the VA Disability Claim process often stems from bureaucratic hurdles, lack of transparency, and conflicting information from different VA representatives, making it challenging to understand next steps and deadlines.

MEDICAL EVIDENCE

Navigating medical evidence can be a headache for veterans. Between gathering detailed service records and medical documents, it’s easy to miss what’s needed to get the disability rating you actually deserve.

You are not alone. Countless veterans are bullied by the VA into lower compensation and less benefits than they deserve. The battle against the VA is a fight the service didn't train us for.

-jordan anderson.

VA Claims Have Never Been Easy... Until Now.

Introducing.

VA Claims Academy is a quick & easy module-based video course that takes you step-by-step from zero to dominating your maximum VA rating FAST.

Win as an Active Duty, Transitioning Military, or Veteran with our complete crash course

Here’s what you get when you sign up..., fast lane to a higher rating.

Avoid snags from common mistakes in the VA rating process.

No more guesswork

Know exactly how to word your supporting evidence.

Work smart, not hard

Take the stress and anxiety out of the grueling VA claims process.

Easy step-by-step guidance

Your tactical step-by-step to your maximum rating.

Verified Testimonials

Marcus Pratt

“the firepower i needed”.

“Much love to Jordan and VA Claims Academy I couldn’t have done this on my own. I had injuries from the 1990’s during my service that the VA denied me for over and over. Decades later I found VA Claims Academy and y’all gave me the firepower I needed to win.”

Marissa Merced

“already paid for itself”.

I can’t go back to life without a 100% rating, I would buy this course again because it’s already paid for itself dozens of times. I was going to use a free guy that I was told about during service but honestly I’d just get the course because its easy, inexpensive and works.

Robert Ford

“better than a vso”.

I used a VSO for my previous claim and was never even told to write a personal statement to give me a voice in the rating process. Coming straight to VA Claims Academy would have saved me more money than the free VSO.

Vincent Dofita

“you don’t know what you don’t know”.

I was never told to even worry about VA disability while I was in the Air Force. Without VA Claims Academy, I probably would have just thought my terrible rating was normal and there wasn’t anything I could do about it. You don’t know what you don’t know.

Spencer Thompson

“absolutely the right decision”.

This was absolutely the right decision. Man I was costing myself so much dang money every month for nothing. If you are on the fence I say just go ahead and invest in yourself instead of letting months go by getting underpaid.

Here’s a look inside:

See why so many vets are winning their max rating in record time with this easy crash course.

BONUS features

Included official va form downloads & resource links.

Head to the “Resource” section and all your vital links and forms are right there for your access.

Step-by-step VA Claims Checklist

Always know exactly what you need to do next!

The VA Claims Academy checklist is the standard operating procedure (SOP) to get to your maximum rating.

Exclusive Access to "The Board Room" Private Facebook Group

In The Board Room, we play chess, not checkers.

Have your questions answered by Jordan and fellow high-speed veterans in our private mastermind group.

About The Instructor Jordan Anderson

Jordan is an Air Force veteran who has been successfully coaching individuals & accredited VSO’s on the VA claims process for more than half a decade.

For years he struggled to navigate the VA’s bureaucratic nonsense. This grueling period of research, trial, error and refinement allowed him to build a proven system that yielded him the coveted 100% Permanent & Total rating.

Seeing fellow vets get bullied by the system is what motivated him to build VA Claims Academy where veterans get the information the VA doesn't want them to know. He gets a kick out of it.

What do vets say about the instructor.

Sonia Abridello

“he won’t steer you wrong”.

Jordan is very intelligent and knows his VA claims. I like his teaching style because he values the student’s time and doesn’t over-teach or go on tangents. In my experience he won’t steer you wrong or mislead you into false expectations.

Thabiti Saxton

“He genuinely wants to take care of his vets”

Jordan is the real deal. In terms of taking a complicated topic and breaking it down to only what you need to get the rating you want. You can tell he genuinely wants to take care of his vets, it’s very apparent a couple of modules in.

Chris Marcocci

“i’m glad i put my faith in him”.

“Once I connected with VA Claims Academy, I started working with Jordan immediately to help start my VA disability. He is by far the most experienced individual I’ve worked with. He teaches you an easy step by step solution that helps you quickly decipher through the complexities of VA documentation. I’m glad I put my faith in him and his knowledgeable team. He has helped me secure a well deserved future for my family.”

