Personal Statement Tips

Your personal statement or college admissions essay is both an opportunity for the school to evaluate your writing as well as your personal communication skills. This is the place where colleges look beyond the ACT/SAT scores, grades and past volunteering experiences and see how you are different from other applicants and learn who you really are. For these reasons, the personal statement or essay is a very important part of your application. Often topics are assigned yet you may have an opportunity to choose from more than one. Here are some guidelines to keep in mind when writing your personal statement or essay. Be sure to answer the question or discuss the topic thoroughly while at the same time remaining succinct.

Your personal statement should:

Demonstrate your writing ability
 
a.)  Answer the personal statement and follow the instructions
b.)  Begin with a strong opening paragraph that captures the reader’s interest
c.)  Use a style that is comfortable and appropriate for the subject matter
d.)  Use correct grammar, punctuationand spelling
e.)  Develop your argument or narrative
f.)   Check any facts for accuracy
g.)  Discuss how you and college would be a good match
h.)  Provide insights into you as a student and as a person

Choose A Topic

If the application asks you to choose a topic to write about consider the following ideas:
a.)  Do you have a hobby or out of school time activity that you enjoy?
b.)  Is there a social cause that you participate in?
c.)  Was there a local, national or international event that touched you personally?
d.)  Is there a subject at school that has led you to expereinces or study outside of school?
e.)  Is there a special achievement that was not covered in your school records or college application?
f.)   Has someone had a significant impact or influence on your life?
g.)  Have you traveled to another place and been affected by that trip?
h.)  Have you overcome an athletic injury or other adversity?

Remember

This is a personal statement not an academic paper. Be succinct and focused. Take your time to write and edit and rewrite. Offer your own reflections and experiences. Be sure that the personal statement will be engaging to the reader.