Complete your GradApp profile under "My Account". Select "Apply to a Program" from the sidebar.This form must accompany documentation of financial support to cover your estimated cost of attendance for the first academic year of study. A personal statement is your opportunity to share your goals and explain why you decided to pursue graduate education. A personal statement is a short essay that introduces a grad school candidate and his or her personal reasons for applying to a particular program. Learn how to write a strong personal statement when applying to graduate school. There are nine steps to the application process: Submit application materials and pay application fee. A family may complete the FAFSA before completing the tax return, but all information will need to be verified for truthfulness. Financial Aid PROFILE. Consider these tips and tricks for how to write a personal statement for grad school that will get you noticed in a good way.