Writing A Personal Statement: 10 Tips
1. Don’t wait. Start now.
2. Read the prompt or prompts carefully. Circle key words. Be sure you answer all parts of the prompts and avoid getting sidetracked.
3. Plan to put energy into your writing. Get psyched. Make a playlist of songs you love, sit down, and just write. This is your chance to express who you are. I know you are more than grades and data sets.
4. Brainstorm memories that define you and fit the prompt. What are you most proud of? What experience captures who you are? List adjectives that describe you. Do not edit during the brainstorming process. Let your ideas flow!
5. Make a list of what you care most about in the world and see if you have any stories or examples that tell why.
6. While there is no exact formula for a powerful personal statement, consider the following: answering the prompt + revealing the real you + convincing why the school would appreciate you = a successful statement
7. Avoid sounding like a list. Try sounding like a two year old by continuing to ask "why" until you get at your deeper thoughts. (Ex. I play football. Why? I enjoy being part of a team. Why? I believe that you should be willing to sacrifice yourself for the greater good.)
8. Avoid vague, general language. Pump up verbs and show rather than tell in order to help the reader really understand the unique YOU.
9. Utilize resources such as The Elements of Style; The College Application Essay; http://www.collegeboard.org or consider hiring a writing coach.
10. If you think you are done, you probably have two more drafts. Read it aloud or to a trusted adult to be sure you don’t have any errors. You MUST be sure your essay is correctly and powerfully written. A rushed statement with errors will detract from your overall application.
2. Read the prompt or prompts carefully. Circle key words. Be sure you answer all parts of the prompts and avoid getting sidetracked.
3. Plan to put energy into your writing. Get psyched. Make a playlist of songs you love, sit down, and just write. This is your chance to express who you are. I know you are more than grades and data sets.
4. Brainstorm memories that define you and fit the prompt. What are you most proud of? What experience captures who you are? List adjectives that describe you. Do not edit during the brainstorming process. Let your ideas flow!
5. Make a list of what you care most about in the world and see if you have any stories or examples that tell why.
6. While there is no exact formula for a powerful personal statement, consider the following: answering the prompt + revealing the real you + convincing why the school would appreciate you = a successful statement
7. Avoid sounding like a list. Try sounding like a two year old by continuing to ask "why" until you get at your deeper thoughts. (Ex. I play football. Why? I enjoy being part of a team. Why? I believe that you should be willing to sacrifice yourself for the greater good.)
8. Avoid vague, general language. Pump up verbs and show rather than tell in order to help the reader really understand the unique YOU.
9. Utilize resources such as The Elements of Style; The College Application Essay; http://www.collegeboard.org or consider hiring a writing coach.
10. If you think you are done, you probably have two more drafts. Read it aloud or to a trusted adult to be sure you don’t have any errors. You MUST be sure your essay is correctly and powerfully written. A rushed statement with errors will detract from your overall application.