American universities want to get an idea of what sort of person you are, which is why they often ask you to include a personal statement in your admission application. For many students, writing the personal statement is the hardest part of the application process, but with the keen competition for admission to US universities, your personal statement often becomes a crucial element of your application package. It is your opportunity to distinguish yourself from the many other applicants with the same academic qualifications.
Make sure you tailor your written statement to the institution to which you are applying – the more specific you are, the more convincing you will be. Make sure your referees do the same for their references. References and personal statements need to demonstrate evidence of why you would be suitable for a particular graduate department.