To say that the application process is a stressful time in a student's life is probably an understatement. Meeting deadlines, making sure everything is in order, and the waiting game are basically a taxing nightmare. But perhaps the toughest part is the Personal Statement . How do you convey exactly what you want to say and how important is this personal statement?
A Definition
A personal statement is the essay that is part of the application process where a student writes to answer a question posed by the admissions committee. It is usually a generic question that can be answered by almost anyone about almost anything. It can also be more specific and give you a more honed-in idea of what the committee wants to know about you.
The Importance
The personal statement is the one opportunity in which the admissions committee hears your voice. This is especially true if the school doesn't grant interviews or if they read your essay before they want to interview you (which is most likely the case). If you're not such a good test taker and therefore didn't do so well on the SAT/ACT the personal statement can be a good chance of somewhere that you can redeem yourself.
The Content
It's usually a good idea to convey some sort of change or obstacle you have overcome. It doesn't need to be a sob story; in other words, you don't need to have had a terrible tragedy befall you. It can be lighthearted and fun, rather than dark and heavy. However, your personality should shine through to make you more than just the couple of pieces of paper you submitted during the application process. You want to stand out from the crowd without looking like you tried too hard.
Some people use their personal statement to further explain something contained within their resume or transcript. Perhaps you led a project in some way or maybe you were behind the scenes. What was it like getting everything together? How did it make you feel? Just make sure there's a beginning, a middle, and an end. The first paragraph should hook the reader, while the last should tie up the loose ends and have some sort of clever tie back to the introduction. Being descriptive is always helpful, but be careful not to be too wordy.
To Remember
While you may want to "wow" your audience, you do want it to be believable. Don't enhance the story or fabricate facts because you never know when the information may come up in the future.
Think outside the box. Using literary terms such as alliteration or personification could be helpful to show a creative side.
Answer the question that is asked. If the question is a topic of your choice then you pretty much have free reign. But once you start your discussion, be careful not to go off-topic - it's just a waste of space and you usually only get so many words with which to work.
Read it over and over and make necessary changes. You should be so familiar with your essay that you can almost recite it before you send it off. Be sure there are no holes in the essay. If you haven't answered the question "Why?" then you need to further explain.
Have teachers, counselors, mentors, parents, and/or trusted friends read over your essay. You can always use an extra set or two of eyes. After all, you're writing this for someone else to read. While you may understand what you are saying, an outsider may not. Don't be afraid to ask for guidance.
Finally, don't stress too much. As long as you put in the necessary work, you'll be fine and everything will work out just the way it should. Persevere and perfect your essay and you'll be successful.
About the author:
http://www.collegesurfing.com/content
Amanda Fornecker is a staff writer at The CollegeBound Network. Learn more about finding a school that's right for you.
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