Writing your personal statement

It's the chance to tell your story, and distinguish yourself from the crowd.

Words for success:

  • Personal statement: A short essay on college applications usually written about a student’s life, characteristics and interests.
  • Résumé: A one-page document clearly showing a student’s education, work and extracurricular experience.

Admissions people use personal statements to assess your writing skill and learn more about who you are.The 500-word personal statement is your chance to get personal and distinguish yourself from the hundreds of other applicants.

It may seem like a daunting prospect, but consider the personal experiences, encounters and ambitions that define you as a person. Don’t worry if you don’t think you’re “unique”—the admissions committee just wants to get to know you. Speak directly to them and impress the reader with who you are.

READY: What’s your story?
Start EARLYYou can’t write your life story overnight. Get started by drawing on your autobiography and begin several months in advance. Don’t be afraid to write several drafts. Leave it alone for a week and return with a fresh perspective. This is probably the most important essay you’ve ever written, be sure to give it the time and effort it deserves.

Tell a story
Use an anecdote from your life that describes you as a person. Use this story to show why you are a good candidate and want to attend this particular school.

Make it memorable
Admissions officers read hundreds—if not thousands—of applications and personal statements every year. Make yours memorable.

Some schools provide an “optional” essay or two. If you want to be considered seriously for admission, don’t consider them optional. This is another opportunity to display your writing skills and tell the admissions committee more about yourself. Most importantly, it shows that you are genuinely interested in attending the school.

SET: Make it original

Avoid broad generalizations
Once you have the admissions officer’s attention, make sure she or he will remember you. Avoid generalizations such as, “this experience helped me grow and develop as a person.” You roughly 500 words to introduce yourself—don’t waste them on broad statements that could apply to anyone.

Be yourself
Write with your own style and personality. Don’t use big words to impress anyone. Schools consider your statement to learn more about you as a person, not just to torment you with one more hurdle.

Tailor your essay to the school
Admissions officers want to see that you are interested in their school in particular. Consider including specific details about the school that interest you or things you would take advantage of if you enrolled.

Explain any adversity you have faced
Colleges want to know if you have overcome any particular hardship to achieve the same success as your fellow applicants. Admissions people will recognize any hardships that you have overcome as signs of strength and commitment. Talking about them can help you stand out.

Common college essay questions:

  • In 500 words, describe yourself and why you want to attend their college.
  • If you had the opportunity to talk with any one person, alive, deceased or fictional, who would it be and why?
  • Tell us about the person who most influenced your life and why.
  • What is your favorite book and how has it influenced you?

GO: Get it right
Follow the directions.
Schools expect you to follow directions and demonstrate personal responsibility as a student. This is your first chance to show you can handle it.
Answer the question.
No matter how difficult, annoying or stupid the essay question might seem, answer it clearly and directly. Admissions committee members picked that question for a reason. They expect you to respond to it.
Check spelling and grammar carefully.
With more applicants than admission spots, colleges can be very selective. Even a minor typo or grammatical error can be enough to deny your application.
Have an adult or teacher proofread your essay.
Like other application materials, have someone else look it over before you send it.

Warning: Getting outside help on the personal statement is ethically touchy. Those who help proofread your essay should give general advice, such as “emphasize this” or “explain that better,” but avoid restructuring language.