I've heard 0.3" margins on the sides, 0.8" margins on the top/bottom, no spaces between lines paragraphs unless you choose to do carriage returns, and Courrier New size 10 font.

The margins are small...

no one wants to read a personal statement that is a full one page with 0.3" margins. no one.
this is what i did, and it was safe:
in word, do times new roman 12, 1" margins all around. that will give you the end result of a readable, appropriately length'ed personal statement.


when you start pushing the limits, you will get interviewers that come upon a page full of text, and no one wants to sift through all of it


just cut...it...down....a bit

no one wants to read a personal statement that is a full one page with 0.3" margins. no one.
this is what i did, and it was safe]

Yeah mine is still <1 page when I change it to those settings too. I guess I was just getting at the fact that if you use the settings I said, then your PS will be the same size, +/- one line maybe, as it shows up when a program director or interviewer looks at it.

as mark twain said...if i had more time, i would write you a shorter letter. in reviewing applications, by attention span wanes after about 3/4 of a standard page. make your point and make it short.