Bachelor of General Studies Program

Life Statement Example

Components and Examples

Please address the following in your Life Statement. Submit to AlexisKenyon@boisestate.edu as a Word attachment, no more than 2 pages.

  • Explain why you are interested in the Bachelor of General Studies degree and not a traditional major such as Business or Biology.
  • Explain what you hope to achieve as a result of obtaining this degree. Include areas you might be interested in taking courses in. (i.e Communications or Marketing)
  • Describe what obstacles you foresee in your degree progress and how you will overcome them.
  • Briefly explain significant life events which demonstrate at least five years of work/life experience other than going to school full time. This can include jobs, volunteer work, raising a family, etc.

Below are a few Life Statement examples.

Life Statement #1

July 15, 20XX

Vicki Budd
Director/Advisor
Bachelor of General Studies
College of Social Sciences & Public Affairs
1910 University Drive
Boise, ID 83725-1120

Dear Vicki Budd,

Subject: Life Statement

My name is XXX and I have been a resident of Boise for over twenty years. I have made numerous attempts to finish my Bachelors degree with Boise State University over those twenty years but have encountered both personal and professional hurtles. Now at forty years old I have found myself in both the mental and professional balance to achieve this life long goal.

My life experiences are many and varied as far as my work history shows. Growing up in XXX I found myself working in restaurants and retail stores at a young age. I have worked every position imaginable from dish washer to manager. My restaurant management skills brought me to Boise where I worked opening and staffing new restaurant ventures. I am very skilled at team building, training and retention of fine dining floor staff. My knowledge of food and wine was a passion that I loved to share with my staff and it showed with the glowing reviews the restaurants I managed would receive.

I took my love of customer service into the real estate profession five years ago and worked a brisk business with a local real estate firm in the residential market. The downturn that started to occur made it difficult to meet my family’s needs and I returned to management three years ago to run a local furniture consignment store.

I recently accepted a position as XXX for the XXX. My organizational skills as well as my passion to be a part of a positive social movement attracted them to reach out and offer me this coveted full time position. They are happy and excited to work with me on my goal to achieve my bachelors’ degree through BSU. While I am committed to completing this degree, one challenge I will face is being able to balance school with my career. As I mentioned before, I have made numerous attempts to finish my degree before and balancing school with my personal and professional life was always an obstacle.  It is helpful to have my employer supporting me this time around.

I was excited to hear of a degree program that would help me learn and grow in my new chosen profession. The hybrid curriculum that the General Studies degree offers seems the perfect match for me and my future goals. It will allow me to take courses in several areas beneficial to my career such as communication and general business. I am excited to be a part of this new program and look forward to working with you and the department.

Thank you,

 

Life Statement #2

Professional Life Statement
October 22, 20XX
Bachelor of General Studies Degree

My professional career spans 46 years; I did well in my chosen field moving from file clerk to executive assistant to the CEO of a large corporation. While moving up through the ranks I learned a lot and took advantage of every training opportunity that was offered along the way. For several years I was active in a professional association; served on the board and chaired many committees. The years spent working among senior executives helped polish my skills as well as broaden my personal experience.

During those busy working years my husband and I raised our family. It was a great time to be in a unique city like Boise. When our youngest entered college, my husband’s work required we move around. We left Boise for Dallas then Boston, and then Seattle until retirement brought us back to Boise. The diversity of living in different parts our great country was exhilarating; however it made completion of my degree impossible.

My college education began at the University of Rhode Island. At that time I was working on campus which meant my classes were free. It was an ideal situation to explore different areas of study. Literature, psychology and art (in that order) held my interest and that remains the same for me today. For this reason the Bachelor of General Studies degree is a perfect fit for me. It will allow me to focus in several areas of interest. When I moved from R.I. to Boise in 1976 BSU had a limited curriculum, especially for people who needed to attend class at night. This forced me to take what was offered: design, drawing and painting.

Now that I am retired things appear to be falling into place. General Studies is an ideal path for this lifelong learner to complete a bachelor degree. I am currently enrolled at BSU and a member of the Osher Learning Institute. Life experience is an excellent teacher. Overseas travel enhanced and enlightened me by a fuller measure. I have been to Rome, Venice, Florence, Athens, Greek Islands, Istanbul, Ephesus and Israel. I am eager to learn from younger people and happy to contribute where I can.

Family and friends all know that I love to tell stories. Some are true; some embellished; some pure fiction. I love to read and I love to write. As part of this degree I hope to complete a minor in Writing. The older I get, the more curious I become. WHEN I complete my degree, perhaps I could help out in the Writing Center at BSU.

One obstacle I expect to face is a result of my personality. I have varied interests and sometimes struggle to stay focused on the current course of plan. Hence my reason for having so many college credits in so many areas, but no degree. Having the opportunity to create an Individualized Degree Plan for this program in GS 200, Introduction to General Studies, will allow me to stay focused. The BGS is precisely what I have been searching for and acceptance into the program is very important to me.