PREMIUM bonuses

1-on-1 grandmaster discovery call.

Every situation is different.

Use this valuable session to tell us more about yours. This is the most personalized experience to target a winning strategy that delivers.

CUSTOM Written Personal Statement Templates

These “plug-&-play” custom written personal statement templates are using the key language from the VA’s 38 CFR regulation and are fully ready for you to simply plug in your true story.

The templates are offer an easy way for you to translate your true story into the VA’s language.

CUSTOM Written Nexus Letter Templates

“Bulletproof” your entire claim!

These “bulletproof” custom written nexus letter templates target your specific circumstance. ANY CONDITION!

These nexus letter templates will be fully written and ready to be personalized and signed by your private doctor!

**Great for vets who wish to claim secondary conditions or win service-connection**

Similar Services Charge Up To $15,000

$15,000 is undoubtedly a significant amount of money… but what if spending that allowed you to make up to $4,000 per month, let’s imagine you get offered to buy a house that you could rent for $4,000 per month- almost $50k per year tax-free with no vacancy, no repairs, and no headache- for the whopping price of… $15,000., that’s the value in optimizing your benefit., but we don’t charge $15,000., for active duty, transitioning military, and veterans.

Lifetime value, one unbeatable price, for strategies that WORK

One Time Payment

Lifetime Access
Immediate Start
Access to All Modules
VA Form Downloads & Resource Links
Access to The Board Room private Facebook community
Fully written personal statement templates for all "High-roller" claims

GRANDMASTER

VA Form Downloads & Resource links
Fully written personal statement templates for any condition
1-on-1 Grandmaster Discovery Call
CUSTOM written personal statement templates specific to your circumstance
CUSTOM written NEXUS LETTER templates ready to be signed by your private doctor!

100% Risk-Free Satisfaction Guarantee

Here at VA Claims Academy, we are so confident that you will get more value out of this course than what you put in, that we offer a bold 100% risk-free money-back guarantee.

If you find that none of these insights are applicable to you or you simply are not completely satisfied with the course, simply email our support team for a full hassle-free refund.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

01 help i never went to the doctor during service.

If you have never been to the doctor during service and have NOTHING service connected by the VA, VA Claims Academy is likely not for you.

Check for presumptive service connected conditions to see if you qualify!

02 Is VA Claims Academy for me?

Almost certainly. If your claim can benefit at all from learning expert insider tips on how to maximize your percentage along with being equipped with the best fully-written lay evidence in existence, then it is worth it. There is always a 100% risk-free guarantee to ensure you are satisfied. There is no reason not to take action now.

03 Why not just use a free VSO?

“Free” services do the best they can but are flooded with veterans and are spread too thin. This almost always results in a lower rating than the veteran deserves, costing multiple hundreds of dollars per month or even thousands.

If it costs the veteran money, it is not free.

04 Do you have doctors on retainer?

No. VA Claims Academy’s fully written nexus letters are intended to be signed by your own private physician in order to save you money and provide more credibility to your VA claim by using a doctor that truly knows you.

05 Will VA Claims Academy file my claim for me?

No. VA Claims Academy is not legally able to submit a claim on behalf of the veteran.

06 Is VA Claims Academy accredited by the VA?

Absolutely not. We at VA Claims Academy are proud to be neither affiliated with nor endorsed by the US Veterans Administration in any capacity.

07 Do you guarantee a rating increase?

No, we guarantee your satisfaction. VA Claims Academy will provide you the information to maximize your chances of increasing your VA benefit & minimize the margin for a VA rater to under-rate the veteran. Due to the complexity of the VA rating system & factors out of our control, we could never guarantee a favorable outcome for everyone.

08 What package is right for me?

If you are currently on Active Duty and have 2 years or less before separation, MASTER is recommended.

If you are already separated, GRANDMASTER is highly recomended to maximize your benefit.

Strategies that WORK for a lifetime value at one unbeatable price

Cheers to freedom

Whether it is here at VA Claims Academy or you decide to study VA disability alone, I ask that you take action to get what you deserve, vets.

Chess not checkers,