Cover Letter vs. Personal Statement

[twoteachers]

Who can clearly explain the difference between these? I've seen schools ask for them, but not both on the same application. They seem exactly the same to me and I feel repetitive creating both for the same application. Advice?

[shadowjack]

My cover letter is about me and my experience.

My personal statement is about my beliefs and practices.

[reisgio]

More evidence of what geniuses go into education!

[twoteachers]

In that case a personal statement sounds just like a philosophy of education...I wish they would just say that...Oy!

[PsyGuy]

It might be easier to call what a cover letter is to compare it to a personal statement, a cover letter is a professional statement. It provides you a narrative to explore in greater detail and depth the line items on your resume. To include those specific details relevant to a vacancy posting that you wouldnt normally include, and an opportunity to tailor the application to the IS your applying too by demonstrating that you have done some research into the IS and the region and the job.

A personal statement is just that personal, it explores in a little bit more of a narrative, personal attributes and experiences about you that help an IS (when they actually read them) get some insight into your "fit"; hobbies, interests, activities, personal accomplishments and experiences that have helped define you more as a person and less as a professional. You can address a few points from aspects you would include in other documents (a teaching philosophy, etc.) but its more about those points that make you the kind of person they might want to associate with, whereas your cover letter addresses the professional insights.