Personal Statement

The Personal Statement!

3T's and an EAR

1.  T ell your Story

2.  T ell the Truth

3.  T ell it Well

            S pecifically

            E dit

                A sk Questions

                    R evise

The personal statement, your opportunity to sell yourself in the application process, generally falls into one of two categories:

1. The general, comprehensive personal statement:

This allows you maximum freedom in terms of what you write and is the type of statement often prepared for standard medical or law school application forms.

2. The response to very specific questions:

Often, applications ask specific questions, and your statement should respond specifically to the question being asked. Some applications favor multiple essays, typically asking for responses to three or more questions (UW has 3 questions for example). OPTIONAL quesitons mean: DO IT! 

Questions to ask yourself before you write:

·What's special, unique, distinctive, and/or impressive about you or your life story?

·What details of your life (personal or family problems, history, people or events that have shaped you or influenced your goals) might help the committee better understand you or help set you apart from other applicants?

·If you have worked a lot during your high school, what have you learned (leadership or managerial skills, for example), and how has that work contributed to your growth? What are your career goals?

·Are there any gaps or discrepancies in your academic record that you should explain (great grades but mediocre SAT or ACT scores, for example, or a distinct upward pattern to your GPA if it was only average in the beginning)?

·Have you had to overcome any unusual obstacles or hardships (for example, economic, familial, or physical) in your life?

·What personal characteristics (for example, integrity, compassion, and/or persistence) do you possess that would improve your prospects for success in the field or profession? Is there a way to demonstrate or document that you have these characteristics? What skills (for example, leadership, communicative, analytical) do you possess?

·What are the most compelling reasons you can give for the admissions committee to be interested in you?

Answer the questions that are asked

·If you are applying to several schools, you may find questions in each application that are somewhat similar.

·Don't be tempted to use the same statement for all applications. It is important to answer each question being asked, and if slightly different answers are needed, you should write separate statements. In every case, be sure your answer fits the question being asked.

Tell a story

·Think in terms of showing or demonstrating through concrete experience. One of the worst things you can do is to bore the admissions committee. If your statement is fresh, lively, and different, you'll be putting yourself ahead of the pack. If you distinguish yourself through your story, you will make yourself memorable.

Be specific

·Don't, for example, state that the school has a strong reputation or an idyllic setting (they already know that). Your application should emerge as the logical conclusion to your story.

Find an angle

·If you're like most people, your life story lacks drama, so figuring out a way to make it interesting becomes the big challenge. Finding an angle or a "hook" is vital.

Concentrate on your opening paragraph

·The lead or opening paragraph is generally the most important. It is here that you grab the reader's attention or lose it. This paragraph becomes the framework for the rest of the statement.

Tell what you know

·The middle section of your essay might detail your interest and experience in your particular field, as well as some of your knowledge of the field. Be as specific as you can and authentic—folks want honesty.

Don't include some subjects

·There are certain things best left out of personal statements. For example, references to experiences or accomplishments earlier than high school are generally not a good idea. Don't mention potentially controversial subjects (for example, controversial religious or political issues).

Do some research, if needed

·If a school wants to know why you're applying to it rather than another school, do some research to find out what sets your choice apart from other universities or programs. If the school setting would provide an important geographical or cultural change for you, this might be a factor to mention.

Write well and correctly

·Be meticulous. Type and proofread your essay very carefully. Many admissions officers say that good written skills and command of correct use of language are important to them as they read these statements. Express yourself clearly and concisely. Adhere to stated word limits.

Avoid clichés

·Avoid clichés like the plague and even though your teachers will tell you a thousand times, avoid them!!

University of Washington:

A. Essay (Required)

At __________ college, we consider the college essay as our opportunity to see the person behind the transcripts and the numbers. Some of the best statements are written as personal stories. In general, concise, straightforward writing is best, and good essays are often 300 to 400 words in length. 

Format for the essays

• Content is important, but spelling, grammar, and punctuation are also considered.

• We recommend composing in advance, then copy and paste into the application. Double-spacing, italics, and other formatting will be lost, but this will not affect the evaluation of your application.

• We've observed that most students write a polished formal essay yet submit a more casual Short Response. Give every part of the writing responses your very best effort, presenting yourself in standard, formal English.

• Proofread, proofread, proofread! 

Tip

• Write like it matters, not like you're texting. This is an application for college, not a message to your BFF. Writing i instead of I, cant for cannot, u r for you are: not so kewl.

The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don't feel obligated to do so. (The application won't accept a response shorter than 250 words.)

Common Application Essay Prompts

1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

4. Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

6. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design

FINALLY (whew)—remember, private schools OFTEN have “supplemental” sheets and you’ll want to triple check to make sure you complete these as well!