How to write a good personal statement in preparation for college admissions

1. How to Write a Personal
Statement
Beverly Tate
Arkova M. Scott

2. What is a personal
statement?

3. The personal statement is your opportunity to sell
yourself in the application process. It normally
describes one special, unique, distinct, and/or
impressive story about you.

4. Why do you need to write a personal statement?

5. Often 4-year colleges and graduate schools require a
personal statement from their applicants, along with
the application. 2-year colleges, often, require students
to write a personal statement for specific scholarships.

6. What does a personal statement include?

7. Details of your life (personal family issues, books
read, and/or people or events that have shaped you or
influenced your goals) that might help the committee
better understand your or help set you apart from
other applicants.

8. What is the format for a personal statement?

9. It is written in an essay format. Normally, they will limit
the number of words you can write.
They might ask for 500 to 750 words only.
(You have to stick to that number.)

10. Click the link below to watch a short video about the various
elements that should be included in your personal statement.
Wait a few minutes for
video to load….

11. Write out on a separate piece of paper……
What personal characteristics
(i.e., resilience, integrity, compassion, and/or
persistence) do you
possess that would improve your prospects for success
in college?

12. • First identify the characteristic.
• Secondly, select one incident in your past that
demonstrates that characteristic.
• Third, describe how it (characteristic) proves that
you will be successful in college.

13. Tell a story-provide a concrete experience that is fresh
and different:
• Who was involved?
• Where did it take place?
• When did it take place?
• Why did it take place?
• What sensory details can you use?

14. • Be specific-don’t meander all over the place…
• Concentrate on the introduction-Grab the reader’s
attention.
• Body Paragraphs: Tell the story with a true
beginning, middle, and end.
• Type and proofread your essay very carefully.

15. • Sloppiness
Avoid spelling, punctuation, formatting, and
grammatical errors. Be sure to leave yourself adequate
time to edit and revise your essay. You do not want to
send your first draft to the admissions committee.
• Writing one statement for all schools
Learn about each school’s program, including
research interests and publications of faculty.
Clearly state reasons for pursuing a degree from
that school. Be sure to mention faculty members
with whom you would like study.
• Boring content
Have a positive tone, vary length and structure of
sentences, and avoid clichés.
• Sounding like everyone else
Identify your strengths and clearly articulate
what sets you apart from other applicants.
• Dwelling on crisis
If you discuss a personal crisis, it should relate
to the purpose of your essay. Mention how it
affected your personal goals, perspective, or
academic performance.

16. • Did my opening paragraph capture the reader’s attention?
• Is the statement as a whole interesting?
• Is it well written?
• Is the statement positive and upbeat?
• Does it reflect well on me and my qualifications?
• Is it an honest and forthright presentation of me?
• Does it answer key questions posed in the application?
• Was relevant material omitted?
• Is there inappropriate or irrelevant material in the statement?
• Does the reader gain insight from reading the statement?
• Is it free of typos or other errors?
• Has the statement distinguished me from other applicants?

17. 1. Personal Statement Steps
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/642/01/
2. Examples of Personal Statements
http://www.eduers.com/personalstatement/sample.htm
3. Personal Statement Tips
http://www.quintcareers.com/college_application_essay.html